Wang Fei eventually left in a daze, utterly dejected. No matter how much she pleaded, no matter how much she lowered herself, even willing to accept any condition... She was still driven away.
As she stared out of the car window, watching the street lights blur past in the night, her heart filled with regret. She had sought out countless masters and religious figures in the past, desperately searching for a way to preserve her youth. She had always paid heavy prices. But in the end, she had always been deceived.
This time, she had assumed it was just another charlatan. Someone out to scam both money and lust. Who would have thought... She had failed to recognize the true god right before her eyes. Now, the greatest opportunity of her life had slipped away. Her regret gnawed at her.
No... I have to find a way. I must cling to this golden opportunity. From everything I’ve observed, this man has a weakness. He loves women. That’s the key.
A new determination took root in Wang Fei’s heart.
Jiepeng Exchange Delegation Camp.
Tōan Ritsu sat in his office, flipping through a stack of classified documents. A top-secret report had just arrived from the embassy. It was a detailed investigation into the current state of Great Xia's Awakened and ancient martial artists.
This information had been obtained at great cost, using Jiepeng's top-tier spies. The more Tōan Ritsu read, the more his heart trembled. Great Xia's foundation was far deeper than he had ever imagined. It was enough to make him feel despair.
Great Xia completely outclassed Jiepeng in terms of both potential and immediate combat strength. That fat leader of the exchange delegation had demonstrated power in today’s battle that was practically godlike.
How could Jiepeng possibly hope to compete with such an absolute force of nature standing in Great Xia's ranks?
No... It wasn’t just Jiepeng. Even Yiggs, Europe, Bayer, and other global giants might not be able to challenge them.
Tōan Ritsu rubbed his eye sockets gently. It was a habitual action whenever he was deep in thought. He often spent hours pondering over complex issues, so he had rubbed his eyes so much that they were permanently darkened.
Most people assumed his smokey eye makeup was a stylistic choice. In reality, it was just a way to cover up his panda eyes. But this time, even if he rubbed his eyelids raw, he still couldn't come up with a viable plan.
A firm knock broke the silence.
"Come in," Tōan Ritsu said.
The door opened, and a blonde, blue-eyed woman in a military advisor’s uniform stepped inside.
"Miss Elena?" Tōan Ritsu was slightly surprised. He stood up to greet her and asked, "What brings you here?"
A blonde western woman appearing in Jiepeng's exchange delegation did seem a bit out of place. But considering the Yiggs Federation had at least four military bases on Jiepeng's islands and most of Jiepeng's national policies were dictated by Yiggs, this scene wasn’t all that strange.
"Captain Daishima, my apologies for disturbing you so late at night. I’m here to introduce you to a new partner," said Elena with a smile.
It was the kind of polished, professional smile typical of westerners. They appeared warm and friendly on the surface, yet were inherently laced with an undeniable sense of superiority.
She gave a slight bow and a towering blonde man stepped into the room. His body was covered in bulging muscles, each one defined like a professional strongman from a gym.
"A partner?" Tōan Ritsu frowned slightly.
His gaze swept over the western man before him. There was no doubt, this man was a superpowered individual. And a very powerful one at that.
But Tōan Ritsu felt little interest. As a core member of Jiepeng’s new nationalist faction, he held a deep-rooted desire for independence and self-reliance. He instinctively resented how Jiepeng was treated like a mere puppet state by foreign powers.
The global superpower phenomenon was an opportunity for him and others in the New Jiepeng Movement to break free from Yiggs Union’s control. That was precisely why they had fiercely opposed involving Yiggs nationals during the exchange summit. Aside from a few advisors like Elena, they had managed to keep Yiggs out of the event entirely. Yet, after the disastrous defeat at the exchange, it seemed Yiggs had finally decided to step in.
Taking a deep breath, Tōan Ritsu exhaled slowly and said, "Please, have a seat."
He didn’t refuse. He no longer had the right to refuse. Moreover, at their core, Jiepeng people revered strength. When faced with true power, it was difficult for them to completely reject it. It was an inherent flaw in their national character.
"It seems Captain Daishima isn’t too pleased with my presence," the young, golden-haired man smiled faintly. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name... is Angrus."
Tōan Ritsu scoffed dismissively. But then his expression froze.
"Hmm?" A strange smirk appeared on the golden-haired man’s face. "That’s right. I'm exactly the Angrus you’re thinking of."
Tōan Ritsu shot up from his chair. During today’s battle, Takano Kumagawa, just before his defeat, had revealed that the god backing him was someone named Angrus.
So the terrifying power of the enslaved sword-bearer had been bestowed upon him by this very figure. And now, he was standing before him... Angrus was yet another being beyond Tōan Ritsu’s ability to resist.
"No need to be nervous." Angrus smiled. "I am very friendly toward humans. My visit today, Captain Daishima, is simply to ask for your help with a small task."
"It would be my honor to serve you," Tōan Ritsu replied without hesitation.
"I need you to help me capture someone." Angrus said, "The operation must be discreet. We must avoid attracting the attention of Great Xia's authorities. Once captured, the target must be transported out of Great Xia."
Tōan Ritsu asked, "Who is it?"
Angrus replied, "The boy who controls lightning, the student from Balitai University in Jinshi City."
Tōan Ritsu found the request odd.
That young man had indeed shown a high level of awakening, but he is nowhere near Angrus’s level. Why would a God General need my help for such a simple task?
As if reading his thoughts, Angrus calmly explained, "I have to deal with that man, Li Xiaofei."
His voice was measured and patient, as though he understood everything within Tōan Ritsu’s heart.
"If we don’t keep Li Xiaofei occupied, how could you possibly succeed in capturing the boy? Remember, this must be done in absolute secrecy. If you succeed, I shall bestow divine power upon you."
Only then did Tōan Ritsu feel reassured. He knew that, from a national perspective, there could never be friendship between himself and Li Xiaofei.
"I will take action tonight," said Tōan Ritsu, agreeing.
Dragon Group Base, Medical Ward.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
The rhythmic beeping of the vital signs monitor suddenly accelerated. Zhang Hongjing, who had just barely closed her eyes for a moment of rest, was instantly jolted awake.
She turned her head sharply. To her astonishment, the lifeless Qi Honglei, who had previously shown no signs of life, was now radiating a surge of energy. And that energy was rising at an unimaginable rate, like a tidal wave crashing ashore. In mere seconds, his life force had skyrocketed to ten times that of a normal human.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
His once-silent heart began beating again, as if an ancient war drum had been struck back to life. Zhang Hongjing was overjoyed.
Alive?The Void Sword Master, Qi Honglei, is alive?!
But just as she was about to react, an eerie sensation washed over her. Her instincts flared and she abruptly turned around.
The sight made her eyes widen in absolute disbelief.