Chapter 658: The Enemy to Face

Under the arrangement of the intelligence group, it didn't take long for me to meet with Teaching Assistant Fu Xinglan.

The meeting was arranged at a property in Ninglan New City owned by their club.

And quite unexpectedly, Tracy was also here.

The deliberate arrangement of having two people who were familiar with me, and who had become Teaching Assistants in the same batch as me, meet me, using the business card I gave them as a credential, made me regard this meeting with increased seriousness.

This was likely a gesture of goodwill, or perhaps a way to have people who could speak with me handle the conversation, indicating that the upcoming topic would be long and tedious.

However, only after chatting would I understand what they wanted to do.

“The two of you, long time no see. You both look a lot more worn out, haven't you?”

Upon seeing the two of them, I instinctively felt a hint of unnaturalness from them.

The Heart Sense made it very clear what state they were in.

They couldn't hide it from themselves, so naturally, they couldn't hide it from my Heart Sense's perception.

“Yes… Since we last met, a lot has happened. We can't be as carefree as you, after all.”

Fu Xinglan started to play the victim, following my opening.

Although the victim act was feigned, the unnaturalness at the moment of meeting was real.

The gulf they acknowledged internally made them realize they were not on the same level as the other party, even though their official status was the same.

“Teaching Assistant Xiao Han, your attitude towards life is truly enviable. It's a pity we can't learn it.”

“Why can't you learn it? We stand at the same level before advancing to Transcendent. Let go of everything that holds you back, and you'll be light on your feet.”

I stepped forward and probed.

Although just the thought of them doing this was unlikely.

Then, I naturally took my seat at the spot they had prepared for me.

This area was clearly arranged by them, with only three seats in total, meaning the serious discussion would only involve the three of us.

“Black coffee, please. Thank you.”

I spoke to the attendant nearby, then looked at the main figures.

“Such words, only Teaching Assistant Xiao Han could say them so freely within the entire Witch Academy, I presume.”

“Of course. That's my freedom.”

I said.

The attendant then poured me a cup of black coffee.

The efficiency was high; perhaps they had known my preference in advance.

Coffee was not very popular in the Witch Academy.

Flavored, sweeter coffees were generally acceptable, but black coffee was an exception.

This drink was often associated with staying up late, studying, and working.

Witches did have a lot of nightlife, but that nightlife didn't rely on coffee; it relied on gal pal affection.

After pouring me a cup of black coffee, the sole attendant left, leaving only me and the two individuals opposite me.

After the door closed, an Isolation Spell enveloped the area.

The Isolation Spell was a more advanced existence than the Soundproof Spell.

It could block not only sound and vision but also various spell detections.

Theoretically, with some additional means, it could also block Earth Vein Information, but clearly, they didn't have that capability.

“We know, freedom. But such a word carries too high a price for us.”

Fu Xinglan now put away her casual demeanor.

The scene was set.

In a place where no fourth person knew, they naturally prepared to stop making small talk.

“And that kind of freedom might also come at a cost for you, Teaching Assistant Xiao Han.” Tracy added at this moment.

“Me too? What is it?”

Seeing their seriousness, I got straight to the point.

I understood them saying that freedom had a cost, but I didn't understand them saying that about me.

I shouldn't have any cost, right?

Did I?

“Envy.”

“Oh, that does seem to be the case. But… are you sure it's not impotent rage?”

“And apprehension.”

“A desire to eliminate me quickly, but they need the corresponding means to do so.”

I commented on each of the reasons they brought up.

“So, could you please be clearer? You know my comprehension skills aren't great. If I misunderstand your meaning and cause an unfortunate misunderstanding, no one will be happy.”

I said directly, then took a sip of coffee.

What surprised me was that this coffee was a variety I had never tasted before.

I was a Body Cultivation Enhancer of the Five Senses; my sense of taste and smell couldn't be wrong.

The Main World only had one type of coffee bean; only the preparation method differed, but this was a different raw material.

It was possibly a new variety from the Expansion Realm…

“Of course. I didn't invite Teaching Assistant Xiao Han here to speak in riddles.”

Fu Xinglan also spoke.

“Does Teaching Assistant Xiao Han know about the current relationship between the Families in the outside society and the Transcendent Academies?”

“I know some. I learned it through the Earth Vein Appraisal Spell, so it's quite detailed.”

I said very directly.

“Since Teaching Assistant Xiao Han knows, then you should also know the predicament the Families are currently facing, right?”

“Tangled in a quagmire by the Players? I've been planting trees in the Expansion Realm lately and don't know too much, but I don't think the Players can cause too much harm.”

I continued.

“It seems Teaching Assistant Xiao Han really doesn't know much. The Families are indeed dragged into a bottomless quagmire by the Players, but not in the way you might expect. And… the Players are not as harmless as you might think… But since this topic has been brought up, may we seek an answer from you?”

“Ask first.”

I didn't give any definite commitment.

“Are the Players related to the Witch Academy? We want to know if the Players were introduced to the Main World by the Witch Academy.”

“That question seems meaningless to you now. Once suspicion is born, the accusation is already established.”

“Are you tacitly admitting it? As expected, you know a lot of things we don't.”

“Well, isn't trying to force an answer like that breaking the rules a bit too much? I can only say it's the actions of individual Witches. Don't escalate it to the Academy collective.”

“I see… But, using your own words just now, arguing about the individual or the Academy seems meaningless too.”

“It seems so. But now that this question is over, let's get back to the main topic.”

I said.

After all, they had managed to extract a piece of intelligence from me right off the bat; these guys really did have better verbal skills than I did.

“How about discussing the trouble that freedom has brought me?”

“Of course. Teaching Assistant Xiao Han's freedom truly irritates the nerves of those Family individuals.”

“After all, you are an individual exception, and the outside world is a unified collective. The collective will either assimilate the individual or destroy the individual.”

“If you say that, aren't you a part of a Family? Did I irritate you too?”

“That seems to be the case too… But we see things more clearly, so we only dare to envy. Only those who don't know the gravity of the situation would envy, or even hate.”

“So how do the Families plan to target me?”

I took another sip of coffee and asked.

“Teaching Assistant Xiao Han, do you think the only ones targeting you are the Families? Our Families are not fools, especially the Family factions who favor the Witch Academy.”

“Who else? The Players?”

I asked with interest.

“Teaching Assistant Xiao Han, your words make it clear that you completely misunderstand your own value and your own capabilities. I also see that you are constantly pursuing the higher-ups without regard for the meaning of those useless things.”

Fu Xinglan said.

Even Tracy wore a serious expression.

“Perhaps the enemy you face is at a higher level than you anticipated.”

With their prompting, I quickly realized something.

Anti-Witch.

Or rather, Traitor Anti-Witch?

In short, it was kin who didn't wish well for the Witch race… no, they weren't even kin, were they?

The Traitors were apparently removed from the list by the Primal Witch.

So… with their reminder, I instantly understood!

What was the lower limit of the Anti-Witch?

Transcendent Witch!

And what was on the same level as the Transcendent?

Transcendent individuals, those who had advanced to Transcendent, but were not limited to the Anti-Witch.

Perhaps Transcendent Elves, or Transcendent Holy Angels, or Transcendent Wizards?

But I had consistently overlooked the structure of the Void outside the Main World, and I had overlooked that the Main World didn't only have the Witch Academy!

As expected, even I had unknowingly developed such an arrogant disposition after entering the Witch Academy.

Even if those Academies seemed insignificant, their mentors were existences on the same level as Transcendent Witches!

“Transcendent Academies… are planning to deal with me? But do they dare… Oh, don't speak yet. Let me think it through myself.”

I motioned to them with my hand.

After sorting out the relationships, I quickly understood the key point.

I had been too comfortable in the Witch Academy, to the point of almost forgetting my past thoughts.

I remembered asking Mentor Ji Niang a question like, is power or knowledge more important in the Void?

The essence of that question was whether the Void was reasonable or unreasonable.

But clearly, a lot of evidence suggested that this was an unreasonable Void where power speaks.

Reason was only possible under the order of absolute power.

So, my current potential was too frightening.

The Floating World-level Spirit Vision allowed my non-Transcendent life to glimpse a corner of True Time that even the Transcendent couldn't reach.

This was a gift from the Main World.

The two Grand Spellbooks were my foundation.

My self-awakened Body Cultivation, Domain, and comprehension were all my potential.

The techniques I mastered, and the Great Knowledge Sharing Technique that I hadn't fully appreciated, were all my capabilities.

Even fundamental construction like the Myriad Connection Main Network Tree was an order structured under my Domain.

The Transcendent Academies in the Main World were not just Academies; they were the extended will of other Transcendent Races in the Main World, feeling like garrisons.

So… if they are not our kin, they are sure to be of a different heart.

Eliminating a genius doesn't seem like a hard thing to imagine.

It's just that my place was too comfortable, so I wouldn't think that much… My reliance on the Witch Academy was demonstrated too thoroughly in this aspect, making me appear more naive when contemplating these issues.

So, my earlier worries were necessary, and maintaining vigilance was also necessary.

But I had only been enrolled for how long?

I had thought I wouldn't need to worry about this issue for several years.

Who knew it would come so quickly?

I took a deep breath at this moment, took another sip of coffee, calmed down, and then looked at the two who were quietly waiting.

“A Transcendent from a Transcendent Academy is planning to deal with me, is that right? The Three Great Top-tier Academies?”

Hearing my words, the two were a little shocked.

They hadn't expected me to lock onto such a high target, but… in a way, it seemed correct.

“It seems that after Teaching Assistant Xiao Han seriously evaluated yourself, you would also give yourself such a high appraisal. It appears our cognition of you is still too shallow.”

“Let's be direct.”

Fu Xinglan spoke, no longer intending to beat around the bush.

“Please speak. I will listen carefully.”

I also said expectantly.

It seemed I had guessed too high?

But thinking about it, it might not be wrong.

After all, striking at me in the Main World… no one would get off scot-free.

I had the Reincarnation Spell.

My soul also had the blessing of the Soul Dream State, which was the safe haven for the soul.

Even if my body died, my soul could enter the Soul Dream State to hide, and then self-resurrect when safe.

Even if I couldn't self-resurrect, the Academy Head would help, as she had the Metamorphic Incubation Spell.

Unless the other party could simultaneously cleave my body and soul at a speed that I couldn't react to, but was that possible?

I also had the Body Cultivation Seventh Sense Time Sense.

This was a Body Cultivation instinct, comparable to a passive skill in terms of magic.

“The ones who want to deal with you this time are the Players.”

“Oh, that doesn't seem unexpected. I was planning to strike at them when they struck at me.”

“I know the Players cannot pose much threat to you. After all, your single strike could destroy the Players' ultimate move, which speaks volumes. But… the Players are preparing to join forces with the Families to conspire to kill you, and they stated… that you must die.”

“Judging by your tone, it's as if you were personally present.”

“Mm. At least a senior Teaching Assistant from my Family was present at the time.”

“That's interesting. Your presence suggests they invited you, right? And you turned around and sold them out?”

I couldn't help but ask with a smile.

“After all, we knew what we would go through if we let them kill you, so we aren't stupid.”

“But not everyone is smart?”

I tentatively asked.

“Yes, do you need me to…”

“No need. I don't care to know those people. But if it's just that, it's still just a small skirmish, isn't it?”

“It seems Teaching Assistant Xiao Han is very confident in your own strength… But we didn't deny the conjecture you raised just now.”

Fu Xinglan said with a heavy expression.

“So… the Players have the backing of a Transcendent Academy pushing them forward, and they are prepared to deliver the fatal blow at the critical moment?”

“According to our analysis, that's the case.”

“Then I have a question: how did the Players hook up with a Transcendent Academy?”

I continued to ask.

“We don't know, because our stance is the Witch Academy, so we don't know.”

“Alright…”

I sighed and didn't press further.

After all, these things weren't important anymore, were they?

“You are telling me this important intelligence… aren't you afraid of being isolated?”

“Naturally, we are afraid. Or rather… we have already been isolated?”

“Then you still did this… perhaps you judged that the benefit would be maximized by doing so? What do you want to gain from me?”

“A favor. A favor that is absolutely within your capacity.”

“A favor? Are you sure you want to quantify it like this?”

After all, without quantifying the favor, their actions would allow them to continuously receive benefits from me, but quantifying it into a specific favor meant there would be no emotional attachment.

“Yes… we need a guarantee. An absolute one, a favor that is strong enough to be considered a trump card.”

“Betting on both sides?”

I chuckled softly. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

But based on the Heart Sense's perception, I clearly controlled the current rhythm and knew their intentions were sincere, but I wouldn't foolishly believe them just like that.

“No… it's the preservation of a spark after a break with ideology. Please be careful. Those who will target you will also include Families leaning towards the Witch Academy, but they won't make a direct move or leave any evidence.”

“Witches don't need evidence or reason to eliminate annoying flies.”

I said with a smile.

“Yes, precisely because we understand, and they don't. That's why we are gathered here. And we don't just represent the two of us, but an entire unified group.”

“Alright, I will prove that your foresight is not bad.”

“We look forward to it.”

“Oh, by the way, I have one more question. Where is this coffee from?”

“Coffee? Oh, we bought it from a merchant who came to Ninglan New City. And here's a piece of friendly intelligence… that merchant is from outside our world.”

“Interesting. Outside the world?”