Chapter 567: Secret Spy - Lost Return

Yan Yi retrieved an alchemy device from his robe, and Tan Mo produced one as well.

The two devices docked together. After a burst of magic light, Tan Mo and Yan Yi simultaneously focused their minds to activate the internal buttons.

The button sequence was classified, known only to headquarters and the secret agent personally, functioning as a dual-layered password.

Both passwords proved flawless, and the magic glow from the devices swiftly faded.

With a gentle tug, they separated the temporarily fused authentication devices into two halves, each retrieving their portion and storing it carefully.

Only then did Yan Yi report: “The two Wisteria elders are elusive as ghosts. There's simply no way to confirm their whereabouts.”

"My assessment is that their primary goal is to attend the auction. The sudden release of two potions for sale was merely to earn some gold coins and bolster their auction strength."

“Subsequent events have, to a certain extent, validated this assessment.”

"This subordinate owes his position as representative of the Two Eyes Island region entirely to His Highness the Seventh Prince's appointment. From the very beginning, I have kept the Seventh Prince's mission deeply engraved in my heart, never daring to forget it."

"These two Wisteria elders represent invaluable leads. After deliberating for a full day and night, I concluded that capturing them now would carry significant risks with little reward. Therefore, I resolved to focus on surveillance while prioritizing the infiltration of spies into this remnant faction!"

“Without seeking prior authorization, I directly deployed the secret agent codenamed ‘Lost Return’.”

Tan Mo frowned. "The secret agent codenamed ‘Lost Return’? Provide a detailed briefing."

Yan Yi nodded. “Lost Return, female, real name Qing Xin, a silver level wind magician.”

“She was originally a confidante of the previous president of the Wisteria Merchant Alliance. Selected and sponsored by the merchant alliance, she was trained and cultivated into a wind magician.”

Before the Wisteria Merchant Alliance's restructuring, someone made a move against Qing Xin. She seized this opportunity to stage her own death, attempting to sever ties with the merchant alliance."

"The secret agent uncovered this truth and carried out a covert capture. The operation succeeded. After intense interrogation and psychological pressure, we successfully recruited Qing Xin."

"During her infiltration phase, she underwent secret agent training. It's worth noting Qing Xin excelled in her training."

“After arriving on Two Eyes Island, Qing Xin remained hidden behind the scenes, handling affairs and overseeing the daily operations of the secret agent organization.”

"The Wisteria elder appeared, showing signs of attending the auction. I first dispatched Ya Ma to deliberately create friction and deliver the auction invitation. Subsequently, I ordered Qing Xin to disguise herself as a slave and arranged for her to be listed as one of the auction items."

"During the auction, the Wisteria elder indeed recognized Qing Xin and purchased her. Thus, Qing Xin had successfully infiltrated the enemy's inner circle."

“But this level of infiltration was far from sufficient.”

"The remnants of the Wisteria Merchant Alliance would undoubtedly subject Qing Xin to rigorous scrutiny. To lend her a hand, I orchestrated Lady Sea Snake's small-scale military operation."

“In subsequent actions, Lady Sea Snake organized groups like the Applause Pirates to stage a naval battle around Weeping Pine Island. At the critical moment, they held back, allowing the necromancer temporary freedom.”

"I have no knowledge of the actions that followed. That segment of the mission was taken over by other secret agents. At that point, I also lost contact with Qing Xin."

Tan Mo nodded, scrutinizing Yan Yi from head to toe.

Despite being only bronze level, Yan Yi held some renown within the Imperial Secret Spy Agency.

His fame stemmed from his transcendent level.

Among regional representatives overseeing vast territories like Two Eyes Island, Yan Yi held the lowest level, likely the sole bronze level.

Typically, a representative's transcendent level should reach silver to be considered adequate.

Iron was already considered low, let alone bronze!

Only silver level could barely ensure personal safety and significantly mitigate the devastating effects of decapitation tactics.

As for the gold level, such transcendents were rarely assigned as regional representatives.

Their prominence made them too conspicuous, drawing sustained attention from factions of all sizes with every move.

This starkly contradicts the covert nature of secret agents and severely hinders espionage operations.

This was Tan Mo's first encounter with Yan Yi. Even this brief review had allowed Tan Mo to recognize Yan Yi's exceptional competence.

Yan Yi's various arrangements and preparations had proven remarkably successful.

“You are an exceptionally capable secret agent. It's a pleasure to meet you,” Tan Mo said with a smile.

Yan Yi hastened to express that he had been eagerly awaiting Tan Mo's arrival. After meticulously preparing numerous items, he sent them all to Tan Mo once the investigation concluded.

“That kid Yan Yi—he knows how to play the game!” Tan Mo silently praised inwardly.

Tan Mo's reputation far surpassed even Yan Yi's.

He was notorious within both the Secret Spy Agency and the Navy.

Yan Yi had long learned that Tan Mo was the investigator assigned to this case. The latter was notorious for his greedy nature, mastering all manner of extortion tactics.

Yan Yi genuinely welcomed Tan Mo's arrival.

This was no pretense, it was sincere.

Compared to other investigators, Tan Mo was remarkably easy to deal with—all it took was presenting him with a bribe that satisfied him.

One reassuring aspect was that while Tan Mo demanded bribes, he also valued integrity, once paid, he genuinely delivered results. The amount paid determined the extent of his service. It was a straightforward transaction, fair to all.

"Fantastic."

“This investigation concludes here.”

“One final note: the mission assigned by the Seventh Prince must be buried deep within your gut.”

“Neither the higher-ups in the Secret Agency nor the Blood Light Punishment Institution involved this time need to know.”

“Do you understand?” Tan Mo emphasized at the end.

“Of course!” Yan Yi bowed deeply. “Even if it costs me my life, this secret mission will never be revealed.”

Just as Yan Yi was about to leave the interrogation room, Tan Mo called him back: “Wait. Does Lady Sea Snake know Qing Xin's true identity?”

Yan Yi answered immediately: “She is unaware. Qing Xin also does not know Lady Sea Snake's true identity.”

“However, I cannot guarantee that Lady Sea Snake's personal speculations might not uncover fragments of the truth.”

Tan Mo nodded. “Alright, I understand.”

With a wave of his hand, Yan Yi turned and walked slowly out of the room.

White Hair Trench.

Ocean Mother Nest, Charming Blue Divine Domain.

Another teleportation blood sacrifice.

Inside the Deep Sea Monster Fish, the Rubber Swallower disgorged an unconscious human woman.

She wore brown leather attire, her figure curvaceous and alluring. Even with eyes tightly shut, lost in unconsciousness, she radiated feminine charm.

It was Lady Sea Snake.

“Who would've thought this female pirate would end up our captive,” Cang Xu remarked with deep emotion.

During the battle at Weeping Pine Island, Cang Xu had witnessed Lady Sea Snake's formidable combat prowess. Amidst Wei Ying's surprise assault, Cang Xu and the others, including Jian Gui, fled in disarray.

Afterward, Jian Gui (Cang Xu) and his group engaged in a relentless pursuit battle with Wei Ying and Lady Sea Snake, which eventually dragged them into the demi-plane of the Ghost World.

Only with the support of Doctor Sui Shi, one of the Twelve Saints, did Jian Gui and his companions manage to escape the relentless chase.

After recuperating, the group returned to the main plane, heading to the White Hair Trench to rescue Qi Ling.

During the fierce battle, they were ambushed by Zhou Zhang. Like Jian Gui, Lady Sea Snake and others fell captive to the Charming Blue believers.

What should be done with Lady Sea Snake?

The fishman youngster and Cang Xu discussed it. Their conclusion: there was no urgency in killing this female magician.

As far as the fishman youngster and Cang Xu knew, Lady Sea Snake wasn't just a pirate captain, she was also a member of the Fire Beard Pirates.  Such connections held immense value.  Even without that, a silver level female magician like Lady Sea Snake was a formidable magic combat force in her own right!

Thus, another occupant found residence within the longhorn cage.

Just like Ku Feng, Xiao Wang Zi, and Qing Xin before her, Lady Sea Snake was deceived into believing she was already dead.

The sharp horns within the alchemy longhorn cage slightly pierced her skin, preventing her magic power from accumulating.

The fishman youngster and Cang Xu were still unaware that among the four silver level captives they held, two were members of the Imperial Secret Spy Agency.

At this moment, their focus lay elsewhere.

“Gold level... This is truly a miracle!” Cang Xu circled the fishman youngster, feeling his life force, and praised him effusively.

After recognizing the extraordinary divine blessing within the fishman youngster, Cang Xu had already harbored expectations that the youngster might ascend to gold level.

Yet reality still surpassed his imagination.

He hadn't anticipated his own commander ascending to gold level so swiftly!

This was truly splendid news!

The old magician, loyal to the young commander, felt genuine joy for the fishman youngster.

“Zong Ge's battle qi now carries a golden glow.”

“But you, Commander, have now formally ascended to gold level.”

“He has no chance whatsoever to lay claim to the position of leader.” Cang Xu's spirit soared.

The fishman youngster shook his head slightly. “Enough of that. Come inside quickly. Let us pray together.”

“I am ready.”

Gazing at his captain's retreating figure, Cang Xu felt a momentary daze.

The fishman youngster, a devout believer in the Justice God, performed the blasphemous prayer with far greater fervor than Cang Xu, the necromancer.

Such seasoned demeanor made it hard to believe the fishman youngster had only recently been introduced to the practice of blasphemous rituals

Naturally, Cang Xu kept these thoughts to himself.

He obediently followed the fishman youngster into the prayer chamber.

The original statue of the Charming Blue Goddess had been replaced by an ordinary divine statue.

Cang Xu hastily retrieved the Charming Blue Goddess statue he carried with him, a silver level sacred artifact.

He replaced the statue, knelt upon the floor, and murmured prayers.

The fishman youngster knelt beside him, waiting a moment before beginning his own prayer.

“My Lord, exalted Charming Blue Goddess, You are the embodiment of boundless power. Hear my devout supplication.”

“In this boundless ocean, You are the tempest and the guardian of the seas.”

“You are the source of water, and the supreme master of deception.”

“You drive every soul seeking power and wisdom with illusion and deceit.”

“Today, we humbly beseech You.”

"Grant Your faithful servant, a pitiful, lowly necromancer, a higher magician level. Let him bathe in Your great bounty, instructed by Your magnificent magic power."

"Your loyal believer will expend divine favor to help the necromancer obtain a leap on transcendent level."

“Oh great Charming Blue Goddess, may You accept this sincere prayer. May You favor Your necromancer believer, guiding him onto the path of a higher magician, so that in the future, he may more fully proclaim Your radiance."

“Now I have spoken, praying with all sincerity.”

“Merciful deity, please grant my request.”

Boom!

The moment the fishman youngster's words faded, a pillar of divine light descended from the void, enveloping... the fishman youngster.

Bathed in the divine radiance, the transcendent level of his clergyman cultivation surged from silver level to gold level in an instant.

Hundreds of divine spells surged violently into his mind, accompanied by a wealth of experience in casting them!

The overwhelming flood of knowledge made the fishman youngster's head throb painfully, his expression contorting.

Beside him, Cang Xu's gaze went blank.

“This was a prayer meant for me. Why did the divine blessing land on the commander instead?”