Chapter 577: Ambush in the Open Sea
by xennovel“Zemei, is the special location we’re headed to somewhere around here?”
Above the turbulent sea, a peak-tier warrior trailing behind Yenir asked in a low, amused tone.
However, as Yenir tirelessly shifted his position to shake off any tails, the warrior’s irritation began to show.
As an Awakener who had accompanied Yenir into the ‘Secret Realm’, he claimed to be assisting him, while really verifying the facts and gathering this critical intelligence.
Yet, even as they neared the edge of the Japanese Battle Zone and entered open sea, he sensed no unusual fluctuations nearby.
“That’s right.”
Nodding casually, Yenir figured that even if a fight broke out here, it would go unnoticed—a slight smile tugged at his lips.
“Ban Zhenlong, please shut down system communications.”
His tone brooked no argument.
Upon hearing Yenir’s request, Ban Zhenlong paused in surprise before breaking into a silent chuckle.
“Oh? Shut down the communications here to prevent any messages from getting out?”
It appeared that this area indeed housed that particular special spot.
With determined resolve, he swiftly deactivated his communications and spread his hands in a feigned gesture of helplessness, saying:
“Zemei, the Cabinet sent me to protect you. You can trust me completely.”
“Everything in this location is completely confidential—known only to you and me.”
Watching the unusually calm Ye Ze Ming before him, Ban Zhenlong smirked inwardly, speculating on what trick Yenir might pull next, while completely missing the approach of the Grim Reaper.
Although Yenir was the First Divine Warrior with immense power, Ban Zhenlong—being two levels below—naturally let his guard down.
As if not fully grasping his meaning, Yenir merely flashed a gentle smile and spoke softly:
“Yes, only you and I know.”
The very next second, just as Ban Zhenlong was taken aback by a strange feeling,
a swift afterimage, exuding the aura of a Peak Third-Stage warrior, burst up from beneath the sea and charged at him at breakneck speed.
Boom!!!
Like a well-laid ambush, a sudden roar shattered the air!
“What is this!?”
His expression changed in an instant.
Caught off guard by the swift attack—having no time to ponder how a Peak Third-Stage ambush could occur—he instinctively channeled his Spirit Energy and prepared to strike.
But as if a thought had struck him—perhaps recalling the Cabinet Minister’s and the President’s repeated warnings before departure—he subconsciously directed his power to shield Yenir first!
“Zemei must not get hurt!”
Whether it was the importance of the First Divine Warrior or the value of the Secret Realm, he had to protect him!
His reaction time had to be lightning fast!
As a carefully selected peak warrior who could instantly switch to combat mode in dire situations, he rushed in front of Yenir like a steadfast guardian.
Moreover, his lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to immediately identify the assailant.
“Damn it! An enemy ambush here!?”
“And someone of his caliber— from another battle zone!?”
He realized that this would escalate into a bloody battle!
In his suddenly constricted pupils, he instantly recognized that the charging Peak Third-Stage warrior unmistakably belonged to an Awakener from Southeast Asia!
He couldn’t fathom why his opponent was here; all he did was frantically channel his Spirit Energy!
“Zemei! Get behind me!”
Before he could gather any more useful details, an enraged shout prompted him—fearing for Yenir’s safety, he launched a preemptive attack!
“Luckily!”
He deduced that the ambushing enemy wasn’t exceptionally strong—their burst speed was just a notch slower than his.
Yet, just as he concentrated on drawing his sword for a counterattack, a terrifying surge of massive spiritual energy—pushed to its extreme—suddenly appeared behind him.
Its speed was razor-sharp and its trajectory cunning, as if it came from the very spot he vowed to protect.
“This energy surge!? Behind me!?”
His face went pale in an instant.
Being attacked from both front and rear, and reeling from the massive spiritual storm bursting behind him, Ban Zhenlong was first shocked, then his heart nearly sank in despair!
“Too close! Far too close!”
Overwhelmed by a dire sense of crisis and disbelief, he couldn’t help but glance back to see what was happening!
And then it struck him—an utterly absurd possibility!
“Someone is behind me!? Could it be!?”
In utter terror, as a double-pronged attack unfolded and he turned around, he immediately recognized the source of the spiritual surge.
There, behind him, Yenir had unleashed a Mind Storm, his eyes now filled with a deep crimson glow.
Bathed in an explosive radiance, Yenir exuded an overwhelmingly awe-inspiring presence.
And that wasn’t all.
Before Ban Zhenlong could register his despair in disbelief, a mournful slash of sword light burst from Yenir’s hand.
Mind Shock!
Impact!
Divine Wind Slash!
Boom!!!!
A massive surge of spiritual impact triggered an invisible storm; as the sword strike roared forth, the once-calm sea split as though sliced by a blade, and in an instant, a giant tsunami erupted.
Assailed from both spirit and substance, even Ban Zhenlong—one of the elite warriors—could only scream in agony as he sustained severe injuries!
It was as if half his face were about to be shredded by that relentless, lightning-fast sword light.
Never having expected an enemy from behind, he suddenly spat a mouthful of blood, his body tilting dangerously as if about to plunge into the void.
Moments before Yenir nearly cleaved him in two with a single blow, Ban Zhenlong roared in despair.
“Why!? Who are you, anyway!?”
“Why!!”
This overwhelming surge of spiritual power, this method— even a fool would know something’s wrong!
Yet he couldn’t understand how Ye Ze Ming, a Divine Warrior from the Japanese Battle Zone, could be a traitor entangled with fighters from another zone!!
His voice choked with anguish as, amid the massive spiritual onslaught and crushing physical pain, he felt that his end had come today!
But even in his final moments, he was determined to learn the truth before he died!
When confronted by Ban Zhenlong’s anguished questioning, Yenir merely chuckled softly, not even bothering to drop his guise.
His resolve was almost maddening—after taking a hit of Mind Shock, how did he still have the strength to speak?
There was no room for any missteps.
Ever alert, Yenir initiated a Dimensional Surge and then unleashed ten consecutive sword slashes, intent on leaving Ban Zhenlong barely clinging to life.
Unable to comprehend? Unbelievable?
Who cares? Once Ban Zhenlong transforms into an Otherworldly Ghost, everything will become clear.
Heh heh.
Truly…
What a gift from the Japanese Battle Zone…
…………………….
Ten minutes later.
The ceaseless, rolling waves crashed relentlessly.
Above the turbulent sea, a blood-soaked Ban Zhenlong—with half his face slashed—staggered to his feet like a reanimated corpse, then knelt reverently before Yenir.
In his eyes, the seething emotions of anger and despair had been completely replaced by unwavering loyalty.
Seeing Ban Zhenlong, now transformed into an Otherworldly Ghost, Yenir couldn’t help but flash a satisfied smile.
“Very good.”
Although Ban Zhenlong had fiercely resisted the transformation, he was ultimately subdued by the combined efforts of him and Hakechi.
It was a moment filled with deep reflection.
Gazing toward the Huaxia Battle Zone, a slight smile played at Yenir’s lips.
Who would have thought that on this return, Yenir’s strength had skyrocketed—and that he’d even captured two peak warriors!
It’s a pity; if he hadn’t been pressed for time in other battle zones, he wouldn’t have minded rounding up a few more peak warriors to transform into Otherworldly Ghosts as his unbeatable trump card.
“Let’s move!”
“Let’s go back!”
With a broad sweep of his hand,
in high spirits, Yenir immediately led two Peak Third-Stage warriors back into Huaguo.