Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Chapter 964: Chapter 832: Is It Difficult?

Qu Jianlei was not surprised at all by Rhine seeing through his intentions.

He admitted frankly, ”Coming to Mist Mansion is just to make adjustments. Before taking down Balrog, we won’t consider going to the Maiden Star Realm for the time being.”

”Adjustment... taking down that person?” Upon hearing this response, Rhine finally couldn’t remain calm.

She had heard long ago that Balrog was difficult to deal with, and recently she stood up against him. No one knew better than her how terrifying he was.

She had nearly failed to block him even by waving a big flag as a cover. In the end, only after other Supremes hinted did the other side retreat.

But even so, it didn’t eliminate Balrog’s malice towards Rhodiola rosea; he merely bypassed her.

Rhine roughly understood the strength of the Rhodiola rosea team—at least two Supremes. But to think of taking down Balrog with just this?

However, she also knew that advising would be futile; a mere A-level questioning a Supreme’s decision was lacking in self-awareness.

So she pondered for a moment before speaking, ”Going to Mist Mansion for adjustments... what do you aim to obtain?”

Qu Jianlei did not conceal anything from her, expressing openly, ”Anything will do; ideally, we find a safe passage.”

Rhine pondered a moment before speaking, ”Is it because of Xingluo Academy’s gains in Mist Mansion?”

She actually knew the name ”Ran Bingluan,” but saw no need to mention it directly and provoke a Supreme.

Qu Jianlei raised an eyebrow in astonishment, ”You know about it too?”

At this moment, he wanted to ask about Luo Hanshuang’s situation but held back.

”The news has spread,” Rhine answered blandly. Of course, ”spread” was only relative to people at her level.

After some thought, she steeled her heart and said, ”If we can guarantee not to act recklessly, I’ll try to bring you in.”

Qu Jianlei was momentarily stunned, then suspiciously asked, ”So, what price do we need to pay?”

Rhine was momentarily stunned before she coolly replied, ”Is such a quota suitable for a transaction?”

Some things truly cannot be bought with money; she hoped the other party understood this.

Qu Jianlei pondered a moment before responding, ”Indeed, not suitable for a transaction, but free is the most expensive. You can state your terms.”

He initially wanted to say, ”I don’t want to owe favors,” but later thought such words would be too blunt.

Rhine grasped his meaning and unassumingly stated, ”Then just give me some of Mist Mansion’s gains.”

Just from this statement, it was evident that this woman was indeed extraordinarily generous, likely due to sufficient confidence.

After a pause, she added, ”By the way, that ordinary version of the Qi Gathering Array... please hurry with it.”

Qu Jianlei didn’t mention that he had already developed a cracked version because such speed was abnormal.

He nodded slightly, emphasizing another point instead, ”Rest assured, unless faced with life-and-death crises, we will not act rashly.”

”That’s good,” Rhine heard and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. What she feared most was the other party’s arrogance, as she disliked trouble the most.

”How many of you plan to enter?”

Qu Jianlei pondered this for a moment before asking, ”Five... is that difficult?”

”Five...” Rhine’s mouth twitched at his words, thinking he really had high expectations for her.

Given her ability, taking in one or two was no issue, three was the limit, and the other party actually wanted to bring five.

Yet repaying a favor is as challenging as seeking one, especially when Raodiola rosea is notably arrogant.

She pondered momentarily before saying, ”Two Supremes... what about the others’ Cultivation Level?”

Qu Jianlei answered decisively, ”The five are at least A-level.”

Rhine was stunned to hear this, ”You really plan to do something big... doesn’t sound like just two Supremes?”

Upon hearing this, Qu Jianlei could only smile wryly, ”I mean, do you have to be so smart?”

Rhine laughed, ”Naturally... there are actually more Supremes? No wonder you are confident against that one.”

”Fine, let’s do a good deed to the end. I’ll first take you there; whether you can enter, I cannot guarantee.”

Qu Jianlei blinked, ”Take us there... are you sure it’s okay for us to appear like this?”

Rhine shook her head, ”No issue, I’m confident; first, get them on board... show me the way.”

The spot where she parked was indeed close, straight-line distance not more than 150 meters from where Qu Jianlei’s team was hiding.

After arriving, she lit a cigarette and finished it while waiting for everyone to get on board. Then she drove off rapidly toward the distance.

After driving over 100 kilometers, she turned back.

Artillery fire had just ceased, and guards were meticulously examining the site, quite diligent.

For the base’s warriors and the faculty and students of Glory Academy, Rhine’s maneuver seemed like going far and returning.

The off-road vehicle stopped beside Glory Academy’s camp, and six people descended chaotically from the vehicle, leaving everyone on the scene stunned.

However, seeing Rhine’s calm expression, no one spoke up immediately.

A few seconds later, within Rhine’s guards, someone asked, ”Miss Six, who are these people...”

”Friends,” Rhine stated blandly, offering no further explanation.

Seeing her indifferent demeanor, others dared not ask further—matters of Miss Sixth of the Haiyin Family weren’t for just anybody to inquire about.

Even the military guards remained silent, though someone quietly reported upwards.

Three minutes later, Zi Heng Supreme appeared again.

He glanced suspiciously at Qu Jianlei and the others, then frowned as he looked at Rhine, ”Who are these... people?”

”My people,” Rhine calmly replied, not saying anything more.

Zi Heng didn’t continue questioning, instead, he nodded thoughtfully.

In fact, in the afternoon, he already suspected that Rhine had some unknown assistance.

Because through his perception, there were some abnormal alarms in spiritual power, the mental fluctuations didn’t originate from her.

However, at the time, Zi Heng, at the Supreme level, also considered other factors—could it have been caused accidentally by an A-level?

It wasn’t until he confirmed that the Wind Attribute was of Supreme Cultivation Level that he was almost certain: Rhine had Supreme-level assistance.

It’s important to know that ordinary Supremes could not detect a Wind Attribute Supreme, let alone a mere A-level?

Now with the mystery revealed, there was no need to ask more questions.

Moreover, the Haiyin Clan had privileges in Celestial Hook, so when Rhine initially brought the guards, the military didn’t inquire.

So he cast a glance at Rhine, ”Shall we find a place to talk?”

Lei Yin was slightly taken aback, then nodded decisively, ”Sure!”

The two walked aside in silence for a while before Zi Heng spoke first, ”Aren’t you curious about what I want to discuss with you?”

”Not curious,” Rhine shook her head, her face still expressionless, ”I don’t want to know too much.”

Zi Heng was already accustomed to her indifferent attitude.

There were quite a few lively people in the Haiyin Family, but she was different, even with a reputation, she always behaved properly.

Her reactions this afternoon fully demonstrated this point.

However, it was precisely such a person who was worth treating seriously.

So Zi Heng straightforwardly stated, ”That guy’s identity has been found out, he’s the ’Son of Wind’ from the Crab Star Realm, a wanted criminal!”

Relief appeared in Rhine’s eyes, ”I’ve heard, he annihilated a baronial family.”

For such a crime, even a Supreme might only avoid death, and when encountering a noble-born judge, could even be executed.

Zi Heng, at the Supreme level, was curious about her reaction, ”Isn’t he supposed to be the enemy of nobles? His target is likely you.”

He intended to do her a favor, but Rhine shook her head decisively, ”No, his target is not me.”

”Why?” Zi Heng was even more curious, ”His primary target must be the Mist Mansion, but are you sure he doesn’t hate you?”

Rhine remained composed, stating, ”He’s merely a pitiful person sent in advance for some major force, not acting of his own free will.”

Zi Heng was even more puzzled, ”Why do you say that?”

Rhine chose to apply what she just learned, ”I heard this person’s character is irritable, so why didn’t he explode with anger but instead took poison?”

Hearing this, Zi Heng, at the Supreme level, was momentarily stunned, though his intelligence quickly made him understand.

He nodded in agreement, ”Indeed, it seems this force... is quite intriguing.”

”Just cowards,” Rhine dismissively answered, ”They want to take advantage but are afraid of getting hit, so they find a scapegoat!”

The amount of information in her words was still considerable, but Zi Heng had already guessed what she was alluding to, and so nodded thoughtfully.

”Actually... isn’t it better to apply through official channels directly?”

As they spoke, they didn’t deliberately lower their voices, but none of the people on the scene dared to eavesdrop on a conversation between a Supreme and an A-level.

However, for the three Supremes in Qu Jianlei’s group, overhearing such a discussion didn’t even require releasing their perception!

Qu Jianlei was indeed stunned by what he heard: What, have the two of you already figured out who’s behind it?

He had always directed his suspicion towards Balrog, but wasn’t so sure.

So he looked at Granny Jia, then at the Paranoid, ”?”

Granny Jia: ”!”

Paranoid: ”(°ʖ°)”

Are you kidding me? Qu Jianlei was genuinely puzzled, even you two knew... Am I really that slow-witted?

Granny Jia noticed his confusion and made a small hand gesture—exactly the ”Divine Text Association” secret signal they had agreed upon internally.

”No way?” Qu Jianlei couldn’t resist murmuring softly, ”They... I mean, are they managing it all?”

Currently, the Divine Text Association was not only being restrained in the Hope Star Realm but also cooperating with the Anomalous Management Division to capture ”Ran Bingluan”, how could they possibly spare the manpower?

However, wait... it seems that the one most interested in Luo Hanshuang’s findings is indeed the Divine Text Association?

The Paranoid looked at him deeply, ”Yes, everyone thinks they’re too busy... doesn’t this just make it the perfect timing?”

Qu Jianlei was momentarily speechless after hearing this; he had indeed overlooked this factor.

Actually, it wasn’t that he was slow, but he wasn’t very clear about the relationship between the Divine Text Association and the military.

So while everyone else had figured it out, he lagged a bit behind.

The Paranoid lightly coughed, speaking to reassure him.

”We’re just guessing too, you don’t need to be surprised...although this guess is very likely true!”

(Update to this point, calling for monthly tickets, subscriptions, and recommendation votes.)