Chapter 99 - 77: Ancient Tomb Development Rights
This meant that...
An unprecedented catastrophe, one great enough to threaten the entire city’s survival, had arrived!
Just as this suffocating shock and panic began to spread—
BOOM!!! KABOOM!!! BOOM!!!
The sound was deafening!
The very earth trembled!
Several blindingly intense flares of light suddenly erupted on Yang City’s southern skyline!
Then came the terrifying sound of explosions, like the very earth itself was roaring!
The sound was deep, heavy, and filled with destructive power—a far cry from the crisp crackle of festival fireworks!
The ground beneath their feet shook violently, as if a colossal beast were ramming into it from below!
The entire city seemed to groan in agony.
Almost at the exact moment the explosions rang out, a ghostly figure appeared before the three of them in an instant—it was Zhao Zhuo!
His expression was graver than they had ever seen. His gaze was electric, locking directly onto Zhou Meng as he spoke in a tone that was urgent and left no room for argument:
"Miss Zhou! The situation is critical. Please leave with us immediately! We will escort you home!"
"Huh? Master!"
Zhou Meng’s face went pale with fright at the sudden turn of events and Zhao Zhuo’s grim expression. She subconsciously grabbed Lin Yi’s sleeve.
Lin Yi’s heart tightened, but he knew this was no time for hesitation.
Zhou Meng was only an intermediate Martial Disciple. In the face of a cataclysm that could engulf the entire city, she was too weak to protect herself.
"Meng Meng, listen to Uncle Zhao and go home now! The Zhou family’s defenses are formidable; it’s the safest place for you!"
His tone was firm and decisive, leaving no room for argument.
Though frightened, Zhou Meng understood the gravity of the situation.
She bit her lower lip, fighting back tears. After giving Lin Yi one last, deep look, she nodded firmly.
"Master, you... you have to be careful!"
With that, she stopped hesitating and quickly followed Zhao Zhuo to the waiting Zhou family motorcade.
The engines of the motorcade roared to life, and the vehicles shot into the chaotic streets like arrows loosed from a bow, vanishing into the night.
As he watched the motorcade disappear, Luo Qian swallowed hard, suppressing the frantic beating of his heart. He turned to Lin Yi, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor:
"Lin, what do we do now? This is... terrifying!"
Lin Yi took a deep breath, the cold air sharpening his focus.
His eyes were as sharp as blades. He gazed at the southern sky, now glowing red from the fiery explosions, and said grimly:
"Yang City has issued a full mobilization order. I’m a registered Martial Artist. According to wartime protocol, I have to answer the call to arms, no questions asked. To refuse is treason, a capital offense. I have to head south, now! You’re not a Martial Artist. Go home and take shelter, immediately!"
"I’m going with you!" Luo Qian said without a second thought. Even though he wasn’t a Martial Artist, a surge of bravado washed over him. "Go home alone? What if I run into trouble on the way? If I’m with you, at least we’ll have each other’s backs! I’m not made of glass, you know!"
Lin Yi glanced at Luo Qian and didn’t hesitate for long.
The Luo family wasn’t exactly a family of saints. And while Luo Qian couldn’t become a Martial Artist because of that filth inside him, he didn’t lack for reflexes or courage. Traveling together was indeed the safer option.
Besides, if Luo Qian ran into trouble on his own, the danger would be just as great.
"Fine! Stay close to me!" Lin Yi quickly unclipped the Energy Pistol from his belt, along with ten spare Energy Boxes, and shoved them all into Luo Qian’s hands. "Here! You know how to use this, right? When the time comes, don’t conserve energy!"
HISS!
Luo Qian sucked in a sharp breath. His eyes went wide as saucers, practically glowing, and his voice jumped an octave.
"Holy shit! An Energy Pistol?! And it’s the latest Hunting Falcon III Type?! Lin, your connections are insane! This thing is a restricted strategic weapon! My old man pulled every string he could to get me one for protection, but the brass just wouldn’t approve it! How the hell did you get your hands on one?!"
He caressed the weapon’s frame, unable to tear his hands away. The tension on his face was instantly washed away by a wave of immense surprise and excitement.
"Cut the crap! Let’s move!"
Lin Yi barked, wasting no more time.
He reached back and deftly drew the three jet-black sections of the Owl Dragon Spear from its custom-made sheath on his back.
A series of sharp clicks echoed—CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!—as metal locked into place. With movements as smooth as flowing water, Lin Yi assembled the three sections. In an instant, they formed a menacing spear nearly two meters long, its tip glinting with a cold, sinister light!
Lin Yi gripped the Owl Dragon Spear tightly, its tip angled toward the ground. His entire presence was like that of a drawn blade, radiating a piercing battle intent.
"Stay close!"
Before the word was even fully out, he had already become a blur. With a sound like tearing wind, he shot off, charging resolutely toward the south—toward the ceaseless roar of explosions and the sky-scorching flames!