After parting ways with Mo Fan, Zhou Haoyu headed straight for the Clock Tower Magic Association.
The undead siege was set for tonight, and he intended to take care of a few things beforehand.
Clock Tower Magic Association, Main Hall
"Good evening, sir. What can I do for you?" the receptionist asked politely.
"Please contact Chairman Han Ji. Tell him that Pang Lai's personal disciple from the Imperial Court has something urgent to discuss," Zhou Haoyu said seriously.
The receptionist's expression shifted from dismissive to shocked, then to skeptical.
The name Pang Lai carried immense weight in China—any mage worth anything would recognize it.
"I'm sorry, sir. Chairman Han Ji isn't present at the moment, and I don't have the authority to contact him directly." Her tone became much more careful, even though she clearly doubted Zhou Haoyu's identity.
Zhou Haoyu frowned. Someone here had to be able to contact Han Ji—but this girl clearly didn't believe him.
He couldn't prove his identity without making a video call to his teacher… which would be far too abrupt.
Just as he was feeling at a loss, a loud, familiar voice rang down from the second floor.
"Zhou Haoyu? Kid, what are you doing in the Ancient Capital?"
Zhou Haoyu turned around and saw none other than Zhu Meng staring down at him in surprise.
"Zhu Meng?" Zhou Haoyu's eyes lit up. Speak of the devil…
With Zhu Meng's help, contacting Han Ji would be no problem.
The receptionist's heart thudded. He really does know Member Zhu Meng—could he truly be Pang Lai's disciple?
Zhou Haoyu didn't bother with the receptionist and hurried upstairs.
Zhu Meng slapped Zhou Haoyu on the shoulder. "Aren't you supposed to be preparing for the World Tournament? What are you doing here?"
"Got bored. Came to the Ancient Capital to kill some undead," Zhou Haoyu said casually.
Hearing that, Zhu Meng's eyes sparkled. "You kid are right up my alley. Want to come work under me? I'll make sure you soar through the ranks—being a councilman in the future is guaranteed!"
"No, thanks," Zhou Haoyu refused flatly.
He knew Zhu Meng's character—working under him would be absolute torment.
Zhu Meng didn't push it and instead asked, "I heard you wanted Han Ji. You find something again?"
Zhou Haoyu nodded.
Zhu Meng's lips twitched. This kid wasn't fit to work under him—he was better off becoming a Judge. Judging by his investigative ability, he'd be a Vice-Chairman in three years.
"This morning I ran into undead outside the city walls." Zhou Haoyu said.
"What's so strange about that? The Ancient Capital is crawling with undead…" Zhu Meng started… then suddenly froze. "Wait—you said morning?"
Zhu Meng's expression turned grave. Undead active in broad daylight was unheard of.
"Definitely morning. I'm certain. I think something is off, so I wanted to inform Chairman Han Ji." Zhou Haoyu said seriously.
Seeing his expression, Zhu Meng took him seriously.
"This is serious. You're sure you're not joking?"
"I'm sure."
"Alright—I'll call Han Ji now."
Zhu Meng immediately phoned Han Ji and related the matter.
Han Ji fell silent for a long while… then ordered: heighten security across the whole city.
Zhou Haoyu wasn't satisfied. What he hoped was a full evacuation of the outer-city residents. But with only a single piece of intel, full evacuation wasn't realistic.
"Don't worry too much," Zhu Meng said, seeing Zhou Haoyu's expression. "The Ancient Capital's military strength is nothing like Hangzhou's. Even if a Undead Monarch comes, we can still push it back."
Zhou Haoyu rolled his eyes. In the face of eight Undead Monarchs and a million undead army… what good would these defenses do?
Just then, a Palace Guard came rushing over, panicked and breathless.
"Councilman Zhu Meng, bad news—the Dark Abyss has moved. It's now only thirty kilometers north of the city!"
"The Dark Abyss?!"
Zhou Haoyu and Zhu Meng exclaimed at the same time.
Zhu Meng looked incredulously at the palace guard. He had only just finished speaking to Chairman Han Ji, and now such a devastating report had arrived.
"Head to the north tower—send the rally signal immediately!"
Zhu Meng forced down the panic in his heart; there was no longer any time to worry about undead sightings in daylight.
Once the Abyss drew near to the Ancient Capital, that was when true catastrophe would strike!
"You come with us too," he said, not forgetting to pull Zhou Haoyu along—there might be some use for him yet.
Zhou Haoyu could only sigh; he had originally planned to take a short nap. Now sleep might become a luxury.
North Tower
Once the rally beacon was fired, wave after wave of mages gathered, quickly filling the first floor of the tower.
"The Abyss always draws more undead toward it. A tough battle is guaranteed," Zhu Meng said, eyes sharp as he peered into the ominous, dark northern horizon.
Zhou Haoyu answered calmly, "I don't think it's that simple. If these undead keep gathering, and don't even retreat in the daytime—do you really think we can hold the wall?"
Zhu Meng fell silent. If what Zhou Haoyu said proved true—what force on this wall could possibly hold?
"What do you think happens if the wall falls?" Zhou Haoyu pressed further.
Again, Zhu Meng said nothing. If the wall broke, the outer city would instantly turn into a slaughter ground—nearly a million people would turn into a cold statistic.
"This is all just your conjecture," Zhu Meng growled stubbornly.
"By the time it actually happens, it'll be too late to fix anything. Now is the time to act preemptively," Zhou Haoyu replied solemnly.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" Zhu Meng demanded.
"Evacuate the outer city population into the inner city—just in case," Zhou Haoyu said.
"Heh—easy for you to say. Do you know how hard that kind of mobilization is? Not to mention the fear and panic it might cause!"
"Daytime undead, shifting Dark Abyss… next will be a Undead Monarch assault on the wall—do you believe me or not?"
"Heh…"
Zhu Meng gave a dismissive laugh—how could this kid predict the future like that?
ROAAAAARGHHHH—!!!!!!
Before he could finish scoffing, a deafening roar shook the ground beneath the wall—so powerful that even the stones trembled.
Zhu Meng's expression changed abruptly. His gaze snapped toward the distant darkness.
Suddenly, a massive silhouette appeared beneath the sky—a hulking, monstrous shape closing rapidly.
Phantom Tyrant…!!!
Zhu Meng turned stiffly toward Zhou Haoyu, expression stunned.
Could this brat actually… predict the future?!
....
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