Chapter 1587: The Terror from The Sea II

Meanwhile, Lory continued to observe the soldiers who were shooting at the giant monster. Amidst the chaos, a group of soldiers in different uniforms suddenly charged forward, moving far faster than any ordinary human. Their movements were sharp and agile, their speed almost unnatural as they charged towards Bael.

Lory and Zhao Li Xin immediately recognized them.

"Gifted people," Lory muttered.

Seven of them moved in perfect coordination, launching a synchronized attack on the beast. One of them transformed his arms into silver steel and slammed his fist into the creature’s bark-like body with a loud metallic crash.

Another raised both hands to raise the chunks of rock from the ground, then hurling massive boulders at the Bael. A third opened her palm then blew the flame and suddenly just like torch the flames roaring and burned the monster’s vines, while the others also unleashed various supernatural abilities, they chanted spell calling blades of wind, and and ice to strike the Bael.

For a brief moment, it looked like they were gaining ground. But not for long.

Soon after, the vines covering the Bael suddenly writhed to life, spreading outward like hundreds of venomous snakes. They shot forward in all directions, striking with terrifying speed.

The gifted team barely managed to defend themselves, erecting barriers and dodging desperately, but cracks quickly formed in their protective shields under the relentless assault.

Soldiers tried to assist, firing continuously, but the beast raised thick vines and twisted branches into a massive shield, rendering their attacks useless.

Then the creature let out a deafening roar.

The sound exploded outward like a shockwave, sweeping across the battlefield and throwing soldiers and gifted people alike into the air like dry leaves in a storm. Sand and debris flew everywhere as bodies were hurled backward.

The seven gifted people quickly joined their powers together, forming a large transparent barrier to block the shockwave, but even that trembled violently under the pressure. Their feet dug into the sand as they struggled to hold their ground, clearly overwhelmed.

"They don’t look very strong," Zhao Li Xin said, tilting his head slightly.

"Really?" Lory pursed her lips as she assessed the team. "I think they’re doing fine."

"No," Zhao Li Xin replied calmly. "Compared to your friends, they fall short."

Only then did Lory realize how skewed Zhao Li Xin’s standards had become after spending so much time with people around her. The Archknights alone possessed power far beyond most gifted individuals, and only a few people like General Leon could even come close to matching them, while Garrof and Lloyd might not as strong as them but what they lack they covered it with experince and tenancy as the ex member of a deadly squad.

"You shouldn’t compare them to the Archknights or Leon," Lory said with a helpless sigh. "That’s not fair."

Zhao Li Xin frowned slightly. "Even if I compare them to Garrof, Lloyd, or Noxcra agents... they still seem average." Even from this distance, he could judge their power, tactics, and coordination, and none of it impressed him.

"Well, Lloyd and Garrof are special soldiers. They follow a different standard compared to ordinary troops," Lory said, scratching her head as she searched for the right words.

Seeing the genuine curiosity in Zhao Li Xin’s eyes, she continued.

"Gifted people are actually rare. In Harland, you see them everywhere, but that’s only because most gifted individuals choose to migrate there to avoid discrimination and suppression that still happens in many countries.

Harland has become known as a safe haven for gifted people. And because the population of gifted people is much higher in my kingdom, we have the liberty to carefully choose who can join their army, which naturally raises the overall standard."

"Is it because the ruler of your kingdom is a gifted people as well, so the gifted people feel more reassurance so they decide to move to your country?" Zhao Li Xin asked.

"Not really," Lory shook her head. "There are other countries led by Gifted People too, but that doesn’t always make things better. Sometimes it just makes them arrogant, and the situation gets worse. Gifted People start looking down on ordinary humans, and conflicts happen more often. Living in harmony between Gifted People, Creators, and ordinary humans isn’t as easy as it sounds. I think what people are really looking for in my kingdom is stability, and a place where everyone can live together without constantly fearing each other."

Zhao Li Xin glanced back at the battlefield. "Then what does that have to do with their weakness?"

"Thaatt...." Lory tilted her head, thinking for a moment before answering. "Because there are so few gifted people in most countries, their recruitment standards for combat teams are much lower than in Harland. Therefore, anyone with decent ability can join, so their overall strength and training are not as high."

Zhao Li Xin nodded slightly, recalling how excited Owen and Daniel had been when they were accepted into the Harland Youth Academy, believing the intense training there would make them stronger.

"I see..." he murmured.

His gaze shifted back to the battlefield as the Bael slowly stepped onto the beach, its massive body casting a long shadow across the sand while the gifted team struggled to stand again.

Thought the soldiers try to strike the beast but even though the beast got hurt but with that size of body it’s must feel like just a scratch for it. thus the bael keep continue forward, it stepped on the mecha suit turn it into a pressed can, it giant arms swing and break all the militar artelery in piecess.

"The B-13 seem doesn’t enough to stop them" Lory worriedly said.

Zhao Li Xin scoffed, "They just too weak, look the bael was already bleed they just need to presist"

"Yeah, but this is the standard army all over the world. With the Bael’s power continuing to increase, I’m afraid B-13 won’t be enough for ordinary soldiers to face them." Lory’s expression darkened as she watched the battlefield below.

"Lucas was right," she continued quietly. "We need something much stronger, or sooner or later the whole world will fall into the enemy’s hands."

"Don’t worry too much, dear. You can think about that later. But for now... what are you going to do about them?" Zhao Li Xin asked nonchalantly, his gaze resting impassively on the struggling soldiers below.

There was no urgency in his expression, no trace of worry—only a calm, detached composure, as though the chaos unfolding before them was merely a distant ripple in a quiet pond.

Lory followed his line of sight. Below them, the battlefield raged on, and soldiers scrambling to regroup, gifted people struggling to stand, and the towering Bael advancing step by step toward the shore. The sound of gunfire and explosions echoed across the beach, carried by the restless wind.

Her eyes softened slightly, though a faint crease formed between her brows. shrugged lightly. "Help them, of course."

An excited glint flashed in Zhao Li Xin’s dark onyx eyes. "Want me to go first, dear wife?" he asked, a flirtatious smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Be my guest," Lory replied, chuckling softly.

Zhao Li Xin laughed lightly, the sound low and unhurried, as if he were merely stepping into a leisurely stroll rather than a battlefield soaked in blood and sand.

With a casual leap, his figure rose into the air, robes fluttering like dark wings in the scorching wind. In the next instant, he twisted his body midair and shot toward Bael like a falling star.

His leg cut through the air with terrifying precision.

WHACK!

The kick landed squarely on Bael’s grotesque head with explosive force. The impact echoed like a thunderclap across the battlefield, sending shockwaves rippling through the sand beneath them.

Bael’s massive head jerked violently to the side, the monstrous creature staggering a step back, its claws digging deep trenches into the ground to keep its balance. For the first time since the battle began, the Bael was forced to retreat.

Zhao Li Xin landed lightly on the sand, his feet touching the ground without making the slightest sound, as if even the earth itself did not dare disturb him.

His long coat settled around him, swaying gently in the heated wind, and he stood there calmly with his back facing the soldiers, like a lone mountain standing against the storm.

For a brief moment, the battlefield fell into complete silence.

The clashing of weapons stopped. The cries of soldiers faded.

Even Bael seemed stunned. Everyone’s gaze shifted toward the strange man standing quietly in the middle of the battlefield. His tall figure, straight posture, and effortless composure created an overwhelming presence that pressed heavily on everyone’s chest.

The army commander narrowed his eyes, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. Sweat slid down his temple as he stared at the man’s back, trying to judge whether this sudden arrival was a savior... or a new disaster.

That single question lingered heavily in his mind.

Slowly, the commander turned his head toward the leader of the Gifted People combat team, silently asking for confirmation.

Do you know him?

The leader of the Gifted People met his gaze and gave a slight shake of his head. His expression became even more tense, his eyes locked firmly on Zhao Li Xin’s figure.

Where this man come from? But that was exactly what made the situation even more terrifying.

Bael was a monster that even their entire Gifted People combat team struggled to restrain, yet this stranger had managed to stagger the demon with a single, casual kick. There was no sign of effort, no visible exertion, just effortless dominance.

That meant only one thing: this man was far stronger than all of them combined. The realization made the Gifted People leader swallow hard, his fingers tightening around his weapon unconsciously.

A cold chill crept up his spine despite the scorching heat of the battlefield.

If this man ends up to be enemy, then none of them would survive.

The wind blew across the battlefield, carrying grains of sand that brushed against Zhao Li Xin’s coat.

Yet he remained unmoving, calm and composed, as if everything around him, whether the soldiers, the bael, even the battle itself was nothing more than a passing inconvenience.

Ahead of him, Bael slowly straightened, its twisted neck cracking as it returned to its original position. The Bael let out a low, furious growl, its burning eyes now locked onto Zhao Li Xin alone, and Zhao Li Xin merely smiled faintly, as though he had finally found something mildly interesting.

[Master—Master, you’re going to summon me, aren’t you? You are, right?] The fire spirit’s voice suddenly rang inside Zhao Li Xin’s mind, loud and eager, like an excited child waiting to be called to play. 𝐟𝒓ℯⅇ

Zhao Li Xin frowned slightly, a trace of annoyance flashing across his calm expression. The sudden intrusion made his temples throb faintly. The battlefield was already noisy enough with Bael’s growls and the restless wind, and now this chatter echoed directly inside his head.

[No. I don’t need you for this.] Zhao Li Xin replied coldly, his tone flat and indifferent.

There was a brief pause before the fire spirit spoke again.

[Aww... why?] the fire spirit asked dejectedly, its voice instantly losing its previous excitement, sounding like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away.

Zhao Li Xin ignored the complaint. His sharp gaze swept across the battlefield, scanning the ground with quiet calculation. Broken weapons, shattered shields, and scattered armor lay half-buried in the sand — remnants of the desperate struggle that had taken place just moments ago.

Then his eyes caught something in the sand, and it was a dagger. It was half-covered by sand, its blade dull from use, the hilt stained with dried blood.

Perhaps it had fallen from one of the soldiers... or maybe from one of the Gifted People. Either way, it was his, now.

Zhao Li Xin stepped forward unhurriedly and bent slightly, picking up the dagger from the sand. Fine grains slid down from the blade as he lifted it, glinting faintly under the harsh sunlight. He examined it briefly between his fingers, turning the blade once as if testing its weight.

It was crude. Ordinary. Far from a weapon worthy of his hand. But for now, it would suffice.

"This will do," Zhao Li Xin muttered calmly, his voice low and steady.