After Jack recounted the entire sequence of events in detail to Caesar, Caesar's eyes widened with surprise. "This Xiaofeng you speak of—he can absorb others' abilities, can he not?"
Jack nodded solemnly. "Indeed. I believe Xiaofeng's most fundamental power lies in his fusion and absorption ability. Yet, paradoxically, it is also the most terrifying. He seems capable of absorbing the powers of any other ability user, rendering himself omnipotent. Ultimately, Xiaofeng's combat prowess will become unparalleled and dreadful."
"You are correct. Should Xiaofeng reach his pinnacle, there would be no rivals left on this Earth for him. Thus…"
Jack understood Caesar's implication clearly. "Therefore, we must eliminate him as soon as possible."
"Exactly. We must act swiftly. By the way, the Envoy truly did not accompany him?"
"Yes. The Envoy remains confined within his cell, not moving an inch."
"That puzzles me. Why would that old man refuse to leave? What reason does he have to stay here?" Caesar mused, perplexed.
Xiaofeng and his company made their way directly toward the Alpine Mountains. Before a modest mercenary encampment, two formidable fighter jets gradually descended. The mercenaries on guard were taken aback; none had ever witnessed such advanced aircraft. They all spilled out of their camp, weapons in hand, eyes sharp and wary.
Xiaofeng and his companions disembarked, Tugou and the others following closely behind.
Their arrival commanded immediate attention. Xiaofeng, the fierce Black Angel; Pandora, breathtakingly beautiful with a seductive silhouette; Tugou clad in full armor; the towering Giant; and Qin Tian alongside Zeus—all clearly no ordinary individuals.
A heavy silence fell over the mercenary group—none dared utter a word.
Tugou stepped forward courteously, "May I ask if Captain Rondo is present?"
Only Tugou seemed to recall Captain Rondo's existence. Xiaofeng himself barely remembered anyone by that name; only a vague memory of a girl called Rin lingered in his consciousness.
A mercenary warrior emerged from the crowd. "Our captain went hunting in the mountains—two days ago now."
"Two days? That's quite a while."
"Not really. The mountain paths are treacherous. Sometimes we stay in the hills for over ten days."
"Ten days? We cannot wait that long."
"Who are you people? What brings you here?"
Xiaofeng stepped forward. "If your captain is absent, is Rin here?"
"Oh, you're looking for Rin? You know him?" The mercenary's brow furrowed sharply at Rin's name, his gaze on Xiaofeng and his group shifting instantly, as if facing enemies.
Xiaofeng smiled calmly. "We are friends, not foes. No need to be so wary. Please summon Rin, and we shall speak further. We mean no harm."
Yet the mercenary seemed unconvinced and hesitated to call Rin. Annoyed, Xiaofeng rose and strode toward the barracks. Inside, there was no trace of any ability user—merely ordinary men, of little consequence in Xiaofeng's eyes.
His brow furrowed, Xiaofeng squeezed through the crowd to enter, but suddenly the mercenary drew a pistol, pressing it against Xiaofeng's temple.
A flash of anger crossed Xiaofeng's face as he fixed the man with a piercing gaze. Pandora's long blade was already poised at the soldier's neck. "You bastard," she hissed. "Looking for a quick death?"
Tugou raised his twin machine guns mounted on his shoulders, the targeting system locking onto the intruders. If the soldier fired, Tugou would unleash a deadly barrage.
Xiaofeng paid no heed to the tiny pistol. He could easily manipulate its trigger through his metal control. Yet the soldier's defiance stirred his ire. Calmly, Xiaofeng said, "Put the gun down. I detest being threatened. This is your final chance."
But the soldier resolutely held the pistol to Xiaofeng's head. "Never."
In a blink, Xiaofeng's figure blurred. His hand seized the soldier's wrist holding the gun, and with a practiced over-the-shoulder throw—swift and powerful—he hurled the man forcefully away. Turning, Xiaofeng pressed onward.
The mercenaries, witnessing this, instinctively raised their weapons at Xiaofeng.
A cold smile curved Xiaofeng's lips. "You cowards brandish guns as if that proves your prowess. Believe me, I could snuff you all out with a single bullet from three kilometers away. No wonder you languish here at the mountain's base, cowering. If you have any courage, step forward and face me one-on-one."
Silence fell. Everyone had seen Xiaofeng's speed and strength; to challenge him now would be madness.
Yet from the crowd emerged a towering figure—muscular and broad-shouldered, nearly two meters tall, though still dwarfed by Giant. A black man wielding a hefty machete stepped before Xiaofeng, teeth clenched. "You shall not insult us. We live proudly, not as cowards."
Xiaofeng chuckled softly, intrigued. "So you claim to be the strongest among them?"
The man gripped his blade tightly. "Yes. Aside from Captain Rondo, I am the mightiest here."
Xiaofeng sneered. "Then if you defeat me, you shall lead me to Rin."
"No. Even if you defeat me, I will never let you see Rin. We will never allow anyone to harm him, not even a sliver of a chance."
"Fair enough. But I must teach you a lesson. Protecting someone is not mere words. When confronted with absolute power, what will you use to defend your charge? Don't tell me you'd sacrifice your life—because even that would be futile." With that, Xiaofeng delivered a powerful kick to the man's chest, sending him flying, scattering a row of mercenaries alongside.
Turning to the soldiers, Xiaofeng's voice was stern: "If you truly wish to protect those dear to you, then first acquire the power to do so. Those who understand, leave now. Those who do not, step forward—I will make you understand."