Why would so many levelers have been lost in this unopened world? While being trounced by You Zhengping wearing the handsome uncle’s face, Yuan Luori understood. 

For one thing, it was because there was no possibility of abandoning or failing at a mission to scout out an unopened world; because the System’s control over an unopened world was weak, the levelers could go in but not out, and they had no way of getting information to outside worlds; they lost the option of making a getaway. 

The other reason was the Protector in front of him! 

When he had used a mixture of the bubble machine equipped from the System and his own skills to take down the majority of the Protectors, Yuan Luori had been proud of himself, thinking that this world’s super powered organization was no better than this. 

What Yuan Luori didn’t know was that he was facing young Protectors who had only trained for fifteen years but had never experienced actual combat. In the words of Director Xiao and the other elders, today’s young people were only trainees. Apart from the small number of captains and deputy captains, the others weren’t qualified for actual combat. 

This action to probe and contain Yuan Luori was a test Director Xiao had given Lian Yufan and You Zhengping’s squads. In the future, countless Destroyers might come to this world. Before that happened, it was necessary for the new people to become familiar with the Destroyers’ awesome powers and innumerable battle tactics. 

But when You Zhengping furiously charged out to champion Yu Hua, when he saw Yuan Luori standing on the big bubble and understood a new use for his space ability, the battle was already over. 

The electric current released from the space swept over all the bubbles like a silver snake. Yuan Luori, who was using a bubble as a place to stand in midair, bore the brunt. His whole body went numb from being electrocuted. He was unable to move. 

He only had time to press down on the bubble machine and release more bubbles that would burst on contact to attack You Zhengping. 

You Zhengping opened a space and wrapped the bubbles in it. He concentrated, pushing the space with the bubbles hidden inside towards the electricity-numbed Yuan Luori. When it was close enough, You Zhengping opened the space. The bubbles flew out, surrounding Yuan Luori.

“Ha, how could the weapons I released myself harm me?” Yuan Luori said, forcing himself to bear up. 

You Zhengping sneered. “We Protectors never copy and paste.” 

In their first special ability class, they learned to turn attacks against the attackers, use the Destroyers’ confidence in their own abilities to deceive them. 

Therefore, Lian Yufan had known to hide bits of glass in the bubbles when attacking Yuan Luori, and You Zhengping of course also knew to lead the lightning from the space into the bubbles. 

Hundreds of bubbles glowing silver pelted towards Yuan Luori. Yuan Luori fished out his phone with difficulty. He wanted to use a new item…

A tongue of flame curled around Yuan Luori’s phone. Cen Xiao, stepping on the space ladder You Zhengping had laid out, had also mounted to the sky. The controlled flames snatched away the Destroyer’s System item. 

“I’m sorry, but the second lesson we learn is not to give Destroyers the opportunity to use a new ability when they’ve reached the end of their tether,” Cen Xiao said. 

This was knowledge and experience countless Protecters had exchanged their flesh and blood for over hundreds of years. A Destroyer could get an item to protect his life from a floating screen that the ordinary person couldn’t see with the naked eye. When he seemed to be about to do this, the Protectors had to immediately prevent him from attaining a new item or ability. 

You Zhengping’s generation of Protectors was in fact quite a bit weaker than their elders, but because of the System’s hibernation, Yuan Luori and the other levelers had also become weaker. The floating screen controls had become cell phone controls, and it was much easier to snatch away a phone than a floating screen. 

While he grabbed the phone, the communicator stuck to Cen Xiao’s arm began to vibrate. Each vibration represented a Protector awakening. 

Their constitution was stronger than the average person’s, and they’d been trained countless times in counterattacks. The poison could knock them out for a time, but that couldn’t last more than five minutes. 

As they got up, the Protectors quickly went to help the irregulars they had brought with them, injecting them with a detoxifying serum. 

In an instant, the circumstances had reversed. 

And during these few minutes, Yu Hua had also prepared. 

His identity was inconvenient. He had to be more cautious than You Zhengping. He activated a “mirror image form” ability before daring to get up. 

When Yu Hua had been stimulated by Yuan Luori’s poison into waking 1% of his power, he hadn’t put that power towards strength. He had chosen to awaken some illusion abilities, in order to deal with the Protection Organization’s investigation. 

With “mirror image form,” Yu Hua could create a mirror image to stand in for him. This mirror image could maintain a physical form for a brief time, not exceeding five minutes. 

When he had created the mirror image, Yu Hua didn’t have time to change clothes. He casually snatched an enormous black cloak from Zhen Li and put it over himself, wrapping himself up tightly from the neck down. 

Zhen Li: “…” 

That’s new. I haven’t even worn it yet. 

However he was inwardly muttering, Zhen Li also obediently handed over a silver mask that could block a person’s whole face. When Yu Hua had put on the mask, he added a layer of protection from the mirror image power to ensure that other people wouldn’t see his features. 

During this process, he was hidden behind the “mirror image form,” and there were the bubbles to screen him. No one saw him. 

While Yu Hua had delayed for just a few minutes, up in the air, You Zhengping had already beaten Yuan Luori half dead. 

When Cen Xiao snatched Yuan Luori’s phone away, Yu Hua flew up into the air. 

Since Cen Xiao had taken down the fire curtain concealing the base of the drop tower, as soon as Yu Hua was up in the air, he could see “You Zhengping” lying on the ground, alive or dead. 

Intellect told Yu Hua that Xiao You had been rescued by two Protectors and should already have received emergency care. He wouldn’t be too seriously injured. But when he saw the “injured” You Zhengping, anger and pain surged into his heart. The explosion of feeling made Yu Hua stop holding himself back. 2% of his power burst out entirely! 

At this moment, You Zhengping and Cen Xiao simultaneously sensed an enormous power. It felt like the air around them instantly congealed. Under the pressure of this power, the two of them actually felt that it was hard to breathe. 

Another hidden Destroyer? And so strong? You Zhengping and Cen Xiao thought at the same time. 

They were old friends and could work together in tacit understanding. In an instant, without needing to exchange a glance or a word, they got into formation under the oppression of that power. The two of them stood back to back, looking around warily. 

Cen Xiao spread a circle of fire around the two of them, guarding against enemies coming from above or underfoot. 

They looked all around and noticed a silver light jumping into the air from the drop tower. A black-cloaked man stood between them and Yuan Luori. He wore a shining silver mask over his face. His features were indistinguishable. 

This man was extremely fast, his movements entirely noiseless. When he had jumped, the air around him hadn’t even moved. If not for the explosive power just now, the two of them wouldn’t have noticed him at all. 

Lian Yufan, who was pretending to be You Zhengping, clenched his teeth. He also felt that presence. If You and Cen couldn’t deal with it, he was prepared to move, even at the risk of exposing You Zhengping’s identity. 

Cen Xiao had formed the fire into a spear. He was just timing his attack when, against expectations, the black-cloaked man ignored the two Protectors and flew to Yuan Luori, kicking him fiercely, bringing the already injured Yuan Luori to his last gasp. 

You Zhengping, Cen Xiao, and Lian Yufan: “…” 

What was going on? 

The black-cloaked man lowered his voice and used his power to project it. The whole amusement park could hear his deep, resounding voice: “Yuan Luori, I’m the one you’re looking for.” 

The Protectors in the process of giving aid and the irregulars who had already woken up raised their heads simultaneously and saw the black-cloaked man wrapped up tightly from head to toe. 

“You’re the hidden big boss, I…” Yuan Luori used all his strength to get up. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, picked up the crossbow he had been lying on, and shot at the black-cloaked man. 

Cen Xiao’s pupils contracted. When he had snatched Yuan Luori’s phone, he had relaxed for a moment; it hadn’t occurred to him that Yuan Luori would also have a hidden weapon! 

If the black-cloaked man hadn’t suddenly appeared and raised his guard, when Yuan Luori shot that arrow, Cen Xiao would have been seriously injured if not dead. 

Yuan Luori was an assassin. An arrow shot by him was extremely powerful. The arrow flew as quickly as the speed of sound, ripping through the air, puncturing countless bubbles as it went. The water droplets attacked the black-cloaked man at the same time as the arrow. 

But the black-cloaked man only extended two fingers from within his cloak, pinched lightly, and succeeding in grabbing the arrow Yuan Luori had poured all his strength into. 

The instant the arrow touched the black-cloaked man’s fingertips, it turned into powder. The black-cloaked man had used some power to pulverize the metal. 

“If I kill you, I can clear. Then I’ll be free.” Yuan Luori climbed with difficulty on the big bubble, not letting go of a sliver of opportunity. 

The parrot, the bee, and the rat assembled at the drop tower. Yuan Luori had to think of a way to get back his phone! 

Hearing the parrot’s cry, the black-cloaked man laughed coldly and said, “A detection-type starting item?” 

A breeze gently blew his black cloak, followed by a snap of the fingers. Yuan Luori’s vision suddenly went black. All three of his lines of sight had disappeared! 

Yuan Luori quickly removed his blindfold and saw that his vision was a blur. He could only see the outlines and color of the black-cloaked man. He couldn’t see any of the things around him clearly. 

“This type of item does in fact have potential. If you can capture a powerful enough creature, never mind land, sea, and air, you can even clearly observe the cosmos,” the black-cloaked man said. “But if a leveler is always using an item linked to his vision, his own vision will gradually worsen. As soon as you’re stripped of your ability, it becomes difficult for you to see things clearly right in front of you.” 

Yuan Luori couldn’t see it, but You and Cen could see clearly that when he had snapped his fingers, a marble-sized energy ball had gathered on the black-cloaked man’s left shoulder; he had turned the Destroyer’s ability into a single body of energy! 

After stripping away the “vision link,” the black-cloaked man went on: “What other abilities do you have? Poison skills? Concealing your breathing? Agility? Explosive force? Stamina? Are the dagger and the sniper rifle in your backpack for trying to assassinate me with?” 

With each ability he spoke, Yuan Luori felt that there was something being pulled out of him. At the same time, the energy ball on the black-cloaked man’s left shoulder grew larger and larger. 

Finally, all Yuan Luori had left were his System points, his disguise skills, and the bubble machine. 

The black-cloaked man went over to Cen Xiao in his man-in-the-street mask. “Give me the phone.” 

Cen Xiao stared at him, gathering up his courage to say, “I-I can’t.”

“If you won’t, that’s all right.” The black-cloaked man’s attitude was nicer towards the Protectors. 

The energy ball on his shoulder floated up lightly, floating over to Cen Xiao. Cen Xiao stared as a clear current was sucked out of the phone by the energy ball. When the energy ball was the size of a tennis ball, Cen Xiao felt that the phone no longer had the ability to withstand attack. If he squeezed it gently, it would break. 

Yuan Luori’s perceptions were linked to the System app. The instant the System’s power was removed, he fell weakly to his knees on the big bubble, like a rooster that had had all its feathers plucked. He no longer had the ability to resist. 

The black-cloaked man held out his hand. The tennis ball-sized energy ball floated into his palm. The black-cloaked man said towards the energy ball, “Listen to me, Clearing League. I am the person you’re looking for.” 

Yuan Luori stared. There was no way to transmit messages from an unopened world, but this black-cloaked man could use the power of his System to speak to the Clearing League. Who was he? He could do things even the System couldn’t do!

The black-cloaked man said, “You’re being pressured by the System and will persevere in attempting to accomplish your mission. I can understand that. For levelers, killing and being killed are things you have only yourself to blame for. But when you come to this world, you must comply with this world’s laws! If you act within the rules, I’m willing to have dealings with you, and I can leave you a means of survival. 

“But anyone who harms public safety—will be killed! Anyone who tramples on the country’s laws—will be killed! Anyone who murders ordinary people—will be killed without pardon!” 

Each “killed” seemed to be a sharp knife stabbing into Yuan Luori’s heart. His body was powerless. He felt that he was already dead. 

After expressing his ideas, the black-cloaked man turned off the communication channel. From his palm, the energy ball sank into his body. He seemed to have entirely absorbed that energy. 

The instant the energy ball disappeared, the bubble machine, the only item left in Yuan Luori’s hands, also disappeared, and the bubbles covering the amusement park also broke and dispersed. 

Like a real soap bubble, the big bubble floating in the air and supporting Yuan Luori became insubstantial. Yuan Luori fell from over a hundred meters up in the air. He peacefully closed his eyes. 

He’d lost. He had been utterly defeated by the mission’s target. He hadn’t even been able to touch the hem of his cloak. 

Strung up and beaten by the Protectors and the black-cloaked man in turn, Yuan Luori had lost all his will to fight. With his eyes closed, he waited to die when he hit the ground after falling from a height. 

You Zhengping opened a space and trapped Yuan Luori inside it, saving his life. From Yuan Luori’s conversation with the black-cloaked man, he had guessed that in the future there would be Destroyers coming to this world one after another, and Yuan Luori seemed to know them. The Protection Organization needed Yuan Luori to supply information about the other Destroyers. 

“I’ll leave that thing to you,” the black-cloaked man said. 

“Are you a friend or an enemy?” You Zhengping’s eyes were full of animosity. 

“I have no intention of being your enemy.” The black-cloaked man gazed downward and, seeming careless, asked, “Are there casualties?” 

I don’t know whether my husband is dead or alive! You Zhengping clenched his fist and forced himself to say, “The person we rescued wasn’t seriously injured. The arrow only scraped some skin. We performed emergency care. I don’t know about the one Zhen Li took away. You people snatched him away, so we couldn’t come to the rescue in time.” 

“He’s still alive. I’ve treated his injury. He’s only unconscious now,” the black-cloaked man said. 

When the black-cloaked man and You Zhengping learned that the people lying below were all right, they relaxed simultaneously. 

Because of Yuan Luori’s conceit, this fight had become a mess, forcing both of them to step in. It was a good thing they had been able to find substitutes. 

The dust had settled, and the black-cloaked man prepared to leave. But You Zhengping boldly blocked his way and said, “Don’t even think of leaving. You’re the Destroyers’ target, so you have to work with us.” 

“Don’t think too highly of yourselves.” Yu Hua looked coldly at You Zhengping, thinking that the issue of the phone hadn’t been settled yet. He would only show a little mercy. 

He lifted his hand slightly, wanting to teach a lesson to this Protector who had snuck into his home, taken pictures of his diary, and stolen his phone. 

Yu Hua looked him up and down. At the moment his gaze swept over the handsome uncle’s pants, it paused slightly. 

These were a pair of light gray pants, about the same style that You Zhengping had put on this morning. By coincidence, there was also a black stain on one pant leg. 

You Zhengping sometimes washed his clothes in secret. He wouldn’t get them fully clean, and Yu Hua would have to wash them a second time. For the sake of convenience, Yu Hua had bought three washing machines and put one in each bathroom. One washing machine was for washing coats and jackets, one for inner clothes, one for shoes. 

One day, You Zhengping had been suddenly been inspired to wash his own clothes. He’d shoved shirts and pants of all different colors into the same washing machine, and this pair of light gray pants had been stained by a pair of black-washed jeans. 

When Yu Hua had come home, he’d washed them by hand for a long time but couldn’t get them completely clean; no matter what, the inconspicuously placed stain wouldn’t come off. Yu Hua had felt frustrated. These pants had been expensive, and they had only been worn once before being stained like this. 

You Zhengping had casually said that it didn’t matter. Anyway, it wasn’t in an obvious location. He’d wear them as they were. He’d hugged Yu Hua in consolation, saying that he would wear these pants until they fell apart, finally succeeding in cheering up the gloomy Yu Hua. 

When Yu Hua saw the color on those pants, he looked down at the “You Zhengping” lying on the ground. His vision was very acute. Even from such a long distance, Yu Hua could clearly see that those pants didn’t have a black stain. 

This handsome uncle Protector had just taken a picture for him and You Zhengping. 

That face…

The black-cloaked man quietly looked at the handsome uncle, reaching out a hand towards the nanotech mask he was wearing. 

The man-in-the-street Cen Xiao got in front of You Zhengping, facing this powerful Destroyer alongside his brother. 

The rest of the Protectors had gradually gathered here. As there were more and more people, then no matter how powerful the black-cloaked man was, Cen Xiao would still be able to hold him. No doubt a teammate had requested reinforcements from the base. When Protectors with Director’s Xiao’s abundant level of experience came over, they’d definitely be able to take the black-cloaked man alive!

Seeing the other Protector defending the handsome uncle, Yu Hua faintly felt that these two’s interactions looked very familiar. 

Delay would cause trouble. The energy ball he had just absorbed was beginning to reseal Yu Hua’s power, and more and more people were approaching. The “mirror image form” below wouldn’t hold out for much longer. 

Yu Hua waved a hand, and a beam of light entered Cen Xiao and You Zhengping’s eyes. Their vision flashed. They couldn’t see what was in front of them. 

When their vision recovered, the black-cloaked man had vanished. 

The arriving Protectors also hadn’t seen which way the black-cloaked man had gone. They said there had been an eye-piercing flash of light. They hadn’t seen what had happened during those few seconds. 

After the fierce battle, You Zhengping was somewhat worn out. He controlled his spaces to let himself and Cen Xiao down. When he had touched down, without taking the time to switch back with Lian Yufan, he first charged towards Yu Hua. He inspected his chest and saw that there was indeed no wound. His pulse was strong and his breathing regular. He seemed to be sleeping. 

You Zhengping at last breathed a sigh of relief. 

---

Author's Note

Yu Hua: You underestimate a wife’s understanding of a husband’s clothes!