Chapter 629: Poaching Game

Chapter 629: Poaching Game

“What’s with the sudden apology?” Nine Frost asked.

“I took you into our fold on the condition that we would erase the Godbearer Cult.” Gao Yang sighed. “Yet we make the Qilin Guild an enemy first.”

“It’s just one more thing on our to-do list.” Nine Frost had faith in Gao Yang. “I believe you won’t give up on getting revenge.”

“Yes, we will eliminate the Cult. it’s not just for you, but also myself.” Gao Yang’s eyes glinted. “For that, I have a thought.”

“Go on.”

“I want to contact the Hundred Rivers Union in secret.”

Nine Frost caught on quickly. “Dust?”

“Yes, I want to identify Dust for the Union. It’ll help us track down the Cult and show our goodwill to the Union.”

“The Union’s strength lies in their number. They stand a higher chance of acquiring strong Talents and will thus become a great power one day. Even if we can’t stand together, I don’t want them to see us as enemies.”

“Good. That’s killing two birds with one stone.” Nine Frost agreed. “Leave it to me. Once my Telepathy reaches level 4, I’ll contact them in secret. Do you have a target in mind?”

Gao Yang did. “Chen Ying.”

“Got it.” Nine Frost nodded. Then he thought of something. “Have you read the ultimate the Qilin Guild issued about us?”

“I have,” Gao Yang said calmly.

Nine Frost scoffed, seething. “I didn’t expect Qilin to stoop so low. The Nine Scions can’t just allow him to slander us, Captain. We have to make a counter move.”

“I know,” Gao Yang said. “But don’t be impatient. The other organizations aren’t foolish enough to just take Qilin’s words for it. The Nine Scions will only be playing into Qilin’s palm if we make a stand now. We can’t win an open war with them.”

Nine Frost nodded. “What are you planning?”

“It’s a poaching game.” Gao Yang had a clear outlook. “We recruit new awakeners and unaffiliated ones.”

Nine Frost said, “I heard from Lithe Snake that someone had freshly awakened with Pestilence, and the three major organizations are all trying to get him. The awakener hasn’t made a decision.”

“Have Lithe Snake keep an eye on him.”

“As for unaffiliated awakeners, I have a candidate in mind.” Nine Frost’s eyes lit up. “Dr. Jia in Spice Nation.”

“Wait.” Qing Ling stopped him. Before heading out, Gao Yang had named Qing Ling the leader of the operation and warned her to be as cautious as possible.

“What are we waiting for?” Wang Zikai was feeling impatient. “Just watch me do my thing!”

“That’s not right.” Qing Ling’s delicate brows furrowed. Being around Gao Yang for so long had instilled in her the habit of thinking three moves ahead. “When you rescued Gao Xinxin, Wang Zikai, you faced off Forest Crane. He knew there was someone powerful around Gao Yang and must have reported to Azure Dragon.”

“That’s right!” Hong Xiaoxiao lowered the binoculars. “El...Azure Dragon couldn’t have sent only these two to keep an eye on Dr. Jia. They are far from enough for us.”

“Hmph!” Naiani stood on the railing, bracing the night wind with her arms folded before her chest. “This Empress has personally made a move. Even with Six Rime added into the mix, they will be mantis trying to stop a cart with its little arms.”

“Ho, now you’re incorporating proverbs in your dramatics,” Gray Bear teased.

“Insolent! How dare you...” Nainai cut herself off, muted by Qing Ling’s glance.

“Nainai’s right,” Qing Ling said calmly. “Six Rime isn’t our match, either. I suspect that Azure Dragon is here, too, and he’s waiting for us to step into the trap.”

The air stilled.

Azure Dragon’s name alone exerted great pressure.

“What?” Wang Zikai, though, didn’t care. “Is he strong?”

“Not even War Tiger is confident in defeating him.”

Wang Zikai remained unfazed. “And War Tiger’s strong?”

Qing Ling suddenly remembered that Wang Zikai was an idiot, and she gave up on explaining.

“So? Do we still do this?” Gray Bear’s tone turned serious. “If Azure Dragon’s here, the entire team must be with him.”

“That’s...that’s too dangerous.” Hong Xiaoxiao was the first to be intimidated. “Captain said that we should retreat if things are too dangerous. Why...why don’t we pull back?”

“Xiao Xiaohong! Do you have a death wish?” Wang Zikai could never get their names right. “This is Gao Yang’s first mission for me. If I return empty-handed, my brother’s gonna laugh at me!”

Hong Xiaoxiao took cover behind Qing Ling, shutting up.

“Yeah.” Gray Bear was reluctant to give up, too. “If we just retreat, I won’t be able to keep my head high before Lithe Snake and Nine Frost.”

They all turned to Qing Ling for her decision.