Chapter 1786 Leader, we're back

The black epaulets on his shoulders were intricately patterned and adorned with silver insignia symbolizing the highest authority of the Firefighting Team headquarters, making his identity immediately clear.

Xu Ying awakened a high-level gravity manipulation ability, and her strength was unfathomable. She rarely revealed it intentionally, but people could always vaguely feel a faint sense of pressure surrounding her.

That was the aura unique to high-level superhumans—calm, composed, and extremely controlling, inspiring awe in those around them.

The core of this ability is the precise manipulation of gravity in a designated area, with both intensity and range adjustable at will, making it flexible and practical in use.

It can act on small objects, such as making an inconspicuous dust particle in the air instantly become dozens of times heavier, and when it lands, it can crack wooden boards and shatter glass, so its power should not be underestimated.

It can also manipulate large objects, making a car weighing several tons as light as a feather, and can be moved easily with a wave of the hand;

It is even more formidable when facing enemies, capable of instantly increasing the gravity around them several times, pinning them firmly to the ground and rendering them unable to move. It can also cause enemies to float in the air without weight, completely losing their ability to move. Its combat power is truly astonishing.

At this moment, however, this powerful aura conceals an undeniable tenderness and anticipation.

Xu Ying's gaze immediately locked onto Lu Jingcheng, who was getting out of the driver's seat. A strong joy flashed in her eyes, and she quickened her pace. Before Lu Jingcheng could even stand up, she grabbed his hand tightly, as if she wanted to convey all the worries and concerns she had had along the way through her clenched palm.

"Chengzi! We've been waiting for you to come back!" Xu Ying's voice was slightly hoarse, but full of genuine excitement. Her tone contained both the familiarity of reuniting with comrades and her heartache and recognition for the younger generation. "You traveled thousands of miles, dodging the zombies along the way and dealing with the enemy's many obstacles. You did your best to protect the reagents. You must have suffered a lot. I'm so sorry for the trouble you went through."

Lu Jingcheng clenched his fist tightly, his fingertips touching the rough calluses on Xu Ying's palm.

Those are the traces left by years of training and missions, familiar and reassuring.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his tone respectful yet undisguisedly intimate, and a hint of relief after a heavy burden was lifted, as he softly called out:

"Boss, we're back. We haven't let headquarters down. The reagents... have been delivered safely."

This "leader" was uttered with exceptional solemnity, yet it concealed a reliance that others could not comprehend.

In the Blazing Fire team, Xu Ying was never just a high-ranking leader, but more like a patriarch who sheltered them from the wind and rain.

No matter how many storms he weathered outside, as long as he returned to headquarters and saw Xu Ying, he felt reassured.

As soon as he finished speaking, the members of the Blazing Fire Team who had been following behind Lu Jingcheng could no longer hold back. The emotions that had been suppressed in their hearts for a long time surged out instantly, turning into the eagerness and emotion in their eyes.

These team members have followed Xu Ying since they enlisted. Under his leadership, they have gone through countless life-and-death missions and have long regarded him as their most trusted backbone and each other as their closest comrades-in-arms.

They traveled thousands of miles, braving zombie hordes and avoiding enemy ambushes. Every step was fraught with danger and peril. They ate cold meals and slept in the wilderness. Several times they were on the verge of despair, but they persevered until now thanks to each other's support and their concern for headquarters.

Upon seeing Xu Ying, all their weariness, fear, and grievances found an outlet. They quickly surrounded her, their eyes filled with the joy of reunion, deep affection, and undisguised dependence. It was a pure bond forged from fighting side by side in the apocalypse, genuine and touching.