Chapter 8: Battle for Resources, Defending to the Death

As soon as the system notification tone faded, Mao Yu felt a powerful energy fluctuation emanating from the direction of the abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. He quietly left the noisy gathering with Mao Ling. Feng Yao had wanted to follow, but Mao Yu refused, citing the danger, which left her somewhat displeased but powerless to argue.

The abandoned factory under the cloak of night appeared exceptionally eerie and foreboding. Broken steel bars and collapsed walls cast strange shadows under the moonlight. The air was thick with a faint metallic rust scent mixed with an indescribable odor that sent chills down one’s spine. Yet Mao Yu showed no fear; his eyes gleamed with excitement as if he had discovered a treasure.

“Brother, this place is so scary!” Mao Ling clutched Mao Yu’s sleeve tightly, whispering.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here with you,” Mao Yu said, patting Mao Ling’s head reassuringly.

Following the source of the energy wave, they arrived at a massive warehouse deep within the factory. The warehouse doors were tightly shut, but the light seeping through the cracks revealed the immense power contained inside.

“This is it!” Mao Yu took a deep breath, his heart pounding with excitement. Carefully, he pushed open the warehouse door, and the sight before him stunned him.

At the center of the warehouse lay a colossal crystalline stone emitting a dazzling radiance, illuminating the entire space. Thick energy swirled around it like a rotating nebula.

“Damn! This… this is incredible!” Mao Yu couldn’t help but blurt out a curse.

Suddenly, a chilling laugh shattered the silence.

“Heh, looks like I’m a bit late,” Mao Yu spun around sharply to see Li Gang and several subordinates blocking the doorway. Li Gang wore a sinister smile, his eyes brimming with greed.

“Li Gang! What do you want?” Mao Yu’s voice was icy.

“What do I want? Of course, to claim what’s rightfully mine!” Li Gang pointed at the giant crystal arrogantly. “This superpower crystal is mine—I discovered it first!”

“Nonsense! I found it first!” Mao Yu retorted confidently.

“Kid, don’t try to refuse what you should accept!” Li Gang’s expression darkened, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. “Be smart and leave now, or else…”

“Or else what?” Mao Yu sneered, eyes blazing with battle fervor.

Li Gang said nothing but slowly raised his right hand, conjuring a black energy sphere radiating suffocating pressure. His men followed suit, unleashing their powers. A fierce battle was about to erupt.

“Wait,” Mao Yu suddenly said, a sly smile curling his lips. “How about a game? Whoever wins gets the crystal.”

Li Gang was taken aback, then laughed heartily. “A game? You must be scared out of your mind, trying to buy time with childish tricks.”

“Try me and you’ll see,” Mao Yu replied confidently, still smiling.

“Fine, I’ll play! What game?” Li Gang asked, intrigued to see what Mao Yu had in mind.

“Simple—we duel to see whose powers are stronger,” Mao Yu said, pulling out a uniquely designed dagger from the system space. “Whoever touches the other first wins.”

Li Gang eyed the dagger and then Mao Yu with contempt. “This? You’re sure?”

“Absolutely,” Mao Yu shrugged, brimming with confidence.

“Alright, let’s start!” Li Gang was eager to teach this insolent brat a lesson.

The duel began. Mao Yu didn’t rush in but circled around the immense crystal, deftly dodging Li Gang’s attacks. Secretly, he activated the system’s “Confuse” function, disrupting their perception.

Li Gang’s men began blaming each other, suspecting Mao Yu’s interference. Chaos ensued. Their vision blurred, movements slowed as if stuck in quicksand.

“What’s going on?” Li Gang was alarmed.

“Heh, noticing it now? A bit late, don’t you think?” Mao Yu’s voice echoed from all directions, making his exact location impossible to pinpoint.

Li Gang’s group panicked, feeling hunted by an invisible predator about to strike.

“Stop the tricks! Show yourself!” Li Gang roared, unleashing his powers wildly to flush Mao Yu out.

But Mao Yu, like a ghost, remained elusive, occasionally delivering surprises.

Their impatience grew, energy draining rapidly, yet none could touch Mao Yu.

Then suddenly, Mao Yu appeared behind Li Gang. The dagger gleamed coldly as he struck like lightning toward Li Gang’s back. At the moment the blade was about to pierce, Li Gang sensed death, eyes wide in terror, unable to evade, forced to watch as the dagger sank into him.

“Ah!” Li Gang screamed, collapsing to the ground.

“Boss!” Li Gang’s men swarmed around him.

“Forget me… quick, grab the crystal!” Li Gang gasped through pain, pointing to the glowing stone.

But just as they moved forward, Mao Yu unleashed a powerful energy burst, sending them all flying.

Standing beside the crystal, Mao Yu declared dominantly to the fallen Li Gang, “You really think you can compete with me? This crystal has always been mine.”

Feeling the surging energy within, Mao Yu was overwhelmed by an unprecedented sense of achievement. The surrounding crystals shone brilliantly as if celebrating his victory. A pure energy slowly flowed into him, fueling his powers to surge like a raging river, unstoppable.

“This feeling… it’s absolutely exhilarating!” Mao Yu clenched his fist, sensing the overwhelming force inside. The air seemed to tremble with his excitement, and the once gloomy warehouse brightened.

“Advancing to mid-level superpower user is just around the corner!” Mao Yu thought with delight, already envisioning himself at the pinnacle of the superpowered city, looking down on all.

Though outwardly confident facing Li Gang’s challenge, Mao Yu harbored some concern about protecting Mao Ling and the crystal. Yet he quickly set those worries aside, resolute to face whatever came.

During the fight, Mao Ling noticed a small flaw in Li Gang’s group and quietly informed Mao Yu, making her not just someone to be protected but a valuable ally.

However, the brief joy faded as Mao Yu’s brow furrowed. He knew that once news of this enormous superpower crystal spread, far more covetous enemies would come. He would face even greater trials.

“Brother, where do we go next?” Mao Ling’s innocent voice broke his thoughts.

Meeting her pure gaze, warmth surged in Mao Yu’s heart. He took a deep breath, suppressing his worries, and smiled confidently. “Of course, we’re going back to celebrate! Tonight, I’m treating you to a feast!”

At that moment, Mao Yu’s phone vibrated. He checked it—a message from the Superpowered Users Association. His expression instantly turned grave. Slowly, he handed the phone to Mao Ling. “Read it.”