C11 Home

The sun rose in the east, casting golden rays everywhere! The entire city was draped in a golden armor, and the General's Mansion in the city center stood with imposing dignity. The elite guards at the entrance made passersby feel a sense of awe.

Inside the mansion's grand hall, Luo Ning and his daughter, Luo Youyou, sat in silence, the weight of their thoughts palpable. Finally, Luo Youyou broke the silence.

“Father, Tongtian went to the mountains and hasn't sent any word back. I think he might be in danger.”

She pressed her lips together, looking to her father for support.

“How can he grow without facing some hardships?” General Luo exhaled deeply, as if trying to release the tension in his chest.

“The guards here don’t respect him, and his own strength is too weak. How can he possibly stand against those ruthless bandits?”

Luo Youyou frowned, disagreeing. “Tongtian isn’t just anyone. These minor setbacks shouldn’t be able to stop him. He’s been coasting for years; maybe real challenges will unleash his true potential.”

General Luo recalled the spark in Luo Tongtian’s eyes from years ago, feeling a renewed hope. “Even if he’s not ordinary, the fact remains that he’s currently weak. Letting him fend for himself seems unfair.”

Luo Youyou was deeply concerned about Luo Tongtian's safety and argued her case to her father.

"Alright, with the impending conflict in the city, it's true that we need to clear out the spies among the guards. I'll assign this task to you and send some elite guards to assist."

Seeing his daughter's determination, General Luo pondered for a moment before finally agreeing to her request.

"Thank you, Dad!"

Hearing this, a hint of joy appeared on Luo Youyou's face.

"Be cautious of Du Yidao. He's one of Yang Lin's men. I initially planned to use him to strike a blow against the city guard's office, but the emergence of the masked bandits has complicated things."

"Those bandits are likely under Yang Lin's orders. We might find some answers through Du Yidao."

As she was about to leave, General Luo's voice called out again.

"That guy is incredibly troublesome. Why haven't we dealt with him sooner?"

At the mention of his name, a trace of disgust crossed Luo Youyou's face.

"You don't understand. Although he's annoying, he's been useful in delivering false information over the years. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to stand against Yang Lin."

General Luo smiled slightly, a mysterious glint in his eyes.

"Don't worry. If he becomes useless to us, I'll take care of him for you."

Luo Youyou raised an eyebrow, turned, and left, her departure marked by a lingering fragrance.

...

...

Smack!

Just as Luo Youyou was organizing the guards at the General's Mansion to take action, a sharp sound echoed through the main hall of the city guard's headquarters. A middle-aged man, his expression furious and eyes cold, had shattered a teacup in his hand. His menacing demeanor struck fear into the heart of the guard standing below him.

Though not particularly tall, the man exuded a powerful presence. Having moved beyond mere physical strength, he had begun mastering true martial arts techniques, forming a formidable aura.

This man was Yang Lin, the top military figure in the city for over twenty years. He had maintained a tight grip on the military power in the city, commanding respect even from successive city leaders.

When Luo Ning began to threaten his position, Yang Lin devised various strategies to eliminate this significant threat. However, his plan to use the Black Scarf Bandits hadn't achieved the desired outcome. Even after being lured to the mountains and severely injured, Luo Tongtian managed to escape, leaving Yang Lin seething with anger.

"Declare a city-wide lockdown under the guise of a military exercise. Seal off all routes leading out of the city and establish a blockade ten miles out. Deploy the Shadow Squad to hunt down and eliminate that escaped kid."

"As for Luo Ning, keep him under strict surveillance. Not a single soldier of his is to leave the city."

The military leader narrowed his eyes and gave a decisive order.

"Yes, sir!" The guard acknowledged the command, bowed, and retreated.

"In just ten years, that kid Luo Ning has grown so much. Not only has his strength improved significantly, but even his demeanor has become so composed."

"If I don't get rid of him, how am I supposed to maintain my influence in this city?" Yang Lin snorted, a hint of severity flashing across his face.

This military figure has controlled the forces of the city for over twenty years, molding them into a disciplined, obedient iron army.

With his orders, the entire city was locked down.

Roadblocks filled the streets and alleys, and large groups formed defensive lines on the outskirts.

Miss Luo, who was anxious to rescue Luo Tongtian with her guards, saw this and had to change tactics. She divided her hundred guards into ten teams to search separately.

Their goal was to find Luo Tongtian as quickly as possible and bring him safely back to the General's Mansion.

When Du Yidao invited her to join him, Luo Youyou firmly refused, leaving him feeling disappointed once again.

Du Yidao left with his companions, resentment on his face, while a hint of indifference crossed Luo Youyou's.

"Hmph, let's see how long you can keep hiding your true colors."

...

...

In a secluded mountain pass about six miles from the city, a pair of weary eyes cautiously surveyed the surroundings. The owner of these eyes was in tattered clothes, covered in dust, looking utterly disheveled.

Luo Tongtian had encountered at least a dozen groups hunting him down. Despite his efforts to stay hidden, seven of these groups had discovered his whereabouts, leading to fierce battles.

Using swift and decisive tactics, he managed to defeat all seven waves of enemies and finally broke through to this point. After absorbing the enemies' strength, his body was further enhanced, showing signs of reaching a higher level of physical refinement. Additionally, he acquired numerous storage bags from his foes, which contained a large number of energy pills.

With his combat power rapidly increasing, every time he used the Vein Seal to launch an attack, it consumed a massive amount of energy. It was thanks to these pills that he managed to hold on until now.

Although he was only about six miles from the city, Luo Tongtian knew that countless experts and traps awaited him ahead. If he stepped into them, he might not even leave a trace behind.

"Father, Youyou, this is my limit. If you don't come to save me soon, I might never make it back to the mansion."

Luo Tongtian gazed at the ominous atmosphere brewing in the blood-red dusk and couldn't help but shake his head with a sigh.

"Wait, what's the deal with those iron figures in Commander Xiong's storage bag?"

As he sighed, Luo Tongtian suddenly recalled the spoils he had collected after the silken threads took down that Sixth Level Hercules. Among the treasures was a stack of paper charms and seven imposing iron figures.

These seven figures were tall and powerful, exuding an intimidating presence. Six of them were a pale blue, with perfect forms and smooth lines that created an oppressive aura. The last figure was a deep blue, shimmering all over, like it was crafted from precious jade, giving off an air of luxury.

"These iron figures have intricate power conduits inside and a central control formation. They must be some kind of innovative battle puppets. If I can activate them, they might help break through the enemy lines."

"Then, I can use the Wind Concealment Charm to speed up and slip into the city unnoticed."

Having spent considerable time in the General's Mansion, Luo Tongtian had gained significant insight. Although he had never encountered such battle puppets before, his keen observation allowed him to discern their true nature.

After taking a deep breath and centering himself, he reached out and placed his large hand on the head of a pale blue puppet. As energy flowed steadily into the puppet, the once lifeless patterns began to shimmer and pulse. These patterns resembled the stripes of a tiger or the scales of a dragon, appearing vibrant and lively.

Activating this puppet required an immense amount of energy. Luo Tongtian swallowed nine Origin Energy Pills in succession, barely managing to bring the puppet to life. As it powered up, a fierce wind whipped through the air, sending leaves swirling all around.

Standing about six and a half feet tall, the blue puppet was solid and imposing, exuding an aura of menace like a battle machine, giving off an unshakeable presence. Luo Tongtian punched it with all his might, but the puppet didn't budge an inch. Instead, he staggered back three steps, his fist throbbing with pain.

"Incredible!" he exclaimed. "This metal giant's defense is outstanding, and its attack power is at least on par with a Fifth Level Hercules. It doesn't feel pain, doesn't fear death, and charges ahead with full force. It's the perfect combat assistant."

Luo Tongtian gently patted the battle puppet, his face full of delight.

“It's a pity I lack the strength and time; otherwise, activating all seven battle puppets would surely deal a fatal blow to the enemy.”

Exhausted both physically and mentally, Luo Tongtian felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, he hoped for rescue from the General's Mansion; on the other, he feared his adoptive father had fallen into the enemy's trap. Gritting his teeth, he decided to attempt entering the city immediately.