Otherworldly Affairs Office

Meanwhile, in the office of the new Capital Investigation Office, almost all of the main leaders, including Cen Xiaoran, were present, observing every move at the scene of the incident through shaky video footage.

"As expected, it is the same as Hu Wenjun reported, the electronic devices with Pei Yan's abilities can clearly capture the presence of extradimensional creatures. Has there been any record of such bizarre figures in the bureau during my absence?" Cen Xiaoran asked as he stood up, scrutinizing the strange figure that appeared suddenly on the screen. Such monsters had never appeared during his tenure at the investigation bureau.

Yu Zhongmin, who was newly appointed as the director of the Extradimensional Investigation Department, also leaned in and scrutinized for a while, uncertainly saying, "It should be the first time they have appeared. Our registry of extradimensional creatures doesn't include such monsters. Their appearance resembles a kind of river demon from the Daoist Realm, but the difference in details is too vast. Could it be a variant of theirs?"

After listening to Yu Zhongmin's report, Cen Moran sat back down. Although the internal injury had eased for the most part with Lin Rui's nurturing, his older body still couldn't recover as quickly.

As he steadied himself on the sofa, lightly placing a hand on the source of dull pain in his abdomen and covertly channeling his internal source to alleviate the pain, Cen Xiaoran turned to Pei Yan and Gu Shenghui, who were silent and solemn ever since the creatures appeared, and asked, "Do you know anything about this?"

Gu Shenghui and Mei Simiao exchanged a glance, and after a sigh, Mei Simiao replied, "We can't ascertain it for now; after all, it's just a rumor and hasn't been verified yet."

"No worries, go ahead and say it."

With Cen Hall's approval, Mei Simiao continued, "This clue came from intelligence exchanges with foreign superpower mechanisms. According to a captured accomplice from an illegal experiment den of Shen Yu, they seem to secretly trade with underground forces across different planes, exchanging technology, materials, and experience for various experiments that defy rules. In the real world alone, they've conducted multiple inhumane ability experiments. In the Daoist Plane, some sects are reportedly trying to find a way for non-cultivators to obtain cultivator powers using the fusion of real-world technology and techniques from the Daoist Plane."

"What on earth is Shen Yu trying to achieve! They're insane! Don't they realize how severe the consequences of their actions could be!" Upon hearing the news, Yu Zhongmin's face was filled with shock as he exclaimed incredulously.

He then scratched his hair and slapped the table, "Why wasn't this reported earlier? Our biggest advantage over other planes is the limitation in their cultivators, with the current weapon configuration; we could still fight them to the end. But if they break this limitation…" Yu Zhongmin's words trailed off, but everyone understood his implication. If the limitation were breached, whether the opposition would continue to restrain themselves in the real world is an unknown!

Although there is the precondition of excessive invasion leading to extradimensional collapse, the emergence of the world's origin, the surge of Awakened, whether the Plane Barrier remains as stringent as in the past over the millennium, and other unstable factors cannot certainly guarantee that the extradimensional will truly exercise self-restraint and wouldn't stretch their claws towards the real world again.

Relying on the hope that the enemy wouldn't attack has never been a sound option for a qualified statesman of a nation; only by ensuring their own strength can societal safety be maintained.

"Yu Chu, we've already reported this information to the highest level, but due to its uncertainty, we've been instructed not to spread it to the outside for now to avoid unnecessary panic, as the accuracy of specific information is still under further verification. So I hope all of you…" Mei Simiao stopped speaking, leaving the words hanging.

Everyone present nodded in understanding, and Yu Zhongmin, seeing this, reluctantly nodded as well, "Understood, everyone knows the confidentiality protocols."

"Let's assume these bizarre figures are indeed a product of Shenyu's collaboration with the Daoist Plane; is their appearance this time coincidental or with a purpose targeting Pei Yan? Should we withdraw Pei Yan's squad and have Yuan Shaoqing's team on standby outside to step in?" At this moment, Gu Shenghui, who had been silent all along, suddenly interjected.

"I agree. Even if we don't withdraw the Upper Star Squad, we should at least pull Pei Yan back. In the current situation, his staying there isn't of much help," Zuo Huaxian, sitting next to Elder Lin, voiced his agreement.

"I believe these bizarre figures, even if linked to Shen Yu, probably have little to do with Pei Yan. Judging from their actions upon appearance, Pei Yan wasn't their primary target. They seem more intent on completely eliminating the Daoist Plane individuals who previously escaped. However, I also agree with withdrawing Pei Yan." After some thought, Gu Shenghui looked at Cen Xiaoran and said seriously, agreeing with Zuo Huaxian's point of view this time.

Since Mei Simiao's beginning introduction, Cen Xiaoran had been closing his eyes and indulging in playing with the copper coins. After the people in the room expressed their views, he slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a deep breath, and commanded, "The Upper Star Squad shouldn't be withdrawn; continue to observe the situation. Meanwhile, deploy an action team from the hall led personally by Gu Shenghui. Upon arrival, connect with local departments to set a precaution line, expand the alert range, and arrange second-layer and third-layer Protective Arrays. Instruct Yuan Shaoqing to lead his team within the outskirts of the incident site and hold off intervention while awaiting further commands." Finally, Cen Xiaoran paused and looked at Elder Lin, "Lin Rui, you should go too, just in case."

"Yes!"

At this very moment, Pei Yan, who was at the scene, was unaware that this video communication had mobilized the Investigation Office Headquarters miles away.

He was currently lowering his head in contemplation of what Xia Yu had just said. Although the words were tactful, their meaning was clear: you're not strong enough!

Pei Yan understood that everyone had his best interest in mind. Precisely because of this, he felt even more dissatisfied. His intense pride tormented him, making him flush with embarrassment—the very self he had always considered excellent turned out to be the weakest link of this team! Except for the captain Upper Star, everyone else was a Third-Tier Awakened, yet he was just an unawakened individual.

Though Wang Wenze had told him many times that his current progress was significant, even faster than Ye Jiumu when she first joined, it was just a matter of time.

But this wasn't enough—strength, strength. Pei Yan had never realized his desire for an enhancement in strength was so intense!

He didn't want to be manipulated and controlled like a dog, nor did he want to be regarded as a pawn. Even more so, he didn't want to stand helpless when facing those he wanted to protect!