Zhao Hao looked at Liu Shuai's 300-pound frame and found it hard to call him "handsome."
But the next second, Liu Shuai said, "By the way, since we're on this mission together, let's introduce our abilities to each other. I'll go first—I'm a Spatial Ability user."
The moment the words "Spatial Ability" were uttered, Zhao Hao couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
There was no way around it—anyone with basic knowledge knew that abilities involving space were extremely powerful.
"Handsome guy! You're really a Spatial-type?" Zhao Hao exclaimed in surprise.
Liu Shuai smirked proudly, "Authentic. I'm a Spatial-type Spirit Master, and my ability is teleportation."
This statement once again sparked Zhao Hao's envy.
"Teleportation! That's so powerful! I thought my ability was already strong enough, but yours is even stronger!"
"What's your ability?" Liu Shuai asked curiously.
To everyone's surprise, Zhao Hao glanced awkwardly at Shen Lingxue, who was driving ahead, and seemed too shy to say it.
Shen Lingxue saw this through the rearview mirror and immediately snorted coldly: Since you've awakened such a power, there's no need to be shy about it.
Since I'm the team leader this time, I'll give you a brief introduction to help you get to know each other.
Fang Xiu's power is perception, Zhao Hao's is... well, the fat guy already mentioned it, and as for me, my power is fire."
The words "well, your power" coming from Shen Lingxue's mouth made Zhao Hao blush fiercely.
Liu Shuai, standing beside him, stared at Zhao Hao as if he had seen a ghost, utterly amazed.
"Brother, you... you're amazing!"
After saying that, he couldn't help but laugh: "You're really a genius, aren't you? 'Surname ability'? What were you thinking? How does this ability deal with the supernatural? Are you planning to 'conquer the supernatural'?"
Mentioning the words "confront the supernatural," Zhao Hao's face grew even redder.
At that moment, Shen Lingxue poured a bucket of cold water on him.
"Fatso, stop laughing. You're ruining my music. And you have the nerve to mock someone else's ability? Your teleportation ability can only move ten centimeters in an hour. What's there to boast about?"
Liu Shuai's laughter abruptly stopped, his face filled with anger, but he dared not speak up.
Little did they know that another laugh echoed through the air.
"Hahaha... Teleport ten centimeters? That distance isn't even as far as I can walk in one step."
The speaker was none other than Zhao Hao.
Liu Shuai grew even more furious. If he couldn't provoke Shen Lingxue, couldn't he provoke a newcomer?
"Ten centimeters was before! I've improved now. I can teleport twenty centimeters in half an hour!"
"Hahaha... Twenty centimeters in half an hour? I can't help but ask why you don't just walk?"
"You don't know anything, I..."
"Enough!" Shen Lingxue roared, silencing both of them.
"From now on, if either of you dares to say another word, I'll throw you down and make you run to Blackwater Village on your own!"
The two fell silent instantly, no longer daring to laugh.
During their time at the Investigation Bureau, they had already come to understand Shen Lingxue's strength and temperament.
As for her temper, let's not even mention it. Just in terms of strength, Shen Lingxue was a first-tier senior spirit master, with her spiritual essence already illuminated by over ten percent. Such strength was more than enough to easily overwhelm newbie spirit masters.
Additionally, her ability was an attack-oriented flame ability, and among first-tier spirit masters, her strength was not weak.
As Shen Lingxue erupted in anger, the car fell silent, with only the song flowing gently.
Fang Xiu, however, remained silent throughout, keeping his eyes closed in meditation.
Yet, a faint doubt lingered in his mind.
A C-rank anomalous incident, and they only sent a senior Spirit Tamer of the first rank and three newcomers?
Zhao Hao and Liu Shuai were practically useless in combat, and in the Investigation Bureau's assessment, he himself was also considered to have little combat capability.
So, wasn't this essentially a senior spirit master leading three deadweights?
Was this really the configuration for a C-class mission? Why did it feel like a high-level player leading a team through a dungeon?
Or had the Investigation Bureau's manpower become so strained that this was necessary?
Fang Xiu had no way of knowing. Perhaps everything would become clear once they arrived at Heishui Village.
Several hours later.
The off-road vehicle traversed the mountainous region and finally arrived at Blackwater Village.
The village was surrounded by mountains, with rugged terrain in the surrounding area. A long river flowed through the village, known as the Blackwater River. Due to geological factors, the river was deep and dark, with insufficient light, causing it to appear black from a distance.
As the sky grew dark, the dim sunlight cast a gloomy glow over Blackwater Village, making the Blackwater River appear even more mysterious. From afar, it resembled a black python coiling around the mountains.
Upon reaching the vicinity of Blackwater Village, Shen Lingxue chose not to continue driving but instead proceeded on foot, as the mountain path had become too steep for the vehicle to traverse.
The group packed their luggage, carried their cameras, and set off.
As for why they brought cameras, it was because this was Shen Lingxue's disguise. Before arriving, she had used her connections at the Investigation Bureau to pose as a television reporter and had contacted the village chief of Black Water Village to arrange for a news report.
After walking for about an hour, they finally entered the vicinity of Blackwater Village, by which time it had grown completely dark.
Shen Lingxue called the village chief of Blackwater Village.
Soon, a young man supporting an elderly man slowly approached, holding lanterns that emitted a dim glow.
The light flickered with their footsteps, casting their faces in alternating light and shadow. In this dark mountain village, it added a eerie atmosphere.
"Are you Ms. Shen from the TV station?" the old man asked tremblingly.
Shen Lingxue seemed unafraid of the darkness, stepping forward and saying, "That's correct. Are you Village Chief Wang?"
By now, the old man had approached, and the lantern's light enveloped them all, allowing everyone to finally see their faces clearly.
The old village chief had dark skin, a hunched posture, and a face etched with the lines of time. His eyes were slightly cloudy, clearly indicating his advanced age. However, despite his age, he had not a single white hair; instead, his hair was black and shiny, as if it had been oiled.
The young man supporting him bore a resemblance to the old village chief in his brow, with the same dark skin and shiny hair, but his face showed no wrinkles, though his skin was somewhat rough.
He wore a shy, reserved smile, which grew even more awkward upon seeing Shen Lingxue's appearance. If it weren't for the darkness and his own dark skin, he might have blushed.
Shen Lingxue's appearance was indeed a stark contrast in Heishui Village. With her delicate features and fair skin as smooth as a freshly peeled egg, she stood out among the villagers, seeming like she belonged to a different world.
It was as if a polished, glamorous celebrity had come to this dilapidated, impoverished mountain village for poverty alleviation efforts.
"I'm Wang Yougui. This is my grandson, Wang Fugui. Fugui, say hello!" Village Chief Wang laughed heartily.
The young man named Wang Fugui, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched his head and said, "Ms. Shen… Ms. Shen, hello."