The Prison Housing the Envoy

Nestled within a vast canyon, two fighter jets rested like dormant great birds at its base. Nearby, a group gathered around the massive magic crystal extracted from the grade-A beast. The crystal resembled an enormous teardrop—black, translucent, and gleaming with an eerie radiance.

Pandora's curiosity broke the silence. "I wonder—if this grade-A crystal were integrated into the Trident jet, what kind of power would it unleash?"

Xiaofeng's expression darkened with concern, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Heh. Perhaps this is our first attempt to fuel a magical light cannon with a grade-A crystal. I fear the cannon might not withstand such energy."

"Maybe you should contact the people at Bromm Corporation and ask if their magic light cannon can handle grade-A crystal energy. If it can, then we load it with grade-A crystals; if not, better to hold off. If the power is too great, damaging the cannon would be a costly mistake. Even worse, if the Trident gets damaged, it'll be a major problem," Pandora fretted.

Xiaofeng scratched his head awkwardly, glancing around the barren canyon. "Alright, I'll ask. Though truth be told, I really don't want to speak to those Bromm people again."

"You don't want to, but you have to. Not asking would be too risky."

Reluctantly, Xiaofeng activated the communicator on his wrist and called Hebrew. Xiaofeng had no desire to deal with Kelly or Carrie at the moment. Hebrew's surprised face appeared on the display. "Xiaofeng, what do you want?"

"Can't I call you if I have nothing to ask?"

"Sure, but if you're calling, it must be important. Speak."

"I want to know—can the three magic light cannons on your Trident jet withstand the energy of a grade-A crystal?"

Hebrew looked puzzled. "Why do you ask? Theoretically, yes. We've tested with B-grade crystals—our cannons held up against energy twenty times that of a B-grade magic light. So a grade-A shouldn't be an issue. If we had one, we'd have tested it ourselves..." His brow suddenly furrowed as he stared incredulously at Xiaofeng. "Wait—are you saying you found a grade-A crystal?"

Xiaofeng smiled faintly, nodding, then aimed his communicator's camera at the enormous black crystal. "Surprised? The grade-A crystal's color is black. Heh. We were truly fortunate to acquire one."

"No way. How could you have defeated a grade-A beast?" Hebrew was stunned, unable to fathom the beast's overwhelming power.

Yet Xiaofeng possessed Qintian, the beast slayer. No matter how formidable a beast was, before Qintian, they were mere illusions. Qintian could extract the sustaining magic crystal from their bodies effortlessly—another invincible asset for Xiaofeng.

Xiaofeng laughed and said to Hebrew, "As for how we defeated the grade-A beast, you'd best not dwell on it. You don't look well—be sure to rest. Heh. I must go now and test the true power of this grade-A crystal."

Without waiting for a reply, Xiaofeng ended the call and carried the black crystal toward the Trident. At the energy interface, he realized the grade-A crystal's massive size made it impossible to fit directly into the jet.

Pandora, sensing his intent, drew her long knife and cleaved the huge crystal cleanly in two.

Giant was ecstatic. Splitting the crystal meant his Black Dagger could also be equipped with grade-A energy.

Xiaofeng, obliging Giant's wish, tossed the other half of the black grade-A crystal to him. Giant eagerly loaded it into the Black Dagger.

The group watched eagerly as Giant and Pandora took to the skies for a test flight. Both exhibited identical exhilaration—their planes' speeds soared by nearly twenty percent after being fueled with grade-A energy.

Xiaofeng chuckled into his headset, "Alright, you two come down. Let's get out of here—I still have to find the envoy."

Pandora and Giant tempered their excitement and descended, allowing Xiaofeng and company to board safely and depart.

Zeus led them to a place that was once a sprawling prison before the Great Purge. Though now abandoned, the prison was still suitable for holding captives.

The two aircraft pierced through the watchful eyes of the alliance soldiers guarding the prison, landing in the open courtyard at its center.

Xiaofeng vaulted from the jet, spinning to take in the massive facility, instantly taken with it. "This place is perfect. Using it as our military base would be ideal."

Pandora smiled wryly. "Only you would think of converting a prison into a military base."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, just unusual."

Zeus informed them, "The envoy himself requested to be brought here. Sam knew the envoy still had value, so he spared him. Aside from alliance soldiers, there are several skill users guarding this place—two level-eight psychics and a few level-six ones."

Xiaofeng nodded. "Just two level-eight psychics? Let's go fetch the envoy and bring him back."

Giant and Qintian were pleased to meet a comrade who bore the same tattoo barcode as themselves. The group proceeded toward the prison cells.

The alliance soldiers inside stared in disbelief at the two jets and the newcomers descending from them.

They clearly recognized the X Legion insignia painted on the aircraft, rushing to report and triggering the prison alarm.

Xiaofeng, carrying the Black Angel, ignored the alarmed soldiers completely. Giant donned his individual combat system, striding with imposing presence at the rear.

Tugou's weapon targeting system locked onto all alliance soldiers within sight. Should any make a move, he was prepared to neutralize them instantly.