Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 765 Challenge Dungeon 21

Despite the monster's tenacious vitality, hard shell, and dangerous acidic blood, it was easily defeated by the coordinated and efficient attack led by Xie Yipei and the four humans and one beast.

Especially in Xie Yipei's seemingly casual yet terrifyingly cutting wind blade storm, its resistance was quickly disintegrated.

The screech changed from furious to mournful, and finally stopped abruptly.

The mangled, no longer human-shaped body crashed to the ground, yellowish-green acid flowing everywhere, before slowly ceasing its writhing.

Successfully defeated the disguised alien (worker type). Current progress: 1/10

The system notification sounded, announcing a successful first battle.

Xie Yipei dispersed the wind blades, his aura becoming calm, as if he had just done something insignificant.

Lu Ting skillfully inspected the short blade, confirming that it was not severely corroded by acid blood.

Hu Lanqin maintained the soundproof force field until the monster's remains turned into a puddle of pus under the action of the acid, and then quickly evaporated, before cautiously withdrawing her power.

The Wind and Cloud Beast scurried back to Yun Chu's feet, letting out a low growl as if seeking praise. Yun Chu lowered her head and praised it a few times.

They rested briefly for ten minutes before heading back to search for the alien monster.

The aliens they encountered were disguised in various ways: there were "elites" dressed in suits and ties, mingling in office building cafes; there were "clerks" working the night shift at convenience stores; and there was even an "artist" disguised as a street performer, using music and crowds to mask his own turmoil...

These monsters also differ slightly in appearance and abilities.

Besides the most common type, the "worker bee," which was similar to their initial encounter, they also encountered the incredibly fast and ambush-savvy "messenger" type; a variant with exceptionally thick carapace and astonishing strength; and a troublesome type that could briefly spew out a strong acid mist.

Battles are not always smooth sailing.

During a hunt targeting a suspected "elite" individual, the target suddenly self-destructed as it was near death, scattering large amounts of acidic blood and shattered shell fragments everywhere.

Hu Lanqin's force field failed to completely block the attack. In order to protect Hu Lanqin, Lu Ting's arm was grazed by a small piece of debris. His protective suit was instantly corroded, and his skin and flesh festered. Fortunately, he removed the rotten flesh in time and used a highly effective treatment to avoid serious injury.

The Wind and Cloud Beast's hind legs were also burned by the acid, making it slightly difficult for it to move.

In every battle, Xie Yipei was always a key player.

His "elemental skills" demonstrate terrifying adaptability: wind blade slash, fire burn, frost slow, lightning paralysis... he can always take the most effective attack method according to the characteristics of the monster.

His combat awareness is even more astonishing; he can often react before the monsters show any signs of attacking, and even use the environment to amplify his gains.

Yun Chu constantly changed roles under his orders:

Sometimes they use the stone statue's skills to create obstacles or carry out precise pinpoint attacks; sometimes they drive the fire iron flying ants to conduct large-scale reconnaissance or harassment; the wind and cloud beasts become mobile guerrillas and early warning sentries.

She was forced to keep up with Xie Yipei's rhythm. Despite her inner resistance, she had to admit that the feeling of being forcibly incorporated into an efficient killing system had a unique and unsettling "smoothness."

He always knew exactly when to give her instructions, as if he understood better than she did how to use those "pets" and skills to maximize their effectiveness—this insight sent chills down her spine.

Time flew by amidst repeated pursuits, ambushes, and killings.

The city's neon lights tirelessly lit up and dimmed, dimmed and lit up again.

When the seventh alien was blasted to smithereens by Xie Yipei's lightning at the confluence of a dark sewer, only three dark red dots remained on the radar, scattered across different areas of the city.

"Rest for four hours." Xie Yipei glanced at the time displayed on his personal interface. "Then, take care of the last three in one go. Lanqin, you've expended a lot of energy, recover quickly. Lu Ting, be on alert."

They found a small, abandoned underground warehouse to rest temporarily.

Hu Lanqin turned pale and immediately entered a meditative state.

Lu Ting then set up some simple warning traps on the perimeter.

The Wind and Cloud Beast curled up at Yun Chu's feet, licking the wound on its hind leg.

The warehouse was silent, with only the faint hum of the distant city breaking the silence.

Xie Yipei leaned against a pile of discarded shipping containers, closing his eyes to rest.

Yun Chu sat a little distance away from him and quietly took out some ointment to apply to the injured leg of the Wind Cloud Beast.

The Wind and Cloud Beast immediately felt much better, whimpered a few times, and then nestled softly in Yun Chu's arms.

After resting, they went to hunt aliens again.

The last three aliens seemed to sense the danger as well, and their actions became increasingly elusive, even attempting to counter-track.

One of them even disguised itself as a city security mechanical police officer, attempting to use its identity to approach and ambush them. However, Xie Yipei's "Eye of Truth" easily saw through the disguise, and instead lured it into a pre-set electromagnetic trap.

When the last alien—an exceptionally strong one, which appeared to be a small-headed variant—appeared.

As it was pinned to the sticky nest wall by Xie Yipei's massive elemental spear, a slash imbued with the power of wind and thunder, which Xie Yipei had channeled all his strength into, the cold system notification finally resounded in everyone's minds once again:

[Hidden dungeon quest 'Urban Shadow Hunt' completed!]

Kills: 10/10

Time taken: 14 hours and 17 minutes

[Comprehensive contribution evaluation in progress...]

[Evaluation Completed: S Grade]

[Generating S-rank dungeon treasure chest...]

In the center of the nest, the air distorted, and a magnificent treasure chest, about half a person's height, slowly took shape, emitting a pale golden light and with strange runes flowing on its surface.

Hu Lanqin let out a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across her face. Lu Ting also wiped non-existent sweat from his brow, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked at the treasure chest. The Wind and Cloud Beast curiously approached the treasure chest and sniffed it.

Xie Yipei's breathing was slightly uneven, but he quickly calmed down. He walked to the treasure chest and, without hesitation, reached out to touch it.

The treasure chest shone brightly, and the lid opened silently. Three orbs of light of different colors floated out of the chest and hovered in front of him.

[Obtained: A-rank item 'Defense Bracelet', Tier 1 item 'Invisibility Cloak', S-rank item 'Spatial Lockdown'.]

"Another S-rank item!" Lu Ting couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "Captain, your luck... is truly unbelievable."

His gaze toward Xie Yipei was filled with admiration mixed with a touch of complexity.

To obtain two S-grade items from a single dungeon run—such luck and skill are truly unbelievable.

Hu Lanqin also had a happy expression on her face, clearly pleased with the team's achievement.

Xie Yipei remained calm, seemingly unsurprised to have obtained an S-rank item.

He picked up the three items, checked their attributes, and said, "I'll use the Spatial Lockdown one." He said calmly, then looked at the other two, "The Defense Bracelet is suitable for Lu Ting, you take it. The Concealment Cloak is suitable for reconnaissance and concealment, Lan Qin, you use it."

The allocation was swift and efficient, based entirely on maximizing team utility, and no one objected.

Yun Chu stood a little distance away, watching quietly.

Treasure chests, rewards, S-rank items... none of this mattered to her.

She simply carried out the task that her "master" had ordered her to complete, nothing more.

The Wind and Cloud Beast at her feet seemed to sense her low spirits and gently nuzzled against her.

"Let's go." His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable penetrating power. His gaze swept over Lu Ting and Hu Lanqin, who looked slightly tired but couldn't hide their excitement, and finally lingered for a moment on Yun Chu's expressionless face.

He turned and walked first toward the entrance to the lair, still shrouded in illusion. Lu Ting and Hu Lanqin immediately followed.

Yun Chu stood still for two seconds. She took a deep breath of the damp, stale air and followed.