Chapter 84: Shadows Over the Security Zone

Tianfeng Security Zone.

“Commander Xiao, here is the information we’ve gathered.”

After submitting the report, Captain Huang respectfully stepped aside to let Xiao Hai finish reading it.

Inside the meeting room, murmurs spread among the group as many wore expressions of astonishment.

The reason? Just a few hours ago, the squad in charge of tracking Yenir and another Second-Stage clue discovered a record that defied belief.

“According to our intel analysis, Yang Yu—the Second-Stage Awakened who once sold Rotten Corpse Forest materials—has been cleared of Third-Stage suspicions.”

“Our investigation shows that the materials were stockpiled three months ago and, since then, remained within the Tianfeng Security Zone without any anomalies.”

“Below is the latest investigation report:…”

…

“Wow”

Pages of the report rustled as they were flipped.

Xiao Hai took a deep breath and opened the subsequent pages.

Even the preliminary details set his heart racing.

Of the two suspected Third-Stage targets, Chen Yu has already been ruled out—leaving only one possibility… it can only be Yenir!

Sure enough, the moment he turned the page, Xiao Hai—whose face betrayed nothing—suddenly flinched.

“Based on our investigation,”

“Target Yenir has been frequently entering the Tianfeng Security Zone recently, and has carried out several high-value transactions.”

“A comparison of entry data shows that the access records of the Awakened, Yenir, perfectly match the Third-Stage fluctuation timings!”

..

“Absolutely consistent…”

“And the materials were once again sold by Yenir. He even went all out and bought a set of Psychic Residence!?”

His heart pounded in shock.

After reading the military report, Xiao Hai felt his scalp tingle with unease.

Every clue pointed to one conclusion: Yenir and the enigmatic Third-Stage are inextricably linked!

What began as a hypothesis is now an unmistakable truth!

Unbelievable—he never would have imagined that the kid he had once dismissed would be the shadowy figure behind the entire Security Zone’s state of emergency!

Damn it…what in the world is really happening here?!

“Commander, if nothing else, Yenir appears to be the mastermind.”

“Tomorrow, the Third-Stage from the Zhenjiang Security Zone will come here demanding answers.”

“What do you suggest we do?”

Inside the meeting room, several high-level Safe Zone officials gave Xiao Hai troubled looks, as the situation’s strangeness defied their comprehension.

On one side, there’s Yenir, freshly awakened; on the other, a suspected Third-Stage powerhouse.

There’s no obvious connection between the two, no matter how you look at it.

Hearing this, Xiao Hai hesitated and turned his gaze to Captain Huang:

“Has that kid Yenir replied to you yet?”

The stakes were high; until the truth emerged, Xiao Hai remained extremely cautious.

Raising his head, Captain Huang let out a wry laugh:

“Commander, the last message I sent to Yenir was met with nothing more than, ‘I’m out, I’ll be back soon.'”

“I think he might be purposely avoiding us.”

“Even if I said the Military had extra supplies for him, he still acted as if he didn’t care.”

“He not caring is normal.”

With a glimmer in his eyes, Xiao Hai spoke directly:

“Out—you know, it’s been about three days since he left, right?”

“Based on our previous assumptions, Yenir is either backed by a Third-Stage or has caught the eye of some faction. It’s only natural that he dismisses our modest offer.”

“The question is: why would they deliberately hide their identity? Why deal with Yenir in private?”

“What exactly about Yenir attracts them? Is it truly an SS-level talent?”

Doubt flickered in his eyes.

If they had assumed that the Third-Stage operatives behind the Rotten Corpse Forest and the Zoo weren’t the same people, Yenir’s actions now completely ruled out that possibility.

Every encounter involving the Third-Stage had, without a doubt, been orchestrated by someone working behind Yenir.

Judging from Yenir’s transaction history and sudden absences, it was clear he was being geared up and aided in leveling up.

They were that invested? Intervening so many times? They even wouldn’t hesitate to snatch supplies from under Zhenjiang’s nose?

Materials from the Rotten Corpse Forest didn’t fetch much, so parting with them casually wasn’t an issue. However, judging by what followed, the sum given to Yenir was no small number. Buying a whole Psychic Residence outright—this figure had even the Second-Stage elite winced.

This meant they had poured a massive investment into Yenir!

For someone of the Willpower Type—even at SS-level—it shouldn’t be that costly…

It was beyond his comprehension; he just couldn’t understand.

After a moment of rapid mental churn and various hypotheses, Xiao Hai finally spoke in a low tone:

“Let’s act as if we know nothing.”

“I don’t think this is as simple as it appears.”

“The Third-Stage behind Yenir could easily tell us that they want to nurture him. But since they’re so secretive, we haven’t found a trace of them yet.”

“That just means they definitely don’t want their identities exposed!”

“A Third-Stage who can dispatch a Tiger Beast in seconds… and someone who repeatedly steps in to aid Yenir—it can only be a faction, not a lone wolf!”

With vigilant eyes, Xiao Hai imagined that a vast and mysterious organization was lurking behind Yenir!

“In that case, there’s no need to expose them! We don’t want to upset them…”

He expressed his apprehension.

For Xiao Hai, though he was seen as a Third-Stage in the Military with heavy forces at hand, he was fully aware that the Huaxia Battle Zone teemed with powerful private organizations—some rivaling the four major battle zones. If he were to provoke them thoughtlessly, it could be perilous. After all, from the current state, they seemed to merely ‘serve’ Yenir, even using him as a proxy.

Until more was known, he’d rather keep his ignorance.

“Commander, what about Zhenjiang over there?”

“They’ve sent three Third-Stage operatives over! Are we supposed to cover for Yenir now?”

Concern etched on their faces, several high-level officials voiced their worries.

Taking down the mutant threat wasn’t trivial—if the opposing side demanded restitution, they definitely couldn’t afford it!

“Let’s stall for time!”

Ignoring his team’s reactions, Xiao Hai thought for a moment before adding:

“Captain Huang, get a batch of Awakened from the Military to discreetly protect Yenir’s family—make it top priority!!”

“Of course, I assume they already have someone on it as well.”

“But either way, keep it as a backup—might come in handy later.”

“Also, continue gathering intel on Yenir—I want to know what exactly in him is worth all this.”

Always planning several steps ahead.

Realizing that Yenir might hold untapped value beyond even what the Military leadership expected, Commander Xiao preemptively set contingency plans in motion.

No matter how things turn out, he just needed to avoid offending that mysterious Third-Stage.

Hmm, he’d always had a soft spot for the kid.

Just in case…

“Yes!”

Taking the order, Captain Huang nodded respectfully, a twinge of unease stirring within him.

What on earth is going on…

A week ago, Yenir’s importance had been downgraded to level B, but now things were escalating dramatically—more so than ever.

Yet, from the moment he first met Yenir, he had felt there was something extraordinary about him.

He never imagined things would blow up like this!

……..

Zhenjiang Security Zone.

“Lord Ye Lin, are you saying you want me to help you procure a couple of weapons?”

In the lounge, Chen Yong, hastily getting out of bed, looked at Yenir across from him in astonishment and uncertainty.

Good grief—he’d just dozed off, and then a single message from Yenir jolted him awake.

“That’s right.”

Across from him, Yenir nodded calmly before adding seriously:

“To be precise…”

“It’s a loan.”

“I don’t have the cash for you right now.”

Chen Yong: ????