Chapter 174: A Day Without Motivation—Truly the Worst!
On the northern edge of the Blazing Plains, sorrowful cries echoed nonstop.
"Why?! Why would they give us such an impossible mission? Is Douluo University broke?! Can't even afford proper mission rewards?!"
Xie Xie collapsed onto the ground, utterly drained of spirit.
They had been circling the northern Blazing Plains for half a month—and hadn't even found a single phoenix feather.
What, were they supposed to spend two full months doing this?
They might as well have sent them out to fight soul beasts instead!
Anything would be better than this torment.
"Let's just hunt another ten-thousand-year soul beast instead," he groaned. "This time, I'll take back everything I lost before!"
"Damn that old ancestor!" Huo Yun'er muttered angrily.
He had run off again, without taking her along!
Leaving her behind was one thing, but leaving Snow Empress behind too—and taking that silver-haired woman instead?
Shameless! Despicable! Two-timing old fossil!
Just wait—someone's going to steal Snow Empress right out from under him!
And indeed, Snow Empress had failed to escape. She'd been caught and dragged back by Talon himself.
"Snowy, are you hungry?"
At that moment, a suave young man offered her a tin of canned food—the first proper meal after nearly two weeks of nothing but smoked fish.
Ever since Jiang Chen and Gu Yue had left, Qian Gu Zhangting had decided—this was his chance.
He was convinced Jiang Chen and the Snow Empress had been an item.
But now that Jiang Chen was off cavorting with that silver-haired "ugly woman," he clearly had no interest left in her.
That left Snow Empress alone… and vulnerable.
What better chance to step in?
He was confident—this was his moment!
So, for the past half month, he'd been clinging to her side like glue, showering her with attention, smiling constantly, trying to play the chivalrous companion.
To Snow Empress, who had already been furious at her failed escape, this was gasoline to a fire.
Her tranquil demeanor shattered.
"Get lost."
Zhangting froze.
Just a single word—but her expression made him feel like a bug under her heel.
He clenched his jaw, suppressing his anger.
Ungrateful woman!
Did she know who he was?
The heir of the Qian Gu family, the future master of the Spirit Transferring Tower, descended from three consecutive generations of Limit Douluo!
His grandfather—a Limit Douluo.
His great-grandfather—a Limit Douluo!
Even his great-great-grandfather had been one!
And he, too, would become one—no, surpass them all!
Yet she dared humiliate him like this?!
Grinding his teeth, he turned away—only to notice the others watching him with a mix of amusement and pity.
He huffed coldly and straightened up, regaining his usually aloof composure.
He would not embarrass himself again.
He had seen what becoming a "lickspittle" had done to his grandfather—he'd never walk that path.
A single woman would not derail his destiny!
But fine. Let her have her pride. When he achieved Limit Douluo rank one day, she would regret this.
He tore his gaze from her and looked toward the rest of the weary team.
"Stop whining," he said calmly. "If the university assigned this task, there's a reason behind it. Our job is simply to follow orders."
He himself would have liked to rebel—but as the young master of the Spirit Transferring Tower, he couldn't afford it.
Every action he took now represented the Tower's public image.
Unlike Jiang Chen, he couldn't simply quit whenever he pleased. Jiang Chen and Gu Yue's unusual positions gave them a freedom he could only dream of.
Besides, his father—the Tower Master—was watching.
Any misstep could jeopardize the tower's already delicate diplomatic ties with the Federation.
Times had changed. Since Shrek Academy's fall, the Tower and the Federation had grown distant.
They needed a new bond—a fresh institution to bridge their partnership.
That new bond was Douluo University.
And as its most prominent elite, he couldn't afford to tarnish that link.
But, deep down, he was curious—how on earth had Jiang Chen convinced them to let him take a leave?
Even he could never do that; not without permission from the Tower's inner council.
This place wasn't something you could just walk in and out of freely!
"Alright! We'll split up this time," he declared. "Groups of five, search in different directions."
"If anyone finds something—don't act on your own. Contact the others immediately!"
"Understood!"
Reluctant though they were, the others still listened. Zhangting, after all, was their strongest member here.
His authority carried weight.
Of course, he hadn't given up on wooing Snow Empress entirely. That wasn't simping—it was persistence! Noble pursuit!
He took a step toward her again—only for Huo Yun'er to grab Snow Empress's arm.
"Let's go, Snow Sister," she said sweetly, pulling her away—and shot Zhangting a mischievous grin, sticking out her tongue.
"Bleh~ Snow Sister's not falling for your tricks!"
The two joined Xu Xiaoyan, Mu Xi, and Ouyang Zixin to form a team of five.
Tang Wulin, watching the gathering from afar, looked crestfallen.
He had hoped to be in Snow Empress's team, but no such luck.
"I'm speechless," Xie Xie said, tugging him by the collar. "Quit staring, you simp."
How could his friend, his brother, be such a lovestruck fool? Pathetic.
They still needed one more member for their group. Xie Xie frowned. "Should we grab Wei Xiaofeng?"
At that name, his tone turned sour.
He couldn't stand Wei Xiaofeng. The guy was all talk—boasting how amazing Shrek was, how he'd only ever attend that academy—
And yet here he was at Douluo University. Hypocrite!
Worse, the man had done absolutely nothing during their missions—and somehow still ended up with a soul bone.
What a cosmic joke.
Meanwhile, they'd been sweating blood for scraps.
But no one else was available, so… fine.
Tang Wulin finally turned away from the girls and sighed. "Looks like we're late."
In truth, Wei Xiaofeng had already cozied up to Qian Gu Zhangting's squad.
And why not? A future Tower Master made for an excellent "big brother" to follow.
Even one drop from his fingertips could elevate anyone's standing.
"Unbelievable," Xie Xie hissed, glaring daggers. "Traitor."
Absolute betrayal!
His anger flared until a calm voice interrupted.
"Need another member?"
A tall, golden-haired youth stepped forward, smiling faintly.
"Le Zhengyu?"
Xie Xie blinked, surprised. "Your martial soul's the Holy Angel, right?"
"That's right."
"Then you're more than qualified! Join us—definitely!"
Le Zhengyu was second only to Zhangting in strength—an unquestionable asset.
"Well? Why join us and not Zhangting's team?" Xie Xie asked curiously.
Le Zhengyu shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "You really think I'd get along with someone like him? Sure, he's strong—but I'm no pushover either."
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10