Ten-odd days passed in a flash. The group moved further and further away from the Safe Zone, and the demons they encountered became progressively stronger.
However, Jiang Yuan and his group did not encounter hordes of demons; most were still Servant-level demons. Even if they encountered a Warrior-level demon, it would be instantly killed.
The dangerous training, which their instructors had described as perilous, seemed to have turned into a sightseeing tour.
The group traveled at a leisurely pace, enjoying the rare natural scenery.
The incredibly long, mottled railway tracks stretched deep into the green wilderness. All around, branches and leaves were lush, and flowers and plants were dense. Wafts of floral fragrance occasionally drifted by, and if one inhaled deeply, they could feel their lungs being cleansed by the fresh air, bringing a sense of comfort and vitality.
In truth, any normal creature would want to live in a place of natural harmony. It was just that demons occupied the areas outside the Safe Zone, forcing humans to be unable to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Humans could only live in a corner, surviving amidst steel and concrete.
The wilderness was a paradise for demons, but hell for humans.
...
Unbeknownst to them, the outline of Qingrong City had already appeared in their sight.
A winding river brushed past the overgrown, ruined Qingrong City, creating a somewhat peculiar harmony.
"We're almost there. Get ready to start recording data," Jiang Yuan reminded them.
Then, they officially stepped into the former territory of Qingrong City.
The group shed their relaxed state and immediately began to investigate the demon situation in the surrounding area of Qingrong City.
After an investigation in the green wilderness on the outskirts of Qingrong City, they found that there were not as many demons as imagined, even fewer than on their journey there.
After recording this information, the group began to enter the city.
Qingrong City was, after all, a city, and its scope was immense for their dozen or so people. To investigate thoroughly would certainly take a great deal of time.
So, Jiang Yuan came up with a plan.
Given that Qingrong City was just a small demon stronghold, with the strongest being merely Commander-level.
He decided to incite a beast tide, luring out all the hidden demons within Qingrong City, and then wiping them out in one fell swoop!
This was not reckless, because even without relying on his Undead Empire, Jiang Yuan had the strength to sweep away the demons in Qingrong City!
Strength is the best method!
"Jiang Yuan, how should we proceed next?" Mu Nujiao asked.
The others looked over, awaiting Jiang Yuan's command. What they had seen along the way had completely convinced them of Jiang Yuan's strength.
Jiang Yuan did not answer immediately. Instead, he took out a map of Qingrong City and looked at it, pointing to a spot and saying, "We'll go here first."
"Central Plaza?"
Everyone was surprised.
Lu Zhenghe quickly said, "Hasn't that place long since become a swamp? According to previous reports, the Lizard Demon's nest is there. The leader of the Lizard Demons is a Giant Lizard Pseudo-Dragon!"
"That's right, the Giant Lizard Pseudo-Dragon possesses the bloodline of a sub-dragon, making it much stronger than an ordinary Commander-level demon. Isn't it too dangerous for us to go there?" Xu Dalong also found Jiang Yuan's suicidal approach incomprehensible.
Even a team of High-Level Mages would be wiped out if they entered that swamp!
Unlike the fear from the Imperial Academy side, the Mingzhu Academy side was only slightly surprised. They knew that Jiang Yuan would never act without a reason; he must have confidence to do so.
Mo Fan said, "What are you afraid of? Just do it. If you think this decision is bad, then don't follow us. Stop dawdling!"
"This..."
Lu Zhenghe and the others looked at Mu Ningxue, as she was the captain for the Imperial Academy side.
Mu Ningxue pondered for a moment and asked, "May I ask why you want to go there? I am responsible for my team members, and I cannot just follow you without knowing the reason."
"Xuexue, don't worry. Jiang Yuan must have confidence to do this. I understand him best," Mo Fan said.
Mo Fan's words were useless; Mu Ningxue continued to wait for Jiang Yuan's answer.
"You'll know if you follow me."
Jiang Yuan said no more and directly led Mo Fan and the others towards the swamp.
The Imperial Academy group stood in place, hesitating.
However, they eventually followed.
Along the way, some demons, sensing the aura of living humans, charged out. Whether Servant-level or Warrior-level, they were all dealt with by Jiang Yuan immediately, as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.
The closer they got to the plaza, the more humid the air became, and the concrete on the ground was quickly covered by muddy swamps.
"Let's stop here."
Jiang Yuan halted his steps.
"And then what? What do we do next?" Mo Fan asked.
"I'll show you something shocking, guaranteed to inspire you to work hard and reach the pinnacle of life," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.
As his words fell, while Mo Fan was still puzzled, a massive, dazzling One Mind Starmap suddenly lit up behind Jiang Yuan.
"One Mind Starmap!" The people from Imperial Academy exclaimed, finally witnessing Jiang Yuan's rumored innate talent.
With this talent, he was simply invincible among intermediate-level mages!
"Wait, Jiang Yuan hasn't used a starmap before, not even a star-trail. Then how did he use his Undead System magic?" Lu Zhenghe suddenly realized.
"Don't you know? The lead teacher from Mingzhu Academy this time is from the Undead System. I specifically went to ask, and this is an ability Jiang Yuan gained after absorbing dark matter. He doesn't need star particles to activate it," Liao Mingxuan said.
The others were not surprised, and only then did Lu Zhenghe realize that he was the only one who had just found out about this.
"Too slow to react, my friend," Xu Dalong said with a laugh.
As they spoke, the starmap beside Jiang Yuan had already expanded into a ten-meter diameter pattern.
As the starmap connected to the Netherworld Space, it instantly seemed to open a portal to another world.
Death energy poured down like a torrent.
First to emerge was a Three-Eyed Underworld General, over ten meters tall, with a powerful Commander-level aura, imposing and awe-inspiring!
"Woohoo~"
An inconspicuous cotton cloud floated out and landed on Jiang Yuan's head.
"Commander-level Undead!" Lu Zhenghe's mouth dropped open, his face full of disbelief.
As a Summoning System Mage, he felt a tremendous blow at that moment.
As peers, someone already possessed a Commander-level summon, and it was an Undead that acted like a perpetual motion machine!
"It seems Jiang Yuan really held back during our spars."
Everyone from Imperial Academy wore a bitter smile.
After all that, they couldn't even defeat Jiang Yuan's summons.
However, the shock Jiang Yuan brought them was far from over.
From the vast sea of death energy, one Undead after another continued to emerge.
One, two, three, four...
Everyone's pupils widened as more and more Undead emerged, quickly filling the entire area in front of them!
Yet, this was only the beginning; a large number of Undead continued to pour out from the death energy!
Among them, one Nether General commanded a hundred Servant-level Undead.
And one Undead Commander would command a hundred Warrior-level Undead!
Warrior-level demons, rarely seen in the past, now appeared like dumplings falling into a pot.
Those Commander-level Undead, each capable of wiping out their entire team, also emerged in clusters from the death energy!!!