"On the level of secondary apostles, although the total number of recruits is less than a hundred, now with the improvement of strength, carrying out tasks for the 'Guijie Zhi Men' (门 - gate, portal) has become much simpler."
"Although this time, Xing Jinglei and Yiluoxi were both exhausted, they need to be transferred back to the country to rest for a while."
"Yes, this can also be an opportunity to incorporate Xing Jinglei's few hunter subordinates and Yiluoxi's few sisters into 'Xinhuo' (薪火 - firewood, hope). These are all awakened ones, and they have carried out multiple 'Guijie Zhi Men' tasks. Their accumulated mystery is also substantial. After a brief period of training, they will become qualified masters."
Of course, it's also because these people have good character.
Xiao Huan had already collected their information and presented it to Fang You. It can be said that as long as he wanted to know what food they liked to eat or what clothes they wore, he could collect it.
He just wasn't interested.
"With this batch of newcomers, there will be more forces available to deploy to the territory of Langhua Nation."
These days, old brother Black Blade captured a cultist in black robes.
As expected, he was an awakened one of the third level.
However, nothing could be pried from the cultist in black robes, and the operation in Langhua Nation was not going smoothly.
The Super War Department had started to pay attention and curb the Holy Moon Church. However, upon investigation, they discovered that the Holy Moon Church had spread to several cities, and Snowfall City was just one of them.
This was only what had been discovered so far.
Langhua Nation had already listed this church as a 'key target for combating cults' and was continuously promoting it. On the surface, it had become difficult for the Holy Moon Church to recruit followers, but in secret, it could not be stopped.
"Many cultists have gone from being open to being covert, and they have become much smarter. They no longer easily expose their awakened characteristics... They are progressing."
"In several confrontations, some cultists were killed, but many were injured... Those cultists fought too crazily, each of them fearless of death."
Master Ming Deng had been injured several times, his body covered in scars.
Luo Jianxing, a second-level awakened one, had almost lost his life. He had now been sent back to the base to recuperate, along with several others who were seriously injured and sent back for rest.
Because of this, the personnel of 'Xinhuo' in Langhua Nation had been replaced twice.
This was still 'Xinhuo'.
The Super War Department had suffered even greater losses, with at least eight awakened ones killed in action and over a hundred combat personnel dead or injured.
However, there were still no clues about the cult's lair. The deeper they dug, the more shocking it became.
"The cult's high priest has not yet appeared. He must be brewing some major event!"
Fang You was not clear about the specifics, but according to the investigations of the 'Xinhuo' personnel on the front lines, the number of strange anomalies seemed to be higher in cities where cultists were present.
The devour was intensifying.
Perhaps he would have to find the silver-haired woman from Black Tower to purchase some information.
Thinking of Yiyue Luxi, he thought of the 'Guijie' (诡界 - realm of the strange, uncanny).
During this period, the main force had been busy outside, and the exploration of the 'Guijie' had almost stopped—after all, among the main force, only An Jianyou was free.
After several hesitations, this girl had indeed made up her mind to explore the 'Guijie' alone.
However, she was injured on her first attempt.
She was ambushed by an 'invisible' strange anomaly, and her protective suit was torn. Although her swordsmanship was exquisite, her physical fitness, a weak point, could not be compensated. Especially when she was attacked at close range, she could not carefully control the strange anomalies and could only rely on their instincts to fight.
And the instincts of strange anomalies—protecting the summoner was not among them.
Fortunately, she had made considerable progress and managed to kill that strange anomaly on the spot.
"Defensive equipment is also a current shortcoming of the organization."
"Although the number of weapons and defensive equipment reaching the blue 'Guiqi' (诡器 - strange artifact) level is very small, the apostles have skills, so their output is acceptable. Only defense..."
Even the strong man, old brother Black Blade, dared not directly confront the strange anomalies. One reason was that strange anomalies were often stronger in terms of power, and the other was the poor quality of defensive equipment.
In terms of awakened equipment, the research and development of defensive equipment had always been more difficult than that of weapons.
The Investigation Bureau could not even produce a shield.
Their 'Xinhuo' could, and could even produce green-level shields, but the importance of a shield was far less than that of a combat suit—a combat suit was what could truly save a life.
And this type of equipment,
"Currently, 'Xinhuo' has two models of combat suits. One is a basic white model, with an exchange price of 9 contribution points... This is already three times the price of a weapon."
"The second model is an enhanced white combat suit, with an exchange price of 20 contribution points."
The reason it was called "Enhanced White" was that Master Wang Chui had failed in developing green-grade combat suits, and could only produce battle attire that was stronger than the basic model but did not qualify for green-grade in the organization's evaluation.
Luo Rui and other elites who went on missions to Langhua Nation wore this model.
An Jianyou, who went to explore the 'Guijie', still wore this model.
Frankly speaking, this type of combat suit was already quite effective, capable of withstanding small-caliber bullet fire and optimizing the exertion of force.
But it was still not enough.
Especially for personnel like An Jianyou and Yin Ling, who were 'light and delicate' and 'long-range stationary type', a more durable combat suit was needed to save their lives.
"Combat suits cannot be developed overnight. It might be better to search in the 'Guijie' and perhaps find some 'Guiwu' (诡物 - strange items) or 'Guiqi'."
Fang You pondered.
Soon, he accompanied Sister An on an exploration of the 'Guijie'.
An Jianyou entered by herself, and he possessed Xiao Huan to go with her. The exploration lasted for half an hour.
The 'Guijie' exploration interface had a special marker indicating that half an hour could still yield results... Aside from the danger, the rewards were quite high.
Then what about the 'instance module'?
"The instance module is the only module that has not been unlocked yet. What is this? Following the logic of games, an instance is an independent space, but the 'Salvation Game' relies on reality and emphasizes fundamental laws."
Fang You could not figure it out.
He then checked the 'Destiny Points' and 'Guijing' (诡晶 - strange crystals).
'Guijing' was consumed greatly, and there was still a large gap to the 5000 needed for 'Map Range Lv6'.
As for 'Destiny Points', the eighth destiny draw was not far away.
...
Abroad, in a certain location.
"The third mission is done."
"This way, I have obtained a total of 160 organization contribution points, minus the 75 contribution points owed before, I still have... uh, I still have..."
Yiluoxi counted on her fingers.
One hundred and sixty minus... minus again... minus one more number.
She got the result: 95 contribution points remaining. Great! She finally had money!
When she returned to the country, she would go shopping!
Yiluoxi slung her arm around Ziluo, "Let's go, we're going back to the country. This time I'll take you to a great place."
"What great place?"
Ziluo tiptoed and rubbed against Yiluoxi.
Bai Shuang remembered what Luoxi had said before, "Are you talking about going somewhere for further training?"
Yiluoxi chuckled, "You guessed right! I plan to take you there to study and train, and then you will become much stronger. You also have the chance to learn the 'Cracked Lightning' move I used before."
"Of course, learning that move is extremely, extremely, extremely difficult."
"In short, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seize it. After the advanced training is complete, the power of our Sisterhood will greatly increase, humph humph!"
Bai Shuang mused,
"So, Sister Luoxi, you really have someone above you."
"What what? Sister Luoxi is not the leader? Who is above her!" Ziluo puffed up indignantly.
Yiluoxi tapped her head,
"In short, we'll go back to the Sisterhood first and pick up Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong before setting off. As for where we're going, humph humph, you'll know when you get there!"
They drove back. Among the four, Xilan was a licensed female driver.
They drove back to the big city and, with Xiao Huan's help, bought plane tickets to Donghuang. After several transfers.
The next day,
"Water Marsh South Station has arrived. Passengers alighting please take your belongings and exit in an orderly manner."
Upon arrival, a dedicated car was there to pick them up.
In the car, Yiluoxi looked at her earliest little fans, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong... Oh, their real names were Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong, two little girls who, like her, were orphans.
"Before, the leader promised to make sure you awaken. Now it will soon be realized, but you must also work hard enough to bring glory to the leader."
The two little girls nodded repeatedly.
Compared to them, awakened ones like Xilan and Bai Shuang understood the difficulty better, "Is there really a method that can guarantee awakening? The Investigation Bureau doesn't have it!"
"The Investigation Bureau?"
Yiluoxi's nose twitched slightly, "How can the Investigation Bureau be compared to the organization I belong to? It's too far behind. Let me put it this way, the weapons and potions that the leader took out at the trade fair did not come from the Investigation Bureau."
"They came from the organization you belong to?"
"Not only that, many awakened weapons sold in the Investigation Bureau and the Hunter's Association are also provided by our organization. Do you understand now?"
"Hiss—"
The weapons from the Investigation Bureau were all provided by this organization?
Does Donghuang have such an awesome organization? This is too powerful!
Bai Shuang and Xilan's mouths were slightly agape.
Yiluoxi said, "This time, I have signed you up for an internal recommendation quota, but to formally join the association and obtain various opportunities for extraordinary cultivation, competition is still required. Of course, the leader's influence is quite significant, and you will receive higher priority training."
She slung her arm around Ziluo, "Xiao Luo, Bai Shuang, and Xilan can join directly. It won't be long before you reach the second level of awakening."
"Of course, your leader is preparing for the third awakening this time, so tremble!"
As she spoke,
The business van drove to the foot of the training base and entered the parking lot.
Newcomers who came here for the first time, even if recommended, needed to walk up on their own two feet. It was not only an assessment but had also gradually become a culture and ritual of 'Xinhuo'.
The mountains were shrouded in mist, and grand buildings could be vaguely seen on the mountainside.
"Is this the organization's base?"
"Hey hey, leader, what does it look like up there? Tell us more."
Yiluoxi touched her nose and looked up at the mist, "In short, you'll know when you get up there. We're already at the entrance, hurry up, hurry up."
They ascended the mountain, and the white mist gradually enveloped them.