The words of Royce echoed in Li Lin's mind: "If its power is misused, the consequences would be unimaginable." He looked down at Xiao Xing in his arms, feeling a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
Xiao Xing sensed his turmoil and gently nuzzled against his arm.
"We need to go," Liya said, scanning their surroundings with caution. "This place isn't safe."
Li Lin nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's head to the Beast Federation's base."
The three quickly gathered their belongings and set off in the direction Royce had indicated.
Night enveloped Ruined City, and the air was thick with the scent of damp decay.
Li Lin remained alert, aware that every shadow could conceal danger.
Suddenly, Xiao Xing let out a sharp cry.
"What’s wrong?" Li Lin immediately halted.
In the next moment, a bullet whizzed past his ear, striking the wall behind him.
"Damn it! An ambush!" Li Lin shouted as he swiftly pulled Liya behind an abandoned car.
Gunfire erupted in the darkness, bullets raining down like hail.
"Raiders!" Royce cursed. "How did they find us here?"
Li Lin scanned the area for an escape route. "We need to break through."
At that moment, a rough voice shouted, "Hand over the Starwing Beast, and we will spare your lives!"
Li Lin's heart tightened, instinctively pulling Xiao Xing closer.
"Don't even think about it!" Royce fired a shot toward the source of the voice.
A scream echoed, clearly indicating a hit.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Lin scanned the enemies; there were at least five raiders, one of whom seemed to be the leader.
"Follow me!" Royce suddenly stood up and dashed into a narrow alley.
Li Lin and Liya quickly followed.
Bullets whizzed past them, and Li Lin could feel the breath of death brushing against him.
Turning a corner, Royce abruptly stopped. "Oh no, it's a dead end!"
Li Lin looked around and realized they were trapped in a small square, surrounded by high walls.
"We're surrounded," Liya gasped.
The raiders gradually closed in, their sinister smiles appearing even more menacing under the moonlight.
"Hand over the Starwing Beast, and you can live," shouted the Raider Leader.
Li Lin tightened his grip on the gun. "In your dreams!"
At that moment, Xiao Xing suddenly jumped out of Li Lin's arms.
"Xiao Xing!" Li Lin exclaimed.
To everyone's surprise, Xiao Xing's body suddenly emitted a dazzling blue light.
An energy barrier instantly formed around them, blocking the bullets from the raiders.
"What... what is this?" Liya stared in shock at the scene before her.
Royce whispered, "Starwing Power... the legend is true."
Li Lin had no time to think and immediately seized the opportunity. "Counterattack!"
He calmly aimed, each shot hitting its target with precision.
Royce and Liya joined the fight as well; the three worked together seamlessly, gradually suppressing the raiders.
However, the enemy's numerical advantage was still evident.
"Li Lin, we need to retreat!" Liya shouted while bandaging an injured teammate.
Li Lin gritted his teeth and nodded. "Royce, cover us!"
Royce understood and immediately increased firepower to create an opportunity for their escape.
Li Lin picked up the already exhausted Xiao Xing and dashed toward a narrow alley.
Just then, a scream pierced the air.
Li Lin turned back to see Royce hit in the shoulder, blood streaming down.
"Royce!" Li Lin shouted, hesitating whether to go back to save him.
Royce shook his head. "Don't worry about me! Take Starwing Beast and go!"
Li Lin struggled internally before finally gritting his teeth and making a decision. "Liya, let's go!"
The two of them dragged their injured teammate through the hail of bullets, retreating with great difficulty.
Xiao Xing's energy barrier was gradually weakening, unable to fully block the incoming fire.
A bullet grazed Li Lin's arm, causing him to gasp in pain, but he pressed on.
At last, they broke free from the encirclement and reached an abandoned factory.
"Quick! Get inside!" Li Lin pointed to a dilapidated building.
The three of them rushed in and found cover.
The gunfire outside gradually faded away; it seemed they had temporarily shaken off their pursuers.
Li Lin leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. "Are we... safe now?"
Liya shook her head. "I'm afraid not. They won't give up easily."
Li Lin looked down at Xiao Xing in his arms; it was utterly exhausted, curled up into a ball.
"Why... do they want Xiao Xing so badly?" Li Lin murmured.
Liya pondered for a moment. "Maybe it has something to do with what Royce said about 'ecological balance.'"
Li Lin furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it," Liya said softly. "If the Starwing Beast really has such immense power, how much destruction could it cause if it falls into the wrong hands?"
Li Lin's heart sank as she recalled Royce's words: "The consequences would be unimaginable..."
Just then, the roar of engines echoed from a distance.
"Damn it, they've sent reinforcements," Li Lin said, her voice tense with alertness.
Liya asked nervously, "What should we do?"
Li Lin scanned the area and her gaze landed on an old, battered truck. "Maybe... we can use that."
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