Chapter 659: The Disappearing Hexagram

Nobunaga's sword was too fast. As a master of Iaido, his draw speed was fast enough to slice bullets in midair.

As a licensed master of Niten Ichi-ryū, Nobunaga’s sword-drawing speed had reached terrifying levels.

After becoming a superhuman, just how fast his blade could be—no one knew for sure.

But one thing was recorded in the files of Izumo, one of the two major organizations in the Neon Nation:

Among the Thirteen of the Moon of Corrosion, in terms of combat strength, Nobunaga ranked No. 2.

Chen Xiaoxiao’s body, split cleanly in two, was flung through the air.

The result made her pupils shrink violently.

For the first time in her life, she felt such utter despair and helplessness.

Peng Li was pale with fright. Fortunately, the twin beams of holy light from her hands still connected to Chen Xiaoxiao’s body.

She shouted and immediately pulled Chen Xiaoxiao’s two halves back.

Midair, using her Priest ability, Peng Li reconnected the pieces.

Luckily, Nobunaga’s sword had been too fast—the cut was so clean, like a mirror’s surface, that fusing it back was relatively quick.

Chen Xiaoxiao stood on the ground, face deathly pale, swaying unsteadily.

That one strike had completely drained the blood from her body.

Across her lower abdomen, a neat cut still ran across her snowy white skin.

A thin red line of blood slowly trickled downward.

It looked like she’d been barely stitched back together—as if any sudden movement might make the upper half of her body fall off again.

Peng Li said anxiously, “Don’t move anymore! The injury is too serious. Healing this will take time!”

But they both knew... there was no time left.

This was it—the end of the line.

“So they’re just grunts after all?”

Nobunaga sheathed his blade with a dull, bored look.

He was disappointed.

He had expected to face elite opponents.

But who would’ve thought... they were this weak?

Not even worth a sword swing.

“Let’s just finish them off already,” said Wagatsuma Nanako.

“No need to rush,” Nobunaga said, lifting his head to look into the distance.

“Maybe... the real opponents are just now showing up.”

The mist rolled and churned as several figures slowly emerged.

“Well well, pretty sharp instincts.”

The man at the front wore a wicked smile. He tilted his head, eyes landing on Nobunaga—and especially on the katana in his hand.

“Seriously? What century are you from, still playing with samurai toys?”

Seeing them, Peng Li and Chen Xiaoxiao looked like they’d just seen their saviors.

They cried out in relief, “You’re finally here!”

The newcomers were none other than members of the Celestial Squad.

The man in the lead also held a blade, but his was massive—like a giant black door panel in weight and shape.

His face was tattooed with strange mystical runes, giving him an eerie and unfathomable aura.

Right then, Zhang Yi’s group arrived as well.

Originally, Zhang Yi had planned to let Chen Xiaoxiao and Peng Li draw out the Moon of Corrosion, then step in to clean up.

But unexpectedly, the Celestial Squad had arrived first.

Shao Tianyi, a member of the Celestial Squad, gave Zhang Yi a quick glance and said coldly,

“You guys were too slow. Headquarters ordered us to take over this battlefield.”

“Perfect timing—take these two useless women and get out.”

“The next part of the fight is way beyond your level of superhuman. Stay out of it.”

Liang Yue didn’t say anything, just looked at Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi’s lips curled into a faint smirk.

He shrugged. “Since the pros are here, there’s no point in sticking around. We’re out.”

Then he turned to Chen Xiaoxiao and Peng Li, his gaze naturally falling on the horrific wound around Chen Xiaoxiao’s waist.

“You still able to walk?”

Chen Xiaoxiao had been forcing herself to stand. After all, she’d been cut in half—full recovery would take time.

She bit her lip and avoided Zhang Yi’s eyes, clearly embarrassed.

Right now, she was deeply regretting her reckless decision.

Zhang Yi’s cautiousness had been justified.

They had seriously underestimated the strength of the Moon of Corrosion.

Zhang Yi gave Hua Hua a look. The cat stepped up to Chen Xiaoxiao and lowered itself.

Peng Li quickly helped her onto Hua Hua’s back, her hands still glowing as she continued healing her.

Zhang Yi didn’t waste another second. He turned to leave.

After a while, he heard Chen Xiaoxiao’s weak voice behind him.

“Zhang Yi... thank you.”

Zhang Yi glanced at her. “No need to thank me. Just happened to be passing by.”

Chen Xiaoxiao’s face flushed—not just from internal injuries, but from shame.

Peng Li sighed, eyes full of regret.

“We came here hoping to make a name for ourselves... and ended up becoming a joke.”

The massive power gap had forced them to face reality.

Still, it wasn’t entirely their fault—this was their first time facing the Moon of Corrosion.

Back in their city, they’d been practically invincible—and that illusion made them overconfident.

Liang Yue leaned in close and whispered in Zhang Yi’s ear,

“Why didn’t you step in earlier? With your strength, those three shouldn’t be a problem.”

Zhang Yi looked at her and replied with a question, “Do you even know what level they are?”

Liang Yue paused, then said, “No matter how strong, they can’t be stronger than you. You even took down Yuan Kongye.”

Zhang Yi said, “That was because I planned it for a long time. I gathered tons of intel, moved countless pieces, and barely pulled it off.”

“Remember this—never underestimate your opponent. Don’t trust your gut to size up an enemy. Never be blindly confident.”

“We came here because of a sliver of duty in our hearts. Not to show off. Not to chase points.”

“Now that the Celestial Squad has stepped in, let them fight to the death if they want.”

Liang Yue stared at Zhang Yi’s face—stoic yet lazy—and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“I’m starting to understand you less and less.”

Zhang Yi said, “No need to understand. Just follow my lead.”

As they left, Nobunaga’s trio didn’t even spare them a glance.

To them, those few weren’t even worth acknowledging.

Their true opponents were the Celestial Squad members standing before them.

But just then, all three heard Nishijumu Satoru’s voice in their heads.

“Nobunaga, Takizawa, Wagatsuma—are you three alright? Respond immediately!”

The three exchanged confused looks.

Satoru’s tone was frantic, like something terrible had happened.

Nobunaga answered, “We’re fine. What happened?”

Satoru finally let out a breath of relief.

He looked toward Takeuchi Mayumi, who was sitting nearby clutching her head, her face filled with panic and confusion.

Then he spoke slowly to the trio:

“Just now... the three of you vanished from Mayumi’s divination hexagram.”

Author's Note