Chapter Eight: R-Class Parasite

High above the city of F, a colossal cloud drifted, occasionally revealing sharp, powerful lines within its form—mysterious and ethereal, like a celestial ship from legend.

At this moment, the main institution responsible for safeguarding the city—the Cloudborne Spiritual Vessel—had convened all key personnel in its control room. On the screen, countless red dots flashed urgently, tightening the hearts of everyone present. The shrill alarm sounded, heralding an ominous future.

At the head of the group stood a silver-haired woman, the city’s chief commander, Li Huanyi. Clad in a deep green uniform, her emerald eyes gleamed with a steely chill. “A large number of parasitic beasts have appeared. Lock onto the targets immediately.”

Assistant One closed her eyes and focused, channeling spiritual energy to activate an array, projecting the target location onto the screen.

“Linyang No. 3 High School?” Li Huanyi glanced at the adjacent map.

Assistant Two reported the latest data: “The government consolidated all city schools here during last year’s renovation. Today is the first day of the college entrance exam—one hundred thousand examinees are gathered…”

“This means the use of the major weapon, Tianji, is out of the question,” Li Huanyi finished.

“Correct,” Assistant Two confirmed.

The deputy commander, Shen Qingzhou, frowned deeply, his brows chiseled and resolute. “Chief, these parasitic beasts differ from other monsters. Not only are they intelligent, but they can possess examinees without limit. If even a single one escapes, the entire city will fall—worse yet, the nation could suffer irreparable harm! Please, Chief, give the order to activate Tianji!”

His tone rang with unyielding conviction.

Li Huanyi turned to him, her voice cool. “Are we to destroy the homes of one hundred thousand families in an instant? If I recall, your nephew, Shen Qingzhi, is among this year’s examinees.”

Shen Qingzhou’s steady eyes held no fear. “The greater good comes before the individual. All for our nation.”

Suddenly, Assistant One’s breathing quickened. Sensing danger, Li Huanyi swiftly moved behind her, pressing a hand to her shoulder and channeling spiritual power.

Assistant One’s eyes flew open and blood gushed from her throat—she had been counterattacked during her probe.

“Chief… cough… not only ordinary parasites, but there’s an R-class Parasitic Beast King…” With that, she fainted.

Shen Qingzhou’s face changed drastically. “What! Chief, there’s no time—please, activate Tianji at once!”

Li Huanyi ordered Assistant One sent for treatment, then straightened and faced Shen Qingzhou. She unpinned the five-pointed gold insignia from her chest and handed it to him.

“Give me one hour. If I don’t return by then, you may activate Tianji.”

Shen Qingzhou clenched his brows. “Chief, why take such risks? R-class parasites are incredibly intelligent—their danger far surpasses double S-class threats.”

“I know,” Li Huanyi replied. She shed her uniform jacket and donned a white hoodie.

“All soldiers, hear my command: Shen Qingzhou is hereby appointed Acting Chief. If I do not return in one hour, all orders fall to him.”

Shen Qingzhou’s fists tightened, the furrow between his brows deepening. “You’re putting me on the spot, Chief!”

Li Huanyi’s lips curved in a faint smile. “I leave it all to you, Acting Chief Shen.”

“Tianquan Squad, move out!”

The Cloudborne Spiritual Vessel activated, and ten figures soared like birds toward the high school.

Inside Linyang No. 3 High School—

“I don’t want your stuff!” Jiang Wangshu glared at Shen Lihan before her.

Huo Jinyu chimed in, “Miss Jiang is too dignified to bother with this nonsense!”

Shen Lihan adjusted his cuffs unhurriedly. “Skepticism is healthy. I’m not accusing you—just asking for your cooperation in the investigation.” His sharp gaze swept over them. “As for you two, do you want your results invalidated as well?”

Huo Jinyu shot back, “You’re wasting her control test time, delaying her entrance exam—mmph…”

Zou Xiuzhen quickly covered Huo Jinyu’s mouth and whispered to Jiang Wangshu, “Shen Lihan is the cousin of the Shen Group’s CEO, and the head proctor for this year’s exams.”

“If he’s come in person, you’d better consider what you’ve done.”

At once, the image of Shen Bozhi coughing blood flashed through Jiang Wangshu’s mind. Her eyes darted. “Why don’t you and Jinyu go on ahead?”

Zou Xiuzhen immediately understood—this was no ordinary dispute. “We’ll meet again!” Clutching Huo Jinyu, he whisked her away, ignoring her struggles.

Shen Lihan glanced at Jiang Wangshu and Xiao Hei, extending a hand. “Please.”

Jiang Wangshu raised her chin. “Xiao Hei, you go first.”

This man was clearly full of schemes; he was probably plotting against her. Xiao Hei was the perfect shield.

Suddenly—piu—a black hole appeared on the smooth floor.

Jiang Wangshu looked on curiously, but before she could react, she fell into a firm embrace.

The steady beat of another’s heart sounded in her ears. She was bewildered. “What’s happening?”

Xiao Hei gave no answer, leaping forward with her in his arms.

Between jumps, she glimpsed dozens of black holes forming all around, covering every palm-sized patch of ground.

Xiao Hei dodged them with difficulty.

The stench coming from the black holes was no surprise to her. According to the law of misfortune, every windfall spent on herself would be balanced by an equivalent dose of bad luck.

At that moment, her lagging pay-to-win system finally rebooted.

Logging in, she saw the situation and let out a sharp shriek, clutching her face. “Esteemed Host, how did you end up in a swarm of R-class parasitic beasts!”

“Hurry, hurry, redeem something to escape…”

The system eagerly recommended escape talismans and spiritual treasures.

Jiang Wangshu’s lips twitched as she politely declined. “No need. R-class is nothing to panic over.”

The more money spent, the worse her luck. She had no desire to trigger her misfortune aura and attract a 3S-class demon.

As the scenery flew past, she spotted two familiar figures and quickly patted Xiao Hei’s arm. “Over there! Quickly—let’s join Huo Jinyu and Zou Xiuzhen!”

Suddenly, an idea occurred to her, tinged with embarrassment. If she used the system, she’d be unlucky—but maybe if someone else used it, it wouldn’t be as bad?

Besides, this was a beast horde—strength lay in numbers.

Xiao Hei reluctantly set her down. He had intended to bring his emergency food supply to safety, but if she chose to court death, so be it. With so many others around, he hardly needed this one.

Jiang Wangshu, puzzled by his glare, shot one back and turned to Huo Jinyu and Zou Xiuzhen. “These are R-class parasitic beasts—are you ready for this?”

The two were dumbfounded. R-class—such a threat could only be faced by top-tier Nascent Soul cultivators. As mere Qi Refinement novices, their only option was to sit and wait for death.

But seeing Jiang Wangshu’s calm demeanor, Huo Jinyu’s panic instantly subsided.

“Miss Jiang, I trust you’ll find a way!”