452: Chapter 452 An apocalyptic world, entering Night City

At midnight, the room was pitch black.

Fang Cheng sat cross-legged on the bed with a calm expression and his eyelids half-closed.

Outside the window was the silent night of Wanghu Town.

There were no flashing neon lights connected in patches, nor the hustle and bustle of endless traffic.

Occasionally, one or two barks could be heard from afar. After barking a few times, it quieted down again.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of sharp light vanishing in the darkness.

The period of resting and building up energy had ended.

"It is time."

Fang Cheng chanted silently in his heart, his lips moving slightly.

Then, he chanted the spell he had heard from Bailing word by word yet with incomparable fluency.

The ancient and heavy incantation echoed and reverberated in the solitary bedroom, as if trying to pierce through the dimensions of the real world.

In a flash, the surrounding scenery began to rapidly distort and fade.

The walls and furniture of the bedroom, like ink dropped into clear water, suddenly blurred and dissipated.

Following that, an even deeper darkness surged in from all directions, swallowing everything in an instant.

When the darkness completely flooded the entire space like a tide, wisps of cold smoke had already clung to the ground, quietly spreading to his feet.

Fang Cheng fixed his eyes and discovered that he was unexpectedly situated within a ruined city wasteland.

Looking around, everywhere were dilapidated buildings on the verge of collapse, shrouded in a mist carrying a piercing chill.

On those mottled exterior walls, cement powder was rustling off, fluttering all over the sky.

It was as if an endless gray blizzard was falling.

Behind him, the way he came had long been completely sealed off by the churning thick fog.

The fog was as thick as a wall, and even his vision could not pierce it in the slightest.

"That place should belong to the boundary of this world..."

Fang Cheng muttered to himself, looking up.

The sky was densely covered with haze and gloomy clouds, making the already dim ruins feel even more oppressive.

As far as the eye could see, everything seemed to be covered with a cold filter, shedding all vibrant colors.

If not for his mental attribute as high as 70 points, which endowed him with extraordinary perceptual power,

the surroundings would probably be pitch black, making it difficult to even see the road clearly.

This place was extremely bizarre.

Fang Cheng concentrated and guarded, taking steps to move forward slowly.

On the empty street, there were neither pedestrians nor vehicles; all was dead silence.

Walking alone in this dead city, a strange sense of dislocation spontaneously arose.

Here was like a doomsday world reflected in a mirror, eerie yet real.

A chilly wind whipped the mist past his face, scattering those gray "snowflakes" across the heaven and earth.

A sense of desolation and bleakness arose spontaneously.

Fang Cheng looked into the distance and suddenly caught a trace of anomaly.

Right in the depths of this vast thick fog, the outline of tall buildings seemed faint and visible, and it also emitted a trace of faint light.

Although illusory like a mirage, it seemed like the only guidance in this dark doomsday.

"Where there is light, it means there are people."

Unable to find the way temporarily, he locked onto the location of that dim light, took big strides, and walked straight towards it.

However, the further he walked in that direction, the heavier Fang Cheng's sense of anomaly became.

Along the way, more and more collapsed buildings appeared, filled with towering broken walls and ruins everywhere.

Suddenly, one or two shrill and bizarre cries resembling a Night Owl came from the depths of the ruins.

A few points of miserable green ghost fire ignited out of thin air, drifting nearby.

Gradually, the few ghost fires turned into hundreds and thousands, like many greenish eyes lurking in the dark, spying on him.

Fang Cheng concentrated and scanned a circle.

Inside the depths of the mist, countless oddly shaped, distorted ghost shadows were wriggling, making strange, cackling noises resembling the gnawing of white bones.

Just like the hungry ghosts wandering in the underworld in legends.

The next moment, a thin layer of golden light flames emerged from Fang Cheng's body surface.

The light bloomed like a scorching sun, instantly dispelling the darkness and mist within several meters around him.

He continued to take steps forward.

Those ghost shadows lingering around seemed to have seen their natural enemy, issuing a burst of frightened shrieks, retreating one after another, and hurriedly hiding deeper into the ruins without choosing their path.

In this dim and dead ruin, at this moment, he was virtually like a walking torch, exceptionally eye-catching.

Walking forward for another dozens of meters or so, human voices suddenly came from the mist, mixed with messy footsteps.

Fang Cheng paused his steps and looked towards the direction from which the sound came.

That wasn't a hungry ghost; he could clearly sense that they were living people just like himself.

Soon, four figures walked out from the fog, varying in height and weight.

Their faces were shrouded in a layer of faint mist, making their facial features unclear, but their bodies all emitted a faint white or red glow, which was clearly a sign of spiritual energy projection.

However, the faint glow on their bodies, in front of Fang Cheng's blazing golden light flames, was simply like fireflies meeting the sun, instantly paling in comparison.

Upon seeing Fang Cheng, the four people's steps visibly halted, their eyes filled with vigilance, yet hiding a bit of undisguised awe.

They did not leave, but silently kept a safe distance and followed behind Fang Cheng.

Anyone knew that this ghost place was fraught with crises, and following a strong person who was obviously not to be messed with was far safer than groping around on one's own.

Not long after walking, two more people walked out from the ruins on the other side.

Upon discovering Fang Cheng and the people following behind him, after hesitating for a moment, they also hurried to follow.

Along the subsequent road, people appeared from the mist one after another. Seeing the golden light flames on Fang Cheng's body, they all made the same choice and quietly joined the team.

Just as the team was gradually growing, the gray "snowflakes" in the sky fell heavier and heavier, and the surrounding temperature also dropped along with it.

A few people couldn't help wrapping their clothes tightly around themselves, trembling slightly from the cold.

Not knowing who moved forward first, the others also moved along.

They vaguely felt that being a bit closer to the man ahead who radiated golden light throughout his body allowed them to feel a trace of obvious warmth.

Thus, the crowd behind instinctively squeezed forward.

Yet remembering the terrifying Aura on Fang Cheng's body, they didn't dare to get too close either, and could only follow while maintaining a distance neither too far nor too close.

More than a dozen people gathered together, and with many people came many mouths, and whispering sounds rang out.

"Damn it, this ghost place is really cold. If I had known, I would have worn more clothes..."

"With your physique, you still dare to mix in Night City? Are you like the God of Longevity hanging himself, tired of living?"

"Which Dao does that big shot ahead belong to? This Aura... is scary enough."

"Who knows? Night City hides dragons and couches tigers; it's best to ask less about other people's business..."

In the crowd, the conversation between a middle-aged fat man and several companions beside him seemed to have the loudest voice.

"Boss Yuan, where on earth is Night City? Why is it pitch black everywhere, just like a ghost domain?"

A young man couldn't help asking.

"Soon, it's right ahead."

The middle-aged fat man let out an impatient, low shout:

"After we cross the River Styx later, we'll be there. Now all of you follow me closely, don't fucking get lost. If you get dragged away by those hungry ghosts, I won't save you!"

He warned a few words, and then exhorted:

"Remember, after arriving in Night City, all of you listen more and speak less, and act according to my winks. Not a single person in there is easy to deal with!"

"Hey, Boss Yuan, we aren't easy to deal with either."

A thorn-like youth beside him smiled and retorted.

Another one also said indifferently:

"What is there to be afraid of? Anyway, people can't die here."

"Can't die?"

The middle-aged fat man abruptly stopped his footsteps, turned around, and glared at them with a pair of small eyes:

"You can try! Disobedient ones can get a refund and get lost right now!"

The voice of what he said was not small, and the people around all looked over.

Being roared at by him, the two youths' Aura instantly weakened.

A companion next to them hurriedly grabbed them and accompanied a smile to the fat man:

"Boss Yuan, don't be angry. It's their first time here, they don't understand the rules, they don't understand the rules..."

Clearly, most of the people in this group were rookies coming here for the first time.

At this moment, Fang Cheng, who was walking at the very front, suddenly stopped.

With this stop of his, the dozen or so people behind him also subconsciously stopped their footsteps.

The originally noisy discussion instantly disappeared, and everyone's gaze concentrated on his back.

Fang Cheng turned around, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.

"I need a guide to take me to Night City."

His voice was very calm, yet it clearly transmitted into everyone's ears.

"Who is familiar with the road?"

The group of people behind looked at each other in dismay, instantly falling into pin-drop silence.

After a long while, that middle-aged fat man who had just been reprimanding the rookies immediately piled a flattering smile on his face.

He trotted forward all the way, nodding and bowing as he said:

"Big shot, let me, let me! Little one Yuan Datou is very familiar with this place. Wherever you want to go, I will lead the way for you."

His change of face from arrogance to servility made the few rookies he brought behind him dumbfounded.

Yet this middle-aged fat man didn't mind it in the slightest, as if serving a strong person was a matter of course and an incomparably glorious thing.

As for Yuan Datou, it was obviously not his real name, but merely a code name used while walking here.

Under the guidance of this experienced guide, the team's advancing speed became much faster.

"Big shot, is this your first time coming to Night City? What matters are you planning to handle?"

Yuan Datou probed to strike up a conversation while leading the way in front:

"This humble person has some connections in Night City. Whether you want to inquire about news, procure some special gear, or need to find someone to pull strings and resolve troubles, you can all look for me."

"Don't look at how fat I am, running errands and handling matters is definitely neat, and the price is also fair."

Fang Cheng ignored him.

Yuan Datou immediately sensibly shut his mouth, not daring to ask more, only leading the way ahead even more attentively.

After walking forward for I don't know how long, the city ruins along the road gradually disappeared, and those lingering hungry ghosts also lost their traces.

The surrounding topography began to open up, resembling a desolate countryside.

Even the sound of water could be faintly heard.

Fang Cheng gazed into the distance, a black river whose opposite bank could not be seen spanned across the far end, cutting off the path ahead.

That sound of water came precisely from the river; it was the sound of waves beating against reefs.

"Big shot, ahead is the ferry crossing."

Yuan Datou pointed at a vast reed field by the river and said: "We need to take a boat across."

The crowd crossed the reed cluster and came to the riverbank.

The so-called ferry crossing was actually very crude, with only an old trestle bridge built of black wood extending into the river.

Seven or eight people were already standing on the trestle bridge, each of them silently gazing at the river surface as if waiting for something.

Before long, a huge sailing ship silently sailed out from the mist.

At the bow hung a lantern emitting a ghastly white light, appearing exceptionally creepy in the thick fog.

The crowd stepped on the creaking gangplank and boarded the ship one after another.

The deck was damp, exuding a fishy smell of river water and the rotting odor of wood.

The cabin was pitch black, and no one dared to enter; everyone preferred to stay on the deck.

Without the need for sailors to operate it, the sailing ship turned its direction on its own, slowly sailed away from the ferry crossing, and plunged headfirst into an even thicker fog.

Fang Cheng walked to the ship's rail, gazing at the sky-full of mist and falling snowflakes.

Those gray snowflakes, once fallen into the river, melted immediately, as if they had never existed.

He concentrated and looked closely, only to see that in the pitch-black and turbid river water, twisted and painful human faces seemed to be sinking and floating, issuing faint wails.

A young man following beside Yuan Datou curiously leaned out to look, his gaze instantly turning dazed, his body swaying, and as if bewitched, he vaulted over the ship's rail and was about to jump down.

"Don't look at those ghost things!"

Yuan Datou was quick of eye and hand, hauled him back with a pull, and shouted sternly.

Fang Cheng watched all this and asked:

"Every time one comes to Night City, is it always this troublesome to take a boat?"

"Big shot, only rookies coming for the first time need to walk this Yellow Springs road."

Yuan Datou hurriedly explained:

"Once you enter the city, you just need to go to the Household Registration Office to apply for a temporary residence permit, and rent an apartment in the city. The next time before entering, directly recite your apartment's exclusive password, and you can directly appear inside the apartment. It's very convenient."

At this moment, in the thick fog ahead, a strong beam of light pierced through, like a rail of light splitting Chaos, guiding the direction for the sailing ship.

A giant lighthouse hundreds of meters tall was standing in the harbor in the distance, and the beam of light was emitted precisely from the top of the tower.

Turns out the tall building seen in the ruins earlier was this lighthouse.

As the sailing ship advanced toward the lighthouse, the scene of a massive city shrouded in mist began to become clear.

At first, one could only see countless towering architectural outlines looming in the thick fog, resembling a mirage suspended in mid-air.

The distance grew closer and closer, and the mist gradually thinned.

The true face of the city was finally revealed in everyone's vision, triggering a gasp and exclamations.

Even for Fang Cheng, a trace of surprise couldn't help flashing in his eyes.

Because the scene before his eyes was simply too bizarre and kaleidoscopic.

Pavilions and towers dozens of stories high rose from the ground; beneath the antique flying eaves and bracket sets hung constantly flashing neon signboards.

Further away, Gothic spires pierced straight into the sky, and various monster sculptures with distinct scales and claws coiled atop the towers.

Between countless high-rise buildings, glowing cable bridges connected them, with people coming and going on them, resembling a market in the heavens.

Ancient and modern, Eastern and Western, various completely different civilization styles were blended together, forming an eerie yet shocking visual impact.

The sailing ship successfully docked, and everyone disembarked one after another, soon scattering separately and disappearing into the city streets.

Yuan Datou brought the three rookies who were still in shock and looking around like bumpkins, following behind Fang Cheng.

"Big shot, we have arrived at the place."

Yuan Datou rubbed his hands and asked carefully: "Look, do you want to stroll around by yourself next, or..."

"I want to go to Naihe Bridge."

Fang Cheng made his request concisely and comprehensively.

"Oh!"

Yuan Datou slapped his thigh, his face full of surprise:

"Big shot, what a coincidence! My clients here also have Naihe Bridge as their destination. Since it's on the way, why don't you let the little one continue leading the way for you?"

He said these words extremely naturally, as if it truly were some heaven-sent affinity.

Under Yuan Datou's guidance, Fang Cheng walked into the streets of Night City.

Even though it was already the wee hours of morning in reality, this place was still brilliantly lit and bustling with noise, resembling a truly never-sleeping city.

Some wore modern attire, suited and booted, hurrying on their way.

Some wore the standard armor of a previous dynasty, with long sabres slung at their waists, swaggering down the middle of the road.

What's more, some had semi-transparent bodies, weaving and drifting among the crowd like ghosts.

The shops along the street were even more bizarre and varied.

Neon signboards flickered with multicolored light:

"Mengpo Teahouse", "Life Pawnshop", "Soul Massage Parlor"...

Not knowing what they all did, one could only see a few pairs of men and women bargaining inside the shops, seemingly talking business.