Chapter Thirty-Two: Approaching from Ahead

Tears trickled down Lan Xin’s face, one by one. She felt a profound sense of guilt and self-reproach. Perhaps she harbored a deep-seated emotional trauma, but the moment she drew her blade against Xia Yan, she regretted it. Her initial anger had merely been a facade to mask that regret, but such a disguise could not last long.

As the battle raged on, the fury in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by confusion and unwillingness. A minute had passed, and Lan Xin realized that if she did not stop her onslaught, Xia Yan would never stop defending himself.

Only ninety seconds in, the Nether Night sword in Lan Xin’s hand vanished. Her limit enhancement had reached its breaking point; she could no longer fight. Yet, both she and Xia Yan knew they hadn't reached the end—at least half of the struggle remained.

Being unable to attack felt worse than death. She would rather overcome her psychological shadows than continue to fight for her life. She had at least suppressed the inner turmoil, but the price paid was irreparable.

As was his custom, once she could no longer move after using her limit enhancement, Xia Yan gathered her into his arms. Their eyes met, and in that fleeting moment, they understood exactly what the other was thinking. Lan Xin’s heart was still gripped by fear; she knew she still had some strength left, and if she were to let her guard down, that jet-black Nether Night sword could pierce Xia Yan’s chest at any moment.

*Even knowing all this, you still do it! Xia Yan, is someone who draws a blade against you truly still worth your trust?*

Lan Xin felt despicable, more so than she had ever felt in her life. She lowered her head, burying her face in Xia Yan’s chest, unable to bear looking at it all. Perhaps she was just running away. Let her escape just this once. In this entire lifetime, perhaps this would be the only time.

Neither spoke again. Their long, heavy strides echoed. Xia Yan’s gaze wandered into the distance, toward a man who, though not physically imposing, radiated authority. He placed Lan Xin beside Wen Zhe, then stood up and walked in the opposite direction. As he left her, Xia Yan heard a soft murmur—an apology.

Two minutes into the fray, the original eighteen combatants had been reduced to seventeen.

"Lady Gong Kui, let Chai Guan and the Savage Tooth squad retreat. If they fight to the death, the cost will be too high," Xia Yi said, fear permeating her eyes. "They might be wiped out entirely."

"It is too late to retreat," Gong Kui shook her head. "Chai Guan is a small-time player, one I cultivated in a specific way. Such people often act against my orders at critical moments for the sake of their own honor and profit."

"But..." Xia Yi began, then hesitated.

"Even if he had obeyed my orders and tried to retreat, it would already be too late," Gong Kui said calmly.

"Why?" Xia Yi asked, bewildered.

"He committed an unforgivable act, one that will result in the death of all four members of the Savage Tooth squad. Unless he is willing to step forward and bear all the blame, allowing the other four to withdraw immediately. But that is no longer possible."

To Xia Yan, what could be more unforgivable than that? Gong Kui closed her eyes, as if awaiting the inevitable demise of Chai Guan and his team.

The human side would eventually face moments of defeat, moments where an entire unit was wiped out. Even if they were just small, insignificant pawns.

Xia Yan was truly formidable. His power made all the outsiders present tremble; this was no longer a level that four-star ability users could handle. Yet, no one retreated. There was still a chance of victory if they joined forces. Killing him would come at a high price, but the reward was staggering. No one was willing to forgo the hundredfold bounty and the Chain of Purity. The Winged Tribe, the Werewolf Tribe, the Angel Tribe—humans were no exception.

Even though Xia Yan was strong, many among those present were nearly five-star ability users. In a battle of one against many, he had no chance of victory. Everyone simply understood that a heavy price would have to be paid, and no one wanted to be the most pathetic sacrificial pawn.

No one stepped forward, except for one girl. She stood in Xia Yan’s path, a faint, imperceptible smile on her lips.

A year ago, Tao Lu had left the Ninth District for the Fourth. In just one year, her strength had soared to near five-star levels. In terms of the speed of brain-domain development, she was even faster than Xia Yan.

They had met once before, just as an auction was about to begin. At that time, Tao Lu had shown no clear intention and made no move to acknowledge him, which left Xia Yan puzzled. What was her stance? Was she a friend or a foe?

Xia Yan had always firmly believed that if Tao Lu were a pureblood, she would forever stand on his side. But alas, she was not a pureblood, so pointing her laser pistol at him had become a matter of course. Among the alien races, only the purebloods possessed absolute autonomy; those with less than pure bloodlines were forced to obey certain commands. Resisting was difficult—extremely difficult.

Much like Emilia once did regarding the commands issued by the former Director of Aiyu. That had been the life’s work of the former Director, something more important than life itself, yet she had still destroyed it. There was no way around it; this was the most helpless aspect of their existence. Tao Lu’s departure seemed intended to prove this point. By drawing her gun on Xia Yan before she was in too deep, she could at least lessen her own self-reproach.

Her right hand gripped the laser gun tightly. Every step, every movement, was heavy.

All eyes were fixed on this scene—including Wen Zhe, the people from the Free Zone, and the entire world. They were all curious to see what this young lady, clearly the leader of the Winged Tribe contingent, intended to do. She was the captain; she shouldn't be acting as cannon fodder, yet she stood at the very front.

Did she have immense confidence in herself? Or was she simply foolish? After all, she was so young. Blindness was the best catalyst for death. One could only hope that when the moment of death arrived, her face would not be etched with the expression of disbelief.

Ten meters away, Tao Lu did not aim her laser gun at Xia Yan. Why hadn't she fired?

Five meters away, she still did not aim the laser gun at him. Why was she still not shooting? Was there really enough time left?

Three meters. Tao Lu still did not do it. It was incomprehensible. Everyone in the world thought the same thing: if she didn't draw her gun and fire now, when would she? Would she wait until they were face-to-face, separated by a mere hair's breadth?

Would there be enough time? Surely not.