Unfilial disciple, do not ruin your master's dream of ascension and peaceful life.

The crisis in Pujiang District, and even the entire Haijing City, was resolved at this moment.

But Lin Zhiyu's crisis was just beginning.

She flew back to Pujiang District as quickly as possible, and as soon as she stepped out of Pujiang International Airport, she received news on her phone that made her utterly shocked.

What does it mean that Zhanghe Science and Technology Park was bombed?

What is electromagnetic railgun fire?

What is meant by "air fortress bombardment"?

What does it mean when hundreds of thousands of live stream viewers experience severe headaches?

What does it mean for a mobile fortress to almost land in the port area?

What does it mean when seawater evaporates and then turns back to normal?

"--That's about it. Anyway, I took care of that Allen Masco. I'll leave the cleanup to you."

In the principal's office, Qian Jing stood against the wall with an indifferent expression, Ye Yinqiu served him attentively, and Ning Ruozhi sat on the sofa with a wry smile.

Under the watchful eyes of the three, Lin Zhiyu shed tears of blood.

"Hurry up and act before your barrier completely disappears, or it won't be able to be concealed any longer."

"I...I understand...Oh my god..."

She fell to her knees with a thud, her tight stockings, stretched taut by her good legs, making intimate contact with the ground, looking utterly pathetic.

"I'll do it, I'll do it, at least there haven't been any mass casualties... But let me ask you this: who is this guy?!"

She pointed behind the sofa.

A woman with purplish-black hair, pale skin, dressed in sloppy indoor sportswear, barefoot, hugging her knees, and huddled in a small ball, was hiding there peeking out.

"Who is she? She's so suspicious!" ←Lin Zhiyu

"A stray dog." ← Ye Yinqiu

"Miscellaneous fish." ←Qianjing

"A lost child." ← Ning Ruozhi

"That's so...so outrageous!" ← Yuan Ying

They spent ten minutes explaining Yuan Ying's background, during which Yuan Ying pitifully hid behind the sofa, peeking at them and awaiting her fate.

"Allen's men were betrayed by their master, and after his downfall, they surrendered out of fear of death... Is that right?"

"Yes." Qianjing nodded.

"This is a bit of a dilemma. I don't object to taking her in temporarily, but how should we settle her before we fully trust her?"

"Drowning them in a pig cage!" Ye Yinqiu immediately suggested, referring to the Ancient Poké Ball.

"No, no, no! I can be your slave! Please don't kill me!!" Yuan Ying panicked, rolling around on the ground, looking both funny and pitiful.

(Brother Jing, she seems so useless. There's no point in keeping her around. Should we just kill her?) Lin Zhiyu whispered.

(I was originally planning to just kill her, but seeing that she was working overtime, I couldn't let it go—oh wait, but seeing that her superpowers are quite useful, they can make up for our long-standing disadvantage in intelligence warfare), Qian Jing said.

(...Okay)

After a brief vote, everyone agreed that Yuan Ying could temporarily settle down in Pujiang District, with Ning Ruozhi helping to provide accommodation. Yuan Ying's requirements for the accommodation were very simple: just internet access, electricity, and air conditioning, and preferably a display cabinet for her figurines.

From today onwards, the Pujiang F4 has become the Pujiang Five Emperor Beasts.

Next, Lin Zhiyu informed everyone of the decision made by the upper echelons of the Mutual Aid Association. In the end, she was still unable to prevent the Pujiang Opening Act from taking effect, and from then on, a large number of ascendants with ulterior motives would inevitably flood into Haijing.

Qianjing knew about it in advance, so she did not make a statement.

Ning Ruozhi was both shocked and angry, believing that this would endanger innocent people.

Ye Yinqiu rubbed his hands together, eager for a fight. The underlying code of cultivators had been activated again; the more enemies one had, the greater the opportunity.

They discussed many things, including security in the Pujiang District and communication in case of emergencies. As it was getting late, the group dispersed.

Ning Ruozhi took Yuan Ying to see a house. Ye Yinqiu had an exam tonight (the final exam season wasn't over yet). Only Qian Jing and Lin Zhiyu were left in the principal's office.

"Then I'll leave. I'll leave the cleanup to you."

"Wait! I wanted to say—thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for helping me out again. Without you... Xiaozhi and I would be no match for Ellen Masco."

"It was just a small favor."

"Is there anything you want? I'd like to give you something in return..."

"There's no need. I'm essentially just eliminating the bad things that are preventing me from lying down. You don't need to feel like you owe me anything."

Lin Zhiyu seemed to have made up her mind. Her face flushed slightly, she took a deep breath, and stared intently into Qian Jing's eyes as she spoke:

"Brother, can I hug you?"

"Bro, why are you acting like a girl?"

"I am a woman!!!"

All that effort to create a romantic atmosphere has vanished just like that; this man definitely did it on purpose!

"However, a quick hug is fine too."

Qianjing rolled her eyes and opened her arms. Lin Zhiyu was stunned for a moment, then immediately mustered up her courage and hugged her.

She was slightly shorter than him, her eyes level with his pale lips, and his breath tickled her forehead. His body temperature was lower than average, making him very comfortable to hug on a hot day. She couldn't help but hug him a little tighter, but then immediately let go, awkwardly playing with her hair.

"Anyway, this is my way of thanking you! How was it? Did you enjoy hugging that beautiful older sister? Did your heart flutter when my big toe was pressed against your chest?"

"Hmm, beautiful older sister, thirty years old (in brackets)."

"Don't bring up your age on purpose!"

After a brief playful fight, the two parted ways.

As she was leaving, the thirty-year-old beauty suddenly turned back, revealing a mischievous smile like that of a seventeen-year-old girl:

"You're all bark and no bite; you must have been harassed by plenty of bad women in the past, right?"

"...Who knows?"

Upon hearing this, for a fleeting moment, the faces of two old acquaintances flashed through Qian Jing's mind, or perhaps three, or even four.

Forget it, let's not dwell on the past.

……

……

When Qianjing got home that evening, she first tidied up the messy room and then checked on her sister's condition.

Qianmo's headache had subsided, and the images caused by Ellen had faded, but she was still a little weak and went to bed early.

Xin Wenyue brought her back, and for some reason, the child's eyes were darting around.

"Qianjing, you..."

"What's wrong with me?"

"It's nothing."

Xin Wenyue's attitude was puzzling. She stayed with Qianmo for a while longer before leaving. No sooner had she left than Ye Yinqiu entered the room.

"Waaah, I bombed the exam..."

"That's normal. If you can pass this exam, then the university might as well not even exist."

"Waaaaah..."

"Alright, you've had a long day, get some rest... Oh, right, there's something important I need to tell you."

"Please give your instructions!"

"I will not use my powers for the next month starting today."

"What does it mean??"

"It means exactly what it says. From now on, please treat me like an ordinary person. Come on, let's take a bath."