Chapter 1210: Gathering Vortex

Upon hearing Sun Zhongliang's reply, Chen Ling's eyebrows arched slightly, seemingly surprised. He had initially expected to deal with Director Sun first before leading the group away. He hadn't anticipated that the leader of Bureau 749 would show more resolve at a critical moment than he'd imagined.

"However, I must still remind everyone," Sun Zhongliang spoke again, "after two rounds of nuclear strikes, the surface of Mount Wu Shan still contains significant residual radiation and contamination. Long-term exposure carries extreme risks; at best, it will lead to lifelong illness, and at worst, organ failure and death. Whether you leave or not is your own decision."

As soon as he said this, some people's gazes began to waver, and whispers filled the conference room.

"Let me be frank," Chen Ling said calmly, "it's not just the radiation; Mount Wu Shan is now teeming with all sorts of terrifying disasters. If you're afraid to die, stay here obediently and don't get in the way on the battlefield. If you're not afraid to die... then please follow the two of us to the edge of the gates of hell to bring some people back."

"Those willing to face death and slay the enemy, follow me to war," Ying Fu also stated calmly.

Having spoken, the two wasted no more time. They turned and walked towards the other end of the stone corridor. As two bursts of reshaping electric light erupted again, a straight passage leading to the surface extended endlessly from the darkness.

Chen Ling and Ying Fu had said all they needed to say. They didn't expect everyone to join the battle, but if they could gain a few more capable helpers, it would significantly increase their chances of breaking through the disaster.

Red alert lights flickered in the conference room. Everyone watched the two receding figures, momentarily frozen in place.

"I'm coming too!"

An excited voice suddenly echoed from the secret passage. The crowd turned to look, only to see a young man carrying a lion dance costume headpiece leap out. Colorful flames ignited from the headpiece, and the next moment, it transformed into a gigantic lion, stepping on air, swaying its head, and following behind the large red opera robe.

In the secret passage behind him, Shen Nan, who had been pushed back, took out his Nuo mask with a speechless expression. As he discreetly followed, he muttered, "Are all lion dancers this fond of showing off...?"

The powerful advancement of Sun Bumin, a seventh-tier "old senior," and the appearance of Shen Nan, Shanghai's top combatant, made everyone present feel their blood boil with excitement. It proved that the power of example truly could stir emotions; for a moment, everyone was eager to act!

Han Xiang, who had remained silent in the corner, slowly rose. He brushed his black hair, where silvery roots had begun to reappear at his temples, and let out a long sigh. He slowly stepped forward. Seeing this, those who had been gathered in front of him immediately respectfully cleared a path.

"His Majesty has decreed," he declared, "your humble servant shall not shirk even a myriad of deaths."

Seeing this, the people around couldn't help but exclaim: "How old is Mr. Han? Is he still going to the battlefield?" "His health wasn't good to begin with, and now he's going to expose himself to radiation... This... Sigh..." "Mr. Han is truly a man of great righteousness."

After Han Xiang, Zheng Zhiqiong, Wang Yuanrong, Li Huang... all the ministers who had either previously or just recently been subdued by Ying Fu rose without hesitation. They emerged from various corners of the conference room and followed behind Ying Fu! If Chen Ling had been there, he would undoubtedly have been surprised to see this scene, as there were eight or nine people at first glance! Had Ying Fu's power expanded to such an extent during this period?

More and more figures followed behind the two Emperors. Apart from Chen Ling and Ying Fu's existing followers, many more people who had never been associated with them began to step forward!

"So what if we die? We've learned these skills for a reason, and there's always a day they'll be needed!"

"I want to see what's so terrifying about those... alien monsters!"

"Damn it, every little bit we can save counts! Our Divine Path has been hidden for so many years; it's time to show the world what it can do!"

"We've honed our skills for twenty years; wasn't it for a day like today to display them?! Let's fight them to the death!!"

The gears of fate turned under the coupling of the two imperial destinies. An invisible vortex was drawing most of the Divine Path users of this era into its depths... and at the sharp, claw-like end of this vortex lay the Turbid Forest of Bitter Flesh, rooting and growing madly.

"Grandma... how did Chen Ling become so strong after just a few days?" Yao Qing couldn't help but ask, watching Chen Ling's retreating figure.

Yao Qing remembered that when he saw Chen Ling a few days ago, Chen Ling could only barely hold his own against Nie Yu. In the blink of an eye, his aura had become terrifyingly formidable. He even felt that even the current Xiao Chunping might not be Chen Ling's match... After embarking on the Azure Divine Path, Yao Qing had been quite proud, vowing to surpass Chen Ling and leave him far behind. But now, it seemed the gap between them had only widened.

Xiao Chunping watched the distant red opera robe and the elderly Han Xiang hastily following behind, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She took a deep breath, as if having made a decision, and slowly released Yao Qing's hand.

"...Grandma?" Yao Qing's heart tightened.

"My dear grandchild," Xiao Chunping looked back at him, a doting smile appearing on her wrinkled face. "My dear, Grandma needs to go out for a bit... Will you wait here obediently for me?"

"No! No way!!" Yao Qing's greatest fear had come true. He immediately grabbed Xiao Chunping's hand again without hesitation. "Grandma! Your current health can't possibly withstand radiation and combat... How about this, Grandma, you rest here, and I'll go with Chen Ling to save people! I'm very capable, I definitely won't be a burden to him..."

Yao Qing's voice was already tinged with a sob. In fact, when Chen Ling described the situation outside, he had already sensed that his grandmother wouldn't stand idly by... Moreover, her old rival Han Xiang had followed, and having been proud her entire life, how could she be content to simply hide underground?

Looking at Yao Qing, whose eyes were red and who clung to her hand stubbornly, a hint of relief flashed in Xiao Chunping's eyes. Her voice grew even gentler: "Grandma doesn't have much time left... Grandma has quietly embroidered for a lifetime, and she doesn't want to leave just as quietly. Though embroidery silk is delicate, it can still slay enemies... At the very least, I can't let the world only remember that old man's calligraphy and forget our embroidery skills."

Xiao Chunping had embroidered her entire life, from a humble embroiderer to a master of her generation. She had been quiet for too long... Even if it was just once, she wanted to leave with a bang.

"No... Grandma, you have plenty of time left!!" Yao Qing wailed loudly. "Didn't you tell me that this path might eventually allow one to prolong life and achieve immortality through embroidery silk?? Just give me a little more time, and I'll definitely reach that point... I'll make sure you're healthy and live for thousands of years, Grandma!!"