Cynthia Grant panted as she walked over and placed three fingers on Flora Bloom’s wrist. "Whew... Flora, you’re in amazing shape! The little one is perfectly healthy, so don’t you worry." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Cynthia Grant glanced suspiciously at Flora Bloom, then turned to look at Lex Cross. "So... he knows? Does he not mind?"

Flora Bloom shook her head. "Cut the crap."

Cynthia Grant giggled. "You’re really something, Lex Cross! Snagging our Flora just like that! You’re truly the idol I always looked up to! Anyway, Flora is four months along and starting to show. While it’s not having a major impact on her health, things will get inconvenient for her once the bump is more obvious. You two need to be careful!"

Lex Cross barely heard the rest of what Cynthia Grant said. Only one key phrase she mentioned cut through, making his usually calm and composed face flush with a mixture of bewilderment, anticipation, and a racing heart.

"Four months? You’re saying Flora is four months pregnant?" Four months ago... that was the first time he’d ever met her. ’This woman!’

Faced with Lex Cross’s falcon-sharp eyes, which were both questioning and brimming with anticipation, Flora Bloom wanted to just laugh it off and deal with it later, once they were back at the base. But at that exact moment, the rockery in the wetland park suddenly collapsed with a deafening CRASH. The group rushed over to investigate. The entrance to the underground passage leading to Morgan Sterling’s villa was now buried under sand and rubble. And pressed into the ground near the entrance was a massive footprint.

"Where’s the three-eyed, long-haired chimpanzee?"

The group searched everywhere but couldn’t find any trace of the three-eyed chimpanzee. They had expected another fierce battle with the creature after getting out, only to find it had vanished.

"This is bad! The three-eyed chimpanzee went to the base!"

Flora Bloom’s face fell in alarm. She grabbed Lex Cross’s arm and said, "I left Whitey at the base to guard the place, which means that three-eyed chimpanzee is probably tearing it apart right now! We have to get back immediately! The others will never be able to beat it!"

The Juggernaut was still in a deep slumber, and the group had no car or any other convenient mode of transport. They had no choice but to sprint the entire way back on foot. As they ran, Flora Bloom provided everyone with spiritual water to restore their stamina while communicating with Whitey through their mental link.

Just as they were about to reach the base, a tremendous roar from Whitey echoed from that direction, followed immediately by the three-eyed chimpanzee’s high-pitched, bizarre shriek.

The group picked up their pace. At this moment, Flora Bloom was completely unaware that after she had placed the Energy Gemstones from the cave into her space, several of the gemstones had begun to gradually melt like snow, transforming into a stream of rainbow-colored Spiritual Energy that flowed toward the mountain ranges within.

It was impossible to notice without close observation, but inside one of the five mountains, a tiny, red, gem-like crystal had appeared. Though small, its energy was identical to that of the Energy Gemstones.

When they finally arrived back at the base, the sight before them was devastating. It no longer looked like a base at all. The residential complexes for the civilians had completely collapsed, and even the main gate was gone. More than half of the smaller apartment buildings and single-family houses were in ruins, and the few structures left standing along the streets were non-residential buildings.

The villa district was also mostly flattened. Only the area within her isolation walls had not yet been affected.

At that moment, Whitey, covered in blood, was locked in battle with the three-eyed chimpanzee. The Rose branches were assisting from the side, waiting for an opening to strike the creature unexpectedly.

However, the pile of broken Rose branches on the ground showed they weren’t having much effect on the three-eyed chimpanzee. But Whitey was no pushover, either.

The three-eyed chimpanzee’s black fur was now thin and patchy, with blood oozing from its belly, neck, and the third eye on its forehead.

As the team’s Hidden System Ability Users, The Crown Prince and Leopard Cat had already concealed themselves and were slowly approaching the three-eyed chimpanzee.

"Crown Prince, Leopard Cat, get back," Lex Cross suddenly called out. His shout brought the two back and also allowed them to narrowly dodge an attack from the third eye on the chimpanzee’s forehead.

"The Hidden System is useless against it. Its third eye can see through invisibility and all forms of camouflage. It can even lock onto Ability Users by tracking their energy fluctuations. You two, stand down!"

Flora Bloom saw Lex Cross’s body become enveloped in black energy. She grabbed his hand, frowning. "Can you guarantee your Dark Element superpower won’t be seen through? Don’t take the risk!"

"Flora, are you worried about me?" A slight smile touched Lex Cross’s lips. "Don’t worry, ordinary creatures can’t see through my Dark Element superpower."

Flora Bloom’s hand didn’t let go; instead, it tightened its grip. She dangled the Golden Crow by the scruff of its neck. "You said last time that dealing with this three-eyed chimpanzee would be easy. How exactly? Explain yourself, now!"

The Golden Crow flapped its wings a few times. "Master, let go of me first! This species of chimpanzee is a total glutton. Your spiritual water... your spiritual water has an extraordinary attraction for all living things. Just take it out, and this big guy will become completely obedient."

"Really?" Flora Bloom looked at the Golden Crow, unconvinced. ’This little guy wouldn’t have any reason to set me up, would he?’

"It’s true! Why would I lie to you? Once it gets close, you can pull it into your space. This big oaf might be stupid, but he’d make a great heavy lifter!"

Flora Bloom tossed the Golden Crow aside and looked at Lex Cross. "See? If we can win this without anyone getting hurt, you shouldn’t take the risk!"

But Lex Cross shook his head. "What if it’s a trick? That Golden Crow of yours is too unreliable."

Hearing Lex Cross, the Golden Crow immediately flew up from the ground nearby and hovered by Flora Bloom’s ear. "What are you talking about! Who’s unreliable?! The Golden Crow clan is incredibly reliable! Master, listen to me, it’ll really work!"

"I’ll give it a try!" Flora Bloom said, taking out the spiritual water. Not only that, but she also threw a ball of compressed spiritual water toward the three-eyed chimpanzee, and it landed squarely in its mouth.

’Water! Delicious water!’

The three-eyed chimpanzee suddenly broke off its fight with the white tiger. It turned, ignoring Whitey’s continued attacks. It lowered its head and scanned the crowd of people below, finally spotting its target.

Inside the base, Sepherdine and Seth Warren were leading two groups, pinning down the three-eyed chimpanzee from both sides. Neither group had noticed the arrival of Flora Bloom and the others, let alone that she had fed the creature a ball of water.

They were completely focused on defending and attacking simultaneously. When they saw the three-eyed chimpanzee suddenly ignore the white tiger and bolt toward the crowd, a few of the more timid Ability Users turned and fled.

Stephen Bloom was also in Seth Warren’s team. Seeing the three-eyed chimpanzee charging, he completely forgot to use his superpower. As a Gold Ability User, Stephen was supposed to be a defender, usually positioned at the very front. The moment he ran, the offensive Ability Users behind him were thrown into chaos. Staring at the massive creature rushing toward them, some even forgot to run.

The three-eyed chimpanzee, however, was single-mindedly focused on the wonderful taste of the spiritual water. Its massive body crushed even more buildings as it charged, and people who couldn’t escape in time let out wretched screams.

Flora Bloom frowned and shouted, "Stop!"

She had only meant to test her theory, but to her surprise, the three-eyed chimpanzee actually stopped. Not only did it stop, but the foot it had raised to stomp down froze mid-air. Halted by Flora Bloom’s shout, its body lost its balance and teetered back and forth.

"What are you all standing around for? Run!"

Flora Bloom shouted even louder at the crowd, and at her words, they finally broke into a mad dash to escape.