The next day was bright and sunny—an auspicious day for a burial.
After receiving his custom-made boots, Lu Hao headed toward the Earth Cave.
A military officer called out,
"Go forth to defend our homes and our country, to fight for humanity! Return victorious!"
"Return victorious!"
When he reached the alloy gate, the guards were still the scar-faced man and another martial artist. Seeing Lu Hao approach, the scar-faced man spoke.
"Lu Hao, are you heading down into the Earth Cave alone this time? Where are Qin Fengqing and the others?"
"I'm going down to hone my skills this time. Qin Fengqing and the others are all at crucial stages of their breakthroughs, so none of them can get away."
"Then be careful. I don't want to hear news of your death. Don't make an old geezer like me bury someone so young."
"Don't worry. The person who can kill me hasn't been born yet."
Lu Hao entered the Earth Cave.
The first thing that greeted him was that familiar, ugly sun, the Immortal Source. Then came the Earth Cave's dense energy.
After asking the military personnel about recent developments, he learned that a major battle had broken out with Heavenly Gate City just a few days after his group's last departure.
Although no rank-nine martial artists had taken action, rank-eight martial artists had fought. For some unknown reason, a rank-seven demonic beast had even been lured over to attack Hope City. Huang Jing had severely wounded it, however, so there had been no major clashes since.
That suited Lu Hao's current situation perfectly. He would not encounter any rank-six martial artists in the Meat Grinder.
After leaving Hope City, Lu Hao headed straight for the Meat Grinder.
Half an hour later, Lu Hao arrived on that familiar stretch of