CSMCDB - Chapter 136
Chapter 136
When Wen Yuncheng emerged from her secluded cultivation, Lin Jinyu had yet to break through to the second layer of the Star Spirit realm. Lin Jinyu felt she was lacking insights gained from actual combat.
Insights from actual combat, huh? Wen Yuncheng pondered for a moment, then pulled Lin Jinyu along to buy a pair of black fox masks. After that, she had Lin Jinyu register a codename at the bounty hall, and the two of them formed a team to accept bounty missions together.
Of course, she had selfish motives. She wanted to piggyback on Lin Jinyu's bounty missions. That's right, you heard correctly! She just wanted to freeload the 250 experience points from the bounty reward!
The Little Ice Mountain, of course, didn't refuse. Wen Yuncheng discovered that Lin Jinyu doted on her. Aside from getting exceptionally angry or even furious when Wen Yuncheng did dangerous things or encountered danger, the Little Ice Mountain was very accommodating in all other matters.
"You can complete the bounty missions by yourself first. Just let me piggyback when you turn them in," Wen Yuncheng said, rubbing her hands together a bit sheepishly. "There's a place I want to check out. I'll find you and we can team up when I get back."
"The disguise only lasts for thirty minutes. You need to watch the time and not take any risks." Even though Wen Yuncheng hadn't said where she was going or what she planned to do, Lin Jinyu seemed to have already guessed. With a cold expression, she stressed her point with extreme seriousness. When Wen Yuncheng looked like she was about to smile, Lin Jinyu shot her a look. "I'm being very serious."
Wen Yuncheng immediately wiped the smile from her face and nodded with solemn gravity. "I know. I won't take any risks. It doesn't matter if I have to use the disguise a few more times or spend a few extra days. I understand."
"Besides, I still have so many things left to do; I'm not about to let myself die just like that." Wen Yuncheng moved closer. Seeing the coldness on Lin Jinyu's face ease slightly, she wrapped her arms around her and nuzzled her shoulder. "I won't take any risks. Even if it really is a stronghold, I'll make sure everything is foolproof before I act, just like last time. Jinyu~ if you keep giving me that cold look, I'm going to kiss you."
"..." Lin Jinyu sighed and patted Wen Yuncheng's back. "I'm just worried about you."
Wen Yuncheng hummed softly in agreement, then turned to kiss the corner of Lin Jinyu's mouth. Her eyes curved into crescents, and she was about to pull away after the quick peck, but Lin Jinyu wrapped an arm around her waist, preventing her escape. She then lifted Wen Yuncheng's chin and bit down on her lip.
"Hiss-" Perhaps it was retaliation, or perhaps she was annoyed by Wen Yuncheng's consistently reckless behavior, or maybe she felt Wen Yuncheng was taking yet another risk. In any case, Lin Jinyu had truly bitten down. The pain brought tears to Wen Yuncheng's eyes, but she didn't dare push the Little Ice Mountain away forcefully. A bead of blood seeped from her lip, only to be deftly licked away by the tip of Lin Jinyu's tongue.
When they finally separated, Wen Yuncheng clutched her possibly swollen lip and glared at the Little Ice Mountain. Lin Jinyu's expression, however, remained indifferent, though a hint of a smile played in her eyes as she stared back. Noticing the pink tips of Lin Jinyu's ears, Wen Yuncheng knew the Little Ice Mountain wasn't as calm as she appeared. She huffed. If she weren't afraid of things getting out of hand, she would have loved to bite Lin Jinyu's earlobe and see if she could still maintain such a composed demeanor.
Mmm, ever since becoming the Young Sect Master, the Little Ice Mountain had grown more composed and better at hiding her emotions. Even when they kissed, she no longer had that shy, flustered demeanor from before. It was truly... a pity. Wen Yuncheng sighed internally. After repeatedly promising she would absolutely not put herself in harm's way, she finally set Lin Jinyu's mind at ease.
"That tracking method of yours... if you place it on an escapee every time a stronghold is surrounded, I'm afraid it will be discovered easily." Having finished the discussion about Wen Yuncheng's personal safety, Lin Jinyu brought up her method for tracking Fu.
"That's true... This time, when I go scout the place, I'll try to lock onto a high-ranking member inside Fu. That way, they might eventually leave the stronghold, and my method won't be exposed." Wen Yuncheng nodded, lamenting that three trackers really weren't enough. Then again, for such a bug-like device, three wasn't a small number. It was just human nature to be greedy.
The two didn't linger affectionately for long. After parting ways, the Little Ice Mountain went to accept bounties for practice, while Wen Yuncheng headed toward the location marked by her tracker.
"1947, are you sure... that while disguised, as long as I don't use any skills, don't use the equipment template, and don't make any aggressive moves, even a Star Emperor won't be able to see me?"
[Yes. However, you must control your breathing and heartbeat. If your emotions become too intense, a Star Emperor will be able to sense your presence even if they can't see you,] 1947 thoughtfully reminded her.
Wen Yuncheng took a deep breath, looking at the marker on her map before glancing down at the lake below the cliff. This stronghold... was it underwater? Pretending to be casually admiring the scenery, she sat for a while before turning to leave. Once she was a good distance away, she found a deserted spot and took out her monitor to get a good look at the Star King.
He appeared to be discussing something with another person. Although she couldn't hear them, the atmosphere seemed quite amicable. Then, Wen Yuncheng saw the other person take out a storage ring and say something, prompting the Star King to take out a Star Stone card. Oh, so they were making a trade.
After confirming that the Star King was indeed at this stronghold, Wen Yuncheng activated her disguise and used her Mechanical Wings to return to the lakeside. She carefully and slowly descended toward the bottom, holding her breath as she dove deeper, until she sensed a formation.
A formation?!
Wen Yuncheng hesitated, wondering if she should give up. After all, finding the general location was good enough. However, planting new trackers was crucial for the sustainable development of her "experience dungeons." Wen Yuncheng took a token from her storage ring-it was a Fu contribution token she had acquired. She had handed most of them over but had kept one or two for herself as spares.
The token touched the formation, but there was no reaction.
[You're through.]
Wen Yuncheng relaxed and carefully passed through the formation, where she saw a wide-open cave entrance. The moment she entered, it was as if she had stepped into another world; she could breathe normally again. Wen Yuncheng slowly controlled the rhythm of her breathing, taking a moment to regulate herself before stepping inside.
...Nineteen minutes left. In about ten minutes, she had to get out of here quickly.
She had to find that guy's location, that Star King...
Wen Yuncheng moved quickly inward, deliberately slowing her pace and holding her breath whenever she encountered anyone. She scouted the area and found that there weren't many active Fu members around. However, there seemed to be numerous seclusion chambers, and most of the members were cultivating here.
There were also a few facilities, like dueling platforms where some people were sparring. Others practiced their techniques in private chambers. The place resembled a stone cavern, and the facilities weren't particularly comprehensive. Wen Yuncheng went around a large gate and pushed it open to find many Fu members in masks and black cloaks, each occupying a spot as if setting up a stall, while others browsed. A trading area?
Watching the point of light on her monitor draw nearer, Wen Yuncheng instantly understood what the Star King was doing. She casually tossed her two remaining trackers onto a couple of Fu members at their stalls and then started to head back. She had to get out of here, fast.
"..." Suddenly, someone looked behind him blankly. He scratched his head in confusion, and his companion looked over. "What's wrong?"
The man didn't speak, merely touching his mask. "Nothing," he said in a low voice. "I just felt... like something passed by." But there was nothing there. He shook his head, dismissing it as his imagination, and continued toward the trading area with his companion.
...He'd heard that a lot of new goods had arrived today, and he was desperately short on cultivation resources. Ever since the last transaction between the organization and the black market went wrong, leading to a stronghold being exposed, Fu's dealings with the black market had become increasingly strict. For over a month after the incident, they had even suspended their cooperation entirely. Although relations were now resuming, the security of the black market was considered greatly compromised. As a result, the trading areas within Fu's strongholds began to develop, and the higher-ups encouraged everyone to conduct safe, internal transactions.
That was right. The Fu organization believed that the exposure of their stronghold and the subsequent arrival of the Protectors of the Nation were all due to a leak from someone with ulterior motives within the black market. They had conducted a thorough investigation and re-screened their partners. After all, the very nature of Fu meant they had to rely on the black market to obtain certain resources restricted by the Empire.
Wen Yuncheng slowly floated to the surface of the lake, trying not to create too many ripples. She carefully climbed out, then took to the air with her Mechanical Wings and flew away.
This stronghold was clearly larger and more important than the last one. The formation at the entrance alone was proof of that. This was a big fish.
1947, did you detect any Star Power fluctuations from a Star Venerate or Star Emperor?
[No, none of them released their Star Power. However, it seems there's a Star Venerate-level individual in secluded cultivation in one of the training chambers.]
Wen Yuncheng nodded. She obviously couldn't handle these big fish on her own. Even with her companions, they probably wouldn't be able to take them down. With a Star Venerate present... the Protectors of the Nation would be needed. She decided to just provide the location to the Empire. Perhaps after a while, the members who were trading would move on to other strongholds anyway.
Wait... the distance from the lake shore to the bottom...
Wen Yuncheng stroked her chin thoughtfully. It seemed... she could stir up some trouble here. But that might be a little dangerous... Still, her position-swap skill would allow for an instant escape. And with her disguise active, she should be fine, right?
The Little Ice Mountain would definitely be angry if she knew, Wen Yuncheng thought with a guilty conscience. But she quickly patted her chest and reassured herself: It's fine, the Little Ice Mountain won't know.
For the time being, Wen Yuncheng returned to the Imperial Capital. She drew a map of the stronghold's location and gave it to the First Princess. Since she couldn't handle the stronghold on her own yet, the First Princess inquired about the Empire's intentions on her behalf.
The Empire stated that they would monitor the stronghold but would not dispatch troops to eliminate it for now. If Wen Yuncheng came up with a plan someday, the Protectors of the Nation and the Dragon Tiger Guard were available to assist her.
Once again, Wen Yuncheng felt how much the Empire valued and accommodated her. She couldn't help but think, Is this the treatment a genius gets?!
[You have the means to find Fu's hidden strongholds. Not to mention your limitless potential, you're also loyal to the Empire. Of course the Empire is going to back you up and protect you.]
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