She hesitated and said, "I can't leave here right now. After the Nightmare Master's rank fell, all the Gu Worms went out of control. There's a hospital and a kindergarten here. If I leave, all these ordinary people are dead."

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the dark cabin.

"I understand."

Chen Bojun turned off the communicator and said in a deep voice, "Changsheng, let's go."

Ying Changsheng personally sat in the cockpit, his attitude cold as he replied, "Understood, Director Chen."

·

·

At the same time, helicopters were landing across the West Port Forbidden Zone.

Councilman Zhang sat in the cabin of one helicopter and spoke indifferently, "Begin. Erase everything for me. The Qilin Immortal Palace's pioneer plan is about to commence, and the Saint does not want any of these pests to remain here."

He paused, then turned to look at the young man beside him. "Hanting, if this operation goes smoothly, it will be your merit. By then, you'll completely surpass Ying Changsheng and Mu Qingyou, and become the rightful first in the Omega Sequence. You understand what that means, don't you?"

Li Hanting, with handsome and gentle features, always had a smiling demeanor that reminded others of a fox. Holding a small ice-blue wolf cub in his arms, he smiled and said, "Don't worry. I won't disappoint Grandpa."

After speaking, he took out a communicator from his pocket.

"Attention all departments, this is a wartime directive from the Judgement Court. The remnants of the Yan family have been largely wiped out, leaving only Mrs. Yan still on the run. Based on divination results, it's very likely that a powerful Gu Worm is hidden inside her body, which could cause her physique to undergo mutations and fluctuate in combat strength."

His voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable authority. "Once Mrs. Yan's whereabouts are discovered, immediately lure her to the Eastern Shipyard by the harbor. I will lead Omega Sequence members to ensure she is killed."

The other helicopters were also landing nearby.

Inside each helicopter was an Omega Sequence member.

The Omega Sequence was currently divided into three factions.

Gold, Silver, and Black Iron.

The three sides formed a tenuous balance of power.

The Gold Faction was led by Ying Changsheng, backed by ancient, prestigious clans.

The Silver Faction was led by Mu Qingyou, supported by ancient legacies like the Sword Tomb.

The Black Iron Faction, led by Li Hanting, was backed by the Judgement Court, which was rising rapidly within the association.

Li Hanting held his talkie and continued, "Meanwhile, all Omega Sequence members, the era of individual combat has ended. Vice President Lai Yin has issued orders. Please cooperate with the Judgement Court's operations and aim to finish the battle before dawn."

The Hunter squad trained by the Judgement Court leapt lightly out of the cabins. They wore iron masks on their faces, long white coats, and carried weapon cases, emitting an aura of cold-blooded death.

The Fallen living in the West Port saw them from a distance and immediately showed alarmed expressions.

"This is bad! The Judgement Court's death squads have arrived! Run quickly!"

"What did you say? Who's coming?"

"We're doomed! Hurry and alert Third Master! G—"

Bang!

A gunshot rang out.

The bullet pierced the skull of a Fallen who was attempting to warn others.

Boom!

A massive arrow screamed as it slammed into the ground, instantly obliterating a dormitory building.

The Hunters moved coldly and efficiently through the West Port, their eyes equipped with lenses that streamed data, accurately identifying targets for a large-scale purge.

"The Ether Association's cleansing has begun! Everyone, run!"

Suddenly, Mr. Liu's voice came through on the speakers, timely warning everyone.

In that moment, the West Port Forbidden Zone erupted into chaos.

The most frantic were those with criminal records. Whether their minds had been infected or not, they were on the kill list. They immediately bolted out of their homes, jumping into cars to flee.

But as soon as they got into their vehicles, a flaming arrow pierced through.

The car exploded, the charred bodies sent flying into the air!

"We're doomed!"

In the Treasure Appraisal Shop, Zhong Guoqing peeked out, saw the massacre on the streets, then quickly pulled back and lowered his voice: "Zhong Li! Take this cash box and find Captain Wang. Tell him you're reserving two spots. All this money is his! I'm going to the warehouse to get gold bars. Hurry!"

Zhong Li took the cash box, instantly realizing the gravity of the situation, her face pale: "Dad, what about Xiao Gu? Xiao Gu will be in danger, won't he? We can't just leave him behind!"

Zhong Guoqing froze for a moment. Normally, his character would never care about a shop employee.

But that foolish kid had helped them out yesterday, unreservedly.

"Damn it, where did that brat go? He's got a Golden Card and is under Mr. Liu's protection, so he should be able to board the ship. But what if he's not at the port? What if there's no time left?"

Zhong Guoqing's face turned pale, stomping his feet anxiously.

Just then, three smugglers silently approached, trying to snatch the cash box.

Zhong Guoqing was prepared, delivering a punch that erupted with Qi Force.

With a loud bang, the three smugglers were flung against the counters, crashing down.

"You bastards, looking for death?"

Zhong Guoqing grabbed a shotgun off the wall and blasted them each in the head.

Blood stained the shop floor.

His expression was fierce as he turned and said, "Zhong Li! Go start that second-hand motorcycle and chain it to the front door with the password lock. If Xiao Gu comes back, he'll have to pass by the shop. If there's no time, he can take the bike and escape. Oh, and cash! We'll need cash for any escape!"

This old man fumbled around, pulling out a stack of bills and a crumpled business card from his pocket. Shoving them into his daughter's hands, he said, "Hide this money in the seat of the bike, especially this card. If he gets out, he can use it to find someone to make him a fake ID!"

Zhong Li froze for a second, quickly took the money and card, then turned to run.

"Hurry up!"

Zhong Guoqing yelled after her, then dashed into the warehouse.

Boom! Another violent explosion rang out on the street as torrential rains poured down, like the end of the world.

In the distance, a Lamborghini was completely stalled.

Chen Qing angrily slapped the steering wheel, her face ashen.

"It's fine, don't worry."

Lu Zicheng, sitting in the passenger seat, softly laughed and said, "We just survived facing the Nightmare Master. Our luck isn't that bad. If things go south, we'll rush to the boats and fight for two spots."

At that moment, the sound of countless worms crawling filled the air.

Chen Qing and Lu Zicheng's expressions both darkened slightly.

Suddenly, the sound of a bike pedaling furiously could be heard in the distance.

A filthy little boy, with an unconscious middle-aged man tied to his back, was riding a bike without brakes through the storm and chaos.

·

·

At the grocery store's entrance, Gu Jianlin heard voices coming through the comm channel.

From there, he learned about the Judgement Court's plans.

"The Eastern Port. If they're heading to the Eastern Port, they'll have to pass the Treasure Appraisal Shop, along with the shopkeeper's location."

Gu Jianlin paused. "And here."

Jing Ci smiled beside him. "Do you know why I decided to show up now?"

Gu Jianlin froze, as countless waves of Life Rhythm surged into his awareness.

Amidst the sound of countless insects writhing, there was a thunderous crash!

A grotesque monstrosity—a giant, twisted abomination with a human face and insect body—cut through the storm.

Gu Jianlin's pupils shrank sharply. "Mrs. Yan…"

In the distance, the stalled Lamborghini was visible, with Lu Zicheng and Chen Qing stumbling out of it, supporting each other.

Through the torrential storm, a ramshackle bike pedaled furiously, ridden by a reckless boy with his tied-up foster father on his back.

Farther away, Zhong Guoqing was dragging his daughter, rushing toward the port amidst chaotic crowds, cursing under his breath.

"Alright. If you choose to stay in the shop, this place will be completely secure. No one will see us."

Jing Ci said calmly, "But if you decide to leave, without your Ancient God Transformation, what will you do?"

Gu Jianlin fell into silence.

Jing Ci gave him a deep look and said, "—Make your choice."

[PS: The book's official release is on the Qidian Reading App. Authentic readers, see you tomorrow night at 8:30 PM~]