"On the escalator leading to the second floor, you'll see the Nike store on your left. Amidst the chaos, I was escaping with my daughter, but she fell behind. I struggled to stand up, only to be pushed aside by the crowd." Her tears streamed down her face like a bursting dam. "At the last moment, as the ceiling collapsed, a girl shielded my daughter... I'm begging you, you have to rescue them at all costs!"

Having said this, she was about to bow her head to the ground.

"Pull yourself together! We've assessed the crisis ahead and are dispatching personnel for the rescue immediately!" the firefighter's voice boomed like thunder, instantly shattering the woman's panicked hesitation.

"Zheng, listen to me! Qiao Qiao... she must be in trouble! That was her cry for help!" Li Hao's voice was filled with anxiety and determination as he once again struggled to rush into the danger zone.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have successfully triggered a selection task.]

[Option One: Enter the mall to rescue people. Reward: Random Grandmaster ability evolution.]

[Option Two: Assist the firefighters. Reward: "Good Citizen" title.]

Hearing this, Chen Zheng decisively chose the first option.

His gaze locked onto Li Hao, his words filled with an irresistible resolve. "Li Hao, whether Qiao Qiao is trapped or not, I will rescue her. You just wait here. Trust me."

"No, Zheng!" Li Hao looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his face turning deathly pale. He tried to stop Chen Zheng, crying, "You can't go!"

However, Chen Zheng was like a fierce tiger, ignoring his protests. He turned to Zhao Gao and said, "Watch him."

The two immediately understood, firmly restraining Li Hao.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, Chen Zheng crossed the police cordon and charged into the blazing inferno.

"Hey! What are you doing? Come back! It's too dangerous!"

The firefighter's warning echoed through the air, but Chen Zheng didn't stop. His speed grew faster and faster until he vanished into the mall's sea of flames in the blink of an eye.

"Zheng!"

Li Hao's cry pierced the night sky. His face was a mask of despair and helplessness as he writhed in the grasp of Zhao Gao and the others.

Mom's tears fell like pearls from a broken string as she cried out, "My son!"

"Don't worry," Dad said, his voice calm, but the worry within it surged like a tide. "You know what this kid is capable of, don't you?"

"He's so fast!" a firefighter watched Chen Zheng in awe, his heart pounding like a drum.

Could an ordinary person's speed really surpass that of the finest athlete? It was simply unbelievable.

He had no time to be amazed, however, and immediately shouted, "Captain, we have a problem! A civilian crossed the cordon! Hurry!"

In an instant, water cannons from the fire truck shot toward the first floor of the mall like lightning.

By then, Chen Zheng was already inside. He was surrounded by raging flames; the fire had spread across the first floor, and charred ceiling panels littered the ground. The entire level was shrouded in smoke, as if night had fallen. Flames licked the walls, scorching everything to ash. The escalator, like a broken spine, had collapsed between the first and second floors, leaving the people above trapped like prisoners on an island.

Chen Zheng stood like a god of war amidst the smoke. A golden True Qi emanated from his body, forming an impenetrable armor that shielded him from the intense heat and thick smoke. His steps were firm and powerful, each one like crossing an abyss. His figure traced an arc through the air, and in an instant, he reached the smoke-filled second floor.

The fire on the second floor was even more ferocious, roaring and tearing at everything like a wild beast. Yet, Chen Zheng's gaze was like a lighthouse in the darkness, steadfast and bright. He searched for clues in the chaos and finally spotted something unusual beside the escalator. There was a pile of burning ceiling panels that looked as if they had been deliberately moved, leaving behind a trail of deep footprints.

In a dark corner, a person lay slumped on the ground, their life seemingly fading away.

"Li Qiaoqiao!"

Chen Zheng's pupils constricted sharply.

Li Qiaoqiao's back was to him, a silhouette being consumed by the flames. Her hair fell like autumn leaves, and her right cheek and the top of her head were horribly burned. Beneath her, a little girl lay quietly, also unconscious.

Chen Zheng's gaze was as cold and hard as iron. Suddenly, a thread glowing with a mysterious light appeared in his hand. Like a lifeline, it swiftly wrapped around the two of them, pulling them into his embrace. He then bolted out of the mall like lightning.

His footsteps were as light as the wind. The moment he landed, he shot out of the mall like a bolt of lightning, breaking through the inferno.

"Someone's out!" the firefighters' shouts pierced the chaos. "There are injured!"

As soon as Chen Zheng appeared, firefighters rushed over, carrying stretchers.

"Quick, let go of me! That's Qiao Qiao!" Li Hao's eyes blazed, piercing the smoke to see the figures in Chen Zheng's arms. His heart ached as if pricked by needles.

Zhao Gao and the others immediately let go, and they all charged forward.

"Hurry! Get the injured on the stretchers! Young man, you did well!" a firefighter clapped Chen Zheng's shoulder vigorously, his eyes filled with admiration. He had no time to ponder how Chen Zheng had navigated the sea of fire.

"Mi Mi! Mi Mi, can you hear me? Don't scare Mommy!" The woman who had been pleading earlier rushed forward, her cries desperate.

"Don't worry, she's only fainted. We have to get her to the hospital immediately!" Chen Zheng's voice was firm and calm.

He had already carefully checked both of their injuries. The little girl was unharmed, having only passed out from the smoke. Li Qiaoqiao's condition, however, was heart-wrenching. She had burns all over her body, and half of her face was so badly burned it was nearly unrecognizable.

"Thank you, my savior! I should be on my knees thanking you!" the woman exclaimed, coming to her senses and hurriedly expressing her gratitude.

Chen Zheng didn't respond, simply placing Li Qiaoqiao silently on the stretcher.

By then, Li Hao and the others had arrived.

"Qiao Qiao! Qiao Qiao, can you hear me? Answer me!" Li Hao's tears fell like pearls from a broken string. He gripped the edge of the stretcher as he ran alongside it, crying out her name.

"Li Hao, don't worry," Zhao Gao said, trying to comfort him. "Qiao Qiao will definitely be okay!"

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for making a successful choice. Reward received: Random Grandmaster Ability Evolution.]

[Ding! The Host can choose one of the following skills to evolve: Stepping on Air and Water Coagulating into Ice.]

"Stepping on Air!" Chen Zheng chose without hesitation.

[Ding! Stepping on Air has successfully evolved. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining Sky Piercing.]

A stream of new knowledge flooded Chen Zheng's mind like a meteor shower, making his eyes gleam. "Sky Piercing" was a more advanced flight technique that allowed for direct flight through the air, like a great roc spreading its wings. Of course, such a skill consumed a great deal of energy.

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