Chapter 652: Barrage of Fate

As they watched, the traitors they were about to intercept nearly burst out from the first line of defense, and the rebel squad in hot pursuit no longer held back.

In an instant, three agility specialists armed with crossbows abruptly halted—one left foot kneeling, the right foot bent and planted. In under a split second, the trio transformed into human artillery, snatching a giant crossbow from behind and unleashing a volley!

The battle crossbows, a favorite long-range weapon of the Military Awakeneds, didn’t even require reloading to deliver spirit energy attacks. Their power rivaled heavy artillery—a single volley could shatter even a Second-Stage Peak Fighter mutant into fragments!

“Sixty-degree flat shot! Triangular formation!”

“Whoosh—Bang!”

At the squad captain’s decisive order, three massive arrows streaked out like liquid light.

Accompanied by a cannon-like roar and a shockwave from a spirit energy blast that cracked the ground beneath, these crossbow cannons maintained perfect precision, despite being designed for both attack and defense.

“Their coordination is impressive… They even seem more ‘disciplined’ than that previous rebel batch.”

With mental power already saturating the battlefield, ready to strike at any moment, Yenir’s eyes flashed with surprise as he scanned the rebel squad.

The flawless teamwork of this rebel unit immediately reminded him of a theory he had once entertained.

Though not of high rank, this squad clearly enjoyed extensive battle practice; tactically, they were almost on par with the Rongjing Unit.

Frankly, they were even more ‘elite’ than the Third-Stage fighters he had encountered upon National War’s return.

“Lord Yenir! There’s something wrong with these troops!”

Sharing Yenir’s suspicion, Ming Luo quickly realized that this squad—seemingly escorting survivors—was unnervingly elite!

Meanwhile, unlike Yenir and his comrades, Ming Luo had no time to scrutinize the rebel squad.

Feeling a sudden barrage of arrows erupt from behind, Nie Fei bolted in panic, every hair on her body standing on end as she felt utterly trapped!

Three streams of light sealed off every escape route!

Even though a mysterious force had boosted her speed far past its limits, it wasn’t enough to help her evade in time!

I’m going to…

Am I… going to die here?

So unfair—after lurking for so long, it seems the captain and his men are gone… Ridiculous that I failed to bring back any intel.

She laughed bitterly inwardly.

Ahead lay the second line of defense—a wall of iron and copper that seemed impenetrable, a barrier she could never break through.

Behind her, countless pursuers closed in, including a rebel unit with Third-Stage fighters personally leading the charge; to her left, the initial assailants, and to her right, a scattered group of individuals.

With no escape available, she could see no chance of survival.

Yet just as Nie Fei resigned herself to a swift, dignified death rather than a life worse than death…

In that instant, a subtle, unknown force underfoot suddenly clung to her like a spirit, seizing control in a heartbeat!

What is this!?

“Do not resist.”

A calm voice resonated over kilometers, echoing directly in her mind.

Her pupils constricted sharply.

Before Nie Fei could even gasp in horror, an unimaginably powerful surge of mental energy enveloped her.

Reversal! Spin! Draw your blade and slash!

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Three thunderous explosions rang out as her dagger swiftly punctured a giant arrow—those projectiles, capable of piercing tank armor, ricocheted and shattered on the nearby open ground!

The scene was so bizarre that even the rebel squad, intent on gathering bodies, froze in astonishment!

What kind of ability is this?! A low-ranking Second-Stage fighter thwarted the combined assault of three high-ranking enemies?!

Like everyone else, Nie Fei stared in disbelief at the short dagger clutched in her hand.

Despite the impact from shattering the giant arrow nearly crushing her hand, it was astounding that under the influence of this mysterious force, she miraculously broke through a fatal triple assault!

“Who is it?! Who’s helping me?!”

“Who are you?!”

Surviving the ordeal did little to lift Nie Fei’s spirits; only deep, consuming terror remained!

Yet the voice offered little in response to her questions.

“Your physical condition is far too poor…”

“Even if I controlled your combat, the sheer force of the impact could’ve killed you.”

Feigning an encirclement from the right, Yenir frowned and silently sighed. With his combat prowess, he could have easily deflected the arrows using pure technique—even if it had been his own hands, he’d have confidently wiped them out with the same force.

He had planned to control the girl to break free from the encirclement, even if it meant sacrificing part of his unit.

But it was clear that this girl—possibly one of his own—couldn’t hold on much longer. With repeated control, her very bones would shatter under his power.

Quickly sensing the imminent arrival of Third-Stage fighters, a flash of murderous intent crossed Yenir’s eyes.

There was no choice but to forcibly control this rebel squad!

Not only to save the girl but because he knew that sooner or later, he would have to take control anyway.

If he couldn’t blend in, he had no option but to force his way through!

“Attack!”

A low, commanding shout rang out.

Just as the rebel squad began to regroup for a second attack, six successive mental shocks struck like heavy hammers, bursting their eyes and causing them to spit blood!

What is this?!

Without giving the pursuers a chance to react, Yenir activated dimensional time, transforming into a fleeting shadow that appeared ‘simultaneously’ behind six Second-Stage fighters like a Grim Reaper!

Overkill or not, Yenir didn’t hesitate to expend extra energy as a precaution.

“Kneel down!”

“Bang!”

In one swift motion, Yenir struck the rebel squad captain with his hand. His voice was icy, and his overwhelming mental power crashed down like a relentless torrent!

Fear took hold!

“Surrender or die!”

Thanks to the special effect of emotional locking, Yenir aimed to shatter their mental defenses quickly and, before the next wave of chasers arrived, convert them into Otherworldly Ghosts!

As if witnessing a ghost, the attacked rebel captain felt an overwhelming terror that burst forth from deep within his soul.

In an instant, his eyes were swallowed by an abyss of darkness—with only Yenir’s glowing red gaze left visible!

“Submit to me!”

———-

Thirteen seconds later.

“Whoosh—Boom!!”

A piercing roar rent the heavens.

From the left horizon, a black shadow nearly twice the speed of sound hurtled in.

Amid a deafening explosion, the support Third-Stage fighter immediately noticed a stationary ally on the ground.

They observed that not a single pursuer continued the chase, nor were there any bodies identified as traitors lying about.

The support Third-Stage rebel, who had rushed in, was instantly incensed:

“What are you doing here?! Where are the men?! Why haven’t you continued the pursuit?!”

Shocked and furious, the Third-Stage rebel noted that the subordinates meant to hunt the traitor now looked pale, many clutching their heads in agony.

“Sir…”

“That girl was taken! One of our Third-Stage fighters suddenly appeared, and we all received a massive mental shock!”

“None of us… can even move now…”

“Whoa…!”

Blood gushed from their mouths as if their insides had been pulverized.

The rebel Third-Stage fighter hanging in mid-air suddenly realized that the squad wasn’t hesitating to pursue—they had been completely neutralized by the enemy!

Ignoring the rebel squad captain’s wounds, a high-ranking Third-Stage fighter—seemingly struck by a sudden insight—urgently asked:

“Mental Shock?! Third-Stage?! Did you get a good look at him?! Which direction did they flee?!”

“It was that man…?! No… It shouldn’t be, but it’s definitely connected!”

Recalling the secret intel provided to them, the man’s face changed rapidly as he pieced it together—this man was likely linked to their primary target.

“Towards the Northeast! Sir… you should be able to sense his presence…”

“Whoosh—Boom!”

The response was lightning-fast. The support rebel Third-Stage fighter instantly grasped the squad’s intent and, without hesitation, charged after the girl’s trail.

Half a minute later.

Camouflaged as part of the Firewolf Squad, Yenir watched as the rebel Third-Stage fighters vanished. Then he exhaled deeply and, with a hint of resignation, tapped twice beneath his long robe.

“Come out; they’re gone.”

Peeking out from beneath the cloak of his disguise, the scarcely dressed Nie Fei finally dared to emerge, her eyes wide with shock.

“Who… exactly are you?!”