Emerging from the mine tunnel, the two men and one dog felt as if an entire age had passed.
They had clearly only gone down for a short while, yet so much had happened in that brief span. Li Hao, in particular, had witnessed a scene transmitted from an unknown era, a vision that instantly broadened both their horizons.
Outside the tunnel, Hu Hao and Chen Jian were still waiting.
Neither of them knew that in just a few short hours beneath the earth, both Li Hao and Yuan Shuo had made tremendous strides in strength.
It was now past three in the morning.
Seeing them emerge, Hu Hao immediately spoke up. "Teacher Yuan... that dog barged in on its own earlier. I thought I remembered seeing it with you and Li Hao before, so I didn't..."
Yuan Shuo waved a hand dismissively.
It was already inside and out; there was nothing to fuss over.
Black Panther wagged its tail with a distinctly fawning air. It was genuinely terrified of Yuan Shuo.
"We can withdraw from here," Yuan Shuo said.
The two sentries were taken aback. Hu Hao understood better than most what ruins represented, and in just a few hours, they couldn't have gained much of anything, could they?
They were pulling out just like that?
"Teacher Yuan, we're not... exploring further?"
Yuan Shuo smiled. "The Qiao family took almost everything. There's nothing left now. Even if there are unexplored areas, they aren't places we can delve into right now. Perhaps in a few years, we can try again."
Unable to explore?
Hu Hao understood.
Such situations were hardly unheard of. For example, the next ruin they planned to explore had been shelved precisely because their strength was insufficient to venture deep inside.
It was a common enough occurrence.
Yet this also signaled one thing: the underground ruins were extraordinary.
The fact that Qiao Feilong had managed to step into Three Sols showed just how many treasures they had plundered and digested into raw power.
"Professor Yuan, so we're just going to leave it be?"
Chen Jian couldn't help scratching his head. "Isn't... isn't that too much of a waste?"
These were ancient ruins!
Unlike supernatural experts who had explored ruins before, Chen Jian had never set foot in one. He had only heard tales and knew they held incredible treasures.
Yet Li Hao and Yuan Shuo had returned empty-handed. It looked as though they had gained nothing.
To abandon it without exploring felt like an unbearable pity.
Li Hao explained in a soft voice, "It isn't a waste. Pushing further right now won't achieve anything. Once we have enough strength, coming back will be the same."
"I'm just worried someone else might find it..."
"It's fine."
Li Hao smiled. "Brother Chen, if even my teacher has no way in, what hope do others have? Of course, if an expert beyond Three Sols comes along, that's another matter. They might manage it, but if an expert of that caliber arrives and wants to force their way in, there wouldn't be anything we could do anyway."
That did make sense!
With that, neither Chen Jian nor Hu Hao had anything left to say.
The ruins were the spoils of Li Hao and Yuan Shuo. Since both of them saw no point in continuing, there was naturally no need to press the matter.
Since they didn't need to hold the perimeter, they could pull back.
Hu Hao offered, "None of us drove here. How about I fly everyone back..."
"Too many people. Forget it, avoid the hassle."
Yuan Shuo waved him off. "Just fly back with that fat lump. Li Hao and I will use the old method—we'll run."
Flying consumed mysterious energy. Carrying Chen Jian alone would exhaust Hu Hao; Chen Jian weighed more than Yuan Shuo and Li Hao combined.
***
After exchanging a few brief words, Li Hao and Yuan Shuo began running back, just as they had come.
This time, Black Panther was with them.
Across the wilderness, the two men and one dog sprinted once more, bounding and leaping like wild deer.
And this time, Li Hao could clearly feel that he was moving faster and faster, even quicker than before.
Hundred-Breaker culmination... he had barely scraped his way into this realm.
Now, all that remained was to fuse his inner force with his momentum, forging a sword to achieve the final synthesis.
Of course, it didn't necessarily have to be a sword.
A balance of offense and defense.
A sword was good, but linking with the earth was also an excellent choice. Li Hao was in no rush now.
Rushing hastily into Thousand-Battler might leave him on par with Captain Liu.
Yet if he could successfully connect both the sword and the earth, perhaps he could become like his teacher.
One could slay Three Sols, while the other could only contend with Solar Radiance—and merely an early Solar Radiance at that. The disparity between them was immense.
A high realm was desirable, but if a high realm yielded pitiful combat strength, it would never satisfy Li Hao. At the very least, he needed to hit a solid baseline. For instance, upon entering Thousand-Battler, even if he couldn't kill Three Sols like his teacher, dealing with ordinary peak Solar Radiance experts ought to be well within reach, shouldn't it?
***
As he ran, Li Hao tuned his senses to the power of the earth.
He closed his eyes, navigating not by sight, but by feeling and his faint perception.
Upon reaching Thousand-Battler, a martial master possessed momentum, and momentum acted as eyes.
By then, even with eyes shut, one could perceive everything in the vicinity. That was the next skill Li Hao needed to master.
Advancing too quickly left him with countless gaps to bridge.
Furthermore, if he stepped into Thousand-Battler, what would happen to his Five Animals Art?
Without the momentum of the Five Animals, the art's power would be drastically diminished. It certainly wouldn't compare to his teacher's—that was an absolute certainty.
Even if Nine Refinements Force could achieve a ninefold stack, if it didn't align with his momentum...
A ninefold-stacked sword strike?
The thought struck Li Hao mid-stride.
Could the Five Animals Art, the momentum of the earth, sword intent, and Nine Refinements Force be combined?
The Five Animals Art had been painstakingly refined by his teacher until the momentum of all five beasts fused into one, creating tremendous power. Could he attempt something similar in the future?
Countless ideas surfaced in his mind.
Before he realized it, Li Hao had arrived at the edge of the city.
It was still early, but early risers were already stepping out. Murmurs and shouts drifted from the vegetable market, and the tempting aroma of breakfast stalls hung in the air. At this hour, the city was stirring to life.
***
Inside the Inspectorate, Liu Long nodded slightly as he listened to Chen Jian's report.
He didn't pry into the ruins.
Chen Jian and Hu Hao's return made it clear that the ruins couldn't be excavated for now. Liu Long felt a twinge of regret. At a juncture like this, if Yuan Shuo or Li Hao could obtain treasures from the ruins to boost their strength, it would benefit him as well.
"Since Professor Yuan said to leave it alone, we'll leave it alone!"
Liu Long declared, then turned his gaze to Chen Jian. "Are you certain you want to stop trying to advance as a supernatural and choose to step into Hundred-Breaker instead?"
Chen Jian hesitated briefly, then gave a firm nod. "Yes! With supernatural abilities, I've never found one that matches me. I thought I was suited for earth-element defense and tried absorbing earth-element energy, but I never succeeded. To be honest, I'm worried that because I've always focused on defense, if I suddenly awaken some healing ability... I really wouldn't know what to do with myself.
"Besides, martial masters aren't weak!
"Professor Yuan is a Thousand-Battler who killed Three Sols, and Boss, you're a Thousand-Battler who killed a Solar Radiance. Since there's a path forward for martial masters, why shouldn't I walk it?
"If it really turns out down the line that I can't break into Thousand-Battler, transitioning from Hundred-Breaker into a supernatural isn't impossible either—it'll just take a bit more mysterious energy."
At this point, Chen Jian couldn't help chuckling. "Boss, I've noticed that the speed at which we acquire mysterious energy now is more than a hundred times faster than before! If I stay stuck in the Ten-Slayer realm, I won't even be able to take part in the next fight. How would I earn a share of mysterious energy then?"
The team's overall strength was vastly superior to what it used to be.
As of now, only he and Wu Chao remained in the Ten-Slayer realm.
Back then, it had felt entirely sufficient, but now... if this continued, they would be left in the dust.
Liu Long nodded slightly. "As long as it's what you want. Martial masters... are not weak!"
Having stepped into Thousand-Battler, he felt this deeply. "I might not be as formidable as Professor Yuan, but my previous battle against that Solar Radiance—regardless of whether he was a novice or not—was enough to prove one thing: once a martial master reaches Thousand-Battler, no matter what ability the opponent wields, they won't fall behind an equal-tier supernatural."
Before Thousand-Battler, martial masters were disadvantaged mainly because supernatural abilities were so bizarre.
Some could fly, while others could burrow through the earth. Encountering those types, martial masters were often reduced to passive punching bags. That didn't mean every Hundred-Breaker martial master was inferior to a Lunar Nether supernatural.
Chen Jian nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Boss, then I'll take that Blood God Seed. I wonder if taking it will really push me into Hundred-Breaker..."
"It shouldn't be a problem."
Liu Long had also questioned Wang Ming, but he added, "Professor Yuan said that if you want to take the Blood God Seed, you can wait a few days. There's no rush."
"Oh, all right then!"
Chen Jian didn't ask further. After exchanging a few more words, they parted ways. They were accustomed to living in the Law Enforcement Building, a habit they hadn't broken to this day, allowing them to meet and talk at any hour of the night.
***
Following his usual routine, Li Hao waited until it was time for work before pedaling his battered bicycle to the Inspectorate.
He wasn't feigning poverty; he genuinely had nothing else to drive.
His teacher's car was gone, his own was wrecked, and the Inspectorate refused to lend him another. He had no choice but to revert to his old bicycle.
Just as he parked in front of the Inspectorate gates, someone called out to him. From the voice alone, he knew who it was.
"Li Hao!"
A slightly feisty voice drifted from behind.
The crisp and valiant Chen Na saw Li Hao turn around and complained, "Well, well! Look at you, getting promoted and making a fortune, completely forgetting your old friends!"
Seeing Chen Na brought a smile to Li Hao's face.
"Sister Na, when have I ever forgotten an old friend?"
"You dare say you haven't?"
Chen Na was actually aware of a few things; after all, the Night Watchers were hardly a secret within the Inspectorate anymore.
Ever since the Silver City Branch was established, the Night Watchers had operated almost in the open inside the Inspectorate.
She even knew Li Hao seemed to have become an official of sorts, a leader among the Night Watchers. But... so what?
"Didn't your side say earlier you were recruiting for logistics? It comes with a promotion, a raise, and a chance to see big scenes. Why didn't you look for me?"
"The Confidential Records Office is peaceful..."
"Tch!"
Chen Na rolled her eyes, but soon grinned teasingly. "I heard that Xiao Ming is also a leader over there? Captain Liu is the head, and you and Xiao Ming are both deputies?"
"Sister Na, your sources are well-informed."
Li Hao smiled and walked inside alongside her.
Having spent every day rubbing shoulders with supernaturals and martial masters, seeing an ordinary person again after just a few days away from Chen Na brought a surprisingly different feeling.
Looking back on his year in the Confidential Records Office, it really had been quite pleasant.
Now, no one would try to set him up on blind dates the moment he walked through the door.
Back then, it had felt annoying, but now, he found himself missing it just a little.
Human beings truly were complicated.
After chatting idly for a bit, they parted ways at an intersection. They didn't work in the same office building, and Chen Na had only been making conversation, harboring no actual desire for Li Hao to help her climb the ladder.
Li Hao made his way into the Law Enforcement Building.
Instead of heading to his own office, he went straight to Liu Yan's.
***
"Look who's here, a rare guest!"
Liu Yan looked as though she had just finished working out, wearing only a snug tank top that accentuated her striking figure.
However, the only jarring sight was her hands, which were scorched and withered.
Only a day had passed since the battle.
Earlier, with Hao Lianchuan present and sword energy running low, Li Hao hadn't rushed to treat her. More importantly, Liu Yan hadn't shown any outward signs of pain.
Looking closely now, though, her blackened hands appeared on the verge of cracking open. A careful glance even revealed glimpses of scorched yellow bone beneath, and that was after Yun Yao had already treated her.
Clearly, Liu Yan's injuries were far worse than she let on.
Li Hao frowned slightly, though his brow soon smoothed out. "Sister, didn't the higher-ups reward you with a pill? Take it now. I'll use a special inner force to help you dissolve it. Your hands should heal, and you might even take another step forward into mid Hundred-Breaker."
Liu Yan looked at him with an amused smirk. "Special inner force?"
Li Hao grinned back. "Yeah. Passed down by my teacher. Very formidable!"
"How formidable?"
Liu Yan threw him a flirtatious wink. Li Hao was left speechless. As expected, when bantering with a woman in her thirties, he was hopelessly outmatched.
Her hands were nearly ruined, yet she still had the presence of mind to wink at him.
After teasing him a bit, Liu Yan stopped poking fun. Without bothering to change, she walked straight up to him and leaned in close. "Little Hao, I'll trouble you then. Help big sister heal. Once my hands are better, I'll give you a massage with them to reward you..."
Forget it!
I definitely don't want that.
Li Hao didn't argue. He gave her a few instructions on how to digest the Blood God Seed's energy, then circulated the Five Animals Breathing Art to draw a sliver of sword energy, beginning to help Liu Yan absorb the pill and heal her hands.
Because the Blood God Seed had been refined into a pill by Hou Xiaochen, it could technically be digested without sword energy.
However, the process was slow, inefficient, and resulted in heavy waste.
A Lunar Nether-grade Blood God Seed wasn't actually enough to advance Liu Yan to mid Hundred-Breaker on its own, because most of its efficacy would be squandered. But paired with sword energy, the pill could be utilized to its absolute maximum.
This was why Yuan Shuo and Li Hao had told everyone not to rush into taking their Blood God Seeds.
Every bit of extra strength mattered.
As for the sword energy, the team members were already aware of its existence.
Li Hao was pragmatic about such things. Some secrets had to be hidden, but for things they already knew, he couldn't be bothered to overcomplicate the cover-up. Calling it "special inner force" was merely a polite formality.
Inside the office, Liu Yan's face flushed crimson.
Absorbing the power of a Red Shadow for the first time packed quite a punch.
Combined with the rapid healing of her hands, which sent tingling numbness through her flesh, Liu Yan couldn't help letting out a few soft moans.
Li Hao didn't think much of it at first. When he and his teacher had used it for the first time, they had cried out too.
Except he had forgotten—this was the Law Enforcement Building, and this was Liu Yan's office.
***
Outside the office.
Wang Ming pricked up his ears, pretending to stroll past casually.
A moment later, Hu Hao and Li Meng walked by, whispering to each other with folders in hand, looking like they were attending to official business.
Shortly after, Wu Chao and Chen Jian lingered outside the door as if waiting to deliver a report.
After another brief span, even Yun Yao approached, wearing her specialized spectacles.
A moment later, Liu Long walked over in his trench coat and barked in a low voice, "Don't you all have work to do?"
Wu Chao winked frantically toward the office, whispering, "Boss, someone's poaching your corner! In broad daylight... Team Leader Liu and Deputy Director Li are crossing the line!"
"Get lost!" Liu Long cursed under his breath. *You're the one getting poached.*
Still, in broad daylight...
And that kid Li Hao was just too... too much.
Liu Long felt embarrassed even extending his senses.
*Can't you two show some decency?*
Doing that right in the office while everyone was listening—Liu Long felt mortified on their behalf.
Shameless!
Wang Ming circled past again, his eyes gleaming with uncontainable gossip as he whispered eagerly, "Director Liu, do we ban workplace romance? Also, does this count as Li Hao abusing his authority for personal gain?"
Liu Long was thoroughly speechless.
Were all these supernaturals this gossipy?
Were they really that bored?
Just as they spoke, Liu Long suddenly sprang aside, vanishing in a flash. At that exact moment, the office door swung open.
Further down the corridor, Liu Long reappeared as if he had just arrived, barking, "What are you all standing around for? Don't you have work?"
Standing in the doorway, Li Hao looked completely exasperated.
*Did you really think I didn't sense you standing right there a second ago?*
Who would have thought the cold, arrogant, and wild Captain Liu had learned such tricks too?
Behind him, Liu Yan's face was flushed red. Still in her tank top, she poked her head out, looked at the crowd, and beamed. "Everyone's here?"
"..."
Silence.
Yun Yao couldn't resist spitting, "Shameless!"
Li Hao rolled his eyes heavenward. Offering no explanation, he called out directly, "Brother Chen, Brother Wu, get in here!"
"Us?"
The two exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.
*What for?*
*We didn't say anything!*
Wu Chao felt particularly guilty. He was the one who had just accused Li Hao of poaching Liu Long's corner. Was Li Hao about to make his life miserable?
"Get in! Does my word as deputy director carry no weight?"
The two dragged their feet reluctantly, casting several pleading looks at Liu Long. But Liu Long wore an indifferent expression, pretending not to see, completely ignoring them.
Left with no choice, the two resigned themselves to their fate and entered the office in despair.
*Bang!* The door snapped shut.
Wang Ming and the others stared at each other. What was going on?
A moment later... "Ahhh!"
Another moan echoed from within.
That was Chen Jian's voice.
Wang Ming's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't help looking at Liu Long, then over at Yun Yao, completely stunned. What kind of situation was this?
Had the Demon Hunting Squad always been this chaotic?
First Li Hao and Liu Yan, then Chen Jian was added to the mix... and Wu Chao was in there too. Was he going to start crying out next?
Liu Long's expression flickered several times before he finally managed, "They're cultivating!"
"Oh, right, right!"
Wang Ming nodded hastily, but... who would believe that?
In all his time cultivating, he had never made sounds like that, nor had he ever seen anyone else cultivate that way. Who were they trying to fool?
Screams of agony, sure!
Cultivating mysterious energy was excruciatingly painful, like being sliced by blades as the energy battered the body. He had heard agonized screams plenty of times. But this clearly wasn't that. Anyone could tell this was a sound of pure, unadulterated ecstasy, okay?
*Good heavens!*
It was an assault on the eyes and a total shatter of their worldview.
The three supernaturals who had joined only recently traded wide-eyed glances. Was this the secret behind the Demon Hunting Squad's tight-knit unity?
At that moment, the three subconsciously took a step away from Liu Long and Yun Yao.
Both Yun Yao and Liu Long were thoroughly speechless.
However, both deduced that they were likely genuinely cultivating. When Liu Yan and Li Hao had been alone, something improper might have crossed one's mind, but now that Chen Jian and Wu Chao were inside as well, it was obviously impossible for anything inappropriate to be taking place.
With that thought, Liu Long's mind turned to the Blood God Seeds...
A flicker of anticipation surfaced in his eyes.
Could it be that... Li Hao, or perhaps Yuan Shuo, had a method to make absorbing the Blood God Seeds easier?
Every person who had entered possessed a Blood God Seed.
And all of them were martial masters!
Yet the look of anticipation in Liu Long's eyes sent chills down Wang Ming's spine. Li Meng leaned in close, her voice barely a whisper. "Brother Wang, look at Director Liu's eyes... does he want to go in too?"
Wang Ming gave an imperceptible nod. It certainly looked like it!
*Terrifying!*
Not far off, Liu Long's ears twitched.
*Do these two think I can't hear them?*
Whatever. He couldn't be bothered to argue with them.
He continued to wait.
Right now, Liu Long was filled with eager anticipation.
If Wu Chao and Chen Jian advanced as well, then this squad—which had possessed only a single Hundred-Breaker not long ago—might see its entire roster reach the Hundred-Breaker and Lunar Nether tier today. And he, as the captain, had already broken into Thousand-Battler.
Though their numbers were small, one Thousand-Battler and eight Hundred-Breaker and Lunar Nether experts would be a formidable force anywhere.
Silver City's defense would reach an unprecedented peak.
The wait was agonizing.
Wang Ming and the others didn't leave. What began as explosive curiosity gradually shifted as they realized something genuinely remarkable was taking place.
Wang Ming's eyes flickered before he looked at Liu Long and asked softly, "Director Liu, what are they doing in there?"
Liu Long replied impassively, "A special cultivation method unique to our squad. Cultivating in the most comfortable manner possible—a proprietary secret. Typically, when hitting a bottleneck, cultivating this way for a short while allows for a breakthrough! I expect Wu Chao and Chen Jian to reach Hundred-Breaker this time."
"How is that possible?"
Wang Ming froze, thinking of the Blood God Seeds... But he had consumed one too. Although the effects were good, the pills Wu Chao and the others received were similar to the one he had taken. The effects couldn't possibly manifest that quickly, could they?
Besides, he hadn't moaned like that when eating his Blood God Seed.
Without sword energy to temper it, the Blood God Seed wasn't comfortable at all. Swallowing it was an ordinary, grueling experience that required enduring the eruption of the blood shadow's energy. It had been quite unpleasant.
He suspected Liu Long was lying to him!
Yet after roughly an hour of waiting, the office door opened once more.
Wu Chao and Chen Jian emerged, their faces flushed red with overwhelming excitement.
Chen Jian was drenched in sweat, but he paid it no heed. Looking at Liu Long, he threw an ecstatic punch, and a faint wisp of inner force rippled outward from his fist.
"Boss!"
Chen Jian shouted with wild joy, "I've stepped into Hundred-Breaker!"
In the past, advancing to Hundred-Breaker might have left them feeling somewhat conflicted, unsure whether to celebrate or lament their inability to awaken supernatural abilities.
Now, with Liu Long having reached Thousand-Battler, their craving for supernatural powers had cooled considerably.
Reaching Hundred-Breaker was a major breakthrough in its own right.
Wu Chao offered a faint smirk. "Same here!"
Behind them, Liu Yan had changed into her inspector uniform, concealing her curves as she smiled calmly. "I made a bit of progress too. Inner force extends through all four limbs now. I didn't reach mid Hundred-Breaker, but I'm nearly there."
Wu Chao and Chen Jian had only just gained the ability to project inner force outward, whereas she had advanced further, standing just a step away from the middle stage.
Wang Ming and the others were completely stunned!
It was real!
These guys had actually broken through.
Hu Hao suddenly blurted out, "Does that mean... every single member of the Silver City Night Watchers is now at Lunar Nether or Hundred-Breaker?"
"Li Hao..."
Wang Ming was about to point out that Li Hao hadn't, but Li Hao smiled bashfully. "Old Wang, I happened to break through last night too."
"..."
Silence fell.
Wang Ming's eyes went wide. Looking at Liu Long and the others, he was entirely dumbstruck. It took him a long moment to stammer, "Everyone... advanced!"
One Thousand-Battler and eight Lunar Nether and Hundred-Breakers.
Such strength surpassed every other Night Watcher branch, ranking behind only the Night Watcher forces of White Moon City and Yaoguang City.
Yaoguang City was the province's second-largest city, home to several Solar Radiance experts and dozens of Lunar Nethers, making it stronger than Silver City.
Other branches, however, were typically overseen by a single Solar Radiance, a handful of Lunar Nethers, and a few Starlight practitioners.
The weakest branches didn't even have a Solar Radiance.
Originally, the newly established Silver City Branch had been the weakest of them all. Yet in the blink of an eye, it had risen to become the third-strongest branch in Silver Moon Province. If one factored in the unofficial affiliate Yuan Shuo—a powerhouse capable of slaying Three Sols...
Perhaps only the provincial headquarters could match them.
"Let me catch my breath..."
Wang Ming struggled to process it, saying in disbelief, "This makes no sense. I know about Blood God Seeds. They're very helpful for martial masters entering the Ten-Slayer realm or advancing within it, but... the effects shouldn't be this absurd, right?"
This was too effective!
Li Hao chuckled. "Of course they are. But you forgot who my teacher is—a grandmaster of martial arts. Paired with a special technique, the results are naturally extraordinary."
With that, Li Hao added enticingly, "Not only that, but if we can get our hands on more Blood God Seeds, they aren't useless for supernaturals either..."
"What?"
Wang Ming gasped. "They work for supernaturals too?"
"Yes!"
Li Hao smiled. "Supernaturals absorb mysterious energy to empower themselves. But when mysterious energy is combined with a Blood God Seed, plus my teacher's proprietary secret, it works just as well! Take you, for example, Brother Wang. You specialize in the metal element. With some metal-element mysterious energy, a Blood God Seed, and a few other elements, your absorption of metal energy will become faster and more potent. I expect you'd reach Moon Overflow in no time, or even Solar Radiance!"
Wang Ming's eyes instantly blazed with light!
Was that for real?
Li Meng and Hu Hao were visibly stirred as well. Hu Hao couldn't hold back. "Um... I... I'm a flyer..."
"That's connected to wind. You usually absorb wind energy, right?"
Hu Hao nodded. Flight was indeed related to the wind element, essentially a variant of it, though not every wind-element user could fly from the start.
Li Meng interjected anxiously, "What about me? My third eye is the hardest to advance. If I could absorb mysterious energy freely, I would have broken through long ago. But I can only absorb unaligned mysterious energy to strengthen myself, which isn't an ideal match..."
At this moment, all three supernaturals could no longer sit still.
Watching the martial masters before them make rapid leaps while they remained stagnant was unbearable. Everyone had always said martial masters had a harder time advancing than supernaturals, but why did it suddenly feel like supernaturals had it hard while martial masters had it easy?
Liu Long finally spoke up. "All right, the Blood God Seeds are gone. Don't overthink it for now! Today, Wu Chao and Chen Jian both advanced... oh, and Li Hao too."
He already knew Li Hao had broken through earlier, but since the kid insisted on claiming it happened last night, Liu Long didn't bother exposing him.
"This is a great occasion. Along with the fall of the Qiao family, Liu Yan's vendetta has been settled... As for the remaining half of our debt, we'll settle that sooner or later!"
With that, Liu Long showed a rare smile. "Dinner's on me tonight!"
Everyone smiled.
Just as Li Hao was about to speak, Liu Long added, "We'll eat at Li Hao's place to save the trouble of going out. Also, Li Hao, remember to order the food!"
"..."
Li Hao stared in utter disbelief.
*Enough already!*
*Dinner's on you?*
*How does this count as your treat?*
The captain was treating him less and less like a human being.
Liu Long chuckled, ignoring Li Hao's look as he strode away in high spirits.
His mood was even better than when he had broken into Thousand-Battler.
Not only had no one in the squad died recently, but everyone had grown stronger. It truly was wonderful.
Seeing him leave, Li Hao didn't linger on the matter and walked toward Yun Yao. Ever since awakening as a water-element supernatural, the doctor had seemed somewhat downcast.
***
Yun Yao appeared calm.
Seeing Li Hao approach, she smiled. "Congratulations!"
"Sister Yun, can those spectacles of yours be made smaller?"
Li Hao didn't jump into other matters, asking about the glasses instead.
"I'm fine-tuning them lately."
Yun Yao nodded. "Making them smaller is possible, but seeing things through them is still very faint right now. I want to adjust them further so they show things more clearly."
"Sister Yun, once you've tuned them, could you give me a pair?"
"You want one?"
Li Hao nodded.
In truth, it wasn't for him, but for his teacher. Yuan Shuo harbored thoughts of hunting Red Moon powerhouses, but he couldn't see the Red Shadows. He could sense them faintly, but not clearly.
If paired with these spectacles to spot the red dots, combined with his perception, the Red Shadows wouldn't be able to hide from him!
Yun Yao's spectacles were of immense importance.
Right now, no one paid them much attention, but if handed over to higher authorities—especially figures at Hou Xiaochen's level who understood the truth about Red Moon—they would certainly be valued. The greatest strength of the Red Shadows lay in their concealment.
If everyone had spectacles that could spot the red dots, their stealth advantage would be shattered.
"Sister Yun, if you hand these glasses over to the higher-ups, they might..."
Before he could finish, Yun Yao cut in, "Not for now. The adjustments aren't finished. I know what you're thinking..."
Here, Yun Yao offered a cold, dismissive smirk. "Even if they were handed over, there's no guarantee they would be used against Red Moon. Instead, they might expose the secret prematurely and alert Red Moon."
Li Hao blinked in surprise.
Yun Yao said softly, "You must understand that the Night Watchers aren't a unified monolith. Silver Moon Province is relatively stable, but in some regions, certain provincial branches have already shown signs of fragmentation! Red Moon's influence in Silver Moon isn't very strong, so having these glasses here doesn't make a huge difference. Where they would truly matter is in places teeming with Red Moon experts... But those regions are also the most chaotic. Little Hao, handing over a good thing isn't always the right move."
She paused, then added, "Besides, are you certain no one else has a way to detect those things?"
Li Hao fell into deep thought.
Was there really no other way?
There had to be!
He knew for a fact that people capable of seeing the Red Shadows had been taken away by the Night Watchers.
Where had those people gone?
Why could they see them?
Sure enough, he still understood far too little, whereas Yun Yao seemed to know much more.
Liu Long had once said that everyone in the Demon Hunting Squad had their own story, but no one would pry unless someone chose to share on their own—just as Li Hao knew about Liu Yan's past.
What kind of story did Yun Yao carry?
"Once I finish tweaking them, I'll bring you a pair..."
Yun Yao didn't say much more. Since Li Hao wanted one, she didn't refuse.
Li Hao nodded and added, "Sister Yun, next time we secure good resources, I'll ask my teacher to help you advance too..."
"It's fine, no rush."
Yun Yao smiled gently. "I'm a doctor. Being a bit weaker doesn't matter."
Li Hao dropped the subject.
He truly hoped the entire squad would grow powerful.
Silver City was his hometown, and it held many secrets. Sooner or later, it would draw a swarm of powerful figures.
Meanwhile, the Night Watchers' stance had remained unchanged: they likely still intended to abandon Silver City and hold the major cities.
This was evident from Hao Lianchuan and his peers prioritizing the ruins above all else. They placed immense value on that defensive Origin God Armament. Teacher Yuan suspected it might be the Wang family's tortoise shell.
Was the Wang family's tortoise shell not in Red Moon's hands?
Li Hao was puzzled by this as well.
Just how many armaments had Red Moon seized?
***
As he pondered, a heavy arm draped over his shoulder. Wang Ming leaned in affectionately, grinning from ear to ear. "Li Hao, we're fellow disciples, you know that right?"
"..."
Li Hao was speechless.
*I know. I just found out yesterday. Also, I'm technically your senior brother.*
"Next time there are benefits, remember to call on me! We're our own people—closer than your ties with the Demon Hunting Squad, really!"
Wang Ming shamelessly curried favor, smiling radiantly. "I'll see if I can find a way to get some Blood God Seeds from White Moon City... Can you really help me advance?"
"Hard to say. You're already strong; a single Lunar Nether-grade seed might not be enough."
Wang Ming frowned slightly. That was true.
"Then... two?"
"Perhaps."
Wang Ming looked conflicted. Those things were difficult to acquire.
They were primarily reserved for nurturing new recruits.
Li Hao murmured softly, "Do you know where they originate?"
"No idea."
"I do."
Li Hao whispered, "My teacher knows as well. He said it's a special byproduct carried by Lunar Nether-tier supernaturals from the Red Moon organization. You should have sensed it last time—that invisible entity that wounded the director. It's extracted through a special method..."
Wang Ming's expression shifted drastically, turning from shock to sharp realization.
Red Moon!
Li Hao continued, "Kill one Lunar Nether, and you might get one to refine into a Blood God Seed. That is their true origin!"
*Hiss!*
Wang Ming inhaled sharply, then swallowed hard. "Really?"
"One hundred percent true. We're fellow disciples, why would I lie to you?"
"Then... if I kill two, I'll have a shot at advancing to Moon Overflow?"
"Yes, provided someone helps extract it. Only my teacher can do it; even I can't. So if you're interested, your best bet is to operate with us. Not just anyone can extract it—in the entire Silver Moon Province, only my teacher and Director Hou can manage it."
"So that's how it is!"
Wang Ming marveled, "Teacher truly is a man of peerless learning!"
He suddenly felt that becoming Yuan Shuo's nominal disciple was an absolute bargain.
Wonderful!
In that instant, he gritted his teeth. "Red Moon... an evil organization like that deserves to be wiped out! Next time we run into their people, we kill them on sight!"
Li Hao smiled.
That was more like it. Asking them to fight Red Moon purely for his sake might yield compliance, but dissent would inevitably brew over time.
Yet if it was for their own advancement?
Killing Red Moon members became second nature, didn't it?
This was mutual benefit!
Li Hao lowered his voice. "So, with your broad connections, help dig up information. For example, where are Red Moon's strongholds? Where are their experts? As Silver City locals, that kind of intel is hard for us to gather. Don't you have a network in White Moon City?"
"Of course I do!"
Wang Ming replied eagerly, "Leave it to me! Rest easy. Don't think I only know how to take advantage, Li Hao. In White Moon City, I carry the title of a genius. That's one thing. Second, my Wang family holds considerable power and influence. Without it, how could I have secured enough mysterious energy to advance so quickly?
"Let me put it this way: some elders in my family don't hold posts in the Night Watchers, but our Wang family is deeply rooted in the Silver Moon garrison... Li Hao, we're fellow disciples, no need for polite distance. Once we reach White Moon City, I can't promise the world, but your brother here can mobilize up to a thousand soldiers for you at any time..."
Li Hao frowned slightly. "Even that works? Is it really that lawless?"
Privately mobilizing troops!
Wang Ming curled his lip. "Ever since supernaturals rose up, everywhere has descended into chaos! What did you expect? Silver Moon is considered orderly because it still obeys central commands, but internally, various factions are fragmented too. Fortunately, everyone still cooperates to fend off powerful enemies."
He paused, then added, "Of course, only up to a thousand men. Any more, and I don't have the pull."
That was already incredible!
Li Hao could imagine the Wang family's influence was formidable, with high-ranking figures in the garrison. Otherwise, Wang Ming would have no authority to mobilize troops.
"How large is the Silver Moon garrison?"
"Around three hundred thousand, not too massive."
Wang Ming explained, then added, "Supernaturals aren't only in the Night Watchers; the garrison, the Inspectorate, and the Administrative Bureau all have some. But the Night Watchers have the most by far—more than the garrison. That's why the Night Watchers are the only official supernatural organization."
Li Hao nodded, filing away another piece of information.
This cheap junior brother might actually prove useful in the future.
Against supernaturals, the garrison appeared powerless right now.
Yet that was only true in small numbers. In large formations, where every man held a firearm backed by heavy artillery, an open battlefield could be subjected to saturation bombardment. Unless one was powerful enough to surpass Three Sols, even a Three Sols expert could be blasted to pieces!
As the two fellow disciples conversed, Li Meng, their cheap junior sister, soon joined them.
Previously, none of them had breathed a word about being nominal disciples, but now, each seemed eager to proclaim to the world that they were family.
Li Hao stifled a laugh.
He hadn't asked how his teacher had accepted these nominal disciples, but even without asking, he knew it must have been an amusing story. The old man had most likely forced them into discipleship at swordpoint.
Throughout the day, the entire Law Enforcement Building was bathed in joy.
Those who had advanced celebrated, while those who hadn't were filled with newfound hope. Every single one of them was thrilled to the core, itching to eradicate Red Moon then and there.
Chapter 69