Gale was caught off guard by Qi Wu's sudden question.
Her strong, handsome brows drew together slightly.
A flicker of complicated emotion passed through her eyes, almost too subtle to notice.
There was a hint of embarrassment and helplessness.
She averted her gaze from Qi Wu's childishly curious eyes, her voice returning to its usual cool tone.
"Personal preference. Keeps out the wind and rain. Saves trouble."
Qi Wu couldn't help chuckling at the way she tried to look composed despite her obvious discomfort.
He didn't move any closer or do anything else that might make her more nervous.
He simply stood where he was, his gaze lazy as he teased her without a trace of malice:
"It does save trouble, but it's a bit of a shame."
He stroked his chin, pretending to ponder.
"Our Salvation Team has such good-looking members, but hiding your face brings our average down quite a bit. Where does that leave my dignity as captain?"
His words nearly made Jiang Qingyue laugh. She quickly covered her mouth, her large eyes curving into crescents.
The ever-serious Iron Buddha shook his head, at a loss for words over Qi Wu's ridiculous antics.
Gale hadn't expected that answer either. The frost on her face seemed to melt a little beneath a ray of sunlight.
Caught between laughter and exasperation, she looked up and shot Qi Wu a glare, though there was more helplessness than anger in it:
"Captain... what does this have to do with your dignity?"
[Annoyance points +50 (Gale thinks your reasoning is absurd but also a little funny)]
"How could it not?"
Qi Wu spread his hands with perfect confidence. "Good-looking, impressive teammates represent our team's image whenever they go out! Look at Qingyue, so cute and lively. Then look at you."
His gaze was sincere as he studied Gale's fine, striking features, still handsome despite the dust on her face.
"Hmm... both handsome and beautiful. How special is that? Hiding your face is a criminal waste."
His compliments made Gale's ears grow warm, a faint blush spreading across her skin. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
She was accustomed to hiding in the shadows, protecting herself with coldness and distance. This was the first time anyone had praised her appearance so casually and directly.
It... didn't feel so bad.
After a few seconds of silence, she pulled her hood back on with a touch of stubborn pride:
"I just like it this way."
Her tone remained cold and proud.
Yet the icy aura that kept everyone at arm's length quietly softened considerably.
[Popularity points +100 (Gale feels the team's warmth and acceptance)]
Qi Wu knew when to stop and didn't tease her any further.
He beckoned to Jiang Qingyue:
"Come on, let's call it a day and head home. We'll have something extra tonight to celebrate a successful mission."
"Yay! Extra food!" Jiang Qingyue cheered.
The two jokers were in high spirits.
Just then, Iron Buddha walked over.
"Qi Wu."
A trace of genuine warmth showed on his resolute face.
"We were able to drive back the beast tide and subdue that Hellhound thanks to the wholehearted support of you and your teammates. That earth-shattering final strike of yours, especially, was a real eye-opener."
His tone was sincere and solemn, his admiration undisguised.
Qi Wu waved a hand, his familiar lazy yet reassuring smile returning:
"Just doing my part. If you hadn't held them off at the start, we wouldn't have had such a good chance to attack. We worked well together."
Iron Buddha nodded, evidently agreeing that they had worked well together.
Then he changed the subject, his expression becoming a little more formal:
"Say, Qi Wu, didn't you think there was something strange about this beast tide?"
Recently, powerful Demons had been appearing in human society far more frequently than before, and even Demon tides had become more common.
Any Psychic with a little awareness had noticed the problem.
Having just fought alongside Qi Wu, Iron Buddha wanted to hear his thoughts while he had the chance.
Qi Wu's expression grew slightly serious.
"Have you heard of spiritual energy revival?"
Those words seemed to carry a heavy weight, making even the surrounding air feel as though it had frozen for a moment.
Iron Buddha nodded slowly and said in a low voice:
"I've heard a little... there are scattered records and theories within the bureau, but they've never been verified. It's always been treated as an ancient legend. Captain Qi Wu, do you mean..."
"I'm afraid it's not a possibility. It's already happening."
Qi Wu looked toward the depths of the South Suburbs Forest.
"This beast tide, and that Hellhound-their power and frenzy have already exceeded what normal Demons should be capable of at this stage. They're more like... things brought into existence ahead of time by some immense power that's about to awaken."
"This may well be the beginning of the 'spiritual energy revival' described in the legends."
Qi Wu spoke with absolute confidence.
At this point in time, spiritual energy revival had yet to be confirmed and existed only in ancient legends.
But as time went on, the Demons that appeared would grow increasingly powerful.
Archaeological discoveries would also yield more and more evidence of spiritual energy revival.
Only then would all Psychics believe in its existence.
For now, most Psychics knew nothing about spiritual energy revival.
Even those who had heard of it generally remained skeptical.
Qi Wu's certainty left Iron Buddha thoroughly taken aback.
He had never believed in spiritual energy revival before.
But the Demons now appearing so frequently were far more numerous and powerful than in the past.
That lent some credibility to Qi Wu's words.
Iron Buddha's brows knitted tightly, his gaze razor-sharp behind his sunglasses:
"If this really is spiritual energy revival... what would that mean?"
"The old order may be shattered, and new rules will be established."
Qi Wu's tone was calm as he delivered a prediction that could shake the world.
"Spiritual energy will become more abundant. It could give rise to more and stronger Demons, or even... beings we've never imagined."
"Human Psychics may also grow stronger because of it, but on the whole, the chaos and danger of the early stages will probably be unavoidable."
He gave Iron Buddha a meaningful look:
"Our 749 Bureau is probably going to have its hands full."
Iron Buddha fell silent for a moment. To him, Qi Wu's theory was staggering.
Yet in light of the recent anomalies and what they had experienced today, it also seemed entirely reasonable.
He drew a deep breath. When he looked at Qi Wu again, there was more scrutiny in his eyes, along with something deeper:
"You seem... to know a great deal about this?"
Ordinary people, and even most Psychics, would never discuss spiritual energy revival with such certainty.
Qi Wu smiled, a hint of something inscrutable in his expression. He neither admitted nor denied it:
"I just know a little more than most people. There are always capable people who see which way the tide is turning before anyone else, aren't there?"
Those words made Qi Wu seem even more mysterious in Iron Buddha's eyes.
Could his eyes have the ability to predict the future?
Iron Buddha pondered this, his curiosity about Qi Wu's abilities growing considerably.
"You have a point."
Iron Buddha's tone was solemn as he continued:
"You could share all of this with everyone at the upcoming meeting."
Qi Wu raised an eyebrow:
"Meeting?"
Iron Buddha nodded firmly.
"Headquarters has noticed the increase in Demon numbers too."
"Just yesterday, Wolf Team received orders to attend a meeting at headquarters. He should be back in a couple of days."
"When Wolf Team returns, he'll definitely gather all the team captains at our Nanjiang Bureau to pool information and coordinate our plans. You can bring up your views on spiritual energy revival at the meeting."
He paused, then added:
"With your strength and contributions today, along with these insights, they're bound to take you seriously. That will be crucial to securing more resources and a greater say as we prepare for the potentially enormous changes ahead."
Qi Wu stroked his chin and gave a lazy smile:
"Sure. No point keeping it to myself anyway."
If he could persuade the higher-ups to allocate more funding and resources, they wouldn't be caught as unprepared as they had been in his previous life when spiritual energy revival truly arrived.
"In that case, it looks like today's victory feast will have to become a prewar strategy session. Captain Iron Buddha, I'll see you at the meeting."
Qi Wu checked the time.
Iron Buddha said heartily:
"Not just at the meeting. I'm also looking forward to seeing you at the Selection Tournament."
The two exchanged a look and smiled at each other.
Qi Wu waved with a smile and said no more, leading his two teammates toward the off-road vehicle.
A meeting chaired by Wolf Team?
Excitement gleamed in Qi Wu's eyes.
He was quite looking forward to this meeting.
Once it was over, he could ask Wolf Team privately about the next template's check-in location-
The location of the [Abyssal Grand Prison]!
Before you continue