novelraw Chapter 287: Heading South!
Chapter 287: Heading South!
Su Zhan was currently like someone who had stolen and learned the secret ultimate technique of some reclusive sect.
For the Transcendence Society, which regarded this power as a divine gift, his very existence was a tremendous threat.
They would absolutely never allow such "techniques" to leak out, much less permit an uncontrollable individual who had mastered such power to remain alive in the world.
Eliminating him was an inevitable choice for the Transcendence Society, and its priority might even be higher than that of the official authorities.
Su Zhan had no doubt that the Transcendence Society's pursuers were probably already on their way.
Once targeted by them, one often died under mysterious circumstances, or worse, could be captured alive and subjected to tortures more terrifying than death.
Caught between two forces, with nowhere to escape.
Staying in the north, or wandering in any place governed by order, would only delay the time of his death.
The official authorities and the Transcendence Society were like two massive iron pincers, slowly but surely closing together.
And he was the point caught right in the middle.His strength had stagnated, his resources were exhausted, and although he could obtain information, he was powerless to change the current situation...
Su Zhan needed a way to break this deadlock.
Otherwise, what awaited him was only death.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
A flicker of movement passed through Su Zhan's eyes.
He thought of a city he had once visited.
This city was incredibly unique, existing under Daxia's established system, and he couldn't even fathom how such a city could exist.
There was only one possibility: Black City possessed something that made the official authorities wary.
Black City.
This was a city located in the southern region of Daxia.
Notorious yet exceptionally unique.
Its uniqueness lay in several ironclad rules that outlined a lawless land completely different from the outside world.
First:
No matter what crimes you committed outside, once you entered Black City's territory, the forces within the city would treat everyone equally. They would not actively judge or expel you based on your external criminal record. Here, only Black City's own rules were recognized.
Second:
To ensure the principle above, Black City strictly prohibited external official forces from entering the city to enforce the law.
Any official personnel attempting to force their way in to make arrests would be seen as a challenge to Black City's rules and would face united resistance from the city's internal forces.
This created a relatively safe vacuum zone within the city.
Third:
Black City nominally did not discriminate against Aberrants. Here, humans and Aberrants were not locked in the life-or-death struggle seen in the outside world;
they could coexist. However, there was one absolute bottom line: extreme hatred for the Transcendence Society!
Any Aberrant or human confirmed to be a member of the Transcendence Society, once exposed within Black City, would face unified pursuit and execution by all factions.
This was one of the cornerstones that allowed Black City to exist and be tacitly permitted, demonstrating their clear demarcation from that kind of order-disrupting terrorist organization.
To Su Zhan's ears, these rules were a perfect sanctuary tailor-made for him.
The Aberrant Purge Division's inability to enter meant that the wanted notice for "Chen Qing" was practically a worthless piece of paper here.
He could completely continue using this identity and appearance to survive in this city, no longer needing to worry about obtaining a new identity.
After all, in this city, the relationship between Aberrants and humans was far from the life-or-death struggle seen outside, because in this city, all species were locked in such a struggle, thus the conflict was redirected, so the animosity between Aberrants and humans wasn't as sharp as outside.
Also, the Transcendence Society had definitely already set their sights on him.
And Black City's zero-tolerance attitude towards the Transcendence Society meant that place would be a forbidden zone for its members.
If they dared to enter, they would face the hostility of the entire Black City.
This provided him with a second layer of protection.
Not discriminating against Aberrants meant he wouldn't have to constantly hide his true nature like he did outside, greatly reducing the pressure.
There was also the possibility of contacting other Aberrants not affiliated with the Transcendence Society's system there, to obtain more information.
"A perfect place..."
Su Zhan murmured to himself, a surge of excitement rising in his heart.
He immediately located Black City's position on the map.
Southern Daxia.
From the northern abandoned town where he currently was to the southern Black City, he would have to traverse almost the entire length of Daxia. The journey was long, with numerous checkpoints along the way.
But this venture was worth it!
As long as he could successfully reach Black City, he could escape his current predicament.
He could settle down there, slowly search for a method to break through to the Special-risk level, while simultaneously gaining a deeper understanding of the secrets of both the Transcendence Society and the official authorities.
His goal was clear, his resolve firm.
Su Zhan began meticulously planning his route south.
He had to avoid major transportation arteries and cities with dense surveillance.
He would use mountains, forests, wilderness, and some loosely managed small settlements as stepping stones.
The destination was a chaotic city brimming with infinite possibilities.
Head south!
But suddenly!
From the shadows directly in front of the basement, a black-robed figure stepped out, soundlessly.
Almost simultaneously, two more black-robed figures gradually materialized on the left and right sides.
A triangular encirclement instantly took shape.
Su Zhan narrowed his eyes.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
The lead black-robed man shouted, "Thief! Blasphemer! Tell us! Where did you obtain the method to call upon the Mist, the Lord's gift?"
Su Zhan's gaze swept over the three, sensing the same-source High-risk level Mist Energy emanating from them. "What gift? I don't understand!"
Another black-robed man, his voice sharp and tinged with killing intent, said, "Still playing dumb? The seven hundred and thirty-one calls to the gift in the northwestern Gobi, besides our Transcendence Society, only a thief like you could have made them!"
A cold glint flashed in Su Zhan's eyes. "So what if it was? Does the Mist in this world only allow your Transcendence Society to use it, forbidding others from lighting their own lamps?"
The lead black-robed man's robes stirred without wind. "Arrogant! To blaspheme the Lord's authority is a crime punishable by death! No matter where you obtained it, today, you shall use your blood and soul to confess before the Lord!"
"Just by you three rats hiding your heads and tails?"
As Su Zhan's voice fell, the aura around him erupted violently.
"Roar——!"
Su Zhan's body transformed in an instant.
High-risk, tenth-tier peak!
"Form the Soul-Corroding Domain!"
The lead black-robed man shouted sharply. All three simultaneously formed hand seals with both hands. Pure Mist Energy surged from within them, intertwining in the air and instantly forming a dark gray domain that covered the entire basement.
Within the domain, countless wailing phantom shadows of resentful souls appeared out of thin air, madly pouncing towards Su Zhan.
Su Zhan's golden vertical pupils blazed with intense light. He violently plunged his claws into the ground.
"Boom!!!"
With him at the center, even more violent Mist Energy spread out in a ring. Wherever it passed, those phantom shadows of resentful souls emitted wretched screams before being annihilated.
"Impossible!"
One black-robed man cried out in shock and terror.
"Die!"
The fleshy wings on Su Zhan's back suddenly flapped forward.
A violent air current smashed towards the black-robed man directly in front. Simultaneously, he appeared before the black-robed man on the right as if teleporting, his claws descending upon the man's head.
The black-robed man on the right was scared out of his wits, desperately channeling Mist Energy to condense a thick shield in front of him.
"Crack—Squelch!"
The claws penetrated his skull without any hindrance, splattering red and white matter everywhere.
Instant kill!