Ultra: Dragon Sword Journey

"A single arrow pierces the clouds, and a mighty host descends upon them." Suddenly, without warning, a string of blazing firecrackers streaked through the air like a meteor, landing squarely on the wide windshield of the Drum. Instantly, a crackling explosion echoed, like a sudden summer thunderstorm, deafening. Dagu, concentrating on driving, was caught off guard by the sudden blast, his entire body trembling, his heart nearly leaping out of his throat.

Juejing, who was sitting in the passenger seat, reacted quickly. They both stepped on the brakes almost simultaneously, bringing the car to a steady stop on the side of the road. Then, they hurriedly got out of the car, trying to figure out what had happened.

"Who threw the firecrackers?" Juejing, who had just escaped from the stinking and suffocating tunnel with great difficulty, was sleeping soundly in the car, but was abruptly awakened by the earth-shaking sound of firecrackers.

At this moment, his face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it. He muttered curses while staggering out of the car.

Dagu first gathered his composure, then looked in the direction of the sound. He saw a small pirate flag standing tall among a pile of tangled branches on the slope beside the road.

And just below the flag, a little girl wearing a gorgeous feather crown was waving the flag in her hand happily, shouting, "Come on! Come on!" Her laughter as clear as a silver bell echoed in the air.

Next to the little girl, several older boys were holding her tightly, as if they thought it was inappropriate for her to expose herself so early. However, the little girl obviously didn't care about her brothers' obstruction and continued to laugh happily as usual.

Dagu looked at the mischievous children in front of him and couldn't help but smile softly, like an aunt. The innocent actions and energetic figures of those children made him recall his own childhood, and an indescribable sense of familiarity surged in his heart.

"You little brats!" Dijing had already walked up to the group of children. His face was full of anger because he was woken up, and his cheeks were puffed up, just like an angry frog. However, although he said this, he was not really angry with these children in his heart.

Hearing the well-digging shouts, the oldest boy acted decisively, scooping up his little sister and shouting, "Run! Hurry up, hurry up!" Seeing this, the other children also scattered their feet, sprinting back like a herd of frightened deer. In a blink of an eye, their figures disappeared into the dense forest, leaving only a burst of laughter and joy lingering in the air.

"Stop! Don't run!" Digging Well roared in frustration, veins popping out on his forehead as he rushed towards the group of mischievous children with a furious look on his face. He stumbled and gasped, but the rage in his heart prevented him from stopping the pursuit.

These children were like a group of nimble little monkeys, twisting and turning in the woods they were familiar with, and knew the terrain like the back of their hands. Digging a well, however, seemed much more clumsy.

Finally, on a narrow wooden bridge, he stumbled and fell into a deep mud pit. He struggled to stand up, but found himself unable to turn over like a heavy turtle, his whole body covered with black mud, looking miserable.

"Well digging team member, are you okay? Hahaha..." At this time, Dagu also hurried over and saw the miserable state of Jujing, and couldn't help laughing. Jujing looked up at Dagu with a look of despair on his face, muttering: "Stop laughing, help me!"

However, Dagu didn't seem to be ready to help immediately. Instead, he stood aside and continued to laugh and tease Dijing. Seeing the children ahead playing and walking away, their laughter still echoing in the air, Dagu finally stopped laughing and reached out to pull Dijing out of the mud pit.

At this time, Jujing's once neat uniform had completely lost its original color. It was covered with black mud from head to toe, and he was simply a living "mud man". Dagu looked at Jujing's funny appearance and almost laughed out loud.

He suppressed his laughter, muttering something to himself before pointing a finger at Dijing. Instantly, a blue light emanated from his fingertips, transforming into a stream of clear, spring-like water that enveloped Dijing's entire body. With the casting of the water-based purification spell, the filthy mud was quickly washed away, leaving Dijing's body clean once again.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Jujing looked at his brand new appearance in surprise and danced with excitement. It was cleaner than washing countless times.

He looked at Dagu gratefully and said, "Thank you very much, Dagu. Why don't I have this talent! If I could also learn such powerful magic, I would no longer be afraid of being teased by these little ghosts." After saying that, he touched Dagu's arm with some envy.

The two men walked up the slope, having taken a heavy fall. Jujing suddenly changed his face like a Sichuan opera performer, angrily saying, "Damn, these little devils! Next time I catch them, I'll never let them off!"

"Dig a well!" Dagu shouted as he looked at the dead trees in the mountains and forests, then turned around and looked at the vast lifeless forest around him.

"These are trees that died because of the fog. It looks like the acid is causing this as well." They noticed the trees were severely withered, not like they were naturally dead. The sky was gloomy, as if something was about to happen. After their observations, the two continued on their way to the laboratory.

Dagu and Dijing went to the laboratory to investigate the cause of the plant's withering. However, a sudden power outage in the laboratory shattered the tranquil night sky like a flash of black lightning. Then, reports came from outside: someone saw a puff of white smoke, and then the roar of a monster was heard.

Dagu and Dijing rushed out in astonishment, only to discover that the culprits were the same children who had teased them just now. These naughty children were like a group of little demons, and their words were like a mist, making it hard to believe.

They were well-known troublemakers in the town, but at this moment, they swore that they were not lying. Digging the well had no choice but to take them in the car and go to the scene for investigation.

In the car, the children were like curious little monkeys, brimming with curiosity about everything in Drum's car. Their eyes twinkled as they inquired about the functions of the buttons. Diggin answered impatiently, but while he was distracted by the others, the little girl wearing the feather cap, like a playful kitten, gently touched the laser button.

In an instant, a dazzling laser shot out from the roof like lightning, shattering a billboard. Seeing the power of the laser, the children were so surprised that their mouths widened. Their hands were involuntarily clasped together as if under a spell, and they let out bursts of screams.

Only Dijing and Dagu stared at the smashed billboard in front of them in distress, secretly groaning in their hearts, wondering how much more salary would be deducted. Dijing was furious and gave them a severe scolding, but the matter had to end in this hasty manner.

The two led the children to the site ravaged by the acid mist. They saw several wires, both on the ground and overhead, lying scattered on the ground like kites with their strings cut. Dagu was concentrating on testing with instruments, while Jujing was curious about the cause of the broken wires.

At this moment, several maintenance electricians suddenly recognized these mischievous children and insisted that the wires were burned out because they were flying kites here, causing the lines to catch fire.

The person in charge was even more certain, as if these children were the "wolves" disguised as monsters. But now, just like the protagonist in the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", no one was willing to believe them anymore, so they had to turn around and leave in indignation!

Dagu watched them walk away, his sixth sense sharp as a radar, telling him that something was amiss, but he had no evidence. Helplessly, he and Jujing returned to the command room to report their investigation to the captain.

"I think the formation of acid mist may have a lot to do with the topography of Ritsuma City," Horijei said, switching the screen. "The exhaust from the cars on this highway is gathering in some way, forming acid mist. That's the most reasonable explanation. Anyway, I brought back these dead plant samples, and I'll find the cause soon. Report completed!"

"It's like the acid rain problem that made people shudder in the 20th century. But hasn't this public nuisance problem been properly solved now?" After reading the investigation report and listening to Jujing's analysis, Iruma Hui said with a look of doubt on his face.

"Public nuisance? I haven't heard this word for a few years." Xincheng couldn't help but feel surprised and muttered to himself.

Seeing Dagu silent, with his head bent like a sculpture, thinking about something, Lina couldn't help but ask, "What are you thinking about?"

"Of course he is thinking of you!" Zhao Ming's voice came like a ghost, and his figure was looming in the light.

"You're so annoying. Why don't you just go out the door? Why are you always appearing and disappearing like a ghost?" Lina scolded.

Hearing that familiar voice ringing in his ears again, but no one in sight, it was undoubtedly that mysterious guy. Xincheng was quick-witted, quickly picking up the analysis document in his hand and throwing it forward like a javelin.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's been so long, and this is how you welcome me?" Zhao Ming yelled in dissatisfaction, his voice filled with complaints and grievances. Ever since completing Dagu's special training with the Lightning King, he had been like a busy bee, once again embarking on a journey across the world.

The Institute of Antiquities had recently unearthed a batch of mysterious artifacts from ancient Egypt, and they urgently needed him to go there to help translate the ancient texts and identify the information they contained. So, Zhao Ming rushed there without stopping.

To his surprise, during this work, he unexpectedly made a discovery - a magical magic mastered by the Pharaoh's High Priest of Life, which can manipulate and control the growth of plants. This magic can create a vibrant oasis in the vast, uninhabited desert.

Zhao Ming, overjoyed, translated this precious knowledge into modern language and put it into practice immediately, constantly strengthening his already existing life magic abilities. After diligent study and practical exploration, he finally mastered this powerful skill.

After everything was settled, the first person that popped into Zhao Ming's mind was his beloved friend and brother, Dagu. He couldn't wait to show Dagu his newly acquired power, and decided to test its power on him first!

"Hmph, who told you to appear and disappear like a ghost all day long! It's a good thing this is the command room and not the armory, otherwise I would have shot you without hesitation!" Xincheng complained with equal grumbling, patting his chest with lingering fear. After all, only he knew that such a sudden shock was difficult for the ghost-shy Xin.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing." Dagu smiled and stood up to smooth things over. "Zhao Ming, what did you mean when you said you found something fun?"

Zhao Ming's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands and said, "Hey, Dagu, just stand there and don't move."

As he spoke, he gathered his life force into his hands, muttering something to himself. Suddenly, many green vines sprouted from the command room, entwining themselves around Dagu. Dagu was startled, but didn't try to avoid them. The vines quickly enveloped him, but it wasn't an uncomfortable restraint; instead, it felt like a gentle embrace.

"Haha, what do you think? This is the new magic I learned." Zhao Ming was very proud.

Xincheng's eyes widened. "This is too amazing, right? There won't be any side effects, right?"

Zhao Ming rolled his eyes at him and said unhappily, "Don't worry, this is ancient and pure magic. Back in ancient Egypt, only the pharaoh's high priests were qualified to use this magic. It was specifically used to create oases in the vast desert."

In that distant past, the high priest's position was second only to the Pharaoh! Creating an oasis in the boundless desert was a truly astonishing miracle!

After hearing this, everyone in the command room felt relieved.

"That's great! I feel like the air quality in the commander's room has been completely renewed since the appearance of these vines." Lina took a deep breath, fully feeling the strong breath of life emanating from the commander's room, and then said with a smile.

Entering the command room, Munakata was greeted by a refreshing aroma that made his body feel as if immersed in the warm sunshine, a feeling of incomparable comfort. He was so absorbed in it that he forgot about his trouble with Horii and Daiko for a moment.

Zhao Ming pointed at the pot of dried-up and dead plants on the table and asked curiously, "Who of you raised this specimen? It's so exquisite!" He casually emitted the breath of life, and miraculously brought the dead plant back to life.

"Since you, the new high priest of life, have made a grand appearance, please analyze this strange situation." Witnessing this astonishing scene, Ju Jianhui said with a smile, picked up the test report that Xincheng had discarded, and handed it to Zhao Ming carefully.

Zhao Ming took the report and scanned it carefully like a meticulous scholar. After a moment's contemplation, he slowly spoke, "Judging from the horrific death of that plant just now, only a highly concentrated acid mist could have corroded it beyond recognition. Even if that location, due to its unique geographical location, allowed human-generated acid to accumulate, it wouldn't have led to such severe consequences. Could it be those damned monsters stirring up trouble again?"