253: Chapter 253 I had a dream last night...

In the early morning, the first ray of sunlight pierced through the gap in the curtains, falling on Lin Yuan's face.

He slowly opened his eyes from his cultivation state, his deep pupils seemingly swirling with stars.

After a night of meditation.

The Void Energy within his body became increasingly refined, and the sense of power from controlling everything made him feel incredibly grounded.

Last night, Ye Qingyue's "special service" had left him feeling refreshed in both body and mind.

Although he hadn't taken advantage of the situation to claim Murong Xueer, who had been frantically hovering on the edge of testing him, he was in no hurry.

To Lin Yuan, once the prey entered the cage, when to enjoy it was entirely up to his mood.

Moreover, things obtained too easily often lacked interest.

Watching that proud young lady of a great family slowly lower her guard, moving from resistance to wavering, and finally to complete surrender—this process was an enjoyment in itself.

Thinking about it, Lin Yuan's spirit suddenly flared, and he saw Murong Xueer's current state.

In fact, with his Spiritual Power, Murong Xueer couldn't detect him at all, and Lin Yuan could easily do some interesting things...

However, Lin Yuan didn't need to do that.

"Insomnia?"

A playful curve hooked the corner of Lin Yuan's mouth.

Last night's ambiguous embrace and domineering declaration seemed to have quite an impact on this young lady.

Just then, a light knocking sound came from the door.

"Enter."

Lin Yuan spoke flatly.

The door was pushed open, and the person who walked in was none other than Luo Qinghan.

Today, Luo Qinghan was still in her capable combat uniform, outlining her tall and cold figure.

As a Reborn Person, her temperament always carried a sense of calm and depth that transcended this era.

But at this moment, her expression was unusually solemn, even carrying a trace of imperceptible anxiety.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Yuan sat up from the bed and casually picked up the water cup next to him to take a sip.

"Something has happened."

Luo Qinghan walked up to Lin Yuan and said straightforwardly:

"Although history has changed a lot because of your appearance, I had a dream last night..."

...

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, set down the water cup, and gestured for her to continue.

"Black Tide."

Luo Qinghan uttered two words, a flash of fear in her eyes:

"At this time in my past life, a terrifying disaster broke out around Jiang City, known as the 'Black Tide'. Countless underground mutated creatures would burst out of the ground without warning; they were massive in number and possessed extreme destructive power."

"And..."

She paused and stared fixedly at Lin Yuan:

"In the previous life, the Ancient Martial Family near Jiang City—the Murong Family—suffered a catastrophic disaster during this Black Tide."

"The Murong Family?"

A sharp light flashed in Lin Yuan's eyes.

"That's right."

Luo Qinghan nodded in confirmation:

"Although the Murong Family's ancestral home, 'Tingyu Mountain Villa', had a Defensive Grand Array, it didn't last long under the dual pincer attack of the Black Tide and human forces. It's said that the battle was extremely tragic; the Murong Family Head died in battle, and the clansmen were almost all killed or injured."

At this point, she hesitated for a moment before saying:

"As for Murong Xueer... in the previous life, she went missing. But later there were rumors that she died miserably in the wilderness after being disfigured; her end was very tragic."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan's fingers lightly tapped the tabletop, making a rhythmic sound.

"Interesting."

He murmured softly, a cold smile curling his lips.

If someone else heard this news, they might feel worried or sympathetic.

But in Lin Yuan's eyes, this wasn't just a disaster, but a perfect opportunity.

An opportunity to completely subdue Murong Xueer and even annex the entire Murong Family.

"It seems even the heavens are helping me."

Lin Yuan stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the entire Shelter.

"You mean, this Black Tide is about to break out?"

"Yes, within the next two days."

Luo Qinghan said with certainty:

"Moreover, besides the mutated creatures underground, I also remember that several human forces will take advantage of the chaos. There are many people eyeing the fat prize that is the Murong Family."

Lin Yuan nodded, calculating light flickering in his eyes.

"I see."

He turned around and looked at Luo Qinghan with a hint of appreciation in his eyes:

"This information is very valuable."

Receiving Lin Yuan's praise, Luo Qinghan felt a slight joy in her heart, and a trace of softness couldn't help but appear on her ice-cold face.

"Then what do I need to do?" she asked.

"Nothing for now."

Lin Yuan waved his hand:

"We are waiting for the wind to come."

Just then, Xia Muqing's communication request suddenly came in.

"Boss, emergency!"

Xia Muqing's voice was somewhat hurried:

"A team has arrived outside the Shelter, about a dozen people, all of them injured and looking very miserable. They claim to be messengers from the Murong Family and have an urgent matter to see Miss Murong Xueer!"

Lin Yuan and Luo Qinghan glanced at each other, both seeing the understanding in the other's eyes.

"The wind... has come."

The smile on the corner of Lin Yuan's mouth gradually widened, carrying a bit of domineering power that controlled everything:

"Let them in. Also, notify Murong Xueer."

"The show is about to begin."

...

Outside the Shelter gates.

A group of people wearing tattered ancient martial robes were waiting anxiously. They were covered in scratches and bloodstains, clearly having just gone through a tragic battle.

The leader was a white-haired old man whose left arm was already broken and only simply bandaged, with blood still constantly seeping out.

"Uncle Fu, is the Eldest Young Lady really here?"

A young disciple beside him asked with a trembling voice.

"She must be."

The old man called Uncle Fu had a determined look in his eyes, but his slightly trembling body betrayed the fear in his heart:

"This is our last hope... If the Eldest Young Lady doesn't go back, the family will truly be finished."

Just then, the heavy alloy gates slowly opened.

Several fully armed Female Warriors walked out and looked at them coldly:

"Come in. The master has permitted your entry."

Hearing this, Uncle Fu burst into tears and knelt directly on the ground:

"Thank you, City Lord Lin! Thank you, City Lord Lin!"

...

Ten minutes later, in the Shelter's guest hall.

Murong Xueer rushed over. When she saw the miserable group of clansmen in the hall, she felt like she had been struck by lightning.

"Uncle Fu?!"

She cried out, rushed forward, and helped the one-armed old man up, her voice trembling:

"What happened? How did you all end up like this? Where is Father? What happened to the family?"

"Eldest Young Lady!"

Seeing Murong Xueer, Uncle Fu wailed loudly, a release of extreme despair:

"It's over... everything is over!"

"Tingyu Mountain Villa is under siege! Not just Mutated Beasts, but many people... many Ability Users!"

"The Family Head was seriously injured while covering our breakout and is now unconscious... The Defensive Grand Array has also been destroyed..."

"Eldest Young Lady, please come back quickly! If it's too late... you really won't see the Family Head for the last time!"

Murong Xueer's face instantly turned pale, and her body swayed.

Tingyu Mountain Villa was the ancestral home passed down for a thousand years by the Murong Family, situated on a spirit vein, and its Defensive Grand Array was indestructible.

How could it be breached?

"Who... who did it?"

She gritted her teeth, her voice carrying a bone-chilling coldness.

"It's Su Yan from the 'Mad Dragon Society'! And that 'Ghost Hand King' who specializes in hunting ancient martial artists! And that monster Luo Lie!"

Uncle Fu cried out:

"They've joined forces! They said... if we don't hand you over, Eldest Young Lady, they will slaughter the Murong Family down to the last person!"

"Su Yan..."

Hearing this name, a flash of disgust and killing intent appeared in Murong Xueer's eyes.

He was the young master of the largest survivor base in the Neighboring City.

A profligate son of a wealthy family who relied on his father's power to do as he pleased and had been pestering her relentlessly.

She never expected that to get her, he would actually dare to join forces with outsiders to attack the Murong Family!

"I'm going back."

Murong Xueer took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

She didn't cry for help like an ordinary woman, nor did she look at Lin Yuan, who had been sitting silently in the main seat.

Although she knew Lin Yuan was strong and that the family's crisis might be resolved if he were willing to help.

But her pride didn't allow her to bow her head.

Moreover, she also had her own trump cards.

"Uncle Fu, let's go."

Murong Xueer helped Uncle Fu up, her voice cold and determined:

"I will let them know that the Murong Family cannot be insulted!"

After speaking, she turned around and led her clansmen out of the hall without looking back.

That back was resolute and proud.

Like a moth flying into a flame, knowing it would die, yet still going forward without hesitation.

The hall was deathly silent.

Everyone looked at Murong Xueer's departing back, their eyes filled with complex expressions.

"She actually... didn't beg you?"

Luo Qinghan looked at Lin Yuan with some surprise.

According to her deduction, Murong Xueer's first reaction after learning of the family's crisis should have been to beg Lin Yuan for help.

After all, in this Apocalypse, only Lin Yuan had the ability to save the Murong Family.

"That's just like her."

Lin Yuan looked at the empty doorway, the smile on his lips deepening instead:

"If she had begged me just now, I would have looked down on her."

"Murong Xueer really didn't disappoint me."

He stood up, walked to the window, and watched the group of figures gradually receding in the distance.

"However, pride needs strength to support it."

"Pride without strength is just stupidity."

"She will soon understand this truth."

Cold light flickered in Lin Yuan's eyes:

"When she ends up battered and bruised, she will realize who her only reliance truly is."

"Then we..."

Luo Qinghan hesitated.

"No rush."

Lin Yuan waved his hand:

"Let the bullet fly for a while."

...