Chapter 23: Fought Over by Two Top Sentinels (1)
In an instant, two equally formidable, top-tier Spiritual Force Fields collided violently.
The air seemed to be sucked dry. The surge of invisible energy made the surrounding bushes rustle and tremble, even causing fine ice crystals and scattering black ash to materialize out of thin air.
Yun Sheng, caught between their two auras, felt like a small boat in the eye of a storm, in danger of being torn to shreds at any moment.
Si Jin looked at Bai Ye, a mocking and provocative smirk suddenly curving his lips as he pulled Yun Sheng even tighter into his embrace.
With an air of absolute possession, he declared to Bai Ye, "Get lost. Stay out of my way."
Bai Ye’s eyes instantly turned glacial. "Si Jin, yesterday at the First Research Institute, you caused an energy riot, damaged critical facilities, disrupted public order, and attacked innocent people. You’ve been placed on the Tower’s most-wanted list. Now, release her immediately and come back with me to face judgment."
"Judgment?" Si Jin scoffed.
"Bai Ye, spare me your high-and-mighty speeches. Do you really think your position is so secure?
Look at yourself! Your spiritual landscape, those cracks... They’re close to the breaking point, aren’t they? How much longer can you hold on? A year? Six months?
When you can’t take it anymore, when you completely lose control and become a Dark Sentinel just like me, what do you think the Tower will do to you?
They’ll do the same thing they did to me—squeeze out every last drop of your value and then get rid of you without a second thought, treating you as an unstable element, a potential disaster!
That’s the Tower for you! That’s how they treat their tools!"
Bai Ye pressed his lips together firmly, his jawline tightening, but the determination in his eyes never wavered.
"If that day ever comes, I will end my own life before I completely lose my mind and become a threat. I won’t give anyone the chance to ’deal’ with me."
His tone shifted, becoming chillingly murderous.
"But right now, Si Jin, you must take responsibility for what you’ve done. Let her go and return to the Tower with me!"
"Just you? Hah!"
The violent aura around Si Jin suddenly surged. Tendrils of dark black flame that seemed to devour all light silently materialized and ignited around him.
They radiated a soul-shuddering chill. The flames flickered, locking onto Bai Ye, ready to drag him into a burning abyss at any moment!
Bai Ye’s gaze hardened, and he deployed his defense without hesitation.
A semi-transparent Absolute Barrier, shimmering with a pure, silvery-white light, instantly expanded out from him.
One on offense, one on defense, the two extreme powers created a terrifying standoff in the confined space.
Caught in the middle, Yun Sheng was in agony. Her blood felt like it was about to freeze solid, and she wished she could teleport a million miles away.
"ROAR!"
"AWOOO!"
Almost simultaneously, two soul-shaking roars erupted.
The silvery-white Holy Light White Tiger and the pitch-black Abyssal Giant Wolf materialized behind Bai Ye and Si Jin, respectively.
The moment they appeared, they locked eyes, letting out low, threatening growls.
The two top-tier spiritual bodies slowly lowered their stances, muscles bulging, looking ready to lunge at each other and begin a world-shaking battle.
Just as things reached a breaking point,
Yun Sheng, who was held tightly in Si Jin’s arms, felt a mix of anxiety, anger, and fear. She subconsciously glared at the "big cat" and "big dog" that were about to tear each other apart.
Then, something happened that neither Bai Ye nor Si Jin could have ever expected.
The Holy Light White Tiger and the Abyssal Giant Wolf, which had been bristling with aggression, both froze the instant they met Yun Sheng’s gaze.
Then, under their masters’ disbelieving stares, the two majestic, top-tier spiritual bodies began to shrink at a speed visible to the naked eye.
In the blink of an eye, they transformed into two fluffy, adorable creatures about the size of large pet dogs.
The miniature White Tiger and the miniature giant wolf completely ignored the life-or-death atmosphere between their masters and trotted gleefully over to Yun Sheng’s feet.
The White Tiger rubbed its big, fluffy head against her leg, letting out a soft, coaxing purr.
The little wolf, meanwhile, eagerly nudged her dangling hand with its nose, its tail giving a slight wag.
Their antics, vying for affection and acting cute, created a ridiculously absurd contrast with the tense, on-the-brink-of-battle atmosphere!
Bai Ye: "..."
Si Jin: "..."
The two SSS-level Sentinels, who just moments ago had been radiating an astonishing, world-destroying aura, were now staring at their own shameless spiritual bodies fawning over Yun Sheng. Their faces simultaneously went blank, an indescribable... crumbling sensation washing over them.
’What the fuck... is going on?!’
’The two of them are in a life-or-death standoff, but their spiritual bodies are over there acting cute and begging the same person for pets?’
’If word of this got out, what would be left of the dignity of the Star Alliance War God and the Dark Sentinel?!’
Yun Sheng looked up at their expressions. They looked as if their entire worldview had been shattered, leaving them unsure how to react. The fear and tension in her heart were strangely diluted by the immense contrast, and she even felt a little like laughing.
But she didn’t dare to laugh.
She looked down, first patting the White Tiger’s fluffy head, then tentatively scratching the little wolf’s chin.
After doing so, she felt the arm wrapped around her loosen just a little more.
Across from them, the look Bai Ye gave her grew even deeper and more inscrutable.
"Yun Sheng, what were you doing here before I arrived? Why did I sense the spiritual power of the Holy Light White Tiger in this area?"
’Here it comes!’
Yun Sheng’s heart clenched.
’He really did notice!’
’Was it because I subconsciously used some of that power I "borrowed" from the dream when I was helping Si Jin stabilize his spiritual landscape?’
"The White Tiger’s spiritual power? General Bai, I don’t understand what you mean. I was just passing by and didn’t expect to run into M... Mr. Si. I was terrified, and before I could do anything, you arrived."
Yun Sheng blinked, her face a mask of innocence.
’But inwardly, she broke out in a cold sweat, filled with lingering fear.’
’I absolutely cannot use my spiritual power so carelessly again, especially the part related to Bai Ye. I have to stay a million miles away from him!’
’This man’s perception is terrifyingly sharp.’
Bai Ye stared at her intently, not missing the subtle flash of panic in her eyes or the composure she quickly forced upon herself.
Just then, an extremely complex glint flashed in the eyes of Si Jin, who had been silently holding Yun Sheng captive.
’He had actually vaguely sensed what Bai Ye was talking about when his own consciousness was in turmoil.’
’It was just that at the time, he had been drawn in by another, more fatal and alluring aura, and had no time to investigate it further.’
’Now that Bai Ye had pointed it out, he was suddenly struck by the realization.’
’This woman in his arms could not only pacify his raging spiritual landscape, but she could also... wield Bai Ye’s power?’
’Who in the world is she? How did she do it?’
Suspicion bloomed in Si Jin’s mind. His gaze sharpened, and he tightened his arm around her.
"Bai Ye," he said, his voice hoarse and dangerous. "She’s my prey. I’m taking her with me now. Get lost if you know what’s good for you."