CHAPTER 264: CHAPTER 264: THE SECRET BEFORE NEW YEAR (4)_1

A black figure flashed. Ye Sanshao’s body swept past like a gust of wind, battling the newcomer. "Water Chains, entangle!" Shangguan You called out softly as she leapt forward. Thousands of pale blue Water Elements transformed and twined towards the shadow.

"Hahaha! Overestimating your own abilities!" The shadow laughed loudly, its form having already vanished into thin air.

"Who’s overestimating their abilities now? You think you can insult my woman?" Ye Sanshao sneered, his own form vanishing into thin air. The THUDDING sounds of their clash echoed incessantly in her ears. All she could see was a blurred silhouette; she couldn’t make out their moves at all, nor did she have a chance to help.

Shangguan You’s eyebrows fiercely knotted. Why? Why was it like this? She had originally thought that reaching level 3 of the Medicine King Tower was a lofty attainment. Coupled with the Contract Talisman she had obtained, the powers of both Water and Earth Elements, and countless elixirs, she considered herself an invincible force, even if she couldn’t defeat Ye Sanshao. Yet, now she was facing this enigmatic man, and similarly, she couldn’t defeat him.

A sense of defeat surged in her heart. In the short span of four months since her rebirth, she had already cultivated to level 3. To other Cultivators, this was genius among geniuses. However, those she encountered were old monsters who had lived for who knows how many years. It made sense that she couldn’t defeat them. If she had been invincible from the start, there would have been no need for her to continue cultivating.

"Girl, Ice Seal."

Ye Sanshao’s deep voice rang out. Without a second thought, Shangguan You released the pale blue Water Elements. "Ice Seal!" she called out lightly. Everything around her, even an ant in the air, was encased in ice.

With a CRACK, the sound of breaking ice echoed. Three meters away from Shangguan You, a shadow burst forth from the ice. With a THUD, Ye Sanshao’s palm struck the newcomer’s chest. Shangguan You promptly added her own palm to the attack. You dare sneak attack me? Take that! Let’s see if I don’t cripple you!

"I’ll settle this account with you sooner or later!" The shadow spat out a mouthful of blood. Its figure flickered, and like an eagle carrying a chick, it lifted the unconscious Li Wanying and swiftly vanished.

"Let him go for now. We’ll deal with them later." Ye Sanshao pulled Shangguan You back. "It isn’t time to become outright enemies with them yet."

"Who was that man?"

"The one who ambushed me before. Remember Zhuge Ao from the reclusive Zhuge Family?" Ye Sanshao spoke nonchalantly, waiting for Shangguan You to nod before he continued.

"Zhuge Ao is just from a collateral branch of the Zhuge Family. The person just now is a direct descendant, so it’s not the time to confront them yet."

"Zhuge Ao? Then, what’s the relationship between him and Zhuge Feng?"

"That’s a secret within the Zhuge Family. I’ll tell you when I get the chance. I’ll go deal with the ice-sealed things first. Once everything is taken care of, you can undo the seal." Ye Sanshao’s figure flashed as he headed toward the laboratory encased in ice.

With several loud BANGS, everything that had been frozen shattered into pieces under Ye Sanshao’s Spiritual Energy.

"Alright, undo the seal." Ye Sanshao’s figure flashed, and he stood beside her. "There’s one last thing. Our destruction here has been so thorough that we need to make it look somewhat credible; otherwise, we won’t be able to convince everyone." Ye Sanshao sighed in distress, helping the now-conscious Shangguan Hao up from the ground.

"Girl, you mustn’t let anyone know what you possess," Shangguan Hao glanced at the ice-sealed crowd, then spoke gravely.

"Daddy, I know. I can protect myself. So, if we encounter danger again, as long as you protect yourself, you’re protecting me." Shangguan You looked intently at Shangguan Hao, then withdrew her Water and Earth Elements. Everyone who had been frozen just moments before slowly thawed, the scene otherwise unchanged. "Luo Jing, people are trying to flee over there! Move quickly to stop them!"

"Yu Jiayong, grab your weapons! If any monsters break out, fire at will!"

Standing at the front, Shangguan Hao issued his orders, and everyone split into two groups as instructed.

With a loud BANG, the door was kicked open. A mutant, twice the height and girth of a human, burst through, smashing down walls as it charged out.

It rushed towards them. BANG! BANG! BANG! Countless gunshots rang out. Coupled with Shangguan You’s covert assistance, with a final THUD, the mission was perfectly accomplished.

Not only was the entire laboratory destroyed, but all the research staff were also captured. One-third of them were employees of the Health Department. However, nothing could be pried from their mouths; they seemed equally baffled.

The two heads of the Li Family were imprisoned for the discovery of an underground laboratory conducting inhumane research. The matter was handled with extreme secrecy. Only the old patriarch of the Li Family and Li Junjie were detained. This was because Li Wanying had escaped, and the true mastermind behind the research had not yet been found.

Thus, this secret was completely concealed. Chairman Fang and the others had no idea how many such laboratories existed or how many people had been harmed by such incidents. Aside from a few individuals directly involved, no one knew the truth. Every movement of the Li Family members was under strict surveillance.

Shangguan You watched as Chairman Fang and the others employed a wait-and-see approach, her lips twitching fiercely. She really didn’t understand why they were doing this. The laboratory was destroyed, the shadow was aware of it, and had taken Li Wanying. It was impossible that they would actively contact them.

They weren’t foolish enough to walk right into their trap.

Li Meisu, Shangguan Rou, even Old Madam Li and Li Junjie’s wife, continued to live their lives in peace, carrying on as usual. They remained oblivious to everything that had happened to the Li Family.

It wasn’t until Li Ruizhe’s return that the superficial calm of the Li Family was once again disrupted.

「Back in the military camp.」

Shangguan You and her group of seven underwent another five days of training, once again enduring Liu Dabao’s booming voice. Finally, their grueling military camp life came to an end.