A City in Crisis

Fatty was completely bewildered. Zhang Banxian, however, seemed to have thought of something and fell into contemplation.

Jiang Chen was even more confused.

What could possibly happen to this city? Powerful barriers protected it on all sides, which was precisely why Demonic Beasts did not dare launch a large-scale invasion.

General Pagoda explained, "Every thousand years, the Super S-Class Demonic Beast breaks through its seal and attacks the city that sealed it. Only by sealing its heart again can this city escape disaster."

"Now that I am seriously injured, even if I want to help, I lack the strength."

"In three months, the Super S-Class Demonic Beast will break free from its seal. When that happens, forget me—even all of us will die."

Zhang Banxian did not seem particularly surprised, as though he had known about it all along.

He had come here to protect Jiang Chen and ensure that he could survive when this city fell into trouble.

Everything else was beyond his concern.

Fatty, however, seemed unable to accept it. He asked, "So you're saying this young master only has three months left to live?"

"As long as we seal the Demonic Beast's heart again, we'll all be fine."

That was easy to say, but who would dare go?

That place was far too dangerous.

Even someone with General Pagoda's strength was not qualified for it, much less anyone else.

"Can't we ask for assistance?"

Jiang Chen asked.

"Do you think Super S-Class experts grow on trees? A D-Class city like ours only has one. Only super-large cities like the Royal Capital have experts gathered in numbers."

"But they are only responsible for protecting the Royal Capital. For small cities like ours, whether we live or die means nothing to them."

General Pagoda spoke calmly. He had applied to the Royal Capital for aid countless times, and every reply had told him to figure it out himself.

The Royal Capital's fighting force was extremely precious. They were elite troops charged with protecting the royal city and could not leave the Royal Capital lightly.

He had long since become numb toward the Royal Capital.

The Principal knew this matter very well. He sighed and said, "If General Pagoda and I were not both injured, we would never ask a child to take such a risk."

"Jiang Chen, are you willing to save this city and contribute your strength?"

"I..."

Zhang Banxian walked over to Jiang Chen and whispered, "Uncle-Master Jiang, don't do anything you don't want to do. Don't worry, I have a way to get you, Fatty, Xiao Lan, and the others out safely."

"They want to take the moral high ground and coerce you? They'll have to see whether Dragon Tiger Mountain agrees first."

Not wanting to put Jiang Chen in a difficult position, Zhang Banxian revealed his final trump card. "I've long prepared a large teleportation array in my secret base. It can send us directly to my master's place. Don't worry."

Jiang Chen appreciated Zhang Banxian's kindness.

However, he had his own plans.

Because the system mission had refreshed at that moment.

"Ding. Destroy the Demonic Beast's heart to obtain 100,000 activation points."

With 100,000 activation points, he could activate the God of Death's Kido skills instead of merely using the Zanpakuto and consuming his soul power.

He did not want to go to Dragon Tiger Mountain, at least not yet.

In a place like Dragon Tiger Mountain, how could someone with his level of strength gain a foothold?

Rather than living there cautiously, constantly watching people's expressions, he would rather carve out a path of his own.

That was the life Jiang Chen wanted.

Otherwise, why would he want to become stronger?

Because he wanted to control his own life.

With that thought, Jiang Chen said to General Pagoda and the Principal, "I can go to the Ten Thousand Monster Forest and destroy the Demonic Beast's heart."

"If I succeed, what will I get?"

General Pagoda had clearly prepared for this. He said, "This is all the money I have in the bank, as well as a two-bedroom apartment in the city center. It's in the best location, and you can see the entire city from the window. I know you have a younger sister. The two of you can move in."

"The property deed is under your name and your sister's."

General Pagoda directly handed Jiang Chen the bank card and property deed, showing his sincerity.

The Principal was equally straightforward and handed Jiang Chen something.

Jiang Chen looked at it. It was actually a token.

"What is this?"

"This is the Virtual Space. It records every Demonic Beast I've fought. You can conduct simulated battles inside. Even if a monster hits you, it won't cause any harm to your body."

This kind of thing was simply priceless and unavailable on the market. After all, every additional battle against a Demonic Beast added to one's combat experience. The more battles one fought, the more one's abilities would improve.

Jiang Chen knew how valuable it was and carefully put it away.

Then he said, "I'll take these things. I'll make preparations and set out in three days."

Fatty left the Principal's office with Jiang Chen and Zhang Banxian, his mind heavy with worries.

When they stepped outside, Song Yiyi, who had been eavesdropping by the door, was nowhere to be seen.

Looking at the empty corridor,

Fatty felt an overwhelming heaviness.

Suddenly, he threw his arms around Jiang Chen and burst into tears. "I'm sorry, Brother Chen. I'm too weak. I can't help you."

"I feel so useless!"

"Why are you crying? It's not like anything has happened to me yet."

This was the second time Jiang Chen had seen Fatty cry.

The first time had been when he was bullied by a male classmate in class.

Jiang Chen could not stand watching it and gave him a hand.

From then on, Fatty called him brother whenever he saw him.

Three years had passed in the blink of an eye.

And this fatty was crying again.

"Fatty, why are you crying? Aren't I here? As long as I'm around, I won't let anything happen to Uncle-Master Jiang."

Zhang Banxian also spoke from the heart for once.

In the past, he had never paid much attention to Fatty, but after three years together, he had developed some feelings for him as well.

"I just think I'm too useless!"

Fatty wiped away his tears and said, "Brother Chen, I really don't want you to go."

Everyone understood that going meant almost certain death, but right now, there was no better choice.

Even if they relocated to another city, the distance between cities was enormous. Without barriers protecting the roads, they would encounter many Demonic Beasts. Those who had awakened special abilities at least had some means of survival.

But what about ordinary people who could not fight Demonic Beasts? They made up seventy percent of this city's population.

The Law Enforcement Team only had a little over twenty people. They were clearly short-handed.

Destroying the Demonic Beast's heart was the best solution.

Such a difficult task had fallen on him.

He did not feel it was particularly inappropriate, because he had yet to exchange for his second Zanpakuto.

He had gained 10,000 activation points after destroying the S-Class Demonic Beast last time.

He had not used them yet.

Jiang Chen looked at the sobbing Fatty and said, "Do you remember when we first met? I told you I'd look after you from then on. How could the big brother be a weakling?"

"I'll be fine!"

"Waaah! Today, I'm eating three portions of barbecue."

As he spoke, Fatty treated them to barbecue.

Jiang Chen had not eaten barbecue in a long time. He nodded and said, "Alright. I'm hungry too."

The three ate barbecue at a restaurant while Jiang Chen opened his Attribute Panel to choose a Zanpakuto.

He wondered what Zanpakuto he should exchange for with his 10,000 activation points.

Perhaps this one would come in handy...

It still did not feel perfect.

Something was missing.

Jiang Chen continued selecting a Zanpakuto.

At that moment, the system's voice rang out.

"Ding. Congratulations, host, for completing the 300-second daydreaming mission. You have received one system lottery draw. Would you like to draw?"