Courtyard House: Report enemy agents at the start, and you'll take off immediately.

Page 172

“Understood, Captain.” Lia nodded, her eyes sparkling with a thirst for knowledge.

“Yu Meishu, you are responsible for coordinating resources within the city, strengthening defensive fortifications, and contacting friendly forces in the surrounding area. We need allies.” Zhao De’s gaze turned to Yu Meishu, who nodded firmly.

“Captain, I have another suggestion.” At this moment, a young mage in the team, Xiao Liu, timidly raised his hand to speak, “Could we try to contact some reclusive masters or explore the legendary secret realms? Perhaps they hold the secrets to fighting powerful enemies.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao De's eyes lit up: "Good idea, Xiao Liu, I'll leave this matter to you and Liya to handle together. Remember, be cautious and safety first."

"Yes, Captain!" Xiao Liu and Liya smiled at each other, their eyes filled with anticipation for the unknown adventure.

Just as everyone split up to prepare for the upcoming challenge, a messenger rushed into the conference room, clutching a sealed letter. "Urgent message from the Heart of Light headquarters!"

Zhao De quickly took the letter, opened it, and his expression changed drastically after reading it. "Headquarters has been attacked by an unknown force, suffering heavy losses. Requesting reinforcements!"

"What?!" The crowd in the conference room gasped, and the tense atmosphere escalated once again.

"We must go back; headquarters cannot be lost." Zhao De's words were filled with unwavering determination. "Yu Meishu, you stay here to continue strengthening the defenses of Ice City and keep a close eye on the Shadow Weavers' movements. The rest of you, come back to headquarters with me!"

"Captain, please be careful," Yu Meishu said worriedly, watching Zhao De and his group leave in a hurry.

On the way back to the headquarters of the Heart of Light, Zhao De was filled with mixed emotions. This attack was clearly not a coincidence; the forces behind it were far more powerful than they had imagined. He knew this would be a tough battle, but as captain of the Dawn, he had no choice but to press forward.

"Captain, we've arrived." The adjutant's voice interrupted his thoughts. Before him came the ruins of the Heart of Light headquarters. The once magnificent building was now nothing but broken walls and rubble.

"Everyone, spread out and search for survivors, while remaining vigilant," Zhao De quickly issued the order, and the team members immediately sprang into action.

As Zhao De traversed the ruins, he frequently heard his teammates calling out to him—some overjoyed to discover survivors, others sadly confirming the identities of the fallen. Each time he stopped, he felt a heavy sense of responsibility weighing on his heart.

"Captain, there's someone here!" A team member's shout broke the silence. Zhao De rushed over and saw an injured old man being carefully carried out. It was Old Yang, the former leader of the Heart of Light and Zhao De's mentor.

"Old Yang, are you alright?" Zhao De anxiously stepped forward to check the old man's injuries.

“Dawn, you’ve come…” Old Yang’s breath was weak, but his eyes remained resolute. “The enemy… is very powerful, but we cannot give up…”

"Don't worry, Lao Yang, we'll handle it," Zhao De reassured him, though his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Chapter 139 Busy

Chapter 139 Busy

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar, and a soldier covered in dust ran up, panting, and said, "Captain, we found traces of the enemy in the basement. It seems they are looking for something."

"Take me to see him." Zhao De immediately stood up, feeling a vague unease in his heart.

In the basement, a heavy iron door was half-open, emitting a faint blue light. Zhao De signaled his team to prepare for battle, then slowly pushed open the door. The scene before them took him and his team by surprise.

In the center of the room, a device similar to but more complex than the one they had encountered before was emitting a strange light, while several figures dressed in black robes were busy around it, seemingly performing some kind of ritual.

"It's them!" a team member growled, gripping his weapon tightly.

"Wait." Zhao De waved to stop the impulsive team members. He realized that direct confrontation might not be the best option. "We need more information. Let's observe first."

Just then, a man in black robes suddenly turned around, his gaze meeting Zhao De's, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Oh, Captain Dawn, welcome to our stage. It seems the game has started ahead of schedule."

"Who exactly are you? What do you want?" Zhao De questioned, feeling an unprecedented pressure.

The man in black robes did not answer directly. Instead, he slowly walked towards the device, gently touched it, and the light emanating from it became even more dazzling. "What you call the Heart of Light is nothing more than a toy in our hands. As for our purpose... you will soon find out."

After speaking, the man in black robes disappeared in a distorted spatial fluctuation, leaving behind only the mysterious device and a room full of mysteries.

"Captain, what do we do now?" a team member asked anxiously.

"Well done, Meishu! You've bought Ice City precious time," Zhao De praised, finally relieved. He quickly adjusted his strategy, deciding to seize this opportunity to launch a counterattack. "All team members, prepare to attack! We'll show the Shadowweavers that Ice City isn't so easily conquered!"

At Zhao De's command, the elite squad and the city's defense forces surged with renewed vigor, pouring out of the city gates like a tidal wave and launching a fierce attack on the stagnant machinery and the panicked Shadowweaver troops. The battle horns sounded, swords clashed, and magic and arrows traced dazzling trajectories in the air.

"This...how is this possible?" The Shadowweaver leader, pale-faced, murmured in disbelief as he witnessed everything. His subordinates around him were also in chaos, their once-precise formation falling apart.

"Surrender, Shadowweavers!" Zhao De shouted, his voice piercing through the battlefield's clamor and striking the enemy's hearts. "Lay down your weapons, and we can give you a just trial."

"Absolutely not!" The Shadowweaver leader gritted his teeth, unwilling to give up despite the unfavorable situation. "We still have our last resort..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly pulled out a talisman that shimmered with an eerie light. Just as he was about to chant the incantation, he was struck by a sudden bolt of lightning, instantly turning to ashes. It was Lia; she had used the special magical runes she had just deciphered to thwart the enemy's plot.

"Captain, the danger is over," Lia reported softly, a victorious smile on her face, but a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.

Chapter 140 An Unprecedented Crisis.

Chapter 140 An Unprecedented Crisis.

"Well done, Leah." Zhao De nodded in praise, but he already had a plan in mind. Although the battle was temporarily won, the power behind the Shadowweavers should not be underestimated, and they must find a way to completely resolve the problem as soon as possible.

As the battle ended, jubilation erupted throughout Ice City. Residents surrounded their returning heroes, their cheers and expressions of gratitude filling the air.

"Captain Chenxi, you are truly our guardian angel!" A young mother hugged her child, tears of gratitude streaming down her face.

"It is your trust and support that has given us strength," Zhao De replied with a smile, his gaze gentle yet firm, as if telling everyone that no matter how difficult the future may be, the Heart of Light will always stand with Ice City.

Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, Zhao De's communication talisman suddenly rang. It was Zhao De's voice, which was more serious than ever before: "Dawn, I just received news that the forces behind the Shadow Weavers have begun to take action. Their target seems to be more than just Ice City... The entire continent may face an unprecedented crisis."

"What?!" Zhao De's heart skipped a beat; he knew all too well what this meant. This was not merely a local war, but a contest concerning the fate of the entire continent.

"Captain, what should we do?" Xiao Zhang asked nervously, his voice reflecting the feelings of everyone present.

Zhao De took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over every expectant face before finally settling on the distant horizon, where the setting sun was slowly sinking, as if heralding a new beginning. "We will no longer be merely the guardians of Ice City, but the messengers of light for the entire continent. From this moment on, we will unite all forces willing to resist darkness to face this storm together."

"Captain, we swear to follow you to the death!" the team members responded in unison, their voices converging into an unstoppable force that shook the hearts of everyone present.

“Very well, then it’s settled.” Zhao De’s tone revealed an undeniable determination. “First, we need more intelligence. Xiao Li, you will lead a small team to secretly investigate the specific information about the forces behind the Shadow Weavers. Be extremely careful.”

"Yes, Captain!" Xiao Li saluted, then turned and left to carry out his mission.

"Lia, continue studying the captured weapons and magical runes to see if you can find more clues about their technology or anything that can be used by us," Zhao De instructed.

“Understood, Captain.” Lia nodded, her eyes sparkling with a thirst for knowledge.

“Yu Meishu, you are responsible for coordinating resources within the city, strengthening defensive fortifications, and contacting friendly forces in the surrounding area. We need allies.” Zhao De’s gaze turned to Yu Meishu, who nodded firmly.

“Captain, I have another suggestion.” At this moment, a young mage in the team, Xiao Liu, timidly raised his hand to speak, “Could we try to contact some reclusive masters or explore the legendary secret realms? Perhaps they hold the secrets to fighting powerful enemies.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao De's eyes lit up: "Good idea, Xiao Liu, I'll leave this matter to you and Liya to handle together. Remember, be cautious and safety first."

"Yes, Captain!" Xiao Liu and Liya smiled at each other, their eyes filled with anticipation for the unknown adventure.

Just as everyone split up to prepare for the upcoming challenge, a messenger rushed into the conference room, clutching a sealed letter. "Urgent message from the Heart of Light headquarters!"

Chapter 141 Ruins

Chapter 141 Ruins

Zhao De quickly took the letter, opened it, and his expression changed drastically after reading it. "Headquarters has been attacked by an unknown force, suffering heavy losses. Requesting reinforcements!"

"What?!" The crowd in the conference room gasped, and the tense atmosphere escalated once again.

"We must go back; headquarters cannot be lost." Zhao De's words were filled with unwavering determination. "Yu Meishu, you stay here to continue strengthening the defenses of Ice City and keep a close eye on the Shadow Weavers' movements. The rest of you, come back to headquarters with me!"

"Captain, please be careful," Yu Meishu said worriedly, watching Zhao De and his group leave in a hurry.

On the way back to the headquarters of the Heart of Light, Zhao De was filled with mixed emotions. This attack was clearly no coincidence; the forces behind it were far more powerful than they had imagined. He knew this would be a tough battle, but as captain of the Dawn, he had no choice but to press forward.

"Captain, we've arrived." The adjutant's voice interrupted his thoughts. Before him came the ruins of the Heart of Light headquarters. The once magnificent building was now nothing but broken walls and rubble.

"Everyone, spread out and search for survivors, while remaining vigilant," Zhao De quickly issued the order, and the team members immediately sprang into action.

As Zhao De traversed the ruins, he frequently heard his teammates calling out to him—some overjoyed to discover survivors, others sadly confirming the identities of the fallen. Each time he stopped, he felt a heavy sense of responsibility weighing on his heart.

"Captain, there's someone here!" A team member's shout broke the silence. Zhao De rushed over and saw an injured old man being carefully carried out. It was Old Yang, the former leader of the Heart of Light and Zhao De's mentor.

"Old Yang, are you alright?" Zhao De anxiously stepped forward to check the old man's injuries.

“Dawn, you’ve come…” Old Yang’s breath was weak, but his eyes remained resolute. “The enemy… is very powerful, but we cannot give up…”

"Don't worry, Lao Yang, we'll handle it," Zhao De reassured him, though his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar, and a soldier covered in dust ran up, panting, and said, "Captain, we found traces of the enemy in the basement. It seems they are looking for something."

"Take me to see him." Zhao De immediately stood up, feeling a vague unease in his heart.

In the basement, a heavy iron door was half-open, emitting a faint blue light. Zhao De signaled his team to prepare for battle, then slowly pushed open the door. The scene before them took him and his team by surprise.

In the center of the room, instead of the previous complex equipment, stood a massive crystal sphere radiating a soft glow, suspended in mid-air, surrounded by intricate runes and unfinished magic circles. Several figures in black robes knelt on the ground, seemingly performing some kind of summoning ritual; their voices were low and urgent, filled with despair and madness.

"Stop them!" Zhao De shouted, and the team quickly spread out, surrounding the group of black-robed men. However, just as they were about to make their move, the crystal ball suddenly burst out with a blinding light, followed by a deep and ancient voice echoing in the air: "The Gate of the End is about to open. Mortals, your struggles are futile."

"What? The Gate of the End?" Zhao De's heart skipped a beat. He had seen this term in ancient prophecy books, which were said to hide a terrifying power capable of overturning the world.

Chapter 142 The Gate to Another World

Chapter 142 The Gate to Another World

"Captain, we can't let them succeed!" Xiao Zhang said urgently, his sword already drawn, gleaming with a resolute light.

“That’s right, we must stop this disaster.” Zhao De nodded, his gaze firm. “But we can’t fight them head-on. Their target is this crystal ball; we have to outsmart them.”

Just as they were discussing countermeasures, an unexpected voice joined the conversation: "Perhaps I can help."

Everyone turned around and saw that Old Yang had woken up at some point and was being helped slowly over by two team members. His eyes gleamed with wisdom, as if he already had a plan.

"Old Yang, your injury..." Zhao De asked with concern.

"It's alright, now's not the time to worry about me." Old Yang waved his hand, gesturing for his team members to lead him to the crystal ball. "This crystal ball is part of an ancient seal. If I'm not mistaken, they're trying to use it to open a gate to another world and release something that shouldn't exist."