129: Chapter 129 Strategic Adjustment: Locking Down the Night Raven
On the ruins of the "Ghost City," Lin Qingzhi and I stood silently, like two solitary statues surviving after the apocalypse.
The air was still permeated with the chaotic and dangerous aura left behind by the collision of the three distinct types of energy and the laws.
I took out the dark gold energy core, which I had seized from the body of the Aberration Leader within the arid ruins core, and without hesitation, I purified and converted its energy, then slowly transmitted it to Lin Qingzhi through the already incredibly tight Symbiotic Bond between us.
"Buzz--"
A stream of pure, vast energy, filled with the most primal aura of the earth, poured into her long-parched meridians and soul like a warm current.
Her pale, paper-like beautiful face regained a trace of color at a speed visible to the naked eye. Her phoenix eyes, which had become somewhat dim due to severe soul damage, also gathered a glimmer of spirit once more.
"This arid ruins core is truly miraculous," Lin Qingzhi said, feeling a trace of vitality return to her body. Her usually cold voice carried a hint of undetectable surprise. "It can actually purify the dead silence and chaotic energy of the 'Desolate Ruins' to this extent."
"My injuries have recovered by one-tenth." She looked at me, her cool phoenix eyes filled with undisguised approval. "Mo Wen, the surprises you bring me are becoming more and more frequent."
I did not reply, but instead sank my will back into the Swarm Network that enveloped the entire city, beginning the final... assessment and settlement of the 'spoils' from our trip.
Ghost Hand, the person in charge of the Xuantian Alliance's Jiangcheng team, a mid-level Demon Rank, was confirmed to have been killed by Lin Qingzhi and me working together—body and soul utterly destroyed.
The five-person squad from the 'Heavenly Punishment' organization was completely wiped out.
And the main culprit who caused us the biggest trouble from beginning to end—Night Crow—after enduring the saturated firepower coverage of the Dragon Soul Bureau during the feint attack executed by Lin Qingzhi and me, also suffered heavy injuries and fled in disarray.
The other, the mysterious "Magician" from the Star Council, chose to temporarily retreat after I devoured a portion of his Space Law.
Now, laid out before us were two pieces of 'fat meat'—both emanating an alluring fragrance and equally filled with deadly danger.
"Night Crow, or that 'Magician,' who should we deal with first?" I transmitted my question to Lin Qingzhi.
"Although the Magician is bizarre, the Star Council he belongs to seems to prefer hiding in the shadows, gathering intelligence, and will not engage in direct conflict with us unless absolutely necessary," Lin Qingzhi’s eyes flickered with wise light. Her strategic mind, befitting an Empress, began to operate at high speed as her injuries recovered.
"But Night Crow is different."
"His Xuantian Alliance holds an irreconcilable feud with Us. Moreover, his true purpose for coming here was that 'three-yuan singularity.' He will never give up until his goal is achieved."
"More importantly..." Her voice turned bone-chillingly cold, "According to Ghost Hand's memories, Night Crow likely possesses deeper intelligence regarding the 'Holy Lord' and that so-called 'Plane Collision Point!'"
"If we capture him, we can completely grasp the Xuantian Alliance's entire layout on Blue Star!"
"Therefore," her eyes shone with unquestionable determination, "He is our only target!"
I immediately understood her meaning.
Compared to the mysterious and unfathomable 'Magician,' Night Crow—this 'wounded wolf' whose presence was already exposed in our sight—was undoubtedly a better... prey!
"Good!" My Demonic Power core vibrated slightly at this moment due to extreme excitement. "Then let's go hunt him now!"
"Not in a hurry," Lin Qingzhi shook her head, a calm smile belonging to a hunter appearing on her beautiful face, which had regained a trace of color. "Although he is heavily wounded, he is, after all, a Peak Demon Rank expert. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Any slight underestimation could lead to our eternal damnation."
"What we need to do now is formulate a... perfect surprise attack plan."
The two of us began our first, truly tactical deduction session on these silent ruins.
"My 'Frost Toxin,' after fusing with your Ice Phoenix Divine Power, has undergone a qualitative change. Even a Peak Demon Rank expert will definitely be affected if struck in a vital spot by me," I laid out my advantage first.
"Your 'Overclocked Wing Vibration' is your greatest reliance. Silent infiltration and a fatal strike beyond the speed of sound are the core of our plan," Lin Qingzhi immediately provided her assessment.
"However, Night Crow's 'Death Domain' is a huge problem. Once enveloped by his domain, your speed advantage will be infinitely weakened."
"Furthermore, someone of his caliber absolutely possesses trump cards for self-preservation."
"For example, a one-time spatial teleportation talisman, or perhaps some forbidden technique that can temporarily boost his strength for a mutual kill..."
One problem after another was raised by her with precision.
My brain also began to operate at high speed at this moment.
I sank my powerful mental energy into the Swarm Network, constructing a virtual... battlefield sand table in my consciousness.
I began to simulate.
Simulating every detail of our infiltration into his hiding place.
Simulating every unexpected event I might encounter when launching the attack.
Simulating every possible reaction he might make when facing our surprise assault.
-> Once, twice, ten times, a hundred times...
I continuously conducted this life-and-death battle, which had not yet begun, within my consciousness!
And Lin Qingzhi acted like a top-tier military advisor, pointing out the... flaws and shortcomings in every simulation I ran with pinpoint accuracy.
"No, cutting in from this angle is too risky. With his divine sense strength, he might discover you prematurely."
"Your first strike should not target his heart, but rather his... Dantian Qi Sea! That is the source of his Demonic Power! As long as that place is crippled, he is equivalent to a toothless tiger!"
"If he really activates the 'Death Domain,' do not think about escaping; that will only lead to a faster death. What you must do is immediately resonate all your Ice Phoenix power with my soul imprint! Perhaps that can buy us that fatal... zero-point-one second!"
The coordination between us reached an unprecedented... tacit understanding at this moment.
No words were needed, no glances required.
One thought, one look, and we could instantly understand all of the other's... tactical intentions!
Finally, after conducting thousands of simulations and deductions, a nearly perfect surprise attack plan, with a success rate as high as ninety percent, completely took shape in our minds!
I slowly opened my compound eyes.
Lin Qingzhi also slowly opened her cool phoenix eyes.
We exchanged a look.
In each other's eyes, there was a light named "tacit understanding" and "determination."
"Night Crow..."
Lin Qingzhi slowly stood up, her cold voice echoing softly in the dead silent night sky.
"It is time for this... game... to end."