Chapter 497 - 291: Return to South City
"Gulp~~"
Lin Chen watched as Xiao Lan Fish gulped down the milk, a look of delight appearing on his face.
This time, the role of Xiao Lan Fish was significant. Although Xiaobai ran fast, its speed was no match for Xiao Lan Fish’s speed in flight.
The Xiao Lan Fish didn’t eat much, only needing three bottles of milk a day.
Yet now, as its level increased, it still loved milk, which was a bit odd.
However, during the battle at Jiuxing City, it had reached Level 26, and Xiaobai also leveled up once, reaching Level 48, which was a good thing.
But compared to the 90th level of the Spirit-Devouring Vine, there’s still a huge gap.
"If the beast taming technique from Dubhe Pavilion could be acquired, Xiaobai’s strength would certainly be enhanced again..." Lin Chen, having actively triggered the Dragon Transformation Skill this time, understood its power.
Dubhe Pavilion had previously promised to provide a beast taming technique as a reward at the Celestial Realm Mountain Conference, which Lin Chen still remembered.
However, after the conference ended, Cangling Ancient Country experienced this disaster, and Lin Chen knew this matter could only be delayed.
With the backing of Spirit Academy, Lin Chen was not afraid of Dubhe Pavilion reneging on their promise.
After seven days of traveling, Lin Chen was now very close to South City.
At this moment, Lin Chen became cautious and released Xiaobai.
Although Xiaobai wasn’t an information-based spirit beast, it was naturally sensitive to smells...
These demon beasts mostly disliked bathing, resulting in a strong odor.
With Xiaobai’s help, Lin Chen avoided one demon beast pit after another while also recording his route and soon discovered something terrifying.
The demon beasts had indeed encircled South City.
"I hope this launch station really works." Lin Chen thought to himself.
After another three days, Lin Chen finally returned to South City, but now the city gates were closed.
During Lin Chen’s absence, South City had faced multiple beast tides, and the Beast Tamer Guild along with major forces clearly stated that for safety reasons, no person or spirit beast was allowed back into the city.
So when Lin Chen attempted to approach the city gates, he was immediately driven away.
Knowing that persuasion wouldn’t work, Lin Chen had no choice but to use force. He glanced at the Spirit-Devouring Vine, which immediately entered its evolution mode, displaying its impressive Level 90.
This astonished the city guard’s general, who even came out and asked, "May I ask how to address the esteemed one?"
"I am Lin Chen, envoy of Qin Shaoshao of Jiuxing City’s Celestial Spirit Body, here to discuss important matters." Lin Chen knew that he had to quickly attract the attention of the higher-ups.
The words "Celestial Spirit Body" were enough to grab their attention.
"Alright, I will report to the Beast Tamer Guild." The general quickly asked, "Does the envoy wish to rest, or...?"
"Just send someone to find me at the Beast Mirror Institute when the time comes," Lin Chen said.
"Understood." The general quickly nodded.
Lin Chen wasted no time and headed to the Beast Mirror Institute, which was now without guards, making it relatively easy for Lin Chen to enter.
"Who?" Chen Yun seemed to hear footsteps, and an icy shout rang out.
It was wartime, and unity against external threats was essential, yet this sealed city was not peaceful.
Despite repeated reminders from the Beast Tamer Guild not to cause trouble, some people still engaged in murder, looting, and even attacked women.
Such incidents were not uncommon in South City.
Chen Yun was a Catalyst Master, not very useful in wartime, so the Beast Mirror Institute wasn’t a place of refuge, and naturally, Chen Yun was afraid.
"It’s me." Lin Chen spoke out.
Chen Yun then saw Lin Chen and remarked with surprise, "Why have you come back?"
She then glanced around nervously and asked, "Is it Jiuxing City...."
"Rest assured, the catastrophe in Jiuxing City has been resolved."
"That’s great." Chen Yun exclaimed joyfully, then asked, "What about Lee Zhen?"
"The president is fine too," Lin Chen replied. "I’m here with a plan this time..."
Lin Chen succinctly explained, and Chen Yun quickly understood that Lin Chen wanted to know more about South City’s situation to align with this plan.
"The City Lord of South City is named Chen Ming, and he’s not a stubborn person, so as you said, there shouldn’t be any problem," Chen Yun said.
Lin Chen was overjoyed.
South City’s efficiency was also high; in just an hour, the Beast Tamer Guild had already sent someone to invite Lin Chen.
Lin Chen soon met Chen Ming.
"I wonder, esteemed one...." Chen Ming glanced behind, noticing Qin Shaoshao’s absence, feeling a bit disappointed.
Lin Chen spoke up, "Qin esteemed one is gathering people from various cities with the intention of supporting South City and should arrive soon."
Hearing this, Chen Ming was overjoyed.
"However, the esteemed one also has a request for you," Lin Chen said. "In a few days, refugees from Jiuxing City or other cities may come, and she hopes you can open the gates for them."
Chen Ming thought for a moment and finally nodded.
If it could mean securing assistance from someone like Qin Shaoshao, it would certainly be worth it.
"Additionally, the esteemed one has a plan..." Lin Chen talked about reactivating the Monster Hunter Guild.
However, as soon as this matter came up, Chen Ming’s expression turned less favorable.
"What’s the concern, City Lord Chen?" Lin Chen asked.
"The Monster Hunter Guild was explicitly disbanded by Dubhe Pavilion, and if..." Chen Ming truly had some reservations.
His position as city lord was directly under Dubhe Pavilion’s management.
"City Lord, the times are dire," Lin Chen said. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."
"Why not wait a bit longer? We’ve already called for aid, and Dubhe Pavilion’s supporting forces shouldn’t be far," Chen Ming said.
"City Lord, are you pretending not to understand?" Lin Chen said. "I’ve been to South City, returned to Jiuxing City, and then came back."
"If Dubhe Pavilion had truly dispatched reinforcement, there would have been news by now, even if they hadn’t reached South City."
"I think you can let go of this illusion."
Chen Ming fell silent after hearing this.
He surely understood this logic.
Holding this position didn’t mean he was a fool.
He said, "Give me a moment to consider."
He pondered for five full minutes before finally looking up at Lin Chen and saying, "I agree with your plan, but the launch station matter still requires finding the president of the South City Monster Hunter Guild first."
"However, as far as I know, he is not currently in South City."
Lin Chen’s expression turned, questioning, "Is he the only one who knows the location?"
"Not exactly, but we need to consult him to unravel and activate the formation," Chen Ming explained.
"Oh no..." A bad premonition arose in Lin Chen’s heart.
Chen Ming then led Lin Chen over, and indeed they found the place empty, but Chen Ming informed him that the launch station was right there, only concealed by a special formation.
Chen Ming was decisive, sharing this information, and shortly a piece of good news came in: someone knew the name of the formation.
Lin Chen quickly called for the person, but to his surprise, the person, looking awkward, said they couldn’t decipher it, only knowing the formation was called Nine Lin Formation.
"This Nine Lin Formation isn’t dangerous, but finding the breakthrough is extremely challenging," the person added.
At this moment, Lin Chen had an idea. If he used the Dragon Transformation Skill and tapped into the dragon vein energy, he could surely break the formation.
But the Dragon Transformation Skill had only one use left, and it was Lin Chen’s life-saving method, not to be used unless absolutely necessary.
"Nine Lin Formation?"
Lin Chen began to ponder.
Over time, Lin Chen had encountered many formations on Blue Star, noticing that formations in this era shared similarities with many he’d seen before his journey, such as the Eight Trigrams City built by Zhong Nan and the Eight Extremes as One Lock.
What exactly was this Nine Lin Formation?
While Lin Chen was lost in thought, suddenly Xiao Lan Fish jumped down, sketching here and there on the ground, puzzling Lin Chen. He asked, "Xiao Lan, what are you doing?"
"Gurgle gurgle..."
Xiao Lan Fish blew a bubble, conveying to Lin Chen that it saw a huge withered tree there.
"You can see inside?" Lin Chen was astonished.
Beside him, Chen Ming was equally shocked looking at Xiao Lan Fish, noting that even the Spirit-Devouring Vine hadn’t achieved that capability, yet Xiao Lan Fish did?