The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 314 - 217: The Soul Person

Chapter 314: Chapter 217: The Soul Person

When Li Yi entered the investigation bureau again, he found that Zhang Lei, the captain, was already waiting at the door.

"Li Yi, Zheng Gong already talked to me about your situation just now. Conveniently, we were waiting for you to wake up and discuss the matter about the Golden Academy allocation. This matter is indeed very important and affects a lot. It’s better for everyone if we resolve it sooner. Come with me to the conference room," Zhang Lei said directly, while glancing behind Li Yi.

Assured that Li Yi’s mother was not present, he felt somewhat relieved.

"Okay," Li Yi nodded.

Soon, Zhang Lei led Li Yi to the investigation bureau’s conference room, where several senior bureau members were present, looking quite solemn.

After greeting everyone, Zhang Lei gestured for Li Yi to take a seat.

"Li Yi, let’s get to the point. The allocation for the Golden Academy was actually decided during your coma. Currently, within the bureau, there are three people eligible for these two spots: Master Pete, you, and Gu Mengping, who joined the bureau early and became an external combatant," Zhang Lei stated.

"However, given that Master Pete has the oldest qualifications and the greatest merit, his spot is almost locked, with no possible changes. The only controversy is between you and Gu Mengping regarding who should take the spot to the Golden Academy."

"It is precisely because of the controversy that the bureau has kept the allocation confidential and has not made any announcements yet," he added.

Zhang Lei was very straightforward and laid out the current situation regarding the Golden Academy allocation.

Li Yi shifted his gaze to Zhang Lei, but before he could speak, another senior member said, "Gu Mengping has the advantage of older qualifications, and Li Yi, your advantage is the recent merits you’ve achieved. However, the downside is that you are only in the inspiration realm, which is weaker. Entering the Golden Academy would be stressful for you. There are many eccentrics there, and with your realm, it’s easy to be ostracized and bullied. All things considered, I lean towards Gu Mengping going to the Golden Academy as it’s a safer choice."

"If the investigation bureau has already decided, then why bother calling me here to discuss these matters? Isn’t this redundant?" Li Yi frowned at this moment,

expressing his dissatisfaction.

If making many achievements doesn’t secure an allocation, then who would be willing to exert themselves in missions in the future?

"Li Yi, don’t be upset. There are still quite a few people in the bureau who think you should go to the Golden Academy," Zhang Lei said.

"It’s just that everyone has their considerations. Some think that a spiritual perception realm combatant should stay in the bureau as it’s less likely to cause controversy. However, I support your going to the Golden Academy."

"In my view, Gu Mengping’s potential is not as good as yours, and his contribution to the Golden Academy wouldn’t be significant. It’s just that he has been with the bureau for a long time and indeed has done many things for the bureau, participating in every mission. It’s just unfortunate that he has fewer achievements in these missions, causing the controversy."

"Zhang Lei, whether there is controversy or not is not important; what matters is what decision the bureau makes. But from what I see now, it seems the bureau leans more towards Gu Mengping. If that’s the case, then what was the point of the previous missions? Was it just empty promises? This approach may look good from your perspective, but I want to know, the next time there is a city crisis, will cultivators be willing to collaborate with the bureau?" he continued.

Li Yi then stared sharply at the senior members.

The senior members fell silent immediately.

Li Yi continued, "Now I somewhat understand the bureau’s idea. You want me to voluntarily withdraw from the competition, let Gu Mengping take the spot, take care of the old generation’s feelings in the bureau, and also minimize the impact outwardly, right? If that’s the case, then I have nothing to say, but I will resign immediately, relinquishing my role as an external combatant, and also disband the squad."

Upon hearing this, the senior members’ faces changed immediately.

Currently, Li Yi’s squad was not to be underestimated: besides him, there was Lin Yue, a spiritual perception master, and several cultivators in the inspiration realm.

If Li Yi resigned, then the bureau’s power would significantly decrease, and the impact would be very negative. It might even trigger a chain reaction, causing many external combatants to leave.

After speaking, Li Yi didn’t give the senior members a chance to think and immediately stood up to leave.

"Li Yi, wait," Zhang Lei blurted out, his expression changing as he hurriedly stopped him. "Don’t be so impulsive. Sit down and let’s discuss this further."

"Didn’t we just discuss it? A single spot can’t go to two people. Since the bureau chose Gu Mengping, then I am just a failed competitor. It’s only logical for me to resign. Alright, Zhang Lei, no need to persuade me anymore, it could damage our good relations later. I’ve got things to do, so I’ll leave now," Li Yi replied decisively.

As the spot was unattainable, staying in the bureau had no meaning for him.

Zhang Lei dared not stop him anymore.

Because, at this moment, Li Yi was not just any inspiration realm cultivator; even he was no match for him. If he forcibly stopped him, it wouldn’t only look bad but could also lead to unforeseeable consequences.

"Li Yi, calm down, things haven’t come to this point yet," Zhang Lei intervened.

"We are not unsupportive of you, but there are some things that must be considered."

"Li Yi, we can compensate you in other ways. Zhang Lei, stop him," the senior members from the conference room interjected, panicking.

They were witnessing the least desired outcome unfold. If Li Yi left, many things would trigger a chain reaction.

However, at this moment, Li Yi did not pay attention to them and pushed open the conference room door, striding away.

"Li Yi, let me be honest with you. The real reason we didn’t choose you is not due to Gu Mengping’s seniority issue but because, during the ten days you were in a coma, Gu Mengping passed the Bone Mural’s illusion test and took that opportunity to breakthrough. He is no longer a cultivator in the spiritual perception realm; he has now become a soul-strong person," Zhang Lei reluctantly let out a secret.

Now he had to speak up, or if Li Yi truly left the bureau, everything would be too late.

Upon hearing this news, Li Yi suddenly stopped, turned back, and said, "What? Gu Mengping has become a Soul Realm strong person?"

"Correct."

Zhang Lei took a deep breath and said, "It is precisely because he had made a breakthrough that the Investigation Bureau had no choice but to grant him a quota to enter the Golden Academy. If it were not done, no one would know what a Soul Realm strong person might do staying in Tianchang City. If he held a grudge against you, Li Yi, then you would be in danger. The Investigation Bureau had no other option but to let him take the quota and send this guy away."

"I understand now why all the senior officials in the Investigation Bureau changed their stance and are willing to support Gu Mengping. It turns out his strength had broken through," Li Yi said, a trace of movement in his expression as he resolved the doubts in his mind.

I never expected Gu Mengping to have such luck, to be able to use the Bone Mural at White Bone Temple to successfully gather his soul and achieve a breakthrough in cultivation within these ten days.

But when you think about it, it’s normal.

Gu Mengping was already a well-known Spiritual Perception Master in Tianchang City, just like Yang Yilong and Li Shaqing. It wouldn’t be surprising for him to make a breakthrough at any time since he had already been stuck at the peak of the Spiritual Realm for a long time.

It was just unexpected that Gu Mengping would break through at this critical moment, immediately causing the quota originally meant for Li Yi to be altered.

It couldn’t not be changed.

Being the only Soul Realm strong person in all of Tianchang City, it really wouldn’t be right to send Li Yi, who was only at the inspiration realm, to the Golden Academy instead of him.

A Soul Realm strong person had too great an impact, and no one could restrict him. The Investigation Bureau’s offering of a quota surely had an element of appeasement in it.

To put it plainly, everyone dared not offend Gu Mengping now.

Zhang Lei said, "Now you understand the Investigation Bureau’s dilemma. This news is still under wraps; apart from a few of us, people outside don’t yet know about Gu Mengping’s breakthrough. We didn’t speak of it earlier because Gu Mengping requested confidentiality, so we had no choice. We initially wanted to discuss it with you first, but I didn’t expect such a strong reaction from you."

"Of course, I understand, especially since you have indeed done exceptionally well in recent missions. If you can’t get a quota, I believe many people would feel it’s unfair. But we also need to take care of a Soul Realm strong person, as causing trouble would be a big issue. Gu Mengping now isn’t like Yang Yilong, who is restricted by Li Shaqing, me, and Master Pete. He could virtually do anything he wants now, and if trouble arises, we can only watch helplessly, unable to do anything."

Saying this, he also felt frustrated.

The times have indeed changed.

The powerful dictate everything, and even he had to compromise.

"Now with your reasoning, I can indeed understand the Investigation Bureau’s predicament," Li Yi said. "However, the Investigation Bureau had previously promised that quotas would be allocated based on merit, not seniority or realm. If I had known it would turn out like this, perhaps I shouldn’t have participated in the missions and just focused on cultivating at home to make a breakthrough. Wouldn’t that have been better?"

At this, Zhang Lei was also silent.

Because Li Yi’s words were indeed justified, and the dissatisfaction made sense.

At that moment, a senior official gritted his teeth and said, "Li Yi, how about we each take a step back? You give up the quota to Golden Academy, and I’ll make you a Cross-Border. Afterwards, everything will be as usual. How does that sound?"

"Hmm?"

Li Yi’s gaze sharpened as he looked at that senior official, "Can I become a Cross-Border without entering Golden Academy?"

"Of course, the Investigation Bureau has internal channels. Slipping one person in isn’t a problem," that senior official said seriously. "Li Yi, you trust me. I’ll handle this matter, and there’s actually a Cross-Border operation happening soon. Just agree, and I guarantee there will be results within ten days."

At this moment, even Zhang Lei looked at that senior official in surprise.

He was unaware of this development.

However, the Investigation Bureau had a far-reaching influence, and behind many events there was the bureau’s presence. Securing a Cross-Border quota was still highly probable.

At this moment, Li Yi’s expression was thoughtful.

Truth be told, he was clear that once Gu Mengping made a breakthrough, it was a done deal for him to enter the Golden Academy, and there was no way he could shamelessly bump Master Pete’s quota. After all, compared to Master Pete, he lacked both the seniority and merit, so he was naturally eliminated.

But it came as a surprise that the Investigation Bureau would dare to offer a Cross-Border quota as compensation.

After all, many people sought entry to Golden Academy just to transcend and leave Earth, looking for a better world to live in to avoid the Sky Tipping event.

"I need to think about it." Li Yi did not agree immediately, but he also indirectly yielded.

"No problem, take your time to consider," that senior official said.

Li Yi nodded, then strode away from the Investigation Bureau.

Seeing Li Yi leave, everyone present finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"That Gu Mengping really is troublesome. Why on earth did he have to break through now?" The senior official slammed a table, visibly annoyed. "Previously, the quota for the Golden Academy had already been set for Li Yi and Master Pete. Now he’s interfered, making us in the Investigation Bureau uncomfortable both internally and externally."

"Nothing can be done; many things are unpredictable," another senior official sighed.

Zhang Lei said, "Li Yi is unique, his importance equivalent to that of a Soul Strong Person. Honestly, I still hold the previous opinion, that it would be better to send Li Yi to the Golden Academy and let Gu Mengping become the Cross-Border."

"The quota for Golden Academy is a matter of public record; it’s acceptable to everyone to have a Soul Strong Person go. However, the Cross-Border quota is an internal favor; the two aren’t the same. Let’s leave things as they are for now and see if Li Yi agrees. Hopefully, he can understand our dilemma a bit."

"There’s nothing else we can do."

As the meeting concluded, the matter of the quotas was put on hold for the time being.