289: Chapter 290 Money Power, Riding Alone in Divine Gear

Once the plan was set, the entire team immediately began operating at high speed like a precision war machine.

Zhang Wei completely demonstrated his talent for "Money Can Communicate with Gods."

Over the next twenty-four hours, he mobilized almost all the underground channels of Huichun Hall and the Xiao Family, sparing no expense to procure equipment for Instructor Su Qing.

The "Shadow Type IV" optical camouflage combat suit could perfectly blend into the environment and block ninety percent of Law detection. One set cost three hundred million Federation Credits. Zhang Wei ordered three sets immediately—one to wear and two as backups.

The "Space Stability Anchor," a palm-sized device, could forcibly stabilize the spatial structure within a small area, preventing teleportation or banishment by high-level Space Spells.

It was a one-time-use item that could only last for three minutes after activation. Someone had listed two on the black market for five hundred million each. Zhang Wei didn't even blink and bought them both.

The "Soul Scream Amulet," a relic from the Ancient Era, could automatically trigger when encountering mental attacks, releasing a high-intensity mental shock.

It was a life-saving item that was priceless and unavailable on the market.

Through Xiao Zhenguo's connections, Zhang Wei managed to trade for it from a collector for a staggering 1.5 billion Federation Credits.

There were also various high-concentration healing potions, energy supplements, and antidotes... piled up like a small mountain.

Zhang Wei's intention was clear: "We can risk our lives, but our equipment must absolutely not hold us back. Any problem that can be solved with money is not a problem at all. If money is gone, we can earn more, but if our lives are gone, they are truly gone."

On the other side, Chen Shu was not idle either.

He mobilized all the intelligence networks left behind by the Li Family, like an invisible net, and began to comprehensively collect all information regarding the Eastern Rift Zone.

From official public data to snippets leaked by the military, and even gossip from mercenaries and scavengers active on the edge of the Rift Zone.

All this information converged with him, where it was filtered, integrated, and analyzed by his supercomputer-like brain.

The topographic map of the D-3 Region, the known types and distribution of Void Realm creatures, and records of all abnormal energy fluctuations from the past decade...

Within twenty-four hours, an action plan over a hundred pages thick, which could be called an "Encyclopedia" of the Eastern Rift Zone, was placed in front of Instructor Su Qing.

It even used different colors to mark three backup infiltration routes and five emergency evacuation routes, each accurate down to the meter.

Instructor Su Qing looked at these two men who were so busy for her sake that they barely had time to touch the ground, and the hardest part of her heart was slightly touched.

She had been a lone wolf for so many years that she hadn't experienced this feeling of... being fully supported by others in a long time.

"Thanks." She picked up the action plan and said only two words.

"That's too formal, Instructor Su." Zhang Wei waved his hand, his eyes a bit red, whether from exhaustion or emotion, "We are all in the same boat now. No, that's wrong, we are Brother Qi's right-hand men. He is responsible for being invincible, and we are responsible for handing him the blade and cleaning up his messes."

Instructor Su Qing was amused by his vulgar metaphor, and the corners of her mouth twitched; although very slight, she did indeed smile.

"Before you leave, go see Teacher Ye." Zhang Wei suddenly said, "It can be considered... seeking peace of mind."

Instructor Su Qing nodded.

Longya Academy, S-Class Restricted Area.

Sword Saint Ye Qingtian was still lying quietly in the restoration pod, his body covered in various life-support tubes.

The True Qi sealing technique left behind by Lin Qi was like a golden cocoon, firmly locking his last trace of vitality to prevent it from fading away.

Zhao Shouzhen was there too.

He looked a bit older than last time, and his hair was whiter.

Clearly, the pressure from the Federation's top brass had left him physically and mentally exhausted.

"Have you decided?" Zhao Shouzhen asked, looking at Instructor Su Qing in her military uniform.

"I have."

"What are your chances of success?"

"I don't know." Instructor Su Qing answered straightforwardly, "But someone has to go."

Zhao Shouzhen fell silent.

He knew he couldn't stop her.

Because Instructor Su Qing's eyes were exactly the same as those of his comrades he knew in his youth, who would charge toward the abyss rift even knowing they would surely die.

That was a kind of conviction.

"I will keep an eye on the military for you." Zhao Shouzhen took a small silver badge from his pocket and handed it to Instructor Su Qing, "This is my highest-level access pass. Although it cannot stop the 'heavens scourge,' it will allow you to move freely in the outer perimeter of the Rift Zone without being questioned by patrols. At critical moments, it can also mobilize nearby emergency support squads."

Instructor Su Qing did not stand on ceremony and took it.

"And this." Zhao Shouzhen handed her a small bottle again, "This is 'Life Source Fluid,' diluted with the heart blood of a real Dragon. If you drink it in a critical moment, it can instantly replenish your vitality and forcibly extend your life for three hours. It is... a small gesture from this old man."

Instructor Su Qing looked at him deeply.

"Vice Dean, you are helping us so much, aren't you afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Zhao Shouzhen smiled, a somewhat lonely smile, "My old bones are already half in the grave. The future of the Federation ultimately belongs to you young people. I am betting on Lin Qi, betting that he is truly that 'variable.' If I lose the bet, at worst, I will just retire early and go lie down with my old friend, Sword Saint Ye Qingtian."

"And if you win the bet?"

"If I win," a glint flashed in Zhao Shouzhen's eyes, "then we will be able to witness the arrival of a new era with our own eyes."

When she came out of the restricted area, the sky was already dawning.

There was less than forty-eight hours left before the "heavens scourge" strike.

Instructor Su Qing did not return to Huichun Hall.

She went alone to the roof of the tallest building in Tianhai City—the Federation Twin Towers.

The cold wind blew her long hair.

She looked down at the sleeping city at her feet; the thousands of lights gradually went out, replaced by a faint white glow on the horizon.

She did not know if she would be able to come back and see such a sunrise after this trip.

But she did not regret it.

A Martial Artist should have the integrity of a Martial Artist.

Repay kindness with gratitude, and settle grievances with swift action.

Lin Qi gave her hope, so she would clear the obstacles on the path ahead for Lin Qi.

Even if it meant paying with her life.

She took out her phone and took one last look.

On the screen was a message from Zhang Wei sent an hour ago.

"Instructor Su, everything is ready. Have a safe trip, we'll be waiting for your return to hold a victory banquet."

Instructor Su Qing put away her phone, turned around, and looked toward the eastern horizon.

That was the direction of the Rift Zone.

And it was also the destination of her trip.

Her figure, in the first ray of dawn, turned into a faint shadow and disappeared on the horizon.

There were no farewells, no hesitation.

Only a figure walking against the current, resolute in the darkness before dawn, departed.

This was a high-stakes gamble.

The stake was her life.

The bet was that after Lin Qi came out of seclusion, he would be able to see a cleaner world.