Chapter 859: The Missing “Mask”

“Generally, the forbidden objects we commonly encounter do not possess their own consciousness. The power they can exert depends, on one hand, on their own forbidden ruin sequence level, and on the other hand, on the strength of the user’s mental power…”

“Instructor, you said that the forbidden objects we see usually do not have their own consciousness. Is there really a forbidden object in this world that possesses self-awareness?”

A new recruit in the audience asked, puzzled.

Baili Pangpang smiled slightly, “Of course there is. In the ‘Human Circle’ of Japan, shrouded in mist, there exists a special forbidden object called the ‘Kuzutsuk刀’ (Kuzutsuk Blade), which has an independent self-awareness and can choose its own master. Even if the blade’s owner has an extremely weak mental power, it can still unleash tremendous strength…”

As Baili Pangpang explained, the new recruits were completely engrossed. Most of the knowledge he shared came from his own experiences and firsthand encounters, things that textbooks could not provide. For the new recruits, this was true treasure.

Not only the new recruits, but gradually, more instructors gathered around to listen.

Just as Baili Pangpang was getting into the swing of things, his peripheral vision caught something in the distance, and his gaze sharpened slightly.

He stood on the platform, his voice abruptly stopping.

It was only then that the new recruits snapped back to reality, confusedly asking, “Instructor Baili, why did you stop? It’s not time for class to end yet!”

Baili Pangpang did not respond. He calmly raised a hand to the sky, and a multitude of forbidden objects simultaneously flew into his pocket, while the Tai Chi Bagua diagram beneath his feet also retracted.

He patted his deep red cloak and smiled gently at the new recruits below.

“Sorry, but today, my class ends here…

Next, we have important matters to attend to.”

He stepped down from the platform and walked slowly in a certain direction.

The new recruits turned to look.

Unbeknownst to them, six figures had already stood side by side on the distant grass, holding black boxes and wearing masks, their deep red cloaks swaying gently in the breeze.

Baili Pangpang lowered his head and pulled out a mask from his own pocket, putting it on. Draped in his cloak, he walked over to the six individuals.

Lin Qiye glanced at the new recruits below, then turned back, extending a hand to point into the void. Endless clouds surged from beneath his feet, forming a massive flowing cloud, and the seven figures stood atop the cloud, rapidly disappearing into the blue sky.

The new recruits stared blankly at this scene, their eyes filled with confusion.

“Those are the instructors from the [Nightfall] team…”

“Where are they going?”

“I don’t know.”

“They must have a special mission, right?”

“But… they look so cool like this…”

Watching the seven figures vanish into the horizon, envy flickered in the eyes of the new recruits.

“A special team, huh…” Li Zhenzhen sat on the ground, gazing up at the boundless sky, murmuring, “That… seems pretty good?”

“Don’t you want to go back to Team 006?” Fang Mo, sitting beside her, asked, her ears twitching.

“I don’t know,” Li Zhenzhen shook her head. “I just envy them for having companions they can rely on and trust…”

“Tch.”

Behind them, Lu Baoyou spoke lightly, “Only the weak need companions; the strong… are enough alone.”

“?” Fang Mo turned to look at him, her gaze turning icy. “Who are you calling weak? Are you tired of living?”

“Does it concern you?”

“Why shouldn’t it?”

“Looking for death?!”

“Not convinced?!”

“…”

…

On the Nimbus Cloud.

“How was it? Wasn’t I particularly cool just now?!” Baili Pangpang sat on the cloud, excitedly saying, “That line, ‘Sorry, but today, my class ends here…’ was something I thought of back when I was in training camp. I never expected to finally use it!”

Cao Yuan silently rolled his eyes.

“Qiye, what do you think is going on with this sudden urgent mission?” Shen Qingzhu turned to Lin Qiye.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions turned serious.

“I’m not sure of the specifics, but Commander Zuo wants us to go to headquarters immediately,” Lin Qiye paused, “However… it seems to be related to the [Mask] team.”

“[Mask] team?” Jia Lan asked, puzzled. “Weren’t they on vacation?”

Lin Qiye nodded, his gaze landing on Jia Lan. After a brief moment of eye contact, both of them hurriedly averted their eyes, slightly flustered…

Recalling the events of last night, Jia Lan’s cheeks flushed with a faint blush.

“But it seems something unexpected has happened…” Lin Qiye coughed twice, “In any case, at this time, only our team can step in to resolve it.”

“Understood.” Baili Pangpang nodded thoughtfully, “But… since it’s the [Mask] team, it shouldn’t be anything major, right? They are quite strong.”

“…Let’s hope so.”

The training camp was located on the outskirts of the capital city, and with the speed of the Nimbus Cloud, it took only a moment for everyone to arrive at the headquarters of the Night Watchers.

Knock, knock, knock—!

Lin Qiye knocked on the door of the commander’s office and then pushed the door open.

As soon as they entered, they were hit by a strong smell of blood. Lin Qiye’s gaze swept to a wall still stained with blood, and his brow furrowed slightly.

“You’re here…”

Zuo Qing, sitting behind the desk, slowly opened his eyes.

“Commander Zuo, what happened?” Lin Qiye asked, puzzled.

“There’s a traitor within the Night Watchers.”

“A traitor?”

Hearing these words, the members of the [Nightfall] team were somewhat surprised.

Of course, Lin Qiye and An Qingyu were exceptions; they had already suspected this possibility earlier and were somewhat mentally prepared. However, what surprised them was that, judging by the current situation, these traitors had caused quite a commotion?

“So the raid on the training camp is also related to them?” Lin Qiye asked.

“Yes, fortunately, you intervened, so the new recruits are safe.” Zuo Qing paused before continuing, “What I’m worried about now… is the [Mask] team.”

“What happened to the [Mask] team?”

“On the day you received your commendation, the [Mask] team happened to start their vacation. However, just as they boarded the plane to Hainan, they received a phone call.” Zuo Qing took out a document and handed it to Lin Qiye and the others.

“This call was made by the traitor using my phone, and they likely altered their voice using some ability. They spoke to the [Mask] team in my identity, and after the plane landed in Hainan, the [Mask] team went straight to Ningchang County, where they completely lost contact…”