Chapter 29: A Mother’s Reckoning and a City’s Despair

Tianyu reacted immediately, realizing someone had impersonated her, getting close to Bai Yu without her noticing, and even turning her into a witch.

This was simply intolerable — she had used so many secret arts on Bai Yu, yet at the crucial moment, none of it helped at all.

There was no way she could believe there wasn’t a conspiracy involved — there **had** to be a mole inside the Hunter Guild.

Although Tianyu was furious to the extreme, she still didn’t explode; right now, that wasn’t the most important thing.

“Xiao Yu, it’s a bit complicated to explain. The person you saw before wasn’t me. Let’s go home first, and I’ll explain everything.”

Bai Yu nodded, seeing her mother like this, gradually understanding the current situation.

At this point, Tianyu no longer had any reason to fight.

Although the purpose of the Hunter Guild was to eliminate all dark-aligned spiritual cores…

Tianyu wasn’t the type to cut ties with family for the organization anyway.

From the start, she joined the Hunter Guild to make money — there was no so-called lofty ideal.

Not to mention, this was her son — uh, now daughter.

Either way, she could never attack her own child for the Hunter Guild’s sake.

She had already earned enough money, and she had planned to quit after completing one last job — this situation happened to align perfectly with her plans.

“Hah, I was scared to death just now. I almost got killed by that vampire.”

Bai Yu let out a breath of relief, while Tianyu looked at the now-adorable white-haired girl, her thoughts unclear.

Tianyu reached out and patted Bai Yu’s head.

Now, she was a full two heads taller than Bai Yu, whereas when Bai Yu was still male, he had been taller than her.

Who would’ve thought that after just over a year apart, she would never see her son again.

Thinking that, Tianyu felt a hint of sorrow — she regretted not coming back sooner.

“Sorry, Xiao Yu. It’s all my fault that you ended up like this.”

Bai Yu, just about to dodge her mother’s hand, froze at her words.

“No, it’s not like that.

Besides, becoming like this isn’t all bad… at least my strength is pretty good now, hehe.”

Bai Yu scratched her head.

She wasn’t being totally honest, but after so many days, she had already accepted her identity as a girl.

“This… Xiao Yu, you know, right? Once you become a witch, there’s no going back.

Even I can’t undo it.”

“Mm, of course I know. It’s fine.”

Bai Yu felt a sharp pain in her heart.

Her previously calm mood collapsed instantly — could her mother not stab right into her weakness at a time like this?

Her mom really hadn’t changed — such a straightforward person, never going around in circles.

Bai Yu showed a cute, harmless smile, looking at Tianyu.

Feeling Bai Yu’s attitude, Tianyu sighed with emotion.

Her child had finally grown up — though in a rather unconventional way — but growth was growth.

She was now even capable of standing on her own as a mystic arts practitioner.

Tianyu had just seen Bai Yu’s fight with Robert in full.

Yes — Tianyu had arrived during their fight but chose to wait, hoping they’d injure each other badly.

Although she was far stronger than both Bai Yu and Robert, an excellent hunter always used every resource available.

Of course, that was only because she didn’t know Bai Yu’s identity — otherwise she would’ve slashed Robert in half immediately.

And Bai Yu’s strength shocked her.

From the date the witch appeared until now, only a few days had passed — yet Bai Yu had already broken through to Tier Two.

Such speed was unbelievable.

She had never heard of anyone advancing faster than herself — a terrifying genius who rose from ordinary person to Tier Eight in just one year.

Before Bai Yu’s father died, Tianyu hadn’t even touched anything related to the supernatural.

Yet Bai Yu had far surpassed her.

Was this the power of a witch’s spiritual core?

And Bai Yu’s mystic arts were absurd — boosts strong enough to leap entire ranks.

Was this… protagonist halo?

If it were someone else, Tianyu might have felt jealous.

But remembering this was her daughter now, all she felt was pride.

“Alright, let’s go home.”

Tianyu held Bai Yu’s small hand, the gesture bringing back memories of playing with her when she was little.

Never expected she’d experience having both a son and daughter in this way — she really was one of a kind.

Bai Yu’s small face showed slight helplessness at being dragged along.

Tianyu snapped her fingers, instantly dissolving the barrier.

But in that instant, a chilling sensation rose sharply in her heart.

“No… something’s wrong.”

Tianyu turned.

Robert’s corpse still lay on the grass — now melting into blood, forming eerie patterns on the ground.

Without hesitation, Tianyu drew her gun and fired.

This was a full Tier Eight attack, obliterating Robert’s body and a chunk of ground along with it.

And that was her holding back — she didn’t want to damage buildings or harm civilians nearby.

Yet the sinister aura didn’t dissipate — instead, it thickened.

Across the city, more and more crimson souls rose into the sky, even the darkness being stained blood-red.

“Hahaha! So what if you kill me?! The ritual has begun!

Everyone shall offer everything for the descent of the God!!!”

Robert’s soul burst from his corpse — only to be shot again by Tianyu.

After all, her gun could hurt spiritual forms too.

She just hadn’t expected his life force to be this stubborn.

“Mom, what’s happening?!”

Bai Yu felt an ominous dread — crimson souls filled the sky, disappearing at some point far above, as if being devoured.

“They must’ve set up the ritual ahead of time — sacrificing lives to summon an Outer God!”

Tianyu gritted her teeth.

“What is the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau doing?!

How did they miss something this huge?!”

But hesitation was no longer an option.

Tianyu grabbed Bai Yu’s hand to run.

“Mom, where are we going?!”

“Leaving — this city is finished. No one can save it now.”

“No way — Xingyao is still here!”

Bai Yu yanked her hand free instantly.

Lu Xingyao had saved her countless times — how could she escape while Xingyao faced danger?

“Xingyao… that little girl with the [Self] spiritual core?”

Tianyu paused, suddenly understanding.

No wonder Xingyao recognized Bai Yu — her spiritual core seemed to let her distinguish spiritual signatures.

—-