Wang Sheng had long been familiar with the efficiency of the Special Warfare Unit. Major decisions were often finalized within minutes. With the Nether Gate on the surface, the immortal light appearing twice, and a female immortal calling for help, the authorities could not simply ignore the situation. After a nuclear bomb wiped out most of the malevolent ghosts that had poured from the rift, preparations for a rescue mission in the Small Nether Realm immediately began. Within fifteen minutes, a list of cultivators selected for the mission was drafted. Those chosen soon received word from the Special Investigation Unit. Mu Wanxuan naturally had to go. When Wang Sheng learned that his name was not included on the first list of cultivators heading to Fengdu City, he could not help but freeze for a moment. Having grown used to the investigation unit sending him to the front lines, always fighting and risking his life, he did not expect to be excluded. Although it was surprising, it was not unreasonable. The Special Warfare Unit, Special Investigation Unit, and Cultivation Research Institute had selected names that made sense. Qing Yanzi, whose Pure Yang Immortal Mantra was especially effective against yin qi, was among them. He was even capable of fighting fierce spirits and vengeful ghosts who were stronger than he was. The Hidden Earth Sect's grand elder and second elder were also picked. Both were powerful and could wield the Black and White Ghost Banners to summon ghost soldiers that the immortals of the Small Nether Realm had left behind. The list also included Zhang Zikuang and Yan Zhengnan, two recently promoted Golden Core Realm cultivators of the Special Warfare Unit. After breaking through, Zhang Zikuang's talisman techniques from the Longhu Mountains had risen to a new level, making him a force to be reckoned with. An elder from Mount Mao who specialized in exorcising ghosts, a sword sect elder skilled in controlling flying swords, and two eminent monks from the Buddhist sects who practiced radiant Buddhist arts were also accompanying them. All twelve names on the list were Golden Core Realm cultivators. Wang Sheng, who was still at the Illusory Core Realm, was naturally not on the list. He frowned. Though the omission did not damage his Dao Heart or dull the sharp resolve of a sword cultivator, he felt somewhat frustrated and worried about his senior sister and master. Unfortunately, even if his overall combat strength should not be underestimated, he did not meet the qualifications to enter. He was with his senior sister and the half-immortal Xi Lian when he received the news, observing the mass of dark clouds above the Nether Gate. Just minutes earlier, he had been reminding Xi Lian how to conduct herself once inside. He had not expected that only his senior sister would be summoned. "Can Senior Xi Lian not go either?" Wang Sheng asked the Special Investigation Unit captain who had come to notify Mu Wanxuan. The middle-aged woman shook her head. "After thorough deliberation, we've decided that Senior Xi Lian should avoid direct contact with yin qi and ghost aura." She smiled warmly at Wang Sheng before hurrying away. Wang Sheng wanted to ask more but felt a gentle tug on his arm. Turning around, he saw his senior sister standing behind him in her Soaring Celestial Dress. With eyes as clear as moonlight, Mu Wanxuan softly remarked, "It's fine." Wang Sheng wanted to believe her, but the truth was that she and their master were about to enter the Small Nether Realm. They could even descend into the Eighteen Levels of Hell in search of the female corpse. How could that possibly be fine? Still, Wang Sheng knew that they had chosen the right people. He was not yet a Golden Core Realm cultivator. Worrying simply clouded one's judgment. After a moment of hesitation, Wang Sheng went to his master to volunteer for the mission. However, Qing Yanzi gently stopped him. "Little Sheng, don't worry about Little Xuan's safety. Do you think I've only been cultivating for show?" "Master, I can still help in some way…" Qing Yanzi smiled. "I know you want to go with your senior sister, but the Small Nether Realm spans over thirteen hundred li. Just traveling from the Nether Gate to Fengdu City will cost you a significant amount of true essence. "A mid-stage Illusory Core Realm cultivator can theoretically maintain their primal qi within the Nether Gate, but only if they don't fight. Once you engage in combat, your true essence will deplete quickly, and replenishing it will be extremely slow. "Besides, the yin qi near Fengdu City is likely far denser than in this place. You might end up spending most of your effort just resisting its effects." Wang Sheng had no rebuttal. His cultivation realm was his obvious weakness. If he were at the Golden Core Realm, the authorities would likely have invited him themselves, especially since he was a sword cultivator with a celestial-grade flying sword. He was not too worried about his senior sister. With their master by her side, she would be well protected. If even Qing Yanzi could not protect her, then Wang Sheng's presence would only be a burden. What truly worried him was the objective of their mission: helping the female corpse. "Master, based on the speculation, the female corpse could be beneath the Eighteen Levels of Hell," Wang Sheng said solemnly. "My intuition tells me she means us no harm, and she wouldn't hurt my senior sister, but what if that call for help was just an instinctive cry before she lost control—" "Little Sheng!" Qing Yanzi strictly shouted. His voice boomed like spring thunder in Wang Sheng's ears, making him tremble.  Placing a hand on his second disciple's shoulder, he then gently said, "Your heart is in turmoil. The Nether Gate has appeared, and the Small Small Nether Realm could emerge into the mortal world at any moment. Have you seriously thought about how disastrous that would be if we fail to stop it?" "I have thought about it, Master. That's why I want to do my part…" Wang Sheng replied calmly. "Then stay here and wait. As I've told you many times before, the world doesn't stop spinning just because one person is missing. The female immortal is at the heart of this crisis. We must find her and resolve everything. If the twelve of us can't do it, then adding you as our thirteenth member won't change anything! "The authorities could summon more Golden Core Realm cultivators, and other Daoist elders also offered to go, but they're not needed. Twelve is enough! Besides, we have long-range weaponry. If all else fails, we can flatten the Eighteen Levels of Hell with eighty to a hundred nuclear bombs. It'll just be costly." Wang Sheng couldn't help but laugh. "Still, Master…" "Don't worry. I just performed a divination." Qing Yanzi smiled. "There will be a few twists, but nothing truly dangerous. Now I must go assemble the team. Stay here; don't wander off." "Yes, Master. My mindset was a bit off earlier. I'll wait here for your triumphant return." With a sigh, Wang Sheng bowed deeply. Still smiling, Qing Yanzi simply turned and drifted away. There were several ways to reach Fengdu City. To ensure the cultivators were in peak condition, they would be using vehicles. The Nether Gate was wide enough to accommodate a transport aircraft, but building a runway inside would require significant work, and though they had vertical takeoff jets, they would have to be deployed from distant bases. The research institute also required time to survey the rift and the palaces, which could not be rushed. After taking everything into consideration, they chose to travel by land, aiming to reach Fengdu City within ten hours. The twelve Golden Core Realm cultivators would ride in a troop transport, an armored artillery support vehicle, and a pathfinder jeep. They gathered on a hillside near the command center. The vehicles were already prepped, and all three were plastered with yellow paper talismans strung together with red cords. Since everyone understood how dangerous this mission was, hundreds of Daoist experts had gathered to see them off. Qing Yanzi exchanged a few words with the Grand Celestial Master before boarding the jeep. The seat beside him was reserved for Mu Wanxuan. Wang Sheng and Xi Lian were also on the grassy slope where the Daoist masters had assembled to see Mu Wanxuan off. "This is ridiculous," Xi Lian complained. "Why would they send you into danger when they already have so many Golden Core Realm cultivators, Little Xanxuan?" "It's fine," Mu Wanxuan answered softly. In her hands was Ice Crystal, which Wang Sheng had given long ago. "Well, fine then," Xi Lian replied in frustration. "Seems they still don't trust me. Little Fei Yu, are you feeling overlooked? Honestly, it just means they're being cautious. You still have room for improvement. "I'm not exactly heartbroken," Wang Sheng replied with a carefree smile. "There's just a bit of disappointment. Anyway, please take these, Senior Sister." He handed her his Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch. "If anything happens, use the talismans inside. They might not boost your strength much, but in a fight, even the smallest edge can decide the outcome." He paused, then added with concern, "You practice the Dao of Balanced Yin and Yang, which allows you to convert the Small Nether Realm's yin qi into your own primal qi. However, the yin qi here is full of deadly energy. Don't let your guard down." "Mm," Mu Wanxuan replied softly. Wang Sheng still felt uneasy. He pressed a hand to his chest, preparing to summon Flying Haze. "Don't push yourself, Senior Sister. Stay close to our master, okay? Listen to him, and don't take risks. This celestial-grade flying sword—" A blur of white rushed into his arms, cutting him off and stopping him in his tracks. Two small hands gently patted his back. Before he could return the embrace, she had stepped back and grabbed Ice Crystal, which had floated next to her. After gently smiling at him and nodding politely at Xi Lian, she then turned and jogged toward the team. In a daze, Wang Sheng watched her disappear. Xi Lian sidled up beside him, bumping him lightly. "Stop daydreaming. They're already gone." "Big Sister." Wang Sheng turned serious. "Is there any way to speed up breaking through to the Golden Core Realm?" Xi Lian rolled her eyes. "There are plenty. You first have to reach at least the late stage of the Illusory Core Realm before you should even think about forming a Golden Core." Illusory Core completion... Wang Sheng thought for a moment, then pulled out his phone and made a call. "Mistress, could I get some Qi-Nurturing Stones? Consider it an advance on my wages. As many as possible… Yes, right now. I'm at the command center." After hanging up, Wang Sheng took a deep breath, set down his sword case, and sat cross-legged. Xi Lian looked at him, both amused and exasperated. "You're not seriously trying to form a core right before battle, are you? That's far too reckless. If your foundation's not stable, you might not make any progress for the next three, five, or even ten years." "I just can't shake this uneasiness," Wang Sheng replied thoughtfully. "Whatever happens, breaking through even one realm will leave me in a better position. I'm only half a step away from late-stage Illusory Core Realm anyway." Xi Lian shook her head in disbelief. "You're mad. Forming a core should not be rushed." "Don't worry. I'll focus on reaching late-stage Illusory Realm Core first. If I don't have at least sixty percent confidence, I won't attempt a breakthrough." Wang Sheng smiled calmly. In his eyes was a quiet resolve that would never seem to fade.