Chapter 628 - 367: Cleansing

Inside the building, Wu Qi’s injuries were gradually healing. Xu Chan stood opposite it, but he didn’t advance recklessly again.

Wu Qi’s Spiritual Power pulsed outward in waves, forcing Xu Chan to focus on defending his own mind. This also made it more difficult for him to draw power from another world.

Even if an ordinary Heart Force landed a hit, it still wasn’t lethal enough. He’d discovered as much when his last attack connected. Not only did Wu Qi possess a tough outer exoskeleton, but its internal, Mutated muscle fibers were also incredibly strong and elastic, giving it considerable resistance to Power. And that was without even mentioning its incredible regenerative abilities.

He could inflict serious damage on his own, but it was impossible to take it down completely. Besides, from the looks of it, his superiors didn’t need him to. He just had to stall it for a while.

He didn’t need to know the specifics of their plan. He just had to follow his orders.

The missing tissue within Wu Qi’s Regenerative Membrane was gradually growing back. A moment later, the damaged parts of its body, including its cracked bones, had healed. It looked completely renewed.

The row of Compound Eyes that had regrown on its face and chest were all fixed on Xu Chan. He was, without a doubt, the greatest threat on the battlefield.

Xu Chan met its gaze unflinchingly, his Spiritual Power a reef against the waves of its assault. Just then, footsteps sounded from behind him. The team members who had been knocked away earlier had returned and taken their positions.

They had also healed their injuries by releasing some of their Essence Blood.

Captain Wang looked up at the creature and said, "Captain Xu, it’s about time we brought out the big guns."

Xu Chan replied, "No rush. I already had them send the equipment over from the rear. It should be arriving any second now."

Just as he spoke, two loud THUDS echoed from the plaza outside. An approaching Airship had dropped two large crates from above.

The lone Pioneer Team member remaining in the plaza walked over to them.

Dealing with different types of active Consciousness Bodies required different tools and equipment. They hadn’t known Wu Qi’s full capabilities before, but after this initial probe, they had a much better idea. Now, they could use weapons specifically designed to counter it.

He smashed both crates open with a single slap. Inside were a specially made Large Net and several ropes with Short Spears attached. He grabbed the gear and carried it straight into the building.

"Captain Xu, I brought the equipment."

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the ropes and the Large Net to the others. With the equipment in hand, their resolve hardened and their confidence surged.

They kept their eyes on Wu Qi. The creature’s two pairs of legs allowed it to move freely in any direction. With Compound Eyes and sensory organs covering nearly its entire body, it had virtually no blind spots. Logically, if a creature like this were mobile, its lethality and attack power would increase several times over.

And yet, no matter how they attacked, it refused to move from its spot, letting them hit it like a stationary target. It was completely giving up its greatest advantage.

It was obviously just trying to block the entrance behind it. The most important figures in the Ferris Wheel Company must be back there. In its duty to protect them, it couldn’t retreat. They could definitely use that to their advantage.

Xu Chan picked up a Short Spear and tugged on the specially-made long rope attached to it. ’The strength and durability are just barely acceptable,’ he thought.

’It would have been best to use Yang Shen’s Coiling Dragon Entwining Rope,’ he mused. ’With that, someone would only need to distract it from the front while the Force Technique’s ritual was completed, and we could have bound it with ease.’

Even if this Consciousness Body could break free, it wouldn’t be instantaneous. That would give them enough time to add more restraints.

’But since he’s not here,’ Xu Chan thought, ’we’ll have to make do with these tools.’

His fingers tightened on the spear. Looking up and ignoring the relentless Spiritual Shock pressing down on him, a faint light flickered in his hand as he hurled the spear forward.

Wu Qi saw the attack and immediately tried to dodge, but the spear was too fast. To ensure a successful hit, Xu Chan had charged forward as he threw. Just as the creature turned, the Short Spear pierced through its body and sank deep into the ground behind it with a heavy THUD.

The moment Xu Chan made his move, Lü and Wang, each holding a corner of the Large Net, leaped forward and threw it over the creature.

Wu Qi instinctively tried to evade, but Captain Little Moustache suddenly rushed forward. He helped Xu Chan, who was slightly dazed from the Spiritual Power backlash, and yanked hard on the rope, preventing the creature from immediately breaking free.

Although its struggles caused the embedded Short Spear to be partially pulled from the ground with a loud SNAP, it was a step too slow. The Large Net fell over it.

Now, all they had to do was drive the spears at the corners of the net into the ground to further restrict its movement.

But then, something unexpected happened. From the exoskeleton covering its shoulders, sharp Bone Blades suddenly fanned out like a blooming flower, catching the Large Net. Then, its shoulders extended outward in an exaggerated motion, and with several RIPPING sounds, it tore through the specially made net.

The last team member saw this and immediately grabbed another Short Spear, preparing to pin it down while it couldn’t dodge. But just then, Wu Qi let out a piercing shriek. A Spiritual Shock, even more intense than before, blasted out, stunning him and the others. Their movements Involuntarily slowed by a fraction of a second.

In that brief moment, Wu Qi ripped the Large Net to shreds. Their attempt had failed.

At that same moment, aboard the submarine beneath the building, several directors of the Ferris Wheel Company tensed up when they saw Wu Qi get caught in the net. They only breathed a sigh of relief when it managed to break free.

But anyone could see that Wu Qi was being too passive. The right course of action was to let it move freely, but no one seemed willing to bring up the topic.

Director Eagle Tail spoke up. "There’s still no word from the shore. It’s highly likely they were intercepted. I believe we need to send another team to try."

The other directors considered this and agreed.

A great deal of time had passed with no response. Director Eagle Tail was probably right. Sending another team couldn’t hurt, so the decision was quickly approved.

After receiving the order, Guan Shangjing had no choice but to pull six people from his twenty-man guard detail. He had them join ten other armed security personnel and continue the mission to the shore by sea.

Once that was settled, Director Eagle Tail spoke again. "Gentlemen, in my opinion, we should leave this place temporarily. Our presence here is restricting Wu Qi’s abilities."

Another director immediately objected. "But it’s not safe outside. If we leave, we’ll have no way of knowing what’s happening. I don’t agree to this."

Another director added, as if stating the obvious, "Wu Qi exists to ensure our safety. If we have to go somewhere unsafe, then what’s the point of having it at all?"

"An outrageous proposal, Director Eagle Tail! You’re putting all of our lives in danger."

Facing the accusations, Director Eagle Tail gave a slight bow from his seat and said earnestly, "Directors, please, there’s no need to be alarmed. I actually have a perfectly good solution."

The director at the head of the table gestured for silence. "What is your solution, Director Eagle Tail?" he asked gravely. "If it’s reasonable, I’m sure the board will adopt it."

Director Eagle Tail slowly raised his head, a strange expression on his face. "It’s quite simple. If none of you are here anymore, Wu Qi will no longer have anyone to protect. Then, of course, it won’t be stuck guarding that spot. It will be free to move as it pleases."

"Eagle Tail, what nonsense are you spouting!?"

"This is no time for jokes!"

Some of the directors dismissed his words as nonsense, but others grew wary. They surreptitiously reached for the panic buttons, ready to call for security if things went sideways.

Director Eagle Tail remained seated, his gaze growing even stranger. "Don’t you all agree this is the correct course of action?"

A director snapped, "Eagle Tail, I told you, this is no place for jokes!"

Director Eagle Tail smiled. "But I am being completely serious with all of you." Just as he spoke, a massive shadow appeared on the wall behind him, and the bright lights of the conference room abruptly dimmed.

A director near him shot to his feet in horror. "You’re not Director Eagle Tail—"

He slammed his fist on the alarm button and scrambled for the door. But after just two steps, he collapsed to the floor. His feet had somehow twisted together into a grotesque knot, and he involuntarily let out a bloodcurdling scream.

One director, however, was fiercer than the rest. He had clearly trained in Fighting Skill. With a great shout, he drew a Long Blade from his side, leaped onto the conference table, and brought the blade down on Director Eagle Tail’s head.

But after taking only two steps, he discovered to his horror that he had stopped his own attack. He brought the blade to his own neck and slashed viciously, using so much force that he nearly decapitated himself.

Aside from the director at the head of the table, who remained calmly seated, the rest of the board members scrambled to their feet, backing away in terror. "You... you’re not Director Eagle Tail."

A mysterious smile played on Director Eagle Tail’s lips. "I am. How could I not be?"

As he spoke, the other directors lost control of their own limbs. To their horror, they watched their own hands seize their necks. Then, with a sickening CRACK, they twisted with such force that their faces were wrenched around to face their backs before they collapsed, one by one.

The director at the head of the table stared at him. "You’re *Him*? What is it you want?"

Director Eagle Tail smiled. "Isn’t this so much better? I’m lightening the Ferris Wheel Company’s burden, and Wu Qi is now free to fight without restrictions."

The director managed to keep his composure. "Actually, we could cooperate..."

Suddenly, his expression changed. His trembling hand rose, a pistol clutched within it. Slowly, the gun was raised and aimed at his own head.

His face flushed red and veins bulged on his neck as he fought for control, but it was no use. His hand continued its steady ascent. Then, he pulled the trigger.

Director Eagle Tail watched with a smile. After the BANG of the gunshot, the body slumped onto the conference table. Now, besides himself, the only things left in the room were corpses.

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