Chapter 140: The Echoes of Combat [Monthly Ticket Bonus]

Hearing that familiar voice, Liu Ma struggled to lift his head.

What met his eyes was nothing short of shocking—his elder sister, Yu Qianxia, who should have been overseeing the group’s operations in Seventh Floating City · Battle Heaven.

Yu Qianxia leaned casually against a broken wall, her black suit draped over her shoulders like a cloak. Wraps bound her abdomen and wrists—marks of a combatant’s training—while a toothpick dangled from her lips. The aura of a true yakuza boss radiated from her, unapologetically dominant.

“Big Sister… when did you get here?” Liu Ma tried to push himself up, but as soon as he strained, agony tore through his bones. He collapsed back onto the rubble, utterly defeated.

Yu Qianxia smirked, chewing on the toothpick. “I’ve been here for half an hour.”

Liu Ma froze, then instinctively opened his mouth—only to be cut off mid-sentence by a sharp, icy glare.

“Don’t even ask why I didn’t help you. Not interfering in local affairs—specifically, the Stellar Envoy guild—is a rule our Qianxia Group has upheld for a hundred years. You know this.”

“Besides, they weren’t really trying to kill you. If they had, you wouldn’t be here talking to me. You’d already be down there with my deadbeat old man, complaining about how terrible the signal is down here—no data, no communication, just static.”

Liu Ma said nothing. The silence spoke volumes.

Yu Qianxia stepped forward, her long legs carrying her with effortless grace. She crouched down in front of him, arms resting on her knees, her gaze sweeping over his battered frame with a mix of amusement and disdain.

“Not bad. You’re a mess, sure—but Ink knew where to draw the line. Didn’t break your bones. Just gave you a little taste of reality.”

“Told you before, Liu—this world is huge. Monsters everywhere. But you just wouldn’t listen. Always going on about how you knew what real monsters looked like.”

“Now? Realize how naive you were?”

Liu Ma didn’t answer. But the hollow, lost look in his eyes was answer enough.

“Ugh. You look pathetic.”

Even as a wounded man, Yu Qianxia didn’t hesitate. She slammed a fist into his head.

Stars exploded behind Liu Ma’s eyes.

She stood, brushing dust off her pants. “So this is how the Battle Heaven warriors roll? Lose one fight and you’re done? When did we become such cowards?”

“Get up. Right now, you’re ready for the training I’ve planned. Because you’ve already earned the most valuable lesson—the taste of defeat.”

Liu Ma gritted his teeth. With trembling hands, he used the wall to haul himself upright.

But just as he turned to leave, he noticed someone else in the corner—Chen Kong, also struggling to rise, pale as a ghost.

After a pause, Liu Ma spoke. “Big Sister… I think…”

Yu Qianxia lifted her head. The corner of her mouth curled up, her eyes flicking toward the frail figure in the shadows. “Take him. I don’t see a single spark of fighting spirit in him—but if it’s just about fixing his old weaknesses, that’s nothing.”

“But if you think dragging him along will let you beat that guy? You’re in for a disappointment.”

“Because my fighting spirit tells me—Ink isn’t just strong. He’s far more terrifying than you could ever imagine.”

“Honestly… I can’t fathom why someone like him would stay in a dump like Steam Capital. The Seven Floating Cities—now that’s where a monster like him belongs.”

With that, Yu Qianxia turned and walked out without another word.

As Liu Ma and Chen Kong followed her out of the underground factory, they witnessed something that would haunt them for life.

Dozens of burly men in black suits stood in perfect formation. The moment Yu Qianxia appeared, they roared in unison:

“Big Sister! Welcome!”

The thunderous wave of sound sent shockwaves through the air—Chen Kong’s ears rang, and nearby Fourth District citizens fled in panic, startled by the spectacle.

Yu Qianxia waved dismissively, then strode toward a luxurious, extended hovercar.

The driver rushed forward, opening the door. She slid inside without a glance back.

But when she saw the two still standing like statues outside, her patience snapped.

“Still standing there? Move! Get in the car, you two!”

“I don’t have time for your little pity parties. If you want to get stronger, then use every second—climb, fight, push—because only then will you ever live up to the potential burning inside you.”

After that scolding, Liu Ma and Chen Kong exchanged a look—and instantly scrambled into the vehicle like obedient, wide-eyed boys.

“Big Sister… why are you here?” Liu Ma asked as the hovercar lifted into the air.

“Why? Because you broke our rules, you idiot. Clients started complaining—to me.”

“So, you think I’d come all the way out here for you?”

Liu Ma rubbed the back of his head, sheepish and silent.

But Yu Qianxia wasn’t really angry. She turned toward the skyline, where the Upper City loomed into view.

“Still… don’t feel too bad. A complaint is one thing. But spreading lies—that we’re a bunch of money-hungry frauds? That’s a whole different story.”

“I hate people whispering behind my back.”

The cruel smile on her lips sent a chill down Liu Ma’s spine.

He knew that look.

Someone in Steam Capital was about to suffer.

As the conversation ended, the scene cut to a sweeping shot of countless hovercars descending into the Upper City.

Inside the Dimensional Audience, the reaction was explosive.

“Ghosty, is this the master of Season 2? The aura is insane!”

“Battle Heaven? Qianxia Group? This background is dangerously deep.”

“They’re broken now—but I swear, the main cast is about to go on a rampage!”

“Ink, wait—your time’s coming. You’re gonna get wrecked.”

Outside the window, Steam Capital took shape—its jagged skyline slowly resolving.

Inside the car, the two Stellar Prodigies sat in silence, heads down.

Their eyes still burned with defiance—but beneath it, something new flickered.

A spark of awakening.

A fire, kindled in the ashes of defeat.

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PS: That’s it for today. I’m literally spent.

Please, support me with your monthly votes. (Weak voice)

【Bonus Repaid: 16】

【Remaining: 21】

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end