Chapter 21 Face My Blade and Achieve Liberation!
In the darkness, Jiang Li stood in front of the large metal door that had been welded shut. Sensing the spirit energy fluctuations coming from behind the door, her eyes turned cold, and without hesitation, she raised her hand and sliced through the steel bars and the padlock on the door. With a loud “bang!” she kicked the door open and swiftly entered the room beyond.
As she burst into the room, a fierce stench mixed with formaldehyde hit her face, and murky, dirty spirit energy fluctuations filled every corner of the room.
The room was empty, with no urban legends in sight. The floor was littered with a chaotic array of footprints, as if someone or some urban legend had just been there but had now left.
Had they escaped? Or were they hiding? Jiang Li furrowed her brows, wrapping spirit energy around her eyes and scanning the pitch-black room.
The room was large but simply arranged, with four large glass tanks that resembled aquariums sealed at the top.
Three of the glass tanks were broken, as if someone had smashed them. Glass shards were scattered across the floor, and at the bottom of the tanks lay a small amount of reddish-brown goo that hadn’t completely dried—likely a mixture of specimen bodily fluids and the remnants of evaporated formaldehyde.
The only intact tank appeared to be prepared but not yet used, covered in dust.
Jiang Li covered her mouth and nose with one hand and looked around. She noticed an information board hanging on the wall. Walking up to it, she brushed the dust off the glass and examined the text, which detailed information about past pig kings.
[Shanfeng, Ningxiang Flower Pig, 948KG…]
[Coal, Songliao Black Pig, 957KG…]
[Hormone, Songliao Black Pig, 1002KG…]
Jiang Li silently read through the information on the past pig kings and noted the large amounts of text behind it, most of which extolled the research and breeding standards of the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, lacking practical value. However, one detail caught her attention.
“Special feed? Does that refer to the meat supplied daily as per the registry?”
Muttering to herself, Jiang Li shook her head lightly, dismissing her initial guess.
If it were just meat, the nutrition could be replaced with other things, and there were even better alternatives—there was absolutely no way to raise these pig kings, whose weights approached that of monsters.
She thought to herself, pacing around the room a few times before confirming that there was no valuable information to be gained here. She exited the room and continued walking toward the archive room.
The previous “Pig King Specimen Exhibition Room” was likely meant for investors; there shouldn’t be too much valuable information inside.
As the South Suburb Slaughterhouse had won the title of Huacheng Pig King for three consecutive years, it had attracted considerable investment under the banner of “establishing an integrated research, breeding, and slaughtering facility.”
Just like how a pig king in some game could produce gold, these pig kings, in a sense, really had produced quite a bit of gold for the South Suburb Slaughterhouse.
In reality, ordinary people who saw those massive beasts weighing nearly a ton could be forgiven for believing that the South Suburb Slaughterhouse really had some technology that allowed its pigs to grow faster and larger.
But……
Jiang Li felt that the so-called special formula was likely not so simple.
Crossing the corridor and passing by several tightly shut doors, Jiang Li came across a few special rooms near the end of the corridor.
Other rooms either had windows facing the corridor or small windows on the doors, allowing a glimpse of what was inside.
However, these few rooms were different. They had no windows, and the door locks were specially made; even the best locksmith would have difficulty opening them without the proper key.
This should be where the archive room is, Jiang Li thought.
Although there were no signs on the door, she felt that only a place storing archives, work logs, and that so-called special technology would be protected with such stringent measures.
“Shing shing shing——!”
Accompanied by several sounds of metal being cut and sparks flying, Jiang Li hesitated for no moment and swiftly opened a passage big enough for one person to pass through on the security door with a few strikes.
Inside, the room was large, with several pots of dead plants against the wall, alongside empty bookshelves and a desk. In one corner stood a larger-than-life file cabinet.
The door was sealed with police tape, and the surroundings were taped off, etched along the edges of the cabinet door with the basic sealing spell of the Siye Society.
Why seal this cabinet? Did they discover something terrifying inside? Jiang Li frowned and approached, dispelling the basic sealing spell, tearing off the tape, and opening the cabinet door.
There was no horrifying spectacle of urban legends suddenly leaping out, nor were there any evil, bloody sacrificial tools. The large file cabinet had been emptied of various files and documents, leaving behind only a dust-covered USB drive, disappointingly plain.
She quickly stowed her disappointment, picked up the USB drive, walked to a nearby chair, rummaged inside her collar for a moment, and extracted an OTG adapter from the lining of her clothes, plugging the USB drive into her phone.
She wondered if it would still work after all this time, but something as specially stored as this USB must contain significantly important information, she thought.
Just as she pondered, her phone completed reading the USB drive’s contents, only to show a pile of garbled characters.
“Is it encrypted?” Jiang Li murmured, opening a hidden password-cracking program from the Siye Society on her phone and beginning the decryption process.
7%…12%…21%…
Watching the progress bar slowly inch to the right, Jiang Li’s expression suddenly changed. She lifted her head toward the room’s exit.
She sensed something approaching.
There were no footsteps, no sounds at all, but she could strangely feel something getting closer.
It came up from downstairs slowly, like a massive lifeless shadow.
Hmph! Finally showing up? Don’t want me to know the secret of the South Suburb Slaughterhouse? Jiang Li sneered inwardly, stuffing her phone and the USB drive into her bosom and grasping her long blade as she headed out into the corridor.
When she returned to the hallway, it had plunged into a deathly darkness, silent and still, with filthy and murky spirit energy permeating the space.
Jiang Li calmly used her spirit energy to cover her eyes, and the next moment, a night-vision-like view appeared before her—familiar yet unrecognizable shadows standing silently, their surfaces covered in some viscous liquid, staring blankly at her.
Then they moved, eyes glowing with a bloody red light, shrieking as they charged, like a group of lost souls controlled by demons.
“Vengeful spirits? I didn’t expect the urban legends here to possess such abilities.”
Jiang Li murmured, her gaze sinking as she raised her long blade in front of her, the tip slightly drooping. She unleashed her spirit energy, and the icy blade instantly erupted with a wave of azure flames.
This is how it should be! What’s the point of hiding?
Face my blade and achieve liberation!
————
Is it an illusion? It must be that my approach is wrong, Luxianbei thought.
Although Zhang Dexian and Miaomiao Sauce had entered the slaughterhouse while she had been playing with her phone, she had also secretly observed their movements.
From their actions, she noted that they had entered the slaughterhouse together.
So, when she heard the sounds of Zhang Dexian battling the urban legends, she had concluded that Miaomiao Sauce was likely with him, and quietly drafted a script for a heroic rescue.
However, reality is not a happy narrative; it’s not always heroically rescuing someone, and following the script often results in failure to rescue the beauty and possibly acquiring a muscular man unexpectedly.
Luxianbei stared in shock at the remnants of urban legends scattered around, while ominous figures loomed in the distance, seemingly daunted by her previous display of skill in dispatching one with ease. For a moment, they dared not attack, glancing back to see the muscular man beside her, who flashed a proud and wild grin.
Luxianbei, “……”
What’s with people these days? Why does everyone smile so uniquely?
The beautiful girl smiled like a dark-hearted villain, while the muscular man grinned like a lopsided war god.
What’s happening? Ugh, forget it, as a person with a flat expression, I have no right to judge others, Luxianbei thought.
Zhang Dexian looked at the silent Luxianbei, clasped his fists, and said solemnly, “Miss, in gratitude for your help, Zhang can only……”
Hearing this halfway through, Luxianbei raised an eyebrow and hurriedly interrupted, “Hey, hey, stop! Please don’t say something like offering to repay me with your body! That’s way too intense for me; I can’t handle it.”
“……”
Zhang Dexian opened his mouth, about to say something, and at that moment, the pack of urban legends began to stir again, their sharp claws scraping against the ground with a cringe-inducing noise.
Red eyes scrutinized Luxianbei and Zhang Dexian back and forth, as if regarding them as two delightful morsels of human flesh.
“Not good, they seem unable to contain the urge to attack us!”
“Ah?” Luxianbei was momentarily shocked and countered, “So what now? Do we strike first?”
I’m a B-rank spiritual ability user now; I should have confidence in battling these small fry, Luxianbei thought.
“I actually have a way to deal with them, but I need some time to prepare. I believe with your strength, you should be able to help me buy enough time, please!”
Are you the ultimate protagonist? Why don’t you consult with your teammates before making decisions? Never thought I’d show heroism once in a while!
Luxianbei grumbled internally. Although she didn’t know where Zhang Dexian got his confidence from, she nodded and said, “No problem, leave it to me.”
If the sky falls, there’s a big guy willing to take the hit; what’s wrong with that?
Anyway, I’ve already tried that ethereal mount; its speed satisfies me. If he turns out unreliable, I can just abandon him and flee at any time.
Just as Luxianbei was pondering, she suddenly heard Zhang Dexian ask, “By the way, what spells do you know? You should know some spell formulas, right?”
“Um, Red Flame Flash.” Luxianbei nodded.
While she also knew the incantations for Chihuang Fire and Four Beasts Bright Sky Cannon, considering the amplification effect of spell formulas, what if she rolled a fifty-fold amplification? Not to mention the risk of pulling herself into the fire zone; just the terrifying spirit energy consumption alone would be unbearable.
Unless she called a proxy player, but that would cost dearly, and Miaomiao Sauce might be suspected of being Jiang Li. Calling on a proxy player felt very uneasy.
“Ah?” Zhang Dexian tilted his head at Luxianbei, his shiny head filled with question marks, the aura of a hot-blooded warrior losing composure in an instant.
“You only know Red Flame Flash?”
“Uh, that’s right… but my Red Flame Flash is quite strong; why don’t you give it a try?” Luxianbei suggested confidently.
Zhang Dexian, “……”
How strong can a basic spell that can only be used for illumination be?
d*mn, I misjudged this time!
I thought she was a king, but she turned out to be a bronze!
Zhang Dexian fell silent for a moment, looking ahead with a grim expression, stoically standing in front of Luxianbei, “Forget it; there’s only one way now.”
Luxianbei, “……”
Did we just bypass the topic of Red Flame Flash?
d*mn, when will Red Flame Flash manage to stand up? So frustrating!
Luxianbei thought, casually asking, “What’s the plan?”
“Don’t be cowardly!”
As a man of iron will, how could he abandon the girl and flee? This time, he could only fight to the d*ath! Zhang Dexian thought.
“What? Are you sure?”
Zhang Dexian nodded, “Yes, don’t worry; I will protect you. As long as a person has something they want to protect, their potential will… Whoa!?”
He looked in the direction of Luxianbei’s finger and was instantly stunned.
Those urban legends dressed in tattered uniforms had gathered together without him realizing it, their bodily ooze writhing and sticking to one another, merging into enormous forms.
These vengeful spirits, deeply corrupted by the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, twisted together like LEGO blocks in just a few seconds.
They transformed into several thin, giant monstrosities that nearly touched the ceiling, crouching on all fours, with sharp tusks and crimson eyes that glimmered as the black goo on their surfaces swirled. Judging by their outlines, it looked as though they had been stripped of most of their flesh, growing many gas-like deformities in their limbs like wild boars.
The next moment, they opened their massive mouths covered in meaty lumps as if driven by insatiable hunger, dripping viscous black goo as they shrieked horrifically and lunged forward.
Seeing the scene before him, Zhang Dexian blankly froze, momentarily not knowing how to react, clenching his sweaty fists.
This is dangerous… he grumbled, watching the enormous forms close in, preparing for a final stand.
In the next moment, he felt his feet suddenly leave the ground, as if his body were flying, suspended in midair.
Zhang Dexian, “??? ”
He was momentarily dazed, but once he regained his senses, he found himself lifted overhead by Luxianbei.
“This moment, this is my understanding; don’t rush.”
It was as if Luxianbei’s voice answered Zhang Dexian’s confusion, echoing in his ears.
“You plan to run? But their speed is fast, their movements nimble; we can’t possibly…”
“Bang——!”
Before Zhang Dexian could finish, a loud air explosion sounded beside him. The two of them shot out from the breeding facility like a projectile.
In an instant, suffocating winds blasted their faces, as if a giant hand was tugging at them, distorting Zhang Dexian’s features, and his tongue flailed helplessly like a flag in his mouth.
The next moment, a roar erupted from behind, as several massive shadows burst through the breeding facility, creating a tremendous hole, kicking up dust and debris as they pursued Luxianbei.
————
On a small hill outside the South Suburb Slaughterhouse.
A tall, thin man and a cat-eared girl sat side by side on the treetop, each with a headphone in one ear, vigilantly using their senses while intently listening to the urban legend broadcast about the Great Serpent God, amazed.
“I didn’t expect Wang Buliu to actually do something significant while we weren’t paying attention. A god’s inheritance! How credible do you think this old Zhang’s story is?” said the cat-eared girl.
“Quite credible, perhaps around sixty to seventy percent? Except for the part where he and that white-haired girl developed a profound friendship across generations.” replied the tall, thin man.
“However, I’m rather concerned that if she obtains that level of mythological species inheritance, it might lead to issues.”
“Even if she has the powers of a mythological species, they’re not fully mature yet, right? If she slips up and falls to the Solar Eclipse Society, it would be troublesome.”
“You don’t need to worry about that…” The cat-eared girl rolled her eyes. “Based on my observation of her for this long, she doesn’t even dare to pick up ghost coins. How could she recklessly swallow the knowledge of mythological species?”
The tall, thin man tilted his head, “Are there really urban legends that can resist such temptations?”
“I don’t know about others, but she…”
“Boom—— Boom—— Boom——!”
Just as the cat-eared girl was finishing her sentence, several loud noises suddenly erupted from the South Suburb Slaughterhouse. They turned toward the sound and watched the scene inside the slaughterhouse, both twitching their lips.
Inside the dilapidated slaughterhouse, a frail white-haired girl held a muscular man as bulky as a bear, sprinting, with her silhouette weaving skillfully between the buildings, jumping and dodging, leaving a series of afterimages.
Several enormous shadows chased behind them, occasionally spewing noxious fog to intercept them, yet the girl seemed to predict where the fog would fall, darting expertly away just before it landed.
“How is her speed so fast?” the tall, thin man whispered.
The cat-eared girl pondered for two seconds. “It should be that imitation of a divine mount she got from who knows where?”
“Oh…”
The tall, thin man responded faintly, then fell silent alongside the cat-eared girl, his feelings somewhat complex.
They had organized several group admissions, and while they had seen some impressive individuals before, even those who treated the admissions process like an exploratory game, they had never seen anyone turn it into a parkour game.
After a long while, the tall, thin man opened his mouth, about to say something, when suddenly, two unfamiliar spirit energy fluctuations intruded into his sensory range.
One radiated bloodthirst, the other a stench of decay, quickly approaching.
Feeling the two spirit energy fluctuations, the cat-eared girl seemed to sense something as her furry ears nervously twitched, her pupils narrowing like a blade.
“It seems what the person in Wang Buliu’s live stream said was true.” the tall, thin man spoke gravely, flexing his wrists as he stood.
“Hmm…” the cat-eared girl nodded, also rising to her feet, looking in the direction of the spirit energy fluctuations, where two sneaky shadows swooped in from afar, landing near the South Suburb Slaughterhouse.
People from the Solar Eclipse Society had appeared.
