The weather was bright and clear. In the afternoon, as Cheng Yunze and his group arrived at the island’s heart with grim expressions, Hong Haocheng led three uneasy men to the same vicinity.
–Brother, turn back now! We won’t be able to kill the monster even if we go,- Cui Rong sobbed, clutching his meteor hammer.
–I’ve made thorough preparations. Don’t worry.-
The three men carrying dry food didn’t believe a single word.
–These guys are pretty good at dragging the monster. Once they enter, we’ll follow them in.-
Rumble!
The smaller but ferocious earth-bound spirit was dragged far away.
As events proved, when all the city’s experts pooled their efforts, the plan was much easier to accomplish—though some still gave their lives in the process.
From the shadows in the distance, someone from the Four Phases Heavenly Group roared: –Quick, now! Use acceleration spheres and charge!-
Several hundred meters away, a team of twenty or thirty people crushed their ability spheres and rushed toward the rocky door in the middle—now reduced to its frame—at speeds faster than a sprint champion.
This group crossed from the other side of the small hill. Though bones lay scattered everywhere on the slope, and everyone knew there might be Chronos weapons nearby, no one cared.
Because no one would waste their hard-won time on picking up those few sesame seeds.
As the last person from the other side entered, Hong Haocheng stood up. –It’s our turn now!-
A faint circle of earthy-yellow light lit up beside his pupil.
–Let’s go!- he said in a tone that brooked no argument, and charged out first.
In the distance, the one who had risked life and limb to pull the monster was now cheering from within Moxel.
{Cheng Yunze made it!}
{Thirty-two people successfully entered! A first in history! Our city is definitely scoring several Void Zero weapons this time!}
Watching the nearby Moxel feed from a financier’s perspective, countless voices roared with excitement, some even tossing 1R or 2R tips to the streamer.
They were already fantasizing that their team would soon wield a Void Zero Chronos War Device!
The few people nearby were about to leave when suddenly, a wave of gasps erupted around them.
–Something’s happening!-
–What’s that?-
Through telepathic links, the hundreds who were tuned in saw a figure as agile as a leopard burst out from the distant grass and sprint toward the gate!
Behind him, another figure was struggling to give chase.
The unselected members of the Serpentine Squad and the Dragon Soar Squad instantly recognized the blurred silhouette up ahead.
Jiang Junyi shot upright from the hidden thicket, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at that nimble figure in the distance.
–It’s him!-
Beside the bearded man, a female teammate clapped a hand over her own gasp.
–It’s that rookie!-
And then, a roar of commotion erupted from the Moxel.
{Who the hell is that guy? Did he sneak in under the chaos, or was he already lying low deep inside the island?}
{Even if someone lured the monsters away today, that only clears a single route—there’s no way all the monsters on the island would stampede to the other side like they did that night.}
{Who is he!}
Several members of Wang Qianjue’s team stared in bewilderment before one of them exclaimed in shock:
–It looks like that boat thief!-
{Was it him who ventured deep into the island’s heart twice not long ago!}
{I’ve seen them. That guy sold fish and chocolate on the lake! There are three more of them.}
{If we catch the other three, we’ll know who that bastard is!}
A cacophony of voices described the scene chaotically across several Moxel channels, but soon a consensus began to form. Zhang Miao and his two companions, who were eavesdropping on the Moxel, dared not stay a moment longer. They forcefully crushed the acceleration balls in their hands and dashed out after Hong Haocheng, who had already run far ahead.
Whether we die later or get flayed alive on the spot—everything hinges on this gambit!
–Aaaahhh!!!-
Seeing that the distant earth-bound spirits sensed the disturbance and began to abandon their prey to return, and that the figures spreading silver Moxel lines were closing in, Cui Rong didn’t dare hesitate. He swung his meteor hammer and charged out after them.
When they saw that there were indeed three more people rushing toward the door, everyone watching was astounded. Some who knew the trio immediately identified them.
Cui Rong, Zhang Miao, Li Yongqin! They are all ordinary fighters who should never be able to enter the island!
–Stop!-
–Halt!-
–Oh my god, those two weapons in their hands—why do they have such intricate wave patterns!-
–Void Zero weapons!-
Boom! Underground, the Moxel link exploded with countless people. Those who had spread the Chronos financing heard nearly a thousand voices erupt in their Moxel, meaning many had already pulled others into this ever-expanding link!
In this team whose members could be counted on one hand, there were actually two Void Zero weapons!
And the kid at the very front, about to charge through the door, held a weapon whose colors shifted and flickered ceaselessly!
At this moment, more than half the city had learned of the island’s live situation through waves of Chronos financing broadcasts and Moxel announcements, and joined the viewing.
Among the teams helping the Four Phenomena Heavenly Group lure away monsters, a few Red Moxel members gritted their teeth, eyes brimming with tears, as they sensed the image of that nimble figure through the radio-like Moxel –announcements.-
The Four Phenomena Heavenly Group entering City No. 11 had not brought a single Red Moxel person along.
And now…
But one person had appeared under circumstances no one could have predicted—and that person was a Red Moxel member, someone who had been suppressed in this city until they had almost no chance to rise again!
Hong Haocheng’s eyes were like black gems shimmering with rippling light. Several figures from the side charged at him, the air turbulent, trying to stop his entry.
–Get out of my way!-
Seeing two people on motorcycles speeding at nearly a hundred-yard dash, the boy crouched and sprang, instantly appearing before them.
–I know you long to become a part of me.-
The youth’s hand, as if imbued with a mysterious power, pulled at the neck of the tall, thin young man in front, drawing out a nimble, ethereal line of energy.
Hearing that beastly cold voice and seeing those pupils glowing with earthy yellow halos, the other person beside the tall, thin youth felt as if every pore on his body were exploding.
–Bloodline! Run!-
Without even sparing a glance for his tall, thin teammate, he turned and bolted for the exit, crashing into the three people behind who had been slower to move.
Hong Haocheng did not consume the –Track-Drawing Line- that this person had evolved from their soul. Seeing Zhang Miao and the other two rush through the gate, he tossed aside the energy line in his hand, and for the first time, red Moxel lines expanded across his chest.
The dark red thread instantly formed a triangle spanning the vast lake, startling the entire realm.
[I heard your voices. Farewell.]
The Moxel cut off instantly.
But in that brief moment, several others had already connected in.
Within seconds, in every dilapidated building in the city, countless people were first stunned, then burst into mad laughter, jumping and shouting, waving their arms.
{The thing the Four Phases Team wanted the entire city’s experts to help with…}
{One person from our side did it all!}
{Hahaha, you white Moxel losers!}
The flashing red Moxel spread tumultuously, charged with fierce emotions…
……
What is the world behind that door?
Behind the door wasn’t City No. 11, but a chaotic, bizarre realm filled with all sorts of tumbling, fragmented shards.
–Boss Yunze, this seems to be some kind of crossover zone.-
–There’s a light curtain over there.-
Cheng Yunze said, –That thing is the gate connecting to City 11. We’re in a strange space right now. Let’s get out quick—staying too long might be bad.-
Light curtains shot up, arranged near and far.
Just as the group of over thirty people stepped into the nearest light curtain, the figure of Hong Haocheng appeared not far away in this space.
Hong Haocheng looked at the four people beside him.
Wait—four people?!
Among the four silhouettes, Hong Haocheng screamed at the one with an unfamiliar build, –Who are you!-
–Hmph.- The person chuckled. –Everyone, you’ve been hiding for so long, but we finally caught you. Come on, I’ll go with you over there.-
Hong Haocheng instantly realized this person had followed them in, unafraid of his threat.
He glanced at the light curtains all around.
–Scatter and run!- The four shot off in different directions.
The pursuer looked left and right. All four members of the team were sprinting in different directions using acceleration spheres; for a moment, he couldn’t decide which way to go.
–Damn it!- The man gritted his teeth and, while he still had time, quickly turned back.
……
The four regrouped beside a light curtain.
Inside it, like a mirage, was a reflection of a dilapidated city—it was City No. 11.
Li Yongqin said, –It should be that different light curtains lead to different places in the city.-
–What a mysterious space.-
As Hong Haocheng stepped into the light curtain, he stood amidst the city he had just seen, as if waking from a dream. The chaotic void around him had vanished, but behind him was a massive building gate with a faint energy vortex swirling on its surface.
{You have arrived at the City of Spiraling Will.}
{Through any Psychic Gate in the city, you may return to where you came from.}
Cui Rong and the other two emerged one by one, gazing at the energy vortex in the sky that resembled dark clouds. A calm, measured telepathic voice echoed in their minds, making introductions.
The four’s eyes went wide. This was the real City No. 11, and the faint roars in the distance made their faces twitch in alarm.
–Could it be that this whole place is crawling with monsters on the level of that gatekeeper?!-
–What do we do now?-
–We’re here now, so we’re here.- Hong Haocheng glanced around and said, –Ration your food. Give me two or three days to scout the terrain here.-
The other three, empty-handed except for their weapons, exchanged a look. Li Yongqin spoke up:
–Haocheng, none of us are much good in a fight—we can’t help much in here. We’ll go look for supplies instead. I’m sure there must be stuff left behind by the experts of City No. 11.-
–As for food…-
Though the surroundings were run-down, the vegetation was lush. We should be able to find something to fill our stomachs.
–Hold out a few more days; it’s mid-September. We’ll be able to get food from the Cross-Dimensional Space then.-
–Right, let’s do it.-
Hong Haocheng nodded with considerable boldness. –Looks like you’ve already figured out my perfect plan, huh.-
–……–
Thump thump! The sound of heavy footsteps echoed.
Hong Haocheng, who had been looking smug, suddenly changed his expression.
–Something big is coming! Run!-
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