Early the next morning.
Lu Yang led Zhuojiu, Bai Shi, Xia Yuwei, and the other five as they packed their things. Bai Hu, Bai Lang, Firegod M16, Zhou Tianzhan, and the others were left behind.
On one hand, Lu Yang had no way to ensure that so many people could level up safely. On the other, their home also needed protecting. Bai Hu and Zhou Tianzhan had to stay behind to protect their families.
Everyone understood this reasoning. Together with Lan Yu and the others, they saw them off at the entrance to the Underground City.
The Underground City was no longer so closed off. Family members could gradually emerge from it and see the outside world, though they could not go too far.
Whenever cultivators like Lu Yang left the city, their families would come to see them off. Almost every time, it felt like a final farewell, because many truly never returned.
Lu Yang did not like that feeling, but he had learned to adapt to it. If he did not let Lan Yu and the others see them off, they would worry even more, which would only make things worse.
Outside the Underground City, Lu Yang said to Lan Yu and the families, "Everyone, go back. As long as I'm here, they'll be fine. Keep yourselves safe in the Underground City, and contact me immediately if anything happens."
Lan Yu said, "Don't worry. We'll wait for you to come back."
Lu Yang nodded and led the fully armed Bai Shi and the others out. Before they had even left the military-controlled safe zone, they ran into Wang Xinpeng and his group returning from outside.
After waiting all day yesterday, Wang Li and the others had still not returned. Wang Xinpeng, Zheng Ziming, and the others realized something