Chapter 217: 208. Revealing True Strength

208. Chapter 208: Revealing True Strength

After Yang Yi Long's death, Li Yi began actively spreading the news that his fist technique had flaws, aiming to prevent Yang family members from selling his technique for profit, while also declaring that the true originator must step forward to restore its reputation.

Once word of the technique's flaws spread after tonight, the Yang family's fist art would become worthless and face demands for refunds from other cultivators.

No one wanted to cultivate a flawed art.

"It seems Yang Yi Long truly didn't deserve to win—he probably died unaware his fist technique was flawed," Li Shaoqing chuckled, then turned to Li Yi, thinking the man was truly cunning.

He held back such vital information until now, saying nothing while Yang Yi Long was still alive.

He's good at keeping secrets.

Li Yi spoke calmly: "I risked my life to learn this fist technique. I decide who I teach. Yang Yi Long forced me to hand it over—or die. Back then, I had no choice. But now that he's dead, it no longer matters. Still, I heard the Yang family is selling my technique for thirty million per copy. That's truly shameless."

"If I don't speak up now, I'm letting them slap my face."

"Li Yi, rest assured—after today's matter is settled, I'll issue a public statement under my title as Vice Chairman of the Cultivation Association, exposing the Yang family's fraud," Li Shaoqing said seriously.

With Yang Yi Long dead and Li Yi rising, he naturally owed him some face.

Though he'd soon enter the Golden Academy, Li Yi was a promising new talent who might join later. Building goodwill now could mean mutual aid in the future.

"If the Vice Chairman does this, you'll have done me a great favor. Thank you," Li Yi nodded in gratitude.

Li Shaoqing smiled: "It's just a small thing, not worth mentioning. But now we must consider how to complete today's mission."

He pointed to the nearby Wangmen Residential Complex.

No one dared enter Wangmen Residential Complex—the higher a cultivator's spiritual sense, the more danger they sensed within. But the mission had progressed this far; only this last complex remained uncleaned. If they retreated now, the entire mission would be meaningless. They needed a foolproof solution.

"I've already recommended to the Investigation Bureau that we destroy Wangmen Residential Complex with weapons. If controlled properly, it won't affect other areas of the Old City."

At that moment, Priest Pete emerged from another street in the Old City, accompanied by someone.

The man was tall, clad in a trench coat, with a scar across his forehead, radiating an aura of authority and calm.

Captain Zhang Lei?

Seeing Zhang Lei, Li Shaoqing froze. He remembered clearly: Zhang Lei had been injured, lying comatose in hospital for weeks. Multiple medical firms concluded his soul was severely damaged—ordinary treatments couldn't heal him.

Why was he here today?

"Zhang Lei, your soul wound… healed?" Li Shaoqing felt a strange unease.

Soul wounds could be treated? Did the Investigation Bureau have such methods?

"Not fully healed, but normal movement should be fine," Zhang Lei coughed twice, looking frail and worn.

Li Yi understood at once: one Soul-Returning Pill couldn't fully heal Zhang Lei's primordial spirit injury—it only revived him and restored mobility. Complete recovery would require two or three pills.

"Good. With Captain Zhang joining, this operation should proceed smoothly," Li Shaoqing said.

Zhang Lei replied: "I hope so."

He then glanced at Li Yi: "I heard you killed Yang Yi Long?"

"Does the Captain think Yang Yi Long shouldn't have been killed?" Li Yi said.

Zhang Lei laughed: "No—I've wanted him dead for ages. He was a dangerous variable. Pete and I have long wanted to eliminate him, but never found the right opportunity or justification. You know, as Captain of the Investigation Bureau, I must consider consequences. Otherwise, how could he ever have stepped outside its gates?"

"Li Yi, honestly, I was shocked you took him down. That man wasn't weak. Among all spiritual sense experts in Tianchang City, none dared claim they could defeat him outright. It seems your strength has advanced rapidly during my coma."

He was satisfied with Li Yi's performance and power—finally, the Investigation Bureau had someone capable of shouldering heavy burdens.

"Yang Yi Long was indeed strong. I nearly died taking him out," Li Yi said, raising one hand.

Though the bleeding had stopped, a deep sword wound, cutting to the bone, remained starkly visible.

He'd almost lost an arm.

"Life-or-death combat is always perilous. Enough of that. Let's discuss Wangmen Residential Complex. Priest Pete just suggested destroying it outright—permanent, safe, sparing us from confronting those evil entities. A sound strategy. Now we wait for the Investigation Bureau's approval."

Zhang Lei stared at the dimly lit, dilapidated complex, frowning.

No wonder Priest Pete suggested this. In an Old City overrun by corpses and monsters, a quiet, normal residential complex like this unnerved anyone.

Better to use weapons than risk lives.

Testing with expert lives was irrational.

"Wait another half hour. We act only after the Investigation Bureau gives a clear reply," Zhang Lei said after observing briefly.

Everyone remained silent, accepting the plan.

Within those thirty minutes, more cultivators arrived near Wangmen Residential Complex. Their progress had been smooth because Li Shaoqing, Li Yi, Priest Pete, and Zhang Lei had arrived first, absorbing pressure. Otherwise, their advance would have been far harder.

"Gu Mengping, you're here too? Stopped playing games at home?" Zhang Lei spotted an acquaintance.

"Zhang Lei?"

Gu Mengping's expression shifted, then he smiled: "Can't help it—I'm competing for a Golden Academy slot, so I've got to be proactive. I even dream of becoming a Cross-Borderer. If I ever cross into a world better than gaming, I'll stay there forever—you'll never see me again."

"Hah! A world better than gaming? You think such a ridiculous place exists?" Zhang Lei laughed loudly.

"You never know," Gu Mengping said, then his smile vanished as he turned to Li Yi.

Just one glance made his eyelid twitch.

Li Yi sat casually, yet his body radiated crimson light, his blood qi rising like smoke from a bonfire—strikingly strange to enhanced senses. Even before approaching, a searing heat washed over them, as if he were a furnace radiating terrifying warmth.

"What's happened to you? Last time I saw you in the Old City, you were just an ordinary spiritual sense cultivator. Now… you're burning yourself, unleashing unimaginable vitality," Gu Mengping stared at Li Yi, wary.

"I won't tell you," Li Yi glanced at him, cold.

Gu Mengping was momentarily annoyed, then realized: this Li Yi was no longer the old one. Having risen by crushing Yang Yi Long, his strength now rivaled—even surpassed—spiritual sense experts. He had every right to be dismissive.

"Any rapid power boost comes at a cost. To elevate a spiritual sense cultivator to defeat Yang Yi Long, Li Yi, your price must be high. Compared to before, your flesh seems dried out—you've lost weight."

Gu Mengping smiled, sharply identifying Li Yi's current state.

Everyone looked.

It was true.

Li Yi had grown even thinner since earlier, yet his aura had strengthened—unusual.

"You're not worried about me, are you?" Li Yi said.

He was in the midst of Blood Burning Technique—his body was being drained. The cost? Ten years of life. But he could afford it.

His true power source wasn't Blood Burning Technique—it was his own six unlocked acupoints, making him a Qi-Acupoint Evolved.

Of course, he wouldn't say that.

"No, I'm just saying this state won't last. Once the method fades, your strength will drop back to spiritual sense. Normally, I wouldn't care—but now, everyone's completing missions for Golden Academy slots. This looks like cheating," Gu Mengping said.

"If you doubt my strength, why not test it yourself?"

Li Yi slowly stood: "Gu Mengping, don't think I don't know you had ties with Yang Yi Long. You dislike me for killing him, right? Fine. If you want revenge, come. I killed one—I'll kill two."

"No need to test. We're all external operatives of the Investigation Bureau—no need for conflict," Gu Mengping said. "My words were inappropriate. I apologize."

"I don't want your apology. Take one punch. Then we pretend nothing happened."

Li Yi suddenly roared, his voice like a great bell struck—its force vibrated through the air, making ears ring.

The next instant:

His blood qi exploded, divine power unleashed—he surged forward like a transcendent beast. In a blur, glowing vertical pupils locked onto Gu Mengping.

He didn't want to explain.

Showing strength was the best way to silence critics.

In that instant, fist aura surged, coalesced—the air shattered with a thunderous boom.

Thunder God Hammer Strike!

A lethal technique, unleashed without restraint—stronger, fiercer than when he fought Yang Yi Long.

Gu Mengping's pupils shrank sharply.

His spiritual sense screamed warnings.

Not just him—when Li Yi moved, every cultivator's spiritual sense screamed danger. This threat level matched facing a superhuman M200 sniper rifle. One misstep meant death.

"Li Yi!" Zhang Lei roared, trying to stop him—don't kill anyone.

Otherwise, this would be messy.

"Can't block it—I'd be out of the game today," Gu Mengping's heart lurched. Relying on his spiritual sense reflexes and speed, he retreated swiftly, putting distance between himself and Li Yi's fist.

"Boom!"

The moment Gu Mengping stepped back, the ground where he stood erupted.

Hard concrete was ripped upward by terrifying force. Wind and shockwaves blasted outward—mere residual energy sent chills through onlookers.

Everyone was stunned.

If that punch landed, how could anyone survive?