CHAPTER 500: CHAPTER 510: SMASHED THE FOOT

At this moment, Qin Shan finally revealed his true colors.

He had long been coveting Han Xiaoying, and during the competition with Chu Feng for the Red List, he showed off splendidly and felt immensely honored. He believed the timing was ripe and it was time to reveal his feelings to Han Xiaoying.

"Being able to be with my husband is the greatest happiness! In my eyes, my husband is a thousand times, ten thousand times better than any other man." This time, Han Xiaoying was no longer reserved.

She made her feelings clear on the spot, causing Qin Shan to know it was difficult and to back off.

Stop aiming for her.

"Junior Sister Han, you are just blinded by him. I believe someday you’ll understand that leaving this worthless coward is the right choice."

"Alright, I’m going to do this task now! I believe with my strength, I’ll complete it very soon!"

Qin Shan smiled confidently and left swiftly.

Chu Feng was so angry that his face turned iron blue, and he gritted his teeth in secret, swearing in his heart that one day, he would trample all these despicable villains underfoot.

The onlookers around him looked at Chu Feng with mocking, disdainful expressions.

Being outdone by Qin Shan in public, Chu Feng naturally became the butt of their jokes.

"Xiao Ying, you go ahead and do the task, I’ll wait here! I am more than 90% sure, Qin Shan will definitely fail the task."

"When the time comes, I’ll just do the task myself!"

The light of wisdom shone in Chu Feng’s eyes. Many had failed this task, and although Qin Shan was quite capable, he was not a god. He would likely fail as well.

Of course, if Qin Shan did succeed, Chu Feng would just consider it as being bitten by a dog.

And then he’d find other tasks to undertake.

After all, his main goal was to rescue Elder Hei.

As long as someone could catch the thief stealing medicinal herbs, Elder Hei would naturally be fine, receiving at most a minor punishment.

The tasks are of two types, those within the sect, called Inner Sect’s task, with a three-day time limit.

The Sect task, located outside the sect, would have a longer duration, at least seven days. Some may take even longer.

The task Qin Shan took on was an Inner Sect’s task. Even with three days, he still wouldn’t be able to catch the thief. By then, Qin Shan would be literally shooting himself in the foot.

Because failing to complete the task would carry certain penalties.

Chu Feng found a secluded spot within the Task Hall, sat down cross-legged, and contemplated the Glazed Sword Technique.

Now, his Heaven and Earth Sword Skill had advanced, which significantly aided his understanding of the Glazed Sword Technique. Swordsmanship can lead to interconnected insights.

The Glazed Sword Technique, a Defensive Sword Skill. Chu Feng has currently reached the Fifth Level, generating a sword image.

With one strike, he could form a Sword Image Bell.

This is the initial form of the Sword Soul.

Chu Feng had a deep longing for the Sword Soul because every time he saw others display the Sword Soul, executing earth-shattering moves, he felt incredibly envious.

The primary condition for condensing a Sword Soul is to understand swordsmanship up to the Ninth level.

Han Xiaoying didn’t rush off to carry out the task, but stayed beside Chu Feng to protect him.

Although it was within the sect and basically safe, she was still a bit worried, fearing that Chu Feng might be disturbed by others.

...

In the blink of an eye, a day had passed.

The confident Qin Shan, who claimed he would complete the task very soon, hadn’t shown up yet.

Needless to say, it was exactly as Chu Feng had guessed. The task was incredibly difficult, and Qin Shan had not completed it. Otherwise, with Qin Shan’s boastfulness, he would have likely come to submit the task by now.

Two days passed and still, Qin Shan had not come to complete the task.

This time, even Vice Hall Master Yang and others were feeling uneasy.

After three days, Qin Shan finally appeared. However, his expression was gloomy and unpleasant.

The confident and contemptuous demeanor he once had was nowhere to be seen.

In its place was a sense of dejection, his mood probably at its worst.

"Look, Junior Brother Qin is back!" someone shouted, and everyone’s gazes turned towards Qin Shan.

Anyone with eyes could tell something was amiss.

Thus, the way people looked at Qin Shan subtly changed. Some even began whispering.

"Could Junior Brother Qin have failed the task?"

"If even someone as capable as Junior Brother Qin couldn’t catch the thief stealing medicinal herbs, who can complete this task?"

Qin Shan couldn’t bear the judgmental gazes as he felt like a laughingstock and a failure.

"Mission failed!" Qin Shan quickly walked to the counter, handed over the task token, and uttered four words in a deep voice.

"This, this... alright, Junior Brother Qin, please wait! I will register it for you right away!"

The young man in charge of the registration didn’t know what to say, taking the token and registering it in a fluster. Although the failure wouldn’t have too great an impact, it was still a stain on Qin Shan’s record.

"Junior Brother Qin... according to the rules, failing a Red List Task means the least punishment is a deduction of 10,000 merit points. These merit points will be rewarded to the next person who successfully completes the task. If no one completes it, the merit will be transferred to the Public Treasury."

The young registrar, with a trembling voice, read out the punishment.

10,000 merit points wasn’t a lot, but it wasn’t a small amount either.

Moreover, this was the minimum punishment chosen considering Qin Shan’s good relations with Vice Hall Master Yang.

"Is that all?" Qin Shan’s gaze was icy cold, and his face was frighteningly grim.

"Junior Brother Qin, please take care!" The young registrar didn’t dare say more, quickly standing up respectfully to see him off.

Chu Feng and Han Xiaoying walked over together.

Chu Feng’s gaze on Qin Shan was no different from the others, filled with mockery and ridicule.

"If you don’t have the skill, don’t do the risky job! Otherwise, you’ll only end up generously gifting 10,000 merits to me." Chu Feng held the token with a smile on his face.

Seeing his rival from a few days ago fail right before his eyes naturally made him very happy.

"Chu Feng, don’t be smug. If even I can’t complete this task, you have even less of a chance. You’re merely laughing at someone else’s misfortune when you’re in the same boat."

"I’ll wait three days and see you cry here!"

Qin Shan clenched his teeth and left these words behind, not staying any longer.

Because staying here would only bring him more embarrassment.

He believed that Chu Feng would also fail.

The difficulty of this Red List Task was unprecedented in his lifetime.

"Welcome, Junior Brother Qin, to come here on time three days later to see me make a fool of myself! Of course, it’s also possible that I complete the task. Then, I’ll outshine you and trample you underfoot."

Chu Feng smiled broadly; he who laughs last laughs sweetest.

Hearing such provocative words, Qin Shan was so furious he nearly collapsed.

Chu Feng, this bastard, dared to show off in front of him, in three days, he would definitely make him regret it.