Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Seven Great Arrivals

That evening, Yu Fei didn’t leave school until after 10 PM. He had gained a great deal under Yan Sea’s guidance. Many of the skills Yu Fei had figured out for himself while advancing his cultivation technique from the major completion to the perfection stage were inevitably crude, so Yan Sea’s tutelage came at the perfect time.

The focus of his current practice had shifted. First was the tempering of his skeletal joints—a foundational practice he could not afford to neglect. Beyond that was the Green Lotus Sword Nourishing Skill. Now, all the preparations were complete; all that remained was arduous training.

Yu Fei sat cross-legged in his meditation chamber. With a casual point of his finger, the Cyan Lotus Sword slid steadily from its sheath and hovered three inches before his brow. A sword seal at the perfection level was no longer bound by the variations of a Finger Skill; all the changes in his Qi Blood were completed subtly within his body, making his control over it even more agile.

In his mental space, two sharp sword gleams crossed. A moment later, the gleam Yu Fei had visualized was shattered once more, scattering into brilliant light.

In the outside world, the hovering Cyan Lotus Sword trembled violently. Yu Fei’s face was pale, but he didn’t open his eyes. Instead, his hands formed a different Finger Skill, and the Cyan Lotus Sword once again stabilized, hovering three inches from his brow.

Through his long practice of sword visualization, the formless blade he forged in his mental space had gained considerable sharpness. It could now hold out longer when confronting the Sword Intent within the physical sword. As a result, he suffered less damage and could practice continuously for multiple sessions.

After a brief recovery, Yu Fei began a new round of confrontation.

...

Inside the Martial Arts Administration Bureau, Wang Jie read the report from the forensics lab and listened to the latest intelligence from the investigation.

"...In summary, after final confirmation, the four ordinary people in the Beigouya Village case have been identified as four missing, unemployed individuals from the neighboring N County. We have already contacted the N County Police Department.

The second-realm Martial Artist was a 42-year-old male. After joint screening and genetic comparison, we believe this Martial Artist is an outsider. There is no matching information for him in all of Y City."

Wang Jie rubbed his temples and said in a low voice, "Alright. Thank you all for your hard work."

"It’s our duty. A pity it didn’t help the case."

"Don’t say that. I’ve seen all the effort you’ve put in. This group is just vicious, cunning, and was well-prepared. We will bring them to justice sooner or later. You all must have faith."

Wang Jie took a file from his drawer and handed it to Bu Xiuwen.

"Xiuwen, the Public Security Bureau’s investigation has yielded some preliminary results. Read them to everyone."

Bu Xiuwen stood and took the file with one hand. "Yes, Deputy Director!"

"...After investigating a total of three hundred and twenty-one individuals and conducting a multi-faceted screening based on social connections, martial arts prowess, and household registration status, we have locked onto a single suspect. His surname is Qian. He possesses extremely strong counter-surveillance capabilities. After leaving the competition venue and passing three camera locations, all traces of him were lost.

There’s no information on this person in Tianning County; no records match his facial features. He’s someone who appeared out of thin air. We are now planning to issue a wanted notice for him..."

After Bu Xiuwen finished reading, Wang Jie issued new orders.

"Xiuwen, take all the members of the field team and go on the offensive. Find this skulking bastard as soon as possible.

Also, contact the Public Security Bureau and have them set up checkpoints at all major intersections. We absolutely cannot let any suspicious individuals slip through.

..."

Tianning County is located in the northern region of the Yu Kingdom—or more precisely, the northwest. The area receives little rainfall, the climate is dry, and the four seasons are distinct.

"Senior, did you bring any moisturizer? The climate in this godforsaken place is just so dry!"

Han Qiubai’s brow twitched. She was starting to regret accepting this mission. ’If it weren’t for my shortage of academic credits and my mentor’s recommendation, I would much rather be cooped up at school cultivating.’

’Still, the rewards for this mission are pretty good. There are academic credits from the university and a bonus from the Security Bureau. If I do well, I might even be able to keep the temporary identity they gave me for this.’

’The title of Trainee Investigative Specialist... if I could just drop the "Trainee" part, the power it represents would be significant.’

"Senior, do you think I got a tan? I checked before we came. The temperature around Y City isn’t that high, but the UV rays are super strong. It’s so bad for your skin, you know? We have to be really careful about sunscreen and moisturizing."

Han Qiubai fought back the urge to run the guy beside her through with her sword. "Tao Lang," she said coolly, "if you can’t handle it here, feel free to go back. I can complete the mission by myself!"

Tao Lang put away his small mirror, tucking it into his little pink shoulder bag.

He lightly poked Han Qiubai’s shoulder with his right index finger.

"Oh my, Senior, what a thing to say! How could I possibly have the heart to let a delicate beauty like yourself suffer in this rustic backwater, especially with those vicious Illuminati cultists around? Of course I’m going to stick with you through thick and thin!"

Startled by the unexpected poke, Han Qiubai instantly broke out in goosebumps. She shot back five meters, her hand already resting on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

Her beautiful eyes filled with killing intent as she glared at Tao Lang. She spoke, enunciating each word. "I’m warning you. Stay away from me. If you dare to lay a hand on me again, don’t blame me for what happens next."

Across from her, Tao Lang lightly covered his mouth with his left hand before flipping his shoulder-length hair back. "What’s this all about, Senior? I was only trying to be nice, you know."

Han Qiubai’s chest heaved, and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment.

’This junior of mine, Tao Lang, is truly repulsive.’

’I really, really regret taking this mission from the platform.’

’Look at this guy... Tao Lang, dressed in girly pink, with shoulder-length hair, penciled eyebrows, and lipstick. And he’s a man. His appearance alone is enough to make anyone want to keep their distance, to say nothing of his affected, mincing tone.’

Taking a few deep breaths, Han Qiubai forced herself to calm down. ’Attacking a partner during a mission without just cause is a huge taboo, punishable with severe penalties. But if I have to stay with this guy any longer, I’m afraid I’ll snap and attack him sooner or later.’

"Tao Lang, I’m giving you two choices."

Swaying his hips, Tao Lang took two steps forward. "Go on, Senior. I’m all ears."

That single movement almost made Han Qiubai draw her sword.

"First option: we split up. One of us will confirm the status of the new prodigy candidate in Tianning County and complete the covert assessment. The other will investigate the Illuminati cultists in Y City and coordinate with the Martial Arts Administration Bureau to eliminate them.

That’s the first option. As for the second!"

Han Qiubai’s eyes narrowed, and her tone was resolute as she said:

"You and I ascend the Determination Platform. The winner completes both tasks alone!"

The Determination Platform was a unique product of the Martial Arts Universities, its authority recognized only among Martial Artists. Martial Artists were Extraordinary Beings who concentrated immense power within their own bodies, and their conflicts often couldn’t be resolved through the judgment of higher authorities, leading to constant strife.

When the Yu Kingdom was first established, the Determination Platform system had been abolished for a time. However, it was later discovered that private duels and killings became rampant, so the decision was made to reinstate it.

If a conflict arose between Martial Artists, they could settle it openly, with their strength as the final arbiter.

Hearing this, Tao Lang waved his hands frantically. "Whoa, Senior, you’re being too serious! It doesn’t have to come to that. How about this: your humble junior here happens to have a blood feud with those cultists. So why don’t you go and make contact with that prodigy? Please, Senior, be accommodating and let your junior go... get up close and personal with those fiends."

Han Qiubai breathed a sigh of relief and said decisively, "In that case, we’ll part ways here. I wish you a safe journey, Junior."

With that, she turned and left. Her steps were swift, and she vanished from sight after just a few flashing leaps.

She truly didn’t want to stay for a second longer.

"Sigh... Senior’s actions are so hurtful," Tao Lang murmured. "Heh heh."

As he spoke, Tao Lang’s figure flickered and blended into the crowd, disappearing without a trace like a drop of water in the ocean.