Chapter 188: Team Formation

The next morning, Li Yi slowly opened his eyes, ending a night of cultivation.

The night's cultivation yielded significant results; he felt his body had evolved somewhat, and with the large influx of golden nutrient solution and the continuous release of medicinal essences from key herbs within his body, his martial cultivation had advanced, and his bone-marrow refinement had progressed further too—though completing it entirely still required time, and haste was useless.

Yet what puzzled him was that the innate evil resentment within the knife coin had not yet awakened—whether it had been weakened by the thin cosmic energy during his journey to the Four Seas and Eight Continents, or whether its time had simply run out and it had dissolved, he could not tell; having gone so long without disturbing him during cultivation, Li Yi found himself oddly unaccustomed to its silence.

Watching the morning sun bath the city outside his window, Li Yi felt in good spirits. He took a shower, tidied up briefly, then stepped out carrying his sniper rifle.

Today he needed to speak with Zheng Gong about forming a team, and he also had to notify his family group about the move, so relatives wouldn't lose track of him. Thinking of this, he immediately pulled out his phone and sent a message to the group, informing everyone he no longer lived in the old district but had moved to Peace Financial Tower, and inviting them to visit if they had time.

He went downstairs.

There he saw Zheng Lan sitting on the sofa in the lobby, sipping coffee while working on her laptop.

"Zheng Lan, good morning." Li Yi greeted.

"Morning."

Zheng Lan set down her coffee and offered a sweet smile: "I suddenly remembered some design details for the tower still needed refinement, so I got up right away to fix them. Li Yi, would you like to take a look?"

"No need—I don't understand design. Just finish it. I'm heading to the Investigation Bureau. Are those cars out front mine? Where are the keys?" Li Yi asked.

Zheng Lan closed her laptop and walked over. "I bought them for you yesterday—they're all yours: three pickup trucks, one SUV, one armored vehicle, five in total. The keys are hanging on the wall by the entrance, each labeled with the corresponding license plate. Just pick the one you want by the plate."

"Thanks." Li Yi took the SUV key and headed for the door.

"Drive carefully. By the way, I received word this morning about the medical pods—once payment is sent today, both will arrive this afternoon," Zheng Lan said.

Li Yi replied, "Send the payment then. The sooner we get them, the sooner my parents can benefit. We can't keep using the old ones forever."

"I'll send the deposit right away. I've also arranged the nutrient solution—hundred vials, arriving this morning. I'll put them in your room," Zheng Lan said.

"Good." Li Yi stepped out the door.

Zheng Lan suddenly remembered something and ran after him: "Li Yi, about yesterday—I mean, the old district is dangerous now. Could I stay here for a while? I designed a guest room; I'll sleep there and won't disturb your cultivation."

Li Yi opened the car door, thought for a moment, then said, "Sure, no problem. I've got plenty of space. Stay as long as you like."

With that, he started the engine, floored the accelerator, and drove off in the SUV, vanishing quickly down the road.

Seeing Li Yi had agreed to let her stay, Zheng Lan exhaled in relief, then felt an inexplicable joy, and threw herself even harder into her work—she would continue designing the tower, turning it into a perfect residence.

Soon.

Li Yi drove back to the Investigation Bureau.

Unlike before, the bureau's entrance was now packed with vehicles; investigators and external combat personnel were coming and going, all fully armed, ready for battle at any moment. Among them, Li Yi spotted several familiar faces.

Lu Yue, Zhang Zhixiong, Fu Bing, Liu Yue—and several other powerful external combatants, like the already Spirit-Aware Pete Daoist, and another Spirit-Aware expert named Gu Mengping. Of course, there were far more unfamiliar faces, some even transferred from other regions.

The sheer number of cultivators gathering at the Investigation Bureau was highly unusual.

"Li Yi."

At that moment, Zheng Gong spotted Li Yi and called out urgently, hurrying over.

Hearing Li Yi's name, many turned to glance his way.

After all, Li Yi was something of a celebrity at the Investigation Bureau—who else had personally helped recover a strange artifact? It was hard not to stand out.

Li Yi nodded. "Zheng Gong, I asked Lin Yue yesterday—she's willing to join the Investigation Bureau and form a team with us. But so far, our team only has three of us. We'll have to slowly find more teammates. Team formation is important—we can't just bring in unclear cultivators. If something goes wrong, it'll hurt everyone."

"Lin Yue's joining? That's great!" Zheng Gong was thrilled. "I was just about to ask you about this—you've given me a pleasant surprise this morning. With Lin Yue, a Spirit-Aware expert, joining, the Investigation Bureau's strength grows further."

Li Yi asked, "Why so many investigators and cultivators here this morning? What's happened at the bureau?"

Zheng Gong immediately replied, "Nothing major yet. They're here because it's shift-change time—investigators are being assigned new missions. But some big events are coming soon; still under confidentiality—I can't say."

"Understood." Li Yi nodded, asking no further. "I think we should take a mission today too—something simple, to get used to working together."

"Take a mission today?" Zheng Gong was surprised. "Isn't Lin Yue still recovering at the hospital in the training base?"

"Precisely why we need a simple mission. Do you think our two of us can't handle it?" Li Yi asked.

"Fair point. Fewer people mean simpler missions. The bureau is under heavy pressure—we can't just sit idle." Zheng Gong said.

Li Yi replied, "I don't think like you do—I just want to improve. Even earning a little more money helps. Since reaching Spirit-Aware, I've got too many expenses. And you know my parents are both Silent Ones—perhaps as my status in the bureau rises, I might find a way to treat Silent Ones."

"The situation is changing too fast. If you don't push yourself, you'll get left behind."

"True. Now, whether investigator or cultivator, everyone's different. Before, most just wanted stable cultivation and a good life. But this sudden shift has given them all a sense of crisis—they're all trying to fight for survival." Zheng Gong said. "Since you've decided, I'll apply. Wait here."

He immediately left.

Less than half an hour later, Zheng Gong returned: "Done, Li Yi. Let's go to the service hall—missions are assigned there."

Li Yi nodded.

The two entered the service hall to find it filled with cultivators. On a digital screen, various emergency events were displayed.

"Large numbers of spider-men appeared in the city district. Require a Spirit-Aware cultivator team to handle."

"Apprehend fugitive Zhang Ping."

"Patrol and hunt beasts in the abandoned district."

"Supernatural incident in the old district."

Zheng Gong said, "Li Yi, which mission should we take today?"

"Can we take any of these?" Li Yi asked.

"No. After selecting a mission, the system evaluates your team's strength—if it doesn't meet requirements, the mission is canceled. Look—the red text means you need a Spirit-Aware expert on your team to qualify. Blue text requires Spirit-Aware cultivators. White text is easier—only Spirit-Medium level is needed."

"Of course, missions aren't just chosen—they're also forcibly assigned. Look, here's ours: patrol and hunt beasts in the abandoned district." Suddenly, Zheng Gong's investigator phone buzzed, assigning him a mission.

Li Yi said, "This mission's good—low risk, and flexible."

"Of course. It's our first mission, so they've given us special consideration—assigned us an easy one. See how Gu Mengping, the Spirit-Aware expert, wanted this mission but was assigned to handle the spider-men? Spirit-Aware experts are rare; dangerous missions must fall to them." Zheng Gong whispered.

"If they kept assigning dangerous missions daily, even Spirit-Aware experts would complain," Li Yi said.

Zheng Gong replied, "No, because dangerous missions pay more, and assignments rotate. No one gets stuck with them forever. And the most perilous missions aren't forced—like the old district's supernatural incident. No one's solved it yet, and no one dares to take it."

Li Yi nodded, beginning to understand.

"Alright, the mission's assigned. We must head to the abandoned district immediately. This patrol lasts three days—quite long. Do you need anything prepared?" Zheng Gong asked.

Li Yi said, "Nothing for now, but I'm low on special sniper rounds. Better apply for ten more."

"Got it. I'll get them from equipment. Wait here." Zheng Gong left immediately.

Just after he left,

a young man around twenty-five or twenty-six approached with a half-smile, greeting: "Hello, you must be Li Yi?"

Li Yi glanced at him and recognized him instantly.

This was Gu Mengping—the Spirit-Aware expert Zheng Gong had mentioned.

"I'm Li Yi. Who are you?" Li Yi replied.

"I'm Gu Mengping, an external combatant like you. Are you alone? Want to join my team?" Gu Mengping asked with a smile.

"I already have a team," Li Yi said.

Gu Mengping said, "That's a pity. I heard about you from Zhang Lei—your strength is solid, and your potential is huge. But you should be careful soon."

"Careful of what?" Li Yi asked.

Gu Mengping said, "Of Yang Yi Long. I heard about your conflict. Frankly, I don't think you can beat him. He's strong, and he's been Spirit-Aware for a long time—he could break through at any moment. Once he crosses that threshold and forms a soul, no one will be able to save you."

"But I'm the type who likes to meddle. I don't want to see your conflict escalate. If you want reconciliation, I can help you pass a message. In this situation, any death is a loss—we should unite against the coming unknown dangers."

Li Yi shook his head. "I appreciate your goodwill, but you've overlooked something."

"What did I overlook?" Gu Mengping asked.

Li Yi said, "You should tell Yang Yi Long to be careful of me—not the other way around. I've already awakened Spirit-Aware. With the artifact cultivation chamber and my cultivation metrics, becoming Spirit-Aware is just a matter of time—and it won't be long. Also, his family killed an investigator. If you think that can be reconciled, ask the Investigation Bureau if they'll agree."

His voice rose slightly at the end.

Instantly, many turned to look their way.

"Li Yi's right. What's Yang Yi Long? Reconcile with him? He doesn't deserve it. I've recently improved my Dao arts—I'll go challenge him soon. Let's see if his guiding technique is stronger than my marksmanship," said Pete Daoist, walking over with a cold expression.

"Gu Mengping, I know you have some ties to Yang Yi Long and want to mediate. But sadly, he's offended every single person in the Investigation Bureau. Even Jesus wouldn't forgive his crimes. Right now, Yang Yi Long should be grateful—he still has a chance to earn leniency. Otherwise, he'll never leave this bureau alive."

Pete Daoist had a fiery temper, carried a massive sniper rifle, and spoke with arrogant boldness.

But he had every right to be arrogant—he was now a Spirit-Aware expert himself, with cultivation metrics at 500 percent, immense future potential.

"Pete Daoist…" Gu Mengping's face stiffened, then he smiled. "I just don't want to see Spirit-Aware experts kill each other and waste strength. After all, Yang Yi Long is still working for the bureau."

"Leniency? Don't call it 'working.'"

Pete Daoist snorted heavily. "I advise you not to get too close to Yang Yi Long. Like Li Yi said, he's born evil—watch out you don't get corrupted too. Now, I've got a mission. You two chat."

With that, he walked out with several teammates.

Gu Mengping watched Pete Daoist leave, a hint of helplessness on his face.

Li Yi said, "Gu Mengping, you saw it—the Investigation Bureau operates this way."