Chapter 80

On the pitch-black earth, fierce winds swept up dark ash, leaving not a trace of life.

On a small mound of soil, a pair of black-and-white eyes suddenly appeared.

Blinking twice, Hiroshi activated his senses to assess the surroundings. After confirming the safety of the area, Hiroshi pulled Schwi up from the ground.

"Schwi, set up the passage restrictions quickly. The area is safe for now."

With his perception fully active, Hiroshi's sensory range had significantly expanded after achieving the Perfect Soul state, allowing him to easily perceive everything within a radius of over a hundred miles.

"Understood, Schwi knows."

Nodding, Schwi looked around, quickly calculating the optimal position for placement in her mind.

"Passage Restriction."

A small mechanical sphere fell from Schwi's hand, a faint blue light flashing as it embedded itself in the calculated position.

Turning to Hiroshi, Schwi said softly, "Hiroshi, Schwi has placed it."

"Alright."

Taking Schwi with him, Hiroshi circulated his spiritual energy and stepped into the earth.

Traversing the depths of the ground, Hiroshi used the Earth Travel Technique to move quickly to the designated location set by Schwi. Empowered by his abilities, the two were fully merged with the earth, preventing their aura from being detected by any enemies.

"Hiroshi, stop."

Schwi pointed upwards, indicating that they had arrived at the designated spot.

Silently sensing any movement above, Hiroshi pulled Schwi up from the depths of the earth.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of loud thuds echoed, and on a tree branch, Hiroshi silently watched as a massive foot stepped past, then quickly withdrew back into the trunk.

Inside the trunk, Schwi tilted her head, looking curiously at Hiroshi's blue-green face and asked, "Hiroshi, what's happening outside?"

Seeing Schwi's curious expression, Hiroshi quickly shook his head, looking disgusted. "Some feet that probably haven't been washed in who knows how many years!"

"Hm?"

"Schwi, you don't need to know!"

Holding back the curious Schwi, Hiroshi took a deep breath and said, "In any case, it's nothing good. Quickly prepare the passage restriction."

"Understood, Schwi will do so."

Schwi opened her palm and looked at Hiroshi, asking, "Can we go out now?"

Closing his eyes, Hiroshi circulated the power of the five elements, extending his senses from within the tree to reassess the situation.

Nodding, Hiroshi opened his eyes and stepped out of the trunk with Schwi.

Outside, the large footprints nearby rapidly disappeared under the shifting soil, and a breeze carried away the indescribable stench in the air.

The trunk rippled like water as Schwi and Hiroshi emerged.

Schwi looked around, then extended her small hand, placing another passage restriction.

The ground shifted beneath their feet as Hiroshi and Schwi continued to traverse, installing passage restrictions along their way.

Throughout their journey, Hiroshi and Schwi emerged from various locations—mountains, cliffs, even dangerous abysses.

Sometimes, they emerged in areas controlled by the Forest and Earth Factions. With his powers, Hiroshi discreetly helped Schwi plant passage restrictions right under the enemies' noses.

Gurgle! Gurgle!

Crimson lava erupted continuously, while blazing fires burned below the pillars of rock.

Schwi and Hiroshi emerged from the ground.

Scanning their surroundings, Schwi's gaze shifted slightly. She looked up at the dark sky, calculating the optimal position for placing the passage restriction.

"Schwi, is this the last one?"

Looking around, Hiroshi raised his head towards the sky and asked Schwi.

"Yes."

Schwi answered softly, tossing the small mechanical sphere in her hand. A faint blue glow followed as the forty-eighth passage restriction was installed, completing the stage.

"It's done. Hiroshi, we can return and rendezvous with Riku and the others."

"Schwi, you go ahead."

Clicking on the chat screen to send a message, Hiroshi smiled at Schwi and said, "I've notified Xiao Hei and Infinity. They're coming to pick you up. Be sure to use the chat group to contact them later."

"What about Hiroshi?"

Schwi's eyes flickered with faint light as she sensed her surroundings.

The mechanical glow on her forehead flashed, and Schwi looked at the distant sky and said softly, "Jibril!"

Spreading his hands, Hiroshi looked helplessly into the distance, sensing a massive energy source rapidly approaching. The figure revealed by his divine sense was none other than the Heaven Faction's Archangel—Jibril.

"Looks like a fight is inevitable. Schwi, you should retreat."

Shaking her head, Schwi's eyes started to flicker. Staring at the fast-approaching Jibril, Schwi said, "Schwi can also fight. With both of us, there's a chance we can defeat Jibril."

"Alright, alright."

Waving his hand, Hiroshi smiled and said, "Don't make it sound like I'm heading to my doom, Schwi. Relax, I'll go full speed, and Jibril will be left eating my dust. Now hurry and retreat; Riku will be worried. And besides, look at the chat group."

Schwi opened the chat group and saw a string of messages, all urging her to retreat. Xiao Hei was also sending updates, stating that he was on his way.

Quietly stowing her weapons, Schwi looked at Hiroshi and spoke softly, "Will you be alright alone, Hiroshi?"

"Relax, it's all part of the plan."

Seeing a small black dot already appear in the sky, Hiroshi floated up, waved at Schwi, and said, "I might even make it back before you do. Besides, the live stream is on. You'll know soon enough if I'm safe."

With spiritual energy surrounding his body, Hiroshi turned into a white streak of light and shot toward Jibril.

Watching Hiroshi's receding figure, Schwi turned and left in the other direction. The blue screen in front of her was displaying Hiroshi's situation.

"Oh my, what do I see here!"

Spreading her massive white wings, Jibril rested her chin in her hand, squinting at Hiroshi, who was enveloped in white light. She smiled and said, "A monkey flying in the sky? I only sensed a faint trace of spiritual power and came to check, but what a find!"

Cupping her cheeks with both hands, Jibril said joyfully, "To find a flying monkey enveloped in unknown power! Truly a rare and precious species."

"How exciting, little monkey!"

"Hey, can you stop calling me a monkey, chicken girl?!"

Seeing Jibril's expression, as if she had discovered a rare species, Hiroshi felt veins bulging on his forehead.

Glaring at Jibril, Hiroshi shouted, "Chicken girl! Who are you calling a monkey?! That's it! Today, I'm going to turn you into chicken mushroom stew!"

"Chicken girl?!"

"You dare call me a chicken girl, you monkey?!"

Lowering her hands, Jibril's face turned expressionless as she looked at Hiroshi. She extended her right hand, and dark energy began to form, condensing around her.

"I've decided—I'm not taking your head today."

"The scrap metal that just escaped is your companion, isn't it? Since when do those scraps move with monkeys? This has piqued my interest. If I can't take your head today, then taking that rare piece of scrap will suffice."

"Heaven's Strike!"