Chapter 246

Ten minutes later.

Not long after Chen Shicheng had restored the classic Evil Ghost Mask attire of the Rat Child, a black mist appeared before the Yánluó Statue, spewing out three somewhat disheveled figures—none other than Shuigu Tang and her companions.

"Yo, isn't this our Rat Child Big Brother? 'Long time no see!'" As soon as she steadied herself, Shuigu Tang teased with a pointed remark.

Compared to her relaxed state now that her safety was assured, the other two were ill at ease, standing stiffly to the side, daring only to glance at the legendary big shot from the corner of their eyes.

"These two?"

Chen Shicheng ignored Shuigu Tang's teasing, sized up the two men, and asked doubtfully.

"Those two." Shuigu Tang pursed her lips, "You're a big shot now, busy all day and never see people, you've missed several Trading gatherings, how could you know newcomers? Let me introduce them: these two are later additions, codenamed Rooster and Pig."

"Rat Child Big Brother, greetings."

Upon hearing the introduction, the two nervously greeted Chen Shicheng.

"Um, hello hello."

Chen Shicheng also didn't expect that the newcomers at the Trading gathering would still follow the naming rule he had proposed initially, all the way up to the last one, Pig.

"Alright, cut the pleasantries, quickly put the statue away—those damn R's somehow have a method to keep tracking our position."

Shuigu Tang walked toward the statue while complaining, "It's all because of that Yinxiang Incense you sold—we can't even get away, those people are relentless, tracking us closely."

"This can also be blamed on me—who knew you'd be hunted? And"

Chen Shicheng reached out, using the Five Ghosts' Transport to send the statue into his hand, where it stood steady beside him, "Don't put this away—we want them to come after us; if we don't finish them off, do I have to keep running with you?"

"Big Brother!" Shuigu Tang exclaimed in shock, "That's a Token Fragment—Pioneers can't stay indifferent to it; if they intervene, are you sure you can handle it?"

Shuigu Tang obtained the Token Fragment early, even before the Task to Break the Formation.

She had been continuously searching for information about the Token Fragment and had not participated in any battle, whether it was the ambush outside the city or the destruction of the altar inside.

And when the Task was reported to the public, Jiǔyōu had also communicated beforehand with Chen Shicheng, downplaying his contribution in the battle, merely stating that he had taken part.

Thus, while the outside world praised Chen Shicheng, they did not know that the assassination of Jiànkōng was his solo effort.

Everyone thought the Task could only be completed with the main team's coordination, and Shuigu Tang was no exception.

Hence, at this moment, doubts arose about Chen Shicheng's strength, with people thinking he would be insufficient against the currently strongest Pioneer organization.

"Yeah, Rat Child Big Brother, we should first make a strategic retreat; they definitely don't have as much Yinxiang Incense as you do." The other two also mustered courage to advise.

Chen Shicheng ignored the two nervous newcomers, flashed to Shuigu Tang's side, and gave her a knifehand strike to the head, "Do you have some misunderstanding about my strength?"

"Ouch!"

Shuigu Tang covered her head, sensed Chen Shicheng's aura, shook her head, and earnestly advised, "It's true—you're already at Golden Core Stage, your level surpasses mine, but the opponents are Pioneers; legend says they already have a Zifu Realm player. If one really shows up, what will you do? Listen to my advice, you're not up to it."

"We'll talk when they arrive!"

Chen Holy didn't want to waste effort explaining; after all, when the facts are before one's eyes, nothing is more persuasive. He simply stood to the side, quietly watching the Yánluó Statue not far away. Shuigu Tang still wanted to advise, but seeing the two newcomers out of the corner of her eye, she swallowed her words.

A man, she understands—what he wants is face! At times like this, the more you advise, the more stubborn he gets; the point is to rebel, and only when the facts are before one's eyes does anything become more persuasive.

Only after getting a bloody head does one learn what it means to suffer loss before one's eyes for not heeding elders.

"Sigh."

Shuigu Tang abandoned the idea of advising, but didn't just sit and wait for doom; she took out a tiny Yánluó Statue from her storage slot, placed it to the side, and together with the two newcomers produced Yinxiang Incense, ready to flee at once if things turned bad.

Chen Shicheng also noticed her little move, but paid it no heed, merely waiting silently.

The opposing side, no less capable of chasing Shuigu Tang until she was disheveled, in under three minutes the black mist reappeared, and a line of seven fully armed individuals appeared before Chen Shicheng.

"Yo, you didn't run—is this the helper you found?"

The leading man sized up Chen Shicheng, somewhat unable to gauge his depth, and recalling the chief's temporary notice, he probed, "Sir, could you be the Rat Child?"

"That's right, it's me." Chen Shicheng nodded.

Upon hearing him acknowledge his identity, the man's heart jolted; he instinctively stepped back and secretly signaled his companion.

The one who received the signal promptly stepped aside and covertly cast an appraisal Spell on Chen Shicheng.

The appraisal result left him stunned at first, then his expression relaxed: "Big Brother, the one opposite is indeed the Rat Child, but his realm is only Golden Core Stage, and his level is just 19."

"That's it?"

The leader also was stunned, then felt a surge of irritation at having been startled just moments before.

Like Shuigu Tang, his knowledge of Chen Shicheng came from reports, and he had no clue whatsoever about his strength being utterly mismatched with his level.

After receiving the opponent's true registration from his companion, his first reaction was that the reports had misled him; it seemed the so-called Breaking the Formation Task wasn't that hard—he could handle it himself! "Liuzi, it's yours—test what caliber this so‑called new god‑level figure is."

"Take a look, then!"

Liuzi said, "Rat Child Big Brother, let me see what you're made of."

The four words "Rat Child Big Brother" were deliberately emphasized, the taunting intent obvious.

Chen Shicheng wordlessly shook his head, having no interest in playing with a kid, and casually flicked a bean seed, which turned into a golden macaque standing before Liuzi.

"You really think being called a god makes you one? Just a clueless orangutan." The leader smirked contemptuously, "Liuzi, quick fight, show our Rat Child Big Brother what a true master is—"

"Bang!"

Before he could finish speaking, a figure flew back in a sorry state and smashed directly in front of him.

(End of Chapter)