"Well? Do you believe it now?"
The projection ended. Li Xiaoya challenged the crowd: "If Lixin had ill intentions, Qin Fan and Cleyna traveling with her wouldn't have helped us. So, isn't it unfair to say such things?"
"Tch."
The leader clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed his pride was wounded but unable to argue back.
"So what? What if one scheme failed and they're planning—" *Ugh!*
He flew backward, slamming into the cave wall.
"If I wanted to kill you, it wouldn't take any effort."
Lixin retracted her fist, fury blazing across her face: "You lot, and those Lapthesis idiots—you ignore a common enemy to spend all day suspecting and attacking your own people. Are you that bored?"
She turned and strode off, ignoring Cleyna and Qin Fan. Lixin would leave whether they followed or not.
"Wait! You can't go!"
Her action clearly broke their rules and deepened suspicion. Two or three people stepped forward to block her.
"I said I'm in a foul mood. Don't test me."
Before they grasped what happened, something coiled around their waists. Next instant, they were tossed beside the first flying man.
No one dared stop her now. Li Xiaoya stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sudden shift.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Poor Qin Fan tried to follow but his legs trembled too much. Cleyna, beside Li Xiaoya, paused briefly, then muttered, "Sorry," to her. She hoisted Qin Fan onto her shoulder and chased after Lixin.
Qin Fan squirmed at first, straining Cleyna's injured arm. She nearly dropped him, but his fright silenced his struggles instantly.
"How do we get up later?"
Qin Fan suddenly remembered—they were hundreds of meters underground. How would they climb out? Wait... how did Lixin even get down here?!
Cleyna's doubts about Lixin's power surged. From the academy to now—killing a Preyas in one strike, freely moving between deep underground and the surface, instantly defeating multiple B Rank Gigantic Strength Ability Users... No mere C Rank Ability User could do this. Even with her bizarre ability, Lixin had to be at least Class A. And Cleyna had never heard of a costly ability before—this power was extraordinary.
She resolved to question Lixin after escaping.
So how would they exit through the hole above?
"Sigh..."
Lixin knew her strength couldn't stay hidden. Pretending to be weak was over.
Helplessly, she told them, "Wait here." She spread her wings and flew up—though it was a bit jerky.
They could build an underground mobile fortress but couldn't widen the staircase entrance?! A single-lane path—seriously?!
Soon, a black, slimy tendril descended. It wrapped around Cleyna first, then extended to Qin Fan, hauling both up at once...
"Eeek?!"
Honestly, they found it utterly disgusting.
Really.
.................................................................
Academy.
"Move a bit."
Elwin stared at his computer screen, speaking to the girl on the examination table.
"No problem."
"Reach out."
"No problem."
"Walk around."
"I can even run."
"Activate your ability. Try piercing the iron plate ahead."
A ten-centimeter-thick plate appeared before her. She took a soft breath and punched swiftly—
*Boom!*
It wasn't pierced—the plate was now just a ring of fragments.
"Easy. No effort."
"Hmm. All normal here too."
Elwin nodded, satisfied—the data showed no irregularities.
"Alena, after final calibration, these artificial limbs will function perfectly. Daily life and ability use will feel identical. You're safe."
"I know."
Alena ripped off the electrodes on her limbs and stepped down. Her arms and legs looked human but were fully mechanical inside.
"Guess 'Capability Combat Academy' isn't all trash. They just slapped this on a prisoner like me."
Truthfully, Lixin went terrifyingly ruthless when enraged—dismantling limbs completely...
"Honestly, the school and government opposed restoring your mobility. Thank me for securing this chance."
Elwin shot her a sidelong glance.
"Oh~ Bold little guy. Not scared I'll wreck this place?" Alena pinched his chin, threatening.
"First, you can't. Second, you won't."
Elwin mumbled, prying her hand away.
"Tch. Boring." Alena released him, losing interest: "They're right to worry. Lapthesis training isn't gentle. I'd die if I returned. Staying here is safer—I get to be with my sister. My cooperation is only for her sake... She's on a mission though. I wanted to show her these prosthetics..."
"Don't worry. You'll see her soon."
Elwin spoke while tidying instruments.
"After your final calibration tomorrow, we head to the Northeast China frontline."
"Why?"
"To retrieve them."
At 5:24 PM today, the Northeast China frontline command center's signal was unilaterally cut. Contact lost.
