Siege!

"Skinny dog!"

<Li Yèlái> glanced at the dense crowd nearby, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He spoke mockingly to the stranger he'd just met.

He lowered his left hand and pressed it hard against his thigh. After a few seconds of pressure, the communicator on his left wrist emitted an emergency signal.

However, <Li Yèlái>'s taunt was actually quite accurate. To conceal his <Psychic Weapon>, <Crimson Longsword>.

The official equipment department had specially prepared an oversized sun umbrella for him as a scabbard and disguise.

It was a model typically used by street vendors, over two meters tall. Forget the <Crimson Longsword>; it could even hide a Guan Dao.

The person holding the black umbrella had one of ordinary size.

Compared to <Li Yèlái>'s large black umbrella, wasn't he just a skinny dog?

But in reality, <Li Yèlái> already knew the visitor was not friendly.

The first time he heard about the black umbrella was from <Wang De>.

According to <Wang De>, it was a young man who liked to carry an umbrella on sunny days. He was a mysterious figure <Wang De> had encountered when <Wang De> was still a scavenger in his youth.

Subsequent official investigations revealed that <Wang De> had encountered the black umbrella youth multiple times over the decades.

Furthermore, the <Ghost Immortal> altar and the silver bell that summoned the knight were provided by the black umbrella youth.

<Wang De> displayed fear, fawning, and wariness towards the black umbrella youth.

He had also warned his relatives and subordinates to 'beware of people who carry umbrellas on sunny days.'

This information alone was enough to make the authorities vigilant.

After all, <Wang De> was nearly ninety years old when he died, and he had encountered the black umbrella youth in his youth.

After all these years, <Wang De> had grown old, but the black umbrella youth showed no change.

Time seemed to have left no mark on him.

Moreover, he could casually produce a silver bell and knight's ashes.

It's important to know that <Psychic Weapon> are weapons crafted from mysterious substances extracted from the well of souls of deceased victims or psychics.

The technical difficulty is high, and good luck is also needed, as the abilities one obtains are largely a matter of chance.

And necromancy, at the very least, is an ability that <Nether Path> psychics who have undergone their third awakening can master.

This implies that the black umbrella youth himself, or the organization behind him, had killed a third-awakened Nether psychic and possessed the technology to craft <Psychic Weapon>.

Another point is that among the knights in the bell, there were originally two. Both were bizarre creatures from the Disaster Restricted Zone, possessing the strength of a fourth awakening.

Yet now, they had been made into psychic ashes and became summoned entities!

This shows that the black umbrella youth himself, or the organization behind him, possessed unfathomable strength. To obtain the knight's corpses from the restricted zone, or to enter the restricted zone and kill the knights directly, either scenario was extremely dangerous.

Thus, the authorities immediately launched an investigation within <Giant City>.

For several days, many handlers with tracking abilities were deployed, but they only found the apartment and hotel where the person had previously lived. There were no other leads.

Who could have imagined that this guy would appear directly in front of <Li Yèlái> now?

And even ask if he was the one who destroyed the <Ghost Immortal> altar.

Damn it, how bold can you be?

This place is less than two kilometers from the <East City Branch>, just two streets away.

Moreover, <Li Yèlái> is currently an official handler, while you are an unregistered psychic with many outstanding cases and an unknown origin.

How dare you stop a handler and question them?

Isn't this as audacious as a fugitive stopping a police officer to question them not far from the <Security Bureau>?

Therefore, while <Li Yèlái> was taunting, he directly called for his teammates and colleagues.

Once the emergency signal was triggered, all nearby handlers would receive the message and rush over as quickly as possible.

But <Li Yèlái> was indeed nervous.

This area is close to the <Ring District>, with a considerable flow of people. It's a bustling commercial district.

Fighting the black umbrella youth here would likely result in many innocent casualties.

Furthermore, he might not even win. The authorities estimated him to be a powerful individual of fourth awakening or higher.

Although <Li Yèlái> had defeated the <Lancer Knight> and achieved an over-level kill, he couldn't engage in a head-on battle with an enemy of this caliber. He had to run!

"Come on, chase me!" <Li Yèlái> thought. Once the opponent pursued him, he could lead him away from the crowd and use his E-rank luck to try and delay the opponent for a while.

This place is very close to the branch, so reinforcements would arrive soon.

With this thought, <Li Yèlái> gripped the large black umbrella, <Crimson Longsword> about to be unsheathed, and simultaneously clutched the bell in his arms.

The black umbrella youth, however, did not get angry at <Li Yèlái>'s taunt. Instead, he continued to look at <Li Yèlái> and said, "Don't be so hostile~ I'm just curious, how did you destroy the <Ghost Immortal> altar and still survive? Why did the <Ghost Immortal> let you go?"

This was actually true. The destruction of the <Ghost Immortal> altar was not a secret among psychics.

The commotion at the time was too great; all psychics in <Giant City> could feel it.

But what puzzled the black umbrella youth was that the enraged <Ghost Immortal> suddenly went silent afterwards. It was one thing that it didn't forcibly enter the world, but why was the handler who destroyed the altar still alive?

Black Umbrella had received considerable help from <Wang De> at the <Ghost Immortal> altar. He had also figured out most of <Ghost Immortal>'s personality. With the altar destroyed, <Ghost Immortal> should have sought revenge.

What happened? Did he change his mind? Why let the handler go?

Did this handler hold some secret?

Could it affect his future actions?

It was this curiosity that brought Black Umbrella before <Li Yèlái>. He intended to approach <Li Yèlái>.

Unfortunately, the other party wasn't cooperative.

"You want to know? Then you'll probably only understand by dying at my hands once," <Li Yèlái> was being sincere and told the truth.

It was true. Why didn't <Ghost Immortal> act against <Li Yèlái>? Because he had already been consumed by '<Mr. Shadow>'.

If this guy wanted to investigate, he'd have to face '<Mr. Shadow>' directly.

And once he died at <Li Yèlái>'s hands, he would automatically become a sacrifice to '<Mr. Shadow>'. Wouldn't that be a revelation?

To Black Umbrella, this sounded like another provocation.

However, he still didn't seem angry. He walked step by step towards <Li Yèlái>, saying calmly, "You seem to want to provoke me and lure me away from here. But as I said, don't harbor such strong hostility.

We can talk properly. The fact that I didn't directly track you to your home is my sincerity.

If it were my other 'friends', they might already be threatening you with your family's limbs. However, I didn't do that, and that's my sincerity."

"But I don't have much patience. <Wang De> was an old friend I'd known for over sixty years, yet you nailed him to the wall with a single stab." Black Umbrella moved through the crowd without attracting any attention. "I can avenge my old friend at any time, and I can also help <Ghost Immortal> eliminate you. So, please don't waste my goodwill."

His words now carried a threat.

<Li Yèlái>'s eyes gradually became indifferent, and the large umbrella in his hand slowly lowered.

From his perspective, his shadow began to twist, expand, and swallow the light.

The shadow was distorted and bizarre, yet vast like the universe, but only <Li Yèlái> could see it.

Sensing <Li Yèlái>'s killing intent, '<Mr. Shadow>' finally made its appearance.

It seemed to be waiting for <Li Yèlái>'s choice.

At the same time, Black Umbrella stopped approaching, sensing a vague danger.

What was it? Did this young man possess something that could threaten him?

A forbidden item? Or something else?

Black Umbrella smiled with anticipation, "Come on, let me see the secret you're hiding."

He had deliberately used <Li Yèlái>'s family to threaten him, precisely to provoke <Li Yèlái> into acting. This way, he could probe if <Li Yèlái> possessed the power of a <Void Realm> existence.

Some people were brave and resolute, but they all had weaknesses.

It had to be said that Black Umbrella was very smart, and his plan was very successful!

When Black Umbrella threatened <Li Yèlái> with his family, <Li Yèlái> couldn't help but generate killing intent, wanting to kill this young man in black umbrella.

And '<Mr. Shadow>' sensed <Li Yèlái>'s thoughts and reacted accordingly.

But soon, <Li Yèlái> heard a light hum, 'He's here fast.'

Then, he vanished without a trace. In <Li Yèlái>'s vision, his shadow also returned to normal.

Noticing this, <Li Yèlái> knew in his heart.

He was safe. It seemed his colleagues had arrived.

But <Li Yèlái> wasn't particularly happy. The information revealed by Black Umbrella was clear: he had attracted the attention of certain organizations.

He had indeed gotten into trouble.

Thus, <Li Yèlái> suppressed his hostility as much as possible and pointed to a nearby alley, "Let's talk inside."

Then, he actually turned and walked into the alley.

'He didn't attack? And that sense of danger is gone. Did he back down?'

The young man in Black Umbrella felt regret but raised an eyebrow and followed, saying, "That's more like it. We don't have to be enemies; we can even be friends. I'm very good to my friends. You, a handler, earning a few thousand <Mega City Coin> a month, why risk your life? Become my friend, and you'll gain many benefits."

"Like <Wang De>?" <Li Yèlái> asked with a hint of disgust, "Become a monster that devours its own offspring and struggles to survive?"

"That was <Wang De>'s wish, and I naturally supported my friend," the young man in Black Umbrella said with a friendly smile. "So, can you tell me what happened after you destroyed the altar?"

"What will I get after telling you?" <Li Yèlái> asked.

"If we become friends, we can discuss anything, like potion ingredients, <Psychic Weapon>, and whatever else you desire." The young man in Black Umbrella noticed the bell in <Li Yèlái>'s hand and smiled, "For example, your summoning bell, I can even provide you with more powerful summons. The premise is that you tell me the answer I want."

"Oh," <Li Yèlái> maintained a five-meter distance from Black Umbrella. He now reached out, "Then V me fifty thousand to see your strength!"

The young man in Black Umbrella paused, shook his head, and smiled, "Not now."

"If you don't have cash, then give me a few <Psychic Weapon> or potions." <Li Yèlái> put on a greedy expression and rubbed his fingers together. "I think that black umbrella of yours is quite nice. Although you're skinny, it's probably a <Psychic Weapon>, right? Just give it to me."

The young man in Black Umbrella replied, "That depends on whether your answer satisfies me."

"Tsk," <Li Yèlái> clicked his tongue, unable to get anything for free. Then he said, "<Ghost Immortal>, I remember he had a mountain-like physique, wore a black and white Taoist robe, and was surrounded by countless vengeful spirits. But I couldn't see his face clearly."

"You really saw <Ghost Immortal>!" Upon hearing <Li Yèlái>'s accurate description, the young man in Black Umbrella's eyes lit up. "What did he say to you? What did he do? Why didn't he attack you?"

"Oh, after he saw me," <Li Yèlái> grinned, "he immediately kowtowed to me eighteen times and then offered to massage my back and shoulders. I found it disgusting, so I told him to get lost."

As these clearly nonsensical words left <Li Yèlái>'s mouth, the expression of the young man with the black umbrella immediately turned cold. "We could have been friends. Since you refuse to speak, I'll take it myself."

Before he finished speaking, <Li Yèlái> turned and ran. The man with the black umbrella didn't pursue, but stiffened and looked around.

At the end of the alley, a person in a panda costume holding a signboard had already reached <Li Yèlái>'s side.

<East City Branch>, Handler '<Puppet>'

From the other end of the alley, a handsome man holding a shield and a long-handled greatsword had appeared at some point.

<East City Branch>, Team Four Captain '<Moon Shadow>'

And above the houses in the alley, a muscular man with a bare chest was looking down at the man with the black umbrella from the edge of the rooftop.

<East City Branch>, Team Three Captain '<Melting Furnace>'

More senior handlers arrived, forming a cordon.

They had rushed here immediately after receiving the alarm.

Upon noticing <Li Yèlái> leading the person into the alley, they had promptly moved to intercept.

The young man with the black umbrella's face was grim. He couldn't understand how <Li Yèlái> had known about the handlers' approach when even he hadn't detected them.

However, facing three psionicists who had awakened five or more times simultaneously made the young man with the black umbrella feel the pressure.

"You're truly despicable!" the man with the black umbrella gritted his teeth, looking at <Li Yèlái>, who was hiding behind <Puppet>.

<Li Yèlái> ignored him, as he was being teased by <Puppet>.

<Puppet> raised the signboard, and words appeared on it.

[Can a person's luck really be this bad? You run into enemies just by going out! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ]

[If you go on a business trip to another <Giant City> someday, won't you run into the King of the Forbidden Zone? Wow! Then we can try to surround and attack him! ヽ(￣▽￣)]

<Li Yèlái> wasn't sure if encountering the man with the black umbrella counted as his bad luck.

He could only nod and say, "Occasionally, occasionally."

[Alright, alright, I'll chat later, close your eyes.]

After that, <Puppet> stopped teasing him and turned her attention to the man with the black umbrella.

Then, the three powerful handlers at the captain level attacked simultaneously!

<Moon Shadow> inserted his long sword into his shield, then yanked it out with a sudden pull. Dense arcs of electricity flickered on the blade.

He slashed at the man with the black umbrella from a distance! In that instant, lightning erupted from the ground, surging towards the young man.

At the same time, <Melting Furnace> leaped down from the rooftop. He reached out with his right hand, and a ferocious, giant phantom dragon claw materialized behind him, grabbing towards the man with the black umbrella.

Meanwhile, <Puppet> took off her panda costume's head.

Revealed was a face so stunningly beautiful it was breathtaking. She had her hair in a ponytail, yet her demeanor was lively and spirited.

She looked at the young man with the black umbrella and smiled.

Her expression seemed to say, 'You little brat, look at me!'

However, when the man with the black umbrella subconsciously looked at <Puppet>, he didn't see a beautiful girl. Instead, he saw something incredibly terrifying.

He let out a horrified howl, and the counterattack he was about to launch was disrupted.

As a result, he was hit simultaneously by <Moon Shadow>'s lightning and <Melting Furnace>'s phantom dragon claw.

<Li Yèlái> looked at <Puppet> strangely. From his perspective, after <Puppet> took off her helmet, the man with the black umbrella looked as if he had seen a ghost and was in a state of terrified shock.

Driven by curiosity, he couldn't help but ask, "Did you use some kind of ability? What path is it?"

<Puppet> was taken aback and turned her head blankly to look at <Li Yèlái>.

"Did I say something wrong?" <Li Yèlái> asked nervously.

But he saw that the eyes of the beautiful girl before him were filled with surprise and excitement.