Before Dr. Zhao and Lin Qiao could even celebrate for a second, Han Yimo was also sent flying.
Dr. Zhao quickly reached out and caught him mid-air, realizing that Han Yimo was already dazed and disoriented.
Xiaoxiao froze for a moment before turning her gaze to Han Yimo. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Uh…” Dr. Zhao didn’t even know where to begin. “Maybe you accidentally hurt him…?”
“Me…?” Xiaoxiao was momentarily confused. “My ‘Framing’ was directed at the guy in front of me… How did he take half of it?”
Hearing this, Dr. Zhao immediately looked down at the barely conscious Han Yimo.
“Seriously, man…” Dr. Zhao shook Han Yimo vigorously, trying to snap him out of it. “You just can’t resist taking a piece of the pie, huh? Even stealing other people’s things?”
“Ugh…” Han Yimo groggily opened his eyes. “What kind of skill just hit me… Buddha’s Wrath Lotus or something…?”
“Snap out of it!” Dr. Zhao kept shaking him. “You’re starting to talk nonsense…”
“Too fast… couldn’t see…” Han Yimo muttered. “Couldn’t even dodge…”
Dr. Zhao exchanged a helpless glance with Lin Qiao, both of them looking troubled. For Han Yimo, this wasn’t a matter of failing to dodge—it was that no matter where he ran, he’d still be hit by the damage from “Framing” remotely.
“Should I take Han Yimo and slip away…?” Dr. Zhao asked hesitantly. “If we don’t leave, he’s done for…”
“That won’t work…” Lin Qiao thought for a moment. “If you run off with Han Yimo alone, things will be even more dangerous…”
“Uh…” Dr. Zhao realized the problem—after all, Han Yimo was “Disaster Magnet.”
“The best solution is to let him die here.” Lin Qiao pointed at Han Yimo. “There’s no point dragging this ‘bomb’ around. Just leave him and let Xiaoxiao finish him off while she’s at it.”
Though Lin Qiao claimed Han Yimo was worthless, Dr. Zhao couldn’t shake the feeling that wasn’t entirely true. From a personal perspective, Han Yimo was just like him—wild grass tossed around in a storm. People like them lived and died without anyone caring. The only reason Dr. Zhao had been protected this long was because he was “Disintegration.”
Once he fulfilled his mission and destroyed the giant bell and display screen, it would be great news for the “Extreme Path,” but for Dr. Zhao, he’d lose even that value. Then, just like Han Yimo, he’d be disposable, abandoned in this finality at any moment.
Objectively speaking, Dr. Zhao didn’t think Han Yimo was a “bomb” either. If he were truly that dangerous, Qi Xia would’ve found a hundred ways to get rid of him by now. Yet Han Yimo had survived this long—didn’t that prove something?
So, whether emotionally or logically, Han Yimo had to be saved this time. What if he still had a role to play later?
“Xiaoxiao…” Dr. Zhao turned to her with an awkward expression. “Can you… maybe hold off on using ‘Framing’ for now…?”
Lin Qiao was baffled. In a six-on-one situation, was Dr. Zhao really trying to interfere with Xiaoxiao’s tactics?
Xiaoxiao blinked, staring at Dr. Zhao in confusion.
Dr. Zhao continued, “Just now, you seemed really impressive—strong, skilled in combat. But once you used ‘Framing,’ it felt like… you weren’t as powerful anymore…”
Lin Qiao suddenly realized Dr. Zhao might be playing some kind of psychological game, subtly manipulating Xiaoxiao like a patient with mental issues.
“My strength… has nothing to do with ‘Framing’…” Xiaoxiao grinned. “Even if I don’t use it, these guys are no match for me! They’re just too scared to fight me!”
The men nearby immediately took offense. Ignoring the fallen vest guy, they started advancing toward Xiaoxiao.
“You think we’re afraid of you…?” one of them sneered. “If you don’t use your ‘Echo,’ we’ll wipe the floor with you.”
“Great!” Xiaoxiao laughed. “That’s perfect!”
Despite the tough talk, what followed was practically one-sided slaughter. Xiaoxiao had clearly undergone brutal training—her strength, endurance, reflexes, and combat skills far surpassed any ordinary person.
She took them down one by one, then delivered brutal strikes and kicks to their heads, knocking them unconscious in quick succession.
Watching this, Dr. Zhao finally understood why Yan Zhichun had said Xiaoxiao could keep him safe. Whether through sheer combat ability or her “Echo,” this woman would ensure he reached the end alive. That was probably her purpose.
After dealing with four of them, Xiaoxiao lumbered toward the last man standing.
Reality was often absurdly cruel. These men hadn’t even had the chance to shout dramatically or unleash some epic “Echo” battle—they were effortlessly taken down by Xiaoxiao.
Before they could struggle for even a second, they lost consciousness.
The gap between ordinary people and trained fighters was already vast. Add “no rules” and “no consequences” to the mix, and the difference in lethality became even more extreme.
The last man scrambled away in terror, his mind blanking on any strategy. If a human couldn’t be taken down with an iron rod… how could she possibly be killed?
The only answer was numbers—overwhelm her with sheer force. Even the greatest warriors of ancient times couldn’t withstand endless waves of enemies.
“Someone help!!” he screamed at the top of his lungs.
Realizing the danger, Xiaoxiao rushed forward and aimed a punch at his temple—but his body flickered like an illusion, some “Echo” activating. Her fist passed right through his head as if striking a reflection in water.
The man regained solid form, sprinting and shouting, “There’s a stray ‘rebel’ here!! Kill them!!”
“Damn it…” Xiaoxiao frowned, quickly considering her options. She picked up a rock, locked onto the fleeing man, and smashed it against her own thigh.
Unfortunately, this time, “Framing” failed. Xiaoxiao only felt sharp pain in her leg, followed by Han Yimo’s distant scream—the man remained unharmed.
Without hesitation, she hurled the rock with full force toward his head. The man turned just in time, his body flickering again, letting the stone pass harmlessly through his skull.
Who would’ve thought the weakest fighter would be the best at running away?
“Ha… damn it.” Xiaoxiao chuckled bitterly. “Let’s run.”
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