"..."
The man's mouth twitched. Could it be any more outrageous...
"Alright, let's head into the city."
Chen Shu shrugged, no longer worried.
If anything happened to him, the entire alliance would essentially collapse. Right now, China's strong cultivators were just looking for something to do.
"Mm... okay..."
The man nodded. The other party had deliberately said that in front of him, which was a naked threat.
However, upon thinking of that old man in China, his body trembled, and a bad premonition struck him...
"Brothers, let's go!"
Chen Shu waved his hand and led his group straight towards Free State.
Almost as soon as they entered the city, a clear and loud voice rang out:
"Welcome, Brother Fiend!"
A crowd had gathered all around, and banners were even hung up, giving an incredibly warm impression.
Clearly, this was organized by Free State.
His gaze swept over the crowd, and he saw tens of thousands of Chinese people ahead, their expressions excited, with tears in their eyes.
These were chaotic times, and being in a foreign land, everyone dreamed of returning home.
Finally, the one who would bring them home had arrived...
The man from the alliance said by his side, "Mr. Chen Shu, accommodations have already been arranged for you..."
Half an hour later,
The group arrived at a massive estate. Clearly, the alliance was hosting them with the highest protocol.
"Brothers, you all rest for a bit. I have some matters to attend to this afternoon."
Chen Shu said to the tens of thousands of people, "When I get back, we'll leave!"
"Brother Fiend, you go ahead and take care of your business, don't worry about us."
The people nodded in unison, having waited for so long, they didn't mind waiting a little longer.
"Let's go."
Chen Shu looked at the alliance man beside him.
The two summoned their contract spirits and headed directly towards a certain location in Free State.
"It's truly prosperous..."
Chen Shu looked down at the city below, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Even during this special period, Free State remained incredibly prosperous, with no signs of collapsing order. It was like a country within a country.
"In peacetime, Free State's economy would rank among the top globally."
The man said with great pride, but upon thinking of their current predicament, the light in his eyes dimmed slightly.
The alliance's current situation was not optimistic; it was already on the brink of a cliff.
"Mm..."
Chen Shu nodded, his thoughts inevitably turning to the future situation in China.
The pressure from the fierce beasts was too immense!
This was even before the appearance of the Forbidden Mist Great Fiend. The beasts from alternate dimensions alone had pushed humanity into a desperate retreat.
The two proceeded without much exchange, moving in silence.
Three hours later,
They had crossed hundreds of thousands of meters and arrived at a special city.
Free State was vast, even larger than South Cang Province, and naturally contained many smaller cities.
The architectural style of the city ahead was entirely different, predominantly deep black, as if adding a touch of the aura of death.
Yet, in this peculiar city, powerful individuals were everywhere.
Almost as soon as they entered the city, Chen Shu saw two King-level Beast Tamers walking together.
Chen Shu asked, "This is the world-renowned Dark City, isn't it?"
"That's right."
The man nodded and smiled, "It's also the entrance to the world's second-largest alternate dimension, the [Devil's Den]."
"No wonder."
Chen Shu surveyed the entire city, a sense of curiosity in his eyes.
This was an alternate dimension second only to [Dragon Abyss]!
A moment later, the two arrived before a black, tall tower.
The man's expression was filled with reverence as he said,
"Mr. Chen Shu, the Grand Speaker is waiting for you upstairs."
Chen Shu looked towards the top of the tower, and his body instantly vanished from his spot, appearing inside the black tower.
He composed himself and calmly pushed open the black door in front.
He saw a burly old man gazing at him, a hint of joy in his eyes.
"Little Chen, please, have a seat."
The old man smiled slightly and gestured to a chair beside him.
Chen Shu felt no restraint and calmly sat down, his gaze continuously appraising the old man.
The old man had a head full of white hair, a weathered face covered in wrinkles, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, as if filled with light.
Even so, Chen Shu could clearly see that the old man's eyes were filled with undeniable fatigue.
Clearly, the crisis of the fierce beasts had made this legendary Beast Tamer feel like he was struggling alone.
Chen Shu raised an eyebrow and asked, "What should I call you, senior?"
"You're not afraid of me, so just call me Old Qiao."
The old man chuckled and poured Chen Shu a cup of tea.
"You are a senior, that address isn't appropriate..."
Chen Shu said with a hint of hesitation, then continued, "I'll just call you Brother Qiao."
"???"
The old man's expression froze; he was momentarily stunned.
Is that address appropriate for you?
He rubbed his head and calmed himself slightly. Anyone meeting Chen Shu for the first time would be a little flustered...
After a pause, the old man sat up straight and said, "Actually, the main reason I asked you here is that I have something I need your help with."
"No, you, a legendary Beast Tamer, need help from me, a Gold-ranked one?"
Chen Shu's heart skipped a beat, and he had already decided to refuse.
What a joke!
Do you think I'm omnipotent?
"Alas..."
The old man sighed and said, "You're friends with Qiao Na, aren't you?"
"Mm? Qiao Na?"
Chen Shu's expression jolted. He thought of that stunningly beautiful girl, who was also the top genius of the Free Alliance.
They had indeed clashed during the World Competition.
He stroked his chin and said, "Whether we're friends... that depends."
In fact, Chen Shu and Qiao Na's relationship wasn't deep. They had only met a few times.
"???"
The old man was taken aback again. You have adaptive friendship, is that it?
"After the World Competition, young Qiao Na often mentioned you. I saw that she seemed quite fond of you..."
"Old Qiao, please don't say any more of that."
Chen Shu quickly waved his hand and said, "My heart already belongs to someone else."
"You have someone you like?"
There was a hint of regret in the old man's eyes as he teased,
"Actually, you could really consider it. Her talent is peerless, and she would be of great help to you!"
"???"
Chen Shu quickly stood up and said with deep emotion,
"Old Qiao, please stop talking. I'm afraid the nuclear bomb will misunderstand!"