Chapter 116: The Challenge from the Genius Dream Weaver of the Capital

The helicopter’s rotors spun at high speed, whipping up a turbulent airflow that surged outward in all directions. A military helicopter gently descended onto the airfield.

The helicopter’s door swung open, and three figures leapt out.

One man and two women, all clad in the black trench coats symbolizing Dream Walkers. The coats’ hems fluttered wildly in the gusts stirred by the helicopter’s rotors.

“This is Jiangling City,” the man at the forefront spoke. “There have been many disasters here in recent days. The chairman sent us to provide support and asked us to stay a while to help defend Jiangling.”

One of the girls, young and radiant, wore black sunglasses. Her fair face shimmered under the sunlight, and her long legs were breathtaking.

She scanned their surroundings, a teasing smile curling her lips. “I heard that Jiangling City has a provincial top scorer—a Dream Walker who possesses infinite dream spirit. Just two days ago, during a nightmare demon attack, she slew a city-destroying-level nightmare demon!”

“Impressive,” the girl murmured with interest. She removed her sunglasses, revealing a strikingly handsome and spirited face.

The other man and woman were a married couple; the woman linked her arm through the man’s as they walked out of the airport together.

As they exited the terminal, a vehicle approached—a battered, black, old sedan.

At the sight of the car, the three froze momentarily.

Zhang Changlin emerged from the vehicle, instinctively clutching his side before relaxing his hand. He looked at the trio and slowly said, “Welcome to Jiangling City.”

“Zhang Changlin?” The man was taken aback, and the composed woman beside him also paused.

“Why are you here to pick us up?” Li Ang looked at Zhang Changlin and smiled.

There was no scene of rivals sparking jealousy between them.

Leaning his elbow against the doorframe, Zhang pulled out a cigarette and held it between his lips. He glanced at Li Ang, then at the mature woman beside him.

“Jingxiang, sister, long time no see,” he said with a grin. “Are you used to life in the capital? If not, come visit Jiangling—it’s a great place to live.”

The woman, Jingxiang, covered her mouth to hide a smile. “Zhang, you’re as talkative as ever.”

“This is Zhao Lingyin, apprentice to the chairman of the Dream Walkers Association and the provincial top scorer selected from the capital province. Her talent is extraordinary. She’s here in Jiangling to learn,” Jingxiang introduced.

“Hello, Uncle Zhang! Aunt Jingxiang talks about you all the time!” Zhao Lingyin, tall and pretty, bowed with a smile.

Zhang flicked ash from his cigarette and rolled his eyes. “Enough already. Jingxiang talks about me all the time—Li Ang here is probably turning green with envy.”

“If you know, that’s enough,” Li Ang said calmly.

“Get in the car. I’ll take you to Jiangling Dream Walkers Tower. Chairman Tang Nai is waiting for you,” Zhang said, slipping back inside the car.

The three exchanged glances before climbing in as well.

Zhao Lingyin took the front passenger seat, while Li Ang and Jingxiang sat in the back.

“Gotta say, your car’s a wreck. Zhang Changlin, you’ve really gone downhill all these years,” Li Ang sneered without hesitation.

Zhang rested his arm on the window, turning the wheel. “As long as it runs, what’s the point of having a fancy one?”

“Better to save that money and buy more Dream Spirit Springs,” Li Ang remarked, deciding against further provocation.

Zhao Lingyin squinted. “Uncle Zhang, I heard the provincial top scorer from Jiangnan Province is a member of your team?”

Zhang glanced at her. “Yeah. What, wanna challenge him?”

Zhao Lingyin was startled. Li Ang chuckled from the backseat. “Zhang, what nonsense are you talking about?”

“Lingyin is the chairman’s protégé and possesses infinite dream spirit. Her strength is that of a national-level candidate.”

“She already has city-level power and once single-handedly slew a city-destroying nightmare demon from the Underworld.”

Li Ang smiled faintly. “So if anyone’s challenging, it’s your teammate challenging Lingyin, not the other way around.”

“Who’d challenge a stronger opponent?” Jingxiang nodded in agreement. “Lingyin is indeed strong—top three among the young generation.”

Zhang arched an eyebrow, cigarette dangling. “So you’re that impressive, huh?”

Zhao Lingyin pursed her lips. “Just average. My teacher always says I’m not detailed enough in battle.”

Zhang smiled, glancing her way. “If you’re that good, then I’ll remind you…”

“Don’t ever challenge Du Fang if you can avoid it.”

“You might end up dead.”

His words sank heavily into the car’s silence.

...

Du Fang yawned and stretched lazily. After a night spent soul painting, he had slept soundly and contentedly.

Upon waking, he saw his sister-in-law standing in the corner by the door, dressed in a white gown with her long black hair flowing.

“Susu’s back?” Du Fang asked, surprised.

She nodded, then sadly pulled out the portrait Du Fang had confidently painted of her the night before.

Squatting silently in the corner, she began to shed tears.

So this was how she appeared in her brother-in-law’s heart—so ugly.

Du Fang was speechless.

Undoubtedly, this painting would never win her heart or fulfill her wishes.

“I was just practicing. I was carving the soul. Trust me, I will paint one you’ll be satisfied with,” Du Fang said firmly.

Susu bit her lip softly. “Susu actually needs you to try this hard to paint me…”

Du Fang was at a loss for words.

You can never guess what a yandere girl’s heart truly thinks.

He pondered for a moment, unsure how to comfort her, then cooked breakfast and invited both Susu and Luoluo to eat together.

After breakfast, Du Fang took Luoluo away from the house.

As for Susu, she continued to tear at the soul portrait, mourning so deeply she could barely breathe.

Outside the neighborhood,

To Du Fang’s surprise, his assistant was already waiting early as usual.

Despite yesterday’s terrifying events, she hadn’t chosen to rest at home. Du Fang admired her dedication.

They rode in the assistant’s car to the Dream Walkers Tower.

Aside from Captain Zhang, the other Wildfire Squad members were at the base.

Chen Xi, Zhao Lu, and Si Nan trained diligently, while Su Jiuming pampered herself with a facial mask as part of her morning skincare routine.

“Little Du, Captain Zhang went to the chairman’s office. He asked me to tell you to come by once you arrived,” Su Jiuming said.

Du Fang was taken aback but nodded.

They left the Wildfire base and headed to the chairman’s office.

Walking along the corridor, outside the office stood a tall, alluring girl leaning against the wall.

Hearing footsteps, Zhao Lingyin looked up and her gaze fell on Du Fang.

She was momentarily stunned.

Du Fang’s flawless, handsome features made it hard for her to believe.

This was the newcomer Dream Walker in Jiangling City with infinite dream spirit?

No one had ever mentioned someone so good-looking.

It even made her hesitate to strike too hard during their future sparring.

Du Fang gave Zhao Lingyin a peculiar glance, sensing something odd in the way she looked at him.

Zhao Lingyin smiled at him.

Du Fang returned a warm smile.

Then they entered the chairman’s office.

Zhao Lingyin flicked her long legs and sneaked in behind them.

...

Inside the chairman’s office,

Tang Nai sat quietly, reviewing documents.

Li Ang and Jingxiang also flipped through photocopied papers.

When Du Fang entered, the atmosphere was tense—like sinking in a mire.

Zhao Lingyin, hands behind her back, couldn’t bear the heavy mood and had stepped outside earlier.

“Du Fang, you’re just in time,” Chairman Tang said with a smile. “Allow me to introduce you. These two are national-level Dream Walkers dispatched from the capital to support Jiangling: Li Ang and Jingxiang.”

“Greetings, seniors,” Du Fang said politely.

Li Ang and Jingxiang smiled and nodded. Despite their status, they showed no airs toward a promising newcomer.

After all, Du Fang might become a national-level Dream Walker someday and possibly their teammate.

Zhang Changlin, holding his cigarette but not lighting it, said, “Du Fang, did you fight last night?”

Du Fang blinked. “I spent all night painting.”

Painting?

Zhang’s hand shook slightly, surprised by the answer.

He then looked at Du Fang as if he were crazy. “After all that happened yesterday, you went home and painted?”

“Last night, there was a murder near your neighborhood park.”

“A woman wearing a rabbit mask was found dead there, in a tragic state.”

Zhang handed Du Fang a photo.

It showed the deceased Blood Rabbit.

“That mask is one of the Zodiac Guardians of the Divine Core organization. Previously, one of the Zodiacs, the Pest Rat, died atop the hospital. This time, it’s the Blood Rabbit.”

To have a death near Du Fang’s neighborhood park was serious.

“The Divine Core organization’s target is definitely you—or rather, the Fallen God within you.”

“Your safety could be under serious threat.”

Li Ang stood and looked at Du Fang.

“Also, we received intelligence from personnel monitoring the Divine Core. One of their priests has left their stronghold and should have arrived in Jiangling. Where exactly they’re hiding is unknown.”

“Each Divine Core priest is a world-destroying-level powerhouse, perfectly fused with a Fallen God. Their strength is terrifying.”

“If they infiltrate Jiangling secretly, the city’s safety will face enormous danger.”

This was the main reason the office’s atmosphere was so heavy.

A Divine Core priest had slipped into Jiangling—a world-destroying-level threat even more fearsome than the nightmare disasters.

“So, we will form a temporary team. Du Fang, you’ll join the Wildfire Squad for now. We will ensure your safety,” Li Ang said.

“Sounds good,” Du Fang replied.

Before he could agree fully, Zhao Lingyin clapped excitedly behind him.

All eyes turned to her, and she smiled shyly. “No, I’m happy! Now that we’re teammates, I can spar with him freely. Beating up teammates shouldn’t get me scolded by the teacher.”

She then looked at Du Fang, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Captain Zhang said I shouldn’t challenge you. My teacher also said you’re strong… so now I’m even more interested!”

“I, Zhao Lingyin, challenge you!”