Lin Lei's sudden departure left a group of people in Dragon Blood Castle feeling somewhat uneasy.
"Father, could Big Uncle be going out to... find that person?" Xini asked in a low voice.
Though Xini didn't finish her sentence, everyone in the hall understood. They all suspected that the mastermind behind the widespread appearance of dead cities in the Luo'ao Empire was a god-level powerhouse. If Lin Lei clashed with this god-level powerhouse, what would be the outcome?
"I know my brother's temper," Wotton said, his brow furrowed. "He doesn't like to meddle in others' business, but if it's his responsibility, he will definitely step forward."
Yes, Lin Lei's responsibility.
Everyone in the hall, including Dilia, nodded slightly.
Now, among the human god-level powerhouses on the Yulan Continent, besides those who had gone to the Tomb of the Gods, only Lin Lei and Derinkoort remained. Across the Yulan Continent, Lin Lei and Derinkoort were the two most peak god-level powerhouses in human society.
For Lin Lei and Derinkoort, the Yulan Continent plane was their root!
Their homeland!
When god-level powerhouses from other planes descended upon their homeland and wantonly slaughtered humans, it was time for Lin Lei and Derinkoort, as god-level powerhouses themselves, to stand up. If even the two of them tried to preserve themselves and shrank away... then the humans of the Yulan Continent would be at the mercy of those powerful figures who had escaped from the Gobadde plane, slaughtered without recourse.
"At times like this, we can only rely on Lord Lin Lei and Lord Derinkoort," Xini said softly.
Even Saint-level powerhouses had to bow their heads before god-level powerhouses. Only Lin Lei and Derinkoort, who were also gods, had the power to resist.
In that secluded little mountain village where Derinkoort lived...
Lin Lei's sudden arrival naturally received a warm welcome from Derinkoort's group. Rein, who hadn't seen Lin Lei for a while, wanted to have a good chat. However, this time Lin Lei had important matters to discuss, so no one dared to interrupt, leaving Lin Lei and Derinkoort to talk privately.
Inside a cave dwelling in the mountainside...
Spring water trickled. Lin Lei and Derinkoort sat facing each other.
The two of them were currently the strongest humans in the Yulan Continent plane.
"What?!" Derinkoort abruptly stood up. Lin Lei had just begun to speak, and he had already shocked Derinkoort.
Lin Lei's expression was grave as he nodded. "Yes. Many cities across the entire Luo'ao Empire have been completely wiped out. The dead city phenomenon, you should be aware, has also occurred in my Baruch Empire. But this time, it's too many cities. In this short period, the death toll has already reached one hundred million!"
Derinkoort's eyes were filled with shock. "One hundred million people? Even if someone killed them one by one, how long would that take?"
One hundred million!
Easy to say. A small town typically had only about ten thousand people. This was equivalent to ten thousand towns.
"Lin Lei, what do you think we should do?" Derinkoort looked at Lin Lei.
Lin Lei stood up, flames seeming to burn in his eyes, his voice rising involuntarily. "What do we do? Derinkoort, no matter how the great empires of our Yulan Continent fight amongst themselves, that is war within our own Yulan Continent plane! It's an internal matter!"
"The Yulan Continent is our root! I absolutely will not allow those god-level powerhouses from other planes to slaughter people here. What do they take this place for? A slaughterhouse?"
Lin Lei's heart was filled with fury.
He stared intently at Derinkoort. "Derinkoort, do you plan to keep cowering?"
Derinkoort's gaze also sharpened. "Lin Lei, what kind of talk is that? Now that O'Brien and the others have gone to the Tomb of the Gods, you and I are the only two god-level powerhouses in human society on the Yulan Continent. At a time like this, do you think I would shrink back?"
"Right now, one hundred million have been slaughtered. Next time, how many more will die? One hundred million? A billion? The entire Yulan Continent only has a few billion people. In just a few decades, the whole continent could be empty," Derinkoort stated solemnly. "Lin Lei, it's not that living longer is always better. There are some things we must stand up for."
"The Yulan Continent is my root, so naturally I will stand up."
Derinkoort spoke with unwavering conviction.
A faint smile appeared on Lin Lei's face, and Derinkoort smiled too.
At this moment, both powerhouses understood each other's resolve.
Death itself wasn't terrifying. What was terrifying was withering and dying like a blade of grass, utterly worthless.
Having cultivated the Laws of Elements and stepped into the God Domain, both Lin Lei and Derinkoort had extremely firm hearts and minds. Once they decided on something, they would do it even if it meant death. If a person could let their homeland become a slaughterhouse for others and remain indifferent, then living was worse than death.
The lingering glow of the setting sun stretched the shadows of the fleeing refugees long across the desolate road. Their clothes were tattered, their faces gaunt and dirty. In their eyes was fear, but also a longing for the future. They struggled onward, heading north.
High above...
Lin Lei and Derinkoort, flying swiftly side by side, came to an abrupt stop. They had now entered the territory of the Luo'ao Empire.
"Let's go down and have a look. Asking these refugees might give us a truer picture of the situation," Derinkoort said. Since entering the Luo'ao Empire, no trace of a smile had remained on Lin Lei's or Derinkoort's faces; their expressions were both grave.
The Luo'ao Empire of today was in utter chaos.
With a shift of the wind, the two appeared in the wild grass beside the desolate road, then walked from the grass onto the road. The avenue was crowded with refugees, and no one paid much mind to Lin Lei or Derinkoort.
"How much suffering have they endured," Derinkoort sighed softly, watching the dim, fearful eyes of each refugee.