Chapter 118 - 5: Ultimate Counter

Staring at the familiar-looking object, Zhang Deming had no time to shout a warning before the cylindrical device exploded.

A strange pulse rippled outward, and the Spiritual Power within everyone’s bodies instantly fell into disarray, becoming completely uncontrollable.

Following the pulse wave was another strange force. Without their Spiritual Power to resist it, everyone grew dizzy and fainted.

Only Zhang Deming, in the instant he fell, had the cultivation script within him spin slightly, calming his chaotic Spiritual Power in a matter of moments.

As his Spiritual Power settled, his mind cleared completely.

However, he remained lying on the ground, careful not to move rashly. Squinting his eyes, he waited for the people behind this to appear.

The current situation had him completely dumbfounded. The strange, yet familiar-looking, pulse bomb from moments ago had dealt a massive shock to his Heart Spirit.

When he peeked through his narrowed eyes and saw two figures appear, his composure almost shattered.

They were two people dressed in specialized suits and carrying modern equipment, giving them a rather sci-fi look.

Furthermore, they were emitting a strange fluctuation that completely shielded them from Zhang Deming’s Perception.

In his past life, this would have been a common sight, or at worst, just slightly futuristic technology.

But for something like this to appear in this world... the shock to Zhang Deming was immense.

’So, who are these people?’

’Reincarnators?’

’Disaster Players?’

’Or has everyone from Earth started teaming up to transmigrate and invade other worlds?’

’Have I been clueless this whole time? Did I actually end up in a game world as an NPC?’

’Just waiting to be steamrolled by players!’

’Or did I land in one of the All Heavens Worlds and become a native? A totally useless, third-rate plot character?’

’Just waiting to be graced by the ’favor’ of the Reincarnators!’

’Or maybe... I crossed into a Different Space, and back on Earth, Spiritual Qi is reviving, leading the masses to start invading other worlds?’

’Ready to receive the ’loving care’ of my dear countrymen!’

His mind then flashed to the sci-fi-esque flight pack Ling’er had used before.

And then there was the Identity Card, which operated just like a smartphone or computer.

Suddenly, all of these things seemed to have a perfectly logical explanation.

’So, does the ’Outer Realm’—the place I could find no information on in the Outer Sect—actually refer to Earth?’

Watching the two figures in tactical bodysuits carefully approach, Zhang Deming’s mind raced, a torrent of thoughts flooding his consciousness.

He lay on the ground, not daring to move a muscle.

His five companions were all unconscious, lying motionless on the ground like corpses.

The two approaching figures were clearly professionals who had undergone formal, systematic training.

They covered each other as they advanced rapidly.

Only after confirming that all six were unconscious did they relax slightly.

Their faces were painted with camouflage, but Zhang Deming was certain that neither was over twenty. They were both extremely young.

"Whew. Did the captain really need to be so cautious? For six so-called Magic Apprentices, especially after they were exhausted from combat? We actually wasted a One-Star Quantum Pulse Bomb on them," said the young man on the left, Zhai Shijiang.

"The rewards for this mission are quite generous. It’s better to be careful," replied Jit Tianlin on the right.

’Mission?’

’So, Otherworld invasion is probably out. Does that mean they really are Reincarnators or players?’

’Did I really become an NPC or some native plot character?’

’You’ve got to be kidding me. Eighteen years have passed, and you’re telling me this *now*?’

’I have some serious complaints to file!’

Zhai Shijiang glanced at the six people on the ground, then his eyes fell upon the Hundred Poisonous Scorpion. "Ha! A little extra cash on the side. This is actually a Tai Chi Stage Demon Beast."

"This Poison Needle is a top-tier One-Star material, and the Poison Sac is also worth a lot. Looks like our luck is pretty good this time," he said.

Jit Tianlin shook his head. "Don’t get sidetracked. We can’t have any mishaps on this mission. Don’t touch that stuff."

Zhai Shijiang stiffened. "Seriously? You’re being *that* cautious."

Jit Tianlin said, "This mission was triggered by an internal struggle within the Celestial Spirit Sect’s Inner Sect."

"It’s best to be cautious. If we get dragged into it, it could easily cause a diplomatic incident with us, as we’re an Upper Sect."

’Diplomacy?’

’Aren’t they Reincarnators?’

’Game players shouldn’t be concerned with diplomacy!’

’So is it a Spiritual Qi revival and an invading Otherworld after all?’

Listening to their conversation, Zhang Deming’s thoughts raced.

Zhai Shijiang rolled his eyes. "Alright, fine. The mission comes first. You call the shots. So, what’s the plan?"

From a pouch on his waist, Jit Tianlin pulled out two syringe kits and two small, specially-made glass vials.

He took one of the small vials, shook it a few times, then unwrapped a syringe and began to draw the liquid from the vial.

Watching his movements, Zhai Shijiang asked, "What is that?"

Jit Tianlin replied flatly, "A specialized tranquilizer."

Zhai Shijiang was speechless. "They’re already knocked out. Why do they need a tranquilizer?"

As he finished speaking, he noticed Jit Tianlin’s strange expression. A sudden thought occurred to him, and he said:

"Wait a minute, ’specialized’... This couldn’t be that legendary ’persuasion’ serum from the experimental division, could it?"

Jit Tianlin, having finished filling the syringe, handed it to Zhai Shijiang. "You take this. Go inject that one... hmm, the handsome one."

Zhai Shijiang took the syringe and said awkwardly, "Uh, just to confirm... I’m supposed to kill him, not ’do’ him, right?"

Jit Tianlin gave Zhai Shijiang a profound look. Without answering, he began to unwrap the second syringe and draw the tranquilizer from the other vial.

"Hey, say something, will you? I heard this stuff is pretty intense."

"Our mission this time... it isn’t actually to ’do’ them, is it?" Zhai Shijiang asked nervously, holding the syringe.