Chapter 18: Threat

Wei Qing City retained most of its former industrial systems. It stood atop a hill, surrounded by low-lying plains where numerous bases were established. These bases relied on Wei Qing City for existence while naturally serving as a protective barrier for the city.

To its west lay a broken ring of mountains. Beyond them was Tian Ying City territory. The mountains were rich in resources; the primary point of friction between Wei Qing and Tian Ying.

Large numbers of people entered and exited Wei Qing City daily, but none could settle without permission. Unauthorized residence inside the city carried obvious consequences.

Su Qi’s aircraft parked on a docking tower outside the city. A straight pathway from the tower connected to the interior; using it also required permission.

As a first-class enforcer, Su Qi had that privilege. He could have flown directly in, but after consulting Zhang Yujun, he abandoned the flashy idea.

The main road to Wei Qing City was crowded. Traffic jammed as expected.

“Exalted One, I’ll notify the guards to clear the road.” Su Qi said to Chen Zhao. He had asked how to address him; Chen Zhao simply replied.

“No need. We have plenty of time; waiting a bit is nothing.” Chen Zhao said calmly.

The vehicle moved forward. At a fork, Zhang Yujun saw a squad of heavily armed guards ahead, escorting a car slowly through.

Su Qi glanced once, then turned away.

“That’s Young Master Li’s car. His father is Municipal Minister Li Yongnian, an old acquaintance of the city lord.”

“We’ll wait.” Zhang Yujun turned her head, secretly extending her perception.

Source users inside Wei Qing City were far denser than outside.

Roughly one in ten, most mid-tier; equivalent to Qi Refining third layer.

In the city center, Zhang Yujun noted several spots that blocked her divine sense probing. Not necessarily Foundation-level source users; possibly just technology to shield detection.

The road cleared afterward. Su Qi led Zhang Yujun to an exquisitely decorated villa.

“This was gifted to me, but I’ve been too busy to manage it. Exalted Ones, you and Lily can stay here for now.”

Zhang Yujun and Chen Zhao showed no reaction. One had seen every immortal cave mansion in the Ask Immortal Sect; the other had endured hardships since childhood, steady by nature.

Lily’s eyes widened. Such a big house; if Mister Xu were here too, he wouldn’t freeze at night anymore. Thinking of Xu Cheng, her eyes reddened.

“Lily, don’t worry. You and Teacher Xu will meet again.”

Su Qi saw this and sighed inwardly.

Back when he studied under Xu Cheng, the man hadn’t treated him this way.

Otherwise he wouldn’t have attacked without hesitation.

Hearing this, Lily looked at Su Qi hopefully. “Will Mister Xu come too?”

“Hehe, rest assured. Teacher Xu offended many people. Now in false recovery, temporarily suppressing Source disease, he’ll definitely return for revenge. Just a matter of when.”

Su Qi thought he understood Xu Cheng somewhat.

Don’t judge by his current frail appearance; young Xu Cheng killed without blinking, making countless enemies.

Being able to hide in one place now was already the result of Su Qi’s efforts.

Consider it repaying past mentorship.

“Exalted Ones, I’ll head to the Enforcement Department to hand over duties. I’ll come back later.” Su Qi said.

Chen Zhao nodded slightly. Su Qi drove off. Zhang Yujun led Lily into the house.

The house had three floors; each alone hundreds of square meters, fully equipped.

Zhang Yujun skimmed some info and understood the devices’ functions. In the sect, she’d studied other worlds.

Zhang Yujun found an open space, closed her eyes, and circulated the Fundamental Immortal Scripture.

This was the mainstream method for Ask Immortal Sect Foundation disciples; also the strongest. It flexibly produced the most suitable mana based on personality and talent.

This mana was called Fundamental Mana; convertible to any attribute, perfectly matching the user. One reason Ask Immortal Sect dominated the starry domain.

Unified from Qi Refining, centralized training via the free top-tier scripture allowed screening any potential disciple.

True divergence came after Golden Core.

Any disciple reaching Golden Core could choose the sect’s top dao arts; the Four Books and Seven Classics. If incompatible, lower ones; but those cost contribution.

Only those cultivating the eleven Four Books and Seven Classics were the sect’s backbone.

Her elder brother Zhang Wudao cultivated the Supreme Ultimate Formless Myriad Spirits True Scripture.

Time reached afternoon. Zhang Yujun slowly opened her eyes; her mana had advanced a little.

Freshly awakened Dao Body effects were still unclear; currently only the universal protective true domain and faster cultivation.

More abilities would awaken in later realms.

Zhang Yujun toured around, finding Chen Zhao in another open space.

Chen Zhao breathed steadily; five-colored lights flickered around him.

“Five Elements Dao Body…” Zhang Yujun’s eyes flashed. Five Elements was top-tier though inferior to Supreme Yin. Fully developed, limitless future.

But sect records listed his as Cloud Mist Dao Body; trash.

“Junior Sister?” Chen Zhao opened his eyes, startled to see her quietly watching. He hadn’t noticed her approach.

“Senior Brother, Five Elements Dao Body?” Zhang Yujun asked directly.

Chen Zhao’s eyes flashed vigilance, but seeing her aloof, exquisite face, he nodded.

“Yes. Due to certain unspeakable reasons, I didn’t report it to the sect before.”

“Everyone has difficulties; I understand.” Zhang Yujun nodded. Though inexperienced in worldly affairs, she knew sect struggles. Chen Zhao likely offended someone and hid his talent.

But slaying a snake demon in Qi Refining; even if most dismissed it as joke, it thrust him into spotlight.

“Upon returning to the sect, Senior Brother, interested in some support?”

Chen Zhao’s talent and strength weren’t as simple as they appeared.

Though unaware of his circumstances, Zhang Yujun was willing to help.

“Is this Junior Sister’s personal offer, or…” Chen Zhao trailed off; he believed she’d understand.

Zhang Yujun paused.

Indeed, she’d overlooked sect faction fights.

The mentioned struggles were exactly that. The entire Ask Immortal Sect split into aristocratic families and master-disciple lineages; two inheritance styles. One blood-tied, one mentor-based. They fought endlessly over resources.

Her Zhang family was a giant in the aristocratic faction.

Not just her father the Azure Abyss Hall Lord; many family members held key sect positions. Their influence reached everywhere.

Chen Zhao, no family background, close to Senior Brother Li; likely already master-disciple faction.

Her unsolicited friendship might harm him instead.

Through this period of interaction, Zhang Yujun realized Chen Zhao’s mindset was resilient. Convincing him to switch allegiances was probably impossible, but she still had to ask.

“Senior Brother, have you taken a master?”

“Not yet, but Senior Brother Li gave me True Person Qin’s referral token.” Chen Zhao answered honestly. He saw Zhang Yujun’s intent to recruit him, but he owed Senior Brother Li too much. Besides, he leaned toward the master-disciple lineage.

Aristocratic families valued bloodlines. Unless he married in, they wouldn’t heavily invest in him.

“A pity.”

The result was as Zhang Yujun expected. She had indeed intended to support Chen Zhao, but since he belonged to the master-disciple faction, others wouldn’t allow it.

Zhang Yujun said no more.

Chen Zhao acted as if the matter never arose.

That evening, Su Qi arrived as promised, face grave with a trace of anger.

Zhang Yujun met him.

“Exalted One, does the agreement you mentioned before still stand?” Su Qi’s expression softened; his gaze toward Zhang Yujun held hope.

“Of course. State your plans.” Zhang Yujun nodded lightly.

Su Qi swallowed, realizing this might be the greatest opportunity of his life.

If earlier his loyalty to Zhang Yujun came from the thought technique, now he was truly betting everything on following them.

“Exalted One, though I’m a high-tier source user, my experience and qualifications are shallow. Surpassing the old fossils above in this aspect is impossible unless I achieve great merit or demonstrate decisive strength to overawe everyone.” Su Qi said slowly.

In this world, fists ultimately spoke.

Once his strength exceeded his position, people would naturally value him and help push him higher.

Mutual exploitation.

He’d use others’ power to rise; they’d gain what they wanted through him.

Zhang Yujun easily understood. Even the Ask Immortal Sect was filled with such large and small struggles.

“Are you prepared?” Zhang Yujun asked.

Improving strength wasn’t hard; the key was having someone willing to help.

“I’m always prepared.” Su Qi gritted his teeth. In source talent, he far surpassed others. No one knew how much he’d paid for his current position in Wei Qing City.

“Good. Let me see your aptitude.” Zhang Yujun said calmly, placing her palm on Su Qi’s shoulder.

As expected, Su Qi had no innate talent. In the Ask Immortal Sect, even killing himself cultivating, he’d barely reach Qi Refining.

But Source added variables, like rewiring his meridians. Though not as fitting as natural ones, it had some spirituality; medium level.

Su Qi waited anxiously. This test could decide his future.

Zhang Yujun withdrew her hand.

“How was it, Exalted One?”

“Barely usable.” Zhang Yujun nodded lightly.

“Great! Exalted One, if this succeeds, I’ll go through fire and water for you!” Su Qi’s joy overflowed.

“No need for that. Go find Chen Zhao. He knows what to do.”

Su Qi knew it was time to leave. He closed the door and went to find Chen Zhao in quiet cultivation elsewhere.

Zhang Yujun withdrew her gaze. As expected, Chen Zhao would next force-activate Source’s upper limit with mana, raising Su Qi to a decent level.

Probably Qi Refining tenth to eleventh layer.

Qi Refining thirteenth layer; at that point, one could barely call oneself a cultivator.

The consequence: Su Qi would have no further progress.

But for him, it was worth it. Relying on himself to reach that realm would take who knew how long; better to overdraw potential early.

“Without Foundation Establishment, one remains mortal.”

Zhang Yujun slowly closed her eyes. If Su Qi’s future could reach Foundation Establishment, she and Chen Zhao wouldn’t do this but use gentler methods.

After all, only Foundation Establishment mattered to the Ask Immortal Sect.

Su Qi’s Source was called Dim Abyss Phantoms; rare artifact-type Source. Upgrading phantom soldiers fed back to the body; the soldiers themselves had various abilities.

After Chen Zhao’s development, the original short blade phantom evolved into armor covering most of the body. The phantom carried extreme toxicity; ordinary source users died on touch.

With this, Chen Zhao quickly resolved the Enforcement Department’s backlog cases.

Even a corpse tide outbreak was suppressed single-handedly by Su Qi leading a team.

For a time, Su Qi’s fame in Wei Qing City was unmatched.

Of course, some suspected.

But with Chen Zhao’s secret help, Su Qi faced no obstacles in Wei Qing City. Unsolvable enemies were quietly eliminated by Chen Zhao. Foundation killing a mortal left no trace.

Source awakening was probabilistic anyway. Su Qi had been one of Wei Qing City’s most talented; secondary awakening to limit source user seemed understandable?

Municipal Hall.

Zhu Jian slowly entered the bright conference room. Several people were already gathered.

Among them: Municipal Minister Li Yongnian, Finance Minister Zhang Fugui, and numerous council members.

Many smiled at him. He nodded slightly. As Enforcement Minister holding Wei Qing City’s greatest violent apparatus, he didn’t need to be overly polite.

Soon the meeting began. The council president announced plans deciding Wei Qing City’s direction one by one, discussed, then issued for implementation below.

In a few words, the big shots seated here decided the fate of Wei Qing City and all surrounding bases.

Zhu Jian wiped his glasses, uninterested in these.

“Next item: proposal for first-class enforcer Su Qi to promote to chief enforcer. Proposer: Zhu Jian.”

Most gazes turned to him.

Chief enforcer wasn’t just a title; practically the reserve for Enforcement Minister. Upon minister retirement or death, the chief took over immediately.

The previous chief had been Zhu Jian’s hand-raised confidant.

This replacement baffled others.

When did Zhu Jian change and become so fair? Out of character among them.

Zhu Jian ignored the looks, slowly raising his hand in full support of Su Qi’s succession.

Young people deserved more chances; he wasn’t like some who clung to positions.

After Zhu Jian’s stance, the other ministers looked at him oddly.

This isn’t like you! Everyone knew Zhu Jian loved power struggles. His high awakening level had silenced opposition before.

Wanting face and lining both.

With Zhu Jian’s support, opposition was futile. Su Qi’s chief enforcer proposal passed smoothly.

Due to the chief’s special nature, removing the position next would take three years.

Zhu Jian continued idly cleaning his glasses when, through the reflection, he saw his own face: calm and serious, yet utterly unfamiliar.

Who… is this?

What am I doing?

He suddenly recalled the discussed rising young man.

Su Qi; who was he really?

Seizing chief enforcer this time; what for? Surely not just my ministerial seat?

Zhu Jian instantly felt like sitting on pins.

After the meeting, ignoring others, he left alone for home. Right now, he wanted to see no one.

But entering, Zhu Jian felt wrong again. The eerie feeling lingered.

Turning the corner to the living room, his pupils contracted.

Li Yongnian and Zhang Fugui sat there, staring straight at him.

Before them, Su Qi smiled and bowed to Zhu Jian.

“Minister Zhu, your subordinate reports for duty.”

A newly appointed chief enforcer greeting his minister was normal.

But this was his home.

Zhu Jian stared at Su Qi a moment, then at his expressionless former friends.

“Speak. What do you want?” He sighed helplessly.

Such actions meant demands.

“I want nothing.” Su Qi shook his head, smiling at Zhu Jian. “Minister, I hope you’ll join us in pursuing the immortal dao.”

“Immortal dao? Too many fairy tales.” Zhu Jian frowned. At the same moment, Li Yongnian and Zhang Fugui stood; the danger they posed matched Su Qi’s.

“You believe his nonsense too?” Zhu Jian looked at them incredulously.

Years together; they were all old foxes.

“Old Zhu, I didn’t believe at first either. But once you meet the Exalted One, everything becomes clear.” Li Yongnian said calmly.

“Exactly.” Zhang Fugui nodded.

“Exalted One? That person?”

Zhu Jian recalled the daytime figure. Chill rose from his heart, spreading through limbs.

He wanted to flee immediately.

As he thought escape, Su Qi and the others’ gazes left him.

“Welcome, Exalted One.”

All three spoke in unison.

A shadow cast by light fell on the floor, slowly moving beside, then in front of Zhu Jian.

Zhu Jian looked up. A handsome white-robed youth stood before him. He ignored the three, gazing at Zhu Jian with eyes deep as abyss.

“You are?” Zhu Jian tried keeping his voice steady.

“I’m Chen Zhao, a simple seeker of the Dao.” Chen Zhao said regretfully. “Minister Zhu, I didn’t want to meet you this way, but since you’ve seen through the illusion, our meeting was inevitable.”

To save time, Chen Zhao had planted illusions on all Wei Qing City higher-ups. If smooth, by realization, their thoughts would already be changed.

Unexpectedly, some exceeded control; Zhu Jian was one.

For such people, Chen Zhao chose gentler recruitment.

“Minister Zhu, my goal doesn’t conflict with yours. Wei Qing City’s Source keys are held by you three ministers. I only wish to view Source; it won’t hinder you at all.” Chen Zhao said.

Another seeking Source.

Zhu Jian sighed inwardly. Even he hadn’t seen original Source in recent years.

“You might be disappointed. Even collecting Source keys won’t let you touch Source. The city lord guards the Source hub; he allows no one in.” Zhu Jian shook his head.

“City lord?” Chen Zhao pondered. The one he and Zhang Yujun guessed as Foundation-level source user.

“Minister Zhu, rest assured. Even the city lord is nothing before the Exalted One.” Su Qi smiled.

This time, he’d witnessed the higher-ups’ changes; merely a thought from Chen Zhao.

“You don’t understand the city lord’s terror. To him, we’re all disposable tools for gathering resources.” Zhu Jian smiled bitterly. Compared to the other ministers, he knew more and understood his position better.

“I can hand over my Source key, but I hope you’ll give me a chance to leave the city.” Zhu Jian looked at Chen Zhao. He’d long prepared an escape route for situations like this.

“Agreed.” Chen Zhao glanced at Zhu Jian and nodded.

A white light fell into the courtyard, revealing Chen Zhao’s figure.

He glanced at Zhang Yujun cultivating nearby. Her Foundation aura was fully revealed; she’d stopped hiding.

But he understood: against unknown cultivators, not revealing true strength was correct.

Chen Zhao stood beside Zhang Yujun.

“The situation in Wei Qing City is basically under our control. The three ministers, most council members are ours. The Source hub can open anytime.” Chen Zhao updated city affairs.

“Senior Brother is truly skilled at this.” Zhang Yujun opened her eyes, curiously glancing at Chen Zhao.

Thought technique required massive effort. Most cultivators avoided it; weak in same-realm direct combat.

In other words, only for bullying lower realms.

“Mm, just ordinary people. Junior Sister would achieve the same.” Chen Zhao remained expressionless.

“Senior Brother’s quite thick-skinned too.” Zhang Yujun smiled.

“Forget that. Junior Sister, next we touch Source; conflict with the city lord is inevitable. Any thoughts?” Chen Zhao awkwardly changed topic.

Zhang Yujun didn’t dwell.

“From our deduction, the city lord’s level is undoubtedly Foundation Establishment. But after so long, he seems oblivious to city events; that doesn’t match Foundation behavior…” Zhang Yujun pondered.

In her understanding, a Foundation city lord couldn’t ignore their actions.

Unless…

“He has restrictions!”

Both spoke in unison, eyes meeting.

“Yes. With Foundation vs Qi Refining gap, he wouldn’t need city people gathering resources. Ordinary people can’t compare to Foundation personally acting. Most likely, he can’t leave the Source hub.” Chen Zhao’s eyes flashed.

“Correct. Source users reaching Foundation here must be flawed, constantly needing Source to maintain power.” Zhang Yujun thought of source users periodically fed into the hub.

Nicely put, supplementing city Source; actually all nourishment for the city lord.

“If we want Source, battle with the city lord is unavoidable.” Chen Zhao said.

“But we hold initiative. We can weaken him first.” Zhang Yujun said.

They both classified the city lord as non-negotiable.

Touching Foundation realm, no one would give up. Wanting original Source meant digging his life root.

By empathy, if they were city lord, they’d fight to death too.

The high tower. Chen Zhao’s face instantly turned grave.

Source tide?

Receiving Zhang Yujun’s message, Chen Zhao couldn’t help asking the snake demon, “Senior, do you know what a Source tide is?”

He usually shared senses with the snake demon; everything he saw and heard was the same for it.

Now, he wanted the Golden Core great cultivator’s judgment.

As for what Mo Qing said earlier; a pseudo-Foundation limited by background and vision; what could he know?

The snake demon spoke unhurriedly. “From what he said, the last Source tide erupted thirty-four years ago, causing Source disease. Most humans instantly turned into living corpses. Quite similar to some netherworld cultivators harvesting human wealth.”

“You mean there are other cultivators behind this place?” Chen Zhao frowned.

If true, they were in the open while others hid; disadvantageous.

“Just speculation. I’ve seen Source through the little girl. How to put it… a decent bait. At least before true contact, even I didn’t notice anything wrong.” The snake demon said.

“Source is fake Core Formation item? Just attractive bait?” Chen Zhao’s face changed slightly, pondering. “If so, this place is more like an experimental field set by some person or force. Their ultimate goal… perhaps those pseudo-Foundation source users?”

The snake demon’s eyes lit. “Possible. But if truly an experimental field, there should be overseers. They haven’t appeared yet; something unexpected?”

Overseers?

Chen Zhao silent a moment, gazing at the sky. “Looks like we need to venture outside the heavens.”

He stepped forward, arriving at the Source hub. All battle traces erased. Mo Qing sat obediently in a corner. Zhang Yujun leaned on the wall, toying with a crystal sphere.

Chen Zhao glanced; inside was Source.

“Here? This Core Formation item is fake; unlike any I’ve seen. No golden nature.” Zhang Yujun casually tossed the sphere to Chen Zhao.

She hadn’t been sure visually, but holding it confirmed the wrongness.

Most Core Formation items born from heaven and earth were complete, naturally highly attractive to life. But holding this Source, she could easily resist the temptation.

Only two possibilities.

First: Source incomplete, not yet showing Core Formation essence. Second: fake; taste impure.

Former possible, but Zhang Yujun preferred latter.

She didn’t believe luck; random teleport landing them at a Core Formation item site; someone schemed in shadows.

Zhang Yujun looked up slightly. “I want to venture outside the heavens. Senior Brother, what do you think?”

Chen Zhao smiled. “I was just thinking the same.”

As he spoke, Zhang Yujun’s figure vanished from the spot. She shot upward, soon breaking atmosphere, viewing the planet below. Not large; most surface barren. Where she’d been was one of few life zones.

Wei Qing, Tian Ying, Youlong; three cities together the largest settlement.

Zhang Yujun continued upward.

Suddenly, something that shouldn’t be here floated in space.

A damaged token.

Zhang Yujun reached out, catching it. An Ask Immortal Sect inner token; belonging to a Foundation disciple.

A fellow disciple met misfortune here?

Zhang Yujun frowned, gazing at empty cosmic void. Strands of Supreme Yin mana gathered in her eyes; her gaze turned indifferent and secluded.

“This is…?”

A spectacular scene appeared.

One side of the planet was encircled by countless metal machines. Not chaotic; formed massive rings connected into a gigantic mechanical structure.

By size alone, it rivaled the planet.

“Such creations aren’t Ask Immortal Sect style; more like native to Heavenly Universe Hundred Lands.”

Zhang Yujun knew some super civilizations in Heavenly Universe Hundred Lands traded with the sect for needed resources.

Their alliance could barely negotiate equally with the sect.

She didn’t know if this metal creation related to those civilizations; needed exploration.

Zhang Yujun soon reached the heavenly rings’ periphery. They operated calmly. With her vision, she could even see humans moving and talking inside.

Fortunately, no Foundation aura sensed yet.

Zhang Yujun advanced more. Just before touching a ring, her eyes widened slightly.

“This is… Supreme Ultimate Formless Myriad Spirits Scripture aura?”

It reminded her of one person.

Zhang Yujun’s face hardened. She directly touched the ring, hand passing through metal shell. With a light push, she entered inside.

In bright metal passage, two in white research suits chatted and walked over.

Zhang Yujun didn’t hide, but they passed without glance, as if not seeing her.

Then another figure entered from outside.

Chen Zhao saw Zhang Yujun and relaxed slightly, then grew astonished at the odd situation.

Chen Zhao observed the passing two, frowning. “Their life forms… seem strange.”

“Of course. Because they’re long dead.” Zhang Yujun said gravely.

“Dead? How…” Chen Zhao was shocked. Though odd, in his Foundation perception, they were clearly alive.

“Wait, Chen Zhao, I think I understand. This is…” The snake demon suddenly exclaimed.

“Supreme Ultimate Formless Myriad Spirits Scripture.” Zhang Yujun spoke simultaneously. “Anyone killed by this true scripture enters neither living nor dead state. They interact, age, but lifelong unaware they’re dead.”

Chen Zhao’s scalp tingled. “Such eerie art?”

“Don’t be shocked. The Four Books and Seven Classics each have wonders; any can lead to immortal peak. Born from heaven-earth or created by greats. If I’d cultivated one back then, I wouldn’t have ended like this.” The snake demon said regretfully.

Chen Zhao’s perception extended; same everywhere. This planet-sized structure… all “killed”?

Chen Zhao asked, “Senior, guess who did this?”

The snake demon silent a while, then faintly. “In Ask Immortal Sect, cultivator of Supreme Ultimate Formless Myriad Spirits True Scripture with strength for this; only one comes to mind. Ask Immortal Sect chief, Holy Son Zhang Wudao!”

Chen Zhao murmured, “Zhang Wudao…”

Hearing, Zhang Yujun’s gaze turned strange, with some eagerness. “You know him too?”

Youlong City, seaside.

Gentle sea breeze blew across the sun-drenched golden beach.

Under a white parasol.

A blond Caucasian youth in sunglasses lay on a beach chair. Nearby, a group of voluptuous beauties frolicked in the waves.

He leisurely sipped juice, adjusting his position for more comfort.

Suddenly, he turned his head, removing one lens of his sunglasses to look at the approaching gray-templed middle-aged man.

“Barron, something up?”

“Father, you’re still in high spirits.”

The middle-aged man was Barron, chief administrator of Youlong City. The man before him was the strongest source user, Youlong City Lord, Dragon King Sean.

“At my age, finally regaining youth; of course I’ll enjoy it.” Sean’s lips curved slightly. “Besides, with you handling affairs, I’m at ease.”

Barron’s face helpless; he sighed.

“You don’t usually look like this. What happened?” Sean raised a brow.

“Tian Ying City is gone. Completely cut off from outside. I sent people; no survivors.” Barron organized his words, speaking low.

Sean’s smile vanished instantly. He sat up straight, removing his sunglasses to reveal dark purple vertical-slit dragon eyes.

“No survivors? What about Tian Ying?”

“City Lord Tian Ying missing. From remaining traces… probably…” Barron trailed off, standing quietly aside.

Sean expressionless, silent a moment. “Long Jing? I sent him to Wei Qing City for cooperation talks. Any word?”

Barron shook his head again, bringing bad news. “I only learned today; Wei Qing sealed borders, no entry or exit. From last report, he should still be in Wei Qing.”

“So many troubles.” Sean looked inland; a dark glint flashed in his pupils.

“I’ll personally confirm both places.” Sean said calmly.

“Understood. Before your return, I’ll ensure city stability. About Mother… should we inform her?” Barron hesitated.

“No need. Don’t tell her.” Sean said immediately.

Barron nodded, then reminded, “Be careful. Besides Tian Ying’s mysterious fall, Wei Qing feels off too. Our contacts there cut off; like something major happened.”

“Rest assured. I’m going to consolidate all forces.” Sean said calmly, confidently.

“Anyone who blocks me is an enemy.”