Chapter 177: The Wrath of the Eastern Lord

Chapter 177: The Wrath of the Eastern Lord

People on the streets were falling one after another, wailing in agony as they transformed into zombies. Their family members panicked, crying and screaming, too afraid to approach yet unwilling to leave, only shouting for help where they stood, their agonized howls heart-wrenching.

The once bustling streets, reminiscent of peaceful times, suddenly reverted to the chaos of the apocalypse's early days. The closest people around could turn into zombies at any moment, forever separating them from their loved ones.

Nearby city defense team members quickly rushed to control the zombies, covering them with shadow hemp bags. Wood and light abilities users had already arrived to cast healer spells, halting the zombification process.

The arena had temporarily calmed down. The large group of bats circling in the air gradually coalesced into a massive swarm, their wings vibrating at the same frequency as they began to charge at the shadow shield. The dark shadow smoke gathered together, forming a huge black cloud that violently collided with the massive shadow shield.

The dark smoke rippled out in waves, each wave striking the hearts of the audience gazing up from below.

The design of the shadow shield had the advantage of absorbing all other energies, neutralizing light abilities. However, when faced with shadow attacks, despite some resistance, it would still gradually weaken. The shadow shield began to fade and tremble slightly, causing unrest among the crowd in the arena below.

From the watchtower, Jiang Rongqian said, "Ordinary guns are useless. Can't the crystal core guns reach them?"

Zhang Fan replied, "No, they can't reach that high! Unless we use crystal core cannons! But the crystal core cannons are too powerful and would harm the audience below!"

Jiang Rongqian was frustrated, "We were supposed to develop drone-mounted crystal core energy guns, but due to funding issues, it was delayed."

Shen Lan decisively said, "Send a helicopter; I'll lead the Taoist priests and others into battle."

Jiang Rongqian immediately vetoed, "No, helicopters are very fragile. Those shadow bats will attack the helicopter, and if they get into the engine, it will crash and kill everyone!"

Shen Lan calmly said, "We'll all carry crystal core shields, it might not be that dangerous."

Jiang Rongqian was sweating, "Let's think of a safer way! Haven't we contacted Dr. Zhou yet? Where's Qin Sheng?"

Shen Lan paused, "No, they're still trying to reach the city lord. Qin Sheng is dealing with the zombies with his team. Everyone should focus on their tasks."

Jiang Rongqian pressed a button on the notebook screen, opening a positioning interface. Zhou Yun's watch had base station positioning, and he quickly saw Zhou Yun's location—right in the center of the arena.

He gasped, "Where is this?" There was no one else in the arena.

Shen Lan glanced at it and suddenly shook his head at him, signaling silence, "The enemy's intentions are unclear. Everyone must give their best now." He emphasized the word "everyone."

Jiang Rongqian suddenly realized that many spies had clearly infiltrated the city. Zhou Yun not answering the phone was likely for this reason.

He stared at the red dot and realized—wasn't that the Skyward Tree?

====

Zhou Yun stood high on the Skyward Tree, looking down at the entire arena and the Bamboo Branch Street outside, his expression indifferent but his heart filled with rage.

His phone kept vibrating, but Zhou Yun remained still. He knew it was probably Shen Lan and the others. The Nirvana team must be panicking without his presence.

But there were definitely enemies infiltrated within the city defense team, so he couldn't respond now. Shen Lan, having experienced major events, remained calm in crises and was surely capable of maintaining order.

Opening the city to external recruitment inevitably led to a diverse mix of people, with individuals from various bases and forces infiltrating the city. This was unavoidable, and they had prepared for it.

The major bases were simply trying to uncover the true identity of the Eastern Lord, coveting the crystal core weapons and psychic activation technology. After he made the technologies related to psychic affinity, crystal core transplantation, and psychic activation public, sharing the research with everyone, those with ulterior motives gradually reduced their probing and withdrew.

When the crystal core shields and cannons were first released, they also attracted a wave of infiltrators. Shen Lan captured a batch, but they kept coming. Fortunately, from the beginning, they had distributed the production of different components of the crystal core weapons to various bases, creating mutual checks, support, and shared profits, so nothing of value could be found in the city.

Those who couldn't find any arms factories or heavy industry factories in the city eventually gave up and left.

However, no matter how these people probed or infiltrated, most of them would not harm ordinary people. This was an unspoken bottom line among all bases. They shared the same roots and were all striving for a better life, hoping their bases would grow strong and secure a foothold in the apocalyptic world.

This wave of vicious attacks, clearly an act of terrorism, was utterly detestable.

A raging fire burned in Zhou Yun's heart, yet he stood motionless—he was waiting.

Several live cameras are installed on the Skygazing Tree, broadcasting the scene in the arena to the internet. People from various bases who are following the competition have all noticed this sudden change.

"What is this?"

"An attack by mutant creatures?"

"Mutant shadow bats. We encountered them when exploring caves. A single bite can turn you into a zombie. It’s horrifying. Since then, I’ve avoided caves. There are all sorts of strange shadow creatures—shadow frogs, shadow snakes—all of them tough to handle."

"This doesn’t seem like a natural surge of mutant beasts. It looks like someone is controlling them. Who could possibly breed so many shadow bats artificially?"

"These bats seem to be following some kind of command."

"The only one who can command shadow creatures is that one person, the only shadow practitioner, Qin Mu."

"Could this be a trap laid by Guixu City? Luring so many powerful psychics here just to eliminate them all at once, allowing Guixu City to dominate the world?"

"...Is that truly so deranged?"

"Wait, look up in the sky! A helicopter is coming!"

The helicopter hovers in the air, and everyone in the arena looks up. Dong Kexin’s expression changes slightly: "That’s not one of our helicopters!"

From the watchtower, Jiang Rongqian decisively orders: "Target the helicopter with the sniper cannon! Ready to fire!"

The silver-gray luxury helicopter circles in the air, and a voice suddenly emanates from it: "Dear Lord Dongjun, this is the Northern Free Federation. We are boldly demonstrating our sincerity today, hoping to invite Lord Dongjun to visit us in the North."

"Ten thousand mutant shadow bats have been bred day and night, tamed using extensive shadow core transplantation technology. We have driven them all out today, putting forth our utmost effort, to show our sincerity and strength."

As soon as he finishes speaking, a peculiar sound wave resonates, and all the shadow bats flap their wings in unison, opening their sharp mouths to release thick black mist, like countless shadow arrows piercing through the shadow shield!

The shadow shield shudders and vanishes instantly! Thousands of bats swarm into the arena!

A chorus of screams erupts! The crowd begins to stir!

Jiang Rongqian slams the table in fury, his eyes wide with rage: "You bastards!"

Shen Lan says calmly, "Don’t panic! They won’t harm anyone immediately." Weapons are only threatening when unused. Once used, it’s a fight to the death. The other side clearly has other intentions. Let’s wait for them to make their demands.

Sure enough, the bats rush into the shadow shield but only circle above the arena, not descending to attack. However, the unsettling sound of their flapping wings and the dense, sinister image of the bats still create an overwhelming sense of oppression, sending shivers down everyone’s spine.

The man’s voice from the helicopter laughs heartily: "Everyone, don’t panic. We won’t attack. We’re just inviting Lord Dongjun to the Northern Federation to discuss future plans."

"As long as Lord Dongjun comes with us, we guarantee that these ten thousand shadow bats will fly back without harming a single person in the arena, nor any citizen of Guixu City."

"We’ve heard of Lord Dongjun’s compassion and benevolence toward all living beings. Surely you can appreciate our sincerity and agree generously. The Skygazing Tree is too lofty, and the heights are too frigid. Lord Dongjun, it’s best not to stay up there for too long." His tone is polite, clearly having prepared this flowery script in advance for this day.

Everyone’s gaze turns to the massive Skygazing Tree, but the lush green canopy remains still, its branches unmoving.

"As soon as you board our helicopter, we will withdraw immediately, without a moment’s delay." The voice from the helicopter is firm.

"Of course, if anyone resists or tries to escape, that’s a different story. After all, beasts are just beasts. If they lose control and fly down to bite one or two people, we can’t be held responsible."

"Now, everyone in the arena, please retreat to the stands, leaving the stage for our esteemed Lord Dongjun."

"We’ll count to ten. Within ten counts, everyone on the stage must leave, and our esteemed Lord Dongjun should come to the center of the arena, so we can welcome you properly. Of course, please don’t attempt to impersonate the lord. We are very familiar with Lord Zhou Yun and have prepared for this day for many years."

"Please don’t make any rash moves or challenge our shadow bats. Especially psychics who can earthwalk, like Minister Shen Lan, please behave. We’re only inviting Lord Dongjun for a discussion. In the future, we may still progress together with Guixu City. Perhaps we’ll even become colleagues."

On the stage, Bi Fang, who was about to compete, stands next to Ren Duoduo and mutters under his breath, "So much nonsense. Villains who ramble on always meet their end."

Ren Duoduo: "..."

The arrogant antagonist in the helicopter, having finished his taunting, finally shut up and began the countdown: "Ten, nine, eight..."

Dong Kexin barked at the people on stage: "Everyone, get off the stage!"

Only the referee and two contestants, Bi Fang and Ren Duoduo, were on the arena stage. They had no choice but to leap off.

The countdown continued, the voice drawled with triumph: "Very good... It seems our Lord Dongjun is quite reserved... Five, four, three..."

Every gaze in the arena locked onto the towering, silent Skyward Tree.

Bi Fang sniffed the air: "What's that smell?"

"Incredibly fragrant."

Ren Duoduo also sniffed, her eyes slightly brightening: "It's Dr. Zhou—the mist is rising." She recognized the scent—a blend of ginseng and the faint, ethereal aroma of Lotus.

The enchanting fragrance mingled with the milky mist, drifting in delicate tendrils like a gossamer veil, spreading and drifting throughout the arena.

The first to respond were the ominous, cloud-like mutant bats hovering above. Bats aren't known for their keen sense of smell. Yet the scent was an irresistible lure for every mutant creature.

The aroma seemed to emanate from the very essence of nature—deep, profound, and mysteriously alluring, igniting their primal instincts—survive, grow stronger. The overwhelming urge compelled them to seek its origin, no matter the cost.

The mutant bats, suspended in the air, were irresistibly drawn to the fragrance, flapping their wings. The entire swarm seemed yanked by an unseen force, plunging into the dense canopy of the colossal tree.

The entire Skyward Tree glowed softly, its lush branches stretching out as if bathed in the vibrant mist. The fragrance and radiance expanded endlessly with the mist’s spread. Everyone in the arena who was touched by the mist felt their hearts clear, and they couldn't help but sense an instinctual craving for power.

The thin mist spread like waves beyond the arena, enveloping those who had just been mutated by the zombie virus and were writhing helplessly on the ground. Tiny specks of light fell into their skin, mouths, and noses with the mist. They stopped struggling, their expressions gradually calming, the grayish hue of their skin fading, and their eyes seemingly regaining clarity.

The smart, omnidirectional cameras installed on the Skyward Tree quickly detected this powerful psychic energy, swiftly adjusting to capture the image of the protagonist who was unleashing this power.

The Lord Dongjun, who had never appeared before, stood on a branch, his body radiating a soft, milky light. The light pulsed outward with the mist, and as the sunlight refracted through the haze, a dazzling seven-colored rainbow appeared above the tree's canopy, like a divine miracle.

In the gentle rainbow light and mist, Dongjun had an appearance that defied expectations—youthful, handsome, and tall. His cheeks seemed ignited by anger, a deep flush spreading from within, reaching the corners of his eyes. His eyes burned brightly, his lips tightly pressed, and his chest heaved, clearly in a state of intense fury.

He stood motionless on the slender branch, his expression cold as frost. His loose linen shirt billowed in the high-altitude wind, exuding an aura of inviolable authority, like an enraged deity atop a throne.

The deity, whose domain had been violated, extended his arm and swung it downward without a word, yet with an undeniable force of determination.

Under the all-encompassing view of the smart cameras, countless vines erupted like furious tentacles, lashing out toward the oncoming bats in the lush green branches!

From the camera's perspective, the ferocious mutant bats, with their terrifying claws and mouths, flew like moths to a flame, straight into the green net of vines. The vines tightened instantly, coiling and strangling them layer by layer. Amidst flashes of blue electricity, their broad wings and claws were twisted and snapped, their dark shadow energy crystal cores shattered in an instant!

The live broadcast cameras faithfully transmitted this scene in its entirety to the network.