Chapter 841
Everyone held their breaths. They could not believe their eyes.
Could an [S] class expert die?
Of course.
However, the killing of an [S] class expert usually involved an overwhelming advantage in numbers and a high casualty rate. In many situations, it would also require making use of the advantages given by the instance dungeon.
For an [S] class expert to be killed off so easily was simply unheard of before.
Rather, it would seem as though Chen Xiaolian… didn’t even give it his all.
The specks of dust that were once Dimitri fell to the ground, but Chen Xiaolian no longer bothered to look. Instead, he leaped into the sky to hover before the railing of the third floor of the building.
The edge blade of the Flash Bow of Ketu-Rahu swung out gently and the bars were slashed apart.
After the shackles restraining her hands and feet had been cut open, Phoenix quickly got up. Casting a look of disbelief at Chen Xiaolian, she said, “You… why did you come here? Also, you actually… killed Dimitri?”
“The thing I promised you back then… did you end up forgetting?” Chen Xiaolian smiled. “Come with me first. If there’s anything, we can slowly talk about it.”
After saying that, he turned around to look at the members of Starfall Guild, who were still standing in the courtyard with a blank expression on their faces. He said coolly, “We’ll meet again in the new Zero City.”
Three curtains of light descended, enveloping Chen Xiaolian, Tian Lie and Phoenix.
The curtains of light then disappeared, leaving only the members of the European branch of Starfall Guild, standing flabbergasted within the manor.
…
“I’ve always thought that the past me was already impressive enough as it is…” Tian Lie, who was standing in the empty central plaza, shifted his pupils to look at Chen Xiaolian. “I really miss the time when I could chase you around and toy with you.”
“Alright. Enough nonsense. I still have some matters to discuss with Phoenix. I asked you to help, but not only did you fail, you also had to rely on me to settle the situation in the end. Go do your thing,” Chen Xiaolian angrily retorted.
Tian Lie chuckled. Then, with both palms clasped against the back of his head, he swaggered away.
“What the f**k’s going on here?” Phoenix’s eyes were wide open as she looked around. She was already on the verge of going crazy. “This place, it’s really… Zero City? And how did you become so strong? Do you know who you just killed earlier?”
“New Zero City.” Chen Xiaolian smiled. “Alright. Let’s find a place to sit first.”
After saying that, Chen Xiaolian did not wait for Phoenix’s reply and simply walked towards the commercial street.
For the past few days, all the buildings and supporting power systems had been restored to that of the original Zero City’s design. Even so, the commercial street was practically empty.
There was nothing that could be done for it to not be as good as the original. At any rate, only a mere 300 or so people from Zero City remained. And while the GM was in charge of most of the equipment production, some personnel would still be needed to operate the machinery. Where would they find any extra men to operate the hotels and restaurants again?
Moreover, even if they were open, where would their customers come from?
Finding a random café, Chen Xiaolian pushed open its door and sat down on an empty seat beside the window. Then, pointing at the empty seat before him, he said, “Sit.”
Phoenix sat down. She looked around the café before taking a deep breath. “What exactly happened during the period where you disappeared?”
“A lot of things. Originally, I had wanted to go find you and Han Bi to fulfil my promise to you two after I found Qiao Qiao. By some accident, I ended up delaying it for this long.”
“And I thought you were going to renege on your promise.” Phoenix blinked. “Looks like you’ve become an amazing bigshot.”
“It would seem… I can be considered as one, albeit barely.” Chen Xiaolian did not appear too modest about it. “Simply put, I obtained some power and rebuilt Zero City. Naturally, for now, it is basically just an empty city. But in the near future, I will see this place restored to its original state. Rather, make it more prosperous. I will be uniting all the Awakened ones.”
“Is that why you killed Dimitri just now?” Phoenix nodded. “He is indeed unlikely to submit to you, but…”
“But what? You aren’t feeling sorry for him, are you?” Chen Xiaolian frowned.
Phoenix shook her head. Hesitating for a moment, she said, “It looks like you’ve changed somewhat, Chen Xiaolian. Unite all the Awakened ones? The past you did not harbour such an ambition. What is it you want to do? Become the King of all the Awakened ones?”
“Ambition my ass!” Chen Xiaolian threw a glare at Phoenix. “I killed him because he gave the order to have my friend captured! More, he nearly killed her! Isn’t that reason good enough?”
Phoenix raised her eyes to look at Chen Xiaolian. Her pursed lips turned slightly to form a faint smile, but she said nothing.
“As for why I want to unite all the Awakened ones… damn it, do you think I want to do all that? Do you think I don’t find it troublesome?” The more Chen Xiaolian spoke, the more agitated he became. “I have to exhaust myself and rush here and there! Become the King? The King can shove it up his royal ass! If there is a choice, I’d want to spend every day peacefully sleeping with Qiao Qiao in my arms!”
“I’m sorry…” Seeing Chen Xiaolian’s somewhat furious expression, Phoenix smiled wryly and shook her head. “I…”
“Enough… there’s no need to say anything.” Chen Xiaolian shook his head. There was a slightly tired look on his face. “I know that you are not really blaming me. I’m just feeling too tired. I’m just randomly ranting.”
“So, just what is your objective? Can you tell me?”
“Later. Let me first take care of some more important matters.” Chen Xiaolian shook his head. “Enough. Let’s cut down on the nonsense. I’ll first fulfil those things I promised you, lest you say I reneged on my promise. Those guild members of yours… you know their present-day identities, don’t you?”
“Naturally.” Phoenix nodded.
“Monster and the Titan brothers, a total of three people, correct?” Chen Xiaolian recalled before continuing with a solemn tone, “However, I must first remind you of one thing.”
Phoenix nodded and she listened as Chen Xiaolian continued.
“Firstly, there is only one chance for resurrection. If they die again, they will die for real. Moreover… they won’t even get the chance to return as normal humans.
“Secondly, this resurrection method can be regarded as an exploit of a certain BUG in the system. Due to that, they would not – unlike normal Awakened ones and Players – possess a complete version of the Exchange System. If they want to redeem items, they will need to do so through normal Awakened ones like you.
“Thirdly, you might hope dearly that your guild members can be resurrected, but can you be certain that they too, would want that? At any rate, they are now living a normal life as normal humans.
“That’s why… while I can provide you with the opportunity, in the end, I hope that you will carefully consider it first. Once you make that decision, there’ll be no going back.”
Phoenix’s eyelids trembled slightly and she turned away from Chen Xiaolian before nodding lightly.
“Here.”
Chen Xiaolian brought out a green card from his pocket and slid it across the table, placing it before Phoenix. “Your ID card.”
“This is…” Phoenix picked up the card and looked at it.
There was only a big ‘0’ on the front side. On its back was a serial number
“Zero City’s entry card. The one I gave you has unlimited access. You can activate the card at any time to create a passage to Zero City.” Chen Xiaolian stood up. “Naturally, you may choose to stay here for now. At any rate, you won’t be called into the instance dungeon here.”
“Resident… status?” Phoenix was surprised. “You’re giving it to me to easily? Do you know how hard it was to obtain this resident status in the past?”
“I’m the boss now. I get to call the shots. You’re my friend. What’s wrong with giving you a resident status? If you need anything, housing for example, just tell the management program about it. It will respond to you always.” Chen Xiaolian smiled.
“Thank you, Chen Xiaolian.” Phoenix kept the card and there was a solemn expression on her face as she looked at Chen Xiaolian.
“Don’t mention it.” Chen Xiaolian shook his head. “Back then, you accompanied me into the Bran instance dungeon. I have to repay that favour.”
“There is that.” A bright smile bloomed upon Phoenix’s face. “Then, I will stay here for a few days. Once I make up my mind, I will tell you.”
“You can stay as long as you want.” Chen Xiaolian then got up and pushed open the door. Suddenly, he sighed and turned back towards Phoenix.
“Finding you was quite easy, but that Han Bi… it’s hard. I had also promised him.”
Back then, as they were being sent out from the instance dungeon, Chen Xiaolian had not expected Gabriel and Cheng Cheng to split them up. He had not given Phoenix and Han Bi any way to contact him in advance.
Finding Phoenix had been relatively easy. At any rate, he did go to Bucharest to find Phoenix once before. And while he encountered some twists and turns, he did meet up with her in the end.
Han Bi, on the other hand…
Who knows where that fellow is hiding right now?
“You sure are trustworthy. If I was him, hearing your words would make me very touched.” Phoenix gave a beautiful smile.
“Forget it… I’ll take it slow.” Chen Xiaolian shook his head and left the café that did not serve coffee.
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