Chapter 56: Preparations for Battle, The Price to Be Paid!

"Why didn't you say something earlier?" Silintian was at a loss for words. Such critical information, and this man had waited until now to share it—how much could one person endure in silence?

"I just realized it myself. I'm telling you the moment it came to me," Liu Cheng said, a little aggrieved. This theory had only just occurred to him. Otherwise, there was no other way to explain why the energy within the Diamond Forest was steadily decreasing.

"In that case, there's nothing more to discuss. Prepare for a fight to the death!" Silintian had steeled himself; he was the strongest here, and he was eager to see just who this mysterious figure was, someone capable of casting such high-level forbidden spells. What was their purpose in infiltrating Huiyue City and causing all this destruction?

"We've arrived, sir..." Liu Cheng could hardly believe it. Had the detection equipment not picked up traces of magic here, he would have never accepted that such devastation could be wrought by human hands.

From the forest outskirts, it looked as if the entire Diamond Forest had sunk half a meter underground. Every tree lay toppled, fissures spider-webbing in every direction. One misstep could easily mean falling into a chasm and losing one's life.

Silintian felt a headache coming on at the sight. Such destructive power was unheard of. Yet the magical aura within the forest was undeniably similar to that found at the first site of destruction in Huiyue City. Even so, he couldn't be certain it was the work of the same person. This time, the level of devastation was simply terrifying—beyond belief! For a moment, he even doubted whether their assessment was correct. This didn't seem like something a Supreme-level mage could accomplish; it felt more like the work of a Saint-level powerhouse!

The Diamond Forest was utterly ruined. Not only had there been an earthquake, but the entire area was now ablaze. The searing heat pressed down on them with almost unbearable intensity.

"This is troublesome," Silintian said with a bitter smile. He was starting to regret taking this assignment; the difficulty was proving to be far beyond what he'd anticipated.

"Liu Cheng, stop standing there! Get the team moving and have them set up the signal-jamming devices. We've got work to do!"

...

Meanwhile, Lin Han had already entered a vast underground cavern, where the source of the quake lay before him.

"Finally," he murmured, retrieving and securing the source of the earthquake. This was his key to the third transformation—he couldn't afford to lose it.

Following the path back, Lin Han moved much faster now that he knew the way. By the time he resurfaced, he was stunned by what he saw. He had kept his "God's Eye" spell running at full power the entire time, and now he could see every single person on the surface with perfect clarity.

Just yesterday, he had seen that old man's image on the news—the leader of the Imperial Capital's investigation team, a level seventy-six master of the Shaking Heavens technique. This was a truly formidable figure; Lin Han hadn't expected that his actions would draw such a powerhouse here. Yesterday, he'd been thinking he should do everything possible to avoid running into this man—someone he absolutely couldn't afford to provoke. Yet here they were, face to face so soon.

Meanwhile, the police seemed to be setting up some device—something akin to a signal jammer.

"Group One jamming system activated."
"Group Two jamming system activated."
"Group Three jamming system activated..."
Not good! Lin Han finally realized what these devices were—portable teleportation blockers.

"These guys are insane, preparing for even this possibility," Lin Han thought, exasperated. He hurriedly pulled out his own portable teleportation array, quickly adjusting the coordinates.

"Group Five jamming system activated."
"Group Seven jamming system activated."
"All jamming systems online. Preparing to connect in three seconds."
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Activate!"

With that, an invisible barrier began to envelop the entire Diamond Forest.

At the very last instant, Lin Han activated his teleportation array, vanishing from sight.

As the system came online, Silintian's figure also flickered and reappeared high above the forest.

"Search every inch! That criminal must be captured!" Silintian's voice thundered above the forest, his fury unrestrained.

An unidentified figure.
A direct challenge to the authority of the Imperial Capital.
Each of these offenses was punishable by immediate execution—unforgivable crimes. If such a criminal were allowed to roam free, who could say how many more cities would suffer the same fate?

...

No one knew how much time had passed before Lin Han's figure appeared atop a teleportation array in Huiyue City. He brushed the dust from his clothes, finally able to relax. Had he not escaped in time, he might have been forced to battle the authorities.

Fortunately, he had managed a narrow escape. Only now, patting his chest and feeling the earthquake source safely in his possession, did he completely relax. With this, he had everything he needed for his third transformation. All that remained was to accept the task and complete it.

Thinking this, the tension finally left his face. Lin Han stretched and said contentedly, "Time to go home and get some sleep!"

...

Yanyun City, ruins of the Diamond Forest.

"No sign of anyone in the southeast!"

"No sign of anyone in the southwest!"

"No sign of anyone in the northeast!"

"No sign of anyone in the southeast!"

...

Hovering in the air, scanning the scene, Silintian's face grew darker by the moment. Had that bastard really gotten away?

"He actually escaped?" Liu Cheng was equally incredulous. Only now was the residual tremor fading, and as they surveyed the ruins, it was clear just how dangerous the initial quake must have been.

And yet, the mysterious intruder had come and gone at will?

"Liu Cheng, check—did anyone spot a flying figure during this time?" It was the only logical lead left. The only possible escape route was through the skies.

Staring at the ruined forest, Silintian couldn't help but mutter, "Just who are you? Even after all this, you move about unhindered—why have you come to our Empire? What is your purpose in doing these unfathomable things?"

"One day, you will pay the price you owe."