Chapter 51: A Bold Idea

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: A Bold Idea

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Within the Cyan Flower Barrier.

A member of the Demon Exorcism Association frowned, his face etched with displeasure as he noted that the junior brother and sister had still not returned.

"Why aren’t they back yet?"

"It’s been days!"

The person next to him sighed and waved a hand dismissively. "They’re young. They probably went out and got sidetracked having some fun. But they should have already completed the association’s mission."

At these words, the first man just grunted and nodded.

’Looks like it!’

’Just goofing off!’

Neither of them even considered the possibility that the pair had been killed.

After all, their barrier had been a second-tier city before the apocalypse!

Those barriers to the east were all just remote little towns!

When the apocalypse came, the major metropolises had large populations, which meant they also produced more powerful Mutants. By the same token, even if remote towns managed to build barriers, there wouldn’t be many strong individuals inside.

They didn’t give them a second thought.

As for someone killing members of their Demon Exorcism Association, the idea was completely absurd!

"Fine. We’ll punish them properly when they get back!"

......

For the next two days, the City Lords and Mutants of the other barriers spent their time in a frenzy of slaughter.

Of course, it wasn’t just slaughtering—they were also being slaughtered!

After all, those Exotic Beasts weren’t just going to stand around waiting to be killed!

SCHLICK!

With a thrust of her sword!

Dongfang Ruoyu finished off a Late-Silver Stage Exotic Beast before her!

With a flick of her wrist!

The Exotic Beast Crystal Core landed in Dongfang Ruoyu’s hand!

PHEW!

Dongfang Ruoyu looked at it and breathed a sigh of relief!

’I’ve finally gathered enough Crystal Cores!’

Resentment flared in her eyes.

’Extortion!’

’Blatant extortion!’

Though it was disguised as a protection fee, they all knew it was nothing but a shameless scam!

But there was nothing she could do about it right now!

After all, she didn’t possess the same strength as Ye Yunyi, who could single-handedly topple the Mighty Barrier and seize all of its assets!

"Everyone, get ready. Tomorrow, I’ll need a few of you to come with me to the Cyan Flower Barrier."

"Yes, City Lord!"

A nearby Mutant replied, his face full of respect.

Meanwhile, inside the Nebula Barrier.

Ye Yunyi had also grown accustomed to his newfound power.

Counting the days, he knew the time for the barriers to deliver their Crystal Cores to the Cyan Flower Barrier was fast approaching!

’It’s about time I made a trip there myself!’

’Trying to collect protection fees from me!’

’I’ll show them whether *I* need any protection!’

Ye Yunyi glanced around, then packed a few things.

He mounted his Crimson Flame Tiger and looked down at Zhou Huaiwei and the others. "I’m heading to the Cyan Flower Barrier. Once I’ve handled things, I’ll bring you all to a major barrier!"

’A major barrier!’

Hearing this, Zhou Huaiwei and the others’ eyes filled with longing.

After all, a major barrier was sure to have more resources and more survivors.

Nearby, Bai Zhixi heard him mention the Cyan Flower Barrier and knew exactly what Ye Yunyi was planning to do!

’The Cyan Flower Barrier!’

’Just as Dongfang Ruoyu said before, it’s a medium-to-large-sized barrier!’

’It was built from a pre-apocalypse second-tier city!’

’It’s full of powerful individuals!’

’Not just the Demon Exorcism Association!’

’There are other independent experts who fight for themselves!’

’And my husband’s target this time is the Demon Exorcism Association!’

She stood there, then looked at Ye Yunyi. After a long pause, she finally managed to say, "Be careful. If it’s too dangerous, just come back."

Ye Yunyi looked at her. "Don’t worry!"

Then, he patted the Crimson Flame Tiger’s back!

The Crimson Flame Tiger shot forward!

Watching Ye Yunyi depart!

Bai Zhixi started to grow restless.

She was sick with worry.

Zhou Huaiwei came over to check on her.

"What’s wrong? You seem on edge," Zhou Huaiwei asked.

Bai Zhixi looked at her, thought for a moment, and sighed.

She called everyone over.

Then she explained the dangers of Ye Yunyi’s trip.

After hearing her explanation, everyone’s eyes went wide. They could hardly believe what they were hearing!

’This is...!’

’It’s that dangerous?!’

Immediately, deep worry spread across their faces.

"I’m going to help him!"

Bai Zhixi declared.

Zhou Huaiwei and the others nodded in agreement.

’We’ll go too!’

Even the women who hadn’t yet married Ye Yunyi voiced their support.

After all, even though they weren’t officially married to him, they had already become part of this big family.

Bai Zhixi quickly made a plan, prepared, and then set off with everyone!

With Little Heizi and herself,

their strength would be sufficient!

After they left, back in the city,

five black shadows flickered into existence.

They followed Bai Zhixi and her group out of the city.

They were none other than...

Ye Yunyi’s Death Warrior Puppets!

At that moment, Ye Yunyi became aware of Bai Zhixi and her group’s movements.

Lying on the Crimson Flame Tiger’s back, he thought, ’These girls...’

’Looks like I’ll have to deal with this trouble even faster, so that everything is calm and peaceful by the time they arrive!’

With that, he slapped the Crimson Flame Tiger again.

The Crimson Flame Tiger’s speed surged once more!

「The next day!」

At the Demon Exorcism Association’s headquarters.

Dongfang Ruoyu and the other City Lords were registering at the entrance!

They submitted their Crystal Cores!

As Dongfang Ruoyu and the others watched the Crystal Cores they were handing over, their eyes were filled with pained reluctance.

After all, this was the fruit of their hard work!

The result of Mutants in their barriers shedding blood and losing their lives!

And it was all taken away so easily!

But!

They were completely helpless to stop it!

After the group had made their payment,

a Mutant walked out.

"City Lords, our leader wishes to see you."

Then, the Mutant led them into a manor.

The manor was clearly a repurposed scenic spot.

It had winding, twisting paths,

and was complete with pavilions and waterside gazebos!

The environment was breathtakingly beautiful.

As they walked, they saw a man fishing.

The middle-aged man, dressed in cyan robes, sat there,

holding a fishing rod with one hand.

He seemed almost transcendent, completely detached from the mortal world!

Hearing Dongfang Ruoyu and the others arrive,

he put down his fishing rod and looked at them.

That gaze!

It was no different from how one would look at ants!

It felt as if he saw himself as a god who ruled over all creation, and them as mere mortals!

"You delivered the Crystal Cores on time. That is very good!"

"From now on, the Demon Exorcism Association will protect you!"

His few words were steeped in extreme arrogance.

Listening to him, Dongfang Ruoyu and the others couldn’t help but seethe with anger.

But they didn’t dare utter a single word of protest.

Then, a Mutant leaned in and whispered a few words in the man’s ear.

After listening, Zhao Kang frowned.

"You’re saying the City Lord of the Nebula Barrier hasn’t arrived yet?"

He spoke with a questioning tone!

Tinged with disdain!

His words reached Dongfang Ruoyu’s ears,

and her heart jolted!

’Ye Yunyi hasn’t arrived?!’

’But the deadline has surely passed by now!’

She immediately recalled Ye Yunyi’s reaction that day. It was clear he was the unyielding type!

In an instant, a bold idea popped into her head!