Since the advent of psionic energy, forests worldwide have become more than twice as lush as before its appearance.
The Ningcheng Military Region is located not far from the edge of the G Province rainforest. Deep within the forest, amidst towering mountains, the cries of apes and roars of tigers are more profound and sinister than ever, hinting at the emergence of a primitive world.
At this moment, Si Junfang and Wang Yan are confronting a tiger demon in the depths of the rainforest.
Recently, many herb gatherers have gone missing in this mountain range, so Si Junfang and Wang Yan took on a mission to investigate. They discovered a man-eating tiger demon, and a fierce battle immediately ensued.
This striped tiger demon has a single horn on its head that crackles with arcs of electricity. It stands two meters tall, and its tail, when fully extended, measures ten meters in length. Near its lair, remnants of the victims' clothing were found, which is why Si Junfang and Wang Yan chose to engage it.
A large area of the surrounding trees has been felled, some by lightning strikes, others by water damage or ice impacts, attesting to the ferocity of the battle.
The tiger let out a roar, with shreds of meat still clinging to its teeth. Its body was covered in wounds. After roaring, it took a step back, lowered its upper body into a threatening posture, but appeared somewhat weakened. The electrical energy from its horn had also dimmed, indicating it had little demonic power left.
Wang Yan waved her small hand, forming a water sphere that completely enveloped the tiger. Si Junfang then activated her psionic ability, freezing the tiger into an ice block.
This move, which they had used countless times, was simple, convenient, and always effective. The two were truly the best partners in Team Three!
This tiger demon possessed strength roughly equivalent to the mid-C level. Despite its massive size and control over lightning, its command of the element was extremely crude, making its demise unsurprising.
We didn't even need the special operations team to step in; our investigation team handled it. This tiger is quite good, and it's lightning-attributed. After the Superpower Research Institute assesses it, we should be able to exchange it for a good amount of merit points!
Si Junfang, clad in a form-fitting black combat suit that accentuated her stunning figure, stood before the tiger ice sculpture with a smile.
Wang Yan was similarly dressed, though her figure, compared to Si Junfang's, was less striking but possessed its own unique charm.
Upon hearing Si Junfang's words, she immediately gave a thumbs-up and praised, "That's right, following the team leader means good things!"
Si Junfang burst into laughter, her ample chest heaving.
They then squatted ungracefully beside the tiger ice sculpture to rest, chatting while waiting for the helicopter to arrive.
Just then, the phone in Si Junfang's waist pouch vibrated violently.
Si Junfang took it out and saw it was a call from Yu Zhibo. In her good mood, her lips curved into a smile as she said, "What's up, little fish? Do you like the gift I prepared for you?"
"Team leader, is there no one else around you? If not, I'll just type it!" Psionic users have exceptionally keen hearing, and even without speakerphone, they can hear phone conversations, hence Yu Zhibo's question.
Wang Yan beside her immediately flashed an ambiguous smile. She knew it was impossible for the team leader to have any romantic involvement with a newcomer to the team, but that didn't stop her from smiling like that.
Si Junfang said casually, "No one else. If you're calling to thank me for the gift, there's no need. It's what you deserve!"
"Putting the gift aside for now, I'm currently at the military region's intersection checkpoint..."
As Si Junfang listened to Yu Zhibo speak, the smile on her face gradually froze. Upon hearing that Yu Zhibo could perceive the psionic energy emanating from soldiers and his related speculations, she exclaimed in shock, "What? You can see if ordinary people have psionic energy within them?"
As she spoke, the hand holding the phone began to tremble.
Beside her, Wang Yan, who had also heard Yu Zhibo's words, looked equally stunned.
Neither of them had expected that Yu Zhibo could not only perceive the flow of psionic energy in low-level dark creatures but also detect the presence of psionic energy in ordinary people!
If his speculations were correct, then undoubtedly, more individuals with awakening potential would be discovered early and receive protection, preventing them from being devoured by dark creatures.
Then, Yu Zhibo continued on the phone, "Yes, I wanted to handle it myself, but the director said my ability cannot be exposed, so I can only find you."
Si Junfang's voice trembled with excitement, "You're doing the right thing. I'll arrange for Li Fang immediately... No, that kid tends to speak his mind. I'll rush back myself. You wait for me right there, don't wander off, and protect that soldier. Make sure he doesn't get devoured if he awakens suddenly!"
After speaking, she glanced at Wang Yan.
"Don't worry, team leader. I'll guard here. If any other demonic beasts appear that I can't handle, I definitely won't hold my ground to the death!" Wang Yan said with a serious expression.
"Good. Then prioritize your own safety. If it comes to it, abandon the tiger demon's corpse!"
After giving instructions, Si Junfang's body erupted with a powerful aura. She quickly dashed towards the highway ten miles away, got into the sedan parked by the roadside, made a U-turn, and sped towards the Sacred Bureau.
Yu Zhibo sat in the car, playing with his phone, occasionally glancing at the sentry soldier. He was worried that if the soldier suddenly awakened, he wouldn't be able to react in time to save him.
After a short wait, a bright light appeared behind him, accompanied by the roar of an engine. Yu Zhibo looked in the rearview mirror and saw a car rapidly approaching.
A piercing screech of brakes echoed, and the tires, due to intense friction, generated heat, emitting black smoke. However, the driver seemed unconcerned. The car door opened, and a tall figure in a tight combat suit quickly emerged.
Yu Zhibo quickly got out of the car to greet her, "Team leader!"
At the same time, he looked at the car Si Junfang was driving. "Good heavens, it's a Land Rover too!"
"Could it be that everyone in Team Three drives a Land Rover!"
"Well done, little fish!" Si Junfang got out of the car, saw that everything was calm and no unexpected events had occurred, and breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't help but reach out and vigorously ruffle Yu Zhibo's buzz cut.
Yu Zhibo immediately put on a look of resigned despair, "If this keeps up, I'll go bald."
Suddenly, Si Junfang let out a "hmm."
Yu Zhibo's heart skipped a beat. "What is it, team leader?"
"Your hair has grown longer. Remember to cut it when we get back; it has no texture at all." As she spoke, Si Junfang patted his head again.
Yu Zhibo: (╯#-_-)╯~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~╧═╧
After advancing to E-rank, not only had his hair grown a bit, but he had also grown an inch taller. Since awakening his eyes, he had been fully aware of his physical changes.
Si Junfang laughed heartily, then her smile slowly faded as she said softly, "It's that pavilion, right?"
Yu Zhibo nodded. "It's in the upper right corner, behind the soldier's right shoulder."
"No need to be so troublesome, just confirming it's there is enough!" Si Junfang turned to look but found nothing unusual. It was evident that low-level dark creatures, relying on their low energy levels, were indeed very good at concealing themselves.
Si Junfang strode forward with her long legs, reaching the sentry booth in a few large steps. She then took out her identification and handed it to the sentry soldier, stating sternly, "I am the team leader of Team Three, Investigation Department, Sacred Bureau. This is my identification. According to regulations, I have the privilege to temporarily commandeer units below battalion level. Soldier, I order you to immediately leave your current post!"
"Yes, sir!" As a sentry for the Sacred Bureau and the Ningcheng Military Region, the soldier was naturally aware of information regarding the Sacred Bureau. After checking Si Junfang's identification and confirming it was valid, he quickly saluted, turned, and moved to a spot three meters away.
After the soldier left, Si Junfang extended her hand, her slender, fair fingers like green onions opening wide. She placed them on the wall of the sentry booth, and psionic energy surged. Instantly, the entire sentry booth was coated in a thick layer of frost!
Simultaneously, in the upper right corner, a mass of black liquid was frozen into its original shape, stiff within the ice crystals, having completely lost its life.
The soldier standing nearby couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows. At the same time, his gaze towards Si Junfang became more reverent. Clearly, only now did he realize the danger he had been facing.
After freezing the entire sentry booth, Si Junfang flicked her finger.
With a "crack!", cracks began to spread rapidly.
The thick frost shattered, and along with it, the dark creature turned into black ice shards, scattering on the ground. In the center of these shards was a small dark energy spirit crystal, emitting a faint black glow amidst the debris.
Yu Zhibo stood by, somewhat amazed. Si Junfang could freeze the entire sentry booth without causing any damage, clearly indicating her ice-based psionic ability control had reached an exquisite level.
There were two sentry booths on either side of the gatehouse, each responsible for inspecting incoming and outgoing vehicles. The soldier on the other side couldn't help but look over, his eyes filled with admiration for Si Junfang.
Si Junfang beckoned with her index finger. The dark energy spirit crystal on the ground automatically flew up and landed in her palm. She then casually tossed it backward.
Yu Zhibo helplessly extended his hand to catch the dark energy spirit crystal and casually put it in his pocket.
"Call out all the duty soldiers and have them assemble here!" Si Junfang said to the soldier at the other sentry booth. Then, she walked over to Yu Zhibo and asked in a low voice, "He shouldn't have any psionic energy on him, right?"
Yu Zhibo nodded.
Si Junfang breathed a sigh of relief and leaned closer to his ear, "When all the duty soldiers gather later, get in the car and use your eyes to check if any of them have psionic energy. If so, notify me."
A few strands of silver hair brushed against Yu Zhibo's neck in the gentle breeze, making him feel ticklish. Coupled with Si Junfang's warm breath, it made his old face blush.
After nodding to indicate he understood, he got into his car, activated his Sharingan in the darkness, and watched the soldiers assemble.
As it turned out, ordinary people with psionic energy were relatively rare in the crowd. There were twelve soldiers on duty, the strength of a squad, but apart from the one Yu Zhibo had initially spotted, the others showed no psionic energy reactions.
So, Yu Zhibo found an opportunity to inform Si Junfang of the results. Soon, Si Junfang arranged for one soldier to take over from the soldier with psionic energy, and then had that soldier get into her car.
"Get a good rest. You'll likely be busy for a while. Of course, the bureau will definitely not shortchange you on merit points. I need to go back and report this matter to the director, so you can head back first."
Yu Zhibo nodded.
Si Junfang patted his shoulder, then thought for a moment, took a bag from the car and gave it to him, before turning and driving away, intending to immediately take the soldier to see the director and report everything here.
Si Junfang wasn't particularly worried about Yu Zhibo's safety. Firstly, Yu Zhibo had already reached E-rank, his strength greatly increased, and his actual combat power was likely comparable to D-rank.
Secondly, Yu Zhibo's abilities had not been leaked, so he wouldn't attract the hunting of dark organizations; lastly, with Yu Zhibo's ever-evolving abilities, if nothing else, escaping would certainly not be a problem.
Therefore, Si Junfang left with peace of mind.
After Si Junfang left, Yu Zhibo opened the bag she gave him. "Good heavens, it's a Type 92 pistol and a thousand rounds of special incendiary bullets." The implication was clear: he was being encouraged to earn some extra income when he had the chance.
He immediately picked up the bag and turned to get into his car, only to see the sentry soldier looking at him with envious eyes.
Yu Zhibo smiled, then stomped his foot to attention and saluted the soldier, "Comrade, thank you for your hard work!"
The soldier was startled at first, as Yu Zhibo had stomped too hard. Upon hearing Yu Zhibo's words, his face lit up with happiness. Then, his expression turned stern, and he replied with a booming voice, "Reporting, Chief! It's no trouble!"
The psionic users of the Sacred Bureau, even interns, held a higher military rank than him. If they were formal members, they started at Major. Therefore, calling him Chief was perfectly appropriate.
With a satisfied expression, Yu Zhibo waved to the soldier again, then got into his car, started the engine, and slowly drove away from the gatehouse.