Chapter 287 - 286: Causing Trouble, Sudden Changes

Soon, Li Jing returned to the Heavenly King Group’s camp with Quan Chang.

By this time, Jiang Yini and Ji Youyu had been expectantly waiting for a while.

Seeing that someone finally brought the person back, their spirits lifted.

Li Jing landed with Quan Chang, his gaze sweeping left and right.

Quan Chang’s arrival attracted the attention of the majority of people.

Even Chen Yuran and the other three, who were still eating, all turned their attention over, looking curiously.

They couldn’t be blamed really.

Despite Quan Chang having a resemblance to humans, the small protruding horn on her forehead was too conspicuous.

A single glance would be enough to know, she was a non-human Alien Species.

Despite Quan Chang’s self-imposed reduction in realm not affecting her physical size, she stood over one meter eighty as a female.

Her tall and excessively proportionate body was simply too alluring.

Even women who saw her couldn’t help but stare sideways.

Everyone’s curiosity about Quan Chang, whom they were seeing for the first time, was reasonable.

However, it still wasn’t appropriate to treat her like a panda Exhibit.

Without hesitation, Li Jing introduced Quan Chang to Jiang Yini and Ji Youyu.

To the left is Director Jiang Yini of Jianghai City Management Bureau, my direct superior. The one on the right is the Alien Civilization Commissioner of Longyu, Ji Youyu."

"Good to meet you both."

Quan Chang nodded slightly in response to the two.

As one was a director, and the other an Alien Civilization Commissioner, they naturally wouldn’t appear overly curious about her, as opposed to other people who were meeting her for the first time.

When it comes to professional restraint, both of them possess it.

Jiang Yini and Ji Youyu nodded in a friendly manner when Li Jing introduced himself.

However, Ji Youyu extended her hand with a smile in her eyes.

"Priestess Quan, nice to meet you, I..."

Ji Youyu’s introduction was abruptly interrupted by Li Jing.

"This is not the place to talk, Commissioner Ji. You should take Quan Chang to a quiet place with Director Jiang first. She is here to experience the charm of the modern world in the Big World, in preparation for her return to bring development to the Ghost Clan when the Big Secret Realm opens next time. She expects to be received, and protected by Longyu. She will provide information related to the Secret Realm and descendants of the ancient God, and will also provide some products of the Ghost Clan civilization."

Ji Youyu was somewhat uncomfortable being interrupted so bluntly.

Li Jing’s words, however, hit her hard.

She initially thought Quan Chang was here to find Li Jing. Turns out, her aim was much bigger.

This is not unprecedented.

Within the entire Blue Star, many Alien Civilizations in Secret Realms have entered the modern world through certain powerful forces to understand its customs and developments as guests.

The relevant situations are top-level secrets of all forces.

Unfortunately, Longyu has not had the good fortune to witness such an event.

During the thousand years since its founding, Longyu has discovered many Secret Realm Spaces.

However, they’ve never encountered any friendly and wise beings.

Quan Chang’s arrival is unprecedented for Longyu.

More importantly, the conditions Quan Chang has given are irresistible.

She will not only provide information related to the Secret Realm and the descendants of the ancient God but also provide products of civilization.

Ji Youyu took a deep breath.

As long as she can negotiate successfully with Quan Chang, her task will be completed, and significantly at that.

Li Jing really is her lucky star!

After looking at Li Jing with loving eyes, Ji Youyu turned to Jiang Yini.

"Director Jiang."

Jiang Yini understood and gestured for her to go ahead.

"Priestess Quan, please follow me. Arrangements for your reception have been made."

"Alright."

Quan Chang agreed, nodded at Li Jing, and followed Jiang Yini towards the Bailang group, who had been responsible for holding the fort from the beginning.

Ji Youyu immediately followed, chatting and walking alongside Quan Chang with a cheerful smile.

Jiang Yini, who was guiding the way, saw that Li Jing did not come along and looked back to question him with her eyes.

Why isn’t he moving?

Isn’t he coming along?

Quan Chang came because of him, didn’t she?

Li Jing acknowledged her questioning eyes with a smile and transmitted a message over to her.

"I’m not going to get involved in this matter, as Quan Chang’s visit just needs me to be the bridge connecting her to others, and essentially has nothing to do with me. Let Commissioner Ji know later that the Supreme Church and Grull failed to keep Quan Chang and me, but already know the fact that she was formerly the Ghost Clan’s High Priest. If there are no accidents, both forces will soon take action and might pull in other forces."

Jiang Yini nodded in acknowledgment, understanding Li Jing’s intentions.

Li Jing’s unwillingness to get involved was his typical behavior.

He would certainly not participate in anything he could avoid.

As for the Supreme Church and Grull, they were unavoidable from the moment Quan Chang mistakenly went to find Li Jing.

Whether outsiders knew she was the Ghost Clan’s High Priest or not mattered little.

Even if she was just an ordinary Ghost Clan member, who had not seen Li Jing for a long time, the news of her friendly arrival would inevitably stir up various forces’ intentions once it spread.

Excuses were never lacking.

No matter what, the corresponding situation couldn’t be avoided; it was just a matter of time.

Watching the three leave, Li Jing pressed his communicator to his ear after some contemplation.

"Attention all members of the Heavenly King Group: Camp lockdown, first-level battle readiness!"

???

All members of the Heavenly King Group, including Chen Yuran and three others.

"The usual team needs to accelerate the construction of the camp, the faster the better."

"Feilong squadron Tong Gaojie, Jiang Wenqian, pay attention. Put down all tasks and organize personnel to build an artillery position. Make sure to finish within two hours."

"Falcon squad Mu Yun, Qinglong squad Gu Chuhong, be alert. Elite team members of both squads will be in charge of patrolling around the camp and refuse all visits and greetings. No one, no matter who they are, is allowed to set foot in the Heavenly King Group’s camp."

"Tianwu squad Shi Hong, Yecha squad Gongsun Ji, pay attention. Elite team members of both squads will help the Research Institute set up the camp as quickly as possible. The Research Institute personnel should concentrate on hauling out their high-tech equipment and place them in a conspicuous open area, then get busy with their own stuff. Whether you have work to do or not, try to look busy."

Four consecutive orders left the entire Heavenly King Group confused.

Why the sudden battle readiness?

Are other forces going to attack us?

This...

Can’t be, right?

Even if it is, what’s up with the last instruction?

The two small teams, Tianwu and Yecha, are purely combat-based.

Among the elite teams, Falcon and Qinglong are more adept at exploration, and their combat power is much weaker than that of Tianwu and Yecha.

However, the teams assigned to patrol are Falcon and Qinglong, while Tianwu and Yecha are to assist the Research Institute in setting up camp.

This...

What does it mean?

Despite their confusion, the mobilization of the Heavenly King Group was not slow.

After their experience with Li Jing in the Chongyuan Holy Realm, everyone in the Heavenly King Group had immense respect for him.

If Li Jing said to go east, they would never head west.

Just after they had replenished their energy, the members of the Heavenly King Group, like a war machine set in motion, instantly mobilized.

The members dispersed and got busy with their tasks.

Seeing the entire Heavenly King Group spring into action, Li Jing’s mouth corner curled up in a smile.

By this point, Chen Yuran and the others had almost cleared the food from the table. Seeing Li Jing issue so many orders, they couldn’t sit still and got up one after another.

"Didn’t the alien you brought back go with Director Jiang e and Commissioner Ji? What’s with the sudden battle readiness?" Chen Yuran asked.

"Fishing." Li Jing replied with a smile.

At this, Chen Yuran frowned.

Yulian, sitting next to her, also furrowed her brows.

Jiu Li, however, slightly stunned at first, then began to radiate a keen light.

Fishing.

Think about it, think about it carefully.

All three of them are intelligent.

In their understanding, Quan Chang is just an alien.

They knew nothing about her status or her impact.

They had yet to find out about the interactions and frictions between various forces and aliens during their explorations.

However, through the word "fishing" from Li Jing’s mouth,

They easily realized that someone was up to something once again.

Quan Chang was not in the Heavenly King Group camp, but Li Jing ordered the group to make a big show.

With a high level of battle readiness and refusing visitors.

And then having elite teams assist the Research Institute in setting up camp, making a conspicuous display...

This is like setting up a trap and inviting someone in!

Seeing the three women immediately understand what he was going to do, Li Jing smiled.

"Yulian, Brother Jiu, you two might have to put in some extra effort. Keep an eye on Falcon and Qinglong Teams who are in charge of patrolling the camp. The visitors who will come later may not be stopped by them, and you may need to act when necessary. Whoever tries to rush into the camp, ignore their identity, just beat them hard. Just be careful not to kill them, corpses aren’t worth anything."

The phrase "corpses aren’t worth anything" sparked a light in Jiu Li’s eyes.

Having spent nearly a month in the Big Secret Realm, she’s now very wealthy and no longer in need of money.

But if she could get a little more, she wouldn’t mind.

Li Jing’s plan to stir up trouble was also to her liking.

Without any hesitation, Jiu Li stood at attention with a "pop" and saluted him in a playful manner.

"Understood! Guarantee to complete the mission!"

After speaking, she promptly grabbed the reluctant Yulian, who hadn’t had a chance to say a word, and ran off.

Seeing Yulian getting dragged away without getting a word in, Chen Yuran found the situation both aggravating and amusing.

A crooked top beam makes a crooked bottom beam.

With Li Jing leading the Heavenly King Group, things were bound to be odd.

With Jiu Li, who thrived on chaos, in charge, things were likely to go astray in the future.

Pulling her gaze back, Chen Yuran looked at Li Jing.

"We’re about to leave the Secret Realm, and the Heavenly King Group has already garnered so many benefits. Is it a good idea to stir up trouble now?"

As she was speaking, she lowered her voice and added,

"The Heavenly King Group has already looted two exploration teams, its reputation is already tarnished, you..."

Before she could finish, Li Jing shrugged his shoulders.

"We’re already infamous, so what’s the harm in making it a bit worse?"

"..."

A loss for words, Chen Yuran chuckled.

"Is there anything I need to do?"

"Not for now."

Li Jing said with a gentle smile,

"You’ve had a hard time outside these past few weeks, the Heavenly King Group owes its success to your efforts. You should rest."

Meeting this response, Chen Yuran smiled and nodded.

Near vermilion, one becomes red; near ink, one turns black.

After being with Li Jing for so long, she had subtly been influenced by him.

In the past,

If everyone had something to do and she was the only one idle, she, who had a strong character, wouldn’t be pleased.

As a part of a large group, she wouldn’t want to receive special treatment.

But now, in the face of such a situation, she was more than content to be idle.

No responsibilities for her?

Great!

As for special treatment,

Li Jing had been taking care of her for a long time. Her food was prepared on time every day, so she was used to it and didn’t think anything of it.

She glanced at the Bailang Group’s camp, then looked back at Li Jing.

"It seems like a lot happened while I was away. Can you tell me about that alien woman?"

"This is a long story, let’s sit down and talk," Li Jing said.

Li Jing complied, pulling her to the table and explaining her identity and intentions in detail.

Chen Yuran, already somewhat informed, did not ask further. She casually leaned on the table, her gaze focusing as she spoke.

"After leaving the Secret Realm, I’m going to cut myself off from the world and we won’t see each other for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing blinked.

"You won’t eat anymore?"

"Not eating is impossible."

Chen Yuran laughed, and replied.

"But, I won’t be able to eat your cooking for a while, I’ll leave Jianghai and go where my father used to cultivate."

Li Jing was momentarily stunned.

He had assumed that Chen Yuran would isolate herself at home, not that she was planning to leave Jianghai entirely and go elsewhere.

Where Chen Jing used to cultivate?

The Heavenly Daoist School!?

Li Jing frowned slightly before saying,

"You’ll have to work hard on cultivating then, otherwise you’ll miss out on my cooking for at least a year and a half."

Chen Yuran glanced at him, laughing out loud in response.

"I’ll do my best."

"Mmm."

Li Jing nodded, suddenly at a loss for what to say.

This was, honestly, a bit awkward.

Learning suddenly that Chen Yuran was leaving Jianghai, and that they might not see each other for at least a year and a half, left him unprepared.

Should he dissuade her?

Li Jing wasn’t that foolish.

Not only could nothing change Chen Yuran’s mind once it was made up, but she was planning to cultivate in seclusion. What could he say to dissuade her?

What else could he say?

Chen Yuran also didn’t know what to say at this very moment.

She had made her plans during the exploration.

With plentiful resources, she was confident to strive for the Fifth Boundary in a short period of time.

If a better setting was available, then that would be even better.

Not being able to eat Li Jing’s cooking was no big deal.

But thinking about the period that they would not be able to see each other left an emptiness in her heart.

That alone was okay.

This feeling, however, left her slightly troubled.

Her plans had seemed perfect when hadn’t seen Li Jing

When she comes back, she would be at the Fifth Boundary.

But facing Li Jing now, she felt a bit reluctant to leave.

Why was this?

Chen Yuran didn’t want to understand.

But as a person of sound mind and good judgement, she could not avoid understanding.

Her lips pursed. She glanced at the awkward Li Jing and couldn’t help but want to laugh.

She held back, turning her gaze elsewhere.

Li Jing didn’t notice Chen Yuran’s glance. Not knowing what to say to break the quietness, he decided to take the sleeping Fat Squirrel out of his pocket.

He hadn’t forgotten about Fat Squirrel.

He’d saved it to give to Chen Yuran.

The chubby squirrel had had great luck. So letting it live its life in the Chongyuan Holy Realm would be a waste. It could even regress. Spiritual Beasts are notorious for just wanting to eat and do nothing.

Getting a windfall may mean nothing to the squirrel.

Instead of letting it free, he thought to give it to Chen Yuran for her to raise.

The reason he didn’t take it out earlier was because Fat Squirrel was still unconscious.

Even though Fat Squirrel was asleep, it was a perfect mood-lightener.

Chen Yuran, who has a strong fascination for cute chubby creatures, looked at Fat Squirrel and her eyes instantly sparkled.

"This little beast ... "

Due to her sudden excitement, she accidentally bit her tongue and coughed, abruptly correcting herself.

"This little squirrel seems to be a creature native to the Secret Realm? It looks cute! Where did you catch it from?"

"Near the Ghost Clan Territory. I found a task that needed its help."

Li Jing replied, pretending he did not also notice Chen Yuran biting her tongue, and went on to explain.

"For certain reasons, this little guy has had an incredible windfall. It would be such a shame to let it roam aimlessly in the Big Secret Realm. It has a lot of potential, and I brought it back intending for you to raise it."

Not knowing the details, Chen Yuran could not discern what kind of windfall this could have been. However, Li Jing’s implications were clear.

He brought this squirrel back to give it to her, and for some reason, the squirrel became very special.

She glanced at the man, then took the chubby squirrel, poking its pudgy belly and playing with the six ears on its head. A brilliant smile bloomed on her face.

"Okay, I will look after this little one. When I’m isolated for cultivation, I can take it with me."

She then turned to him and said,

"Stinky Tofu, I can’t take it with me, so I’m leaving it with you. Not only would it disrupt my cultivation, but I would also have to worry about it becoming someone’s meal in the wilderness."

Li Jing smiled bitterly at her comment.

Stinky Tofu’s inherent goofiness is incurable. From its constant disruptions of Chen Yuran’s sleep, despite knowing it would be severely punished, it was clear it was beyond help.

Without much of a thought, Li Jing agreed.

"Sure, when we get out of the Secret Realm, send Stinky Tofu over to me and I’ll take care of it."

Just as he was about to say something, an excited voice from Jiu Li piped in through the communication earpiece.

"Li Jing! A VIP guest is here! From the Supreme Church!"

Caught off guard by the sudden communication, Li Jing was taken aback.

A VIP guest was bound to come.

The Church would always be the first to act.

However, their quick arrival was indeed beyond his expectation.

Chen Yuran had also received the communication.

After glancing at the outer periphery of the camp, she turned around and said,

"Would you like to go check it out?"

"The person is specifically targeting me and Quan Chang, it’s best if I don’t show myself for now, otherwise the ’fish’ behind won’t come."

Li Jing said, with a half-smile.

"With Jiu Li and Yulian present, they should be able to handle it ..."

Before she finished speaking, a loud "bang" reverberated from the east side of the camp. A figure dressed in magnificent clothes shot into the sky like a firework, then fell freely back to the ground.

Li Jing and Chen Yuran were both stunned at the sight.

How did the fight start?

Didn’t Jiu Li just mention they had visitors?

Li Jing’s previous order was to have Yulian and Jiu Li keep an eye out for anyone sneaking in, not to directly "greet the guests".

Did this person sneak in?

Before the two of them could collect their thoughts, Jiu Li’s voice sounded from the communicator.

"The people of the Supreme Church are really arrogant. They wanted to barge in without much discussion, so I had to take him down."

???

Li Jing.

Barge in?

Was the Supreme Church serious?

The Heavenly King Group’s camp is on first-level combat readiness, their barging in is a clear violation of our boundaries.

Even if we kill them, no one would say anything.

Did they think we were easy to bully when we told them clearly about the first-level combat readiness? Or what?

Then Li Jing had a sudden thought - something was not right.

It was uncharacteristic for the Supreme Church to behave so impatiently; could there be a reason behind this?

As he was contemplating, Jiu Li’s whisper came over the communicator.

"Li Jing, you better come over. Yulian and I were a step too late, Mu Yun, the leader of the Falcon Squad, has been ambushed and was injured. He’s unconscious."

Injured and unconscious?!

Li Jing furrowed his brows as he got up.

Chen Yuran also changed her expression, getting up as well.

"Understood, I’ll be right there."

Li Jing responded, pressing his communicator, and then turned to Chen Yuran.

"The Church not only forced their way in but also dared to harm people, something is not right. Yuran, stay and guard the camp with Linglong, be careful. I’ll go over and see what’s going on."

As he spoke, he handed over Linglong, whom he had just returned to the Heavenly King Group and had cultivated in his Dantian only for a short while.

"..."

Linglong.

Chen Yuran took Linglong and nodded, saying:

"This seems weird, you be careful."

"Understood."

Li Jing answered, summoning a Spirit Soldier and rose to fly, speeding off towards the area where he saw someone flying up just now.

...

In about the time it took for a single breath, Li Jing arrived at the site.

Then he saw the entire Falcon Squad assembled here, each person holding out a flying sword with gloomy faces, surrounded and confused the five members of the Church as if they wanted to rip them apart.

The fact that they didn’t make a move shows their restraint.

Near the location inside the Heavenly King Group’s camp, lay Mu Yun, his clothes stained with blood. Yulian and Jiu Li were checking on him.

Not far from the trio lay an unconscious middle-aged man.

After assessing the situation, Li Jing furrowed his brows.

The unconscious man was Joseph.

It was clear that he was the one who had injured Mu Yun, and then Jiu Li had knocked him out.

This doesn’t make sense.

Joseph is a bishop of the Sixth Boundary.

Even if he was weak, he shouldn’t have been knocked out by Jiu Li’s single attack.

It’s one thing to knock him out, it’s another thing to kill him.

If Jiu Li had used lethal force, it wouldn’t have been impossible to kill him with a single strike.

But to knock him unconscious is a lot harder.

The Sixth Boundary isn’t so easy to knock out.

Moreover, Jiu Li wasn’t even in combat mode, her combat ability in her regular state is just average.

Looking at the five members of the Church, who were bewildered and surrounded in the middle of the 500 elite members of the Falcon Squad, Li Jing walked over to Yulian and Jiu Li.

As he approached, his look became colder.

Mu Yun, who had fallen unconscious, had almost a hole in his chest, any heavier blow and it would have been fatal.

Seeing that Li Jing’s face wasn’t quite right, Jiu Li dared not say a word.

Yulian, however, spoke softly.

"He has been given medicinal treatment, his life is no longer in immediate danger, but he has suffered internal injuries, it will take several months to recover."

"Hmm."

Li Jing nodded and said,

"Can you arrange for Mu Yun to be sent to the camp and have someone from the Research Institute take a look at him? They have medical experts with them."

"Alright."

Yulian responded, took Mu Yun and flew into the sky, heading towards the inner part of the Heavenly King Group camp.

Watching as Yulian took Mu Yun away, Jiu Li stood up and looked a bit uneasy.

"Well ..."

"The incident happened so suddenly that you responded swiftly , Brother Jiu, it’s not your fault."

Li Jing gestured, saying,

"Tell me in detail what happened."

Seeing that he didn’t blame her, Jiu Li pouted and whispered,

"The incident happened too quickly, there’s not much detail. It’s just that the people from the Church came here, and Mu Yun and his team tried to stop them and advised them not to go any further, but they suddenly attacked. Yulian and I were at the back and couldn’t make it in time. There’s something strange, normally when the Faith System attacks, even without a prayer, there’s a manifestation of Holy Power, but the man who attacked didn’t show any Holy Power at all, he injured Mu Yun bare-handedly."