Chapter 63: Set Off!

The next day, early morning.

The sky had just turned a dim gray, a layer of leaden clouds that seemed never to disperse hung low on the horizon, shrouding the entire dead city in an oppressive atmosphere.

Black Tortoise effortlessly used its ability to move the heavy truck loaded with fifty tons of grain, together with the two modified Humvees of the 'Night Blade' squad, into Xuanwu City.

My heavens…

This… this just came up?

The residents of Xuanwu City, watching this almost divine scene, were all stunned with their mouths agape.

Although they had witnessed Black Tortoise's miracles more than once, each time this god‑like power still struck their minds with a strong impact.

Lin Yue stood with his hands behind his back on the top floor of the command tower; Gui Ying, Wang Gongtou, Han Ya, and the others beside him each had different expressions.

Lin kid, everything is ready.

Wang Gongtou looked at the three vehicles, now placed like toys, his aged face full of emotion.

Lin Yue nodded, his gaze falling on Gui Ying beside him.

Captain Gui Ying, this trip to the Green Mountain Refuge is far, and anything could happen along the way—no one can predict it. I hope you can act together with us.

Lin Yue's words were not mere pleasantries.

He knew nothing about the so‑called Green Mountain Refuge, but with Gui Ying's team—official special forces—present, the negotiations would surely go much more smoothly.

It is our honor.

Gui Ying hesitated not at all, readily agreeing.

After a month of getting along, his opinion of Lin Yue had completely changed.

The young man before them seemed easygoing, but was actually decisive in killing.

Working with someone like him is far wiser than being his enemy.

Good.

Lin Yue nodded in satisfaction,

Target—Green Mountain Thought Place!

Depart!

At his command,

Roar——!!!!!

Black Tortoise's massive head slowly rose, letting out a roar that shook heaven and earth!

Boom—rumble—rumble—

The earth began to tremble violently!

As Black Tortoise pressed deeper into the mountains, the surrounding scenery became ever more desolate and bizarre.

The air was filled with a faint, sulfurous burnt smell.

The occasional trees seen were already dead, their twisted trunks bare and pointing to the sky, like ghostly claws reaching out from hell, full of death and ill omen.

Deserted villages flickered by the roadside, collapsed houses, farm tools rusted with iron, and human skeletons scattered along the roadside, dried and blackened, silently telling of the tragedy that once occurred here.

The further they went, the more oppressive and heavy the atmosphere became.

Lin kid…… my heart…… why does it feel all fluttery?

Inside the command room, Wang Gongtou wrung his hands, his face full of unease.

This damned place—you can't see a single living thing, it's quiet enough to be a little scary.

Just the calm before the storm.

Lin Yue's gaze remained fixed on the holographic map before him,

According to the map, we're about to enter the first red‑alert zone.

No sooner had his words fallen than an earsplitting, piercing cry rang out suddenly from the sky ahead!

Chirp——!!!!!

That sound seemed capable of tearing eardrums, and many survivors in the city clutched their ears in pain.

What…… what is that?!

On the watchtower, Han Ya's pupils contracted sharply.

All they saw was a huge black cloud sweeping toward them at astonishing speed!

No!

That's not a cloud!

When the distance closed, everyone saw the true nature of that 'black cloud'!

It was hundreds of flying monsters with wingspans over five meters!

Their bodies were covered in black, metal‑like feathers, their huge beaks like scimitars, their talons flashing with a cold light capable of rending steel, resembling prehistoric pterosaurs!

They are 'Talon Terror Birds'! First‑rank Mutant Beasts! Beware! Their number…… exceeds three hundred!

Gui Ying's solemn voice rang in everyone's ears.

My heavens…… so many!

Quick! Quick, hide!

Seeing the sky‑covering horror bird flock, the city instantly fell into panic.

Even though they knew Black Tortoise's strength, facing such a massive beast horde they still couldn't help feeling fear.

Don't panic! The City Lord is here—what's there to fear?

Han Ya shouted sharply, trying to steady everyone's tense emotions.

But her own palms, gripping the rifle, were slick with cold sweat.

Yet Lin Yue's face showed not a trace of tension.

He merely stood silently before the floor‑to‑ceiling window of the command room, watching the black flock drawing ever nearer, the corner of his mouth even curling up with a faint, almost imperceptible arc.

"They're coming……"

The next second, he issued the attack command to Xuanwu,

"Xuanwu, mealtime."

"Roar——!"

Xuanwu let out an excited low roar.

Immediately, a layer of pale blue energy shield suddenly appeared, completely enveloping the entire Xuanwu City.

"Chirp——!!!"

The taloned terror birds eyed this huge "prey" before them, letting out excited cries as they swooped down!

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The dense impact sounds instantly echoed through the heavens!

Hundreds of terror birds frenziedly attacked the energy shield.

However, it was all in vain.

Their attacks couldn't even raise a ripple on the light curtain; instead, they were shaken by the tremendous rebound force, dazed and with feathers flying.

Seeing this, the newly arrived residents of Xuanwu City were all dumbfounded.

"They……are safe?"

Lin Yue's icy voice sounded again,

"Xuanwu, 【Earth Control】."

The moment his words fell.

An abrupt change occurred!

The steep cliffs on both sides of Xuanwu City suddenly shook violently!

"Rumble——!"

In everyone's shocked gaze, countless huge stone spears shot out of the mountainside without warning!

Those stone spears, the thinnest as thick as an arm, the thickest comparable to a utility pole!

"Plop! Plop! Plop!"

Those circling, swooping taloned terror birds didn't even have time to cry out before being skewered by those huge stone spears like candied haws!

For a moment, black blood and shattered feathers rained down from the sky.

In just a few seconds, the battle was over.

The sky returned to calm once more, as if the earlier blanket of birds had never existed.

【Ding! Absorbed scattered energy, gained 1 energy point.】

【Ding! Absorbed scattered energy, gained 1 energy point.】

【Ding! Detected a grade‑1 energy crystal, gained 10 energy points.】

【Ding! Detected a grade‑1 energy crystal, gained 10 energy points.】

……

A rapid series of system alerts flooded Lin Yue's mind.

【Ding! Total energy absorbed this time: 572 points!】

【Current total energy points: 7310/!】

"Beautiful!"

Lin Yue watched the rapidly increasing energy points, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Just one step closer to ten thousand points!

However, just as he was in high spirits, the ground beneath his feet suddenly transmitted a violent, unusual tremor!

"Boom————!!!"

The mountains on both sides, unable to withstand that earth‑shattering blow, began a massive landslide, pouring down toward Xuanwu City below!

"Oh no! It's a landslide!"

Wang Gongtou's face changed drastically as he let out a cry of alarm.

PS: New book, please urge updates and collect!