Welcome to Ability Store

Chapter 362: Chapter 362: Assaulting Perilous Grounds

...

"Brothers, I can only take you this far." Huang Gou halted the small motorcycle and turned to Chen Xuan on the back seat.

By now, the sun had set, and the constant sandstorm above had taken on a purplish hue. In half an hour, the sky would be completely dark. No matter how experienced a Searcher might be, they wouldn’t choose to operate after nightfall.

"No worries, we’re close to the city center already, saving us quite a bit of effort." Chen Xuan flipped off the motorcycle.

He had never expected that by the 22nd century, the most convenient form of transportation in Jiang City would still be oil-burning motorcycles—and not the cool, high-powered models, but mini ones resembling toys for minors. Two people dressed in protective gear could almost completely cover the motorcycle, and he wondered if the slender spring suspension on the rear wheel could bear their weight.

Luckily, it held up the entire way.

Chen Xuan could understand why they used these motorcycles. Mainly because they’re small enough that no matter how the driver moves, they remain within the shielded range of the protective gear.

If they were using cars or pickups, corresponding shield devices would be required, and these are basically equipped at bases only. Even a star Searcher team like the Fireline Band couldn’t afford such luxuries.

Nevertheless, he felt these small motorcycles were quite embarrassing.

A bunch of grown men riding on "children’s toys" looked quite ridiculous!

Chen Xuan’s companions also dismounted the motorcycles, gathering around him.

"I say... do you really not need our support?" The mechanic Liu Yi, who drove another motorcycle, looked doubtful. "Among the enemies, there are Ability Users. I’ve never seen your prowess, but this isn’t the time to be reckless."

"Rest assured, I never boast." Chen Xuan assured him, patting his chest. "You guys head straight back to camp. By dawn tomorrow, the answer will be evident."

"Ah... young will always be full of drive."

"Maybe he wants to prove himself to Yuyan." The crowd began to jeer.

"Hahaha... to anger her to that extent, it’s rare among newcomers."

"Good luck, brother, I believe in you!"

"Shut up, all of you!" Lin Qing glared at them sharply and then walked up to Chen Xuan. "Well... you could still change your mind. According to the original plan, this ambush requires at least a week of preparation. You don’t have to be in such a hurry..."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted, showing obvious embarrassment on her face.

"That’s not an option. The ghost subway might rush out from the platform at any moment. The sooner we obtain intelligence, the sooner we can initiate subsequent plans." Chen Xuan asserted decisively, "Trust me, I’m fully aware of my abilities, and this is exactly what I’m good at."

She blinked, "... Theft?"

"Ahem, I mean overcoming perilous situations."

"If you insist... then good luck." Lin Qing waved her hand, mounted her motorcycle, and after exchanging looks in farewell, the Fireline Band members began to head back.

"There’s something odd between you and her." Honglian removed her mask at this point, "Did something happen?"

"Nothing... just a small misunderstanding." Chen Xuan replied helplessly. He hadn’t expected that his invitation to her to rest at their camp for a night would be misheard as an offer to exchange the event for her company. She immediately threw a punch in response. With the Divine Eye Technique in play, Chen Xuan easily dodged her powerful punches, and this ease made her feel even more provoked.

Despite the misunderstanding being cleared up within half a minute, the commotion in the tent somehow spread across the entire camp swiftly.

Especially when Lin Qing, face flushed, apologized, it was misinterpreted by others as the newcomer dominating Yuyan. This led to Lin Qing taking up arms and teaching them a lesson.

Chen Xuan found it funny and regrettable. He thought straightforwardly that if he could open a residence under Lin Qing’s name, it would prove her identity through the Ability Store.

But directly saying that made it sound strange. Why would she need to stay at the subway station when she was fine at the camp? Hence, he skipped most details, shortening the offer to "invite to sleep for a night."

"No wonder." After hearing this, Honglian rolled her eyes slightly, "Even I would misunderstand. What kind of condition is that?"

"The master is the Immortal Master; not understanding these matters is normal." Xu Xuanling chuckled.

"I don’t see any issue." Liuli commented, "Even if it was truly to sleep for a night, it’s worthwhile. After all, you are fighting for the survival of humanity."

Chen Xuan sighed internally; truly, the realm of thought is different for extraordinary creatures.

"Let’s not bring it up." He turned to Honglian, "What do you say? Do you think she is Lin Qing?"

Although the other two had interacted with Lin Qing for a while, their memories were overwritten during the history alteration. It was through Chen Xuan’s repeated recounting of Lin Qing’s past experiences that they learned about her. Honglian was different. She was imprisoned in another world by the Mechanism, so the fluctuation did not affect her.

She remembered all her interactions with Lin Qing vividly.

Honglian was silent for a moment, "My answer might not be pleasing, but I have to say it: she’s not the same Lin Qing from our memories. Even if Yuyan and Lin Qing are the same person, it doesn’t change the outcome. What determines who we are isn’t flesh, cells, or genetic material, but our understanding of the world and ourselves."

"Sounds like your answer." Chen Xuan nodded.

"You aren’t disappointed?" Honglian looked at him in surprise.

"No, I’m fully aware of this." He replied straightforwardly, "Humanity is complete only when the body and memory are together. To reclaim Lin Qing, I must retrieve both her body and memory."

"But how can memories be retrieved?" Honglian showed a mixture of difficulty, "Moreover, she can’t even be considered amnesiac. Are you planning to reverse history?"

"Let’s skip that idea. If Lin Qing discovered I pushed her world back into the flames to bring her back, she’d surely be furious." Chen Xuan chuckled bitterly, "However, this world is full of strange abilities. Maybe there’s a way to awaken another of her experiences."

"Indeed." Honglian changed her stance, seeing him say this, "Then let’s do our best together. We’ll deal with the current situation first and then slowly earn her trust."

For her, even if they couldn’t reclaim that Lin Qing, knowing that the other was alive was comforting enough.

The four of them moved along the street filled with car wreckage, heading towards the city center.

According to information provided by the Fireline Band, a small group of Evangelicals were hiding in one of the buildings here. Regarding the distribution of Evangelicals, Ji described them as follows: They used to be a strictly managed superpower organization, but now they seem to have regressed into something resembling a tribal group. Especially in Jiang City, the Evangelicals’ presence has been noted in several locations... such as within landmark buildings or near large nano-living bodies’ territories.

These individuals seem to be... transforming into something else.

As she said this, the young girl’s face displayed deep fear.

Bear in mind, the Evangelical Association was notorious for overthrowing the Dimensional Limit Mechanism, and Chen Xuan simply couldn’t associate them with something as ancient as tribes.

But this was actually good news.

If the Evangelicals were seriously divided internally, with no mutual support, it would make his attack that much easier.

For this mission, apart from Honglian, everyone he brought was considered top-notch. Capturing merely a few Ability Users was hardly a challenge.

"This place... looks familiar." Honglian suddenly remarked when they were about half a street away from their destination.

"Jiang City’s center, you visit often enough, it’s not surprising."

"Let me see the map."

Chen Xuan handed the yellowed paper map to her.

After scrutinizing the red-marked spot on the map, she raised her head with a peculiar expression, "The office building we’re heading to... used to be where I worked."