186: return

Under Su Lei's guidance, the transport plane arrived above a certain city.

This once prosperous metropolis had now become ruins.

Tens of thousands of corrupted creatures roamed the streets, and black mist enveloped every tall building.

"Prepare for airdrop."

"I'll take care of the East and West Districts. Zhao Wuji, you three handle the North. Xue Ning, you lead the others to clear the South District."

The moment the cabin door opened, a biting wind rushed into the cabin.

Su Lei stood at the edge of the door, wearing no protective gear, and simply leaped—

"Boom!"

The moment he landed, the ground within a hundred meters radius suddenly sank.

An invisible shockwave spread in a ring.

Wherever it passed, countless twisted monsters fell like stalks of wheat, their bodies disintegrating from within... Five minutes later, everyone met in the depths of the city's sewers.

The damp air was filled with a pungent, foul smell, and the viscous dark Qi almost solidified, forming writhing shadows on the walls.

But when these shadows touched within three meters of Su Lei, they immediately receded like ice meeting the scorching sun, emitting faint "sizzling" sounds.

Everyone followed Su Lei through the deep corridor, their boot soles echoing clearly in the standing water.

When they reached the end of the corridor, the sight before them made everyone frown.

Wang Qingtian was locked in the center of an ancient stone altar, his limbs pierced by jet-black chains, covered in dried dark red bloodstains.

Three stark white bone spikes were plunged into his chest, each inscribed with twisted runes, emitting a faint green glow.

Hearing the footsteps, Wang Qingtian struggled to lift his head, his chapped lips trembling.

"Don't come any closer..."

"Go quickly... I can't control it..."

Su Lei immediately raised his hand to stop those who wanted to step forward.

He slowly walked to the altar, a wisp of pure white light condensing on his fingertip.

"Bear with it."

The moment the white light entered Wang Qingtian's forehead, the latter immediately let out a heart-wrenching scream.

Countless black smoke, like living things, surged madly from his seven orifices, twisting and condensing into a hideous face in the air, which then dissipated unwillingly after an ear-piercing shriek.

The bone spikes and chains also instantly turned to dust.

Wang Qingtian coughed violently, black blood foam spilling from the corners of his mouth, his bloodshot eyes gradually regaining clarity.

The first thing he did after being freed was not to express gratitude, nor to sigh in relief at being alive.

Instead, with trembling fingers, he pried open the shattered reactor armor on his chest.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, he retrieved an oil-stained chip from the sparking mechanical device.

"When I was attacked, I hid the tracker in that batch of Ore."

Su Lei took the chip.

A holographic projection unfolded in the air, showing a crimson light dot moving at high speed over the Eastern Mountains... An hour later, everyone returned to the Imperial Capital with the stolen Ore.

The high-level officials immediately convened an emergency meeting.

Su Lei stood before the holographic projection, reporting the intelligence gathered from his trip one by one.

When he mentioned personally slaying Situ Nan and Lei Mietian, the conference room erupted in an uproar.

"Lei Mietian... just died like that?"

Everyone's expressions were complex, exchanging glances with each other.

For how many years, this Lei Family Patriarch was like a great mountain pressing down on the Federation, an insurmountable mountain!

"So, the Three Great Families are completely finished?"

Li Xue凝 snorted, "They colluded with Demonic Beasts. Even if Su Lei hadn't acted, they would have all been transformed into monsters."

Chairman Cheng took a deep breath, his gaze towards Su Lei also becoming complex.

This man, in just a few days, had personally brought a perfect end to the most serious and egregious rebellion in the Federation's history... And when Su Lei mentioned the horror of the East Sea Demonic Beast, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly grew solemn.

"That thing... is even more powerful than we imagined."

Su Lei said in a deep voice, "Its true body is still sleeping in the deep sea, but its consciousness can already project onto the continent, corrupting living beings."

Everyone looked at each other, deep worry appearing in their eyes.

The Chief of General Staff murmured, "But the East Sea is too deep, we have no way to start..."

Chairman Cheng suddenly stood up, his hands resting on the table.

"Right now, the Northern Territory is the most pressing threat."

"The President's mechanical transformation will be completed tomorrow."

His gaze swept over Li Xue凝, Lin Qianqian, Chen Xuan, Zhao Wuji, and the others, finally resting on Su Lei.

"The Federation will not forget the outstanding contributions you all have made."

"But the crisis is not over. As long as the Demonic Beast is not resolved, the safety of us humans cannot be guaranteed."

"Everyone, rest well today and prepare..."

"Next, the Federation will gather all its strength to resolve the Northern Territory's trouble in one fell swoop!"

...The meeting ended.

Su Lei and Li Xue凝 arrived at the luxurious suite arranged by the Federation.

Only a soft wall lamp illuminated the room, its warm glow casting a cozy hue.

Li Xue凝 gently took off her coat, hung it on the hanger, then walked to the window, looking outside.

Su Lei stood behind her, reaching out to gently caress her shoulder, his fingertips feeling the warmth of her skin.

Li Xue凝 didn't turn around, only tilted her head slightly, resting it against his palm.

In this quiet moment, both their Mental Energy sensed a familiar presence outside the door.

Lin Qianqian had arrived.

She stood by the door, neither knocking nor leaving.

Su Lei could clearly sense her disordered breathing and slightly trembling Mental Energy fluctuations.

Like a small animal wandering in a snowstorm, neither daring to approach nor willing to leave.

Li Xue凝 sighed softly and turned around.

She looked at Su Lei, with no trace of displeasure in her eyes, but rather a kind of gentle indulgence.

"Qianqian has sacrificed a lot for you. You should be able to feel her affection."

She paused, her fingertips gently tracing Su Lei's chest, "You shouldn't keep avoiding it."

Su Lei frowned slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He wanted to say something, but Li Xue凝 had already raised her hand, her fingertip resting on his lips.

"I wouldn't mind the three of us living together."

Li Xue凝 said softly, "On the contrary... I would be happy for you, and happy for Qianqian."

With that, she gently pushed Su Lei away and walked directly to the door.

Su Lei stood still, watching her back, his heart filled with an inexpressible emotion.

The door opened.

The hallway light spilled in, illuminating Lin Qianqian standing outside the door.

She clearly hadn't expected the door to open suddenly, freezing in place, her eyes slightly red, nervously clutching the corner of her clothes, like a child caught red-handed after doing something wrong.

Li Xue凝 looked at her, gave a gentle smile, and then nodded slightly.

At that moment, Lin Qianqian's tears finally burst forth.

She could no longer control herself, and plunged into Su Lei's arms.

Her body trembled slightly, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if afraid he would disappear.

Su Lei subconsciously raised his hand, but paused for a moment in mid-air, finally slowly lowering it, gently stroking her back.

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