High-level martial arts: Contract cashback, invincible starting from the Zerg.

When the eight-wheel drive heavy armored vehicle, with a deep hum, slowly came to a stop at the outer gate of the city of Misty Rain.

Chen Feng stood up and looked at the in-vehicle screen of the armored vehicle.

On the ancient city wall of Misty Rain City, twin-mounted kinetic energy cannons slowly turned their muzzles, gently sweeping over the transport convoy, while several city guards and soldiers in light blue armor checked the documents and began to let the convoy pass.

As the convoy entered Misty Rain City, the view suddenly opened up.

Unlike the sandbag fortifications and dilapidated military buildings that can be seen everywhere in the outer city, the inner city of Misty Rain presents a completely different scene.

The city's buildings retain the ancient architectural style with upturned eaves, and the roads between them are mostly only a few meters wide, with willows and mist swaying in the breeze.

The streets were bustling with people, including mercenaries in tactical cloaks and civilians carrying food boxes, laughing and chatting. Everywhere there was a vibrant atmosphere of survival after the catastrophe.

Seeing this, Chen Feng's body seemed to relax as well.

Li Yuanwei's eyes lit up as he peered through the porthole. He nudged Chen Feng beside him with his elbow, his tone tinged with excitement: "Hey, Chen Feng, did you see that? I've heard that Misty Rain City is the most fertile place in the central city of Great Xia. The girls on the street have skin so tender it's like you could squeeze water out of it. With that kind of quality, they'd be top-tier even in Gu Yong's Upper City."

Hearing this, Zhang Ce, who had been resting with his eyes closed, smiled.

"I bet before you set off, you weren't looking at our route map, but rather the Misty Rain City Gazetteer."

"You can't say that, Lord Zhang," Li Yuanwei said matter-of-factly, shifting his body to give Chen Feng a better view. "Liking pretty girls is a man's nature."

"Hey, Chen Feng, look! That girl in the light blue dress who just walked by had a spirit energy jade pendant hanging from her waist. She's definitely a young lady from a powerful cultivation family; her aura is just different..."

"I saw it, it really is beautiful."

"If this place weren't so close to the front lines, I would have really liked to find a girlfriend here before going back. It's such a pity."

......

As the convoy passed a stone archway inscribed with the words "Government Affairs District," the main building of the Yanyu City Municipal Administration came into view at the edge of the horizon.

The city defense soldiers, dressed in light blue armor, set up a post every ten steps, their kinetic rifles with the safety on and ready to fire. Their eyes followed the convoy's movement steadily, maintaining an impenetrable vigilance.

At the front of the convoy stood three officials from Misty Rain City and a squad of city defense soldiers waiting for them.

Chen Feng was the first to step down from the heavy armored vehicle. After landing, he first looked around and scanned the defenses of the Yanyu City Municipal Administration.

Numerous concealed artillery positions, underground rune traps, and firing positions from various windows of the building were all quickly brought into Chen Feng's view.

Zhang Ce also got out of the car.

Three officials from Misty Rain City immediately greeted them with smiles, bowing from a distance of several steps.

"I am Zhou Mingyuan, the city lord of Yanyu City. I have been waiting for you all for a long time. You have come from afar. Thank you for your hard work."

Beside Zhou Mingyuan, a captain of the Starfish City Guard, clad in armor, gave a standard military salute and said in a deep voice, "Han Tao, captain of the Misty Rain City Guard, welcome everyone."

Zhang Ce returned the greeting, his tone calm and even: "It's just part of our duties, nothing to brag about. City Lord Zhou, Captain Han, we plan to stay here for one night before continuing our journey to the front lines tomorrow. We hope you can help us replenish our supplies for the road ahead."

"No problem, no problem." Zhou Mingyuan immediately stepped aside to make way and led everyone towards the main building's steps. "We can go to the side hall first to verify the documents and supply list. Your accommodations for the night have also been arranged... Please follow me."

As everyone passed through the lobby and turned left into the conference hall.

As you push open the door, the willow branches by the window are swept by the wind, casting dappled light and shadow. On the long pear wood table in the hall, there is also a cup of tea and several plates of delicate pastries.

Zhou Mingyuan gestured for everyone to sit down, and the polite smile on his face faded slightly.

"Your Excellency," Zhou Mingyuan said, his fingertips tracing the rim of his cup, his tone turning serious, "I won't bother with formalities. The situation on the front lines is tense, and I really can't sit still."

Zhang Ce looked up at him, cupped his hands and said, "If the city lord has any difficulties, please speak freely. We have been attacked by the Dark Ones and the Northern City army along the road to Guishen Kingdom."

Zhou Mingyuan sighed and turned to look at Han Tao beside him. "Captain Han, you are the captain of the guard. You should explain the specific battle situation to me. You will be able to explain it more clearly than I am."

Han Tao nodded, then walked to the front of the group and opened the tactical map with a wave of his hand.

"The Black Mountain defense line, 200 kilometers away, is the first line of defense for our Great Xia against the North City, and also the last line of defense for the Misty Rain City."

He reached out and tapped an empty space next to the table, and a miniature holographic battle map immediately floated in mid-air, with dense red dots pressing down on the north side of the defensive line, like a spreading bruise.

"Although the entire defensive line has hundreds of kinetic artillery emplacements, the energy crystals in the Black Mountain defense line have begun to run out due to the harassment from the air forces of the North City. At the current rate of consumption, the emplacements in the Black Mountain defense line will have to shut down after at most three more days."

Just then, Zhou Mingyuan took over the conversation, his brows furrowed with an unyielding weariness.

"Moreover, the refugees from the north have been pouring into our area. In just the past two weeks, tens of thousands more mouths have been fed. Food, medicine, temporary shelters—supplies are needed everywhere... Misty Rain City is just a medium-sized city, and the annual supply quota is limited. If this continues, the city might fall into chaos before the Darkkin even attack."

Zhang Ce put down his teacup, tapped his fingertip lightly on the table, and calmly looked at Zhou Mingyuan: "What does City Lord Zhou want me to do?"

Zhou Mingyuan's expression turned serious, and he immediately cupped his hands to Zhang Ce, adopting a very humble posture: "Mr. Zhang comes from the Tianji Pavilion sect and is highly respected within it. We don't ask for anything else, we just want to trouble Mr. Zhang to report the true situation of Misty Rain City to the Tianji Pavilion on his return journey."

"As the lord of a city, can't you just report it directly?" Zhang Ce frowned.

Zhou Mingyuan quickly added, "I had all the battle reports, casualty lists, and material consumption lists compiled and submitted to Qian Yuan Shangcheng. It's just that... the three urgent reports we sent before all went unanswered. We really had no other choice but to swallow our pride and ask for help."

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the soft rustling of willow leaves in the wind outside the window.

Even Li Yuanwei, who was sitting at the end of the table, began to secretly observe the expressions of the others.

Zhang Ce remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his tone still calm but carrying a hint of certainty.

"The Black River defense line is the southern gateway. If it falls, not only Misty Rain City, but also the seven southeastern cities will be directly exposed to the Darkborn army. The people in the upper city should understand this... However, you can prepare the battle report and list. I can submit all the intelligence for you tonight. But all I can do is report the facts. As for how much relief supplies to approve, that is not something I can decide."

"That's enough! That's enough!" Zhou Mingyuan's eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly cupped his hands in thanks. "With Mr. Zhang's words, we can rest assured."

"It's my duty." Zhang Ce nodded slightly. "Defending against the enemy and protecting our territory is neither yours nor mine."

Just then, Chen Feng, who had been staring at the strategic map, suddenly spoke up, his voice low: "Captain Han, have there been any signs that the Darkin's recent activity range is shrinking towards the outskirts of Misty Rain City?"

Zhou Mingyuan paused for a moment, then shook his head: "Currently, the main forces of Beicheng and the Darkborn are still stationed around the Black River defense line, and no large-scale disturbances have been detected at the watchtowers in the suburbs. However, we have already tripled the number of patrol teams to patrol the city's outskirts."

Chen Feng's gaze remained fixed on the holographic battle map.

His voice was low, yet every word was clear.

"The absence of large-scale enemy activity in the suburbs does not mean we are safe. We came along the road to the Kingdom of Gods, and we were attacked by the Darkborn and powerful figures from the North City a hundred kilometers away from here, and we were almost severely damaged."

Han Tao's expression suddenly darkened: "The Darkborn and the powerful figures of the Northern City? When did these things... get here?"

"16 hours ago." Zhang Ce looked at Han Tao thoughtfully. "They're not here to attack the city. They're probably just a spearhead force, probing your defense blind spots and supply routes."

"If even you guys were nearly ambushed, then the chances of us being able to retreat to a safe zone are slim." Zhou Mingyuan muttered to himself. "No wonder... no wonder the supplies are so late, and the deployment of new recruits has been delayed again and again..."

Zhou Mingyuan immediately snapped back to his senses and bowed deeply to Zhang Ce and Chen Feng, saying, "Thank you both for reminding me!"

"Lord, there's no need for such formalities. Now that we've stumbled upon you, there's no reason for us to stand idly by." Zhang Ce raised his hand in a gesture of support. "Besides, we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning so as not to cause you any trouble."

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased a bit, Zhou Mingyuan smiled again and raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

"Alright, let's put the war situation aside for now. You've all had a long journey, so please have some tea and rest. I've prepared some food at the manor tonight to help you replenish your energy and make our discussion easier."

He stood up and gave an instruction towards the door.

A dozen or so graceful waitresses pushed the food cart in.