Chapter 333: Discovered a Farming Den

Chapter 333: Discovering the Farming Den

On the surveillance screen, patches of fluorescent wheat were being enveloped by a man’s aura, eventually ground into piles of white flour.

Then another man channeled his aura, compressing the flour into blocks that were stacked together like bricks.

“Are they processing flour here?” Zhang Yu thought to himself. “Though I don’t know what variety it is, it seems like this flour is no ordinary product, much like the Celestial Essence Rice.”

Fuji, also witnessing this through the power of the ritual, pondered, “Is this how they distribute the goods? Hmm, it certainly saves space and makes transportation easier.”

Meanwhile, the words “Dark Farming Realm” flashed incessantly in Zhang Yu’s mind.

The Dark Farming Realm—this was the dark domain that Zhang Pianpian had warned her younger brother against dabbling in on his very first day at Wanfa University City. After nearly a year of life in the university city, Zhang Yu understood all too well that farming here was a serious violation of both school regulations and the law. Getting caught meant utter ruin, with every ounce of flesh and soul wrung dry.

“It seems they’re not just processing flour.”

“Could they also be farming here?”

“How utterly audacious.”

Yet the more Zhang Yu thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. After all, Huilong Garden was built atop a spiritual vein, rich with abundant spiritual energy—a perfect place for farming.

He recalled the cemetery restoration project and mused, “Could the damage to the cemetery also be related to the Dark Farming Realm?”

Fuji agreed, “It’s quite possible. Those involved in farming carry their lives on the line; murder and silencing witnesses are routine for them.”

“When faced with capture, their resistance is fierce—they’d rather die than be caught. It’s no surprise the cemetery was damaged during the struggle.”

Zhang Yu watched the bricks of flour on the surveillance screen, his expression shifting constantly. His brows furrowed and relaxed intermittently, his eyes filled with hesitation and reluctance.

Sensing his inner turmoil, Fuji asked, “What’s wrong? Do you want to seize this batch of goods?”

Zhang Yu replied matter-of-factly, “In the university city, who wouldn’t be tempted by so much flour? But… I’m afraid it’s too dangerous.”

As he gazed at the flour on the screen, memories of his recent days of regular meals flooded his mind, making his mouth water almost uncontrollably.

“If I report it, what reward would there be?”

“But how should I explain how I discovered it?”

“I found it through ritual power—that’s not easy to explain.”

Over the next two days, Zhang Yu intermittently observed the flour processing through the surveillance cameras, weighing his options and pondering what to do.

Fuji remarked, “We still lack too much information. We don’t know how many people are involved, how strong they are, what to do with the flour if we get it, or what the consequences of reporting it might be.”

“Why not… talk to your sister about it?”

“She’s part of the university city patrol team now, right? She must know more about the Dark Farming Realm than we do.”

“Just ask her—tell her you found flour at the construction site and see what she says.”

After some thought, Zhang Yu found Fuji’s reasoning sound. It seemed like something he could discuss with Zhang Pianpian.

That night, taking advantage of Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan’s absence, Zhang Yu placed the white powder he had found in front of Zhang Pianpian.

“Sis, look at this powder I found. Is it flour?” he asked.

Curious, Zhang Pianpian glanced at it, dipped her finger in, and gave it a slight taste. Her eyes widened in surprise. “It really is flour—99% pure Earth Qi Wheat.”

Zhang Yu frowned. “What does ‘99% pure’ mean?”

Zhang Pianpian explained, “Flour from the source is usually over 99% pure, with very few impurities.”

“But after distribution, sellers often mix in additives to make more money.”

“The more conscientious ones add medicinal powder or cement.”

“The unscrupulous ones… add anything and everything.”

“By the time it reaches individual buyers, if it’s over 50% pure, it’s considered good quality.”

Hearing Zhang Pianpian speak with such familiarity, Zhang Yu thought to himself that he had asked the right person.

Zhang Pianpian then inquired, “Where did you find this flour?”

Upon hearing it was at the Huilong Garden construction site, she immediately said, “Take me there.”

With Zhang Pianpian’s decisive actions, the two soon arrived at the cemetery construction site.

“Little brother, if we catch the Dark Farming Realm operatives this time, you’ll have done me a huge favor.”

“Once I apprehend these lunatics daring to farm in the university city, I’ll make sure to thank you properly.”

With a light tap of her fingertip, a virtual talisman script appeared before her in the form of a spiritual realm projection.

As her fingers swiftly traced over the virtual script, an invisible ripple emanated from her, spreading in all directions.

Eye of the Law Talisman—activate!

A faint glimmer flashed in Zhang Pianpian’s eye sockets, and the next moment… the visuals from Zhang Yu’s eye sockets appeared in her own.

With the activation of the Eye of the Law Talisman, Zhang Pianpian could directly access another’s visual perception, observing the world through their eyes.

As she activated the talisman, Zhang Pianpian briefly explained to Zhang Yu, “…The Eye of the Law Talisman forcibly invades another’s visual perception, which is rather impolite. You must never use it—it could cause serious trouble if discovered.”

“Impolite? This is downright illegal!” Zhang Yu thought to himself. “And besides, how would I even know how to use it?”

Zhang Pianpian continued, “However, the talismans I’m using today are privately modified by me. Though they draw upon divine power, they’re rarely recorded by the spiritual network and thus won’t attract the attention of the true deities.”

“So, don’t record anything about what happens next, and don’t spread it casually.”

As she spoke, more images flickered in Zhang Pianpian’s eye sockets—the visual perceptions of the extremists processing flour in the hidden passage.

Seeing the bricks of flour before these individuals, Zhang Pianpian first felt a surge of excitement, followed by a jolt of alarm.

Zhang Yu, who had been closely watching his sister’s expression, asked, “Sis, what did you find?”

Zhang Pianpian replied gravely, “There are indeed Dark Farming Realm operatives processing flour here, and the quantity is substantial. I might not be able to handle this alone…”

Startled, Zhang Yu said, “You can’t handle it? Should you call some colleagues from the patrol team?”

Zhang Pianpian clarified, “What I mean is, I can’t take this batch of goods all by myself.”

Zhang Yu was taken aback. “Huh?”

He thought to himself, Wait… aren’t you here to arrest them?

Zhang Pianpian explained, “If it were a small-scale operation, arresting them outright would suffice.”

“But this batch is significant. We’ll hand over part of it after making arrests and keep the rest for ourselves.”

She glanced at Zhang Yu and said, “Little brother, let me teach you another lesson today.”

“In Kunxu, you can’t take too many risks, but you also can’t avoid them entirely.”

“Taking too many risks, constantly putting yourself in danger to chase excessive profits—sooner or later, you’ll meet your downfall.”

“But avoiding risks altogether, hoping to climb the ladder through honest work alone… that’s nothing but a fantasy.”

As she spoke, Zhang Pianpian’s fingers traced swiftly through the air again. The Surveillance Talisman activated, bringing the surveillance cameras she had accessed through the others’ visual perceptions under her control.

Then, using the surveillance cameras, she activated the Eye of the Law Talisman once more, capturing the visual perceptions of everyone within the camera’s view.

Through this back-and-forth leap between the Eye of the Law Talisman and the Surveillance Talisman, Zhang Pianpian quickly gained complete control over this Dark Farming den.

Dozens of images flickered in her eye sockets as she continuously observed the situation in the den. Finally, she declared, “No problem.”

"I've already hacked into their surveillance cameras and ocular implants. Over the next two days, I'll observe their personnel and schedule to devise a plan of action."

"But just the two of us, suppressing these people while also moving the goods out... it's a bit tricky."

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Wait... so I'm just dragged into this now?"

Zhang Yu couldn't help but ask, "Sis, didn't you tell me before not to get involved in the dark cultivation realm?"

Zhang Pianpian replied calmly, "I told you not to go cultivate the land."

"But arresting those who cultivate, robbing those who cultivate—that's no problem."

Zhang Yu twitched the corner of his mouth. He had actually considered seizing this batch of goods before, but he lacked the confidence.

Now, with Zhang Pianpian leading the heist, Zhang Yu suddenly felt much more assured.

Zhang Pianpian asked, "What do you think of Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan? Are they reliable?"

Zhang Yu's eyes flickered. "You want to bring them in?"

Zhang Pianpian said, "I've checked their chat logs and browsing history. Though there are some parts I don't quite understand, overall, they seem trustworthy. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yu's heart sank... Wait... Sis, you didn't check my browsing history too, did you?

In the end, Zhang Yu didn't ask that question. Instead, he said, "They're the kind of friends who would lend me money. They should be fine."

Zhang Pianpian said, "Then after you go back, sound them out."

"I'll monitor their communications."

"If neither of them leaks any information, we'll prepare tomorrow and make our move the day after."

...

In the lower levels below the 100th floor of the Ten Thousand Arts University District, in a small alley free from surveillance and hard to detect.

"Sis, how does this feel?"

"Mmm, use a bit more force."

"Got it." Yu Xinghan wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued massaging with effort.

Just then, a message flashed in his ocular implant.

Zhang Yu: Old Han, I need to discuss something with you. When are you coming back?

Yu Xinghan: Busy right now, not coming back today.

Zhang Yu: It's important. It can make money.

As Yu Xinghan hesitated, a woman's voice chimed in, "Don't stop now, I'm just getting comfortable."

Yu Xinghan quickly resumed his movements and replied: More than 0.06 spirit coins?

Zhang Yu: More than that.

Yu Xinghan: Wait for me.

(End of Chapter)