The Art of Chaotic Divinity

Chapter 779: Xiling City

The next morning, Ling Feng went straight to Gu Tengfeng, agreeing to accompany him to the Mission Hall to select a suitable Elder Mission.

Having learned of the Blood God Cult's activities, Ling Feng hoped to take on a mission that would lead them to the Western Wilderness. This way, they could train as a team while also eliminating the threat posed by the Blood God Cult.

According to the Despicable Donkey, over a dozen towns in the Western Wilderness had already been affected. If they didn't act soon, the innocent civilians might be beyond saving.

Seeing Ling Feng arrive so early with Tuoba Yan in tow, Gu Tengfeng couldn't help but chuckle wryly. "Ling Feng, there's no need for you to trouble yourself with such minor matters."

"I'd prefer our training destination to be in the Western Wilderness, so I thought I'd come along to help pick the mission."

Ling Feng shrugged.

"The Western Wilderness?"

Gu Tengfeng frowned slightly. "The Western Wilderness within the Tianbai Empire is barren and resource-scarce—a desolate land of endless yellow sand. It's hardly an ideal place for training."

"There's a reason I want to go there."

Ling Feng sighed and explained the situation with the Blood God Cult. "The Blood Sword Heavenly Lord's rampage is somewhat connected to me. I want to eradicate this threat before it grows stronger."

"Mhmm." Gu Tengfeng nodded solemnly. "Evil cults running rampant in the Western Wilderness can't be ignored."

...

Before long, Ling Feng and the others arrived at the Mission Hall. Among the Elder Missions for the Western Wilderness, many were related to the Blood God Cult.

One mission detailed how roughly sixteen cities in the Western Wilderness had been afflicted by a demonic curse, turning their inhabitants into mindless husks wandering the streets, their homes now shrouded in sinister energy. The military had already dispatched soldiers to quarantine the cities, seeking skilled individuals to break the curse.

If no solution was found within three months, the only option would be to burn the cities to the ground, eradicating the threat completely.

Aside from this medical mission, there were also demon-slaying tasks—such as killing the Blood God Cult's leader or capturing its followers.

It seemed that after the Despicable Donkey's interference, news of the Blood God Cult had spread, drawing the attention of the imperial capital. Soon, the four major academies and various sects would likely mobilize to suppress the cult and handle the aftermath.

"They’ll burn the cities in three months if no solution is found? The military really is brutal."Ling Feng couldn't help but murmur.

"It's a last resort."

As someone from a military family, Gu Tengfeng understood the military's reasoning better than Ling Feng.

"Quarantining sixteen cities demands an enormous amount of manpower. Three months is already pushing the limit. If we divert our forces from the borders, our neighboring nations—or worse, the demon tribes—might seize the opportunity to strike. The losses from an invasion would far outweigh the destruction of a few cities."

"Besides, those afflicted by the curse will eventually transform into full-fledged demons. If they can't be cured in time, sacrificing a few to save the many becomes the only choice."

Ling Feng gave a slight nod. "You're not wrong. But as a physician, saving lives is my duty. I've witnessed death countless times, yet the thought of sixteen cities being reduced to ash... I just can't accept that."

Taking a deep breath, he accepted the mission—to treat the cursed civilians and eliminate the Blood God Cult's leader and his followers.

"Captain, this mission won't be easy, and the Western Wilderness is far. We can't waste a single moment. Let's split up and rally the team. We leave in half an hour!"

"Half an hour?" Gu Tengfeng was momentarily stunned. But upon seeing Ling Feng's grim expression, he quickly nodded. "Alright. I recall that the Qianji Pavilion has a teleportation array that leads straight to Xiling City—the largest city in the Western Wilderness. It's close to Wuxi Town and Yanbao City, where the Blood God Cult has been most active."

"The Qianji Pavilion has a teleportation array to the Western Wilderness? Perfect."

Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose, recalling that the academy's teleportation arrays were housed in the Qianji Pavilion. They had used one before to enter the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder—it had saved them a lot of trouble then, and it would do so again now.

This would cut down travel time significantly.

Half an hour later, the entire East Court Sword Team had gathered at the Qianji Pavilion.

Aside from Ling Feng and Gu Tengfeng, Jiang Xiaofan, Li Bufan, Mu Qianxue, Xue Xiaolin, Gong Cheng, and the others all arrived one after another. Naturally, Tuoba Yan wouldn't let Ling Feng go without her and accompanied him as well.

"Alright, no time to waste. Let's move."

Ling Feng took a deep breath and handed the mission token to a Qianji Pavilion disciple for verification. Once confirmed, the disciple led them to a teleportation array, bowing respectfully.

"Senior brothers, this array leads to Xiling City."

"Thank you."

Gu Tengfeng clasped his hands in salute, then adjusted a compass-like mechanism on the array. A beam of light erupted, enveloping the group before they vanished.

About fifteen minutes later, light flooded their vision as the teleportation passage reached its end. Stepping out, they found themselves in an entirely different world.

Xiling City, the largest city in the Western Wilderness, was sparsely populated due to its harsh climate and barren lands.

"Who goes there? Identify yourselves!"

Seeing a group suddenly emerge from the teleportation array, several armored guards quickly approached, expressions stern and hands near their weapons.

Due to the recent Blood God Cult activity, many travelers had passed through Xiling City's teleportation array en route to Yanbao City. Ling Feng's group was already the fourth that day.

Still, the guards were used to it—just another routine inspection.

"We're students from Tianwei Academy, here to investigate the Blood God Cult."

Gu Tengfeng stepped forward, pulled out a token, and tossed it over. "I'm Gu Tengfeng, eldest son of the Gu family."

The lead guard caught the token, glanced at it, and his eyes widened. He immediately bowed low. "So it's the young master of Marshal Gu's household! Vice-General Han Linzhong of the Swift Cavalry Battalion, Xiling Army, at your service!"

"No need for all that."

Gu Tengfeng waved him off casually and stepped down from the teleportation platform. "Vice-General Han, we're new to the region. We'll be counting on your guidance."

"You flatter me, Young Master Gu. I'll speak plainly—whatever I know, I'll share without holding back."

Han Linzhong didn't dare slack for even a moment. The Gu family had produced generations of famous generals—even someone as renowned as General Deng Xian, the Ascendant Eagle General, held them in high regard. In the Northwestern Army, the Gu family's name carried weight rivaling the Black-Armored Cavalry.

Facing someone of that lineage, a vice-general like Han Linzhong had to tread lightly. One wrong word could spell trouble.