I will be stronger after the remake

Yu Shujiang suddenly realized, "Yuanjiang, it seems that the mythical relics they discovered originated from the story of the treasure basin."

Jin Tao nodded and said, "Our director thinks so too. The treasure bowl in the story has the effect of replicating and even evolving items. It is a genuine top-grade treasure. Director Xiahou was worried that the other party would take the treasure bowl and leave, and then he would lose both his wife and his army. So he simply decided to launch the operation ahead of time without waiting for everyone to arrive. As a result, he fell into the other party's trap."

Ling Chong sighed and said, "This is not his fault. I would have made the same decision. Who can guarantee that what Director Xiahou is worried about will not happen? We can't just stand by and watch the other party steal the treasure and escape abroad, can we?"

If the other party is an ordinary person, they can be intercepted at transportation hubs such as bus stops, highway exits, train stations, and airports. However, psychics do not need to rely on transportation in the real world and can escape directly from the illusory world to foreign countries, making them impossible to stop.

Zhao Yeman analyzed, "Perhaps the other side has made two preparations. If your director doesn't go, they will take the treasure and leave. If your director goes, they will set up an array to trap him. But to realize this plan, the key is that the intelligence must be accurate and the reaction must be timely. So the conclusion is that there is a high probability that there are informants of the other side in your unit."

"That's impossible! Apart from me, who wasn't able to participate in the operation due to my weak skills, everyone else in our armed forces section was trapped along with Director Xiahou. To maintain secrecy, we didn't even tell the security section about this mission..."

As he spoke, a possibility occurred to him, and his face paled. With a hint of grief and indignation, he said, "Do you suspect me? Do you think I'm a spy for the other side, someone who betrayed everyone?"

Unmoved by the accusation, Zhao Yeman said slowly, "It's undeniable that you are suspected, but it's unlikely that you are an informant. If I were a traitor, I would definitely act with the group and get trapped together to reduce the probability of being suspected afterward. Anyway, I'm with the other side, so there won't be any danger. I just need to find an excuse to escape. If I want to make it more convincing, I can just inflict some wounds on myself."

Upon hearing this, Jin Tao's expression softened slightly, but he still insisted, "I don't believe any of my colleagues would be a traitor!"

Tang Ping glanced at Zhao Yeman, surprised that this big star was also shrewd and strategic. He had already gone over Zhao Yeman's analysis in his mind.

If Zhao Yeman hadn't spoken, Tang Ping would have said these things. Of course, he would have been more tactful in questioning whether there was a traitor within the Changde Psionic Administration Bureau, or even kept it from Jin Tao and only told his own people.

Although Ling Chong, Yuan Ji, and Yu Shujiang were not fools and were exceptionally intelligent in some aspects, being smart and being good at strategy are two different things. Just as a literary master who can speak eloquently does not mean he can lead troops into battle.

While raising her opinion of Zhao Yeman, Tang Ping asked, "Didn't you ask anyone else for help?"

Jin Tao hurriedly said, "Of course! I have already told the local security department about this, but as you know, we can't rely too much on the security department. I have also reported to my superiors and hoped to get support, but it will take them time to get here. After thinking it over, I think it is the most efficient to ask you for help, so I came directly to the station to wait."

At this moment, Ling Chong dialed Director Xiahou's number, but no one answered. With no more doubts, he immediately decided, "I understand the situation. Saving lives is urgent. Let's set off quickly. We're new here and don't know where Yuanjiang is. You should lead the way."

“Great, I just happened to have a minivan with me, everyone can fit in.”

The group followed Jin Tao to the parking lot. Tang Ping sat down in a chair, and suddenly a thought flashed through her mind. She looked up and asked, "Do you really think none of your colleagues are spies for the Guiling Cult?"

As Jin Tao inserted the car key and started the engine, he said firmly, "Of course, they are all trustworthy compatriots and could never be spies."

Tang Ping nodded slightly, then activated her spiritual power "Three-Eyed True Radiance" without hesitation.

[Person: Jin Tao]

[Spiritual Beast: Mythical Beast]

[Psionic: Normal Spirit Fusion, Beastly Physique]

[Normal Spirit Integration: One can move freely, maintain one's individuality, and remain untainted by spiritual influence while in a spirit integration state]

[Beast-like Physique: Enhances physical fitness, vitality, and resistance]

[Introduction: Although he has a human appearance, he is actually a breathing, self-propelled ATM machine. He hopes to use love and money to reform his insatiable girlfriend and, incidentally, move himself. He is currently under parasitic control.]

When Tang Ping saw the first sentence of the introduction, she was startled and thought the other party was a monster in disguise. But when she saw the second sentence, she was speechless.

Even psychic energy knows how to speak in a sarcastic or insinuating way.

When he saw the last sentence, he couldn't help but feel a little confused, because he wasn't sure if this so-called "parasitic control" meant that Jin Tao was being manipulated by his girlfriend, just like the sarcastic remarks before.

However, Tang Ping quickly came to his senses. This parasitic control meant something beyond the ordinary level, since he had already begun to have doubts about Jin Tao.

The source of the suspicion was that Jin Tao had never lied from beginning to end.

If Tang Ping were to state this reason, she would inevitably be questioned: If others are not lying, why do you still suspect them?

Because Zhao Yeman's reasoning was very reasonable, the key to Cao Poshi's daring to set up an ambush was that there was a spy from the Guiling Sect in the Changde Armed Forces Department who tipped them off. Any normal person would suspect that there was a spy among the people traveling with Director Xiahou.

As for Jin Tao's claim that he has built a deep friendship with his colleagues and has unwavering faith in their character, that's even more laughable. Putting aside how a first-stage spirit can build a deep friendship with someone, anyone who has ever worked knows that there's no such thing as trust and friendship between colleagues. It's not a sports manga!

Moreover, judging from his subsequent actions, Jin Tao wasn't the kind of hot-blooded fool who would shout, "Damn it, don't underestimate the bond between us!" He was clearly the kind of rational character who would occasionally push up his glasses and pretend to be profound.

Therefore, the reason why he did not suspect his colleague is obvious—because he was the spy, so he knew very well that his colleague was not the spy.

Tang Ping secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, his psychic abilities allowed him to obtain information from other angles; otherwise, he might have subconsciously believed someone was trustworthy simply because they told the truth throughout.

He reminded himself again: Lie detectors can detect whether a person is telling the truth, but they cannot detect whether a person is telling the truth.

After calming herself down, Tang Ping immediately used WeChat to inform her companions of her discovery, urging them to be on high alert.

Fortunately, we are in the real world and have cell phones to use. If we were in the illusory world, it would be really difficult to find a way to communicate covertly under the nose of a suspect, since Tang Ping doesn't know any secret means of transmitting sound.

Upon seeing the news, Ling Chong, Yuan Ji, and Zhao Yeman remained expressionless, while only Yu Shujiang showed a surprised look.

Jin Tao, who was driving, noticed Yu Shujiang's unusual behavior in the rearview mirror and asked, "What's wrong? Did you find something?"

Yu Shujiang was startled but not flustered. She pretended to be dejected and said, "My mom found out that I asked for leave to go out. I'm doomed. I'm sure I'll get a scolding when I get back!"

Tang Ping chimed in, "That's why I disagreed with you participating in this operation from the beginning. You insisted on joining, and now you're in trouble. You didn't listen to good advice, and now you're suffering the consequences."

Ling Chong chimed in, "She meant well. I'll put in a good word for her later and see if we can get away with it."

Jin Tao said knowingly, "Could this comrade be a high school student? She does look quite young. This mission is very dangerous, so it might not be suitable for her to participate."

Tang Ping quickly nodded and said, "That's what I was thinking too. You should go back quickly and not participate in this mission."

Yu Shujiang said aggrievedly, "I don't want to! We've already come all this way, there's no reason to turn back halfway. I don't want to be a deserter. You were the one who agreed to let me participate."

“I didn’t expect this to happen! According to the original plan, you were only responsible for being a healer in the rear and didn’t need to take any risks. But now it’s clear that we have to confront the enemy head-on, and everyone has to participate in the battle. If you encounter danger, we will have to be distracted to save you.”

As she spoke, Tang Ping revealed a determined expression and said to Jin Tao, "Stop the car. Before we get on the highway, pull over and let her get out and go back."

Yu Shujiang instinctively objected: "I don't want to..."

Yuan Ji glanced at the message that had just been sent to his phone and immediately said, "I also think you are not suitable to participate in this operation. This is not a vacation. Once the war starts, we will not have time to take care of you. We can't save the Changde Armed Forces Section at the same time and protect you."

Zhao Yeman simply replied, "I second that."

Ling Chong sighed and said to Jin Tao, "Stop the car and let her go back. I'm the leader, and I make the decisions on this matter."

Unable to resist, Yu Shujiang could only sulk in silence.

Seeing this, Jin Tao obediently reduced his speed and pulled over to the side of the road.

Just as Tang Ping opened the car door and urged Yu Shujiang to get out, Ling Chong, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly attacked and knocked Jin Tao unconscious with a single palm strike.

After finishing this task, Ling Chong asked Tang Ping with some unease, "Are you sure you're not mistaken? This guy is being mind-controlled by the Guiling Cult?"

"Don't worry, I'm 100% sure."

"I won't ask you where your confidence comes from, what to do next, or whether we should still go to rescue them."

"Yes, he wasn't lying before. The Changde Armed Forces Section really did fall into an ambush. After all, we can still verify with the local Public Security Bureau. If he had lied about this, it would have been easy for him to be exposed."

"But we don't know anyone here, which way should we go?"

Ling Chong suddenly thought of a possibility, slapped his thigh, and looked regretful: "Perhaps this guy wants to use the same trick again, to lead us to the Yuanjiang River and let us fall into an ambush. I should have been patient and waited for him to lead us to the ambush point before making a sudden move."

Tang Ping said, "If Jin Tao is a spy for the Guiling Sect, then he might indeed do this, because he still values ​​his own life. But Jin Tao is just being mentally controlled, and the controller doesn't care about his life or death. What if he drives straight through the guardrail and falls off the cliff once the car is on the highway, or actively challenges the Hundred-Ton King? We would be in danger then. The real world is not the Illusionary Realm, and many methods cannot be used. Even if we don't die, we will be half dead."

Zhao Yeman nodded and said, "We can't gamble on this. We have to strike first. Tang Ping's decision is fine."

Ling Chong said helplessly, "What you both said makes sense, but the key is what to do next. Since we've decided to save people, we can't go back first and then figure it out slowly."

Zhao Yeman said, "First, turn on the navigation to determine the general direction, then drive there. On the way, we'll contact the local police station to get the exact address from them, and then ask if any of them are psychics who are good at breaking mind control."

Ling Chong thought the method was fine and was about to get into the driver's seat when Tang Ping suddenly said, "There's no need for such trouble. Let me do the divination."

Ling Chong slapped his forehead: "Oh right! You've been teaching martial arts these past few days, I almost forgot that your spiritual strength isn't actually in combat."

Tang Ping decisively used Jin Tao as a medium to activate his spiritual energy to "see karma" and observe the origin of the mental control on the other party.

A moment later, a faint line of cause and effect appeared in his field of vision, one end connecting to Jin Tao and the other extending into the distance. He immediately said, "You drive, I'll give you directions."

"Okay, let's do it this way."

Ling Chong decisively took on the role of driver, following Tang Ping's instructions. He also asked Yuan Ji to help contact the local police department. Although he no longer needed them to give directions, it was still good to obtain more information.

After a while, Zhao Yeman couldn't help but ask, "Besides figuring out the enemy's location, didn't you get any other information?"

“Yes, I have a clue—Arachne.”

Who is Arachne?

"I don't know, but judging from the name, he should be a figure from Western mythology."

The group quickly took out their phones to search online. After reading Arachne's Baidu entry, they suddenly realized that this guy must have parasitized and controlled Jin Tao.

Chapter 228 You Do Your Way, I'll Do Mine

Arachne comes from Roman mythology. As a human, she was skilled in weaving and embroidery, and used these skills to challenge Minerva, but committed suicide after being defeated.

Minerva reincarnated her soul as a spider, with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a spider. She had eight legs like a spider, lived in a giant spider web, and constantly wove cloth. She would also parasitize people's brains and devour their will.

Minerva in Roman mythology corresponds to Athena in Greek mythology.

When everyone saw that Arachne could parasitize human brains, they knew it was definitely this guy.

Looking at the unconscious Jin Tao, Ling Chong shook his head and sighed, "It seems that Jin Tao has been parasitized and controlled by a psychic with the unique spiritual personality 'Arachne'."

Tang Ping said, "It's a pity we don't have a single Netherworld psychic here, otherwise we could try to restrain the other party's parasite."

Parasitic manipulation is different from mental control. Since it is parasitism, at least one clone must be left on Jin Tao. If the ability is not good enough, the main body may need to be used for parasitism. Mental control only requires leaving a mental imprint to control from a distance.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The object of parasitic manipulation is more flexible and will not reveal any flaws in its speech and behavior. Moreover, the will of the parasitized person will be suppressed so tightly that it is basically impossible to resist without external interference. The object of mind control is more rigid, and will reveal flaws once it encounters a conflict between the ideas forcibly instilled and its own principles, causing the main body's will to resist. However, it is safer, and the controller will basically not encounter any danger.

Ling Chong glanced around the car and sighed, "Our team is strong enough in terms of combat and healing, but we lack other abilities. We can only hope that the enemy won't use any strange or unusual psionic powers."

As the saying goes, everyone has their own expertise, but psionicists are all specialists. Even if they advance to the fourth level of spiritual advancement in the future, they will have no better way to deal with the person they have been parasitized than to knock them unconscious.

You either know it or you don't; there's no such thing as learning something simply by trying.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ji was about to explain her abilities when her phone suddenly received a message from Tang Ping. She glanced at it and immediately swallowed her words.

At the same time, Tang Ping lamented, "You're planting a flag here. I suggest everyone be mentally prepared. We'll most likely encounter strange psionic energy in the future. Observe carefully and don't act blindly."

Ling Chong realized he had spoken out of turn, chuckled dryly, and focused on driving without saying another word.

During the journey, Yuan Ji contacted the Public Security Bureau through official channels and briefly informed them of the situation.

The head of the security department who answered the phone seemed very flustered. He also had some doubts about Yuan Ji's account of "Jin Tao being parasitized and controlled." However, he eventually told everyone the location of Yuanjiang, where the mythical site of the Treasure Basin was most likely to appear. Apart from that, they refused to cooperate and only said that they would wait for support from above.

Ling Chong comforted everyone, saying, "There's nothing we can do. Except for a very few places, most of the security departments are very weak. They are often just one second-level psionicist leading two or three first-level psionicists. If a first-level psionicist advances to the second level, they will be poached by the armed forces department of the same unit, so they can never become strong. Even if they do come, it's hard to say whether they will provide help or be a hindrance."

Zhao Yeman cautioned, "Any plan must first set a goal so that everyone can work together harmoniously and avoid disunity when faced with choices, which could give the enemy an opening."

Yuan Ji glanced at the other party: "What do you mean? Didn't we already have a plan for this operation? We even prepared different countermeasures for the three most likely myths."

Zhao Yeman gave a cold smile, about to mock him, when Tang Ping spoke first: "Our previous plan was to join forces with the Changde Armed Forces to deal with Cao Poshi and his group, but now the situation has changed. The Changde Armed Forces have been ambushed and are trapped. Although we can still refer to the previously agreed plan in terms of tactics, we must adjust the strategic level, that is, the action objective. Should we prioritize rescuing people or killing the enemy?"

Ling Chong hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Save people first. We can find the lost treasures and catch the traitors again, but we don't have the ability to revive our fallen comrades."

This matter can only be decided by him, the leader, and he can only bear the consequences if problems arise.

After making the decision, Ling Chong felt relieved and focused on driving. Half an hour later, he arrived at the target location given by the Changde Public Security Bureau.

Everyone got off the vehicle and used the Illusion-Breaking Stone to enter the Realm of Illusion.

In the instant they traversed space, the damp mist, like a cool hand, gently caressed their faces. Looking up, they saw a ferry crossing shrouded in a dim yellow hue. The last rays of the setting sun pierced through the thick clouds, casting a few dim rays that tinged everything with an eerie color. The reeds on the shore had all turned into an eerie black, like a black ocean, rustling softly in the wind.

Moreover, the river water had a bluish-gray luster, with a layer of oily film floating on the surface. As the water flowed slowly, tiny bubbles would occasionally rise to the surface, making a soft "pop" sound when they burst.

In the distance, the faint sounds of looms and chopping wood mingled together, drifting intermittently, hollow and distant, as if from another world. A pungent, putrid stench filled the air, mixed with the acrid smell of burning reeds, making one want to vomit.

Zhao Yeman gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, cautiously observing her surroundings: "This place has an inexplicable eeriness about it."

Yuan Ji chuckled: "Thanks for reminding us, we almost didn't notice."

Zhao Yeman turned her head and glared at him angrily.

Tang Ping felt that if she were in a comic book world, there would definitely be electric arcs of mutual impact between the two of them.

Yu Shujiang sniffed the strange smell in the air and immediately frowned, "Brother, I feel that the spiritual energy around here is distorted. Is this really a mythical ruin?"

Tang Ping nodded and said, "Do you remember the setting of that story? The mother spun yarn and wove cloth day and night, while the son made a living by chopping firewood."

“Weaving and chopping wood!” Yu Shujiang’s eyes lit up. “The sounds we heard correspond exactly to the characters in the story, so this is the mythical relic derived from the story of the Treasure Basin!”

Ling Chong said with a solemn expression, "But the atmosphere here is too eerie. I have experienced so many mythical ruins, but I have never seen one so bizarre. It's almost like a ghost movie. I don't know if it's the effect of the mythical ruins themselves, or if Cao Poshi and his gang used special methods to influence the mythical ruins?"

Tang Ping said, "Although the original work's values ​​are hard to describe, it doesn't contain any horror elements, so it must have been done by the other party."

Yuan Ji pondered, "Since the other party's arrangement is based on mythological relics, it must follow the corresponding rules. In the original story, my son found a box in a group of eels. This box is a treasure bowl. Should we look for it too?"

Zhao Yeman snorted and said, "If it were really that easy to find, Cao Poshi would have taken the treasure basin long ago. How could it be your turn? Maybe the local armed forces members were blinded by greed and fell into the trap."

Yuan Ji pretended not to hear the sarcasm and went to the riverbank. Looking down, he indeed saw a school of eels. However, each of these eels was swollen to the size of a forearm, with dark purple rotting flesh curling up where the scales had fallen off. Thick black blood kept oozing from their seven orifices, spreading inky patterns on the water's surface. When they swam, they no longer moved smoothly and meandered, but rather writhed in a twisted S-shape like spasms. Occasionally, they would bite their companions with their jaws full of sharp teeth. The wounds of the bitten eels would instantly gush out a liquid with green bubbles.

Sensing the presence of humans, the eels all turned and stared at Yuan Ji. Their eyes were as cold as snakes', and some of them even leaped out of the water and pounced on Yuan Ji like javelins, their scales rubbing against the air and making a teeth-grinding hiss.

With Yuan Ji's quick reflexes, he naturally didn't take it to heart. He casually swung his Azure Dragon Halberd, easily stringing all the fish that attacked him onto the blade. After observing them up close, he couldn't help but frown and say, "These don't even look like fish anymore."