Chapter 227 – The Safest Base City

Xu Family Estate, Main Residence.

When Su Ming returned here with his true appearance, the butler who received him was somewhat surprised and claimed that the Xu Family was currently unsuitable for receiving guests, asking Su Ming to leave for the time being.

The Xu Family had just concluded a major battle, and the estate was in complete disarray, comparable to ruins. Not only had many buildings collapsed, but fires and corpses were also scattered everywhere.

People were coming and going, rushing about in haste—some extinguishing fires, others moving corpses, some relaying messages, and others cleaning up the battlefield. It was a scene of intense activity.

Such a state indeed made the Xu Family unsuitable for receiving guests.

However, Su Ming naturally did not leave. Instead, he made a phone call and summoned Xu Qianqian to come out.

This Young Miss, who had just experienced a major battle targeting her, appeared as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened.

“I originally wanted to participate in the battle, but Grandfather didn’t allow it,” Xu Qianqian even said with some regret, making Su Ming roll his eyes involuntarily.

“A chaotic battle of this scale—what business does a Two-Star Hunter like you have joining in?” Su Ming couldn’t help but wonder if Xu Qianqian was truly reckless.

In this battle, several Upper-Rank Professionals had died, and the two sides involved were, on one hand, a major force from the underground world, and on the other, a large coalition of all the aristocratic families in Longyao City. The intensity was almost comparable to the Huaming Campaign, lacking only in scale, while the high-level combat surpassed that of the Huaming Campaign.

At least during the Huaming Campaign, no Nightmare Species had appeared. Six-Star Professionals roamed the battlefield unimpeded, facing no real adversaries. Only the Family Head of the Wang Family, who led from the front, sustained severe injuries after being relentlessly besieged by the Phantom Demon hordes, forcing him into retirement.

In contrast, this battle saw the deployment of a Seven-Star Hunter on one side and five Six-Star Hunters joining forces to resist on the other. The fight was so fierce it darkened the skies and earth. In terms of the Rank of this battle alone, it surpassed any single engagement during the Huaming Campaign.

Under such circumstances, if a Two-Star Hunter like Xu Qianqian had intervened, there was no doubt the outcome would have been grim.

Xu Wen had clearly considered this, which was why he had ordered Xu Qianqian to take refuge in the shelter beneath the Xu Family Estate from the very beginning, forbidding her from leaving. This prevented Xu Qianqian from having any opportunity to participate in the battle.

Fortunately, the Xu Family Head had done so; otherwise, this reckless Young Miss might very well have met her end.

“Never mind, as long as you’re safe, it’s fine,” Su Ming didn’t dwell too much on the matter. As long as the outcome was perfect, it was o**k.

The decoy operation had been initiated by Su Ming himself. Even with Xu Qianqian’s personal consent, Su Ming couldn’t help but worry about whether she might come to harm because of it.

Now, the battle was over, and Xu Qianqian was safe and sound. Su Ming was quite satisfied with this result.

Overall, in this incident, he had achieved a great victory. Even Longyao City had managed to thwart the sinister plans of ‘Sin’ after paying some price, a result that was undeniably satisfying.

The question now was what to do next.

“Nothing unexpected happened on your end, right?” Su Ming asked Xu Qianqian this, just to be sure.”No.” Xu Qianqian shook her head and said, “Although the enemy’s strength exceeded Grandfather’s expectations, becoming stronger than planned—which meant the initial ambushes and traps didn’t achieve their intended effect—we still managed to significantly weaken the enemy’s combat power. You already know the final outcome.”

Of course, it wasn’t without cost.

“Grandfather and the other top figures from the elite families were somewhat injured, and there were quite a few casualties, but overall, it’s acceptable.” Xu Qianqian looked at Su Ming and said, “Father just came to talk to me, saying that we might truly need to gather the executives of the Four Base Cities to thoroughly discuss our future strategy.”

“Oh?” Su Ming raised an eyebrow and smiled, “That’s good. Not wanting to fight alone proves they’re still rational.”

Isn’t that right?

Although we won this battle, it doesn’t mean Longyao City isn’t afraid of Sin, that colossal entity of the underground world.

After all, this time Sin only deployed a small portion of their forces, not their full strength.

Only one of the two Seven-Star Hunters was dispatched.

Only one of the famous Ten Demons made an appearance.

The number of Four-Star and Five-Star Upper-Rank Professionals sent was also limited.

Compared to Sin’s full power, such forces are undoubtedly just a fraction.

If Sin were to get serious, with their strength, eliminating a remote rural Base City like Longyao City would be more than sufficient.

Therefore, thinking that just because we won this battle means we can handle a behemoth like Sin from the underground world would be a grave mistake.

Sin remains one of the largest forces in the entire underground world.

Such a colossal entity is feared even by the major Base Cities in the heart of the continent, let alone a remote rural Base City like Longyao.

Given this, if Longyao City were to unite with the other three Base Cities of the Four Base Cities to confront Sin, that would undoubtedly be the best strategic choice.

Of course, the Four Base Cities certainly don’t want to fight alone either.

“Father also said he would join forces with the executives of the Four Base Cities to request support from the Base Cities in the heart of the continent,” Xu Qianqian added. “The fact that a Terror Seed is sealed beneath Longyao City is something no city can ignore.”

“Oh?” Su Ming’s heart stirred, “You already know about the matter at the Ruins?”

“Yes.” Xu Qianqian nodded.

At this moment, even this usually aloof young lady couldn’t help but show a trace of gravity in her eyes.

“Gao Xu and Xu Yanyan have reported everything to Grandfather. I happened to be present, so I found out.”

One could imagine how shocked this Young Miss must have been upon learning the news.

The fact that such a terrifying existence is sealed beneath Longyao City—if this were to get out, it would surely throw the entire Base City into chaos, and even the Four Base Cities and those in the heart of the continent would be unable to remain calm.

Yet, this secret can no longer be kept.

Because Sin has already set their sights here and intends to release the Terror Seed sealed within.

If they succeed, all of humanity will once again face the Hell of the past.To prevent this from happening and to protect this Base City from becoming a victim of conspiracy, the higher-ups of Longyao City naturally had to mobilize all available forces. Whether it be the other three of the Four Base Cities or the major Base Cities in the heartland of the continent, they all had to contribute.

Surely, faced with such a critical matter of right and wrong, the Major Base Cities wouldn’t dare to take it lightly, right?

“So, does that mean Longyao City will soon receive a large number of powerful reinforcements?”

Su Ming looked at Xu Qianqian in surprise.

“If nothing unexpected happens,” Xu Qianqian replied calmly. “As long as those Base Cities don’t want history to repeat itself and allow the terrifying creature sealed here to break free, they won’t dare to hold back.”

Moreover, they wouldn’t dare to hold back in their efforts.

Su Ming could imagine that, before long, Base Cities from around the world would send their experts to garrison Longyao City, leading to an explosive surge in Professional combat power here.

If that were the case…

“Perhaps Longyao City will instead become the safest Base City.”

Su Ming’s mind began to race.

If Longyao City truly experienced such a surge in combat power, reaching a level where even 『Sin』 wouldn’t dare to invade, then this place could indeed become a focal point for all of humanity, with importance rivaling that of Tianfeng City.

To ensure its absolute safety, humanity would undoubtedly transform it into an impenetrable evil-free zone, making Longyao City the safest Base City in the world.

If that were to happen, perhaps he wouldn’t need to find a way to relocate his parents and family anymore.

“Staying here might actually be the safest option for them.”

Su Ming felt a wave of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his heart.

This way, he could set out for Tianfeng City with peace of mind.

Just as Su Ming was thinking this, Xu Qianqian suddenly spoke up.

“By the way, you must know about Tianfeng City, right?”

This sudden question caught Su Ming off guard in the midst of his contemplation.

He had just been thinking about Tianfeng City, and now this girl brought it up?

Could it be…

“Did you also receive a recommendation from Duan Xiaofei?”

Su Ming blurted out the words.

“Duan Xiaofei’s recommendation?”

To his surprise, Xu Qianqian also seemed slightly taken aback.

Then, the Young Miss quickly pieced it together.

“So, you received a recommendation from Mr. Duan?”

It was clear that Xu Qianqian, like Xu Yanyan, knew about Duan Xiaofei’s role as an envoy from Tianfeng City.

After a moment’s thought, she understood what Su Ming meant.

“That makes sense. With the power you’ve displayed, it’s only natural that you’d catch Mr. Duan’s attention.”

Xu Qianqian was well aware of Su Ming’s exceptional qualities and immense potential.

Even without considering his identity as a Dual Professional, just the right hand that allowed him to challenge Upper-Rank Professionals beyond his level was enough to make anyone take notice.

For such an outstanding combatant and a high-potential individual to escape Duan Xiaofei’s notice and not receive a recommendation to Tianfeng City would be strange.

Thinking this, Xu Qianqian had no idea that Su Ming had already undergone Demonization during the recent events, officially stepping into the ranks of an Upper-Rank Hunter.

Now, with both of Su Ming’s professions at the Upper-Rank level, his combat power and potential far exceeded what she imagined.

Unaware of all this, Xu Qianqian had only one thing on her mind.

“Did you accept the recommendation?”Xu Qianqian almost subconsciously asked this question, and for some reason, she felt an inexplicable urgency in her heart.

Unfortunately, Su Ming didn’t notice it.

“I didn’t agree.”

Su Ming answered straightforwardly.

“You didn’t agree?”

Xu Qianqian was slightly taken aback.

“Right.” Su Ming grinned and said, “I want to make a trip to Tianfeng City myself, I don’t want to accept a referral.”

Hearing this, Xu Qianqian fell silent.

(End of Chapter)