Old Master Lin was at his wit’s end.

Yet Lu Xueqi remained stubbornly defiant.

“I don’t care! I’ve guarded that Mystic Realm for over three years—rotation is long overdue!

Besides, only that Nether Dragon is still skulking around in there. The rest? Just small-fry demons!

And if it stays hidden, fine. But if it dares show itself? I’ll slaughter it myself!”

A sharp glint of killing intent flashed in her eyes.

Silence fell over the entire Jinling City Alliance Branch.

Don’t be fooled by Lu Xueqi’s cool, capable aura or her stunning long-legged elegance—when she snapped, she was far more terrifying than any Monarch Rank demon.

Those in the know understood: the Nether Dragon she mentioned was a Monarch Rank Greater Demon… one capable of human speech.

Yet this very beast, capable of ravaging a city or even a nation, had been hunted relentlessly by Lu Xueqi since its first appearance.

Even through the phone, Old Master Lin felt her killing intent. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He knew—if not for that Nether Dragon, she wouldn’t have stayed stationed at the Mystic Realm for over three years, barely stepping away. No wonder her hatred ran so deep.

For the past year, the beast had stayed hidden. Cowardly.

Her leave request was perfectly reasonable.

They’d need to send another Monarch Rank expert to hold the line—unlikely to win, but enough to stall.

If the Nether Dragon dared escape the realm? Eliminate it. Once and for all.

After careful thought, Old Master Lin gritted his teeth.

“Fine. I agree. But if it emerges—wherever you are—you return immediately. The nation is stretched thin. That beast… must fall by your hand.”

Lu Xueqi nodded.

“Mm. Just seal the Mystic Realm entrance temporarily. I’ll be there in an instant.”

“Understood,” he replied.

They’d been unprepared before. Never expected the beast’s cunning—retreating into the realm after realizing it couldn’t beat her.

A disgrace to the dragon race!

Once her leave was settled, Lu Xueqi asked calmly,

“So… Old Master Lin, do you know where my captain is?”

He rolled his eyes.

“Don’t ask me. Don’t ask anyone *within the system*. Rules are rules.”

He hung up.

Lu Xueqi wasn’t the naive girl she once was. She caught the hint.

*“Within the system” can’t speak… but what about “outside”?’*

Who outside could possibly know her captain’s whereabouts?

Pondering this, she walked out of the Jinling City Alliance Branch with quiet grace.

Minutes later, bruised staff grumbled while cleaning up:

“Lu the Legend went too far! Just to ask about someone, she beat us up!”

Others chimed in bitterly:

“She disrespects the Alliance! The nation!”

“Poor Director Han… utterly humiliated…”

Just then, Han Xiao stepped out, face dark.

“Director Han! We can’t let this slide!”

“Silence!” he snapped. “Even if she tore this branch down—it’s not your place to gossip! You blocked her *after* she showed credentials. You earned those bruises.

Effective now—you’re dismissed. The Mystic Realm Lu the Legend guards needs hands. Go experience her life.

I hope… you survive to see me again.”

After clearing out the reckless pests, Han Xiao returned to his office on the 79th floor.

He gazed at the city beyond the glass, emotion swirling in his eyes.

Slowly unbuttoning his shirt, he stared at his reflection—the hideous claw mark etched across his chest. A flicker of fear crossed his gaze.

*Without that elder’s intervention, I’d be dead.*

Anyone may slander the pioneers—but not the people of the Dragon Realm.

Without Lu Xueqi and others guarding the Mystic Realms and The Abyss, how could peace exist?

Without their sacrifices, how could today’s Demonhunters train safely within clear duties?

A decade ago, when the Sky Rift first tore open, deaths came daily.

Their blood bought this peace.

To forget so soon? Unforgivable.

Lu Xueqi owed no one this fight. Yet she stood anyway—to shield hundreds of millions.

For that? Grabbing his collar was restraint. *She has a remarkably good temper.*

As Lu Xueqi packed and pondered how to find her captain, Old Master Lin broke into a cold sweat.

He’d thought Ye Thirteen’s departure would benefit the Dragon Realm—his knowledge, his strength, invaluable.

Then he remembered: the original Starlight Feather Squad’s female members… all held quiet admiration for their captain.

If *they* went on strike like Lu Xueqi today? His heart nearly stopped.

*No. They must not learn Ye Thirteen left. Stall. Months. Then figure it out.*

He quietly ordered all news of Ye Thirteen suppressed at key posts.

Then he stared at Ye Thirteen’s photo on-screen, expression unreadable.

He’d seen only surface-level files—just the major region within the Dragon Realm.

Frankly, better not to know.

So many were searching. And that restless brat? He’d reveal himself soon enough.

*Wait, brat. The debts of your youth… are coming due.*