"It has been decided from above that the exploration of the ruins will be suspended and reopened in half a year!"
According to the original opening time of these ruins, they would have normally reopened in about half a year. It was only because the Dark Association intended to try and open them earlier that they kidnapped scientists from various countries.
However, the entrance to the ruins opened prematurely was extremely unstable, and entering rashly could lead to unpredictable consequences for the Dark Association.
Furthermore, since the news had leaked, revealing the kidnapped scientists from various countries to the outside world, the higher authorities decided to temporarily seal the passage.
They would wait for the ruins to open normally before proceeding with exploration!
Although the Xuan-level powerhouses in the meeting room felt regret, they also knew that continuing to stay here was very dangerous. Once the outside world knew that the scientists were imprisoned here, they would naturally dispatch troops to rescue them.
Despite their powerful strength, the Dark Association was still no match for the various countries.
"Xuan San, Lord Zi Long wants us to evacuate the island. But what about all these researchers and so many laborers on the island..."
The one asking was Xuan Jiu, who was usually jovial but now raised these concerns with a solemn expression.
Although a few people had been rescued, there were still dozens of researchers here, all top talents from various countries.
And at the dock where the ships were moored, there were hundreds of laborers, ordinary people captured from nearby villages.
Xuan San said expressionlessly, "Since these people cannot be taken away, then kill them all! Except for the internal members of the Dark Association, no living being shall remain on the island."
Xuan Jiu's cheeks twitched, and he fell silent.
Ye Cangtian, standing beside him, also took a deep breath, his understanding of these Dark Association members deepening.
Ruthless and inhumane!
They would resort to any means to prevent the island's secrets from being exposed!
Not only would dozens of researchers die, but hundreds of ordinary laborers captured here would also be killed, as well as the armed guards stationed here.
The patrolling guards outside probably had no idea that a group of people inside had already sentenced them to death!
...
When he left the meeting room, the sky had already brightened!
As soon as Ye Cangtian returned to his room, Huang Wu and the skinny guy came to find him.
The skinny guy, previously codenamed Huang San under Xuan Shiba, was now assigned to him. Ye Cangtian hadn't changed his codename, still calling him Huang San.
Now, both of them were Huang-level members under his command.
Xuan Qi Huang Wu, Xuan Qi Huang San.
After all, the Dark Association had many Huang-level members. There were several people with the same codename Huang San. Ye Cangtian had even killed a Huang-level member named Huang San when he was in China!
"Steward, did something happen?"
"Yes, orders were issued from above for us to evacuate the island!" Ye Cangtian nodded.
Just then, a group of armed guards passed by outside, heading towards a building in the front square, where the researchers were held.
Not long after, gunshots could be heard from a distance!
The armed guards shot and killed dozens of defenseless researchers.
At the same time, in another direction, the gunshots were more intense, accompanied by screams and shouts.
Ye Cangtian sighed inwardly and said nothing more, telling the two, "Pack your things! We'll be evacuating soon."
The two returned to the dormitory to pack.
Ye Cangtian looked out the window and lit a cigarette. The gunshots outside hadn't stopped. Hundreds of ordinary people were fleeing in panic, and it would be difficult to kill them all quickly!
He felt a complex mix of emotions. If they hadn't been lucky enough to rescue Shangguan Yanran and the others in advance, then among the researchers who died, there would have only been a few more corpses.
Over the years, he and his old brothers from the Grim Reaper mercenary team had also had blood on their hands.
However, they had never wantonly killed the innocent. These Dark Association members, on the other hand, were truly ruthless and inhumane!
"This kind of evil organization should be completely eradicated!" he cursed inwardly, throwing his cigarette butt and stamping it out on the ground.
An hour later!
Everyone gathered, preparing to evacuate!
A total of five cargo ships of various sizes. The members of the Dark Association were arranged on two cargo ships, which was not too crowded!
The remaining three cargo ships were packed with armed guards. These were mercenaries, numbering over five hundred in total. Even though some had been lost last night, there were still more than four hundred.
So many people crammed onto three ordinary cargo ships looked extremely crowded, and the ships were deeply submerged.
The small Huang San stood at the edge of the ship and said strangely, "With so many people packed into three ships, even if they don't encounter reefs, they'll be in danger if the waves get any bigger!"
Ye Cangtian said nothing, only shaking his head.
These people wouldn't live for a few more minutes!
The five departing cargo ships slowly set sail. At this moment, explosions suddenly occurred on the island, destroying all facilities and passages as they left, a decision long made by the Dark Association's higher-ups.
Countless explosives were planted all over the island. Now, as the five ships sailed away, the deafening explosions shook the island, destroying all traces!
Just when everyone thought it was over!
Suddenly, a large explosion erupted from a cargo ship filled with armed guards in the distance, and the entire ship was instantly annihilated.
Almost simultaneously, the other two cargo ships also exploded.
Hundreds of lives on the three ships disappeared completely into the sea in a matter of breaths, leaving no survivors!
On the Dark Association's side, all the Huang-level members looked terrified, completely unaware of what had happened.
Only the Xuan-level stewards knew that the fate of these armed guards had been sealed long ago!
...
The two cargo ships sailed slowly, moving further and further away from the island, but even from a distance, the billowing smoke could be seen.
The exploration of the ruins had been shelved like this!
Ye Cangtian still felt some regret, as the ruins had brought him quite a shock: the stone figures that inexplicably attacked humans, the deadly quicksand that could appear at any moment.
And the mysteriously eerie trees in the forest, especially the very powerful towering ancient tree, which even Lord Zi Long, a Di-level cultivator, had to retreat from.
This was only a part of the ruins. How big was the entire ruin? What was inside?
Ye Cangtian had no way of knowing!
But it fueled his boundless curiosity and longing, as if a new world had been completely opened to him.
"Half a year? Will I still have a chance to come back in half a year?" Ye Cangtian was unsure.
Just then, a small boat sailed over from another cargo ship.
On the small boat, Xuan Jiu waved at Ye Cangtian, "Brother Xuan Qi, Lord Zi Long wants to see you. Come with me!"
Zi Long wants to see me?
Ye Cangtian frowned. Hadn't he seen him last night? It had only been less than ten hours.
Did he discover something? Or was it for another reason?