Chapter 204

195. Chapter 195: Operation Code: Demon Purge

During the time Li Yi was in deep meditation cultivating.

The Investigation Bureau had made a major decision: mobilize all cultivators in Tianchang City to cleanse the Old District, eliminating the supernatural entities hidden within and restoring peace to the city; the operation's code name was: Demon Purge.

To ensure smooth execution, the Investigation Bureau directly offered two Golden Academy slots and lifetime access to fifteen Oddity Cultivation Rooms as rewards to attract cultivators.

The moment the news broke, it spread throughout every corner of Tianchang City's cultivation circles within half an hour.

The first to receive the news was Li Shaoqing of the Cultivators Association.

At that moment, Li Shaoqing was still stranded in the Ruined District; he frowned at the message on his phone: "Why does the Investigation Bureau keep making impulsive moves? They're even putting up their own Golden Academy slots as competition just to deal with that ghost in the Old District? Doesn't that make all the hard work their investigators put into past missions meaningless?"

"Li Shaoqing, the Investigation Bureau never mentioned the Golden Academy slots before. Even if they internally planned it, they never officially notified anyone, so it didn't count—now it's official, meaning the Old District situation is dire, and the Investigation Bureau can't sit idle anymore. But our Cultivators Association also has one slot; we don't need to get involved. If you keep steadily hunting transcendent creatures, your entry into the Golden Academy is practically guaranteed—Yang Yi Long won't be able to compete with us."

A spiritual sense expert beside him smiled.

"No, you're wrong. We must participate. Otherwise, the Investigation Bureau will settle accounts later—even if I secure the slot, I won't enter the Golden Academy or become a Cross-Boundary Practitioner." Li Shaoqing put down his phone. "No matter how strong cultivators are, everything still revolves around official authority. At a time like this, when the city's safety is at stake, if we back out now, we'll be marked—and that will bring serious trouble later."

"It's just a waste of one or two days. Notify everyone in the Cultivators Association to head to the Old District. This isn't a wasted effort—securing even one Oddity Cultivation Room is worthwhile. These things are extremely valuable now. Anyone who can break through illusions sees their cultivation value skyrocket. Master Pete is the best example."

"If I could break through illusions, I might not even need to compete for that slot—I could enter the Golden Academy through my own cultivation value alone."

Li Shaoqing was deeply tempted; what he valued wasn't the slot, but the Oddity Cultivation Room.

He had previously applied to the Investigation Bureau for usage, but after Zhang Lei's battalion commander fell into a coma, the matter dragged on endlessly, leaving him helpless. Yet this was an opportunity: put in some effort, secure an Oddity Cultivation Room, and it would greatly benefit his future.

"Give everyone one hour to prepare. As soon as time's up, we depart."

Checking the time, Li Shaoqing immediately said.

Meanwhile, in the Stable District.

Yang Yi Long, cultivating inside his cultivation pod, also received this critical message.

He immediately stepped out of the pod.

"Yi Long, what's going on?" Yang Jin, beside the pod, asked at once.

Yang Yi Long glanced over, dismissed the guide near the pod, then pulled out his phone and showed Yang Jin the message. But his message differed from others—the Investigation Bureau had offered him exclusive terms: unsealing all Yang family assets, and promising an Oddity Cultivation Room if he resolved this incident.

As for the Golden Academy slot, forget it—the Investigation Bureau wouldn't release one to such a formidable competitor.

The Investigation Bureau wanted their own people to claim the slot.

"This is good news, Yi Long. With your strength, completing this mission won't be hard. Though it involves strange entities, your sword specifically counters them—it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Yang Jin was excited, because this would erase all the negative impact the Yang family had previously caused.

Yang Yi Long nodded: "I think the same. I've encountered the Old District's anomalies before—they're not difficult for me. But previously, since it was the Investigation Bureau's affair, I didn't want to get involved; it was too entangled and troublesome. Hunting transcendent creatures is better: you earn money, compete for slots, and refine your cultivation. But this time, for the Yang family's assets, I must go."

"What about the Cultivators Association?" Yang Jin hesitated.

"Li Shaoqing of the Cultivators Association has already acted—he abandoned hunting transcendent creatures, accepted the mission, and pledged to cooperate with the Investigation Bureau."

At that moment, a woman with emerald vertical pupils hurried in, her gaze subtly eerie.

"But I'm not worried about that—I'm worried Lin Yue and Li Yi will act too. They've joined the Investigation Bureau as external combat personnel; they'll definitely participate. We might run into them."

"If we meet, a fight will break out—it'll be messy. You must prepare in advance."

Yang Yi Long's face darkened: "The Old District is vast and full of dangers. Find an opportunity to kill Li Yi and end this grudge once and for all. As for Lin Yue, I had no prior feud with her—but she personally killed my uncle Yang Ye. That debt must be repaid. If we let them keep growing, they might truly bring us down someday."

"Killing two Investigation Bureau personnel in the Old District—if it's exposed, everything you've done so far will be wasted," Qin Qing said. "Think carefully. I suggest you temporarily set aside your grudge, focus on becoming a Cross-Boundary Practitioner and leaving this world. Before the prospect of Cross-Boundary survival, these grudges don't matter."

"Hesitation invites disaster."

Yang Yi Long said: "If I don't seek revenge on Li Yi, Li Yi will seek revenge on me. And Li Yi's cultivation speed is too fast—he already has an Oddity Cultivation Room, plus his fist technique, guidance art, and high innate talent. In another one or two months, he might truly overshadow me. Qin Qing, this isn't your affair. Don't get involved. If I fail, you can still compete for the slot and become a Cross-Boundary Practitioner."

Qin Qing fell silent, saying nothing.

"Prepare. Enter the Old District before nightfall. Let one battle resolve everything."

Yang Yi Long gazed out the window, his eyes filled with resolve.

He knew this was a test. If he endured it, all would be calm—he could unseal the Yang family's assets, secure an Oddity Cultivation Room, and then smoothly compete for the Golden Academy slot or continue advancing his cultivation. He could also eliminate Li Yi and Lin Yue, sparing himself future troubles.

Therefore, Yang Yi Long had no reason to retreat.

The stakes were too high.

He had to win.

"Yang Yi Long, if you're truly determined to act, I can help you distract Lin Yue."

After a moment of silence, Qin Qing spoke, her emerald pupils gleaming. She took a deep breath and made her choice.

"You and Lin Yue are friends, with a close bond and no prior conflict. Forcing you two to fight to the death is too cruel. Let me do it," Yang Yi Long shook his head.

Qin Qing smiled bitterly: "We're all trapped by circumstance now. Lin Yue is stubborn—she won't stand by and watch you kill Li Yi. Even if you do kill him, she'll pursue you relentlessly for revenge. When she goes mad, she won't care anymore—she might kill every Yang family member she sees."

"Though we're friends, if you're going to act, I can only support you. Between the four of us—Lin Yue, Li Yi, you, and me—only one side can survive."

"Then let me handle Lin Yue. Let a friend deliver the final farewell."

Yang Yi Long looked at Qin Qing: "You've decided?"

"Decided."

Qin Qing said: "I need closure too. Being stuck between you two is agony. And if I face Lin Yue, your chances improve. This isn't just about me anymore—my loved ones are waiting for me to save them."

"Like you, I carry too much. There's no turning back."

Yang Yi Long nodded, understanding deeply: "Qin Qing, it's a blessing that you understand me. Don't I long to settle scores freely, roam the martial world? But I was born into the Yang family, raised on all its resources, and the entire family's future rests on my shoulders. Many times, I'm forced to do things I don't want to do, kill people I don't want to kill."

"Without realizing it, I've become the very person I once despised—hypocritical, tyrannical."

"Sometimes I truly envy Li Yi—rose from obscurity, needing no complex calculations, acting purely on his own desires."

He sighed, revealing his inner weariness, his eyes clouded with fatigue.

"But all of this will soon end. I, Yang Yi Long, will use my sword to carve out a brand-new future."

"I hope that when I reach the new world, I can finally become myself again."

While the two were discussing,

Other cultivators, upon receiving the Investigation Bureau's notice, also sprang into action. Though they knew they couldn't win the Golden Academy slot, they were deeply interested in the Oddity Cultivation Rooms—if they secured one, their future gains would be immense, so all wanted to try their luck.

But most cultivators had limited strength, so they decided to form teams and work together to claim one cultivation room.

After all, one cultivation room, properly managed, could serve five or six people.

"Operation Code: Demon Purge. This is a dangerous mission—I just returned from the Old District, and now I have to go back?"

Gu Mengping, an Investigation Bureau external combat officer, also received the mission. He was resting at home in the Stable District, mourning his fallen comrades and lamenting the future, when this mandatory order interrupted his thoughts, forcing him to rise and prepare for tonight's Demon Purge operation.

Of course, not just him.

Master Pete, Liu Yue, Zhang Zhixiong, even Fu Bing still recovering from injuries, and Zheng Gong, who had only recently become an investigator—all received the mission notice.

In short,

This time, the Investigation Bureau truly intended to mobilize every cultivator in Tianchang City to reclaim the Old District and restore order.

"Li Yi, the operation against the Old District's entity is out. The higher-ups rejected Master Pete's proposal to destroy the Old District—they're mobilizing all cultivators to eliminate the corpses. The timeline is urgent: all cultivators must reach designated positions before eight tonight. I'm currently at the equipment depot with Yuan Mingjin collecting ammunition; I'll meet up with you later."

Zheng Gong immediately called Li Yi to inform him.

"Got it. By the way, Zheng Gong, I have a pill that might help Battalion Commander Zhang Lei's condition. Send someone to pick it up." Li Yi added.

"Really?" Zheng Gong's voice held surprise.

Li Yi said: "I'm not certain it'll work, but if Zhang Lei wakes up now, it would greatly help the situation."

"Alright, wait a moment—I'll send an Investigation Bureau staff member to your place immediately. Once I get the pill, I'll deliver it to the battalion commander right away." Zheng Gong said—he'd doubt any other person's medicine, but not Li Yi's.

"No problem," Li Yi said.

Their conversation ended quickly.

After learning the plan, Li Yi knew he couldn't continue cultivating—he didn't even have time to rest; he had to prepare immediately.

He changed into his Qiu Long robe, carried several large pills, grabbed a case of nutrient fluid, then descended the stairs with his Hanging Spear.

As soon as he stepped out,

He saw Lin Yue by the elevator.

"Li Yi, you're just in time—I was about to look for you. Did you hear about the Investigation Bureau's operation?" Lin Yue said at once: "We're moving against the Old District today. I just received intel—almost all cultivators in Tianchang City are mobilizing, even Li Shaoqing, vice-chairman of the Cultivators Association, is heading this way."

"Zheng Gong just notified me. Master Pete's proposal was rejected—the higher-ups won't destroy the Old District, nor will they let the corpses spread. Now only cultivators can resolve this corpse incident." Li Yi's expression turned serious. "Lin Jie, we must prepare for tonight's battle."

"Naturally. Wait—what's happened to your body?" Lin Yue finally noticed that despite Li Yi's efforts to suppress his blood qi, a wave of heat still radiated from him when she drew near.

Merely standing beside him, she felt his surging blood qi coursing.

And when Lin Yue looked up at Li Yi's head, she saw a crimson aura rising five to six meters high, like a pillar of smoke.

"I took a large pill, forcibly stimulating my blood qi to boost my strength," Li Yi fabricated an excuse—he didn't want Lin Yue to worry.

After all, the Blood Burning Technique burned lifespan for three days of enhanced power.

"Any technique that forcibly unlocks human potential must have side effects," Lin Yue immediately noticed the issue.

Li Yi said: "I'll be weak for three days afterward, and my body will need rest. But it's fine—I'll drink Transcendent Water to repair myself and shorten the side effects."

"Good," Lin Yue nodded. "But right now, aggressive methods to boost strength are necessary. And during this mission, we might encounter Yang Yi Long and his group. A fierce battle is unavoidable. But don't worry—if Yang Yi Long moves, I'll protect you. I won't let him succeed."

"Will Yang Yi Long come too?" Li Yi's expression shifted.

His worst fear had come true.

This mission wasn't just about terrifying corpses and ghosts—it involved a powerful enemy nearby. If mishandled, he might die.

But his blood qi accumulation still wasn't enough.

Not enough to fill the Nine Acupoints. He had to wait a little longer—until he accumulated sufficient energy to break through.

He only hoped he wouldn't meet Yang Yi Long too soon.

"Lin Jie, don't worry. If we meet Yang Yi Long, we'll fight. Who wins or loses isn't certain. Some grudges need settling—and this is the perfect chance." Li Yi's eyes glowed red, his killing intent rising.

He was still under the Blood Burning Technique's effect—his strength was at its peak. He could open the Nine Acupoints and condense Blood Qi Fist Gang. Combined, these would give him the strength to duel Yang Yi Long head-on, even surpass him.

"Fine. If you want to fight, I'll fight with you," Lin Yue, ever fiery, said. Seeing Li Yi refuse to retreat, she too decided to go all in.