I shifted my gaze to the second helicopter, as the first one had exploded directly above the barren village's open space. Debris and parts scattered everywhere, still ablaze. The small clearing was no longer safe for landing, so the pilot of the second helicopter, opting for the next best thing, struggled to control the aircraft as it veered towards a nearby courtyard. It was a large courtyard, but littered with ruins. A forced landing would likely damage the helicopter.
However, in a forced landing situation, damage was the least of their concerns. As long as the occupants were safe, that was all that mattered.
Wobbling precariously, the helicopter finally touched down in the courtyard. Its fuselage was battered, and thick smoke billowed from the engine compartment above the cabin. Fortunately, it did not explode.
My original plan was for Fucheng Shabiya to retreat immediately after the surprise attack, to avoid close-range combat with high-level purple qi experts. But orders are orders. Seeing both helicopters shot down and no survivors emerging from the wreckage, they disregarded my instructions and converged on the scene to investigate.
I didn't call to stop them. After all, if a few of them could resolve the situation, it would be the best possible outcome.
Yet, I had a nagging feeling that a high-level purple qi boss and three purple qi experts wouldn't be so easily defeated.
Lan Yuer and Lin Chi, positioned between Han Yin Temple and the barren village, also rose from their hiding spots and headed down the mountain.
Huang Xie'er descended from the crane, holding her large rifle. She asked if she should go down.
"Don't go down yet. Find a good sniping position on the mountainside. I'm worried the enemies aren't dead," I replied.
"Understood." Huang Xie'er disappeared into the mountainside. I raised my binoculars, observing every move at the crash site below.
The two helicopters had crashed not far from each other, separated by a courtyard, about thirty meters apart. I was using my qi-sensing technique, but the intense light from the fires obscured the qi signatures of everyone nearby. Even Lin Chi and Lan Yuer's purple qi vanished from my "qi-sensing radar" once they approached the scene, forcing me to rely on visual observation.
Fucheng Shabiya approached the exploding helicopter, but the intense flames made it impossible to get close. They likely assumed no one could survive such a blaze. Meanwhile, Lan Yuer and Lin Chi quickly reached the second helicopter and dragged out a pilot with a profusely bleeding head. I scanned every corner with my binoculars but couldn't find the other person from the helicopter!
Could it be that Long Yue had vanished into thin air?
"Hey, what are you looking at?" a voice suddenly came from behind me.
I felt the hairs on my arms stand on end. I immediately turned my qi-sensing view backward (though I didn't physically turn myself). As expected, it was that towering, purple-black qi!
And besides her stood three other purple qi signatures behind her!
I didn't know how they had managed it. A spatial shift?
Slowly turning around, I saw a tall, striking beauty, nearly my height, with a regal posture like a model. She had an oval face, refined features, sharp eyes, and a hint of coldness in her gaze and the curve of her lips. On her head, she wore a pink Hello Kitty baseball cap, adding a touch of playfulness. Without that hat, such an eerie woman standing before me would surely send shivers down one's spine.
"Miss Long Yue, hello," I said, trying to remain calm.
"Turn that thing off, it doesn't work on me," Long Yue said coldly.
"What?" I asked, confused.
But before she could answer, I already knew. In my qi-sensing view, she and the three purple qi signatures behind her suddenly disappeared!
I was shocked: "This... why?"
Long Yue smirked: "Just a parlor trick."
Was she referring to my qi-sensing technique as a parlor trick, or her ability to mask it?
After speaking, Long Yue turned towards Jiuxian Cave. The main entrance was wide open. This should have been the perfect opportunity for me to attack her, but I didn't dare. For one, I lacked the strength. The punches I threw at Chen Lu's house were only good for street thugs, not experts like these. Besides, I had no weapon. Should I punch her in the chest with my little fists? I thought it looked quite sturdy, and I doubted I could punch through it to reach her ribs, let alone her internal organs.