Chapter 530: The Anomaly
Chapter 530: The Anomaly
On the outskirts of Fode District in Central City, abandoned skyscrapers and dilapidated streets were everywhere, and a large swarm of insects was heading towards this place.
This was the location of the Skeleton Gang, where a vast amount of anomalous algae effectively interfered with Mumia's aura. Moreover, being a low-lying area with perennial waterlogging, it was almost defenseless against foreign creatures.
When this swarm of insects arrived, a large number of Skeleton Gang members emerged from abandoned vehicles and hollow buildings, witnessing the insects flying in.
They then landed on the vines hanging from the ruins of buildings and the surrounding trees, where they swiftly built nests, and soon, some insects were undergoing a rapid metamorphosis.
The gang members all stared with bloodshot eyes, but one leader became excited, waving his hand behind him, "Bring out the stuff."
The gang members quickly handed him a metal can, which he hung around his neck. Then, he climbed the tree swiftly.
He paid no attention to the insects' bites and peered into the insect nest, seeing a plump insect wriggling inside. He grinned, clamped his legs around the tree trunk, and then poured the metal can into his palm, revealing fragments emitting a faint, weak glow.
If Old Qi were here, he would recognize these as the items he had purchased from Yangzhi and resold here.
The leader sprinkled these fragments into the insect nest, waited a moment, and saw the insects' bodies seemed to swell slightly. He grinned, climbed down quickly, and then repeated the same action in another insect nest on a different tree.
Just half an hour later, around the insect nest where the fragments were first scattered, numerous green and red cocoons began to appear, like bubbles rising from hot water, densely covering the nearby walls and tree trunks.
As this phenomenon gradually increased, the gang members below all revealed expressions of infinite anticipation.
At Ink Paste Mountain, Cao Guixi sat in the courtyard of his estate, beneath falling peach blossoms. He was copying an ancient calligraphy scroll from a bygone era at his camphorwood desk.
Just then, a bug fell from above with a slap and landed on the pristine paper, leaving some filth. He merely brushed it off with his sleeve, sweeping the bug onto the ground.
After finishing the last character, he put down the brush, looked up, and saw scattered bugs swirling around the swaying treetops. "It seems some have slipped through," he said.
Uncle Ding, standing beside him, said, "Young Master, it's just a few. The field of the creatures in the estate is already open, and they're spreading medicine around, so not many will come in."
Cao Guixi looked into the distance. Above the sky, a suspended airship was spraying sheets of medicine downward. "It's been half a month already, hasn't it?" he said.
Uncle Ding bowed slightly, "Rest assured, young master. The estate has sufficient supplies for three months of consumption. By then, whatever the situation, it should be over. Moreover, the Administrative Bureau has strengthened the security of Ink Paste Mountain these days, so there won't be any problems."
Cao Guixi neither agreed nor disagreed, merely saying, "Did those people come back yesterday?"
"Yes, they did," replied Uncle Ding. "But they refuse to leave, insisting on meeting you. They say you'll regret it if you don't see them. Do you want me to chase them away?"
Cao Guixi looked at the falling petals and said, "Don't bother with them. The old era is long gone. Those who can't let go will eventually be washed away by the new era's waves."
In the Underground District—
Lu Ke swatted a bug against the car window with a slap. "What is this? Why are there so many?" he muttered.
He looked up at the bright Sun Vine above, surrounded by a dense swarm of insects buzzing loudly.
Yu Gang had just finished teaching a class. He stepped out, glanced at the bug, then looked up. "These bugs are acting strangely," he said. "Chen Chuan asked us to be careful a few days ago; this might be related."
"Master, you think so? It's unlikely," Lu Ke scratched his head. "They're just small bugs; one slap can kill them."
Yu Gang spoke in a low voice, "Being careful is no big mistake. Go to your senior sister Nan after this and ask her to inquire at the company if there's anything unusual. Also, be extra cautious these days."
Lu Ke immediately agreed. In the Underground District, one couldn't afford to be careless. But just as he was about to leave, he was startled because he saw a large group of rats scurrying through the tunnels as if migrating.
This was fresh because in the Underground District, rats were everyday food. They would be caught as soon as they ventured out, usually daring only to hide in dark places. How dare they run so boldly in the open?
After watching for a while, he realized something might be genuinely wrong. "Master, I'll go to her now," he said.
Outside Ying Lu District, on a ship at sea, Gong Ying Chang Xiu was practicing sword techniques on the spacious deck, with Guan Shangjing and a group of Wind Forest Pavilion disciples watching from a distance.
Because members of the Inquisition from the Ferris Wheel Company had been stationed there for a long time and had not yet withdrawn, these foreign fighters could not stay in the company during their operations and could only be accommodated at sea.
As Gong Ying Chang Xiu wielded his sword, his gaze caught a glimpse of a swarm of tiny insects approaching, resembling a cloud of bugs. As they passed through the disciples, a chorus of curses erupted.
Just as the insects neared him, he gently swung his blade, and a gust of wind seemed to blow them away. The insects swirled in the air before exiting the ship, then buzzed around as if nothing had happened.
But after a few dances in the air, the insects suddenly exploded, spraying internal tissues. In that instant, on the ship's side, a long stretch of mist seemed to burst open on the sea surface.
This was the Wind Forest Pavilion's secret technique, "Wind Chant Slash." The sword strike not only cut through the insects but also infused its power into them, causing an explosion shortly after. This was a skill that combined both spiritual and physical might, capable of slaying enemies invisibly, leaving the onlookers in awe.
Guan Shangjing was amazed, witnessing not just the sword move's power and destructive force but also Gong Ying Chang Xiu's exquisite control over his strength. The insects that were slashed were precisely controlled, numbering exactly three thousand, not one more or less.
He pondered, "Gong Ying Shixiong must have received permission from the master to enter the 'Ghost Gate.'"
The Ghost Gate was a rift passed down through generations in the Wind Forest Pavilion, said to be located underwater. Only after cultivating one's body and spirit to a certain level could one enter it.
He had heard that the beings on the other side of the rift had been entangled with the Wind Forest Pavilion for hundreds of years, coexisting and merging as one. Although it was dangerous, spiritual cultivation there was twice as effective, and one could learn and comprehend the various secret techniques left behind by the Wind Forest Pavilion's predecessors.
However, while the Wind Forest Pavilion had a rich heritage, it was, after all, a remnant of the old era. In this new age, only powerful active sentient entities could grasp the future.
At that moment, Gong Ying Chang Xiu suddenly stopped and turned to a disciple standing aside. He pointed his sword at one of them.
"You, come here. I will bestow upon you this 'Wind Chant Slash' seal blade technique."
The disciple's face lit up with excitement. He nodded vigorously and ran forward, while the other disciples behind him showed envy.
When the chosen disciple reached Gong Ying Chang Xiu, he immediately knelt down, then raised his head towards the sea.
Gong Ying Chang Xiu slowly raised his sword, paused for a moment, and then brought it down. The tip of the blade struck the disciple's forehead with pinpoint accuracy, causing him to tremble violently, and a look of bewilderment appeared in his eyes.
After a moment, he regained his senses, quickly moved back on his knees, and then bowed deeply. With all his might, he shouted, "Thank you, Shixiong Gong Ying, for bestowing the seal blade!"
In the Xuan Gong Tower dormitory, Chen Chuan sat on the sofa, meticulously cleaning the Snow Lady Saber with a cloth.
With each battle, this sword seemed to absorb something from the enemy's weapons, making it even more resilient and sharp than before.
In recent clashes, when it clashed with other blades, it could always cut through them.
This was likely due to something absorbed from Xiong Jian Yi's body.
But what exactly it was, he still didn't know.
However, he wasn't bothered by it. The sword was in his hands, under his control, and any further changes would be visible. As he finished cleaning and held the sword, turning it in his hand, a flash of light suddenly appeared outside the window, like a lightning strike.
He paused, looked outside, and then saw several similar flashes in the sky above. He immediately understood what it was and thought to himself, "It seems it's almost here."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
