Gao Wu: After transforming into a soft girl, I became a calamity?

"forty thousand?!"

Even though she was mentally prepared, Xu Xiaoan still felt a chill run down her spine.

But she maintained her indifferent expression, turned slightly to the side, and said approvingly:

"Well done."

"Your Highness is too kind."

Yun Ling bowed deeply.

Actually, according to the original plan, 20,000 would have been the maximum. The fact that half that number suddenly appeared is a huge windfall!

With so many extra people, including over a hundred at the sixth rank, I finally don't have to do everything myself anymore.

In addition to these people, when the outbreak first started, many others fled to the secret realms in those wastelands.

If we send out followers to search everywhere, we should be able to catch some more people.

The power of [Plague] is, to say the least, incredibly fast at producing troops.

The only regret is that almost all of the seventh-tier units were wiped out by [Doomsday] and [Eternal Day].

No matter how many low- or mid-level believers there are, they are no match for even one high-level combatant!

"Young Master, now that you have arrived safely, I will take my leave for the time being."

"Um."

Xu Xiaoan withdrew her gaze and remained silent.

Her own status was extremely "respectable," and she didn't need to participate in any actions; she was just moving to a new place.

"Thump!"

The heavy metal door made a dull thud, and then the room fell silent.

Xu Xiaoan closed her eyes and sat quietly by the window.

For some reason, even though Yunling and the others kept calling her "Young Master," it always made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

Perhaps in their eyes, they are merely vessels for the so-called "Lord" to descend.

"well……"

Xu Xiaoan sighed softly.

In human terms, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

Having experienced Jiang Mian's gentleness, she had already developed a dependence on him.

Although she longed to return to her side, Xu Xiaoan knew the importance of her "undercover" role. If she left, she probably would never have another chance to get in.

"No!"

Xu Xiaoan patted her cheeks.

We can't be this depressed!

I haven't done enough!

She was determined to make a name for herself when she arrived, to impress Sister Mian and that annoying guy. How could she give up halfway?

Let's set a small goal first:

She wants to seize some real power and become a true "young master," not a mascot who just sits around doing nothing!

Although the believers were respectful to her, it was only superficial; in reality, they didn't listen to her at all.

As for how to do it, Xu Xiaoan had already figured it out.

Laying out spiritual nodes and secretly extending tendrils is her instinct as a [Formless] being.

The chaotic power that Yun Ling spreads can serve as her cover, as long as it is not easily integrated.

Without hesitation, Xu Xiaoan activated his [Separation] ability, and an inconspicuous dark red fleshy ball quickly appeared in his palm.

……

In the following days, the entire area within the "Deadline," including Base City 187, fell into an eerie calm, as if nothing had ever happened.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

As early as the next day, Shen Qiuyu led his team back to the battle group's base and reported the news that Jiang Mian had brought back.

The authorities quickly took action, dispatching major battle groups to completely surround the "Dead Line," clearly intending to build a brand-new "Northern Defense Line."

Although Jiang Mian and Ye Chenyang claimed to be resting, they also wandered around the wasteland intentionally or unintentionally.

Firstly, I'm searching the secret realm to help Jiang Mian speed up the fusion progress of [Annihilation]. It's currently at 45%.

Secondly, it was to let Ye Chenyang recall the terrain here.

In his previous life as [Eternal Day], after reaching the sixth rank, he joined a battle group codenamed "Radiant Sky" and was immediately parachuted in as a company commander.

Eight years later, Ye Chenyang advanced to the eighth rank and naturally became the commander-in-chief of the Northern Battle Group.

Unfortunately, before he could even form the rudimentary form of authority and reach the ninth rank, he perished along with the withering two years later.

Ye Chenyang rarely mentioned this experience to Jiang Mian, only saying that it was nothing but fighting and very boring.

After all, most of the Awakened Ones of the "Radiant" are on the [Radiant] path, with a very clear role: to support other chapters or to open up passages through the fog.

It could be said that their daily lives consisted of wandering aimlessly through the fog.

It was because of this experience that Ye Chenyang could guarantee that, apart from calamities, no one understood the terrain of the North better than him.

However, the location of the withered's main base kept changing, and Ye Chenyang could only deduce where it was at this time by using some clues.

"The Withered originated from Base City 181, located in the northwest."

Above a dead city, Ye Chenyang used the power of [Radiance] to condense a holographic map, projecting all his memories of this land onto Jiang Mian.

He pointed to the base city at the far end of the northwest corner, drew a semicircle inwards, and connected it to base city number 183 in the northeast corner.

Jiang Mian noticed that the area that had been separated seemed to be much larger than the area within the current "deadline".

Seeing her confusion, Ye Chenyang explained:

"The 'Deadline' of Withering Division was originally intended to carve out a piece of land from the government, using it as a rear base to gradually encroach on the surrounding areas. But..."

Jiang Mian tilted her head and continued the conversation:

"But now the Chaos Cult has reaped the benefits?"

At this point, she suddenly understood something.

"Does that mean that even if we don't take action for now, the two sides will inevitably start fighting sooner or later?"

"Um."

Ye Chenyang nodded deeply.

In the past few days, their development has been extremely rapid, just like cockroaches that have just entered a new home. They have begun to reproduce rapidly and have completely taken control of the two base cities, 187 and 185.

These two base cities are ranked first and second in this region by population!

It's no problem to say that one of them is as good as three!

According to Xu Xiaoan's real-time updates, the Chaos Cult now has over 60,000 members.

This scale is far larger than the original Boundless Gate!

However, having more people doesn't necessarily make a difference.

Although Jiang Mian is only at the sixth rank, once he activates the [Disaster Beast True Form] and goes all out, the natural disasters he unleashes are enough to easily cover an entire medium-sized base city.

Moreover, base cities cannot be moved, but "natural disasters" can!

Therefore, the actual destructive power is only higher, not lower!

As the fusion level of [Annihilation] gradually increases, her clearing ability will only become stronger!

"Let's go."

Ye Chenyang withdrew the holographic projection and patted Jiang Mian's head.

"Let's go keep watch near Base City 185; we might just witness a good show."

"Really?"

Hearing that there was a show to watch, Jiang Mian's eyes lit up, and she quickly grabbed Ye Chenyang's arm.

"Walk!"

Ye Chenyang smiled, and the power of [Eternal Day] covered his entire body. He and Jiang Mian transformed into a golden light and instantly disappeared from the spot.

However, they hadn't gone far when they were blocked by a black fog.

A torrential downpour was falling through the fog, accompanied by gusts of cold wind.

Jiang Mian stood in mid-air, manipulating a wisp of rain to float before him.

It was an ominous pure black color, with very little water content, and was almost entirely composed of dense death energy.

"Sequence 11, [Shadow Rain Ruins]? It seems they've already made their move."

As he spoke, Ye Chenyang was about to use the power of [Formless] to create another layer of cover.

But Jiang Mian patted him on the shoulder.

"Brother Ye, let me do it."

Ye Chenyang turned to look at her, and the surging shadow power on his body obediently subsided.

With a slight thought, Jiang Mian gathered a piece of "wind" imbued with the power of [Annihilation] and used it as a wind shield around himself.

Then, her figure miraculously disappeared, without even leaving a trace.

"This is?"

Ye Chenyang was startled.

"A small application of the power of 'Annihilation'. Complete concealment, even able to fool an eighth-order being."

"However, there are also drawbacks. In this state, teleportation will create a large vacuum, which is no different from actively breaking stealth in front of high-level opponents."

Jiang Mian poked his head out from the void, making it look like only his head was swaying in the air, which made the corner of his mouth twitch slightly.

"But all things considered, it's still pretty good, isn't it?"

"Yes, that's great."

Ye Chenyang forced a smile and gave her a thumbs up.

"hey-hey."

Jiang Mian opened a crack, put his hands on his hips, and said:

"Then what are we waiting for? Come in quickly!"