Chapter 21
After Liu Huaizhao’s birthday, it means they will leave the safe city in the next two days.
During these days in the Safe City, although Liu Huaizhao had not told anyone else, he had actually been exploring the breath of heavy turbid air. As long as the turbid air was strong somewhere, he would be able to sense it at the first time - just like he could sense the turbid air on Song Mountain in Changhuai Mountain. But that man in black had a formation that could hide the turbid air. No, not only a formation, he himself had no awareness when he entered the Safe City. He could even hide the turbid air on his body. This was what Liu Huaizhao was most worried about.
And now, he still could not sense any strong turbid air, only the weak turbid air from countless turbid monsters disturbed him.
The others were discussing what to take with them when leaving the safe city. Yan Ming had recently approved a special vehicle for them. The command had already sent troops to other safe cities to deliver smoke guns and golden elixirs, and these safe cities would also provide Qin Zunyue and others with supplies and accommodation.
As they were talking, Liu Huaizhao's face suddenly changed, "Such a strong foul smell!"
The others were frightened, and then someone knocked on the door and opened it. It was Yan Ming's guard, who asked them to rush to the command center quickly.
"Tiancen City has lost contact." Yan Ming's expression was serious. There are hundreds of safe cities in the world, and there are forty-three in China alone. After the establishment of these forty-three safe cities, some communication base stations were rebuilt together. These communication stations are only used for communication between various command centers, and the signals are stable. But just this morning, Yan Ming discovered that he could no longer contact the Tiancen City Command Center.
The army that was going to deliver the smoke guns had already set off. Yan Ming didn't dare to let them take risks. After several unsuccessful attempts to contact them, he immediately ordered them to return to the safe city of Tianhai City.
Liu Huaizhao asked, "Is Tiancen City in the south?"
Yan Ming nodded, "Does Master Liu know something?"
Liu Huaizhao sighed and said, "I just felt a strong turbid air in the south, but I haven't felt the specific location yet, and now it has disappeared again..."
Looking at his expression, everyone felt that something was wrong.
Yan Ming was about to open his mouth when he saw someone rushing into the office, "Commander Yan! Communications in Tiancen City have been restored!"
"What!" Yan Ming took the communication device and exchanged a few words with the person in charge on the other end. Then he cut off the call and breathed a sigh of relief. "He said that there was some malfunction with the communication equipment in Tiancen City last night. It broke down completely this morning and has just been repaired."
Liu Huaizhao and Qin Zunyue looked at each other and felt that it was not that simple.
Obviously, Yan Ming thought so too. She put down the communication equipment and said to Liu Huaizhao, "Mr. Liu, could you please go over there and take a look at the situation?"
Liu Huaizhao and she were thinking the same thing. He couldn't sense the man in black's presence anymore, so he could only grasp this single clue. He nodded and said, "We haven't decided where to go yet, so why not go to Tiancen City first? Commander Yan, if you don't mind, we can also send the smoke gun over."
Yan Ming naturally wanted it more than anything. Every soldier is precious now, so naturally he would like to send out as few people as possible.
So they moved their departure plan forward to now, and without delay, they quickly went home to pack their things.
Qin Zunyue stuffed a few thick clothes into the box, went downstairs to count the weapons and bullets approved by Yan Ming, then went back upstairs and knocked on Liu Huaizhao's door.
Liu Huaizhao didn't open the door, but just let him in.
Qin Zunyue pushed the door open and saw Liu Huaizhao sitting on the bed, thinking about something.
"Have you packed your things?"
Liu Huaizhao nodded and said, "I didn't have anything to take. I only took that ancient book."
Seeing some worry between Liu Huaizhao's eyebrows, Qin Zunyue comforted him: "Don't worry, I drive very fast."
Liu Huaizhao said: "It would be great if I could use the technique of shrinking the earth."
"Shrinking the Earth Technique? I remember that the man in black used it to escape before."
Liu Huaizhao didn't expect that Qin Zunyue would still remember what he said casually, so he said, "Yes, he did use the Earth-Shrinking Technique to escape, but the Earth-Shrinking Technique I learned requires the destination to have clear Yang Qi, but now there is not a trace of clear Yang Qi in the world, so I can't complete the formation."
If they could use the technique of shrinking the earth, they could go directly to Tiancen City.
There was no point in saying more. The important thing now was to rush to Tiancen City, so they stopped chatting and went downstairs with their things.
The others didn't bring anything either, mostly just some thick clothes. Liu Huaizhao held the ancient book in his arms, had a simple meal with the others, and then sat in the passenger seat.
They drove two cars, with Qin Zunyue leading the way with Tong Le, Yan Liao, Liu Huaizhao and A Jin. The trunk was filled with weapons and supplies provided by the command center, giving people a sense of security.
Yan Ming was waiting for them at the city gate and gave them the debugged mobile communication equipment - a bit similar to the mobile phones from more than ten years ago, but now it only had communication and positioning functions.
"Keep in touch at all times. This is the emergency button. Once you press it, the command center will receive a distress message. Be sure to pay attention to safety." After saying that, she glanced at Yan Liao, then took a few steps back and saluted with the guards behind her.
There were not many people at the city gate. Since Liu Huaizhao built the formation, the residents of the safe city could go out hunting freely. The command center and the research institute also began to organize the construction of a breeding center outside the city. Everyone they met in the formation was smiling and full of hope for life.
Qin Zunyue also saw Gao Yun. He and his brother were making traps. Although they were missing an arm, with their skills, they could still make a living by hunting.
Now that there is no map software, he can only rely on Tong Le holding a thick map book to give him instructions.
"Go west and get on the national highway."
The road has not been opened to traffic or maintained for more than ten years, and it has been severely damaged, making it very bumpy to drive on.
But they were in a hurry and drove very fast along the way. When they stopped to rest at night, everyone looked unhappy.
Tong Le had to look down at the map all the way. The dense words made her dizzy, and she had to concentrate so as not to give the wrong directions. She was so exhausted that she vomited uncontrollably as soon as she got off the car.
Qin Zunyue gave her some water to rinse her mouth, and Liu Huaizhao put his hand on her forehead. Soon, she felt much better.
"Wei Zhirong, look at him, this is what a hygienist is!"
Wei Zhirong snorted coldly, his face pale, and ignored her.
Liu Huaizhao smiled and cast a spell on them one by one.
Tiancen City is not very close to them. At today's speed, they are expected to arrive tomorrow afternoon.
They hunted some wild game at night. Actually, they had no appetite, but in order to maintain their physical strength, everyone forced themselves to fill their stomachs.
Qin Zunyue and Zheng Shu were not assigned to keep watch. They both had to get enough rest to continue driving tomorrow, so Yan Liao and Wei Zhirong took turns keeping watch with Liu Huaizhao.
The night passed quietly. While keeping watch, Liu Huaizhao killed several foul monsters that floated towards them, and put away the black pill after turning it into a golden pill.
Wei Zhirong, who was guarding the second half of the night with him, watched his movements and suddenly asked, "Can you teach me some spells to save people?"
Liu Huaizhao glanced at him, not expecting him to say this.
"I can teach you, but this kind of spell consumes a lot of spiritual energy. It may take a lot of golden core to cast it once, and you may not be able to escape with your life. Are you sure you want to learn it?"
Wei Zhirong shrugged and said, "I'm not stupid. In an emergency, I have to save myself first. I just want to keep them safe if something goes wrong."
So Liu Huaizhao gave him some pure energy, and after it was transformed into spiritual power, he taught him a few mantras.
Healing spells are different from flying spells. They are more advanced, and the formulas are more difficult to remember. They must also be consistent with the thoughts in the mind, especially the consumption of spiritual power. Even Wei Zhirong, a beginner who only knows the basics, can feel the huge difference in the consumption rate.
But fortunately, he was smart and had mastered the trick by dawn.
Liu Huaizhao was also very satisfied with his speed, but he told Wei Zhirong that this spell would consume at least seven golden elixirs at a time. If he was not there, he must use it with caution, otherwise all the golden elixirs might be consumed and he would not be able to escape.
Wei Zhirong nodded in agreement, saying that he would never lose his life for others.
Others came out of the tent one after another, washed up and had a quick meal before preparing to set off again.
Liu Huaizhao said he would not take the car this time. Tong Le leaned against the window, looked back at Liu Huaizhao flying behind the car, and said enviously, "I want to fly too."
Just as Tong Le finished speaking, he heard A Jin's voice, "Over there, over there."
Qin Zunyue also heard it. He hazarded his hazard lights and slowed down. He asked, "What's wrong, Jin?"
"Yu, over there." Ajin kept repeating these words.
Qin Zunyue got out of the car and stopped. Liu Huaizhao came over and asked, "What's going on?"
"Ajin, is your real body over there?" Qin Zunyue asked Ajin after giving Liu Huaizhao a brief explanation.
Ajin nodded.
Liu Huaizhao asked, "Is it far?"
Ah Jin shook his head, "No."
So Liu Huaizhao opened the car door and let him get out, "Lead the way."
The distance was indeed not far, and after more than ten minutes, several people got off the bus.
Qin Zunyue looked up and saw a dilapidated red sign above his head.
Linyin City Antique Market.
Tong Le explained the matter to the people in the other car in a few words. Qiao Lang looked at the antique city that was already covered by weeds and shuddered. "Why does it feel so eerie?"
Qin Zunyue said: "Go in, don't waste time."
Several people raised their legs and followed Ajin inside.
It was sunny outside and the weather wasn't too cold, but once we entered the antique city, we could clearly feel the temperature drop.
"Oh my god." Tong Le wrapped his thin coat tightly around him and looked at the dark shops around him. "Why is this place so gloomy?"
Qiao Lang echoed, "That's right, it's so weird."
"It's been too long since anyone has been here, and there are too many plants, so they've blocked out the light." Qin Zunyue comforted them, "Don't scare yourself."
Having said that, Qin Zunyue still observed the situation around him very vigilantly, but fortunately, they did not encounter any danger until Ajin stopped in front of a store.
It was an extremely narrow shop, even shorter than the one next to it. Except for Ajin and Tong Le, everyone else had to bend over to get in, and Qiao Lang almost got stuck at the door.
Qiao Lang pushed hard, completely destroying the already dilapidated door frame. Inertia made him rush forward a few steps before he was grabbed by Qin Zunyue, "Watch your step!"
Qiao Lang subconsciously looked down and saw a human skull facing him, its empty eye sockets staring back at him.
"Fuck!" Although he had seen dead people and skeletons before, Qiao Lang was still frightened by such a sudden eye contact, and he jumped onto Qin Zunyue.
"..." Qin Zunyue pulled the man down. Zheng Shu chanted "Amitabha" twice, found a box in the store, and prepared to pick up the bones scattered on the ground, put them in the box, and then take them out to bury.
I don’t know if it’s because they’ve been there for too long and have weathered a bit, but the bones have become very brittle and pieces will fall off if you’re not careful. Others also squatted down and picked them up carefully.
As Qiao Lang picked up the pieces, he kept repeating, "What a sin!"
As he was speaking, the bone in his hand snapped and broke into two pieces.
"Tsk." Zheng Shu glared at him, picked up the other half of the bone that had fallen to the ground, and then casually glanced at it, saying in surprise: "Look! Is there a black aura emanating from this bone?"
As they were talking, the bone fragments on the ground suddenly began to rustle and move, and then, together with the ones they had already assembled, they formed a complete human skeleton in front of everyone's horrified eyes.
"Oh my god! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"
Qiao Lang jumped to the side in an instant, but the room was too small. Even if he pressed himself tightly against the wall, he was only a few steps away from the skeleton.
He looked at the assembled skeleton and asked in a trembling voice, "What the hell is this?"
Qin Zunyue blocked the others behind him, holding his pistol cautiously, and said, "Who knows? It's better to be careful."
Tong Le was also afraid, but curiosity overcame fear. She stretched out a finger tremblingly, walked around Qin Zunyue, and bravely poked the skeleton.
Crash——
The once complete skeleton was scattered all over the ground again.
“…”
I didn't expect it to be so vulnerable. Qin Zunyue put away his gun and prepared to go forward to confirm it again.
Liu Huaizhao stopped him and used magic to make the bone that Zheng Shu had mentioned emitting black gas float up.
Sure enough, not long after that half bone floated up, the other bones began to move and pieced the skeleton together again.
He broke up the skeleton again and wrapped the special bone with fresh air. Liu Huaizhao took the bone and found that it was full of turbid air.
"These are not human bones." Liu Huaizhao said, "They are turbid demons."
Hearing what he said, Tong Le squatted down again and began to check other bones.
When they first met Liu Huaizhao, Liu Huaizhao showed them the turbid monster without turbid air, which was made up of a pile of bones.
"Damn!" Qiao Lang finally mustered up the courage to come over. "Is that guy playing a trick on us? How come it looks so much like a human bone?"
"The problem is, if it weren't for Ajin's real body, we wouldn't come here," Qin Zunyue said.
"That's right." Zheng Shu also spoke up, "How could he know we would come here?"
There is no way to know the answer to this question now.
They no longer wasted time. Liu Huaizhao crushed the bones in his hand, and the other bones disappeared, leaving only a black bead in Liu Huaizhao's hand.
"Ajin, where is your real body now?" Qin Zunyue asked.
Jin pointed to the box in the corner.
"Thousands of years old antiques, are they just thrown into a box like that? How can this shop owner be so ignorant of the value of the goods?"
The dusty box was opened, and it was filled with various jade antiques.
The dust made Qiao Lang sneeze. Tong Le moved away from him with a look of disgust. Then he looked at the things in the box and said, "How many of these are real things?"
However, even if they were all genuine goods, they would be too lazy to take them. After all, in this day and age, cultural products are far less valuable than a few kilograms of rice, and it would be a waste of space to bring them with them.
A Jin had a strong connection with the jade. Before she could reach out her hand, the jade had already pushed away the thing pressing on it and floated up.
Everyone looked at the piece of jade that was glowing slightly, and they finally understood why this thousand-year-old jade was casually stuffed into the box - the jade was a piece of white jade, much smaller than the one they imagined, not transparent at all, and the color was not good-looking. It was even chipped at one corner, and the cracks on it were clearly visible.
This piece of jade is quite different from the ones displayed on the counter in the store. Although those pieces of jade are not particularly good, they are indeed much more beautiful than this one.
A Jin looked at the jade and took a step forward unconsciously.
The next second, the dazzling light made several people subconsciously close their eyes. When they opened their eyes again, A Jin had disappeared.
"Where are the people?" Qiao Lang couldn't help but ask.
"It's back inside the jade." Liu Huaizhao reached out and held the jade. The light slowly disappeared, but he could clearly sense Ajin's spiritual power.
Liu Huaizhao observed the jade carefully.
This jade was much more ordinary than he had imagined. Generally speaking, inanimate objects that could develop intelligence were extremely precious and rare, but this piece of jade was so ordinary that it could even be clearly seen to be a low-grade jade.
But time was running out and he didn't have time to think about these questions carefully. After putting the jade in his arms and placing it together with the ancient book, he was about to speak when he felt dizzy and his body tilted. Qin Zunyue beside him supported his shoulders.
"Liu Huaizhao? What's wrong with you?"
Hearing Qin Zunyue's anxious voice, Liu Huaizhao wanted to speak, but his brain suddenly felt a sharp pain. He gritted his teeth and reached out to take out the hot ancient book in his arms.
The jade and the ancient book were pressed tightly together when he took them out together. Just as he was about to hand the things in his hand to the anxious people surrounding him, he felt dizzy, his fingers loosened, and the ancient book and jade fell to the ground together.
——Bang.
Immediately afterwards, a white mist obscured everyone's vision.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
