Chapter 116

Chapter 18: Advantage of Terrain and Timing

Today’s weather was rather cool, with thick clouds floating in the sky.

“Looks like it’s going to rain,” Yuan Xiaoling said, leaning against the window.

“Rain is pretty normal around here; we’re all used to it,” Ting Ting said as she drove. “We’re almost there.”

Her hometown used to be close to Four Squares Academy, just a few streets and a small hill away, so they could only walk to the temple during festivals.

After getting out of the car, the uphill road seemed blocked, but following the route given by Li Li, they pushed aside bushes and weeds to reveal a hidden path.

“So there’s a new way up,” Ting Ting realized. “The old path was closed off, and we thought there was no way up anymore.”

That’s how the old temple’s incense offerings ceased.

Climbing up the steps along the path, they soon saw the grand gate of Four Squares Academy. A woman stood at the entrance, waiting for them—it was Li Li.

“Miss Yuan, you’ve arrived, please come in.”

With someone leading the way, it was much easier to proceed. Following Li Li into Four Squares Academy, Yuan Xiaoling curiously looked around.

From the retro architectural style and some parts of the walls and pillars, traces of an ancient temple could still be seen, though most had been modernized and repainted.

Yuan Xiaoling glanced at Bai Ling, who wore a calm expression, neither excited nor disappointed.

Bai Ling had already anticipated that coming here might yield nothing, as the current Four Squares Academy differed greatly from what she had seen in her dreams.

“The Tianhai City Countermeasures Group Office,” Yuan Xiaoling said under a sign, looking up. “Wow, even the name ‘Four Squares Academy’ is gone.”

Bai Ling thought to herself that of course it was gone; the academy’s sign had been smashed a year ago, something she’d witnessed in her dreams.

“Please come in.”

Li Li led them into a room where another young man was waiting, greeting them as they entered.

“Hello, hello, Miss Yuan, I’ve heard much about you,” he pointed at Li Li, “I’m Luo Xing, her colleague.”

Colleague, implying the same tier.

Yuan Xiaoling looked at the freshly brewed tea on the table and asked, puzzled, “Are we just chatting with you two today?”

She had expected something major.

“Today is just a rough chat, roughly drafting an agreement. It’s an informal meeting,” Li Li said softly. “And… the director has something else going on right now.”

At this, both she and Luo Xing looked a little uneasy.

“What is he busy with?” Yuan Xiaoling pressed. “I’ve heard much about Dai Hengzhu, and I came specially to visit him. Surely I won’t leave without seeing him?”

Li Li stood up and offered her a cup of tea, “Miss Yuan, he really is busy. Let’s focus on the main topic, shall we?”

There was a hint of pleading in her eyes, meaning don’t push it—this remote mountain area is full of Dai Hengzhu’s people, and if things escalate, she wouldn’t be able to extricate herself.

Yuan Xiaoling thought for a moment and put down the teacup.

“Alright, let’s talk business first.”

The two in the office sat down and congratulated Yuan Xiaoling on consolidating the spiritual energy manipulators of Tianhai City, becoming the largest local force after the chamber of commerce. Then they gently explained how, during the chamber’s era, the spiritual energy manipulator circle coexisted peacefully with society… mostly, anyway. Occasional incidents were fine.

After explaining this, they subtly probed Yuan Xiaoling’s stance on these matters.

“Of course, I have no interest in causing trouble. Maintaining the status quo is fine.”

Lingling is a good girl; when she was young, she even shouted in class that her wish was world peace.

“That’s great. Since we share the same general goals,” Luo Xing said, “let’s discuss the details further.”

First were future plans and prospects, which were simple since there was the chamber’s experience to draw from. All Yuan Xiaoling needed to do was copy their model. However, unlike the chamber, she didn’t want to control the entire market of Tianhai City. Running industries within her own territory would suffice.

Managing too large a group would be unmanageable, and Lingling wasn’t stupid enough to repeat the chamber’s mistakes.

Li Li and Luo Xing exchanged glances and both sighed in relief.

“If that’s the case, Miss Yuan, we’ll help you with the paperwork so that the beachside industry can be officially transferred to you.”

Yuan Xiaoling adjusted her posture slightly. “Alright.”

After such a long discussion, it was finally something pleasant to hear.

“Also, regarding the former Tianhai Tower, whether insurance compensation should be paid…”

“That’s not my problem,” Yuan Xiaoling interrupted Li Li before she finished. “I didn’t burn down the building, and the tower isn’t mine.”

Li Li hesitated and nodded, “Alright, let’s not talk about that.”

She wasn’t asking Yuan Xiaoling to take responsibility for the compensation, just to give an explanation. Later, they could tell the insurance company that the matter wasn’t handled by the Countermeasures Group Office—if they wanted to deal with it, they could go to Yuan Xiaoling.

They then discussed other topics, the atmosphere relatively harmonious. To Li Li and Luo Xing, Yuan Xiaoling was much better than the chamber.

After the conversation ended, both parties left happily. Seeing that it was getting late, Yuan Xiaoling got up to leave.

“Goodbye, Miss Yuan,” Luo Xing stood up to see her off. “Once the documents are ready, I’ll send them over.”

Who would have thought things would go so smoothly? Back when Tianhai Tower burned down and the chamber collapsed, many in the office thought big problems would arise.

He gave Li Li an approving look, meaning her luck was really good—she could randomly meet key figures on the street.

But at this moment, Li Li had no time to acknowledge him. Privately contacting Yuan Xiaoling to investigate her superior, Dai Hengzhu, was something no one else in the office knew about yet.

She wondered what Yuan Xiaoling had found out.

As Li Li pondered, her gaze followed Yuan Xiaoling’s departing figure. But when the blonde-haired maiden walked a distance and suddenly stopped, turning back with a smile.

A beauty’s smile was always sweet, cute, coy, and a little flirtatious. Yet somehow, Li Li felt her smile seemed to say—

Do you really think I’m leaving?

Then she turned to the white-haired maiden beside her and asked, “Bai Ling, is this the room?”

“Yes.”

This was the place in Four Squares Academy with the highest concentration of spiritual power.

“Great!”

Yuan Xiaoling turned and forcefully pushed open the door.

“Don’t!”

“Miss Yuan, stay calm!”

Li Li and Luo Xing’s cries came a bit late—Yuan Xiaoling had already opened the door, revealing a spacious reception room inside.

There were two people sitting, with three others standing behind one of them. Next to the tea table were three chairs, two of which were occupied, while the third held a gray hat.

Hearing the door open, everyone inside turned to look at Yuan Xiaoling.

As they stared at Lingling, Lingling also stared back at them. The three standing didn’t matter—they were clearly underlings, chatting without seats.

The two seated men were about the same age, both in their forties, but their auras were vastly different. One looked dark and sinister, making Lingling feel he was full of malice. The other appeared mature, with a serious air about him.

At this point, Li Li had no choice but to follow in and introduce them awkwardly, “Director, this is Miss Yuan Xiaoling. Miss Yuan, this is Director Dai of our Countermeasures Group Office.”

Yuan Xiaoling understood—this older-looking gentleman must be Dai Hengzhu.

“And who’s the other one?” she asked directly.

Li Li hesitated, unsure whether to answer, but at this moment, the other person spoke up.

“My name is Yun He,” he chuckled, “if you don’t mind, you can call me Mr. Yun.”

Bai Ling raised an eyebrow.

Yun He?

Although she had dealt with the Yun family several times, none of those she had encountered so far bore the surname Yun. They were all marked with some “Gray” code, obviously not internal members of the Yun family.

This was the first time encountering someone like this.

“I do mind,” Yuan Xiaoling said seriously. “I’m an 18-year-old maiden, calling you ‘Mr.’ makes it sound like I’m forty and we’re peers.”

The three standing men showed signs of anger but dared not speak. Yun He, however, smiled and asked, “So, what does Miss Yuan suggest I be called?”

Yuan Xiaoling didn’t reply but instead looked at Dai Hengzhu and said,

“Director Dai, hearing your invitation to discuss the future of Tianhai City, I rushed over here to this remote mountain area. But it turns out Director Dai doesn’t even have the time to see me. I’ve come all this way, so I can’t leave without a proper reason.”

Her words carried sarcasm and weren’t the least bit polite, even making Ting Ting behind her tremble a bit.

What? We’re crashing the party? Why didn’t you say so before we left?

Yun He chuckled, “Miss Yuan, you seem to have come with ill intentions.”

Yuan Xiaoling retorted, “You’re the one who came with ill intentions.”

Her righteous and confident demeanor made even Yun He momentarily startled.

“… Aren’t you the one who came?”

Yuan Xiaoling thought to herself why she would be considered the intruder—I am a native of Tianhai City… oh wait, no, I’m from Chunhai City.

“All my subordinates are from Tianhai City, representing the interests of the local spiritual energy manipulators.” She said.

Regardless, Lingling was justified.

Yun He laughed coldly twice and didn’t respond.

At this point, Dai Hengzhu spoke, “Miss Yuan, accepting the invitation today was quite sudden. I already had arrangements to talk with Mr. Yun He. Please understand.”

His mouth said sorry, but his expression wasn’t sincere, and he didn’t even offer a cup of tea, showing no sincerity whatsoever.

“So, what did you guys talk about?” Yuan Xiaoling asked.

Yun He picked up his teacup and slowly sipped it. Dai Hengzhu paused for a moment and slowly said,

“I’ve heard about your recent actions, but for the whole city of Tianhai, they’re still insufficient. Before your intervention, Tianhai City had been in chaos for more than a month. At that time, we invited Mr. Yun He’s people for help.”

He glanced at Yun He, then at Yuan Xiaoling.

“Now that both sides have become significant forces, the spiritual energy manipulator circle in Tianhai City cannot have two voices. Therefore, I hope you can quickly reach a decision.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiaoling furrowed her brows.

One of the two forces must withdraw, but clearly, neither she nor Yun He was willing to back down. In other words, the so-called decision was…

“Are you serious?”

A conflict between the two forces would last for some time, and the mutual battles among spiritual energy manipulators would inevitably harm many ordinary people. Just like in the mobile phone shop on Dongdong Road, if Yuan Xiaoling hadn’t deliberately protected them, several store clerks would have died for sure.

Dai Hengzhu’s gaze remained indifferent—he understood Yuan Xiaoling’s meaning but… didn’t care.

“Mr. Yun He has agreed,” he said.

“That’s right,” Yun He raised his teacup toward her, “Let’s settle it by skill, Miss Yuan.”

Yuan Xiaoling smirked, “So, you’re here to declare war?”

It’s a treacherous feast.

“Hahaha, not at all, it’s Miss Yuan yourself who barged in,” Yun He slowly stood up, his spiritual power fluctuation gradually increasing, “However, since you’re here, I’d like to take advantage of today’s numbers and terrain to seek your guidance.”

Finally, the three lackeys had their chance to shine, stepping forward with malicious intent directed at the blonde-haired maiden.

Two were late-third-tier, one peak-third-tier, and Yun He was mid-fourth-tier. Combined with their advantageous mountain location favorable to rock-type abilities, Yuan Xiaoling couldn’t handle them alone.

Yuan Xiaoling patted Bai Ling’s hand in return, signaling her to wait.

If possible, she didn’t want Bai Ling to fight, wasting the trump card she had kept hidden for so long.

Stay calm. She knew Yun He’s plan—the target was never Tianhai City itself but the fragments of the Inner Stone of the Mind. So he wouldn’t try to eliminate her today, likely just aiming to humiliate her.

“How about it, Miss Yuan? Do you prefer to go first or second?”

Yun He’s words were like a starting gun. The three continued to move closer, their spiritual power wildly surging.

Bai Ling’s wine-red eyes quietly gained a hint of crimson.

She didn’t care about any trump cards—she wouldn’t stand by and watch Lingling get bullied.

The atmosphere in the room became increasingly tense. Li Li and Luo Xing had quietly retreated to the door. Although Ting Ting, with weaker abilities, originally wanted to leave as well, she ultimately gritted her teeth and stayed.

I should have stayed outside watching the car. Why did I come in?!

The spiritual power fluctuations were almost intertwining, and just as the situation reached a critical point—

Crack!

A thunderclap echoed through the sky, and heavy rain began pouring down, enveloping the world in the sound of splashing water.

The three who were about to attack froze.

They had the geographical advantage, but Yuan Xiaoling now had the timing. With the weather enhancing her powers, these three… might be instantly defeated.

Yun He sat back down, “Not bad luck, little sister.”

He decided not to act—the influence of the heavy rain was too great, and the risks outweighed the benefits.

Yuan Xiaoling sneered, “Subtropical maritime monsoon climate, old man!”

“You!”

An overly loyal subordinate couldn’t help but shout, but was immediately pulled back by a companion. This pull brought him back to his senses—oh yeah, in this heavy rain, the blonde-haired buxom beauty could easily defeat them all.

Cold sweat poured down his face.

“Since we’re not fighting, I’ll leave first. See you next time, as you said, let’s settle it by skill.”

Yuan Xiaoling dropped her parting shot, giving a deep glance at Dai Hengzhu in the corner, but he seemed completely unconcerned with what had happened here.

“Bai Ling, Sister Ting Ting, let’s go.”

Bai Ling dissipated the blood red from her eyes and walked out together.

Ting Ting hurriedly followed, whispering as they went, “Xiaoling, slow down a bit, my legs are shaking…”