Psychic Master

Several bamboo leaves struck the Blood Demon Wolf simultaneously, causing the fleeing beast to stumble. It barely managed to steady itself, blood seeping from between its fangs—a clear sign that it had suffered significantly from the blow.

With the Blood Demon Wolf retreating, many other monsters began to pull back as well.

Seeing that the base had successfully survived this Beast Tide, two figures hiding in the jungle were less than satisfied.

"That stupid wolf. I didn't expect it to be not only foolish but also such a coward; it shouldn't have been hit by that attack in the first place. But no matter, the only one who posed a threat to us can no longer interfere. Let's go, the two of us together," said the woman who had appeared on the battlefield earlier.

"Very well, it is indeed time for us to make our entrance." The man in the duo replied, his voice brimming with amusement.

The two slowly emerged from the woods, appearing before Gao Zheng and the others, who were still clearing the battlefield before retreating into the base.

The classic black and white masks on their faces immediately reminded everyone of the organization known as the "Black and White Clown."

The man's attire identified him as Number Sixteen of the Black and White Clown. Although the woman's mask had the colors reversed, their presence together suggested they were both members of the organization; it was simply unclear what the ratio of black to white signified.

Gao Zheng and his group stopped their cleanup efforts and gathered together, watching the two approach at a leisurely pace.

The man who spoke first—Number Sixteen of the Black and White Clown—clapped his hands and said, "Congratulations, congratulations to everyone for surviving another Beast Tide. It seems you can rest easy for a while now."

"Enough with the nonsense. Say what you have to say and be quick about it," He Qishun interjected, his voice filled with dissatisfaction.

Number Sixteen placed one hand on his waist and gestured toward the woman with the other. "Allow me to introduce her grandly: this is Number Five of our Black and White Clown. Like you, she has reached the level of an Advanced Battle General, and she is also one of the few Psychic Masters in our organization."

As they looked at the woman, everyone felt an intense shock, as if something had slammed hard against their foreheads.

Hearing this term, a sense of familiarity washed over Lin Chenxing. He recalled the change in Zhang Xiaoyang's expression at the time and realized what it meant, whispering to himself, "Psychic Master? Specializing in illusions?"

Though his voice was soft, it was heard clearly by the Martial Artists. This shocked the woman; she hadn't expected anyone to know a term that could only be learned in places that still possessed communication capabilities. Is it a coincidence? she wondered.

Number Five clapped her hands and spoke slowly, "I didn't expect there to be someone knowledgeable among you. You're becoming more and more interesting. This little brother was the one who tried to block me earlier, wasn't he? Your strength is truly not bad." She let her gaze sweep over the crowd before resting it on Gao Zheng. She also cast an intrigued glance at He Qishun and continued, "I presume this is the number one figure of the Xingyan Group, Director Gao? I wonder, Director Gao, would you be interested in doing business with this young lady? A business deal concerning whether your entire base can continue to exist."

Gao Zheng's expression shifted from caution to fury. Number Five's words clearly treated them like mere clowns to be toyed with. He didn't know the full implications of a Psychic Master specializing in illusions, but he knew their intentions were far from benevolent, and they were clearly very confident in their own strength.

Just as Gao Zheng was observing them and trying to deduce their trump cards, He Qishun stepped forward. "Aren't you two a bit too confident? You must be relying on this so-called Psychic Master identity. Based on what you said, I assume it's the kind of ability that can control objects, but that power is not impossible to counter. So, does 'illusionist' refer to illusions? Using mental power to influence others, is that it? Such an ability is likely not enough to deal with us, little girl. I don't think your experience is sufficient to create an illusion that we cannot distinguish from reality."

Number Five merely smiled, her eyes widening behind her mask.

In that instant, He Qishun realized that everything he had just said and all the psychological preparations he had made had failed. He felt as if he were falling into a bottomless abyss, his consciousness beginning to sink uncontrollably.

Unable to think...

Unable to breathe...

This was what He Qishun felt. He sensed that the moment he touched the bottom of this abyss would be the moment of his death.

Gao Zheng and the others saw He Qishun's face turn pale, his eyes bulge, and the veins on his forehead throb, realizing he had fallen into the very illusion he had just mentioned.

Number Five said with a giggle, "I wonder, Director Gao, have you made up your mind? Are you going to make this deal with me?"

Gao Zheng clenched his fists, wanting to strike, but fearing for He Qishun's state, he gritted his teeth and asked, "Then, Miss Five, what does this deal entail?"

Number Five pursed her lips and smiled. "That's more like it. How about this: as long as all you Martial Artists evacuate toward the Taihang Mountains starting now, once I see that you have all left, I will release this man—Director He Qishun, was it?"

This was retaliation for their failure to occupy the base earlier; everyone understood that. But to have them all retreat into the Taihang Mountains—wasn't that clearly a death sentence?

"This is impossible! I refuse to go live in the mountains," one Martial Artist shouted.

Following this cry, many other Martial Artists began to murmur in agitation.

"It seems you can't make the decision for everyone, Director Gao." Number Five rested a finger against her cheek, feigning deep thought. Suddenly, she laughed. "In that case, you're useless!"

With that, she stared straight at Gao Zheng, and in an instant, he too was trapped in an illusion.

Number Five looked at the two men who had lost consciousness before her, her tone filled with delight. "So, who can make the decisions now? You, or you?"

Finally, she pointed at Lin Chenxing. "Your strength should be the greatest among these people, and since you knew the term 'illusionist,' it must be you. Come on, make a decision, or this young lady will have to send you in to keep them company."

Lin Chenxing didn't know what to do. He hesitated, but looking at Gao Zheng and He Qishun, the scales in his heart began to tip toward giving up.

Just as he was about to speak, Number Five, having grown impatient, said, "It's been so long and you still haven't decided? It seems you're useless too. Go join them."

After speaking, she immediately unleashed her prized illusion technique upon Lin Chenxing.