Volume 1, Chapter 35: Melee

This person was none other than the leader of the "Apocalypse Group" squad, Zhao Yuhang, known to many as Young Master Zhao.

Young Master Zhao’s eyes locked onto the source energy fragments in the center of the hall, a flash of greed crossing his face. His gaze then shifted to Li Hexuan and his companions, lingering on Su Mengyi for a moment before his lips curled into a smirk.

"Well, well, where did these little mice come from? Did you get lost?"

His tone was laden with mockery as he scanned Su Mengyi up and down. "This young lady is a new face. Why not join me? I’ll ensure you live in luxury in this apocalyptic world."

The members of the Apocalypse Group behind him erupted in laughter, their eyes filled with disdain as they looked at Li Hexuan’s group.

Su Mengyi’s expression darkened. Zhang Nan, burning with rage, stepped forward and slammed his heavy shield onto the ground with a thunderous boom.

"Watch your damn mouth!"

Young Master Zhao was momentarily taken aback by Zhang Nan’s display of force, but he quickly turned his shock into indignant fury. "What? Want to fight? Do you have any idea who we are? We are the Apocalypse Group! In E-City, no one dares to challenge us!"

He glanced sideways at the source energy fragments and commanded Li Hexuan, "I want those things. If you’re smart, get lost, and leave this young lady behind to keep me company. Maybe then I’ll spare your pathetic lives."

Zhang Nan was fuming, his face reddening with anger. He let out a roar, hoisting his shield as if ready to crush them. "You’re looking for death!"

"Nan."

Li Hexuan’s voice was calm, yet it stopped Zhang Nan in his tracks. Seeing that Li Hexuan did not immediately strike back, Zhao Yuhang’s handsome but arrogant face twisted with even deeper contempt. He curled his lip.

"Kid, I see you’ve got some sense..."

Li Hexuan walked forward at a leisurely pace, not even bothering to look at him directly. His voice was flat, devoid of any ripples.

"Apocalypse Group? Never heard of them." He tilted his chin, gesturing toward the source energy fragments. "We’re taking these. You lot can get lost."

"You’re courting death!"

Zhao Yuhang was incensed, pushed over the edge by Li Hexuan’s arrogance. His face flushed beet-red. He roared and rubbed his hands together; the two small metal spheres spinning in his palms instantly elongated and morphed into two gleaming, cold-edged metal spikes!

*Whoosh! Whoosh!*

Two cold glints tore through the air, heading straight for Li Hexuan’s throat and heart!

"Hmph, metal manipulation? Such a cheap trick."

Li Hexuan didn't even bother to move; he simply raised a hand.

*Hum!*

An invisible force field suddenly expanded. The two metal spikes, less than half a foot from his face, slammed into a transparent, impenetrable wall and came to a dead halt! No matter how hard Zhao Yuhang tried to command his ability, the metal remained motionless, as if it no longer belonged to him.

"No! What is this?!" Zhao Yuhang gasped in horror. It was the first time he had ever felt his ability so powerless.

"Finished playing?" Li Hexuan flicked his fingers.

*Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The two metal spikes tore back through the air, faster than they had arrived! Zhao Yuhang tried to dodge, but he realized his body was locked in place by an invisible force, unable to move a muscle!

*Thud! Thud!*

Two dull impacts, and blood splattered! The metal spikes pierced through his left and right shoulders, pinning him firmly against the cold wall of the tower!

"Argh—!" A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the hall.

On the other side, without needing an order from Li Hexuan, Zhang Nan—who had been bottling up his rage—let out a roar and charged into the ranks of the Apocalypse Group like a tiger descending a mountain.

"You bunch of trash, daring to act arrogant in front of Brother Xuan!"

He swept his heavy shield, sending anyone who touched it flying, battered and broken! The rest of the Thunder God squad were no pushovers either; they moved in perfect coordination, striking with ruthless efficiency.

In the blink of an eye, the thugs brought by Zhao Yuhang were wailing and begging, their weapons scattered across the floor as they knelt in defeat.

"Don't... don't hit us anymore! We were wrong! Please, Grandpa, spare our lives!"

"We were blind! We’ll never do it again!"

The once-swaggering thugs of the Apocalypse Group were now bruised and battered, cowering like quails.

Li Hexuan strolled over to Zhao Yuhang, who was pinned to the wall. The man’s face was deathly pale, sweat streaming down his temples from the agony.

"Can we have a proper conversation now?" Li Hexuan’s voice was low, yet carried an unquestionable chill. "The Tower of Source Energy, other factions in E-City—spit out everything you know. If you talk well, you’ll suffer less."

Under the shadow of death and faced with the unfathomable strength of Li Hexuan, Zhao Yuhang dared not show any spine. He spilled everything he knew like beans poured from a jar.

The Tower of Source Energy did indeed have more than one level; their current location was merely the outer perimeter of the first floor. To enter the second floor, one had to pass through the core area of the first, which was guarded by even more terrifying energy entities.

As for the power dynamics in E-City, apart from the military and the group led by Chen Hao, there was the "Iron Crocodile Society," formed by an alliance of old-world gangsters, and organizations like the "Apocalypse Group," cobbled together from the remnants of large corporations and conglomerates. These factions were constantly at each other’s throats, all viewing the Tower of Source Energy as a fat piece of meat waiting to be devoured. Rumor even had it that the military had established a mysterious research department that had shown unusual interest in the tower.

"Consider yourself wise." Li Hexuan listened, then waved his hand. "Strip them clean! Source crystals, weapons, ammunition—take everything usable. Leave nothing behind!"

The members of the Thunder God squad shouted in agreement and began "sweeping the battlefield" like wolves and tigers. Zhao Yuhang and his men watched helplessly as their belongings were looted, their hearts aching, yet they didn't dare let out a peep.

"Get lost." Li Hexuan spat out the words. "If I run into you again, it won't just be broken arms and legs."

The Apocalypse Group members acted as if they had received a pardon, scrambling away in a panic. Zhao Yuhang was shakily "pulled" from the wall by his subordinates and carried off in a frantic retreat.

The battle ended cleanly and efficiently. Su Mengyi stepped forward silently and collected the softly glowing source energy fragments one by one. As her fingertips touched the fragments, a warm current, far more intense than before, surged through her entire body. She could clearly feel the majestic source energy within the tower rushing into her body, a sensation so pleasant it nearly made her moan aloud.

"Mengyi, are you alright?" Li Hexuan noticed the unnatural flush on her cheeks.

Su Mengyi regained her composure and shook her head slightly, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible tremor. "I’m fine, Mr. Li. It’s just... the energy here seems to be particularly fond of me."

Li Hexuan gave her a deep look before turning toward the dark depths of the tower. This Tower of Source Energy clearly had more to it than met the eye. The likes of the Apocalypse Group were merely appetizers. What kind of waves would Su Mengyi’s unusual constitution stir up within this tower?

Following the intelligence Zhao Yuhang had spilled, Li Hexuan’s group passed through several intricate energy corridors and finally stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary section of the tower wall.

Li Hexuan reached out, his fingertips sparking with electric arcs as they gently touched a specific node on the wall.