Nanjiang City.
Today was exceptionally lively. Two groups of people eyed each other with displeasure, and eventually, they decided to go their separate ways on either side of the road.
They each started their livestreams, and the number of viewers gradually increased. When the scenery of Nanjiang City appeared on their screens, the internet erupted with excitement.
"Nanjiang City truly lives up to its reputation as a great border city, it's magnificent!"
"Look, it's so bustling over there."
"Hurry to Guixu! I can't wait to see what Guixu looks like."
Urged by netizens, they only replenished some supplies in Nanjiang City before preparing to leave and head for Guixu.
However, as they reached the city gate, a troop of armored soldiers blocked their path.
"Guixu is dangerous, please turn back!" Lu Li stepped out from the crowd and advised.
He strongly disliked these young people who were unaware of their limitations, wishing they would all perish in Guixu.
If they died, it would prove the dangers of Guixu and also vent his anger. However, his superiors had ordered him to protect these people, so he had no choice but to comply, for he was a soldier!
He tried to persuade them, hoping this matter could be settled if they turned back.
At this moment, the leader of the "Guixu Safety Faction" emerged. He was a young man with dyed yellow hair, fair skin, a tall stature, and a somewhat effeminate demeanor. His name was Song Siwen, and he shouted,
"We are live-streaming, what do you want?"
Speaking in the loudest voice while uttering the most cowardly words, Lu Li felt even more contempt for him.
The leader of the other group, the "Guixu Danger Faction," was named Wang Shuang. He was also a young man, with long hair, dressed in a green robe, and a long sword at his waist, clearly imitating the Sword God.
He bowed and said, "General, please grant us passage. We will not venture deep. I know Guixu is dangerous, but to silence certain people, I must take this risk!"
His idol was the Sword God, and he absolutely would not allow these people to slander the Sword God, hence his intense dislike for the yellow-haired young man.
Yet, it was people like him who were considered brave by many, daring to question authority.
He intended to personally prove that Guixu was dangerous and show them they were wrong with practical experience.
Lu Li curled his lip. If you people hadn't come, others would have proven the dangers of Guixu. But now that the matter had been stirred up, they were in a passive position.
Wang Shuang chuckled, "Brothers, they want us to shut up. Isn't that funny?"
As his words fell, the people around him burst into laughter.
"We are debunkers, seeking the truth for people. Please don't speak carelessly."
"Yes, we are in the right. You just wait to be silenced!"
"If you don't let us pass, it means you're guilty. They're definitely afraid we'll see the truth."
"Fellow netizens, can you tolerate this?"
With someone fanning the flames, the situation began to spiral out of control, and countless netizens began to denounce Lu Li, saying all sorts of things.
Lu Li glanced at the livestream comments and felt his blood pressure surge, wishing he could immediately take out his saber and kill them.
"See, they're guilty! It's too obvious!"
"Is the matter of Nanjiang City resisting foreign races also something they fabricated?"
"It can't be fabricated, can it? Aren't there videos?"
"Videos can be photoshopped. You're so naive."
"We want to see the truth! Move aside, move aside, move aside."
The more Lu Li thought about it, the angrier and more frustrated he became. His stubbornness flared up, and he instead issued an order: no one was to be allowed to pass!
They were to hold the city gate tightly, letting no one through.
However, the next moment, the City Lord's call came, and he instantly deflated like a bruised eggplant, lowering his head.
"Let them through!"
Seeing this, everyone revealed triumphant expressions. They took out their identification cards, placed them on the sensors, the city gate opened, and they rushed out one by one.
After everyone had left, Lu Li stood there, lost in thought.
At this moment, the City Lord's call came again.
"City Lord, I intended for them to retreat in the face of difficulties, but I didn't expect it to cause such a huge public outcry. It's my fault, please punish me."
His burly body was slightly bowed, like a primary school student admitting fault.
The City Lord chuckled, "It's alright. Hurry up and follow them. Remember, absolutely do not let everyone die unexpectedly!"
After saying this, he hung up the phone.
Lu Li stood rooted to the spot for a long time, contemplating the City Lord's unspoken words.
After a while, he suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, "I understand, I understand! Hahaha!!!"
He thought to himself: If no one dies, it won't prove the danger of Guixu. But if everyone dies, I'll be blamed for failing to protect them. Therefore, some dying and some surviving is the best outcome, hehe.
He looked at the receding figures of everyone and murmured, "City Lord, as always, is 'far-sighted'~"
With that, he smiled and, leading a dozen subordinates, followed after them.
Outside the city.
A road leading directly to Guixu was pitted and bumpy, with dense forests on either side. In the distance, undulating mountain peaks could be seen.
The scenery here was different from the plains of the inland, which greatly intrigued many people, who started taking photos.
The livestream was also buzzing.
"This isn't dangerous at all. I wonder who said it was dangerous."
"Look at the scenery here, it's so beautiful. The air must be very fresh. I want to come here for vacation when I have time off."
"Wow, look at the sky, what a huge bird!"
The camera zoomed in, capturing a large bird with a wingspan of about ten meters.
Everyone was amazed. It was rare to see such a large bird in the inland. Many were office workers who never went hunting, so seeing such a sight was even rarer.
They all exclaimed loudly, appearing like uncivilized folk.
Lu Li, following behind, let out a slight sigh upon seeing the large bird in the sky.
"A fifth-tier Sky-Rending Bird. That's enough. Let them die one first. If they get scared and turn back, there will be no more trouble." He muttered, not intending to intervene immediately.
The ferocious beasts in this region were not afraid of humans. If you exposed yourself, they would attack you, especially flying beasts, which often attacked humans.
As expected, a moment later, the giant bird swooped down.
Screech!
The Sky-Rending Bird dived, its wings shimmering with a green light. Before the bird even arrived, a green slash descended.
"Oh no, this bird attacks people!" someone exclaimed in alarm.
"Run!" someone shouted, quickly spotting Lu Li and his group behind them and rushing towards them.
In an instant, the entire group descended into chaos. A few individuals attempted to use their abilities to resist, but if they were powerful, they wouldn't be coming to Guixu to prove its dangers by doing such a foolish thing.
Song Siwen's face turned pale with fright, and he even turned off his wristband.
Suddenly, a person next to him was snatched into the sky by a claw.
Then, with a light tear of the claw, flesh and blood were torn in half, and blood rained down.
Ah!
How terrifying, how terrifying!
How could this place be so dangerous?
Seeing that someone had died, Lu Li thought they would be scared off. He hurled his axe fiercely.
Boom!
The axe struck the Sky-Rending Bird's head, instantly killing it.