Chapter 30: Retrieving the Flora and the Rare-Game Hunting Team

Watching Xiao Pi being engulfed by the flames, Qin Lang could not help but clench his fists, a look of nervousness appearing on his face.

Could he succeed?

His opponent's Spirit Chef’s food spirit had already withstood Bu Bu’s [Frost Flower Storm] and [Earth Rock Rush], as well as two hits of Dan Bao’s [Breath of Blazing Fire]. If it were a food spirit of the same rank, it would have long since completely lost its ability to fight after such attacks.

However, the opponent’s food spirit was a full eight levels higher, and due to the flavor attribute suppression, it benefited from a 50% damage reduction against Bu Bu’s attacks. Therefore, everything remained an unknown.

As the firelight dissipated, Qin Lang took a deep breath upon seeing Xiao Pi in the air, trembling slightly but not yet completely incapacitated.

"Dan Bao, keep attacking!"

"Don't even think about it!" Liu Chuang’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot as he gritted his teeth and shouted, "Xiao Pi, one more time!"

He refused to believe that three [Shadow Surprise Attacks] were not enough to crush this Level 7 food spirit!

"Sss-ka!"

Xiao Pi let out a hiss, quickly adjusted its state, and launched a [Shadow Surprise Attack] at Dan Bao.

"Boom!"

With a dull thud, Dan Bao was sent flying once again. By the time Dan Bao managed to stabilize its form, it was trembling, causing Qin Lang's expression to turn grim instantly.

Given Dan Bao’s stamina, it was unlikely to withstand another strike. After all, the opponent was a Level 15 food spirit; it had previously nearly incapacitated Bu Bu with just a single attack. If not for Dan Bao’s flavor attribute advantage and its high stamina and defense, it would have been impossible to hold on until now.

Liu Chuang also noticed Dan Bao’s weakness, and a smug smile appeared on his face.

"Again!"

One more time, and the opponent's food spirit would surely be incapacitated!

"Sss-ka!"

Xiao Pi let out an excited hiss and was about to launch another [Shadow Surprise Attack] when a sharp shout suddenly echoed from the distance.

"Lie Lie, use Platinum Heavy Cannon!"

As the voice rang out, a brilliant white-gold energy streaked across the sky like a heavy artillery shell, instantly engulfing Xiao Pi.

Light-type combat skill: [Platinum Heavy Cannon]!

Dark and Light types suppressed each other, with both sides capable of dealing double damage to the other. Looking at the sheer impact of this light-type combat skill, it far exceeded anything Xiao Pi had displayed, clearly indicating that the caster was at an even higher level. Not to mention that Xiao Pi was already at the end of its rope; even at its peak, it would likely have been taken down in a single hit.

When the light faded, Xiao Pi had vanished from the spot, having been incapacitated and returned to Liu Chuang’s Star Pulse.

Seeing this, Qin Lang and Zhao Qian could not help but gasp, turning their heads to look in the direction from which the skill had been unleashed.

A tall woman with long black hair, wearing the uniform of the Spirit Chef Association, walked over with a cold expression. Following her was an excited Cao Dongdong, who waved his arms vigorously upon seeing Qin Lang and Zhao Qian.

"Qin Lang, we’ve come to help!"

It was reinforcements called by Cao Dongdong!

Qin Lang breathed a heavy sigh of relief, his gaze falling on the food spirit floating beside the woman. It was the one that had unleashed that terrifying strike just now. He couldn't help but pull out his phone to scan it.

[Type: Food Spirit]
[Level: Lv29]
[Flavor Attribute: Spicy]
[Elemental Attribute: Combat]
[Food Skill: Umami Sublimation]
[Combat Skills (excluding self-learned): (Combat) Intentional Fast Fist, (Thunder) Thundering Electric Field, (Combat) Shadow Clone Combo]
[Experience Points: 52/100]

Hiss… A food spirit nearing three stars—how powerful!

While Qin Lang was still marveling, the woman with long black hair had already marched up to Liu Chuang, flashing her credentials and pulling out a pair of silver handcuffs.

"I am Tang Yu of the Spirit Chef Association’s Security Management Team. You are suspected of stealing precious items. Under the Security Management Law, I am placing you under arrest!"

"Tch..."

Liu Chuang looked displeased. "The pursuers came quickly."

"I’ll remember this incident." He glanced at the rare flowers nearby that he hadn't had time to take, then glared fiercely at Qin Lang and Zhao Qian. "We shall meet again."

With that, Liu Chuang pulled a fist-sized sphere from his pocket.

"That is..." Tang Yu’s pupils contracted, and then her voice rose sharply. "Everyone, get down!"

Almost the moment she spoke, the sphere exploded, and thick smoke with a pungent odor instantly filled the area. Qin Lang covered his mouth and nose, feeling his eyes sting painfully. Without hesitation, he temporarily recalled Dan Bao, who had returned to his side, back into his Star Pulse.

When the thick smoke cleared, Liu Chuang was nowhere to be seen.

"It was my negligence." Tang Yu’s eyes were reddened from the smoke, her expression grim. "I didn't expect him to be a member of the Treasure Hunting Team."

"Treasure Hunting Team?" Qin Lang rubbed his eyes and asked after releasing Dan Bao again, "What is that?"

"A criminal organization wanted by the Spirit Chef Association that will stop at nothing to control all the world's precious ingredients," Tang Yu said in a low voice. "I didn't expect them to appear in Dongxia City."

As she spoke, she picked up a fragment from the ground and showed it to Qin Lang. "This is their mark."

Qin Lang looked closely and saw a circular emblem with a stylized variation of the letters "LZD" in the center.

The Treasure Hunting Team, huh…

Qin Lang noted the name silently, intending to steer clear of them if he ever saw them again.

"Thank you for your help; otherwise, we might not have discovered them in time." Tang Yu’s expression softened slightly. "With the Treasure Hunting Team appearing in Dongxia City, I need to return to the Association to report this immediately."

"Could I trouble you to stay here for a while and protect these stolen rare flowers?" She pointed at the flowers apologetically.

Although the battle had been intense, Qin Lang had noticed the flowers early on. From the moment he arrived, he had used his Star Spirit Protection to shield them, ensuring they were never caught in the crossfire. Now, while the battlefield was a mess, the five stolen rare flowers were still blooming beautifully and seemed to be in good condition.

"I have notified Ms. Song Hui, and she is on her way," Tang Yu said softly. "She will arrive in a few minutes."

"No problem, we will wait for Ms. Song Hui," Qin Lang nodded without hesitation.

After expressing her thanks, Tang Yu left in a hurry with the fragment as evidence to report to the Spirit Chef Association.

"That was close." Cao Dongdong crouched down to inspect the flowers and sighed in relief. "Regardless, the flowers are safe."

The stolen seeds might not be recovered, but as long as the flowers remained, there would be no major issues for tomorrow's Flower Expo. With this, he figured his assessment as a Food Evaluator should go smoothly.

"Indeed." Qin Lang held Dan Bao and smiled as he nodded.

Having helped Ms. Song Hui with such a significant matter, it wouldn't be too much to ask her to help him find clues for the second landscape map in the Traveler’s Book, would it?