Chapter Forty-Six: Elder Xu

When Qin Yu awoke from her coma, the first thing she saw was the crystal core beside her, now reduced to ashes. She stared in a daze, unable to process the situation before her for a moment.

She remembered that after sending Wang Bing and the others on their way, she had planned to rest for a while, but an inexplicable heaviness had settled over her head. Instinctively sensing danger, she had retreated into her space.

Now it seemed something indeed must have happened while she was unconscious. Vaguely, she recalled someone calling her to a certain place, and the voice had sounded very familiar…

Qin Yu thought back to Feng Meier’s strange behavior before she left the Falcon Squad’s base and realized that odd voice might have belonged to Feng Meier as well. A cold, determined glint flashed in Qin Yu’s eyes.

Since she had chosen betrayal, she could not blame Qin Yu for her lack of mercy.

She stood up, feeling lighter than ever. Joy surged in her heart as she quickly checked her body. After a hasty examination, she noticed her skin had improved and her hair was smoother than before.

She summoned a water sphere, and to her surprise, it was much larger than any she had produced previously, even though she had only done it casually. It seemed her water ability had leveled up!

A reason to be glad indeed!

Qin Yu closed her eyes and gazed into her sea of consciousness, discovering a wisp of green mist coiled in a corner. Puzzled, she cautiously guided the mist, which caused another water sphere to form in her hand. Upon opening her eyes, she found the sphere was no longer clear water, but a dark teal liquid, resembling a glob of venom.

Glancing at the diminished green mist nearby, she guessed that during her coma, some mutation must have occurred in her consciousness, resulting in a change to her abilities as well…

She stopped manipulating the green mist and summoned another water sphere, which this time was pure and clear. Only then did she feel relieved—thank goodness, she could still produce normal water spheres!

After a quick tidy-up, she exited her space and surveyed the room, noticing clear signs that it had been disturbed. Evidently, this place was not as safe as she had imagined.

Qin Yu decided to complete her mission quickly and move into a villa in the central district as soon as possible, lest more trouble arise.

She soon arrived at the mission center. This time, she wore no hat. People watched as a young woman walked up to the mission counter to hand in her task—and it was that very task! Instantly, murmurs erupted among the crowd, and many rushed out of the center in haste.

Qin Yu regarded the excited man before her and asked, “Excuse me, how do you confirm completion of this mission?”

Hearing her question, the man calmed himself and replied, “Please come with me.” He led her upstairs.

Following him into a room, Qin Yu found an elderly man, short yet stalwart, sitting within. His sharp eyes glinted with intelligence, and his entire bearing exuded an imposing aura. From his posture, it was clear he was a soldier.

Qin Yu smiled and spoke first, “Sir, my name is Qin Yu. I went through great effort to complete this mission. How will you verify it?”

The old man smiled, appraising her. Her dark clothes clung to her figure, subtly outlining her form. Her hair fell to her waist, and her bangs, a bit too long, occasionally veiled her eyes. She stood straight, the faint smile on her lips radiating confidence. What a promising young woman!

But Qin Yu? That name rang a bell, though he could not place it. Still, now was not the time to dwell on it.

He addressed her, “Qin, my dear, come, sit!”

Qin Yu complied, sitting across from him.

He continued, “My surname is Xu—you may call me Grandpa Xu.”

Qin Yu nodded politely. “Grandpa Xu.”

Xu nodded with satisfaction. “The verification is simple. Just tell me what happened there. If you have any proof, even better.”

Qin Yu replied, “The situation was straightforward. There was a third-tier zombie there—not just any, but one with two abilities: poison and mutated psychic powers. The poison could infect people through wounds, turning them into zombies, while the psychic power could create illusions, causing hallucinations.”

Grandpa Xu’s expression turned grave, brows furrowing in thought.

Qin Yu added, “It took me a great deal of effort to kill that zombie. Grandpa Xu, don’t you think my reward should be increased?”

Xu’s face became stern. “Qin, that third-tier zombie sounds formidable. How did you—wait! Did you say you killed it?” He stared at her in shock.

Qin Yu nodded. “Yes.”

Xu gave her a peculiar look, muttering under his breath, “What a gifted child.”

Pretending not to hear, Qin Yu took out the so-called source crystal from her bag (in reality, from her space) and placed it on the table.

“This was taken from the zombie’s head. I hope it serves as proof.”

Xu stared at the crystal, then at her, puzzled. “This… you…”

Qin Yu smiled. “This crystal is of no use to me. I might as well offer it as a favor. I sense it’s different from any I’ve obtained before, so I hope you’ll study it closely.”

Taking the crystal in his hand, Xu felt the power radiating from it. He trembled slightly, as if he had discovered something, though he could not be sure. All he could say was, “Very well, Qin! I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything, come to me—I’ll help you.”

Qin Yu’s smile deepened. Noticing Xu’s reaction, she guessed he had found something unusual. Yes, giving him the source crystal was the right decision. She looked forward to the results of their research.

Xu, eager to study the crystal, said, “Qin, I’ll have someone deliver your reward. As for me…”

Qin Yu saw the impatience on his face and replied, “Grandpa Xu, if you have things to attend to, please go ahead. I’ll find the man who brought me in.”

Xu nodded with satisfaction, instructed the guard outside, and hurried away.

Qin Yu followed the staff member downstairs, where all eyes in the main hall turned to her. Among them, she recognized a group of familiar faces—none other than the members of the Falcon Squad she had just seen.

Everyone looked at the smiling woman, then at the deferential staff member at her side. Realizing she had completed the mission, their gazes burned even brighter with admiration.