Chapter 97: The Shock of Suchen Refuge

When Sun Hao, with a smile about to burst from his cheeks, delivered the four thousand first‑grade Energy Crystals after counting them into Lin Yue's exclusive warehouse, Lin Yue's mood could only be described as "unprecedentedly relaxed."

The Heavenly God Group contributed two thousand, of which one thousand was the "atonement gift" actively sent by that old fox Qian Wanjin.

Suchen Refuge and the Deep Blue Matrix each contributed one thousand.

Lin Yue looked at the pile of Energy Crystals stacking up again in the warehouse and couldn't help marveling, "Making money at this speed is unbeatable!"

However, he is not the type who takes money and does nothing.

Since the deal has been reached, he naturally must fulfill his promise.

"Han Ya."

Lin Yue walked out of the warehouse and instructed Han Ya, who had been waiting there:

"Notify everyone to depart immediately for Suchen Refuge."

"Yes, City Lord!"

……

Suchen Refuge, a large underground civil defense project located east of Suchen.

After the apocalypse, Zhao Weiguo, relying on his military background, quickly integrated this area and, relying on its solid underground structure, turned it into an underground fortress.

Although most residents of the refuge live thirty meters underground, numerous defensive works and living facilities were also built on the surface, garrisoned by hundreds of elite soldiers.

When Black Tortoise's mountain‑like silhouette appeared on the refuge's outer perimeter, even though the soldiers had already heard of the beast's terror through various channels and were somewhat prepared, its actual presence still caused a considerable commotion.

Had Zhao Weiguo not issued a standing order and repeatedly announced via the broadcast system that the creature was an "ally," the mere appearance of Black Tortoise alone could have sparked a massive riot inside the refuge.

"My goodness… look! What… what is that?!"

"My goodness! Could a living thing really grow to this size?!"

Countless survivors surged up from the underground exits, staring up with dazed expressions at the sky‑covering figure, their faces filled with shock and fear beyond words.

"Let's go! They've already reached the gate; as hosts we must go out to receive them!"

Zhao Weiguo led the refuge's senior officials to the surface entrance.

Seeing Black Tortoise come to a halt, he quickly straightened his uniform and hurried forward to meet it.

"Lord Lin! You've finally arrived!"

Zhao Weiguo stepped forward and shook hands with Lin Yue, who had descended the earth‑stone steps.

"Commander Zhao, you're too kind."

Lin Yue glanced, without changing expression, at the varied‑mood senior officials behind Zhao Weiguo.

He could feel that their eyes were full of curiosity.

"Lord Lin, let me introduce you."

Zhao Weiguo seemed oblivious to the subtle atmosphere; he pulled Lin Yue along and enthusiastically introduced the people behind him.

"This is the head of our refuge's Logistics Department, Wang Shoushan."

"This is the chief of our Security Department, Zhang…"

"This is…"

Lin Yue smiled and nodded at everyone while observing them without changing expression.

He noticed that, although they were courteous on the surface, they still carried a hint of arrogance.

But Lin Yue didn't mind.

Soon he'll be leaving Suchen, so what does it matter if they're arrogant?

"Lord Lin, the land we intend to purify is right over there."

Under Zhao Weiguo's personal guidance, Lin Yue quickly arrived before a vast open space.

It was a discarded industrial tract covering a full thousand mu.

The ground showed a strange black‑brown hue and emitted a pungent odor, with no trace of life in sight.

"Lord Lin, look…"

A faint bitter smile appeared on Zhao Weiguo's face,

"This land has been heavily polluted. We've tried various methods, but they've had little effect."

"If you could purify it…… it would be of tremendous significance to our Suchen Refuge!"

His voice was filled with earnestness and anticipation.

Meanwhile, around this abandoned industrial park, crowds of survivors from the refuge had gathered three layers deep to watch the spectacle.

They whispered to each other, discussing heatedly, their faces full of doubt.

"You're kidding, right? Just relying on that big turtle to clean up such a huge toxic patch?"

"I doubt it; the ground is black as pitch—even immortals couldn't fix it."

"Shh! Keep it down! Don't let them hear you—didn't you see Commander Zhao being polite to them?"

Lin Yue ignored the surrounding chatter; he simply stared silently at the lifeless land before him, his face showing no expression.

"Black Tortoise."

"Let's begin."

As his words fell,

"Roar——!!!!!"

Black Tortoise's massive head lifted skyward and let out a roar!

The next instant, an incredibly brilliant pillar of light, brimming with vital energy, erupted jade‑green from Black Tortoise's mouth and shot straight to the heavens!

The pillar exploded in mid‑air, turning into countless jade‑green specks that rained down, completely covering the entire thousand‑mu contaminated tract!

"Hum——"

Wherever the light rain fell, the black‑brown soil rapidly became loose and fertile at a speed visible to the naked eye!

That pungent smell was gradually replaced by a fresh earthy fragrance!

Moreover, hints of tender green sprouted from that soil!

In less than an hour.

When the emerald specks of light slowly faded, the patch of poisoned land that had been barren of any grass had completely vanished.

In its place lay a green expanse brimming with endless vitality and vigor!

"A... a divine trace..."

Zhao Weiguo stared blankly at the scene before him that could be called a divine trace, and an involuntary exclamation escaped his lips.

The high-ranking officials of the shelter behind him also stood frozen, as if immobilized by a binding spell.

Meanwhile, the survivors around who had still been full of doubt were now utterly silent.

Everyone's face was filled with an indescribable, ultimate shock!

"Gulp..."

Someone, with difficulty, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, breaking this deathly silence.

Immediately after, the crowd erupted in a frenzied cheer like a mountain‑shouting, sea‑roaring tsunami!

"Oh god! This... this is a deity descending to the world!"

"We're saved! We're saved!"

"Long live Lord Lin! Long live Xuanwu City!"

At this moment, Lin Yue's image in their hearts was instantly elevated without limit!

"Lin... Lord Lin..."

Zhao Weiguo came to his senses, walked up to Lin Yue, his voice trembling with excitement; he wanted to say something, but realized no words could express his feelings at that moment.

So he bowed deeply before Lin Yue.

"Thank you."

Lin Yue accepted his bow with composure, then waved a hand, politely declining his subsequent banquet invitation.

"Commander Zhao, I still need to visit two more places, so I won't trouble you further."

Having said that, he once again boarded Xuanwu City under the gaze of countless reverent eyes, and slowly headed toward the Heavenly God Group.

PS: New book, please urge updates and collect!