CHAPTER 976: CHAPTER 974: NO BACKSIES!

"You... you took over my city?" Lucas looked at Zhang Menglong with disbelief.

His intelligent system was absolutely the most top-notch available in the cosmic civilization, and while there might be intelligent systems capable of forcibly seizing control from him, it was absolutely impossible to do so this easily.

"Your city?" Zhang Menglong laughed, "Does this city have your name written on it? Just because you say it’s yours, does that make it yours?"

Lucas didn’t pay any price for acquiring this city; it didn’t have guards as strong as the Black Warriors. He merely spent a few days to gain control, at most just driving away some beasts that occasionally intruded, nothing more.

"And what gives you the right?"

"Because I’m the one the people look to!" Zhang Menglong said, "Now, aside from me, who else has the ability to take on the heavy responsibility of being the City Lord of this city?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You’ll know soon enough!" Zhang Menglong displayed an inscrutable smile.

He walked up to the city wall and addressed the millions of residents in the city, "Everyone, I apologize; my personal vendetta has frightened you all."

All the treasure hunters wore expressions of fear and apprehension. Of course, they had heard about the Ritian Sect’s reputation, and they had almost fully enacted the so-called ’Three No’s Policy’.

Some of the treasure hunters in the city had migrated from far away, bringing news that many cities had been plundered by the Ritian Sect.

Now the city’s defense systems had failed; to Zhang Menglong, they were now just a group of mobile ATM machines. With those 111 Black Warriors in hand, they believed they had no room for resistance.

If Zhang Menglong wanted to rob them, they could only choose to compromise; what else could they do?

"Don’t worry, we of the Ritian Sect are not unreasonable. My recent actions were a bit rough, but I had reasons and evidence, so I won’t take it out on everyone. If no one troubles me, I promise I won’t act recklessly." Zhang Menglong pledged with confidence.

With Zhang Menglong’s assurance, their expressions became slightly more relaxed.

Previously, Zhang Menglong’s target of ire had indeed always been Lucas, and he hadn’t harmed any innocents; he seemed different from the notorious ways of the Ritian Sect as told in legends.

"I won’t hide from you," Zhang Menglong said, "Just now, the former City Lord Mr. Lucas realized his mistake and voluntarily handed this city to me as compensation. Now the control is in my hands."

"That’s bullshit!" Lucas cursed Zhang Menglong a hundred times in his heart. What did he mean, voluntarily handing it over? This was outright robbery!

"However, I’m not a complete dictator. I respect everyone’s opinion. If everyone is willing to hand this city to me to manage, then I’ll take up the duties of the City Lord and manage and protect the city on your behalf, only charging a minimal accommodation fee."

"But if everyone is unwilling, I’ll leave immediately, without any hesitation, and definitely won’t resort to force to seize the city."

These two statements immediately earned considerable goodwill from everyone.

Although these people lived in the city, who would want to pay money?

If not for Lucas being a Level Six life form?

If not for him getting the city’s control and all its resources before everyone else?

Didn’t Lucas become the city’s owner through brute force?

"If anyone has any opinions, feel free to speak up, I respect everyone," Zhang Menglong said.

"I think this city should belong to all of us, it shouldn’t belong to any individual!" Finally, someone boldly spoke.

"I think so too, with so many of us, it shouldn’t be too hard to keep a city running."

"Alright, then I won’t insist," Zhang Menglong laughed, "Then I won’t disturb you any further, beauties and handsome folks, farewell, see you in the rivers and lakes!"

With that, Zhang Menglong actually started to put away the Black Warriors and prepared to leave the city!

"Is he really leaving?" Those treasure hunters showed expressions of disbelief.

"Have we misunderstood the Ritian Sect? They don’t seem as terrifying as the legends say!"

"Yes, they seem reasonable and amiable in their speech, who on earth is tarnishing their image!"

If Lucas’s rule ended, and the city belonged to everyone, they would no longer need to pay those costs, which was tremendously good news.

In their eyes, Zhang Menglong instantly became a hero overthrowing tyrannical rule!

Feelings of guilt, gratitude, and even admiration began to sprout within them.

"Awooo!"

At this moment, a black cloud suddenly appeared in the distant sky, and the ground faintly shook.

"Beast tide! Beast tide!"

In the distance, a treasure hunter was flying with all his might as if completely exhausted, purely relying on willpower to make it this far.

Although the beast tide had ended, occasionally small groups of fierce beasts still wandered around in herds.

Finally, that treasure hunter arrived in front of the city, "Tens of millions of Level Five peak fierce beasts, dozens of Level Six beasts, and even a Level Seven beast are heading this way!"

"What?"

"Quick! Activate the defense system, quickly open the city’s defense system!"

"Open what defense, do we even have any energy to power it?"

The city’s stock of Energy Baryte was managed by Lucas, and they had already been used up during Zhang Menglong’s siege in the last few days.

The treasure hunters originally had some crystals on hand, but they were forcibly collected by Lucas as a last-ditch effort; they might have a few pieces here and there, but even if they barely managed to activate the city’s defense, it would surely collapse under the charge of these beasts.

The city, although having a few million people, couldn’t withstand tens of millions of Level Five beasts, let alone the Level Six or even Level Seven ones.

Thinking of this, everyone cast angry looks at Lucas.

"It’s all his fault! For selfish desires, he ignored the entire city’s safety!"

"Exactly, when others followed the rules, he just had to provoke them, now what?"

"Bastard! Idiot!"

Everyone was plunged into despair.

Escape? Yes, they could escape, but the night had already fallen, leaving the city now was not much different from seeking death.

Stay? They might as well escape, escaping could at least buy a few more hours.

"No! Wait, we are not doomed; we still have this gentleman from the Ritian Sect!"

"Right! How could we forget about him?"

They had seen Zhang Menglong take out mountains of Star Cores; with such valuable things, surely he could spare a few million Level Five Energy Baryte?

If he were willing to help the city, this city could definitely survive the crisis!

"Excuse me, sir, may I ask your name?" A treasure hunter took the initiative to ask.

"My name is Zhang Menglong."

"Mr. Zhang Menglong, you heard it; there’s a beast tide coming towards us, and we have no defense measures left. We know you possess many Star Cores and Energy Baryte; we hope you can save us!"

"This..." Zhang Menglong looked troubled.

"Mr. Zhang, we are willing to support you as the city’s owner, we can continue paying fees, we just beg you to help us through this crisis!"

"Isn’t that inappropriate?" Zhang Menglong displayed the expression of someone feigning reluctance while receiving a New Year’s red envelope, "I’m afraid someone will talk behind my back."

"If anyone talks, I’ll be the first not to let them off!"

"Absolutely! You are the one we all look up to; who else is qualified to be the City Lord but you?"

At this moment, the treasure hunters in the city astonishingly reached a consensus.

"In that case," Zhang Menglong revealed a succeeding smile, "you guys better not go back on your word!"