Chapter 52

After a long flight, the plane finally descended and came to a halt on a cruise ship.

Surina Island was now shrouded in thick mist, with magnetic field disruptions preventing aircraft from landing directly. To reach the island, one would have to continue the journey by boat. The surrounding waters were riddled with hidden reefs, making it impossible for the massive cruise ship to safely navigate through the magnetic disturbances and dense fog to the island itself. According to the plan, the plane landed a hundred miles from the island on a cruise ship, where the team would then take smaller boats to reach their destination.

After disembarking and taking a short rest on the cruise, everyone boarded the smaller boats to proceed swiftly towards Surina Island.

At that moment, Zhou Zicheng stepped in front of Yue Yin before she could board, saying, “The situation on the island is unclear, Miss Yue Yin. It would be best if you stayed on the cruise as backup.”

This caught the attention of the other team members around them.

Andre frowned, muttering a curse. “What’s the deal? You were supposed to bring two operatives from your organization. If she doesn’t go, we’re down one team member!”

The unknown conditions on the island meant every extra combatant increased their chance of survival. Besides, if people started backing out, what was the point of the investigation?

Zhou Zicheng swallowed before answering, “Our organization committed to providing two operatives, and we will. Miss Zhou Zixing will take Miss Yue Yin’s place and accompany me to the island.”

Turning to Yue Yin, he explained, “You can rest assured, Miss Yue Yin. Per the agreement with the president, you only need to observe from the outside, there’s no need for you to risk entering Surina Island.”

The others now understood that Yue Yin would not be joining them in their dangerous mission to Surina Island.

Their expressions darkened, and Andre’s face took on a sneer. “Another coward.”

“So, your people get to stay behind while you head off to die? Is she your master, and are you just her little dogs?”

Hearing this mockery, Zhou Zicheng and Zhou Zixing remained unfazed.

The Metaphysical Society’s deep-rooted history hadn’t divided them into separate branches over time but had developed into the largest organization of abilities users, largely because of the unique family structure that held them together.

The Zhou family forms the backbone of the Metaphysical Society. Their principles of mutual support and shared duty are ingrained from childhood, with every member taught that unity is essential for the family’s prosperity.

Zhou Zicheng had long accepted that the exceptional education and resources provided to him as a child were made possible by the dedication of his kin, so when it was his turn to step up, he would do so without hesitation. Even if their mission ended in tragedy, the society would honor their sacrifice and provide due recognition.

So the taunts from the other organizations didn’t faze Zhou Zicheng, who remained calm. But the younger Zhou Zixing, standing behind him, couldn’t resist snapping back, “Mind your own damn business.”

Worried her Mandarin might not be understood, she even raised her middle finger at Andre, adding, “Motherfucker.”

Everyone: …

Andre’s face turned red as he launched into a furious tirade. But as soon as he began, Zhou Zixing sprang up, brandishing her phone and playing an ear-splitting barrage of insults on full volume: “You are such a bitch! You make me sick…”

Yue Yin looked up, bemused, and noticed the screen showing a list of classic foreign insults.

Every time Andre fired back, Zhou Zixing turned up the volume another notch, chanting each line with relish. The scene—a mechanical recitation of curses paired with Zhou Zixing’s springy, taunting jumps and Andre’s fuming red face—was absurdly humorous.

Yue Yin stroked her chin thoughtfully, recognizing Zhou Zixing as a unique talent.

Her Moon Cult could really use a fierce fighter like her, someone to verbally spar with trolls in the arena and online!

While Yue Yin was planning her next recruitment move, the exchange between Andre and Zhou Zixing was nearing a physical confrontation.

Finally, someone had had enough. “That’s enough! Andre, when will you learn to control your temper?”

The short-haired woman snapped, “Knock it off. We can argue once we’re out of here—if we get out at all!”

“Let’s not forget we’re the second investigation team,” she added, casting a level gaze at Zhou Zixing. “Just pray that if you make it off Surina Island alive, you’re as cheerful as you are now.”

The remark doused everyone’s irritation like a bucket of cold water, chilling them to the bone.

A somber silence settled over the group. Zhou Zixing clenched her phone tightly, even as it continued to blare out obscenities that no one could bring themselves to care about anymore.

This was a journey of unknown peril, and there was a real chance none of them would return.

The group’s mood grew heavier, the argument dissipating as tension thickened in the boat.

Yue Yin popped chips into her mouth, one by one, and looked curiously at her fellow operatives, who were now seated in silence.

“What are you all arguing about? Who said I’m not going?”

Everyone turned in shock as she brushed the crumbs off her hands. “Of course I’m going.”

The team exchanged surprised glances.

Andre whistled and jeered, “Now that’s more like it.” He assumed his provocations had finally pushed Yue Yin into joining.

“We’re all here to investigate the anomaly. I’m sure everyone has their own sense of duty…”

The others remained silent, and Zhou Zixing was stunned.

She took Yue Yin aside, whispering anxiously, “Miss Yue Yin, maybe you’re not aware of what’s happening on Surina Island. It’s now a one-way trip in—we’re the third investigation team…and none of the first two made it out.”

Are they dead? Or are they alive?

No one knew.

It was like they were feeding the island’s darkness, sending dozens of operatives into a void, still without understanding what lay within.

Zhou Zixing explained earnestly, “The danger inside must be tremendous.”

Listening to the Society’s account of Surina Island, Yue Yin suddenly raised a brow. “Then why haven’t any S-rank users come?”

The disturbances in the Surina Sea were obviously related to the S-rank malevolent entity below. S-rank users, being demigod-level, were leagues beyond the A-rank users here. Sending these people to the island was like feeding lambs to lions.

Only an S-rank could handle another S-rank. If they genuinely wanted to uncover the cause of the anomaly, only an S-rank could tackle it.

Hearing her question, Zhou Zixing remained silent, while Andre couldn’t resist sneering. “You make it sound so simple—where do you think they’d find an S-rank on short notice?”

Just two days earlier, domestic authorities discovered that Yue Yin herself was S-rank, though this information had yet to spread internationally. None of them knew there was a new S-rank in their midst, least of all that it was Yue Yin.

Only Zhou Zicheng, who had been briefed by Chairman Zhou Jingshen, knew the truth.

Zhou Zixing then said wistfully, “Once, an S-Class named Lilith, a follower of Nyx, the Goddess of Night, came. Said to be eternally protected in darkness, she ranked among the top three S-Class ability users.”

“But even she couldn’t escape the island’s weakening curse and was forced to retreat. Since then, no other S-Class has dared approach.”

If someone as powerful as Lilith retreated, then the island’s malevolent force must indeed be formidable. To truly subdue it, at least two S-Class users would need to collaborate, yet no two S-Class users had agreed to step forward.

Even S-Class users feared death and valued their lives.

Thus, the international community turned to various national organizations, gathering unlucky volunteers to explore the island in hopes of finding a way forward.

The short-haired woman, Eda—seemingly the strongest of the team, with abilities ranked above A-Class—checked her watch and said, “It’s late. We’ll reach the island in a few hours. If we don’t set out now, we’ll be feeding the malevolent spirits by nightfall.”

Zhou Zixing tugged her brother’s arm. “Let’s go, big brother.”

Zhou Zicheng looked down at his twin sister, feeling conflicted.

Among the group, only he understood Yue Yin’s strength.

An S-Class user willing to go would greatly increase their chances of survival. And if Yue Yin went, his sister wouldn’t have to.

The temptation was strong, but then he remembered the Chairman’s orders.

After a long pause, he said slowly, “Miss Yue Yin, have you really thought this through? You know how dangerous that area is, even high-level ability users are at risk. You should just stay here on the comfortable, safe cruise ship…”

Yue Yin smiled, amused by his unconvincing attempt. “I’m going to the island to find someone.”

Zhou Zicheng looked at her sharply. “Someone you know is trapped on Surina Island?”

Yue Yin thought of the missing Jiang Suliu and nodded. “Yes.”

Jiang Suliu was her sole unlucky follower, ATM, all-purpose assistant, and personal carrier…

She thought of her barely passing exam scores. “If he doesn’t come back, I won’t even have anyone to cheat off for exams.”

Hearing her answer, Zhou Zicheng felt a weight lift from his conscience. Knowing his sister would be safe, he felt relief.

Yue Yin then added, “And honestly, I’m curious to meet the Deep Ones. I wonder if they’re having fun with Jiang Suliu.”

Zhou Zixing didn’t understand. “What?”

The others, who had been eavesdropping, looked equally puzzled.

Yue Yin continued, “Whether you’re here to find some mythical creature for immortality, spread your own beliefs, or because you’re just a poor soul sent here to die—or even a native returning after years away…”

As she spoke, each team member shifted uncomfortably, as though she had read their minds.

Ignoring their expressions, she hopped onto the boat and waved, excitement in her voice. “Let’s go!”

In the misty sea breeze, her pale skin seemed almost otherworldly, her black hair billowing in the wind.

With a bright smile and a lilting voice, she declared, “I can’t wait to embark on this deadly journey with you all.”