Blind Spot
Chapter 281 - 261 Gradual One

Chapter 281: 261 Gradual One

Carefully estimating, the time should be about right.

Li Chengyi’s mood became grave.

Ever since Dark City began, the difficulty of his blind spots had significantly increased. According to the pattern of escalating difficulty with blind spots, what he needed to face now might even surpass the level of Dark City.

That is to say...

If the woman in the white dress just now truly was a blind spot phenomenon, then... if it was stronger than Dark City, he might not be able to cope with it.

Glancing at the serial drawings of the other party in the room, he made a swift decision and took out his cell phone to call Xiao Zhong.

Since returning from Sutan, both Rainbow Candy and Dragon Gate Crane had gone to recuperate. Now, Xiao Zhong was responsible for integrating contacts and controlling the detection system within the team.

"Hello, boss, what’s up?" Xiao Zhong seemed to be munching on something.

"Did I lose signal contact just now?" Li Chengyi asked. Usually, they determined whether they had entered a blind spot based on whether their signal device was cut off from external contact.

"All is well. There was a very short disconnection just now, but it was so brief it doesn’t count."

"Is there another way to test for the appearance of a blind spot?" Li Chengyi frowned.

"There is another method that the company has just developed. Da Xiong and I tested many materials, and we found a special method. It’s still in the testing phase, but the accuracy is very high," Xiao Zhong replied.

"What is it?"

"It uses various objects brought out of blind spots. These objects undergo structural and organizational changes when the aura of a blind spot approaches. Based on this principle, it’s an indirect way to detect the presence of blind spots around us," Xiao Zhong paused, "We call it the Dead Angle Detector."

"Can you send me a sample?"

"It’s possible, but I can’t guarantee its accuracy," Xiao Zhong hesitated.

"No problem, something’s come up on my end," said Li Chengyi.

"Nothing serious, I hope?"

"Nothing serious."

"That’s good. There’s been quite some trouble here at the company lately. A new Blind Spot Individual inadvertently entered a very dangerous blind spot, and when he came to the company, he ended up bringing that blind spot with him. Now quite a number of people have been trapped in it," Xiao Zhong briefly explained.

"Is it a Flash Appearance? A short duration shouldn’t be an issue, right?" Li Chengyi asked in surprise.

"Yes, a flash appearance in a common blind spot for a short time isn’t a problem. But the key is, this time the blind spot is not common. It’s very easy to be flashed into," Xiao Zhong’s words were tinged with concern. "And the mortality rate is very high. Since it appeared last week, five people have already died inside."

"...Send me the details later," Li Chengyi understood his meaning, that he needed to investigate with a flash appearance.

"Sure! We’ve codenamed this blind spot ’Back of the Person.’ It means that any shift in line of sight could result in encountering a special humanoid figure facing away from you. The figure cannot be communicated with, and after encountering it three times, it will eventually kill the Blind Spot Individual. The method of killing is unknown, as are the methods to avoid it," Xiao Zhong quickly answered.

Li Chengyi, who had been pondering his own issues, was initially not interested in the company’s blind spot situation.

After all, he had troubles of his own to contend with now.

But upon hearing the details from Xiao Zhong, his expression suddenly changed.

Wasn’t this very similar to the woman in the white dress he had encountered?

After hanging up the phone, he sat down on the living room couch, silent and pensive.

’If I encounter it again, that would be the third time... right?’

’Next time, I’ll try to make the first move...’

He made a decision.

Immediately, he began using the Rose AI to search the data banks for information on the Back of the Person blind spot.

He had intended to find out where the Flower Language Technique came from, but now he found himself embroiled in a new troublesome blind spot.

He also needed time to investigate the location of the Hall of Oblivion and find the Book of Distortions.

Time was becoming increasingly scarce...

As he continued to search through the information, time gradually passed, and the sky grew darker.

At eleven o’clock at night, a phone call came in on Li Chengyi’s cell phone.

"Bro, it’s Liu Tongbei," said the voice of the regional commissioner on the other end of the phone.

"Liu Brother? What’s the matter?"

"Here’s the thing, your team went to Sutan a while ago, right?"

"Yes."

"Someone’s taken an interest in your team and wants to have a chat with you. Do you have time?"

"Who is it? I’m really busy right now. Can I refuse?" Li Chengyi frowned.

Searching for the Hall of Oblivion, investigating the Back of the Person blind spot he had encountered, and looking for the Flower Language Technique.

All three tasks were important. He didn’t have time to play any messy games with outsiders.

"I’m afraid you can’t. This person holds a lot of influence, and if you don’t meet with them, it could affect not just your company but most of your team as well," Liu Tongbei said gravely.

"Fine... What time?" Li Chengyi heard the difficulty in his voice.

Clearly, their recent trip to Sutan had caught the attention of domestic forces.

"How about now?"

"Now?"

"That person just happens to be passing by your area and can stay for an hour. It’s a good time to meet."

"Fine! But I’m currently at Zhaoshan."

"No problem, we’re nearby too," Liu Tongbei replied.

Li Chengyi tensed.

Clearly, someone was monitoring his whereabouts.

He hung up the phone, got up to grab his coat, and left through the door.

He notified his secretary and left the hotel.

Zhou Xingtong had already started the car and was waiting for him outside.

The rain poured down heavily that night, the wind blowing it in wavering sheets.

Once in the car, Li Chengyi recited the coordinates he had received from Liu Tongbei.

Ten minutes later.

At a military airport near Zhaoshan, he met the awaiting Liu Tongbei.

"Li, brother, the person you’re going to meet this time is of high status and power, so you mustn’t act rashly! Make sure your attitude is correct,"

Liu Tongbei, who was usually never serious and always joking, now spoke with a somber tone, advising him quietly.

"Is it a Feiyi Master?" Li Chengyi followed him inside while asking softly.

"No... it’s someone from the auto-circulating city!"

The auto-circulating city...

That name involuntarily made him think again of the old lady he had met on his trip to Sutan.

From her daughter’s attitude, it seemed that people from the auto-circulating city looked down on every aspect of other cities.

Perhaps, after this period was over, he should visit the so-called auto-circulating city.

Having reached his current level, Li Chengyi had begun to feel that if he could leverage his Blind Spot advantage by enlisting the power of the higher-ups, it could aid him.

Perhaps... he could get faster help in many areas.

Click.

Inside a private dining room at the airport restaurant.

Liu Tongbei opened the door and signaled for Li Chengyi to enter, while he himself stood outside without moving.

The room was cylindrical, with red walls, and two people facing the door inside.

One stood and the other sat.

As Li Chengyi entered, his gaze immediately focused on the seated figure.

"Zhu Rui."

The sitting person was a young man, not much older, with short white hair and a silver V-shaped mark between his eyebrows. He was dressed in a long-sleeved robe similar to that of ancient scholars, dark blue throughout with fine silver patterns on the cuffs. He emanated an aura of graceful nobility.

As soon as the young man saw someone enter, he stood up with a smile and reached out his hand, introducing himself.

"Actually, after hearing that you had returned from Sutan, I had already taken an interest in meeting your team. As it happens, I was passing through the area on business and thought I’d pay a late-night visit. Don’t mind the intrusion," he said with a smile.

Li Chengyi shook hands with him, and the two sat down.

"Mr. Zhu, may I ask from what standpoint you are here and representing whom to make contact with us?"

He asked bluntly.

"Mr. Li hopes I am of which standpoint?" Zhu Rui smiled. "Actually..." He paused.

"Actually, regardless of my standpoint, you, have no right to refuse. Isn’t that right?"

"What do you mean, Mr. Zhu?" Li Chengyi’s expression chilled slightly.

"The Thugs’ backing modification system has proven your value in Sutan. Such a novel experimental system already has enough investment value. So..." Zhu Rui paused, "I can offer you two options."

"One, your entire team along with your technology joins my Shenye Group."

"Two, you sell the complete system technology to the Zhu Family."

"...Mr. Zhu seems quite confident," Li Chengyi said evenly.

"Of course," Zhu Rui nodded with a smile. "Just check the data, and you’ll see how many research teams in Yi Country would kill to join Shenye Group every year. So, the offer I make is very sincere."

"Once you join, you will receive the utmost scientific research support immediately. Compared to your amateur team’s slow research, Shenye Group’s resources and scientific reserves far exceed your imagination. Your modification technologies will be dissected into many different patents, applied across industries, bringing you a wealth of wealth and influence!"

Zhu Rui explained.

"Sorry. I’m not interested," Li Chengyi declined coldly.

Setting aside whether he could share the Evil Flower System, even if he could, he would not disclose his most crucial advantage.

"Mr. Li, you do not understand the predicament you are in," Zhu Rui said with a smile.

"In Sutan, your system showed enough potential, and now many forces within the country have their eyes on you. Others... are not as easy to talk to as I am..."

"They dare to take action?" Li Chengyi countered.

"With Jiu Yi and the Alliance present, they naturally won’t make a move openly. But... their methods are much more diverse than you can imagine," Zhu Rui said.

"Does Mr. Zhu know our identities? Understand our situation?" Li Chengyi questioned further.

"Of course I do, otherwise I wouldn’t have come to talk in person. Mr. Li, you should consider carefully," Zhu Rui smiled, picking up a cup of tea and sipping it.

"Then, I shall leave now," Li Chengyi stood up and turned to walk towards the door.

"I meant, think about it here," Zhu Rui’s voice came from behind. "I didn’t say you could leave!"

"Li Chengyi. You have an older sister, loving parents, close friends, mentors who care for and look after you, as well as subordinates and companions who entrust their fates to you... their futures all depend on your decision right now."

Li Chengyi’s momentum halted.

"What do you mean?" he turned slowly, glancing at the other from the corner of his eye.

"Literally," Zhu Rui smiled. "Aside from Yan Xincai, the moment you take one step outside this room, everyone’s fate is in your hands..."

He slowly walked up to Li Chengyi’s side, standing by the window of the private room, looking out.

"What does it matter if you’re a Blind Spot Individual or a Thug? There’s more than one way to ruin a person, and it’s not just through violence."

"Are you threatening me?" Li Chengyi narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of chilliness emanating from him.