C67 Don't Worry I Am Here!

"Chu Yi, who are you, really?" Zhao Jun's eyes were tinged with a blood-red hue. "How can you wield such control over genetic power?"

Indeed, Chu Yi had always relied on the inherent boost of strength from his genes, but Zhao Jun was a seasoned General with both strength and experience. He could discern whether Chu Yi had awakened his genetic power.

Chu Yi offered no response, merely gazing coldly at Zhao Jun, who seemed to realize he would get no further answers from him. Thus, Zhao Jun turned his attention to Lee Zi, his eyes also filled with astonishment.

"Genetic power from three different types!" he exclaimed. "Lee Zi, your talent is so terrifyingly formidable. It looks like you've managed to deceive everyone!"

The intelligence Zhao Jun had gathered did not match common knowledge. Lee Zi was not merely a fire-type genetic warrior as was widely believed. She possessed dual genetic types—a fact that was supposed to be highly classified.

Yet, what Zhao Jun found hard to accept was that this so-called top-secret information, for which he had paid dearly, was nothing but a farce. Dual types? He had approached Lee Zi as if she had two types of genes, and he had nearly capsized because of it.

Yes, if Lee Zi had been at the Silver Peak or even just a High Order Silver, Zhao Jun might have truly met his downfall this time.

"These young people today are incredibly cunning," he muttered. Both Lee Zi and Chu Yi had been playing their cards close to the chest, revealing them one by one, making a fool of him. If not for his own formidable strength and remaining trump cards, Zhao Jun might have already fled the scene. After all, he was no longer confident he could kill the pair, and a creeping fear of being overpowered by them had taken hold.

However, a turbulent ripple flickered through his previously subdued eyes. "But... this must be your limit!" he declared. "Now, it's my turn!"

Lee Zi's brow furrowed, and Chu Yi's face grew tense. They watched as Zhao Jun produced a capsule from nowhere and swallowed it whole. In the blink of an eye, a fearsome presence enveloped him. Zhao Jun's power surged, his aura intensifying with every passing moment.

Lee Zi's face fell at the sight. "Impossible!" she gasped. Substances like the Berserk Potion could indeed multiply a user's strength several times over, albeit with dire consequences, but the effect was undeniably potent.

However, that kind of power always came with a host of side effects, and the amplified abilities weren't inherently one's own. It was like taking a Berserk Potion—the power originated from the potion and was external, elusive to control. Furthermore, this power would gradually deplete over time until it vanished entirely.

But Zhao Jun was an exception!

Lee Zi could distinctly sense that the power within Zhao Jun wasn't foreign; it emanated from within his very being. This realization was what Lee Zi found most unsettling.

"What in the world is happening?"

Zhao Jun had completed his transformation and flashed another eerie smile at Chu Yi and Lee Zi.

"Surprised, aren't you?"

"The power of a High Order Gold General, achieved in an instant. Does it shatter your view of reality?"

Indeed, Zhao Jun had become a High Order Gold General. And the gap between a High Order Gold General and an Elementary Gold General was not marginal.

It was a difference of more than tenfold!

No potion could produce such a result. Even if such a formidable potion existed, it would be beyond human capacity to withstand. The human body simply couldn't endure an increase in strength by tenfold or more.

"Did you conceal your true strength?"

"No, that can't be it!"

"With the government's resources, if you had hidden your strength, you couldn't have evaded the detection of their devices and the perception of their experts!"

That's correct; the federal government wouldn't allow for such an oversight. If Zhao Jun had concealed his abilities, he might have fooled the government's technological instruments, but he would never escape the notice of the federal experts.

Zhao Jun laughed boisterously, "Foolish, pitiable, ignorant!"

"It's no wonder alien civilizations scorn us. Ultimately, it's because humans are like frogs in a well!"

"You never believe in miracles, never accept the extraordinary!"

"You..."

"You'll never grasp the extent of our singular truth!"

Without further explanation, Zhao Jun sprang into action. His speed now was vastly superior to before. Even Zhao Jun, who had previously executed the Gale Steps, couldn't hold a candle to his current velocity!

Zhao Jun wasn't employing any special techniques at the moment; he was relying solely on his raw physical speed.

His body was nearly breaking the sound barrier!

What a terrifying feat!

It's common knowledge that shattering the sound barrier with one's body is a feat reserved for Diamond Level Great Generals.

"Run!"

As Chu Yi's voice echoed, Lee Zi was already hurtling backward.

Disbelief lingered in her eyes as she crashed heavily to the ground.

Without a moment's hesitation, Chu Yi was instantly at Lee Zi's side.

He looked down at the copious blood at the corner of Lee Zi's mouth and her slightly glazed eyes, his own eyes filled with anguish.

"Lee Zi, Lee Zi!"

But at that moment, Lee Zi seemed unable to recover from the shock of the powerful blow, continuously whispering, "Chu Yi, run, run, don't worry about me..."

A slight tremor ran through Chu Yi's heart.

Zhao Jun held back, not striking again. Having revealed his hand, he wasn't ready to finish things so quickly.

His favorite pastime was to torment and kill prodigies, to watch them sink into despair and die in agony.

Clearly, Lee Zi and Chu Yi were the most formidable prodigies Zhao Jun had ever encountered. To him, tormenting such individuals was sheer delight.

"Enjoy the pain, the despair!"

"This is my final gift to you..."

Chu Yi seemed oblivious to Zhao Jun's eerie voice. His gaze was fixed solely on Lee Zi.

Eventually, Lee Zi began to regain consciousness.

Her pupils contracted upon seeing Chu Yi. "Chu Yi, run!"

"We can't beat him! Run!"

Both were capable of challenging a Gold, but only an ordinary one.

Against a High Order Gold like Zhao Jun, especially one who wielded numerous secret arts, they stood no chance at all!

Chu Yi remained silent, simply holding Lee Zi tightly in his embrace.

His heart quaked, yet his voice was tender.

"Don't worry, Lee Zi..."

A warm smile graced Chu Yi's lips as he gazed at Lee Zi.

"No matter what happens, I will always stand in front of you."

"I will protect you forever..."

I will protect you forever...

Lee Zi's eyes became misty.

In that moment, it was as if she had been transported back twelve years, to that afternoon, to that alley.

She remembered a boy who had also stood before her, arms wide open.

He had uttered the same words...

Slowly, the boy's figure grew taller and taller until it completely merged with the figure before her.

Suddenly, Lee Zi snapped back to reality.

"No, no, run!"

"He's too strong for you!"

Lee Zi struggled to rise.

Yes, you once protected me, and you promised to always do so.

How I wished you could truly protect me forever.

But this time...

Let me protect you...

Lee Zi fought to her feet.

Though in the future, I may never again feel the comfort of your protection...

Lee Zi's body shook uncontrollably, yet she was resolute!

And I have no regrets!

The next moment, a burst of light radiated from Lee Zi's body.

She was making a sacrifice...

Lee Zi was giving her all!

Chu Yi sensed the disturbance and saw the glow emanating from Lee Zi.

He recognized this technique from somewhere!

That's right!

Sacrifice!

Wasn't this the very technique Teacher Cang had recently employed?

Instantly, Chu Yi's pupils narrowed.

Lee Zi was frantically sacrificing all she had.

She knew she was no match for Zhao Jun, even after her sacrifice; the chasm between them was too vast.

Yet she believed that by giving her all, she could muster enough power to create an opportunity for Chu Yi to escape.

But at that moment, Lee Zi felt as though she was paralyzed.

No, it wasn't paralysis.

There was no sensation of cold.

But Lee Zi found herself unable to move or even continue the sacrificial technique.

What was happening?

Lee Zi strained to glance sideways, only to see Chu Yi's face, beaming with a warm smile.

"Silly girl..."

Chu Yi was smiling, standing beside Lee Zi.

He reached out and playfully flicked Lee Zi's nose.

"I'm here for you," I assured her.

"But!" Lee Zi protested.

With a gentle touch, Chu Yi placed his finger on Lee Zi's lips, silencing her. Such intimacy was new to them, and despite the peril surrounding them, Lee Zi's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

"Don't you trust your boyfriend?" he teased.

Boyfriend... The word sent Lee Zi's thoughts into disarray, the imminent danger momentarily forgotten.

If Chu Yi couldn't discern Lee Zi's affection for him now, then all his experiences would have been for naught. He might not have understood why Lee Zi had ceased communication for so long, but he was certain of one thing—she had always kept a watchful eye on him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have spoken those insightful words or understood him so deeply.

Previously, Chu Yi had avoided such reflections, unwilling to confront his feelings. But now...

Facing Zhao Jun, whose expression was laced with mischief, Chu Yi's smile remained unfalteringly warm. They were possibly facing the gravest threat since his return, and this time, it could mean the end for both him and Lee Zi.

Chu Yi refused to be burdened by hesitation or regret any longer. Memories flooded his mind, a torrent of missed opportunities with Lee Zi. He had let her slip through his fingers countless times before, but not this time.

In a swift motion, he carried Lee Zi to a nearby tree and effortlessly lifted the constraints from her body. It was then that the realization dawned on her, her face glowing with astonishment.

"Chu Yi, is this your true strength?" Lee Zi asked, clarity shining in her eyes. She recalled his previous claims that he had not yet revealed his full capabilities.

Lee Zi had never imagined the extent of Chu Yi's true power. She had thought that even if he was holding back, his greatest might would be on par with hers. Clearly, she had underestimated him. If Chu Yi's actual strength was merely similar to hers, he wouldn't have been able to overpower her so completely in a mere instant.

Observing Chu Yi's tender gaze, a gaze she had never been privy to before, Lee Zi couldn't help but smile.

"At worst, it's just death..."

Yes, at worst it's just death, at worst it's just us dying here together.

Chu Yi nodded gently, caressing Lee Zi's face with tenderness.

"It won't come to that..."

It won't come to that...

...