CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 26 SUN RUIXING AND LI QUAN’AN_1

When the mutant vines burst forth from the mountain, Sun Ruixing was directly beneath the point of eruption.

Large stones rained down. With the enhanced physique of a professionist, Sun Ruixing could even perceive the frantic desperation on the faces of the ordinary people around him.

A resolute expression flashed in Sun Ruixing’s eyes.

Isn’t it said that with great power comes great responsibility? Isn’t it the duty of the strong to protect the weak? This is what a professionist should do. This is... the right thing to do.

Reaching back, he drew the small round shield slung across his back and activated his skills.

Sun Ruixing: Profession, Shield Warrior.

Defense Stance (B-Class Skill, Passive): Holding a shield greatly enhances defensive awareness.

There was no exact data. In fact, most skills lacked specific data, as individual abilities significantly impacted their effectiveness. And Sun Ruixing’s individual ability was very strong.

Sun Ruixing waved his small wooden shield furiously, smashing or knocking away the incoming rocks. Under his skillful handling, the rather flimsy wooden shield didn’t even sustain major damage.

The crowd behind Sun Ruixing was taken aback by the spectacle of this ordinarily mild-mannered man’s awe-inspiring display of power.

"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and run!" Sun Ruixing’s shout roused the dazed crowd, stirring them into motion once again.

Desperate to save their own lives, the elderly, teenagers, and middle-aged women screamed as they rushed forward. The crowd was so dense that stampedes occurred, and many were trampled.

There was no compassion, no sympathy. In their hearts, their own lives had always been worth far more than others’.

A flash of disappointment crossed Sun Ruixing’s eyes. Seeing that fewer rocks were falling and that most of the people behind him had escaped the area, Sun Ruixing decisively dashed forward.

Fortunately, the mutant vines that emerged from the mountainside ignored the common people, probably due to the low nutrient content in their bodies. Instead, they pounced on the Professionists team following behind.

However, the people behind them were the elite forces of Hualin Town.

"Pair up! Maintain formation! Speed up!" Li Quan’an, positioned in the center and holding Bai Feifei’s hand, shouted his commands.

The Professionists Battalion incessantly chopped at the surrounding mutant vines. Whenever someone became entangled, their teammates would immediately rescue them.

The main objective of this wave of mutant vines was to deplete the numbers of ordinary people. But thanks to Sun Ruixing’s intervention, this strategy was largely ineffective.

The relatively small number of mutant vines had little effect on Li Quan’an and the others. In this situation, where they were surrounded by enemies, the power of teamwork began to shine.

When the main body of the Professionists Battalion finally emerged from the mountainous area, they were met with a shocking scene.

The mutant vines had enveloped the ordinary people at the forefront, trussing them up like dumplings!

Countless human-shaped bundles stood before them. The vines writhed, and from within some of them, the screams of humans and the sickening crunch of snapping bones could be heard.

Most of the vehicles in the convoy had been ensnared by the vines, immobilized and roaring fruitlessly. Some survivors were trapped inside the vehicles, their panic-stricken expressions visible. Others who managed to open the doors and step out were instantly strangled by the vines.

Mechanical power was utterly defeated in the face of the mutant plants.

Further ahead, two wretched figures could be seen: Sun Ruixing and Bai Xiao’an.

Sun Ruixing desperately shielded Bai Xiao’an behind him. His round shield constantly batted away the attacking vines, but there were simply too many of them.

Although the two of them stood on the path cleared by Wen Yu, these vines were mobile.

Wen Yu had been solely focused on his own breakthrough and had no time to create favorable conditions for those behind him.

Several mutant vines had already wrapped around Bai Xiao’an’s legs, a tremendous force tugging at him. Sun Ruixing, however, held him firmly with his one free hand.

Non-professionists simply couldn’t withstand such a force.

Bai Xiao’an’s screams grew increasingly shrill. The vines had already violently twisted and snapped Bai Xiao’an’s legs. Sun Ruixing, however, was overwhelmed and could no longer protect Bai Xiao’an.

Bai Feifei, not far away, suddenly burst into tears. "Please, save him! Please save him!"

Hearing Bai Feifei’s plea, Li Quan’an made his decision. "Charge! Rescue them!"

This wasn’t just for Bai Xiao’an or Bai Feifei; it was also for their own sakes. Firstly, the pair was on the battalion’s only viable route, so rescuing them was merely convenient. Secondly, it was because of Sun Ruixing’s strength. Li Quan’an hadn’t seen Sun Ruixing fight before, but it was now clear that this Sun Ruixing possessed a hidden profession. If he could bring Sun Ruixing under his command... Even if their personalities clashed. Even if this person often did foolish things. Even if this person was difficult to manage. But as long as he had strength, none of that mattered!

At Li Quan’an’s command, the Professionists Battalion behind him immediately surged forward.

The situation had reached a critical point; everyone understood that if they didn’t break through, it meant death.

Sharp steel sabers flashed, swiftly hacking at the vines in front. If anyone clearing the path became entangled, those behind would immediately free them.

The battalion’s overall speed was comparable to that of Wen Yu and Cyclops.

In just over ten seconds, the main force had reached Sun Ruixing’s position.

From amidst the group, Li Quan’an drew his weapon for the first time.

Coiling his legs, Li Quan’an leaped powerfully, shooting out from the Professionists’ formation. With a swift strike of his weapon, he completely severed the vine tangled around Bai Xiao’an’s leg.

"Hurry, Brother Ruixing!" Li Quan’an immediately hoisted the crying Bai Xiao’an onto his back, pulled up Sun Ruixing, whose legs had turned to jelly, and charged back into the Professionists Battalion.

Sun Ruixing offered no words of thanks. He merely panted heavily, dragging his weary body to keep up with the team’s pace.

As Li Quan’an and the others pressed deeper, danger inevitably struck.

They were the only humans left alive on this entire road. All the vines converged on them, swarming from every direction. For a moment, the sky and the ground seemed to be filled with these aggressive green monsters.

"Faster! Faster!" Li Quan’an shouted. Nearby, Sun Ruixing, having barely caught his breath, picked up his shield and prepared to move to the front of the team.

"Brother Sun, wait a moment," Li Quan’an said quietly, grabbing Sun Ruixing’s arm. "It’s not time yet."

Sun Ruixing looked at Li Quan’an with a complex expression, his resolve to push forward weakening.

Li Quan’an... he’s using the remaining professionists as cannon fodder!

When the first professionist was snatched and flung away by the mutant vines, the situation began to unravel uncontrollably.

More and more people were ensnared by the vines, and the team could no longer maintain its formation. Everyone began to charge forward blindly, only to die even faster.

"Charge! Hurry! Now!" Li Quan’an said in a low, grave voice to Sun Ruixing and his trusted confidants. Immediately, a grey-black shadow materialized behind Li Quan’an.

Li Quan’an: Profession, Shadow Warrior.

Shadow Carbon Copy (A-Class Skill): Summons a non-sentient shadow carbon copy. The copy has no skills but possesses all the host’s physical attributes and combat experience.

As those around him continued to accelerate, Li Quan’an’s Shadow Carbon Copy shot out first, drawing the attention of most of the vines. Most of the vines at the front latched onto the carbon copy. Then, with a POOF, the carbon copy vanished.

Meanwhile, Li Quan’an and the others had already covered a good distance.

Summoning another carbon copy, Li Quan’an felt cold sweat bead on his forehead. Active Skills consumed stamina.

When a trembling Li Quan’an summoned the eighth carbon copy, he and Sun Ruixing, carrying Bai Xiao’an, Bai Feifei, and the three remaining professionists, finally broke out of this Green Hell.

Ahead, Wen Yu’s figure came into view, but he was not alone.