"Zhu Yuan, you've still got a lot to learn…"
Qingyi winked at Zhu Yuan. Seth was now in the Criminal Investigation Special Task Force—capable, but still lacking in attention to detail. Handling more tedious cases would hone her skills. That was senior-level wisdom.
Although Zhu Yuan had plenty of doubts, she tucked them away. If her senior did it, it must be for a reason!
Focusing on today's mission, Zhu Yuan asked Qingyi,
"Senior, what do you think the military's up to near Dead End Hollow? Why is all this activity happening?"
If it weren't for this, the Public Security Bureau wouldn't have so many criminals to detain—cell blocks are overflowing, and now they're literally lining up criminals for conviction. Some with trivial charges are at the back, demanding to go commit real crimes and come back to rejoin the queue!
Qingyi shook her head, smiling gently at Zhu Yuan as she tapped her chin,
"Who knows? Military business isn't for us security officers. Get too curious and you might end up packing your bags…"
"If Zhu Yuan lost her job and no longer had the title of defender of justice, she'd be sobbing her heart out… Reality check, how sad would that be?"
"Senior! Please, be serious!" Zhu Yuan's face flushed. She had no idea what he was playing at!
Clearing her throat, Qingyi smoothed her tone,
Ahem. "Actually, it's incredibly unusual for so many criminals to gather in that area…" She sat up and spoke firmly.
"Thousands of lawless elements showed up before the army arrived, and they're not just riffraff—they're mixed in with serious criminals. That tells us there's something special about Dead End Hollow we don't understand."
Zhu Yuan nodded in agreement. Impressive—her senior really had insight!
"So why do you think they're clearing around Deep End Hollow?" she pressed.
"I doubt these lawless folks would dare clash with a full military deployment unless…"
"Zhu Yuan, view things from all angles. They're not just rooting out criminals—those only make up a small fraction." Qingyi's tone grew serious.
Zhu Yuan paused thoughtfully. Citizens… evacuation… outside the Hollow…
"Sen—the one you mean is Lamia Hollow?"
"Dead End Hollow might be just as special?" Her voice strayed upward in surprise.
Qingyi smiled faintly and shook her head.
"I never said that—just your speculation…"
"Tsk. Senior, this is more complicated than we thought and…"
"It's very likely connected to Zane."
"Hey, Zhu Yuan, don't drag my beloved apprentice into this…" Qingyi feigned annoyance.
"So… you really think it relates to Zane?"
"Hm… I do." Qingyi sipped her tea, smiling enigmatically.
Boom!
A massive fire-blade crashed into the blood-soaked ground, sending torrents of crimson spraying. Azazel dodged the blaze, while above, Anomaly shifted through space to avoid the attack. Despite those maneuvers, both took heavy hits—the searing energy clung like worms to their bones.
"I can't hit him… This is frustrating."
Zane's arm surged with power as a gigantic crystalline scythe took shape. He swung—and the blade's expansive arc nearly sealed Azazel's exit route.
Azazel had no choice. He drew Ether from the Hollows and forged a massive crystalline shield.
Bang!
The two collided, and the blood-soaked sea churned violently. Before Azazel could recover, a strange vibration echoed through the sky.
Hum—hum—hum—
The pitch-black dragon above throbbed with deep blue lines that pulsed across its body. Its maw opened wide, and in the next instant, a torrent of ice-fire energy erupted—the deep-blue flames freezing everything they touched, directed straight at Azazel.
Blood-iced shards reformed in midair, and Anomaly waved his arms, sending ripples across the battlefield. The dragon's breath split into fragments that rained down in other locations.
Zane raised his brow. Useful… mine. He siphoned spatial energy from the Ether and, in a few breaths, re-gathered the split ice-fire in the sky, firing it again.
The dragon's breath struck Azazel's spot, but the fragments split and redirected to target Anomaly. The scene was surreal—blood seas, floating ice shards—nothing felt real.
Azazel dodged, his defense low and Zane's output deadly. The dragon's energy faded, its breath sputtered out, and Azazel broke free.
He erupted forward like a savage humanoid beast, smashing his crumbling crystalline shield and bearing down straight on Zane.
Zane stood firm, drew back, and slammed a fist into Azazel's charge. Lightning cracked as the ground shook, the blood sea rippling outward then sweeping back over Zane's thighs.
Ether energy roiled. Zane's eyes glowed blue as he unleashed another explosive burst.
Supported by the twin Hollows, his Ether reserve was staggering. Azazel was sent flying; Zane flickered through the air and landed before him. He spun and smashed a kick—
Boom!
A massive shockwave exploded. This time, Zane funneled all his Ether into his body; the force obliterated several high-rises in an eyeblink.
Just as Zane prepared to follow up, a spatial ripple snapped near him. Instinctively, he shifted into a rapid-flash state.