NOVEL NEXT Chapter 289: Someone As Noble As Yourself
Long Liu's smile sent a chill down Feng Fan's spine. His excitement vanished in an instant, replaced by an overwhelming sense of dread. He didn't need to read her mind to know—whatever she had planned for him, he wouldn't like it.
Without hesitation, he spun on his heel, ready to flee. But before he could take a single step, a powerful grip clamped down on his shoulder, rooting him in place.
"Oh, Feng Fan," Long Liu's voice was sickeningly sweet. "It's been so long since we last saw each other. Come now, let's talk about your reward."
Feng Fan stiffly turned his head, catching sight of her face; her grin had stretched even wider. A cold sweat broke out on his back.
"Elder Long, you must be mistaken," he blurted, forcing a nervous laugh. "I, Feng Fan, am a selfless man of honor and integrity! I would never do something for a reward. There's really no need!"
His words fell on deaf ears. Long Liu's grip remained firm, her expression unwavering.
"Oh? A selfless man who asks for no rewards? That's wonderful, truly admirable!" she cooed. "In that case, I have the perfect mission for someone as noble as yourself."
Feng Fan felt his stomach drop. 'Don't twist my words!'
"Elder Long, it's not that I don't want to help you," he tried again, his voice laced with desperation, "but with my insignificant cultivation, how could I possibly be of use to someone as powerful as you? Please, call someone else!"
Long Liu patted his shoulder with an almost affectionate touch.
"Nonsense." Her voice was light, but her grip remained unyielding. "You're the best candidate we have. Besides, I'm sending you out to explore new planets! Isn't that just perfect? You must leave your turf to broaden your horizons. This is the best way to improve your cultivation."
Feng Fan swallowed hard. A very, very bad feeling crept over him.
"Elder Long, I firmly believe that cultivation is best improved through peaceful seclusion. Only by calmly reflecting on oneself can true progress be made. What I need right now is to stay inside the White Crow Sect and never leave. NEVER!"
"Great! Let's go."
Long Liu completely ignored his desperate plea. With a casual wave of her hand, she sealed his movements, rendering him helpless. Then, she dragged him away toward her quarters.
After all, what did Feng Fan's wishes have to do with her? The needs of the collective always outweighed the desires of a single individual.
To Long Liu, her needs were the collective's needs.
With Feng Fan firmly bound in place, Long Liu began explaining the situation to him.
"That's why I need capable people to gather intelligence. In ten years, we must select one of the civilizations from this Intergalactic Council to face in battle. Your task is simple: find out which of them is the weakest and gather as much intel as possible about our future opponent."
Feng Fan let out a long sigh. "Elder Long, why don't we just fight the Shen Empire? We've already defeated them once, and I'm sure we can do it again."
"Don't be lazy," Long Liu replied bluntly. "I'll have rewards prepared for you when you return. Members of the Dao Seeking School will accompany you, and you're free to bring along anyone you choose."
At the mention of rewards, Feng Fan's mood lifted slightly. At least there was some upside to this mission.
"What about my rewards for helping defeat the Shen Empire? Am I not getting anything for that?"
A smirk played at Long Liu's lips. "Didn't you say you didn't need a reward for that? Such a selfless person."
Feng Fan puffed out his chest without a shred of shame. "I, Feng Fan, firmly believe that people should be properly rewarded for their contributions! Only through fair compensation can we improve the collective!"
Long Liu rolled her eyes at his shamelessness. "Just get yourself ready. You'll be departing in a week; we don't have time to waste. As for your reward, I'll have something prepared for you by then."
With a flick of her sleeve, Long Liu withdrew her spiritual qi, releasing Feng Fan from her hold.
"If you don't return in a week…" she said, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
Feng Fan gulped but quickly forced a confident smile. "Elder Long, don't worry! I'm a man of my word. I'll be here in a week!"
Before she could add any more demands, he vanished in an instant. Long Liu chuckled at the speed of his escape.
"What's this little guy so afraid of? Does he think I'll bite him?"
While within the Dao Seeking School's grounds, Feng Fan didn't dare utter a single word. But the moment he stepped outside, he unleashed a torrent of curses upon Long Liu's seven generations.
—
Back at the White Crow Sect, Feng Fan headed straight for the Sect Master's quarters. Truth be told, there wasn't much for him to prepare. His only task was to inform the Sect Master and Elder Jiang of his absence before departing.
As for Huang Xue, Xue Qiang, and Su Xiaoli? He had no intention of telling them. If they found out, they'd surely insist on tagging along; that was a headache he'd rather avoid.
After all, they were venturing into unknown territory. If things went south, escaping alone would be much easier. As for whoever Long Liu decided to send with him? He certainly didn't see their survival as his responsibility.
Unfortunately, things didn't always go as planned.
After informing Yin Jian, Feng Fan spent the next five days cultivating alone inside his room. But just as he was about to leave for the Dao Seeking School, the last three people he wanted to see appeared at his doorstep.
"Were you really planning to leave without telling me?" Xue Qiang demanded, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms beneath her towering peaks.
One glance at Su Xiaoli and Huang Xue's expressions told him they shared the same sentiment. A wry smile formed on Feng Fan's face.