Chapter 82 Enmity
“Ruan Ning?” The young man repeated, seemingly not having heard the name on the expected list before, his smile deepening. “My name is Shen Yao, from the Shen family in the capital. These two are my companions.” He didn’t elaborate, clearly believing that the name “Shen family” was sufficient.
The Shen family? Zhou Min and Lin Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes. They were a behemoth even before the apocalypse, and after the apocalypse, relying on the capital base, they developed into one of the most influential families.
Shen Yao's gaze returned to Da Huo, his interest undisguised: "I'm very interested in your mutated dog. It has great potential, and keeping it in this small base is a waste. Our Shen family is building a special mutated beast combat support unit with the best trainers, nutritionists, and training resources, and can also provide a broader stage."
He paused, looked at Ruan Ning, and his tone carried a hint of negotiation but was actually unquestionable: "Name your price. Crystal cores, weapons, food, even residency in the capital base, or any other resources you want. This dog, give it to me. For you personally, this is also a very worthwhile deal, allowing you and your teammates to gain a starting point far beyond what you have now."
The men and women around him also looked at Ruan Ning, as if they were certain that she would be moved, weigh the pros and cons, and then make a "wise" choice.
In their view, a superhuman from Dawn Base, even one with some strength, would have almost no reason to refuse the olive branch offered by the Shen family and such tempting conditions.
It's just a mutated beast; no matter how precious it is, it can't compare to real resources and a ladder to a larger platform.
The atmosphere in this corner of the market suddenly became tense. The surrounding noise seemed to subside, and many eyes were focused on this spot, filled with various emotions: envy, jealousy, worry, or simply a desire to see a good show.
Zhou Min's face flushed with anger, and she was about to speak when Lin Yan quietly pulled her back. Lin Yan pursed her lips, her hand already on the hilt of the knife. Da Huo seemed to understand that the other party wanted to "buy" it, its low growl becoming more pronounced, its front paws slightly pawing the ground, sparks flying from its nostrils.
Ruan Ning's face remained expressionless, not even a flicker of emotion in her eyes. Meeting Shen Yao's determined gaze, she spoke calmly, her voice clear and utterly unwavering:
"Not for sale."
Two words: resolute and decisive.
Shen Yao's smile faltered slightly, as if he hadn't expected the other party to refuse so decisively, not even listening to all the conditions.
He raised an eyebrow, his tone remaining composed yet carrying a hint of pressure: "Miss Ruan, perhaps you don't fully understand what the Shen family can offer. With you, this mutated dog is at most a powerful enforcer. But in our hands, after professional breeding and training, its value will exceed your imagination. This is also a better path for its evolution. You can reconsider..."
“It’s my partner, not cargo.” Ruan Ning interrupted him, her tone still calm but carrying an undeniable firmness. “There’s no need for discussion.”
After she finished speaking, she stopped looking at Shen Yao and the others, said "Let's go" to Zhou Min and Lin Yan, and turned around to continue looking at the parts on the stall, as if what had just happened was just an insignificant chat.
The fire immediately followed, but before turning around, it bared its teeth at Shen Yao and the other two, a flash of fire in its mouth, a clear warning, before trotting to catch up with Ruan Ning.
The smile on Shen Yao's face vanished completely, his eyes darkened, and he stared at Ruan Ning's back. Then he looked at the mutated giant dog that was full of intelligence and clearly only recognized one master. A cold smile slowly crept onto the corner of his mouth.
Seemingly surprised by the decisive rejection, the tall woman beside him—Liu Jing—suddenly turned cold, a disdainful smile curving her lips.
"You don't know what's good for you." She scoffed in a low voice, and before she finished speaking, her right hand had already risen with lightning speed, her five fingers spread wide!
"Zheng—!"
A faint yet sharp metallic hum filled the air!
Several fine, hair-like metal needles, gleaming with a cold light, instantly coalesced in front of her palm, whistling through the air like a swarm of poisonous bees, heading straight for Ruan Ning's back! A sneak attack! And a ruthless tactic aimed at a vital spot!
However, Ruan Ning seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. The instant the metal needles struck, she didn't even fully turn around; she merely shifted her feet subtly, moving half a step to the side, while simultaneously casually waving her left hand behind her—
A thin, cicada-wing-like, yet shimmering with rich, watery light, arc-shaped water shield instantly unfolded behind her, precisely blocking the trajectory of all the metal needles!
"Puff puff puff puff..."
A dense barrage of metal needles pierced the water shield with a dull thud.
The water shield appeared thin and light, yet it was exceptionally tough and sticky, containing pure water-based energy. The metal needle could only penetrate a little over an inch before it sank into the mud, its kinetic energy rapidly consumed and deflected, ultimately becoming firmly imprisoned within the water shield, unable to advance even an inch further!
Liu Jing's expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting her opponent to react so quickly and defend so strangely effectively. She was about to activate her special ability to make the metal needles explode or deform and continue their attack—
Ruan Ning, however, had already turned around completely, her eyes as cold as a deep pool in winter, her right hand forming a knife-like gesture, and she slashed through the air!
"Sizzle—!"
A solid water blade, its edges gleaming with a pale blue light, materialized out of thin air, tearing through the air and slashing back at Liu Jing's arm with a speed faster than a metal needle! The shift from offense to defense happened in an instant!
Liu Jing's pupils contracted, and she hastily conjured a small, round metal shield in front of her arm.
"clang--!"
The water blade struck the metal round shield, producing a loud clang like metal clashing!
The round shield trembled violently, and a deep dent was slashed into its surface. The water blade shattered, but the sharp impact it contained still made Liu Jing groan. Her entire arm went numb, and she staggered back two or three steps before regaining her balance. The color drained from her face, and she glared at Ruan Ning with shock and anger.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye! It wasn't until Liu Jing was repelled that the people around her reacted, and a suppressed gasp rang out.
The fire had already blocked Ruan Ning's path. Its golden fur was slightly bristling, and crimson flames were brewing in its mouth. Its dark red eyes were fixed on Liu Jing and Shen Yao. If Ruan Ning had the slightest thought, it would pounce on them without mercy.
Zhou Min and Lin Yan also quickly drew their weapons, standing on either side of Ruan Ning to protect her, their eyes wary and angry.
Ruan Ning stood still, slowly lowering her hand. The water shield around her, which had been holding the metal needles captive, silently dissipated, and the fine needles clattered to the ground. She didn't even glance at Liu Jing; her icy gaze fell directly on Shen Yao, whose face had darkened.
"Keep your people in check." Ruan Ning's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying an undeniable chill and warning. "If there's a next time, it won't just be weapons that get cut off."
Her counterattack was swift and decisive, demonstrating exquisite and powerful control over her water-based abilities. Her defense and counterattack were executed seamlessly, instantly suppressing the sneak attack from the second-tier metal-based ability user.
This strength and composure caused Shen Yao, who had been scrutinizing him with a sense of superiority, to become completely serious.
He gave Ruan Ning a deep look, then glanced at the raging fire and the other two team members who were clearly led by Ruan Ning. He suddenly smiled, but this time the smile lacked the false politeness and was filled with coldness and scrutiny.
"I didn't expect that Dawn Base would have someone like you." Shen Yao said slowly, his gaze sweeping between Ruan Ning and Da Huo. "It seems I was presumptuous. Liu Jing, apologize." The last sentence was addressed to the still unconvinced Liu Jing, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Liu Jing gritted her teeth, clutching her still numb arm, and nodded to Ruan Ning with great difficulty, but her eyes were still filled with resentment.
Shen Yao said no more, nodded slightly to Ruan Ning, still maintaining a condescending attitude, and then turned and left, leaving the crowd behind with Liu Jing, whose face was grim, and the bespectacled man who had been silently taking notes.
But the last glance he gave Da Huo and Ruan Ning before leaving clearly showed that "this is not over" and an even stronger interest.
The crowd in the market whispered among themselves, their gazes toward Ruan Ning's team filled with awe and pity—awe of her strength, and pity for the fact that she might have offended some important figure from the capital.
“Let’s go!” Ruan Ning turned and left first.
Zhou Min and Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief and put away their weapons, but the worry in their eyes did not disappear. They knew that someone like Shen Yao would never give up so easily.
In the apocalypse, strength is the only true measure of power.
Ruan Ning knew very well that if she were even slightly weaker today, the fire might not be saved, and she herself might get injured. Shen Yao's concession was not an act of giving up, but simply because her strength exceeded the other party's estimate that she could "easily control".
The seeds of the storm have already been sown.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com