Chapter 802: Every Bush and Tree a Soldier
Currently, the formation flags protecting the Ghost Cave were a gift Xu Meijing had given Yang Haoran, so for Yang Haoran, this set of formation flags held deep significance.
The decision to replace this set of formation flags wasn't because Yang Haoran disdained them, but because the Ghost Cave now required a more powerful set to protect it more effectively and safeguard its secrets. This had nothing to do with disdain; it was simply that these flags were no longer suitable for continuing to guard the Ghost Cave.
Not only did the Ghost Cave's formation flags need replacing, but if possible, Yang Haoran also intended to replace the Mountain River Grand Array at his home.
To avoid burdening Tang Shi too much, Yang Haoran hadn't asked him to find a set of formation flags for his home as well. He would find a way to secure the protective grand array needed for his residence himself. Besides, the Mountain River Grand Array was still usable for now; he wasn't in a hurry. Tang Shi only needed to handle the issues concerning the Ghost Cave.
As for whether Tang Shi could find a suitable protective grand array, Yang Haoran wasn't overly concerned. Given Tang Shi's abilities, he believed it shouldn't be a problem to find a grand array appropriate for the Ghost Cave's current needs, provided he spent some time on it.
After leaving the Ghost Cave, the first thing Yang Haoran prepared to do was find Bai Xue, thoroughly understand the situation, and formulate specific countermeasures. He couldn't wait until others came looking for him to figure things out; that simply wouldn't do.
As for where to find Bai Xue, it wasn't a difficult task for him. Even if Bai Xue was out on a mission, as long as she wasn't in one of the very few special zones, he could still locate her because she was wearing the Death God Pendant he had given her.
This Death God Pendant had been blessed by his Spirit Power, allowing him to sense its precise location whenever he wished, and the same applied to the Death God Pendants he had given to others.
Bai Xue always wore the Death God Pendant he had given her around her neck, so knowing her exact location was no challenge.
Through his senses, he pinpointed Bai Xue's location. He tore through space, then appeared outside the Spirit Police headquarters.
He had come here because he sensed that Bai Xue was currently at the Lecheng Spirit Police headquarters.
The current Spirit Police headquarters was also enveloped in a restrictive barrier. With the world in chaos, the Spirit Police served as a crucial force for the Administrative Courtyard in maintaining order. If anything happened here, or if it were entirely wiped out by enemies, it would be a fatal blow to the Administrative Courtyard. Thus, its protection had been significantly bolstered compared to peacetime.
In Yang Haoran's eyes, the protective grand array of the Spirit Police headquarters was quite ordinary now. If he were to open his Heaven Soul and mobilize all his power, he should just barely be able to forcibly manifest within the Spirit Police headquarters' compound.
However, he didn't do so, because there was no need. After all, he was here to understand the situation from Bai Xue, not to start a fight or make a display of power.
Moreover, the Lecheng Spirit Police were partners with their Lecheng Underworld Office, and their relationship had always been good. Out of courtesy, he couldn't just directly manifest within the Spirit Police headquarters' compound; that was the least amount of respect due.
He didn't intentionally conceal his aura, so his appearance immediately drew the attention of the Spirit Police. Soon after he stepped out of the spatial rift, several figures rushed out of the barrier and blocked his path.
The few individuals had initially appeared wary, but upon realizing that the newcomer was Yang Haoran, the caution on their faces dissipated, replaced by smiles.
Although they were Spirit Police and not Night Watchers under Yang Haoran, they all recognized him.
It wasn't just Yang Haoran; they knew all the prominent figures within Lecheng's non-ordinary circles, and it was essential that they did, as it greatly benefited their work.
“Oh, it's Guardian Yang,” one of them said. “You startled me! I thought we were under attack. ”
“Haha, what brings you here, Guardian Yang? ”
The Spirit Police officers who had come greeted Yang Haoran one after another. Although they weren't his subordinates, and Yang Haoran had always struck them as amicable and easygoing, they were less reserved and more natural and enthusiastic when facing him.
“Haha, it’s been a while since I came to chat with Captain Luo,” Yang Haoran responded with a smile, showing no airs and treating them with an approachable demeanor. “I happened to have some free time today, so I came to see him. ”
Although he didn't recognize these particular Spirit Police officers, he didn't treat them any differently because of it.
“You're looking for Captain Luo? ”
The smiles vanished from their faces, and their expressions grew uneasy.
“What’s wrong? ”
Yang Haoran, of course, couldn't miss such an obvious change in their expressions. Unaware of what had happened, he asked.
“Captain Luo was severely injured on his last mission,” one of the Spirit Police officers explained, his face etched with worry. “He’s still undergoing treatment, and we don’t know if he’ll pull through. ”
Though the others remained silent, their faces also showed expressions of concern. Upon hearing this, Yang Haoran's smile subtly faded.
To retain Bai Xue, Captain Luo had always given her a lot of leeway. This was true even before the great chaos in the New Beginning Realm, and after it, he became even more lenient with her. Except for extremely thorny issues, he typically wouldn't allow Bai Xue to undertake missions.
The fact that Bai Xue had been out on a mission for such a long time indicated that the Spirit Police’s current assignment was extremely dangerous; otherwise, Captain Luo wouldn’t have sent Bai Xue, nor would it have taken so long.
Before arriving, he had sensed Bai Xue at the Spirit Police headquarters and had already guessed that her mission must have concluded; otherwise, she wouldn't be there.
He had been correct in that analysis, but Bai Xue hadn't mentioned Captain Luo's severe injuries in the Communication Talisman, so he naturally hadn't considered it. After all, it wasn't realistic for him to constantly guess whether Captain Luo had been injured on a mission.
“Can you take me in to see him? ”
Yang Haoran said. His primary purpose for coming this time was to find Bai Xue; saying he was there to see Captain Luo was entirely an excuse.
However, now that he heard Captain Luo was gravely injured, he genuinely wished to see him, no longer as an excuse. After all, their cooperation had always been harmonious.
The few Spirit Police officers exchanged glances, and after a silent communication with their eyes, the one who had spoken earlier addressed Yang Haoran again.
“Guardian Yang has always had a good relationship with our Captain Luo, so it would, of course, be wonderful for you to go in and see him. However, management here is extremely strict now, and our authority is quite limited. I must report this to Vice-Captain Zhou, and I hope Guardian Yang can understand. ”
Yang Haoran felt no dissatisfaction with their words, nor did he find their actions in any way improper. After all, a chaotic era was not as safe as peacetime; any accident could occur. Who could guarantee that the purpose of a visitor was purely innocent?
If the visitor harbored ill intentions and the Spirit Police directly allowed them in, it would undoubtedly lead to immeasurable losses for the Spirit Police. Before letting them in, there was at least the grand array to guard against external enemies. Once allowed inside, it would be akin to "inviting a wolf into the house".
“Of course I understand your actions,” Yang Haoran replied. “If it were me, I would do the same. In this chaotic world, being cautious only brings benefits, never harm. ”
The few officers had been worried that Yang Haoran might be displeased by their protocol. Hearing his words, they simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief and gained even more goodwill towards him.
The speaking Spirit Police officer immediately used their specially designed Spirit Police walkie-talkie to inform Vice-Captain Zhou.
At this moment, Vice-Captain Zhou was in the Spirit Police headquarters' medical bay. Due to the sensitive nature of the location, and to provide patients with an absolutely quiet healing environment, a restrictive barrier had been set up there, isolating it from all external disturbances, including power fluctuations.
Thus, Vice-Captain Zhou hadn't sensed Yang Haoran's arrival. All his attention was currently on Captain Luo, who was undergoing emergency treatment in the operating room.
Besides Vice-Captain Zhou, Bai Xue was also present, her gaze similarly fixed on Captain Luo, who was being resuscitated.
When the walkie-talkie buzzed and they learned that Yang Haoran had arrived, both Vice-Captain Zhou and Bai Xue's expressions changed.
Vice-Captain Zhou looked puzzled, while Bai Xue's face was filled with pleasant surprise.
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