Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Three nights ago, at the Order Bureau in the White Whale District.

"Wei Siyuan, your unauthorized deployment due to personal vendettas led to the death of two subordinates and caused a disturbance in the Central Plaza, using transcendent powers to destroy the central mall..."

On the large screen in the middle, the aftermath of the central mall was being replayed. The young man being charged, legs casually crossed, nonchalantly cleaned his ear, treating the accusations like background noise.

The logistics chief, reporting the havoc caused by him, trembled with anger. Unable to bear it any longer, he slammed down his controller, turning to the woman beside him, hoping she could provide a solution: "Director Meng, look at him! In the end, it's always our logistics department cleaning up his mess!"

"Forget these trivial matters, Sister Meng, I've made a significant discovery." Wei Siyuan brushed aside the controller thrown on the table by the logistics chief, leaning forward, "I encountered a transcender who could trap me."

Hearing this, Meng Xixian finally gave him a glance: "Explain in detail."

"Here's what happened..." Wei Siyuan recounted the incident of him chasing Lu Feilan and being trapped in the mall by Fang Zhou, concluding: "There were two transcenders, one with abilities similar to sonic waves, the other like a 'maze.' They are extremely dangerous, blatantly defying the Orderlies. I think such individuals should be nipped in the bud."

He was clearly trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage, ultimately aiming to eliminate Lu Feilan under a legitimate guise. Although both he and Meng Xixian were S-class transcenders, he fell short in both achievements and abilities compared to her, and his position was consequently lower. If he wanted to use the bureau's resources, he needed her approval.

However, he unexpectedly combined today's events in Tonghua District with his agenda, inadvertently assisting his cause.

After listening to Wei Siyuan's account, Meng Xixian immediately realized that Fang Xunjiang and his companion had arrived in the White Whale District. She instructed, "Wei Siyuan, tell me everything you know about your 'old acquaintance.' How and where you found him."

Since that person came to rescue Wei Siyuan's target, it indicated they were companions. This could be a starting point for further action.

"“Old acquaintance? What a nauseating expression,” Wei Siyuan retched, grinding his teeth, “That person is nothing but a traitor, a deserter!”"

"Despite his cursing, he quickly composed himself and relayed the information to Meng Xi'en."

"Next was the Order Bureau's internal process of information consolidation. Initially, they didn’t find anything linking to Shang Xize’s team."

"Shang Xize owned numerous properties in Baijing District, and his information was just recorded incidentally."

"Concerning Fang Xunjiang, the Order Bureau immediately reported this case to the Central. By the next morning, both parties had integrated their information. As soon as they received the news, the Central's personnel contacted the headquarters in Baijing District, handing over a set of data to them."

"It was the data and video footage of the two S-grade alien creatures encountered by Shang Xize's team in the deep sea area."

"Reviewing the incredible data, Meng Xi'en's eyebrows furrowed deeply."

"Wei Siyuan: “What’s going on here? Is the labyrinth an ability of the alien creatures? No, then what happened to me that day…”"

"As he spoke, realization dawned on him, and he widened his eyes at Meng Xi'en, “Sister Meng… is this…?”"

"How could such a coincidence be possible?"

"Without needing a request from the Central, upon receiving the news, the Order Bureau discreetly captured Shang Xize, Yi Xiuzhu, Ye Qingjia, and He Yongyuan within an hour."

"All of them were ordinary people with transparent backgrounds and no criminal records, mostly having grown up in Baijing District."

"Although puzzled, they cooperatively recounted their sea venture."

"The interrogator noted, “The testimonies of the four are consistent, there’s no issue with the bounty in the fourth dimension... and their appearances match the video records from the rental agency.”"

"They had finally locked onto their target."

"So, according to these people, her ability is 'wind'?" Wei Siyuan: "Huh? What does this have to do with anything..."

Suddenly, his expression froze, and he turned his head with a click.

Wei Siyuan believed there were two people involved in rescuing Lu Feilan that day, as he was attacked by two different transcendent powers.

But these two transcendent powers correspond exactly to the abilities of the two alien creatures they encountered at sea…

"…What exactly is going on here?"

Meng Xixian's expression grew grave. There was something else Wei Siyuan didn’t know: a while back, an S-class alien creature with the ability of 'wind' had suddenly appeared and then just as suddenly vanished in Tonghua District.

Linking all these events together, she arrived at an astonishing conclusion.

No wonder the Central had urgently transmitted the information. If her speculation was correct, they were dealing with a rapidly growing monster, and unfortunately, due to various reasons, they were now in opposition to this monster.

The interrogator continued, "That's all the information we have for now. It appears their connection is purely coincidental. Director Meng, should we release them?"

"No, keep them detained in the Order Bureau for now, monitor their movements, and those of their other two 'outside' companions," Meng Xixian stood up, heading towards the door: "I'm going to see Xiya. Keep an eye on the Bureau's activities."

Wei Siyuan called out, "Hey—Sister Meng, where are you going? What exactly is happening…?"

She had already left.

……

……

This was why Fang Zhou had always concealed her identity, avoiding exposing her abilities to other forces.

She understood why the Central had shifted its main focus to her. 'Controlling alien creatures' or 'using the abilities of multiple aliens' – either theory was alarming enough in this context.

Fang Zhou had been consistently building her strength, even considering seizing Leiche's abilities because she anticipated this day, knowing her situation would become extremely dangerous. She needed sufficient power to protect herself.

But this day had come too soon; she wasn’t completely prepared.

"The officials currently don't know that she is 'Fang Zhou'; they only think she's a new companion of Fang Xunjiang. Fang Zhou is aware that, compared to the Order enforcers, the Central within Paradise is a bigger enemy. However, because she is currently in the Order Bureau’s territory, the Central can’t directly intervene in matters outside Paradise, so they’ve chosen to share intelligence with the Order Bureau."

"“Ming Chan, you shouldn’t have come looking for me,” said Fang Zhou."

"“...What do you mean?”"

"“Wasn’t anyone following you?” Fang Zhou recalled the people she had encountered along the way and surveyed the surroundings."

"Ming Chan pondered, “Yes, there were quite a few, but I shook them off.”"

"As an A-grade strength-enhanced transcendent, her perception was much stronger than that of an average transcendent. To track her effectively, one would need to deploy a transcendent with stealth abilities."

"Ming Chan thought those people were after her, but only Fang Zhou knew they were observing Ming Chan’s movements."

"In the vast underground network of the fourth dimension, the Order enforcers and the Central were tacitly aware. A careful investigation would reveal that her meeting with Shang Xize and Ming Chan at sea was purely coincidental. Once the officials got the information they wanted from Shang Xize and others, they would naturally release them."

"They haven’t been released in two days, likely because they know Ming Chan is looking for her. They are waiting for the right moment, observing Fang Zhou's attitude towards this team before deciding how to proceed."

"Fang Zhou didn't suspect Ming Chan of being turned by the Order Bureau. If Ming Chan had been, she wouldn’t be asking about these irrelevant 'truths' upon meeting her."

"That said, Fang Zhou, of course, wouldn’t disclose anything to Ming Chan. Her ignorance was actually the best protection."

"“You should go back. Pretend you didn't see me today and continue to look for me in Liuli Street. If Shang Xize and the others aren’t released in a couple of days…” Fang Zhou paused, then added, “I will come to find you.”"

"After speaking, she gave Ming Chan her new communicator number: “If anything happens in the meantime, you can contact me directly.”"

"“...How can I trust you?”"

"“Ming Chan, I have no reason to deceive you,” Fang Zhou said. “This situation is beyond my expectations, and I’m sorry for involving you. As for what you want to know, I won’t tell you.”"

"With Fang Zhou unwilling to say more, Ming Chan had no choice but to accept her proposal."

"Watching Ming Chan’s departing figure, Fang Zhou’s expression was cold."

Before, she thought they wouldn't overhaul Liuli Street just for Fang Xunjiang, but after today, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

She switched to her third form and called over to Fang Xunjian, Lu Feilan, and Rache, explaining the situation to them.

"The Order Bureau knows about my abilities now, and they will do everything they can to capture me."

Their lineup is formidable, with two or more S-class individuals, while Fangzhou alone possesses multiple abilities. Even though her body was holding her back considerably, it was difficult for her to fully utilize all of these abilities.

If they were only dealing with "humans" from the Order Bureau, they could easily have the upper hand, and Fangzhou had even considered the feasibility of taking them out one by one. However, this would not eliminate future threats, as her true enemies were not these Order members wielding guns.

She recalled the hypothesis about the "Open Park Quotas" mentioned in the forum and had a bold plan in mind.

However, for now, her most urgent need was to leave this place and then strengthen her abilities.

"We need to leave Shelter 004. Will you two come with me and Xunjian?" She asked Lu Feilan and Rache.

Fang Xunjian would definitely leave with her, and Lu Feilan was likely to as well, but she still asked for confirmation.

Lu Feilan sneered, "Do you still need to ask me at this point? I was forced to be tied to you a long time ago."

Rache shook his head with regret, "I can't leave here yet."

"Alright, I understand." She didn't insist and looked at Rache. "But you need to leave with me. Once we're out of Shelter 004, you can return."

Fangzhou didn't kill Rache initially because of his abilities. This time, leaving this place wasn't so straightforward, so she had to take him along and let him return when it was safe.

"Okay."

After reaching a decision, Fangzhou didn't choose to leave immediately. Instead, she waited for two more days.

Two days later, as Fangzhou had expected, Mingyan's side had been "unable" to find her whereabouts all along. The Order Bureau had no leads and eventually released people like Shang Xize.

After confirming their safety, Fangzhou decided on the time to leave. She hadn't even informed Lu Feilan yet when she received his message.

Lu Feilan: "[When are we leaving?]"

Fang Zhou: "[Let's go tomorrow. The weather looks promising, no hail the size of fists expected.]"