Capítulo 1688: Chapter 1689: Suburbs

“I don’t think they would have overlooked your presence. Even if you weren’t initially in their calculations, considering all the recent activities you’ve joined me in, you think they wouldn’t foresee the possibility of your interference?”

With arms crossed in front of his chest, Feng Yuan looked at Agunas and said, there was no way they wouldn’t guard against Agunas’ doppelgangers. Even if they couldn’t confirm how many doppelgangers Agunas actually had, they would surely take precautions, as these Divine Beasts didn’t just start suspecting Quine now.

Back when the incident occurred, they had already suspected Quine. It was just that Socrates had stepped in to block them at that time. However, thinking carefully, Feng Yuan felt something was wrong. Not to mention Socrates’ unusual situation at the time, even if Socrates was indeed siding with Quine, but…

Did it really know nothing? Feng Yuan couldn’t believe it. It chose to help Quine conceal the truth. For Divine Beasts, maintaining world stability and fulfilling their duties are very important, yet it chose a different approach.

Could it be… thinking of a certain possibility, Feng Yuan couldn’t help but glance at Agunas, who was currently pondering how to infiltrate Quine for the investigation. Noticing Feng Yuan’s gaze, Agunas flicked its tail and asked,

“What? Do you have something to say?”

“No!”

Shaking his head, Feng Yuan didn’t disclose his speculations to Agunas. Otherwise, given Agunas’ temperament, it might end up arguing with Socrates. In his perspective, Quine’s situation was somewhat complex. With this thought, Feng Yuan looked at Dou Zhengrong, who had been undercover in Quine for years and perhaps noticed quite a lot.

At this moment, Dou Zhengrong had finished giving guidance on what he deemed correct to Dou Yanlan. As for whether Dou Yanlan should get involved with the official team, he ultimately didn’t intervene. After all, as she mentioned, she couldn’t refuse the academy’s arrangements.

But regarding the suggestion to act alongside Feng Yuan as much as possible, Dou Yanlan really wanted to point out that Feng Yuan was the one often involved in major events. However, Feng Yuan does indeed have the ability to ensure safety in dangerous situations, so she didn’t reject the idea. Whether to act together wasn’t up to her, but rather depended on Feng Yuan’s intentions.

“Did something unexpected happen?”

When Feng Yuan and Dou Yanlan rejoined the team, Qi Chen couldn’t help but pull Feng Yuan aside to inquire. Looking at Qi Chen, the other party replied,

“Why are you asking that? Couldn’t it be that her father needed her for something?”

“Well… but didn’t she call you over? Besides, isn’t he currently working in the Special Duty Team, does that mean…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t steal your Dou Yanlan. As for him finding her, hmm, how to put it, it’s a father’s concern for his daughter, especially since her boyfriend isn’t doing well enough~”

With a strange smile, Feng Yuan looked at Qi Chen teasingly, the other blushed, recalling something, and lowered his head with a sigh. Seeing Qi Chen seemed affected, Feng Yuan paused, patted his shoulder, and said,

“Hey, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, but… strength…”

Turning his head, he glanced at Ah Mu, recalling the other’s current prowess, Qi Chen suddenly regained his confidence. Even if he’s not yet a match for Class 1, so what! With Ah Mu’s potential increased so much with Feng Yuan’s assistance, he couldn’t believe he wouldn’t catch up to Class 1 students in three years at the academy!

Seeing Qi Chen seemed fine, Feng Yuan didn’t dwell on it. At this point, Wu Xue, who was tasked with leading the team, confirmed with Feng Yuan and Dou Yanlan that they were clear on their tasks and then led everyone out of the school as per prior arrangements.

Turning into a Little Husky perched on Big Cat’s head, Feng Yuan couldn’t help but say,

“Can’t we take the bus over? From here, heading to the Northern Suburbs might take quite a bit of time, right?”

“Public transportation is currently under control, with reduced bus frequency. If you’re not afraid of crowding, then it wouldn’t be impossible to try.”

Glancing at the crowded bus stop, Wu Xue remarked. Due to safety concerns, each bus must have a member of the Special Duty Team or the Defense Corps supervising it, but even accounting for all off-duty personnel, scheduling proved difficult.

Thus, the bus departure frequency was greatly reduced. Essentially, unless one absolutely had no choice but to use the bus, walking directly would be faster.

“Better forget it. Agunas, could you lend a hand?”

“No time!”

Glancing at Little Husky perched on Big Cat’s head, Agunas turned its face darkly and flicked its tail, avoiding eye contact. Without needing to say much, Agunas could already guess the other’s intent—hoping it would help open a Space Gate.

“Ooh~ so heartless. Oh! I wonder if the Data Domain can be used…”

Recalling something, Feng Yuan remarked, Veronia twirled the parasol in her hands and said,

“If you can identify the corresponding area of the Data Domain, it seems doable. Similarly, borrowing from the Netherworld is also an option. Long Boduo seems to have some free time now, shall we call it over?”

“Going through the Netherworld could also be viable, though maybe not faster than this. Forget it.”

After careful thought, Feng Yuan decided against it. The Netherworld isn’t like the Data Domain; it adheres to the real world’s rules. Even Long Boduo can’t open a Space Gate casually. In fact, the distance traveled within the Netherworld may not be any shorter than in the real world.

Some second-year students occasionally sneaked glances at Little Husky on Big Cat’s head. Since they recognized Feng Yuan’s identity, none had issues with his odd behavior.

Taking a nap atop Big Cat’s head, until feeling someone poking him, Little Husky yawned and opened his eyes, the group had arrived in the Northern Suburbs they were responsible for.

This area, originally intended for use as an industrial park, was later abandoned because of the rapid rise of the Southern industrial park and most major industries in Maomu City opting for the South, leaving the Northern industrial park forsaken. The land, initially leveled, remained untouched, eventually becoming overgrown with weeds.

Observing the desolate landscape, Qi Chen couldn’t help but say,

“I didn’t expect this place to turn out like this. I remember there used to be a children’s playground around there…”

Due to the vast leveled land, even with them splitting up to patrol, it would be difficult to cover the entire Northern Suburbs industrial park quickly. But their task was to inspect whether there were any illegal organizations excavating underground hidden facilities in this area.

This was the most these students could accomplish; confronting those illegal organizations head-on wouldn’t be suitable, considering those groups contained some Legendary-level members, and going against them would be too much for anyone but Feng Yuan.

Previously at Mingjing Lake, the group encountered similarly powerful adversaries. However, with Agunas and co. present, those individuals were swiftly dealt with upon emerging, posing little threat to the normal students.

“Hmm, this area is quite vast. But uncovering any underground hidden facilities here won’t be easy, right?”

“But that’s what we’re here for. Let’s move according to the previous arrangements.”

Wu Xue glanced at Feng Yuan, stating this while leading the group to split up. Though the task didn’t entail significant danger, it was certainly tedious, given the enormous extent of the area. The hidden underground facilities would undeniably be well-protected, and ordinary measures might not uncover them.

“I recall the Data Domain can map the real world, perhaps, using the Data Domain to be lazy directly?”

With a glint in his eyes, Feng Yuan suggested something, Veronia shot Feng Yuan a sideways glance, and said with some displeasure,

“Avoiding detection by the Data Domain isn’t impossible; those folks would likely consider that possibility.”

“Moreover, there’s probably no need for them to hide here unless there’s some special requirement.”

Upon further thought, Veronia shook her head. Since its abandonment, this suburb hadn’t been connected to various public services. Not only were there few people, but even wildlife was rare. This area, having been leveled, had its native vegetation cleared long ago.

Added to this were hardened roads and park squares, along with remnants of prior wildlife deterrent measures; typical wildlife barely even chose to come near here.