Chapter 451: Secret Base

The next day, World Tree Radio Station.

A man with a dark complexion, wearing a blue T‑shirt and a sailor‑style headband, was dramatically reporting today's street‑dance team conflicts; he is DJ Xiangle, an illegal radio broadcaster.

Although DJ Xiangle's outfits frequently change, the only thing that never does is his ever‑present headband in countless styles.

"I got a video that'll definitely scare you. Today, when the Baron Team clashed with the Armor Warrior Team, two Street Dance Knights in armor burst out and personally took down an Exotic Beast. Who are these armored knights? Let's see how they perform in the future."

That clip of the two armored knights confronting the Exotic Beast has already circulated online to most residents of Ze Ya City, and everyone in the street‑dance crews realized one thing: the summoned Exotic Beast was no match for the armored knights.

Moreover, one of them appeared to be a member of the Armor Warrior Team, confirming the team's real rise.

A black sedan sped on the road.

The man in a black suit seated in the back stared solemnly; the car's front screen was playing a video of Zhan Yue and the Armor Warrior Team instantly slaying an Exotic Beast, while his palm clutched a green honeydew locked seed.

"Contact Professor Lingma and prioritize tracing the origin of the Battle Extreme Drive in Zhan Yue's shapeshifter's hand. The Armor Warrior Team was the first test subject, but Zhan Yue was not."

"Understood, Director Guihu, should we dispatch someone to retrieve that honeydew locked seed?" the secretary prompted, "Will the other Zhan Yue cause you any trouble?"

Wu Dao Guihu, whom the secretary called Director, glanced at the locked seed in his hand, then at Zhan Yue on the screen, and merely sneered, "Even if it's a locked seed, its combat power is worlds apart. No need to worry about the seed's origin; the crucial question is where the Battle Extreme Drive originates."

"Yes, Director Guihu," the secretary answered as she drove.

At the road's end rose the World Tree Group, towering in the city's center.

When the broadcast concluded, DJ Xiangle replayed the day's footage, particularly the moment a mysterious young man suddenly appeared before Gao Siwu and knocked the Exotic Beast away with a single punch; he fixed his gaze on the stranger's face on the screen:

"The Origin Girl's rampage is one thing, but now an opponent from beyond the world shows up. Which side will the deity emerge from—locals or outsiders?"

Evolution in Helheim Forest is impartial; everyone has the right to contest the golden fruit, and each successor must defeat all rivals to claim victory. Evolution is ruthless, provided it's grounded in humanity.

Since Helheim Forest acknowledged him, as a human he now qualifies to take part.

Regarding the odds of winning, DJ Xiangle feels the outsider has a slight edge, as he sensed the mysterious man's body concealed terrifying power at the critical threshold of life‑level elevation.

Unlike the human‑to‑overlord‑to‑deity progression, this outsider must employ a golden apple to pass Evolution's gate.

Should he acquire forbidden power, it could forge the strongest life‑evolution entity ever, and DJ Xiangle also observed that the opponent is entirely immune to space‑time rules—while even Helheim Forest cannot change the past, he can.

"How interesting, hahaha! Never imagined a human race could produce such a monster; this evolution might truly open my eyes," DJ Xiangle laughed loudly, "Now we can enjoy a great spectacle."

Defying the rules, Luo Xiu'ao, who illicitly took the fruit meant for humans, encounters another human walking the Evolution path—what kind of sparks will ignite?

In fact, he is just a witness; over countless years he has observed the rise and fall of many clans, but only now does he wish to know what the victor will do.

……

"Since you're joining our Armor Warrior Team, we'll be comrades from now on. Let me give you a tour of our secret base."

Gao Siwu led Jiang Xia to the Armor Warrior Team's secret base; from the outside it resembled a typical garage, but upon opening the door, the interior revealed a whole new world.

Brown‑red wallpaper covered most of the walls, and the wall opposite the entrance was painted a vivid azure mural, looking as if someone had whimsically splashed bright colors onto it.

The large space was packed with numerous items, resembling a sizable living room, fully furnished; stepping inside felt like entering a bustling bar, saturated with a joyous vibe.

At the center lay the Armor Warrior Team's dance floor, surrounded by sofas and booths, and surprisingly a television; the ceiling was propped by several iron pipes, around which emerald vines twined, sprouting vivid blossoms.

In your teens, having so many close friends and a secret base of your own, playing and goofing off together is an indescribable joy.

"Wuhu! Thanks to your joining, our Armor Warrior Team now has armored knights," a member exclaimed to Jiang Xia, "Your transformation is truly spectacular; I wish I could be as cool as you."

"Can transform? You're reading too much into it," a short‑haired girl giggled.

The other girls nearby also laughed cheerfully, waving their hands to show it was utterly impossible.

The boy, seeing everyone laughing to the point of breathlessness, also laughed, without scorn or mockery—just the joke he'd told on stage.

When his friends roared with laughter at his joke, he was naturally delighted.

"Oh, he's aiming at Awu," the short‑haired girl laughed, "After all, such a handsome boy joining our Armor Warrior Team must have a goal."

As she spoke, she covertly glanced at Jiang Xia, who sat on the sofa smiling at their frolic, thinking to herself, "He's really handsome."

"You guys, cut it out, that's over the line," Gao Siwu glared.

She didn't know why, but she wanted to halt their chatter; these attention‑seekers needed a proper reprimand.

"Ah, Gao Siwu's getting angry; you don't have to show your favoritism so blatantly," the girls teased, glancing at the mildly irritated Gao Siwu.

"Tsundere is a very bad trait, Awu," the short‑haired girl said playfully, "Be more straightforward."

"Hm! I'm done with you all," Gao Siwu flicked her hair, letting out a soft hum.

"Tch~" a disappointed voice muttered, and they shifted to another topic, beginning to cause mischief again.

Gao Siwu sat beside Jiang Xia and whispered, "Don't mind them; they're just commenting on you being new, so ignore it." She wanted to make it clear that her friends were only being playful, not serious.

"Why shouldn't I mind?" Jiang Xia raised an eyebrow at Gao Siwu. "Because they're genuinely joking," Gao Siwu, a bit flustered, replied, "Jiang Xia is my benefactor; if my friends anger him, what should I do—side with my friends or him, or should I apologize immediately?"

Damn, Gao Siwu, think of a solution quickly; my brain is racing, steam about to rise from my forehead, yet I still can't utter a word. Normally I'd be decisive, apologize on the spot, but this time I'm tongue‑tied.

"Um, my friends… I apologize to you, please forgive them," she stammered, managing only a dry sentence.

"Why do I need to apologize?" Jiang Xia gently patted her head, "I said I care because that girl was actually right; I truly came for you."

Gao Siwu stared blankly at him, trying to read something from his demeanor or eyes, but only saw seriousness—very serious, as if those were truly his heartfelt words.

Jiang Xia had truly joined the Armor Warrior Team for her; she seemed to smell the familiar fruit fragrance again, realizing their distance had become unusually close, something she hadn't noticed. Everything unfolded so naturally; she wondered when she leaned against Jiang Xia, was a simple apology enough to sit this close? "Dance sister!"

"Awu! I'm back"

Two distinct voices called from outside the door; the familiar voice snapped Gao Siwu out of her dizziness. She leapt up from the sofa, feeling scorching hot, turned, and swiftly fanned herself with her hand.

What on earth is she doing, this is so embarrassing.

"Ashi! Hongta!" the Armor Warrior Team shouted as all members cheered.

Now there are two armored knights, and none of the other dance crews have any.

"Did you really join the Armor Warrior Team?" Ge Ye Hongta asked, surprised by Jiang Xia.

"Of course, I never lie; I'm now also a member of the Armor Warrior Team," Jiang Xia nodded, "Working."

"Working?" Ge Ye Hongta was puzzled, what does 'working' mean in the Armor Warrior Team?

If the Armor Warrior Team could work, he wouldn't need a side job; where does the team get money to pay workers, especially armored knights?

He had only caught a fragment yesterday—Jiang Xia's intention to join the Armor Warrior Team—and hadn't heard clearly, so he wondered what 'working' meant. Meanwhile, having just recovered from dizziness and heat, Gao Siwu heard the word "working," her body froze, then she sprinted between Jiang Xia and Ge Ye Hongta, her demeanor exuding a ghost‑like aura, forcibly cutting off their dialogue.

"Hongtai! Why are you back here doing what? What on earth are you thinking? Are you really going to become a street dance Knight again?" Gao Siwu stood in front of Ge Ye Hongtai, glaring, "If you join, what about your part-time job? You don't have time for this! Aren't you trying to help your sister earn money?"

"There's nothing to be done, Yu Ye isn't here now, the Armored Warrior Team has no captain, so I came over to help." Ge Ye Hongtai adjusted his coat and said.

"Jiang Xia has already joined us, and we now have a captain." Gao Siwu said.

Ge Ye Hongtai glanced at Jiang Xia, somewhat incredulous, and asked Gao Siwu, "He couldn't possibly be the new captain of the Armored Warrior Team, could he?"

This guy's only been here a day, is it really that outrageous? Can he be promoted that fast? And can this guy dance? He looks nothing like someone who can dance—making a person who can't dance the captain of the street dance team, isn't that a bit strange?

"Of course not, after Yu Ye left, I became the captain of the Armored Warrior Team." Gao Siwu grabbed Jiang Xia's arm, "He's the reinforcement I requested, he's my person, so go ahead and work obediently."

The surrounding crowd of onlookers all sucked in a breath of cold air, and that short-haired girl from earlier was even more dumbfounded—what's going on, such words just popped straight out of their mouths.

They caught the scent of gossip, so each of them huddled aside like quail, quietly pricking up their ears to eavesdrop.

"They couldn't be a couple, could they?" one girl whispered.

"Probably, I've sensed something off about them for a while," the short-haired girl said softly.

"Where does this suspicion come from? They've only known each other for a day, come on—I think it's not that; it's just that Hongtai previously quit the Armored Warrior Team and now wants to come back, so that's why." The guy who just told a joke said similarly in a very low voice.

"I think the same, they probably aren't a couple." The boy called A Shi stared intently at the scene of Gao Siwu embracing Jiang Xia's arm, and spoke slowly.

"Uh." Jiang Xia didn't know what to say; usually at times like this, he would be the leader of a group, but not this time—that's really great.

"But I already quit my job." Ge Ye Hongtai said embarrassedly, "Now it's two Knights fighting together, I feel like I've caused quite a bit of trouble for my part-time boss, so this is best—I've also found a place to stay."

Likewise, for this power to protect people, we must not let otherworldly beings come out to harm anyone again.

"But if you do this, your sister..." Gao Siwu wanted to say more; if earlier she was just trying to interrupt the conversation, this time her concern for Ge Ye Hongtai was genuine—she didn't want her good friend to endure such pressure again.

"Let him stay, I believe he can handle it, and I also believe his sister won't blame him for making this choice." Jiang Xia, standing aside, spoke slowly; Ge Ye Jing is a very gentle girl, gentle and resolute, and she also trusts her own family.

This information is also what he just looked up.

"You..." Ge Ye Hongtai was a bit taken aback.

Gao Siwu glanced at Jiang Xia, then at Ge Ye Hongtai, she lightly nodded and said to Ge Ye Hongtai, "Hongtai, you don't have to bear everything on your own—now our Armored Warrior Team has two armored Knights, and Jiang Xia is incredibly strong."

"Mm" he nodded heavily.

"Then welcome home, Hongtai!" A group of people again began to revel in the garage.

Really, they're young people—I'm just a few years older and already don't feel like moving much.

Jiang Xia leaned on the sofa, still holding a cup of orange juice, sipping slowly; watching them dance, he also felt a sense of returning to youth—although he has a long lifespan, he still misses those people or things from before, perhaps because he's seen too much.

"Jiang Xia! Come dance with me." Gao Siwu suddenly burst out of the dance floor, grabbed Jiang Xia's hand and ran outward, "Don't just sit here alone—we're all members of the Armored Warrior Team!"

"Alright, youth never goes out of style." (End of chapter)