Chapter 379: Incident

379. Chapter 379. Incident

It was night.

Within Dinghu Community.

A blanket of silence.

Occasionally, a few people walked together, emitting a string of hushed whispers.

In the nearby Experiment Building, many lights were on.

At that moment, a black silhouette slipped into the building silently.

A few Spiritual Thought Masters on duty on the second floor were completely unaware, most of them were cultivating, only one or two released Spiritual Power, constantly monitoring the outside for any strangers breaking in.

Until the next moment, a faint sound rang, the door handle suddenly turned, and the door was pushed open from outside.

"Who's there!"

Several people opened their eyes, and the Psychic Weapons on their bodies leapt, hovering in midair, ready to strike.

At the doorway stood a figure cloaked entirely in a black robe, gender unknown.

"Who are you? What business brings you here?" the leading person asked, their eyes filled with deep suspicion.

Just by looking, it was clear that this person was no ordinary.

Otherwise, they couldn't have broken in right under their noses and only then been discovered.

One of them glanced at a red button not far away; pressing it would trigger the alarm, and at that point Gu Zhangkong would rush over.

For others, pressing that button would require walking over, but for them it was merely a thought.

But at that moment, the black‑robed figure suddenly raised a hand, revealing an arm like white jade, fingers as green as spring shoots; with a flick, a ping‑pong‑ball‑sized fireball shot out, and the instant it touched the opponent's body, the latter was instantly engulfed by flame, unable to utter a scream, turning into a heap of ash on the floor.

The scene unfolded in an instant, so that only after two or three seconds did the others inside the room realize what had happened.

"Splash!"

Someone was so frightened they fell backward onto the floor.

Some people were so scared they wet themselves.

Spell instant‑cast!

Only those mages who have perfected a certain spell can cast it without uttering incantations.

Moreover, that fireball was only a little size, yet could turn a person to ash in an instant, indicating the opponent was at least Grandmaster level.

A Force Warrior with spirit differs from a Force Warrior without spirit who only trains the flesh.

The former, if they were ordinary people, upon learning they possessed spirit, would work behind the scenes, relying on making Talismans, basically sitting and counting money, since only they can craft those.

Those with talent would also practice Refining Alchemy, earning even more! Who would be like a Force Warrior who can only train the flesh, sticking their head on a belt, going out to do killing business?

Therefore, it's fine if the former doesn't appear; but once they do, their strength among peers of the same level is unquestionably top‑notch.

"I ask, you answer."

A voice that seemed both male and female sounded from within the black robe.

"Mm hm."

The few nodded their heads like chicks pecking at grain.

"Jiang Cheng, where are you?"

Upon hearing the name, a thought simultaneously sprang to mind in the heads of the few.

It's him again! A few days ago, there were two consecutive attack incidents.

The first time was somewhat better; they even severely wounded the enemy.

But the second one that occurred a few days ago, had they not been prudent, they might have died long ago.

Now a third time has come! Moreover, the newcomers this time are even stronger!

"Hm?"

The black‑robed figure hummed, and a small flame flickered from their fingertip.

"He, he's gone."

The leading one quickly said.

"Gone? Where to?"

The black‑robed figure slightly furrowed their brows.

"He was taken away by the Young Master." the leading man quickly replied.

"Who is the Young Master?"

"Gu, Gu Zhanglin."

The leading man gave him a glance, and said cautiously, "Gu Zhanglin?"

The black‑robed figure's brows furrowed even tighter.

He had originally thought this mission would be a walkover.

But the result was this turn of events? Moreover, judging by the looks of these people, they don't seem to be lying.

After all, whoever it is, watching former comrades being burned to ash with open eyes, cannot muster the thought to lie.

"Exactly what's going on, tell me in detail."

"Yes, yes."

The few exchanged glances and, in a flurry of voices, recounted the recent arrival of Gu Zhanglin.

The black‑robed figure grew more surprised as they listened.

What kind of Refining Alchemy master could cause the Gu Family's Young Master to personally rush from Inner City District to here and take them away?

"That, we're not quite sure either."

Upon hearing the black‑robed figure's question, the few shook their heads.

"Is that so?"

The man in the black robe snapped his fingers again, and another fireball shot out, igniting one of the people entirely; in the blink of an eye, they burned into a heap of ash.

"No!"

"Spare me! Spare me!"

"We really don't know!"

A few of them, terrified, crawled on the ground, continuously begging for mercy.

"Senior, if you want to know, you could ask Yang Chun, or ask our supervisor; Gu Zhangkong would also work, he's definitely aware."

"Yes, yes, senior, we've already said everything we know; for what we don't know, even if you kill us, we still wouldn't know."

"That's true."

The man in the black robe nodded.

Just as the few of them breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they'd escaped disaster, several fireballs flew in, instantly igniting them as well.

The man in the black robe muttered a few incantations under his breath; a wind materialized in the room, blowing the ash clouds away until they vanished, after which the scene gradually calmed.

It was as if those few people had never existed at all.

The man in the black robe extended his left arm, revealing a watch; he tapped it with his finger, and a virtual screen projected before his eyes.

Soon, a young, beautiful woman appeared on the screen—none other than Bai Yan.

"Is the person dealt with?"

"Miss, the situation has changed a bit."

The man in the black robe recounted what had just happened.

"Taken away by Gu Zhanglin?"

Bai Yan's eyebrows twitched slightly, sensing that this matter was not simple.

"Yes, they probably didn't lie to me, but I could also ask a few more people—should I go see Gu Zhangkong?"

"No."

Bai Yan thought for a moment, then shook her head.

If she truly went to see Gu Zhangkong, it would be as if there were no three hundred taels of silver here.

And besides, he's not hard to kill; it's just that his status is out there, making it difficult to act.

"You go back first; I'll continue to send people to investigate this matter. Thank you for your effort."

"Serving you, miss, is my honor."

After the man in the black robe finished speaking, he cut off the communication, and his figure vanished from the spot.

"Can Gu Zhanglin personally take them away?"

On the other side, Bai Yan's expression grew increasingly solemn.

It must be investigated thoroughly, to the very end, to find out what's going on.

If that kid truly is an extraordinary Refining Alchemy prodigy, since he cannot be used by her, he must be killed; otherwise, leaving him by Gu Zhanglin's side would lead to unimaginable consequences.

(End of chapter)