"I really envy you all for having the chance to go on a mission. This is a task assigned to the upper echelons of the legion!"
"Good luck, don't disgrace us reserve members!"
"Hey, be careful, don't die. I don't want to get promoted by picking up your corpse."
The reserve members around the four candidates for the trial had mixed reactions.
There were words of encouragement, blessings, as well as sarcasm and even hidden curses.
After all, the legion's upper echelons were only recruiting two new members this time.
The reserve members present were all outstanding talents selected from tens of thousands of geniuses recommended from various countries.
And out of these dozens of outstanding individuals, only two could ascend.
This showed how brutal the competition was.
Whoosh!
Two teleportation gates slowly opened.
The blue gate led to the Elf Kingdom.
The green gate led to Stone City.
"You all better do your best, otherwise, if we complete our mission, there will be no room for you!"
A girl with a ponytail, a fit physique, and big eyes said with a smile.
"Be careful, this isn't a simulated combat. Carelessness can lead to death."
Behind her was a mixed-race girl with fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. She had a very hot figure, but her face possessed the graceful and delicate beauty of Eastern women.
"Heh, I really can't figure it out. The Elf Kingdom is already full of girls, and they're sending two girls. What's the point?"
"If they sent the two of us, and we solved the mission, we could probably have some fun in the Elf Kingdom. I heard the three queens of the Elf Kingdom each have their own charm. I've wanted to experience it for a long time!"
Noda Doiichi said lecherously, holding a samurai sword.
"That's right, that's right. Among the eight high-ranking members of Kuroo Tsubame, there's only one woman, which shows that women are not likely to be strong."
"They probably sent you to clean up some trash. After we wipe out the True God Cult, we might even have to clean up your mess. Tsk tsk tsk..."
Kim Jae-seok also said with contempt.
He and Noda Doiichi shared the same sentiment; they always looked down on women, believing that women should be tools for procreation and pleasing men.
Coming out to fight... Heh, how embarrassing.
"Say whatever you want, I'm just afraid I'll have to clean up your mess in the end."
"But just to be clear, if you get taken hostage, we won't hold back!"
Qing Luan giggled, then directly entered the teleportation gate.
"Um... please take care of yourselves..."
Bai Lu bowed respectfully, then quickly followed into the teleportation gate.
Whoosh!
The blue teleportation gate closed instantly.
"Tsk, damn women. When you get caught... Hehehe! That will be much more interesting."
Noda Doiichi and Kim Jae-seok exchanged knowing glances, their thoughts aligned.
Meanwhile, on the other side, in the backyard of the grand palace hall in the Elf Kingdom.
Zhang Chen and the cat-ear sisters had successfully settled in.
As the Elf Chief had said, due to the elves' long lifespan, only a few generations had passed from ancient times to the present.
It could be said that the events of ancient times were experienced by their grandparents' generation, and some even by their parents' generation.
Therefore, the legends of the True God, and that the Demon Exorcists were the elves' creator gods, were still devoutly believed by them.
The three Elf Queens had specially designated a separate area in the palace's back garden for Zhang Chen and the others to rest.
In a misty hot spring pool, Zhang Chen was comfortably soaking.
A wooden board floated in the pool, laden with chilled fruits and fine wine.
Even the Elf Queens dared not easily step into the place reserved for gods.
So, only Zhang Chen and the three little cats were here.
"Ah, soaking in the hot spring feels so good!"
"Last time I watched Tang Xueyao soak, now I'm soaking myself. It feels really different!"
Zhang Chen leaned against a rock with his hands spread, tilting his head back to look at the clear sky.
Gurgle... gurgle...
Bubbles began to rise from the hot spring pool in front of Zhang Chen.
Then, Miao Qi emerged from the water, gasping for air.
The hot spring water had soaked her hair, making her look exceptionally delicate and charming.
"Hoo!"
Miao Qi took a deep breath and then submerged herself again.
"The sky is so clear, so comfortable!"
Zhang Chen exclaimed.
Suddenly, a giant bird flew across the sky into a cluster of cute clouds.
This bird was extremely massive; even looking up from the ground, one could feel its awe-inspiring, sky-obscuring presence.
The moment it flew into the clouds, that cluster of adorable cotton-candy-like clouds visibly trembled.
Then, the giant bird began to stir wildly within the clouds.
After a while, the giant bird flew away, leaving behind long white streaks of cloud, and the clouds were thoroughly disheveled.
"What a naughty bird!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
Gurgle!
Splash!
Miao Qi's head emerged from the water again.
The food on the water was almost overturned by the waves she created.
It, like a small boat, drifted towards Miao Ke.
The turbulent waves almost capsized it again.
"How is it? Do you want me to take over? My breath-holding skills are even better!"
Miao Ke asked eagerly from the side.
"No need, I've got it! The first time is unfamiliar, the second time is familiar. With a few more tries, I'll definitely be an expert!"
Miao Qi said triumphantly.
"Look at you!"
Miao Ke reached out and wiped the corner of Miao Qi's mouth, then scraped off a little and popped it into her own mouth to taste.
"So this is what it tastes like... But your face is all covered in hot spring water, so I can't tell if it's the taste of the hot spring water or something else!"
Miao Ke said with some annoyance.
"It's okay, you can taste it yourself, there's plenty anyway!"
Miao Qi said, picked up a banana from the fruit plate, peeled it, and gently licked it with her tongue. It was so sweet.
Then, she took a bite, exuding a rich aroma.
"Then... I'll try too..."
Miao Ke said, held her breath, and also dived into the water.
Zhang Chen watched the two little cats chatting with a smile. They were so well-behaved, cute, and sensible.
At this moment, a dark shadow quickly swept across the ground.
The giant bird had flown back.
The clouds Zhang Chen had been admiring were now scattered, and two large clumps of white clouds had appeared.
These two large clumps of white clouds were as soft as cotton candy, slowly changing shape under the wind's sculpting, sometimes oval, sometimes returning to a round shape.
Zhang Chen was admiring this beautiful scenery.
Unexpectedly, the giant bird circled in the sky and then flew towards these two large clumps of white clouds.
"Seriously... it's not over yet?!"
Zhang Chen frowned.
However, this time, the big bird did not charge into the clouds but flew between the two clumps of white clouds as if playing, and soon flew back.
It continued to fly back and forth like this.
Its massive shadow also repeatedly covered the hot spring pool.
It made Zhang Chen both amused and helpless.