The capital was in ruins amidst the upheaval, and the plight of other cities went without saying. In those days, the land was strewn with citizens displaced and destitute. Social order had crumbled, and countless lives were in torment.
The saying "white bones scattered across the fields, with no chickens crowing for miles" couldn't be more apt.
Initially, there was hope that the immortal sects, wielding their extraordinary powers, could rescue humanity and avert the disaster.
In the beginning, indeed, powerful cultivators stepped forward, slaying demons in a valiant effort to save the world.
But their efforts soon led to human disillusionment.
"The natural cycle of the world's creation, existence, decay, and emptiness cannot be altered. Our world has entered a phase of decay beyond human salvation. It would be wiser to depart and seek alternatives."
The leaders of the cultivation sects had long concluded that Klikune was beyond saving, deeming it unworthy of expending their magical energy. Besides, even if they were to deplete all their power, it would be akin to trying to douse a cart on fire with a cup of water—an exercise in futility.
Thus, the immortal sects chose to flee. They crafted the Gate of Myriad Realms and, through these gates, sought refuge in other worlds.
A significant number of the more capable individuals followed suit, escaping this world alongside the immortal sects.
The Gates of Myriad Realms that remain on Klikune are the legacy of these sects, who spared no expense in their construction.
Why not use the Gates to evacuate everyone from this world?
The answer lies in the massive amount of resources required to activate the Gates. The more people transported, the greater the resources needed. To move the entire population would necessitate resources so vast, stripping the world bare wouldn't come close to meeting the demand.
Furthermore, ordinary people, deemed of no particular worth, did not justify such an extravagant expenditure of resources. The Gates of Myriad Realms became akin to an ark in the apocalypse, with only the valuable few securing passage away from the doomed world.
In truth, it wasn't just the common folk who were left in the dark; even the rank-and-file disciples of the immortal sects were kept oblivious to the exodus. They were unceremoniously abandoned by the sects' higher echelons.
Across the entire globe, the number of individuals who managed to flee successfully barely surpassed a thousand—a mere drop in the ocean compared to the world's population.
Thus, aside from a select few who utilized the Gate of Myriad Realms to escape, the majority were stranded on the Klikune Continent, facing the impending disaster head-on. There were those like Lin Suzhen who sought life-saving opportunities through the Gate of Myriad Realms, but the gate's malevolent nature ensured their efforts ended in failure without exception.
Consequently, following the catastrophe and ensuing chaos, over ninety percent of the world's population perished. A scant ten percent remained, scattered in the less dangerous nooks of the world, eking out an existence with the support of a few formidable survivors. Acomb City was one such refuge.
The exact number of cities like Acomb was unclear to its inhabitants. Acomb maintained trade relations with only four other cities, six towns, and a handful of villages.
Lin Qiwen had also thoroughly recounted the tale of Acomb's current ruler, Murong Xiaoxiao, and her trusted lieutenant, the Yellow Wind Taoist.
While the veracity of the information was difficult to ascertain, it nonetheless provided Chen Guo with a vivid picture of this world's context and a solid grasp of Acomb City's state of affairs.
The investment had paid off handsomely.
"Mr. Lin, you truly are a wellspring of knowledge. Your insights have been incredibly enriching for someone like me, from the sticks," Chen Guo complimented, lifting his glass in a toast. "Here's to you, Mr. Lin!"
"Oh, it's nothing, really... Just some historical trivia. It's not often I meet someone with such interest," Lin Qiwen replied. "Is there anything else you wish to know, Master Lee?"
"Do you happen to know the whereabouts of the Earth Ancestor Temple?" Chen Guo inquired.
"I'm afraid not," Lin Qiwen responded, taken aback.
Chen Guo conceded, "Well, never mind then. It seems such secrets are beyond your reach. Let's just enjoy our meal and drink. I have no further questions."
Chen Guo was quite content with the wealth of information he had gleaned from Lin Qiwen.
After all, Lin Qiwen was merely a storyteller, not a sage with omniscient knowledge—it was unrealistic to expect him to know everything.
Just then, several figures clad in black materialized around Chen Guo.
Unfazed, Chen Guo had anticipated the presence of these shadowy figures, likely the fabled Dark Guards of the City Lord.
To Chen Guo, the details of these individuals were crystal clear.
Dark Guard number 007, a level 61 elite, with a combat strength of 1,200,000!
They were far more formidable than the average soldier, yet they posed no threat to Chen Guo.
The waiter and Lin Qiwen were petrified, recognizing the infamous Dark Guards. Their notoriety in the city was akin to the dreaded officials of Wu Zhou, the Great Ming's Embroidered Uniform Guards, and the Great Qing's Brocade-Clothed Guards – a spy organization both feared and loathed.
Patrons of the establishment gave them a wide berth, anxious to avoid any misfortune by association.
Meanwhile, Chen Guo sipped his wine with serene composure.
"Mr. Lee Xiaoyao, the City Lord requests your presence," announced the head Dark Guard.
"Lead the way, then," Chen Guo responded, rising to his feet.
He had long awaited the City Lord's summons and was now ready to fulfill his expectation.
Fearless of any ill intent from the City Lord, Chen Guo's mastery of the Flying Thunder God Art assured him an unbeatable advantage.
"Please," the Dark Guards gestured, unsurprised by Chen Guo's equanimity. They were well aware of his status as a cultivator, and understood that such a being would not be intimidated by them.
Cultivators possessed enigmatic abilities far beyond those of warriors, and even with equal strength, a cultivator's strategic mind could easily outmaneuver a warrior's brute force.
While the Martial Path to Enlightenment was potent, most warriors lacked the innate gift for such a journey. Cultivators, by contrast, were naturally aligned with the Dao.
Escorted by the Dark Guards, Chen Guo swiftly made his way to the City Lord's Mansion.
The City Lord's Mansion was less a residence and more a sprawling garden, with its elegant pavilions, towering structures, and expansive courtyards, all under strict guard. It may have been hyperbolic to claim that not even a mosquito could penetrate its defenses, but it was certainly no place for an average warrior to infiltrate with ease.
After navigating a series of twists and turns, Chen Guo entered a grand hall. Within this opulent space, he immediately spotted the City Lord, Murong Xiaoxiao, and her chief lieutenant, the Yellow Wind Taoist.
Murong Xiaoxiao, the ruler of Acomb, was a formidable Level 70 boss, adept in the Ice Mysterious Underworld Technique, boasting a combat strength of 40 million!
Murong Xiaoxiao presented herself as a regal middle-aged woman, clad in stately palace attire, exuding a commanding presence that left no doubt of her status as a top-tier powerhouse.
The Yellow Wind Taoist, a disciple of the Wai Mountain Sect and also a Level 70 leader, possessed a combat strength of 5 million, which was currently reduced by 40% due to his weakened and poisoned condition.
The Yellow Wind Taoist's complexion was wan and his demeanor was morose, suggesting a man who had indulged to excess. His long hair, graying at the roots, framed a face marked by a goatee and etched with the lines of fatigue.
He appeared drained of vitality. According to the information displayed, he was indeed suffering from a state of enfeeblement.