The enigmatic figure advanced once more toward Xiao Feng, his gaze fixed upon the latter's battered visage as he panted, "You are the first to endure so many of my blows and still remain alive. I admit, I underestimated you earlier."
With every ounce of strength, Xiao Feng sneered coldly, "Hmph, an eighth-level psychic is hardly impressive."
The stranger chuckled darkly, "Feel free to scorn me—waste the last reserves of your life on contempt. Because in mere minutes, you won't even have the time to despise me." With that, he raised his right foot and stamped viciously toward Xiao Feng's face.
Yet, the earth beneath his foot cracked open, gouging a pit over half a meter wide, and Xiao Feng had vanished from beneath him.
A voice rang sharply in his ear: "Picking on a child—is that all you've got?"
The stranger whipped his head around to find behind him a modified sports car and two towering figures.
The car was Lin's ride, and the two figures were none other than Rush and K.
Lin stepped down from the car and gently lifted Xiao Feng. "Xiao Feng, are you alright?"
Xiao Feng was too drained to muster a smile. Weakly, he muttered, "Damn, you came just in time. Had you been a minute later, I'd have been beaten to death by that monster."
Rush was clad in armor identical to Xiao Feng's. Originally, Xiao Feng had purchased three suits—one for himself, one for Rice, and the last now worn by Rush.
The mysterious man's eyes narrowed in surprise as he assessed the newcomers, especially upon realizing the formidable level of their psychic powers. "And who might you two be?"
K chuckled, "We're nobody special, mere small fry. But seeing our brother beaten so mercilessly breaks our hearts."
Masked, Rush's face was unreadable, but his eyes blazed with icy determination. Though he had initially disliked Xiao Feng, after days of interaction, he had come to regard him with newfound respect and brotherly loyalty.
Lin helped Xiao Feng to his feet. "Who exactly is that man?"
"I don't know," Xiao Feng gasped. "But he's incredibly powerful—not just in speed, but strength as well. At this point, I even suspect he might be one of the Seven Monsters."
"The Seven Gods? No way. But judging by your description, it could very well be Hades, the Grim Reaper."
"You know him?"
"Indeed. Hades is a psychic evolutionist with mastery over strength, speed, and defense. He ranks among the seven most formidable warriors in the Alliance Army. We call them the Seven Monsters, but they consider themselves gods—the Seven Gods. Hades isn't the strongest among them. In mythology, the Reaper is the weakest deity, hence his title."
"Sounds terrifying. Well, I'll give him a thrashing when I recover!" Xiao Feng said, his body rapidly regenerating, even the shattered bones knitting back together.
Lin, astounded by the audible sound of healing bones, regarded Xiao Feng in awe. "Though they're powerful, I feel you might surpass them soon enough. Perhaps you'll reach that level before long."
"Eighth-level psychic?" Xiao Feng shook his head weakly. "That's not what I seek..."
As Xiao Feng spoke, his eyes settled on the opposing figures, Rush and K. K smiled wryly, "Hades, though masked, I'm guessing that's you?"
Hades laughed heartily. "Indeed, it's me. The mask is for safety—our kind have far too many enemies. Though few can kill us, we must always remain vigilant, lest we end up like Xiao Feng there."
His gaze shifted back to Xiao Feng, who was now standing unassisted. Frowning, Hades thought to himself, Impossible… I shattered so many of his ribs moments ago—how is he still standing, still alive?
Rush glanced at Xiao Feng, fully aware of his regenerative powers and unconcerned. While the pain from broken bones was severe, it was hardly fatal.
Hades snarled, "Who is this brat? How can his body harbor so many psychic powers?"
K smirked, "Scared already? One day, he'll surpass you. That's one reason we follow him. But what truly earns our respect is his indomitable spirit—the way he falls and rises again, time and again. You, standing above all, could never comprehend such pride."
Hades sneered, "I don't care to understand. But you will all die. First, Xiao Feng—if you dare to block me, I'll send you straight to hell."
Rush laughed darkly, "We already live in hell. Isn't this Earth itself a living inferno? Hell might even be more hospitable. And even if we do end up there, you won't be the one sending us."
With that, Rush nodded to K. "Let's begin."
K chuckled coldly, "It's been a long time since I last fought." Suddenly, a flicker of radiant light shimmered around him, weaving a mesmerizing aura.
Everyone, including Hades, was stunned by the dazzling display of K's psychic evolution. Except for Lin, no one had ever witnessed such a breathtaking ability before.