"For decades, Spring City had never experienced the jubilation that it did tonight.

Explosions popped like firecrackers, incessantly ringing in the ears as flames burst forth one after another, akin to fireworks. The echoing reverberations spread and overlapped, a feast for the eyes as the Flame Light diffused in all directions.

All of it stemmed from the Ghost Car fleet that Ji Jue had sent out.

The first wave, eleven vehicles, had all been dispatched.

And the second batch, ready and awaiting orders, silently bided its time.

There was no need to worry about raw materials; they were scattered all over the ruins and streets of Spring City, all discarded vehicles, some not even requiring repair.

At worst, they could cannibalize parts from one to patch up another, piecing together a few complete ones.

Xu Guan altered the Ether Taiyi System's records, transforming plastic models hauled out of a store into bodies, supplementing the explosives, and then, the vehicles set off, bursting with eagerness and impatience.

From the enduring wait and torment, they embarked on their final journey of combustion!

Maintaining and reinforcing the vehicle frames alone had exhausted the spiritual materials scavenged from the battlefield. And the blessings of Mechanical Descent that followed nearly drained my older cousin's Spiritual Storage dry.

After that, vehicles either armored or disguised as armored were ready to go.

Loaded with homemade explosives, they brought surprises to the members of the Evil Cult.

Unfortunately, the Fuel Element was scarce, and the gas station's inventory had all evaporated. The efficacy of locally scavenged homemade explosives was still lacking.

Otherwise, the fireworks would have been more spectacular and lively.

In just over two hours, everyone witnessed the chaos that two craftsmen, deemed useless on the conventional battlefield, could create when they went all in.

One craftsman was responsible for pre-processing materials, followed by the other handling the mixing and creation, the two of them, nurtured by the Recovery Department, directly started an illicit assembly line with their mutual understanding and habits.

Even Ji Xue, who accelerated her own time to compensate for the shortage of materials, was close to collapsing from exhaustion.

The result of their efforts was the multitude of surprises now presented to the Evil Cult...

After a series of feints, they would likely focus more seriously on guarding the roads leading out of Spring City's Security Bureau, with no time to care about anything else.

Meanwhile, almost at the same time, the vehicle driven by Tong Shan silently stopped on the shadowy streets of Spring City, overlooking the unremarkable ruins of a shopping mall.

"This is the place."

Xu Guan looked down, comparing the map emerging in his record book with the signal's response.

In the dead silence, everyone pulled out their weapons without a word.

And finally, Ji Jue reached into the back of the calf-horse's vehicle compartment and pulled out a case almost as tall as himself, selecting among the hefty parts.

Soon, a crude firearm resembling a sniper rifle took shape in his hands. The unpainted and fearsome gun body trembled slightly; as bullets were loaded with clear, crisp sounds, it seemed to hum hungrily.

"Don't rush,"

Ji Jue caressed its edges, whispering soothingly, "Soon."

The night was deep.

Xu Guan sweated profusely, pouring out all his spiritual essence.

In his hands, the blank map transformed and enlarged; a complex network and various moving or stationary red dots floated to the surface from the reflected map.

As the fog cleared, clarity emerged.

"Found it."

Tong Shan's gaze landed in the middle of the paper map—the reaction of a Rebirth Rank Chosen One.

"Eleven Chosen Ones in total, one Rebirth, four Transformations, and the rest are all in the Summoning Stage. There are also many mutants, and the appearance of a Disaster Beast is possible."

He spread the map on the table, "As we attack, I'll cover the entire mall, cutting off their communications with the outside world. I'll take on the Rebirth Rank; the others won't be a problem, right?"

In the quiet, everyone nodded uniformly.

"Tong, are you sure you're okay?" As his attending healer, Ji Jue perceptively sensed his limits.

"Please address me by my official position when we're working."

Tong Zhiwu didn't directly answer but instead diverged the question with his characteristically annoying tone and expression, reminding him impassively, "That's not for you to worry about."

"..." Ji Jue rolled his eyes and stayed silent.

"Good, let's stick to the plan. Xu Guan, stay in the car and don't move; just providing information and keeping yourself safe is enough,"

Tong Shan continued, "If any unexpected factors intervene, we have three minutes. If we haven't completely succeeded in three minutes, we immediately retreat, understood?"

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

"Very well,"

Tong Shan smiled with satisfaction, took off the Ancient's Mouth, and returned it to Ji Jue, "Get ready and assume your positions."

After repeatedly replenishing with large amounts of food and sugar, the wound on his back had almost closed, making him appear back at full strength. Only Ji Jue knew how much he was puffing himself up to look the part.

Yet, he did not speak up to contradict or raise objections.

It was the only viable strategy at the moment.

There was no turning back for any of them.

They could only move forward.

All this time, Tong Shan never said that in reality, he would have a much higher chance of escape if he left his companions behind and covered their retreat for the greater good.

Rather than flee, he would not abandon his teammates; what more had Ji Jue left to say?

After all, when someone did that much for you, the only option was to give it your all. There was no place for desertion in the heat of battle. Just strive your best and don't let the side down.

This time, everyone was staking their lives on this.

"Okay, radio check, synchronizing watches. After that, we scatter and take our positions."

Tong Shan waved his hand, "Don't linger in the car; it's time to go."

As the vehicle doors opened, everyone disembarked one after another, scattering in all directions. Along the way, Lou Feng wanted to say something several times but ended up remaining silent.

Until, following Ji Jue and crouching at the edge of a broken building, peering through the night wind towards the mall nearby.

He wanted to speak.

"Don't overthink; you're not a burden," Ji Jue said, "Lou Commander's life and death isn't something that our rank can influence, this isn't your fault, we just have to do our best."

"It's not that…" Lou Feng sighed.

"I know, he's family after all, it's normal to care. But right now, the first thing to ensure is your own life," Ji Jue said, "Everyone's living on the edge, with Spring City in turmoil. You should have more faith in your aunt; we can all make it through fine, Commander Lou will certainly have no issues… huh, what is it, why are you silent?"

"..."

Lou Feng remained silent for a long time before sighing, "What I meant to say was, you're stepping on my foot."

"Ah? Oh... cough cough, sorry."

Ji Jue realized, looked down, and awkwardly moved his foot away, "Wasn't paying attention."

Lou Feng said, "It's fine, thanks."

In the silence, Ji Jue was stunned, turned back, and stared at Lou Feng for a long time, doubting his ears, "Did you... just say 'thanks' to me just now?"

"Said a damn lot!"

Lou Feng's foot kicked him in the ass, "Can't you just work and keep your mouth shut, for fuck's sake?"

"That's because I was worried you were tense!" Ji Jue tried to smile, masking the twitch in his expression.

He was tense too.

Terribly tense...

Tong Zhiwu wasn't so bad when he wasn't being a plant, but once he took on that role, he lost all humanity, his plans were beyond ruthless. And it was Ji Jue who had initially come up with the plan!

To be honest, he got along quite well with everyone on the team, they had good relationships and a promising future. If someone died here because of him, Ji Jue would feel terrible for years.

He didn't have many friends.

But then Tong Zhiwu had introduced him to so many, each one welcoming and liking him without pretense or disguise, from the moment he joined the team and shook hands, telling him we're friends from now on, I got your back bro, call me sis and I'll hook you up with business, brother you're pretty cool.

This is a sin!

Talking about feelings costs a damn fortune... and even more heartache!

"Mr. Lou, you have to hold on, don't you dare die," Ji Jue cautioned.

"Would you just shut the hell up!"

Lou Feng tossed a bullet, enhanced and shaped by his craftsmanship over, "Please, just stop talking, can you?"

"No, I'm nervous."

"Ji, you motherf..."

"Positions!" came the voice of Ji Liu, followed by Ji Xue, Jiang Xuan, and finally Tong Shan.

Ji Jue took a deep breath, let it out long, and settled into his designated position, adjusting the scope, "In position."

Everyone took their places.

A Rebirth, five Transformations, plus Ji Jue, the Summoning rookie, to storm the branch of the Evil Cult, a desperate last stand.

Ji Jue felt his hands sweat.

Luckily, Mechanical Descent doesn't care about your touch.

He squinted his eyes, leaned into the scope, slowed his breathing, until the sound of his heartbeat and pulse thundered in his ears.

In that moment, it was as if light flowed from the void, rippling out, enveloping the whole mall.

Then, as if the pressure of the deep sea hit with no restraint, it burst forth all at once!

The crisp sound of breaking was incessant, the vague membrane of light over the mall revealed countless cracks in a flash, then from behind Tong Shan, three figures burst forth!

The piercing alarm hadn't even had the chance to go off before it was bound and frozen by telekinesis.

And amidst the violent shaking and howling wind, Tong Shan descended from the skies, shattered the glass dome, crushed the first Karami that caught his eye, and then, lifting a finger, he pointed forward.

The telekinetic torrent burst forth!

Dust was the first to swirl up, followed by the booming of fracturing load-bearing beams, snapping in half, collapsing, the entire mall shaking violently under targeted assault.

Collapse!

Amidst the roar, it sounded like someone was cursing, then violent electricity shot from where Tong Shan focused, racing instantly before hitting an invisible wall, bouncing back, revealing a gaunt figure!

Entropy!

At the sight of Tong Shan, his face turned pale, then twisted into a ferocious snarl.

Oh, so you think I'm an easy target, huh?!

Today, we'll see who dies and who survives!

In a blink, the brilliant lightning tree emerged from the giant void left by the collapsing floors of the mall, countless eerie sparks interweaving, converting endlessly between fierce flames and lightning, becoming a tide that completely submerged Tong Shan.

Burning Star Phase reappeared.

Suppressed all!

Ji Liu, flung by Tong Shan, no longer visible in form, turned into a vortex of blood, dual-wielding gigantic axes, chopping ferociously.

He charged straight into the unprepared mob.

Battle-tempered Edge!

The residual resentment, curses, hatred, and despair of the many enemies slain by Ji Liu's weapons became visible, increasing his strength and power.

From the surprise attack, there were no whole bodies to be seen, just fist-sized chunks flying everywhere.

And amidst the spinning chops, a piercing bang suddenly erupted.

An iron figure took the blows for his comrades, disregarding the terrible wounds torn in his palms and waist, gripping tight.

A sinister smile spread across the face of those who reacted.

Then immediately followed by the explosion of shattering walls, the roar of engines from behind.

The massive impact drill designed specifically for Ruins Chosen Ones pierced into the back under the swipe of steel claws, spinning wildly from the front.

Blood sprayed.

Before the Ruins Chosen One could turn around, a mechanical maw had opened wide, plucking off the entire head, swallowing it whole.

The heavy-armored bull, covered in armor plates, swung its four arms, using the impact drill, chainsaw, sledgehammer, and crushing pincers, definitively dismembering the troublesome gits!

Ji Liu laughed uproariously, "Thanks for the help, buddy!"

Beep!!!

The blood-soaked little bull blared its horn in response.

It said, 'We're all fucking brothers, no need to thank me'!

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