Within the hundred-meter range covered by his Spiritual Vision, Lin Qi possessed an absolute perception that was not limited to sight.

He could even monitor communications without alerting a Wizard of at least Tier Three.

Compared to the conductor’s Ability, it seemed Lin Qi’s first Extraordinary Ability was far more special.

’The conductor’s words align with my understanding of Extraordinary Professions. An information-gathering Ability like Spiritual Vision, which is practically broken, is extremely rare among Extraordinary Professionals.’

Very satisfied with his Ability, Lin Qi continued to eavesdrop on the communication.

On the other end of the line, Liu Xingyuan said in a low voice, "A mole in the Liu Clan is nothing new. It’s a chronic disease."

The conductor continued, "I’ve sent you the details from car two. For now, we can’t determine the cause of death for that Mercenary Squad, but there are no external injuries. It looks a lot like Liu Li’s style."

Liu Xingyuan shook his head. "Liu Li’s Extraordinary Power was an experiment, but as far as I know, it’s not capable of killing through walls."

The conductor sighed. "Then I don’t know. Perhaps it was the work of another corporation. The passengers on this train are a very complicated mix."

Liu Xingyuan replied, "The Big Business Alliance is putting on too much pressure. The Liu and Si Clans can’t withstand it alone unless the Eastern Alliance intervenes. But given the current situation, that’s almost impossible."

"The Eastern Alliance only cares about the overall stability of the Asian Administrative Region. As long as a City Destruction Level war doesn’t break out, they won’t intervene directly. In fact, the Eastern Alliance might even have had a hand in the Assassin Alliance’s recent moves."

"After you arrive in Greenfield City, you just need to protect Liu Xuan and Liu Li. Liu Yue and Liu Heng are just decoys."

The conductor nodded. He was the real bodyguard for this trip.

A Tier Three Wizard, possessing a host of strange Abilities. A Tier Three Wizard who was a natural counter to those with Prosthetic Implantation.

The conductor could hold his own even against an S-Class with Prosthetic Implantation.

"Are you sure about Liu Xuan? The problems with her are quite serious. I’m worried..." The conductor’s words caught Lin Qi’s attention.

’What’s this about?’

’Are they planning to get rid of me?’

Liu Xingyuan sighed as well. "Not unless it’s absolutely necessary. As for Liu Xuan’s problems, there might be a solution in the future. Until then, you need to ensure Lin Qi’s safety. Although he is Liu Xuan’s weakness, he is also a genius who has the potential to become an X-Class researcher. The Liu Clan needs talent."

Liu Xingyuan sounded utterly helpless.

The Liu Clan seemed to have arrived at a fateful turning point.

Continued prosperity?

Or a slow decline into obscurity?

It seemed the chairman of Liu’s Heavy Industries was about to lose control of the great ship that was his company, battered as it was by tumultuous waves.

’Protect me?’

’This is good. It seems the conductor was just trying to scare me earlier.’

’As for why I’m considered Liu Xuan’s weakness...’

Lin Qi didn’t fully understand it, but over the years, he had formed a vague suspicion.

’It has to go back to that lab accident from all those years ago.’

God knows what kind of experiment Liu Xuan was running, but it had triggered a powerful spiritual storm.

Caught in the storm’s interference, Lin Qi’s Spiritual Power had collided with Liu Xuan’s.

That was the first time Lin Qi had clearly sensed the existence of the Door.

The Door had allowed Lin Qi to remain conscious amidst the spiritual storm, which was how he managed to find Liu Xuan and shut down the machine.

Ever since then, Liu Xuan had started appearing in Lin Qi’s life from time to time.

Faced with this "NPC" who, despite not paying him much mind, showed up with reliable regularity, Lin Qi eventually developed a rapport with Liu Xuan. They could be considered friends.

The rest of Liu Xingyuan’s conversation with the conductor yielded no new information. They only discussed the aftermath of the incident in car two before hanging up.

Lin Qi didn’t manage to get any more intel either.

Lying back on the spacious seat, he kept his Spiritual Vision active, observing his surroundings.

Car one was incredibly quiet, but Lin Qi noticed that the two male members of the Liu Clan were subtly trembling.

Fear. They were afraid.

’Decoys.’ That was how Liu Xingyuan had summarized their role.

Their purpose on this train was to draw fire away from the sisters, Liu Xuan and Liu Li.

Even among members of the Liu Clan, there was a world of difference in status.

These two were cannon fodder.

Respecting their fate, Lin Qi stopped paying attention to them.

His focus returned to car two.

Inside the car, bodies littered the floor, but some people were still alive.

They were A-level Researchers, after all. Which of them hadn’t gotten their hands on a few life-saving Prosthetic Bodies?

A few were still breathing.

But it was clear their time was running out. Without medical attention, they wouldn’t last long.

As always, Lin Qi respected the fate of others and paid them no mind.

He retracted his Spiritual Vision.

The incident on the train was essentially over. No further interference from Lin Qi was required.

All Lin Qi had to do was hide his identity, stay alive, and figure out his next steps after reaching Greenfield City.

He closed his eyes and rested.

...

The train continued forward at a steady speed. Based on the schedule, it would soon arrive at its destination.

Lin Qi opened his eyes but couldn’t see the environment outside the train.

After the train had started moving, all its armor plating had been lowered, making it impossible to see outside from within.

But that couldn’t stop Lin Qi’s Spiritual Vision.

Unleashing his Spiritual Vision with its hundred-meter range, Lin Qi saw the scene outside the train.

Greenfield City was just ahead.

’So this is the Iron Curtain.’

The true form of the Iron Curtain System unfolded before Lin Qi’s eyes.

It was like a giant lotus flower, its petals extending up from beneath the ground.

The bud was closed, completely encasing Greenfield City.

There were gaps between the petals. The path the train was on led through one of them.

The Iron Curtain System didn’t seal off Greenfield City completely.

Based on its appearance, Lin Qi judged that there were at least six such gaps, like the one serving as the train entrance.

But they were likely under the strict control of the Si Clan.

’King Arthur is trapped in here?’

’No wonder he can’t get out. It’d be a miracle if he could.’

The Iron Curtain System had placed Greenfield City under a complete physical lockdown.

To leave, one would have to break through the Iron Curtain—that is, through the petals of this lotus.

The material grade of the Iron Curtain probably wasn’t too high, maybe around M-Class or L-Class, but it was certainly covered in sensors.

Any attempt to destroy the Iron Curtain to escape would surely be detected in advance by the Si Clan.

Greenfield City was the Si Clan’s main base. Putting aside god-tier beings like X-Class, there were definitely S-Class Implanters, and likely quite a few of them.

’Should I still contact King Arthur? I feel like I can’t help him, and he might even bring trouble my way...’

’Forget it. Guang Ling already replied. I should still get in touch with King Arthur.’

’At least now I have the Liu Clan’s protection. I shouldn’t be in any major danger for the time being.’

’At the meeting tonight, I’ll first try to understand the specific trouble King Arthur is in.’

The train passed through the long, narrow gap in the Iron Curtain, entering Greenfield City at a low speed.

The train headed straight for the center of Greenfield City.

Two skyscrapers, each hundreds of stories high, stood tall like a pair of Twin Towers in the heart of Greenfield City.

On the Twin Towers, the logo for Si Pharmaceutical was displayed in the most conspicuous spot.