The Eldritch Files

But just then, a loud laugh suddenly rang out. ”Qinggang sure is lucky...”

”I just got here to set up my lab, and I run right into this mess. How could I not lend you a hand?”

...

Zhang Chiguo was already under immense pressure. Hearing this sudden laughter, a flicker of anticipation sparked within him.

He whipped his head around and saw a young man in an exquisite suit, his hair slicked back perfectly.

’A kid from the Rong Family?’

Zhang Chiguo had seen him during the Mother Divine Tree incident but had never witnessed him in action.

He didn’t dare underestimate him now. For one, the Rong Family of Seawall City had a formidable reputation. For another, this young man had the kind of arrogant gaze that looked at everyone as if they were trash.

People with that kind of look were usually far from weak.

”You there, uncle. You look like you’re having a tough time...”

The young man strode leisurely into the middle of the scene. He gave Zhang Chiguo a reserved nod and said coolly, ”Step aside for a moment.”

”I wouldn’t want to hurt you by accident when I make my move!”

Zhang Chiguo was taken aback for a second, but he nodded obediently.

Rong Qiyue loved this feeling!

Making a grand entrance at the critical moment to turn the tide—it perfectly suited his status and self-image.

With a light chuckle, he faced the Crystal Priestess, took out an exquisite little silver knife, and sliced it across his palm.

He slowly raised his hand, then pressed it forward through the air. ”Phoenix!”

...

The blood dripped to the ground and spread forward like a rapidly advancing flame.

The surrounding air instantly grew scorching hot as the temperature skyrocketed. The heat warped the air into a distorted mirage that vaguely formed the shape of a bird with outstretched wings. It soared rapidly through the void, burning a path forward.

It was none other than the family Totem of Seawall City’s Rong Family!

A power that had been completely deciphered and then passed down within the family. To some extent, it was equivalent to a bloodline power.

’Let these amateurs from the Disaster Management Bureau see what a true legacy of Mysterious Power looks like...’

As Rong Qiyue made his move, that thought even flashed through his mind. But in the corner of his eye, he saw Zhang Chiguo, who had just taken a step back, his expression suddenly changing drastically. He rushed forward, yelling urgently:

”Fall back!”

”Huh?”

Rong Qiyue was startled. ’Why would I fall back?’ he thought.

Before the thought had even fully formed, he sensed something was wrong. The blood he was controlling surged forward, but before it could harm the enemy, it was suddenly drawn in by some unknown force. It broke free of his control, twisted in mid-air, and came burning right back at him.

The change was so abrupt that even Zhang Chiguo, who wanted to help, was a little too late.

Rong Qiyue broke out in a cold sweat. Without a second thought, he screamed at the sky, ”Grandpa, save me!”

Through some secret connection that transcended space, his desperation triggered a resonance in his bloodline.

In the direction of Seawall City, a certain old man rummaging through documents in a lab felt a sudden jolt. ’What the hell has that damn mutt gotten himself into now?’

Without thinking, he immediately recited a family Spell.

Back in Qinggang, the blood Rong Qiyue had released instantly heated up, its power multiplying several times over. Even the windows of nearby cars showed faint signs of melting. The illusory bird in the air became more solid and immense as it lunged forward once again.

But the Crystal Priestess’s expression merely darkened. It suddenly opened its mouth, and in that instant, a crystalline light erupted from its mouth, nose, eyes, and ears, rushing to meet the lunging bird.

Within that crystalline light, slender tendrils faintly emerged. They plunged into the ”Phoenix’s” body one by one, forcefully usurping its will and power, and turned it back on Rong Qiyue once more.

Not only that, but this twisted will even shot straight toward the lab in Seawall City, following the connection between their Mysterious Powers.

’Hah, what kind of worthless mutt needs me to personally recite a Spell to help?’

Having finished the Spell, Elder Rong, certain the problem was solved, calmly went back to his documents.

’Qinggang is just some backwater place, after all!’

He didn’t know what his grandson had provoked, but as long as he lent a hand, what problem couldn’t be solved?

But as the thought crossed his mind, he suddenly sensed something was wrong and snapped his head up.

Realizing the problem, he didn’t hesitate to shout, ”Dad, save me...!”

BOOM!

The genetic link between four generations of the family was activated. Even Rong Qiyue’s own father, who had no idea what was happening, felt his blood inexplicably boil as his power was forcibly amplified. He unintentionally crushed the coffee cup in his hand.

Meanwhile, on Rong Qiyue’s end, his own once-again-amplified Mysterious Power combined with Zhang Chiguo’s desperate attack. With several layers of power united, they finally managed to heavily wound the Crystal Priestess. The crystalline light on its body dimmed, and it stumbled back several steps.

”So this is the power of Seawall City’s Rong Family?”

Zhang Chiguo’s pupils contracted as he watched the bizarre, overwhelming flames, a look of deep admiration on his face.

Rong Qiyue, however, was stunned. He secretly wiped away a bead of cold sweat but still puffed out his chest, his expression solemn.

...

Over where Zhao Fantian was, the surrounding air began to crystallize.

Illusory mirrors appeared on the ground, on the adjacent skyscrapers, and in the middle of the intersecting roads, both bizarre and exquisite.

From the centermost mirror, Wei Lan emerged, dressed in a gown and wearing a crown on her head.

From the other mirrors, an array of slender figures also appeared. Some were mature and elegant, others gentle and charming. They were diverse and overwhelmingly beautiful, and they all flanked Wei Lan’s side.