In the consciousness space, Xue Ji conducted a preliminary analysis of her newfound ability. The power known as “The Witch” was formidable.
The darkness emanating from her right hand was of unknown origin, possessing immense destructive force and plasticity. The darkness itself had a corrosive effect, and the weapons it manifested were razor-sharp.
More importantly, the power of this hand came from a mysterious place—one that Xue Ji could only vaguely sense.
However, “The Witch” was not without cost. Each use placed tremendous mental and physical strain on Xue Ji, though these burdens could be offset with blood sacrifice.
During her last battle with Chen Shijie, though she had drawn blood from her opponent, the blood ritual remained unsatisfied. As a result, a portion of her mental energy and blood was forcibly extracted, leading to her collapse.
By the time Xue Ji awoke, three days had passed since her awakening. The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was Ling Xiaoxiao sitting by her bedside, her face etched with resentment.
The moment Ling Xiaoxiao noticed Xue Ji stirring, her expression brightened. She leaned in closer, her eyes shimmering faintly under the dim moonlight like a worried older sister tending to her long-unconscious younger sibling.
Still dazed, Xue Ji blurted out without thinking, “Pretty sister, let me hug you, hehe…” Slowly sitting up, she spread her arms toward Ling Xiaoxiao, her drowsy demeanor irresistibly charming.
Ling Xiaoxiao’s heart wavered at the sight. Just a little more, and she might have lost control of her desires. She swallowed repeatedly, trying to suppress the heat rising to her lips.
Unconcerned, Xue Ji grabbed one of Ling Xiaoxiao’s arms and pulled it into her embrace. Ling Xiaoxiao glanced down—only to catch a glimpse of soft, rounded curves peeking through loose fabric.
She quickly averted her gaze, but the lingering warmth and tantalizing softness against her arm continued to stir her heart.
Her hands tensed instinctively. With her free right hand, she hooked Xue Ji’s neck, turning the girl’s face toward her. What met her eyes were Xue Ji’s crimson-tinged, mischievous pupils—an unfamiliar sight that sent a strange thrill through her.
Ling Xiaoxiao pressed her forehead against Xue Ji’s and gave a light bump.
Thud.
“Ow!” Xue Ji yelped, clutching her forehead and pouting up at Ling Xiaoxiao.
Seizing the moment to suppress her own desires, Ling Xiaoxiao teased, “What’s wrong? Do you really want me to devour you?”
The remark snapped Xue Ji back to reality. Feeling the weight of Ling Xiaoxiao’s intense gaze, she shuddered and immediately burrowed under the blankets, leaving only half her head exposed.
Ling Xiaoxiao sighed. “What can I even say? You were the one who threw yourself at me.”
Knowing she was at fault, Xue Ji didn’t argue. Noting Ling Xiaoxiao’s exhausted expression, she let out a soft hmph and disappeared entirely under the covers.
Ling Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but feel a little giddy at the sight. Before leaving, she turned back to remind Xue Ji, “Get dressed. Someone’s been waiting for you for a while.”
From beneath the blankets came a muffled, flustered reply: “O-okay. A-and… thank you.”
Ling Xiaoxiao didn’t turn around—her face would have betrayed the happiness she couldn’t contain.
When Xue Ji finally stepped outside, she was met with three figures clad in black combat suits—far more advanced than the tattered one Chen Shijie had worn when she fought him.
The middle-aged man at the front spoke coolly, “Let’s keep this brief. I’m ‘Blade’ from the Special Abilities Unit. Beneath your school, tens of thousands of demonic creatures have gathered. We need you to join our decapitation strike and help eliminate their leader.”
Xue Ji didn’t answer immediately. Her expression turned icy. “It seems you have no intention of evacuating the students. Or are they just bait to you?”
Blade’s eyes sharpened. “So what if they are? How did you figure it out? Did she tell you something?” He shot a suspicious glance at Ling Xiaoxiao, who had been eyeing them warily.
Xue Ji waved a hand dismissively, meeting Blade’s gaze head-on.
“Tens of thousands of demons gathering under a high school? They’re not here to study, are they?”
Blade didn’t deny it. “Calling them ‘demons’ is a stretch. They’re just oversized rats—perfect for rookies like you to cut their teeth on. The only real threat is our target. I’ll ask again: are you in?”
Xue Ji countered, “What’s in it for me?”
Seeing her reluctance to bite, Blade’s expression darkened—until a hearty laugh broke the tension. It came from the young man beside him.
“Captain, give it up. Who are you trying to fool with that act?” he chuckled.
Even the quiet woman in their trio covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Blade scowled. “Brat, you’re asking for a beating later.”
Xue Ji smiled sweetly, her expectant gaze fixed on Blade.
In another world, even finding a lost cat earned me a few coins. Did you really think I’d do something this dangerous for free?
Blade dropped the act and sighed. “Fine, fine. You’re already on the higher-ups’ radar—did you really think there’d be no reward? Top-tier gear. Take it or leave it.”
Xue Ji nodded. “What’s the plan? I’m in.”
Once the trio left, Ling Xiaoxiao frowned. “You’ve got plenty of treasures already. Why bother with their equipment?”
Xue Ji smirked. “How valuable do you think the intel of being ‘a person of interest’ is to me?”
Ling Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. “Not much, right? It’s just empty talk. Wait—no. Your ability is genuinely powerful, so your status is special now.”
Xue Ji nodded approvingly. “Not bad for a birdbrain. An ability this strong is bound to attract trouble. Hopefully, they’ll help keep it off my back.”
……
The effects of the spiritual resurgence were already manifesting in some animals.
In City A, reports of giant rats attacking humans had surged in recent days. Witnesses described rodents larger than cats killing household pets, while others lost toes to their bites.
One particularly gruesome incident involved an eleven-year-old child whose legs were gnawed off by two of the creatures. Had bystanders not intervened, the boy might have been devoured entirely. The Special Abilities Unit had classified these creatures as “Aberrations”—code-named Blighttooths.
In a shadowy alley, a stray cat crouched low, poised to pounce on a fleeing mouse—when a dark shape shot out from a half-open manhole, slamming into the feline and killing it instantly.
Below, a two-meter-tall humanoid figure stood surrounded by hordes of giant rats—its loyal soldiers. This monster, the same one that had absorbed the soul of the forest direwolf, had turned the underground into its domain in just two days.
Through the eyes of its rodent minions, it monitored the city’s movements—including the awakening ceremony at the high school. The sight of so many weaklings gaining strength filled it with unease.
Deep in the damp, murky sewers, legions of rats with glowing crimson eyes moved like a flowing red river, escorting their king.
Aboveground, Chen Shijie—ever vigilant—had already detected the underground activity. Inside the Special Abilities Unit’s armored vehicle, advanced scanners painted a grim picture.
His adjutant frowned at the sea of red dots. “Sir, this…”
Chen Shijie remained composed. “It’s beyond expectations, but we stay the course. The enemy was always an unknown variable. Besides, Sky Bastion is nearby.”
The adjutant brightened. “The dragon is operational? Then we’re saved!”
Chen Shijie didn’t share his enthusiasm. “It’s our last resort. Command doesn’t want Sky Bastion revealed to the public yet. That means the battlefield is the school.”
The adjutant hesitated. “But the students only just awakened. Isn’t this too risky?”
Chen Shijie’s voice turned cold. “We have no choice. The city’s panic must be quelled—we need a decisive victory to rally morale.”
“Post-awakening, their physical and mental resilience will grow rapidly. This mission is the ultimate test. And it’s Director Li’s direct order.”
Silence fell over the command room. Chen Shijie unwound his bandages, while the adjutant reviewed the files on all awakened students and the latest sewer scans.
Of Third High’s 3,250 students, 1,620 had awakened via the Spirit Stones: 4 A-rank, 256 B-rank, 648 C-rank, 486 D-rank, and 226 E-rank. Excluding non-combat types, barely a thousand were viable fighters.
Meanwhile, the rat horde had mutated further, averaging half a meter in length with numbers nearing 30,000. Their aggression was extreme—military scout bots were destroyed on contact.
They had transcended mere animals, now classified as Beastkin.
Faced with such overwhelming odds, even the adjutant’s most optimistic estimates predicted heavy casualties among the students.
Yet Chen Shijie seemed confident. As his subordinate, all the adjutant could do was trust in that certainty.