Chapter 427 - 87: I’ve Waited a Long Time for This Day

「One day later.」

Bright sunlight spilled across the land, bathing the entire Red Maple City Circle in its glow.

Outside the high walls, the Beast Tide began to weaken, and the roars of the beasts gradually faded.

Within the city circle, traffic flowed endlessly and the air buzzed with conversation.

"Have you heard? The Beast Tide is starting to recede."

"Tell me about it. This disaster is finally ending. We can go try our luck in the wilderness again."

"Get real. The threat outside the city might be gone, but the fighting inside is a total mess. Haven’t you seen those Rebels causing more trouble every day? This is far from over."

"You’re right... sigh..."

Such discussions echoed throughout the city circle, punctuated by the occasional sound of explosions.

Those were the armed retaliatory strikes launched by Rebels, who refused to have their strongholds swept away.

The situation remained volatile. Superpower Bureau teams were dispatched in all directions, and patrol squads were a common sight.

But amidst it all.

Lu Chao remained in his apartment, quietly adapting to his post-breakthrough strength, internalizing it and solidifying his foundation.

He was waiting for the right moment—or more accurately, he was waiting for Li Junyi’s orders.

Beyond that.

There are many paths to Biological Evolution, such as consuming Superpower Spiritual Objects, transplanting modified organs, or walking the path of developing one’s Life Energy...

The path of the Alchemist focuses on observation and potion-making. The former is for accumulating experience by observing biological species—like Mutant Beasts, non-humanoids, and humanoids—to determine their growth status and future evolutionary direction.

They also use Superpower Spiritual Objects, mineral elements, and Advanced Biological Essence as materials to create potions that aid in evolution and metamorphosis... Because of this, powerful Biological Alchemists often possess a certain talent for beast taming, as well as special means of befriending other species...

A light screen projected from his communicator hovered before his eyes. Lu Chao scanned through it rapidly, using his focus ability to quickly memorize the contents.

After much thought, he had finally used his clearance to redeem that advanced piece of Superpower Knowledge.

This was the final piece of Superpower Knowledge he needed to master to become a Biological Alchemist: The Theory of Biological Evolution Research.

’Looks like once you become a Biological Alchemist, you’ll be valued no matter where you go.’

’Even if I cut ties with the major factions, I could be self-sufficient, developing steadily through potion-making, cultivation, and facilitating Biological Evolution.’

His eyes shone brightly. The more Lu Chao thought about it, the more he was certain he’d made the right decision.

To put it bluntly.

He was now qualified to dominate a region on his own.

Whether it was the power to shake the Transcendence Level at full strength or his ability to craft Basic Potions, he was capable of influencing the numerous factions in both the wilderness and the city circle.

Even losing the Superpower Bureau as his backing at this very moment wouldn’t have a significant impact on him.

At this thought.

He continued to scroll through the Superpower Knowledge on the light screen while waiting for information from Li Junyi.

Gradually...

"Hm?"

A sudden palpitation seized his heart. Lu Chao frowned slightly and glanced out the window.

He had suddenly sensed a trace of danger.

It was a boon from his Fixed Star Observation Method, a special trait of reaching Round Sun Great Success.

In the unseen world, it felt as if some danger was about to close in and implicate him.

’What’s going on?’

His expression turned serious, and Lu Chao stopped what he was doing.

He had experienced this feeling once before.

It was the same subtle sense he’d had after leaving the Platinum Hotel, when he was being maliciously tailed by that Dark Web assassin—an Exploration Level [Hidden Streamer].

But back then, it had been just a faint, extremely weak sensation.

Now, however, it was considerably stronger.

’Is it because of the war with the Rebels? Maybe the upcoming operation will be dangerous.’

’Or has the Beast Tide not truly retreated, and something major has happened?’

As these thoughts surfaced one after another, Lu Chao was about to seek out more information.

But at that very instant.

BUZZ! BUZZ!

His communicator watch suddenly vibrated.

He focused his gaze on it. The contact name ’Li Junyi’ was particularly conspicuous.

It was the message he had been waiting for—the call for the final battle had finally arrived.

....

SPLASH!

SPLASH!!

The river flowed, its waters churning.

A massive, grayish-white cargo ship nearly a hundred meters long left the port like a steel giant, navigating the river channel.

The name ’Jinggang Chamber of Commerce’ was embedded on the side of the hull. This was a shipping freighter belonging to one of the elder families.

Only a vessel like this could bypass the city circle’s lockdown, possessing the right to navigate the river and freely enter and exit while the Beast Tide had yet to fully retreat.

At a glance.

Figures in Jinggang Chamber of Commerce security uniforms or the sailor outfits of its subsidiary shipping company could be seen moving about on the deck.

Red and blue shipping containers were stacked on one side of the deck. Thick iron chains and hemp ropes were strewn about, and firing ports and cannon barrels dotted the steel hatches, clear signs that this was a specially armed and modified freighter.

Most freighters that navigated these waters were like this; otherwise, they would be unable to fend off attacks from aquatic Mutant Beasts.

Amidst the sound of splashing water.

The massive freighter pulled away from the riverbank unimpeded, eventually passing through the high wall’s floodgates and leaving the Red Maple City Circle behind.

The buffer zone of concrete sheds on the riverbank receded into the distance, and the grayish-black high wall grew smaller. Soon, only the whistling of the river wind could be heard on the freighter.

"We’re finally able to leave."

His black trench coat flapped in the wind. Legos stood on the side of the deck, sighing with emotion as he gazed at the city circle disappearing completely.

’An alliance of the Superpower Bureau, the Special Investigation Team, and the City Lord’s Mansion... Anyone would feel immense pressure from that.’

It was only now that they dared to relax a little.

"Those idiots at the Superpower Bureau would never guess that we’ve already relocated,"

sneered the black-robed Black Owl, his voice grating like scraping metal.