I walk sideways in the game world

Chapter 130 The Leader's Determination

Ren Xiaoyao was never idle. After handling government affairs, he personally toured various regions, comforting the people and rebuilding their homes. Under his rule, the world prospered and was peaceful. However, Ren Xiaoyao always felt a sense of unease, like the calm before the storm.

One day, he arrived at a newly established town, where the townspeople warmly welcomed their leader. Ren Xiaoyao engaged them in cordial conversation, learning about their lives. Suddenly, his gaze focused on a small, unassuming corner, where he spotted a black feather that exuded a faint, sinister aura.

"The Dark Lord..." Ren Xiaoyao's heart sank. This feather was the symbol of the Dark Lord. It seemed that he was still alive and active in secret.

After returning to the palace, Ren Xiaoyao told Xia Lin about this. Xia Lin frowned slightly and said worriedly, "It seems that beneath the calm, there are undercurrents. We must quickly uncover his intentions and prevent any further harm." She suggested, "We can strengthen intelligence gathering and secretly investigate his whereabouts and plans."

Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment and shook his head. "Time is running out. We can't wait that long. Instead of passively defending, it's better to take the initiative and find out his intentions." A hint of determination flashed in his eyes. "I will go meet him in person."

Xia Lin wanted to persuade him again, but seeing Ren Xiaoyao's determined eyes, she knew that she couldn't change his decision, so she could only remind him: "Then be careful in everything you do."

Ren Xiaoyao nodded, turned around and left, leaving only a meaningful sentence echoing in Xia Lin's ears: "I will make him understand that this world is no longer a chessboard that he can control at will..."

After Ren Xiaoyao said goodbye to Xia Lin, he set off for the residence of the Ethereal Fairy. The Ethereal Fairy was skilled in tracking techniques and might be able to help him find the Dark Lord.

"Xiaoyao, you're here." The ethereal fairy seemed to have anticipated his purpose, and her soft voice sounded deep in the bamboo forest.

"Fairy, I need your help." Ren Xiaoyao went straight to the point and told the whole story of the Dark Lord.

The ethereal fairy nodded slightly, and with a twirl of her delicate jade fingers, a translucent crystal ball appeared in her palm. The crystal ball emanated a soft light, and the figure of the Dark Mage gradually emerged. He was hiding in a desolate valley, a place filled with a sinister atmosphere and evidently filled with traps and magical barriers.

"I have found his hiding place, please be careful." The ethereal fairy put away the crystal ball, with a hint of worry in her tone.

Ren Xiaoyao nodded, thanked the Kongling Fairy, and then turned into a stream of light and flew towards the valley.

At the entrance to the valley, a thick, dark aura filled the air, suffocating it. Ren Xiaoyao didn't dare to be careless, channeling his Qi to protect his body as he cautiously stepped inside. The valley was completely silent, save for the chilly wind that blew up the fallen leaves, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

As he delved deeper, he discovered that the surrounding trees were withered and twisted, as if eroded by some sinister force. Intricate magic circles were carved into the ground, emitting a dangerous aura. Ren Xiaoyao didn't dare to be careless, relying on his keen perception to avoid one trap after another.

However, just as he was about to reach the depths of the valley, his feet suddenly slipped and he stepped on a hidden magic circle!

"boom!"

The magic circle activated instantly, and a powerful energy wave engulfed Ren Xiaoyao. He felt his vision go black, and then he lost consciousness.

"Xiaoyao!"

In the distance, an anxious cry was heard...

Xia Lin, utterly anxious, rushed recklessly towards the blinding light. The ethereal fairy followed closely behind, waving her hand. A soft white light dissipated the aftermath of the explosion. The smoke and dust dissipated, revealing a vast crater. But Ren Xiaoyao was nowhere to be seen.

"Xiaoyao!" Xia Lin's voice trembled, tears blurring her eyes. She couldn't believe it, and didn't want to believe it, that the man who had once been all-powerful had just disappeared like that.

"Don't worry, he's still alive." The calm voice of the ethereal fairy sounded in his ears, "He's just trapped."

Hearing this, Xia Lin felt a glimmer of hope in her heart, "Fairy, please save him!"

The ethereal fairy nodded, pulled out a jade pendant from her bosom, and muttered something. The jade pendant emitted a soft light, illuminating the entire valley.

"I've opened the space channel. Go in. He can sense your presence." The ethereal fairy handed the jade pendant to Xia Lin. "Remember, you only have half an hour. Go ahead."

Xia Lin took the jade pendant and jumped into the space tunnel without hesitation. At the other end of the tunnel was a dark space. She could faintly hear Ren Xiaoyao's weak breathing. Xia Lin followed the sound and finally found him.

Ren Xiaoyao was trapped in a magic cage, covered in wounds and breathing weakly. Seeing Xia Lin appear, he forced a smile and said, "You're here."

"Xiaoyao!" Xia Lin rushed to the cage, tears streaming down her face. "How are you? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, just a minor injury." Ren Xiaoyao comforted, "Why are you here? It's very dangerous here."

"Stop talking! I'll get you out first," Xia Lin said, pressing the jade pendant against the cage. The jade pendant shone brightly, and the cage shattered.

When the two returned to the valley, the ethereal fairy was directing everyone to clean up the battlefield. Seeing Ren Xiaoyao return safely, everyone cheered. However, the joyful atmosphere was soon broken by a letter.

The letter was left by the Dark Lord, and it was written in bright red font:

"Ren Xiaoyao, the battle between you and me has just begun. The next time we meet, I will make you pay a heavy price!"

After reading the letter, Ren Xiaoyao's face darkened. He crushed the letter into powder and said, "Pass the order down. Strengthen the vigilance and make sure to find the trace of the Dark Lord!"

"Yes!"

The ethereal fairy walked up to Ren Xiaoyao and whispered, "The Dark King is very powerful, so don't take him lightly. You need to recover your strength as soon as possible and be fully prepared."

Ren Xiaoyao nodded, his eyes firm, "I know what to do."

He turned to look at Xia Lin, his eyes full of tenderness, "Lin'er, I made you worry."

Charlene shook her head and squeezed his hand, "We'll face this together."

Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath and gazed into the distance, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. He knew that beneath the calm, undercurrents were surging, and a greater storm was about to come...

"Pass the order down," Ren Xiaoyao's voice echoed in the valley, "..."

"Pass the order down! Speed up the city's reconstruction, encourage the people to resume production, and restore world order as soon as possible!" Ren Xiaoyao stood in the center of the conference hall, issuing instructions to the crowd. The Dark Lord's threat hung like a sword over his head, and he had to race against time to prepare the world for the challenge.

"Yes!" Everyone took the order and left in a hurry, with a solemn look on everyone's face.

After watching everyone leave, Ren Xiaoyao turned and walked into his secret room to begin his retreat. He knew that his current strength alone was not enough to fight against the Dark Lord. He had to use this time to maximize his strength, so as to gain the upper hand in the future decisive battle.

After finishing her government affairs, Xia Lin came to the secret room and waited quietly. She knew that at this moment, any words would be pale, and only silent companionship could be the greatest support for him.

Meanwhile, Fairy Kongling returned to her cave and began to browse through ancient texts, searching for records about the Dark Lord. She had a vague feeling that the Dark Lord's appearance this time was no accident, and that there might be a greater conspiracy behind him.

As time passed, the world became shrouded in a tense atmosphere. The once prosperous town now tightened its security, with patrolling soldiers everywhere. Despite their unease, the people, under Ren Xiaoyao's leadership, remained optimistic and hopeful, striving to rebuild their homes.

In the secret room, Ren Xiaoyao was surrounded by dazzling golden light, and his aura became stronger and stronger, like a peerless sword about to be unsheathed, emitting a threatening edge.

Finally, at a certain moment, Ren Xiaoyao opened his eyes, and two beams of light shot out, piercing through the wall of the secret room. He stood up, and an aura of dominance emerged spontaneously.

"Dark Lord, I'm waiting for you!" Ren Xiaoyao whispered softly, his eyes full of confidence and determination. He knew that the moment of the decisive battle was getting closer and closer.

At this moment, a messenger hurried into the secret room, knelt on one knee, and said in a trembling voice: "Report! My Lord, something terrible has happened! The Dark Lord's army..."