The flames on Hong Jiu's body had not yet died out. After speaking, he stood there with a cheeky grin.
The Ranger, Aries Hong Jiu!
The Rangers' reputation was still resounding across the continent. Although they were an illegal organization, everyone acknowledged their strength.
Liu Yun did not even look at him, hanging in midair like a divine statue.
After several seconds, she spoke calmly, “Are there other guests who have yet to show themselves?”
Hong Jiu raised an eyebrow. Just as he was about to speak, the ground beneath his feet suddenly shifted.
The sand and gravel scattered around the camp seemed to be drawn by an unseen force, beginning to converge in one direction.
Within seconds, a humanoid silhouette rose from the shifting sand and stone.
A suit of earthy-yellow armor enveloped his entire body, looking exceptionally heavy, like a towering fortress.
The most eye-catching feature was his shoulder guard; embedded on the left shoulder was a relief of a goat's head, its curved horns radiating a sinister aura.
“As expected, the Prophet sees all,” the man spoke, his voice muffled. “Pardon the intrusion of this uninvited guest.”
His armor was highly distinctive. Many of the instructors recognized him instantly from the goat emblem:
“Capricorn... Xiao Xinghan!”
Aries Hong Jiu and Capricorn Xiao Xinghan—both were top-tier Edgerunners, just a single step away from entering the Prophet Rank!
The Rangers had actually stationed two executives near Dawn City!
What did this mean? Had they long suspected that something was wrong with this place?
Standing in midair, Liu Yun's gaze swept over Xiao Xinghan without any surprise.
However, a trace of undisguised disappointment flickered in her eyes.
She had naturally been aware of his movements, but was it truly only the Rangers who had come?
Shouldn't there be some people she hadn't noticed showing themselves as well?
For instance... the elusive and mysterious Sinking Black!
Hong Jiu and Xiao Xinghan exchanged a glance, both looking at the chaotic red wall of wind before them.
Utilizing their basic training as Rangers, both of them could sense a powerful, anomalous aura surging deep within the red soil.
It was highly likely to be a top-tier Containment Object.
Aquarius was right. There had to be a reason why that secretive Masked Hermit Society had set its sights on this place!
As for danger, such a concern had never crossed the minds of the Rangers.
Liu Yun naturally saw through their intentions and spoke indifferently:
“Since you know it is an intrusion, leave at once.”
Clearly, she was driving them away.
Hong Jiu grinned and looked up at Liu Yun.
“Prophet Liu.”
“Since we're already here, why not let us go in and take a look? Leaving whatever's inside unchecked probably isn't a good idea.”
Without waiting for her response, Hong Jiu continued on his own:
“Consider this a mutually beneficial arrangement. You have to hold down this barrier, and it's too late to go back to Dawn City for reinforcements anyway.”
“Besides, look at the caliber of people in Dawn City—none of them can match the strength of the two of us.”
“How about we go in and try to handle this trouble?”
He paused, his grin widening.
“You can't possibly be pinning all your hopes on that girl and that secretive organization, can you?”
The moment those words were spoken, Xie Xuan, who was standing nearby, tilted his head slightly.
He had always felt that Bai Feifei was different. Hearing the words “secretive organization” instantly stunned him.
What secretive organization?
Did Teacher Bai have an unknown background?
He instinctively looked toward Liu Yun, but the Prophet obviously had no time to pay him any attention right now.
Liu Yun hesitated.
The situation in Dawn City was far too complex. She even had some conjectures about what was happening deep inside the red soil and why, though she couldn't be entirely certain.
She was indeed hoping that the secretive organization would take action.
However...
Just then, Xiao Xinghan, who had been staring at her, spoke up.
In his earthy-yellow eyes, a light flickered as if he could read the depths of a person's soul.
“Prophet Liu Yun.”
Liu Yun cast a questioning look at him.
“In your early years, you were publicly recognized as the most talented person in Dawn City. Entering the Prophet Rank at such a young age, everyone believed it was only a matter of time before you became a Great Saint.”
“It is a pity, however, that Dawn City has been silent for so many years, and we have yet to hear any news of your advancement.”
“For a Prophet to become a Great Saint, one must pass three trials: seeing the heavens and earth, seeing all living beings, and seeing oneself.”
He took a step back, positioning himself half a step behind Aries Hong Jiu.
“With a talent like yours, Prophet Liu, which of these trials are you unable to pass?”
“What is it in your heart that you dare not face?”
As his voice faded, everyone felt utterly bewildered.
Countless people couldn't even touch the threshold of the Prophet Rank in their entire lives. Wasn't it perfectly normal not to become a Great Saint?
Besides, why bring this up on an occasion like this? Did he have nothing better to do?
Standing beside him, however, a vein throbbed near Hong Jiu's temple. He cursed inwardly.
He didn't really understand what Xiao Xinghan's goal was, nor did he know what that deep-scheming bastard was plotting.
But he was all too familiar with the way the man had stepped behind him before speaking.
Fuck! Are you serious with that half-step back? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!
Can't you just warn me before you cause trouble next time?
Sure enough, Liu Yun's expression changed. A rare flash of anger appeared in her eyes, bordering on sheer humiliation and rage.
She raised her right hand, her fingers curling slightly into the air.
Instantly, a colossal golden figure in front of them spun around, looking down from above toward Aries and Xiao Xinghan.
Then, the massive figure threw a sudden, violent punch, descending like a collapsing mountain.
Buzz!
Even before the fist landed, the sheer force of the wind broke the sound barrier, sending layer after layer of shockwaves rippling outward.
This punch was aimed directly at Xiao Xinghan.
But Hong Jiu happened to be standing right in its trajectory.
“Fuck!”
Hong Jiu knew Xiao Xinghan was up to no good, but he couldn't dodge now.
But that was fine too. It was a perfect opportunity to test his limits!
A layer of flames erupted from his body, and his burning arms crossed in front of him to block the incoming fist.
Boom!!!
Amidst the terrifying roar, everyone watched as Hong Jiu was driven straight into the ground like a nail.
Debris sprayed everywhere as a crater several meters wide exploded into the earth. Hong Jiu was buried waist-deep, his two still-burning arms desperately supporting the crushing weight above his head.
It was almost an instant defeat from a single punch.
This was merely one of Liu Yun's countless heavenly soldiers, yet it had managed to batter Hong Jiu to such an extent.
Beyond the Edgerunner rank, every level of Scavenger represented a fundamental leap in power!
Standing in midair, Liu Yun had already shown restraint. She spoke coldly:
“If you dare to test me again, holding back the anomalous riot of the North District won't stop me from killing you!”
Hong Jiu lay in the crater, his arms completely numb, and the skin between his thumbs and index fingers had split open, dripping with blood.
He gritted his teeth, his mind erupting with curses.
Wait... What the actual fuck? He was the one who provoked you! Why the hell did you hit me?!
Who did I even offend?!
Rate on N.U.
