Yuan Gang's expression darkened further when he saw that smiling face.
"So, this earthquake and mudslide were not natural disasters." Yuan Gang said in a deep voice, "I was wondering why the magnitude of the earthquake in Jinan Mountain was so different from that in the city center, even though they were both in Cangnan City… It seems that these are all the 'nightmares' you created."
Yiyu clapped softly and said with a smile, "As expected of Chief Yuan, you guessed it right away."
"Your target are Lin Qiye and Lin Xi Chen?" Yuan Gang frowned. "Two mere newcomers in the 'Pool' Realm, yet they're worthy of your personal attention, an ancient 'god'?"
"I wouldn't say I personally took action, after all, the 'me' standing here is just a nightmare projection, my real body is still being hunted down by that bunch of lunatics from the [Medium] team." Yiyu sighed helplessly, "As expected of the special team numbered 002, it's been a long time since I've been this disheveled since I stepped into 'Klein'."
"So, someone else attacked them? One of your [followers]?" Yuan Gang keenly sensed the key point in this sentence.
The murmured man simply smiled and didn't speak.
"It seems I was right," Yuan Gang said calmly. "You sent this 'Nightmare Projection' just to hold me back, which means that the believers you sent out are not above the 'Sea' realm. You're worried that my intervention will disrupt your plans, right?"
"Everyone says that you, the deputy captain of the capital, are brave but reckless. Now it seems that's not the case." Yiyu sighed. "Even if you guessed right, it's no use. You, the strongest person in Cangnan, are trapped now, and Squad 136 is stationed in the city on orders from the higher-ups. They won't come over. It's a waste of 'Hai' realm's talents to deal with a bunch of greenhorn recruits."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Gang's pupils suddenly contracted. "How do you know about the orders issued by the Night's Watch?"
He murmured and smiled without saying a word.
"You have indeed planted [believers] in the upper echelons."
"That's not important." Yiyu stretched out his hand, like a ramrod straight conductor, and waved it lightly in the air.
The sky, the earth, the mountains, the rain... everything seemed to come alive and trembled violently. At the same time, Yuan Gang felt an unprecedented chill envelop his heart.
"Sink into my 'nightmare'," he murmured softly....
"Commander, commander?"
An instructor stepped out of the tent, looked around, but did not see Yuan Gang.
"Strange, where did the commander go? He was just here a moment ago..." He scratched his head in confusion.
"Could they be heading to a village for a rescue?" another instructor asked.
"I don't know." The instructor shook his head, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Wait a while, then contact the various rescue teams to ask. Logically speaking, the commander wouldn't disappear without a reason at such a critical moment..."
"Um."
...
Jinnan Mountain.In the pouring rain, a military covered vehicle sped along the mountain road, its bright lights piercing through the hazy rain, barely revealing the scene a few dozen meters ahead.
Lin Qiye and the others sat in the car, looking at the complex map in their hands, constantly recording their location, and searching for the most suitable route to the village later.
Screech—!!
Suddenly, the covered truck slammed on the brakes, nearly throwing everyone behind it off. The vehicle swerved in a half-arc on the muddy road and came to a steady stop.
"A landslide ahead has blocked the road; the vehicle can only go this far," the instructor driving the vehicle shouted.
Lin Qiye and the others exchanged glances, quickly put away the map, turned around and got out of the car. Instructor Hong knocked on the window in front of the car and said, "That's enough for now. We'll walk the rest of the way ourselves."
Splash splash splash splash...
Dense raindrops fell from the sky, and in the silent valley, it seemed that only the continuous sound of rain could be heard. Several figures wearing black military coats jumped off the back of the car one after another, splashing up some mud. They carried black boxes containing Star Swords on their backs and ran quickly into the depths of the forest.
Since they no longer had a car, there was no need to waste time taking the main road. They devised the fastest route to Village 1 while they were in the car. Although to ordinary people, taking this route in the current weather would be tantamount to suicide, it was not a difficult task for them.
The group of ten people formed a long line and sped through the dense forest.
Running in front was not Instructor Hong, but Lin Qiye. Now, the sun was obscured by dark clouds, and the light in the forest was extremely dim. In addition, the rain obscured the view, and ordinary people might not even be able to see the trees two meters away. Such harsh conditions would undoubtedly greatly slow down the progress.
Lin Qiye possesses the [Mortal Divine Realm], which allows him to perfectly avoid all obstacles. He can run ahead, and the others behind him only need to follow his pace and move forward at full speed.
At the very back of the line was Instructor Hong, the only "Chuan" realm expert in the group, and an extremely experienced one. His presence at the end undoubtedly brought everyone a great sense of security.
No one spoke, no one complained of being tired, and even Baili Pangpang, who was usually the most restless, didn't say a word and silently ran forward.
Now is not the time for chatting and complaining; human life... is not something to joke about.
Every second they get to the village faster could save another life, so they must concentrate on moving forward and conserve every bit of energy!
They passed through two groves of trees and sped along the stream in the valley. The once gentle brook had become a raging river due to the rainwater, flowing in the opposite direction.
Rumble—!
Thunder rumbled through the dark clouds, and the soil and rocks on one side of the valley, softened by the rain, rolled downhill, carrying more soil and rocks like a brown wave, its rumble mingling with the thunder, surging into the narrow valley!
Lin Qiye was the first to notice this, and he turned around abruptly, shouting, "Left side!! Landslide!!"
Molly quickly raised her hand, preparing to use the Forbidden Ruins to shatter the incoming earth and rocks, when Baili Pangpang suddenly grabbed her wrist and spoke with utmost seriousness:
"No! The mountain's structure is too fragile right now. Using [Myriad Manifestations] will only accelerate its collapse. Let me do it!"
He stepped forward, the [Yaoguang] on his chest shining with golden light. The golden shadows gathered on the open ground to the left of the nine people, forming a thick golden wall. A large amount of earth and stone, carrying enormous kinetic energy, crashed into the surface of the golden wall. The golden light flickered, and in the end, it blocked the raging landslide of earth and stone.
Underneath his black military overcoat, Baili Pangpang reached out again, and the dazzling golden light returned to the necklace on his chest. This time, instead of showing off as usual, he quickly rejoined the group and moved forward without saying a word.
Molly, standing behind him, stared blankly at his silent back, seemingly seeing Baili Pangpang like this for the first time, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart...
He looks... kind of handsome?