Chapter 138: Like Madness

A sandbar in the middle of the river.

Underground, behind the bronze door, a circular tomb chamber.

The hollow eye sockets of the desiccated bones faintly glowed red.

As time passed, the red glow intensified, then with a hiss, it turned into two flames.

A creaking sound came from the desiccated bones.

The whitening bones changed bit by bit, gradually turning into a clear, translucent jade hue.

The left hand resting on the coffin lifted, placing itself atop the right hand that tightly gripped a great sword, forming a double-handed sword-support posture.

After holding that pose for a while, the desiccated bones moved again.

Like a rusty machine oiled, its motion went from initially slow and sluggish to smooth and fluid.

The desiccated bones pressed down with both hands, using the great sword to push themselves upright.

Casually slinging the great sword behind its back, the desiccated bones glanced around the tomb chamber.

Its gaze finally lingered on the coffin.

The two flames burning and jumping in its eye sockets merely swayed slightly left and right, yet they revealed deep longing, pity, and sorrow.

"My daughter."

The desiccated bones' jawbone opened and closed a few times, its voice hoarse and low: "It's been 1,627 years."

One does not know how a skull without vocal cords could produce such a sound.

In the modest circular tomb chamber, the desiccated bones' self-talk echoed.

"I have slain all the gods who disregarded mortal lives."

"But what does it matter?"

"I still cannot save you."

"You still lie here, silent."

"The gods have fallen, heaven and earth undergo drastic change."

"The world begins to decline."

"Humanity marches toward extinction."

"But all of this has nothing to do with me anymore."

"I only wish to accompany you in eternal rest here."

"My daughter."

"Over a thousand years have passed."

"This world is about to be obliterated."

"I don't care about this world."

"Whether it lives or dies, it's none of my concern."

"I merely cannot let you lose your resting place."

"My daughter."

"Wait for me."

"I'll go out for a bit to settle some minor issues."

"I'll be back soon."

"Don't be afraid."

"I will surely return to your side."

"To accompany you in your continued eternal rest."

As the voice faded, the thick stack of reports on the ground flew up on its own.

The reports hovered before the desiccated bones, burning page by page.

The God Slayers do not know the script of the wizard world, but that does not mean they cannot read its contents.

Especially, all of Lin Ke's experiments took place right under his eyelids.

By comparing the two, the God Slayers naturally could fully comprehend Lin Ke's intention of annihilation-style salvation.

And elevate it.

Now who could understand this world better than the God Slayers?

Nobody.

The bronze gate opened on its own, without wind.

The God Slayers stepped forward, walked out of the tomb chamber, and entered the secret passage.

The bronze gate slowly closed; the God Slayers turned back, and through the gap in the gate glanced at the coffin.

With a swish, the great sword ignited in black flames.

The fire grew from small to large, gradually taking the shape of wings that wrapped around the desiccated bones.

Pure black flame wings, pure white jade bones, formed a stark contrast.

As if darkness and light.

Like destruction and salvation.

The God Slayers' gaze turned toward the direction where Linke Grand was; their jawbone slightly opened and closed as they whispered a sentence.

Regarding this otherworldly person who could restrain desire, aside from sending in the reports, had never stepped into the tomb chamber even a step.

The God Slayers' impression was not bad.

Because Lin Ke had not disturbed his daughter's repose.

They withdrew their gaze.

Pure black flame wings unfolded, pure white jade bones glowed.

The God Slayers vanished from the secret path in an instant, unknown where they went.

Only the white walls on both sides remained.

The mural quietly disappeared.

……

Mountain valley basin.

「Welcome。」

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao was alone, meeting Lin Ke's party at the entrance.

He still wore jungle camouflage, his face painted with several streaks of paint, only his expression lacked the previous high spirits.

Threads of fatigue uncontrollably seeped from between his brows.

Although Meng Luo kept forcing his spirits, managing his expression.

Upon seeing Lin Ke, Meng Luo extended his right hand from afar.

It seemed as if the mountain valley basin was his home turf, he was the master here.

Even though he had just entered the basin, he hadn't even set up camp yet.

「Thank you。」

Lin Ke didn't bother with Meng Luo's wording.

These are trivialities, can be ignored.

After a light handshake, Lin Ke's gaze naturally passed over Meng Luo.

He casually glanced at the same-camp north district apprentices who remained on alert.

Just a quick glance; according to his memory, Lin Ke suddenly discovered that, of the few people he had seen in the jungle before, two were actually missing.

He didn't know whether they had gotten lost or been eliminated.

If they had been eliminated, then the battle Meng Luo's team faced must have been intense.

Having gathered his thoughts, Lin Ke also didn't beat around the bush, getting straight to the point: "Looking at your condition, the situation seems not good—did you encounter something?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Luo immediately showed a wry smile: "Careless, fell into an ambush, suffered heavy losses."

No concealment, it was a frank admission, but he also didn't reveal everything that had happened.

Their ordeal was far more than simply falling into an ambush.

During that period, things like using spies, counter-spies, bait, ambush, counter-ambush, counter-counter-ambush, pursuit, counterattack, and another pursuit—how could a simple 'fell into an ambush' possibly explain all that?

Meng Luo simply didn't want to bring up painful matters anymore.

To put it bluntly, they had fallen to such a state—being chased, losing armor and helmets, fleeing north in panic,

The biggest reason was still that early-stage snatching of 'monsters' went too smoothly, leading him to grow arrogant.

Seeing a rich bait, he couldn't help wanting to eat it.

Several companions advised him not to get carried away, not to get carried away, saying there might be an ambush.

But he just wouldn't listen.

He went ahead stubbornly.

As a result, he literally handed over a wave of heads.

Still relying on the two companions who earnestly advised him to be cautious, fighting to the death as rearguard, only then did he bring the main force to withdraw.

Not all were lost there.

Afterwards, Meng Luo's team encountered the Iris team, which, although ambushed, managed to retreat entirely after paying some cost.

The two teams joined forces, and together with the similarly merged pursuers, they were entangled all the way.

Only by last night's midnight did they temporarily shake off the pursuers.

However, without needing Meng Luo to elaborate, Lin Ke could roughly guess what had happened.

「You likely still have pursuers behind you. 」

After thinking, Lin Ke tentatively asked: "How likely is it that the other side discovers us?"

Lin Ke had an idea, feeling this was an opportunity, planning to pull off a job.

Just that he hadn't contacted the other side, so he didn't know their reconnaissance magic device configuration.

So the only option was to ask Meng Luo, the person involved.

Everyone is not stupid.

Listen to words and sounds.

Meng Luo immediately understood Lin Ke's meaning, excitedly saying: "Not big, nearly zero probability."

「Mm…… 」

Lin Ke pondered, then said: "Let's discuss with our respective teammates to see if we can set an ambush, launch a surprise attack."

「Can. 」

Meng Luo clenched his right hand into a fist, heavily struck his left palm, his expression invigorated, then turned to find his own teammates.

Lin Ke led the two teams into the mountain valley basin in single file, not continuing to stand in a conspicuous place, moving to a somewhat concealed mountainside.

After settling in a bit, Lin Ke spoke:

「I personally think, according to this situation's development, sooner or later we will clash with the opposing faction. 」

「Better to strike early than late; encountering battle, being ambushed is less than proactively ambushing the other side. 」

「Seizing this opportunity, rare to hold advantage, let go and properly fight the opposing faction, accumulate experience, test our hand. 」

「So as not to later panic. 」

「This is of course just the surface reason. 」

What is the real reason?

It's because of that murmur heard before entering the basin.

On the way into the basin, Lin Ke repeatedly confirmed in the Thought Hall.

That murmur belonged to no language he knew; it was completely unfamiliar.

He could understand the meaning purely because the 'murmur' itself had the extraordinary effect of 'language comprehension'.

Lin Ke instantly guessed that the God Slayers in the tomb chamber had awakened.

His confidence to stir up trouble suddenly increased greatly.

Ba Ke, as usual, was the first to stand up and support his boss: 'I agree!'

Then another four brothers followed.

Even the three socially anxious people gathered courage and loudly voiced their opinions:

"The boss is right; we firmly support the boss."

Mo Li remained silent, merely stepping quietly closer to Lin Ke, almost shoulder to shoulder.

Lan Ni felt a bit envious of Lin Ke's team atmosphere.

United and harmonious.

She also knew the trio of socially anxious people.

The usually quiet three, after only a short time teaming up with this guy Linke Grand, have changed so much that they dare to speak loudly in front of many people.

Moreover, they don't blush or feel shy.

It's simply off the charts!

In her peripheral vision, she glanced at those teammates behind her who never put their strength to one use, and inexplicably felt somewhat weary.

Even her voice sounded weak and listless: 'I have no opinion.'

Lan Ni. Tai Le also agreed; following her ten people, regardless of whether they had different thoughts in mind, they also couldn't voice dissent.

Especially those five Newbloods from other apprentice organizations.

They became increasingly silent and taciturn.

They merely echoed others.

Lin Ke sensed the atmosphere was off, but he didn't want to point it out, merely keeping a wary eye in secret.

At this moment, Meng Luo and his companions had discussed it and waved at Lin Ke from afar.

Lin Ke signaled everyone to rest a while during this lull, then he went over.

"How so?"

Meng Luo asked with concern.

"No problem, we can pull off a job."

Lin Ke gave an affirmative reply.

"Do you have any good ideas?"

Meng Luo recalled that Ai Rui Si had mentioned that, under Lin Ke's planning, a trap had directly eliminated Cui Xi Lu Qi Ya and six members of the 'Pureblood Will,' and he wanted to hear if Lin Ke had any plan.

"Do you have any arcane device that can conceal multiple people?"

Lin Ke responded with a counter-question.

"Yes."

Meng Luo nodded.

"Then it's easy to handle."

Lin Ke, having confidence, said,

"My teammates and I have hidden in advance by the riverbank."

"If pursuers really come after us, you now hold the entrance for a while, then feign defeat to lure them in; when you reach the riverbank, spread out to both sides and launch a flanking counterattack."

"At that moment, we will act as fresh troops and launch a frontal assault."

Speaking, Lin Ke also cast the Secondary Mist Rain Technique, using mists of varying thickness to show the layout, movement, and route.

Clear and obvious, understandable at a glance.

"Good, let's do it this way."

Meng Luo thought seriously, felt that although Lin Ke's plan was simple, strict execution would not yield poor results, and immediately voiced his approval.

After a pause, Meng Luo proposed: 'You're here to help; we can't have you contribute both effort and material. This way, we'll supplement you with a batch of rune items and arcane devices.'

This is actually a more tactful way of saying it.

Lin Ke naturally understood the meaning.

Since the other side gave face, we'll just go along with it.

"Sure."

Lin Ke agreed readily, generous and unhurried, with no hint of embarrassment.

The Newbloods of the Southern District are normally poor; they can't afford many rune items, let alone arcane devices.

Afterward, Lin Ke suggested: 'If your supplies are still fairly abundant, you might consider setting up some traps.'

"Hmm."

Meng Luo accepted the suggestion but didn't delve deeper into it.

These are all standard procedures.

Those who understand get it; no need to waste time.

"This is a concealed arcane device; it can last 24 hours, shielding against detection by all first-ring detection arcane devices."

Meng Luo pulled out a columnar object resembling a flashlight from his waist leather bag, handed it to Lin Ke, and then explained its usage in detail.

Then he/she added, "Airis will come later to bring you some supplies."

Hmm.

Lin Ke nodded.

After they finished discussing the matter, they each went about their own business.

Monroe went off to discuss tactics with his teammates, assign positions, and set traps.

Lin Ke then led two groups straight to the riverbank to find a suitable spot to hide.

Basically, it's all standard deployment, nothing special.

Apart from all the reconnaissance magical devices.

They defend not only against external threats but also internal ones.

One should not harbor ill intent, yet one must not be without caution toward others.

Lin Ke had no intention of backstabbing Monroe and Airis, nor did he want to be backstabbed by them.

Wow, you're still on guard against me?

The wild girl Airis swooped in, landing beside Lin Ke, saw his setup, and shouted loudly.

Her tone was merely teasing, with no blame intended.

These are just normal human feelings.

Everyone's the same; there's nothing to blame.

Monroe also set up reconnaissance magical devices to monitor Lin Ke's group, didn't he?

After saying that, Airis didn't wait for Lin Ke's reply, turned to Jasmine beside her, and immediately broke into a grin.

That grin was rather eerie, as if she'd seen something fun, inexplicably excited.

Airis lunged at Jasmine, regardless of whether Jasmine wanted it, put her arm around Jasmine's shoulders, and asked loudly: "Hey, do you like that guy Lin Ke? You're stuck together all day, aren't you sick of him?"

Jasmine's face turned slightly red.

Fortunately, the sunlight is quite bright, not very noticeable.

She broke free from Airis's embrace and retorted: "What? Who would like that deadwood? Don't talk nonsense."

Hehehe...

When Airis's crazy streak kicks in, she won't easily let it go, laughing weirdly: "Still making excuses. Look at Lin Ke's gaze—it's almost like silk! If you didn't like him, you wouldn't care so much. I don't believe it."

You're talking nonsense! I definitely don't!

Jasmine got a bit anxious, widened her eyes, and scolded: "Don't mess around here, spreading rumors and causing trouble!"

Seeing Jasmine keep clarifying and refusing to admit, Airis pouted: "Boring."

After saying that, she jumped over to Lin Ke's side and asked curiously: "Hey, do you know if she likes you? Do you like her?"

Jasmine's ears perked up instantly, and she furtively glanced at Lin Ke's expression from the corner of her eye, waiting for his reply.

Lin Ke didn't answer, merely giving Airis, who always causes trouble as soon as she arrives, an indifferent look.

Even more boring.

Ai Ruisi and Lin Ke locked eyes for a moment, knowing she wouldn't get an answer, she pouted her lips and complained, "One is more pretentious than the other; when will I be able to hold a baby? Don't wait until after becoming an official wizard—decades could go by without having a child!"

Having said that, Ai Ruisi pulled out a large pile of supplies from her waist pouch, placed them on the ground, and with a whoosh flew away.

Coming like a madman, leaving like a madman.

She casually messed up a pink, tender heart.

After the thump-thump, jumping anticipation came a chill-chill loss.

Sigh, again like this.

Always like this.

(End of chapter)