[Reboot Volume] Chapter 262: The Intruders

Mo Xing drew the "Frostless Divine Blade" from his storage ring, gripping it tightly. After running a short distance, he unleashed the "Coldwater Spiral Storm," soaring to a higher vantage point. Soon, he neared the deck where the broadcasting room was located.

Just as Mo Xing prepared to sprint up the stairs, a sudden black bullet zipped past his eyes, instantly triggering a fierce explosion.

The force sent Mo Xing and shards of shattered ice hurtling into the air. In that critical moment, he reflexively summoned an "Ice Pillar" for defense. The pillar was solid enough to absorb most of the attack, leaving Mo Xing with only a shallow scratch.

He immediately released "Coldwater Grip," clutching the railing and swinging back to the corner of the deck to hide, scanning his surroundings cautiously but seeing no one.

What’s going on?

Someone invading at a time like this?

Taking advantage of the chaos?

A "beep" sounded.

The "Titan Ring" on Mo Xing’s hand flickered—it was a video call.

Without hesitation, Mo Xing answered. The ring projected a blue-white image, revealing a familiar face.

“Shi… Shiyan?” Mo Xing exclaimed in surprise. As he was about to ask what was happening on her end, she spoke first.

“Mo Xing, where are you now? Are you safe?”

Mo Xing glanced around cautiously, confirming his location was relatively secure. He quickly replied, “I’m at the corner of the deck below the broadcasting room. What about you? How’s your situation?”

“I’m coming to find you. We’ll talk once we meet up!” Shiyan’s voice was urgent, and the screen flickered continuously, clearly as she was dodging something.

“Huh? Should I wait here for you?” Mo Xing was about to ask when he noticed his shadow on the ground growing larger. Suddenly, he looked up and saw a figure emerge above.

Black short hair, sharply defined features that were deep and intense, a cold aura giving off a sovereign’s presence. Mo Xing shuddered involuntarily.

The engine room.

The figure at the door raised a gun, aiming at Wu Danze, who was busy repairing a damaged circuit. A sinister smile curled on the assailant’s lips. With a slight twitch of the finger, a silent bullet would pierce the unguarded target.

At the moment the trigger was pulled, a metal wall shot up from the floor, intercepting the bullet midair—it was effectively swallowed whole.

“I’m busy!” Wu Danze turned around, glaring at the person by the door, who was sporting dreadlocks.

“You’re… a bounty hunter?”

“Heh, you’re quite perceptive,” the other responded with a smirk.

At the bottom of the Divine Vessel.

Relying on the Dragon God’s Wings to fly, Zhang Zhihao checked his watch. Three minutes remained before the Divine Vessel’s fuel was exhausted. If the damaged sections weren’t repaired soon, he’d have to activate another plan—

Consume the Dragon God’s power to sustain the entire flight!

This should have been a group effort, but most of the academy’s so-called “elite trainees” were selfish, abandoning the Divine Vessel to save themselves.

A “beep” sounded.

Zhang Zhihao’s storage bracelet lit up. He shook his wrist slightly, and Xia Ningxin’s figure appeared on the blue-white screen.

“What’s the situation up there?” Zhang Zhihao asked.

“The bounty hunters have arrived,” Xia Ningxin replied.

“Oh?” Zhang Zhihao smiled faintly. “Those guys are really meddling now?”

“Yeah.” Xia Ningxin paused. “Do you need help over there?”

“No, I can handle it myself,” Zhang Zhihao said with a smile.

“You’re always holding on alone,” Xia Ningxin shook her head and sighed softly.

“It’s fine. You’re helping share the burden, aren’t you?” Zhang Zhihao smiled calmly. “You focus on what’s happening above. Leave this to me.”

“And stay safe,” he added.

“You too,” Xia Ningxin responded.

Meanwhile.

Mo Xing’s body trembled involuntarily as he stared at the figure above.

That person exuded an inexplicable pressure, like a judge sentencing a criminal, suffocating and overwhelming.

Who was he?

Countless combat techniques flashed through Mo Xing’s mind as he gripped his weapon tighter, readying himself.

The man continued to lock eyes with him, the oppressive aura pressing in layer by layer. Time seemed to freeze. Mo Xing thought he heard the man’s heartbeat—

A lion was returning.

The man narrowed his eyes, parted his lips but said nothing, then turned and walked away.

What… does that mean?

He’s just letting me go?

Mo Xing couldn’t comprehend it and dared not ask for fear of inviting death.

This man was definitely no ordinary figure.

“Mo Xing!”

A familiar voice came from behind moments after the man left. Turning around, Mo Xing saw Shiyan.

“Shiyan…”

Before he could finish, Shiyan grabbed his arm, and the two dashed downwards.

“The Divine Vessel is targeted by bounty hunters!” Shiyan said urgently as they ran.

“Huh? Bounty hunters?” Mo Xing was puzzled. Weren’t they experts who earned high rewards by completing difficult tasks for employers? A dangerous profession steeped in legend!

“They actually dared to go after our school’s Divine Vessel?” Mo Xing exclaimed.

“Yes. As long as the price is right, there’s nothing they won’t do,” Shiyan nodded. “Besides, being in the airspace now makes it easier for them.”

“There was a black-haired man just now. He gave me a cold glance before leaving,” Mo Xing recalled.

“What?” Shiyan paused. “He’s a bounty hunter too. When I was in the broadcasting room, he fired a bullet that shattered the glass.”

“That’s outrageous!” Mo Xing was infuriated.

“But his target wasn’t me, it was several other broadcasters,” Shiyan shook her head. “He didn’t chase me when I ran out.”

“Huh? Why not?” Mo Xing was baffled.

“I don’t know,” Shiyan said. “Two minutes left. We need to hurry and meet the others.”

Engine room.

Wu Danze unleashed his heavy cannon. Its crimson barrel was adorned with twin dragon fangs, blue-white gems embedded on the sides, golden patterns covering its surface. The roar was earth-shattering—

Dragon’s Roar!

“Heavy cannon weapon? I have one too,” the opponent smiled, his gun slowly disassembling and transforming.

Seizing the moment, Wu Danze fired several shells. The opponent reacted swiftly, dodging, then cursed:

“What the hell? So impatient?”

“I don’t have time to watch your magic tricks!” Wu Danze pressed the attack, launching a “Concentrated Light Cannon,” a beam converging at the barrel, firing toward the enemy.

“Hey, at least warn me before shooting!” The opponent rolled aside, evading the beam. His gun transformed into a long cannon, returning several shells in Wu Danze’s direction.

“Flash grenade!”

“Bronze Wall!”

Wu Danze released two skills in quick succession—a cyan “Flash Grenade” aimed at his foe, immediately followed by the defensive “Bronze Wall,” sealing the engine room door. A bronze-colored protective shield formed on the wall, blocking all incoming shells.

As a seasoned fighter, Wu Danze could gauge the opponent’s strength—though agile, their explosive power was lacking.

The defense was solid, capable of holding for over ten minutes unless manually deactivated. Forcing entry would be difficult.

Now delayed by several minutes, Wu Danze had to hurry to repair the damaged fuel transport hub, or the Divine Vessel would crash due to fuel supply interruption.

Preparing to turn, Wu Danze suddenly sensed a figure rapidly approaching from behind. A sharp dagger slashed toward his neck.

“This way!”

Mo Xing and Shiyan dashed up to the surface deck. Suddenly, the Divine Vessel shook violently, causing both to lose their footing and fall.

“Is the Divine Vessel falling?”

Grabbing the nearby railing, Mo Xing slowly rose and helped Shiyan up.

The vessel swayed like an old man at sunset, teetering on collapse.

“Aren’t you two leaving?”

A voice came from midair. Mo Xing looked up to see Aiji and Gouge, both wielding Dragon God’s Wings behind them.

“The time hasn’t come yet. We won’t give up,” Shiyan stood firm again.

“Oh, come on!” Gouge shook his head. “Vice President Shiyan is really stubborn, still holding onto this doomed ship!”

“At least we have something to hold onto. You guys have nothing but escape!” Shiyan shouted.

“Stinky brat! Keep being stubborn! We’re leaving first, hahaha!” Gouge laughed. “The Divine Vessel will fall in half a minute—”

Before he could finish, a curved ice blade flew at him. He dodged quickly, cursing:

“Damn you! Can’t you be less annoying?”

“If you want to leave, just go. Stop whining here; it makes you look so rude!” Mo Xing yelled, furious from Shiyan’s insult.

“Exactly! No manners!” Shiyan chimed in.

“Fine, I’ll send you off!” Gouge, enraged, gathered power in his palm.

“Gouge!” Aiji, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“Don’t stop me! Watch this—” Gouge prepared to throw an elemental sphere, but a sharp ice blade pierced the Dragon God’s Wing on his back, knocking him off balance and causing him to fall onto the deck.

“Damn it!”

“Serves you right!” Mo Xing smiled. The ice blade was the second strike of “Coldwater Whirlwind,” a surprise attack from behind.

“Mo Xing… that move…” Shiyan was impressed by the precise strike.

“No big deal,” Mo Xing scratched his head.

“Gouge, you alright?” Aiji rushed over from midair, landing beside him.

“Damn it, I’m going to wreck you two!” Gouge tried to get up, but the Divine Vessel shook again, causing him to roll on the deck.

Mo Xing and Shiyan were in the same predicament, but they grabbed the railing to steady themselves.

“It’s over!” Mo Xing realized the precious time had been wasted by Gouge. “The Divine Vessel is starting to fall!”

“Don’t panic, Mo Xing!” Shiyan shouted. “We have to trust the president and the others!”

“All right!” Mo Xing roared. “Great Zhang Zhihao! Brother Wu Danze! Hang in there!”

Just then, a dazzling light tinged the edges of the outer protective shield. A miraculous power surged, lifting the Divine Vessel upright instantly.

At the bottom of the Divine Vessel.

Zhang Zhihao unleashed the fire element within him, the surging force supporting the massive vessel above.

The power of the Fire Dragon God, Azra!

====== Author’s notes by the edge of the pit ======

Double update today! The VIP edition is scheduled for September 1st. To those who enjoy the story, please continue to support!