Chapter 780: Section 568: The Spy Returns from the Labyrinth
Yan Yi took out the alchemy device from his bosom, and Tan Mo took out one as well.
The two alchemy devices connected with each other, and after a burst of magic radiance flickered, Tan Mo and Yan Yi each used their spirit to touch the buttons inside the alchemy device.
The sequence of the buttons was a secret, known only to headquarters and the spies themselves, serving as a double password.
Both entered their codes correctly, and the flashing magic light of the alchemy devices quickly faded.
With a gentle force, they took apart the temporarily merged identity verifier into two halves, each taking back their piece and carefully safeguarding it.
Yan Yi then reported, “The two Purple Vine elders are incredibly elusive, and it’s impossible to confirm their whereabouts.”
“I believe that their main intention is to participate in the auction. Temporarily releasing two potions for a big sale was merely to earn some Gold Coins, increasing their auction power.”
“Subsequent events also somewhat verified my judgment.”
“I was appointed as the person in charge of the Twin Eyes Island region thanks to the appointment by the seventh prince. From beginning to end, I have deeply engraved the prince’s mission in my heart, daring not forget.”
“These two elders from Purple Vine are valuable leads. After racking my brains for a day and a night, I believe that taking action to capture them now is not only risky but also not very rewarding. Hence, I decided, besides observing, to focus on embedding spies, striving to infiltrate this remnant force!”
“I did not have the chance to ask for instructions from above, so I directly mobilized the spy ‘Maze Return’.”
Tan Mo frowned, “The spy codenamed Maze Return? Give me a detailed introduction.”
Yan Yi nodded and said, “Maze Return, female, real name Qing Xin, a Silver Level Wind Mage.”
“She was originally a confidant of the former Chairman of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce, chosen and sponsored by the Chamber to be trained and become a Wind Mage.”
“Before the reorganization of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce, someone made a move on Qing Xin. She, in turn, took this opportunity to attempt to fake her own death, thereby breaking away from the Purple Vine.”
“Our spy agency uncovered this truth and carried out a covert capture operation. After a successful capture, through severe torture and psychological pressure, we successfully recruited Qing Xin.”
“During Qing Xin’s infiltration stage, we gave her espionage training. It is worth mentioning that Qing Xin performed excellently during the training.”
“After Qing Xin arrived on Twin Eyes Island, she has been working behind the scenes, dealing with affairs, responsible for the daily operation of the spy agency.”
“With the appearance of the Purple Vine elders and signs they would attend the auction, I first sent Ya Ma to deliberately create friction, presenting an invitation to the auction. Then, I ordered Qing Xin to disguise herself as a slave and arranged for her to become one of the items for auction.”
“At the auction, the Purple Vine elders indeed recognized Qing Xin and bought her. From there on, Qing Xin initially infiltrated the enemy’s interior.”
“But such a degree is far from enough.”
“The remaining forces of the Purple Vine Guild will certainly conduct a strict examination of Qing Xin. To lend her a helping hand, I designed a small-scale military operation involving the Sea Snake Lady.”
“In the subsequent operations, the Sea Snake Lady organized the Clapping Pirate Group, among others, surrounding Songfeng Island, conducting a sea battle, and at the last moment, withdrew her forces, allowing the Undead Mage temporary freedom.”
“I am not clear on the subsequent actions. This part of the mission has been taken over by other spies. As such, I have also lost contact with Qing Xin.”
Tan Mo nodded, visually inspecting Yan Yi from head to toe.
Although Yan Yi was only of Bronze Level, he had a good reputation within the Empire’s Spy Organization.
What made him famous was his Extraordinary Level.
Among the regional directors of large areas like Twin Eyes Island, Yan Yi’s Level was the lowest, and he might be the only Bronze Level.
Generally speaking, it’s considered normal only when a director’s Extraordinary Level reaches Silver.
Black Iron Level is already looked down upon, let alone Bronze!
Silver Level can barely ensure one’s safety, significantly suppressing the negative impact of local beheading tactics.
As for Golden Level, such spies aren’t usually assigned to be regional directors.
Because Transcendents of that Level are too conspicuous, every move they make attracts long-term attention from multiple powers, big and small.
This is not in line with the style of spies, nor conducive to conducting espionage activities.
This was the first time Tan Mo met Yan Yi, and just a brief inspection made Tan Mo realize Yan Yi’s excellence.
All the arrangements and setups by Yan Yi were quite successful.
“You are an excellent spy, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Tan Mo said to Yan Yi with a smile.
Yan Yi hurriedly expressed that he eagerly awaited Tan Mo’s arrival. He had meticulously prepared many things, and would deliver them all to Tan Mo after the investigation.
“Yan Yi, this kid—he’s sensible!” Tan Mo inwardly praised.
Tan Mo’s reputation was even greater than Yan Yi’s.
He was well-known not only in the Secret Spy Organization but also in the Navy.
Yan Yi had already learned that the investigator was Tan Mo, who was notorious for his greedy nature and had mastered various ways of accepting bribes.
Yan Yi was very welcoming of Tan Mo’s arrival.
This was not an empty word—it was heartfelt.
Compared to other investigators, Tan Mo was easier to deal with—you just needed to present a bribe that would satisfy him.
One reassuring aspect was that Tan Mo, while taking bribes, also valued honesty. Taking money for genuine work. Collecting as much as planning to work. Thus, his prices were clear, fair to young and old alike.
“Very good.”
“This investigation will end here.”
“Lastly, I have to remind you, the task entrusted by the seventh prince, you must keep to yourself.”
“Neither other high-level members of the spies nor the Blood Light Sanction Court need to be informed this time.”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Tan Mo concluded with a reminder.
“Of course!” Yan Yi bowed, “Even in death, this secret mission will never be revealed.”
Just as Yan Yi was about to leave the interrogation room, Tan Mo called out to him again, “Wait, does the Sea Snake Lady know about Qing Xin’s identity?”
Yan Yi immediately answered, “She does not know, and Qing Xin is also unaware of the Sea Snake Lady’s identity.”
“However, I cannot guarantee whether the Sea Snake Lady’s personal conjecture might guess part of the truth.”
Tan Mo nodded, “Okay, I understand.”
He waved his hand, and Yan Yi turned, leaving the room with unhurried steps.
White Hair Sea Trench.
Ocean Nest, Mei Lan Divine Country.
Another Transmission Blood Sacrifice.
Inside the Deep Sea Monster Fish, a Rubber Swallower spat out an unconscious human race woman.
She was clad in brown leather armor, her figure curvaceous; even with her eyes tightly closed, lost in unconsciousness, she still exuded a woman’s allure.
It was the Sea Snake Lady.
“I hadn’t expected this female pirate to ultimately become our captive,” Cang Xu couldn’t help feeling emotional.
During the battle on Songfeng Island, Cang Xu witnessed the Sea Snake Lady’s heroic combat prowess. Under the surprise attack led by Wei Ying, Cang Xu, along with the ship ghosts, made a disheveled escape.
Afterward, the ship ghosts, Cang Xu included, and Wei Ying, along with the Sea Snake Lady, continued their pursuit all the way to the Netherworld’s Half-plane.
With the help of one of the Twelve Saints, the corpse physician, the ship ghosts finally shook off pursuit.
After some time spent recuperating, the ship ghosts returned to the Main Plane and came to the White Hair Sea Trench to rescue the Fin Spirit.
Instead, during the fierce battle, they were ambushed by Zhou Zhang, and Ba Qi, the Sea Snake Lady, like the ship ghosts, fell captive to the followers of Mei Lan.
What to do with the Sea Snake Lady?
The Fishman youth and Cang Xu had discussed it. The conclusion of their discussion was: there was no need to hastily kill this female Mage.
As far as the Fishman youth and Cang Xu knew: the Sea Snake Lady was not only the leader of a pirate group but also a member of Firebeard’s pirate gang. Such relationships held considerable value. Even without them, a Silver Level female Mage like the Sea Snake Lady was a formidable source of Magic Combat Power!
Thus, another Long-Horned Cage gained a new occupant.
Like the previous Ku Feng, Little Prince, and Qing Xin, the Sea Snake Lady too was deceived, led to believe that she had already died.
The sharp, pointed horns within the alchemy cage pricked her skin, preventing her Mana from ever accumulating.
Neither the Fishman youth nor Cang Xu yet realized that among the four Silver Level captives they held, two were members of the empire’s spies.
At the moment, their focus was not on these captives.
“Golden Level… this truly is a miracle!” Cang Xu exclaimed in admiration as he circled the Fishman youth, feeling the Life Breath of the other.
Having recognized the unusual Divine Blessing in the Fishman youth, Cang Xu had already mentally prepared himself for the possibility of the Fishman youth’s ascension to Golden Level.
But reality had still exceeded his expectations.
He had not imagined that his own squad leader would ascend to Golden Level so quickly!
This was great news!
The loyal Undead Mage, from the depths of his heart, rejoiced for the Fishman youth.
“Zong Ge’s Fighting energy already has a Golden sheen.”
“But you, squad leader, have already officially ascended to Golden Level.”
“He has no more opportunities to covet the squad leader’s position,” Cang Xu was invigorated.
The Fishman youth shook his head slightly, “Alright, let’s not dwell on these matters, come inside and pray with me.”
“I am ready.”
Watching the back of his squad leader in front of him, Cang Xu felt a moment of trance.
As a Justice believer, the Fishman youth was even more active in conducting blasphemy prayers than Cang Xu, the Undead Mage.
Such a practiced demeanor was hard to believe given the Fishman youth had only recently encountered the Desecration Priesthood.
Of course, Cang Xu wouldn’t voice these contemplations.
He faithfully followed the Fishman youth into the Prayer Room.
The original statue of Mei Lan had already been replaced with an ordinary Holy Image.
Cang Xu hurriedly took out the Mei Lan Holy Image he carried with him, which was a Silver Level Holy Artifact.
Cang Xu replaced the Holy Image, knelt on the ground, his lips mumbling, and began to pray.
The Fishman youth knelt beside him, waited a moment, and then started his prayer.
“O Lord, exalted Mei Lan God, you who wield endless power, please hear my pious prayer.”
“In this vast ocean, you are the raging storm and the guardian of the seas.”
“You are the origin of water, and the supreme of deceit.”
“You compel every soul seeking power and wisdom with illusions and trickery.”
“Today, we pray devoutly to you,”
“May you grant a poor, lowly Undead Mage a higher Mage Level. Let him bathe in your great Divine Grace and be educated in your magnificent magical might.”
“Your faithful Believer is willing to spend his own Divine Grace to support the Undead Mage in an extraordinary leap forward.”
“Great Mei Lan God, please accept this devout prayer. May you look upon your Undead Believer, that he may tread a higher path of Mage, that in the future, he may more extensively proclaim your radiance.”
“Now I have spoken and prayed sincerely.”
“Compassionate deity, please grant my request.”
Boom!
The moment the Fishman youth’s voice fell, a column of Divine Power descended from nowhere, enveloping… the Fishman youth.
Bathed in Divine Light, the Divine Officer, at that moment, ascended from Silver Level to Golden Level.
Hundreds of Divine Arts brutally inundated the youth’s mind, accompanied by a wealth of experiences in casting Divine Arts!
The tremendous influx of knowledge made the Fishman youth’s head throb with pain, his expression twisted.
Beside him, Cang Xu couldn’t help but be stupefied.
“This was a prayer designed for me, so why has the Divine Blessing still fallen upon the squad leader?”