Chapter 349 - 348: Entering the Protected Area, Fox Clan’s Wu Ming

Lingnan City, located on the edge of Longyu Country.

Due to the existence of the Lingnan Nature Reserve, the city has developed quite well.

The standard of living can be compared to the top tier, although the city’s construction is somewhat deficient, its development has been quite rapid in recent years.

Speaking of the Lingnan Nature Reserve, it is quite famous within Longyu’s territory.

Its establishment aims to protect the original ecology and ensure biodiversity, protect some rare animals, and also serve as an important source within Longyu for resource production.

Approximately one-tenth of the Spirit Items and Spiritual materials produced in this world that can be seen on the Spirit Item Trading Market, originate from the production area of the Lingnan Nature Reserve.

One tenth.

It might not feel much when considered from a proportion view.

But you must know.

The entire surface and underwater area of Longyu Country is nearly fifty million square kilometers.

To have a tenth of the Spiritual Objects and materials produced in such a vast territory concentrated in one preserve, is indeed very exaggerated.

Of course.

It is only reasonable.

Not only in Longyu, the population base of people in the world is too large.

Even the vast sea is covered with human footprints.

Where there are people, the ecology inevitably suffers damage.

Without relative original ecology, how much resources can be produced?

Only areas uninhabited by people, and the restriction of ordinary people from stepping into nature reserves at will, provide conditions for the production and growth of resources such as Spiritual Objects and materials.

Spiritual Objects and materials are not born in a day or two.

Aside from resource production, the Lingnan Nature Reserve also serves as a natural barrier defending the territory of Longyu, keeping the not-so-friendly God Church Country at bay.

The God Church Country is a magical kingdom.

They have their own national religion, their own faith, but they do not hold any belief system.

Their cultivation system is quite peculiar, it involves enduring commonplace things that are considered painful for power accumulation.

Their main method of cultivation is to subject themselves to hunger, dehydration, cold tolerance, heat tolerance, etc.

When their cultivation level is high.

They would invent unique "games".

For instance, not using their own cultivation to protect their bodies, suppressing their bodies to the weakest human form, and walking barefoot over burning coal.

Or suppressing their bodies, sleeping on a bed made of sharp nails with their flesh and blood.

These seemingly self-abusive methods of cultivation, to put it bluntly, seem a bit like playful behavior.

Yet they are not weak.

Of course.

They are also not very strong.

The God Church Country has become a notoriously difficult neighbor among the neighboring countries of Longyu.

Longyu has two major neighbors.

One is the Northern God Country, the other is the God Church Country.

Unlike the Northern God Country, which is an important ally and partner of Longyu, the God Church Country has always been at odds with Longyu, always wanting to compete with Longyu, and tends to stir up troubles.

The most famous aspect of the God Church Country is their mysterious confidence.

Not only are they not particularly friendly with Longyu, but they are also not very friendly with all of their neighboring countries, including the relatively strong Northern God Country. They do, however, have good relationships with countries like the Western White Hawk.

...

Just before three in the afternoon.

Li Jing and Yulian, who had set off from the national capital, crossed over more than half of Longyu and arrived at Lingnan City.

This city, once barren but now exceptionally wealthy, covers a very large area.

The whole city jurisdiction is about fifteen times the size of Jianghai City.

Li Jing and Yulian, having arrived at the place, did not linger within the area of Lingnan City. They crossed directly over to the border of the Lingnan Nature Reserve.

There would be members of the Lingnan Fox Clan in Lingnan City.

But to try to contact the Lingnan Fox Clan, going directly into the nature reserve is ultimately more realistic.

Boundaries where the Lingnan Reserve adjoins Lingnan City have a containment line. There are members from the local management bureau on duty, restricting access for louts and riff raff.

Li Jing and Yulian didn’t rashly cross the line when they arrived at the border, but landed near the containment line.

Crossing the Management Bureau’s containment line isn’t something you can do casually.

Even if Li Jing has the ability to deceive, once he enters the reserve he will still be discovered, after all his ’Silent Shadow’ technique must be used on Yulian, and both of them have to maintain a state of ’lightning movement’ the entire time.

In the moment they landed, Li Jing dropped his ’Silent Shadow’.

So that Yulian shows up first and he doesn’t appear noticeable.

The two of them materialized one after the other, immediately attracting the attention of those on guard at the line, causing alarm.

After all, in their perception, Li Jing and Yulian suddenly appeared, and nobody knew how they got there.

Considering the two demonstrated no intention of crossing the boundary and remained on land, those guards of the Management Bureau nearby didn’t enter a high alert state.

One gaze after another fell upon the two of them, with quite a few being attracted by Yulian.

There was nothing to be done.

It was simply because Yulian was too captivating.

Most of these men assigned to guard the line year-round were vigorous young lads. There were few women on the line, and due to their duties, they seldom had a chance to appreciate the glories of the world.

Suddenly, there appeared in front of them Yulian, creating havoc amongst them. They couldn’t help but look a few times.

However, their discipline was excellent.

Each kept to their post and territory, neither did they look more than they should nor act rashly. They maintained a certain level of vigilance towards the two.

One of the Management Bureau personnel at the scene, who was relatively close to where Li Jing and Yulian landed, rose into the air and landed in front of them.

"Good afternoon to you both. The Lingnan Nature Reserve lies ahead, and is off-limits to idlers," he said, courteously attempting to turn them away.

Li Jing responded to his polite refusal by nodding, saying "Good afternoon," and pulled out his Management Bureau ID to show him.

Seeing this, Yulian blinked her beautiful eyes twice and followed suit, pulling out her Management Bureau ID to display it as well, but she did not immediately open it.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to open it, but the photo inside her ID wasn’t her real face. When she was hired, she used a face that Jiu Li had helped her transform into.

If she were to open it and show it to someone, that could potentially cause some trouble.

However, since Li Jing had already presented his ID, she only needed to confirm her identity.

On the other hand, the person from Management Bureau greeting them was slightly taken aback when both of them presented their IDs in turn.

He was surprised that the newcomers were also from the Management Bureau.

Upon seeing that Li Jing’s ID listed him as an "Action Consultant from Jianghai City Management Bureau," he immediately snapped to attention and saluted. "Good day, sir!" he said loudly.

"We’re all on the same side, there’s no need for such formalities."

Li Jing replied with a smile and put his ID away.

"Who is in charge around here? Could you kindly let them know we are here?"

"If you could wait a moment, sir, I’ll inform the action commander to come over."

The man from the Management Bureau who greeted them courteously excused himself, touching his communications earpiece before walking away.

Li Jing and Yulian patiently stood by, waiting.

In order to enter the reserve, it would take more than just showing an ID to prove their identities.

The two of them were under Jianghai City Management Bureau.

Given the distance of hundreds of miles from Lingnan City, the jurisdictions changed, and they would have to follow standard procedure.

Additionally, since they came directly, Li Jing and Yulian did not know which part of the reserve the Lingnan Fox Clan settled in. They would need to ask someone knowledgeable about the location.

Without a definite location, it would be incredibly difficult to find the dwellings of the Lingnan Fox Clan.

The Lingnan Nature Reserve has a large and complex area, with mountains, forests, plateaus, and swamps.

If they wished to search without a clear location in mind, they would need to expend a significant effort.

Li Jing was not concerned that he would be unable to ask for the location.

Even though the outside world knew nothing about the Lingnan Fox Clan, apart from the fox monsters, those on the front lines definitely knew.

Indeed.

While the Lingnan Fox Clan had signed a peace treaty with Longyu and would keep the clan’s information a secret, they would still inform the Management Bureau personnel guarding the reserve’s boundary about what lay beyond.

This leg of the defense line is not only meant to control who goes in and out of the reserve.

It also prevents people from sneaking into Longyu territory via the reserve.

...

After a while.

The man from the Management Bureau who had walked away to communicate with his superior office came back and informed them that the person in charge of the defense line would be there soon. Then he returned to his own post.

About two or three minutes later.

A middle-aged man with wheat-colored skin rose into the air and came before Li Jing and Yulian.

Greeting them, the middle-aged man gave them a friendly smile and extended his hand.

"Good afternoon to both of you. I am Luo Song, the Commanding Officer for the Divine Weapon Group from Lingnan City Management Bureau."

"Li Jing, the Action Consultant for the Heavenly King Group from Jianghai City Management Bureau."

Li Jing introduced himself, shook hands with him, followed by a slight smile from Yulian who stood by him looking as adorable as a nesting bird.

"Deputy Commander of the Heavenly King Group under the Jianghai City Management Bureau, Ayu."

Originally, the position of the Heavenly King Group’s action commander was vacant, with only Li Jing serving as a consultant.

Now that position is occupied by Chen Yuran.

Yulian and Jiu Li, who joined the Heavenly King Group along with her, serve as her deputies.

After they introduced themselves, Luo Song looked somewhat in a strange way at Yulian.

It’s not that he was attracted by Yulian’s beauty. It was just that there was an overpowering sense of familiarity about her, as if her face said ’I am a fox demon.’

As Li Jing expected.

As the person in charge of the front line, Luo Song was well aware of what was inside the nature reserve.

That a nest of fox-demons were inside made him quite sensitive.

But faced with them, Luo Song didn’t think further.

Although Yulian’s face looked like ’I am a fox demon’, the chances of her being a fox demon are almost nil.

The reason is simple.

She’s the Deputy Commander of the Heavenly King Group.

While the Management Bureau could potentially cooperate with major demons who have signed peace treaties, there is absolutely no chance that one would be given a position within the bureau.

This time, Luo Song jumped to conclusions, opting out of the correct answer right from the start.

After taking a good look at both Li Jing and Yulian, Luo Song broke the silence.

"I have not received any notifications from the city office. Might I ask, what brings you two all the way from Jianghai?"

"Well, here’s the thing."

Li Jing started and pull out his Patrol Certificate.

"In addition to my position at Jianghai Management Bureau, I am also a patrol officer in the Major Crime Unit. Recently, while investigating a major case in the national capital, I found the Demon Beast Union was causing trouble behind the scenes, and I killed a fox demon on site. Following an investigation, it was discovered that the fox demon was originally from the Lingnan Fox Clan, which involves a major link. This time, Deputy Commander Yulian and I came to contact the Lingnan Fox Clan and attempt to understand the related situations."

Upon hearing Li Jing’s story, Luo Song slightly knitted his brows.

Li Jing was so forthcoming, and he didn’t barge in rudely, but followed the proper procedure, clearly he wouldn’t spout nonsense.

So here comes the question.

This guy...

How did he get his way with both the Management Bureau and the Patrol Bureau?

And besides.

He’s clearly a subordinate of Jianghai City, so how did he end up investigating a major case in the capital?

Luo Song felt this was incredible.

Looking suspiciously at the individual in question, he hesitated before nodding and handing over a permit.

"I understand the situation. This is a permit for the nature reserve. You both are free to enter and exit the Nature Reserve within a week."

Having Li Jing and Yulian identify themselves and follow proper procedures, Luo Song had no fear that they would cause trouble.

One reason was that they couldn’t fake their identities, and the other was that Lingnan City received strict guidance from the Demon Beast Union.

As it involved the the Demon Beast Union, he must cooperate.

As for the corresponding investigation documents?

There’s no hope for that.

The level of confidentiality of the Lingnan Fox Clan was comparable to that of the Hidden World Sect. Even an individual with requisite access would find it hard to obtain information, let alone obtain corresponding documents?

As a matter of fact.

Had Luo Song not been the highest-ranking official responsible for guarding the Lingnan Nature Reserve, he, with his current position, wouldn’t have been qualified to understand the Lingnan Fox Clan.

On one hand, his cultivation level was at the Fifth Boundary, and on the other hand, his position level was not high enough.

Even bureau chiefs might not be privy to matters concerning the Lingnan Fox Clan or the Hidden World Sect.

A high rank is a threshold.

But at the same time, the Sixth Realm is a critical prerequisite for having access.

Whether in local Patrol Bureaus or Management Bureaus, except for the capital which is special, generally speaking, the Bureau Chiefs are at the Fifth Boundary.

Those appointed Bureau Chiefs from the Sect, were a different issue altogether.

Upon seeing Luo Song readily provide him with a pass, Li Jing thanked him, then asked.

"This is our first time here. I’m wondering if Commander Luo could guide us on where we can find the people of the Lingnan Fox Clan?"

"They are located at the southern border that borders the God Church Country."

Luo Song replied.

"I can’t specify the exact location. My position is merely to guard the border, and I haven’t been to the home of the fox clan within the reserve. However, once the two of you arrive there, as long as you don’t intentionally hide your traces, the Fox Clan will naturally find you."

Having said that, he added,

"Aside from the permit, remember never to leave your certification behind while in the reserve. Our Longyu Heavenly Eye border defense system scans the entire reserve 24/7 through military satellites. If you don’t have a permit with you, you may be misjudged as a threat."

"Understood, thank you for your cooperation."

Li Jing smiled.

Having said that, he waved his hand, created a spirit weapon, carried Yulian, and took flight.

Even though he was operating of his own accord on this trip, he saw no need to hide his tracks.

Anyway, if anyone asked, he would simply need to communicate with Jin Ruixin.

Cracking down on the Demon Beast Union was everyone’s responsiblity.

His assignment to investigate was justified.

Moreover, in order to enter the reserve, Li Jing could not hide his whereabouts.

Lingnan Nature Reserve was not just any place, it was a border line.

Luo Song had just mentioned it.

This place was monitored 24/7 by the Heavenly Eye border defense system. Unless the defense system was shut down, there was nowhere to hide.

...

With the permit, Li Jing and Yulian crossed the guard line outside the reserve and rapidly arrived at the deep border region between the Reserve and the God Church Country.

Feeling they had gone far enough, Li Jing randomly chose an open area and landed.

Luo Song had said earlier.

As long as they didn’t intentionally hide their tracks, the Lingnan Fox Clan would quickly find them.

It was clear.

The Lingnan Fox Clan took the safety of their habitat very seriously. All they had to do was wait at a spot and let the foxes come to them.

With Yulian by his side, the Lingnan Fox Clan would likely not ignore them.

After all, Yulian was not only a demon, but also a fox demon.

As expected.

They had barely settled down for a few minutes when Yulian, who was looking around the primitive environment, wrinkled her delicate nose and said,

"A fox demon is coming, Six Realm."

As she finished speaking, a stream of light flew across the sky and landed nearby.

The glow receded, revealing an extraordinarily handsome young man with white hair.

Once the glow revealed his form, his gaze fell upon Yulian, and his eyes immediately lit up.

After transforming from beast type to demon, each would develop their unique personality and thoughts.

Within the various demon species, there are different classes as well.

Yulian, without doubt, was a top-tier fox demon.

At least in terms of looks and temperament, she was definitely that.

One could understand this just by comparing her with Jiu Li.

Even among fox demons who specialize in charm, someone like Yulian, who can cause great disaster and suffering, is extremely rare.

To put it bluntly.

She simply comes from a good background.

Seeing the temptation that is Yulian, the white-haired young man quickly adjusted his attire and hairstyle, took out a folding fan with the words "Demure And Devoted Lady" written on it and opened it with a "pop".

"The lady here seems unfamiliar, and there is no mark of our Lingnan Fox Clan on you, are you here to join the Lingnan Fox Clan?"

Yulian has been wandering the human world for many years.

Her natural charm attracts men wherever she goes.

What kind of man hasn’t she seen?

But she has truly never seen one like this white-haired youth before.

That he eagerly presented himself upon first meeting, is not surprising.

She had anticipated this herself.

Therefore, upon arriving, to avoid unnecessary trouble, she was in a committed relationship, clinging to Li Jing all the while.

However, this white-haired youth seems to be blind to Li Jing...

Clearly, she was clinging tightly to Li Jing, yet the man did not even glance at Li Jing properly.

At this point, Li Jing too, was speechless.

This one, looked a bit eccentric.

And quite flamboyant.

He had even prepared a folding fan, clearly a "habitual offender".

Seeing the white-haired youth’s eyes light up as he stared at Yulian, Li Jing, taken aback by her charm, spoke up.

"Sir, please behave yourself, we are here to..."

Before he could finish, the white-haired youth made a "tsk" sound and glanced over with a face full of disgust.

"Can you humans shut up?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing took out his patrol certificate.

The deterrent power of the patrol certificate is indeed strong.

As part of the same metering system division, the patrol certificate holds even more deterrent power than the management bureau certificate.

As such,

Upon seeing Li Jing take out the certificate, the white-haired youth’s face changed, and he could no longer ignore him.

He took a closer look at Li Jing’s certificate, then gave him a once over, the white-haired youth squinted.

"You are from the Serious Case Group of the North City Patrol Division of Jianghai City, but we are standing on Lingnan City territory. Surely you can’t manage things that far away?"

"In theory, I can’t."

Li Jing shrugged, said nonchalantly.

"But I’m here to investigate a case, so I’d appreciate your cooperation."

"Investigate a case?"

The white-haired youth furrowed his eyebrows.

"There’s no point explaining to you in detail, you’re just a Sixth Realm, you can’t make decisions for the Lingnan Fox Clan."

Li Jing spoke indifferently, saying.

"Can I trouble you to take me to the primary residence of the Lingnan Fox Clan, to see the person in charge?"

"..."

The white-haired youth fell silent.

What Li Jing said seemed to belittle him.

While he couldn’t determine things for the Lingnan Fox Clan,

Doesn’t he at least belong to the Sixth Realm?

What does he mean by ’just a Sixth Realm’?

But facing Li Jing who had revealed his identity, he couldn’t vent his anger.

Nothing he could do about it.

Li Jing was a patrol officer.

Li Jing sought him out purposefully, which suggested that Lingnan Fox Clan must have run into some trouble, big trouble at that.

Normally.

Not to mention patrol officers, even people from the Management Bureau wouldn’t venture into the depths of the protected area to interact with the Lingnan Fox Clan.

This was cause for concern.

With the agreement they signed with Longyu, the Lingnan Fox Clan had a certain degree of autonomy and also enjoyed the same rights and interests as Longyu citizens.

But this doesn’t mean they can act lawlessly.

If a problem really arose related to the Lingnan Fox Clan, they have to be accountable to, and cooperate with, the Longyu.

Seeing the not-so-simple identity and strength of Li Jing, the white-haired youth could tell.

Knowing about the Lingnan Fox Clan and coming here alone already said a lot.

Not to mention he had Yulian accompanying him.

After giving Li Jing a few surprised glances, the white-haired youth put away his fan and said with his hands clasped together.

"I am Wu Ming. Please follow me."

Having said that, he took to the sky.

Seeing this, Li Jing took out a Spiritual Soldier and followed silently with Yulian.

...