Flying from the Imperial Capital’s airport to Southgate Garrison usually took about two hours.

But given the urgency, all other traffic had been cleared—cutting travel time even further.

The Imperial Capital’s support teams mobilized swiftly. Just two hours and five minutes after Southgate Garrison’s distress call, three transport planes circled into its airspace.

Aboard Transport Plane Supporter-1, Lian Zhengzhi meditated with his squad when a crew member opened the cabin door:

“Captain Lian, situation update! Six Minor Sky Rifts have erupted across City C—and reports suggest signs of a suspected Medium Sky Rift!

Your squad is requested to investigate immediately.”

The team members froze in disbelief.

*A Medium Sky Rift… in bustling Southgate Garrison?!*

Lian Zhengzhi opened his eyes calmly.

“Multiple Minor Sky Rifts do raise the probability of a Medium Sky Rift forming.

Fine. We’ll check it out first.

What about Shang Tiancheng and Xu Hanhe?

If it’s truly a Medium Sky Rift, one squad won’t be enough.”

The crew member nodded firmly.

“All three support squads are en route. Southgate Garrison remains stable—Minor Sky Rifts caused minimal damage.

But if a Medium Sky Rift manifests… it falls to you.

City streets lack warriors of your caliber.”

Lian Zhengzhi smirked proudly. “Naturally. How long till arrival?”

“Three minutes. The zone sits right in City C’s center—very close.”

Lian Zhengzhi turned to his team. “Gear up. We might face a tough fight.”

Teammates instantly checked weapons and gear.

They weren’t afraid—they were eager.

In the Dragon Realm, beyond early novice perks, even enlisted Demonhunters had to grind merit points for high-tier resources.

A Medium Sky Rift meant a fresh haul of merits!

Similar scenes unfolded aboard the other two transports…

Meanwhile, Huang Ying dispatched regular officers to cover Sector 069 patrols, freeing Qu Yi’s group to head to Sector 051.

Since the Medium Sky Rift hadn’t manifested yet, Ye Thirteen and his three companions rode at a steady pace.

With only officials and Demonhunters on the streets, progress stayed smooth.

At People’s Park in Sector 051, they spotted three transports circling overhead.

The three Soldier-Class Demonhunter squads—led by Lian Zhengzhi, Shang Tiancheng, and Xu Hanhe—adjusted advanced scanners.

After one full sweep, readings confirmed: the energy field converged steadily, peak values far exceeding Minor Sky Rift thresholds.

Lian Zhengzhi’s eyes gleamed with approval.

“City C’s scouts are sharp. Without deliberate scanning, we might’ve missed this.”

A female squad member spoke up:

“Captain, don’t Medium Sky Rifts usually show warnings a week ahead?”

Lian Zhengzhi explained patiently:

“That’s for wild rifts. But in rare cases—like now—after multiple Minor Sky Rifts form and their first demon waves are slain, a Medium Sky Rift may emerge at their convergence point.

The same theory applies to Large Sky Rifts.

Pioneers documented it. I’ve never seen one myself.” He shrugged.

At twenty-eight, he’d only reached Soldier Rank one or two years ago—thanks to national resources and hard-earned merits. His knowledge wasn’t vastly deeper than his squad’s.

He glanced at the detector.

“Regardless, this Medium Sky Rift is inevitable.

As Lord Hand of the Empire said: *Doubt your eyes, but trust the data.*

Formation in roughly thirty minutes.

Contacted Captains Shang and Xu?”

“Confirmed. They agree with your assessment, Captain.”

Pre-mission orders placed Lian in command—his near-two years at Soldier Rank and frontline support experience gave him the edge. Yet he always consulted the other captains; all three squads were evenly matched: five members each, all Soldier Rank.

“Coordinate landing with City C. Find a nearby site,” Lian ordered.

Minutes later, the transports landed atop Sector 051’s tallest building—a sixty-six-story office tower. Onlookers’ hearts sank.

*So it’s true… a Medium Sky Rift is coming.*

*Why else would Imperial Capital squads land here?*

As Sector 069’s three beautiful girl members frowned in worry, five youths in school uniforms approached.

They were Sector 051’s Patrol Squad—students from Demonhunter Academy No. 1!