Chapter 587 - 358: Initiating a Fight Above His Weight Class, Master Ma Is a True Man (2)

Chapter 587: Chapter 358: Initiating a Fight Above His Weight Class, Master Ma Is a True Man (2)

But the next second, the light and shadow outside the glass curtain wall distorted, and Baili Xueyuan suddenly appeared.

Her Will Power also radiated outward—the will of a Tier Four Peak Blood Robe Professional.

The killing intent was chilling!

The two currents of Will Power collided. MacLeod’s deathly will could not shake Baili Xueyuan in the slightest.

In that instant, they had tested each other.

Only a Tier Four Extraordinary Professional could understand what had just happened. Ordinary people couldn’t perceive the clash on the level of will, nor did they possess Spiritual Vision, so they had no idea the two had already secretly exchanged blows.

Lin Qi saw it all clearly. He knew they had merely tested each other and would not truly fight.

Retracting his Spiritual Power, Lin Qi comforted Liu Xuan. "With Minister Baili here, there’s nothing to worry about."

Liu Xuan nodded without saying anything more.

Inside the testing grounds, Xu Tianyun walked up to the glass curtain wall and also unleashed his own Will Power. "Everyone, get back to what you were doing," he said. "The experiment just ended, so finish up! This is for the adults to handle. You youngsters stay out of it."

Xu Tianyun didn’t reveal MacLeod’s identity. He didn’t want to put too much pressure on the younger generation.

As a semi-retired senior researcher, he would take it upon himself to shoulder this pressure for his juniors.

’So what if he’s at Tier Four Peak!’

’If you’re so tough, try getting past Baili Xueyuan and taking me out in one hit!’

’You want to one-shot me? You’ll have to get through Baili Xueyuan first!’

Xu Tianyun was full of bravado. He was well aware of Baili Xueyuan’s true strength. If she were to go all out, she would absolutely rank among the top three Tier Four Professionals in the world!

"As expected of the Xu Family’s older generation. Uncle Tianyun is a total badass!"

"Everyone, stop staring. We’re not going to be assigned to combat duty before we retire. Fighting isn’t our concern."

"Let’s hurry up and clean up the lab."

The researchers from Nanyun Potion had enough faith in the older generation’s powerhouses. No one showed any fear; they all just returned to their work.

As for Lin Qi, he remained firmly by Liu Xuan’s side.

At the same time, a message appeared in the temporary chat window for the Highest-Level Mercenary Corps.

Master Ma: "@Guang Ling, if I go and rough up that Grand Knight Commander right now, will I get the mission commission?"

The usually calm Master Ma was acting completely out of character. The situation was clearly stabilizing, yet he wanted to go on the offensive.

This bizarre behavior prompted King Arthur to send a series of question marks.

King Arthur: "[Cyber-Confusion.emoji] Master, what’s wrong? Why are you being so impulsive? You’re just going to attack? You think you can even beat him?"

Master Ma: "I have... a few tricks up my sleeve."

King Arthur: "There’s no need for that, is there? It’s not worth risking your life against a Tier Four Peak just for some Credit Points. Why don’t you wait five or ten years until I’ve gotten stronger? Then we can figure out a way to take him down together!"

Master Ma: "It’s necessary."

King Arthur: "Master, something’s not right with you!"

Capitalist: "I actually think that if Master Ma is confident, he should give it a shot. Of course, I’m not saying this from the perspective of our Mercenary Corps mission, but from a position of common interest with the Master."

Capitalist: "If someone dares to provoke the Round Table Conference right now, those other Mercenary Corps that are just waiting to pounce will have to restrain themselves."

Capitalist and Master Ma were plotting openly, discussing a scheme right in front of Guang Ling that wasn’t exactly in the Mercenary Corps’ best interests.

Guang Ling didn’t reply for a while. It was unclear whether he was thinking it over or confirming with the mission issuer.

After nearly a minute, Guang Ling finally responded.

Guang Ling: "@Master Ma, regardless of whether you get the kill, as long as you make a move, you’ll receive a commission of 300 million Credit Points."

Seeing Guang Ling’s message, Lin Qi’s pupils constricted slightly.

Lin Qi didn’t know if Guang Ling had actually confirmed this with their clandestine sponsor, the Eastern Alliance.

Lin Qi simply ran a quick simulation in his mind, taking Capitalist’s opinion into account.

A moment later, Lin Qi reached a conclusion.

’This really might be an opportunity!’

MacLeod, as the leader of the Round Table Conference, represented the attitude of the European Administrative Region.

His aggressive arrival had clearly put the Asian Political Zone Big Business Alliance and the Eastern Alliance on the back foot.

The Europeans had even spent a fortune to hire two T0-level Mercenary Corps.

At first glance, it seemed the Europeans were ready to make a move.

But judging by the outcome, MacLeod, the Grand Knight Commander, had merely paid a visit to the S-Class Pharmaceutical Society and left.

The Eastern Alliance appeared to have suffered no losses, but in the eyes of the many watching mercenaries, the situation looked quite different.

The Europeans were taking the initiative, while the Asian Administrative Region seemed utterly passive.

This was a terrible signal.

If a real battle were to break out, powerful external forces like the T0-level Mercenary Corps would almost certainly choose the bounties that favored the Europeans.

In the skirmishes of a corporate war between political zones, opportunistic Mercenary Corps could often influence the tide of localized conflicts.

They were a force that could not be ignored.

’If Master Ma attacks now, he could instantly shatter the Europeans’ overt scheme. That must be why there’s a mission option that pays out regardless of the outcome. It’s highly unlikely Guang Ling is just making things up.’

’But... what identity will Master Ma use to provoke this fight? He must have an official position within the Eastern Alliance. If he fights under their banner, it will only escalate the situation...’

Just as Lin Qi began to weigh the pros and cons, the situation outside changed.

MacLeod and Baili Xueyuan had been clashing with their Will Power for less than a minute.

MacLeod had just withdrawn his Knight’s Will Badge and was about to speak when a thunderous roar shattered his train of thought.

"The Highest-Level Mercenary Corps is on a mission! All uninvolved personnel, stand clear!"

At some unknown point, Master Ma had appeared beside a skyscraper adjacent to the S-Class Pharmaceutical Society.

The Will Power of a Martial Artist shrouded his entire body.

Unleashed at full power!

He was holding nothing back!

Tier Four, Third Stage!

He was only one step away from Tier Four Peak.

In terms of sheer power level, Master Ma was only a hair weaker than MacLeod.

The instant Master Ma spoke, he laid out his battle plan with a single sentence in the Highest-Level Mercenary Corps’ temporary chat window.

Master Ma: "@King Arthur, I know you’ve got a grudge against the Round Table Conference, and I know you’re very interested in the Sword in the Stone. In a moment, I’ll find a way to knock him into the underground pipeline area. That’ll create an opportunity for you to strike from the shadows. You might be a bit weaker, but your advantage is that you’re familiar with the Round Table Conference. If you can get your hands on the Sword in the Stone, I’ll hold him off for you for five minutes!"

King Arthur: "Master! I never agreed to this! Why are you already attacking?"

Even as King Arthur was typing, Master Ma had already leaped from the rooftop.

His S-Class Prosthetic Body roared to life at full power. The thrusters within it erupted with terrifying force, launching Master Ma toward MacLeod like a rocket.

Lin Qi watched it all unfold through his Spiritual Vision.

As expected, Master Ma didn’t invoke the name of the Eastern Alliance. Instead, he directly declared his identity as part of the "Highest-Level Mercenary Corps."

He even thoughtfully concealed his identity, wearing a head-mounted Exoskeleton that hid his face.

"You diseased piece of trash, your time is up!"

As he launched his attack, Master Ma also announced the mission objective of the "Highest-Level Mercenary Corps."

These words were meant for the members of the two T0-level Mercenary Corps watching from the sidelines.

Suspended in mid-air, MacLeod turned to face Master Ma. The movement was almost instantaneous.

"Tier Four, Third Stage? What piece of trash dares to challenge me?"

MacLeod didn’t even consider using the Sword in the Stone. He simply unleashed his Knight’s Will Badge again, locking onto Master Ma with his Will Power.

The next second...

BOOM!

A tremendous explosion erupted in the quiet of World City.

The gap between Tier Four Peak and the Tier Four Third Stage was on full display.

MacLeod didn’t rely solely on his Will Power. Instead, he utilized the formidable physique of a Tier Four Peak Knight.

With a flicker of movement and a single punch, he blasted Master Ma downward, smashing him straight into the underground pipelines.

Lin Qi was stunned.

’Was Master Ma... taken out in one hit?’