Chapter 1: The Choice of a New Mission

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Li Mingxing was not particularly concerned about whether Raymond would forcibly classify the next inner world mission as a myth-level task. To him, choosing the right skill was far more important. He couldn’t pick a skill simply for convenience in upcoming missions if it wouldn’t grant him substantial power. Now that he was thinking ahead for his future, Li Mingxing carefully examined the two remaining skills.

O-level Dark Banner, a dark-type control skill, summons a dark banner imbued with the user’s own dark aura. Once summoned, the banner automatically absorbs nearby dark energy, growing stronger and boosting the morale and combat effectiveness of its master’s troops during battle. (Note: At O-level, a hero can summon up to three Dark Banners.)

O-level Dark Landmark, another dark-type control skill, uses dark aura to mark a landmark. Once marked, the landmark absorbs nearby dark energy and gradually forms teleportation arrays connecting the marked points. (Note: Dark Landmarks are relatively concealed; at O-level, a hero can mark up to five landmarks.)

After reviewing these skills, Li Mingxing understood that all three skills this time focused on strengthening a specific aspect of dark aura. Had it been his earlier self deciding, he would have undoubtedly chosen the Yin Talisman skill, especially with Raymond’s endorsement. He had understood Yin Talisman well, and it seemed the best choice.

But now, Li Mingxing had a different perspective. He pondered, if Raymond hadn’t learned Yin Talisman, which skill would be offered for the next mission? Through this analysis and comparison, Li Mingxing favored the Dark Banner skill. Yet, he also recognized that Dark Landmark was the perfect complement for Yin Talisman.

After some hesitation between the two, Li Mingxing ultimately selected Dark Banner as his reward.

Raymond was surprised by Li Mingxing’s choice but said nothing. Instead, he told Li Mingxing, “There’s an additional reward for you this time—not another skill you desire, but some troop reinforcements and a treasure. Also, you’ll likely spend some time in the real world. You won’t be able to receive the next inner world mission until your Dark Banner skill reaches level 1.”

Hearing this, Li Mingxing hesitated and asked, “Can I postpone claiming this reward until I get the next inner world mission?”

“Of course. In fact, that’s the best preparation for people like us—only after knowing the intelligence can we prepare properly.”

After some lighthearted conversation with Raymond, Li Mingxing began choosing his real-world task. This time, he did not wait for Raymond’s prepared missions but instead voiced his own opinion.

Li Mingxing explained the matter of the Red-Crested Goose Tribe he had recruited, detailing their abilities.

Raymond understood Li Mingxing’s intention immediately. “You want something like a temple or altar. Regardless of whether this faith has any use, you want to concentrate belief first, right?”

“Yes, that’s my plan,” Li Mingxing affirmed.

“That’s a wise choice. But from your current situation, you’re not taking the religious fanatic route. After collecting such things, you might not have many opportunities to use them.”

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“Better to have them than not. Maybe I can trade them with others,” Li Mingxing replied.

“That works too. Your progress is faster than theirs, and temples are among the essential basic buildings for upgrading villages to towns. Building one now will benefit you later. I have three tasks here. Choose one.”

Li Mingxing glanced through the three tasks. Their content was similar, but the rewards differed, which shifted their focus somewhat.

He pointed to the final rewards and asked, “What’s the fundamental difference between a temple, an altar, and a shrine? Which should I pick?”

“There’s not much difference initially. All three collect faith. But at intermediate or advanced levels, their focus diverges. Theoretically, a hero’s city can only have one type.”

“Could you tell me the differences?” Li Mingxing knew this was crucial for his choice.

“Certainly. It’s quite simple: they differ in how faith is used. Temples are like mercenary camps—the gods are like mercenaries. You can exchange faith for a protection called Blessing. Altars are like markets—offerings yield practical help. Shrines focus on the hero, enabling them to master divine arts or powers.”

Listening to Raymond’s explanation, Li Mingxing began to strategize. He knew his strengths and weaknesses and realized he was unlikely to pursue the shrine path; if he had the talent, Raymond would have told him earlier.

So his choices boiled down to temple or altar—both trade faith for benefits, but one yields intangible blessings, the other tangible benefits.

After some thought, Li Mingxing concluded that for those connected with darkness, the altar was the best. But as an Eastern man, regardless of what he said about atheism, the temple was the better fit.

What ultimately sealed his decision was a question he posed: “Do Eastern people use temples or altars for ancestor worship?”

“Temples. Family temples,” Raymond answered, having learned something about Eastern customs from teaching Li Mingxing.

“Then I won’t hesitate. I choose the temple.”

Upon hearing his choice, Raymond handed Li Mingxing the task. Since Li Mingxing had reviewed it, there was no need for further explanation. After recording the task, Raymond left.

Li Mingxing then lingered a while longer in this space before returning to the mysterious bar.

Upon arrival, he saw his subordinate Mida Ling selling goods, with a growing crowd around her stall.

A sweep of the bar revealed that the troubling group of four was no longer there. Whether they had gone on an inner world mission or returned to the real world was unknown.

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However, in that brief scan, Li Mingxing noticed someone worth his attention. She wasn’t the only woman in the bar, but she was the first female apprentice hero he could positively identify.

She was also the first to appear here in a virtual form. Her appearance startled Li Mingxing.

In this mysterious bar, even Mida Ling had yellow skin, but this woman had fiery red skin, a pair of long, curved horns, and wore the quintessential demon attire.

She sat still, commanding an aura that made timid apprentice heroes nearby take a step back, let alone ordinary followers.

Yet what truly caught Li Mingxing’s interest was the aura she emitted—she seemed to be gathering companions.

Although he didn’t know why, Li Mingxing approached and sat before her.

“I just completed an inner world mission. The next one is mandatory, so you don’t need to look for me for inner world tasks for now. As for real world matters, you probably wouldn’t want me to reveal my identity there.”

“Then why are you here?” The woman did not seem displeased by his approach but listened intently.

“Because it’s the first time I’ve seen someone recruiting partners here. Opportunities like this are rare, so I wanted to come early and be clear. Perhaps next time, we’ll have a chance to cooperate.”

“Even if there’s a chance for cooperation, we might end up enemies,” she glanced at him.

“That’s true. But before the final battle, having one more friend is one more path, isn’t it?”

Hearing this, the woman nodded. “I’m called Lava. If you need anything, find me here. If I’m not around, leave a message with the pretty bartender.”

Upon hearing the alias, Li Mingxing pointed to Mida Ling. “She’s my subordinate. If you need to reach me, contact her. She’s here most of the time. As for me, you can call me Poison Needle.”

“Poison Needle? That’s not typical for an Eastern name. Don’t Easterners usually proclaim themselves as dragons or tigers?”

“That’s because they lack the skills. I have the skills, so there’s no need for such boasting,” Li Mingxing said resolutely, locking eyes with the woman before him.