Ye Ning's face lit up with joy, "It's a Mechanical Master! We're saved!"
Lin Xiaomei's face tightened, "Don't celebrate too soon. We still don't know whether they're friend or foe."
In her mind, she recalled the damaged Mecha from that day—the marks of destruction could very well have been caused by another Mechanical Master.
Outside the city, anything could happen.
"Ka-ka…"
Just then, Steel Wolf stepped forward and let out a roar toward the Sha Po Wolf Group. The entire pack trembled and took several steps back in unison, fear filling their eyes.
"Awooo…"
The Killing Wolf at Danger Level 8 howled, its fearful gaze slowly turning icy cold.
Though Steel Wolf's aura was eerily similar to the Killing Wolf's, it could still recognize the anomaly of this supposed kin.
This wasn't a real Killing Wolf—it was a man-made steel monster!
The Wolf Clan was already highly intelligent, especially this Danger Level 8 Killing Wolf.
Realizing the truth, the Killing Wolf let out several low growls to inform the pack.
In the next moment, the fear in the wolves' eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by boundless ferocity.
"Awooo!"
With a single command, the dark flood of Sha Po Wolves swarmed forward once more.
"Not good! They're not intimidated by the beast-shaped Mecha!"
Hong Cong exclaimed in shock.
"Prepare for battle!"
As soon as Lin Xiaomei finished saying that, Steel Wolf's abdomen ejected a silver Energy Cannon, and violent energy began to coalesce instantly.
"Boom!!"
The Energy Cannon shot out rapidly, blasting into the wolf pack.
"Bang!!"
"Awooo…"
The violent energy exploded, dirt flew everywhere, and several Sha Po Wolves were obliterated into pieces by the Energy Cannon.
Even after the brief chaos, the wolf pack fearlessly continued to charge Steel Wolf.
Steel Wolf's eyes glinted coldly as its Steel Body let out mechanical reverberations, the Energy Cannon at its back slowly rising.
"Boom!!"
"Boom!"
The overwhelmingly powerful Energy Cannon fired continuously, the mountain forest in the night sky consumed by the explosion's radiance.
"Awooo…"
Amid the unending wails of the Sha Po Wolves, the light finally faded.
Moments later.
"Phew…"
The breeze blew lightly, dispersing the dust.
Where the wolf pack had once been, uneven craters now stretched across the ground, with dozens of Killing Wolves lying breathless and blood-soaked, gasping for air.
The Danger Level 8 Killing Wolf shook off the dust from its fur, glaring at the now-empty battlefield ahead with fury.
"Awooo!!"
"Awooo…"
The remaining wolves raised their heads to the sky and roared, full of begrudging fury.
But with heavy losses, they had no choice but to stay and clean up the battlefield.
...
"Boom…"
On the silent mountaintop, Steel Wolf's wings roared incessantly, casually dropping the four individuals under its claws to the ground before transforming into silver light and disappearing into the horizon.
"Wait…"
Lin Xiaomei opened her mouth slightly, looking at the silver light disappearing into the night sky, but ultimately gave up.
"That Mechanical Master is so mysterious," Ye Ning remarked.
Hong Cong nodded, "If I ever get the chance, I want to thank him in person. He did save our lives, after all."
"If he doesn't want to show himself, it probably means he doesn't care for our gratitude!"
Long Xia suddenly spoke.
The three turned sharply.
"Long Xia, you ungrateful bastard, watch how I deal with you!"
Ye Ning clenched his teeth, rolling up his sleeves ready to take action.
"No, no, no! Don't act recklessly now. I shouted so loudly back then, but you all didn't respond—that's not my fault!"
Long Xia hurriedly retreated.
Lin Xiaomei stepped forward to mediate, "Ye Ning, calm down. Long Xia did shout to warn us earlier; we just didn't react properly. You can't blame him."
Ye Ning glanced at Hong Cong, hesitating, "Really? I don't remember…"
Hong Cong thought about it and, uncertain, said, "I think… he did warn us?"
Long Xia pointed at the two, indignant, "Don't think I didn't notice. Since we left the city, the two of you haven't taken your eyes off Lin Xiaomei.
Anything I said went in one ear and out the other! And now you're blaming me? Do you have any shame?"
At this, their faces flushed red.
"Long Xia, stop making things up…"
"Exactly! We were just…"
"Just what?"
"Mind your own business!"
"Ah, so now you're acting tough? But what about earlier?"
"You…"
The three began bickering loudly, while Lin Xiaomei shook her head helplessly.
At that moment, she couldn't help but miss the days of fighting side-by-side with Qin Shou.
Though it was only one short day, it gave her a strong sense of security.
Unlike these kids, always bickering over nonsense.
"Roar!!"
Suddenly, a low dragon roar echoed from the sky, instantly filling Lin Xiaomei's heart with joy.
Could it be him?
The three bickering individuals instinctively looked up at the night sky upon hearing the sound.
Under the moonlight, dark green dragon scales faintly shimmered with cold radiance.
In the distance, a colossal creature swooped and circled high above, and within moments, it was hovering over the four of them.
"Boom…"
A sudden gust of wind and sand erupted across the clearing.
The four looked up at the dark green Dragon Beast, as well as Qin Shou seated atop its Dragon Head, their expressions mixed.
Lin Xiaomei's lips curled into a small smile.
Long Xia waved enthusiastically, shouting, "Lao Qin, you're finally here!"
Hong Cong and Ye Ning exchanged glances—this Dragon Beast seemed even larger than before.
"Buzz!"
With the opening of the Space Gate, Greedy Snake flew a swift circle before vanishing into its depths, disappearing out of sight.
Qin Shou leapt down from the sky, offering the group a warm smile.
"Long time no see."
Lin Xiaomei, Hong Cong, and Ye Ning nodded slightly.
Long Xia jogged over to Qin Shou, patting him on the shoulder, "Lao Qin, you have no idea! If it weren't for that mysterious Mechanical Master saving us just now, you'd be clutching my corpse, sobbing your heart out!"
Qin Shou rolled his eyes, "You mean the wolf-shaped Mecha, right?"
"How do you know?" Long Xia froze.
Lin Xiaomei and the others looked equally surprised.
Qin Shou explained, "I met a pretty decent Mechanical Master a few days ago. You called for my help earlier, but I wasn't available, so I asked him to come here and assist you.
Where is he now?"
He glanced around.
"He left," Lin Xiaomei replied.
Qin Shou nodded, "Though he's a bit aloof, he's actually a good person."
Long Xia smiled mischievously, sidling up to Qin Shou, "Lao Qin, is this Mechanical Master a guy or a girl? Did you two… do something scandalous over these days together?"
Qin Shou smacked the back of Long Xia's head with his palm.
"What nonsense are you imagining?"
"That Mechanical Master is incredibly powerful, strikingly handsome, charismatic, upright, and full of integrity—a true model youth of this era. Don't gossip about him behind his back."
Qin Shou cast Long Xia a glance, speaking seriously.
Long Xia: "…"
Lao Qin, you've changed—you never praised anyone like this before.
If you did, it'd probably be yourself!
He thought to himself skeptically.
Meanwhile, the three unfamiliar with Qin Shou didn't pick up on the subtle self-importance in his words.
Lin Xiaomei looked at him admiringly, "Someone Qin Shou respects that much must be impressive."
Qin Shou straightened proudly, "Of course. I'll introduce you if there's ever a chance."