Chapter 42: Appetizer

The soldiers began to clear the battlefield.

The wilderness is unforgiving. In a simple skirmish, the unit lost nearly sixty soldiers. As for the civilians, their death toll was even higher. Panic and chaos allowed the giant corpse beetle larvae to infiltrate, resulting in over a hundred more deaths. Severed limbs were scattered on the ground, and due to the ravaging bites, these bodies were beyond any hope of being pieced back together.

Chen Feng stood in place, gazing at the wailing and sobbing crowd, his eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts.

He had altered the course of history.

If he hadn't summoned the Demon Spider, everyone present would have ended up as food for the Broodmother. Even Zhou Xian, a legend in the making, would not have escaped the jaws of this Silver-level monster.

The course of history shifted during the battle with the deformed beast.

If he hadn't helped the army defeat the deformed beast, the severely battered troops would have retreated to the base camp to recover, and only when fully prepared would they have launched a full-scale sweep of the city.

It felt like a case of cause and effect.

Chen Feng had saved some people, but in this battle, he had inadvertently caused the deaths of many more.

There was no guilt.

He simply watched, like a bystander, as survivors wept and soldiers trembled. In one squad of ten men, there was only one who'd survived.

Death.

This was all too common in the apocalypse.

Luck does not favor the weak forever. Even if you escape death once, without power to protect yourself, the next disaster could easily take your life.

Life was worth less than dirt.

This was the harsh reality of the world.

For Chen Feng, he had more important matters to attend to.

The Blood Sacrifice.

After the battle, over a hundred human corpses lay scattered across the ground. In their rage, humans had killed more than fifty larvae, and two Bronze-level giant corpse beetles. The most valuable prizes lay in the center of the field—the bodies of the Demon Spider and the Broodmother.

An incredible haul.

This was more than enough to perform a true blood sacrifice.

Chen Feng's hands trembled with excitement. Even with his composed nature, he found it hard to suppress the thrill that surged within him. He could hardly wait to begin the ritual and summon the demon.

But first, he needed to clear the area of onlookers.

No one wants to see the bodies of their loved ones desecrated. If Chen Feng performed the ritual in front of everyone, he would have only two choices: kill them all or be branded a heretic.

Neither was a good option, as it would ruin his plans.

He had a better solution than resorting to extremes.

Chen Feng walked toward Feng Zhiyong.

Having just escaped death, Feng Zhiyong was still shaken. He stared blankly at the Demon Spider's corpse, his expression dazed.

The battle between the Demon Spider and the Broodmother had redefined his understanding of the apocalypse.

How many more monsters like this existed?

Ordinary weapons were useless against them.

Professionals!

He needed more warriors like the Vine Warlock, for only those with these strange new abilities could defeat these monstrous creatures.

It wasn't until Chen Feng stood beside him that Feng Zhiyong snapped out of his reverie.

When he saw Chen Feng, a hint of surprise flashed across his face. As the guardian of J City, he wasn't one to easily show emotion, but the battle had been so harrowing that he couldn't help but be grateful to Chen Feng for his role in saving them all.

Feng Zhiyong studied Chen Feng closely. Perhaps it was the presence of the Demon Spider that made the young man's appearance and demeanor seem sharper, more imposing.

Sharp, and majestic.

Feng Zhiyong felt a slight pressure just being near Chen Feng.

But Chen Feng wasn't concerned with what Feng Zhiyong thought. He spoke bluntly, "You all need to leave here immediately. The stench of blood is too strong, and it won't be long before it attracts other monsters."

'You all?'

Feng Zhiyong picked up on the implication. He frowned and asked, "Aren't you coming with us?"

After witnessing Chen Feng's prowess in both battles, Feng Zhiyong had developed a dependence on him. After all, whether it was the deformed beast or the Demon Spider, it was Chen Feng who had turned the tide, ensuring their survival.

Chen Feng shook his head, his eyes showing a hint of caution and concern. "I have some things to take care of. There were some issues with the summoning earlier. I need to return the body to its original world."

"We can wait for you," Feng Zhiyong's voice was hoarse as he tried to persuade Chen Feng.

"Listen!" Chen Feng's gaze was sharp, and his tone was firm. "It's too dangerous here. Other monsters will arrive soon. I used too much power in the last battle. If another attack happens, I won't be able to protect everyone. There will be heavy casualties."

"You must leave here."

"Leave me some gasoline. When I'm done, I'll hold a funeral for these people."

"Don't worry. Once it's over, I'll catch up with you as soon as I can."

"This..."

Feng Zhiyong hesitated, his dark face filled with uncertainty. They didn't have the strength to face the surrounding monsters, and he knew that the troops needed to return to base as soon as possible.

"Thank you."

Feng Zhiyong felt a pang of guilt as he whispered, "I'll remember everything you've done for us. When you've finished your business, please come find me in Qiaodong."

Looking at Chen Feng's young face, Feng Zhiyong felt embarrassed. He should have stayed and waited to leave together, but Chen Feng's words had made him retreat. He was right—if monsters attacked again, with morale as low as it was, the soldiers wouldn't stand a chance.

They had to go!

Feng Zhiyong was not one to be indecisive. Within minutes, he had given the order to leave before danger arrived.

A White Lie.

This battle had claimed too many lives, but war always comes with a cost. The soldiers who received the order had no time to grieve. After a brief rest, they began packing up and set off on their journey back home.

Five barrels of gasoline were left behind.

Some hoped Chen Feng would help cremate their relatives and comrades. In the wilderness, cremation was the fate of the dead. For people, burial was the most comforting option, but with so many carrion monsters in the wild, a buried body would be unearthed and devoured in no time.

It was a solemn scene.

A well-intentioned lie forced people to leave the bodies of their loved ones and comrades. The air was thick with sorrow, and some threw themselves onto the corpses, weeping uncontrollably.

But soon, they let go.

At that moment, even the most sorrowful had to let go of their attachments.

In no time, the people disappeared from Chen Feng's sight.

Chen Feng needed an absolutely silent environment.

Any mistake would diminish the value of this blood sacrifice.

From now on, no monsters or humans could come near. Chen Feng had already warned Feng Zhiyong—if curiosity got the better of anyone, there was only one solution: kill them.

The Dark Elf hid in the shadows. Anyone who approached would be met with a cold, lethal arrow.

On the empty playground.

Chen Feng's expression grew solemn as he began chanting the obscure prayer for the blood sacrifice.

"Arise, wicked entity from the Abyss, I offer this blood before me as a prayer to summon your presence..."

Chen Feng whispered softly. The next second, he made a surprising move.

He swung his arm, grabbing one of the giant corpse beetle larvae!

Chen Feng exerted all his strength, his five fingers hooking into the larva's body, piercing through its muzzle-riddled flesh. He crushed its heart in one swift motion, and hot blood gushed out!

Then, he carelessly tossed the corpse onto the ground, letting the blood flow freely.

This was a special form of life sacrifice. In the Abyss, chaos and slaughter were the main themes of life for the mad, cruel creatures that dwelled there...

The Heart.

This was just the appetizer of this summoning...