Xiao Feng gazed tenderly at the adorable Alice and lamented, "It was your Baibai who devoured that B-grade magic crystal. Do you realize what an immense fortune that was? A single B-grade magical beast like that could have bought us ten combat aircraft."
Alice exclaimed in surprise, "So that B-grade magic crystal is worth that much?"
Xiao Feng nodded solemnly. "Indeed… such a pity."
Old White chuckled softly as he observed Xiao Feng's heartache. He knew Xiao Feng was good in many ways, but peculiarly sensitive about money. He said to him, "Baibai consuming that B-grade crystal may not be a misfortune after all. It's growing into a B-grade beast, which adds a formidable combat force for us. At the very least, it can contend with an ordinary B-grade psychic, right?"
Xiao Feng shook his head. "Ah, it breaks my heart. I'm done talking—I'm going back to rest, to soothe this wounded spirit." With that, he trudged back to his room, despondent, ready to sleep it off.
The others couldn't help but smile faintly at Xiao Feng's retreating figure.
After learning Baibai's rank, Alice was even more delighted. She gently chided, "You mustn't ever bully me from now on, Baibai."
Baibai nodded obediently, settling down at Alice's feet. Alice reached out to stroke Baibai's large head and giggled gleefully, utterly unconcerned by Xiao Feng's talk of the B-grade crystal's value.
Soon, the others dispersed, while Baibai and Alice wandered playfully around the military camp.
A day slipped by swiftly; dusk quietly descended.
After a day of rest, Ivy and her brother Turner regained much of their strength. As evening fell, Ivy suggested to Turner, "Brother, how about we go out for a drink?"
Turner smiled at his beautiful sister, sensing some worry in her demeanor. "Alright. Do you have something on your mind?"
Ivy nodded sadly. "Let's talk over drinks."
"Heh, you're going to tell me about Xiao Feng, aren't you?"
Ivy nodded again.
Turner draped an arm around his beloved sister's shoulder, eyeing her injured arm. "Alright, but don't drink too much—you still have that wound."
The two slowly left the camp. Night had fully settled by then as they strolled down the street.
Suddenly, two figures emerged, walking briskly towards them.
Having been a mercenary for many years, Turner's keen eyes immediately sensed these two were no ordinary men, radiating a powerful aura.
Approaching them were none other than Aries and the Black Dragon.
Aries wore an exquisite suit, hands casually tucked in his pockets, striding arrogantly. The Black Dragon, cloaked in a strange robe and wearing a wide-brimmed hat low over his face, walked with his head bowed.
Towering Turner felt a sinister premonition and stepped before Aries and the Black Dragon, standing like a wall just as Old White had.
"What are you two doing here? I've never seen you around," Turner demanded.
Aries glanced at Turner's imposing frame, especially the viper tattoo on his forehead, frowning. "What we do is none of your concern. Move aside and don't block our way." He dismissed the formidable Turner entirely, while the Black Dragon didn't even raise his head.
Since joining the X Legion, no one had ever spoken to Turner so rudely, and anger flared within him. "Kid, you better watch your tongue in Black Whale City. Do you know whose territory this is now?"
Ivy sensed the strangeness of these two and stood beside Turner, drawing a modified pistol from her hip. The strikingly beautiful woman wielded the weapon with fierce allure.
"You're with the X Legion?" Aries sneered.
"Yes, I am. You'd better explain who you are and where you came from," Turner's caution deepened.
"Hmph, who do you think you are? I don't owe you any explanation," Aries retorted dismissively.
Before Turner could react, Ivy leveled her pistol at Aries' forehead, voice cold: "Looks like you have a low opinion of the X Legion. Your attitude tells me you're not with the Alliance forces but with the Evil Dragon Cult. Your presence in Black Whale City can't bode well. One more insult to my brother, and I'll blow your brains out—no matter who you are."
Turner felt moved yet more worried, knowing these two were far from ordinary.
Aries smiled at the beautiful Ivy. "The thing I hate most is having a gun pointed at my head—even if it's by a beauty like you. I'll give you three seconds to lower your gun."
Ivy chuckled. "My favorite thing is blowing the heads off villains. I'll give you three seconds, too. If you don't answer our questions, I'll assume you're a spy for the Alliance and blow your brains out—even if you're handsome."
Aries laughed. "Beauty, you're so eager to know who I am—have you fallen for me?"
Ivy frowned. "Smooth talker…" She cocked her pistol. "Last chance. Speak or stay silent."
At that moment, Turner's brow furrowed sharply as Aries suddenly moved. He swiftly dodged aside, and a strange black tentacle-like appendage shot toward Ivy.
Ivy fired at once, but to her shock, the black tendril blocked her gun's muzzle, stopping the bullet cold inside her pistol.
Her eyes widened. "How is this possible?"
Both she and Turner saw the black tentacle emerge from beneath the man's robe.
Turner glared fiercely at the Black Dragon. "Who exactly are you two?"