Crisis Resolved

"Why?" Lola asked foolishly.

"You haven't even figured out such a simple question?" Reke shook his head in disappointment.

Fifth, Four Ears, shuddered as he began to understand what Reke meant.

The others looked at Reke in confusion, failing to grasp his meaning.

"I have to leave eventually; I can't be your babysitter forever," Reke said bluntly.

Pat and the others felt awkward. They should have understood such a simple path, but they had lost their composure this time.

They had indeed lost sight of their roles. Reke had been helping them all along, while their own contributions to him were negligible.

"Leader, Reke is right. Besides, the children need to grow. Since they are confident, we should give them our full trust," Four Ears said, patting Pat on the shoulder to console him.

After giving everyone time to process this, he continued, "Furthermore, the two children have worked so hard for this. If Reke were to intervene, what would their efforts even amount to?"

"Besides, Reke has no obligation to help us. We cannot rely on him for everything."

Pat and the others had a sudden realization. Pat nodded and said, "Fifth, you're right. I'm going to find Reke now to apologize, and also about us using the Gravity Chamber in private."

With that, Pat strode toward Reke's house.

The others watched their leader's retreating figure and followed. They had all used the gravity room; if Reke had any grievances, they would bear them together.

Reke was drinking a beverage, staring speechlessly at the group kneeling on the ground.

"Damn it, are you all sick? Didn't I say I don't like people kneeling to me? Get up, now!" Reke put down his drink, covered his forehead, and looked utterly drained.

"Uh..."

Could Pat and the others say they were used to it? No. He knew that if he said that, he would likely get another scolding, so he could only sigh that people from the universe had different habits than theirs.

They stood up obediently, and then Pat nervously told Reke about their unauthorized use of the Gravity Chamber.

He kept his head down, waiting to accept Reke's punishment.

"Is that it? I know. You can go now." Reke waved his hand, shooing them away.

He smelled the aroma of food, sat down at the dining table, and began to dig in.

Pat and the others had no choice but to retreat, standing outside to sense the battle involving Bellis and the others.

"Leader, the victory banquet," Lola reminded him.

Pat slapped his forehead and signaled for everyone to leave.

The clothes on Bellis and Lan Xin were tattered; they had encountered the same situation as Reke.

Even though their combat power was not inferior to their opponent's, they simply couldn't break through its defenses.

Fighting until now, the two of them had lost their initial confidence.

"Little sidekick, do you have any ultimate moves? If this continues, we might both end up dying here," Bellis asked, clutching her fractured left arm.

"I can try, but I'm afraid the opponent won't give us the time," Lan Xin said with a bitter smile.

If it weren't for the fact that the opponent couldn't fly, the two of them wouldn't have lasted this long.

"How much time do you need?"

"This move is still in my conceptual stage; I haven't tested it, so I can't be sure." Lan Xin lacked confidence and dared not make any guarantees.

"We don't have that kind of time. I can only hold it off for three minutes. Our lives are in your hands." Seeing Lan Xin's hesitation, Bellis didn't give him a chance to argue. Purple light erupted from her body as she activated her Talent Skill.

Lan Xin was forced into action. He knew Bellis was risking everything, so he stopped hesitating, crossed his hands, and raised them above his head.

"Zzzzt—"

Orange energy began to converge.

The energy churned in his palms. Sweat began to bead on Lan Xin's forehead. He focused his entire mind on his palms, losing all perception of the outside world.

"Pop-pop—"

An orange energy blast pulsed in his palms, sparks of electricity dancing around it.

"Little sidekick, is it ready yet?"

Bellis was struck by a punch from the Rock Monster and collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood. She was unable to move and used her last ounce of strength to shout.

Lan Xin dared not delay. Not knowing if he had succeeded, he locked his energy onto the Rock Monster and fired the blast.

"Whoosh!"

Seeing this, the Rock Monster opened its massive mouth, and a ball of red energy collided with the energy blast.

"Zzzzt-zzzzt-zzzzt—"

The red and orange energies collided and reached a stalemate.

Neither side would give an inch.

Lan Xin felt his body being drained; he couldn't muster another shred of energy, but he dared not give up.

If he gave up, all their previous efforts would be in vain.

Lan Xin's sky-blue pupils lit up, and wisps of energy surged from his eyes, reinforcing his energy blast.

Orange energy overpowered red energy, inching forward towards the Rock Monster.

"Boom!"

The Ki Blast exploded inside the Rock Monster's mouth. Its entire head wasn't blown off, but its body toppled over.

Bellis and the other person wore happy smiles. After Lan Xin flew to Bellis's side.

Bellis asked doubtfully, "What was that just now? I clearly felt you had no energy left, how did you suddenly get so powerful?"

Lan Xin rubbed the back of his head and said sheepishly, "I only just discovered it myself. My eyes can store energy, up to half of my internal Qi."

"Little follower, you didn't disappoint me. Let's go back." Bellis struggled to stand up.

Seeing this, Lan Xin rushed to Bellis's side and supported her as she nearly fell.

Bellis wanted to push him away, but she had no strength left. After struggling for a moment, she gave up, leaning her body against Lan Xin.

Pat and the others were waiting at the bottom of the building for Bellis and Lan Xin's triumphant return. They saw the state of the two from afar.

They rushed to their side and chided, "Why are you two still coming over when you're this injured? You should go straight to the hospital."

Without letting the two retort or struggle, the group supported them and rushed them to the hospital, disregarding the victory celebration they had prepared.

"Lan Xin, I'll bring your mother over later."

Seeing Lan Xin about to speak, Lola cut him off.

"Oh right, Reke is back."

Hearing Lola's words, Lan Xin's face broke into a happy smile.

He had always held Reke in respect and gratitude. Because of Reke, he not only didn't lose his mother, but he was now living a life he couldn't have imagined before. He was content.

He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"This child." Pat slowed his flight speed upon seeing this.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Leader, it's nothing." Bellis hadn't fallen asleep. She was still exhilarated. If she had the strength, she would have flown around Panxi City to let everyone know of her heroic deeds.

Pat, being the one who understood Bellis best, told her news she would love to hear.

"Rest well. The country knows about what happened. Once you're recovered, they'll hold a special commendation ceremony for both of you."

"Really?" Bellis's eyes lit up, and she could no longer suppress the smile on her face.

"Really. Calm down. Do you want the entire nation to see you like this?"

"Hehe!"