38: Finish the work

On the square, the smoke and scent of blood had not yet dissipated, and the massive corpses of ten Gold-level demonic beasts lay strewn about, silently testifying to the ferocity of the recent battle.

However, the five human Gold-level powerhouses showed no signs of relaxation; they moved swiftly and professionally, like farmers harvesting wheat.

The Giant Shield Warrior put away his massive shield and took out a specially made sharp skinning knife, precisely cutting off the hardest horn on the head of the Lava Rhinoceros.

The Rapier Ranger carefully picked out the Metal-splitting Mantis's pair of gleaming scythe-like forelimbs... The Auxiliary Healer condensed water to wash the relatively intact venom glands of the Ghost-Face Spider... The Savage Warrior even more crudely swung his battle-axe, splitting open the core of the Obsidian Golem to extract a magic core shimmering with an earthy yellow light... Zhang Yong also joined in, carefully using his blazing white longsword to strip away the Wind-Thunder Falcon's heart, which contained the power of wind and thunder...

Their spatial equipment flickered with faint light, as they meticulously collected the priceless demonic beast materials one by one into their spatial rings... Their movements were fluid and practiced, clearly showing their expertise.

Lin Feng, hidden in the shadows of the ruins, watched as those precious materials were collected one by one, and couldn't help but sigh repeatedly in his heart: "Alas, under the noses of Gold-level big shots, I can't even get a sip of soup! Any one of these materials would be enough for me to exchange for a good sum of money..."

The Alien Queen transmitted a faint sense of "understanding," but more so a persistent fear of the two terrifying auras in the distance.

After collecting the spoils of war, the five individuals did not linger for a moment, not even sparing a glance at the direction of the spatial rift in the center of the town, which resembled the eye of a storm.

Aya, the Healer, let out a low, solemn cry: "Retreat! Get away from the core area!"

Without needing further words, the Giant Shield Warrior, Rapier Ranger, and Savage Warrior immediately followed in tacit understanding, moving quickly in a combat formation towards the outermost edge of Gu City Town.

Their speed was extremely fast, their figures weaving through the ruins, deliberately avoiding the central area, clearly extremely wary of the Transcendent-level battlefield.

Lin Feng's heart tightened, and he quickly rushed into the square, stuffing all five Gold-level demonic beast corpses into his Spirit Beast Space.

Then, he unhesitatingly urged the Alien Queen, using the cover of black mist and broken walls, to trail far behind this small team, stealthily moving towards the outskirts.

During their movement, Zhang Yong finally couldn't help but speak, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue and the relief of having survived a great calamity.

"Old Chen, Aya, Old Zhao, Xiao Liu... This time, we really owe it to you all! If you hadn't arrived in time..."

He looked at the Giant Shield Warrior, Rapier Ranger, Savage Warrior, and the Water-element Healer, his tone filled with familiarity.

"Shouldn't your 'Shield of Chang'an' team be on the western front? How did you suddenly appear in Gu City Town?"

Aya, the Healer, quickly explained while maintaining her vigilance.

"Principal Zhang, we received an urgent deployment order from the Professional Association; the spatial monitoring station of the Chang'an City Professional Association detected this spatial rift in Gu City Town.

The energy readings began to surge abnormally yesterday evening, and the fluctuation pattern was unprecedented; the Association judged there was an extremely high risk and immediately dispatched our team to investigate and give early warning."

"We also just arrived not long ago; the tide of demonic beasts on the outskirts was the signal.

When we rushed in, we happened to sense your energy outburst and distress signal, which is why we hurried over; fortunately..."

She paused, her gaze complex as she glanced at the direction from which terrifying energy collisions continuously emanated from the center of the town, her voice filled with deep reverence.

"As for the rift... that's our leader; he and that thing... they've clashed."

Just as they were conversing, a muffled, extreme roar suddenly came from the direction of the town's center, as if the entire space had been violently hammered!

"Boom... Buzz!!!"

Even though they had retreated to the edge of the town, several kilometers away from the core battlefield, the sudden burst of shockwave, mixed with two diametrically opposed yet equally terrifying Transcendent-level pressures, still swept over them like a tangible tsunami!

The air instantly became thick and heavy, the ground trembled violently, and rubble on the ruins clattered down.

The five-person team, including Zhang Yong, felt as if their hearts were clutched by an invisible giant hand; their breathing hitched, and a tearing, stinging pain came from deep within their souls, as if they would be crushed by the immense pressure in the next second!

Their faces were pale, and they had no choice but to mobilize all their Gold-level energy to resist this terrifying pressure originating from a higher level of life.

Finally, they arrived at the outermost temporary gathering point of Gu City Town.

This place was relatively open and far from the architectural ruins.

The ninety-six students from Weiyang No. 1 High School who had come for training had already been evacuated and gathered here, huddled together, trembling like frightened quails in a storm.

Not a single person spoke; even their cries were suppressed in their throats.

Everyone's face was filled with extreme fear and bewilderment, their eyes fixed on the constantly twisting sky in the depths of the town, which erupted with destructive energy light.

The two clashing auras were like swords hanging over their heads, making them afraid to even breathe.

Aya, the Healer, looked at Zhang Yong, her tone more serious than ever before.

"Principal Zhang, the situation is completely out of control! Our leader's side... the outcome is unpredictable."

"It's too dangerous here; the aftershocks of a Transcendent-level battle could spread at any moment and affect this place!

You must immediately take the students and evacuate! Not a moment can be delayed!"

Old Chen, the Giant Shield Warrior, also rumbled in agreement.

"That's right, Old Zhang, the students' safety comes first! Leave the Vigilance to us; you all go quickly!"

Zhang Yong looked at the students' pale faces and felt the apocalyptic energy fluctuations in the distance; his eyes struggled for a moment, but ultimately, strong sense of responsibility replaced it.

He nodded heavily, his voice hoarse but firm.

"I understand! The students are in my care! You all... please be careful! Take care!"

He no longer hesitated, turned to the students, and shouted with all his might.

"Everyone! Assemble immediately! Return the way you came at the fastest speed! Quick! Leave here!"

His voice exploded in the dead silence, carrying an undeniable command.

The students awoke as if from a dream; the instinct for survival overwhelmed their fear.

They scrambled to their feet and, under the organization of Zhang Yong and several other Professional assistants, began to evacuate frantically in the direction they had come from.

Lin Feng, blended into the shadows at the edge of the retreating team, took one last look back at the direction of the spatial rift in the center of Gu City Town, which resembled the entrance to hell, and at the two terrifying auras that were still wildly colliding, each clash making the heavens and earth lose their color.

"Transcendent-level..."

He murmured in his heart, filled with intense reluctance, lingering fear, and deep shock at that distant and unattainable power.

The planned three-day training journey, less than a day after it began, abruptly concluded in such a breathtaking and unimaginable manner.

What remained were only the scarred ruins of the town, the thick, unyielding scent of blood, and the Transcendent-level roar that echoed deep within their souls, symbolizing a higher level of terror and the unknown.