Just Hate It

"Although I'm here to assign you a mission, I haven't met Master in person yet. I only have a general idea of the specifics."

As Li Yingling spoke, she retrieved a simple yet elegant sheathed longsword from her spatial ring and tossed it to Lin Luoyu.

Lin Luoyu instinctively caught it, but the moment it touched her hand, an overwhelming sense of compatibility surged through the sheath and into her heart. Just gripping it briefly left her slightly astonished.

This was a top-tier spirit treasure sword that hadn’t yet acknowledged a master—its sword spirit’s aura resonated perfectly with her.

Sometimes, even the sharpest blade couldn’t compare to one that felt like an extension of oneself.

Noticing Lin Luoyu’s barely concealed admiration, Li Yingling gave a faint nod and said,

"Master knew you’d reached the Golden Core stage, so he specifically sent this top-tier spirit treasure. It might look plain, but its grade and materials are undoubtedly the finest. I imagine Master prepared it for you long ago. Does it suit you?"

"'Suit' is too modest a word," Lin Luoyu tightened her grip. "I love this sword. Thank you, Senior Sister."

"Save your thanks for Master. I’m just the messenger. Hurry up and complete the spirit treasure’s acknowledgment ritual." Li Yingling smiled warmly but then noticed a certain someone’s envious and questioning gaze. She turned to Cui Hao.

Cui Hao’s eyes sparkled with longing, practically shouting the question—Do I get one?

Li Yingling spread her hands. "Master only prepares spirit treasures for those at the Golden Core stage. That’s how it was for me, your Second Senior Brother, and Third Senior Sister. Once you break through, you’ll probably get yours too."

"Besides, I can tell Master likes you. Who knows? By the time you reach the Golden Core stage, he might gift you an ultra-top-tier spirit treasure."

Cui Hao nodded fervently. "As expected of our Eldest Senior Sister—your analysis is flawless. The day I break through will be the day I obtain a supreme spirit treasure!"

Lin Luoyu’s acknowledgment ritual went smoothly, as if the sword had simply asked a single question before eagerly bonding with her. She then inquired,

"Eldest Senior Sister, what’s the mission Master assigned us?"

Li Yingling nodded. "A while ago, Master deliberately let a target escape. Right now, that target is severely injured and in hiding, with less than ten percent of their power remaining. However, Master has already locked onto their location. Since he’s busy with cleanup work, he wants you two to make contact and see if you can extract useful intelligence."

"It’s not particularly dangerous. I’d handle it myself, but I’ve made quite a name for myself in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent—my reputation precedes me a bit too much."

Cui Hao nodded sagely. "Absolutely. With Eldest Senior Sister’s fame, even a whisper of your involvement would send the target fleeing in terror."

Li Yingling smiled in satisfaction—Fifth Junior Brother might occasionally act scatterbrained, but at least he knew how to speak like a proper human being.

Lin Luoyu, watching Cui Hao’s shameless flattery, could only sigh inwardly.

Li Yingling retrieved an envelope from her spatial ring, glanced between Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu, and ultimately handed it to the latter.

"This contains ways to contact me or Master. Minor issues can come to me; major ones go straight to Master."

"If you need help with trivial matters, you can also reach out to me."

Lin Luoyu accepted the envelope but hesitated. "But this undercover work… I don’t have experience, and I’m not good at lying."

Li Yingling didn’t respond, merely gesturing toward the talent standing beside her.

"Ah, Fourth Senior Sister," Cui Hao flicked his hair casually. "Leave the talking to me. You handle the action. With that blindingly righteous aura of yours, just standing there will make people believe at least thirty percent of whatever I say."

Li Yingling observed her unchanged junior brother and felt a warmth in her heart. Even after time apart, everyone remained true to themselves. But if Cui Hao were left to his own devices, who knew where this mission would end up?

Fourth Junior Sister was far more reliable—sometimes, reliability was the key to success.

She quickly interjected, "Fourth Junior Sister will oversee the operation’s specifics. Fifth Junior Brother, you’re just the assistant. Don’t get too… creative with your initiative."

Cui Hao nodded solemnly. "Of course. But, Eldest Senior Sister, when you said we could come to you for minor issues—was that serious?"

Li Yingling eyed him warily, unsure what mischief he was plotting now.

Cui Hao grinned ingratiatingly.

"Ahem, this mission might involve some expenses. But Fifth Junior Brother and Fourth Senior Sister rarely leave the sect, so we’re a bit short on spirit stones… Could you front us some? You can bill Master later?"

Li Yingling chuckled but, given her current wealth, decisively tossed a spatial ring filled with spirit stones to Cui Hao. Then, she began her final instructions:

"This is your first mission outside the sect, so I’ll lay down the ultimate rule of our school. Violate it, and the consequences will be severe—Master’s medicinal pellets will not be in short supply."

Both Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu straightened, their expressions turning grave.

"The mission can fail, but you must return unharmed."

Li Yingling patted their shoulders with a smile before walking toward the door.

She had her own mission to attend to—and the gift for Master was something she’d rather deliver in person. Otherwise, she would’ve mailed it long ago.

---

"Donggua… just leave me. I’m nothing but dead weight now."

On a rugged mountain path, Donggua’s body was drenched in blood, the bones of her right arm exposed as a sinister crimson energy gnawed at her flesh. Yet, with her left hand, she stubbornly dragged a young man—his body nearly halved—using vines.

The young man winced as what remained of his backside scraped against a sharp rock. Though his mangled form could easily withstand such minor abrasions, it still felt uncomfortably like a public humiliation.

He knew his injuries well. Without high-grade treatment, the strange blood energy within him would slowly dissolve him into a puddle.

But that wasn’t the terrifying part.

In a hoarse voice, he said, "You must realize they let us escape. My wounds were deliberate—severe enough to cripple but not kill. Their purpose is unknown, but it’s certainly nothing good."

"If I’ve been compromised, Yumi likely didn’t survive either. We can’t go there. This operation has already cost us nearly everything."

"Leave me behind. Take whatever you can and get out. Regroup, gather intel—find out who’s behind this. Is the Dark Raven Bishop involved? You have intelligence to deliver, and dragging me along will only slow you down."

"I've lived long enough, and I'm tired. The scenery here isn't bad—dying here wouldn’t be a loss."

Donggua paused at those words, turning to look at the young man with only half his body left:

"I’ll throw you away when it’s time. If I haven’t yet, you’re still of some use. Speak plainly. I’ve always disliked you, so spare me your noise. You’re breaking my train of thought."

The young man nodded slowly in response:

"Dislike… is fine."