“Why should you be the one to break through?” Xiong Tianguang snapped, glaring at Li Xiaoru. “You’re just a brute. If anyone deserves the help, it’s me.”
Luo Qingxin, who had been standing quietly, remained conflicted. It was clear she wanted to break through to the fifth tier as well, but her aloof nature made it hard for her to voice such a request. After a moment, though, she spoke up.
“Xi... Xiu,” she murmured softly, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. It wasn’t just the tone that caught everyone off guard—it was hearing such tenderness from someone as cold and distant as Luo Qingxin.
But Fang Xiu wasn’t moved.
“Shut up!” he snapped, his gaze icy as it swept over the three captains. There was no respect in his voice, no care for their rank or standing. “The battle isn’t over yet. If you’ve recovered, go kill the enemy.”
The three captains fell silent, stunned into submission by the harsh command of a mere third-tier psychic. None of them dared speak another word.
“Die, Joker!”
Fang Moli’s shout rang out as his Xuanyuan Sword slashed through the air, unleashing a wave of golden energy that illuminated the night sky and cut through the surrounding darkness.
“Noooo!”
Joker’s voice was filled with desperation as he unleashed his full Mindflare in a frantic attempt to block the oncoming strike.
But it was no use. Fang Moli’s newfound fifth-tier power, combined with the overwhelming force of the Xuanyuan Sword, was far too much for Joker to withstand. His Mindflare defenses crumbled like paper under the weight of the attack.
BOOM!
The golden energy exploded on impact, engulfing Joker in a blinding light. In an instant, his body was reduced to nothing more than fragments of flesh, scattered across the battlefield.
There was no time for a final stand, no chance for Joker to self-destruct—he was utterly destroyed.
With Joker’s death, the brutal battle that had raged for so long finally began to reach its end.
Under Fang Moli’s command, the headquarters forces launched a decisive counterattack. The remaining Specters and members of the Pokers were quickly overwhelmed in a one-sided slaughter. Victory was inevitable.
Meanwhile, Fang Xiu, who had endured countless deaths and resets, stood watching the battlefield with quiet satisfaction.
Throughout the conflict, he had schemed, deceived, and even manipulated the powers of the Specter Gods. He had broken through to the third tier during the fight and played every card he had, using every trick in his arsenal.
And now, he had won the war.
Where Yan Changshou once sat was now occupied by Fang Xiu.
Despite being only a third-tier psychic, Fang Xiu’s presence among the captains signified the huge respect he had earned. It was a distinction that didn’t go unnoticed by anyone.
Around the table, there were many of the headquarters' top psychics, including elite third-tier psychics and a few who had broken through to the fourth tier during the battle.
This gathering represented the highest-ranking members of the headquarters, the ones who would shape its future.
The room was filled with somber faces as the Director began to speak.
“Comrades, this battle has cost us dearly,” his voice echoed through the conference hall. The microphone carried his words with a weight that pressed on the hearts of everyone in attendance.
Many of the psychics looked down, grief etched into their expressions. The loss of so many comrades was a heavy burden to bear, and no one could escape the sorrow of those who had fallen.
"The Pokers had been planning this for a long time,” the Director continued. “And they succeeded in turning one of our own, Captain Yan Changshou. His betrayal, combined with their attack, caught us off guard. However, thanks to Foreseer Fang Xiu, who foresaw their plans, we were able to stop them before they could fully succeed!”
At the mention of Fang Xiu’s name, the entire room turned their eyes toward him.
Their gazes held a mixture of awe and respect. The battle might have been won by Fang Moli on the surface, but everyone knew the real mastermind behind the victory was Fang Xiu.
Fang Xiu, sitting calmly, didn’t react to the attention. His expression remained composed, almost detached, as if he was merely a witness to the events rather than the one who had shaped them.
He didn’t enjoy meetings, but this one was unavoidable. It would set the tone for his future position within the headquarters.
The Director, noticing the focus on Fang Xiu, nodded in his direction, his admiration evident.
“Fang Xiu played a pivotal role in our victory.”
For the Director to use such high praise emphasized just how much the leadership valued Fang Xiu's contributions. And no one in the room dared to disagree.
People nodded in silent agreement as the Director’s words resonated with respect.
“He foresaw the future and uncovered the Pokers’ plot before they could destroy us. On the battlefield, with only the power of a third-tier psychic, he defeated Yan Changshou, a traitor and a fourth-tier psychic. He moved between battle zones, risking his life and depleting his Spiritual Energy to guide us, predicting enemy movements and helping our captains secure victory.”
The Director’s voice grew stronger, his words ringing through the room.
Translator's note: So is Fang Xiu going to be the new captain?