Sending Shadow Nine to handle the ambush by Battle Chief Mike was a well-considered decision.
Firstly, Mike had thoroughly scouted the area to ensure there were no Battle Chiefs or higher-ranking threats lying in ambush.
Secondly, Mike was always ready to charge up, boosting his combat readiness to the max, making it unlikely for a regular Battle Chief to take him down quickly.
Lastly, Mike's gaze drifted downwards, landing on the shadow at Jessica's feet. Within his field of vision, a girl with dark circles under her eyes yawned out of boredom, hidden in Jessica's shadow—[Shadow Ninety-Nine].
After becoming a Lone Wolf, Jessica, due to her S-tier talent, was assigned a [Guardian Shadow] to protect her growth.
Mike hadn't expected that [Guardian Shadow] would send a [Shadow]-level powerhouse to secretly guard Jessica. One of the minimum standards of the [Shadow] level is Battle Lord-level combat power.
Shadow Ninety-Nine, while being the weakest of the [Shadow] level, is still a Battle Lord!
Thus, even if Shadow Nine temporarily steps away, there would still be a Battle Lord-level guardian near Mike.
Mike always took his security very seriously.
...
On the highway, the convoy sped past.
Two demon cult Battle Chiefs, like hibernating turtles, lay dormant underground, their presence minimized to the utmost.
Only in this way could they evade various searches. As the convoy drew near, they were ready to suddenly launch an attack.
The highway trembled slightly, one Battle Chief's eyelids twitched, and he opened his thin eyelids, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "It's time to make a move."
The murderous aura underground was so dense it almost materialized, and the temperature dropped significantly in the darkness. He was pleased with his partner's reaction, anticipating a significant gain from this ambush!
Thinking this, the third demon cult's Battle Chief turned to look at his partner.
"Huh?" Where's my partner?
"Are you looking for this?" An old man, holding a bloody head in his hand, with black mist swirling around him, said, "I checked him out; he's not Terenas Bloodscribe, are you?"
The old man's voice was extremely hoarse and unpleasant to hear. Even the demon cult's Battle Chief, upon seeing this gruesome scene, was momentarily stunned.
"What Terenas Bloodscribe? I don't understand what you're talking about!"
"Who are you, don't come any closer!"
Saying this, he turned to run. This damned place, he can't stay a second longer!
"Be good, listen." The black mist surged up, completely engulfing the Battle Chief, cutting off his screams, isolating everything.
A few seconds later, the black mist receded. "This one isn't Terenas Bloodscribe either."
Shadow Nine looked at the two corpses in front of him. "I can't break the [Guardian Shadow] rules; I need to find someone to take the blame..."
Saying this, he took out a Forbidden Spell Scroll, releasing the imprinted curse. [Sea of Flames]!
Terrifying flames devoured the bodies, bursting forth with immense power, spreading around.
"I wonder who the lucky guy will be this time."
"Hehe, I might have to seal your memory once, but I'll credit you with the deeds of two Battle Chiefs, this deal is quite worthwhile."
Shadow Nine waited on the spot. A Battle Chief should be arriving soon to investigate.
...
In the summer camp convoy.
The moment [Sea of Flames] appeared, all Battle Vehicles received an alert!
"A Battle Chief-level entity has made a move!"
"Foe, not friend!"
Elena's face changed dramatically, her fingers rapidly tapping on a tablet, entering over a dozen commands in quick succession.
"Hold tight, we're speeding up!"
The steel plates on the exterior of the Battle Vehicle fell off, shedding all unnecessary weight, the engine at full power, even overclocking!
Boom— The Battle Vehicle surged forward, its speed more than doubling, even incorporating spatial leaps!
Inside the vehicle, Cain's face turned slightly pale, the powerful thrust pinning him against the back of his seat.
Jessica was slightly better off, but the attack by a Battle Chief-level enemy still made her heart flutter.
Only Mike seemed normal, even taking the time to look out the window.
"Shadow Nine made his move."
"Huh, why is Blaze rushing over there?" In Mike's view, a streak of blazing light rushed towards Shadow Nine, it was Blaze Morrow!
...
"According to the plan, all convoys move at full speed!"
Just as the alert sounded, a voice roared through the drivers' headsets. "Cheetah, follow me to meet the enemy!"
This roar reassured all the guards.
Unexpectedly, it was him secretly guarding them!
Peak Battle Chief—Blaze Morrow! Florida's number one Battle Chief, a formidable presence even across the Americas.
With him there, there would be no accidents!
Blaze Morrow charged forward first.
"Is this...Sea of Flames?" Blaze Morrow, his body wreathed in flames, cautiously surveyed the scene.
"The power of this person's attack is only slightly inferior to mine, definitely another Battle Chief skilled in the fire element!"
Blaze Morrow's fighting spirit intensified as he searched for traces of the enemy. He didn't find the enemy, only two charred corpses and a swirl of black mist.
"Master Shadow Nine! It's been thirty years since we last met, but I feel as though I see you often in my dreams!"
Blaze Morrow was both shocked and delighted, knowing that if Shadow Nine had acted, then the convoy was absolutely safe!
The question was, why was Master Shadow Nine here, was he secretly protecting some prodigy?
Blaze Morrow had many questions, "Lord Shadow Nine, what exactly happened here..."
A sigh came from the black mist, no nonsense.
"Poor Blaze, just follow the procedure."
"What procedure?"
The black mist surged up, and Blaze Morrow's vision went dark, losing consciousness.
30 seconds later, Cheetah arrived at the battlefield.
"Blaze, say something!"
He had just arrived at the battlefield, seeing the devastation, very much in line with the effects of the [Sea of Flames] skill.
Blaze resolved the enemy so quickly?
"Ouch—" Blaze Morrow gasped in pain, opening his eyes to see Cheetah and the chaotic scene around him.
Familiar memories flooded his mind.
"I burned two rats to death, they didn't expect my speed to be so fast..." Blaze Morrow briefly explained the battle process.
"Blaze, fierce, you actually killed tw..."
When Cheetah was about to say 'two', Blaze Morrow, surprised, asked, "How did you know my granddaughter's talent awakened for the second time?"
Cheetah: ...Enough already!
This old fool, is his brain getting dumber?
He initially said he wanted to keep it a secret for his granddaughter, but lately, he's been repeating this phrase, talking about his granddaughter's second talent awakening hundreds of times!
Now, Blaze Battle Chief's standard greeting is [Have you heard the story of my granddaughter's second talent awakening?]
...
The battle scene was fine, indeed showing signs of Blaze Morrow's involvement. Cheetah finally scanned around and casually asked, "Blaze, you're not hurt, right?"
"Hurt?" Blaze Morrow scoffed, "My health is always full, how could I be hurt!"
His expression suddenly stiffened, as if he remembered something, quickly raising his hand to his forehead. "Ouch, you know, my head does hurt a bit! The enemy might be skilled in soul attacks, too cunning."
"Cheetah, you have to testify for me, this counts as an injury on duty!"
Cheetah: ...