“Hello, here is your water.”
Zhou Kexin, wearing a volunteer armband, was handing out water to reporters and staff members.
Her smile was warm and friendly, drawing many eyes. A director even approached her, asking for her contact information and mentioning a potential movie role.
In the past, Zhou Kexin would have been over the moon.
But thinking about what Yin Yang had told her, she couldn't bring herself to be happy no matter how hard she tried.
Her mind held only one thought: survive!
If that man hadn't lied to her, then after today, she would have enough resources to break through to Sequence 7.
She might even be able to save up some for Sequence 6!
Terrifying as he was, he had never broken his word. He said he would let her go, and he really did.
Now, she could only hope that he would succeed.
At that thought, her smile became even more sincere.
“Hello, here is your water.”
“If you need help with anything else, just let me know.”
One staff member took a bottle of mineral water, his eyes practically glued to Zhou Kexin. He didn't snap out of it until she was quite a distance away.
“My god, that student is a real stunner!”
“When the plan starts, can I have that girl?”
A companion beside him laughed upon hearing this.
“The Elder is a generous man; he certainly won't refuse such a small request.”
Hearing this, the two shared a lewd laugh.
At the school gate, the school leaders led various dignitaries into the campus. Some of them were alumni of Wang City University, returning this time to reminisce about their youth.
“My, the university has changed quite a bit over the years.”
“Indeed. Look at these teaching buildings. When I was a student here, the entire university only had three buildings. Look how many there are now.”
“Right, right. I heard the cafeteria is much better now, too. Back when we were here, the lunch lady's hands seemed to have Parkinson's whenever she scooped our food.”
“Hahaha!”
The group chatted idly, the atmosphere extremely harmonious.
Behind them, four men in black suits and sunglasses followed, looking like security personnel.
The school staff thought they were the leaders' bodyguards, while the leaders thought they were provided by the school. No one suspected a thing.
Only Yin Yang, standing not far away, knew the truth. Those four were from the Shadow Lotus Church, and their strength was close to that of a Demigod!
“Lu Yang, Lu Yang, get ready. It's almost time for you to go on stage.”
The teacher found Yin Yang, who was about to watch the show. Yin Yang gave a nod and stood up to walk toward the campus square.
A large stage had been set up in the square; that was the main stage for today.
The campus host was already on stage, first thanking the Command Center, saying how Wang City University wouldn't be what it was today without them, and then thanking the school leaders—it was all essentially copy-pasted boilerplate.
Once the host was mostly finished, it was time for Yin Yang, the school representative, to take the stage.
Yin Yang adjusted his collar and walked onto the stage with a look of confidence.
The moment he stepped up, he drew everyone's attention, as if he were born for the spotlight.
The eyes of some leaders below lit up, and a few even began inquiring about him.
After all, a boy this handsome was hard to find. The interests of powerful people were varied, and a boy like this could easily be given away as a 'gift.'
When that happened, certain difficult matters would naturally become much easier to handle.
“Hello, teachers and seniors. I am...”
Bang!
Just as Yin Yang spoke his first sentence, a bloom of blood erupted from his chest.
His face turned pale instantly. He looked down in disbelief, seeing blood gushing from where his heart was.
Thud.
Yin Yang fell powerlessly to his knees like a dying fish, collapsing into a pool of blood.
The surroundings were silent for a heartbeat, followed by waves of screams!
The leaders' bodyguards immediately rushed forward, shielding their employers.
Buzz—
A low hum echoed as a sky-blue light barrier enveloped the entire campus!
“Silence!”
A voice of immense authority rang out, and all noise vanished in an instant.
The bodyguards' faces turned grim.
Almost everyone protecting these leaders was a transcendent, so they naturally knew what kind of power was required to do this.
In the next moment, a figure completely shrouded in a black robe flew into the air.
“As long as you are willing to cooperate, I can guarantee your safety.”
“But if anyone tries to be a hero, I don't mind playing along.”
The area below was silent. Seeing this, the man in black laughed.
“Very well. Now we can begin our conversation with the Security Bureau.”
...
At the Security Bureau.
“What? Someone activated a barrier at Wang City University?”
Bureau Chief Zhao Youwei bolted upright from his seat.
“Yes!”
“Chief, someone calling himself a Shadow Lotus Elder wants to speak with you. He says everyone at Wang City University is in his hands, and for every second you delay, a student will die.”
Zhao Youwei's face was livid. He could guess which organization they belonged to just by the name.
“Patch him through!”
“Yes, sir!”
The screen in front of Zhao Youwei flickered and then lit up.
A figure wearing a mask and shrouded in a black robe appeared on the screen.
“Chief Zhao, we are all smart people, so I won't waste time with nonsense. I know there is a True God relic in your Bureau's Hidden Vault.”
“As long as you hand it over, everyone at Wang City University will be safe.”
Zhao Youwei's expression was incredibly grim.
“A True God relic? You mean the Shadow Lotus Lotus-Root Body?”
“Naturally.”
“Impossible! Heh, I won't hide it from you—I already requested aid from Headquarters earlier. Several Baleful Stars will arrive within half an hour.”
“When that time comes, you won't be able to leave even if you wanted to!”
The masked man wasn't bothered by this. He shrugged and turned the camera, pointing it at the students and school leaders below.
In the next instant, the sound of submachine guns erupted.
Rat-tat-tat!
Accompanied by muzzle flashes, students and teachers fell one after another into pools of blood.
Zhao Youwei's eyes nearly split with rage at the sight.
The masked man turned the camera back to himself and said, “Chief Zhao, I am not negotiating with you; I am informing you.”
“As for how we will escape, you needn't worry about that.”
“Deliver the item now!”
“For every second you delay, we kill one person. Given the number of people still alive, you don't have much time.”
The other party cut the communication immediately. All the captains looked up at Zhao Youwei.
Zhao Youwei's face was ashen. The images from just now flashed in his mind—the blood and the wailing were constantly grating on his nerves.
“I'm going to the Hidden Vault.”
“Chief, are we really going to compromise with them?”
“Whether we compromise or not is a matter for later. First, we must minimize casualties.”
The captains fell silent at his words.
Zhao Youwei went to the basement, where he found an old man in a military overcoat hunched over in a chair.
“Uncle Guo.”
Zhao Youwei spoke with a respectful expression. The old man looked up after hearing the voice, taking a full ten seconds before he smiled.
“Ah, it's the Bureau Chief.”
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