Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Might of the Fireball

It must be said that Qin Yu was quite unlucky, for when she and her companions arrived at the base, the gates had just closed. Staring at the tightly shut doors, the group could only exchange silent glances and shake their heads.

“All right, don’t look so dejected. Tonight, let’s just set up some tents and rest outside. There are plenty of people camped out here anyway,” Qin Yu said, rubbing her brow with a hint of resignation.

“That’s all we can do. If not for that fellow’s ambush, we’d already be enjoying good food and drink in Xiaoyu’s villa. What a troublesome person,” Zhao Meng grumbled, clearly disgruntled.

Summer Cheng, standing nearby, watched Zhao Meng with gentle affection and ruffled her hair. For him, the place mattered little—what was important was having her by his side.

Zhao Meng muttered under her breath at being patted, then turned to Qin Yu. “Xiaoyu, why don’t you rest for a bit? We’ll handle the tents and call you when we’re done.”

Qin Yu made no objections. During her earlier fight with He Yu, she’d felt herself on the verge of a breakthrough, but the urgency of travel had kept her from pondering it further. Now that entering the base was impossible, the opportunity to reflect had arrived.

As for safety, Qin Yu felt no concern with Nangong Yao present. Besides, so near to the base, who would dare attempt an assassination? So she closed her eyes and calmly immersed herself in contemplation.

Nangong Yao, observing this, smiled gently and nudged Tao, saying, “That one’s a genius—after a single fight, she’s already glimpsing the threshold of the Dao. Too bad I can’t take her as my disciple. Otherwise…”

Tao cast him a cool glance after being poked and replied coldly, “Anyone I’ve set my sights on is bound to be extraordinary.”

Nangong Yao tapped Tao and teased, “Look at you, all high and mighty. Even if Qin Yu is gifted beyond compare, she still falls short of that person.”

Tao quietly moved a few meters away, then gazed at Qin Yu, who was lost in her own world, and murmured, “That person? Isn’t she one and the same?”

Nangong Yao pursed his lips, unable to retort, and watched Qin Yu, deep in cultivation, thinking that if the one in question saw her now, they’d surely brim with pride.

“Yaozi, come help! Stop standing there daydreaming,” Zhao Meng’s voice called out, forcing Nangong Yao to abandon his musings and walk over to her.

Nangong Yao glanced at Tao, who remained unmoving, and muttered to himself, “Children have such resilient bodies—never needing to do a thing.”

Tao heard his muttering, gave him a calm look, then returned her gaze to Qin Yu, watching intently.

After a long while, Qin Yu finally emerged from her profound state, feeling light all over, her mind expanded, as if reborn. She opened her eyes, looked at Tao beside her, stroked her hair, and said, “Thank you for keeping watch.”

Tao shook her head silently, reached out to hold the hand that had touched her hair, and quietly sighed with relief—this was the feeling she cherished most.

Qin Yu was taken aback; Tao seemed to love holding her hand. Thinking back, apart from times when it was necessary, Tao had always held her hand along the journey. Hmm… Could her hand really be so popular? Qin Yu mused mischievously.

“Xiaoyu, are you rested? Come eat something—you must be hungry after the journey,” Zhao Meng called out to Qin Yu.

Then, as if remembering something, she hurried over and whispered, “It’s not easy to cook here, so let’s make do with some bread and sausages. Once we’re back in the base, I’ll make something delicious for you.”

Qin Yu nodded, knowing how precious food was in the apocalypse—let alone hot meals. Although she had a tool that could prepare hot food, using it would surely attract the covetous gaze of those outside the base.

Of course, Qin Yu and her companions underestimated the devastation wrought by the apocalypse on food supplies. The scent of meat wafted from their camp, causing those forced to sleep outside to swallow their saliva and stare at Qin Yu’s group with greedy eyes as they feasted.

Yet, seeing that each member looked formidable, none dared to steal openly, though many plotted in secret.

But how could Qin Yu’s group let them get away with it? Zhao Meng casually hurled a large fireball, startling the crowd. Instantly, most people withdrew their greedy gazes, leaving only a few who continued to watch intently.

Those few, however, didn’t dare make a move. Most weren’t gifted, and those who were lacked Zhao Meng’s power. Her fireball was enough to quell the restless crowd.

Zhao Meng surveyed the area, pleased to see everyone avoiding her gaze. Indeed, a single fireball was enough to deter any nefarious schemes.

Qin Yu watched Zhao Meng’s proudly smiling face and said with a gentle smile, “Meng, don’t show off—eat up.”

Zhao Meng nodded and finished her bread.

Meanwhile, in a nearby tent, Zhang Yang and his team sat together, deep in discussion.

One member spoke, “Captain, do you think Chen Yang can complete that task? If he does, he’ll win favor from above, and then we…”

Zhang Yang rubbed his aching brow. “Who knows? Chen Yang’s abilities aren’t weak. That mission is dangerous, but he’ll surely find cannon fodder to take the risk for him. If he really completes it…”

“Boss, should we…” Another member made a throat-slitting gesture.

Zhang Yang shot him a look and shook his head. “Chen Yang will always leave himself an escape route. If we kill him, it’ll end badly for us. If we both suffer losses, the real beneficiary will be…”

He trailed off, as if struck by a thought.

Just as the others were about to speak, a sudden thunderous boom interrupted them. Zhang Yang frowned and said, “Let’s go—see what’s happening outside. Someone causing trouble by the base? Do they think no one’s in charge?” With that, he strode out of the tent.

The rest exchanged glances and followed him out.

The source of the boom was Zhao Meng’s fireball, and thus, fate subtly entwined Zhang Yang’s group with Qin Yu and her companions.