"Hmph, those guys are probably scheming something," Qi Qing snorted coldly.
Wu Suowei nodded in agreement, "Highly likely. So Duan Chen, you need to finish this mission quickly. If the Apostles make a move while you're out, I'm afraid they won't be able to stop them."
"Okay, where's the mission location?"
"It might sound a bit strange, but it's in a temple."
"A temple?"
"Don't misunderstand, it's not that there are sea monsters inside the temple itself, but rather that among the crowds offering incense, there might be a sea monster's presence."
"What are they doing at a temple?"
Duan Chen was utterly perplexed.
Wu Suowei spread his hands, "Perhaps a ritual site, or something else. I don't know. Anyway, that's the situation."
Duan Chen lowered his head and pondered for a long time.
For this mission, he decided to call Prince Hao and the others. Firstly, as their instructor, he felt a bit guilty for not having trained them much. Secondly, it was to give these young people some experience, especially Long Yi. He wondered if his temper was still as impatient as before.
Duan Chen made up his mind and called Prince Hao.
"Alright, Instructor, we'll be right there."
Upon receiving the order, Prince Hao and the others immediately rushed to Duan Chen's residence.
When the three women, Su Baiyi, saw Hai Ren, their expressions were quite amusing.
"Oh, this is Hai Ren, and this is Ni Ya."
"They will be accompanying us on this mission."
A heretic, and a child?
The group found it very strange. However, since it was Duan Chen's order, they naturally wouldn't disobey. Moreover, they had witnessed Duan Chen's strength and were completely convinced of him.
Duan Chen briefly explained the mission overview.
"A temple? Do sea monsters also want to burn incense and pray to Buddha?" Long Yi, the impulsive one, widened his eyes.
"For this mission, you will follow my command throughout. Any objections?"
Duan Chen glanced at Long Yi and said calmly.
"None!"
"Especially you, Long Yi, absolutely no impulsive actions!"
"Yes..."
Hearing Duan Chen single him out, Long Yi felt a little embarrassed.
Duan Chen looked at Prince Hao.
As if sensing Duan Chen's thoughts, Prince Hao extended both his arms.
One arm was equipped with a detector, and the other had a shield, both intact. The shield hadn't even intercepted any energy.
"Don't worry, Instructor, there won't be any problems."
Prince Hao was afraid Duan Chen might go on the mission without him.
"Mm, relax. Even if there are any issues, I'm here."
Duan Chen didn't seem concerned, merely patting his shoulder.
"Exactly, I have a car. Shall I drive you guys?"
Qi Qing whistled.
"That would be good. Then we won't have to go to the Spirit Hunter Guild to pick up an energy vehicle."
"Captain... is she going too?"
Su Baiyi pointed at Hai Ren.
"Yes, although it's a bit strange."
Duan Chen took a windbreaker and draped it over Hai Ren.
"Don't move around, understand? If people see what you look like, they'll call the police."
"Ah... perhaps it won't be that troublesome. I've already learned."
With that, Hai Ren transformed into a black stream of light and burrowed into Duan Chen's chest.
Duan Chen clearly felt an imprint slowly forming on his chest.
The three women, Su Baiyi, breathed a sigh of relief. Hai Ren's appearance was indeed a bit frightening, and they still felt some apprehension.
[How is it? I taught it.]
Jin An's proud voice echoed in his mind.
Duan Chen felt that the friendship of these heretics came quite suddenly. For instance, Jin An and Melbourne. They had previously been at each other's throats, but after a meal in the Feast Barrier, they made up. And now Hai Ren. Duan Chen hadn't welcomed this creature at first, but in just a few days, they had taught it the contract imprint behind his back.
Duan Chen was speechless.
"Let's go."
The temple wasn't far, not spanning one or two districts like before. Duan Chen felt quite relieved.
"You sirs, you must be the Spirit Hunter Agents sent by the Spirit Hunter Guild? Please follow me."
The temple was filled with the strong scent of incense. Upon arriving here, it felt as if one's soul had been cleansed. Smelling this aroma brought a sense of peace. Even the restless Long Yi fell silent, not speaking much along the way.
The one who came to receive them was a young monk, about twenty years old. His eyes were deep, and his tone was calm, neither subservient nor arrogant due to their identities.
"Thank you for your trouble."
The young monk led them to the front of a room.
"Knock, knock."
"Please come in."
An old man's voice came from inside.
Duan Chen pushed the door open. The young monk remained outside, not entering the room.
Inside, an old monk sat on a chair, with a pot of tea and several teacups laid out before him.
The number was just right.
Duan Chen was surprised. Could this monk have anticipated exactly how many of them would come?
This was too miraculous.
"Please, sit."
"I am the abbot of this temple, my dharma name is Xin Kong."
"Hello."
Initially, the abbot didn't answer Duan Chen's few simple questions, merely urging him to drink tea. Eventually, Duan Chen stopped asking and just drank tea.
Long Yi seemed impatient and wanted to ask questions.
[Shut up and drink tea.]
Duan Chen's tone was unquestionable. Long Yi pouted and took a couple of casual sips from his teacup.
[I don't know what's so good about this stuff, it's so bitter. Captain, can you really drink it?]
Unfortunately, no one replied. Prince Hao frowned and shot Long Yi a warning glance.
Fine, he'd shut up.
After finishing the tea, Abbot Xin Kong took them on a tour of the temple.
At this point, even Prince Hao couldn't help but ask.
"Captain..."
"Shh!"
"...Alright."
Helpless, the group could only follow behind Duan Chen, looking around idly, occasionally petting cats and dogs, quite leisurely.
Duan Chen, however, kept close behind the abbot.
He noticed that Abbot Xin Kong walked slowly, yet his peripheral vision was constantly scanning the surroundings.
Soon, the tour was over.
The abbot turned around and asked calmly, "Sirs, did you notice anything amiss?"
"Ah?"
These words completely baffled the group, and they all looked towards Duan Chen.
Duan Chen glanced at them.
"The weather is dry, so there shouldn't be any water stains. However, at the corner of the easternmost building just now, I saw a bit of water with a faint fishy smell. It was likely left by a sea monster. There were more water stains on the east side, and only a little on the west. It's estimated that the sea monster didn't linger there for long, just took a look and left."
"Perhaps the easternmost room contains something they wanted?"
After he finished speaking, the abbot neither confirmed nor denied, merely nodded.
"Then I'll have to trouble you."