The Sudden Explosion

Jiang Nan was getting ready to head out for dinner with Xia Yao and Zhong Yingxue.

Meanwhile, Wu Liang was at home with his head buried in his studies, not even having eaten dinner.

Wu Liang's father entered his room bare-chested and wearing slippers.

"Son! Come eat something, your mom just made—"

Before he could finish, he saw Wu Liang bent over his desk doing problems, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!

"You... what are you doing?"

He... he had to be doodling in his books. Students all loved doing that!

Then he walked closer for a look!

Holy shit?

He was actually doing problems?

"Son! Have you lost your mind? You're actually studying?"

On the desk lay a pile of thick reference books, Three Years of College Entrance Exams, Five Years of Mock Exams!

Wu Liang's face darkened. "Dad, go eat already. Stop interrupting my studies. I still need to place in the top three in the grade this final exam!"

Wu Liang's father froze, then anxiously said, "Top three in the grade? What about the high school dropout you promised me?"

"Drop out of high school! Do some bad things! Run with the gangs and take over my position! That's the kind of life that lets your old man rest easy!"

Wu Liang looked utterly disgusted. "I don't want to live such a smooth, uneventful life!"

His father worriedly asked, "Did something happen to you? Tell Dad who it was. I'll get someone to—"

Wu Liang stood up and pushed him out. "Dad! I need to study! Stop bothering me!"

Standing outside the door, Wu Liang's father looked as though his entire worldview had collapsed. "Honey! Does our son have some kind of strange illness?"

Wu Liang's mother asked, "What's wrong with our son?"

"He's studying! He even wants to place in the top three in the grade!"

His mother's face darkened as she cursed, "I fucking think you're the sick one! Get your ass over here and eat!"

On the street, Jiang Nan wore baggy shorts, little slippers, and a Sailor Soldier T-shirt. His outfit was flamboyant as hell.

The head-turning rate along the way was absolutely insane!

From eighty-year-old grandmas to thirteen-year-old girls!

"Oh my God! That guy is so handsome! I can't take my eyes off him for even a second!"

"He's ridiculously handsome! Is he some celebrity?"

"Even celebrities aren't as handsome as him, okay?"

"Hurry, take a picture! I'm officially a fan now! That buzz cut suits him so well!"

"I... I want to go ask for his WeChat!"

Whispers filled the entire way. It wasn't just women—even men couldn't help turning around for another look when they saw Jiang Nan.

By the time he reached Century Plaza, Jiang Nan had been asked for his WeChat seventeen times and for photos three times...

Of course Jiang Nan added them all!

WeChat Moments were an important source of Resentment Points! How could Jiang Nan let that slip by?

"Xiao Nan! Over here!" Zhong Yingxue stood beneath a streetlamp, waving nonstop.

Today, Zhong Yingxue wore a sky-blue dress and white sandals that revealed her delicate little feet.

Her black hair was tied into a ponytail, simple yet beautiful, gentle and graceful!

Xia Yao, on the other hand, was much more fiery: a black tube top, a white sun-protection jacket, denim hot pants, and a pair of long legs that drew every eye.

The moment the three gathered together, they immediately attracted plenty of attention, with people all turning to look.

Xia Yao stared at Jiang Nan in shock and even rubbed her eyes.

"Oh my God, I thought you'd turned on a beauty filter! It's only been a few days since we last met! How did you become this handsome? Have you been eating papayas?"

Jiang Nan: ???

Jiang Nan glanced at Xia Yao's chest and curled his lips. "Papayas are for beauty treatments in your family? You must've eaten too many yourself."

Xia Yao bared her teeth and stretched out her demonic claws, vigorously kneading Jiang Nan's face.

[Resentment Points from Xia Yao +333!]

Wow!

His skin was so smooth and fair! Even Xia Yao was a little jealous.

"Tell me! How did you do it? Did you get work done?"

Jiang Nan replied solemnly, "No! I just washed my face!"

Sister Xia Yao let go with a look of disgust!

"How long has it been since you washed your face? You changed that much just from washing up? Who are you trying to fool?"

Zhong Yingxue smiled. "My Xiao Nan was born with good looks! He deserved to be this handsome! Come on, let's go have hotpot!"

Jiang Nan chuckled.

Now that was a real sister! Though why did that sound kind of strange?

He deserved to be handsome?

Hmm...

"Why did you suddenly want to eat out? Isn't it only Monday?" Jiang Nan asked casually.

Zhong Yingxue smiled. "Can't I miss you?"

Sister Xia Yao snickered. "That guy Luo took two weeks off. I finally don't have to be bothered by him at school anymore. Aren't you happy for your sister?"

Jiang Nan and Xia Yao exchanged sly looks and high-fived each other!

Zhong Yingxue looked suspicious. "Why do I feel like you two are hiding something from me?"

"No! I swear on my conscience!"

Xia Yao placed a hand over her chest, and Jiang Nan rolled his eyes.

Give it up, Sister Xia Yao! You can't reach your conscience!

It's too far away!

As he spoke, he pulled out a White Rabbit Milk Candy from his pocket and stuffed it into Zhong Yingxue's hand.

"Here, have some candy! Eat it when you get home!"

Zhong Yingxue stared blankly at the White Rabbit Milk Candy in her hand as memories came flooding back like a tide.

She smiled. "Okay, I'll eat it at home!"

But Xia Yao held out her little hand as well. "Where's mine? I want candy too!"

Jiang Nan curled his lip. "Disobedient children don't get candy!"

Xia Yao gritted her teeth in irritation, pounced on him, and hit him with another Invincible Big Throat Lock, squeezing him until his eyes rolled back!

"Are you giving it to me or not?"

Jiang Nan said, "I really don't have any left! There was only one! I'll give you some next time! Next time!"

Then he whispered into Xia Yao's ear, "I found a Shield Warrior! Once I take first place, I'll bring them over for you two to meet."

Xia Yao froze for a moment, then snickered. "First place? You're that confident? Haven't you never entered a Spirit Ruin before?"

Jiang Nan curled his lip. "Pfft! With a face like mine, would spirit beasts have the heart to hurt me?"

"Bah! Shameless! Just decide who it is..."

Zhong Yingxue turned back curiously. "What are you two whispering about?"

Xia Yao and Jiang Nan both shook their heads like rattles!

Zhong Yingxue looked even more puzzled and was just about to ask something.

Just then—

BOOM!

A deafening explosion rang out!

Towering flames swept across the entire night sky, turning it bright as day in an instant!

The tremendous blast even shattered the windows of nearby apartment buildings!

A Big Bang had erupted at the Walmart mall two blocks away!

The crowd panicked, scattering in every direction to avoid falling shards of glass.

Looking toward the mall, they saw raging flames that had already swallowed two floors in the blink of an eye!

Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, a terrifying sight, while the air filled with the stench of burning!

The three exchanged looks, their eyes filled with shock!

How could such a massive explosion happen in a mall? It wasn't a chemical plant!

And the mall was packed with civilians, especially during the evening rush. With something like this happening, the consequences were obvious!

Jiang Nan's expression turned grave. "Come on! Let's go take a look!"

Zhong Yingxue and Xia Yao were equally solemn. While everyone else fled in panic or pulled out their phones to take pictures—

The three of them pushed upstream against the crowd!

As Spirit Warriors, they possessed strength ordinary people did not!

When faced with danger and the unknown, they had both the responsibility and obligation to rush to the front lines. Even if they could not help much, they could at least do what they could!

Why was China so strong? Why had it remained the safest and most peaceful country in the world even after the resurgence of spiritual energy?

Because every person carried within their heart a pride born of the Chinese nation, and a desire to serve their country!