Yang Fan adjusted his mask and strode into the small alley.
As he walked, he touched the back of his right hand with his left hand.
A pale green mark, with a contour resembling a cicada, immediately appeared.
This was the third curious item he had acquired.
Yang Fan called it—Soul Stealing Wisp.
The origin of this thing was equally humble.
Three months ago.
In a dream realm, he saw a beam of light drifting into the park's grove, merging with a discarded cicada shell.
He traveled a thousand miles to get there and climbed the tree to pick this curious item.
At this very moment.
Yang Fan entered the alley and immediately saw Huangmao hugging a beauty, groping her.
He shouted, "Hey!"
Huangmao was startled and instinctively let go of the beauty, turning his head to look over.
At first, he looked a bit guilty as he glanced at Yang Fan, realizing the latter was alone and didn't look particularly strong.
Huangmao's courage swelled up, and he cursed, "I'm getting cozy with my girlfriend; what's it to you?"
Yang Fan didn't reply, just took a step back.
In Huangmao's eyes, this seemed like a sign of weakness.
He aggressively stepped forward two paces, threatening, "Get lost, or I'll break your legs!"
This action widened the distance between Huangmao and the beauty.
Yang Fan felt it was about right and that the beauty wouldn't be harmed. He decisively pointed a finger at Huangmao.
At the same time.
The mark representing Thunder Branch emerged from the skin on his chest.
A ray of crimson lightning flashed from Yang Fan's fingertip, striking Huangmao's right chest.
As a rare curiosity, Thunder Branch not only serves as a large power bank but can also release lightning to attack targets.
Although Huangmao had awakened superpowers, and his physique was much stronger than ordinary people, he still couldn't withstand the crimson lightning.
"Bang!"
Only a soft sound was heard.
Huangmao fell silent and fainted, collapsing straight to the ground.
A burnt smell wafted out from his chest.
However, Huangmao was still breathing; he hadn't died.
Yang Fan glanced at him, flicked his right hand, and said softly, "Go!"
An extremely faint shadow, namely the Soul Stealing Wisp, darted into Huangmao's body like lightning.
Yang Fan smiled satisfactorily, "In a comatose state, consciousness cannot resist, so I should be able to seize this guy's superpower soon."
He sincerely thanked Huangmao, "Brother, thank you for your generous gift."
He looked at the beauty again, noticing her hand moved slightly, seeming about to wake up.
Yang Fan didn't want to be seen by the beauty, so he turned around and left without hesitation.
A few seconds later.
The beauty blinked and awoke.
She looked around, confused.
Why am I here?
Wasn't I just in the market?
She had no recollection of what had just happened.
The beauty then noticed Huangmao unconscious on the ground, felt a bit frightened, and hurried out of the alley.
Huangmao lay still, occasionally twitching.
Meanwhile.
Yang Fan patiently waited for a while and suddenly felt something.
An extremely faint shadow flashed by, entering his body.
The Soul Stealing Wisp had returned!
Yang Fan shifted his focus.
The cicada-shaped mark cooled slightly.
A phantom panel, visible only to him, appeared in front of his eyes.
————
[Attributes]
Physical Value: 6.3
Spirit Value: 7.4
[Superpower]
Spiritual Language: Not activated, low grade mental superpower, activation requires consumption of 1 Spiritual Source Value point.
[Energy]
Spiritual Source Value: 1.2
————
This is the magical ability of Soul Stealing Wisp.
Besides turning attributes into data, this curious item also possesses an extraordinary ability—to forcibly extract energy and superpowers from the target.
The targeted person either permanently loses their superpower or experiences a significant decline in superpower levels.
The so-called "soul stealing" is precisely this meaning.
As for "Spiritual Source Value," according to his understanding, it actually refers to universal attribute points.
*
Shangjing City.
Inside the secret base.
The Mermaid Jana routinely started to explain the knowledge about the Primordial World.
To her, this was just basic knowledge.
But to the Canglan people, this was extremely precious information.
"The process by which a civilization world descends into the Primordial World is roughly divided into three stages.
"The first stage is the 'Capture Phase,' where the civilization world is captured by the Primordial World and can never escape.
"During this period, the world is affected by the Primordial Laws, causing many changes, such as frequent abnormal weather conditions.
"The second stage is the 'Glide Phase,' where the civilization world glides along the edge of the Primordial World, similar to skipping stones.
"During this period, the world will glide over many areas of the Primordial World, including many dangerous regions, leading to more significant disasters..."
General Lou felt a chill as he heard this.
The troubles on Canglan Star are already enough, the old man really couldn't imagine what "more significant disasters" would look like.
The Mermaid said: "The last stage is the 'Anchor Phase,' as the name suggests, the civilization world stops gliding and fixes at a point in the Primordial World.
"This stage relies heavily on luck. If the world unfortunately anchors at a high-risk area, it might immediately face a catastrophe of extinction."
General Lou sighed: "Let's hope the Canglan people's luck won't be too bad."
The Mermaid continued: "In my personal judgement, Canglan Star should currently be in the middle of the first stage, and the first batch of superpower users are about to awaken."
General Lou looked impressed: "Your judgement is very accurate. Great Xia Kingdom discovered the first superpower user a few days ago."
The Mermaid smiled with satisfaction: "Based on the experience of the Mei Jia Civilization, the first batch of superpower users possess exceptional talents with great potential.
"Around eighty percent of the first batch of superpower users can break through the first barrier, which is the 'physical Barrier,' becoming powerful warriors."
General Lou nodded gently.
He understood that the term "warrior" referred to the universal definition of those who break through the first barrier in all civilizations.
According to the Mermaid's explanation, a warrior means "a fighter on the battlefield," that is, a brave soldier fighting for their civilization.
In Canglan people's terms, "warrior" includes everyone who battles on the battlefield, such definitions must be quickly revised, or they would be laughed at by other civilizations.
The Mermaid continued: "Approximately five to seven percent of the first batch of superpower users might further progress.
"They will break through the second barrier, which is the 'Spirit Barrier,' becoming even stronger knights.
"Only knights have the ability to confront many powerful monsters, so knights are indeed the backbone of a civilization."
General Lou nodded repeatedly.
The Mermaid added: "Without awakening the mental superpower, it's almost impossible to ascend to the second-tier power to become a knight."
General Lou immediately asked: "So, mental superpower is even more valuable."
The Mermaid nodded: "Obviously!"
She clarified a bit more: "For the first batch to awaken with mental superpower, you should give them high priority?"
General Lou bowed respectfully: "The Great Xia Kingdom is eternally grateful for your guidance!"
The Mermaid talked about other topics: "In the middle of the capture phase, the influence of the Primordial Laws will become more apparent, it's best for Great Xia to prepare in advance."
General Lou said: "Our nation is already prepared and is about to initiate a comprehensive conscription to better cope with natural disasters."
The Mermaid gave an enchanting smile: "A wise decision."
*
Linjiang City.
Victory Street Market.
Five whole minutes passed.
Huangmao groaned an "ah" and woke up from unconsciousness.
He immediately felt intense pain in his chest, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Huangmao struggled to sit up, using his phone's camera to inspect his chest.
He saw that the front of his shirt had a large hole burned through, with the skin almost charred.
The smell of scorched flesh filled his nose, mixed with a hint of a meaty aroma.
Huangmao hissed in pain a few times, suddenly sensing a strange feeling, as if he lost something crucial.
He carefully sensed it and suddenly panicked: "My superpower!"
Huangmao struggled to stand, made his way out of the alley, and approached a middle-aged vendor, staring with wide eyes.
Internally, he shouted madly: "Intimidation! Intimidation! Intimidation!"
The middle-aged vendor looked baffled, scolding: "Are you freaking crazy?!"
Huangmao's heart sank deeply.
He vaguely felt that his superpower might truly be gone.
But Huangmao refused to believe it, muttering to himself: "No, it must have been exhausted, it'll recover in a few days...yes, maybe it'll be back tomorrow."
The middle-aged vendor frowned again, cursing: "If you're not buying anything, get lost, don't freakin' obstruct my business."
Seeing Huangmao poorly clothed and acting crazed, he felt a bit sympathetic: "Did you get electrocuted stealing electricity? Is it worth saving such little power? Go to a hospital."
Hhuangmao nearly spat out old blood.
You're the one stealing electricity!
Your whole family steals electricity!
But the vendor was tall and burly, Huangmao dared not curse back.
He clutched his wound, staggeringly left the market.
Huangmao did not realize he had permanently lost his superpower, missing an opportunity to change his destiny.