The next morning the pair indeed was entering the mission hall. The report to the village was actually not needed, but Wu Guang had other reasons to visit. And indeed, most of the hour they spent last evening in the village was spent by him buying a full shi of 'Heaven's Rock'.

The process of reporting their mission to the hall was short, after all, they simply had to show some kind of proof - and the weapons that they recovered fulfilled the role. They did not forget to inform the sect that the bandits were seemingly not from the zone and were strangely looking like ex-soldiers as well the discrepancy in numbers, after all, they had found 11 non-cultivators. The latter was simply a part of the report and not a complaint, after all, it was impossible to expect the number of mortals to be correct for a bandit group that could lose some or recruit more overnight.

Receiving 450 points each and the recommendation of the mission hall elder that was in charge of receiving their report to sell whatever spoils they would not keep to the sect store as a method to get some extra points the pair left the Mission hall building and separated.

During the trip back Yuan Taotu raised the question of diving the spoils and after a brief negotiation from Wu Guang, who did not want to accept an equal share considering that both the main spoils and the main danger came from 'Big Chopper', they reached an agreement. Wu Guang would receive half of the money they found and three of the holding pouches as well as keep one of the choppers while Yuan Taotu would get the rest. This was actually an extremely good deal as a single holding pouch cost around 10 gold so, in place of the few coins he could get for the weapons, Wu Guang got spoils for more than 50 gold. This fact was mainly the matter of his objections, but Yuan Taotu simply refused to listen before giving him his part and ignoring any complaints.

As they separated, Yuan Taotu simply motioned a farewell and started moving towards the store, seemingly to sell all the weapons while Wu Guang took the opportunity to go and make the report he mentioned before.

***

Wu Guang found Elder Mo in the same place and even the same position, as the latter was again observing a weiqi puzzle.

After the customary greeting and reporting that he arrived, as well as some details about their mission, Wu Guang asked for permission and after receiving it explained several of the conjectures he had made from the writs of release, similar weapons, and the fact that the main target was 'Heaven's Stone' and not money, which would the bandits normally target.

After listening to everything attentively, Elder Mo asked

"Do you think this is related to the investigation about the incident in 'Boundary Hill City'?"

"Excuse me if I overstep my boundaries, but I feel that indeed they are connected" Was the answer of Wu Guang before he prepared to fully explain the facts and conclusions he had reached.

"Let me judge it then, so you feel that these writs can explain the number of people during the incident?"

"Yes, if they were similarly convicts, this would explain why there was no information on the disappearance of such amount of people. After all, even a group of mortals suddenly disappearing would leave at least some tracks and these were not mortals, plus they should have been from or at least connected to 'Flowing Leaves City' - and nothing was found, at least of what I know"

"Hmm, you may be right. Especially as the grand commander of the guard could release some prisoners without any procedure" Elder Mo grew pensive as he answered and before asking the next question took one of the writs that indeed were sealed with the official seal of the 'Flowing Leaves City'.

"The weapon you brought and mentioned that almost all of them carried are meant as a confirmation to your statement that someone is preparing a small army or similar?"

"Indeed. From what I know and please correct me if I am wrong 'Half-Island' has no standard armed groups except for a few mercenaries that work with caravans and the guards of the cities. So leaving the disciples and stray cultivators apart as they would not need or use a uniform-like weapon, the only reason to start smithing similar weapons would be to form one"

"I agree with you, albeit the proof is not enough, you are right about both the groups that could use such weapons - and neither of them would let themselves be stolen off, or at least it would be known and most probably a bounty would be posted. Owning a smithy could explain this, but such low-level bandits... And for the last question, and this is one that even I can't understand your reasoning for, why do you think that the connection to the incident is via the 'Heaven's Stone'?"

"I read a book about containers used for poisons and medicines while staying in the 'Blue Tree Manor' as well listened to Elder Chen explanation about 'Death Rain' so when I encountered this situation I immediately connected the fact that 'Heaven's Stone' is maybe the only material on the island that did resist the corrosive effect of the rain, at least for some time"

"So you think they have been stealing it on behalf of Master Zao?"

"Yes, as if they were simple bandits they would act far more savagely, robbing all the merchants and killing everyone. Maybe even forcing the villagers to work for them. But they acted in a much more careful manner, only robbing the merchants and killing the ones who fought against them, while the merchant and most accompanying servants were released without even asking for a ransom, which is even more strange for real bandits. Normally such methods imply that they were directed by someone to not make a big mess. After all, if the village was taken by them, after killing the bandits a full investigation would follow as to find if they were sent by some power or had any accomplices. While in this case, a simple mission for disciples was issued as it does not touch the baseline of the Sect or any other power"

"I understand your points and truth to be told I would reach the same ones from this information. Although it may be a bit far-fetched, my intuition tells me that you may be right. So, I will notify the rest of the people involved and discuss how to act. For now, you may go, but before you do, how sure are you to reach the 2nd or 3rd level of the Spirit realm during the next two weeks?"

"I will no have problems doing it but..." Wu Guang did not know why or what provoked this sudden change of theme, but he answered the truth, albeit leaving a but in hopes of getting something out of this.

"Continue"

"But I may fall short of contribution points if I center in cultivation only for all the time. There is also the problem that I have not been able to get enough techniques to consider my strength enough for my current level. Also, an important fact is to not neglect my lack of fighting experience, which needs to be solved before I really can consider myself at the pinnacle of the beginner Spirit realm" The last two parts were actually white lies, but Wu Guang felt that Elder Mo's mind had already calculated some plan and he would take part in it, so he should help him with something. In reality, he could use Wood Essence to achieve both of the levels in a pair of days, but this was not an ideal way.

"Young man, you are both sly and thoughtful. Your words are extremely mature, but I feel that most of them were mainly to make me simply give you points" Elder Mo maintained his usual demeanor, but a slight smile appeared when he mentioned the real reason for Wu Guang previous explanation

"Elder Mo jests, how could I?" Wu Guang answered calmly as he had expected a similar reaction, after all, the one speaking with him was the previous head enforcer of the sect. Inwardly he thought "I know that this is basically asking for free points, but if you want to send me to a mission that I am not obliged to do, then at least some compensation should be paid"

"Contribution points can not be assigned by anyone outside the missions, requests, and challenges. But as they can be exchanged for, there is an answer to this problem and curiously it also covers the part of the experience" Elder Mo said and the smile on his face became even wider.

"Please enlighten me" Albeit he did not like that the old investigator was smiling while saying the latter, Wu Guang's interest was still piqued by the fact that he could get points and experience at the same time outside the mission system, after all, this system restricted him too much.

"Actually there are two ways and we will discuss both, but first tell me, would your team partner accompany you on an expedition?"

"Yes" Wu Guang was not really sure of it in reality, but he had a feeling that Yuan Taotu would not pass on an opportunity to get into fights while also getting points.

"I see, let me explain to you then about the first way, the expeditions" After this was said, Elder Mo took a brief pause and a short explanation about the fact that they could request leave and go hunting was included in the rules. Albeit missions normally covered most of the requests, the store still bought all the beast resources - which meant that they could get an unlimited amount of points, well, if they managed to get an unlimited amount of resources.

Normally nests were covered by missions as well, but there were several zones where normal and spirit beasts lived freely.

As the explanation finished, Elder Mo took out a map and indicated several places where low spirit beasts could be found and one of them instantly interested Wu Guang. It was a small complex of ruins located a few miles into the Boundary Hills. His interest was most piqued by the fact that these ruins predated the war, so they could contain some clues useful for his real objective of leaving the plane.

"I understand, but Elder Mo mentioned a second way?"

"Yes, there is a monthly tournament in the arena where you would fight opponents from your own set of levels. Basically, a 3rd level of the Spirit realm is the most advanced opponent you would get right now. But the prize is only for winning and the nearest one will be in 15 days, so..."

"So an expedition before the tournament would be the correct way to utilize both ways"

"Yes. There's no need to inform me of your leave. Still, the day after the tournament, come. Your strength should be on par with a common 3rd level. If this is fulfilled, then I may have a mission or two for you"

"Understood" Inwardly Wu Guang smirked, "So I was right about this old fox already having a plan of action. Most probably Elder Chen and the rest placed him at the head of the investigation".

"Well, now you are free to leave. I will also send a note to the Inner Circle office so you should have no problems with the permit"

Bowing in farewell, Wu Guang left the building and walked towards his residence while thinking "Now I have to convince Yuan Taotu to go with me".

Unsurprisingly the latter agreed right after being informed of the benefits. And as they would leave the next day, both of them started to plan their preparations.