The little sparrow baby, facing Qi Wu's fire dragon, swallowed it whole, a truly magnificent and unparalleled display.
But then, terrified by a dozen black-clad figures, it hid like a cornered mouse, leaving everyone present deeply bewildered.
"Answer me, where is that sparrow?"
The dozen or so black-clad figures, all masked and bearing no distinctive insignia, surrounded Qing Ying, Ji Shiyou, and the others.
The leader's emotionless voice rang out again, inquiring about the baby's whereabouts.
"Who are you people? I know where that sparrow is hiding."
Qing Ying stepped forward, smiling at the leader. Honestly, she was very curious.
The little sparrow baby and these mysterious black-clad figures had never appeared in her previous life, so she stepped forward, intending to probe their secrets.
"Qing Ying, if you dare to speak, the Bright Moon team and you will be mortal enemies."
Seeing Qing Ying about to reveal the little sparrow's hiding place to the black-clad figures, Ji Shiyou issued a warning.
He didn't know why the baby feared these black-clad figures like the plague, but even a sparrow was a member of the Bright Moon team and would not be betrayed.
"It seems you all know. Then we'll capture you all and question you, saving the trouble of haggling."
The leader of the black-clad figures let out a sinister laugh and made a gesture. The dozen or so black-clad figures who had appeared with him raised their hands in unison.
A beam of light emanated from each of their hands, crisscrossing to form a net of light.
Qing Ying, Qi Wu, and Ji Shiyou were all ensnared by the net, their movements rendered immobile.
Qing Ying's heart trembled. The black-clad figures were not using supernatural abilities or immortal arts, but their methods were eerily similar to Ming Yue's.
However, they were not identical. Ming Yue's techniques were all straightforward and honorable.
But the net that ensnared them felt somewhat sinister, emitting a chilling aura.
Neither supernatural abilities nor immortal arts could be used.
Now, she couldn't even retreat into her spatial dimension; she was just an ordinary woman, powerless.
Fortunately, Qi Wu was by her side, shielding her in his arms. Though she couldn't use her abilities,
Qing Ying felt Qi Wu's firm chest muscles and burning body heat, filling her with a sense of security.
"I'll ask one more time, where is that sparrow? If you don't speak now, you'll regret it later!"
The leader of the black-clad figures chuckled sinisterly, his tone laced with threat. Despite the mask, he exuded an aura of extreme malevolence.
Ji Shiyou and the other two were shocked to find their abilities gone. This was an unprecedented experience for them, but they remained silent in the face of the threat.
Qing Ying was also a proud person. She had offered courtesy to them earlier out of curiosity, believing she had shown them enough respect.
But in return, she and Qi Wu were trapped without reason, which enraged her, so she also refused to communicate.
Seeing their reactions, the leader of the black-clad figures said no more, let out a sinister laugh, and slightly tilted his head.
The black-clad figures controlling the net of light received the signal and raised their hands again, each emitting another beam of light.
A scream rang out. It was Tian Shang. Although the others did not cry out, they all wore expressions of extreme pain, as if enduring immense suffering.
"Let me tell you, this net not only restrains cultivation but also has a name: Bone-Corroding Heart-Burning Net.
I won't elaborate further; you've already experienced it. Quickly tell me the sparrow's whereabouts, or you'll experience it again."
The leader of the black-clad figures was growing impatient. He had sensed the baby's presence earlier, so why had it vanished into thin air? Otherwise, he wouldn't be wasting time here with these people.
As soon as he finished speaking, a car parked nearby suddenly erupted in light, charging towards the nearest black-clad figure controlling the net.
That black-clad figure, fully focused on controlling the net, was caught off guard and immediately sent flying.
With one person's power support gone, the Bone-Corroding Heart-Burning Net vanished. The car then roared towards Ji Shiyou and the other two.
"Get in."
When the black-clad figures appeared, Shi Henian was replenishing the transforming car with crystal cores. He saw the baby frantically flying in.
This bird was usually erratic, so he didn't pay much attention. Only when he returned to the driver's seat did he see the people outside trapped by a net of light.
These black-clad figures looked incredibly mysterious. Shi Henian cautiously concealed himself to avoid detection.
Then, he stealthily activated the transforming car, directly knocking over a black-clad figure, breaking the net of light, and beckoning Ji Shiyou and the other two into the car.
As the net of light disappeared, Qi Wu felt his abilities return and immediately summoned a fire dragon, charging directly at the leader of the black-clad figures.
Meanwhile, Ji Shiyou and the other two seized the opportunity to board the transforming car. Shi Henian floored the accelerator, and the car shot out like an arrow from a bow.
"You think you can leave that easily?"
Facing Qi Wu's fire dragon, the leader of the black-clad figures appeared confident and waved his hand casually.
The fire dragon turned back, transforming into a cage of fire that trapped Qi Wu and Qing Ying. His control over fire was clearly superior to Qi Wu's.
As for the escaping transforming car, the leader of the black-clad figures extended his right hand, and a vine as thick as a child's arm shot out, binding the transforming car like a zongzi.
Then, with a single-handed heave, the transforming car was lifted into the air and slammed heavily in front of him.
Ji Shiyou and the others inside the car were stunned. The transforming car had been specially modified by Shi Henian and weighed two tons.
Yet, the leader of the black-clad figures had easily pulled it back as if it were a kite.
Both his wood-elemental and strength-based abilities surpassed those of Ji Shiyou and Tian Shang. And seeing Qi Wu and Qing Ying trapped in the fire cage,
they were even more astonished. Could this person, like Ming Yue, be omni-elemental?
"They won't shed tears until they see the coffin. It seems they don't want to live!"
The leader of the black-clad figures was clearly enraged. A ball of intense fire appeared in his hand, ready to be hurled at the transforming car.
The power emanating from the ball of fire was significantly greater than that of Qi Wu's.
It was at least level nine. Upon contact, Ji Shiyou and the others, along with the car, would be reduced to ashes.
"She San, stop! I'll go back with you, don't hurt them."
The little sparrow baby's voice came from inside the car. Then, dejected and crestfallen, it flew out.
"I knew you were in the car. You've gotten much better at concealing your aura in just a few days!
As an experimental subject, you're not qualified to negotiate with me. They all deserve to die!"
The black-clad leader, named She San, his tone lightened upon seeing the baby appear, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. However, he had no intention of sparing Ji Shiyou and the others.
"They are all my friends. You cannot harm them. Don't force me to act against you."
Hearing She San's words, the little sparrow immediately bristled, its eyes flashing fiercely, and it threatened him.
"Precisely because they are your friends, I will kill them. You shouldn't have friends."
She San cackled sinisterly and hurled the ball of fire in his hand towards the transforming car.
"How dare you?"
The baby shrieked. It knew all too well the power of that ball of fire. It opened its small mouth, intending to suck the fireball in.
Unexpectedly, She San had anticipated its move. He threw out a palm-sized golden shield, trapping the baby inside.
"Damn it, you actually brought the Qiankun Shield! She San, I swear, I will never forgive you."
The baby thrashed inside the golden shield, but to no avail.
It was unable to escape and could only watch helplessly as the ball of fire approached the transforming car.