Chapter 826: Fire Phoenix Arrives with Full Sincerity

Fire Phoenix came for this visit, overflowing with sincerity.

Her helicopter touched down on an open field south of Section One in the Northern Territory. With the permission of the lord of Territory Seven, she didn’t bring any weapons—just two team members—and entered through the East Gate, heading straight for Territory Seven.

“Everyone listen up…” Wen Nengjie, crouched at the northeast corner of Territory Seventeen, lowered his voice and reported excitedly in the Lords’ channel.

Tan Junjie hadn’t announced publicly in the Lords’ channel whether Territory Seven was open to visitors, but anyone with eyes spotted the fiery red helicopter landing in broad daylight—Fire Phoenix’s people had arrived on the south side of Section One.

Other territories might not know who’d come, but with Tang Huai blaring away in the Section One 1-10 Lords’ channel, you could bet everyone was up to speed.

Among the ten bases and hundreds of combat teams in Huicheng, Fire Phoenix is the most renowned. Its captain, Fire Phoenix, is a living legend—this was a rare chance to see someone truly important!

Wen Nengjie was still in a frenzy of excitement behind the Wild Grass Wall, barely got out five words before the tall bodyguard in all-black with a one-way facemask behind Fire Phoenix turned right toward where he was hiding.

Instinct took over—Wen Nengjie dropped his walkie-talkie and bolted towards the heart of the territory as fast as he could.

“Hey, what’s up? Old Wen, did your walkie-talkie die?” Tang Huai asked in the Lords’ channel.

Kuang Qingwei immediately responded, “Old Wen, if the solar panels aren’t giving enough juice, just bring your gear to my territory and charge up—two credits an hour.”

Seeing there was no threat, the Fire Phoenix bodyguard turned back and resumed guarding their captain, heading north. As they passed east of Territory Fifteen, one bodyguard glanced at the Wild Grass Wall of Territory Fifteen.

Inside the grass wall, Tan Qi and Jiang Ying stayed perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe.

After they passed Territory Fifteen, Tan Qi, wearing headphones, pressed the walkie-talkie and whispered her report, “Fire Phoenix has just crossed the barrier east of Territory Fifteen, heading for Territory Seven. She brought two bodyguards, and one of them is probably a high-level Auditory Evolutionary.”

Tan Junjie was online instantly. “Tan Qi, don’t leave the territory.”

“Copy. I haven’t left,” Tan Qi replied dutifully.

Tang Huai couldn’t help gloating, “Old Wen, did Fire Phoenix’s bodyguard really scare you off?”

Wen Nengjie, who’d just retrieved his walkie-talkie, still sounded shaken. “Brother Huai, I’ll bet you a thousand credits that those two bodyguards protecting Fire Phoenix each have at least thirty lives on their hands.”

Tang Huai snorted, “Only thirty? You’re underestimating them. What Evolved fighter doesn’t have dozens of kills under their belt? I’m going to see who she brought.”

Before anyone else could chime in, Tang Zhengbo came online. “Tang Huai, just stay put in your territory.”

“Fine, Dad, I’m staying in,” Tang Huai muttered obediently.

“Here they come. They’ve just crossed the barrier and entered the passage.” Zhu Li from Territory Six updated everyone, her voice brimming with excitement—classic bystander vibes.

Meanwhile, in the director’s office of Territory Nine, Xia Qing didn’t even look up from her paperwork, headphones on, writing swiftly.

Outside the signpost for Territory Seven, Deng Yufeng, dressed in a blazing red Special Protective Suit, smiled brightly. “Captain Ji, Captain Yan, long time no see. Do I need another round of checks to enter Territory Seven?”

Ji Li replied, “As per protocol, anyone entering Territory Seven must undergo a strict inspection. Please cooperate, Captain Deng.”

“Of course.” Fire Phoenix raised both arms. A female team member from Yan Long’s squad stepped up and scanned her thoroughly with a handheld device before stepping back.

Ji Li moved aside, “Please go in, Captain Deng.”

Fire Phoenix asked calmly, “My two team members can’t come inside with me?”

Ji Li answered professionally, “Captain Deng, you haven’t registered them for entry.”

Fire Phoenix locked eyes with Ji Li for a few seconds before giving the order. “Give me the stuff. You two wait outside.”

“Yes, ma’am.” A bodyguard handed her a black case.

Fire Phoenix opened the case on the spot and asked politely, “This is the pesticide I promised to bring for Third Brother’s research. Captain Ji, would you like to check what’s inside?”

“That’s necessary.” Fire Phoenix kept things cordial, but Ji Li was all business—she took the case and handed it to a nearby team member. “Once it checks out, someone will return it to you. Please, go on in.”

Fire Phoenix smiled, “You really live up to your reputation, Captain Ji—so dependable. With you leading security for Third Brother, I can relax.”

“That’s terrifying!”

Once Fire Phoenix was safely inside Territory Seven, Zhu Li hurried back toward the center, staying well away from Fire Phoenix’s bodyguards before daring to press her walkie-talkie.

“What’s wrong? I didn’t see any fights break out!” Tang Huai, binoculars in hand, watching from the signpost in Territory Two, quickly asked.

Zhu Li repeated the conversation between Fire Phoenix and Ji Li, ending with, “No wonder she’s the captain of an 800-strong squad. That aura is overwhelming—she even sounds intimidating when smiling. Tang Lu must have guts, daring to challenge her.”

Tang Lu once challenged Fire Phoenix and ended up getting stomped into the street. It was a famous event in the Hui Three Safe Zone; everyone cheered when it happened.

Curious, Zhao Ze asked, “Haven’t heard from Tang Lu in ages, Brother Huai. What’s she up to now?”

Tang Huai didn’t care for Tang Lu much, and it showed in his tone. “She hired a tutor, getting ready for next month’s exams.”

Tan Qi was curious. “Wait, did she not even finish primary school?”

“No, she’s taking the college entrance exam. Wants to go to university.”

Everyone fell silent…

Xia Qing’s pen paused for a moment. Right now, the few universities left were tucked away in the inner cities of each base, with strict security. For Tang Lu, attending university would be a huge step up from being cooped up inside a tiny room in the Hui Three Safe Zone.

There’s a national shortage of talent. If she can get into a good program and graduate, she’ll definitely land a solid job.

Assuming, of course, that she can pass.

Xia Qing actually thought Tang Lu had a real shot. To be the only one from the Tang Family who survived the crisis shows brains aren’t exactly in short supply.

“Bzzz—”

Even though she’d braced herself, Xia Qing still felt her heart skip when her phone lit up and started to buzz with an unfamiliar number.

Here we go.

She took a deep breath and picked up the call.

On the other end, Fire Phoenix’s warm, cheerful voice sounded strangely like Assistant Xiao Liu from Territory Nine. “Is this Lord Xia of Territory Three? I’m Deng Yufeng from Fire Phoenix.”

Xia Qing answered politely and formally, “This is Xia Qing. How can I help you?”

Walking behind Yan Long who was leading the way, Fire Phoenix’s fiery lips curved high. “Lord Xia, I’m currently inside Section One of Hui Three’s Northern Territory. I’d like to visit Territory Three to extend an apology on behalf of Dan Ying. Would that be alright?”

“You’re too kind, Captain Deng…”

“Miss Xia, I genuinely mean it. Please give me a chance.”

Xia Qing replied calmly, “If you’re not pressed for time, Captain Deng, you’re welcome to drop by Territory Nine for a cup of tea.”