Chapter 13 : The Black Market Approaches in Full Force (On the Brink of Life and Death)

Before dawn, a black, misty night enveloped the mountains and forests.

The wind carried the scent of damp earth, swirling withered leaves, as if silently conveying a warning.

Chen Ye sat on a rock at the edge of the forest, his Type 56 semi-automatic rifle resting on his lap, his hunting rifle and pistol readily available.

He observed the road below through the dim light.

The distant hum of an engine reached him, unhurried yet enough to make his heart tighten—the black market had arrived.

“Brother Ye, things are getting serious.” His second brother, Zhao Shi, leaned against him, gripping his hunting rifle tightly.

His third brother, Liu He, looked alert, his hand never leaving his pistol.

Chen Ye nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the forest, his sensory field fluctuating slightly—the system seemed to have detected a threat.

【Warning】

【High-Risk Intrusion: Black Market Forces Approaching in Full Force】

【Recommendation: Prepare for Defense/Retreat】

Chen Ye gripped his rifle tightly and said in a deep voice, “Don’t panic. Observe first, then act.”

A gust of wind blew through the forest, swaying the shadows of the trees. Three black jeeps slowly pulled up on the distant highway.

Seven or eight black market members emerged, rifles and pistols in hand, their faces bearing a familiar cold smile.

"Chen Ye, your little tricks are almost over." The leader's eyes were icy; he had clearly grasped the existence of his domain.

Chen Ye's heart sank.

This was the first time—the black market knew he could control spatial domains, and they knew the potential danger of that power.

He whispered to his brothers, "Keep your distance. Don't fire rashly. Wait for my command."

A few steps away, Chen Xue crouched behind a bush, her fingers lightly touching the ground, as if sensing the air currents.

Her passive contract resonance was unusually active at this moment.

Chen Ye looked at her and whispered a reminder, "Xue, don't get too close."

His sister nodded slightly, but her gaze was firm, as if she understood her brother's meaning: she was not a tool, she was a partner.

The black market members slowly advanced, step by step approaching the edge of the forest.

Chen Ye slowly stood up, his fingers touching the trigger of his gun. A slight tremor ran through the domain's perception feedback—a warning from inhuman forces.

The air began to stagnate, fallen leaves paused in the forest, and the river flowed slightly backward.

This was the domain's first activation of its full-force defense mode, but it wasn't fully operational yet.

"Chen Ye!" the black market boss shouted, "Do you think you can hide in the mountains? Come out! Hand over the space, or we'll…!"

Before he finished speaking, a sharp roar suddenly rang out behind him.

The wind in the forest swirled violently, swirling fallen leaves, and snapping several branches in the strong wind.

Chen Ye looked up—

It was the domain's boundary beginning to retaliate proactively; the system was issuing its first warning to the intruder, while simultaneously enhancing its environmental response.

"Everyone, be careful, don't approach my blind spots," Chen Ye whispered.

The three brothers moved quickly, maintaining their tactical formation.

Chen Xue also crouched down, her fingers tracing the soil, sensing the domain's reaction; her body trembled slightly—

The passive contract was functioning semi-autonomously at this moment.

The black market members were clearly caught off guard. Several of their charging members were tripped by the swirling leaves, their steps faltering.

Chen Ye's hand moved swiftly, his Type 56 semi-automatic rifle striking the distant threat with pinpoint accuracy, followed closely by his hunting rifle. The momentum was fierce, yet entirely within his control.

But a heavy sense of oppression hung in the air, making Chen Ye's heart tighten—this was the first time the system had fully coordinated with the domain's reaction, and the first time a potential threat had been pushed to the brink.

The sounds of gunfire, wind, and falling leaves mingled, creating a tense atmosphere in the forest, like a battlefield.

Chen Ye knew in his heart: This battle was just the beginning.

The black market forces knew his abilities and would upgrade their strategies at any time.

And the system, the domain, and his sister's resonance—these were no longer mere aids; they were unpredictable chains of power.

He took a deep breath and whispered to himself, "No matter the cost, I must protect my family, protect this forest."

Under the moonlight, the shadows of the locust trees stretched and shortened in the wind.

The space in the forest trembled slightly, as if responding to its master's determination—a true battle on the brink of life and death was about to unfold.