Tiandao was knocked to the ground but got up immediately. Kagami, puzzled, asked, "Why don't you fight back?" With Tiandao's character, it was unthinkable that he would take a beating without retaliating. At that moment, Guozhong Youyoumai attacked again, forcing Tiandao back several steps.
Kagami's face changed. "Are you...?"
Tiandao remained calm. "What should I do?" He then pointed at Kagami. "That is up to you to decide."
Before he could finish, the adult struck him down again. Kagami was stunned and turned to look at the adult, who had transformed into the shadow of Liang. "Brother, you won't destroy me, will you?" Liang's voice trembled. "I am frustrated. The only thing I am proud of is you, brother."
Drenched in the rain, Kagami's eyes filled with tears. "Stop talking!" he shouted.
The audience across the three realms felt Kagami's pain. He had grown up with Liang, and it was understandable that he hesitated. But the adult attacked Tiandao again. Tears streamed down Kagami's face as he turned away and shouted, "Kabuto King! Please!"
The audience was moved, both excited and emotional. Kagami's decision was difficult, yet he allowed reason to prevail. Many admired his resolve. Others respected Tiandao's character, recognizing that he truly valued others' feelings. If Kagami had refused to fight, Tiandao might have honored that decision.
In the pouring rain, Tiandao's voice was steady. "Explode the 713 armor!" Electric currents surged across his armor, repelling the adult insect rushing at him. "Beetle transformation! Speed up!"
Tiandao dashed forward and struck the adult insect, sending it reeling. The creature counterattacked, but Tiandao dodged effortlessly. When the adult lunged again, Tiandao delivered a lightning-fast punch, knocking it back. It attacked again, but this time, Tiandao kicked it away.
The adult insect was relentless, charging repeatedly. Tiandao dodged and countered each move with ease. Finally, he pressed his belt. "One! Two! Three!"
"Knight Kick!"
Electric energy crackled across his armor. As the adult insect closed in, Tiandao spun and delivered a powerful kick. "Boom!" The creature crashed to the ground.
The audience was in awe. "That was incredible!"
"Yes! He makes everything look stylish!"
When the acceleration effect ended, time resumed its normal flow. The adult insect struggled to stand. The shadow of Kagami's younger brother appeared. Liang called out, "Brother!" The baseball in his hand dropped to the ground.
Kagami, filled with sorrow, whispered, "Liang…"
The adult insect could no longer hold on. It exploded into flames. Smoke and debris filled the air. When the dust settled, Tiandao stood, looking at Kagami, who had collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
Tiandao turned to leave.
Suddenly, Kagami shouted through his tears, "Tiandao! One day… I will surpass you!"
Tiandao paused. His eyes flickered with emotion. The audience watching across the three realms felt deeply moved. Many even cried. From Kagami's perspective, Tiandao had just killed his brother. Of course, he was conflicted. He wanted to surpass Tiandao not just out of anger, but to find his own strength.
Tiandao picked up the baseball from the ground and tossed it to Kagami.
Kagami caught it, clutching it tightly. "Liang!" His anguished cry echoed through the rain as he collapsed in grief.
Meanwhile, as Tiandao walked away, Misaki Yuyue, dressed in black, followed him. Just as she was about to continue tailing him, a man in a black trench coat approached her.
"Excuse me, but do you have headquarters' authorization for this?" he asked.
"The operation to capture Kabuto King has begun. We hope you will cooperate."
The audience was baffled. Why was Yuyue following Tiandao? And why did the Jet Organization want to capture him? Weren't they supposed to fight alien insects?
Elsewhere, at a port, a terrified man backed away. Before him stood someone who looked exactly like him. "How is this possible?! There's another me!"
The doppelgänger transformed into a blue adult insect and laughed menacingly. In an instant, it extended its claws and struck. The man's body shriveled as he fell, lifeless.
The audience shuddered. "That's terrifying!"
Just then, several vehicles arrived. Soldiers poured out of an off-road truck. "Fire!" a commander ordered. Bullets rained on the adult insect, forcing it back. Inside a commercial vehicle, Tanoko Shuichi commanded, "Eliminate it before it accelerates!"
Suddenly, another commercial vehicle blocked the line of fire, shielding the alien insect.
"Stop the attack," Misaki Yuyue's voice came through the radio.
"What?!" Shuichi was shocked. "Why?"
"Orders from headquarters. Withdraw."
The audience erupted in disbelief. "What the hell?! Why is the Jet Organization protecting an alien insect?!"
"Aren't they supposed to exterminate them?"
Supernormal chat group members chimed in:
Funina: "It seems the Jet Organization isn't as righteous as we thought."
Hu Tao: "They used to fight alien insects immediately. Now they're letting them kill people just to lure out Tiandao?!"
Ji Zi: "That's beyond unethical! A true justice organization wouldn't allow this."
March Seven: "They want to capture Tiandao?! Unbelievable!"
Keqing: "I've lost all respect for them!"
Meanwhile, Kagami read a newspaper about the alien insect murders. Enraged, he stormed into Shuichi's office. "You knew it was them! Why did you let them go?!"
Shuichi's response was cold. "Headquarters' decision. I have to obey."
Kagami was stunned. "Do you think this is right?"
Shuichi remained silent. Kagami was shaken. He had joined Jet to fight alien insects, but now, the organization was protecting them?
Elsewhere, Tiandao visited a western restaurant. Holding the newspaper, he sighed. "I wanted to encourage Kagami, but he's not here."
Kusakabe Xu was sketching. "He ran out after reading the newspaper."
Tiandao peeked at her drawing. "What are you drawing?"
"Just something."
He spotted a ticket on the table. "'The World's Unique Tulips.' Do you like tulips?"
"I just draw them. It's like I've been there."
"Why not go in person?"
"Too many people."
Tiandao smiled. "Meet me at Tokyo Tower at four. I'll go with you."
Kusakabe Xu hesitated, warmth creeping into her heart.
Elsewhere, Kagami paced angrily. "The headquarters' decision is absurd! I can't accept it!"
Using a thermal scanner, he detected something suspicious and gave chase. But before he could act, Misaki Yuyue appeared.
"Miss Misaki! Why are you here?" Kagami asked, confused. He noticed another Jet team in the distance. "Who is he?"
Misaki Yuyue remained silent.
Kagami's confusion deepened. What was Jet's real agenda?