Chapter Fifteen: How Powerful Is a Third-Tier Aberration?

High rewards also mean high risks, and Lin Lei had already come to terms with this when he decided to accept the mission.

In truth, if the task were truly extremely difficult, it would never be restricted to only first-tier Source Energy users. Therefore, Lin Lei had never imagined he would encounter a third-tier anomaly!

A level-one investigation mission could potentially involve a third-tier anomaly—this was simply absurd!

With his current strength, if Lin Lei were to face that second-tier anomaly again, he was confident he could defeat it single-handedly.

But if it were a higher-level third-tier anomaly, even the weakest among them would be like an egg striking a stone—there was no way he could be a match!

“Li Xueshu clearly knew about the special nature of this mission beforehand, but a task that involves a third-tier anomaly is absolutely beyond my capabilities. There must be something unusual here...”

Lin Lei furrowed his brows deeply, thoughts flashing through his mind, and he looked up at Huo Qi.

Huo Qi’s brows tightened slightly:

“It’s not that we’re not seeking help, but second and third-tier Source Energy users cannot participate in this mission... As for the specific reasons, I can only reveal them once you confirm your participation!”

He continued:

“However, I can tell you this: the highest anomaly you will face will not exceed the third tier, and there will only be one such anomaly!”

“Additionally... although this mission is special and must be carried out by the three of you at the first tier, the Investigation Bureau will provide each of you in advance with a ‘Azure Blossom’...”

“You may wait until the mission begins to find a safe place, break through your limits, and then proceed with the subsequent tasks—it won’t be too late.”

“All three of you are at the peak of the first tier, meeting the requirements for advancement. With a treasure like the Azure Blossom, the chances of failing to advance are slim!”

“Furthermore, the Investigation Bureau will supply you with enough low-level Source Artifacts and various potions. If you three are careful enough, defeating a third-tier anomaly shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Lin Lei’s eyes immediately brightened.

Three first-tier users would have a hard time dealing with a third-tier anomaly, but three second-tier users would be a different matter entirely.

Not to mention there was an A-level Gifted among them.

And the mention of numerous first and second-tier anomalies by Huo Qi made Lin Lei’s heart stir with excitement.

He had scoured Biyang City and only found two or three nests of ghouls and a handful of first-tier anomalies, but according to Huo Qi, there would be plenty of first and second-tier anomalies here. If he could “consume” a few more, coupled with advancing to the second tier, he was confident he could handle a third-tier anomaly alone!

At this point, his gluttonous energy was abundant, and devouring anomalies with physical bodies would allow his wounds to heal quickly. As long as he didn’t die, it was as if he had multiple lives!

Wen Xiang’s eyes sparkled, his mouth splitting into a grin:

“I’m in! I’ve killed second-tier anomalies before. I haven’t seen a third-tier one yet!”

Lin Lei narrowed his eyes, glancing again at Wen Xiang—this kid had a bold tongue.

He was merely a newly appointed investigator, yet he had experience fighting second-tier anomalies, and had killed more than one. Clearly, his background was anything but ordinary.

Beside him, Zhen Shuang still had her eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable: “I have no problem either.”

These two...

Lin Lei sensed something was amiss.

If Wen Xiang’s confidence came from his high Gifted rating, then what was the source of Zhen Shuang’s confidence, who was supposedly just an “assistant”?

He licked his lips, recalling the advice Li Xueshu had once given him, but he didn’t rush to agree. Instead, he looked up at Huo Qi:

“How powerful are third-tier anomalies?”

Huo Qi smiled, removing his sunglasses:

“Then... let me show you.”

A ripple flickered between his pupils.

In the next instant, golden light erupted in the sky.

Lin Lei looked up sharply and saw a figure appear atop the hall.

The figure wasn’t particularly large—human-bodied with a lion’s face, snow-white wings on its back, its body clad in golden armor, and holding a golden longsword, exuding a sacred aura.

Lin Lei immediately realized he was inside an illusion constructed by Huo Qi.

He frowned, gazing at the radiant figure in the sky: “Is this also an anomaly?”

The anomalies he’d seen before, like ghouls and shapeshifters, including that second-tier one, were all grotesque and distorted. This was the first time he’d encountered such a divine and handsome anomaly.

Zhen Shuang beside him also looked up, her eyes still narrowed: “This is a ‘Mythic-class’ anomaly...”

Lin Lei couldn’t help but murmur, “Mythic-class...”

Wen Xiang was beside himself with excitement, a flush of vivid red appearing on his face.

The lion-faced anomaly let out a clear cry, then, sword in hand, dove straight toward the three!

“Hahaha, bring it on!”

Wen Xiang raised his hands high, red light swirling in his palms, and streams of fire serpents shot forth from his hands...

In the blink of an eye, two or three dozen fire serpents blasted toward the anomaly!

The anomaly seemed aware of the fire serpents’ power, spiraling swiftly to the side to dodge, deftly avoiding each one.

On the ground, Wen Xiang wiped sweat from his brow, his eyes burning:

“Can you really dodge?”

The next moment, those fire serpents that had been dodged suddenly curved in midair, looping back...

Each one struck the anomaly from behind or the side.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Continuous explosions of fire erupted in the air like fireworks.

Lin Lei narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching.

The force of each fire serpent’s explosion was no less than a grenade going off.

But their mobility was incomparable.

Even a third-tier anomaly, subjected to such a barrage at close range, would not come out unscathed.

It was worth noting that this guy, like himself, was only at the first tier!

“So this is the power of an A-level Gifted...” He drew a deep breath, looking up at the sky.

This kid certainly had reason to be arrogant.

Amidst the thunderous noise,

Waves of force rippled outward, and through the heavy firelight in the sky, the scorched body of the anomaly broke through the flames, crashing down onto the distant ground.

Now, its golden armor was charred black, and the white wings on its back had almost completely turned to black.

“Did we win?” Lin Lei raised his brows.

A third-tier anomaly defeated so easily?

Wen Xiang was powerful, but for a third-tier anomaly to fall like this, Lin Lei found it hard to believe.

“Hmph!” Wen Xiang sneered, full of disdain: “This... is supposed to be a third-tier anomaly? Not much stronger than the second tier!”

“Is it really so simple?” Huo Qi’s face took on a subtle smile.

Lin Lei sensed something was wrong. His ears caught a faint sound of wind in the air, and his expression changed dramatically as he shouted to Wen Xiang:

“Watch out! It’s an illusion—its real body is charging straight at you!”

Wen Xiang froze, his face shifting, quickly retreating as he raised his hands again, flames swirling in his palms and fire serpents erupting forth.

But he couldn’t see where the anomaly’s real body was—fire serpents twisted around in front of him, hitting nothing!