Cultivation Online

”I’ve heard your concerns, General Mei, and I will personally look into the matter. For now, I must ask that you leave us,” General Gu said solemnly. ”Unless, of course, you intend to threaten me as you did before.”

However, Mei Feng made no move to leave. Moments later, the guards stationed at the northern gate were escorted into the office.

”What is it now?” General Gu sighed.

”These soldiers were on duty when the Scorpion Squad escorted Corporal Yuan out of the city. I would like to know why they ignored protocol and allowed them to leave without verifying their identities and mission details.”

”Well? What do you soldiers have to say for yourselves?” General Gu turned to the guards.

The soldiers immediately lowered their heads.

”W-We were in the wrong! We were slacking off and did not bother to verify their identities!”

”And... they were all officers with well-established reputations...”

Rather than making excuses or attempting to lie, they openly admitted their negligence and accepted responsibility.

General Gu turned to Mei Feng and said, ”It’s not as though this is the first time soldiers have grown complacent and neglected their duties. It was simply an unfortunate coincidence that it happened under these circumstances.”

He continued, ”I’ll personally see that they’re punished accordingly. Of course, if it would ease your concerns, I’m willing to let you decide their punishment yourself.”

”Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they receive the harshest punishment permitted, so others will think twice before making the same mistake,” Mei Feng said before turning toward the destroyed doorway.

Just as she reached the exit, she stopped.

”If anything happens to Corporal Yuan...”

However, she left the threat unfinished and walked away.

Once Mei Feng’s presence could no longer be sensed, the officers in the room turned toward General Gu with perplexed expressions.

Although they agreed that Mei Feng lacked sufficient evidence to directly accuse him, they were also well aware of General Gu’s character. Deep down, many of them suspected that he had something to do with the Scorpion Squad secretly taking Yuan out of the city, especially considering that they were ’coincidentally’ present during Mei Feng’s appearance.

Eventually, one of them spoke up. ”I don’t know what kind of conflict the two of you are caught up in, but please leave us out of it from now on. You practically dragged us into it today.”

None of them were fools. They understood perfectly well that General Gu had used their presence as both witnesses and a shield against General Mei.

General Gu offered no response, neither confirming nor denying their suspicions. Instead, he simply resumed the meeting as though nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, as Mei Feng walked away, she reflected on her own misstep.

’I was too rash today and walked straight into that man’s trap...’ she sighed inwardly. ’At least I confirmed that he had something to do with Yuan’s disappearance... Now I just need to find him before anything happens...”

When Mei Feng returned to her office, she raised an eyebrow upon noticing a masked figure standing outside.

Unfazed by their presence, she asked, ”What do you want now?”

”I heard about the situation.”

”And?”

”I happen to have nothing to do now, so I could help with the search.”

”The Ironwoman willingly going on a search mission? Aren’t you worried that might affect your reputation?” Mei Feng said. ”You’ve always refused to accept such missions, after all.”

”This is different. It’d be a pity for someone who is being called my future rival to die so soon.”

”Well, if you’re going to help, I have no reason to refuse.”

Thus, the Ironwoman decided to join in on the search.

Meanwhile, Yuan and the Scorpion Squad arrived at Red Zone after a few days of traveling without rest.

As they approached the Purple Zone, Yuan noticed the crimson mist in the air gradually darkening, its color slowly shifting toward a light shade of purple.

That light purple darkened as they got closer to the Purple Zone.

’As expected, the further we go, the more closely this mist resembles Chaotic Essence...’ Yuan thought to himself after examining it.

However, it was still nowhere near the point where it’d strengthen his Chaotic Essence.

”How are you feeling, Corporal Yuan?” Sergeant Chen suddenly spoke to Yuan for the first time since they left the city. ”Feeling nervous... or scared yet?”

”Honestly, I am a little nervous,” Yuan calmly lied.

”With us with you, what is there to be worried about?” Captain Chen laughed.

Some time later, they arrived at the Purple Zone, where the color of the mist was a deep violet.

”Let’s go. We have already located a tunnel, so it won’t be long before we arrive at our destination,” said Captain Chen.

Without any questions, Yuan followed them into the Purple Zone.

He glanced at the Void Specters that wandered below.

Even without fighting them, he could tell that they were incomparably stronger than the ones in the Red Zone, but this also meant they would have more Eternal Essence.

’Can’t wait to absorb their Eternal Essence.’ Yuan thought to himself as he smiled inwardly.

However, before they could even reach the tunnel, they had to survive the countless Void Specters that relentlessly attacked them.

As they traveled through the Purple Zone, Yuan and the others had to use Void Control almost constantly.

Although the Scorpion Squad had known from the start that getting rid of Yuan wouldn’t be simple, they had still hoped he would meet an early end.

But alas, to their disappointment, several days passed, and the group arrived at the tunnel safe and sound.

”That wasn’t as bad as I was expecting,” Yuan casually remarked after they cleaned up the Void Specters around the tunnel.

”We are still in the outer areas of the Purple Zone, so it’s not too bad,” said Captain Chen.

”But things will get dangerous once we enter the tunnel, so make sure you stay alert.”

”I get to clear the tunnel by myself, right?” Yuan then asked.

”Of course. How else are we supposed to see what you’re really capable of?” Captain Chen replied with a smile. ”But don’t worry. If things get too dangerous, we’ll step in.”