Ark Chess Player.

Amiya wanted to turn around, but Frostleaf grabbed her hand and led her away.

They haven't left the danger zone yet; it's not safe here, and they can't stop.

Jessica fought back tears and ran forward headlong into the distance.

They didn't know how far they had run, or how long they had run. It wasn't until the explosions subsided, and a familiar scene appeared at the edge of their vision—the road they had come from. Only then did they realize that they had left the ruins of District 14.

Amiya, panting, placed her hands on her trembling knees, bending over and struggling to keep breathing.

My whole body felt like it was on fire, even my breathing felt like it was burning, and my limbs were aching.

"What happened to Longmen? Tell me!"

In front of Amiya, Superintendent Chen held the communicator and shouted into the other end.

"--What?"

Chen's expression suddenly turned terrifying. She gripped the communicator tightly, and the device emitted a creaking sound from the hand gripper.

When she hung up the call, the low pressure spread outwards, and she seemed unable to remain calm.

"Officer Chen, what happened?"

Amiya could feel Chen's anger, which emanated a powerful pressure like a landslide and a tsunami.

Chen Huijie turned to look at Amiya, recalling Lin Lu's comments about the Guard Bureau, and immediately flew into a rage. But she knew that the Doctor from Rhodes Island was not wrong at all; he was simply telling the truth.

This made Chen both anxious and angry. She tried her best to control her emotions and said through gritted teeth, "The Reunion Movement has captured an important facility of the Guard Bureau, dismantled the Maria defense network, and is forcibly opening the passage between the slums and the outer city... Lungmen is in danger."

"How could this be?" Amiya was dumbfounded; she hadn't expected the Reunion Movement to act so quickly.

“That’s the truth, and I have no excuses. Rhodes Island, Lungmen needs your support now. The Guard Bureau leadership has already submitted a new contract to your doctor. I’ll be here waiting for your reply. This time… Lungmen is in the wrong.”

Chen Huijie's last words were practically squeezed out between her teeth. The more she loved Longmen, the more she now hated its corruption. She was the only one present who knew about Longmen's Type 99 defense plan, and only she knew what Longmen was planning. Now, thinking about it, their being sent here on this mission might have been part of Wei Yanwu's scheme.

Lungmen's true goal is to wipe out the entire Integration Movement in one fell swoop.

Such a plan naturally comes at a price, and as to what that price is, and whether it is light or heavy, opinions will differ from person to person.

Amiya gave Inspector Chen a deep look, took out her frost-covered communicator, and contacted Kal'tsit amidst the noisy electronic chatter.

"Doctor Kelsey."

After the two reported their situations to each other, Amiya learned that the situation in Lungmen was worse than Chen had described.

The Lungmen Guard Bureau Building, Lungmen's security legend, Lungmen's anchor—has been occupied by the Reunion Movement.

This is more than just one important facility Chen mentioned; it's the most important place in the entire Lungmen! Even at a time like this, they're still keeping us in suspense, concealing the truth to maintain a shred of dignity. This made Amiya laugh out of anger.

The Guard Bureau building was reportedly breached from the inside and captured by Reunion Movement soldiers who appeared from an unknown location. Whether there were any casualties is currently unknown; all information has been suppressed, leaving people in a state of confusion and unaware of the details.

Furthermore, Kal'tsit received a report from the ACE squad.

The ACE team and the Scout team successfully reunited on the other side of the ruined city, where they encountered the Patriots of the Reunion Movement... A battle was about to break out, and after a brief exchange, the ACE team and the Scout team suffered a crushing defeat.

The elite squad encountered an unprecedented setback and was crushed in this battle.

But they successfully withdrew from the battle, and the Patriots recognized their merits and therefore did not kill them.

Furthermore, the missing Scout squad members successfully escaped the ruins of City 14, but they were rescued by W, a cadre of Reunion. W, this mysterious Sarkaz mercenary girl, no one knows what she's thinking. No one could have guessed that she would lend a helping hand to Rhodes Island operators; all that's known is that she turned and ran as soon as she saw Scout, disappearing in an instant.

The mobile squad successfully evacuated; the operation was a success. Unfortunately…

Amiya sighed softly, took heavy steps, and turned to look behind her.

The abandoned Chernobog 14 district was shrouded in a hazy gray, filled with Originium particles so dense they were almost tangible. Rushing in unprepared would drastically increase one's Originium fusion rate, turning one into a statue would only be a matter of time.

The doctor is inside.

Will the PhD student really be safe and sound?

Amiya dared not think about it seriously, afraid that she would unconsciously think in the worst possible direction.

"Amiya, you are the commander of this operation, and the mission is not over yet."

Kal'tsit's voice was as calm and clear as ever; she seemed never to be confused.

“Dr. Kal'tsit, but I…”

"Rhodes Island will not abandon any operator—right, Amiya?"

Kal'tsit mimicked Amiya's way of speaking; the same words, spoken by her, had a different feel. If Amiya was fearless and unstoppable, then Kal'tsit had weathered many storms and understood how heavy a promise could be.

“I’ll take charge of Lungmen. I’ll send an elite operator, Blaze, with support equipment to the ruined city.” Kal’tsit paused for a moment, then whispered into the communicator, “Amiya, bring back that arrogant, conceited, and immature Doctor who tries to shoulder everything by himself. He still owes Rhodes Island thirty years of service and has maxed out my paycheck. How can we let him get away?”

"Doctor Kelsey..."

Amiya tilted her head back and perked up again.

"I will! I will definitely bring the doctor back!"

"please."

Amiya ended her communication with Kal'tsit and headed towards the location of the Royal Guard.

"Have you thought it through?" Chen Huijie looked at Amiya's composed expression and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Yes, Officer Chen. Rhodes Island accepts Lungmen's invitation, and we will complete the corresponding work in the contract. However, Rhodes Island still has the right to terminate the contract and will not return the materials provided by Lungmen."

Amiya stood on equal footing with Superintendent Chen, neither humble nor arrogant, displaying the demeanor of a leader of Rhodes Island.

"...The Reunion Movement has laid an ambush outside Lungmen, and our way back will be fraught with setbacks. Rhodes Island only needs to do its job, and leave the rest to the Guard Bureau."

"clear."

The Guard Bureau wants to save face, while Rhodes Island wants substance.

Amiya turned and walked towards the ruined city, and Superintendent Chen frowned in confusion.

"Amiya, aren't you planning to come with us?"

"Rest assured, when the Guard Bureau team arrives at the outskirts of Lungmen, a Rhodes Island team will naturally provide support."

"Really... Good luck."

Chen Huijie did not force Amiya to stay; she remained skeptical about whether the Rhodes Island doctor had survived. Surviving such a devastating explosion was simply unimaginable.

However, if it were him... perhaps he really could do it.

If the Guardian squad had stayed to help Rhodes Island, it might have increased the chances of a rescue operation, but Chen chose Lungmen.

Just as Amiya chose the Doctor, Chen chose Lungmen; both must bear the consequences of their choices.

Have you seen Frostnova?

"Wasn't she up ahead...? Where did she go?!"

"Could it be that my older sister didn't follow us?!"

The sounds of the Yetis making a ruckus could be heard.

They followed Frostnova's orders and evacuated with Rhodes Island, but after running out of the ruined city, they couldn't find Frostnova anywhere.

"No, I have to go inside and find my older sister. How can I just leave her here!"

A member of the Yeti squad, dressed in a white robe, wanted to return to the ruined city, but was held down by the others.

"Big Bear, calm down! At least wait until the Originium fog dissipates! If you go in now, you'll die in no time!"

"My older sister's health is even worse than ours. According to what you're saying, isn't she in even more danger?"

"With her powerful magic, how could anything possibly happen to her!"

“Um, you guys…”

Amiya abruptly interrupted the Yeti team's argument.

She felt the emotions emanating from the Yetis, and their worry for their families touched her deeply.

Do you need Originium protective gear?

Amiya asked earnestly.

Chapter 376 Is Your Father Still Alive? (Second Update)

The ruins of Chernobog No. 14, the landing plaza, above the ground level.

The brilliant star chart was nowhere to be seen. Looking up, Lin Lu could only see the collapsed steel frame and concrete pillars.

The spontaneous detonation of the herd triggered a chain reaction, like firecrackers thrown into a garbage dump, causing the fire to spread uncontrollably.

Mephisto set fire to the pile of corpses bearing the Reunion Movement flag. These corpses, which had grown minerals, were also blown up by the explosion of the herd, completely collapsing the artificial foundation. It's important to understand that the foundation of a mobile city is sturdy enough to support skyscrapers; even the Skeleton Raiders' incineration cannons only managed to create a small opening. Meanwhile, the Advent Plaza in Chernobog was completely vaporized.

Based on this assumption, the power of this explosion was no less than that of a full-scale attack by ten Skeleton Raiders.

There is a very important reason why Lin Lu, who was at the epicenter of the explosion, is still alive.

"Wake up, girl."

"Girl, wake up! Girl, you can't do this!"

"We've only just met today, young lady, please be a little more reserved."

Lin Lu looked at the white rabbit clinging to him, then at the black ice crystals enveloping him and the girl from Carter's, and felt a surge of emotions. He had the feeling of lying in a capsule hotel with a beautiful girl, the only problem being that the space was too small and he couldn't move.

The moment the astrological chart collapsed and the temporal order was forcibly restored to balance, Lin Lu no longer had the strength to stand up; even raising his hand felt difficult. His digitized spiritual domain automatically shut down, and Lin Lu could no longer sense the presence of the anemone and Ibitas; his eyes, as a result, returned to their dark black.

Just when Lin Lu felt he was about to be blown to pieces, a white figure broke through the air.

"Sleep, sleep, hedgehog dolls and teddy bears... sink into the quiet night..."

Amidst the cacophony of explosions, the gentle lullaby, though seemingly out of place, brought a sense of peace.

As Lin Lu listened to the girl's singing, a crack appeared in his sealed memories; he seemed to have heard this song somewhere before. In the frozen wasteland, because of a blizzard, he and a young girl from Cassius were sheltering in a tent in the woods, using the natural terrain to protect them from the cold wind. He lay on the girl's lap, she sang a lullaby, her cool fingers gently stroking his black hair…

Those are memories of the past.

Those are the memories of Lin Lu and Shuang Xing from the past.

A cold wave gathers, causing unusual phenomena in the heavens and earth, and Originium Arts stirs up elemental turbulence.

Black ice crystals spread, the burning pile of corpses quietly extinguished, their heat instantly drained, and the chill of the entire area absorbed. The white mist and cold currents accentuated Frost Star; she was like a fairy descended from the heavens, embracing Lin Lu with pure, flawless frost.

For Lin Lu, this was the most exciting reunion in the world.

For Frostnova, this was the warmest embrace in the world.

Black ice crystals bound Lin Lu and Shuang Xing tightly together, preventing them from being touched no matter how the ruined city shook during the explosion. The foundation collapsed, and the ice crystals fell downwards, directly into the underground district of the mobile city.

Both Lin Lu and Shuang Xing fell into a coma as a result, their mental energy completely depleted.

When Lin Lu woke up, Shuang Xing was lying on top of him, looking incredibly adorable as she slept. Quietly, a sweet smile played on her lips, her long eyelashes drooping, and her silver hair pressed against Lin Lu's chest.

Lin Lu barely managed to stretch out his hands in the cramped space. His regenerative ability was still as astounding as ever; his previously battered hands were now completely healed. Unfortunately, Lin Lu hadn't studied his regenerative ability yet, otherwise he would have been able to judge the passage of time by the degree of injury recovery.

Lin Lu gently poked Shuangxing's cheek; the girl's soft face felt a gentle elasticity as his fingers touched it.

"Wake up."

The familiar voice echoed in Froststar's ears.

"Wake up...wake up! Adam, bring me some warm water, quick!"

—It seemed to be the father's voice.

"Adam, hurry! Give me the water, come on, drink... Great... She's alive, she's alive..."

--dad?

"Daddy? Ah... Yes, it's me, I'm Daddy. Don't fall asleep, open your eyes, Daddy's here. Don't sleep, don't sleep, please, don't sleep. Grab Daddy's hand, hiss... no, don't let go!"

—Dad…I’m so cold…

"Don't sleep, daughter, my daughter, live! Adam, Mishka, think of something! Her temperature is still dropping, her magic has overtaxed her body, what, there's no way to divert the flow? Swallow those words!"

—Dad…cold…

"Daddy's here, I'm holding you tight, I'm not cold anymore. Don't... don't leave me again..."

The voice buried deep in her memory echoed in Froststar's mind, and she subconsciously sniffed.

"dad……"

"Hey, I'm here."

"..."