Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The Heavenly Network Practitioners were scattered around the Tiger Back campsite. They had decided that this was to be the site of their final battle.
Inside the camp, each Class B, including Chen Zuan, was in charge of an elite operation squad.
Although the number of Class B’s in the Heavenly Network was fewer than that in all the other organizations, the Heavenly Network had decided to maximize the power of each of their members so as to battle against the rest of the world.
This was probably the first all-out war in the cultivation realm and it had involved all first-class organizations.
At the moment, the Heavenly Network camp was operating at Tiger Back like a precisely-made machine, in which every person played their role as a cog to the fullest.
All members, be it fighters, scouts or logistics personnel, were working diligently in their own positions.
As a matter of fact, one’s role could inevitably change their personality.
For example, even Chen Zuan, an unreliable little fatty in the past, had become more resilient and composed after he was appointed the leader of an elite squad.
Back in the days of the Flood of Bronze, Chen Zuan used to take the lead in fighting off the enemies. At the Tiger Back, although he was not as courageous as before, his fearless image had still remained in his members’ hearts.
In fact, his men found him pretty reliable, although reckless at times…
At this moment, Chen Zuan was standing on top of a small hill. Beside him, Cheng Qiuqiao was giving orders to each squad in their section.
After all the squads had left for their tasks, Cheng Qiuqiao complained, “I’m not the boss here, so why am I the one giving orders?”
All the miscellaneous matters in the section were handled by Cheng Qiuqiao. In Chen Zuan’s words, his own role was to provide emotional support for the team and boost their morale…
As they returned to the campsite, they happened to see Li Yixiao and Nalan Que who had just recovered from her injury.
It seemed that the pair was arguing. When they walked near, they heard Nalan Que asking, “Why do I have to lead one team by myself? I don’t want to leave you, my love.”
Li Yixiao grinned. “Nalan, we have a war ahead of us. I’ll come back to you after the war.”
Truth be told, Li Yixiao hoped it would be even better if Nalan Que could be sent elsewhere for other tasks. In that case, he could at least relax for a few days…
“Li Yixiao,” Nalan Que complained, “You’ve given me a hard time. Am I not a gem to my parents? Let me ask you, why do you think I want to be with you? I could have stayed at home! I’m not saying that I don’t want to fight for the Heavenly Network. I do. But do remember this, I am fighting for you. No more secret purse…”
Li Yixiao stared at Nalan Que in shock. “Did you just say that you are a gem? More like a crude rock I feel… WAIT!”
Then, Chen Zuan and Cheng Qiuqiao watched as Li Yixiao’s huge body flew out out of the campsite following a perfect trajectory…
Chen Zuan was dumbfounded. “They always say that daughters are like gems. So how about sons? My parents expelled me from home and neither of them gave a damn about whether I’m still alive. Have they already forgotten about me?”
After a short silence, Cheng Qiuqiao replied, “Has it ever occurred to you that… you could be an accident?”
Chen Zuan drew a startled breath. “This must be revenge, right? Qiuqiao, even your sentence structure is the same!”
Cheng Qiuqiao let out a cold laugh. “Glad that you remember.”
Last time when Cheng Qiuqiao said that he had had a phobia of firecrackers since youth, Chen Zuan mocked that he could be a Nian beast 1 .
Now, Cheng Qiuqiao had finally taken his revenge!
Chen Zuan sighed. “I can see that you are influenced by Brother Shu, which is not good for you… Speaking of which, I wonder how he’s doing right now.”
Chen Zuan had obtained a great sense of accomplishment in the war because his abilities were recognized and put to good use.
But he would naturally become more down-to-earth when he thought of Lu Shu because he knew Lu Shu was on a whole new level.
…
At this moment, Cloud Yi had let go of Lu Shu’s arms. She sat beside him with a charming smile. “Are you afraid of me? Am I really that scary?”
When she smiled, Lu Shu felt as if she was flirting with him.
But how could he admit it? He was a strong and tough man! Then, he looked at Cloud Yi seriously and said, “Yes, I am afraid of you.”
“Why? Just because we the Puppet Masters are called the demon kings who will destroy the Earth?” Cloud Yi asked with a faint smile at the corner of her mouth. “Strictly speaking, though, it’s right.”
Then, she suddenly looked up at the crown of the tree. Her eyes twinkled. “Look who we have here. Another kid who’s here to protect you. Truth be told, not many Class B’s can give me the same menacing glare as she does.”
Lu Shu gazed up at once and just in time to see a person disappear from the tree crown. It was… Cao Qingci!
Honestly speaking, her appearance was totally unexpected. Moreover, she was watching over him from the shade in the top of the tree.
Could this be… friendship?
Lu Shu could be certain that by then their batch of Species Research specialization had officially become a team. Although they had forged a close friendship with one another, Lu Shu had never thought about what he expected his “friends” to do for him because that would be completely heartless.
However, that did not mean that his friends would not want to do something for him.
Cao Qingci was the quietest member among them, and even her protection of Lu Shu was carried out in silence.
Certainly she had a way to conceal her energy waves so as to act unnoticed near Puppet Masters. In that case, how did Cloud Yi discover her presence?
Nevertheless, it seemed that Cao Qingci had decided to retreat after her whereabouts were exposed. A competent killer would not make their move when their plan was revealed. This was a matter of principle.
The reason for a killers deadly nature was that they could seize the best opportunity to kill.
Cloud Yi turned her gaze back to Lu Shu and said calmly, “Maybe you are right. We are the demon kings. But our objective is much simpler compared to you human beings. Besides, we know the way to healthy and sustainable development of the world. Our goal has never been the complete destruction of the Earth.”
With that, Cloud Yi stood up and lowered her voice. “We have more important tasks ahead. Maybe we’ll see you again soon. Perhaps one day, you will… Never mind, humans will know it in the end and I have been looking forward to that day.”
…
