Chapter 41: United Hearts Shatter the Darkness, the City Restores Peace

Inside the government building, Minister Li wiped the sweat from his forehead, his gaze darting about restlessly.

The burly, bearded man brought by Mao Yu stood there like an iron tower, radiating an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"Minister Li, you've seen it for yourself. Now is not the time to hesitate!" Mao Yu said in a steady tone, slamming a file containing vulnerabilities in the base's energy supply system onto the desk. "This is our chance to turn the tables!"

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Esper Alliance, Alliance Leader Zhang still wore a stern expression, though a flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes.

Not only had Mao Yu recruited powerful outside reinforcement, but he had also discovered the enemy's weakness. This kid really had some tricks up his sleeve.

"Alliance Leader Zhang, we must join forces! For the safety of the city!" Mao Yu pressed on with a heavier tone, appealing to both emotion and reason.

Witnessing Mao Yu's determination, coupled with the bearded giant casually and "accidentally" releasing his esper powers to shake the floorboards three times over, Minister Li finally cracked.

"Fine! I agree to cooperate!" he slammed his palm down on the desk as if making a monumental decision.

On Alliance Leader Zhang's side, he also relented, "On behalf of the Esper Alliance, I join this operation!"

As soon as the news broke, the atmosphere at the negotiation site instantly erupted into fervor.

Forces from all sides rapidly assembled, marching in a grand procession toward the base of the dark forces.

On the outer perimeter of the base, Shadow's subordinates were already standing by in full battle array.

A battle was on the verge of breaking out!

Various flashes of esper energy lit up the area, deafening explosions shook the earth, and the surrounding buildings were reduced to a chaotic mess of wreckage.

Shadow's elite espers were immensely powerful and shared seamless tactical coordination, putting the joint forces at an immediate disadvantage.

"Hold your ground! Do not panic!" Mao Yu commanded with unshakeable composure. Under his leadership, the joint forces withstood the pressure and gradually stabilized their positions.

The battle remained deadlocked. Just then, Mao Yu's gaze suddenly sharpened. "Wait... That fellow is..."

Mao Yu narrowed his eyes. Amidst the chaotic battlefield, he spotted a figure completely shrouded in black mist, darting through the crowd like a ghost.

That formidable aura, that signature wicked smile—it was Shadow himself!

"Well, well, the boss has stepped into the ring personally? Looks like he's getting desperate!" A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Mao Yu's mouth.

Instead of deploying his strongest espers right away, he dispatched a batch of "rookies" as cannon fodder.

"Brothers, give me a stellar... performance of what we call a 'strategic retreat'!" Mao Yu instructed playfully.

This group of expendable espers looked bewildered, but still followed orders, making a show of charging forward only to be swatted away by Shadow's subordinates like mere flies.

Gazing at this motley crew, Shadow let out a scornful, derisive snort. "Tricks of petty skill!" Believing Mao Yu had run out of options, he began to lower his guard.

"Now is the time!" At Mao Yu's command, the main force descended like fierce tigers leaping from the mountains, plunging straight toward Shadow's command center.

"Damn it! It's a trap!" Shadow finally realized the truth, but it was already too late.

Mao Yu's esper powers erupted fully, sweeping across the battlefield like a violent tempest.

"Let me show you what true power looks like!" With a single punch, a massive energy ball blasted several of Shadow's capable lieutenants flying.

"Holy cow! Brother Yu is too awesome!" "Mao, you're mighty!" The morale of the joint forces skyrocketed as if fueled by adrenaline, driving them into a frenzied assault.

Shadow's subordinates were beaten back step by step, howling in despair.

"Useless trash! A bunch of utter trash!" Shadow roared, personally joining the fray.

He engaged Mao Yu in an earth-shattering duel.

Shadow's abilities were unfathomable and bizarre, clinging to Mao Yu like a stubborn marrow-eating parasite.

Yet, relying on his system's assistance, Mao Yu averted danger time and time again. He even utilized the system's special functions to replicate a portion of Shadow's abilities, turning them back against him to suppress the villain.

"With only this meager trickery, you dare crawl out to embarrass yourself?" Mao Yu taunted.

Finally, following a ferocious clash, Mao Yu seized an opening and delivered a devastating "Heaven-Shattering Fist" straight into Shadow's chest.

Shadow let out a miserable scream, flying backward like a kite with a severed string before crashing heavily onto the ground, his fate—whether life or death—unknown.

Silence fell over the entire area. Everyone was stunned and awed by Mao Yu's overwhelming strength.

"Th-this is too insane!" Minister Li stammered in utter shock, his jaw practically hitting the floor.

Alliance Leader Zhang was equally dumbfounded; he never expected Mao Yu to defeat Shadow single-handedly.

"Brother Yu, you were so cool!" A crisp voice broke the silence...

Mao Ling's petite figure moved with extraordinary agility across the battlefield. Her "Phantom Trace" ability allowed her to glide like a ghost, unpredictable and elusive, striking precisely at the weakest points of Shadow's forces and throwing the enemy into utter disarray.

Feng Yao demonstrated astonishing ice-attribute powers, executing gorgeous techniques like deep freezes and razor-sharp icicles with effortless ease. She carved out a literal path of frost and snow across the battlefield, covering her advancing comrades.

As the battle ended, smoke drifted through the air, heavy with the metallic scent of fresh blood.

Mao Ling excitedly threw her arms around Mao Yu's sleeve, chirping happily like a little sparrow, "Brother Yu, you were incredible! Simply breathtaking!"

Feng Yao appeared somewhat more reserved, but the excitement and gratitude overflowing in her eyes could not be concealed.

She walked softly toward Mao Yu, tears shimmering in her eyes, and said with a trembling voice, "Thank you, Mao Yu. You saved us... you saved my family..."

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she lunged forward into Mao Yu's arms, holding onto him tightly.

Feeling the softness and warmth of the fair maiden in his embrace, a wave of warmth surged through Mao Yu's heart as well.

He gently patted Feng Yao's back and consoled her softly, "It's alright. Everything is in the past now."

Watching the two from the side, Mao Ling wore a knowing, matchmaking smile, thinking to herself silently: *I ship it so hard!*

Striking while the iron was hot, the joint forces thoroughly eradicated the base of the dark forces and rescued the abducted espers.

When the news reached the city, celebrations erupted everywhere.

Mao Yu's name echoed resplendently through the skies; he had become the hero who saved the esper metropolis.

Standing atop the ruins of the dark forces' base, basking in the cheers and adoration of the crowd, Mao Yu felt an overwhelming surge of ambition in his chest.

He knew this was merely a new beginning on his path of abilities.

At the victory banquet, both Minister Li and Alliance Leader Zhang heaped praise upon Mao Yu, offering toast after toast.

Minister Li clapped Mao Yu on the shoulder, saying excitedly, "Young Master Mao, we owe this entirely to you! You truly are the guardian deity of our esper city!"

Even Alliance Leader Zhang cracked a rare smile, "Mao Yu, I held prejudices against you before. I hope you won't mind. From now on, the doors of the Esper Alliance will always remain open for you!"

However, beneath the lively festivities, Mao Yu maintained a cool and clear head.

He knew that defeating Shadow was only the first step; many hidden and unknown perils still lurked within the esper metropolis.

Gazing into the brilliantly lit cityscape in the distance, Mao Yu secretly hardened his resolve: he would build his own faction to protect this land and everything he cherished.

A new journey was about to begin, and he was already fully prepared.