Chapter 334: Accumulating Earth to Form a Mountain, Gathering Cultivation

Li Banfeng was going to Yaowang Gou; Ma Wu helped him obtain a travel permit and buy a train ticket.

During his promotion, Ma Wu was extremely weak, yet he still saw Li Banfeng off to the station.

After returning from the station, Ma Wu intended to sleep for several days straight, but someone arrived at the newspaper office.

Aqin had come.

How could Aqin possibly come to Heishipo? Under normal circumstances, she couldn't leave Xindi.

Later, it was learned that Aqin missed Ma Wu, sought out Qiuluoye, and Qiuluoye granted her request, then asked Shuiyongquan to conceal her spiritual aura.

Aqin arrived at Lanyang Village, found Ma Wu's subordinates, obtained the travel permit and ticket, and traveled all the way to Heishipo.

Aqin's arrival was certainly good.

But Huoling was here too.

How would the two of them get along?

These days, sleep seemed uneasy.

In fact, Ma Wu had worried unnecessarily.

Aqin and Huoling had known each other before and got along well; upon learning Ma Wu was about to be promoted, they jointly helped him intensify his cultivation.

When Ma Wu was utterly exhausted and fell into deep sleep, they did not disturb him, but went together to watch a film.

"Blood Blade Detective 6" was currently screening in Heishipo; a long queue formed outside the cinema. Bai Qiusheng arranged for Aqin and Huoling to get tickets; they watched one screening, found it truly excellent, then asked Bai Qiusheng to get two more tickets and watched it again that night.

…

At the academic lecture hall of Yuezhou University, nanomaterials expert Zhang Xuanming had just finished his presentation; applause in the hall lasted a long time.

After the lecture ended and students dispersed, He Jiaqing disguised himself as staff and went up to the stage to collect the microphone.

He removed a battery from the microphone's base; those unaware thought he was inspecting the equipment.

After securing the battery, He Jiaqing left the lecture hall and entered a hotel beside the campus, renting a room.

In the room, He Jiaqing placed the battery into a charger's slot and plugged it in.

Soon, a white ring reappeared on the battery's surface; He Jiaqing removed it, attached one wire to each terminal, and connected them to his own head.

Smoke rose from He Jiaqing's head.

The effect was decent, though it hurt the scalp.

After the battery fully discharged, He Jiaqing stored it in a box and lay on the bed to rest when his chest button vibrated.

"Jiaqing, the new film's attendance has reached eighty percent."

He Jiaqing nodded: "I knew you had the ability, sister."

"Part Seven has already started filming; there's little film stock left. I told the producers to buy more, but they say you must personally purchase it."

"Sister, our film stock is special—it really must be bought by me. Tell them to conserve it; I'll have the stock delivered in a day or two."

After ending the connection, He Jiaqing rubbed his scalp and pulled out a fair amount of hair.

Bad—this is really going to lead to baldness.

Even if I go bald, I must endure it; I can't slow down now.

He Jiaqing stepped out of the hotel and stood by the roadside.

Watching the ceaseless flow of people, he saw countless sources—the sources of cultivation.

Accumulate earth to form a mountain; only by continuously gathering resources can you pile up a mountain.

Uncle San is still lying in the hospital for me; he'll have to lie there for a long time still.

When I still had Travel Cultivation Technique, I didn't need a proxy—I could plan a route in advance and finish tasks in minutes, without anyone knowing I'd left the ward.

Now that Travel Cultivation Technique is gone, things have become troublesome.

I must quickly replenish the technique.

Should I go to the sports stadium again tonight?

Not yet; wait a bit. You can't visit the same place too frequently.

Where else has as much crowd energy as the sports stadium?

He Jiaqing went to the subway station; the evening rush hour was about to begin.

…

Ma Wu slept for a day and night, recovering seven or eight tenths of his strength; he successfully advanced.

He was now a Level Three Huan Xiu, and his cultivation requirements had become higher.

Both Huoling and Aqin were present—physically robust, skilled in techniques, and perfectly coordinated; they could certainly maintain the required cultivation intensity.

Ma Wu ate something and quickly entered his state, only to learn the two women were not at the newspaper office—they had gone to watch a film together.

Again to watch a film?

Is it really that good?

Bai Qiusheng entered Ma Wu's room, closed the door, and said: "Fifth Master, the two ladies' condition is odd."

"What's odd?"

"They've watched 'Blood Blade Detective 6' five times already. They don't eat, don't sleep, just watch screening after screening."

Ma Wu chuckled: "Let them watch. They've hardly seen any films in Xindi—probably just curious."

Bai Qiusheng shook his head: "I thought the same at first—I bought them a full pass so they could watch any movie in the cinema."

"But they only watch this one film. They won't even glance at any other movie—not even our own 'Blood Spear Detective'."

Ma Wu paused, then asked Bai Qiusheng: "Is 'Blood Blade Detective' really that good?"

"I haven't seen it—I don't have the time. But everyone who has seen it says it's excellent."

Ma Wu grew tense; the popularity of "Blood Blade Detective" was nearly catching up to "Blood Spear Detective."

What was the reason?

A better script? Better actors? Or was there more nudity?

I must go see it myself—I can't suffer a major loss due to underestimating it.

Even as his business grew, Ma Wu had never relaxed his vigilance regarding films.

He was about to leave when Aqin and Huoling returned.

"Fifth Master is awake!" They were delighted; they had planned to catch the next screening, but came back out of concern for Ma Wu.

Aqin asked: "How is Fifth Master feeling?"

"About seven or eight percent recovered." Looking at Aqin and Huoling's charming appearances, Ma Wu wondered whether to go watch the film or focus on cultivation.

But Aqin had no intention of cultivating with him: "Fifth Master, since you're recovered, come watch a film with us."

Huoling agreed: "This film is truly wonderful—you can watch it endlessly without getting tired."

Ma Wu nodded: "I was just thinking of going to see it too."

"Let's go quickly, Fifth Master."

"Wait—I'll change clothes."

"No need to change, Fifth Master. Watching a film isn't a big deal."

Ma Wu said: "Wait a moment—I'll be ready soon."

"Hurry up, or you'll miss the next showing."

Ma Wu paused, then suddenly cupped Huoling's chin.

Huoling lowered her head slightly, blushing: "What are you doing? You look so hungry—wait till after the film, then we'll cultivate."

"Ling'er, don't move." Ma Wu pried open her eyelid.

Huoling didn't resist; she always obeyed Ma Wu.

Ma Wu saw a blood thread in her sclera.

He lightly scraped it with his fingernail; the thread broke, and a drop of blood oozed out.

"Ouch!" Huoling cried out, scolding him: "What are you doing? You've broken my eye!"

Ma Wu looked at the blood on his finger, then turned to Aqin.

Aqin's eye also had a blood thread.

He now understood why the attendance rate of "Blood Blade Detective" had improved.

…

At Huahu Park, He Jiaqing was taking a walk.

Datou approached casually and walked beside him.

"Xiao Zheng is on duty at the bureau tonight."

"He's on duty?"

"He's often absent for investigations and meetings, and usually disappears during work hours—but he never misses his duty shifts. He'll definitely be there tonight."

He Jiaqing nodded, strolled a while longer, then left the park.

…

At six p. ., Xiao Zhenggong arrived at Anxing Bureau; everyone else had left, except the new recruit Qin Tian.

Xiao Zhenggong sat on Qin Tian's desk, glanced for a moment, and said: "Zhong'er?"

He remembered Qin Tian's codename.

Qin Tian quickly stood up: "Deputy Captain!"

Xiao Zhenggong laughed: "Why the hell are you adding 'Deputy' before it? Why aren't you leaving yet?"

"I'm still in training. According to the bureau's latest rules, starting this month, I must accompany both Captains on duty."

"That rule is cruel. You earn so little—why make you suffer like this? Go home—I approve it."

Qin Minghui shook his head. "I can't go back. Rules are rules."

Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "How can you be so unreasonable? Go back if you're told to. Isn't it better to get a good night's sleep?"

Qin Minghui still shook his head. Xiao Zhenggong snapped, "Fine, stay then. Rot here!"

Before long, it was midnight. Xiao Zhenggong smoked a cigarette while scrolling on his phone in the office.

He glanced toward the door. Qin Minghui was still inside, reading a book.

Xiao Zhenggong walked closer and saw Qin Minghui reading a martial arts manual.

"What sect are you from?"

"Sect? Are you asking about my profession? I just joined last month. I chose Martial Artist."

"Another Martial Artist?" Xiao Zhenggong chuckled. "Aren't you studying law? Why choose Martial Artist?"

"I can't just have legal knowledge—I must also possess the abilities of an enforcer."

"What abilities? The ability to fight?"

"The ability to subdue criminals!" Qin Minghui answered each sentence with utmost seriousness.

"Alright, ambitious! Reading won't help—come train with me. I'll show you a few moves."

Qin Minghui shook his head.

"What's wrong? Scared? Afraid of pain or death?" Xiao Zhenggong smirked challengingly.

Qin Minghui looked at the duty phone. "I'm on duty. I can't leave my post."

"Don't worry. Just a moment. I'll teach you two moves. I won't teach you more than that."

Qin Minghui refused to budge. Xiao Zhenggong's eyes turned menacing. "So, you're refusing my order?"

Before Qin Minghui could speak, the duty phone rang suddenly.

Qin Minghui immediately picked up the call. Following protocol, he confirmed twice, then reported to Xiao Zhenggong: "An unknown creature has appeared at Ruirong Textile Factory on Chengyun Road. Suspected to be a Dark Energy entity. Two children have been attacked and trapped inside the factory."

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "I understand."

"Deputy Captain..."

"Why are you staring at me? Didn't you study the regulations? Don't you know what to do now?"

Qin Minghui immediately pulled open the drawer beneath the duty phone and pressed the red button.

Both Qin Minghui's and Xiao Zhenggong's phones rang simultaneously. All members of the Dark Star Bureau's Security Team received calls.

Xiao Zhenggong continued: "Don't stand there—report the situation!"

Qin Minghui picked up the receiver and relayed the details.

All team members must proceed to the scene immediately.

Qin Minghui looked at Xiao Zhenggong.

Xiao Zhenggong raised an eyebrow. "What are you looking at? I'm on duty. I can't leave my post. You're a trainee—if you want to go, go."

Qin Minghui hesitated.

Xiao Zhenggong sighed. "Ruirong Textile Factory is remote. It's the weekend. No one knows where the team's gone. Those two kids are likely dead."

Qin Minghui immediately put on his coat, strapped on his sidearm, and sprinted toward the elevator.

Xiao Zhenggong called out: "How are you going? Run there? By the time you arrive, they'll be cold! I'll call the duty driver—he'll take you!"

Qin Minghui left. Xiao Zhenggong sat silently in the office for a moment, then lit a cigarette.

The cigarette had no flame, but thick smoke rose from it.

Xiao Zhenggong drew a deep breath and exhaled a large cloud of smoke. The smoke seemed sentient, wrapping itself around him.

He left the office, entered the stairwell, passed under the surveillance camera—no image was recorded.

He descended to the twelfth floor, stepped out of the stairwell, and faced a steel door.

The steel door had no lock, no fingerprint scanner, no keypad—only two small lights glowed.

Those two lights were not for illumination. They were for retinal scanning.

Xiao Zhenggong had no authorization to open this door. Even if he did, he wouldn't open it—he didn't want any record of entry or exit.

But he had a magic treasure. One he'd bought at great cost from Pulu Province.

He pulled out a black glove and slipped it on.

He ran his hand over the steel door for a moment. The door opened—without leaving any record of access.

Inside the steel door was a windowless, pitch-black room lined with dozens of data shelves.

Xiao Zhenggong scanned each shelf. He knew exactly what he sought. He'd been here before. But every day, every file's position changed.

After searching long, he found the file he wanted on the sixth shelf.

The file box bore only two characters: Boundary.

PS: Special thanks to Patron Zhuo Yao for their tremendous support!

(End of Chapter)