Lin Mu spent the night making do in the dilapidated ruins.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the shattered windowpanes,
spilling in mottled patches across the remains of the sofa.
Outside the apartment,
a construction crew in Urban Construction Bureau uniforms had already put up conspicuous barricades.
They began the professional cleanup and surveying work.
Just as one would expect when the city's top official had personally given the order—their efficiency was astonishing.
Lin Mu watched the bustling worksite below,
then immediately called Fan Zhiheng's private number.
Fan Zhiheng clearly hadn't slept well either. His voice carried a trace of fatigue.
"You're up early."
"Uncle Fan, I'm planning to leave for Shengjing today."
Lin Mu got straight to the point, his tone crisp and decisive.
Fan Zhiheng wasn't the least bit surprised.
If anything, his weary voice held a little more genuine admiration.
Decisive. That was the way to get things done!
"Good!"
Fan Zhiheng agreed at once.
"Huaxia Nation has a special-class Magic Energy Maglev Train that runs across the country. It's dozens of times faster than ordinary transport, and almost the entire route passes through heavily fortified military corridors. It's absolutely safe."
"The tickets cost an astronomical amount, though, and buying one requires exceptionally high-level clearance."
"I'll authorize a special pass for you right away. Someone will deliver it within the hour!"
Once again, his words showed just how heavily he was betting on Lin Mu.
"Thanks, Uncle Fan."
Lin Mu thanked him and hung up.
While he waited,
he first contacted Mu Wanqing at Shengjing Academy to tell her he'd be leaving soon.
Mu Wanqing sounded surprised,
but quickly said she'd arrange for members of the student council to meet him at the station.
Once he'd finished, Lin Mu disappeared from where he stood.
Xilin Professional Trading Hall.
When Lin Mu appeared before Liu Qing again,
he tossed a large pile of high-level equipment, still radiating cold, onto the appraisal counter.
Among it was an exceptional purple ice armor piece, LV.32.
There were also several pieces he'd stripped from the Soul Stealers, steeped in shadow and curses.
Even the Trading Hall manager, a woman who'd seen her fair share, was completely numb by now.
Liu Qing looked at the spoils, all far beyond Lin Mu's level.
Her awe of him had reached its peak.
She didn't even dare ask where any of it had come from.
In the end, the equipment earned Lin Mu a whopping 950,000 Nova Coins.
His personal assets had now come close to six million.
An hour later.
Xilin City Magic Energy Train Station.
Escorted by the Mayor's Personal Guard, Lin Mu received the highest level of VIP treatment.
He headed straight for the special-class passage, which was off-limits to ordinary travelers.
But right at the entrance,
a middle-aged man in a senior City Guard uniform, whose features bore a striking resemblance to Wang Debiao's,
blocked his path with a squad of personal guards.
This was Wang Debiao's older brother and Wang Hao's uncle,
the City Guard deputy commander, Wang Decheng.
"You're Lin Mu, right?"
Wang Decheng's gaze was sinister, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.
"There was a massive explosion at Tianlan Mansion in the south of the city last night. The situation is unclear."
"As a survivor, you need to come with us and assist in the investigation."
He claimed Lin Mu only needed to assist with an investigation,
but his posture made it clear he intended to detain him by force and teach him a lesson he'd never forget.
Lin Mu couldn't even be bothered to raise his eyes.
He didn't feel like saying a word.
The captain of the Mayor's Personal Guard escorting him stepped forward impassively.
He slapped a document against Wang Decheng's face.
"Deputy Commander Wang, take a good look!"
"This is Mayor Fan's highest order. Mr. Lin's safety is under the direct protection of the Mayor's Personal Guard!"
Then,
the captain showed off the black special-class pass that had just been delivered to Lin Mu.
"And Mr. Lin holds a special-class pass. His travel is protected by the highest laws of the Huaxia United Council!"
The golden insignia stamped on the pass
carried a higher clearance level than the stripes on Wang Decheng's shoulders!
Wang Decheng's face instantly turned purple with rage.
The countless sidelong glances from people in the station felt like steel needles stabbing into his face.
A slap in the face!
A brazen, public slap in the face!
At last, he understood.
The power behind this young man was already far beyond what his little Wang Family could easily shake.
Wang Decheng clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles whitened, but in the end he could only force two words through his teeth.
"Let him through."
He led his men away, retreating in humiliation beneath the countless mocking stares.
His so-called "grudge" with Lin Mu
seemed utterly laughable before such overwhelming power.
Lin Mu sneered to himself and made a mental note.
The Wang Family—once he returned from Shengjing, their days would be numbered.
He ignored the pest and turned to board the opulent Magic Energy Train.
His private luxury compartment rivaled a five-star hotel in its amenities, shutting out all the noise and commotion beyond.
The train started without a sound,
becoming a streak of light as it plunged into a dark underground tunnel,
racing toward distant Shengjing.
After an unknown amount of time, the train was gliding steadily through a vast underground canyon.
Lin Mu had his eyes closed, resting and wondering whether he should buy some more skills if he got the chance,
when—
"Beep—beep—beep!"
A shrill alarm suddenly blared throughout the entire carriage!
A cold, urgent electronic voice echoed wildly through the compartment.
"Warning! Warning! The train has encountered an extra-large Void-Splitting Beast Tide!"
"Defense Array energy overload at eighty-seven percent! Failure imminent!"
"All passengers, prepare for impact!"
"High-energy threat ahead! Noncombat personnel, evacuate immediately to the safe carriage!"
The violent shaking nearly threw people out of their seats!
Lin Mu's eyes flew open.
The expensive wineglasses and decorations in the compartment shattered amid the violent jolts.
Through the specially reinforced window, he could see what was happening outside.
A gigantic, twisted spatial rift
appeared out of nowhere above the tracks ahead, like an ugly scar stretched across the sky!
Countless black monsters with wingspans of more than three meters, shaped like bats,
poured madly out of the rift, forming a black tide that blotted out the sky!
These monsters were the infamous Shadow Bats!
Known for their speed and sharp claws and fangs, they could easily tear through the defenses of low-level professionals.
"Boom!!!"
A deafening crash rang out.
The iridescent Defense Array surrounding the train
held for less than half a minute against the Shadow Bats' suicidal attacks.
Then it shattered with a thunderous crash!
The array had failed!
The train's sturdy alloy hull was now completely exposed to the monsters' claws and fangs!
"Crack—!"
The window of Lin Mu's compartment shattered.
A LV.23 Shadow Bat let out a piercing shriek.
It turned into a black blur and lunged straight for his face!
Lin Mu couldn't be bothered to get up.
He swung his staff.
Whoosh!
Nine thousand sharp Bone Teeth pierced the Shadow Bat's head with pinpoint accuracy.
-2, -4, -3, -5...
A string of bright red damage numbers appeared, and the monster's corpse fell limply to the floor.
"Finally, a bit of interesting entertainment."
Before you continue