CHAPTER 1740: CHAPTER 1741: SETBACK

The disappearance of the Data Spirit Fox didn’t have any impact on Feng Yuan. After questioning, Liao Yu and the others didn’t consider the possibility that Feng Yuan was lying because there was no need. Given his situation, even if he really wanted to adopt the Data Spirit Fox, they wouldn’t refuse. Moreover, with two Divine Beasts by his side, it’s impossible to use any illicit means.

However, since Feng Yuan doesn’t know where the Data Spirit Fox went, where could it have gone? Although they’ve already assigned some personnel to investigate this matter, the Special Duty Team never has enough manpower. Even those who’ve been reassigned cannot continuously search for traces of the Data Spirit Fox.

Due to the disappearance of the Data Spirit Fox, the underground black market in Maomu City has been in deep trouble these days. Whenever the Special Duty Team members have free time, they run to the underground black markets they know of. Although they don’t come in uniform, it’s still a headache for those behind the scenes.

After all, the government not interfering doesn’t mean they can do whatever they please. It’s just that some things cannot be stipulated overtly. Both sides can only reach a tacit understanding that each black market won’t cross the line. But even so, they can’t guarantee that no one will secretly play tricks.

The frequent appearances of these Special Duty Team members force the black market bosses to assign more personnel to keep watch daily, fearing that being caught crossing the line could cause a fatal blow.

While trembling, the bosses curse those fools who made a move on the Data Spirit Fox. Of all things to mess with, why choose something related to the Special Duty Team, causing them undeserved trouble?

Although these matters haven’t affected Feng Yuan at school, Qi Chen and the others still sense something amiss. Recently, not only have the prices of Spirit Beast materials been a bit chaotic, but some strange rumors are also circulating online. However, because there have been abnormalities only in Maomu City, these rumors remain confined there.

After learning the reason from Feng Yuan, Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan just find it strange who would be so bold. They didn’t think much else since the importance of the Data Spirit Fox isn’t significant. If someone wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn’t choose the Data Spirit Fox.

The uproar is largely due to the relationship between the Data Spirit Fox and the Special Duty Team. After all, it has been under the Special Duty Team’s careful care ever since it evolved into a Data-based Spirit Beast. Its sudden disappearance would surely trigger a reaction from them.

"I didn’t expect to have already secured a Skyship ticket," said Qi Chen.

After class, when Feng Yuan went with Qi Chen and the others to have lunch, Qi Chen couldn’t help but marvel. He had no expectations for the Skyship model evaluation, as he couldn’t create any particularly eye-catching designs. Even Dou Yanlan would find it difficult to determine who’s more exceptional among the competitors from all over Great Xia.

They couldn’t have imagined that right at this moment, Big Cat suddenly pulled out a ticket and told them not to worry. This made Qi Chen feel a bit odd.

Upon hearing Qi Chen, Feng Yuan shook his head amusingly and said,

"I bet Big Cat didn’t expect it either. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have fussed over the Skyship model for so long. However, it seems that even now, it hasn’t lost interest in that thing."

"Perhaps that thing is just one of Big Cat’s favorite toys?"

Speaking offhandedly, Qi Chen felt a tug from Dou Yanlan who pointed curiously,

"Isn’t that Yang Hongzhi over there?"

"Seems like... it really is. But why do they look so dejected?"

"Strange, could it be... their squad mission failed?"

At Qi Chen’s words, Feng Yuan curiously looked over and upon seeing Yang Hongzhi’s despondent appearance, he said with a start, knowing they were a part of a squad just by the uniform they wore. For a whole squad to show such expressions, a failed mission seemed to be the only explanation.

"A failed squad mission?! But isn’t Najia with Yang Hongzhi?"

Surprised, Qi Chen said incredulously to Feng Yuan. While other squads might have mishaps, Yang Hongzhi’s squad not only was experienced but also had the Divine Beast Najia with them. No matter what unexpected issues arose, having Najia meant they could handle nearly any situation.

But despite this, their mission still failed. Qi Chen and even Dou Yanlan couldn’t comprehend what had happened.

"Should I go over and ask?"

Looking at the two beside him, Feng Yuan couldn’t help but voice his curiosity about what had occurred with Yang Hongzhi and them.

Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan didn’t stop him. Regardless of whether Feng Yuan would listen to them, they were also curious about Yang Hongzhi’s situation.

"Hey~ what’s up with you? Encounter any major trouble?"

Quietly sneaking over and patting Yang Hongzhi on the shoulder suddenly, Feng Yuan chuckled and said. Yang Hongzhi looked up, took a glance at Feng Yuan, and sighed,

"Yeah, our mission..."

"Failed?"

"It’s not just a failure; if it were just that, it wouldn’t matter. The key is, we were tasked with finding a missing child, but..."

Sighing, Yang Hongzhi said helplessly as Feng Yuan stared in bewilderment,

"Just looking for a lost child? That shouldn’t be too hard for you, right?"

Not to mention, Najia could completely ask Agunas for assistance. With the archived data from the time, finding someone shouldn’t be so difficult. Moreover, there are no child kidnappers in this world, as the abilities of Spirit Beasts vary. Even if they conceal themselves, they could be found and caught in a short time.

The risks are high, and the rewards aren’t lucrative. Compared to human children, beast cubs fetch more profit, which is why Feng Yuan found it odd. Could it be that the missing child’s parents aren’t ordinary people?

"We’ve used every means at our disposal to search, but there’s no trace of her anywhere. Najia also reached out to Agunas, but it couldn’t find any record of her movements."

Perhaps hoping Feng Yuan might have a good idea, Yang Hongzhi explained their mission to him. Although the team captain felt uneasy and tried to stop him, a bespectacled boy halted the captain. The boy had clearly recognized Feng Yuan and, despite their mission being declared a failure, hoped someone wouldn’t truly disappear.

Even though the likelihood of already meeting a grim fate was high, he didn’t want to abandon hope, as long as there was even a sliver of it.

Having learned the details from Yang Hongzhi, Feng Yuan was lost in thought, hand on chin, while Dou Yanlan had already dragged Qi Chen away. Unlike Feng Yuan, after lunch, they still had classes in the afternoon, whereas Feng Yuan had no such restrictions; he wouldn’t be penalized for skipping class.

"It’s possible that Agunas couldn’t find records because there’s no existing log of them. Only when something isn’t recorded, it simply can’t be found. Since Agunas controls written history rather than time itself."

Speaking this, Feng Yuan glanced at them,

"But for all tracking methods to be ineffective is very peculiar, especially knowing that there’s no Space Ultimate Technique influence involved in the sudden disappearance. Even if her parents are researchers, I don’t think there’s justification to go to such lengths unless what they’re researching has significant impact—so much that it may incite opposing nations to act."

"Are you suggesting that those who abducted her might be enemy spies?"

"We’ve considered this possibility as well, but it’s quite easy to judge. I don’t believe if this were true, the relevant authorities would remain idle."

After pondering over Feng Yuan’s hypothesis, the bespectacled young man said as such. After all, if it indeed were the case, the government would surely dispatch personnel, and this mission wouldn’t fall to the academy.

"Additionally, one more lead you might not be aware of: the Special Duty Team’s Data Spirit Fox has also recently disappeared, leaving no trace or information."

Smiling, Feng Yuan addressed them, suspecting a potential connection between the two incidents. However, he wasn’t immediately certain where to start, perhaps by using the Ancient Book in the dark? Although knowing its name might help locate the other party, it couldn’t ensure that returned information wouldn’t be corrupted.

"Are you implying something similar happened even with the Special Duty Team?"

Narrowing his eyes, the bespectacled young man quietly asked.