198: Chapter 198 The Mysterious Masked Woman

Elsewhere in Jiangcheng, fifty kilometers from the Lin Yuan Shelter.

A secret meeting was underway inside a luxurious underground bunker.

It was originally a private Shelter for a wealthy individual, decorated with extreme luxury.

Crystal chandeliers, leather sofas, mahogany round tables...

Even in the Apocalypse, this place maintained the elegance of civilized society.

Five people sat around the round table.

Four men, one woman.

Each person exuded the aura of a powerhouse.

Those who could survive until now in the Apocalypse and establish their own forces were no simple characters.

First was the leader of the remnants of the North City Military Region — General Zhao.

He was over fifty, burly, and although his hair was gray, his eyes were still as sharp as a hawk's.

He wore a military uniform, his chest covered in medals, exuding the majesty of an iron-blooded soldier.

His S-rank Ability was "Iron Will," which could significantly boost team combat effectiveness.

Next was the president of the West City Consortium Alliance — Invincible Money.

In his early forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a custom-made suit.

Even in the Apocalypse, he maintained a businessman's sophistication.

His S-rank Ability was "Wealth Control," which allowed him to precisely perceive and manipulate metal.

The third was the president of the South City Evolver Guild — Sun Wu.

In his thirties, lean, with narrow eyes that gave him a sinister and cunning air.

His S-rank Ability was "Shadow Clone Technique," which allowed him to create several indistinguishable clones.

The fourth was the leader of the East City Awakened Alliance — Li Heavenly Sword.

Twenty-eight years old, handsome, but with eyes as cold as blades.

His S-rank Ability was "Sword Intent," allowing him to condense sword energy for long-range attacks.

The core figure of the meeting was a mysterious Masked Woman.

She sat at the head of the table, wearing a tight black combat suit.

The material of the suit looked like some kind of high-tech fiber, emitting a subtle luster under the lights.

It perfectly outlined her devilish curves—

A slender waist that seemed like it would snap with a single grasp;

Perky breasts, with proud curves that made one's blood boil;

Long legs, wrapped in the black combat suit, exuding a lethal temptation;

Every inch of skin, every curve, was a work of art.

She wore a black mask that covered the upper half of her face, revealing only a delicate chin and alluring red lips.

But even so, one could still feel her otherworldly beauty.

The four male leaders would steal glances at her figure from time to time, burning desire flashing in their eyes.

But they would immediately restrain their expressions, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

They all remembered the incident last time—

An A-Rank Esper who had spoken rudely to her was instantly torn to pieces.

He didn't even have time to scream.

Blood splattered everywhere; the scene was extremely gory.

And she, from beginning to end, had no change in expression on her face.

As if she hadn't killed a person, but an ant.

Her strength was unfathomable, her aura as terrifying as an abyss.

It made the four unruly men dare not show the slightest disrespect.

"Ahem..."

General Zhao cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away from the Masked Woman's figure:

"Everyone, I summoned you here today to discuss a threat."

"Lin Yuan."

Hearing this name, everyone present sank into gloom.

Invincible Money swallowed, a mix of desire for the woman's body and fear of her terrifying strength:

"This Lin Yuan, his strength is extremely terrifying."

"But his Shelter has too many supplies; this is not normal."

"A Shelter with sixty thousand women consumes a huge amount of supplies."

"But not only are they not short of supplies, they are distributing them in large quantities."

"There must be a secret behind this!"

Sun Wu and Li Heavenly Sword exchanged glances, both seeing the same complex emotions in each other's eyes—

Wanting to possess the perfect woman before them, yet knowing how terrifying she was.

Li Heavenly Sword lowered his voice and said:

"My people have scouted it; this person's Shelter has ridiculously strong defensive power."

"Especially the city walls; they are simply not something Earth technology could create."

Sun Wu nodded in agreement:

"Exactly, and his subordinates are also very strong."

"Every one of them is difficult to deal with."

General Zhao said in a deep voice:

"Therefore, we must join forces."

"Fighting alone, none of us is a match for this person."

"But if our five parties unite..."

Just then, the Masked Woman spoke slowly.

Her voice was as cold as ice, yet carried a majesty that made hearts tremble:

"In that case, we will proceed according to my plan."

The four men instantly fell silent, not daring to refute.

Everyone knew clearly that the true leader was this mysterious woman.

She continued:

"The opponent is indeed very strong, but he also has weaknesses."

"He is too arrogant."

"He thinks that relying on his own strength, he can run rampant in the Apocalypse."

"But he doesn't know that there are existences in this world even more terrifying than him."

Her voice carried a strange meaning, as if she knew some secret.

Invincible Money asked cautiously:

"Then... what should we do?"

The Masked Woman slowly stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window was a ruin; the once prosperous Jiangcheng was now full of devastation.

"Test him first."

Her voice was drifting:

"Send a team to scout around the Lin Yuan Shelter."

"In the name of searching for supplies, but in reality, to test their reaction."

"If Lin Yuan stands by and does nothing, it means he does not want to be our enemy."

"If he sends people to drive them away, it proves he lacks confidence."

"If he..."

She paused, a cold sneer hooking the corner of her mouth:

"If he directly takes action to kill, then it plays right into our hands."

"Then we will have a reason to unite against him."

The four men's eyes lit up.

This plan was both offensive and defensive.

No matter how Lin Yuan reacted, they wouldn't lose out.

"Then who should we send?"

General Zhao asked.

Sun Wu volunteered:

"Let my Evolver Guild go."

"I have five hundred elites under my command, well-equipped."

"Even if Lin Yuan really takes action, they can retreat unscathed."

The Masked Woman nodded:

"You go."

"Remember, do not provoke him actively."

"Everything is mainly about testing."

Sun Wu patted his chest to guarantee:

"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

After the meeting ended, the four men left one after another.

The Masked Woman stood alone by the window, looking at the distant sky.

There, a faint light shone.

It was the direction of the Lin Yuan Shelter.

She whispered the name, killing intent flashing in her eyes:

"Do you really think you can be king in the Apocalypse by relying on your own strength?"

"Too naive."

"The waters of this world are much deeper than you imagine."

She turned around and walked toward the depths of the Shelter.

There, her true secret was hidden.

...

Meanwhile, at the Lin Yuan Shelter.

In the Intelligence Center, Qin Ziyan was busy working.

As the person in charge of the Shelter's intelligence, she had built an intelligence network covering the entire Jiangcheng.

Every survivor stronghold, big or small, had her informants.

Any movement could not escape her eyes.

"Hmm?"

Qin Ziyan looked at the intelligence on the screen, her brows slightly furrowed:

"The leaders of the major factions in Jiangcheng have all disappeared for a few hours today?"

"And the timing overlaps highly..."

She keenly sensed the abnormality.

In the Apocalypse, every faction leader was the core of their organization.

Their simultaneous disappearance was definitely not a coincidence.

"They must be plotting something."

Qin Ziyan immediately organized the intelligence, preparing to report to Lin Yuan.

Ten minutes later, in Lin Yuan's office.

"What did you say? The five major factions met in secret?"

Lin Yuan listened to Qin Ziyan's report, a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth:

"Interesting."

"It seems the development of our Shelter has made some people jealous."

Su Yuyan said worriedly:

"Should we prepare in advance?"

"If they really join forces to deal with us..."

"Prepare?"

Lin Yuan waved his hand:

"No need."

"Five S-ranks joining forces? Sounds very impressive."

"But they think this can threaten me?"

A trace of disdain flashed in his eyes:

"Let them come."

"Just in time to let all the forces in Jiangcheng see who is the true king here."

Su Yuyan looked at Lin Yuan's confident appearance, and her heart settled down.

That's right, with him here, what is there to be afraid of?

"Continue to monitor their movements."

Lin Yuan instructed:

"I want to see what kind of tricks they can play."

...

In the Shelter's Research Center, Xia Muqing was conducting an important study.

The crystal core of the SSS-rank Demonic Dragon lay quietly on the experimental table.

This crystal core was the size of a basketball and was deep red all over.

The energy contained within could be felt even through the protective shield.

Xia Muqing wore protective goggles, carefully operating the experimental equipment.

"Incredible..."

She looked at the test data, her eyes full of shock:

"The energy contained in this crystal core is ten thousand times that of an ordinary S-rank crystal core!"

"If I can develop a gene-strengthening serum..."

Her breathing quickened.

She knew better than anyone what this meant.

Once successful, the core members of the Shelter would be able to achieve a qualitative leap!

S-rank Ability Users breaking through to SS-rank!

By the mid-Apocalypse, Xia Muqing's research had progressed much faster.

For the previous serum, she had even increased the success rate to over 99.9%!

Even higher!

"Must tell Lin Yuan as soon as possible!"

Xia Muqing excitedly organized the experimental data, preparing to report this good news to Lin Yuan.

And just at this time, Lin Yuan was dealing with another matter.

Wang Yaqin knocked on his door.

"Lin Yuan... can I talk to you?"

She was wearing a dignified long dress, yet it could not hide her mature charm.

Blushing, she said:

"About Qingxue and Qingyue..."

Lin Yuan invited her in.

Wang Yaqin sat on the sofa, hesitating to speak.

She had intended to talk about her daughters, but seeing Lin Yuan's gentle eyes,

Her heartbeat inexplicably accelerated, and the topic drifted unconsciously.

"Actually... I want to thank you."

Wang Yaqin said in a low voice:

"If it weren't for you, my daughters and I would have died long ago."

"It was you who gave us a new life."

Lin Yuan said gently:

"We are a family, no need for these polite words."

"A family..."

Wang Yaqin chewed on these three words, her face turning even redder.

She secretly looked at Lin Yuan, strange emotions rising in her heart.

This man had not only saved them.

He was also caring for them with sincerity.

And she...

As a mature woman, how could she not feel the changes in her own heart?