The ensuing battle was, by all accounts, uneventful.
With the timely reinforcements from Xin Huo, the Super Combat Department's team advanced steadily, clearing out the area with the heaviest concentration of eerie energy signatures within the mountain range.
The campaign thus concluded.
Subsequently, the Super Combat Department would continue to clear out surrounding anomalies, but these were no longer major concerns. The most formidable, large-scale anomalies had been completely eradicated. The remaining ones were sparsely distributed, appearing in groups of a dozen or so at most, insufficient to form a tide of chaos.
As the various Super Combat Department teams returned to their rest points, excitedly discussing their day's spoils and close calls, the figure in the black cloak, seared into their minds, had already departed.
Waving goodbye without leaving a trace.
They were merely reinforcements, powerful ones at that!
Katrina mused.
Prior to today, many high-ranking officials within the department had harbored doubts, questioning if Xin Huo's support carried ulterior motives.
The prevailing opinion leaned towards yes.
Katrina herself had felt similarly, assuming that at the very least, their nation, Lang Hua, would have to offer some form of compensation for the arrival of Xin Huo's powerful individuals.
Yet, there was nothing.
As soon as the battle ended, those ten powerhouses had vanished, leaving her no opportunity even to host a banquet in their honor.
Money, power – all seemed to pale in comparison to the anomalies, to the simple act of eradicating a few more of them.
No, not merely seemed.
The resolve and fervor in their eyes clearly indicated this!
Katrina couldn't comprehend why these Xin Huo powerhouses regarded anomalies with such passion, but she understood this: they were a group worthy of admiration, individuals truly fighting for the world.
Xin Huo was, undeniably, safeguarding the world!
And yet, their own focus remained on the small nation of Lang Hua, contemplating how to leverage Xin Huo's powerhouses against their own formidable enemies...
At this thought, Katrina felt a pang of shame.
Anderson, though slightly abashed, still felt the need for reinforcements. Since Xin Huo was so potent, there was no reason not to utilize such a powerful asset!
And it was free, which brought him immense joy.
"However, for the next large-scale battle, we must mobilize more of our own forces."
"This time, many Awakened individuals were engaged in dealing with anomalies within the city, leaving them unable to assist. Next time, we must ensure Xin Huo takes notice of us."
Katrina blinked. "Are you sure?"
The one leading Xin Huo this time was the powerfully built Master Ming Deng. Their Super Combat Department was familiar with this individual.
He had left his mark in Lang Hua before, defeating numerous cultists.
Instant annihilation was the ceiling of his combat prowess, but not the limit of Master Ming Deng's strength.
It was only today that they truly grasped how terrifying Master Ming Deng was, like a Buddha or a demon! The scene of him tearing anomalies apart with his bare hands was still vividly imprinted in Katrina's mind.
"Judging by this, Master Ming Deng is likely a high-ranking member of Xin Huo, possessing terrifying combat power. I am no match for him," Anderson remarked.
And there were at least four such high-ranking individuals they knew of. But were there a fifth, sixth, or seventh?
Perhaps.
Even Xin Huo's next tier of powerhouses were mostly top-tier Second Awakenings!
They might not be much weaker than him.
Xin Huo boasted an immense number of powerful individuals, while their nation, Lang Hua, had none.
Anderson sighed. "Xin Huo are professionals at dealing with anomalies. For the training camp slots Xin Huo is offering in three days, we must scrape together whatever we can to support a few more."
"As long as we can bring back some advanced training and combat methods, it will be worthwhile."
"Opportunities to interact with Xin Huo's powerhouses are even rarer."
Coincidentally, they had cleared out a significant number of areas and anomalies recently, also acquiring some mysterious items dropped from the anomaly realm.
With these, it wouldn't be difficult to purchase twenty more slots.
As their clearing missions continued, the Super Combat Department's warehouses would gradually be replenished, and they would escape their current state of poverty.
Upon reflection, dealings with Xin Huo meant temporary hardship but guaranteed future prosperity.
It was incredibly worthwhile.
Anderson began planning the clearing campaigns for the upcoming period.
Because it was so worthwhile, he felt a bit embarrassed about freeloading Xin Huo's reinforcements. For the next trade negotiation, he would be more straightforward.
"Ding!"
"Notification: 'Three-Star - Group' mission completed."
"Notification: 'Three-Star - Large Group' mission completed."
"Notification: 'Three-Star - Anomaly Tide (Minor)' mission completed."
"Notification: 'Three-Star - Gate of Anomaly Realm' mission completed."
On the panel, notification records appeared in a flurry, with batches popping up frequently.
This was because many teams were currently out on missions.
Within Dong Huang, there were no major operations, but rather a steady, continuous clearing of anomalies in the forests.
In Lang Hua, Ri Luo, and Bai Xiong nations, three elite, time-limited special operations teams were cooperating with local mysterious departments, venturing into remote regions for anomaly eradication operations.
Their efficiency was remarkably high.
The local mysterious departments possessed a considerable number of Awakened individuals, serving as both a formidable offensive force and effective lures for anomalies.
Xin Huo elites, meanwhile, focused on pounding the troublesome monsters among the anomalies.
After so many encounters, they had become seasoned veterans. They knew how to fight these monsters, what tactics to employ when outnumbered, and how to initiate engagements – they were masters of their craft.
A perfect fusion of textbook theory and practical application.
All built upon a foundation of immense strength.
"The potions too."
"With these special potions, the combat power and endurance of the mysterious departments of various nations will improve severalfold."
"We sell them our mysterious potions, and then have them use the potions to assist us in fighting monsters?"
*Cough cough*, this was, of course, a joke.
Nations gained safety, Xin Huo elites earned contributions, and the organization acquired a vast amount of anomaly crystals and various items.
This was a win-win.
"These are still secondary. The most important thing is..."
Fang You stepped out of the secret realm in two strides.
Utilizing the power of the secret realm, he could more clearly perceive the changes on Blue Star.
The world's barrier was still weakening, with numerous 'breaches' slowly expanding. However, the speed of this weakening and expansion had slightly abated.
The erosion from the anomaly realm had slowed down.
At this rate, perhaps the Grey Fog Tide would only arrive in two months? More time could be gained.
Fang You's gaze turned towards the distance.
An Jianyou and Yiluo Xi had also undertaken numerous anomaly eradication missions.
Yiluo Xi's Witch Sisterhood had absorbed many wild Awakened individuals. She accepted anyone except those who were utterly evil.
Furthermore, she had taken in numerous orphans. The Sisterhood was now vast, its influence gradually spreading across the nations of Ou Luozhou.
Especially in smaller nations unable to resist the disaster of anomalies, the arrival of Yiluo Xi and her group was eagerly welcomed.
With a large contingent of sisters, Yiluo Xi's mission efficiency was exceptionally high.
Her primary objective was to track the Twilight Cult, but accepting anomaly missions along the way did not conflict with this pursuit. Yiluo Xi had long mastered time management.
"The Sisterhood's expansion requires equipment, potions, meaning contribution points, a large amount of contribution points. Rounded up, it means undertaking more missions!"
Yiluo Xi glared fiercely at the mission list before her.
This one must be accepted!
This one must be accepted!
This, this, this, and this – all must be accepted!
If it were solely for her own cultivation and equipment purchases, her contribution points would be more than sufficient. But to develop the Witch Sisterhood, contribution points were needed everywhere. Even though the organization offered discounts and provided some construction funds…
But her appetite was enormous!
She was determined to develop the Witch Sisterhood into a world-class organization, as powerful as Xin Huo!
The vows she had made, she would fulfill even through tears.
Yiluo Xi embarked on her arduous journey to earn money. She stared at the most eye-catching, valuable mission on the list, shimmering with a purple glow. Her expression grew increasingly frantic.
"Why did that priest get away a few days ago!"
"Such a massive amount of contribution points!"
"Aaaargh—!"
"May this young lady never encounter that detestable priest again!"
Yiluo Xi rolled up her sleeves, fire burning in her eyes.
But it was not an insurmountable obstacle.
This mission had been assigned to their Witch Sisterhood by the mentor. This contribution would surely fall into her hands!
"Continue searching westward."
"Let's set a small goal: complete two hundred dispatch missions today!"
An Jianyou, after her Fifth Awakening, took only two days of leave before arriving in Ou Luozhou.
She too was engaged in targeted eradication of anomaly tides.
Her individual efficiency surpassed that of Yiluo Xi's entire Sisterhood, or the teams from Lang Hua, Ri Luo, and Bai Xiong nations.
Even Black Blade, who was still a considerable distance from Fifth-level Awakening, could not keep up.
Let alone Black Blade, even Fang You himself was several streets behind Sister An in terms of work efficiency.
At this moment,
An Jianyou was riding a four-star flying anomaly, the 'Hundred-Eyed Flying Fish,' en route to her next destination.
This was a disaster-class anomaly of medium size, twenty to thirty meters in length and thirty to forty meters in wingspan. If one ignored the spreading wings and the dense cluster of eyes beneath its abdomen, this anomaly's appearance was quite normal.
It was an anomaly that was 'normal from behind and even a little cute.'
An Jianyou was very satisfied.
It flew quite smoothly too.
The wind was blocked by her Netherworld Domain. She took a picnic blanket from her storage ring, spread it out, rolled up her robes, and sat down with her legs bent. She then placed a small table on it.
Finally, she took out her lunch from her storage ring.
Six dishes and one soup, still warm.
An Jianyou clasped her hands together, a blissful smile on her face.
"Oh, right."
She took out her phone, snapped a few photos, and posted them to her Moments with the caption "Having a picnic again today~" before picking up her chopsticks and enjoying her meal with gusto.
The perspective shifted upwards.
Outside the picnic blanket was a circular expanse of pure blackness. Beyond the darkness, a fish-like monster flew slowly.
It skimmed over the low-lying forests, stirring up streaks of ferocious dark shadows. Red pupils looked up towards the sky. The next moment, flesh and blood splattered, and an eerie, terrifying aura spread outwards.
Above the scattered corpses on the ground, the girl sat with one leg bent, a picture of exquisite beauty.