Chapter 1138

He still had a doubt: "What if someone takes the chance to launch a sneak attack right now? Would they wait for both sides to be badly wounded, then profit from it?"

Aike laughed and said: "Look at what they're doing."

Zhao Chi followed Aike's hand and looked over.

He saw dozens of griffins patrolling in flight beside the formation.

The female elves on the griffins' backs had their eyes shining, scanning back and forth around the formation.

Tieshan was also staring intently at the formation.

"So, we're planning to loot a burning house?"

Aike laughed and said: "To fish in troubled waters."

Soon, the full-moon-sized formation shrank to the size of a washbasin.

Three griffins flew back from the front.

The female elf on top shook her head at Tieshan: "Captain, my lord, the enemy's strength is still very strong. We need to wait at least another four hours before reaching a safe threshold."

The other two female elves reached the same conclusion, but one gave a time of three hours, the other six.

Tieshan nodded and waved his hand again.

The entire caravan immediately charged forward without looking back.

Zhao Chi looked at Aike.

Aike, as if he had long known Zhao Chi wouldn't understand, patiently explained:

"When you come across a chance to fish in troubled waters, no one will pass it up.

"If we judge that the remaining strength of the forces inside is already weak, then we should go in and take a share too.

"But unfortunately, after scouting and observing, the strength of both sides inside is still very strong, so we won't join the fun.

"After all, safety comes first; it's not worth putting ourselves in danger for some profit."

Indeed, he was right.

But Zhao Chi still had a question.

Zhao Chi asked: "Why not go in and casually help one side, then divide the spoils by contribution after winning?"

Aike laughed and said: "Didn't I already say it? Both sides' strength is still very strong. Even if we join in, taking them two-on-one and winning easily—what then?"

"After that, each side just leaves."

"Haha, how could it be that simple? Right now we only know the rough strength of both sides; we know nothing else—not their factions, not their races. How could we possibly rush in blindly?"

"I see…"

"Exactly. Even if we form a temporary alliance and beat one opponent, who can guarantee the two sides will coexist peacefully afterward? Once fighting breaks out continuously, the losses will be huge. And we're currently inside a spatial rift—there's nowhere to run."

"Understood."

"And on top of that, large-scale wars last a long time. Once we enter the formation, we'd have to fight it out. If another caravan arrives at that moment, what do you think they'd do?"

"They'd also scout and estimate the strength. If it suits them, they'd start harvesting us too."

"Exactly! A new caravan would arrive and observe too. If our losses are significant, they'd very likely come harvest us."

Zhao Chi nodded: "Understood. This formation is practically a trap—without an absolute advantage, you absolutely must not go in."

Aike smiled: "Exactly, that's how it is!"

Zhao Chi sighed with feeling: "Thank you, Aike. You've really taught me a lot."

Aike laughed and said: "Don't forget to put in some good words for my lord Mo Ming too, get Captain Li to give out more bonuses, so that next time we go to Blackstone Town, we can still have some fun at Falling Red Tower."

Zhao Chi nodded: "Understood, definitely!"

Aike said: "Alright, the crisis is over, you can go back. I'll call you again if anything comes up."

"Thanks."

"Haha, no problem."

Zhao Chi stood up and saw the merchant lords at the back of the caravan disappearing one after another.

It seemed everyone had left too.

Zhao Chi didn't linger any longer and returned to his territory.

Four days later.

7 a. m.

Arrived at the spatial rift outside Snowfield City.

Mo Ming called everyone out.

Zhao Chi also appeared on his carriage.

Aike stretched lazily and handed the reins back to Zhao Chi.

"Alright, Zhao Chi, we're about to enter Snowfield City, and we have to head back too. See you later."

"See you, Aike, and thanks."

"Haha, no need. Jiadan, farewell."

Jiadan nodded: "See you."

With that, Aike disappeared.

The elf Jiadan on the carriage beside also waved to Zhao Chi: "See you, Zhao Chi."

"See you."

The personnel of the entire caravan quickly dwindled, returning to the few hundred from before departure.

The heroes and soldiers summoned from the territory had all gone back.

Suddenly.

A long vertical black line appeared in the space ahead.

The black line split apart, revealing a stretch of light within.

The morning sunlight spilled across the ground, turning the dark-brown earth inside into a bright tan.

Yet the morning light stopped at the edge of the gap, unable to shine into this dim spatial rift.

Everyone cheered.

They'd arrived safely.

Zhao Chi's suspended heart settled back down as well.

This merchant caravan trade really wasn't easy.

He had no idea how Hillier had led those elves out through this rift before.

Nor did he know whether they were still alive.

They were probably alive.

After all, Zhao Chi recovered 12 points of genetic material every day; if she had died, the genes wouldn't have kept her share.

Soon, the caravan fully entered the bright space ahead.

The enormous rift behind them closed once more and vanished.

Everyone arrived again at the territory space from before their departure.

The surroundings were still empty, with nothing there but the white fog wall in the distance, yet Zhao Chi felt completely at ease.

Finally back…

These past few days, Zhao Chi had been together with Qiyue again, entering an endless crafting state.

But now the genetic material's recovery ability was too strong—it had to be expended every day, or it would be wasted.

This also meant Zhao Chi spent longer on them each day, and the crafting cycle lost one round per day.

But the time was well worth it.

Apart from Zhao Chi's own willingness, those women could also immerse themselves in it.

Every day their faces glowed like peach blossoms, their moods excellent.

The energy points of their two skills were rapidly replenished, so they could use the skills many times in the next battle.

Zhuang Ya had also adapted somewhat now.

Though she was still extremely sensitive, at least it was manageable.

Only when being with her, one had to stand.

She would still break down now.

Zhuang Ya was also extremely embarrassed, wanting to cry every time.

But later, seeing that Zhao Chi didn't mind, and that he even had a strange sense of pride?

Zhuang Ya couldn't understand it at all.