164: Chapter 164 You are the source!

Mission Center.

"Beep—" The mission settlement device emitted a pleasant chime.

【C-Rank Mission: Phantom of Thunder Roar Valley (Completed)】

【Basic Reward: 120 points】

【Three-Star Mercenary Privilege Triggered: Extra 'Phantom Butterfly Thunder Powder' brought back, reward increased by 100 points!】

【Current Battle Team military merit points balance: 320 points】

Looking at the number in his account that had finally broken through the three-hundred mark, Chen Xi let out a long sigh of relief.

"320 points... Only 180 points away from exchanging for that 500-point 【void spirit stone】!"

"As long as we do two more C-Rank Missions, Xiao Xiao's SS-Rank advancement materials will be completely gathered!"

Chen Xi closed his wristband with satisfaction and turned to walk toward the tin-house campsite he had rented.

At this moment, night had fallen.

Inside the tin house, the light was dim and yellow.

Shen Ye, Xia Qing, and Nirvana Battle Team members Su Xiaoxiao, Li Murou, and Ye Fei were all already sitting around the narrow table, waiting.

Seeing Chen Xi push the door open and enter, everyone's gaze focused on him.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting."

Chen Xi pulled up a chair to sit down, first picked up a water bottle and took a large gulp of water, then straightened his expression, looked at Shen Ye and Xia Qing opposite him again, and spoke with a sincere tone:

"It was too rushed on the road earlier; I didn't get a chance to thank you properly."

"Captain Shen, Vice-Captain Xia, we really owe it to you this time. If you hadn't intervened at the critical moment to disrupt that rift, we probably would have really been finished at the hands of those Men in Black."

"I, Chen Xi, will remember this favor. If there's anything you need in the future, just ask."

Shen Ye waved his hand, his single eye appearing exceptionally profound under the light:

"Captain Chen, you are too polite. Since we are all students of Jiang University and are Professionals, in a place like Outside the Border, if we can help, we certainly should. It's our duty."

These words were spoken flawlessly, both bridging the gap between them and appearing righteous.

But Chen Xi did not continue the pleasantries along this topic.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the eye patch covering Shen Ye's left eye, then glanced at Su Xiaoxiao, who looked somewhat uneasy beside him, and he understood everything clearly in his heart.

Some things needed to be brought out into the open for everyone to talk properly.

Therefore, Chen Xi went straight to the point, asking the question that Su Xiaoxiao wanted to ask most at that moment but didn't dare to:

"However... Captain Shen."

"I heard from the Wu Tian and rumors at school that... didn't the two of you encounter spacetime turbulence during a previous dungeon accident, suffer severe injuries, and remain in a coma at a secret base?"

"How did you suddenly appear here in the Southern Region Outside the Border, thousands of kilometers away?"

As soon as this question was asked, the atmosphere in the room instantly became somewhat subtle.

Su Xiaoxiao suddenly raised her head, her eyes fixed tightly on Shen Ye, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.

This was also what she wanted to know most.

If they weren't in a coma, why didn't they return to school? Why dissolve Night Curtain?

Shen Ye was silent for a moment.

He reached out and pointed to his black eye patch, a bitter smile curling the corner of his mouth:

"Severe injury... Does this count?"

"As for the coma..."

Shen Ye shook his head, not explaining too many details regarding the "Forbidden Curse" and the "Wu Tian helping to cover it up."

After all, that was a matter that violated the Alliance's prohibition; saying too much would only drag the Wu Tian into it and make things difficult for everyone.

He just said indifferently:

"Some things are just for show to outsiders. I made a mistake at school and caused trouble; if I weren't in a 'coma,' many people wouldn't be able to sleep."

"Just consider me as... having been exiled."

That word 'exiled' contained too much helplessness and bitterness.

Listening to this, Su Xiaoxiao's eyes turned slightly red.

But immediately after, a trace of extreme conflict and awkwardness appeared on her face.

She was a person who valued relationships deeply.

The reason she agreed to join Nirvana back then, besides being impressed by Chen Xi's strength, was largely because Night Curtain had disbanded, and Chen Xi had occupied Night Curtain's stronghold room, giving her a sense of attachment.

But now... the old captain was back.

Did that mean "Night Curtain" was going to be rebuilt?

If Night Curtain were rebuilt, who would Room 301 belong to?

More importantly... she, the former core damage dealer of Night Curtain, was already a member of Nirvana now.

If Shen Ye asked her to return, should she go back, or not?

If she went back, she would be letting down Chen Xi's cultivation and trust.

If she didn't go back, she would appear ungrateful and as if she had betrayed her old teammates.

This dilemma made Su Xiaoxiao restless.

Chen Xi and Shen Ye were both sharp; they saw through Su Xiaoxiao's little thoughts at a glance.

Chen Xi did not speak, just quietly drank water, leaving the choice to Shen Ye.

Sure enough.

Shen Ye glanced at Su Xiaoxiao, his gaze becoming gentle.

He took the initiative to speak, breaking the awkwardness:

"Xiao Xiao, don't think too much."

"My current situation is a bit special, and my identity is relatively sensitive. For a short time... no, I should say for a very long time, I cannot return to school, and it is even less possible for me to go back and be a student."

"So, 'Night Curtain'... is already in the past."

Shen Ye smiled with relief and said in a relaxed tone:

"I don't intend to form any new team either."

"You are doing very well in Nirvana, and I can tell that Captain Chen is more suitable to lead you than I am. Following him, your future will be broader."

"So, stay there with peace of mind."

These words were like a spring breeze, instantly blowing away the gloom in Su Xiaoxiao's heart.

She let out a long sigh of relief, the conflict in her eyes dissipating, replaced by gratitude and relief:

"Thank you... thank you, Captain Shen."

Chen Xi also put down his water cup at this moment, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

This Shen Ye was a stand-up guy.

Since the knot in their hearts was untied, what remained was the real business.

Chen Xi put down the cup, looked at Shen Ye with burning eyes, and asked the most core question of the night:

"Captain Shen, this is the second time I have encountered that group of people, but judging from the fact that you were able to influence their trajectory with your bare hands just now, do you know where they come from and how to deal with them?"

"Or is hunting them down your current mission?"

The room went quiet instantly.

Everyone looked at Shen Ye.

Shen Ye took a deep breath and sat up straight.

The expression in his single eye became unprecedentedly serious and grave.

His gaze first looked deeply at Ye Fei, who was sitting beside Chen Xi with a bewildered expression, and then turned back to Chen Xi.

"No, I am not executing any military department mission."

Shen Ye said, enunciating every word:

"I came specifically to find you."

"This matter is of great importance, even concerning the survival of all humanity."

"I started tracing your tracks from the school, went to the special training base and missed you, then followed your trail all the way Outside the Border, and only managed to intercept you here with great difficulty."

Chen Xi's brows furrowed slightly, and a sense of absurdity rose in his heart:

"Find me? And it concerns the survival of humanity?"

"Captain Shen, you're not joking, right? We don't seem to have spoken more than a few words before; we shouldn't have any connection, right? What virtue or ability do I have..."

"Yes, you do."

Shen Ye interrupted him, his voice low and powerful, throwing out that earth-shattering bomb:

"Chen Xi, and this person beside you... Student Ye Fei."

"You two are inextricably linked to the birth of all 【Beasts】 in this world!"

"You could even say... you are the source!"

"I think, looking at the whole world, perhaps only you and Ye Fei can break this deadlock and completely eradicate the beasts!"