The soldier glanced briefly at the impeccably gentlemanly driver and said no more. With a wave, he let the sleek black SUV merge into Black Whale City. He did not even spare a glance at the Black Dragon seated in the rear.
The Black Dragon sat in the back, a pair of black sunglasses partially veiling the intricate tattoos etched across his face. He was primed for attack—should the soldier dare obstruct his vehicle, the man would be dead within a second.
Yet the weary soldier neglected his duty and allowed them passage.
The exceedingly courteous driver turned to the Black Dragon and inquired, "Black Dragon King, where shall we head?"
"To the X Legion's base. I intend to wipe them out," came the resolute reply.
Aries, the consummate gentleman, smiled gently. "Black Dragon King, I urge you to exercise caution. The X Legion now harbors not only Rush, an eighth-level psychic, but also a fellow called Earthdog—a robot with a human head—whose combat prowess rivals that of an eighth-level psychic. Add to that the mysterious Xiao Feng you mentioned, and their combined strength is formidable. Any one of the three could seriously injure your Lizard."
The Black Dragon King shook his head. "No. Even if they are eighth-level psychics, none can breach my Lizard's defenses. Only a ninth-level psychic could. But none among them have reached that level."
"I also examined the wounds on that Lizard. I suspect it wasn't caused by psychic powers—it felt more like some kind of laser weapon."
"Don't deceive me. I have tested that laser weapon myself; it simply cannot harm my Lizard. It's definitely not a laser."
"If it truly is a laser weapon, I have no cause for concern. But if you are certain it is not, then I must worry. This means there is someone in the X Legion who has surpassed eighth-level psychics—a ninth-level psychic, correct?"
The Black Dragon King furrowed his brow. "If a ninth-level psychic truly exists, then neither of us stands a chance."
"Precisely why I caution you to be prudent. Let us first find lodging and gather intelligence on the X Legion's situation. Only then shall we strike. Don't you agree?" Aries' reasoning was sound, and gradually the Black Dragon calmed.
"Very well. We shall proceed as you advise. If we cannot best them openly, then we shall do so in the shadows."
"Heh, as long as I remain unscathed, I care not how."
With that, the two drove the black SUV through the streets of Black Whale City until they found a respectable inn, where they took up residence.
Once settled, they made their way to a nearby tavern to drink. Such places were excellent for gathering news.
Because the Black Dragon bore conspicuous facial tattoos, Aries advised him to speak sparingly, leaving the task of mingling with the drunks to himself. After ordering two bottles of whiskey, Aries patiently coaxed the desired information from the inebriated patrons.
First: The night before, the X Legion had suffered a devastating blow—nearly two regiments of troops lost, along with most of their armored vehicles and armed helicopters. Their fighting strength had been reduced to less than half; they were no longer the force they once were.
Second: The X Legion's sole eighth-level psychic, Rush, had been gravely wounded while combating a wave of C-level magical beasts—nearly consumed by the flames of a Black Flame Serpent.
Third: The last B-level magical beast was described by the drunkards as a dragon. It battled Xiao Feng for half an hour without defeat, until Kerry arrived with a new weapon—a purple laser device—that drove the creature away.
Aries was reassured by these revelations. He continued drinking with the tavern's patrons; the night was still young, and they planned to act under the cover of darkness.
...
Xiao Feng gathered Old White, Turner, and the others, then contacted Kerry to join them. Together, they studied the White Wolf, White White, trying to determine its level.
Old White had never witnessed anything quite so peculiar. White White's stature was unremarkable, but the long mane encircling its neck was astounding—how could a wolf possess a mane? What could it signify?
Turner was more perceptive; he simply knew White White had undergone a profound transformation.
When Kerry pulled up in a sports car beside them, he took from it a device resembling a camera and stared intently at White White. "Damn, what's happened to White White? It was already fierce, but now, after this evolution, there are no words but 'ferocious.'"
Xiao Feng asked Kerry, "Can you detect what level White White has reached now?"
Kerry nodded. "I brought my scanner. Let me show you."
He raised the camera-like device and snapped a photo of White White. On the display appeared a card bearing some information:
"Demonic Wolf
Demonic Transformation Level: B
Data Unknown"
The few words stunned everyone.
"A B-level magical beast? You've got to be kidding."
"When did White White become a B-level beast? This is unbelievable."
"Can I call White White's evolution a miracle?"
"Even if White White can evolve on its own, there's no way it jumped so far all at once."
Listening to the murmurs, Xiao Feng pondered calmly. Then, hearing someone mention 'evolution,' he suddenly exclaimed, "I know why White White suddenly became a B-level magical beast."
"Tell us quickly..." all eyes were fixed on him eagerly.
Xiao Feng pointed to White White. "It must have devoured a magic crystal. To reach B-level demonic transformation, it had to consume a B-level magic crystal."
His words stunned the group anew. Just last night, a B-level demonic lizard had rendered the entire legion helpless. And now White White could defeat a B-level magical beast? The disbelief was palpable.
Xiao Feng frowned and looked at White White. "Did you consume the B-level magic crystal from the demonic lizard?"
White White seemed to understand, nodding in response.
Xiao Feng muttered, "Ah, my B-level magical beast... my heart aches for you."
Beside him, Alice curiously asked, "Brother Xiao Feng, what's wrong with you?"