Arriving around Lion Peak, Lu Fan did not see the old village chief and waited outside, with many assassins passing by.
After waiting for several days, the old village chief, with a weary body, came before Lu Fan.
"Did something happen? Why are you so weak?" Lu Fan frowned.
"The intelligence was mistaken. The saint I intended to kill was extremely powerful. If not for the Guixi technique, I would have been killed by him!" the old village chief said with a wry smile.
"Then, does that mean your mission was not completed?"
Lu Fan furrowed his brow slightly. If that were the case, it would likely impact the old village chief's reputation.
"Don't worry. If I hadn't completed the mission, would I have returned!" the old village chief smiled faintly. "That person, though formidable, was no match for the incredibly potent Guixi technique and died an unnatural death!"
Lu Fan then relaxed. With the old village chief's words, he had no worries.
"But speaking of which, how did you get here so quickly?"
The old village chief asked in surprise, "Was your opponent easy to deal with?"
"Naturally!"
Lu Fan nodded. "He was merely a half-saint, not worth mentioning. Dealing with him was effortless!"
"That's excellent!"
The old village chief nodded slightly. "Let us go in!"
Lu Fan glanced at Lion Peak and then nodded slightly, feeling a surge of excitement. Their mission was now complete, and upon entering Lion Peak, they would be able to investigate the true culprit.
After a long while, they finally entered the interior of Lion Peak. However, as they were about to enter, Lu Fan discovered a barrier blocking their path.
"This is the assassin dynasty's barrier. You can only enter by presenting the assassin token for verification," the old village chief reminded him, his expression becoming more serious.
Lu Fan did not hesitate and immediately used his token to verify his identity.
Arriving at Lion Peak, the old village chief personally led the way towards the Lion Peak Grand Hall. This was the gathering place for assassins and the location where the mission boards were posted.
Inside the hall, there were countless figures, each exuding an ominous presence and carrying an aura of killing intent. At the main seat of the hall sat a hunched-over, white-haired elder, silently slumbering, yet his terrifying aura deterred anyone from approaching him casually.
"If my guess is correct, the one at the main seat is the Lion Peak's Grand Commander, a King-level assassin!" the old village chief stated. "He possesses the assassin scrolls from every mission. If we can obtain the scrolls, we can discover who murdered your friend!"
Lu Fan was tempted but dared not act rashly. He was well aware of how terrifying a King-level assassin could be. To obtain something from a King-level assassin would require some skill.
Just then, a figure suddenly entered the hall and walked directly towards the Grand Commander at the main seat. "Master, the mission you assigned is complete!"
The Dynasty Grand Commander awoke and, seeing the man before him, revealed a faint smile. "As expected of my eldest disciple, you completed it so smoothly!"
"Thank you for your praise, Master!"
The man cupped his fists slightly. A sword was sheathed behind him, making him appear unlike an ordinary person. The aura he exuded also instilled fear in many.
"Who is he? Why can he speak to the assassin dynasty's Grand Commander like that?" Lu Fan inquired, his surprise evident. After all, a King-level assassin was an existence that not just anyone could approach.
"He is Lion Peak's foremost assassin, the White-Faced Scholar!" the old village chief stated directly. "In the Eastern Region, countless saints have met their end at his hands. He is also the eldest disciple of the King-level assassin Jian Bei!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, his doubts dispelled. To hold such a high position naturally meant possessing an extraordinary aura.
"Have Gui Ying and Mu Dan returned yet?" Jian Bei asked. "I heard that a peerless divine weapon has recently appeared in the Eastern Region!"
"They have not yet returned. As for that news, this disciple has also heard of it!" Bai Mian Shusheng nodded. "Could it be that Master wishes to seize that peerless divine weapon?"
"If it were in the past, the assassin dynasty would not have cared. But after the changes of these years, the assassin dynasty is no longer what it once was," Jian Bei sighed lightly. "If we could possess a peerless divine weapon, at least we wouldn't have to fear the combined forces of the many sacred grounds!"
"Master speaks wisely. I will go and seize the divine weapon now!" Bai Mian Shusheng cupped his fists. Jian Bei's words were like a royal decree.
"No!" Jian Bei waved his hand. "Although your strength is formidable, I have heard that the one who obtained the divine weapon has close ties with the Ancient Desolate aristocratic families. Obtaining the divine weapon safely will not be an easy task!"
"What does Master mean?" Bai Mian Shusheng asked in surprise, looking towards Jian Bei.
"Let's wait for Gui Ying and Mu Dan to arrive before making plans," Jian Bei said faintly, then looked towards the numerous assassins present. "Three days later, in Lion Peak's Valley of Despair, an assassination competition will be held. The first person will become my personal disciple!"
The assassins present were astonished and showed joy, surprised that the Grand Commander was preparing to take in a disciple. To become the Grand Commander's disciple would undoubtedly lead to a great future. Just like Bai Mian Shusheng, he was merely an ordinary assassin before, but after being noticed by the Grand Commander, he received numerous resources and had now become the foremost figure within Lion Peak.
"This is truly a great opportunity!" the old village chief smiled. "The Grand Commander is preparing to take in a disciple. If you succeed, you will be his closest person. At that time, obtaining the mission scrolls will be as easy as lifting a hand!"
"That may be so, but it is likely not that simple!" Lu Fan shook his head. "Who knows how many people want to become personal disciples. It is likely that after three days, there will be a bloody battle!"
"Indeed!" the old village chief nodded slightly. "As for whether you can succeed, it depends on you, my boy. The ancient divine body can fight across realms, but facing a high-level saint, I fear..."
"It's alright, I can break through at any time," Lu Fan shrugged, a smug smile appearing, as if everything was under his control. The old village chief was slightly taken aback. Lu Fan's words held a double meaning, making him somewhat suspicious.
After the assassins left the hall, Bai Mian Shusheng looked at Jian Bei. "Master, why are you taking a personal disciple at this time? Is it related to the peerless divine weapon?"
"Indeed. The three of you were all trained by me. I know your capabilities, but the Eastern Region is full of dangers. Taking in another disciple will give me greater peace of mind," Jian Bei nodded.
Bai Mian Shusheng's face darkened, but he did not say much. Gui Ying and Mu Dan were already difficult enough to deal with, and now Jian Bei was preparing to take in another disciple. He harbored ambitions of becoming a branch commander, but it seemed there were now significant obstacles.
After leaving the palace, Lu Fan and the old village chief found a place to rest at Lion Peak.