Xiao Feng was brought back to the temple. Zeus and the others, after careful consideration, concluded that it was unsafe to leave him outside. After all, behind Xiao Feng stood two powerful corporations—Brom Company and Victoria Company. For security's sake, they decided to bring him into the heart of the temple. Only within the Alliance military's inner sanctum could they truly rest assured.
Upon entering, Hades dragged Xiao Feng toward the interrogation chamber. Hades had deliberately relaxed the sternness of his visage, softening his terrifying countenance—after all, he was to participate in Xiao Feng's interrogation, as the latter had caused him considerable trouble. Zeus and the others, with little else to do, followed into the chamber. The Messenger's mission remained incomplete; Athena had yet to be rescued, so he could not leave either. Thus, he too stepped into the room, curious to see how these temple bastards would torment Xiao Feng.
With a heavy thud, Xiao Feng was thrown onto a chair, the brutal impact nearly fracturing his bones.
Hades illuminated the entire chamber with a wave of his hand, transforming it into a space as bright as daylight—almost glaring in its intensity.
Ares pressed down on one of Xiao Feng's hands, and with a snap, metallic shackles sprang forth, encasing Xiao Feng's arm in unyielding silver bands—one around the upper arm, one at the joint, another on the forearm. His left arm and both legs were bound similarly, locked fast to the chair.
Zeus lit a cigar and handed it to the Messenger, who eyed it briefly before placing it between his lips, puffing thoughtfully. His gaze softened with an unexpected hint of sympathy for Xiao Feng—after all, the young man could easily be his grandson's age.
The Messenger, childless and usually accompanied only by the four guardians like Xiao Fei, suddenly felt an unexpected stir of tenderness. Xiao Feng was no enemy—merely on the opposing side. Were he to ally with the Messenger, perhaps he might even be taken in as a sworn son.
Expressionless, the Messenger smoked silently, eyes conflicted.
After securing Xiao Feng, Ares laughed mockingly, "Xiao Feng, let's see how you'll escape now. Heh... you'd better savor this feeling. This might be the last time you enjoy anything at all..."
As Ares spoke, Hades approached holding a syringe filled with a captivatingly hypnotic blue liquid, shimmering faintly with an ethereal glow. He slowly dispensed a few drops and moved close to Xiao Feng—his face now a grotesque mask of death, metallic bones gleaming behind his skin, truly resembling a grim reaper.
Xiao Feng raised his eyes to the syringe in Hades' hand, uncertain of its contents, but certain it would condemn him to a fate worse than death—trapped between helplessness and suffering.
Fear gnawed at his heart; having lost all his powers, he was now nothing but an ordinary youth.
Hades tore away the sleeve from Xiao Feng's left arm and plunged the needle deep into his muscle, a cruel smile curling his lips as the blue serum seeped into his veins.
Suddenly, Xiao Feng felt as if countless insects swarmed within his chest, his whole body convulsing violently. Wracked with unbearable pain, he struggled with all his might to break free from the metallic shackles, desperate to tear out his own heart and cast it aside. The torment was more excruciating than death itself.
Meanwhile, K, Rice, Old White, Rush, and the others finally gathered, deliberating on how to rescue Xiao Feng.
Lei Yan had already traced Xiao Feng's path to the temple, so they knew his whereabouts. The consensus was unanimous—the sooner they saved him, the less danger he would face.
Rice's face was stern as he addressed the group: "Do any of you have a viable plan? This is the Alliance military's headquarters, the temple's stronghold. We must devise a foolproof strategy. Otherwise, we'll never get out alive."
Rush's expression was grave. His mission within the X Legion was to protect Xiao Feng. Now that he had been captured, Jason's fury was palpable—Rush had been sharply rebuked and ordered to rescue Xiao Feng within twenty-four hours, or face obliteration. Despite being a formidable eighth-tier psychic, Rush was merely a pawn against the might of Victoria Company.
Rush declared, "I will go to rescue Xiao Feng no matter what. And I'm acting tonight. My time is tight. If you can present a plan, I'll consider it. But if not, I'm leaving immediately—I have no time to waste."
Beside him, Kerry's expression was somber. He had yet to inform Kelly of the situation, fearing she might lose control. Massaging his temples, Kerry said, "We cannot storm the temple. The seven gods of the Alliance are not ordinary psychics—they're near or beyond ninth-tier. And there's that mysterious old man with the purification ability. Rush, if you try to break in by force, the consequences will be dire. You won't make it out alive."
Tugu nodded in agreement. "Kerry's right. I witnessed Xiao Feng losing his powers. Though it seemed calm, it was the most terrifying sight."
Rush looked at them. "So, are we not going to save Xiao Feng at all?"
Old White, more anxious than the rest, spoke in the steady tone of a seasoned hunter: "Panic won't help, and time is running out. They didn't take Xiao Feng out of goodwill."
K interjected, "Wait—I just remembered. We still have Athena, one of the Alliance's seven gods. We can trade her for Xiao Feng."
K's words jolted everyone to clarity. Rice nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good idea. We can exchange Athena for Xiao Feng. But I don't know where Athena is hidden. Tugu... you're the one who hid her, right?"
Tugu's eyes brightened. "Yes, I hid her. I'll bring her back."
K opened his communicator, connecting directly to Lei Yan. "Lei Yan... put me through to that bastard Zeus. I have something to say."
Lei Yan nodded. "Right away."
At that moment, the conference room door suddenly swung open, and a woman clad in tight, alluring black leather stepped inside. Her figure was breathtakingly seductive, her skin alabaster white, her features exquisitely sculpted, as if a goddess had descended. Yet it was her eyes—mesmerizing sapphire blue—that captivated every gaze, drawing all eyes instantly.
Rice looked at her, puzzled, and asked, "Who are you?"