"Four gates to the Cursed Realm appearing at the same time?"
Fang You paced back and forth.
In the current situation, gates to the Cursed Realm were not that rare. Based on the information intercepted by Xiao Huan, there had already been dozens of incidents involving gates to the Cursed Realm within the Eastern Flame Nation, and even more abroad.
However, the vast majority of them were in desolate mountains and wildlands. Including the Baijiang incident, only three had appeared on the outskirts of cities.
The other two had been far less dangerous. With the experience from Baijiang, the Investigation Bureau and the Special Operations Team had cooperated to defend against both of these gates to the Cursed Realm, with minimal losses.
But the omen of four gates to the Cursed Realm appearing simultaneously…
Fang You opened his map.
The exploration map only covered two Lv4 and two Lv2 areas, and the scope was still far from encompassing the entire Eastern Flame Nation.
However,
His map already showed two special missions.
The countdowns for both Cursed Realm gate missions were over 71 hours. The omen had just appeared, and the timings were very close.
One was located within the territory of Shuize Prefecture, in the outskirts of a third-tier city.
The other one, well…
It was in Baijiang City, the familiar, disaster-prone Baijiang.
"Four gates to the Cursed Realm appearing simultaneously. If they are only of conventional strength, the Investigation Bureau and the Special Operations Team might be able to handle it… If necessary, I will also have Hei Dao, An Jian You, and the others assist openly or covertly."
"But as Director Huang worried, what does the simultaneous appearance of these four gates to the Cursed Realm signify? Could it trigger a chain reaction?"
"The most immediate danger is that the gates to the Cursed Realm are larger than ever before, capable of allowing the legendary four-star cursed beings to pass through… That would be an absolute catastrophe!"
Four-star cursed beings. The gap between four and three was often like a chasm, according to common sense.
The terror of a four-star being, Fang You could sense even from the fragmented descriptions in the illustrated records. Facing one head-on would undoubtedly result in instant annihilation.
Even if his current Spark had several trump cards, he still lacked confidence.
Unless he faced it personally and tested the strength of a four-star cursed being.
"Personally…"
Fang You pondered, "This is only the most direct danger. Of course, there might not be a four-star cursed being. Based on current intelligence, the size of the holes through which the Cursed Realm communicates with Blue Star is limited. The higher the mystery of a cursed being, the more difficult it is for them to pass through."
"But beyond that, are there other potential dangers? Why did these four gates to the Cursed Realm appear so close together, and all near cities? It's as if they were deliberately arranged."
"But there's too little intelligence to speculate."
"The only thing we can do now, besides preparing for battle, is to accumulate more cursed crystals. Once I gather 1000 cursed crystals, I can upgrade the map range again, and perhaps I'll discover something."
"Yes, and cultivate apostles."
Fang You took out the Salvation Game and switched his view.
The screen zoomed in from a distance, revealing a dark, quiet hall. Kerosene lamps cast a warm, orange glow, illuminating a figure standing in the center, clad in a dark red cloak, with a hood pulled up and a mask covering their face.
Fang You's mouth twitched slightly.
…
"The secret gathering ends here for today. May everyone obtain what they desire."
"Meeting adjourned!"
Only after the guests of the gathering had departed one by one did the figure slowly remove their mask, revealing a beautiful face.
"Another awakened one gathering has been held."
"Hmph, this young lady will definitely make this gathering bigger and stronger, striving to become the number one in the Eastern Flame Nation one day, and a super secret international gathering! Hahahaha!"
"It's a pity I still have too few subordinates. Not many of those guys are willing to pledge allegiance to me."
"Damn it!"
Fang You: "…"
He had been observing in secret for a while. On the surface, this was a gathering of awakened ones, with a secret location, mysterious decor, and all attendees being awakened ones.
In reality,
The location was secret because it was an abandoned house. The decor was also mysterious because the place was dilapidated, lacking electricity, and thus relying on kerosene lamps.
All attendees being awakened ones…
In fact, among the dozen or so people, three or four awakened ones was already a lot. Most of them were ordinary people or wealthy individuals who had learned about the mysteries, or just curious outsiders.
Including the two subordinates the young lady had recruited, they were all ordinary people.
The reason she could hold such a gathering of awakened ones was her strength. Her power was absolutely top-tier among awakened ones in the civilian sector, even stronger than Xing Jing Lei before he received proper training.
She was a renowned cursed being hunter.
She was just a bit… eccentric.
But it was understandable. He had not only observed in secret but also investigated information about this young lady.
She wasn't old and was an orphan.
She had even lived by scavenging for a living. Now that she had found fortune, her eccentricity was just a little, not like many awakened ones who, upon suddenly gaining power, lose control and act recklessly.
This young lady could be considered eccentric, or she could be said to have a pure heart.
[Yiluo Xi (First Awakening)]
[Mystery: 22.5]
[Skill: Basic Boxing (Proficient)]
[Talent: Torrent of Spells]
[Ability: Fire Breath]
—
[Torrent of Spells]
[Description: The owner of this talent possesses strong comprehension when learning 'spell-type' skills. Additionally, when using this type of skill or ability, their own consumption is moderately reduced, and there is a chance to cast double or triple the skill.]
At this moment,
Yiluo Xi arrived at her secret training base. She extended her hand, and fiery flames condensed in her palm, forming a fireball that she gently tossed.
BOOM—
The fireball hit a distant rock, exploding with a roar.
As it exploded, another fireball suddenly appeared beside Yiluo Xi, forming without any condensation.
She continued to cast.
BOOM! RUMBLE!
Smoke and dust billowed, and the wind blew, ruffling the girl's hair.
"Ooh ooh ooh, worthy of me!"
"So strong, so strong."
"But what does 'I have been chosen' mean?"
"Is this my cheat? Does this young lady, with the bearing of an empress, need a cheat!"
"Is there an old man here? An old woman would do too."
"No one? Could it be my hallucination?"
She muttered.
This was completely different from the scenarios Fang You had imagined.
He didn't want to speak, so he let Xiao Huan step forward and paint a grand vision.
Yiluo Xi was somewhat disappointed, "So I'm not the chosen one. But the Spark organization seems very powerful. Could this be the legendary, ancient, international secret organization?!"
"They specifically chose me, doesn't that mean I'm really amazing? Wahahahaha—"
Fang You: "…"
Unfortunately, he had no skill books left, so he could only 'equip' Apostle Yiluo Xi with a skill fruit.
Cursed Beast Tracking Fruit.
A fruit with strange gray patterns slowly appeared before Yiluo Xi.
This girl was quite bold. After asking if it was for her to eat, she devoured it in a few bites, "It doesn't taste like anything… Hmm, wait, it seems like there's some inherited information."
"I can see the abilities of cursed beings…?"
Her eyes widened gradually, and she finally became less eccentric, falling into thought.
She then looked at the large task list and exchange list in her mind.
On the recommended tab, there was a conspicuous golden ancient book, open to a certain page.
"Do you wish to begin the trial?"
"Ah… Eeh?"
Her spiritual power seemed to be pulled by a force. The next moment, when Yiluo Xi came to her senses, she was surrounded by an eerie atmosphere. An ancient well's water glowed faintly, and a cursed being was staring at her.
…
"It really works."
In the training ground, the Trial Book was open to the fourth page, with a small figure within it, looking bewildered.
Yiluo Xi was not the first to try. Fang You had tested it on An Jian You, and it worked.
He had also tested it on Hei Dao, and it worked as well.
However, when guiding Wang Chui and Ming Deng, he failed.
"One needs at least 5 points of spiritual power to link with the Trial Book through the contract and Xiao Huan's guidance… and it must be placed within the base. As long as a wisp of spirit enters, the trial can commence."
"This is the first point. The second point is, I have already evolved cultivation scenarios for 'Palm Thunder' and 'Cursed Beast Tracking.' Does practicing in such scenarios help with mastering skills?"
"This point is pending. We'll see how Yiluo Xi's cultivation progresses."
"Alright Xiao Huan, give Yiluo Xi's trial ticket a 50% discount."
Beside the Trial Book,
Xiao Huan, dressed in a black silk dress and black skirt, with white hair, holding a notebook, nodded cutely.
"Okay. Also, Master, the Investigation Bureau is recruiting awakened ones from the civilian sector. Someone has already come to invite An Jian You and Xing Jing Lei."
…
PS: Currently four chapters totaling 10,000 words. More tonight. Please subscribe, vote for monthly tickets, and support me. This little author is going back to typing.