Abyss Summoner-Chapter 263 - 258: Falling into Darkness

Set off.

There isn't much time to delay; Li Chuan and nearly two hundred of his subordinates have all been executed, indicating his ties with the conservatives have been severed. If this drags on, Hong Jiuling will surely become suspicious.

Now that preparations are done, there's no room for hesitation.

Eliminate him!

Whether Hong Jiuling is a follower of the Devil is no longer important; what matters is that he's an enemy, and enemies are as good as dead.

Chen Feng has his own style of doing things. He has chosen the optimal time to strike. During the welcoming, he plans to take action, collaborating with Feng Zhiyong to eradicate all of Hong Jiuling's forces in East Bridge.

This will be a fierce battle.

So, well before this decision, Chen Feng had already dispatched Order's troops to East Bridge, to reinforce and cut off all of Hong Jiuling's escape routes.

Of course, even if Hong Jiuling is killed, Chen Feng won't recklessly step forward, as this might incite animosity from some people. Xu Hongzhuang, this woman with innately advantageous conditions, is the one he considers his assistant in controlling East Bridge.

Although Xu Hongzhuang may lack some experience, everyone has a learning process. Under his guidance, Chen Feng believes she will become a competent puppet, no...to be precise, a ruler.

"Creak..."

"Creak..."

Sounds of wheels rolling could be heard.

At this moment, Chen Feng was riding in a simple carriage, drawn by two adult Red Rock Beetles. Their wings had been removed, and a steel spike was driven through their mouths connected by a rope, used to control them.

Red Rock Beetles have excellent endurance and require little care— if one dies, it's simply replaced.

This world is slowly changing.

Cars that once sped through the streets have been phased out, while horse-drawn carriages, tools long abandoned, have found use again.

Professionals, Awakened.

Compared to previously insurmountable problems, these humans possessing bizarre abilities can easily achieve feats. Whether this is progress or regression is debatable; it's merely a change humans make to adapt to this world.

The carriage was spacious, enough for seven or eight people, but now, only two figures occupied it: Chen Feng and Flora.

Compared to the former's calm demeanor, Flora seemed somewhat restless. Although she had finally obtained the power she had dreamed of, she felt as though she had lost something.

For some reason, facing Chen Feng now left her less composed than before. Seeing him reminded her of his robust figure, making her feel like a boat adrift at sea, swaying and unable to reach the shore.

"Flora, about that day..."

Chen Feng's gaze fell on Flora. He looked at her, as if wanting to say something.

"No... No need to say it, it's okay..."

Unlike Chen Feng's expression, Flora seemed somewhat flustered. She quickly shook her head, appearing more like a culprit than a victim, uneasy in her seat.

Chen Feng's lips curled slightly, with a hint of dubious apology: "But it indeed happened. Rest assured, I will compensate you. Regarding the supplies for your kin, I will increase them from the original amount."

Flora's pale face flushed with a trace of angry embarrassment, as if Chen Feng's words pricked her soul. Though her initial motivation was for her people, hearing it from Chen Feng made her feel strangely aggrieved—she didn't want this incident reduced to a transaction.

However... she didn't have the courage to refuse.

During the long journey of loyalty, she'd learned to obey orders. Though she resisted somewhat, she still accepted Chen Feng's proposal, biting her lip and nodding.

Eyes don't lie.

Flora's mood grew increasingly despondent, her expression tinged with inexplicable grievance.

This doesn't seem like an expression a peak powerhouse should have.

Indeed.

Though it was just a night's time, Flora had undergone unusual transformations. Her aura metamorphosed, fully breaking limitations, ascending to the Silver Peak.

Chen Feng isn't arrogant enough to believe it was due to him that Flora succeeded in advancing. Changing some thoughts—perhaps the source of all this merits—crediting the Dance Goddess.

As the faith of the Cat Race, that roguish Divine Spirit wouldn't just bless an outsider like him while ignoring her Believer. Flora, too, received the Goddess's favor, reaching the peak realm.

Divine Spirits' thoughts are hard to grasp, especially those with chaotic tendencies, making them even more inscrutable.

For Chen Feng, his concern lies more with his own forces. With Flora's advancement, it signifies all his Summoned Beasts have reached their peak.

Dark Elf, Undead Mage, Flora, Inferior Demon—these four beings he summoned from the Abyss, after long cultivation, finally grew to a level he found satisfactory.

However.

Flora's state was somewhat unique; she seemed to harbor emotions beyond loyalty toward him— a mix of fear and perhaps affection.

No matter when, Chen Feng remains absolutely sober. For power, he resists indulging in the pleasures of smoke, alcohol, or flesh, but this doesn't mean he's some dense idiot who understands nothing.

Compared to the defiant leopard she was, Flora more closely resembles a delicate kitten now. The biggest change is in her emotions—her face once void of expression, now carries a hint of a girl's discontent and hope for life.

She now seems more like a living person, rather than a killing machine.

Chen Feng hasn't severed the emotional ties with Flora, those strands connecting her feelings towards him. Cultivating Summoned Beasts offers many methods: punishment, whipping, scolding—psychological tactics are among them.

Chen Feng closed in, his breath almost upon her. He gazed into her eyes and slowly said, "This isn't charity; it's my reward for your progress. Compared to the Undead Mage and Dark Elf, it's you I like most..."

A hand rested on Flora's snow-white neck. For a moment, this proud Guardian held her breath, not daring to meet Chen Feng's gaze.

Such simple things—a touch of vanity—suffice to satiate her.

Despite being a Master of Fist and possessing beauty, love is blind. For a girl inexperienced in these matters, a sprinkle of taboo amid curiosity is irresistible, aware of the danger yet unable to refuse, sinking deeper and deeper.

There is no exploitation.

While Flora is blind, Chen Feng retains clarity in this quagmire. As a Demon, he offers an olive branch to Flora. Though birthed in the Abyss, unlike other dark creatures, she had her own resolve and beliefs. But after encountering Chen Feng, everything changed.

If she can't reach the light, then let all around her sink into darkness.

Indeed.

A Master of Fist without desires, having committed the sins of jealousy and vanity, diverged entirely from her former self.

Falling is effortless.

This is good; she will cling to him, unwavering, till death.

.........

Within the carriage, Chen Feng was resting.

About two hours later, he suddenly felt the carriage shake and shouting began outside.

"Monsters!"

"Prepare for battle. A group of monsters is blocking the path!"

Chen Feng's eyes abruptly opened, swiftly standing outside the carriage. Xu Hongzhuang was already brandishing her weapon, and warriors around her were on guard.

At the front of the convoy, a cluster of short, ugly creatures was holding clubs, watching them.

"A gang of goblins?"

Chen Feng murmured to himself. This must be due to the Dimensional Rift, causing these cruel and cunning creatures to descend upon the Human World.

However, this time their numbers were quite large, roughly over a hundred...