Yang Wenqing and Wu Yan quickly went downstairs and boarded the Flying Shuttle. Wu Yan skillfully activated the propulsion Array, and the shuttle immediately lifted off the ground, speeding toward East City.

From the main road in East City, their view cleared a mountain peak, revealing a magnificent, colorful light in the sky ahead. It was the magical barrier the City Defense Bureau used to lock down and isolate major incidents!

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, dozens of Flying Shuttles from different security stations converged from all directions above the main road. They flew at top speed toward the designated assembly point at the edge of the barrier. The passengers on these shuttles were, at a minimum, captain-level officers from their respective security stations.

"What a massive operation..."

Wu Yan’s expression was grim as he piloted the Flying Shuttle and took in the scene ahead. "This Spiritual Qi outburst is the biggest one we’ve seen in years, isn’t it?"

Yang Wenqing didn’t answer, his eyes fixed on the massive barrier. He subconsciously touched the ’Cyan Blade’ short sword at his waist, feeling a faint but clear response from the blade before taking out his handgun to check the magazine.

The Flying Shuttle soon arrived at the temporary assembly point outside the barrier, where a large crowd had already gathered. Yang Wenqing saw a few familiar faces—captains from the security stations of other districts. When they saw him, they offered only a slight nod, their gazes filled with the same confusion and gravity.

Yang Wenqing soon spotted a simple altar that had been temporarily erected in front of the massive, glowing barrier. On the altar stood a middle-aged man in a white commissioner’s uniform. It was the branch’s other deputy director, Deputy Director Zhou, who was in charge of Internal Affairs Inspection.

Deputy Director Zhou held a command flag, Spiritual Qi surging around him as he worked with several Array Masters to maintain the barrier’s stability. Under his control, the flow of light across the vast barrier seemed more orderly, but the violent ripples that periodically disturbed its surface revealed the extreme instability of the energy within.

In a clearing on the other side, a fifty-man squad of Government Soldiers in black armor had already assembled. They moved swiftly, setting up several cannons inscribed with armor-piercing and Burst Runes!

Yang Wenqing and Wu Yan exchanged a look, both seeing the gravity in each other’s eyes.

"Wenqing, over here!"

A voice suddenly called out from Yang Wenqing’s left.

Yang Wenqing looked toward the sound and saw Wang Jianchao, captain of the Major Case Team’s First Squad and also the team’s deputy leader. Beside him was Liu Xin, captain of the Second Squad. The two of them were changing; their original clothes had obvious tears in them.

Apparently, these two were the first to discover the change in Spiritual Qi here. They had already been through a fight.

As he walked over, Wang Jianchao ordered Wu Yan, "Xiaowu, go report to the temporary frontline logistics office and follow their arrangements."

"Yes, sir!"

Wu Yan nodded and obediently left.

After Wu Yan was gone, Wang Jianchao said, "We’ve got a tough fight ahead. Deep in the forest, some rogue Cultivator set up a Gathering Spirit Array. It’s caused a lot of the animals inside to mutate into Spirit Monsters, Demons, and other twisted creatures."

He looked at Yang Wenqing. "The three of us will form a combat team. You two will provide cover for me!"

"Alright!" Yang Wenqing agreed readily. He didn’t ask why this Gathering Spirit Array hadn’t been discovered during the pre-new-year sweep.

"Take these!" Wang Jianchao took two Type 1 handgun magazines and an energy crystal from his Storage Bag.

Yang Wenqing’s gaze was immediately drawn to the energy crystal. It was this world’s equivalent of a Spirit Stone, though it was artificially created. Even the lowest-grade ones cost five thousand. A crystal could rapidly restore the Spiritual Qi in one’s Qi Sea or be used to cast magical seals that required immense amounts of Spiritual Qi.

Just then, a series of roars echoed from within the barrier, followed by a dull, drum-like thudding that resounded in their ears. Then, seven leaders from the branch bureau, dressed in white uniforms, walked out of the temporary command post nearby. Among them were Vice Director Gao, Wang Ren, and the branch director, Zhang Qiming.

They were rapidly exchanging opinions and reached a consensus in just over ten seconds. Then, Yang Wenqing heard Vice Director Gao’s voice come through the Communication Array in his badge: "All who can see me, gather on me."

After giving the order, Vice Director Gao didn’t stay put. Instead, he moved quickly toward the west side of the barrier.

"Let’s move!"

Yang Wenqing, Wang Jianchao, and Liu Xin immediately followed. As they moved toward Vice Director Gao’s position, Yang Wenqing noticed two other groups also responding to the summons.

Both groups were colleagues from the Operations Division, all of them veteran sergeants with a captain-level rank, which meant they were Qi Cultivators. They were also organized into three-man combat teams, for a total of six people, armed with rifles fitted with runic rails; their firepower far exceeded that of handguns.

Vice Director Gao led the three assembled teams quickly through the outskirts of the temporary camp. About a quarter of an hour later, they arrived at a stream where the woods were relatively sparse.

After stopping, Vice Director Gao’s first action was to sweep his sharp gaze over everyone. Then, he took out a flare gun and fired it into the sky, launching a conspicuous red flare.

Only then did Vice Director Gao speak. "Advance in a fan formation by combat team. Stay alert. Prioritize eliminating mutated creatures, and find and destroy the core of the Gathering Spirit Array. If you encounter a situation you can’t handle, fire a distress signal immediately!"

He first looked at the colleagues from the Operations Division. "You’ll advance on the flanks!"

Once the order was given, the two teams from the Operations Division shot forward like cheetahs. One went left and the other right, using the trees for cover as they quickly vanished into the dark forest.

Next, Vice Director Gao looked at Yang Wenqing’s group of three. "You three, stay on my heels and clean up any that slip through my grasp!" As the words left his mouth, he flicked his left hand. A flying sword instantly shot out of his sleeve and hovered beside him.

At that moment, the roars from inside the barrier grew even more intense. Vice Director Gao immediately charged into the barrier, with Yang Wenqing, Wang Jianchao, and Liu Xin right behind him.

"Wenqing, Spirit Grass can sprout in the area of a Spiritual Qi outburst in just a few minutes. We’ll point out the locations to you, so be ready to collect them!"

As he spoke, Wang Jianchao tossed a Storage Bag to Yang Wenqing.

Vice Director Gao, up ahead, added, "That’s right, Wenqing. You stay behind us. Your primary objective is to scout for these treasures."

"Got it!"

Yang Wenqing caught the Storage Bag and glanced up at the barrier in the sky. ’The scale of this operation seems massive, but compared to clearing out the Demons from a Spiritual Energy riot, the people here are clearly more interested in the Spirit Grass and treasures growing inside.’

Moreover, after entering the barrier, he discovered that the Golden Core in his mind was frantically absorbing and refining the violent Spiritual Qi here. But after his body absorbed this Spiritual Qi, his Qi Sea couldn’t contain it all. He could only use it to nourish his physical body, which gave him the urge to stop and cultivate.

This situation also had an advantage: while fighting here, the Spiritual Qi in his Qi Sea would be virtually inexhaustible. And just then, Vice Director Gao, who was in front, activated the flying sword hovering beside him.