It's A Formidable Ability

Mu Qingqing smiled at Lilian Mo and hugged her arm. "Momo, you are really kind."

Mu Qianmo also expressed his agreement. "Little sister Mo, thank you. I'll remember this."

"Sister-in-law, you are actually such a nice person!"

Lilian Mo didn't react to Fu Yangzhu's words or to the others. She was nice? Preposterous.

These people are too simple.

She was only being 'nice' because of Mu Qingqing. If it weren't for the girl, she wouldn't even consider being in the same team as these guys.

It wasn't like the crystal cores were a big deal. They were Level one crystal cores. What would she even do with this junk when she was already at Level five? Trying to absorb low-level crystal cores would be useless to her because the energy she needed to advance was too high that crystal cores at Level three and below wouldn't make a difference.

If she really wanted to upgrade, it would take longer and she would have to find high-level mutants.

Lilian Mo chose not to say anything. They can continue misunderstanding her.

Even if they didn't repay her, she could earn all of this again by luring mutants. In bases, she could trade them for food or accommodation and even information. Low-level crystal cores weren't exactly something rare for ability users who were capable but for non-ability users, just one crystal core was enough for them to celebrate.

The happy expressions of the people surrounding her were something that she only found funny and amusing.

....

The group had taken turns in absorbing the crystal cores while Lilian Mo watched and guarded them. Fu Yangzhu and Mu Qianmo were already on the bottleneck of Level one so it wasn't a surprise to everyone when they reached Level two after only absorbing one or two crystal cores.

Lin Jiaojiao also managed to reach Level one and the girl had rejoiced together with Mu Qingqing. Lilian Mo was also caught up in the two girls' happiness and was pulled into an embrace which left her frozen and awkward, not knowing what to do.

It was also at this moment that she realized that Mu Qingqing's grip was too suffocating! It was so different from the previous times she was hugged by the little girl. Back then, she felt a warm fluffy feeling whenever she was embraced. It always made her feel like she has a little sister.

But now, the girl's hug has become life-threatening for humans! She felt strangely relieved and afraid for people.

'This girl wouldn't have to worry about defending herself.' That was really good and if they encounter an unpredictable opponent that was above Mu Qingqing's level then Lilian Mo would be there to protect her. It was already good news for Lilian Mo that Mu Qingqing was stronger than most of the guys. With this difference in strength, she wouldn't be easily bullied.

She snorted when she saw that Mizuki Rei had also reached Level two. The guy rejoiced and happily told Mu Qingqing, throwing an accusing look at Lilian Mo with an expression that says: Hey! This is my fiancée! Why are you hogging Qingqing all to yourself?

Lilian Mo wisely ignored him and rubbed Lin Jiaojiao's head. "Jiaojiao, try making a barrier and we will see the difference between the ones you made before."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and produced a barrier around her. Lilian Mo looked at this with interest as she knocked against the thin film that seemed to be as strong as metal. It was only a single upgrade in level but one could already tell the difference. Was it also durable against fire-based attacks? How about against a Level three strength ability user's direct punch?

"Little girl, come and try hitting Jiaojiao's barrier."

"Momo, is that okay?" Mu Qingqing asked as she looked at the thin film that seemed very fragile.

Lilian Mo nodded and patted Jiaojiao's shoulders.

"It's a barrier ability that specializes in defense so it wouldn't be weak. Try using half of your strength to destroy it."

Mu Qingqing nodded and braced her arm for a punch. Lin Jiaojiao focused on her barrier and had felt that it was much durable compared to before.

Mu Qingqing charged and threw a direct punch at the transparent film. The film shattered like glass and Lin Jiaojiao staggered before recreating the barrier again.

"It's still so weak.." Lin Jiaojiao said slowly.

"It's already strong but against a strength ability user like Mu Qingqing, it's indeed weak. Mr. Ling, how about you try it?"

Mizuki Rei perked up when he heard this and examined the barrier before bracing his arm for a punch, surrounding it with compressed air. Lilian Mo's eyes alighted when she saw this.

'Dangerous.' She thought but she also trusted Lin Jiaojiao's barrier.

"Jiaojiao, imagine that he's a lecher. Don't allow him to pass through your barrier." Lin Jiaojiao's eyes blazed when she heard this and in response, her barrier glowed just in time for Mizuki Rei to land a hint. Mizuki Rei nearly tripped when he heard what Lilian Mo said but he still kept his attack going.

Crack.

The barrier made cracking noises like it was about to shatter but Lin Jiaojiao didn't give up and reinforced it once again, mending the cracks. She could feel the difference in using her ability this time around. It was stronger and she felt that she could last against the attack.

"Uggh!" Lin Jiaojiao's hands trembled. As little as 12 pounds of compressed air pressure can blow an eye out of a person's eye socket and Mizuki Rei had applied it on his hand to destroy Lin Jiaojiao's barrier.

Bzzt. Bzzt. The barrier flickered as if it couldn't stand against the attack anymore so Lilian Mo had to tell Mizuki Rei to stop. The latter wisely complied after noticing that Lin Jiaojiao was struggling.

"Jiaojiao's barrier is stronger than before." Mizuki Rei commented as he dusted his hands off. "If I had used more of my ability, it would have shattered but it's already good that the barrier lasted longer than normal."

Lin Jiaojiao wiped her sweat as she listened to this.

"But Big brother Rei's attack was still stronger..." She said, feeling down at her barrier's weak capabilities.

Lilian Mo was quick to pacify her. "It's because he's at Level two and you are at Level one. The fact that he was struggling against your barrier meant that if you were in the same level, he might not even be able to destroy it in the first place."

Mizuki Rei scratched his cheek unhappily. "I can see why barrier ability users are rare. It's a formidable ability. Ah, Jiaojiao is so lucky."

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