Chapter 62: The Plan
With the World Core in hand, the Reincarnation Paradise group did not immediately leave Rube City. The reason was simple: what to do next.
Currently, the World Core was in Su Xiao's possession. If he brought it to the Polar Region: Hot Rainforest, Reincarnation Paradise would prompt him on where to place the World Core, and Reincarnation Paradise would then use it to form a World Coordinate.
The Reincarnation Paradise group would become the defending side, while Apocalypse Paradise and Sanctuary Paradise would be the attacking side.
Before the World Coordinate was formed, Apocalypse Paradise and Sanctuary Paradise still had a chance. Once Reincarnation Paradise became the defender, Apocalypse Paradise and Sanctuary Paradise would definitely unite.
Although the Reincarnation Paradise group was small in number, they could absolutely handle one faction head-on. Fighting two at the same time, however, was unlikely.
To win, they needed to do something before reaching the Polar Region: Hot Rainforest — either cripple Sanctuary Paradise or kill the Apocalypse Paradise group into not daring to show up at the Polar Region: Hot Rainforest.
Currently, the Sanctuary Paradise group was on their way to Rube City. Intercepting them midway was clearly unwise. The Apocalypse Paradise group, who were in the same city as the Reincarnation Paradise group, became the best target.
"Everyone should be clear on the current situation."
Qing Yan cleared his throat. In the temporary team, he was responsible for planning and commanding. His earlier ambush of Black Bee had already demonstrated his ability.
Gu Lu, Orange Girl, and People's Teacher all had personality flaws. Solomon was taciturn. Su Xiao's attitude was that he was only responsible for killing enemies. Qing Yan naturally became the team leader. He was originally the leader of the Huangchuan Adventure Group. Most of the surviving Contractors from Reincarnation Paradise were from the Huangchuan Adventure Group — this was Qing Yan's natural advantage.
Originally, Qing Yan hadn't had any good intentions. But after the war between the Geya Alliance and the Sun Kingdom, too many from Reincarnation Paradise had died. If they continued to be scattered, with just over 200 people, they couldn't win the war. Losing meant only death.
No one wanted to be forcibly executed like that, so Gu Lu and the others gathered together — it was a necessity forced by the situation.
If Qing Yan really plotted treachery, the Reincarnation Paradise group would temporarily forget their fear of forced execution and kill him first.
With Qing Yan's intelligence, he could naturally think of this. Either way, death was death. No one would be willing to be schemed to death by him, so for now, he didn't dare play any tricks.
"How about... we elect a temporary leader? Or captain?"
Ghost Lady behind Qing Yan spoke up. A cigarette was pinched between her fingers, and purple smoke drifted from her mouth.
Four pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to Ghost Lady, whose expression began to stiffen.
"Just kidding, everyone, don't mind me."
As Qing Yan spoke, he immediately warned Ghost Lady in the team channel not to do anything unnecessary.
The Reincarnation Paradise group had indeed temporarily united, but that didn't mean everyone would blindly obey Qing Yan. Everyone present had heard about what Qing Yan had done before.
"Within a day, we must beat Apocalypse Paradise into not daring to show their faces, or we have no chance of winning."
"One day..."
Solomon's brows were tightly furrowed. As a dark-element mage lord, he usually gave off a gloomy vibe. Now, with his brows knitted, that feeling was even stronger.
"That's impossible," Orange Girl spread her hands and continued, "Those Apocalypse Paradise people are indeed mediocre, but with a three-to-one numerical disadvantage, beating them into submission in two days is impossible. Even the little flowers in the greenhouse have some blood in them."
"This little b*tch is right."
Although Gu Lu's words were barbed, she rarely agreed with Orange Girl's view. Orange Girl flipped her off and said nothing more.
"Indeed, but..."
Qing Yan showed a smile — the kind of smile that was as old and scheming as possible.
"First, let me introduce someone to you all."
As Qing Yan's voice fell, a young girl walked out from the ruins. Her black hair was messy, and she wore thick, bottle-bottom glasses on her nose.
Glasses Girl's spirit was listless, and her gaze was evasive toward everyone. After approaching the group, she immediately hid behind People's Teacher.
"She's Yu Mo, a Perception-type in our group. Yu Mo, say hello."
"Hello... everyone."
Yu Mo seemed very shy. A Contractor with this kind of personality was absolutely a national treasure in Reincarnation Paradise.
"She looks pretty dull."
Orange Girl was clearly the type of bold heroine, so she couldn't understand Yu Mo's mindset.
"Sorry."
Yu Mo apologized softly.
"Huh?"
Orange Girl looked surprised. She turned to Qing Yan, as if to say: "Old schemer, are you kidding me? Letting someone with this personality join the team?"
"Yu Mo suffers from severe social anxiety. The fact that she can stand before you all is already a relief to me."
Qing Yan's implication was: think about your own auras. This girl is having a hard enough time; don't bully her.
Yu Mo, hiding behind People's Teacher, poked her head out. She looked at Su Xiao and saw thick blood energy around him, almost smelling the blood.
As for Gu Lu, she gave Yu Mo the feeling of a boss in a horror game. Orange Girl seemed sunny, but when she smiled, Yu Mo felt a chill run through her body. As for Solomon, he was like a black hole, ready to devour her at any moment.
"Captain, can I go back now?"
"No."
Qing Yan signaled People's Teacher to comfort Yu Mo, but he chose the wrong person. People's Teacher lifted Yu Mo in front of him.
"Yu Mo, how many Apocalypse Paradise people are in the city?"
"728 people..."
Yu Mo spoke softly. Her fingers tapped lightly in front of her, and a holographic map formed from mental energy appeared.
On the holographic map, the degree of damage to Rube City's buildings was clearly visible. Red dots were scattered throughout the city, some moving quickly — this was a real-time map.
"Not bad."
Gu Lu recognized Yu Mo's value. With this map, things would be much easier.
"My plan is simple. Our five strongest will form two teams and surround Rube City from here and here.
Aside from the members of my adventure group, I've tried to negotiate with the other scattered individuals. Most agreed to temporary cooperation. A few refused, but they promised to hunt Apocalypse Paradise's Contractors within the city.
As long as we block here, Apocalypse Paradise's main force won't be able to smoothly withdraw from Rube City. If we surround them on all sides, even if we can't annihilate them, we can inflict heavy casualties.
We don't need to annihilate all of Apocalypse Paradise's Contractors — that's impossible. We just need to reduce their numbers to a certain level. Based on my understanding of Apocalypse Paradise, once their casualties reach a certain point, they'll likely give up on going to the Polar Region: Hot Rainforest..."
Qing Yan spoke for at least five minutes before finishing his plan.
"Agreed."
People's Teacher spoke first. He was, after all, a member of the Huangchuan Adventure Group, so supporting Qing Yan was natural.
"In that case, it's worth a try."
Gu Lu seemed to have no objections either.
"I'm fine with it."
Orange Girl was indifferent.
"Surround them..."
Su Xiao hesitated about whether to have Bubu Wang summon the Icefield Wolves. From a time perspective, it seemed they might not make it in time.