Mountain City has numerous winding alleys of various sizes, built against the mountains, causing roads to stack in peculiar ways in the city's space, earning the nickname "The City You Should Never Trust Your GPS In".

Sometimes you think you're on the main street, only to look down and discover you're actually on a rooftop, with more street-like structures below.

Other than locals who can navigate the complex routes to find the right path, most outsiders visiting for the first time will find themselves completely lost.

Now, in this maze-like city, in an alley so secretive that even locals struggle to find it, an unremarkable wooden door slowly opens.

A man in a gray robe, panting and dusty from travel, stands outside the door.

Upon seeing the door open, he breathes a sigh of relief like a wanderer returning home after years away.

"Not bad... as long as one stays alive, there's hope; how many brothers do we have left?" the man leans against the doorframe, asking somewhat wearily.

A head pokes out from inside the door. It's a long-haired woman who says in a low voice, "Not bad, quite a few escaped. Thanks to Chasing Wind and the other brothers' early warning, no tail followed us, right?"

"Relax, you know my skills. Even the officials can't catch me in Mountain City."

Saying this, the man pushes the wooden door open and walks in.

As the door closes behind him, the already inconspicuous wooden door appears even more dilapidated, with a broken glass window appearing on it.

Through the window, one can see an interior that looks desolate and deserted like an abandoned building.

Even if someone accidentally stumbled upon this place and saw the empty, unappealing setting, they would likely have no interest in investigating further.

This is a simple yet effective illusion.

Inside the building, the man sees about a dozen others cloaked in gray robes and sighs, "Where's Iron Arm? Did he get caught too?"

"Hmm... Iron Arm's probably gone. Mr. Mask is still on his way here," Chasing Wind says, lying on a sofa.

Bam—

As soon as he finishes speaking, a scalpel from the man's pocket flies forward, embedding itself halfway into the table in front of Chasing Wind with a thud.

With gritted teeth, he says, "Talking about that guy Mask makes me mad... isn't he the Monkey of the Zodiac? With such a massive official operation today, he didn't leak any information?"

But rather than echoing his sentiment, as the man had expected, the others didn't join in.

Instead, the woman next to Chasing Wind pulls the scalpel from the table and throws it back, admonishing, "If you don't know anything, don't gossip about Mr. Mask behind his back! Are we kids? Can't handle a little setback and just blame others when in trouble?"

"Right, Mr. Mask has done his best."

"He did face off in a big battle with the Pioneer, understandable, right?"

"It's not easy being undercover with the officials for so long!"

"..."

Listening to the defense of Mask from his companions, the man shows a look of incredulity.

He doesn't understand why these people believe in Mask so much. Though initially, he did think Mask might just be the Supernatural Calamity that Mr. Ghost Valley mentioned, especially after the battle with the Pioneer.

But today's events have left the man fuming!

If not for the sudden official attack, the final phase of the faith cleansing of the Promised Land would likely have arrived in a few days.

By then, those willing to follow the Pioneer would probably be few in number.

The entire organization would once again return to a pure land driven purely by faith!

It was so close!

Now even Iron Arm, the most esteemed figure among the Ghost Valley Old Guard, has fallen!

The timing of the official attack was too coincidental; it makes the man suspect there is a traitor among them, not to mention his anger about Mask's failure to give timely notice.

"You all..."

Creak—

Before the man can finish his sentence, the wooden door opens again, drawing everyone's eyes.

Entering are two people: Iron Arm, his gray robe heavily stained with red, being supported by a pale-faced Mask.

At this moment, Wu Liang's face, partially covered by the Nightmare Mask, looks broken and battered.

Clearly, the two have experienced a fierce battle to escape here.

"Cough, cough... Can't someone help a buddy out..." Wu Liang says weakly.

In the next second, he collapses uncontrollably towards the ground.

The nearest person to him is the man who just entered and hasn't yet sat down.

No matter how he had criticized Mask earlier, seeing him in such a wretched state, yet bringing back who everyone thought was a dead Iron Arm, he couldn't help but reach out to support him.

Only then does he realize how covered in wounds Mask is, looking like a frightful mummy underneath his clothes.

The woman who opened the door quickly supports Iron Arm as well.

Iron Arm, pale and trembling, finally says, "If not for Mr. Mask's timely rescue... I really would have fallen in the Capital City."

Hearing this, even the man who held discontent can say nothing more.

He had just been badmouthing someone who comes in injured, having saved Iron Arm.

Where could he find reasoning now!?

Once Iron Arm was settled and his injuries treated, everyone awaited his words.

Ever since Mr. Ghost Valley had an incident, it was Iron Arm leading them in their missions.

Despite having been trapped in the Utopian Village by the Pioneer, Iron Arm still held a trustworthy position in their hearts.

Therefore, at this crucial moment, they instinctively chose to first listen to what Iron Arm had to say rather than directly ask for Wu Liang's thoughts.

But to everyone's surprise, Iron Arm merely glanced at Wu Liang and softly asked, "Mr. Mask, what do you think we should do next? We eagerly await your guidance!"

This action inadvertently affirmed Iron Arm's full recognition of Wu Liang's presence.

When all the Ghost Valley Old Guard turned their focus onto him, Wu Liang clearly knew the goal of this mission had been achieved.

He grinned and said, "First, we must use all our means! I know you still have many of Mr. Ghost Valley's private methods. Don't hold back, bring them out!"

Everyone exchanged glances after hearing him.

After a moment of contemplation, Iron Arm spoke first, "Hmm, it's indeed a critical moment for existence; before, the trap set by the Pioneer didn't leave room for us to employ our methods. Now there's enough time, no need to hold back!"

"We have places for hiding Supernatural Objects and experimental bases in ten or so cities like the Capital City, Jinnan City, Mountain City, Chengyang City, and Guangbei City."

"These are the last resorts left by Mr. Ghost Valley, unknown to other members of the Promised Land, known only to us elders."

"Later, I will list these things for you, so you can allocate them as you see fit!"

"Please lead us through this crisis, Mr. Mask! The new generation Supernatural Calamity!"

Listening to what Iron Arm said, Wu Liang smiled.

Indeed, things were just as he thought.

This group, even as they attacked the members of the Promised Land, left a backup plan for themselves.

Even the hiding place in this Mountain City alley is something the officials couldn't locate before.

Kids nearly wiped out still end up using the money they were given to seek refuge with relatives...