Chapter 165 – Key (8)

◎ Determined Resolve ◎

Under Ye Zheng’s layered commands, the Northern Base entered a state of combat readiness, and the entire city operated in an orderly manner.

First, it was the annihilation of crows. Due to their large number, they couldn’t be killed in a short time. Fortunately, District B10 had a well-equipped arsenal of thermal weapons. Battle-hardened soldiers suppressed them with heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, clearing escape routes in the dusky sand. Starships and armored vehicles loaded with civilians left through the ground-to-air passages.

Ye Zheng fulfilled his promise, standing like a towering mountain until the last civilian was safely evacuated.

The yellow sand whirled, and the pitch-black clouds pressed heavily on the sky, spreading from Qianzhan City to the Northern Base.

The once bustling streets were now in ruins, and the city’s facilities were destroyed, but at least, most of the people survived.

As long as there are people, there is hope. Even on the ruins, a homeland can be rebuilt.

“General, please retreat as well,” a nearby officer reminded in a hushed tone.

Ye Zheng nodded, turned around slowly, and Bai Qi silently handed him a cane. Ye Zheng took it, leaning on the ground, covering his mouth with one hand. The magnetic field inside him was in turmoil, and his vision was constantly darkening.

He swallowed the bloody smell in his throat, maintaining a calm expression. “Go to the City Defense Department. The barrier won’t last long against a swarm of this scale.”

Ye Zheng, an experienced battlefield commander, accurately predicted the situation. In the current circumstances, only he could personally command.

Bai Qi nodded and, commandeering a temporarily requisitioned hovercar, followed the last group of evacuees. They entered the 13th passage, the city gate slowly closed, the hovercar changed direction, detached from the main force, and headed towards the City Defense Department.

Faint energy fluctuations were sensed in the air. The officer in front, realizing something was wrong, suddenly turned back, but there was no trace of Ye Zheng behind.

“Not good! Quickly contact the Awakener Department. General Ye is missing!”

Swish—

Bai Qi’s face was stern, realizing the urgency. He switched to manual mode, slammed on the brakes, and the hovercar emitted a piercing noise, abruptly stopping.

Bang! The body leaned forward due to inertia, then was forcefully pulled back by the seatbelt, crashing into the seat.

Through the swirling yellow sand, at the end of the road, a dozen figures were waiting indifferently. Intense mental powers mixed together, with most of them being S-class, and the terrifying pressure made the air tremble.

Bai Qi decisively pressed the warning button, but the signal failed, communication was cut off, and the outside sounds were completely sealed off.

The entire road was covered by an invisible ability barrier.

Ye Zheng, who had been resting with closed eyes, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was calm like a deep pool. “…What is meant to come will always come.”

As more and more “sparrows” appeared, no, since the moment of the apocalypse, this man, who saw through the world and experienced the vicissitudes of life, had a premonition of today’s encounter.

The car door opened, and Ye Zheng, leaning on the cane, calmly got out, as if he were not facing a group of fierce S-class interceptors, but simply reaching his destination as usual.

If awakened energy had a tangible scent, the man in his forties at the forefront exuded a pungent diesel smell. He crossed his arms, his physique robust and muscular, the bulging muscles resembling hills grown in a savage manner.

Next to him, a seductive woman with purple eyeshadow, holding a lit thin cigarette between her fingertips, emitted the toxic scent of poppies. Despite the sandstorm weather, she opened her mouth, pursed her red lips, and blew out elegant smoke rings.

These two individuals had the highest awakened energy levels, conservatively estimated to be S5 or above.

The rest were unfamiliar faces. Ye Zheng scrutinized each one and then spotted Lei Zhao, a former S4-level lightning awakener who had belonged to the Northern Base but later defected to Tokushima. Catching his steady gaze, Lei Zhao’s eyes flickered, quickly turning his head away, revealing a hint of embarrassment.

Lu Tao, the bulky S6-level diesel-scented awakener, raised his arm, offering a half-smile:

“General Ye Zheng, long time no see. I’ve been hiding these days just to have a chance to meet you. Finally, the day has come.”

Ye Zheng’s scrutinizing gaze fell on the group of awakeners at a safe distance. He pointed out bluntly: “I didn’t know that S-level individuals from different regions would form alliances.”

Several people’s expressions changed slightly, not expecting Ye Zheng to see through their origins at a glance.

The seductive female awakener, Yina, chuckled lightly and flicked off some ash from her cigarette: “If it weren’t for the circumstances, those of us who have no connection would never unite against an external threat, right?”

“General Ye, you are great and selfless. I grew up listening to your glorious deeds, and of course, I highly respect you,” she continued. “Unfortunately, times have changed… Young people need to take over. As an elder, you should gracefully step down and exit the stage of history.”

She looked around the surroundings, her eyes radiating intense enthusiasm: “Not all B districts have such excellent living conditions as the Northern Base. Why should we suffer in dire straits while you enjoy comfort? The Feng Shui paradise of District B10 is enough to make people salivate.”

Miao Ying (District B14) is mountainous, Tokushima (District B15) is small in size, and Baishen (District B13) has harsh weather. The emergence of Utopia in the midst of these challenges forced them into a corner. So, these districts secretly united, directing their focus towards the Northern Base.

This fortress city, built before the New Era, occupied vast lands, had extensive territories, and boasted advanced and superior facilities. It was the perfect haven for human survival after the apocalypse. The only obstacle was Ye Zheng; as long as he raised the banner of war, the entire populace of the Northern Base became an army, making it nearly impossible to conquer.

Although Ye Zheng had not appeared for many years, reportedly suffering from poor health, as long as he was alive, he remained the greatest threat.

Once Ye Zheng was eliminated, the spiritual pillar of the Northern Base would collapse, and the other management layers would not be formidable at all. They would then have the freedom to invade, occupy, and subsequently partition this fertile land.

However, killing an S-class awakener is not that easy. They could only send people in first to gather information, provoke conflicts, and secretly look for opportunities. Unexpectedly, with the outbreak of the sandstorm and the invasion of crows, Ye Zheng appeared voluntarily, directing the military to assist in the evacuation of civilians. Meanwhile, he became a commander without a visible force, and even the heavens seemed to be on their side.

“Attack,” Lu Tao didn’t waste any words and made an attacking gesture with a gloomy expression.

Bai Qi remained silent but stepped forward firmly, standing in front of Ye Zheng.

He didn’t say anything, but his intention was clear – if they wanted to kill Ye Zheng, they had to step over his dead body first.

Bai Qi possessed a rare all-encompassing aura-type ability called “Determined Resolve.”

This ability appeared ordinary below the S-class, with no special characteristics. Only when it broke through the S-class could it undergo a qualitative change. After activation, it could forcibly pull a person into the aura, significantly enhancing the owner’s various qualities and causing overwhelming damage to the enemy. The effect of the ability would only be broken if one of the parties died.

However, this “death” was not equal. The enemy experienced genuine death, while the owner of the aura would only suffer severe injuries in reality and drop one level.

Bai Qi was currently S5, meaning that after activating “Determined Resolve,” he could endure a maximum of five instances of “death.” Once he dropped to A9, the ability would become unusable.

Before the opponents could react, Bai Qi unhesitatingly pulled Ye Zheng and one of the closest S-class individuals into the aura.

The three of them disappeared on the spot.

Within the “Determined Resolve” aura, Ye Zheng swung his fists, forcefully controlling the gravity to subdue the isolated enemy. Bai Qi, as swift as lightning, grabbed the opponent’s throat, producing a teeth-grinding “crackling” sound of bones.

The opponent had yet to use their ability, but both arms and legs were already unable to lift. Snap! The neck was twisted by a terrifying force, and blood sprayed several meters high.

As the aura disappeared, a bloody corpse appeared on the ground. Bai Qi’s cold face was splattered with blood, and Ye Zheng’s breathing was slightly rapid. Together, they had successfully killed an S-level awakener.

The on-site awakeners looked determined, moving in unison, ready to disperse and surround. Bai Qi took the initiative, swiftly dragging in another S-class.

If surrounded, both he and the general would undoubtedly be no match for a dozen or so S-class individuals. The only way was to break them down one by one. Regardless, he had to persist… until when? A vague thought crossed Bai Qi’s consciousness.

When the aura dissipated once again, Bai Qi and Ye Zheng were still standing in place. However, the second opponent seemed to be much more formidable, with several rugged wounds appearing on Bai Qi’s body.

In the moment before numerous awakeners approached, he activated his ability again!

Bang! Lu Tao pushed away the unfortunate soul about to be pulled in, willingly entering the aura himself.

Clasping his fists, roaring towards the sky, Lu Tao’s muscles surged, and a ferocious tiger phantom appeared behind him.

The tiger’s roar swept across the entire scene as Lu Tao punched continuously, like a predatory tiger. Even under the pressure of gravity, it did not affect his attacks.

Lu Tao was a domineering, power-type awakener. When he mobilized his awakened energy to the extreme, Bai Qi, both in level and physique, was not advantageous.

Hiss! The rolling speed slowed by half a beat. He was caught by the fierce tiger on the neck and separated from his body on the spot!

As the aura disappeared, Bai Qi staggered backward, leaving behind several jagged wounds. The remaining pain radiated from his neck to the nerve endings.

Dropping to S4 level.

All the S-class awakeners charged towards Ye Zheng, disregarding everything. Bai Qi struggled to his feet and once again activated “Determined Resolve.”

Lu Tao was closest to him. Before he could pull someone away, Lu Tao accelerated and charged in.

Boom!

Bai Qi was thrown out.

S3.

Seeing this, the remaining awakeners calmly stopped, showing great interest in Lu Tao’s massacre.

Although Bai Qi stood in front, Ye Zheng suffered considerable injuries. The aura was an exclusive skill, restricting him at every turn. Coupled with Lu Tao’s continuous tiger roars bombarding him, blood slowly dripped from the corners of Ye Zheng’s mouth.

Lu Tao stepped on Bai Qi’s head, a mocking curve appearing on the corner of his mouth. “A loyal dog indeed. Guess what? Will your master shed precious crocodile tears for you?”

Bai Qi thrust his elbow toward him. Lu Tao sneered, and the tiger’s claw crushed his skull.

As the aura disappeared, Bai Qi’s eyes tightly closed as he collapsed on the ground, covered in blood. His head was severely dented.

S2.

Ye Zheng’s cane shattered, and he fell to one knee, spitting out blood with internal injuries.

Lu Tao smirked as he walked towards him, but his ankle was suddenly grabbed. Bai Qi, unable to speak, still held on tightly, refusing to let go.

“Seeking death? I’ll grant your wish.” Lu Tao raised his fist.

A cold and gentle hand rested on his shoulder, forcefully stopping Lu Tao’s movement. An extremely suppressed voice spoke, “Who’s seeking death?”

People around were astonished, their eyelids twitching. How did she enter without a sound?!

The next second, the barrier was torn open.

Flames and frost rained down, and a crimson shell exploded with various AoE abilities pouring down, instantly disrupting the formation.

The person who had been lurking at the back, the dreamweaver who constructed the barrier was about to raise her hand to mend it when, snap! Six mechanical arms swung through the air, entwining around her limbs like coiling ropes, suspending her entire body upside down.

“Poor trick.” Lu Xiaoyu’s luminous prosthetic arm flashed with a dazzling light. The overwhelming flow of data scattered, completely dissolving the barrier.

Bang! A warning flare shot up into the sky, bursting into a bloom, startling crows into flight high above!

Awakeners across Northern Base were shocked, looking up.

Yi Na and others attempted to go for reinforcements but ran into Su Cha, Lin Youyou, Jennifer, and Yin Xiao head-on. The four stood like a wall, facing the overwhelming S-level pressure, gritting their teeth and refusing to back down.

Fang Zhixu rushed into the battlefield under the protection of Xu Xing. Just as he was about to support Ye Zheng, he was pushed back by Ye Zheng. Turning his head, he, at the risk of his own life, transferred healing energy into Bai Qi, pulling him back from the brink.

The petite girl’s eyes were determined. Standing in front of the tiger-like Lu Tao, her slender fingers clenched into a fist, stopping his actions.

“Whom do you want to kill?”

“Did I give you permission?”

Lu Tao’s expression became solemn, evidently recognizing the person in front of him — Song Ke, an S7-level strong attack-type awakener.

A tough nut.

Tsk, it seems the intel about her and the Northern Base management being at odds was incorrect.

The tiger’s head in the void emitted a fierce roar, and Lu Tao’s awakened energy surged. Strange patterns appeared on his skin.

Song Ke squinted slightly as her cells felt an unknown stimulation, growing hotter and hotter. Something seemed about to burst out of her body. Suddenly, she opened her mouth wide, emitting a deep roar from the depths of her throat. A massive shadow faintly appeared behind her.

It was a bear, resembling a mountain peak. Its fur was deep red, thick, coarse, and twice as big as the tiger form of Lu Tao. The formidable tiger, which had just been fierce, whimpered in fear and retreated its head.

“Crafty…” Zhuang Qingyan massaged his forehead and sighed, realizing that it was another gene.

Two top-level powerhouse awakeners, one in the form of a bear and the other a tiger, faced off. The surrounding environment trembled violently. The already shaky sand defense net shattered into pieces, leaving only a thin barrier. Countless crows dove down, approaching closer to the heads of everyone.

In the midst of the chaos, Ye Zheng breathed heavily and urgently called out to Zhuang Qingyan.

“Xiao Zhuang, come here.”

Zhuang Qingyan walked forward in large strides, reaching out to support Ye Zheng’s arm. Ye Zheng’s fingers trembled as he took out an old and worn pocket watch, his terminal and a symbol of the highest authority of District B10.

“Do you know how to operate the city defense system?”

Zhuang Qingyan was stunned. The city defense system was the highest military secret of each district. Due to its complex structure and precise design, only those who had received professional training could operate it. This level of authorization was always held by the ruling magistrate unless delegated to their designated successor.

Unless the magistrate or their appointed heir were present, no one else would have the chance to access such core information.

Ye Zheng’s breathing was strained as he spoke, “I know this is quite demanding, but two days ago, General Xie from Beijun and I had a conversation. She entrusted me to take care of the son of… an old friend.”

The content of that secret conversation was evidently more than just this, but Ye Zheng didn’t have time to explain everything in detail. The little information he revealed was enough.

Zhuang Qingyan’s fingertips tightened gradually, and deep waves surged in his profound eyes. He looked towards Song Ke not far away, the members of V587, and the overwhelming flock of crows. Finally, his gaze met the weathered eyes of Ye Zheng.

In the end, what did the survival or demise of the Northern Base have to do with him?

Zhuang Qingyan sighed silently, “…Quite a coincidence. I can do it.”