Chapter 370: Lingering Sound

Quancheng?

Ji Jue's movements paused for a moment, and he instantly realized.

He recalled the message Lu Yingyue had sent him before.

【In two days, someone should go to Quancheng】.

Quancheng, not Xinquan; from the very beginning, she had already given a hint.

It was just that he had assumed she was referring to the small town he had built, ignoring the true behemoth right beside him.

His thoughts were like lightning, piercing through many mysteries.

When An Neng threw that severed limb to him, his strange appearance, and what he said when looking at Quancheng...

In this sudden realization, many questions were suddenly solved.

Why Pacquiao would first try to borrow the road, and then, under his pressure, so easily deliver himself to the door, and even out of thin air added a teammate of a Transcendent rank he had never heard of...

And, Chen Haiqiu's sudden arrival at this moment.

That is to say, their goal was not... no, at least it should be said, it wasn't just Xinquan; what they really cared about was Quancheng, which had long since turned into ruins?

What was in Quancheng?

Just a pile of ruins, and even the little bit of scraps left, the valuable ones had been dug clean by the scavengers; it couldn't be that they were here to find some residual sin-tainted pollution, right?

Those had all been cleaned up by the Security Bureau.

Or was it something from even earlier...

In less than a second, Ji Jue's train of thought began to spread. The moment he reacted, he sighed softly and looked at Chen Haiqiu.

Chen Haiqiu was also smiling, looking at him.

In the brief intersection of gazes, there was suddenly a bit of unspeakable tacit understanding.

Even if he didn't intend to tell Ji Jue anything, the clues he gave were enough; if he still couldn't understand, he deserved to be treated like a fool.

Although he didn't know why he revealed so much to him, if he still couldn't feel this kindness, he might as well find a rope and hang himself in front of the gate of Coastal Industry.

"Let's go."

Ji Jue sighed and picked up his coat: "The road conditions are quite bad recently; if you want to catch the airship, I'm afraid we have to hurry."

A few minutes later, the Little Niu Ma had already driven out of Xinquan.

After the completed asphalt road came to an end, it was a dirt road covered with silt. Although it was the rainy season and there was a light drizzle in the sky, there were still fully loaded small tricycles coming and going along the road.

"All of them are Coastal products," Chen Haiqiu looked at the wind turbines slowly rotating in the rain outside the window and sighed, "In just a few months, it has developed so rapidly; it's really amazing."

"It's just that others don't look down on it."

Ji Jue drove, sighing self-deprecatingly: "As long as it's durable and cheap enough, it won't be hard to sell. No matter how bad the user experience is, it doesn't matter as long as it can be used.

Unfortunately, the market is too small, and no one cares."

Anyone with a brain wouldn't start a company in the wilderness.

The sales volume in a quarter inside the city couldn't be sold in a whole year outside the city. In some places, even a rotor had to be paid in installments, and when collecting money, one had to hold a gun. As for the profit... if one really did business honestly, I'm afraid they would lose everything.

The only fortunate thing is that it wasn't registered in the city, and it didn't do business in the city, so naturally, there was no place to pay taxes, which could save a lot of money. And with the current scale of Coastal, it wasn't enough for the Tax Bureau of the Central City to send an army.

"Ahead, turn right a little."

Chen Haiqiu reminded him.

Amidst the splashing of the thin rain, Quancheng under the gloomy sky looked increasingly decadent and broken. When the strong wind whistled past, passing through broken walls and buildings covered in silt, it made a faint, crying sound.

Traces of destruction could be seen everywhere on the street, most of which were left by the violent dismantling of scavengers, but there were still many traces of the various parties fighting each other more than half a year ago.

Residual wounds stretched on.

Between several collapsed buildings, after Chen Haiqiu got out of the car, he opened an umbrella and waved to Ji Jue, signaling him to walk forward.

After passing through several warning lines that had long fallen into the mud, they turned left and right, actually entering an unknown area.

A place where no one else had ever been.

Ji Jue was stunned for a moment, bent down, and knocked on the wet ground. The spiritual quality ripples of the Dissolution Technique spread faintly for a moment, without causing any damage, just a flick.

He couldn't help but broaden his horizons.

It was the Phantom City drawn by the Mirror, superimposed with the No-Man's Land imposed by the Heart Pivot.

Two common secret rituals were perfectly hidden under the surrounding broken buildings and ground, operating stably. Even when Ji Jue didn't walk into it, he couldn't perceive any abnormality.

It was mainly because Quancheng was too big; in the infinite ruins, unless a high-level Aether fully searched, who could walk through the entire city step by step and then infer the hidden space by measuring with footsteps?

And as they moved inward, the residual sin-tainted aura of the past gradually revealed itself.

Several pieces of equipment that isolated sin-tainted spiritual quality, which Ji Jue had repaired and recycled before, were still stuck in the open space; they were clearly set up by the Security Bureau in Quancheng to absorb residual pollution.

"There are eleven such places in Quancheng."

Chen Haiqiu changed his previous secretive style. When leading the way, he took the initiative to introduce: "However, this place is different from other places. Below, there is another layer of equipment..."

"Is it really okay to tell me these things?"

"With the An family helping you nominate, and Town Guardian Lu guaranteeing you, there's naturally no need to avoid such small things."

Chen Haiqiu said: "Anyway, Xinquan is right next door, and others don't have your convenience. After a period of time, the Security Bureau should hand over the maintenance work of these equipment in the next few years to you; they are all simple things, just replace them regularly.

However, what really needs your attention is not these things... it's even further ahead."

Saying this, he held an instrument that looked like a GPS in his hand and moved forward slowly. Ji Jue could feel the confidentiality program in that instrument; the Mechanical God couldn't penetrate it at all.

It seemed to be receiving signals from the surroundings while working, confirming the location.

After repeatedly confirming his position, Chen Haiqiu raised his right hand, and then, under Ji Jue's gaze, solemnly... took out his phone.

"..."

In Ji Jue's speechless gaze, he dialed the phone.

"Ah, yes, yes, it's me, Quancheng side, I'll open the door, don't make a fuss, it'll be right away." He raised his left hand and said: "Right away."

BOOM!!

In an instant, a loud noise roared, and the strong wind blew toward all directions.

A straight pillar of light suddenly appeared from above Quancheng, so conspicuous.

Amidst the hunting strong wind, something like a keyhole appeared in the void.

In Chen Haiqiu's left hand, something like a key appeared, inserted, twisted, and in an instant, the sound of shattering rang out.

One of the countless Eternal Gates was opened, and the world before his eyes changed instantly, completely different from before!

In an instant, Ji Jue was already in the darkness.

A small Rift Realm!

A Rift Realm only a few dozen square meters in size, attached to Quancheng—no, it should be said, it was peeled off from Quancheng and processed on the spot.

Ji Jue was shocked and couldn't understand: "Is it necessary to make such a big scene?"

"No way, even the best lock has a day when it's pried open. In order to ensure nothing goes wrong, it's better to deliberately make the scene of opening the door bigger, so that anyone with eyes can see it and it can't be hidden."

Chen Haiqiu said to Ji Jue: "This is one of the contents of outsourcing. From now on, if there is such a sign without receiving a notification, don't hesitate, call the Security Bureau immediately."

"I'm here to watch the door?" Ji Jue was confused.

"Who told you to be the closest to Quancheng and the most reliable."

Chen Haiqiu grinned, "You are already a party involved. In order to avoid any trouble later, we need to outsource this part of the work to you.

But rest assured, it's just one of the procedures to ensure everything is safe; you are not the only one watching.

Besides, there is nothing important in here; at most, it's just the traces left behind in the past..."

Saying this, his gaze flowed, looking at the mid-air inside the Rift Realm.

In the void, that rift flashing with strange rainbow light like a dream.

Once, the crack left by Lu Changsheng on the present world...

"Pacquiao, no, that sin-tainted one..."

At that moment, Ji Jue finally realized: "They came here for this?"

Chen Haiqiu seemed to be distracted, silent.

After a long time, when Ji Jue looked back, he nodded and answered.

"That's right."

He said: "There are many natural disasters in the world; even after they end, they often leave behind many messy things, just like residual files of malicious programs. Although they will gradually dissipate under the pressure of the present world if left alone, they can't stand that there are always people who want to mess around."

Ji Jue frowned instantly: "They want to reopen the vortex?"

Now, while feeling a lingering fear, he couldn't help but feel his heart pounding.

He had already started planning to move again.

If he had known in advance that Quancheng still had such a hidden danger, he couldn't have built the coast here; what's the difference between this and sitting on a bomb?

"Rest assured, there's no such possibility anymore."

Chen Haiqiu sighed: "That group of Calamity Demons probably still holds some luck.

However, even if they can get in, it's a waste of effort. The Abyss Seed here has long since completely lost its vitality under the suppression of Tao Gong, and it's impossible for it to sprout again.

Tao Gong has already used his body as a wedge to completely erase all future troubles. In another two years, even this little trace won't be left. If Xinquan can be prosperous, sooner or later, this place will also return to the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Supervision Law."

He patted Ji Jue on the shoulder: "But this depends on you."

"I don't do this for Tao Gong." Ji Jue shook his head: "No need to put a high hat on me, right?"

"Precisely because it's not for Tao Gong, it's even more admirable. Town Guardian Lu has never misjudged anyone; I have nothing to say about her vision."

Chen Haiqiu laughed, no longer hiding his appreciation: "In the future, I will trouble you to be the landlord and take care of it. By the way, if you encounter that kind of sin-tainted one in the future, especially if there is a smell of sulfur or ash burning on them, please be sure to be careful."

Ji Jue asked: "Need to take them down decisively?"

"No, don't do any extra actions, just notify the Security Bureau." Chen Haiqiu shook his head: "After all, the situation involving Calamity Demons is usually not generally dangerous. Like an Artisan like you..."

Halfway through the sentence, he stuttered.

He originally wanted to say that an Artisan like you shouldn't go to deliver food, but after carefully thinking about the blood on Ji Jue's hands, the countless corpses under his feet, the sin-tainted debts all over his body, and the quality of the newly-made embers, he felt that even if they met, the one in danger seemed to be the Calamity Demon!

"In short, just pay more attention, don't mess around."

He gave a wry smile, waved his hand, and left with Ji Jue.

However, before leaving, Ji Jue couldn't help but look back at the small crack behind him.

I don't know if it was an illusion, but it seemed to be even smaller than before.

Even if only a little bit.

In a fleeting glance, behind the strange and dazzling rainbow crack, there seemed to be a wisp of dim flame light jumping silently, like a flash in the pan, releasing the last wisp of lingering light.

Immediately after, it was completely extinguished and disappeared without a trace.

Extinguished.

The door closed, and they returned to the present world again.

After Chen Haiqiu explained the precautions, he didn't say anything more. After taking Ji Jue's ride back to Xinquan, he left on another car.

Leaving the aftermath trouble to Ji Jue.

Ji Jue could only scratch his head and go to appease the employees who were panicked again because of the abnormal movement just now.

What abnormal weather discharge phenomenon, what scientific wonder physical phenomenon...

It was the first time he envied those experts on TV who talked nonsense.

He suffered because he read too many books!

Now he couldn't even find a theoretical basis for talking nonsense...

And on the other side, after leaving Xinquan by car, Chen Haiqiu changed his clothes in Chaocheng and pushed open a safe house disguised as a civilian residence again.

He dialed the landline.

"Any results?" the person on the other end asked.

"It has been reconfirmed; the Abyss Seed remaining in the Rift Realm has been annihilated and cannot reignite." Chen Haiqiu said: "That Calamity Demon should have been aiming for this."

"Anything else?" the person on the other end asked: "What about the other matter."

"Town Guardian Lu's guarantee has no problems."

Chen Haiqiu answered decisively: "Through close contact at the scene, there is no reaction between Ji Jue and the Abyss Seed, and the possibility of a potential Calamity Demon can be ruled out."

"That couldn't be better." The person on the other end seemed relieved.

Chen Haiqiu finally asked: "Should the recruitment work continue?"

"No need to rush for a moment. If Little Lu is right, that brat's personality is probably too lazy to pay attention to us locksmiths." The old man sighed: "Watch first, observe for a long time, and contact slowly.

Such an excellent wedge is becoming fewer and fewer."

"Understood."

The phone hung up, and the communication was cut off.

"Phew! Mission accomplished!"

At this moment, on the sea where the rain was continuous, cheers rang out.

On the drilling platform temporarily converted into headquarters, smiles appeared on everyone's faces, as if the ascetic practice had ended.

It was indeed over.

Huge chains and giant hooks pulled a mermaid corpse hundreds of meters long from the sea, finally piling up like a mountain on the drilling platform along with other remains.

The last mermaid group that broke into the Federation's coast was completely wiped out.

"Congratulations, Plant."

Wen Wen tilted her head and lit the last White Star: "After finishing this one, you're going to take office as the person in charge of the Middle Lands, right?"

"Don't make fun of me."

Tong Shan, also covered in blood, shook his head and sighed, leaning on the railing not far away. After days of fierce fighting, he didn't even have the strength to wipe away the blood stains.

"I was doing fine at home, but I was kicked out the door to find my own way. In that ghostly place of the Middle Lands, the friction has been getting more and more serious in the past two years; who knows how big the mess will be."

"The capable work harder. That place in the Middle Lands is quite good; whoever doesn't obey, just hammer them, and no one even manages it." Wen Wen took out a wine bottle from her bosom and drank it, sighing: "I'd like to swap with you, but unfortunately, I can only retire to the second line..."

Tong Shan glanced at her: "Didn't the doctor tell you to quit drinking and smoking?"

Wen Wen sneered when she heard this, asking back: "Didn't your family tell you to go find a partner for a blind date?"

"..." Tong Shan was silent.

Originally, one person was unhappy, but now it's good, everyone is unhappy.

It's still because the sister was beaten too little...

Let's make up for it before going out!

After a long time, he sighed: "What do you think this inexplicable turmoil is all about? That group of mermaids wouldn't just run around inexplicably, right?"

Can't hold it, so you changed the topic, right?!

Wen Wen laughed out loud and answered casually: "Isn't it said that it's probably a volcanic eruption? The temperature of the seawater this year is rising much faster than in previous years, the foraging period is ahead of schedule, and they are starving crazy, right?"

"Hm, maybe."

Tong Shan lowered his head, overlooking the seawater mixed with dark green and scarlet, "I just feel a bit strange."

"Hm?" Wen Wen was puzzled.

"It should be that they are crazy..."

Tong Shan lowered his eyes, staring at the mermaid's remains and that twisted expression: "Why does that appearance look more like they are fleeing?"

No one answered.

Only in the whistling strong wind, the fine rain turned dense and urgent.

The storm is coming. ===== CHAPTER 371 =====