You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

Finally, the preparation of drugs with different functions is complex and the cost is likely not low.

"Were the leaders who fought us, like the one who could turn invisible, or the one who wielded the greatsword, also products of the potion?"

Chen Yang pressed for an answer.

"Based on our analysis, the situation is more complicated for those leaders."

Jiang He's tone became serious.

"They are likely to possess certain special abilities or cultivation foundations, perhaps obtained through other means, in addition to using the drug. They are a combination of 'drugs + personal traits,' making them even more difficult to deal with."

Those units that rely solely on medication are far inferior in combat effectiveness, adaptability, and endurance, as can be clearly seen from the comparison of our combat and captured personnel.

Chen Yang took a deep breath.

"I understand. So, you've also made some progress regarding that potion that allows people to control certain special powers?"

"There are some preliminary inferences, but those involving deeper energy and gene interactions are still under investigation. The technology involved in this type of drug is obviously more advanced, and the preparation and use conditions are likely to be more demanding."

Jiang He frankly admitted this, then changed the subject.

"By the way, regarding the armor replicas you asked about before, the first batch of experimental models is already being tested. If the performance meets the standards, mass production is very likely. Didn't you say that the Qingwei Sect disciples needed them? In that case, we can prioritize supplying you with a portion of the first batch of finished products."

"That's perfect."

Chen Yang is looking forward to this, as the improvement of equipment is crucial to the overall combat strength.

He got back to the main topic.

"So, you contacted me this time not just to report on the research progress, but to invite me to help take down this hideout in the Northwest?"

"It saves trouble to talk to smart people."

Jiang He smiled, his tone becoming serious.

"That's right! This stronghold is likely more important than any of the small strongholds we've eliminated before. Its defenses must be stronger, and it may even contain new types of enemies or technologies that we haven't yet mastered."

I plan to personally lead the team, organizing the elite forces of the Special Administration Bureau and coordinating with some military special forces to participate in this raid. I sincerely invite you to join us! With your commanding presence, our chances of success will be much greater.

More importantly, strongholds of this level likely contain crucial information that could directly point to the masterminds colluding with them domestically, or reveal their deeper objectives!

Chen Yang hardly hesitated; he had long wanted to completely eliminate these persistent men in black.

"Okay. When do we move out? Should I go to Kyoto to meet you, or will you come to me?"

"We're coming to find you."

The river was arranged to flow.

“Going directly from Kyoto to the northwest is a different route than going through the Qingwei Sect. Turning back to Kyoto midway would actually take a longer route.”

Our large force and equipment need time to assemble and prepare; we should arrive near your Qingwei Sect in about three days. We'll meet then and together take a special plane to the forward base near the target area. How does that sound?

"No problem, I'll be waiting for you at Qingwei Sect."

Chen Yang agreed, and then thought of something.

"By the way, if I happen to come here when the team I sent out to search for the immortal abode ruins in the mountains has some news to report, I might go into the mountains to confirm it. If you're not in a hurry, you can go with me and take a look; perhaps we can be of help."

Jiang He readily agreed.

"Alright! The Immortal Abode Ruins are a great opportunity. If I'm lucky enough to participate, it will broaden my horizons, and I might even be able to repay a favor to you. It's settled then, see you in three days!"

Hanging up the phone, Chen Yang gripped his phone, his gaze fixed on the northwest, a cold glint in his eyes. So they're finally going to come knocking? This time, he'll definitely get to the bottom of this!

He put his phone away and continued up the mountain path. When he passed the entrance to the mountain gate, there was still a long queue and a bustling atmosphere. The disciples in charge of testing and registration were extremely busy. People were constantly leaving disappointed because their aptitude, temperament, or innate qualities did not meet the requirements, while others happily passed the preliminary test and were led to complete the entry procedures.

"Sigh, it didn't pass again... The Qingwei faction's requirements are too high."

"That's right, I've had it tested three times already, and they all say my meridians aren't resilient enough..."

"Forget it, I heard that the Zhao family in our town is recruiting these days. They're offering pretty good terms, including room and board and a basic pill subsidy. Why don't we give it a try?"

"It seems the mountain god temple has relaxed its requirements; as long as you are sincere and willing to endure hardship, they seem to accept you..."

"Let's go, let's try our luck elsewhere. We can't put all our eggs in one basket."

The whispers of the unsuccessful candidates reached Chen Yang's ears, but he remained calm.

This is exactly the situation he wanted to see—the Qingwei Sect established a brand image of high standards and superior resources, attracting the most outstanding talents; while other forces were also forced to raise their standards and participate in the competition, forming a tiered and dynamic market for cultivation talents.

This may not necessarily be a bad thing for the spiritual practice ecosystem in the entire region.

He was about to step up the mountain when he saw Wang Xuan and Qingqing coming from another path, looking travel-worn. Wang Xuan was carrying a bulging cloth bag, the contents of which were unknown.

"Master!"

Wang Xuan, with his sharp eyes, spotted Chen Yang and immediately pulled Qingqing along as they ran over.

"Senior Chen Yang."

Qingqing also bowed respectfully.

Chen Yang looked at the two of them.

"Where did you come from? Didn't I tell you to cultivate properly in the back mountain and digest the resources I gave you?"

Wang Xuan quickly explained.

“Master, we didn’t slack off! Elder Xuan Shui temporarily gathered a few agile disciples, divided them into several teams, and sent them to conduct preliminary investigations in some suspicious areas he designated on the outskirts of the mountains. Qingqing and I were also selected, and we just returned from patrolling one area.”

Qingqing added.

"Yes, senior, we are very serious. We also found several springs with particularly rich spiritual energy and a small patch of strange, glowing moss. We have marked and reported them all. Elder Xuan Shui said he would send more professional people to investigate in detail."

Chen Yang's expression softened slightly, and he nodded.

"Since it's a sect mission, then forget it. Remember, safety comes first. Don't rush into anything you don't understand. Get some rest when you get back, and make the most of your time to cultivate. Strength is the foundation of everything."

"Yes, Master!"

The two responded in unison, and seeing that Chen Yang had no further instructions, they took their leave and headed towards the disciples' living quarters.

Chen Yang watched their retreating figures, shook his head, and continued on his way. Returning to the secluded pavilion belonging to the sect leader on the back mountain, he activated the protective barrier to ensure no one would disturb him before sitting cross-legged in the quiet room.

With a thought, the dark purple "Dream-Guiding Brocade Box" reappeared in his hand. Opening the box, he brushed aside the mostly weakened illusory dust on top, his fingertips touching the cool, round bead at the bottom. Chen Yang carefully took it out and held it in his palm.

This is the bead that is suspected to be the "Core of the Realm Spirit".

It is about the size of a pigeon egg, and its entire body is a deep, dark red color, as if it contains a nebula. Upon closer inspection, the inside of the bead does not seem to be a solid.

Instead, countless tiny chaotic points of light slowly rotate, appear and disappear, flowing with an indescribable spiritual charm that lies between reality and illusion. Holding it in your hand, a subtle feeling of being in harmony with the surrounding space, as if it could stir the earth's veins, appears and disappears.

He tried to infuse a trace of pure magical power into the bead, but it didn't react at all. He then tried to mobilize the power of Yin magic, but the bead only showed a slightly faster flow of light on its surface, without any other changes.

"That's not how it's used..."

Chen Yang muttered to himself.

He recalled the description in ancient texts of "feeling as if it were in the palm of one's hand," and the covetousness of the remnant soul of Liyue over this object. If it truly was the core that controlled a blessed land, its manipulation method would likely lean more towards the level of divine consciousness or soul.

As a Yin Marshal, his perception and control of soul power far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators. Chen Yang closed his eyes, his mind clear, and carefully separated a wisp of pure divine consciousness, like the gentlest tentacle, slowly reaching towards the dark red bead in his palm.

The instant my divine sense touched the surface of the bead—

"Buzz!"

Chen Yang felt a slight jolt in his mind, not from an attack, but as if he had passed through an invisible film of water.

Immediately afterwards, the scene before his eyes completely changed!

The scene was no longer that of a quiet room; his consciousness seemed to be sucked into a strange space.

All around was a vast expanse of white, with swirling, thick fog that obstructed his vision, limiting him to a radius of about ten feet around him. The sensation beneath his feet was strange; it felt soft and yielding, as if he were walking on thick, elastic clouds, yet it was also solidly supporting his "consciousness."

"Is this... the internal space of the bead? Or is it an illusion into which my consciousness has been drawn?"

Chen Yang remained vigilant, maintaining a focused spiritual awareness, and slowly "walked" in one direction.

The fog seemed endless; no matter which direction he moved, the surrounding scenery remained exactly the same, monotonously unsettling. His sense of time also became blurred; he felt he had walked for a long time—perhaps an incense stick's time, perhaps an hour—but showed no sign of approaching the boundary or discovering anything unusual.

"Something's wrong..."

Chen Yang stopped in his tracks.

He tried to use his divine sense to explore further in all directions, but as soon as his divine sense moved a little further away from his body, it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, swallowed and assimilated by the dense fog, and all that came back was a blurry blank space.

"Could it be some kind of trapping formation? Or is this bead itself a bewitching treasure?"

Chen Yang's mind raced. He remembered Li Yue's illusion magic. This bead was made by her, so it was normal for it to have a mind-bending mechanism inside.

"Fire eyes and golden pupils!"

Within this space of divine consciousness, Chen Yang could also visualize and unleash his own supernatural powers. Silently circulating his profound skills, a pair of golden "Dharma Eyes" appeared before his consciousness, their divine light shining brightly as they scanned the surrounding mist.

With keen eyes, one can see through illusions and discern the truth, understanding the essence of energy and its false pretenses.

Wherever the golden light reached, the originally thick white mist suddenly rippled like water with a pebble thrown in, and the scene began to distort and change.

In Chen Yang's "legal eye" of vision, the boundless fog quickly faded and dissipated, revealing the "true face" of this place.

Where is this endless space? His consciousness is clearly confined to a small, empty, gray, enclosed spherical space, no more than ten feet square!

All around him were smooth walls, as if formed from some kind of condensed energy, and the same material beneath his feet. His "long walk" had been nothing but standing still! It was a sensory illusion created by the space itself, making him believe he was constantly moving forward!

"It really was a trap! Or rather, a test?"

Chen Yang felt a chill run down his spine.

If this bead were truly a spirit of the realm, how could it be so easily controlled? Setting up obstacles would be the only logical thing to do.

Having seen through the truth of the space, Chen Yang no longer attempted to "walk".

He focused his mind, preparing to retract the wisp of divine consciousness he had extended into his body. Normally, as long as one sees through the illusion and remains steadfast in their resolve, their divine consciousness can naturally return along the path it came from.

However, when he tried to calm his mind and withdraw the wisp of divine consciousness that had entered the bead, he felt a stagnant resistance!

The feeling was as if one end of his consciousness was firmly glued to this gray space by invisible glue. No matter how much he tried to urge his thoughts, his consciousness could not move an inch, let alone be pulled away!

Chen Yang's heart sank. He tried again, even using the secret techniques from the Yin Laws to stabilize his soul and traverse the void, but the result was still the same.

That wisp of divine consciousness seemed to be welded to the inside of the bead. Although the connection with the main body was not severed, the channel for returning seemed to be completely locked.

"This……"

Chen Yang's true form opened his eyes in the quiet room, his brows furrowed, his expression turning solemn. The dark red bead in his palm remained still, its internal nebula slowly rotating, as if silently mocking his attempt.

The divine sense... can't be retrieved?!
Feeling trapped in his mind, as if an arm had been severed, this sense of being out of control ignited a fire within Chen Yang.

He's not exactly known for his good temper, especially after being outmaneuvered repeatedly.

The wisp of divine consciousness trapped within the hazy space of the bead suddenly erupted with intense emotional fluctuations—not fear, but a chilling rage. Chen Yang used his divine consciousness as a medium to unleash his anger and questioning directly within this small space.

"Who goes there?! Don't play tricks on me! I know you're here! Get out here!"

The voice of divine consciousness echoed like muffled thunder within the enclosed space, causing ripples to appear on the surrounding gray walls.

However, apart from his own echo, there was no other response. The space remained deathly silent and indifferent.

"You're not coming out, huh? Fine! Let's see how long you can hide!"

Chen Yang's anger intensified.

Although he was only a wisp of divine consciousness here, his mind was connected to his physical body, and the power of the cultivation techniques practiced by his physical body could also be manifested through his divine consciousness.

"The primordial chaos descends, the majestic power of Heaven shines forth! Break!"

The trapped consciousness suddenly shone brightly, drawing upon the immense magical power within its own dantian. A beam of pure white light, formed from refined and subtle spiritual energy, appeared out of thin air in the gray space, carrying a righteous aura that could cleanse evil and shatter illusions. It slammed into the spatial barrier directly in front of it!

"boom!"

The beam of light exploded, and spiritual energy surged, creating quite a spectacle.

However, the gray barrier only trembled slightly, rippling out a slightly noticeable circle of waves, before quickly returning to calm without even a crack appearing.

Unconvinced, Chen Yang manipulated this wisp of divine consciousness, unleashing one by one the various offensive techniques of the Pure Subtle Primordial Descent Grand Art. Spiritual sword energy, the Zhen character seal, pure Yang thunder and fire… a continuous barrage of energy, some sharp, some fierce, bombarded every direction of space. (End of Chapter)