Chapter 81: Deep Dive and Hidden Murder
The "Deep Dive" plan was quietly launched under Ye Li's supreme command. The Youge, like a sophisticated shadow machine, operated with unprecedented caution and efficiency under Lin Feng's coordination. However, the investigation involved extremely sensitive issues; the slightest misstep could lead to irreparable consequences.
Sun Xiaohou mobilized all of his deepest, most reliable undercover agents, attempting to penetrate the situation from various angles. Some monitored the unusual spending and travel records of Zhan Kuangfeng's core disciples; some attempted to contact the Zhan Kuangfeng elders, who had been marginalized and ostracized by Situ Kuang; and still others operated in the gray area connecting to the black market and information dealers, offering a substantial reward for any information related to the "Shadow Demon," the "Key," or the major events of Blackwater City over a decade ago.
Zhang Yuan, leveraging his background in the Weapon Hall (though he'd left, his connections remained), carefully investigated whether there were any records of unusual materials leaking out of the Hall, or rumors of a special "key"-shaped magical artifact. Li Yun, leveraging his connections at Danxia Peak, sought to identify any requests for the refining of special elixirs or poisons related to demons and spirits.
Meanwhile, Ye Li herself was not idle either. Using her elite disciple privileges, she repeatedly visited the secret archives section of the sect's library. Under the pretext of researching Northern Territory history and ancient formations, she attempted to access sealed copies of the original files concerning the Blackwater City mission from over a decade prior, as well as any ancient records mentioning "keys" or unusual spatial fluctuations.
However, the reason taboos are taboos is that they are surrounded by invisible spider webs. Although Youge and Yeli's actions are extremely secretive, the object of their investigation is Situ Kuang, who has been entrenched in the sect for many years and has deep-rooted power, as well as the even more mysterious forces that may exist behind him.
The first person to notice something unusual was Situ Kuang.
Zhan Kuangfeng, inside the secret room. Situ Kuang listened to the report from his trusted disciple, his face terribly gloomy.
"Master, in recent days, several unsuccessful disciples in the peak seem to be a little restless and have been in more frequent contact with the outside world. In addition, someone suddenly asked for information about 'Black Water City' and 'Key' on the black market at a high price. And... that bitch Ye Li has been frequently going in and out of the secret archive area of the library recently, looking up old cases and obscure ancient books." The trusted disciple said cautiously.
A cold light flashed in Situ Kuang's eyes, and he crushed the armrest of the chair with his fingers. "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me! Who are these traitors who dared to leak the news? Also, keep an eye on Ye Li! She must have noticed something! We can't let her investigate any further!"
A strong sense of unease welled up in his heart. Blackwater City and the "key" were his deepest secrets, crucial to his collaboration with Shadow Prison. He couldn't afford any mistakes! Ye Li was truly a nuisance, and she had to be eliminated as soon as possible!
Almost at the same time, tens of thousands of miles away from Xuanyun Sect, deep in a dark valley shrouded in black fog all year round, in a palace built of bones and black stones.
Atop the throne, a vague, shadowy figure, seemingly composed of pure shadows, trembled slightly before uttering a cold, hoarse voice that reached directly into the soul: "...The Xuanyun Sect's 'spy' has sent word that someone is investigating Blackwater City and the 'key'... The aura points to the little girl who possesses the 'Origin Fragment'..."
Beneath the throne, a cultivator shrouded in black robes, possessing the aura of a Yuan Dan realm, knelt on one knee and said respectfully, "Lord Shadow Demon, do you require me to send someone to infiltrate Xuanyun Sect and…"
"No need." The shadowy figure, the "Shadow Demon," interrupted him. "The Xuanyun Sect is a major human sect after all, with a Divine Ability Realm veteran in charge. Rushing in is too risky. That loser Situ Kuang couldn't even handle such a small matter... Send him a message. At all costs, eliminate that girl during the exploration of the ruins and retrieve the 'fragment'! He knows the consequences if he fails again!"
"Yes!" The black-robed monk slowly merged into the darkness and disappeared.
The invisible crisis, like an ever-tightening noose, quietly enveloped Ye Li and You Ge.
Ye Li was the first to feel the pressure. She discovered that her access to the secret archives section of the library seemed to be subject to some hidden restrictions, with certain particularly sensitive areas requiring higher-level approval. When she tried again to access the complete Blackwater City mission file, a senior deacon in charge of the secret archives (who was secretly friendly with Zhan Kuangfeng) declined her request, stating that "part of the file involves sect secrets and requires personal approval from the Sect Master or Elder Yan of the Law Enforcement Hall."
This seemed to be in accordance with the rules, but the timing was too coincidental. Ye Li sneered inwardly, knowing that the other party had begun to be on guard.
Even more alarming was the feeling she had of being monitored by several extremely subtle auras. These auras were intermittent, their concealment highly skilled, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary Condensation Veins Realm cultivators or even Spiritual Mansion Realm cultivators. They were more like professional spies. She tried to track them back with her spiritual sense, but they always managed to stay one step ahead, clearly demonstrating special training.
"I've definitely alerted the enemy..." Ye Li was filled with awe. The other party's swift and professional response only confirmed the power behind them.
Back at Youge, problems were also beginning to arise. Several key undercover connections developed by Sun Xiaohou were lost one after another, with no trace of either the person or the body. A member of the outpost, attempting to contact an elderly man on the edge of Zhan Kuang Peak, suffered an "accident" on his way back and fell off a cliff. Although he survived, he was seriously injured and fell into a coma. A secret contact point arranged by Lin Feng in the market town was destroyed overnight by unidentified individuals, and all supplies were looted.
All signs indicate that a net is quietly being spread to eliminate Youge. The enemy's counterattack is ruthless and efficient.
"Master, the situation is not good! 'Shadow Fang' has lost contact after sending the last message! The message only has four words: 'Danger, retreat quickly!'" The message sent by Lin Feng through the sub-mirror was filled with unprecedented anxiety.
Ye Li's heart sank. Shadowfang was a trusted confidant of Gao Sheng. His loss of contact and warning meant that Youge's infiltration might have been discovered, and perhaps Shadowfang himself was exposed and in danger.
"Activate the emergency plan!" Ye Li made a decisive move. "All active members immediately enter a deep-lying state and cut off all non-essential contact! Abandon all bases that could be exposed! Lin Feng, you must leave your current residence immediately and activate the backup safe house! Zhihe, Xiaohou, Xiaoyi, Zhang Yuan, and Li Yun, the five of you will temporarily split up into small groups and accept remote missions from the sect as independent cultivators. Leave the sect's sphere of influence and stay out of the spotlight! Without my direct order, no one is allowed to act or communicate without authorization!"
This was a drastic decision. It meant that part of the network that Youge had painstakingly built would be abandoned, severely hampering its development momentum. However, to preserve its core strength, this was the only option.
"Yes! Pavilion Master! You must also be extremely careful!" Lin Feng knew the seriousness of the situation and executed it immediately.
After severing communication with Youge, Ye Li sat alone in her quiet room, the atmosphere oppressive and suffocating. Her investigation had barely begun, yet she had already faced such a ferocious counterattack. The enemy's cunning and strength had exceeded her expectations. The truth behind her parents' disappearance seemed to be shrouded in an even thicker fog, and she herself was plunged into unprecedented danger.
The challenges posed by the Mirror of Conscience in the open, the mysterious surveillance in the dark, and the purge of Youge... crises are coming from all directions.
But there was no sign of retreat in her eyes; instead, a colder fire ignited. The more frantically the opponent tried to cover up the truth, the more it showed that she had touched upon the key point! This in turn strengthened her determination to investigate further.
"Want my life? Then let's see who falls first!" Ye Li slowly clenched his fists, and his fingertips turned slightly white due to the force.
She realized that her previous strategy needed to be adjusted. Given the vast disparity in power and the enemy's tight defenses, covert investigations were making little progress and would only lead to continued depletion. Perhaps the Bingpo Xuan Palace ruins, the center of the seemingly most dangerous vortex, could actually be the opportunity to break the deadlock! The complex environment there, with its intermingled forces, was the perfect place to fish in troubled waters and find loopholes!
She needs more powerful strength, and needs to give those enemies hiding in the dark in the ruins a fatal "surprise"!
For the next few days, Ye Li entered a complete state of retreat. She poured all her energy into training and honing her ultimate moves. All the turmoil in the outside world seemed to have no bearing on her. However, beneath this seemingly peaceful retreat, a more intense storm was brewing. A life-or-death crisis was imminent.
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