Chapter 487 - 280: Southern Territory Falls_2
Considering the maximization of benefits, Gu Ning naturally adheres to the final decision of Dubhe Pavilion, which is to stay in Celestial Capital.
....
Tap tap tap~~~
Lin Chen followed the large group and quickly arrived near South City.
Lin Chen had been to South City in the past, now revisiting his homeland only to find that this once largest southern city had lost its former glory.
South City also encountered the Beast Tide, but fortunately, the Demon Beasts had already attacked three waves and failed to capture it.
Therefore, South City is currently safe.
One can see a long queue of people entering the city at the gate, while those trying to leave are advised against it; those who remain adamant are reluctantly allowed to exit.
Lin Chen also smoothly entered the city, and on the city wall, he found traces of blood, clearly indicating a battle had occurred here.
Lin Chen pondered for a moment and finally decided to visit the Beast Mirror Institute to find Chen Yun, the Catalyst Master that Lee Zhen had introduced him to here.
Following directions from passersby, Lin Chen quickly arrived outside the Beast Mirror Institute, and after being announced by the gatekeeper, Chen Yun indeed came out.
"Predecessor...."
"Why are you here?" Chen Yun scanned Lin Chen up and down, her expression not favorable.
Since Lin Chen left, the first news Chen Yun heard of him was from the Beast Fighting Conference.
During that time, Chen Yun realized that this young man seeking evolution from her had terrifying strength.
Later, the Celestial Realm Mountain Conference left Chen Yun not just shocked but overwhelmed.
Thus, it’s not that she didn’t want to see Lin Chen; she felt Lin Chen shouldn’t be here.
Once the Demon Beasts knew of his presence, they certainly wouldn’t spare him.
Chen Yun looked around nervously and finally said to him, "Come in first."
After bringing Lin Chen into her courtyard, Chen Yun said, "Later, I’ll have you leave with a group going to Celestial Capital for safe passage; you should leave with them..."
"I plan to return to Jiuxing City this time." Lin Chen interrupted.
"No." Hearing Jiuxing City, Chen Yun’s face turned extremely ugly.
Seeing this, Lin Chen became anxious and asked, "Has Jiuxing City already fallen?!"
Looking at Lin Chen’s expression, Chen Yun initially didn’t want to speak but ultimately sighed when Lin Chen pressed her relentlessly. She said, "I received news that five days ago, Jiuxing City sent a distress call to South City."
"South City originally planned to assist, but upon leaving the city, they encountered the first wave of Beast Tide."
"The outside is full of dangers now; even if you reach Jiuxing City, what can you possibly do?"
Lin Chen, hearing this, felt awful.
Jiuxing City was his home; even if he had been gone for four years, Lin Chen never forgot Qin Shaoshao and Lee Zhen.
"I need to go back." Lin Chen declared.
Chen Yun looked at Lin Chen, unsure what to say, only feeling anxious. Lin Chen further declared, "Don’t worry, I won’t foolishly go to my death."
Chen Yun intended to inquire more but upon recalling Lin Chen’s leadership at the Beast Fighting Conference and the Celestial Realm Mountain, concluded he must have thought it through if making such a decision.
She sighed, "Alright, be careful."
Lin Chen nodded and asked, "Could you help me identify the fallen cities so I can return swiftly?"
"No problem." Chen Yun nodded and, after leaving for a moment, returned with a map.
Lin Chen saw circles marked on the map indicating areas occupied by Demon Beasts, which should be circumvented.
"Thank you, Predecessor." Lin Chen bowed in gratitude.
"I hope Lee Zhen and the others are alive." Chen Yun sighed.
At this moment, Lin Chen took out a map from the Beast Taming Space and unfolded it.
"What’s this?" Chen Yun asked.
"These are some of my thoughts over the past few days traveling to South City...." Lin Chen had marked many points on the map, though not special cities.
Seeing Chen Yun’s confusion, Lin Chen explained:
"I’ve been interested in the locations where the Demon Race established restricted zones. Later, I roughly mapped these zones and found they surround the south. Moreover, there are two points within the circle...."
"You mean the Demon Race’s target is the entire south?!" Chen Yun’s expression shifted.
"Quite possibly." Lin Chen said, "Given the Demon Race’s current strength, devouring the powerful north is difficult. In contrast, the southern cities are relatively weak in combat, making them a logical target."
"I will bring your information to the Beast Tamer Guild." Chen Yun stated.
Lin Chen nodded, then sipped some tea before bidding farewell to Chen Yun.
Neither said goodbye explicitly, as neither knew if they would ever meet again.
Lin Chen retraced his steps, and upon departing the city, insisted on leaving. The soldiers did not stop him, only warned him that he was responsible for the consequences; eventually, Lin Chen left.
Outside the gates, Lin Chen immediately took out Chen Yun’s map and summoned Xiaobai.
Relying solely on Xiaobai to race back to Jiuxing City quickly was unfeasible.
Xiaobai carried him flying at low altitude, its speed was much faster than Xiaobai’s.
Seated on Xiaobai, Lin Chen gazed in Jiuxing City’s direction, whispering softly:
"Wait for me!"
....
Jiuxing City
Bloodstains covered the city walls; a one-armed man stood there, gazing into the distance. Looking at the Demon Beast army outside, he angrily said: "Damn it, it’s been several days, why hasn’t reinforcement arrived yet?"
The speaker was Lee Zhen.
Since Lin Chen left Jiuxing City, Lee Zhen opened his own smithy, planning for a peaceful life, only to have the Beast Tide strike again.
Lee Zhen quickly joined the reinforcement forces, and now beside him stood Huang Xiaotian and Qin Hao.
Huang Xiaotian, who was traveling, rushed back upon hearing Jiuxing City was in trouble.
Now, Jiuxing City was alone and struggling...
Indeed, it was struggling alone.
Because its defense relied entirely on Qin Shaoshao.
The Ning Family and other forces had yielded all their fighting power; these forces had just convened and decided to abandon the city.
But if they left, what would happen to the remaining civilians in Jiuxing City?
These forces could unite to break through, but the civilians certainly couldn’t make it.
"I feel like I’m witnessing the 101 Youth Corps tragedy repeating...." Qin Hao sighed, "Too bad, even if we had Su Yu, it wouldn’t resolve today’s situation."
Lee Zhen and Huang Xiaotian sighed as well.
The Demon Beast army was at the city’s gates, poised for a final attack.
Finally, Lee Zhen and Huang Xiaotian descended from the walls. Lee Zhen glanced toward the Qin Mansion, then said, "Should I go, or should you?"
"You go," Huang Xiaotian replied.
Lee Zhen nodded before approaching the Qin Mansion, where the door opened automatically upon arrival.
Lee Zhen was accustomed to this, as he visited yearly, not for anything specific, just to say hello during the New Year.
Soon, Lee Zhen met Qin Shaoshao.
She was the same as ever; her appearance unchanged, but her expression was no longer as indifferent as it was then, though the murderous aura was heavier.
During these days, countless Demon Beasts had died by Qin Shaoshao’s hand.
"Predecessor, why don’t..." Lee Zhen looked at Qin Shaoshao and suggested, "you leave as well."
Qin Shaoshao looked up at Lee Zhen, asking, "What about you?"
"I...." Lee Zhen hardly hesitated before bitterly smiling, "I was the guild leader of the Monster Hunter Guild back then, and I decided I would fight for Jiuxing City, even to the death...."
"What about me?"
Qin Shaoshao continued to scrutinize him.
Lee Zhen swallowed, realizing with difficulty that Qin Shaoshao’s fighting spirit was no less than his own.
She was a member of the 101 Youth Corps and bore the responsibility of fallen comrades....
"Besides, they’re targeting me." Qin Shaoshao stated, "In the last Beast Tide, I killed that Black Bear Spirit, who must be this Demon King’s son."