Chapter 72: Transfer in the Storm and Rain

Transfer in the storm and rain

Su Yida is an excellent actor.

At least to others, his words just now conveyed three meanings.

First, he is a mage of 【Memory】, a Traveler of Recall.

Second, he truly possesses an ability similar to returning to the past, which might be extremely useful in the 【Annihilation】 trial, invisibly elevating his importance.

Third, he recognized Tao Yi as a believer of 【Prosperity】—his observational skills are not weak.

But for Cheng Shi, Su Yida’s performance concealed two more lies:

His talent!

And his score!

Cheng Shi had already guessed his talent:

The S-rank belief talent of 【Deception】: 【Mirage in the Cracks Between Reality and Illusion】.

When someone believed his lie, everything he described would be seen by that person.

But if someone saw through his lie, nothing he said would be seen by that person.

In other words, Su Yida created a mushroom existing between reality and illusion.

Tao Yi believed him, so she could see it and eat it.

Cheng Shi had long guessed Su Yida was a believer of 【Deception】 and possessed the talent to see through his lies, so Cheng Shi saw nothing but Su Yida’s clumsy, ridiculous performance with no physical object.

This is why many 【Deception】 talents appear monstrous but are rated very low.

Because once the lie is exposed, no matter how high the pavilion rises, it collapses instantly and can never be rebuilt.

Yet ironically, Cheng Shi now cannot expose him.

Not even during the entire trial can he expose him.

Because Su Yida might be the only guarantee for Tao Yi to fully unleash her power in the trial.

Also, possessing an S-rank talent means Su Yida’s Ladder score is likely above 2000.

Judging by this, this man’s depth of thought rivals that of the previous team members.

Tao Yi smiled again, her eyes narrowing as she devoured the mushroom in large bites, showing no hesitation despite Cui Dingtian having already finished combat.

The old man glanced at Tao Yi, coughed, and nodded—acknowledging this girl of opposing faith anew.

Zhao Qian’s gaze toward Cui Dingtian remained strange; he stepped back two paces, took two deep breaths, and said:

“The Mummy is indeed specialized in defense—impressive.”

“Ugh, cough, cough... you flatter me.”

The old man, barely done fighting, began bending over and coughing again, his posture hunched.

“Hmm, everyone has seen—the rain is getting heavier. Given the soil beneath our feet, if it intensifies further, the probability of mudslides or landslides becomes very high.”

Zhao Qian kicked at the muddy ground beneath him and continued frowning:

“My suggestion is to go downward first, then turn. That mountain peak ahead appears to have harder stone—there, whether we wait for the rain to end or prepare for an even heavier downpour, we’ll have better room to maneuver. What do you think?”

Everyone followed his pointing finger and saw that the mountain’s structure indeed looked more solid, composed of a dark white stone.

“I have no objections.”

“Hmm... fine, no objections... gurgle...”

“Cough, cough, cough—let’s move quickly.”

Zhao Qian led the way, Su Yida walked with high spirits, and the old Cui didn’t lag behind.

Cheng Shi and Gao Yu naturally walked side by side, silently following behind.

“Hey, you keep talking about us—what about you?” Gao Yu whispered.

“Me? What?”

“Yuxing—you’re not of Prosperity, so naturally, the only remaining possibility is...”

“Oh, that.” Cheng Shi smiled awkwardly, then deliberately reached into his crotch, “Already done.”

Gao Yu’s gaze followed his motion downward; when he saw Cheng Shi’s pants, he suddenly understood, blinking in shock and bewilderment.

“This... this... actually works?”

“You... awesome!”

“Really fast.”

“Huh? Fast isn’t good? Saves time.”

“...”

Gao Yu gave a “I can’t comprehend” smile and turned away.

After eating, Tao Yi clearly regained energy and dashed ahead to lead the way.

Not surprising—given the Wood Elf’s affinity with plants, the weeds and thorns ahead posed no obstacle.

Tao Yi merely waved her hand, and a shortcut through the cliffside brush appeared before them.

“Let’s go, stay close.”

Her agile form leapt and twisted across rising vine platforms, her movements sharp and efficient—utterly unlike the harmless pink-haired girl she had seemed before.

As always, anyone at this score level is no simple person.

Appearances are deceptive.

Cheng Shi shook his head and smiled, following closely behind.

Though he couldn’t match Tao Yi’s effortless grace, he could still descend quickly.

But as he climbed halfway, a sudden surge of vines wrapped around his leg and yanked him down from the height.

Cheng Shi turned in surprise and saw that Tao Yi had “Prospered” the plants beside her feet, transforming them into giant hands that caught him.

He felt no shame or sense of inferiority—instead, he eagerly approached Tao Yi and lavished praise.

“Big star, amazing! Big boss, incredible! Thank you, big boss! I’ll cling to your leg and never let go—even heaven will witness my sincerity!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than thunder roared!

“Boom—boom boom—”

“...”

The others watched in silent amusement; Tao Yi smiled shyly and waved her hand:

“It’s nothing—help each other, let’s go.”

The group resumed moving, and Cheng Shi once again fell behind with Gao Yu.

At this moment, the rain grew heavier.

The curtain-like downpour nearly obscured the players’ vision, forcing them to improvise rain shields from nearby materials and hold them above their heads to gain a sliver of clear sight ahead.

“Little... Gao Yu...”

Hearing Cheng Shi’s greeting, Gao Yu sighed.

“Just call me.”

“Little Brother!”

The moment Cheng Shi spoke those words, he felt utterly refreshed.

“I’m also interested in history—especially the development of the Alchemical Artifacts Division of the Tower of Reason. Since we’re on the road and bored, tell me about it.”

Gao Yu was surprised:

“You like puppets?”

Cheng Shi didn’t hide it—he nodded sincerely:

“Yes!”

Then he lowered his voice further:

“Look, when you’re not in trials, being alone is so boring.

But if you link spaces with others, you have to guard against them suddenly developing ill intentions—it’s unsafe.

If I could learn some alchemical artifact techniques and craft my own puppet, wouldn’t that be...

Hehehehe, you know.”

The heavy rain was loud and chaotic; their conversation shouldn’t have reached anyone else.

But somehow, Su Yida had quietly fallen behind and now walked just ahead of them, straining to listen.

Clearly, he was very interested in what they were whispering about.

Gao Yu thought Cheng Shi was exactly this kind of person and replied with mild disdain:

“Flesh is merely temporary companionship. Since the 【Gods】 have descended, we may have infinite possibilities—why cling to such fleeting things?”

Cheng Shi froze, then asked:

“Then what should we cling to? Eternal mechanical creations? Build a feminized mecha to keep you company?”

Who could have expected Cheng Shi was just speaking offhand—Gao Yu’s steps suddenly stumbled, his face flushing red as he quickly turned his head aside.

Cheng Shi stared, dumbfounded, thinking: You didn’t actually make one, did you?

Huh???

Sure, mecha are a man’s romance—but not like this, Little Brother.

You’re not even eighteen yet!

How could you go down this path?

I suggest you give me the mecha—I’ll take this sin upon myself!

Su Yida listened to their conversation and frowned.

The two of them whispered for a long time, and now they’re talking about it from behind?

You haven’t even spotted the clue to the trial’s key, and you’re chatting about the romance of mechs?

What, isn’t it romantic enough yet? If it rains another hour or so, the whole valley will be flooded, swirling and overflowing.

He shook his head and resumed following the footsteps ahead.

Cheng Shi watched him walk away, then continued:

“Some like cabbage, some like radish—speak up, kid.”

Gao Yu really didn’t want to engage with such a vulgar person, but being asked about history felt wonderful, and after holding back for a second, he still couldn’t refuse.

“What do you want to know?”

“Oh, who are the big names in the Alchemical Creation discipline, what are their research directions, who’s the most reliable—that kind of thing. Later I’ll dig through the records and aim for that path.”

“Let me think...”

Gao Yu trudged through the muddy ground, step deep, step shallow, then said after a pause:

“If you’re asking about the most brilliant figures in their discipline, it’s probably Zainjir, who died accidentally in an alchemical experiment during the early Civilization Era, and Bakhus, who turned his wife into a new form of life during the late Civilization Era.”

“...I want to make a wife puppet, not turn my wife into a puppet! Talk about the first one—just the first one!”

Cheng Shi’s heart skipped at the name.

According to Chenosli, Zainjir didn’t die by accident.

He was assassinated by scholars from other schools of the Tower of Rationality!