Chapter 285 - 284: The Heavenly King Group Returns, Unexpected Invitation

Before long, Li Jing returned to the Dragon Yu camp at the entrance of the Secret Realm.

The Heavenly King Group was still on its way back, returning and exploring the different routes they had taken when they set out. Therefore, the campsite still only had one lone tent.

Li Jing was delighted by this tranquility.

Leading a group was something he did out of necessity.

In some situations, more people did make things easier.

But more often than not, it was inconvenient.

Instead of leading a large group of thousands, Li Jing preferred to act alone.

Using Sky Control to reach his tent, he hadn’t yet landed when he saw Jiang Yini and Ji Youyu had set up a tea table in front of his tent, and were sitting there eating snacks.

Upon seeing this scene, Li Jing frowned.

These two were clearly waiting for him.

To be precise.

Jiang Yini was probably just keeping company, while the one who was really waiting for him was Ji Youyu.

So the question was...

Qi Chen was at the frontline near the sealed space, which was far beyond the effective range of the communicator, so he should not have sent any news back yet.

When did these two start waiting?

Did they come here in the morning?

Or...

While he was speculating, the two people below noticed his presence and both looked up.

Upon seeing Li Jing floating in the air, they both paused for a moment, then their eyes brightened, and they both stood up.

"You’re back. Why aren’t you coming down?"

Jiang Yini smiled.

Ji Youyu didn’t say anything, her gaze was very intense.

Seeing the two women’s different expressions, Li Jing’s gaze lingered on Jiang Yini’s face for a moment before he landed in front of them with a slight smile.

"Have you two been waiting for me for a long time?"

"I’ve been hiding from you here in your tent, leisurely."

Jiang Yini said casually.

"Commissioner Ji has been waiting for you. She came here after Miss Serlina brought news last night."

Hearing that Jiang Yini was secretly lingering in his place, Li Jing didn’t take much notice of it.

This Director was very reliable.

But she also had a knack for being laid back.

Learning that Ji Youyu had started waiting here last night, Li Jing couldn’t help but grin to himself.

This person...

Really went to great lengths!

But it was understandable.

From the time Ji Youyu entered the Secret Realm at the end of the initial exploration, until now, she was basically just standing by.

Being a figurehead wasn’t much, but the tasks she was entrusted with on this trip had hardly been started, which was obviously very frustrating for her.

To have a gifted Six Realm disciple of a sect work so hard for Dragon Yu, the promises made by the Dragon Yu officials must surely be of great importance to her sect.

The fact that Ji Youyu risked joining him in the sealed space from the beginning said a lot.

Over here, Ji Youyu coughed slightly, feeling somewhat awkward as she saw Li Jing looking at her with a strange expression.

"Counselor Li, let’s sit down and talk since you have just come back."

"Okay."

Li Jing smiled, took out a stool from his storage space and sat down next to Jiang Yini, handing her a Destiny Fruit as he did.

Jiang Yini’s eyes twinkled as she took the fruit and started to eat it.

Ji Youyu sat down opposite them and started talking.

"I have been briefed in detail about the messages Miss Serlina has delivered twice last night, I believe the battle between the Ghost Clan and the God-Human Race has come to a halt since your return. What was the result?"

"The God-Human Race was repelled, and the Ghost Clan suffered no damage."

Li Jing replied.

"The matter that Commissioner Ji would seek me out for has been mentioned to me by Chief Qi at the front line. When the Heavenly King Group comes back later, I can take you to see the Ghost Clan."

Knowing that her younger male apprentice contacted Li Jing about the matter, Ji Youyu raised her eyebrows.

This junior apprentice, he deserved to be valued.

Recognizing that Li Jing was sincere in agreeing to guide her to the Ghost Clan, Ji Youyu smiled brightly.

"There is still some time before we have to leave the Secret Realm, so we are not in a hurry. Given that the Ghost Clan has just undergone a major battle, it would be inappropriate to visit them abruptly. After the Heavenly King Group returns, I will ask Counselor Li to guide me and make an introduction."

She said, with a firm gaze.

"As for the detailed information about the Ghost Clan, can Counselor Li share it with me?"

"No problem."

Li Jing smiled.

For the sake of gaining Merit, he needed to be clear about certain things.

Li Jing then shared some information which he had a good understanding of, and explained why the God-Human Race wanted to seal the Ghost Clan.

These details hadn’t been mentioned to Serlina.

After all, they had different viewpoints.

Serlina had her own ideas, and Li Jing had his.

The detailed information about the Ghost Clan and the reasons for the sealing of the God-Human Race didn’t really affect the overall situation but were valuable. It wasn’t necessary to tell others about it.

As far as some matters were concerned, it was enough for Dragon Yu to be informed.

Ji Youyu listened to Li Jing’s narration with great interest.

Her primary task here was to assist Dragon Yu in understanding the Secret Realm Civilization, rather than gaining actual benefits.

Dragon Yu’s officials always took a long-term approach, putting immediate interests second.

The Big Secret Realm would close before long, but one day, it would open again.

There would be a much bigger scope of operations for a future visit, given the knowledge gained about the unique civilization of the Big Secret Realm.

You should know.

In the vast Big Secret Realm, an exploration team primarily made up of Three Realm cultivators couldn’t travel very far, even if they explored for a whole month. However, with a large amount of personnel, they could explore more thoroughly.

Each exploration of the Secret Realm was a preparation for the next while also amassing ample resources.

The amount of valuable information Li Jing revealed at the moment exceeded the significant details he had shared prior from the two murals he brought back; it was enough for Ji Youyu to complete her task and report back.

However, given the chance to interact with the Ghost Clan, she would not let it slip away.

According to Li Jing.

The Ghost Clan is extremely human-like and rational, they are somewhat agreeable towards humans.

She absolutely had to communicate with them!

What’s more.

Li Jing mentioned that the Ghost Clan possesses a powerful spatial talent, they can tear open the space at fixed coordinates and move freely, they even have the ability to construct a standalone living space.

A unique talent that requires a corresponding cultivation level to control.

But this was not a problem for humans.

The existence of science is meant to provide tangible explanations for the impossible, making an attempt to render them possible.

Space technology is a problem that the entire world is trying to solve.

However, up to this day, the only stable and widely applied technology is related to subspace.

If one day, humans could control the technology to actively open or build spatial passages.

Even if it’s not about opening directed entrances into the Secret Realm Space, the use of such technology for spatial travel in the present world alone would turn it upside down.

...

After their exchange, Ji Youyu left, quite satisfied.

As a person, Ji Youyu knows how to repay the courtesy.

After failing to win over Li Jing previously, she no longer clings to such thoughts.

She’s very perceptive.

Li Jing isn’t as straightforward as he seems, his directness is only for show.

To put it bluntly, he simply doesn’t want to get involved with the Sect.

Being stubborn about it would only make her look foolish.

So, when she came this time, she didn’t bring the young tender maid who would usually attract normal men, trying to get the latter close to a certain individual.

With Li Jing’s consent, Ji Youyu also understands the situation.

Leaves ample private space for someone and dutifully waits for news back home.

Li Jing watched Ji Youyu leave, then turned to Jiang Yini who was seated next to him.

"When are we leaving the Big Secret Realm, Yini, have you received any news?"

"Not yet."

Jiang Yini responded.

"But it should be soon, a part of the exploration teams from various forces has already returned to the entrance of the secret realm. The remaining teams should be on their way back within the next two or three days. Although there are no current signs that the spatial passages are becoming unstable, the presence of the God-Human Race implies that the withdrawal might happen earlier. We might have to retreat outside the Secret Realm."

As she spoke, she peeled a Destiny Fruit and put it into her mouth, chewing slowly.

"The exploration of the Big Secret Realm by various forces is nearing its end, there’s no point in staying here. There’s only unnecessary consumption left in guarding the God-Human Race within the Secret Realm. It wouldn’t affect big countries like Longyu, God Kingdom, and White Hawk much but some small countries could hardly bear the costs during the holding period. Their findings are limited, perhaps they would have to pour in all the gains from this exploration just to guard against the God-Human Race. Small state forces will definitely withdraw earlier. Once they’re gone, it’ll become very difficult to maintain the frontline, so everybody should withdraw at around the same time."

Li Jing nodded upon hearing this, sighing inwardly.

Based on what Jiang Yini said.

When all the exploration teams return, the world’s forces will most likely withdraw completely. The maximum remaining time he can stay in the Secret Realm would be about four or five days.

Seeing how someone was deeply lost in thought, Jiang Yini tilted her head.

"What? It’s barely been a month; are you already homesick?"

Li Jing was speechless.

Home, of course, he missed it.

Every day.

After all, there’s a beautiful wife like a blooming flower at home who was currently secluding herself to break through to the Fourth Realm. He had no idea what the situation was like and whether she had successfully broken through or not.

But now, he was thinking about where to get 600,000 experience points to level up to the Seventh Realm.

He didn’t need more, only 600,000.

As he was hesitating about how to respond to Jiang Yini, she smiled.

"Serlina brought news twice last night. I went out of the Secret Realm to report the situation back home and helped you contact Liu Sisi. She has already successfully broken through a week ago and is now learning Magic Skills at home, waiting for you to return."

Upon hearing that Liu Sisi had successfully broken through, Li Jing raised his eyebrows and nodded gently.

...

The afternoon soon arrived.

Li Jing and Jiang Yini were waiting in front of their tent, looking eastward.

As if responding to their anticipation, a robust golden light shot out from the distant east and soared across the sky. In an instant, it stopped above them.

The radiance fades, revealing the thousand-meter tall Linglong Tower that slowly descends to the ground.

Seeing the Linglong Tower land, both Li Jing and Jiang Yini silently heaved a sigh of relief.

The Heavenly King Group had embarked on an exploration for more than twenty days and hadn’t lost any members.

Apart from the abundant harvest, there also had been many twists and turns and numerous injuries.

Li Jing had been keeping track of these events through his connection with the Linglong.

Now, they’ve finally returned safely.

Looking at the countless personnel in the tower, each with an exhausted expression, all members present and accounted for, no missing limbs or injuries, Jiang Yini smiled slightly.

Her smile brightens even more upon seeing the lower half of the thousand-meter tall Linglong Tower stuffed full of various gains.

These were items that couldn’t fit in their storage spaces and had to be left in the tower.

Li Jing felt relieved looking at the state of the tower’s interior.

As the highest authority of the Heavenly King Group, he reaps a share from the gains submitted by the group members.

With the lower half of the thousand-meter tall Linglong Tower filled to the brim, they’d be taking flight, wouldn’t they?

As soon as the Linglong Tower landed, Ten thousand members of the Heavenly King Group began moving the gains stuffed in the tower outside. Chen Yuran, Yulian, and Jiu Li, on the other hand, met with Li Jing and Jiang Yini.

Seeing their exhausted faces, Li Jing smiled.

"Welcome back."

Chen Yuran nodded with a slight smile at his words.

Yulian exhaled a breath of relief, offering a certain someone a captivating smile.

The second before, Jiu Li had a "finally free" expression on his face, the next second he was grinning at Li Jing, winking and shaking his eyebrows at him, then out of nowhere, he snapped to attention and saluted.

"Reporting to the commander! The Heavenly King Group has safely returned. Please confirm our return!"

Li Jing twitched his mouth when he saw this.

He didn’t know where to start with his complaints when he saw Jiang Yini looking at the three in front of him and suddenly speaking.

"Why don’t you three just join us at Jianghai Management Bureau?"

?

Li Jing slowly types a question mark.

Chen Yuran and the other two were visibly taken aback.

They didn’t expect Jiang Yini to suddenly extend an invitation.

And they didn’t expect that she would extend the invitation to Yulian and Jiu Li as well.

Inviting Chen Yuran is one thing, but to involve the other two as well is even more surprising, considering they are monsters!

Before they could react, Jiang Yini continued.

"Of course, you three will only have a nominal position within the Heavenly King Group. You’ll enjoy the salary and benefits but won’t have any real power. All I can provide for you is a Merit Points account."

Then, she laughed and said.

"Your gains from this expedition are quite substantial, but how much of it can actually be used is uncertain. If you try to cash it in, you’ll surely lose some value. It would be better to hand it over to the merit system of the Management Bureau."

Seeing Jiang Yini explaining all this seriously, Li Jing asked in a peculiar tone.

"Wait, are you serious?"

"Why not?"

Jiang Yini tilted her head.

Reacting to her answer, Li Jing muttered.

"This time in the Secret Realm, Ayu and Ajiu didn’t hide the fact that they are monsters. Many people know."

"That’s not a big deal. A simple gag order will do the trick. Based on your careful approach to things, it’s obvious that they’re not showing their true identities right now. The impact won’t be significant."

Jiang Yini casually said and continued.

"They are both powerful beasts of the Six Realm and have signed the peace treaty. With the treaty in place, serving the Longyu Country in the Management Bureau is not impossible. Similar cases have occurred domestically, and they are allowed in the Bureau, but the application and review process can be a bit cumbersome."

Then she added.

"By the way, employing powerful monsters to explore the Secret Realm is not something new. It’s been done by others long before you."

Li Jing blinked at her words.

He knew about a monster working in the Management Bureau.

A monster holding a position in the Management Bureau, now that’s something he had never heard of.

But if Jiang Yini said it is true, then it must be so.

If such situations exist, they are likely already known to the public.

After a short silence, Li Jing turned to the three.

"What do you think, Yuran?"

This matter has both pros and cons.

Overall, the pros outweigh the cons.

With a Merit Points account, they can convert all their personal gainss into Merit. They can exchange them for anything they want in the future.

Moreover, it gives them further opportunities to explore the Secret Realm.

As for the downsides.

Once they join the Management Bureau, they have to accept its jurisdiction. Whether they’re exploring the Secret Realm or doing other things, they must prioritize the interests of the nation.

Even just having a nominal position, being a public servant comes with responsibilities and obligations.

This kind of decision needs to be made by the three of them.

Upon hearing Jiang Yini’s explanatory, Jiu Li was thrilled.

Following Li Jing into the Secret Realm this time, she reaped a lot of benefits.

But apart from converting these into money, the rest was basically of little use to her.

She was at the late stage of the Six Realm, holding back from advancing only because she lacked confidence in safely passing Tribulation, and needed to improve herself.

Among her gains from this trip, nothing was of any use to her.

As for money.

What does she need so much money for?

Isn’t it enough to have enough to live on?

If she could get a Merit Points account in the Management Bureau, all her problems would be solved.

At this moment, facing Li Jing’s inquiry, Jiu Li confidently and quickly nodded.

"I have no problem!"

Yulian faced a similar predicament as Jiu Li.

Money was something she never thought she had too much of.

After all, she could invest her money into her company, expanding and improving it for long-term operation and developing other businesses.

However, having a Merit Points account was undoubtedly a wonderful thing.

Also because she was closely associated with Li Jing and wasn’t short of supplies, she would reach the same stage as Jiu Li within six months and then have to prepare for passing her Tribulation.

What Li Jing could give her was essentially only resources.

The Management Bureau was different.

As long as there were Merit Points, she could exchange anything from the treasury of Longyu Country.

There was something, however, that made Yulian hesitate.

Unlike Jiu Li, she hadn’t signed the peace treaty and had been considered a wild demon for a long time.

She bit her red lips, glancing at Li Jing, then at Jiang Yini who turned to her after hearing Jiu Li’s stance, and hesitantly spoke.

"Director Jiang, due to some personal reasons, I haven’t signed the peace treaty. It’s not that I don’t want to, but mainly because..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Yini shook her head.

"You don’t need to tell me the reason why you haven’t signed the peace treaty."

Jiang Yini went on.

"If there are people within the system that you are at odds with, or who might target you, you only need to sign the treaty and join our Jianghai Management Bureau. As long as you fulfill your obligations and don’t cause trouble, anyone who tries to trouble you challenges the authority of the Management Bureau. In this vast world, the circle of the Inspection Bureau and Management Bureau has the most influence, you don’t need to be hesitant about anyone."

Upon hearing this, a trace of surprise appeared in Yulian’s eyes, and she nodded in agreement.

Jiang Yini practically reassured her that she would have her back. She’d be lying if she said she was not tempted.

Indeed.

To her who had already stepped into the Six Realm, Jiang Yini, who was still in the Fifth Boundary, was very weak.

But behind her was the Jianghai Management Bureau.

With this background, personal strength really isn’t that important.

In Longyu, who dares to challenge the authority of the Management Bureau?

With Yulian’s clear stance, Jiang Yini’s gaze turned to Chen Yuran.

Meeting her gaze, Chen Yuran hesitated slightly before speaking.

"I personally have no issue with transferring to the Management Bureau, but after this Secret Realm exploration, I’m resigning from patrols to focus on breaking into the Fifth Boundary. This period might take half a year, a year, or even longer."

Hearing that Chen Yuran planned to leave patrols and focus on cultivation, Li Jing was stunned.

This situation was beyond his expectations.

Chen Yuran had just entered the middle stage of the Four Realm and was prepared to immediately attempt to break into Fifth Boundary to the point of resigning from patrols?

Yulian and Jiu Li were also taken aback by Chen Yuran’s declaration.

Jiang Yini, however, was not surprised.

In terms of seniority, Chen Yuran would have to call her aunt.

Although they weren’t close, she still had some understanding of her niece, Jiang Yini.

This girl was very competitive.

Her headstrong behavior is something even Chen Jing could not handle.

She and Li Jing were so close that it would be difficult for her not to compare herself with him.

What was Li Jing’s Cultivation level?

Six Realm!

Chen Yuran, whose strength had far exceeded her peers since childhood, might not say it out loud, but who knows how unwilling she was in her heart.

This time, coming into the Big Secret Realm and gaining so much to digest, her decision to focus on breaking into the Fifth Boundary was expected.

Jiang Yini had been there before.

In her youthful days, she had also taken this path.

However, she was not as fortunate as to have a mentor who would provide her with a substantial amount of resources to digest.

Choosing to run away from home, she could not enjoy the resources of the Jiang family and had to rely on herself for everything.

Seeing Li Jing out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Yini felt a bit sour for an inexplicable reason.

If she could have met someone like Li Jing who was capable and would take her to the Secret Realm, and take care of her in various ways, and gain adequate resources after fleeing from home.

With her extraordinary talents, wouldn’t she have broken into the Fifth Boundary before turning thirty?

With a sigh, Jiang Yini spoke up.

"Your ascetic retreat won’t affect your role at the Jianghai Management Bureau. After this Big Secret Realm, there might not be another Secret Realm to explore for a short while. Besides, you’re just joining, unless it’s necessary, normal tasks and assignments won’t be allocated to you."

She then smiled with playful intent.

"Since Li Jing is in the Heavenly King Group, just let him shoulder anything for you. You two don’t distinguish between each other, do you?"

???

Li Jing.

When did he and Chen Yuran become indistinguishable?

Chen Yuran, hearing what Jiang Yini said, glanced thoughtfully at a certain someone, then nodded in agreement.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Yini stole another glance at a certain someone, a mischievous smile emerging at the corner of her mouth before she started laughing internally.

She had been eyeing Yulian and Jiu Li from the moment she found out about their existence.

With these two Great Demons of the Six Realm joining, the strength of the Jianghai Management Bureau would skyrocket.

Counting Li Jing, there would now be three Six Realms powerhouses at their disposal!

Who among all Longyu territories, other than the General Bureau, could possess such formidable strength?

As for Chen Yuran, Jiang Yini was merely acting out of concern.

After all, she was her niece, so giving her a Management Bureau account was convenient.

Now that Chen Yuran had expressed her intent to break from Four to Five Boundary, didn’t this mean that in a not too distant future, the Jianghai Management Bureau would have another Fifth Boundary powerhouse?

This Fifth Boundary Cultivator was a monster.

Chen Yuran was only older than Li Jing by a bit.

Compared to Li Jing, the monster, there was obviously no comparison.

But to be able to enter the Fifth Boundary before the age of twenty-five was already an impressive feat within the territory of Longyu.

Li Jing caught a glimpse of Jiang Yini chuckling to herself, furrowed his brows slightly but didn’t linger on the thought, and turned to Chen Yuran and the others.

"You’ve all worked hard this time, the Heavenly King Group could..."

The words had just been spoken, when Chen Yuran glanced at the members of the Heavenly King Group who were busy, her red lips moved slightly, and sent a message to him.

"Don’t bother with the small talk, I’m hungry."

"..."

Li Jing.

The rare time he tries playing the leader and comforting everyone, but she directly told him she’s hungry...

Li Jing was speechless as he looked at Chen Yuran who seemed serious on the surface, but whose eyes were filled with hunger. He could only give a bitter laugh before turning to Jiang Yini and saying.

"The Heavenly King Group has gained a lot. Director, you stay here, and after a while, I’ll have someone from the other groups help with the reception and removal. I have some other matters to attend to and will not be able to accompany you."

At this point, Jiang Yini was in a good mood and answered without hesitation.

"Fine, you take care of your matters, everything here will be...

Her words trailed off as she noticed Li Jing going off to the side to prepare pots and pans.

"......"

Jiang Yini.

These other matters, it’s this?

TM...

The Heavenly King Group has only just returned!

Can he even be a leader!?

Jiang Yini’s mouth twitched a little, then she spoke,

"Help me prepare two grilled fish, thanks!"

...