"That surprised? Do you think someone of my rank shouldn't be in the Execution Department?"
Yue Wen was certainly surprised, but he knew that since the other man held this position, the Association must have had its own considerations.
It was not something a newcomer like him could understand.
So he said, "Since you hold this position, Senior, it must be because you're suited for it."
"Hahahaha... You've got a good head on your shoulders, kid."
Duanmu Qing looked toward the battlefield.
By now, Xia Yun had gone mad, frantically attacking her teammates.
Meanwhile, the thorns silently dragged Deng Tao to safety, moving him farther away from that Awakened.
Though they knew Deng Tao had been affected by the ability, and that this little distance would likely make no difference.
Duanmu Qing rubbed his chin, and a faint gleam suddenly flickered in his clouded eyes. "These thorns may be wild, but they seem to be unconsciously protecting their companion."
Before he finished speaking, a black shadow swept across the battlefield like a ghost. It was a pitch-black chain that had shot from his sleeve, wrapping precisely around Xia Yun's rapidly growing thorns.
Ancient runes surfaced along the chain's surface, forcibly halting the thorns' growth.
The Awakened's pupils constricted sharply at the sight. He swung a silver blade of light at Duanmu Qing.
The old man neither dodged nor retreated. He casually raised his left hand, and a dark-purple shield blossomed from his palm. The light blade crashed against it with an ear-splitting boom.
"Young man, don't be so hot-tempered."
Duanmu Qing spoke leisurely as the chain suddenly tightened, dragging Xia Yun toward him.
Yue Wen watched with his heart in his throat. He noticed that Duanmu Qing had not summoned his contracted Weird when casting his skill. With nothing but