The Thorn Wall command center's side hall was temporarily cleared, with soundproofing and anti-spying formations laid out. Tang Xiaoqi, True Lord Xuanxuan, Mu Qingfeng, and several core elders sat in a circle. The atmosphere was serious. The mist rising from spiritual tea filled the air, yet couldn't dispel the heavy pressure of impending decisions.
"Xiao Qi, the preliminary roster you proposed, this old one believes is generally feasible, but still needs deliberation." An elder overseeing intelligence and assassination operations spoke first. His fingertip traced across a jade slip displaying Xiao Qi's preliminary candidate list. "Senior Sister Liu Yun's sword dao is sharp, decisive in killing—this can be the blade. Crown Prince Ao Qin's true dragon body has high demonic energy resistance, vast divine abilities. Zhao Tiezhu's unmatched physique, his yang qi and blood, make an excellent shield. Luo Feng (Second Senior Brother) though now just a soul body, his cleverness and unmatched understanding of formations and energy structures make him a surprising elite soldier. Plus you as squad leader—core five members, each with their strengths."
He paused, then shifted topics: "However, this journey is extremely dangerous. The demonic lord is cunning, its core area must be a dragon's pool and tiger's lair, full of traps and demons. We need not only strength to overcome difficulties, but also ability to handle complex environments, avoid risks, and... create opportunities in desperate situations. The current squad has enough for assaults, but lacks somewhat in agility and support."
Mu Qingfeng nodded agreement: "Exactly. We need someone who can control the battlefield at critical moments, broadly clear or hinder low-level demons, and provide strong auxiliary support. Additionally, the demonic lord's core area likely has extremely sophisticated hidden formations or spatial traps. We need eyes capable of piercing illusions and seeking truth."
Requirements crystallized: one person specializing in large-scale control and support, and one specializing in tracking and breaking obstacles—both became crucial missing pieces in the squad puzzle.
Brief silence fell in the hall as everyone rapidly screened candidates in their minds. Such people must have sufficiently powerful strength (at least Nascent Soul level), special abilities, and absolute reliability.
Just then, the side hall's door was gently knocked.
"Enter," True Lord Xuanxuan said.
The door opened. A breath of cool air accompanied by faint snow-fragrance rushed in. A woman in white moon-robe, graceful figure, face delicate and ethereal yet carrying an aloof aura, walked in. It was the Saintess of Xuanji Holy Land—Mu Xue.
She first slightly bowed to True Lord Xuanxuan and the elders, then her cool gaze fell on Xiao Qi. Her voice was like ice spring striking jade: "Fellow Daoist Tang, the demonic lord's consciousness descended, the breeding talk—I have sensed it. This journey is dangerous. Count me in."
Her tone was calm, yet carried undeniable firmness.
Everyone's eyes brightened!
Mu Xue! The most outstanding inheritor of Xuanji Holy Land. Her ice-element divine abilities were superb, having reached mid-Nascent Soul. Her "Ten Thousand Li Ice Binding" could not only freeze and slow enemies over large areas, but her unique "Ice Heart Insight" state could see through many illusions and hidden things. She also had a stabilizing effect on the squad's hearts. Moreover, she and Xiao Qi had established rapport through multiple battles, and she was one of the few who knew the lotus seed's secret.
She was undoubtedly the perfect fit for filling the "control and support" gap!
Xiao Qi looked at Mu Xue. Their eyes met. No words needed—everything was understood between them. He heavily nodded: "Good! With Fellow Daoist Mu Xue joining, our chances greatly increase!"
Mu Xue's addition lifted everyone's spirits. But the "tracking and obstacle-breaking" candidate remained unresolved. Those skilled in this area were rare to begin with; those at Nascent Soul level and completely trustworthy were even rarer.
Just as everyone frowned in contemplation, Xiao Qi suddenly felt something. He looked down at his waist, where hung an seemingly ordinary spirit beast pouch.
The pouch slightly bulged. Then, a flash of white light, and a furry figure with long ears hopped out, landing precisely at the meeting table's center—it was the mysterious rabbit spirit who had been following Xiao Qi!
The rabbit spirit stood on hind legs, two front paws crossed at its chest. Ruby-like eyes swept across the bigshots present, not showing a trace of timidity. It first pointed its paw at Mu Xue, then at Xiao Qi, then patted its furry chest and raised its small head—a stance of "I'm in too."
Everyone was stunned.
Second Senior Brother Luo Feng's soul body reacted first. His phantom excitedly swayed: "Right! How could we forget this little one! Its perception of heavenly treasures and energy anomalies is simply against the heavens! How many dangerous explorations—it led Xiao Qi to life-saving paths or key items! Its intuition can't be measured by common sense. Perhaps it can even sniff out traces of the demonic lord's hidden methods!"
The rabbit spirit seemed to understand the praise. It swayed its long ears, nose vigorously sniffing air, as if saying "Even demonic energy can't Rabbit's nose."
Xiao Qi looked at the rabbit spirit, and understanding and affirmation flowed in his eyes. Indeed, the rabbit spirit's treasure-finding and obstacle-breaking abilities had played unexpected roles at critical moments. It seemed weak, but that near-instinctive perception might be exactly what was needed to pierce through the demonic lord's heavy fog.
True Lord Xuanxuan stroked his beard, gazing sharply at the rabbit spirit: "Little one, do you understand how dangerous this journey is? Nine deaths, perhaps ten deaths with no life."
The rabbit spirit vigorously nodded, made a throat-slashing gesture with its paw, then patted its chest. Its eyes were exceptionally firm, transmitting the "Rabbit Master isn't afraid, Rabbit Master follows Xiao Qi!"
Its intelligence clearly far exceeded ordinary spirits.
"Good!" True Lord Xuanxuan no longer hesitated. "Since so, the 'Dawn' Special Task Force, final roster confirmed!"
His voice boomed, each word locking in the final lineup:
"Team Leader: Tang Xiaoqi! Core combat power, operation lead, lotus seed vitality bearer."
"Member: Liu Yun! Extreme sword dao, assault and armor-breaking, close-combat killing core."
"Member: Ao Qin! Dragon tribe crown prince, water-system offense and defense, demonic energy resistance, true dragon body for emergencies."
"Member: Zhao Tiezhu! Peak body cultivator, front-row tank, qi-blood furnace resisting erosion, strength specialist."
"Member: Luo Feng! Clever genius, formation and energy study master, technical support and artifact control, surprising elite soldier."
"Member: Mu Xue! Xuanji Saintess, ice magic control, area hindrance, auxiliary support, piercing illusions."
"Member: Rabbit Spirit! Tracking and obstacle-breaking, anomaly perception, early warning and scouting, special support."
Seven members, each with specialty, abilities complementary—forming an almost perfect cutting-edge special operations squad!
Roster confirmed. An and soaring battle resolveed in the side hall.
Xiao Qi stood, gaze sweeping everyone about to share life-and-death destiny with him (including the rabbit spirit standing proud on the table). He said deeply: "Everyone, the road ahead is dangerous, the demon lair unpredictable. But our journey isn't for private revenge, not for fame or profit—only to break destiny, save my father, save the world!"
"The name 'Dawn' means to tear this darkness shrouded by demonic barriers, reclaiming a sliver of dawn for the mortal realm!"
"We shall surely return triumphant!"
No grand slogans, only heavy responsibility and resolve to fight side-by-side into death. Seven figures were about to carry the entire alliance's hope, selflessly stabbing toward the Ultimate Dark Abyss's deepest depths!