"What? Hidden mission?"
Qin Shou’s eyes lit up. "Undercover operation? I like it."
"Great, this mission suits me well. But I do have a question—what’s the reward for completing the mission?" he asked again.
"One hundred points."
"That’s just the official reward. If you can secretly convince this Demon Eye Star person to defect to humanity, the hidden reward will be a third-level Breakthrough Potion."
Qin Shou smiled with satisfaction. "Now that’s more like it."
"Alright, Fierce Bear Valley, huh? Got it. I’ll prep and head over—hanging up now."
After disconnecting the communicator, Qin Shou opened the map, studying the terrain around Fierce Bear Valley.
The energy light flickered again. Qin Shou calmly switched skins before continuing his calculations.
Within three days, I should be able to break through to the Unbreakable Realm.
Thinking about the upcoming activation of talent abilities, Qin Shou couldn’t help but feel a bit excited.
Haha, can’t wait, can’t wait.
Three days later, at Fierce Bear Valley.
Within the colossal valley stretching for thousands of miles lived a group of Silver-armored Fierce Bears whose average strength was Nightmare Level 1 Star.
Silver-armored Fierce Bears were monstrously powerful, fed on metallic ores, and covered head-to-toe in silver-colored exoskeleton armor. Their defensive power rivaled that of turtle-like monsters, and their recovery abilities were terrifying, akin to Monster World’s infamous "indestructible cockroach."
Outside the valley, three Demon Eye Star people dressed in standard silver battle armor—who looked nearly identical to humans—examined a virtual map in their hands.
"This is the place. Bai Yan is hiding here in Fierce Bear Valley," said the middle-aged bald man whose two eyes were faintly glowing with energy.
Nearby, the two younger men sported amused expressions.
"Haha, once we catch Bai Yan, we won’t need to take on any missions for years."
"Exactly! Finally, a chance to live a little and enjoy ourselves."
The bald man frowned. "Don’t get cocky. The fact that so many Demon Eye Guards couldn’t apprehend this kid means he’s got some skills."
"Boss, what’s there to fear? We’ve already set up contingencies in the area—he won’t be able to escape."
"Dan Yan, the boss said don’t get careless."
"Yeah, yeah, fine, Wan Yan, could you stop siding with the boss all the time?"
"He’s the boss; who else would I side with?"
The bald man cast a glance at the pair. "Alright, enough with the pointless chatter.
Dan Yan, deploy the scouting Yellow Jacket to find Bai Yan within the valley.
Wan Yan, send your Invisible Cobra to join the search. Once Bai Yan is located, don’t act rashly—surround him quietly."
Dan Yan’s right eye glowed faintly, projecting a palm-sized mechanical Yellow Jacket in front of him.
The mechanical Yellow Jacket circled Dan Yan twice before flying into the valley.
Meanwhile, Wan Yan’s left eye projected a multi-meter-long glass-like Cobra.
The Cobra darted swiftly into the valley, its form gradually becoming transparent until it vanished completely.
Both monitored the footage on their wrist communicators, tracking every move on the screen.
A few kilometers away, atop a mountain peak.
Qin Shou set down his binoculars, the veins on his neck pulsating eerily in black and white.
"So, Demon Eye Star people not only resemble humans physically, but even their communicators are practically identical. Not a shred of surprise," he muttered.
Qin Shou shook his head and turned to the white-haired youth beside him.
The wanted Demon Eye Star person: Bai Yan.
In Demon Eye Star culture, eyes were considered "family names." Black Eye, White Eye, Green Eye, Red Eye, Blue Eye, Purple Eye, Needle Eye, Blind Eye—you name it—and it always sounded unsettling.
White light shimmered in Bai Yan’s eyes as he glanced at Qin Shou, speaking coldly.
"Human, if you want me to join Earth, you’ll need to bring Lin Yan back to me. That’s my only condition."
Qin Shou stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Lin Yan... female, right?"
"Oh, so she’s your... uh, how do you guys say ’wife’?"
"A wife is a ’missus’."
"Uh, a partner—basically what you and Lin Yan have going on."
"Ah, so that’s the meaning. Lin is my ’eye’."
"Wife equals eye...?"
Qin Shou smacked the communicator in his hand. "Damn useless translation software!"
He turned to Bai Yan’s aloof gaze. "Brother White Eye, where is Lin Yan located?"
"The Demon Eye Base City. With your skill level... it’ll probably take you a few months to get there flying."
This guy clearly doesn’t think much of me.
Heh, just wait until I find your ’wife’—oops, I mean your ’eye’—and see how I deal with her.
Three eyes... that’s gonna be something!
Bai Yan stared intently at Qin Shou’s wicked grin. "I get the feeling you’re up to no good. I’m not making any deals with you."
Saying this, he turned to leave.
"Hey, wait a minute."
Qin Shou stepped in front of him, smiling. "Come on, my bad intentions are directed at those three Demon Eye Star guys chasing you—not at you."
"Really?" Bai Yan asked skeptically. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel[f]ire.net
"Of course! 100% true." Qin Shou widened his eyes, his expression earnest.
After hesitating for a moment, Bai Yan finally said, "Alright then, what’s the plan now?"
Qin Shou squinted slightly. "Here’s the deal: you take this ID I’m giving you and head to the Earth Base City. Meanwhile, I’ll handle those three people first, and then I’ll head to the Demon Eye Base to find your ’wife’—I mean, Lin Yan."
Anything for a Breakthrough Potion—even finding someone’s wife isn’t beneath me.
"Why should I trust you? If I go to Earth Base City, I might never be able to leave." Bai Yan said coldly.
"And as for your ability to infiltrate the Demon Eye Base—I don’t believe you can manage it, nor do I believe you’d dare take such a huge risk."
Qin Shou shrugged with a grin. "If you don’t trust me, then forget it—I don’t even have a wife anyway."
"You can just keep hiding out forever. After all, you’re just a Two-eyed Demon—can’t imagine you have much charm."