Chapter 867 - 283: Secrets of the Black Zone and Liu Bi’s Resolve

Chapter 867: Chapter 283: Secrets of the Black Zone and Liu Bi’s Resolve

At a certain moment, Cheng Ye suddenly realized that his previous understanding of Liu Bi was truly shallow.

When they first met, Liu Bi appeared like a reliable, simple-minded older brother, sometimes acting rashly with an impulsive vigor, making it easy for people to think he was not very bright.

But as he became more familiar with the inspection station and gradually came into contact with several high-level inspectors, whether it was the Western third-phase inspectors like Matthew Lee and Luokuke, or the Eastern inspectors such as Song Hai, Gu Xinjing, and Zhang Wen.

Without exception, these individuals’ personal strengths could perhaps be distinctly ranked, but they all demonstrated an extremely resilient and formidable character.

This character is like a clear dividing line, distinctly separating them from the second-phase and first-phase inspectors.

And as a more advanced fourth-stage inspector, how could Liu Bi truly be just a mindless brute?

Delving deeper into the differences, Cheng Ye realized Liu Bi was far from simple.

Most of the inspectors working with Cheng Long tend to look lightly upon their descendants, but Liu Bi uniquely cares deeply about his family, never changing his attitude despite the busy inspection station work.

What is more remarkable is his decisive choice to part ways at Cheng Long’s critical moment of preparing "big plans," yet still earning Cheng Long’s complete trust, not only entrusted with future matters but also left with a thought-provoking message.

This degree of judgment and capability is far from common.

As for Cheng Long’s remaining words.

Pionéers?

Must achieve Guardian Extraordinary to cross that critical threshold?

Cheng Ye couldn’t help but fall into speculation for a moment; compared to the wastelanders’ impoverished imagination, his thoughts, enriched by modern knowledge, were much more comprehensive.

Even without reading much science fiction, these two sentences still evoke a sense of inner and outer worlds.

Does it imply that only when a person’s spiritual power reaches a certain level can they truly step into that hidden inner world?

But as soon as this idea emerged, Cheng Ye immediately refuted it.

Wanderers also belong to the Guardian Extraordinary category, with fierce strength and mysterious abilities, drastically changing the landscape of Happiness City. Previously influential figures like Master Tian’s farmer, who stayed in the Black Zone, alongside other Guardian Extraordinaries.

These individuals haven’t completely vanished from humanity’s view, entering some so-called inner world, but remain in reality, stubbornly clinging to their living obsessions, performing actions incomprehensible to ordinary people.

Including the extremely powerful Tan Ming being also a Guardian Extraordinary, hasn’t escaped into the inner world either.

This sufficiently proves that mere Guardian Extraordinary is fundamentally different from the goal Cheng Long pursued with all his heart.

As An Xingfu, Cheng Wu, and all humans hoping to end the Wasteland Era are all categorized by Cheng Long on the same path...

Could this path have some hidden connection with mysterious artifacts, Starships?

"City Lord, An Xingfu... is he also Guardian Extraordinary?" Cheng Ye couldn’t suppress his astonishment, speaking out.

"In the inspection station, only your grandfather and father have met City Lord." Liu Bi shook his head confidently, "Even Station Chief Ding hasn’t had the chance to see City Lord."

Liu Bi emphasized the word "chance," evidently hinting at something.

"What’s circulating outside about ambushing the City Lord?"

"Ha, you believe such talk?" Liu Bi couldn’t help but sneer, his tone full of disdain, "It’s just those people from the past whom Brother Long disciplined, taking advantage of his absence, spreading rumors to tarnish his reputation. Bring it to light, who dares to openly say a word against us?"

He paused and continued, "City Lord and your grandfather belonged to the same era; back then, your grandfather managed external affairs, overseeing Shelter City’s development; An Xingfu handled internal affairs, managing Shelter City’s inner workings. Outsiders only knew Cheng Wu led high-level inspectors’ defection, yet unknown to them, An Xingfu joined him. The massive Happiness City was their joint creation interwoven with deep sentiments that couldn’t easily separate."

"Though all these years, your grandfather seemed to vanish without a trace, City Lord indeed communicates intermittently every few years. These messages only serve one purpose, confirming his survival."

Liu Bi’s voice grew solemn, "Until last year, he sent messages again, demanding Happiness City’s factions dispatch individuals to the Black Zone to assist him in completing an extremely crucial task. As per regulations, the inspection station shouldn’t participate, but Brother Long seized this long-awaited opportunity,"

"But speaking of ambushing, not entirely baseless." Liu Bi supplemented, "The item City Lord required truly was taken by Brother Long. Yet soon after, City Lord messaged clearly indicating no pursuit of the matter."

The information Liu Bi revealed was considerably explosive.

When Cheng Wu left back then, did he also take City Lord An Xingfu along?

Then does it mean over twenty years have passed, and Happiness City effectively was in a state without a City Lord?

Externally Cheng Wu’s departure, internally An Xingfu’s absence, with elders governing Happiness City’s continued progress?

"Black Zone, could it be A-1 Black Zone?" Cheng Ye’s heart raced, couldn’t help but inquire.

If this matter was related to Starship, subsequent investigations would have clearer paths.