159: The 15th wolf leveled the mud pit, and millions of exploding spiders blew up the dark streets.

West of the city, the Rotting Swamp.

Rather than a swamp, it was more of a boundless, decaying marsh bubbling with ink-green gas.

The nauseatingly thick stench of decay had almost solidified, mixed with dense Abyss Demon City Devilish Qi, enough to cause instant mental corruption in those with weak wills.

Lu Chen had just stepped across the boundary of this area when a cold system notification sounded once again:

"Ding! You have entered the Abyss Demon City · Rotting Swamp area. This is a free-for-all combat zone; rule protection has been lifted!"

"Awoo—!"

"Roar!"

Almost the instant the notification faded, the viscous swamp ahead churned violently, and massive, mangy Rotting-Mud Hounds with exposed decaying muscle and stark white bones lunged out from within!

Their eyes were scarlet, drool mixed with filthy mud dripped from between their fangs, and they let out greedy, violent screeches, swarming toward Lu Chen from all directions as if they had discovered delicious prey!

Not only that, but deep in the swamp, behind twisted dead trees, and even in the dim air, pairs of dark eyes filled with cruelty and greed faintly emerged.

These were other powerful monsters and even some dark NPCs lurking in the shadows, licking their lips and staring at Lu Chen like vultures waiting to swarm and get a share when the prey grew weak!

"Noisy."

Lu Chen's gaze turned slightly cold; facing this encirclement that would drive an ordinary Tier 6 Job Changer to instant despair, he merely stomped his foot lightly.

Hum—!

The next moment, as if the gates of Hell had been opened, a deafening chorus of wolf howls converged into a terrifying wave of sound that swept across the entire Rotting Swamp!

Millions of Claw Wolves!

Like a black tide of death, they surged out fiercely!

Each one was lithe and robust, with sharp fangs and claw blades glinting with cold light. The fierce aura permeating their bodies was not the slightest bit weaker than those Rotting-Mud Hounds, and was even purer and more organized!

"Kill."

Lu Chen commanded indifferently.

"Awoo!"

The millions of Claw Wolves roared in unison, turning into streaks of black lightning as they actively charged to meet the tide of incoming Rotting-Mud Hounds!

In an instant, flesh and blood flew everywhere!

The screeches of the Rotting-Mud Hounds were instantly drowned out by the violent attacks and biting of the Claw Wolves.

These Claw Wolves, whose attributes were comparable to a Tier 6 World Lord BOSS, formed an absolute crushing force!

The Rotting-Mud Hounds' sharp teeth struggled to tear through the Claw Wolves' tough fur, while every pounce and bite from the Claw Wolves could easily rip away large chunks of rotting flesh and bone!

This wasn't a battle at all; it was a one-sided slaughter and clearing!

The dark eyes watching from the shadows saw their original greed and mockery instantly freeze, replaced by shock and terror!

"Mi... Millions of beast pets?! What kind of joke is this!"

A Demon NPC hiding in the shadows exclaimed involuntarily, their voice trembling.

"Every single one's attributes... are not the least bit inferior to a Tier 6 World Lord BOSS! What kind of monster is this Human Race kid?!"

Another lurking Abyss Giant Bat monster flapped its wings and instinctively retreated, fearing it would be caught in the terrifying wolf tide.

"Can't mess with him... Run!"

The moment the millions of Claw Wolves appeared, the eyes watching from the shadows decreased by more than 80%!

The few that remained were silent as cicadas in winter, restraining their aura to the extreme, not daring to make any rash movements again.

"Roar—!!"

From deep within the swamp came a roar filled with fury and a hint of fear.

Mud shot into the sky as a giant hound, far larger than its kind, with three hideous heads and a body covered in thick rotting-mud armor—a mutated three-headed Rotting-Mud Hound BOSS—was finally disturbed and broke out of the swamp!

Its three heads simultaneously spat out highly corrosive shadow arrows and venom.

However, that was all it could do.

It didn't even manage a second roar.

The Claw Wolves swarmed forward one after another, instantly submerging it, sharp teeth tearing at its armor, claw blades cutting into its flesh!

In less than ten seconds.

Accompanied by a wail of extreme unwillingness and pain, the massive body of the three-headed Rotting-Mud Hound crashed to the ground.

Before long, a Claw Wolf carrying an amulet—which could not hide its inner glimmer even though it was stained with filth—ran quickly to Lu Chen and respectfully set it down.

"Ding! Obtained quest item: "starlight amulet" (1/1)."

"Ring 1 Quest: Retrieve the Lost Item (Completed)!"

Lu Chen had just put away the amulet when ripples in the space beside him appeared once again.

The figure of the octopus-headed guide, The Ferryman, appeared silently.

Its slimy eyes swept across the chaotic battlefield, which was being rapidly cleared by the Claw Wolves, and then looked at Lu Chen's Claw Wolf beast pets, a flicker of barely perceptible gravity and surprise crossing the depths of its eyes.

"Tsk tsk... Stronger than I imagined."

The Ferryman's voice remained deep and hoarse, betraying no emotion. "It seems those bugs hiding in the shadows made a wise choice."

One of its tentacles reached toward the direction of the Shadow District: "Your efficiency satisfies me. Now, Ring 2 Quest: Go to the Shadow District, find the most mysterious merchant there, 'Kasa', and hand over the 'starlight amulet' in your possession to her. She will give you the next step of guidance and... a small reward."

"Ring 2 Quest Update: Secret Letter of the Shadow District"

"Quest Objective: Hand the 'starlight amulet' to the mysterious merchant of the Shadow District, 'Kasa'."

"Quest Hint: More than one force has their eyes on the amulet, and there might even be... imposters disguised as the Kasa NPC."

"Quest Reward: 100,000 Gold Coins, 'Kasa's Antidote' (subsequent key item), unlock Ring 3."

"Shadow District..."

Lu Chen looked toward the quest direction, hands in his pockets, and stepped toward the Shadow District.

At the entrance of the Shadow District, the rule notification changed to a combat zone once again.

Inside the district, shadows writhed, and a large number of stealthy shadow creatures, fallen guards wearing tattered armor with hollow eyes, and BOSSes exuded their might.

Lu Chen's mouth curled slightly.

For him, killing monsters was the easiest job!

Hum! Hum! Hum!

The next moment, tens of millions of Explosive Stealth Spiders, like a crimson cloud of death, covered the ground; what flickered in their compound eyes was a pure command to self-destruct!

"Go, clear all obstacles in the Shadow District combat zone."

Lu Chen issued the command and took a step forward. The millions of Explosive Stealth Spiders, like loyal imperial guards, surrounded him and crushed toward the direction of the Shadow District!

The monsters inside were startled by this terrifying aura and had just revealed their forms—only to be met by a torrent of destruction!

"Rumble—!!!"

The millions of Explosive Stealth Spiders didn't even need to make contact; the moment they entered attack range, they chose the most violent and thorough method of attack—self-destruction!

The continuous explosions instantly became the only main theme of the Shadow District!

Blazing firelight and destructive energy waves raged madly, instantly swallowing and vaporizing the shadow creatures and fallen guards that lunged at them, along with the twisted buildings on both sides of the street!

The entire Shadow District seemed to have been thrown into a purgatory furnace, trembling violently as the roar resounded through the Abyss Demon City!

Countless monsters and dark NPCs hiding deeper inside felt the tremor of the earth beneath their feet and heard the explosions that made their Souls tremble, all of them showing shock and shivering in fear.

"Wha... What happened?!"

"Did some Abyss big shot attack?!"

"Hurry and hide!"

When Lu Chen strode along the open road that was still roaring with explosions, passing through the combat district with an expressionless face and stepping into the non-combat zone, the world behind him was already a ruin of debris still collapsing and burning.

All the monsters, including a few hidden BOSSes that tried to resist, had long since turned to dust in that endless explosion.

In the non-combat zone, the streets became narrow and dim, with few passersby, most of whom were in a hurry and didn't dare to take another look at Lu Chen.

Only the lanterns hanging at the doorways of shops on both sides, emitting a faint glow, provided a little illumination.

Suddenly, a figure in a black and red robe walked out of a small shop in front that had a [Regent House] sign hanging on it.

She beckoned somewhat hurriedly in Lu Chen's direction and lowered her voice, saying:

"Young adventurer, I am the Kasa you are looking for! You got the starlight amulet, right? It's not safe here, hurry into the house and let's talk!"