On the helicopter, Li Hua and the other two sat side by side, unusually silent.

Originally, the three regarded Xu Fan as nothing more than an ant, someone who got lucky enough to acquire the Mysterious Rank Combat Skills and Techniques from the Book Depository! Just how precious are these Mysterious Rank Combat Skills and Techniques? How could someone like Xu Fan ever deserve them?

As they say, a hero should wield a treasured sword; naturally, the Mysterious Rank Combat Skills should be given to them, the best choice indeed. Yet, Xu Fan outright refused and displayed a frighteningly hostile attitude, successfully fueling Li Hua and the other two's desire to seize Xu Fan during the mission and force out the secret of the technique.

After Li Hua and the other two spent seven thousand points, Xu Fan finally took the bait, agreeing to leave the base with them. Hearing this, the three were overjoyed.

Firstly, as long as Xu Fan left the base with them, the Mysterious Rank Battle Technique would be within reach. Even the three of them had never seen such a technique before, and now, they were about to obtain it, naturally excited and elated.

Secondly, someone like Xu Fan in their eyes was an ant, yet this ant continually struck blows against the lofty pride the three held through a series of events.

In fact, facing Xu Fan, they had the illusion that Xu Fan was the true scion of a hidden family, standing high above, while they seemed like mere commoners.

Now, with a small enticement, Xu Fan unveiled his greedy nature, willing to sacrifice his life for points. Witnessing this scene, the three breathed a long sigh of relief.

This was the familiar ant to them, cautious for self-preservation in the face of righteousness and reckless for minor benefits.

Finally, they regained their confidence, able to cast disdainful glances down at Xu Fan with their accustomed air of superiority.

However, the developments far exceeded the trio's expectations.

Who is Old Xie? The guardian of the Divine Arms Pavilion! A super powerhouse of the Zhiwei realm! One of the most special figures at the base! Even when Li Hua and the others met him, they had to act with utmost courtesy, ensuring their posture was proper.

Yet, this super powerhouse unexpectedly appeared on their helicopter to provide personal protection.

Upon hearing this information, the trio were dumbfounded. Since when did those big shots at the base start being so considerate? Sending experts for close protection on a simple task? Just a few months ago, when they worked themselves to the bone fulfilling tasks, the base didn't make a peep, let alone sending experts for protection. Not to mention, they had portions of their points deducted for transportation fees.

Li Hua and the others weren't foolish; naturally, they could discern the base's attitude towards Xu Fan.

Nevertheless, precisely because of this, Li Hua and the others couldn't let it go.

Why should someone as insignificant as an ant garner such attention from the base? In other words, should they face a life-threatening crisis, would the base send a Zhiwei realm powerhouse to protect them?

Clearly, that was utterly impossible. Even if they perished, the base wouldn't bat an eye.

The huge disparity in Xu Fan's perceived status left Li Hua and the others with a sense of unreality, feeling as though the world before them was twisted and collapsing.

Even more terrifyingly, they began to suspect Xu Fan had a tremendously powerful force backing him! Even someone of Old Xie's stature was compelled to lower himself as a bodyguard for Xu Fan.

Just moments ago, the trio, especially Li Hua, had wronged Xu Fan to an irredeemable degree.

Upon returning to the base, would Xu Fan leverage his forces to retaliate against them? Perhaps even use certain methods to obliterate the three entirely?

At this thought, the trio exchanged glances, in their eyes a subtle yet fierce determination—under no circumstances could Xu Fan be allowed to return to the base alive!

Xu Fan was naturally oblivious to their intentions; at this moment, he was leisurely sitting by the window, gazing at the scattered white clouds outside, appearing utterly relaxed.

However, in truth, Xu Fan hadn't lowered his guard.

Deep down, Xu Fan was quite aware he had no substantial backing; Old Xie had come merely because Old Mu and the others were worried about him slipping away from the base.

Strictly speaking, the supposed backing that Li Hua imagined Xu Fan to have was truly Xu Fan's death sentence! Should Xu Fan make a breakthrough, Old Mu and the others would have no qualms about eliminating him!

Therefore, Old Xie's presence wasn't a good thing for Xu Fan—it could even be described as bad news.

If Old Xie hadn't appeared, then Li Hua and the others wouldn't have posed a threat to Xu Fan. With his cards revealed, defeating Li Hua and the other two wouldn't have been an issue at all. Moreover, after eliminating them, Xu Fan could have reached out to the outside world.

From Old Mu and the others, Xu Fan learned that the stubborn old man wasn't alone but part of an organization called the Three Divines, which had significant grievances with Old Mu and his companions.

Possibly, if Xu Fan could connect with the stubborn old man, he might safeguard himself through the strength of the Three Divines.

But in reality, Old Mu and the others regarded Xu Fan as more important than life itself. They wouldn't grant him the slightest chance of escape. Xu Fan couldn't even entertain contacting the stubborn old man, nor reveal too much during the task, lest Old Mu and the others suspect him, potentially leading to his demise!

As the four harbored differing thoughts, Old Xie approached them with a faintly cold expression on his face.

"The task has been temporarily altered; the target remains Zhao Chenglong, but the mission isn't merely to kill him—it's to seize a treasure from him."

"No one knows the appearance or function of this treasure, but it's confirmed that the target indeed possesses a valuable treasure!"

"Moreover, we aren't the primary force tasked with eliminating the target. Our role is to assist the hidden Zhao family in capturing and killing the target! Upon mission completion, each of your point rewards will double!"

Old Xie's words elicited exclamations from Li Hua and the others, even Xu Fan was slightly surprised.

The temporary task alteration, without changing the target, made it evident that this wasn't a decision from the base but rather that unforeseen circumstances had arisen.

It seemed Old Xie had mentioned an ambiguous treasure, about which everyone was ignorant of its appearance and function. Yet everyone confidently asserted its existence and extraordinary value—so much so, that the Zhao family had to use such vague terms to appease the base.

It appears this task might not be as straightforward as initially thought.

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