Chapter 120: A Turning Point

Just as she was about to launch another taunt, she suddenly saw a black object flying toward her at high speed. Before she could even react:

"Boom!"

A violent explosion erupted, and the shockwave sent Xue Feifei rolling across the ground several times. Covered in snow and dirt, she looked utterly disheveled. When she finally lifted her head, an involuntary flicker of fear crossed her face. If the Nine-Headed Snake hadn't shielded her just in time, she would have been dead.

In the distance, the explosion-wielder lowered his hand and looked at the woman beside him.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Hmph, barely acceptable. Forget it, let's go—but this isn't over!"

The woman in the raincoat snorted and was the first to step out past the safety zone's protective barrier. The explosion-wielder shrugged, hoisted Tuan Tuan onto his shoulder, and followed her out.

However, just as they stepped out of the safety zone and hadn't gone far, a sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the air.

"Hmm?"

The explosion-wielder turned his head in confusion, but saw nothing. Just then, a whip-like object appeared out of thin air and lashed across his face with a crack. A deep gash immediately appeared on his cheek, blood gushing out, forcing an involuntary cry of pain from him.

But it wasn't over. He then realized the girl on his shoulder had been ensnared by that same whip and ripped away from him.

"Who's there?"

Both of them looked toward a certain direction in surprise. In the distance, in a space that had been empty a moment ago, a woman holding a whip had suddenly appeared.

"Hong Ling!"

Seeing the figure appear, Xue Feifei, who was inside the safety zone, recognized her immediately. It was Hong Ling, who had spent time with them! She never expected her to show up at this critical juncture. And by the looks of it, she had become an Awakened!

This filled Xue Feifei with joy. She had been on the verge of despair, ready to rush out and fight to the death, but the tide had turned. Hong Ling’s appearance had instantly snatched Tuan Tuan back and given her new hope.

"Catch her, Big Snake!"

Hong Ling caught the flying Tuan Tuan, and without a moment's hesitation, took two running steps toward the safety zone and hurled the frail body deep inside.

"Ah!"

Xue Feifei had been running outward, but suddenly saw something that made her heart leap into her throat—Tuan Tuan was being thrown back at her by Hong Ling. She couldn't help but curse inwardly. Why does everyone love throwing people? Just because she isn't yours doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful!

Xue Feifei ran back while watching the black shadow soar over her head, her hands instinctively reaching out as if to catch Tuan Tuan.

But how could she outrun the speed of flight with just two legs? Besides, Hong Ling had intended for the snake to catch her.

"Hiss!"

Fortunately, the Big Snake was quick and its body was long enough. One of its heads reared up, its long tongue flicking out to catch Tuan Tuan in mid-air, curling around her and delivering her safely into the hands of the frantic Xue Feifei.

Only when she held Tuan Tuan in her arms did Xue Feifei finally exhale. Looking at the pathetic state of the girl—her small face covered in soot, her hair a tangled mess, and her complexion deathly pale—Xue Feifei felt a pang of heartache so sharp that tears began to stream down her face. Perhaps because of Tuan Tuan’s playful nature, they had always been somewhat distant. It was only after going through so much today that she realized how important Tuan Tuan had become to her. Holding her tightly now, Xue Feifei made a silent vow never to be separated from her again.

Outside the safety zone, the duo of ability-users stared at the woman with grim expressions.

"Who exactly are you?"

"Hmph! You may not know me, but I know you all too well. You nearly roasted me alive the day before yesterday!"

Hong Ling flicked her whip, sneering at them. Despite facing both of them, she showed no fear. During the days she had spent tracking them, she hadn't been idle; she had been observing their abilities and constantly devising countermeasures, all so that when the moment came for a direct confrontation, she wouldn't be paralyzed by fear and flee.

Although she hadn't found a way to perfectly suppress them, her current physique as an Awakened and the gear she had scavenged gave her the confidence to hold them off for a while. She had never intended to win; her mission was simply to stall for time. As long as she held out until Kong Zhe arrived, everything would be fine.

Indeed, these two seemed powerful—even the formidable snake couldn't defeat them. Yet, along the way, Hong Ling had discovered a fatal flaw in these types of ability-users: their powers were too one-dimensional. Unlike Awakened who could possess a variety of skills to compensate for their weaknesses, these ability-users had only one power. Once countered, their combat effectiveness plummeted.

"Well, since that girl has been snatched back, we have no choice but to stay! After all, that girl's importance is enough to excuse us from the Elder's punishment..."

The woman in the raincoat suddenly laughed, then looked at Xue Feifei inside the safety zone, her twisted smile widening. "Hehe, this is even better. We can settle all our old and new scores at once!"

"Sigh, I suppose that’s the only way. I doubt the Organization can blame us for this!" The explosion-wielder sighed, tucked his pocket watch away, and prepared to enter the safety zone.

"Wait, let's get this straight: the two inside are mine. You take care of her!" The woman in the raincoat pointed at Hong Ling.

The explosion-wielder frowned. "Are you sure? Can you handle that snake? We don't have time to waste!"

"Hmph, then hurry up and finish her off so you can come and help me!"

With that, the woman in the raincoat charged into the safety zone to attack the snake.

"...What an impulsive woman!"

The explosion-wielder shook his head with a bitter smile, then turned to Hong Ling and sneered, "Fine then, little lady. I'll play with you!"

Both of them treated her like a minor nuisance they could dispatch at will. Their dismissive attitude infuriated Hong Ling, but a subtle smile soon tugged at the corner of her lips. This was perfect. She had been somewhat intimidated by the woman's abilities, but she felt confident facing this man alone.

At first, the explosion-wielder hadn't paid her any mind. The woman was only Level 3, lower than most Awakened he had killed—clearly a fresh recruit. He had lost count of how many such Awakened he had dispatched, and she would simply be another tally.

However, once the fight began, he immediately realized something was wrong. This woman acted as if she knew his ability inside out. She kept her distance, using only that long whip to lash at him. Whenever he tried to close in, she would either retreat or launch a fierce barrage to keep him at bay. In such a situation, he couldn't unleash his explosive power, forced to use it only to deflect the incoming whip strikes.

But the weapon in her hand wasn't an ordinary whip. Strictly speaking, it was a soft sword made of linked chains, its edges lined with razor-sharp blades. Each strike left deep cuts on him. His palms, used to deflect the whip, were already a bloody mess. Yet, after so long, he hadn't managed to land a single hit on her.

Glancing at the situation inside the safety zone, he broke into a cold sweat. His companion, that arrogant woman, had boasted about making them pay, yet she was barely holding her own against the snake. He cursed inwardly; he should have been the one to go inside. The woman's ability was harder to counter, while he could have suppressed the snake—that would have been the optimal scenario. Now, they were both in a passive position.

Thinking this, the explosion-wielder broke away from the fight, intending to run into the safety zone and swap places. But just then, a voice came from behind him.

"Leave this woman to me!"

Behind the explosion-wielder, Han Ke emerged with a sneer.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. As an ally, I can't just stand by. You go handle the snake!"

Han Ke flexed his hands, not even glancing at the explosion-wielder, his gaze fixed entirely on Hong Ling.

The explosion-wielder frowned slightly. Throughout their journey, Han Ke had been cautious and deferential; this sudden air of superiority felt uncomfortable and deeply irritating. But this wasn't the time to argue. Since this guy was willing to be his muscle, he had no reason to refuse.

Hong Ling watched the explosion-wielder run back into the safety zone and frowned, instinctively starting to run toward it herself. But as she reached the edge of the protective barrier, she stopped, hesitation crossing her face.

"What's the matter? Why aren't you going in?"

Han Ke stroked his chin, eyeing Hong Ling’s lithe figure with a mocking smile.

"That place is for ordinary people. Only this paradise of monsters outside is where we Awakened belong, am I right, beauty?"

Han Ke gestured with a laugh, his gaze still locked on Hong Ling’s provocative figure. His narrowed eyes glinted, as if trying to strip away the thin layer of clothing she wore.