Chapter 68 – Probing the Depths

Chapter 68 – Probing the Depths

Cheng Yang swaggered out of the main city, escorted by Yuan Jianze himself. This was an unprecedented occurrence in Xiangcheng City’s history.

Throughout the journey, Yuan Jianze kept probing with questions, but Cheng Yang’s vague answers only deepened the mystery. As Cheng Yang’s group disappeared through the light barrier, Yuan Jianze’s expression darkened.

For days, Yuan Jianze had believed he controlled Xiangcheng City completely. The powerful shopkeepers couldn’t leave their stores, making them irrelevant in his eyes. But Cheng Yang’s appearance shattered this illusion. Where had he come from? Was he even from this world? And how could he leave the shops?

“Commander, are we just letting them go?” Situ Fa asked reluctantly.

Yuan Jianze glanced at him, then turned to a portly middle-aged man. “Lao He, send two men from your First Militia to test them. Situ Fa, you send two more to follow at a distance.”

Lao He, formerly the city’s vice-mayor and now head of the First Militia, nodded. The power dynamics had shifted drastically since the apocalypse.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yang’s group pressed forward. Ma Tao listened to his family recount their post-apocalyptic experiences. Liu Xiyue and the others remained uneasy, their fates now in Cheng Yang’s hands.

“Big brother…” Zhou Jie broke the tense silence.

Cheng Yang interrupted, “Don’t call me big brother. I’m younger than you. Call me Lord or use my name.”

Ma Tao stepped forward, “He’s the Lord of Luofeng Village. If you want to settle there, you should address him properly.”

“Luofeng Village?” Zhou Jie looked puzzled. “I only know of Luofeng Slope.”

Cheng Yang explained, “We built the village at Luofeng Slope after the apocalypse. There, you can become combatants. But remember, living there means following our rules.”

Liu Xiyue finally spoke up, “Lord, why did you take us from Xiangcheng City?”

Cheng Yang met her gaze, “Because someone asked me to rescue you. Her name is Pang Shan. I believe you know her.”

Liu Xiyue gasped, “Pang Shan? She…”

“She’s my brother’s girlfriend,” Cheng Yang clarified, easing Liu Xiyue’s worries.

Their conversation was interrupted by two approaching combatants. One leered at Liu Xiyue, “Hey, this chick’s hot. What say we take her back?”

Liu Xiyue bristled, “Watch your mouth!”

The man laughed, “Feisty! I like that!”

Cheng Yang’s lips curled in a cold smile. He knew Yuan Jianze was behind this clumsy attempt. “Leave now, or I’ll add two more corpses to my count,” he warned.

The men hesitated, emboldened by their connection to Yuan Jianze. But before the first could finish his threat, Cheng Yang launched an ice sphere, striking him dead.

The surviving combatant paled, “You… you killed him!”

Cheng Yang sneered, “Tell your master not to provoke me. You can’t handle the consequences.”

As the terrified man fled, Cheng Yang turned to his group, “Let’s move.”

They continued south, encountering increasing numbers of monsters. Cheng Yang dispatched them with ease, his ice spheres obliterating each creature. The display left onlookers, including Zhou Jie’s group, awestruck.

After annihilating a group of forty monsters, Cheng Yang glanced at a nearby ruin before leading his group away. From the shadows emerged two terrified men, their faces pale with fear.

“We must report this to the commander! That man… he can’t be from Earth!” one stammered as they rushed back to the city.

Back in the main city, Yuan Jianze received their report, his expression growing darker. Before he could respond, a familiar voice echoed from the heavens:

“Congratulations, ants, for surviving ten days in this chaotic era! You’ve passed the gods’ initial screening. Now, receive your rewards.”

The voice that had heralded the apocalypse had returned. What new trials awaited them?