Carefree Path of Dreams

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, 10 years had passed.

Since the battle 10 years ago, Fang Yuan had disappeared from the face of Planet Earth. The Hidden Cultivators Sect from the Middle Continent and the Demon Alliance of the East and West Continents had searched the entire planet but to no avail.

In this 10 years, due to the changing concentration of spiritual energy, there were many shocking changes in the world. The surviving countries started to break down. There were traffic jams everywhere and wild beasts were flooding the cities. Mutants and cultivators took hold of this opportunity to rise to power as the authority of governments started to erode. Alliances began to replace the governments.

It was already the end of the Year 1023, and the fourth occurrence was about to come!

Just like before, the Spiritual King Comet would appear in the sky, which would represent the peaking of spiritual energy in the atmosphere. With that peak, the concentration of spiritual energy would go down soon after.

The period in which the spiritual energy would be concentrated would only be around a hundred years. After this period, the entire planet would enter a new cycle of another 1,000 years.

However, this time, the powerful beings of the Demon Alliance and the Hidden Cultivators Sect had already made their preparations. They would no longer resign to fate and would give their all to execute their plan!

...

Huiming City.

The half-destroyed city was slowly being rebuilt and it was becoming increasingly prosperous by the day.

Tens of thousands of people now resided in the city, which meant that the city would be extremely congested and chaotic. From the outside, the entire city resembled a huge reunion of families.

The silver city walls, the scientific-looking weapons and the mysterious-looking arrays gave the city a unique vibe of its own.

Entering the city would give one the impression of arriving at a refugee camp.

One-storey houses were built beside each other. Rubbish and waste filled the air with an unbearable stench. Similarly, fightings, robberies and rapes were common here. Those with strength would have the power and rights to talk and there was almost no existence of laws in this place.

Further in the slumps, through another set of walls, one would arrive at the Elite Area. High-rise buildings were built from metal and the streets were clean. Police would regularly patrol the streets to maintain order. With the thick wall separating the slumps from this part of the city, the difference was vast, as though this place was heaven and the slump outside was hell.

Some mutants, military personnel and low-tiered scientists were designated to live here to enjoy a little peace and stability.

Those with merit and money would be able to upgrade themselves to live in the Elite Area. This was the dream for many living outside.

However, most of them were unaware that there was also a small Core Area in the centre of the city.

This place enjoyed treatment as to how Planet Earth was before all the chaos. Because of the arrival of doomsday, this place had become even more complicated and backwards than before.

This was the place that only the people at the top could live in. The people living here were mutants at the 3rd Tier and above and this place was the safest and most luxurious place in the entire Huiming City.

Considering their land sizes, the Core Area would be the smallest, followed by the Elite Area and finally, the Slump Area, which covered over 70% of the entire city.

This was the reality of doomsday!

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Suddenly, in the skies outside of the city, there was a group of black dots.

It was a flock of red-feathered vultures. They were ferocious and ugly-looking. Their wingspan was about 3 metres long and their sharp talons swiped the air around as they flew.

"Pa! Pa!"

On the top of the city walls, the various types of high-technology weapons were fired at the many ferocious vultures in a multi-coloured display of streaks of light.

A few occasional vultures would make it through the rain of ammunition firing at them but would crash into the protective array to become a pile of bloodied mess.

"It’s another flock of Blood Vultures. It seems like we need to send the Risk Party to the cliff in the west to clear them up."

On the city walls, a few officers gazed at the scene coldly and thought to themselves.

At the same time, an entourage of vehicles arrived from outside which attracted their attention.

In such times, even the Risk Party would have to travel on foot. To be able to enjoy the luxury of a car meant that this person was a person of status!

"We have received the message. This person is an ambassador from outside. He has been cleared. Open the doors!"

An officer verified the information through a phone before ordering for the city doors to be opened.

"Kacha! Kacha!"

Under the whirring sound of machinery and gears interlocking, torque was created to slowly open the doors.

"Aha!"

"Finally home!"

"Haha... It’s a new life!"

Similarly, a Risk Taker in tattered clothes witnessed this scene and exclaimed in excitement.

"Are those people... the previous Risk Takers? How fortunate it is for them to encounter the vehicles to return to the city together!"

The officer commanded without any expression. "Pass down the order to be stricter during the checks. Also, the Guard of Honour shall follow me to receive them!"

After 10 years of development in Huiming City, a unique culture and practices had been formed.

Technology was fused with special abilities, which created a new era of technology. Limitations were broken and now, it was possible to produce cheap manufactured food to meet the demands of the city. Although the food did not taste too pleasant, it was still good enough to ensure the survival of the people.

Furthermore, a few normal cultivation techniques were being spread around, which formed the basis of the Risk Takers.

They were the most active group of people in the city and were always dreaming about activating special abilities, achieving a high tier in the cultivation or even entering the rat race to earn money and food. With these goals, they would accept missions in Huiming City and would periodically clean up the ferocious wild beasts around the city to provide stability.

After every mission, the system in the city would record down the Risk Taker who had completed the mission. Once the Risk Taker would accumulate enough points, they would be promoted to a 4-star Risk Taker or even higher, which would give them the chance to reside in the Elite Area, a huge step from where they once were.

"Uncle Yu!"

At this point in time, a young Risk Taker was observing the entourage of vehicles with jealousy as the vehicles rolled into the city. "Who are these people..."

"It should be the ambassador of another city, right?"

Another well-built man in tattered clothing rubbed his chin. "Who knows what he is here for..."

"Someday, I want to become somebody like him!"

The young man watched as the vehicles drove out of sight. His uncle had to painstakingly convince the guards at the door to grant them entry into the city. Comparing the differences in their treatment, the young man clenched his fists tightly.

"I am Captain Sun Xingchen of Huiming City. Welcome, ambassador from afar!"

The entourage vehicles entered a car park and were parked before Zhao Daniu walked out of one of the cars. Looking at the changed city, his face was filled with mixed emotions. "Finally... we’re back."

There was a look of pain in his eyes, for he could not forget what had happened 10 years ago.

When the city was under attack, almost half of the entire city was destroyed. With Xing Hezi of the Hidden Cultivators Sect taking over the helm of the city, Huiming City was the first city to slip out of the control of the government as it started on a new path of self-sustenance.

Till today, the intention to isolate this city was all too obvious.

"Welcome, Ambassador Zhao. Please enter my car and allow me to escort you to the Core Area!"

Sun Xingchen bowed and gave a military salute.

"Thank you!"

After 10 years of training, Zhao Daniu now had the look of a middle-aged man. He had grey sideburns. Controlling his emotions, he entered a black limousine.

"Welcome, Sir!"

In the limousine, there were already two ladies wearing seductive clothing waiting for him. As soon as he arrived, they started to surround him. These two ladies had similar looks and might even be blood-related.

Reclining in his chair, wine was served. "Do you want to drink with us?"

Zhao Daniu’s heart wavered for a while. However, as soon as he thought of Ye Yingzi, he became resolute. "Don’t get too close to me! Give me a cup of wine!"

Raising a glass of wine, he twirled the red wine in the glass.

He started to observe the surroundings outside. There were dark skies and uneven buildings outsides. As soon as the people on the streets saw the symbol on the entourage of vehicles, they quickly made way in fear as they admired the car from afar. Zhao Daniu had mixed feelings looking at them.

Finally, he understood parts of it as soon as he entered the Elite Area.

Looking at the greened area and the various departmental stores around, Zhao Daniu felt as though he had travelled through time.

Such peace and quiet were rare in this period and it was worth it to protect with all their lives.

However, as soon as he thought about the situation outside, he felt a little unjust for the unfortunate people.

"Pa!"

Finally, as they entered the Core Area, Zhao Daniu could no longer hold in his anger. With a strong fist, he smashed the body of the car he was in.

The car was made from a special gold alloy and was claimed to be able to deflect guided missiles and special abilities of 3rd Tier mutants. However, in a single punch, there was already a distinct dent in its body.

The car continued to drive on and finally stopped in front of a bungalow which resembled a palace.

Sun Xingchen personally opened the door for Zhao Daniu. "You are indeed the powerful Rockman! Please!"

Zhao Daniu took in a deep breath as he walked along the red carpet and entered the palace.

White jade, silver and gold were embedded into the walls. The chandeliers hanging from the ceilings completed the luxurious scene.

Although the price of gold and metals had already drastically fallen in such times, the resources and manpower required to build such a palace were also worth a fortune.

With a single thought, Zhao Daniu felt a sharp pain in his chest as though there was a heavy rock.

"Hehe... I welcome you, my friend from afar!"

An old man walked out supported by two younger ladies. "Or should I say... the Ambassador from the capital, Mister Zhao Daniu!"

"Hello, Mister Li!"

After exchanging their greetings, Zhao Daniu quickly recalled information regarding the other party.

Li Rulong, together with 4 other old men, formed the authority and power of Huiming City - the Five Elders Association.

Of course, they were secretly under the control and influence of Xing Hezi from the Hidden Cultivators Sect.

"I am here because of the doomsday. That moment is about to arrive!"

Zhao Daniu went straight to the point. "We are both different from normal people and we know what this means."

The ignorant ones would think that this would be a period of affluence, with technology and cultivation working hand in hand, allowing anyone to become supernormal. If the city were to continue down such a path, a new unparalleled culture would be created.

However, Zhao Daniu was extremely clear that judgement day was about to arrive!

This would be a disaster of a worldwide scale and no one would be able to escape!

"Ambassador, I am clear of the purpose of your visit!"

Old Li revealed a bitter laugh. "But now... I will have to invite you to the banquet prepared especially for you!"