Chapter 119

Chapter 21: Shadows of the Departed

No time for explanations, Yuan Xiaoling and Bai Ling rushed downstairs, speeding off to the incident site.

The conflict happened between the Second Ring and Third Ring, right at the edge of their territory. Back in the day, Dongdong Road was also nearby.

It all started abruptly; last night into this morning, there was a heavy downpour. At nine o’clock, the rain had just stopped, and everyone was beginning to prepare for work.

Their base within the Second Ring was an idle Sales Office, manned by two Third-tier initiates and several Second-tier Spiritual Energy Manipulators.

The fight began when someone threw a firebrand through the window. No one understood what was happening before they were suddenly attacked. Luckily, everyone had Spiritual Energy Protection, so no one perished in the flames as they quickly evacuated.

Then the battle commenced.

Fortunately, when the fire broke out early in the morning, the civilians on the street ran away scared, and due to the recent rain, there weren’t many people around. The Spiritual Energy Manipulators from both sides squared off on the main road, and the battle quickly heated up.

Their side was at a disadvantage. They were caught unprepared, hastily engaging in combat. Moreover, the enemy’s high-level fighters and overall strength were stronger. Under the Yun Family’s assault, they gradually fell back.

“Have we sent a message? When will the Mobile Unit come to support us?”

“They’re almost here, but…”

But would reinforcements even help?

They knew their own situation well. That Mobile Unit was fast, but too flighty. Their ability to face enemies head-on didn’t even match the Garrison Unit, unable to compensate for the lack of raw power.

The Mobile Unit was designed for quick local outnumbering, but today the enemy’s numbers were greater.

“It’s useless, let’s retreat!” Captain Li Ang of the Sales Office Garrison gave instructions to the others.

It wasn’t a line that absolutely needed defending, though it was somewhat embarrassing.

But…

“Captain, they’re catching up!”

“Damn!”

Under relentless pursuit, casualties began to appear. Due to the relentless chase, the enemy suffered higher losses.

But no one on their side felt happy.

“Are these guys crazy?” Captain Li Ang gritted his teeth, “Do they want mutual destruction?”

He didn’t understand, neither did the others. None of these people were known to them, all coming from afar. With no past grievances or recent enmity, why go this far?

“Screw it, let’s blow them up!”

There were more young people in the Garrison Unit, all impetuous youths. Being chased like this built up a massive fire in their hearts, and they could bear it no longer.

Since running away was impossible anyway, turn back and explode!

“Calm down, we’re outnumbered.”

Li Ang was in a flurry of anxiety, watching the situation about to spiral out of control. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw puddles on the ground spinning faster and faster, gradually forming countless tiny whirlpools on the surface.

“Everyone, wait!” He shouted to his subordinates, “Our god has arrived!”

The hotheaded youth hesitated slightly, “What god?”

Li Ang originally wanted to say “Water Goddess,” but then suddenly remembered the blonde girl’s request not to use that overly dramatic title anymore. Just call her Miss Yuan. But since he’d already said ‘god,’ and others were asking what god, in a rush, he blurted out—

“Miss Yuan GOD!!”

Subsequently, countless small whirlpools converged rapidly toward the center, transforming into a large whirlpool. Then, a colossal water dragon emerged from the vortex.

“ROAR——!!!”

A Fourth-tier Water Dragon LORD with the Tide Agreement was unstoppable on a battlefield dominated by Second and Third-tier fighters. A few stubborn ones charged forward only to be crushed by the high-pressure water flow.

It stood between the two groups, death-rolling like a crocodile in a pond. All enemies within its range were swept up, turned into pools of blood.

Through the giant water dragon’s brief frenzy, it forced the Yun Family to halt their pursuit.

At the intersection, the blonde beauty had just stepped out of her car, slowly walking toward them.

“Miss… Miss Yuan,” Li Ang adjusted his address in time and approached to report, “This morning, they suddenly attacked… We fought hastily, and the casualties are…”

Yuan Xiaoling listened to the report, looking at the group from the Yun Family. They came in great numbers, nearly double the number of those stationed here. After stopping, they silently stood in place, neither advancing nor retreating.

And they dared not leave?

Yuan Xiaoling waved her hand, and the giant water dragon roared, charging madly at them.

Just then—

“Miss Yuan, quite the fiery temperament among the youngsters.”

The surrounding buildings crumbled, reinforcing bars clattered to the ground, and bricks and cement transformed into a pair of even larger Mud Hands, grabbing the water dragon.

ROAR—! ROAR—!

Water seeped through the cracks in the stone but couldn’t break free quickly enough; the water dragon was locked by the mud hands.

Yuan Xiaoling narrowed her eyes, seeing the Gray-Hat Old Man standing opposite, followed by the three flunkies from last night.

Fourth-tier late-stage rock attribute abilities, capable of utilizing the surrounding structures, were indeed formidable.

At this level, the utilization of elements was highly efficient, greatly influenced by the environment and weather.

“Mr. Yun,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “are you planning to ambush Pearl Harbor?”

Though currently at a disadvantage, she wasn’t the least bit nervous… Bai Ling was still behind her.

“Ho ho ho, Miss Yuan is truly witty. It’s just that we’ve heard your subordinates are talented, and they wanted to spar.”

At the intersection behind, Bai Ling sat in the car, quietly observing Yuan Xiaoling confronting the enemy ahead.

Calling today’s event an ambush on Pearl Harbor simultaneously mocked the enemy’s overestimation of themselves while carrying a curse-like undertone.

Learned something new.

At this moment, she heard someone outside the car window say, “Impressive, befitting the Water Goddess, such presence, such wisdom.”

Bai Ling looked out and saw a young man standing by the car door. Noticing her gaze, he turned and greeted her, “Miss Bai, hello, I’ve heard of you. They say you’re Miss Yuan’s… you know.”

Bai Ling hesitated, nodded slightly, and didn’t say anything.

What does she mean by being Miss Yuan Xiaoling’s ‘that’? It should be the other way around.

On the battlefield, after using mud hands to capture the water dragon, Yun He didn’t make another move.

“Do you have to do this?” Yuan Xiaoling asked coldly, “No warning, attacking the next day?”

Goodness, last night was just the start of the battle, and then there was a heavy rainstorm. She thought they’d at least wait a few days.

“Ho ho ho, Miss Yuan, weapons have no eyes; this isn’t inviting someone to dinner where you need to set a date.” Yun He chuckled maliciously.

He was banking on Yuan Xiaoling’s forces being inexperienced, scrambling to deal with surprise attacks.

Yuan Xiaoling was a little irritated. Knowing the enemy’s intentions yet unable to counteract them, did he have nothing to fear?

No, he did.

“In fact, I’m really curious,” Yuan Xiaoling said leisurely, “You’re rushing so hard to bring out the Inner Stone of the Mind, aren’t you afraid someone else might snatch it?”

Upon hearing this, Yun He’s expression changed slightly.

Now it was Yuan Xiaoling’s turn to smirk coldly. Come on, if necessary, she’d reveal the detailed situation, overturn the table, and let no one play.

After a long silence, Yun He spoke, “Miss Yuan is correct. Everyone needs some time to recuperate. Let’s settle things a week from now.”

By saying this, it meant a one-week ceasefire. Of course, the fighting wouldn’t continue today either.

On Bai Ling’s side, the young man praised, “Impressive, worthy of a goddess. This is the art of conversation.”

Bai Ling’s lips twitched.

What art? Isn’t this just going all-in, betting that the opponent won’t follow?

“Oh, Miss Bai,” the young man suddenly pulled out an acrylic keychain, “Can you give this to Sun Qian, student of Class Five, Grade Three at Tianhai First High School?”

“Why don’t you deliver it yourself?” Bai Ling asked absentmindedly and instinctively took it.

An anime character acrylic keychain, one that teenage girls liked—a handsome male character from some mobile game.

“I might not be able to go,” the young man rubbed his hands together, “Ah, I originally wanted to buy something more expensive and confess my feelings, but thinking she’s too young, I decided to wait a few years.”

“Too young in Grade Three?” Bai Ling raised an eyebrow, “When do you plan to wait until?”

Little Huo smiled embarrassingly, “I think at least until second or third year of high school.”

“…”

Grade Three?!

“You should deliver it yourself. Tianhai First High isn’t far, and it’s not that busy. There’s no need to worry about danger. You heard it, there’ll be a one-week ceasefire…”

“Bai Ling, what are you muttering to yourself?” Yuan Xiaoling opened the car door, “We should go back.”

“…?”

Bai Ling glanced out the car window and saw that the spot where the young man had stood was now empty.

From the direction of the intersection came a cacophony of sounds. Captain Li Ang was directing his subordinates to gather the bodies of the fallen. As the stretcher passed by Bai Ling’s car, there lay a young man who had been dead for some time, his hanging hand slightly open, as if he had just handed something over.

Bai Ling looked down, and the acrylic keychain lay quietly in her palm.

Ghosts and spirits, or perhaps… shadows of the departed souls.