Chapter 71 – Stone Forest

“No, your talent is too valuable. Losing you would be a huge blow to our territory,” Cheng Yang said firmly.

Zhao Chuan wanted to argue, but Cheng Yang waved him off. With a sigh, Zhao Chuan turned and left.

After a while, Zhao Chuan returned, this time accompanied by a young man in his mid-twenties. Cheng Yang didn’t recognize him – he must have become a warrior after Cheng Yang had transferred leadership to Zhao Chuan.

“Lord, this is Wang Cheng. He’s willing to assist you with this mission,” Zhao Chuan introduced.

Cheng Yang nodded. “Do you understand the risks involved?”

Wang Cheng replied without hesitation, “I do. At worst, I’ll die. In this damned apocalypse, who knows when death will come? If I must die, I’d rather it be for something meaningful. I just hope you’ll take care of my family if I don’t make it back. I don’t expect them to become warriors – just let them live in peace.”

Cheng Yang felt a pang of admiration. Such courage was rare in these dark times. While many knew humanity teetered on the brink of extinction, few could face death so resolutely.

“Rest assured, you’ll be compensated regardless of the outcome,” Cheng Yang promised.

Zhao Chuan interjected, “Lord, what exactly is this mission? If it’s too dangerous…”

Cheng Yang cut him off, “I know my limits. The fate of Phoenix Village and its ten thousand residents rests on my shoulders. I’m not ready to die yet.”

With that, Cheng Yang dismissed Zhao Chuan and set off with Wang Cheng.

Ten minutes later, they stood before the mysterious portal. Cheng Yang explained its function to Wang Cheng, then instructed, “Once you’re through, find a hiding spot if you’re not immediately attacked. Wait for me to arrive before making any moves.”

Wang Cheng nodded, gripping his iron sword. “Understood, Lord. While I’m not afraid to die, I’d rather not if possible.”

With that, Wang Cheng stepped through the portal. As soon as he disappeared, Cheng Yang raced back to Phoenix Village.

Minutes later, Cheng Yang stood before the Warrior Statue, checking its interface. Seeing all warrior slots still filled, he breathed a sigh of relief. If Wang Cheng had died after teleporting, one slot would have opened up.

This was Cheng Yang’s clever solution – a way to test the portal’s safety without risking himself. While not foolproof, it was far safer than going in blind.

Cheng Yang sprinted back to the portal, his speed leaving only a blur to onlookers. Taking a deep breath, he stepped through.

The sensation of weightlessness made Cheng Yang feel like he was falling from a great height. The disorientation passed quickly, and he found himself standing in a barren stone forest.

*Could this be Yunnan Province?* Cheng Yang wondered, recalling China’s famous stone forests. But in this new world reshaped by the apocalypse, who could say?

Suddenly, a head popped out from a crevice in the rocks, waving frantically. It was Wang Cheng.

Cheng Yang approached, chuckling at Wang Cheng’s hiding spot. “You’ve found quite the hiding place. You could stay here for weeks without being discovered.”

Wang Cheng grinned. “Looks like I got lucky, Lord. What’s next?”

“Your mission’s complete,” Cheng Yang said. “Stay hidden here until the portal closes. We’ll be automatically transported back.”

Upon arrival, both had received a notification: the portal would remain open for seven hours. Cheng Yang estimated it had already been active for two hours before they arrived. A timer in their status panels confirmed this, showing 5:03:42 remaining.

“Do you know where we are?” Cheng Yang asked, surveying their surroundings.

“Not exactly,” Wang Cheng replied, “but we’re definitely not in China anymore. Look at the sun – it’s still high here, but it was setting when we left Phoenix Village.”

Cheng Yang nodded, impressed by Wang Cheng’s observation. “Stay hidden. I’m going to explore.”

As Cheng Yang ventured out, an inexplicable sense of dread washed over him. He scanned the area but saw nothing amiss.

Moving cautiously, Cheng Yang suddenly heard a deafening roar. Looking up, he saw a massive silhouette streak across the sky.

*What the hell is that?* Cheng Yang thought, his heart pounding. Even facing death in his previous life hadn’t filled him with such terror.

The creature resembled a western dragon, its body stretching hundreds of meters long. Even at this altitude, its presence was overwhelming.

*Is that a mutated beast or a demonic creature?* Cheng Yang wondered. Normal mutations couldn’t produce something so massive. But if it was a demonic beast, how could something so powerful exist just ten days into the apocalypse?

Cheng Yang suspected this might be a high-level monster zone, perhaps part of some divine game-like division of the world. But without more information, he could only speculate.

As the flying behemoth disappeared into the distance, Cheng Yang wiped the cold sweat from his brow and continued his exploration, now even more cautious.

The stone forest proved challenging to navigate, its winding paths and similar rock formations making orientation difficult. Only Cheng Yang’s confidence in his sense of direction kept him moving forward.

Suddenly, a rat the size of a leopard burst from a crevice. Cheng Yang reacted instantly, firing an ice bolt that struck the creature’s chest. Though injured, the rat charged forward.

This was no ordinary beast – it was a late-stage Tier 1 monster, matching Cheng Yang’s current strength. But as a ranged attacker with superior speed, Cheng Yang had the advantage.

Two more ice bolts finished the creature, netting Cheng Yang 4 spirit energy points. But before he could relax, another rat emerged from the same hole.

*Damn, did I stumble into a rat’s nest?* Cheng Yang thought, raising his staff once more.