Chapter 306: Mommy, Save Me!

The helicopter landed smoothly on the designated landing pad of the "New Era" Base, its rotors' howling winds gradually subsiding. Medical and Security Personnel who had been waiting nearby immediately moved forward to take charge of the several unconscious "Shadow" Mercenary captives; they would undergo strict interrogation to uncover the employers behind them (though everyone knew full well it was almost certainly G. S. C.).

Xia Wan stepped down from the helicopter with Qin Feng, her feet touching the solid ground of the Base, and only then did the taut string of her heart truly relax. This journey to find the "Key" had not been long, but the dangers and wonders she endured surpassed the sum total of her entire life up to now. The shadow of her father's grave injuries, the eerie "Tomb Guardians" of the Ice Tower Forest, the strange dealings with G. S. C., the heart-pounding thrills of the Three Trials, and finally that sudden aerial pursuit and Qin Feng's miraculous "Forced Landing" and "Aircraft Swap" — all felt like a dream.

Yet the warm, vast power emanating from the "Origin Contract" (the Key) now fused into her Bloodline, and the clear coordinate in her mind pointing toward the distant Starfield for the "Final Trial" — both reminded her that every moment had been real. She now bore a heavier responsibility on her shoulders.

Lei Dong came personally to greet them. He first carefully scanned Xia Wan, confirmed she was unharmed, and a flicker of relief passed through his eyes; then his gaze fell upon Qin Feng, filled with complex gratitude and probing curiosity. He had already learned the general outline from the preliminary reports, but seeing the entire team return (with only minor injuries and spiritual exhaustion), and even having "accidentally" captured an enemy helicopter — this outcome still stunned him.

"You've worked hard!" Lei Dong stepped forward and clapped the Tactics Captain firmly on the shoulder, then turned to Qin Feng, his tone solemn: "Mr. Qin, words cannot express my gratitude."

Qin Feng gave a slight nod in response, showing no interest in saying more.

"Xia Wan, go back and rest well, restore your condition. We'll discuss the 'Key' and subsequent matters later," Lei Dong said to Xia Wan, his voice gentle.

Xia Wan nodded. She truly needed time to process the gains from this mission — especially the information overload and power surge brought by the "Origin Contract." She bowed to Lei Dong and Qin Feng, then turned and walked toward the Living Quarters.

Walking through familiar corridors, feeling the stable, vibrant energy field within the Base, Xia Wan's heart gradually settled. Home was always the warmest harbor after a long journey. She couldn't wait to see her parents and Sister, to bring them this safety herself.

Pushing open the door, warm light and the aroma of food rushed toward her.

"Sister!" Nannan, playing with building blocks on the living room rug, was the first to spot her. Her eyes lit up, and she shot forward like a tiny cannonball, hugging Xia Wan's legs tightly: "Sister, you're back! Nannan missed you so much!"

Xia Wan's heart instantly melted into water. She bent down, picked up her sister, and rubbed her cheek against the soft one: "Sister missed Nannan too."

Xia Tian sat on the sofa watching the news. Hearing the commotion, he turned his head and saw his daughter had returned safely. A look of relief spread across his face; though his complexion was still weak, his spirit was good: "You're back — no injuries, right?"

"No, Father, don't worry," Xia Wan set Nannan down and sat beside her father. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better. Mr. Qin's methods are truly miraculous," Xia Tian sighed, his gaze at his daughter filled with pride and a hint of barely concealed worry. He knew her journey must have been perilous, but seeing her return safely, her eyes now firmer and brighter — that mattered more than anything.

Xia Madam, apron tied, poked her head out from the kitchen, her face radiant with joy: "Wanwan's back! Perfect — Mom just finished your favorite soup, it'll be ready in a moment! Go wash your hands, dinner's almost ready!"

"Mm!" Xia Wan nodded vigorously. The warmth of home wrapped around her, washing away all her fatigue and dust.

But this warm tranquility did not last long.

A few days later, after Xia Wan had preliminarily stabilized the power surge from the "Origin Contract" and was preparing to begin higher-intensity adaptive training to prepare for the unknown arrival of the "Final Trial," an unexpected trouble came knocking.

That afternoon, Xia Wan was at a small training field near the Living Quarters, attempting to more precisely control her Bloodline Power, simulating responses to various possible attack patterns. She was utterly focused, her body surrounded by a faint glow of energy, each movement stirring air into soft whistles.

The training field door opened slightly, and a small head peeked in — it was Nannan. Seeing her sister "glowing," she thought it was fun, tiptoed inside, hid behind equipment in the corner, and stared wide-eyed with curiosity.

Xia Wan, absorbed in training, did not notice her sister's arrival.

She was practicing a new energy technique, trying to condense energy into a small, sturdy shield. Since she was still unskilled, the energy output fluctuated, and the shield's shape remained unstable, occasionally leaking fine, uncontrolled strands of energy from its edges.

During one attempt, Xia Wan slightly increased energy output to stabilize the shield's form. But her control slipped by a hair's breadth — a thin strand of energy at the shield's edge suddenly broke free, like a mischievous spark, with a "zzzt!" sound, shooting off at high speed toward the diagonal side!

And that direction was exactly where Nannan was hiding!

Though thin, the energy strand carried Xia Wan's now-substantial Bloodline Power, moving at incredible speed, carrying a faint heat!

Nannan saw only a flash before her, and a wave of heat that instinctively terrified her rushed toward her face! She had no time to react — her face turned pale, she instinctively shut her eyes, and with all her strength, screamed the sharpest, most terrified cry of her life:

"Mommy, save me —!!!"

That scream was piercing, filled with utter terror, instantly cutting through the training field's soundproofing and echoing across half the Living Quarters!

Xia Wan, startled by the sudden scream, jolted back — and saw the rogue energy strand narrowly grazing Nannan's forehead hairs before striking the Alloy Wall behind her, leaving a tiny charred mark!

Nannan had collapsed onto the floor, clutching her head, trembling violently, sobbing uncontrollably, still crying out: "Mommy! Mommy! Waaahhh…"

Xia Wan's heart nearly leapt from her chest! Cold sweat instantly soaked her back!

She lunged forward, snatched her sister into her arms, her voice trembling: "Nannan! Nannan, don't be afraid! Sister's here! Sister's here! It's okay! It's okay!"

She was chilled with dread — just a fraction of an inch away! If that rogue energy had struck Nannan — with her ordinary child's body — the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Guilt and terror flooded over her like a tide. She had been obsessed with gaining power, yet failed to ensure even basic safety! She had almost hurt the sister she loved most!

"What happened?! What happened?!" The training field door burst open — Xia Madam rushed in, face ashen, clearly having heard her daughter's cry. Seeing the two sisters huddled together — one screaming in terror, the other pale as death — and the charred mark on the wall, she instantly understood. Her legs buckled, nearly collapsing.

"Wanwan, you…" Xia Madam was stunned, furious, and terrified — words failed her.

Xia Tian also arrived, hearing the commotion. Seeing the scene, his brow furrowed deeply, his face heavy with gravity.

For a moment, the training field held only Nannan's heart-wrenching sobs and Xia Wan's heavy, ragged breathing.

"Mommy… waaah… there was fire… it burned…" Nannan buried her face in Xia Wan's arms, sobbing in broken gasps, her small body still trembling uncontrollably.

Xia Madam's heart ached beyond words. She took her younger daughter from Xia Wan's arms, soothing her gently, while casting a look at her elder daughter — filled with blame and concern.

Xia Wan stood frozen, watching her sister, still trembling in their mother's embrace, watching the lingering fear in her parents' eyes. Her fists clenched tightly, nails digging deep into her palms.

Power…

She had sought power to protect.

But if she could not even control this power — if it nearly harmed the very people she wished to protect…

Then what use was this power?

"Mommy, save me…"

Her sister's cry, filled with utter terror, echoed in her mind like a curse — more piercing and helpless than any enemy's attack.

Slowly, she raised her head. Her eyes were bloodshot — a mix of dread, guilt, and a fiercer resolve.

She looked toward the Training Safety Supervisor who had arrived, standing at the doorway, her voice hoarse but carrying unshakable finality:

"Starting tomorrow, assign me the highest-level energy control and safety isolation training."

"Until I can perfectly control every fraction of this power…"

"I will never let anyone, because of me, be placed in danger again!"

Especially — my family.