Chapter 765: Bait and Encirclement!

Chen Ling froze the moment he saw those two lines.

Simultaneously, Yang Xiao and Lu Xun, witnessing the scene, also spoke up, confused:

" 'Ghost Mockery Annihilates the World... What exactly is Ghost Mockery?' "

" 'It sounds like some catastrophic monster has appeared, and the heavens and earth are supposed to destroy it together?' Lu Xun frowned slightly. 'But what does that have to do with us?' "

Chen Ling's eyes narrowed slightly. While his expression remained calm, a storm raged within him.

Chen Ling never imagined that in this era, someone could remotely perceive the world-ending power within him and even identify it as 'Ghost Mockery.' The most crucial part, however, was the phrase 'Era Reversal.'

Had he even discovered the era's save file? Or did those four words carry another meaning?

Naturally, the most straightforward phrase was 'Heavens and Earth United in Destruction.' Chen Ling, however, was already immune to this. It seemed that no matter the era, he invariably became a common enemy.

" 'You just mentioned he gave you three brocade pouches?' Chen Ling refocused his gaze on Director Zheng. 'What were the contents of the first two?' "

" 'The first simply said "Huangcheng Temple." The second... he told me to open it when I encountered danger. But when I opened it on the plane just now, it just said, "Certain death." ' "

" 'Did you seek out this master, or did he approach you?' "

" 'It was me; I sent people to invite the master. My initial intention was just to have him pinpoint Lu Xun's location. However, the master said the matter was unusual and required a few more calculations. So he gave me three brocade pouches all at once, but after handing over the last one, he said nothing further.' "

Chen Ling's brow furrowed deeper.

It seemed this Divination Master hadn't actively sought him out but had stumbled upon him by accident while divining Lu Xun's future. Did that mean he already knew about 'Ghost Mockery's Arrival' at that time?

" 'Something's wrong...' Chen Ling suddenly said.

" 'What?' "

Chen Ling seemed to realize something, his gaze darting around sharply. His body instantly tensed, and an ominous premonition flooded his mind.

" 'Damn it! Get out of here, now!' "

Chen Ling had no time for further questions. He immediately shot Director Zheng in the head, then quickly fled.

Yang Xiao and Lu Xun exchanged glances and promptly followed.

The three piled into the car. Chen Ling slammed the accelerator, and a roar echoed across the wilderness.

Almost simultaneously, from the other end of the horizon, a dense formation of black vehicles drove directly towards them.

As far as the eye could see, over forty vehicles almost completely sealed off the western horizon, resembling a constantly tightening cordon. Moreover, behind them, a swarm of armed helicopters slowly ascended from below the horizon.

Yang Xiao's face was etched with shock at the sight:

" 'This... are all these here for Old Lu?' "

" 'No,' Chen Ling said, his voice deep as he stared intently at the encroaching black cloud and tide. 'They're likely after me...' "

Chen Ling had felt something was amiss for a while now.

If the Divination Master had truly perceived the prophecy of 'Ghost Mockery's Arrival,' it meant he knew of Chen Ling's existence even before Director Zheng apprehended Lu Xun. It was highly unlikely the master would have done nothing for the past few dozen minutes, especially not send a sinister, blood-red brocade pouch. After all, those sixteen characters hardly seemed to convey good will.

If he truly intended to have the 'Heavens and Earth United in Destruction,' he would never have let this opportunity slip by. Perhaps Director Zheng and his associates were merely a diversion, and the true killing blow was still being prepared.

Chen Ling's mind raced. He sharply spun the steering wheel, making a swift U-turn in the wilderness, then accelerated eastward.

The red sports car streaked across the wilderness like a lone cheetah, while behind it, a chillingly formidable wolf pack was closing in on the three.

" 'Director Chen, what exactly is happening?' The intense g-force and breakneck speed made Lu Xun's heart pound slightly faster, but he tried to ask as calmly as possible.

" 'It's too complicated to explain right now.' "

While driving, Chen Ling opened his flip phone. The signal instantly connected to a comms network, and after a brief static hiss, voices began to come through.

" 'Hunter Wolf 3 has locked onto the target. Repeat, Hunter Wolf 3 has locked onto the target.' "

" 'Received. The encirclement is tightening.' "

" 'We've observed two additional individuals with the target, possibly coerced hostages...' "

" 'Identities confirmed?' "

" 'Confirming... Confirmed. One is Dr. Lu Xun, an astrophysicist. The other is Dr. Yang Xiao, a magnetic field specialist. Both are members of the Red Star Exploration Team.' "

" 'There are two research scientists in the vehicle... Do we still engage?' "

" 'Master Huang merely divined the identity of that entity and lost thirty years of his life; he's still in critical condition... The Director has already issued orders: 'Ghost Mockery' must be eliminated at all costs.' " The voice from the other end of the walkie-talkie paused for a moment, " 'While Dr. Lu and Dr. Yang are indeed national assets with significant research value, the elimination of 'Ghost Mockery' takes precedence over both.' "

" 'Understood. All units, prepare to fire.' "

The next moment, the armed helicopter fleet howling overhead simultaneously locked onto the red blur speeding across the wilderness.

With a series of sharp whistles, over a dozen long arcs of flame tore through the night sky, hurtling towards the red sports car.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM—!!

" 'Director Chen?! They...' " Yang Xiao, stunned, tried to speak, but Chen Ling's voice cut him off before he could finish.

" 'Hold on tight!' "

BOOM—!!!

Electrical energy coursed through the vehicle once more. Chen Ling pushed the engine's performance to its absolute limit, a monstrous roar thundering past their ears as the sports car's speed surged again!

The red needle spun wildly on the dashboard, even exceeding the dial's maximum limit. The three instantly felt as if they were nearly hovering above the ground, the scenery outside the window blurring past at an insane speed!

Simultaneously, Chen Ling, holding a gun in one hand, extended it out the window!

A vast domain rapidly expanded, centered on the sports car!

" 'Court of Judgment,' " Chen Ling slowly uttered, pulling the trigger towards the sky.

With a series of silent, soft clicks, deconstructing bullets shot from the sports car, arcing through the air and swarming to intercept the barrage of missiles in the sky!

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM—!!

A cacophony of explosions erupted, and scorching suns bloomed across the sky, illuminating the night like day!

Fiery embers from the missile explosions rained down, igniting the road ahead of the red sports car. Chen Ling's face flickered in the shifting firelight.

" 'Now we're in trouble...' "

Seeing the missiles completely destroyed, Yang Xiao's anxious heart finally eased slightly. Before he could utter another word, a rich cello melody suddenly resonated by their ears!