Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Plant-type Star Beast

The reward was a fixed 1,500 points—no bonuses, but that was already quite high.

It would be a short mission, three days at most.

More importantly, the mission had an Attribute requirement.

It gave preference to Fire Attribute attack methods.

Xu Wuyi had the [Undying Flame].

While it wasn’t a Fire Attribute Martial Technique in the conventional sense, it was more potent than most.

"Anna, pull up the detailed files on the Rotting Swamp Forest and all intelligence on the Rotting Wood Demon."

"Retrieving... Please wait."

The light screen flickered and changed.

The Rotting Swamp Forest was located about 150 kilometers southeast of Yuntai City, a wetland forest perpetually shrouded in miasma.

Due to its unique environment, it was home to many Plant-type Star Beasts, so few people ever ventured there.

Over the past month, the appearance of the Rotting Wood Demon had caused an ecological imbalance in the forest’s core region. Several gathering teams and Low-Tier Martial Artists had already gone missing there.

With Star Realm Rifts appearing so frequently, the Federation couldn’t always manage to seal them all. There were bound to be times when personnel were stretched thin.

Once a rift remained open for too long, the escaped Star Beasts wouldn’t just wait around to be killed; they would quickly scatter in all directions.

Plant-type Star Beasts were the most difficult to handle. If even one of their seeds drifted into the outside world, its powerful Life Force would allow it to cause an ecological invasion, stealthy and hard to contain.

This particular Rotting Wood Demon was clearly such a case. Since its discovery, there had been a shortage of High-Tier Martial Artists available to deal with it. After an assessment, the academy listed it as a subjugation target.

The intelligence on the Rotting Wood Demon was displayed:

[Name: Rotting Wood Demon]

[Category: Plant-type Star Beast]

[Common Energy Level: 35-40]

[Abilities:]

[1. Hyper-Regeneration: Can regenerate severed limbs in a short period unless its core is completely incinerated.]

[2. Toxin Miasma: Releases a corrosive toxic mist with a radius of up to one hundred meters.]

[3. Vine Control: Manipulates subterranean vines for attacks and restraints.]

[4. Mental Interference: Emits special spiritual waves that interfere with an intruder’s perception.] 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

[Weaknesses: Vulnerable to fire and lightning. Its core is located in the middle of its main trunk.]

Xu Wuyi read through all the information carefully.

The Mental Interference ability, in particular, caught his attention.

’But my Spiritual Strength is at 36.9, and I have the protection of the *Heart Fire Refining Spirit* technique. I should be able to withstand it.’

As for its other abilities, the Rotting Wood Demon’s strengths were regeneration and area control, and his [Undying Flame] was the perfect counter to regeneration.

’This is the one.’

Xu Wuyi made his decision.

"Anna, accept mission FT-0093."

"Accepting... Mission accepted."

"Mission bound. Please be advised, this mission has a ’High’ risk rating. A team of at least two is recommended for completion. Do you confirm you wish to undertake this mission alone?"

"Confirmed."

"Understood. The mission data has been downloaded to your personal terminal. You may decide your own departure time, but you must commence the mission within 24 hours of acceptance, or it will be considered forfeit."

The light screen went dark.

Xu Wuyi leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes to meditate.

He didn’t leave right away.

Although the mission required him to start within 24 hours, he still needed to make some preparations.

The Rotting Swamp Forest’s environment was unique; the miasma, toxic fog, and wet, muddy ground would all impact a fight.

He needed to redeem some specialized equipment and potions.

"Anna, open the point redemption interface."

"Filter for antitoxin potions, environmental adaptation gear, and single-use detection devices."

The light screen lit up once more.

Xu Wuyi scanned the list quickly.

[B-level Antitoxin Elixir (Universal): Resists most plant- and insect-based toxins. Effects last for 6 hours. Price: 80 points.]

[All-Environment Combat Suit (Martial Artist Edition): Built-in filtration system for miasma and toxic fog; anti-corrosive surface coating; lightweight design does not impede movement. Price: 300 points.]

[Micro-Probe Drone Swarm (Reusable): Deploys 12 micro-drones for a 3D scan of a 500-meter radius. Price: 150 points.]

This was all basic equipment, but the combat suit, despite being the most expensive, was also the most essential. Xu Wuyi didn’t know how long he would be in there; he couldn’t just rely on his physique to endure the environment.

Xu Wuyi didn’t hesitate and redeemed them all.

[Redemption Successful]

[Points Deducted: 530]

His points were cut in half again.

’No matter,’ he thought. ’Once I complete the mission and the 1,500 points are credited, this investment will have been well worth it.’

The equipment and potions would be delivered to his villa by the logistics system, with an estimated arrival time of thirty minutes.

Xu Wuyi stood up and walked toward the Cultivation Room.

There was one more thing he had to do.

Before setting out, he had to get himself into peak condition.

He also needed to carefully consider his strategy for the coming fight.

The Rotting Wood Demon’s Energy Level was higher than his, but it wasn’t intelligent, and its combat patterns were relatively fixed. The key was to find and destroy its core as quickly as possible.

The [Undying Flame] was his primary option, but the Rotting Wood Demon was massive and its core was hidden. He would need to break through its outer defenses first.

A burst from his Mountain Peak Great Sun Realm could perhaps create an opening.

’And my Spear Technique...’

Xu Wuyi walked to the weapon rack and took down the Meteor Iron Long Spear.

The body of the spear was ice-cold, but as he gripped it, a warmth spread through his palm as if they were connected by blood.

He laid the long spear across his lap and sat down cross-legged.

His consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness.

The vortex formed by the fusion of the "Mountain" and "Flame" True Intentions spun slowly in his spiritual world.

He tried to send a thread of his consciousness into it.

Instantly, that vast Mental Realm—one of "bearing light and heat, birthing life and vitality"—surged forth once more.

This time, he didn’t just feel it; he tried to guide it.

He slowly channeled this Mental Realm into the long spear in his hands.

The spear’s shaft trembled slightly.

Dark golden patterns surfaced on the handle, spreading toward the tip like veins.

They were the marks left behind from the long-term fusion between the [Undying Flame] and the spear.

Now, a new layer of a golden-red halo appeared over them.

It was the essence of the Mountain Peak Great Sun.

Though his eyes were closed, Xu Wuyi could "see" a point of golden-red light condensing at the spear’s tip.

It was faint, yet incredibly dense.

It was like a miniature sun, forcibly compressed into a space the size of a pinprick.

It contained a terrifying amount of Energy.

He maintained this state until fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead and a distinct sense of mental fatigue washed over him. Only then did he slowly withdraw his power.

The strange phenomenon on the spear gradually subsided.

Xu Wuyi opened his eyes and looked at the tip of the spear.

There, a nearly invisible speck of golden-red light was slowly dissipating.

’It’s still not stable enough.’

He muttered to himself.

But it at least proved he was on the right path.

Infusing the power of True Intent Fusion into his weapon to create an even more powerful attack.

This could become one of his trump cards in the future.

"Student Xu Wuyi, the items you redeemed have been delivered."

Anna’s voice rang out at just the right moment.

Xu Wuyi stood up and walked into the living room.

A silver-white metal case sat on the table.

He opened it.

Inside, neatly arranged, were three pale green potions, a gray-black combat suit, and a palm-sized metal disk.

Xu Wuyi picked up the combat suit first.

It was light and thin to the touch, yet incredibly durable. He put it on, and the suit automatically conformed to his body, feeling almost weightless.