Chapter 341 – SS-Rank Difficulty Mission

“You want to hire us?”

Su Ming looked at Xu Xiayan with sudden realization.

Xu Xiayan didn’t deny it, merely offering an enchanting smile.

“This Hidden Realm is very important to ‘Summer Chasing Smoke’,” Xu Xiayan explained. “The treasures inside are secondary – the most important thing is that there’s a troublesome matter we need to resolve.”

At this point, Xu Xiayan took a deep breath and uttered words that made everyone’s expressions change dramatically.

“I’ve accepted an SS-rank mission.”

Upon hearing this, not only Su Ming, but Chi Qian and the others all stood up simultaneously.

“An SS-rank mission…!?”

Including Chi Qian, all the girls exclaimed in shock.

As Professionals, no one could fail to understand what “SS-rank” mission difficulty meant.

This was a difficulty level that would never appear under normal circumstances. Only when a crisis emerged that could affect the entire Base City’s operations, or even its survival, would a mission of this difficulty appear.

Although there was an even higher SSS-rank mission difficulty above SS-rank, the appearance of an SSS-rank mission meant the Base City truly faced an existential crisis.

Throughout history, in Tianfeng City, the so-called SSS-rank mission had only appeared once – when that terrifying being sealed at the continent’s border, sealed beneath Longyao City, manifested in the world, wantonly ravaging the land and destroying one Base City after another.

Except for that time, Tianfeng City – the Holy Land for Professionals with millions of Professionals – had never seen another SSS-rank mission.

For Tianfeng City, hailed as the world’s center, disasters threatening it with destruction couldn’t possibly be numerous.

Therefore, for Tianfeng City, the appearance of an SS-rank mission already meant something major had occurred.

The emergence of a mission at this difficulty level indicated that even if Tianfeng City wasn’t facing an existential crisis, it had encountered a tricky situation far beyond ordinary circumstances, enough to significantly impact the entire Tianfeng City.

An SS-rank difficulty mission that even Tianfeng City, the Holy Land for Professionals, couldn’t avoid major impacts from?

Such a mission had actually appeared?

Chi Qian and her group immediately became unsettled.

“Captain Xu,” Chi Qian couldn’t help but ask, “What happened?”

Mu Yan, Feng Qing’er, and Tong Xinyao also looked at Xu Xiayan with considerable tension.

However, Xu Xiayan didn’t provide specific details.

“I can’t tell you the detailed situation here,” Xu Xiayan shook her head. “Since it’s an SS-rank mission, the detailed information involved is Tianfeng City’s confidential intelligence. Unless it becomes necessary, I can’t easily disclose it.”

This was only natural.

Since it involved the Base City’s own operations, then barring special circumstances, the cause of such events would inevitably be classified information among classified information, not to be easily exposed.

Otherwise, at best it could cause unrest in the Base City, at worst it could plunge citizens into panic – the impact would be too great.

Therefore, missions reaching SS-rank difficulty basically had confidentiality mechanisms and obligations. Even when they appeared, they wouldn’t be easily announced, only being publicized and praised by the Professional Center after the situation was resolved.Normally, the Professional Center only publicly releases missions of six difficulty levels: S, A, B, C, D, and E. Even among these, some missions require confidentiality, let alone an SS-level mission.

Although Xu Xiayan accepted this mission, it wasn’t publicly posted at the Professional Center for her to take. Instead, the Tianfeng City authorities personally sought her out and entrusted her with the commission.

The detailed contents of the mission are currently known only to Xu Xiayan alone. Even Wang Di, the Vice Captain, only knows that their Commander has accepted an SS-level mission—nothing beyond that.

Given this, Xu Xiayan naturally wouldn’t disclose the mission details to a group of “outsiders” here.

“To be honest, even if the entire ‘Summer Chasing Smoke’ were mobilized for this mission, I’m not confident we can complete it,” Xu Xiayan said, looking directly at Su Ming.

“That’s why I plan to utilize the inter-team employment system and hire several teams with formidable strength to join us in this operation.”

This was precisely why Xu Xiayan wanted to hire “Azure Mercury” to enter the Hidden Realm together.

“For ‘Summer Chasing Smoke,’ this is also a rare opportunity.”

Xu Xiayan admitted this openly.

Chi Qian understood this point.

“Indeed, if ‘Summer Chasing Smoke’ can complete an SS-level mission, it would greatly enhance the team’s reputation and lay a solid foundation for future development. A mission of this difficulty would also significantly boost the team’s official rating, making promotion to an S-level team almost within reach.”

As Chi Qian spoke, her expression turned somewhat complicated.

Everyone knew that this former female legend must be thinking about “Crimson” again.

As the former leader of a B-level team, Chi Qian had accepted an S-level mission a year ago to elevate “Crimson” to A-level.

If they had completed that S-level mission, “Crimson’s” promotion to A-level would have been just around the corner. Unfortunately, they lost and failed.

The final cost was exceedingly tragic.

Now, “Summer Chasing Smoke,” an A-level team, aiming for the highest S-level, had accepted a major mission of SS-level difficulty.

For “Summer Chasing Smoke,” this was both an opportunity and a crisis.

Although Xu Xiayan decided to take on the mission, she wasn’t overconfident that “Summer Chasing Smoke” alone could accomplish it. Hence, she considered using the employment system.

“For this mission, I’ve made extensive preparations.”

“I spent nearly half a year accumulating Contribution Points and prepared a large quantity of alchemical weapons, alchemical tools, and alchemical potions.”

“At the Wanbao Auction House, I spent a fortune to purchase a set of four Red Vein Stones for a Peak Five-Star member of the team to help them advance to Six-Star.”

“Even so, I still don’t feel secure. That’s why I’ve visited several teams to propose employment.”

“Your ‘Azure Mercury’ isn’t the first, nor will it be the last.”

Xu Xiayan shared this with Su Ming and the others, making Chi Qian’s feelings even more complicated.

“If only I had thought of that back then, spent some resources to hire other teams for assistance…”

Chi Qian couldn’t help but think this way.Would the outcome have been completely different then?

Chi Qian felt a deep bitterness in her heart.

“Sister Qianqian…”

“Sister Qianqian…”

Feng Qing’er and Tong Xinyao seemed to sense Chi Qian’s mood and instinctively reached for her hands.

Mu Yan also cast a concerned glance toward Chi Qian.

“I’m fine.”

Chi Qian shook her head, dispelling the distracting thoughts.

What had happened was done, and regret would change nothing.

All Chi Qian could do was seize the present and cherish every moment.

Only this way could she prevent similar events from recurring.

Seeing Chi Qian’s expression return to normal, Su Ming, who had been quietly observing, nodded imperceptibly to himself.

Then, Su Ming returned to the main topic.

“As long as we accept Summer Chasing Smoke’s employment, Azure Mercury will gain the qualification to enter the Hidden Realm, correct?”

Su Ming confirmed this point.

“Correct.” Xu Xiayan gave an affirmative answer and added, “Besides that, after the task is completed, we will also provide a substantial amount of Contribution Points as compensation.”

After a moment’s thought, Xu Xiayan finally quoted a figure.

“How about 500,000 Contribution Points?”

“500,000.”

This number made Feng Qing’er and Tong Xinyao cover their mouths instantly.

Even Chi Qian and Mu Yan twitched at the corners of their eyes.

Su Ming himself couldn’t help but marvel at Xu Xiayan’s generosity.

After all, this amount was indeed quite substantial.

According to official market rates, rewards for missions across six difficulty levels fell within fixed ranges:

E-rank missions typically offered 100-1,000 points.

D-rank missions generally ranged from 1,000-3,000 points.

C-rank missions usually provided 3,000-10,000 points.

These three difficulty levels corresponded to missions for lower-tier Professionals, who could complete them independently, so the rewards naturally weren’t high—capping at around 10,000 Contribution Points.

However, missions above C-rank were different.

B-rank missions typically offered 10,000-100,000 points.

A-rank missions generally ranged from 100,000-300,000 points.

S-rank missions started at 300,000 points with no upper limit.

For instance, the previous A-rank mission to subdue the Ghoul ultimately rewarded 220,000 Contribution Points, which was considered quite generous among A-rank missions.

Without Su Ming employing Advanced Spirit Art to cleanse the area and eliminate countless Phantom Demons, allowing Chi Qian and the others to challenge the lone Ghoul at full strength, it would have been extremely difficult for Chi Qian’s team to complete the subjugation alone.

And that was merely an A-rank mission.

The difficulty of an S-rank mission was easy to imagine.

Yet now, Xu Xiayan was offering compensation equivalent to an S-rank mission reward.

Undoubtedly, this offer reflected both the improved strength of Chi Qian, Mu Yan, Feng Qing’er, and Tong Xinyao, as well as the mysterious capabilities of Su Ming, the behind-the-scenes figure.

Such generous compensation, combined with the opportunity to freely seek treasures in the Hidden Realm, was undoubtedly tempting to the members of Azure Mercury.

Almost instinctively, Chi Qian and the others turned to look at Su Ming.

Clearly, they were waiting for him to make the decision.

This reaction made Xu Xiayan smile.It was clear that Chi Qian and the others had not overstepped their bounds, fully demonstrating their loyalty in serving Su Ming, which further reassured Xu Xiayan.

As for Su Ming, he had no reason to refuse.

Not only was the reward substantial, but the opportunity to enter the Hidden Realm and gather resources had already piqued his interest.

Moreover, since Xu Xiayan had shown such dedication to his affairs, it was only natural for him to reciprocate her efforts. “An SS-rank mission?”

Su Ming stroked his chin and finally made a decision.

“Alright, we’ll take it.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiayan immediately extended her hand.

“Pleasure working with you.”

“Pleasure working with you.”

Su Ming and Xu Xiayan shook hands.

(End of Chapter)