Chapter 299 - 298: First Glimpse of Dawn, Dilemma

Upon learning that Yang Qiuci had used three types of Pupil Techniques including the Sky Eye Technique and still failed to detect the handprint, Li Jing’s brows furrowed slightly.

Yang Qiuci’s Sky Eye Technique was only in its early stages and was not up to the Sky Eye standard.

Her inability to discover the handprint was not because the energy hidden within it was weak, but because its nature was obscure and hard to detect.

This situation suggested that the energy nature within it was far higher than that of Spiritual Qi and had a stealthy character.

The fact that two types of verification Pupil Techniques failed to find any trace indicated that only energy traits are contained in the handprint. It was a very pure form of power.

This nature was relatively uncommon.

Energy characteristics like Spiritual Qi, Evil Energy, and Demonic Qi could not reach this level.

As long as there were traces left behind, even without the Sky Eye Technique, other Pupil Techniques could find clues from different perspectives.

Then the question arose.

Why was a wall marked with a type of energy far more potent than Spiritual Qi not damaged at all?

The Taihe Grand Hotel had a tradition of receiving important guests and boasted high-class construction, but it was still just a hotel.

Its architectural structure did not possess significant defensive capabilities.

Without a need for the Third Realm, even a slap infused with the Spiritual Power from the Second Realm would easily knock down this wall.

So, how was it that this wall remained intact, only showing a slight print?

What Li Jing thought about also crossed Yang Qiuci’s mind.

She was indeed the professional.

After contemplating the location known by Li Jing for a while, Yang Qiuci looked up.

"Under the observation of the Sky Eye Technique, what color does the energy nature of the handprint represent?"

"Dark red, almost the consistency of thick blood."

Li Jing answered.

"Dark red?"

Yang Qiuci furrowed her brows tightly, musing.

"We may have to ask the Science and Research Institute staff to take a look at this case. We already know the current energy characteristics are diverse, personally, I’ve never heard of energy manifesting as dark red. However, the Research Institute might have related information. As long as the energy characteristics have appeared in this world, the Research Institute will inevitably have records. Even if something hasn’t appeared in Longyu before, the International Research Community has records of all discoveries made in all countries. When it comes to Immortal Learning discoveries, information is shared globally."

Having said this, she asked another question.

"Can you now see only one handprint, or are there several? How is it all distributed?"

"There are eight handprints in total."

Li Jing responded, expounding.

"The overall distribution is irregular, it doesn’t seem intentional but it clearly isn’t an accident."

"Eight, irregular distribution."

Yang Qiuci propped her cheek up, showing a thoughtful look, and said,

"Alright, I’ll call the Research Institute to send someone over. Li Jing, go out from a window of the room next door and check the corresponding position outside the wall. Verify if there are similar handprints."

"Understood."

Li Jing nodded, turned, and walked away.

...

Outside the guest room, Lu Yangcheng and Yi Xiuzhu were waiting.

When they saw Li Jing exiting the room, Lu Yangcheng’s spirit was stirred.

Yi Xiuzhu also lifted his brow slightly.

The two of them were both highly perceptive and knew that someone had discovered something.

When Li Jing caught their eyes, he did not hesitate either and stopped.

"There are some discoveries at the crime scene, but it’s hard to say exactly what they are right now. Sister Yang is contacting someone from the Research Institute. I’m going out from the room next door to look around. I’ll explain the specifics to you later."

The two of them nodded, and stepped aside from the doorway.

Li Jing did not delay, and according to Yang Qiuci’s instructions, he entered the adjacent room, opened the window, and flew out using the Spirit Soldier Sky Control.

Soon, he arrived at the location of the wall corresponding to the neighboring bathroom.

Just as he landed, he couldn’t help but pause.

Yang Qiuci, as the Head of the Forensics Department, was highly experienced.

Even when faced with a situation she had never seen before, she could still speculate on some potential scenarios.

There were the same number of blood-colored handprints on the outer side of the wall where the deceased’s bathroom was located.

The count and position perfectly corresponded with the crime scene.

Hovering in mid-air, Li Jing pressed his communication earpiece and connected with Yang Qiuci, who had not opened the bathroom window to avoid compromising the scene.

"Sister Yang, there are blood-colored handprints on the corresponding position outside. The number is identical."

"Good, I got it."

Yang Qiuci responded over the communication link.

"Come back for now. The people from the Research Institute will be here in five minutes. Let’s wait."

"Alright."

Li Jing responded and returned to the front door of the crime scene.

When Lu Yangcheng and Yi Xiuzhu saw Li Jing return so soon, they both gave him inquiring looks.

Seeing this, Li Jing stopped and went over the situation in detail with them.

After hearing about the discovery of the blood-colored handprints, Lu Yangcheng and Yi Xiuzhu looked at each other for a moment before the latter spoke.

"Yang Cheng, your family is in the detection business. Have you seen similar energy characteristics before?"

"I’ve never heard of it."

Lu Yangcheng shook his head, saying.

"Our business is just selling detection equipment, we don’t manufacture the devices nor do we conduct professional detection. As for knowledge of different energy characteristics, I don’t know much more than you."

Having said so, he continued.

"One thing I can tell you for sure is that the detection equipment we sold, even the high-precision ones, do not have the ability to detect similar energy."

No sooner had the words been spoken than Yang Qiuchi left the crime scene.

"Li Jing, you can report the current situation here now. The origin of the handprint is still unclear, but judging from the traces of the handprint, the criminal is more likely not a human. Its existence should be sandwiched between tangible and intangible objects, with the ability to turn into an intangible entity and pass through walls without harm."

"Alright."

Li Jing nodded, pressing his communications headset with an inscrutable expression on his face, yet his heart was somewhat thrilled.

He, too, had such a conjecture.

The handprints on both sides of the wall corresponding in position and number but undamaged, could only explain one thing.

Something had penetrated the wall, gone inside and killed Augustus.

While spells and other systems of Immortal Learning allow passing through walls, the energy properties within each system are all based on Spiritual Qi, leaving more obvious traces with no so-called dark red coloration possible.

From this, it can be seen that this murder was committed by an alien species.

If it’s an Alien Species, there would be a Health Bar, right?

If there’s a Health Bar, wouldn’t there be experience?

Since coming out of the Chongyuan Holy Realm until now, Li Jing’s not expecting the patrol job to gain him a lot of experience.

After all, his upgrade threshold is somewhat exaggerated.

If he wants to level up, he can hardly count on gaining it from monsters anymore.

The only hope is the Secret Realm.

However, if there is, he definitely wants it.

Having something is always better than not having it, and accumulating a little can also make a big difference.

Pressing his communication headset to connect with Dai Hong, Li Jing reported the situation and summoned his panel.

Host: Li Jing

Experience Points: 2092711/3121584

Level: 105

Skill Points: 20

Spiritual Power Intensity: 11130

Lifebound Magic Instrument: Linglong (Immortal Item Level 1% ), Blue Edge (Immortal Item Level 1%)

Equipment: Unnamed (0%)

Passive Skills: Momentary Space

Active Skills: Sky Eye Technique (5/5)

Limit Breakthrough (Passive): Thunder Skill, Divine Origin Unification, Divine Might, Silent Shadow, Moon Shadow, Still Water Like Mirror

Limit Breakthrough (Active): Wind King Mysterious Clothing, Lightning Walk, Spirit Soldier Break

Forbidden Skill: World Thunder Punishment (25/25), God’s Hidden Truth (25/25)

Li Jing’s gaze lingered on the nourishment progress bar, his anticipation piquing.

Since stepping into the Seventh Realm nearly nine days ago, the nourishment progress that had been stalled due to the insufficient Immortal Aura in his body has finally shown some movement.

However, this movement is incredibly slow, so far, the Flying Sword Blue Edge and Linglong Tower have only increased by 1%.

Nine days, 1%...

And that’s with the double bonus of the Lifebound Magic Instrument.

This is not much different from being stalled.

If he can’t gain experience, Li Jing can wait for the opportunity.

But if the nourishing progress also gets stuck, it means he won’t have any strength growth without leveling up...

This is a vicious cycle.

Water flows to lower ground while people strive for higher places.

Having already stepped into the Seventh Realm, Li Jing’s desire to level up further has dampened.

He is not greedy.

But not being able to gain any strength growth whatsoever is a predicament he is not keen to face.

...

Having reported the known situation to Dai Hong, Li Jing then communicated with Jiang Yini as previously arranged.

After communication from both sides, the people from the research institute arrived.

The person who came was an elderly scholar with white hair.

Li Jing had never seen this person before.

But Yang Qiuchi recognized this elderly academic.

Seeing him arrive, her face changed, and she quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"Academician Zhou Ji, weren’t you stationed at the National Research Institute Headquarters in the capital city in the early morning? How come..."

The elder academic apparently knew Yang Qiuchi well, he smiled and replied upon her greeting.

"Didn’t the Jianghai Management Bureau just bring back an alien corpse from the 83rd Big Secret Realm that contains unfamiliar energy properties? The headquarters in the capital issued an order for me to assist in the research. It just so happens to coincide with Qiuchi’s case here, so I came straight over."

With that, he looked over to Li Jing and the others.

"Are these the patrol officers from the Major Crime Unit who are in charge of this case?"

"Yes."

Yang Qiuchi answered, and after introducing the three of them to the elder academic, she turned to them and said.

"This is Zhou Ji, an academician and energy expert from our Jianghai City Research Institute. He’s a North Star level figure in the international field of energy properties, I was fortunate to have attended his lectures when I was a student."

Before she had finished speaking, Zhou Ji interjected with a smirk.

"Qiuchi, what you’re saying, I’m just an old man who likes to study energy properties, where does this North Star analogy come from?"

Although he showed modesty, Li Jing and the others dared not take him lightly.

North Star level figure in the international field of energy properties.

This was simple and easy to understand.

A big shot, no doubt about it.

Li Jing and the others immediately paid their respects, rushing to greet him.

Zhou Ji was a very amiable and casual person.

Unlike other members of the Research Institute, he wouldn’t abandon everything at the first sight of a potential ’research topic’.

After pleasantly getting acquainted with the three of them, he turned to Li Jing who still had his Heavenly Eye open on his forehead and said.

"The energy characterized by a dark red color, we at Longyu don’t have it, but there are two types recorded in the international energy research community. I have been fortunate to be invited to participate in researching both mediums."

Continuing, he said.

"These two types of energy come from Alien Species in the Secret Realm, not from species in this world. The handprint you found, Li Jing, may not be related to these two types of Alien Species. However, without specific detection data, we can’t reach a conclusion. Please take me to the location where you saw the handprint, I need to take a sample back to the lab."

"Sure, follow me, Mr. Zhou."

Li Jing nodded his head and turned to lead the way.

...

Before long, under Li Jing’s guidance, Zhou Ji scraped off a layer of wall skin with his portable professional equipment as a detection sample.

After the sample was taken, Li Jing left the scene to Lu Yangcheng and Yi Xiuzhu, and accompanied Zhou Ji to the Jianghai Science and Research Institute with Yang Qiu.

It takes time to send it to the lab for analysis.

Theoretically speaking, the two of them didn’t need to accompany him.

However, considering that the samples were traces left by the suspect of the murder case, which may pose a threat, they accompanied him acting as bodyguards.

This big shot cannot be put in danger.

Arriving at the Research Institute, Li Jing and Yang Qiu did not disturb Zhou Ji’s sample analysis, waiting outside the lab.

They waited for more than two hours.

Yang Qiu is a great conversationalist.

However, perhaps because Chen Yuran had already left Jianghai, she didn’t intentionally bring it up, only chatting and joking with Li Jing.

Believe it or not.

It’s quite relaxing to hang out with her.

During their chatter, the long wait didn’t feel torturous at all.

After the long wait, they finally saw Zhou Ji come out of the lab.

As soon as he met the two, Zhou Ji spoke bluntly.

"The data analysis results are confirmed, it is indeed the energy known as Blood Killing Power identified by the International Energy Research Society. Its energy properties are similar to those of the confirmed evil energy in the present world, but it is of higher grade."

Hearing Zhou Ji’s confirmation, a gleam sparkled in Li Jing’s eyes as he asked.

"So, this Blood Killing Power is one of the two powers from Alien Species in the Secret Realm that you have seen?"

"Yes, the detection data matches perfectly."

Zhou Ji nodded and said.

"The discovery of the Blood Killing Power originated from a small Secret Realm in the White Hawk’s territory. The source is an extremely violent and intellectually low hominid-like Alien Species, which the White Hawk official named the Blood Tribe. Back then, the White Hawk side captured several individuals and brought them to the present world for research. During the research process due to the inability to adapt to the environment of the present world, the individuals of the Blood Tribe didn’t survive long and quickly died."

With that, he took out a tablet, operated on it for a while, and continued.

"The small secret realm where the Blood Tribe existed was last opened sixteen years ago. According to the records of Secret Realms open to the public by the White Hawk, the Secret Realm has not been opened since then. The likelihood that the murderer, who killed Augustus, is from the Blood Tribe is very low. On the one hand, there are no living Blood Tribes in the present world, on the other hand, such an extremely violent creature would not leave a complete corpse if it kills, and the violent nature of the Blood Tribe can absolutely not be controlled by humans. By the way, the Blood Tribe does not have the ability to transform into an invisible entity, they are like monsters, relying on their powerful bodies to fight."

Having listened to Zhou Ji’s account, Li Jing and Yang Qiu looked at each other, their expressions gradually getting strange.

The Blood Tribe is an Alien Species from a Secret Realm in the White Hawk’s territory, and Augustus came from the White Hawk. Therefore, it’s clear that his death is somehow linked to the White Hawk in itself.

Then there are three important pieces of information.

First.

Zhou Ji is quite certain that there are no living members of the Blood Tribe in the present world.

Second.

The Secret Realm where the Blood Tribe exists was last opened sixteen years ago and has not been reopened since then.

Third.

The Blood Tribe does not have the ability to transform into an invisible entity and its violent behavior cannot be controlled by humans.

These three pieces of information combined would usually not constitute a clue if this were related to another faction.

But put this on the White Hawk...

The White Hawk, as one of the most powerful superpowers in the world today, what haven’t they done?

They’ve carried out various covert experimental projects concerning biology and biochemistry, which have been exposed more than once.

Even though in the end all were put down due to lack of substantial evidence and thus terminated, everyone with knowledge of it understands.

Many things in the world that seem far fetched are actually not baseless.

And there’s a very definite fact.

The White Hawk had a superhuman plan hundreds of years ago.

The so-called superhuman is aimed at artificially interfering with human genetic composition to design and transform humans to be more powerful.

This project was eventually not implemented due to issues of human ethics and was rejected by a public vote by the top tier of the White Hawk.

Would a rejected project definitely not be implemented?

Given the White Hawk’s way of doing things, it may not be so...

Zhou Ji, as a world-leading pioneer in the field of energy studies, with extensive experiences, and an active mind, different from ordinary researchers, could approximately guess what the pair were thinking, looking at their peculiar expressions. He said lightly.

"Every conclusion must be based on the principle of science in seeking evidence, without evidence it can’t be established. In regard to the reputation of the White Hawk, you two should handle this case with caution. All I could do was act on behalf of the detection, unable to give more assistance."

Li Jing and Yang Qiu are not fools.

They understood that Zhou Ji was advising them not to speculate and to find existing evidence before considering anything else.

After looking at each other, both nodded.

Then, Yang Qiu spoke up.

"Now that the testing results are out, we should also be going. Could you please prepare a detailed test report for us?"

"Of course,"

Zhou Ji responded, then showed a somewhat helpless expression as he continued.

"I can’t provide you with information on the Blood Tribe. I was invited to participate in the research and had signed a confidentiality agreement. Without the authorization from the White Hawk, I can’t disclose anything. Even if the Longyu official asked me for it, I could only verbally provide some information, but it can’t serve as actual evidence."

"Ok, I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Professor Zhou."

Yang Qiuci responded.

...

Before long, Li Jing and Yang Qiuci received the energy detection report and returned to the North City Branch together.

During the waiting period for the detection results, Dai Hong had already contacted them.

Although the crime scene was still sealed off, the investigation had temporarily come to an end. After receiving the detection report, they were asked to go straight back to the bureau.

Not long after they arrived at the bureau, the two found Dai Hong’s office and passed on the detection report and the information about the Blood Tribe conveyed by Zhou Ji.

Upon learning the details, Dai Hong immediately put on a mask of pain.

The standard traditional arts act made Li Jing want to laugh, and he was privately thankful that he had never wanted to become a senior officer, otherwise he might be doing the same.

The office was silent.

After a long time, Dai Hong looked up.

"Chief Yang, the work of the forensics department has temporarily reached this point, thank you for your hard work."

"Alright, I’m leaving now. Contact me if there is a need."

Yang Qiuci responded and turned to leave.

After she had left, Dai Hong’s gaze turned to Li Jing.

"Li Jing, it’s already late, you should go back to rest. Tomorrow I will invite those White Hawk people to the bureau for an official record. You come over and use your Sky Eye Technique to see them and confirm whether there is this Blood Killing Power inside them. "

Before Li Jing could reply, he added two more sentences.

"The investigation of the White Hawk people is currently in difficulty, the Intelligence Department and some of our Major Crime Unit Six are working hard, but the chances of making substantial progress are small. The White Hawk’s attitude is that they urge us to find the murderer as soon as possible."

"Moreover, the White Hawk official has officially lodged a protest with Longyu using this as an opportunity. What they are after is probably not the truth. The higher-ups have issued orders for me to select a few from the Major Crime Unit Six to prepare. After the preliminary negotiation between both parties confirms whether there is a need, the relevant personnel will be sent to the White Hawk to understand the corresponding information, one way with an official identity and the other way to investigate secretly."

Li Jing understood what Dai Hong meant with these words.

He is one of the people who must go to the White Hawk to learn about the information, when it is "necessary".

This was a bit irritating.

Refuse?

That definitely wasn’t an option.

At the very least, this was an order from his boss.

Without much thought, Li Jing said.

"Understood, I will make the arrangements as soon as possible."

Dai Hong breathed a sigh of relief at the prompt response.

Li Jing, without a doubt, is the most capable patrol under his hands.

Moreover, his personal strength is quite extraordinary.

Others in the patrol bureau might be kept in the dark, but Dai Hong has known from the time Li Jing replaced his patrol certificate.

This man, was a Fifth Boundary.

Even higher in cultivation level than him!

Such a useful subordinate, how could he not make good use of it?

But in return, Dai Hong also had to respect Li Jing’s personal wishes to a large extent.

If Li Jing refuses to go overseas on a mission, he can’t insist on it.

"Well, that’s all for now."

Dai Hong said.

""It’s not realistic to expect progress in the investigation on this case in a short time, and it’s meaningless to invest too much manpower and material resources. If you can confirm that there is no problem with those White Hawk people tomorrow, I will immediately arrange for you and the corresponding personnel’s overseas matters. The details will be discussed later."

"Understood."

Li Jing responded and turned to leave.

...

The night was deep.

Li Jing left the North City Patrol Branch, instead of going home he chose to activate Silent Shadow to go to the airspace above Taihe Hotel.

To verify whether or not those White Hawk people have any problems, there is no need to wait until tomorrow.

The strongest of these people is merely Sixth Boundary and they won’t detect him.

The night was long with the tendency to have many dreams.

Compared to waiting until the next day, it was more fitting for him to come directly.

Hovering in the air over the corresponding spot atop the twenty-eighth floor of the Taihe Hotel, Li Jing activated his Heavenly Eye.

Going into the hotel would not be appropriate.

His Silent Shadow could interfere with the cognition of the White Hawk people, but it could not deceive the surveillance cameras of the hotel, which have no cognitive function.

The identities of these people are quite sensitive and must not be contacted unofficially.

Apparently, Dai Hong had also considered this, otherwise, he wouldn’t have waited until tomorrow.

Anyway, the Sky Eye can penetrate through walls. Taking a peek outside will not have any impact.

As the eye on his forehead opened, Li Jing looked towards the top floor of the hotel.

Instantly, about thirty Spiritual Qi conglomerates and four blue, as well as two golden, energy conglomerates came into view.

Thirty or so Spiritual Qi conglomerates, need not ponder over.

Spiritual Qi conglomerates are characteristics unique to the Orthodox Immortality Path. These should be from the Special Action Team responsible for "protecting" the White Hawk people.

It’s the four blue and two gold conglomerates that are the White Hawk people.

Blue represents the magic energy from the wizard system.

Gold is the sacred power from the faith system.

Looking at the energy conglomerates of the six individuals and seeing no problems, Li Jing exhaled deeply and turned to leave.

The trip to the White Hawk, couldn’t be avoided anymore.