Chapter 49: The Thirteenth Apostle’s Reckoning

The monster that materialized possessed characteristics from various creatures, such as sharp claws, wings, and scales, akin to other synthetic monsters, yet it was undeniably an ultimate, enhanced version.

Its body was further covered in a multitude of diverse ability-infused growths; even the thorns that had previously inflicted heavy losses upon high-level ability users were merely a minor part of its composition.

“…No, that’s not right! Its strength and abilities are still growing! It possesses the power of devouring!”

One of the Weichangzhe members, possessing particularly keen eyesight, observed that the monster, even after its appearance, relentlessly used its tentacles and slime-like appendages to consume smaller synthetic creatures nearby.

Its power surged continuously with each act of devouring.

At this very moment, its estimated strength had already reached mid-C-tier, potentially even surpassing Qing Na and Yu Menghua.

Qing Na, a product of experimental modification, was already formidable, and with the debilitating toxins she dispersed, even Yu Menghua, who was considered powerful among her peers, required the assistance of multiple lower-tier ability users to secure victory against her.

Now, this colossal entity, not merely a synthetic monster but one of immense proportions, would likely demand a mid-C-tier ability user just to contend with it.

It was a well-known fact that C-tier ability users were exceedingly rare; even at the Weichangzhe headquarters, their numbers could be counted on one hand, and those of mid-C-tier comprised less than half of that.

While other organizations might boast more, Tiangong City possessed only Yu Menghua, and she was merely a low-C-tier ability user.

“Hahahaha!! Do you see it? My masterpiece!”

Just then, the monster let out a laugh, and atop its head, a humanoid figure began to emerge.

“You’re…”

Upon witnessing the sight, everyone understood.

Qing Na had merged with her own creation.

Sensing the collective gaze, whether from arrogance or a mere desire for her victims to know their killer before death, Qing Na slowly began to reintroduce herself.

“Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am the Thirteenth Apostle of the Abnormality Cult, codenamed [Qing Na of the Hybrid].”

Qing Na, her humanoid upper body reminiscent of Arachne, spoke these words, simultaneously bowing forward.

Upon hearing her words, Yu Menghua’s expression instantly changed.

“It’s the Abnormality Cult… This is troublesome…”

The Abnormality Cult—simply put, it was an unofficial organization of ability users, yet unlike others that were unofficial but still cooperated with official bodies, the Abnormality Cult was a malevolent force, driven by the objective of ‘normalizing anomalies’.

However, despite having vanished without a trace in recent years, why had they reappeared now?

“Regardless, as an Apostle, her strength is undoubtedly formidable. Everyone, protect yourselves as best you can, and simultaneously eliminate the surrounding monsters to prevent her power from escalating further!”

According to what was known about the Abnormality Cult, it comprised executives known as the ‘Thirteen Apostles,’ ranked by strength.

Although Qing Na, as the self-proclaimed Thirteenth Apostle, held the lowest rank, her power was absolutely sufficient to devastate the city.

Their actions, however, did not proceed as hoped.

In an instant, countless tentacles, composed of a slime-like substance and branching incessantly like tree limbs, erupted from underground, ensnared all the monsters, and then devoured them.

“This… she has truly and undeniably stepped into mid-C-tier!”

“Tsk!”

Witnessing Qing Na’s power ascend another level, Yu Menghua couldn’t help but click her tongue in frustration.

Just then, an important realization suddenly struck her.

“Wait, what about Qing Lan and Lin Xi?!”

From the outset, they had decided to have Lin Xi and Bai Li infiltrate underground to search for Qing Lan, yet even now, Yu Menghua had received no communication from them.

Considering the destruction wrought upon the surface by the monster merged with Qing Na, and its insatiable consumption of all life, if Lin Xi and Bai Li were still underground, their chances of survival were grim.

“Those few? I have no interest in them, but after consecutive battles and a lack of energy, they’ve probably been buried alive, haven’t they?”

“You!?”

Upon hearing Qing Na’s dismissive reply, Yu Menghua, who valued her companions deeply, felt her fury ignite instantly.

Raising her hand, she unleashed another sword strike.

“That’s useless against me now!”

However, the chasm between mid-C-tier and low-C-tier was even wider than the gap between the entire E-tier and D-tier.

With a mere sweep of her arm, Qing Na effortlessly dispersed the sword qi Yu Menghua had unleashed with all her might.

“You are nothing but weaklings, incapable of achieving anything. Simply become stepping stones for me to approach ‘that esteemed one’!”

Having declared this, Qing Na interlaced the thorns on the monster she had merged with, transforming them into several colossal claws, which she then brought crashing down violently before her.

The sheer concussive force of the air blast alone was enough to topple skyscrapers, while the immense power of the giant claws, combined with gravitational acceleration, caused the ground to indent as easily as clay.

The entirety of Tiangong City trembled violently as a result.

Had it not been for the decades of advancement in architectural technology and materials, which had achieved an unprecedented level of strength, the residual impact of this single blow alone would likely have been enough to reduce the entire city to ruins.

Yet the attack was not singular; another strike immediately descended, unleashing a furious gale.

“It appears my assistance is needed here.”

Just then, a voice resounded, and a translucent barrier, spanning half the sky like a celestial curtain, descended, forcefully halting the tempest.

Appearing with the barrier was Shen Jingbing, seated in her wheelchair.

“While I can’t guarantee stopping the attack itself, handling the aftershocks won’t be a problem.”

“You rascal, shouldn’t you be saying, ‘Leave it to me,’ right now?”

Several individuals, similar in nature to Shen Jingbing, playfully teased her for a moment, before their gazes refocused on Qing Na.

Indeed, as Shen Jingbing had stated, while her barrier possessed considerable strength, blocking Qing Na’s current onslaught would prove challenging, especially given that merely sustaining the barrier against the aftershocks already incurred a substantial energy drain.

“Don’t worry about the consumption; a certain girl who couldn’t come herself gave me many of her medicines, so replenishment isn’t an issue.”

Shen Jingbing said, shaking the vials of medicine in her hand.

“I see. In that case, the worst-case scenario can at least be avoided.

Now, we only need to buy time until reinforcements arrive.”

In fact, Yu Menghua had already sent a distress signal moments ago, and ability users capable of confronting Qing Na would soon be on their way.

Qing Na, however, seemed to understand this as well.

“Do you think I would wait for you?”

No sooner had she spoken than a ball of energy began to coalesce within the mouth of the monster beneath Qing Na.

It emitted a dazzling light while simultaneously drawing in surrounding air and energy like a black hole, rapidly escalating its energy density.

“This… are you planning to level this entire area!?”

“What if I am?”

Without granting them time to react, the energy orb, capable of obliterating an entire city, was fired.

Then, a sound like a baseball being struck rang out, immediately followed by the energy orb exploding in the distance, unleashing a blinding flash so intense it felt like staring directly at the sun, even with eyes closed.