Void-Splitting Beast Tide

Lin Mu spent the night in that stretch of broken, dilapidated ruins.

The next morning's sunlight streamed through the shattered window glass.

Casting mottled patches across the sofa carcass.

Outside the apartment.

A team of engineers in Urban Construction Bureau uniforms had already set up eye-catching barriers.

Beginning professional cleanup and surveying work.

As expected of a direct order from the top brass—efficiency was astonishing.

Lin Mu watched the bustling construction scene downstairs.

He dialed Fan Zhiheng's private number directly.

Fan Zhiheng on the other end clearly hadn't slept well either, his voice carrying a trace of fatigue.

"This early?"

"Uncle Fan, I plan to set out today and head to Shengjing."

Lin Mu got straight to the point, his tone crisp and decisive.

Upon hearing this, Fan Zhiheng showed no surprise at all.

Instead, a hint of genuine admiration crept into his tired voice.

Decisive enough!

That was how you did big things!

"Good!"

Fan Zhiheng agreed immediately.

"Huaxia Nation has a special-grade 'Magic Energy Maglev Train' that runs across the entire country. Its speed is dozens of times that of ordinary transport, and it travels almost entirely through impregnable military corridors—absolutely safe."

"But the ticket price is astronomical, and it requires extremely high identity clearance to purchase."

"I'll approve a special pass for you right now. In one hour, I'll have someone deliver it to your hands!"

These words were yet another escalation of his gamble on Lin Mu.

"Thank you, Uncle Fan."

Lin Mu expressed his thanks and hung up.

During the wait.

He first contacted Mu Wanqing at Shengjing Academy, informing her that he was about to depart.

Mu Wanqing's voice sounded somewhat surprised.

But she quickly said she would arrange for student council members from the academy to pick him up at the station.

After finishing all this, Lin Mu's figure vanished from the spot.

Xilin Professional Trading Hall.

When Lin Mu appeared before Liu Qing again.

He directly dumped a large pile of high-level equipment radiating cold air onto the appraisal counter.

Among them was a top-tier LV.32 purple ice armor.

And several pieces stripped from the "Soul Stealer," carrying a dense aura of shadow and curse energy.

Even this manager, who had weathered countless storms, was now completely numb.

Liu Qing looked at these spoils far exceeding Lin Mu's level.

The reverence in her heart for Lin Mu had climbed to its peak.

She didn't even dare ask a single question about where these items came from.

In the end, this batch of equipment brought Lin Mu a fortune of 950,000 Nova Coins.

His personal assets were now approaching the six-million mark.

One hour later.

Xilin City Magic Energy Train Station.

Escorted by the Mayor's Personal Guard, Lin Mu enjoyed the highest level of VIP treatment.

Heading straight for the restricted special-grade passage.

However, right at the entrance to the passage.

A middle-aged man in a City Guard high-ranking officer's uniform, whose face bore a seven-out-of-ten resemblance to Wang Debiao.

Blocked his path with a squad of personal soldiers.

This man was none other than Wang Debiao's elder brother, Wang Hao's uncle.

Deputy Commander of the City Guard, Wang Decheng.

"Lin Mu, is it?"

Wang Decheng's gaze was sinister, his voice carrying an unyielding pressure.

"Last night, a violent explosion occurred at Tianlan Mansion in the southern city. The situation is unclear."

"As a survivor, you now need to come back with us to assist in the investigation."

He spoke of assisting in the investigation.

But his posture clearly intended to forcibly detain Lin Mu, giving him a lesson he'd never forget!

Yet, Lin Mu couldn't even be bothered to lift an eyelid.

He didn't even spare a single word.

The Mayor's Personal Guard captain escorting him stepped forward expressionlessly.

He directly slapped a document onto Wang Decheng's face.

"Deputy Commander Wang, take a good look!"

"This is Mayor Fan's highest directive. Mr. Lin's safety is under the direct responsibility of the Mayor's Personal Guard!"

Immediately after.

The guard captain flashed the pitch-black top-tier pass that had just been handed to Lin Mu.

"Furthermore, Mr. Lin Mu holds a top-tier pass. His itinerary is protected by the highest decree of the Huaxia United Council!"

The golden emblem stamped on that pass.

Its authority level was a notch higher than the stripes on Wang Decheng's shoulders!

Wang Decheng's face instantly flushed the color of pig liver.

Countless faint gazes from within the station now stabbed into his face like steel needles.

A slap in the face!

This was a barefaced, public slap in the face!

He finally understood.

The power standing behind the youth before him was no longer something his small Wang Family could easily shake.

Wang Decheng clenched his fists tightly, but in the end, could only force two words through gritted teeth.

"Let him through."

He led his men away in disgrace, under countless mocking stares.

Compared to Lin Mu's so-called "grudge."

It seemed utterly laughable in the face of absolute authority.

Lin Mu sneered inwardly, silently taking note.

Wang Family, once I return from Shengjing, that will be your end.

He paid no more heed to that fly, turned, and stepped onto the extravagantly luxurious Magic Energy Train.

An independent luxury compartment, its interior facilities rivaling a five-star hotel, cutting off all external disturbances.

The train started silently.

Turning into a streak of light, it plunged into the dark underground tunnel.

Racing toward distant Shengjing.

After an unknown amount of time, the train was smoothly traversing a massive underground canyon.

Just as Lin Mu was resting with his eyes closed, considering whether to buy some skills if the chance arose—

"Beep—beep—beep—!"

A sharp alarm suddenly blared through the entire carriage!

A cold, urgent electronic voice echoed wildly within the compartment.

"Warning! Warning! The train has encountered a massive 'Void-Splitting Beast Tide'!"

"Defense array energy overload at eighty-seven percent! Imminent failure!"

"All passengers, prepare for impact!"

"High energy ahead! Non-combat personnel, immediately evacuate to safe carriages!"

Violent tremors nearly threw people from their seats!

Lin Mu's eyes snapped open.

The expensive wine glasses and decorations in the compartment shattered amidst the fierce jolts.

Through the reinforced glass window, he could see the scene outside.

A massive, twisted spatial rift.

Like an ugly scar stretching across the sky, it appeared out of nowhere above the train tracks ahead!

Countless black monsters, resembling bats with wingspans exceeding three meters, surged wildly from the fissure, forming a black tide that blotted out the sky and covered the sun!

These monsters were none other than the infamous [Shadow Bats]!

Known for their speed and sharp claws and fangs, they could easily tear through the defenses of low-rank professionals.

"BOOM!!!"

A deafening, earth-shattering roar.

The shimmering defensive array outside the train.

Under the relentless, fearless impact of countless [Shadow Bats], lasted less than half a minute.

Then shattered with a bang!

The array failed!

The sturdy alloy shell of the train was now completely exposed to the claws and fangs of the monsters!

"Crack--!"

The window of Lin Mu's compartment shattered with a sound!

A LV.23 [Shadow Bat] let out a piercing shriek.

Turning into a black shadow, it lunged straight at his face!

Lin Mu couldn't be bothered to stand up.

He waved his staff.

Whoosh!

Nine thousand sharp bone teeth precisely pierced through the Shadow Bat's head.

-2, -4, -3, -5...

A cluster of red damage numbers floated up, and the monster's corpse thudded lifelessly to the ground.

"Finally, some interesting entertainment has arrived."