Chapter 882: Chapter 752: Rhine Takes Over
It must be pointed out that the paranoid never figured out what the array in his hand was for.
Therefore, during his closed-door breakthrough, he didn’t put away the array but kept it in front of him—just in case he might need it.
Pierre also knew that this was the supreme treasure he valued most, yet he never showed any signs of coveting it.
Unexpectedly, he suddenly snatched away half of the array.
The paranoid was furious, asked him what he was doing, and Pierre casually replied, cast a technique, and turned to run.
In his recounting, the paranoid couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile, "He actually said... he’s afraid I might fail and destroy the treasure!"
This possibility... he believed it didn’t exist, even though he admitted his temper wasn’t very good.
In fact, he felt he was completely wronged, "I gave him everything, even if it failed, I would leave the array behind!"
What chilled him to the core was that the other party even launched an attack technique while escaping!
He was already above supreme, although in a worrying state, his scattered body was actually harder to attack.
An attack from a mere A-level could hardly have any effect on him.
What he found most unacceptable was this blatant act of betrayal!
So he didn’t hesitate to release a spiritual attack, aiming to kill this scoundrel.
Indeed, he valued Pierre greatly, but in the face of betrayal, he would retaliate without an ounce of hesitation.
Most of the awakened in the Imperial are decisive people, rarely like those dithering ones.
But Pierre had been prepared, possessing a treasure to resist spiritual attacks, and escaped as a result.
Qu Jianlei listened to his recounting, indeed feeling a bit of sympathy, but also some confusion.
"Then did he not come back to look or send others, if he didn’t have the guts to come himself?"
"No," the paranoid twisted his neck, speaking expressionlessly, "I reckon he’s dead."
Qu Jianlei pondered for a moment and asked again, "Then where is the other half of the array now?"
"I really don’t know," the paranoid answered casually, "But I severely injured him at the time, he shouldn’t live long."
After experiencing betrayal, he spent half a month realizing he couldn’t gather up his body, and then began to expand his perception.
What made him furious was that Pierre was obviously premeditated, even crafting an escape route and preparing means of transport.
However, the remaining bloodstains on the ground indicated that he was injured, and the injury should not be light.
The paranoid was very familiar with Pierre’s strength, just as Pierre understood him.
He believed that the guy who took a hit from his spiritual attack would not last long, even with protective treasures.
You have to know, he was quite furious at the time, not holding back at all when he attacked.
The opponent being able to escape was mainly due to being thoroughly prepared, also knowing he would die miserably if he couldn’t escape.
But even so, Pierre’s escape would likely not allow him to live for many days.
Spiritual attacks are inherently the hardest to treat, and the paranoid is quite confident in his spiritual attack techniques.
"No idea where he went?" Qu Jianlei looked at him calmly, "Didn’t you say it would be in the Divine Text Association?"
This guy, though paranoid, can also spew nonsense, which made him quite displeased. Is a bit more honesty too much to ask?
"I meant it’s not in my hands," the paranoid scratched his head, inadvertently scratching his neck, looking rather comical.
"But don’t worry, wherever he can hide it, he can’t hide it from me... you can make do with this half for now."
"Can’t hide from you?" Qu Jianlei looked at him suspiciously, finding it hard to believe in this fellow’s words.
The paranoid responded with a touch of resignation, "Actually, I have a pretty good idea where he might stash things."
"At the time, I thought if I couldn’t advance to above supreme, I would secretly leave him some resources as a surprise for him... sigh!"
Qu Jianlei was speechless then, not that he absolutely disbelieved the guy, but such an outcome... is truly heartbreaking.
"So when can we get the other half of the array?"
"Wait until that guy advances to A-level," the paranoid pointed in the direction of the Qi Gathering Array, "I’ll just increase the compatibility a bit."
Qu Jianlei cast a sidelong glance at him, "And if by then... you still don’t get it?"
The paranoid rolled his eyes, "The Spirit Gathering Array in your hand isn’t just for display, if I don’t get it, you’ll keep letting me use it?"
"Very well then," Qu Jianlei nodded after a bit of thought; at this point, it’s all they could do.
Then he shook his head again, letting out a light sigh, "I really am... quite unlucky."
The Qi Gathering Array had been set up in a hall, and now this Spirit Gathering Array clearly needed to be hidden better.
So the two chose an inconspicuous rock wall, perceived there was no water vein inside, and started excavating.
Since advancing to supreme, Qu Jianlei had always personally handled the excavation of vaults.
This time, having a supreme working alongside him was indeed a rare experience.
It must be admitted, though the paranoid has a gold attribute, he has quite a proficient grasp of techniques in other attributes as well.
The Earth Attribute Techniques he used were not much inferior to ordinary Earth Attribute Supremes.
The only regret was that his micro operation of the Earth Element would occasionally go out of control, which was unavoidable due to the poor compatibility of his body.
The two of them took two days to dig out a stone cavern covering two hundred square meters and over four meters high.
Then Qu Jianlei took out the Spirit Gathering Array and set it up for activation, "Alright, you continue to adjust."
Afterward, he used the Spirit Gathering Array to restore spiritual energy and left after eight days.
This manor wasn’t particularly huge, but it encompassed a mountain peak, so both the front and back gates were located halfway up the mountain.
Rhine brought over four reliable guards and evacuated everyone else from the manor, not even leaving the florists behind.
—After all, the Rhodiola rosea team also had awakened ones with Wood Attributes, so leaving the florists wasn’t significant.
As for cleaning? Even more so, with B-level Wind Attributes, who needs cleaning?
When Qu Jianlei and the others started setting up for cultivation, Rhine didn’t come over; she knew they were busy.
He exited the stone cavern and unexpectedly discovered that Xiang Xue and Claire were also not cultivating.
Upon inquiry, he found out that Xiang Xue had just advanced and wasn’t in strong need of cultivation, so she was diligently keeping watch for everyone.
Claire, on the other hand, simply had a low cultivation level and couldn’t cultivate in the Qi Gathering Array for long periods.
Luckily, her temperament wasn’t stable enough and she enjoyed excitement, so she joined Xiang Xue in guarding everyone.
After understanding the situation, Qu Jianlei nodded, "Alright, thanks for your hard work, I happen to have things to do as well."
What he needed to do, of course, was analyze the "Teleportation Array," which was definitely no small task.
In a blink of an eye, half a month had passed, during which Xiang Xue and Claire occasionally went out to buy some ingredients.
The duo really enjoyed this leisurely lifestyle, feeling like they were blending into Imperial society to some extent.
One day, Rhine came to find Qu Jianlei, her face solemn as she declared, "I’ve taken on your grudge with the Norton Family!"
She finally figured out that the annoying people who had fought against her vehicle were rising stars of the Norton Family.
Because in that battle, there were also a few people injured on the Norton family’s starship, among whom two were seriously injured.
These two were later treated on the Transfer Star, missing the battle where their family’s warship was destroyed.
Afterward, with the Norton family’s complete withdrawal from the Asteroid Belt, they returned to the Celestial Handle Star.
The existence of these two was inconsequential, and the Norton family wouldn’t blame them.
But they knew that besides the two space battles with the Rhodiola rosea team, their young master also had a confrontation with others.
The battle with Rhine had even led their young master to switch starships, which was quite a significant change.
Rhine had been investigating the previous starship, but reaching a result was impossible; however, verifying news with the Norton family was much simpler.
After receiving this information, she first scolded the family members who intervened and then directly informed the Norton family.
Your grudge with the Rhodiola rosea team is now with me!
The reason is simple: if Rhodiola rosea doesn’t kill your young master, I absolutely won’t let it go!
Sure, in space travel, conflicts between two starships aren’t a big deal.
But at that time, the fight was fierce, and Rhine had to wander the interstellar.
One can hypothesize what would have occurred if the young master had switched starships and caught her.
Would the young master release them because he’s wary of Rhine or the Haiyin Clan?
Anyone with a sane mind wouldn’t agree with such a guess.
The most suitable place to destroy evidence is in space, and the Asteroid Belt is notoriously chaotic—the key is that the conflict was instigated by the Norton family.
Rather than betting that Rhine would gracefully forgive them upon her return, it truly would be simpler to kill and dispose of them to avoid future troubles.
Rhine didn’t explain much, only mentioning that she also had conflicts with the Norton family in the Asteroid Belt.
Upon hearing this, Qu Jianlei shook his head with a complicated smile, "That guy really does court death."
He didn’t find anything wrong with Rhine taking over the matter; of course, he needed clarity of mind, but didn’t Rhine have her own temper?
Moreover, he had already troubled the Norton Family, causing significant damage, though not completely uprooting them, but enough to let out some steam.
So, the matter to follow being left to Rhine was also fine.
Rhine hesitated for a moment and inquired how long they intended to rest here.
Qu Jianlei responded that life on the Asteroid Belt was too dull and they’d need at least a whole month more to rest.
Three days after Rhine’s departure, someone else came, and it was a familiar face—A-level Warrior Liu Yongming.
He brought a message from his grandfather, Liu Qingyu, wishing to invite the old friend to the Military Region for a chat.
If it was inconvenient, Liu Qingyu was also willing to come and visit the old friend here.
Xiang Xue was unsure how to handle the situation and turned back to the house to find Qu Jianlei.
Qu Jianlei came out with a grim face and spoke unceremoniously, "You actually found us here... are you monitoring us?"
