Chapter 159: The Shackles of Heaven and Earth

Upon witnessing the scene, Lin Qiu wasted no time and soared directly to the top of the mountain villa.

Below, a group of people wearing Investigation Bureau armbands were assaulting Heize and Wang Mengmeng.

Heize had already unleashed his strongest state, his aura fluctuating unpredictably, while Wang Mengmeng leaned against the wall, clutching her shoulder, her complexion pale.

Clearly, she had sustained serious injuries; otherwise, Heize would not have entered such a berserk state.

Seeing that the Investigation Bureau was attacking Wang Mengmeng and Heize, Lin Qiu was puzzled. What was going on here?

Could it be that Captain Jiang had stooped so low as to turn on his own people?

“Sea Dragon’s Claw!”

Without hesitation, Lin Qiu summoned water from the pond in the villa grounds. A spectral image of a deep-sea dragon materialized behind him.

The commotion in the sky caught the attention of those below.

“Lin Qiu!”

Wang Mengmeng and Heize’s eyes lit up with excitement when they saw Lin Qiu appear. They had thought they were doomed.

The members of the Investigation Bureau, upon seeing Lin Qiu, each showed a hint of apprehension. It was clear they knew Lin Qiu was not someone to be trifled with, and they understood the gravity of what they were doing in his eyes.

“Everyone, stand back.”

Lin Qiu fixed a cold gaze on the Investigation Bureau members below, signaling Wang Mengmeng and Heize to move aside to avoid being caught in the Sea Dragon’s Claw’s path.

With a roar, the azure dragon burst forth from Lin Qiu's hand, crashing heavily onto the ground below.

Dust and smoke swirled violently. Protected by Lin Qiu, Wang Mengmeng and Heize remained unharmed. As for the Investigation Bureau members, they were obliterated, their essences serving as Lin Qiu’s evolution points. Though this meant some depletion, every little bit counted.

“You finally showed up. I thought you wouldn't come.”

Wang Mengmeng looked at Lin Qiu with relief. Had he not arrived in time, they would have surely died.

“What happened exactly? Why were you attacked by the Investigation Bureau?”

Lin Qiu frowned, his voice laced with confusion.

Where was Xu Bancheng? Even if Captain Jiang wanted to act against Wang Mengmeng and the others, why would such a thing occur with Xu Bancheng present? Or had Xu Bancheng also colluded with certain parties, abandoning Wang Mengmeng and the rest?

If that was the case, Lin Qiu was determined to reclaim the situation. He had been tolerant so far out of respect for humanity—after all, he had once been human before rebirth.

But after being repeatedly wronged, even a clay idol harbors a spark of fire.

“This matter is complicated, but roughly it went like this…”

Wang Mengmeng recounted the events in detail. The other Investigation Bureau members had been killed, including Wang Mengmeng’s group, though Liu Changfeng and Xu Bing’s situations were unknown.

Of the earlier team that had undertaken missions with Lin Qiu, only Wang Mengmeng and Heize remained. They had believed they would die at the hands of the Investigation Bureau today, but Lin Qiu’s timely arrival saved them.

As Lin Qiu listened, a fierce killing intent flashed in his eyes. These were people he had personally recruited into the Investigation Bureau, and to see them meet such an end enraged him deeply.

“Do you want revenge?”

After some thought, Lin Qiu asked Wang Mengmeng and Heize. Since the Investigation Bureau had pushed things this far, he was more than willing to help exact retribution.

“We want to, but the Investigation Bureau’s backing is the Wild Ancient Realm. Xu Bancheng has been expelled from the Human Council. Can we really fight them?”

Wang Mengmeng’s desire for revenge was strong, but he knew it was nearly impossible. He had endured days of oppression with no means to retaliate.

Revenge was more wishful thinking than reality, given the strength of the Wild Ancient Realm behind the Investigation Bureau.

“I have a solution for you.”

Lin Qiu smiled. For him, the treasures obtained from the mystical spring had yet to find a use. These artifacts were powerful enough to forcibly elevate Wang Mengmeng’s cultivation to the eighth level and awaken Heize’s bloodline further, making him capable of contending with tenth-level adversaries.

In the current situation, tenth-level warriors were constrained by the laws of heaven and earth, rendering Wang Mengmeng nearly invincible. However, this came with a price: Wang Mengmeng’s cultivation would stagnate for at least twenty years afterward as he rebuilt his foundation for the next breakthrough.

Moreover, this forced cultivation boost would not extend his lifespan.

Lin Qiu explained these drawbacks candidly, making clear that if Wang Mengmeng was unwilling, he would not force the matter. After all, it was essentially trading twenty years of lifespan for a cultivation leap.

“...”

As expected, Wang Mengmeng fell silent after hearing Lin Qiu’s analysis.

Heize by his side remained quiet, leaving the decision to his master.

“I’m willing.”

Just as Lin Qiu began to suspect reluctance, Wang Mengmeng’s voice rang out, resolute.

His eyes no longer showed hesitation, only determination.

With Wang Mengmeng’s consent, Lin Qiu wasted no time. He withdrew the treasures from his spatial ring.

Each artifact was a marvel, causing a stir whenever revealed. Now, they were transformed into materials to bolster Wang Mengmeng’s cultivation, while Heize received numerous treasures to purify his bloodline. Both processes were underway simultaneously.

Multitasking like this was a tremendous drain for Lin Qiu.

Sweat beaded on his brow as he focused intently, channeling one treasure after another into Wang Mengmeng and Heize. Their auras surged upward visibly.

“Phew!”

After infusing the last artifact into Heize, Lin Qiu exhaled deeply, nearly drained of strength. He immediately sat cross-legged to meditate and recover.

Drawing the energies of heaven and earth, Lin Qiu formed a small vortex of spiritual energy, continuously replenishing his body’s reserves.

“Hm?”

Suddenly, a black shackle fell from the sky, hurtling toward Wang Mengmeng and Heize. The system promptly issued a warning.

[Detected devourable object: Heavenly Shackle.]

“Devour immediately.”

Faced with such a devourable entity, Lin Qiu hesitated not at all. A black hole vortex formed and swallowed the heavenly shackle whole.

Strangely, no evolution points were gained, only another alert sounded.