Chapter 26: Suddenly Appearing Ruins, Yuan Chenyang Facing Imminent Disaster
“Those two guys have already developed to the latter half of First Order?” Su Chen couldn’t help but think: “When I made my move, I didn’t feel any resistance at all.”
However, thinking of his two top tier professions, various abilities that were not mediocre, and the Second Order special item, that kind of crushing was only natural.
“Black Flame Potion, time to taste it.” Su Chen licked his lips.
The Blood Activating Potion had long been consumed, and he quite missed that high-efficiency feeling.
He uncorked it and only drank a small sip; the current situation didn’t allow him to let go of his concerns.
Like swallowing lava alive, the scorching liquid rolled down his throat, gradually expanding throughout his body, with a stinging sensation from inside to outside.
“Fuck, this is so intense…” Su Chen was startled himself; the potion’s effect was beyond imagination, even just a small sip was this fierce.
【Molten Stone Training Method】 activated on its own; the two stimulation methods did not stack, but instead clashed against each other, the stinging sensation gradually receding, but his body becoming increasingly active.
………
South Wind City, in the City Hall office, City Lord Zhang Hongbo stood by the window, staring gravely at the sky; from this high position, the endless city walls could faintly be seen.
Bang!
The door was heavily pushed open, and Yuan Chenyang and Zhou Xian entered one after the other.
Yuan Chenyang looked haggard, his face grave.
Zhou Xian remained silent, scanning the several people in the room: Patrol Department, Exploration Department, Research Department, the Inspection Department behind him, and himself as Director of Internal Affairs; all the high-level figures in the city were here, not a small matter.
“Chief Inspector Yuan, I heard the thief was found, but was accidentally killed by Your Excellency, and the Holy Word Stone wasn’t found.” The Patrol Department Minister said indifferently:
“That was something we barely found in the ruins last time, even Ying Feng paid attention to it; the profession information on it was only deciphered halfway, involving space, of extraordinary value.”
“Ying Feng’s people are on the way; have you thought about how to explain?”
Yuan Chenyang looked over coldly; the faces of everyone present carried no small amount of schadenfreude.
He snorted coldly in his heart and said indifferently: “How I explain is none of Minister Feng’s concern.”
Though he said that, he couldn’t help feeling powerless; this time it was clearly an inside-outside collusion, but he hadn’t found out who that person was.
The thief’s appearance time was also very suspicious; hidden for so long, he suddenly jumped out for no reason.
He had clearly held back, yet the other party still died; he couldn’t even interrogate, entering a dead end.
Not to mention explaining, he hadn’t even cleared the suspicion of murder to silence yet.
It’s just that there was no one in South Wind City who could judge him, but once Ying Feng’s people arrived, things would be troublesome.
The other snorted coldly, just about to speak, but was interrupted by the turning Zhang Hongbo, “Since everyone is here, I’ll say it.”
Everyone held their breath.
Zhang Hongbo said solemnly: “South City–A2 area’s fortress guard has had no response for over twenty-four hours; it’s reasonable to suspect it has been breached.”
Everyone’s expressions changed in shock, “How could it be so sudden?”
“Probably due to the higher lifeform passing by, causing an unexpected situation.” Zhang Hongbo said.
“South City?” Zhou Xian suddenly asked, his face looking very bad.
“Correct, it’s the direction of this routine city patrol from South Wind Academy.” Zhang Hongbo nodded.
“What?” Yuan Chenyang abruptly stood up, too worried about the thief to care, “Then what are we waiting for? Hurry and send people to chase them back.”
“No, I want to lead the team personally.”
“Yes, we must send people as soon as possible; if something unexpected happens, it will likely cause a big impact, especially with Ying Feng’s people arriving soon.” Zhou Xian’s expression fluctuated as he also agreed, looking worried.
Everyone knew his son and Yuan Chenyang’s student were both in this team; their anxiety was understandable.
“I’m not finished.” Zhang Hongbo glanced at the two and continued: “The Research Department has also detected a sudden surge in mist concentration from the South City direction, suspected to be ruins appearing.”
“Ruins? So close… could it be related to the A2 fortress guard losing contact?” The others couldn’t sit still either; the appearance of every ruins represented massive interests.
“I suspect so too, so I’ve decided to lead the team personally; Chief Inspector Yuan, Director Zhou, come with me.” Zhang Hongbo nodded.
“No problem.” Yuan Chenyang responded immediately.
Everyone decided, and immediately began action; Zhang Hongbo called the Exploration Department’s elites to follow.
In just half an hour, they were assembled and set out from South City, following the route to chase.
………
Buzz… the purple stone door in front gradually opened; Jiang Rong looked at the graceful figure walking out and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, a pleased smile on his old face: “Worthy of being my daughter.”
It was Jiang He, who had disappeared for a long time; faint unusual colors flickered in her eyes, causing invisible ripples in the surrounding air.
“Almost…” Jiang He’s voice was hoarse, carrying fear: “Almost couldn’t come back.”
“As long as the promotion succeeded, you’re already a Second Order Professional; the Blood Oath Contract won’t have too much impact on you.” Jiang Rong also sighed in relief, then continued: “One more thing, behind Qi Chuan, it’s not Yuan Chenyang.”
“Hm?” Jiang He looked over sharply, her pupils glowing faint purple.
“The reason Su Chen could enter the Key Training Class seems to be… Bai Fengxi.” Jiang Rong’s expression was strange; he hadn’t expected Su Chen’s relationships to be so convoluted, taking some time to figure out.
“Bai Fengxi?” Jiang He was blank for a moment, then recalled: “Yuan Chenyang’s female student.”
“He does have some ability.” Jiang He’s expression was indescribable: “At least somewhat involved with Yuan Chenyang.”
“Yuan Chenyang probably won’t be able to protect himself…” Jiang Rong shook his head meaningfully: “The thief was found, but the lost item wasn’t; when Ying Feng holds him accountable, he must take responsibility.”
Jiang He realized: “Then we can still use Su Chen to probe Qi Chuan’s situation?”
He nodded: “Correct, there’s an accident outside the city; the people who went out will be back soon.”
“Since Su Chen wasn’t on Qi Chuan’s key list, he must take action outside the city, but he doesn’t know Su Chen’s background, and time is short; it’s hard for him to play a role.”
“When Su Chen returns, his curiosity about Su Chen will be even stronger.”
Jiang He racked her brains a bit to sort out the connections, but soon cast them aside.
“Su Chen…” She licked her slightly chapped lips, her interest in that little wolf dog surging again.
This time, she was a Second Order Professional, occupying the upper hand once more.
………
“Hm?”
Su Chen abruptly opened his eyes, his skin flushed red with wisps of mist swirling around; his body felt like it was burning with flames, but he had a strange sensation.
“Seems like… the Blood Oath Contract…” Su Chen clutched his chest, murmuring: “Is it undone?”
An indescribable urgency rose in his heart, not from Jiang He, but because his sense of security was weakened once more.
He had no substantial conflict with Jiang He, but didn’t consider her a friend either; perhaps because of the Blood Oath Contract, she could become an enemy.
He glanced at the panel–
【Void Ripper Warrior: 30%】
【Molten Stone Training Method—Proficient: 5%】
Only the clearly visible progress increase could bring him a bit of sense of security.
He pondered: “However, the mental meditation method needs to be put on the agenda; otherwise, Mystic Tool Master will be stuck here.”
“Trouble…”
One night passed; Su Chen sipped bit by bit and finished the entire Black Flame Potion, pulling the 【Void Ripper Warrior】 profession development degree to 32%.
【Molten Stone Training Method】 also reached 30% in high-intensity operation, with the upgrade speed slightly reduced compared to beginner level.
The next morning, the main force assembled; the students’ spirits weren’t great, especially Zhou Zong, who had guarded the night for Su Chen yesterday, with too little rest time, his eyes full of bloodshot veins.
Su Chen’s spirit was fine; Mystic Tool Master was mental-oriented after all, staying up a few nights was no issue, and the nutrient substances in the Black Flame Potion were enough to compensate for bodily consumption.
Logistics distributed breakfast; compared to last night’s roast meat, breakfast seemed rather simple, the standard Compressed Nutrient Solution.
Hu Xiang patrolled left and right, but his gaze often turned to Su Chen, who was eating with his head down.
After calming everyone last night, he had specifically gone near the coordinates where Su Chen was guarding the night to search, but found no corpse as he imagined.
This made him suspicious; either Su Chen was extremely hidden and counter-killed the attacker.
Or the other party really just followed Old Zhao’s instructions, returned to notify the camp when time was up, and those two attackers were taken out by unknown dangers in the mist.
Hu Xiang intuitively leaned toward the latter.
Otherwise, to clean up two First Order Professionals in such a short time with minimal noise, Su Chen’s strength would be hidden too deeply.
But reason told him Su Chen seemed to have already seen through him, which left him puzzled.
