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Chapter 288 Welcome to Hell!!!
night.

Inside a house inside the Great Wall of the Arctic.

Several figures sat around a cold, round alloy table.

The leader unconsciously tapped his knuckles on the table, making a dull "thump-thump" sound.

It broke the suffocating silence.

He was Ji Wuhen, a key figure in the Ji family whose status in this operation was second only to the patriarch Ji Wuyai.

"The goods are lost."

Ji Wuhen's voice was like ice shards rubbing together, carrying an uncontrollable chill, and his gaze suddenly pierced a lean middle-aged man sitting opposite him.

"Third brother! The army raided the 'Skull-Shattering Ice Valley' cargo point without a single warning! Why wasn't there any advance notice?! You're in charge of intelligence transmission and early warning, are you blind?!"

The lean, middle-aged man who was called "the third one".

Ji Wen, a second-level supervisor in the Confidential Communications Section, had a face so gloomy it could drip water.

He abruptly looked up, meeting Ji Wuhen's gaze without flinching, his voice equally icy and piercing:

"Boss! This raid was ordered directly by command, and the entire operation was kept under the highest level of secrecy! Even the operational briefing bypassed the usual procedures! My people had no access to the core information! How can you expect me to give them advance notice?"

"The last location Ji Lang was sent before he went missing was near the camp, and I couldn't even get in touch with him! Now you're blaming me?!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, slamming his hand on the table with a dull thud: "But it's not too late now. The fact that Ji Lang was able to send out news today means that although the goods were lost, the other party didn't report it. So what we should be discussing now is how to get the goods back, instead of blaming each other here!"

Ji Wuhen's eyes flickered slightly, and his fingers, which were tapping the table, stopped.

Ji Wen's words were like a bucket of cold water, temporarily extinguishing some of his anger.

"The third brother is right."

Beside him, a young man with a sinister face and a temperament like a venomous snake slowly spoke; he was Ji Wuying, the deputy director of the Security Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

A faint, cold smile played on his lips as he swept his gaze across the crowd. "Fang Qingyu's decision not to report it is the biggest turning point for us. It means the goods are still in his hands, or he knows their whereabouts."

"As long as we can get the goods back, everything will be fine."

He paused, then added, "But if we can't get the 'goods' back, we won't have a second chance to gather so many Tier 2 items."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned even more grim, and the room fell into a deathly silence once again.

Ji Wuying's words pointed out the cruelest reality.

They had no way out and had to take back the "goods" at any cost.

Just then, Ji Wuying changed the subject, her tone both playful and serious: "I suspect that it was Fang Qingyu and his team who hijacked the 'goods' and suppressed the news."

"Who?!"

"Fang Qingyu?!"

"Fang Qingyu, the one who killed Jiang Taixuan?!"

The name was like a bomb dropped into a calm pond, instantly stirring up gasps and incredulous whispers around the table.

After a brief period of confusion and then confirmation.

Everyone's expressions became extremely subtle.

Someone sneered, "That old dog Jiang Taixuan was already destined to be the ancestor's and that lord's food. It's one thing that he was killed by Fang Qingyu ahead of time. But this kid actually dares to come and rob our goods now? He really doesn't know what's good for him!"

Some people frowned, filled with deep doubt: "That's not right! Given Fang Qingyu's personality of hating evil and not tolerating any injustice, if he stumbled upon something like this, he should have immediately reported it to the Federation and mobilized the army to surround and annihilate us! Why would he choose to keep it to himself? This doesn't make sense!"

As Ji Wuying listened to the crowd's discussion, a cold smile appeared on his lips. He slowly said, "Why not report it? I guess it's because of the Ancestor."

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on him.

Ji Wuying leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further: "Think about it, everyone, where is our ancestor right now? In the Frostbone Canyon war zone! That's the main attack direction of the Frostbone Legion, and you all know how fierce the battle is there!"

"Our ancestor is the commander-in-chief of that battlefield, the pillar of stability! If Fang Qingyu reports this now, and it blows up, what will the Federation's higher-ups do?"

He looked around and asked himself, "Will they take down the patriarch immediately?"

"No! They dare not! At least until the Battle of Frostbone Canyon ends, and until a fourth-tier expert can be found to replace the Ancestor and command the front lines, they will absolutely not dare to make any rash moves!"

"The most likely explanation is that, in order to stabilize the morale of the troops at the front and for the sake of the overall situation, the Federation will choose to suppress this matter temporarily, keep it a secret, and at most conduct a covert investigation to appease those people. As for us, they will raise a high level of scrutiny but then let it go, and settle accounts later!"

He paused and looked at everyone: "Do you think Fang Qingyu, with his ruthless personality—who dared to chase down even Jiang Taixuan for thousands of miles and behead him on the spot—can tolerate this outcome?"

"Can he tolerate watching us, right under his nose, temporarily escape punishment because of the so-called greater good?"

"hiss--"

Everyone present, including Ji Wuhen and Ji Wen, couldn't help but gasp.

Ji Wuying's analysis was like a lightning bolt that cleaved through the fog in their hearts.

"So," Ji Wuying's voice carried a hint of certainty and mockery, "he chose not to report it because he simply didn't trust the Federation's efficiency and resolve in this matter. He chose to take matters into his own hands, hoping to bypass the Federation's constraints and personally drag us out and kill us!"

"He wants to come and kill us himself?!"

Someone cried out, their voice filled with absurdity and disbelief, as if they had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Pfft hahaha!"

The other person couldn't help but burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "Does this idiot really think we're like Jiang Taixuan, those old, bloodless wastes who can only survive by sucking human blood? Hahaha!"

Ji Wuying shook her head as she considered this most likely possibility, a slight smile appearing on her face.

However, the smile was quickly replaced by a renewed killing intent.

"All right!"

Ji Wuying slammed his hand on the table, silencing the laughter and chatter of the crowd. His expression hardened and turned stern again. "Regardless of whether Fang Qingyu is arrogant or has ulterior motives, the most urgent task now is to retrieve the 'goods'! The deal between the Ancestor and that person cannot be lost!"

He turned his gaze to Ji Wen, his command carrying an unquestionable tone: "Third Brother! Use all the resources at your disposal, regardless of the cost, to investigate! Investigate the movements of Fang Qingyu's team these past few days, and find out the whereabouts of those 'goods'! Especially what missions Fang Qingyu and his team have recently taken on! As long as they leave the Great Wall, it will be our opportunity!"

"understand!"

A glint flashed in Ji Wen's eyes, and he immediately agreed.

Ji Wuhen also stood up, surveying the core members present. Each one was an elite carefully cultivated or bribed by the Ji family, the lowest being a high-level second-tier cultivator. He said in a deep voice, "Everyone else, immediately gather reliable manpower and be on standby! Once the third brother locks onto the target, we'll set off immediately! Remember, this operation can only succeed, failure is not an option! Retrieve the 'goods,' and while we're at it, completely wipe out that arrogant brat Fang Qingyu and his troublesome squad!"

"Yes!" the crowd shouted in unison.

A hunt and counter-hunting against Fang Qingyu.

The curtain quietly rose amidst the undercurrents.

The following day, the core business district of the Great Wall Ridge in the Arctic.

Although the front lines were constantly engulfed in war, the interior of the Arctic Great Wall served as the rear area.

The conditions weren't that harsh.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their neon signs shimmering with a warm glow in the cold polar wind.

Fang Qingyu, Chu Kuanglan, and Lu Jiuyuan walked side by side.

Not far ahead were Wei Banmeng, Jiang Wei, and Lin Yu.

The three women seemed to have temporarily put aside their heavy thoughts, lingering in front of the shop window, talking in hushed tones, and occasionally picking up a small ornament to examine it.

Lin Yu changed into a brand new set of warm casual clothes.

Although a lingering gloom still remained between her brows, her complexion was much better than yesterday.

Fang Qingyu had a faint smile on his lips and walked with a leisurely pace, as if he really was just out for a stroll and to relax.

Lu Jiuyuan maintained his usual composure, calmly scanning his surroundings.

Only Chu Kuanglan seemed somewhat distracted.

His burly body was taut, and his copper-bell-like eyes would occasionally scan the alleyways, rooftops, and even the passing crowds on both sides of the street with vigilance. His thick knuckles unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the knife at his waist.

"Old Chu."

Lu Jiuyuan couldn't stand it any longer. His lips twitched slightly, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Relax! The way you look, it's like you have the words 'I'm on guard' etched on your forehead."

Fang Qingyu turned his head upon hearing this, his gaze sweeping over Chu Kuanglan's tense face. He chuckled softly, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable sense of reassurance: "Jiuyuan is right. Relax. We don't need to do anything these next two days. Eat and drink as you please."

Upon hearing this, Chu Kuanglan's face twitched, and he gave a bitter smile, saying in a deep voice, "Qingzi, it's not that I'm impatient. It's just that if I don't slaughter those beasts for a day, I feel restless, like a cat scratching at my heart!"

"The thought of them living happily in the shadows makes me..."

He clenched his fist, and his knuckles cracked.

Fang Qingyu nodded understandingly, his gaze returning to the bustling street, his voice calm and even: "Don't worry. They'll be here soon. Faster than you think."

"Why?" Chu Kuanglan scratched his messy hair, looking puzzled.

"They've taken the initiative to come looking for trouble with us. Aren't they just walking into a trap? Doesn't that mean they're admitting they're the mastermind behind it all? Are they really that stupid?"

Fang Qingyu gave him a strange look when he asked that question, but ultimately didn't explain.

Seeing this, Lu Jiuyuan sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

He explained to Fang Qingyu, "Old Chu, use your brain. Because those Grandmasters who were harmed are in our hands."

"Haven't you noticed? The Ji family values ​​those victims more than anything else, even more than their own exposure! So, as long as we hold this card firmly, they're like snakes caught in a trap; no matter how venomous they are, they'll have to stick their heads out."

He paused, then analyzed clearly, "It's much better to have them come to us than to search for them like headless flies."

"First of all, they would never have guessed that in addition to our own team, we also have dozens of Grandmaster-level combatants on our side."

"Even if they could imagine that we might have hidden some people, they would never have imagined that everyone would stay behind."

"Secondly, currently only we know for sure the whereabouts of the victims and the location of the safe houses."

"The only clue the Ji family has to find them is us."

"So they have no choice but to fixate on us."

"In this way, we can make advance arrangements for the other members of Dawn, lay a trap, and wait for them to come and die on their own."

Lu Jiuyuan lowered his voice, a calm light flashing in his eyes: "Third, and most importantly."

"Even if we decide to handle this ourselves, without going through the Federation's higher-ups, we still need to maintain a certain balance. A balance that doesn't exceed the Abyss Hunting Squad's authority by too much."

"For example, if the squad is attacked by unidentified 'plunderers' during a mission, and the squad is forced to defend itself and annihilate them, that's perfectly reasonable. But if we actively infiltrate the Ji family's stronghold, then the nature of the situation is completely different."

After listening to Lu Jiuyuan's long analysis, Chu Kuanglan suddenly understood. He gave a thoughtful "oh," and the anxiety in his eyes finally subsided considerably. He said in a deep voice, "So that's how it is. You guys are quick-witted. Okay, I understand! Relax, relax."

As night once again enveloped the Great Wall of the Arctic.

The living room in the courtyard was warm and cozy, filled with the rich aroma of hot pot.

The red oil bubbled and boiled, and the ingredients floated and sank in the soup. Fang Qingyu and the others sat around a table, and the atmosphere was unusually relaxed.

However, this relief did not last long.

"Buzz. Buzz."

Fang Qingyu's phone, which was placed on the table, suddenly vibrated violently.

The screen lit up, displaying an encrypted mission notification from the Abyss Hunt Command.

Fang Qingyu put down his chopsticks, picked up his phone and glanced at it. Then he looked up, his relaxed smile growing more relaxed, and uttered two words: "Here I am."

Two simple words, yet they are like pebbles thrown into a calm lake.

It instantly shattered the tranquility of the dinner table.

Chu Kuanglan abruptly slammed down his chopsticks, his eyes wide with shock: "A mission has arrived?!"

His voice carried a hint of eager excitement, clearly indicating that "coming" referred to more than just a mission.

Wei Banmeng and Jiang Wei also put down their cutlery at the same time and looked at Fang Qingyu.

"Ah."

Fang Qingyu nodded, stood up, and said decisively, "Pack up and get ready to move out."

Without any unnecessary words, the four quickly got up, checked their equipment, and put on their dark blue polar combat suits.

In just a few minutes, the living room, which had been filled with the aroma of hot pot, was transformed.

It has been replaced by a chilling, murderous fighting spirit.

The group quickly walked out of the courtyard, their figures instantly swallowed up by the howling wind and snow.

The mission briefing indicated that the location was in the Rift Ridge area, approximately 150 kilometers north of the Great Wall defense line.

There is an active guerrilla force of vengeful spirits.

This team was not a large, ordinary group, but rather composed of elite spirits known as "Shadow-Eroded Ice Fang Beasts".

The Shadow Fang Beast resembles an enlarged snow leopard, but its entire body is covered in jet-black fur that flows like shadows, with only sharp, pale bone spikes adorning its joints.

It possesses extremely strong coordination, as well as amazing stealth and mobility.

They never confront the main force of the garrison head-on, but rather act like ghostly assassins on the icy plains.

Every time the army of the demons and the human legion clashed fiercely in a certain area of ​​the front line.

This ghostly squad will suddenly attack from the flanks or rear like phantoms.

The target is the command nodes, fire support points, or logistical supply lines of human armies.

They move swiftly like the wind, striking and retreating immediately, never lingering in battle.

With its ability to stealthily move through the shadows and its familiarity with the terrain of the ice field, it has successfully torn through the defenses several times, causing heavy casualties and then managing to escape unscathed, becoming a thorn in the side of the front lines that is difficult to remove.

The mission objective of Fang Qingyu's team this time.

The goal is to find and completely annihilate this guerrilla squad, consisting of approximately twenty to thirty second-tier Shadow Erosion Ice Fang Beasts.

There are two main difficulties in the task.

The first question is how to find them?
The intelligence only provided the general area where their most recent attacks occurred, but the Rift Ridge is a vast area with complex terrain, crisscrossing ravines, and numerous ice caves.

The second question is how to annihilate them all.

These Shadow-Eroding Ice Fang Beasts are not only individually powerful, generally at the mid-to-high level of the second tier, but also adept at teamwork.

Their tactic of running away when they can't win is masterful.

Once they realize they are outmatched, they will not hesitate to use the shadows and snow to scatter and escape, making it extremely difficult to catch them all in one fell swoop.

For Fang Qingyu's team, however, there was an additional challenge to this mission.

To guard against a sneak attack from the Ji family.

However, Wei Banmeng and the others were not worried about this at all.

Because of Fang Qingyu's existence.

So far, they haven't encountered a surprise attack that caught them off guard.

Fang Qingyu or Jiang Wei would always give an advance warning.

This is an absolute trust built up through countless life-and-death battles.

Soon, the group arrived at the Rift Ridge.

The snowstorms here are even more violent than in Jicheng.

Visibility was less than five meters, and snow spray whipped up by the gale lashed against the visor of the combat uniform.

Based on the mission coordinates, Fang Qingyu and his group of five arrived at the area where the Shadow-Eroded Ice Fang Beast had last attacked a supply squad of the garrison.

Even though seven or eight hours have passed.

The raging snowstorm could not completely cover up the horrific traces left by the battle.

On the ground, large patches of snow were stained dark brown, which were bloodstains that had frozen but were not yet completely covered.

It is also covered with pits and ravines of varying depths.

Scattered broken weapon parts, frozen pieces of cloth, and several patches of ice and rock shattered by immense force all indicate that a brief but extremely fierce encounter had taken place here.

"The battle was intense, but also very short."

Wei Banmeng crouched down, carefully examining a tear in the frozen soil caused by sharp claws. Her voice, heavy with worry, came through the communicator: "Judging from these marks, the garrison's resistance was fierce, but the Ice Fang Beasts' attacks were faster and more lethal, almost an overwhelming breakthrough. The supply team... is probably doomed."

Standing at the edge of a large explosion crater, Lu Jiuyuan analyzed, "They fled immediately after succeeding. With such heavy snow, seven or eight hours is enough time for them to run dozens of kilometers away and lie in hiding again. It's almost impossible to wait for them here or track down the faint traces they left behind."

Looking at the scene before him, Chu Kuanglan spat out a mouthful of icy saliva and said in a muffled voice, "Damn it, these beasts are slippery! Qingzi, what do we do next? Should we continue to expand the search area around here, or..."

All eyes were on Fang Qingyu, who stood in the center of the ravaged battlefield.

Fang Qingyu did not answer immediately.

With his eyes slightly closed, he seemed to be sensing something.

The perception of the Eternal Night Territory is like an invisible tentacle, silently blending into the surrounding raging snowstorm environment, filtering out the chaotic information.

A few seconds later, Fang Qingyu slowly opened his eyes.

Instead of looking towards the depths of the ice ridge where the Ice Fang Beast might be hiding, he slowly turned around, his gaze piercing through layers of wind and snow, and turned towards the vast, boundless ice plains where they had come from.

A slight smile curved at the corners of his lips.

"Let's close the net first."

Fang Qingyu's voice was calm and even, yet carried a resolute tone: "Take care of those hotheads, then focus on the mission."

"A hothead?!"

Wei Banmeng and the other three were taken aback upon hearing this, and subconsciously turned around to look in the direction Fang Qingyu was looking.

Aside from the blizzard and the rolling ice hills.

There was nothing in their field of vision.

But no one doubted Fang Qingyu's judgment.

About three kilometers away from Fang Qingyu's team.

In a snow-covered area obscured by a massive ice mound.

A dozen or so figures moved swiftly and silently.

They were shrouded in dark gray cloaks, like gray shadows blending into the wind and snow.

The leader was holding a palm-sized precision positioning device tightly in his hand.

A glaring red dot on the screen is hovering not far ahead, no longer moving.

"stop!"

Ji Wuying, who was in the lead, raised her hand and made a gesture to stop.

The team stopped instantly, their movements perfectly synchronized, demonstrating a high level of discipline.

He looked down at the locator, his voice coming through the mask, tinged with suppressed excitement: "The red dot has stopped. It's just ahead. They must have found the trail of those Shadow-Eroding Ice Fang Beasts, or they've already engaged them."

"Prepare for action, and remember the primary objective."

"We need to capture them alive and find out their whereabouts! We must act quickly and end the battle before they finish fighting or send out a distress signal!"

"Yes!"

A deep, rhythmic chorus of responses rang out amidst the wind and snow.

In their view, Fang Qingyu's team was currently engaged in a fierce battle with the troublesome Shadow Erosion Ice Fang Beast.

This was the perfect opportunity for them to strike from behind and deliver a fatal blow.

However, just as they were about to launch, rushing towards the red dot like an arrow released from a bow...
hum! ! !
An invisible wave swept through the area without warning.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

The raging, all-encompassing snowflakes suddenly vanished.

It wasn't that the wind and snow had stopped, but rather that it was as if it had been completely shut out by an invisible, absolutely silent barrier.

Before them lay the same expanse of ice and snow, the ice mounds and permafrost still present, but the howling wind and the whistling sound of snowflakes whipping against the ground filled their ears.
All external noise was instantly stripped away completely.

A chilling silence enveloped everyone.

"A force field?!"

"A man in black robes said in a deep voice."

The sound was unusually jarring and abrupt in the absolute silence.

While everyone was still in shock...

A calm, completely undisturbed voice rang out.

"Are you here to see me?"

The moment the sound rang out, all the men in black robes turned to look in the direction of the sound.

Not far in front of them, the thick darkness slowly parted to both sides like a curtain.

A tall and straight figure stepped out from within.

The newcomer was dressed in a dark blue polar combat uniform of the garrison, his posture upright like a pine tree.

Black flames were rising and swirling around him.

It was Fang Qingyu.

Fang Qingyu

Upon seeing this, Ji Wuying was slightly taken aback, but her eyes were filled with coldness.
He then looked calmly at Fang Qingyu, his tone showing no trace of panic at being ambushed.

There was only curiosity.

"You knew we were coming?!"

Fang Qingyu stopped and stood less than twenty meters away from the group of men in black robes.

Black flames burned silently around him, and he nodded slightly.

"know."

Fang Qingyu then paused, his gaze sweeping over the group of men in black robes before him.
The corners of his mouth curved.

"and"

"I'm not the only one who knows."

"them."

Fang Qingyu's gaze passed over Ji Wuying and fell upon the rear and flanks of the black-robed group, upon the shadowy corners shrouded in darkness.

"I know that too."

"Them? Who?!"

A warning sign screamed in Ji Wuying's heart.

An unprecedented chill instantly rushed from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

He turned back sharply.

Just as he turned around
Whew! Whew! Whew!
Like a ghost appearing!

In the darkness around them, on the seemingly empty snowfield, behind the ice mounds, in the shadows.
One by one, figures seemed to coalesce from nothingness, slowly and clearly appearing.

One, two, three, ten, twenty, thirty…

Densely packed.

Silently.

Dozens of figures, like silent statues, surrounded Ji Wuying and his dozen or so men, layer upon layer, making it impossible for them to pass through.

These people included men and women, of varying heights and builds, and dressed in different ways.

Without exception, everyone stared intently at each of the men in black robes, their faces expressionless.

They are members of Dawn.

Led by Lin Yu, Zhang Meng, Chen Shan, and Li Yan, these were the dozens of second-tier powerhouses who had been sold as "goods" by the Ji family and then pulled back from the brink of hell by Fang Qingyu.

The man in black robes was initially on guard.
When they saw so many people they had arrested before, their vigilance immediately turned into information.

The brief silence was quickly broken by an uncontrollable sneer.

Hahaha

Laughter came from behind a black-robed mask, filled with undisguised excitement and mockery. "Boss! We've hit the jackpot! I thought we'd have to interrogate them, but these 'goods' have delivered themselves to our door!"

The other men in black robes reacted in roughly the same way.

He shook his head and chuckled softly.

This certainly saved them a lot of trouble.

And who knows, there might even be a turning point on the federal side.

Vigilance was immediately replaced by greed and ecstasy.

The aura emanating from the crowd suddenly surged, a mixture of killing intent and hunter's excitement surging within the silent force field.

Ji Wuying slowly grinned, his cold gaze sweeping over the densely packed Dawn members around him.

The image finally focused on Fang Qingyu.

His voice held a playful, cat-and-mouse tone: "Fang Qingyu, should I praise your audacity or your utter stupidity? You don't actually think that with these people, plus the few of you, you can devour us, do you?"

Faced with the black-robed man's undisguised murderous intent.

Fang Qingyu's expression remained unchanged.

She even chuckled softly.

That smile made Ji Wuying's heart skip a beat.

"Aren't you happy to see them?"

Fang Qingyu's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through all the noise and killing intent.

The words clearly reached the ears of every man in black robes: "Did you think you could wipe us all out here, and even take a few of us back to make up the total?"

Ji Wuying's smile froze instantly.

His eyes were filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Could Fang Qingyu have another trick up his sleeve?!

Fang Qingyu did not give Ji Wuying any more time to think.

He slowly raised his right hand, and the pitch-black, ferocious-looking Dragon Sparrow Blade silently slid out of its sheath and landed in his palm.

On the blade.

Dark gold patterns flowed in the deathly darkness.

The blade tip is raised, in a downward-looking posture.

He slowly swept his gaze over all the black-robed men who looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Why don't you ask?

Fang Qingyu paused slightly and pointed to the sky.

Is the one above you still there?

The voice just fell.

Ji Wuying's pupils suddenly contracted to their maximum size.

Fang Qingyu didn't give them a chance to confirm or think.

Just as all the men in black robes were shaken to their core by this single sentence, their eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief...
Fang Qingyu's wrist sank slightly.

The tip of Long Que Zhan E's blade was steadily pointed at the man in black robes.

The voice, like a whisper from the depths of hell, exploded with murderous intent:

Welcome!

"Here comes hell!!!"

(End of this chapter)