Seeing the fearless look on Yu Ji's face, Duanmu Chen and Qiu Lin frowns.
At the same time—
"Uh?"
"Hm?"
They can't help but notice the way, in which, all the members of the Ashen River Hall are currently looking at them and the rest of Dainsfield.
Those eyes are akin to that of a predatory beast in front of a prey.
Arrangements have been made, so that a bonus will be given to anyone, who manages to nab the head of a Dainsfield associate.
As for proof of their successful hunt, all who are entering the ruins are given a dog tag—that is embedded with a tracker. So long as they bring those back, they will receive their bonuses.
"…"
Receiving no reply from Duanmu Chen and the rest of Dainsfield towards her question, Yu Ji points at the paifang gateway, and says—
"Surnamed Duanmu, remember—everything inside of the ruins will be livestreamed. Make sure to not embarrass yourself too badly in front of your children."
Having said this, Yu Ji takes Li and moves behind the members of the Ashen River Hall.
"Tch."
So long as they are outside of the ruins, fighting is banned; hence, Duanmu Chen can only click his tongue—in response to Yu Ji's words.
"Well then, I'll be going on ahead. This is for you."
"Thanks."
Handing Long Hua two dog tags, Ning Qiu Heng leaves to join the rest of NPI, who are situated at the very front of the paifang gateway, along with the Moon Guards.
...…
Back at the Mirrored Moon Café—
"Still hasn't started?"
The Owner stares at the TV that is mounted to the café's far right corner with Zhou'er, who replies—
"Still a few minutes away."
The channel that they had set the TV on was reserved for the sake of livestreaming the ruins excavation.
Whether it is a business establishment or a home, so long as there is a monitor present—pretty much the entirety of the world is currently on the same channel, waiting with bated breaths.
For the weapon spirits that have yet to awaken, they merely see this as a form of high entertainment; whereas for the weapon spirits that have been awakened, they see this to be their potential future.
As for those who have the money to splurge, they see this as an investment opportunity, where they are allowed to watch the elite talents of various organizations in live combat.
...…
"…"
Downing a glass of whiskey, Jing Yuandong—who is dressed in a grey business suit, is currently seated in his office, with a large TV mounted to a stand in front of his work desk.
As knocking sounds come from the door, he says—
"Enter."
Opening the door lightly, a worker dressed in a black business suit enters, and reports—
"Boss, Qiu Lin reports that she had met Yu Ji and Li on site."
"Oh?"
Narrowing his grey eyes, a hint of rage wells up in Jing Yuandong's heart, as he calls back to the Heaven's Blade incident.
Setting his cup down, and tapping the surface of his desk, Jing Yuandong says—
"Tell them to capture Li alive. As for Yu Ji, kill her. Once they've captured Li, get a squad of ten—to escort her back to this city as soon as possible."
"Understood."
As the worker leaves, Jing Yuandong refills his glass. Emanating from his 50-year-old figure is an air of confidence.
To ensure that his company will be able to draw in more investors, Jing Yuandong had sent out only the best of the best—numbering in over 200 employees.
With this many associates out on the fields, Jing Yuandong felt like he had every right to feel confident that they would be able to capture Li and kill Yu Ji as well.
(Once Li is captured, we can finally restart the Heaven's Blade project. So long as we can figure out a good substitute for Li's Relic, we can begin mass-productions.)
Thinking of this, Jing Yuandong picks up his glass for a sip—expecting good times ahead for his company.
...…
In the various entertainment wards of cities across the world, digital billboards—that are mounted to the sides of buildings, are also set on the livestreaming channel.
Those who have the leisure to enjoy an afternoon lunch in an outdoor environment—all of them have their eyes glued to the colossal monitors, as they wait for the event to begin.
Momentarily, the black screens across the world flickers, and—
"So, this is a ruin?"
"An ancient city?"
Drones are situated behind a sea of bodies—that are made up of numerous weapon spirits.
Behind these weapon spirits is another paifang gate, and to the side of this gate is another signal tower that had numerous cords connected into its base.
Through the eyes of these drones, a colossal city wall is shown on the monitors that are situated in the various parts of the world.
This grey city wall is estimated to be slightly higher than 15 meters in stature.
Mounted throughout the walls are ballistae, and roaming around the walls are ghostly figures, who are all dressed in lamellar armor.
As light snow, the sort that doesn't stick, lands onto their heads, most of the weapon spirits chose to put on a winter coat—to shield themselves from the elements.
"…"
Spreading his divine senses outwards, Long Hua sees the same lamellar armored ghosts roaming the city streets that are beyond the stone wall.