The Secret of Yin Mountain

Xu Yu flew through the air, evading the massive boulders hurled up from the ground. His gaze was grim as he controlled his flying sword to slash at the Rock Giant.

As captain of the Yinshan Investigation Branch's First Enforcement Team, Xu Yu had long since reached Scavenger Perfection. The divine lineage chart he followed was also the Demon-Slaying Chart, the most orthodox chart within the Mythology Investigation Bureau.

With all five Mythic Traits of the Scavenger rank perfected, he possessed true mythic might. He only needed to find a way to steal a trace of the divine status of the immortals and gods to complete his advancement.

Xu Yu did not truly regard the clumsy Rock Giant below as a threat. What he was truly concerned about was the Behemoth Technology behind it.

Since Behemoth Technology had sent a Scavenger Perfection expert to lurk within the realm, it meant they had already grasped some information about the Realm Expansion.

Whether or not he could leave the Rock Giant here, he could not prevent the information from being exposed.

Once this matter was brought to light, it would inevitably bring enormous trouble upon the Yinshan Investigation Branch.

Thinking of the Heretic Tribunal and the Arctic Exorcism Institute mentioned by the Rock Giant, Xu Yu's face paled slightly. He gritted his teeth and murmured,

"How did our Yin Mountain City become like this?"

Once upon a time, the Yinshan Investigation Branch had been the sky over all of Yin Mountain City.

Whether in the mortal world or within the Yin Mountain Realm, everything was under the Investigation Branch's control.

But just over two months ago, the Yin Mountain Realm had suddenly expanded outward without warning, opening up a new region.

The moment the Yinshan Investigation Branch learned of this, they were overjoyed. A Realm Expansion often meant new resources and new Mythic Materials.

Especially since newly born regions had not yet been developed by the higher-ups, they often condensed Mythic Materials of a quality above Spiritual Dust. The immense benefits contained within were enough to drive anyone mad.

As a fourth-tier small city, Yin Mountain City had never received much attention. The Yinshan Investigation Branch was likewise at the bottom of the Mythology Investigation Bureau system within the Federation. The resources they could command were scarce, and most members had no hope of advancing.

The moment they realized this was an enormous opportunity, the Investigation Branch's upper ranks convened a meeting and reached a consensus. Under the pretext of a Realm Restart, they sealed off the Yin Mountain Realm from the outside world and suppressed news of the Realm Expansion.

This matter should originally have remained under the Yinshan Investigation Branch's control. After all, every entrance to the realm was under their jurisdiction. Even the branches of major financial conglomerates stationed here could only obey the Investigation Branch's orders.

But what the Investigation Branch members had not expected was that the Yin Mountain Realm had expanded far more than once.

Over the past two months, the Yin Mountain Realm had expanded a full ten times.

The Yinshan Investigation Branch's initial delight had turned into unease, then finally into terror.

Anyone knew that such frequent Realm Expansions had to conceal heaven-shaking trouble, but the Investigation Branch's greed had already placed them over the fire.

Once they reported upward, their repeated use of various excuses to issue orders and seal off the Yin Mountain Realm would inevitably be exposed as well.

When the Federation's investigation descended, not a single person in the Yinshan Investigation Branch would escape.

Ordinary matters could still be handled through connections and backroom dealings, but embezzling a Mythic Domain touched upon the interests of the upper ranks. No one could smooth that over.

With matters having reached this point, the Investigation Branch could only walk one road all the way to death.

They first shut down the City Train under the excuse of realm fluctuations, then closely monitored the information channels between the provincial capital and Yin Mountain City, seeking only to delay the moment the news detonated for as long as possible.

Because the mortal lands were vast and cities were not closely connected, the news had not spread beyond the city for the time being.

But within Yin Mountain City itself, the news could not be fully sealed away.

The Investigation Branch had repeatedly sealed off the Yin Mountain Realm under various pretexts, coupled with their information controls. Anyone could tell something had gone wrong in the Yin Mountain Realm. This latest probe by the Rock Giant was proof enough.

The sword light condensed from mana shattered the Rock Giant's arm once more. Then earth and stone surged across the ground, easily filling in the giant's broken arm.

After delivering that strike, Xu Yu stood high in the air and ceased attacking. His gaze darkened as he demanded,

"What do you want?"

The Rock Giant chuckled and stopped attacking as well.

"I have long heard that Captain Xu Yu's swordsmanship is extraordinary. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."

There was a trace of flattery in the Rock Giant's voice, and none of the savage arrogance from when they had first clashed remained.

Clearly, both of them understood that this exchange had merely been a test.

If either side had been easily slain, then everything would have ended there. But since neither could do anything to the other in a short time, they had the capital to talk.

Xu Yu snorted coldly, though being praised by an expert of the same rank eased his expression somewhat.

The Rock Giant said, "Captain Xu Yu should understand very well that the Yinshan Investigation Branch cannot hide its frequent information lockdowns from everyone.

"I have come this time on behalf of Behemoth Technology, Cloud Palace Group, the Galan Society, the Hundred Ghosts Consortium, and the other four megacorporations, to discuss terms with the Investigation Branch."

Xu Yu's gaze narrowed slightly, but he was not surprised.

There were many financial conglomerate companies in Yin Mountain City, but only the local branches of those Four Great Megacorporations were truly worth mentioning.

Most of the other companies did not even possess a Mythic Walker at Scavenger Perfection. They were beneath his notice.

"What terms?"

The Rock Giant grinned. "The Yin Mountain Realm was originally only a small realm, yet it has expanded repeatedly in just two months. Especially this newly manifested region—its Mythic Factor concentration and abundance of resources are no less than those of a medium-sized realm.

"This is not only an opportunity, but also an unimaginable disaster. Once it erupts, all of Yin Mountain City will be affected.

"However, since the Investigation Branch has chosen to suppress this matter, we four megacorporations do not wish to meddle in it. But regarding the opportunity behind it, the four of us want a share of the pie."

Xu Yu's gaze settled on the Rock Giant's face. He gave a cold smile and questioned,

"Aren't you afraid that the Mythology Investigation Bureau will hold you accountable once the matter is exposed?"

The Rock Giant spread his hands, utterly unconcerned. "The four of us do not belong to the Mythology Investigation Bureau system, nor was this matter caused by us. Even if the lawsuit reached the Supreme Council, we would still have reason on our side.

"Besides..."

A meaningful note entered the Rock Giant's voice. "If the Investigation Branch, the chief culprit, is not afraid, then what do we have to fear?"

Xu Yu narrowed his eyes, but did not fly into a rage.

After a moment, he swept out his hand, sending several dozen streams of light toward the Rock Giant.

"Twenty slots for each company. You may form exploration teams to explore the new region. Life and death are fated; wealth and honor rest with heaven."

The Rock Giant caught the dozens of streams of light in one grasp. When he opened his palm, he saw only bronze-colored metal badges.

The Celestial Circuit Realm was strange and treacherous. Even the most ordinary places could conceal disasters, especially newly manifested regions like this one.

Thus, the most common practice was to send lower-ranking Mythic Walkers in first to explore while the stronger upper ranks held the rear.

Turning the badges over in his hand, the Rock Giant added, "Mythic Walkers above Scavenger Perfection are not permitted to intervene."

"No problem!" Xu Yu agreed at once.

Without another word, Xu Yu stepped onto his flying sword and flew into the distance.

Watching Xu Yu depart, the Rock Giant clenched the bronze badges tightly, a strange glint flashing through his eyes.

"Within the Yinshan Investigation Branch, Xu Yu ranks only third. Above him are the deputy director and that Yin Mountain Guardian.

"Yet when it came to trading with the Four Great Megacorporations, Xu Yu agreed directly without even reporting it. It seems the news that the Yin Mountain Guardian obtained a great opportunity and is seeking a breakthrough is not groundless."

"Thinking about it, that makes sense. Concealing a Realm Expansion and blocking information about a natural disaster—those are crimes that blot out the sky.

"But if one can glimpse the seat of a god, what does abandoning this city matter?"

With a hint of emotion, the Rock Giant strode away from the place.

As for the Great Banyan Tree he had previously tried to explore, he did not even spare it another glance.