354: A blatant provocation!

Chen Nian pushed open the heavy soundproof office door, and the scene inside the office immediately came into view.

In the office, besides Sun Li, stood a man and a woman, two personnel dressed in deep black special uniforms.

Their uniforms differed from the standard Spiritual Energy Bureau style, bearing the insignia of the "Torch Dragon" department on their chests.

They had steady breaths and sharp gazes, clearly elites of the department.

"Special Commissioner Chen, you've arrived!"

Sun Li quickly stepped forward to greet him, his tone carrying obvious respect.

Almost simultaneously, those two "Torch Dragon" members also straightened their bodies in unison.

They gave Chen Nian a brief and powerful salute, saying in unison, "Special Commissioner Chen!"

Their eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and excitement.

Clearly, they had long been fascinated by this rumored existence.

Chen Nian nodded slightly as a return gesture.

He didn't engage in pleasantries and went straight to the point: "What's the situation now?"

His gaze swept over the three of them, finally landing on the "Torch Dragon" member who appeared to be the person in charge.

That male "Torch Dragon" member took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and quickly reported:

"Special Commissioner Chen, the situation is extremely urgent and abnormal."

"Since early this morning, monitoring networks across the country simultaneously captured large-scale outbreaks of Demonic Evil energy!"

"Evil Cultivators gathering to cause trouble, sealed Yao Beasts breaking their Seals and escaping, movements in Ancient Tombs and ruins, and even some long-dormant Supernatural Points have become active again!"

"The types of incidents are varied, and the locations are scattered, but they occurred almost simultaneously. The frequency and intensity far exceed the norm—it's very abnormal!"

The other female member added:

"The most critical point is that we have detected varying degrees of abyss energy reactions in the energy residues of these outbreak incidents!"

"Ranging from weak to strong, although the attributes are mixed and some are disguised, the core source undoubtedly points to the abyss."

"There is no doubt that this is by no means a coincidence, but rather the abyss forces have begun large-scale operations in an organized and premeditated manner!"

Hearing this, a flash of understanding crossed Chen Nian's eyes.

As expected, behind these seemingly chaotic disturbances, there were shadows of the abyss.

He had previously felt that such a concentrated outbreak was too suspicious.

Now it seemed those fellows from the Gloomy Abyss couldn't bear the loneliness and had started a new counterattack.

However, this method of blooming everywhere didn't seem like their style.

At this time, the male "Torch Dragon" member continued to report with a grave expression:

"Special Commissioner Chen, originally we could rely on the 'abyssal beacon' monitoring System established earlier to track and warn of the energy fluctuations of the main abyss forces to a certain extent."

"However, with the large-scale outbreak of these interference events, our monitoring network has suffered extremely serious interference!"

The female member took over:

"Massive, chaotic abyss energy signals are surging in like a tide, covering various frequency bands."

"This makes it difficult for us to effectively isolate those precise signals of Dominator Rank from the background noise."

"They seem to be actively releasing smoke screens, using these low-level Demonic Evils and incidents as cover."

"Clearly, those guys want to use this 'boy who cried wolf' method to create a large number of interference signals to hinder and paralyze our monitoring System."

"Thereby concealing the true movements and plans of their main force, especially the remaining Abyssal Overlords!"

Hearing this, Chen Nian nodded thoughtfully.

So these Demonic Evil incidents breaking out everywhere were nothing more than a diversion.

They were bait and smoke screens thrown out by the abyss.

Their true purpose was to cover the specific actions of those Dominator-level existences.

From this perspective, they should have truly begun executing some important plan.

Moreover, the scale of the abyss's operation this time and the resources invested are unprecedented; what they are plotting behind it must be immense.

They would rather expose a large number of latent forces just to ensure that the core plan is not discovered by us.

The importance of that plan is likely far beyond imagination.

Having understood this, a cold arc curled at the corner of Chen Nian's mouth.

Although he didn't yet know what the remaining fellows in the Gloomy Abyss specifically wanted to do,

Since they dared to provoke so blatantly and use such means to delay and confuse,

Then they had better be prepared to be countered by thunderous methods.

In the face of absolute power, any schemes and intrigues are but paper tigers.

"Is there any target suitable for me to take action against?"

Chen Nian asked directly, his tone flat yet carrying an unquestionable meaning.

He needed to find a target with enough weight.

One that could both quickly clear a threat and serve as an opportunity to test his newly acquired power.

Perhaps he could even force out some clues about the abyss's true plan.

The male Torch Dragon member immediately operated the interface.

On the map, some red dots were marked in deep red, and detailed information popped up.

"Yes, currently seven abnormal points with extremely high threat levels have been detected."

"Three of them are located in remote uninhabited areas, and two are on the edges of cities."

"One is at an ancient Sect ruin, and another..."

He paused and quickly zoomed the map into the East Sea region.

He pointed to a city only about dozens of kilometers away from Donghai City.

"Another one is right in Jiangzhou City, within the gates of the Qinglan Sect."

Chen Nian's gaze instantly locked onto that red dot.

Jiangzhou City, Qinglan Sect.

A Righteous Path Sect quite famous in the Dragon Country's cultivation world, known for the Wind-Riding Sword Technique, with over a thousand Disciples.

The mountain gate was located on Qinglan Mountain in the suburbs of Jiangzhou City. Usually, it enjoyed flourishing incense offerings and had a good reputation.

How could such a Sect be marked as an abyss abnormal point?

And it was right near Donghai City?

"Interesting," Chen Nian murmured softly, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "They're treating me like I'm invisible."

He looked at Sun Li: "What are the specifics of the Qinglan Sect?"

Sun Li immediately pulled up the files:

"Qinglan Sect, established for over three hundred years. The current Sect Master is Feng Qingzi, with an eighth-Rank cultivation."

"According to past records, the Sect's relationship with the Spiritual Energy Bureau was acceptable, and they have cooperated in several extermination missions."

"But starting from early this morning, abyss energy fluctuations suddenly appeared in the Qinglan Sect's mountain gate area."

"At the same time, the Sect activated its Mountain-Protecting Array, cutting off internal and external communication and refusing all external contact."

"We tried to contact Sect Master Feng Qingzi, but all communications were intercepted or ignored."

A Righteous Path Sect turning into an abyss den overnight?

Either the entire Sect had long been infiltrated and controlled, or some major upheaval had occurred.

Regardless of which it was, it meant big trouble.

Chen Nian had almost no hesitation.

"This is the one." He pointed to the red dot of the Qinglan Sect. "Notify the Jiangzhou City Spiritual Energy Branch to immediately mobilize forces to set up a perimeter around Qinglan Mountain."

"Evacuate the surrounding residents and establish a blockade zone."

Sun Li immediately stood straight and replied respectfully, "Yes! I will convey the order at once!"

Then, Chen Nian stepped out of the office.

In the next second, blood-red light flickered around him.

"Boom—!"

The Blood Fiend Incarnation was activated, and his figure instantly transformed into a dazzling blood-red rainbow that tore through the sky.

He broke out from the Spiritual Energy Bureau building and sped toward Jiangzhou City at a terrifying speed!

Inside the office, Sun Li and the two from the Torch Dragon department watched that blood-colored stream of light vanish into the distant sky in an instant.

They looked at each other, seeing the shock and solemnity in each other's eyes.