Chapter 693

Chapter 693: We’re Still Too Inexperienced

In the year 6165 of the Xia Calendar, on Ying Continent.

Ying Continent received its first big payoff from the hunter organization. The amount of money surprised Li Qing. She knew it could be profitable, but she didn’t realize it could be this lucrative.

The hunter organization was jointly established by human authorities worldwide to monopolize profits. Huaxia held about 40% of the shares, while Qingyun, Zhou Liao, and Ying Continent each had 10%. An alliance of five countries held 20%, smaller nations shared another 10%, and it was managed by designated individuals with oversight from each country.

"Master, the folks in Huaxia really know how to monopolize and exploit. We still have a lot to learn."

Zheng Yi looked at the report and was amazed. The Hunter Organization’s plan was excellent. Not only can they make money, but they can also motivate independent workers to work hard for them comfortably.

"Yes, we are too gentle compared to them. The Hunter Organization is ruthless. In just one year, over three thousand people have died in the group. Surprisingly, we still make money. That’s because they have a complete monopoly."

Li Qing explained that the Hunter Organization built a platform for independent workers to hunt and gather resources without risks. They can then sell the processed goods at a higher price to the independent workers. In just a year, over three thousand independent workers from the Hunter Organization have died.

"Even though over three thousand have died, we have gained over five thousand new members this month. The number of independent workers worldwide is not less than a million. There are plenty of people."

"Some independent workers are truly capable. Many countries are recruiting them. Master, we shouldn’t fall behind."

"Understood. Arrange for all the talented independent workers in Ying Continent to join us."

Li Qing mentioned that most of the refugees from Penglai Continent have been used up. They need more pawns to give Wangxian Sect disciples a chance to improve.

"Zheng Yi, how are things going with controlling the demon beasts?"

Li Qing asked about the demon beasts again. They were looking for ways to excel, and the demon beasts might be an opportunity. They were not willing to give up.

"We can sign a Master-servant Contract, but the demon beast is very fierce and hard to control. We are trying to figure out a solution."

Zheng Yi said that cultivators have a history of controlling beasts, although it’s not widely practiced. They have tried to control demon beasts, signed the Master-servant Contract, but the demon beasts don’t obey commands. Even threats to their lives don’t work. Several demon beasts have died already, so we need to find a solution.

"Let the others continue. Our main focus now is the tug-of-war with the demon race. Once all of you advance to Void Achieving, we can defeat the demon race in Ying Continent."

Li Qing mentioned that the demon race in Ying Continent, with the support of the Demon God Temple, is stronger than them. They have been at the front lines for years, but Li Qing believes that once Zheng Yi and others reach Void Achieving, they can win. This outcome is quite probable, as they have acquired many valuable resources.

········

Jiabang Empire, a certain district

Early in the morning, the district was heavily guarded by a large number of police officers. In a building within the district, the chief of the criminal investigation team and a few officers were inspecting the scene.

"Captain, it has been confirmed that the deceased was called Cai Jinming, a senior engineer with a good income. He came from an educated family who are all technically inclined and well-known in academic circles. He was at the mid-stage of Building foundation cultivation."

"Preliminary examination shows that the cause of death was having his neck twisted, but before he died, his spiritual energy was drained to the point of his dantian rupturing. His family members were killed by the shock of the spiritual energy. It is estimated that the culprit’s cultivation level is at least in the late stage of Building foundation and above…"

"There were signs of theft at home, with the money and valuable items untouched. The safe was opened using a method that involved burning or cutting, which indicates a skilled thief. It seems like the stolen items were resources for cultivation…"

"According to the investigation, the deceased was kind-hearted, and there’s no evidence of any conflicts with others…"

"Are you suggesting that this is a purposeful and planned murder case?"

The captain frowned and said. If that’s the case, it would be better, but he suspected otherwise in his heart.

"I agree with you, captain."

"This is the third case this month. The possibility of a serial killer is higher."

"Well…"

"Report this to the higher authorities. I am still in the early stages of my training, and if the killer is at a more advanced stage, I won’t be able to handle it alone. We need backup support."

The captain said. Capturing criminals within the city is not like fighting on a battlefield. We need to consider the principle of asymmetry.

Before the spiritual energy recovery, the criminals fought with their bare hands. If they had a knife, the police used batons. If the criminals had a spear, the police used armored vehicles. They always needed to be one step higher in strength than the criminals.

After the spiritual energy recovery, the criminals became even more destructive. They were too powerful for initial efforts to stop. While they had various weapons, they couldn’t cause chaos in the city. It was best to report to higher authorities, who would send experts to catch them easily.

The news was sent to the police headquarters in the capital of the Jiabang Empire. Several detectives looked at the data analyzed by artificial intelligence with concern.

"In the last three months, the number of cases involving cultivators in the Jiabang Empire has increased by over a hundred. Many of these cases share similar patterns, indicating a possible serial killer…"

"Look at this case, the victim’s blood was completely drained…"

"And these cases, the victims’ spiritual energy was sucked away before they died, it seems like the perpetrators are moving around…"

After analyzing the cases, they realized the severity of the situation with over a hundred cases possibly committed by just a few perpetrators, maybe even working together in a group.

The criminals had a pattern in their methods – either draining the victim’s blood, spiritual energy, or even their souls. They recognized that there were powerful and uncontrollable cultivators within the Jiabang Empire. This situation was alarming and they had to report it further.

One day later, a senior police officer from the Jiabang Empire informed the international police organization about these cases, and this information also reached Lin Jiang’s desk.

"Evil martial arts?"

Lin Jiang glanced at the case summary and immediately made a judgment. It wasn’t difficult to notice, especially since Lin Jiang had experienced the chaotic era of the North State demon group in the past.

Lin Jiang promptly asked the artificial intelligence to retrieve detailed case files. After reading through them, he became more certain that it was the work of evil martial arts. Lin Jiang quickly broadcasted a video.

"Ancestor Lin"

"Qiu Weidao, is there any attention on the serial murder case in the Jiabang Empire?"

"I just found out that it was the work of evil martial arts. It is initially determined to be the Soul Absorbing Divine Art and Soul Devouring Secret Technique, as well as several other evil martial arts techniques such as the Blood Demon Great Law, which absorbs blood."

Qiu Weidao, now a high-ranking member of the Huaxia police force on the surface, with Soul Changing cultivation, is overseeing the dark forces within Huaxia and is also a high-ranking member of the International Criminal Police Organization.

"I agree with that. Additionally, we need to investigate whether this matter involves espionage."

"Espionage?"

"Yes, after the spiritual energy recovery, no country has evil techniques. Ying Continent also cannot leak evil techniques. The only possibility is the demon race, they have a lot of war loot. They might have been behind the quick success technique before. How is the investigation going on the quick success technique?"

"We have no leads. The other party is very cautious. They don’t use any advanced technology, even the technique printing is done with the oldest printing machine, which is found in museums. However, there are clues pointing towards Jiabang."

"It seems Jiabang has a huge spy organization. You are in charge of this matter. Cooperate with Jiabang to uncover this matter. I don’t want to see people like Blood Demon Ancestor or Zhou Huaiying appearing again."

Lin Jiang said, evil techniques are more destructive than the quick success technique. The quick success technique has many limitations, usually reaching its peak at the Soul Changing level. But evil techniques are different, they can truly reach the Tao Achieving level. Once someone practicing evil techniques becomes a master at the Tao Achieving Realm, it could greatly disrupt Lin Jiang’s plans.

"Ancestor Lin, rest assured, I will personally take people to Jiabang and dig them out."

Qiu Weidao nodded. Since Lin Jiang himself asked about it, this matter cannot be taken lightly. He must go personally and ensure the people are uncovered.