Chapter Forty: Follow Me

The brutal battle resembled a colossal meat grinder; within and outside Wushan City, rivers of blood flowed and corpses littered the land. After a day and night of fierce combat, the one hundred thousand warriors of Lingfeng City now numbered fewer than sixty thousand, their losses staggering. Nearly half of their fighters had been torn apart by zombies, and only after such a heavy price did Lingfeng's forces manage to push the zombies from the northern edge of Wushan City back to the city center.

The situation in Tianfeng City and Shu Han City was even more tragic. Their hundred-thousand-strong armies now had less than half remaining.

"Commander Wang, something feels off," said Commander Xiao from Tianfeng City, his expression grave as he looked toward Commander Wang of Lingfeng City. The warriors from Lingfeng, Tianfeng, and Shu Han had gathered together.

"Wushan City is nothing but a ruined wasteland. Why would the Divine Clan and the Beasts fight so desperately, refusing to retreat even by a step? There must be some hidden motive," Xiao continued.

Wang Zuo of Lingfeng City wore silver armor streaked with hideous cracks, his black cloak soaked and stained crimson with blood. The cold wind whipped his blood-drenched cloak, giving it a murderous aura as it fluttered in the breeze.

"Has the Jiujiang Headquarters given any instructions?" Commander Ye of Shu Han City was silent for a moment before raising his gaze to a young man standing calmly beside Wang Zuo, holding a white jade fan.

Upon Ye’s inquiry, both Wang Zuo and Xiao turned their eyes to the young man.

"A ruined city, nothing more. Naturally, the Divine Clan and the Beasts wouldn’t invest so heavily—unless this wasteland might be the site of a 'Divine Relic'," said the young man in silver armor, gold lines crossing his chest, as he gently waved his white jade fan, speaking unhurriedly.

"Divine Relic!" all three exclaimed in shock, staring at the youth in astonishment.

"Heh, I can't be certain whether a relic exists, but no other reason could drive the Divine Clan and the Beasts to such madness," the youth shrugged, a cold light flickering deep in his eyes as he gazed toward the center of Wushan City.

"We’ll camp here for now. Three days at the least, seven at the most, and all will become clear," he said with a slight smile, falling silent.

The three commanders—Wang, Xiao, and Ye—masters at the upper tier of the Transcendent Realm, regarded the calm youth with solemn expressions before turning to their respective squads.

"Brother Han, do you really think there’s a Divine Relic here?" After the three had departed, a youth dressed in silver, curiosity in his eyes, finally asked.

"Come on, Xiao Jiu, do you really expect me to know? How could I possibly tell if there’s a relic?" Han Lingyue grinned mischievously, tapping Xiao Jiu’s head lightly with his white jade fan.

"But you just said—" Xiao Jiu rubbed his aching head, looking a bit frustrated at Han Lingyue, mouth half open, but before he could finish his words, Han Lingyue sidled up to him, whispering slyly in his ear.

"I just want to have some fun in the city center, but I’m afraid they’ll interfere, so I sent them away."

"Ugh~" Xiao Jiu rolled his eyes, speechless at Han Lingyue’s crafty tone.

"Heh, remember that kid from the Hanjiang Woodland last time?" Han Lingyue glanced around, lowering his voice to whisper.

"Of course!" At the mention of the Hanjiang Woodland youth, Xiao Jiu was instantly ablaze with fighting spirit.

"Let’s invite him—how about the three of us go play in the city center?" Han Lingyue chuckled, his enthusiasm boundless.

"No way!" Xiao Jiu pouted and shook his head firmly. "You think everyone’s a fool? If you want to go crazy, do it alone—don’t drag others in. Besides, I won’t join you in your madness!"

"Really not going?" Han Lingyue asked.

"Not going."

"Alright, I get it—you’re afraid of losing to him, aren’t you? I understand… sigh," Han Lingyue said, feigning heartbreak and giving Xiao Jiu a mocking look.

"I’ll go! Who says I’m afraid of losing?" Xiao Jiu, seeing Han Lingyue’s disdain, felt a surge of hot blood.

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"But how can you be sure he’ll go?"

"Heh, who do you think your brother Han is? When have I ever missed? He’ll definitely come!"

...

Ke Bei stood atop a deserted high-rise, counting the divine pills in his pouch at his waist, his brows furrowed deeply, worry etched across his face. After a day and night of fierce fighting, he had slain thirteen low-tier Divine Clan members.

"Eighty-seven to go," he murmured, staring toward the center of Wushan City. He stood silent for a long time, then exhaled slowly. Orders had just come down to camp here for now—it seemed a prolonged battle was ahead.

The Guardians could endure, but Ke Bei could not. He had four days left; if he failed his mission, he would forever lose the chance to master internal arts. The thought drove him nearly mad.

He wasn’t even sure there were eighty-seven low-tier Divine Clan members left in Wushan City. Even if luck favored him and there were enough, the three factions had now ceased fighting.

With the factions at a stalemate, how could he alone slay the Divine Clan members hiding in the city center? Who knew how many mid-tier or high-tier Divine Clan lurked inside?

"Damn it, what am I going to do?" Ke Bei punched the floor, creating a crater with a loud bang. Red veins appeared in his eyes, his anxiety acute—four days was far too little time.

"Heh, you have quite the temper, little brother," Han Lingyue appeared silently atop the building, surveying the hole Ke Bei had punched, smiling.

"Who are you?" Ke Bei eyed Han Lingyue warily; the youth had approached within three meters without him noticing.

"Han Lingyue, from Lingfeng City," Han Lingyue replied, seemingly oblivious to Ke Bei’s caution, extending his right hand in friendly greeting.

"Ke Bei, Lingfeng City’s Condensing Star Squad," Ke Bei replied, uncertain of the youth’s intentions, but out of courtesy, shook his hand.

"Brother, do you want to hunt Divine Clan members?"

A sly glint flickered in Han Lingyue’s eyes as he looked at Ke Bei, half-smiling.

"I do, badly—but I don’t dare," Ke Bei said warily, sensing the youth knew something about him.

"Come on, are you a man or not? If you want it, go for it—don’t be scared!" Han Lingyue slapped Ke Bei’s shoulder, his tone excited.

"To hunt Divine Clan now, we’d have to go to the city center. Who knows what terrors gather there? I am a man, but I don’t have the skill," Ke Bei shook his head, sighing.

"They’re just mindless beasts—what’s there to fear?"

"If it were only low-tier Divine Clan, I wouldn’t be afraid, but if I run into mid-tier or high-tier, I simply can’t handle it. It’s not about courage—I can’t gamble my life," Ke Bei smiled wryly. Four days remained—he couldn’t risk everything yet. If it were the last day, perhaps he’d follow this youth into the city center to fight, but not now.

"It’s all nonsense. Divine Clan? They’re all ****! Mid-tier, high-tier, all the same—just a bunch of undeveloped brutes relying on brute strength!" Han Lingyue cursed with utter disdain.

"Follow me, and I’ll help you crush them. Mid-tier, high-tier, it doesn’t matter—whenever one appears, I’ll kill it!" Han Lingyue’s words brimmed with heroic confidence and indifference.

"Are you in or out? Give me a straight answer!"

Ke Bei hesitated, stunned by the youth’s audacity: killing mid-tier and high-tier Divine Clan as easily as that?

Wasn’t this far too bold?

"Are you sure? Can you really take on mid-tier, even high-tier Divine Clan?" Ke Bei asked, cautious—not willing to risk his life on mere words.

"Come on, you’re not even as brave as Xiao Jiu—he’s at least more of a man than you!" Han Lingyue muttered. He knew if he didn’t show some real ability, the youth before him would never follow.

Without visible movement, golden light flashed in Han Lingyue’s eyes; he glared fiercely at Ke Bei.

Boom!

Suddenly, Ke Bei felt as if a gigantic invisible mountain had crashed down upon him—his legs sank into the floor with a loud crack.

Terrifying!

Ke Bei stared in horror at the young man, unable to move a muscle under the immense pressure—not even able to blink.

"Do you believe now?"

As the golden light faded from Han Lingyue’s eyes, Ke Bei felt the weight lift from his body, finally spitting out a mouthful of saliva and nodding with difficulty.

"Ready to go crush those beasts with me?"

Han Lingyue smiled, satisfied at Ke Bei’s shock.

"Let’s do it—let’s crush them!" Ke Bei felt a surge of wild joy, nodding vigorously.

"Ha! That’s the spirit—follow me!"