After exiting the naval company, Meng Qi adjusted his appearance, transforming his long cyan robe into a white T-shirt and jeans. He casually took out a card and swiped it at an automatic vending machine nearby, buying a can of cola. He tilted his head back, popped the tab, and took a sip.
The entire action was fluid and natural, perfectly matching his current image. To Nan Gongchong, there was no sense of incongruity; it felt as though this was exactly how things should be. As for that card—it was certainly Nan’s own, though he had no idea when Meng Qi had stolen it!
After changing his appearance and aura, Meng Qi used simple, readily available tools to give Nan Gongchong and Wu Youming slight disguises, preventing them from being recognized by law enforcement or surveillance satellites collaborating with the Qiongcang Game Company. At the same time, he rotated the magnetic field to block the signal from the positioning devices embedded in their identification cards.
“Which major news company is nearby?” Meng Qi, now looking like an ordinary young man on the street, asked casually.
Nan Gongchong, a seasoned homebody, was utterly clueless. He only knew which district they were in because he had just seen a street sign!
“The website that released the video earlier—the Mitian Company. Their headquarters are in the capital city. They have strong backing and are opposed to the local factions and capital elites aligned with Qiongcang,” Wu Youming understood Meng Qi’s intent and refrained from making random recommendations.
If the news company they approached was affiliated with Qiongcang, then all the news and efforts would be like ripples on a lake—once the wind passed, everything would settle, and no one would pay attention anymore. Meanwhile, the leader of the Cangtian Sect would be surrounded by police forces deploying various powerful weapons. If the Empress also engaged him, he might meet his end right here. Later, the authorities could cover up the incident by claiming they were hunting a terrorist armed with a weapon of mass destruction. As for the police officers involved, their small numbers would allow the Empress to use her Yuan Shen at the Grand Master level to brainwash them one by one.
Meng Qi nodded, hands casually in his pockets, strolling leisurely down the street, leaving Nan Gongchong staring in bewilderment.
The best way to hide is for a drop of water to vanish into the sea!
The Mitian News Company was just one street away from the Black & White PR Company, but the road and airspace were already filled with speeding police vehicles and small aircraft.
The original upload address of the video held no secrets from the powerful authorities!
Meng Qi paused and looked, indistinguishable from the surrounding crowd. Police cars roared past, leaving behind a warning: “A wanted criminal has infiltrated this area. Please return home immediately and avoid lingering outdoors.”
Many people were frightened and hurriedly left. Amid the chaos, Meng Qi, Nan Gongchong, and Wu Youming arrived outside the Mitian News Company.
There were several police cars there, and a cordon had been set up. Several fully armed officers guarded the entrances, wearing heavy silver-gray helmets. Only their eyes were visible through the special glass visors, while small respirators were strapped to their arms, with tubes leading into their helmets.
“They’re serious! These are the latest helmets capable of resisting electromagnetic and mental interference, preventing hypnosis and mind control!” Wu Youming glanced anxiously at Meng Qi.
The Empress had once tried to penetrate these technologically advanced helmets with her powerful Yuan Shen, and even then it had taken considerable effort. Now, with so many officers present, the leader of the Cangtian Sect could not easily deploy his strongest techniques. He would have to proceed cautiously, which would cost time and risk exposure.
A simple, ancient bell, wreathed in purple energy, appeared in Meng Qi’s left hand as he casually approached the group of officers.
Wu Youming hesitated briefly, then, thinking of his limited lifespan, gritted his teeth and followed. Nan Gongchong, dazed and confused, went along.
Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong! Wu Youming heard strange, clear heartbeats.
Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong! Soon, he heard the officers’ hearts beating in sync with his own, an unreal sensation, like a virtual echo of the soul.
Dong dong dong! Meng Qi passed the group of officers. No one stopped him, and no one found it odd.
Inside the Mitian Company, Zhang Donghai watched as several officers stormed in and confronted the branch manager, Dong Yuan.
“A dangerous fugitive has infiltrated this building, armed with heavy weaponry. Please cooperate with our protective measures,” the officer presented an official order.
As a veteran journalist, Dong Yuan immediately sensed a major story: “Which fugitive? What heavy weapons? Can we film this?”
“No. You don’t have a war correspondent license,” the officer leader rejected bluntly. “As for your other questions, ask them later.”
“To prevent the fugitive from using the internet to spread panic or extremist views, we will temporarily disable all network and phone signals in this building. Please remain calm.”
In this long-peaceful region, who at the Mitian branch would have a valid war correspondent license?
Dong Yuan pressed his lips tightly, locking eyes with the officer leader, who slightly averted his gaze.
Something’s wrong… Dong Yuan suspected the truth.
As the officers prepared to disperse and cordon off the area, Dong Yuan suddenly saw a blue figure enter. The figure’s hand formed a blade, creating several afterimages. With a few sharp strikes to the officers’ necks, they collapsed, unconscious. The entire sequence lasted less than a breath.
A young, handsome face, slightly weathered by time, appeared before Dong Yuan. He felt alarmed but somehow familiar.
“Cang… Cangtian Sect Leader!” Zhang Donghai blurted out, his face twisted in shock.
Had this happened elsewhere, he might have assumed it was an actor from the earlier video. But now, attacking officers with such fluidity and martial prowess—anyone who had played the Black Mountain Demon game would have some sense of martial arts ability, though they likely mistook it for gaming skills.
Could this be real? Could someone truly have come out of the game?
Was it a terrorist impersonator?
Dazed, everyone, including Dong Yuan, snapped back to reality and recognized the Cangtian Sect Leader from the battle with the Empress, as if they were still inside the game.
Then they saw Wu Youming—the one who had returned from death.
“Are you actors from that video?” Dong Yuan instinctively asked.
Meng Qi smiled, opening his right hand to show he held nothing. Then he reached left, gripping the metal frame of the entrance.
Crack! With a powerful grip, his white fingers twisted the frame, snapping it. Sparks flew, and the broken metal quickly turned red-hot, melting into a viscous liquid that coalesced into a glowing sphere.
The sparks faded, the liquid cooled into steam, and solidified into a smooth metallic orb.
Dong Yuan, Zhang Donghai, and others gaped. This was an alloy famed for its strength and resilience—how could it be so easily snapped?
Well, perhaps the strongest soldiers with advanced body modifications and mechanical enhancements could manage it, but melting metal directly was impossible for any human body to endure. Who could withstand such heat?
The real Cangtian Sect Leader… the real one! Suddenly, the world felt unreal. Could a game boss truly appear in reality?
That’s impossible!
Dong Yuan recovered first, recalling Meng Qi’s earlier video: “So it’s true? Cangtian obtained a mysterious fragment that allows entry into the Black Mountain Demon world?”
“So, we were hunted and came here seeking help.” With the evidence displayed, Meng Qi didn’t need to say more.
“I’ll report this to my superiors. The satellite footage hasn’t been deleted yet!” Still disbelieving, Dong Yuan turned and ran to his office.
Zhang Donghai stared at Meng Qi and the others following the manager into the office, then looked down at the metal sphere, feeling like he was in a dream.
Martial artists, heroes, the Empress, divine skills… one thought after another raced through his mind.
Inside the office, Dong Yuan dialed a confidential number.
Beep… the call connected. Since Meng Qi had knocked out the officers along the way, the signal hadn’t been blocked yet.
“Sir, yes, it’s Dong Yuan. I have something urgent to report,” Dong Yuan’s tone suddenly became subservient. “Have you seen the video circulating online? Let me briefly describe it…”
“Sir, this isn’t Qiongcang’s latest VR tech or a movie. I wouldn’t bother you with trivialities. It’s real.”
“No, I’m not insane. I passed a psychological exam yesterday and am perfectly healthy. Please believe me. Just give me three minutes. If I can’t convince you in three minutes, send me to a mental hospital.” Dong Yuan seemed to face disbelief. “I’m not crazy! You ask for evidence?”
He glanced at Meng Qi, gritted his teeth, and said: “The Cangtian Sect Leader is in my office!”
As he said it, he felt like his logic, common sense, and worldview were all collapsing.
A game boss was in his office!
Goodness, I feel like I’m going mad myself!
He turned the video call toward Meng Qi. On the screen was a stern man, well-groomed, with few wrinkles and naturally black hair, exuding the aura of someone long accustomed to power.
“I don’t believe that anyone claiming to be the Cangtian Sect Leader is credible, especially if they merely resemble someone from a movie clip,” the man said calmly.
Meng Qi smiled. Pointing to a nearby derelict building scheduled for demolition, he signaled Dong Yuan to aim the camera at himself. Then he opened the window, pressed his right hand, stepped with his left foot, and soared like a great bird, gliding to the rooftop of the distant building.
The man on the phone froze, his expression turning serious.
Below, pedestrians were discussing the fugitive and the video of the Empress battling the Cangtian Sect Leader. Suddenly, a thunderous sound echoed in their minds:
“Clear the area!”
Confused, they stepped back and looked up. Using their portable terminals, they saw the figure in green on the rooftop several stories above.
“The Cangtian Sect Leader?”
“A cosplay event?”
Excited, they pulled out their devices to film, keeping a safe distance in case of falling debris.
The officers stared in shock, quickly regaining their senses and requesting permission to deploy space-based weapons.
At that moment, Meng Qi knelt on one knee, raised his right hand into a fist, and surrounded himself with crackling lightning, releasing half the energy he had gathered.
Crack!
His fist struck the rooftop, sending arcs of electricity flying. Cracks spread rapidly, unstoppable.
Crack! Crack! The entire building split with countless fissures, wrapped in lightning, and began to tremble violently, nearly knocking the cameramen off their feet.
Yet they remained frozen, mouths agape like wooden statues, stunned and bewildered.
Boom!
The building collapsed, metal beams and slabs entangled in a chaotic heap, dust rising like a malevolent force descending.
No explosion, no other devices activated…
It’s real… the real Cangtian Sect Leader…
They were terrified and amazed, their minds seemingly detached from reality. The officers who had just obtained permission to use the space-based weapons stood frozen, forgetting to act.
Goodness, it really is the Cangtian Sect Leader!
Inside the opposite building, the stern man on the video call had his mouth half-open, his face twitching, his usual composure shattered.
Don’t believe me? Fine, here’s some proof!
He himself was the strongest evidence, ready to demonstrate at any moment. Who could possibly suppress the news now?
As for the greed and malice from other factions after his exposure—let them try to conquer the Six Realms and come after him in the main world!
Inside Qiongcang, the Empress listened to the executives’ reports, her face dark and expressionless. She shook her head: “It’s useless. You underestimated the methods of a Grand Master, and I underestimated how fast information spreads here through the internet and phone networks.”
He understood this place better than she did, despite having visited only a few times for a few days each!
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