Wood Style And Sharingan

"According to our intel, a group of rebels recently escaped from Huangshi City and have now entered the jurisdiction of Huaihai City," Mingyun explained with a stern face.

"This organization is extremely brutal. They specialize in hunting down freshmen from various colleges. Our mission is to locate and eliminate them as quickly as possible."

Mingyun's team consisted of five members, and with Smith joining, that brought their number to six.

The others were the same members who had previously investigated the Burning Fire Clan. Experienced and coordinated.

"When do we depart?" asked White Bear, whose deep voice matched his massive, bear-like physique. The sheer presence of his towering frame made him resemble a ferocious polar bear.

"If no one has any objections, we'll leave immediately," Mingyun replied.

"No problem."

"Same here."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Smith, now officially part of the team, remained silent. He didn't dare speak out just yet.

"Alright then—move out!"

With Mingyun's command, the group headed to the parking area below the city wall and boarded a wooden vehicle powered by spirit energy.

As before, Mingyun drove, and the rest of the group took their seats in the back.

"Since we've got a new member, we'll go through the usual procedure," Mingyun said while gripping the steering wheel. "To operate effectively as a team, we need to understand each other's abilities and fighting styles."

"I'm beast-type and earth-type," Mingyun began. "I specialize in frontal combat and durability."

"I'm water and wind," said a soft, light voice—Hong Feng, the team's only female member. "I focus on healing, crowd control, and feints."

"I use fire and beast taming," Black Snake added in a raspy, unsettling voice. "I'm best at secondary attacks."

"I'm lightning," White Bear said simply. "I'm your raw power—high-damage assaults."

"I use puppetry and illusions," said Huang Lang, his tone calm and steady. "Perfect for recon, assassination, and stealth strikes."

Smith was surprised by Huang Lang's combination—two special systems. That was rare. Most dual-system users paired a standard element with a special type. Very few had two rare types.

Altogether, their team had attackers, defenders, support, and recon. It was a well-balanced and deadly combination.

"I'm wood-type and spirit eye," Smith said when it was his turn. "As for what I'm good at…"

He scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

He wasn't sure how to summarize it. He could do a bit of everything, but saying that would sound too arrogant—and possibly get him beaten up.

Mingyun chuckled. "No need to worry. This time, just focus on supporting the team. We'll observe and help you discover your strengths during the mission."

Smith sighed in relief. "Thanks, Captain."

Since this wasn't his first time out with Mingyun and the others, he wasn't nervous. He simply waited for the mission details to unfold.

According to intelligence, the rebel group from Huangshi City was hiding in an abandoned city about twenty kilometers north of Huaihai.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived.

The abandoned city used to be a smaller settlement—about half the size of Huaihai City. Back when the Holy Empire was still strong, cities like this were everywhere. Their defense typically relied on a few third-level psychics, and maybe one or two fourth-level ones.

But after the Empire's decline and the royal family severing all contact with the outside world, beast tides surged back with a vengeance. Cities like this, with only a few advanced defenders, were the first to fall.

Now, all that remained were crumbling ruins—perfect hiding spots for criminals and rogue psychics.

The ruined city was eerily silent. Not a soul in sight.

Mingyun parked the vehicle near the outer wall of debris. The team moved out swiftly, finding cover and surveying the area from the shadows.

"Huang Lang," Mingyun whispered.

Huang Lang nodded and clapped his hands together. A faint aura began to form in his palms—a ball of transparent spiritual energy. He raised it into the air, where it scattered into invisible threads that drifted across the ruins.

A minute later, he reported back.

"Found them. Roughly two hundred meters to the east. They're holed up in a collapsed building."

Mingyun immediately issued orders.

"White Bear, you and I will lead the frontal assault. Huang Lang and Black Snake, flank from both sides. Blood Moon and Hong Feng—stay in the rear and provide support."

"Got it!"

Everyone nodded in unison and moved into formation.

---

At the same time, inside a building to the east...

A dozen men crowded around a table, a worn-out map spread before them.

"Brother Ji," said a chubby man with fat squeezed around his face, "a new batch of freshmen just awakened their powers in Huaihai City. They'll be starting their field missions soon. It's the perfect time to strike."

Brother Ji—about twenty-five, with thick hair parted neatly down the middle—grinned. He looked confident and full of energy.

"Perfect. We're all freshmen too. This'll send a message to those snobbish colleges—let 'em know the Chicken Gang isn't to be messed with!"

"Right! Kill them all!"

"Believe in Brother Ji and you'll live forever!"

"Believe in Brother Ji and gain eternal life!" the crowd chanted together.

Just then, someone knocked on the door—politely.

Knock, knock, knock.

Everyone froze.

"Who is it? Anyone missing?" Brother Ji asked, looking around to count heads.

Everyone was accounted for.

"Who's out there?!" he shouted.

A voice answered cheerfully, "Open the door! We're here to deliver warmth and blessings."

"What kind of person brings blessings to a dump like this?" muttered the little fat man as he waddled over to open the door.

But Brother Ji yanked him back. "Are you stupid?! No one brings warmth to an abandoned ruin—we're busted!"

BOOM!

Before he finished speaking, two massive hands punched straight through the door and ripped it off its hinges.

"I said we were bringing warmth. You didn't open, so I helped," said Mingyun, stepping inside with White Bear behind him.

"The Executive Department of Huaihai College?!"

Brother Ji's face twisted in disbelief as he spotted the distinct insignias on Mingyun's and White Bear's uniforms.

"Damn it! I didn't think they'd find us this fast!"

"What do we do, Brother Ji?!" one of his followers cried out.

Brother Ji gritted his teeth. "There are only two of them—charge!"

His men surged forward, weapons and abilities drawn.

"White Bear," Mingyun said calmly, "leave a few alive."

"Understood, boss."

White Bear cracked his knuckles. Electricity sparked around his arms, dancing wildly as he leapt into the fray like a thunderstorm on legs.

The rebels were mostly beginner-level third-rank psychics, with a handful at intermediate rank. But White Bear was advanced-level third rank—a monster by comparison.

Half the gang charged at White Bear while the rest went for Mingyun, assuming the slender captain would be easier prey.

They were wrong.

Mingyun's fists moved like lightning—precise, brutal, and efficient. One punch was enough to knock most of his enemies out cold.

"Focus! Work together!" Brother Ji screamed as his comrades dropped like flies.

Taking his advice, the remaining rebels adjusted their strategy. They spread out, creating distance to launch elemental attacks from afar.

But it was already too late.

CRASH!

A massive black snake tore through the back wall, followed by three puppets that shot through the opening like missiles. Each puppet carried a gleaming blade.

In one swift ambush, three rebels were cut down.

"Ambush! It's a trap! RETREAT!" Brother Ji roared in frustration.

He turned to run—but saw another team closing in.

From all directions, the Executive Department had them surrounded.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)