"The Investigation Bureau has started their move."
"It seems they're determined to eradicate the anomalous entities in the western part of Cloud Ridge, no matter the cost."
"That's the right approach."
From Xiao Huan, he learned that Director Huang had immediately convened a meeting and contacted the elites of the special operations team.
A decision was made to launch an offensive without delay.
This was a bold move, especially at this critical juncture when every region needed strength. Director Huang's decision must have come under immense pressure.
"The Investigation Bureau is also preparing to summon powerful anomalous hunters, likely to find Xing Jinglei and An Jianyou... If that's the case, let them go too, and Black Blade as well."
"When it comes to clearing out large groups of anomalies, Black Blade and An Jianyou are the strongest."
He would go too.
But before that, he needed to awaken.
Fang You arrived at the training grounds, an empty expanse where he adjusted his breathing and mental state.
Moments later,
He brought up his status panel.
"Ding!"
"Notification: Do you wish to spend '45 Ghost Crystals' and '15 Destiny Points' to guide awakening? The success rate for this attempt is 55%. Shall we begin?"
This was a one-time opportunity. If it failed…
Even if it failed, it wouldn't be a huge problem. But who would willingly anticipate failure?
Bring it on!
Fang You closed his eyes and then opened them, feeling as if he had plunged into an abyss.
The cold wind whipped against his face, and he felt as if he had entered the body of some terrifying, malevolent entity, writhing within.
He remained unmoved.
Bone Knights, Flesh Giants, Eight-Eyed Lizards… one terrifying Three-Star anomaly after another appeared around him.
Cold, foul-smelling, sticky, damp.
He remained unmoved.
The Flesh Giant's long tongue snaked out, attempting to probe his face and enter his mouth.
He remained… he couldn't hold back!
A faint glow shot from his pupils, reflecting a sword silhouette within.
Sword of the Heart!
Sword of Consciousness!
Master-level swordsmanship, honed day and night, transformed into a sword of the mind!
In the abyss, Fang You seemed unable to move, yet it was as if he wielded a golden sword of consciousness, slashing wildly. He fought for three days and three nights without a blink.
When his eyes finally grew weary and he couldn't help but blink, with a splash—
Like a person breaking the surface of the water, or a fish leaping over the dragon gate.
The shackles on his body all fell away, and the world became clearer in his eyes.
The wind, the textures, the motes of dust in the light.
Each and every one, distinctly visible.
The power within him surged and churned, so potent.
It felt as if a single punch could blast a hole through the ground.
Boom—
Fang You half-crouched, his straight punch descending, erupting in rings of ripples and a deafening clang like metal colliding.
The ground trembled slightly.
He stood up, his hand trembling slightly. This was likely what "evenly matched" felt like.
"The training ground floor is quite sturdy."
…
[Destiny's Savior (Triple Awakening)]
[Physique: 14.2+8.7]
[Spirit: 8.2+4.8]
[Mystic: 0]
[Life Energy: 17.95+5]
The true changes were far more profound than just a few numbers.
Fang You familiarized himself with his explosively increased strength within the training ground. Each punch and kick generated a terrifying sonic boom. Even from several meters away, the shockwave generated by a mere swing of his fist could shatter a sandbag.
He was a veritable human bulldozer.
If not for the sturdy training ground floor, blasting a crater outside with a single punch would be no problem at all.
And this was just his basic physical prowess.
His true explosive power lay in his dual Master-level skills.
"Congratulations, Master, on your significant cultivation increase."
"Congratulations, congratulations, la la la~"
At some point, Xiao Huan had changed into a cheerleader outfit, shaking two pom-poms.
Fang You's expression went blank.
"Be serious, am I, the Savior, such a superficial person?"
"Well, her dancing is quite good. Where did she learn that?"
"Ahem, your strength has also increased, hasn't it?"
The description of ethereal spirits in the Savior game was vague. Unlike Hei Tong, she didn't possess a real body. She only had 'Spirit,' lacking not only Life Energy but also Mystic value.
The conventional path of awakening and advancement didn't apply to Xiao Huan.
Only when the Life Contractee achieved a major breakthrough could she be elevated along with them.
She nodded. "Just now, a warm current entered my body, and then… whoosh, I leveled up."
Though it wasn't much.
Relative to her original spiritual power.
[Ethereal Spirit]
[Spirit: 50→60]
…
Western Donghuang Nation, Baichuan Prefecture,
Within an ancient and eerily desolate abandoned mansion.
Yiluo Xi extended her hand, and three scorching hot fireballs circled her fair arm, illuminating her face.
"I've grown stronger again, amazing! As expected of me!"
"Boss is mighty!"
"Boss is the strongest!"
Two young girls' eyes shone with adoration.
"Boss is a Double Awakener now, right? I heard that awakening is super difficult and dangerous. I didn't expect Boss to break through so easily."
"As expected of Boss!"
Yiluo Xi placed her hands on her hips.
But hearing the exclamations and worship from her only two followers, even her thick skin felt a flush.
She knew very well how she had broken through.
She also knew how difficult Double Awakening was.
She had heard of several cases where attempting Double Awakening failed, leading to immediate demise.
Although,
Yiluo Xi believed that with her talent, failure was impossible. She was destined to be a queen at the pinnacle of the world, and a mere Double Awakening hurdle couldn't stop her.
However, awakening wasn't something one could do just by wishing.
It required waiting for an opportunity, and even if successful, there would be persistent side effects for a period, such as memory confusion, irritability, paranoia, depression, fear of the dark, and so on.
These were facts popularized by the Investigation Bureau, and also what she had learned.
The process of Double Awakening was dangerous, with many side effects.
A normal Double Awakening was like that.
Herself? She could awaken whenever she wished, the process was simple, and after awakening, she felt refreshed and invigorated, wanting to unleash dozens of fireballs on the spot. Where were the side effects?
This wasn't the Investigation Bureau tricking her, but rather… the Organization.
The power of the Organization.
Was this the might of an ancient organization!
Yiluo Xi admitted that she was still far, far from developing her group to that level, which was her ultimate goal.
However, "Such an organization has invited me. Truly, my monstrous talent has spread throughout Donghuang, hasn't it? Hohohohoho—!"
She looked at the two followers in front of her.
They still looked at her with adoring eyes. They were her loyal fans, just a bit weak.
But it didn't matter.
"As your Boss, I will definitely help you awaken!"
"I've already found a way."
This wasn't just boasting.
She had a backer now.
The young girls Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong listened and became even more admiring.
Xiao Qing suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh right, Boss, someone from the Investigation Bureau came just now. They seemed to have something important."
"Oh?"
She raised an eyebrow and waved her hand grandly, "Xiao Qing, Xiao Hong, let's go greet our guest."
In the front courtyard of the ancient mansion,
Special Investigator Qin Liyan was growing impatient. Yiluo Xi's residence was just the first stop; he had several more to visit.
It wasn't that the Investigation Bureau lacked personnel, but these renowned anomalous hunters generally had difficult temperaments. A random person might not even be acknowledged. They needed someone with significant standing.
This standing wasn't about rank, but about strength.
He, Qin Liyan, was himself a powerful Awakener, renowned among the anomalous hunter community.
He had dealt with many hunters.
Yiluo Xi was one of them.
However, as the girl in the reddish-brown cloak emerged, he felt a wave of heat wash over him.
His intuition was sounding an alarm.
This girl was dangerous! Extremely dangerous!
How could Yiluo Xi be so strong? Could it be…
"You've Double Awakened?!"
"Double Awakening? Heh…" Yiluo Xi tilted her head slightly, like a proud swan. "What's so difficult about Double Awakening?"