Chapter 685: A Desperate Gamble
by xennovel“Ming Luo! Don’t act rashly!”
As if foreseeing the future, Yenir fixed his gaze on the Third-Stage Rebels surrounding the testing chamber from the platform. Their overwhelming mental power locked onto every person like a predetermined target.
He knew what Ming Luo and the others would think once they came to: nothing more than a desperate trade—sacrificing lives to sow chaos, perhaps even eliminating the rebels on site to cover his tracks.
But it was useless.
Even ignoring the slim odds of success, the fact that they were on the same team could never be erased.
For Yenir, he could never bear to see Ming Luo and the others perish in vain!
(The worst-case scenario is that I have to take out every rebel—blow this base to bits!)
Suppressing all stray thoughts with superhuman composure, Yenir raced to devise an escape plan.
Though he had prepared for the worst, he would spare no effort to turn the tide before that moment arrived.
Time seemed to slow as his mind pushed its limits, flashes of ideas racing through his brain.
(What’s the problem now?! Ming Luo and the others have displayed power reminiscent of Third-Stage levels! Unless they slaughter someone on the spot, there’s no stopping the rebels from verifying identities!)
(Since exposure is inevitable, could there be another way to reveal it?)
(Is there any way to buy time?)
After a mere 1.3 seconds, just as the leading Third-Stage rebel prepared to blast open the testing chamber door, a sudden glimmer flashed in Yenir’s eyes—as if he’d found a solution!
Yes! Although it was a long shot, it wasn’t entirely hopeless!
“Ming Luo! Once you break through the door, act as if nothing’s amiss. I’ll hand you something the moment you burst in. During the interrogation, tell them you found it outside the Safe Zone!”
His words, rapid and potent with mental power, transmitted instantly.
Before Ming Luo and his group could even register the shock, a resounding crash and the violent burst of the metal door echoed behind them!
At the same moment, Yenir—who had been perched on the platform—swiftly activated his own skill!
A flash of silver appeared! Like a sudden blade of light then,
Yenir vanished in a blink, launching the Dimensional Slash openly! Fortunately, all eyes were on Ming Luo and his team, so the fleeting silver streak escaped the rebels’ notice.
Within the contrasting realms of black and white in Dimensional Space, Yenir took a deep breath and charged headlong into the rebel ranks.
This wasn’t just a delay in thought — with the flash of silver, time itself seemed to slow down. Unlike before, when he used Dimensional Slash to kill enemies, this time Yenir only intended to deliver his Blood Shadow device to Ming Luo and the others!
(Relying on potential breakthroughs can’t possibly explain Third-Stage power! The only logical explanation is a system tool!)
(Though it might still raise suspicions, at least it holds up logically! And…!)
Like a streak of flowing light, with Yenir’s exceptional control over his body, he charged forward like a razor-sharp beam and, seizing the moment before Ming Luo and his group turned around, split the Blood Shadow power in his hand into four and launched it forcefully!
Door breached, object delivered!
Before the leading rebel could glimpse inside, Yenir twisted away and dashed back, reappearing atop the platform in an instant.
In less than a second, it was as if Yenir had vanished and reappeared, flawlessly executing his plan.
His speed and stealth were such that even the rebel leader hadn’t a clue as to what had just transpired.
“Bang!”
As the Dimensional Slash concluded, time resumed its normal flow.
The metal door exploded, scattering shards like deadly blades. In the eyes of the Third-Stage rebel leader, he first saw Ming Luo, as though just awakening, then noticed a red glow enveloping him and his companions.
What was that!?
No time for further thought—the rebel leader instinctively treated Ming Luo’s group as traitors. With a roar, he lunged, grabbing Ming Luo.
“Attack! Don’t let them escape!”
At his command, the other Third-Stage fighters struck swiftly, their murderous intent subduing Ming Luo and his group in an instant.
But as the rebel leader looked at the utterly passive quartet, he froze in disbelief—these traitors showed no resistance whatsoever.
Judging by their vacant expressions, they simply seemed clueless as to why they were being captured.
“Speak! Who are you?! Pretending to be Third-Stage but hiding as Second-Stage—are you the traitors from the Capital?!”
He barked harshly.
Without another thought, the rebel leader pressed his interrogation.
“O-Officer?! Third-Stage? Wh-what’s happening to us?! Why are you arresting us?! Aren’t we just taking a test?!”
Forcing down their tension, Ming Luo and his teammates—veterans of the Military with strong nerves—feigned panic. Yet they couldn’t hide the unease; Ming Luo even swallowed hard, his body trembling so much he nearly lost his balance!
Seeing their feeble act, the rebel leader almost doubted his own actions if he hadn’t caught the earlier commotion!
“Still playing dumb?! These metal doors are specially made—no one but a Third-Stage can even budge them! You crashed into the door, and you thought I didn’t see it?!”
“Keep acting the fool and see how long you can last!”
With that, the rebel leader didn’t hesitate to draw his sword, aiming to slash off Ming Luo’s arm!
He was determined not to let even a single chance slip by—trusting a few words to dispel his suspicions was unthinkable!
Seeing that these rebels paid no attention to the reactions around them, Ming Luo’s heart skipped a beat. Remembering Yenir’s instructions, he stifled his instinct to fight back and allowed the combat knife to fall!
Not only would his arm be severed, but he’d never hesitate—even if it cost him his life!
“Officer?! Third-Stage? What Third-Stage?! Uncontrolled—are you saying our power went out of control?!”
“It’s this thing! Perhaps the item on us triggered it!”
The blade halted suddenly at Ming Luo’s shoulder, and the rebel leader paused, noticing that another ‘traitor’ beside Ming Luo was fearfully raising what looked like a swirling blood mist-like device.
He had noticed it earlier but hadn’t pressed further.
“Officer! We really don’t know anything! If something goes awry, it must be that this device activated on its own!”
“We got this tool from a Dungeon! It can enhance our physical strength—and we paid a heavy price for it!”
While they spoke, the Third-Stage squad quickly displayed the information on the Blood Shadow device to the rebels, suggesting that the earlier outburst was purely due to this tool.
Meanwhile, far off, Yenir was already poised to act at any moment.
He was gambling!
Betting that the Blood Shadow device would capture the attention of that rebel leader!
Though the device wasn’t of the highest level, its value—worthy of being a trump card for Yinglong—was enough to drive any Third-Stage fighter to action!
It could grow, be enhanced, and even heal! With such a unique item, Yenir was banking on their adversary’s greed!
Of course, Yenir never expected these rebels to be so simple-minded. All he needed was a fleeting hesitation, even a thought of grabbing the device!
(As long as they show even a hint of greed—curiosity about how to use the Blood Shadow—I can seize the opportunity to turn things around!)