Reborn as a tiger, he was chosen by the nation as its guardian beast.

Chapter 172 Returning to China

"yes!"

Lin Yue said proudly, "Aren't we amazing!"

"Amazing, amazing!"

Cui Jiuyou's voice sounded somewhat helpless, but more so with a relieved joy: "Well done! You all take it—no, I mean escort it—back to China right now! I'll arrange for someone to meet you immediately!"

"etc!"

Just as Lin Yue was about to hang up, Cui Jiuyou's voice rang out again, his tone becoming much more serious.

"Where are you now? What's the situation around you? Where are the mutants?"

Lin Yue glanced back.

By this time, the "giant iron ball" they were riding had already left the mine.

Behind them, from within the hollowed-out mountain, terrifying roars and explosions echoed. Deprived of the mastermind's control, the forcibly gathered mutants immediately began a primal act of mutual slaughter.

It is foreseeable that before long, that place will become a meat grinder, eventually giving rise to a new "king," or it will be completely turned into a dead zone.

"Forget about those monsters, they're fighting amongst themselves now and can't care about us."

Lin Yue said nonchalantly, "We've just left the mine and are in the wilderness of Xiangxiong Kingdom, heading towards Yun City."

O

"I'll plan a route for you!"

"Now that there is internal turmoil in Xiangxiong, many countries and forces have infiltrated our ranks. We'd better not reveal that this regional mastermind has defected to us."

Cui Jiuyou's tone became serious.

Soon, a brand new action plan was sent to Lin Yue's phone.

He paused, then added, "Remember, your mission is to bring it back safely. Along the way, don't let anyone or anything touch it except the two of you! Someone will meet you at the border of Yun City!"

"What about the other world?"

Lin Yue suddenly couldn't help but ask again, "Master Long, he—"

"You don't need to worry about what's going on over there."

Cui Jiuyou's voice was calm and firm: "I've already dispatched a top-notch team of experts there. They will work with Master Long to conduct formal negotiations with Number Thirteen. Your current task is to complete your escort mission successfully. This is a top-level order, understand?"

"----Understood.

""

Although she was somewhat unwilling to miss out on the "big show" to come, Lin Yue still knew what was important.

After hanging up the communication, Lin Yue repeated Cui Jiuyou's instructions to the mainframe beneath her.

"Did you hear that, the big iron ball? But we're probably going to have to travel a bit further. Are you okay with that?"

The metal sphere stopped and remained silent for a moment.

"Actually, I can forgo the outer protective armor and mobility system, retaining only the core computing unit and life support system!"

"Just provide me with enough biomass once we get there."

17

"This way, my size will be the size of a basketball, making it easier for you to carry around."

The AI's voice rang in my ears, tinged with a hint of reluctance.

This tortoise shell is its last source of safety.

But after hearing what the Chinese side said, he was worried that something might happen on the way. Since he had already surrendered, he might as well go all the way and show his most naked side to these people.

Lin Yue and Wang Hu were both taken aback upon hearing this, and then overjoyed. If it was really as the regional mastermind said, then it would naturally be even better for them.

Both of them are extremely fast; if they were only carrying something the size of a basketball, they could return to China in about a day.

"That's great!"

"That's settled then!" Lin Yue said excitedly.

"Click—click—"

Soon, a sickening metallic scraping sound rang out.

The enormous metal sphere began to undergo a complex process of self-decomposition, much like a Transformer.

The heavy outer armor peeled off piece by piece, falling to the ground and creating deep craters. The eight spider legs also automatically retracted, folded, and finally separated from the main body.

Soon, the enormous object, which was more than five meters in diameter, was reduced to a multifaceted crystal about the size of a basketball, emitting a faint blue light.

This crystal is its true core.

All the computing units, data storage, and its "soul" are concentrated in this tiny crystal.

Lin Yue reached out and held the crystal in her hand. It felt heavy and cool to the touch, with a faint energy flowing on its surface.

"That's much more convenient."

She weighed it in her hand with satisfaction: "Why didn't you do it this way earlier?"

The core crystal of the mainframe flickered briefly, but remained silent.

It is now truly "at the mercy of others."

"Alright, Big Cat, let's go!"

Lin Yue carefully placed the core crystal into a specially made storage bag, and then called out to Wang Hu.

Wang Hu stood up, stretched, and his bones cracked and popped.

He glanced at the sky, then leaped onto the top of a small hill nearby.

Lin Yue also spread her wings and flew to his side.

"Given the current situation, should we still follow the route that Old Cui gave us?" she asked.

Wang Hu did not answer, but simply raised his front paw and pointed eastward.

Since these mutants have turned into balls, why bother with routes? Just keep moving forward.

Thinking this, he exerted force with all four legs, his body transforming into a golden streak of light, soaring into the sky. An invisible current of air supported his body, allowing him to move through the air as if on flat ground, at an astonishing speed.

"Wait for me!"

Lin Yuejiao shouted, flapped her wings, and created a dazzling trail of fire as she followed closely behind.

Two streaks of light, one golden and one colorful, drew two magnificent trajectories in the sky above the desolate and chaotic land of Xiangxiong Kingdom, speeding towards the distant east.

Their destination was Yun City.

A city located on the southwestern border of China, transformed into a vital border town due to the revival of spiritual energy.

"Hey, big bug, are you still there? Make a sound."

High in the sky, Lin Yue flapped her wings vigorously to keep up with Wang Hu's speed while poking the core crystal she was holding.

After the initial excitement, the long flight became tedious. Being someone who couldn't stand being alone, she wanted to find some fun.

"I prefer you to call me 'Enlightenment'."

A slightly weak, yet mechanically steady, synthesized voice echoed in her mind: "This is the code name I set for myself."

"Qiming? Oh, he's quite cultured."

Lin Yue laughed: "Fine, Qiming it is. Then tell me, what exactly is the origin of you mainframes? How come there are several of you? Is Number Thirteen your father, and which uncle or elder is Number Seven?"