Chapter Ninety-Eight: Citywide Lockdown and Entrapment

At this moment, Lin Qingyun had just finished buying his supplies and took the opportunity to stroll around, listening to what others were saying, how they viewed the situation, and to gauge how far events had progressed.

Having understood the reactions below, he believed that the news he had relayed to the higher-ups had already caught their attention through various channels. What happened next was up to them.

At least under the current circumstances, Lin Qingyun neither had the ability nor the chance to step forward and solve the problem.

One had to admit, no matter how the Demonic Cult operated, they were incredibly well-hidden. Even with Lin Qingyun’s own methods, he hadn’t uncovered anything truly useful after all this time.

At the entrance to Gathering Area No. 5, Lin Qingyun immediately sensed something was amiss as soon as he arrived. There were at least a hundred people gathered at the gate, and several entry and exit points had been sealed off.

“Brother, our safety is our own responsibility. We’ve spent all our money here. If you don’t let us out, we’ll starve right here…”

“Yeah, I already made plans to team up with others for a hunt. You can’t stop me from leaving…”

“Let us out first, then you can lock things down later…”

The scene at the gate was chaotic, with many people trying to negotiate with the management officials, who remained firm and unyielding.

“What’s the point in talking to us? This is all for your own safety. There’s confirmed danger now, so stay here for a while. The higher-ups have said there will be subsidies. All hotels under the He family’s management office are open to you for free, and interest-free loans are available. Hurry and take advantage…”

That single sentence immediately made many give up on leaving.

“No way…” Lin Qingyun had some suspicions before, but there was still some time before the blood sacrifice he remembered from his previous life. Now that he sensed something was wrong here and saw some people dispersing to take advantage, he pressed forward.

“Captain Wu, there’s such a good deal? Maybe we should get some too…” someone nearby spoke as Lin Qingyun moved forward.

“Let’s go check what’s going on. I’ve got a bad feeling about this…” At that moment, a familiar, bold voice rang out.

Lin Qingyun glanced over—it was Captain Wu.

As the one who had exposed the situation, the sudden change was understandable, but at a time like this, few captains were as alert as he was.

“Brother, come talk to us. We really have to get out. Can you help us out?” The captain moved quickly, approaching first. Lin Qingyun slowed down and listened quietly on the side.

Captain Wu didn’t bother hiding; privately, he slipped something into the hands of the person responsible for the entrance and exit.

That man accepted it without hesitation but shook his head helplessly at Captain Wu. “Wu, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but this isn’t the usual case. This time, all the management directors have combined their authority and activated the formation. The formation’s started. Do you understand what that means? Just wait a bit longer. Something big is clearly happening.”

“Also, don’t say I don’t look out for you. The higher-ups said that if this escalates and those with backing cause trouble, they’ll offer bigger discounts. So, you make a list of dozens or hundreds of people. Later, I’ll say I persuaded you to calm down, and then some money will be allocated to pacify you. You know, this isn’t like those cheap scams.”

Both spoke in hushed tones without using any sound transmission techniques.

The crowd was noisy; if Lin Qingyun hadn’t intentionally come closer to listen, he wouldn’t have heard.

“Damn, something really happened. Could it be that the entire Hanze region is about to be blood-sacrificed? Centered on these seven gathering areas? That would explain why I’ve found nothing investigating the outskirts…”

Hearing this, Lin Qingyun’s heart sank. The joke had turned serious, heading exactly in the direction he feared.

Even more surprising was that Gathering Area No. 5 was now completely controlled and clearly no one was allowed in or out.

Under such circumstances, the blood sacrifice must be about to commence.

The sudden lockdown meant something had happened—the Demonic Cult could no longer wait.

Had the information he leaked earlier spooked the military’s investigation? Or had the upper echelons’ actions hit the cult’s core, forcing them to accelerate their plans?

Clearly, the butterfly effect had taken place.

His presence and actions had forced the Demonic Cult to start the blood sacrifice early.

Being trapped here was dangerous, but Lin Qingyun was not overly worried. He had been cautious all along to prevent uncontrollable accidents like this.

His methods to cope now, other than forcibly triggering the Earth Kirin’s awakening, were limited to provoking a breakthrough to invite a heavenly tribulation.

Lost in thought after overhearing the conversation between Captain Wu and the official, Lin Qingyun suddenly sensed someone approaching. Though he detected no danger, he turned sharply to see Captain Wu standing right beside him.

Captain Wu hadn’t walked toward Lin Qingyun directly but had suddenly taken a long stride from afar, appearing at his side. The few people who had been following Captain Wu now formed a circle, effectively surrounding Lin Qingyun.

“Brother, we must’ve met at Old Zhang’s shop before. Seems like fate’s brought us together. How about finding somewhere quiet to talk?” Captain Wu’s gaze fixed firmly on Lin Qingyun.

He had noticed Lin Qingyun from the moment he started moving this way and had been paying attention when Lin Qingyun deliberately followed and listened in on his conversation.

Each gathering area had its own rules. No. 5 was large and faced unique challenges. Private fights were forbidden, but disputes could be settled in designated dueling arenas.

“We really are connected. Captain Wu, your words earlier opened my eyes. If the Demonic Cult truly plans a blood sacrifice as rumored, why would it only be outside the gathering areas? Why not within? That’s what I thought back then. So I wanted to leave this troublesome place as soon as possible. Yet…”

Lin Qingyun shrugged. “Right when I was about to leave, this happened. They’ve locked everyone inside, but offer all these benefits. Captain Wu, does that seem normal? Isn’t it just to temporarily appease the people here, buying them time?”

Though Lin Qingyun and Captain Wu barely knew each other, his words struck a chord.

Captain Wu, wielding a large blade, looked grim. He glanced at the chaotic entrances and then at the cityscape below.

“There are so many directors in the management office, each representing powerful forces…”

Lin Qingyun knew what he meant and gave a bitter smile. “If they’ve already acted, there’s no need to control everything. Killing or capturing them would be the same. When the truth’s revealed, none of that will matter.”

Captain Wu gasped, staring at Lin Qingyun. “So you’re saying they’d dare to blood-sacrifice the entire Gathering Area No. 5? Nearly a hundred thousand people live there, many experts, and possibly even some powerful Twilight Sun Realm warriors temporarily present. Why would they dare?”

“Also, you seem to know a lot. Who are you with?”

“I’m a lone wanderer, just trying to survive and leave. I’m not even at the Cloud Soaring Realm. What can I do?”

This puzzled Captain Wu. Lin Qingyun was merely a Qinxin Realm cultivator, yet his tone and manner were unlike any ordinary person.

“If what you say is true, how does a Qinxin Realm cultivator survive and escape?” Captain Wu didn’t press further. Clearly, this man’s style and thinking were unusual.

“I think the forces behind those directors might not fully understand what’s going on. We should spread this possibility, let their backers know. We should also warn the entire city of the danger and find a way to quickly locate the Demonic Cult members.”

“They acted hastily. Though they sealed off the city immediately, initiating such a massive blood sacrifice formation can’t be instant. If we find them and destroy the formation’s core, we might survive.”

Captain Wu was taken aback. Lin Qingyun’s clear reasoning and solutions surprised him.

He was stunned—this man spoke of danger yet seemed unafraid.

“Are you joking? If things aren’t as you think, do you realize how severe the consequences would be? Then, forget about an ordinary Qinxin Realm cultivator, even a top-tier Cloud Soaring or Twilight Sun Realm expert couldn’t bear the fallout.” Though Lin Qingyun spoke convincingly, Captain Wu found it impossible.

Originally, he had only thought to warn and intimidate Lin Qingyun for eavesdropping.

Unexpectedly, their conversation both alarmed and terrified him.

He had felt uneasy before, sensing something was off, that things couldn’t go on normally without disaster.

But this man, whom he had only briefly met, spoke frightening truths and even wanted him to join in.

“If this works out, your contribution will be immense. At least in Huaxia, they’ll cultivate you specially. Captain Wu, you won’t be just a lone hunter anymore.”

“I know you might be hesitant because I’m just talking, fearing things will spiral out of control. How about this: since fate has brought us together and you’re different from others, I’ll give you the chance. It’s up to you whether to take it.”

Huh?

Captain Wu felt uneasy. They didn’t even know each other’s names. What was this man talking about?

“If you agree, let’s meet near Old Zhang’s shop later. I’ll explain what to do. We can’t waste time. If they delay and fully activate the blood sacrifice formation, summoning the extraterrestrial demons, it’ll all be over.”

Captain Wu thought he was already someone who didn’t follow normal logic, but this man’s thoughts, plans, and intentions were beyond his understanding.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Suddenly, Lin Qingyun leapt up. Several pills around him exploded, releasing mist that enveloped him and fragrances from special pills that spread out.

“To everyone in Gathering Area No. 5, listen up! The Demonic Cult has taken control of the management office and sealed the city. They plan to sacrifice nearly a hundred thousand lives to summon extraterrestrial demonic powers. If we don’t leave now, we must find their formation’s location. The outer area might soon be covered, too. We have to find and destroy the Demonic Cult’s formation to have any chance of survival.”

Though Lin Qingyun was only a Qinxin Realm cultivator, he poured everything into using the sonic secret technique, easily broadcasting his voice across this small city. He leapt up just to shout these words, and instantly, everyone at the entrances looked up, frozen as if petrified.

At that moment, the entire Gathering Area No. 5 seemed to stand still.