In an instant, the communication terminal refreshed with a dense list of assigned tasks.
But what seized every wizardâs attention was the topmost entry, marked in vivid scarlet text as a â
Mandatory Mission
â:
[All wizards must, per headquartersâ orders, establish âsignal nodesâ within Plane 655-4488-32194158 (henceforth: Void Plane) to assist in mapping its internal structure.]
Below the mission were numerous clauses and detailed requirements.
Jie Ming skimmed through them, summarizing that all wizards like him, currently exploring outward, were to immediately return to the âShip Planeâ to collect âsignal markersâ from logistics.
In subsequent operations, they were required to place a marker every thousand kilometers within the effective communication range of the markers.
After reading it twice, Jie Ming found the mandatory mission acceptable.
Aside from forcing wizards to abandon hard-earned exploration zones and return to the âShip Plane,â potentially incurring minor losses, the remaining requirements werenât overly demanding.
Jie Ming clearly recalled the contract signed at the Junction. While the supreme commander of a planar war could issue mandatory missions, such directives were subject to strict regulations.
Since the seventh-rank great wizard
Dionysius Spencer
had issued this mission, it meant he believed it would ultimately benefit all wizards present.
In truth, Jie Ming agreed.
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Though it rendered his half-month of exploration progress wasted.
It was, after all, just a matter of a few days lost.
Considering the missionâs long-term benefits for future operations, this loss was entirely acceptable.
Jie Ming mentally calculated other factors, unable to help but marvel at the cunning foresight of
Wizard Dionysius Spencer
.
The timing of this mission was subtle. Most wizards exploring outward were likely nearing the edge of their terminalâs signal range with the âShip Plane.â
Even without this mission, most would soon return to update maps and resupply, fearing theyâd lose their way.
Thus, the mandatory mission wasnât too troublesome for manyâit was almost incidental.
It also reduced their inner resistance significantly.
Jie Ming casually scrolled through the other, non-mandatory tasks.
Most were acquisition missions for the Void Planeâs unique resources, especially an almost âunlimitedâ demand for exotic living creatures.
While the rewards for these missions were lower than selling such items back at the Junction, they were convenient and quick.
For most wizards, it was a reasonable choice.
As he adjusted his course, swiftly flying toward the âShip Plane,â Jie Ming browsed the task list on his terminal.
Though they were just tasks, they revealed much about this expedition.
Suddenly, his gaze froze, his brow furrowing at a particular task.
[Emergency Mission: Search for Lost Wizards.]
[Participation Restriction: Limited to wizards of third rank or above, proficient in âspatial knowledge.â]
Due to his insufficient rank, Jie Ming couldnât access the missionâs detailed information.
But the title alone was worth pondering.
A âlost wizardâ wasnât a big deal in itself.
In a place where direction was hard to discern, straying beyond the terminalâs signal range could easily lead to getting lost.
But paired with the participation restriction, it became troubling.
âIs this âlossâ caused by a spatial issue?â
Jie Ming mused.
The Void Planeâs most abundant element was undoubtedly âwind element.â
In wizard knowledge, âwind elementâ was tied to âspace.â
Thus, the plane likely had numerous unstable spatial turbulence zones.
If unlucky, one might even be swept into self-contained spatial turbulence with no physical exit.
Trapped in such a place, one could only hope for external rescue or possess the power to shatter space itself.
Otherwise, theyâd be stuck there forever!
âI overlooked this issue. After returning, I should check the âShip Planeâ market for artifacts that stabilize local space or lock my spatial coordinatesâŚâ
As Jie Ming pondered, a sudden chill exploded from his instincts, a primal sense of mortal danger erupting like a volcano!
But before he could fully register the threat, an attack struck, silent and ghostly!
It was a perfect assassination.
Fast! Precise! Ruthless!
And utterly silent!
The attack caused no energy fluctuations, no piercing whistle through the air, not even a trace of killing intent.
It was like a phantomâs fang, materializing from nowhere, aimed straight at Jie Mingâs brow!
At the instant the invisible strike nearly grazed his skin, a long-dormant, low-power energy shield hidden on Jie Mingâs body flared to life.
Bangâ!
A muffled sound, like shattering glass, exploded in his ears!
Jie Mingâs pupils contracted.
He saw, right before him, his shieldâcapable of withstanding a full strike from a second-rank wizardâcrack like a spiderweb.
Only through the energy reaction triggered by the shieldâs impact could Jie Ming barely discern a faint, crystalline âconeâ stabbing toward his face.
Thankfully, the sudden shield bought him a precious fraction of a second.
Relying on combat instincts, he jerked aside, narrowly dodging the lethal strike!
The cone grazed his cheek, its residual force stinging his skin!
In that split second, Jie Ming strained his eyes, scanning his surroundings.
But⌠he found nothing.
Aside from the fleeting glimpse of the crystal-like âconeâ limb revealed during its clash with his shield, the attacker left no trace in this world!
After Jie Ming dodged, it vanished like ink dissolving in water.
â
Roar!!!
â
Only then did the five black giants react.
With furious bellows, their massive forms moved, encircling Jie Ming in a solid defensive ring.
They warily scanned every inch of the surrounding space.
Jie Ming had no time to think, instinctively layering himself with shields of different attributes.
He then sank his mind into the runic artifact on his wrist, checking the status of his
Scouting Eye
and
Five Aggregates Rainbow Mirror
.
âThermal imaging, vibration waves, sonar, soul detection, energy diffusion, life detection⌠Damn it! All detection methods are active, yet I didnât spot the enemy?!â
Confirming his
Scouting Eye
and
Five Aggregates Rainbow Mirror
were fully operational, Jie Ming felt a chill.
So many detection methods, yet none had sensed the enemyâs approachâŚ
Just as he processed this unsettling fact, another lethal attack descended from above, without warning!
Once again, none of his detection methods could trace its source.
And its destructive power was even greater than before!
Despite preemptively raising multiple shields, they shattered like paper, offering no protection!
Fortunately, Jie Ming was prepared this time.
He dodged the fatal strike just in time, suffering only a deep, bone-exposing gash on his left arm.
Though the attack was overwhelmingly powerful, Jie Ming let out a cold smirk.
Watching his arm rapidly heal under his body refinement technique, he had already deduced the enemyâs method of concealment.
âA creature naturally adept at âspatialâ abilities? My arm wasnât sacrificed in vain⌠This is a jackpot!â
From the wound, Jie Ming sensed a familiar yet alien energy eroding his flesh.
He recognized it as pure âspatialâ energy!
It was âfamiliarâ because he had spent over a decade studying âspatial rifts.â
It was âalienâ because, even now, he couldnât manipulate this mysterious force in the slightest.
Clearly, the enemyâs ability to shatter multiple shields relied on this âspatialâ power, which ignored most energy and physical defenses!