In recent days, Xiaofeng had been consumed with strategizing how to confront the Alliance's legion of ability users. Should thousands of Level Ten ability wielders emerge, the Alliance would once again seize dominion over the Earth. The X Corps stood little chance against such relentless devastation.
Ultimately, Xiaofeng resolved to infiltrate the Alliance headquarters himself, to assess the true might of this cadre firsthand. Should the X Corps prove incapable of resistance, Xiaofeng had already prepared his darkest contingency—deploying forbidden nuclear weapons to eradicate them in a single stroke. Yet this was a measure reserved for utter desperation; the use of nuclear arms by the X Corps would herald a second nuclear war, an apocalypse of unimaginable scope for the planet.
But if the X Corps refrained, what alternatives remained for Xiaofeng?
Alone, Xiaofeng pushed open his door. This mission to the Alliance headquarters promised greater peril than before, so he declined to bring any companions. Yet as his car came to a halt at the airport, Qin Tian, Pandora, and Tugu appeared waiting, as if anticipating his arrival.
Xiaofeng frowned as he stepped out. "What are you doing here?"
Qin Tian smiled faintly. "I was about to ask why you're at the airport."
"I'm not doing anything. I just wanted to fly around," Xiaofeng replied coolly.
Pandora's icy smile curled her lips. Her sensual figure and violet hair, paired with exquisite beauty, made her captivating beyond question. "You think we believe your words? Don't shoulder everything alone. There's us too, little brother. One man's strength is feeble—only united can we forge a formidable force. Don't you understand?"
Tugu flexed his mechanical limbs. "Pandora's right. We bear burdens together."
Xiaofeng nodded, touched though troubled. He could not bring them along this time. Alone, he could flee swiftly if danger arose, but with others, getting trapped by the Alliance would spell disaster. With furrowed brow, he declared, "None of you can come. Bringing more is too risky. I'll go alone. Trust in my strength. After all, I still bear Zeus's resurrection ability—I cannot die."
Pandora retorted sharply, "It's not about whether you live or die. If the Alliance captures you, you'll beg for survival yet find none."
Xiaofeng hesitated, then conceded. "Fine. I'll bring one more—my final concession. If not, none of you come. If I insist, no one can stop me."
Pandora straightened her chest confidently. "I'll go with you. My combat support system will be invaluable."
Xiaofeng shook his head. "No. None of you come."
Qin Tian stepped forward. "Then I'll go. If danger comes, don't worry—I can escape on my own."
Xiaofeng nodded. "Very well, Qin Tian accompanies me. The rest stay and guard home. If Alliance soldiers attack, beat them mercilessly."
With that, Pandora and Tugu fell silent, resigned to letting only Xiaofeng and Qin Tian venture to the Alliance headquarters.
Both exceeded Level Ten in combat prowess, though their abilities had not yet fully matured. Thus, their pairing was the most judicious choice.
Boarding an ordinary plane—eschewing Pandora's or Giant's crafts—they fueled fully and took off, heading straight for the North American Alliance headquarters. Xiaofeng donned pilot's gear at the controls, while Qin Tian reclined behind, relaxed as if on a leisurely journey.
Mid-flight, Xiaofeng recalled the existence of a tattooed ability user whose whereabouts he had yet to seek. He resolved that once the mission concluded, he would find her without fail.
Meanwhile, at Di's doorstep, Hera opened the door upon Black Eye and Guiyao's arrival. She froze briefly at their sight, then regarded Guiyao. "You're a member of the Seven Fiends?"
Guiyao nodded. "I am Guiyao."
Hera queried, "What brings you here?"
Black Eye, standing nearly as tall as Hera, smiled faintly. "Aunt Hera, we're actually friends of Di."
Hera's eyes flickered with recognition—she had seen the Black Dragon before and felt familiarity, yet never imagined this boy to be his son. More astonishing was that Di was friends with these two. "Since when did you become friends? Di has been home all along—how could he know you?"
"That, we can explain another time. We just want to see Di."
"Then come in. If you truly are his friends, stay with us for a few days. My son is terribly lonely."
"Aunt, rest assured," Black Eye replied calmly as they stepped inside.
Di's expression turned to surprise upon seeing them. "You came so soon!"
Elsewhere, Xiaofeng and Qin Tian piloted their fighter jet, landing far from the Alliance headquarters. Their plane, unlike the stealthy Black Dagger, lacked invisibility, necessitating a distant landing and stealthy approach on foot. Flying directly would invite anti-air missiles.
Clad in matching black combat suits, they appeared resolute. Xiaofeng carried no weapons; Qin Tian bore an automatic rifle, more for style than necessity.
Under cover of night, they traversed vast wasteland, nearing Hera's residence—information courtesy of Caesar. Without his guidance, finding this place would have been nearly impossible.
Staring at the solitary house, they both froze—not due to the dwelling itself, but the two winged lizards perched nearby.
Xiaofeng recognized these creatures immediately—B-level magical beasts he had encountered during a chase of Evil Dragon Sect remnants in the Alps. He frowned at Qin Tian. "Why are such B-level beasts here?"
Qin Tian nodded. "They shouldn't be here."
Xiaofeng suspected these beasts had been tamed by the Evil Dragon Sect.
As they observed, Qin Tian, Black Eye, and Guiyao emerged from Hera's house. Seeing Guiyao, Xiaofeng was struck. "The thing I hate most is betrayal. Guiyao must die."
Qin Tian nodded. "I'll kill him."
"Wait," Xiaofeng interjected. "We didn't come for them. We're here to find the ability user legion. If we follow Hera, we'll find them."
Qin Tian agreed. "Let the traitor live a little longer."
Mounting their B-level lizards, Black Eye, Di, and Guiyao quickly grasped the beasts' control under Black Eye's guidance and rode off to explore.
Xiaofeng and Qin Tian concealed themselves nearby, watching the house closely. But Hera failed to appear.
Growing impatient, Qin Tian asked, "Boss, what's going on with Hera? Why isn't she coming out?"
Xiaofeng's own frustration was evident. "If she won't come out, we'll have to meet her inside."
Stepping from behind a tree, Xiaofeng approached Hera's door and knocked gently. A voice called out swiftly: "You're back so soon? My meal isn't ready yet." Hera opened the door, stunned speechless upon seeing Xiaofeng.
Xiaofeng smiled. "Forgot me so quickly, Mrs. Hera?"
Hera gasped Xiaofeng's name, recalling their past encounters.
"It's me," Xiaofeng nodded. "I never expected to meet you here. Quite a coincidence."
Her gaze sharpened. "What do you want?"
Xiaofeng smirked coldly. "We want you to show us your creation—the ability user legion."
Hera shook her head. "No."
"Why not? Just sneak us in briefly. We don't need long."
Hera's cold laugh was sharp. "I don't think that's all you want. You plan to take on my son and his two friends? Do you really think you're strong enough? Di is formidable."
"Strong or not, we'll find out soon enough..."