"Are you here for the mission too, Su Hao!"
The white-clad boy's gaze locked onto him.
The Alolan Ninetales glanced around Su Hao's head and surroundings in confusion, but didn't spot its enemy, the Dream Mist Butterfly.
The white-clad man in front of him...
Su Hao racked his brain for a good few seconds before finally recalling the guy's name.
Bai Hongzhen.
The current heir of the Yu Ling Bai family.
Of course, he didn't know any Bai family or Hei family.
He, Su Hao, was just an ordinary college student—how would he know these big Yu Ling families?
Su Hao's expression, which screamed "I can barely remember who you are," made Bai Hongzhen fume with frustration.
Ever since his Alolan Ninetales got wrecked—no, ganged up on and taken down—during the challenge round, Bai Hongzhen had been thinking about cornering Su Hao every single day.
But he never managed to.
How was he supposed to know that Su Hao left the house every day riding his Water Kirin Beast, soaring through the sky?
It both trained the Water Kirin Beast's abilities and avoided a lot of trouble.
Still, Su Hao couldn't help but sigh.
"An outstanding person always attracts a lot of hostility. No helping it, no helping it."
He could tell Bai Hongzhen was itching to challenge him—well, to challenge his little Die Xiaodie.
Su Hao glanced at his panel.
'Hmm... this Alolan Ninetales has gotten a lot stronger. Letting it challenge Dream Mist Butterfly isn't out of the question—it could be a free test subject.'
He didn't want anything too weak.
But now wasn't the time. Su Hao pointed at the mission processing counter.
The number on the screen above had already changed to "(1320)."
The white-clad boy let out a "hmph" but still decisively ran over to the counter.
Su Hao followed.
He'd made up his mind.
"Dangerous? It's definitely more dangerous than catching those ordinary wanted criminals."
But if he didn't seek out danger, would danger leave him alone?
After all, they were still within Dragon Country's borders, and with a mentor leading them—this was the best training opportunity.
If he ran into terrorists in the New World, that would be the real trouble.
"Perfect chance to see how the Black Society differs from those terrorists who attacked the convoy back in senior year."
"Yeah, it's totally not because I'm eyeing the credit rewards and exchange vouchers."
His certification on the mission platform had just reached two stars, so he had no trouble accepting the large-scale mission.
About seven or eight minutes later, the mission roster of twenty was full, leaving many senior students who were a step too late sighing in regret.
Just then,
A gleaming bald head appeared at the entrance of the mission hall.
Vivid fiery red patterns were painted on it.
This mentor...
He recognized him!
It was Mentor Sun Gaoang, who taught the "Flame Art" course.
A first-tier mentor!
Senior Brother Wu had told Su Hao to ask Mentor Sun Gaoang if he had any questions.
He hadn't asked many times, but he was familiar enough.
A reliable mentor.
He felt a lot more at ease.
As soon as Mentor Sun Gaoang entered, he saw the "(2020)" on the screen and immediately called out, "Anyone who took the Black Society mission, follow me!"
Then he turned and walked out of the mission hall.
...
Mentor Sun Gaoang was a man of action. After counting everyone, he strode toward the helipad on the side of the mission building.
Several transport planes with special markings from Whale Island University were parked there.
"Summon your spirits and bring them along... Large spirits or slow-moving ones, wait until we reach the destination to summon—it's not far anyway."
Su Hao spread both hands and cast two summons at once.
On his left appeared a Fire Wool Crow about the size of a 20-inch suitcase.
On his right, a completely bewildered Dream Mist Butterfly appeared.
It looked at its empty hands and scratched them.
Where's my phone?
I left my phone in the villa, gu-no~!
"..(?oˇ?ˇo?)..."
It stared at him with wide eyes.
Su Hao remained unmoved. "No. Can't. No discussion."
The other participants summoned their spirits one by one.
Since the distance was short, the soul power needed for summoning was minimal.
That way, they'd have enough strength to fight when the time came.
The group and their spirits boarded the transport plane.
...
On the transport plane, the bald mentor Sun Gaoang swept his gaze over every student, pausing briefly on Su Hao.
He began, "Introduce your spirits, their levels, and their specialties."
A male student sitting to Mentor Sun Gaoang's left, who looked experienced, spoke first.
"I'm Zeng Yang, a junior. I have two spirits, both elite-level, specializing in frontal assault."
Su Hao looked over.
The senior's two spirits, a Great Kong and a Divine Martial Lion, were both metal-type.
The Divine Martial Lion, an evolution of the Golden Roar Lion, had a majestic golden mane and an imposing presence, exuding a "lion king aura" as it crouched there.
"Chang Xiuzhu, a sophomore. I have a Ground Howl Wolf at early elite level and an Elite-level medium Ink King Squid—not summoned yet—specializing in lockdown control..."
"Zhou Ting, a sophomore. My spirits are... specializing in ranged attacks and control..."
Inside the cabin, from left to right, the participants introduced themselves one by one.
Most were sophomores, with a few freshmen, their glances occasionally drifting toward Su Hao.
Finally...
Su Hao followed their format. "Su Hao, freshman. Dream Mist Butterfly and Fire Wool Crow are elite-level. Specialties... hmm, control, assassination, reconnaissance..."
Seniors: "???"
Something felt off.
Shouldn't it be ranged attacks?
What's with assassination??
But since Mentor Sun didn't ask, they kept quiet.
It was the white-clad boy's turn. He spoke, "Bai Hongzhen, freshman. I have three spirits: Alolan Ninetales, Tidal Frog King, and Iron Tail Shrimp, all elite-level. Specialties: attack and defense."
Compared to the start of the semester, his other two spirits had broken through, with the Tidal Frog King evolving to do so.
But a breakthrough was still a breakthrough.
After speaking, he shot a smug look at Su Hao.
As if to say, "I have three elite-level spirits, you only have two."
Su Hao patted the Water Kirin Beast on the head. When it turned to look at him in confusion, he gave it a look:
"See? You're dragging down our team's average. You need to train harder from now on."
Water Kirin Beast: "???"
What does that have to do with me, xi-lu~?!
...
After everyone introduced their spirits, Mentor Sun divided them into teams.
Five teams in total.
Su Hao was in Team 4, led by an experienced sophomore.
After a pause, Mentor Sun Gaoang continued, "Now, let me talk about the Black Society.
"Every Black Society stronghold has at least a few elite-level spirit masters. Depending on the stronghold's importance, there might even be master-level ones.
"So, if you encounter danger, I give you permission to prioritize survival.
"But... you must also do your best to protect your teammates, local enforcers, and ordinary citizens.
"You are elite-level spirit masters—elites! You're no longer fledglings who need protection!"
As he spoke,
A voice came from the cockpit up front.
Linping City was approaching.
The transport plane descended, and with a "humming" sound, it landed on a helipad.
The cabin door opened, lowering a ramp.
Mentor Sun Gaoang stood up and strode down.
Behind him followed a spirit whose body was entirely made of flames. Its upper half had a humanoid face, clear muscle outlines, and two thick arms.
Fiery red patterns were etched across it.
It had no legs; its lower half floated like a spirit body.
Its entire form was an inverted triangle.
The spirit: Fire Soldier!
Mentor Sun's ace spirit!
As they stepped off the transport plane, local spirit masters who had been waiting there rushed over to greet them.