Elder Li's Departure

With Scarface King, the ringleader, in custody, his key accomplices captured, and a trove of stolen goods and evidence collected, the case was more or less closed.

The tedious work of tracing his wider network and tracking down the source of the illegal awakening potions was handed over to the specialized anti-gang and intelligence departments.

The Special Affairs Bureau's Operations Department had completed its main task.

Hua Yin, Sun Haoran, and Zhao Tiezhu had all been injured in the operation and gone through an intense fight. With a wave of his hand, Captain Wang gave the First Assault Squad three days off, both as a reward and a chance to recover.

Even with this rare time off, Hua Yin could not relax.

The battle at the North District factory stayed with him. Scarface King's raw, savage, almost overwhelming strength—and Bai Ye's effortless yet earth-shattering shot at the end—were like two clear mirrors, showing him how small and inadequate he still was.

Pale Bewitching Butterfly had boundless potential, and an S-rank talent was astonishing. But potential was not the same as fighting strength.

He had reached the Late Meridian-Opening Realm, yet before mid- and high-level Genetic Warriors or Awakened who had survived countless battles and honed their power to its limits, he was still as fragile as paper.

He never wanted to feel that helpless again: crushed by superior force, his life in someone else's hands, able to do nothing but wait for rescue.

He had to make that strength his own, faster and on firmer ground.

Early on the first morning of his break, Hua Yin found Li Siyuan practicing a slow, ancient health-preserving boxing routine in the branch office's rear garden.

The first light of dawn had arrived, and dew still clung to the grass.

Elder Li moved at an unhurried pace, his manner relaxed. Yet he seemed faintly at one with his surroundings, like an ancient tree that had weathered countless storms, steady and unfathomable.

Hua Yin did not interrupt. He waited quietly until Elder Li finished the routine and exhaled a long stream of white breath, then stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Elder Li."

Li Siyuan turned. The boy before him had a determined look in his eyes, and his presence was more grounded and composed than it had been half a month ago. A gentle smile appeared in Elder Li's eyes. "Hua Yin. Why aren't you getting more rest on your day off? Did you need something from this old man?"

"Elder Li," Hua Yin said, getting straight to the point, his voice earnest, "I'd like you to train me harder. Much harder."

He paused and met Elder Li's eyes. "The gap between me and Scarface King was too great. I don't want to hold everyone back again, and I certainly don't want to have to rely on someone else to save me the next time I'm in danger. I need to grow stronger faster and control my power better, especially when it comes to using it in a real fight."

Elder Li listened quietly. His smile remained, though a deeper approval—and a trace of something more complicated—entered his gaze.

He did not answer at once. Instead, he pointed to the stone bench beside them. "Sit."

Once they were seated, Elder Li spoke in a calm voice. "It's good that you feel this way. Recognizing the gap and refusing to fall behind is where becoming strong begins."

"Everyone has seen how much you've improved in the past half month. You've gone from the uncertainty of a newly Awakened to knowing what you want. Your resolve is beginning to take shape too. That pleases me greatly."

Then his tone grew more serious. "But as for guiding and protecting you from here on... Hua Yin, I may not be able to continue."

Hua Yin froze for a moment and looked up.

Elder Li looked at him and continued slowly, "Last night, I received an urgent transfer order from headquarters."

"And not just me. Headquarters has ordered everyone at the Demigod Realm or above who is stationed away from headquarters or carrying out a non-urgent assignment to return within the specified time and await orders."

Concern flashed through his eyes, though his voice remained steady. "I'm afraid there's a major operation requiring our strongest people—or something significant has changed in a region without our knowing. The order was urgent and unequivocal."

Hua Yin's heart jolted.

Even a Demigod Realm expert like Elder Li had been urgently recalled?

What kind of mission needed so many Demigod Realm fighters?

What scale of crisis could it be?

Was it connected to the recent beast infiltrations in Youcheng and the destruction of the ley-line survey pylons?

Or was an even greater threat brewing?

A faint unease crossed his mind, but what he felt most was sadness at Elder Li's impending departure.

Over the past half month, Elder Li had been more than a protector and mentor to him. He had been an elder who offered him care and trust without reserve.

Hua Yin would never forget the gifts and patient guidance Elder Li had given him, far beyond the call of duty.

"Elder Li..." Hua Yin opened his mouth, then found he did not know what to say.

Thank you? I'll miss you? Neither seemed enough.

Elder Li saw the emotion in his eyes. His smile softened, and he patted Hua Yin's shoulder. "No need to look like that. I'm glad I could guide you this far and see you find your footing. You have a long road ahead, and there's no telling how far you'll go. I can't disobey an order from headquarters. This is my duty as someone who serves the country."

He paused. A sly gleam entered his eyes, as though a burden had been lifted from him—or an important handover completed.

"But don't worry that no one will look after you once I'm gone."

"I may be leaving, but before I go, I've found you a new... well, let's call him a temporary protector and combat instructor."

Hua Yin looked at him in confusion.

Smiling, Elder Li tipped his chin toward the nearby training ground. "There. That young man."

Hua Yin followed his gaze.

At the edge of the training ground, Bai Ye leaned lazily against a horizontal bar, idly playing with his two signature pistols. He looked thoroughly bored.

The morning light traced his tall, lean figure and the handsome profile of his face, with its hint of devil-may-care mischief.

Bai Ye?!

Youcheng Branch's strongest fighter? Bai Ye, who wielded the A-rank Windflame Spear and had reached the early Domain Transformation Realm, was going to be his new protector and instructor?

Hua Yin was stunned.

Bai Ye's strength was beyond question. He was formidable.

But with that unruly, carefree nature of his—and his occasional taste for messing with people...

Could he really be a good mentor?

Elder Li seemed to read his mind and chuckled. "Don't underestimate that young man."

"He may never look serious, but reaching the Domain Transformation Realm at his age takes exceptional talent, resolve, and combat experience."

"His fighting style is especially sharp and fast, and he knows how to seize an opening. That makes him just the person to help with your lack of experience and your difficulty handling a powerful head-on assault."

"And..."

Elder Li lowered his voice, giving him a knowing look. "There's another advantage to having him teach you. That young man has an unusual background, and he has connections at headquarters."

"With him watching over you, anyone thinking of causing you trouble will have to think twice. Consider him another layer of protection."

"I've already spoken to him."

Elder Li beckoned to Bai Ye. "He complained that it would be a hassle, but he agreed. Come meet your new instructor properly."

Bai Ye seemed to have noticed them already. At Elder Li's wave, he pursed his lips, put away his pistols, and walked over with his hands in his pockets, moving with his usual air of not caring much about anything.

"Morning, Elder Li."

After greeting him, Bai Ye turned his gaze on Hua Yin and looked him up and down. That familiar, teasing smile tugged at his lips. "Well, if it isn't our little S-rank. All healed up? I hear you want extra training."

Hua Yin stood. Facing the powerful man who was about to become his new mentor, he set his feelings aside and nodded solemnly. "Yes, Senior Bai Ye. I want to grow stronger. Please teach me."

Bai Ye raised an eyebrow, apparently surprised by "Senior," but could not be bothered to correct him.

He scratched his head and looked at Elder Li. "You really know how to find me work, Elder Li. Training rookies is the worst, especially rookies who... well, have a special knack for finding trouble."

He shot Hua Yin a pointed look.

Elder Li only smiled.

Bai Ye sighed and turned back to Hua Yin. Some of the humor left his face, and his eyes sharpened. His voice was still lazy, but there was no arguing with it.

"Fine. Since Elder Li asked, and you're so eager to improve."

"But I'm warning you now: my training won't be as gentle as Elder Li's. Real combat always comes first. You might get hurt, bleed, or even come close to dying."

"If all you want is a safe, steady rise in cultivation, quit now."

"But if you want to learn how to fight, how to survive, and how to turn that S-rank talent of yours and those impressive-looking white butterflies into claws that can tear an enemy apart..."

He paused. His gaze fixed on Hua Yin, sharp as the point of a drawn spear.

"Training ground. Five tomorrow morning. One second late, and you run an extra ten kilometers."

"Get ready to lose a layer of skin, kid."

With that, he did not wait for Hua Yin's response. He gave Elder Li a casual wave. "See you, Elder Li. Have a safe trip."

Then he turned and strolled away, humming a tune Hua Yin did not recognize.

Hua Yin stood where he was. Bai Ye's sharp presence was nothing like Elder Li's, and his demands bordered on brutal. But instead of shrinking back, Hua Yin felt his fighting spirit burn brighter.

Lose a layer of skin?

He clenched his fists.

That's exactly what I want.

Elder Li saw the fire in Hua Yin's eyes and nodded with satisfaction. Then he offered one last piece of heartfelt advice. "Hua Yin, Bai Ye's methods are unconventional, but they're exactly what you need right now."

"Listen, watch, practice, and think."

"Remember, the power is yours. In the end, only you can decide what path to take. I look forward to hearing your name spoken far and wide when I'm back at headquarters."

"Yes, Elder Li! I'll remember everything you've taught me!" Hua Yin bowed deeply.

That afternoon, Li Siyuan quietly left Youcheng Branch and set out for headquarters.

There was no grand farewell. Only a handful of senior officials and Captain Wang knew he was leaving.

The departure of a Demigod Realm expert left Youcheng Branch feeling a little emptier. But it also meant a new chapter was about to begin between an S-rank boy and a "troublesome senior" who had reached the Domain Transformation Realm.

Hua Yin returned to his dorm and watched the sun sinking outside the window.

Elder Li's departure left him melancholy, but Bai Ye's challenging "invitation" set his blood stirring.

Tomorrow. Five o'clock. The training ground.

He took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and prepared himself as best he could.

He knew a harsher ordeal was coming, one that would bring him closer to the world of the truly strong.

All he had to do was seize every opportunity to hone himself, like uncut jade, into a pale blade sharp enough to tear through any obstacle.