Chapter 407 - 407: Operation Deterrence

Translator: CinderTL

The hit list contained only two types of targets: Domain Forces from opposing factions and human geniuses.

In Feng Qi's eyes, these human geniuses were undoubtedly the Dawn Organization's talent pool.

For example, the assassination mission list included a man named Luan Shaoyuan, whose research project focused on absorbing the bloodline power of domain creatures.

Whether his research was viable or not, it undoubtedly alarmed certain Domain Forces, leading to his inclusion on the hit list.

There were many similar cases. Some talented individuals were targeted and eliminated preemptively simply because their research projects posed a perceived threat to certain Domain Forces.

Feng Qi wasn't surprised by this.

For instance, in the previous timeline, if someone had claimed to be researching a way to break the Flesh and Blood Sacrifice, the Lord of the Mist would have undoubtedly silenced them immediately, regardless of whether their approach was feasible, to prevent any uncontrollable variables from emerging.

After skimming through the mission list for a while, his attention was drawn to one particular task.

He immediately focused on it, and the mission details materialized:

Investigate the Origins of the Blue-Skinned Creatures!

Image: (Blue-Skinned Creature)

Mission Requirements: Investigate the origins of the blue-skinned creatures or provide any relevant intelligence about them.

Deadline: None

Mission Reward: Based on the value of the provided intelligence, with a minimum of three miracle bloodstones and no upper limit.

Mission Details: ...

Feng Qi recognized the image in the mission details immediately: a slender, blue-skinned figure—a Blue-skinned Assassin.

He hadn't expected to find a mission to investigate Blue-skinned Assassins on the task list.

According to his current intelligence, the Spirit Energy Clan was the only Domain Force actively researching these assassins.

In the previous timeline, the Lord of the Mist had revealed the existence of a Spirit Energy Clan secret base in Twilight City's sewers, where experiments on Blue-skinned Assassins were being conducted.

This led Feng Qi to suspect that the Spirit Energy Clan might have issued this mission.

It was possible that similar missions had been distributed to the Domain Weakling Alliances in the other four cities as well.

As for why the Spirit Energy Clan wanted to investigate the Blue-skinned Assassins, his current intelligence didn't cover that aspect, leaving the reason unknown for now.

To facilitate the investigation, the mission details included not only the Blue-skinned Assassin's image but also detailed descriptions of their behavior and sightings.

As Feng Qi reviewed the information, he uncovered several previously unknown details.

One particular piece of intelligence left him utterly perplexed:

Case 1223: A blue-skinned creature was discovered near Twilight City. This creature had formed a harmonious relationship with a human boy named Yuan Tai. Investigation revealed a deep friendship between them. The blue-skinned creature had even used some mysterious means to extend Yuan Tai's life, saving him from a terminal illness that should have claimed him.

Absurd!

He knew the Blue-skinned Assassins possessed emotions, that they weren't mere robots.

Through repeated encounters, he had witnessed the desperate struggles in their eyes as they faced death.

But his strongest impression remained: these Blue-skinned Assassins were fearless in their pursuit of miracle items, willing to die for them.

Now, learning that they had actually formed friendships with humans and even saved the life of a critically ill man completely shattered his preconceived notions.

This revelation only deepened his curiosity about the Blue-skinned Assassins' origins.

Yet he absolutely refused to believe they were on humanity's side.

He had personally witnessed their ruthlessness. Whenever they appeared before him, they resorted to brute force without any room for negotiation.

As he pondered this, a sudden hypothesis surfaced in his mind:

What if the Blue-skinned Assassins were actually superweapons created by humans?

Perhaps they had targeted him solely because he carried the lingering aura of domain creatures, while sparing ordinary humans.

But this explanation quickly fell apart under scrutiny.

During his investigation of the Tiger Soul Research Institute's classified data, he had uncovered documented cases of Blue-skinned Assassins attacking ordinary humans.

Moreover, they had assassinated Qin Shikong.

The miracle bloodstone obtained by the Old Day City East Supply Zone had also been seized by frontline warriors after a fierce battle with the Blue-skinned Assassins.

These incidents unequivocally proved that the Blue-skinned Assassins were not some hidden force working for humanity.

As for why a Blue-skinned Assassin would form a friendship with a human, he couldn't fathom the reason.

Perhaps this was merely an isolated case among the Blue-skinned Assassins.

After all, there were traitors among humans as well, so a unique case among the Blue-skinned Assassins could be explained.

However, this mission revealed the Spirit Energy Clan's high regard for the Blue-skinned Assassins; otherwise, they wouldn't have launched an investigation.

Perhaps the Blue-skinned Assassins' backing was so formidable that it worried the Spirit Energy Clan.

Or perhaps the Spirit Energy Clan coveted the miracle items collected by the Blue-skinned Assassins.

Either scenario was plausible.

But to date, intelligence on the Blue-skinned Assassins remained scarce.

If this battle line progressed smoothly, he would lead the Dawn Organization to explore the Spirit Energy Clan's underground laboratory in Twilight City, searching for clues.

If their strength allowed, he even considered eradicating the Spirit Energy Clan from Old Day City entirely.

He would use force to extract more useful intelligence.

After reviewing the mission list for a while longer, the purple mist in his sea of consciousness gradually dissipated.

He opened his eyes.

Turning to look at Lin Ran, he saw him slowly awakening as well. Only Mu Qing remained, idly swirling her wine glass, as if she had been awake for some time.

"Didn't you check the mission list?" he asked Mu Qing.

She shook her head in response.

"The mysterious force was completely digested before it could even penetrate my sea of consciousness. I never saw the mission list you mentioned."

Feng Qi: ...

He clicked his tongue inwardly.

The mental beverage they had consumed contained no negative energy and wouldn't trigger the mind's defenses.

He suspected this had nothing to do with Mu Qing's mental defenses; the force had simply been absorbed directly.

This suggested Mu Qing's extraordinary digestive abilities extended to the mental realm as well.

Combined with her formidable physique, Mu Qing's defenses were virtually impenetrable.

"Can we start causing trouble now?" Lin Ran suddenly asked.

Feng Qi nodded, then turned to Mu Qing and said, "Senior sister, I'm counting on you!"

Hearing this, Mu Qing immediately stood up and moved to the center of the bar.

Jade-colored mist erupted from her body, enveloping her entirely, while violent gusts of wind toppled furniture and scattered objects across the room.

Mu Qing's eyes transformed into a scarlet crimson.

In that instant, it was as if an ancient beast had descended, its terrifying, world-dominating aura causing the Weakling Clan Alliance warriors in the bar to pale instantly, their faces contorted with terror as they stared at Mu Qing.

They were like prey facing a apex predator, their courage failing before a single blow had been struck.

The bloodline-level pressure made it difficult for them to breathe.

The scarlet light in Mu Qing's eyes swirled as she briefly recalled the lines Feng Qi had told her. Then, she slowly began to speak:

"Now, let's begin a survival game. Only one-third of you will make it out alive. From this moment on... struggle for your lives!"

As the words echoed, Mu Qing clenched her fist and slammed it violently into the ground.

Boom!

A deafening roar shook the earth, sending debris and dust raining down from the ceiling.

The terrifying force instantly vaporized the Weakling Clan Alliance warriors closest to her into a blood mist. The sheer destructive power paralyzed the distant warriors with fear.

The hunt had begun!

(End of the Chapter)

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