Not to Be Underestimated

Upon hearing the report from the Brigade Leader, Xiao Zhan frowned.

"What?"

"Someone has taken our laborers from Dark Shadow Island hostage?!"

The Brigade Leader bowed respectfully, his eyes tense under the weight of the question.

"My lord..."

"It is true. A small group of our men has been captured on the Waterfrost Star. A squad leader led a rescue team, but there has been no word for two days. It is likely they have also met with misfortune."

"This subordinate is incompetent. We still do not know the background or intentions of the perpetrators."

Though the Brigade Leader was seasoned in years, his nervousness was palpable.

This oversight was his fault, and Xiao Zhan was no ordinary figure—he was the direct disciple of their revered Master. If blame were to fall, his position as Brigade Leader would be in jeopardy!

He had been preparing to investigate personally, but now the matter had reached Xiao Zhan’s attention.

This had escalated into a serious affair!

Anxious, the Brigade Leader hurriedly bowed in apology.

"This subordinate is incompetent! I will set out immediately to handle this matter!"

Seeing the gray-haired Brigade Leader’s distress, Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment before speaking in a deep voice.

"Enough."

"If they dare to strike against Dark Shadow Island, they are likely no small threat. Even if you intervene, you may not be able to handle them. And if word of our humiliation reaches our Master..."

Before he could finish, the Brigade Leader paled in fear.

"Then... what should we do?"

Xiao Zhan exhaled slowly, his expression turning grave.

"Waterfrost Star..."

"The enemy lurks in the shadows while we are exposed. They’ve dared to repeatedly target our people—they must have some skill. This is beyond your capabilities now!"

"But no matter what backing they have, anyone who dares to move against Dark Shadow Island will pay the price! For now, I will seek out Sixth Senior Sister Mo Tianji to divine their origins. Once we know their strength, we will settle this properly!"

Sixth Senior Sister...

They were actually going to involve her?

The Brigade Leader’s eyes widened in shock, reverence filling his gaze at the mention of her legendary name.

"Lord Xiao, perhaps it’s just a few reckless bandits. Isn’t this... excessive?"

Xiao Zhan’s expression darkened, his tone sharp with reprimand.

"At this point, it is no mere petty conflict!"

"Every laborer who works for Dark Shadow Island is family. Those who harm our people will not walk away unscathed!"

Hearing this, the Brigade Leader drew a sharp breath.

This had truly spiraled into something massive!

No matter how formidable the enemy, once things reached this stage, they would face dire consequences.

"You may leave now. Oversee the construction site—this matter no longer concerns you," Xiao Zhan ordered.

"Yes! This subordinate will return to supervise the site at once!"

With Xiao Zhan taking charge, the matter was as good as resolved. The Brigade Leader bowed and withdrew respectfully.

Watching the man hurry off, Xiao Zhan strode out of the courtyard and headed toward the Science Tower in the city. Reaching the top floor, he finally found Mo Tianji in the library.

His long-unseen Sixth Senior Sister was deep in calculation, stacks of paper covered in intricate diagrams sprawled before her. The complex symbols held profound truths, each stroke brimming with wisdom—so esoteric that even he could barely grasp their meaning!

Staring at the unfathomable mathematical formations, Xiao Zhan was awestruck.

He dared not disturb her.

Hesitating, he stood silently, impatience flickering across his face.

Yet Mo Tianji lifted her gaze effortlessly, as though the immensely intricate cosmic diagrams before her were mere routine—she could shift focus in an instant.

Seeing her junior brother after so long, she smiled.

"Why so agitated? What brings you here?"

Xiao Zhan bowed solemnly, his tone grave.

"Senior Sister, I come with urgent news."

"Several of our laborers have been taken hostage on Waterfrost Star. A squad leader sent to rescue them has also gone missing. The enemy is formidable, and their strength seems... unusual."

Hearing this, Mo Tianji set down her pencil.

"Such audacity!"

"Who would dare target Dark Shadow Island?"

Xiao Zhan’s expression remained heavy as he explained.

"I do not know. The forces beyond the stars have never crossed us before."

"That is why I came to seek your divination. We must uncover their identity, strength, and motives before acting."

"Senior Sister... can you divine beings beyond our star?"

Mo Tianji’s eyes gleamed with understanding.

She calmly pulled out a blank sheet of paper, a trace of pride in her tone.

"My mathematical prowess has now reached university level. Recently, I’ve even solved several calculus problems. Divining extraterrestrial beings will be no issue!"

Xiao Zhan’s eyes lit up with admiration.

"Senior Sister’s talent is truly peerless!"

But Mo Tianji dismissed the praise, her voice tinged with reverence.

"This is nothing. I am not even one-ten-thousandth as learned as our Master..."

"Once, I thought reaching university level would mean modest achievement. But now, having glimpsed calculus, I realize the ocean of mathematics is boundless. Even if I spent my entire life studying, I could never comprehend a fraction of our Master’s wisdom."

"Junior Brother Xiao, wait a moment. I will divine these criminals now."

As she began writing, arcane characters flowed like celestial script across the page. Xiao Zhan watched in awe, his respect for their Master—who had imparted all these profound truths—deepening further.

After a few moments, Mo Tianji set down her pen.

The symbols on the paper swirled and converged as though alive, following an inscrutable logic. The humble sheet now radiated extraordinary power, as though containing the vastness of the cosmos itself!

Then—

The paper turned translucent, and an image emerged.

A desolate, snow-covered landscape stretched before them, where a flying vessel stood silently. The view zoomed in, revealing over a dozen figures aboard, each exuding formidable auras.

At the center sat a young nobleman.

His presence was unfathomably profound, his face obscured by mist—an aura of mystery and power radiating from him. Xiao Zhan’s brow furrowed.

Before he could speak, Mo Tianji also frowned.

"The others are no threat—mere Heaven Tier Three cultivators. But this young man... even I cannot fully divine him. He is no ordinary foe. Do not underestimate him."

Xiao Zhan’s eyes widened.

"Even you cannot see through him?"

Recalling the missing workers and squad leader, his expression hardened.

"It seems we’re dealing with someone of real consequence!"

"With the city’s construction at a critical stage, we cannot afford delays. Our laborers have worked diligently—we must rescue them. Only by sending our own disciples can we resolve this safely!"

Mo Tianji nodded slightly.

"Agreed."

"For caution’s sake, that would be best."

Hearing her approval, Xiao Zhan’s resolve solidified—yet a hint of conflict remained.

"Logically, I should go myself."

"But with the recent success of the liquid crystal displays, every intersection needs installation. I’m also occupied transporting demon corpses. It’s... difficult to leave at the moment."

Seeing his dilemma, Mo Tianji chuckled.

"What’s the trouble?"

"We have many junior brothers. Just ask one skilled in combat to go in your stead—problem solved. As fellow disciples, such a small favor is nothing!"

"In my opinion, Junior Brother Bai Qiyu would be an excellent choice. He should be able to handle that mysterious young man."

Bai Qiyu might not rank highly, but his combat prowess was truly formidable. Though he usually acted like a lazy slacker, no one knew his true limits. Among so many fellow disciples, he was definitely a force to be reckoned with!

With this senior brother stepping in, things should be reliable.

Xiao Zhan's eyes lit up at the suggestion.

"Senior sister is right! I’ll send a message to Brother Bai right away!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Zhan immediately pulled out a jade slip and sent an urgent transmission!

Not far away, in front of a supermarket.

Bai Qiyu, dressed in sportswear, was leisurely strolling with a bag of discounted workout clothes in hand, his expression as carefree as an old man enjoying retirement.

Suddenly, he received the transmission.

Looking down, Bai Qiyu frowned slightly.

With a puzzled expression, he turned to the auntie at the door.

"Hey..."

"Could you hold onto this for me? I’ll take a quick stroll and come back for it later."

The auntie naturally agreed with a warm smile.

"Don’t you worry about it!"

"Just remember, the supermarket’s closing in two hours. You’d better come back soon—after today, the discount’s gone!"

Two hours, huh...

Seemed a bit tight.

Bai Qiyu scratched his cheek, mulling it over for a moment, then began stretching—a slow, unhurried routine of bends and kicks, performed with earnest dedication.

Once warmed up, he crouched low, arms at his waist.

With a single push of his feet—

Whoosh!!!

His figure shot toward the sky like lightning, splitting the clouds in an instant!

In the blink of an eye!

The streaking silhouette burst through the starry expanse, leaving a blazing trail across the cosmos!