Soon.
In a matter of a few short sentences before Dugu Ling, many people had already surrounded her.
With Cang Lang and Ye Cang Tian leading the way, those around them immediately responded.
First, those who could enter the Hidden Group, and recommended by Elder Ming Yue, should possess a certain level of strength, which would be a guarantee for safety and mission completion.
Secondly, this girl in front of them clearly had a background. If she could build good relations, she might secure a bright future.
Finally, this girl seemed very righteous, and the rules she set were quite reasonable. She only took what she needed, and the rest would be divided equally among others.
This way, even with minimal contribution to the mission, one would still have a considerable income.
On the other side, Dugu Ling did not make things difficult for the strangers who signed up, accepting all of them into the team. She then began to select tasks and complete the mission registration.
It was only at this point that Dongfang Ming Yue secretly called Ye Cang Tian to a private room.
"Sister Ming Yue, you're too cruel! You didn't restore my contribution points before, and now you're not giving me any for the Ting Feng City mission?"
Dongfang Ming Yue intended to give Ye Cang Tian a few more instructions, but before she could speak, Ye Cang Tian took the initiative to question her.
Hmph!
Dongfang Ming Yue let out a light huff and said, "How dare you mention contribution points! Let me tell you, if it weren't for me, your contribution points would still be negative!"
"What about contribution points?"
Ye Cang Tian looked bewildered. It was clearly the other party who hadn't given him contribution points, but now it seemed like he was in the wrong.
"Hmph!"
"Do you think that mansion was easy to acquire? It required contribution points to reach 500,000, and that's not even counting the spirit stones!"
"That's in the central district of Dragon City, and it's a rare small mansion! Think about it yourself!"
Dongfang Ming Yue snorted, speaking with annoyance.
After all, that was the center of Dragon City, and also the center of the entire eastern region, truly a treasure trove where every inch of land was precious.
"500,000? Does anyone buy it with such a high requirement?"
Ye Cang Tian's eyes widened, he almost spat out blood. He had worked himself to death and only managed to save over ten thousand contribution points. To reach 500,000 would take him nearly half his life!
"Hmph, just because you can't afford it doesn't mean others can't."
Dongfang Ming Yue glanced at Ye Cang Tian and continued to explain.
Mansions in the central area of Dragon City like this were definitely unaffordable for ordinary people. Under normal circumstances, families would purchase them for some of their elite descendants.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cang Tian was speechless and said, "Sister Ming Yue, it seems I owe you a great debt..."
"Hmph, it's good that you know your sister treats you well!"
"Alright, stop talking about these useless things. Let's get down to business. You must be extra careful this time."
Dongfang Ming Yue snorted and changed the subject. Her kindness towards Ye Cang Tian was entirely from the heart, and she didn't need him to be grateful.
"I know. That guy who was instigating things in the mission hall before probably had ill intentions!"
Speaking of this, Ye Cang Tian nodded. The other party had incited Dugu Ling to take the mission, and then did not participate. In his opinion, there was definitely another motive.
"You probably need to be wary of more than just him, so be careful."
Dongfang Ming Yue glanced at Ye Cang Tian. The Dugu family had too many opponents, and there were many ambitious figures who wanted to stir up trouble.
Furthermore, Dugu Ling was a woman, and even within the Dugu family, some people did not favor her inheriting the Dugu family.
Therefore, Ye Cang Tian would face considerable trouble this time, and Dongfang Ming Yue had to warn him in advance.
"Alas! It doesn't matter."
"Sister Ming Yue is so good to me, I can't let her down!"
Ye Cang Tian was helpless. The situation had come to this point, and he couldn't do anything about it. He could only brace himself and take it one step at a time.
"Heh heh, you brat actually have 'conscience'!"
Dongfang Ming Yue gave him a fierce glare upon hearing this. Who was it that wanted to slip away just now!
Now he was saying pleasant things here, clearly trying to fool her!
Thinking of this, Dongfang Ming Yue waved her hand impatiently.
Seeing this, Ye Cang Tian chuckled and quickly turned to leave.
...
As soon as he returned to the mission hall.
Ye Cang Tian was stopped by Dugu Ling.
The mission team had finished registering, and everything was ready except for Ye Cang Tian.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cang Tian wasted no time and followed Dugu Ling out.
The carriages traveled westward, the long convoy resembling a dragon, a magnificent sight that amazed countless passersby.
After all, such a grand spectacle was rare in the ruins.
Even when some factions carried out missions, they probably wouldn't use so many carriages.
After more than ten days of continuous travel, the encounters with people became fewer and fewer.
Along the way, Ye Cang Tian tried to build a good relationship with Dugu Ling. With Dugu Ling's cooperation and trust, it would be easier for him to protect her.
However, Dugu Ling was always indifferent to him, leaving him no choice.
Finally, the mission team arrived in front of a mountain forest.
The mountain forest before them was dense, with ancient trees reaching the sky, and there was also thick miasma.
According to the map, this was the mission area.
"Everyone disembark and rest on the spot. After one hour, you will enter the mountain forest with me, this heroic woman!"
Dugu Ling dismounted and immediately began to give orders.
After more than ten days of travel, both people and horses were tired. They needed to adjust their condition before starting the exploration, otherwise it would be equivalent to seeking death.
Dugu Ling understood these basic common senses.
On the other side, listening to Dugu Ling's command, everyone got out of the carriages, eating, drinking, and resting.
In the blink of an eye, an hour passed.
Dugu Ling stood up on time, scanned the surroundings, and finally landed her gaze on a few burly men by the fire, then walked over.
"Seeing that you are strong and robust, your strength should not be low, right?" Dugu Ling said.
A hint of smug smile flickered across the faces of those burly men. Who didn't like to be praised?
But they did not speak, instead looking at Dugu Ling with confusion.
Seeing this, Dugu Ling quickly said, "We need to scout this entire mountain forest, and we need someone to lead the way. I believe this task is perfect for you!"
"Uh, our strength is not very strong. Lady Ling, please find someone else!"
Upon hearing Dugu Ling's words, the smiles on the faces of the burly men instantly vanished. Their expressions changed faster than flipping a book, and they directly refused.
It was a joke. No one had ever scouted the mountain forest before. It could be said that it was filled with countless unknown risks.
Going to lead the way in such a situation was simply akin to seeking death!
Besides, they did not belong to any faction. Everything was for themselves. Why should they lead the way for others and risk themselves?
Heh heh.
Ye Cang Tian, who was following behind Dugu Ling, showed a smile.
It was truly disrespectful for Lady Ling to be refused on her first command!
He wondered how Lady Ling would handle it. He really wanted to see...
On the other side, Dugu Ling's expression clearly darkened, but she said nothing. If they didn't go, they didn't go. After all, there were over a hundred people in the team!
Next, Dugu Ling approached others, but no matter who she found, they all refused with the excuse of having low strength.
"What do you all mean!"
"Following me, Lady Ling, on a mission, and you won't even do something like scouting the way. What do you all mean!"
After several attempts, Dugu Ling's expression became increasingly displeased, and she finally erupted.
"Lady Ling, you yourself said you would guarantee our safety and mission completion!"
"Scouting the way is extremely dangerous. If we go, we might not come back. You can't blame us for that, right!"
A burly man stood up and said to Dugu Ling.
"Exactly, if there were no such promises, we wouldn't have participated in the mission!"
Another burly man stood up, his contemptuous gaze seeming to say, if you don't have the skills, don't take on the task!
"You... you all!"
These two sentences instantly choked Dugu Ling, leaving her unable to say a word.
Although others did not echo the words of these two, the gazes of those people already explained everything.