Chapter 224: The Unwarranted Calamity
Chapter 224: The Unwarranted Calamity
Although the carriage was packed with people, this subway headed for Senluo Ruins City showed no sign of moving yet.
The air turned foul, smelling unpleasant, and the noise from around was grating.
The young warrior sitting next to Kui Bao shifted a bit. He asked Gao Jing, “Where did you come from? Don’t they have an Underground Passageway in your Abyss City?”
His attitude wasn’t very friendly. He seemed annoyed by Gao Jing’s constant questions.
He looked at Gao Jing with a hint of scorn and displeasure.
Like he was staring at a country bumpkin.
Gao Jing remembered his name was Ying Qi. Like himself, he was a 3rd-grade member of the Yuancheng Alliance.
Also a warrior.
Gao Jing glanced at Ying Qi but didn’t bother with him.
Underground Passageway?
The Abyss City where I come from? It could send people into space! Ever heard of atomic and hydrogen bombs?
Mentioning them would scare the life out of a bumpkin like you!
“Ahem.”
Kui Bao coughed twice and said, “We’re about to get moving now.”
Woo! Woo!
The moment his words fell, a loud whistle blast suddenly reached everyone’s ears.
The carriage shuddered violently. The Spirit-Powered Railcar, now fully loaded with passengers, began to crawl forward.
“Make way!”
Right at that moment, another group of Adventurers forced their way inside.
Several Adventurers standing near the doors were caught off guard. They were thrown off balance, stumbling clumsily. Anger instantly flared on their faces.
But upon seeing the badges on the chests of the newcomers, they all swallowed their fury and shrank back.
The badges of the Yuancheng Alliance members weren’t just symbols of rank and status; they were proof of actual strength.
The gang who came last…
The leader wore a 5th-grade badge. Two had 4th-grade badges, and the rest were all 3rd-grade.
This was an elite team!
The spot where Kui Bao, Gao Jing, and the others sat was quite close to the doors, so everyone saw clearly.
Kui Bao’s face turned grim.
“Huh? Kui Bao?”
The 5th-grade warrior carrying the Battle Axe also saw Kui Bao. He immediately squeezed over with his men and sneered, “You didn’t take the Senluo Ruins exploration mission too, did you?”
Kui Bao answered darkly, “What if I did?”
“Of course you can.”
The 5th-grade warrior licked his lips and chuckled darkly, “I’m just afraid you’ll die there and no one will be around to collect the corpse.”
His gaze swept over Gao Jing and the others. “These your new recruits? They don’t look like much.”
The warrior’s eyes were fierce and menacing, like a beast eyeing its prey.
Several of Gao Jing’s team members instinctively lowered their heads, unable to meet his gaze.
Especially Ying Qi, whose body trembled slightly without his control.
Because he knew very well what kind of person this 5th-grade warrior was!
Only Gao Jing remained calm and unruffled, as if completely oblivious to the hostility and pressure emanating from the other party.
This greatly displeased the 5th-grade warrior.
He pointed at Gao Jing and barked, “You, get out of here! Now! I need to talk to Kui Bao.”
“Kui Yang!”
Kui Bao was boiling with rage. “Don’t go too far!”
If possible, he truly didn’t want to clash with Kui Yang.
Kui Yang’s own strength aside, his team’s power simply wasn’t something Kui Bao’s small squad could match.
But the problem now was that Kui Yang was deliberately humiliating him!
If Kui Bao couldn’t even protect a teammate now, how could he possibly continue leading this Adventurer team?
Kui Yang completely ignored Kui Bao. Grinning ferociously, he stared at Gao Jing. “Scram!”
He intended to use Gao Jing to slap Kui Bao across the face!
“Just what do you think you are?”
Gao Jing couldn’t help but stand up. “Did no one ever teach you any manners?”
No matter how fierce Kui Yang’s aura or how sharp his glare, trying to crush Gao Jing with presence alone was just a dream!
Everyone nearby, including Kui Bao, listened in stunned silence.
Kui Yang was a 5th-grade member of the Alliance, undeniably powerful, and the leader of an elite squad.
Gao Jing was merely a 3rd-grade, yet dared to challenge Kui Yang like this?
Was he not afraid of dying?
Kui Yang was stunned at first, then threw his head back and laughed. “Good! Well said! Very well said!”
He yelled out his praise, but anyone could see the raw killing intent flashing in his eyes.
It was blatant, completely unconcealed!
Gao Jing was in deep trouble!
“Make way, everyone, make way.”
Just then, three fully armed warriors squeezed through.
The burly warrior leading them stated firmly, “Anyone causing trouble on this railcar, I’ll toss them out!”
He gave Kui Yang a warning look.
Kui Yang just laughed lightly.
He made a throat-cutting gesture at Gao Jing, then led his gang towards another carriage.
This Spirit-Powered Railcar wasn’t a place for random trouble. Kui Yang might not fear the big warrior, but he still respected the established rules.
Breaking them would make life difficult underground!
The big warrior shook his head and called out loudly, “Fare collection.”
Riding the Spirit-Powered Railcar wasn’t free, and the price was steep.
To Senluo Ruins City? It cost one silver coin!
Per person.
Not a single person dared refuse to pay. Kui Bao also took out money, paying the fare for all members of the small team.
He wouldn’t cover this cost personally; it would be deducted later from the loot or mission reward distribution.
Kui Yang and his men left, yet the atmosphere within Kui Bao’s team became even more stifled.
Ying Qi spoke up, “Kui Yang has his eye on us.”
His words said “us,” but his gaze fixed on Gao Jing – as if Gao Jing had brought this trouble upon them!
Kui Bao snapped, irritated, “Shut up!”
Kui Bao knew very clearly that Kui Yang was gunning for him.
Gao Jing had just been dealt the unwarranted calamity!
Ying Qi resentfully closed his mouth.
For the rest of the journey, no one spoke another word. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
The Spirit-Powered Railcar rumbled onward. It ran for perhaps a little under two hours.
Then, it gradually slowed to a stop.
Once the carriage came to a complete standstill, the doors were pulled open from the outside.
They had reached their destination.
Gao Jing followed Kui Bao and the others off the railcar.
The exit point was inside a huge cavern. Along both sides of the Underground Passageway, numerous tents stood scattered randomly.
This was also the end of the line.
But on the right-hand rock wall, a deep tunnel opening was visible.
The entrance was cordoned off, requiring them to pass through a checkpoint to enter.
“That entrance leads to Senluo Ruins City,” Kui Bao stated. “First, we collect our mission supplies, then we head inside.”
The Yuancheng Alliance had set up an outpost right before the entrance. Any Adventurer who’d accepted the exploration mission could pick up a package of supplies here by showing their badge.
This package included Healing Potions, Antidote Potions, Energy Potions, and a simple map of Senluo Ruins City.
Many dangerous spots were clearly marked on the map.
Though called an exploration mission, ‘clearance’ would be more accurate.
Their task was to clear out the Wraiths, Specters, and even Demon Ghosts infesting the Ruined City!
And the mission rewards were directly tied to their battle achievements.
After collecting their supplies, Kui Bao led Gao Jing and the others through the checkpoint into the heart of Senluo Ruins City.