Chapter 409: The Mutant
Chapter 409: The Mutant
December 10, 2024
The entire underground space was filled with an indescribable, peculiar odor.
Thanks to Bai Tian's connections, the area wasn't pitch-black, and even ordinary people could vaguely make out their surroundings.
Along the sides of the passage, there were numerous excavated openings, covered with curtains or doors and windows, and faint voices could be heard from within.
Jiang Cheng could feel numerous dark eyes peering through the gaps in the openings, gazing at them.
Clearly, these people were scavengers who had settled here.
However, it would be better for them to live in the outer district than here.
But after a moment's thought, he understood.
Perhaps it wasn't that these people didn't want to leave, but that they couldn't.
Currently, there were only two known ways to leave the inner district: one was to ride a flying vehicle and exit through the high walls, and the other was through the underground tunnels. However, the deeper one ventured into the tunnels, the more dangerous it became. For these ordinary people to venture in was undoubtedly a death wish.
Even if one were to take a step back and assume that they were lucky enough to safely pass through the tunnels and reach the outer district, would they be able to live well?
Not necessarily.
To live in the outer district without a house was impossible, and once discovered, they would only be thrown into the slums.
The underground passage wasn't a straight line; it twisted and turned, and there were even forks in the road.
The middle-aged man seemed very familiar with the area, and when they reached a fork, he didn't hesitate.
After walking for about a hundred meters, the light in the tunnel dimmed, and Chen Sao and the other two could barely make out the path beneath their feet.
At this moment, the middle-aged man at the front snapped his fingers, and a soccer-sized fireball floated into the air, illuminating the space around them for several tens of meters as bright as day.
A flash of surprise passed through Jiang Cheng's eyes.
Apparently, this leader wasn't an ordinary Primordial Energy Grandmaster, but one with a spiritual connection, capable of using "spells."
The firelight illuminated the path, but it also attracted more prying eyes; in the darkness, there seemed to be countless eyes staring at the group.
"You guys, quickly put out the fire."
At this moment, a hoarse voice came from the front.
The voice seemed to belong to an old man, his entire body wrapped in a black cloth, huddled in the corner, revealing a pair of bloodshot eyes.
Chen Sao and the other two were startled.
Jiang Cheng was also a bit surprised.
"Sorry, we'll leave right away."
The middle-aged man smiled at him.
The old man lowered his head in agreement.
But as Lin Yue passed by, he suddenly roared and kicked his legs, lunging at her.
With the help of the firelight, they could clearly see that his fingernails were thick and long, and his front teeth were pointed; he looked like a rat.
Before anyone could react, a fireball hit him in the blink of an eye, and he was instantly burned to ashes.
The middle-aged man shook his head.
To speak of it, this person was also pitiful, as living here for an extended period had caused genetic mutations, resulting in physical changes.
But since the other party had come to provoke him, he couldn't be blamed for taking action.
"Xiaoyue, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Lin Yue was also quite scared, her face pale.
"It's good that you're okay. If you're really afraid, close your eyes and wait until we leave, then open them again.
"No need, Jiang Cheng, I, I'm not afraid." Lin Yue shook her head.
Jiang Cheng nodded and glanced at the old man and Aunt Chen beside them before continuing to lead them forward.
Along the way, they encountered several more attacks.
If it was the old man they met at the beginning who spoke before launching the attack, these remaining ones were completely sudden.
Jiang Cheng noticed this as well.
Although the fireballs had dispersed the darkness, they also became targets for some monsters.
Fortunately, these monsters were of average strength, and even if the middle-aged man didn't take action, he was confident he could handle them.
"We're almost at the gap."
The middle-aged man turned and smiled, "Once we pass through the gap, we'll be in the Outer District."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng heaved a sigh of relief.
However, not long after they continued, strange sounds echoed around them, as if something was rapidly approaching this place.
"Damn, it's a rat swarm!"
Elder Qin exclaimed.
As soon as he finished speaking, countless rats with black bodies and red glowing eyes rushed in from both sides, like a tidal wave.
Their size was comparable to small dogs, and some were almost as large as calves.
They came in waves, creating a terrifying scene.
"Don't be afraid."
The middle-aged man's voice was as calm as ever. With a wave of his large hand, thick columns of fire shot into the sky, forming a circle that protected the group at its center.
The flames blazed fiercely, appearing scorchingly hot, but strangely, Jiang Cheng and the others inside the circle didn't feel any heat.
Just then, the rats from both sides pounced, but as soon as they touched the flames, their bodies dissipated into the air without even a chance to let out a pitiful squeak.
Despite this, the rats behind continued their charge, as if unaware of death.
"Ordinary rat swarms wouldn't be this crazy; someone must be controlling them from behind the scenes." The woman holding the flute spoke up.
"No rush."
The middle-aged man smiled, "In a moment, he will show himself. If he doesn't, it's no problem. Let's see who has more rats, him or me."
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of laughter sounded.
The rat swarm, which had been attacking frantically, suddenly quieted down.
The rats in front scattered to both sides, and several figures emerged.
"I thought it was a few guys who didn't know the rules, showing off their prowess here. I didn't expect it to be Chief Chu himself, coming all the way from the base to take this little brother away from the Inner District. Forgive my lack of respect."
The middle-aged man in front smiled.
These people were different from the previous ones; they were extremely clean and wore a uniform, emanating a dangerous aura.
However, compared to them, they seemed more wary of this side. The middle-aged man appeared nonchalant, but his eyes were filled with vigilance, and the few people behind him didn't even pretend, their faces openly showing their wariness.
"So it's Archbishop An of the Shadow Church."
Chu Feng withdrew the fire columns and bowed to the man across from him, "Archbishop An, don't be nervous. I'm just passing through here, and I have no ill intentions."
"Is that so?"
The man in front, upon hearing this, heaved a sigh of relief.
His gaze swept over the group, finally settling on Jiang Cheng, his eyes narrowing.
"I wonder what this young brother has that's so extraordinary, that he could make Chief Chu travel thousands of miles from the base to take him away from the Inner District.
(End of Chapter)
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