Chapter 174: 173. Shift in the Situation

173. Chapter 173: Shift in the Situation

Several people stared in shock at the corpse of the beast thrown through the air; they could not imagine how, despite all being Qi Refining cultivators, Li Yi's power could be so terrifying—his punch had shattered the very air, and if it had landed on them, there was no doubt they would have died instantly.

The most stunned were Lu Jue and Zhao Xiaoxiao.

They had previously worked under Yang Yi alongside Li Yi, their gaps in cultivation barely noticeable; now, three months later, they had opened their Spirit Mediums and become Spirit Medium cultivators, yet Li Yi had already attained a terrifying power they could never hope to match.

The speed of his growth and transformation was utterly despairing.

"What a terrifying fist technique."

Zhang Hang's eyes still held shock: "The power unleashed by that punch is monstrous—it exceeds the absolute limit of a Qi Refining cultivator. I can't imagine any cultivator could strike like this. How… how is this even possible? Li Yi, have you become a Spirit Awareness expert?"

Spirit Awareness expert?

The moment the word was spoken, everyone's thoughts turned in that direction.

"No, impossible! Three months ago, Li Yi hadn't even opened his Spirit Medium—how could he suddenly become a Spirit Awareness expert?" Lu Jue refused to believe anyone could break through three realms in three months; it was absurd.

Zhao Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and said, "Lu Jue, I've kept track of some of Li Yi's data. His cultivation value is astonishing—four hundred and twenty percent. He's a genius among geniuses. If such a cultivation value is paired with the Strange Artifact Training Room in the Investigation Bureau, becoming a Spirit Awareness expert in three months isn't impossible."

Only then did Lu Jue suddenly remember these facts.

That's right.

The Investigation Bureau now has a Strange Artifact Training Room—countless people covet it. If Li Yi's cultivation value is combined with that room, his progress must be incredibly fast, but even then, becoming a Spirit Awareness expert still seems…

Li Yi spoke calmly: "Stop guessing. I'm still Qi Refining—I haven't reached Spirit Awareness. My strength comes solely from improved fist techniques. Besides, the beast I just killed wasn't strong—only around Qi Refining level. If it had evolved into the Transcendent realm, I wouldn't have handled it so easily."

"Just Qi Refining?" Zhang Hang and the other two Qi Refining cultivators smiled bitterly.

They were Qi Refining too—didn't they know just how terrifying Li Yi's power was?

If Li Yi's punch had truly been only Qi Refining level, they would have dropped to their knees and bowed their heads to him without hesitation.

Yet they didn't challenge his humility; after all, he had saved their lives. Whatever he said, they accepted—how could they dare contradict him?

"Still, the danger isn't over. These wolves have targeted us. We've already shot two and killed one, yet they still won't give up—they still want to hunt us?" Li Yi's pupils glowed as he set down his backpack and handed it to Lu Jue: "Lu Jue, could you watch this for me? I need to kill every last one of these beasts before I can leave safely."

"Li Yi, be careful. You're not going to use the sniper rifle?" Lu Jue was surprised to see Li Yi hand him the rifle.

"If I hold the rifle, they'll all hide and refuse to show themselves—hard to kill. Put it down, lure them out, and eliminate them together—this is more efficient." Li Yi spoke, then strode out, using himself as bait to draw all the nearby wolves.

His strategy worked.

One by one, wolves emerged from behind the ruins, seeing Li Yi without a weapon, they immediately surrounded him, cutting off any escape.

"Li Yi, need help?" another Qi Refining cultivator named Cheng Sifang spoke up.

He didn't want to stand idle—he wanted to contribute.

"If you're willing to help, I don't mind."

The moment Li Yi spoke, seven or eight wolves roared and charged toward him, eager to eliminate this dangerous foe as quickly as possible.

"Truly evil creatures—can't even finish speaking before they attack. Fine. I'm short on cash anyway. Kill you, sell your bodies, buy more nutrient solution."

Li Yi suddenly roared, his blood surging, bones and tendons resonating.

He clenched his fist to meet the assault, his towering frame twisting like a great dragon, a terrifying shockwave sweeping around him. He unleashed his killing technique, fists exploding in rapid succession, striking multiple blows in an instant.

Instantly, the beasts shrieked, blood and shattered bones sprayed, their massive bodies flung backward, some even blown skyward by the force.

In a single glance, the surrounding beasts were all knocked back, each skull crushed—Li Yi's timing and force control were exquisitely precise, no wasted energy.

Cheng Sifang, who had just stepped forward to help, froze. He hadn't even moved, yet the beasts were already dead at Li Yi's feet.

This… the killing speed was too fast!

I haven't even acted—am I really that useless?

"Done. Call it a day."

Li Yi clapped his hands, then walked over, took back his backpack and the sniper rifle from Lu Jue, and said: "As a greeting gift, I'll give each of you one beast. The rest, take back and sell. Send me the money later—no problem?"

"N-no problem," Zhang Hang replied automatically.

"Li Yi, you saved our lives—how can we take anything from you? One beast is worth far too much," Lu Jue hurriedly said, unwilling to take advantage of Li Yi.

Li Yi patted his shoulder: "It's fine. You've all suffered heavy losses on this mission, and you still have obligations. Without bringing back a beast, you'll have to return to the danger zone. Besides, these beasts were drawn out by you—you paid a heavy price. Without you, I couldn't have killed them so easily. That's settled. Let's leave quickly. I have business to attend to in Tianchang City—I won't stay long."

"Then… thank you, Li Yi," Lu Jue breathed deeply and accepted Li Yi's generosity.

Indeed, without a beast to submit, they'd have to return to the danger zone.

Li Yi's favor would be remembered—and repaid someday.

"Li Yi, thank you," Zhao Xiaoxiao said, slightly embarrassed.

Zhang Hang, Cheng Sifang, and the other Qi Refining cultivator also expressed their gratitude: "Li Yi, if you ever need us, just say the word. We owe you a huge debt."

Li Yi smiled: "Enough standing around. Quickly load the corpses and leave."

"Yes."

Everyone nodded and got to work. They had brought a pickup truck, loaded the corpses, gathered their fallen comrades' remains, and only after finishing everything did they begin withdrawing along a safe route out of the danger zone.

"Where's my car? Where's my car? My car, bought for a hundred thousand, was stolen?"

But when Li Yi returned to where he'd parked, he erupted in curses.

The secondhand car he'd bought before entering the danger zone was gone.

Not even a wheel remained.

"Ahem, Li Yi, lately, many people have been entering and leaving the danger zone. Probably saw your car was intact and just took it. Ride with us—we'll drop you off wherever you need to go," Lu Jue chuckled.

He hadn't expected Li Yi's car to be stolen after coming into the danger zone.

"I drove that car once—and it got stolen. I can't swallow this insult. When I find the thief, I'll beat him senseless." Li Yi's mood was foul.

It wasn't about the money—it was the anger.

In this day and age, people still stole cars?

Clearly, the people of the Earth Prison were born evil. Back in the Four Seas and Eight Continents, if you left your horse outside your door, it wouldn't vanish—even after a fight, the horse would still be there.

Fortunately, Lu Jue and the others were around; otherwise, Li Yi would have had to walk back.

As the vehicles left the danger zone, everyone relaxed. Though they'd suffered heavy losses, thanks to Li Yi, they'd gained something: each had a beast, completing their mission and earning extra money.

"Li Yi, didn't you disappear for a while? How come you know nothing about the recent changes in Tianchang City?" Lu Jue asked curiously.

"I went on a training trip—about twenty days. I didn't hear about recent events."

Li Yi didn't mention the Four Seas and Eight Continents; that world was his escape route. If the Second Heaven Collapse came and he could no longer stay here, he would unhesitatingly take his family and friends there to live.

As long as family and friends were with him, where wasn't home?

"No wonder," Lu Jue didn't press further. "Changes have been huge. I don't know much myself. Since you joined the Investigation Bureau, ask a field agent—they know plenty. Oh, and don't live in the old district anymore."

"Because of the supernatural events you mentioned?" Li Yi's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at him.

"Yes," Lu Jue nodded. "It's gotten violent. Several teams of agents have died. Hard to handle. Everyone in the old district is rushing to flee. But you know—housing prices in the Safe Zone are absurdly high… many have nowhere to go but crowd near it."

"By the way, how's my family? Have you kept tabs?" Li Yi asked urgently.

"I went to your house recently—wanted to ask you about the beasts, but you weren't home. I met your relatives and only spoke with them at the door. Your parents are fine, resting in medical pods. The neighborhood is quiet, far from the haunted areas—for now, it's safe," Lu Jue said.

Li Yi exhaled: "Good. But now I realize I must move quickly. Luckily, I have another building near the Safe Zone I can live in—otherwise, I'd have nowhere to go."

He hadn't expected the old district to become this way—haunted, with supernatural events.

How could this be?

His methods against ghosts were still weak. Even with his strength, he couldn't deploy them effectively. Wait—his living room back home still had a hanging spear. He'd take it now—finally, he'd have some protection, not be completely defenseless.

"I almost forgot—the Investigation Bureau rewarded you with a Peace Financial Tower. You've hit the jackpot. That tower is near the Safe Zone—prices have skyrocketed. It's worth at least a few billion now," Lu Jue suddenly slapped his forehead.

"Really that valuable? Now I'm tempted to sell it and buy a villa in the Safe Zone," Li Yi laughed.

Lu Jue shook his head: "Not enough. Safe Zone prices are even higher. Even if I worked as a guide my whole life, I couldn't afford one."

"."

Fine.

Li Yi had been careless. His tower had appreciated—and so had Safe Zone housing. So nothing had really changed.

Now he thought about it—Four Seas and Eight Continents were better.

Just walk in with two fists, circle the city, and you'd own land, a mansion, servants, maids, gold—everything.

"Li Yi, I'm sorry about what happened before," Zhao Xiaoxiao suddenly spoke from the back seat.

"Minor squabbles. I've long forgotten them," Li Yi smiled. "These days are hard for everyone—no time to hold grudges. Zhao Xiaoxiao, focus on your cultivation. Who knows how many of us laborers will survive? The city is full of dangers—tomorrow, your life could end."

His journey had broadened his horizons and his heart—he no longer cared about old grudges.

He now cared about the future, the world's changes, the Second Heaven Collapse.

Zhao Xiaoxiao smiled at his words, the heavy burden lifting from her shoulders. "Li Yi, you're no longer the same. I probably can't repay this favor—but I still want to say: if you ever need a guide, or someone for small tasks, call me. I'll come anytime, always free."

She handed him her phone, hoping to add him as a contact.

"Zhao Xiaoxiao, you're still the same—always circling back to money," Lu Jue laughed. "But now that you've said 'free,' I believe you mean it—otherwise, I'd think you were just making empty promises."

Li Yi didn't refuse. He added Zhao Xiaoxiao, then said: "Don't dwell on it. I owe Lu Jue a favor too. Helping each other is good. The world changes too fast—no one knows what tomorrow holds. Sometimes, sticking together is necessary. But don't be opportunistic."

"You're right," Zhao Xiaoxiao didn't resent his criticism—she accepted it humbly.

She realized her past behavior had been flawed—she'd made no true friends, only drawn hatred. From now on, she must be sincere, not treat herself as above others.

As they chatted,

the two vehicles sped along the highway into Tianchang City.