The figures varied in height and age; there were both men and women, all distinctly different.
However, the one thing they had in common was that they were all dressed in black robes, their bodies exuding a fierce aura.
Clearly, these individuals were not familiar with each other, despite being gathered in the same place. They formed groups, the largest consisting of more than twenty people while the smallest had only two.
Yet, they clearly knew who the others were. Even though they were close in proximity, they only cautiously sized each other up and then patiently waited.
Soon after, a figure clad in a red robe swept in from afar, arriving in just a moment.
He carried a powerful presence, as if a heavy stone had landed, causing the ground beneath everyone's feet to tremble thrice.
As he stood before everyone, he raised his hand, and suddenly, a flaming "8" appeared before him.
Upon seeing this, everyone paused, then bowed neatly, "My lord."
The man in the red robe grunted and after scanning the crowd, asked, "Where are the people from Emerald City?"
From a group of about a dozen on the left, a burly figure in a black robe stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "My lord. Here."
The red robe looked towards him.
The man introduced, "My lord, I am Ferocious Beast."
At this, he gestured toward a slender figure beside him that looked distinctly female and added, "This is Stone Maiden."
The red robe grunted again and asked, "Have you obtained the intelligence and information I tasked you with collecting?"
Ferocious Beast nodded, "We have."
"The Special Case Team comprises 13 Commissioners, among them one Fuser. Our primary target for this operation: Bai Zhi."
"According to the intelligence, she's a tier-three Fuser with one Primary Awakening Ability and three Secondary Awakening Abilities."
"The Primary Awakening Ability is named 'Wrathful Kuan Yin,' a transformation ability with mass assault capabilities."
"Secondary Abilities are unknown."
"One high-tier Awakener, codenamed Bai Ling, the young girl from the Bai Family of Emerald City. Her Awakening Ability is likely the Bai Family's Bloodline Ability: Black Panther."
"She can seek advantages and avoid harms. Possesses strong crisis sensing abilities, enhancing agility and action speed. However, her combat power is average."
"As for the other 11 commissioners, they are all rookies brought by Bai Zhi as part of a bet, all initial-stage Awakeners. Their Awakening Abilities are varied, but since they almost lack any Martial Arts Cultivation, their combat capabilities are negligible."
"As for the reinforcements from the Security Bureau, we have also tracked and investigated them today."
"Although they are Fusibles, all are function-type."
"Their combat strength is weak."
After hearing Ferocious Beast's report, the man in the red robe nodded slightly, then sweeping his gaze around, he said in a deep voice, "Although the opponent's surface strength is insufficient, we must not be complacent."
"Bai Zhi is regarded as the strongest of the young generation in both Emerald City and the entirety of Xida State; her strength is indeed formidable."
"Therefore, we need to proceed cautiously and not underestimate the enemy."
"Now, each team, follow my commands for blockades and deployment."
"When reinforcements from other cities arrive, we will launch a total assault..."
Upon hearing the orders from the man in the red robe, the several dozen in black robes bowed in unison and responded, "Yes!"
Meanwhile, in the Late-Night Investigation Room.
Fang Ze was unaware that the situation outside was taking a drastic turn.
He sat across from Miaomiao in the "room," casually reading a book.
The book was a product of his mind, filled with content he had read in a previous life.
Revisiting it felt quite different.
After an unknown amount of time,
suddenly, Fang Ze felt a tingling sensation in his body, compelling him to look up, only to see darkness seeping through the door crack, as if spreading towards him.
He waved his hand to block this darkness, then fixed his eyes on Miaomiao's room.
Gazing through the walls, Fang Ze saw Miaomiao with her arms crossed before her chest, eyes closed, and her long black hair, which had been spread out, floating mid-air, not wearing a stitch.
A dense darkness slowly streamed out from her body like thick black smoke or ink, gradually filling the entire room, and then spreading out the door.
Fang Ze once more beckoned, sealing the space, preventing the darkness from escaping, and waited for changes quietly.
Although he was unsure of what Miaomiao's Ability truly entailed, seeing all this took place, Fang Ze realized his guess was correct: the appropriate Awakening method for Miaomiao really was the Bloodline Awakening Method.
If that was the case, this girl's background was definitely not ordinary, likely belonging to an Awakened Clan with a hereditary bloodline.
Just as Fang Ze was contemplating this, suddenly, the darkness in the room sharply withdrew, all flowing back into Miaomiao's body.
Miaomiao then fell from the air like a broken doll, landing heavily on the carpet.
Possibly because the fall had hurt her, she furrowed her beautiful brows, then slowly sat up, supporting herself.
Perhaps sensing a new strength within her,
she raised her hands, looked down, and her large eyes, filled with surprise, observed her own hands.
However, before she could fully experience this new power, the hoarse voice of "Lord Devil" rang in her ear, "Put on your clothes and come out to see me."
Only then did Miaomiao belatedly realize she was bare, her cheeks reddened, and she quickly picked up her clothes and hurriedly put them on.