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Rumble rumble rumble…
The engine of the sidecar motorcycle roared thunderously. In order to reach Suibian Temple as quickly as possible, Arden pushed the engine's horsepower to its absolute limit.
"Arden, steady it a bit!"
From the back seat, Yixuan tightened the arms wrapped around Arden's waist.
Although he had carried plenty of passengers on the back seat before—including more than a few voluptuous beauties—Arden had to admit that Yixuan Shifu was absolutely the most impressive among them.
If his willpower hadn't been strong enough, that sudden squeeze just now might have caused the driver up front to lose focus, let his mind wander, and end up in a traffic accident.
"Shifu, don't worry—don't let how fast Brother Arden is riding fool you, he's super steady!"
Ju Fufu's voice came from the sidecar. She had complete confidence in Arden's riding skills.
They hadn't chosen to take a car.
The earlier tremors had already caused panic among the people of Waifei Peninsula, leaving the roads in utter chaos. A motorcycle, however, could weave through gaps and avoid getting stuck halfway.
The only downside was that the motorcycle couldn't carry too many people. Junior Brother Pan Yinhu, Junior Brother Ye Shiyuan, and Yiji would take a car and arrive later.
"Fufu, hold tight. Shifu, hug on properly."
Rumble…
After giving the reminder, Arden twisted the throttle all the way, charging toward Suibian Temple at top speed with the momentum of an AE86 racing downhill.
"That is…?"
"The Lemnian Hollow is expanding!"
After rounding a corner, the three of them could already see Failume Heights, Suibian Temple, and the Lemnian Hollow looming over the sea.
In their original impression, Aerospace City covered by the Lemnian Hollow still exposed a small strip of beach. Now, however, the entire island had been completely swallowed by the Hollow. Worse still, that ominous, abyssal glow seemed unsatisfied with consuming just a single island—it was rapidly expanding toward Sailume City Wall, the closest coastal defense of Failume Heights, and was about to make landfall.
Ding-ling~~ ding-ling~~~
At that moment, a phone rang.
Beep!
Yixuan answered the call.
"Hello! Mayor Mayflower…"
It was a call from the mayor.
"I'm listening. Please go on!"
"..."
"Mhm, I'm on my way to Failume Heights."
"..."
"Understood. Leave it to Yunkui Summit."
Beep beep beep.
Yixuan hung up the phone.
"What did the mayor say?"
Arden asked.
"The mayor has already learned about the abnormal changes in the Lemnian Hollow. He's currently…"
The New Eridu Public Security, H.A.N.D, and the Defense Force had already begun emergency operations. However, just assembling their forces would take several hours. Moreover, due to the Fall of the Old Capital that happened ten years ago, even the mayor and New Eridu's top officials dared not let them recklessly enter the Hollow. Instead, they entrusted Yunkui Summit—the closest group—to enter the Lemnian Hollow first and conduct reconnaissance, ideally identifying the cause of the Hollow's abnormal expansion.
"So… Shifu, you agreed?"
Arden blurted it out. His first reaction was: Why should Yunkui Summit be the ones risking their lives on the front line? They're not an official organization—there's no obligation to follow orders.
After all, the situation inside the Lemnian Hollow was completely unknown. Sending a small group in alone would be extremely dangerous.
If possible, Arden didn't want anyone around him to take that risk.
"Is there… a reason not to agree?" Yixuan asked in return.
"Uh… alright."
Arden was left speechless.
Given Yixuan's personality, even without the mayor's request, she would still have gone into the Hollow to investigate. Otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed so urgently toward Suibian Temple in the first place.
And not just Yixuan—aside from Arden himself, the other disciples, Ju Fufu included, would probably all charge in without hesitation.
Looks like I'll just have to see this 'good guy' act through to the end.
Some people want to be good but can't. Others don't want to be good—but have no choice.
It gave off a rather ironic "blessed without knowing it" feeling.
Of course, Arden wasn't the type to sulk or overthink. Once he made a decision, he would carry it out properly.
Ju Fufu, Yixuan Shifu, Yiji… I vow to protect all of you!
...
Screeeech—!
With a sharp braking sound, the sidecar motorcycle came to a steady stop at the entrance of Suibian Temple.
Inside the temple, many civilians had already taken refuge. Clearly, they understood that in a crisis, Suibian Temple was the safest place on the Waifei Peninsula.
"Grandmaster Yixuan, Arden, Fufu—you're here!"
Sweety, who was helping resettle the civilians, came forward to greet them.
Not only Sweety—Astra Yao and Evelyn Chevalier were there as well.
"What's the situation?"
Since all three lived on the Waifei Peninsula, they had been notified on the way and told to head to Suibian Temple.
"The Lemnian Hollow has begun rapidly expanding for unknown reasons…"
Yixuan gave a brief explanation, then started assigning tasks. "You and Pan Yinhu and the others who arrive later—evacuate the civilians into Suibian Temple as quickly as possible. There's a large-scale formation here. Even if the Hollow swallows this place, it can hold until rescue arrives."
The decision to set up the temple's protective grand formation in advance was paying off at this very moment.
"Then what about you, Shifu?"
Yixuan hadn't mentioned herself at all, giving Arden a bad feeling.
"As for me…"
The expanding Hollow and the panicked civilians brought back memories of the Old Capital's fall ten years ago.
The only difference was that Hollow Zero had been north of Yunkui Summit, while the Lemnian Hollow was to the south.
Shifu… Elder Sister… is it my turn now?
She had already prepared herself for sacrifice.
"Arden…"
Instead of answering directly, Yixuan stared at him intensely. "If I don't come back, the future of Yunkui Summit will—mmph!"
Before she could finish, Arden suddenly reached out and covered her mouth.
"I don't agree!"
There was no way Arden would let Yixuan take the risk alone.
"Shifu, Brother Arden and I are really strong too! You can't just abandon us and go off to risk your life alone!"
Ju Fufu grabbed onto Yixuan's arm as well, clearly prepared not to let go unless she agreed to enter the Hollow together.
"Mmmph—mmph…"
Arden loosened his hand.
"But—mmph!"
It was immediately covered again by Arden's large hand.
"…"
Yixuan shot Arden a glare, as if saying: You rebellious disciple—blocking your Shifu's mouth once wasn't enough, you had to do it again?!
"There's no 'but'!"
Ignoring Yixuan's reaction, Arden spoke with unwavering resolve—so firm it was hard to argue against. "Leave the civilian evacuation to Sweety and the others. With Junior Brother Pan and Junior Brother Ye presiding over the grand formation here, Suibian Temple will be fine… Fufu and I will go into the Hollow with you!"
"I refuse to believe there's any crisis that the three of us can't break through together!"
Unlike Yixuan's pessimism, Arden looked brimming with confidence.
"When master and disciples share one heart, nothing can stop us! Right, Fufu?!"
"Rawr~!"
Fufu flashed her tiger claws and let out a mighty, domineering tiger roar, showing her agreement through action.
"Mmmph…"
Yixuan seemed to want to say something.
But Arden didn't remove his hand.
"If you disagree, shake your head. If not, then nod."
"..."
Yixuan nodded.
With things said to this point, how could she still object?
"Very good!"
Only then did Arden finally let go.
"Phew… sigh~!"
Yixuan first let out a breath, then sighed softly. "You two, honestly…"
Arden's actions fit his role as a rebellious disciple perfectly. Yet facing this very disciple, Yixuan couldn't help but let a smile curve at the corner of her lips. At the same time, she silently swore in her heart:
No matter what, this master will make sure we all come back alive!
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