97: Chapter 97 New Mission: The Most Dangerous Path is When There's No Way Out.

Chu Li was speechless. In truth, she didn't dislike this guy; she had just been driven nearly insane by him over the past month.

They studied combat so frequently that Chu Li had even memorized Chen Xing's body measurements, yet she still couldn't grasp some of his combat maneuvers.

She often used these videos to pressure herself, telling herself, "Someone younger than you is already this strong; are you really content with standing still?"

Consequently, after pressuring herself for a month, Chu Li's mindset had become somewhat unstable.

There was another reason for her outburst just now: Chen Xing's plan was simply too unreliable.

"Since the two of you know each other, please communicate properly during your next collaboration. It would be best to think twice before acting on plans like this," the Alliance envoy said.

"Understood," Chen Xing nodded.

"Speaking of which, you all are also too unreliable." Chu Li took off her hood, finally revealing her true face.

"Knowing we are novices, why didn't you send a veteran to lead us? Were you afraid we would throw our weight around?" she questioned.

"Commissioner Chu, please don't misunderstand." The envoy smiled and shook his head.

With a wave of his hand, an Optical Computer projection appeared. "The truth is that not long ago, there was a massive Evil Suppression operation that rounded up many Evil Path members."

"The ones we need to deal with now are merely the remnants that weren't wiped out during that operation. The higher-ups sent you because they calculated that your strength would be enough to crush them, so there was no cause for concern."

"Remnants?" Chu Li was stunned.

Thinking back carefully, the combat strength of the Evil Path members they encountered on Blue Star was indeed very weak—at least, it was for them.

No wonder the Alliance was so nonchalant, daring to let two novices carry out such a mission; it was entirely because they were confident and unconcerned!

Chu Li was speechless. It seemed this so-called mission was just the higher-ups wanting to test the execution capabilities of the two of them.

Just then, the envoy received a message and paused.

A moment later, he said in a deep voice, "The two of you have received new orders."

Chen Xing cast a glance his way. "This won't be a simple mission this time, will it?"

The envoy nodded. "An Evil Path unit has been discovered on a planet, but they have hostages, making it difficult to act."

"Rescuing hostages? Honestly, I'm not good at that; it's very likely I'll mess it up." Chen Xing spoke bluntly. His experience as an orphan in both lifetimes meant he only knew how to protect himself, not others.

"You two don't need to execute such complex tasks; you only need to follow commands," the envoy smiled.

"Alright, that works," Chu Li clenched her fists.

"The data has been sent to both of you. Once you arrive at the scene, your status as Commissioners must shift to that of members of the Evil Suppression Group. Please cooperate well with the team leader," the envoy said.

"Understood."

"..."

The location for the new mission was a planet named [Aoki Star], with a diameter of about 40,000 kilometers—slightly larger than Blue Star—only it was located outside the Tianhe System.

They traveled there on an exclusive Alliance train, and there were teleportation arrays along the way that could transport them over long distances.

This was Chen Xing's first time leaving the Tianhe System, and the feeling was somewhat unique.

Along the way, the two did not converse much, instead focusing intently on the data.

Aoki Star.

Many areas of this planet were in chaos. Fortunately, this was merely an industrial planet; over ninety percent of the area consisted of factories, so there weren't many people.

Chen Xing and Chu Li arrived, only to learn that the team leader had already left with a group to rescue the hostages, so they could only speak with a few veteran members first.

"You came just in time. In one area, the Evil Path is relying on the fact that they have hostages to engage in suicidal bombing against us. We can only defend and cannot attack."

"Since you just arrived, go lend a hand."

"Get close, but do not launch a rash assault without the team leader's orders, otherwise it will endanger the hostages!"

"..."

When it came to combat, both of them were quite experienced.

Chen Xing and Chu Li rushed over. It was the outskirts of an industrial city, where the Evil Path was launching long-range attacks from within, attempting to drive away the Evil Suppression Group.

In truth, they all knew that having fallen to this point, there was no way they would survive.

And precisely because of this, these Evil Path members were so frantic. After all, if I'm not going to survive anyway, why not just blow myself up with you?

The members of the Evil Suppression Group were also feeling stifled; if they attacked, the hostages might die, but if they didn't, they would be constantly harassed and provoked.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A barrage of attacks came from the city—some were skulls, others were blood-red handprints—all sorts of bizarre shapes were flying out.

On this side, everyone worked together to erect a massive wall, blocking the attacks repeatedly.

Fortunately, the combat strength on both sides wasn't too high; the highest cultivation was only at the Divine Ability Realm, as they were, after all, just remnants.

"Hello, we are here to provide support," Chen Xing arrived first and took out his work ID.

"Chen Xing? Is that the S-Rank one? I know you!" Many were astonished, not expecting such a figure to come for support.

"Greetings, leader!" Many saluted immediately upon seeing the word "Commissioner."

"I am not a Commissioner right now; I am a member just like you all. Don't call me leader. Is there anything I can help with?" Chen Xing waved his hand and said.

"The Evil Path over there is too rampant. Leader, can you use your light-speed infiltration to save the hostages? That way, it will be easier for us to attack," someone suggested.

"Exactly. If there were no hostages, we would have already blown up this city. Why bother with all this beating around the bush?"

"Rescuing hostages..." Chen Xing pondered.

Although he wasn't good at it, things had reached this point, and seeing the expectant gazes of the people around him, Chen Xing didn't want to dampen their spirits.

"Alright, I will give it a try," Chen Xing nodded.

"Quick, distract that group and let the leader get in!" the leading Ability User at the Divine Ability Realm ordered.

Seeing these veterans cooperate so well and trust him so much, Chen Xing was quite surprised. They didn't look down on others because of seniority issues.

Chen Xing clenched his fists and stealthily used his Natal Treasure to boost his cultivation.

"That's not enough; I must hide completely!" Thinking this, Chen Xing cast his Divine Ability—Origin of Light—raising his level to the Great Divine Ability Realm.

"Hey, what are you doing? Didn't they say we couldn't act without authorization?" Chu Li arrived late, only to see him in this state.

"You are... the Chu family's... little Phoenix?"

"Commissioner Chu? Leader, it's like this..." Someone stepped forward to explain it to her.

"I see. However, there is no need to call me leader; I am a member just like you all right now," Chu Li nodded slowly.

Chen Xing flashed away, using the Heavenly Soul Divine Transformation along the way to conceal his aura, hiding within the mountain forest as he crept closer.

To attract their attention, Chu Li stood alone in front of the main force.

"Hey, isn't that the second Young Miss of the Chu family? Am I seeing things?"

"Wait, it actually looks like her!"

"My god, she really is a great beauty, even prettier than she looks on TV."

"I didn't expect this chick to come too. Haha, attack her directly and let that beauty Chu Zhen taste what it's like to lose a loved one!"

"Then she'll probably fight you to the death."

"What are you afraid of? Do you think she won't kill me if I don't attack her? Do you still think you're going to walk out of here alive?"

"Hahahaha!"

"..."

The Evil Path members laughed loudly, their various thoughts undisguised.