311: Xu Le: I can take shortcuts, but I'd rather earn my faith standing tall!

Zeng Heng jumped.

One of the officers' expressions changed instantly as he rushed to the railing. With a "splat," Zeng Heng was shattered.

It was tragic!

Meng Shuping began to dry heave, so his companion told him to go have a smoke.

He wasn't dry heaving because of physical discomfort, but because of fear.

Seeing that no one was paying attention, he secretly sent a message: "Number Six jumped; something seems fishy."

...Midnight.

Meng Shuping finished work, his Face full of exhaustion.

Just as he opened his door, he felt something was off.

"Come out, I've already seen you."

The room was silent; there was no response.

Meng Shuping turned on the light and saw a handsome young man sitting at the dining table.

"Xu Le, it's you!"

"Oh, you recognize me?"

"Making your real name and character name the same—you're probably the only one who'd do that. Besides, after that massive headline incident, I doubt anyone in Great Xia doesn't know you."

"Is that so? I suppose I have you all to thank for that."

Though Xu Le said he was thankful, his voice was flat, carrying no hint of gratitude.

"Heh, cracking down on internet trolls is part of our responsibility as officers!"

Xu Le shook his head. "So, are these your last words?"

Meng Shuping was about to continue his act, but a terrifying chill rose in his heart, giving him the illusion that if he went on, he would die.

No, it wasn't an illusion!

He jerked his head up. "Six... is that how Zeng Heng died?"

Xu Le smiled, looking as if he appreciated the man's quick wit, and said unhurriedly, "It's somewhat related! But he just couldn't figure things out on his own, so I simply gave him a hand."

?

A chill rose in Meng Shuping's heart.

"Do you need me to give you a hand?"

"No, no, no, that won't be necessary!"

Meng Shuping broke into a cold sweat; very few people could likely accept his way of "helping."

Xu Le asked, "Then tell me, why smear me?"

"I... I don't have the clearance!" Fearing this answer would prompt Xu Le to "help" him figure things out, Meng Shuping hurriedly added, "I'll help you contact someone who does."

His fingers moved rapidly across his phone, finding the hidden contact—Uncle Zhong.

"What is it?"

"Xu Le is at my house!"

"That little entertainer? Interesting!"

The call was disconnected, and Meng Shuping's expression grew even more uneasy.

Xu Le chuckled. "Shouldn't you be breathing a sigh of relief right now? After all, you've sent out all the information. Tsk tsk, as expected of an officer—professional!"

Meng Shuping's heart leaped into his throat.

Now that the intel was sent, he wanted to live... Half an hour later.

There was a knock on Meng Shuping's door.

Uncle Zhong had arrived.

He was dressed like a big shot from a last-century movie, with slicked-back hair and a cigar in his mouth; his hair was so greasy with pomade it could reflect light.

Wearing a black trench coat with a white scarf draped over his shoulders, he exuded a powerful Aura.

Meng Shuping opened the door and bowed. "Uncle Zhong."

"Hmph. You useless trash, you're really good for nothing. You might as well die."

"Okay!"

Hmm? Talking back?

Just as Uncle Zhong was about to lose his temper, he saw Meng Shuping walk straight to the window and jump out.

Splat!

From the sixteenth floor—no need to look, it was tragic!

"Impressive skill!"

Uncle Zhong knew exactly what had happened and glared at Xu Le in fury.

Whether Meng Shuping lived or died didn't matter; what mattered was that he had jumped right in front of him, clearly showing no respect for his Face.

Xu Le said, "Now that you're here, he's served his purpose. Tell me, why smear me?"

Uncle Zhong snorted. "Xu Le, you have some skill, but offending our Hidden Immortal Society won't end well for you."

Xu Le nodded. "So, are these your last words?"

"You..." Uncle Zhong was fuming. Anyone who had heard of the Hidden Immortal Society wouldn't dare not give him Face. As for those who hadn't, they weren't even qualified to meet him.

"Xu Le, I know all about you. Your ancestral spirit was naturally able to hide itself, only revealing itself when you turned eighteen. You showed a Blazing Sun Realm cultivation from the start and even saved Xuanwu City in the Spirit Realm. You think you're powerful, huh! You're just a frog in a well. Do you even know about the 'Immortals' above the Blazing Sun Realm?"

Xu Le's eyes lit up. "Are you an Immortal?"

Uncle Zhong coughed and drank a glass of water. "Our Society of Immortals has many Immortals. You have only two paths: either never film another movie or show again, or sign this contract, and I'll guarantee you one billion-level blockbuster every year!"

Xu Le suppressed his words and curiously took the contract. The terms were clear, mostly regulating an artist's behavior and the penalties for violations. The only glaring clause was the requirement to worship a god at a designated location every month.

"If you're not satisfied with the terms, we can negotiate modifications." Uncle Zhong sat calmly, feeling he had already taken control of the conversation.

Xu Le pointed at the worship clause. "This one is because you're eyeing the faith I carry, right? Heh, even though I could refine all the faith before worshipping and wouldn't technically violate the contract... I'd much rather earn it standing tall!"

Uncle Zhong's expression changed drastically. "What do you mean?"

Xu Le said cheerfully, "It means you should prepare your last words! I heard your organization has Immortals; I want to try Slaying Immortals."

Uncle Zhong didn't turn and run, knowing he couldn't escape. Instead, he pulled out an exquisite matchbox, struck a match, and lit his cigar.

Once the cigar was lit, he took a deep drag, his mind racing through countless thoughts. "Are you an Immortal too?"

"Of course not." Xu Le glanced at the Level 98 mark on his panel. "Even with a Breakthrough, I'm only at the Galaxy Level, still a long way from being an Immortal."

"Since you know about the Galaxy Level, good. Our organization has nine Galaxy Level Peaks known as the Nine Luminaries Immortal Lords. We also have over three hundred ordinary Galaxy Levels called the Three Hundred Stars. You're a talent; I'll induct you into the Hidden Immortal Society so we can together resist the things weighing down on us."

Uncle Zhong took another puff of his cigar and exhaled slowly, the crimson tip of the cigar flickering.

Xu Le clapped. "Great idea. You have one minute left!"

"Why?"

"Because I want to slay Immortals!" Xu Le's gaze was incredibly sincere.

"You're insane!"

"You have thirty seconds left."

Uncle Zhong hurriedly pulled out his phone, entered a string of numbers, and dialed.

"Is it handled?"

"No, he's a madman!"

"Beep, beep, beep..."

Uncle Zhong stared at the disconnected call in shock; he had actually been abandoned.

"I..."

"Shh!" Xu Le placed a finger to his lips and said softly, "You know, I'm a hacker. The moment he answered, I knew he was in the Yuzhou Desert."

Xu Le zoomed in on the phone's map, and the red dot's specific location became increasingly clear.

Uncle Zhong's eyes went dull; he was no longer useful either.

As Xu Le opened the door and left the residential area, another "splat" was heard. Through some unknown means, not a single person in the entire neighborhood thought to call the police... Deep in the Yuzhou Desert.

A burly man put down his phone, his brow furrowed. "Can that pretty boy really find this place?"

A middle-aged woman wearing glasses nodded. "Of course. Have you thought of your last words?"

"No need, it only adds to the sadness. Just make sure you fulfill your promise to me."

"Very well! Rest assured, your family will..."

"Wait. Is it really necessary to use a nuclear bomb on a mere pretty boy? This massive military base took us three years of hard work..."