Chapter 185 – Just Say Something!

Chapter 185 - Just Say Something!

The biting wind blew, and the crimson moon hanging high in the sky had unknowingly faded in color, as if it was about to vanish. The dense clouds suddenly dispersed, and as days passed, a scorching red sun finally replaced the moon on a certain morning, bringing long-awaited warmth.

The warm sunlight fell upon them, but it failed to bring any comfort, only an inexplicable chill.

The observer on the defensive wall, who had kept watch throughout the night, paled at the sight of the sun's appearance. He hurriedly reported the situation in a panic: "It's terrible, Chancellor! The Red Moon has truly disappeared!!!"

The disappearance of the Red Moon not only signified the imminent attack of the Wandering Ones but also meant that Sky City was about to be sealed off.

Although Lu Yan had already coordinated with his team in advance, many were still caught off guard when this moment truly arrived. They had assembled a group of nearly a thousand ability users under Lu Yan's leadership, training daily to hunt down the Wandering Ones. However, they were still inexperienced, and their hearts were filled with unease.

Lu Yan knew that he was the backbone in this situation, and he couldn't afford to panic. He methodically deployed his team, evacuating the civilians to safe locations, providing them with sufficient supplies and water for the coming days. He instructed them to maintain a high state of alertness while continuing to convert ordinary people into ability users.

Meng Xichuan asked curiously, "Captain, Sky City is about to be closed off. You don't really intend to stay in Devil City, do you? I thought you were just helping them build a team and then stepping back after your mission was accomplished."

At the mention of this, Lu Yan's expression twitched. Initially, that was indeed what he had planned. After all, his brother and partner were both in Sky City. Once the gates were sealed, there would be no way in. He couldn't possibly abandon his family, but he hadn't expected Lu Xiaozhao to be captured by the Wandering Ones. The final side quest released by the system for Hope City was to lead the people of Devil City to successfully survive the onslaught of the Wandering Ones. What was the difference between this and being forced onto the battlefield?!

[Quest Success Reward: Special Item "Prayer of the Deity." Quest Failure: Elimination.]

"Since death is inevitable either way, you might as well give it a shot."

These were the cold words from the system.

Lu Yan suppressed the feeling of being screwed over and managed a strained smile. "It's fine; it's what should be done. But you, Sky City is about to be sealed. Why aren't you hurrying back?"

He had initially dragged Meng Xichuan and the others over purely to form a team and make up the numbers. They all had residency permits for Sky City and didn't need to remain in Devil City to face certain death.

However, Meng Xichuan refused. "I'm not going back. My Wind Team now has over a hundred members. I can't just abandon them. Besides, Professor Mo, despite his age, is helping out in the lab to concoct restorative potions. It wouldn't be right for me to hide inside."

Professor Mo had moved out of Sky City and set up a temporary laboratory in the building to prepare restorative potions. When an ability user's energy was depleted, drinking one tube could restore at least eighty percent of their strength. Unfortunately, the quantity was limited, and each person could only receive one.

Lu Yan still wanted to persuade him to return. "This battle will be extremely dangerous. I have no guarantee of victory. Your parents are in Sky City. If you don't go back, they'll definitely be heartbroken."

When Meng Xichuan heard Lu Yan mention Sky City, he crossed his arms, clearly unconvinced. "I don't believe humans can live in the sky forever. Even birds need to land to rest. The number of ability users in Devil City has already surpassed that of Sky City. If we can't stop the Wandering Ones, neither can they. Professor Mo said that the so-called protective barrier can only withstand low-level impacts. A high-level one would shatter it instantly. They're acting like fools, actually relying on that barrier to protect the entire city."

Lu Yan chuckled. "You have quite a perspective. Unfortunately, the Chancellor is too cautious and won't agree to cooperate against the Wandering Ones. Otherwise, our chances of winning would be higher."

As they spoke, several helicopters suddenly flew overhead. They were the team Lu Yan had previously dispatched for reconnaissance. Chen Yan grabbed the ladder and jumped down directly when he was still seven or eight meters above the ground. With a grave expression, he approached quickly. "Bad news, Captain. There's movement in the contaminated area. The Wandering Ones are gathering in large numbers and heading towards Sky City. They'll be here in half an hour!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan's expression turned serious. "Immediately get the team ready for battle. Make sure the civilians stay hidden in the buildings and don't come out!"

"Yes, sir!"

They had conducted numerous drills for the Wandering Ones' attack, and once the order was given, all the team members entered combat mode. The Fire Team, suitable for group attacks, was at the front, followed by the Wind Team and Metal Team providing support from the sides. The Ice Team was ambushed around the streets, working together with the Water Team. The Earth Team and Wood Team set up traps, and the entire Cloud Road was filled with hidden ability users.

Meanwhile, Sky City also received the news. Countless ability users stood on the defensive walls, preparing to face the enemy. Xing Yuan was among them. As he watched the soldiers connect the power batteries one by one, ready to seal off the last exit, his gaze fell on Lu Yan from above, his thoughts unknown. Finally, he suddenly pushed aside the soldier blocking his path and nimbly leaped off the defensive wall amidst the exclamations of Luoyang and the others. His black cloak fluttered in the wind, resembling a fierce eagle spreading its wings.

"Xing Yuan! Are you crazy?! Get back up here!"

"The city is about to be sealed! What are you doing?!"

Ignoring the shouts behind him, Xing Yuan walked straight toward where Lu Yan was, his hand in his pocket. He waved at Luoyang and the others with his back turned, his attitude casual and nonchalant.

The meaning was clear—he didn't plan on returning to Sky City.

Lu Yan had anticipated Xing Yuan's arrival, but when he saw the other party leap down from the defensive wall with his own eyes, he couldn't help but reveal a smile. He quickly walked up to Xing Yuan, pulled him into his embrace tightly, and whispered softly by his ear, "Think it through. Once you come down, there's no going back."

Xing Yuan hadn't expected Lu Yan to hug him in public. Slightly uncomfortable, he turned his head away. The corner of his lips curled slightly, and he said dismissively, "It's not a great place anyway. If I can't go back, so be it."

After all, he was a Wandering One. It made no difference where he was.

Lu Yan often hid his smiles in his eyes, making them hard to catch. But at that moment, Xing Yuan heard the sound of the other's heartbeat through the thin fabric of their clothes—steady and joyful, as if making a promise. "I'll protect you."

Protection?

Xing Yuan wondered if he, a powerful being, needed protection from a fragile human. This feeling was unfamiliar yet not unpleasant. Nevertheless, he stubbornly insisted:

"I don't need your protection. Just take care of yourself."

Lu Yan had already advanced to the sixth rank a few days ago. Xing Yuan didn't know about his Transformation Card and decided to keep some distance during the upcoming battle to avoid both of them using their ultimate abilities simultaneously, which could result in one of them malfunctioning.

"Boom—!"

In the late afternoon, a sudden rumbling echoed across the sky. It wasn't thunder but a massive swarm of Wandering Ones flying in from the distance. Their black bodies were densely packed together, indistinguishable from one another. At first glance, it seemed like a pool of black ink had accidentally spilled into the sky and was rapidly devouring the remaining light.

The combined sounds of their flapping wings and roars created a rolling thunder-like noise. For a moment, it felt as if the entire city was shaking, overwhelmed by the darkening sky.

Someone screamed in despair, "The Wandering Ones are attacking the city!!!!"

This cry triggered a chain reaction. Sky City immediately activated its protective barrier, isolating itself from the outside world. The ability users of Devil City rushed forward without hesitation. Organized into teams based on their abilities, over a hundred fire ability users unleashed their powers simultaneously, creating a sea of flames that soared into the sky. The Wind Team provided assistance from behind, controlling the direction of the flames. Thick smoke billowed, and the Wandering Ones at the forefront were quickly reduced to ashes.

Lu Yan and Xing Yuan leaped onto the high points of buildings, one on each side, and began summoning lightning at the same time. Two sixth-rank experts attacking together was a force to be reckoned with. The sky and clouds changed color, and Xing Yuan initially worried that one of them might not be able to summon enough lightning elements. However, he and Lu Yan both executed their moves smoothly, giving him some relief. They focused entirely on dealing with the waves of Wandering Ones before them.

Xiao Rou was among these Wandering Ones. While struggling to dodge the incoming abilities, she flew towards Xing Yuan's location. Although she hadn't transformed into her human form, her anxious voice allowed Xing Yuan to recognize her. "Xing Yuan! It's bad! Si Duo has started the reincarnation ceremony prematurely. Lu Xiaozhao is in danger!"

Hearing this, Xing Yuan's expression changed instantly. "What did you say?! The reincarnation ceremony isn't due yet. How could he start it early?!"

Xiao Rou circled anxiously in the sky. "I don't know what happened, but Si Duo's spirit body seems to have suffered damage and requires an early reincarnation. They are all gathered inside, and I dare not enter. I could only come to inform you!"

Xing Yuan's tone was grim. "That old, immortal thing!"

He glanced at Lu Yan from a distance and saw that the other was barely holding his own with the assistance of the ability user team. Taking advantage of the cover provided by the dark fog, he transformed into his original form and headed straight for the contaminated area.

The first batch of Wandering Ones sent by Si Duo were mere minions. The true high-ranking Wandering Ones were gathered in the pitch-black cave, guarding him. The red lava bubbled violently, appearing even more scorching than usual. Si Duo's originally kind and elderly voice had distorted with anger, his hair and beard bristling with rage:

"Who gave you the audacity to harm my spirit body! I'll kill you! Kill you!!!!! Immediately extract his soul and destroy it utterly! Immediately!!"

Beside the lava pool, Lu Xiaozhao was bound and gagged, lying on the ground. He couldn't even speak, only emitting muffled sobs. That day, he had wandered aimlessly in the cave as he usually did, trying to find an opportunity to escape. However, he hadn't expected that nearly seventy percent of the Wandering Ones had been dispatched to attack the city, leaving the underground passages unguarded. Lu Xiaozhao had stumbled into a basement by accident.

In the basement, nothing was placed except for the corpse of an old man. The more Lu Xiaozhao looked at it, the more he felt that the body resembled Sido. Unable to resist, he reached out to touch it. As a result, after nearly a century, the body had become brittle from exposure, and with Lu Xiaozhao's touch, the thin protective energy shield shattered instantly. Upon contact with the cave's cold, corrosive air, the body disintegrated into ashes.

Into ashes.

Ashes.

Ash.

And then he was bound here.

It was said that the corpse was Sido's current host, which could have lasted another month until the reincarnation ceremony. Now, damaged by Lu Xiaozhao, his soul lost its vessel, forcing him to reincarnate prematurely. This meant that Sido's power would be significantly diminished, no wonder he was so furious.

How could there be such an unlucky person in this world!

Lu Xiaozhao's vision darkened, feeling that he might not make it through today. He glanced casually beside him and suddenly noticed that No. 2 was also standing by the lava pool. The black mist around No. 2's body was denser than the other wanderers', making him easily recognizable. His pair of red eyes, reveling in his misfortune, made him even more identifiable.

Lu Xiaozhao was seething with anger; he was about to die, and No. 2 was still watching the show! Today, even if he died, he would drag one wanderer down with him, considering it a public service and lightening the burden on his brother!

"Wuuu wuuu!"

Lu Xiaozhao seemed to have something to say, struggling violently and repeatedly leaning towards the side.

No. 2 had a bad feeling and subtly moved away, cursing inwardly. This damned human, why was he fixating on him, making him look like an accomplice!

No. 2 moved left, and Lu Xiaozhao followed left.

No. 2 moved right, and Lu Xiaozhao followed right.

When No. 2 stood still, Lu Xiaozhao looked at him with tears in his eyes.

Eventually, even Sido noticed something amiss. He released the restraint on Lu Xiaozhao's mouth, his voice dark and venomous: "Tell me, was someone behind the damage to the spiritual body?!"

Lu Xiaozhao ignored him, turning his head to look at No. 2 with a sense of injustice:

"Old Second, say something!"

No. 2 was stunned: "????!"