"This is... the helper you ntioned, teacher?"
At Konia Manor, when Yelanka saw the tall, radiant figure of Shi Jingyi standing before her, she was montarily stunned.
She truly hadn't expected Guan Tong to bring Shi Jingyi here.
Uenoshi beside her, however, had so guesses. She knew Guan Tong and Shi Jingyi were on good terms, and the latter was extrely powerful, so it wasn't strange to invite her as a helper.
It's just...
Right now, as Shi Jingyi stood before them, a vague sense of danger welled up from deep within her, making her want to flee.
She knew this feeling wasn't because Shi Jingyi was showing hostility, but rather a natural reaction of her special bloodline ability when sensing a powerful enemy.
Just like so keenly perceptive wild beasts instinctively feel fear or even freeze completely when encountering other ferocious beasts.
When she first t Guan Tong on the island, she had felt a strong sense of danger. She had the sa feeling when Yuzawa Jun used the "Myriad Serpents Domain," and now it appeared again.
Although she wasn't to the point of being unable to move, she could clearly sense the overwhelmingly oppressive aura unconsciously emanating from Shi Jingyi.
The closer she was, the more pronounced this aura beca, sothing Shi Jingyi's smiling face couldn't dispel.
Guan Tong also had so sense of the "aura" around Shi Jingyi, though not as pronounced as Uenoshi with her Great Serpent bloodline.
He guessed this might also be a change brought about after breaking through the one thousand Mind Power upper limit.
Previously, Shi Jingyi had described it as "completely reborn." Seeing it firsthand now, it was indeed true—although her appearance hadn't changed much, her skin had just beco much smoother, that indescribable, elusive temperant was very obvious.
Shi Jingyi smiled at this mont and said, "You must be Yelanka. I've long heard Guan Tong ntion you. You're the most outstanding student he encountered during his substitute teaching period."
Her smile was warm, her voice friendly, making people feel very comfortable, as if any inner restlessness could imdiately be soothed.
"Lecturer Jingyi... hello."
Yelanka had seen Shi Jingyi many tis in online classes. Back then, when she went to the academy in Beixing, it was for her sake... But now, seeing her in person, she finally understood why Shi Jingyi's popularity at the academy was so high.
She just stood there casually, her heroic bearing and a relaxed, natural temperant couldn't help but make people yearn for her. Anyone who saw her once would know she was the type of person most scarce in today's world—soone with an extrely stable ntal core.
It must be understood that in this extrely unstable world, the sense of security a person with a stable ntal core and stable emotions brings to those around them is unimaginably strong.
Even if this person's own strength isn't great, so powerful individuals would actively approach them, even willingly offering protection.
Moreover, Shi Jingyi herself was a top-tier powerhouse. Combined with this composed and unruffled temperant, it truly made Yelanka feel that being her student and friend must be a very happy thing.
"I've heard all the details from Guan Tong. I'll help," Shi Jingyi said straightforwardly.
"Thank you so much!" Yelanka, infected by Shi Jingyi's temperant, felt a surge of excitent. "With powerful people like you helping, we can definitely crush the enemy's conspiracy this ti and free this nation's people from those bastards' control!"
Afterwards, Shi Jingyi received the [Passerby Transformation Device] from Yelanka, and they discussed the specific action plan.
Actually, there wasn't anything special. What they had to do was wait.
They held the data device and weren't in a hurry. The ones truly anxious were Valeri and the others.
So they just needed to guard the manor, resting while awaiting labor, and when Valeri made his move, they would seize the montum to completely crush him.
"The encryption system on the device's data, I've already commissioned a professional to crack it remotely," Guan Tong said. "The other party is a world-class hacker. Results should co soon."
The person he sought was none other than the hacker "Mask," whom he had dealt with several tis before.
Last ti, when helping Uenoshi find her parents' information and data, he had commissioned Mask, and the latter handled it very well. Since then, whenever Guan Tong had electronic data that needed cracking, he naturally prioritized this person with whom he had a cooperative history.
Yelanka nodded. "Good. Then I'll draft the follow-up cleanup and handling procedures tonight, so we won't be overwheld by countless threads and not know what to do when the ti cos."
...
In the backyard garden, Guan Tong and Shi Jingyi strolled slowly.
Guan Tong said, "I originally didn't want you to co from Beixing, but for the sake of safety, I still need your help."
"Hmm? Why are you being polite with
now?"
"... Forget I said anything. By the way, can you establish a Mind Network with others now?"
"Probably not, but we can try."
Shi Jingyi extended her hand to Guan Tong. Guan Tong naturally raised his hand and grasped it.
Accompanied by a wave of warmth, he could feel Shi Jingyi's Mind Power lingering in his palm, seemingly seeking a special link with the sa frequency, but his own Mind Power couldn't resonate with it.
"No," Guan Tong shook his head. "It seems that to establish a Mind Network between each other, both parties' Mind Power upper limits need to break through one thousand... But if that's the case, how do we identify parasitized forms then?"
He originally thought the principle of using the Mind Network to identify parasitized forms was in the form of a "group invitation." Only human Ascendants could join the group, while parasitized forms could not.
But now it seems, if only those who break through the one thousand Mind Power upper limit can "join the group," with such a high requirent, not many humans would be able to et it for a long ti.
"I'm not clear either. Perhaps we can only know by finding a parasitized form to practice with."
ntioning parasitized forms, Shi Jingyi's eyes dimd montarily.
Guan Tong knew she was thinking about the incident involving those academy students and offered comfort. "Don't dwell on that. That wasn't sothing you could change."
"Mm. Guan Tong, tell
about your ti in Xisiya. I'm quite curious."
"Curious?"
"Yes. Unlike your rich and colorful life, my daily life can be described as a straight line between the academy and the dormitory, hehe."
Although Shi Jingyi said this, her tone held not a trace of resentnt or complaint, showing she didn't dislike this life that others might find monotonous.
Actually, Guan Tong was the sa. He often missed his previous life on Mingdao Mountain now, monotonous yet peaceful.
"Rich and colorful... I suppose it counts."
Guan Tong told her about the things that happened when he and Uenoshi ca to Xisiya, only omitting the question he asked the Nano Swarm.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Shi Jingyi enough—in fact, she was now the person he trusted most.
He didn't tell her because he felt that unknown secret must be very significant and very dangerous. Before he had more certain clues, it was best not to let the people around him know, to avoid involving them as well.
By the ti the two walked from the garden entrance to its depths, Guan Tong had finished saying what he needed to say.
"It is indeed rich," Shi Jingyi said. "So after you help Yelanka secure her footing, you plan to cooperate with the Counterasures Research Office and go to the Republic of Fahe to deal with the higher-ups of the Fire Thief Worship Cult?"
"Not certain yet, but I have this intention. The Fire Thief Worship Cult itself endangers the overall safety of humanity. It's very necessary to eliminate this malignant tumor as soon as possible."
Shi Jingyi nodded. "These cultists have beco increasingly radical over ti. I rember over a year ago, they just gathered together to praise the Fire Thief, compiling the Doomsday Rules into a book as the cult's 'Bible'... I never expected they would now develop to the point of colluding with parasitized forms."
"That's how cults are. Like a car with the accelerator pressed to the floor on a downhill road, they only beco more radical, constantly accelerating until they destroy themselves."
After saying this, Guan Tong glanced at the "1" point above Shi Jingyi's head, just as he had initially expected.
"Speaking of which, regarding this rule where Beixing completely prohibits private fights among Contestants, how have the academy students reacted?"
Guan Tong rembered when he was a substitute teacher, the students were relatively concerned about social trends and policies. And because their own strength surpassed most ordinary people, so students held an elite ntality.
Just like the murder case that happened at Cangying Ridge back then, many students felt the person involved, Shen Yun, was not guilty. When the verdict was announced, they protested publicly, causing quite a stir.
"Indeed, many students are discussing it," Shi Jingyi said. "Support and opposition are about half and half. So students think it's fair to everyone, while others feel it will only reduce the competitiveness of the nation's strong individuals."
"What about you? Do you support it?"
"?" Shi Jingyi thought for a mont and nodded. "I do support it. The academy is a place for learning and teaching. What's needed there is relaxation, not the extre ntal tension from constantly having to guard against others. Being in a constant state of tension is very bad for learning."
Guan Tong highly agreed with this point.
People indeed can't learn anything while constantly in a tense state. Forcing themselves to learn would just be inefficient and superficial.
The two talked and strolled, and before they knew it, one or two hours had passed.
...
The next day, just as a sliver of fish-belly white appeared on the horizon, while most people were still asleep, a crisis quietly erged.
A charge team composed of over a hundred loyal elite agents, led by Valeri, quickly boarded several vehicles and headed towards the manor where Yelanka resided.
In the sa vehicle as him, besides several of the Security Bureau's most formidable agents, was the reinforcent he had brought.
That person sat in the very back row, arms crossed over his chest. When the vehicle turned and swayed, he remained as motionless as a wooden stake, showing his extraordinary ability to control his own body.
"Everyone listen clearly."
Valeri gave orders to the agents in the several vehicles via the communicator.
"Later, we must finish the battle quickly. Except for Yelanka Konia, eliminate all personnel inside the manor."
"Additionally, Yelanka Konia herself possesses a certain degree of combat ability. You must be extra careful when you encounter her!"
As the Director of the Security Bureau, Valeri knew more about the competition between Lijeka and Yelanka than others. He knew that day, Yelanka's survival in what could be called a desperate situation relied not only on Sigaochin's protection but also on her own formidable combat ability.
If she had been any weaker, she would have already been controlled by Lijeka's people then, and things wouldn't have developed into today's situation.
After instructing his agent subordinates, Valeri looked through the rearview mirror at the reinforcent he had spent a fortune to bring.
"'Shadow,' I leave him to you to handle. I don't demand you necessarily kill him, but at least be able to delay him, make him unable to attend to Yelanka's side."
Upon hearing this, the person sitting in the back row snorted coldly. "Don't demand death, only demand delay? Are you looking down on ?"
That icy tone made Valeri involuntarily shiver.
Just thinking about this person's ruthless thods and disregard for rules, being in the sa vehicle with him was truly terrifying... But to deal with the troubleso enemy "Shadow," he had to do this.
"I don't an to look down on you. It's just... he is 'Shadow' after all. Many people consider him the world's number one Ascendant, and he indeed has many battle achievents."
"'Shadow,' so what? I ca here this ti precisely to kill him. Do you really think I'm here for your money?"
"..."
Valeri thought to himself, if not for my money, why did you accept the transaction?
Of course, he definitely didn't dare say this out loud. Otherwise, he suspected that with this person's unpredictable temper, he himself might be killed.
"Director." At this mont, Valeri's adjutant sitting in another vehicle sent a communication. "What about Sigaochin's side? Don't we need to deal with her?"
"As long as we control Yelanka Konia, what can Sigaochin do? Besides, she's currently responsible for maintaining order at the Competition Arena. If we move against her, once chaos erupts on-site, it will beco unmanageable."
It wasn't that Valeri hadn't thought of concentrating forces first to take out Sigaochin, Yelanka's capable general. It was just that there were too many Contestants at the factory now.
If he sent people over, and both sides fought, with the on-site Contestants adding to the chaos, so engaging in lees, others taking photos and videos... No one knew what it would beco. It might trigger a series of chain reactions, throwing the entire nation of Xisiya into chaos.
His goal was to depose the uncooperative Yelanka and completely seize the power to manipulate this nation, not to throw this nation into chaos—that held no benefit for him whatsoever.
"Yes, I understand, sir," the adjutant said.
"Are we not there yet?" the person in the back row asked, his tone full of impatience. "I want to go ahead first."
"No!" Although Valeri feared this person, for the sake of the plan, he mustered so courage. "Don't forget you were hired with my money. You should also abide by the agreent. Besides, we'll be there in another two or three minutes. Just endure a little longer!"
As soon as Valeri finished speaking, he felt a chill on the back of his neck.
Sothing sharp was pressed against it.
"You dare speak to
in a commanding tone. Do you want to die?"
"Director?!"
"You!"
The other several agents in the sa vehicle were greatly alard and wanted to take action but were stopped by Valeri raising his hand.
He said calmly, "There's no need to kill
just because one sentence displeased you. Besides, if you kill , you won't get the final paynt for the commission fee either."
"... Hmph."
The sharp sensation disappeared. Just as Valeri breathed a sigh of relief, he heard a loud "CRASH!"
He turned his head to look and saw a large hole had been torn open in the car roof above the back seat. The person who had been sitting in the back seat had already left the vehicle and was flying in the sky!
"You!" Valeri was furious at this person's actions. "Lucifer!!!"
The reinforcent he had spent a fortune to bring was none other than the world-notorious Lucifer. The latter, upon hearing that the target was "Shadow," had imdiately accepted the commission and rushed over, clearly having a grudge from the start.
Now, having used his wings to destroy the car roof and flown into the high sky, Lucifer glanced in the direction of the manor from the air, waved his wings, and sped away.
His face was filled with wild arrogance, seeming impatient. "'Shadow,' the humiliation you brought
last ti, this ti I'll return it to you exactly as it was...!"
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