Apocalypse: Become stronger by absorbing flames at the start; my name is the Flame Emperor.

"ah--"

A heart-wrenching scream rang out, but it quickly ceased.

Because Lin Yu had grabbed the tiger's throat.

"Aren't you called Mad Tiger? Why is your talent to turn into a leopard?" Lin Yu asked curiously.

Everyone's face stiffened, and then they all pricked up their ears simultaneously. They were also curious, but no one dared to ask.

"Damn it—it's none of your business!"

Kuanghu managed to squeeze out a few words.

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, and suddenly exerted force in his hand, a terrifying power spreading out, instantly snapping the tiger's neck.

This scene completely terrified everyone.

"Holy crap—am I seeing things? Mad Tiger was killed so easily?"

"Who is that person? He's so terrifying. I thought he was going to be torn to pieces by the mad tiger."

Everyone found it incredible.

Who would have thought that this unassuming young man could kill the mad tiger so cleanly and efficiently?

In fact, it seems he didn't even use his talent.

"Boss!"

Mad Tiger's henchmen also witnessed this scene and immediately felt a chill run down their spines.

"Who exactly are these people? How come they're all so fierce?" someone's voice trembled.

Colonel Feng isn't sending them here to kill people, he's sending them to their deaths.

That little girl wielded a blue-flame Gatling gun, sending them running for their lives.

And that giant panda was so damn violent; it tore a person in half alive.

This seemingly harmless young man is now even more terrifying, instantly killing their leader, Mad Tiger.

"Run!"

Everyone was terrified, and at that moment, only one thought occupied their minds: escape!

As for Colonel Feng's orders, they had long since forgotten them.

"Brothers, hold them off! Kill them all!"

Qiao Fang looked excited.

I thought today was going to be a terrible day, but who knew that General Long's guests were so powerful, especially that young man.

It's terrifying that he could kill Mad Tiger, who possessed S-level talent and whose strength was at the peak of A-level, in an instant.

"Perhaps, this is an S-rank powerhouse."

Excitement gleamed in Qiao Fang's eyes as he made a plan: "If that's the case, we can take this opportunity to completely dismantle Colonel Feng's power in one fell swoop."

At this moment, among the onlookers.

A burly man watched the battle unfold before him, utterly horrified.

"These people are too strong. Could they be reinforcements that General Long invited?"

Upon realizing this possibility, the burly man's heart tightened. He then quietly disappeared into the crowd; he had to bring this message back.

With Lin Yu and his group joining the fight, the battle ended quickly.

"Gentlemen, I never expected this to happen. I'm sorry to have startled you."

Qiao Fang's posture became even more respectful, a respect due to the strong.

Then, he turned to the crowd behind him and said, "Two of you stay behind to handle the aftermath. The rest of you, come with me and escort these guests."

Everyone curled their lips in disapproval.

He secretly cursed in his heart: "These guys are so powerful, they could easily sweep us away. How dare you even say something like 'we're escorting them'?"

"Cough cough—"

Seemingly sensing everyone's gaze, Qiao Fang coughed lightly, his face flushing slightly. He remained silent and led the way.

More than an hour later.

"Aren't we there yet?" the little girl asked, pouting.

"Almost there!"

Star City was so big that the group walked for a long time but still hadn't reached the central base.

The bustling scene along the way was an eye-opener for everyone. Although it couldn't compare to the pre-apocalyptic world, it was the most prosperous city they had ever seen.

Another half hour passed before the group finally arrived.

Deputy General Qiao slowly walked out of the base and came to Lin Yu's side, saying respectfully, "Hello, General Long invites you."

Lin Yu nodded and said to Xiong Ba and the two women, "You two wait for me here."

After saying that, he strode inside with Qiao Fang.

As soon as Lin Yu entered the hall, he saw an elderly man with gray hair but a straight posture, smiling at him.

He looked very energetic and vibrant.

"Greetings, General Long." Lin Yu bowed slightly, showing the old man the respect he deserved.

"Magician, you're too kind. I can't accept such a courtesy." The old man hurriedly stepped forward, laughing heartily, and stopped Lin Yu from bowing.

"magician?"

Qiao Fang, who was standing to the side, widened his eyes upon hearing this.

He never expected that the young man in front of him was actually the famous magician, a super strong person ranked second in the world.

"No wonder, no wonder he could easily kill Mad Tiger, no wonder Dragon General said he couldn't accept his bow." Qiao Fang muttered to himself.

"General Long, you flatter me. I know about your deeds and I still have great respect for you," Lin Yu replied with a smile.

"Oh, really?"

"certainly."

"Then tell me, what deeds of mine do you respect so much?" the old man said with a half-smile, like an old fox who could see through people's hearts.

"Forehead--"

Lin Yu choked, feeling ashamed.

He was just saying it casually; what did he know about the old man's deeds?

Before the apocalypse, he was just an ordinary worker, and had no idea about the old man's exploits. The only thing he knew was the great war from his previous life.

But there's no way to explain it.

"Ha ha!"

The old man seemed quite pleased to see Lin Yu get his comeuppance.

"Lieutenant General Qiao, you can go out now. I need to talk to the Magician."

"yes!"

Qiao Fang respectfully withdrew, closed the door tightly, and said to Xiong Ba and the two women, "Let me take you to the side hall to rest for a while."

-

The sky was getting dark.

The door remained closed, and no one knew what Lin Yu and Long Jiang had discussed inside.

"General, are you loyal to the empire or to the people?" Lin Yu asked, staring directly at the old man.

"..."

The dragon general was speechless.

How can you ask such a blunt question?

Seeing Lin Yu's serious expression, he didn't answer, but instead asked, "And you? Whom are you loyal to?"

"I?"

"I am loyal to myself first, then to my family, and finally to my country," Lin Yu said bluntly.

Everything he did was simply to survive.

Having experienced his past life, he knew that the apocalypse was far more complex than he had imagined, and that it involved a much deeper terror.

If he hadn't been unsure whether he could survive the calamity on his own, perhaps he would have remained a lone wolf.

The creation of Eternal Day, and the building of a force of one's own, was also to ensure that there were companions on the road ahead, so as not to be too lonely.

After all, he was not the Desolate Heavenly Emperor, and could not rule alone for all eternity.

The road ahead is dark, and one person walks alone. How lonely and desperate must that be?

"..."

Good grief, you're loyal to yourself, but you want me to be loyal to the country or the people?

Can't I be true to myself?

The dragon general's lips twitched uncontrollably as he listened.

After a moment's thought, he finally spoke: "You are loyal to yourself, while I am loyal to the country and the people. Our paths are different, so how can we make peace?"

-