Chapter 485: Encountering Danger

The next day.

After being apart for several days, the Seventh Squad members gathered again at the entrance of Hope City.

"Everyone ready? Before we set out, double‑check that we haven't forgotten anything; otherwise, if an emergency occurs and we remember, that would be bad."

Yu Yang said solemnly.

"I already checked once before coming, no problems," Deputy Captain Di Yun said.

"I'm ready as well."

"Nothing wrong on my side either."

"I have none either," Jiang Cheng added.

"Alright."

Yu Yang nodded, "Then let's go."

Before departing, he specifically reminded Jiang Cheng once more to stay close and not fall behind.

They passed through tunnel after tunnel and arrived at their destination.

"Just like last time, we should check every marked spot on the map, avoid the dangerous locations, and stay alert for emergencies, such as intruders," Yu Yang announced.

"Yes, Captain."

The others replied in unison.

After walking for more than half an hour without encountering any danger, the light caused even the surrounding Exotic Beasts to hide early.

Until they rounded a corner and saw a masked man leaning against the rock wall, twirling a small knife in his hand.

The group instantly felt as if facing a formidable foe.

Anyone who could appear here must be either someone from the Base or an intruder from outside.

If it were the former, there would be no need for a mask.

"Who are you?"

Yu Yang asked tentatively, and at the same time gripped his Alloy Battle Knife tightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

His Spiritual Power was at First-level Grandmaster level, yet he failed to detect the opponent.

Di Yun, Xie Jianfeng and the others also tightened their weapons or Psychic Weapons, forming a strict formation.

Jiang Cheng felt the same, a strong unease stirring inside him.

The man heard the words and looked this way.

Only then did they see clearly that he wore a pure white mask without eyes or nose, which, in this setting, made him even more terrifying.

"Heh heh."

A cold snicker seemed to emanate from beneath the mask, and immediately his throwing knife shot straight toward the group.

"Run!"

Yu Yang shouted, and a bronze‑colored shield materialized in front of him.

The throwing knife was so fast that even with Spiritual Power he couldn't see it clearly; under such circumstances trying to block it with his Alloy Battle Knife was utterly impossible.

Thus he could only rely on the defensive treasure he carried, but he wasn't sure whether this fourth‑rank high‑grade defensive treasure could withstand the strike.

However, before the word "run" was fully spoken, the knife reached him, instantly shattering the shield and heading for his skull.

The masked man remained leaning against the rock, arms crossed, watching the scene silently.

What seemed uncatchable to Yu Yang and the others appeared to him as if slowed down many, even dozens of times, like a movie frame.

The next moment the knife would pierce Yu Yang's skull and drill through the heads of the people behind him.

"How boring."

He muttered to himself that killing these people was as easy as dispatching a few stray dogs; the only trouble was dumping their bodies onto Exotic Beast territory afterward.

"Am I going to die?"

Yu Yang felt utter despair.

Being a Rebel Soldier is like that; you never know whether tomorrow or an accident will come first.

Regrettably, he didn't know the masked man's identity and couldn't spread the information.

At that moment, a three‑story treasure tower materialized out of thin air, enveloping everyone present, including Yu Yang at the front of the squad.

"Bang!"

A violent collision sound rang out.

The knife that could have pierced Yu Yang's skull slammed into the tower, rebounded, and lodged into the nearby rock wall.

Not far away, the smile beneath the man's mask froze, and his expression grew increasingly grim as he stared at the three‑story tower.

In a flawless version!

"What is this?"

Yu Yang stared at the tower, his eyes filled with shock.

I didn't die?

Did this tower block the fatal blow for me? But how did it appear? Not only he, but Di Yun and the two behind him were also stunned.

The instant the masked man appeared, they became highly alert, realizing he was likely hostile; they hadn't expected his power to be so great that a single glance shattered the captain's treasure.

If even the captain couldn't block him for a blink, they stood no chance.

Thus, the three's hearts were filled with sorrow and fear at that moment, and suddenly a tower appeared nearby. They knew it was a defensive treasure, but since they were so familiar with each other, they couldn't recall who possessed such an item.

Could someone have just bought it after the last mission? But the person before them?

At that instant, a dragon's roar echoed in the air as a giant dragon over ten meters long lunged forward.

In that instant, dazzling lightning filled the entire tunnel.

"Thunder Dragon Talisman!"

The masked man let out a startled shout.

The startled shout echoed, and his movements were no slower; with a shift of thought, several flying knives flew out, colliding with the Thunder Dragon.

Boom!

A deafening sound roared, the rock walls on both sides shattered, countless fragments flew outward like cannonballs.

When the smoke cleared, the Thunder Dragon that had been over ten meters long had already disintegrated, leaving only some lightning flashing in the air.

The masked man looked considerably disheveled, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Cheng among the few, or rather, on the Talismans the other held.

"Jiang, Jiang Cheng?"

"Is it you?"

At that moment, Di Yun and the three also realized, staring at Jiang Cheng beside them, they were dumbfounded.

This suddenly appearing three‑story treasure pagoda, and the Thunder Dragon just now, were all Jiang Cheng's doing? Isn't he a newcomer? How does he possess such powerful artifacts? And more than one! "Jiang, little brother Jiang…"

Yu Yang turned his head, mouth agape, trying to say something grateful, but the shock inside rendered him speechless.

"Captain, now is not the time for that; this guy is strong. Can you get in touch with someone at headquarters?"

Jiang Cheng interrupted him, saying.

The guy before them could destroy a Thunder Dragon with a single strike; at the very least he must be a Fifth-level Spirit Mind Master! Even though the Thunder Dragon Talisman can be used repeatedly, killing this man outright is clearly unrealistic.

(End of chapter)