Chapter 207: 198. Mission and Enemy

198. Chapter 198: Mission and Enemy

As Lin Yue's friend, Qin Qing still didn't want their relationship to reach a point of irreconcilable hatred, so at this final moment she tried to persuade Lin Yue to abandon Li Yi—or if that failed, to withdraw from the mission and leave Tianchang City; though this would cost her future prospects, at least she'd save her life.

After all, in her view, even with Lin Yue's help, Li Yi was still doomed today.

No one knew Yang Yilong's strength better than she did.

Ordinary Spirit Perception experts would be slain in a single glance by Yang Yilong, let alone Li Yi, a Spirit Awakening cultivator.

"Qin Qing, I'm glad you can say this—at least you still see me as a friend—but do you know? Lin Yue and I have known each other since childhood; his father guided my cultivation, and I introduced him to the path. He treated me well, teaching me fist techniques and even lending me a rare cultivation chamber. That's why I was able to become a Spirit Perception expert."

Lin Yue's smile vanished instantly, her tone grave: "You want me to abandon Li Yi now? What kind of person would that make me? If you side with Yang Yilong and move against Li Yi, I swear—I'll kill you myself, even if you're my friend."

As she spoke, her eyes glowed with murderous intent.

Qin Qing's expression turned icy: "If you refuse to step back, Li Yi dies today—you can't protect him. If you insist on getting involved, I'll kill you myself for Yang Yilong."

"Fine, very good. Let's see who wins in the end," Lin Yue said.

"You're no match for me. After Li Yi taught Yang Yilong fist techniques, he effectively taught me too," Qin Qing said, revealing she also knew fist techniques, hoping Lin Yue would retreat.

Lin Yue remained unmoved: "We won't know who's stronger until we fight."

She knew well that the fist techniques Li Yi taught Yang Yilong were incomplete and flawed—her own were whole and true; in a real fight, she held the advantage in martial arts.

"It seems we're destined to become enemies," Qin Qing said.

"No, you're wrong. You're the one allied with Yang Yilong against me and Li Yi. From the start, Yang Yilong forcibly demanded the fist techniques, then later Yang Ye targeted Li Yi—all of it was your doing. Li Yi has only been defending himself. I know Yang Yilong is strong, but strength doesn't justify tyranny. If Li Yi surpassed Yang Yilong, would that mean he could retaliate without restraint against the Yang family?"

"Qin Qing, I'll say it again: you've chosen the wrong side. Yang Yilong is unsteady on matters of right and wrong—he'll collapse eventually. Think carefully."

Lin Yue stopped pleading. She realized Qin Qing was beyond reason; Yang Yilong had already abandoned her once, yet she still clung to him—and now she'd help him fight her and Li Yi.

If that was the case, she'd show no mercy.

She turned on her heel and walked away, ending the pointless conversation.

Seeing Lin Yue leave, Qin Qing's green vertical pupils flickered—but this time, her expression was no longer conflicted; it was utterly calm.

This is better.

We've warned each other in advance; now we both know where we stand. When the fight comes, neither will hesitate.

With that thought, Qin Qing also turned and left.

"Li Yi, be careful on this mission. Yang Yilong and Qin Qing are here. If those two Spirit Perception experts team up to kill us, our only escape is to withdraw from the mission. But we're both External Operations agents for the Investigation Bureau—if we quit now, everything we've built up will be wasted."

After returning, Lin Yue immediately found Li Yi and told him.

"Fate really does bring enemies together."

Li Yi's expression remained calm: "I didn't expect Qin Qing would side with Yang Yilong without hesitation. That surprised me. Back in the Ruined District, she didn't lift a finger—so it seems she's decided to join this time."

"Yes, now we have to face another Spirit Perception expert. It's a headache," Lin Yue said. "Qin Qing isn't weak—she's mastered fist techniques too. If we fight, we're at a severe disadvantage."

"On the surface, yes, we're at a disadvantage—but we're not without a chance," Li Yi said.

He was currently in the midst of the Blood Burning Technique, his blood qi still rapidly accumulating—but there wasn't enough time yet to fully fill the Nine Acupoints, so this wasn't the moment to break through. Still, judging by the current rate, he'd need at least several more hours to meet his goal.

Add in the time needed for the breakthrough, and he'd best avoid any confrontation with Yang Yilong for the next six hours.

Thinking this, Li Yi continued: "Lin Jie, don't worry so much. They're trying to pressure us into quitting—but that won't happen. Besides, helicopters are everywhere overhead; they won't easily find an opening to strike. If we can't avoid it, we'll just fight."

"I'll handle Yang Yilong. Lin Jie, you take on Qin Qing."

"Can you handle him?" Lin Yue doubted.

Though she knew Li Yi's strength far exceeded ordinary Spirit Awakening cultivators, he still stood one realm below Yang Yilong.

"Lin Jie, have some faith in me," Li Yi said.

"It's not that I lack faith in you—I'm afraid you'll get hurt," Lin Yue shook her head.

Li Yi said: "Enough of this. Let's focus on the mission. When we enter the Old District, we must avoid Yang Yilong's group entirely. If we can avoid conflict up front, we will. We'll deal with it if we meet them later."

He only hoped he could hold out until six hours passed—then open the Nine Acupoints, become a Qi-Channeling Martial Artist, and seek revenge.

Yet while they spoke,

Zheng Gong had already obtained the mission requirements.

"Li Yi, come look—this is our team's route. The Investigation Bureau requires us to advance along this path. We're responsible for clearing buildings on the left; the right side is handled by the team led by Zhao Lingfu, the Spirit Perception expert we met earlier."

He pulled out a tablet displaying a precise digital map, marked with a red line indicating their advance route and clearing zone.

"This zone is huge," Yuan Mingjin, Fang Hang, and Cheng Siping muttered in disbelief.

"It's large, but the early buildings hold little danger—just time-consuming. Real threats are concentrated in this core area," Lin Yue pointed at the map. "Still, the Investigation Bureau's planning is reasonable—each team's assigned area is roughly equal."

Li Yi asked: "Zheng Gong, which zone is Yang Yilong's team assigned?"

"Here."

Zheng Gong pointed to the farthest possible position from their own team: "The Investigation Bureau knows we have a grudge with Yang Yilong, so they deliberately kept the two teams far apart to avoid conflict."

"Only temporarily. Once we push into the central zone, we'll be separated by just one street. When Yang Yilong gets his chance, he'll come for us. And his team isn't just Qin Qing—there are other cultivators. I don't know if they'll get involved too."

"We made an agreement with Yang Yilong: our feud won't drag others into it," Lin Yue said.

Li Yi laughed: "He talks like he's farting—do you believe him? Qin Qing's already involved. Why? Because after he took one punch from me, he lost confidence. He wants Qin Qing's help to guarantee success."

"Then we need allies. Zhao Lingfu might be worth approaching—even if he doesn't fight, just blocking others would help," Lin Yue said.

"What can we offer him?" Li Yi asked.

Lin Yue thought a moment: "What about the Guiding Technique?"

"That won't be enough."

Li Yi said: "A technique you can buy won't convince a Spirit Perception expert to join us—especially now. He'll demand a steep price. By the way, how strong is Zhao Lingfu?"

"He's a strong one—he mastered the Divine Step Technique. He might not beat Yang Yilong head-on, but he won't lose either," Lin Yue said.

"Divine Step Technique?"

Li Yi's expression shifted: "Didn't expect such a hidden talent. We'll need to raise the stakes. I'll talk to him myself."

"You don't even know him—he won't listen to you. I'll go. I have some history with him," Lin Yue said.

Li Yi said: "If connections mattered, he wouldn't have been so cold before. It's all about interest. Offer enough, and he'll join us without hesitation."

"True," Lin Yue fell silent.

She understood she'd been deliberately distanced—everyone knew Yang Yilong might act to settle scores during this mission, and most believed she and Li Yi were doomed. So they kept their distance, afraid of being mistaken for allies and targeted by Yang Yilong.

"Li Yi, don't worry. So many cultivators are here—Yang Yilong won't dare act. If he attacks an Investigation Bureau agent, he's finished," Zheng Gong tried to reassure.

"Better safe than sorry. We must prepare—we can't rely on his obedience," Li Yi shook his head. "How much time's left? When does the mission start?"

"Ten minutes. Almost everyone's arrived," Zheng Gong said.

At that moment, Li Yi looked around.

During their conversation, many more cultivators had gathered nearby—this entire area was packed. Not only that, the Investigation Bureau had parked multiple ambulances nearby and delivered supplies—all preparations complete for the mission.

"So many people," Li Yi murmured.

"I counted—nearly every cultivator in Tianchang City is here," Fang Hang whispered. "Only Spirit Medium cultivators stayed away—they're too weak to matter, so they weren't required."

"Get ready. When the time comes, move immediately," Li Yi nodded.

His own pressure was immense.

He had to complete the mission while guarding against enemies.