The week following the academic gala passed with a deceptive calm. For Su Liying, the 'Aegis of Stillness' was a constant, comforting presence. The pendant, nestled beneath her collar, radiated a subtle sense of peace, shielding her empathic senses from the overwhelming noise of the world. It was a tangible reminder of Qin Mo's silent protection, a secret bond they now shared.
The Oracle Alliance, riding high on the success of "Operation Serpent's Head" and the subsequent resource hunts, was busier than ever. The influx of new members seeking sanctuary had dramatically increased their ranks. The Alliance forums buzzed with activity, filled with discussions of new bounties, training exercises, and the burgeoning sense of community under Oracle's enigmatic leadership.
But beneath the surface of this apparent stability, the ripples of Oracle's brutal efficiency were beginning to attract unwanted attention.
Within the shadowy corridors of the Tianxia Concord's highest levels of power, whispers began to circulate. Whispers of a new, impossibly effective player in the underworld. Whispers of coordinated attacks that seemed to know too much. Whispers of an entity called "Oracle" that moved like a ghost and struck with the precision of a surgeon.
The various hunter guilds, the shadowy corporations, and even elements within the government's own intelligence agencies began to take notice. Some saw Oracle as a potential ally, a force to be courted. Others viewed him as a dangerous disruptor, a wild card that threatened the established order.
One such group that was paying particularly close attention was the Crimson Covenant, an ancient and influential hunter guild known for its ruthlessness and its deep connections within the Concord's political elite. Their Grandmaster, a formidable S-Rank hunter named Madame Xuan, saw Oracle's sudden rise as a direct challenge to their own authority.
"This 'Oracle'," she said, her voice a silken whisper that held the sharpness of steel, as she reviewed the intelligence reports. "He moves with a power that suggests he is either backed by a major organization we are unaware of... or he is something else entirely."
Her second-in-command, a hulking B-Ranker scarred from countless Abyss dives, grunted his skepticism. "Just another lucky upstart, Grandmaster. They always burn out eventually."
Madame Xuan's eyes, sharp and ancient, narrowed. "Luck does not dismantle a network as deeply entrenched as the Prometheus Initiative in a single night. Luck does not acquire priceless pre-Revival artifacts with such speed and precision. This 'Oracle' is playing a different game."
She tapped a finger on a report detailing the impossible efficiency of the "Operation Serpent's Head" strikes. "His intelligence is flawless. His coordination is impeccable. And his ruthlessness... it suggests a level of commitment that goes beyond mere profit or revenge."
"What do you suggest, Grandmaster?"
Madame Xuan smiled, a predatory curve of her lips. "We will observe. We will learn his methods. And then... we will remind him that there is only one true power in the shadows of this Concord."
The Crimson Covenant began to subtly deploy their own network of spies and informants, their gaze fixed on the movements of the Oracle Alliance, unaware that they themselves were being subtly observed in return.
Within the digital fortress of ([Channel: Zero]), General Jiang Wei voiced his growing concerns during their private inner circle meeting.
Old-Man-Jiang: "The Alliance's recent activities have not gone unnoticed. My contacts within the intelligence community are reporting increased scrutiny of our network activity. Several major guilds, including the Crimson Covenant, are showing a heightened interest in 'Oracle'. We are no longer operating in complete obscurity."
Nomad-Lead: "So? Let them come. We've faced worse."
Old-Man-Jiang: "It's not just about a direct confrontation, Captain. These are players with deep pockets and long reach. They can apply pressure in ways we haven't anticipated. Economic sanctions, political interference... even turning the government's attention directly onto us."
Hephaestus: "Great. Just what we need. More busybodies sticking their noses where they don't belong."
Crystalline_Mind: "We need more information on these interested parties. Their capabilities, their motivations, their potential weaknesses. I will task the Analysis Core with compiling detailed profiles."
Oracle: (The familiar calm text appeared in the channel) Oracle: Your concerns are valid, General. We are entering a new phase of this war. One where our actions will have wider repercussions. Oracle: However, we will not curtail our objectives. The dismantling of the Prometheus Initiative remains our top priority. Oracle: We will simply need to become more… subtle in our methods. And we will need to cultivate allies in unexpected places.
That evening at the academy, Qin Mo found a small, intricately folded paper crane tucked into his locker. It was a message, delivered with a deliberate, old-fashioned flair that was instantly recognizable.
He unfolded it carefully. Inside, written in elegant calligraphy, was a single line:
"The tea is ready. The usual place. Tonight."
It was an invitation from Professor Li, Su Liying's grandfather, a man of quiet wisdom and deep connections within the old guard of Shanghai's intellectual circles. Qin Mo had cultivated a subtle, almost accidental acquaintance with the old professor over the past few months, engaging in quiet conversations about ancient history and forgotten philosophies.
He understood the purpose of this sudden, clandestine meeting. Professor Li was a keen observer. He had undoubtedly noticed the subtle shift in the dynamic between his granddaughter and the quiet, unremarkable boy. He had likely seen the news reports of the "freak accident." And he was a man who understood the currents beneath the surface of society.
Qin Mo accepted the invitation with a silent nod to an empty hallway. The time for subtle alliances had indeed arrived. The gathering storm clouds were bringing new players to the stage. And the game was about to become much more complex.