Chapter 167 - Setting Out [1]

Two days had passed since Tian Yang had given Damien and Ruyue their mission, and at the moment, they were busy trying to plan as much as they could.

For the most part, they’d be going in blind, not knowing exactly what they were supposed to be doing. But, the goal of the mission was investigation and reconnaissance, so they couldn’t do much about that.

At most, they could flesh out their disguise personas and figure out who to avoid while they were there.

Looking at the map in front of them, the two had grim expressions on their faces.

“This location…it’s the 3000 Beast Mountain Range, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, there’s no doubt about it. In that kind of location, it’d be a miracle if we survive without protection.”

Even with the escape talismans Tian Yang had provided, it was still necessary to be safe. It was unknown what kind of dangers they’d face over the course of their mission, not to mention the talismans were only SSS rank.

Although they were powerful in their own right, if the duo was being pursued by a 4th class expert, there was a chance they could be intercepted.

And if the location of the meeting about to ensue was the 3000 Beast Mountain Range, they needed to be much more cautious than they were previously.

Within the Central Region, there were many notable mountains that were immediately recognizable from a distance. However, even among these, there were some that stood at the top.

The first few one would think of were the Jade Mountain and Star Mountain of the Jade Heavenly Palace and Celestial Star Palace respectively, but these were simply due to their status.

With the vastness of the Central Region which was bigger than some continents back on earth, there were a variety of dangerous areas that caused the deaths of many cultivators.

These danger zones ranged from poisonous swamps to grand canyons filled with spatial wind. And among the plethora of dangers within these zones, there were bound to be fortuitous opportunities as well.

This high-risk high-reward environment was what drew cultivators to these locations, and it was what made their names famous and widespread.

But when it comes to danger, there was a mountain range that eclipsed almost all other danger zones.

This was the 3000 Beast Mountain Range. The range itself didn’t boast an incredible size, containing around 50 mountains in total, but that wasn’t its main selling point.

After all, it was in the name. When one heard the term “3000 beasts” they wouldn’t think much of it. Although it was a large number for any single cultivator to handle, it didn’t mean anything in the greater scheme of things.

3000 beasts could be found in any medium-sized forest, even if the level of these beasts was low. For a mountain range to contain this number would seem pathetic.

But that wasn’t what the name of the range referred to. In reality, it wasn’t that there were only 3000 beasts within the mountain range. Rather, within those 50 towering mountains, there were 3000 beast kings.

4th class existences, some even being in the Law Sea realm.

Naturally, each of these kings had their own army underneath them, causing this mountain range to be infested with a number of beasts that would be unforeseen anywhere else.

Unfortunately, the exact number was never publicized. The 3000 Beast Mountain Range was concealed by a thick fog that blanketed its perimeter, blocking any peering eyes trying to discern what was within it.

The information that people already had about the mountain range was found over the period of many years and many cultivators spreading what they found.

Still, the survival rate of those who entered the mountain range was abysmal. Rarely anyone was able to truly make it out of that hellish environment with their mind intact.

And this was the kind of place Damien and Ruyue would soon be charging into. Even if the meeting grounds were on the perimeter, within the fog on the outskirts, it was still incredibly dangerous to even be in the area.

“Seeing this once again makes me doubt why we are being sent on this mission instead of someone more qualified.” Damien sighed.

He loved danger and he loved teetering the line between life and death, but a going to place where thousands of 4th class existences resided? He wasn’t stupid enough to put that in the same category.

“But, is there truly anyone more qualified?” Ruyue argued.

And she was correct to some extent. The more Damien thought about it, the fewer people he could think of that could take on the role they were taking.

Within the sect, the only other person he could think of was Long Chen, but that guy was the same as him. He was the kind of person who would go in guns and fighting intent blazing.

He hadn’t met any of the Core Disciples, but they were Law Connection realm experts so they were automatically disqualified.

As for the inner court, with him being as strong as Ruyue and her being one of the strongest inner disciples, he didn’t really put them in his eyes.

And the Celestial Star Palace was 2nd in terms of power among the great sects. Damien hated that there truly wasn’t anyone else that could take this task from them.

“Alright let’s not dwell on the topic anymore. The next thing we need to figure out is disguises.”

Perhaps Damien was a bit dumb, but it took him a while what it meant for Ruyue to be the little princess of the Xue clan. Her status was immense in this world, even though he blatantly disregarded it.

If she walked around in public, heads would immediately turn. Let alone her status, her beauty was also enough to drive many men insane. There was no way she could be incognito the way she was.

And Damien wasn’t any different. Although he didn’t have the same status as her, his looks were anything but ordinary. And even if his attractiveness could be attributed to his level, his strange eyes and hair would immediately give away his uniqueness.

“Hmm, we need a backstory, I guess. Not to mention, names. If I have to be honest, my naming sense is trash.” He replied, continuing the conversation.

“True. Spatial Collapse? Could you seriously not think of something better than that?”

“Oi, I like that one! It’s short and to the point without any uselessness. It’s my minimalistic flare.”

“It’s a lame name. You should learn from me when it comes to this kind of thing.”

“Yeah, okay Miss Moon Goddess.”

Ruyue’s face turned red in embarrassment as she averted her gaze. “T-that one isn’t my fault. Its name came from my cultivation technique.”

“I totally believe you. Well then, oh great and holy Moon Goddess, how about you come up with some good names for us?”

“Fine, just watch. I’ll create disguises so perfect that you won’t even be able to recognize me after.” Ruyue responded with slightly puffed cheeks.

Damien simply smiled in response. The only reason it had taken them 2 whole days already to come up with all their preparations was due to how often their conversations would devolve like this.

Yet, oddly enough, he couldn’t find it in himself to be bothered by it. After all…

‘Her pouting expression is pretty damn cute.’