Chapter 23: Intimidation?
A transport vehicle was already prepared outside the academy, emitting a glowing blue light from below, hovering fifty centimeters off the ground.
The huge iron-skinned compartment was filled with the smell of rust, and everyone sat down separately.
Boom!
Exclamations rang out one after another, accompanied by a sense of weightlessness; they had already taken off and merged into the three-dimensional vehicle lane above.
“Three things…” Hu Xiang paced back and forth in the compartment, attracting everyone’s attention, his slightly hoarse voice carrying absolute menace:
“First, absolutely obey orders. Outside the city is not the academy nor your home. I have the power to kill anyone who violates orders directly.”
“Second, unity is the only way to survive. Never act alone!”
“Third, accidents can happen at any time. Never try to be a hero!”
Su Chen noticed that as soon as these words were spoken, quite a few people had already turned pale with fright.
These were also the words written in the precautions given to them, specially marked in red.
He emphasized again, “Outside the city is not like inside. Perhaps a single flower contains deadly danger. Any anomaly must be reported. If because of you, it leads to the death of others, the compensation will be the responsibility of your family.”
These words all carried the word “death” and strong implications. A few people were already shivering, and Hu Xiang shook his head inwardly—these guys had truly been protected too well.
His gaze casually swept over the guy named Su Chen without a trace, but he found the other’s face expressionless, without the slightest ripple in his eyes.
As expected of a refugee; these words couldn’t scare him.
Hu Xiang had no discrimination against refugees and even thought such special experiences had benefits.
“Unfortunately, he offended someone he shouldn’t have.” He shook his head inwardly.
Hu Xiang wasn’t talkative. After the warning, he fell silent.
The atmosphere was silent, and for a moment, no one spoke.
Zhou Zong and the others had already formed a small circle, including Shen Yinger, the girl with “exceptional chest talent,” and a few others who didn’t seem like simple characters—at least Hu Xiang’s words hadn’t scared them.
Due to seating reasons, Bai Fengxi wasn’t sure if she was included or rather “drifting.”
“…In a while, Zhang Yunqing will hold a South Wind Academy alumni gathering. It’s said it might be related to Ying Feng…” Zhou Zong suddenly mentioned something.
Although they were quite far apart, Su Chen’s senses were extremely sharp, and he heard it clearly.
The people around him looked eager. Shen Yinger leaned in extremely close, frequently hinting for him to make an introduction, but Zhou Zong just beat around the bush.
Not long after, the transport vehicle stopped. As soon as Su Chen got off, what met his eyes was the massive city wall right in front of him.
It was over ten meters high, built from a kind of black crystal stone, faintly glowing white, extending left and right almost endlessly.
This was Morning Star Stone; Su Chen examined it.
Hu Xiang was communicating with the officer at the city gate. Naturally, it was impossible for them to open the main gate, so they came to a side small door.
Though called a small door, it was still three or four meters high.
“Get ready!” Hu Xiang shouted loudly. With a click, the small door gradually opened, and a chill suddenly rushed in.
Everyone’s hearts tightened, and they couldn’t help peeking through the door crack at the outside world. Su Chen did the same.
It was daytime now, the “Day Fog” stage, and the overall scene still presented a grayish hue.
Ruined, desolate, decayed.
Su Chen subconsciously thought of these words. Visibility wasn’t too low; he could see far into the distance.
“Move!” Hu Xiang shouted, taking the lead to walk out. Everyone followed closely behind, filing out one after another.
Boom!
A massive shock came from behind, making everyone’s hearts skip a beat. The city gate had closed.
“Mommy…” Someone’s voice trembled. In the boundless mist, the fear in their hearts seemed infinitely amplified.
“Look back every 10 to 15 steps. Report if anyone is missing or if you sense anything unusual.” Hu Xiang issued the first order.
Bai Fengxi suddenly retreated to Su Chen’s side and whispered sideways, “Zhou Zong shouldn’t be in this group. Those who come probably mean no good. Be careful.”
Su Chen looked up at Bai Fengxi’s delicate profile. His senses were very active, and for some reason, he felt a strange sensation.
It wasn’t a heartbeat, but rather a kind of…
“It’s the feeling of a professional.” Su Chen’s eyes flashed with surprise. This woman had job appointed so quickly?
Amid the crowd’s panic and confusion, the team gradually headed deeper, and South Wind City behind them gradually disappeared into the mist.
The mist looked thin and ordinary. After long periods of research, it had been confirmed to have no danger.
But it could block various communication devices and even suppress mental perception. Su Chen felt it—originally he could sense the general situation within about ten meters, but now only three or four meters.
Su Chen stretched out his palm, passing through the thin mist. Hu Xiang occasionally pulled up a virtual screen, using special equipment to anchor the direction.
“Careful…”
Suddenly, a loud shout came from ahead, and the ground vibrated slightly. Due to the characteristics of the Void Ripper Warrior, Su Chen keenly sensed the mist flow speed suddenly accelerate, and a shadow vaguely emerged in the mist before him.
Roar–
An ear-shattering beast roar. Everyone’s faces showed terror as the black shadow lunged out from the mist, a bloody wind hitting their faces, its black mane intimidating.
It was a giant wolf; Su Chen saw it clearly. The students almost scattered in panic—the attack was too sudden, and they had never experienced such a ferocious scene.
Su Chen narrowed his eyes slightly. From the corner of his eye, he saw Bai Fengxi’s solemn expression as she reached out and flung her arm, a metal disc unfolding at her arm to quickly form a small shield.
Su Chen could hear her slightly rapid breathing, her expression growing more grave. His face twitched slightly as he retreated sideways behind Bai Fengxi.
Bai Fengxi beside him was stunned.
“Boom!”
At that moment, a streak of fire flashed by, like a meteor falling from the sky, accurately embedding into the black giant wolf’s body. Flames surged into the air, and the giant wolf convulsed, nailed dead in mid-charge.
“All come back!” Hu Xiang jumped onto the giant wolf’s body and scanned the surroundings.
Scaring them again… Su Chen wasn’t surprised at all. With him here, it wasn’t their turn to show off.
The city patrol guards had already formed a defensive formation at the first moment. The students were in disarray, some even cowering on the ground trembling, but none had strayed from their sight.
Hu Xiang observed inwardly—only a few people barely kept calm. The only one worth noting was that girl, with a hint of madness in her eyes, as if ready to fight to the death.
A professional? His brows raised. He reached out and grabbed the crimson spear embedded in the giant wolf’s head. With a shake, the metal spear contracted inch by inch, shrinking to arm thickness, and he slung it over his back.
The people around gradually calmed down, all feeling their legs trembling, not daring to look directly at the giant wolf corpse lying on the ground.
Zhou Zong only felt his heart pounding. It took great effort to make himself move.
Why use a mutant to scare them this time? Weren’t they supposed to deliberately let a few get away before?
“Count heads.” Hu Xiang issued the order, and Bai Fengxi also retracted her shield.
He then noticed Su Chen hiding behind Bai Fengxi, peeking out.
This cold-blooded tough guy’s eye twitched slightly. He had clearly seen Su Chen duck behind Bai Fengxi just now.
Impressive. No wonder someone wanted him dead.
“You’ll have a feast tonight.” Hu Xiang called people over and began dismembering the giant beast.
“Boss, what’s the situation? Using a mutant to scare these little guys without telling us.” His subordinate vented dissatisfaction in a low voice. “Gave me a scare.”
“To see how much mettle you still have. Can’t handle it?” Hu Xiang glanced sideways. His subordinate left with an embarrassed grin, but he looked worriedly into the distance, then down at the virtual screen in his hand.
No one notified him either.
