376 An Unforeseen Turn of Events! (2/2)
The repeated explorations led to Kong Dao and his team progressing further and deeper into the catacombs. They were now able to accurately time their exploratory exercises. They would approach the wall. Despite being unable to venture near it, they were able to observe the rate of erosion from afar and document the changes.
However, the Dharmic Artifacts installed inside the Divine Armament Catacombs only worked for a short period of time. Otherwise, the exploration exercises would be significantly less challenging.
If everything went according to plan, Wang Baole would be able to submit his evaluation report to the Governor in two weeks' time. Then, they would be able to arrange for a mass migration of residents to the new city zone. The entire new city zone's infrastructure had been completed. Be it residences or industrial estates, they had all been built and equipped with basic necessities. What the new city zone lacked now was a population.
Even though the new city zone had approximately a few hundred thousand workers, it was still a vast space waiting to be filled. Wang Baole decided to monitor for another two weeks before arranging a mass migration.
They were seven days away from the half-year mark when something unexpected happened. Wang Baole's training was interrupted by a sudden, hasty alarm. He opened his eyes abruptly. Lin Tianhao's voice transmission seemed to arrive swiftly, at the same time.
”Mayor, Kong Dao ran into danger while exploring the Divine Armament Catacombs. We don't know if he survived the encounter!”
Alarm flashed across Wang Baole's face. He rose to his feet and rushed to the sealed Divine Armament Catacombs. Lin Tianhao and Jin Duoming were already there when he arrived. The two had grave expressions on their faces. Through the defense barriers, they could see hordes of beasts howling inside the sealed catacombs. They were being sliced into bits by the numerous strands of the array formations.
They saw Wang Baole's arrival and immediately approached Wang Baole, reporting the situation in hushed tones. There were numerous military cultivators around them with anxious and panicked looks on their faces. They all turned and looked at Wang Baole.
”Mayor, everything had been running smoothly, but soon after Kong Dao brought a party of people into the catacombs, there was a Beast Tide. We hadn't expected it. Based on our records and forecasts, it arrived a lot earlier than expected. When the Beast Tide erupted… Kong Dao was…” Lin Tianhao didn't finish his sentence. It was clear what he was trying to say, though. It was likely that Kong Dao had met his death deep inside the Divine Armament Catacombs.
”Have we informed the Governor?” Wang Baole's head started throbbing. Kong Dao held a unique position. Despite that, he continued to helm the exploration teams personally. Wang Baole had no idea what he was busy with. He had tried asking a few times, but the other man ignored him completely.
Now that there was a problem, as the mayor, Wang Baole wouldn't escape unscathed. He couldn't help his growing agitation and frustration. Jin Duoming observed Wang Baole at his side and whispered.
”We've blocked the news, but it's not going to stop the news from leaking…”
”How can you block it? We should report it immediately!” Wang Baole frowned. The military cultivators around him immediately started speaking.
”Mayor, the danger posed by this wave of beasts isn't high. I believe Vice Mayor Kong is alive and is awaiting our rescue!”
”Mayor, please issue the order. We're willing to brave the Beast Tide and enter the catacombs to mount a rescue!”
”Mayor, you can't just watch him die!”
Wang Baole was already agitated. He became furious as he listened to the cacophony of voices from the people around him. He roared.
”Silence!”
His voice boomed like thunder, exploding in the ears of the people around him. Wang Baole released his mosquitoes. They rushed into the Beast Tide and followed the path deep into the catacombs. They flew speedily, in search of Kong Dao.
He soon found Kong Dao and three other military cultivators in the middle segment of the catacombs. They were inside a sunken segment of the catacombs that had been dug up earlier, and they were fighting off the hordes of beasts trying to rush in.
From the look of it, they wouldn't be able to hold off the beasts for long. The beasts in the sunken pit were too many. They had no chance of survival if they were to rely only on themselves to fight off the beasts. They were all injured and were straddling the line between life and death!