Luo Jin was trailing the Licker from afar. This creature indeed evolved with mimicry ability, which was a bit troublesome. At the same time, Luo Jin wanted to know how it turned into a Licker, especially how it managed to evolve to this extent unscathed.
The worms that parasitize humans came from the abyss, and the chances of them occurring naturally are minimal. Even if they appear occasionally, they quickly perish. In Celestial City, under the Moon God's radiance, it's even harder. Typically, they are secretly summoned by cultists. But the city is the domain of the Night Patrol. If it came from outside the city, it would be understandable, but this Licker was born inside the city.
Most of the time, the spiritual abilities of the Awakened are very stable. Even when they go mad or lose control, the harm is relatively limited, and the Night Patrol can swiftly handle it. A rational Awakened would never touch the Abyssal Worm, as it can indeed bring temporary power, but eventually, it leads to becoming a monster, a fate more dangerous than worshiping an Evil God; this is common knowledge. If it's an accident, it's one thing, but if it's man-made, it requires investigation. The appearance of a cult is a major dereliction of duty for the Night Patrol.
It's not that he's overthinking. As a captain of the Celestial Capital Night Patrol, he has held this position for fifteen years; surviving this long is nothing short of a miracle. The casualty rate among the Night Patrol is extremely high. Nonetheless, thanks to their efforts, the overall situation in Celestial Capital has always been good. If issues arise, they are quickly quelled. Moreover, he has been commended by the Moon God's Court and is about to concurrently hold the position of Grand Wind Discipline Officer at the Canon Law School.
Although there are other layers of battles behind the scenes, for a Night Patrol member, this is already an upward class transition. It's also a retirement path for many veteran Night Patrol members and the highest honor for those from civilian backgrounds.
He just needed to wait for the time to hand over the position, provided the Night Patrol could maintain control. However, within a month, strange incidents occurred one after another, and now even a rational Licker appeared. He couldn't help but suspect someone was targeting him.
Of course, this is merely speculation. He wanted to see what lay behind this Licker.
The Licker's first choice when injured and hungry is certainly an Awakened, as only an Awakened can completely heal the Licker's wounds. But in an injured state, Awakened are definitely dangerous, so a strong human is a better choice. Blood and flesh full of life force make an excellent supplement.
After all, inside the city are many important figures, the City Guard, Knight Order, Night Patrol—not to mention the Church Court's divine might—all pose lethal threats to the Licker. But outside the city, it's undeniably a vast world.
The Licker quickly sniffed out a group brimming with life force, among which was an Awakened not too strong. Using the dimness, it easily slipped in.
Luo Jin also followed, without stopping it. He knew this place was the territory of the Black Spade group of the Blackwater gang. The Underground City's order was maintained by gangs, and the Black Spade was quite notorious in the Underground City. Though not entirely wicked, they deserved punishment. Luo Jin wasn't so naïve; he wanted to see what the Licker planned next.
Attacking the Night Patrol—it was less about coveting the Awakened and more about stirring up trouble. A rational Licker, even if it craved spiritual ability, had other choices. How desperate must it be to attack the Night Patrol, courting death?
Revenge?
That's highly unlikely, so there must be a problem behind this. Luo Jin lit another cigarette, and soon the bustling lights of the Black Spade became chaotic, accompanied by angry and miserable screams. Such situations are common in the Underground City, and even if one shouted themselves hoarse, no one would come to check.
The sounds were tragic, but in the Underground City, it's a daily occurrence. Even Li Xin's household heard them, albeit not too loudly by the time they reached them. Ordinary folks wouldn't feel much. Aunt Fei was gently patting little Xueyin to sleep.
Li Xin sat up; he could sense a spiritual ability reaction. This wasn't an ordinary brawl. Judging by the sound, it was happening in the gang leader's territory. He frowned slightly. Although Qi Badao wasn't decent, after some negotiations, Blackwater had been fairly harmonious. This guy hadn't been sneaky about anything. If he died, and a new group took over, the situation would be uncertain, especially since not everyone is that easy to communicate with. More importantly, if a monster managed to infiltrate, it would be hazardous.
Li Xin silently left the room.
By then, several inside the Black Spade had already died, and the survivors were pale-faced, vomiting from the sight of the Licker's feeding. Some who weren't brave enough had wet their pants and collapsed in terror. Qi Badao, their leader and an Awakened, was wielding a long saber, fighting the Licker. The Licker had already taken down several, with a half-arm in its mouth, devouring while fighting, its eight eyes fixated on Qi Badao. Qi Badao felt a chill through his body; the monster's gaze bore a powerful psychological intimidation as if it was eyeing grilled steak; he had recognized it as a Licker, an utterly twisted monster he stood no chance against. It wasn't that he didn't want to run, but fleeing recklessly would mean a quicker death.
Boom...
He barely blocked an attack, sent flying backward. Qi Badao, adept at adapting, used the momentum to retreat, somersaulting as he tossed a chair, then quickly escaped. As for his brothers, they'd have to fend for themselves.
The Licker made a cackling sound, rapidly pursuing on all fours. Its feeding only served to repair its wounds, and the Awakened with the most abundant spiritual energy was its target, someone just as delectable as the Night Patrol member.