[Ding! Jianxin's affinity has reached 80!]
[Skill acquired: Purification Force Field]
[Purification Force Field Lv1: Creates a powerful wind field that continuously pulls targets within its range toward the center, dealing Aero damage. When the wind field dissipates, it explodes, dealing another instance of Aero damage to all targets within its range.]
"So, does this mean I've officially stepped into the ranks of Resonators now?"
[Correct! Host, please make good use of your Resonance abilities! All skills can be improved through frequent practice and use without relying on the option module!]
"Got it, so I still have to train, right?"
"By the way, don't Resonators all have Tacet Marks? Where's mine?"
"Great, I've got a weird power tattoo!"
The rear camp of the Midnight Rangers wasn't far from Jinzhou City, and the group arrived there while chatting and laughing.
This rear camp was located near Qichi Village. Though called "rear," it was far from being the true rear of the battlefield.
The actual rear of the battlefield was further north at the Withering Frontline, where the Midnight Rangers clashed head-on with the Tacet Discord tide.
Just as the group was about to enter the camp, a passing Midnight Ranger soldier stopped them.
His eyes were wary, his voice low:
"Are you soldiers? Why are you here at this time? The rear battlefield of the Tacet Discord tide is just ahead."
Yangyang stepped forward and produced her Midnight Rangers credentials: "I'm Yangyang, a member of the Outrider under the Midnight Rangers."
"So you're comrades." The soldier's tone softened.
At this point, Jianxin also stepped forward and asked, "This humble Daoist is Jianxin. I've been entrusted to find someone. Might this soldier have seen a person named 'Zhiyuan'?"
The Midnight Ranger soldier pondered for a moment upon hearing this: "Looking for someone... Zhiyuan..."
He seemed to be searching his memory for the name.
"Is this person you're looking for an ordinary civilian? Not a Resonator?" the soldier asked.
Jianxin, sensing he might have relevant information, pressed further: "Yes, has the soldier seen him? Is he safe?"
The Midnight Ranger soldier thought for a moment: "I did see him once. He's not an active-duty Midnight Ranger, right?"
His eyes carried a hint of realization, as if he'd remembered something.
"He seemed very eager to join the military. Since last year, he's been secretly following the Midnight Rangers' marching troops, and no matter how much we tried to drive him away, he wouldn't leave."
"If he's not in the city now... he was probably taken in by the quartermaster of the Rearguard Base later."
"He should be at the Rearguard Base's stationed outpost further ahead. Beyond that is the frontline battlefield—the Midnight Rangers would never allow non-military personnel to risk their lives."
Lucian sighed. "Zhiyuan's grandfather was a retired soldier. Zhiyuan probably just wanted to contribute to Jinzhou as well."
Jianxin's face lit up with joy as she clasped her hands in gratitude: "This humble Daoist thought the same. Thank you, soldier."
"No need for thanks, but..." The Midnight Ranger soldier hesitated.
"But what?" Lucian asked, puzzled. "Is there more to it?"
The soldier quickly explained: "No, it's just... I have a favor to ask."
Lucian: "Feel free to speak."
Rover gave him a meaningful look: "Why aren't you asking for Shell Credits this time?"
Lucian played dumb: "Shell Credits? What Shell Credits? I've never touched money. I have no interest in money."
Rover smiled faintly: "Didn't expect you to be such a principled man."
The Midnight Ranger soldier pleaded: "If you're heading to the Rearguard Base, I'd like to ask for your help, fellow Outrider comrades."
After Yangyang proved her identity, he placed full trust in Lucian and the others.
After all, Midnight Rangers credentials were made using special methods they were nearly impossible to counterfeit. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NoveI~Fire.net
Not to mention, these people all seemed upright and honorable.
"On your way, two nearby scout towers have lost contact. Could you please check on them?"
Lucian: "We can handle that on the way."
The soldier nodded, gratitude shining in his eyes.
He clasped his hands together: "Thank you so much. I'll send the scout towers' coordinates to your terminal."
"Well then, seems like it's on our way again." Lucian looked at Jianxin and placed his hands on his hips.
"So you're also heading to the Rearguard Base?" Jianxin said happily. "In that case, let's go together and check on the scout towers along the way."
The group continued north.
"That's the scout beacon ahead why are so many people gathered around it?"
Jianxin pointed at the beacon in confusion.
Yangyang: "They don't look like soldiers, but rather..."
Several exiles stood with their backs turned, doing something unclear.
"Excuse me, what are you doing here? This area is close to the battlefield—it's dangerous," Jianxin advised kindly.
One of the exiles jumped in surprise: "Huh? We... we're not doing anything. We're just heading south into the city."
As the group approached, the exiles began hiding something in their hands.
Rover scolded: "Stop hiding. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
Clearly, Rover had spotted something suspicious in their hands.
"May I ask, is this scout tower..." Yangyang, oblivious, began to inquire.
Before she could finish, as the group moved closer to the exiles, one of them suddenly shouted:
Lucian: "After them!"
However, no chase ensued.
Because aside from the exile who'd shouted, the others all collapsed to the ground.
"Bro... I can't walk anymore... too hungry..." one exile said weakly.
"Don't... don't arrest us! We... we only stole because we had no other choice!"
The naive Jianxin asked: "Are you facing some difficulties?"
Lucian, however, pulled Jianxin's arm and moved her behind him: "No matter how difficult things are, stealing is unacceptable—especially military supplies."
The weak exile covered his face and sobbed: "With the fighting up north so intense now, we couldn't survive without supplies. After thinking it over, we decided to return to the city to make a living."
"We just haven't eaten in so long, and we've run out of money. Many of us are too weak from hunger to even walk."
"We happened to pass by and saw some valuable equipment here. Since the army's all off fighting and no one's around now, we thought we'd take the chance to steal some things to sell."
Lucian sneered: "So you knew the army's off fighting? You could've just asked the Midnight Rangers for help instead of causing trouble behind their backs!"
Yangyang was also furious: "Damaging the scout towers could allow a Tacet Discord tide to invade from this direction unnoticed."
"Did you ever consider that if that happened, the frontline soldiers would be caught between enemies from both sides?"