Invincibility starts when I see the BOSS health bar.

Chapter 1021 The Cultivation of Venerable Slaves

They didn't even take the Foolish Underworld seriously; they were quite confident.

Fang Yu didn't think much of it and left with Zhuge Shi.

At the same time, those figures, like ghosts, followed the three of them, moving silently in the shadows of the eaves.

Unlike the previous rudimentary tracking attempts, the personnel dispatched by the Foolish Underworld this time were noticeably more capable.

With a restrained aura, light and agile steps, and eyes as sharp as an eagle, he always maintained a distance from his target that was neither too close to lose him nor too difficult to detect.

Clearly, after repeatedly failing against Fang Yu, the Foolish Underworld has started to increase its strength, but when it comes to a real confrontation, it is still a bit outmatched.

"Boss, are we just going to keep following him like this? Since the higher-ups suspect this kid is involved in what happened with Master Qian, why don't we just arrest him and interrogate him? What can we find out by just tracking and probing?" A younger-looking tracker couldn't help but complain to the leader as he used his agility to dart through a narrow alley.

The team leader was a middle-aged man with an ordinary face but unusually calm eyes. His gaze remained fixed on the blurry backs of Fang Yu and his two companions in the distance, and he said with a hint of helplessness, "Catch them? What are we going to use to catch them? Didn't you see where they live? The Ouyang residence!"

"So what if it's the Ouyang family? Do we in the Yudi Prefecture need to consider the location when handling cases?" the young man said, somewhat unconvinced.

"Hmph, naive!" another experienced veteran interjected, his voice hoarse. "What kind of place is Ouyang Mansion? That's Master Ouyang's residence! Although our Yudi Prefecture wields considerable power, without solid evidence, who would dare to storm into Ouyang Mansion and arrest people arbitrarily?"

The young stalker was speechless upon hearing this.

He stammered, "Then... then we can only watch and wait?"

"What else?" the team leader said in a deep voice. "Gather evidence and wait for the right opportunity. Either we find irrefutable evidence, then we can arrest him at any time; otherwise, we can only follow him and investigate like this. Stay close and don't expose yourself! If we lose him again, we'll be in big trouble when we get back!"

The group said no more and focused even more intently on stealthily tracking the enemy.

Their teamwork was extremely seamless. They used street corners, stalls, pedestrians, and even horse-drawn carts as cover, constantly changing positions and angles to ensure that the target was always under surveillance.

However, the movements of Fang Yu and his two companions began to become unpredictable.

Led by Zhuge Shi, they seemed to be wandering aimlessly in circles, sometimes speeding up, sometimes stopping, sometimes entering crowded markets, and sometimes turning into winding, secluded alleys.

The Nirvana organization's base is quite well hidden.

Fang Yu thought to himself, glancing back. This continuous action had also increased the pressure on the pursuers behind him, who had to concentrate fully just to keep up.

"Target, increase speed and enter the left-hand alleyway at the fork ahead!"

"Watch out! They've suddenly turned around!"

"Oh no! The aura is weakening! We're going to lose them!"

The team leader's heart tightened, and he hissed, "Keep up! Quickly!"

No longer caring about concealing their tracks, the group suddenly accelerated, shooting like arrows towards the corner where Fang Yu and his companions had last disappeared.

However, just as they rushed around the corner, several figures appeared out of nowhere, silently blocking their way in the middle of the alley.

These people were dressed in ordinary gray cloth, their faces blurred, seemingly shrouded in a thin layer of mist, making them difficult to see clearly.

But the cold, deathly aura emanating from them, yet carrying a strange and oppressive feeling, sent chills down the spines of everyone in the Foolish Underworld.

"Get out of the way! This is a case handled by the Foolish Underworld!" The team leader was anxious and worried about losing the target, so he shouted sternly and showed a black iron token that represented the identity of the Foolish Underworld.

Under normal circumstances, once the Foolish Underworld Token is issued, ordinary martial artists and even government officials will give way.

But the people in front of him didn't react at all.

They remained standing there silently, like lifeless sculptures.

What's even more unsettling is that the team leader keenly noticed that the feet of these people were slightly off the ground, hovering about an inch above the ground!

It's not about lightness skills or leaping, but something more fundamental... floating!
"A believer?!"

The team leader's expression suddenly changed, and his eyes instantly turned extremely gloomy.

The believer's strength is not simple. I didn't expect to run into him here, and he even dared to openly obstruct the Foolish Underworld from handling the case!
Without any unnecessary words, both sides unleashed their fierce killing intent almost simultaneously!
"Attack! Kill without mercy!"

The leader roared and drew his sword from his waist, the blade flashing like a bolt of lightning as he slashed at one of the believers.

Other members of the Foolish Underworld also made their moves, with sword light, palm strikes, and hidden weapons instantly enveloping the gray figures.

However, the few floating believers reacted even faster, or rather, their actions could not be called "reactions" at all, but rather more like a pre-programmed sequence being activated.

Their bodies twisted and moved at angles that defied human physics, and as they waved their arms, they created streaks of crimson blood mist that carried a corrosive aura.

"Chucky!"

The blade struck the blood mist, producing a sound like a red-hot iron being plunged into water, its power greatly diminished.

Hidden weapons were easily deflected or corroded.

One of the believers took a palm strike directly from the veteran player, his body only swaying slightly. He then grabbed back, and black claws shot out from the tips of his five fingers, aiming straight for his heart with astonishing speed.

Another believer uttered unintelligible whispers, his eyes glowing red. The young stalker he was staring at froze, as if struck by some kind of mental shock.

The street battle erupted instantly, with the sounds of metal clashing, energy colliding, and occasional groans filling the air.

Although the people from the Foolish Underworld were all skilled and worked together seamlessly, they were caught in a fierce battle against these believers who were not afraid of ordinary physical attacks and whose methods were unpredictable. They were held back and unable to break away to track down Fang Yu and his two companions who had already disappeared.

……

Meanwhile, on another street far from the battlefield.

"Diao Deyi." Ding Hui's urging voice rang in Fang Yu's ears, carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

Fang Yu slowly withdrew his gaze from the alleyway where the conflict had broken out in the distance, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

With his senses, even from a considerable distance, he could clearly perceive the battle fluctuations erupting over there.

"Those guys who just fought with the Foolish Underworld..." Fang Yu said in a low voice, his tone certain, "They should be believers."

Ding Hui nodded, her amused smile deepening: "Moreover, judging from their strength and agility, they're considerably more powerful than the two guys sent over for my experiments before. Just how many of these monsters does the Nirvana Organization raise?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Shi smiled but remained silent.

She pointed to a seemingly ordinary, even somewhat dilapidated, back door to the side and said with a smile, "This is it."

She knocked rhythmically on the door a few times. A moment later, the door opened silently a crack.

The person who opened the door was not one of the lowly thugs that Diao Xiaohui had seen before, but a young woman with a cold face and scrutinizing eyes.

Upon seeing the woman, Zhuge Shi was visibly taken aback: "Secret Rabbit? Why are you here to meet me? Where's Shadow Monkey?"

Secret Rabbit's gaze bypassed Zhuge Shi and landed on Fang Yu and Ding Hui behind her, especially lingering on Fang Yu for a moment.

“Floating Dragon, Shadow Monkey said that after your friends officially join the organization and pass the assessment, he will personally meet with them. Therefore, some core areas of the organization cannot be opened to the two of you for the time being.”

Zhuge Shi frowned immediately, a look of displeasure appearing on his face: "What do you mean? The organization clearly needs manpower urgently, especially experts like Young Master Diao. Now that I've brought him here, you're putting on airs and acting unwelcoming? What exactly does Shadow Monkey mean?"

She felt somewhat embarrassed.

Fortunately, Fang Yu and Ding Hui didn't seem to mind.

Fang Yu's attention had been mostly focused on the Secret Rabbit since the beginning, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Ding Hui's gaze met that of the Secret Rabbit in mid-air. Although they had never met before, they seemed to be at opposite ends of a magnet, creating a peculiar connection.

They both saw something similar in each other's eyes: a thirst for knowledge, a desire to explore the unknown, and... a kind of almost cold rationality.

"It's alright," Fang Yu finally spoke, his voice calm, breaking the slightly awkward atmosphere. "When in Rome, do as the host says."

His gaze remained fixed on the Secret Rabbit, because...

[Rong Mengrong: 1000/1000.]

Sure enough it was her.

The woman who was with that guy named Lu Fu at the auction house back then.

Unexpectedly, she turned out to be a member of the Nirvana organization, codenamed "Secret Rabbit".

The secret rabbit then turned to face Fang Yu and nodded slightly: "This must be Young Master Diao? I've heard so much about you."

Her gaze then turned to Ding Hui, "This must be the divine physician Ding, whose medical skills are unparalleled? It's a pleasure to meet you."

Ding Hui looked at the Secret Rabbit with great interest, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Nice to meet you. I'm already looking forward to seeing how much of a shock your organization can give me."

"I won't let Doctor Ding down."

Fang Yu then said, "By the way, I wonder how much your organization knows about curses?"

"Is Young Master Diao cursed?"

Upon hearing this, Secret Rabbit's eyes flashed with interest. She took a few steps forward and got closer to Fang Yu, scrutinizing his face and pupils without any hesitation, even twitching her nose slightly as if she were sniffing something.

She was very close, and she exuded an aura that was a mixture of herbs and strange metals.

After a moment, Secret Rabbit frowned slightly and took half a step back: "Young Master Fang's aura is indeed somewhat abnormal, obscure and tangled. But as for what kind of curse it is, I can't discern too many details from observation alone."

This is actually quite remarkable, because there aren't many people who can do this just by observing.

Then, Secret Rabbit changed the subject again, her tone filled with confidence and allure: "However, Young Master Diao, you can rest assured. Our organization has the corresponding research and technical means to solve most curses in the world. As long as you can pass the assessment and officially join the organization to demonstrate your value, the organization will definitely help you eradicate this mere curse."

She paused, then suggested, seemingly with good intentions, "If you trust me, young master, you can let me investigate now. Perhaps I can glean some clues and make preparations as soon as possible."

Fang Yu was somewhat tempted, but he also understood that the other party was actually using the examination to see if his "value" was worth their resources for treatment.

Before he could even speak, Ding Hui, as if possessive of her food, preemptively said, "My husband's curse is related to the 'Molten Heart Cave' in the Gathering of Evil. I wonder if you know anything about this?"

"The Molten Core Cave?"

The rabbit's expression changed instantly, its eyes blazing with intense curiosity and a thirst for knowledge—the kind of light a researcher would have when seeing a rare sample. "It actually originated from there?! No wonder... no wonder it felt so different! I'm not really interested in ordinary curses, but something from a place that gathers evil spirits, especially something born from an extreme environment like the Molten Core Cave, is quite interesting!"

She looked at Fang Yu from head to toe as if she were seeing him in a new light, as if she were examining a rare and precious artifact.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she composed herself slightly only after her view was completely blocked by Ding Hui, and said with a smile, "By the way, Doctor Ding's medical skills are extraordinary, but is he powerless against this curse?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Hui narrowed her eyes, revealing a helpless yet self-deprecating smile: "I'm ashamed. If it were a virus, I might give it a try. But I have very little research on curses, and I don't even have a clue about them yet."

Her answer was modest, and even Fang Yu was a little surprised that she was putting on such a humble attitude, which was completely out of character for her.

Secret Rabbit's eyes darted around, and her smile became subtle: "Is that so..."

She didn't press further, but a hint of contemplation in her eyes indicated that she clearly didn't fully believe Ding Hui's words.

However, she quickly composed herself and stepped aside to lead the way: "In that case, please follow me. Although Shadow Monkey has instructed that the core area will not be open for the time being, it is no problem for me to show you around the perimeter. This will also allow Young Master Diao and Doctor Ding to have a better understanding of the strength of our organization."

This is naturally excellent.

The three followed the secret rabbit through the inconspicuous door and headed straight for a woodshed. They activated the switch to the secret room and went underground.

A wide corridor appeared before everyone.

Secret Rabbit led the way, and the three followed, soon arriving at the base below.

Fang Yu looked around curiously and found that the base was quite well-constructed, unlike what one might expect from a temporary facility.

"This is our training ground..."

"This is the supplies depot..."

"This is for transmitting intelligence..."

Secret Rabbit really doesn't treat them like outsiders.

Although the area on display wasn't exactly the most central, it still secretly alarmed Fang Yu.

Its advanced facilities, rigorous management, and highly skilled staff far exceeded Fang Yu's expectations.
Finally, the Secret Rabbit led them to an exceptionally spacious hall. Inside, dozens of huge, cylindrical, transparent culture tanks were arranged, filled with nutrient solution bubbling with fine bubbles.

Immersed in the culture tank were naked human bodies!
There were men and women, of different sizes, but all of them had their eyes closed and their faces expressionless, and their bodies were connected by a dense network of tubes.

What's even more unsettling is that these human bodies all exhibit some inhuman features to varying degrees, such as keratinous scales, bone spurs, heterochromatic pupils, or unnaturally wriggling, glowing patterns under the skin.

A strong, strange smell filled the air.

(End of this chapter)