Chapter 342: A Storm of Conflict

The roar of rushing water filled the air.

Footsteps echoed.

At his command, a vast force of Armed Department troops silently surged toward the fighter jets. The forty Third-Stage Awakeneds at the forefront unleashed their spirit energy without hesitation, clearly poised for action.

Noticing this, Li Hai and his team’s faces turned grim as they dashed forward to intervene and rescue hostages.

Damn it!

If Ming Luo and the others were taken away, even just for a few hours, who knew what horrors they’d endure!

Bang!

The cockpit doors slid open, revealing Yenir, surrounded by soldiers inside the fighter jet, who stood calmly as he rose to his feet.

Seeing the mass of troops charging toward him, Ming Luo and his teammates turned pale.

They had braced for a rough reception upon returning to the Capital, but the scene before them was far worse than they had imagined.

Glancing up at the charging Awakeneds, Yenir’s eyes flashed as he let out a cold sneer.

He hadn’t even disembarked from the jet, yet by the looks of it, someone was intent on giving him a rude awakening. If he didn’t cooperate, they’d likely make him regret it.

Are they in such a hurry…

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Li Hai’s group charging in. In an instant, he recognized the distinctive uniforms on the ten-plus soldiers.

Are they from the Special Operations Group?

A small warmth flickered inside him as he noted their anxious expressions. For some reason, Yenir felt a twinge of sympathy.

Chances were, they’d been sent by Zhao Hongtu.

At least someone cared.

“Yenir! Surrender all your gear and stand down immediately!”

“This is Zhang Teng! We’re here under Military orders to detain you all!”

“I advise you against futile resistance!”

At the forefront, a cold-faced, Third-Stage Advanced Awakened barked his command. His body radiated a fierce red glow as his attack targeted Yenir. Simultaneously, infrared locks and ability designations were activated.

Even if the Military hadn’t planned on a violent takeover, Zhang Teng—the one leading the charge—wasn’t above tweaking orders a bit.

After all, here was an Awakener stripped of his committee status and on the brink of downfall, hardly worth his concern.

Yet, for some reason, looking at Yenir’s calm expression stirred a flicker of irritation in his heart.

He had captured too many people before; regardless of rank, they should be trembling in fear now. In his eyes, Yenir should be begging for mercy like the rest.

Especially after noticing the equipment in Yenir’s hands, his heart skipped a beat.

With his keen perception, he instantly sensed the level of those gauntlets and that ring…

Legendary Suit… Spatial Equipment…!?

Hmph, even the Authorities are willing to dish out rewards at this level.

The thought that Yenir was merely a Third-Stage Beginner with a bit of extraordinary talent filled him with seething envy.

A lucky break for a kid who now mistakenly took high-level patronage for personal skill?

No wonder he’s so arrogant under such treatment…

“Sixty seconds.”

Before anyone could protest further, the calm Yenir suddenly spoke. In a soft, measured tone he uttered a few words, then looked at him with what could only be described as pity.

“Sixty seconds?”

What do you mean sixty seconds!?

At the same time, Chen Feng—who hadn’t heard Yenir’s countdown—pushed through the soldiers and shouted:

“Yenir, after committing such a grave mistake, you still dare act so nonchalant? Not a scrap of remorse! Do you have any idea how many East Sea civilians you’ve doomed?”

Striding forward, Chen Feng pointed a single, furious finger at Yenir and barked:

“Arrest him! How can a criminal behave like this!?”

“Record this scene. We’ll show it to the East Sea civilians later! Let them see who’s responsible for the destruction of their homeland!”

Humiliated and enraged, Chen Hai’s voice grew more fervent. He wished Yenir would resist so he could take immediate action and incapacitate the so-called prodigy right then and there!

“Stop!”

“Chen Feng! What right do you have to act like this!”

Bursting into the encirclement, Li Hai’s chest heaved as he looked at Ming Luo and the others, now trapped. He quickly nodded, signaling he would lead them away.

Turning his glare toward Chen Feng, Li Hai’s entire body erupted with a yellow glow, pushing himself to the limits.

“The Military’s orders are clear: Yenir and Ming Luo are only suspects! Until the investigation is complete, how can you treat them like criminals!”

In mid-sentence, Li Hai fumbled for an order slip and held it high.

“We are the Internal Inspection Department of the Special Operations Group, acting under Minister Zhao’s orders. Now, stand down and let us leave!”

“As an action team, we reserve the right to conduct our own internal investigation!”

Fixating on Zhang Teng’s group, Li Hai stood ready, order slip raised and prepared to take action at a moment’s notice.

Simultaneously, other members of the Special Operations Group who were coming to rescue also drew their weapons, clearly ready for a confrontation.

A heavy feeling settled over the scene.

Zhang Teng instinctively glanced at the order sheet Li Hai held and momentarily froze in surprise.

There, emblazoned in white, were directives approved by Zhao Hongtu and another high-ranking figure. The bold script made him instantly realize exactly whose backing Zhao Hongtu had.

His face flushed in shock, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

Such a grand backing—no wonder Li Hai’s handful of men dared to intervene. Clearly, someone powerful was behind them…

Now, this was becoming tricky…

Before Zhang Teng could recover his hesitance, the quickest among them, Chen Feng, caught a slip.

“Captain Li, did you really think that name would scare us off?”

“Fine, I can let your men take their leave—but Yenir is not going anywhere.”

“The Special Operations Group has the right to investigate its own, but as far as I know, Yenir isn’t even one of you. He has no official status. How can you justify taking him with you?”

Chen Feng let out a cold laugh as he signaled Zhang Teng to review the military orders closely.

Indeed, to everyone’s eyes Yenir seemed synonymous with the Special Operations Group, but after poring over his extensive records, it was clear: Yenir had not officially joined. By regulation, he only qualifies after this mission is completed and undergoes multiple Military approvals!

A burst of glee erupted from Zhang Teng as he realized this fact. Ha, he had been intimidated, and now it seemed his leverage was gone.

Right now, Yenir is nothing—no one can save him!

Once they released Ming Luo and the others, they would all be free. Their primary target was always Yenir!

“Stop dawdling! Disarm him now! Take him away!”

Chen Feng’s furious shout snapped Li Hai’s team back to attention—they realized they’d nearly forgotten their objective!

Before anyone could intervene, Zhang Teng unleashed his full might, his hand lunging toward Yenir.

At that moment, the ever-quiet Yenir suddenly smiled broadly, as if Zhang Teng’s attack meant nothing to him.

“Zero.”

“Zero? What do you mean zero!?”

Zhang Teng stared in disbelief as Yenir, with a casual gesture, pressed a button on Li Hai’s men’s gear. An inexplicable dread washed over him.

Was this kid really still like this at a moment like now? Has he completely lost his senses!?

Without time for further thought,

In an instant, a voice—unexpected by everyone—rang out.

Cold, mechanical.

High above, within every mind and thought, an emotionless voice shattered the silence across China.

“Beep. Warning.”

“The Huaxia Battle Zone is under attack by an A+ level Sea Beast. Prepare yourselves.”

“Battle Zone Mission: Eliminate the Peak Third-Stage Sea Beast [Giant Sea Demon] has been issued.”

Like a bolt from the blue, everyone at the once tense Airport froze, struck by a chilling fear that cut deep.

“Third-Stage… Peak!!?”

“A system-certified catastrophic event!?!”

Their pupils shrank into dangerous needles. Zhang Teng, who was about to seize Yenir, felt his muscles stone over as an overwhelming incredulity nearly consumed him. Even several high-ranking Military officials trembled uncontrollably as if unable to breathe.

It was as if at that moment, they all finally understood the reason behind Yenir’s smile.

“Uncle Liang, he’s made a move against me.”

“Kill him.”

In the midst of the ensuing silence, Yenir casually grabbed Zhang Teng’s hand, giving his shoulder a light pat with an exaggerated expression on his face, as if to say that the hit truly stung…

Almost comically,

In the very next second, Liang Lie—who had been silently standing behind Yenir—showed a flash of bewilderment in his eyes. After a brief hesitation, he struck without warning.

Boom!!!

The earth trembled.

Under the overwhelming force, a burst of deep red blood exploded into view.

Astonished Zhang Teng was slammed into the ground by the force of the punch.

Crash—kak!

A silver Thunder Dragon roared across the sky. The long-held thunder seemed to rend the long silent darkness.

A tempest was coming.