The Xuan-level powerhouse wearing a silver mask was considered a core member of the Dark Association, possessing formidable strength!
As the captain of the sub-team in Group B, Gao Xiong was well aware of the capabilities of Xuan-level powerhouses. After all, the injuries he sustained were inflicted by this very silver-masked individual.
If even he was no match for the opponent, what hope did a newcomer who had just joined the Dragon Group have?
Gao Xiong felt a strong urge to dissuade him, but Ye Cangtian had already charged towards the silver-masked expert!
This was sheer suicide!
"Everyone, attack and finish your opponents quickly!"
Gao Xiong could do nothing else but order his team to engage the five bronze-masked opponents.
The battle erupted instantly!
Apart from Ye Cangtian fighting a silver-masked expert, Gao Xiong and the other five, including Xu Shian, were facing the five bronze-masked individuals.
Meanwhile, the sniper A Le, still on the rooftop, was not idle. His sniper rifle continuously fired at distant targets, intercepting the mercenaries and preventing them from providing support.
Although Gao Xiong was injured, dealing with a bronze-masked opponent was still relatively easy.
He glanced back at his teammates. Apart from his own teammates Feng Ling and the other two, who were struggling against their respective bronze-masked opponents, Xu Shian was actually holding his own against a bronze-masked fighter, even showing signs of gaining an upper hand.
Who would have thought this kid actually had some real skill!
Seeing this, Gao Xiong, disregarding his injuries, ferociously attacked the bronze-masked opponent he was facing. Only by quickly defeating one opponent could he break away to assist Ye Cangtian.
However, it was too dark to see Ye Cangtian's location.
"I hope he can hold on a little longer!" Gao Xiong muttered to himself.
A moment later!
The battle had intensified to a fever pitch, but Gao Xiong still hadn't defeated his opponent. After all, while his strength surpassed these bronze-masked fighters, the difference wasn't vast.
Especially considering his existing injuries.
Therefore, he was still struggling to eliminate the Huang-level expert wearing the bronze mask.
Just as he was worrying if Ye Cangtian had already been killed by the silver-masked expert, a figure appeared in the faint light in the distance.
Gao Xiong's expression turned to dread. Could the opponent have been killed? Had the silver-masked expert freed up to deal with them?
But then he froze, because he clearly saw who it was.
It was Ye Cangtian!
He had a cigarette dangling from his lips, and in one hand, he held a silver mask dripping with fresh blood.
He was still alive?
Not only was he alive, but Ye Cangtian had actually killed the silver-masked expert. How had he managed that?
Gao Xiong found it incredible!
That was a silver-masked expert, a Xuan-level powerhouse within the Dark Association, a high-ranking figure even within their organization. Yet, he had met his end at Ye Cangtian's hands!
Witnessing this, Gao Xiong's confidence surged. He looked back and saw that the bronze-masked opponent was also stunned. Seizing the opportunity, he closed the distance and delivered a fatal blow.
In a life-or-death battle like this, let alone a moment of stunned silence, even the slightest misstep could cost one their life!
Soon, a bronze-masked expert was killed on the spot!
...
After some more time!
The fighting finally ceased.
The five Huang-level experts wearing bronze masks were successively killed. The mercenary groups, who had been closing in, finally retreated!
The entire residential building was now scarred and battered, bearing the marks of the fierce battle. Many areas had also been destroyed by artillery fire!
All five bronze-masked individuals and one silver-masked individual were dead!
Gao Xiong and his five-person squad became more solemn after seeing the bodies on the ground. They no longer underestimated the two new colleagues.
Especially Ye Cangtian, who had faced the silver-masked expert alone and managed to kill him.
This was entirely beyond Gao Xiong and the others' expectations!
After all, even within Group B, the number of people capable of killing a silver-masked expert could be counted on one hand.
Therefore, Gao Xiong was now completely convinced by Ye Cangtian's abilities!
"Ye Cang... Brother Ye, what do we do next?"
"We need to relocate. This place has been compromised, and with the commotion earlier, the local police will be here any moment!" Ye Cangtian stated calmly, unfazed by the change in Gao Xiong's attitude.
Soon, everyone boarded two vehicles and drove away from the location.
This area was on the outskirts of the city. Despite the significant noise from the battle, the sirens only arrived after they had already evacuated!
...
A rustic courtyard located twenty kilometers from the city center.
It seemed no one had lived there for a long time. Weeds had overgrown the lawn in front of the yard, and the courtyard itself was a tangle of vegetation.
Dawn had broken, and the group took a brief rest here.
In the dusty living room, Ye Cangtian and Gao Xiong, along with the others, smoked cigarettes and discussed their next course of action!
"We can't go back to the city center now. At least two mercenary groups are hunting us, so we have to find another way!" Ye Cangtian said.
"Two mercenary groups?" Gao Xiong was taken aback.
"Captain, there were indeed two mercenary groups. Although the number of people involved last night wasn't large, their weaponry, equipment, and deployment were different!" Sniper Xiao Le spoke up.
He had a clear view from the rooftop during last night's battle, and being a former soldier, he could distinguish them.
Gao Xiong frowned and then sighed, "Currently, we only know that the disappearance of these researchers is related to the Dark Association. We have no idea where they were taken."
"I have a rough idea of their whereabouts!"
Ye Cangtian suddenly thought of something and pulled out two airplane tickets from his pocket. These were flights from China to a location in Africa.
He had found them on the silver-masked individual he had eliminated at the cargo terminal in Yangzhou.
If the Dark Association was only planning one major operation, it was possible that these missing researchers would eventually be sent to that location.
Of course, this was just his speculation!
He looked up at Gao Xiong and asked, "How many Chinese researchers have gone missing?"
"Five!"
Gao Xiong immediately took out several photos and spread them on the sofa, introducing them. "Three are research professors whom China had sent to Europe for academic exchange. They are all outstanding individuals in their respective research fields."
"Professor Yuan here is of Chinese descent and a professor at a renowned university. Professor Yuan has made a significant breakthrough in a certain research experiment and was preparing to return to China next month."
"However, Professor Yuan also disappeared a few days ago, along with his student!"
The photos displayed Chinese researchers. The last photo, however, made Ye Cangtian pause in surprise.
The photograph was of a young woman, strikingly beautiful, with delicate features, shoulder-length hair, and an elegant demeanor.
Especially her scholarly aura, coupled with a pair of glasses, gave her the appearance of a brilliant academic.
Ye Cangtian exclaimed in surprise, "It's her, Shangguan Yanran!"
Gao Xiong asked, "Brother Ye, do you know her?"
Ye Cangtian replied with a wry smile, "Not just know her, she's the sister of my friend, the young lady of the Shangguan family!"
Just before departing for Europe, he had received a call from Shangguan Yun, saying he had lost contact with his sister, and the family was very worried.
He hadn't expected Shangguan Yanran to be involved in this disappearance incident.
"Brother Ye is referring to the Shangguan family, one of the eight great families of the capital?"
Seeing Ye Cangtian nod, Gao Xiong gasped and his brow furrowed deeply. He took a deep breath and said, "We must rescue these five researchers this time!"