Chapter Twenty-Three: A Duel with the Level 4 Mutant

Wilderness region, Baihui City.

An avian soared through the sky, closely pursued on the ground by a Level 4 mutant known as the Blazing Mare. This creature's entire body burned with a fiery red heat, its limbs flickering with flames as it galloped, exuding a majestic and imposing presence. It chased relentlessly after the winged woman above, never losing track of its prey. Although it could not fly, in this open and unobstructed wilderness, there was no way it could be shaken off.

Fanny, a young woman just past her twentieth year, had nearly given up hope of becoming a Guardian at her age. Yet fate had taken a turn: when her brain capacity development reached thirty percent, a second ability manifested—one of healing. Her situation was much like Qingxia’s; it was only because of this gift that she was allowed to join the Guardians. After all, every squad needed a healer to boost their chances of survival.

“What do I do? How could I be so unlucky? I only came out to gather some experimental materials…” Fanny bit her lip anxiously, her expression grim. She could fly, yes, but because her brain development was low and her bloodline impure, she could only remain airborne for a short time—nowhere near enough to reach the city for rescue.

This was a Level 4 mutant. If she could not maintain her transformed state, she would fall straight to the ground, at the mercy of the Blazing Mare.

“I’ve already sent out a distress signal, but headquarters said there’s no support nearby—only Guardians from other species might help.” Fanny’s worry deepened. “But why would another species’ Guardian save me?”

“And this is a Level 4 mutant! Even veteran Guardians struggle against such a foe—only a squad leader might stand a chance. There aren’t many of those in the Ninth District. What are the odds one would just happen to be here to save me?”

Tears welled in her eyes; she felt utterly forsaken. How could a simple mission turn into an encounter with such a monster? This time, she was certain she would die.

She could feel her strength failing—at best, she could hold out for another minute, perhaps even less.

Looking down, she saw the Blazing Mare’s eyes glinting with cruel amusement, as if it were relishing the imminent capture of its prey. It was a clever beast, not one to be deceived by tricks.

“Please, someone save me—anyone, I beg you!” Fanny’s tears fell to the earth, their brilliance mingling with the dirt. She prayed desperately, but no one appeared, and her strength was nearly spent.

She thought perhaps a veteran Guardian, upon receiving her distress call, might make it in time. But to single-handedly defeat a Level 4 mutant—that was almost impossible. And who among the other species would risk their life for her, a mere avian?

The Blazing Mare’s gaze was rife with mockery; it could sense its prey faltering. Excitement surged within it—it would savor every bite of the feast before it.

No! I don’t want to die—save me! Save me! Fanny’s cry was laden with despair. As her wings vanished from exhaustion, she plummeted from the sky, falling into the abyss.

The beast's gaping maw opened wide to swallow her petite form.

Xia Yan sped across the wilderness, swift as a gale. Though he could not fly, his body was strong and his pace unmatched.

For Xia Yan, whether to accept this urgent mission was not a question—he did not discriminate between humans and nonhumans. He would kill anyone who made an enemy of him, regardless of race. Clearly, this avian woman bore him no grudge, so he chose to save her.

“There you are.” Xia Yan quickened his steps. He saw the winged woman tumbling from the sky, the Blazing Mare below, its eyes disturbingly human, filled with hunger and mockery.

Leaping high, Xia Yan soared five or six meters, catching the falling woman in midair. His face was cold and resolute, his focus shifting immediately to the Blazing Mare.

Fanny had resigned herself to death, but as she fell, she suddenly found herself cradled in someone’s arms. Warmth enveloped her, and the scent of a young man filled her senses. Her heart thudded wildly, her cheeks flushing red.

She opened her eyes to find a youthful face beside her—it seemed he was only a teenager.

Wait…

Something felt wrong. She recognized him.

A scream escaped her. Fanny’s face trembled, her entire body writhing in panic.

“What are you doing?” Xia Yan landed and quickly set her down.

“Y-you’re Xia Yan…” Fanny quivered like a frightened kitten. How could she not know him? Xia Yan’s reputation resounded throughout the Ninth District—a sixteen-year-old who had slain two veteran Guardians, a youth qualified to preside over the Agency’s tribunal assembly. He was renowned for his strength and ruthless decisiveness, rumored to be a bloodthirsty madman feared by all nonhumans.

He was even known as the Ninth District’s most dangerous human.

Yet here he was, saving her—a fact that defied all logic.

Xia Yan ignored her astonishment; he had no time to waste. Unsheathing his Protean Blade, he charged at the Blazing Mare.

Even with Xia Yan’s current power, contending with a Level 4 mutant was no easy task. Such creatures typically required a full squad to defeat; facing one alone was a feat reserved for squad leaders whose brain development reached about fifty percent.

Even a veteran like He Changlou, with more than forty percent brain development, would not survive such a fight.

Although Xia Yan now surpassed He Changlou, he was still some way from squad leader level, and could not guarantee victory over the Blazing Mare.

His blade flashed like a ring of light, striking the beast several times in rapid succession.

The Blazing Mare roared, its body erupting in waves of flame that surged toward Xia Yan. Unfazed, he countered with his own fire—a power so potent it eclipsed the mutant’s flames. This was the mutant’s greatest weakness.

Man and beast clashed fiercely, exchanging dozens of blows. Xia Yan remained unscathed, while the Blazing Mare suffered many wounds, though none were deep.

Gathering his energy, Xia Yan delivered a powerful slash. This strike finally inflicted a serious wound, blood gushing from the beast and staining the ground.

With a shrill scream, the Blazing Mare charged at Xia Yan like a bolt of lightning. Unable to dodge completely, Xia Yan conjured a shield of fire to block the attack.

The shield evaporated instantly, and the force of the collision sent Xia Yan staggering back over ten paces, blood trickling from his lips.

“Ah!” Fanny, watching anxiously, cried out in distress.

At first, the sight of the fearsome Xia Yan had terrified her, but she quickly realized he had come to save her. How could she treat her savior with suspicion?

She knew well how terrifying a Level 4 mutant was. Although she believed in Xia Yan’s strength, he still faced great risk by fighting such a foe for her sake.

She was also in awe: how could a sixteen-year-old boy be so powerful? Xia Yan’s current ability must surpass eighty percent of veteran Guardians, equivalent to someone with around forty-five percent brain development.

Such a prodigy was rare in any race. Was it possible he could one day rival even the purebloods?

His combat skills were formidable—she could tell from the intricate variations in his techniques that he inflicted severe damage on the Blazing Mare.

Even injured, Xia Yan was able to maintain the upper hand in this solo battle, filling Fanny’s eyes with hope.

Xia Yan’s strength was undeniable—he could not possibly lose here. He would win.

Drawing close again, Xia Yan’s blade swept like flowing water across the beast’s hind leg. At the same time, he drew his Model 402 Adjudicator and fired three shots at the Blazing Mare’s head.

One bullet pierced its left eye, the orb bursting instantly. The other two struck its skin but failed to penetrate further.

The Blazing Mare’s defense was astonishing.

It roared in rage, attacking with renewed frenzy. Xia Yan dodged deftly, and with a swift change of guns, put another round through the beast’s right eye.

Blinded, the Blazing Mare became a berserk monster, attacking Xia Yan with wild abandon. Seizing his advantage, Xia Yan battered the creature time and again, toppling it to the ground. Though it could still faintly sense his position, its desperate counterattacks left him with several serious wounds.

At last, Xia Yan raised his Protean Blade and delivered several fatal blows to the mutant’s head, ending the beast once and for all.

“That was close,” Xia Yan muttered, blood once more staining his lips.

“Mr. Xia Yan, are you all right?” Fanny hurried over, supporting him anxiously, admiration shining in her eyes. He had won, and at the cost of only a few injuries.

“I’m fine.” Xia Yan glanced at the young avian woman, just over twenty, but had no intention of making her acquaintance. He was here for the mission, nothing more.

He wasn’t surprised she knew him; after all, his prominence at the tribunal three months prior had made quite a stir.

“Mr. Xia Yan, thank you for saving me,” Fanny said with a grateful smile.

“It was just a mission. If you’re unharmed, I’ll be going.” Xia Yan forced a faint smile, not wishing to linger. His wounds needed urgent attention.

“Wait, Mr. Xia Yan—I’m a healer,” Fanny called, hastening after him.

“Oh?” Xia Yan was taken aback, then smiled. “Then I’ll trouble you.”

Fanny’s healing was a simple gift; white light enveloped his wounds, which quickly began to close. Within fifteen minutes, Xia Yan’s external injuries were healed. He thanked her and took his leave.

Watching his departing figure, Fanny sighed to herself. “They all say Mr. Xia Yan is a bad man, but if he were truly cruel, how could he have come to save me? He was kind, not at all fierce—those rumors must be mostly false.”

She was glad, and full of admiration. After all, someone who could single-handedly slay a Level 4 mutant Blazing Mare at sixteen was capable of something almost impossible.

Great strength will always inspire reverence in others.