《I've Become the King of Villains in the Game》 Chapter 1 I am the Sacrifice Cold, damp. The squeaking of rodents echoed sharply and piercingly by his ear. Chen Lun struggled to open his eyes, a ny-degree tilted view appearing in his blurred vision, giving him an intense sense of unreality. "Hey buddy, how should we handle these guys?" "Heh... ording to the priest, they are to be sacrificed tonight." Chen Lun clutched his stomach, struggling to rise from the ground. He leaned against the wet, disgusting wall beside him, enduring the fire-like hunger in his stomach. As his vision slowly returned to normal, Chen Lun gradually regained his sense of reality. In the dim environment, he focused his gaze towards the source of the voice, looking past the iron bars of the prison, where two tall, thin figures in leather coats stood at the entrance. They were two men, casually leaning under the torch on the corridor wall, casting a pair of dim, dark shadows. Chen Lun noticed, both men carried a short sword at their waists. "Where am I...?" Chen Lun was slightly baffled. He vaguely remembered that he was engrossed in a holographic online game called Era of Mystery, acimed as the pinnacle masterpiece of the new generation¡ªsingr in its status, with countless global yers spending their sleeping hours in this game. Efficiently utilizing sleep time had long been recognized as the truth by the new generation, with holographic gaming being one of the main methods. Among them, Era of Mystery led the way and was indisputably rated as the most popr game world. Chen Lun''s memory lingered at thest moment, just when hey into the sleep pod, the door slowly closed, and he linked to the game world... "What happenedst..." As he recalled, suddenly a sharp pain shot through the back of his head. Chen Lun gasped, reaching to touch the back of his skull, only feeling a warm, sticky sensation on his palm. By the faint torchlight, he saw some not fully dried blood stains on his hand. Chen Lun cursed under his breath. "Fuck! Was I shot in the head?!" A scene he once saw in a short video shed through his mind¡ªa robust man at a barbecue stall swung a beer bottle like splitting a mountain; the bottle shattered on another guy''s head, and then he just fell straight, with thements section filled with ''goodnights''. Chen Lun slightly shook his head, stopping his wild thoughts. He didn''t know what had happened to him, perhaps there was a malfunction with the sleep pod equipment, and he had peacefully passed away in his sleep. What about now? Am I still in the game? Or maybe... "Monk Will''s team hasn''t produced results for several months; hopefully, tonight these guys will bring a surprise." "Hey, I think you''re just craving alcohol, already dreaming unrealistically for that two hundred Copper Kro reward..." The tall, thin figure couldn''t help coughing, as if he had phlegm stuck in his throat. He moistened his throat with saliva, breathed a long sigh, and then chuckled sinisterly: "The crap our team''s working on, shoving a few hundred more lives into it still won''t make a difference!" "What does it matter... Anyway, these guys were all orphans raised by the church; it''s time they gave their lives for the church!" The two guards slowly turned their heads, their backs to the light looking into the cell. "If they die, they die. If it works out, the priest will be pleased, and we''ll get some money too..." "Hehehehaha..." The two pairs of cold eyes swept over Chen Lun, who quickly bowed his head to avoid their gaze. After a while, the footsteps receded, and Chen Lun faintly overheard the two guards agreeing to go out for a drink, with othersing to take over their shiftter. But Chen Lun still kept his head down. If someone were to look up at his face from below, they would see his expression filled with shock. Just now, when the two guards turned back, Chen Lun caught a glimpse of the symbol on the side of their hats: under the torchlight, it was a glowing Red Apple insignia. "Red Apple Church..." Chen Lun muttered the name. How is that possible? Hadn''t the Red Apple Church from the "Era of Mystery"pletely perished two years ago? Why is it appearing again now? Had I traveled back in time? No! "Exit game!" Chen Lun raised his head and silently recited in his mind. After waiting for a full two minutes, Chen Lun didn''t dare to breathe, but nothing happened. The semi-transparent data frame that he remembered didn''t appear in his field of vision, and his heart sank. At the same time, he noticed that the prison was also holding seven or eight other young men and women. In the dim and damp environment, they huddled together, curled up against the walls. Most of them wore only a thin, tattered linen cloth, barefoot, discarded like cattle awaiting ughter. Shivering, they remained silent. Chen Lun shakily stood up, and he was fairly certain of one thing. He had most likely traveled through time, not only back to the past, but also into the game world of the "Era of Mystery"! And what awaited him was the sacrifice mentioned by the two guards. "It''s tonight..." Chen Lun rubbed his face somewhat frantically,pletely unaware that his hand, which had touched the wall earlier, had picked up a lot of moss and dirt, making his entire face filthy. Suppressing a strong feeling of hunger, he weakly lifted his footsteps and slowly walked toward the prison gate. His movements were gentle and slow, but they still attracted the attention of the other people in the prison. Their frightened eyes now held a trace of confusion, not understanding what this fellow locked up with them intended to do. Chen Lun''s hands touched the cold iron bars, then he firmly grasped them. He looked left and right, the corridor where a torch hung every few meters was empty. Chen Lun took a deep breath, then began to exert force with his hands, slightly shaking the iron bars of the prison, but it wouldn''t budge. He tried pushing the door too, which was even more solid and heavy than the bars. "Don''t waste your energy." The sudden voice made Chen Lun jump. He turned to look at a woman in the opposite cell. Under the firelight, the woman''s dirty face was expressionless, her mouth curling into a faint sneer. "No one captured here has ever escaped." The woman was sitting at the door of her cell, her head stuck between two iron bars, staring directly at Chen Lun. "Even if you did get out of here, there are countless guards outside... not to mention those monsters!" At that moment, Chen Lun saw extreme unease and fear in her eyes. "Everyone dies, dies horribly...hehehe..." The woman reached out her hand from the cell, her arm was very pale, but it was covered with wildly moving eyeballs, which destroyed any beauty and instead caused a twisted and grotesque disgust. "Look! I''m going to die too, just like them, hehehahaha!" Chen Lun suddenly felt nauseous, his head pounding as if it had been hammered. He felt dizzy, and his body stiffly fell backward. A gasp erupted from the people in the prison. In the moment before he lost consciousness, Chen Lun''s mind seemed to hear a voice:n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om [Witnessing a Mysterious Contamination! Sanity Value decreased by 1 point!] [Warning! When Sanity Value reaches 0, you will enter a death state! Current Sanity Value is 4/5!] [Activate character panel!] Chapter 2 Panel Name: Chen Lun Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Temte: NPC (Countdown to 1.0 version public beta: 407 days, 5 hours, 18 minutes, 07 seconds) Level: 3 Experience: 0/120 Life: 26/40 (hungry, trauma to the back of the head) Physical Strength: 40/60 Sanity: 4/5 (slowly recovering) Main upation: None Sub upation: [Fisherman LV3] Attributes: Strength 4, Agility 6, Endurance 5, Intelligence 3, Faith 3 Special Attributes: Charm 7 (+2), Willpower 5, Insight 3, Luck 3 Skills: Quick Reflexes LV1 (Passive), Seafearing Bnce LV1 (Passive) Combat Power: 4 [Evaluation: A slightly handsome young fisherman, beyond thatpletely useless, a small piece of trash.] ... "¡ª¡ª Aaahhhhh!!" A piercing scream awakened Chen Lun. He swiftly climbed up from the ground, knelt, and looked up to see the woman in the opposite cell screaming in agony. Half hidden in darkness, her legs exposed under the firelight were sprouting numerous erratically moving eyeballs. Densely packed and terribly horrific. "Get back! Look again and I''ll smash your bones!" With a shout, Chen Lun''s view was blocked by a tall, thin shadow. Looking up, he saw a guard standing in front of him, looking down through the bars of the cell. The backlit figure''s eyes, full of malice and icy cold, made Chen Lun feel very ufortable, but as the situation was out of his control, he silently returned to a corner of the cell and sat down. "Ignorant fool! Wretched creature! Don''t be so curious about everything..." The guard red fiercely around at the other people in the cell, his small mustache slightly curving upwards. "Nobody is allowed to look out! Look once, and I''ll chop off a fingertip!" He adjusted the short sword at his waist, the guard and sheath making a slight, sharp noise as they rubbed together. The inmates of the cell shrank back in fear, turning their heads away from the sight outside. The guard huffed coldly, then turned away satisfied, but continued to grumble under his breath, with Chen Lun faintly hearing himin about words spoken by the Will monks. "Quick! Move quickly!" "Batch 4''s sacrifice has mutated, get her out and handle it!" Quick footsteps resonated in the corridor outside, Chen Lun maintained his bowed head, lifting his eyes only slightly to observe through the corner of his eyes as three or four guards in leather coats and rimmed hats lifted the woman from the opposite cell, threw her into a sack, and carried her away. They moved very swiftly, not wasting a moment, as if any dy would trigger something terrible. Chen Lun slowly exhaled the foul air from his chest, having already secretly guessed the truth. Based on his many years of gaming experience, the woman was very likely contaminated by something mysterious. Her body had mutated, and once her Sanity Value dropped to 0, she wouldpletely lose control and turn into a monster. By then, she would definitely be dead, only her body moving, a lump of decaying flesh driven by a mad will... "What should I do..." Chen Lun began to think. Being in the dungeon, he had no idea of the time outside, but he knew that the nighttime sacrifice was drawing increasingly closer. Sacrifice! The term wasn''t hard to understand, but in "Era of Mystery," a fantasy world containing elements of Cthulhu and new strange tales, it only served as a generic term, not merely a sacrifice to the Gods. Chen Lun knew very clearly that the Red Apple Church''s sacrifices were intended for the "Mysterious Objects" they gathered with tremendous human and material resources, and the offerings included various living beings, humans included. But in a way, these so-called sacrifices were more like a form of research. The Red Apple Church had always been covertly researching "Mysterious Objects," attempting to fully grasp the mysterious powers they held. At this moment, Chen Lun''s identity was that of a "sacrifice" for the "Mysterious Object" that the group of monks from the Will was responsible for! "Mysterious Objects" in "Era of Mystery" could be understood as "Spiritual Treasures" from fantasy martial arts novels, but unlike "Spiritual Treasures," these "Mysterious Objects" were even more bizarre and uncontroble. Their origins were unknown, their mechanisms of effect were unclear, and their characteristics and uses were all mysteries... Even its form of existence was unclear. Common objects such as pens, coffee cups or a gun... slightlyrger items like tables, chairs or even houses and cars. It could also be animals or living beings, like insects, kittens, puppies, creatures flying in the sky or swimming in the sea... It could even be a person. These "Mysterious Objects," unless a significant or massive number of lives were spent researching and experimenting, no one dared to use them casually, because it was very likely that one might die bizarrely before even beginning to use it. Seeing the woman''s grotesque changes just now, Chen Lun thought of a notoriously dangerous "Mysterious Object" contaminated by the Red Apple Church. The hallmark of anyone contaminated by it was their body being covered in eyeballs. "If it really is that thing..." Chen Lun wiped off his cold sweat, feeling a bad premonition. In his previous life, he was not a powerhouse yer. Unlike most, he was not keen on pursuing strength, only remaining in the middle tier; instead, he was more fascinated by the game''s background stories and worldviews. His favorite activities, aside from digging into the game''s side stories and traveling to experience local customs, were browsing various interesting posts about the Era of Mystery world on forums. Chen Lun remembered having read a detailed introduction about the Red Apple Church, which included information about that "Mysterious Object." "A-grade Mysterious Object: Sun-avoiding Potted nt" Transformed from a saint who renounced the faith of the Sun, it possesses a strong repulsion, especially deadly to the Transcendents of the Sr System. Legend says that the Tresor Empire''s Bixi Royal City had to be rebuilt once, and it was all because of it. This "Mysterious Object" belongs to one of the bosses of the Red Apple Church, the Deathly Quiet Nun, Floey. "Blood rains down on me as I calmly watch the sunflower bow its head after the rain, just as the sunflower watches the Sun burn to death." ¡ª Floey ... "I hope the ''Sun-avoiding Potted nt'' is not here..." Chen Lun felt the sweat flowing more and more, his back soaking wet, with a slightly sticky cold feeling. "I don''t want to be extremely unlucky and be buried along with these people!" "I have to find a way to escape quickly!" ording to the timeline, the "Sun-avoiding Potted nt" had not yet been fully mastered by the Red Apple Church at this time. They would definitely keep crazily sacrificing lives to experiment with it, but the problem was that this "A-grade Mysterious Object" was too dangerous, like a nuclear bomb ready to explode at any moment. These damn lunatics keep pushing the limits on the brink of destruction, but I cannot afford to be coteral damage. Chen Lun forced himself to calm down, took a few deep breaths, and thought seriously. He remembered fainting from the loss of Sanity Value after witnessing the woman''s deformation, and it seemed that he had also activated his panel at thest moment. "That''s right, the panel!" Chen Lun hurriedly pulled up his character panel, nning to find a way to save himself from it. After spending several minutes carefully reviewing it, he knitted his brows tightly. First, what caught his attention were his NPC temte and the countdown to the public test. The initial joy from the panel''s appearance quickly faded because it seemed he had lost his yer status and the resurrection ability relied upon as the Fourth Cmity. It also meant that his life was the only one he had. Meanwhile, the countdown reminded Chen Lun that his current timeline was set one year before the opening act of the game, just before version 1.0 when the Red Apple Church rampaged through the Empire. This signified that the Red Apple Church was still in hiding, with strength far less than their period of full glory. On the other hand, since the headquarters of the Red Apple Church was in the Royal City, they dared not sacrifice massive numbers of lives to experiment with "Mysterious Objects" under the royal family''s watchful eyes; hence, Chen Lun guessed that the dungeon he was in must be a remote branch of the Church. "This also means that they are understaffed here, which is good news." But Chen Lun did not let his guard down, as he still possessed no supernatural abilities, just an ordinary person.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om As for his inherent "Fisherman LV3," forget it, would he really show these brutally fierce church guards some high-end fishing skills? "The key lies in the Charm Value..." Charm Value affected the natural affection of NPCs towards yers, along with Willpower, Insight, and Luck Points, grouped as special attributes. The special thing about these four attributes was that they couldn''t be increased by adding points, making them particrly valuable. But the key Chen Lun mentioned was not about using his charm to persuade the guards to let him out, but the additional 2 points in the bracket following his Charm Value. "These are Charm Values added by equipment!" Chen Lun was all too familiar with this, which is why he noticed the key point at a nce. He hurriedly stood up and began searching himself. But like the other prisoners captured, Chen Lun wore only a tattered linen shirt, simply tied at the waist with a cloth band. "What could it be?" Chen Lun frowned, then suddenly looked down¡ª He had a handmade seashell ne hanging around his neck. "B-grade Mysterious Object (Damaged): Mermaid''s Song" Chapter 3 Starting with Mysterious Objects Chen Lun was shocked! A B-level Mysterious Object! Even though it had the word "damaged," it wasn''tparable to ordinary low-end items! In his previous life, he only had one B-level Mysterious Object, which he obtained as a reward after spending several months diligently digging into a series of hidden quests. At that time, major guilds backed by consortia even offered exorbitant prices to buy various Mysterious Objects, but there were few willing to sell, as Mysterious Objects were too precious, especially the ceiling-level B-level Mysterious Objects of that version. And now, he started the game with one. But Chen Lun, looking at the dirty, cramped cell before him, couldn''t help but remain silent, wondering whether this was luck or misfortune. He didn''t think too much because what was urgent was to find a way to escape from here. He took off the ne and observed it carefully in his hand. The casually twisted hemp rope was unremarkable, probably found at random. The focus was on the seashell the size of a fingertip threaded on it, the shell surface bearing intricate spiral patterns. [B-level Mysterious Object (Damaged) Mermaid''s Song] Item description: A seashell infused with Deep Sea magic power. Putting it to your ear, you might faintly hear the tranquil waves and the enchanting singing, possessing strong hypnosis abilities. Unfortunately, it suffered irreversible damage and retained only a fraction of its power... It seemed to be left behind by a beautiful Sea Demon, retrieved by a boy from the deep sea and then strung into a ne with poor craftsmanship. That night, the boy met the Sea Demon in his dreams, and he grew up... Item effect: Upon targeting, a judgment will be made, and those with Willpower below 25 points will be affected by hypnosis. Wearing it increases Charm +2. Item cost: Each use decreases Sanity -1. After reading the description, Chen Lun silently put the ne back around his neck. He was powerless toment on his original self''s dark history. The youthful yearning is always poetic. How could he scorn someone else? Besides, it was just the influence of the Mysterious Object that caused a spring dream. This boy, who grew up in a small seaside fishing vige, was also miserable. Probably, it was because he found this Mysterious Object that he ended up as an orphan... After all, ordinary people who are in long-term contact with Mysterious Objects are highly susceptible to corruption, and even if they do not turn into monsters, they could lose their sanity and die in madness. His family members, perhaps, died that way. And the lucky survivor who became an orphan was then targeted by the church and eventually became a sacrifice to the Mysterious Object. He hadn''t even been fed before he was identally killed for resisting the guard... Tragic, truly tragic! Chen Lun shook his head inwardly. This was the tone and theme in the Era of Mystery world, dark and oppressive, suffocating. Luckily, the ability of this B-level Mysterious Object was still quite good. Although it didn''t possess visibly great destructive power, in certain aspects, it held more value than those Mysterious Objects used inbat. Because the effect of hypnosis was not simply to put someone to sleep as the literal sense suggests, but it leaned more towards affecting the mystical powers of one''s mind. In other words, it could manipte hearts! For Chen Lun, who was well-versed in the plot and future direction, this was a Great Weapon for levering opportunities! But first, he needed to survive. After understanding his situation, Chen Lun had a vague n in mind. ng! At that moment, a loud noise. The iron door of the cell was violently pushed open. The crowd screamed in fright. Chen Lun looked up and saw two guards standing at the door. "Shut up!" The mustachioed guards fiercely ordered. The frightened young men and women immediately fell silent, only their unstoppable trembling revealing their panic. "Sister Floey, trouble you." The other guard took off his hat, slightly bowed with the grace of a noble, but paired with his bald head and fierce smile, it looked both absurd and terrifying. As he stepped back, a petite, delicate figure stepped forward and walked into the cell. Chen Lun gradually widened his eyes. The nun appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, draped in a dark red habit with a wide headscarf hanging down like a bridal veil, concealing her hair. Her entire figure was hidden under the red robe, leaving only her pale, delicate face exposed. Unfortunately, the beautiful and sanctimonious face had no expression, like a soulless marite. "Come and receive the Holy Communion..." A ethereal voice emanated from the nun. It was then that Chen Lun regained his senses and noticed that she was holding a te in her hand, filled with many biscuits and apples. Seeing the nun''s harmless appearance and under the impatient urging of the guards, the crowd finally mustered the courage to move forward and take the food. The long imprisonment had left them famished, and they gradually loosened up, picking up the biscuits and apples to eat voraciously. Chen Lun took a biscuit and an apple and silently walked back to the corner. Although he was also very hungry, he did not eat immediately but nced sideways at the young nun. Floey... This petite girl would be one of the future bosses of the Red Apple Church, known as the Deathly Silent Nun, a super viin from the "Moon Faction" Sequence, a ruthless character who could decimate a city on her own... But currently, she was still just a mortal. Even so, her presence here meant that the chances of the "Sun-avoiding Potted nt" also being here were greatly increased. The slight luck in Chen Lun''s heart was shattered, and the sense of crisis in his mind surged. "What to do? The beheading meal has already been delivered, next will be the sacrifice..." Chen Lun secretly panicked. Suddenly, he recalled the description of Floey in the post about the Red Apple Church, along with herplete background and life story. Chen Lun''s mind raced, piecing together the previous vague n until it slowly became clear. Suddenly, his restless heart calmed down, and after taking a deep breath, he touched the ne on his chest and decided to wait for an opportunity. Perhaps because the beheading meal was somewhat boring, two guards nced at the nun''s silhouette and, licking their lips, left first. Nun Floey still stood quietly in ce, like a serene saintess statue. In the filthy, dim prison surroundings, she seemed to emit a holy light. The sounds of chewing and munching were incessant around her, but they didn''t affect her in the slightest. She just silently fixed her gaze ahead, her eyes seemingly piercing through the hungry crowd, through the cold prison walls, looking at the night and gazing at the moonlight. "Wuu wuu..." Suddenly, the prison echoed with the soft sobs, which, though not loud, were quite piercing. Of course, this sessfully caught Floey''s attention. She gently shifted her eyes, bringing her gaze back and turning it towards the corner, looking at the dark-haired young man leaning against the wall. The man was of a simr age to her, and though emaciated, he was also handsome; however, due to malnutrition and fatigue from injuries, hisplexion was sickly pale. At this moment, his apple and biscuity untouched as he sat with his head lowered, shoulders trembling, and cried silently. Floey suddenly furrowed her brows, a slight fluctuation appeared in her eyes. For she faintly heard the young man calling out two words, two words that touched her icy heart. "Little sister..." Chen Lun raised his arm to wipe away his tears, his voice slightly louder. "Little sister, where are you? I miss you so much..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Floey''s breathing became a bit hurried, and she pursed her lips, seemingly hesitant. But in the end, she couldn''t resist and took steps toward Chen Lun. What she didn''t notice, however, was the smile that appeared at the corner of the young man''s mouth. Chapter 4 Hidden Task The background of Floey mentioned in the post from the previous life was not extensive. Perhaps it was because the yer who wrote the post did not have deep knowledge, but the information was adequate for Chen Lun toe up with a temporary n of action. Floey was born in a slum. Her father was a gambler, her mother a dancer, and she had a brother who loved her dearly. She was naturally pure and also exceptionally beautiful. The local ruffians and drunkards all wanted to take advantage of her, but fortunately, her brother always stepped up to protect and shield her. Although her brother was beaten and injured each time, he always managed to turn back to her with a bruised and swollen face, smiling broadly,forting and encouraging her not to be afraid. It seemed that as long as her brother was by her side, she could feel safe and happy. But the good times did notst, as famine and gue enveloped the town. Many civilians died in this natural disaster. Food became increasingly scarce, and prices soared. Floey''s already impoverished family could no longer make ends meet. Herzy father and harsh mother plotted to sell Floey to the family of Baron Nate in town. Although Floey was only fourteen and her long-term malnutrition had left her somewhat thin, her features and body had developed, and a future beauty was hidden under her delicate appearance. She would definitely fetch a good price. That''s what her parents thought. Of course, even though the family of Baron Nate had a not-so-good reputation. For instance, all the men in the Baron''s family had strange or even perverse predilections, and there were frequent rumors of maids dying suddenly. But Floey''s greedy parents did not care about these things. Fortunately, Floey''s brother prevented their parents from going through with this insane action. To protect his sister, he volunteered to work for the Red Apple Church in exchange for a substantial amount of money. At that time, the Red Apple Church was actively recruiting young adults, iming it was to build a statue for the Deity Rose. But many of the young adults who signed up never returned. The church exined that they were unfortunately involved in idents at the quarry. Because of the generouspensation, coupled with the church''s influence, the incident did not cause much of an uproar. Floey''s brother became one of the unfortunate and never returned. Before she could even grieve, she was sold to the church by her cold-hearted parents. It was only because the church was generous, the priest, Carter, who brought thepensation for her brother''s death, took a fancy to her, openly stating she was the perfect candidate to serve the Deity Rose... ... "What''s wrong?" Floey asked softly. The young man was momentarily stunned by the question and looked up at the nun in the red robe. But he quickly lowered his gaze and turned his head slightly, seemingly not wanting the holy girl to see his tearful, weak disy. "I... I miss my sister." "You have a sister?" "Yes." Chen Lun hugged his knees, curled up in the corner of the cell. His mind began to frantically recall scenes from his previous life. He was not lying; he really had a sister. Chen Lun once had a happy family, not wealthy, but without worries for food and clothing. Butter, his father passed away young due to a hereditary family disease, and both his sister and he suffered from the same affliction. Unable to cope with the pressures of life, their mother abandoned them and left home. The siblings, who depended only on each other for survival, had to rely on social welfare, but there was no extra money for treatment. Their family''s hereditary disease was veryplicated. Even with the medical technology avable at the time, it required a lot of money to control the disease, which was incurable. Later, his sister also passed away. Chen Lun was devastated. He really had no grand ambitions; he simply wished to see more and broaderndscapes in the short time he had left. Fortunately, there was "Era of Mystery," a holographic game that allowed him to lie in an old second-hand sleeping pod and experience an exciting life... "We were orphans, our parents left us at a very young age... Although the days I depended on my sister were tough, they were also very happy, sadly, I can never see her again." Chen Lun spoke slowly and calmly with his head bowed. He reminisced about the bits and pieces with his sister, moved by genuine emotions. There might have been a hint of deliberate sentimentality in the tears, but the sadness was real. Floey could clearly feel the mncholying from the young man. That emotion amplified further, involuntarily reminding her of her own brother, and she also overlooked the fleeting glimmer on the ne around Chen Lun''s neck. "Brother..." Floey tightened her fingers, appearing to have made a decision. She bent slightly, leaning closer to Chen Lun. "Eat the biscuit, but do not eat the apple, remember..." After whispering these words, Floey restored her expressionless demeanor and turned to leave. [Gained Floey''s affection, Bond with Floey established] [Initiated A-Rank Hidden Chain Mission: Serene Nun] Chen Lun was slightly stunned, then filled with great joy. It was just an act, yet he unexpectedly triggered a very rare hidden mission, and an A-Rank one at that! He fought off the headache after using "Mermaid''s Song" which again reduced his Sanity Value by 1, took a deep breath, and hastily perked up to check the mission description. [First Phase: Ensure Floey''s survival and rescue her from the Red Apple Church''s branch in Emerald Town. Mission considered a failure if Floey dies] [Mission Reward: 2000 Experience Points, 40 Silver Ducats, Floey''s affection, and 1 "Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance"]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om [Note: This mission will draw the animosity and attention of the Red Apple Church, please decide cautiously] "ept!" Without any hesitation, Chen Lun decisively epted the mission. Ignoring what the ultimate reward for the hidden mission was, the reward offered for the first phase was exactly the resource he urgently needed. Moreover, how could he just stand by and watch this poor girl suffer in torment... "My biggest w is that I like to meddle too much... s, being too upright isn''t good either, attracting the attention of the Red Apple Church definitely won''t end well." He wiped away the remaining tears from his face, almost moved to tears again by his own sense of justice. Although he yed the role of the pitiable to gain sympathy, even resorting to using his ne''s hypnosis ability, it was merely to foster a closer rtionship with Floey and hopefully increase the chances of escaping this ce. Receiving the hidden mission was a pleasant surprise; he had already nned to rescue Floey. In his past life, upon learning about this arch-viin boss''s tragic past, he had often felt pity for her. With such an opportunity now, he wasn''t about to let it slip away. Chen Lun contemted his next moves, tearing at the unleavened biscuit in his hand. The biscuit did not taste good, but Chen Lun was so hungry that he quickly devoured it. He heeded Floey''s warning, opting not to eat the apple but secretly stuffed it into a mouse hole in the corner of the wall. Soon, Chen Lun noticed something was amiss. The young men and women who had finished their "Holy Communion" stood up one after another. They had vacant looks and wide-open mouths, smiling foolishly like idiots. Stunned by this scene, Chen Lun realized sitting still would make him stand out, so he quickly stood up. Just then, footsteps were heard in the corridor outside the prison, and the shadows on the opposite wall grew closer. Chen Lun cursed under his breath and immediately mimicked the vacant-eyed, wide-mouthed, drooling smile of those around him. He blended perfectly into the group. Chapter 5 The Sacrifice Begins Footsteps quickly stopped in front of the prison door. Chen Lun saw a tall middle-aged man nked by two guards holding torches, blocking the prison''s iron gate. Floey followed at his side, her head slightly bowed. The man was d in a deep red Monk robe, and the short cape around his neck and elbows, as well as the ck rectangr panel with white edges that hung from his chest to his crotch, and in his hand, he held arge tome. "Just these few?" The middle-aged man with brown hair furrowed his brow, nced over the situation in the cell, and turned to question the guards with small mustaches. His tone was deliberately arrogant, tinged with impatience and anxiety. "Yes... yes, Monk Will." "Sturton and his bunch of good-for-nothings, the offerings they find get fewer each time! If that damned fat pig could spend more effort on the Church''s intentions rather than on eating, drinking, and making money, I''d have been able to leave this godforsaken town long ago!" Monk Will showed great anger, Chen Lun could even see his spit flying everywhere,nding on the faces of the guards with small mustaches. The corners of the mustachioed guard''s eyes twitched, but he dared not say anything. "He should repent! Kneel in Lady Rose''s garden and repent!" Monk Will grew increasingly irate as if he''d been holding back for a long time and now was erupting. "Hurry up! Take them to Chamber No. 7!" "Yes, Lord Will." The mustachioed guard immediately entered the cell with the torch and raised a hand to whistle at the group of sacrifices. Chen Lun noticed a simple Red Apple tattoo on the back of his hand, perhaps an identifier of the Church''s guardians. Whoosh¡ª! The whistle sounded as if it had some magic power, making the foolish young men and womenugh stupidly as they lined up and walked out of the prison door one by one. Seeing this, Chen Lun couldn''t help but sigh in relief, grateful for Floey''s warning not to eat that apple. Otherwise, with his miserly 5 points of Willpower, he definitely couldn''t have passed the test. He would have ended up as an easily manipted fool, obediently queuing up for death. Bang!! Chen Lun suddenly felt a huge force and pain, followed by him falling to the ground face first like a dog eating dirt. His face hit the hard floor, nearly knocking out his front teeth. "Damn it! ying dirty, huh!?" Although he didn''t check with his hand, Chen Lun was certain his teeth were loose, and he couldn''t help but curse inwardly. The intense pain was one thing, but what was unbearable for him was that those damned Church guards never wiped their boots. The ground was full of cow dung and dog feces brought in by their shoes, even building up in thickyers! He forced himself to suppress the urge to vomit and continued to act the fool, maintaining a stupid grin and vacant gaze. "Move quicker! You damn clod!" Monk Will vented his anger on Chen Lun, who was at the very end of the line. He kicked Chen Lun in the stomach twice more, nearly vomiting out his gall. "Just you wait..." Chen Lun gritted his teeth in silence. Enduring the severe pain, he picked himself up and continued to follow the line forward. Along the way, Chen Lun noted that this underground prison was vast, with at least a dozen cells. But it seemed to hold not many prisoners, with many empty rooms. This didn''t mean that the Church had victimized fewer people, on the contrary, it was because there were too many that they now faced a supply and demand crisis. After several twists and turns, the group of sacrifices, including Chen Lun, arrived at the door of a huge underground chamber. On one side hung a wooden sign smeared with blood, on which a number "7" could be vaguely seen. Entering the chamber, the scene inside appeared very spacious. Apart from the torches hanging on the walls all around, there was only arge square Altar in the center. On the Altary an old leather-bound notebook. Three or four guards wearing leather coats and brimmed hats saluted Monk Will with torches in hand, then Monk Will gestured with his hand: "We can begin now." The mustachioed guard nodded, then blew his whistle again. The man at the front of the sacrifice line walked straight onto the Altar, flipped open the leather notebook, and began reading. The environment was incredibly quiet, except for the faint noise of the torches burning, only the rustling sound of the notebook pages being turned could be heard. But suddenly, a painful and loud wailing broke the silence. "Ah!! Ahhh!!" Chen Lun only saw that the man appeared to have seen the most terrifying scene in the world. He straightened up, his hands covering his eyes and his mouth wide open to an exaggerated degree, as he let out a piercing scream. Suddenly, he tilted his head back and fell straight backward, his arched body no longer moving, dead with its limbs twisted in an unnatural pose. Chen Lun couldn''t help but shudder at the sight. "Goodness, Sanity straight down to zero, ruled an instantaneous death¡­ What on earth is the level of this ''Mysterious Object''? It''s not another one on the level of the ''Sun-avoiding Potted nt'', is it?" He secretly wiped sweat from his brow, as there were only a few people in their team, and it was almost his turn. The first man''s death didn''t cause any stir, the rest of the group was indifferent to the sight, still with the same dumbfounded expressions. Floey merely lifted her eyelids to nce at the scene and then lowered her gaze again as if she had long since be numb to it. Monk Will seemed increasingly impatient, making several hand gestures to signal the man with the mustache to quickly continue. Whew! The mustachioed man whistled, and the next woman stepped forward to flip through the notebook. But, predictably, within a few seconds, she fell to the ground screaming like the previous sacrifice, dying painfully with her hands covering her eyes. "Ah ah!! Ah!" "Ah ah ah!!" The young men and women in the same room with Chen Lun, one after another, read the weird leather notebook, all without exception experiencing a terrible, invisible assault. Their Sanity Values dropped to zero, and they died on the spot, mad. One man even became uncontrobly deranged due to the mysterious contamination. He trembled uncontrobly as if he were a gravely ill old man. His muscles and bones scattered like a disrupted jigsaw puzzle. But instead of dying immediately, he turned into a writhing mass of flesh that even tried to attack those around him. Luckily, Monk Will reacted in time,manding the Guardians to hack him to pieces, then stuffed the remains in a sack and dragged it away. Only a pool of corrupt blood remained, evidence that what had just happened wasn''t an unfounded nightmare. "Damn it! Useless! Total mess!" Monk Will cursed furiously. The unsessful sacrifice had made him lose all patience. The pressure from the Church and the Priest, along with the torment of having no hope of leaving, made him extremely frantic. "You!" Monk Will pointed at Chen Lun, his gaze full of malice enveloping thetter. "It''s your turn now, thest sacrifice!" He strode up to Chen Lun. Seeing thetter with a foolish look on his face, his cor soaked with drool, Monk Will couldn''t help but recoil in disgust and covered his nose. "If you fail again, I''ll chop you to pieces and bury you in Lady Rose''s garden! Do you understand?" Chen Lun grinned foolishly, as if he heard nothing. Monk Will seemed to realize it was useless to talk to a fool and took a deep breath, instructing the man with the mustache to whistle. Whew! The whistle sounded the very next second. Chen Lun''s heart tightened suddenly. What should I do! Should I make a move? No!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "My Sanity Value can''t sustain the continuous use of the Hypnosis Ne, and with my current condition, I wouldn''t survive two strikes from a Guardian, there''s just no chance of sess¡­" Run? That won''t work either! "There are several Great Gates in the underground prison, and without keys, they can''t be opened. Not to mention the unknown number of Guardians outside, I probably wouldn''t even make it out of this dungeon¡­" He fought back the urge to bolt and slowly lifted his foot. Then he movedboriously towards the Altar. With each step, the altar loomedrger in his vision. The weird leather notebooky quietly on it, waiting for Chen Lun to open it, to leaf through it. And then to die miserably like the previous sacrifices! Chen Lun knew that with his paltry 5 Points of Willpower, he wouldn''t withstand the contamination; there was no chance of surviving! Finally, with trembling hands, he picked up the notebook¡­ Chapter 6 I Died, But Not Completely Dead "Please stop the sacrifice first, Monk Will." Floey spoke slowly. Whoosh! The sound of a whistle rose! Chen Lun ceased his actions and secretly let out a sigh of relief. Monk Will, maintaining his raised hand gesture, turned his head to look at Floey with an unfriendly expression. "I hope you have something more important than the sacrifice, Nun." Floey looked at Will emotionlessly, shook her head slightly, and said in an ethereal voice: "The sacrifice is the suprememand, but the priest has said to prioritize the offerings for team four... This notebook has already consumed too many resources and efforts. Since there are no results, there is no need for further senseless waste." "Damn it..." Will angrily threw the bulky item onto the ground. "Don''t you threaten me with that old guy, Biqi." He walked up to Floey, pinched her face, and looked down intently into her beautiful eyes. "I know researching that shitty nt secretly transported from the headquarters is his most urgent task, but it''s not mine... This ce isn''t ruled by him!" Will pushed Floey away harshly, then turned around. "Continue!" Under hismand, the man with the mustache blew the whistle again. Chen Lun reluctantly opened the notebook. Whoosh¡ª The title page flipped open, revealing densely packed peculiar handwritten text. His eyes gradually widened, and his pupils constricted. "Ah! Ahhh!!" Chen Lun was seen clutching his head and copsing to the ground, screaming incessantly. His body contorted as he struggled, exhibiting the same symptoms as the previously dead sacrifices. Floey furrowed her brow, pursed her lips, and watched Chen Lun rolling on the ground with a hint of sympathy shing in her eyes. On her pale face was a red mark left by Will''s rough hand, which evoked pity. Monk Will clenched his fist in disappointment. After a moment of silence, he waved his hand, and a few guards immediately stepped forward. They picked up the ready sacks and started stuffing the corpses into them, preparing to clean up and remove them altogether. The man with the mustache approached Chen Lun''s body, which remained in a twisted pose, motionless. Just as he was about to lift the body into the sack, he suddenly heard a faint, eerie whisper in his ear. The mustached man was momentarily startled. Upon listening closely, he discovered that the source of the voice was the very corpse at his side! It was talking! The mustached man jumped back in reflex. "What''s wrong? Did the corpse scare you, you fool?" Will asked, his face darkening. "No... not that, Monk Will..." The mustached man''s eyes widened as he pointed at Chen Lun''s body. "It''s talking! By Rose above, it''s really talking!" "What!?" The body is talking? Will was taken aback, but then a thrilling thought crossed his mind. Could it be...? He strode over to Chen Lun''s body, squatted beside it, and bent down to listen. The murmured phrases wereing through faintly. It indeed was speaking! Will listened quietly to the content, which seemed to be saying: "... Long, long ago, an old man was gathering herbs on a mountain and stumbled upon a cave, its entrance hidden and dim, surrounded by bizarre jagged rocks..." Will''s pupils shivered. His astonished expression turned into ecstasy the next moment. "Quick! Help this guy up!" Will''s hands trembled in excitement as he pointed at Chen Lun. "He is the only sacrifice who did not die in the ritual. He understood the notebook''s content! Nun, quickly note down what he''s saying!" The mustached man and the other few guards looked at each other, then forcefully pulled Chen Lun up from the ground. Chen Lun remained with a foolish expression, sitting atop the altar and murmuring strange words as if possessed by an evil god. Soon, a guard d in a leather coat and brimmed hat rushed over with pen and paper, handing them to Floey for her to record in real time. Floey took the paper and pen, raising her eyes curiously at this man who had not died in the sacrifice. Only she knew in her heart that Chen Lun had not consumed the apple; he was not being manipted. This was all an act! Yet she could not stop the ritual process nor did she know what he had seen in the notebook, nor what state he was in at that moment. Floey''s heart stirred slightly. "... The old man rescued a pangolin in the cave, and the pangolin told him that it had identally dug through Gourd Mountain, releasing snake monsters and scorpion demons. But it had seven gem-like seeds. After these seeds grew and sprouted, they could foster life as powerful as gods and demons. The pangolin also said..." Including Priest Will, everyone listened intently to Chen Lun''s narration. "The pangolin also said... also said..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Will grew increasingly impatient, but Chen Lun just kept repeating those two words. "What else did the pangolin say? Speak up! Hurry up and speak!" Will grabbed Chen Lun''spel in one swift motion,pletely forgetting that it was still covered in thetter''s drool. But Chen Lun, as if stuck in a loop, kept repeating just those two words, no more information forting. "Damn it!" Will was extremely frantic. Chen Lun watched his flustered look, barely holding back hisughter, keeping a facade of ignorance as if he only knew how to babble. Ignoring Will, his attention shifted to the notification that had popped up when he opened the notebook earlier. [You have uncovered hidden supernatural pathways plete)!] [Destiny Faction Sequence Nine Beast Tamer] [You have met the promotion requirements. Would you like to make this your main upation?] Hidden paths! Chen Lun suppressed his joy, silently choosing yes in his heart. On his panel, the main upation column went from nk to suddenly disying an entry - Main upation: [Sequence Nine Beast Tamer LV1] (Destiny Faction) The notifications triggered by the notebook weren''t just these. [You have discovered a Mystic Book of the Destiny Faction!] [Beast Tamer''s Handbook (Progress 4%) [Through careful reading, you gained 40 experience points] [Through careful reading andprehension, you have gained the Skill "Beast Speech"!] [Beast Speech LV1] Skill Description: Years of beast taming have allowed you to barely understand thenguage and emotions of animals, enabling you tomunicate with them rudimentarily. But please promise me, don''t make them solve calculus problems anymore, okay? Treating animals kindly is everyone''s responsibility; after all, they haven''t asked you to eat their excrement, have they? Chen Lun hadn''t paid much attention earlier, but looking at it now made his face darken further. If someone were to draw a crescent moon on his forehead right now, he could immediately debut as Judge Bao on the spot. Chen Lun began to reflect on himself. He had erred, tremendously! Due to the Red Apple Church''s style of operating, their obsession with Mysterious Objects was substantial. Furthermore, with the continuous deaths of the previous offerings, he had prematurely assumed that the sacrificial object would be a high-level Mysterious Object. Yet, he had overlooked one fact. Apart from himself, other NPCs couldn''t see the panel. They couldn''t trigger quests, let alone receive quest items. Thus, in their eyes, [Philip''s Diary] was just a book containing Mystic Contamination, a Mysterious Object! But in front of Chen Lun, it was merely a simple quest item. Though he wasn''t a yer, he still retained certain privileges only yers have. Chen Lun let out a long sigh of relief. Having narrowly escaped one disaster, he resolved toy low for a while. Revenge is a dish best served... even ten days is toote. Once he finished reading the hidden content in the diary, the Beast Tamer''s Handbook, and umted enough experience points, he was determined to show them a thing or two. "I understand now." Will thought for a long while, as if he had realized something. "He only flipped through the first two pages of the notes, that''s why he saw so little..." His expression became increasingly excited, and his breathing grew more rapid. "But from the broken phrases he recounted just now, the notes must record lost, valuable mythical history, and they might conceal supernatural knowledge not known to mankind!" "Great! This is excellent!" Will, struggling to contain his nearly insane joy, ordered with a flush face for the guards to take Chen Lun away. At thest moment, he hesitated, then added: "Give him something good to eat and let him have a bath. I''ve had enough of his pig-like stench! We need him to continue deciphering the notes for the church." "Yes, Priest Will." Chapter 7 Trust Me Before I knew it, three days had passed. The sunless life in the underground prison made it so Chen Lun could only gauge the passage of time by the number of times and the frequency with which the guard delivered meals. During this period, he had made no small amount of progress. Every day, he was taken to Cell No. 7 to interpret the diary, while Floey was responsible for standing by and recording the "mythical history" he dictated. As more and more content was recorded, Will''s mood gradually became less vtile. It seemed that the monk was beginning to see a bright future full of hope, and his spirits improved day by day. But Chen Lun just couldn''t stand to see him that content and immediately slowed the pace, sharing less content by the day, much like certain authors whose writings became increasingly brief. Will felt like strangling Chen Lun on the spot, but he dared not. Because, so far, Chen Lun was the only one who could survive in front of the diary, and the only one who could "interpret" its contents. Will even had to wait on him hand and foot, lest his impatience caused Chen Lun to read too much and lead to an irreversible ident. He was firmly in Chen Lun''s grip. Chen Lun had advanced the hidden Beast Tamer''s Handbook within the diary to more than halfway, amassing about five hundred experience points in various small increments. Beyond that, his luck exploded again as heprehended another exclusive skill of the Beast Tamer¡ª [Animal Mimicry LV1] Skill Description: By spending a long time with animals, you''ve learned to perceive certain techniques and traits from them, thereby obtaining superhuman strength that humans do not possess.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Humans have limits, so stop trying to be human! But remember this, you''re supposed to learn their strengths, not their quirks or "specialties." If you have a genuine interest in things like headless fish or dead crabs then, pretend I didn''t say anything... ng. The prison door was opened once again. Floey walked in, holding a tray; Chen Lun stopped his push-ups and contemtion to get up and greet her. "You''re here." Chen Lun first peeked into the corridor to check for any guards nearby and, finding none, he took the bread and mushroom soup from her hands and thanked her. He took advantage of the guard''s cking off periods to secretly exercise, and even though this did little to boost his attributes, in his current dire situation, every little bit helped. Prison workouts were nothing to be ashamed of. In his previous life, he worked out at home in the same way, and it worked brilliantly, his body deteriorated by the day. In truth, it was just because his hereditary disease was so stubborn that exercise was no longer effective, and his fate¡ªwhen he would die¡ªremained unchanged. "You''re doing weird exercises again?" Floey sat down beside Chen Lun and watched as he voraciously tore at the bread. These past few days, she would asionally take advantage of the times the guards sneaked out for a drink toe over, and with increased contact with Chen Lun, she grew more and more curious about this man. In such an environment, he didn''t seem to be afraid and even managed to convey a sense of optimism and positivity to her. Strange indeed. But Floey enjoyed this feeling. Ever since her brother died, she had been abandoned by her cold-hearted parents and was eventually sold to the Red Apple Church. Everything she saw and heard was among the darkest and most bloodstained in the world. Plus the malicious words from the guards, the crude and harshnguages of Monk Will every day, and the asional glimpse of evil intent in Priest Carter''s eyes, had made Floey, already pessimistic and numb, even more desperate. But after getting close to Chen Lun, she found the sense of peace and security she once had when she was with her brother. Chen Lun ate quickly and choked, managing to swallow his food only after drinking a hot sip of soup. "Yeah, exercising." He put down his bowl, turned his head to look at the girl beside him, and felt an indescribable, strange emotion. She was a significant figure in the future¡ªone that could make yers cry out for their fathers and mothers. Chen Lun had seen more than one call to arms post on the forums attempting to rally yers to fight her, but every time they ended up soundly defeated, in total disarray. No matter if you were a top-ranked yer or a wealthy major guild, all were but flies to be swatted in front of the renowned Dead Silent Nun. Perhaps in the future, yers might conquer Floey, but in that version of the game, she was the ceiling, the insurmountable challenge, and remained so for several versions after. It wasn''t just yers who grew stronger; NPCs did too. Era of Mystery was aplete and authentic world, where every character had their own trajectory in life, their own growth. They were flesh and blood, had their own souls. This was the enduring charm of the game all along. Even so, no matter how often Floey tormented the yers, they still sought her out, day after day, as if she were their first love. It wasn''t just because she had stunning looks and a first-ss temperament, but also because of her regrettably tragic backstory... Alright, the vast majority of yers were admittedly drawn to her because of her beauty. In that major update, countless yers harboredplex feelings towards Floey, a mixture of love and hate they could not easily forget. Chen Lun was no exception. But what he cared about most was Floey''s miserable fate. He knew that Floey''s strength was inseparable from the "A-grade Mysterious Object, Sun-avoiding Potted nt." And this was the crux of the tragedy. Floey had been cultivated from the very beginning to serve as the vessel for the "Sun-avoiding Potted nt," a pawn of the church. They had ruthlessly snuffed out the innocence of a young girl and crudely forged her into a humanoid weapon. This also resulted in Floey''s eventual erasure of personality, turning into a soulless shell at the mercy of the Red Apple Church''s Sharp de. Chen Lun had oncemented this, but he was powerless to change it. Because this was the setting of the game, and Floey''s destiny had been determined from the moment the yers entered its world. "But now, I can change her destiny." Chen Lun thought to himself. A faint smile appeared on his face. Floey blinked in surprise, then quickly averted her gaze. "Are you nning to escape from here?" "Yes." Chen Lun admitted bluntly and then fell silent for a moment. "I n to take you with me." "!!" Floey''s gaze snapped back to Chen Lun, her eyes widening. "Don''t look at me like that; I''m serious." Chen Lun wore a serious expression. "I can tell that you don''t really like it here, but you feel trapped, unable to leave." Floey remained silent. He raised his palm, bent his index finger, and moved it slightly, a glimmer of light shing at his fingertip. Then he opened his mouth slightly and emitted a sharp, squeaky sound, identical to that of a rodent. Quickly, under Floey''s astonished gaze, seven or eight fist-sized ck rats swarmed from the corners and crevices of the cell, gathering at Chen Lun''s feet. Squeak, squeak, squeak! One of the rats jumped into Chen Lun''s palm, rearing up and squeaking at him. Chen Lun responded, and his smallpanions at his feet asionally added their input, prompting him to nod in reply. "They say there are threeyers here, a total of fourteen iron doors, with The Great Gate leading to the surface being especially sturdy. Also, there are more than twenty guardians scattered about." Floey covered her small mouth, and it took her a while to confirm softly, "You... are a Transcendent?" Chen Lun nodded and waved to disperse the group of rats. "Now I believe you can take me away... What do you need me to do?" Floey pursed her lips, her small hand hidden beneath the red robe clutching tightly. Ever since her brother died, she hadn''t experienced such a surge of emotion, not even when her parents betrayed her and had remained silent through it all. Only those who have been through the darkness yearn more for the light. Chen Lun leaned in closer and began to whisper in Floey''s ear. "I need you to do this... whispering indistinct sounds..." Floey felt the warmth by her ear, slightly ufortable, her cheeks beginning to flush. Yet at the same time, the light in her eyes grew brighter. Chapter 8 Three Gases Will "What are you staring for, let''s go." Chen Lun stood at the prison door, turned his head back, and spoke to Floey. "Go...?" Thetter was still immersed in the n Chen Lun hadid out, sitting in ce withouting back to reality. "It''s time for the sacrifice today, don''t forget that my identity is still that of the sacrifice here." Chen Lun shrugged his shoulders. To tell the truth, he was looking forward to this. If he wasn''t afraid of arousing Will''s suspicion by looking at the notebook for too long, he would prefer to live in the basement, taking care of all his eating, drinking, and other needs right on that altar. There was no chance of deciphering it; Philip''s words in the diary were pleasant to hear, and he loved it there. Floey uttered an ''oh'' in response, obediently stood up, and briskly walked out of the prison, leading Chen Lun towards Chamber No. 7. Just then, the little mustached man who had been cking off returned with another guard. Chen Lun instantly got into character, turning back into the drooling simpleton. The slightly alcohol-scented little mustache broke into a smile and tipped his hat in a salute. "Sister Floey, you really are a troublemaker." "Hmm." Floey responded coolly, her eyes always looking straight ahead. As they brushed past one another, the other guard turned his head and unabashedly swept his gaze over Floey''s figure. The malice in his eyes seemed to want to prate her wide dark red robe and see the scenery beneath. Floey, sensing something, slightly furrowed her brow. The guard licked his lips and chuckled softly, just as he was about to say something, he suddenly felt his vision darken. Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak! Several bats, appearing out of nowhere, flew onto his face, their sharp ws shing across his eyes. "Ah!" The guard cried out in pain, swatting his hands to fend off the bats, but they seemed fixated on him, chaotically tearing at his face with their sharp teeth. After struggling for a while, he managed to drive the bats away, but just as the bats took off¡ª p! The little mustache delivered another heavy p to his face, sending two teeth flying out with blood. This guard copsed to the ground with a bloodied face, his torn eyes no longer seeing clearly. He was confused and frightened, utterly stunned. What happened? What happened!? "Hey buddy, I was only trying to help you... uh, okay, I admit I might have been a bit too forceful, but I really..." "Bastard!" The little mustache''s drunken haze instantly cleared as he saw hispanion draw the short sword from his waist. "Whoa, whoa... calm down! Calm down!" The little mustache ced one hand on the hilt of his own sword and stepped back a few paces, but the guard, burning with anger, had already started to lose his sanity. "Stop it! You two idiots!" Just as he was about to take action, Monk Will arrived at the scene in time. He strode forward, his face grave as he reprimanded the two guards. Out of respect for the monk''s usual authority, they could only bow their heads and take the scolding. Throughout the whole incident, none of them noticed the inaudible sound emanating from the mouth of the simpleton standing by, giggling foolishly, nor the faint glow that shed from the shell ne on his chest. Having sent the guards away, Will, still bristling with indignation, walked up to Floey, nced at the idiotic sacrifice behind her, and his eyes shed with disgust. "Well done, nun, but you made me wait too long." "I am sorry, Monk Will." Will snorted coldly and turned to walk towards Chamber No. 7. "Now let''s move quickly." Floey didn''t say another word, tugged at Chen Lun''s sleeve, and followed Will''s pace. Soon, the three of them arrived again at the familiar basement. Back here, Chen Lun felt asfortable as if he were at home, delighted. After Will whistled, he couldn''t wait to step forward and opened "Philip''s Diary". Rustle rustle¡­ "Through careful reading of the ''Beast Tamer''s Handbook'' (Progress 63%), you''ve gained 10 Experience Points." "¡­You''ve gained 10 Experience Points." Chen Lun entered a mode of leveling up through reading, voraciously absorbing the knowledge within, watching Experience Points swish into his grasp, filled with a sense of aplishment. If Will wasn''t staring at him with eager eyes, he might have even eximed to himself, Knowledge changes Destiny! When the progress in the ''Beast Tamer''s Handbook'' reached 70%, Chen Lun chose to stop. His time was limited, and looking too long would likely arouse Will''s suspicion, so he needed to n his time wisely. He flipped through his notes again, arriving at today''s leisure activitymenting on the diary. "Sr Calendar 4399, February 23rd, clear skies... I can truly say I''m a genius in every respect. Since I stepped into the Mystic Realm of the Supernatural Sequence, I''ve met countless people, none as genius as me, ha-ha, ha¡­" Chen Lun maintained a stiff, silly smile as he quickly skipped past these unimportant bits. After flipping through a few pages, he suddenly stopped his fingers. "¡­I''m very fortunate that at the stage when I had just advanced to ''Sequence Nine Beast Tamer'', I developed and created this skill using my cleverness and intellect. I named it ''Friend of Animals''. Without it, how could I possibly have such a wonderful life¡­" "¡­That was truly an iparable experience, the majesty of the female brown bear, the wild nature of the lioness, the frenzy of the zebra herd... Dolphins are the cutest, mwah, nice. Oh, I forgot, except for the males, that feeling was terrible¡­" Chen Lun looked at the bottom of this page of the diary where there was also a crudely drawn smiley face.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He slowly closed the notebook and shut his eyes. Philip, oh Philip! One''s hobbies can be unusual but should never be immoral, brother! Chen Lun looked at the notebook in his hands with disgust. Resolved to continue tomorrow, tsk tsk¡­ From the corner of his eye, he saw Will''s face turning angry with impatience, knowing he couldn''t dy any longer. So he slowly opened his mouth to start murmuring about that unfinished "forgotten Myths" about seven gourds. Floey was very dutiful in lifting her quill, ready to scribe on the parchment. "¡­The Purple Angel got lost in a poisonous mist, not recognizing her great-grandfather and her six angelic brothers after She was born. She shot beams of light with the Mysterious Object called the Purple Gourd, shattering her brothers'' hearts, causing them to fight and kill each other¡­" In the end, She sucked them into the Purple Gourd, and the great-grandfather wept tears known as sadness¡­" Will''s eyes reddened with excitement. He kept urging Chen Lun to continue, instructing Floey to record every word precisely. "Rose above! I¡­ I actually peeled back denseyers of history, understanding the true essence of the olden days!?" He grew increasingly uncontroble in his frenzy. "Yes, that''s right! It can''t be wrong! They correspond exactly to the Seven True Gods of the current world, this is their history!" "But who is that supreme ''great-grandfather''? The ''Serpent'' and ''Scorpion Demon'' that pushed Them to desperation, who could they be¡­!?" Will''s intense curiosity had him staring fixedly at Chen Lun, waiting for thetter to reveal the answers. But Chen Lun once again cut off at a critical juncture, perfectly timed. All he could keep muttering was: "Pangolin¡­ Snake¡­ Scorpion¡­" These three nouns repeated back and forth as he entered the loop mode. Will was inmed with impatience, the veins on his forehead prominently visible. At the same time, he couldn''t help but specte if there were some truths hidden within. "Maybe it''s symbolic of a High Sequence pathway in the Supernatural Realm...?" Floey set down her quill and softly expressed her own conjecture. Monk Will, upon hearing it, had a moment of realization, his face lighting up. "I understand now!" Chapter 9 Me, the Pangolin Will, although notorious for his low character, wasn''t entirely devoid of virtues. For instance, he had a high work efficiency that Chen Lun greatly admired. Believing he had understood some truth, Monk Will quickly called the guards and had them fetch a poisonous snake, a scorpion, and a pangolin. Snakes and scorpions were easy enough, but pangolins were a bit harder to find. Fortunately, the dungeon was built in the wild, right next to barren hills. After some effort, the guards finally caught a dozing pangolin in a cave. "Too slow, you idiots!" The guards, carrying iron cages and ss jars, rushed over but were met not with praise from Will but a tongueshing instead. Several guards, including a small-mustached one, hung their heads in reprimand, feeling a bit unjustly treated in their hearts.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Monk Will didn''t care about that and took the three adorable little creatures from them. After sending all the guards out, he ced them in front of Chen Lun on the altar. Chen Lun silentlymended Will''s dedication to service. He continued to feign ignorance and first opened the small iron cage with the pangolin, taking it out. The pangolin was a little dim-witted, lying still on Chen Lun''s hands. [You have used the skill [Animal Mimicry LV1], learning corresponding traits from the target] [Ant-Eating] You have learned to eat ants, termites being your favorite, though bees aren''t off-limits... The corners of Chen Lun''s mouth twitched as he activated the skill again. [You have used the skill [Animal Mimicry LV1], learning corresponding traits from the target] [Tree Climbing] You have learned to climb trees, where you can be the happy creature you''re meant to be. Chen Lun cursed inwardly and once again expended Physical Strength to release the skill. Physical Strength quickly dropped below half, and he felt as if he had been through three fierce battles in a row, drained and trembling. [You have used the skill [Animal Mimicry LV1], learning corresponding traits from the target] [Burrowing] You have learned to dig and are extremely proficient at it, being able to excavate passable or concealed tunnels in the ground or walls in a short time. Heave-ho...atst! Chen Lun suppressed the joy in his heart, gently stroking the little pangolin''s head as a sign of encouragement. Monk Will, on the other hand, stared unblinkingly but couldn''t discern what Chen Lun was actually doing. For in his eyes, Chen Lun was just smiling stupidly at the foolish pangolin and then creepily touching it. By now, Chen Lun''s ns for the day had been perfectly achieved. He nned to make a clean getaway, his contributions hidden deep. Ah, to return tomorrow. Chen Lun knew that if things ended here, Will would not be convinced, so he decided to throw in something cryptic to steady him, letting him ponder over it slowly. "Earth... vast Earth... the sin of greed..." Looking at the pangolin in his hands, Chen Lun, with a quick twist of thought, came up with a mystic Supernatural Sequence pathway that somewhat fit: [Sequence Nine, Tomb Robber]. So he spouted some terms after making them up on the fly. Then, with an "Ah" he fell to the ground, unconscious. Will immediately showed an expression of not understanding, but profoundly shocked. "The [Earth Faction]''s Supernatural Sequence pathway... the sin of greed... Could he be referring to those people from the History and Ritual Association...?" Will racked his brains, and a glimmer of light shed through his mind, his expression slowly bing grave and serious. Based on the bad news received from other churches recently, and snippets of clues, he quickly pieced everything together and found a clear direction. "No, this message is important, I must pass it on to the Bishop immediately." Will casually instructed Floey to take Chen Lun away, while he himself hastened out,den with heavy thoughts. Only after the footsteps had faded away... "You can get up now." Floey squatted down and whispered softly. Chen Lun didn''t move a muscle. Floey slightly frowned and poked Chen Lun''s body with her finger. Still, he didn''t move a muscle. "..." "Did he really pass out?" Floey turned her head to nce at the basement door, finding no guards nearby. She continued to look down at the young man in front of her, with his slightly curly ck hair somewhat long, messily draping over his face. It appeared very clean, probably due to a recent bath. She hadn''t had the opportunity to observe closely before, but she had to admit that he was indeed handsome. The young man suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze quickly shifting first to Floey, then sweeping over the surroundings. He swiftly got up and patted the dust off his body. "Alright, let''s go." Floey was startled for a moment, then silently smiled and nodded. "Mm." Just as they were about to leave the basement, she suddenly turned her head to Chen Lun and said, "Priest Carter is about to return... If you truly n to take me with you, then please hurry." "He is also a Transcendent, with formidable power..." "I have witnessed him single-handedly kill a band of twenty robbers with ease." Chen Lun stopped in his tracks. Priest, huh? He had already learned about his geographical location through Floey. The remote town of Emerald Town in the eastern part of the Tresor Empire, and this priest was the person in charge of the Red Apple Church''s local branch. Commonly known as the big boss. Even if it was just a minor ce, it was still the Red Apple Church, a major force that ravaged the entire empire in game version 1.0. This priest was not to be underestimated. "I know, don''t worry, it''s almost ready." ... Another deep night came two dayster. The jail where Chen Lun was held was very quiet. However, curiously, there was no one there, only therge ck rats that asionally scurried out from beneath the pile of straw in the corner. These rats had tiny rocks and soil in their mouths and on their little paws, nimbly slipping out of the jail cell. They were very cautious, stopping now and then to listen and sniff, only moving when the guards weren''t paying attention, and in the blink of an eye, vanishing to who knows where. But after a while, they would run back again, over and over. Suddenly, the pile of straw heaved up, shook twice, then was gently pushed aside, and a dirty hand emerged from below. Following closely was Chen Lun''s sweaty head. He climbed out from underground not too quickly nor too slowly, then carefully covered the pile of straw back up. The whole process was smooth and nearly silent. Chen Lun sat on the ground, letting out a breath. He casually scattered the prepared breadcrumbs, and the big ck rats swarmed over, happily taking their rewards and departing. "After two days and nights of hard work, I''ve finally dug my way out..." Chen Lun wiped off his sweat, smiled, and grabbed a handful of clean straw to wipe his hands while thinking to himself. To avoid attracting the attention of the Church, he could only dig when the guards cked off. And these times were mostly at night and deep into the night because the little-mustached one would always coax the others to go out drinking and causing trouble. There were few people left in the nearby cells, and it had been a long time since the Church sent any new prisoners over. Chen Lun was grateful for the emptiness of the ce, which reduced the likelihood of being discovered. But to increase his chances of escape, he deliberately dug a longer distance for the tunnel, so he wouldn''t be caught as soon as he emerged, hence the extra time spent. "Tomorrow, I''ll finish reading the ''Beast Tamer''s Handbook'', and everything will be ready!" "Just wait and see if I don''t take care of you...!" Chapter 10 Dont Expect to Survive Late at night. On the western edge of Emerald Town, a towering, solemn Gothic building stood, its spires adorned with two angel reliefs on the exterior walls. The angels held a basket of fruits, filled with bountiful red apples, crowding around a goddess whose face was unclear. An elderly man with brown hair, dressed in a deep red robe, slowly walked along the deste street. He wore a gold apple pendant on his chest and held arge tome of scriptures in his hands. The elderly man finally stopped at the entrance of the church. "The Moon has many believers, missing a few doesn''t matter, does it..." He chuckled, pulling out a vial the size of a pinky finger from his bosom, filled about two-thirds with blood. The blood gently swirled inside the vial, emitting faintly glowing bubbles. "Hopefully, it will enjoy this delicacy." The old man stepped onto the stairs and strode into the church. ... Snap, snap, snap!! The next morning, Chen Lun was awakened by the p of Brother Will. Well, in fact, he had been awake earlier, but since it was all part of the act, one shouldn''t give up on thest day. However, Chen Lun decided he shouldn''t suffer without payback, so he noted this in his little book against Brother Will. "Lazy swine! Get up, it''s time to fulfill your great endeavor!" Brother Will looked at the foolish young man and disgustedly kicked him twice. "Let''s go." He adjusted his monk''s robe, stood up straight and confidently, and left the cell. Floey pressed her lips tightly, nced at Chen Lun, and followed closely behind with a cold expression. Whistle! The small mustache blew the whistle, Chen Lun grinned foolishly, and obediently walked out. When everyone re-entered the Basement No. 7, Chen Lun suddenly felt a bit reluctant. What a great ce for leveling, and they were about to leave it. He was very familiar with the workflow, and upon hearing the whistle, he immediately got to work. Pretending to be controlled, he obediently climbed onto the altar and went through the notes, his actions so sincere he could be called a model sacrifice. [By reading carefully, you gained 70 Experience Points] [You havepletely read the Mystic Book "Beast Tamer''s Handbook" (Progress 100£¥)!] [You have earned 1 Skill Point and 2 Attribute Points] [Through careful reading, you have realized the skill "Friend of Animals"!] [Friend of Animals LVMAX] (Passive) Skill Description: You seem to have a unique attraction that makes animals very close to you. Even the most cold-blooded and irritable beasts are willing to befriend you. When interacting with animals, Charm +10. Hey, friend, I believe you have finished my book and learned my skills. No need to thank me, I just want to benefit more people, allowing them to experience a wonderful life different from others... For some reason, every time Chen Lun saw Philip''s message, he felt a violent urge. He flipped to thest page of the notes, and the content of the diary was also nearing its end. "Sr Calendar 4407, February 4th, cloudy... Ahaha, Queller that old fellow truly is a big shot in the rats'' nest, I totally couldn''t match him after he transformed. [Gargoyle''s Skin] greatly restrains me, not to mention he is a Sequence higher than me..." "...They stole everything from my teacher, honor, status, even Life! They are the most disgusting thieves in this world!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "But I may not have a chance for revenge anymore, because I am about to die... To kill me, those stinky rats really spared no expense! Endless Alchemical Potions worth hundreds of Gold Pounds each were thrown at my face, oh heavens, they even ruined my handsome looks!" "...Maybe this is Destiny, stepping onto this extraordinary path of the Destiny Faction, I knew this day woulde. I will miss the days of traveling, my dear Maggie, I will think of you. ¡ª¡ªPhilip" "..." "..." "Oh yes, I have hidden all my savings and the extraordinary items I collected over the years in the backyard underground of Viscount Pompey''s house, I dug a¡ª¡ª" The diary abruptly ended there, the ink trailing off into a long nted line as if the writer''s hand had dragged the pen down while falling. Chen Lun closed the notebook, sighing softly. The timeline in the diary was considerably long, spanning about 8 years from the beginning to the end. It essentially recorded the adventurous journey of a foreigner named Philip after he stepped onto the mystical and extraordinary path. Howmentable! How poignant! "I just don''t know if Philip''s Legacy is still around..." Chen Lun thought to himself. He remembered that the officialunch of version 1.0, when the game actually began, was in the year 4419 of the Sr Calendar. Counting back one year and one month, the current time was approximately the year 4418 of the Sr Calendar. This meant that the content recorded in this journal was all a decade-old story¡ªgod knows what had happened during this period. [Triggered a C-level hidden quest: Philip''s Legacy] Quest description: Based on the content recorded in the quest item "Philip''s Diary," Philip had already anticipated his own death. On the eve of the battle, he hid all his savings from over the years underground in the backyard of the Pompey Viscount''s house in Amber City. Do you want my treasure? If you want it, then it''s yours! Go find it¡ª I''ve ced it all there! Quest reward: Unknown. "..." Chen Lun epted the quest and immediately felt that his power toin had risen again. He just wanted to know the real reason Philip was killed¡ªwas it because he had drawn too much hate? Monk Will saw Chen Lun closing the notebook, walked up expectantly, and gestured for Floey to start writing at any time. "Good, it looks like the notebook has been fully deciphered..." He revealed a cruel smile. "Nun, after he dictates thest part of these notes, take him to basement number 4. Feed him to that pot of nt, consider it recycling waste..." "Yes, Monk Will." Floey turned to look at him with a strange expression on her attractive face. Will''s smile paused, and he couldn''t help frowning. "What are you staring at me for, Nun?" Floey did not answer him. Will suddenly realized something and sharply turned his head. Whoosh! Whoosh! Snap! After a screeching sound of breaking wind, there was a crisp snap. Will only saw a swiftly moving blur, and the next second, he was choked by the hand of the dark-haired young man. What was horrifying was that the other''s arm, like a writhing snake, illogically coiled around his neck again and again, tightly locking it. [Animal Mimicry LV1] [Serpentine Incarnation] [You have learned to temporarily twist your body like a snake, along with other partial serpentine characteristics.] Will stared at Chen Lun''s disappearing grin, his face emotionless, and he immediately realized he had been tricked. The other was not being manipted at all! All these days had been an act, all a pretense! When had he gained such strong power...? It must have been that notebook! "Ugh! Ugh...!" Will tried to speak, staring fiercely with bloodshot eyes, but he couldn''t utter a single word. Incapacitated by the sensation of suffocation, he fell into an unparalleled fear. He grabbed at Chen Lun''s snake-arm with both hands, desperately pounding, but it was to no avail. "I really should thank you for sending the guards away to keep the secret... It saved me a lot of energy." Crack! Chen Lun exerted force with his hand; the coiled snake-arm suddenly jerked, instantly twisting Will''s neck around. [¨C58] Bright red fatal damage popped up above Monk Will''s head, and his life bar was instantly emptied. Monk Will copsed to the ground. His body faced down while his head was turned up in a bizarre posture. Chapter 11 Im Not Playing This Role Anymore [Killed a Will Priest of Red Apple Church, gained 20 Experience Points.] [Warning: Your actions have attracted the enmity and attention of the Red Apple Church!] Chen Lun curled his lip; he had never intended to be on good terms with the Red Apple Church anyway, so let them be hostile. Instead, he was more concerned that the death of Will only awarded him 20 points of experience. How stingy! But there was nothing he could do; even though the other party had some status in the Red Apple Church as a monk, he was just an ordinary person. In the eyes of the system''s judgment, he wasn''t worth much. [Triggered a C-level mission: Mercy] Mission Description: You''ve killed Will, a monk of Red Apple Church, and you must be prepared for their retaliation. Will you have mercy and take the opportunity to free the wretched prisoners? Mission Reward: 500 Experience Points and 800 Copper Kro. Chen Lun thought for a moment and decided to ept the mission. The money reward was pathetic, but he urgently needed the experience points. Moreover, rescuing those sacrifices was also a blow to the Red Apple Church. Rewards, saving people, backstabbing. Three birds with one stone, indeed a beautiful deal. "What should we do next?" Floey approached Chen Lun, nced at Will lying on the ground gazing up at the starry sky, and then looked away, no longer concerned. "You''ve killed Will, and it won''t be long before the guards outside notice something''s wrong, and then they will heavily surround this ce." Chen Lun leisurely collected the diary from the altar and then turned around. "I''ve dug a tunnel in the corner of my cell that leads outside, escape through there first."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "What about you?" Floey asked with a hint of confusion. "I have other things to do, and with me drawing their attention, you''ll have an easier time escaping." Chen Lun crouched down, called arge ck rat using Beast Speech, and then sent it outside the basement to look around. Soon, the big ck rat scurried back in and reported the situation with a couple of squeaks. Chen Lun stood up and looked at Floey. "There are only two guards outside now; you can easily slip past them." Floey silently stared at him for a while before she finally said, "...Alright, then I''ll go first." "Yeah, take care of yourself." After speaking, Chen Lun sat on the altar and began to ponder his next move. Hints about the prison''syout that the rats offered slowly emerged in his mind, along with the patrol distribution of the guards. "I still don''t know your name, can you tell me?" Floey''s ethereal voice came through. Chen Lun lifted his head and saw her standing at the door, turning back to look at him. He was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "You can call me Chen Lun." "Okay... My name is Floey." "I know, that''s what they all call you." For the first time, Floey smiled; she looked back at the man on the altar deeply before leaving the room. "You be careful too." ¡­ After Floey left, Chen Lun purposefully waited some time, his thoughts bing clearer by the minute. Then footsteps echoed from the entrance of the basement. Side by side, a man with two small mustaches and another guard cautiously pushed open the iron door. "Monk Will?" What greeted their eyes was Will''s angry face, blocking their path. "You two idiots! Didn''t I tell you not toe in!?" The men with the small mustaches were startled and immediately lowered their heads submissively. "I''m so sorry, Lord Will! We just came because..." Mid-sentence, Small Mustache realized something was wrong. The voice of Monk Will had changed, and... why was his back turned to us? "Not good...!" Before Small Mustache and hispanion could draw their swords, they looked up to find Monk Will''s body already hurtling toward them. Bang!! The two were knocked off bnce by the tremendous force, while Chen Lun''s figure agilely darted out from behind the door. His hands shot out simultaneously, his arms transforming into sinuous serpents, tightly winding around the necks of the two guards. The mustachioed man and hispanions'' eyes bulged, their faces flushed red with no sound escaping their throats, as they watched their bodies being slowly dragged into the underground basement. Bang! The door to the basement closed slowly. A whileter, when The Great Gate opened again, a figure d in a leather coat and wearing a brimmed hat walked out from inside. [Killed a Red Apple Church Prison Guard, gained 10 Experience Points] [Killed a Red Apple Church Prison Guard, gained 10 Experience Points] The guards weren''t very strong, perhaps because they had the profession of "Prison Guard," their panel attributes were slightly higher than Chen Lun''s current ones. But they were still just ordinary people and were no match for a Transcendent stepping into the Mystic Realm. Chen Lun pulled out the set of keys he had taken from the mustachioed man and headed straight for the cell where the sacrificial offerings were kept. The key ring had keys for all the cells in the prison. On the way, he casually opened his panel and invested the umted 1000-plus Experience Points entirely into his Main upation "Beast Tamer," leveling up seven times on the spot. [Main upation Level increased, you feel your body has been strengthened, Life Limit +140, Physical Strength Limit +70, Sanity Limit +1, Strength +2, Agility +7, Intelligence +4] [You gained 7 Skill Points, 7 Attribute Points] Then Chen Lun spent 4 Skill Points to upgrade "Animal Mimicry LV1" to max level 5. Chen Lun''s panel then changed to the following¡ª Name: Chen Lun Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Temte: NPC (Countdown to Version 1.0 Public Beta: 401 days 11 hours 12 minutes 25 seconds) Level: 11 Experience: 10/190 Life: 180/180 Physical Strength: 110/130 Sanity: 6/6 Main upation: [Sequence Nine Beast Tamer LV8] (Destiny Faction) Sub upation: [Fisherman LV3] Attributes: Strength 6, Agility 13, Endurance 5, Intelligence 7, Faith 3 Special Attributes: Charm 7 (+2), Willpower 5, Insight 3, Luck 3 Remaining Points: 4 Skill Points, 9 Attribute Points Skills: Quick Reflexes LV1 (Passive), Seafaring Bnce LV1 (Passive), Beast Speech LV1, Animal Mimicry LVMAX, Friend of Animals LVMAX (Passive) Combat Power: 17 [Evaluation: A newbie stepping onto the Mystic Path, the floor Combat Power of a Transcendent. Apart from a randy gori, perhaps no one would take you seriously...] Chen Lun ignored thement. Then he nodded his head in satisfaction. Just as he was passing a corner, two guards walked toward him. As they drew closer, one of them turned his head in confusion and took a few good looks at Chen Lun, who pulled his brimmed hat down. "Hey, wait a minute, buddy..." One stood in front of Chen Lun with a torch while the other ced his hand on the hilt of the short sword at his waist. Chen Lun noticed that their gaze fixated on the back of his clean hands, immediately realizing they had be suspicious. Because there was no simple Red Apple tattoo on the back of his hand! "It''s an intruder! Take him down!" Chen Lun sighed inwardly. He knew he couldn''t hide for long, but he didn''t expect to be discovered just after leaving, though he had never intended to rely on stealth and assassination to pass this level. The guards drew their swords with a cling, but Chen Lun was faster and had already drawn the regtion short sword at his waist, sweeping it horizontally. A cold glint flickered, crossing the throats of the two men. [-97][-98] Two bright red damage numbers popped up. Rip¡ª Blood spattered as the burning torch and the guards'' bodies fell to the ground. ng! The sword that was just drawn by the guard now fell as well. "Hey! What''s going on over there!?" "Quick, check it out!" Voices and footsteps approached rapidly from the end of the corridor. Chen Lun remained calm, merely waving his hand, and his index finger shone with light while he emitted a piercing cry. Suddenly, dozens, perhaps hundreds, ofrge ck rats scurried out from all directions of the dim hallway, squeaking wildly as they pounced forward. Against the mottled walls lit by firelight, the shadows of three or four guardsing in for support were instantly brought down. Then, apanied by the rats'' squeaking and gnawing sounds, terrified screams echoed through the corridor. ¡ª Arghhh!! Chapter 12 Leaving Without Disturbing In the dimly-lit No. 4 underground chamber. Flickering mes danced, with a lit white candle standing at each of the four corners of the central altar. A potted nt that resembled a sunflower stood quietly on the altar, its head bowed and body bent as if wilting. A wrinkled, aged hand held a small ss bottle, carefully pouring the blood within onto the nt. A blood bead, glimmering with dull specks of light, fell and dripped onto the sunflower. The blood bead was immediately absorbed by the leaves of the sunflower. Within the next second, the sunflower seemed to regain a bit of vitality, slowly straightening its body, revealing its "true face". In the middle of the sunflower was a baby''s face, eyes tightly closed, as if in a sweet slumber. "Wahhh!!!" Suddenly, it opened its eyes, revealing pupils filled entirely with pitch ckness and malice, bursting into loud cries. The eerie, owl-like raspy wails, apanied by rings of ck light, vibrated in all directions. Whoosh! All the torches and candles in the chamber were extinguished. The priest was forced into a corner by an inexistent gale, even feeling his soul about to be blown from his body. Fortunately, the wailing onlysted a few seconds before the bizarre sunflower drooped its head again, plunging into silence. The priest wiped the sweat from his brow, still shaken, and said in a deep, hoarse voice, "It seems it doesn''t much like the scent of the moon¡­ But it clearly belongs to this Sequence, so why is this happening?" The old priest approached the altar once more, looking down at the powerful Mysterious Object with a profound gaze. Suddenly, he noticed the potted nt extended a thin tendril, pointing in a certain direction outside the underground chamber. It seemed something out there was drawing its attention. "Hmm?" Following the tendril''s direction, the old priest turned to look, but could only see the iron door of the chamber. ng! The prison''s iron door was opened. "Hurry up and seize the chance to escape; I''ve killed the nearby guards," Chen Lun said softly, standing before several sacrificial victims who huddled together like frightened quails. But they acted as if they hadn''t heard him and huddled together even more fearfully, shrinking into a corner. "Please...please don''t kill us." Chen Lun paused, then looked down at his attire, a leather duster and cap, with a short sword at his waist. Realizing that these poor souls mistook him for a church guard, he casually removed his disguise, returning to his usual humble cloth clothes. "I''m not a bad guy, got it?" Chen Lun shrugged helplessly. Upon seeing this, the sacrificial victims finally believed Chen Lun''s words, but they still didn''t dare to step through the prison''s great door. Chen Lun sighed softly. "I''ve given you the chance; if you don''t want to die, then you better hurry and go," he said, dropping the statement and walking away. "Thank...thank you! Please tell us your name, benefactor!" Chen Lun turned back to see one of the girls bowing to thank him, her eyes filled with hope. Unconcerned, he waved his hand and strode towards the upper levels. "I, Chen Lun, never leave a name when doing good deeds. If you really want to know, just call me Red Scarf!" "??" Leaving the girl bewildered, Chen Lun had already arrived at the great gate leading to the upper level. He unlocked the iron gate with a key, immediately drawing the attention of several guards in the area behind the door. Before they could react, Chen Lunmanded a swarm of rats in Beast Speech to surge toward them. He himself followed closely behind with his short sword, making sure they were finished. Previously, he had given arge ck rat a set of keys with instructions to deliver the keys to each imprisoned sacrificial victim. As long as those people weren''t too foolish to not know how to open a door, they should be able to take advantage of the chaos and escape. With him drawing fire here, the mission to rescue the sacrifice was essentially aplished. Chen Lun wiped the neck of thest guardian, and in the eyes of the other party who died with their eyes wide open, he cleaned his blood-stained short sword on their body, before sheathing it. ng¡ª Crack! [You have killed a Red Apple Church Guardian, gaining 10 Experience Points.] Chen Lun stood still, ncing at the church guardians'' bodies strewn haphazardly across the ground. Without exception, they had been savagely bitten by the great ck rats, their faces a bloody, unrecognizable mess, with a fatal sh across their throats. Woof! Woof woof!! A burst of ferocious canine beast roars followed. Chen Lun turned his head and was met with the stench of blood and a gaping maw full of dense, sharp teeth that blocked his vision. Crack!! The gaping maw snapped shut, the sharp fangs shing and grinding with a loud noise. Chen Lun rolled away like a donkey dodging the attack. But he still got a fine cut on his cheek that oozed beads of blood. [You have been attacked, Health -1] [You have been infected with bacteria, fallen into the state of [Minor Rotting Poison Syndrome], Life -1 per second,sting 10 seconds.] He frowned and sized up the assant. It was a strange, big dog with skin so ulcerated it revealed the muscles underneath. On one side of its hideous head, there was an additional, deformed half-head. Only one eye filled with madness and the desire to kill was visible, along with half a set of sharp teeth. "Another one of those infernal creations researched by the Red Apple Church..." Chen Lun recalled information about the monster as he watched the half-dog drooling from its open mouth. This was a supernatural creature created by the Red Apple Church using diluted [Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance], not as powerful as a real Transcendent, but far stronger than the ordinary church followers. If it were to kill those ordinary church guards, it would be all too easy, crunching them one by one like snacks. "Do you think I''m afraid of you? Gou gou gou?" Chen Lun stood up, short sword in hand, and slowly walked toward the rotting hound. Woof! Woof woof woof!! Woof woof!! Soon, three or four more ulcerated figures burst from the darkness, their ferocious eyes all fixated on Chen Lun. Chen Lun smirked with contempt, then started walking backward at double the speed. Besides, he kept an eye on tworge figures d in heavy armor and wielding long spears, who were slowly approaching from behind the rotting hounds. The dim armor bearing the Red Apple insignia nked as they moved, indicative of its weight and sturdiness. Swoosh!! The heavy-armored guardians pointed their spears at Chen Lun, closing in slowly, clearly engaging in battle mode.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Good fellows, so the elite monsters havee too!" Chen Lun didn''t intend to tangle with them here; he turned and ran. As long as he got back to his own cell, he''d be able to escape through the pre-dug tunnel. Both parties were in a chase, and even with Chen Lun''s Agility Attribute at 13 Points, it wasn''t easy to shake off the pursuit of the four rotting hounds. Chen Lun sprinted through the cramped corridors, the wind whistling in his face. But the sounds of pursuit and the beasts'' breaths didn''t fade; they grew even closer. "This won''t do, I must deal with the four dogs behind me," Chen Lun thought. Judging by the relentless rotting hounds'' form and speed, even if he managed to escape into the tunnel, they would catch up. At that time, in the narrow space of the tunnel, his fighting ability would be impeded. "Damn it! Die, all of you!" Chen Lun, in the midst of rapid movement, made a split-second decision, turning abruptly and swinging his sword in a vertical sh. Striking right at the rotting hounding at him head-on! Chapter 13 You Cant Leave Hiss!! The dagger plunged deeply into the decayed hound''s brain, sttering rotten flesh mixed with filthy blood. [-72] The yellow critical damage popped up. But even striking the vital part was not enough to kill it, and Chen Lun only felt a more turbulent force from the dagger. The severely injured decayed hound resisted violently, and Chen Lun pressed down his sword-holding hand, wrestling with it, while his other arm shot out fiercely. In this process, he employed his Serpentine Incarnation trait, tightly coiling his arm around the rotten dog''s neck. Then he forcefully pulled out the dagger. "Die!!" With a twist of the dagger, he stabbed upward into the decayed hound''s jaw. With a muffled "put," the dagger deeply prated its skull and promptly poked out from its fontanelle. [-110] The bright red fatal damage number. Chen Lun flung his hand, sending the dog flying, crashing against the wall before falling to the ground. Yet the decayed hound was still breathing. It wouldn''t die anytime soon, which showed its tenacious life force. Chen Lun knew that such supernatural creatures possessed a passive skill that granted immunity to fatal wounds, simr to the "Real Man Five Seconds" from an old MMORPG in his previous life. The difference was, once the time was up, they would still die. Argh woof woof! Argh!! All of this happened in the blink of an eye, and the next second, three more decayed hounds followed, pouncing towards Chen Lun. They spread out in a triangle, squeezing Chen Lun''s remaining space to dodge. Any ordinary person would definitely be tackled and bitten to death under such an attack! But Chen Lun contorted his body in an unnatural way, slipping through the gap of the encirclement. His neck that had bent 180 degrees slowly returned to normal, and he turned his head and shouted. Invisible sound waves dispersed, and the attracted bats immediately fought with the three decayed hounds. Chen Lun didn''t stop, taking up his dagger to join the fray. At the same time, he switched to Beast Speech again, calling forth a swarm of rats. The decayed hounds, being monsters fused with mysterious substances, were not opponents for the bats and rats. The threerge dogs didn''t care about these small creatures'' nips and bites, swinging their heads to bite without hesitation. They could kill severalrge ck rats or bats in one bite. Chen Lun knew the bats and rats wouldn''tst long, but at least they served to momentarily distract and entangle the enemy. Seizing this opportunity, he stepped forward and swung his dagger harshly, decapitating half the head of a decayed hound that failed to dodge in time. Half a head, dragging torn skin and spinal bones, this prevented the dog''s head from hitting the ground. Bang!! Chen Lun delivered a side kick, powerfully striking the injured rotten hound on its abdomen. Thetter whimpered and rolled away, unable to get up from the ground. He took several deep breaths, sighing helplessly. Theserge dogs were supernatural creatures catalyzed by mysterious substances,cking any sanity. Otherwise, with his professional skill level, he could have made them turn coats on the spot and recognize him as their master! The swarm of rats and bats was steadily defeated by the decayed hounds. Seeing this, Chen Lun did not dare waste time and, grasping his dagger, re-entered the battle. In less than ten seconds, Chen Lun had knocked down the remaining tworge dogs. With no time to finish them off, two armored guards also arrived, thrusting their long spears at him! Whoo whoo!! The spears, flickering with cold light, stabbed directly at Chen Lun''s chest and abdomen, barely giving him time to breathe, forcing him to dodge urgently. Fortunately, relying on his high Agility Attribute, he narrowly escaped. Chen Lun leaped backward into a roll, quickly widening the distance between him and the two armored guards. He looked up at their towering figures and imprable armor, then at his own dagger, now nicked, and his expression changed. "Living holds no pleasure, dying no fear¡­" Chen Lun roared, his face grimacing as he hurled his dagger. "Come, let us decide life or death! Even barehanded, I will smash your tin cans to pieces!!" In his hysterical roar, the dagger flew, hitting the chest of one of the armored guards. Bang!! The dagger wailed mournfully as it spun helplessly to the ground. The two armored guards looked up, but the corridor was now empty. "..." Chen Lun had already made his escape after throwing the dagger. He would be foolish to fight them to the death, as their heavy spear would either kill or seriously injure him if it struck, and breaking through their defense was another problem altogether. Without the four dogs entangling him, those two lumbering fellows were only fit to eat his dust. "Huff..." Chen Lun, panting heavily, returned to his original cell and without a moment to rest, dove into a pile of straw. "Floey must have escaped by now, right?" He thought to himself. In the pitch-ck, cramped tunnel, Chen Lun crouched down and used the Serpentine Incarnation, his tongue transforming into a long snake''s tongue. Hiss, hiss... "The scent tells me there are remnants of Floey here." This also meant that Floey had indeed escaped from the tunnel. He transformed back into human form, let out a deep breath, and felt a weight lift from his heart. After spending some time, Chen Lun crawled through the winding tunnel. He pushed aside the dead branches and leaves covering the exit and crawled out. The harsh sunlight poured down, causing Chen Lun to be extremely ufortable for a moment. He raised his hand to shield his eyes and slowly stood up. "Breathe in¡ª!" Chen Lun squinted, taking in big gulps of the fresh air outside¡ªthe fragrance of flowers, the freshness of the soil. As well as the long-lost scent of freedom. At this moment, all he wanted to do was shout¡ª Dobby is free! "I''m curious, how did you manage to do it?" An elderly voice came from not too far away, startling Chen Lun abruptly. He bent down reflexively and looked to the side. To avoid being discovered by the Church, he had purposely taken a long detour to dig here, a deserted grove a few hundred meters from the underground prison. In theory, there should be no one here! He saw an elderly man with brown hair standing under a tree, d in a deep red Priest''s robe, holding a withered Sunflower nt. At his feet, Floey was sitting against the tree. She looked desperate, her lips pursed as she cast aplicated nce at Chen Lun. "Floey..." Seeing this, Chen Lun inwardly cursed. No wonder he hadn''t received a notification aboutpleting the mission to rescue Floey. The culprit was that old man. "Run!" Floey suddenly spoke, her voice filled with urgency. "He can''t escape." The Priest said emotionlessly. He slowly put down the potted nt. The half-dead Sunflower seemed to sense something attractive nearby, stretching a branch slowly towards Floey. "It seems indeed that it has undergone some new mutations stimted by the power of the moon¡­" The Priest watched with interest as the small branches moved closer to Floey, who shifted back in fear. Suddenly, he heard a series of small but dense noises that grew louder. Squeak squeak squeak!! The Priest turned his head in surprise. From the tunnel behind Chen Lun poured out a massive swarm ofrge ck rats, apanied by arge group of bats. A dark mass surrounded Chen Lun as if he were their king. "Die!" Chen Lun watched the old man coldly and pointed a finger, directing the swarm of rats and bats towards the Priest! "A Transcendent..." Priest Carter, realizing the means by which his opponent had escaped the prison, remarked. "But this is far from enough."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Smack!! He waved a hand, and seven or eight bats rushing towards him exploded in mid-air, their flesh and blood scattering like rain. The Priest charged forward, thunderously stomping countless rats to death, grinding them to a pulp. Carter revealed a cruel smile and reached out arge hand towards Chen Lun. "Interesting¡­ a rare Destiny Faction Transcendent!" "I must study you thoroughly, you cannot leave!" Chapter 14 Priest The dry, pale hand, like an eagle''s talon and bulging with veins, tried to crush Chen Lun''s head! Chen Lun, relying on his flexible body and high agility attribute, suddenly ducked his head, and the whoosh of the wind passed over his head. A cold glint shed in the priest''s eyes. His fingers clenched into a fist and smashed downward! Bang!! Chen Lun''s back was struck by this punch, feeling as if a hammer had mmed into him, his body bending downward again. He felt a sweetness in his throat and immediately coughed up blood. [-68] White characters emerged. Priest Carter''s punch took away one-third of Chen Lun''s life force! If he sustained two more punches like that, Chen Lun would be done for right there. Whoosh, whoosh!! Chen Lun enduring a punch was not out of stupidity, but for the sake of this moment. He suddenly stretched out his hands and pped onto the priest''s arms. The hands of the Serpentine Incarnation twisted and writhed, climbing up the priest''s arms like two pythons, tightly entwining around them, and restraining him! The priest''s brows furrowed slightly, sensing something bad. The next second, arge swarm of rats and bats rushed from behind and piled onto him. Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak! The huge, ck rats and bats, as if mad, opened their mouths and swung their ws, ferociously tearing at Priest Carter. "Ah ah!" In no time, Priest Carter''s body seeped fresh blood, turning him into a bloody figure. "Get off! Disgusting reptiles!" Priest Carter roared angrily, struggling to break free. Bang!! Chen Lun''s hands, taut like two strings, suddenly snapped back, feeling an intense, burning pain. The rats and bats clinging to the priest were also scattered, flying in all directions. The priest''s robe was riddled with holes from the biting, standing raggedly in front of Chen Lun, looking extremely pitiful. Carter lifted his blood-drenched face, revealing a fierce smile. His fingers clenched into a fist, making a crackling noise of bones. "You shouldn''t have angered me." He finished speaking, stepped down, and like a cannonball, charged straight forward. "Die!!" A wildly fierce punch smashed toward Chen Lun''s head, and the sound of the air exploding resounded once again. Chen Lun dared not contend head-on and had to use his agility advantage to dodge. Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!! In the furious sound of tearing air, Chen Lun faced peril at every turn. Priest Carter hardly seemed like an elderly old man, but more like a fierce humanoid beast. His fists swept through with afterimages, fiercely attacking Chen Lun, who often had to dodge four or five times before finding a moment to counterattack. But his counterattacks were nothing more than a slight nuisance to the priest, adding up to a mere dozen points of damage, even less severe than the rat and bat swarm from earlier. "Roar!!" Priest Carter let out a monster-like roar, and a powerful, heavy cross punch came hurtling forward. The strong gust nearly lifted Chen Lun''s hair, making his scalp tingle and his eyelids twitch. He was going to be killed in an instant! He was going to die! The fist, buzzing with explosive force, barely grazed past Chen Lun''s nose. A droplet of sweat sshed and disappeared into the ground. In a critical moment, Chen Lun deployed the Serpentine Incarnation again. His entire body leaned back, his neck twisted to one side, narrowly avoiding the lethal punch. Without stopping, his neck suddenly extended forward, his head turning around facing the priest as he opened his mouth. Buzz¡ª!! [Animal MimicryLVMAX] [Ultrasonic Wave] [Skill Description: You have learned the vocal techniques of bats, temporarily acquiring the ultrasonic wave trait] A strong ultrasonic wave apanied by air pressure burst from Chen Lun''s mouth, aiming directly at the priest''s face. Priest Carter paused for a moment, his ears ringing, as if countless insects were buzzing beside them. His vision suddenly blurred, and a strong wave of nausea surged, with blood slowly trickling from his ears. "Die!!" Strike him while he is down! Chen Lun, taking advantage of the Priest''s momentary control by the Ultrasonic Wave, raised his right arm high, his fingers together like a de, and swiftly chopped down! Bang!! The hand-chop brutallynded on the Priest''s neck! The Priest''s eyes immediately scattered, his head bending at a ny-degree angle. Chen Lun could even clearly feel the vibration from the opponent''s bones breaking. Crack! With his head askew, the Priest copsed to the ground with a thud, kicking up dust. Chen Lun gasped for breath, his body drenched in sweat. He felt his Physical Strength was nearly depleted, standing with wobbly legs. "This old guy is really tough..." Chen Lun remarked. Looking up, he saw Floey firmly bound by the branches extended from the Sun-avoiding Potted nt, her face filled with fear yet unable to move. "But no kill notification, trying to deceive me?" His gaze hardened, and he stomped his foot down on the Priest''s head. Crack! The Priest''s pale, withered hand, moving faster than it seemed, grabbed his ankle. "Quite smart, but you are too weak!!" The Priest sprung up from the ground, kicking Chen Lun in the stomach.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Bang!! Chen Lun''s eyes widened, he had prepared in advance, so why couldn''t he react in time! His body bent like a cooked shrimp, flying backward. Boom, boom, boom... The powerful kic energy let him maintain inertia, rolling and dragging across the ground, stirring up dirt and gravel. Only when Chen Lun crashed into the base of arge tree with a loud noise did he stop. Chen Lun was covered in blood, lying on the ground and struggling to lift his head. Priest Carter''s robes were torn, his body seemingly inted by three sizes, like a balloon turning into a muscr giant. "Butcher..." Chen Lun spat out a mouthful of blood, uttering the Supernatural Sequence term. [Flesh Faction][Sequence Nine: Butcher] Most of the Transcendents from the Red Apple Church pursue this sequence, known for their strong Life Force, healing ability, andbat capabilities. The burly Priest revealed a ferocious expression, his eyes filled with madness and murderous intent. "...You are undoubtedly going to die." At this moment, the Priest''s figure was three meters tall, charging like a giant bear, the ground trembling. Hum¡ª! Chen Lun, shakily standing up, saw this and once again unleashed an Ultrasonic Wave attack. But this time, he saw a hint of scorn on the Priest''s face. The gold apple pendant hanging around the Priest''s neck suddenly burst into a golden glow, emanating a calming aura. The muscr giant-like Priest Carter continued his advance with a powerful sense of oppression, unaffected by Chen Lun''s sonic attack, as if it were a mere breeze. "Wow!!" At this moment, the Sun-avoiding Potted nt erupted once again, the baby face in the Sunflower crying loudly, its branches extending more rapidly, wildly dancing in the air. The branches binding Floey tightened abruptly, and as a mere mortal, she couldn''t withstand it, instantly feeling asphyxiated. Her eyes widened, filling with bloodshot streaks, and blood flowed from the corners of her mouth. Seeing this, Chen Lun knew it was bad, if things continued like this, Floey might die here first. He grabbed the seashell ne at his chest and performed Hypnosis on the oing Priest. [Sanity-1] Chen Lun endured the intense headache, staring straight at his enemy. A faint blue light shed by. The Priest''s raised foot suddenly froze. His fierce expression seemed to struggle, but as a member of the Flesh Faction, his Willpower Attribute was not outstanding, and the Priest couldn''t pass the high demand of a 25 Points in Willpower assessment! He was sessfully hypnotized! Chapter 15 You Call This Tickling But the next moment, Chen Lun nearly burst into tears. "Damn it, what the hell!? Even if it''s crippled, it''s still a B-rank Mysterious Object, and you can''t control it!?" The gold apple pendant on the priest''s chest once again burst into light, stronger and more intense than before. The hypnosis effect released by Chen Lun through "Mermaid''s Song" was dispelled! "Ahhh!!!!!" The crying of the "Sun-avoiding Potted nt" grew louder, causing Chen Lun''s eardrums to sting. A ck light ring fluctuated, passing through the bodies of both the priest and Chen Lun, making them tremble simultaneously.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om It was a pain like one''s soul being dragged out, apanied by a profound emptiness, as if their heartbeats were about to cease. Chen Lun knelt on the ground, bowed his head, and gasped heavily, like a fish out of water. "Ah¡ª¡ª!" Floey screamed miserably. Chen Lun''s heart tightened, and he looked up. He saw countless branches of the "Sun-avoiding Potted nt" weave into two "giant pythons," plunging violently into Floey''s eyes! The petite girl had already copsed on the ground, letting the strange nt bore into her brain. The baby face in the center of the sunflower closed its eyes and fell into slumber, yet its mouth revealed a sweet smile. The scene was incredibly eerie! Chen Lun clenched his teeth and was about to rush forward to rescue her, but was blocked by a massive figure. "Where do you think you''re going?" The priest stood with his back to the sun, his cold eyes gazing down at Chen Lun from beneath the shadow. "I told you can''t escape!" He brought his hand down with a violent p, the pressure of the wind growing intense. In his desperation, Chen Lun had no choice but to dodge to the side. Boom!! The ground caved in, forming arge pit, and debris flew towards Chen Lun, causing an intense stinging pain. Floey''s body trembled slightly, as if she were enduring unimaginable pain, her life slowly ebbing away. "Brother..." Floey whispered softly and then fellpletely unconscious. Chen Lun looked at her and clenched his fists. Since crossing over, Chen Lun hade to see this girl in a new light. She wasn''t the cold-hearted, influential person who only knew ughter and treated people like ants, the viinous boss from his memory of the future. Chen Lun had crossed over to a time before Floey waspletely transformed by the Red Apple Church into a soulless, human Sharp de; the current her still retained her humanity, warmth, and innocence. He would not allow his appearance to cause Floey''s premature death. This was not the Destiny he wanted to change! "If you make me fail the A-rank hidden consecutive mission I''ve finally received, I will show you what cruelty is..." Chen Lun said without a trace of emotion on his face. Boom!! The priest bared his teeth in a hint of madness and violently punched Chen Lun in the face! "Cruel? Do you mean your concept of cruelty is just tickling me?" The priest''s deep and hoarse voice slowly said. The next second, Priest Carter narrowed his eyes and looked down at the motionless ck-haired young man beneath him. Chen Lun somehow had raised his arm in time, blocking it beside his cheek, holding off the priest''s heavy punch. His entire arm was covered in dark golden scales, neatly arranged like a puzzle, radiating extreme beauty under the sunlight. [Animal Mimicry LVMAX] [Carp Armor] [Skill Description: You learn to grow scales like a pangolin, temporarily gaining strong physical defense capabilities.] Chen Lun slowly raised his head, revealing pale yellow vertical pupils of a snake, his expression fierce. The scales spread slowly, covering half of Chen Lun''s face and neck in dark gold. [All sacrifices have escaped, you havepleted the C-rank mission: Mercy] [You have received the mission reward: 500 experience points and 800 Copper Kro.] [You have killed a Supernatural Creature, the Rotting Hound, and gained 70 experience points]*4 Chen Lun received a prompt the moment before the priest made his move, with two waves of rewardsing one after another, as if they had agreed to arrive together. He thought, "That''s just in time," and spent all of the nearly one thousand experience points he had umted to level up five times. As his panel received an all-around upgrade, Chen Lun allocated all 14 umted attribute points into Strength, which surged to 22 points. It wasparable to the priest''s and even slightly surpassed him. "And now?" Chen Lun lifted the arm blocking the punch and twisted, transforming into the Serpentine Incarnation. His arm, covered in scales like a Golden Python, coiled around the priest''s thick arm. Then he violently twisted it! "Aooo!!" The priest''s inhuman scream pierced the air as Chen Lun ripped off his arm, tearing itpletely from its root! The pangolin''s scales had a strong cutting ability; paired with the snake body''s entanglement, it was virtually a living meat grinder. Priest Carter staggered a few steps while howling in agony, holding the stump of his arm as blood spurted wildly. Chen Lun knew that such an injury was not fatal to a Transcendent from the Flesh Faction. Perhaps, before long, the priest could even grow a new arm. So he once again unleashed the hypnotic power of the "Mermaid''s Song," enveloping the priest. The priest''s golden apple pendant on his chest autonomously protected him, once again emitting a gentle golden light that neutralized the hypnotic effect. "Don''t bother... scum..." Gasping for breath, the priest mockingly whispered. "It can defend against most mental-type supernatural powers, allowing me to remain alert at all times." But Chen Lun was not discouraged. He hadn''t run out of tricks; in fact, he never intended to use hypnosis to control the priest in the first ce. Everything was within his expectations. "Wah!! Wah!!" The Sun-avoiding Potted nt, finally provoked, opened the ck eyes on the baby face in its sunflower middle, and a branch shot out piercing the air. The spear-like branch, moving with a speed beyond the priest''s reflexes, prated his chest from the back. Spurt! Blood jetted out! "What...!?" The priest''s eyes widened, his mouth gaping. The branch wrapped around the golden apple pendant on his chest and then violently retracted, cing it into the baby''s mouth to be crunched down to nothing. A valuable Mysterious Object was just eaten like that. The priest had no time to grieve because he now truly felt "heartache"! Arge hole gaped in his chest, and one could even see his damaged heart still stubbornly beating within his ribcage. Seeing this, Chen Lun revealed a cold, triumphant smile. The poor priest knew nothing of the Sun-avoiding Potted nt. NPCs couldn''t see the panel information; of course, they didn''t know it originated from a High Sequence Transcendent who had renounced the Sun faith and turned into this after death, repelling all forces associated with the Sun Faction. As the priest kept using the golden apple pendant imbued with the Sun''s power before the nt, it was like he was seeking trouble with the Xie Family by boldly entering theirtrine with antern, looking for Xie Te. "Aarghh!! Die!!" Enraged like a madman, the priest charged at Chen Lun. His remaining arm fell like a hammer, but with a p, it was firmly caught by Chen Lun''s hand. "You''re the one who''s going to die...!" "Die!!!" Chen Lun roared. Turning his waist, lifting his knee, then ferociously kicked out. With a sonic boom apanied by waves of air, the kicknded on the priest''s forehead like a meteor strike. Bang!!! [Animal Mimicry LVMAX] [Scorpion Tail Needle] [Skill Description: You''ve mastered the traits of a scorpion''s tail flick when hunting or defending, and can temporarily poison your enemy.] Shick¡ª!! Arge head soared into the sky, trailing hot blood in an arc before tumbling to the ground. The priest''s robust torso, now without support, spewed a column of blood and fell thunderously to the ground. [You have killed Carter, a Transcendent of the Red Apple Church, Sequence Nine Butcher from the Flesh Faction, and you''ve gained 1000 Experience Points!] Chapter 16 Two Months Chen Lun let out a breath. "The kill prompt has already appeared, try jumping up to punch me again?" Saturated with sweat, he looked at the headless corpse on the ground and curled his lips. No longer wasting time, he stepped over the body and walked under a nearby tree, approaching Floey. By this time, Floey hadpletely lost consciousness, her eyes a mangled mass of flesh and blood. Two streams of bright red blood flowed from the empty eye sockets, making her already pale little face even more pitiable. The nearby "Sun-avoiding Potted nt" was left with an empty pot, the mysterious sunflower within it having vanished without a trace. Seeing this, Chen Lun''s expression condensed. It had already burrowed into Floey''s body. "Why did this happen...!?" Chen Lun subconsciously thought of Floey in his previous life. Back then, she had already been sessfully merged into a high-sequence killing weapon by the Red Apple Church, given the title "Nun of Silence." But she hadn''t integrated with the "Sun-avoiding Potted nt"; she merely possessed it and treated it as merely a weapon. The current state of being parasitized and entangled was clearly beyond Chen Lun''s expectations. Generally speaking, let alone "Sun-avoiding Potted nt," which was a high-risk "A-level Mysterious Object," even the lowest-level "D-level Mysterious Objects" posed a death risk to mortals who came near. Floey, merely a mortal, hadn''t been killed outright by it, which was truly strange. [A-level Hidden Chain Task: Silent Nun Sequence One, Complete!] [Sessfully rescued Floey alive from the Red Apple Church''s Emerald Town branch!] [Task Reward: 2000 Experience Points, 40 Silver Ducats, Floey''s Affection, and [Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance]*1] [Floey''s Affection Increases!] [Unlocked A-level Hidden Chain Task: Silent Nun Sequence Two!] [Sequence Two: Under the premise of ensuring Floey''s survival, steal the "A-level Mysterious Object Sun-avoiding Potted nt" from Red Apple Church''s Emerald Town branch. Task failure if Floey dies] [Task Reward: 4000 Experience Points, 10 Gold Pounds, Floey''s Affection, and [Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance]*2] [Warning: "A-level Mysterious Object Sun-avoiding Potted nt" possesses powerful mysterious powers, please act with caution!] Chen Lun''s eyebrows rose, his expression turning strange. Just as he received the task prompt, the next round of prompts popped up again. [A-level Hidden Chain Task: Silent Nun Sequence Two, Complete!] [Sessfully stole the "A-level Mysterious Object Sun-avoiding Potted nt" from the Red Apple Church''s Emerald Town branch, with Floey alive!] [Task Reward: 4000 Experience Points, 10 Gold Pounds, Floey''s Affection, and [Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance]*2] [Floey''s Affection Increases!] Chen Lun, looking at the flooding prompts, felt extremely odd. I haven''t even done anything, and it''s alreadyplete!? What a stroke of luck! "Why not just go ahead and settle a dozen more rounds of rewards for me...." Chen Lun hoped thus. It was like when your dad sends you to buy soy sauce, but the storekeeper hands you a pack of your dad''s favorite cigarettes.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om When you get home, your dad praises you for being thoughtful, and what was initially meant to be another errand turns out to be perfectly arranged! Not to mention, I deserve rewards! Must have rewards! Two sets of math homework! Plus a grand package of mock exam papers for all subjects! [Unlocked A-level Hidden Chain Task: Silent Nun Sequence Three!] [Sequence Three: Under the premise of ensuring Floey''s survival, obtain a piece of [High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance]. To counteract the mystical pollution of the "A-level Mysterious Object Sun-avoiding Potted nt," maintain rtive bnce, and help Floey gain basic control of the "A-level Mysterious Object Sun-avoiding Potted nt." Task failure if Floey dies.] [Task Reward: 10000 Experience Points, 30 Gold Pounds, Floey''s Affection, and [B-level Mysterious Object Poem of Blood and Soul]*1] [Warning: Floey will be thoroughly polluted and die 59 days, 23 hours, and 59 minutes from now! Hurry up!] Chen Lun''splexion changed. Two months! Just when he thought Floey had escaped one disaster, it turned out to be just an extension of her time until death. He couldn''t help but think from another perspective, why did the Sun-avoiding Potted nt give Floey this kind of "preferential treatment"? That''s right, it''s "preferential treatment"! An ordinary person, if it burrowed into their brain like that, would have died countless times. Others would directly lose control from pollution and turn into monsters, not be allowed to struggle on for two months. It seemed intentional. It was as if there was something in Floey that attracted it, making it unable to resist drawing close to her. Yet, due to the vast difference in their life hierarchy, Floey was unable to bear it and was bound to copse. The Sun-avoiding Potted nt seemed to be trying to integrate with her while also striving to protect her body. But the most it could do was merely dy the time of death... It needed help! Chen Lun paused, recalling the key item described in the third ring of the mission¡ª a portion of the High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance! "I''ve got it..." Chen Lun finally understood why the Red Apple Church had chosen Floey to be the vessel for the Sun-avoiding Potted nt. It was precisely because of Floey''s unique nature, coupled with the fact that the Red Apple Church was never short of Supernatural materials rted to the Flesh Faction. A portion of the High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance, they could absolutely produce it, but it would certainly be tampered with! In order to make the rapidly strengthening Floey obediently bow down and be apliant Sharp de of the Church! But now there was a problem. Where could Chen Lun find a portion of the High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance!? In this world''s pathway through the Supernatural Sequences, those called High Sequence were all above Sequence Four. At this stage, for him to scheme for something of this level was no different from Awai actively seeking out Brother Jay. But now was not the time to linger. With the prison having caused such amotion, the members of the Red Apple Church would surely begin a manhunt soon; he had to leave this ce quickly. Chen Lun exhaled a breath of foul air, set aside his worries, andposedly picked up the unconscious Floey. He carefully checked his surroundings and saw that the Priest''s body had disappeared, transformed into a thumb-sized red badge, gleaming under the Sun. Chen Lun didn''t linger, picked it up, and quickly left. Ten minutes after he left, a fat man dressed like a Monk in a red robe, leading several dozen sword-carrying guards, came to this location. Among them were several heavily armored spear-carrying Guardians, with seven or eight rotting hounds at their feet. Sniff sniff... The leading heavily armored Guardian led a rotting hound, which collected scents with its grotesquely fierce big head on the ground, finally barking madly towards the woods. The fat Monk held a handkerchief in his hand, incessantly wiping sweat. Seeing the chaotic signs of the battle on the ground and the pool of Priest''s blood leftovers, he turned pale with fright. Wobbling his ball-like body, he ran over. Then, bending down painfully, he picked up a piece of the Priest''s robe fragments, and shivered as he said: "Oh my god, this is the end... it''s all over¡­" Monk Sturton''s fat face was streaming with sweat, his mouth quivering. "By Rose above, Priest Carter has already gone to the Lady''s Garden... Even the Priest has fallen in battle!?" He quickly turned around and shouted to his subordinates: "Quick! The murderer has not gone far, catch him!" Chapter 17 Caravan Hitching a Ride with the Wind The lush grasnds spread under a thick canopy of trees. Through the gaps between the branches, one could even spot a distant small vige and a few tall windmills, slowly rotating in the sunlight. A gentle breeze blew, dispersing some of the stifling heat. A small merchant caravan was making its way along a country trail. About a dozen horses of various colors, grouped in threes, pulled three wagons, surrounded by a dozen leather-armored guards for protection along the way. All three wagons were of the same specification, with smaller front wheels andrger rear wheels. The front and rear wooden nks of the wagons, including the tops of the boxes, were loaded with well-packaged goods, securely fastened with tarpaulins and ropes. The exterior of the carriage was painted with the image of a silver dragon head, the emblem of the "Silver Dragon Trade Association." Leading the caravan at the front was a middle-aged bald man on horseback, apanied by a young rider. The youth sported aical yellow mushroom haircut. At that moment, the young man looked back at thest wagon, pondering something. "Jett, what''s the matter?" The bald man asked softly upon noticing. "Ah¡­ Mr. Walsh, it''s nothing, but I just find it odd. Why would a nun from the Red Apple Church be attacked by wild beasts out here in the wilderness?" "Perhaps it was an unfortunate encounter on the way to that apple orchard¡­ I heard that the Red Apple Church has an orchard outside the town, and the fruits they pick are distributed to the town''s poor." Bald Walsh shook his head in pity. "Oh, the poor nun¡­ She was so young too." He then brought his fingers together at his brow, and afterwards raised his fist towards the sky with a backhand gesture. "May the Constetion bless her." This was the prayer gesture of the Constetion Sect. Jett, standing by, couldn''t help but scoff inwardly. How could the deities of the Constetion ever bless a nun from another church? Were the Luminous Queen and Lady Rose very familiar with each other? But he dared not voice these sphemous thoughts. Jett kept his gaze fixed on thest wagon. He always found the two people who sought the caravan''s help mid-journey suspicious, but since Mr. Walsh had agreed to let them ride, he couldn''t say much else. The curtain of that wagon was pulled back. A ck-haired young man popped his head out, giving him a bright, innocent smile. Taken aback, Jett returned an awkward smile, then turned away and looked no further. Chen Lun disyed a yful gaze, leaning against the window edge as he fiddled with the seashell ne on his chest. "Had it not been for this, catching a free ride would have been impossible¡­" After escaping from prison, he had no clue about his bearings. In the wilderness, he didn''t know how far the nearest town was. Rather than staggering around like a headless fly, it was better to find someone to lead the way. Fortunately, having encountered this caravan, he used the "Mermaid''s Song" to "persuade" the caravan steward, catching a ride. Although the wooden carriage, d in iron, was constantly jolting, it was better than walking on foot. Even though Chen Lun was a Transcendent, he was not known for his Endurance, and he also had to take care of the frail Floey by his side. This not only saved him energy but also gave him brief moments to think and space for reflection. Gazing at the beautiful scenery outside, Chen Lun''s slightly restless heart gradually calmed down.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "There''s no lead on Floey''s third-level task for now. The primary goal is to find a ce to rest up first. Let''s head into town, Floey and I are too conspicuous right now¡­" A wounded nun and a ragged young man certainly looked suspicious. Then, Chen Lun took out the loot he got from killing a priest. A small red Ghost-face badge. [D-level Mysterious Objects Surging Badge] Item description: A badge infused with the power of flesh, wearing it grants surging strength and vitality. The ghost face on it seems lively, showing a ferocious smile when you''re not staring directly at it. It seems to have been left by a church priest, containing mysterious substances and transcendent properties from his death. "Eat, eat more, you are the hungry Butcher, you are the incarnation of Strength¡­" Item effect: After wearing, Strength +2, Endurance +2. Item drawback: More prone to hunger, increased appetite. Chen Lun casually pinned it to his chest, a [Mysterious Object] that added 4 attribute points; the side effects weren''t too severe, not bad. "I''ll just use it for now, and when the yers arriveter, I can sell it at a high price¡­ to help them. I''m really kind!" Too righteous! Chen Lun wiped away the tears he shed from his own sense of righteousness. Although this was just a low-level [Mysterious Object], if it was called a divine artifact in the early version, then it was a divine artifact. Because such items are rare. Chen Lun stretched out his hand to caress the breezeing through the window, squinting his eyes. Before crossing over, that tiny elite at the top of the pyramid was beyond his reach. He hadn''t even made it into the first tier, but that didn''t diminish his influence among the yers. Roaming the world alone, he embarked on a solitary journey. Exploring countless hidden side quests within this vast world and the stories behind them. Experiencing customs starkly different from reality, he recorded and posted them on the game''s built-in forum for yers to relish. The yers affectionately called Chen Lun "Mysterious Crawler." Wherever he crawled, he wrote, seemingly privy to every little secret. Of course, he needed to make a living. Chen Lun frequentlypiled some of the more intense side quest narratives and bizarre stories into volumes. Apanied by screenshots ofndscapes he collected along his travels, they sold incredibly well. For his regr customers, he also produced some cherished scenic screenshots... Just how exceptional were they? Well, he had visited every somewhat notable female character. The proper kind, of course. How could yers'' screenshots be called sneaking shots? I''m just checking if they are clipping! Chen Lun turned to look at Floey beside him. Her eyes were currently wrapped simply with a strip of bup, her body leaning against a pile of leather and wool fabrics, deep in sleep. Despite the substantial bumps of the carriage ride, Floey showed no signs of waking up. Her nun''s coif was removed, revealing light golden long hair that made her resemble a delicate porcin doll. "I''ll take it one step at a time; I still have plenty of options." Chen Lun muttered to himself. "Not only to change her destiny... but also for the third ring of the hidden quest. The reward is too generous; I can''t get stronger without it, and if I can''t get stronger, I can''t help the yers, which would leave me crying with guilt." Just then, Chen Lun suddenly noticed that the caravan had slowly stopped. Noisy human voices gradually came from outside. "Stop! Halt!" "Who''s in charge of this merchant caravan?" At that moment, amanding shout came from outside the coach, followed by heavy footsteps. Chen Lun didn''t peek out curiously but silently lowered the curtain, observing through a crack in secret. He hadn''t noticed they had already arrived at the bridge checkpoint leading to the town. The caravan steward Walsh dismounted his horse and approached a burly officer d in chainmail armor. "That would be me." Walsh presented his identification along with the trade association''s pass, handing them to the burly officer. "I am one of the stewards of the ''Silver Dragon Trade Association,'' you can call me Walsh... What happened in Emerald Town?" Walsh noticed that the number of guards at the checkpoint far exceeded the norm, arousing his suspicion. The burly officer nced at the documents briefly before handing them back to Walsh. "Nothing much, just that a priest from the Red Apple Church in Sturton mentioned there is a highly dangerous murderer lurking nearby. We have to inspect your caravan''s carts." "Sir, that is not in ordance with the rules." Walsh objected. The burly officer shrugged his shoulders, stepping aside to make way. "Sorry, I trust there''s no issue with your caravan, but these are the orders of the Red Apple Church... ording to the ''Sun Codex,'' they have the authority to do so." As the burly officer spoke, a fat man in a deep red robe led the church''s guards toward the front of the caravan. A tall armored guard even held tworge dogs draped in red cloth. The purpose of hiding the rotting hounds was probably to avoid causing panic among themon folk. Although the Red Apple Church wasn''t afraid, the priest from Sturton didn''t want to stir up unnecessary trouble. "Make way!" Several guards in Red Apple Church leather coats brandishing swords ordered, causing the caravan guards to step aside. Watching the church guards inspect his caravan''s three carts and cargo, assistant Jett was not only indignant, but rather expectantly anticipating. He was looking forward to the scene of these guards dragging that young man out of the cart. "Perhaps some yokel from the fields abducted a church nun, even blinding her eyes, then desecrated her..." Jett indulged in his fantasy, vaguely excited. As for the deadly murderer the Red Apple Church mentioned, Jett hadn''t considered that angle. It hardly seemed likely for that young man. Soon, a church guard came to the front of thest cart. Under Jett''s anticipative gaze, the guard lifted his dagger, parting the curtain. Inside the cart, a church nun and a young man dressed in tattered bup, resembling a beggar,y there. The young man was looking at him, a politely smiling face. "Hello." Chapter 18 Are You Trying to Harm Me, Boy? "There are no suspicious people." The guard moved the shortsword away, and the curtain fell back into ce. "Not here either." "Same here." Several other guards reported loudly in session. Monk Sturton wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and waved his hand to let them pass. "Alright, go ahead." "Praise the Rose." Walsh took a deep breath, tipped his hat with a slight bow to the fat monk, and then motioned for the caravan to continue moving forward. Jett was utterly dumbfounded by the scene. What''s going on!? No suspicious people!? My god, you have a Red Apple Church nun lying right next to a homeless man, right under your noses! Are you blind! Open your eyes and look! Jett roared inside his heart. Half of the caravan''s wagons had already crossed the bridge, but the rotting hounds led by the armored guard had be somewhat restless. Woof! Woof woof woof!! Just then, the rotting hound suddenly started barking furiously at the wagon where Chen Lun was. Chen Lun''s brow furrowed inside the wagon. "Have they detected it? These dogs are really annoying..." He had previously used "Mermaid''s Song" to hypnotize the Church guards and avoided the inspection, but inevitably caused some fluctuations in supernatural strength. Ordinary people couldn''t feel it, and nor could most transcendent beings, but the rotting hound, a kind of supernatural creature, sensitively sniffed out the traces. The guards were suddenly rmed. As if facing a formidable enemy, they all drew the swords at their sides and stood on guard in front of the wagon. Two armored guards with long spears walked with heavy steps, one from the left and one from the right, closing in in a pincer formation. Jett, this youngster on the sidelines, watched themotion excitedly, almost apuding the dogs. Well done! Such good dogs! Chen Lun sat in the wagon, slowly straightened up, and inclined his ear to listen to the noise outside. "I still have 7,000 Experience Points in reserve, enough to max out my Sub upation and boost my Attributes... It''s not hard to fight my way out." He was not panicked at all, ready to burst into action at any moment. "What are you doing!?" Monk Sturton suddenly shouted at the guards. The subordinates halted in confusion. "I said let them pass! Are you disregarding my orders!?" The fat monk scolded them angrily, thenmanded them to move aside and not block the way. Jett was shocked. Has this fat man eaten so much he''s lost his mind? It''s clear there''s something wrong with that wagon! "Monk sir, I want to report ¡ª there''s something in that wagon..." "Seize him!" Sturton turned sharply, staring fixedly at Jett. Two Church guards immediately went forward and grabbed Jett, leaving the mushroom-haired young man stunned. "I suspect this man has connections with the murderer, detain him here and gag him!" "No... no, Monk sir, I..." Sturton paid no heed, waving his hand to have his subordinates gag him. Caravan steward Walsh was taken aback, not understanding what had gotten into his assistant to have angered the Red Apple Church. "Sir, Jett is..." "Enough, don''t speak anymore!" The fat monk kept wiping his sweat, visibly impatient. "You folks can go in first,e backter to pick up the people." Walsh seemed to understand something, stayed silent for a moment. He thanked the fat monk, bowed, and then turned to leave. Before leaving, he gave Jett a helpless look. Watching the caravan slowly disappear at the end of the bridge, Monk Sturton breathed a sigh of relief. He had only been going through the motions to avoid reprimand from the bishop. Something major had happened at the Emerald Town branch; the apple orchard prison was almostpletely wiped out. Priest Carter was killed, and the sacrifice had escaped... The most serious issue was the theft of two "Mysterious Objects," especially the Sunflower potted nt! He knew how much the upper levels of the church valued that item. The matter had blown up, and it frightened him just to think about it. But he didn''t want to confront the mastermind behind it all directly. No matter whether the Transcendent was hiding within the merchant caravan or not, Sturton wasn''t willing to gamble, his own life was more precious! "I''m not getting involved in this mess... I''d better report to the bishop early." Sturton, trembling, threw his soggy handkerchief onto Jett''s head. Rose above, this guy almost got me killed... "Beat him hard for me, his hairstyle reminds me of the disgusting roasted mushrooms from yesterday! Absolutely revolting!" Jett suddenly started crying grievously. You want to beat me just because of that? ... Upon entering the town, Chen Lun parted ways with the merchant caravan. Before leaving, the caravan steward, Walsh, stopped Chen Lun. "You... You''re a Transcendent, aren''t you?" Walsh asked somewhat uncertainly. Despite hitching a ride all this way and even being searched at the outpost, this bald steward hadn''t exposed him. Although hypnosis was part of the reason, Chen Lun still felt the man was decent and easy to get along with. So, he tactfully dodged the question. "Transcendent...? What''s that?" Chen Lun waved his hands repeatedly. "I''m just an ordinary farm youth; I don''t understand a word of what you''re saying." However, hearing this made Walsh even more certain. So the bald steward quietly passed him a coin. "Sir, this is a ''Silver Dragon Trade Association'' token, presenting it will get you high-end treatment at any of our association''s branches. Including but not limited tomissions, storage, auctions, and purchasing etc..." Chen Lun took the coin, casually pocketing it. "I''m not, I don''t have, don''t talk nonsense.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om This is a misunderstanding, I really am not any Transcendent... Alright, I have things to do, I must be going now." After saying this, Chen Lun waved his hand and quickly left with Floey in his arms. Watching his retreating figure, Walsh smiled softly and led the merchant caravan towards the town''s trade association. "Silver Dragon Trade Association... " Chen Lun avoided the crowd, walked past several streets, and stopped in an alley. He took out the coin he had just pocketed and ced it in his palm. [You have discovered a token: Silver Dragon Coin] Item description: A rare coin carved from special stone, silver-white in color, with the Silver Dragon Trade Association''s unique dragon head logo engraved on it. Presenting it at the Silver Dragon Trade Association will grant ess to high-end treatment only a few can enjoy. Chen Lun was aware of this trade association, having dealt with them frequently in his previous life. They were somewhat unscrupulous as traders, but as the saying goes, it''s all rtive to thepetition. Compared to other smaller associations, Silver Dragon Trade Association might have been a bit tough on prices, but they had never shortchanged clients on quality or service. Importantly, they had significant backing. The headquarters of this association was in Beryl Royal City, standing unchallenged for many years, which spoke to their substantial strength. Moreover, after realizing his identity as a Transcendent, that bald steward hadn''t made a big fuss. It seemed he was quite experienced and knowledgeable about the Mystic Realm. Chen Lun secured the coin safely. "Well then... now that I have this thing, I might as well try that n..." He eyed a nearby inn, nning to settle down there. Emerald Town was far from bustling, rather, it appeared quite deste. This remote town was nothing like other advanced cities; the sceneries it offered were exceptionally backward. The buildings were all ancient styles, not renovated in hundreds of years, and the deteriorating stone roads were filled with manure and garbage. The attire of the residents more resembled those from the medieval era in his previous life, entirely different from what Chen Lun remembered. "Curved de Inn." Chen Lun looked up at the dpidated wooden sign and walked into the inn, carrying Floey. Chapter 19 The Boss Opens a Room Ding-a-ling... He pushed open the inn''s door, and the old bell nged to life. It was still the afternoon, and there were only a few scattered patrons on the ground floor. Most of them were aged drunkards, shabbily dressed. They nced up at Chen Lun and then paid him no more attention, returning to their poor-quality drinks. A few patrons, reeking of alcohol, noticed Floey cradled in Chen Lun''s arms and shed understanding smiles. The innkeeper was a plump middle-aged woman, who was napping behind the counter with her head wrapped in a scarf. There was also a big orange and white cat on the counter,zily staring at Chen Lun. The plump woman raised her head when she heard the noise. "What do you need?" She nced at Floey passed out in Chen Lun''s arms and scoffed disdainfully. "Mostly vacant rooms upstairs, 30 Copper Kros a night." Chen Lun didn''t waste words with her, pretending to take money out of his pocket, he secretly drew several Silver Ducats from the panel. Several silver coins appeared in his palm, then he ced them on the counter. "Pick a quiet one for me, I''ll stay for two days... and prepare some food and water, the rest is a tip." The world''s mary system was unified. Copper Kros, Silver Ducats, and Gold Pounds exchanged at a hundred to one progression.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om By standard living costs, 10 to 20 Silver Ducats could easily meet the needs of a three-person civilian family for a month. The panel was very user-friendly in this regard, allowing free deposit and withdrawal of currency. It functioned as a sort of alternative money purse between the panel and reality. The plump woman raised her eyebrows, surprised by Chen Lun''s generosity. She scooped the silver coins which clinked as they dropped into a drawer below the counter. Then she turned to find the keys on the wall. Meow... The big orange and white cat approached Chen Lun and rubbed his fingers with its head. Chen Lun smiled and yed with it for a moment. The plump woman took down an old set of keys and handed one to Chen Lun, somewhat astonished by her cat''s reaction. "It seems to like you, strange..." She then pointed upstairs. "The third room from the end of the corridor." "Thank you." Although a young man bringing a wounded nun from the Red Apple Church to an inn seemed suspicious, stranger magical things weren''t unheard of. Moreover, Emerald Town was just a remote little town in the Eastern part of the Empire, where the local sheriff was virtually nonexistent. As long as there was money to be made, the innkeeper didn''t care much. "Hey, kid, you''re much bolder than I was at your age!" Just as Chen Lun was about to head upstairs, he suddenly heard a drunkard shout. "A nun from the Church, ah... Ah ha, she''s a woman who serves the Gods; who doesn''t want to y God once in their life...?" Chen Lun turned and nced at him. The old drunkard grinned, showing his uneven yellow teeth. "What are you trying to say, sir?" "10 Copper Kros, let this old Ham take a turn at being a god, how about that?" He guzzled down his drink, emptying the wooden cup in one go. After belching, he staggered over to Chen Lun. He leaned in and whispered: "Don''t worry, it''s our secret. I won''t report you to the Red Apple Church..." "Damn it! Ham, I''m warning you, stop causing trouble in my inn!" The plump woman furiously chided, hands on her hips. Ham just shrugged his shoulders innocently, ignoring the innkeeper. He chuckled softly, reaching out to touch Floey''s face, but his hand stopped midway. Meow¡ªow! The plump woman''s cat suddenly bristled, yowled, and pounced on the drunkard''s head, wildly scratching his face as if mad. "Oh! You damn cat! Get off!" The drunkard was knocked to the ground, struggling desperately. The other patrons nearby didn''t help. Instead, they stepped back,ughing heartily. Chen Lun kicked the drunkard gently in the chaos, it was so soft that thetter didn''t even notice. Then he nonchntly picked up Floey and turned to go upstairs. If he was seeking his own death, he couldn''t me Chen Lun for that. ... Chen Lun gently ced Floey on the bed and poured himself a ss of water. "Panel." He pulled out a chair and sat down, taking a sip of water. Name: Chen Lun Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Temte: NPC (Countdown to version 1.0 public test: 401 days 05 hours 25 minutes 47 seconds) Level: 16 Experience: 7000/240 Life: 140/230 Physical Strength: 90/150 Sanity: 4/6 (Slowly recovering) Main upation: [Sequence Nine Beast Tamer LV10 (MAX)] (Destiny Faction) Sub upation: [Fisherman LV6] Attributes: Strength 24 (+2), Agility 15, Endurance 8 (+2), Intelligence 8, Faith 3 Special Attributes: Charm 7 (+2), Willpower 5, Insight 3, Luck 3 Remaining Points: 7 Skill Points, 3 Attribute Points Remaining Assets: 10 Gold Pounds 37 Silver Ducats 800 Copper Kros, [Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance] *3 Skills: Quick Reflexes LV1 (Passive), Seafaring Bnce LV1 (Passive), Beast Speech LV1, Animal Mimicry MAX, Friend of Animals MAX (Passive) Combat Power: 21 [Evaluation: Transcendents are ashamed of you, but at least you have learned how to climb in the Mystic Realm.] Chen Lun allocated the surplus experience points and maxed out his Fisherman sub upation, bringing his total level to 20. His attributes rose as a result, and he gained 2 skill points and 2 attribute points. The Fisherman sub upation is amon lifestyle career, so its growth attributes are not strong. It''s mediocre: every two levels provided Chen Lun with 1 point of Agility and 1 point of Endurance, better than nothing. Next, he maxed out the skill [Beast Speech LV1]; the skill''s limit was level 3, which only cost Chen Lun 2 skill points. The maxed [Beast Speech] was no longer limited to ordinary animals, giving Chen Lun the ability tomunicate with some supernatural animals or conceptual animals. As for the two passive skills of [Fisherman], Chen Lun did not n to waste skill points on them because there were many more uses for skill points in the future. Therefore, he had a surplus of 7 skill points and 5 attribute points. He wasn''t going to use these saved points now, but would keep them in reserve to deal with various unexpected situations. Chen Lun nodded in satisfaction; he had improved in all the areas he could. If he wanted to level up further, he would either have to add a sub upation or consider advancing his main upation. "Advancing the sequence now is premature, and I alsock the corresponding Supernatural Knowledge as a prerequisite..." Chen Lun sighed. In his past life, he followed the Mystic Path of the Moon Faction; now, he was with the Destiny Faction. Because the Destiny Faction was a hidden path, Chen Lun was very unfamiliar with it. There weren''t many posts rted to this path, and few yers who took it. Chen Lun''s impression of this path was that it was barely noticeable. Because the Destiny Faction had no significant presence in the game version at the time, neither among yers nor NPCs. Perhaps it would be prominent inter versions, but that was irrelevant to Chen Lun; he couldn''t see it. "From now on, I can only grope my way forward..." Chen Lun didn''t consider this path weak. Compared to other paths at the low sequence stage, his evaluation of his main upation, [Sequence Nine Beast Tamer], was very high. It had strong adaptability and versatility, and the upper and lower limits depended on the individual. Take the skill [Animal Mimicry] for instance; although it could only retain up to 10 animal characteristics, the effects of freely mixing and matchingbinations were quite nice. Chen Lun got up and walked to the window, contemting his next n. "Ying..." At that moment, Floey made a slight noise on the bed, slowly waking up. "Where is this?" Chapter 20 Why are you so nice to me? Floey weakly rose to her feet. She began by looking around her, realizing she was in darkness, and reached out to touch the strips of linen wrapped around her face. Then she fell silent. Chen Lun slowly walked up to her and waved his hand in front of her face. "Can''t see anymore, huh... Well, your eyes were damaged after all." He propped his elbow on his knee and cupped his chin, thoughtfully observing the nun sitting at the edge of the bed. Although young and wearing a baggy robe, she already had the makings of the authoritative figure from her previous life. Given Floey''s current affection for me, I guess doing something shouldn''t cause any trouble... "Are you staring at me because you want to do something shameful?" Floey shook her head and raised her face towards Chen Lun, staring straight at him. "Uh... I thought you couldn''t see?" Chen Lun was startled. Could it be that she had seen through his thoughts? "I''m only blind, notpletely sightless." Floey sorted out her hair, tucking the messy light golden strands behind her ear. "It has given me heightened senses; I can''t see, but I can feel." The "it" Floey mentioned clearly referred to the Sun-avoiding Potted nt. Chen Lun rolled his eyes. "You should have said so earlier. I was nning to buy you a new set of clothes. You can go buy it yourselfter." "New clothes...?" Floey looked puzzled. Was he staring at her just to buy clothes? Chen Lun pulled a chair over and sat down by the bed. "Would you like to keep wandering around in the robe of the Red Apple Church? I''m really afraid they won''t be able to find us then!" He grabbed his own linen garment and sniffed it; a strong scent of sweat almost overwhelmed him. "My clothes need changing too. The inn offers bathing services. I''ll take you there after we eat something." Floey quietly "watched" him, and after a while, she said softly, "Thank you." ... The food provided by the innkeeper was quite good. Perhaps because Chen Lun was quite generous, they were served not just bread and water, but also tworge pieces of roastmb and a pot of stewed meat. After eating and drinking their fill, Chen Lun took Floey downstairs. The bathhouse was a separate single-story building on the side of the inn. He did have a bit of a gentleman''s demeanor after all and didn''t make the blind girl go buy clothes by herself. After sending Floey into the bathhouse, Chen Lun went shopping nearby. He bought several ready-made outfits at the tailor''s shop, as well as shoes, a backpack, and some other misceneous items that might be needed. He neatly folded Floey''s clothes and ced them outside the door, secured by a pair ofdy''s leather shoes, and then he went to enjoy a refreshing bath himself. Upon exiting the bathhouse, Chen Lun saw Floey, dressed in a long ck dress, waiting for him outside. Under the setting sun, her light golden hair fluttered with the wind, and a ck silk ribbon was wrapped around her face. That was something Chen Lun had secretly taken from the tailor''s shop while the proprietress was not looking. "Not bad, looks good," Chen Lunmented. It wasn''t just good-looking, it was impressive. He had underestimated Floey''s ability. He was at fault. Floey seemed a little surprised. "Really?" Since being sold to the Red Apple Church, she had never worn attractive clothes, always donned in a nun''s robe. But soon her tone dimmed a bit. "Too bad I can''t see it." Chen Lun sighed silently. "You might have a chance to recover in the future... Since you know about the Transcendents, you must realize that the Mystic Realm offers many possibilities. Restoring your sight is not entirely out of reach." Floey seemed convinced by Chen Lun''s words, and a smile appeared on her pristine face. "It''s okay; I already know from it that I may not live long..." She slowly spread her arms, letting the breeze pass through her. Chen Lun could see, her joy was from the heart. "But even if it''s just a month or two of freedom, I''m happy, and whether I can see or not doesn''t matter much anymore." Chen Lun shook his head. "Don''t worry, I won''t let you die." Floey paused for a moment, lowered her hands, and slowly approached Chen Lun. "Why... why are you so good to me?" "I don''t seem to have done anything to deserve your sacrifices." "Uh..." Chen Lun was at a loss for words. He could hardly say it was because he had seen her tragic future, to prevent her from bing the viinous boss who wouldter be sent by the Red Apple Church to hunt him down, he had no choice but to rewrite her destiny. Of course, Chen Lun had another ulterior motive. That was because Floey was extremely popr, perhaps she could serve as his "poster girl" after the yers arrived. In any case, it could never be because of the rewards of a Grade-A hidden serial quest... I, Chen Lun, am a simple, kind-hearted, and just person! "Floey... because you remind me of my own sister," Chen Lun said earnestly. Floey was slightly stunned, seemingly convinced. She lowered her head, pursing her lips, and whispered in an ethereal voice: "Thank you... Other than my brother, no one has been so kind to me." ... Late at night, the Purple Moon hung high. A monk from Sturton hurried to an inconspicuous apartment. He hesitated, pacing a few steps, continually wiping sweat from his brow. "Although I''ve already reported the situation to the bishop, the bishop is far in Amber City... It will take a while for him to arrive." The stout monk looked around. This was the central area of Emerald Town, the environment rtively better, with guards carryingnterns asionally seen patrolling the empty streets. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he stuffed a letter into the mailbox outside the fence, then turned and left. "Just to be safe, I should notify the Shelter as well, and have them start a manhunt around the town." Sturton walked briskly, as if something terrifying was chasing him. "That guy who killed Father Carter and destroyed the apple orchard prison is probably hiding in town. Rose above, please don''t let me run into him." On the surface, there were only three Transcendent powers in Emerald Town. The Red Apple Church, Moon Church, and the Empire''s official organization, the Shelter. Because the rtions between the churches were not good, in the absence of his own bishop, Sturton chose to seek help from the neutral Shelter. Reporting on his fellow monks might be embarrassing, but Sturton didn''t care. Even if it was the face of the Red Apple Church at stake, it was nothingpared to his own precious life. Sturton walked through several blocks and returned to the front of the Red Apple Church on the west side of town. He suddenly noticed a figure stumbling and falling at the church doors. "Huff... Huff..." The figure copsed on the ground, breathing heavily, apparently in great pain. Sturton cautiously approached.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He soon realized it was just a drunken drunkard. Relieved, he cursed under his breath. Just as he was about to step over the man to enter the church, the drunkard suddenly called out to him. "Wait... wait a minute!" "If you wish to receive Rose''s aid, listen to thedy''s gospel, pleasee early tomorrow and line up," said Sturton impatiently, turning to leave. "Don''t go!" The drunkard grabbed hold of Sturton''s robe. The stout monk immediately frowned and shook him off in disgust. "Get away! Damned drunkard! Watch it, or I''ll immediately call the church guards to lock you up!" "Monk, sir! I... I have to denounce someone!" The drunkard lifted his head; it was old Ham, who had caused trouble at the Crescent Inn during the day. He was now sweating profusely, his face turned ck, speaking tremulously as if he had contracted some bizarre illness. "He... He has kidnapped a nun from your church... right in..." Before he could finish, Ham suddenly screamed. Immediately thereafter, he copsed to the ground, spitting ck bile, and died on the spot. Sturton was startled, and after examining him closely, he realized that the man had been poisoned! "Could this be a warning from that Transcendent to me!?" The stout monk was horrified by his own spection. "I must call back all the church guards outside!" He immediately turned and ran towards the church. Stumbling along the way, he almost mmed his head into the Great Gate. Chapter 21 Departure Today Chen Lun stood by the window, watching the Purple Moon in the night sky. "High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance..." This type of supernatural substance generally forms when a Transcendent or Supernatural Creature dies. The spirituality-less corpse can no longer contain the mystery within, thereby releasing the remnants as "Mysterious Objects." If the corpse is severely damaged, or if the process of transforming into a "Mysterious Object" is interrupted, it will result in an iplete residual mystery, turning into mere mysterious substance. Moreover, if a "Mysterious Object" is subjected to an attack much stronger than itself and its structure ispletely destroyed, it will also turn into corresponding mysterious substance, varying from one piece to several pieces. But the mysterious substance cannot be destroyed; it seems to be the most fundamental unit of manifestation in the transcendent domain. Chen Lun calmed his mind and recalled for a while, indeed thinking of several methods to obtain the High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance. However, most of the methods involved tasks, events, and locations that were far away and currently inessible. Or they were too dangerous; with his current strength, the possibility of even making an attempt was almost zero. The risk of death was too high, not worth the gamble. After several rounds of screening, to his knowledge, there was only one viable method to obtain this high sequence material at the current stage. "Amber City, ''Big Stomach'' Dolly!" The reason he remembered so vivid was because of an incident that had caused quite a stir on the forums at the time. In his previous life, a small guild had identally triggered a side mission in Amber City that required them to protect a distinguished council member. Initially, they thought it was not difficult, but subsequently, the guild members involved in the mission died one after another, eventually leading to the failure of the mission. They didn''t get any reward, and instead were investigated by the authorities due to the council member''s death, causing the guild members'' Levels to nearly drop by one. The president of this small guild thenined on the forum, which actually attracted the attention of manyrge guilds and top gamers. As they delved deeper, the gamers unearthed an assassination organization called "Circus." The assassin responsible for assassinating that council member was named Dolly, nicknamed "Big Stomach," a Transcendent of the Flesh Faction who was halfway into the Mid Sequence. Although Dolly was strong, he was not invincible. In the face of the fearless Fourth Cmity, he soon expired. After killing him, one of the lone gamers who hade just for the excitement, luckily snagged a piece of loot. To everyone''s surprise, it turned out to be a High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance! At that moment, the gamer smartly fled, hid, and logged off, executing a series of maneuvers that were exemry. It was only after some time that this gamer handed over the high sequence material to the force he had joined, reaping substantial benefits before being identally exposed. Some were angry, some were curious, some envied, and others were puzzled. How did a mid to low Sequence NPC drop high sequence material? No one knew, and it remained an unsolved mystery. Chen Lun had another reason for seeking out this "Big Stomach" Dolly. It was the ce where Philip''s Legacy was buried, the home of Viscount Pompey, located in Amber City. Thus, although Amber City was far, it was a must-go destination for Chen Lun. Dolly became the most feasible option among the many. What was uncertain, however, was whether Dolly at this time point would be in Amber City. Even if he was, it was not clear whether he had the High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance on him. Because the incident happened a year after the public beta, which was still over two years away from the current time. "I won''t think about it too much. Nothing is ever certain, trying is always better than doing nothing at all." Chen Lun made up his mind and nned to start his journey immediately. "But before that, there''s another thing I need to do..." In the evening, Chen Lun made a trip to the town''s Silver Dragon Trade Association. Using a Silver Dragon Coin, he met Walsh again and submitted amission to him. Thinking about this, he felt a twinge of pain. "5 Gold Pounds, halving my assets!" He picked up the water ss from the table and took a big gulp to extinguish the bitterness in his heart. Then he nced at Floey, who was sound asleep on the bed, draped his cloak, and leapt straight out of the window. Afternding, he vanished into the night with a few quick moves. Once Chen Lun had left, Floey slightly turned her head, "gazing" toward the window. "I hope you return safely..." The enchanting Purple Moon cast moonlight into the room through the window. In the dim light, a broad figure was leaning against the chair behind the desk. Knock, knock, knock... The sound of knocking arose. "Come in." The door opened, and a young man wearing a white uniform walked in. He marched straight to the desk and ced a letter on it. "Team Leader Ralph, this is a tip-off letter we just received..." "Hmm." The man named Ralph, a middle-aged man, sat up, the moonlight illuminating his face, revealing a rugged man with a beard. He picked up the letter and asked in a deep voice, "Who brought it?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "The stationed Investigator saw that it was a Sturton Monk from the Red Apple Church." Poor Sturton thought that no one would notice his sneaky behavior, but every move had been observed. Ralph let out a coldugh, then opened the letter to read it. No wonder his subordinates specifically brought it to him, ordinary tip-off letters are usually reviewed by the Investigators below. Since it''s rted to the Red Apple Church, it mustn''t be a trivial matter. After a while, Ralph put down the letter, his disdainful smile growing even more apparent. "He actually said that a dangerous wild Transcendent had appeared in town, hoping that I could sniff this guy out." Sturton furiously denounced the Transcendent''s arrogant behavior in the letter. And spected that it might have bigger schemes that could cause unimaginable harm to Emerald Town. Although the Shelter indeed is an official organization of the Empire for containing Transcendents and Mysterious Objects and suppressing any unstable elements from the roots, Ralph somewhat couldn''t understand why the Red Apple Church, which was nomunity service organization, would disclose this information for no reason. "Either it''s a trouble not even the Red Apple Church can resolve, or they want to use us to achieve some purpose." Ralph lit a cigar. He tapped the desk with his fingers, knocking twice. "Send some Investigators to stake out near the Red Apple Church, and monitor their every move." "Yes, team leader." The young Investigator in white uniform ced his left hand on the right chest, bowed slightly, and then left. "Remember, don''t draw the attention of Priest Carter from the Red Apple Church." The Investigator responded again, exited the room, and closed the door. Click. Ralph swiveled his chair to face the window showing the Purple Moon, puffing rings of smoke. "That old lunatic even dares to kill believers of the Moon Church, truly a madman. Let''s observe for a while and let them bite each other." Chapter 22 Tonight, the hunt for the Church ``` The solemn Red Apple Church. Under the nightfall, the side profile of an angel reliefs on the outer walls of the spire ovepped with the Purple Moon, casting an enchanting glow. A dense flurry of footsteps approached from the end of the street. Two heavily armored Guardians with the Red Apple emblem on their chests led the way, holding torches as they advanced toward the church. Dozens of church sentries formed a long procession behind them. Some guards even held dog leashes, the rotting hunting dogs draped in red cloth obediently following the group. Upon arriving at the church, the procession streamed inside through The Great Gate in an orderly fashion, leaving only two sentries at the entrance. Inside the church. The prayer room. A young womany crumpled on the floor in disheveled clothing, a deep gash on her throat, her blood spread all over the ground. Clearly, she had been dead for some time. Sturton''s plump figure, garbed in a Monk''s robe, stood not far from the body. In his hand, he held a beautifully crafted short knife, its shining de still dripping with blood. "Rose above, why is there no response yet..." Sturton wiped sweat from his brow with a handkerchief in his other hand, his beady eyes fixated on a Golden Goblet upon the praying altar. The goblet was filled with fresh blood that asionally rippled outward. After a long while. An old voice came from the goblet: "Sturton, this is the third time you have called upon me... I hope you can provide a convincing reason." "Bishop, sir!" The rotund Monk was overjoyed, hastily drawing closer to the goblet.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "When will you journey to Emerald Town? The Transcendent who destroyed the Red Apple prison is likely hiding right here... As long as you arrive, that guy won''t have a chance to escape!" The blood in the goblet stilled for a moment, and just as Sturton began to doubt, the old voice spoke again: "Will warned me before, and now it seems that the criminal is most likely a Transcendent from the History and Ritual Association, who disguised himself as a sacrifice to infiltrate the prison, and eventually rebelled and killed our Priest Carter¡­" "Their goal is clear; it''s the Sunflower [Mysterious Object]... The upper echelons of the church have made some guesses about it; it''s highly likely to be what remained from a Saint who caused the copse of the Royal City of Beryl over ten years ago." "Had not the Sun Church and the Shelter put on dual pressure, Lafa would not have secretly transferred it to a remote small town like Emerald Town... But how exactly did those damned rat peoplee to know of this...?" Suppressed fury resonated within the old voice, and Sturton mopped his brow frequently. He wanted to remind but dared not remind the Bishop, not wanting to know these secrets at all. "Could there be a traitor within the church?" Sturton asked in a low voice. The blood in the goblet paused again. "You really have a pig''s brain, Sturton! Who among the followers of Rose would dare to betray!?" The old voice scolded, then seemed to temper its rage, gradually calming. "Forget it, you wouldn''t understand even if I told you¡­ Right now, all you need to know is that the sinner will not escape, the church will make him into fertilizer for the garden." "After Carter''s death, there''s a gap in the church''s Transcendent Combat Power in Emerald Town, but you don''t have to worry about him... No matter where he flees, he will eventually reunite with his aplices, bringing along the stolen items." "The church has already identified those behind this operation, such that I cannot leave at the moment... but their time of death is near." "Just keep yourself hidden for a while, and do not call upon me again unless it''s for something significant." The old voice faded, and the blood within the Golden Goblet became still. Sturton felt more anxious rather than reassured after hearing the Bishop''s words. Since the Priest''s death, he had been in a state of extreme insecurity. "I''ll just stay in the church and not go out for a while..." He exhaled deeply, turning to leave. Suddenly, he noticed arge ck rat on the floor, staring up at him. "A rat...?" ``` Sturton was startled. Therge ck rat squeaked, vanishing in the blink of an eye. The portly monk, watching the mouse flee, felt an increasing unease. "Why has a rat suddenly appeared..." He had heard of some strange transcendent abilities in the Mystic Realm and, just to be safe, he hastily chased after the rat in the direction it had gone. But as he stepped out of the prayer room into the courtyard outside, he unexpectedly saw a chaotic array of guardian corpses on the ground. Without exception, each of their necks was twisted 180 degrees, and their bodies bore numerous tiny bite marks. The flesh was a mutted mess, utterly horrific. "!!" Sturton jumped in fright, trembling as he took a few steps back. "It''s... it''s here! That guy really dide to kill!" Why didn''t I hear anything? How did it get all the way inside the church? Sturton immediately ran back to the prayer room, picked up the Golden Goblet, and grabbed a hand crossbow hidden underneath the prayer altar. Then he returned to the courtyard and ran towards the back door of the church. As he pushed open the iron gate of the courtyard, he suddenly heard a shrill dog yelp. Followed by that, the rotten carcass of a hunting dog was flung at his feet. It was gasping for air, clearly on the verge of death. Looking up, he saw a man concealed in a cloak seizing a short sword from the hands of a church guardian, forcefully piercing it through the other''s body. The guardian let out a scream, spraying out ring fresh blood. Thunk! The body fell, the rimmed hat rolling off to one side. Then Sturton saw severalrge ck rats gathering around the cloaked man, one of the familiar rats jumping into his palm, squeaking. As if it was whispering secrets to him. The scene was exceedingly eerie, causing Sturton to feel chills down his spine. This man, could he be the criminal who killed the priest and stole the "Mysterious Objects"¡­? Chen Lun let out a wry smile upon hearing the little rat''s report. Turned out the nonsense he had spouted on the spur of the moment was actually reported to Red Apple Church by that guy, Will. No wonder they were so off the mark; the Transcendents of the History and Ritual Association, who walked the path of the Earth Faction, did indeed love to steal, especially from other people''s graves. However, what Chen Lun didn''t know was that it was precisely because the History and Ritual Association had recently excavated the grave of a certain high-level member of Red Apple Church that they were utterly convinced of this deduction. Chen Lun bent down to let the rat go, then turned his head to look at Sturton. Thetter felt a cold shiver down his spine, as if he had fallen into an ice cave. "Heretic! ept your death!" The hoarse roar exploded in his ears. Two armored guards strode forth from behind Chen Lun, their long spears aimed directly at his head as they brought them crashing down. Crack! Chen Lun turned and raised his hands, grabbing the spear shaft below the spearhead. The fierce and heavy strike instantly halted. The two armored guards hesitated for a moment, noticing that the cloak-wearing man''s hands, now visible, were covered in dark golden scales. ncing slightly, they could see under the hood of the cloak, a pair of vertical pupils like those of a venomous snake. "Die!" They heard a single, indifferent word. The next second. Bang!! Bang!! A surge of tremendous force apanied by intense pain sent the two armored guards flying outwards. Boom! Their heavy bodies crashed onto the stone pavement, fracturing it with cracks. Numerous bricks shattered into gravel, flying everywhere. The armored guards'' breasttes were dented as if hammered, creating arge crater, and the bodies inside were probably not spared. Beneath their fully sealed helmets, fresh red blood slowly began to seep out. Chapter 23 No Escape Chen Lun pulled off the helmet of a heavily armored guardian, revealing the face beneath. It was a face covered in tumors, grotesque and hideous. He still had faint breaths, even though he had sustained such severe injuries, he had not died. "Indeed, they are all freaks catalyzed by the Red Apple Church using diluted Mysterious Substance..." Chen Lun thought to himself. Just like the rotting hounds, products of the underworld, the Red Apple Church experimented on living people. The monsters they created were immensely strong and resilient in their life force. It could be said that these monsters were no longer human but should be ssified as Supernatural Creatures. Devoid of self-awareness and personality, they were like wild beasts. Chen Lun violently stomped down, crushing the skulls of two creatures. [You have killed Red Apple Church heavily armored guardians, gained 100 Experience Points]*2 Turning his head to look where the fat monk had been, he found it empty. Chen Lun chuckled softly. "Can you escape?" "Escape! As long as I get to the Shelter, I won''t die!" Under the Purple Moon''s night, Sturton ran frantically down the deserted streets, gasping for air. He had run out of the back door of the church courtyard, heading straight for the Shelter in the town center. Along the way, he continuously prayed to the Golden Goblet in his embrace. But even though the blood in the goblet was nearly spilt, there was still no response. At that moment, a stray cat crossed the street, nearly tripping Sturton. "Damn it!" He cursed angrily and continued to run forward. But he suddenly realized that more stray cats had appeared in the middle of the road ahead. Sets of green eyes stared at him, making his heart nearly stop. Tap¡­ Tap¡­ Tap¡­ The sound of boots on the cobblestone road echoed slowly from behind. Sturton spun around in a panic. He saw a figure cloaked in a cloak, who had appeared at some point, slowly advancing towards him. He shouted loudly, whether to boost his courage or to attract the attention of others. He then quickly pulled out the hand crossbow and aimed it at Chen Lun as he squeezed the trigger. Although there was no crossbow bolt loaded, nor did he draw the string, a crimson arrow flew out, streaking a straight red line towards Chen Lun. Whiz¡ª!! Chen Lun had been on alert since Sturton drew his hand crossbow, but he still couldn''t react in time as the arrow shot towards him. The arrow was too fast! Chen Lun could only violently twist his body to the side to avoid vital spots, letting the bolt only graze his arm as it passed. The red line grazed the scales on the armor, sparking as it disappeared into the air behind Chen Lun. A small cut was left on his arm, oddly, with not a drop of blood flowing out. [You have been attacked by the C-level Mysterious Object Tongue of Gluttony, health -12] [You are in an extreme state of hunger, health limit temporarily reduced by 23] Suddenly, a strong sense of hunger surged. Chen Lun felt weak as if he needed to have a huge meal right then. Even if a live cow was ced in front of him, he could tear and devour it alive. The wound on his arm began to worsen, the surrounding flesh as if being gnawed by an invisible maw, disappearing tracelessly. Fortunately, the Mysterious Power attached to the wound was minimal, and the disappearance of the flesh soon stopped. It was as if the invisible maw had stealthily withdrawn. Chen Lun, enduring the pain, saw this happen and grew even more cautious of the hand crossbow-shaped Mysterious Object, preparing himself for Sturton to continue firing. But after pulling the trigger once, the fat monk copsed to the ground, out of breath as ifcking oxygen. The hand crossbow and the Golden Goblet fell to one side, with blood slowly streaming out of the goblet. Chen Lun secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Hmm¡­ just a normal person, unable to bear the cost of using the Mysterious Object a second time." His thoughts raced, and he violently charged toward Sturton. But just then, the blood spilled on the ground suddenly boiled, flowing back into Sturton''s mouth and nostrils like rivers returning to the sea. "Ergh¡­ Ahh!!" Sturton''s body convulsed, as if he was enduring unimaginable pain. Whoosh! He leapt up all at once, lunging at Chen Lun with more agility than before. ng! Hiss¡ªcrack!! Five pitch-ck ws scraped across Chen Lun''s raised arm, sparking against the scales. "Sinner! How dare you attack the Red Apple Church!" The voice that came from Sturton''s mouth had changed, as if it were another person, old and deep. His face was contorted with bulging veins, his eyes were white, and he bared his teeth in a ferocious grimace. "What''s there not to dare..." Chen Lun kicked him away. "I''ll also dig up your church''s graves and burn your church down with fire!" "Heretic!!" The possessed Sturton no longer seemed human, but like a monster, he swung his sharp ws and attacked again. During the battle, Chen Lun found that his opponent''s strength and agility had been forcibly enhanced, making him extremely difficult to handle.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Hiss¡ª!! The ws scraped the ground, sending sparks flying and leaving several deep scratch marks. Chen Lun narrowly dodged the w attack, reaching out with both hands. His arms, transformed into snakes, wrapped around the opponent''s arms, immobilizing his most dangerous ws. Sturton frowned deeply, sensing trouble. Then, Chen Lun''s serpentine arms violently churned, the sharp dark golden scales slicing through, instantly tearing off the ws. Phut! The corpulent monk retreated a few steps, lifting his bleeding severed arm with a ghastly expression. "What kind of supernatural ability is this...?" "Damned ratman! Whose grave did you dig up? Or was it some sort of alchemical potion?" Watching the guy wildly specte, Chen Lun sneered silently. "When you''re dead, you can go down and ask for yourself." "You dare desecrate the Rose!?" Sturton roared in fury. "Ahhhh!!" He began to scream hysterically, and the skin on his entire face peeled off instantly, turning into a bloody, skinless beast''s head within moments. "Shameless." Chen Lun critically remarked. "Die!!" Sturton attacked again, his speed significantly increased. The beast''s head snapped viciously, the air exploded with a loud bang. Chen Lun bent his neck to dodge the deadly attack and countered with a punch to his face. Bang!! Sturton''s body swayed. Chen Lun heightened his figure, and once more an elbow fell from above like a warhammer, striking the back of his head. Bang!!! Sturton faced down, smashing into the cobblestones and sinking deep into them. His body twitched a few times, theny still. Chen Lun looked down at the corpse, the sound of snapping bones echoing in his ears, and a sudden sense of danger overcame him. He swiftly dodged backwards. Just as he leaped, Sturton''s body suddenly swelled, and then exploded like a bomb! Boom!! Blood rained down like a shower, apanied by fragments of bones and viscera, solemnly closing the scene of the battle on the deste street. Fortunately, Chen Lun was quick enough to avoid the st. Otherwise, with the power akin to real explosives, he would have been injured. Gurgle gurgle... Sturton''s disfigured beast head rolled to Chen Lun''s feet. Its one remaining eyeball swiveled, locking onto the figure in the cloak, filled with rage and a hint of madness. "''History and Ritual Association'' scum, this battle is not our church''s failure but merely the prelude to your sinners'' judgment." "Well, you bettere find me then..." Chen Lun kicked the head with the tip of his boot. He then looked down from a height, staring into that eyeball, making eye contact. "I''ll be in Emerald Town waiting for you, if you daree, I''ll smash your brains out." "Damn you! You..." The beast head tried to say more but was suddenly kicked away with a foot. Chapter 24 I am about to set sail The beast-head statue from Sturton had flown through the air like a leather ball. It then followed an arc downward and, with a ssh, fell into the nearby river, disappearing without a trace. Beneath the cloak of night, not a single ripple remained. [You killed a monk from the Red Apple Church, Sturton (possessed by Bishop Newman), and earned 500 experience points.] [Your actions have had far-reaching impacts; the Red Apple Church now considers you an enemy and will initiate a manhunt!] Chen Lun disregarded the ring red alert box with disdain. He walked a few steps to the spot where Sturton had fallen, bent over, and picked up two items. [D-level Mysterious Object: Golden Goblet] Item Description: A specially made goblet from the Red Apple Church, functional in pairs, capable of long-distancemunication. Pour the fresh blood of a virgin into the goblet to establish vocalmunication with another goblet holder for twenty-four hours. Ah, the bright red craft, the aroma of a virgin, your soul shall serve as the messenger, bringing forth my gospel ¡­ Chen Lun looked at the golden chalice and frowned slightly. He squeezed it forcefully, and the goblet in his hand creaked. Suddenly, a tremendous strength seemed to exceed its threshold, and with a bang, it shattered into pieces. A [D-level Mysterious Object] was thus destroyed. "Huh¡­ hateful thing, mustn''t be left intact!" Chen Lun destroyed it not solely because the item''s description was disturbing. It was more because it came from the Red Apple Church and could very likely have been tampered with. It would be troublesome if it were used to track him down. It was of little use to him anyway, better to destroy it. The golden fragments in his hand slowly softened and then turned into a golden mud. The color gradually faded, merging into a red ball resembling "flesh mud." [You''ve obtained a Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance] Chen Lun added it to his panel, bringing his total to four portions. This was incredibly precious and useful. Whether for crafting Transcendent items, forging artificial [Mysterious Objects], or advancing in Sequence, it had its uses. Next, Chen Lun examined the hand crossbow. [C-level Mysterious Object: Tongue of Gluttony] Item Description: An old, wooden mini hand crossbow, easy to carry. On one side of the crossbow, there are sharp, tooth-like patterns indicating it''s imbued with the power of flesh. No need to load crossbow bolts; simply pull the trigger to fire a bait arrow, attracting spirits from the Spirit World to devour the target. It seems to have originated from a benevolent gourmet. He was passionate about cooking various delicacies to entertain guests. Until one day, a visitor from the Spirit World knocked on his door. Thus, the gourmet made himself into a delicacy, serving himself to be enjoyed ¡­ Item Effect: The person hit will temporarily lose 10% of their life limit, up to a maximum of 30%. They will also fall into an extreme state of hunger. Item Cost: Each bolt fired will significantly reduce physical strength, depending on the circumstances. Chen Lun found this [Mysterious Object] surprisingly high-quality and effective, evenparable to some of the lower-tier [B-level Mysterious Objects]. A hand crossbow that, in a sense, came with unlimited ammunition. Its lethality was stunning, the higher the health of the target, the greater the benefit, making it a nemesis for "blood tanks"! The cost of drawing physical strength was insignificant, Chen Lun even wanted to shout out loud¡ª Come! Drain me! Chen Lun tucked the hand crossbow into his waist and turned to walk back. As hunting down Sturton had taken him away from his path, there were still some remnants near the Red Apple Church that needed clearing. To provide a better gaming experience for all yers arriving in this world, Chen Lun decided he would manually weaken the version''s antagonistic forces. His spirit of heroic sacrifice for the yers brought tears to his eyes once again. "Who knows what else is hidden inside that church ¡­?" "These heretics undoubtedly oppress their neighbors and exploit themon folk. I must confiscate all their illicit gains!" The more Chen Lun thought about it, the faster he walked. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared at the end of the street. ¡­ Inside the Red Apple Church. The prayer room. Chen Lun quietly stood by the female corpse. He sighed softly and closed her wide-open eyes. Behind him, on a long bench, was a small box. It contained all the valuables Chen Lun had collected from scouring the entire church. During the search, he found some tbreads, which he ate to alleviate his hunger. The remaining guards of the church and the rotten hounds were also ughtered by him, earning him a decent amount of experience points. Moreover, Chen Lun uncovered a secret passage leading to the outskirts in a hidden corner, which he guessed connected to that previous prison. With silence all around, Chen Lun transferred all the brimming coins in the small box to his panel. 176 Gold Pounds, 684 Silver Ducats, and 3455 Copper Kros! It was indeed a substantial gain, and Chen Lun unapologetically epted it. Bang!! Chen Lun quickly turned his head. A fiery gust of air and a piercing sound passed by his ear, followed by a hole suddenly appearing in the prayer podium, sending wood splinters flying. "Don''t move! Shelter investigator! Please cooperate with the investigation!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Chen Lun slightly tilted his body and saw two young people at the door wearing white uniforms. Each of them held an old-fashioned single-handed flintlock gun, with one of them having smoke rising from the muzzle, clearly having just fired. Chen Lun narrowed his eyes and raised his hands towards the two. The Shelter... An official Transcendent organization of the Empire specializing in containing and suppressing [Mysterious Objects] and rogue Transcendents through force. Chen Lun was very familiar with them. In his past life, this force had the most yers joining. Although the Shelter was not one of the Seven True Gods'' forces, it was backed by the Royal Family. It possessed immense power and offered numerous advancement paths and rewards to choose from. "Just the two of you?" Chen Lun asked, his tone as if he were chatting with two old friends. "Don''t think about ying tricks, our colleagues are guarding outside, and the group leader is already on his way... Although you are a Transcendent, we have captured countless Transcendents with our own hands, you can try it if you don''t believe it." One of the investigators said coldly. "But now you have only two guns, are you sure you can hit me?" "Why are there always arrogant fools like you, daring to challenge the authority of the Shelter..." The two investigators exchanged nces almost imperceptibly, reaching a consensus. They prepared to open fire together, to take down this guy in front of them. But the next second, they heard a strong yet seemingly distant noise. The two immediately saw stars, a nauseating feeling washing over them. Before they had time to pull the trigger, they felt overshadowed by a tall figure, and the next second, severe pain came from their abdomen. Bang! Bang! Chen Lun knocked the two down with two punches, picking up their flintlock guns. This kind of firearm was a ck tech weapon crafted by the Transcendent workshop under the Shelter, capable of loading ten lead bullets at once. Although not a "Mysterious Object", it was poprized among regr investigators. Almost everyone had one, and it was extremely intimidating. If more than three investigators fired at once, even low-sequence Transcendents would likely kneel. After all, those of a low sequence had not yet escaped their fleshly bodies, with almost a certain death under dense firepower. Five minutester. Chen Lun stood at the church door, looking at the group of four investigators lying in a row on the ground, still sping each other in unconsciousness, and shook his head slightly. Then he moved the female corpse over there, cing two gold pounds on the eyelids of the dead woman''s eyes. "This is all I can do." He raised his hand and fired a shot into the church door. Bang!! The bullet hit a pre-arranged oil jug, igniting sparks that set aze the straw stack below. The mes rose high, gradually engulfing the entire church. Chen Lun turned and left. Behind him, a sea of fire. Boom!! The long-standing church copsed, with the fire bing more terrifying, like daylight. Many residents, awakened in the dead of night, hid behind their windows, witnessing this unforgettable scene. Some excited, some silent, some calling out to the gods or whispering prayers. Ralph stood not far from the church, quietly stopping. The investigators Chen Lun had knocked out had now awakened, standing behind him with their heads down, not daring to make a sound. "Team leader, should we pursue him? That guy might not have gone far..." "Pursue?" Ralph snorted coldly, turning around and took a puff of his cigar. The smoke blew in the face of the talking investigator, stinging his eyes so he couldn''t open them. Yet he dared not really close his eyes, having to endure, tears streaming down. "With just a few of you acting on your own?" After he finished speaking, silence fell on the scene for a moment. "You should thank her." Ralph pointed to the female corpse on the ground. The few investigators looked at each other. Ralph bent down to pick up the gold coins from the eyelids of the female corpse, holding them in his palm, somewhat lost in thought. "The reason he didn''t kill you might also be because he hoped the Shelter could provide her a decent funeral." He flicked his finger, and the gold coin fell into the hand of one of the investigators. "Go then, find the Moon Church, bury this female corpse... and also find her family and give them somepensation." Ralph rubbed his temple, looking troubled. "Consider it us cleaning up the Red Apple Church''s mess." "Yes, team leader." Ralph tossed away the cigar, stamped it out, and looked into the distance. "Miscalcted, huh." ... Outside the town''s big bridge. Chen Lun sat in the carriagepartment, taking onest look at Emerald Town. Under the dim light of dawn, the town appeared incredibly peaceful. [Completed B-level Side Quest: The Shattered Emerald Apple] [You sessfully destroyed the Emerald Town branch of the Red Apple Church and received the following rewards: 5000 experience points, 20 gold pounds, Floey''s affection, 3 * Low-Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance, and 1 point of regional renown] [Red Apple Church''s affection for you has decreased; they will regard you as a mortal enemy, pursuing you relentlessly until death!] Chen Lun smiled slightly at thest prompt. This mission was triggered when he infiltrated the Red Apple Church and killed the first guardian. He was very satisfied with the rewards, especially the regional renown. It was akin to a type of reputation, effective on all NPCs. It was not just a charm value; there were more unexpected benefits. For example, after joining a faction, some rare items and precious rewards required a certain level of renown to qualify for ess. However, correspondingly, obtaining renown was extremely difficult, hardly essible to ordinary people. "Where are we going now?" Floey sat beside him, quietly asking. "To the future." Chen Lun jokingly said, chuckling lightly. Then he shouted to the outside of the carriage: "Uncle Walsh, let''s go!" "As you wish, Your Excellency." Chapter 25 Six Days The carriage traveled along the main road. Though it was known as the main road, it was really just a wider gravel path, far from smooth. The iron-d wooden wheels of the carriage bumped and jolted, making the ride lessfortable for Chen Lun inside the carriage. Thankfully, the seat and backrest were padded with soft leather filled with cotton, easing some of the difort from the rough journey. Floey appeared quite pleased, however. Leaning against the window, she gazed around curiously. If her eyes hadn''t been covered by a piece of ck silk, one might truly think she was fascinated by the scenery around her. Chen Lun noticed that Floey slightly tilted her chin up and twitched her little nose twice, as if smelling the fresh air of the outside world. The light from the rising sun made her face seem radiant and clear. "Uncle Walsh." Chen Lun stuck his head out and called towards the bald man driving the horses at the front. "Lord Jack." Walsh turned his head and, lifting the round hat off his head, respectfully replied. "Jack" was just a pseudonym made up by Chen Lun, and he was aware that he might need other identities in the future. The story he told the Silver Dragon Trade Association¡ªto hire them to escort him and Floey to Amber City¡ªwas also concocted by Chen Lun. A brother and sister from the countryside, on their way to their rtives in the big city¡­ As for why they could afford to pay 5 Gold Pounds for the journey without batting an eye, it''s because the siblings were lucky enough to have touched the hearts of the Red Apple Church. It was the Red Apple Church that sponsored the impoverished siblings. Thanks to Monk Will, Monk Sturton, and Priest Carter... oh, and Bishop Newman in a distantnd. All of them, such very, very good people! Chen Lun had it all figured out, should someone inquire about his origins, he would shower them with gratitude, adopting an air as if he simply couldn''t wait to tell everyone. As for the fact that the Red Apple Church in his "hometown" of Emerald Town was burned down by evildoers, Chen Lun would profess ignorance. A single outburst of pain ought to bring tears to people''s eyes. "How long will our journey to Amber City likely take?" Chen Lun asked. "If all goes well, we should arrive by the evening of the seventh day," Walsh considered and answered truthfully. Generally, formon people to travel such distances to another ce, they would usually take a train or steamship,bined with walking. But Emerald Town is too remote for that. The nearest train station or dock requires trekking through difficult terrain to reach, very backward and isted. On the roads through the wilderness, one also has to be wary of bandits and thieves that could appear out of nowhere, apse in attention could cost one''s life. The world of "Era of Mystery" is certainly fantastic. Advanced cities with steam punk, backward countrysides with swords and magic, bizarre areas with outright sci-fi technology¡ªit''s a blend of Elizabethan, Victorian, and Yanan-like eras across dimensions. "Seven days..." Chen Lun couldn''t help but nce at Floey beside him, knowing the girl had less than two months left to live. Spending over a tenth of that time on the road reduced even further the time they had to seek the materials needed for their mission; the situation was truly urgent. Floey seemed to sense Chen Lun''s gaze upon her, turned her head "to look" at him, and smiled. She naturally also heard what Walsh had said. "It''s okay, let''s think of it as a trip... I''ve never been to faraway ces, and now that I think about it, I''m quite looking forward to it." "Then I can''t let you die even more. Since you love traveling so much, once your ''illness'' is cured, I''ll take you to even more distant ces to see." As Chen Lun spoke, he suddenly envisioned a scene. In his past life, he had traveled alone to those rarely trodden ces, the journey filled with stunning and breathtaking vistas. If Floey were there with him, the yers might just kneel on the spot. My goodness, the BOSS is taking someone for a walk! Of course, that was impossible now... With his intervention, Floey''s destiny was already shifting. That emotionless older sister who killed without batting an eye, the solemn nun of the Red Apple Church, would no longer exist. What remained was just herself, Floey. Floey seemed to pick up on Chen Lun''s amusement, and although she didn''t know what he was thinking, his positive emotions affected her, making her smile grow even wider. The coachman Walsh was feeling sentimental. Lord Jack truly was a good older brother! For the sake of his seriously ill sister, he braved the long and arduous journey to seek treatment for her! He was so moved that he even thought of giving a discount on the fee to the young miss and the young master from his tradingpany, returning some of the hiring charge. But then he remembered, Lord Jack surely, as a Transcendent, wasn''tcking in money, and the thought of refunding money was immediately dismissed. Another thought crossed his mind: I should charge more. ... Six dayster. The carriage was suddenly stopped by someone. It was quite irritating to be intercepted close to Amber City, and Chen Lun couldn''t help frowning. After a journey full of hardships, he hadn''t been able to properly bathe or enjoy a good meal. The inns they stopped at along the way weren''t up to much, and Chen Lun was looking forward to properly indulging once they reached Amber City. At that moment, mor was heard from outside the carriage. The curtain of Chen Lun''s carriage was tapped twice, and then lifted. A member of the apanying guards stood outside with his head respectfully bowed, speaking to Chen Lun: "Lord Jack, unfortunately, we''ve encountered robbers. But please rest assured, with the reputation of the Silver Dragon Trade Association, we pledge to protect you and Miss Floey to the death." Chen Lun nodded silently. "I believe you." Typical escort hires like this usually involved seven or eight fully-armed guards. Small bands of robbers stood no chance against them and didn''t intimidate them. The curtain was drawn again, and Chen Lun could hear Walsh negotiating with the other party. But for some reason negotiations fell through, and soon the clear clinking of metal scraping and cursing sounded from outside. That was followed by the shing of swords. "Should we go down and take a look?" Floey whispered. Chen Lun suddenly felt it oddly strange that such a group of robbers would appear when they were not far from Amber City. Moreover, they dared to directly confront the well-equipped and coordinated guard team. These robbers either had overwhelming numbers or some backing, or they were simply foolish. "Stay in the carriage and don''t move; I''ll go have a look." Chen Lun nodded and said, lifting the curtain and stepping down from the carriage. As soon as he got down, he saw the guards engaging with the robbers not far ahead. The situation was as Chen Lun had expected: dozens of robbers were being butchered in a one-sided ughter before the guards. Their rusty axes and sickles chopping on the guards'' armor caused no real damage, while the guards'' Sharp Swords easily sliced through their leather armor and hemp clothes, drawing blood with every strike. "Lord Jack." Walsh, who was standing by the carriage, saluted Chen Lun. "What caused them to start fighting all of a sudden?" Chen Lun nodded in response and then asked. Walsh appeared to be somewhat angry as he pointed at the bandits and said: "At first, I wanted to give them some money to send them on their way, but those scoundrels insisted on checking the carriage... Even if I, Walsh, should die in battle here today, I would never allow these filthy bastards to vite the lord and the miss!" Chen Lun knew the bald man was making mere pleasantries, aware of his own status as a Transcendent. If it really came down to it, he couldn''t simply stand by and watch others die.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chen Lun had no intention of intervening until Walsh''s next words piqued his interest: "Lord Jack, I suspect these people are involved in human trafficking..." Chapter 26 Stop fighting "Continue," Chen Lun was intrigued. "Usually, bandits like them, upon seeing a convoy not carrying goods, would not bother too much, since it''s a thankless task... But just now, these men were very aggressive, insisting on searching the carriage to see who was inside." At this moment, Walsh leaned over and whispered: "Actually, in big cities like Amber City, it''smon for nobledies and madams to go missing, only to be auctionedter in the ck market or other small circles... Even if they aren''t women, some handsome young men are also very popr." Realizing something as he spoke, Walsh hastily added: "Lord Jack is elegant and as dazzling as the Constetion, and Miss Floey is stunningly beautiful, more mesmerizing and radiant than the Moonlight... I fear these disgusting fellows might harbor ill intentions." Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. I didn''t expect you to be this kind of person, Walsh! You really don''t know how to speak! Picking such tant truths to say, it''s embarrassingly frank. Although I am thin-skinned, you could speak a bit more to toughen up my fragile heart. "Big cities are indeed chaotic... So the bandits would not kidnap those who are less attractive or older men? Are these bandits discriminating!" Chen Lunined indignantly. "Well, not exactly. If someone looks wealthy and of high status, they would also directly kidnap for ransom," Walsh exined. Chen Lun shook his head; nowadays, even bandits choose their targets based on benefits. Without a solid backing, it''s tough to survive. Just then, when everyone thought the battle''s oue was sealed, the situation suddenly changed. The leader of the bandits pulled out two Iron Gloves and slipped them on, each knuckle embedded with sharp steel spikes. The man caught a guard''s shing attack bare-handed, producing a crisp sound, then clenched his fist and hammered the guard''s abdomen.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Bang! As the Iron Gloves collided with the armor, Chen Lun noticed small holes at the edge of the gloves opening, ejecting a stream of air. The guard cried out in pain and was thrown backward. All onlookers were shocked; how did these refugee-like bandits suddenly be so powerful? And what kind of ck technology was in those ck Iron Gloves? One punch could dent the armor and render a guard incapacitated! After defeating his opponent, the bandit leader, with a face full of excitement, rushed towards the next guard. The initially routed bandits were suddenly reinvigorated, while the guards became hesitant and chose to avoid this man. Just as the bandit leader thought he could wreak havoc, a st suddenly rang out¡ª Bang!! The next second, pain struck. His raised fist had not yet fallen when he noticed a blood hole in his left chest. He staggered back a few steps, then thudded to the ground. Blood began spreading from under him. [You have killed the bandit leader, gaining 10 Experience Points] The onlookers turned their heads and saw a young man in a white shirt, trousers, and leather shoes, with slightly curly ck hair, standing straight in front of the carriage, holding a Flintlock Gun aimed their way, with wisps of smoke rising from the gun''s muzzle. "Stop fighting," Chen Lun twirled the gun, blew on the muzzle, and holstered it... Thanks to the brother Investigator from the Shelter, he too had enjoyed the thrill of dispatching someone instantly. With the death of the bandit leader, coupled with the deterrent of the firearm, the bandits scattered like birds and beasts. At Walsh''s shout, the guards did not pursue but instead turned to attend to the injured. At that moment, Chen Lun received a notification. [Trigger D-level Task: Pursue the Defeated Bandits] Task Description: You encountered an ambush by bandits, but they crumbled before your formidable strength. Being provoked, will you choose to pursue them? This group of bandits blocks the road, kidnaps hostages, and there seems to be some earth-shattering secret hidden behind them¡­ Task Reward: 300 Experience Points and 500 Copper Kro. Chen Lun had grown ustomed to the cheeky prompt box. In his previous life, when he first started ying "Era of Mystery," he often got lectured by the prompts. At that time, many yers cursed andined on the forums. One of them mentioned receiving a task that supposedly involved a peerless Mysterious Object, only to struggle through the task and end up with a [D-grade] self-refilling coffee pot. If that were all, it would have been fine, at least providing a constant supply of drink on the go. Until one day, the yer poured a mysterious yellow-brown liquid from the coffee pot¡­ The catch with this [Mysterious Object] was that you had to finish drinking it, or you would forcibly enter a state of thirst, reducing all Attributes for ten days. A ten-day debuff of weakness was almost worse than being killed. With no choice left, the yer had to steel himself and gulp it down. Not to mention, this coffee pot was mostly likely irritating. The task prompt was not wrong, this pot was indeed peerless. Oddly enough,ter on, many curious wealthy individuals sought to buy it from him, turning the affair quite magical. Chen Lun originally did not want to ept this task, as the rewards were too meager. But he soon realized, he should not get arrogant just because he had be wealthy. Experience Points and money could never be too much! The journey to strengthen oneself must never stop! So after epting the task, he had Walsh and his group stay put at the original location. Meanwhile, he had them securely store the suspicious Iron Gloves for him to examine upon his return. He then nodded to Floey, and turned to chase in the direction the bandits had fled. ... Chen Lun followed the footprints of the bandits, leaving the main road and entering a dense forest. The ce was somewhat eerie, with very tall trees and lush branches and leaves blocking the sunlight. The ground was covered with a thickyer of fallen leaves, which crunched underfoot, and every now and then, various strange sounds could be heard from around. Caw¡ª Caw¡ª A crow flew through the woods, dropping feathers of ck. It pped its wings, slowlynding on Chen Lun''s arm. The crow turned its head, its intelligent little eyes looked at him, and then it cawed a few times. Chen Lun handed over several beetles he had casually caught along the way, and the crow swallowed them one by one after tilting its head back, then cawed two more times before pping its wings and flying away. Chen Lun had obtained the information he wanted and continued onward in one direction. "There''s a camp, isn''t there, with roughly a dozen people..." About ten more minutes of walking, Chen Lun faintly saw some firelight. He slowed his pace and parted a few bush leaves to clearly see the scene in a clearing up ahead. It was a bandit camp about the size of a small basketball court, with arge fire burning in the center, next to which hungrge animal thighs, and a few scruffily dressed men were boiling a pot of unknown soup. A few other men were sharpening weapons¡ªaxes, sickles, daggers, kitchen knives, a whole mess of things. In a corner, the stolen goods were stacked up neatly in crates. A slit that looked like it had been cut open revealed some Metal Ingots and coal. Next to this pile of goods were severalrge iron cages, containing exclusively men, who were all without exception both old and ugly. "How is this different from what Walsh described?" Chen Lun was puzzled. What did these bandits capture these men for¡ªcould there really be buyers with such strange tastes? A burly man sat legs akimbo on a chair, toying with a short sword in his hand. Beside him stood the bandits who had earlier blocked the road, now looking dejected like grade-schoolers being scolded for failing an exam. "What a bunch of rubbish!" the burly man cursed. "That hyena bastard is even worse! Messing up is one thing, but he also lost the ''Mad Hand'' sent by the higher-ups!" Chapter 27 Double Guns Will Tell Me the Answer "It''s none of our business, boss!" One of the underlingsined. "It was the Hyena boss who sent us up, he said with ''Mad Hand'' we could definitely handle that group... Seven or eight guards escorting, mostly someone with a status, we couldn''t lose by capturing them. But we didn''t expect that the kid who came out of the carriage had a firearm, and shot the Hyena boss dead with one shot!" "A firearm?" The burly man frowned, seeming to realize things were a bit tricky. "It seems the kid you''re talking about is no small fry, but we can''t afford to lose ''Mad Hand.'' Since there''s only one firearm, it''s not like we don''t stand a chance." He stood up and pulled out a pair of Iron Gloves identical to those worn by the former bandit leader and put them on himself. Fist against fist, they nged twice. "Let''s go! Catch up with them!" "Move out!" Upon hearing themand, all the underlings instantly raised their weapons, pumped as if injected with chicken blood. "No need to chase, I''vee myself." Just as the bandit leader was gearing up to leave with his henchmen, sharply preparing to set off, they suddenly heard a man''s voice. He was startled and looked up. He saw a young man walking out of the bushes at a leisurely pace. "Boss! It''s him!" The sidekick next to him recognized Chen Lun and immediately alerted his leader. The burly man first surveyed the surroundings, found nothing suspicious, and then a mocking smile appeared on his face. "Just you alone?" "Hmm." Chen Lun responded indifferently and slowly walked towards them. The bandit leader''s smile became more ferocious and terrifying, and he signaled; his underlings surrounded Chen Lun, holding various weapons in a pinching trend. "You dare to follow us here alone? Who do you think you are? A hero?" He raised his iron fist, flexing his fingers, making a crisp metallic friction sound. Chen Lun then drew the Flintlock Gun from his waist holster and pointed it at the burly leader in front of him. "Oh ho, wow... Look everyone, what is this, a firearm!" The burly man seemed not to care at all; he spread his hands and looked at his underlings. "Didn''t your mom ever tell you, read less of those lone hero stories and stay home and drink your milk?" Laughter erupted from the underlings surrounding them, their eyes filled with excitement and mockery. In the corner of the camp, the people locked in iron cages, seeing this scene, couldn''t help but sigh silently. They had thought there might be a rescue, but it was just a young man full of notions of heroism. "Why didn''t you call more people beforeing here to die alone!" One of the men cursed angrily, mming the iron cage, muttering some ugly words. "I quite admire him." Another young man with blond hair was sitting in another cage, wearing a top hat with a White Feather and draped in a dirty cloak. A pair of dark green eyes watched the standoff in front, his handsome face showing a look of satisfaction. "He has a bit of my youth''s grace, admirable and pitiable." "Shut up, you bbering pretty boy!" The enraged man shouted. The blond young man rolled his eyes and immediately stood up, pointing at the man and shouted back. "If you bark like a dog one more time, believe it or not, I''ll knock you out with two punches when I get out?" "Oh, bring it on! Could you have been caught by just keeping your mouth shut?" The others locked up pressed their hands against their ears, looking speechless, clearly used to such quarrels. While facing off with the bandits, Chen Lun raised an eyebrow and asked: "I''m very interested in those Iron Gloves you have, can you tell me where you got them from? " The bandit leader looked at Chen Lun, his eyes turning icy. "It seems you still don''t understand the situation. Without your guards, just with one firearm, what can you do? At most, fire one shot, and we''ll capture you, then clean you up and sell you to the ck market... Seeing you''ve been coddled quite well in your greenhouse, delicate and tender, I believe many buyers will like you! Now..." Chen Lun silently pulled out a second gun. The bandit leader''s eyes twitched, and the words died on his lips. "No worries, you don''t have to tell me; the dual guns will give me the answer." Chen Lun, holding two Flintlock Guns, one pointed at the burly man, the other at the surrounding underlings. "Go! Don''t be afraid of him! Even with two guns, he can only fire two shots! After two shots, he''s no threat!" At that, the underlings roared and charged forward. But as the gun barrels targeted them, they simultaneously took a step back. Though those were the words, no one wanted to be the unfortunate one to take the first bullet. "Damn! A bunch of useless fools!" The burly man cursed angrily. He immediately took the lead, striding forward and swinging his fist at Chen Lun. Seeing this, the other underlings also rushed forward. Bang! Bang!! Two gunshots sounded almost simultaneously. Two flowers bloomed, almost simultaneously. One underling''s forehead burst into a spray of blood, falling to the ground. Another bullet was blocked by the muscr man''s Iron Gloves, sparking a me. "Quick, get him! He can''t shoot anymore! Capture him! I want to torture this kid harshly!" The muscr man, still frightened, looked at the bullet mark on his glove and roared angrily. Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang bang!! A rapid session of gunshots echoed continuously, instantly stiffening his expression, then revealing a look of disbelief. "What... what''s going on?" Flintlock Guns are supposed to load one bullet per shot, right!? What is this!? Which shot is this already!? The ck-haired young man swiftly moved his hands as if ying a beautiful piano melody. Walking, turning around, pulling the trigger... His dual guns continuously spat out mes and smoke, as one underling after another screamed and fell. They were powerless to fight back, it was like a ughter! Thud! Until thest bandit fell. Chen Lun looked at his Flintlock Gun with a helpless expression, smoke still trailing from the barrel. "Well¡­ out of ammo." His barely audible mutter was heard by the bandit leader, who suddenly shuddered. "Opportunity!" The burly figure lunged at him like a fierce tiger, his iron fist raised high and then smashing down.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The ck metallic glove, emitting a st of air, shot straight towards Chen Lun''s head! Bang!! The bandit leader''s face filled with disbelief as he stared wide-eyed. He slowly lowered his head, seeing the Flintlock Gun pressed against his left chest, emitting smoke. "You aren''t..." A heart-piercing pain struck, draining all his strength. After that, he followed in his underlings'' footsteps, falling to the ground, dead on the spot. Chen Lun holstered his gun and crouched down, looking at the corpse. "Gotcha, fool." Unfortunately, the bandit leader could no longer hear him. [Eliminate Bandit Camp, D-level Task: Pursue the Poor Until Complete!] [Task Reward: 300 Experience Points and 500 Copper Kro.] Chen Lun disregarded the prompt box and directly stripped the Iron Gloves from the corpse, examining them closely. "Is this glove¡­ the ''Mad Hand''?" Originally, he had nned to go back and study a pair, but here was a ready-made one. He was quite curious about this gadget. Equipped by an ordinary person, itsbat power soars, and in some ways, it could be considered ck-technology brass knuckles. [Mad Hand¨CMechanical Glove] Item Description: An inferior imitation of a masterpiece by craftsmen that ended up being birthed. The crude craftsmanship has castrated the originally precise and powerful function, retaining only the most basic striking enhancement effects. Of course, you could also use it for handling hot pots and pans; at least the heat instion is still pretty decent... "Is this all?" Chen Lun immediately lost interest in it. To an ordinary person, the glove might be a decent weapon, but for him, it was hardly useful. Not to mention the slight increase in striking power, for the current Chen Lun with 22 Strength Attributes, plus the [Surging Badge] which could reach 24 Points, it was basically ineffective. As for the added protection, just covering the hands with ayer of scale armor would be several times tougher than this glove. Moreover, wearing it even affected the experience. Here, it''s aboutbat experience. However, he could consider finding an opportunity to throw it to the Shelter for research, scooping some benefits, as they would certainly be happy to equip each Investigator with a pair of such gloves. With a Flintlock Gun for distance and Iron Gloves for closebat, perfect! Furthermore, Chen Lun discerned some trickery from the prompt description and noted down this information. He stood up and walked into the camp past the scattered corpses. The ce was very spacious, everything was clearly visible. Heading straight to a corner of the camp, he first noticed seven or eight people locked in a cage, casting hopeful nces at him. Chapter 28 The Bard By the stacked goods, an axe leaned. Chen Lun walked over, hooked the axe with his foot, and it spun into the air, which he then grasped by the handle. ng! With one swing of the axe, the brass lock on the iron cage ttered to the ground. He then went on to break the locks on the other cages one by one, freeing the people captured inside. "We really can''t thank you enough!" Several men who had gained their freedom hurried over to Chen Lun, bowing deeply. Among them was the previously irate older man, who now held nothing but genuine admiration. Looking at this ck-haired youth''s attire and considering the strength he had shown by single-handedly wiping out the entire bandit camp, he certainly was no ordinary person. For such a powerful figure, even though he looked young, it had be instinct to respect him sincerely. "We are all craftsmen from nearby and not wealthy; we have no idea how we could ever repay your kindness." Someone asked. "There''s no need." Chen Lun waved his hand. He had originally juste to hunt down the bandits; saving people was just something he did incidentally, yet the identities these people revealed reminded him of the descriptions of Iron Gloves'' items. Craftsmen, huh... "Why did these bandits capture you?" "Well... we are not sure, but in their previous conversations, they seemed to mention needing to make something, which is why they were kidnapping people everywhere." Chen Lun nodded. That made sense. But he quickly noticed that among these burly, sizable craftsmen, one did not fit in. Blond hair, blue eyes, wearing a pointy hat adorned with a mboyant feather, draped in a cloak, with a small harp tucked at his waist. Most importantly, even though covered in dirt, his unique aura and handsomeness could not be concealed. He was only perhaps a tiny bit less handsome than himself. "You? You can''t possibly be a craftsman too, can you?" Seeing Chen Lun''s puzzled look focused on him, Alec confidently smiled. He stepped forward, ced his left hand over his right chest, and bowed deeply, nodding as a gesture of respect. "I am Alec, a great wandering bard." Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. The blond young man raised a finger and said loudly, "Although I am very grateful that you offered assistance, Alec actually didn''t need it. I could have escaped by myself, but I chose to stay to observe the bandits'' daily lives more closely for inspiration... They too are a reflection of the oppression under the Empire, and I wish topose poetry about this." "Don''t listen to his nonsense!" One of the craftsmen, the irate older man, suddenly shouted. "This guy ims he once forged divine artifacts, which led the bandits to capture him! A guy who can''t even lift a hammer, boasting to the heavens¡ªit''s an insult to us craftsmen!" Alec, veins popping and face flushing red, hands on his hips, yelled back, "Shut up! I was not boasting!" "I''ve tolerated you for too long, you big talker!" The irate older man charged forward and punched Alec right in his handsome face, knocking him to the ground with his mouth bleeding. "Bastard!" Angrily, Alec got up and started fighting back. However, due to the huge difference in build and the fact that the big and strong irritated older man worked daily with hammers and bellows, he knocked Alec down again with just a few strikes. Chen Lun did not intervene, his arms crossed, watching with interest. The irate older man, having blown off steam, led the way once more in bowing to Chen Lun. "There are many viges nearby; we forge farming tools here to make a living. If you ever need anything, you cane to us." "Yes, although our skills might not match those in the military camps, the weapons we produce are definitely not inferior!" Chen Lun smiled and nodded, and the group of craftsmen then left together. He turned to look at Alec, who had gotten back to his feet and was wiping the blood from his mouth corner with his sleeve. "You said you''ve forged divine weapons?" "Uh... of course!" Alec seemed to havepletely dismissed the recent beating, regaining his confident demeanor. He flicked his blond hair and took out the small harp from his waist, beginning to y and sing: "It was a nearly two-meter-long greatsword. Forged from seabed metals mixed with celestial debris, adding the blood of the Extreme West evil dragon and the fangs of the Lord of Blood, and embellished with tricolor crystals and multicolored gems. I once used it to y the great beast of the North Sea and also used it to chop off the head of the Nightmare Knight of the South... s, it broke during the battle with the Overlord from the Far East and was lost..." p p p...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chen Lun apuded enthusiastically. "Well done. A captivating song, and the story is great too. It seems you are indeed suited for this line of work." "This is not a story!" Alec, enraged and embarrassed, stopped ying. "Although you saved me, you can''t insult me! This is so rude! It''s not something a gentleman should do! I challenge you to a duel! I need to restore my noble dignity as Alec!" Alec looked around and then picked up a kitchen knife from the ground. As he raised his head ready to fight a life-and-death battle with this dark-haired young man, he found that thetter had already turned and walked away. "Wait! Don''t go!" Alec chased after him, frustrated. ... "I am telling you the truth, why don''t you believe me!?" Alec gasped for air. Chen Lun nced at him and continued to walk briskly forward. Alec gritted his teeth and quickened his pace, running back to Chen Lun''s side. "Hey, listen, I..." "Fine, fine, I believe you." Chen Lun finally lost his patience and spoke seriously. Alec''s eyes widened, joy spreading across his face. "Really...really? That''s great... Uh!" He suddenly regained his confident expression and coughed twice. Having already concluded that Alec probably had issues with his head, Chen Lun ignored him and continued walking on his own. Alec silently followed beside Chen Lun. After walking for a while, he nced at Chen Lun and couldn''t help but speak again: "Um well, do you want to hear more about my glorious past?" "Absolutely not." Chen Lun shrugged his shoulders. Alec had a conflicted look on his face, seemingly stifling hard feelings. "All right, go ahead." Chen Lun resigned himself, hoping this modern-day torture would end soon. Alec seemed to hit a switch and started to sing vividly. During the process, he even pulled out a small harmonica for apaniment. Truth be told, aside from his tall tales, he actually sang quite well. The guy''s voice was intrinsically maic, clear and ethereal. Coupled with his handsome looks, if his mind were a bit more normal, he could probably sweep countless young girls off their feet. Oh wait, and countless noblewomen too. Chen Lun filtered out most of his embellished bragging, and roughly made out the content of Alec''s song. It was essentially about his travels around the world, where he went from ce to ce ridding folks of evils and ying monstrous dragons to be a hero. Beyond the Tresor Empire that incorporated the central and eastern parts of the continent, he also stepped foot in the northern Byron Kingdom, the western Beelzebub Kingdom, and the southern Shuoli City ¨C the three major vassal states. He even drifted across the endless oceans of the continent and encountered numerous formidable foes. But by this point, Chen Lun could hardly listen any longer, fortunately, they had already walked out of the dense woods and back onto the main road. He hurried to the carriage, taking two steps at a time. "Hey, why don''t you be my sidekick? You must greatly admire me after hearing my stories!" Alec shouted from behind. Chen Lun acted as if he heard nothing, and just told Walsh to get moving, then climbed into the carriage. The carriage started moving again, and Alec continued to chase behind. "Hey! Jack! I have lots of fans, are you sure you don''t want to consider this?" Exhausted from the chase, he ultimately gave up and watched the carriage disappear down the road, cursing under his breath. Inside the carriage, Chen Lun breathed a sigh of relief, finally shaking off that guy. But then, he suddenly furrowed his brow. Hold on, I never told him my name, so how did he know it? Chapter 29 Outer City District ``` "That guy¡­" Chen Lun mused. In his past life, he had never heard the name Alec; he was supposed to be just an ordinary bard. But when he called out his assumed name, Chen Lun always felt that something was off. Peering out the window of the carriage and looking back, Alec''s figure was no longer on the road. "What''s wrong?" Floey, sensing Chen Lun''s mood, spoke up. Chen Lun sat back down and shook his head silently before adding, "Nothing, just ran into a strange fellow." Floey did not press further and changed the subject, "Will we reach our destination tomorrow?" "Yes¡­ tomorrow we''ll arrive at Amber City." Chen Lun stopped dwelling on it, as the most urgent task at hand was to find Dolly in Amber City and acquire the "High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance" from him to maintain the bnce of the contamination in Floey. In the process, he hoped toplete the third stage of the hidden quest and hopefully find "Philip''s Legacy." These were all things that could boost his strength. There was anticipation in his heart, and even more so, visions of the future¡ª To grow stronger and establish a foothold! To have enough power and reach a certain height before the arrival of 1.0 version beta yers. Only then would Chen Lun feel truly secure. Having lost the unique yer interface, he did not know if he could still resurrect after death. Although he was an NPC, he still retained the ability to ept quests and inspect item information¡­ But he dared not gamble on the privilege of resurrection that only yers had. One has only one life. ¡­ Amber City. This major city in the eastern part of the Tresor Empire was far more developed and bustling than the backward small town of Emerald Town, not to mention muchrger in area. ording to the administrative divisions of the entire continent, one empire and three affiliated kingdoms. Not counting other smaller self-proimed kingdoms, aside from Beryl Royal City, the Tresor Empire was divided into the Six States. Each state had ten cities. Each city wasposed of a central city, seventy-two markets, and countless small towns. Amber City was one of the more prominent cities among the seventy-two markets of Fossil City in the Gem State, known for its culture, nature, and art. As the carriage gradually approached Amber City, the main gravel road gradually turned into neatly paved stone pathways. Along either side of the road stood square stone pirs and ck iron streetmps. Each of these streetmps, every nightfall, would be lit with kerosene bymplighters, brightly illuminating throughout the night. Clip-clop, clip-clop¡­ The carriage moved slowly. In the distance, the tall city walls became increasingly clear, with densely packed low houses on both sides leading to the city gate. "It''s the smell of stewed beans..." Floey lifted the curtain and sniffed with her delicate nose, murmuring softly. She was very familiar with this scent, as it was often part of her childhood meals. From within the carriage, Chen Lun could see numerous women with aprons and headscarves busying themselves with cooking and cleaning. They were working right at the doorsteps of their humble homes, with children ying around them and then darting into the dense houses nearby. "Their men mostly go into the city to work during the day ande back out to their homes after work is done." At that moment, Walsh, the driver of the carriage, spoke. Chen Lun was well aware of this fact. Those living here were the poor who did not qualify for permanent residence inside the city. They were also an indispensable part of keeping Amber City running. Among the crowd preparing to enter the city, there was no shortage of carriages, but even more were pedestrians with backpacks and hawkers carrying baskets selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Walsh presented the trade caravan''s certificate along with five Copper Kros per person for the entry fee, and the Tresor Empire soldiers waved them through. Passing through the long city gate corridor, under the dim lighting, Chen Lun could see walls stered with notices and warrants. But most were yellowed and torn due to the wear and tear of time, and due to neglect in cleaning, they had umted in thickyers. Soon, the surrounding mor rushed into their ears. ``` ``` Entering the inner city is what truly counts as entering Amber City, where it''s apletely different world from the outside. The carriages slowly passing by with the jingling of bells, the newsboys running about, hawking cigarettes and newspapers, the vendors setting up stalls in therge squares, and the Church monks preaching loudly. Floey seemed very excited, constantly listening to the sounds of the new world. It was only at this moment that she appeared to be a girl her age should be. "Master Jack, we''ve arrived at our destination." Walsh prompted. The carriage soon stopped in front of a three-story building, the location of the Silver Dragon Trade Association in Amber City. However, this was not the Inner City District. Although there is another branch in the Inner City District, Chen Lun asked to stop here. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to move around in the Inner City District, but that area belonged to the wealthy elite and was very strictly secured. With Chen Lun''s current unregistered identity, plus having to take care of Floey, moving around there would be difficult. Therefore, he nned to settle down in the Outer City District for the time being and make some ns. "Thanks, Uncle Walsh." Chen Lun got off the carriage first, then turned to extend his hand, but suddenly remembered Floey wasn''t actually blind. Just as he was about to retract his hand, Floey''s small hand reached out first. Chen Lun was momentarily startled. Floey gave him a sweet smile. "Master Jack, you truly are an admirable big brother." Walsh took off his hat and extended hisrge hand. "Themission entrusted to our Silver Dragon Trade Association has been sessfullypleted. It was a pleasure doing business, and I hope we can relieve your worries again in the future." "It was a pleasure." Chen Lun extended his other hand and shook his. Walsh suddenly felt a chill in his palm. Looking down, he found two glittering gold pounds. "Master Jack, this..." "Consider it a tip for all of you. One of the escorts even got injured for me and my sister, and I feel very remorseful... Well then, farewell, Uncle Walsh." Walsh looked up to see the young man already walking away with Miss Floey. He couldn''t help but feel that Master Jack was a truly generous gentleman. I didn''t even ask for more money. ... The two walked a long way along the street. Chen Lun originally wanted to let go of Floey''s hand but didn''t seed. Floey''s small hand clung tightly, and she whispered in a low voice: "Isn''t it very conspicuous for a blind girl to walk without someone leading her?" "Uh...? That seems to be true." So Chen Lun stopped worrying about that and started to survey the surrounding area to see where would be suitable to settle down.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Soon he saw a sign for renting lodging at the entrance of a flower shop. Chen Lun, leading Floey, stopped in front of the notice, noticing that a metal te was mounted on the wall. Denton Street number seven. After looking at the rental sign for a while, his gaze moved through the ss window of the flower shop next door to a woman inside. The elderly woman, with her hair turning gray, was meticulously tending to the flowers in the shop, past many colorful fresh blossoms. Knock knock... Someone tapped on the ss twice. Thedy turned her head, revealing a kind-looking face. Despite the wrinkles, one could still see traces of her former beauty. When she saw the young man leading the blind girl, she smiled and waved her hand while mouthing the words: "Come in, children,e in." ``` Chapter 30 Number 7 Denton Street Chen Lun and Floey pushed the door open. After polite greetings, he expressed his interest in renting an apartment to the flower shop owner, and then received a warm wee. Through a pleasant chat, Chen Lun learned her name was Caroline. Mrs. Caroline was thendlord of the entire building and ran the flower shop downstairs. Located on a street corner, there were also two adjacent shops, which were a coffee shop and a bookstore, both of which had already been rented out. The building wasn''t tall, just four stories high. Besides the ground floor shops, each floor could amodate two households, and now there was only one apartment still avable on the top floor. "Come, have a cup of flower tea, children." Mrs. Caroline enthusiastically poured them both a hot cup of tea. Chen Lun thanked her. After receiving the hot tea, he ced one cup in front of Floey and reminded her to be careful as it was hot. Mrs. Caroline nodded to herself, feeling very satisfied with the siblings. The brother was gentle and honest, while the sister was demure and quiet. Both had manners and deportment that suggested a well-bred upbringing, not like ordinary folk. Another important point was that they were both very attractive, which would make her happy every day. It was just a shame that the girl named Floey was blind, which was quite pitiable. Luckily, her brother had stood by her side, bringing her all the way to Amber City to seek out rtives, just to treat her eye condition. Mrs. Caroline, who was sensitive and emotional, felt her heart melt and sighed to herself several times.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Little Jack, if you want to rent the empty apartment on the fourth floor, it will only cost you 5 Silver Ducats a week... Oh, of course, if you''re short on money for the time being, you can owe it." Though located in the Outer City District, this area was on the main thoroughfare and close to the bustling downtown district, and the rent should have been several times higher ording to the market rate. But Mrs. Caroline deliberately lowered the rent. Even the other tenants weren''t paying the standard market price to live here. Though Mrs. Caroline wasn''t short on money, she did have certain requirements for her tenants. They must be clean, have no bad habits, hold a decent job, and most importantly, have a kind heart. "Thank you, Mrs. Caroline... Here are 20 Silver Ducats, we''ll stay for a month first." Chen Lun handed over a small bag filled with silver coins. He added: "Since we''vee to stay with rtives, we''re not sure how long we can stay, so we''ll just stay for a while." "Oh, Little Jack, you don''t have to do that." Mrs. Caroline pushed the money bag back and lowered her voice, saying: "You and your sister have just arrived in the big city, and there will be many ces you''ll need to spend money, so don''t rush to pay me the rent..." She then took both their hands and walked them out, and Chen Lun, having no choice, took back his money bag. "Come, I''ll show you upstairs... Your neighbors are all friendly people, and I believe you can be friends." "That''s very kind of you, but will the flower shop be all right without anyone to look after it?" Chen Lun and Floey were escorted out of the flower shop and asked. Mrs. Caroline waved her hand with a smile. "No problem, business isn''t good at the flower shop, I just tend to it when I feel bored." Saying this, she led the way into the stairwell. Just as Chen Lun and Floey followed Mrs. Caroline and disappeared into the stairwell, two youths emerged from a small alley across the street. Both were wearing brown leather jackets and striped skinny jeans, one of them smoking a cheap cigarette,ughing as he said: "I didn''t expect that staking out the kid would yield such an unexpected find..." He gave a look to the other. "Go back and report to the boss, bring more people, I''ll keep watching here so we don''t let these two little fat sheep get away..." "Alright, then keep a close eye, that man and woman are definitely worth a high price!" The other youth licked his lips and left first. "Especially that girl, tsk tsk¡­ prettier than the honorable congressman''s daughter, makes the maids at the Bird and Flower Tavern look like a pile of Xie Te!" ... Mrs. Caroline led Chen Lun and hispanion up the stairs. The wooden floor seemed rather old, creaking softly with each step. "Sorry, this house was handed down from my husband''s grandfather; it''s quite old." Mrs. Caroline exined as they walked. Upon reaching the third floor, she pointed to a door down the left corridor. "This apartment is where Connie and her father live. Connie is a diligent girl, attending sses at the nearby technical college during the day and working outside at night to take care of her sick father, Mr. Hood." After finishing, Mrs. Caroline pointed to the right. "And here live the three Moriarty siblings, all good children. The brother goes to work at a foreign tradepany in the city center early every day, taking care of the life of his younger brother and sister¡­ Oh right, I''ve heard that the sister Melissa and Connie are ssmates." Chen Lun felt that the introduction sounded vaguely familiar, as if he had heard of these three siblings somewhere. Without delving deeper, he and Floey followed Mrs. Caroline up to their new home on the fourth floor. Mrs. Caroline led them into the room on the left side. The room was notrge, a ssic three-bedroom, one living room, one bathroom, one kitchen, and one balcony setup. The furniture was allplete and though somewhat old, it was very clean. Chen Lun was very satisfied with it. "You''ve really gone to a lot of trouble, Mrs. Caroline. Floey and I really like it here." "Oh, is that so? That''s just wonderful¡­" Mrs. Caroline also seemed very pleased, and she then cautioned, "Now, little Jack, you will probably need to buy some household items and other sundries. You should be frugal with your money¡­ If you don''t mind, in the mornings and evenings, you could bring your sister to join me for meals on the second floor." "Thank you, Mrs. Caroline." Chen Lun had been somewhat worried; he had so many things to do, with so little time, and couldn''t take care of Floey much. It was a relief that she could have meals at Mrs. Caroline''s, saving him quite a bit of trouble. "I''ll pay you additionalpensation, Mrs. Caroline." Mrs. Caroline was about to refuse, but seeing the young man''s earnest expression, mature and handsome, "It''s a matter of proper courtesy for a gentleman, please don''t decline it." "Well¡­ okay then." Seeing this, Mrs. Caroline truly couldn''t refuse such a kind and handsome young man, and her opinion of the siblings rose once more. "An extra Silver Ducats each week, then it''s settled!" Sheughed a few times, covering her mouth, then turned and left the room. "Oh, by the way, your next-door neighbor is a young man who lives alone. He might seem a bit cold, but he''s actually quite a nice person." Mrs. Caroline paused at the doorway, said her piece, and then bid them goodbye and left. After closing the door, Chen Lun took a look around. He set down his backpack first, then poured a cup of water for himself and Floey andfortably sank into the sofa. "It''s been a long time since I''ve rested like this¡­" "What are we going to do next?" Floey sat opposite Chen Lun, her ethereal voice reaching his ears. "I''ll go outter to buy some stuff. You just stay home and don''t go out, um¡­" As he spoke, Chen Lun seemed to realize that this might not seem fair to Floey, almost like another form of confinement. So he continued, "If you feel bored, you can walk around the neighborhood, but don''t go too far¡­ After all, your situation is quiteplicated right now." Floey nodded lightly. "Okay, I know. I''ll just wait here for you toe back." As she spoke, she paused slightly on the word "home." Chapter 31 Amber? Gotham! Evening. Passersby on the street hurried along, seemingly all quite busy. Chen Lun walked among them with his hands in his pockets, appearing somewhat out of ce. He had nned to go out and buy some things, and also to take a stroll around. To familiarize himself with the surrounding environment and see if he could gather some useful information. That''s when he suddenly remembered, when he left his apartment, he had bumped into that gloomy young man in the corridor. At that time, the other party didn''t seem to care about Chen Lun, their new neighbor. They passed by each other in silence, and the young man went straight into his own room. The sound of the door closing was a bit loud, revealing some annoyance. In that brief nce, Chen Lun saw anxiety and fear on the young man''s face, presenting a worried look. But Chen Lun wasn''t curious about his affairs, so he didn''t take it to heart. It was just when passing by the flower shop that he casually inquired about it with Mrs. Caroline. Mrs. Caroline informed him that the young man''s name was Kent, who seemed to be a middle-ss youth who hade to Amber City to study. "Excuse me, sir, I need to get past." A man''s voice came through. Chen Lun looked up and saw a group of people wearing short, blue capes. He stepped aside to make way. One of them held a long pole with a fiery tip, while another tacitly opened the cover of the streemp, allowing theirrade to light the wick inside. As the streemps were lit, they continued on to the next one. "They''remplighters..." Only then did Chen Lun realize that it had gotten dark. He had wandered the vicinity for over half an hour without any result. However, the way he had been looking around nervously throughout his walk seemed to attract the attention of the patrol guards. Luckily, seeing that his dress did not resemble a hoodlum, plus the points he got for his good looks, they let go of their suspicion. However, this also served as a reminder to Chen Lun that he needed to get a proper identity for himself and Floey soon. Otherwise, getting caught would be troublesome. Just as he was about to turn back and stop by the general store to pick up some household supplies, he suddenly furrowed his brow. Chen Lun silently quickened his pace back. When passing a narrow alley, he suddenly turned and walked in. Soon after, four youths wearing leather caps and rough hemp dusters with cinched waists appeared at the entrance of the alley. "He went in here." "Could he have seen us? Is he trying to run?" "No worries, this is a dead-end alley, he can''t escape. Chase him!" The few youths exchanged a few words and dashed in. By then it waspletely dark, and the cramped alley was pitch ck, one couldn''t see one''s own hand in front of them. The four of them almost tripped over a garbage can as they ran in and cursed under their breaths before they had to slow down. "Dammit, where did that kid go?" "How could he see in the dark like this..." Bang! A muffled sound, followed by the noise of someone falling to the ground. "What was that sound!?" "Did you guys hear that?" Bang! Another sound simr to the first one rang out. The remaining two felt chills go down their spines. "Hey, guys, what do you say we get out of here first?" "Mike, I just felt something beside me..." Bang!! The man spoke halfway and then there was silence. Thest one left, Mike, trembled as he stepped back. "Bor, Boom, Aireno... are you guys still there? Hey! Answer me! Stop messing around, damn it!" Suddenly, he saw a pair of emerald green vertical pupils light up in the darkness in front of him. His heart skipped a beat, urban legends he had heard shed through his mind, and he felt a shiver, his heart stopping for a moment. The next second, however, he heard a deep, icy voice from the darkness: "Answer me, who are you? Why are you following me?" ``` Mike was about to spout some nonsense when a faint blue glow flickered across his field of vision, and without realizing it, he found himself blurting out the truth. "My name is Mike, and these are mypanions..." Five minutester. Chen Lun walked out of the alley as if nothing had happened, heading towards Number 7 Denton Street with a resigned expression on his face. Through hypnosis, he had already gleaned information about that group of people. They were just four low-level thugs who, seeing him alone and well-dressed¡ªlike someone with money¡ªhad decided to try their hand at extortion. It was that simple, noplex schemes, no mastermind behind the scenes. He had thought he might stumble upon some big fish, but it had been a false rm. However, he had not killed them. After all, he was new in town and didn''t want to cause too much of amotion over a trivial matter. The guy he had hypnotized would wake up remembering nothing. "I need to remind Floey when I get back, the security around here is terrible," Chen Lun thought to himself. The area did have Patrol Guards, but their work attitude could notpare to even a tenth of that in the Inner City District. As he was one block away from the flower shop, he suddenly heard a faint scream. Through the light of a nearbymp post, Chen Lun saw a figure being beaten at the corner of the wall. "Are you sure this ce isn''t called Gotham City?" The thought flickered through his mind. Howe just wandering around today, he had encountered this kind of thing twice? "...Remember, kid, if you don''t pay up by tomorrow, your body will end up in the sewers of the cesspool," "Cough, cough... Stop hitting me, I''ll pay you back tomorrow!" As Chen Lun approached, he suddenly realized that the man being beaten looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, it was the neighbor he had met when leaving the house, a young man named Kent. His appearance was pitiful, kneeling on the ground with a blue and swollen face, begging two men in leather jackets and tight pants. "Heh, we actually know you don''t have the money... How about this, we''ll give you a bit of advice. Just introduce the girl living in your building to the Bird and Flower Pub, and you can hold off on paying the money for now, how does that sound?" The man said with a sinister tone. "You mean Connie? Cough... I''m not close to her." "Not close? You''re fooling nobody!" With that, the two men started pummeling Kent all over again. It wasn''t until Kent''s screams turned hoarse, and he began to beg incessantly, that the two men stopped. "I... I indeed used to be her ssmate, but I dropped out after just two months of sses," Kent said in a strained breath, struggling to speak. Seeing that the two men were about to hit him again, Kent hurriedly said: "But I know where she works, I know the boss there. I can get her fired first, and then... then force her into your territory!" After saying this, Kent seemed to resign himself, took a long breath and leaned against the wall to rest. "Good, then we''ll wait for your news. Remember not to drag it out too long, or you''ll regret it,"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The two men threatened before turning around and leaving. Chen Lun seemed to overhear something and had not nned to get involved, but because they were neighbors, he decided to ask about the situation. "Hey, do you need some help?" Chen Lun spoke as gently as he could. To his surprise, Kent red at him fiercely, looked down sullenly, and continued to mutter to himself. Chen Lun shrugged silently; it appeared he was not needed. Then came the sound of footsteps in the street. Chen Lun looked up to see a young girl passing by who happened to look in his direction. She had a delicate and attractive face, but at the moment, she was looking at Chen Lun with disdain before quickly moving on. "??" Chen Lun was puzzled. Why would she look at me like that? He turned to look at Kent, who now resembled a beaten pig, and suddenly understood something. Don''t tell me I''ve been mistaken for one of the extortionist thugs? Am I the clown here? ``` Chapter 32 Iron Fist Strike Outer City District. The Sewage Slum. This area is the edge of the city''s waste discharge, close to a huge sewage channel. To call it a channel is an understatement; it''s more like a spacious "moat" for the city. Enormous drainage pipes, like train tunnels, are lined up beneath the embankment, tirelessly discharging the city''s sewage night and day. This waste water follows the channel out of the city, merging into rivers, and ultimately reaching the eastern ocean. But because of the inefficient discharge, the Sewage Slum constantly umtes a vast amount of waste water, causing the district to be filled with a foul stench, hence the Amber City residents dub it the "Stench District." Though despised, the Sewage Slum attracts countless lower-ss residents who flock here to live. For those who don''t wish to hustle in and out of the city every day, or who take pride in staying in the city long-term, the Sewage Slum is simply the best choice. Of course, being a hotspot for crime due to the mixture of people and poverty, even Patrol Guards and police officers refuse to set foot here, leaving it in a state of near anarchic self-determination.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om It is also the shadow beneath the great city. The only tavern in the Sewage Slum, the Flower & Bird Tavern. This is one of the few ces where the residents of the Sewage Slum can find entertainment, and because it''s cheap. For just one Copper Kro, you can join the fun, whether it''s to gaze at scantily d maids or to cheer on brawls and fights. Currently, the tavern is packed with patrons, noisy and muggy, with maids weaving through the crowd with their trays. A man dressed in a short leather jacket and striped tight pants pushed the door open and walked in. "Hey, Lenny," the heavily made-upndy greeted him warmly as she saw him. "I''ve got some things to take care of, I''lle find you to y after I''m done..." He smirked as he groped her, then made a beeline for the interior. The patrons quickly got out of his way upon seeing him. An inattentive fool bumped into him, about to curse out loud. When he saw who it was, he immediately stepped back and bowed apologetically. Fortunately, the man didn''t want to waste time and merely gave him a cold nce before walking away. The drunken bumbler broke out in a cold sweat. This was a member of the Iron Fist Gang; offending him would definitely lead to suffering! The Flower & Bird Tavern was Iron Fist Gang territory, and ying here required sharp eyes or nobody would know if their own body might be floating in the sewage channels tomorrow. The man in the leather jacket passed through the kitchen to reach the courtyard out back, which had arge open space with wooden posts and targets set up. These targets were dressed in ragged clothes and straw hats as if to simte human figures. A tall building and two warehouses enclosed the area behind the open space. He briskly walked into the building, where dozens of gang members, all wearing leather jackets and tight pants like him, gathered. On an extended couch at the farthest end sat a broad-shouldered, bear-like man. He was dressed in a suit and shiny shoes,bing back his hair neatly, and smoking a cigarette. "Boss Gary, I''ve got it all figured out." The man in the leather jacket bowed respectfully. "Talk." The sturdy man exhaled a puff of smoke, ufortably loosening a button on his waistcoat. "That kid came here by horse carriage, an outsider with a very pretty girl, seems to be his sister... They are both well-dressed, but they only moved into number seven on Denton Street." "Well done," Gary praised him, drawing thest puff before crushing the cigarette in the ashtray. "So it seems they''re probably young folks who''vee to the big city to seek out rtives or for education..." He seemed to remember something and became noticeably restless. "People like them, with no status or background, are the perfect targets to strike at... Find an opportunity to kill the boy and snatch the girl! But be discreet, don''t cause too much of a scene. It may be chaotic in the Outer City District, but Iron Fist Gang doesn''t call all the shots." "Understood, boss." The man in the leather jacket acknowledged and then gestured to several card-ying brothers as they left the building. Gary slowly leaned back on the couch, exhaling deeply. "Hopefully, this will buy us some more time from Lord Fedman..." ... ``` Click, click, click! ck! Fingers stuffed a row of lead bullets into the chamber and slid the cover shut. Chen Lun looked at the four flintlock guns and two pairs of iron gloves on the table with satisfaction. "It''s a pity that there isn''t much ammunition left¡­ Those investigators didn''t think to bring more, always scrimping and scraping, so disgraceful!" Chen Lun''s face showed his displeasure. Pity their misfortune, angry at theirck of spirit! This was out of concern for their lives, definitely not because he hadn''t scrounged enough bullets toin about. "Here, take this gun for self-defense." Chen Lun handed a flintlock gun to Floey. Floey took it and caressed the engravings, revealing a slight smile. "Thank you." Chen Lun packed up the weapons on the table and stood up, ncing at the clock on the wall. It was exactly 9:20 in the morning. "Let''s go, it''s time for a meal." "Are we dining with Mrs. Caroline on the second floor?" Chen Lun nodded in surprise. "Of course, we''ve paid for it!" Although he knew that one silver ducat for meals was definitely not enough, Caroline''s generous food and warmth couldn''t be bought with money. But Chen Lun had taken note of this kindness. If any short-sighted fool dared to cause trouble at the flower shop, he would certainly carve a flower in their arsehole. If possible, it would be better if the troublemakers knew where Dolly was. Even better if it was Dolly himself causing the trouble. And maybe inform them of Viscount Pompey''s residence, too. Getting something for nothing is always delightful! Chen Lun''s eyebrows twitched, and he couldn''t help but look forward to the arrival of such troublemakers. As he and Floey left the room and descended to the third floor, they suddenly heard a bout of quarreling. "I won''t go! How many times must I say it? The medicine from the Red Apple Church is definitely problematic, why won''t you listen? Dad!" A girl''s angry voice shouted. Followed by the sound of a door mming shut. Chen Lun then saw the chestnut-haired girl fromst nighte storming into the corridor, apparently preparing to go downstairs. Her features were not stunning, even wed with some freckles, but they were pleasant to look at. At this moment, Connie''s face still bore some tear stains, and she seemed surprised to see two peers in the corridor. Then, noticing Chen Lun, she seemed to remember the scene fromst night, frowned, and turned to leave. "¡­" Chen Lun felt helpless and couldn''t be bothered to exin. He proceeded with Floey to the second floor and ran into Mrs. Caroline just in time. "Oh, little Jack, and the beautiful little Floey¡­ Come on in, I was just about toe up and call you two." "Thank you for your trouble, Mrs. Caroline." Following her inside, Caroline had alreadyid out the prepared breakfast on the dining table. Mrs. Caroline''s roomyout was the same as the other tenants'', but her decorating made it look more elegant and luxurious. And with a touch of girlishness. The room was dotted with vases of neatly trimmed flowers everywhere, and one could smell a fresh fragrance as they walked in. "Eat up, this is a rice dish with fish and eggs I carefully prepared. I believe you''ll like it." Caroline walked to the dining table and lifted the cover off the dishes. A rich scent of cream assailed their senses, and Chen Lun''s appetite was greatly piqued. ``` Chapter 33 33rd Chapter A Day in the Life of a Runner This was Chen Lun''s first breakfast at Mrs. Caroline''s ce, and his first meal of rice since he had crossed over. He was silently moved to tears and expressed great satisfaction. Mrs. Caroline''s cooking was stunning; the aromatic rice was stir-fried in butter with eggs, and topped with chopped celery, cod, and shrimp, all very fresh and tender. Although Chen Lun wasn''t a fan of fish, he ate everything up and then contentedly drank a cup of floral tea. "Is that your husband, Mrs. Caroline?" He noticed two picture frames on the cupboard and couldn''t help but ask. Turning around, Mrs. Caroline looked back, smiled, and responded, "Oh yes, that''s my husband, Henry... and our son, Oliver." "Then, are they also in Amber City now?" Chen Lun asked aloud. Mrs. Caroline fell silent for a moment. "No, Henry sacrificed himself for the Empire many years ago... and so did Oliver." Mrs. Caroline stood up, picked up the photo album, and wiped the dust off it with a handkerchief. The photographs showed a young Mrs. Caroline and Mr. Henry in military uniform, and another one of their son, Oliver. "They bravely gave their lives in an overseasnding operation... May the Sun''s radiance shine on them forever." Mrs. Caroline said a prayer quietly, then put the photo album down. "I''m very sorry, Mrs. Caroline." Chen Lun said apologetically. Floey nced at him, and through her ck silk scarf, her look seemed to carry a slight reproach. "It''s okay, little Jack, it''s all in the past..." Mrs. Caroline''s smile returned, and she came over to refill Chen Lun''s floral tea. "Flowers bloom like fire, as does loneliness. Time may make us forget, but as long as I remember them, that''s enough..." Chen Lun looked at this white-haired woman, unsure of what to say. Mrs. Caroline had spoken of a battle, of which he had heard; the Tresor Empire had long covetednds beyond the maind. The nearest huge ind to the Tresor Empire was beyond the Far East. This ind was known as Mist Ind, inhabited by people and civilization alike. The overseasnding operationsunched by the Tresor Empire were essentially colonial wars. Yet for many years, all had ended in failure. Even until several versionster in a previous life, the Empire''s n to colonize had still made no progress. What unknown, powerful force resided on Mist Ind, able to repel the Empire''s incursions? "Mrs. Caroline, your cooking is wonderful. May I learn from you?" Floey put down her spoon, looked up, and asked with a smile. Mrs. Caroline, surprised and then delighted, sat down next to her. "Of course, little Floey." Chen Lun was also surprised by Floey''s question. But he guessed her intention was likely to divert Mrs. Caroline''s sorrowful emotions. Indeed a good girl. "Remember to cook the cod in milk beforehand, and do not break it into pieces..." Listening to Mrs. Caroline excitedly discuss the nuances of making fish and rice casserole, Chen Lun gave Floey a thumbs up. Floey responded with a faint smile. Afterward, Chen Lun expressed his gratitude for the hospitality to Mrs. Caroline and then left. Walking out of the building, he nned to start his day''s routine. Passing by a coffee shop next to the flower store, he noticed Connie and Kent sitting under an outdoor parasol. Kent was talking animatedly, gesticting wildly, but Connie was unmoved. She sat with her arms crossed, somewhat lost in thought. Chen Lun didn''t bother with them, nor did he care, and chose to leave directly. In the alley across the street, two young men from the Iron Fist Gang listlessly smoked. "Hey, buddy, why not just go in and nab that foreign girl!" "You must be crazy, this street is under the special care of Viscount Pompey in the Inner City District, especially that flower shop. I heard thendy, Mrs. Caroline, is the widow of a warrade of Viscount Pompey... If you''re looking for trouble, don''t drag me into it!" The young man who proposed the capture was startled. "How did you know about this!?" "Don''t forget, the boss often goes out to drink with the big shots from the Inner City District. I overheard a subordinate officer mention itst time." The young man discarded his cigarette butt and tugged at his leather jacket. Another guy, however, was somewhat impatient. "So what do we do now? That out-of-towner girl hides in there all day... It''s the guy whoes out to stroll around; why not tie him up first, then make him bring out the girl?" The one who had thrown the cigarette butt helplessly took off his felt trilby, scratching his head. He looked at hispanion as if staring at an idiot. "You could try that, but if he calls the police, by the next day, we''ll definitely be in the drains." "Alright, alright, let''s wait a bit more!" ... Chen Lun bought a newspaper and sat down on a bench in the square. On a temporarily constructed wooden tform nearby, a Monk from the Red Apple Church still stood today, tirelessly preaching. "Ah, magnificent Lady Rose, thank you for bestowing upon us health and vigor, passion and fervor¡­ Yourpassionate gaze showers upon humanity, casting seeds in the garden that grow into trees¡­n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The holy insects consume the apple, their secretions turn into nectar, showing mercy to the ailments and the suffering of mankind, easing their pains and misfortunes¡­" The Monk descended from the tform with a face full of pity for the world. Two Church Guardians, whose origins were unknown, each held a tray with several small boxes on them. Many excited observers rushed forward, eagerly purchasing those small boxes. "Praise Rose." The Monk lightly touched his left chest and forehead with his forefinger, spread his fingers wide, and made a prayer gesture as if holding up the sky. Chen Lun watched the red-robed Monk and could not help but snort in ridicule. Oh Red, you''re deceiving people again, eh? Why not take a break and do some sacrifices or something? Chen Lun was well aware of what was inside those small boxes. It was a secretion from a Supernatural Creature known as "nectar," which had healing and health-enhancing effects on the human body. The side effects were not significant, just morally wrong. Because it reduced lifespan and had a slight addictive quality. Small, supernatural maggots excreted these secretions after consuming the apples, creating the nectar. Chen Lun felt disgusted just thinking about it. But thesemon people did not know this and were instead willing to give huge "donations" in exchange for this miraculous medicine. He sighed lightly; the Red Apple Church was indeed very good at this. "Hey, do you think the tax cut proposal by Viscount Daniel will pass?" "How likely is that? It''s totally impractical." Two office workers were chatting on a nearby bench, catching Chen Lun''s attention. He felt that something sounded familiar, so he flipped over his newspaper. Sure enough, he saw a slightly overweight middle-aged man holding forth in arge section, the very Viscount Daniel who had been the subject of much discussiontely. "Sigh, Viscount Daniel is a kind and upright good person; it''s just unfortunate that the council never considers such views." "A good person? I doubt it... His proposals are clearly impractical and doomed to fail. Mostly they''re just published to attract attention and gain votes. I heard he''s nning to run for a seat in Fossil City¡­" The tone of the speaking office worker was somewhat disdainful, indicating he wasn''t quite fond of the legitor. Hispanion seemed slightly annoyed. "How can you regard Viscount Daniel like that? He''s one of the few in Amber City who truly considers themon people!" "Oh please... With this proposal, for example, Amber City''s finances simply can''t support the operations of the city after such a tax cut. If that happens, there won''t even be a Lamplighter to light the streetmps at night. Just don''t fall into a ditch when you go out!" The two office workers started arguing, but Chen Lun wasn''t paying close attention. Because he suddenly remembered something¡ªthe Viscount Daniel was, indeed, the very person the small guild had protected in his past life. And it was the same Viscount who would end up being killed by Dolly¡­ Chapter 34 Kent is willing to guide you Chen Lun folded the newspaper neatly and tucked it into the slit of the bench''s backrest before walking away. Perhaps the next resident to rest here could catch up on the recent major events in Amber City for free. He nced at the sky and slowly made his way to Number 7 Denton Street, where the flower shop was located. On his walk, he continued to ponder the connection between Councilor Daniel and Dolly, hoping to find some trace of Dolly''s current whereabouts through this thread. But after all, Dolly''s attempt to assassinate the councilor wouldn''t ur for two more years, and current clues were too scarce to make any deductions. Chen Lun sighed to himself. It had already been two days since he arrived in Amber City, and he still hadn''t made any substantial progress. "Time is of the essence... If that doesn''t work, I''ll have to take a risk and probe into the Inner City District." The Inner City District had ample security forces, backed by the Shelter and various Churches. The strength of Amber City''s official Transcendents was not something a small ce like Emerald Town couldpare with. Unless absolutely necessary, Chen Lun did not want to take such risks with his own safety. Returning to Number 7 Denton Street, he went straight upstairs to his home. When he opened the door, he was taken aback for a moment. In the living room, he saw Floey chatting with a visitor. And the visitor was none other than Connie, who lived downstairs. "You''re back," Floey''s ethereal voice said with a hint of joy in her tone. "This is¡­?" Chen Lun poured himself a ss of water and looked at Connie with curiosity. With her lips pursed, the girl looked up at him with some struggle, took a deep breath, and said: "Mr. Jack, I... I think you must be in need of a maid. Miss Floey can''t see with her eyes, and daily life must be inconvenient... I should be able to help." After an initial hesitant start, Connie spoke more fluently as she continued. "And I can also clean,under clothes, and keep the room tidy... I would only need 2 Silver Ducats a week, no, 1 Silver Ducat and 50 Copper Kro is enough." Having said that, Connie looked expectantly at Chen Lun. Chen Lun frowned slightly. He and Floey had too many secrets and did not want toe into close contact with ordinary people. Connie was constantly paying attention to the expression of the dark-haired young man. Seeing Chen Lun frown, her heart sank. Just as Chen Lun was about to decline, Floey spoke up: "Connie has lost her job, and she doesn''t want to trouble Mrs. Caroline too much, because Mrs. Caroline has helped her a lot." Upon hearing this, Chen Lun recalled the words said by Kent who was beaten up the night before. Perhaps Connie''s job loss had something to do with that fellow. He looked at Floey and thought that having someone to talk to her might not be a bad thing after all. He trusted that Floey, with her intelligence, would not casually reveal anything about the Mystic Realm. "Aren''t you still in ss?" Chen Lun sat down with his ss of water and asked as he drank. "I get off ss at four in the afternoon every day. I''lle here on time to clean, and on weekends, I can apany Miss Floey for a walk," Connie said uneasily. "Hmm, alright then, you can take care of the cleaning... Let''s make it a weekly sry of 2 Silver Ducats, is that alright?" "Yes! Thank you, Mr. Jack!" Connie was visibly happy. She stood up, clutching her small hands, and then turned her gaze to Floey. "Thank you too, Miss Floey!" Floey responded with a smile. "So should Ie to work tonight, Mr. Jack?" "Ah, no need, you cane tomorrow night instead." Chen Lun sensed a lively change in the girl before him; she had seemed somewhat rundown before. Although he did not want to dampen Connie''s enthusiasm, he still needed to think about his next n for the evening without interruptions. "Okay, Mr. Jack." Connie curtsied to the man, who seemed younger than she was, and respectfully left the room. She carefully closed the door behind her as she exited. Turning around, Connie took a deep breath and revealed a radiant smile. At this moment, her heart was filled with immense joy; after losing her job, the world felt dark, but now, a ray of hope had appeared. Her family''s finances were dwindling, she still needed to attend sses, and her father depended on timely doses of "Fruit Nectar" from the Red Apple Church to sustain his life. If she couldn''t find work quickly, things would only get worse. She was filled with gratitude towards Mr. Jack, who had provided her with hope. She also slightly changed her initial impression of him, no longer simply seeing him as a bastard who enjoyed bullying others. ... The Riverside Slums. The Flower and Bird Tavern''s courtyard. Gary, the boss of the Iron Fist Gang, had just seen off a distinguished guest from the Inner City District¡ªthe Fedman butler. His face was gloomy as he violently swung his hefty arm, throwing a punch forward. Bang!!N?v(el)B\\jnn The straw hat spun off into the air, as a deep imprint was left on the wooden post in front of him. "Damn it!" Then he rushed forward, unleashing a ferocious barrage of punches at the post, seemingly venting his inner restlessness. "Money!" Bang!! "Craftsman!" Smack!! "What''s the use of hurrying me!? I''m already looking for a solution!" Gary roared, leaping up with a turning whip kick, the powerful strike cutting through the air and screeching loudly. Bang¡ª¡ª!! The kick uprooted the post, sending it flying away with a whistling sound. "Boss, we''ve captured the guy." A gang member in a leather jacket approached, speaking with reverence. Gary turned, maintaining a stern face, as two more men tactfully moved close. One cut and lit a cigar for him while another draped a felt coat over his shoulders. Then, two gang members brought in a battered and bruised young man, Kent, who was Chen Lun''s neighbor, and forced him to kneel before Gary. The man trembled, not daring to look up. He had just witnessed the boss of the Iron Fist Gang kick the post into the air and was terrified. "I... I''ve already caused Connie to lose her job. Just give me a bit, a bit more time, and I swear I''ll force her toe work here!" His voice was filled with begging. But Gary just shook his head, as if he found Kent too slow or had little hope for the situation. Despair filled Kent''s heart. He could almost see Gary waving his hand in the next second, and then imagine himself being dragged away to be cruelly killed and thrown into the drainage ditch. Perhaps it was a burst of desperate instinct to survive that sparked an idea in Kent''s mind. "Boss Gary! In the building where I live, two outsiders have recently arrived, and they look very rich! One of them is a very beautiful girl, and she''s blind... I can figure out a way to help you capture her!" Gary stopped smoking his cigar and stared at him, pondering in silence. As Kent anxiously awaited a response, Gary finally spoke: "What''s your n?" Joy sparked in Kent''s heart. After a moment''s thought, he shared his n. Chapter 35 Little Rich Lady Floey Another day had passed. Evening. Chen Lun once again finished his day''s patrol, returning to Number 7 Denton Street full of guilt. When he opened the door, however, he didn''t see Floey''s figure. "Huh? Where is she?" He looked around the room but still couldn''t find her. Chen Lun walked out of the room, puzzled, ready to ask Mrs. Caroline. Just then, he happened to meet Kenting upstairs. The scene was just like their first meeting two days ago. Only this time, Kent''s face had less gloom and more hurt. As he looked up and saw Chen Lun, Kent quickly averted his gaze and tried to pass by with his head down. "I know everything." As they brushed past one another, Chen Lun suddenly spoke. Startled, Kent nearly tumbled down the stairs. His heartbeat quickened, and he tried hard to control his emotions, maintaining an appearance as normal as possible. "Know... what exactly?" Kent turned back, a look of confusion on his face. "Your name, of course, Mr. Kent." Chen Lun answered as if it were a matter of fact. "Or what else could it be?"N?v(el)B\\jnn "..." Kent breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately, an inexplicable irritation arose. He frowned and snorted coldly, no longer paying any attention to Chen Lun, and walked straight into his room. Just as he was about to close the door, a hand stopped it at the threshold. "Wait a moment, Mr. Kent." Kent looked up and saw the ck-haired young man with a polite smile, looking straight at him. "What else do you want?" He was impatient, wanting to get rid of the annoyance as soon as possible. He still had lots of unpacking to do, and the Iron Fist Gang members were waiting for him outside. "Have you seen my sister? The Miss Floey who lives next door." "Sorry, I haven''t seen her." Kent''s voice was harsh, his indifference palpable. Chen Lun was somewhat surprised, slightly furrowing his brows. "That''s odd¡­ what about Miss Connie? Have you seen her? She''s currently part-time maid at our ce, and ording to her, she should have finished sses by now and would be here to look after my sister Floey¡­" Upon hearing this, Kent''s impatience instantly transformed into anger. The mere mention set him off. In fact, he had already learned about this from Connie. At the time, he had wondered why his smooth-talking couldn''t persuade Connie to go to Silver Ducats, concluding that it was this guy''s interference. Damn it! All my efforts gone to waste! Everything was messed up by this foreign bastard! "I haven''t seen anyone! I haven''t seen anybody!" Kent struggled to control his expression, speaking in a cold voice. "Is that all? Sir? Now would you please move your hand from the door? Otherwise, don''t me me if it gets crushed!" "Oh, sorry¡­" Chen Lun withdrew his hand, looking embarrassed. "Really sorry to disturb you, Mr. Kent." With that, Chen Lun turned and left. Kent watched the ck-haired youth''s disappearing back, his facial expression growing more and more fierce. The Iron Fist Gang should have dealt with those two girls by now... Next up is you, you son of a bitch. I''ll watch as they throw you into the sewer. You''ll choke to death on sewage, you bastard! "Cough, cough!" Connie''s face turned red as she coughed twice. "So sour..." She held a cold drink in her hand, walking along the street with Floey. It was nightfall, and the ck streetmps on the side of the road lit up, one after another. "Miss Floey, how does your ''Gold Pounds Earl'' taste?" Connie curiously looked at the sealed paper cup Floey was holding. "It''s delicious." Floey maintained a smile. She turned her head slightly towards Connie and offered the milk tea enhanced with cream. "Do you want to try it?" "No... no, thank you, Miss Floey." Connie was startled and quickly waved her hand. She was simply curious why Miss Floey would enjoy milk tea without a hint of sugar. She herself was silly for having chosen a fruit tea that was too sour and couldn''t bear to throw it away. Because she was strapped for cash, Connie seldom afforded herself the luxury of consuming at a coffee shop. This time, it was Miss Floey who had paid for the outing, and Connie was witnessing for the first time someone carrying a bag containing dozens of Gold Pounds, proceeding straight to a coffee shop to buy a drink. When Miss Floey opened her purse, Connie could only see the glow of gold before her eyes. Oh my, she was so wealthy! "Miss Floey must be of noble lineage¡­" At that moment, Connie was extremely surprised and secretly guessed in her heart. Then she nervously scrutinized every customer in the coffee shop, as if worrying someone would notice the money and harbor ill-intentions. Fortunately, there were few customers in the coffee shop at the time, and they did not pay much attention to them. However, Connie still softly reminded Miss Floey, asking her to not bring so much money the next time. The Outer City District was not very peaceful, and it would be unfortunate to encounter a robber. Miss Floey was surprised upon hearing her words, not having realized that what was in the purse were Gold Pounds. As Connie had thought, it was indeed the case. The money was given to Floey in advance by Chen Lun, and Floey simply assumed it was just a bag of Silver Ducats. "Mr. Jack is too kind to Miss Floey¡­" Connie truly envied her. But that gave way to a sense of inferiority. "Perhaps only a girl as angelic as Miss Floey could be treated this way." She felt somewhat disheartened. "But why would Mr. Jack bring Miss Floey to live on Denton Street?" Many questions arose in her heart, yet Connie did not dare to ask aloud, as that would be rude. She held Miss Floey''s hand and strolled by the street. Turning her head to see the ck silk ribbon covering Floey''s eyes, Connie felt somewhat sad for her. "She is such a sentimental and kindhearted girl¡­" Floey "looked" ahead, her face maintaining a smile. Her strong perception allowed her to "see" Connie''s expression and emotions clearly. Then, Connie pulled out two blue tickets from her pocket and said to Floey: "Tomorrow is the weekend, and I originally nned to take you for a walk in the park... But since Kent has two tickets for tonight''s Dolphin Opera House, let''s go see an opera instead." After speaking, she realized something and hurriedly added: "Actually, the seats in the Opera House are all too far from the stage to see clearly... but the sound is loud, you can hear it." Perhaps feeling that her exnation was weak, Connie looked dejected. On her way back from ss today, Kent had stopped her, wanting to invite her to the Opera House tonight. Connie turned down Kent, indicating that she had to work a part-time job cleaning and take care of Miss Floey in the evening. Kent walked away sadly, but he left the two tickets with her. She had initially nned to decline, but then she thought of Miss Floey, thinking they might enjoy going together. Tickets to the Dolphin Opera House weren''t cheap, costing 3 Silver Ducats each, and Connie usually wouldn''t indulge in watching a y. If they didn''t go, wouldn''t that be a waste? After hearing what she said, Floey paused. "An opera..." This was somethingpletely new to her as well. Immediately, her face broke into a smile. "Okay, let''s go to the opera, I''m looking forward to it." Chapter 36 Big Brother, Dont Kill Me The Dolphin Opera House was located near the inner ring of the Outer City District, a few blocks away from Denton Street. If one took the main road, it would be a longer detour. Connie, who was familiar with the area, knew a shortcut that only took about fifteen minutes to walk. When Floey heard that the shortcut wouldn''t take long, she suggested they walk. The two of them, one in front of the other and holding hands, slowly made their way to a secluded alley. Passing through here and turning a corner, they could see the Dolphin Opera House. The shops on this street were all old ones selling second-hand items and clocks, and most were closed at this time. The few that still had lights on showed no signs of life. Connie, who had previously worked nights, was used to this and wasn''t scared. She evenforted Miss Floey beside her, telling her not to worry. "Kent did a good job," she said. But just then, Connie suddenly heard a deep male voice in front of her. Looking up, she immediately felt chills run down her spine. More than ten men had surrounded them. "Grab them! And be quick about it!" At themand of their leader, the rest of the men rushed forward with fierce smiles. Connie''s heart raced, and a wave of fear and dread overwhelmed her. "Miss Floey, run!" She grabbed Floey''s hand, trying to turn and escape. But before they had taken more than a few steps, those menacing men in leather jackets blocked their way, reaching out to grab them. "Got you, Biqi!" The man''s hand firmly grasped Connie''s arm¡ª Crack! Kent had just shut the door when he suddenly heard an odd noise. He carefully observed and realized something was stuck in the door. ncing up along the door gap. What met his eyes was a pitch-ck gun barrel. "!!" Kent''s heart skipped a beat, feeling as though his soul was about to leap out of his body. Looking up further, he saw the ck-haired young man who should have already gone downstairs, staring emotionless at him. "I''ll ask you once more, did you really not see them?" The flintlock gun was pressed against Kent''s forehead, the cold touch making him shiver. "No... I didn''t," he stammered. Cold sweat streamed down his face, but Kent dared not wipe it away. A hint of disappointment crossed the ck-haired young man''s face. "Since that''s the case, you''re of no use to me, time to die!" His fingery on the trigger, ready to pull. Thump! Kent suddenly dropped to his knees. "Don''t! Don''t kill me!! I know everything, I know it all!!" He copsed in a moment, crying out in agony. Kent was truly scared; he feared being shot by the other party at any second. The man before him seemed like a lunatic, unpredictable and mercurial. This fear was far more intense than any threat from the Iron Fist Gang. Chen Lun pushed the door open and then slowly closed it behind him. He held a gun in his hand, pointing it at Kent, and casually sat down on a chair. "Tell me everything you know," hemanded. The seashell ne on Chen Lun''s chest emitted a faint blue light. Kent''s eyes went nk, and he began to speak involuntarily. "It was the Iron Fist Gang leader, Gary, who told me..." Ten minutester. Having heard Kent''s story, Chen Lun understood the causes and circumstances, as well as the despicable tricks of the Iron Fist Gang. From the moment he had met Kent in the stairwell, he had noticed something was off about him. After a brief exchange, he sensed that everything about the man, from his heartbeat, breathing, facial expressions, sweat secretion, to even his blood flow, indicated that Kent was hiding something. A regr person could not deceive Chen Lun, a Transcendent. "What... What have you done to me!?" As Kent came to his senses, not understanding what had happened, he was suddenly filled with terror and confusion. He didn''t have time to think much, and what seemed toy before him now was a dead end. "Please don''t kill me! The Iron Fist Gang forced me! They scammed all my money and then demanded it back; if I didn''t pay, they threatened to kill me! I had no choice but to work for them! I''m sorry! I repent! Please spare me..." Kent pleaded. But seeing Chen Lun indifferent, he seemed to think of something else. He then began trembling as he got to his feet and started frantically searching the room. Chen Lun raised an eyebrow but didn''t stop him. What did he want to do? Chen Lun was curious. Soon, Kent, with a look of joy, came up to Chen Lun holding an old book. He handed it over like presenting a treasure. "This is a treasured heirloom of our family; my grandfather gave it to me when I left. He said it was very valuable and definitely worth a lot of money!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chen Lun, however, didn''t even give it a nce and simply scoffed. "If it''s so valuable and expensive, why didn''t you sell it to pay off your debt? Or give it directly to the Iron Fist Gang?" Kent''s smile stiffened. He felt thest sliver of hope in his heart shatterpletely. He was not lying; this book was indeed a treasured possession of his family. His grandfather had repeatedly told him to look through it often, saying it would be of great help to him and might even lead their family to prosperity in the future. But he had never seen anything special in it, considering it merely a sentimental old book. Chen Lun casually took the book, nced at it. "Recorder Ken Bernie''s Memoirs" His eyes slightly narrowed; a possibility shed through his mind. Kent suddenly noticed that the flintlock gun he had pointed at himself had been put down by the dark-haired young man. He couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Whew! The cool breeze blew through the quiet street. Carrying a pungent scent of blood. Connie stood frozen, unbelievingly staring at the scene before her. The man who had been holding her arm just a moment ago nowy in a pool of blood, with a gaping hole in his chest, slowly oozing blood. Turning her head, she saw Floey holding a flintlock gun, its barrel still smoking, which had appeared out of nowhere. "Xie Te! That bitch has a firearm!" "Don''t be afraid, she has already shot Lenny dead; she''s out of bullets!" The other men, after their initial shock, had regained theirposure. After a brief exchange, they charged again. Bang! Bang!! Two more gunshots rang out. The first two men who rushed forward fell under Floey''s flintlock gun. "What!?" The members of the Iron Fist Gang stopped in their tracks. They never expected that the two women they thought would be easy targets were so tough to handle. Especially the beautiful blind girl, who had pulled out a flintlock gun capable of multiple shots. It''s unheard of! How could there be a flintlock gun that can fire multiple shots!? "Everybody, put on your Mad Hands!" At that moment, one of the men shouted. In a flurry of delicate metallic friction sounds, the remaining gang members from the Iron Fist Gang put on iron gloves. "Biqi, don''t think you''re the only one with a firearm¡­" They then each pulled out a strangely shaped firearm, short in body and red at the muzzle like a trumpet. Then they aimed their firearms at the two women. "Miss Floey, what¡­ what should we do?" With so many firearms pointed at them, Connie felt her heart jump to her throat. Her mind was nk, not even wondering how Miss Floey could urately shoot and kill three men, being blind. Floey couldn''t help but frown slightly. She wasn''t afraid of dying, but she worried about Connie suffering the same fate. "Alright¡­ don''t hurt Connie, I''ll go with you." Chapter 37 Hunger Blossoms ``` Under Nightfall. Denton Street, number seven. Kent burst out of the pitch-dark corridor like a madman. Across the street in the alley, two members of the Iron Fist Gang who had been waiting spotted him, and couldn''t help but frown. "What''s this kid doing? Made us wait so long for nothing!" "Hey, something seems off... he looks panicked." Kent dove into the alley, and upon seeing the two young men in leather jackets, he saw them as saviors. His face lit up with joy. "Let''s go! Hurry, take me with you!" He immediately lunged into the arms of one of them. The two Iron Fist Gang members exchanged a nce, seeing the confusion in each other''s eyes. "??" "Damn it, get off me, hey!" The leather-jacketed man who got a full embrace from Kent was somewhat disgruntled, a grown man like himself shouldn''t be hugged like this by another man. He didn''t want to be misunderstood by his brothers in the gang and attract countless fencing enthusiasts. "Leave... take me out of here..." A faint voice came from his embrace. Kent''s mind shed back to thest scene before he fled through the door. Those indifferent eyes of the dark-haired young man, his regretful expression, and his t voice: "You shouldn''t have touched my people, Mr. Kent..." The other party extended two fingers and lightly stroked his neck. The cold touch made his body tingle. A sudden pain followed, and Kent was puzzled. But fear surged, driving him to run out... At this moment, the two Iron Fist Gang men quickly flipped Kent over. Seeing his condition, they both jumped in fright. Kent''s face was congested with blood, veins protruding, eyes bulging and filled with blood vessels, his expression terrified. One of them crouched down, ced a hand on his chest, and bent down to listen for breathing, but there was none. "Damn it! He''s dead!" The man cursed. He had just run over, full of life, and looked more than capable ofpeting in a sprint race. But how could he just... like that? "Look at his neck! What is that!?" Reminded by the other, the leather-jacketed man turned to look and saw two dark holes on Kent''s neck. They looked like wounds, but there was no bleeding. Urban legends he''d heard of shed in his mind, and it was easy for him to associate them with some monster. "Could it be vampires...!?" "Bullshit, it''s clearly snake bites! He was poisoned to death!" "..." The two guys exchanged a few words in a low voice and then fell silent, both feeling incredulous. He was supposed to go home and pack his bags, how did he suddenly get bitten by a venomous snake. Then they heard slow but clear footsteps. Looking up, they saw a man walking towards them with the light behind him. "Hey! Get lost! Did you hear me?" The two Iron Fist Gang membersid down Kent''s body and stood up to shout at the stranger. Suddenly, the figure of the man vanished before their eyes. "!!" They were stunned for a moment. Then both felt fingers lightly brushing their necks. After a cold sensation came a slight sting. When they turned their heads, the stranger had already walked far down the street, leaving only his back in sight. "Damn it, you...!" "Ugh¡ª!!" Two thuds. The two Iron Fist Gang members fell to the ground, their eyes wide open. Their death unable to be said simr to Kent''s, it was exactly the same. Snake''s Kiss marks appeared on their necks just like those on Kent''s. [Killed ordinary members of the Iron Fist Gang, gained 20 Experience Points]*2 [Triggered C-ss task: King of the Sewage Beach] [Task description: The Iron Fist Gang from the Outer City District of Amber City has bared their ws at you, will you respond with sharpened fangs? Kill them! Destroy them! Or enve them!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Show them who the King of the Sewage Beach is!] [Task reward: 1000 Experience Points, 1 Gold Pound, and [Mad Hand Prototype Diagram - Palm Fireworks]*1] ``` epted. Chen Lun walked forward indifferently, heading towards the Dolphin Opera House. [Animal Mimicry LVMAX] [Snake''s Kiss] [Skill Description: You have learned to imitate the bite of a venomous snake and inject toxins, and the trait is not limited to your teeth.] He didn''t choose to shoot rashly. Such a loud noise would easily draw unwanted trouble. Previously, there hadn''t been much use for this animal trait, but now it was quite suitable. Chen Lun''s chilly whisper faintly echoed through the streets: "Iron Fist Gang..." "Wee to Sewage Beach, you two lovelydies!" The entrance to Sewage Beach at night. A group of Iron Fist Gang members surrounded Connie and Floey, intending to take them to the Floral Tavern. At the edge of some steps, there was a rusty iron te covered in filth, marked with the words "Sewage Beach." One only needed to walk down the broad staircase to reach the area of Sewage Beach. Not even the Lamplighter woulde here to light the streetmps, so it was pitch-dark all around. "Move it, Gary the boss must still be waiting for our good news!" One of the men urged, admiring the flintlock gun he had snatched from Floey''s hands. "What a fantastic gun! It''s so much better than our ''Raging Fire''! Definitely need to show it to the boss, and then have those craftsmen really learn!" At that moment, Connie suddenly cursed: "Get lost! Don''t touch me!" She defiantly shook off the hand trying to grope her. The men in leather jacketsughed, not caring about her wrath at all. One of the guys turned to leer at Floey, eyeing her up and down before licking his lips. "Hey, this foreign girl is really something. I wonder if boss Gary will let us have a go?" "Ah ha, keep dreaming! This is a present the boss ns to give to a big shot in the Inner City District! If you dare touch her, the boss will definitely twist your head off! And not just the one on your neck!" The others burst intoughter. "Ha ha¡ªAh!!" Theughter stopped abruptly, reced by a scream. Everyone was shocked. An Iron Fist Gang member had a scarlet crossbow arrow sticking out of his chest! The crossbow arrow dissipated like smoke, but the man who had been shot screamed even more miserably. The wound expanded at a visible rate, as if an invisible mouth was tearing and nibbling at it! "Hungry! I''m so hungry!" He suddenly roared in a low voice, eyes red, and grabbed apanion next to him to bite. This bestial act startled the others. The unlucky one caught by him wasn''t quick enough to react and was bitten through the carotid artery, blood spattering out. In just a moment, two peopley in a pool of blood, one dead and one severely injured. The remaining Iron Fist Gang members were both shocked and furious. Across a road, under the dim moonlight, a man slowly walked over. His face wasn''t clear, but he was holding a hand crossbow, and there was a stray dog at his feet. Lift hand, aim, pull the trigger... "Get down!" An Iron Fist Gang member shouted. But it was toote. The light twang of the string was apanied by a red streak across the night. Whoosh¡ª! Another man in a leather jacket fell to the ground, screaming in pain. "I''m so hungry!!" His flesh disappeared out of thin air as he struggled to get up, wanting nothing but to gorge. "Eat! I want to eat back what I''ve lost!" Bang! The nearest man in a leather jacket punched him in the face to avoid being bitten. The Mad Hand unleashed a burst of air, greatly increasing the force of the punch. The powerful impact immediately broke his neck. The guy''s head tilted to one side, he staggered a few steps, then fell to the ground with a thud. Dead on the spot. "Damn it! What the hell is this thing!" A few Iron Fist Gang membersy on the ground, shivering with fear. As the man slowly approached, they could see his true face. A young man with curly ck hair, looking at them expressionlessly. His emerald green vertical pupils radiated coldness. "Have you ever seen hunger blossom?" Chapter 38 Everyone Must Die "Fuck it! Let''s go all out!" A member of the Iron Fist Gang cursed aloud. He scrambled up and charged at Chen Lun, swinging the iron fist of Mad Hand fiercely, wanting to smash this strange man''s head with one punch! Smack! Chen Lun casually raised his hand and caught his fist. Hiss¡ª! Steam jetted out from the air holes on either side of Mad Hand, but the flesh that enveloped it remained perfectly still. The Iron Fist Gang member''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Mad Hand... blocked?!" Woo!! Chen Lun''s other hand clenched into a fist, drawing a long shadow. The next instant, itnded heavily on his face. Bang!! The entire face of the Iron Fist Gang member fractured, like crumbling blocks. His body reeled backward, flung several meters by the powerful impact, and smashed to the ground with a thud. "Mr. Jack, so amazing!" Connie couldn''t help but cheer secretly. When the chaos had erupted, Floey had taken the opportunity to pull her aside to hide. Now, seeing Chen Lun arrive, both of their hearts experienced different changes. Connie was incredibly excited. She had already despaired, knowing what it meant for her and Miss Floey to be brought here. The notorious Iron Fist Gang was the nightmare of Outer City District''s residents, and the muddy riverside was a ce even more feared, akin to hell. Facing these men, the future for two young girls would likely be worse than death. "Kill them! Mr. Jack!" Connie gritted her teeth and quietly cheered Chen Lun on. Floey turned her head towards her with some surprise. Seeming to notice Floey''s "gaze," Connie awkwardly shrank her head back. Oh my God! That''s so udylike! Why did I say such vulgar words?! Floey turned her attention away from the socially dead Connie and focused entirely on the man. "He has appeared again... at a time when I am in trouble. Just like brother..." Floey pursed her lips, then shook her head slightly. "No, not the same." Bang!! An explosion sounded. Countless fine nails and shards of ss sprayed towards Chen Lun. Feeling a trace of danger, Chen Lun quickly dodged to the side. Hiss hiss hiss... The strangely shaped Blunderbuss, much like a short-barreled shotgun, had an even broader area of destruction. Even with Chen Lun''s level of Agility, he couldn''tpletely dodge it at such close range. He took a hit on one arm, his pristine white shirt tearing open in several ces. "He''s been shot! Fire at will and kill him!" The Iron Fist Gang member who had fired the gun shouted excitedly. Upon hearing this, the other men in leather jackets also pulled out their Blunderbusses and began shooting at Chen Lun.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Bang! Bang bang bang!! A continuous barrage of sts, as small objects overwhelmed Chen Lun. Nails, ss shards, steel pellets, and even pebbles struck him all over, covering several meters around him. He had no space to dodge! "Mr. Jack! No!" Connie cried out, unable to watch and covering her eyes. Although Floey knew Chen Lun was a Transcendent, she had never witnessed him fighting in battle. Her heart couldn''t help but race. Crackle and pop!! Such saturation firing tore Chen Lun''s clothes to shreds. Dust filled the air. The Iron Fist Gang members looked thrilled. "You blind son of bitches, daring to mess with us, this is what you get!" Ptooey! A man in a leather jacket spat on the ground out of spite. Woof! Woof woof! The stray dog that had followed Chen Lun barked furiously at the Iron Fist Gang members. "Shit! And you, you damn dog!" An Iron Fist Gang member loaded his Blunderbuss with nails and raised it towards the stray dog. "You go first, little dog." The dust cleared, revealing the figure of Chen Lun. He waved his hand behind him, and the stray dog understood his gesture, whining twice before scampering off. "Good boy." The leading task wasplete; it could now retreat with its mission aplished. "Hell!" The members of the Iron Fist Gang stared with wide eyes. This guy is still not dead!? With that intense gunfire just now, even an iron man should be riddled with holes! Beneath Chen Lun''s tattered clothes shimmered a dark golden light. He lifted his head and grinned ferociously. Although the Carp Armor protected him, the sheer number of forced [-1] damage still caused him to lose a chunk of his health. "Everyone present here is going to die!" As his words fell, his figure had already vanished. The guy who was about to shoot the stray dog suddenly shifted his arm, firing the blunderbuss forward. Bang!! ¡ªAn ident urred! The blunderbuss in his hand exploded in a sh, scattering fragments and nails in every direction. "Damn it!" He cursed, his body covered in fine wounds. Luckily the protection of the iron fist covered his hands, or he would have lost his entire palm! Whack¡ª!! A side kick. The Iron Fist Gang member, who had just been relieved that he wore the Mad Hand and escaped the blunderbuss threat, had his head and above parts vanish in an instant. As if wiped away by an eraser. The headless body fell with a thump, stirring up dust. "Kill him! Kill him now!!" The remaining few members of the Iron Fist Gang screamed with red-necked horror. Bang! Bang! Bang! The one who had taken Floey''s flintlock gun fired three shots in a row. The figure bathed in a dark golden glow dodged left and right like a specter, appearing in front of the shooter the next second. All empty shots. A pair of killing intent-filled green vertical pupils stared squarely at him. "No!!" An arm shot out like a python, the hand grasping and biting down on his neck. "Arghhhh!" Chen Lun grasped him like a rag doll, tossing him toward the others. With a few clinks, they all copsed twistedly on the ground. "Let hunger blossom..." Chen Lun pulled the trigger twice. Whirr whirr¡ª! The bowstring of the Tongue of Gluttony trembled, and two crimson crossbow bolts hit two men squarely. "Hungry!!" The men struck by the arrows suddenly rose in a frenzy, grabbing and savagely biting into the person beneath them. Screams and gnawing sounds intertwined. Unable to stomach the bloody scene, Connie looked away. Thest two, mouths filled with blood, turned on each other, biting and consuming one another. Until they were destroyed. "Phew...!" Chen Lun exhaled. Using the hand crossbow had drained quite a bit of his Physical Strength. He could have killed these Iron Fist Gang members in a more effortless way. But he chose not to. Not just because they dared toy hands on Floey and disrupted his ns. Another reason was, he wanted to test the hand crossbow in realbat. The results satisfied him. "Mr. Jack, are you all right?" Connie hurried over. Floey picked up her flintlock gun and secretly hid it behind her back. She looked at Chen Lun as usual, then in silence, her expression softened with concern. Chen Lun shook his head. The animal-like features on his body had vanished, and he had returned to his original appearance. "I''m fine." Connie was quite shocked to witness Chen Lun''s inhuman performance, but she dared not ask too much, feeling that Mr. Jack was bing more and more mysterious. The supernaturals were too much of a worldview shock for Connie to digest all at once. "Floey, you go back first," Chen Lun instructed. "Mhm." Floey didn''t ask what he was going to do but nodded obediently. Chapter 39 Im Here to Kill (Please follow!) Woof woof! The stray dog appeared again. It wagged its tail and darted to Chen Lun''s feet. "You haven''t left yet? Perfect, I need your help with something." He patted the dog''s head. Then his fingers moved slightly, and a faint light appeared on his fingertips. He opened his mouth slightly and let out a loud meow. Meow! Meow!! Responses came from all directions. Immediately, countless green eyes emerged in the darkness. Connie and Floey were startled. There were at least thirty to forty different stray cats gathering around. "They will escort you back, don''t worry." Chen Lun turned his head to look at the two girls. "Ah... is this, is this all real?" Connie was first startled, then somewhat dazed. What a surreal night this has been. They encountered danger, experienced a rescue, witnessed a perilous battle, and now were being escorted home by so many kittens! Woof! The stray dog, like a lead big brother, led the other cats around the feet of Floey and Connie. It seemed to signal, don''t worry big brother, with us here, no horny dogs wille harassing them! "Be careful." Floey said softly. Chen Lun nodded, giving a reassuring look. Just don''t know if Floey could understand it... Afterward, Floey took Connie and followed the cats and dog away. Watching them disappear from view, Chen Lun bent over and picked up a blunderbuss from the ground. [Raging Fire ¨C Homemade Firearm] Item Description: Craftsmen have developed this gunpowder flintlock gun through self-study and creation, with rough craftsmanship and distinctive ideas, this weapon was made. The widened muzzle endows it with potent lethality at close range and does not restrict the ammunition used. A handful of crushed iron sand, and it sts a person to bits! Of course, its negligible w is that it''s not very stable, prone to barrel explosions, and a bit cumbersome to use...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om After reading the description, Chen Lun couldn''t help but think of those iron fist gloves. "Mad Hand... could it be specifically crafted to be used with this thing?" The more he thought about it, the more it seemed so. He also admired the craftsmen who created these items. Their thought process was incredible... He turned to nce at the sign next to the stairsbeled "The Drain" and walked straight down. When he truly entered The Drain, his first impression was that it was filthy, messy, and stank! A foul smell hit his nose right away. Chen Lun frowned slightly and quickened his pace. He passed by many cottages along the way, most of which were dpidated. Since the Lamplighter would note here to lightmps, the residents would hang a simplentern at their doorways. It was like a candle covered by a fishbowl. The faint light shone across the embankment walkway, directly opposite therge and wide "sewage moat". Not far away, a neon sign flickered, and he could vaguely make out the words "Flora and Fauna Tavern". Soon, Chen Lun arrived at the entrance of the tavern and pushed open The Great Gate. ng! Noise and heat waves hit him in the face. Inside, it was bustling and extremely lively. In stark contrast to the dead silence and chill outside, it was like a different world. A bunch of drunken patrons nced at him, then paid no more attention and continued to immerse themselves in the pleasures of gambling and flirting with the maids. "Hey, handsome, looking for some fun?" The mboyantly dressed proprietress came over, smiling obsequiously. A hint of wariness shed in her eyes. Although the young man with ck hair was dressed in tattered clothes, his appearance and demeanor clearly did not fit in with the surroundings. Moreover, the chill emanating from him now made people shiver involuntarily. "Madam, may I ask if the Iron Fist Gang''s stronghold is here?" Chen Lun asked politely in a soft voice. The tavern mistress leaned in close, and the smell of her cheap perfume was somewhat overpowering, making him want to sneeze. "Excuse me... sir? Are you in the wrong ce?" Thendy vehemently denied entry, revealing a strained smile. She had a strong premonition that this man was definitely here to cause trouble! An officer from the Security Office? Or some guy from another gang? Chen Lun gave her a slight smile, pushed past her, and headed straight inside. He had already gotten his answer from the woman''s behavior. "Sir? Sir! Where are you going!?" Thendy suddenly became anxious, feeling that she couldn''t stop this man, so she ran back to the counter. She took out an old walkie-talkie from the drawer below, ready to tip off the Iron Fist Gang members in the courtyard. Squeak! At that moment, severalrge ck rats darted out and bit her hand. "Ah! Damn it!" Thendy was startled, and the walkie-talkie fell to the ground in pain. Then those few rats immediately picked it up and carried it away like a coffin, quickly fleeing the scene. "??" Thendy froze. "The rats... The rats took my walkie-talkie!?" Chen Lun roughly pushed past the drinkers and maids blocking the way, causing a chorus of grumbles and gasps. "You little punk!" A scruffy drunkard who looked like he hadn''t bathed in decades red, reaching out to grab Chen Lun''s cor, ready to give him a good lesson. But a flintlock gun was promptly pressed against his forehead. "Sir? If you want to die, I can assist you," Chen Lun said with a smile. "Sor...Sorry!" The drunkard instantly broke into a cold sweat, his raised hand retracted to his chest, showing an ugly smile as he slowly backed away. "Ah¡ª!!" A scream erupted. The maids in the store were so frightened by the scene that they hid. Other patrons also began to get up in a frantic rush, distancing themselves amid a morous uproar. Chen Lun ignored them and kept moving forward. A number of cautious drinkers had already sensed something was amiss and quietly left the tavern. Chen Lun passed through the kitchen, snatched up a chef''s knife on the way. He then pushed open the door and entered the courtyard. "Who''s there!?" A voice called out in challenge. Iron Fist Gang members were practicing their strikes on wooden targets in the yard when they heard the door open and looked over. "Your good friend, Jack." Two men in leather jackets exchanged nces, one ran towards the building, and the other came forward. "Jack? Don''t know him." He said coldly. "If you''re in the wrong ce, get lost already!" "Heh... not likely," Whoosh¡ª A sh of cold light. The sharp chef''s knife shed across the man''s throat. The leather jacket man gurgled a few sounds, clutching his neck as he copsed. Then Chen Lun threw the chef''s knife in his hand, which sliced through the air with a shriek and struck the other man in the back. Due to the momentum of running, that man lunged forward several meters, convulsed on the ground, and theny silent. Chen Lun strode forward. The light from the tavern behind him shone through the window, casting his shadow long, dragging it toward the building. Passing by tworge warehouses, Chen Lun faintly heard the sounds of nking inside and pondered for a moment. But he didn''t have time to care, heading straight into the building. At that time, there were only a handful of Iron Fist Gang members in the hall, and boss Gary sat on a sofa like a king, reading some documents. "Hey! Who are you!?" Seeing a stranger waltzing into their gang''s territory, a few of the card-ying Iron Fist Gang members abruptly stood up. They stared at Chen Lun with wariness. Gary also shifted his gaze from the documents in his hands to the stranger at the door, his eyes narrowing. "Who might you be? Coming to our Iron Fist Gang thiste, do you have pressing business?" "... Murder." Chapter 40 From Now On, Listen to Me (Please Follow!) "Kill him!" At Gary''smand, the Iron Fist Gang members immediately charged toward Chen Lun. Theckeys in the courtyard had been silent, mostly already killed by this man. He squinted, pondering. He casually took out a cigar from the box, cut it, and lit it up. "Aside from the big shots in the Inner City District, no one dares to talk to me like this..." "Since you''re so eager to seek death, I''ll grant you your wish!" Gary spoke slowly, puffing out smoke, looking unfazed. He had faced men seeking revenge before, but those men had long since merged with the sewage in the drainage ditches. Bang bang! Two gunshots rang out. The two Iron Fist Gang members who were in front fell to the ground. The rest of the gang members were startled, halting their advance. "A repeating firearm!?" Gary''s finger paused, fixating on the flintlock gun in Chen Lun''s hand. "Are you an Investigator from the Shelter?"N?v(el)B\\jnn He rose slowly, his expression grave. Gary was not just a simple gang leader; he had connections with many prominent figures in the Inner City District. Many shady and dirty tasks were entrusted to him, through which he gained rtionships and assistance from those figures. It was these intricate connections that allowed him to be the King of the Sewage Beach in the Outer City District. Naturally, Gary had heard some secrets about the Mystic Realm. "What about an Investigator? Kill him!" Gary''s eyes glinted with ruthlessness. If that was the case, he couldn''t let this man leave alive! There were secrets hidden here, and if the Investigator found out, the big figures behind him would surely make him regret it. The Sewage Beach wasn''tcking others who could take Gary''s ce as boss. As for the possibility of offending the Shelter by killing an Investigator, Gary believed someone would help him smooth over the trouble. "Fire!" On hearing their boss Gary''s order, theckeys pulled out their Iron Gloves and blunderbusses. They then surrounded and attacked Chen Lun. Bang bang bang bang...!! Shotgun pellets and ss shards burst from the barrels, crackling like fireworks, showering towards Chen Lun. Chen Lun, already on guard, didn''t take the hits like before. The moment these men pulled out their weapons, he leaped forcefully, grabbing one to use as a human shield. A burst of muffled thuds followed, and the Iron Fist Gang member used as a meat shield was riddled with holes on the spot. Covered in blood, he was as good as dead. Holding the body with one hand, Chen Lun leaned out to counterattack. Bang bang, several gunshots, the lead bullets urately hit the enemies'' heads, bursting into blossoms of blood. Seeing the blunderbuss couldn''t harm Chen Lun, the remaining few leather jacket men decided to tighten their Iron Fists and charged for hand-to-handbat. Bang!! The body, riddled with shards of metal and ss, flew out, crashing into one man, knocking him down. Chen Lun followed immediately,nding a punch on another Iron Fist Gang member''s face! The punch, driven by 24 points of Strength, was an immense pressure that a regr person couldn''t withstand. The man''s skull shattered instantly, and he flew backward, spitting out blood and broken teeth. "Enough! A bunch of useless trash!" Gary dropped his cigar and leaped forward, kicking straight down from above. Whoosh¡ª! His burly body fell down, his kick chopping like a battle axe. Crack!! Chen Lun turned and raised his hand to block, staunchly catching the kick. Gary''s pupils shrank, taken aback. He was very clear about his own strength. Due to regrly injecting the "high-concentration nectar" provided by the butler Fedman, he had developed physical abilities far beyond those of an ordinary person. His kick that could prate a steel te was blocked by this "Investigator" with one hand!? "Haven''t you eaten, sir?" Chen Lun''s face appeared from behind his arm, with a polite smile. "You don''t have the strength to hit people, and you call yourself a gang member?" "Bastard!!" Gary was infuriated. He leaped into the air, and as he twisted his body, another foot shot out like a cannonball. In the process, the bulging of his muscles even tore the leg of his suit pants. Bang!! The leather shoe hammered mercilessly into Chen Lun''s palm. But the next instant, the rebounding force caused Gary''s leg to go numb! The other''s handprint didn''t budge at all, and he himself felt as if he had stepped on an iron wall. "The strength is decent, but it is still far from that old fellow at the Red Apple Church," Chen Lun said softly. Gary''s heart tightened, knowing that he had encountered a formidable enemy. He took a leap back to create distance, catching sight of the dark golden scales slowly retracting on the back of Chen Lun''s hand. His heart pounded wildly! "A Transcendent!?" Gary eximed. Sweat poured down like rain, and he felt as if he had hit rock bottom. Why did he have to provoke a Transcendent!? "Who exactly are you? If I have offended you in any way, I sincerely apologize to you!" Gary said gravely. He was someone who knew the score; facing an opponent he could not contend with, he immediately chose to bow down. The other was most likely not an Investigator; the Transcendents of the Shelter were all the big shots with group leader''s status. Although Iron Fist Gang was rampant in the Outer City District, it was not significant enough to attract such attention. Seeing this, the other members of Iron Fist Gang looked at each other, a sense of fear growing within them. Even boss Gary was softening up? How terrifying was this man!? "Haven''t you been looking for me?" Chen Lun moved closer step by step. "And even nning to capture my sister?" Gary quivered violently, his body freezing in ce. He instantly understood the identity of the man before him; this was the out-of-towner his men and Kent had been talking about! Damn it, an out-of-towner!? This was not a littlemb with no background or status. But rather, a bloodthirsty python! A terrifying beast! Gary no longer had time to vent his anger on his subordinates and that idiot Kent; now he only wanted to save his life. Plop! Gary Bent, the leader of Iron Fist Gang, knelt before this young man. His burly, strong body could not withstand the fear at this moment. "I, Gary Bent, apologize to you! I am willing to pay any price, only begging for your forgiveness and to spare my life!" Gary lowered his head, speaking in a slightly hoarse voice. The members of Iron Fist Gang who were lucky enough to survive could hardly believe their eyes at this scene. Their boss Gary, who was decisive in killing and has a heart of stone, was actually kneeling! He was begging that dark-haired youth for mercy! Gurgle. A man in a leather jacket swallowed, not daring to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead for fear of drawing attention. Chen Lun looked helplessly at the spineless guy in front of him. Can''t you show a bit of backbone? Rise in rebellion, rush at me in a fit of hysteria, let me ughter you effortlessly, no? You''re making this difficult for me. Suddenly, Chen Lun seemed to think of something, a contemtive look shing in his eyes. "You said, any price is eptable?" He slowly walked to the sofa and sat down, picking up the documents Gary had been looking at earlier. They contained some financial reports, funds from the Sewage Beach and the Outer City District industries, as well as certain expenditures that were not specified. "Yes, sir, any price," Gary said through clenched teeth. He had already prepared himself for a significant loss, but as long as he could survive, nothing else mattered. "Since that''s the case." Chen Lun tossed the documents in his hand away. "From now on, this ce answers to me." Chapter 41 King of the Sewage Beach Gary jerked his head up. "Your... Your Excellency? What do you mean by this!?" He looked utterly shocked. He had only intended to bleed himself dry to save his life, but now the other party was indicating they wanted to take over the ce. "Those two warehouses outside, they''re full of the craftsmen you''ve captured, aren''t they?" Chen Lun''s tone was light, as if he was discussing something perfectly ordinary. However, to Gary''s ears, the words rang like a thunderp. "You...!" Gary quickly suppressed his emotions and took a deep breath. "It seems you''re already aware," he said. Chen Lun nodded and casually threw a pair of Mad Hand and a Blunderbuss onto the table with two ttering sounds. "You kidnapped so many craftsmen just to make these two things?" A faint light radiated from the seashell ne at Chen Lun''s chest. A struggle shed in Gary''s eyes, then he sighed and his expression became one of resignation. "You guys,e over here!" He beckoned without turning his head. "Boss." The remaining members of the Iron Fist Gang looked at each other and hurried over. Just as they arrived at their boss''s side, however, Gary suddenly exploded into action. He sprang to his feet, punched one man in the throat with crushing force, elbowed another in the temple, and then grabbed thest one by the neck. The man''s face turned red, staring at his own boss in disbelief. Grimness spread across Gary''s face. "Sorry, but tonight''s events can''t get out. The things I said can''t be heard by you guys either." With that, he squeezed tightly and snapped the neck of his underling. Thump! The body fell to the ground. Chen Lun watched the scene with interest, gaining a deeper understanding of the Iron Fist Gang leader''s ruthlessness. Only then did Gary turn around to face Chen Lun, with a respectful expression on his face: "Your Excellency, capturing the craftsmen was not my idea, but an order from Butler Fedman..." Chen Lun became intrigued. "Butler Fedman?" "He''s the butler of Councilor Daniel of the Amber City council," Gary said in a grave voice. "A long time ago, Butler Fedman found me when I was still just a nobody lurking around the Sewage Beach. He had me establish the Iron Fist Gang and gave me a great deal of help... Later, one day, he gave me a blueprint and told me to capture craftsmen to make something for him, but the results have never been satisfactory..." Chen Lun frowned slightly. He hadn''t expected the Iron Fist Gang to be connected to that councilor. Could there be a rtion to the future "Glutton" Dolly? "Do you still have that blueprint?" Chen Lun asked. Gary shook his head slightly. "The original blueprint has been taken back; now there''s only a copied version left... It''s underneath the second-tost drawer to the right of where you''re standing, there''s a hiddenpartment." Following Gary''s direction, Chen Lun opened the hiddenpartment in the drawer and retrieved a copy of the blueprint. But after a nce, he shook his head in disappointment. [Mad Hand Prototype Drawing - Palm Fireworks (Copy)] Item Description: Structural analysis and manufacturing drawings for a mechanical glove. A badly deformed copy that had significantly diverged from the original design... "No wonder the Iron Gloves that were made were such rubbish; it''s not entirely the craftsmen''s fault that their skills weren''t up to par," Chen Lun mused to himself. He then recalled the mission he received before arriving, in which one of the rewards was the original blueprint. Looking at the worthless copy in his hand, he felt a sudden sense of disappointment. "Recently, Butler Fedman has been urging ever more insistently, and the Iron Fist Gang has to hand over arge portion of their monthly ie to him," Gary continued. "Do you know what his purpose is?" Chen Lun asked. Gary shook his head, saying, "I don''t know, Your Excellency." Chen Lun pondered. Intuition told him that everything was the will of Congressman Daniel. What exactly did he want to do? An ordinary politician, gathering funds and weapons, could he be thinking of rebellion? Chen Lun couldn''t help but be amused by his own spection. In the face of the two colossal forces, the Sun Church and the Shelter, no one or organization dared to talk about overthrowing the Tresor Empire. Not even the Red Apple Church! In his previous life, they ravaged the Empire but still met their ultimate demise. If Congressman Daniel was really that naive, he didn''t deserve his many years of high-standing influence. Only the mysterious can confront the mysterious, only the extraordinary can kill the extraordinary! This was the unwritten rule of the Mystic Realm. Of course, except for the Low Sequence. Chen Lun fell silent. "How much liquid funds does the Iron Fist Gang have now?" He asked a question of personal interest. Gary hesitated and slowly said, "Yesterday, Butler Fedman already took this month''s ie... There are still 7 Gold Pounds and over 40 Silver Ducats in the gang." He looked a bit embarrassed. Raising his head cautiously and noticing the polite yet eerie smile on the young man with ck hair, his heart skipped a beat. Thus, he quickly added, "I have also stashed some money myself, about 40 Gold Pounds." He had originally intended to use this money to save his own life, but now it seemed he still couldn''t keep it. Chen Lun nodded in satisfaction. "Good, then you take 45 Gold Pounds for me, and have your craftsman make me a batch of lead bullets." After offering praise, he issued the order directly. At the same time, he used the "Mermaid''s Song" once more to perform deeper hypnosis on Gary. This was to prevent a betrayal from Gary once he left. Gary''s eyes became vacant for a moment and then returned to normal, but his expression became more respectful, even with a hint of eagerness to please. "I shall obey your will, Your Excellency." He ced his left hand on the right side of his chest and bowed in salute. Then he turned and went upstairs, returning after a short while with an exquisitely carved wooden box, which he gently ced on the table. Chen Lun opened the box, and inside, the glittering Coins shone brightly, pleasing him greatly. Using the box lid to block the view, he secretly extended a finger into the box to touch the Gold Coins, bringing them all into the panel. p! The lid closed. "Next, I will entrust you with two matters, which you must treat as your most urgent tasks." Chen Lun spoke gravely. "Please instruct me, I will do my utmost!" Gary seemed somewhat excited, showing a readiness toplete the tasks as if fulfilling Chen Lun''s wishes was a great honor for him. Chen Lun silently marveled at the astonishing effect of "Mermaid''s Song." It was almost like turning an enemy into his madly devout follower, akin to brainwashing. But there were significant limitations, as it had little effect on those with strong willpower. Also, many psychic defensive Mysterious Objects had a restraining effect on it. The golden apple ne once worn by Priest Carter was a typical example. "Help me investigate recent news about Viscount Pompey, and get me his family''s detailed address. Also, keep an eye on someone named ''Dolly.'' Any rted intelligence must be reported to me immediately." "Yes, Your Excellency." [You have in many members of the Iron Fist Gang and sessfully enved their leader, Gary,pleting the C-level task: King of the Sewage Beach!] [You receive the task reward: 1000 Experience Points, 1 Gold Pound, and [Mad Hand Prototype Drawing - Palm Fireworks]*1] Chen Lun stood up and slowly left the territory of the Iron Fist Gang. He left behind a ground littered with corpses and the Iron Fist Gang''s leader Gary, who remained bowed in salute for a long time.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chapter 42 The New Sub Occupation When Chen Lun returned to Number 7 Denton Street, it was alreadyte into the night. The Purple Moon was obscured by drifting clouds, dimming the light. He dimly made out a petite figure standing in front of the stairway. "You''re back." A familiar ethereal voice drifted over. Upon hearing the voice, Chen Lun realized the person waiting for him here was Floey. "Haven''t you slept yet? Standing here waiting for me?" Chen Lun replied, then added with a light chuckle, "Let''s go, head upstairs to rest." Floey quietly stood in the darkness without speaking, merely giving him a slight smile. "Mhm." Floey followed Chen Lun upstairs, returning to the room on the fourth floor. As soon as he opened the door, Chen Lun saw a furry creature pouncing toward him. "Hey! It''s you again, you dog!" Chen Lun eximed in surprise. It had been dark outside, and he hadn''t paid much attention, but it appeared this fellow was a ck-and-white Border Collie. It had been roaming outside for quite a while, its fur dirty and matted. At first nce, it looked like a ck dog. The dog licked his hand, eyes pleading for favor. "You aren''t nning on sticking around, are you?" Chen Lun eyed it sideways, his expression curious. The dog whined softly a few times, and its wagging tail slowly stopped. It lowered its head and slowly walked toward the door. At the doorway, it turned its head for onest look at Chen Lun. Seeing no reaction from Chen Lun, it turned to nce at Floey. Unfortunately, Floey, being blind, didn''t catch the dog signaling with its eyes. "Truly a drama queen¡­" Chen Lun sighed internally, then beckoned with his hand. "All right, you can stay for now." The stray''s tail shook like a windshield wiper, and it trotted back with its tongue out. It tried to jump up to give Chen Lun a doggy hug but missed as Chen Lun dodged. It thumped onto the ground with a flop. The dog looked up at Chen Lun with a pitiful expression, but Chen Lun turned to Floey. "Floey, have Connie give it a bath tomorrow." "Sure." Floey nodded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om She stood in the living room, sensing Chen Lun turning to head to his own room, and spoke softly, "Thank you." It was unclear if she was thanking him for taking in the dog or for saving her just in time. Chen Lun didn''t turn back as he waved his hand. "Get some rest soon, it''s veryte." With that, the door gently closed. Chen Lun pulled up a chair and sat down. The table faced a window, through which he could see the Purple Moon, half-hidden behind clouds. He silently imed his mission reward in his heart. Suddenly, a blueprint appeared in his hands, drastically different from the one he had seen at the Iron Fist Gang stronghold. [Mad Hand Prototype Blueprint - Palm Fireworks] Item Description: A painting imbued with supernatural power. A mysterious realm''s master painter had copied a mysterious object, a peculiar mechanical glove. If a highly skilled craftsman were to study it long enough, there might be a small chance to create an exact replica. Chen Lun nodded. This was indeed how the Mad Hand should look; whatever the Iron Fist Gang had created was a mess... Having secured the blueprint, he had a premonition it would be useful in the future. Then, he took out an old book he had received from Kent. "Recorder Ken Bernie''s Memoirs" When he first saw the book, he had a hunch, and now was the time to test it. He opened the book and began to read. Soon, he felt invigorated. [You''ve discovered a book containing valuable knowledge about a sub-profession!] [By careful reading, you''ve gainedplete knowledge of the sub-profession!] [Recorder] [You meet the conditions to inherit it; would you like to make it your new sub-profession?] Chen Lun''s eyebrows shot up, and he naturally chose to inherit it. [You''ve learned the skill [Transcription LV1]!] Just as he had guessed, this book indeed hid that sub-profession. He was secretly delighted. Recorder was a rather special subupation. One might say it was useless or that it was incredibly powerful because its contribution tobat power was minimal, yet it was a top-tier logistical subupation. In the past life, it was exclusive to a small group of high-end lifestyle yers and only thoserge guilds had the resources to nurture one. Because it was very rare and cost a fortune. In the "Era of Mystery," transcendent sequence knowledge was a consumable item. For instance, after Chen Lun finished reading the "Beast Tamer''s Handbook," if a second person read it, they would gain nothing. But having the Recorder subupation allowed one to transcribe any transcendent sequence knowledge by consuming corresponding mystical substances. This transcribed transcendent knowledge was effective. Simply put, it could achieve mass production of Transcendents. However, this was limited to knowledge of low sequences, and each transcription consumed arge amount of Sanity Value. Therefore, therge guilds had to provide sufficient mystical substances and precious items that could restore Sanity Value to continuously acquire transcendent knowledge. This was where the cost came in. Aside from the consortium-backedrge guilds, ordinary people couldn''t afford it. But even though it was costly, anyrge guild would desire to have more Recorders. Only then could they have a corepetitiveness and attractiveness greater than other forces. Lone wolves would be more willing to join them, just for a ticket to the transcendent world. "Era of Mystery" was different from the usual holographic online games; the main upation was not preset from the beginning. To be a Transcendent, one could only rely on their own efforts and opportunities. Otherwise, they would remain ordinary for life. Many yers entered the game and were unable to find transcendent knowledge, which left them frustrated. In thete phase of the past life''s version 1.0, Chen Lun had seen many ordinary yers stuck at level 30, without a main upation. It was quite tragic. But in fact, they just needed to join arge guild, and after signing a contract, they could get a piece of transcendent knowledge for free, thus bing a Transcendent. But clearly, these yers were not willing to kneel and ept restrictions. They would rather be mediocre than lose their freedom! But was there a way to obtain transcendent knowledge while standing upright? There wasn''t before, but now there was. Chen Lun thought that once yers arrived, he could use this subupation to duplicate various transcendent knowledge for sale¡­ to help. But knowledge isn''t free, as you understand. This was to cultivate the yers'' respect for knowledge, to let them study diligently, and understand the noble principle that knowledge changes destiny. Chen Lun was very moved by his own good intentions. He decided he must charge even more, to make them feel the weight of knowledge. He believed thatpared to freedom, money was nothing. Chen Lun spent nearly 3000 experience points to max out the Recorder subupation level. He then invested 4 Skill Points to max out Transcription LV1. Transcription LVMAX provided an additional memory function, which imprinted acquired transcendent sequence knowledge in his mind. He no longer needed the original books to transcribe. Subupation level increased, you feel your body has strengthened, Life Limit +20, Physical Strength Limit +10, Sanity Limit +2, Intelligence +4, Faith +2 You have gained 9 Skill Points, 9 Attribute Points Total Level reached 30. This was the level cap for yers in public test version 1.0, but not Chen Lun''s level cap. Because he was not a mystical yer. "Now, I onlyck the transcendent knowledge for advancing to Sequence Eight¡­ no rush for that," Chen Lun pondered, then silently thought: "Panel." Name: Chen Lun Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Temte: NPC (Countdown to version 1.0 public test: 391 days, 02 hours, 34 minutes, 15 seconds) Level: 30 Experience: 11000/380 Life: 234/280 Physical Strength: 112/180 Sanity: 6/8 Main upation: Beast Tamer LV10 (MAX) (Destiny Faction) Sub upations: Fisherman LV10 (MAX), Recorder LV10 (MAX) Attributes: Strength 24 (2), Agility 16, Endurance 9 (+2), Intelligence 12, Faith 5 Special Attributes: Charm 7 (+2), Willpower 5, Insight 3, Luck 3 Regional Fame: 1 Remaining points: 12 Skill Points, 14 Attribute Points Remaining Assets: 221 Gold Pounds, 721 Silver Ducats, 4755 Copper Kro, Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance *7 Skills: Quick Reflexes LV1 (Passive), Seafaring Bnce LV1 (Passive), Beast Speech LVMAX, Animal Mimicry LVMAX, Friend of Animals LVMAX (Passive), Transcription LVMAX Combat Power: 32 Evaluation: You are a qualified low-end Transcendent, very adequately low-end. Chapter 43 A Man Who Loves to Read is Really Handsome (Thanks and Additional Updates) The following morning. Chen Lun sleepily pushed open his bedroom door. After a battle the previous night, both his body and mind were weary. He nced up to find a striking figure mopping the living room floor. "Good morning, Mr. Jack." Connie stood up, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and gave him a radiant smile. Clearly, her mood was good today. "Good morning, Connie." Chen Lun responded and entered the bathroom. After freshening up, he came out just in time to see Floeying in through the door. The freshly-bathed dog, wagging its tail excitedly, darted out from behind Floey and pounced at Chen Lun''s feet. "Did you go to Mrs. Caroline''s for a meal?" Chen Lun asked Floey while patting the dog''s head. "Hmm¡­ I learned how to cook some dishes from Mrs. Caroline, I made these with her." In Floey''s hands was a te filled with some meatballs and pies, along with an apple and a cup of tea. She pursed her lips, facing Chen Lun, her tone filled with anticipation: "I brought some over; would you like to try?" Chen Lun smiled and took the te. "Of course." Floey revealed a smile. She quietly listened to Chen Lun''s footsteps until he stopped by the dining table. Chen Lun set down the food and noticed Connie, still cleaning. "Have you eaten, Connie? Would you like to join me?" Connie seemed somewhat flustered and quickly shook her head. "No¡­ no need, Mr. Jack." She pointed in the direction of the door. "I''ll go downstairs to make breakfast soon, and I need to prepare one for my father too." "Alright then." Chen Lun shrugged and started eating. He picked up a meatball, and under Floey''s expectant "gaze," he popped it into his mouth. The delicious juice overflowed, with a hint of the unique smoky vor of smoked meat and a touch of fruitiness. "Delicious." Chen Lun eximed in surprise. "It seems you have a real talent, Floey." "Thanks for thepliment." Floey giggled softly, covering her mouth, and elegantly sat down on the sofa. It could be said that Chen Lun was veryfortable with his breakfast today, perhaps it was psychological, but he could feel the care put into making this meal. After eating, Connie promptly came over to clean up. Chen Lun wiped his mouth with a napkin and took a sip of tea. "Connie, I heard you are taking courses at the technical college?" "Yes, Mr. Jack. I study mechanical theory at Cypress Leaf Technical College in Amber City. I''m very interested in that area of knowledge." Connie''s lips curled up as she mentioned this. Chen Lun silently nodded. He got up and returned to his room, sooning back with two items that he ced on the table. "Connie, take these things and study them." "Are these... the weapons from those thugsst night?" Connie picked up the Mechanical Glove and Blunderbuss, her face showing surprise, then she looked excitedly at the items in her hands. "Although they look roughly made, the ideas behind them are quite unique!" "I''m d you''re interested." Chen Lun said with a smile. Then he got up and walked towards the door, turned his head back to Floey and said: "I''m going out for a walk, I''ll be backter." "Okay, be careful out there." Floey said softly, facing him. ... The news about Viscount Pompey and Dolly had been handed over to Gary. Chen Lun alone could never match the efficiency of the entire Iron Fist Gang. They were an underground force in the Outer City District, skilled in gathering intelligence from various sources.N?v(el)B\\jnn Moreover, with Gary''s familiarity with the Inner City District and his acquaintance with many important figures, it wouldn''t be long before they had some results. Now, Chen Lun had other ns. Such as reading. After descending the stairs, he headed straight to the bookstore next to the flower shop. From Kent, he had obtained "Recorder Ken Bernie''s Memoir," which had sessfully granted him the "Recorder" Sub upation. This had given Chen Lun an insight. That was to seize every opportunity to acquire Supernatural Knowledge, as a seemingly unremarkable book might conceal a treasure. "The Old Cripple''s Bookstore." Chen Lun nced at the wooden sign and pushed open the door. An old man sitting behind the counter looked up at Chen Lun but didn''t n to stand up. "Please feel free, but do not soil or damage the books." He stroked his presbyopic sses and continued to look down at the thick tome in his hands. Chen Lun walked a few steps inside and noticed that although the bookstore was small, it was not short on books. Bookcases filled three walls, and anothery horizontally across the middle. He walked to the back and even noticed a mini spiral staircase leading up to an upper partition. Chen Lun looked back at the old man, who was absorbed in reading, paying no mind to him. So he quietly climbed the spiral staircase to the upper level. The space was cramped and narrow; he couldn''t even stand straight but had to bend over. There was a window in the wall, and the lighting wasn''t too dim. Simrly, the bookcases against the walls here were filled with books. Some books even piled up in a corner because there was no space left on the shelves. "I''ll start from here then." Chen Lun nodded in satisfaction. With such arge base, his chances of finding a book containing "treasures" were greater. Time always slipped away quietly while reading. He didn''t know how much time had passed. Chen Lun''s attention was suddenly caught by a familiar voice. "Mr. Tao Te, I''m here to return a few books." "Oh, Miss Caroline, please do... and by the way, you look beautiful today." Then Mrs. Caroline''s lightughter followed. "You''re always so witty, Mr. Tao Te." "The Sun as my witness, I''m just an honest old chap." Chen Lun put down the book in his hands and descended the spiral staircase. Mrs. Caroline was holding two books, chatting with the bespectacled old man behind the counter. "Hey, Little Jack!" Mrs. Caroline was somewhat surprised to see Chen Lun, but she quickly greeted him. "I just went upstairs looking for you. Little Floey said you had gone out; turns out you were here reading." She walked over slowly, smiling kindly: "In my hometown, Amethyst City, there''s a saying, ''A man who loves to read is like the Sun, not even with both hands can you block his brilliance.''" "Miss Caroline is saying you''re a bright young man,d," the old man interjected. Mrs. Caroline gave him a yful nce, which elicited a chuckle from the old man. "While loving to read is a good thing, you shouldn''t skip meals... Luckily, we can still make it back in time for dinner." Mrs. Caroline set down the books in her hands and motioned for Chen Lun to leave with her. Chen Lun looked outside at the evening sky; it was already night. "Thank you for your trouble, Mrs. Caroline." "You''re too polite, Little Jack... Speaking of which, Little Floey and I learned a specialty dish that''s perfect for dinner tonight, and you can have a real taste soon." "I look forward to it." The two of them chatted briefly. He followed Mrs. Caroline out of the bookstore, heading toward the hallway. Yet, he sighed to himself. Unfortunately, he had rummaged through every book in the bookstore''s upper partition and hadn''t found any with Supernatural Knowledge. Although this was to be expected, today''sck of findings still bothered him slightly. "I''lle back tomorrow and take another look..." Chapter 44 Ill Just Take a Look Knock, knock... The sound of knocking echoed. "Mr. Jack." Chen Lun opened the great gate, and Connie stood outside, her face full of excitement, holding a mechanical glove and a blunderbuss in her hands. "Mr. Jack, I think I have some ideas, but I''m not sure if they''re feasible..." "Come in and talk." Chen Lun invited Connie into the house. The two sat down in the living room, where Chen Lun made her a cup of tea, which made Connie somewhat embarrassed. "Thank you, Mr. Jack." "You''re wee." Chen Lun nced at the clock on the wall; it was 8:30 in the morning. It seemed that Connie was very interested in Mad Hand and Raging Fire, full of enthusiasm,ing over early to share her aplishments. Fortunately, it was the weekend, so Connie didn''t have to go to school; otherwise, she probably would have been preupied with this matter even there. "...If we modify the internal structure as I envision, and reinforce the barrel, the firearm could likely have its stability significantly increased, reducing the chances of a burst barrel..." Connie pulled out a piece of paper filled with structural drawings and annotations. Chen Lun nced at it briefly, not fullyprehending but simply appreciating the neat handwriting of Connie. "...Moreover, this weapon seems not to be too demanding on the ammunition, but I still think steel balls would be most suitable to decrease wear and increase its lifespan..." "As for this mechanical glove, I always feel like it''s missing something, leading to some structurally redundant and ineffective designs..." Connie spoke continuously for over ten minutes, still appearing somewhat unfulfilled at the end. During this process, she talked about "the effect of the ratchet pawl," "the basicw of gear meshing," as well as "the number of instantaneous centers of mechanisms" and "the three-centers theorem," to all of which Chen Lun simply nodded. He maintained an expression that said "continue, I understand you." She took a sip of tea and nced at Chen Lun with a slight embarrassment. "Connie, it seems you indeed have a gift in this area. If you believe this approach is correct, then go ahead and try it." Chen Lunplimented her, sipping tea to conceal his own ignorance of the subject. In fact, he had allowed her to study Mad Hand and Raging Fire not truly to make improvements, but purely to see how talented she was in this field. It turned out, the girl was mostly a genius. "Ah, thank you..." Being recognized was very fulfilling, and Connie felt very happy. She suddenly remembered something, her expression turning troubled. "It''s just, Mr. Jack, if I am to modify the firearm, I need some tools and materials. I don''t have them at home, I need to borrow them from a nearby workshop..." Connie spoke very tactfully, but Chen Lun knew she was short of money, so he generously gave her ten gold pounds. "Mr. Jack, that''s too much; I just need to buy some materials, and pay some usage fees. Plus, I know the people at the workshop, hehe..." However, Connie only took one gold coin and pushed the rest back. Chen Lun smiled, taking out another and cing it in Connie''s hand. "The extra is your reward." "Thank you... Mr. Jack, you truly are a generous gentleman, I, I must have misunderstood you before..." Connie blushed, visibly embarrassed. "It''s all right." Chen Lun shook his head unconcernedly. "Well then, Mr. Jack, I should get going now." Connie bowed slightly, took her things, and left. After she was gone, Floey appeared behind Chen Lun. "You seem to admire her a lot?" "Yes, she is very talented in mechanics. I was only trying her out, but it turns out I really found a gem." Floey nodded, not continuing the topic about Connie, but instead asked, "Are you going to Mrs. Caroline''s for dinner?" "Uh, no need, you go today." Chen Lun waved his hands awkwardly. He couldn''t help but recallst night''s dinner at Mrs. Caroline''s. Mrs. Caroline first felt regret over Kent''s sudden departure; she seemed to know something too. Shembasted those gang members from the Outer City District at the dinner table, suggesting that Kent was likely driven away by them. Chen Lun just kept his head down and ate. Kent had been killed by him, and he didn''t feel it was appropriate to say much. Wearing the Surging Badge, he had a big appetite and just focused on his meal. Besides, Mrs. Caroline continually inquired whether he had found work yet, discussing how tough life in the Outer City District was and asking about matters concerning moving in with rtives. Chen Lun couldn''t possibly tell the truth, so he glossed over it with a few words. At that time, Floey was quietly observing on the sidelines. Fortunately, she eventually spoke up to ask Mrs. Caroline about cooking, which shifted her attention away. Chen Lun couldn''t help but feel appreciative. She truly was an understanding and considerate girl. ... Chen Lun had settled for breakfast with two bread rolls and a cup of coffee from a caf¨¦ downstairs. After crumpling the paper wrapper of the finished rolls, he threw it into a trash bin and walked straight into the bookstore he had visited yesterday. The old man, hearing the sound of the door, was a bit stunned. He probably didn''t expect Chen Lun toe over to read books so early in the morning. "Good morning, Tao... Mr. Tao Te?" Chen Lun remembered that Mrs. Caroline had called him that yesterday. "Yes, Tao Te." The old man pursed his lips and adjusted his sses. "Good morning, youd." After greeting him, the old man pulled out the thick tome he had been reading yesterday from the drawer behind the counter. Chen Lun couldn''t be bothered with the impolite old fellow. Everyone else calls me mister. He walked to the very back, nning to start reading from there. He had covered the upstairs entirely yesterday and hoped to find something today. Time passed. The sun rose to its zenith and then set into the evening. "Sigh..." Chen Lun put down the biography he was holding and sighed in resignation. He had flipped through all the books on the first floor, yet he had found nothing. Fortunately, he didn''t have to read them thoroughly; just skimming a few pages was enough to know. If no notification box popped up, then it was certainly just an ordinary book. The old man cast a nce at Chen Lun. "Are you looking for a book?" Chen Lun nodded in admission. "Yes." He replied offhandedly, getting ready to leave. Searching for books containing supernatural knowledge was a tricky matter to exin to this old man. However, as he was about to leave, he suddenly shifted his attention to the thick tome in the old man''s hand. Surely it couldn''t be this one? "Tell me what book you''re looking for; I know every single one here like the back of my hand," Tao Te said, with a hint of pride on his face. Seeing his confidence, Chen Lun said: "Do you have any old books that look like they''ve seen years, or some strange books with mysterious content...?" Chen Lun knew well that regr bookstores generally didn''t house supernatural knowledge. Even if they did, it was only the very low-tier kind. High-tier supernatural knowledge, if identally seen by ordinary people, could lead to the reader''s Sanity Value resetting to zero, causing death or the loss of control that ultimately provoked terrible chaos. Thus, if there really were any high-end supernatural knowledge, it would have been confiscated by the Shelter long ago. The bits of supernatural knowledge that lingered among the public were mostly "the ones that got away," but these too were limited to Low Sequence knowledge. If seen by ordinary people, they wouldn''t trigger major incidents of mystical contamination. At most, they would find the books strange and the contents mysteriously unclear. Only those who really understood could extract the mystical supernatural knowledge from them and thus step through the great gate of the Transcendent''s world. "No!" The old man shook his head decisively. Chen Lun was speechless; was this old guy messing with me? "Mr. Tao Te, may I take a look at the book you''re holding?" "No." The old man refused. "..." "Mr. Tao Te, if I find the book is good, I will pay money for it." Chen Lun looked earnest.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Tao Te looked up at him, removing his sses. "I got this book a few years ago, but the content is all about tomb and mausoleum knowledge. I''m nning to carefully choose and design my future tomb..." "Just let me have a look." "10 Silver Ducats." p! Chen Lun pped a Gold Pound onto the table. "Hey, you really are rich, kid!" Tao Te grinned, handing over the thick tome. [You have discovered a Mystic Book of the Earth Faction!] [Tomb Art Appreciation Collection (Progress 4%)] [By rigorously reading, you have gained 20 Experience Points] [You have discoveredplete knowledge of a pathway to bing Transcendent!] [Earth Faction Sequence Nine: Tomb Robber] Chapter 45 Tomb-Robbing Ancestor Chen Lun ``` Could it really be a Mystic Book!? Chen Lun felt surprised. At the same time, he had already made up his mind in his heart to get his hands on this book. Although he currently did not have any Mysterious Substance from the Earth Faction to transcribe this Supernatural Sequence''s Mystic Knowledge, it did not hinder his "stockpiling." Once he prepared the materials in the future, he could carry out the transcription. "Mr. Tao Te, are you really not going to sell this book?" "I''ve said many times, it''s not for sale." The old man grew a bit impatient and extended his hand to signal for Chen Lun to return the book to him. "Give me back my money." Chen Lun raised an eyebrow, unwilling to show weakness. The old man was somewhat ovee with anger, blowing his beard and ring at the young man. "We had an agreement, just a look! And you,d, wouldn''t happen to be eyeing a plot ofnd in Amber City for tomb raiding, would you?" The old man looked at Chen Lun with suspicion. "Mr. Tao Te, although you are older than I am, you cannot use that to insult my character." Chen Lun looked disdainful. "You should be able to see that I am not so destitute that I need to sustain myself by tomb raiding." The old man didn''t take his words to heart and said with a peculiar tone while adjusting his sses: "That''s hard to say, you might just be psychologically twisted, simply wanting to satisfy your own desires by desecrating others'' graves." "..." Chen Lun could tell that the old man probably wasn''t worried about him doing anything bad, but simply didn''t want to sell the book to him. "Mr. Tao Te, just tell me straight, what will it take for you to sell the book to me." Chen Lun said bluntly. Until thest resort, he was not willing to use supernatural means to profit. Although the old man was detestable, he himself was not so unfair as to bully the weak and snatch away his belongings. Mr. Tao Te chuckled twice. "I hear you''ve been dining at Caroline''s ce? Umm... I''d like to taste the dishes she prepares." His expression turned serious right after. "You get what I''m saying to you,d!?" "I get it." Chen Lun nodded, turning and walking out of the bookstore. As the old man started to imagine himself having dinner with Miss Caroline, the door to the bookstore was opened once more. Chen Lun had returned. But this time, he was followed by Mrs. Caroline. "Oh, Mr. Tao Te, I hear you wanted to taste my afternoon tea?" Mrs. Caroline held a tter in her hand, filled with a few leftover baked cookies and some crumbs. "Unfortunately, this is all that''s left." Mr. Tao Te''s face immediately stiffened. But he quickly regained theposure befitting an old gentleman, smoothed his reading sses, and smiled politely as he took the te from Mrs. Caroline''s hands. "Oh, the beautiful Miss Caroline, yes, I... I''m famished." Then he turned around. The young man had already vanished without a trace with his book, and even the gold coin on the table had mysteriously disappeared. ... Chen Lun was in a good mood. He held in his hands the "Future Homebuyers'' Guide" belonging to Mr. Tao Te. For some reason, he could always picture a scene in his mind¡ª A group of yers carrying shovels posting on forums, gathering before vanishing into cemeterieste at night. They dug the earth while discussing topics like "striking it rich," "climbing the ranks," and "Woo Hoo, takeoff!" The air was filled with cheer among the graves. The nobility was frustrated, the police officers were under tremendous pressure, and the History and Ritual Association was utterly bewildered. Where did all these shameless ratse from!? "That''s none of my business..." Chen Lun whistled a tune and carefully put away the "Tomb Art Appreciation Collection." ``` This book could represent a ticket to a Supernatural Sequence, and with his Sub upation as a Recorder, it was truly a hen that couldy golden eggs! When he reached the third floor, he suddenly heard Connie arguing with her father, Mr. Hood, once again. "I need more ''nectar''! Can''t you go buy some for me quicker!?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om A feeble yet irritable voice came through. "Dad, you really can''t take that stuff anymore! I''ve looked into it, and everyone who has used that drug never ends well." Connie retorted. "What do you know, they ended up like that because they didn''t continue taking it, you can''t stop ''nectar'' abruptly!" "But we''re out of money, dad." Connie''s tone was somewhat helpless. "If there''s no money then go make some! Do you still expect me, an old man, to go out and earn money now!?" "Oh my God, how can you talk to me like this..." Connie ran out of the house heartbroken again. She bumped into Chen Lun in the corridor, looking somewhat embarrassed. Chen Lun handed her a handkerchief. "...Thank you." Connie took it and lowered her head to wipe the corners of her eyes. "Connie, take this money and buy medicine for your father." Chen Lun handed her a Gold Pound. "Did you hear all that, Mr. Jack...?" Connie shook her head and refused, gritting her teeth and saying: "I''m not going to give dad that medicine from the Red Apple Church anymore." Chen Lun sighed silently. Her father''s condition was probably beyond salvation. Not to mention the deep affliction by ''nectar,'' abruptly stopping might also lead to sudden death within a short time. But this was Connie''s family matter, and as an outsider, it wasn''t his ce to say much. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jack, I...I think I need a walk." Connie''s emotions were somewhat downtrodden. Chen Lun stepped aside to let her pass, and Connie walked out in silence. Watching her figure disappear from view, he shook his head slightly and returned to the fourth floor to open the door to his room. Seeing him return, Floey got up from the sofa and handed him a letter. "What''s this?" Chen Lun took the letter, puzzled. "Mrs. Caroline sent it, said a strange man gave it to you." Floey exined. Chen Lun already had a hunch¡ªit was probably from ackey of the Iron Fist Gang. He took the letter back to his room, sat at the table, and opened it. "¡ªDear Sir, Butler Fedman has sent a message that he wille again tonight. If you need, you can be present in person, and I will cooperate with all your actions.¡ªYour humble follower, Gary" Chen Lun crumpled the letter in his hand, rubbed it into scraps, and scattered them in the waste basket. He pondered for a moment. Since Fedman was the butler of Congressman Daniel, he must possess a lot of information. If he could control Fedman, he might gain more insider details. If through him he found out Daniel''s intentions, perhaps he could leverage those clues to find "Glutton" Dolly... Chen Lun wasted no more time. He greeted Floey and left the house again. Using the gradually dimming twilight, Chen Lun concealed his form and hastened towards the swamnds. Before long, he arrived at the entrance of the Flower Bird Tavern again. He pushed the door and entered. The heavily made-upndy''s face changed drastically upon seeing Chen Lun but then remembered something, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She forced a smile and approached. "Sir...Boss Gary is waiting for you in the back courtyard." Chen Lun noticed the vintage inte in her hands and revealed a polite yet odd smile. "Aren''t you going to notify him? Don''t worry, there won''t be any rats causing trouble this time." Thendy suddenly widened her eyes. Chapter 46 You Threaten Me A carriage slowly came to a halt at the entry stairs leading down to the waterside dock. The door of the carriage opened, and a middle-aged man in a suit vest stepped out. His hair was meticulouslybed back, with a few strands of white adding a touch of mature charm. "Let''s go." Fedman covered his nose with his hand, his face set in a grim expression. "Every time Ie here, I feel as if I''ve taken a bath in a cesspool." A hint of disgust flickered in his eyes. Two tall bodyguards in ck suits nked him, descending the steps together. ng! The door to the Mermaid''s Song tavern was thrown open. Thendy, her face almost brimming with obsequiousness and fawning, approached them, but before she could speak, she was pushed away by the bodyguards. "I''ve told you many times, keep your distance, dy''!" He emphasized the word dy" with a pause. Fedman didn''t even grant her a nce, walking straight in while still holding his nose. Thendy''s eyes twitched, and she stepped back, feeling aggrieved.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The tavern patrons all stood up to clear a path, taking off their dirty hats and bowing. A few serving maids, carrying trays, watched Fedman carefully, making the charming middle-aged man feel uneasy. He frowned and, apanied by the two bodyguards, made his way through the kitchen to the backyard. The underlings of the Iron Fist Gang seemed to have received notice of an important visitor. About a dozen of them were waiting in the courtyard for Fedman''s arrival and saluted in unison upon seeing him. Although some brothers were missing, this was normal for them. The Outer City District was chaotic, and the waterside dock was even more so¡ªa battlefield of gang violence. The Iron Fist Gang, stationed here, was asionally harassed by other gangs. Deaths in these scuffles weremon. The good thing about the waterside dock was that it was never short of people; many strong young men wanted to join the Iron Fist Gang. In the past two days, twenty new recruits had been inducted. "Sir, Boss Gary is waiting for you inside," said an elderly member of the Iron Fist Gang with respect. He recognized this well-dressed figure who often came to see Boss Gary. Although he didn''t know the specifics of their discussions, it was clear that Gary held this man in high esteem. "Hmm." Fedman hummed a monosyble and entered the building. But when he went in, he found not Gary waiting for him on the sofa. It was a ck-haired young man. The other person did not look like a member of a gang, but more like a young student deep in his studies at the academy. Handsome and extremely neat. His demeanor and poise revealed a confidence that was intimately familiar to Fedman; he had seen it in the nobles of the Inner City District. The ck-haired youth smiled at him politely, with a hint of appraisal in his gaze. Gary stood by his side respectfully, looking every bit the part of a sycophant. "Who might you be, sir?" Fedman''s brow furrowed tightly, a bad feeling rising within him. Then, he nced at Gary again and asked with suppressed anger, "Gary, what is the meaning of this!?" The sturdy man did not answer him, standing there like a humble statue. Chen Lun stood up. "Are you the butler of councilman Daniel?" "It seems some disloyal dog has told you some things." Fedman let out a cold sneer. "But you shouldn''t interfere in matters here because that''s asking for death... no matter who you are!" Chen Lun was too impatient to waste words with him. If this guy wasn''t willing to talk, Chen Lun had his ways to make him talk. With a flick of his hand, a flintlock gun appeared in his grasp. He raised his hand, pulling the trigger and firing at the two bodyguards. Bang Bang!! The lead bullets hit the bodyguards in the arms, piercing through their suit jackets and blossoming into flowers of blood. The bodyguards reacted swiftly; the moment Chen Lun drew his gun, they shielded Fedman with their bodies. They quickly raised their arms and turned, using their arms to protect their heads, thus avoiding being instantly killed by a shot to the head. "Eh?" Chen Lun was somewhat surprised. He hadn''t expected two ordinary people to be able to react to his speed. After being shot, the two bodyguards grunted and quickly drew their guns, returning fire at Chen Lun. Bang bang! Bang bang bang! Their flintlock guns, like the one in Chen Lun''s hand, were products of the Transcendent workshop with rapid-fire capabilities. The bodyguards, having undergone professional training and likely military veterans, were extremely urate shooters, and the rapid-fire firearms in their hands were an added advantage. But Chen Lun was faster, darting through the tables and columns like a Spirit Cat. Not a single lead bullet hit its mark, as they only kicked up clouds of wood and stone dust. In a sh, he was in front of them. A sweeping leg kick. With a whoosh of wind, theplexion of one of the bodyguards changed drastically as he attempted to block with his crossed arms. ¡ªBut it was clearly in vain. It was like being hit by an iron bar as the powerful kick not only shattered his arms but also prated through his chest and back. His bones cracked loudly as he screamed and was thrown aside. With several loud bangs, after crashing through a few tables and chairs, that bodyguard was buried under debris and did not move again. [Kill: Professional bodyguard (High-concentration nectar enhancer), awarded 100 experience points] A notification popped up. But Chen Lun paid no attention to it and dodged the iing dagger with a sidestep. Whoosh¡ª! The other bodyguard''s face was stern as heunched a continuous ferocious attack on Chen Lun with a short dagger. In the brief pause after the fourth stab, Chen Lun threw a powerful punch. His dark gold fist, covered in Carp Armor, not only broke the dagger in the bodyguard''s hand but also smashed into his abdomen. Spewing out blood, the bodyguard staggered backward a few steps and then fell to his knees. [Kill: Professional bodyguard (High-concentration nectar enhancer), awarded 100 experience points] All of this happened in a few breaths, before the others even had time to react. "Damn it! A Transcendent!?" Fedman cursed, turning to run towards the door. "Stop him!" At that moment, Gary shouted. The remaining members of the Iron Fist Gang, unaware of the truth, paused momentarily before rushing to block the entrance. Seeing the way out blocked, Fedman turned around with a gloomy face. "Do you know what you''re doing?" He stared at the slowly approaching young man with ck hair and said in a deep voice. Noticing the scales on the back of the young man''s hand receding slowly, his eyes twitched. "Even if you''re a Transcendent, you can''t kill me... You have no idea what you''ll face." "By your logic, is Daniel the congressman not the real mastermind then?" Chen Lun asked with a polite smile. "Spill everything you know." He activated the "Mermaid''s Song" hypnosis ability and covered Fedman with it. A dark light burst forth from Fedman''s arms, neutralizing Chen Lun''s psychic influence. Then, a painting flew out from under his vest, unfolding swiftly in midair. Whoosh! The rough oil painting depicted the back view of a long-haired woman, with four or five vague ck spirits swirling around her. "Ah! Aaah!!!" Fedman screamed. Four of five dark shadows flew out of the painting and entered Fedman through his mouth and nose. "The power of the soul¡­ Is this the Moon Faction''s Sequence Nine Medium?" Chen Lun frowned. In just a few seconds, Fedman had turned into a ''ck figure''. Covered in shadows and emitting ck smoke, he red at Chen Lun with a fierce look on his face. "You troublemaker, you deserve to die!" "Are you threatening me?" Chen Lun asked with a polite smile. Chapter 47 The Clue is Broken Bang!! Fedman, contrary to his usual behavior, leapt over like a specter andnded a punch on Chen Lun''s face. Chen Lun''s head shook slightly. Half of his cheek was covered by Carp Armor, and one of his eyes turned into a green snake pupil. The young man with ck hair revealed a sinister smile even more ferocious than Fedman''s. "I thought it was some incredible ace up your sleeve, but it turns out it''s just a ''Medium''..." Chen Lun was all too familiar with the Moon Faction''s Supernatural Sequence, as he had followed this path in his previous life. Sequence Nine: Medium Possessing mysterious powers of mediumship, capable of simplemunication with the Lost Souls, and temporarily strengthening oneself by borrowing spirit. "This is not your power, but the power recorded by that strange painting..." Fedman turned a deaf ear and roared as he threw another punch at Chen Lun. Thetter shifted his position and easily dodged the attack. "Five Lost Souls'' blessing? That''s all there is to it." "Die!!" Fedman lunged forward with a heavy elbow strike. Crack!! Chen Lun casually waved his hand and knocked his arm away, causing him to lose bncepletely. "Not to mention you''re just an ordinary man, how much Supernatural Power can you exert?" The young man''s indifferent voice reached Fedman''s ears. Fedman''s eyes widened in disbelief at the oue. Bang¡ª!! A blur of a shadow so fast it was almost indistinct crossed his retina. The next second, Fedman felt a severe pain in his abdomen. A step-in kick from Chen Lun sent Fedman flying. He spun in the air, tumbling twice before crashing heavily onto the ground. "Ugh!" Fedman coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Two dark shadows emerged from his ears and dissipated into nothingness. "Damn it! How... How can he be so strong!?" Fedman was frantic, struggling to get up but failing to do so. If it weren''t for the support of the Lost Souls, that kick would have killed him. An image shed through his mind¡ªa silhouette glimpsed in the study, conversing with Daniel. Fear and loyalty spread in his heart, eventually erupting. "You won''t get any information from me, so die!" Fedman roared hysterically, eyes ckened as he leaped from the ground. Mid-air, he lunged directly at Chen Lun, face filled with madness as he bellowed: "Even if we have to perish together, I will not betray!" The ck smoke on Fedman''s face grew denser, now obscuring his features. His voice emanated from the smoke, low and firm yet twisted and distorted. "This guy''s lost it... He wants to die with me?" A thought shed through Chen Lun''s mind. Immediately, he took decisive action, not wanting to capsize in a gutter. Scorpion Tail Needle! He rotated and stomped, shattering the air with a kick. Bang!! Fedman was sent flying out, over the doorstep of the building,nding on the stairs, unable to rise for the moment due to the Supernatural Toxin. "Fire!" Chen Lun signaled, and Gary immediately understood, issuing an order. The underlings of the Iron Fist Gang donned their Iron Gloves and fired their Blunderbusses at Fedman. A barrage of crackling and popping shots rang out. Fedman exploded into a grotesque monster, with three anguished human faces emerging on his neck and chest. "Arghhh...!!" Nails and shards of ss showered upon him. He howled in agony and eventually ceased struggling. After the dust had settled, Chen Lun walked out of the building. Looking down at the slightly twitching Fedman, he stomped on his head, crushing it! [By killing Daniel''s Butler Fedman (with the Lost Souls'' blessing), you''ve earned 500 Experience Points.] "Ugh!" "Ergh, ugh!!" Many of the Iron Fist Gang''s underlings knelt on the ground, painfully vomiting after witnessing the uncontroble transformations of the supernaturals. Some of them even rolled on the ground, clutching their heads. Fortunately, Fedman had died quickly; if they had watched for too long, they likely would have all dropped dead. Had a few more undergone mysterious contamination and uncontroble mutations, it would have spread like a gue, causing an uncontroble chain reaction. Of course, Chen Lun wouldn''t allow such a scenario to unfold, lest he attract the attention of the Shelter. "Have someone clean up his body, seal it up, and find a ce to bury it." Chen Lun was worried that the Iron Fist Gang would carelessly throw Fedman''s body into a drainage ditch, so he specifically gave this instruction. "Yes, Your Excellency." Gary bowed behind him. He had been enhanced with high-concentration "Fruit Honey" and had a higher resistance to mysterious contamination, so he wasn''t vomiting like his underlings. He just felt some mild difort, which he could tolerate. Chen Lun frowned, nudged Fedman''s body with the tip of his shoe, and found nothing of value on it. The scroll had also be a useless sheet of white paper. He sighed inwardly; the clue had ended here. But Chen Lun was not discouraged, for he already knew this whole affair involved Councilor Daniel. Now that he had a target, he would eventually rify things, sooner orter. "Finish the two tasks I''ve assigned you as soon as possible. If you encounter trouble you can''t handle, notify me just like you did this time." Chen Lun instructed Gary onest time before leaving directly. "I shall heed Your Excellency''s will!" Gary touched his chest and bowed. ... The next morning. After a simple breakfast, Chen Lun began reading in his room. With the time fromst night included, he had almost finished the "Tomb Art Appreciation Collection." Around noon. [Through careful reading, you have gained 220 Experience Points.] [The Earth Faction Mystic Book "Tomb Art Appreciation Collection" (Progress 100%) has been fully read!] [You have gained an additional 1 Skill Point and 1 Attribute Point.] Chen Lun exhaled deeply, having finally exhausted the resources within the book. Although his Main Profession could only have one entry, preventing Chen Lun from inheriting "Tomb Robber," he could still gain the corresponding experience through reading. However, since it was not from his own "Destiny Faction," the gain was halved. The original 1000 Experience Points were reduced to 500 Points. "The books in the bookstore downstairs no longer hold any value for exploration. I hope the Iron Fist Gang will bring some good news soon," Chen Lun mused.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om After putting away the "Tomb Art Appreciation Collection," Chen Lun nned to go downstairs to Mrs. Caroline''s and grab something to eat. As soon as he opened the door, he heard amotion in the hallway. Rushing to the third floor, he found it crowded with people. Many of the local neighbors were present, and even residents from across the street hade over in considerable numbers. "Oh, little Connie, don''t me yourself... Mr. Hood has simply returned to Lady Rose''s embrace," Mrs. Caroline consoled, holding Connie in her arms. Connie clung to Mrs. Caroline, her shoulders shaking uncontrobly. Discover more stories at empire "...Sob sob, it''s all my fault, I shouldn''t have decided to stop dad''s medicine on my own! It''s all because of me, it''s my fault!" Connie cried, her emotions running high. Chen Lun stood outside the crowd, peering through the half-opened door, he could see into Connie''s living room. A many motionless on a rocking chair. "Connie''s father has died." Floey appeared beside Chen Lun, speaking softly. She shook her head slightly and sighed softly. "It''s because of the withdrawal from ''Fruit Honey.''" Chen Lun nodded to show he was aware. Chapter 48 Funeral ording to thews of the Tresor Empire, the requirements of the "Sun Codex," and traditional funeral rites, the dead must be buried on the same day. A taciturn monk from the Moon Church, about thirty years old, stood quietly in the corner of Connie''s room, waiting.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Mr. Hood had already been ced in a in coffin, now positioned in the middle of the living room. Mrs. Caroline''s flower shop was closed for the day, as she wanted to spend more time with Connie, the poor little girl. At this time, several neighbors on good terms with Mrs. Caroline were sitting on the couch, surrounding Connie in the middle, whispering words offort to her. But Connie''s spirits were not high, and she responded sporadically. Chen Lun watched them, thinking about certain matters. His future nscked a technical talent like Connie, because he needed to establish an organization simr to a Shelter''s extraordinary workshop that could continuously produce equipment. Whether it was for trading with other powers or for harvesting the wallets of yers upon their arrival, it would be very useful. He appreciated Connie''s talent and nned to take her with him when he moved to the Inner City District. But obviously, now was not the time to speak of such matters. Chen Lun nced at the Moon Church monk in the corner and turned to whisper to Floey by his side, "Take extra care of Connie these next few days." Floey turned her head to "gaze" at Chen Lun for a few seconds and nodded lightly with pursed lips. "Mm." Chen Lun seemed to sense a slight sense of grievance in Floey''s emotions, and he was momentarily taken aback before realizing his tone was not right. "Sorry, I just..." "I know." Floey''s ethereal voice came through. "Connie has enough talent in mechanics; she can help you." "No, I''m not apologizing for that." Chen Lun smiled at her. "My words just now might have given you the wrong impression, and I didn''t mean tomand you. I don''t want you to do things you''re reluctant to for my sake. Moreover, you are my greatest support for the future, Floey." Floey looked somewhat surprised, then serious. "But I am going to die soon..." Chen Lun exhaled deeply, his gaze returning to the living room. "I won''t let you die." His tone was very calm. Floey''s heart trembled, but she felt the weight of his words. This was the second time she heard Chen Lun make a promise to her. Unlike the first time, she had taken it merely as constion, because the entity within her had told her the chances of survival were slim to none. Perhaps there was a slight chance if she returned to the Red Apple Church, but she preferred death over going back. Hearing these words again, Floey felt an inexplicable sense of relief. For some reason, she actually believed him. "Can I really help you..." Floey murmured softly, almost inaudibly, as she gazed at the side profile of the dark-haired young man. Time swiftly moved towards evening. The setting sun bathed the entire city in orange-red. The Moon Church monk conveyed to everyone that it was time for the burial. Giving rtives an afternoon to say their farewells was quite humane. Mrs. Caroline and the others stood up, and Connie, with tears in her eyes, expressed her gratitude to the monk. The monks of the Moon Church slowly walked in from outside and carried the coffin away. They were dressed in ck robes, with hoods covering their heads, their strong and muscr arms visible from the sleeves. Two monks easily lifted the coffin and carried it off. The crowd followed the people from the Moon Church to the cemetery. At dusk, the monk recited an elegy for Mr. Hood, as the ck-d neighbors and locals bowed their heads in silence. A funeral is a sacred affair, expressing the living''s respect and remembrance for the one who has passed. Death, for people, is a significant process. And in such a world where supernatural existences aremonce, it''s filled with mystery and enigma. The Moon Church handles funeral-rted matters in the Empire, dealing with death day in and day out. In his past life, Chen Lun had personally participated in some activities of the Moon Church. His assessment of this church could be summed up in two words¡ª Solemn. Unlike the eye-catching Red Apple Church, the Moon Church is rather low-key. Church members, regardless of rank, from top to bottom, all carried a solemn demeanor. They spoke little, as though they regarded themselves as servants of death. Death, after all, is a journey from mor to silence. "The death of one person is but an additional grave to the world, but to those who rely on each other for life, it''s as if the entire world has been buried in graves... Miss Connie, please restrain your sorrow. We will all reach the moon after we die, and leaving this world is merely stepping onto the road towards the moon," said the Moon Church''s monk in a soft voice. His finger traced an arc in the air, finally touching his own lips with a point. This was the prayer gesture of the Moon Church. Soon after, the monks began to lower the coffin into the grave and used iron shovels to dig up earth to cover it. "I once longed for death, but then I became indifferent..." Floey stood beside Chen Lun, watching this scene and murmured softly. Chen Lun nced at her, offeringfort: "None of what happened in the past was your fault, Floey." The shadows of her childhood and the darkness within the Red Apple Church had nearly destroyed her heart. "But I seem to have be more timorous, I now begin to fear death," Floey turned her head, her ck satin gaze fixed on him. Chen Lun was startled. He suddenly thought of that countdown. 47 days left. Floey''s life had only 47 days left. If they could not find the "High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance" within this one and a half months, then Floey''s body would no longer be able to maintain the massive supernatural strength of the "Grade A Mysterious Objects Sun-avoiding Potted nt." Floey would be inundated by corruption, ultimately extinguishing her personality and losing control, turning into a monster. Chen Lun took a deep breath. "Don''t worry, I''ve alreadye up with a n." "Mhm, I believe you," Floey "gazed" at him for a while, finally nodding and showing a small smile. Experience tales at empire It was then that the Moon church''s monk, holding a ss bottle, approached each of the mourners at the funeral. "Please let your sorrow fall and turn into a remembrance for the deceased and a constion to the living," he said, holding the tear bottle, collecting the tears of the crowd. Perhaps Mr. Hood had not had a good rtionship with the neighbors and locals during his lifetime; there were few who shed tears for him. Only Connie cried the most grievously. Lastly, the monk handed the tear bottle to Connie, whispering a few words to her. Connie nodded as she epted it, expressing her gratitude to the monk. Chen Lun knew what he had said; it was mostly instructions for Connie to ce the tear bottle at home. When the tears inside the bottle dried up, it would mean that the departed had reached the moon. But Chen Lun was curious, how could a believer of Rose possibly reach the moon? He couldn''t help but shake his head. Chapter 49 Even a Dog Would Shake its Head After the funeral ended, the sky had already darkened. Once the crowd had dispersed, Mrs. Caroline invited Connie to dine at her home. Back at number seven Denton Street. Floey and Mrs. Caroline were busy in the kitchen while Chen Lun and Connie waited in the living room. "Thank you, Mr. Jack." Connie''s eyes were somewhat swollen, and she said softly with her head lowered to Chen Lun. "The Gold Pounds you paid for my father''s funeral, I will work hard to repay you... But I''m sorry, right now I, I may not be able to engage in the research on weapons." Chen Lun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and waved his hand. "Don''t be under pressure, Connie, you don''t need to hurry to repay me the money." After setting down his teacup, he consoled her: "Research won''t suffer from a little dy, what''s most important right now is that you take care of yourself, and not let sorrow take control. If you have time, you can go for a walk in the park with Floey to clear your mind." Connie nodded silently and gave Chen Lun a forced smile. The dinner that followed made Connie feel a warmth she had never experienced before. The kind Mrs. Caroline told her many past stories about how she had pulled herself together after losing her husband Henry and son Oliver. Miss Floey encouraged her by her side, and with Mr. Jack sharing some interesting anecdotes, Connie felt her grief lighten a little. The dinner was sumptuous, and it was said that most of it was personally made by Miss Floey, which surprised Connie greatly. The dishes were delicious and healing. What healed her even more was the kindness of people. ... Late at night. Chen Lun came out from the washroom, heading back to his room to prepare for bed.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om As he passed by the window, however, he noticed two figures standing under the streetmp across the street. "Hey, buddy, are we just going to wait here?" A man from the Iron Fist Gang, smoking a cigarette, said sullenly. "What else? This was a task personally assigned by boss Gary. And don''t forget, the one living here is a non-human entity; let''s justplete our mission properly." Hispanion seemed to remember something, shuddering at the thought. Immediately he stretched out a hand. "Give me one, I''ve smoked all mine." "Dammit, you always say that!" As the two talked, they suddenly saw a dog dart out from the opposite building''s hallway. Under the dim glow of the street light, they could just make out its shiny ck and white fur. Woof woof! The dog ran straight up to them, barked twice with its head upturned, and then lifted a front paw and gestured. "The hell! It''s like it''s talking to me!" "Give it the letter." "What...?" The Iron Fist Gang underling suddenly realized his mate was staring up at the building across the street. He followed the gaze in that direction and vaguely saw a dark-haired young man watching them from the fourth floor window. "Give it the letter!" Hispanion urged him again. It took a moment for the man in the leather jacket toe back to his senses, trembling as he handed the letter he had in his embrace to the dog. The dog took the letter in its mouth, gave him a disdainful look, and then slunk back into the hallway without a backward nce. The Iron Fist Gang underling stood dumbfounded for a while until the cigarette burned his mouth, snapping him out of it. "Truly bizarre! I''ve just been snubbed by a dog!?" The Border Collie returned to the room, and Chen Lun took the letter, petting its head. The dog happily wagged its tail. Experience exclusive tales on empire Tearing open the envelope, he inspected the contents in the moonlight. "¡ªRespected Sir, I have gathered information about the recent situation of Viscount Pompey as per your instructions. He often went out to meet friends and attend variousrge events and venues, and asionally went to the artificial forests in the Inner City District to hunt. Beyond that, he mostly stayed on his estate and read books¡­ There''s another piece of news. This informationes from a good friend of Viscount Pompey, Baron Barnie, and its authenticity is very high. It''s said that Viscount Pompey''s daughter, Miss Reba, fell off a horse and injured her leg and is currently recuperating at home. He is very distressed and wants to find a private tutor for Miss Reba. Here is the detailed address of Viscount Pompey''s home: No. 9, Second Avenue, Inner City District, Pompey Manor¡­" "Additionally, regarding this person ''Dolly'' you mentioned, no clues have been found so far. I hope you can forgive my ipetence. I and the Iron Fist Gang will do our utmost to search for his whereabouts for your sake. ¡ªYour humble follower, Gary." Chen Lun read the letter, crumpled it up, and destroyed it. He leaned back in his chair, finding afortable position. His eyelids drooped as he pondered. A momentter, he struck a match, and lit the oilmp on his table. Then he picked up a feather quill and, dipping it into ink, wrote another letter. The content of the letter requested Gary to create a fictitious identity for him and Floey. Although it was to be fabricated, the identity had to be legitimate, capable of withstanding scrutiny from the Security Office of the Inner City District. This wouldn''t be too difficult for Gary, given his connections with many influential figures in the Inner City District. It was akin to fabricating the identities of two individuals, followed by registering them at the Security Office. Chen Lun specified his own identity as a schr from out of town, whose research focus was ¡ª Literature and Nature. One of his ns was to apply for a job as the private tutor of Viscount Pompey''s daughter, thus infiltrating Viscount Manor before opportunely searching for the "Philip''s Legacy." However, this was just a backup n. If there were a simpler way to infiltrate and directly snatch the item, all the better. As for Floey''s identity, Chen Lun had Gary fabricate the title of an impoverished noble from out of town and apply it to her. While nobility was rare, when considered across the entire Tresor Empire, it was a vast group. An obscure noble''s title, especially from out of town, would be difficult for someone to verify its authenticity. As long as Floey didn''t often attend noble gatherings andrge events, and her behavior and dress fit her identity, she was unlikely to be exposed. In fact, Chen Lun wasn''t worried about this at all. With Floey''s looks and demeanor, even if she were dressed as a maid, she wouldn''t be able to hide her unique Charm. Chen Lun put the letter he''d written into a brand-new envelope. He looked down from upstairs and saw that the two Iron Fist Gang members had already left. He felt a bit helpless and was fretting when he caught sight of the dog at his feet, still wagging its tail and looking at him. "You really are a good dog!" Woof! "Dog!" "What?" Two members of the Iron Fist Gang walked down the quiet street when one of them suddenly eximed. Looking back, they saw the familiar dog charging towards them. "It''s that again! Why is it chasing us!?" "Could it be that his lordship is dissatisfied with us and wants to have it chew us to death?" The two looked at each other. "Run!" Two men in leather jackets sprint for their lives down the street, with arge ck and white dog hot on their heels. Until one stumbled over rubbish on the ground. When he looked up, hispanion was already far away, leaving only a receding figure. "Damn it!" The fallen guy cursed, enduring the pain. "Am I going to die? Oh my goodness, I''m still so young, I haven''t even touched the hand of a maid from the Flower Bird Tavern, I haven''t..." The dog, too, was panting heavily, having run up to him. The Iron Fist Gang member had closed his eyes to await death, but no pain came after a long while. Slightly opening his eyes, he saw a dog face staring at him, a letter in its mouth. Most importantly, its eyes seemed to regard him as if he were an idiot. "Xie Te! To think I''d be looked down upon by the same dog twice in one day!?" Chapter 50 Preparation and Invitation Two dayster. Gary from the Iron Fist Gang had brought Chen Lun what he desired. Two sets of identity documents and the corresponding tokens. The identity document was a newly inked card, encased in a thin leather wallet. Chen Lun opened it to see that on his identity card, the name column read Jack Spett. His status, as he had requested, was an out-of-town schr from Peacock City in Bronze City, Rock State. Continue reading at empire The other document, a diploma, noted his studies at Oakwood Academy, with a focus on literature, history, and nature. These proofs bore the seal of the Amber City Inner City District Security Office and the signatures of the reviewing officials. "Nicely done." Chen Lun praised satisfactorily. After breakfast, Chen Lun casually handed Floey her identity documents along with a copper badge. "What''s this?" Floey asked curiously. "Necessities for us to move around in the Inner City District," Chen Lun exined with a smile. "Keep them safe and if we''re inspected, just show them... Remember, you''re no longer a nun from the Red Apple Church, but ady from a declining noble family from out of town, Floy Wolf." Upon hearing this, Floey instantly realized that the items in her hand were fabricated identities. "Are we preparing to leave this ce? To the Inner City District...?" She nodded and asked softly. Her fingers gently traced the pattern on the copper badge, and the name of a family surfaced in her mind¡ª Wolf. This noble family from out of town''s ancestors didn''t matter anymore; likely there were no descendants left. With this name, Floey could live securely in the Inner City District. "Yes, we should be leaving in the next couple of days," Chen Lun answered softly. Floey suddenly felt a hint of reluctance. Although she had only lived at number seven on Denton Street for about a week, she had grown somewhat fond of the ce. "Don''t worry, we''ll have the chance toe back and visit Mrs. Caroline," Chen Lun said as he ruffled the back neck fur of the border collie, which looked confusedly at him. "And you don''t need to worry about Mrs. Caroline being lonely by herself, I n to leave this guy here." Woof! The dog spun around in ce, visibly reluctant. Chen Lun simply ignored it. He did not know the situation in the Inner City District yet, and taking Floey with him was already a stretch on his resources. If Connie ultimately agreed to go with them, they would need to be even more cautious. It was better to leave the dog here to keep Mrs. Carolinepany, at least providing it with a shelter, so it didn''t have to roam any longer. Knock, knock. Just then, someone knocked on the front door. Chen Lun went to open it, and Connie stood outside with a smile on her face. "Mr. Jack, I''ve finished modifying the firearm!" Chen Lun raised an eyebrow, surprised at her efficiency. Seeing the undeniable fatigue on her face and the bandages on her fingertips, Chen Lun guessed that she must have been fully engrossed in her research these past couple of days. Perhaps it was also a way for her to forget her pain. Connie took a seat on the sofa and ced the modified blunderbuss on the table. "With my design, its stability has greatly increased, and it''s unlikely to misfire anymore." Chen Lun picked up the blunderbuss to inspect it. [Raging Fire - Custom-made Firearm (Improved Version)] Item description: A carefully modified flintlock gun with clever design enhancements to improve stability without any reduction in firepower. The expanded muzzle allows for formidable lethality at close range with no restrictions on the type of ammunition used. A small steel ball can be shot with such force that it makes you cry in pain! "An excellent modification, I didn''t misjudge you, Connie," Chen Lun put down the blunderbuss and smiled as heplimented her. Connie blushed and hesitantly picked up the mechanical glove again. Looking at it, her tone carried a hint of discouragement: "I designed several ns for this mechanical glove, but none of them worked... I tried adding some functions to it, but that didn''t seem right either. Instead, it became impractical." Chen Lun knew that the glove was actually a failed imitation, crafted by the craftsmen of the Iron Fist Gang by copying the design of another. Lacking the true soul. He looked at Connie, not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm, so he took out the [Mad Hand Prototype Drawing ¨C Palm Fireworks]. Connie was extremely surprised when she saw the exquisite painting. "This painting... so this is what it''s like!" She seemed very excited, pointing at the mechanical glove in the painting. "This weapon is forged in imitation of the glove in the painting, but the forger got it wrong, it shouldn''t be like that! Its structure may beplex, but its function should be simple, rted to fire... I feel me, light, and change from it!" Connie stared at the painting,pletely absorbed. As if the patterns on it were revealing answers to her, speaking of secrets that were felt rather than said. Chen Lun did not disturb her, quietly sipping his tea. Noon arrived. Suddenly, Connie felt the painting in her hands wasn''t just a sheet of paper, but a piece of red-hot iron. Her palm grew warm and the painting subsequentlynded on the table. She felt a bit dizzy and nauseous, and began to feel an overall sense of heat. "Don''t look at it anymore, have a cup of tea and rest." Chen Lun said softly. He knew that Connie''s difort was due to staring for a long time at an item that possessed extraordinary powers, causing her Sanity Value to decrease and her body to react adversely. Connie reluctantly nodded, choosing to heed Mr. Jack''s advice and shifting her gaze away from the painting. "Mr. Jack, if I could observe that painting frequently, I''m confident I could forge the mechanical glove depicted on it!" Connie took a sip of the tea, saying firmly. She then added: "It will bepletely different from this kind of mechanical glove." Connie gestured towards the Mad Hand on the table. Chen Lun nodded, seeing that Connie truly understood the drawing. He also grew more eager to recruit this talented individual. "Don''t look at the painting for too long, it could harm you," he cautioned. Connie had already sensed that the painting had a kind of magic power that mysteriously conveyed extensive knowledge about mechanical forging. But at the same time, it contained a threat, giving her a constant sense of danger, as if her hair were standing on end. "Connie, what are your ns for the future?" After resting a while, Chen Lun casually asked. Connie looked at the teacup in her hands and was silent for a moment. "I n to repay your money and then move to the technical academy to study knowledge in peace." "Are you interested ining with me to the Inner City District?" Chen Lun inquired tentatively. Connie looked up in surprise. "I have high hopes for your talent, Connie. Just so you know, I might need an excellent assistant like you in the future toplete my ns. If you are willing to go with us to the Inner City District, I can sponsor your studies at a better academy, and you won''t have to worry about the expenses for research either." Chen Lun offered Connie the invitation earnestly.N?v(el)B\\jnn Connie''s eyes widened. After musing for a moment, she fidgeted with her small hands. "Thank you for your esteem, Mr. Jack. But I know my skills are still far from adequate. May I have some time to consider your offer?" Connie was tempted, but she did not immediately give a reply. Chen Lun nodded in understanding. "Hmm, Floey and I may be leaving in a couple of days. Take your time to think about it." Chapter 51 Night Exploration Night. Under the Purple Moon, the Outer City District was engulfed in darkness and silence. In contrast with the distant Inner City District, this ce seemed more like a stagnant pool of water at the moment. Separated by a wide river, one could vaguely see many tall buildings in the Inner City District in the distance. Their lights were brilliant, like stars in the night sky. Reflected on the ink-ck river were rivers of stars, the all-night revelry of the wealthy. If one looked long enough, it seemed as if one could hear the clinking of wine sses and loudughtering from over there. Chen Lun had been standing behind a tree by the river for quite some time, observing a grand bridge through the railing. The bridge was manned with checkpoints, five people per team, with several teams on rotation. "By crossing this bridge, one can enter the Inner City District from the Outer City District..." Read exclusive content at empire Chen Lun thought to himself. He hade here under the cover of night, intending to scout out the situation in the Inner City District in advance and prepare for the uing n. The separation between the Inner and Outer City was quite rigid. To prevent people from crossing the river, railings five to six meters high had even been erected on both banks. The metal railings, coated in ck paint and spaced narrowly apart, were no wider than a palm, and their tops were as sharp asnce points. Anyone attempting to climb over the railing would risk disembowelment if they were not careful. Moreover, on the surface of Amber River and along the shore of the Inner City District, police officers and Guardians patrolled in intersecting routes, leaving virtually no blind spots. This was probably due to the chaos of the Outer City District. The Inner City District was home to those at the upper echelons of power and money; if free passage were allowed between the two areas, it could pose a danger to the residents of the Inner City District. The more noble a person was, the more they feared interacting with the lower sses. The clear division that Amber City has formed today owes much to the influence of the elites on the council. "This is indeed strict..." Chen Lun sighed; infiltration seemed difficult under such conditions. But he did not need to infiltrate. "Luckily, I already have an identity proof, at most I''ll just be questioned." After a brief pause, Chen Lun moved quickly, like a swiftly gliding ghost, and disappeared from his spot. In front of the bridge checkpoint, two Guardians who had just finished inspecting a merchant caravan''s carriage were standing idly, and soon they saw a tall figure of a man approaching slowly. "Sorry, please present your identity proof." One Guardian, with a short sword slung at his waist, stretched out a gloved hand. Chen Lun handed over a small leather booklet. The Guardian opened the identity proof to check it, scrutinizing the ck-haired young man in front of him under the light of the streetmps on both sides. Seeing the well-dressed man holding a book, just as described in the identity proof. The Guardian handed back the identity proof and touched his left chest with his right hand in a salute. "Mr. Jack, may the Sun shine upon you." He gestured with an open hand and then stepped aside to let him pass. Chen Lun nodded his head and walked straight onto the bridge under the watchful eyes of several Guardians. Walking on the bridge and overlooking the river on one side, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of reflection. Indeed, as he had expected, it would be extremely difficult to navigate the Inner City District without an identity proof, let alone get past this checkpoint. Once he really entered the Inner City District, the first thing to do was to find a fixed residence to avoid being frequently questioned. After crossing the bridge, Chen Lun arrived at an exceptionally wide street. The view was quite astounding. The streets were paved uniformly with greyish-blue stone bricks, with tall and orderly buildings on both sides. Most of those buildings appeared to be various shops, among which Chen Lun also found a branch of the Silver Dragon Trade Association. Unlike the Outer City District, electricity was widely used here, as if there were twopletely different systems operating on their own. Colorful signs gleamed in the night, with carriages and well-dressed pedestrians weaving through the streets. In a daze, Chen Lun seemed to see the shadow of his previous life. He walked along, following street signs to Viscount Manor located on Second Street. Fashionably dressed women in groups were often seen on the streets. Some would even turn their heads to wink at Chen Lun, then leave with a giggle. If at that moment Chen Lun approached them with his maic voice and said, "Beautiful miss, please give me the chance to invite you for a coffee," Then the likelihood of these women providing their contact information would probably be one hundred percent.N?v(el)B\\jnn But he had no time to flirt. After taking nearly two hours and detours, Chen Lun finally found Second Street. And by that time, it was already deep into the night. The Inner City District is situated on elevated terrain, and it gets higher the further you venture inward. Gazing out from over the railing here, one could see the broad Amber River and the pitch-ck expanse of the Outer City District. "No. 9, Second Street, Pompey Manor." He had arrived at the perimeter of a vast estate. The rustling sound of the wind stirred the lush trees within the manor, casting dancing shadows that swayed gently. Peering through the borate floral ck railings, one could vaguely make out awn and, in its deepest reaches, several vis with lights shining brightly. Walking around the perimeter fence, Chen Lun mentally estimated the area''s size. "Sorge... how shall I search?" Chen Lun couldn''t help frowning. As he was pondering, suddenly his expression changed, and he quickly hid behind a tree, concealed in the shadows. The sound of footsteps followed soon after, as two Security Office officers withnterns in hand, and a big dog on a leash, passed by. "... Lately, the order from above has been to extend our patrols," one sighed. "I was hoping to spend more time at home with my daughter." "Can''t be helped, just endure it, buddy." After the incident at the Garten Restaurant, even the son of Congressman Lawson died there, so strengthening security is inevitable." The two officers chatted idly, with one of themining. "Those damn extremists, tomit such a heinous act...!" "You believe the exnation from the higher-ups? Forget it, I saw investigators from that secret department at the scene, this was most likely not the work of ordinary people..." As they gradually walked away, the big dog at their feet seemed to detect something and stood still, refusing to move. It stared intently at where Chen Lun was hiding, and let out a soft, low growl. The officer noticed the tension in the leash and also became aware of the dog''s abnormal reaction. "What''s wrong, Charlie?" Following the direction of the dog''s gaze, the two officers looked toward a tree outside the fences of Pompey Manor. Years of experience told them something was off in the shadows behind the tree. They exchanged nces and, as if on cue, pulled out their batons, moving in a pinching motion and slowly approached Chen Lun. One of them even put a whistle to his lips, ready to blow it at any moment to call for backup from nearby officers. Chen Lun''s heart tightened. He didn''t want to be discovered, as it would disrupt his ns. His index finger glowed faintly, and he beckoned to the big dog. The dog sprang free from its leash and raced over to Chen Lun, passing the officers. "Charlie!" Before they could react, the dog named Charlie ran back to their feet. Wagging its tail, it presented a Silver Ducat it had held in its mouth. "Huh... a Silver Ducat? Haha, what a good boy!" "Since when did Charlie learn to pick up money? Buddy, I think we might get rich off of him..." The two officers breathed a sigh of relief, kidding with each other for a few moments before leaving with the dog. The big dog looked back and saw a thumbs-up emerging from behind the shadow of the tree. Its tail wagged even more energetically. After the officers had gone, Chen Lun stepped out from behind the tree. "It seems I was too optimistic." He nced at Viscount Manor beside him, musing to himself. His original n was to find an opportunity to sneak in, locate "Philip''s Legacy," and leave. But now, the n seemed rather unrealistic. Pompey Manor was toorge; even if he used animals to search inside, it would take a considerable amount of time. And he couldn''t afford to be seen frequently in this area, as it would raise suspicions. "Better use the alternative n... infiltrate the manor first, then look for a chance to search." Having made up his mind, Chen Lun prepared to leave. As he passed by The Great Gate of Pompey Manor, two middle-aged maids happened toe out from inside. They carried several parcels, apparently preparing to go out. "... Miss Reba has been so temperamentaltely, it''s such a headache." "No worries, the Viscount has already found a candidate for a family tutor, it seems to be a professor from the Iris Academy, who will being over in a few days... " "Then Miss Reba won''t be so idle, always teasing us for fun." Chen Lun walked past them with an unchanged expression, but his heart sank. Someone was chosen? Was the alternative route blocked too? Chapter 52 Farewell "Oh, little Jack, and the adorable little Floey, are you leaving today?" Mrs. Caroline stood at the entrance of her flower shop, saying with a look of reluctance. "Yes, Mrs. Caroline." Chen Lun nodded. He was holding a suitcase, and Floey, in a ck dress, stood quietly by his side. Today, she wore a ck cloche hat, her pale gold hair cascading down like a waterfall from behind the hat. "It''s such a shame... Mr. Kent left without a word, the Moriarty siblings moved away, and now you two are also heading to the Inner City District.... The whole building will be empty." Mrs. Caroline was quite upset. Just then, a striking figure came running down the stairs. "Mr. Jack! Miss Floey! Please wait for me!" Connie, carrying bags big and small, ran over, panting. Bang! She set down her luggage heavily and looked up. "Mr. Jack, I... I''ve made up my mind, I want to go with you!" She pursed her lips, a bit embarrassed. A smattering of freckles adorned her flushed cheeks, making her whole face resemble a strawberry. Chen Lun looked at her and couldn''t help butugh. Partly because Connie had chosen to ept the olive branch he had extended, and partly because her current appearance was quite charming. "It looks like you''ve made up your mind, Connie." "Yes, Mr. Jack." Connie nodded emphatically, then shed a brilliant smile. Chen Lun extended his hand. "Wee to my team." "Thank you for your trust, I''ll work hard!" Connie reached out her little hand, and they shook hands warmly. Mrs. Caroline was surprised, speechless at the sight of the three. After a while, she shook her head slightly. "It seems I was wrong, even Connie is leaving... Now it really will be just this olddy left." Your next read is at empire Then she looked down at her Border Collie, somewhat amused. "You''re not leaving too, are you? Babu?" Chen Lun had named the dog Babu, and, hearing Mrs. Caroline''s words, it seemed quite eager to try. But before it could take a step, it was intimidated back into its ce by Chen Lun''s stern gaze, obediently crouching at Mrs. Caroline''s feet. It wagged its tail and even nuzzled her hand, allowing her to stroke it. "Oh, good boy!" Mrs. Caroline was pleased, clearly, there was one who did not want to leave. Connie hid on the side, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle, and Floey couldn''t help but smile as well. "Mrs. Caroline, we must be going, but we''lle back to visit Number 7 Denton Street when we can." "Alright, little Jack... Oh wait, just a moment!" Mrs. Caroline seemed to recall something and dashed upstairs. After a short while, she came running down with a notebook in hand. "This is a cooking manual I wrote myself. Every time I cooked for Henry and Oliver, I would note down some insights... They always praised my cooking, and over time, this notebook became full. Now I''m giving it to you, little Floey, hoping it can help you." Mrs. Caroline said as she handed it to Floey. "Thank you, Mrs. Caroline." Floey epted the notebook, and discreetly turned her head, ncing at Chen Lun. "I will study it well." ... Inner City District. Number 45 on First Avenue, Daniel''s apartment. In the study, a middle-aged man paced back and forth. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. He took a cigar from the box on the desk, cut it open, lit it, and took a deep inhale. As the smoke filled the room, his repressed, low voice rose: "Fedman went without returning... The Iron Fist Gang dare not make a move; was it the work of other gangs from the Outer City District?" His face was as still as water, his gaze deep and distant. "To take out two elite bodyguards together, it can''t be just any ordinary force." Daniel gloomily slid open the French windows, and a light rain began to fall outside. The rain pattered on thewn of the garden, sshing up droplets of water. Whoosh¡ª He exhaled another puff of smoke. "Damn... My butler has vanished off the face of the earth, how are things supposed to continue?" It felt as if there was a lump in his chest, and he had no idea how to vent it. Just then. A painting hanging on the wall of the study eerily came to life. It depicted arge mouth with irregr teeth¡ªsome square, some round¡ªvery abstract. Five tongues stretched out from the mouth, each varying in thickness and length. The background was a kaleidoscope of swirling colors, which at first nce, caused dizziness and disorientation. "Daniel." Therge mouth in the painting opened and closed, speaking in humannguage. Hearing his name called, Senator Daniel''s face changed color, and he hastily discarded his cigar, closing the French windows. Snap! "Your Lordship, the Painted Gentleman." He approached the painting, speaking with respect. "How goes the research on the item?" "Research..." Daniel clenched his teeth, looked up at the painting, and instantly felt a splitting headache. He quickly averted his gaze, looking down as he spoke: "There was progress, but my butler Fedman has disappeared after going to the Outer City District. I still don''t know the situation with the craftsman." Therge mouth in the painting closed slightly, the corners turning up in a sinister smile. Then it emitted a spine-chilling snicker. After a moment. "I can choose someone else, Daniel," said therge mouth in the painting. Upon hearing that, Daniel''s heart skipped a beat. "I''ve dealt with your enemy for you, that... Senator Lawson? He is currently consumed by the pain of losing his son and might act recklessly.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om If I turn and back him, I''m sure he''ll be more than happy to assist me, willing to pay any price." Daniel''s courage faltered, and he involuntarily swallowed his saliva. He let out a long breath, surreptitiously wiping the sweat from his forehead. "No, Painted Gentleman, Lawson can''t help you... he has no foundation in the Outer City District, he can''t organize the manpower needed to forge that weapon for you." "Oh?" Therge mouth in the painting paused. "But it seems you have also lost the ability to serve me. Assistance is mutual, Daniel, you can''t keep dragging your feet and not delivering what I want." "Just give me a little more time! Your Lordship, the Painted Gentleman..." Senator Daniel clenched his fists. He took a deep breath and straightened up. "I will dispatch new personnel as soon as possible toplete yourmission." "Very well, I''ll give you another half a month''s time... But the amount of money owed next time, I''ll need double, aspensation for your breach of trust." Senator Daniel kept a stoic face, squeezing a single word from his throat: "Fine!" The colors on the painting twisted, therge mouth slowly closed, the disordered tongues and uneven teeth retracted. Eventually, the painting stilled, no longer changing. Senator Daniel, veins bulging on his forehead, left the study without a word. In a painting studio at the other end of the Inner City District. A young man suddenly lifted his head, staring at a painting on the wall. The hand in the painting, bizarre with seven fingers, began to move. One of the fingers extended, its sharp nail writing within the painting. The nail, like a knife, traced over the flesh of the canvas, inscribing a line in blood¡ª "After half a month, assassinate Senator Daniel." Chapter 53 A Dazzling Entrance Inner City District. No. 9 on Second Street, Pompey Manor. The early morning sunlight was full of vitality, seemingly illuminating the entire world and brimming with energy. The great gate of the manor emitted a long creaking sound as it was pulled open from the inside. Four or five maids worked together to swing the gate wide open and secure it, while an elderly man resembling a butler stepped out. He raised his hand, d in a white glove, to adjust his deep blue cravat at his chest, then waved to the maids. "Professor Ulysses will be here shortly, don''t disgrace the Viscount," he said. "Yes, Mr. Binose," they replied. The old butler stood erect, hands crossed in front of him, standing by the gate, quietly awaiting the arrival of the distinguished guest. Second Street was located at the heart of the Inner City District, where the residents were either rich or noble. Consequently, the nearby environment was considerably pleasant, with both greenery andyout giving a sense offort and luxury. Compared to other parts of the Inner City District, the buildings here were more aesthetically pleasing and grandiose. The structures were spaced widely apart, providing a broad view that was refreshing to the spirit. Moreover, the elevated terrain allowed for a distant view of the entire Amber City, enticing many middle-ss families to use their leisure time for strolls in the area with their loved ones. Viscount Pompey was a low-key person, not well known by the general popce of the Inner City District. Pompey Manor had stood on Second Street for many years, yet few people knew what went on inside. "Hey, look over there," said someone. A group of young women dressed in light yellow shirts and brown skirts passed by. They were students from the nearby Laburnum Girls'' School, each carrying a regtion satchel. One of them pointed at the entrance to Pompey Manor, drawing the attention of herpanions. "Is Viscount Pompey expecting a visitor?" one of them asked. "Oh, have you forgotten about Miss Reba in the second year? She ignored the advice on the excursion and hurt her leg riding a horse... I overheard my mother and her friends talking, and Viscount Pompey has found her an excellent tutor, who is said to be a schr from a public academy," another whispered. Another student disyed an expression of surprise and recognition, saying softly, "No wonder Mrs. Megan has been in a foul mood during ssestely; it''s probably because she wasn''t asked." "Giggle..." The girls covered their mouths andughed. At this moment, a carriage rolled to a stop at the entrance of Pompey Manor. The coachman, wearing a tall top hat, disembarked and lifted the curtain of the carriage. A middle-aged woman of distinguished attire stepped down, her head adorned with a wide-brimmed hat. "Oh, it''s Lady Ulysses!" the students eximed in surprise. "I know her; she''s a professor at the Iris Academy and author of the ''Elk Poetry Collection''..." "I''ve also read that book, it''s simply marvelous!" The students conversed in hushed tones. "Miss Reba is so lucky to be educated by Lady Ulysses."N?v(el)B\\jnn "Well, her father is Viscount Pompey after all..." When Mr. Binose, the old butler, saw the middle-aged woman descend from the carriage, he confidently strode forward with his chest puffed out. "Lady Ulysses," he greeted her. He saw her removing her gloves, readying for a hand-kissing greeting. Unexpectedly, thedy turned and lifted the carriage curtain again, and under the gaze of all present, a tall and handsome young man emerged. Dressed in a ck suit with a felt cape over his shoulders and a ck top hat on his head. He slowly stepped down from the carriage, taking a moment to look around. Upon seeing the group of female students, he gave them a polite smile. "Oh! My goodness! Who is that gentleman?" "He''s so handsome..." Suddenly, Mr. Binose, the butler, was taken aback. He did not know who this young man was, arriving with Lady Ulysses in the same carriage. Immediately afterward, Mr. Binose felt a weight on his hand and looked down to find Lady Ulysses had already extended her hand to him. "May the Sun shine upon you, mydy," he said. He kissed the back of his fingers and blessed her. After Mrs. Ey had put her gloves back on, Binose looked at her with puzzlement. "May I ask who this is?" "Oh, this is my good friend, Mr. Jack," Mrs. Ey introduced to Binose. The old butler nodded, shook hands with Chen Lun, and greeted him warmly. "But¡­ Mrs. Ey, Viscount Pompey invited you alone to dine today." Binose said politely, pausing especially on the word "alone." He suspected that this groomed young pretty face must be Mrs. Ey''s love interest. Yet from what he knew, it was unlike Mrs. Ey to be so impolite. It was very probable that this pretty face, upon hearing of her invitation from Viscount Pompey, had the audacity to tag along uninvited. There was no shortage of people from the Inner City District wanting to ingratiate themselves with Viscount Pompey. "Oh, I believe Viscount Pompey wouldn''t mind," Mrs. Ey said with a smile. Binose felt displeased and cast a nce at the young man with ck hair, without showing his feelings. Thetter, however, keenly noticed his gaze and returned a polite smile. "Mrs. Ey, surely you understand the reason Viscount Pompey has invited you¡­" "Yes, I am well aware," Mrs. Ey cut off Binose''s words, promptly made an apologetic gesture, and added: "Mr. Jack is here for this reason. I have been unwell recently and may not be able to continue as Miss Reba''s tutor, but I rmend him." "Him? This¡­ gentleman?" Binose looked incredulous. Setting aside the fact that he had never seen this young man before or heard of any academic achievements to his name, his appearance and age did not seem to fit that of a distinguished schr. Even with Mrs. Ey''s rmendation, the Viscount would certainly not agree. "I shall exin the matter personally to Viscount Pompey, Mr. Binose," Mrs. Ey whispered. The old butler was silent for a moment and finally nodded. "Follow me, both of you." He and a few maids led the way, guiding Mrs. Ey and Chen Lun into the manor. The path stretched deep into the estate, with broadwns on either side much like a prairie, covering arge area. Chen Lun looked around with interest as he walked. He had found out about Mrs. Ey''s whereabouts in advance from the clues at the Iris College and waited at her doorstep until he managed to board the carriage using the hypnosis capabilities of "Mermaid''s Song." The effort had taken a considerable toll on him. To save time, he had frequently used the Hypnosis Ne, which by now had depleted over half of his Sanity Value. Bearing the dull ache in his head, Chen Lun let out a silent breath. "I have finally made it inside. Now the task is to persuade Viscount Pompey to ept me as his daughter''s tutor¡­ If needs be, I shall resort to ''Mermaid''s Song.'' But he had a feeling that this matter was not going to be straightforward. The manor was vast, and it took Binose and the two others more than ten minutes to arrive at the vi entrance. "The Viscount anddy Pompey, as well as Miss Reba, are waiting inside," He pushed open the brown wooden The Great Gate and gestured for them to enter. "Pleasee in." "Thank you," Mrs. Ey nodded in thanks, adjusted her wide-brimmed hat, and walked in. Chen Lun followed closely behind her, nodding to Binose in acknowledgment as he passed by. The old butler watched the young man expressionlessly, yet he was thinking about the scene of him being sent away by Viscount Pompey shortly. "Another daydreamer," he thought. Chapter 54 Must Take Her Down (Please Follow!) "Wee, Professor Yi." The living room on the first floor of the vi was very spacious. The decorations inside were also extremely luxurious. A middle-aged blond man with a mustache rose from the sofa. He approached Mrs. Yi, elegantly took her hand, and kissed the back of her fingers. At this moment, two females, one older and one younger, came over; they were Mrs. Pompey and her daughter, Reba. Reba was sitting in a wheelchair, pushed by Mrs. Pompey. "Mrs. Yi, good morning." They greeted Mrs. Yi with a friendly kiss on the cheek. "Good morning, esteemed Viscount Pompey, the beautiful Mrs. Pompey, and the lovely Miss Reba." Mrs. Yi politely responded. Viscount Pompey turned and nced at the young man beside her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Who might this be?" "Oh, Viscount, this is Mr. Jack, a good friend of mine..." Mrs. Yi began introducing him to Viscount Pompey. During this time, Reba in her wheelchair was secretly sizing up Chen Lun. "He''s really handsome..." She thought to herself, blinking her moist eyes while her long eyshes fluttered. "More handsome than the other young nobles." After a brief introduction by Mrs. Yi, Viscount Pompey nodded lightly. "It''s a pleasure to have you visit Pompey Manor, Mr. Jack." He extended his hand as he spoke. The voice of Viscount Pompey was very calm, without affectation or any warmth. "Since you are a friend of Mrs. Yi, you must join us for breakfast shortly." "It is my honor, Viscount." Chen Lun shook his hand, showing a polite smile. But a hint of gravity shed in his eyes momentarily. Untraceably, he nced at a ring on the Viscount''s ring finger. Viscount Pompey nodded, quickly released the handshake, and signaled to the butler, Binose. "Shall we talk over breakfast then?" "As the host wishes, Viscount." Old butler Binose got the hint, and called upon the maids to prepare breakfast. Some maids went to the kitchen to inform the cook, while others began setting up the dining room. Everything was organized smoothly. As everyone took their seats, and before the dishes were served, Mrs. Pompey spoke up: "Mrs. Yi, Reba''s education for the next few months will be entrusted to you." "I haven''t yet had the chance to exin, Mrs. Pompey." Mrs. Yi had already taken off her wide-brimmed hat, handing it to a maid. She adjusted her coiffed hair, and her expression was apologetic. "Please forgive me, my body hasn''t been feeling welltely, I''m afraid I might not be up to the task." Mrs. Pompey and the Viscount looked at each other, a trace of confusion visible on their faces. If that were really the case, Mrs. Yi wouldn''t have epted the invitation. Viscount Pompey frowned slightly. As far as he knew, Mrs. Yi was in good health. The current excuse clearly seemed contrived. "For this reason, I have found Mr. Jack. He is not only a good friend but also a schr I admire... Mr. Jack has only recently arrived in Amber City, but his capabilities are beyond doubt." Mrs. Yi said, smiling. "He happens to excel in literature, history, and nature, making him an excellent choice for Miss Reba''s tutor." Upon hearing her words, Reba''s eyes lit up. But both Viscount Pompey and his wife''s expressions darkened simultaneously. The Viscount eyed the young man beside the dining table and said bluntly: "I have met many young people who are eloquent and can talk about anything, yet are idiots when ites to taking action." His words were hardly diplomatic, and both Lady Ulyf and Chen Lun sensed the distrust in them. "I don''t think this is appropriate, Lady Ulyf." Lady Pompey did not distrust Chen Lun''s talents; rather, she was concerned that he was a young man. If he were to be Reba''s private tutor, it might endanger her daughter''s reputation. Moreover, his handsome appearance was a dangerous signal for Reba. Facing the resistance from Viscount Pompey and his wife, Chen Lun''s expression remained unchanged, still smiling. He nced at the diamond-encrusted gold ring on Viscount Pompey''s hand. "That ring... it''s a Mysterious Object ssed as a spiritual protector, now this is troublesome." Unable to use "Mermaid''s Song" for hypnosis, convincing Viscount Pompey solely based on eloquence would be very difficult. While he was quietly pondering his strategy, Reba suddenly spoke: "Let''s give this gentleman a chance, mom and dad." Seated gracefully, she coquettishly tugged at Lady Pompey''s arm. "I really long to learn, staying at home is so boring." "But, Reba..." Lady Pompey showed a hint of difficulty. But as she looked at her daughter''s lovely face and pitiable expression, she finally relented. "Alright... let''s give this gentleman a chance." She looked at her husband, who grimaced in response. Just then, the maid came in with breakfast, and the butler, Binose, lifted the lids. Viscount Pompey tucked a napkin into his cor, grabbed a knife and fork, and prepared to dig into a steak. "Since that''s the case, after breakfast, Mr. Jack will give Reba her first lesson." He spoke in a rather unenthusiastic tone. He had already decided that after today, there was no need for this man toe back. Nobility still required maintaining certain decencies; he couldn''t just disrespect Lady Ulyf outright. The Viscount''s family breakfast wasvish and the meal luxurious, everyone ate happily. After the breakfast ended, Lady Ulyf took her leave. Possibly for the peace of mind not leaving her daughter alone with a stranger, Chen Lun was arranged to teach Reba in the garden. Under arge parasol on thewn, there were white carved wooden tables and chairs set up. Chen Lun sat opposite Reba, holding a "Tresor Literature Anthology" and taught straight from the text. His gaze moved beyond the book, observing Viscount Pompey and his wife walking in the garden. Their eyes asionally swept over, wary of any improper behavior on his part. Read exclusive adventures at empire "Mr. Jack, where are you from?" Reba clearly wasn''t listening, instead, she asked with curiosity on her face. Butler Binose, with his hands sped behind his back, stood not far away, fulfilling his "supervisory" duty. "Ah, my hometown is in the distant Rock State Bronze City, Peacock City... Miss Reba, please focus on the lesson, otherwise, I might not be able toe here to teach you tomorrow." Chen Lun shed a smile, causing Reba''s eyes to widen immediately. Sunlight poured down, shining on the face of the young man with ck hair, making it gleam. Her face involuntarily flushed. "No, I''ll tell my father that you teach very well..." Old butler Binose couldn''t help but roll his eyes. Was he being ignored? He grew increasingly disdainful of Chen Lun; just reciting from the textbook verbatim, this level counts as a schr? Any moderately literate person picked off the street could do better! "Miss Reba, how do you view literature?" Chen Lun diverted his attention away from Viscount Pompey and his wife and asked Reba softly. He was determined to start from this young girl. He must win her over! Chapter 55 He said Im cute (please follow!) The culture of this world was steeped in content rted to faith. The faith of the Seven True Gods spread across the entire continent, and the Tresor Empire officially supported two churches, namely the Sun Church and the Moon Church. The remaining ones such as the Constetion Sect, Red Apple Church, History and Ritual Association, Hailing Group, and Madman School, although allowed by the empire to preach within its borders, were restricted and controlled in various aspects. As a result, the mostmon beliefs among the empire''s citizens were those in the Sun and the Moon. If they held reverence for the Moon Goddess, then their fervor for the Sun was unparalleled. The Sun represented the Empire. The literature of the Tresor Empire was also deeply influenced. "I don''t like the Sun."N?v(el)B\\jnn Reba whispered. "That''s why I find literature so dull, it''s all praises to the Sun, nothing novel... Plus, the Sun often makes me so hot, I''m drenched in sweat every time I wear a dress outside!" The butler, with his sharp hearing, perked up his ears and captured every word Reba said without missing a beat. He couldn''t help but raise his brow, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening. Binose knew Miss Reba was usually quite lively, but he didn''t expect her to be somewhat rebellious. Although not everyone in the aristocratic circle was a believer of the Sun, believing in the Sun was politically correct. The Sun King wouldn''t care which Righteous God the people below believed in, nor had others the right to interfere. But for a noble, believing in other Righteous Gods was not conducive to integrating into the group and could even lead to subtle ostracization. "So what does Miss Reba like?" Chen Lun put down the textbook and asked with a smiling face. "I love the Moon! I''ve told my parents many times that I want to believe in the Moon Goddess, but they disagree." Reba appeared somewhat despondent. She lifted her head to look at the dark-haired young man in front of her, her eyes filled with a glimmer of hope. "Mr. Jack, could you write a poem about the Moon for me?" Here ites! Chen Lun secretly chuckled. He had deliberately steered Reba this way, just to do something that would leave a deep impression on her. It was clear that Viscount and Lady Pompey valued their daughter greatly, and as long as she insisted on keeping him as a tutor, the likelihood of his staying was very high. "Of course, Miss Reba... Writing poetry is the most basic skill of a literary schr." Chen Lun gracefully touched his chest and bowed slightly. Binose secretly scoffed, almost spitting out his saliva on this shameless fellow. Although Miss Reba was yful, being a noble, she still had an appreciation for art. Not to mention that Viscount and Lady Pompey were right here, did he really think he could get by with just a couple of makeshift poems? This would only lower Miss Reba and her parents'' opinion of him, turning their already slight fondness into outright disdain. Rustle... Continue your journey with empire Chen Lun took the expensive pen from Reba''s hand and began writing on the paper. Smelling a faint fragrance, he cheerfully finished the poem in one go without pausing. Reba watched the handsome man intently, almost starry-eyed. "My goodness, he''s really good-looking, and¡­" She reluctantly moved her gaze from Chen Lun''s face to the paper, her eyes gradually widening. "¡ªHe quietly casts his gentle glow, filling the valleys and forests, once again, my soul, clears away all troubles. He gently sends his loving gaze, illuminating my dreams cold and deep, like a grandmother''s doting eyes, watching over my destiny¡­" Chen Lun capped the pen and gently set it down. This poem was adapted from a ywright from a past life, Goethe, modified slightly to fit the world view here. "This poem is truly beautiful¡­ Mr. Jack, does it have a name?" Reba asked curiously, her cheeks flushed. "''To the Moon''." Chen Lun answered with a smile. Reba, clutching the paper dearly, suddenly whispered a bit embarrassingly: "Mr. Jack, could you please add a line that says ''A poem for Reba'' at the top?" Chen Lun smiled. He took the paper, picked up the pen, and wrote another line at the end: "¡ªTo lovely Miss Reba, may the Moon Goddess watch over her forever." Reba held the poem, unable to contain her joy. He called me lovely! Really!? At that moment, Viscount Pompey and his wife "identally" came nearby while taking a stroll. Seeing their daughter in a daydreaming state, Lady Pompey sensed trouble. "Reba? Reba!" She called twice before Reba snapped out of it. The blonde girl immediately straightened up, fixing a stray hair under her soft white hat. Lady Pompey hurried over to the butler and whispered a few questions. Binose whispered back, causing Lady Pompey''s expression to turn rather odd. "What''s wrong?" Viscount Pompey asked. Thedy promptly informed her husband of the unfolding events, and the viscount was intrigued. Thisd wrote a poem, and it has fascinated Reba so much? "Reba, let''s see what great poem Mr. Jack has written." "No way!" Reba immediately refused. Viscount and Lady Pompey were helpless, so the viscount had to say: "Without knowing Mr. Jack''s abilities, we can''t befortable letting him teach you, Reba." "I don''t care!" "..." Viscount Pompey took a deep breath and decided to use his usual method with his daughter. "Then you will have to pay Mr. Jack''s weekly sry yourself." "!?" Reba was stunned for a moment, then tried to stand and argue with her father, forgetting that her leg was still in a cast. "Ah!" She swayed and fell toward the ground. Chen Lun quickly stretched out a hand, gently caught her wrist, and then eased her back into the chair. The whole process was smooth,posed, and impably courteous, stopping just at the right moment. Viscount Pompey, his wife, and the nearby butler Binose hadn''t even had a chance to exim before Reba was out of danger. "Please be careful, Miss Reba." Chen Lun said softly. "Uh... Thank you." Reba stared at him, then nodded. Viscount Pompey and his wife breathed a sigh of relief and also thanked Chen Lun. While Reba was still regaining her senses, Lady Pompey quietly took the paper from the table. She held it in her hands, sharing the text with her husband. Beautifully penned, the poem talked about the moon. "This..." After reading it, Viscount Pompey felt it somewhat absurd but could not use Chen Lun of desecrating the Moon Goddess. Meanwhile, Lady Pompey nodded repeatedly, a pleased smile appearing on her face during her contemtion. "Kellie, what do you think?" The viscount asked tentatively. "It''s great, but I think it would be even better if Reba''s name was reced with mine... Ah, I mean, this poem is quite mediocre, not worthy of Reba. I think you understand, Pompey." Lady Pompey coughed lightly and said, maintaining her usual countenance. The viscount''s face instantly darkened. Chapter 56 The Home in the Inner City District Chen Lun''s dinner was settled at Pompey Manor. Viscount Pompey couldn''t ovee thebined willpower of his wife and daughter and eventually decided to let Chen Lun stay. "I hereby officially employ you as Reba''s home tutor, responsible for her literary and nature studies," Viscount Pompey wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and gestured with his hand. The old butler handed over an employment contract and a small purse to Chen Lun. "A weekly sry of 2 gold pounds and 80 silver ducats, is that eptable?" Chen Lun epted, stood up, and bowed to the viscount. "Of course, it is my honor, Your Lordship." Viscount Pompey nodded and nced at his daughter Reba beside him. The blonde girl was sneakily ncing at her new tutor, sauce still unattended at the corners of her mouth. Suddenly, the viscount felt a headacheing on, reminding himself to keep a close watch, lest this foreignd entice away his precious daughter. "Thank you for your hospitality, I shall take my leave now," Chen Lun took his cape and hat from the maid''s hands, turned, and gave a respectful gesture to Lady Pompey. "Farewell, beautiful madam." Lady Pompey was delighted, feeling pleased to beplimented by a handsome young man. She nodded reservedly in response. However, Reba next to her couldn''t help but grip her fork tighter, causing it to tremble. "And of course, the lovely Miss Reba, farewell." Chen Lun finally bowed to Reba, then proceeded to put on his hat and turned to leave. Reba immediately beamed with joy, dropping her fork and yelling at Chen Lun: "Goodbye, Mr. Jack! Don''t forget toe early tomorrow for my lesson!" Chen Lun, without looking back, waved his hand to show he heard. Lady Pompey frowned and scolded Reba, such a disgrace, how could the daughter of a Viscount Pompey be so impolite!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Notdylike at all! Viscount Pompey didn''t bother to intervene, feeling that his wife was probably no better. He waved his hand, indicating Binose to apany him to the study, truly a headache. Chen Lun, having stepped out of the manor, whistled. Today, well, was a triumph for the tterer. A fewpliments, and a weekly twenty-eight it earns. "Next up, to find the inheritance Philip hid within the manor..." Chen Lun looked back at the massive Pompey Manor onest time and then departed. ... At a small manor in the southeastern part of the Inner City District. This was where Chen Lun had chosen to settle down, slightly out of the waypared to the bustling city center but still not cheap in rent. He had also employed two maids and a coachman, and rented a carriage from a livery stable. The misceneous expenditures amounted to a total cost of 9 to 10 gold pounds a month. The bulk of it was for the rent of the manor and the carriage, with the manor costing 5 gold pounds per month and the carriage 1 gold pound. To ride a rented carriage in Amber City, one trip would cost between 70 and 80 copper kros. Since he often needed to go out, and Floey and Connie used it as well, he rented one for convenience. "The money I earn as a teacher at the viscount''s ce is just enough to make ends meet... Life is difficult." Chen Lun sighed to himself, entering his own small manor. Passing by a recently renovated warehouse, he coincidentally saw Connie talking at the warehouse door with a group of burly men. A generator rumbled near the warehouse, and a light was on above the doorway. Connie had a blueprint in hand, pointing and giving instructions, while the men asionally nodded in agreement. "Connie." Chen Lun approached and greeted her. Seeing him, Connie stopped the conversation and gave Chen Lun a smile. "Mr. Jack, I''vepleted the task you entrusted me with," She indicated the group of men beside her. After settling Floey and Connie in the Inner City District the day before, he had sent a letter to Gary, asking him to send someone to pick up Connie for a trip to the mudts. Connie personally selected ten craftsmen from the Iron Fist Gang to bring back to the Inner City District. For this, Chen Lun paid a hefty sum in gold pounds to Gary to bribe the managers at the Security Office, arranging emergency official identities for these ten craftsmen. Of course, since all these craftsmen had been captured by the Iron Fist Gang, Chen Lun had instructed Connie in advance to select them under the guise of hiring, choosing only those who volunteered toe. Looking at it now, it seemed quite satisfactory, Chen Lun nodded in approval. For the time being, these people were staying in the small manor, organized by Connie to start researching and forging. Chen Lun believed that with Connie, the "brain," directing them, the "hands and feet," their efficiency would greatly improve. "You''ve done a good job, Connie." Chen Lunplimented her. "And Floey?" "Miss Floey is studying inside the house; she has been researching the dishes all afternoon and is waiting for you toe back to dine together." Connie seemed somewhat pleased; she mentioned that she had recited Mrs. Caroline''s cooking manual for Miss Floey. After giving a few instructions to the craftsmen, she followed Chen Lun towards the detached vi. For now, the warehouse only had some simple forging tools; Chen Lun had instructed Connie to order a batch of small-scale machinery, which might take some time to arrive. His wallet shrank once again. But he believed that it wouldn''t be long before he could earn back double. "Uh, have you not had dinner yet?" Chen Lun had already eaten at Pompey Manor and was still quite full. "Not yet." Connie shook her head and came closer, speaking in a negotiating tone: "Mr. Jack, could you let me be the maid here? Miss Floey needs someone to take care of her..." She suddenly paused, seemingly remembering the kidnapping incident that night and how she had held back Miss Floey, and her face flushed with embarrassment. It''s still uncertain who will be taking care of whom. "Connie, you are not a servant now, and I hope you will treat me as a friend... If you like, you can also act as the butler here. After all, I''m rarely here, and it indeed needs someone to manage." Chen Lun said with a smile. Connie was touched by these words and nodded vigorously. "Mr. Jack, please rest assured, I will keep everything in order here." As the two talked, they entered the detached vi. This ce certainly couldn''tpare to the luxurious Pompey Manor, but it was far better than the conditions in the Outer City District. The first-floor hall was spacious, with aplete living room and kitchen. The second floor had rooms for the maids and craftsmen, while Chen Lun, Floey, and Connie lived on the third floor. The attic on the fourth floor was for storage, and that''s where Chen Lun would keep his "goods." When Chen Lun first rented this ce, he had arranged some things and then set out, leaving the organizing and tidying to Floey and Connie. "You''re back." Floey was waiting at the door. "Let''s have our meal... I''ve already prepared dinner." She said, smiling and leading Chen Lun and Connie to the dining room. The table was full of food, and Chen Lun was touched by the sight, but he really couldn''t eat any more. Connie was obviously hungry, and since Floey''s cooking was indeed very good, she ate with somewhat less concern for appearances. "Eat up, why aren''t you eating?" Connie''s cheeks puffed up as she looked at Chen Lun with curiosity. "It''s delicious, Mr. Jack." "Uh... I''m not very fond of fish." Floey also turned to "stare" at him. Whether it was an illusion or not, Chen Lun felt that mixed with her anticipation was a sense of threat. "Eat! I really love fish! You have to know I grew up by the sea, fishing every day; this is the taste of home!" Chen Lun pped his chest, his palm hitting the Ghost-face Badge. Come on, brother! Make me hungry! He ate with tears in his eyes, the fish head dangling from his mouth, swaying as he chewed. Seeing Floey''s satisfied expression, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. But then he saw her get up and bring over several new dishes from the kitchen. It was still the fish he hated the most! "..." Chapter 57 Baron Barnies Horse Died The next morning. Chen Lun left the small manor without eating breakfast. ¡ªbecause he had not digestedst night''s food yet. "The feeling of going to work in a horse carriage isn''t bad." Chen Lun remarked in the carriage. The roads in the Inner City District were very smooth, without bumps, much better than his previous experiences in a carriage. Soon, the carriage arrived at the entrance of Pompey Manor. Chen Lun instructed the coachman toe back in the evening to wait for him here. The coachman nodded, bowed, and then drove the carriage away. At the entrance, a maid had been waiting for a while, and upon seeing Chen Lun alight from the carriage, she opened The Great Gate just enough for him to enter. The Great Gate was too heavy, and fully opening it was a bit difficult for the maid. "Mr. Jack, Viscount Pompey is having breakfast. He said if you arrived early, you could join him," Binose said to Chen Lun as they reached the vi entrance. "No need, I already ate before I came. Please thank His Excellency the Viscount for his kindness, Butler Binose,"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chen Lun nodded, politely replying. "Then please wait in the living room for a moment, Miss Reba''s Nature ss will start at ten o''clock," Binose led Chen Lun to sit on the living room sofa, greeted him, and then left. Watching the old butler disappear around the corner of the living room, Chen Lun idly surveyed his surroundings. Many framed paintings hung on the walls, mostly oil paintings. It was unclear whether it was the preference of the era or just Viscount Pompey''s personal taste. Just past nine o''clock, Chen Lun heard the rapid sound of wheels rolling. Reba approached him by herself, pushing her wheelchair. "Huff... Good morning, Mr. Jack!" She seemed very excited, and her attire and makeup appeared deliberately styled, looking even prettier than the day before. "Good morning, Miss Reba." Chen Lun stood up, removing his hat in preparation to bow. But he saw Reba quickly remove her whitece gloves and swiftly extend her hand towards him. He was slightly startled, then saw Reba looking at him with flushed face, expectantly. "You look very beautiful today, but this outfit might not be suitable for my Nature ss," Chen Lun took Reba''s hand and kissed it on the back. Reba did not hear his words. He kissed me! Did he smell the perfume I deliberately sprayed on my hand today? Is it too pungent? "Ahem, ahem!" Lady Pompey coughed twice and walked over quickly. "Good morning, Lady Pompey." "Good morning, Mr. Jack." After amiably greeting each other, Lady Pompey said to Chen Lun: "Hearing of your arrival, Reba left breakfast unfinished and pushed herself here with her wheelchair." Saying this, she squinted and red at Reba. Reba, unfazed, stared back. "Ah, I''m truly sorry for that, it seems Miss Reba is very eager to learn," Chen Lun feigned apology, showing an embarrassed expression. "In that case, may we begin today''s lesson?" "Yes, yes!" Reba nodded, ignoring her mother''s watchful presence, and pushed herself towards the door. Fearing she may stumble on the doorstep, Butler Binose hurriedly followed her. Ten minutester. Chen Lun sat under a sun umbre, sharing his views on Nature with Reba. Honestly, he actually felt quite passionate about this topic. Whether it was his past experiences exploring maps alone or his understanding after bing a "Beast Tamer." "...Animals are an indispensable part of Nature, look at this snake," he said, pointing at a venomous snake on the table and spoke eloquently. Reba, already frightened, paled and huddled up in her chair, not daring to move. The green scales shone under the sunlight, its small body coiled up, lifting its little head and staring at her. "It... it''s staring at me!" Reba said with a tremble in her voice. "Oh no, this is just a fake snake, as I said, merely a prop," Chen Lun picked up the venomous snake and ced it in his palm. "See, it won''t bite. Don''t be scared, Miss Reba,e, feel it." "Ah!" Chen Lun grabbed Reba''s hand and gently ced it on the snake. Cold, with a tangible texture. Reba slowly opened her eyes and her face gradually revealed a look of surprise. "It''s really fake... but it looks so realistic, it''s amazing." In the distance, Viscount Pompey, not quite at ease, nced at his wife. "That''s really a fake snake?" "Yes, Binose has already checked," Lady Pompey exined. "Besides, Mr. Jack is a schr, not a madman, no one would carry a venomous snake in their pocket." She said, then shifted her attention back to Chen Lun. This dark-haired young man had a certain charm while lecturing, which was no wonder why his daughter Reba liked him. Chen Lun finished discussing each part of the snake in detail, along with its habits and origins. Reba''s eyes shone with realization and admiration. She had never attended a ss so seriously, and although she didn''t like such knowledge originally, once Chen Lun lectured, she firmly memorized it. What she didn''t see, however, was that when Chen Lun unnoticeably stuffed the "fake snake" into his pocket, it "identally" fell onto thewn. Like a drop of green water, it fell into the green ocean and disappeared without a trace. This scene also went unnoticed by the Binose and Viscount Pompey couple. "Let it go check out the backyard first¡­," Chen Lun thought. "Hey! Be careful!!" Suddenly, everyone heard a loud shout. Chen Lun looked up to see a brown stallion bursting out from the other end of the garden. It galloped vigorously, dashing recklessly, followed by a male servant desperately chasing after it. "Ah!!" Reba screamed. The Pompey Viscount couple and the Binose Butler were all startled. They saw the horse charging straight towards the parasol where Reba was! If it hit her, Reba would definitely be in mortal danger! "Stop it quickly!" Viscount Pompey roared. But it was already toote. In an instant, amid a loud crash, the horse knocked over the tables and chairs, toppled the parasol, and then rushed towards Reba. Bang! A dull thud followed byplete silence ensued. "Reba!" The Pompeys rushed over immediately. With the toppled parasol blocking their view and path, they had to go around to the back. Their hearts pounded, fearing to see their daughter in a gruesome state. But what they saw was Mr. Jack supporting Reba on the side, with a horse lying on the ground, bleeding from its mouth. "Oh, thank heavens, Reba, you''re okay." Lady Pompey rushed forward anxiously, embracing Reba. "Thank the Sun for its protection." "No, Mom, you should thank Mr. Jack. He saved me," Reba said surprisingly calmly to Lady Pompey. Her words were also overheard by Viscount Pompey and the Binose Butler, everyone stared at Chen Lun in surprise. A "frail" young man subdued a runaway stallion? What a joke! They merely thought that Chen Lun had pulled Reba away from the collision at a critical moment, and the horse happened to die on the spot. Only then did their spection seem to make sense. "This horse was fed something strange, which caused it to go mad, and ultimately its heart burst and it died," Chen Lun exined after examining the horse''s corpse. This made them even more certain of their assumption. Only Reba knew that it truly was Mr. Jack who subdued the mad horse and saved her. At that critical moment, she had widened her eyes in fear and saw Mr. Jack step forward, standing in front of her. With just the extension of one hand, he struck the mad horse down, as if swatting a fly. Upon waking up, she could hardly believe it. Was he an Angel? No! He was her knight! Chen Lun quietly made a shushing gesture towards Reba, who blinked back in understanding. Don''t worry, Mr. Jack! This will be our secret! "What was up with that horse!?" Viscount Pompey asked sternly, facing the btedly arriving male servant. "Viscount, I¡­I''m not quite sure," the servant swallowed nervously. "In fact, it had run amok before, but the specific reason is unknown." "When did this happen?" The servant nced at Reba. "That time when Miss Reba secretly rode it to school..." Viscount Pompey frowned. So, was that the reason Reba injured her legst time because of this insane horse? He couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Luckily,st time Reba only injured her leg. Viscount Pompey suddenly realized how inappropriate it seemed to think this way, but he didn''t dwell on it further. Then he sternly asked: "Where did this horsee from?" "It¡­ it was you, Viscount, who brought it from Baron Barnie''s ce!" Viscount Pompey stiffened. He remembered now, this horse was indeed one he had obtained from his friend, Barnie. Damn! Chapter 58 This Regent Uncle is Awesome Baron Barnie was invited to Pompey Manor as a guest the next day. Chen Lun arrived on time in the morning to clock in for work and discovered a unique carriage at the entrance of the manor. After entering the vi, he saw a slightly portly middle-aged man sitting on the sofa, chatting andughing with Viscount Pompey. "Come, Barnie, let me introduce you." Viscount Pompey enthusiastically introduced Chen Lun to his good friend. "This is Mr. Jack, the tutor I found for Reba," said the Viscount. "Hello, Mr. Barnie." Chen Lun extended his hand in a friendly manner. Baron Barnie sized him up with a few nces and shook his hand with a smile. "So young, I didn''t expect Mr. Jack to be a schr at such a young age..." He immediately turned his head and asked Viscount Pompey with a look of curiosity, "I remember you had Mrs. Elove, didn''t you?" Viscount Pompey smiled awkwardly and exined briefly, brushing over the matter lightly. The Viscount then told Chen Lun that Reba had been frightened the day before and was still resting. He suggested Chen Lun to look around the vi on his own and feel free to wander around the manor. After speaking, he and Baron Barnie settled back onto the sofa. Chen Lun picked up on the implicit message from Viscount Pompey; he didn''t want his conversation with Baron Barnie to be disturbed. "It''s about the horse yesterday..." He thought to himself. Viscount Pompey probably wanted to clear up the matter with Baron Barnie, but considering the old friend''s face, he wouldn''t let outsiders be present. Chen Lun found Butler Binose, who was directing the maids to clean in another hall. "Butler Binose." He walked over and greeted him. "Mr. Jack, what can I assist you with?" The old butler saw him, stood up straight, and said with a smile. Through Chen Lun''s performance over the past two days, Binose had gained a better impression of the young man. It was evident that Viscount and Viscountess Pompey were not as repulsed by him as they were at the beginning. As the manor''s butler and someone who had served under two generations of Viscount Pompeys, the old man would naturally align more with the master''s opinions and, as a result, show a slightly better attitude towards Chen Lun. "His Lordship indicated that I could tour the vi, and I''d like to visit the study, if that''s alright?" Chen Lun said politely. Binose had an expression of realization. "Oh, of course, Lord Viscount wouldn''t turn away a schr who loves knowledge... Especially since he is Miss Reba''s tutor." The old butler gestured towards the upstairs with his hand. "Come, Mr. Jack, please follow me this way." Chen Lun followed Butler Binose upstairs. The spiral wooden staircase was spacious and bright, as the maids scrubbed it clean every day. On one side of the second floor, there was an exhibition hall filled with artworks. Without lingering, the old butler led Chen Lun through and entered the other side of the exhibition hall. "This is it, Mr. Jack. If there''s anything else you need, you can find me." After saying this, he bowed slightly and left. Chen Lun looked around at the books that filled the room, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, well, with so many books¡­ there''s got to be one with supernatural knowledge, right!?" He thought to himself and got started right away. The library was located on the side of the art exhibition hall but was slightlyrger than the exhibition space. A chandelier hung from the ceiling with eight light bulbs, illuminating the entire library. The ce was airy and the bookcases lining the four walls reached the ceiling, neatly filled with variousrge volumes. Two woodendders were ced on the side for easy ess to the books. In the middle of the library was arge desk and several chairs for sitting down to read and transcribe. For Chen Lun, this was very nice! Time flew by swiftly. He had not yet finished flipping through the books on one wall when he picked up a thin, yellow-covered book and began to read. [You have discovered a Mystic Book of the Nature Faction!] [On the Instinct of Survival (Progress 5%) ] [Through careful reading, you''ve gained 25 Experience Points.] [You have discoveredplete knowledge of a hidden supernatural pathway!] [Nature Faction Sequence Nine: Wildman] Chen Lun''s face lit up with joy. "There is one! And it''s another hidden pathway!" Could I be of a lucky lineage? It must be! He took the book in his hands and hurried down the wooden stairs. He sat down at the desk, read intently, not wasting any time. Another hour passed. [On the Instinct of Survival (Progress 15%) ] [Through careful reading, you''ve gained 50 Experience Points.] [Through careful reading, you have gained some understanding and haveprehended the skill [Survival of the Fittest]!] [Survival of the Fittest LV1 (Passive)] Skill Description: Your years as a Beast Tamer have given you a deeper understanding of nature. In the animal kingdom, it''s survival of the fittest, a naturalw of selection.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om With your ability to draw parallels, you can enhance your own Attributes by observing the ways in which animals survive and thrive. This is limited to Strength, Agility, Endurance, Charm, and Insight, and allows for a one-point increase to the cap of each, not to be granted again. "A passive skill that enhances one''s own Attributes?" Chen Lun was somewhat surprised. Such skills are quite rare, and though the Attributes they enhance are limited, the benefits are permanent. After all, one must be strong oneself; panel Attributes are the foundation of strength. He was very satisfied with the skill. Chen Lun allocated 4 Skill Points to it, pumping them in instantly to max it out. [Survival of the Fittest LVMAX (Passive)] Skill Description: ...limited to Strength, Agility, Endurance, Charm, and Insight, with each cap increased by 5 points, not to be granted again. "Five Attributes, each can be raised by 5 points, adding up to 25 points...?!" This was a considerable number! It was almost like gaining the profits of leveling up 10 levels out of thin air. And it includes two Special Attributes, Charm and Insight, which cannot be increased with Attribute Points and are extremely valuable. "I''ve hit the jackpot... Thankfully, the Destiny Faction pathway I''m on oveps with this Nature Faction pathway." Chen Lun mused to himself. Theoretically, each Sequence could only acquire skills rted to its own path through the corresponding Supernatural Knowledge. But there were exceptions, such as the situation Chen Lun was in now. In his past life, he had vaguely guessed from these phenomena that perhaps each Sequence had unknown connections and secrets to one another. Knock, knock. The soft sound of two knocks at the door. Chen Lun turned to look, and the old Butler Binose was standing at the door, making an apologetic gesture. "I apologize for interrupting your reading, Mr. Jack. The Viscount invites you to join him for lunch at the dining room... In addition, the Viscount''s family and Baron Barnie will be going out this afternoon to visit the Verdant Scream Zoo. The Viscount has asked me to inquire if you would like to apany them?" Chen Lun stood up and stuffed the yellow-covered book he had been holding into a corner of the bookshelf. As his hand left the spine, he couldn''t help but stroke it a few times, reluctant to part with it. "This book is amazing, I''ll grace it with my presence again next time..." He then turned to the door and disyed a polite smile. "Of course, I would be delighted to apany them, it would be my honor." Chapter 59 A Trip to the Zoo At the luncheon. Baron Barnie sipped fine wine,ughing and chatting with Viscount Pompey and his wife. It was evident that the issue with the horse hade to a conclusion. Chen Lun ate in silence, listening to their conversations about amusing incidents within the noble circle, and thetest decisions from the parliament. "Little Reba, that horse caused you to fall and hurt your leg, and it almost hit you afterwards... Uncle Barnie feels very guilty, so let me apologize to you here." Baron Barnie raised his goblet, smiling and nodding to Reba who sat across the table. Reba quickly put down her knife and fork, also lifting her own wine ss. "It''s okay, Uncle Barnie... It wasn''t your fault; I was the one who was being yful." After both had drunk the red wine, Viscount Pompey began talking about the afternoon itinerary. "Barnie, I heard that the main investor behind the Tweety Zoo is Earl Bradley?" "Oh, it seems there''s nothing that can escape your notice, Pompey... Yes, Earl Bradley has invested a considerable sum there." Baron Barnie, having finished his meal, took the napkin a maid handed him to wipe his mouth and spoke with enthusiasm. "The ce is doing well at the moment; so many people visit every day... With so many tickets sold, the return is a handsome amount of gold pounds. It''s truly enviable! They''ve just received two new elephants; we could go see them." Reba, upon hearing this, showed much interest and immediately started coaxing Mrs. Pompey. Overwhelmed by her pestering, Mrs. Pompey agreed as if cating a child. After all, the n was to visit the zoo in the afternoon, and spending extra time to see the elephants was not an issue. "Mr. Jack, you''lle too, won''t you?" Reba turned to Chen Lun and asked, her eyes brimming with anticipation. "Of course, Miss Reba." "That would be wonderful!" Reba seemed very happy and then, remembering to be moredylike, she lowered her voice and added: "You''ll have to teach me about the animals, just like a lesson." "No problem, consider it an outdoor practical ss," Chen Lun replied with a smile. After the luncheon. Butler Binose had the carriage prepared in advance, with Mrs. Pompey and Reba in one, and the three gentlemen in another. This arrangement made Reba pout with dissatisfaction. The carriage left the manor''s great gate and traveled down the road. Baron Barnie sat across from Chen Lun, looking at the young man andughing: "Mr. Jack, you are quite aplished for your age, having diagnosed the precise cause of death of my horse with just a simple examination - truly worthy of a schr in this field..." However, Viscount Pompey sitting beside him, revealed a puzzled expression and cast an inquiring look at Chen Lun. "Does the study of nature also include knowledge of veterinary medicine? The situation was urgent yesterday, but in hindsight, it does seem a bit presumptuous... Mr. Jack?" [Baron Barnie''s affection towards you has decreased, he is now in a hostile state!] Chen Lun saw the notification and also noticed Viscount Pompey''s suspicion. "There''s something off about Baron Barnie!" He thought anxiously, though he kept his expression unchanged. He wondered what Barnie and Viscount Pompey had discussed that had allowed the horse incident to blow over. But Chen Lun knew that the horse had consumed food containing superhuman strength, which had caused it to be frenzied. Based on Reba''s encounter, it was very likely that the attack was specifically targeted at Viscount Pompey''s family. However, the superhuman powers that could make a horse act to this extent weren''t limited to a single sequence, and Chen Lun could not yet specte which it might be. "Viscount, I purposely learned about veterinary science in the past for my studies," Chen Lun lied with a straight face. Viscount Pompey nodded, not pursuing the topic any further. Baron Barnie, on the other hand, gave him a deep, probing look. After a while, the carriage came to a stop. The group alighted, and not far away stood a grand archway with guardrails extending on both sides. Arge sign hung above the gate¡ª "Tweety Zoo". Streams of people came and went as Butler Binose tied the carriage to the post outside and returned after paying for the entrance tickets. He took responsibility for pushing Reba''s wheelchair, while Mrs. Pompey opened a floral umbre to shield her daughter from the sun. The group slowly entered the zoo. "Mr. Jack, I heard you''re from out of town? This trip with us is also a way to show you around the city." Baron Barnieughed heartily. Chen Lun nodded politely to him and then said in a soft voice: "Thank you, Baron, but I believe the most convenient way to understand a city is to find out how its people work, love, and die. I''ve stayed in the Outer City District for a while and I already understand it quite well." Baron Barnie''s smile stiffened, and he said no more. "Mr. Jack, so you''ve actually stayed in the Outer City District... Is it fun? I''ve never been there. I want to go see it too, but my parents don''t allow it." Reba looked at Chen Lun with curiosity. "It''s not fun there, Miss Reba." Chen Lun said evenly, ncing at Mrs. Pompey beside her. "The life you have now is one those from the Outer City District dream of, yet cannot attain." "Is what Mr. Jack saying true, Mom?" Reba turned her head to Mrs. Pompey for confirmation. Mrs. Pompey nodded. "Yes, Reba, there are many bad people in the Outer City District; they do evil things all day long just to move to the Inner City District. Do you remember the son of Congressman Lawson? That young man was killed by someone from the Outer City District..." Reba was sessfully frightened by her mother''s words and covered her mouth. Immediately, she looked at Chen Lun, her gaze once again filled with familiar admiration.N?v(el)B\\jnn Mr. Jack is so amazing! The bad people of the Outer City District can''t do anything to him! "Kellie, don''t talk about these things with Reba." Viscount Pompey and Baron Barnie, walking ahead, turned back and instructed his wife. Mrs. Pompey patted Reba on the shoulder and teasingly said: "Our dear Viscount is very concerned about you, Reba." The group saw many animals along the way; to Chen Lun, these were not anything exotic. But here, only residents of the Inner City District have the financial resources and time to visit often. The cost of a ticket isn''t much, but to the poor, it''s half a month''s expenses. "Mr. Jack, are those two goris... kissing? Are they a couple?" Reba pointed at arge cage, where two ck goris were embracing, and asked curiously. "Uh, no..." Chen Lun nced over and exined to Reba: "They''re both males; They just fought over mating and are nowforting each other. Kissing for them has a reconciling meaning, much like how we shake hands." "Ah...?" Reba was somewhat surprised. The others also heard Chen Lun''s exnation and were surprised by it. But remembering Chen Lun''s identity, they silently chose to believe this exnation. Such is the charm of authority. [You have witnessed the courtship process of the goris! [Survival of the Fittest LVMAX (Passive)] is activated!] [Strength +1, Agility +1, Charm +1] Chen Lun was slightly taken aback, not expecting the skill activation criteria to be so simple. He looked around, suddenly filled with anticipation. Chapter 60 Beast Tamer Makes an Appearance Along the way, Chen Lun followed Viscount Pompey and his group as they toured the zoo. Whatever they visited, he observed. Whenever something interesting came up, Reba would ask him like a curious child, and Chen Lun would always exin on the spot. The Viscount Pompey couple felt fortunate that this knowledgeable family tutor could join them, adding more significance to this trip. For the most part, the visit didn''t trigger the "Survival of the Fittest" passive skill; it was only when animals were seen eating or courting that Chen Lun actually received the corresponding attribute points. Even so, by the end of the round, the attributes he could collect were fairly substantial. Just then, Chen Lun suddenly noticed Baron Barnie, who was walking ahead, slightly moving his hand behind his back. The motion was natural and didn''t attract attention. But Chen Lun squinted his eyes. He slightly tilted his head and scanned the surrounding crowd. A young man selling ice cream from a small cart seemed to lower his cap brim because of the ring sun. In arge iron cage nearby, a staff member was feeding azy tiger. Two women were distributing Circus flyers, vigorously promoting the evening''s show. Everything seemed normal. "Oh, Pompey, excuse me for a moment; I drank too much at lunch," Baron Barnie said to Viscount Pompey. The Viscount nodded in understanding and then asked everyone to wait under the shade of trees for Baron Barnie''s return. Chen Lun frowned as he watched Baron Barnie''s departing figure. At that moment, a disturbance arose from the crowds around, followed by tourists up ahead turning around and running frantically. "Ah¡ª¡ª!!" They screamed, panicked, as if they had seen something terrifying. Seeing this, Viscount Pompey''s family also grew nervous. "What happened? Binose?" Viscount Pompey asked, frowning. The old Butler Binose stared at the crowd for a few seconds and shook his head. "There are too many people; I can''t see clearly... Your Excellency, should we leave now? It might be dangerous here." Viscount Pompey nced in the direction Baron Barnie had left, then looked at his wife and daughter. "Let''s not panic everyone; let''s wait a little longer, Barnie hasn''te back yet, and I''m worried he doesn''t know the situation." Boom¡ª¡ª! A trumpeting sound, apanied by the trembling of the ground. Behind the crowd, two massive beast shadows appeared; they were two frenzied elephants! They charged toward the crowd, causing injuries to many bystanders in their path. "Your Excellency the Viscount, let''s hurry up and go!" Binose urged anxiously. "Damn it! How could this happen! Let''s go!" Viscount Pompey bit his lip, directing everyone to avoid the crowd and leave along the side under the shade of the trees. ng! Suddenly, an ice cream cart came crashing sideways, blocking the path of Viscount Pompey and his group. The crowd was startled, and Lady Pompey let out a brief scream. The young man wearing the cap took off running, disappearing into the crowd. All around was chaos and noise, seeing the path blocked, Reba clutched the corner of Chen Lun''s clothing in fear. "Don''t be afraid, Miss Reba," Chen Lun said softly. Reba nodded a bit reassured. Roar!! A loud roar and a conspicuous yellow-brown fierce beast broke out of its cage. "Don''t panic, everyone! This way!" The two women distributing flyers yelled loudly. Panic spread as they pushed through the crowd, intentionally squeezing refugees to one side. Seemingly helping to evacuate, they actually split the crowd,pletely blocking the escape route for Pompey''s family. The tiger that had escaped its cage, drooling, charged violently toward the group with the Viscount. "Watch out! ¡ª Barnie!" Viscount Pompey''s heart skipped a beat, instinctively calling out to the old butler. Barnie, old and steady, gradually calmed down after the initial panic. He instantly understood the viscount''s intent, spun Reba''s wheelchair around, taking the lead to clear the way. However, the old butler, due his age, couldn''t push through the crowded throng of people. As the tiger lunged, Barnie gritted his teeth and stood in front of Viscount Pompey to protect him. At that critical moment, everyone heard Mr. Jack''s voice from behind: "Little cat! Come here!" Whiz¡ª! A sharp whistle. The tiger roared and bypassed the old man trying to risk his life, attacking the dark-haired young man instead. Chen Lun lowered his finger from his lips, dodged to the side, and evaded the tiger''s pounce. In the blur of their crossing paths, he raised his hand, fingersing together like a beak plunging into water, and gently pecked at the tiger''s nk, quickly withdrawing his hand.N?v(el)B\\jnn The sequence of movements was as quick as lightning, unnoticed by the onlookers. The tiger, failing in its attempt to bite, rolled on the ground, roaring in pain, but unable to rise. On Chen Lun''s thigh, the pitch-ck gloss on his fingertips slowly faded, returning to normal. [Animal Mimicry LVMAX] [Stork Peck] [Skill Description: You have learned the characteristics of a shoebill stork, able to momentarily harden your fingers and deliver explosive damage] This was a new trait Chen Lun had acquired from a rare shoebill stork he encountered during the tour, using his Animal Mimicry ability. Simultaneously, he also obtained another ability characteristic [Stork Stomach], which gave Chen Lun powerful digestive capabilities. At the same time, Chen Lun pruned away such trash traits as [Ant-Eating] and [Tree Climbing], allowing his ten characteristics to excel in their respective areas, adopting a well-rounded development route to adapt tobat in various situations. "This tiger... just like the crazed horse yesterday." Chen Lun took a quick nce at it and thought to himself. The tiger, having lost its sanity, could not bemunicated with, so Chen Lun had no choice but to physically subdue it. "Mr. Jack!" Reba eximed in rm. Viscount and Lady Pompey and Barnie were all shocked, turning their heads to stare at Chen Lun. They hadn''t expected the frail-looking tutor to willingly draw the fierce tiger''s attention to protect them. "Are you hurt? Mr. Jack!" Reba wheeled herself over, asking with concern. "Don''t worry, I''m fine." Chen Lun shook his head. "It didn''t catch me, just fell over itself." Seeing the tiger Chen Lun pointed at, writhing on the ground in agony, everyone felt a lingering fear. When ferocious animals are caged, they are merely objects of human entertainment; once they break free, they transform into fierce beasts of nature. Dragging humanity back to the primal fight for survival, where the strong live and the weak perish! "Now is not the time for chit-chat, let''s get out of here." Chen Lun warned. Viscount Pompey nodded and directed Barnie to lead everyone to push through the crowd and escape into the distance. Chen Lun turned around, eying two rampaging elephants, pondering briefly. "Your Excellency the Viscount, you go ahead and leave; I''ll go back and look for Baron Barnie." Viscount Pompey, concerned for his old friend, nodded as well. "Take care, Lord Jack. We''ll wait for you outside." Show respect to the man who saved his family''s life, Viscount Pompey used an honorific. Chen Lun turned and walked back, under Reba''s worried gaze. He had just received a mission. [Trigger D-ss Mission: Beast Tamer''s Debut] [Mission Description: A zoo riot has erupted at Green Tree Zoo, it''s time for you to perform! Tame the wild animals and shine on your own stage!] [Mission Rewards: 800 Experience Points, 70 Silver Ducats, and 1 [Low Sequence Mysterious Substance of the Destiny Faction]] Chapter 61 The Great Mr. Jack Actually, the task was just something he took on in passing, because he had already nned to go back and find Baron Barnie. The chaos at the zoo and the deadly trap set for the Pompey family today were mostly inseparable from him, and Chen Lun was ready to capture this ringleader for a thorough interrogation. "Mommy!" In the middle of the street, a little girl cried out, pushing the unconscious woman lying on the ground. Two elephants trumpeted and flung aside everything in their path with their thick trunks. The mother and daughter had been knocked down by the crowd during the turmoil at the zoo, and in trying to protect her daughter, the mother had unfortunately hit her head and fallen into aa. Roar¡ª! In the midst of the thunderous vibration, an elephant had already approached, casting a massive shadow over the little girl. Those at the back of the pack looked back to see this scene and their hearts skipped a beat. They didn''t have the courage to go back and save the girl, so with clenched teeth and faces showingpassion, they turned and fled. The elephant lifted its foot, and in the next second, it would stomp the mother and daughter into a pulp! Boom!! A tall figure appeared out of nowhere, leaning an elbow against the side of the elephant. The tremendous impact made the elephant stagger, and the earth trembled beneath it. [Rhinoceros Impact]! The little girl''s eyes widened as she looked at the figure standing in front of her and her mother, her thoughtsing to a halt. Her face was still streaked with tears, and she wore a nk expression. The next second, she felt herself lifted into the air, cradled in someone''s arms. "Take care of your mom and don''t let the monsters take her away, okay?" The girl heard a man''s voice and felt arge hand stroke her head, then she soon realized that she and her mother were inside a small shop, beside several young tourists hiding under the counter, who gave her awkward smiles. Chen Lun returned to the center of the street, blocking the way for the two elephants. Seeing the "little guy" who had knocked into it, the elephant was particrly enraged and swung its long trunk forward. [Bear Strike]! The white exoskeleton on Chen Lun''s elbow vanished, his fingers spread, and a pad appeared in his palm, pping the elephant''s trunk away. Roar!! The long trunk swung wildly in the air like a swing broken by a capricious child. Seeing itspanion at a loss, the other elephant charged over to relieve it. Chen Lun leaped on the spot, nimbly flipping onto the elephant''s back and grabbing its ears, then pped its forehead with his palm. [Bear Strike] strikes again! Boom!! The elephant''s vision shook immediately, dizzy and disoriented, its front legs copsing unwillingly onto its knees. Roar¡ª Chen Lun tugged at its ears and made trumpeting sounds close to its ear, trying tomunicate with it. "These two elephants aren''t influenced by supernatural powers, so you could try to ''convince'' them." The task specified "tame" rather than "kill," and Chen Lun had also noticed they were merely provoked by humans. He believed that with his professional expertise and high Charm attributes, he couldplete the physical "persuasion." After several minutes ofmunication, the anger of the two elephants subsided, and they regained their calm. A big part of the reason was that they couldn''t beat him. In their feeling of fear and awe, they chose to submit. [You have sessfully tamed the furious elephants,pleting the D-level task: Beast Tamer''s Entrance!] [Received task rewards: 800 Experience Points, 70 Silver Ducats and [Low Sequence Destiny Faction Mysterious Substance]*1] Chen Lun didn''t pay attention to the prompt for the time being, and had the two elephants stay put. He then headed towards the location where Baron Barnie had previously disappeared. What he didn''t notice was that in the small shop where the little girl was, among the group of young tourists, a man excitedly picked up the camera on his chest and pressed the shutter several times at his retreating figure. "Oh my god! By the Sun! He actually subdued two furious elephants all by himself!" Chen Lun searched the men''s restroom but found no trace of Baron Barnie. He went outside and flicked out his tongue to collect Barnie''s pheromones, but to no avail. "This guy is very cunning, he never came here... He probably left straight away." Thinking about it was normal. If he really was the mastermind, he wouldn''t stay at the scene to secretly observe unless he was extremely twisted. Chen Lun set this matter aside for the time being and kept it in mind. Ten minutester. Viscount Pompey''s family, anxiously waiting outside the zoo''s great gate, saw a tall figure approaching from afar. They hurried forward to meet him. "Mr. Jack, are you all right?" The Viscount asked. "I''m fine, but I haven''t found Baron Barnie either," Chen Lun shook his head. A hint of regret appeared on Viscount Pompey''s face. "May the Sun bless him, I hope Barnie can take care of himself." After a prayer, the Viscount turned to Chen Lun again, looking serious. "Mr. Jack, thank you so much for your actions just now... You are truly a great and noble person! If it weren''t for you distracting that tiger, I''m afraid Binose and we..." Chen Lun feigned a look of lingering fear and gently waved his hand. "Actually, I just acted instinctively at the time, subconsciously believing that my deep research in animals would allow me to control the situation. Fortunately, it tripped over itself, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable." "In any case, we are very grateful to you, Mr. Jack!" Viscount Pompey sincerely thanked Chen Lun, and both Lady Pompey and Binose also gave him grateful looks. Especially Reba, her eyes brimming with almost overflowing admiration. At the Pompey Manor dinner table. The Viscount took out fifty gold pounds as a token of appreciation, but Chen Lun declined graciously. He joked that he simply wished to take a few books from the study, as knowledge was priceless. The Pompey family was greatly surprised. They hadn''t expected anyone to be so indifferent to fame and wealth, solely pursuing knowledge, whichmanded their heightened respect. Chen Lun''s image once again surged in their minds, bing that of a schr both profoundly knowledgeable and bravely fearless. Viscount Pompey dered on the spot that the money must be epted, and that books from the study were his to take as he wished! Chen Lun gratefully epted with dignified righteousness. "Pfft¡ª" On the way home, he couldn''t help but snicker quietly to himself. Fifty gold pounds in the bag, and in the study, apart from that yellow-covered book he hadn''t finished, he wondered if there was any other supernatural knowledge... This was like Emperor Qin Shi Huang getting a shock from touching an electric wire, a total win. Suddenly, his expression changed slightly. "Stop the carriage!" ttering¡ª The coachman pulled the carriage over to the side of the road. Chen Lun lifted the curtain and stepped down while the coachman looked at him with a puzzled face. "Sir?" "Stay here and don''t move... wait for my return." Chen Lun surveyed his surroundings and then dashed off in one direction with a stern face. During the day at the zoo, he had improved his Insight by four points using "Survival of the Fittest" and had suddenly felt a whiff of danger while he was in the carriage just now. His sixth sense told him that someone was watching him. "Who could it be?" Chen Lun flitted undermpless shade, moving only within the shadows each time. The sense of imminent danger was not strong, but it was there, faint yet perceptible, like being targeted by a gun. Bang!!N?v(el)B\\jnn A gunshot pierced the quiet night! Chapter 62 Who is Trying to Frame Me ``` The bullet hit the trunk of the tree, splintering wood chips. In his line of sight, the tall figure disappeared into the shadows. "Damn it!" Hiding behind a building, the assassin cursed. In a nearby corner, another masked man urged. "Hurry up and find him. Finish the job within thirty seconds; the patrolling guards will be here any minute!" "Got it!" The assassin replied impatiently, about to change positions when arge hand suddenly grabbed his protruding head. Crack! The strength in the hand was immense, and the man realized he couldn''t break free. Looking up, he saw the unexpressive face of his assassination target. The other man''s face was hidden in backlight, leaving only a pair of cold vertical pupils! The assassin made a snap decision, withdrawing the short dagger from his waist and stabbing towards Chen Lun''s abdomen. ng! The expected sensation of the de piercing flesh didn''te, and the assassin''s face turned pale. The sharp dagger seemed to have struck steel, ringing out clearly. That fleeting dark golden sheen was thest color in his vision. Chen Lun shoved the hand holding the assassin''s head, then pulled back, his five fingers snapping together at the man''s throat. Blood-stained fingers wiped across the assassin''s cor, and he turned to walk away. Thud! The assassin had just copsed to the ground, clutching his neck. [You have killed a member of the ck Knife Brotherhood, gaining 50 Experience Points] "The ck Knife Brotherhood... Who''s put a price on my head?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Chen Lun sneered. The ck Knife Brotherhood was a notorious assassin organization, simr to the Silver Dragon Trade Association, but all their business involved human lives. Chen Lun had reached the end of the alley. On either side were narrow passageways leading to different streets, but he saw no other suspicious figures. "Got away? Lucky you..." Chen Lun muttered to himself. He straightened his top hat and turned to leave. As his footsteps faded into the distance, a ck-clothed assassin perched atop the wall let out a sigh of relief. He leaped from the wall, rolling on the ground to break his fall. As he raised his head, preparing to retreat, his hair stood on end; he heard a voice by his ear: "Quite the somersault." Turning his head stiffly, he saw his intended victim quietly standing by his side, smiling at him. "Death!" The assassin reached for his gun to shoot, but felt a sharp pain in his wrist. Chen Lun kicked his hand, breaking it as it reached inside his coat. He then grabbed the assassin by the neck, lifting him as if he were a little chicken. "Who wants my life?" A dim glow emanated from the "Mermaid''s Song" on his chest, trying to hypnotize the assassin. Unexpectedly, the assassin''s body stiffened, and he began bleeding ck blood from all orifices, dying on the spot. "The Conspiracy Faction''s contract. I should have known..." Chen Lun casually tossed the corpse to the ground, and scowled in frustration. [Trigger C-level mission: Clouds of Conspiracy] [Mission description: It seems you''ve been drawn into a plot! Someone is targeting Viscount Pompey with a series of murder schemes, and you''ve inadvertently touched someone''s interests! Find out the mastermind behind the scenes. Snuff out the conspiracy and schemes!] [Mission rewards: 1500 Experience Points, 2 Gold Pounds, Pompey''s Affection, and a copy of "Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mystic Book" *1] "Find nothing!" Chen Lun epted the mission but had no intention of searching for any mastermind. ``` Although he coveted the [[Flesh Faction]] Sequence pathway listed in the task reward, Chen Lun had more important matters to attend to and neither had the time nor the inclination to bother with it. Since the task didn''t set a time limit, he decided to put it aside for now. The most likely condition for failure would be the death of Viscount Pompey, but as Chen Lun spent most of his days in the manor, he was ready to kill anyone who dared toe after him. Images of Baron Barnie shed through his mind, and the situation mostly likely had something to do with this man. "Bring it on, I was worried I wouldn''t be able to catch you." ¡­ The next day, Chen Lun arrived early at Pompey Manor. While Reba was still resting, he sneaked into the study to read. The Yellow-covered book containing [[Nature Faction]] supernatural knowledge was thin, and Chen Lun took two hours to finish reading it. [By carefully reading, you have gained 450 Experience Points] [Nature Faction Mystic Book ''On Survival Instinct'' (Progress 100%) has beenpletely read!] [You''ve additionally gained 1 Skill Point and 1 Attribute Point] "Not bad at all!" Chen Lun gave himself a thumbs up and then pocketed the Yellow-covered book, nning to take it home after work. Just as he was about to search the study for the next "treasure," his interest was interrupted. It was his old friend Binose, who knocked on the door and tactfully reminded him that it was time to go down for lunch. Today''s lessons were scheduled in the afternoon, and it was already the time for lunch. During the luncheon. Chen Lun chatted with the Viscount about the Pompey Family, indirectly inquiring for some information. Originally, he just wanted to know about some past history, but inadvertently, he learned that Viscount Pompey had an adopted son. "Vigrey is the son of myrade-in-arms. That ''overseasnding battle'' was extremely brutal, and myrade rests forever on that ind... His wife remarried afterwards, leaving only Vigrey behind, so I adopted him." Viscount Pompey looked mncholic, sipping his drink and reflecting: "Vigrey is just like his father, wholeheartedly dedicated to the Empire, and still actively engaged in military service abroad, seldom returning home." During this, he had Butler Binose bring over an album to show Chen Lun a photo. It was a young man with brown short hair, in military dress, and not given to smiling. Chen Lun found him somewhat familiar but couldn''t remember where he had seen him before. After the luncheon. Reba rolled over excitedly with a newspaper in hand. The wheelchair made a rumbling noise on the floor, scaring Binose, who was ready toe to the rescue at any moment. "Mr. Jack! You made the headlines!" Chen Lun took the newspaper from her, and following Reba''s guidance, he found himself featured in arge section. "¡ª¡ªUproar at the Emerald Scream Zoo! Tiger unleashed! Elephant kills! Mysterious young man casts magic to subdue the beasts? Controls the ferocious animals!?" After reading the title, he saw a photo of himself standing next to two elephants, revealing only a blurry profile. Chen Lun frowned. The news report was quite detailed, as if it had witnessed the entire process in person. Moreover, it was highly exaggerated, specting conspiratorially about Chen Lun''s identity and "magic." The article failed to mention the injured crowd but instead fabricated a two-digit death toll, implying the suspicion towards his "magic." Although not stated outright, there was an insinuation that he caused the tragedy. "The Cypress Leaves Post alwayses up with such sensationalist ''stories,'' if not tabloids then rumors..." Butler Binose, who had finished reading along, sarcastically expressed his opinion. As if he had thought of something, Viscount Pompey came over and whispered to Chen Lun: "This newspaper, just like the zoo, is owned by Earl Bradley. The negative impact of the zoo incident is too great, they probably want to find someone to shift the attention... You may be approached by a special department in theing days, Mr. Jack." He patted Chen Lun''s shoulder. "But don''t worry, I''ll handle them for you... However, it would be best for you to stay in the manor for the time being. I''m concerned they might use some methods against you." Chapter 63 Planning Small manor. Room on the third floor. Chen Lun sat by the window, looking down at his own arm. Gurgling... Beneath the skin covered in dark golden scales, his muscles slowly writhed, his entire arm snaking around. The serpent''s head rose, revealing two fangs glowing with a faint green luster. ¡ª Those were two of Chen Lun''s fingers. "The ''Serpentine Incarnation,'' ''Snake''s Kiss,'' and ''Carp Armor''... Is it already the limit to exert three Attributes at the same time? This is still because they are rtivelypatible with each other, otherwise such an effect would not be achieved." Chen Lun dispelled the changes on his arm and began to think and analyze. Since bing a Transcendent, he hadn''t systematically nned his power system. After his trip to the zoo, he had gained quite a few new Attributes. After sorting and picking, the ten memory slots left by ''Animal Mimicry'' contained only those he felt were of special value. He intended to make sensible arrangements for himself, allowing his powers to be utilized to a more perfect effect. ''Molting,'' ''Serpent Senses,'' ''Scorpion Tail Needle,'' ''Stork Stomach,'' ''Stork Peck,'' ''Rhinoceros Impact,'' and ''Bear Strike,'' plus the previous three made a total of ten. The former ''Ultrasonic Wave'' he had also eliminated, as its slight controlling effect ovepped with the Hypnosis Ne, and was even far inferior. "It''s a pity that even after obtaining flying Attributes, I still can''t fly at all..." Chen Lun sighed inwardly. This was the limitation of Sequence Nine, something he couldn''t change through human effort. Perhaps after he advanced to Sequence Eight, he could try again. An ascension in Sequence not only brings new transcendent powers but can also cover the prior Sequence Abilities and lift their upper limits. "I''ll try then to integrate the ten Attributes into one, which will most likely produce a qualitative change." Chen Lun felt that it was feasible and was filled with anticipation. He then looked at the equipmentid out on the table, the three ''Mysterious Objects'' he currently possessed¡ªa ne, a hand crossbow, and a badge. Ignoring the word ''damaged,'' neatly one each from B, C, and D. "With the 16 Attribute Points stored in the panel, I''m about as close as I can be to the limit of Sequence Nine, and against a Transcendent of one Sequence higher than me, it''s not impossible to put up a fight." Chen Lun rested his chin on his hand and mused, wearing the Dragon King''s characteristic Nike smile: "Underestimating me would be a ''lese-majesty,'' and I''d flip them on the spot!" "Mr. Jack, it''s time to eat!" Connie''s call came from outside the room, and Chen Lun switched his face like a Sichuan Opera performer, reverting to normal. "Wait a moment, I''ll be right there." He packed up the items on the table and got up to leave. Floey, as usual, had cooked a hearty lunch, not only delicious but also filling, generous in portion. But Chen Lun was no longer a simpleton; with ''Stork Stomach'' and ''Surging Badge'' doubling up, he ate all that came without refusal, leaving nothing behind. Fortunately, there was no fish, which he disliked, making the meal exceptionallyfortable. Lately, Connie hadn''t been going to school, busying herself in the manor''s warehouse, her appetite quiterge as well. The two of them cleared the food on the table, and Floey nodded repeatedly, a look of satisfaction and contentment on her face. Chen Lun was thinking of ways to help Connie get in touch with the Iris Academy, nning to send her there for further study. It would be a good time to find Mrs. Ulysses, a professor there. The ''Mermaid''s Song'' Hypnosis must have worn off by now, but subconsciously, there should still be an impression and fondness for Chen Lun, only needing another round of hypnosis when the timees. "By the way, Floey, I''ll be moving to Pompey Manor for a while tomorrow." After lunch, Chen Lun said as he sipped tea. Although he was not afraid of the so-called special department investigations, since Viscount Pompey had invited him, he was naturally willing to stay at the manor for a while, which was also more conducive to his search for ''Philip''s Legacy.'' Floey was slightly taken aback, while Connie''s face showed a curious and gossipy look. "Mr. Jack, that viscount''s manor must be veryrge, right? And since you''re employed as that viscount''s daughter''s tutor, could there be any... sparks of love?" After saying this, Connie immediately realized she sounded like one of those gossipingdies from the Outer City District, not verydylike at all. "Ah... No, no, I didn''t mean that." Her face turned red as she embarrassingly muttered about boiling a kettle of water, then got up and slipped away. Floey silently cleaned up the dinner tes, and after a while, a ethereal voice softly said: "Can I move over and live with you? Connie is busy every day, and I''m a bit bored alone." Chen Lun thought for a moment. In a couple of days, when Connie went to the academy, leaving Floey alone here would indeed be dangerous. Someone had secretlymissioned an assassin from the ck Knife Brotherhood, and it was uncertain whether they would find his small manor. "Of course, you can. Thene with me tomorrow." He nodded and said. A smile appeared on Floey''s face. ... In a corner of the Inner City District, there was an art studio. The Great Gate was pushed open, and Baron Barnie strode in with a grim face. The empty studio held only a young man, who was back to him and immersed in painting. The walls were covered with bizarre oil paintings, and the area around was scattered with paints and canvases, chaotic with an artistic atmosphere. But Baron Barnie clearly had no interest in appreciating the art. He walked up behind the young man and said in a deep voice: "Vigrey, something''s gone wrong. The Pompey family didn''t die..." The young man''s painting brush paused, then he continued painting without interruption. Baron Barnie furrowed his eyebrows and took a deep breath. "I need your help now, Vigrey! A Transcendent hase to the Pompeys'', and he''s after me. I have to hide and can''t show up for the time being." The young man set down his paintbrush and sighed. "How many times have I told you not to call me by that name?" He slowly turned around, looking at Baron Barnie expressionlessly. His brown curly hair fell over his forehead, revealing a pair of indifferent eyes. "Alright... Mr. Dolly, can you help me now?" Baron Barnie made a helpless gesture and leaned in to ask. The young man turned back to his easel, picked up the paintbrush, and outlined a golden-haired girl on the canvas. "No." Veins popped on Baron Barnie''s forehead. "Dolly, this is a task assigned to us by the Oil Paint Baron! If you stand by, we will both suffer when the timees!" "I know... but don''t trouble me because of your ipetence." The young man pondered for a moment, seemingly contemting over his painting. He dabbed some blue paint and added radiance to the golden-haired girl''s eyes, ultimately giving her the appearance of Reba. "I have more important things to finish." "What things?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Baron Barnie knitted his brows, feeling irritable. "None of your concern..." "Dolly!" The young man ripped the canvas off the easel, and "Reba" was severed in two. He got up, shaking his head. "This is terrible, absolutely terrible... not even one percent as good as the Oil Paint Baron. Do you think Ick talent in painting, Barnie?" Looking at the young man talking to himself, Baron Barnie took a deep breath and asked in a serious tone: "How much time do you need?" "Give me another week. Once I''m done with my business, I''lle to assist you." "Fine." Chapter 64 Who Moved My Inheritance (Thanks and Adding More) The next day. Chen Lun brought a few sets of clothes to change into, and together with Floey, they took a carriage to Pompey Manor. He greeted the Viscount and exined that his blind sister had no one to look after her at home, requesting to stay at the manor together. As Chen Lun expected, Viscount Pompey was surprised but immediately nodded in agreement. "Mr. Jack, so you have a sister that needs care..." "If I may be so bold, I have yet to meet anyone in the Inner City District who surpasses you in character and morality." Viscount Pompey praised. Then he called for Butler Binose, instructing him to arrange amodations for Chen Lun and Floey. "Since Mr. Jack is willing to trust me, please feel at ease living in the manor and treat this ce as your own home." Chen Lun took off his hat and bowed with his hand on his chest. "Thank you, Viscount Pompey." Floey stood by his side, quiet as a beautiful doll that could not speak, and followed Chen Lun in bending the knee to the Viscount. Binose led Chen Lun and Floey to the backyard, where there were several unupied vis. Chen Lun had no particr requirements for his surroundings; after all, he was only staying temporarily for a couple of days to search for "Philip''s Legacy" more conveniently. However, the environment of Pompey Manor was very good, arguably the best in the Inner City District. In the backyard, there were severalrge trees with robust growth, with one tree even featuring a swing hanging from its branches, decorated with woven flowers on its ropes. Seeing it, Chen Lun thought of Reba; perhaps she used to y here as a child. "Here we are, Mr. Jack... You and Miss Floey may select any room you like here; each has an en suite bathroom. If you need anything, you can call for the maids ore find me," Binose said. He bowed slightly, then withdrew. Chen Lun and Floey had just put down their luggage and had not yet started to unpack when they heard shouting from downstairs. "Mr. Jack!" Chen Lun went downstairs and saw Reba sitting in a wheelchair, her face flushed as she looked up at him. "I heard from father you moved in..." She stopped midway when she saw the young girl who came with Chen Lun, and her expression changed slightly. "Is this...your wife?" Reba asked cautiously. Chen Lun couldn''t help but smile, and Floey spoke from his side: "I''m his sister, Floey." "Ah... So you are Miss Floey. Nice to meet you, I am Mr. Jack''s student, you can call me Reba!" Reba said, with a hint of joy in her eyes. So it''s just his sister! I still have a chance! Reba breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as she reached out her hand to Floey. "Miss Floey, you are very beautiful... no wonder you are Mr. Jack''s sister." After she finishedplimenting, Reba noticed the ck silk covering Floey''s eyes and realized that she was blind, which made Reba awkwardly think of retracting her hand. But to her surprise, Floey gently took her hand. "You are very beautiful too, Miss Reba." Reba''s expression turned strange. Floey''s voice was truly pleasant to hear, but since she was clearly blind, was she ttering her by saying she was pretty? However, Reba couldn''t say those words out loud; it would be too impolite. "Thank you for yourpliment, Miss Floey." After exchanging a few more words, Reba suddenly remembered something and looked apologetically at Chen Lun. "Did I disturb you, Mr. Jack? You haven''t even unpacked your luggage, have you?" "It''s okay, it''s just two sets of clothes..." Chen Lun said. He sensed something and nced past Reba towards the door, seeing a sh of green. "I n to go out and take a walk in the backyard, Miss Reba." Chen Lun said apologetically. "Ah... Please feel free, Mr. Jack." Reba immediately turned her head to look at Floey. "I think we have a lot to talk about, Miss Floey, can I befriend you?" "Of course, Miss Reba." Floey said. Reba looked pleased, carefully taking Floey''s hand, which stiffened slightly but did not pull away. "Mr. Jack, I would like to chat with Miss Floey here for a while, is that okay?" Chen Lun nced at Floey, saw her keeping a smile without resistance, and then nodded his head and walked towards the door. After Chen Lun''s figure disappeared at the doorway. Reba silently sized up Floey. She had to admit that the other''s appearance and temperament were fantastic, surpassing her own in certain respects. Reba suppressed the slight envy and jealousy rising in her heart and asked softly: "Miss Floey, do you know what kind of food Mr. Jack usually likes?" Floey smiled, her ethereal voice softly saying: "Fish." ... Hiss hiss... A small emerald green poisonous snake flicked its tongue, crawling onto Chen Lun''s hand. He casually sat on a swing, receiving the information it had gathered these past few days. A momentter.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chen Lun frowned, looking at the little snake on his hand. "Are you sure...?" The snake looked up at Chen Lun, silently flicking its tongue. After a long silence, Chen Lun''s heart sank. ording to the information conveyed by the snake, it had thoroughly scouted the backyard of Pompey Manor, but found no trace of any underground space. "Could there be an oversight?" Chen Lun thought to himself. He did not want to miss this opportunity because he very much needed it at this stage. From the descriptions in "Philip''s Diary," it can be roughly inferred that Philip had likely transcended the Low Sequence before his death. Because his opponent was very likely a Mid Sequence Transcendent from the Earth Faction, and facing such an enemy, Philip must have been at least a Sequence Seven presence. After all, the disparity between Low Sequence and Mid Sequence in terms of strength is vast. Without a qualitative leap, Philip could not havested that long. Therefore, "Philip''s Legacy" is extremely valuable, equivalent to the belongings of a Mid Sequence Transcendent, and he was also from the same sequence path as Chen Lun, which would be of extraordinary help to him. "Let''s keep looking, can''t just give up like this." Chen Lun released the snake, then summoned a few mice, asking them to help search the manor for any signs. Since he was staying here for the next few days, if there were any clues, he could take the items at the first opportunity. Chen Lun spected about "Philip''s Legacy"; if Philip had written thest entry in his diary just before his death, then it meant his body would also be here, ultimately releasing his spirituality which would turn into "Mysterious Objects." Chen Lun was very eager to get his hands on this "Mysterious Object" and also hoped to acquire the supernatural knowledge required to advance to "Sequence Eight." "In my previous life, I never heard of a yer obtaining this opportunity; could it have been unintentionally obtained by an NPC?" Chen Lun suddenly thought of Viscount Pompey''s ring, a "Mysterious Object." "Could it be that the Viscount identally discovered this legacy and then imed its contents for himself?" He thought to himself, nning to search in the Viscount''s vi, perhaps there he would find something. Chapter 65 Cats and Fish Meow... A faint meow sounded in the back courtyard of the manor. Chen Lun looked towards the sound and saw a small white kitten hiding under a tree, calling out. It seemed somewhat malnourished, shivering. Chen Lun walked over and gently picked it up. Looking into the kitten''s amber-colored eyes, he felt a hint of longing and pleading. From its weak cries, he gathered some intermittent, fragmented information. This was a stray cat''s kitten, struggling to survive the hardships of life, abandoned by its mother. Starving and cold, it had sneaked through a gap in the manor''s fence and, upon seeing Chen Lun, inexplicably took a great liking to this human, wanting to stay close to him and depend on him. "Lucky you, I was just about to go grab something to eat," Chen Lun stuffed it into his pocket and turned to leave. Afternoon. After finishing teaching Reba, Chen Lun burrowed into the vi''s study to continue his "treasure hunt."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Binose the butler had specially instructed the maid to prepare a bowl of milk for the little white kitten. After eating and drinking its fill, it perked up and jumped around on Chen Lun''s desk. "Did youplete the task I gave you?" Chen Lun''s gaze shifted from the book in his hand to the little creature beside him. The little white kitten tilted its head in confusion, seemingly unaware of what he was talking about. "Well... you''re too young to be a spy; that would be too much to ask of you." Chen Lun smirked. He had originally wanted the little white kitten to scout around the vi and confirm whether Viscount Pompey had already obtained Philip''s Legacy, but clearly, it was too young to understand suchplex instructions. "Go y then," He stood up and continued to search through books. There were many books in the study, but with Chen Lun''s efficient searching, more than half had already been gone through. As evening approached, he still had not found anything. Looking at thest wall of books remaining, Chen Lun sighed internally. "Supernatural Knowledge is indeed rare, even in the viscount''s study, I''ve only found one piece so far..." At that moment, as usual, Binose knocked on the door, informing him that dinner time had arrived. Chen Lun put down the book in his hand and left with the little white kitten. At the dining table. "Mr. Jack, I specifically instructed the cook to prepare a dish for you, hehe!" Reba said. She turned her head to look eagerly at Chen Lun, her cheeks flushed. She had initially nned to keep it secret and wait until Mr. Jack saw his favorite dish before reminding him, then make an impression on him. But Reba couldn''t hold it in. "Oh? I really appreciate your thoughtfulness, Miss Reba," Chen Lun smiled. Reba''s heart leaped with joy, and she hurriedly signaled the maid to lift the lid. "Mr. Jack, this is a fine ck cod," Binose added from the side. He knew Miss Reba''s intentions and gave her his support. "Oh, I really like it... Thank you so much, Miss Reba, you are truly a thoughtfuldy." Chen Lun cut a tiny piece of fish, forked it into his mouth, and chewed, showing an expression of enjoyment. In reality, he swallowed it directly. Reba was overjoyed and cast a grateful nce at Floey sitting next to Chen Lun. If it weren''t for Miss Floey, she wouldn''t have known that Mr. Jack liked fish. She was grateful that Floey had shared this secret, which had earned her praise from Mr. Jack. Come on, Reba! You must deepen your rtionship with Miss Floey and win over Mr. Jack eventually! Floey slightly turned her head, sensing Chen Lun''s bitter emotions, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Mr. Jack, please eat, it will affect the taste if it gets cold..." Reba urged. "Ah, of course." Chen Lun sensed trouble, his finger hooked slightly under the table, emitting a faint light. Meow! The little white cat leapt up, jumped onto the table, and then snatched the fish from the te. The action was done in one fluid motion,pletely ignoring everyone else. "..." Reba was stunned, as were the Binose butler and Viscount and Viscountess Pompey. "Aha! It seems that Miss Reba''s kindness is irresistible even to a little kitten..." Chen Lun chuckled, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere. Hearing this, Reba''s sullen mood slightly improved, though she secretly regretted it. ... Time quickly passed a week. A sensational piece of news spread through the entire Amber City¡ª Congressman Daniel was assassinated! Countless residents were outraged, a good man who dared to speak up for and act on behalf of themon people, was brutally murdered! "Protest! The Security Office of Amber City is ineffectual!" "It must be Congressman Daniel''s proposals and stances that touched the interests of the nobles, they must have sent someone to assassinate His Excellency! The murderer must be severely punished!" Arge number of residents holding signs paraded on the streets like a dragon. There were also many workers who even went on strike, wearing dirty uniforms, joining the ranks and shouting themselves hoarse. However, such situations mostly urred in the Outer City District. The Inner City District remained serene, and although the death of Congressman Daniel was shocking, it merely startled the elites, with many middle-ss individuals actually pping in approval. There had recently been an incident at the Garden Hotel, where Congressman Lawson''s son died, and now there had been an assassination, leading to the death of Congressman Daniel. The elites felt insecure, so they covertly pressured the Security Office, hoping to improve the safety of the Inner City District. Each year, a hefty amount of taxes maintained the police and guards, how could they allow these high-ranking individuals to live in constant fear? Only a few elites, through the channels of the special department in the Shelter, came to know some undisclosed secrets. They breathed a sigh of relief, cautiously making statements, as long as it did not concern them, they were actually safe. Outer City District. Low Tide Floral Bird Tavern. Today, the ce was unusually empty, without a single customer. The heavily made-upndy leaned against the corner, her eyes wide open, blood spilling from her mouth, with arge hole torn through her chest and abdomen. Clearly, she had been killed. In the backyard, the ground was covered with bodies, all members of the Iron Fist Gang. A brown-haired young man stood erect at the building''s entrance; at his feet knelt a headless corpse, burly in stature. The headless corpse''s neck wound was jagged, as if a beast had bitten off the head. "Sir... sir, I don''t know! I really don''t know that person''s identity!" A member of the Iron Fist Gang cowered before the young man, terrified. This unfamiliar man barged in, started ughtering without a word, even Gary the boss was killed by him in one move. It was just a fleeting glimpse; it seemed the stranger merely made a gesture, and Gary''s head vanished! Fear spread in his heart, he dared not lie, spilling everything he knew. "So, it was this person who killed Daniel''s butler and took some of the craftsmen...?" The young man muttered to himself, looking forward. After killing Daniel, the Oil Paint Viscount had him take over Daniel''s unfinished business, so Vigrey came to Low Tide. He shifted his gaze down to the headless corpse at his feet. "Control the gang leader, scout out news about Viscount Pompey and ''Dolly''? It seems the Transcendent within Pompey Manor is indeed him..." The young man''s face showed contemtion and murderous intent. "When was I exposed...? It shouldn''t be, could it be divination-type supernatural methods?" He pondered for a moment, then decided to make a trip back to Pompey Manor. Everything there was already considered his possession; no matter who this unknown enemy was, they were not allowed to covet it. Chapter 66 Unexplained Hostility Boom! A ball of me enveloped in ck smoke mmed against the steel te, instantly ckening it as the scorching air wave pushed outward in all directions. Boom!! Another me followed, this time condensed into a basketball-sized fireball, which with a thud smashed onto the steel te, sticking to it like a persistent maggot and burning incessantly. It wasn''t until a few minutester that the mes extinguished, and the steel te was burned red-hot, leaving behind some pits and melted traces on its surface. "Well done, Connie," Chen Lun looked at the mechanical glove he was wearing and sincerely praised her. Connie''s originally nervous expression instantly turned into joy. "Thank you for your praise, Mr. Jack. This is the first prototype I made based on the drawings; I thought it had failed." The entrance of the small manor''s warehouse. Chen Lun and Connie were testing the newly produced weapon. It looked slightly different from the previous Mad Hand, with more patterns on the surface, and under the reinforced ss, many precise gears and some small mechanical devices could be seen. [Unnamed - Mechanical Glove] Item Description: A weapon made by a highly talented craftsman, imitating from a painting with "Mysterious Objects." It can spray mes, or in high-power mode, shoot high-temperature fireballs. Paired with special synthetic fuel, it can adhere to targets, causing continuous burning damage. Flip a hand for stunning sparkles, cover a hand to annihte. "No, it''s very sessful, Connie," Chen Lun smiled, took off the glove, and handed it back to Connie. "Since it''s your creation, you should name it." Connie seemed surprised, then with a bit of excitement said: "Mr. Jack, let''s call it ''Connie Number One''! Those famous creations in history are named after their creators; I also wish..." While speaking, Connie became somewhat embarrassed and her voice lowered. Chen Lun couldn''t help but smile. He nodded, agreeing to the new glove''s name. Although it wasn''t very elegant, it was a great respect to Connie. [Connie Number One - Mechanical Glove] "Very good, Connie, take this money, it''s the reward you deserve," Chen Lun took out a small pouch containing a dozen Gold Pounds. Connie tried to refuse, but it was firmly ced in her palm. "Your efforts and hard work should not be erased, Connie." Chen Lun smiled at her, then said: "I have already made arrangements with the Iris Academy; in a few days, you will be able to go there to study... When you find the time, arrange for the craftsmen to continue producing ''Connie Number One,'' also we need to produce some Blunderbusses and ammunition..." Chen Lun instructed her and left the small manor. Connie looked at his retreating figure, her hands tightly clutching the money pouch, moved. "Don''t worry, I won''t let you down, Mr. Jack!" ... Walking along the road, Chen Lun noticed that there were more patrol officers than usual. It was due to the death of Senator Daniel. Chen Lun''s face was grim with thought. Things seemed to be heading in an unexpected direction¡ªone he hadn''t anticipated. Daniel, who should have died two yearster, was assassinated ahead of time. Who was the assassin? Was it still "Big Appetite" Dolly? What had caused this butterfly effect to ur...? Had he unwittingly pped his wings? Lacking too many pieces of the clue puzzle, Chen Lun found it difficult to deduce the whole picture at the moment. But he knew that this matter had something to do with the Iron Fist Gang. He remembered what Daniel''s butler, Fedman, had said just before his death... Perhaps it was because of him that the control of the mastermind over the Iron Fist Gang and those craftsmen was severed, thereby affecting a series of subsequent events. After all, it was rted to the biggest matter he had been involved with concerning Senator Daniel. "We''ll face the soldiers as theye, and the flood as it rises," Chen Lun let out a breath. From his decision to save Floey, it was clear that Chen Lun was not afraid of the butterfly effect. Clutching to an "all-knowing" advantage for the sake of keeping the plot on track was a coward''s act. Having crossed into this world, he had chosen to follow his heart, so he must press forward fearlessly. Chen Lun could benefit from his knowledge of the plot and was not afraid of the world line shifting due to his intervention. Because he believed in himself. ... Today Reba didn''t want to go to sses. She nagged her parents for a long time and finally convinced them to let her take a day off. The backyardwn of the manor. Reba sat on a swing, gazing at Mr. Jack who was reading nearby. Floey was ying with a kitten at the table, their asional lightughter mingling with the cat''s interactions. The bright yet not dazzling sunlight poured down, creating a rxed scene in the manor. [By diligently reading, you have gained 195 Experience Points] [Constetion Faction Mystic Book "Please Observe Patiently" (Progress 100%) has been thoroughly read through!] "You have gained an additional Skill Point and Attribute Point." Chen Lun exhaled and set down the book in his hands. It was the second book containing Supernatural Knowledge he had found through aprehensive search in the study these days. Although he had not found any evidence of Viscount Pompey obtaining "Philip''s Legacy," the acquisition of Supernatural Knowledge had alleviated some of his frustration. "The only two pieces of Supernatural Knowledge in the study, I''ve already reaped the benefits from..." Chen Lun felt secretly pleased. Apart from Experience Points, Skill Points, and Attribute Points, he had gained a new Sequence pathway, the "Constetion Faction, Sequence Nine¡ªHunter." Counting the Supernatural Knowledge in his possession, he unknowingly had umted four pieces.N?v(el)B\\jnn Constetion, Earth, Nature, and Destiny... Two Sequences of the Seven True Gods and two hidden Sequence pathways offered more choices for the yers when the time came. Chen Lun thought, when other yers desperately sought the path to transcendence, those who encountered him would agonize over which to choose. He was really looking forward to such a scene. "Miss Reba, Master Vigrey has returned; the Viscount requests your presence," Butler Binose approached the backyard, bowed to Chen Lun''s Floey, and then turned to Reba. "I understand, Mr. Butler," Reba said. She declined Binose''s offer and, looking at Chen Lun, inquired expectantly: "Mr. Jack, could you push me there?" "It would be my pleasure, Miss Reba." Chen Lun packed up the book, walked over, and gently lifted Reba into the wheelchair. Mr. Jack is so strong! His embrace is also very warm! Reba looked ecstatic, while Floey walked up holding a white cat, its tail identally brushing Reba''s face. "Achoo!" Reba sneezed and immediately covered her face in embarrassment. Oh, heavens! Mother Moon above! I... I just behaved so impolitely in front of him! How embarrassing! Mr. Jack surely won''tugh at me, will he? The anticipatedughter didn''te, and Reba felt the wheelchair begin to move. Turning her head to sneak a peek, she saw Miss Floey giving her an apologetic expression. ... Everyone arrived at the Viscount''s vi. Upon entering the hall, Chen Lun saw Viscount Pompey and his wife chatting on the sofa with a young man. "Reba, aren''t you going to greet your brother?" The young man with brown hair stood up and smiled at Reba. "Ah... Brother Vigrey," Reba said. The young man turned to Chen Lun and extended his hand. "You must be Miss Reba''s tutor, Mr. Jack, right? I''ve heard about you from my father. Thank you for your guidance to Reba and for your help at the Teary Zoo." Chen Lun shook hands with him, his gaze sharpening momentarily. He then smiled politely as usual: "It''s what I ought to do, Mr. Vigrey." After the two sat down, Viscount Pompey introduced: "As I mentioned before, this is my foster son, Vigrey. He is on a routine leave, so he came to visit." The young man smiled and nodded at Chen Lun. But a warning light lit up in Chen Lun''s mind. The moment they shook hands, he received a prompt¡ª "Vigrey''s affection towards you has decreased; he is now hostile!" Moreover, he sensed a strong threat emanating from this young man. He is a Transcendent! The young man with brown hair scrutinized Chen Lun, thinking to himself as well. He sneered inwardly. "It''s you, then..." This return, he distinctly felt that Viscount Pompey and his wife were far less enthusiastic about him than before, and even Reba seemed a bit distant. This made him angry, as if something of his had been taken away by someone else. "Mr. Jack is currently staying at the estate, right?" Vigrey revealed a smile. "After dinner, I will visit you... to seek some advice on literary matters." Chapter 67 Midnight Skirmish Night. The first-floor hall of the backyard vi. Chen Lun and Vigrey sat opposite each other at the long table. Floey had gone back to her room early to rest, and now only the two of them were in the hall. "Mr. Jack, I heard you''re a schr from out of town?" Vigrey poured himself a ss of strong liquor. The orange glow from the electric light passed through the ice in the ss, merging with the amber color of the alcohol, distorting the young man''s face. "Yes, Mr. Vigrey. Ie from an inconspicuous small city in Rock State..." Chen Lun picked up his ss and took a sip of milk. "Didn''t you want to talk to me about literary matters?" Vigrey didn''t respond to him and nced at the milk in his hand, chuckling softly. "Mr. Jack''s preferences are... quite unique." "Drinking milk at night helps with sleep. I suggest you try it, just one ss, and you''re guaranteed to sleep better than a baby." Chen Lun gulped it down and let out a milk burp.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Veins popped on Vigrey''s forehead, and his voice turned colder. "Jack, I won''t beat around the bush with you... the mystery circle of Amber City is not something an outsider can get involved in." Chen Lun wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. In a nutshell, the other party''s words meant that the waters of Amber City were too deep for him to fathom. But Chen Lun didn''t take the other''s threat seriously. Since he wanted to quickly increase his Strength, it was inevitable that he would get involved in some struggles. If possible, he would also like toy low in one ce like the supreme sword deity of a small town. But there was no time to allow for that. Whether it was Floey''s death countdown, the arrival of the 1.0 version public beta yers, or even theter ravaging of the Empire by the Red Apple Church... if these things were left unchecked, then Chen Lun''s Destiny would gradually slip out of his control. He didn''t like the feeling of losing control. And it was too cowardly to hesitate and hold back. Chen Lun looked at the indifferent young man and thought it was a pity. If only he had the "Scout" function that came with the yer panel. Although he couldn''t getprehensive and specific information, he could know some basic details about the other party to make judgments. "Let me remind you again, Jack, Pompey Manor and Outer City District''s sewer beach craftsman are Sir Oil Paint''s things... In Amber City, no one can touch his stuff, not the Church, not the Shelter!" Vigrey said in a cold voice. "Why not?" Chen Lun retorted with a polite smile. "This Sir Oil Paint you mentioned... is he a Saint? Or an Angel?" Saints and Angels are titles of respect for High Sequence Transcendents. Saints have transcended the mortal shell and even all Life on earth; they are neither human nor ordinary Transcendents. They have stepped into the category of Mythical creatures. Angels, on the other hand, are beings closer to the end of a Sequence. Each Sequence path has a countable number of Angels. They have another name¡ªSub-Gods. If Sir Oil Paint is such a powerful being, then it''s not just Amber City; even the Sun Royal Family of the Royal City of Beryl wouldn''t dare to offend him lightly... "Jack, you''re courting Death!" No sooner had Vigrey spoken than he vanished from the chair. The next second, he was propping himself up over the table, pressing down arge hand towards Chen Lun''s head! Bang!! Chen Lun countered with an uppercut. [Rhinoceros Impact]! A strong surge of air sted outwards. The chair Chen Lun was sitting on instantly disintegrated. Vigrey snorted coldly, arge mouth full of sharp teeth appeared in his palm and viciously snapped down! Crack! Squeak¡ª!! Vigrey''s eyes narrowed. He saw that on his fist held in his palm, ayer of dark gold scales had grown, and white exoskeletons covered the knuckles. The serrated teeth scraped over, emitting a grating noise. [Carp Armor]! Vigrey was surprised that even therge mouth in his palm couldn''t chew through this hard bone, so he let go and abandoned the grip. He pushed away Chen Lun''s fist, brought his five fingers together to form a de, and then shed towards Chen Lun''s neck. A row of sharp teeth emerged along the edge of Vigrey''s palm, like a meat saw chopping down! ``` Swoosh¡ªHiss! Chen Lun dissipated the features on his arm and executed "Serpentine Incarnation," his body twisting to dodge the attack. Vigrey''s hand turned into a de, slicing off one side of the solid wood table as it brushed past the corner. With a thud, a loud bang resounded! Sawdust and dust filled the air. Suddenly, a gust of air pierced through the dust and struck Vigrey fiercely. Bang! "Scorpion Tail Needle"! Vigrey raised his hand to block Chen Lun''s kick, the great impact causing him to retreat two steps. His entire arm started to engorge, muscles bulging and veins protruding as it turned into a "red giant arm" as if filling with air. Vigrey furrowed his brow, spread his hand, and saw the big mouth in his palm writhing ufortably. Then he vomited, expelling a pool of ck blood. "Supernatural Toxin?" Vigrey''splexion turned ugly. "Flesh Faction Sequence Eight¡ªGourmet"? From across the debris of tables and chairs, Chen Lun spoke softly. "I thought you could eat anything." Vigrey didn''t say a word. The Transcendent known as Jack was not weak, and Vigrey had not gained an advantage. Since his opponent was not a weakling that could be squashed easily, he had no intention of continuing to stubbornly fight without knowing the other''s capabilities. He gave Chen Lun a cold look, flung his arm to restore it to normal. Without another word, he turned and walked out the door. As soon as Vigrey''s figure disappeared from sight, Chen Lun exhaled a breath of foul air. He lifted his arm and inspected it, noting a clear bite mark on the back of his hand. A faint pain was alsoing from his calf, where hisst kick was blocked by Vigrey''s hand de, inadvertently causing a cut from the counterforce. "Fighting above one''s level without using my trump card is still somewhat challenging..." Chen Lun sighed inwardly. Although both sides were just probing and did not go all out in the recent exchange, Chen Lun had more or less gauged his current limits. If he let loose, he was confident he could barely hold his ground against his opponent. But as time went by, he would likely be defeated. After all, the opponent was a Sequence higher than him, and the "Gourmet''s" abilities were far from limited to what had been seen. It was also possible that the opponent had unknown trump cards. Of course, if Chen Lun used his trump card, the oue would remain uncertain. Simultaneously, Chen Lun also noticed some clues. "This Vigrey... resembles ''Dolly'' a lot!" Based on his memories, the "Big Stomach King" Dolly was a Sequence Eight "Gourmet," a Transcendent who had half-stepped into the Sequence Seven "Ghoul." If he timed it right, Vigrey in two years could have reached that stage. But on this alone, Chen Lun could not be certain. Because Dolly was a fat man with distorted facial features and ugly appearance. These characteristics Vigrey did not possess. But one could not rule out the possibility that he might turn into that due to some ident along the original timeline in the next two years. Chen Lun secretly kept this spection to himself. "Are you okay?" A ethereal voice carried from behind him,ced with concern. Floey hade down the stairs unnoticed and was standing nearby. She had been startled by the noise of the fight but was unable to assist, which left her feeling dejected. "I''m fine." Chen Lun said with a smile. Looking at the disastrous state of the hall, he felt a headacheing on, unsure of how to exin it tomorrow. Was he supposed to tell Viscount Pompey that he had fought with his son? And why was there a corner of the table sliced off? Were the two of them fencing in the middle of the night? As Chen Lun was lost in thought, a voice suddenly resounded in his mind: "Internal test begins! Countdown: 11 hours 59 minutes 58 seconds..."] ``` Chapter 68 Internal Testing?! "Internal test!?" Chen Lun was startled. He suddenly realized he had missed this information. Because in his previous life, when he first encountered "Era of Mystery," it was already the public beta version 1.0, so he had no recollection of any internal test. Now that he thought about it, there indeed had been a three-day internal test. For yers, the flow of time between "reality" and "game" was inconsistent, achieving a 1:5 ratio. The official exnation was that it maximized sleep time, thus extending human lifespan in such an innovative way. The three days of internal testing, converted to this world''s time, amounted to two weeks. Chen Lun casually sat down on a chair and began to ponder. As he reminisced, he remembered more and more. It seemed that there were tens of thousands of slots for the internal test, and these were extremely valuable, even fetching hundreds of thousands of dors. Because apart from a very few slots that were randomly selected from the public, most had already been reserved by big guilds, elite yers, and streamers. An internal test was an early advantage, allowing one to familiarize themselves with the game world and get ahead from the starting line. As the world''s first global holographic online game at the time, "Era of Mystery" contained endless business opportunities and wealth, which big consortiums could not afford to miss. "The first batch of internal test yers will arrive tomorrow morning, then..." Chen Lun mused.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "But Amber City can''t be the ''Novice Vige,'' so meeting them will require a long journey and that isn''t feasible with my time constraints." After a moment of contemtion, Chen Lun dismissed the idea of seeking them out. Tens of thousands of internal test yers might seem like a lot, but spread out across the entire Sun Continent, they were like a drop in the ocean, unable to make even a small ssh. Instead of going to great lengths to find them in some remote towns, it was better to wait for opportunities toe. He nned on leveraging the Iron Fist Gang''s intelligence advantage in the Outer City District to keep an eye out for him. If they spotted anyone who might be a yer, they could report back to him in a timely manner. ... The next morning, bright and early. Eight o''clock sharp. In Gem State, Fossil City, Emerald Town. Outside a rural farm fence, dozens of figures suddenly appeared out of thin air. "Has the game started?!" "Am I in the game world now?" "Damn! This is way too realistic!" All were dressed in in linen robes, resembling lower-ss civilians. Almost every one of them wore expressions of shock and curiosity, with a few yers even flopping to the ground to y with the weeds and soil. "Wow! Not only does the soil smell like soil, the grass smells like grass... and how is this cow dung smell so authentic?! Ew!" A male yer holding a clump of what seemed like old recipe ingredients vomited a few times, yet looked thrilled. In the corner, a few yers were slightly moreposed. Though equally curious about the new environment, they did not engage in any shocking performance art. A young man sporting a ''Pris'' game ID stood quietly in ce. He nced at the sessor of the old ways and those dancing yers, then turned and walked toward the farm by himself. "Hello hello! Nice to meet you, my name is Su Keying!" A female yer with wine-red hair ran up to him, calling out. Pris stopped walking and looked up at the top of her head. "Did you use your real name as your game ID?" "Ah... haha, yes, I debated over it a long time when I was lining up to enter the game and ended up using my own name." Su Keyingughed. Pris turned around and continued walking inside, not intending to chat with this woman. But Su Keying followed him, behaving familiarly. "Is there something you need?" Pris nced at her. Su Keying pouted and rolled her eyes at him. "Can''t you be less cold... We are, after all, among the first batch of internal testers, we should help each other." "Then why don''t you go find those others?" Pris pointed behind him without turning his head. Su Keying turned to look back and saw several fellows joining the old n, vomiting in ce. But they seemed to be enjoying themselves, even jumping into the farm to roll in the dirt. She chuckled softly and turned back around. "I think you''re more reliable." Su Keying pped her chest and continued: "I''m a full-time broadcaster and also run my own video channel, where I like to record content primarily focused on game narratives... This time, I finally got a slot in the closed beta and I n to create some initial material." "That''s great, I''ll definitely watch your video," Pris said indifferently. "Hey, let''s coborate... If we run into trouble, we can help each other out. I can let you have the resources first, how about that?" Su Keying said. "We''ll see when the timees." Pris leaped from a haystack into the farm, and Su Keying quickly followed. "You¡­" She pursued relentlessly, gritting her teeth. As they walked, they saw a farmer wearing a straw hat busy in the stable. "Hello? Is there anything we can help you with?" Pris stepped forward and tentatively asked. The farmer turned around and looked at them, his face immediately showing surprise. How did two strangers suddenly barge into his farm?! Just as he was about to scold them, he paused sharply, then his expression turned to realization. He pointed towards two other barns and casually said: "There are tools over there; you can help me cut the grass in the fields, collect and pack it¡­ or you can feed the livestock or fetch some water." The farmer paused, tapping his head. "Right, there''s also a room whose roof has been damaged. If you can fix it, that would be even better. Don''t worry, I''llpensate you." The next second, both Pris and Su Keying received a mission prompt. They exchanged nces and tacitly epted the mission. Pris nced at his panel and tentatively used the "Scout" skill on the farmer. Name: Tom Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Level: 4 Life: 50/50 Profession: [Farmer LV4] Attributes: ¡ª¡ª Skills: Vigorous Thrust LVMAX, ¡ª¡ª Combat Power: 5 [Danger Level: Medium] [Affection: Indifferent] [Evaluation: Even if he''s a weakling, he can still stab you hard with a hay fork!] Pris didn''t like attacking NPCs without reason; he decided to try doing the task first. Su Keying had the same idea but did not follow Pris to fetch tools right away; instead, she walked up to the farmer and started conversing with him. Perhaps it was because the character Su Keying created looked good, coupled with her gender, the farmer''s attitude towards her was noticeably better than his attitude towards Pris. After chatting for a while, Su Keying noticed that slowly other yers had also starteding in. She politely excused herself and left. The yers behind them saw what they did and guessed that they could receive missions from the farmer, so they surged forward in a swarm. Su Keying headed straight to the barn where Pris had alreadye out holding two sickles. "Here." Pris handed one to her, and Su Keying took it, chuckling softly. "Heh, seeing as you''re so proactive, I''ll share some intelligence I''ve just gathered with you¡­" Pris raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued. Su Keying lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously: "As long as we earn enough for five Copper Kro entry tickets, we can enter Emerald Town. There are bound to be more opportunities there than out here in the wilderness, and, I heard that the Red Apple Church in town is being reconstructed. Maybe we can join them, might just give us a chance to gain supernatural strength!" Chapter 69 The Newbies Stick Together (Please Follow!) Emerald Town. Under the scorching sun. The ruins to the west had been cleared, and at this moment, a group of people were diligently working on construction. The recruited men were covered in dust, shouting as they carried and transported stone blocks together, while the women cooked arge pot of vegetable mushroom soup on the side. Pris wiped the sweat from his forehead, finding his hands caked in ck dirt. He sighed quietly. "This won''t do. Just being treated as low-levelborers doing simple and repetitive physical work..." Su Keying walked over, handing him a bowl of vegetable soup. Pris thanked her and felt a bit more spirited after taking a sip of the soup. Afterpleting their tasks on the rural farm and earning a few dozen Copper Kros, they had rushed to Emerald Town. As the farmer had mentioned, the Red Apple Church was indeed rebuilding their church, so they promptly signed up to participate. But contrary to their expectations, they didn''t even meet the steward monk, just two church guardians who were here to direct them. Thus, their n to join the church and obtain supernatural knowledge fell through. "It''s never that simple after all." Pris drank the soup to thest drop, returned the bowl to Su Keying, and remarked with a sigh. "It''s not entirely fruitless... You unlocked the ''Worker'' sub-upation, and I unlocked the ''Cook'' sub-upation," Su Keying said, offeringfort. "Those people still at the farm probably have their upation fields nk on their panels." Pris thought of the other yers and couldn''t help but sneer. Before they left, they saw yers who couldn''t bear it any longer attacking the NPC on the farm, though for unknown reasons. Perhaps they wanted to kill the farmer to seize the farm''s resources and wealth, or maybe they were simply testing the game mechanics... or they even considered that NPC as a monster to farm for experience to level up. However, all yers who acted were killed by the farmer with a single strike from a pitchfork. Even though he was just an ordinary NPC from a "Novice Vige," dealing with these new yers who had just entered the game was quite easy. What was moreughable, after resurrecting, those few guys were chased and killed again by the farmer''s dog, and that dog even stood guard at the "Resurrection Point" outside the farm. Having used up their three daily resurrection chances, those yers had wasted their day. The precious closed beta time was frittered away, and if they continued to court death the next day, using up all ten weekly resurrection opportunities, they could pretty much consider their participation in this closed beta a bust. "Do you know how this church got destroyed, Pris?" Su Keying suddenly asked. Pris snapped back to reality, surprised.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Wasn''t it because of an idental fire...?" That''s what he had heard from the workers when he arrived, but he quickly realized Su Keying wouldn''t be asking if that was the case. "What did you find out?" Pris suddenly felt that partnering with this woman wasn''t such a bad thing. Su Keying indeed knew something, and she giggled. "I just learned from ady that, a month ago, the Red Apple Church was attacked. All the clergy and guardians here were killed, and the church was burned down by that person." Pris was taken aback when he heard this. As an experienced gamer in the online gaming world, he always prepared well before diving into a new game. Even though the information released before the official start of "Era of Mystery" was limited, he had captured some through various channels. Among other things, he knew that the entire Sun Continent had factions for the Seven True Gods, and that each represented a path to a Supernatural Sequence and was a significant force holding supernatural powers. The audacity of someone attacking the church so brutally meant they were no ordinary thug! "Hey, guys, sorry to interrupt." A man''s voice came through, and Pris and Su Keying turned to look. They saw three men approaching, d in the same bup robes as themselves, with their game IDs disyed above their heads¡ªclearly, they were three yers. "I''m an executive of the ''Hall of Valor'' guild, Horseman... These two are members of the ''God''s Love'' guild, Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo." The leading man, "Horseman," extended his hand with a smile. "Are you interested in cooperation? We could start by exchanging information." Pris and Su Keying exchanged a nce and nodded. He shook hands with Horseman and asked, "What kind of cooperation?" "Let''s talk somewhere else, it''s too hot here." The Horseman pointed helplessly to the sun above and tugged at his soaked cket. "Fine." Pris replied curtly. He turned around and applied to quit his job as a church guardian, and ended up getting only one-tenth of his wages, a mere few Copper Kros, along with a bout of scolding. But he did not care. The group found a shady spot to rest, and the Horseman sat down before speaking first: "There are few people in the internal test; you two managed to arrive here ahead of the main force, so I''m sure you''re wise enough to understand the importance of gaining an early advantage... Our coboration would definitely yield better results than going at it alone." The others nodded, showing agreement with his statement. The Horseman continued: "To show my sincerity, let me share some internal information from our guild... Remote towns like this usually have an official Supernatural organization, a Shelter, and one or two other Church factions. Although they are the most direct channels to obtain Supernatural Knowledge, the difficulty is extremely high." Pris hummed in acknowledgment, mentioning the futile effort he and Su Keying had made at the Red Apple Church today. "You can''t do it like this..." The Horseman shook his head. "The three of us never nned to go there from the start; the difficulty is too high, the cycle too long, and since the Empire offers opportunities in every town, there''s no need to stubbornly stick it out here..." Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo both chuckled lightly. "We took a wolf hunting quest at that farm. Lucky for us, we even unlocked the battle Sub upation of ''Wolf Hunter''..." Su Keying pursed her lips in annoyance, finding these two guys truly obnoxious, wondering what they were showing off for here. She promptly shared some of the information she knew as well. The Horseman''s eyes lit up after hearing her. "The person you''re talking about, is he still in Emerald Town? Someone capable of taking down a church branch single-handedly must be a Transcendent... If we can start with him, our chances of obtaining Supernatural Knowledge would be greatly improved." "He should have left already; I saw the wanted poster the Red Apple Church posted..." Su Keying took out a piece of paper she had collected. It depicted a young man with ck curly hair and an indistinct face, the name Jack written below him, and his suspected identity as a member of the History and Ritual Association marked, along with a bounty of 100 Gold Pounds. If Chen Lun saw this wanted poster, he would certainly be surprised. Because the Red Apple Church had even employed the Divination Faction''s Supernatural power to learn his alias, and the cost must not have been small. This showed just how deep the Red Apple Church''s hatred for him ran. "Such a pity..." Learning that the tough character wasn''t in town, the Horseman shook his head regretfully. He immediately suggested: "We need to make the most of the precious time of the internal test and not waste effort here. It''s better to explore the surrounding map and find a big city first, so we can get ahead of others when the official test starts..." "But we''re out of money; the cost of a long journey would be considerable." Pris frowned as he spoke. The Horseman smiled, pointing out the disadvantage of lone wolves: theck of crucial information. "There''s usually a train station near small towns; we can take that to the nearest city. The price isn''t expensive, just a few dozen Copper Kros will do." "Let''s think about it." Pris said. The Horseman nodded, and Pris stepped aside to whisper a few words with Su Keying. In a little while, the two came back. "All right, we agree to this n, what do we need to do?" "Good..." The Horseman nodded in satisfaction. "It''s a bit of a distance from here to the train station, and we don''t have enough money to hire a carriage and guard, so we have to walk... There are likely to be robbers and wild monsters like thieves along the way, higher in level and very dangerous. So, we not only need to gather enough fare in the shortest time but alsoe up with a way to get a set of gear to protect ourselves on the road." Pris and Su Keying nodded. "Okay, we''ll act separately and set off before tomorrow!" Chapter 70 Do Not Conspire with Those of a Different Number (Asking for Follow-up Reads!) Chen Lun moved a wooden box and arrived at the fourth-floor attic of his small vi. He ced the box in a corner of the attic and covered it with a ck cloth. Several simr boxes were already neatly arranged nearby, containing blunderbusses and some ammunition, all crafted by the team led by Connie. There were already thirty to fortypleted pieces. After the initial adjustments, along with Connie''s guidance, the craftsmen had improved rapidly, and the team''s efficiency had increased significantly. Chen Lun had once handed a repeater flintlock gun to Connie for disassembly, but she had stated that she couldn''t replicate it because it used some special materials and parts. Without blueprints, she couldn''t manufacture it. Chen Lun felt regret for a while, and finally, he could only sigh andment that the Shelter''s supernatural workshop was damn cunning with such a good security mechanism. Then, he took out a pair of "Connie Number One", the first piece truly crafted. The previous prototypes had been taken back by Connie, as she had found several ws and had improved them. "These gloves, to a certain extent, are better suited to handle low Sequence Transcendents... Their lethal capacity is stronger than a regr firearm,parable to a typicalbat series [D-ss Mysterious Object]." "And I can mass produce these. This is indeed a great path to fortune," he mused. Chen Lun stored them away as one of his trump cards. After tidying up the attic, he nned to have his coachman take him to Pompey Manor to teach Reba. Currently, it was almost certain that "Philip''s Legacy" was not in the backyard, and Viscount Pompey seemed not to have got his hands on this "treasure", so Chen Lun decided to focus his efforts on rescuing Floey. In this period, apart from Vigrey''s probing, everything else had been calm, and he and Floey had moved back to his small vi. With only a month left, time was of the essence. He had pinpointed Vigrey, Viscount Pompey''s adopted son, a [Sequence Eight - Gourmet] Transcendent, who was very likely Dolly himself. However, the night after their encounter, Vigrey had left the Pompey Manor. ording to the Viscount, it was because the military had urgently recalled him, interrupting his leave. But Chen Lun silently doubted this exnation. Clearly, Vigrey had decided not to stay at the manor after his probing attempt failed, avoiding conflict with Chen Lun. Now, this man was most likely hiding in the shadows, ready to strike a fatal blow at any time. Baron Barnie, the ck Knife Brotherhood, now Vigrey and his so-called "Oil Paint Viscount", Chen Lun treated it as if being infested with lice, and overwhelmed in debt - one more problem didn''t make a difference. All these issues revolved around Pompey Manor, linked to that [Ominous] mission. With the enemy hidden and him exposed, he was at a great disadvantage. Chen Lun continued to build up his strength while awaiting the moment to counterattack. "Recently, Connie hase up with some great stuff, and I''ve integrated two characteristics to develop a new skill... you''d better not let me catch you, or you''ll have hell to pay!" ... A few dayster. CLANG CLANG... WOO! Pris sat on the train, watching the scenery outside the window. Their group had gone through struggles and hardships and had finally managed to board the train to the major city. Leaving Emerald Town for the train station, they encountered four groups of bandits. The smaller groups had three to four robbers, while therger ones had about a dozen. If there were fewer enemies, they could fight desperately to kill one or two, but with more, they faced annihtion. Lately, they had wisened up, fleeing immediately when the odds weren''t in their favor. The bandits, encountering such prey, would chase them for a distance before giving up. Then, they would bypass that area and continue their journey. On average, each person had died two or three times on the road; it was quite a challenging journey. Fortunately, the Resurrection Point wasn''t too far from where they died; otherwise, it would have been really nerve-wracking. This was the price of pioneering uncharted territories, but once they got through it, the future was bright. DING DING DING! "The next stop is Amber City tform! If you''re getting off, hurry up! The stop willst only half an hour!" A middle-aged man in a uniform and cap, ringing a small bell, reminded passengers along the aisle. "We''ll get off here in a moment. The next major city is even further, a five to six-day journey, and we don''t have that much time," Horseman said, sitting across from Pris. Pris and Su Keying nodded, indicating they understood.N?v(el)B\\jnn The train soon arrived at the station, crowded with a throng of people carrying backpacks and suitcases. After undergoing checks by police and Empire guards, Pris and hispanions were issued temporary identity cards, restricted to activities within the Outer City District. Once out of the train station, Horseman asked about their next n. "We should split up to gather information more efficiently," Pris, not used to taking orders, which was why he preferred to work alone than join any guild, agreed reluctantly. "Then let''s add each other as friends and stay in touch online if there''s any news," The Horseman neither agreed nor disagreed, simply showing a face full of regret as he spoke. After Pris and Su Keying had added each other as friends with the group, both parties went their separate ways on the spot. Walking away, Doghead Gold sneered. "Those two fools really can be naive. By following us, they could have shared some internal information. Fighting alone in such a big city will definitely make it hard to move an inch." The Horseman nced at the two of them andughed, "Forget it, everyone has their own ambitions. When they regret it, they''ll have to offer valuable information to exchange for our help." He pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Speaking of which, what is the initial goal of your ''God''s Love''?" "What do you think, Brother Horseman? Our Three Major Guilds'' think tanks all more or less have the same direction¡ªfirsty down an informational foundation to pave the way for the main forces toe." Forget No Taboo chuckled lightly. "Don''t tell me your ''Hall of Valor'' isn''t doing this." The Horsemanughed heartily, then patted Forget No Taboo on the shoulder. "Of course, that''s exactly it... So no need for me to say where we''re headed next, right?" "Let''s go, find the big shots in the Outer City District, join them. Although we can''t get Supernatural Knowledge, it''s a good ce to establish a foothold." Forget No Taboo said. The three figures gradually disappeared into the distance. Pris and Su Keying stood outside the train station, discussing their next move. However, after a long while, neither of them had any clue. "We can''t possibly go back to manualbor, right? Isn''t that the same as just switching ces to work..." Su Keying said, despondently. "No choice, we don''t have much money left. We might have to sleep on the streets tonight." Pris said calmly. Upon hearing this, Su Keying suddenly became furious, her eyes widened. "No way! I still want to find a ce to take a bath... This game is too realistic, I feel like I stink!" "That''s great, you can record all these experiences to capture the harshness and realism of this world." Su Keying rolled her eyes. "Please, no one wants to watch the daily life of a beggar, okay?" They chatted briefly, and seeing that it was gradually getting dark, decided to take a walk around first. Unknowingly, the two arrived at Denton Street. But they hadn''t taken many steps before they encountered two patrolling guards. "Hey! You two!" The guards looked at their attire, a hint of contempt shing in their eyes. "Show your ID." Pris nced at the guards'' armor and shortswords, and obediently handed over the temporary identification they had gotten from the train station. After the guards casually nced at it, their eyebrows furrowed. ng! One of them drew his shortsword on the spot, pointing it at Pris and Su Keying. "Your temporary ID has expired! Come with me to jail now!" Su Keying was startled, and Pris''s heart sank. He knew that these two guards saw them as neers and were nning to extort them. Money could solve the problem, but the issue was they had no money! If they were captured and kept in jail, this beta test would basically be blown. "¡ªWhat should we do?" Su Keying sent a private message surreptitiously. Pris began to feel a slight headache. Chapter 71 Exploitation Connie came back from ss. Today was her first day attending courses at the Yellow Iris Academy. The teacher''s lecture was excellent, and although she already possessed some of the knowledge, she gained a fresh perspective on it. In addition to that, there was a lot of knowledge that couldn''t be learned in the Outer City District, such as Horsemanship, chess, music, and dance... and every month, there were special etiquette teachers who taught them the various etiquettes of high society, as most of the graduates from Yellow Iris Academy could find a decent job in the Inner City District. These etiquettes were essential Skills for survival in the Inner City District. There were a lot of middle-ss and even wealthy merchants in the Inner City District whose alma mater was this academy. But the only thing that made Connie distressed was that her ssmates seemed to look down on her. Somedy, upon learning that she came from the Outer City District, dubbed her "Miss Grease Spot." Even the life administrator, Mrs. Judy, took her aside to advise her not to wear clothes stained with machine oil to ss next time. Connie somewhat anxiously set down her bag, thinking if she should take some time to go out and buy new clothes. Mr. Jack had rewarded her with a substantial sum of money, and it was time to rece the old clothes she had worn for many years. Her eyes caught sight of a letter on the desk, and her face suddenly changed color. "Oh no! I forgot about the task Mr. Jack entrusted to me!" She eximed in rm, snatched up the letter, and dashed out the door.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Mr. Jack had written this letter a few days ago, asking her to deliver it to the Iron Fist Gang, to their boss Gary. It was just that she had been so busy in the warehouse these days, and she was particrly looking forward to school today, that she''d forgotten about it. Speaking of the Iron Fist Gang, Connie had always been astonished. Initially, she and Miss Floey were nearly kidnapped, but Mr. Jack saved them. Unexpectedly, the entire Iron Fist Gangter became a vassal of Mr. Jack, with their boss Gary obeying Mr. Jack''smands. Descending to the second floor, she pushed open the door of the coachman''s room, preparing to have him drive her to the Outer City District. The coachman in bed, upon seeing Connie open the door, hurriedly stuffed the book he was holding under the pillow and then awkwardly stood up. "What are you reading, coachman?" Connie looked at the suspicious man with a skeptical eye. "Ah... nothing much, just some misceneous books." The coachman said, turning his body and with all seriousness added, "Are you looking to go out? Miss Connie, I''ll get ready right away!" Connie, in a hurry, didn''t press further. But she did catch a glimpse of the magazine poking out from under the pillow, whose cover seemed to feature the long legs of ady in ck silk. Connie''s face turned slightly red as she turned and left the room. "It seems unlikely that Mr. Jack would also enjoy these types of magazines... He''s a true Gentleman." Connie thought to herself. Once the carriage reached the Outer City District, Passing by Denton Street, Connie pulled back the curtain to see if Mrs. Caroline was busy in the flower shop, to greet her in passing. Instead, she saw a man and woman, both looking like lower-ss civilians, being questioned by the Patrol Guard. Seeing this, Connie''s brow furrowed slightly. She was suddenly reminded of Mr. Jack and Miss Floey. They must have experienced simr situations when they first arrived in Amber City, hadn''t they? Having lived in the Outer City District for many years, Connie knew all too well the greed of these Patrol Guards. They did not actively pursue criminals; instead, they often troubled the lower-ss civilians, demanding bribes. Connie called for the carriage to stop and stepped out. "...If you don''t want toe with us to jail, you can, for a bail of 20 Silver Ducats, we''ll let you off today," came the self-righteous voice of the guard from a distance. "Is there any chance you could lower that amount? We don''t have that much money on us," Keying pleaded pitifully, but the guard was unimpressed and scoffed instead. "No money? That''s fine, youe with us, and we''ll let your man go." "He''s not my man! And what exactly do you two old lechers think you''re doing!?" Keying suddenly exploded in anger, cursing outright. That was it! Pris couldn''t stop it in time, and now things had escted. Having angered the guards, they had no room to maneuver and might be directly imprisoned, or even killed on the spot if they resisted. Even if they were resurrected, they would likely be wanted and have difficulty moving around in the Outer City District. "Fine! Come with us now!" The corner of the guard''s eye twitched, and he brandished his sword on the shoulders of Su Keying and Pris, threatening them. Su Keying still wanted to resist, and the guard was about to prod her with his sword to give her a taste of pain. "Stop!" Connie shouted. All eyes turned toward her. The guard sized up the girl, her uniform grubby, a typical girl from the Outer City District. "I would advise you not to meddle in this, girl," he said menacingly. "They are new servants hired by Jack''s estate, you''ve misunderstood... Here are 20 Silver Ducats, let them go," Connie said, taking out a handful of silver coins and sliding them over after counting them. Su Keying and Pris looked at the girl who was a stranger to them in surprise, not expecting her to be willing to help them out. The two guards were stunned, not expecting to encounter such a fool. The lead guard took another look at Connie, unable to tell that the girl actually had some money. "You heard wrong, I said it''s 20 Silver Ducats per person, so that''s 40 Silver Ducats for two," the guard said with a smile. A greedy glint flickered in his eye as he nced at Connie''s purse. Connie suppressed her anger and remained silent for a few seconds before taking out another 20 Silver Ducats from her pocket. "Wait, how can you, a girl from the Outer City District, have so much money? I suspect you''re involved in a crime, possessing ill-gotten wealth... Show us your identity proof," the guard said, no longer interested in the Silver Ducats in Connie''s hand, but staring intently at her purse. Inside it, there must be at least a few dozen more Silver Ducats, and perhaps even Gold Pounds! "Miss... perhaps we should just let it go, and we''ll go with them," Su Keying said through clenched teeth. Even though she knew this was just a game, everything felt so realistic that Su Keying didn''t want to see a good person get in trouble because of her. It would be no big deal to just die and waste a Resurrection opportunity. However, since she had not joined any forces or epted any quests and had no connections with the people or things of this map, it was possible that the Resurrection Point would not be within Amber City. She might just miss this beta test; as a small livestreamer, her desire to chase after early advantages was not that strong. After all, she had recorded some material along the way, enough to make a pretty good video. But the loss for Pris would be much greater. As a lone wolf, missing this beta test would greatly increase the difficulty to break into the first tier. She would find a way to make it up to himter. Su Keying inwardly sighed. "Hey! It''s not up to you to say if this counts or not..." the guard said with a sneer. He pointed his short sword at Connie. "What Jack estate, never heard of it! Their identities are unknown, and they are suspected culprits. Now, you''re very likely the mastermind behind them, and you muste with us!" By now, quite a crowd had gathered around, pointing and discussing the situation. But most of them, used to such sights, shook their heads and walked away. "Oh! Connie!" The voice of Mrs. Caroline came through. She was holding scissors and a fresh flower, hurrying through the crowd. "What has happened here?!" Chapter 72 Saving Connie "Mrs. Caroline, we are just doing our routine duty, so please don''t interfere." A hint of dread shed across the guard''s face. The flower shop under the Viscount Pompey Brewis''s patronage was well-known to these Patrol Guards from the Outer City District. If it wasn''t necessary, they certainly didn''t want to offend Viscount Pompey. Connie was unaware of the rtionship between Mrs. Caroline and Viscount Pompey, so she didn''t want to get Mrs. Caroline involved and simply shook her head in silence. The two guards exchanged a look, knowing they couldn''t drag this out any longer. "Alright, break it up!" One guard started to disperse the bystanders, while the other prepared to escort the three away with his sword at the ready. At this moment, the coachman tied the horse to amppost and hurried over. He sensed that something was amiss; Miss Connie seemed to be encountering trouble. He then remembered something Mr. Jack, his employer, had instructed him. "Miss Connie." The coachman approached Connie and discreetly handed her a silver badge. "Mr. Jack said to use this if you run into any trouble." Connie''s face lit up with joy as she took it. "What are you whispering about?!" The guard scolded. Connie sneered and shoved the silver badge in the guard''s face. "Are you sure you want to arrest us?" "?!" The two guards were taken aback. The silver badge they were now looking at bore a family crest with the inscription "Pompey Brewis" below. They couldn''t fail to recognize it; it was the badge of identity for Viscount Pompey. Nobody dared to falsely im the name of a local noble in Amber City lightly, as it was too easy to be exposed and arrested for the impersonation. To produce the crest of the Viscount Pompey demonstrated a significant connection. The guards felt a growing anxiety, immediately realizing that trouble was brewing. "Ah-ha! So you do know His Excellency Viscount Pompey... Why didn''t you say so sooner?!" The guard wiped the sweat from his forehead with a smile. "Truly sorry, we made a mistake... Alright, then you''re free to go." "You derelict scoundrels!" Mrs. Caroline, having grasped the cause of the incident, reproached them angrily. Poor Connie had just lost her father, and life must have been difficult since apanying little Jack to the Inner City District. And now, back in the Outer City District, even the guards were extorting her ¡ª it was an insult she did not deserve. "I will definitely write to the Security Office! I''ll see you two sorry excuses get what''sing to you!" Mrs. Caroline rebuked. The two guards were somewhat irritated but helpless. If it came to a confrontation, they would be the losers. After all, if the matter reached the Security Office and disturbed Viscount Pompey, their immediate superiors would certainly punish them. So, apologizing profusely, the guards quickly skedaddled. Mrs. Caroline continued to curse at their retreating backs, while Connie stepped forward to console her. "Miss, thank you very much for your help." Keying expressed her gratitude.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Connie turned her head and, looking at the man and woman, revealed a slight smile. "It was nothing..." Pris suddenly thought of the "Jack Estate" the girl had mentioned and wondered if it could have any connection to the notorious "Jack" who was wanted by the Red Apple Church in Emerald Town. Pris discreetly used "Scout" on Connie without drawing attention. Name: Connie Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Level: 13 Life: 120/120 Profession: [Craftsman LV10 (MAX)][Butler LV3] Attributes: ¡ª¡ª Skills: Genesis Genius LV2 (Passive), sh of Genius LV3 (Passive), Integration Mastery LVMAX (Passive)¡ª¡ª Combat Power: 12 [Danger Level: High-Level] [Affection: Friendly] [Evaluation: You don''t want to know what weapons she''s carrying because by the time you see them, you''ll be dead! A friendly reminder, her boss is no simpleton...] Pris was startled, never having expected this seemingly harmless girl to be so strong. That orange Danger Level signified she was not someone to be trifled with. As for the description of her boss mentioned in the evaluation, could it really be that ruthless individual? If so, this could be a great opportunity! "¡ªKeying, this girl is an opportunity! Cling to those coattails, and there might be a surprise in store!" Pris sent a short message. Keying was slightly taken aback, then looked towards Pris and nodded gently to show she understood. "Miss, we are from the rural...the countryside, strangers here, looking for a job to make a living...May I ask about the ''Jack Manor'' you mentioned, do they still need people? Please rest assured, we can work without pay, as long as we have a ce to eat and stay!" Keying said to Connie with a pitiful look. These lines were all dictated privately to her by Pris. Connie showed a troubled expression, wanting to help the young man and woman but not feeling that she could make decisions for Mr. Jack. "Oh, so young Jack has already secured a foothold in the Inner City District?" Mrs. Caroline asked. "Yes, Mrs. Caroline... Mr. Jack has bought arge manor and is now tutoring Viscount Pompey''s daughter, Miss Reba." Connie spoke of Mr. Jack with great pride. She briefly discussed their situation after moving to the Inner City District, and Mrs. Caroline repeatedly marveled, believing that Jack was no ordinary person and was bound to make something of himself in the future. Mrs. Caroline then recalled something, fell silent for a moment, and then smilingly invited Connie to sit in her flower shop. Pris and Keying were also included in this invitation. Connie, thinking that she still had to deliver a letter for Mr. Jack, felt somewhat troubled. "Let''s go, Connie,e in for a cup of flower tea... I''ve missed you so much since you left." Faced with Mrs. Caroline''s warm invitation, Connie finally nodded. Discover stories with empire She nced at Pris and Keying and said with a smile: "Then follow me for now. I need to ask Mr. Jack about the job, so I can''t give you an answer just yet... But Mr. Jack is a kind and upright gentleman, I think he will help you." Pris and Keying were immediately overjoyed. Everyone entered the flower shop and took a seat while Mrs. Caroline prepared some flower tea for them. "Just a moment, Connie..." Mrs. Caroline said softly. She then left the flower shop and went up a side staircase. Pris sipped the flower tea and suddenly received a short message. "¡ªPris friend, this is Horseman. We''ve found an opportunity in the Outer City District, near the sewer strand. There''s an underground force called ''Iron Fist Gang'' with lots of benefits. Come quickly. Also, I''ll tell you a secret, the boss here, ''Mr. Dolly'', is a Transcendent!" Pris was slightly startled and turned to look at Keying, who also had a surprised expression, it seemed she too had received the message from Horseman. "¡ªWhat do you think? Shall we go?" Keying asked. Pris frowned slightly, he didn''t want to let go of the opportunity at hand. "¡ªWait for a bit." The trio representing two major guilds wouldn''t be sharing an opportunity for free, and upon going there, they would most likely have to pay a price. If it had been earlier, Pris might have gone, but now that he had met Connie, he had a choice. Opportunities found on one''s own are always the best. Soon after, Mrs. Caroline came downstairs with two letters in her hand. She handed one to Connie. "Connie, could you please deliver this letter to little Jack for me, and have him pass it on to Mr. Pompey... And tell him that I don''t me him, Henry has always seen him as the best of friends." Connie tipped the letter in her hand, noticing there seemed to be a metal object within. "Of course, Mrs. Caroline." Mrs. Caroline let out a sigh of relief, as if she had let go of years of pent-up feelings. She smiled, waved the other letter in her hand, and looked at the three young people. "Don''t worry, I will surely report those two guards who troubled you!" Connie was touched but amused, feeling the warmth as well. She thanked her, finished her flower tea, and stood up ready to say goodbye. Just at that moment, Pris and Keying suddenly received a mission alert¡ª [Triggered D-level Mission: Save Connie!] Mission description: Entrusted by her boss Mr. Jack, Connie is to deliver a letter to the Iron Fist Gang at the sewer strand. However, times have changed, and the Iron Fist Gang has a new leader. If Connie steps into the territory of the Iron Fist Gang, she will be in danger! Whether to reason with Connie to stop her from delivering the letter is up to you. Mission reward: 200 Experience Points, 1 Silver Ducat, and increased Affection with Connie. Chapter 73 This NPC is Problemati Pris was taken aback. He had not expected things to fall into ce so coincidentally¡ªthe faction the Horsemen had joined turned out to be Connie''s enemy. "How will you choose, Pris? I, for one, won''t just stand by and watch her walk into death." Su Keying sent a message and gave him a look. Pris pondered for a moment and then nodded. "All right, we''ll take this mission path and take a gamble!" "At least you have some conscience; she just helped us a moment ago." Seeing Su Keying''s text message, Pris rolled his eyes secretly. Woman, aren''t you getting too caught up in this drama? It''s just a game! Pris was simply considering the matter from a perspective of benefit; they needed only to pay a trifling price to earn her favor, making it easier to get close to the big shot behind her. That was much better than joining the faction of the Horsemen. Over there, one could work oneself to death without any guarantee of reward. More importantly, the Horsemen represented two major guilds. At the moment, they were treating them courteously on the surface, but once the open beta started and their main forces settled in, they would no longer show any mercy. They would certainly use all means to drive away a lone wolf like him in order to monopolize the benefits. Years of gaming experience had given Pris a clear understanding of these guild yers. Pris and Su Keying epted the mission. "Miss Connie, are you going to... the Underwater Shallows?" Su Keying stood up and inquired. Connie looked surprised but nodded anyway. "Yes. The two of you just wait here for me. I''ll be back after I''m done with my business, and then we can go back to the Inner City District together." Your journey continues with empire Su Keying secretlymunicated with Pris, choosing her words carefully. "Miss Connie, I heard that the Underwater Shallows is quite chaotic. The biggest gang there, the ''Iron Fist Gang,'' their boss Gary was recently killed. Could there be danger if you go?" Su Keying expressed her concern. Connie was startled. "Is what you''re saying true?" She looked puzzled. "Howe you two know this?" "Uh... The friends who came with us, they went to make a living at the Underwater Shallows and told us the news." Su Keyingposed her speech and directly sold out the Horsemen. After hearing this, Connie looked troubled, holding the letter from Mr. Jack and then looking at Mrs. Caroline''s letter. "Are you sure about your information?" Connie asked again for confirmation. "Positive!" Pris and Su Keying nodded in unison. Connie no longer hesitated; she immediately bid Mrs. Caroline farewell and prompted the two to leave with her. Once out of the flower shop, the three boarded the carriage. "I will exin this matter to Mr. Jack... I''m very thankful for your warning." Connie pondered for a moment; if what these two said was true, then she was indeed in danger. Pris and Su Keying were delighted. They both received a missionpletion prompt, and Connie''s affection towards them had increased. When the carriage passed the checkpoint on the bridge, Connie likewise took out the Pompey n Emblem to vouch for Pris and allowed them to enter the Inner City District without any issues. After passing through multipleyers of protection, Pris inwardly felt grateful for how right his decision had been. "We are very lucky; this Inner City District should be a high-level map for us. Being able to enter here, we''ve already pulled ahead of the other yers." Su Keying saw the message from Pris and also felt joyful. "Let''s hope that meeting the big shot behind Connie will bring us some gains." "Hmm." Pris was secretly expectant. Dusk was falling. The carriage moved slowly and eventually entered Jack''s Manor. After getting off the carriage, Pris and Su Keying curiously observed their surroundings, while the coachman informed Connie that he needed to go to Pompey Manor to pick up Mr. Jack. Connie nodded and watched the carriage leave again. "You two can rest in the living room on the first floor of the vi, and Mr. Jack will be back soon." Connie said softly. Pris and Su Keying nodded, their faces full of anticipation. When Chen Lun finished work and boarded the carriage, the coachman informed him of the day''s events. "Connie brought two people back?" Chen Lun was inwardly puzzled. Back at the manor, he found Connie waiting for him at the entrance. After getting out of the carriage, Connie handed over both letters to him and exined the events that had unfolded. "You''ve worked hard, Connie," Chen Lun said with a smile as he put away the letter. Connie, however, shook her head, clearly embarrassed. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jack, I failed toplete the task you gave me on time... and I also brought back two people without permission..." "It''s okay, go and rest." Chen Lun consoled her, then added a word of caution: "Next time you encounter strangers who are both unfamiliar and odd, be careful. You can let me know first." "Yes, Mr. Jack." Connie, with a shy look of embarrassment, bowed and left. Watching her leave, Chen Lun sighed to himself. Connie''s kindness was excessive, and if she were to encounter someone with malicious intent, it could very well harm her. He decided to find an opportunity to tell her the story of "The Farmer and the Snake"... However, it was also due to meeting those two people that they had been able to save Connie with their warning. Chen Lun then reflected on himself. His old gamer mentality hadn''t fully shifted yet; now that he was in this dangerous world surrounded by living, breathing people, he should be more considerate of their safety. "For tasks like delivering messages next time, I should have animals do it..." After contemting, he thought of the Iron Fist Gang. "As for what those two said about Gary being killed...?" While the Iron Fist Gang wasn''t critical to him, they were useful for handling various trivial matters. Normally tied up with countless tasks, the gang saved him time. Having them taken away was, to say the least, quite irritating. Since Connie had brought back the two who knew something, it was time to inquire further. And moreover... "Those two are probably yers." Chen Lun squinted his eyes. He walked straight into the vi and immediately spotted Pris and Su Keying sitting on the sofa. The two sat upright, neither seeming to interact, both seemingly lost in thought. Chen Lun knew that they were probably using the panel for privatemunication. "Ahem!" He purposely coughed, and the two startled in response. "Mr. Jack... Hello!" Su Keying stood up and forced a smile. The young man with slightly curly ck hair before her was oddly handsome. Dressed in a ck suit with a short cape, topped with a top hat, he slowly removed his brown leather gloves. An indescribable sense of mystery and a formidably powerful aura washed over them. "¡ªIt''s him, isn''t it?! Though I don''t know the specifics of his appearance, the characteristics of the man on the wanted poster are very simr to his!" "¡ªIt shouldn''t be wrong... Wow! This NPC is terrifying!" Pris replied with a brief message, internally shocked. Because he had discreetly used "Scout" on this "Mr. Jack." Name: Jack Spett Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Level: ¡ª¡ª Life: ¡ª¡ª Profession: ¡ª¡ª Attributes: ¡ª¡ª Skills: ¡ª¡ª Combat Power: ¡ª¡ª [Danger Level: Extremely Lethal] [Affection: Indifferent] [Evaluation: My advice, kid, is to leg it as far as you can...] In the game, once over Level 20, no basic information was visible. Coupled with the deep red Danger Level, Pris felt almost breathless. [Jack''s affection for you has decreased, currently it''s loathing!] "?!" Pris was taken aback. What did I do? Why does he loathe me on sight?! He nced at Su Keying, but her expression remained unchanged. "So it''s directed at me, then," Pris thought, feeling a lump in his throat. "Prying into others'' privacy is very impolite, Mr. Pris," Chen Lun said with a polite smile as he pulled up a chair to sit and gestured for them to take a seat as well. Pris was in turmoil. He... he actually knew I used "Scout"?! What kind of NPC is this! There''s something wrong with him! He must be cheating, right?!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Chapter 74 Let You Guys Have a Look at the Precious Treasure Chen Lun chuckled secretly to himself. He nced inadvertently over the heads of the two, at the two gleaming game IDs that clearly revealed their status as yers. This was something Chen Lun had not anticipated. It turned out that just like the yers, he could see their game IDs¡­ With this, wouldn''t the yers have nowhere to hide in front of him? Furthermore, as an old yer himself, he also knew the habits of yers, which was to initiate a "Scout" when they encounter NPCs they can''t get a read on. This was a panel function that NPCs couldn''t sense. But Chen Lun was not your average NPC, he was a yer in NPC''s clothing. These little tricks, he had long since seen through them. "Pris and Su Keying¡­ It''s these two, what a coincidence." Chen Lun was somewhat surprised. He knew both of these yers in front of him, with Su Keying even being an old acquaintance. In his past life, Su Keying could be considered his peer and rival. Both were storyline gamers, one streaming and recording videos, the other selling guides and weaving tales. Su Keying had more than once expressed her disdain, stating Chen Lun was always distorting the storyline, concocting tall tales, being a paparazzi to female NPCs, shameless to the core. She called on her fans, especially her female fans, to boycott Chen Lun.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om But Chen Lun never stooped to her level, just saw her as another sheep to be sheared whenever they met, and afterwards, he would even send her a private message to thank her for advertising for him, which made his business even better. It infuriated Su Keying every time, causing her to have a fit during her live streams. As for Pris, he was even more famous. An old hand at online games, his presence was felt in all the popr games of the past. He was known for his solitary nature and formidable strength, attracting many fans who sought him out. Prister joined the world''s first holographic online game, "Era of Mystery," and carved out a name for himself, reaching the apex of the yer pyramid. Because he took the "Magic Faction" Sequence path, he was revered by the yers as "Sorcerer King Pris," although there was a more down-to-earth nickname ¨C "Brother Pr." "I heard from Connie that you''re looking to work for me?" Chen Lun said. "Yes, Mr. Jack¡­" Pris repressed his shock at the man, replying respectfully. Chen Lun pondered. Pris and Su Keying exchanged nces, feeling somewhat nervous. "Having you work as servants in my manor is not out of the question." Hope dawned on both of them. "But..." Chen Lun smiled faintly. Pris felt a tightness in his chest, thinking, could it be that he had lost the bet? Was the opportunity slipping away just like that?! "I feel you would be wasted on mere servitude¡­ you both have greater potential, I see it in you. Would you like to join my team?" "!!" Pris and Su Keying''s eyes widened. [Jack''s affection towards you has increased, currently at Friendly!] [Jack has extended an offer of recruitment, would you like to join the "Jack Manor" faction?] Chen Lun toyed with the panel in secret, adjusting the affection toward both of them. After some consideration, he felt he indeed needed these two yers to serve as pawns to establish his brand and spread his fame. Only if they reaped benefits from him would more people be drawn to him after the public beta. An influential gamer and a savvy broadcaster. A perfect match! Pris, seasoning with experience, was well aware of how fortunate it was totch onto such a benefactor during the closed beta. He sent a quick message to hurry Su Keying and in the next second, he chose to ept. [You have epted Jack''s offer and joined the "Jack Manor" faction!] Pris''s fingers trembled slightly. He felt as if he had returned to his teenage years, rediscovering the initial excitement and satisfaction of his early days in online gaming. Su Keying took several deep breaths, secretly activating the recording function on her panel. The exceptionally handsome man in front of her was sure to boost her viewership! She''d record him, get some multi-angle shots; she was bound to go viral! "Oh, by the way, there''s a favor I''d like to ask of you..." Chen Lun acted as if he had just remembered something. "Please, do tell, Jack¡­ my lord." "What do you know about the Iron Fist Gang down at the Outer City District''s mudts?" [You''ve triggered a Level D Quest: Curious Jack!] ``` Task Description: Jack is very curious about the Iron Fist Gang, tell him what you know and you''ll be rewarded based on the value of the information. You can rest assured, Mr. Jack is a generous, upright, and kind gentleman, he will definitely not let you suffer. Item Reward: Depends on the situation. Chen Lun quietly expressed his amazement, realizing that he indeed could initiate tasks for yers like an NPC... However, the difficulty of the tasks and the rewards could not exceed certain limits. These limits, indicated by his panel, are to be measured by his own strength. The rewards were either to be distributed by the panel or by himself. "I''m not stupid, letting the panel pay me is too good an opportunity to pass up!" Chen Lun thought to himself. Pris and Su Keying didn''t even think twice before epting the task. This was an opportunity to make an impression in front of a key figure¡ªthey had to seize it! "Lord Jack, my friends have told me..." Pris conveyed the information the Horseman had shared with him earlier, and while doing so, he sent a message to the Horseman: ¡ª"Brother Horseman, I''m very interested in what you said, can you share more details? I need to prepare." The Horseman replied promptly, with a hearty and covertly luring tone, detailing the current situation of the Iron Fist Gang beneath the water tforms for Pris. He even divulged what color underwear the low-ranking members of the Iron Fist Gang were wearing, sparing no detail for Pris. Read thetest on empire The Horseman probably only thought to deceive Pris and Su Keying into going there, serving as freebor to show off in front of Mr. Dolly. He had no idea that Pris would trante and ry this information to Chen Lun. "Very good, it seems you know a lot," Chen Lun looked deeply at Pris. From the seamless nature of his narration, Chen Lun deduced that Pris wasmunicating with someone on the fly. He hadn''t expected that the one upying the Iron Fist Gang would be the Glutton "Dolly"... If he really was Vigrey, then there would be even more suspicions about him. Moreover, it seemed that other yers hade to Amber City and joined the current Iron Fist Gang. "Perhaps these two yers could be used as spies for real-timemunication..." Chen Lun thought to himself. After such a long search, he had finally found traces of Dolly, and it was time to take action. [Your information has pleased Jack,pleting D-level quest: Curious Jack!] [Received quest rewards: 500 Experience Points, 20 Silver Ducats, and an increase in affection from Jack!] Pris and Su Keying were overjoyed. But the surprises were far from over, they just saw the young man with ck hair flip his hand and p two oddly shaped weapons onto the table. p! [Wrath¡ªHomemade Firearm] Item Description: A flintlock gun intricately crafted by a genius artisan, extremely stable and powerful. The expanded barrel can deliver immense damage at close range and is not restricted by ammunition types. A handful of small steel balls sprayed at you will make you cry with pain! "Good stuff!" Pris took a deep breath, eyes glued to the weapons on the table. "Since you''ve joined mymand, I won''t treat you harshly... This is a very precious weapon. Back in the day..." Chen Lun picked up the blunderbuss, gently caressing it. His demeanor was extremely careful, as if he was afraid of dirtying or damaging it. He suddenly remembered that boastful bard and had a sh of inspiration. "Back in the day, I used it to shoot down a flying dragon. These two guns have been greatpanions of mine..." Chen Lun showed a hint of reluctance, slowly handing the two guns over to Pris and Su Keying. "I''m lending them to you for now, if you perform well in the future, they might be gifted to you as a reward." "Yes, Lord Jack! We will definitely work hard to show our worth!" Pris suppressed his excitement and solemnly received the blunderbuss. Su Keying was also secretly amazed, carefully tucking the blunderbuss away, verified the recording was still ongoing, her excitement barely concealed. This man actually killed a flying dragon?! I will edit this first-hand material with all my skills, making it the opening shot to promote my video series! And it wasn''t over yet! The young man with ck hair then took two more items out of his pocket... ``` The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 75 There are Bigger Treasures Pris and Keying discovered that a prompt box appeared above NPC Jack''s head¡ª [Exchange] Both of them chose to open it without discussing. At the same time, the two items on the table also disyed their respective descriptive entries. [D-ss Mysterious Object - Surging Badge] Item description: A badge imbued with the power of flesh that, once worn, grants surging strength and vitality. It seems to be a remnant of a church priest who, after being murdered, had his mystical substance and supernatural characteristics solidify into this badge. Eat, eat more, you are the starving Butcher, you are the embodiment of strength¡­ Item effect: Wearing it grants +2 Strength, +2 Endurance. Item cost: Increases hunger, increases food consumption. Supernatural items?! Mysterious objects! Desire surged in Pris''s heart, knowing that owning this small badge could significantly enhance his strength. Equipment that directly adds +4 points to attributes is a rare find! "And besides, the ''murdered church priest'' mentioned in the item description¡­ wouldn''t it be the Red Apple Church priest he killed in Emerald Town?!" Chen Lun''s image was refreshed once again in Pris''s mind. Even more powerful and unfathomable! Although Keying found the equipment to be formidable, she didn''t crave it as much as Pris. Instead, she focused on the price of the equipment, her gaze intensifying. [Exchange price: 100 Contribution Points + 60 Gold Pounds + Low Sequence Mysterious Substance *2] "This expensive?!" Keying was startled. She understood Contribution Value and Gold Pounds; one represented contributions to a faction, likepleting tasks, and the other was thergest denomination of currency in this world. As for Low Sequence Mysterious Substance, she was not very familiar with it, but it seemedplex, likely a very precious material. She had none of these items. Pris, seeing the price, couldn''t help but internally wail. How could he afford this at his current stage! Was this not just to tantalize him?! The two turned their attention to another item, a piece of paper filled with text, its torn edges jagged as if ripped hastily from a notebook. [Supernatural Knowledge - Destiny Faction Sequence Nine (Hidden Pathway)] Item description: A sheet containing supernatural knowledge, imbued with the path to [Destiny Faction], and once read, one can acquire the Main upation [Sequence Nine - Beast Tamer]. Only mystery canbat mystery, only the transcendent can conquer the transcendent! "!!!" The breath of Pris and Keying hitched. Their hearts beat uncontrobly fast, as if they were about to burst from their chests the next second! Supernatural knowledge! Hidden Sequence! "I must get my hands on it!" This time, the thought emerged in both of their minds. Chen Lun, sensing their rapid breathing, sneered silently. The "big pie" he set out had hooked them. It was the supernatural knowledge he had transcribed using his only piece of [Low Sequence Destiny Faction Mysterious Substance]. [Exchange price: 500 Contribution Points + 500 Gold Pounds + Low Sequence Mysterious Substance *5] The exorbitant price made both Pris and Keying shudder. But they did not give up because of it. This was a hidden Sequence openly priced and ced in the shop! Unlike the main profession pathways of the Seven True Gods, even though the game officials did not explicitly say so, any somewhat experienced yer knew that hidden professions might not always surpass regr ones, but they definitely had unique advantages. Moreover,bels like "rare", "special", and "high difficulty" strongly attracted loners like Pris. Without relying on luck externally or toiling within official supernatural organizations,pleting a series of difficult tasks, this was something you could get your hands on just by gathering the necessary exchange conditions! The way Pris and Keying looked at the ck-haired youth changed. "¡ª This is our secret, we must cling tightly to this thigh, and not let the information out!" Pris sent a message. Keying pondered for a moment and nodded. "¡ª I know, when the public testes, we will rely on this opportunity to take off. By then, I will edit the material, so other yers won''t know that supernatural knowledge and mysterious objects can be obtained here." Chen Lun watched them fall silent, knowing they weremunicating. Faced with such a big opportunity, he would definitely hold on to it tightly, keep it to himself, and not tell anyone. But unfortunately, this was not something that could be hidden. "I still need you to advertise for me a lot more..." Chen Lun thought silently. He opened the game''s built-in forum. This was a feature that appeared after the start of the beta test. Chen Lun had tried it before and could only browse like a visitor, not being able to post, forced to be a "permanent lurker." Whether it was a bug caused by crossing over or some other reason, he wasn''t sure. By now, the forum already had many posts, enthusiastic discussions from yers across the Sun Continent. But so far, no yer had posted anything about bing a Transcendent. Chen Lun casually nced at a few posts and then closed the forum. This forum would surely have posts about him in the future. Even if Pris and Su Keying did not actively advertise, they would be involuntary billboards for him among the yermunity. ... The next day at noon, Chen Lun was about to head out in a carriage. He just happened to run into Pris and Su Keying, who had juste online to find him. "I still have to go to work, look for me in the evening if you need something." Chen Lun lifted the curtain and said casually. "..." Pris and Su Keying stood there, watching the carriage leave. After a while, "So even big shots have to wake up early for work? Is it thatpetitive?" Pris remarked. Su Keying rolled her eyes and asked softly, "What do we do now?" "What else can we do... Just stroll around nearby for a bit. Time is precious; maybe we will trigger some quest." After Pris finished speaking, he headed straight outside the manor. Su Keying pouted and then followed. Chen Lun sat in the carriage, nning to visit Pompey Manorter to ask for a leave from the Viscount. He wasn''t going to teach Reba that day and was preparing to take a trip to the shallows. Having found out about Dolly''s whereabouts, he decided to take the initiative. The carriage stopped in front of the manor. Chen Lun got off and walked in. But when he arrived at the Viscount''s vi, he found something odd. "Good morning, Mr. Jack," Reba, sitting in her wheelchair, gave him a smile. "Good morning, Miss Reba." Chen Lun replied. Reba kept smiling and nodded, but said no more. Chen Lun frowned secretly, feeling that Reba was a bit off today. "Mr. Jack, the Viscount and his wife are having breakfast, please wait a moment," Butler Binose approached and bowed as he spoke. Chen Lun nodded. Shortly after, Viscount Pompey and Lady Pompey came out. "Reba is in a bit of a bad mood today, please don''t take it to heart," Viscount Pompey said. "Of course not, Viscount," Chen Lun replied, eyeing the Viscount and his wife for a bit before suddenly doning a polite yet eerie smile. "Why would I take offense with a dead person?" Binose''s face changed color. Viscount Pompey and his wife were slightly taken aback. Suddenly, Chen Lun whirled around, the back of his hand shing, ripping through the upper half of Reba''s body!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om [Bear Strike]! Boom!! Blood spurted like paint, and fear was frozen on Reba''s face. Chapter 76 Blood and The Eternity of Love "What have you done?!" Binose bellowed hoarsely. Chen Lun ignored him, stepping forward and swinging his hand. The dark, sharp fingers sliced across Viscount Pompey and Lady Pompey''s throats. "Ugh...!" The Pompey couple''s eyes widened as they clutched their throats and fell to the ground with a thud, blood pooling around them. "Ah, ah!!" Binose fell to his knees, shouting the Viscount''s name. "Why?! Why did you kill them?!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He was extremely agitated, his old face flushed red, his eyes bloodthirsty, staring fixedly at Chen Lun. Chen Lun nced at the old butler and sighed silently. "Butler Binose, take another good look, they are not the Pompey family." "Hmm...?!" Binose turned his head and saw that the three bodies on the ground had disappeared. Only three nk canvasesy on the ground, with oil paints scattered all around, resembling abstract paintings. Binose was stunned. Chen Lun stood quietly, ncing at the mess on the floor. Ever since Reba had greeted him, he had sensed that something was amiss. When the Pompey couple appeared, he finally identified the problem¡ª This family had no heartbeat. Moreover, there was a faint, distinct smell of paint about them. "What happened here before I came?" Chen Lun asked. Binose''s mind was nk, he took a few breaths to calm down. "... His Lordship the Viscount received a letter this morning, and then took his wife and daughter out." "Went out? Where did they go?" Chen Lun continued to inquire. Binose slowly stood up, realizing the gravity of the situation. He thought for a moment, then said: "His Lordship the Viscount mentioned he was invited to take his family to Lord Barnie''s house to appreciate a painting¡­" "Lord Barnie... the Oil Paint Baron..." Chen Lun roughly pieced the matter together in his mind. He asked Butler Binose for the address of Lord Barnie''s house, then left quickly. "Lord Jack, are you going to find the Pompey family?" Binose asked loudly behind him. Seeing Chen Lun stop in his tracks and turn to nod, the old butler solemnly bowed: "Lord Jack, please be careful, the safety of the Viscount''s family rests on you!" "Don''t worry, I am Reba''s teacher," Chen Lun said with a smile. "I won''t let my student and her parents be in danger." After saying this, he turned and walked away, under the grateful gaze of Butler Binose. ... In a corner of the Inner City District, a painting studio. "Dolly, how much longer?!" Baron Barnie asked impatiently. "Patience is the fuel for creating masterpieces, please let me embellish it a bit more." The brown-haired youth sat on a low stool, painting with his brush. In front of him, Reba and the Pompey couple sat together, all smiling, their postures elegant, serving as his most qualified models. But the Pompeys'' eyes were filled with fear, staring fixedly at the young man in front of them, their emotions incredulous. Their bodies uncontrobly fixed to the chairs, but their minds still functioning. Viscount Pompey hadn''t expected that his foster son, Vigrey, and his good friend Barnie, would turn against his family. These two familiar people suddenly became strangers. "I am prepared to name this painting¡ª''Eternity of Blood and Love.''" Dolly stood up, a small knife pinched between two fingers. He approached Viscount Pompey, sliced open the chest of his foster father with the knife, and cut off a palm-sized piece of skin. Blood flowed out, but Viscount Pompey''s face still maintained a smile, only his eyes revealing pain and anger. "Oh, father, don''t look at me with those eyes... I am merely preserving a legacy of fame for you." Humming a tune, Dolly then moved in front of Lady Pompey. In her terrified gaze, he plucked out a bone from her finger. "Father''s skin, mother''s bone..." Dolly ignored the nearly copsing gazes of the Pompey couple and walked towards Reba. "Oh, and of course, the daughter''s blood. Only such materials can create a masterpiece of the ages!" He revealed a slightly crazed smile, gently brushed Reba''s lovely face, and wiped away the tears that slid down. "Dear Reba, don''t cry, it will hurt your brother''s heart." Dolly gently pressed the knife against Reba''s lips. Cold, sharp. Reba was inexplicably terrified, calling out in her heart for the name of that knight. Mr. Jack! Please help me! Please save Reba, and mom and dad! Dolly grabbed Reba''s hand and slid the knife across her palm. Blood gushed out, and Dolly excitedly licked it. "Mmm¡ªThe fragrance of a virgin." He then opened his own hand, and therge mouth in his palm devoured the skin of Viscount Pompey, the bone of Lady Pompey, and Reba''s blood. p! Dolly abruptly clenched his fist, showing a joyous expression, his cheeks flushed. He seemed as if he had taken a strong drug, turned to the easel, and began painting rapidly. "Once the work ispleted, my family will forever remain in the painting, bing real puppets... I will turn over half of the Pompey Family''s fortune to the Viscount Sir Oil Paint, and the title of Viscount will fall upon my head." Dolly said while painting. "What about my share?" Baron Barnie was puffing on a cigar, slightly taken aback. Dolly suddenly stopped painting, turned around, and appeared enlightened. "Forgot to tell you, someone else took your share." Before Baron Barnie couldprehend the meaning of these words, a dagger suddenly pierced through his chest. An unknown masked man had appeared behind him, poking his head out. "Amoner also wanting to meddle in such affairs, hmm..." He gently pushed, and Baron Barnie fell face down to the ground. Baron Barnie felt severe pain spreading throughout his body, as a pair of ck boots came into view. "What a fool..." The masked man, cloaked in ck, wiped the dagger clean on Baron Barnie''s blue shirt, sheathing it. He looked at Dolly, his blue eyes void of emotion. "Viscount Sir Oil Paint told me you needed help here." "Yes... but you weren''t necessarily supposed to act, Crow, you were just insurance, understand?" Crow turned, his cloak billowing, and vanished in the next second. The studio echoed with his voice: "Whatever, just make sure my share is given to me on time." Dolly didn''t turn back, continued painting, his lips curled into a cold smirk. "''Circus'' organization... After this mission ispleted, perhaps Viscount Sir Oil Paint will rmend me for membership." Inner City District Third Street. Chen Lun walked out of a vi. On the wall next to the Great Gate, it was marked "Third Street, Number Twenty-One, Barnie''s." He looked back once, and in the distance, he saw a young maid slowly closing the door. "Not here..." Chapter 77 Full Video Recording Downstairs of the studio. Horseman and his two fellow yers were blending in with the ranks of the Iron Fist Gang''s underlings. They grouped up and took positions separately, guarding the entrance to the staircase leading to the studio. This street was rather secluded, a corner of the Inner City District. Most of the shops here were empty, and the residential buildings were uninhabited. "Horseman, we''re really lucky. We just joined the ''Iron Fist Gang'' and got a C-level mission," Doghead Gold was smoking a cigarette on the side, and afterward clicked his tongue in praise,menting on how high the game''s realism was¡ªthe feeling of smoke entering the lungs was hardly different from reality. "Yeah... What''s more important is that the mission reward even includes Supernatural Knowledge. If weplete this mission, we''re basically sky-rocketing to heaven, stepping directly into the ranks of the Transcendents. With such speed, we can be considered the first batch of yers to be Transcendents in the beta test!" Horseman said with augh. His tone contained a hint of excitement, and then suddenly it turned serious as he said: "However, we can''t take it lightly. The rewards are so generous, the difficulty must be extremely high!" "It shouldn''t be much of a problem. ''Mr. Dolly'' is very strong. With him leading the way, we can just ck off... As newbies, it''s impossible for them to give us an unsolvable mission," Forget No Taboo said, arms crossed and looking rxed. "It''s just a pity that Pris and that woman were so stubborn to note here with us. They missed such a rare opportunity..." Horseman shook his head with augh, a hint of schadenfreude in his gesture while Doghead Gold snorted and stomped out his cigarette. "Once we be Transcendents, I''m actually looking forward to their expressions..." "Huh?" Horseman suddenly showed a look of surprise. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo looked at him with puzzled expressions and asked aloud. Horseman chuckled twice and exined: "Pris sent me a message..." Doghead Gold scoffed. "He must be struggling to get by in the Outer City District, huh? That''s the problem with solo yers, always overestimating themselves... I originally thought this Pris, being an experienced yer, would have some tricks up his sleeve, but that''s it?" "You guessed right," Horseman said. "I''ll invite them over. That woman is a small-time streamer; let her record the process. It can serve as a promotion for both of our guilds." "¡ªPris bro, we''re currently at the end of Luanhuan Street,e over now. We''re in the middle of a mission, have that female streamer with you start recording, shoot a promotional clip for us, and afterward, we''ll rmend you to join the gang." Horseman sent a message. He quickly received a reply: "¡ªOkay, I''ll be right there, and I will have Su Keying record the whole process." ... Bang!! The Blunderbuss shot out a burst of light, and countless steel pellets sprayed over Horseman''s body. A fatal red damage indicator popped up above his head. [You have been killed by yer Pris!] Horseman''s eyes widened in shock as he watched the man and woman, then dissolved into a beam of white light and disappeared. Bang!! Another gunshot rang out. Su Keying, looking excited, fired her Blunderbuss at Doghead Gold and killed him with one shot. Thest one left, Forget No Taboo, stood dumbfounded, staring at the pair. "What... what are you doing?!" "Doing a mission!" Pris grabbed a handful of steel pellets and stuffed them into his firearm, then aimed and pulled the trigger at him. Bang!! Forget No Taboo turned into a beam of white light and followed hispanions. [You have killed yer Forget No Taboo! Gained 1 Contribution Degree point!] Pris had a smile on his face. "Did you get it all on tape?" "Yeah!" Su Keying nodded vigorously. "Enemies!" The other members of the Iron Fist Gang finally reacted, pulling out their outdated versions of Mad Hand and Raging Fire, and started pursuing the two of them. "Go! We just need to lure them away!" Pris spoke and took the lead, running down an alley. Su Keying stuck out her tongue at the Iron Fist Gang''s underlings, then turned to follow Pris. Half an hour earlier, they had been found by Mr. Jack. Mr. Jack assigned them a task that required them to find theirpanions and kill them. In the face of the task reward, Pris epted without hesitation. It wasn''t only about yers with whom they had briefly cooperated; even long-time friends, as long as the reward was sufficient, Pris would kill without error. Of course, if such a situation really urred, Pris would stillpensate his friends afterwards. After all, he was a Shark Hand without emotions but understood the concept of sharing. "¡ªPris! Have you gone mad? What good does killing us do for you?!" Horseman sent an exasperated message. Pris nced at it and promptly deleted the friend. "Damn!" Horseman cursed, standing in the backyard of the Iron Fist Gang''s base, with Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo walking out of the building behind him. This was their Resurrection Point. "Damn it! Ruining our good deeds! Wait until the public test starts, we will definitely make these two scumbags pay!" Doghead Gold cursed and Forget No Taboo also had a grim face. "We don''t have to wait for the public test, let''s go now!" Horseman said in a deep voice. "We can''t just let this go, our task hasn''t failed yet, if we rush over now, it''s still not toote!" The three of them, fueled by anger, quickly left the sewers and headed for the Inner City District. Luckily, they had identity proofs given to them by Mr. Dolly, allowing them to enter and leave the Inner City District, otherwise it would have been difficult. After Pris and Su Keying led away the Iron Fist Gang''s underlings. A carriage parked on the side of the street, its curtains lifted, and a person stepped out.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om It was Chen Lun. He instructed the coachman to leave first and then walked straight up the stairs, looking up at the second floor''s studio wooden door. He checked his equipment, then ced two ink bottles at the top of the stairs, pulling out a transparent thread to secure them. Bang! He kicked open the wooden door. Whoosh¡ª!! A sharp knife stabbed from behind the door. Chen Lun frowned, raised his hand and flicked his fingers. His pitch-ck fingers struck the de, emitting a clear ringing sound. As the sparks flew, a masked man in ck robes appeared before him. The masked man kicked out. Chen Lun responded with a knee, his expressionless face unchanged. Rhinoceros Impact! Bang!! The two were evenly matched. The masked man uttered a sound of surprise and doubt, then turned his hand, another short knife appeared in his palm, shing down fiercely. Chen Lun was quicker, turning his knee into a push. Scorpion Tail Needle! The knife was only half a hand''s distance from his face when it came to a sudden stop and was flung away. The masked man leaped back, clutching his abdomen, staggering on his feet. He squinted his eyes. "Supernatural Toxin!" Click, the door closed on its own. The young man who had been painting paused his movements and stood up. He nced at the masked man, Raven, and chuckled lightly. He had been tricked by this move before, and now seeing someone else in the same plight, he couldn''t help but feel a little schadenfreude. "You''vee, Jack." The brown-haired young man turned to look at Chen Lun, casually tossing aside the brush in his hand. "I thought you wouldn''te. It seems I underestimated your courage and arrogance." The Pompeys stood like statues with a smile, but their eyes were sad. Their gaze shifted to Chen Lun, changing from surprise to hope, and then from hope to concern. Reba''s gaze was the most intense, and two more tears fell from her eyes. He hade! He really heard my call and came to save us! Chapter 78 Two Against One, No Martial Ethics "What a pity, my masterpiece was almostplete." Dolly sighed with regret. "But killing you and continuingter is not toote." "Dolly..." Chen Lun looked at the brown-haired youth, thinking that his guess wasn''t wrong. The adopted son of Viscount Pompey, Vigrey, was indeed Dolly. How he turned into an ugly, fat man in the next two years was no longer important. "How rare, a Transcendent of the Destiny Faction, yet only a Sequence Nine... Today, you''re dead for sure!" The masked man Crow spoke in a cold voice. "Don''t act yet, I want to y with him... I must return the favor from that night." Dolly flexed his five fingers. The very next second, his figure shed, and he appeared in front of Chen Lun, his palm heading straight for him. Dolly''s strength and Agility were well-bnced, Chen Lun estimated both around 30 points; he could onlypete with his strength, far behind in agility. Using "Serpentine Incarnation" for a surprise might allow him to dodge temporarily, but after being figured out, his situation would plummet dramatically. Bang!! The dark golden scales shed with the white exoskeleton-covered fist, creating an explosive sound. A twitch appeared in the corner of Dolly''s eye. "It''s that tough hide again!" He opened his mouth wide, the corners splitting towards his ears. Then Dolly''s head zoomed in fast,pleting a biting motion with incredible speed. Crack!! Dolly bit through Chen Lun''s hair, his constantly wriggling teeth grinding together like gears, emitting a grating noise. His eyes swiveled, catching sight of Chen Lun''s neck bent at an odd angle, dodging the strike. "Like a snake... wriggling like a disgusting earthworm." Dolly''s face, twisted into a ghastly expression, spoke in a strange voice, filled with disdain. Gurgle... No sooner had he spoken than Chen Lun''s left arm became serpentine, coiling upwards, trapping Dolly''s right arm, locking it in ce! The following second, Chen Lun''s right fist struck deep into Dolly''s left chest. Bang!! Dolly couldn''t dodge and took the punch head-on. The impact of "Rhinoceros Impact" prated the protective membrane over his sternum, piercing straight through his heart. "Cough!" Dolly spat out a mouthful of blood. Taking a deep breath, his face twisted even more ferociously. "A good punch, I like it a lot." Chen Lun''s eyes narrowed slightly; Transcendents of the Flesh Faction were indeed troublesome to deal with, with such tenacious life force... Not to mention he was a Sequence higher than him. A soft click. He drew his repeater flintlock gun, pressing it against Dolly''s chest and pulling the trigger. Bang! Bang bang bang!! With a pained cry, Dolly took the first hit, then forcibly broke free from Chen Lun''s hold. He dodged the following shots, deflecting stray bullets with his hand. "You should be dead!" Dolly growled and bit off his own thumb, chewing and swallowing it in his mouth. Blood flowed profusely from his hand, but he was unfazed. Instantly, his veins bulged, his eyes turned blood-red, and he lunged forward again, his fingerless hand bing like a flesh-slicing knife, his other hand''srge mouth extending a long tongue. Every move he made was apanied by waves of air pressure! Strength and agility clearly surged! Whoosh!! Chen Lun used "Serpentine Incarnation" to twist his body but didn''t fully evade the de palm, and a gash appeared on his face. As he tried to retreat, his leg was entangled by the long tongue emerging from Dolly''s palm. In the next moment, Dolly''s kick came hurtling! Bang!! Chen Lun was sent flying, crashing into the wall and creating a dent, with cracks spreading like a spider web. ``` The grotesque paintings hanging on the wall crashed to the floor in a cacophony of cracks and snaps. Chen Lun slid down the wall, staggering to his feet. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but fortunately, the protection from the Carp Armor spared him from losing a significant chunk of his Life. "Such disgusting defensive power..." Dolly clenched his fists, letting out a raspy, coldugh. "Crow, let''s join forces. I don''t want to waste any more time." "It''s about time... Tough and fleshy opponents are my favorite, heh." The masked man said. A sense of crisis surged in Chen Lun''s heart. Facing Dolly one-on-one, he had always kept an eye on the masked man nearby, holding back in order to prevent a surprise attack, and therefore only utilizing seventy to eighty percent of his strength. Handling Dolly was already challenging enough, and now with the addition of another Transcendent, he feared he might fall into a significant disadvantage. Two against one, no honor inbat! Dolly attacked once again. As he moved, his body swelled like inting to the size of a small giant, almost reaching the ceiling. His palm transformed into a serrated meat cleaver, swooping down in a vertical chop! Whoooosh!! In such a form, Dolly''s Strength must have soared to over 40 points, nearing 50. This was the threshold for a Low Sequence Transcendent''s Attributes, and Chen Lun was unwilling to confront it head-on. He dodged to one side, avoiding Dolly''s attack. But in the next moment, a sharp dagger appeared in front of him! Whoosh! With space being encroached upon, Chen Lun had no choice but to raise his hand to protect his throat, his whole body now covered by the Carp Armor. Hisssss! The de scraped across the scales, producing a startling shower of sparks. Chen Lun took the opportunity to wrap his serpentine arm around the masked man''s hand and, leveraging his position, burst out from his side to escape the encirclement. But it seemed that his opponent had already anticipated his intentions. The masked man let out a coldugh and struck back with his hand. Extending a finger, it pierced Chen Lun''s back like an iron drill, the tough dark-gold scales shattering under its force. With a flick of that finger, arge chunk of flesh was ripped from Chen Lun''s back. Chen Lun grunted, rolling forward to increase the distance. "Hidden Path: [Conspiracy Faction] [Sequence Eight ¨C Locksmith]..." He muttered under his breath. This was an advanced Sequence of [Sequence Nine ¨C Thief], possessing the supernatural ability to "unlock," and specializing in Agility and assassination. "This is bad... I''mpletely outpaced." Chen Lun knelt on the ground, his back throbbing with searing pain as blood surged out, soaking through his shirt. His back turned to the Pompeys, the grisly wound was a sight that quickened their heartbeats. On seeing it, the three of them couldn''t help but feel their hearts race. Viscount Pompey had not expected that it wasn''t just his closest foster son Vigrey who was a Transcendent with mysterious powers but also Reba''s home tutor, Mr. Jack. However, Mr. Jack seemed to be at a disadvantage at the moment. Viscount Pompey wanted to speak, but felt helpless to intervene. Viscount Pompey closed his eyes, simply hoping Mr. Jack wouldn''t lose his life over this. Mrs. Pompey and Reba''s eyes showed their anxiousness, especially Reba; she desperately wished Mr. Jack would quickly knock that ingrate Vigrey to the ground.N?v(el)B\\jnn Mr. Jack, please be safe! You can do it Mr. Jack!! Dolly and Crow, big and small, turned to look at the ck-haired youth kneeling on the ground. "There''s no point in struggling, Jack," Dolly said in a deep voice. As he spoke, Crow had already shed through the air like a phantom, appearing in front of Chen Lun. A knife stroke to the head! With the "unlock" feature embedded in this stroke, Crow''s deep blue eyes shed with cruelty, as if he''d already seen the dagger act as a key, slicing through Chen Lun''s shell-like defenses and cutting him in two! Danger! "Panel." Chen Lun thought coolly. With a flick of his finger, he allocated all 17 remaining points to Agility. [Current Attributes: Agility 38!] ``` Chapter 79 The Killing Blow Whoosh¡ª!! The dagger flew like lightning, cutting Chen Lun in half! But the crow''s smiling eyes faltered, because he felt he hadn''t cut through anything solid, just shed through the air. "Be careful!" Dolly warned, rushing in right after. Chen Lun''s speed had nearly doubled, dodging the crow''s attack and already reaching his back. Hands braced against the ground, he kicked at the crow''s lower back. Scorpion Tail Needle! Thud!! The crow screamed in agony, his body flying forward like a cannonball. Midair, he coughed out ck, contaminated blood, soaking his mask. With a fierce look in his eyes, just before crashing into the wall, his hands burst into a bright pattern. The anticipated loud crash did not ur. Instead, the crow passed through the wall like a ghost, vanishing from sight. Whoosh!! The next instant, he traversed space, appearing from beneath Chen Lun''s feet. The dagger aimed to sever Chen Lun''s entire leg! ¡ªBut this strike also missed. "His speed has increased!" The crow burst from the ground, his throat erupting with frustrated words. Chen Lun''s figure drew a ck Z in the room, bursting through the door with a bang and rushing out. "He''s trying to escape!" The crow shouted coldly. Immediately, he flung his ck robe, his body flying out like a dark bird, with the hem fluttering behind him as he pursued. "Watch out for tricks!" Dolly warned in a deep voice, following him out. The crow, just having charged out of the room, caught a glimpse of Chen Lun''s figure sh past the stairwell below. He pursued with a determined face,pletely overlooking a clear thread on the ground. Twang¡ª! The thread was tripped by his boot, pulling loose the cap it was connected to. Extreme danger surged in the crow''s heart. ncing over, he noticed two ck ink bottles at the corner of the stairwell entrance. He wished to use "Locksmith" to escape through the floor beneath his feet, but suddenly, a whistle sounded. Swoosh! His mind grew hazy, stunned for a moment. The next moment, the ink bottles erupted in blinding light. "No..." Boom!! A deafening explosion rang out, with light and smoke diffusing far and wide. Countless tiny metal shrapnel tore through the air and smoke, piercing the crow''s body and shredding everything in close proximity. "Fuck!" Pris, who had been watching the scene while hiding, couldn''t help but curse. Behind him, Su Keying rolled her eyes, then quickly her expression turned to one of excitement. The camera was still rolling, capturing all thebat action! Bricks and rubble scattered by the shockwave, Dolly who had been about to step out of the room, was forced to retreat back inside. With a dark expression, he dusted off his clothes and gritted his teeth: "How can there be such a stupid person?!" [You have killed a member of the "Circus" organization, Crow¡ªLocksmith of Sequence Eight (Conspiracy Faction), and gained 3,000 Experience Points!] Standing at the stairwell, Chen Lun''s mouth curled slightly. The shell ne on his chest dimmed after a brief glow. The bomb that Connie meticulously crafted was truly useful¡­ After absorbing the mechanical knowledge contained in the prototype drawings of Mad Hand, she created the weapons as per Chen Lun''s request. They were powerful, quick to activate and camouged. Chen Lun named these special bombs "Red Ink," symbolizing using the enemy''s blood as the ink to write their dismal endings. But due to theplex production process, they could only be handcrafted by Connie for now, and the only two avable were used here. Additionally, they were expensive to make¡ªone bottle of "Red Ink" cost five Gold Pounds, which made Chen Lun somewhat reluctant to use them. "Looks like the crow has turned into ''spicy bird dings,'' scattered all around, unlikely to be separated out into Mysterious Objects¡­" Chen Lun surveyed the surrounding smoke and privatelymented. "Jack!!" The smoke was dispelled, and a disproportionately muscr little giant leaped down the stairwell. Dolly''s face, bulging with veins and eyes bloodshot, was fixated on Chen Lun. He mmed his fist down, the back of it covered in haphazard teeth like a meaty meteor hammer. Boom!! Dolly''s hammer strike, like a small explosive, created a crater in the ground. Chen Lun''s Agility was already above his, and being outside with more space to maneuver made avoiding his attacks all the easier. Chen Lun moved aside, revealing dark golden scales covering his exposed skin. He looked at Dolly with a pair of emerald vertical pupils. "If you have any aces up your sleeve, you''d better use them now¡­ or you will die." He said coolly. Dolly sneered back, offering no response. With a stomp, his massive body bore down across the space. The dark-haired young man pulled out a small hand crossbow and aimed it at him, pulling the trigger. Thunk! A red sh cut through the air, incredibly fast. Dolly''s heart skipped a beat, barely having time to raise his hand to protect his head. A red crossbow arrow pierced his sturdy arm. "Ugh!!" The intense pain, along with a surging hunger, tormented Dolly. The crossbow arrow dissipated with the wind, vanishing without a trace, but the flesh at the wound was as if gnawed away by an invisible maw, its whereabouts unknown. The hideous wound was a ghastly sight to behold. "To handle a beefy bull like this, I still have to rely on it..." Thinking so, Chen Lun raised his hand and loosed two more arrows. The Tongue of Gluttony spat out, the bowstring trembled! Swish swish! Dolly''s body wasrge and an easy target. Two crossbow arrows, one on the left and one on the right, plunged into his thighs. Boom! The flesh on Dolly''s thighs was devoured by an invisible mouth. Without the support of his muscles, his massive body knelt on the spot. He gritted his teeth against the pain and hunger, realizing that if this continued, he was in danger of dying. "You''re forcing my hand! Jack!" Dolly said through clenched teeth. He flipped his hand, and a scroll flew from his body. Whoosh¡ª! The scroll unfurled to reveal a tightly closedrge eye in the center, surrounded by spiraling oil paints. If one looked closely, they could see that the eyshes of this eye were all curved fingers, attached around the eye, gently twisting. Utterly eerie! The eyelid of therge eye lifted slightly, revealing a small part of the pupil underneath. The red, yellow, and blue oil paints were distinct and profound, as if hiding some dreadful power. After a nce, Chen Lun felt a chill down his spine, a strong sense of crisis washing over him. "I can''t let it open!" He put away the hand crossbow and switched to the blunderbuss. He charged forward, raising the gun and firing at the scroll in mid-air! Bang! A barrage of steel pellets struck the scroll, causing it to shudder violently, but it wasn''t truly damaged. Pupil in Painting continued lifting its eyelid slowly. Seeing this, Chen Lun immediately switched to his great weapon, the Connie No. 1 mechanical glove. He fine-tuned his fingers, power at full st! Bang!! A half-meter diameter fireball shot out, mming into the scroll. The high temperature, apanied by rolling ck smoke, engulfed the scroll. The mes turned the scroll to ashes, only the pattern of the eye in the middle was still struggling to hold on. The eyelid trembled slightly, seeming to be affected. Effective! Chen Lun was inwardly ted. "Ahh¡ªDie!!" With all the strength in his good arm, Dolly pushed forcefully, propelling his entire body towards Chen Lun by the reaction. The scroll gifted by Jazz Painter was hisst card, he couldn''t let it be interrupted! Just a little more time, and once Pupil in Painting was fully opened, the tide of battle would be definitively turned. Bang!! Upon their fists colliding, Chen Lun felt his entire arm go numb, the massive force seemed almost enough to shatter him. Fresh blood spilled from the corners of Chen Lun''s mouth, he persisted with gritted teeth, his mechanical glove gripping tightly onto Dolly''s fist. Next moment, it burst into me, spewing forth from his palm. Dolly tried to get away, but Chen Lun held fast, the fire clinging to Dolly, causing his upper body to be continuously scorched. "Ah ah ah!!" Dolly turned into a man of fire, struggling and wailing. Chen Lun nced at the scroll in mid-air; the eye was already half-open, with tears of blood putting out the mes on the scroll. Not good! Chen Lun knew time was of the essence; he must quickly eliminate Dolly, who was in his way, and then stop that eye! Both handsshed out like two great snakes, biting into the sides of Dolly''s waist. Snake''s Kiss! Supernatural toxin injected, rendering Dolly even weaker. Chen Lun immediately transformed his fingers to fists. Rhinoceros Impact! Bear Strike! Then, elbows, palms, knees, and kicks followed in rapid session!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om A series of moves too fast for the naked eye to see struck Dolly, emitting a series of muffled thuds. Dolly stood rigid, staggered on the spot like a drunk man. Chen Lun''s eyes hardened. "Die!!" His fingers came together, staining ck. Swoosh¡ª!! Stork Peck! His entire hand plunged into Dolly''s left chest, hot blood flowing down his arm. Then¡ª Scorpion Tail Needle! Chen Lun''s fingertips pierced the heart, injecting supernatural toxin again. The finishing blow! Chapter 80 Conclusion Dolly tensed up and copsed with a boom. His huge body shrank, bing loose and ck, his muscles and bones all destroyed by dense strikes. His bulging veins darkened, the supernatural toxin had spread throughout his body, death was certain. A few secondster. [Killing Oil Paint Baron''s Assistant Vigrey (Dolly) [Sequence Eight - Gourmet] (Flesh Faction), gained 3500 experience points!] A prompt popped up, but before Chen Lun could catch his breath, the Pupil in Painting had almost fully opened. Boom!! He only had time to throw out onest fireball. Through the heat-distorted air, from inside the me, he could see that the eye was fully open. The pupil''s primary colors spun, and Chen Lun felt as if his heart had been struck hard. Thump!! Chen Lun staggered backward two steps, blood spilling from his mouth and nose. [You have suffered a [Bewitch Heart] mental shock, Sanity -2, Life Points -100!] The Pupil in Painting gurgled as it rotated its pupil, and after giving him a nce, it seemed tock the strength to continue the attack. Immediately, the "eyshes" ¡ª countless fingers stretched out from the damaged, charred painting, dragging Dolly''s body into the scroll. Then, the scroll burned to ash in the mes, disintegrating with the wind. [Puppet master Baron Barnie and Vigrey (Dolly) are dead,pleted Grade C mission: Clouds Gathering!] [Received mission rewards: 1500 experience points, 2 Gold Pounds, Pompey''s affection, and [Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mystic Book] *1] "Whew..." Chen Lun stood in ce, letting out a breath of relief. Continuous high-intensitybat had drained a lot of his Physical Strength, and his injuries were not light, his life points were nearly depleted. Thatst look from the Pupil in Painting almost killed him instantly! "That''s [Constetion Faction] [Sequence Seven - Heart Thief]''s ability... a Mid Sequence Transcendent!" His heart sank. Now that Dolly had been killed by him, but he didn''t get the anticipated Mysterious Substance from the [High Sequence Flesh Faction], because his body was dragged away by the Pupil in Painting... The Oil Paint Baron behind Dolly is most likely a Mid Sequence Transcendent, and that Mysterious Substance from the [High Sequence Flesh Faction] is very likely to be in his hands. Otherwise, it doesn''t make sense how Dolly in his former life came to possess this mysterious substance. "Oil Paint Baron..." Through his encounters over this period, those oil paintings imbued with supernormal powers, they must havee from this Oil Paint Baron. "An unknown path of a Mid Sequence Transcendent, huh..." Chen Lun immediately felt an immense pressure. Being a level higher was manageable, but a whole tier higher was a bit far-fetched. To advance from [Sequence Eight] to [Sequence Seven] meant entering the level of Mid Sequence Transcendents, and a qualitative change in overall strength urred. Many weaknesses ordinary mortals had were no longer weaknesses, and they were also difficult to kill by ordinary means. And from the current clues, the abilities the Oil Paint Baron had revealed included [Moon Faction] [Sequence Nine - Medium] and [Constetion Faction] [Sequence Seven - Heart Thief], it''s unknown if he still has any other abilities hidden, nor what specific Sequence path he possesses. "Better wrap up the current situation first..." Chen Lun sighed internally. He walked toward the stairs, intending to go to the studio to rescue Pompey''s family. Suddenly, he stopped, spotting a sh of light where Dolly''s body had been. ''Huh?'' He quickly went to the spot of the light, bent down, and picked up a small pendant with a ck skull. [Token - Society Pendant] Item Description: It appears to be a token of a secret society, presenting it can prove one''s membership and sessfully participate in society activities. The pendant''s designer seems to have a fondness for the deceased, hence they used it as a symbol. "Hmm... some trinket, don''t know what bird use it''s good for yet." Chen Lun casually put it in his pocket and turned to go upstairs. Just then, a burst of footsteps came, followed by a man''s loud shout: "Pris! Our mission has failed! You this bloody...eh?!" The Horseman three yers seemed as if a stasis spell had been cast on them, freezing in ce. They saw Pris and Su Keying hiding in the corner, turning their heads to look at the three of them with strange expressions on their faces. They also saw a dozen members of the Iron Fist Gang gathered around, staring at them in admiration. One of the guys even gave them a thumbs up, seemingly in praise. Lastly, they saw a ck-haired young man leaning against the railing on the stairway, looking down at them expressionlessly. The area was a mess, like a parking lot that had been hit by a tornado. Doghead Gold secretly cast "Scout" and, shivering all over, hesitantly sent the information to his twopanions. The other two, upon seeing it, shuddered as well. "¡ªI knew this task wasn''t going to be that simple." Bang Bang Bang! Three gunshots rang out, and the three Horsemen once again transformed into white light and disappeared. The Iron Fist Gang''s members didn''t seem surprised by this scene. [Kill yers Horseman, Doghead Gold, and Forget No Taboo! Earn 300 Experience Points and 1 Attribute Point!] Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. So the rewards for killing yers were this generous?! His gaze shifted to Pris and Su Keying, and both of them, startled, quickly receded back like groundhogs, vanishing by the wall. "Forget it... I''ll try again during the public test when there are more people." Chen Lun muttered to himself and put away his flintlock gun. He continued upstairs. Pris and Su Keying were panting heavily, having just about believed they were about to be casually killed by Mr. Jack. That indifferent look, the ease of his actions, was exactly the style of a ssic major viin. "Taskpleted! Did you get the prompt?" Su Keying asked. "Got it... We''re one step closer to that hidden pathway to Supernatural Knowledge!" Pris took a deep breath.N?v(el)B\\jnn Su Keying, reviewing the video yback, picked a few exciting clips to show Pris. "Hey, don''t you think Jack is quite handsome?" She elbowed Pris, giggling twice. "??" Pris looked at her with a strange gaze, as if viewing an obsessed fan. "Yeah, he''s alright." He said casually. Su Keying rolled her eyes and closed the panel, disappointed. "You don''t know anything... Wait till I edit the video; when I post it, this NPC is definitely going to attract a lot of female fans!" "Just don''t reveal any secrets about him." "I know! Annoying!" Chen Lun reached the second floor; the stairwell entrance had been sted open by "red ink", with fragments of the protective walls exposing bricks and steel reinforcement inside. "As expected, it was blown to pieces..." Chen Lun found remains of a crow among the debris scattered on the floor. Three pieces of [Low Sequence Conspiracy Faction Mysterious Substance]. Although it was regrettable that he couldn''t obtain aplete [Mysterious Object], these spoils were not bad. He stored the mysterious substances in his panel and entered the studio. "Mr. Jack!" Reba looked at the door with a surprised face, and then her look turned to one of urgency. "Please, save my father and mother!" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 81 The Viscounts Collection "What''s wrong, Reba?" Chen Lun approached. "No matter how much I call them, they won''t wake up, sob sob..." Reba sobbed, kneeling on the ground. Chen Lun found that the Pompey family had already broken free from control, but at the moment, the Pompey coupley on the ground, motionless. He went up to check and found that their wounds were very deep, seeming to have reached the arteries, and due to excessive blood loss, had fallen into aa. Their faces were now pale, their breathing faint, looking as if they were at death''s door. Reba knelt beside her parents, appearing very helpless. "Don''t worry, Reba, Viscount Pompey and thedy will be alright..." Chen Lunforted her. Fortunately, the wound on Reba''s palm wasn''t deep, and she was not in any serious trouble now. She nodded, seemingly trusting Chen Lun a lot. After reflecting for a moment, Chen Lun immediately took out two portions of the "Low Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance" from the panel, and stuffed the two blood-red "meatballs" into the mouths of the Viscount couple. The Mysterious Substance of the Flesh Faction contained an exceptionally strong Life Force, distinct from the "nectar" of the Red Apple Church. This Mysterious Substance was much purer and more advanced; the two were not even in the same league. It had no side effects and could even prolong life. Healing the blood loss symptoms of two ordinary people, it was more than enough. However, using it so bluntly was a bit wasteful, like using rocket fuel to cook rice over a fire. But Chen Lun had no better option at the moment. He could only use it for the emergency; saving lives was crucial. After swallowing the Mysterious Substance, the Pompeys'' faces quickly regained color, and their weakened state visibly improved at a noticeable rate. The wounds on their bodies began to heal, and even the severed finger of Mrs. Pompey miraculously grew back. Seeing this scene, Reba was overjoyed, her gaze towards Chen Lun even more intimate and worshipful. "[Reba''s Affection has increased! It is currently Reverent!]" Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. He hadn''t expected that Reba''s affection for him had already grown so high. Affection levels, from low to high, are mortal enemies, hatred, hostility, disgust, indifference, neutral, friendly, close, respected, reverent, and worship. Generally speaking, the initial affection level is indifferent. In less than a month, he had already raised Reba''s affection to reverence. If "Era of Mystery" was a dating sim, he would probably be at the final stage of getting what you want. As Viscount Pompey and his wife slowly came to, they were first confused and then gradually calmed down.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om When they realized they were in a safe state and their injuries were healed, they began to inquire. Reba excitedly told her parents how Chen Lun had fought valiantly to defeat the viins and used miraculous methods to bring them back to life. "I can''t thank you enough, Mr. Jack, you''ve saved our family once again." Viscount Pompey stood up and gave Chen Lun a heartfelt salute. "[Viscount Pompey''s Affection has increased! It is currently Respected!]" Next to him, Mrs. Pompey also showed her gratitude and curtsied to him. The notification of the increase in affection came once more, like the Viscount, reaching respected. Chen Lun raised his hand to stop the Viscount from continuing his thanks. "Your Excellency the Viscount, we should leave this ce first." "You''re right." Viscount Pompey nodded, taking his wife and daughter, and followed Chen Lun out of the studio. ... Back at Pompey Manor. The Viscount''s family was still shaken, feeling as if the day''s events had been a nightmare. Viscount Pompey graciously hosted Chen Lun for a meal, with many words of thanks. The Viscount became slightly intoxicated after several bouts of toasting. He began to sigh and express regret at hisck of judgment, not only failing to discern the insidiousness of his old friend Barnie but also not suspecting his adopted son Vigrey of harboring intentions to harm them. When it came to the Mystic Realm, he suddenly fell silent. After the dinner. The Viscount soothed his wife and daughter, then asked Chen Lun to stay behind. "Mr. Jack, please stay a moment, I have something to show you." Viscount Pompey said earnestly. Chen Lun nodded. He noticed Reba sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed away by Lady Pompey. She turned her head to look at Chen Lun and revealed a grateful smile. Chen Lun took off his top hat and ced a hand over his chest in response. Immediately after, Viscount Pompey led Chen Lun up the wooden staircase of the vi, heading upward. "I really can''t thank you enough, Mr. Jack..." Binose followed beside Chen Lun, whispering. "It was nothing, Butler Binose." Chen Lun waved his hand dismissively. But respect was even more evident on Binose''s face. "You truly are a noble person." [Binose''s affection for you has increased! It is currently at adoration!] Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. Does this mean I''ve gained full ess to Pompey Manor? Viscount Pompey took Chen Lun to the art gallery, then lightly twisted the sword''s scabbard on a suit of knight''s armor to the left. Click click... Chen Lun watched in surprise as the wall beside it slowly moved, revealing a small side door. "Forgive the crudeness, Mr. Jack, but what lies beyond here is my true collection..." Viscount Pompey said. He extended a hand, gesturing for Chen Lun to go inside. When Chen Lun entered the hidden door, he found the space inside wasn''trge, but every item on the shelves was exquisitely beautiful and supreme. Jewelry, gems, and even weapons of all varieties wereid out in abundance. They shone brilliantly under the dim light. "No wonder the small animals I dispatched found nothing here..." Chen Lun suddenly noticed a deer head mounted on the wall; its eyes turned to meet Chen Lun''s gaze for a moment. [Grade C Mysterious Object - Wall-mounted Deer Head] Item Description: A mystical specimen containing powers of nature, outwardly a deer head, identical to its appearance in life. It is suspected to be a remnant of a supernatural creature that, even in death, was protecting someone it wished to protect. Item Effect: Provides detection and protection, able to iste malicious gazes and hide objects desired to be protected. When an intruder is detected, it will emit a warning and release a deadly poison gas to kill the enemy. Item Cost: Ensure the continuation of the Pompey bloodline, otherwise suffer a curse. Chen Lun shifted his gaze away slowly. It seems the Pompey family is not as simple as it appears. He mused silently. "Mr. Jack, please feel free to choose any item from my collection," Viscount Pompey said. Chen Lun nced at the viscount, realizing that he must understand the supernatural objects here were of great use to him. Only such priceless mystical items could be worthy of his enormous gratitude. Perhaps this was an opportunity that only presented itself after a certain level of affection was reached. Chen Lun passed by row upon row of exhibits, seemingly indifferent to the treasures worth a fortune. His attention was suddenly captivated by a drop-shaped sapphire earring. Stepping forward, he gently picked it up and received a prompt: [Grade C Mysterious Object - Maggie''s Tear] Item Description: An earring containing natural powers, shaped like a drop of sapphire. It seems to be the crystallized tear of a supernatural creature. "If I see you, years since we''ve met, so near yet so far, both real and surreal. How should I greet you then? Only with tears, only with silence..." ¡ª Maggie Item Effect: Can block most mental attacks, mystical contamination, and divination probes, and can enhance sanity recovery speed. Increases charm by +5 when worn. Item Cost: After triggering protection, emotions be hypersensitive for twelve hours. Chapter 82 The Past "Maggie...?" Chen Lun silently muttered the name. He had some recollection of it; it seemed to appear in "Philip''s Diary", likely the person Philip loved. But what he hadn''t expected was that Maggie could be a "Supernatural Creature"? Upon further reflection, he realized that this was just Philip''s taste and he came to terms with it. He picked up the Sapphire Earrings and signaled to Viscount Pompey. Thetter bowed slightly, touching his chest in agreement. Then, Chen Lun looked around the collection room again, scanning each item. His mood gradually turned joyful and expectant. "Perhaps Viscount Pompey actually obtained "Philip''s Legacy"? Otherwise, how could an ordinary person possess so many objects from the Mystic Realm..." He thought to himself. Looking up, on the top of a cab, a rolled up whip rested quietly. Chen Lun tiptoed to take it down, noting a sh of nostalgia on Viscount Pompey''s face. "??" Chen Lun forcibly controlled himself not to think too much, focusing on the whip in his hands. "Supernatural Item - Philip''s Whip" Item Description: A painstakingly customized whip for a Transcendent, used tosh and motivate oneself to keep advancing on the supernatural path. Of course, it was asionally used for entertainment. Hey! Buddy, you are really lucky! With this, guaranteed your path to bing stronger won''t be dull... Don''t thank me too much, I am just a pioneer exploring the way forward for you. Item Effect: Enhances a designated "Sequence Nine - Beast Tamer" skill, limited to one. "..." Chen Lun remained silent. He sneakily nced at Viscount Pompey and noticed the nostalgia had turned into embarrassment, which soon turned into encouragement. What exactly do you mean by that expression, Your Viscountship?! Chen Lun couldn''t help but silentlyin. "I am just doing this to be stronger, just to be stronger, stronger..." He silently reminded himself, pretending nothing had happened as he epted the whip. After checking the collection room onest time, Chen Lun found the final item that could be of help to him. "D-grade Mysterious Object - When the Grape Matures" Item Description: A token of engagement received by a Transcendent, seemingly transformed from a casually picked supernatural fruit, appearing as a ring set with a sapphire. It contained longing. "We will meet again, won''t we? Maggie... Still on that prairie, by thatke, under that grapevine." ¡ª Philip Item Effect: Dimensional storage space of 5 cubic meters. Item Cost: Express love to it periodically. "Finally, a storage-type mysterious object..." Chen Lun secretly rejoiced. Days without a "backpack" were tough; the things he could carry were limited and inconvenient. Now with this "little backpack", he could finally carry the "stock" from the attic and some supernatural items with him, safe and convenient. "Your Viscountship, just these three items," Chen Lun, holding the three selected items, returned to the entrance. It''s not that he did not want the other treasures, but he knew when to stop. He had already secured the most valuable items avable, and the rest, though precious, were just ordinary items. No need to overly wear out his wee in exchange for goods. As for the deer head on the wall, it was of no use to Chen Lun, and he also did not want to bear the cost. It could stay here to guard the Pompey family. "Mr. Jack, won''t you take a bit more? If you''re not satisfied, I can take you to an auction to choose some more..." Viscount Pompey asked. Chen Lun smiled and waved his hand. "This is sufficient, Your Viscountship. I am very fond of these three items, thank you for your generosity," "If Mr. Jack is pleased, that''s wonderful," Viscount Pompey ordered Binose to close the secret door, his face showing admiration. Mr. Jack really is noble in character, not greedy or arrogant, knows when enough is enough, and understands restraint. Moreover, he is a Transcendent from the Mystic Realm, worthy of deep association. It was clear that Reba was fond of him, if only... "Forget it, this is not for me to consider." Viscount Pompey reminded himself silently. As he was descending the stairs, Chen Lun suddenly realized that the task "Philip''s Legacy" had not beenpleted. "Eh¡­ Has it not all been taken yet? That shouldn''t be the case, I checked everything in the collection room." He was somewhat puzzled. After a moment of thought, Chen Lun tentatively asked Viscount Pompey: "Your Excellency Viscount, may I ask if you know a person named ''Philip''?" Viscount Pompey suddenly stopped in his tracks. A look of surprise appeared on his face, and even Binose by his side looked at Chen Lun in astonishment. "Mr. Jack, you knew Teacher Philip?" Viscount Pompey said. "I have read his works." Chen Lun maintained a look of admiration on his face, but he felt puzzled inside. Teacher Philip...? Hearing Viscount Pompey''s reference to Philip and seeing the butler''s expression, he suddenly realized something. It appeared that Philip had a deep rtionship with the Pompey family. Back in the living room on the ground floor. Binose personally made tea for both of them, and Viscount Pompey, holding his tea cup, slowly began rying the past. It turns out that Philip had once served as the family tutor for Viscount Pompey, and that was more than a decade ago. In his youth, Pompey was uneducated; his father, the previous Viscount, found him a home tutor, who was Philip. Philip was young but learned and was also humorous and witty. The two quickly became friends and he frequently took him to the zoo. "Speaking of which, when Mr. Jack wasst with us, it reminded me of Teacher Philip back in the day¡­"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Viscount Pompey smiled, taking a sip of his tea. "Back then, he would often use a whip to punish me¡­ of course, without the teacher''s discipline, there would be no Pompey of today. I am very grateful to him, as Teacher Philip saved an indolent noble youth." He set down his tea cup, his face full of emotion. "Unfortunately,ter the teacher went on a long journey, and I went to join the military, and we lost contact with each other." Chen Lun listened silently, his fingers twitching slightly. It was as if he had traveled back in time, bing the yer who delves into the plot of the story, which made him feel pleased. "Later, we moved, and although we left contact information at the old address, we have never received news from the teacher¡­" Viscount Pompey said slowly, his tone low. Chen Lun''s heart skipped a beat. Moved?! So this ce was not the real "Pompey Manor"! "No wonder the task ''Philip''s Legacy'' has not shownpletion¡­ because the burial site is not here at all!" Chen Lun thought. He organized his thoughts and naturally asked Viscount Pompey for the old address of the manor. "Oh, it''s in the western part of the Inner City District, near Lona Port¡­ No. 4 Wains Street." Viscount Pompey seemed a bit forgetful, and under the reminder of Binose the butler, he then narrated it clearly. Chen Lun nodded, not continuing on this topic. In his mind, however, he nned to visit this old address to retrieve the "Philip''s Legacy." Just as he was preparing to get up to leave, he suddenly remembered a letter Mrs. Caroline had entrusted to Connie to pass on. "Your Excellency Viscount, this is a letter from Mrs. Caroline of No. 7 Denton Street in the Outer City District, entrusted to me for you¡­" Chen Lun took the letter from his pocket and ced it on the coffee table. And he ryed Mrs. Caroline''s words: "She said, ''She doesn''t me you, Henry will always be your best friend''..." He then bowed and left. At thest moment as he left The Great Gate, he turned back to see Viscount Pompey taking a medal out of the envelope, holding the letter in his hands, tears streaming down his face. Chapter 83 Pigeons Occupy the Magpies Nest (Please follow!) Late at night. After leaving Pompey Manor, Chen Lun headed directly to the old site mentioned by the Viscount. On the west side of the Inner City District, near the ocean, Lona Port stood. The Purple Moon reflected on the sea surface where several huge ships were docked, and vaguely, numerousborers could be seen dragging small boats loaded with cargo. Chen Lun withdrew his gaze and left the terrace at the end of the street. He entered a small alley on the other side and, after numerous turns, arrived at the entrance of a manor. This was Number 4 Wans Street. However, the Great Gate was locked, and the que at the gate had been removed, indicating that no one currently lived there; it was an empty house. Chen Lun looked around and, seeing no one passing by, braced himself against the railing and leaped inside. He did not linger, nor did he enter the vi building, but went directly to the back. ording to "Philip''s Diary," the inheritance was buried in the backyard. "What is this...?" Chen Lun stopped in his tracks. He saw tombstones standing in the backyard, separated by carved stone materials, neatly arranged. "It turns out to be a cemetery." Chen Lun walked on the little stone path, his eyes scanning over the inscriptions on the tombstones. A few belonged to the Pompey Family members, but most were soldiers who had perished in the "Overseas Landing Battle," it seemed all were personally inscribed by Viscount Pompey. "These soldiers¡­ were the Viscount''srades? Or subordinates...?" Chen Lun guessed. Here, he even found the tombstones of Mrs. Caroline''s husband, Henry, and their son, Oliver. "...My benefactor, a dear friend entrusted with my life." This was the epitaph on Henry''s tombstone. "...A beloved child, an excellent son, a brave man." This was the epitaph on Oliver''s tombstone. Below the epitaphs of the two men, both had Viscount Pompey''s name and date inscribed. Fresh flowers were ced in front of the tombstones, not yet wilted. Chen Lun sighed. He continued walking deeper and discovered a stone Spirit Temple, its doors securely sealed. Chen Lun''s eyes narrowed slightly, and his fingers brushed against the crevice of the door; he then used "Serpentine Senses" to flick out his tongue and collect pheromones. "Someone has been here... but it wasn''t Viscount Pompey, nor Mrs. Caroline." Logically, such Spirit Temples are generally the resting ces for those of high status, and even for worship, the doors would not be easily opened. Chen Lun heightened his alertness and pushed open the door to enter. Vertical pupils do not possess night vision capability, but they can detect heat. At this moment, his vision was pitch ck, and he detected norge creatures. With his tongue flickering, he slowly moved to a corner of the Spirit Temple. A suspicious stone b showed signs of having been moved; he extended a finger and easily lifted the heavy stone b, revealing the long staircase below. "There''s actually a hidden passage here..." Chen Lun was surprised. If it weren''t for the pheromone traces indicating that someone had entered this ce, he might have missed this entrance. Chen Lun put on the Sapphire Earrings on his right ear and touched the Grape Ring on his index finger. After checking his gear, he walked down the passage. As he descended, a light appeared ahead,ing from oilmps lit on the walls. "There really is someone!" He became more cautious.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om At the end of the corridor was a Bronze Gate, carved with various animal and nt patterns. Just as he was about to push the door open, the Bronze Gate was opened from the inside. ng! A backlit figure appeared in his line of sight, followed immediately by a hoarse female voice: "Hey! Look what I found? A lucky Tomb Robber!" As soon as she finished speaking, the woman extended arge hand towards him. "Today is your lucky day, sir, because you''re about to move into a free new home right here, in this coffin...haha!" Bang!! Two palms collided. "Huh?" The woman''sughter stopped, and she let out a confused sound, stepping back. "A Transcendent?!" The next second, the woman attacked again, mist emerging from her body, and faint sounds of waves emanating from within. A straight punch, with a spiral of wind forming around the fist, extinguished the oilmps nearby. Smack! Smack-smack!! Chen Lun executed a "Rhinoceros Impact," turning the outer part of his fist to bone, and collided head-on with three punches. But he quickly realized that the impact of each punch was dissolved by the opponent''s whirlwind and water-flow-like movements. The real damage was less than a tenth. "A Transcendent from the ''Deep Sea Faction''..." Chen Lun thought to himself. The next second, he quickened his attack pace, taking control of the rhythm of the fight. "Bear Strike," "Rhinoceros Impact," and "Stork Peck" were used in session, bing more adept. Ping-ping-pang-pang, the sounds echoed in the enclosed underground crypt. The woman grew more and more astonished as they fought, unable to see through the man before her, but she could tell that his strength was not inferior to her own. "Lightning!" She eximed angrily, arcs sparking between her fingers, with blue-white phosphorescence flickering faintly in the mist. But in a blink, she lost sight of the man. "Where?!" "Behind you!" A calm male voice made her hair stand on end. Thud!! Chen Lun struck with a back elbow, the powerful impact hitting the woman directly in the back of the heart. She grunted, tumbling forward. The arc in her palm extinguished, the mist around her dissipating, she got up awkwardly and turned her head to look at Chen Lun. "Who exactly are you?!" The woman asked sternly. Chen Lun nced at the ornament on the woman''s chest, and realization dawned on him. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and casually draped it over his face, revealing only a pair of emerald vertical pupils. The handkerchief was a gift from Reba, but he had never used it before. Now, it was just right for the asion. "One of us." Chen Lun feigned a hoarse, deep voice. He then took out the ck skull token he had obtained from Dolly, holding it between his fingers and gave it a shake. "..." In the dark, the woman wore an expression of speechlessness. Your voice is clearly different from before, and this disguise is too amateurish. And that piece of cloth covering your face, how perfunctory it looks, is this supposed to be child''s y?! However, she didn''t want to fuss over these details; ording to the rules of the secret society organiser, ck Skull, possession of the token granted one the right to attend the meeting. "Come inside, fortunate... gentleman." The woman had no more to say, taking the lead into the inner parts of the crypt. Chen Lun followed closely behind. As his sight shifted from darkness to light, he saw the scene inside clearly. A crude incandescent bulb hung from the low ceiling, barely illuminating the space. Under the dim light was a wooden round table, with six people currently seated. They all watched Chen Lun with expressions ranging from indifference to curiosity, calm to inscrutable. "He has the society''s token, so I let him in," came the coarse feminine voice beside Chen Lun. He nced slightly to the side, finally seeing the person he had fought ¡ª a woman with pale yellow crew-cut hair, also masked, but with two scar lines over her eyelids, deep-set eyes, and a sharp gaze. "No problem, since he has the token, he''s qualified to join the meeting." A burly figure at the head of the round table spoke. He wore a ck skull mask that only revealed his eyes, which looked calm. "I am the society''s host. You may call me ck Skull; and how should I address you?" Chen Lun surveyed the seven people briefly, then lowered his gaze and in a raspy, deep voice, he said: "Spade." Chapter 84 Mysterious Society (Please follow!) "Mr. Spade, um... please take a seat." ck Skull hummed thoughtfully and then raised his hand to indicate that Chen Lun could sit down on one of the empty chairs. Chen Lun nodded, casually picked a chair, pulled it out, and sat down. "Since we have a neer, why don''t we all introduce ourselves first?" ck Skull leaned back slightly, resting against the back of his chair. The first to echo him was the rough woman who hadpeted with Chen Lun. "You can call me ''Fin.'' If there''s any ''towing'' business, you can find me." The so-called "towing" is ng, simr in nature to pimping, but more straightforward. This involved directly kidnapping women and delivering them to clients, or kidnapping clients and forcing them to spend money. Chen Lun could smell a hint of the sea and a fishy scent on her, indicating that this woman probably lived around Lona Port, and might even work at the port on a regr basis. "Is she [Sequence Eight-Navigator]...?" He silently guessed in his heart. The other five individuals then introduced themselves one after another. A short-haired woman wearing a white mask called herself "Spirit Cat," and Chen Lun could not feel any supernatural fluctuations from her. The middle-aged man beside her, wearing a skeleton mask inscribed with ancient text, had a robust voice and calm demeanor, and called himself "Miser." An elderly-looking man with a hunched back wore a gray hat that covered his face, showing only a few strands of gray beard, and he called himself "Knowledge." The other two especially caught Chen Lun''s attention. A slovenly, bearded man, wearing no disguise, with an indifferent gaze and dressed in a linen robe typical of the lower ss, stared straightforwardly as he simply stated two words: "Iron Hammer." Thest one was dressed in a ck suit with a white shirt underneath, but oddly had a silver pot upside down on his head... it was unclear how he managed to see clearly. He reluctantly spread his hands, and from the silver pot, a muffled male voice emerged: "You can call me ''Gentleman,'' neer." Chen Lun nodded in acknowledgment but did not respond. He was inwardly cautious. The mysterious society hidden in the old site of Pompey Manor had gathered seven individuals from the mystic realm, six of whom, excluding "Spirit Cat," were Transcendents. And their Sequences were not low. At least, Chen Lun had not sensed the presence of any Sequence Nine. "I wonder if ''Philip''s Legacy'' has been taken by them..." Chen Lun felt a headacheing on. "It seems that our ''Big Eater'' Mr. might mostly have been killed by Mr. ''Spade''... Tsk, when did Amber City have such a strong figure." Gentleman chuckled softly. Spirit Cat nced at him and countered: "It''s also possible that he picked up the token." "Hehe..." Gentleman shook his head, and the silver pot on his neck swayed slightly. Miser spoke up from the side: "That doesn''t exin how he found this ce." "Could it be that ''Shelter'' captured ''Big Eater'' and exposed our meeting ce?" Knowledge spected. Upon hearing the word "Shelter," everyone fell silent and a chill fell over them. "There''s no need to be nervous, everyone..." ck Skull spoke softly. "Just a ''Shelter'' alone can''t harm us, perhaps Mr. Spade''s information was given by Big Eater... Let''s not specte any further, it''s pointless." He tapped the table and continued: "Let''s start today''s proceedings, beginning with the trading segment." Chen Lun looked at ck Skull with surprise, wondering why he was giving him an alibi. As the initiator of the secret society, ck Skull seemed tomand considerable authority, and upon hearing his words, everyone stopped dwelling on how Chen Lun found the ce. "Two portions of [Low Sequence Moon Faction Mystic Substance] in exchange for supernatural items, who wants it?" Fin took out two crumpled bits of paper, brutally unfolded them to reveal two ck, glossy balls tinged with purple. The group fell silent for a moment until Gentleman finally spoke up: "Have you been hunting Moon Church monks again? Be careful, you might get caught one day..." "Mind your own business, Urinal Head." Fin scoffed. Gentleman shrugged his shoulders and said no more. "I''ll take them," Iron Hammer said tly. "What will you exchange for them? Let me rify, I don''t need Mystic Substance." "How about this?" Iron Hammer took out a strangely shaped "umbre," whose hooked end actually served as a stock and handle, equipped with a trigger, resembling more a two-handed flintlock gun. "A man-made [ss D Mysterious Object]? How does it activate? What''s the cost?" Fin was intrigued and promptly inquired. "Open the umbre, pull the trigger, and it fires supernatural incendiary bombs... drawing body moisture as ammunition." Iron Hammer was sparing with words, exining briefly. "Good! It''s a deal!" Fin pushed the two ck purple pills forward and reached out for the umbre flintlock gun. But unexpectedly, Iron Hammer pressed down on the barrel of the gun. "What do you mean?" Fin furrowed her brow. "Not enough." Iron Hammer said, then quickly added: "Add another 50 Gold Pounds." Fin fell silent for a moment, nodded, and grudgingly took out another portion of the "Low Sequence Moon Faction Mysterious Substance." "The market price of ''Low Sequence Moon Faction Mysterious Substance'' is around 50 Gold Pounds, which is reasonable." ck Skull reminded from the side. Iron Hammer didn''t respond verbally, just nodded slightly, epted three ck Purple Pills, and handed the umbre gun to Fin. Following that, there were two more transactions, mostly barter, seldom involving currency. At this stage of their transcendent journey, they rarelycked money. Rather, their aim was to grow stronger in the Mystic Realm and progress further along their Sequence path. "Mr. Spade, do you have any needs to voice?" ck Skull asked. Chen Lun noticed that everyone was looking at him and knew he had to do something to avoid suspicion. So, he chuckled lightly, took out a portion of the "Low Sequence Conspiracy Faction Mysterious Substance," a small gray ball. "I''m very interested in Sequence paths other than the Seven True Gods. If anyone has Supernatural Knowledge, here is a down payment¡­ we can discuss the specifics in private, and you can set the price." Chen Lun did indeed need ascension knowledge, but he couldn''t be upfront about it. "The hidden Sequences outside of the Seven True Gods¡­ ''Destiny,'' ''Conspiracy,'' and ''Nature,'' these three Sequences are very rare; I don''t have them." ck Skull shook his head. After whispering among themselves briefly, everyone else also fell silent. "Alright then, if anyone has relevant information, you can also sell it to me. I will pay with a low sequence Mysterious Substance." Chen Lun feigned regret and said in a somber voice. "Well, if no one else has transactions to make, then let''s begin open discussion." ck Skull chaired the meeting. The atmosphere of the society was slightly rxed and more at ease. "I''ve heard that the recent turmoil in the council is intense. After the assassination of Mr. Daniel, Mr. Lawson is flourishing, as if he''s found a powerful backer¡­" The Gentleman joked. "From what I know, it''s a Mid Sequence transcendent, very powerful...and he possesses a ss A Mysterious Object." The miser supplemented. The others were all stunned. "Are you sure it''s a ''ss A Mysterious Object''?!" Fin said in surprise. Such a level of Mysterious Object, she had not only never seen, but had not even heard of, which was incredibly rare. "That''s not his property." The miser said indifferently. The others quietly spected whether this powerful backer of Mr. Lawson had stolen something from a church or robbed some association''s foundation. After discussing this topic further, Spirit Cat spoke: "¡­Count Bradley is truly a fool. His wife has long had a lover, and he has been kept in the dark." "Perhaps he is not unaware, but pretends to be." The Schr coughed twice, chuckling he-he. "If the Countess''s new lover is a powerful transcendent, then Count Bradley would probably not dare to utter a word¡­ That''s reality." Others nodded in agreement. Between ordinary people and the Mystic Realm, there really is a deep chasm. No matter how distinguished your identity or how vast your wealth, before a powerful transcendent, you are just a fragile life that can be extinguished in a snap. Even if there is a warrant from a Shelter, one could easily flee to another district. Unless criminal charges are enormous, the Empire would not dispatch excessive forces to pursue. Chen Lun remained silent, reducing his presence while quietly gathering intelligence. Half an hourter. ck Skull stood up to end the meeting. "Old rules, everyone leave one by one in order. The next meeting is three days from now, if there''s any unexpected event, a code will be published in the newspaper to reschedule." Then, he motioned for Chen Lun to lead the way out, leading him to a side door inside the crypt. Entering the side door, Chen Lun found another dozen branching passages that seemed to lead to different exits. He then realized that the old site of Pompey Manor was just one of the entrances. ck Skull escorted Chen Lun to the exit, then nodded and turned back. Chen Lun noticed that on the cuff of his sleeve hung a bell about the size of a fingertip. He memorized this detail. Exiting, Chen Lun found himself back at the drainage ditch in the Outer City District, a massive outflow of the drainage canal. "Who designed this hideout¡­" Chen Lun marveled inwardly. Hidden and well-connected, it truly was the ideal choice for a Safe House. Suddenly, a name shed through his mind. "Could it be Philip¡­?" The exact words in the diary were, "¡­I''ve hidden all my savings and collected transcendent items over the years in the underground of Viscount Pompey''s backyard. There, I dug a¡ª"N?v(el)B\\jnn Dug a subterranean maze?! Chapter 85 Jack Wellesley Jack Estate. The third floor of the small vi, Chen Lun''s room. Whoosh... Chen Lun sat at the desk, slowly closing a book. [Through careful reading, you have gained 500 Experience Points.] [The Flesh Faction Mystic Book "Art of Butchery" (Progress 100%) has been fully read!] [You have additionally gained 1 Skill Point and 1 Attribute Point.] [You have discoveredplete Supernatural Pathway Knowledge!] [Flesh Faction Sequence Nine¡ªButcher.] "The ''Sequence Nine'' Supernatural Knowledge in my hand has reached five copies... very good." Chen Lun revealed a satisfied expression. Now that he had half of the ten Sequence pathways in hand, even though he couldn''t use the excess ones, it gave him the pleasure of collecting them. After storing the book in the Grape Ring, he was about to take out a whip for study when he discovered that the ring had suddenly "gone on strike," unable to open the dimensional space. The amethyst iid on the ring was dull and lusterless, seeming to have lost its strength. Chen Lun was slightly taken aback, then immediately thought of the cost of using it; it needed an expression of affection from time to time. "Er..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Chen Lun opened his mouth, suddenly feeling somewhat embarrassed. "Perhaps someone with objectophilia wouldn''t have any psychological barriers." Hemented, and immediately said to the ring in his hand: "You are truly beautiful... Just look at thatrge gemstone of yours, sparkling and shining, look at your curved body, smooth and sleek, ah, how I passionately adore you, muah!" After speaking, Chen Lun even smacked a kiss on it. For a long while. "..." The Grape Ring showed no reaction. "Hmm..." Chen Lun pondered. Taking a deep breath, it seemed his way of expressing affection was too greasy. It preferred something lighter and couldn''t take it, so he decided to change to a more subtle approach. He took the ring off and held it in his palm. Scouring his mind for derations of love from literary greats of the past era, he finally settled on Shakespeare. Gazing at the ring, his eyes filled with love, he spoke in a deep voice: "Doubt that the stars are fire, doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt I love. The ring circles the finger, shining brilliantly. Held in hand at this moment, hand to heart. I love you, like a midsummer night''s dream¡ª" In the next second, the Grape Ring burst into a radiant purple glow, seeming to be very pleased. Chen Lun revealed a smile. Outside the door. Floey''s hand, about to knock, paused in mid-air. Connie looked on in surprise, covering her mouth with her little hand. "Is Mr. Jack practicing a confession?" Connie wore a curious expression, her cheeks blushing. "I wonder who the object could be? Viscount Pompey''s daughter, Miss Reba? Or..." Knock knock! Floey''s knock interrupted Connie''s murmuring. "Excuse me." Floey said softly, then pushed the room door open. Connie was dumbfounded by the scene inside the room, while Floey, holding a tray, trembled slightly. They saw Mr. Jack with his perfect back turned, holding a whip in his hand, raised high as if he was about tosh himself. As he turned his head, there was Floey holding a tray with afternoon tea, her face showing surprise, with Connie covering her little mouth, totally incredulous. "If I said I was training, would you believe me?" Chen Lun smiled. "Mr. Jack, you, you...!" Connie stammered her words before turning to flee. Floey regained herposure and ced the te on the table as if nothing had happened. "I made you some afternoon tea, with cookies and milk." Then she turned to leave, and when she reached the door, she said softly, "I am a blind woman; I cannot see." Chen Lun noticed a slight blush on her cheeks. "..." You''re stating the obvious with your eyes covered, aren''t you?! Chen Lun silently ridiculed her remark, then told himself it was okay, considering it a perk for his people. "Cough, could you close the door for me, Floey... I''m going to train." Chen Lun stressed the word "train" very emphatically. Floey replied with a faint voice of a mosquito, then closed the door and left. p! Floey trembled at the sound. Through the door, she heard the sound of whipping and then hurried away. In the room. Chen Lun wore a deadpan expression, mechanically whipping himself. "Philip, oh Philip, how I wish you were still alive... I really want to beat you up." ... Although the whip was somewhat sensational, it greatly assisted Chen Lun. Chen Lun used his enhanced Beast Tamer exclusive skill, choosing Animal Mimicry, which was one of his main skills at the moment. The enhancement effect allowed him to release a greater number of Attributes simultaneously. After half an hour of flogging, Chen Lun noticed that the effects of the whip were diminishing, so he stopped. Then, he tried to use his skills, and even previously ipatible Attributes could be activated at the same time. Compatible serpent Attributes reached simultaneous quadruple activation. "Hoo... The effect is still decent." Chen Lun exhaled a breath of turbid air and wiped off his sweat with a towel. Rustle... His back muscles writhed, and then he shed apleteyer of dead skin. The red marks left by the whip vanished as well, restoring his skin to health and fairness. Molting Chen Lun seldom used this Attribute, as it could heal injuries, but the activation process was too long, making it somewhat redundant in battle. "I hope it gets reinforced after the Sequence promotion; then I''ll have an extra card up my sleeve to save my life." Chen Lun thought hopefully. After finishing off the afternoon tea prepared by Floey, he took a bath and changed into clean clothes. Then he left the house and headed to the western side of the Inner City District, Lona Port. His recent expenses were a bit hefty, so he nned to sell a batch of weapons on the ck market there to gather some funds. The location of the ck market was something he had learned from Binose''s butler. As it turned out, the Inner City District''s ck market was hidden in the port. But thinking about it, that made perfect sense. After all, with the constant flow of goods andplex personnel, even with strict management, it was impossible to prevent the emergence of such an underground market. "Hey, buddy, let''s have a drink after the work is done!" "Sure thing!" "Bread clearance! Everything half off before we close at ten!" "Excuse me, sir, watch out for the carriage..." On the spacious arcing walkway of the dock, people bustled about, and numerous carriages with goods or dignified gentlemen anddies moved slowly along. One side of the walkway was the seaside with boats of various sizes moored, while the other side featured brightly lit shops with dazzling arrays of goods. The noise of the crowd was bustling and lively. Chen Lun walked along the pedestrian path for a distance, then went down some steps on one side, passed through a long, dim alley, and entered a night market. Here, the stalls were neatly arranged in the center, with shops on either side. "This is the ck market, but I need to find the right intermediary..." Chen Lun thought to himself. Suddenly, he caught sight of a familiar face shing through the crowd. "Reba...?" Chapter 86 86 Port Black Market Reba''s leg injury had healed quite a bit. She was very happy today because her good friend Gabrie hade to visit her at the manor. Gabrie''s mother and Lady Pompey were besties, and they often attended the high society salons together. Reba and Gabrie had known each other since they were children and attended the same lessons at the Gillyflower Girls'' Academy. Reba had been missing her friend as well, so after saying goodbye to her parents, she left Pompey Manor with Gabrie to have a look around. "Reba, I haven''t seen you in almost two months!" Gabrie wore a high-necked, poofy traveling dress with a long shawl draped over her ruff cor, and topped with a coquettish cloche hat. Reba''s attire was simr, but her gigot sleeves hadce flounces, and her dress was of a more subtly elegant hue. "Is your leg really better? We won''t have any trouble walking this far, will we?" Gabrie asked with concern. "It''s fine, the doctor has already seen me. As long as I don''t engage in strenuous exercise, I''ll be alright," Reba said. The two walked a fair distance, and without realizing it, they arrived at the docks. Gabrie suddenly whispered secretively, "Reba, do you know about the Mystic Realm?" "Mystic Realm..." Reba suddenly remembered the events of the past few days; her family was kidnapped, left immobile as if turned into statues, and then she witnessed Mr. Jack fighting the enemy. "I heard that there are transcendental powers in this world, like magic tricks... no, they should be called magic! It''s amazing, very powerful!" Gabrie said excitedly. "The incident at the ''Emerald Aviary Zoo'' a while back, that man who caused the riot, was a Transcendent with mystic power!" "He wasn''t the one who caused the riot!" Reba was a bit angry. Mr. Jack saved us all! He''s my knight! He''s not a bad person! Gabrie looked at Reba with a bit of surprise, wondering why she was so agitated. "Okay..." She decided not to continue on the subject and switched to another topic: "Reba, I''ve heard there''s a secret market around here, with hidden shops that sell items only found in the Mystic Realm... Should we try to find it? Maybe we can have magic too!" After hearing this, Reba felt an urge to explore. To be honest, she felt that Mr. Jack was perfect, and she was distancing herself from him. "If I had magic, Mr. Jack would surely be shocked, right?" Reba thought to herself with a snicker. Gabrie gave her a puzzled look, and immediately, Reba controlled her expression and resumed normalcy, then said nonchntly, "Sure, let''s go!" Gabrie smiled, took Reba''s hand, and they began searching the streets. It was either by coincidence or destiny that they found a market hidden among the docks, though they did not realize it was the ck market. Curious, they started to wander around inside. Chen Lun saw the two of them but did not approach to greet them. He noticed that behind Reba, there were several men skulking surreptitiously, peering after them. "Reba! Look!" Gabrie excitedly shook Reba''s hand, pointing to a shop in the corner. The dpidated sign read "Witch''s House," but because the light bulbs were old, the word "witch" was not lit, so from a distance, it was easy to misunderstand. The women exchanged a nce, then immediately entered the shop. A young woman with thick eyeshadow lounge behind the counter, puffing on a pipe. Judging by her demeanor, she was likely the proprietor of the shop. She gracefully removed the pipe from her lips with her long, pale fingers, nced at them indifferently, and said, "Sorry, we''re closed. Please leave." "Ah?" Gabrie uttered in surprise, then saw that there was another middle-aged customer in the shop examining old wares. Pointing at the person, she challenged, "Why is there still a customer if you''re closed?" The woman propped her elbow on the table, rested her head on her wrist, and her long hair fell loosely around her in anguid spread. She took a puff from her pipe, smiling lightly. "Because he is a smart customer, and you are not." "What do you mean?" Gabrie frowned. "Professor Molimer?!" Reba suddenly eximed. Turning her head, Gabrie saw Reba''s surprised expression and followed her gaze to the middle-aged customer. After a brief observation, she realized that the man was actually the history professor from the Golden Broomstick Girls'' School. "Oh, it''s Reba and Gabrie." The middle-aged man turned around and showed a smile. He wore sses, exuding the aura of a schr. "What are you doing here at this hour? It''s not safe at night," Professor Molimer gently advised, shaking his head. As he spoke, he held a y pot and walked up to the counter, taking out Gold Pounds to pay. "This is 4 Gold Pounds... still the usual fake merchandise, Miss Rosa."N?v(el)B\\jnn The woman took the four Gold Coins, asking indifferently: "If you know it''s fake, why buy it?" Professor Molimer caressed the patterns on it and said sincerely: "Although the pot is fake, the craftsmanship is real, consistent with the patterns from the old era, and very valuable for research." "You see, that''s a smart person. They know it''s fake, yet they willingly pay for it," Rosa said with a slight smile. Gabrie, seeing her smile, didn''t know why, but she felt a sense of inferiority. The other person did not possess a face that could shock the world, yet she radiated an extraordinary Charm. Gabrie averted her eyes, not wanting to look at those calm yetpelling eyes. "So you mean to say that we''re so foolish we can''t distinguish fake merchandise and are likely to get deceived?" Gabrie said with a tone of dissatisfaction. "If you''re in business, why bother warning us? Isn''t making money good enough? I don''t believe there''s such a kind-hearted swindler!" Gabrie was somewhat annoyed, both for being looked down upon and for realizing there were no genuine Mystic Realm artifacts here, which frustrated her. "Because I don''t want trouble, youngdy," Rosa said as she inverted her pipe, tapping it lightly against the edge of the table to knock out the ashes. "There''s nothing here that you want. Please leave." Gabrie wanted to say something more, but Reba pulled at her. "Let it go, let''s go, it''ste," Reba said. "But... okay!" Gabrie relented, though still upset. Professor Molimer had been standing on the side, and now he intervened: "Do you need me to escort you home?" "No need to trouble yourself, sir, we will escort these youngdies..." a flippant voice interrupted. Everyone looked towards the source of the voice and saw four or five men in ck entering the store. They blocked the doorway, surrounding Reba and Gabrie. "I don''t know you!" Reba said. She was somewhat afraid, regretting wandering so far to such a remote ce. "Miss, you are being willful again. The boss has instructed us to ensure your safety... It''s gettingte, let''s go back now," one of the men in ck said, preparing to drag the two women out. Professor Molimer opened his mouth to speak but found himself at the business end of a Firearm. The man holding the Flintlock Gun scoffed and shook the gun barrel in a threatening manner. His aplices also drew their guns, pointing them at the shop owner, Rosa. However, she remained calm and unhurriedly lit new tobo with a match, smoking her pipe as if nothing was happening. Suddenly, the leader of the men stiffened, realizing he was floating in the air. "The boss told me to take you home too," an unfamiliar male voice came from behind him. A young man with ck hair, who had appeared from nowhere, was holding him up effortlessly, like picking up a chick. "Back to the home for rejects." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 87 The Silver Witch "Mr. Jack!" Reba eximed with joy upon seeing Chen Lun. Chen Lun gave her a smile. "Bastard!" The guy Chen Lun picked up cursed angrily. The rest of hispanions were shocked and pulled out their guns, pointing them at Chen Lun. Bang bang! Two straight punches, fast as lightning, smashed directly into the faces of two men in ck. They didn''t have time to react, screamed in agony, and fell to the ground with bloodied faces. Chen Lun followed with a high kick that whistled through the air like a ck cleaver, kicking two other men in ck through the air. With two ngs, they flew from the entrance of the shop and tumbled down the steps like rolling gourds. This was still Chen Lun holding back, not opting to kill; otherwise, with his strength, these four would have long been dead. "Sir, is there some misunderstanding here?" The guy held in his hand let out a huge scare, sweating profusely. He hadn''t expected this unfamiliar young man to be so formidable, downing four armedpanions with a few punches and kicks. "What power are you with?" Chen Lun asked softly. These men in ck dared to brazenly kidnap a nobledy, probably not a simple matter. The man captured clenched his teeth and remained silent, his face slightly changing. "Who else? The Dock Gang from Lona Port." Woman owner Rosamented from the side. Chen Lun, like a good citizen disposing of garbage, nonchntly threw the man in ck in his hand. A thud of the heavy body hitting the ground was followed by a moan of pain. "Dock Gang¡­" Chen Lun muttered and then turned to look at Rosa. The next moment, his pupils dted and a storm surged in his heart. Is it her?! Rosa! How could this woman be here?! Chen Lun lowered his gaze, avoiding looking at her to prevent suspicion. The woman before him was no ordinary person, not just in terms of her capabilities but also her identity! She was a Sequence Six strength holder from the Constetion Faction, nicknamed "Silver Witch," and the true identity behind the Silver Dragon Trade Association. What was even more unbelievable was that she was not truly a woman. She had once been a man. Until ascending to "Sequence Six - Witch," she had always been a man. This was a characteristic of the Constetion Faction; upon ascending to Sequence Six, an irreversible gender transformation urred. All male characteristics changed to female, and mentally, the transformation to female thinking wasplete, firmly believing oneself to be a woman. Chen Lun knew so much about Rosa because he had once sold many close-up shots of this woman. If one ignored her past gender, her current appearance was indeed beautiful, added with the Transcendent of the Constetion Faction, naturally skilled in charm. Unaware buyers were still very captivated by her appearance and aura. "What are you thinking about, handsome?" Rosa smiled at him, full of allure. Then her eyes narrowed slightly, and she calmly said: "Do you know me?" "No, I don''t," Chen Lun controlled his emotions and lifted his head to reveal a polite smile. "But it''s never toote to meet such a beautifuldy." He took off his hat and reached out his hand. "My name is Jack." Seeing this, Reba felt somewhat downhearted. So Mr. Jack likes this type of woman, huh? Professor Molimer stood by, watching the scene with interest. He had been to this shop many times and had seen other men trying to flirt with Rosa before, but without exception, they were all dismissed in no time. Although this ck-haired young man was handsome, Molimer did not think he would seed. But the next second, Molimer was proved wrong. He raised an eyebrow as Rosa gently reached out her hand to touch Chen Lun''s. "Pleased to meet you, Jack." The silver-haired woman owner said, her lips curving slightly as she added: "Rosa," [Rosa''s affection toward you has increased! It is now neutral!] Chen Lun was slightly astonished; he hadn''t expected to earn the other''s favor without reason. But this was a good thing, as building a connection with such a strong figure had no downside. Rosa withdrew her hand and sized up Chen Lun. "Is this the ''Mr. Jack'' that Walsh mentioned... so young," she thought to herself. "However, single-handedly destroying a branch of the Red Apple Church is indeedmendable courage." She was only visiting Amber City on a whim, but in the few months she had been there, the steward at the local branch, Walsh, had specifically briefed her with information about Chen Lun. That piqued Rosa''s interest, so she remembered him. "A bunch of useless people! They want me to step in personally!" Suddenly, a scolding voice came from outside the store. The crowd turned toward the sound, only to see a muscr woman, with a worn-out backpack, stride in. The moment Chen Lun saw her, he recognized her as a member of the mysterious society, Fin. Her light-yellow buzz cut and the scar over her eyelid were too distinctive. "Hmm... indeed, a couple of pampered young nobledies," Fin scanned everyone present, and finally her gazended on Reba and Gabrie, a sneer spreading across her face. "There''s a big deal happening recently, and you two came just at the right time!" She ignored everyone else and walked straight toward them. If it had been any other ce, she wouldn''t have dared to abduct people so brazenly, but this was Lona Port''s ck market¡ªher territory¡ªso she naturally didn''t worry too much. The mey on these two naive young girls; they''de to the wrong ce! "Whitley, you''re reaching too far," Rosa said softly, smoking her pipe.@@novelbin@@ "Don''t cause trouble in my store. You can''t afford to pay for anything you break." Fin turned her head and nced at her, frowning slightly. "You know me?" She then snorted coldly. "Don''t try to bluff me! If you want to keep eating here, mind your own business less! Say another word, and I''ll send you to ''the Fish Shop'' to be sold!" The "Fish Shop" she referred to was the Nightingale Tavern in the harbor area, frequented by dockworkers; it was low-ss but cheap. After saying this, Fin menacingly reached for Reba and Gabrie. "Mr. Jack!" Reba shrank behind Chen Lun in fear, and seeing this, Gabrie also moved closer to his side. Fin sneered, preparing to strike down this bothersome man, but suddenly noticed the deep, meaningful smile on his face. She tensed, sensing that something was amiss. The next moment¡ª A sense of crisis surged! Fin abruptly turned her head, only to see the silver-haired woman gently tap her pipe on the counter. Immediately, there was a faint thud¡ª Thump! Her heart skipped a beat, and a piercing pain erupted! She grunted, blood flowing from her seven orifices. "You..." Fin''s eyes widened, bloodshot, as an unprecedented fear overcame her. Rosa took a puff from her pipe, then gently exhaled. The smoke, shimmering with starlight, drifted toward Fin, then, like a gust of wind, swept her off the ground. "Impossible!!" Fin roared in anger, but still could not break free from the control; her muscr body, like a ragdoll, was effortlessly tossed out. Bang!! A loud noise came from outside the door. All returned to silence. Chapter 88 The Suppression at the Shelter "So... so powerful!" Reba eximed in shock. Next to her, Gabrie also widened her eyes. Both girls had not expected that the owner of the "Witch''s House" would actually know how to practice "magic"! Professor Molimer looked very surprised, but quickly returned to normal, with only a deep look in his eyes that left one wondering what he was thinking. Chen Lun snickered to himself. It was no wonder Fin had kicked an iron te, as no one would have thought that a mere puddle could conceal a massive shark. This Sequence Eight "Navigator" had encountered a "shipwreck." However, Chen Lun could tell that, like himself, Rosa was not keen on killing her opponent. Fin was at worst only injured and made to suffer a bit. Clearly, this powerful figure, who hid away here, did not want to cause too muchmotion. Rosa suddenly furrowed her eyebrows. She nced at everyone and pointed towards the door. "You can go now, my shop is closed." Professor Molimer nodded towards her, tipped his hat, and was the first to leave. Since the other party had issued an eviction notice, Chen Lun did not dare to linger. He left the shop with Reba and her friend. Yet before departing, he noticed that Rosa gave him a deep look. Bang! The dpidated shop door closed tightly, and the hangingmp went out in turn. Chen Lun had not had the chance toment on Rosa''s swift closing when he realized Professor Molimer had vanished without a trace. Meanwhile, downstairs, Fin and her subordinates were eyeing the market entrance as if facing a great enemy. "Block the exits! Let no one escape!" A man in a high-cored trench coatmanded coldly. Dozens of Investigators streamed in, took up positions in an orderly fashion, and began controlling the crowd in the marketce. Some of them also entered the shops on both sides, either questioning or arresting people. "The Shelter..." Chen Lun thought to himself. At that moment, a short-haired woman standing beside the man in the trench coat suddenly turned her gaze towards Chen Lun and his group. Her eyes shimmered with a faint purple light, and her profound gaze seemed like it could see through one''s heart. [You are being watched by "Spirit Vision"! Your information is being probed!] The sapphire earrings on Chen Lun''s ears suddenly glowed briefly, and the next second¡ª [Judgment effective, probe immunity granted for this instance!] The short-haired woman nced over the two noble youngdies, Reba and Gabrie, and then over the dark-haired young man next to them, without lingering. Her gaze finally settled on Fin. "[Deep Sea Faction] [Sequence Eight-Navigator]... A special agent of Roderick, there''s no doubt it''s her!" she dered confidently. The man named as Roderick unbuttoned his coat and strode forward, apanied by four Investigators wielding repeating flintlock guns. "Whitley, codename ''Fin,'' dock gang leader, rogue Transcendent... guilty of viting twenty-threews, sentenced to death as per the ''Sun Codex'' and ''Containment Regtions,''" he exined calmly as the other four Investigators raised their guns. "Damn it! The Shelter!!" Fin roared, and with a st, mist erupted from her body and her hands were covered in electrical arcs. With a stomp, she shot out like a cannonball, lunging straight at the special agent Roderick. "Quiet..." Roderick said softly, as he lifted his hand and released a ck light. In the next second, Fin was frozen in mid-air, her eyes wide open but unable to move. A ck wave of light burst forth from Roderick''s palm, piercing straight through Fin''s chest. Boom!! Fin spat out a mouthful of blood and flew backwards. After tumbling some distance, she bit her lip, struggled to stand, and took out an umbre from her tattered backpack. Whoosh! She opened the umbre and pointed it at the people from the Shelter, pulling the trigger. Hiss¡ªBang!! A golf-ball-sized me bullet shot out, tracing an orange arc as itnded amidst the Investigators. With a loud explosion, the me bullet detonated into a sea of fire. The Investigators were engulfed in mes, wailing in agony. "Just as effective as I thought..." Fin spat out a mouthful of bloody spit and snorted coldly. But before she could relish in triumph, Roderick took out a bottle of ck liquid and casually tossed it into the mes. The ss bottle shattered, the ck liquid sshed out like ink, dousing the mes instantly¡ªthe wounds of the burning Investigators healed immediately upon contact with the ck substance. "!!" Fin''s eyes widened in shock. ``` Bang bang bang bang!! A barrage of gunfire erupted, with shes of light and bullets pouring down like rain. Fin wanted to escape, but Roderick had anticipated this and aimed his hand glowing with dark light at her. "When the soul yearns for slumber, how dare the shell stir?" "No!!" Fin stood still, unable to control her body, taking the full brunt of the gunfire. Countless bullets struck her, blossoming into sprays of blood. With a thud, Fin copsed to the ground. Gasping for air like a dead fish and lying in a pool of blood, the supernatural power of Sequence Eight sustained her, preventing her from dying too easily. The short-haired woman stepped forward, sighing softly. "I''ve investigated you, Whitley. Youe from a poor background, went to sea to support your family, and you''re also a fortunate one with exceptional chances... Yet, you shouldn''t have abused your powers as a Transcendent." In her hand was a revolver, aimed at Fin''s head. "I''m sorry, I am your Executioner, Mona." ¡ª¡ªBang!! Chen Lun stepped forward, blocking Reba''s view to shield her from the gory scene. Reba hid behind Chen Lun, clutching tightly to the corner of his clothes. Gabrie pretended to be brave but found her hand trembling slightly and breaking out in cold sweat. Roderick waved his hand and a ck shadow flew out from Fin''s body. He captured it into the palm of his hand. "Well done, Mona." He praised calmly. "But next time, spare the talk. When dealing with scum that endangers the Empire''s stability, just kill them outright." Short-haired Investigator Mona bowed slightly, without responding. Roderick waved his hand again and his subordinates quickly disposed of the body and collected Fin''s umbre. The ck-dckeys of the Dock Gang had also been killed in the chaotic fight, with their bodies dealt with together. Mona raised her head and looked toward Chen Lun and the others. Chen Lun watched Mona approach from a distance. "Another familiar character..." He thought to himself. The famous official character from the previous world''s version 1.0 public test, Mona. She held a high position as a Mortal, eventually serving as a special envoy to the Shelter. Every wild Transcendent and even yers who underestimated her were severely chastised by her. It proved the might of a Mortal. Thew of the Mystic Realm¡ª"Only the Supernatural can defeat the Supernatural"¡ªhad been broken by Mona countless times. "Good evening to the three of you. I am Investigator Mona. I hereby inform you not to spread word of what you''ve seen tonight, or we will pay you a visit. Also, it''s best not toe to ces like this in the future..." Mona presented her identification. "This area is now sealed. The Shelter will take over. Please leave immediately... Last, may the Moonlight Granny watch over you." After she finished speaking and bowed, she turned and left. Chen Lun watched her retreating figure and suddenly felt a familiarity. His thoughts quickly turned to that night when he identally intruded on a secret society at the ruins of Pompey Manor. "She''s ''Spirit Cat''...!"@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun confirmed in his heart. What was going on today? Encountering so many people from the Mystic Realm in a single night. The thought crossed his mind¡ªcould that leading man also be...? Zooming his gaze to the trench-coat man leading the group, he took another look at his wrist. A string of bells faintly revealed themselves beneath his sleeve. "''ck Skull''...?!" Chen Lun was startled. The head of the secret society turned out to be a special envoy from the Shelter! One of the members, "Spirit Cat", was also a spy nted inside! What were they trying to do...? An idiom shed through Chen Lun''s mind¡ª Catch them all in one swoop! The Shelter was fishing! The special envoy had set a trap, gathering all of Amber City''s wild Transcendents together, and would eventually strike with thunderous force to suppress them one by one! The capture of Fin today was the best proof. "I shouldn''t go to society gatherings anymore... It''s too dangerous..." Anxiety shed through Chen Lun''s emotions. But then he realized something was off about himself. "Why am I so afraid... Right, it''s the side effect of ''Maggie''s Tear'' when the protection is triggered..." He came to an understanding. His emotions had be overly sensitive at that moment. ``` Chapter 89 Python Husband Form Night. Under the illumination of the Purple Moon, Chen Lun called for a rented carriage, intending to take Reba and her friend home. In the carriage, Reba suddenly felt that Mr. Jack had be somewhat silent and reticent. "Mr. Jack, what''s the matter?" Reba asked with concern. Gabrie, sitting beside her, also looked curiously at Chen Lun. Reba had quietly introduced him earlier; this handsome young man with ck hair was her tutor. "If only I had such a handsome tutor... His demeanor when protecting Reba was so manly." Gabrie secretly envied. "Nothing." Chen Lun gave Reba a smile from past days, forcibly suppressing the random thoughts in his mind. The side effects of "Maggie''s Tear" were greater than he''d imagined, amplifying every bit of emotion. Even the sight of a stray cat on the street could make him feel Mercy, worrying about its Destiny. Any slight disturbance would make him think of the recent action at the Shelter, putting him on alert. To avoid being overly affected by his emotions, Chen Lun closed his eyes, leaned back in his seat, and tried to empty his mind. "Mr. Jack, my birthday ising up... Will youe to my birthday party?" Reba said. Her tone was hopeful yet nervous. Seeing Mr. Jack''s "exhausted" appearance, she worried her invitation was too sudden and might displease him, especially since he had been concerned about her earlier. "Oh... Miss Reba''s birthday, is it?" Chen Lun slightly opened his eyes, showing tired eyes, then softly replied: "Of course, I''ll attend." "Thank you, Mr. Jack!" Reba''s heart was joyful, and she smiled yfully. ... Outer City District. A corner of a tavern. "Horseman, I really can''t stand it anymore! Do you know what it feels like to be dealing with shit and running errands all day long?!" Doghead Gold finished his drink and mmed the ss down on the table. His face was a mask of agony as he pulled at his own hair. After spending several days traveling from Novice Vige to this vast metropolis, he was about toplete a rare C-level mission, only to be backstabbed by Pris and Su Keying. In the end, the C-level mission failed for no apparent reason. When they tried to regain their footing, they were killed instantly by an unfamiliar NPC. All the hard work leveling up in the Novice Vige farm was lost. The Iron Fist Gang was now upied by an NPC named "Jack," and the three of them were expelled from the gang, rendered jobless vagabonds. Without Mr. Dolly''s endorsement, their identity proofs were invalidated, and now they could only do odd jobs in the Outer City District to make a living. Although Doghead Gold couldn''t find a side mission, he managed to find temporary work at a merchant''s home, getting by and unlocking a new Sub upation. This Sub upation, though, was a bit humiliating, named "Manure Servant." As the name implies, it was a servant specialized in handling one''s excrement¡­ "My situation isn''t much better!" Forget No Taboo let out a sigh of despair. "Who would have thought, I, the vanguard of the God''s Love internal testers, would end up working in a factory... Although I also unlocked a Sub upation, ''Factory Storyteller,'' telling stories to factory workers every day is torture... The environment was really foul, now thinking about it... ugh!" Forget No Taboo seemed to smell the stench of sweat and feet again, heaving with nausea. Seeing his reaction, Doghead Gold also thought of his own plight, resulting in a chain reaction. "Yuck!" "Ugh!!" "..." Horseman quietly drank his wine, a sweat of speechlessness running down his forehead. He felt fortunate because he had found work in a barbershop, bing a "Barber''s Apprentice." Although it was not very respectable, it was much betterpared to these two. However, he had identally given a customer a patchy haircut in the past few days and got scolded heavily by his boss, Binose. "What should we do next? There isn''t much time left for the internal test, and if we don''t achieve something soon, it''ll really be a total loss!" Doghead Gold wiped the corner of his mouth, unwilling to ept the situation. "Why don''t we go find Pris and the others?" Forget No Taboo hesitated but still made the suggestion. Doghead Gold furrowed his brows, a look of surprise on his face as he looked at him. "Hmm... that could be a way." The Horseman thought for a moment. "They must have clung to someone powerful. Our previous mission was in opposition to theirs... it seems they were the ones who ultimately won," the Horseman said, then called over a server to bring three more drinks. He then said in a deep voice: "Those who aspire to great things cannot get stuck on trifles. We don''t have much of a feud with them, really. As long as we can share a portion of the opportunities, this closed beta will be a sess." Forget No Taboo nodded in agreement and said: "Yeah, it''s okay to humble ourselves now; we''re just thinking about the guild... Once the open beta starts, our brothers will remember our good deeds."@@novelbin@@ Only Doghead Gold was not so easily convinced. The script should have been Pris and Su Keyinging to them for help, so how had it turned around?! "Doghead Gold, if you''re not happy, you can settle it after we''ve taken off," the Horseman advised. "They''re just two individual yers. We''ve got the biggest three guilds behind us. In the future, it will be them asking us for favors." "...Alright! But didn''t Pris delete you from his friends?" "..." ... p! Crack! Whipping sounds echoed through Chen Lun''s room. Zip¡ªCrack! Chen Lun raised the whip in his hand andshed it viciously across his back. [The effect of the skill [Animal Mimicry LVMAX] has been enhanced! [Philip''s Whip] has lost its effect!] "Phew..." Chen Lun stopped his action and tucked the whip into the Grape Ring. The next second, his expression turned serious as he slowly spread his arms. Swish swish! His body was covered in dark golden scales, as if he was wearing a full suit of golden armor. Under his sweat-drenched ck hair were a pair of serpent-like eyes. His muscles writhed, scales rubbing together, giving off a crisp, ringing sound. He raised his hand, opened his palm, his slit-like pupil rotated, focusing on two of his fingers¡ªone glowing green, the other glistening with a shiny ckcquer. "Five traits activated simultaneously. In this state, my strength grows yet another notch... I should give this state a name," Chen Lun said as the traits slowly dissipated from his body, a smile spreading across his face. "Great Serpent Form." The whole system was based on the [Serpentine Incarnation] as its foundation, adding other traits to create a Transformation Technique that boosted his overall strength. It allowed Chen Lun to have high-speed movement, strong flexibility, high defense, sharp observation, and a variety of offensive methods. Supernatural Toxin was also his forte. Therefore, the name of this state was very fitting, though calling it "Python Husband Form" would not be inappropriate either. Chen Lun wiped off his sweat and took a bath. When he returned to the living room on the first floor, he found Floey and Connie discussing something. "Ah, Mr. Jack... The butler from Pompey Manor, Binose, has delivered an invitation. Tomorrow is Miss Reba''s birthday party, so I''m nning to go out with Miss Floey to buy a dress," Connie said. She had also been wanting to change into a different outfit for daily wear, so she nned to pick out a few while they were out shopping. "I see..." Chen Lun remembered Reba''s invitation fromst night, and since it was her birthday, he knew proper etiquette required a gift. He could have Connie bring something back for him. But he soon had another idea. "Connie, after you''ve returned from shopping, there''s something I''d like to ask of you..." Chapter 91 Rebeccas Birthday Dinner - Part 2 "Miss Reba has arrived!" "Oh, our protagonist for tonight has finally made her appearance!" "How beautiful, I remember this is her seventeenth birthday, isn''t it... As she grows older, won''t she be the shining pearl of Amber City? Hahaha..." Under the watchful eyes of the numerous guests, Reba slowly descended from the wooden spiral staircase. She wore a beautiful evening dress today, white adorned with pink, her hair done up in a bun with red flowers attached. Puff sleeves, petticoats, and cloth shoes all featured colorful flowers, and a carefully prepared string of pearls graced her chest. Reba dazzled all the guests; Gabrie, seeing her good friend''s stunning performance tonight, was also quietly delighted and gave her a thumbs-up. "Hey, Reba is truly radiant tonight... Who will dance with her during the danceter?" A group of young nobles holding wine sses whispered and chuckled among themselves. Most of the gentlemen were eager to try; they were not only attracted by Reba''s beauty but also considering an alliance with Viscount Pompey''s family through marriage. "Alvin, why don''t you give it a shot?" Someone asked. Since the death of his son, Earl Lawson is in his heyday, and now this nephew, Alvin, has be the focus of grooming as his sessor. Doing him a good turn wouldn''t be a bad thing. "I saw you just chatting with those country bumpkins over there, no need really. Our circle is where you should be. I''ll give you the chance to dance with Reba this time, how about that?" The noble scions smiled and raised their sses in a gesture. Alvin nced surreptitiously at Chen Lun and two others, but to his horror, he discovered that the ck-haired youth had keenly noticed and returned a polite smile. "Ah... Indeed, that''s true," Alvin said, wiping away his sweat subtly and raising his ss to clink with theirs. "Thank you, gentlemen. Please enjoy Miss Reba and my danceter." The group downed their drinks with pleasure,ughing joyfully. Lady Bradley, Countess, watched Reba, covered her face with her fan, and giggled twice. "Pompey, your daughter is truly beautiful today." "Thank you for yourpliment, Countess," Viscount Pompey said. Earl Lawson took out a cigar box, offered some to the two gentlemen, and personally lit Mr. Beckman''s cigar. Viscount Pompey was surprised to see this scene, as the Earl had no need to be so respectful to a gallery owner. "Your Excellency Pompey, I have collected a batch of masterpieces recently and will exhibit them in some time... Would you be interested in visiting them then?"@@novelbin@@ Beckman asked, smoking his cigar and embracing the Countess next to him. This brazen behavior clearly showed no regard for Count Bradley. But keeping mistresses wasn''t umon among the nobility; the Countess was just more ostentatious about it, and likely Count Bradley was no better himself elsewhere. "Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Beckman..." Viscount Pompey smiled. He suddenly thought of the kidnapping incident that had happened not so long ago, where he and his family had almost been framed by his foster son Vigrey and his friend Barnie while attending an art viewing. "At that time, all the dignitaries of the Inner City District will attend, and I believe they will grant me this face... Pompey, bring your family as well; without you, the exhibition willck some of its luster," the Countess said. "Yes, I will also invite some friends from the council. Viscount Pompey, please be sure to attend, these masterpieces are rare... Mr. Beckman might travel far away after the exhibition and you might not have the chance to appreciate his works again," Earl Lawson said, leisurely puffing out a cloud of smoke and smiling. Viscount Pompey thought for a moment, and with so many officials and nobles at the art exhibition, it was unlikely that anything would go wrong again, so he nodded in agreement. "Very well, since you''ve extended such a gracious invitation, I will attend with my wife and daughter." "Thank you for the honor, Viscount," Beckman bowed to him, and everyone followed with a toast. Reba began to give a speech, thanking all the guests present. Viscount Pompey also moved to the front of the crowd in good time to apud his daughter. Pitter-patter... The audience gently pped along as the butler Binose directed the maids to push a trolley carrying an enormous, exquisite seven-tier cake. It was then that Chen Lun heard a young boy''s voice beside him: "Excuse me, sir, may I get through, please?" Turning his head, Chen Lun couldn''t help but slowly look up, and then his eyebrows rose slightly. He saw a round,rge fat man, holding a te and a fork, looking down at him with a shy face. "Oh, of course." Chen Lun stepped aside, the plump young man adjusted his round-frame sses, thanked him, and then squeezed past him to get to the table overflowing with dishes, selecting the food he fancied. However, given hisrge frame, the dishes in front of him seemed more like small snacks. Watching his retreating figure, a piece of information shed through Chen Lun''s mind! The Bloody Painter¡ªNoah! Like Floey, when he made his appearance in the past life, he also debuted as an antagonist super boss. However, he appeared a bitter, not until the 2.0 version of the public test. Back then, he had many nicknames, but the most widely known was the "Bloody Painter"! Apart from that, he had other nicknames like "Title Little Fatty" and "Fake Voice Boss." The nickname "Title Little Fatty" came about because he could forcibly capture a yer''s spirituality and trap it in an oil painting, causing the affected yers to lose their Transcendent powers for a while after logging in, making it no different from a wasted ount. "Fake Voice Boss" was a y on words, referring both to the mismatch between his appearance and his voice, and to his strength, which was nearly godlike! One of the most sensational moments was when Noah copied the Sun and created a shocking masterpiece called "Pure White," a painting with power reaching the Angel Level... That battle left no survivors, only charred and deste Earth. Even monthster, yers who came close to the battlefield suffered from continuous burning and curses¡ªsuch was the horror. Those who witnessed it firsthand had to take a deep breath, feeling partly responsible for the global warming. Chen Lun carefully sensed and found that the current Noah was just a Transcendent of the Flesh Faction, Sequence Nine. "He hasn''t grown up yet..." A thought suddenly shed through his mind. "If I can recruit him into my team, and with Floey, wouldn''t I have two super bosses by my side?!" At that moment, a familiar figure approached Chen Lun, who took off his top hat, revealing a balding scalp. "Honorable Mr. Jack, we meet again." "Uncle Walsh?" Experience tales at empire Chen Lun looked at the balding middle-aged man in front of him and said with mild surprise. Walsh smiled, ced a hand to his chest in a bow, then slightly turned, gesturing with an open palm towards the round young man''s back, and said: "I''m pleased to see you again. Allow me to introduce you, this is the young master of the Silver Dragon Trade Association, young master Noah." Chapter 93 The Familiar Yet Eerie Title Page The next morning. After having breakfast, Chen Lun picked up the newspaper that Connie had subscribed to. He flipped through a few pages and, finally, in a corner, he saw a small recruitment advertisement. "It''s the secret code of the mystical society." Chen Lun understood in his heart. Yesterday, he had learned through the coded message in the newspaper that the society''s meeting, which was supposed to take ce as scheduled, had been postponed until today. The code he was looking at now was a confirmation of that. He pondered for a moment and eventually decided to go. Although he could almost be certain that "ck Skull" and "Spirit Cat" were from the Shelter, he also needed to contact other members of the society to find clues to "Philip''s Legacy." "It must not be time for them to fully cast their yet; otherwise, they wouldn''t have killed ''Fin'' alone..." Chen Lun thought. But he had a feeling that the Shelter''s big move would not be toote, and his time was running out. Late at night. Chen Lun did not take the old route to Pompey Manor. Instead, he chose the previous exit, the drainage outlet at the waterfront of the Outer City District. He had prepared in advance to conceal his identity, donning a top hat andpletely wrapping his face with a ck scarf, leaving only his eyes visible. With his powerful memory, he skillfully navigated through the winding sewer and returned to the underground chamber. The dim light bulb illuminated the round table, where six people had already arrived early. "Fin," as expected, was absent. "Wee back, Mr. Spade." ck Skull, wearing a mask, greeted him indifferently. "Please take a seat." Chen Lun took his seat withposure. Iron Hammer remained indifferent, lost in thought as if nothing concerned him. Schr leisurely read a book, Spirit Cat and Gentleman were engaged in quiet conversation, apparently discussing some trivial matters. Miser was fiddling with a few gold coins in his hand, clinking them together. Another ten minutes or so passed. "It seems ''Fin'' won''t be joining us tonight, let''s begin." ck Skull nced at his pocket watch and said softly. Chen Lun gave him a covert nce, inwardlymenting on his good acting skills. After hearing the chairperson speak, everyone began the first round of trading. Nothing out of the ordinary, Iron Hammer sold another man-made "Mysterious Object" shaped like a metal tennis ball, trading it for two portions of Low Sequence Mysterious Substance from Gentleman. The others had their own trades. When it was Chen Lun''s turn, Gentleman spoke up first: "Mr. Spade, about the requirement you mentionedst time, I have some information rted to it... You can take a look first, and if you''re interested, we can discuss it further." The Silver Pot glinted and passed a manuscript to Chen Lun. Chen Lun picked it up to see that one side of the manuscript had fine pinholes, as if it were a title page fallen from some notebook. He scrutinized the text on the page: "¡ªHey, friend, let me tell you a secret. I''ve been to a strange ce, encountered many odd things, and acquired quite a few weird items. I''m not sure what that ce is, but there''s an unfamiliar familiarity about it. Sorry, I can''t tell you how to get there because I''m not clear on it myself. But I can share with you, my experiences..." Dark blue ink obscured a section of text, followed by a few keywords written below: "Destiny," "Nature," "Nightmare," and "Love." "¡ªI discovered that my Supernatural Power was affected there, sometimes strong, sometimes weak. At its strongest, it could even unleash power beyond my own Sequence''s capabilities, and at its weakest, I was worse than an ordinary person... If I had to describe it in one word, I''d say ''absurd'' fits best. ...I also met my beloved there. She helped me a lot and even built us a ''love nest.'' Living in it, we didn''t have to worry about strange things happening. Thus, I had a foothold to slowly explore that ce. The experiences recorded below are shown from my perspective alone, for your perusal..." The contents of the title page ended here. The signature at the bottom was a name Chen Lun was familiar with¡ªPhilip. The date was June 8, 4405 of the Sr Calendar. It had been 13 years to the present day, and 2 years since thest entry in Philip''s diary. [Special Mystic Book discovered! "Philip''s Dreand Adventure" (Severely iplete)!] Chen Lun''s face remained expressionless, holding the title page in his hand, but he was internallyining: "Other Mystic Books are just for a bit of fun, if you really want to get stronger you have to rely on Philip''s... and that mboyance, it even extends to the naming of his own works, truly penal." Now it looked like the belongings Philip had hidden here were mostly in the "Gentleman''s" hands. Even if they weren''t with him, they were greatly associated with him. "Mr. Gentleman, I am very interested in the content recorded on this piece of paper, and I wonder how you would like to trade." Chen Lun said in a hoarse voice. A buzzing chuckle came from the Silver Pot, who then suggested: "Since Mr. Spade is interested, that could not be better... However, the subsequent content is not on me right now. If Mr. Spade wants it, he can prepare a [C-level Mysterious Object], or ten portions of Low Sequence Mysterious Substance for the exchange... It''s not toote to make the trade at the next gathering."@@novelbin@@ "That''s too expensive." Chen Lun said in a deep voice. "Oh, not at all, the content that follows is guaranteed to satisfy you, worth far more than its cost!" The Silver Pot''s gentleman used exaggerated bodynguage to express his opinion. Chen Lun pretended to ponder, then reluctantly agreed through gritted teeth. After the Silver Pot confirmed the deal, his fingers tapped lightly on his thigh, looking very pleased. The subsequent exchange of information was rather nd and unremarkable, which Chen Lun barely listened to; instead, he was considering how to get his hands on what the gentleman had. He had no intention of spending actual gold and silver to make the exchange, firstly because it was too expensive, and secondly because there was no guarantee it was all of Philip''s legacy... Of course, the best method was robbery! This "chamberpot head" was not harboring any good intentions either, for while reading the title page just now, Chen Lun felt his Sanity mysteriously decrease by 1 point. This was not a loss of SAN points due to witnessing mysterious content, as his [Maggie''s Tear] had not been triggered; it felt more like the title page had sucked it away. To use an inappropriate analogy, the title page had stolen his Sanity and strangely hidden it. Was it in the river? No, it was not in the river. Chen Lun had never heard of such a bizarre incident. He was temporarily unclear as to why "Philip''s Dreand Adventure" would be stealing someone''s Sanity, but he knew that the gentleman was definitely nning something with this property. "That''s all for this gathering, the old rules apply, everyone knows, so I won''t say more." The ck Skull stood up to arrange for everyone to leave. This time the gentleman was the first to leave the scene; he slowly moved in a dancing step towards the tomb''s side door, then inside he would choose a different path to exit. At that moment arge ck rat quietly followed him, slipping inside. Tap tap tap... The gentleman swayed with a happy dance, tap dancing through the dark corridor. The heels of his dress shoes tapped a crisp sound on the floor, echoing softly. Crack! He stomped on the rat, sshing out a pool of fresh blood. "Heh heh..." The Silver Pot turned around, ncing back at the tomb behind him. Enjoy new stories from empire "Cheap tricks." Chapter 94 You Are the Music The Gentleman was not new to the Mystic Realm; it stood to reason that the surveince rats he sent out were detected by others. Chen Lun had anticipated it wouldn''t be easy and prepared to seek other methods. By the time he returned to Jack Manor from the secret society meeting, it was already quitete. But to his surprise, the lights in the living room on the first floor of the mansion were still on. Upon opening the door and entering, he found Floey sitting on the sofa. Hearing hime in, she slightly lifted her head. "You''re back." A familiar voice came through. "I''ve told you numerous times, there''s no need to wait for me, Floey," Chen Lun spoke softly, walking to the table to pick up the ss of water Floey had prepared for him and took a gulp. Floey shook her head slightly, remaining silent. A moment passed. "Tomorrow... I want to go to the Opera House," she said in a low voice. Chen Lun was momentarily taken aback, unsure why she had suddenlye up with this idea. Yet he didn''t inquire further. After pondering for a moment, he nodded. "Go ahead, you can bring Connie with you." However, Floey shook her head again. "Can you apany me?" She paused before adding, "To the Dolphin Opera House in the Outer City District, I missed the chance to go before..." Chen Lun looked at her in surprise. Floey''s intention seemed to be that it should be just the two of them. He gently set down his ss of water and hummed affirmatively, saying, "Of course, I can." A smile appeared on Floey''s face. Chen Lun returned to his room. Turning on the deskmp, he sat by the window and took out the title page to further study it. After spending some time, he read through the text several times once more, scrutinizing the front and back, and all the details, as well as trying to read it upside down and from different angles... In the end, Chen Lun concluded that there was no difference. There was just one pattern; every time he read it, his Sanity Value decreased by 1 point. The more he read, the more he felt the title page exuded a pulling force, not only draining his sanity but even seeming to suck away his spirituality and soul. It appeared to be quite eager. ... Chen Lun and Floey once again arrived in the Outer City District. They stopped by to visit Mrs. Caroline, and were warmly invited to drink a cup of herbal tea, which Mrs. Caroline imed was brewed using hertest method. Chen Lun couldn''t discern anything special about it, but perhaps due to a cebo effect, it did seem a bit tastier. After declining an invitation to stay for dinner, Chen Lun quietly gave a few instructions to the border collie Babu, asking it to watch over Mrs. Caroline well. Babu barked twice and affectionately licked Chen Lun''srge hand to show understanding. Chen Lun secretly took out a dose of "Low Sequence Conspiracy Faction Mysterious Substance," casually kneaded a grey mud pill, and fed it to Babu. At first, Babu backed away somewhat disdainfully but then caught a scent and, intrigued by the pill''s peculiar allure, couldn''t resist gobbling it down. "Good..." Chen Lun petted its head with a soft chuckle. Once Babu digested this mysterious substance, its body would be more agile, and its presence would be less noticeable to others. Although it wouldn''t be at the level of Supernatural Creatures, it would be much stronger than a typical hunting dog. Afterward, Chen Lun took Floey away from 7 Denton Street and headed to the Dolphin Opera House. Approaching the grand entrance, Chen Lun saw many numb-faced people emerging from a warehouse on the roadside. Most were dressed in rags and covered in filth, as though they hadn''t bathed in a long while. "That''s the ''Cro Shelter,''" Floey exined at his side. "I have Connie read books to me at home often and learned about many things concerning Amber City... That warehouse serves as a shelter for the lower-ss citizens of the Outer City District. By paying a single Copper Kro, you can rest there for a night." She shook her head gently, seemingly empathetic. "However, it''s very crowded inside, with no beds or bedding, and no bathing facilities... There''s only a long bench to sleep on while sitting. If the seats are full, then the only option is to sleep draped over a rope. Often, a single rope will have dozens of people hanging from it." Chen Lun watched these people silently. He understood that tragedy was the fundamental tone of this world. Laughter was merely a precious rarity enjoyed by a few. "Let''s go." The great door of the Dolphin Opera House was wide open, with three ticket windows at the entrance. Chen Lun bought tickets and he and Floey walked in. Although it was called an opera house, it actually resembled a vast park with abundant vegetation, gardens, artificialkes, and a marine aquarium. The "Dolphin Opera House" was so named because of the dolphin performances showcased in the marine aquarium for visitors to enjoy. The actual opera house was adjacent. Enjoy exclusive content from empire Chen Lun and Floey walked straight into the Opera House and handed their tickets to the attendant at the door. Thetter tore the tickets, keeping the stubs for the duo. The seats Chen Lun had purchased were rtively close to the front, and of course, a bit pricier, but he didn''t care about this small amount of money now. Floey had keen senses, but after all, shecked vision and could not see the specific scenes. They could only try to get her as close to the stage as possible so that the sounds she heard would be clearer. Once they sat down, Floey whispered softly, "Thank you." She had heard Chen Lun''s special instructions when buying the tickets and knew the seats were towards the front. Chen Lun just smiled in response, then said, "It''s starting." With the audience settled, the attendant closed therge doors of the Opera House. The curtain on the stage rose, revealing several opera actors in exaggerated costumes. The y being performed was called "The Silent Clown," telling the story of a mute boy sold by his parents to a circus to be a clown. The mute boy was bullied in the circus, but because he couldn''t speak, he could only bottle it up inside. When angry, he dared not fight back, so he could only vent, to silently scream, through exaggerated movements and expressions. But sadly, the more agitated he became, the more ridiculous he appeared, and the more othersughed and enjoyed themselves. During a solo cello interlude, the mute boy danced frantically on stage, while the narrator sang in amenting tone, "Promise me, even if you suffer, don''t speak of it to seek sympathy, because you are unique in the world, and so is your pain. It''s so distinctive and profound that nobody knows. The sympathy of others will only make your painmonce, strip it of its uniqueness, and in turn, degrade your character. Sing high to echo the mountains, yet sighs stay alone in the silent valley... Why is everything so still at this moment?" As the vocal pitch rose, the violin suddenly cut in. The opera reached its climax. The circus leader and a nobleman''s daughter began an affair while she was in attendance, enraged her father with thunderous fury, and fearing for his life, the leader pushed the mute clown forward as a scapegoat, leading to his public execution on stage by a marksman. The leader and the noblewoman eloped, living happily ever after. The y came to an end. From beginning to end, no one loved the clown. His death didn''t matter, his heart went unheard. Chen Lun and Floey followed the crowd and exited. Floey had been silent throughout. She had listened intently to the entire opera, finding the fate of the Silent Clown strikingly simr to her own, and she had been easily drawn in. One was voiceless, the other sightless. "Who is the author of this y?" Floey asked out of curiosity. Chen Lun looked up at the opera house''s poster outside, which featured the author and a synopsis of the opera. "The tragedian, Howard." Upon hearing this name, Floey nodded lightly. Not wanting her to be continually affected by the opera''s sad emotions, Chen Lun suggested they visit the aquarium to see a dolphin show, and Floey hummed in agreement. Ssh! The dolphin leaped from the water, swallowing the small fish thrown by the trainer. With a ssh, it dived back in. The two stood by the ss enclosure, watching the performance inside. "Do you think I''m like that ''Silent Clown''?" Floey asked. Chen Lun stood by her side, sensing her mood was a bit negative. He sighed internally. "You''re different from him, Floey..." Chen Lun began, wanting tofort her but unsure how to continue. Perhaps, as Floey had said herself, she had never feared death before because being engulfed in darkness was no different from being dead. But he had rescued her from that darkness and shown her what sunlight was.@@novelbin@@ Only, this sunlight was too blinding, leaving her just as unable to see. And the countdown to death was like the scorching sun, causing the waters of life to slowly evaporate under its heat. "I''m sorry, I know I''m being too negative." Floey pretended to be lighthearted. "But don''t worry, I''m just a bit emotional... If only someone could hear the ''Silent Clown''s'' heart." "Floey, profound sounds cannot be heard by the ears, but as long as someone is listening, that person himself bes the music..." The ck-haired youth in front of her looked straight ahead, his words in. Floey was taken aback for a moment. Suddenly, she had a longing, a desire to open her eyes once more, to see the side of his face at this moment. Yes... Even if that person can''t hear my heart, as long as he is listening, I am his most wonderful music. I''m not the "Silent Clown"... I''m your "Serene Nun"¡ª Floey. Chapter 96 The True Legacy Dong, dong, dong, dong...!! A series of dense, thunderous noises. The Gentleman immediately felt half of his body go numb from the vibrations, the powerful force transmitted through, almost causing him to drop the Silver Shield from his hand. "Cough!" He spat out a mouthful of blood. "How can a ''Sequence Nine'' possibly be this strong?!" An incredulous shout came from inside the Silver Pot. Whoosh¡ª!! The ferocious dark-golden figure threw another punch, its entire arm tracing a curved arc, bypassing the Silver Shield and striking towards him. "!!" The Gentleman was rmed. Grinding his teeth, he dived towards the ground, retracting the Silver Shield in his hand just in time, folding it back into its original staff form. Chen Lun''s snake arm swung out into empty air as the Gentleman had already burrowed into the earth, his body sinking halfway into the ground. "Trying to escape?" Chen Lun uttered a cold snort. He transformed his fist into a palm and lunged at the Gentleman, but his grab was deflected by a bump from the Silver Pot, ultimately only grazing thetter''s shoulder. Crack! Debris fell, and the Gentleman''s figure had vanished. This was the ability of ''Sequence Nine ¨C Tomb Robber'': after burrowing, they were quite fast, but if the Gentleman thought he could escape like this, he was probably underestimating Chen Lun''s tracking ability. In his Great Serpent Form, his senses had been enhanced once again, not to mention that even though thest grab had missed, his fingers had touched the target''s shoulder. In that instant, Chen Lun had deployed ''Snake''s Kiss,'' injecting a dose of Supernatural Toxin into the Gentleman''s body. This Supernatural Toxin not only possessed lethal power but was also an excellent tracking pheromone. "Floey, wait for me here..." Chen Lun turned his head towards Floey and spoke. "I''ll be back soon." No sooner had his words faded than he transformed into a dark-golden afterimage and disappeared from the spot. ... Laburnum Women''s Academy. In a corner of the campus, the soil of a flower bed suddenly churned. Majery slowly climbed out, dusting off the minor amount of dirt and mud from her body and staggering toward the dormitory area. Bang! The door to the staff dormitory was flung open, and she nearly fell to the ground. Propping herself up on a table, she took off the Silver Pot on her head, revealing the face of a young man, hisplexion ashen and blood seeping from his mouth and nose. "Is he really a ''Sequence Nine''? Even if it''s a hidden pathway, it shouldn''t be this powerful!" Majery muttered as she wiped the blood from her mouth and nose. ''The Gentleman'' was Majery''s alias, a false identity used for activities within the mysterious society. Her real identity was that of a lecturer at Laburnum Women''s Academy, responsible for helping the professors organize teaching materials and prepare lessons, sometimes stepping in to teach when they were too busy. Majery sat down at her desk and took out a first aid kit to bandage herself. It had been too long since that time; she could no longer utilize Historical Retrospection to heal. However, while bandaging her wounds, she suddenly spewed out another mouthful of ck blood, her pupils contracting. "Big trouble now... Aside from Historical Retrospection, I don''t have a good solution for this kind of Supernatural Toxin." Majery casually wiped away the stench of ck blood with a tissue, forcing herself to calm down. "I''ll just have to ask Teacher for help..." She bit her lip,ing to this decision. If it weren''t ast resort, she wouldn''t want to do this. For one, because of her own greed and carelessness, which had almost led to her being killed, she would incur her teacher''s disdain. It also risked exposing the teacher''s current identity and drawing the attention of the Red Apple Church. The teacher is now tormented by the pursuit of those red lunatics, a slight misstep could result in even more severe consequences. Majery quickly wrote a letter and then took out an inconspicuous textbook from the bookshelf. He opened the textbook and took out a green bookmark from one of the pages. "Huuh..." He let out a sigh of relief, holding the green bookmark carefully in the palm of his hand. This was something he had inadvertently found in a tomb when he had just joined the secret society; the items found alongside the bookmark were a silver pot and a silver staff. These were originally Mysterious Objects buried deeper in the tomb, and as a Transcendent of the Earth Faction, tomb robbing was Majery''s forte, naturally making it easier for him to discover them. Majery had also spected about the identity of the sacred being who buried these items but never found the answer, simply considering it a stroke of good fortune. While he had mastered the silver pot and silver staff, the nature of this green bookmark eluded himpletely. Read new chapters at empire He had tried the supernatural powers of various factions using techniques of Historical Retrospection but ultimately managed to pry open the green bookmark with the force of the "Conspiracy Faction, Sequence Eight¡ªLocksmith," though notpletely sessful, a title page had identally fallen out. He discovered that this title page had a strong suction but could not be looked at for too long; otherwise, it would suck out his Sanity, causing immediate loss of control. Since he couldn''t figure it out, he simply traded it to someone else, hoping they''d help him understand it. As long as he could use the preparatory work done on the title page to track down the target, he''d be able to recover the fruits of his efforts. It just never urred to him that this time, the target he picked wasn''t a simple Sequence Nine but someone whose strength far surpassed his own. Majery was full of regrets and now only thought about how to save himself. Ever since he had pried open the bookmark and a title page fell out, no matter how much he tried, there was no response. But Majery had a premonition that it was anything but simple; there definitely was a deeper secret. After packing his belongings, Majery picked up the letter and was ready to leave. The moment he opened the door. What came into view were five ck, shiny fingers clenched like a knife, stabbing towards his throat. "Dodge!!" Majery cried out inwardly, his body desperately trying to evade to the side. But the next second, he heard a tmand: "Stand still." The seashell-shaped ne on the other''s chest emitted a faint glow, and for some reason, Majery''s mind wandered at this critical moment. Puwch¡ª!! Blood like ink sttered on the wall. A head floated down, and as it tumbled, one could still see the horror on Majery''s face. Thud! The headless body slumped to the floor. [Kill a member of the History and Ritual Association, Majery (Gentleman), "Sequence Eight¡ªHistorian" (Earth Faction), obtain 3000 Experience Points!] [The History and Ritual Association''s Affection towards you has decreased! Currently, it is Disgust!] Chen Lun walked into the room unhurriedly, closing the door behind him. He first checked around the room to make sure there was no hidden trap, then picked up the letter of plea written by the Gentleman, looked at it briefly, and burned it. Only then did he begin to gather his loot. The Gentleman''s silver pot and staff, a green bookmark, an artificial Mysterious Object the size of a tennis ball, three piece of low Sequence Mysterious Substance, and over a hundred Gold Pounds.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun couldn''t help eximing, "Wow!" "The Gentleman," although a bit scheming, turned out to be a generous person... so wealthy and still thinking of delivering packages to him. Chen Lun had nned to follow him after the society''s gathering, but the rat he was tracking got stomped to death by him. Now the guy hade to him on his own, no telling what was going on in his head. [Philip''s Relic has been obtained,pleting the hidden C-rank mission: Philip''s Legacy!] [Receive the mission reward: You''ve already got it all; what more do you want for a reward?] "??" Chen Lun was utterly baffled. Chapter 97 S-class Mysterious Objects! (Please follow!) After killing the Gentleman, Chen Lun didn''t linger long in that dormitory building. He returned to the Dolphin Opera House to pick up Floey, who was waiting for him there. Seeing Chen Lun safely return, Floey secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Jack''s Estate. With themp on, Chen Lun sat at the desk by the window, carefully examining the loot from the day. He first picked up the tennis ball-shaped artifact, remembering that the Gentleman had acquired it from "Iron Hammer" during a secret society gathering. [D-grade Mysterious Object¡ªCoronal sh] Item Description: A masterpiece forged with Supernatural Power by an artisan, appearing as a metallic sphere on the outside with a marvelously intricate interiorprising exactly one thousand two hundred forty-threeponents. Time ticks by, the splendor of a moment, the brilliance of the Sun, the cor of Death. Item Effect: A single-use incendiary bomb, releasing Supernatural me of astonishing power. Can be triggered instantly or set to detonateter. Item Cost: You must hold onto it until the moment it is triggered, requiring you to personally crown your enemy with the cor of Death. "..." Chen Lun made a deadpan expression. Based on the description earlier, he thought it was a decent Mysterious Object because it was a consumable item; hence, its power could potentially reach [C-grade] and absolutely contribute to his reserve arsenal. But upon reading the final cost of use¡­ Wasn''t that the equivalent of perishing alongside the enemy? If the situation turned out even worse, maybe due to some ident, he might be the only one to burn while the enemy remained untouched. It waspletely a trap, no wonder the Gentleman had never used it. He couldn''t fathom why he had purchased such a thing¡­ Chen Lun properly stored the Supernatural Incendiary Bomb, realizing that the secret society''s "Iron Hammer" must be an artisan from the Sun Church. [Sun Faction][Sequence Eight¡ªArtisan] An artisan with the power of the Sun, capable of staying behind the scenes to forge Mysterious Objects with Supernatural Power, or taking upfront action and fighting on the battlefield. This was a very unique Sequence since forging Mysterious Objects was not as simple as it seemed. In Chen Lun''s memory, it appeared that the artisans from the Sun Church were particrly skilled in this art. However, as a member of the Sun Church, why had "Iron Hammer," gone to a secret society? Chen Lun shook his head, not dwelling on it further. He then picked up the silver pot that was even bigger than his head. Called a pot, it resembled more a silver jar, without a spout; it was only good for storing things. [D-grade Mysterious Object ¨C Stars in the Mind] Item Description: A vessel possessing the power of the Constetion. On outside, it looks like a peculiar silver pot, but upon closer inspection, you could see the smooth surface adorned with fine, twinkling stars. Seemingly left by a Transcendent who had long deceived others and ended up deceiving themselves¡ªwhere lies the path ahead? In my mind. Item Effect: Wearing it on the head slightly reduces mystical contamination, adds 10 Insight points. Item Cost: Long-term wear could result in a negative state of deceiving oneself. "Not bad at all!" Chen Lun raised his eyebrows, quite intrigued with this silver pot. Any Mysterious Object that could enhance Attributes was good, and this one also added 10 special points and could weaken mystical contamination, which was icing on the cake. "Overall, it has reached the ceiling of [D-grade Mysterious Objects]." Chen Lun nodded, then picked up the silver staff. [C-grade Mysterious Object¡ªAstrbe Ritual] Item Description: A staff endowed with the power of the Constetion, ancient, exuding a noble aura of antiquity. Seemingly transformed from a diligent Knight after his death, a tribute to the Constetion in his final battle. I skim the horizon like your tears. Item Effect: Capable of transforming into five different forms, ordinarily a staff but can change into a sword, spear, whip, and shield, unbreakable and unstoppable. Item Cost: After use, offer praise to the Constetion, otherwise suffer a curse. "This staff¡­" Chen Lun caressed it, sensing its coolness. In the battle against the Gentleman, he had deeply realized the powerful capabilities of this weapon. Its versatility made it difficult for enemies to counter, and its broad applicability meant it could serve as his primary weapon for a lengthy period. And it came at a small cost, a truly exceptional Mysterious Object. Chen Lun set down his walking stick and finally picked up the green bookmark. The next moment, his eyes gradually widened in astonishment! "This is...!" [S-grade Mysterious Object - The Bookmark of Four Seasons (Iplete)] Item Description: A bookmark imbued with the power of Destiny, seemingly missing its other parts, currently one-fourth of the whole, possesses endless Life Force, symbolizing spring. It has its own name¡ªWake of Insects. Item Effects: Imparts Life Force, transforms into transcendent wood, partial Genesis Force. Item Cost: Consumes Sanity for fuel, other costs unknown. S-grade Mysterious Object?! Genesis?! Chen Lun was startled. "Good grief... this is too terrifying!" He carefully held the ordinary-looking green bookmark, shocked beyond measure, having never encountered such a high-level Mysterious Object before, clueless about how to proceed. "Perhaps...?!" An idea suddenly shed through Chen Lun''s mind. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, so he picked up a fruit knife from the table and cut the back of his hand¡ª A feather-light sh. Your next read awaits at empire Skin parted, releasing a drop of blood. He quickly grabbed the bookmark, aligning it with the wound. A faint green light flickered, the cut skin merged back together, and his Sanity Value decreased by 1 point. "Whew... it really works, then isn''t this just like a portable ''spring''?" The smile on Chen Lun''s face grew even wider, nearly shouting out in excitement. Following that, he conducted various experiments with the Wake of Insects bookmark, discovering thatbining it with the Molting attribute could reduce the depletion of his Sanity Value without diminishing its effects. This was good news to him. Although Maggie''s Tear helped increase the recovery speed of his Sanity, his maximum Sanity Value was only 8 points, severely limiting the performance of the Wake of Insects bookmark. "As for other effects and abilities..." Chen Lun calmed himself down, pondering deeply. "Imparting Life Force" he could understand, but he was clueless about "transcendent wood transformation" and "Genesis Force," just feeling that they sounded impressive. "Perhaps in the future, when my Sequence is higher, I will be able to unleash its true strength." Chen Lun thought quietly, anticipation building within him. However, in the next second, his expression froze. For he sensed a messageing from the Wake of Insects bookmark, suggesting that he should ce it on his forehead. Chen Lun hesitated for a moment.@@novelbin@@ He knew that Mysterious Objects of Grade A and above always exhibited some form of active trait, with simplemunication being one of them. "Since I''m already holding it in my hand, why continue to hesitate." Chen Lun steeled his resolve and, clenching his teeth, picked up the Wake of Insects bookmark, cing it on his forehead. ¡ªBoom!! He opened his eyes and saw a tree. A towering tree reaching into the clouds, its entirety not visible. In front of him, hundreds, perhaps thousands of vines grew, intertwined and wrapping around an old book. On the book''s cover was written¡ª Philip''s Dreand Adventure! Chapter 99 The Only Way to Relieve Anxiety is to Gain More Points ``` Back to reality. Chen Lun rubbed his temples, but the pain didn''t lessen. Fortunately, "Maggie''s Tear" was constantly providing a recovery effect, making him feel a chill that gradually alleviated the difort. "This book¡­ still has many secrets waiting for me to explore. I''ll study it more slowlyter on," he mused. He held "Philip''s Dreand Adventure" in his hands and brought it close to the "Wake of Insects" bookmark. The next second, green light flickered, and the book vanished, having been absorbed by the bookmark. Chen Lun then ced the bookmark and everything on the table into the dimensional space of the Grape Ring for safekeeping. After finishing all this, he went to the washroom to wash his face. Looking at himself in the mirror with the light on, Chen Lun shed a brilliant smile. "My current strength¡­ should be close to the upper limit of Sequence Eight, right?" he said, as he dried his face with a towel. "Promoting to the peak? Heh¡­" he muttered to himself. Far from enough! After hanging the towel neatly, Chen Lun returned to his room, changed into pajamas, andy on the bed. "Attribute points!" he eximed, staring at the ceiling with his hands behind his head. His attributes had been improving slowly, the effect of his weaknesses wasn''t as pronounced as it was at the beginning, there was no need to save all his attribute points as a trump card like before. Agility had already reached the low sequence threshold of 50 points; adding more would result in diminishing returns, so Chen Lun shifted his focus to other attributes. Strength at 35 points was above average for a Transcendent of Sequence Eight, but he wasn''t satisfied. Strength, to a certain extent, was akin to the lethality in closebat; his speed was extremely fast, and if he could get a bit stronger, the effect would be even better. Thus, he allocated 5 points to increase his strength to 40 points, reaching the high level of Sequence Eight. Afterward, Chen Lun distributed the remaining attribute points between Endurance and Intelligence. Endurance determined his physical strength and resistance, and Intelligence affected the strength bonuses of his skills. These two attributes were bing increasingly important as he advanced. With 17 points allocated wisely, his Endurance reached 31 points, and his Intelligence, 30 points, both fairly bnced. As for Faith? Chen Lun felt he didn''t need that at all. Faith mainly affected divine arts and prayer-like skills, often favored by Church clergy. If favored and watched by the deities, blessings could be bestowed, possibly granting greater strength. But these had little to do with Chen Lun; he''d rather trust his own fists. "And then there''s the n for the sub upation, hmm¡­" Chen Lun pondered. At the beginning of his journey, when he was still weak, every bit of strength was precious, so he didn''t hesitate to max out the original "Fisherman" sub upation he possessed. However, as his strength grew, this sub upation seemed to be holding him back, and it was time to rece it. Because at the low sequence level, a yer could have at most two sub upations, and adding more would result in diminishing returns, requiring more experience points to upgrade, which wasn''t worth it. The best course of action at the moment was to rece it with something more suitable. "Although it isn''t hard to wash away a sub upation, what should I rece it with¡­?" he mused. There were many methods to remove a sub upation, and Chen Lun knew at least ten of them, but they were only viable for the first time. From the second time onward, they too came with corresponding penalties. Therefore, Chen Lun had to carefully consider his options before making the recement. "There is one sub upation that isn''t bad, it''s just¡­" he suddenly thought of something and a strange expression crossed his face. Because most of that sub upation came from the Red Apple Church. Find more adventures on empire ¡­ Laburnum Women''s Academy. Staff dormitory. A middle-aged man stood in the center of the room, quietly watching as Majery''s bodyy severed on the floor. "Greed is the original sin of the Earth; I''ve taught you that many times, Majery," he said with a sigh. Had Chen Lun seen him, he would have recognized the man; this was the history teacher, Professor Molimer, whom he had met at the port''s ck market. Molimer took out a small box of matches from his pocket, took out a single match with his fingers, and struck it to light. The me flickered. Then he extended his other hand and made a strange gesture towards the body. Whir¡­ Around him, the sound of pages turning rapidly out of nowhere filled the room. The room''s furniture, beds, and ornaments, as well as Majery''s body, all started to outline in an ethereal glow, shapeshifting and flickering. The phantoms, with their jump-cut-like movements, gradually created the illusion of time reversing, unfolding a historical retrospection before Molimer¡ª Majery''s ghostly image panic-strickenly pulls open the door, ready to leave, then a dark hand reaches in from outside and severs him in two. ``` Just as the killer was about to step through the doorway, allowing Molimer to glimpse his true face. Boom!! Professor Molimer groaned. All illusions in front of him began to copse, and the figure of the murderer dissipated with them. "Supernatural counteracting?!" He narrowed his eyes, and blood seeped from the corners. The mes began to fluctuate violently, as if they were about to extinguish in the next second. "I can''t continue looking into his history, or it will trigger an even greater bacsh..." Molimer thought. He increased his supernatural power to maintain the historical retrospection, but immediately chose to shift his target to the letter written by his student Majery. Around him, countless ash-like phantoms materialized out of thin air and then, like birds returning to the nest, converged, flying towards the match in Molimer''s hand. A letter, ck as night, slowly returned to its original form in the mes; Professor Molimer extracted the phantom and quickly skimmed through it. "Hmm... Spade?" Molimer flicked his hand, extinguishing the mes in his grasp. Rustle, rustle...! Afterward, all the phantoms in the room returned to nothingness, restoring normality. At another end of the Inner City District. Bradley Square. Named after Earl Bradley as it was built with his investment. This was the most bustling market area in the Inner City District, with Amber City''s highest-end shops located here. There was always a heavy flow of pedestrians, and one could often see carriages of the nobility passing through. At the edge of the square stood avishly decorated gallery, its grand entrance facing the square. Its sign read "Time Amber." The gallery was very quiet, with its patrons conscientiously remaining silent, mutely appreciating the paintings on the walls. Those inpany would asionallymunicate, deliberately lowering their voices. At the end of the gallery, the backs of two men stood facing arge oil painting, their heads tilted back in admiration. The person depicted in this painting was a young man with brown hair in military uniform, turning away at a corner of the battlefield, forming a stark contrast with hisrades charging into the fray. In one corner of the oil painting, its title read "Deserter," authored by Beckman. "Your assistant died, and youmemorate him in this manner?" The man in the ck suit asked. "Roderick, though I regret it too, this is the greatest respect I can show him." The man in the white suit chuckled softly. "This was an important moment when Vigrey transformed from a boy into a man, and I believe he would have liked it." Roderick sized up the gallery owner, whose face bore no trace of sorrow. Cold-blooded? Indeed. If Beckman weren''t a cold-blooded man, he wouldn''t be working with him. "I once gave him a personal painting as assistance, but in the end, he still died... Of course, from the eyes of that painting, I identified the killer," Beckman said. "The killer should now be in your organization''s society." "Oh? I think I know who it is..." Roderick paused to think and then said. "When the cleansing operation begins, I''ll keep an extra eye on him for you, as a way of avenging your assistant. In exchange, I''ll need your help in suppressing Molimer, the branch head of the History and Ritual Association in Amber City." Beckman smiled and shook his head, saying, "A low-sequence ant like him doesn''t qualify as my enemy, nor does he merit my intervention on your behalf." Roderick frowned slightly. "Don''t forget, I will also help you capture the traitor ''Feray'' from the Sun Church, someone very useful to you, aren''t they? Although I''m a special envoy from the Shelter, I can''t cover the sky with one hand here, and you should understand the considerable pressure involved." "He''s merely a target for the ''Circus'' organization, not mine... Of course, to maintain my good member image in the ''Circus,'' I will try my best to aplish this."@@novelbin@@ Beckman said. "When the timees, I will fulfill my initial promise and help you destroy that supernatural organization... But I won''t lift a finger for your cleansing operation; at most, I could ''inadvertently'' pass the word to the Red Apple Church. I believe Bishop Newman would be interested." Roderick pondered for a moment and nodded. Lately, the Red Apple Church has been fervently pursuing the History and Ritual Association; with Bishop Newman''s involvement, Molimer would likely not escape his fate. Chapter 100 Mom, Someone is Flying in the Sky ``` Whew! Over the Triet Zoo. A ck shadow skimmed through the air. "Woohoo! Finally, I can fly!" Chen Lun pressed one hand down on his hat whileughing and looking down at the city below. On his back, a pair of enormous ck wings had emerged. These were the new trait, "Crow Feather," he acquired from his return visit to the Triet Zoo. "After advancing to ''Sequence Eight,'' the limit of ''Animal Mimicry'' has indeed been raised¡­ Flight is truly significant for me!" Chen Lun felt the strong wind blowing against his face and became somewhat introspective. Flight was not a difficult feat for Transcendents, but there were almost none who could take to the skies at a Low Sequence. Even the ''Magic Faction'' and the ''Nature Faction'' could only float or glide at their lower sequences, which was far from true flight. This meant that Chen Lun had gained another powerful advantage at his current stage. "With an S-level ''Wake of Insects'' bookmark in hand, plus my flying trait, as long as I don''t encounter an opponent who can kill me in one hit, escaping should be no problem." Chen Lun thought to himself. He who considers retreat beforehand will fight to the end. Now with an escape route, he could be more audacious in his future nning. Besides the "Crow Feather," he had also obtained a "Fish Gills" trait on this trip to the zoo,pleting the set forbat capabilities onnd, sea, and air. "Mommy, I just saw someone flying in the sky!" In front of an ice cream cart, a little boy clutched his mother''s hand and eximed in shock. "Don''t try to trick me; we agreed you could only have one." The mother handed the change to the vendor in exchange for a double-scoop ice cream and turned around with a stern face to say. "Really! Really! That person had a pair of ck wings!" The boy pointed at the sky and shouted. The vendor and the people around all looked up but only saw the evening sun turning the sky a dull yellow¡ªno sign of a person with ck wings. "Lying is a bad habit! When we get home, I''ll tell your father to spank you hard!" The mother, seeing the strange looks from the people around, frowned. She handed the ice cream to the boy, threatening him. The little boy burst into tears with a wail. Then he took a bite of the ice cream. It was apple-vored, which he hated most, and he cried even louder. Whew! Chen Lunnded on top of a tall building, and the wings on his back turned into ck feathers and drifted away. At that moment, the sapphire earrings suddenly lit up. "You are being watched by ''Historical Retrospection''! Your information is being probed!" "Judgment effective! Evasion of probing!" Chen Lun was first startled, then he frowned. "History and Ritual Association? Is it because I killed the Gentleman...?" After pondering for a moment, he didn''t dwell on it any longer. With the protection of "Maggie''s Tear," the other party shouldn''t be able to trace his true identity yet. ... The next morning. Chen Lun had just finished breakfast and was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. In the familiar small section, he spotted the secret code of the mystic society once again. "Tonight is the time for the mystic society meeting again, should I go?" Chen Lun was hesitant. Now that he had acquired "Philip''s Legacy," he did not want to wade into muddy waters, but today''s society code was different. It discreetly listed a few items that would be up for trade, seemingly added by the members whomissioned the host "ck Skull" to emphasize the importance of tonight''s meeting. Chen Lun saw something he very much desired on the list¡ª A portion of the Supernatural Knowledge for the hidden path "Sequence Six"! The hidden path he was on was a nk area in his previous life''s memory, so the road ahead for advancement would be tough. Although he had just advanced to "Sequence Eight," he wanted to pave the way for the future to be safe rather than sorry. The code didn''t specify, and he wasn''t sure if it was Supernatural Knowledge from the "Destiny Faction." Chen Lun decided to check out the situation. If he encountered any trouble, not many could keep him from leaving at his current stage. But before that, he nned to do a divination for himself. He touched his fingertip to some tea, his eyes flickering through a fog of chaos. Then he flicked his finger, and droplets sttered onto the newspaper. ``` Shhh... In a few areas soaked by water droplets, the words inscribed were¡ª"crisis", "conspiracy", "beyond the center", and "wishful thinking". ... Nightfall descended, with the Purple Moon hanging high in the sky. The old site of Pompey Manor, the cemetery in the backyard. The incandescentmp in the underground crypt emitted a faint sizzling sound, while ck Skull sat at the head, looking at the five people who had arrived. "Lady ''Fin'' is still not here, and it seems Mr. ''Gentleman'' won''t being either." He said calmly. "As far as I know, a few days ago, the Shelter deployed arge force to raid Lona Port, capturing arge number of ck market merchants involved with the Mystic Realm... Moreover, the leader of the Dock Gang, Whitley, was killed on the spot. She is very likely to be ''Fin''." The miser idly toyed with a gold coin, speaking slowly. The others were shocked upon hearing this news. "Are you saying that the Shelter has started to make their move against us? Was ''Gentleman'' also suppressed by them?" Therge hat of knowledge spun as he asked the miser. "I didn''t say that, what you think is your own business." The miser replied. Rustle! Knowledge stood up, ready to walk outside. "I will excuse myself from tonight''s gathering first. With the situation this urgent, I advise you all to meet less frequently. If things settle downter, I will considering back." ck Skull did not stop him but simply watched indifferently as his figure disappeared into the side door. "Anyone else want to leave?" He looked at the remaining four people, Spirit Cat, Iron Hammer, the miser, and Spade. After a few seconds of silence, ck Skull continued: "Let''s begin the trading segment." Iron Hammer took out another man-made "Mysterious Object", but the others were not very interested. He put it away expressionlessly and sat in silence. The miser took out a folded piece of paper, handing it over to Chen Lun.@@novelbin@@ "This is something you''re interested in, Mr. Spade... You can take a look first, this is just a small part." Chen Lun silently unfolded the paper and nced at it. [Supernatural Knowledge of the Destiny Faction (severely iplete) detected!] [Destiny Faction][Sequence Six¡ªAerial Acrobat] He was quietly delighted, folding the paper back up, and said in a deep voice: "How much more of this do you have? I need to check first." "No, that''s not ording to the rules. I can only tell you that I have about one quarter of theplete version." The miser said. Chen Lun frowned, then asked: "How do you n to trade?" "Two C-grade Mysterious Objects plus a Mid Sequence Mysterious Substance." Stay connected through empire The miser stated. "I don''t have that much on hand right now. I''ll find you for the trade once I''m prepared." Chen Lun said in a hoarse voice as he handed the folded paper back. The miser didn''t say anything, taking back the paper and nodding, epting this promise. * * * After dispersing. Chen Lun still chose the path through the shoals. But just as he stepped out of the massive passageway, there was someone already waiting for him on the open ground beside the drainage channel ahead. "Mr. Spade, we meet again." The miser removed his skeletal mask, revealing the face of Professor Molimer. He calmly looked at Chen Lun. "I''m here to apologize on behalf of my student, but after that, I ask you to die." Chapter 103 Citywide Manhunt "Mona!" A cold call awakened her. Mona turned her head and saw her boss Roderick''s icy face. Clip-clop, clip-clop... The carriage slowly advanced along the streets, and in the cabin, right in front of Mona sat "Iron Hammer" Feray, firmly bound, with his eyes tightly shut, sunk into unconsciousness. Molimer had made a final stand using magic potion but still did not escape defeat, ending up seriously injured. He was captured by Newman and Roderick together, then handed over to Bishop Newman to be taken away. At this moment, she was preparing to return to the Shelter with her boss. "Do you know that ''Spade'' Jack?" Roderick asked. Mona hesitated for a moment before she briefly described the incident that happened after the crackdown at the port''s ck market, suppressing "Fin" Whitley, along with a brief interaction with him and two nobledies who were hispanions. "Hmm..." Roderick mused. "You investigate his real identity, starting with those two nobledies... then issue a warrant, and search the entire city!" After saying that, he darkened his face and closed his eyes to rest. Mona, seeing her boss''s grim expression, couldn''t help but recall the scene she had witnessed earlier... Under the Purple Moon. The top hat and scarf were blown away by the strong wind. The exposed skin of the ck-haired youth was covered with dark golden scales, with a ck exoskeleton over the joints interwoven with the scales, forming a suit of biological armor. He spread his dark wings from his back, pping them to hover in midair. The Bishop Newman of the Red Apple Church had transformed into a ghoul, leaped high, and roared angrily, swinging his sharp ws in an attempt to shred him, but was blocked by a silver shield formed by his opponent''s silver staff. In the midst of their crossing blows, the ck-haired youthshed out with his serpentine arm, biting the inside of Bishop Newman''s arm and then being struck by a dark wave from his boss Roderick. In the deafening sounds of battle, the youth finally used the immense force of the impact to fly away from the scene. Bishop Newman, infected with a severe poison, screamed in agony, shouting the name "sphemer Jack," while boss Roderick stood beside her, gazing long into the night sky. ¡ªUnder that round of the Purple Moon, the youth lightly tapped his forehead with two fingers, raised his fist, and gave a graceful salute to the Constetion. Turning around, he revealed a smile toward them. His green, snake-like pupils, a cold look in his eyes, and his final indifferent words: "Farewell, everyone." * * * Inner City District. 9 Second Street, Pompey Manor. Today, some uninvited guests had arrived here. Leading a man and a woman and seven or eight uniform-d investigators, followed by the old butler Binose, they approached the vi''s great door. Viscount Pompey was waiting here, and Reba curiously came closer but was pulled back by her mother, and, resigned, she stood quietly a bit farther away to eavesdrop. "Honorable Viscount Pompey, I am a special envoy from the Shelter, Roderick." "Mr. Envoy, good day." Viscount Pompey and Roderick shook hands amicably. Explore stories at empire After ncing at the identification the other party presented, a sh of doubt and vignce crossed Viscount Pompey''s eyes. "May I know why you visit Pompey Manor today? What brings you here?" "We are investigating a mysterious and dangerous incident, a heinously wicked felon, in the Outer City District near the marshy areas, brutally murdered Mr. Molimer, the history professor from the Golden Broomstick Girls'' Academy..." Roderick solemnly narrated. Listening on the side, Reba suddenly gasped in shock, covering her mouth in disbelief. Professor Molimer, whom she had just met not long ago, had been murdered?! Mrs. Pompey was also very surprised; she whispered a prayer for the Sun''s blessing and then began to worry about the security issues in Amber City. "Additionally, there are over a dozen murder cases rted to this felon. Based on our deductions, we have confirmed his identity, which you might also recognize...@@novelbin@@ Jack Spett, who once posed as a foreign schr and came to your manor to serve as Miss Reba''s home tutor." Roderick said indifferently. "May I ask Viscount Pompey, can you provide some information about him?" "!!" The Pompey family was stunned. "That''s impossible!" Reba broke free from her mother''s grasp and walked up to the tall man in ck, looking up at him angrily. "Mr. Jack is no murderer! You are ndering him!" Roderick ignored the young girl and just waited quietly for Viscount Pompey''s response. "Reba!" Viscount Pompey stopped his daughter, gave her a serious and silent nce, then called the old butler to take Reba away. Reba was very reluctant, but under the pulling of the butler, Binose, and her mother, she headed towards the living room. "Mr. Special Agent, I''m sorry, I don''t know Mr. Jack very well, and unfortunately, I cannot help you." Viscount Pompey said. "I see... By the way, Viscount Pompey, I''ve heard from my subordinates about the ''Verdant Scream Zoo'' riot incident, and it seems that Mr. Jack was also involved." Roderick said. "My colleague has visited you before; it was you who vouched for him... Even though you are a Viscount, shielding a felon wanted by the Shelter is against the norms of the Sun Codex, please remember that." Viscount Pompey listened silently. He looked straight at Roderick. "Can I take your words as a threat?" "Oh, no, this is just a courtesy." Roderick said calmly. Viscount Pompey snorted coldly. "If you have evidence, then issue an arrest! Without evidence, don''te here to intimidate at will! I vited manyws on the overseas battlefield back in the day, and I''ve faced many terrifying scenarios, you can''t scare me, Mr. Special Agent. Please, sir, go back; you won''t find the answers you want here!" Roderick looked coldly at Viscount Pompey, who returned a disdainful gaze. "If you encounter Mr. Jack during this period, please inform us immediately; this is for the safety of your lordship and your family... Lastly, may Moonlight bless you." Roderick said, then led his team away. Mona looked back onest time and saw Viscount Pompey with furrowed brows, pondering something. After Roderick and his group had left. "Daddy!" Reba rushed over, looking worried. Lady Pompey, holding Viscount Pompey''s arm anxiously asked: "Is Mr. Jack truly a murderer, Pompey...?" Viscount Pompey gently shook his head. "I don''t think Mr. Jack is that kind of person." "So what do we do now, Viscount? Should I notify Mr. Jack immediately?" Binose said, standing aside. "Do not act rashly; they have definitely positioned people to watch the manor all the time, monitoring every action we take." Viscount Pompey said gravely. "Let''s just hope Mr. Jack remains safe." He sighed. Seeing this, Reba disyed a profoundly disappointed look. She turned away from her parents'' gaze and secretly made a prayer gesture of the Moon Church. Her fingers traced a semicircr arc, lightly touching her lips. Moonlight Grandma, please protect Mr. Jack. Chapter 104 The Old Home Is Raided Jack''s Manor. Explore stories at empire Teams of uniformed Investigators, under Roderick''smand, charged in. They held flintlock guns, silent among themselves, using hand signals to coordinate their actions. "Sir, must we really go to such lengths?" Mona turned her head, brows slightly furrowed. Roderick watched his subordinates methodically searching within the manor, and said indifferently, "Sympathetic, are you? Why do you have such feelings? When we handle other targets, I don''t see you this weak." "I have thoroughly investigated, and this ''Transcendent'' named ''Jack'' hasn''t reallymitted any heinous crimes... If we''re talking about once destroying a small town division of the Red Apple Church, that wasn''t within our jurisdiction," Mona said. "After I graduated from the Royal Academy, I was directly transferred to the Amber City Shelter, and I''ve always believed in prioritizing evidence. Neither the ''Emerald Zoo Incident'' nor the ''Annihtion Operations'' provide direct evidence that this man has vited the ''Sun Codex'' or the ''Containment Regtions''. Furthermore, I don''t quite agree with the method of executing targets on the spot." Roderick let out a coldugh. A phantom motion shed in his hand and with a snap, he seized the revolver from the holster under Mona''s ribs. Sizzle... The revolver''s cylinder rotated, startling Mona. By the time she regained her senses, she found herself staring down the barrel of the revolver pointed at her brow. "I have the gun now, and to kill you, all I need to do is pull the trigger..." Roderick''s icy voice came through. "But would you wait for me to actually kill you before you try to arrest me?" Bang!! A gunshot rang out! Mona looked at her superior expressionlessly as he fired a shot beside her face with the revolver. Her ears rang, and a trace of warmth flowed down her cheek. Roderick chuckled and spun the revolver, offering the handle toward Mona. "Commendable courage... but you should know, the Shelter needs not only courage but also resolve, the determination to suppress any element that threatens the stability of the Empire." Mona, indifferent to the blood oozing from her ear, took the gun and slipped it back into her holster. "Special Agent Roderick, even if you are my superior, you have no right to use my assigned weapon without permission... I will report this matter ording to protocol when we get back to the Shelter." "As you wish," Roderick remained unphased by her words. Soon, an Investigator came out from the manor and stood before Roderick. "Sir, no one was found, and apart from some tools and machinery in the warehouse, the other things have been moved out... we can deduce that the criminal has already fled beforehand." "Clear out the stuff inside, take anything of value, all of these are contraband," Roderick instructed. The Investigator nodded, saluted by cing a hand over his chest, and turned around to head back. Roderick nced indifferently across the street at another building, thinking what a pity it was. There, another group of Investigatorsy in wait, armed with exquisite weapons crafted by the Transcendent workshop, ready to capture Jack the moment he showed up. Since they hadn''t caught him on the spot, they would have to wait for next time... The Shelter had already issued a warrant for his arrest, and as long as the man remained in Amber City, it would be enough to make him tread on pins and needles. Once the Shelter''s people had carried out the assortment of items, cing them on the cart, Roderick led his team away. The departure of therge troops caused amotion that startled a Golden-winged Sparrow resting on a branch. At a distant street corner. Pris and Su Keying were secretly observing, with three Horseman guild yers standing behind them. "What should we do? It seems like our faction has encountered major trouble..." Su Keying said. Pris pondered for a moment. "Jack must have done something significant again, otherwise, the Shelter wouldn''t have such a major reaction..." The three Horsemen looked at each other. They had only recently found Pris and had spent a great deal of effort and resources to persuade him to ept them and agree to "guide" them in their y. But just after they''d joined his faction, their base had been raided¡ªwhat kind of luck was that?! "Damn it! What the hell, wasting so much energy and not even getting a single task! There are only a few days left in the beta test, can''t just enter with a fresh ount and leave with a fresh ount, right?!" Doghead Goldined. His close buddy, Forget No Taboo, also felt depressed, unsure how to exin the situation to the guild leader. "Don''t panic yet, this actually reveals something." Pris turned his head and said. The others looked at him with puzzled expressions. "Our current faction actually doesn''t have any core members; it''s all supported by ''Mr. Jack''. But the fact that he can cause such amotion by himself shows that he''s indeed extraordinary..." Pris analyzed. He also remembered the terrifying panel he saw when he tested Jack, peeping through the tube; his real power had probably reached the ceiling of the current stage, or even higher. Plus, the fleeting glimpse of Mysterious Objects and Supernatural Knowledge with him, there''s no doubt he''s a big shot. "We should feel lucky; this is how a major NPC should be, except... he doesn''t seem verywful good, more like a chaotic neutral viin character. Don''t forget, he once single-handedly destroyed a church in Emerald Town!" After Pris finished, the Horseman was the first to nod in agreement. As an executive of a major guild, seasoned and experienced, he naturally noticed this too. "But the question is, what do we do now? Where do we find him... surely we can''t not even have a ce to receive tasks, right?" He asked in a deep voice. "Actually, before Jack left, he dismissed the manor''s servants, and the coachman passed on a message to me... he will find us, told us not to worry." "Not worry... He''s an NPC, of course he''s not in a hurry, but we are! We can''t just sit around waiting, right? Besides, he''s now on the Shelter''s most-wanted list throughout the city, how is he supposed to find us?" Doghead Gold said impatiently. Pris ignored him and turned to leave. "Hey! Where are you going?" "Going back to log off and eat..." Pris turned his head, showing a tired face. "These past few days in the Outer City District, grinding Levels in the sewage ditches, everyday gang fights, do you know how tiring it is?" Everyone fell silent. "Wait for me, I''m going to log off and edit videos too." Su Keying followed him. She and Pris were temporarily living together, for ease of cooperation. Seeing this, the trio of Horsemen, helplessly, followed suit. Just as everyone was walking on the street, the leading Pris was suddenly bumped into by a newsboy. "Ah! Sorry, sir!" The newsboy''s papers scattered everywhere, and Pris looked down at him, sighed, and crouched to help pick them up. Suddenly, a paper airne leisurely floated by in the air; it was nudged by a Golden-winged Sparrow flying past and fell, wobblingly,nding squarely on Pris''s head. "Hiss!" He brushed the back of his head, which was slightly sore, and picked up the paper airne at his feet, then let out a soft gasp of surprise. "What''s up, Pris?" The others crowded around. Pris spread out the paper airne with a look of astonishment and showed it to them. "It''s his message!" On the crumpled piece of paper it read: "¡ªTomorrow, go to the Garden Grand Hotel and wait for me, I need your help with a big event."@@novelbin@@ The signature was a single letter "J". But they all knew, it was Mr. Jack. Everyone showed surprised expressions¡ªwhat kind of messaging method was this?! At the same time, they all simultaneously had one thought in mind¡ª A big task ising! Chapter 105 Little Fattys First Encounter The Golden-winged Sparrow flew over the streets and alleys, arriving in front of an apartment building where it didn''t stop but directly entered a third-floor window. It finallynded on the shoulder of a young man with ck hair. "Eat." Chen Lun took out a handful of prepared grains, spread his palm, and held it in front of the sparrow. The Golden-winged Sparrow pecked a few times, then started chirping noisily. "The Shelter really hase knocking ¡­" His eyelids drooped. That night, after leaving the gathering of the association, he had encountered Molimer''s ambush. The other party evidently wanted to take revenge for the "Gentleman," thus staging a scene of the mantis stalking the cicada. But in reality, the Shelter and the Red Apple Church had already joined hands, focusing on suppressing the association members while primarily targeting Molimer. They yed the role of the oriole, striking at Molimer together after faking their own "defeat and death." But his own strength had far exceeded everyone''s expectations. He had not only survived Molimer''s hands but had also turned the tables on him. He even managed to escapefortably under the joint efforts of the two Sequence Seven agents. At that time, "Maggie''s Tear" had helped him ward off Roderick''s mental attack, triggering a side effect and quite embarrassingly made a show of his presence before them. For Newman and Roderick, this was a great humiliation. As Amber City''s most powerful four supernatural forces, the Shelter and the Red Apple Church had coborated to kick the History and Ritual Association out of the game, also annihting a batch of rogue Transcendents. With the Moon Church staying neutral, the Mystic Realm of the entire city was now basically ruled by these two powers. They wouldn''t allow him to continue causing trouble in Amber City. The Red Apple Church had already discovered his true identity, definitely a fight to the death situation. Fortunately, with the help of Spiritual Intuition, Chen Lun sensed the crisis and utilized Divination, foreseeing bits and pieces which allowed him to leave Jack Estate ahead of time with Floey and Connie. He dispersed the servants and the coachman, temporarily hiding in the shadows. "It''s just a shame about all those machines and tools ¡­" Chen Lun thought to himself, feeling a pang of pain. Those were custom-made items that cost him tens to hundreds of Gold Pounds. Having them taken in a raid was something he simply could not tolerate.@@novelbin@@ "Mr. Jack, I''ve made you a cup of tea." Connie walked over with a cup of tea, her face filled with worry. Chen Lun released the Golden-winged Sparrow and took a sip from the tea. "Connie, you won''t be going to school for a while ¡­ I''m sorry for dragging you into this." "It''s okay, Mr. Jack. It''s actually a good opportunity for me to study that painting and I can read books to Miss Floey as well." Connie smiled, and behind her on the couch, Floey sat quietly, while a maid with a newspaper stuttered through a reading beside her. "Don''t worry, I will resolve this matter very soon." Chen Lun said. Connie nodded, seeming to trust himpletely. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Following which, Walsh entered swiftly,ing by Chen Lun''s side to whisper: "Mr. Jack, young master Noah asks for you." "Alright, I understand." Chen Lun nodded to Connie and Floey, then followed Walsh out. As they passed the hallway, he nced again at the numerous paintings hung on the walls. All were the works of Noah. Although Chen Lun''s level of appreciation was limited, he could tell the excellence of these paintings. It was also a coincidence that just as he had evacuated Jack Estate, he encountered "Chubby" Noah on the street, forced to stop due to his carriage breaking down. When Noah saw Chen Lun, he was overjoyed, soon after whispering that he hade specifically to find him. Chen Lun was surprised at this, but Noah quickly exined that he had learned of the warrant for Chen Lun''s arrest and wanted to help him. There''s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and Chen Lun immediately became wary. However, Noah''s next words slightly lowered his guard. "Mr. Jack, my mother and brother have both suffered at the hands of the Shelter and Red Apple Church. My brother Rex even died in an assassination... Even my current appearance was caused by the Red Apple Church." Noah still had his shy demeanor, but behind his sses, a flicker of hate could be seen. He said he could provide Chen Lun a temporary ce to stay to avoid the search. Chen Lun knew the Silver Dragon Trade Association didn''t get along well with the Shelter, but he had thought it was just a conflict of interests, unaware of the deeper issues involved. Since he was also interested in interacting with this potential future antagonist, he agreed toe along. But before doing so, Chen Lun secretly performed a Divination and softly let go of his Silver Staff, which stood quietly by itself. Reassured, he followed Noah to this apartment, which was a temporary residence belonging to the Silver Dragon Trade Association. Knock knock. Walsh knocked on the door, and Noah''s voice came from inside. "Pleasee in." The door opened. Chen Lun followed Walsh inside. Noah''s rotund body sat on a small chair, painting on a canvas. His movements were quick, incongruously so for hisrge frame, as if creating the painting at a speed visible to the naked eye. Enjoy more content from empire The painting depicted a woman in a silver robe, regal and elegant, who looked only about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old. "Uncle Walsh, I''d like to have a private conversation with Mr. Jack." Noah set down his paintbrush and palette, showing Walsh an apologetic smile. "I will heed your will, young master Noah." Walsh bowed respectfully, sping his chest, then withdrew, closing the door behind him. Click. "Mr. Jack, please take a seat." Noah smiled slightly, revealing a dimple. Chen Lun removed his hat, nodded, and found a chair to sit down in casually. "It is apparent that you, Mr. Jack, are a powerful Transcendent... However, the Shelter and the Red Apple Church are deep and unfathomable, so you must still be cautious," said Noah. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Noah." "No, no... don''t call me Mr., just use my name." Noah, slightly embarrassed, said with a flushed face. "Alright, Noah," said Chen Lun, pointing to the painting behind the other. "May I ask who that painting is of...?" "Oh, this is my mother, ze." Upon hearing Chen Lun''s address, Noah rxed and exined with a smile. "I''ve loved painting since I was young. I wasn''t very interested in the family business; perhaps I had some talent. Therefore, my mother and brother have both supported me in pursuing this path... and I paint my mother the most." As Noah spoke about painting, his eyes lit up, clearly passionate about it. Chen Lun remained silent. He had heard the name ze before, but that was as far as his knowledge went... Because she was a Saint. ¡ªA Saint residing in the southernmost part of the Kingdom in the "City of Shuoli." At the time, Chen Lun was just a Mid Sequence Transcendent and not qualified to meet this "Silver Dragon Witch," but he was well aware that she was the spiritual and martial pir behind the Silver Dragon Trade Association. He had not expected Noah to be her son, nor was he clear about why Noah would be one of the version 2.0 antagonist bosses in the future. Subsequently, the two of them started discussing topics rted to painting. Using the advantage of being a transmigrator, Chen Lun narrated many anecdotes of great painters from former eras and some concepts of painting, eliciting constant amazement from Noah. [Noah''s affection for you has increased! It is now ''Close''!] Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. "Talking with you has really been enjoyable, Mr. Jack. It''s a pity you aren''t interested in painting; otherwise, I think you could be a great painter," Chen Lun merely smiled, not indicating anything. "However, I think your appearance might be better suited to modeling. It has been many years since I''ve encountered a man as handsome as you..." Noah adjusted the round-framed sses on his nose, his eyes gleaming with excitement behind the lenses. "??" Chen Lun''s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Noah has some strange fetish? How did I not know of this! "Perhaps not..." "Oh, don''t misunderstand, Mr. Jack," Noah picked up his paintbrush, putting on a serious face. "You don''t need to take off your clothes. I have already memorized your physique in my mind, and can perfectly replicate every muscle..." "!!" Chapter 106 Origin of the Immortal Realm Midnight. Chen Luny on the bed in the guest room. He turned around to look at the table by the window, and by the moonlight, he could clearly see a portrait ced on it. ¡ª A young man with ck hair dressed in a suit, one hand resting on a Silver Staff, the other gently pulling down the brim of his hat. Wearing a light smile, he gazed outside the painting. It goes without saying, Noah''s painting skills were indeed superb, capturing one-tenth of his own handsomeness. Chen Lun silently reflected. In the end, he had persuaded Noah to dress the figure in the painting in clothes to prevent him from catching a cold. Noah was surprised and then praised his kindness. Chen Lun no longer looked at the painting and chose to lie t. "Tomorrow I have arranged a meeting with Pris and the other yers..." He muttered. This was his n for what came next, he was preparing to retaliate. It''s not polite not to return a favor, and since the Shelter and the Red Apple Church had been so aggressive, he would not hold back. His own home had been raided, and along with Connie and Floey, he had been forced to hide here and there. Chen Lun never saw himself as someone easy to bully. He was prepared to break them down one by one. The first target he chose was the Red Apple Church! The professional system he had previously conceived needed a new Sub upation, which could be obtained from the Red Apple Church. Another reason was the "High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance". After all, it was a church branch in a big city; he might have a chance to obtain it. "But before that, I need to make some preparations." Chen Lun took out the "Wake of Insects" bookmark and inspected it in his hand. No one could imagine that this ordinary green bookmark was an "S-ss Mysterious Object". He gently ced the "Wake of Insects" on his forehead. Boom! When Chen Lun opened his eyes, he saw the same huge tree that covered the sky in the distance. He walked up to the "Vine tform" in front, picked up "Philip''s Dreand Adventure", and then returned to reality. Lying on the bed, with the moonlight shining on him, Chen Lun opened the book. A white light emerged. He reappeared in the "Immortal Realm" within the book, on that grasnd. "Sanity Value is limited; I have to hurry." Chen Lun reminded himself in his mind. With a flicker, he moved like a blur and arrived in front of the wooden hut by theke, walking straight in. He hadn''t fully explored the hut before, and this time he intended to thoroughly check it. Unfortunately, after a thorough search, Chen Lun found nothing else of value, only discovering a ying card on the table. The face of the card was the Spade Jack, and on a nk corner were written some words: "¡ª I regret that I have foreseen my inescapable demise tomorrow. This ce will belong to you then, my friend." Chen Lun''s eyes narrowed. Left by Philip before his death? But who is the "you" in thisst message...? Could it be me? He was startled by this guess. "It must be a coincidence¡­ As a Mid Sequence Transcendent, Philip could not have foreseen the future so many yearster, specifically pinpointing me." He thought to himself. Just then, the ying card suddenly freed itself from his grasp. Chen Lun was shocked. But before he could react, the ying card had embedded itself in his chest. "!!" Opening his cor, a ck letter "J" had appeared branded on his left chest. At the same time, in his mind, a flood of information emerged¡ª This was a fictional world. Based on Philip''s own experiences, using his perspective to frame it, he created this fictional world... He had once been to a strange ce, filled with absurdity and peculiarity, which also hid opportunities.@@novelbin@@ He didn''t know what that ce was called, so he named it "Immortal Realm". Limited by his power, Philip''s exploration journey progressed slowly, and until the veryst moment before his death, he never reached the fringes of the "Immortal Realm". Thus, he recorded everything he saw and learned, recreating it into this fictional world. But please remember. It is very dangerous, extremely dangerous, covered by intense premonitions of death at every moment. Therefore, this fictional world is also quite dangerous, and you should not let your guard down just because it seems false. Because the absurdity and strangeness of "Immortal Realm" are beyond imagination, this fictional world is also deeply eroded and influenced, obtaining a shadow and a touch of reality from the "Immortal Realm". This also led to the particrity of this book. It is cursed, not allowed to exist in reality. Fortunately, at that time, Philip''s lover, Maggie, created a "Safe Hut" for him as a temporary shelter from the storm. As long as one stays inside, they can avoid danger. Philip also wrote this hut into the book, so you can seek refuge there. Now, you are the new owner of this hut. You are also the new owner of this fictional world. You can follow in Philip''s footsteps,plete his unfinished wishes, and pursue his unfinished matters¡ª Explore the ce he named "Immortal Realm". "''Immortal Realm''...? What exactly is it?" Chen Lun''s eyebrows were tightly furrowed. With his memories from his past life, he had never heard of it. ording to Philip''s description, he also had no impression. "So, you mean that this here is a replica of ''Immortal Realm'', but it still possesses dangers. In critical moments, one needs to hide in the ''Safe House'' to avoid danger?" Chen Lun pondered thoughtfully, feeling that the mysteries were multiplying. After he received the brand and information, he found that he seemed to have some kind of "authority" to control certain "switches" in this fictional world. Such as the hut''s "switch", and theke''s "switch"... "Lake?" Chen Lun was puzzled. He stepped out of the hut and came to theke behind it. There, he saw a mermaid statue. It stood on the shore, tail raised, eyes fixed on the surface of theke, quietly lost in thought. Chen Lun slowly walked over, following the statue''s gaze toward theke. Read exclusive chapters at empire He had a strong premonition that simply by jumping into the water, he could officially reach the starting point of this replica "Immortal Realm". The scene at thekeside hut was merely a safe area before departure. Chen Lun turned his head to look once more at the mermaid statue. On its base, there were some words left: "¡ªTo Maggie, I will never forget the look in your eyes as you silently watched me depart. Just as you will never forget, the fiery love I have for you." Chen Lun understood. This statue was built by Philip, tomemorate his lover, Maggie. "Maggie..." Chen Lun muttered the name. "So it''s a Deep Sea Mermaid, huh?" He looked up and suddenly noticed¡ª The eyes of the statue had somehow turned and were quietly gazing at him. Those eyes, calm and indifferent. [You are watched by an Angel! Sanity-99!] Boom!!! His vision went pitch ck. Chen Lun''s eyes exploded, disintegrated, his body riddled with cracks like shattered porcin. The next moment. Spurt¡ª!! Countless golden branches pierced out from inside Chen Lun. In thest moment of his fading consciousness, he faintly heard a distant female voice whispering. * * * "Philip, is this the person you were looking for?" Chapter 108 Hell Resistance "Part of the [Sequence Six] Supernatural Knowledge?!" Chen Lun was somewhat astonished. But he had no intention of staying there long, so he suppressed his emotions and without another nce at that giant hand, he began to make his escape. He fled in a certain direction for several minutes and only stopped once he had confirmed that the so-called "Deste Giant" was not pursuing him. He took a deep breath and took out a palm-sized notebook from his ring. [Supernatural Knowledge ¨C Destiny Faction Sequence Six ¨C Aerial Acrobat (1/4)] This was something he had snatched from Molimer that night, sadly it was only one-quarterplete. Added to the Supernatural Knowledge he had just acquired, he now had two iplete portions of [Sequence Six]. "This ce is too dangerous, there''s even a Mid Sequence level contaminated creature lurking around... Just one nce took away 10 points of my Sanity, if I hadn''t had the statue''s reserve of Sanity, I might have been done for." Contaminated creatures, as the name suggests, are Supernatural Creatures that have been tainted by mysterious substances. They typicallyck Sanity, are severely corrupted by contamination, and are generally very powerful. Chen Lun was still shaking from the scare. He didn''t know if dying here would count as truly dying. He used his staff for divination and the prediction seemed to be negative, but it seemed that if he died, bad things were likely to happen. This made Chen Lun breathe a little easier. But he didn''t dare to gamble; it was better to avoid death if he could. "Indeed, this ce is a mix of danger and opportunity..." He had merely nced at that giant hand and peered into the Supernatural Knowledge of a small part of [Nature Faction Sequence Six ¨C Berry Picker]. Perhaps he could gather the Supernatural Knowledge he needed for future advancement here... "In any case, I must still be cautious." Chen Lun admonished himself. He resettled his equipment, took a look around, and followed his intuition in a certain direction. About ten minutester. He discovered an item out of ce in the environment, a dirty doll in the shape of a radish, hanging from a tree and swaying in the wind. Chen Lun stopped in his tracks. He warily scoped out the surroundings and noticed a white fluffy figure gently shaking not far from the radish doll. [Peeping Eye of Fate]! He cast a nce at the white figure but only got a small piece of information. It was a contaminated creature called "Rabbit Man," roughly equivalent in strength to a [Sequence Nine] Transcendent. Beep! The figure''s head suddenly sprouted tworge ears, turned swiftly, and its crimson eyes fixed straight on Chen Lun. It had the head of a rabbit but the body of a human, looking like a muscr man in a rabbit headpiece. "Hahaha...!" The rabbit head cackled viciously and got to its feet, charging at Chen Lun frantically. The voice was bizarre, resembling that of an old woman. Chen Lun''s face was expressionless as he swung his silver staff overhead, smashing it down on the Rabbit Man''s forehead. Bang!!@@novelbin@@ The massive rabbit head burst apart on impact, two red eyes ejected and spattered about as gore flew in all directions. Chen Lun coolly sidestepped; the Rabbit Man, with its head destroyed save for a mouth, stillughing oddly, ran forward a few steps, arms iling wildly before it copsed with a thud. [Killing the Rabbit Man! You''ve gained 800 Experience Points and Low Sequence Supernatural Material "Red Eyes" (Nature Faction)!] Chen Lun stood where he was, looking down at the corpse. "There''s even a reward for killing it?!" His eyebrows rose, and immediately a term came to mind¡ª Dungeon! This fictional world named "Immortal Realm" was extremely simr to a dungeon! Chen Lun''s excitement began to surge. If this were the case, did he not possess a portable dungeon? As long as he saved enough Sanity Value, he could "enter the dungeon" at any time! He tightened his grip on the Silver Staff in his hand, feeling as though he had discovered a vast treasure. A drop of blood had inadvertently smeared on his cheek, faintly carrying the scent of strawberry jam. Chen Lun reached out to wipe it off, frowning slightly. "What in the world are all these things... None of them seem normal." The white corpse on the ground began to disintegrate and subsequently "merged" into the ground. However, bizarrely, a half-translucent small marble was left in its ce. Chen Lun let out a light exmation, walked over, and picked it up. [Obtained Low Sequence Pure Substance] "To think that this ce could produce such things..." Chen Lun was astonished. [Pure Substance] Unlike the [Mysterious Substance] of other factions, it doesn''t contain interference from other Sequence supernatural powers and can cover all categories. Its uses are extremely broad. Of course, its value is also much higher than that of ordinary [Mysterious Substance]. "What other secrets are hidden here, waiting for me to unearth...?" Chen Lun thought to himself. He stored the half-translucent marble into his panel and continued to explore ahead. Half an hourter, he finally discovered another peculiar thing. Ahead was a small mound of earth with a concave top, from which orange-red magma was continuously erupting, like a mini volcano. A palm-sized worm covered in ck and red spikes was crawling within the magma. Chen Lun didn''t dare to take it lightly. He cautiously approached, picked up a stone, and flicked it with his finger. With a muffled thud, the worm was hit, flung into the air, and then rolled down from the "volcano,"nding not far in front of Chen Lun. It hadn''t died. It flipped itself over as if nothing had happened and crawled back toward the "volcano," seemingly trying to return to the magma. Experience tales at empire "Huff..." Chen Lun exhaled a breath of turbid air and chose to hold his breath. The air around him was filled with the pungent odor of sulfur, and the temperature was also on the high side. It seemed that the air held hidden harmful substances. He once again used [Peeping Eye of Fate] to obtain a small amount of information on the strange worm. "Demon Worm"¡ª A special type of polluted creature, generally non-aggressive, but extremely resilient. Nearly max-level Hell Resistance and Poison Resistance, and its spikes contain Supernatural Toxin. Chen Lun watched the demon worm slowly crawl and suddenly had an idea. "If I could acquire its traits, wouldn''t my ability to survive improve even further?" [Animal Mimicry], in theory, could only copy the traits of ordinary creatures and not be used on Supernatural Creatures, unless Chen Lun could ascend to a higher Sequence, which might make it possible. But previously, Angel Maggie had bestowed him with a Blessing, [Beast Tamer] all skill levels +1, [Animal Mimicry] had broken through the max level limit, so perhaps it was worth a try. Chen Lun stepped forward and extended his hand toward the demon worm. Its spikes grazed the scales on his hand, producing a crisp friction sound. Chen Lun''s eyes sharpened. [You used the skill [Animal Mimicry LVMAX+1], acquiring the corresponding traits from the target] [Hell Resistance] Trait description: Your resistance to me, high temperatures, and toxins has greatly increased! You can secrete Supernatural Toxin through your body surface! Chapter 109 The Shocked Group of Five Players (Please Follow!) "It really can be done..." Chen Lun secretly rejoiced. He originally still held a special memory slot, and now the "Hell Resistance" he just received fit right in, like the final piece of a puzzle. "This ''Demon Worm'' supernatural creature''s attribute is indeed strong!" He stretched his hand into the magma, yet was not harmed. The touch felt like that of just mildly hot, sticky porridge. He scooped up a piece of magma and let the glowing red liquid slowly slip through his fingers with a sizzling sound, apanied by a bit of light blue smoke. "Hmm...But prolonged exposure still burns, it''s notplete immunity." Chen Lun began to feel a slight pain, so he shook the magma off his hand. Even so, he was quite satisfied. "With it, the strength of the ''Great Serpent Form'' will increase significantly... but I can feel that my current ''Animal Mimicry'' has reached its limit, and for now, I can only store one supernatural creature''s attribute." Chen Lun thought to himself. Focusing his mind, hemunicated with the statue, and through feedback, he approximately knew that his remaining Sanity Value was 219 points. "Having spent almost half of my reserves, let''s end this exploration for now and save enough Sanity for emergencies." Chen Lun made up his mind and, following the guided method, linked spiritually to thekeside cabin. He slowly closed his eyes, feeling the air suddenly stall. The next second he opened his eyes, he found himself back in the cabin. Chen Lun was first surprised, then chuckled softly. "This feeling is almost no different from ''logging out''... Let''s go back." Boom! A sh of white light. Suddenlying to his senses, he found himself lying on the bed. He held "Philip''s Dreand Adventure" in his hand, with the moonlight quietly streaming in through the window. Chen Lun let out a breath, storing the old book in the "Wake of Insects" bookmark to cultivate. At the same time, a concern arose in his mind, what if the statue''s Sanity ran out? He rolled over and began to think: "This book is an important basis for my gradual strengthening... On ordinary days, maybe I can store my Sanity in it, and with the boosting effect of ''Maggie''s Tear'', as long as I don''t store too much at one time, I should be alright." Lacking a better n for now, Chen Lun decided to make himself a "human power bank". Suddenly, a vague n began to form in his mind, although he still couldn''t sort through it clearly. However, a strong intuition told him¡ª The future yers might just be the fuel that elerates his rapid growth... Continue your journey with empire * * * The following day. Inner City District, Garden Hotel. Pris and four others arrived early and exchanged nces before walking toward The Great Gate. "I''m sorry sir, your attire does not meet our entrance standards." The two security guards stopped Pris and his group. With a wary expression, the guards assessed the men and women, particrly the three men behind, dressed in cheap and worn clothes, not at all appearing like they could afford to spend here. Following the guards'' gaze, Pris and Su Keying turned to look at the three Horsemen behind them, their faces wearing embarrassed expressions. "¡ª¡ª(expressionless face) Why does this game mirror the real world so much, even the doormen are snobbish?" Group chat message from Horseman. "¡ª¡ªWhy don''t you three go to a nearby clothing store now, and buy some decent outfits?" Su Keying replied. "¡ª¡ªBuy my ass! A single outfit costs several Silver Ducats, even killing us wouldn''t cover it! Maybe we should just wait outside...?" Doghead Gold said. "¡ª¡ªThen you three wait outside, Su Keying and I are going in... Don''t me me for not warning you if you miss out on the quest." Pris said. The Horsemen exchanged nces, feeling reluctant. If they missed out on this major task as Pris said, wouldn''t they be at a loss. "¡ªCan you two, who have plenty to spare, lend us some first? When the public test happens, we will return double what we borrowed, guaranteed by our guild''s name, we will keep our promise! You can screenshot this! (handshake emoji) " Forget No Taboo sent a message. "¡ªNo. (crying emoji)" "¡ªNot lending." The three Horsemen immediately clenched their fists tightly. Just as they were at a loss, a young man dressed as a waiter came out from the lobby, whispered something to the two security guards, and showed them a silver badge before gesturing towards them. "Sorry, it turns out that you gentlemen are expected VIPs, pleasee in." The security''s attitude immediately changed, respectfully removing their hats to greet them. Pris and his group were a bit surprised, but since they could pass through, they exchanged nces and walked right in. Upon entering the lobby of the Garden Hotel, the spacious and bright environment, coupled with the luxurious decor, took them by surprise.@@novelbin@@ Such a ce, likely even after the public test, would still be out of reach for most yers for quite some time. The waiter led the way upfront and soon brought them deeper into the lobby. He stopped, wore a professional smile, and gestured towards a spot in the corner. The group followed the direction the waiter pointed and saw a man in a ck suit and hat sitting there, head bowed, waiting quietly. The noise around seemed irrelevant to him; a silver cane rested by his side, exuding an inexplicable sense of mystery and silence. "Please have a seat." The man with ck hair looked up and politely gestured. Suddenly, the yers realized that the person was not Mr. Jack, but a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance. "Don''t be shocked, it''s me." Chen Lun gently brushed his face, reverting to his outrageously handsome appearance, and smiled slightly at them. This was the "D-grade Mysterious Object-Starlight Veil" lent to him by Noah, which could change appearances to conceal one''s identity. Only then did Pris and hispanions sigh in relief and obediently took their seats across from him. Then they sat upright and dared not fidget. "¡ª Every time I see him, I remember the scenes of being killed instantly, damn, it numbs me. (speechless emoji)" Doghead Gold sent a message. "¡ª Do you think this NPC could be a viinous BOSS after the public test?" One of the Horsemen spected. "¡ª It''s not impossible... If that''s really the case, aren''t we getting involved in the main storyline ahead of time?" Forget No Taboo said. The others were quietly thrilled, feeling they were about to witness, and even contribute to, a major historical moment. "I''ve called you here because there''s a small favor I need your help with." Chen Lun waved his hand over his face again, reverting back to the ordinary middle-aged man, and spoke softly. Upon hearing his words, the group of five yers instantly had their hearts pounding faster. At that moment, the waiter brought over coffee and snacks, cing them on the table and discreetly handed back the silver badge to Chen Lun. He epted it and ced two silver ducats in the waiter''s palm. The waiter revealed a delighted smile, thanked them respectfully, and left after bowing. "Whatever it is, Mr. Jack, please say the word, and we will dedicate ourselvespletely!" Pris spoke resolutely. Chen Lun chuckled lightly and took a sip of his coffee. "I want to destroy the Red Apple Church in Amber City..." "!!!" The group of five yers showed expressions of shock. [Triggered B-Rank Hidden Chain Mission: The Copse of the Amber Apple!] First task: Follow Mr. Jack''smands, lend him your strength, and strive towards the ultimate objective ¡ª the destruction of the Red Apple Church in Amber City, even at the cost of your lives! Note: Jack''s death will be considered a mission failure! Reward based on contribution (Experience Points, currency, Jack''s Affection, power Contribution Degree, [Wrath - Self-Made Firearm], [Connie No. 1 - Mechanical Glove], [D-Rank Mysterious Object - Surging Medal], and [Sequence Nine Supernatural Knowledge] (choose one)) "¡ª Damn!!" "¡ª Let''s take off! Hahaha!" "¡ª What are we waiting for, hurry up and ept the mission already!!" Chapter 113 Declaration! Kidnapping! Gallery. "Dad! Look quickly!" Reba eximed. She pulled her father, Viscount Pompey, over to a painting. "I said keep your voice down, Reba. Don''t make such a fuss. Where are your manners?" Viscount Pompey looked helpless. "I know, Dad¡­ Just look at this painting!" Urged by Reba, Viscount Pompey looked up, and the next second, his expression froze. Thisrge-sized painting was borately framed and hung at the end of the corridor. The battlefield depicted was strikingly realistic, the gloomy sky lit by continuous artillery fire, dust billowing. But in the center of the painting, a young soldier was deserting hisrades, turning to flee. The face of this young deserter was very familiar to Viscount Pompey; it was his adopted son, Vigrey. "Vigrey¡­ ''Deserter''¡­"@@novelbin@@ Upon seeing the painting, Viscount Pompey instantly understood the cause and effect. "So he has been deceiving me for a long time." He muttered to himself, yet there was no hatred, only a sense of destion and disappointment. "Oh Sun, this is... Vigrey!" Lady Pompey also came over and eximed upon seeing the painting. The viscount no longer had the heart to remind his wife to keep her voice down. Heposed himself and frowned slightly. "Who painted this work? And how did hee to know these truths¡­?" "Dad, the artist''s name is ''Beckman,'' apparently the owner of this gallery," Reba noticed the signature in the lower-right corner of the painting and spoke up to remind him. Viscount Pompey nodded. "I want to ask Mr. Beckman a few questions. Wait here for me," "Oh Pompey, let mee with you." Lady Pompey said. "I want to go too!" Reba clung to her father''s arm. Viscount Pompey nodded and led his wife and daughter back the way they hade. As they passed some of the guests admiring the paintings, he suddenly heard a sudden outburst. "Oh my Sun! This is...this is my dead husband White! He had an affair with a maid in our house behind my back?!" A noblewoman covered her face, greatly agitated. In front of her, the oil painting depicted two naked men and women frolicking in bed. The painting was titled ''White and the Maid.'' But she wasn''t an exception. There were simr situations among other guests. They saw familiar faces in the paintings, whether rtives, lovers, or Besties. However, these familiar faces appeared strange in the paintings, as the content depicted secrets they had never known. At the other end of the gallery, therge, burly Noah stood in front of a painting. Others were reluctant to approach him, only Floey stood quietly to one side. She faintly heard Noah''s soft sobs and those two heart-stirring words: "Brother..." In front of Noah, the painting depicted him as a child, asleep, a boy of normal, even slender build. A beautiful girl sat by his bed, silently watching him, with a slight smile and an indulgent gaze. But the corner of the painting was titled ''Brother.'' If Chen Lun were here, he would recognize the girl in the painting as the "Silver Witch" Rosa. "Beckman! I need you to give us an exnation!" An angry male voice sounded. The crowd turned to look, seeing a middle-aged man holding an oil painting, striding towards the entrance. "It''s Baron Pickett, he just discovered a painting of his wife cheating." "Oh no wonder he''s so furious..." The situation began to brew, many distinguished guests had already noticed something was amiss, and this art exhibition might not be as simple as imagined... it even had some eerie aspects. Bang!! The Great Gate of the gallery suddenly closed. The crowd was startled by the loud noise. Holding the oil painting and about to find Beckman for an exnation, Baron Pickett suddenly stopped in his tracks, his face filled with fear. p, p, p¡­ In the silence, sudden apuse erupted abruptly. All eyes turned to see a middle-aged man in a tailcoat emerging from behind a column near the entrance. "Well done, Oil Paint Viscount, you truly are a great asset to the organization." He walked slowly to where Beckman was standing, who had a smile on his face but did not respond. The two stood face to face with Viscount Picot, who warily took two steps back. "Who are you?" He demanded, then turned his head to look at Beckman. "Mr. Beckman! What is the meaning of this?!" "What does it mean...? Haha!" The mysterious man in the tailcoatughed a few times, then his expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice: "I am here to inform you all solemnly¡ªyou have been kidnapped!" "Kidnapped?!" "Oh! Praise the Sun!" "You bastard! Do you know what you are doing?!" Immediately, the guests buzzed with discussions and exmations of surprise. Thedies huddled together in fear, the gentlemen showed angry faces, and a few even stood up and shouted insults. They prided themselves on their status; it was unthinkable for anyone in the Inner City District to dare to kidnap them, nor was there such a daring bandit. "Damned scum! I warn you to open The Great Gate now, immediately!" Baron Matthew''s face turned red as he walked forward, berating. The man in the tailcoat looked at him expressionlessly. The next moment¡ª A sh of cold light streaked by! The voice of Baron Matthew came to an abrupt halt; he widened his eyes, took two steps forward, then split into two and fell to the ground. At some point, an old man in a costume appeared behind him, holding a blood-stained dagger. He turned around, surveyed the surroundings with cold eyes, and instantly, panic erupted among the people. "Aaah!!" "No! This can''t be real!!" "Oh Sun! Sun, save us!" Whoosh, whoosh! Several other men and women in costumes darted out from hiding. They charged into the crowd, each holding a dagger, threatening and controlling the guests. "Quiet down, it''s too noisy." The man in the tailcoat said. The next second, all sounds as if muted, fell into dead silence. The people, horrified, discovered that no matter how they screamed, they could not make any sound. The man in the tailcoat walked gently towards the crowd, spreading his hands with a smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, now let me state our demands... Those who meet our demands will live, those who cannot, will die." He paused for a moment, nced at the guests. "Simple, isn''t it?" As the crowd digested his words, the man in the tailcoat continued: "People are distinguished by nobility and lowliness, all of you are noble, so the price should match your nobility... Of course, I will set the price for each one of you, hmm, just like buying cheese. But what you need to buy, is your own life." The crowd was both shocked and angry, yet dared not rise in revolt. The costumed men and women standing around were pointing cold daggers at them. In the crowd, Countess Bradley and Legitor Lawson red at Beckman standing behind the man in the tailcoat, unable to believe they had been deceived by this man. He had actually coborated with these extremists to orchestrate such a massive scheme. Many prominent figures from the Inner City District being kidnapped and subjected to such unfair treatment made the situation extremely terrible and severe. The Pompey family was also deeply embroiled, though they were tense, they did not panic... After all, they had just gone through a life-and-death ordeal not long ago, which made them calm down faster. In a corner, Noah clenched his fists tightly; the scene made him recall memories from his childhood. The same persecution, the same helplessness to resist, the only difference was, this time no one stood in front of him. Floey stood behind Noah; hisrge frame almost like a high wall,pletely shielding her. "Where is he...? I hope he doesn''te back now." Floey thought to herself. Out of everyone''s sight, Beckman, standing at the entrance with a smile, stood silently. Beneath his feet, fresh blood quietly seeped out. Chapter 114 This is the trailer Bang!! Bishop Newman''srge red robe flickered and vanished in an instant. His beast w swung fiercely, but it was blocked by a silver shield. ng! The pitch-ck ws scratched across the silver shield, emitting a grating friction and sparking a streak of fire. Chen Lun brushed past him, retracting the silver shield into a cane, and struck Bishop Newman on the back with a backward swing. The figure in the red robe let out a muffled grunt, slid forward, then stomped a foot hard enough to break the floor and dug into the ground to stop himself. Turning around, Newman gazed at his adversary. The ck-haired young man took off his top hat with a wave, and the hat disappeared. He had a smile on his face as the wind, carrying fallen leaves, blew by, lifting the hair on his forehead. In the brief exchange, Newman was shocked to find that he did not have the upper hand and even seemed to be at a disadvantage. "Without undergoing a transcendental metamorphosis, how could a ''Sequence Eight'' be this strong...? It doesn''t make sense!" He was very perplexed. The ck-haired young man twirled the silver cane in his hand, eventually stopping it upside down. A hint of surprise showed on his face, then he joked, "Eh, Your Excellency the Bishop, the divination result is¡­ you''re undoubtedly going to die today." "Arrogant reptile!" Newman''s expression chilled, and with a thud, he rushed forward as a blur. His right arm had fully transformed into a beastly form. Under the thick and erect ck bristles were bulging muscles, hard as iron. Five pitch-ck ws,parable to five short daggers, danced swiftly towards Chen Lun! Chen Lun moved with great agility, leaning back and dodging as he raised his cane for a counter-strike, sending several pounding hits on Bishop Newman''s body. Newman cried out in pain but couldn''ty a finger on Chen Lun. The more furious he became, the more his attacks missed, and the more hits he took. Pris was the first to return to the church. He held his breath and hid outside the railing, peeking through the gaps at the battle unfolding before him. "¡ª¡ªCome quick! Jack and that Red Apple Church bishop BOSS are fighting!"@@novelbin@@ He swiftly sent out a message, then continued to watch the twobatants without blinking. "¡ª¡ªWow, that''s thrilling?! Record it for me, we''ll be right there... Those dogs are too annoying, we can''t shake them off!" "..." "¡ª¡ªI''m just going to teleport there, wait for me! (Excited emoji)" Several messages followed one after another, thest one from Su Keying who was eager to record this material. Apart from Doghead Gold who was instantly taken out, the other yers were sprinting desperately, trying to evade their pursuers. Pris had no time to check the messages because the situation in the arena rapidly changed. Newman continued to sh with Chen Lun, every move deadly. ws and silver staff collided, nging loudly, sparks flying. A dark red cape was flung away. Whoosh whoosh! "Haah!!" Leveraging a hit from Chen Lun, Newman stomped fiercely on the ground, the power creating a spider-web of cracks as he leaped onto the church''s porch eaves. Amidst his roaring, Newman bent down and his body began to tremble, the muscles under his skin writhing as if countless rats scurried underneath. Rippp¡ª¡ª! The bishop''s long robe tore apart as his body bulged out of nowhere, inting like a balloon, growing more robust and fierce. ck bone spurs protruded from his spine, shoulders, and elbows, his whole body covered in ck hair, his facial skin peeling away to reveal a fanged beastly visage. "Ha¡ª¡ª!!" The beast-like howl was deafening, the visible sound waves shaking in all directions. Su Keying and Horseman arrived one after another, just in time to witness such a terrifying scene. The three yers covered their ears and crouched down, eyes wide as they stared at the monster over three meters tall. An aura befitting a creature beyond mortal beings spread out, and the yers trembled uncontrobly due to the instinctive fear their bodies felt. "¡ª¡ªHoly moly... what in the world is that?! It could probably tten me into a pancake with one p... (Horrified emoji)" "¡ª¡ªI think ketchup might be a more apt description. (Thinking emoji)" "¡ª¡ªWhat are you guys seeing?! I''ll be there in a second, hey!" Boom¡ª¡ª!! The eaves copsed, and Newman, transformed into a ghoul, descended from the sky. Chen Lun dodged backward to avoid the ferocious pounding of the other''s fists, and the ground resonated like it was bombed, rumbling with a roar. Rubble flew, and dust scattered in all directions. Boom, boom...!! Several more explosions followed, along with the trembling of the ground. A dozen silver lights flickered in the dust, causing the yers to grow anxious. They had no idea what was happening inside. Just then, Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo arrivedte. "Here ites, here ites!" Excited, they leaned over on one side of the group, holding onto the rails, and peered through the gap into the church courtyard. The continuous clinking of mechanical chains sounded, and as the dust settled, the yers finally saw the situation on the field... They couldn''t help but widen their eyes, and Doghead Gold, who had just arrived, eximed in shock¡ª "Holy shit!" They saw two monstrous creatures, unlike any humans, engaged in fiercebat, with the aftermath of their encounter sting through the air and tearing up the floor, creating a series of booms and screeches. That familiar figure¡ªthe ck-haired youth¡ªwas now bare-armed, with dark golden scales covering the upper part of his body, shiny ck exoskeletons at the joints and seams, as if wearing a beautifully designed biological armor. Behind him spread a pair of huge ck wings, fluttering to stay aloft, as he casually held a silver thin sword in his hand. Below the disheveled ck hair were a pair of indifferent emerald snake pupils. "Transformed... Are both of these people treasures?!" Doghead Gold forgot tomunicate via text message, speaking with a trembling voice. "These are definitely not ordinary Transcendents. ording to the official statement, they should have already reached Mid Sequence level... Sss! This is just the beta test!" The Horseman spoke in horror, and Forget No Taboo also showed a look of surprise. "This is not a battle we can join in... I have a guess, maybe this is a preview of what''s toe in the open test." Pris said solemnly, controlling his excitement. He felt even more strongly thattching onto Jack had been an utterly correct and lucky decision. "!!" Upon hearing this, the others showed expressions of sudden realization. Pris''s words made sense, and they immediately felt a sense of superiority for witnessing history. After all, due to this mission, each person had, to some extent, a sense of participation. Su Keying''s eyes shone as she asionally checked the recording switch on her device, not wanting to miss any footage due to her own negligence. "Hehe! We''ve struck it rich! If we release these clips early, won''t they go viral?!" Whoosh¡ª¡ªCrack!! A sound of something tearing through the air exploded. The battle on the field entered an intense stage. Chen Lun spread his wings and dived forward, his Silver Staff with a ng transforming into a Silver Whip,shing out with dozens of silver lights. Moving extremely fast, he looked like a silver sphere. Bishop Newman shielded his head with his arms as fresh blood and flesh burst forth from spontaneously appearing wounds on his body. "Ha¡ªAoo!!" Boom!! The ghoul shattered the ground with a punch, whistling fiercely through the air. The force of this punch was probablyparable to a siege hammer! Quick Reflexes Chen Lun, Silver Whip turned shield, and in the next instant, the heavy fist crashed onto the Silver Shield. Thud!!! Chen Lun was sent flying backward, tumbling, and with a p of his ck wings,nded again. The Silver Whip retracted and transformed into a spear, stabbing into Newman and creating several bloody holes. Thetter howled loudly, his strong physique and recovery ability keeping him from falling, but the pain was real. Dark ws reached out, and the Silver Spear returned, sparks flying as they crossed paths. In Chen Lun''s eyes, a mist of chaos swirled, and he saw Newman in his ghoul state, with all kinds of data skyrocketing, already far surpassing Professor Molimer at the time. Even after several rounds of Chen Lun''s attacks, Bishop Newman''s Life Points remained fluctuating above half. Click! He pulled out a Hand Crossbow and, from above, pulled the trigger toward Newman. A few red lights fell like spears! Chapter 115 The Collapse of the Amber Apple "Awooo!!" Newman, though not clunky, couldn''t entirely avoid it and ended up taking an arrow in the shoulder. He threw back his head and let out an angry howl, clutching his wound and staggering back two steps. Where the red crossbow arrow had dissipated, flesh was vanishing into thin air, torn by an invisible maw. "A visitor from the Spirit World?!" Newman let out a hoarse growl. With a wave of his hand, he seemed to grab at his shoulder as if he had caught something. Then Newman and some unseen thing began to fight, scattering rocks and creating a resounding boom on the spot. The bystanders couldn''t see what he had grabbed; it looked as though he was merely outwitting the air. Although Chen Lun couldn''t see it either, he knew clearly in his mind. It was some kind of creature from the Spirit World, just like the description of the "Tongue of Gluttony," where the crossbow arrow was merely a marker, merely bait to lure the visitor from the Spirit World to bite the target. The Spirit World¡ª Only when the Insight Attribute reached 30 points could one glimpse that other realm, virtually imperceptible to ordinary people and Low Sequence Transcendents. Mostly, those who could enter there were seasoned transcendents of Mid Sequence and above. Themotioning from Newman subsided, and atst, he stood up, his face contorted ferociously. In his hand, he held something invisible, bringing it to his mouth to tear, chew, and finally swallow. "Visitor from the Spirit World... quite a delicious vor." He chuckled softly, seemingly unimpressed by Chen Lun''s tactics. Chen Lun narrowed his eyes. "Devouring just one and feeling so smug about it... Since you like it so much, I''ll send you a whole flock." He lifted his hand crossbow, aimed at Newman, and was ready to pull the trigger. Thetter''s expression froze. "Damn it!!" He jumped up furiously on the spot, flying into the air with such speed that Chen Lun found it hard to aim. Then he opened his arms wide for a bear hug, determined to pull Chen Lun down. Chen Lun tried to dodge, but a circle of red light suddenly burst from his opponent''s body, increasing his speed once more and managing to grab Chen Lun''s thigh. Newman plunged downward,ughing wildly as he dragged Chen Lun down with a thunderous crash to the ground. Boom!! Amidst the flying rubble, Newman''s otherrge hand mped down on Chen Lun''s arm, opened his own wide mouth showing disorderly sharp teeth, and then abruptly bit down. Chen Lun''s shoulder was bitten by the opponent, scales and exoskeleton shattered, and blood flowed out. "Hehehe..." The massive beast pressed down on Chen Lun, gnawing while letting out augh that sent shivers down one''s spine. The yers were shocked; looking at the situation, it seemed Mr. Jack had fallen into an absolute disadvantage. "No... Could he be going to lose?" Doghead Gold whispered. Pris and Su Keying, among others, didn''t respond, intensely focused on the scene, afraid of missing any thrilling details. Chen Lun looked emotionlessly at Newman, seemingly indifferent to his disadvantage and pain. "Does my blood taste good?" He said calmly. Newman suddenly paused, his actions freezing. The ck-haired young man he was grappling turned into a hedgehog as scales on his body writhed, cutting through -- own hair and flesh. Newman first felt an intense sting, and soon after, he struggled to breathe, instinctively releasing his tight bite and coughing violently. His skinless face began to turn ck, and the veins throughout his body also slowly darkened. Agonizing pain! A bone-deep, agonizing pain! Newman trembled convulsively, seized by spasms and letting out bizarre howls. "Supernatural... toxin! How could there be... such a level?!" Whistle¡ª! At the sound of a whistle, Newman''s already dazed consciousness sunk deeper into confusion. Chen Lun got to his feet, and in a sh, the silver staff in his hand turned into a silver sword. "Die!" He said coldly. Chen Lun waved his hand, swiftly flicking it out like an unfurled silver fan, shing across Newman''s neck. "Eh... Huh...!!" Newman''s expression stiffened, and his eyes regained Sanity, moving to look at Chen Lun. Pu chi¡ª¡ª!! Blood sprayed out like a burst water pipe. A fine ck line appeared on Newman''s neck, and his entire head fell from his shoulders, heavily mming into the ground. "Beheaded..." Doghead Gold muttered in shock. The others watched the entire process, unable to believe that such a powerful monster was ultimately killed by Mr. Jack all by himself. The battle seemed to be drawing to a close. But in the next instant. Newman''s massive body suddenly moved, grabbing his head from the ground and leaping backward. Chen Lun squinted his eyes, preparing to give chase. But he noticed that Newman seemed to be attracted by something, his muscr arms holding the head, lifting in one direction. "It''s Archbishop Monroe''s remains! That Mysterious Object... was stolen by a despicable thief! Who exactly is it?!" With his head in hand, Newman abruptly turned towards Chen Lun. The blood and Flesh on his beastly face slowly opened its mouth, and blood poured from his nostrils and mouth, dripping to the ground. "Jack... you''re not a member of the History and Ritual Association, but no matter who you are, desecrating our Church, desecrating the Rose, is an unforgivable sin... cough... Lord Lafa will avenge me, will take you to the Rose Garden to atone!"@@novelbin@@ Newman''s pupils began to dte. "Stupid thief... could never expect... that on Archbishop Monroe''s remains... Lord Lafa left... a trap." The beast head suddenly howled. "Ha!! With my Flesh and blood¡ªsacrifice!!" Chen Lun suddenly felt an intense sense of crisis and forcefully retreated. The next moment. Boom!!! Newman''s body exploded violently. But the flesh and blood fragments did not scatter, instead, they flew towards the sky. The tiny pieces eventually formed a "river of Flesh and blood," heading in a certain direction. [Killing the Bishop of Amber City''s Red Apple Church, Newman[Flesh Faction Sequence 7 - Ghoul], gaining 10,000 Experience Points!] [Completing B-level mission: The Copsed Amber Apple!] [Mission Reward: 10,000 Experience Points, 20 Gold Pounds, 3 Points of Regional Renown, and 1 * Supernatural Knowledge of [Flesh Faction Sequence 7 - Ghoul]] Though the mission was Chen Lun''s, while sharing the same name as the mission he released to the yers, it consisted of entirely different contents. Chen Lun looked towards the vanishing blood in the sky, taking a deep breath. Strictly speaking, Newman wasn''t killed by him; with the Life Force of a [Ghoul], he could survive even after beheading. In the end, it was his own self-sacrifice that prematurely ended the battle, and the rewards were tallied up to his own ount. A sense of unease inexplicably arose in his heart, which, under the influence of [Spiritual Intuition], felt even more intense. Chen Lun wasted no time and turned to rush into the interior of the church. The church''s defenses had beenrgely drawn out, and the few remaining soldiers were instantly killed by Chen Lun. Then, he used an enhanced version of [Beast Speech] to summon many small animals to help him scour the Red Apple Church''s property from the inside out. In the end, he obtained over 1400 Gold Pounds, more than a dozen kinds of Low Sequence Mysterious Substances, four Mystic Books, and the Sub upation induction tool he longed for, "Blood Brew". "What a pity, Newman''s self-sacrifice left no corpse behind; I missed out on a C-level Mysterious Object..." As Chen Lun retreated, he couldn''t shake a certain feeling of unease. "A church in a big city and not a single Mysterious Object in storage, that''s too strange." He was puzzled. As he stepped out the church doors, he paused. A look of shock appeared on his face. Chapter 116 Main Line in Advance [Main Quest Triggered: Scarlet Ceremony!] The first part: The owner of Amber City''s "Time Amber" Gallery, the oil painting aristocrat Beckman, has nned a grand and bloody painting exhibition. He intends to use the [A-level Mysterious Object¡ªBone Gallery] to capture the "Circus" leader, the Shelter special envoy Roderick, and the spirituality of many other wild Transcendents, turning all the guests present into oil paintings. This will strengthen [Bone Gallery], after which he will flee far away¡­ Just as he betrayed the History and Ritual Association, he acted rashly and desecrated the burial site of the Red Apple Church, stealing the remains of Archbishop Monroe that had turned into a Mysterious Object, and framing the members of the Association with ruthless and relentless schemes. But Destiny is a loop, and Bishop Newman''s self-sacrifice prematurely triggered the trap of [Bone Gallery], summoning a terrifying being... The destruction of Amber City is but a thought away. Head to the site of the incident and prevent all of this from happening. Quest Reward: 50,000 Experience Points, 100 Gold Pounds, 10 points of regional renown, 10 Special Attribute Points, and 1 Blessing Point. "The Main Quest... advanced?! Is this oil painting aristocrat, insane?" Chen Lun''s expression darkened. The situation at the gallery has changed! His earlier divination was wrong, either due to insufficient Sequence Level at this stage or because a higher Sequence power twisted his prediction, leading to a misjudgment. But regardless of the situation, he had to set off immediately. Boom! He spread his ck wings, took off on the spot, and disappeared into the sky as a dark shadow. Outside the church courtyard. Themotion here was too great, already attracting the attention of nearby residents, who were all running in this direction. The five members of Pris hid in the crowd. They just received the prompt ofpleting the first part of the quest and before they could rejoice, they saw Mr. Jack hurrying into the sky. Intuition told them that perhaps things were not yet over. "¡ªFollow him! There''s definitely something big happening!" Pris sent out a short message. The group of five yers pushed through the crowd and chased in the direction Chen Lun flew off. * * * The Gallery. The scene was tense like a drawn crossbow. Seven or eight men and women in theatre costumes controlled the guests, while a man in a tailcoat was pricing each guest. Only a very few noticed that Beckman, who was standing at the entrance, suddenly made a strange move. A easel slowly emerged from the pool of blood that appeared out of nowhere under his feet. Beckman picked up the paintbrush withposure and began to paint, facing the direction of the guests. The man in the tailcoat sensed something and suddenly turned his head to nce at Beckman. "Oil painting aristocrat, what are you doing?" asked the tailcoat. "Oh, this scene is just too inspiring," Beckman said with a smile, painting on his own. The tailcoat stared at him for a few seconds, then his gaze shifted to an old man in theatre costume nearby. The old man instantly understood the leader''s intention and walked toward Beckman with a bloodied dagger to see what he was up to. Beckman seemedpletely indifferent, as if he didn''t care about the other party''s inspection. But when the theatre costume old man came close, he suddenly froze, his pupils contracted. Enjoy new stories from empire Because, to his astonishment, on the canvas was the back figure of the leader. Beckman was painting a portrait specifically of the leader... "Oil painting aristocrat, you...?" The theatre costume old man began to speak, about to question. Boom!! Suddenly, the Great Gate was sted open from the outside. A ck light wave shot straight in, the dark color distorting the light and drawing the eye, as if it also contained the Transcendent power of death. The light wave moved extremely fast, hitting the theatre costume old man in an instant, passing through his body. Whizz! The old man''s face stiffened, and he stood frozen in ce, looking unharmed on the outside, but in reality, he had suffered a devastating blow to the soul. "Cough¡ªpuh!" He spat out a mouthful of blood, falling to the ground face up. The crowd was startled as a group of uniformed investigators burst in. Even the investigators who had been lurking among the guests quickly drew their flintlock guns and confronted the circus performers. "The Shelter... Did you think I was unprepared for you?" The man in the tailcoat said calmly. Roderick and Mona slowly walked into the gallery, and the guests dared not even breathe. "Unless you don''t care about the lives of these high society figures, a mere reckless move on your part, and I willmand their deaths." The tailcoat man said. "Oh, really?" Roderick looked at him indifferently. The next moment. Beckman waved his hand, and a phantom image of a gallery appeared before him. Whoosh whoosh... A series of oil paintings flew past him, like a spinningntern. Thest painting stopped, and on it was a strange eye. With a gentle tap of his brush, Beckman made the Pupil in Painting open its eyelids, revealing deep tri-chromatic pupils. Gurgle, it swept its gaze over all the "circus" members present. Buzz!! Amidst the strange fluctuations, the seven or eight circus performers, as if struck by lightning, shuddered, bleeding from every orifice. Their daggers ttered to the ground, and they then clutched their left chests as they fell. "Bewitch Heart... Eight Sequence Nine Transcendents die at the same time. This is the might of the Mid Sequence from the Constetion Faction. No wonder you could charm the wife of Earl Bradley." The tailcoat man narrowed his eyes and calmlymented. It was as if those who had just died were not his subordinates, but a group of strangers. "Oil Painter, you won''t like the oue of coborating with the Shelter against me." "Thank you for your concern, Leader. But more than my own safety, I''m focused on painting a splendid picture of you," Beckman replied with unfading smile, lifting his brush to continue hisposition. The tailcoat man looked down at his palm, realizing that his Spirituality was slowly draining away, subtly drifting toward Beckman''s painting. "You wish to steal my power... Laughable!" A glint of cold light shed in his eyes. Shadows rose from beneath his feet, enveloping him entirely, and then he disappeared like ink, fleeing away. The next second, he emerged from the shadows behind Beckman, his fingers together, thrusting straight for his heart. "Quiet." Roderick extended his hand, ck light flickering. The tailcoat man''s movement instantly stiffened. Bang bang bang bang...!! The surrounding investigators raised their flintlock guns and opened fire on him. Thump thump, the muffled sound of the bullets hit him, but they passed into the shadows. The tailcoat man snorted coldly and retreated back into the shadows. In everyone''s field of vision, his trace was lost. "Oil Painter, you''ve disrupted our ns. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you will still be hunted down to death..." In the gallery, echoed the tailcoat man''s voice. Roderick slightly furrowed his brow while Mona softly said at his side: "This ''circus'' Leader is a Sequence Seven assassin from the Conspiracy Faction. He hides in the shadows, hisings and goings traceless. If he truly wishes to escape, we have no way to stop him..." Beckman chuckled lightly. He summoned the phantom gallery again, and a row of paintings flew by, finally stopping at that portrait of "Iron Hammer" Feray, "The Unyielding."@@novelbin@@ "He won''t escape." Chapter 117 Bone Gallery - Part 1 "Radiance." Beckman''s brush touched the painting and he immediately extended his index finger, which burst into a dazzling brilliance. The entire gallery was brightly lit, and a shadow appeared on the ceiling, strikingly noticeable. "Damn it!" The man in the tailcoat cursed under his breath. The shadow moved swiftly, racing along the ceiling and walls towards the outside of the gallery. "Where is the soul drifting? Fall asleep quickly..." Roderick''s deep voice resounded. The speed of the shadow gradually slowed and eventually stopped. Roderick raised his right arm, his fingers emanating ck light aimed at the shadow, which continuously trembled and twisted, seemingly struggling and resisting. Fzzt... Mona pulled out her revolver and slid the cylinder. Her other hand swiped at her waist, a golden bullet appeared between her fingers, quickly pressed into the chamber, and she raised the revolver aiming at the shadow. On her badge, a pair of cat''s eyes emerged, and Mona''s eyes immediately shed a purple halo. Bang!! A golden me burst from the muzzle of the revolver, the bullet streaking through the air like sunlight breaking into the shadow, embedding itself into the shadow on the wall. "Ah!!" A scream echoed through the gallery. The man in the tailcoat fell straight down, thudding onto the floor. His left chest, at the heart, bore a hole the size of a baby''s fist, the wound appeared to be charred from extreme heat. The man in the tailcoat copsed on the floor, twisting and struggling. "Well done, Mona." Roderick calmly praised, while Mona did not respond, she simply holstered her gun. Beckman''s hand moved faster with the brush, eventually drawing a line of ck paint, dragging out a long shadow on the canvas. Inside this shadow, suddenly numerous pairs of malicious eyes opened. Discover hidden content at empire "The power of conspiracy indeed makes one''s hair stand on end, I shall name this masterpiece ''Peering''... splendid, this one is my favorite among all the paintings!" Beckman stopped his brush, excitedly dering it finished. The man in the tailcoat ceased struggling, remaining motionless as if turned to stone. As the painting was finished, his spirit waspletely drained, leaving behind only a lifeless shell. "Are we saved?" "Oh Sun above, thank you all so much!" The guests suddenly felt a sense of fortunate survival, thanking Beckman and Roderick along with other Shelter personnel, some of whom were acquainted with the Mystic Realm, while others were witnessing it for the first time, all still in a state of shock. Noah''s clenched fist gently rxed, then he sighed somewhat disheartened. Floey silently withdrew from the crowd, slowly walked to the spot where the Circus members'' bodies had vanished, bent down and picked up the "little objects" that had scattered. "These are very important to him..." She thought to herself, quietly picking up all the small objects in a blind spot out of everyone''s notice. Not leaving a single one. Just as things seemed to be winding down, someone recalled the eerie aspects of this exhibition and prepared to ask Beckman about it. Roderick organized Investigators to reassure the guests, while Beckman, standing to the side, exhibited a strange expression. Pffft¡ª!! Everyone''s eyes widened, witnessing a horrifying scene. Ady at the front even got her face sttered with blood. One of Roderick''s special deputies had his chest pierced by a ck, shadowy paintbrush, his face showing disbelief as he turned his head to look at a manically grinning Beckman. "Ahhhhh!!" Thedy screamed. Beckman turned, raised his hand with a p. With a smack, thedy''s head burst into a mush of blood and bone, her voice silenced abruptly as her body fell stiffly. "Shush." Beckman withdrew his blood-stained palm, extending an index finger to his lips. Everyone instantly realized that they could no longer make any sound; their mouths opened in vain. "You... you''re insane, Beckman." Roderick clutched his chest, desperately using dark light to slow his injury, squinting at the other man. "It needs more, and you could make a fine addition, Mister Special Envoy..." Beckman scanned the room, taking in the terrified expressions all around him. "Everyone here can be part of the paintings." Panic began to boil. All the guests suddenly realized that the most horrific mastermind behind this was Beckman, the gallery owner. He had been ying both sides as a double agent, nning to kill everyone. This man was a madman! After the initial shock, the investigators regained theirposure and began shooting at Beckman. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang...!! Behind Beckman''s head, the recentlypleted painting "Peering" appeared, and his body, enveloped in shadows, swallowed the bullets without causing any disturbance. As the painting transitioned to "Pupil in Painting", his nce swept over the investigators like straw under autumn winds, clutching their hearts as they copsed. "Beckman!" Roderick shouted angrily, raising his hand to release a wave of dark light. Beckmanughed, and the painting behind his head changed again, this time to "Deserter." His mouth split open, and he swallowed the dark light wave whole. Immediately after, ck smoke issued from Beckman, his presence growing more formidable. "Death can also be a delicacy." Beckman''s deepughter echoed. With hisughter, the entire gallery began a violent transformation: wallpaper, carpets, and decorations all "melted" away, as if skinned, revealing the blood vessels, muscles, and bones underneath... The entire gallery starkly became a hellposed of flesh and bones! A pungent smell of blood pervaded, and everyone fell into profound terror! Beckman gently raised his hand, and a massive easel surged from the ground. He picked up a brush and began to paint. Soon, under the terrified gaze of the crowd, figures like Viscount Picot, Member Lawson, Countess Bradley, and other notable individuals fell immobile, their eyes empty and faces expressionless. And on the blood-soaked walls, their portraits slowly emerged, strikingly lifelike. People screamed with their mouths agape, but no sound emerged. Some cried bitterly, some copsed in screams, but it was all like a silent drama. A silent hell, a deadly plight.@@novelbin@@ "Mr. Beckman! This is a desecration of art! You are just a murderer using art as an excuse, a pitiful creature immersed in ego!" Noah finally could not endure the agony any longer, oveing himself to bravely stand out. Though his mouth silently opened, everyone could feel his anger and rebuke. They immediately felt a surge of shame, as this ugly, obese nobleman had previously been an object of disdain, a target of scorn for them. But now, he was the only one who dared to stand up. In his anger, Noah''s form grew evenrger, his fat receding, turning into bulging muscles. He strode forward, raising his fist to smash it down on Beckman. Smack! Beckman raised a hand and, smiling, effortlessly caught the fierce punch. The next moment, Noah was startled to find his body uncontrobly frozen in ce. "You would make an excellent model, Mister Noah... I told you there was a piece here for you, of course to bepleted by you yourself." As Beckman spoke, he rotated the easel in front of him. Everyone could clearly see that the canvas depicted a muscr, tall figure in the midst of throwing a punch. It was exactly like Noah, as if looking into a mirror. "I''ve already thought of the name, it will be¡ª''Shy Hero''." Noah suddenly felt his spirit leaving him, his body growing weaker and weaker. Just as Noah thought he was about to turnpletely into a painting and die, a silvery mist suddenly appeared in the Bone Gallery. "Beckman! Let go of my brother!" An icy female voice rang out. Chapter 119 The Sun Above the Square "That''s a thing from the Sun Church!" Rosa said aloud. Chen Lun watched Beckman''s every move, ncing at the leather gloves in his hand, somewhat surprised. "The prototype of ''Connie No. 1''... turned out to be a ''B-grade Mysterious Object''." He thought to himself. "...Destroying my years of hard work, ruining everything I''ve painstakingly managed...all of you deserve to die! Get out of my sight, all of you!" Beckman screamed frantically. He charged forward, swinging his hand, and sparks flew from his palms. Soon after, each spark burst into a blinding light, followed by an explosion. Boom boom boom...!! Everyone screamed in panic, feeling the ground shake around them. Chen Lun, holding an "umbre" made of silver, strolled through the rain of fire, walking straight up to Beckman. He then swung a punch and hit Beckman hard in the face with a loud thud, sending Beckman flying backward. He hit the wall, then fell to the ground, kneeling and coughing up blood continuously, as if he was about to die at any moment. Chen Lun was surprised, not expecting this opponent to be so weak. However, seeing the bone key sticking out of the opponent''s chest, he immediately realized something. Based on the description of the main quest, along with some clues pieced together, he roughly figured out the vague outline of the entire incident. It was the ''A-grade Mysterious Object - Bone Gallery,'' transformed from the deceased Archbishop Monroe of the Red Apple Church. Beckman had stolen this mysterious object, unaware of the trap hidden within it. Bishop Newman''s self-sacrifice had prematurely activated the trap, causing the ''Bone Gallery'' to go out of control, which had turned Beckman into his current state... Clearly, he was not going tost much longer, but the truly terrifying enemy had yet to appear. Chen Lun was surprised. Because he vaguely remembered that this powerful mysterious object, in his past life, was the signature weapon of Noah. They were incrediblypatible, and he had even once thought it was the original setting of the game. He just didn''t know there were so many secrets hidden behind it, nor did he understand what led to the ''Bone Gallery'' eventually ending up in Noah''s hands. Whirr whirr...! Beckman sat kneeling on the ground, his eyes reflecting scenes passing by like a carousel. He was desperately using the ability of Historical Retrospection, trying to heal the wounds on his body. But he was already running on fumes, with only a fraction of his Supernatural Power remaining, and he eventually failed. "Ughhh!!" Beckman howled unwillingly.@@novelbin@@ Ignoring the blood gushing from his mouth, he raised his hand, beginning to gather a massive fireball. The scorching heat wave hit them in the face, and the air in the gallery was burned into twisting waves. "Stop him! He wants to drag everyone here down with him!" Roderick bellowed loudly, then groaned, clutching his wound in pain. Mona made a quick decision, took a blue-tempered bullet from her waist, loaded it into the chamber, and raised her hand to pull the trigger at Beckman. Bang!! A spiral trajectory enveloped in frost mist hit Beckman''s fireball directly, making a crackling sound. The me paused momentarily but did not extinguish. Instead, it intensified with a loud st. The entire gallery was lit up like a red hell, the growing fireball had already engulfed Beckman''s body, and the surrounding air seemed to be baked dry, the ceilings, stone pirs, and walls made of flesh and bones all turned into charcoal. Rosa coldly observed for a while, then decided to leave with her younger brother. With her strength, there was no need to resist here hard. The life and death of the people present had nothing to do with her; she only cared about Noah and him alone. "... Sis, let me stay here," Noah seemed to have caught on to Rosa''s intent and smiled shyly at her. "Although I''m very weak, I still want to offer some help to Mr. Jack... Mr. Beckman''s deeds must be punished." "Noah... you''ve grown up. But now is not the time..." Rosa suddenly looked up, her eyes narrowing, as she saw the ck-haired young man charge straight into the mes. The crowd gasped, the Pompey family was stunned, Reba''s heart raced, praying inwardly that Mr. Jack would be safe. "...Hahahaha!! Burn it all to ashes!!" Beckman''s hystericalughter echoed through the mes, he only needed to flick his wrist to release the gathered fireball, and the whole gallery, even the entire Bradley Square, would turn into a sea of fire, a human purgatory. The next second, he saw a ck-haired young man, bathed in mes, walking up to him. "¡ªYou?!" Beckman''sughter halted, his eyes widening. At this moment, due to overuse of the "Palm Fireworks", he had drained his physical strength, desperately sustaining it with his life force, his body shriveled. The burning mes rendered him unrecognizable, his flesh peeled and tattered, and a faint smell of charring could be sensed. The clothes on Chen Lun''s body were damaged once again, turning to ash and drifting away, revealing the streamlined, muscr physique below. Dark golden scales interwoven with a pitch-ck exoskeleton, tightly and orderly arranged, like a perfect suit of armor. mes swirled around him, air waves twisted, yet the young man was unharmed, as if enjoying a spring breeze, creating a very eerie scene. Chen Lun appeared like a visitor from hell, his ck hair fluttering, his pair of emerald snake-like eyes coldly watching. "Die!" The Silver Staff transformed into a sword, shing off Beckman''s hand with a swoosh. The sword light flowed, piercing into his throat, then withdrawn. With a hiss, the Silver Sword flicked a trail of blood, which instantly dried on the ground in the high temperature, emitting blue smoke. Boom! Stay connected with empire A pair of ck wings burst forth, and without turning back, Chen Lun soared into the sky, lifting the severed hand and flying through the opened "skylight". ng!! Countless pieces of ss shattered, falling down, sparking a round of shouts below. Without Beckman keeping it together, the giant fireball began to distort and fluctuate, bing highly unstable. The crowd at Bradley Square, and even residents further away in Amber City, saw a "small sun" slowly rising in the sky. Below this "small sun," there seemed to be a tiny figure, supporting it. "Oh my God! This is terrifying!" "What is that?!" "Mom, look! It''s the flying man!" "Stop lying, see if I don''t hit you... Oh! Impossible!" Bang¡ªrumble!!! A loud noise boomed, like thunder in the sky. Many residents looked up to see in the azure sky, a stunning, giant firework burst forth. Beautiful yet deadly. Fine mes rained down, but extinguished midway to the ground, causing no harm to the crowd below. In the center of the fireworks, the figure stood in midair like a deity. Nearby residents were shocked, and soon thought of the disaster that would have urred if the "small sun" exploded on the ground. They couldn''t help but feel genuine admiration and gratitude towards the figure in the sky. Many bowed their heads in prayer, some even knelt to worship, silently hailing him as an angel. [Your actions have garnered gratitude from the residents of Amber City, regional reputation +2!] Chapter 121 Moonshine Rosa immediately became alert, her surroundings enveloped in a silver mist, and when she flipped her hand open, a silver stic band appeared in her palm. Just as she was about to take the initiative, she suddenly sensed something, but Lafa raised his head before her, looking up at the sky. Whistle¡ª! A whistle sounded. Lafa couldn''t help butugh softly. The next moment, he gently lifted his arm and grasped it as he opened his palm. Bang!! A silver staff fell like lightning and was caught in his palm. Chen Lun, pping his ck wings, rotated midair, transforming the silver staff into a silver sword, and, with a sizzle, pulled it out from Lafa''s hand, taking some blood with it. The other hand quietly rose, holding a hand crossbow and repeatedly pulling the trigger, firing three or four red beams. "Huh?" Lafa uttered softly, the oil painting behind his head transforming into a tuxedo, and the man himself turned into a shadow, slipping away to one side. The red crossbow boltsnded one after another on the ground, slowly dissipating, with only one grazing Lafa''s shadow, but it seemed to have no effect. The visitor from the Spirit World was not interested in shadows. "An anchor point that attracts beings from the Spirit World? Interesting..." Lafa clicked his tongue in wonder. His palm, sliced open by Chen Lun''s scepter sword, sprouted numerous flesh buds, intertwined and fused together, and healed at a visibly rapid pace. Chen Lun looked gravely at the red-haired man before him. "Lafa... How could He appear so early?" He muttered internally, "This is bad." The other was an Archbishop of the Red Apple Church, His Majesty of Sequence Four, one of the primary antagonist grand bosses in public test version 1.0, and also a major figure behind the "Red Cmity" in the Empire. In the original future, Floey was Lafa''s main support. Besides her, known as "The Silent Nun," there was also "The Carved Monk," both being of Sequence Five. "Perhaps the main storyline isn''t advancing ahead of schedule... but is supposed to happen around this time? Could it be that the time points in the future public test just happen toe after this event? The main storyline experienced by yers is different from mine." Chen Lun seemed to understand the whole matter and soon sighed internally. "So now, it should be considered the Red Apple Church''s first real test. When they realize that the Sun Church and the Shelter are not as strong as they appear on the surface, that''s when they''ll start their actions and intensify their encroachment on the Empire... just like the Beelzebub Kingdom in the Extreme West." Beelzebub Kingdom was once governed by an ancient lineage, but the current rulers are named the Rose Royal Family. "How should one deal with a His Majesty of Sequence Four?" Chen Lun''s brain whirred rapidly. The conclusion he reached, however, was impossible. With his current ability of Sequence Eight, differing by two levels, four sequences, even if Lafa stood still to let him attack, it would likely be hard to harm him even slightly. But Chen Lun quickly understood something¡ªthe headquarters of the Red Apple Church were in Amethyst Royal City, under the close watch of the Sun Royal Family; they would definitely not allow a saint to wander around at will. The Lafa before him must certainly not be the original. Although He gave off a strong oppressive force, it wasn''t to an unbeatable extent. The premonition from "Spiritual Intuition" confirmed this. Chen Lun also noticed that Rosa silently formed the words "Incarnation" with her lips, which further confirmed his conjecture. Looking around, the gallery was now in ruins. Beckman''s plotting might not have been known to the Red Apple Church, but they didn''t need to know. As long as Beckman continued to carry the "Bone Gallery," which he thought he had stolen, the Red Apple Church could always summon Lafa''s Incarnation through their fallback n embedded in it. All of this only happened because of Chen Lun''s involvement, leading Bishop Newman to sacrifice himself and prematurely detonate this fallback measure. If it hadn''t been for him, Bishop Newman, at the moment of Beckman''s final move, would have sensed the disturbance and arrived at the scene just as well. No matter the final oue, the incarnation of Lafa was bound to descend. But... Chen Lun frowned. In his memory, although Amber City had experienced a major cryptic hazard event, it had not been destroyed, and the "Bone Gallery" ultimately ended up in Noah''s hands... There must be some crucial clue missed, which meant he still couldn''t deduce the causes and consequences, theplete picture of the event. He exhaled deeply. Chen Lun decided to first address the dilemma before him. "Although I am a High Sequence Saint, if I do not even have the courage to confront an incarnation, what future can I speak of..." Chen Lun nced at Noah, Rosa, the Pompey family in the crowd, and Floey, who stood quietly. "Moreover, they are crucial supports for my future..." Boom!! Chen Lun put on the "Palm Fireworks" and swung out a zing me with his hand. The wave of heat from the fire lifted Lafa''s red hair. He showed a gentle smile. Suddenly, darkness covered his face, and his entire figure turned into a shadow and vanished into the invisible. At that moment, Rosa said coldly, "Shadows are dangerous, mes are safe." She snapped a silver stic band on her index finger, pulled and flicked it, and a high-pressure air bullet appeared out of nowhere, flying straight towards the front of the me. The next second, Lafa emerged from the shadow, crashing into the me and was simultaneously hit by the air bullet. Readtest stories on empire Everything unfolded as if scripted, cleverly staged. "Interesting." Lafa fell into a perilous situation due to Rosa''s supernatural deception, but showed no fear. Boom!! The wind aided the fire, and the fierce mes engulfed Lafa. A brilliant red hair shed through the mes, then Lafa''s illusory figure flickered back to the position a few seconds ago, with the fire blossoming behind him. Glorious as a painting. Swoosh, swoosh...! The oil paintings behind his head quickly scrolled through, eventually freezing on two images.@@novelbin@@ "The Unyielding" by Feray and "Empire Silence" by Roderick. The Sun and the Moon blossomed together. Lafa raised his hand, and a dazzling purple-ck brilliance lit up, casting his sculpted features into extreme handsomeness. "Moonshine... No matter how many times I see it, it''s remarkably stunning." He praised, then pointed with his hand. Buzz!! Like aser, the beam shot across, and with a bang, Rosa was sent flying. Chen Lun saw clearly, at thest moment, she used the silver mist to condense into a mirror to block the deep ck-purple beam. The mirror shattered and the person flew, but fortunately, she did not perish. "Sister!" Noah rushed to Rosa''s side and bent down to help her up. Rosa gently pushed her brother away and stood up again, but blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. The five fingers behind her back showed unnatural withered deathly ck. Lafa pointed again, a purple-ck beam shot straight at Chen Lun. Danger!! Chen Lun''s "Spiritual Intuition" frantically warned him. He swept through an illusion, evading to the side, but the beam''s speed was extremely fast, sweeping along with him. Boom!! The gallery''s wall was sliced open, like a cake being horizontally cut through. Then the flesh and bones ripped apart, pitter-pattering down, instantly withering and turning ck, losing their vitality. Lafa raised his other hand, opened his mouth, and blew, a purple-ck "Firefly" gently floated, slowly ascending, and finally blossomed. Countless arrows burning with purple-ck mes rained down like rain. "Ah! Ahh!!" The guests suffered heavy casualties, those hit by arrows burned up like torches, instantly turning into wisps of blue smoke. Lafa''s gaze moved past the gruesome scene andnded on the blind woman standing quietly. "I feel it, the ''Sun-avoiding Potted nt'' is on you, Nun." He slowly stepped forward, walking towards Floey. Chapter 122 122ç«  I have split open At that moment, an arrow struck Noah in the back, causing a brief flicker of surprise to cross his face. "Noah!!" Rosa cried out uncontrobly. Boom!! ck and purple mes erupted all over Noah''s body. Even as a member of the Flesh Faction at Sequence Nine, his life and self-healing abilities couldn''t keep up with the damage. He didn''t cry out in pain, instead trembling all over and standing on the spot, clenching his teeth. Noah''s face twisted with agony, but he refused to make a sound, as if silently waiting for death to im him. Rosa reached out and touched her brother, ignoring the mes that threatened to engulf her as well, releasing silvery mist in an attempt to extinguish the ck and purple mes. The effect was minimal; the mes on Noah lessened but did not disappear. Whoosh! Chen Lun''s ck wings pped once, and he glided in a circle through the air, elegantlynding after evading the previous sweep of the light column. Seeing Lafa heading towards Floey, he took a deep breath, his gloved hand gripping the Silver Staff tightly.@@novelbin@@ "Lafa..." He muttered the name to himself and instantly felt an immense pressure. Catching a nce of the omnipresent ck and purple mes, he suddenly had a revtion. ng! With a flick of the Silver Staff, it transformed into the Silver Sword, and the next second, mes spurted out from the gloves, spreading onto the sword. In an instant, the two Mysterious Objectsbined in an extraordinary way, producing an even more terrifying effect. Chen Lun unfurled his ck wings, the ming Silver Sword pointing directly at Lafa. "Palm Fireworks" allowed the maniption of mes, at the cost of one''s physical strength or life force, which was not a problem for him. With the "Wake of Insects" bookmark acting as a "movable spring" and over 200 points of Sanity stored in the Maggie Statue, he had enough to spend in a burst. "Truly a stroke of genius." Lafa stopped in his tracks and turned his head, bestowing Chen Lun with a slight smile. Boom! The ming Silver Sword came shing down. Lafa chose to dodge, unable to continue manipting the "Firefly" in the sky, causing the falling arrows to hesitate. Chen Lun dared not use "Peeping Eye of Fate" on Lafa¡ª the disparity in their positions was too great, and any rash attempt to pry could lead to bacsh. However, he could anticipate the unexpected and correct mistakes through "Divination" and "Spiritual Intuition" applied to himself. me and silver light intertwined, casting brilliant sword shadows. There is an array of supernatural powers that have a controlling effect on the highly resilient and regenerative Flesh Faction, and me is among them. Lafa was reluctant to sh directly, as this incarnation had limited energy and couldn''t repeatedly use the power of the "Bone Gallery." After dodging several more streaks of sword light, Lafa spoke softly: "Let us end it here." The painting behind His head swept past quickly, His form gradually dissipating, utilizing historical retrospection to go back to a moment before, right behind Chen Lun. The sound of the painting being drawn did not cease, as Lafa''s two fingers came together, igniting a ck and purple me, thrusting straight into Chen Lun''s back. Spurt¡ª! Chen Lun spat out blood, his eyes turning cold as he struck back with his sword, heavily chopping at Lafa''s arm. ng! Lafa''s eyebrow arched, and his right arm fell off in response. Immediately, the severed arm turned into a pool of blood mid-fall, still scorched by mes, drying up and evaporating as it flowed toward Lafa''s main body. The ck and purple mes burned on Chen Lun''s body, but he disregarded them, turning his head one hundred and eighty degrees to face Lafa directly and give Him a sinister smile. One arm transformed into a Golden Python, wrapping around Lafa''s body, locking Him down tightly. The fiery Silver Sword in his hand clicked and cked, turning into a Silver Whip thatshed at Lafa''s legs, wrapping around them, ensuring even tighter imprisonment. "It''s meaningless to do this, Mr. Diviner." Lafa looked at Chen Lun expressionlessly. "No, it''s of great significance... because this way, you can''t use your historical retrospection." Chen Lun replied indifferently. Boom! With a p of his ck wings, Chen Lun soared into the sky with Lafa, quickly leaving the Gallery behind. Leaving the scope of the Bone Gallery, the original gallery architecture slowly returned to its former state, the ghastly flesh and bones gradually dissipating. But precisely because of this, the building could no longer withstand the ravages of the previous battle and began to copse. Boom, boom, boom! The surviving guests frantically rushed out of the gallery, with Pompey''s family closely following behind. Rosa, with her brother Noah, turned into a wisp of silver mist and arrived at the edge of Bradley Square. However, Rosa could no longer easily wield her supernatural powers, or else she would not be able to suppress the purple-ck mes consuming Noah. She anxiously observed Noah''s condition and found that his life force was rapidly draining away. Floey stood at the other side of the square, quietly "gazing" at the sky. With the gallery''s copse, coupled with the "little Sun" explosion in the sky above the square moments before, the area had already attracted countless onlooking residents. Pris and Su Keying, blending in with the crowd, looked up in unison. "Such a scene¡ªif one hadn''t experienced it personally, one would never imagine it happening in a closed beta..." Experience tales at empire Horseman sent a text message. "Sparrow food, and such a level of battle, so damn terrifying! How long do we have to y to reach this level? Probably not until several versionster... Scare a person to death!" Doghead Gold replied. Pris and Su Keying exchanged a nce, both seeing the shock in each other''s eyes. "What do you think, if I post the video, how many yers will cram in here after the open beta? (excited expression)" Su Keying sent a text message. "It''s best not to, uh, if you''re going to post it, better not specify the location." Pris reminded. "Mind your own business. (smile expression)" Above the square. Lafa was immobilized, unable to move. Amidst fluttering red hair, the painting behind Her head switched to ''Pupil in Painting'', and immediately Lafa''s eyes twisted and turned, staring at Chen Lun. Whirr! Chen Lun''s Sapphire Earrings instantly took effect, saving him from the spiritual assault. Lafa let out a light ''hmm'' of surprise, but She reacted quickly¡ªHer red hair, like numerous slender snakes, intertwined into a sharp cone, thrusting straight toward Chen Lun''s face. ng! Scale-like armor emerged on Chen Lun''s forehead, blocking the thrust and sparking. But he, too, was like being struck by a heavy hammer on the forehead, jerking backwards. His body uncontrobly fell downwards, eventually crashing into the central pool of the square with Lafa. Boom! The exquisite statues were smashed to pieces, and the fountains below burst forth, causing rain to fall across the square. The people at the edge of the square eximed in shock. Then they saw two figures locked together, standing in the water, both engulfed in mes¡ªone purple-ck, the other bright yellow¡ªunquenchable by the fountain''s waters. Lafa was somewhat surprised; how could a low Sequence Eight Transcendent have pushed Her to this point? It was indeed puzzling. Moreover, the me of Death ignited by Moonshine had not burned him to death but had merely turned his dark golden armor red-hot. Lafa''s severed arm slowly grew back, leaving her body unscathed. Aside from some dishevelment, one could not tell where She was wounded at all. "At this rate, only you will die," Lafa stated calmly. "That''s not necessarily the case, Your Majesty," Chen Lun, his serpent eyes fixed on Her, his smile undiminished. Lafa narrowed Her eyes, revealing a puzzled expression. The next second, Chen Lun''s face split open down the middle¡ª Suddenly, a brand-new him crawled out of the old skin, his injuries restored anew! Chapter 125 The Witchs Arrival After putting on the Silver Pot. Chen Lun''s Insight Attribute instantly reached 39 points. Contrary to the expected darkness, even with the Silver Pot on, he could see all the external scenes clearly, as if it were a unique effect of this Mysterious Object. Once his Insight surpassed the 30 points threshold, his senses seemed to break through some limit; he could faintly detect the strangeness around him. At some ordinary locations, there appeared faint blue diamond-shaped cracks. These cracks twisted and fluctuated, hiding within them deep and gloomy scenes filled with an ufortable sense of danger. Chen Lun took a step forward and reached out to touch the nearest crack. As he made contact, the crack opened up like a gaping mouth and swallowed him whole. The scene before his eyes suddenly changed. He was still standing on Bradley Square, but it waspletely deserted.@@novelbin@@ The surrounding crowd, Rosa, Noah, and Floey, had all vanished. The sun in the sky, the earth before him, and all the buildings also exhibited an unreal, hazy feeling. Chen Lun knew that he had entered the Spirit World. This ce was extremely dangerous; being a Low Sequence Transcendent, he must act cautiously. But before he could take a step, he suddenly noticed a person standing not far in front of him. "!!" Chen Lun was secretly shocked. His "Spiritual Intuition" had given no prior warning! "Hello, Jack," a calm and gentle female voice said. "I really appreciate what you''ve done for Noah." Chen Lun tried to raise his head and look at the other party. Her face was unclear, obscured by a flicker of starlight, revealing only a silver robe and her pleasant voice in his ears. The other party''s fair right hand seemed to be holding something. "Consider this a meeting gift," the woman in the silver robe said softly as she tossed the object in her hand, which rolled to Chen Lun''s feet. Chen Lun looked down to find it was a head. Underneath the red hair was unmistakably Lafa''s face. [ze''s Affection towards you has increased! It is now Friendly!] Chen Lun''s heart skipped a beat. "Silver Dragon Witch" ze! This mysterious woman in a silver robe was none other than that saint, residing in the southernmost city of Shuoli! Why had shee?! "So that''s how it is, everything makes sense now," a sh of realization struck Chen Lun. As Rosa and Noah''s mother, ze would certainly watch over them secretly; even if he had not stepped in to save Noah earlier, she would not have stood by and let her child die. The moment Lafa''s incarnation entered the Spirit World, it was destined to be killed by the witch waiting there. This also exined why the Bone Gallery would end up in Noah''s hands-- he had an awesome mom! As for why there were traces of High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance on Dolly ording to the original trajectory... Could it be that the Witch had no interest in Lafa''s incarnation''s corpse, allowing this mysterious substance to slip away and identally be found by Dolly? "..." Chen Lun was silent. The more he thought about it, the more usible it seemed. The Witch, being ultimately wealthy, refusing to dirty her hands for a piece of Mysterious Substance was understandable. What had blinded his eyes. Chen Lun sighed inwardly. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty ze, this gift is very important to me," he said, bowing slightly to the silver-robed witch, cing his hand on his chest in salute. The head on the ground slowly dissipated, its spirituality crystallizing into a blood diamond the size of a thumb. Chen Lun bent down and swiftly collected the object. He was secretly pleased¡ªfinally, the High Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance was his, Floey could be saved! With little time remaining, Chen Lun was unwilling to stay longer and nned to bid the witch farewell. Just then, ze suddenly spoke: "May I take a look at your staff?" Chen Lun was slightly taken aback but quickly understood. "Of course, Your Majesty ze." He stepped forward, holding the Silver Staff horizontally with both hands and passed it over. As he approached closer, Chen Lun noticed the witch before him emanated an odd aura that unintentionally made one feel a sense of closeness towards her. "This Charm Value must be over 60 points..." He guessed to himself. Chen Lun dared not look up and scrutinize freely; from his lowered gaze, he saw the other''s hand taking the Silver Staff. In a fleeting glimpse, he saw a ck sun brand on the pale back of the witch''s right hand. "This once belonged to a friend of mine..." The witch''s voice came with a tone of reminiscence. "It ending up in your hands shows that you are its rightful ce." Her words were purposeful, and after speaking, she handed back the Silver Staff. Chen Lun took it and then heard the witch say: "Good boy, I''d like to ask you for a favor..." Chen Lun paused and then answered: "Your Majesty Witch, please speak." "I hope you can keep Noah with you as your exclusive artist." ze spoke calmly, but it made Chen Lun''s heart skip a beat. Although he had intended to bring Noah into the team, he hadn''t expected the guardian to arrange it directly. This request was rather sudden and caught Chen Lun by surprise, making him also somewhat puzzled. "I can''t tell you the specific reasons for now, but you will understand in the future... If there is a chance, you might want to look into rence''s deeds." "I will obey your will, Your Majesty Witch," Chen Lun responded, using his staff to bow again. "Alright, go now; that young girl doesn''t have much time left." The witch gently waved her hand, and countless twinkling stars floated in front of Chen Lun''s eyes. Suddenly, he found his vision stretching farther until the blurred vision of the Spirit World faded, and he returned to the real world. Noises entered his ears, as if everything had regained vitality and energy. [You have received the appreciation of Saint ise Shelly (Constetion Faction)! You gained the blessing "Shining Nova LV1"!] [Shining Nova LV1 (Blessing)] Blessing description: The grace given to you by Saint ise Shelly allows you to shine like stars. Blessing effects: Slightly increases Mysterious Resistance, Mental Resistance, and Divination weight, Charm +2. Chen Lun took a deep breath. Another blessing! The effects were quite good, and the increased Mysterious Resistance,bined with the protection from "Maggie''s Tear", meant that unless there was a significant gap in power, even an average Mid Sequence Transcendent would not be able to detect him through mysterious methods. The Divination weight, in turn, would enhance his predictive abilities about higher mysteries. Of course, most importantly, he had be more handsome again. "Mr. Jack?" Rosa asked, puzzled. Being a Sequence Six, she was naturally aware of the existence of the Spirit World and qualified to traverse it. However, in her eyes, the young man before her, wearing a Silver Pot on his head, had traveled through the Spirit World and returned to the real world in less than a few minutes. Stay connected through empire "Did you encounter an attack by a creature of the Spirit World?" She asked with a frown. "No..." Chen Lun removed the Silver Pot and denied. "But I have already obtained what I wanted." He did not n to exin his encounter with the witch. After all, he couldn''t just say, "I saw your mom in the Spirit World, she quickly dealt with that Lafa brat, and then gave me High Sequence Mysterious Substance, blessings, and your little brother." The witch choosing not to appear obviously had her reasons. Chapter 127 One Should Stop at the Right Time Gallery ruins. Both sides of the building were affected, walls ckened by smoke, and ss shattered. The nearby residents had already fled, and silence enveloped the surroundings. Chen Lun walked straight into the interior where the paintings and some decorations had been burned, leaving only fragments of the wooden frames used for mounting, mixed with broken stones and bricks. The guests who had died here were buried, with only the asional expensive high heel left, along with some tattered top hats and scarves. "Huh..." Chen Lun stopped in his tracks, suddenly noticing a small gray pellet under the rubble at his feet. He bent down to pick it up, and it turned out to be a piece of "Low Sequence Conspiracy Faction Mysterious Substance." Your next read awaits at empire "This might have belonged to an elderly Transcendent who implemented the kidnapping and was left behind after his death..." Floey exined softly beside him. The elder in the Circus organization''s costume, after being killed by Roderick''s ck light wave, the Mysterious Objects that dposed from his body were hit by the aftermath of the battle, ultimately breaking down into the most basic Mysterious Substance.@@novelbin@@ Based on what Floey had said, Chen Lun indeed found two more of the same Mysterious Substances nearby. After collecting them all, Chen Lun felt pleased. Ding! Chen Lun twisted the Silver Staff, using it to divine Mona''s whereabouts. Soon, the staff stopped, and the handle pointed to a certain corner. He stepped on the broken stones and walked over, lifting a wall fragment the size of a desk with one hand, making a loud noise. Amidst the spreading dust, a woman''s figurey curled up at the base of the wall, surrounded by a pool of blood. "Fortunately... she''s still breathing." Chen Lun sensed for a moment and found that Mona still had faint breathing. "For an ordinary person to not die after such heavy injuries... what a stroke of luck." He gently turned Mona over and saw her left arm was gone, the break jagged. In a past life, Mona hadn''t died in this event, and like Noah, someone would likelye soon to rescue her. Chen Lun had intercepted, taking the credit for her rescue onto himself. He extended his hand, and a faint green glow flickered. Soon, new flesh, bone, and nerves slowly grew at Mona''s severed arm, eventually forming a new limb. Her pale face also gradually regained color and, once the dust and dirt on her body were removed, she looked very healthy. "The Sanity Value in the Maggie Statue is used up..." As the green light faded, Chen Lun thought to himself. He sighed to himself, realizing that it was necessary to find time to "recharge" the Maggie Statueter. Next to Mona, a shiny silver revolver had fallen, which Chen Lun picked up. "D-grade Mysterious Object - Order Revolver" Item description: A fine weapon from the Shelter''s extraordinary workshop, with uracy and lethality far surpassing ordinary firearms. It can fire regr ammunition as well as several types of extraordinary ammo. Item cost: It craves warmth and needs to be ced in a warm environment to hibernate every so often, with carrying it close to the body being most suitable. "This warmth, is it decent?" Chen Lun wondered. He felt the revolver and nced at Mona, who still hadn''t awakened, showing a strange expression. Immediately, he stored the revolver in the Grape Ring. "Since there was a fight, losing a matching gun is very likely." Chen Lun nodded to himself. He also noticed a badge worn on the left side of Mona''s mountain, which he lightly touched with his fingertip, learning that it was a "D-grade Mysterious Object" with detection capabilities. Previously at the port ck market, she seemed to have used it to detect him. Chen Lun was not interested nor did he see any need to take it. "In life, you''ve got to know when to stop." With a wave of his hand, he took away the bullet bag at Mona''s waist. Inside were several dozen ordinary bullets and four extraordinary ones, two Sun Bullets and two Deep Sea Bullets each. At this time, Floey found a small bag in a corner of the ruins. She came over with the bag and a smile. "I''m giving this to you, I collected them because I thought they''d be useful to you." Chen Lun took the package and opened it. "Hiss..." Goodness, seven or eight items such as ss bottles, dinner knives, shlights, and buttons¡ªall assorted like random junk but all actually "D-grade Mysterious Objects." Chen Lun''s eyebrows twitched, and he instantly understood the origin of these items. "Are these the belongings left by the Transcendent who died here before?" He asked aloud. Floey smiled and nodded slightly. Chen Lun immediately collected all of them into the Grape Ring, then admired with apliment, "Well done!" Receiving his praise, Floey covered her mouth and giggled softly. At that moment, Mona''s eyelids fluttered. Shey still for a while before squinting her eyes to scan her surroundings, realizing a man and a woman were standing in front of her. "Where is my gun..." She muttered inwardly. Thud! Mona pushed against the ground and leapt up, aiming a high kick at Chen Lun''s head. But in the next instant, she felt her instep hit something hard, sending a burst of pain through it. "Miss Mona, is this how you treat your savior?" Chen Lun lowered his staff, revealing a polite smile. Mona stepped back a few paces, slightly frowning. She recalled the scene before she fainted, seemingly struck by a shadow of a bullet casually flicked by the strong member of the Red Apple Church... The next second, she looked down to examine her body and was astonished to find that her left arm, which should have been missing, had miraculously grown back. Aside from her aching instep, not even a bit of skin was broken anywhere else on her body. "Did you save me?" Mona first fell silent for a few seconds, then said. Chen Lun shrugged his shoulders. "I believe you already have the answer in your heart. If no one had treated you, you would be dead by now." "..." Mona took a deep breath. She held no animosity toward Chen Lun, as the warrant for his arrest had merely been following orders from her superior, Roderick. Having personally been through the transcendent battle at the gallery, she had witnessed him descend from the sky, striving to prevent disaster. It was apparent that he was not the "threat to the Empire''s stability" as described by the specialmissioner. On the contrary, the Red Apple Church, one of the Seven Righteous God Churches that were supposed to maintain the Empire''s order, turned out to be the dark hand behind the mysterious cmity. She couldn''t help but feel a suppressed anger in her heart. Now that he had saved her, Mona''s perception of him gradually began to change. "Thank you for your help... Mr. Jack Spett," Mona said with a softened tone, softly uttering her gratitude. "I am merely a lucky fellow who happened to step into the Mystic Realm and have no desire to do things that defy heaven and reason... I acted this time only because I couldn''t bear it and was willing to risk being arrested." Chen Lun put on apassionate expression and said solemnly. "You are apetent Investigator and should not have died here." Mona was slightly startled, then touched by his words. She knew that he had destroyed a branch of the Red Apple Church, and now she thought that it might have been because of their evil doings there that this "guardian of justice" had demolished them. With that, she couldn''t help but hold him in high esteem. How good it would be if such a Transcendent could join the Shelter. "When I return, I will definitely strive to rify the situation for you, aiming to revoke the warrant and inform my superiors about the ambitions and conspiracy of the Red Apple Church!" Mona stated earnestly. Chen Lun, leaning on his staff, removed his hat and made a respectful gesture over his chest. "I admire your integrity, Miss Mona." Tap, tap... A series of rapid and dense footsteps approached. The three turned their heads and saw a group of ck-robed monks from the Moon Church running towards them, led by a middle-aged man wearing a bishop''s robe. In addition, a group of Investigators was closely following, led by a young man. "Jack Spett, transcendent fugitive, suspected of destroying Bradley Square, murdering numerous nobles and council members, in vition of twenty-ninews, ording to the ''Sun Codex'' and the ''Containment Regtions'', shall be sentenced to death! I advise you to surrender now!" The young man leading the Shelter dered coldly. Chapter 128 Aftermath Swish, swish...! A group of investigators raised their flintlock guns at Chen Lun. "Interesting..." Chen Lun adjusted his hat brim, revealing a smile. "What are you doing?" Mona stood in front of Chen Lun with a cold face. Her eyes nced slightly, staring at the young man leading the investigators, and she said: "Leader Walker, the situation is unclear right now, and there is no concrete evidence to indicate that Mr. Jack is the murderer... I can also testify that he was a principal force in stopping this incident. Without him, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Furthermore, regarding the warrant signed by the special emissary Roderick, it''s also open to question. He perished during this incident, so I should take over the follow-up work." The young man she called Leader Walker looked at her, raising his voice: "Miss Mona, I''m sorry to inform you that you are just a regr investigator and do not have the qualifications to take over... Also, as the highest leader of Amber City''s Shelter, all special emissaries like Roderick are dead, and yet you stand here unharmed. It''s hard not to suspect whether you harbor any intentions of betrayal." His tone then turned cold: "Testify? You''d bettere with us back to the Shelter to undergo interrogation first." Mona narrowed her eyes and scanned her colleagues. Chen Lun watched all this with interest. He was not afraid of these Shelter investigators. Apart from the leader who had reached Sequence Eight, the rest were mere mortals. If he wanted to leave, these people couldn''t stop him. It was the people from the Moon Church standing by silently that were of interest; their stance was unknown. The middle-aged Bishop leading them should be a Mid Sequence Transcendent of Sequence Seven. Chen Lun looked at Mona''s back, knowing this famous official figure from his past life was not as simple as she appeared. To firmly hold the high seat of the Shelter with a mortal''s body, faith alone was not enough... Her background was formidable. Beep! A light sound suddenly emitted from the shirt pocket on Walker''s chest. He frowned, then immediately took out a palm-sized notebook. Upon opening it, his expression changed slightly. "... Put the guns down." Leader Walker said through gritted teeth. The other investigators, not understanding why, still put down their flintlock guns. "The Judge from Fossil City has transmitted orders. From now on, all matters rted to Amber City''s Shelter are to be handled by... Leader Mona." Walker took a deep breath and handed the notebook to Mona. Mona took it, skimmed the text appearing on the pages, but her face showed no joy. She asked an investigator for a pen and then quickly wrote in the notebook. "Leader Mona, I apologize for any offense just now. Please pardon me." Walker said with a stern face and a deep voice. He wasn''t so foolish as to not realize that the sudden promotion appointment from his superiors wasn''t simple. The seemingly ordinary female investigator in front of him might have a profound connection with the Judge. "Leader Walker, please take charge of the follow-up issues, and make it quick... especially in mitigating the negative impact of this incident." Mona didn''t respond to his words but ordered, raising her gaze. She then handed back the notebook. "I''vepletedmunication with the Judge, and will report in detail about the entire course of the incident after returning..." "Understood." Walker, feeling Mona''s evasion, sighed in relief, aware that she wouldn''t hold him ountable. "I''ve already contacted the Security Office. They will organize personnel to cordon off the scene, disperse the nearby crowd, and make proper arrangements..." Having said that, he saw Mona nod and then led the investigators to disperse. Chen Lun watched all this, knowing that his situation had temporarily stabilized. He did not have to worry about his daily activities being limited due to the warrant. The higher-ups behind Mona offered timely help, which in a sense, was also helping him. "Miss Mona, the Moonlight Grandmother watches over Amber, and we believers are willing to offer a helping hand," the middle-aged Bishop said at this time. Mona gave him a prayer gesture of the Moon Church. "Praise the Moonlight... Thank you for your trouble, Bishop Bosville. Please lead the monks to gather the bodies and arrange the uing funerals. It will probably be quite busy for some time toe," the middle-aged Bishop nodded. "May the departed rest in peace; sending them back to the Moon is our duty." He whispered a few words to the ck-robed monks beside him, then they maintained their silence, began moving the rubble in the ruins, and looked for the buried bodies below. They were orderly, swift, and skilled in their movements. For some reason, Chen Lun, looking at this group, was always reminded of some memes from gaming forums in his previous life. For example, some yers would take screenshots of the Moon Church''s ck-robed monks'' processions and then create memes with captions like "Herees the funeral for your mom," "Professional team, ready for business," and "Lift the coffin, bury the dirt, a good-bye from each." Soon, the bodies of the circus leader, Beckman, Roderick, and other guests were found. The spirituality of these three Mid Sequence Transcendents had been drained by the "Bone Gallery" and turned into corresponding oil paintings, which is why their bodies were fortunate to be preserved.@@novelbin@@ But the aftermath of the battle and the great fire made these bodies unrecognizable. Chen Lun did not continue to stay there and disturb their work, taking Floey with him outside the Gallery. "Mr. Jack, rest assured, I will urge the Shelter to restore your reputation and rescind the warrant as soon as possible. If there''s anything, you can contact me through the public mailbox on First Street, with the postal code cipher being 705302X," Mona said softly when she came next to Chen Lun. "I''m very thankful for your help, Miss Mona." Continue reading at empire "It''s what I should do." Chen Lun tipped his hat, made a bow, then put it back on his head and departed with Floey. Mona watched the two of them leaving and sighed quietly to herself. In the end, she had still epted the help of her teacher... Now recalling the words she had sworn to her teacher when she left the Royal Academy, she felt a bit embarrassed. * * * Things started to ferment gradually. Though the Shelter took action in a timely manner, sealing off Bradley Square and iming an idental explosion had urred there requiring the area to be renovated and rebuilt, and even went door to door, forcing the residents who had witnessed the extraordinary battle to sign non-disclosure agreements, the rumors could not be stopped, especially among the elite circles. The deaths of many significant figures in the Inner City District shocked and bewildered the elite. Unlike the previous incidents at Gaden Hotel and the assassination case of Councilman Daniel, this time it directly affected them. Many old nobles petitioned jointly and took the issue to Fossil City. But when they expected the Empire to send people down for appeasement andpensation, they received only a simple warning letter. Then the elite circle of Amber City plunged into silence. Because Earl Bradley, the one with the loudest voice, was suddenly arrested for "endangering the security of the Empire," and all his property was confiscated. The Shelter even produced evidence proving his wife''s involvement with the felon Beckman and his key role in it all. A few informed people deeply understood that whether Earl Bradley was an aplice no longer mattered; what mattered was that the Empire chose to suppress the incident. If they continued to make a fuss, Earl Bradley''s fate would be the best example. Furthermore, as for the events that took ce in the square that day, the ck-winged, ck-haired young man slowly became a legend of Amber City. Awe and gratitude slowly took root in the hearts of the popce. They called him the "ck Messenger," and some even began to worship him as an object of their faith. Chapter 129 Great Harvest (Two-in-One) Viscount Pompey bid farewell to a few "friends" from the circle of nobility. He returned to the vi''s first-floor hall, sat on the sofa, and showed a hint of fatigue on his face. Reba came to her father''s side, took his arm, and whispered, "Dad, are we really moving away?" Explore more at empire The Viscount smiled gently and turned to look at his daughter. "Oh no, we''re not moving... Let those people fuss about it, they''re just a bunch of cowards scared out of their wits. We''ve lived in Amber City for decades, and we''re used to it." Lady Pompey took a warm towel from a maid at that moment, slowly walked behind the sofa, and gently wiped her husband''s cheeks. "Thank you." The Viscount reclinedfortably on the sofa, nced at his wife, and smiled. Lady Pompey responded with a smile. "I wonder how Mr. Jack is doing now..." Reba pouted and gently touched the silver snake earring on her ear. "Don''t worry, Reba, Mr. Jack will be fine... I''ve already received a message from an old friend; the warrant for his arrest has been withdrawn." "Ah, really?! That''s wonderful!" Reba eximed with joy. After the art exhibition incident, their respect for Mr. Jack deepened, as he not only saved their family but countless others as well. This also proved that the previous warrant was a nder against him. Mr. Jack truly is a great man. Reba''s eyes were filled with sparkling stars. He must be an angel sent by Grandmother Moonlight! The knight Reba admired the most! At that moment, Butler Binose hurriedly walked over with a newspaper in hand. "Your Excellency the Viscount, please look at the newspaper." Viscount Pompey took it, spread the newspaper open, and Reba and Lady Pompey also turned their eyes to it, all showing expressions of surprise. The headline on the front page read¡ª "The filth behind Amber City''s Red Apple Church! ''ck Messenger'' brings down divine punishment on behalf of the gods!" In the photo, the entrance of the Red Apple Church was visible, with a chaotic scene faintly discernible inside the courtyard. A young man with ck hair spread his wings and soared into the sky. Many onlookers were also captured in the frame; in one corner, there were five inconspicuous young men and women. Their faces showed shock, one square-faced man was picking his nose, and another horse-faced man had a fierce expression, muttering a strange syble "cao" based on his mouth shape. Chen Lun put down the newspaper. A strange expression appeared on his face. "How did the Pris yers also get caught in the photo..." He shook his head slightly and rose from his chair. In the past few days, he had already moved back to the original Jack Manor with Floey and Connie. After looting the Red Apple Church, he had amassed a fortune and naturally had the spare money to settle "home affairs." With a grand gesture, Chen Lun spent over 300 Gold Pounds to buy the entire manor with the intention of making it his base. Mona sent her subordinates to return some of the previously confiscated mechanics and tools, and even offered somepensation. This left Chen Lun quite satisfied. He walked to the window, looking down at Connie bustling below, along with the craftsmen who had been called back, and smiled faintly. "Things are moving in the right direction..." Through the intelligence sent by the animals and the Silver Dragon Trade Association in the past few days, he had learned about some changes in Amber City. The Shelter brought in a new batch of personnel from the surrounding towns to supplement theck of Strength in Amber City. The Red Apple Church was exposed for alleged fraud, murder, and illegal sacrifices. It was clear that Mona was stirring things up behind the scenes. But Chen Lun knew that these wouldn''t shake their foundation; at most, it would only tarnish their reputation. The Tresor Empire was vast, with Amber City being just a corner. But it wasn''t entirely without benefits. At the very least, Chen Lun could develop here in peace, without worrying about interference from the Red Apple Church for the time being. As for the measures to silence the Shelter, he was not optimistic. Once the public test began in the future, as yers leveled up and more Transcendents emerged, such means of silencing would be extremely ineffective. Of course, by then, the Empire would have more appropriate and aggressive countermeasures. "Sigh..." Chen Lun exhaled deeply. "There are many more things to do next."@@novelbin@@ Last evening, he had unexpectedly triggered a mission. [C-rank Mission: The Circus!] Mission description: Following the Circus'' failed kidnapping at the art exhibition and the Leader''s tragic death, the remaining members went into hiding in Amber City, waiting tounch new activities. Find them and stop them¡ªit may be a good way to elevate your reputation. Mission rewards: 7000 Experience Points, 15 Gold Pounds, 1 Regional Reputation, and 1 Conspiracy Faction Mystical Tome. "Just when I''m looking for a pillow, sleepes." Chen Lun chuckled inwardly. The development n in his mind gradually became clearer with the arrival of this mission. Though he had epted the mission, he nned toplete it in another way: by recruiting. Eliminating the most egregiously evil and stubborn individuals, he would keep those who were useful, forming his own Transcendent force. Then, he aimed to gain official recognition, allowing him to act openly and to achieve his goals. Indeed, the Tresor Empire adopted a policy of forcible suppression towards unaffiliated Transcendents, but radicals like Roderick did not represent the whole. Chapter 130: 129: Great Harvest (Two in One)_2 Chapter 130: Chapter 129: Great Harvest (Two in One)_2 A portion of the rulers preferred a gentler faction, advocating a pacification policy that absorbed and coborated with these ¡°unstable elements¡± to neutralize them. Among them, Mona and her supporters belonged to this faction. If it hadn¡¯t been for this, organizations like the Silver Dragon Trade Association and the ck Knife Brotherhood wouldn¡¯t have been possible. In some respects, this was also apromise of the Empire. But Chen Lun knew that achieving this goal wouldn¡¯t be simple and would require some preparation. ¡°Let¡¯s check the spoils of war first¡­¡± Chen Lun closed the window and drew the curtains. Then he walked over to the table and took out a load of items from the Grape Ring. These were the spoils of war he had collected earlier, which he needed to sort through properly. First, he picked up the books plundered from the Red Apple Church. Four Mystic Books containing Supernatural Knowledge, along with a Sub upation book. Whirr¡­ Chen Lun opened ¡°Blood Brew¡± and read it for a while before a prompt popped up¡ª [You have discovered a precious book containing sub upation information!] [Through careful reading, you have gainedplete sub upation knowledge!] [Brewmaster] [Criteria for inheritance not met, do you want to forcefully set this as your new sub upation?] [Warning! Forced inheritance will result in penalty to gains!] Chen Lun chose ¡°No¡±. Then he closed it and put it down. ¡°It¡¯s this, no doubt¡­¡± He murmured. But, Chen Lun wasn¡¯t ready to ept the position now, because the penalty would not only reduce attribute points and skill points gained upon leveling up but also add to the required Experience Points, making it an unwise decision. He nned to ¡°wash off¡± the[Fisherman]first, before taking on the role. Next, Chen Lun began examining the other four Mystic Books. ¡°Sun, Moon, Flesh, and Magic¡­¡± Chen Lun flipped through these four books one by one, triggering the prompts on them, collecting the Superntural Sequence contained within into his bag. The one[Flesh Faction Sequence Nine ¨C Butcher]he already had, so he could only set it aside as an ¡°experience book¡± for gradual absorption in the future. The remaining three tracks of[Sequence Nine]were ones he hadn¡¯t yet collected, perfectly filling the gaps. These were[Sun Faction Sequence Nine ¨C Believer], [Moon Faction Sequence Nine ¨C Medium], and[Magic Faction Sequence Nine ¨C Schr]. ¡°Just missing the ¡®Conspiracy¡¯ and ¡®Deep Sea¡¯ factions, then I¡¯d have gathered the entry-level knowledge for ten sequences.¡± Chen Lun chuckled inwardly. After obtaining the corresponding Supernatural Knowledge, these three books still had uses since he could gain Experience Points and Points by reading them. For the current Chen Lun, although not a lot, it was too precious to waste. In his previous life, he would hammer out thest bit of toothpaste and mix water in his soda to pick up residue from the walls. Let alone these precious upgrading resources. He must squeeze them dry. He stored away the five books and then proceeded to distribute his points. Afterpleting the main quest, he had earned 10 Special Attribute Points and 1 Blessing Point, top-tier resources. Regr attribute points couldn¡¯t increase the four special attributes of Charm, Insight, Willpower, and Luck, requiring Special Attribute Points among other ways to enhance them, making the value of Special Attribute Points extremely high. Chen Lun added all 10 points to his Willpower, as his own Willpower was a weak spot with only a mere 6 points. It influenced some critical decisions and determined the extent of one¡¯s Sanity, bing increasingly critical to him. Immediately after, Chen Lun pondered briefly and decided to add the Blessing Point to[Nature¡¯s Favor], as it was more helpful at this stage. After the upgrade, its effect doubled. [Nature¡¯s Favor LV2 (Blessing)] Blessing description: Nature Faction Angel Maggie Milna has noticed you and bestowed her blessing upon you. Blessing effect: [Sequence Nine ¨C Beast Tamer]All skill levels +2, all attributes +2. ¡°A Blessing Point truly is top-tier, such a significant upgrade¡­¡± Chen Lun remarked. In his past life, few yers had received blessings, basically terms associated with BOSSes and a few elite NPCs. As for Blessing Points, which could upgrade the level of blessings, these were even harder toe by.@@novelbin@@ Feeling the enhancements to his body, Chen Lun faintly sensed that the memory slot of [Animal Mimicry]could amodate the traits of another Supernatural Creature. ¡°I should try to find an opportunity. If possible, then I¡¯ll rece one trait.¡± Among the rewards from the main quest, there were also 10 Points of Regional Recognition, and added to the 6 points he had already umted, he now reached 16 points. ¡°This will greatly aid my uing ns¡­¡± Chen Lun mused inwardly. ¡°Panel.¡± He summoned his panel to take a look¡ª Name: Chen Lun Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Temte: NPC (Countdown to version 1.0 public beta: 356 days 15 hours 45 minutes 36 seconds) Level: 50 Experience: 80900/1900 Life: 820/820 Physical Strength: 310/310 Sanity: 25/25 Main upation: [Sequence Nine ¨C Beast Tamer LV10 (MAX)][Sequence Eight ¨C Diviner LV20 (MAX)](Destiny Faction) Sub upation: [Fisherman LV10 (MAX)][Recorder LV10 (MAX)] Attributes: Strength 42 (+4), Agility 52 (+2), Endurance 33 (+4), Intelligence 32 (+2), Faith 7 (+2) Special Attributes: Charm 22 (+11), Willpower 17 (+2), Insight 30 (+2), Luck 5 (+2) Regional Recognition: 16 Remaining Points: 24 Skill Points, 0 Attribute Points, 0 Special Attribute Points, 0 Blessing Points Chapter 134: 131: Silently Entering My Dreams (Two-In-One) Chapter 134: Chapter 131: Silently Entering My Dreams (Two-In-One) A streak of green light blossomed from the hands of the dark-haired young man. From the cuffs of his shirt, countless slender, emerald-green vines extended, twisting and intertwining like little snakes, gradually forming a rectangr object. The five yers dared not blink, intently watching the vine snakes in the hands of the dark-haired young man, finallying together to form a ¡°book¡±. An archaic yet peculiar ¡°book¡±. The vine snakes kept wriggling, giving the illusion that the book was alive. This was Chen Lun¡¯s activation of ¡°Wake of Insects¡± to weave these illusory branches, meant to mask the appearance of ¡°Philip¡¯s Dreand Adventure¡± and lead the yers to believe that this was his extraordinary power. Whoosh! The book suddenly opened, the pages flipping with a sound. ¡°Silently into my dream¡­¡± Mr. Jack¡¯s deep voice slowly emanated. Then a white light suddenly shed, instantly dazzling the group of five yers. Boom! When they came to their senses, they found themselves in the midst of a gloomy forest. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Everyone drew a breath. Such power¡­ it was a bit terrifying! The group of five yers looked around, careful not to make too much noise. With the trees casting shadows and dim light all around, silence enveloped the area, with only the countless towering trees visible. Apart from the five of them, no other living beings could be seen. ¡°Have we¡­ already entered the ¡®instance¡¯?¡± The Horseman asked cautiously in a low voice. ¡°We should have, better to stay cautious,¡± Pris briefly replied. After walking a few steps without purpose, the group found it meaningless to continue aimlessly and stopped again. ¡°What kind of damned ce is this, not even a path in sight.¡± Doghead Gold said quietly. ¡°Plus, it¡¯s freakishly eerie¡­ which way should we go?¡± Forget No Taboo spoke. Pris thought for a moment and shook his head. ¡°No clues, no missions, it¡¯s odd¡­ Let¡¯s split up and move. If anything special happens, let¡¯s contact each other in the chat room,¡± he suggested. ¡°That works,¡± the Horseman nodded. But just then, Su Keying eximed. ¡°What happened?¡± The others quickly looked at her. ¡°My Sanity Point inexplicably decreased by 1 point!¡± she said. The others were also taken aback and hurriedly checked their own panels. Just as Su Keying had said, their Sanity Values had decreased by 1 point out of nowhere. ¡°Something¡¯s not right! Staying here too long continuously deducts our Sanity!¡± The Horseman said gravely. ¡°At this rate, we won¡¯tst long before we hit zero Sanity and trigger instant death,¡± Pris coolly analyzed, then added: ¡°Nobody waste time; let¡¯s move now, quickly!¡± Following his words, the others no longer lingered and immediately dispersed in different directions. Pris ran straight forward, constantly keeping an eye on his panel, noticing that his Sanity Value was decreasing at a rate of about 1 point per minute. Given their current Attributes, their maximum Sanity Value was only 6 to 7 points, which meant each of them could only stay here for a few minutes! Such a short time! ¡°What can one even do in this time? Ah¡­¡± Pris frowned, feeling a bit frustrated. This was clearly an excellent opportunity, but it hade when he was so weak. If they did not seize it properly, it would be a terrible waste. Just then, Su Keying¡¯s message popped up in the chat room. ¡°¡ªI died!¡± Soon, the others also saw the message, and the Horseman quickly asked: ¡°¡ªDied? How did you die?! What did you encounter¡­?!¡± ¡°¡ªI don¡¯t know, just running and suddenly my neck hurt, then I lost consciousness, and afterward, I resurrected. (Speechless emoji)¡± Su Keying replied. While still running, Pris sent his message in the chat: ¡°¡ªWhere did you resurrect? Did you record what happened just now?¡± ¡°¡ªDon¡¯t know, it looks the same around here, nothing but gloomy trees. It definitely was recorded, I turned on the video the moment we entered here.¡± Su Keying replied. Just then, Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo sent messages:@@novelbin@@ ¡°¡ªI died too, damn it, don¡¯t know what happened! All of a sudden!¡± ¡°¡ªSame death, like Su Keying, my neck hurt so much and then the screen went ck¡­I see you, Su Keying!¡± Pris nced at the messages and thought to himself that it seemed they did gather together after resurrection. The next second, his pupils contracted. Because he also felt a sharp pain in his neck, followed by his vision going dark. In thest moment, he noticed a detail but had no time to think further as he received the notification: [You have died!] When his vision returned to normal, Pris shook his head to clear it. He found his resurrection spot still within the gloomy forest, not far away, the Horseman, Doghead Gold, Forget No Taboo, and Su Keying were all gathered together. ¡°Did all of you die once?¡± Pris walked over and asked gravely. ¡°Yeah¡­ just like Su Keying described.¡± The Horseman¡¯s face looked quite grave. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo furrowed their brows, trying to figure out how they had died. ¡°If we don¡¯t figure it out, we might keep dying like this¡­ It¡¯s one thing if we encountered a high-level monster, but dying like this without reason is really annoying.¡± Doghead Gold pulled off his hat,ining. Their levels weren¡¯t high, and all the Experience Points they had umted were lost. ¡°I think I¡¯ve discovered something, but I¡¯m not sure yet¡­ Su Keying, show me your video.¡± Chapter 135: 131: Silently Entering My Dreams (Two in One) _2 Chapter 135: Chapter 131: Silently Entering My Dreams (Two in One) _2 Pris said. The others, upon hearing this, immediately focused their attention on him.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll send it in the public chat.¡± Keying operated her panel and sent the recorded video. Pris clicked on the video and watched intently, and the others also opened the video to check. A momentter. ¡°I think I saw a line! There was a reflection, look here!¡± Doghead Gold eximed loudly. ¡°Keep it down! Who knows what other strange dangers there are around here, don¡¯t draw attention!¡± The Horseman warned. Upon Doghead Gold¡¯s reminder, they indeed noticed a momentary glint in Keying¡¯s first-person view. Between two trees, there was an extremely fine thread, nearly invisible unless looked at closely. ¡°It¡¯s spider silk¡­¡± Pris turned off the video and looked up at them. ¡°I had noticed it just before I died.¡± The others were all startled. ¡°So you mean to say, all around this forest there are these¡­ spider silks?! We could be cut to death if we¡¯re not careful?!¡± Doghead Gold cried out in shock. Pris simply nodded in silence. ¡°That¡¯s why we can¡¯t run, and we must pay attention to our surroundings at all times.¡± ¡°Damn it! We¡¯re already short on time, and moving like this is so inefficient¡­!¡± Doghead Gold was extremely frustrated. Both the Horseman and Forget No Taboo looked unhappy. ¡°Since we can¡¯t go far, there¡¯s little point in splitting up. From now on, let¡¯s stick together, so we can look out for one another in case of danger.¡± Pris analyzed calmly. The others silently nodded in agreement. Straight after, the group of five yers moved cautiously, slowly making their way in one direction. Their figures rippled and distorted, reflected in ake. Standing by theke was a ck-haired young man. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Chen Lun pondered with his chin rested on his hand. ¡°It seems that each time one enters ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯, the surrounding dangers are different. I didn¡¯t encounter such spider silks myst time here¡­ Could it reset?¡± He raised an eyebrow. ¡°And¡­ Their deaths are being counted against me!¡± Chen Lun looked at the prompt box with a strange smile. [You have killed yers Pris, Su Keying, Horseman, Doghead Gold, and Forget No Taboo! You have gained 500 Experience Points and 2 Attribute Points!] ¡°Is it because I¡¯m the master of the ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯? So when they die inside, I can still get kill rewards¡­¡± Chen Lun pondered. ¡°yers level up by farming monsters, I level up by farming yers¡­?¡± Previously, when he went to save Pompey¡¯s family, he had used the flintlock gun to kill three guild yers of the Horseman, which had sparked an idea, now confirmed again. ¡°I had nned to try this only after the open beta, but now it seems it¡¯s true¡­ And with ¡®Philip¡¯s Dreand Adventure¡¯, I don¡¯t need to go around killing yers one by one, which is both tiring and likely to attract enmity. If I build ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯ as the future team¡¯s ¡®advanced instance¡¯, drawing yers in¡­ Their deaths here would be counted on my head, and yet they would also owe me a debt of gratitude.¡± Chen Lun shook his head, feeling a bit regretful. Because when he had just sent the five yers into the Immortal Realm, he felt a bit of pressure, as if due to his own Sequence, he didn¡¯t yet haveplete control over the ¡°Immortal Realm.¡± He intuitively felt that the number of yers he could currently amodate in the ¡°Immortal Realm¡± was around ten; exceeding this number would not allow him to manipte some switches as freely as he wished. ¡°So the strategy will have to change a bit for that time¡­¡± Chen Lun nned in his mind, and after a while, he showed a smile. ¡°Since the number isn¡¯trge, let¡¯s go the elite route and set the price for ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯ tickets a bit higher. This will not only filter out a batch of the most outstanding yers but will also make them cherish the opportunity to enter more¡­¡± Chen Lun felt the n was feasible the more he thought about it. ¡°Only the best yers are worthy of exploring for me.¡± He had been harboring this thought for some time, as exploring the vast and dangerous ¡°Immortal Realm¡± merely by himself was far too inefficient. He did not wish to end up like Philip, spending his entire life without seeing the end. The yermunity, abundant with talented and gifted individuals, could definitely use their wits to find the right shortcuts for him and could use their advantage of resurrection to detect hidden mines for him. Ultimately, a clear guide would beid out before Chen Lun. ¡°Of course, the most important thing is that the Maggie Statue will continue to draw from their Sanity¡­ This efficiency is countless times higher than me ¡®charging¡¯ the statue myself!¡± Chen Lun, with a smile on his face, walked over to thekeside statue. He ran his finger gently over the pedestal and casually sat upon it, leaning against Maggie¡¯s fishtail, gazing at theke. [Current Stored Sanity Value: 28] This was the Sanity obtained from Pris and his group. After the cost of initiating and maintaining the ¡°Immortal Realm¡± was deducted, the rest was stored. ¡°Keep up the good work, brave outsiders¡­¡± Chen Lun¡¯s gaze stayed on theke, through the sparkling water,nding on the five silhouettes in the Gloomy Forest. Rustle¡­ Their footfalls lightly tread upon the leaves and twigs. Pris and the group progressed slowly but surely, without any more unexined disappearances. They encountered ¡°spider silk¡± traps twice along the way, but fortunately, all five were vignt enough to detect and avoid these deadly snares. The first time it was detected, Pris paused to study it carefully. Chapter 136: 131 Quietly Entering My Dream (Two in One)_3 Chapter 136: Chapter 131 Quietly Entering My Dream (Two in One)_3 He discovered that this kind of ¡°spider silk¡± was extremely fine and tough; when a leaf fell upon it, it split into two seamlessly without any hindrance. The instant it touched, the spider silk seemed to tremble slightly, like a high-frequency osciting cutting line, which was quite terrifying. The five people dared not make a sound, even controlling the speed of their breathing. ¡°¡ªAlthough we are safe this way, our Sanity Values are decreasing too rapidly. I¡¯m already feeling a bit of a headache, and soon I¡¯ll go mad¡­ We won¡¯t be able to go much further.¡± Horseman sent a message in the public chat. ¡°¡ªI have an idea¡­ we can let one person scout ahead as quickly as possible. If they die, we¡¯ll know where the ¡®spider silk¡¯ is. When the person scouting ahead dies, someone else from behind can rece them. This way, we¡¯ll be much more efficient,¡± Pris shared his thought. After a few seconds of silence, Su Keying cautiously sent a message: ¡°¡ªSo, who goes first?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Everyone only had three Resurrection chances, and they had already wasted one. The next person to scout was most likely to die first, which would considerably shorten the time they had for this part of the game. ¡°¡ªI¡¯ll go first. You guys decideter who will rece me¡­ Now is not the time to be selfish, we can only benefit by working together.¡± Horseman took a deep breath, sent the message, and then stepped out of the group to run forward. The others looked at each other, fell silent for a moment, and hurriedly followed, but they deliberately kept a distance from Horseman to avoid encountering the spider silk without time to react. After running several hundred meters, Horseman suddenly copsed. Those behind saw clearly as his body was horizontally sliced in half from the waist, turning into two sections, and then dissolving into white light. ¡°¡ªI¡¯m dead, be careful¡­ I¡¯ll catch up soon.¡± Horseman sent a message.@@novelbin@@ ¡°¡ªNext, I¡¯ll go. Brother Pris has a lot of experience, let him stay till the end.¡± Perhaps inspired by Horseman, Forget No Taboo volunteered to take over next. After avoiding the spider silk where Horseman died, Forget No Taboo started to sprint. In this manner, they cycled through a few times, and everyone died once. But the yers had now mapped out a long stretch of the path and were filled with confidence. Once again, they used this method to continue exploring. After another round, only Pris was left. ¡°¡ªI¡¯ve walked a long stretch already, it seems I¡¯m out of the ¡®spider silk¡¯ area, there¡¯s no danger here.¡± He sent a message in the public chat. ¡°¡ªThat¡¯s great! Finally, we¡¯re out of the ¡®spider silk¡¯ area¡­ The few of us have regrouped behind and are heading your way.¡± Su Keying replied. Pris took a deep breath and moved forward. He had previously participated in a gang fight at the Outer City District sewer and levelled up to 10, but because of these two deaths, he dropped back to level 8. So far, there had been no significant gains, which was rather frustrating for him. ¡°Hopefully, there will be some gainsing up¡­¡± Soon, he felt his vision broaden up; ahead in the forest, there appeared a small pond. In the middle of the pond, there was a small patch ofnd with an old wooden box on it. This scene immediately brought two words to Pris¡¯s mind¡ª¡±Trap.¡± With his extensive gaming experience, he had seen many such scenarios before. He stopped his steps and stood at a distance from the pond, then shared his observations in the public chat. ¡°¡ªA Treasure Box? A pond? This is definitely a trap¡­¡± Horseman replied. ¡°¡ªPris, wait for us, we¡¯ll be there soon.¡± Just then, Pris began to experience a splitting headache. He opened the panel to check and saw that his Sanity had fallen below fifty percent. He endured the pain and sent a message with difficulty. ¡°¡ªHurry up, we don¡¯t have much time left!¡± Chapter 137: 132: Your Task is Completed (Three in One) Chapter 137: Chapter 132: Your Task is Completed (Three in One) Soon, the five of them met once again. They looked at the shabby wooden box in the middle of the pond, hesitating in their expressions. ¡°I¡¯m one hundred percent certain there are creatures in the water. The moment we get close to that treasure box, we¡¯ll be ughtered,¡± Doghead Gold sent the message. ¡°But, we don¡¯t have any extra time to continue exploring. Even though we know it¡¯s a trap, we must proceed¡­ (resigned expression)¡± Horseman replied. ¡°You guys only have this one life left, but I still have a chance for resurrection. This life doesn¡¯t have much Sanity left; I¡¯ll take the risk,¡± Having sent his message, Pris walked forward without looking back. ¡°Be careful, Pris.¡± Su Keying advised. Pris nodded silently as he walked forward, his vision beginning to blur with afterimages, feeling himself on the verge of insanity. Reaching the pond¡¯s edge, he surveyed the scene briefly and found the water incredibly murky, unable to see anything below. At that moment, it was windless; the entire water surface was utterly calm, like a giant beast¡¯s open maw waiting quietly for prey to enter. Pris took a deep breath and the very next second, he jumped straight into the water. Ssh! Water sshed up from the pond. He didn¡¯t waste any time, swimming straight towards the small chunk ofnd in the middle of the pond. The pond wasn¡¯trge¡ªmerely the size of two or three basketball courts. Pris was quickly able to swim to his destination. Yet, just as he made it halfway, he suddenly felt his leg entangled by arge, soft object, and then a colossal force ensued. Without any room to struggle, he was dragged down. Gurgling¡­ Onlookers by the pond only saw Pris swimming along when suddenly he sank downward, and a few bubbles surfaced¡ªthe entire pond then returned to its deadly calm. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°There really is something in this pond! What happened, Pris?¡± The group exchanged looks, Horseman asked urgently. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I suspect it¡¯s some kind ofrge creature¡­ maybe an octopus? Or something else, hard to see,¡± ¡°Then we can¡¯t wait for you, Sanity is continuously decreasing, we can¡¯t waste time,¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go for it, try to grab some loot at least,¡± ¡°Spread out before entering the water, to avoid the underwater creature catching us all at once,¡± The yers briefly exchanged these messages in the public chat. They spread out around the edge of the pond, each person maintaining a distance of about ten meters. ¡°I¡¯ll count to three, we jump in simultaneously and then just head straight for the treasure box!¡± Horsemanmanded in the public chat. ¡°Okay, got it!¡±@@novelbin@@ ¡°Understood!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s start.¡± However, just as Horseman was preparing to count down, a sudden violent disturbance urred in the pond. Sshing! The surface of the water boiled, casting up sprays of water. Dozens of dense, small ck shadows surged out from the water, charging towards the yers on the shore. ¡°There are creatures! They areing ashore! Fall back!¡± Horseman didn¡¯t have time to type in the public chat, so he just shouted. The others didn¡¯t need the reminder¡ªas they saw this scene, they were initially shocked, then quickly retreated. Once they had recovered their senses, they finally saw clearly what was emerging from the pond and were taken aback. It was a group of ¡°walking fish¡± less than a meter tall, with torsos resembling the human body, covered in disgusting scales, their hands and toes grew fins, and they were carrying various rusty knives and fish spears. Squawk!! Their fish heads were enormous, almost asrge as their torsos. Their mouths kept opening and closing, producing bizarre, frog-like noises while shing their sharp, tiny teeth. Swish¡ª! Their gill parts trembled, spraying out water droplets. They raised the weapons in their hands, charging towards the yers in near-madness. Bang!! Horseman was the first to draw Wrath, targeting a walking fish and pulling the trigger. Small steel pellets sprayed onto it, sting it several meters away. The rusty iron hook held by the walking fish dropped, and its body tumbled around on the ground, leaking disgusting dark-red blood from those wounds, staining the soil. What disturbed Horseman was that the eyes on either side of the walking fish¡¯s head swiveled to fix on him, filled with malevolence and madness. Swish! The row of fins on its back closed; it stopped twitching and was dead. ¡°[Kill of the Contaminated Supernatural Creature ¡®Walking Fish,¡¯ gain 120 Experience Points!]¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, they are actually very weak, but the Experience Points are good. Kill them all!¡± Horseman grabbed a handful of steel pellets to reload, fired another shot killing another walking fish, and sent out the tip in the public chat while doing so. Bang! Bang, bang!! The others fired rapidly too, their dense pellets instantly killing several walking fish. However, the ensuing walking fish paid no heed to their fallenrades. They continued rushing forward, armed with those rusty weapons. ¡°They are indeed very weak; one shot basically kills one,¡± Forget No Taboo replied. ¡°Keep killing! Over a hundred Experience Points each, where would you find such easy experience creatures?¡± Doghead Gold sounded very excited. Hisbat enthusiasm was the highest; he efficiently reloaded with his left hand after firing one shot, not pausing at all. But given therge number of walking fish, they quickly approached the yers, raising their weapons to strike. Squish! Forget No Taboo was careless, and his arm was shed. As blood spurted, he also received a ¡°Continuous Bleeding¡± DEBUFF effect. Bang!! The walking fish in front of Forget No Taboo¡¯s huge fish head suddenly exploded, scattering brownish-yellow substances. Its body flew backward, tumbling, and after a few struggles, it stiffened. Looking back, Pris was panting heavily and had arrived at the scene. Chapter 139: 132 Your Task is Completed (Three in One)_3 Chapter 139: Chapter 132 Your Task is Completed (Three in One)_3 Pris issued amand. The others nodded, then scattered and positioned themselves around the pool. The Horseman counted down to three in the public chat, then sent a message ¡ª ¡°Action!¡± Ssh! Wham!! After the five yers plunged into the water, they swam straight toward the worn wooden box. They remained vignt, their hearts filled with intense unease. The pool felt bizarre, especially after experiencing Pris¡¯s death and the recent Walking Fish attack, leaving them uncertain about what might happen next. The water was murky, creating a filthy sensation. The mere thought of strange creatures lurking within was unsettling. It made their skin crawl. Rustle¡­ At that moment, not far away, Doghead Gold suddenly froze, sshed the water twice with his hand, and then with a gurgle, he dived down and disappeared below the surface. ¡°¡ªdamn it, I¡¯m the first to die again¡­ Just like Pris said, a huge tentacle dragged me away; the rest of you, speed up!¡± Doghead Gold sent a brief message. He had run out of resurrection chances and couldn¡¯te back online. To meet again, they would probably have to wait until after the public test. Seeing Doghead Gold¡¯s st words,¡± the others tacitly sped up, swimming desperately forward. Wham! ¡°It¡¯sing for me!¡± Suddenly, the Horseman¡¯s face drained of color, sensing disturbances underwater. ¡°Swim faster!¡± He had barely finished speaking when he sank and vanished without a trace. Only ripples remained on the water¡¯s surface. The remaining three clenched their teeth and swam forward, quickly reaching the central area of the pool, thend just within reach! Wham!! A violent vibration urred, and both Pris and Su Keying turned to look, just as Forget No Taboo was flung into the air. ¡°Ah!¡± Forgetting No Taboo was so startled that he couldn¡¯t help but scream. Then a thick, cyan-grey tentacle burst through the water, capturing Forget No Taboo, still in mid-air, entwining and pulling him down fiercely. Boom! Water sshed everywhere, like a light rainfall. Su Keying turned to look, only to find Pris had unhesitatingly climbed onto a small piece ofnd beside the rusty wooden box.@@novelbin@@ ¡°¡ªWay to go! Pris! You did it!¡± Su Keying sent a message. But the next moment, she noticed a change in Pris¡¯s expression. ¡°¡ªWhat¡¯s wrong?¡± Pris was frantically pulling at the rusty old box, which, however, wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s locked! Can¡¯t open it!¡± He pulled out a small knife, tried prying a couple more times, and then reluctantly gave up. He sat down on the ground, pounding his fists a few times on the lid of the box, resigned to his fate. Su Keying¡¯s smile slowly faded. A tremendous force struck, and before she could even scream, she followed the fate of the Horseman and the other two. Pris calmly watched as Su Keying went under the water, sighing. ¡°Still too low in Level¡­¡± Hemented as he watched several giant tentacles appear around him, suddenly striking toward him. ¡°Thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west, don¡¯t¡­¡± Smack! Before his death, Pris regretfully nced at the chest once more, puzzled by the old wooden chest that had begun to turn illusory. Why? Puzzled, he turned into a beam of white light. At the safety zone by theke. Chen Lun sat down with legs crossed beneath a statue, a wooden treasure box appearing beside his feet. He touched the lid, clicking his tongue. ¡°Not bad, quite satisfying¡­¡± He had only tempted fate by focusing on the chest beside Pris, not expecting that it could actually be transferred to him. ¡°So this chest has been designated as Pris¡¯s spoils of war? He just couldn¡¯t take it with him ¡­ so it goes to me, I guess.¡± Chen Lun nodded in satisfaction. He had not hoarded all the materials by the pool for himself, having shown restraint by letting go of about a third for the five yers. Being human, one shouldn¡¯t be too selfish, vision shouldn¡¯t be so short, it¡¯s important to know how to nurture properly. Consider it watering the five beta-test yers, so they can thrive in the future. This chest was their first repayment to him. ¡°Before opening the chest, there¡¯s another matter I need to attend to¡­¡± Chen Lun stood up and walked to thekeside. Watching the gradually fading scene on theke surface, that pool, and the giant tentacle that stretched out. His gaze was profound. * * * Immortal Realm. Gloomy Forest. A small pool, stagnant like death water, a young man with ck hair slowly approached the bank. ¡°This is the ce, the ¡®octopus-like¡¯ giant contaminated creature¡­ it¡¯s hidden in the pool,¡± Chen Lun looked at the water surface, contemting. Boom! A pair of ck wings emerged behind him, pping and lifting him off the ground, floating above the pool. Chen Lun¡¯s eyes trembled, instantly turning into serpent-like pupils, a chaotic mist wafting over them. In his vision, the pool turned pitch ck, filled with numerous flickering orange-red dots below, with one particrlyrge dot amidst them. Wham! A huge cyan-grey tentacle burst from the water surface, raising countless sshes. The tentacle was covered in suckers, each with a barbed fang in the center, presenting a horrifying sight. Chen Lun¡¯s expression was stoic as he delivered a kick. Bang!! The tentacle recoiled as if hit by a battering ram, sshing back into the water and creating huge waves. ¡°Named ¡®Gundry,¡¯ a Supernatural Creature contaminated by the mystic powers of the Deep Sea Faction¡­ approximately at Level Eight, but significantly stronger than a typical Transcendent of Sequence Eight,¡± Chapter 142: 133 Forgetfulness Spring (Two in One)_2 Chapter 142: Chapter 133 Forgetfulness Spring (Two in One)_2 ¡°So that pond water¡­ is actually ¡®Forgetfulness Spring Water¡¯?¡± Chen Lun raised an eyebrow.@@novelbin@@ But the murky, filthy water was nothing like the ¡°clear and beautiful¡± description in the notes. ¡°Was it contaminated by some mysterious substance¡­ Could that ¡®descendant¡¯ octopus monster possibly be the so-called ¡®guardian pet¡¯?¡± The more Chen Lun thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Objects contaminated by mysterious substances always take on a form that is extremely unsettling, and perhaps the ¡°Forgetfulness Spring¡± had indeed be corrupted and decayed because of this. The octopus monster, too, had ultimately be a terrifying sight. Chen Lun then picked up the small bottle and the piece of parchment. [Supernatural Item ¨C Forgetfulness Spring Water] Item Description: The spring water bottled still contains the magic power it once had, perhaps a casual act by a traveler, allowing it to survive and be thest solitary item of that body of spring water. Item Effect: Choose to forget a certain memory, skill, or sub-upation. Looking at the small bottle of spring water in his hands, Chen Lun¡¯s face showed surprise. ¡°It could just be used to forget the [Fisherman] sub-upation¡­¡± He carefully stored the [Forgetfulness Spring Water], and then looked at the parchment. [Supernatural Knowledge ¨C Shadow Contract (Conspiracy Faction)] Item Description: A parchment documenting the Shadow Contract Ritual, reading it will provide the method to construct the ceremony. Travelers once used the Shadow Contract to enve supernatural creatures, making them serve their own purposes. ¡°Contract knowledge¡­¡± Feeling quite interested, Chen Lun simply sat right there and spent several minutes reading through the text on the parchment. [By carefully reading, you have acquired [Shadow Contract Ritual]!] This ritual is not a skill, its activation mechanism requires the sacrifice of specific offerings and to initiate a notarization towards corresponding high sequence transcendent beings, even deities, in order to achieve the effect of the contract. As it involves high-tier mysteries, the contract holds great weight, and the signatories almost dare not breach it. The particr contract ritual Chen Lun had mastered, required a piece of the [Conspiracy Faction] mysterious substance for each signing, regardless of the sequence tier, but it would affect the ultimate effectiveness. ¡°It¡¯s time to leave¡­ and take care of the sub-upation matter.¡± Chen Lun tidied up and stood up. * * * Exiting the book ¡®Philip¡¯s Dreand Adventure¡¯, he returned to the real world. Chen Lun looked at the sofa across from him, which was empty since the Pris five-group had long since left. Chen Lun knew that they had used up their resurrection counts and could no longer log on. Coincidentally, the internal test was also ending today, so the next time he would see them would be during the public test. ¡°Hmm¡­ By then, I should have also prepared everything that needs to be ready.¡± Chen Lun pondered for a moment. ¡°Public test yers, huh? Hey¡­ I¡¯m quite looking forward to it.¡± Looking at the empty space on the sofa, Chen Lun suddenly remembered the moment he sent them off to the ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯. All five people copsed onto the sofa together, their eyes open but pupils lifeless, like five soulless shells. Chen Lun had deduced then that what entered the ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯ was the spirituality of the human body, not the physical body. Therefore, every time he needed to enter ¡®Philip¡¯s Dreand Adventure¡¯, it was best to find a rtively safe location, to avoid his body in the real world encountering any danger. Of course, with [Spiritual Intuition] Chen Lun could foresee dangers and return in advance. He got up from the sofa, walked out of the vi, and then found Connie at the warehouse, asking her to help him purchase some brewing equipment. Afterwards, Chen Lun returned to the vi, went upstairs to his room. Sitting by the window, he took out the [Forgetfulness Spring Water] and ¡®Blood Brew¡¯. Pop! Chen Lun held his thumb against the side of the bottle¡¯s mouth, flicked it lightly, and the cork flew off. He tilted back his head and drank the spring water, feeling a refreshing sweetness lingering in his mouth, a strange sensation naturally emerging that traveled from his body to his brain, leaving him clear-headed andfortable. Then, Chen Lun focused his attention on his sub-upation [Fisherman], and soon, everything rted to this entry in the panel disappeared. Simultaneously, he felt his body be slightly weaker. And somehow, an inexplicable sense of relief arose¡­ as if he had been freed from bondage and had regained freedom. Chen Lun felt that something was not quite right, so he used Divination in hopes of gaining some clues. But there were no abnormalities. [Spiritual Intuition] had no reaction either. Even so, he still felt as if he had inadvertently triggered something. Unable to figure it out, Chen Lun had no choice but to focus on the notification box. [Sub-upation [Fisherman LV10 (MAX)] has been forgotten! Rted skills [Quick Reflexes LV1 (Passive)] and [Seafaring Bnce LV1 (Passive)] have been removed!] [Experience Points have been refunded! Attribute Points and Skill Points have been deducted!] Chen Lun nced at his panel, noticing that his level, attributes, and several skills appeared in a greyed-out frozen state, needing the deducted attribute and skill points to be replenished in order to recover. He then opened ¡®Blood Brew¡¯. [You have discovered a precious book containing knowledge of sub-upations!] [By carefully reading, you have acquiredplete sub-upation knowledge!] [Brewmaster] [Having met the inheritance condition, would you like to take it as your new sub-upation?] ¡°Yes.¡± On Chen Lun¡¯s panel, the sub-entry column slowly disyed the words[Brewmaster LV1]. Chapter 143: 133 Forgetfulness Spring (Two in One)_3 Chapter 143: Chapter 133 Forgetfulness Spring (Two in One)_3 Immediately, he put all the returned Experience Points into this Sub upation, quickly reached Max Level again, and also acquired a new skill ¡°Bloody Fine Brew LV1¡±. This Sub upation Skill, slightly different from the regr ¡°Brewing,¡± was unique to the Red Apple Church. Although it was still Brewing, ¡°Bloody Fine Brew¡± could incorporate supernatural materials to ultimately produce wine with mysterious powers. This type of wine, somewhat simr to Alchemical Potions, could temporarily bestow some extraordinary abilities or provide enhancement effects, but overall, it was not as potent as the potions and required more materials. After all, being a Sub upation, it was normal for it not topare to the Main upation of a Supernatural Sequence. But Chen Lun felt it could be profitable, whether for funding impoverished yers in uing public tests or dealing with other Transcendents, a bottle of Supernatural Wine would definitely be a good choice. After maxing out ¡°Brewmaster,¡± Chen Lun restored the Skill Points and Attribute Points he earned to his panel, and the grey frozen status returned to normal. Then, he spent 4 Skill Points from his reserves and maxed out ¡°Bloody Fine Brew.¡± Many brewing details and techniques came to him naturally, and he seemed like a master brewer for many years, seasoned with experience. Looking at the supernatural materials stored in his panel, countless ideas and various blending ns instantly formed in Chen Lun¡¯s mind, and he was already eager to try them out. ¡°Once Connie has bought the equipment, I¡¯ll start brewing the first bottle of Supernatural Wine¡­¡± Chen Lun thought. * * * Nightfall arrived again. Chen Lun walked alone on the street, bathed in the light cast by the Purple Moon. His leather shoes tapped crisply on the cobblestones. Having just left Jack¡¯s Manor, this road was rather secluded with few pedestrians. Whoosh. Chen Lun released his palm, and the Silver Staff struck the ground, beginning to spin in ce, finally pointing northeast. ¡°The remnants of the ¡®Circus¡¯ organization¡­¡±@@novelbin@@ He revealed a smile. The next moment, Chen Lun took out a ck cufflink and fastened it onto his sleeve, stepping forward into a shadow that the street lights couldn¡¯t reach. Two pedestrians walking towards him on the street passed by him, seemingly not noticing him at all. Boom! A pair of ck wings emerged behind Chen Lun, and with a p of his wings, he soared into the sky, heading northeast. ¡°Hey! What a strong wind¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s really strange.¡± The hats of the two pedestrians were blown off to the ground, and after they bent down to pick them up, they nced at each other, puzzled. Under the cover of nightfall, Chen Lun flew above. Even if someone looked up, they wouldn¡¯t notice his trace. As he flew past the Amber River, which separated the Inner and Outer City Districts, Chen Lun also observed the patrolling boats on the river and the checkpoints on the bridge. ¡°In the Outer City District?¡± He swung the Silver Staff in his hand, and based on the direction it was pointing, he adjusted his course once more. Boom! He elerated, and a gusty wind blew in his face. The buildings below formed a dense mass, with only sporadic lights visible, and many district street lights were unlit. Soon, Chen Lun arrived at an industrial area. Tall chimneys and boxy factory buildings were all made of red bricks. Moss and some dirt covered their outer walls, showing their age. Hended in an open area, summoned a group of rats, and then directed them to scout around for him. Squeak squeak squeak¡­ The mice made faint sounds as they dispersed towards various factory buildings. Inside a certain factory building. The corner fire crackled and sparks flew. Five people, three men and two women, either standing or sitting, gathered around the fire, maintaining silence. A little further away, several dozen figures leaned against the wall. After a long pause. A man threw a piece of wood into the fire. ¡°It¡¯s been several days now, we need to make a decision whether to leave directly or pull off another job.¡± The firelight shone on his face, showing a man with a beard. ¡°Both the Leader and the old guy are dead, taking eight of our members with them, are we sure we want to make any more moves?¡± Another burly man in a tank top said solemnly. ¡°Leaving without scoring ast hit, are you guys really okay with that?¡± A short-haired female with heavy makeup smoking a cigarette said coldly. ¡°The Leader and the others were ambushed by the Shelter, but the Shelter also suffered heavy losses. Now is a good opportunity since the Inner City District is void of supernatural forces¡­¡± ¡°Exactly, if we miss this opportunity and move to another city, it won¡¯t be so easy to strike.¡± A man next to the short-haired woman chimed in. The burly man in the tank top shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s too risky, I do not support this operation¡­¡± The bearded man looked at the three of them and said: ¡°I also feel it¡¯s not appropriate to strike now. The Inner City District has surely tightened security. We better leave quickly before the Shelter catches its breath and starts hunting us down.¡± ¡°Two against two, Maggie, what¡¯s your opinion?¡± As the voice of the short-haired woman sounded, everyone turned their gaze to another woman sitting on the other side of the fire. Under her messy xen hair, her expression was deadpan. ¡°I¡¯m not interested; I¡¯d rather go to a zoo to watch goris mating than join you guys.¡± Chapter 144: 134 Circus (Three in One) Chapter 144: Chapter 134 Circus (Three in One) ¡°¡­¡± The others fell silent upon hearing Maggie¡¯s words. As one of the only two Sequence Eights in the Circus, her status was quite high. Especially after the Leader and the old man had fallen, this duo had be singr. But she wasn¡¯t popr among the members, who generally disliked interacting with her, mainly because she was a bit off in her head. Apart from when she was mixing medicine for the organization, she was unseen, usually preferring to be alone in a corner, talking to herself relentlessly, and even asionallyughing excitedly, dancing and gesticting. Such mental instability made the Circus members uneasy. ¡°Since Maggie does not take a stand, and none of us can convince the other, let¡¯s just go our separate ways.¡± The muscr man in the tank top said. ¡°Fine, but the others have toe with us.¡± The woman with short hair took a sharp breath and pointed toward the others leaning against the wall in the shadows. The bearded man and the muscr man in the tank top both looked grim, but then Maggie spoke again: ¡°No, they cannot go with you.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± The woman¡¯s hand paused, and ash fell from her cigarette. ¡°Why? Without peripheral members to assist, how can just us two Transcendents make a move?¡± ¡°What do I care!¡± Maggie suddenly looked fierce, staring intently at the short-haired woman. ¡°If they all leave, who will test my medicines for me?!¡± The others were shocked. Not just by Maggie¡¯s sudden outburst, but also by her words. Testing medicines? This was unheard of; could it be¡­ ¡°The Leader has been hiding this from us, using peripheral members to test medicines on you?!¡± The muscr man in the tank top said sternly. ¡°Outstanding medicines require sacrifices¡­ What did you think, how ¡®Serenity Potion¡¯ and ¡®Blood Bottle¡¯ came to be.¡± Maggie said. The other four silently looked down at the two medicine bottles on their waists, speechless. The peripheral members leaning against the wall showed no reaction. Then, Maggie suddenly shifted from sitting to kneeling, promptly lying on the ground, sniffing around like a dog. The others frowned, thinking she was having another episode. ¡°There are rats!¡± Maggie whispered. ¡°It¡¯s normal to have rats here; this is an old factory.¡± The short-haired woman tossed her cigarette into the fire, resignedly speaking. ¡°There are many rats!¡± Maggie continued. The people sitting suddenly stood up, all looking toward the door. Innumerable rats, unknown when, had surrounded them. Around the door, next to the columns, on the rusty machines, the beams, and the windows, were all pairs of gleaming, ck eyes. ¡°Damn! Someone is targeting us!¡± The short-haired woman pulled out a dagger. Click¡­click¡­ In the silent factory, apart from the crackling of the fire, only a series of clear footsteps slowly approached. ¡°I have an idea, would you like to hear it?¡± A young man¡¯s voice came. In the shadows, numerous rats scurried away as a man dressed in a ck suit, wearing a ck hat, holding a Silver Staff, slowly walked into view. ¡°Who might you be?¡± The bearded man asked, his expression serious. ¡°Jack, Jack Spett¡­¡± The young man with ck hair stood erect, resting one hand on his Silver Staff, tipping his hat with the other. He revealed a polite smile and continued: ¡°Members of the Circus, you may call me ¡®Mr. Spade.¡¯ ¡°Spade¡­ Jack? The guy who was wanted across the city not long ago, what do you want?¡± The man next to the short-haired woman asked coldly. ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯m just concerned about your future and came to offer some strategies. Just now I said I have an idea, why not listen?¡± Chen Lun smiled. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s the idea, let¡¯s hear it¡­maybe¡­¡± The man was mid-sentence when he suddenly raised his arm, aiming a Flintlock Gun at the young man with ck hair. His eyes were cold, his finger pulled the trigger. Bang!! A bullet hole appeared between the man¡¯s eyebrows, his eyes widened, then he copsed to the ground. The others were startled, turning to see the young man with ck hair holding a revolver, smoke drifting from the barrel. ¡°See, he was ready to make a move first¡­ can¡¯t me me.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s smile remained as he looked at the remaining four people. He then aimed the revolver at the short-haired woman.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Madam, were you about to rush me while he was shooting?¡± The heavily made-up woman¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Her expression changed slightly, then she quickly sheathed her dagger, forcing a smile. ¡°Absolutely not, you misunderstand, sir.¡± No sooner had the words left her mouth than her form blurred, and she ran swiftly toward the back door. As a member of the Conspiracy Faction, Sequence Nine ¨C Thief, her agility was remarkable, and she quickly reached the back door. Efficiently pulling open the rusty iron door, she darted out of the factory. Following the dark alley, weaving through twists and turns, she eventually left the industrial zone and arrived on the main street. ncing back and seeing no one in pursuit, she breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Phew¡­ good thing I¡¯m fast; that mysterious guy is too dangerous to face¡­¡± The short-haired woman hurried forward, noticing a carriage parked by the roadside. Her spirits lifted, she quickly went over to wake the dozing coachman, asking to be taken to the train station. Then she lifted the carriage curtain, sat on the leather bench, and began to contemte her next move. ¡°First to leave Amber City, that damned guy cost me a lot¡­ The Leader¡¯s powerful backers should have arrangements in other cities, maybe I could try there.¡± Chapter 147: 134 Circus (Three in One)_4 Chapter 147: Chapter 134 Circus (Three in One)_4 Was it because he possessed the power of Destiny that the Leader was able to achieve this? What a mysterious and formidable power! ¡°Thank you for your grace, Leader.¡± Golov and Barton bowed respectfully, paying their respects to Chen Lun. Chen Lun waved his hand lightly and then smiled, ¡°No need for formalities. The team will still need you in the future. Do well, and I will also seek out opportunities for you, allowing you to go further in the Mystic Realm.¡± ¡°Yes, Leader.¡± Golov and Barton bowed even lower. Chen Lun nodded, then looked towards the peripheral members. These individuals were assassins originally trained by the Circus, who had acquired robust physiques by consuming diluted Transcendent substances and, through rigorous training, had turned out to be elites. Each one of them wasparable to the elite bodyguards beside Butler Fedman. ¡°Hmm¡­ the Transcendent organization I have been hoping for is finally starting to take shape. Moving forward, there is still effort to be made¡­¡± he thought to himself. ¡°Leader, will our organization still be called ¡®Circus¡¯ in the future? But¡­¡± Golov spoke up at this moment, his tone somewhat hesitant. Chen Lun knew what he was about to say. Behind the Circus was an extremely vast Transcendent organization. Groups simr to ¡°Circus¡± were numerous throughout the Tresor Empire, spread across many cities. Chen Lun was familiar with this; it was called the ¡°Mutual Aid Society.¡± In many past life missions, this organization was involved in the background, notably in a ¡°Chief Assassination Case¡± outside the southwest border of the Tresor Empire. The chief of a neighboring small kingdom was sessfully assassinated by an assassin sent by the ¡°Mutual Aid Society,¡± effectively causing a change of dynasty to some extent. At that time, the assassin used an [A-rated Mysterious Object- Curtain Call Speech], an unassuming double-barreled shotgun that fatally struck the chief. Chen Lun knew of this infamous Mysterious Object shotgun, its specialtyid in its more lethal effectiveness against higher-ranking individuals, the assassin¡¯s most coveted weapon¡­ ¡°I remember, ¡®ck Knife Brotherhood¡¯ was a part of the ¡®Mutual Aid Society¡¯ before it separated.¡± Chen Lun thought to himself. ¡°But the most elite members of the ¡®Mutual Aid Society¡¯ did not leave¡­¡± Now that the Circus had changed leadership, if it kept its name and the Mutual Aid Society hadn¡¯t received contact for a long time, they would definitely send someone to scout out. A little inquiry, based on the gallery incident, would reveal the current situation of the Circus almost entirely wiped out, linking the two would easily reveal the current state of the Circus. This would attract unnecessary trouble. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, let¡¯s keep the name.¡± Chen Lun smiled as he said this. He had another reason he hadn¡¯t mentioned: he actually intended to use it as bait to attract people from the Mutual Aid Society. These folks were extremely hidden; finding them would likely require some effort, and his subsequent ns indeed required this link. So, it would be simpler to let theme to him. And he quite liked the name ¡°Circus,¡± not intending to change it. ¡°Could it be because I am following the Destiny Faction¡­?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but shake his head. Subsequently, Chen Lun had Barton take a third of the peripheral members to take control of the Iron Fist Gang at the waterside. Since Gary¡¯s death, he had rarely paid attention to the affairs of the Iron Fist Gang, which was still leaderless. Having Barton, a Transcendent, take the lead of the Iron Fist Gang was a good choice. With these dozen or so peripheral members, the Iron Fist Gang could definitely be the strongest force at the waterside. Once the public test started, it could also serve as the first point of contact for attracting yers. A series of screenings could then recruit qualified yers into the Circus. ¡°Maggie, Golov, you take the remaining people ande back with me.¡± Chen Lun watched Barton and the others¡¯ backs disappear at the factory entrance and turned to give orders. ¡°Yes, Leader.¡± * * * The next day. Chen Lun sat at his desk, writing and drawing with a pen, recording content that he intended to graduallyplete ¡ª Transforming the Circus into a reasonable, legitimate, and officially recognized Transcendent organization. When the paper was filled with text, he picked it up and read it a few times, imprinting it in his mind, then after some thought made corrections. Immediately, fire appeared from his hand, and he burned the paper. Although he had written in Chinese, which was unlikely to be understood in this world, it was still better to burn it just to be safe.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Hmm¡­ Next, just wait for Noah¡¯s arrival.¡± Chen Lun pondered. Then, he took out the [Conspiracy Faction Mystic Book] intending to secure the Sequence paths contained within. The book was titled ¡°Close the Door at Will.¡± He nced at it and felt he had forgotten something, but it didn¡¯t seem very important, so he shook his head and opened the book. [You have discovered a Conspiracy Faction Mystic Book!] [¡°Close the Door at Will¡± (Progress 5%) ] [By reading carefully, you have gained 25 experience points] [You have discovered hidden Transcendent pathway knowledge plete)!] [Conspiracy Faction Sequence Nine ¨C Thief] ¡°With three hidden pathways assembled, six out of the Seven True Gods Sequence paths have been secured; only the [Deep Sea Faction¡¯s] [Sequence Nine] remains¡­¡± Chen Lun closed the book, retracted the Blood Poem Ring, and nned to find time to read through all five bookspletely to obtain the apanying experience points and point rewards. Meow¡­ A cat¡¯s meow sounded; Biebu, the small white cat, hopped onto the desk, nuzzling its small head forward, hoping for Chen Lun¡¯s petting. ¡°Hey, little fellow, you¡¯vee at just the right time.¡± Chen Lun grabbed its nape gently and lifted it. Immediately, under the small white cat¡¯s bewildered gaze, he pulled out the [Order Revolver] and then casually ced it on the revolver. ¡°It needs warmth, so sleep on it, sweetheart.¡± Meow! Chapter 148: 135: Please Close the Door at Will Chapter 148: Chapter 135: Please Close the Door at Will Chen Lun didn¡¯t mind the cat Biebu¡¯s bristling fur and turned to leave the room. The sound of nging echoed down from above. He paused briefly, looked up at the ceiling, then shook his head and left, heading straight downstairs. The attic had been cleared out for Maggie to use as a workshop. He had no idea what she was doing up there to make such a racket. Golov was temporarily serving as the coachman and had plenty of free time when not out and about. As for the other peripheral members of the Circus, they were disguised as servants, staying in the manor. Including Chen Lun, Jack¡¯s manor now housed four Transcendents and these elite assassins, a force not to be underestimated. ¡°Good morning, Mr. Jack. Miss Floey has prepared breakfast. I¡¯ve ced it on the table.¡± Connie hurried over when she saw Chen Luning downstairs. ¡°Good morning, Connie. You¡¯ve worked hard.¡± Chen Lun greeted her and walked straight to the table to sit down. The table was full of sandwiches, pies, smoked meat, and some pastries, all handmade by Floey. Chen Lun couldn¡¯t wait to cut a piece of meat and popped it into his mouth. The tender meat fell apart easily, juice spilling out with the slightest bite. He sipped his tea and feltpletely rxed. ¡°Have a seat, Connie. Join me.¡± With a gentle smile, Chen Lun pulled out a chair next to him and gestured casually. Connie bowed respectfully before sitting down. After spending so much time together, she had gradually integrated into the group. Mr. Jack had always treated her with courtesy and respect, and deep down, she held great reverence for Mr. Jack. ¡°Connie, where is Floey?¡± Chen Lun asked casually as he ate. ¡°Miss Floey has returned to her room¡­ Oh yes, she went to your room this morning.¡± At that, Connie quickly took a sip of tea, her cheeks reddening. ¡°??¡± Chen Lun looked puzzled. ¡°Last night you came back without closing the door, and this morning when Miss Floey went to find you, you seemed to be still resting¡­ But when I saw the expression on Miss Floey¡¯s face as she came out, it seemed a bit odd.¡± Connie said softly, her tone suddenly hesitant and her wordsing in stutters: ¡°Mr. Jack¡­ do you sleep in your clothes?¡± Chen Lun¡¯s hand, reaching for the pie, paused, and then he froze. He realized what he had neglected. Earlier, he had used the ¡°Rusty Toothpick¡± to open the Treasure Box, and the side effect was that it made him forget to close doors. Great¡­ ¡°Of course, I wear pajamas to bed.¡± Chen Lun took a bite of the pie and smiled slightly. But in his mind, he wondered, did I really wear them?. This morning when he got up, he hadn¡¯t paid any attention to that detail. If he hadn¡¯t been wearing anything, then Floey had gotten quite the advantage. He had been careless. Connie nodded, holding back the urge to continue this conversation and changed the subject: ¡°Mr. Jack, I have ced the order for the Brewing equipment you requested, and it will be delivered to the manor in the next couple of days.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Chen Lun picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth and then asked: ¡°How are the equipment from the workshoping along?¡± ¡°The ¡®Connie No. 1¡¯ has been improved numerous times, bing more stable, and it can store more blended fuel. We¡¯ve made a total of six so far¡­ The blueprints for ¡®Wrath¡¯ have been detailed, and the craftsmen are familiar with the forging process. We have produced hundreds of them already, with over twenty thousand rounds of various ammunition. As per your instructions, they are packed into boxes and stored in custom wooden crates.¡± Seeing Jack give a slight nod, Connie smiled and continued: ¡°The production process for ¡®Red Ink¡¯ Incendiary Bombs is quiteplex, we only have four finished products so far. All of the above, including material costs, craftsmen¡¯s wages, new equipment, and warehouse depreciation, amounts to 206 Gold Pounds, 45 Silver Ducats, and 55 Copper Kros¡­¡± After hearing Connie¡¯s report, Chen Lun suddenly felt like money was slipping through his fingers like water. If it wasn¡¯t for the substantial wealth plundered from the Red Apple Church in Amber City, supporting such massive expenses would be quite difficult. Thank you, Ah Hong!@@novelbin@@ All these expenses were necessary and his ns were progressing steadily. ¡°I¡¯ll allocate an additional 200 Gold Pounds. Find someone to build more warehouses and residential buildings within the manor¡­ Increase the investment and production of these three types of equipment. Also, I need you to develop a new type of bomb.¡± Chen Lun instructed. ¡°Yes, Mr. Jack. May I ask what kind of bomb?¡± Connie said earnestly and then inquired. ¡°Incendiary Bomb.¡± Chen Lun responded as he took out a piece of paper containing more detailed specifications. This was an inspiration he had from the Battle of Bradley Square. If he was pursuing excitement, he might as wellmit to it fully. The Incendiary Bomb seemed like the perfect partner for someone with ¡°Hell Resistance¡± like himself. Then let the nickname ¡°100% Bombardier¡± reverberate through the world. In the future, such highly lethal bombs would also be an excellent weapon for yers. Low-level as they were, but fearless,cking effective means of output, their own home-made bombs would surely be an irresistible choice for them. ¡°The more powerful the Incendiary Bomb is, the better. Don¡¯t worry about the triggering mechanism, it¡¯s best if it acts immediately¡­ Oh yes, if possible, make the mes from the explosion stick to the target, the more thoroughly it burns, the better.¡± Chen Lun spoke about the requirements in all seriousness. In his mind¡¯s eye shed a montage¡ª yers bing Suicide Soldiers, shouting out strange phrases like ¡°White Emperor Holy Sword,¡± ¡°Detonating Yuan Ying,¡± and ¡°Urah,¡± gripping their targets and plunging into the abyss together, perishing in the mes whilst ¡°singing and dancing¡± with the enemy. It was indeed a tear-inducing spectacle. For some reason, Chen Lun was looking forward to it. ¡°Yes, Mr. Jack.¡± Connie epted the paper and secured it safely. ¡°It¡¯s perfect that the knowledge I¡¯ve derived from that painting is mostly rted to mes, and with the experience of forging ¡®Connie No. 1,¡¯ I believe we will be able to produce a sample very soon.¡± She wore a confident smile. Chen Lun gave her a thumbs-up, encouragingly: ¡°Good luck.¡± * * * Evening. Chen Lun had finished his bath and was preparing to read by the window while waiting for dinner. Carrying a towel in his hand, he wiped his wet hair and walked straight out of the bathroom. Looking up, he couldn¡¯t help but startle. Floey had arrived in his room at some point and was sitting quietly on the small sofa, looking up at him. Her fair cheeks were slightly flushed. The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto her, dyeing her ckce dress with shades of orange-red, creating an image that was both serene and elegant. ¡°What brings you here, Floey?¡± Chen Lun casually walked to the bed, set the towel down, and picked up a neatly folded shirt. Sensing his movements, Floey pressed her lips together. Just as Chen Lun was fastening his shirt buttons, he suddenly heard Floey¡¯s faint voice from behind: ¡°I like you¡­¡± Chen Lun paused, a peculiar expression crossing his face. After putting on his shirt, he turned around, only to see Floey with her head turned, whispering softly: ¡°It¡¯s not love at first sight, but a path of years yet toe, walking side by side. The setting sun like fire, draped upon you, capturing your silhouette and sealing it in a bottle. Moonlight like water, carrying the bottle to my heart, you are my peace beneath the nightfall.¡± Chen Lun was about to say something. Suddenly, Floey raised her small hand. The ¡°When the Grape Matures¡± on her finger shone with a faint light, and the blush on Floey¡¯s face intensified. Lifting her cheeks, she brushed aside her light golden bangs behind her ear. ¡°Hmm, it seems to have lost its supernatural power.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chen Lun remained silent for a few seconds before letting out a light chuckle. He suddenly found Floey quite adorable. As if nothing had happened, Floey pointed to the small te on the coffee table, on which sat a piece of cake, with freshly brewed tea beside it. ¡°Let¡¯s have some afternoon tea first, dinner will be a bitte today.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Chen Lun sat down on the small sofa nearby and took a sip of the tea. The tea that Floey made tasted different from Connie¡¯s. He nced at Floey, whose cheeks still held a lingering flush. ¡°I heard from Connie that you were looking for me this morning?¡± Chen Lun said. ¡°Mhm, remember to put on clothes next time, or you¡¯ll catch a cold¡­¡± Floey stopped mid-sentence, then continued, ¡°It seems to have changed a bit, so I wanted toe and tell you.¡± Immediately after, she stretched out her palm, cing it on the back of Chen Lun¡¯s hand. A ck tendril appeared, entwining their hands together. The next moment, Chen Lun received some information about the ¡°Sun-avoiding Potted nt.¡± After absorbing the ¡°Higher Sequence Flesh Faction Mysterious Substance,¡± Floey¡¯s inner mystical contamination reached a delicate bnce, and the ¡°Sun-avoiding Potted nt¡± also established a deeper connection with Floey. It unlocked a new supernatural power. ¡°Eclipse.¡± It could devour the power of the Sun to gain corresponding Sequence traits and transform them into its own unique supernatural powers. This ability was limited by Floey¡¯s own level, for the time being, she could only devour Low Sequence powers, and she had only one chance. Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. ording to the description of the ¡°Sun-avoiding Potted nt,¡± it was born from a Saint who had forsaken the faith in the Sun, yet in the end, it became a Mysterious Object of the Moon Path. There must be some hidden story behind this. The ability ¡°Eclipse¡± also offered some clues, devouring the Sun Sequence to utilize it, merging the characteristics of the Sun to create new powers from the Moon Path. This power made Chen Lun think of Lafa. In the battle at Bradley Square, it was the ¡°Moonshine¡± secret technique, spurred by thebination of the Sun and the Moon, that He had used. Whoosh¡­ The ck tendril quickly retracted into Floey¡¯s hand, and she looked surprised. ¡°It seems a bit afraid of you¡­¡± Chen Lun, noting its behavior, understood that what the ¡°Sun-avoiding Potted nt¡± feared might not be him, but rather the ¡°Wake of Insects¡± on him. But he did not voice this guess. With a slight smile, he said: ¡°I have an idea, but it might need to wait a few days.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s idea involved the painting in the ¡°Bone Gallery¡± that contained Sun characteristics. Among the ten major paths, the ¡°Sun Faction¡± was most known for its skill in crafting. Starting with ¡°Sequence Eight ¨C Artisan,¡± it officially possessed the supernatural power to craft Mysterious Objects. Conveniently, Noah had such a painting in his possession. He nned to find a way to get the painting from Noah and then allow Floey to devour it. He was quite looking forward to seeing what effects it would produce in the end. ¡°Mhm.¡± Floey nodded. She sensed the young man beside her pondering deeply and couldn¡¯t help but smile. Floey really liked the feeling of being cared for by him. After a while. ¡°I¡¯m going to cook dinner now.¡± Floey stood up and walked toward the door. Chen Lun quietly responded, then immediately noticed she had stopped at the door. Floey turned her head back around, her cheeks once again tinged with red, and said softly, ¡°Next time you bathe, remember to close the door¡­¡± Chapter 150: 137: Visit (First Subscription of 1500 Extras Added) Chapter 150: Chapter 137: Visit (First Subscription of 1500 Extras Added) When Chen Lun left the basement with two bottles of ginger beer and returned to the first floor of the vi, he encountered Connieing towards him. ¡°Ah, Mr. Jack, I was just about to go down and look for you.¡± Connie said. ¡°The steward Walsh from the Silver Dragon Trade Association just came to inform us that Mr. Noah and Miss Rosa will both be visiting shortly.¡± ¡°Okay, I understand.¡± Chen Lun thought for a moment, then handed the Supernatural Wine to Connie, instructing her, ¡°Chill this bottle for our guests who will arrive soon.¡± ¡°This¡­ It¡¯s already brewed!¡± Connie was quite surprised. Chen Lun shed a mysterious smile. ¡°That¡¯s a secret.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jack.¡± With admiration on her face, Connie took the wine and left. She thought of Mr. Jack¡¯s extraordinary powers and soon felt relieved¡ª ¡°It seems there¡¯s nothing Mr. Jack can¡¯t do.¡± Chen Lun went to the kitchen. He saw Floey busying herself at the counter. Noticing the familiar footsteps, she continued chopping onions without turning around and softly said, ¡°I just heard from Connie about the guests arriving, so I¡¯m preparing a respectable dinner¡­ It¡¯s our first time hosting guests, I hope not to embarrass you.¡± Chen Lun shook his head, chuckling softly, ¡°You¡¯re too modest, Floey. Your cooking is better than anyone¡¯s. Besides, you don¡¯t need to do this every time¡­¡± With a small smile, Floey expertly dumped the chopped onions into the pot. ¡°I just enjoy it, cooking calms my mind, and also¡­¡± She turned around, her face adorned with a gentle smile. ¡°You like to eat.¡± Chen Lun silently watched her. yfully, Floey picked up the hem of her skirt and curtseyed to him. Then she turned back, picked up a longdle, and silently began to stir the rich sauce in the pot. Watching Floey¡¯s profile, with her smile still lingering on her lips, Chen Lun felt she had changed a bit, bing brighter and more vivacious than before. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, Floey.¡± * * * As evening approached, a carriage from the Silver Dragon Trade Association stopped at the entrance of Jack Manor. The steward Walsh, wearing a round hat, stepped down, and, lifting the carriage curtain, a double cautious Noah extricated himself, the wheels creaking softly. After alighting, he took a deep breath and, suddenly remembering something, he quickly turned around and gently pulled out a beautiful silver-haireddy. Noah¡¯s face was flush with shyness, his cheeks bright red. He had only recently epted the fact that his brother had transformed into his sister, and was still somewhat ufortable with it. ¡°Noah, since we¡¯re visiting Mr. Jack, make sure to mind your manners, your bow tie is crooked.¡± Rosa nced at her brother and, pulling out a handkerchief, wiped his sweat before straightening the red bow tie on his chest. ¡°Than¡­ thank you.¡± Noah, scratching his head, felt extremely embarrassed. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Rosa took her brother¡¯s arm, and the two walked together into the Great Gate of Jack Manor. At that moment, she suddenly looked up and caught a glimpse of a Golden-winged Sparrow resting on the bronze statue at the entrance, which seemed to sense her gaze and flew away pping its wings. ¡°What is it, sister?¡± Noah asked. ¡°Nothing, let¡¯s hurry up; Mr. Jack might already be waiting for us at the entrance.¡± Rosa said with a lightugh. Noah gave a shy smile and nodded affirmatively with a hum. Steward Walsh parked the carriage and quickly followed them, watching the siblings¡¯ backs, feeling somewhat sentimental. This loving scene between the siblings was something he had long hoped for. Since the incident six years ago when Rex, the young master, had suffered persecution from the Red Apple Church, there had been a shift in Noah¡¯s demeanor. Already disinterested in the family business, he had chosen to travel. Fortunately, the young master Rex had not died and ultimately ascended to be the new supreme leader of the Silver Dragon Trade Association. However, due to the gender transformation, many outsiders were unaware of the truth. Renamed Rosa, the former young master, now the young miss, had specifically instructed not to tell Noah about this. This secret had been kept for six years. Walsh was d that they had finally recognized each other. The siblings¡¯ figures contrasted greatly; Rosa only reached Noah¡¯s waist and looked like beauty and the beast together. Dressed very formally today, one might assume they were going to a banquet. As they walked deeper into the manor, from a distance, they saw a gentleman in a ck suit and hat standing at the entrance. He stood holding the Silver Staff, his face adorned with a smile. On either side of him stood a woman¡ªone slightly taller, dressed in a ck dress, her light golden hair cascading like a waterfall, her eyes veiled with a peculiar ¡°ck satin.¡± The slightly shorter one wore suspenders and her chestnut hair was tied in braids. ¡°Noah, Miss Rosa, wee both of you,¡± he said. Chen Lun stepped forward to greet them. ¡°We apologize for not informing you a day in advance of our visit, Mr. Jack,¡±@@novelbin@@ Rosa said. Chen Lun shrugged his shoulders, jokingly saying, ¡°Compared to those trivial formalities, I am more concerned about whether both of you can enjoy yourselves today. Please,e in.¡± He extended his hand in a guiding gesture, and Rosa, with a coquettish smile, took her brother¡¯s arm, and both walked through the main gate of the vi. The vi at Jack¡¯s manor could notpare to Pompey Manor, nor those of other nobles and wealthy merchants, but Rosa and Noah did not mind this. They had visited morevish and luxurious estates and had attended dinners hosted by the most illustrious people, yet nonepared to this ce. Because it was the residence of Mr. Jack Spett. ¡°Please, take a seat,¡± Chen Lun gestured with his hand and promptly took the main seat himself. Once Noah and Rosa were seated, Chen Lun quietly instructed Connie to go upstairs and call down Maggie and Golov to join them for the meal. Shortly, the two came downstairs. ¡°I would like to introduce to you, these are the newest members of my team, Miss Maggie and Mr. Golov.¡± ¡°Hello.¡± Maggie shrugged her shoulders and raised her hand in a wave to Rosa and Noah. ¡°It¡¯s the first time we meet, may the Sun always shine upon you,¡± Golov, meanwhile, removed his hat and bowed respectfully, hand on chest. Rosa and Noah courteously responded. As Maggie and Golov took their seats, Rosa¡¯s lips slightly curled in a smile as she looked toward the dark-haired young man at the head of the table. ¡°Mr. Jack¡¯s team? I am quite curious,¡± she said. Rosa had immediately recognized the transcendental nature of Maggie and Golov. Inside, she also had her suspicions. Sitting beside her, Noah also cast an investigative nce. Chen Lun merely smiled. ¡°Let us eat and talk.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a great idea, Noah and I deliberately skipped afternoon tea, and we are a bit hungry now,¡± Rosa said, and right on cue, Noah¡¯s stomach growled. His face immediately turned red. Chen Lun chuckled lightly and gestured with his hand. Connie opened the metal lids one by one, releasing a rich fragrance that filled the dining room. ¡°This is a dinner personally cooked by Floey,¡± Chen Lun stated. Floey, a picture of grace, sat politely, nodding slightly to everyone¡¯s gazes. ¡°It¡¯s truly surprising, Miss Floey¡¯s culinary skills, better even than the master chefs at the Gaden Grand Hotel¡­¡± Noah speared a meatball into his mouth, his eyes suddenly widening. ¡°No, no, I think it tastes even better!¡± After eximing, Noah sped up his eating. In his heart, he was even more convinced that joining Mr. Jack¡¯s team was both a beautiful and correct decision, as ordained by the divine will of his mother. She truly loves me. Seeing the joyous expression on Noah¡¯s face while eating, everyone eagerly began their meal, soon disying the same expression as him. Amid soft exmations of surprise, Chen Lun subtly gave Floey a thumbs up, to which she smiled at him and quietly thanked him. ¡°Now, try some of the wine that Mr. Jack has personally brewed,¡± Connie aptly brought over two bottles of chilled ginger ale, pouring a ss for each guest. ¡°Oh? Mr. Jack also has this hobby?¡± Rosa sipped a bit of the beef strip, quietly nodding in approval, then curiously asked as she wiped her mouth with a dinner napkin. ¡°He recently took up the interest, Miss Rosa, you might want to give it a try,¡± Chen Lun suggested with a smile. ¡°I look forward to it.¡± Rosa took the ss Connie handed her and gently sipped. The ginger ale was authentic, but she seldom drank it. In high society, people generally preferred red wine, gin on certain holidays, or punch rather than such light ale. But the very next moment, she suddenly paused, her eyes lifting to meet those of the young man at the head of the table. ¡°Is this¡­ Supernatural Wine?¡± Rosa¡¯s voice carried a hint of astonishment and suspicion. The others were also startled, and Noah stopped his fork mid-air. Chapter 151: 138: Noah Joins the Team (First Order 1800 Bonus Chapter) Chapter 151: Chapter 138: Noah Joins the Team (First Order 1800 Bonus Chapter) ¡°Yes, but it was just a casually brewed afternoon beverage. I had originally nned on making red wine, but didn¡¯t get around to it yet.¡± Chen Lun raised his ss. ¡°Please forgive me for anyck in hospitality.¡± Rosa shook her head with a smile and finished the remaining liquid in her ss in one gulp. ¡°Mr. Jack is far too modest. A Brewmaster who can concoct Supernatural Wine is exceedingly rare, no matter where one is. This bottle of seemingly ordinary ginger beer is far more precious than expensive aged collections¡­¡± She toyed with her ss, feeling the Supernatural Power contained in the wine in her mouth. Then she looked up again with a light chuckle: ¡°Hmm, it contains the power of the Deep Sea and seems to have beauty effects as well¡­ I am very grateful for your hospitality. It was supposed to be Noah and me inviting and entertaining you, yet it turned out the other way around¡­ I am quite embarrassed to receive such generosity.¡± The others also drank the liquid from their sses, sensing changes within themselves. ¡°Mr. Jack, I didn¡¯t realize you had this in you. Perhaps we could develop a new type of potion together¡­ well, something that¡¯s both delicious and practical. I¡¯ve heard plenty ofints about potions tasting like sewage.¡± Maggie smacked her lips and stuck out her tongue to lick her lips, speaking excitedly. ¡°Actually, brewing and potion making are quite different, Maggie¡­ And I think retaining that taste isn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing; at least it makes an impression,¡± Chen Lun said. ¡°Fine, Mr. Jack, you¡¯re the boss now, so I¡¯ll listen to you.¡± Maggie picked up the bottle and poured herself another ss, then drank it with relish. Rosa watched this scene and heard the conversation between the two, roughly guessing the identity of the messy-haired woman. ¡°Mr. Jack, do you have any ns moving forward?¡± Rosa asked softly, pausing her meal. Chen Lun nodded. His expression grew slightly more solemn as he sped his hands together and ced them on the table. ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ve established a Transcendent organization called ¡®Circus.¡¯ Rosa nced at Maggie and Golov without showing any reaction, pondering for a few seconds. ¡°You¡¯ve taken over the original ¡®Circus¡¯? But they are backed by the Mutual Aid Society, so please proceed with caution,¡± she advised. ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± Chen Lun nodded. Seeing this, Rosa understood there must be a deeper reason for his actions and did not pursue the subject further. ¡°I hope to have your help, Miss Rosa, to make ¡®Circus¡¯ a subsidiary organization of the Silver Dragon Trade Association,¡± Chen Lun said gravely. Rosa raised an eyebrow, surprised not only that Jack wanted to establish a Transcendent organization but that he also wanted it to be part of the Silver Dragon Trade Association. However, she quickly understood his intention, which was to ¡°borrow strength.¡± In an environment like the Tresor Empire, forcesposed of independent Transcendents are not easily recognized and are generallybeled as ¡°evil forces,¡± facing oppression from both the Sun Church and the Shelter. If the Circus could join the Silver Dragon Trade Association, things would be much easier. ¡°You saved Noah; of course, I won¡¯t be stingy with Assistance¡­ Mr. Jack, if I may be so bold to ask, what is the purpose of establishing your organization?¡± Rosa asked with a lightugh. ¡°It¡¯s just a group of pitiful people keeping each other warm,¡± Chen Lun sighed and shook his head. ¡°In the future, I n to turn ¡®Circus¡¯ into an organization that takes onmissions and sells some self-produced products,¡± he exined. Rosa nodded, pondered for a moment, and then replied: ¡°Mr. Jack, your team is not weak in strength. I can even transfer all the high-endmissions that the Silver Dragon Trade Association receives in Amber City, as well as in the surrounding major cities, to you. Thosemissions all involve the Mystic Realm and require the capabilities of Transcendents.¡± Chen Lun slowly stood up and gave Rosa a chest salute. ¡°I am very grateful for your help, Miss Rosa.¡± Golov, quick to observe, also stood up and saluted. Floey and Connie bowed slightly. Seeing this, Maggie suppressed a belch, set down her ss, and saluted along with everyone. Before long. The dinner was almost finished, and Chen Lun had Connie arrange for the servants to clear the dining table. He then led Rosa and Noah to the living room where everyone sat on the sofas, drinking tea and chatting leisurely. ¡°Mr. Jack, in the future, the Supernatural Wine produced by ¡®Circus¡¯ can be sold directly to the Silver Dragon Trade Association or consigned for sale at the Association¡­ This is a rare and preciousmodity that can attract many upper-ss individuals fromrge cities,¡± Rosa said as she sipped her tea. She then put down her tea cup, perhaps finding the vor too weak, and picked up the sugar jar from the coffee table, adding several spoonfuls. She also added even more sugar to her brother Noah¡¯s cup. ¡°Thank you.¡± Noah smiled shyly. His sister still remembered he liked sweets, and she seemed even more caring than before. Rosa shook her head, stirred her tea a few times, picked up the cup and took another sip. Her expression clearly brightened a bit. Chen Lun nodded in agreement and said, ¡°Of course, the Silver Dragon Trade Association has branches throughout the Tresor Empire, and it¡¯s only through your esteemed association that more people will witness the wonder of Supernatural Wine.¡± He then took out a pair of ¡°Connie Number One,¡± a ¡°Wrath¡± bomb, and a bottle of ¡°Red Ink,¡± and carefully exined their information. ¡°¡­These are weapons produced by the Circus, Miss Rosa, what do you think of their value?¡± Rosa examined them and said promptly, ¡°They are all very exquisite weapons and are among the bestsellers¡­ The gloves and bomb are particrly unique, and their value will be higher.¡± Chen Lun showed a satisfied expression. He thought to himself, it¡¯s just a shame that the production is limited; they would need to increase outputter on. ¡°Mr. Jack, as a Transcendent who follows the path of Destiny, can you possibly provide any insight into the future tide¡­?¡± Rosa asked. As a Constetion ¡°Sequence Six ¨C Witch,¡± she had some expertise in astrology, but the brief mentions her mother made of Mr. Jack had piqued Rosa¡¯s interest. This made her quite curious to see if he could provide some answers. ¡°The future tide¡­¡± Chen Lun raised an eyebrow, unsure of what Rosa meant by asking this. But he also wanted to remind Rosa, as it rted to his own future money-making ns. Thus, under the puzzled gazes of those present, Chen Lun picked up two little spoons from the sugar bowl and carelessly flicked them onto the table. Ding! The spoons spun around, eventually colliding and making a crisp, fine sound, forming a crossed pattern. ¡°Miss Rosa, here is a prediction for you. In a year¡¯s time, there will be significant changes, an upheaval ising¡­¡± Chen Lun sat up straight on the sofa, adopting a serious expression. ¡°This is the guidance of Destiny.¡± Rosa was somewhat surprised. This man¡­ She nodded silently, taking his words to heart, nning to do more divination when she returned home to see what else she might discover. ¡°Mr. Jack, so weapons like these will be in greater demand when the timees, right?¡± After thinking briefly, she suddenly smiled and asked aloud. ¡°Yes, in demand¡­ very much in demand.¡± Chen Lun replied with a mysterious smile. The two exchanged a nce and nodded tacitly. Noah watched his sister, then nced at Mr. Jack, slightly confused. What do they mean by this¡­? ¡°Mr. Jack, the main reason for our visit this time is to thank you for saving Noah¡¯s life; this is a small gift¡­¡± Silver mist emerged from Rosa¡¯s hand and soon an exquisitely crafted wooden gift box materialized out of thin air. She handed it to Connie, who took it with both hands and brought it over to Chen Lun. Chen Lun opened the wooden box to find five neatly folded silver veils inside, each still emanating a thin mist. ¡°Starlight Veil?¡±@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun stowed them away in his Blood Poem Ring and looked up with a smile, ¡°Miss Rosa, your generosity is much appreciated; I really like the gift.¡± Rosa waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Apart from thanking you, there¡¯s another matter¡­ that is, we hope Noah can join your team.¡± After she finished, aside from Chen Lun and Noah, everyone else was surprised. ¡°Although Noah is only a ¡®Sequence Nine¡¯ Transcendent, he has the ¡®Bone Gallery¡¯ at his side. I trust he won¡¯t hold you back¡­¡± Rosa said, patting her brother on the shoulder encouragingly. Noah took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and everyone inevitably looked up at him. The collective gaze made Noah somewhat embarrassed, and he approached Chen Lun with a shy smile, performing a chest-touching bow. ¡°Mr. Jack, please let me be your exclusive painter¡­ Your handsome face and perfect physique are what I¡¯ve been longing for¡­ Ah!¡± He suddenly let out a cry of pain, turning around to find that his sister Rosa had pinched his thigh. The onlookers couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the sight. Chen Lun stood up, walked over to Noah, and extended his hand solemnly. ¡°Wee to the team, Noah; from now on, we¡¯re family.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ Thank you, Mr. Jack,¡± Noah promptly replied, bending down and covering Chen Lun¡¯s hand with hisrge palm. At that moment, Chen Lun¡¯s eyes shed with a chaotic mist, and he performed a Peek Life on Noah. ¡°Level 30, also an elite temte, blessed by the ¡®Silver Dragon Witch¡¯ ze, but different from mine, and¡­¡± Chen Lun withdrew his hand, smiled lightly, and said, ¡°Noah, if you believe me, in the near future, I can help you restore your appearance¡­¡± Chapter 152: 139: Potions and Paintings Chapter 152: Chapter 139: Potions and Paintings ¡°Oh! Is this true? That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Noah¡¯s eyes widened, and he immediately let out a chuckle. Years ago, on that night, his brother Rex had stood up for him and blocked an attack from a bishop of the Red Apple Church, nearly losing his life in the process. Though Noah was not mortally wounded, he was affected by the curse of the Supernatural Power and transformed from a lean boy into an ugly, obese figure. Because of this, he had fallen into extreme self-doubt and sadness; it had taken him a long time to ovee these feelings. Now, hearing that he could be restored to his original appearance, he felt both surprised and joyful. He silently began to look forward to it. No one would dislike having an attractive appearance, especially Noah, who was an art seeker and loved to discover beauty. Rosa watched with a smile on her side but was somewhat astonished. After advancing to Sequence Six, Rosa had thoroughly investigated the curse on Noah. It was not an ordinary curse, but one from a high Sequence power. Even their mother was helpless against it. This man, he had a way to remove it? A flicker of surprise crossed Rosa¡¯s eyes. After some more idle chatter, Rosa nced at the clock and made her excuses to leave. ¡°Miss Rosa is leaving? Let me walk you out.¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. Rosa nodded, walked up to her brother, and whispered a few words to him; Noah¡¯s face showed reluctance, but he ultimately nodded firmly. Taking a deep breath, Rosa turned and left. Chen Lun escorted her alone to the manor¡¯s gate, where Rosa pulled out an exquisitely crafted silver coin. ¡°Mr. Jack, this is the highest level token from the Silver Dragon Trade Association that can bring you many conveniences. I¡¯ll handle the ¡®Circus¡¯ matter as soon as I get back, and Walsh will inform you on my behalf.¡± Rosa handed the silver coin to Chen Lun, revealing a lovely smile. ¡°I might be leaving Amber Cityter, so I¡¯ll entrust Noah to you.¡± ¡°Rest assured.¡± Chen Lun tipped his hat in a bow. Rosa turned silently, and after the steward Walsh opened the carriage curtain, she climbed in. Clip-clop, clip-clop¡­ The carriage started moving; Walsh doffed his hat and smiled as a gesture, and Chen Lun politely responded. He watched as the carriage slowly departed. Only when the carriage disappeared around the corner at the road¡¯s end did Chen Lun pick up the silver coin to examine it. Its shape was that of a concentric circle, with a darker middle that seemed to be rotatable, engraved with a beautiful dragon head pattern. [High-Level Token ¨C Silver Halo Coin] Item Description: A coin forged from a special alloy of metal and silver. When flicked, the middle section spins continuously, emitting an invisible signal that attracts messengers from the Spirit World. It is a token possessed by very few, used formunication with the upper echelons of the Silver Dragon Trade Association. * * * Night. The others had all retired to their rooms for rest. Chen Lun put down the Mystic Book in his hands and stepped out of his room, heading towards the room at the end of the hallway. He nned to have a chat with Noah. Halfway there, the upstairs suddenly emitted a loud ng again, and Chen Lun¡¯s face showed a hint of helplessness. ¡®I should go check on Maggie and what she¡¯s up to first¡­ Making noise thiste at night, doesn¡¯t she let people sleep, disrupting team harmony is not good.¡¯ Upon reaching the fourth floor, Chen Lun knocked on the attic door. Knock, knock¡­ Immediately, a more intense noise came from inside. Crash, bang, ng!! Half a minuteter, the door opened. A disheveled head poked out and gave Chen Lun an awkward smile. ¡°Leader, knocking on a girl¡¯s door thiste, what are you up to?¡± ¡°What are you doing in there?¡± Chen Lun ignored her question and asked directly. ¡°Er¡­ developing a new elixir,¡± Maggie said. The next second, her face lit up with realization. ¡°Was my noise too loud? Leader.¡± Maggie looked at Chen Lun as his face grew darker, chuckled, and then opened the door wider. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ll be mindful¡­ Since you¡¯re here, let me show you what I¡¯ve aplished.¡± ¡°Oh? What elixir is it, let me see¡­?!¡± Chen Lun raised an eyebrow and walked into Maggie¡¯s room. But he quickly stopped in his tracks. What met his eyes was a room inplete disarray. All sorts of broken bottles and sks were scattered on the floor, along with ss shards and strangely colored liquids everywhere. Two chunks of bizarre beef were bouncing on the table, colliding and fighting each other. Ping! One piece of beef was overwhelmed and was knocked off, falling to the ground with a st. It had lost its fighting power but seemed to be breathing heavily, heaving up and down. The victorious piece of beef leaped off the table, intending to deal a fatal blow to its opponent, but in the process of falling, it identally hit the corner of a chair, lost its bnce, and stted next to the defeated meat. The noise in the room ceased, leaving only the two still ¡°breathing¡± chunks of beef. ¡°Hmm¡­ So this is your research result?¡± ¡°Yes, Leader!¡± Maggie hurried over, picked up the two pieces of meat, and said excitedly: ¡°Inspired by that wine bottle at dinner, I wanted to create a beef-vored elixir. Look, I love beef the most, that vor¡­¡± ¡°Pause¡­ Please focus, Maggie.¡± Chen Lun waved his hand with a headache. ¡°Oh, okay. During the research process, I discovered this potion that can stimte the activity of flesh¡­ Its effect is very strong, and if it could be added to the ¡®Blood Bottle,¡¯ it would certainly achieve many times, even tens of times the healing effect of the original!¡± Maggie was inexplicably excited, her cheeks flushed. However, Chen Lun had a bad feeling. The next second, the two pieces of beef in Maggie¡¯s hands suddenly started trembling, then twisted into lumps like blossoming flowers, sprouting dense, sharp bone spurs that flew towards her head. Crunch! Maggie pped her hands together, smashing the beef into minced bones, then casually squeezed it into a ball and hid it behind her back. ¡°Hehe, sorry, Leader, there might be some small idents, but don¡¯t worry, the final product will definitely be fine!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chen Lun remained silent. That guarantee of yours is hard for me to believe, huh. ¡°You developed two qualified potions at the ¡®Circus¡¯ before, they were called ¡®Serenity Potion¡¯ and ¡®Blood Bottle¡¯?¡± Chen Lun said. ¡°Yes, just a moment, Leader¡­¡± Maggie nodded and ran to a cab, rummaging through it. During this process, she casually tossed the beef into a trash can by the cab. ¡°Found them! Look, Leader, I still have some here, we can use them for the team members if needed.¡± Maggie handed over two finger-sized ss potions, one blue and one red. Chen Lun took them. [Supernatural Elixir-Serenity Potion] Item Description: A recovery medicine developed by a Heretic Alchemist using ancient techniques and materials, resulting in a blue potion. Item Effect: Can slightly restore spirit damage, briefly enhancing the speed of sanity recovery. Warning: Do not consume more than three within twenty-four hours, otherwise it will cause a decrease in the maximum Sanity value. [Supernatural Elixir-Blood Bottle] Item Description: A recovery medicine developed by a Heretic Alchemist using ancient techniques and materials, resulting in a red potion. Item Effect: Can slightly restore internal and external injuries, targeting bleeding, blood production, and muscle and skeletal recovery. Warning: Do not repeat dosage within one hour, otherwise it will cause a decrease in the maximum Life Points. ¡®Hmm¡­ssic red and blue potion bottles.¡¯ Chen Lun muttered to himself. ¡®These two potions are very practical, whether for our own use, or eventually selling to yers¡­¡¯ He held the two potions in his hand and looked up to Maggie, saying: ¡°These are very impressive potions, Maggie. Give me all the stock and continue making these potions, let me know if you need anything.¡± ¡°Okay, Leader!¡± Maggie felt validated and was very happy. She then took out a lidless box from the cab, which had two rows of potions, ten in each. ¡°Leader, I need money, a lot of money! Previously, they provided the materials, but now I need to buy them myself¡­ The Silver Dragon Trade Association has the supernatural materials I need, but they are not cheap.¡± Maggie handed over the box, making a wry face. ¡°Of course, that¡¯s a necessary expense.¡± Chen Lun took the box, storing it in the Blood Poem Ring along with the two potions in his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll give you 100 Gold Pounds, you can arrange it yourself¡­ We are now somewhat an insider with the Silver Dragon Trade Association, the prices for supernatural materials won¡¯t be very high.¡± He pulled out arge bag, which clinked as he gently ced it on the table. ¡°Also, aside from the one you¡¯re currently developing¡­¡± ¡°Beef Power Bottle!¡± Maggie interjected. ¡°Ah, let¡¯s call it ¡®Powerful Blood-Generating Potion¡¯¡­ Apart from this, I also need you to develop a potion that can quickly restore Physical Strength,¡± Chen Lun ignored Maggie¡¯s naming and instructed. For a long time after public testing, most yers probably wouldn¡¯t need ¡®Serenity Potion.¡¯ Even after they ascended to Sequence Nine, mostbat situations would mainly consume Physical Strength. Therefore, a potion that could restore Physical Strength would sell even better. ¡®Serenity Potion¡¯ certainly had its uses too; it could be supplied to oneself and other team members, possibly even to yers entering the Immortal Realm. What¡¯s called a way to wealth, what¡¯s called a global tycoon! ¡°Alright, Leader, no problem!¡± Maggie patted her chest and immediately opened the bag of money on the table, her eyes sparkling as she flipped through the gold coins. Chen Lun gave her a nce and shook his head smilingly. He turned and left. * * * Chen Lun went straight downstairs and knocked on Noah¡¯s room door. Shortly, the door opened. A massive body blocked the lighting from inside the room, casting a shadow on Chen Lun. ¡°Ah, Mr. Jack, pleasee in.¡± Noah invited warmly. Chen Lun patted his arm, smiling as he walked in. As soon as he entered the room, Chen Lun smelt the distinctive odor of paint. What caught his eye was a life-size easel, with an outline of himself on the canvas. ¡°Sorry, Mr. Jack, I couldn¡¯t suppress my creative urge; I started painting as soon as I moved in¡­¡± Noah stood behind Chen Lun, scratching his head as he spoke. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Noah.¡± Chen Lun said. ¡°But why is he nude?¡±@@novelbin@@ Noah realized something and chuckled, then draped a piece of cloth over the easel. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Jack, I won¡¯t let him catch a cold.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chapter 153: 140: Browsing the Forum Chapter 153: Chapter 140: Browsing the Forum ¡°Mr. Jack, may I ask what brings you to me sote in the evening?¡± Noah had brewed two cups of coffee and handed one over, asking curiously. ¡°May I take a look at your¡­ this mysterious object, Noah?¡± Chen Lun took the coffee and without further fuss about the painting, pointed at the bone key around Noah¡¯s neck. ¡°Oh, of course.¡± Noah dly consented, set down his coffee cup, and took off the key. He held up the shimmering starlight ck rope, handing over the bone key to Chen Lun. ¡°Thank you.¡± Chen Lun took a sip of his coffee, smiled faintly, and reached out to catch it. His fingers gently touched the bone key. At that moment, he distinctly felt it squirm and the surges of panic it transmitted. [A-Level Mysterious Object¡ªBone Gallery] Item Description: A powerful object infused with the strength of the flesh, appearing as a long key made of bone, covered in exquisite ck patterns that shift unexpectedly. It seems to originate from an archbishop of the Church, whose spirituality and characteristics have crafted this item. Every mystery is a sin, and every sin is a masterpiece. Item Effects: 1. Bloody Portrait. Can plunder the target¡¯s spirituality and characteristics, storing them within an oil painting. The effect of the supernatural power will be attenuated. Warning: plundering process takes time. 2. Solitary Trace. Can replicate the target¡¯s supernatural power, storing it in an oil painting. The effect of the supernatural power is weaker and time-limited. Warning: the replication process takes time. 3. Grand Exhibition. The more paintings in the gallery, the stronger the effect. A maximum of seven transcendent paintings allowed, no limit on ordinary spiritual paintings. 4. Yet unknown. Item Cost: Each use consumes a great deal of physical strength, sanity, and creative inspiration. New paintings must be added periodically, and old ones exhibited. Warning: The paintings must be approved by the gallery. ¡®Truly a powerful mysterious object¡­!¡¯ Chen Lun mused silently.@@novelbin@@ Spirituality, as the most crucial part of a person, is the source of sanity and the cornerstone that sustains supernatural characteristics within the body. The ability to capture spirituality represents an advanced supernatural technique. ¡®This is transformed from the remains of a saint of the Flesh Faction, embodying high sequence supernatural characteristics, likely corresponding to [Sequence Four¡ªSin Eater]¡­¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s face showed contemtion. ¡®The second effect of the [Bone Gallery] appears to offer some potential.¡¯ Once the members of the Circus level up a bit more, perhaps Noah could replicate some of their abilities, or even some of Chen Lun¡¯s own capabilities, thus creating these ¡°low-variant transcendent paintings (limited time offer).¡±¡® In so doing, the Circus would have yet another signature product. ¡®I really am a great phnthropist!¡¯ Chen Lun reflected. ¡®I¡¯ve pondered another means to help yers.¡¯ Immediately, he thought of something else and became puzzled. In their past life, those yers, when dominated by Noah, should have had their spirituality and characteristics captured by the [Bone Gallery], causing them to lose their supernatural powers for a time. But why weren¡¯t they ¡®permanently sealed,¡¯ turning into ordinary humans? If it¡¯s merely about game mechanics, this would indeed be reasonable, or else there would be no point for yers to continue ying. But now, ording to the information about the [Bone Gallery], this clearly contradicts. Could it be because yers possess resurrection abilities, and the rebirth of their physical bodies pulls back the spirituality and characteristics detained in the paintings? Or is it because what the [Bone Gallery] captures isn¡¯t the true spirituality and characteristics of the yers? Chen Lun couldn¡¯t figure it out, yet he stored this question in his heart. ¡°Noah, have you adapted to this mysterious object?¡± He handed back the bone key to Noah, asking with a smile. Noah nodded vigorously, his face filled with respect and joy. ¡°My mother once said that this year would be my lucky year, and that she would prepare a gift for me¡­ But I never imagined the gift would be so precious.¡± He put the bone key back on and gently held it against his chest. Thetter gently squirmed in his hands like a white worm. ¡°It really likes art, is extremely critical of paintings, but I think it¡¯s a good friend. Although it is always picky about my works, it also points out my ws, which has been immensely beneficial.¡± Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Noah truly resonated with the [Bone Gallery], just as Floey did with the [Sun-avoiding Potted nt]. Such a deep bond allowed for the maximum power of the mysterious objects. Perhaps in the future, these two [A-Level Mysterious Objects] in their possession could develop stronger methods. ¡°Noah, I have a request.¡± Chen Lun set down his coffee cup, speaking sincerely. Seeing this, Noah appeared surprised but soon responded: ¡°Mr. Jack, what is it?¡± ¡°I would like a painting from the [Bone Gallery].¡± Chen Lun said. ¡°Oh, of course that¡¯s no problem.¡± Noah said, waving his hand, and the phantom of the gallery appeared before him, with six transcendent paintings arranged in a row. ¡°Mr. Jack, please feel free to choose.¡± ¡°Thank you, Noah.¡± Chen Lun revealed a slight smile and exhaled deeply. ¡°I need Feray¡¯s portrait, ¡®The Unyielding¡¯.¡± * * * The next day. After breakfast, Chen Lun stopped Floey as she was about to go upstairs. She was a bit puzzled, but she came over and sat down on the sofa next to Chen Lun. Then she raised her head and quietly ¡°looked¡± at him. ¡°Floey, you can proceed with the devouring now.¡± Chen Lun took out the painting from the Blood Poem Ring and handed it to Floey. Floey stretched out her hand and gently brushed across the mounted frame. ¡°Hmm!¡± She nodded gently and then smiled. Several ck-purple vines sprouted from her pale palm, tightly wrapping around the painting in her arms. Then, a faint golden light escaped from the gaps in the vines but was soonpletely obscured. Floey slowly leaned back on the sofa, her head slightly tilted towards Chen Lun as if she had fallen asleep, her pale golden hair spreading out. Chen Lun silently admired her beauty, then leaned back, sinking into the sofa like an old lord recliningfortably. ¡®Floey probably needs some more time¡­¡¯ He thought, opening the built-in gaming forum page on his panel. ¡®Good fellow¡­¡¯ As soon as he clicked on it, the top pinned video was titled ¡°Era of Mystery Pilot Episode.¡± The video cover was none other than Chen Lun himself. Wearing a ck top hat which covered his eyes, only the lower part of his slightly curled ck hair and a smiling expression could be seen. Leaning forward in a ck suit, his hands crossed, a silver staff casually resting beside his legs. ¡®Quite handsome, this fellow. Who is this?¡¯ Chen Lun shook his head. He nced at the poster¡¯s name, unsurprisingly a familiar ID, Keying Su. Chen Lun didn¡¯t rush to open the video but first roughly browsed through the other content of the forum, nning to understand the progress of these beta testers. The thread had about a thousand pages, each with fifty posts, roughly about fifty to sixty thousand posts in total. These posts were still increasing, and the poprity was gradually rising. Chen Lun clicked on the poprity sort and could roughly make out some clues from the titles of the posts. He found that the majority of the yers¡¯ starting points were within the Tresor Empire. Only a few yers were assigned to the three major subsidiary kingdoms and surrounding small countries. Among them, posts about supernatural clues were very few, adding up to less than one page. Among these lucky ones, only two had sessfully entered the Mystic Realm and advanced to be Transcendents. One of them had the ID ¡°Gan Ziwen,¡± a member of one of the Three Major Guilds, ¡°Lost Names.¡± The other¡¯s ID was ¡°Honey Fool,¡± a member of the guild ¡°Chuxi.¡± ¡®So these two people became Transcendents during the beta test¡­¡¯ Chen Lun was somewhat surprised. He had some impressions of these two, Gan Ziwen being one of his regr customers who often patronized his bundle deals, generous in spending and also very powerful. Honey Fool was the meritorious person who led the ¡°Wild Daisy¡± guild to prosperity. The Three Major Guilds were well-known: the ¡°Hall of Valor¡± where the Horseman was present, ¡°God¡¯s Love¡± where Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were members, and ¡°Lost Names¡± where Gan Ziwen belonged. In the previous life, these were big teams that Chen Lun had to look up to and dared not offend lightly. And ¡°Chuxi,¡± this guild, belonged to a tier below the three major guilds but was still considered top-notch. ording to Chen Lun¡¯s knowledge, they only recruited female yers and had a subordinate guild named ¡°Wild Daisy.¡± It was said that ¡°Wild Daisy¡± was established by Honey Fool with the mission to assist newbie yers. Manyter prominent yers received help in their early gaming days, which gave both guilds a pretty good reputation. Chen Lun was somewhat amazed that both Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool¡¯s birthces were in the same region, Fossil City. Their initial big cities where they first stepped foot into were Lime Ash City and Yellow Iron City, respectively, not too far from his location in Amber City. ¡®What a coincidence. It seems it¡¯s going to be lively after the public test¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. Among the tens of thousands of beta testers, only two achieving Transcendent status in just two weeks was extremely lucky. Of course, these two yers must have extraordinary qualities to stand out. ¡®I¡¯ll think of a way to make contactter, let these two guys also join my ¡°Elite n¡±¡­¡¯ He mused and softly clicked on the pinned video¡ª Era of Mystery Pilot Episode, Episode One. It began to y. Chapter 154: 141 Era of Mystery Trailer Chapter 154: Chapter 141 Era of Mystery Trailer The screen was pitch ck. A barrage of bulletments flew across it¡ª ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± ¡°Do it a billion more times!¡± ¡°So cool!!¡± ¡°High energy throughout!¡± ¡°Mr. Jack, I love you!!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Two solemn piano chords slowly emerged. Boom boom¡­ Suddenly, a jarring gunshot sounded¡ª Bang! The image slowly revealed a stretch of countryside. Dozens of yers d in bup robes stood there. In the distance, windmills turned slowly, the breeze wafted by, the green grass swayed, and lifted the corners of the yers¡¯ clothes. ¡°Greetings, warriors from afar, I am a participant, a nameless Recorder¡­¡± Su Keying¡¯s sweet voice came from offscreen, narrating slowly, echoing. ¡°Go and explore, go into this mysterious world and explore¡­¡± The scene faded to ck, then cut away. The piano sounded again. Boom boom¡­ Gunshot¡ª Bang! The farmer turned to face the camera and looked startled. ¡°Ah, there are tools there, you can help me cut the grass in the field¡­¡± Boom boom¡­ Bang! The farmer¡¯s expression turned ferocious as he raised the hayfork in his hands and thrust it into a yer¡¯s chest, blood sttering. In slow motion, the beads of blood hung in the air as though frozen, and that panicked face was captured in time. The background music began with a low female vocal: [Once the world begins¡­] Boom boom¡­ On the open ground at the edge of the town, numerous men toiled moving stones while women stewed arge pot of porridge. A middle-aged woman with a kind face approached the camera, whispering: ¡°The rebuilding of this church is because a month ago, someone killed all the people of the Church, and burned it down with fire¡­¡± ¡°Ah? Who did it?¡± Boom boom¡­ There was a new wanted poster on the wall, a blurry male face with ck curly hair. Below it was his name¡ª Jack. A gust of wind lifted up a corner of the wanted poster, pping loudly. Bang! The low female voice continued to sing: [There¡¯s no turning back¡­] [Even if you fall asleep here¡­] [We will find you¡­] The piano yed slowly but rhythmically, punctuated by the gunshots with heavy beats. The scene shifted to the streets of Amber City¡¯s Outer City District. Carriages moved slowly by, newsboys shouted, weaving through the crowd. Two guards with bad intentions approached the camera. A kind-faceddy held a teacup, gently cing it on the table. At her feet was a ck and white Border Collie, wagging its tail. [You remain a gentleman¡­] [Not lingering infort¡­] [Everyone wants to conquer the world¡­] The female bass sang raspy. The screen turned once more. A man wearing a ck top hat and ck suit showed a smiling face. ¡°Good evening to you both, you may call me Jack¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Jack Spett.¡± ¡°I have a favor to ask of you, to find yourrades and kill them¡­¡± The piano¡¯s pace began to quicken. Ding-dong-dong¡­ [What I¡¯ve been looking forward to¡­] The screen went ck, then bright. Boom!! A gunshot rang out. The Blunderbuss muzzle burst into mes, a shower of lead pellets spraying forth. Horseman, Doghead Gold, and Forget No Taboo, along with some minions of the Iron Fist Gang, fell at the gun¡¯s muzzle. Their faces still held shock. [What I regret¡­] Boom!! Another explosion thundered. Stones flew and smoke billowed from an explosion on the stone steps. The scene shook violently. [Driving me to make up my mind¡­] [To enjoy all the freedom¡­] [To revel in ease¡­] [Life is short¡­] The piano chords repeated incessantly¡ª Boom! Boom! Boom!! The background music reached its climax, with the female singing powerfully: [Everyone wants to conquer the world!!] Boom!! A muscr little giant leaped from upstairs, roaring: ¡°Jack!!¡± In the thundering boom, the scene trembled and dust filled the air. The ck-haired young man named Jack tightly gripped the giant¡¯s fist, his palm spewing out arge me engulfing the little giant as he wailed in agony within the fire. The ck-haired youth¡¯s silhouette flickered as two arms shot out like serpents, biting into the ribs of the little giant, quickly followed by a blur of punches and kicks at extreme speed. Crack, punch, jab, elbow, knee, and leg whip¡­ With a swoosh, one arm finally pierced into the chest of the little giant! Blood stained the screen, then suddenly went ck. The bulletments continued to fly by, the viewers drawn in by the scenes ofbat, their emotions stirred by the progressively intense video montage. ¡°Is this superhuman strength?!¡± ¡°Holy shit!!¡± ¡°It¡¯s lit!!¡± ¡°So envious of you beta testers!¡± ¡°Hurry up with the open beta! I can¡¯t wait!!¡± After a long pause. A deep, maic male voice resonated in the darkness: ¡°I called you here because there¡¯s a small matter I need your assistance with¡­¡± The female bass entered the climax of the song: [And a dark corner for you to hide¡­] The man in the ck top hat propped his elbows on the table, inteced his fingers, and rested his chin on the backs of his hands. The silver staff leaned against his leg. The camera moved forward to a close-up of the lower half of his face, catching a slight upward turn of his mouth. [¡°Waiting quietly with hands sped for the high wall to copse thunderously¡­¡±] The ck-haired youth, with his back to the camera, waved his top hat, which vanished from his hand. A gust of wind blew past, kicking up fallen leaves and tossing his hair. He suddenly bent down and flung the silver staff. Click, click, click¡­! In the blink of an eye, the staff transformed into a silver whip bristling with spiked des, sending a shower of sparks in all directions. Filling every corner of the frame. [¡°When that moment arrives¡­¡±] Above the vast square, a Sun-like giant fireball slowly ascended. The crowd all tilted their heads back, gazing skyward. Exmations resounded endlessly. The camera zoomed in on a silhouette with ck wings unfolded at the back, holding the fireball aloft and flying upwards non-stop. [¡°I¡¯ll be by your side¡­¡±] The mes that blocked the view zed fiercely. A slender figure with red hair stood atop the ruined square, surrounded by rings of blood that formed into his crimson high-cored robe. The water droplets falling from the sky evaporated into mist due to the high temperature. The ck-haired figure standing opposite him split open at the head with a hiss, and an unharmed version of him emerged from within. On one side of the square. A light golden-haired, beautiful young blind girl was pursing her lips, staring fixedly. [¡°As everything is about to be aplished, I feel deeply gratified¡­¡±] The music crescendos to a peak, drums pound urgently, and the piano tones are heavy! Thud, thud, thud¡­! [¡°We all inevitably return to dust, how can one not feel disheartened¡­¡±] The background music briefly paused. ¡°I want to bring down the Red Apple Church of Amber City¡­¡± The ck-haired youth adjusted his hat brim and took a sip of his coffee. He spoke thusly. Immediately the spirited music burst forth once more! [¡°Everyone wants to conquer the world¡­!¡±] Boom!!! Underneath the sky, a small Sun exploded thunderously, blooming into a giant firework, countless fine mes falling like meteors. The figure with ck wings stood mid-air, looking down upon the world below. A sh from his enchanting snake-like eyes was brief but intense. Thud!! ¡°Jack!!¡± A red cape fluttered as the middle-aged man, who appeared to be a church member, instantly transformed into a huge humanoid beast atop the church¡¯s entrance, bellowing loudly. ¡°Ha¡ª!!¡± Visible sound waves scattered in all directions. The enormous beast descended from the sky, lunging towards the diminutive Jack. The ck-haired youth, his body covered with dark gold scales, forcefully swung his silver whip,shing it hard against the beast, and with a snap, burst a patch of flesh open. Thud!! The screen shed. The youth with ck wings hovered mid-air, pping his wings and stirring up strong winds. His icy eyes looked down below, holding a slender silver sword in his hand. The humanoid beast faced him, gazing up. Thud!! A streak of silver light, fan-shaped, swept across the beast¡¯s neck, the faceless beast¡¯s head froze, and a torrent of fresh blood sprayed from its throat. Splurt¡ª!! Blood surged in all directions. Thud!! The head crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. [¡°Everyone wants to conquer the world¡­!!¡±] Boom!!! A gigantic fireball exploded over the square! The red-haired man smiled as he held aloft a ck and red longsword and brought it down fiercely. The terrifying dark red sword light, like a curtain veiling the sky, charged towards the ck-haired youth. ¡°What of a Saint? To harm him, you must die!¡± A cool, ethereal voice scolded. Amidst her billowing pale golden hair, a girl in a ck dress rose into the air, her face as pristine as a goddess¡¯s, opening a pair of deep and dark eyes. With a wave of her fair hand, the square became filled with ck trees, forming an unbreakable wall. The dark curtain mmed against the wall. The scene burst forth with bizarre colors and blinding brilliance. In the midst of violent trembling¡ª [¡°Everyone wants to conquer¡­¡±] The voice vanished. The mes burned on. The barrage ofments scrolled extremely fast and in overwhelming numbers.@@novelbin@@ ¡°That was freaking awesome!¡± ¡°Who is this Jack guy?!¡± ¡°Streamer, you have two minutes to hand over Jack¡¯s contact info!¡± ¡°That red-haired guy and golden-haired girl are also gorgeous!¡± Whoosh¡­ The ck-haired youth stood upright, cradling the girl with light golden hair in his arms, his poise tall and straight, his cool green eyes scanning the surroundings. The vast square had be a pile of ruins. In the silence, a brief dialogue suddenly sounded: ¡°Mr. Jack, is there anything we can help you with?¡± The voice belonged to Su Keying off-screen. ¡°I feel that there¡¯s a voice constantly calling out to me, chanting my name, hoping for me to save thatnd¡­¡± Mr. Jack answered with a forlorn tone. [¡°The world¡­¡±] The singing ceased at that point. Whoosh! A close-up appeared on the screen, long slender fingers wearing leather gloves, with mes emerging from the palm. The me kept changing, taking on the forms of the Sun, the Moon, and gxies among other phenomena. The camera pulled back, illuminating one side of the ck-haired youth¡¯s face with firelight, creating distinct shadows and an appearance both mysterious and handsome. The mes finally turned into a giant serpent, encircling around him and biting its own tail, forming a ring of fire behind him. ¡°I believe you all can help me find the truth¡­¡± All at once, the mes extinguished. The screen turned pitch ck. The sound abruptly stopped. Lastly, Jack¡¯s voice was calm and measured: ¡°Softly entering my dreams¡­¡± Thud¡­ Barrage ofments exploded like a teapot overboiling, hurling countless¡ª ¡°Aaahhh!!!¡± ¡°This guy is so cool!¡± ¡°Ah, I can¡¯t handle it!¡± ¡°Handsome to the max!¡± ¡°Praise the handsome man!¡± Chapter 155: 142 Boiling Comments Section Chapter 155: 142 Boiling Comments Section Ignored the barrage ofments on the screen. Chen Lun¡¯s face showed a strange expression. ¡°The style of Su Keying¡¯s video, if I recall correctly, wasn¡¯t like this ¡­¡±@@novelbin@@ He nodded with his chin propped on his hand. ¡°But it did a pretty good job capturing one twelfth of my handsomeness.¡± He slightly moved his finger, pulling the video page down to thements section at the bottom. The pinnedments included several pictures uploaded by Su Keying herself. The first picture was a screenshot of a newspaper article that Chen Lun had seen before. At the Red Apple Church, crowded with many onlookers, Chen Lun, with ck wings fluttering behind his back, soared into the sky. In a corner of the crowd, five yers from Pris blended in. The text apanying Su Keying¡¯s photo read: ¡°¡ªThis is a photo moment to remember where we managed to take a photo with Mr. Jack Spett! (throwing flowers emoji) @Pris @Horseman @Doghead Gold @Forget No Taboo (smiley face emoji)¡± The most liked replies in thements section are as follows: ¡°¡ªSu Keying, considering our struggles during the closed testing phase, could you please edit out my snotty facial expression? Seriously, I don¡¯t need this honor, thank you, wow.¡± Horseman (Hall of Valor)mented. ¡°¡ªRemove this within three days, or your ashes won¡¯t be preserved.¡± Doghead Gold (God¡¯s Love)mented. ¡°¡ªSmiles withoutment. (smile emoji)¡± Forget No Taboo (God¡¯s Love)mented. ¡°¡ªSigh.¡± Prismented. ¡°¡ªEnvious, girl, leave a contact, I want to find a chance to take a photo with him after the public test, heehee. (cute emoji)¡± Honey Fool (Chuxi)mented. Between thements from these men, there was jubntughter from other yers and tirades from an exasperated Doghead Gold. Only in thements by Honey Fool was there solidarity among other female yers. Most of them also wanted Su Keying¡¯s contact to add her as a friend, hoping to get close to that handsome NPC after the public testing. ¡°¡ªNice girl, I¡¯ve added you, let¡¯s chat privately. @Honey Fool (sticker emoji)¡± Su Keying replied. The second picture was a close-up screenshot of Chen Lun. It was the video cover picture where he, in a ck suit and top hat, was sitting on a sofa leaning forward, fingers intertwined, with his chin resting on the back of his hands, the silver staff leaning against his leg. The third picture showed him standing on the steps of Vigrey¡¯s studio, looking down with cold eyes, holding a firearm, shooting at Horseman and other yers in a split second. The fourth picture was taken during his battle with Newman, with his ck wings spread in midair releasing the ¡°Great Serpent Form¡±, holding the Silver Sword. Alongside was an erged close-up of his face, the structured features highlighting a pair of green vertical pupils and half-closed eyelids, cold and unfeeling. The fifth picture was of Chen Lun, standing amidst the ruins of Bradley Square in a confrontation with Archbishop Lafa amidst mes. His upper half dressed in clothes burned away, revealing streamlined muscles and beautifully aesthetic biological armor. The sixth picture was taken in Jack¡¯s manor vi, just before sending the five closed beta yers into the ¡°Immortal Realm,¡± manipting mes with a me Python coiling behind him like a godlike halo. Below were many more ultra-clear 24K close-up screenshots, all without exception, stunning. And every screenshot¡¯sments section had hundreds of posts, increasing as time passed. ¡°¡ªAh, I¡¯m so close to dying; I¡¯m so taken by his looks!¡± ¡°¡ªI¡¯ve watched it dozens of times, why do my eyes uncontrobly gravitate towards his body every time I watch the video, girls, is there something wrong with me?¡± ¡°¡ªNo, you¡¯re fine, me too, ahh! I want to touch so bad! (crying emoji)¡± ¡°¡ªA fusion of violent aloofness and courteous gentleness, love at first sight, I identify him as a beastly gentleman.¡± ¡°¡ªMr. Jack, I am unterally dering that from today onwards, you are my husband!!¡± ¡°¡ªEven as a guy, I find him outrageously handsome, no shame in losing. (shrugging emoji)¡± ¡°¡ªGo climb a tree, you from the previousment.¡± ¡°¡ªGo climb a tree, you from the previousment. +1¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡ªThat red-haired man is also handsome, and he seems like an important person, very appreciative of Jack.¡± ¡°¡ªYeah, I think so too, the way he looks at Jack is so indulgent, his lips smiling, love and conflict intertwined.¡± ¡°¡ªEnough with the fancy stuff, in one word, I¡¯m hooked!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chen Lun wordlessly picked up the teacup on the desk and took a sip. He put his gaze back and noticed that Su Keying cunningly pinned her own chat group in thements section of every screenshot, cheekily called ¡°Jack Support Group,¡± where fans who liked him could join and interact. But Chen Lun saw through Su Keying¡¯s ulterior motive at a nce; this maneuver was something he had often used in his previous life. To make a living, he was using this kind of name to attract those old-timers into the group and then sold packaged pictures of various popr female NPCs. ¡°Well, you¡¯ve used that trick on me now, huh?!¡± Chen Lun was secretly taken aback. Looking again at the number of chat groups, they had opened up to the seventh one, the previous six were full. He couldn¡¯t help but be vignt. It seemed he needed to be cautious around this person, lest he be caught off guard and she captures some inappropriate photos of him¡­ If those were leaked, where would his reputation stand? He didn¡¯t want the female gamers chasing after him screaming ¡°Big Jack!¡± ¡°Mr. Big Jack!¡± ¡°Uh, wait a minute¡­!¡± Chen Lun suddenly realized something, started looking through the screenshots above, and quickly found one that he didn¡¯t want to see¡ªa close-up screenshot. ¡°Su Keying, you shameless, wicked woman!¡± Chen Lun gritted his teeth as he looked at the screenshot. It was precisely the scene of him confronting Lafa on the ruins of Bradley Square. Unlike the fifth picture above, this screenshot was taken from a tricky angle, directly focusing on his body. Fortunately, he had covered certain parts with scales at that time, otherwise he might have been socially dead. Ignoring the yers below begging for more pictures, Chen Lun rolled his eyes and scrolled past these boringments. His finger paused, then looked at some others. Compared to some female yers, most male yers were more concerned about his strength and the supernatural powers he had shown. ¡°¡ªJust watching the video, this Jack seems kind of terrifying, must be at least a version BOSS, right?¡± ¡°¡ªThink bigger, he might be the final BOSS. (yful emoticon)¡± ¡°¡ªWhy does he have to be a BOSS? Although the video is edited, you can tell he¡¯s a tragic character, seems like he got into that fight trying to save the city.¡± ¡°¡ªUpstairs, naive child, think about those antagonist BOSSes, aren¡¯t they all depicted like that?¡± ¡°¡ªAgree with upstairs, plus you missed a detail right in front of you, that Jack¡¯s enemy is the Red Apple Church¡­ check it out, that seems to be one of the Seven Righteous God Churches.¡± Chen Lun looked at thesements, resting his chin in his hand, deep in thought. Was he supposed to deepen their impression of him? yers mostly admired strength, but if it wasbined with apelling story, the attraction would be even greater. He raised his gaze, flipping throughments, continuing to browse. ¡°¡ªWhat can I say, kinda like this NPC, anyone wants to team up to find him when it¡¯s officially open for testing?¡± ¡°¡ªUpstairs, just say you want totch onto a strong leg.¡± ¡°¡ªSpeaking of, the one who¡¯s with this Jack, that blonde-haired blind woman, she¡¯s also quite beautiful and capable of fighting, not going to say more, wife +1.¡± ¡°¡ªGentlemen, draw your swords, the blind woman is mine!¡± ¡°¡ªKill Jack, snatch the blind woman!¡± ¡°¡ªKill Doghead Jack, snatch the blind woman!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chen Lun pursed his lips and closed the gaming forum. The game hadn¡¯t officiallyunched yet, but he seemed to have already attracted a bunch of yers, a good sign. ¡°Let¡¯s speed up development, there¡¯s almost a year left, I hope by the time of public testing, it can meet expectations¡­¡± He looked at the sleeping Floey, his eyebrows lifted slightly, and he gently brushed away a strand of hair covering her face. ¡°Floey and Noah are entering their rapid growth phase, they should be able to stand on their own by then.¡± p! A pale, delicate hand grabbed Chen Lun¡¯s wrist. Floey lifted her head. When she realized it was Chen Lun, she let go of his hand and smiled. ¡°Finished?¡± Chen Lun casually withdrew his hand and poured a ss of water for Floey, handing it over. After Floey took it, she said thank you. She took a gentle sip and nodded. ¡°Yes, done¡­ But it seems there has been some change in the traits of the ¡®Sun Faction Sequence Eight ¨C Artisan¡¯.¡± Saying this, she held out her hand, a ck vine emerged in her palm, carefully touched Chen Lun, and immediately retracted. The touched spot glowed with a faint purple-ck light. ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Chen Lun softly uttered. Chapter 156: 143 Floeys Perfume Chapter 156: Chapter 143 Floey¡¯s Perfume [A-level Mysterious Object ¨C Sun-avoiding Potted nt] Item Description: Contains the powerful force of the Moon, appearing as a ck Sunflower with a baby face on its flower core. It always maintains a position with its back to the Sun, falls into slumber during the day and regains consciousness at night. It may also awaken prematurely when stimted. It is said to be the transformed remains of a Saint who abandoned the Sun Faith. Legend has it that the Tresor Empire¡¯s topaz Royal City once underwent a reconstruction, and it was the chief culprit. Crows peck out new seeds from the sunflower, and under the Moonlight, the seeds grow into a flower. The flower is not His sunflower, nor is He the flower¡¯s white Sun. Why does His beloved child hang their head? The burden of humanity is too heavy to bear. Why do His devout Believers slumber? The sunlight pierces to the bone, and the soul returns to thend of dreams. Item Effects: One, Nether Branch. Can cultivate and manipte branches containing the power of Death to attack enemies. Two, Sun Suppression. Possesses a strong repulsive force, especially lethal to Transcendent Powers of the [Sun Faction]. Three, Eclipse. Can devour a [Sun Faction] Transcendent characteristic and convert it for one¡¯s own use. Warning: Currently limited to Low Sequence characteristics. (Devouringplete) Moon Craftsman. Can use Supernatural Power to smelt Transcendent materials and forge Mysterious Objects. Four, Unknown. Item Cost: Blind to the surroundings, unable to see the light (a deep connection is formed, a special symbiotic state). Each use will consume Physical Strength and Sanity and will gradually reject the Sun, preferring Moonlight instead. ¡°Targeted at the Sun¡­ Sequence devouring¡­¡± Chen Lun was already familiar with the [Sun-avoiding Potted nt], but after reading the description, some new doubts emerged. Unlike Noah¡¯s [Bone Gallery], which plundered other Sequence Transcendent characteristics to preserve them, the [Sun-avoiding Potted nt] directly devoured Transcendent characteristics of the [Sun Faction], which was fundamentally different. He remembered some spection posts he had read in his previous life and associated them with the Skill [Survival of the Fittest] he had realized by reading [Nature Faction] Mystic Books, as well as the Blessing given to him by Nature Angel Maggie Milna, which could increase the Skill Level of his Sequence [Beast Tamer] abilities¡­ ¡°Some Sequence paths do indeed intersect and ovep with each other¡­ Perhaps a conversion is possible? A change of profession? Or maybe¡­¡± Chen Lun pondered. [Destiny Faction] and [Nature Faction], [Sun Faction] and [Moon Faction], are there other close Sequence paths¡­? Floey silently ¡°watched¡± him. Then, she raised her hand, controlling the ¡°reluctant¡± ck vine and brushed Chen Lun once more. Boom! [You have discovered Part of Supernatural Law One in the Mystic Realm, receiving 10,000 Experience Points!] Some insights suddenly dawned in Chen Lun¡¯s mind, as his previous conjectures were confirmed. [Supernatural Fusion Law (Iplete): ¡­ Adjacent Sequence pathways have a tendency to converge¡­ The Sun and Moon are neighboring, as are Nature and Destiny¡­ After advancing to [Sequence Four] or higher, one can advance by mutual devouring, changing the Sequence path¡­] ¡°What is this¡­?¡± Chen Lun felt a mix of surprise and skepticism as he watched the ck vine slowly retract. ¡°Supernatural Law?¡± In his previous life, he had never encountered such a prompt. Seeing this iplete statement from ¡°Supernatural Law One of the Mystic Realm,¡± he started to understand some things. Why the Seven Righteous God Churches, or some other high-level Transcendent forces, were far more powerful than rogue Transcendents at a high level of Combat Power¡­ Perhaps one of the reasons was that they had mastered such knowledge. Supernatural Laws of the Mystic Realm, if there¡¯s a one, there¡¯s a two; this kind of knowledge that reveals rules is vitally important for guiding Transcendents as they journey through the Mystic Realm. ¡°And, knowledge involving Supernatural Laws can actually not be passed on¡­!¡± Chen Lun was extremely surprised. He tried to speak softly, but found that as soon as he opened his mouth, he was unable to organize his speech, as if something was disturbing his ability to speak. ¡°¡­¡± After a few seconds of silence. Chen Lun frowned and forcibly tried to speak out some of the content in his mind regarding ¡°Supernatural Law One.¡± ¡°Floey, what did I just say?¡± Chen Lun asked in a deep voice. Floey shook her head slightly. ¡°Couldn¡¯t understand, it was like¡­ confused babbling.¡± Chen Lun fell silent again. He found some paper and a pen from the random items in his Blood Poem Ring and ced them on the coffee table, beginning to write. But as soon as he picked up the pen, that strange feeling came again, and he suddenly forgot how to write. Forcing himself to write, the result was a mess of ink lines. After testing a few methods again, hinting both explicitly and implicitly, he was able to confirm through Floey¡¯s feedback that this ¡°Supernatural Law¡± indeed held significant weight in Mystery Studies and could not be conveyed through conventional means. ¡°Floey, did it also impart the knowledge of ¡®Supernatural Law One¡¯ to you?¡± Chen Lun realized this and asked aloud. Floey nodded and uttered a sound of agreement. ¡°It told me that this is an important mystical umtion, crucial for future advancement¡­ But to convey the ¡®Supernatural Law,¡¯ a price must be paid, and it would be weakened for a while.¡± Chen Lun nodded.@@novelbin@@ Mystical umtion is a necessary process for a Transcendent¡¯s advancement, which could be understood as the experience bar for yers. However, unlike yers, NPCs don¡¯t have such a simple and direct method. They umte mystical knowledge through growth inbat, developing sequence abilities, perceiving the mystic, and absorbing mysterious substances rted to their sequence. Immediately after, Chen Lun refocused his attention on Floey¡¯s new ability. Moon Craftsman. [Sun-avoiding Potted nt]devoured [Sequence Eight ¨C Artisan of the Sun Faction], giving birth to this extraordinary power. Chen Lun took out all the supernatural materials from his panel and piled them on the coffee table. ¡°Floey, which of these supernatural materials do you think are useful?¡± Floey appeared surprised. Her mouth slightly agape, she hadn¡¯t expected Chen Lun to produce so many at once. She bit her lip and quietly surveyed them. Then she stretched out a finger and gently tapped a few of the items. Chen Lun nodded and, aside from the selected [Walking Fish Lips], [Walking Fish dder], and [Corrupted Ink Sac], put all the others away. ¡°Hmm¡­ I still need two low-sequence mysterious substances, from the [Flesh Faction], [Earth Faction], or [Deep Sea Faction].¡± Floey said softly. ¡°No problem,¡± Chen Lun replied. Thetter two types of mysterious substances were in extremely short supply, acquired from plundering the Red Apple Church, but he had plenty of mysterious substances from the [Flesh Faction]. With a wave of his hand, two red ¡°little balls¡± appeared on the table. Floey immediately extended her hands, one cradling the mysterious substances, the other holding the supernatural materials. A purplish-ck glow emerged from her palms, and the materials began to ¡°melt,¡± soon after starting to move erratically. Under the influence of some iprehensible supernatural force, the two ¡°liquid spheres¡± began to fluctuate violently, and a hint of tension appeared on Floey¡¯s face. She took a deep breath, and her expression grew even more serious. The purplish-ck light suddenly intensified, the agitation of the two ¡°liquid spheres¡± began to slow down, and stability was restored. Perspiration formed in fine beads on Floey¡¯s crystalline nose. She started bringing her hands together. The bright red and deep blue ¡°liquid spheres¡± began to merge, quickly transforming into strange colors and gradually taking shape. Chen Lun watched intently during this process. Soon, a small bottle the size of a fist began to emerge, with a ck and blue ss body that reflected the light brightly, engraved with the pattern of a many-eyed octopus. At the mouth of the bottle, there was a red rubber ball, fitted with a shiny small trumpet-like tube. After a moment, The purplish-ck light gradually faded. Floey appeared somewhat weakened, swaying slightly before Chen Lun gently steadied her. ¡°Are you alright, Floey?¡± He asked. Floey silently shook her head. With a faint smile, she handed over the ss bottle in her hand. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard.¡± A word offort from Chen Lun as he received the ss bottle. [Grade D Mysterious Object ¨C Restful Perfume] Item Description: Containing the power of both the moon and the deep sea, appearing as a deep blue ss perfume bottle. With a gentle press of the atomizer, it can spray out a dark mist-like ocean fragrance. Created with a strange supernatural forging power, a delicate item that only those with radiant charm can win its favor. Item Effect: When sprayed on oneself, it will slightly reduce one¡¯s presence and carry the fragrance unique to perfume, Charm +2. Those who smell the fragrance will be subjected to supernatural toxin invasion at the soul level, falling into a deep sleep. The perfumests for 6 hours. Warning: The fragrance does not distinguish between friend and foe. Item Cost: Requires a Charm Value higher than 15 points to use. After each use, one will suffer from insomnia the following day. Chapter 157: 144 Black Messenger Square (Two in One) Chapter 157: Chapter 144 ck Messenger Square (Two in One) Floey was fully attuned to her perceptions, constantly monitoring Chen Lun¡¯s expressions. A hint of tension shimmered on her beautiful face. As the creator of the Mysterious Object, she surely understood its information. Well¡­ one might say it was somewhat of a white elephant. The Charm Value condition was tolerable, and Floey believed he was fully qualified to use it. However, the fragrance it emitted did not discriminate between friends and foes, which directly established its practicality as virtually nil. My de here is coated with a Poisoned de, swishing with poison¡­ After spraying the perfume, the first to fall would be oneself, sleeping more soundly than a baby, only the side effects might be a bit severe, given that it¡¯s a Supernatural Toxin eroding the soul. Moreover, it could lead to a state of insomnia the following day, which was quite torturous.@@novelbin@@ ¡°This is a rather nice Mysterious Object, Floey.¡± Chen Lun fiddled with the perfume bottle, his thumb slowly rubbing over the engraved octopus pattern, and said to her with a smile. Floey was momentarily stunned. She hadn¡¯t expected to receive such praise. Shaking her head lightly, she responded: ¡°This Mysterious Object doesn¡¯t differentiate between friend and foe, it would be best if you didn¡¯t use it¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I wasted those materials.¡± ¡°Oh no, really, it¡¯s quite remarkable, very well suited for me.¡± Chen Lun consoled her. He gave the perfume bottle in his hand a gentle shake, then added with a smile: ¡°I have a special resistance, its toxin cannot harm me¡­ In this way, its drawbacks are no longer shorings.¡± With my ¡°Hell Resistance,¡± not only is my resistance to fire high, but my Poison Resistance is too, making the ¡°Restful Perfume¡± perfectly fitting for my use. ¡°I see¡­ that¡¯s truly wonderful.¡± Floey breathed a sigh of relief and couldn¡¯t help but smile. Chen Lun looked at the droplet of sweat on the tip of her nose, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stretched out his hand and gently wiped it away. ¡°You go rest first, Floey, I have to step out for a bitter on.¡± He picked up a hat that was set aside and slowly put it on. Then, he turned and exited the room. Floey ¡°watched¡± his receding figure, lost in a trance. * * * Inner City District. The First Grand Street. This was a bustling area, where many nobles and parliament members resided. In the middle of the central street, well-dressed gentlemen and elegantly attireddies strolled leisurely, and carriages shuttled back and forth, with coachmen ringing their bells as a caution for the passing pedestrians. Arge mailbox painted with bright orange paint stood on the street corner, a public mailbox that was checked daily by dedicated postmen who collected letters for delivery. A tall gentleman in a ck suit slowly approached the mailbox and slipped two letters into two separate slots. He adjusted the brim of his hat and, leaning on his Silver Staff, strode away. Before long, a postman arrived on a peculiar bicycle with different-sized wheels, a mechanical vehicle without chains, propelled forward purely by leg-power stepping on the pedals of therge front wheel. As it was not yet widespread and was quite rare to see, passing pedestrians gave it several curious nces. The postman braked awkwardly with his legs, stopping at the curb. He ran to the mailbox, wiped his sweat, took out a key, unlocked it, and began to count the letters inside. When he picked up the letter numbered ¡°705302X,¡± there was no expression on his face; instead, he naturally slid it into the inner pocket of his bag. He then took out a small notepad and a pen from his chest pocket, flipped to a page, and wrote: ¡°¡ªMona, the team leader, I have received the letter from that noble.¡± Quickly, beneath that line, words appeared out of thin air, one stroke at a time: ¡°¡ªGood, bring it to me as soon as possible.¡± The postman packed away the paper and pen with no change in demeanor, as if he had just finished recording a letter. He didn¡¯t rush to leave but continued counting the letters, indistinguishable from an ordinary postman. ¡°This is a letter for Pompey Manor.¡± He picked up another letter, nodded, and sorted it neatly. Soon after, hepleted all his tasks, closed the mailbox lid, locked it, mounted his bicycle, and with his body swayingically, he pedaled therge front wheel and quickly departed. * * * A few dayster. A bustlingmercial street, a nondescript building on the roadside. In the top-floor room, there was a knock on the door. Knock, knock¡­ ¡°Come in.¡± A cool female voice came from inside. The door opened, and arge man with a stubbly beard entered, bowing slightly with his hand on his chest upon seeing the short-haired woman behind therge desk. ¡°Team Leader Mona, Ralph reporting in.¡± Mona seemed pleased, she smiled, stood up, and walked over. ¡°Ralph, it¡¯s been a long time.¡± She returned the same gesture. ¡°Congrattions on your recent promotion to Sequence Seven and your appointment as a special envoy to Amber City.¡± ¡°It¡¯s somewhat embarrassing to say, but after umting experience for so many years in Emerald Town, it was only due to a group of death-defying lunatics that I had my epiphany andpleted the ritual¡­ Fossil City specifically conveyed the teacher¡¯s orders for me toe here and assist you.¡± Ralph gazed at the young woman before him, his thoughts tinged with emotion. As one of the many students under their teacher, he belonged to the least noticeable bunch and had only graduated years before Mona. Lately, he had heard that the teacher had taken a student named Mona, whom he highly appreciated. What was even more surprising was that this student adamantly refused to step into the Mystic Realm, deciding tobat the supernatural with a Mortal¡¯s body. Almost everyone thought her belief was foolish, a bid for attention, but Ralph knew it had to do with Mona¡¯s background. Chapter 159: 144: Black Messenger Square (Two-in-One)_3 Chapter 159: Chapter 144: ck Messenger Square (Two-in-One)_3 His eyes widened as he saw these people were actually willing to pool funds to help rebuild Bradley Square, which had turned into ruins. Moreover, as Earl Bradley had been arrested for a serious crime, the square¡¯s name also needed to be changed, so they decided to rename the square ¡°ck Messenger Square.¡± If Chen Lun had seen this document, he wouldn¡¯t have been too surprised. This exactly was what he had written to ask Viscount Pompey to do, and the 16-points region¡¯s poprity also began to subtly release a strong influence. ¡°The matter of Earl Bradley has terrified them; they urgently need to rely on the Mystic Realm to feel a sense of security,¡± Monaughed. After Ralph had reviewed all the documents, he also generally understood the situation and grasped what she meant. ¡°Indeed, but that doesn¡¯t mean anything,¡± He shook his head and sighed. But quickly, Ralph thought of a question. ¡°Wait, you just said, the Archbishop Lafa of the Red Apple Church had descended as an Incarnation, ready to sacrifice this city¡­ How was He stopped?!¡± Mona ced a photograph on the table, sliding it across to Ralph. The image showed Chen Lun with wings sprouting from his back, floating in midair. ¡°It was he who repelled the Incarnation of the Saint, and the civilians, unaware of the truth, called him ¡®ck Messenger.¡¯ That¡¯s what the nobles and merchants are nning to rename the rebuilt square after¡­¡± ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Ralph took a deep breath, staring at the man in the photograph. Beneath that messy ck hair, those emotionless vertical pupils. ¡°Jack Spett¡­¡± * * *@@novelbin@@ A month quickly passed again. Jack Estate, the third floor of the vi. Chen Lun stood by the window of his room, ying with a silver coin in his hand. It was a high-grade token, a Silver Halo Coin, given to him by Rosa before she left. Aiming at the middle of the silver coin, he flicked it with his finger. Pop¡ªbuzz! The middle part of the coin began to spin wildly, resembling a silver sphere. The sound without form scattered outward, and Chen Lun began to narrow his eyes. Ever since he had ced his Blessing Points on ¡°Nature¡¯s Favor,¡± his Insight Attribute had just reached 30 Points. Even without wearing the Silver Pot, he already possessed the ability to see the Spirit World. He nned to take this opportunity to observe the Spiritual Realm Messenger of the Silver Dragon Trade Association closely. In this era, besides those Transcendents who possessed special Mysterious Objects or methods,munication over long distances in a rtively private manner was generally achieved through Spiritual Realm Messengers, transferring each other¡¯s letters and items. The time-space of the Spirit World does notpletely coincide with the present world, so traveling in the Spirit World, if one can grasp the specific present-world anchor points, can achieve an effect simr to a ¡°wormhole,¡± allowing for rapid transit between two ces. The high-grade token given to Chen Lun by Rosa was equivalent to a specialized tool for summoning a Messenger. In his previous life, he had never received such treatment, as it was essentially a ¡°VIP customer service¡± of the association. The silver coin between his fingers kept spinning, casting phantoms. Soon, Chen Lun sensed something. He lifted his eyelids and looked upward. Suddenly, a pale blue gap appeared on the ceiling, and a pair of strong arms covered with dark green keratinous scales stretched out from inside, gripping the edges of the gap. Immediately afterward, a huge crocodile head emerged from it. Its pair of amber vertical pupils slightly startled. Below, in the room, a strange man was looking up at it, his gaze curious, seemingly also taking an interested measure¡­? Chapter 163: 146 High-End Circus Business Chapter 163: Chapter 146 High-End Circus Business Several monthster. The date had reached the end of the Sr Calendar 4418, and the urate time for the public beta test was 8:00 AM on June 1 next year. There were still six months until the public beta test. The weather in Amber City had gradually be cold. Snow even began to fall from the sky, blown by the wind. Snowkesnded on the hats, scarves, and shoulders of pedestrians. Body heat melted the snowkes into ice water, which seeped into the fabric, making people shiver involuntarily. The residents of the Inner City District were well-prepared with wool coats, thickened windbreakers, various fashionable leather gloves and hats, and even hot water bottles encrusted with jewels and diamonds. ¡°The winters these years are getting colder and colder¡­¡± At a table ahead of Chen Lun, two old men wrapped in coats were sipping drinks and chatting. ¡°I heard that the crops outside the city are underproducing, and the agricultural products next spring will also be affected, now that food prices are generally rising, the crime rate in the Outer City District is rising faster than food prices, sigh.¡± ¡°Heh,st week my son had dinner with Mr. Hardy of Moses Far Voyage and talked business, just mentioning these issues¡­¡± One of the old men picked up his delicate ss, took a sip, and shook his head inment. ¡°Now, the salt transported from salt-producing cities like Amethyst City, Lime Ash City, and No Water Mang City has basically doubled in price¡­ If there¡¯s not enough salt in the preserved fish and meat, they¡¯re prone to spoge. Plus, with food being so expensive now, the refugees outside the city have already started dying in droves.¡± Three gentlemen at another table heard the conversation and joined in with great interest. ¡°There¡¯s going to be a lot to do then, if the corpses aren¡¯t handled in time, it can lead to epidemics!¡± A chubby man with sses spoke while drinking. Hispanion, lighting a cigarette, added: ¡°Epidemics have already begun to spread. Towns like Emerald Town, Ice Glutinous Town, and Soybean Town around the city have seen gue outbreaks, and those scattered small viges have be hotbeds of the damned gue¡­! The Security Office in the Inner City District must guard Amber Bridge well, we can¡¯t easily allow people from the Outer City District toe in! Otherwise, it¡¯s unimaginable¡­¡± Another, more refine-lookingpanion frowned tightly, his face showing disgust: ¡°Actually, Amber River has already been polluted by those disgusting mixed breeds. Maybe our daily drinking water contains the epidemic transmitted by them! The people of the Outer City District all deserve to die, they should all be driven away!¡± His twopanions appeared a bit nervous after hearing this but still tried to reassure him: ¡°It probably isn¡¯t that serious¡­ Dumi, you¡¯re overreacting.¡± The man named Dumi didn¡¯t let up; after drinking two sips of strong liquor, the disgust on his face intensified, and he began to flush red and curse loudly. He even openly said if he were to join the military, he would definitely kill all those lower beings. The two old men shook their heads at this. One of the old men called the waiter again, ordered several expensive shots of strong liquor, and then pulled out a small packet of some unidentified strange substance from his pocket. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, young men¡­ I happen to have a bit of antiepidemic medicine here, I¡¯ll share some with you.¡± The old man opened the small packet, revealing two broken pieces of ck solid that looked sticky, not very clean or sanitary. The three gentlemen looked at each other, then shook their heads one after another, none daring to ept the strange ¡°medicine.¡± ¡°Rx, this is antiepidemic medicine developed by followers of the ck Messenger. You can try some¡­ These days, even the Red Apple Church can¡¯t be relied on, so who should we believe in to be redeemed?¡± As he spoke, the old man had already picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, slowly chewing. His facial expression showed nothing unusual, rather, he even smacked his lips as if he wanted more. Seeing this, the three gentlemen, both worried about the epidemic and reminded of the newly built ck Messenger Square, hesitantly took some of the ck paste-like substance into their mouths. After all, the ¡°ck Messenger¡± that had arisen in recent times was quite convincing, especially since too many people had witnessed that incident six months ago. ¡°Hmm¡­ it¡¯s very sweet, is this ck sugar?¡± The chubby man with sses chewed a few times, puzzled. The old man nodded and asked cheerily: ¡°Do you feel your body heating up?¡± The three gentlemen suddenly felt tightness in their chest and some sweating on their foreheads, beginning to worry that they might have eaten poison. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be nervous, this is the antiepidemic medicine taking effect, plus the drinks you just had¡­ Feeling heat is right; you will only feel your body warming and getting stronger, it won¡¯t be something bad.¡± The old man then looked at the other tables around, simply started enthusiastically distributing the ¡°antiepidemic medicine¡± in his hands. The other guests, having somewhat heard the earlier conversation, and as this was a famous bar in the Inner City District, mostly frequented by familiar faces, were not too cautious or defensive. Soon, several middle-aged patrons took some ¡°antiepidemic medicine¡± from the old man and took it on the spot. They all reported feeling really warm and good. ¡°Young man, would you like some?¡± The old man looked at Chen Lun, offering the small paper packet. ¡°Very thankful¡­¡± Chen Lun responded with a polite smile. He casually picked up a small piece, yet did not put it in his mouth. He had just divined about this item, and consuming it wouldn¡¯t cause any issues. Now holding it in his hand, after basic identification by the panel, it was confirmed to be a standard sugar cube, although it seemed to have some herbal nts added inside. ¡°Sir, may I ask where the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯s¡¯ followers are located? I would also like to purchase some of this antiepidemic medicine¡­¡± Chen Lun scrutinized the sugar cube in his hand and asked with a light smile. He was curious about who was using his name to traffic ¡°medicine¡± for profit. The old man didn¡¯t think too much and directly gave the address of a more secluded neighborhood in the Inner City District, exining that it was an older clinic. The demand for antiepidemic medicine had gradually been rising in themunity, not only because of the severe gue situation but also partly because thepletion of ck Messenger Square reinforced many residents¡¯ devotion to this Faith. People often went to ck Messenger Square to worship near the fountain¡¯s ck-winged bronze statue. Chen Lun had never openly acknowledged this matter and did not want to draw the attention of the Sun Church and the Shelter. After all, having just ¡°whitewashed¡± himself, it would be better not to stir up trouble and quietly develop for a while. Moreover, even if he wanted to embody the believers¡¯ faith, he probablycked the strength to do so. Being merely a low Sequence Transcendent, he could easily give himself away, and the consequences could be even more severe. It might be better to let this misunderstanding continue beautifully. As long as he didn¡¯t admit it, the Sun Church and the Shelter would turn a blind eye, and not pay much attention to a faith figure with no practical significance. Ding-dong¡­! Just then, the bar¡¯s door was pushed open, and a gust of cold air rushed in from outside. Everyone turned to look as a tall, bulky man with his head down came in, giving them an embarrassed smile. The chubby man was holding a ck square tool bag, from which several sticks protruded, which appeared to be parts of an easel. ¡°Noah, over here.¡± Chen Lun waved to him and then bid farewell to the two old men. When Noah approached, Chen Lun and he exchanged brief greetings before sitting down. Chen Lun had been waiting for him here, so he had asked the waiter to prepare a more robust andrger chair in advance; but even so, when Noah sat down, he still felt somewhat cramped and ufortable. ¡°We¡¯ll just sit for a while, then head out.¡± Chen Lun said with a reassuring smile as he poured a ss of wine for Noah. ¡°Hmm, Mr. Jack.¡± Noah scratched his head and drank the wine in one gulp. Starting a few months ago, the Circus¡¯s working capital had run dry. The goods produced and sold turned into funds invested back, and now the Circus¡¯s scale was getting bigger, but its liquid resources were dwindling. To sustain the huge expenses, Chen Lun finally decided to start eptingmissions, transferring some from the Silver Dragon Trade Association. This could somewhat alleviate the economic pressure and also provide the members with opportunities to umte mystical experiences. Today, Noah¡¯smission was in the same ce as his own, so they agreed to go together. Just beforeing here, Noah had alsopleted amission on the way, painting a portrait for a rich merchant¡¯s deceased mother¡­ He heard that after deducting the fees, he ended up with twenty Gold Pounds in hand. ¡®Painting is quite a lucrative business¡­¡¯@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun mused. What he didn¡¯t quite understand was why Noah, a minor lord of the Silver Dragon Trade Association, was so excited to work for him. ¡°Noah, actually, you could also take those deducted fees¡­ after all, we¡¯re all family here, so there¡¯s no need to be so formal.¡± Chen Lun said earnestly as he drank some hot milk. Noah chuckled twice, knowing that Mr. Jack was joking, and shook his head: ¡°I just have a role there and get a dividends ie periodically, but I actually don¡¯t involve myself in any of the family business¡­ I didn¡¯t realize before, but personallypleting customers¡¯missions and earning themission gold is such a pleasurable experience.¡± Chen Lun smiled wryly, maybe this was the ¡°rich kid part-time job quote?¡± After sitting for a while, Chen Lun suddenly spoke up: ¡°Noah, it¡¯s time for us to go¡­ there will be a disturbance here soon.¡± Noah looked slightly startled and nodded at him without asking why, seemingly very trusting. The two got up and walked straight out of the bar door. A cool breeze hit them as the bar door was still open, and they heard the noise of chairs colliding and exmations from behind. ¡°Oh my Sun! Dumi! What happened to you?!¡± ¡°Hey friend! Wake up!!¡± ¡°Poor fellow, is this an acute disease attack?!¡± Bang! The bar door closed. Everything that happened was no longer Chen Lun¡¯s concern. He stepped forward, and Noah followed closely behind, carrying his tool bag. ¡°This is just his destiny now.¡± Chen Lun shook his head slightly and calmly spoke about the matter. ¡°A sudden onset of disease took his life¡­ nobody knows if they can survive till tomorrow.¡± Ironically, through the Peeping Eye of Fate, Chen Lun had observed that this guy named Dumi, who suddenly fell ill, was actually not a native of the Eastern Continent¡­ this meant that his family, starting from his ancestors, were immigrants from abroad, perhaps even more destitute than the so-called lower sses he mentioned. ¡°Let¡¯s go to Third Street.¡± Chen Lunughed. ¡°You go paint portraits for people, I go divine their fortunes, or maybe even train dogs¡­ our Circus business is getting more and more high-end.¡± Chapter 164: 147: Your Dogs Days Are Numbered Chapter 164: Chapter 147: Your Dog¡¯s Days Are Numbered The sun had already set, and the afterglow on the horizon was gradually fading. Rattle rattle¡­ An erged and reinforced carriage was slowly moving on the road. Iron tires fitted with anti-skid chains left deep tracks on the snow-covered road. Chen Lun and Noah were sitting opposite each other inside the carriage, with a small copper stove ced next to them to provide warmth. Specially made charcoal was burning inside, releasing a fragrant scent. This carriage was custom-made by the Silver Dragon Trade Association specifically for Noah, and now it was left at Jack¡¯s estate for Noah¡¯s exclusive use when traveling. No ordinary carriage of this era could bear Noah. ¡°Noah, it must be quite inconvenient for you to go out, isn¡¯t it?¡± Chen Lun, seeing Noah wiping sweat despite the cold weather, couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°Hehe, indeed, it¡¯s often not convenient, and the gazes of others are not kind¡­ But I have gotten used to it over the years.¡± Noah replied with an embarrassed smile, putting down his handkerchief and exining softly. Chen Lun looked at him; in the original future, Noah would be the murderous ¡°Bloody Painter¡±. But now, he was just a shy young man. ¡°I told you before that I might be able to help you with the curse that¡¯s wrapped around you¡­¡± Chen Lun said. Noah shook his head slowly and smiled, ¡°Mr. Jack, my mother once told me it¡¯s a high sequence curse from the Flesh Faction. I¡¯m already very grateful that you are willing to help¡­¡± Chen Lun replied with a smile. ¡°This high-sequence curse is indeed stubborn, but if we follow my method, there¡¯s a good chance of removing it. You must have confidence¡­ however, you need to make a preparation in advance.¡± ¡°Please tell me, Mr. Jack,¡± Noah trusted Chen Lun very much, and upon hearing this, he immediately became serious. ¡°Through the channels of the Silver Dragon Trade Association, acquire ¡®Cursed Objects¡¯. It¡¯s best to have more than two pieces, the stranger and more bizarre the curse effects, the better¡­ Once the ¡®Cursed Objects¡¯ are in hand, we can formally begin.¡± Chen Lun exined. His gloved fingers gently caressed the handle of his walking stick. ¡°Palm Fireworks¡± was providing him with warmth every second, which was quite appropriate in this deep winter. ¡°Understood, Mr. Jack.¡± Noah nodded vigorously. Thinking of his ugly and obese appearance potentially being restored to its original form, his heart filled with hope and joy. * * * The carriage soon stopped in front of an apartment on Third Avenue. Chen Lun and Noah got out of the carriage. Looking up, the sky hadpletely entered the night, and the Purple Moon had already risen to mid-sky. ¡°Mr. Jack, I will go to the apartment next door to paint a portrait for Mr. Hawkins¡­¡± Noah said. Chen Lun nodded. ¡°Then let¡¯s meet back hereter, and the carriage will stay parked by the roadside.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Noah replied, bowed with his hand on his chest, and then turned around with his tool bag and left. Chen Lun watched his retreating figure, then turned his head, walked a few steps forward, and directly knocked on the iron gate of the apartment courtyard. ng ng¡­ ¡°May I ask who it is?¡± A state-of-the-art wireless device was installed at the door, and from inside came the sound of static and a deep male voice. ¡°I¡¯vee to fulfill your divinationmission with the Silver Dragon Trade Association, Mr. Lang Bo¡­¡± Chen Lun said calmly into the fixed inte. There was a pause from the other side, suddenly reced by another voice: ¡°Oh, Lang Bo, this is not good¡­ I seem to recall that a painter will be visiting me this evening too!¡± This voice was clearly male, but the tone revealed a feminine softness. The initial deep voice said softly, ¡°Let¡¯s do this then, invite this diviner inside¡­ Hakin, you¡¯ve always wanted to have your fortune told, right? Although I¡¯ve never believed in it¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Lang Bo, I¡¯ve heard the Silver Dragon Trade Association has an excellent reputation, and I trust that the diviner they rmend won¡¯t disappoint us¡­ This is about our future.¡± The two of them whispered to each other quietly for a few more moments. The deep voice spoke again: ¡°Pleasee in, Mr. Diviner, just reach out and unlock the bolt.¡± ¡°Alright, Mr. Lang Bo.¡± Chen Lun responded. When the inte turned off, it made a piercing noise before falling silent. He reached into the gaps of the iron gate, pulled open the bolt inside, and the gate swung open with a clear nking sound. Chen Lun then walked straight towards the entrance of the apartment. The Great Gate was already open, and a red and white hound was sitting on the steps, warily watching him. This was a breed of hunting dog very popr among the nobility, the red and white Spaniel. Its body was covered with white fur while the head, particrly the two drooping big ears, was adorned with wine-red curly hair. As Chen Lun approached, the Spaniel underwent a transformation, standing up and wagging its tail, fawningly nuzzling against his legs. As ¡°Friend of Animals,¡± plus his innate 22 Charm points, reaching a total of 33 points, this was a level even many Mid Sequence Transcendents could not achieve. Chen Lun, in the eyes of the red and white hunting dog, was an irresistible presence, full of allure, authority, and amiability. ¡°Oh, Mr. Diviner, it seems Frida really likes you¡­ This is amazing! She is never like this with strangers!¡± The effeminate male voice said, clearly astonished. Chen Lun looked up to see two figures standing at the door. Although both were male, their gestures were somewhat affectionate. Having had his suspicions, Chen Lun now confirmed them in his mind. They were good friends andpanions. The men were neighbors, sharing a deep kinship. This realization was apanied by a bit of bewilderment. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because I¡¯m not only a diviner but also a pet trainer,¡± Chen Lun suggested politely. Chen Lun said jokingly as he petted Spenger ¡°Frida¡¯s¡± head, and thetter excitedly licked hisrge hand. ¡°Oh! Is that so! Giggle¡­ Pleasee in, sir, you really have a great sense of humor!¡± The gentleman known as Hawkinsughed and stepped aside, letting Chen Lun walk through. ¡°Thank you.¡± Chen Lun took off his hat and said. As they passed by each other, he took a quick measure of the noticeably effeminate Mr. Hawkins, who was significantly taller than Mr. Lang Bo with a bizarre contrast. After Chen Lun had hung his coat and hat on the hallstand in the living room, both Lang Bo and Hawkins came over to him. ¡°I haven¡¯t asked for your name yet, my apologies.¡± Lang Bo reached out his hand and began. Chen Lun shook it, responding with a polite smile. ¡°Jack Spett.¡± ¡°Oh, Mr. Jack, please have a seat.¡± Lang Bo gestured with his hand, and Chen Lun sat down on the chair. Hawkins also made a cup of fruit tea for him, iming it would aid in sleep. Suddenly, the two sat down side by side across from Chen Lun, seeming not to avoid showing their rtionship. Mr. Lang Bo scrutinized the young diviner before him without restraint. The man gave him a sense of extremeposure as well as an enigmatic and elusive aura. It was a rather peculiar feeling. But Mr. Lang Bo, being a distinguished solicitor, still didn¡¯t believe the young man before him could divine destiny; the idea was too fantastical to entertain. ¡°May I ask, Mr. Lang Bo, what would you like to have divined?¡± Chen Lun took a sip of the fruit tea, tasting the slight fragrance of lemon and a hint of orange peel. Lang Bo and Hawkins exchanged a nce. ¡°Hawkins?¡± He called out affectionately. Hawkins immediately realized something, excused himself with a ¡®One moment, please¡¯, and intended to leave the living room. Chen Lun nced over and reminded: ¡°Mr. Hawkins, when you return, please bring Mr. Lang Bo¡¯s medicine and two clean handkerchiefs.¡± Hawkins was momentarily stunned, but didn¡¯t say anything and quietly left. Momentster, when Hawkins returned carrying arge cardboard box, Mr. Lang Bo suddenly started to breathe heavily. Startled, Hawkins happened to be holding a bottle of pills, so he quickly unscrewed the cap, grabbed the water ss from the table, and helped Mr. Lang Bo take the medication. During the medicine-taking process, Mr. Lang Bo couldn¡¯t help but cough, spilling water on his cor. Hawkins promptly wiped it off with a handkerchief. Once Mr. Lang Bo¡¯s breathing stabilized, he and Hawkins looked at each other with surprise. It seemed everything had been anticipated by Mr. Jack. When they raised their heads to look at the silent young man with ck hair drinking tea, a tuft of dog hair was blown by the wind andnded in front of Mr. Lang Bo. He suddenly opened his mouth, about to sneeze. Hawkins, quick as lightning, grabbed the other clean handkerchief and handed it over. ¡°Achoo!¡± Mr. Lang Bo covered his nose with the handkerchief, his eyes quietly shifting, the hint of indifference giving way to reverence. Could this be fate as well¡­? ¡°Thank you for your help, Mr. Jack.¡± He put down the handkerchief and said with a deep voice. Chen Lun waved his hand as if it was nothing of concern. The cardboard box Hawkins brought was filled with various divination tools, such as crystal pendants, tarot cards, crystal balls, and Ouija boards, among others. ¡°Mr. Jack, please feel free to choose any tool¡­ I used to be fascinated by this mysterious knowledge, so I bought many tools and books, but I haven¡¯t learned anything of value yet.¡± Seeing that Lang Bo was okay, Hawkins then spoke. He wasn¡¯t embarrassed but ratherughed heartily. Chen Lun didn¡¯t rush to take any tools from the box but continued to drink his tea leisurely and asked: ¡°May I ask, Mr. Hawkins, what are you nning to divine?¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Hawkins began but suddenly hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s about marriage, oh no, happiness¡­ well, not exactly.¡± He turned his head to nce at Mr. Lang Bo, then looked down at Frida, the hound lying at Chen Lun¡¯s feet. ¡°It¡¯s about life, about the future life of myself, Lang Bo, and Frida. What will it be like?¡± Hawkins finally settled on the query and replied confidently. Chen Lun nodded. This divination involved only ordinary people, so he could easily give a vague answer. Nheless, considering it was a well-paid job, he decided to be as diligent as possible. ¡®Let¡¯s try poker divination then; it might be a bit challenging.¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. His ¡°Divination¡± skill was already maxed out, but the techniques of poker divination were quite difficult, harboring ominous signs and varied messages. To master it fully, he might need to ascend further. Chen Lun took out a deck of ordinary ying cards from the box and, like a seasoned gambler, skillfully shuffled and cut the deck, the cards whirring in his palm, leaving blurring afterimages. ¡°Mr. Hawkins, please state four keywords you care about,¡± Chen Lun instructed while shuffling the cards. ¡°Health, location, wealth, and happiness,¡± Hawkins deliberated and then spoke. Chen Lun paused, his fingers flicked like a magician, and four cardsnded neatly on the table in a row. He flipped them over in session: ¡°Diamonds 7,¡± ¡°Diamonds 3,¡± ¡°Diamonds J,¡± and ¡°Diamonds Q.¡± Four cards of the same suit, yet signifying different meanings. ncing at Lang Bo and Hawkins in their ck attire, Chen Lun said solemnly: ¡°The two of you need not worry about your health in the future, but Frida will die in the seventh week after the autumn of next year¡­¡± ¡°Oh, no.¡± The faces of Hawkins and Lang Bo weren¡¯t looking good. ¡°You are likely to move to a bustling,rge city within the top three of the city-state sequence rankings, and you will be wealthy and happy¡­ but all this will face separation after 33 years.¡±@@novelbin@@ Chapter 165: 148 Dinner of the Seven Gods Chapter 165: Chapter 148 Dinner of the Seven Gods Chen Lun interpreted the premonitions of the cards based on the feedback from the Divination. ¡°Divination isn¡¯t a hundred percent prediction of fate, it merely glimpses into a corner of the future, so you two shouldn¡¯t take it as absolute,¡± Chen Lun said softly as he set down the cards. Lang Bo and Hawkins exchanged nces, a mix of joy and worry evident on their faces. The words of Mr. Jack had been quite clear: their future was to be a happy one, but the separation after thirty-three years¡­ that might suggest death. For only death could part them. What worried them was that their beloved dog, Frida, would die in the seventh week of next autumn¡­ meaning it had less than ten months to live. ¡°Mr. Jack, about Frida¡­ can you help her? I can offer you more payment,¡± Hawkins asked nervously, pulling the Springer Spaniel, who had been lying at Mr. Jack¡¯s feet, back into his arms and looking up. When he heard the word ¡°payment,¡± Chen Lun felt a touch of pleasure, inexplicably lifting his spirits. He attributed this sudden joy to his willingness to help others. ¡®Change the fate of a dog¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun thought. ording to the Divination, he had glimpsed into the future of the Springer Spaniel; it was not to die a natural death but was to sumb to an ident. An intuition told him that if he could alter the dog¡¯s destiny, there might be some unexpected benefits. ¡°Frida¡­ yes, her death is rted to construction, renovation, and tiles. When the timees, you could try to keep her away from such settings, away from simr objects. Perhaps that way, her oue could change,¡± Chen Lun said, his eyes swirling with mists as he looked at the conspicuous red diamond on the table. Upon hearing this, Lang Bo and Hawkins were stunned. They immediately remembered the discussion from the previous night¡ªthey had nned to sell Hawkins¡¯ apartment next summer, renovate Lang Bo¡¯s apartment, and live there for a while. Could it be¡­ if they really went through with it, Frida might die in an ident during the renovations? Lang Bo and Hawkins exhaled deeply, their hearts still thumping with residual fear. ¡°Mr. Jack, thank you very much for your advice¡­ we understand,¡± Mr. Lang Bo said gravely, ncing at Hawkins. ¡°When we renovate, we must take good care of Frida, perhaps we can settle her in another property.¡± ¡°Oh Lang Bo, why don¡¯t we just sell both apartments here and move somewhere else?¡± Hawkins suggested, stroking his dog¡¯s fur. Lang Bo paused, then nodded with a smile. ¡°Good idea, let¡¯s do that,¡± he agreed. Chen Lun raised his tea cup and drained thest gulp of fruit tea, pausing with his fingers slightly. [You peeked and influenced the fate of Hawkins¡¯ dog ¡°Frida,¡± fully utilizing the powers of ¡°Beast Tamer¡± and ¡°Diviner.¡± Your understanding of fate deepens, earning 1000 Experience Points, 2 Skill Points, and 1 Attribute Point!] Chen Lun set down his tea cup, somewhat startled. ¡®Is this the reward for delving deeper into my supernatural powers¡­?¡¯ he pondered. The forum had only a few posts of this kind, indicating that such situations were extremely rare among the yermunity. Thus, he had concluded that it would be quite difficult for yers to advance in this manner. yers were ustomed to the substantial rewards frompleting missions, and few would be satisfied with this kind of slow, ¡°self-cultivating¡± leveling. It required a lot of time and effort, not to mention an in-depth study of one¡¯s own faction, current Sequence, and mysterious connections to gain insights that could trigger such rewards. The conditions were far too stringent. This seemed to be a unique path of advancement for the NPCs in the game, unrted to them as yers. ¡®The native inhabitants of this world find it extremely challenging to advance in the Mystic Realm, relying on mysterious umtion¡ªknowledge,bat, and insights, and the indispensable corresponding Sequence Mysterious Substance. Each of these is an extremely precious treasure.¡¯ Chen Lun thought, feeling somewhat emotional. ¡®In contrast, yers cover most of their mysterious umtion with experience points, which simplifies the process tremendously¡­ as long as they meet the specific conditions and have the prerequisite knowledge, they can advance.¡¯ But perhaps it is for this reason that the NPCs with supernatural abilities in this world, who have undergone numerous trials and advanced step by step, are much stronger than the average yer. Those who can be Mid Sequence and even ascend to High Sequence, to some extent, could be considered ¡°protagonists.¡± Whether in terms of strength, intellect, strategy, or fate, they are top-notch. The advancement of Sequences bes progressively more difficult. Especially the transitions between each level, from Low Sequence to Mid Sequence, from Mid Sequence to High Sequence¡­ When in Low Sequence, possessing mysterious knowledge and sufficient umtion is enough to advance. But once aiming for a breakthrough to Mid Sequence, a supernatural transformation, besides the prerequisites of knowledge and umtion, one also needs the corresponding Mysterious Substance and a specific ritual. This kind of ritual, for the yermunity, is akin to a ¡°ss-change quest.¡± ¡®My Experience Points just reached 100k, Skill Points are a bit surplus at 24, but there are currently no skills to upgrade, so I¡¯ll save them¡­ I have 7 Attribute Points, I¡¯ll use them all.¡¯ Chen Lun thought and evenly distributed the Attribute Points between Endurance and Intelligence, bringing both to 36 points. One step closer to being a Hexagon Barrel Warrior! ng¡­! At that moment, a faint sound of hammering on the iron gate came from outside the courtyard. Mr. Lang Bo quickly stood up, went to the wall where a fixed inte was hanging, and pressed the button. Shh¡­ ¡°Hello, may I speak to Mr. Hawkins? He¡¯s not at home, and someone sent me to find him here¡­ I am Noah, here toplete the portraitmission for Mr. Hawkins,¡± Noah¡¯s voice came through the inte, and Chen Lun smiled faintly. ¡°Oh yes, I¡¯m Hawkins, my apologies¡­ Mr. Noah, pleasee in,¡± Hawkins approached Lang Bo and spoke apologetically. Subsequently, he and Lang Bo went out together and brought Noah inside. ¡°Hey, Mr. Jack.¡± Noah bowed and squeezed through the door into the living room, scratching his head as he greeted Chen Lun. The hound Frida barked furiously at this ¡°giant,¡± only to be silenced by Hawkins. ¡°I calcted the exact time you would arrive.¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. ¡°You really have a firm grasp on destiny¡­¡± Noah set down his tool bag, brushed the snowkes off his shoulder, and chuckled.@@novelbin@@ Lang Bo and Hawkins strongly agreed with this statement. ¡°It¡¯s just a simple deduction of the time it takes to walk from next door to here.¡± Chen Lun shrugged. Everyoneughed. ¡°Do you two know each other?¡± Lang Bo asked. ¡°Oh, yes, Mr. Lang Bo¡­ We are members of the same team, you can continue to reach out to us formissions.¡± Chen Lun took the opportunity to produce two business cards and handed them over. Mr. Lang Bo looked at them and read, ¡°Circus Comprehensive Office,¡± with a subtitle indicating they ept variousmissions such as painting, divination, beast taming, and providing security and escort services, among others. ¡°Since you are gentlemen from the same office, your skills must be very advanced¡­ We have already witnessed Mr. Jack¡¯s divination skills, which are truly breathtaking!¡± Hawkinsplimented Noah while examining the business card. He initially intended tomission a portrait of himself, but now he suddenly changed his mind. ¡°Mr. Noah, I would like to alter themission, naturally, themission fee will also be increased ordingly,¡± Hawkins said. He grasped Lang Bo¡¯s arm and patted Frida¡¯s head, smiling at Noah: ¡°Please help us paint a family oil portrait together, thank you.¡± ¡°No problem, Mr. Hawkins.¡± Noah skillfully unzipped his tool bag, took out the easel, set it up, and covered it with canvas. Hawkins and Lang Bo sat in front, leaning closely together, with the hound Frida obediently crouching between them. Yet its eyes asionally nced over at Chen Lun, uncontrobly drawn to him. ¡°Mr. Noah, could you possibly make me look a bit¡­ well, a bit more handsome in the creation?¡± Hawkins was a bit embarrassed, chuckling a few times. Noah seemed surprised but still nodded earnestly. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Hawkins breathed a sigh of relief, shing a brilliant smile. Chen Lun nced at them and sighed inwardly. If Hawkins could be a Transcendent of the Constetion Faction, it seemed many issues could be resolved, but that was hardly realistic. Setting aside the certain threshold required to enter the Mystic Realm, even if one truly became a Transcendent, advancing to ¡°Sequence Six ¨C Witch¡± would not be easy. Furthermore, the Mystic Realm was fraught with dangers and filled with deceptions¡­ Sometimes, being a mortal might be the best choice. Chen Lun didn¡¯t stay there to disturb Noah¡¯s painting, silently leaving the living room for the corridor. He noticed that the walls of the corridor were adorned with many paintings. ¡®Lang Bo and Hawkins are both influential people in the Inner City District, and they generally enjoy collecting such artworks¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought. As he walked, he admired these precious paintings under the ceiling lights. Suddenly. Chen Lun stopped in his tracks, his gaze captured by one of the paintings. It was a long scroll oil painting, seemingly depicting a silent dinner. Seven indistinct figures, men and women, were dining around a table. Chen Lun stared at this painting, his expression one of astonishment as he silently read the name in the corner of the oil painting¡ª ¡°Dinner of the Seven Gods¡± The artist was rence. Beneath the signature was a stamp, marked with the word ¡°Copy.¡± ¡®rence¡­¡¯ The name was very familiar; Chen Lun instantly recalled what the Silver Dragon Witch, Your Majesty, had mentioned about understanding the deeds of ¡°rence.¡± Was it this person who painted it? The seven men and women depicted having dinner in the oil painting were clearly the Seven Righteous Gods¡­ In the center sat ¡°Father of mes,¡± with ¡°Moonlight Matriarch¡± scooping soup and ¡°Radiant Queen¡± resting her chin in deep thought to either side, ¡°Rose Lady¡± and ¡°Mud Elder¡± conversing quietly on the left, and ¡°Eternal Sleeper¡± asleep and ¡°Mr. Jing Yao¡± silently drinking wine on the right. ¡®Why would such a painting on mysticism be in the home of mere mortals¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun frowned. ¡®And it¡¯s too dangerous, involving paintings of the Gods!¡¯ Chapter 167: 150: The Second Wooden House Chapter 167: Chapter 150: The Second Wooden House ¡°` ¡°Statue Staring Lake¡±. This was the name Chen Lun had unterally given to it, briefly referred to as Staring Lake. Or Carved Lake, which wouldn¡¯t be wrong either. Anyway, it was just for convenience in description; he believed that Maggie probably wouldn¡¯t mind such details. The water of theke was ice-cold, like the chilling waters of deep winter. The bottom of theke was pitch-dark, and nothing was visible. Chen Lun was guided solely by directions as he swam into the depths. Ssh! He passed through the darkness and surfaced, his head breaking the water. Water sshed everywhere, and beneath his wet hair was a face full of surprise. ¡®This time¡­ did I emerge from a fountain?¡¯ Chen Lun looked around and realized he was in a decrepit fountain. The ivory-white marble was full of cracks and overflowing with water. He turned his head and saw, next to him at the center of the fountain, a cylindrical spiral of small steps on which stood a stone sculpture of a bare-bottomed child, perched above his head, holding a water spout aimed right at him. With just a call of ¡°Water,e,¡± it could ssh his face. ¡°¡­¡± Chen Lun flicked his finger, and the water spout shattered in response. He walked unhurriedly out of the fountain as if nothing had happened. A breeze blew by, and the droplets on his body vanished, leaving no trace of the fountain as if it had never existed, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Only dark soil and some weeds remained in its ce. Chen Lun retracted his gaze, not particrly concerned about these details and not intending to waste time. He walked straight up to a tree. His Silver Staff clicked and transformed into a Silver Sword. He raised his hand and swung a horizontal sh that cut a tall tree in half at the trunk. ng¡ª! Rumbling¡­ Thud!! The tree fell to one side and crashed heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and dirt. Chen Lun nced at the cross-section of the tree trunk and then immediately sprinted in a certain direction. An Agility exceeding the threshold of fifty points at the lower Sequence allowed him to run at high speed through dense woods without hitting any trees. His figure was like a nimble fish, weaving through the Gloomy ¡°Sea of Trees¡±. Sounds of a great disturbance quickly followed from behind, along with a slight tremor of the ground. Chen Lun continued running forward without looking back; he knew what had appeared behind him was simr to the situation from the first time he came to the Immortal Realm and kicked over a tree. It was a type of corrupted creature known as a ¡°Wastnd Giant,¡± reacting to the fall of the tree. This was one of the fixed phenomena existing in the Immortal Realm, a pattern he had figured out during his previous deep explorations. One was that destroying trees would attract the attack of ¡°Wastnd Giants.¡± The more severe the destruction, the more numerous they were, and their attack frequency and uracy on the destroyer would also increase. The reason Chen Lun shed a tree was due to another pattern. Two, the Gloomy Forest had nondmarks, and the dense branches and foliage blocked the sunlight, making it difficult to tell directions. However, the annual rings of the trees could be used to judge. But this judgment didn¡¯t adhere tomon sense. ording tomon sense, the degree of spacing in the tree rings can differentiate north from south; sparse rings indicate the south, dense rings the north. This is because the south side receives full sunlight, causing the trees to grow more robust on that side and thus spreading the rings further apart. The north side tends to be less developed, and the rings are packed tighter. But this was the Immortal Realm, and of absurdity and strangeness. Themon sense of the real world might not apply here¡­ Hence, Chen Lun didn¡¯t use the tree rings to judge north and south but simply as a directional guide. The pattern of the tree rings, sparse moving towards dense, acted like an arrow. During his previous two deep explorations, Chen Lun had found a small hut that seemed to be on thekeside by following these ¡°annual ring arrows.¡± ¡°Phew¡­¡± He ran for a while, and themotion behind him decreased until it disappeared. The specific strength of ¡°Wastnd Giants¡± was unknown, but they would not be lower than Sequence Six. During his previous explorations while figuring out the pattern, Chen Lun had witnessed its gigantic arm and palm, as well as the strange berries growing on it several times, which triggered his Supernatural Knowledge prompts more than once. The collection progress of the Nature Faction Sequence Six ¨C Berry Picker went from 1/10 to 1/4. But that was the end of it. No matter how Chen Lun observed afterward, aside from losing Sanity points, there was no other benefit, so he stopped bothering to stare at that ugly palm. After running for about fifteen to twenty minutes, Chen Lun suddenly stopped in his tracks. In his field of view ahead, among the dense shadows of the trees, he could faintly make out the silhouette of a yellow-brown wooden house in the distance. ¡®Here we are, this is the ce¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself, then heightened his alertness. ¡®Last time, it was here that I encountered those few corrupted creatures¡­¡¯ He advanced cautiously. Suddenly, his expression darkened. A ck smoke slowly drifted out from behind a tree not far ahead, and as the smoke twisted, a pitch-ck head emerged from behind the tree. A pair of red eyes filled with malice and chaos stared intently at Chen Lun. ¡°He¡± walked out slowly from behind the tree. It was a humanoid creature, but its body exuded ck smoke that made it only faintly visible, dressed in extremely worn farmer¡¯s overalls with a straw hat on its head. In its hand was a Lumberjack Axe, and it was walking toward Chen Lun. ¡®These corrupted creatures are called ¡°Woodcutters,¡± yet they do not really chop down the trees of the Gloomy Forest; instead, they only target living beings to cut down¡­ treating living beings as if they were wood to be chopped.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s surprising though that this type of corrupted creature is still lingering here¡­ No, it should rather be the uniqueness of this area.¡¯ Chen Lun recalled the information he had seen through the Peeping Eye of Fate. His Silver Staff whipped out, transforming into a Silver Sword. ¡®This guy¡¯s strength is probably around Sequence Seven¡­ and it¡¯s immune to physical damage, quite troublesome to deal with. But if there¡¯s only one of them, it¡¯s worth attempting to kill it!¡¯ Thest time he encountered three ¡°Woodcutters¡± at the same time; because it was their first encounter and he was unfamiliar with their immunity to physical damage, he suffered some setbacks and retreated temporarily. Of course, the situation was different now. Whoosh! me spewed from his gloves, coating the Silver Sword in orange-red. Roaring¡ª! Chen Lun pushed off the ground, vanishing from his spot, and a trail of fire swept out,nding before the Woodcutter. Schlick!! ¡°` The burning Silver Sword cleaved open the opponent¡¯s chest, as the mes scorched the Woodcutter¡¯s body. But the opponent seemed to have no reaction. Both hands gripped the Lumberjack Axe, striking heavily towards Chen Lun. Whoosh whoosh!! ck smoke apanied by afterimages; the axe fell on empty space, for Chen Lun had already dodged. The Woodcutter lifted his head, his two red eyes tightly following Chen Lun¡¯s figure. Then, he took a step back and hid his entire body behind arge tree. The next second, he seemed to travel through space, striding out from behind another tree next to Chen Lun. Raising the Lumberjack Axe, he struck down from above. Whoosh whoosh!! ¡®Not this move again, it¡¯s truly impossible to guard against¡­!¡¯ Chen Lun silently eximed in astonishment. The Silver Sword in his hand transformed into a Silver Shield, raised to block the blow, shing with a ng. Immediately thereafter, Chen Lun pushed with his hand, mes spiraled out, striking heavily on the Woodcutter¡¯s chest. Boom!! The opponent was blown away, the Supernatural me clinging to its body, continuing to burn it. The sh wounds Chen Lun had previously inflicted with the Silver Sword had been covered by the ck smoke emitted by the enemy and healed in a few breaths. Only the damage done by the mes proved too much for the ck smoke to handle. The Woodcutter¡¯s upper body caught fire, yet he climbed up from the ground as if it was nothing. He exuded ck smoke, which at first nce seemed a result of the Supernatural mes. He hefted the axe, violently chopping down on a nearby tree. Right after, a gust of wind passed by Chen Lun¡¯s ear. His ¡°Spiritual Intuition¡± issued a premonition, his neck twisting sharply, head tilting to the side. The next second, the Lumberjack Axe whizzed past his cheek. Whoosh!! Narrowly avoiding it by a hair¡¯s breadth! ¡®Using trees as nodal media for bodily transit and attack transfer¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. Last time he hadn¡¯t experienced the Woodcutter¡¯s tactics, which caught him by surprise. ¡®Such attacks are too difficult to predict¡­ If not for ¡°Spiritual Intuition,¡± they would be very hard to dodge.¡¯ Chen Lun flicked his hand, and the staff turned back into a Silver Sword form. He took a step forward, ready to charge, only to see the Woodcutter raise his axe again, violently chopping toward another tree. Chen Lun was on guard against the trees around him, watching for the axe that might strike at any moment when he heard a loud crash. Crack!! Chen Lun turned his head and his eyes widened. ¡®What happened to not cutting down the trees?!¡¯ His heart skipped a beat. Contrary to the information from the Peeping Eye of Fate, the Woodcutter had chopped down that tree with a single swing of his axe! Not only that, he raised the axe high again and brought it down once more. But this time, the heavy sound came from beside Chen Lun. Crack!! A huge tree close by was chopped in half and immediately came crashing down with a thunderous roar. The Woodcutter had used his ability to cut down the trees near Chen Lun from a distance! As thisrge tree fell, a sliver of light appeared in the sky but was quickly blocked again, followed by the arrival of an enormous hand. It came smashing towards Chen Lun with force! Boom!! Chen Lun¡¯s feet stomped hard on the ground, propelling him towards the depths of the forest. Behind him, the earth trembled, and stones flew everywhere, some hitting his back and causing a slight pain. ¡®Did the Woodcutter deliberately draw the Giant over¡­?¡¯ As the woods were too dense to spread wings for flight, Chen Lun could only run forward madly towards the cottage. In the process, two puffs of ck smoke appeared on his sides. Two Woodcutters, wearing straw hats and dressed like farmers, carrying axes, approached. ¡®It¡¯s the same asst time!¡¯ Chen Lun cursed under his breath. He ignored them and continued rushing towards the cottage. This time he wasn¡¯t nning on retreating but chose to take a look inside the cottage. The ¡°Wastnd Giant¡± above didn¡¯t continue to chase him, but the three Woodcutters used the trees to zip right to his side, swinging their axes towards him. Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh!! Chen Lun deployed the ¡°Great Serpent Form,¡± using his agile body to dodge left and right. While dodging, he also retaliated with mes, attaching them to the Silver Staff to strike at the Woodcutters¡¯ trunks and arms, or shooting out sheets of me to push back their attacks, catching his breath for a moment. Fighting while running, Chen Lun quickly reached the cottage¡¯s entrance. As he drew closer, he became more certain that it was thekeside cottage¡­ It looked exactly the same outwardly, even the decorations above the door hadn¡¯t changed. The three Woodcutters were extremely relentless, taking many attacks infused with Supernatural me from Chen Lun, yet still they did not fall. Their bodies aze, they continually chased right beside him, tirelessly swinging their axes.@@novelbin@@ Thump! Chen Lun burst open the Great Gate of the cottage, rushing inside. Whew¡ª The ck smoke behind him instantly dissipated. All was quiet once again. Chapter 168: 151 Destiny Sequence Seven Chapter 168: Chapter 151 Destiny Sequence Seven ¡®The cabin is the safe house¡­¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s mind recalled this phrase. Looking back, the world outside the door was dim, full of shadows from trees, and the woodcutter was nowhere to be seen. His fingers came together, touching his brow lightly, then he raised his clenched fist high in a salute to the Constetion. The staff returned to its original form, and he nted it on the ground. Thud¡­ Looking around, the cabin¡¯s arrangement and scenery were identical to those in theke cabin. ¡®Hmm¡­no, there is something different.¡¯ Chen Lun suddenly discovered something and raised an eyebrow. He walked to the table and saw a red velvet tablecloth spread across it, with different items than those in theke cabin. There was a top hat, a pair of white gloves, and a Magic Wand on it. A deck of brand-new ying cards held down two thin sheets of paper. A pen was carelessly tossed beside them, its cap not even screwed on tight, suggesting that the person who left it was in a hurry. Chen Lun moved the deck of ying cards and picked up the paper beneath. His expression subtly froze. ¡°¡ªMy friend when you read this message, I might have been dead for a long time¡­ oh, oh, are you secretly wiping tears? Ahaha, there is no need to cry for me, this is just my destiny¡­ I believe you have noticed that this is a segment where I once lingered. There should be many more such segments in the Immortal Realm, and I hope you can find them. They can help you avoid some detours and not waste your life failing to break through like me¡­s, never mind. Keep moving forward, reach where Ist stood sooner, and many things will be clear to you, and your time should still be ample.¡ªPhilip¡± Chen Lun frowned, pondering the hidden meanings in Philip¡¯s message. ¡®This cabin is a ¡°lingering segment¡±? Are there many more in the Immortal Realm¡­?¡¯ He always felt that Philip was being a ¡°riddler,¡± many things were not clearly said, leaving him totally puzzled. Pocketing the note, Chen Lun looked at the next piece of paper. [Discovered Mystical Knowledge of the Destiny Faction (Iplete)!] [Destiny Faction Sequence Seven ¨C Magician (1/4)!] ¡®Sequence Seven ¨C Magician?!¡¯ Chen Lun arched an eyebrow. ¡®Pity it¡¯s only a quarter, and again a quarter!¡¯ Heined silently because all the Supernatural Knowledge he had on hand was only a quarterplete. He picked up the deck of ying cards on the table and quickly counted them, finding one card missing. Chen Lun felt surprised and was just about to check which specific card was missing when he suddenly realized something and covered his left chest with his hand. ¡®It¡¯s that Spade Jack¡­¡¯ The first time he entered the Immortal Realm, at theke cabin, he had received a token of authority, and it was that Spade Jack ying card. Chen Lun took a deep breath, a thought shing through his mind. ¡®So, there are many such cabins in the Immortal Realm¡­? Each cabin contains Philip¡¯s handwritten notes? Or other valuable items? Can the remaining knowledge of the [Magician] Sequence bepletely gathered by searching the cabins?¡¯ He continued thinking along these lines. A whileter. ¡®So that¡¯s why he mentioned in the note that this could help me avoid detours¡­ because exploring each cabin is also a kind of practice? A trial? A deeper mastery of Supernatural Power?¡¯ Chen Lun looked at the small items on the table, all ordinary, and he lost interest. He took only the deck of ying cards and gave onest nce at the cabin. ¡®If it¡¯s really as I guessed, then there is another task for the future yers: to help me find other cabins¡­ I open the Immortal Realm to help them grow and level up, they, in turn, help me explore in return, mutually assisting, it¡¯s genuinely touching.¡¯ Chen Lun sighed, suddenly realizing that while he was in this forest cabin, he could also choose to leave the Immortal Realm directly. Just like theke cabin, this room also had the same function. ¡®With that said, it¡¯s time to head back.¡¯ Boom! A sh of white light appeared! Chen Lun¡¯s figure disappeared. * * * Ever since the Circus¡¯s operating funds dried up, Chen Lun could noticeably feel that the team members were more proactive and more energetic than before. Maggie spent days in the four-story attic, researching incessantly and also took the time to produce some potions as goods output. She was more anxious than anyone right now, worried about not having the funds to continue her research. And every time they dined together, she would invariably inquire when the next beef delivery was due. Several times, Connie had given her a strange look because Maggie¡¯s obsession with beef was too strong, and her consumption was indeed too fast. She had secretly calcted that perhaps every ten days or half a month, Maggie would use up an entire cow. This certainly wasn¡¯t from eating it, because Connie didn¡¯t believe that such a slim girl could consume a thousand pounds of beef in such a short time. ¡°Leader! Where has Noah gone? I need to see him!¡± Chen Lun had just walked down the stairs when he heard Maggie calling out from the living room. ¡°He left early in the morning to do amission, painting for a client¡­¡± Chen Lun picked up a freshly baked piece of bread and stuffed it directly into his mouth, crunching away, which made the corner of Maggie¡¯s eyes twitch. The bread was both hot and hard, like a just-forged red-hot iron block. How could the leader even bite into it?! ¡°Speaking of which, don¡¯t keep thinking about getting him involved in your potion experiments. He¡¯s a core member of the team. What if he got a stomach upset from it? I promised you a trial subject, but you might need to wait a bit longer, so please bear with it,¡± Chen Lun muttered indistinctly with his mouth full of food. ¡°Hey Leader! But Noah is the only Transcendent from the Flesh Faction in our team. There¡¯s no one more suitable than him¡­ Don¡¯t worry, Leader, I¡¯ll convince him.¡± Maggie patted her chest, confidently asserting. Just as Chen Lun was about to say something, a noise suddenly came from the entrance. ¡°Ah, good morning, Leader! And Miss Maggie, good morning!¡± Golov walked in, taking off his round hat and bowing in greeting.@@novelbin@@ He looked worn out, followed by four or five ¡°manor servants,¡± who were peripheral team members, elite assassins. Lately, Golov had often taken on bodyguard and escortmissions,pleting them with these ¡°manor servants.¡± Although the payment for each job was not much, he seemed to be also striving to show that he was contributing to the team, not just freeloading. This pleased Chen Lun greatly. Such mature ¡°employees¡± who knew how to manage themselves were good subordinates worth learning from for all yers. Chen Lun thought about how to convey this spirit of dedication to the yers. ¡°Hard work today, Golov, go have something to eat,¡± Chen Lun said, wiping his hands with a towel. Golov respectfully nodded, then bowed. He let the peripheral members go rest in the dormitory area while he nned to go upstairs to change clothes beforeing back down. Inside Jack¡¯s estate, several residential buildings had already been constructed for member¡¯s rxation. Additionally, the newly expanded warehouse was now in use, with Connie¡¯s production team expanding once again. Thinking about the team¡¯s gradually increasing production capacity brought a pleasant mood to Chen Lun. Floey had finished making breakfast for everyone and then went upstairs to rest; she had been staying up all nighttely. ¡°You two chat, I have a divinationmission this afternoon and need to step out.¡± Chen Lun straightened his clothes and adjusted his hat brim, heading towards the door. He leaned on the Silver Staff and then paused, turning back to speak to Maggie and the others: ¡°If Noahes back first, tell him not to go out tonight¡­ Tonight, I want our whole team to have a good meal together, and also, I have something to discuss with you.¡± * * * After leaving the house, Chen Lun rode in a carriage straight to the business street of the Inner City District. He then stopped in front of a building with upscale and exquisite decor, which bore the sign ¡°Flower Sword Fighting Club.¡± Chen Lun got off the carriage, instructed the coachman to park nearby, and then waited for his return. He then proceeded directly into the club¡¯s grand entrance, leaning on the Silver Staff. Today¡¯smission target was right here. ¡°Hello sir, do you have a reservation?¡± A young woman, dressed rather revealingly, approached with a clipboard in hand, smiling. Noticing Chen Lun¡¯s face, her eyes gleamed, and she straightened her posture, adding a touch of flirtatiousness to her smile. ¡°Yes, I have an appointment with Mr. Charles Wolf,¡± Chen Lun responded with a smile. The young woman looked startled, then confused since Mr. Charles, the owner of this fighting club, seemed to have the surname Walker, not Wolf¡­ Had the gentleman in front of her made a mistake? The hostess flipped through the reservation book and quickly found the record. She maintained her surprised expression and said: ¡°There is a record indeed. So, you are Mr. Jack¡­ Oh, please wait while I inform Mr. Charles.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Chapter 170: 153 Descendants of the Wolf Clan Chapter 170: Chapter 153 Descendants of the Wolf n ¡°It¡¯s really surprising, Mr. Jack,¡± Bales said. ¡°Your fearlessness andposure inspire my admiration. Could it be that you can see your own destiny? Or did you anticipate today¡¯s encounter and the descent of the curse?¡± He shook his head slightly and leaned back on the sofa. His gaze shifted to Chen Lun, and he spoke in an even tone: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Jack, I sought you out indeed because of a divinationmission.¡± Chen Lun silently watched him, clueless as to why this Sequence Five big shot had suddenly sought him out and presented him with a so-called test. ¡°What would you like to divine, Mr. Charles?¡± He asked. Bales suddenly smiled and inquired: ¡°Can you divine the content I wish to divine?¡± ¡°That falls under the category of mind reading technique, not divination, Mr. Charles.¡± Chen Lun shook his head slightly. ¡°But I can guess something¡­ perhaps it¡¯s rted to the Sun, the Moon, and the Empire?¡± Charles¡¯s pupils contracted imperceptibly, a change keenly captured by Chen Lun. ¡®It seems Bales is indeed being pursued now¡­ but I wonder how long this escape has been going on, or has it just begun?¡¯ Chen Lun thought. A hint of mncholy appeared on Bales¡¯s face but was quickly reced by a smile. ¡°Perhaps this is the guidance of destiny, something I once did not believe in but now hold no doubts about¡­¡± He began to lean forward. Chen Lun could even smell the fragrance of the yellow orchid on his chest. ¡°Mr. Jack, would you do me the favor of divining whether the descendants of the Wolff family are in Amber City¡­¡± Charles began. His eyes were fixed on Chen Lun. ¡®Wolff¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, recalling the false identity he used to enter the Inner City District created by the Iron Fist Gang¡­ Floey¡¯s nobledy title was, it seems, borrowed from the descendant identity of this ¡°Wolff¡± family. ¡®Bales Wolff¡­ could it be that this Dark Knight is a person from that declining family?¡¯ Chen Lun was startled. ¡°Allow me to introduce myself, Bales Wolff, that¡¯s my real name.¡± Bales said with a faint smile. ¡°¡­This body is not mine; it died of heart disease a few days ago, I¡¯m just borrowing it for a while. Mr. Jack, please divine the whereabouts of my kinsmen.¡± He gestured with his hand, hoping Chen Lun would start the divination. Chen Lun took a deep breath, pulled out the deck of cards he had received from the forest cabin, shuffled them with a rustle, and with a sweep of his hand, fanned them out on the coffee table. ¡°Please draw three cards at random,¡± Chen Lun said. With a smile on his face, Bales drew the first, a middle one, and thest one. Chen Lun took them, turned them over to show. They were the ¡°Spade Q,¡± ¡°Clubs K,¡± and ¡°Clubs Q.¡± ¡°All three suits are ck, the divination suggests a negative¡­ Mr. Bales, the Wolff family descendants may not be in Amber City,¡± Chen Lun said gravely. Bales stared at the three cards and said lightly: ¡°If they¡¯re really not here, you should say that besides me, there are no other descendants left in this world¡­ because only I am left of the Wolff family. But I can feel it, the Wolff name is being used by its descendant, she is right here.¡± He raised his head and looked at Chen Lun. ¡°Even, she is right by your side, Mr. Jack.¡± * * *@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun left the Flower Sword Fighting Club. Before boarding the carriage, he paused, turned his head, and looked toward a window on the third floor. The curtain there was being slowly drawn. ¡°Huff¡­¡± Chen Lun let out a breath. Although Bales was onlymunicating with him in the shell of an ordinary person, the vague aura of the other party made him feel somewhat oppressed. Just now, Bales had indicated that he meant no harm and had expressed gratitude for the divination. He said he might stay in Amber City for a while longer and would seek him out for divinationmissions again if needed. Chen Lun recalled the three cards from the poker divination. ¡®There could actually be another interpretation¡­¡¯ He pondered. ¡°Spade Q¡± could represent Floey, ¡°Clubs K¡± could stand for Bales, and ¡°Clubs Q¡±¡ªfor Bales¡¯s deceased wife, ¡°Yon¡± Ouget. The main reason Bales was being hunted down by the three great supernatural forces was indeed this deceased wife. ¡®Clubs symbolize friendship, fame, and poprity¡­ they are also clover leaves, representing luck.¡¯ Chen Lun thought. ¡®Clubs K and Clubs Q¡­ could Bales and Yon be my aids in the future?¡¯ For the time being, he hadn¡¯t sensed any malice from Bales, but at least for now, the other party appeared to be a friend, not a foe. ¡®It might be worthwhile to cultivate a rtionship with Bales¡­¡¯ Chen Lun decided. ¡®And Floey, is she truly a descendant of the Wolff family? Could it be such a coincidence?¡¯ Shaking his head, he was reluctant to believe it, but he did not dare to be certain, as fate often has a way of being more dramatic. Immediately, he stepped onto the carriage step and slipped inside. The carriage slowly departed. Floey¡¯s Floral Sword Fighting Club, third floor. In the reception room. Bales stood quietly by the window, gazing at the curtain. It seemed as though he was secretly observing the carriage below through the curtain. ¡°Yon, all this is guided by the moonlight, leading me to discover that thest of the n is right here¡­¡± Bales removed the yellow orchid that was tucked in the pocket of his shirt. Fingering the stem, he gazed at the flower with deep affection and spoke slowly. ¡°The Wolf n will not perish because of me, for I feel the presence of our ancestor within her¡­ And this Mr. Jack, who deliberately hid her existence in the divination, seems to care about her too, which is good.¡± The orchid swayed gently as if responding. Bales showed a tender smile. ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯m well-acquainted with the members of ¡®Purple Moonlight¡¯, they won¡¯t find us¡­ As for your formerrades, the ¡®Lamp Protectors¡¯, I¡¯ll try not to take action myself¡­ However, the ¡®Executioner¡¯ from the Shelter, hehe, let theme in hordes and be ughtered all the same.¡± Suddenly, Bales remembered something. ¡°Ah¡­ drat¡­ I seem to have forgotten to pay Mr. Jack for his divination services.¡± The orchid swayed. Realizing something, Bales nodded and said, ¡°You¡¯re right, Yon, we can invite him to the club in a few days and give him aplimentary VIP card¡­ I¡¯m the owner here now, aren¡¯t I?¡± * * * Evening. When Noah returned to Jack¡¯s manor, he found that all the team members had arrived and were sitting on the living room sofa, seemingly waiting for something. ¡°Ah, Noah, you¡¯re finally back!¡± Maggie jumped up from the sofa, her face flushed as she walked over and grabbed his sturdy arm. ¡°Come on, follow me upstairs.¡± ¡°Upstairs?¡± Noah looked puzzled. Maggie, still brimming with excitement, patted his arm with a p-p sound. ¡°Yes, upstairs, and then into the room for an experiment! I¡¯m certain you¡¯ll be able to take part in the ¡®Great Elixir¡¯ trial¡­ It¡¯s a project that the Leader values highly!¡± ¡°No¡­ I don¡¯t want to, Mr. Jack told me to stay away from you.¡± Noah scratched his head, gave a shy smile, and allowed Maggie to tug while his feet stayed firmly in ce. ¡°The Leader is so nasty, talking behind my back! Huh¡­ Noah, you¡¯ve advanced to Sequence Eight?!¡± Maggie eximed in surprise. Noah looked embarrassed and nodded silently. ¡°Hmm.¡± The other members were all startled. They hadn¡¯t expected that among their group of Sequence Nine, it would be Noah who advanced first. But then, being the young owner of the Silver Dragon Trade Association, he surelycked no Supernatural Knowledge¡­ After all these years of umtion, it was indeed time for him to advance. They immediately felt a sense of urgency within themselves. They couldn¡¯t be toocent; they needed to enhance their strength as soon as possible so as not to drag the team down. Barton hade especially from the Outer City District sewers for the team dinner and for the meeting the Leader would hold after the meal. He exchanged nces with Golov. As remnants from the Circus, the two of them were clearly not as important as Maggie, so naturally, they felt even more nervous, afraid they couldn¡¯t keep up with the team and would be ruthlessly cast aside. Floey sat quietly on the sofa, with Connie reading softly from a book beside her. At that moment, Chen Lun came downstairs and smiled at everyone, saying, ¡°Now that Noah is back, let¡¯s start dinner.¡± ¡°Leader.¡± ¡°Mr. Jack.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Everyone greeted him respectfully, and Chen Lun nodded, waving his hand in response. Of course, the dinner was prepared by Floey herself. Everyone enjoyed the meal greatly, especially Noah; the empty tes in front of him piled up at a visibly rapid pace. This was only because Floey was well prepared; otherwise, the entire table¡¯s worth of food might not have been enough for him alone. Chen Lun watched him, contemting. ¡®One might say the Flesh Faction is the most suitable Sequence for him.¡¯ Now that he had advanced to Gourmet, able to enhance his physical qualities by eating, with Noah¡¯s intensity and efficiency in consuming food, it wouldn¡¯t be long before his Strength and Endurance reached the threshold of the Lower Sequence. By further developing his Supernatural Power, he could even consume attacks from other transcendent beings, boosting his own strength mid-fight. ¡°Come, let¡¯s all have a drink,¡± said Chen Lun as he took out two bottles of red wine from the Blood Poem Ring. To add to the team¡¯s atmosphere, he always brought out Supernatural Wine at such gatherings to enhance the mood. ¡°Cheers to the Leader!¡± Maggie cheered happily. She quickly took a bottle, pulled out the cork, and poured herself a ss. Drinking it, her eyes lingered regretfully on Noah. With such a robust physique, after drinking the ¡®Beef Strength Potion¡¯, the effect would surely be excellent, right¡­? she mused. ¡°After dinner, I¡¯ll conduct abat test for you all. This way, I can clearly understand your strengths¡­¡± Chen Lun picked up his wine ss and sipped some milk. ¡°Of course, this is also a good way to enhance our rapport andmunication.¡± The members of the Circus looked at each other. ¡°Abat test¡­?!¡± Chapter 171: 154 Leaders Strength Chapter 171: Chapter 154 Leader¡¯s Strength After dinner. Under Chen Lun¡¯s guidance, everyone came together to the open space in the manor¡¯s backyard. Here, the servants had previously ced a circle of chairs, forming a ring. The Purple Moon was hazy in the sky, and tiny snowkes fell, making the entire scene appear dreamlike. Floey, Noah, Maggie, Golov, and Barton, one after another, chose a chair and sat down. As Transcendents, their physical constitutions were much higher than those of mortals, so naturally, they were not as fearful of the cold. Chen Lun stood in front of them, exhaling a breath of white air, and swept a smile over them with a nce. ¡°Are you ready, everyone?¡± People looked at him and nodded seriously. Without turning his head, Chen Lun snapped his fingers behind him, and a spark flew out of his hand into arge iron basin behind him, igniting the firewood inside. With a whoosh sound, mes surged to the height of a person, kindling a roaring fire. The wave of heat lit up behind the young man with dark hair, so bright that his front was backlit, his face obscured and indistinct. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll see you in our dreams¡­¡± Leader Jack¡¯s voice came over. He slowly raised his palm, with green luminescence flickering, and numerous delicate, illusionary branches intertwined from his sleeve to form a ¡°book.¡± It opened in front of them! Rustling¡­ ¡°Enter my dream quietly.¡± Jack¡¯s calm voice came through. Boom! Before the eyes of everyone present, a dazzling white light burst forth simultaneously. Immediately, all the sounds by their ears vanished, and everything fell into utter silence. No one knew how much time had passed. When the people came back to their senses again, they found themselves sitting on a grasnd. Whoosh¡­ The gentle breeze brushed over their faces, warm with the fresh scent of grass, making it hard to distinguish between illusion and reality at once. They looked up to see clear weather and a cloudless sky. The air was fresh all around, and the temperature wasfortable,pletely unlike the expected cold of winter. ¡°Where is this ce?¡± Barton¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Leader had told us about this before; it¡¯s another world, a lostnd he named ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯¡­ We must have traveled here through dreams, using Spirituality.¡± Golov exined. Although he seemed rtively calm, the shock in his heart was no less than Barton¡¯s. Such divine-like methods, he had never heard of. Turning his head, he saw Floey standing quietly on the grass, hands crossed in front of her as she lifted her face and felt the breeze. Noah¡¯s eyes gleamed, seemingly captivated by the scenery before him, eager to pull out his easel and paint a picture right away. Maggie squatted down, pulling at the grass on the ground, as if researching the difference between these nts and those in the real world. ¡°Everyone.¡± The familiar voice came from the sky. They couldn¡¯t help but look up. Boom! A huge shadow descended from the sky, ck wings spread wide behind, and feathers drifted down. The young man with dark hair, pressing down on his ck top hat with one hand and propping the Silver Staff with the other, stood before them. ¡°Wee to ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯, this is ¡®The Otherworld,¡¯ opposite to the real world. There¡¯s no need to worry about the environment being destroyed here, as it will restore itself¡­¡± Chen Lun looked at the astonished five people with a chuckle in his mind. After half a year, he decided to bring team members into the ¡°Immortal Realm¡± for a test. It was both a check on their abilities and an exploration of the mechanics of ¡°Immortal Realm.¡± Before this, he had caught some gang members down by the water to test the Immortal Realm as b rats.¡± The facts proved that these NPCs indeed wouldn¡¯t die when they perished in the Immortal Realm, but it would cause damage to their Spirituality. A death or two could be epted, only requiring some time to recover naturally. But if they were to die too many times, it would cause deep damage to their Spirituality and be difficult to recover from, potentially leading to actual death. Chen Lun had given this some thought. yers relying on the ability to resurrect could recklessly barge around the world, making errors without concern. Now, by bringing team members into the ¡°Immortal Realm,¡± he could allow them to have the yers¡¯ ¡°resurrection¡± ability and let loose in this fictional world¡­ Although death here damaged Spirituality, as long as it wasn¡¯t an actual death, it held value for training. And with Maggie¡¯s ¡°Serenity Potion¡± for support, the members could recover quickly from their enervation. Sweating more in peacetime, bleeding less in wartime. This was an eternal rule ofbat. ¡®It¡¯s just strange why the yers die in the Immortal Realm, and it¡¯s counted as a real death¡­¡¯. Chen Lun pondered briefly. ¡®Is their Spirituality so fragile that kneel once here leads to instant death?¡¯ Maggie shouted excitedly: ¡°Leader, we can use Supernatural Power freely here without issues, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Chen Lun nodded. ¡°So, the Blood Bottles won¡¯t be a problem either! I have several poisons that haven¡¯t been tested due tock of a proper facility¡­!¡± Maggieughed, pulling out a few bottles of yellow, green, and purple strange concoctions from her bosom. Golov and Barton, who were closer to her, quickly retreated a few steps, looking tense. ¡°As you please¡­¡±@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun smiled faintly. He adjusted the brim of his hat, and a gentle breeze fluttered the edge of his coat, causing the ck tailsuit to rustle. ¡°All five of you,e at me together¡­ Don¡¯t worry about hurting me, and don¡¯t be afraid of getting hurt yourselves. In the ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯, even death can lead to resurrection. Whether in life or death, this will all be but a dream¡­¡± Chen Lun mmed his Silver Staff into the ground. Thud! His expression turned incredibly serious as he shouted, ¡°Fight with all you¡¯ve got! Let me see what you¡¯re capable of! Come! Attack me!!¡± Woosh¡ª! No sooner had he spoken than a green ss bottle spun through the air and flew straight towards him. Chen Lun raised his staff, drawing a silver arc that positioned itself in front of his head. The next second, the bottle collided with the staff, shattering on impact. Upon contact with the air, the bright green liquid inside turned into a pungent green smoke. ¡°Hahaha¡­! Leader! This is my ¡®Bone Corroding Poison¡¯, how does it feel?¡± Maggie¡¯sughter rang out. But herughter soon stalled. That¡¯s because the figure with the ck hat walked through the green smoke unharmed, even smiling. ¡°It feels average, just a bit pungent, makes me want to sneeze,¡± said Chen Lun softly. Maggie¡¯s face instantly turned ashen. She made a swift backflip in midair and, with agility, threw two purple bottles. ¡°What are you waiting for?! You think the Leader is going to go easy on us? Attack now!!¡± Golov and Barton exchanged nces, and with an unspoken understanding, nked Chen Lun from the left and the right. They moved swiftly, crouching low to the ground, clutching short daggers, waiting for an opportunity tounch a sneak attack. Chen Lun raised his hand, intending to deflect the two iing purple ss bottles to prevent them from shattering in front of him and spilling their strange liquid contents. However, unexpectedly, the purple bottles expanded mid-air and exploded prematurely. Bang!! A dense purple mist spread out, and a fragrance that seemed to strike at the heart wafted up. The scent of the fragrance made the purple smoke seem dazzling and dreamlike. Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. Although he had high Poison Resistance, he still felt pleasantly euphoric, slightly excited. ¡®Such a poison¡­ more like a stimnt, inducing hallucinations? Affecting the senses? Quite a good idea¡­¡¯ he thought. At that moment, two daggers, one from the left and one from the right, pierced through the purple smoke aiming for his ribs! ng! ng! The Silver Staff in Chen Lun¡¯s hand effortlessly blocked the two sneak attacks. Golov and Barton¡¯s faces fell, wanting to escape, but the next second, they heard a gust of wind beside their ears. They immediately felt chills down their spines, panic rising within them. A sense of impending death suddenly intensified. Bang! Bang! Two loud noises erupted almost simultaneously. Golov and Barton were sent flying backwards, skidding dozens of meters across the grass and copsing to the ground, struggling to get up. Chen Lun shook his Silver Staff and was about to speak when his Spiritual Intuition sent him a warning. ¡°Hmm?¡± Turning his head, he saw a beam of dark light shooting straight towards him. Rather than take the hit, Chen Lun moved aside swiftly. Whizz! The dark beam hit the ground, wilting and killing all the grass within a circr area. Looking up, he saw Noah raising his arm with a Gallery shadow looming behind him, fixed on the ¡®Empire Silence¡¯ painting. He was using the power of the Moon Faction¡¯s Sequence Seven ¨C Soul Consoler ¨C to attack him. ck wings unfurled behind Chen Lun, and without warning, he shot up into the sky. The next instant. Thud! Thud! Thud! Just as he left the ground, seven or eight thick, ck-purple flower stalks burst from the soil like monstrous hands, reaching for him. Too bad they just missed! Whoosh! Chen Lun¡¯s wings pped fiercely as he somersaulted and flipped back down. His Silver Staff clicked twice, transforming into a Silver Sword, which he casually held, its point angled towards the ground. His other hand lowered the brim of his hat, and within the shadow, his green vertical pupils gleamed with admiration. ¡®Worthy of two boss-level seed yers. Although they haven¡¯t fully developed yet, they already possess an elite¡¯s panel and pose some threat to me¡­¡¯ Chen Lun revealed a smile, his mouth wide open. ¡°Get ready! I¡¯ming on the offensive!¡± Golov and Barton, having been forcibly fed a Blood Bottle by Maggie, now had enough strength to rise from the ground. Upon hearing their Leader¡¯s deration, their hearts leaped to their throats. Noah looked serious as the paintings behind him whirled madly before finally settling on ¡®Pupil in Painting¡¯. He whispered something to Floey, who nodded slightly. ¡°Ha¡ª!¡± Chen Lun dove down, lifting the Silver Sword in his hand. The immense pressure made Noah feel as if he would be cleaved in two the next moment! Golov and Barton, unable to muster the will to resist, still shakily held their daggers, looking up defensively. Maggie tilted her head back and downed a Poison Bottle, then her right arm transformed into a w covered in green scales, fierce and dreadful. Boom!! The Leader¡¯s figure shed by. Chapter 172: 155 Save Point Chapter 172: Chapter 155 Save Point ng! St¡ª! The silver sword swung, and a green, ferocious severed w flew high into the air, sttering eye-catching blood before falling back to the ground. Chen Lun¡¯s ck top hat was nicked by Maggie¡¯s w, but his face still wore a smile.@@novelbin@@ The silver sword in his hand was stained with blood. Maggie, who was blocking the front, let out a miserable scream and copsed to the ground. ¡°Move¡­ faster!!¡± She clutched her severed arm, howling on the ground. Noah¡¯s eyes suddenly turned into whirlpools, sweeping over Chen Lun. Ding! A bright blue gem earring suddenly burst into light. [Maggie¡¯s Tear] exempted him from this mental assault. Chen Lun was unresponsive. He thrust the silver sword straight into Noah¡¯s left chest. St¡ª a ssh of fresh blood erupted. Noah¡¯s mouth opened slightly, covering his heart area, while tightly gripping the sword¡¯s de, preventing Chen Lun from withdrawing it. ¡°Miss Floey¡­!¡± He cried out hoarsely. Blood stained his white shirt red, and a pained expression crossed Noah¡¯s face. Fortunately, as a [Flesh Faction Sequence Eight ¨C Gourmet], his life force was tenaciously strong. Even with his heart pierced, he could still stand. St¡ª! The ground burst forth with dozens of thick, purplish-ck vines, wrapping swiftly around Chen Lun¡¯s legs and even climbing towards his waist. ¡®Isn¡¯t this my favorite move¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. Ding! Ding!! Two daggers plunged into Cheng Lun¡¯s back and abdomen, one after another, ringing crisply. He turned his head to see Golov and Barton both holding daggers, looking embarrassed. They hadn¡¯t expected that, despite their best efforts, they couldn¡¯t pierce the dark golden scales covering their leader¡¯s body¡­ Chen Lun shook his head. He raised his left hand and pushed hard. Boom!! In that moment, a shiny ck exoskeleton instantly covered his palm, transforming it into a ck iron hand that he drove straight into Golov¡¯s forehead. Crack! Golov¡¯s head was propelled back by the push, his neck bones instantly snapping as his eyes bulged, and he fell to the ground. Chen Lun¡¯s hand moved nonstop, his fingers merging into a ck palm knife, sweeping from left to right. St¡ª beads of blood flew, and Barton, covering his neck, slowly copsed. Boom!! A powerful st of air exploded around Chen Lun. Noah involuntarily released his grip on the sword. Both he and Floey were knocked back over ten meters. Meanwhile, Maggie, hit by the st, rolled across the grass like a tumbling gourd. The two factions faced each other. Noah looked at Mr. Jack, his face showing surprise. After their resurrection, Golov and Barton were massaging their temples, awe written all over their face as they looked towards the Leader nearby. The rest remained silently stunned. The ck-haired youth¡¯s hat had fallen off, and he stood tall. He flicked his silver sword, and with a clink apanied by sparks, it transformed into a silver whip. Behind him, instead of the familiar pair of ck wings, emerged two thick, wriggling dark golden serpent-like tendrils! The heads and bodies of the serpents, covered in dark golden scales, had bellies adorned with several sucker-like blue rings, looking quite horrific! The two tendrils rose upright like cobras, floating over Chen Lun¡¯s shoulders as if they were vignt sentinels. ¡°Ha¡ª!!¡± Chen Lun stomped his foot, and with a loud boom, arge chunk of grass turf flew up, and he shot towards Noah and Floey like a blur. Floey pursed her lips and lifted her pale arm, her fingers flickering and curling upwards. Boom! The whooshing sound echoed! Dozens of thick, ck-purple flower branches shot out from the ground and swiftly intertwined into shields, blocking Chen Lun¡¯s path. Boom! Boom! Boom!! The silver whipshed out, screaming and booming. The ¡°Shield of Nether Branch¡± summoned by Floey was brutally destroyed by Chen Lun. Noah¡¯s expression changed, the painting behind his head kept switching until it finally changed to ¡°Peering,¡± then he was covered by shadows and shrank into a ck mass, diving into the grass. The next second, he appeared behind Chen Lun, throwing a punch at his back head. Hisss! Bang!! The serpent tendril on the left shoulder immediately reacted, striking back fiercely, colliding with Noah¡¯s fist with a dull thud. The immense force made Noah stagger back, astonished at how the snake-like tendrils that had grown on Mr. Jack¡¯s back were stronger than his own punch! Simultaneously, the serpent tendril on the right shoulder shot out and struck Noah across the face. Snap!! Noah was forcefully ejected from the shadows and sent flying backward. ¡ªSwoosh swoosh swoosh! Both tendrils shot out again, quickly coiling around his body, restraining and lifting him up. Chen Lun stood in front of Floey, with the two dark golden ¡°pythons¡± on his back easily hoisting the giant-like Noah. ¡°We¡¯ve lost¡­¡± Floey sighed and said with a resigned smile. Golov and Barton exchanged nces, both seeing deep awe in each other¡¯s eyes. This was their first time witnessing the Leader¡¯s ¡°true strength,¡± and it was terrifyingly formidable. It definitely matched the power of Mid Sequence, far surpassing that of the former Circus Leader. Just when they thought this bat test¡± was over, to their surprise, the Leader wore a very cheerful smile. ¡°No worries, you all have another chance¡­ Let¡¯s go again!¡± With that, he stomped and crushed Maggie¡¯s head on the ground. [You have defeated Noah[Sequence Eight-Gourmet] (Flesh Faction), gaining 1000 experience points!] [You have defeated Maggie[Sequence Eight-Healer] (Nature Faction), gaining 1000 experience points!] Although Chen Lun had defeated all five members once, it seemed that only the two who were also from [Sequence Eight] were counted. It appeared that no rewards were given for defeating opponents below one¡¯s own Sequence. ¡®Because to ¡®die¡¯ in the Immortal Realm only counts as spiritual damage, so only the defeat rewards were calcted¡­ These rewards are much lower than the killing rewards, and can only be calcted three times, each time diminishing¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. ¡®It¡¯s a pity I can¡¯t keep farming them¡­¡¯ Maggie quickly revived and returned, appearing next to Golov and Barton with a face full of fright. After all, the taste of death is not pleasant. The Leader crushed her with his foot without even blinking, which was truly terrifying. ¡°No¡­ Leader!¡± Golov and Barton wailed. ¡°Mr. Jack¡­?!¡± Noah, held aloft, was very surprised. ¡°Maybe we should just forget it¡­? Leader?¡± Maggie said with an awkward smile. Chen Lun nced at them, narrowed his eyes, and smiled: ¡°Your voice is too low, I can¡¯t hear!¡± ¡°NO!! LEADER!!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Immortal Realm. The Safe ins Zone where thekeside cabin was located. After another burst of intense fighting sounds, cries of agony from Golov, Barton, and the others followed. Once everything fell into silence. From the ins came Jack¡¯s deep and satisfiedughter: ¡°Good, that¡¯s spirited!¡± * * * After lengthy training. Chen Lun sent all the Circus members back to the present world. Then he came alone to the door of thekeside cabin. He turned and looked towards the site of the recent battle¡ªthe meadow. The disintegrated haystacks, flying soil and rocks, and the holes punched by great forces¡­ all disappeared without a trace, as if they had been restored unknowingly to their original state. It was as if none of it had ever happened. Chen Lun recalled the team members during the battle and couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡®I hope I didn¡¯t put too much pressure on them¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought. This ¡°livebat test¡± was too intense, and it could very likely cause psychological trauma to them. Perhaps for a long time toe, they would be reluctant toe to the Immortal Realm and face him again. Chen Lun shook his head helplessly. Just now, Noah¡¯s psychic attack had triggered the side effects of ¡°Maggie¡¯s Tear,¡± which led him to the notion of ¡°training¡± his subordinates. In the process, Chen Lun discovered something peculiar about himself. He was facing five Transcendents at the same time, among them two Sequence Eight and three Sequence Nine. Floey and Noah both had elite temtes and each had an ¡°A-ss Mysterious Object,¡± making their actualbat power far exceed others at the same level. Even so, they were still overwhelmingly oppressed by him. This was when he had only exerted fifty percent of his strength, and most of his Mysterious Objects were untouched during the fight. The gap between them was significant. The problem was, Chen Lun himself was also only a Sequence Eight. ¡®What caused this disparity¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun pondered. ¡®Just because of the temte¡­? No, the reasons must be multifaceted, including blessings,bat experience, familiarity with each other, and the extent of development of Supernatural Powers, etc. Perhaps, it was also due to the paths of the Sequence?¡¯ As he grew stronger, Chen Lun gradually realized there might be something special about him that led to this disparity. The Profession of ¡°Beast Tamer,¡± his Main upation, seemed to be the most peculiar aspect. It hadn¡¯t seemed so before, buttely, it felt stronger than other Sequence Nines, which was not logical. Even with the blessing from Nature Angel Maggie Milna, Chen Lun still felt it was overpowered. Such a game-breaking Sequence, why was it obscure in his past life? There weren¡¯t many notable NPCs or yers either. ¡®There must be something I don¡¯t know¡­¡¯ Chen Lun kept these doubts in his heart. He walked slowly to the grapevine at the door of thekeside cabin and was surprised to find it had already sprouted¡­! This waspletely different from before. It had always looked half-dead. Chen Lun pondered the changes in the Immortal Realm during this period. ¡®Is it because I found the second cabin? The one in the Gloomy Forest¡­ so it gained vitality and began to grow¡­?¡¯ He raised an eyebrow and continued to specte. ¡®It¡¯s not clear yet, but if I can find another cabin, perhaps I¡¯ll know.¡¯ Chen Lun closed his eyes. He was surprised to find that the cabin he had found in the Gloomy Forest was still present in his mind. When he began tomunicate with this cabin, he discovered he could teleport directly there, without having to go through the ¡°Statue Staring Lake¡± to reach the Gloomy Forest and trek there again. ¡®This feeling¡­¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s expression was odd. ¡®It¡¯s like a Save Point?!¡¯ * * * Chen Lun named this cabin in the Gloomy Forest ¡°Forest One.¡± To distinguish it from thekeside cabin. He conducted a brief Scout around ¡°Forest One¡±; the area turned out to be rather dangerous, haunted by figures of ¡°Woodcutters¡±. These polluted creatures are very troublesome, and Chen Lun did not want to waste time on them. Besides, Chen Lun discovered that with ¡°Forest One¡± as andmark, the directions left, right, and behind it each led to three new areas. Chen Lun nned to explore them slowly in the future¡­ Chapter 173: 156 Plague Legend Chapter 173: Chapter 156 gue Legend Two dayster. Chen Lun once again received an invitation from the owner of the Mermaid¡¯s Song Fighting Club, also known as ¡°Dark Knight¡± Bales. But before he went to the club, he nned to stop by another ce first. A few days ago at the bar, encountering that type of ck antiepidemic medicine had sparked Chen Lun¡¯s curiosity. He decided to visit the address provided by the old man to see who was posing as his believer and profiting from it. So, after lunch, Chen Lun took a carriage to a neighborhood on the west side of the Inner City District. Although close to Lona Port, because of the surrounding roads being long-neglected and uneven, there were few people, and the shops were in decline. A store named ¡°Robert and Jones¡¯s Herbal Room¡± was located on the street side. The herb store was notrge, roughly the size of an ordinary caf¨¦. The few neighboring shops had their doors closed, looking as if no one had rented them for business. As soon as Chen Lun drew back the carriage curtain, he saw a middle-aged man, resembling a butler, holding a paper bag,ing out of the herb room and then getting into a carriage, heading off into the distance. ¡°Hmm¡­ this must be the ce.¡± Chen Lun muttered to himself. He got out of the carriage and walked directly into the herb shop. Pushing open the wooden door. Dingling¡­ Upon entering the shop, the first thing Chen Lun smelled was a strong scent of herbs. The smell wasplex, neither stinky nor fragrant, but it reminded Chen Lun of some unpleasant memories from his past life. He and his sister, due to a gic illness, had also sought various ¡°miracle doctors¡± and drank all kinds of nauseating concoctions. That period of time was like a nightmare. Chen Lun shook his head slightly. ¡°Oh, good day, sir. How may I assist you?¡± At that moment, a middle-aged man wearing a brown leather apron came out from the back, fatigue showing on his face but a smile still present. He wore sses on his nose, but the lenses were smeared with some strange ck liquid, making them look somewhat dirty. ¡°I heard that I can purchase ¡®special antiepidemic medicine¡¯ here?¡± Chen Lun leaned on his Silver Staff and offered a faint smile. He emphasized ¡°special¡± purposefully, wanting to see how the other party would react. ¡°Oh no, sir, we don¡¯t have ¡®special antiepidemic medicine¡¯ here¡­¡± The middle-aged man¡¯s smile was slightly bitter. ¡°Those are just herbal sugar cubes that my wife and I developed together. They do have some antiepidemic effects, but they¡¯re not at the ¡®special¡¯ level¡­ If you need them, you might trial a bit.¡± ¡°Oh? Well¡­ since that¡¯s the case, please give me some. The epidemic is spreading outside the city, which is worrisome.¡± Chen Lun nodded, feigning disappointment. The middle-aged man responded joyfully and immediately went into the back room. After a moment, he came back holding a small paper packet. ¡°Sir, these are ¡®Antiepidemic Sugar Cubes.¡¯ Please eat them with confidence. They are mainly made of ck sugar, ginger, and herbs¡­ Eating a small amount each day can warm the body and help resist the cold and disease.¡± [Medicine ¨C Antiepidemic Sugar Cubes] Item Description: An antiepidemic product developed by herbalists Robert and Jones, containing ck sugar, ginger, and neen types of herbs, effective against cold and gue. Taking a small amount each time can slightly enhance resistance to toxins, cold, and gue. ¡°How much?¡± Chen Lun asked as he took it. ¡°Just 2 Silver Ducats, sir.¡± The man breathed out white air and chuckled lightly. Chen Lun silently nodded. The effects of this medicine were good, and in the Inner City District, the price was not exorbitant; even for the wealthy, it was quite cheap. Chen Lun took out two silver coins, cing them in the man¡¯s palm. The man thanked him. Then, Chen Lun asked: ¡°Are you a believer of the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯?¡± The man¡¯s expression briefly changed, but he quickly recovered. ¡°Yes, we are His believers.¡± Chen Lun could feel the momentary panic in the man, knowing he was lying. But he did not directly expose the man; instead, he continued: ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, I also worship ¡®ck Messenger.¡¯ He is an angel of the ¡®Foreign Gods¡¯ and the guardian of Amber¡­¡± Chen Lun¡¯s tone was solemn and earnest as he spoke, and he even improvised a praising gesture¡ª He pressed his index and middle finger together, drawing a circle counterclockwise at his forehead. ¡°Praise to the Foreign ck.¡± The middle-aged man watched him, stupefied. Immediately, he snapped back to reality, smiled sheepishly, and performed the same praising gesture, saying: ¡°Praise to the Foreign ck.¡± Chen Lun silently watched the man, uttering not a word. Thetter shuddered suddenly, unsure of what had happened. He was still secretly guessing whether he had done something inadequately, making the ck-haired young man realize something was amiss, that he was not a believer of the ¡°ck Messenger.¡± ¡°Sir¡­?¡± ¡°I saw the sign for the herbal shop¡­ Mr. Robert, correct? And your wife, Jones?¡± Chen Lun spoke. ¡°Ah yes, Robert Corey¡­ My wife Jones is inside brewing the medicine.¡± Robert wiped his sweat. He felt unbearably hot; how could he be sweating profusely in the dead of winter? Chen Lun nodded slightly with a smile. ¡°Mr. Robert, since we are both believers of the ¡®ck Messenger,¡¯ may Ie in to take a look?¡±@@novelbin@@ ¡°This¡­¡± Robert hesitated. Chen Lun¡¯s hands were sped on his Silver Staff, ready to use ¡°Mermaid¡¯s Song¡± for hypnosis. ¡°Sir, um, alright.¡± Robert struggled for a few seconds but finally nodded in agreement. ¡°Follow me.¡± He turned and led the way into the back room. Chen Lun silently followed him inside. Passing through two rows of wooden shelves stacked with various dried herbs and an assortment of jars and bottles, they arrived at the inner courtyard. A middle-aged woman with crow¡¯s feet at her eyes was standing beside a baking y pot on a fire rack, gripping a wooden stick and stirring inside the pot. A strong sweet fragrance mixed with theplex scent of ginger and herbs wafted through the air. ¡°Robert, who is this?¡± The woman looked up, her face puzzled. ¡°Ah Jones, this gentleman is also a believer of the ¡®ck Messenger,¡¯ and he hase to observe the process of making ¡®Antiepidemic Medicine¡¯¡­ perhaps out of concern for the health of others,¡± said Robert, adding onest phrase. He subtly turned his head to gauge the expression of the ck-haired young man beside him, noticing no change, he breathed a slight sigh of relief. ¡®It looks like it is just ordinary herbal sugar cubes, this couple is quite interesting¡­¡¯ Seeing this, Chen Lun felt reassured. His gaze inadvertently swept over a potted nt under a tree in the courtyard, which contained a small golden-yellow lemon tree. ¡°You two are believers of the ¡®Naturalist Sect,¡¯ aren¡¯t you?¡± Chen Lun spoke softly. Robert and his wife Jones were startled, their mouths slightly agape. ¡°Why do you still use the guise of the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯ if you aren¡¯t doing anything untoward¡­?¡± A faint light radiated from the shell ne on Chen Lun¡¯s chest. ¡°¡­Sir, we didn¡¯t want to do this either, but the ¡®Naturalist Sect¡¯ doesn¡¯t have a good reputation within the Empire, and selling homemade antiepidemic medicine outright makes it hard for people to believe,¡± Robert said distractedly, then smiled bitterly. ¡°Jones¡¯s parents, as well as¡­ our child, died in a gue outbreak five years ago¡­ This left a deep impression on us and gave us some insights into the disease. We do not want an outbreak simr to what happened before, where so many lives were imed¡­ so we only resorted to using the recently emerged ¡®ck Messenger¡¯ to gain people¡¯s trust.¡± His wife Jones nodded and added: ¡°The rich in the Inner City District don¡¯t care about this small amount of money, but for the people in the Outer City District or even those outside the city, it¡¯s vital¡­ We hope to earn some more money, then go beyond the city to treat those who need help.¡± Chen Lun got the answers he sought and sighed inwardly. At the same time, he thought about the public beta-testing. ¡®Is this gue disaster affecting the storyline after the beta-testing?¡¯ In his previous life during the public beta, he was born in a different State City area. At that time, in the grand city where he lived, arge sacrificial event urred, concealed by arge group formed by several small evil forces. This was the initial opposing force for the yers in that region during the public beta, and it continued into the opening of the main storyline in version 1.0. This was a plot phase to help yers transition and adapt. ¡®I must say, it resembles it quite a bit¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought carefully. [Trigger B-Level Quest: gue Legend!] Quest description: Cities, towns, and viges around Amber City are beginning to experience outbreaks of a strange gue, and the situation is getting worse. Panic spreads, along with a chilling legend¡ªthe Red Dancer! In an era riddled with hunger, the red-garbed dancer was brutally cannibalized in a vige, her resentful spirit lingering. She vows to bring cmities to the human world; the ck Death, Yellow Fever, and Red Dance Disease¡ªthree major gues erupting concurrently, currently sweeping through the southern regions of Gem State! Investigate the cause of the gue outbreak and find a solution to it. Quest reward: 11000 Experience Points, 18 Gold Pounds, 5 Points in regional renown, and a Mystic Book of the Naturalist Sect (Advanced) *1 Chapter 175: 158: Stray Bullets from History Chapter 175: Chapter 158: Stray Bullets from History Following Xibert into the training room, Chen Lun felt his eyes light up. Just as Xibert had said, this was the only open-air training room in the club, and it was quite spacious. Looking up, thick ss had reced the ceiling and was set very high. Sunlight beamed down from above, passing through the ss and making the entire training room exceptionally bright. At the moment, there were seven or eight people in the room, each engaging in training, some of whom were fighting course instructors giving quiet guidance on the side. ¡°Mr. Wood, this is Mr. Jack who has just joined the club. He is also very interested in fencing,¡± Xibert said to a middle-aged man with short hair. Whooosh¡ª! The short-haired man swung the two-handed sword in his hand, making a whooshing sound as he shed several times before stopping, supporting the heavy de with his outer elbow. ng! Wood caught the de of the sword directly with his hand, stood it upright, and leaned it against himself. Wearing leather gloves, he was unharmed by the blunted, two-handed sword. ¡°Wee.¡± He said, his tone neither warm nor cold. ¡°Hey, Mr. Jack, if you want to learn fencing, I rmend Mr. Wood as a teacher¡­ He graduated from the Tresor Royal Academy, where he studied swordsmanship and even won the Amber City Fencing Gold Award.¡± Xibert introduced to Chen Lun. ¡°That is indeed impressive.¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. ¡°How about I have a sparring match with Mr. Wood first, Mr. Jack? You can have a good look from the side, how¡¯s that?¡± Xibert suggested. Chen Lun nodded. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to your performance, Mr. Xibert.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Xibert had a drink, his cheeks flushed red, which made him appear somewhat excited. He picked up his longsword, donned his helmet and protective gear, and said to his fencing instructor, Mr. Wood: ¡°Mr. Wood, let¡¯s begin.¡± ¡°Be careful, Mr. Xibert.¡± Wood, who was both highly skilled and bold, didn¡¯t take any protective measures. With a kick of his toes and a loud pang, the two-handed sword was lifted from the ground, propped by his arm, aimed at Xibert like a long spear. Whooosh! Xibert stepped forward, his longsword thrusting out. But in the next second, it was parried by Wood¡¯s two-handed sword, then tilted aside with a ng and a shower of sparks. Wood grabbed the de of the two-handed sword with his hand and struck at Xibert with the hilt, wielding it like a warhammer. This took Xibert by surprise, and in his panic, he didn¡¯t know what to do, ultimately raising his sword in both hands to block. ng! Xibert¡¯s hands tingled, nearly losing his grip on the sword. Wood took a step forward, charging into Xibert¡¯s space within a meter, and forcefully rested his two-handed sword on Xibert¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Huff¡­ ah ha, I lose.¡± Xibert conceded defeat with a wry smile. ¡°It seems the gap between me and Mr. Wood is still so great. The moves I just learned were not even deployed before I lost.¡± ¡°Mr. Xibert¡¯s physical condition is not as good as mine, and his skills are still very raw, losing is normal¡­ You still need to keep working hard,¡± Wood said slowly as he retracted his two-handed sword. Chen Lun silently nodded; this Mr. Wood¡¯s technique was very proficient, and he indeed had a strong foundation in swordsmanship. In fact, this kind of two-handed sword was a battlefield weapon, used for charges and breakthroughs, not really suitable for duels in this kind of setting. From this, one could also tell that Wood was indeed very strong. Pity that he was just a mortal. No matter how excellent his swordsmanship, facing a Transcendent, he wasn¡¯t much different from others. ¡°Mr. Jack, would you like to join in the fun too?¡± Xibert took off his protective helmet, smiling as he passed his longsword over. After thinking for a bit, he added: ¡°If you feel that Mr. Wood is too strong, you can spar with me instead. There are weapons of various models and types on that rack over there; you can pick any you like.¡± Chen Lun shook his head. ¡°No need, Mr. Xibert. I¡¯m not very fond of this type ofbat.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a casual spar, we have protective gear here, it won¡¯t hurt you¡­ And you came to the club, don¡¯t you want to experience ¡®realbat¡¯ firsthand?¡± Xibert asked with a puzzled look. ¡°Sir, with me here, you can be assured, no one will get hurt,¡± Wood added on the side, his tone steady, giving a reassuring feeling. But Chen Lun shook his head again, politely declining with a smile. ¡°No, I¡¯m just here to look around.¡± ¡°Alright, Mr. Jack¡­ But that really is a pity.¡± Xibert shrugged his shoulders, putting his longsword away with a look of regret. Wood, who was standing beside them, was slightly taken aback before shaking his head. He thought the dark-haired young man was being overly cautious, even to the point of cowardice, which is why he was unwilling to step into the ring for a sparring session, and couldn¡¯t help but feel some contempt for him. As a man, how can one be so cowardly. Bang!! A sudden gunshot sound reached everyone¡¯s ears. They turned their heads to see a middle-aged man with yellow-brown long hair, holding a firearm in his hand, aimed at a target straight ahead. Smoke curled from the barrel of the gun. ¡°Hahaha¡­! Exhrating!¡± The long-haired man leisurely reloaded his firearm andughed loudly. Standing by his side was a thin man, who seemed to be another instructor like Wood. ¡°It¡¯s already the year 4418 of the Sr Calendar, the age of the firearm. What¡¯s the use of training in these fights and swordsmanship?!¡± The long-haired man dered loudly. ¡°All these are outdated techniques that should be eliminated, they are antiquatedbat skills, the new era should be ruled by firearms!¡± Wood¡¯s brows furrowed, and he walked toward him with the two-handed sword in hand. ¡°Hey! Are you deliberately provoking me?! Sir?¡± He called out in a deep voice. A figure stood in his way, the thin man. ¡°Wood, this is my student, as well as my guest¡­ What do you want to do?¡± The thin man said. Wood asked with a cold face: ¡°Student? Marlowe, is your course about teaching people to shoot? I wasn¡¯t aware¡­ Are you sure you work at the ¡®Sword Fighting Club¡¯?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just teaching Mr. Fordbat steps and dodging techniques, there¡¯s no rule in the club that prohibits firearm practice here¡­¡± The thin man named Marlowe shrugged. ¡°Hey, I know him, Ford¡­ he¡¯s the manager of the ¡®Firepower Shooting Club¡¯ that just opened in the next block!¡± Xibert looked at the long-haired man, feeling he looked familiar, and suddenly he remembered something and spoke up. Hearing his words, everyone¡¯s gazes towards Ford changed. ¡°It seems you¡¯vee here on purpose to stir up trouble, Mr. Ford?¡± Wood said coldly. ¡°Oh oh, don¡¯t misunderstand¡­ I¡¯m merely stating a fact.¡± Ford ran his fingers through his sandy blonde hair and patted the firearm in his hand lightly. ¡°How about we have a match? See who is the ultimate winner¡­? It just so happens that I¡¯m here, promoting the ¡®Firepower Shooting Club¡¯! There, you can find various models of firearms, and even veterans who have been on the battlefield as instructors!¡± ¡°Bastard!¡± Wood cursed in anger. This act of hijacking business in public was extremely disgusting. He couldn¡¯t help himself and ced a hand on Marlowe¡¯s shoulder, who was also a teacher of the course. ¡°Marlowe, Mr. Charles lent us a hand when we were down and out, is this how you repay him?¡± Wood asked in a low voice. Marlowe¡¯s face changed slightly, but soon turned cold again. ¡°No oneins about earning too much money, Wood¡­ you wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°You bastard¡­¡± Wood red at him. ¡°Fine! I ept your challenge!¡± He suddenly turned his head and yelled towards the long-haired man, Ford. Ford sneered, spun the firearm in his hands twice, and pointed at Wood. ¡°I respect your courage! But I wouldn¡¯t want to end up in jail for murder¡­¡± He pulled out a piece of paper. ¡°I¡¯ve already signed this waiver, if you¡¯ve got the guts, sign it yourself.¡± Wood¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. The opponent had gone to this extent, obviously having premeditated the provocation. Intentionally provoking, then using someone as a scapegoat to make a name for the shooting club. But Wood did not choose to back down. That was his nature, not to shrink from the challenge. If it weren¡¯t for his temperament, he wouldn¡¯t have been kicked out of the army in the first ce, nor would he have ended up on the streets. Wood strode forward, took the waiver expressionlessly, and signed his name swiftly. ¡°Good! Since that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s begin!¡± Ford folded the agreement and tucked it into his chest, shouting loudly. The two backed away seven or eight meters to stand, following the rules of the fighting arena. If they increased the distance further, it would be an irremediable disadvantage for Wood. Everyone focused their attention on the two, seemingly exhrated and excited at the prospect of the uing bloodshed. A few people had gone out at some point and spread the word, attracting more and more people to this side, squeezing into the open-air training room. Chen Lun stood beside Xibert, watching from the perimeter of the circle. ¡®He could be called a fool, or a brave soul¡­¡¯ That was his assessment of Wood. Wood had already switched his two-handed sword for a longsword, ready to give it his all. A haze of chaos flickered in Chen Lun¡¯s eyes. After ¡°Divination,¡± coupled with his own predictions, he had already roughly seen the oue of the battle¡ªFord would be beheaded by a single sword strike, but ultimately Wood would also die from lead poisoning. Snap! The fight had begun!@@novelbin@@ A gasp arose from the crowd as Wood rushed forward first, his speed was incredibly fast, like a lithe cheetah. In this process, he held the sword with both hands, high in front of his eyes. Bang!! A gunshot rang out! At that instant. It was as if Wood had an epiphany, everything seemed fated, as he raised his longsword and struck forward. ng¡ª!! A crisp sound echoed, sparks flying, as the fired bullet was split into two by his sword. The stray bullet whistled through the air, headed straight for Chen Lun¡¯s forehead! ¡®No, this isn¡¯t the oue I divined¡­!¡¯ A thought shed through Chen Lun¡¯s mind. Whoosh! Chen Lun lifted his Silver Staff and waved it lightly. ng! The staff drew a semicircle, urately deflecting half of the lead bullet, then nonchntly lowered it. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Other than Xibert, who was standing beside him, no one noticed anything unusual. ¡°Jack¡­ Mr. Jack?!¡± Xibert¡¯s eyes widened. Chapter 176: 159 Maxed-Out Swordsmanship Chapter 176: Chapter 159 Maxed-Out Swordsmanship ¡°Oh Sun! He actually split a bullet with his sword?!¡± Someone in the crowd eximed in amazement. ¡°Damn! How is that possible?!¡± Ford, frustrated and perturbed, retreated and hurriedly pulled out ammunition to load into his firearm. Wood took a quick step forward, raised his long sword, and fiercely shed down. ng!! A shrill metallic sh rang out. A look of shock crossed Wood¡¯s face. He felt a numbness in the palms of his hands and looked down to see a in short sword that had appeared at some point, blocking his long sword. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s stop here.¡± A calm voice sounded. ¡°Mr. Charles, you¡­¡± Wood looked in shock toward the neer, recognizing him as Charles, the club owner. Although he knew in his heart that Mr. Charles was a master of swordsmanship, he had not expected that the other could appear beside him so suddenly, and then with only one hand block the furious sh he had made with both hands. ¡°Bastard!¡± Ford finally loaded his ammunition, his face contorted with ferocity as he lifted his firearm and aimed at Wood, ready to pull the trigger. That sword strike truly had frightened him. He thought he was about to be beheaded! He must strike back! ng¡ª! A sh of sword light swept by, and Ford was stunned to see that the firearm in his hands had been split into two sections, and his index finger had also vanished. ¡°Ah! Ahhh!!¡± Pain surged, and Ford clutched his severed finger, dropping to his knees. Blood sprayed and he cried out in pain, his face turning red. Smack! Bales casually waved his hand, and the de of the short sword pped across his face, making a dull sound. Ford copsed unconscious in response. ¡°Get someone to inform them, and while you¡¯re at it, throw him out.¡± Bales instructed softly, and Wood nodded in agreement. ¡°Marlowe should pack up and leave as well.¡± The slender man froze for a moment, then his face showed regret. He had not even begun to speak before Wood pushed him out. Themotion thus subsided, but the bystanders did not disperse. ¡°Hey, Mr. Charles really is a master of swordsmanship¡­ Did you see? He effortlessly blocked Wood¡¯s strike and even split that guy¡¯s firearm, knocking him unconscious. So fast, I didn¡¯t catch it!¡± Xibert chattered nonstop beside Chen Lun, his eyes filled with admiration. Then, in a probing tone, he started: ¡°Just now, Mr. Jack¡­ did you use a staff to block a bullet?¡± Chen Lun looked surprised and shook his head with a smile. ¡°You saw wrong, Mr. Xibert.¡± ¡°Is that so¡­?¡± Xibert frowned, yet he was sure he hadn¡¯t been mistaken. This ck-haired young man was definitely no ordinary individual! ¡°Mr. Charles! Since you¡¯re here, why not teach us some swordsmanship?¡± A guest spoke up. The news that owner Charles was skilled in swordsmanship was known to many of the club¡¯s clients. As someone spoke up, more voices of supplication followed: ¡°Yes, Mr. Charles, I¡¯m a great admirer of yours! It was such a pity you didn¡¯t participate in thest swordsmanship exchange!¡± ¡°¡­Why not just teach us a few moves, Mr. Charles?¡± The chorus of agreement grew louder, and Bales looked at them calmly. Then he thought of something and nodded slightly. ¡°Well, alright¡­¡± The crowd began to cheer. Bales scanned the room, finally settling his gaze on a tall young man in a ck suit. ¡°Why don¡¯t we have this gentleman as the sparring guide?¡± ¡°Mr. Jack, here¡¯s a long sword for you to use!¡± Xibert, looking very pleased, immediately handed over his own long sword. He also wanted to see if this Mr. Jack was hiding some skills. Chen Lun nced at Bales, uncertain of his intentions. But since the ¡°Dark Knight¡± himself had asked, he obliged to give him that much respect. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Xibert.¡±@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun took the long sword, responding with a polite smile. Then, under the envious gaze of the crowd, he slowly stepped forward, leaning his silver staff against the wall before turning to face Bales. ¡°Mr. Charles, what would you like me to do?¡± he asked. Bales looked at him calmly and then replied: ¡°It¡¯s simple, you just need to attack me.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± A trace of surprise flickered in Chen Lun¡¯s eyes. Although Bales was a ¡°Sequence Five¡±, he was after all using a mere mortal¡¯s body, so why was he confident he could withstand his attack? ¡°Alright, Mr. Charles, please be careful.¡± Chen Lun took off his ck hat and hung it on the silver staff. The others, hearing his words, started to chuckle. Mr. Charles should be careful, it¡¯s surprising that this young man could say such a thing¡­ ng!! A loud sound came, startling everyone. Those who had been whispering jokes stopped abruptly. They looked up and were immediately astounded. The scene on the ground stunned all the bystanders. The seemingly not-so-strong ck-haired young man was holding a long sword in one hand and shing at Mr. Charles, who blocked with his shortsword as sparks flew. This strike seemed surprisingly powerful; even Mr. Charles could notpletely withstand it and staggered back several steps, nearly losing his bnce. ¡°!!¡± Everyone was shocked. Suddenly, the ck-haired young manunched another fierce attack. ng! ng! ng! ng¡­!! The sword light shed like lightning, too fast for their eyes to catch. But it was clear to see that Mr. Charles was at a disadvantage! ¡°Unbelievable!¡± Xibert was inwardly astonished. ¡°Mr. Jack really has more up his sleeve, a low-key master of swordsmanship!¡± Swordsmanship instructor Wood, back in the open-air training studio, stood frozen in his tracks as he witnessed this. His eyes were fixed on the figure in the ck suit and the sword light he swung. ¡°How is this possible¡­?!¡± He muttered. ¡°Even Mr. Charles¡­!¡± Bales made a highly skillful parry, deflecting Chen Lun¡¯s powerful and heavy strike. He again stepped back several steps to release the force and nced down to see his short sword de was already dented and pitted. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to have such strong physical attributes¡­¡± Bales¡¯s tone carried a hint of surprise. ¡°It seems I underestimated you, Mr. Jack.¡± He flicked his wrist to send a sword flower, feeling injuries already present in his wrist, arm, and shoulder. After all, it was just a normal human body, faced with Chen Lun¡¯s repeated fierce attacks, and despite his superb skills in unloading force, it was still inevitably subjected to some impact. ¡°But this, at least, reassures me, you won¡¯t easily die under the ¡®Curse of the Same History¡¯ ¡­¡± Bales spoke softly. His voice was very low, only audible to Chen Lun who was closest to him. ¡°The Same History¡­?¡± As Chen Lun continued the assault, thrusting his long sword straight, Bales chuckled lightly, slicing horizontally with his short sword to knock down the thrust. Then he twisted around the de of the long sword with his sword¡¯s hilt and pushed it away with a twirl. ¡°Seven years ago, in this club, there was a firearm duel, and two men chose to duel over a verbal dispute¡­ but in the end, both were unharmed, and it was a stray bullet that killed a bystander.¡± Balesunched a counterattack; his sword wasn¡¯t fast, but he was exceedingly tricky, forcing Chen Lun to respond seriously. ¡°What you just experienced was a ¡®repetition¡¯ of that ¡®history¡¯¡­ but the curse¡¯s intensity isn¡¯t very high currently, so it doesn¡¯t pose a major threat to you.¡± ng! ng¡­! Chen Lun, with a keen eye, saw through Bales¡¯s moves and parried the attacks. ¡®No wonder¡­ my Divination was erroneous, is it because the weight of the Curse of Poison of History is too high¡­? This indeed is the threat of the ¡®Same History¡¯, tough to defend against!¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. ¡°You have strong physical attributes, but your skills are too crude.¡± Bales spoke. ¡°Yes, you are right.¡± Chen Lun readily admitted this fact. Although he hadn¡¯t used his full strength, all his attribute points had nearly reached the threshold of a low Sequence Transcendent. Bales, merely using an average human body and handling several interactions with him without losing, already demonstrated his profound mastery of swordsmanship. Particrly, each chop or thrust from Chen Lun was cleverly deflected or parried by Bales, who even incorporated some counterattacks in the process. ¡°Although I am not the original master of this body, I also have my understanding of swordsmanship¡­ Maybe I can offer you a little help.¡± As Bales spoke, he attacked again with his battered short sword. [Bales Wolf has imparted to you the skill ¡°Knight Swordsmanship (Passive)¡±! Progress is currently at 5%!] A notification box popped up in Chen Lun¡¯s vision. He raised his eyebrows. ¡®Skill transfer?!¡¯ Such opportunities were rare, and unexpectedly, Bales was willing to teach him a skill. What puzzled Chen Lun was that their level of affection hadn¡¯t reached that degree yet. ¡®But, that doesn¡¯t prevent me from learning the skill¡­¡¯ ng! Bales¡¯s sword shed with Chen Lun¡¯s again, and while pressing down on the de, he took the chance to step forward, and used his shoulder to bump Chen Lun, disrupting his attack rhythm. The demonstration was not over yet. Bales continued to show a variety of maneuvers like using the hilt to strike, sidestepping with a knee kick, swinging the sword back to jump, and pulling back to dodge, demonstrating evasion and counterattack during sword fightbat. [Knight Swordsmanship (Passive) progress is now 30%!] [Knight Swordsmanship (Passive) progress is now 55%!] [¡­] [Knight Swordsmanship (Passive) progress is at 100%!] [You have sessfully mastered the skill ¡°Knight Swordsmanship (Passive)¡± through the guidance of Bales Wolf¡¯s swordsmanship!] [Knight Swordsmanship LV1 (Passive)] Skill Description: Thebat techniques mastered by Bales Wolf through years of battle, coupled with superb swordsmanship when used with sword-type weapons. It includes attack swordsmanship, defense swordsmanship, counterattack swordsmanship, andbat footwork among other techniques. As a Moonlight Dark Knight, a single person armed with a sword can be as formidable as an army, possessing overwhelmingly powerful fighting skills that can terrify the enemy! ¡®This passive skill is strong¡­ This will significantly enhance my regrbat capabilities when using the ¡°Astrbe Ritual¡± Silver Sword form!¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡®Add points to the skill, max out the ¡°Knight Swordsmanship¡±!¡¯ Chapter 177: 160 You Are My Only Light (Two In One) Chapter 177: Chapter 160 You Are My Only Light (Two In One) ¡°Hey, Candice!¡± A hurried call made Candice look up. In her line of sight, a young woman, also in a hostess uniform, was walking towards her. ¡°Ruida, what¡¯s up, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Candice¡¯s eyes revealed wariness; this female colleague had once badmouthed her to other guests behind her back, a true Biqi.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Mr. Charles is giving a public lesson, dueling with a young and handsome gentleman skilled in Knight Swordsmanship! Won¡¯t youe and watch? It¡¯s really fantastic!¡± Ruida vividly described the scene, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°A lot of people are watching; it¡¯s truly a sight to behold!¡± Listening to her description, keywords like ¡°ck-haired youth,¡± ¡°tall and upright,¡± and ¡°angelic face¡± suddenly made Candice think of that Mr. Jack. She hesitated, knowing she was on duty. But soon she noticed that more and more people were leaving the hall, flocking inside in groups. She could asionally hear a few rted words by her ear. These snippets, like little cats jumping into Candice¡¯s heart, wed and tugged, making her unable to withstand the intense curiosity. Squeak! She suddenly stood up, the chair making a piercing noise. ¡°Nevermind! If I¡¯m skipping work, I¡¯m skipping work, just to take a quick look, and then I¡¯lle right back!¡± Candice said to herself. People are like this; once they decide to neglect duties, the initial dilemmas vanish into thin air, turning into relief and ease, even bringing a bit of inexplicable anticipation and excitement. Candice took strides, rushing energetically inside. Watching her back, her colleague Ruida scoffed. ¡°Knew you couldn¡¯t resist the temptation, little Biqi¡­ I¡¯ll tell Mr. Charles about your truancyter, and see how you exin it.¡± Candice followed the crowd¡¯s flow and ran all the way to the entrance of the open-air training area. As she squeezed in, she saw a multitude of people, crowded in a circle. ¡°Seems like everyone from the club is here today?!¡± Candice thought to herself, secretly astonished. ng! ng ng ng! ng!! The crisp sounds of metal striking metal, along with bursts of exmations from the crowd, reached her ears. Candice finally made her way to the front of the crowd. When she saw the scene inside, she couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth. ¡°Oh my god! Sun above!¡± The ck-haired youth had removed his ck coat, revealing a white shirt underneath. He was holding a long sword, intensely battling Mr. Charles. [Knight Swordsmanship LVMAX (Passive)]! After adding 4 skill points, this passive skill had maxed out. At that moment, various techniques of offense, defense, counterattacks, and responses shed through Chen Lun¡¯s mind, very proficiently, as if he had suddenly gained decades of experience in swordsmanship. He held the sword hilt, thumb rubbing against the anti-slip leather there, feeling quite familiar with it. Suddenly, he took a lunge step, agilely leaped forward, and his long sword struck at Bales from a tricky angle. ¡°Nice stroke!¡± Bales spoke. He stepped back, his short sword lightly lifted, intercepting the long sword. Immediately, his short sword slipped along Chen Lun¡¯s arm, swinging upward toward Chen Lun¡¯s neck. Chen Lun ducked, while simultaneously thrusting his shoulder forward, impacting the inside of Bales¡¯s arm, causing Bales to stagger back, his de-light askew. Their movements were extremely swift, the sword-light overflowing as they exchanged blows. The long sword and the short sword struck each other, causing sparks to fly. Sizzle¡ªng! Another sh of swords, but the ck-haired youth effortlessly took a step closer, then twisted Charles¡¯s short sword with his long sword, following with a backhand elbow to knock on Charles¡¯s hand holding the sword. Bang! With a tter, Charles¡¯s short sword fell to the ground, shattered into several pieces. Probably because it could no longer withstand the intense battle. The ck-haired youth¡¯s long sword traced a beautiful arc, emitting a piercing whistle, and then steadied itself on Charles¡¯s shoulder. ng! The long sword trembled slightly, its sword wind blowing through Charles¡¯s hair. [You have defeated Bales Wolf (Possession State), and earned 3000 experience points!] The crowd fell into dead silence. For a long while. Suddenly, like a pot boiling over, the crowd erupted into loud gasps. The renowned master of swordsmanship from the Flower Sword Fighting Club, Mr. Charles, had been defeated by an unknown young man! Among them, a few muscle-bound men who had previously mocked Chen Lun in the training room were now looking shocked, their expressions awkward. They looked at each other. ¡°If he wasn¡¯t armed, I feel I could still knock him over with one punch¡­¡± ¡°Oh! Get real, Mike, stop kidding yourself¡­ This is just sad!¡± Bales disregarded the onlookers¡¯ excitement, showing a surprised expression. ¡°Mr. Jack, to tell you the truth, I am quite astonished¡­¡± He began, then took two steps forward, suddenly stopping. His eyes sharp, he warned softly: ¡°This kind of talent you have is very frightening and dangerous¡­ Do not expose it lightly, or it may draw the attention of certain entities.¡± Chen Lun was momentarily stunned, then earnestly replied: Chapter 178: 160 You Are My Only Light (Two In One)_2 Chapter 178: Chapter 160 You Are My Only Light (Two In One)_2 ¡°Thank you for the reminder.¡± He reversed his long sword, holding the hilt before his chest as a gesture of respect. Bales nodded and then refused the pleas of others to stay, pushing through the crowd and leaving alone. The others simply thought he was defeated in the process of teaching swordsmanship, feeling that he had lost face and did not want to stay any longer. But only Chen Lun knew that it was because the body the ck Knight was using now had nearly copsed after the intense battle. He chose to leave quickly to avoid crumbling in full view of everyone. ¡°Oh, my Sun! Mr. Jack, you were fantastic!¡± Xibert hurried forward, speaking excitedly. Then he leaned closer, whispering: ¡°I just knew it! You did block the bullet with the cane, didn¡¯t you!¡± His tone was so confident that no matter how Chen Lun exined, he took it as fact.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun simply stopped exining and handed back the sword, chuckling lightly: ¡°Thank you for your long sword, Mr. Xibert.¡± ¡°Oh! You¡¯re wee; on the contrary, I should be thanking you for using it!¡± Xibert shed an exaggerated smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, when I go back, I¡¯ll definitely take good care of this long sword and keep it as a family heirloom¡­ When I am old, I will tell my son, grandson, and great-grandson about it¡ªonce, a swordsmanship master used it to defeat another master!¡± ¡°You really are humorous.¡± Chen Lun was sessfully amused by his words, then sincerely eximed. The surrounding crowd was excited, with a few people approaching Chen Lun. ¡°Hey, sir, may I ask you¡­¡± But they had just started speaking and hadn¡¯t finished their sentence when they saw the young man with ck hair turn around, retrieve his silver cane and ck hat from the wall. Putting on the ck hat and leaning on the Silver Staff, he left straight away. Those who got close to him, without exception, were unable to seed. They always seemed to be a few steps away from him but just could not catch up. In the end, they could only watch helplessly as his figure disappeared at the doorway of the open-air training room. Among them was a waitress, who looked worried and stood there biting her lip, unsure what to think. * * * Time soon approached New Year¡¯s Eve. After this night, it would be the Sr Calendar year of 4419. ording to the customs of the people of this era, New Year¡¯s Eve generally required praying to the deity they believed in, and then preparing the Holy Communion in advance ording to the rituals of their church. The standard Holy Communion generally consists of beef, turkey, and goose as the main dishes, apanied by unleavened bread, sugar cakes, and fresh fruit. Different churches have variations in the details. For example, the Sun Church requires dew-brewed juniper liquor, the Moon Church adds more plums, the Red Apple Church always includes red apples and red wine, and the Hailing Group requires salted fish and seaweed soup, among others. The ¡°Holy Communion¡± at Jack¡¯s manor tonight had no special requirements since those present were not church believers. Chen Lun sat at the dining table in the living room, eating steak strips specially prepared by Floey. The other members were seated around the table, and each had prepared a gift. The gifts from Golov and Barton were simple, two servings each of ¡°Low Sequence Conspiracy Faction Mysterious Substance¡± for mystical umtion. As expected, when they opened the small gift boxes and saw the two gray pills inside, they showed surprised expressions. ¡°Thank you for the leader¡¯s generosity!¡± The two stood up to salute, respectful in their demeanor. Chen Lun waved his hand casually, indicating for them to sit down. Maggie¡¯s gift was a bottle of beef-vored extraordinary red wine, a bottle which had cost Chen Lun quite some effort. After all, it took him a long time to acquire something resembling beef from the Silver Dragon Trade Association. Then, while brewing the ¡°Bloody Fine Brew,¡± he coincidentally managed to produce this beef-vored red wine. Maggie unwrapped the paper, sniffed the bottle¡¯s neck, and her face flushed with excitement. She expressed that the happiest things recently were two events: one was receiving this bottle of ¡°beef red wine,¡± and the other was going out in a few days to fulfill the leader¡¯s ¡°specialmission¡±¡ªto investigate the gue. She was truly engaged in this task. This made Chen Lun quite relieved. Noah¡¯s gift, after much consideration because this ¡°rich second generation¡± pretty muchcked for nothing, Finally, Noah noticed his embarrassment and proposed that he sincerely wanted to paint a portrait for Mr. Leader. However, Noah hoped that Chen Lun could adjust his pose ording to his suggestion. Chen Lun very understandingly satisfied this small request as a New Year¡¯s Eve gift¡­ Of course, he had very carefully and tactfully asked beforehand, ensuring it was not about posing nude. This let Chen Lun breathe a sigh of relief. So, inside the gift box for Noah, there was only a simple pack of candy. He remembered Noah liked sweet things a lot, and Miss Rosa also used to add a lot of sugar to Noah¡¯s tea. Connie¡¯s gift was one Chen Lun found in a pile of ¡°Mysterious Object scraps,¡± known as the ¡°most useless of the useless.¡± It was a finger-sized mini pendulum called ¡°Hundred Ticks.¡± The effect was that swinging it a hundred times would allow the user to fall asleep immediately. The cost, however, was that upon awakening, it would start swinging by itself, and if the user didn¡¯t fully awake and leave the bed within a hundred swings, they would fall asleep again, repeating the process. Chapter 180: 161: Byers Moonlight Sword (Three-in-One) Chapter 180: Chapter 161: Byers Moonlight Sword (Three-in-One) Time passed like the wind, sweeping through winter and spring. The calendar flipped rapidly, arriving at the end of May in the Sr Calendar year 4419. In this almost half-year period, there had been little change in the Circus. Maggie apanied Robert and his wife on their trips outside, returning only a handful of times, especially in thest two months, with almost no news. The gue outside the city worsened, and the Outer City District had even been ced under martialw because of it. Through newspapers and other channels, Chen Lun learned that in the surrounding towns and viges, even more terrifying epidemic phenomena had appeared. Many people seemed to have be ¡°puppets¡± of the gue, turning into monstrous, crazed lunatics. That kind of gue, known as ¡°Red Dance Disease,¡± had reached a point where it terrified everyone who spoke of it, creating a wave of panic.@@novelbin@@ It didn¡¯t spread through rats and mosquitoes like the ck Death or Yellow Fever, but in an unknown way, infecting people mysteriously before erupting¡­ No one knew who would be contaminated next, nor how to cure the afflicted. This unknown was the most frightening of all. Afflicted with ¡°Red Dance Disease,¡± the patients would dance tirelessly and fall into an extremely agitated state, uncontrobly seeking tomit violence and craving chaos and ughter. ording to the current information, the disease was also lethal, varying in time from a few weeks to several months. Due to the extensive spread of the epidemic, it had elicited a response from the Empire. The Security Office dispatched police to patrol the city, and arge number of soldiers were dispersed to the various affected areas to suppress and maintain order. But the effect was not good. The number of soldiers who had died was countless, and to prevent the spread of the gue, their bodies often couldn¡¯t be returned home. Instead, they were burned on the spot along with the bodies of local residents. The reasons for deaths wereplex; some were infected by the gue, others were killed by rioting mobs. In short, the morale of the army sent to control the epidemic in various ces was low, and desertions even urred. They would rather face a tangible, powerful enemy than an invisible disease and the horrifically ill. The weather gradually grew hotter, and the earth felt scorched. Travelers hurried along the roads, and carriage drivers impatiently rang their bells to clear any obstructing pedestrians. Ding-a-ling¡­ Chen Lun once again exited the Flower Sword Fighting Club. He pulled his hat down low and briskly walked to the carriage stopped at the curb, boarding it directly. ¡°Let¡¯s head back,¡± he said. ¡°Yes, Mr. Jack,¡± the driver responded briefly, called out to the horses, and snapped the reins. Clip-clop, clip-clop¡­ Chen Lun sat in the carriage, gently caressing the Silver Staff in his hand. Click, click¡­! The staff transformed into a Silver Sword, straight and slim, quietly resting in his hand. His fingers slowly stroked the de, and a strong impulse to wield the sword surged within him. ¡°Swordsmanship¡­¡± Chen Lun murmured these two words. During this period, he often took time to visit the Flower Sword Fighting Club and cultivate a rtionship with the ck Knight Bales. Yet, most of the time, Bales was not around. Whenever they met, Chen Lun would make the most of it to interact with him. Thanks to his past life¡¯s journey through the Moon Faction Sequence, he could converse with Bales quite pleasantly. Even sometimes, a few simple words could inspire Bales. After more than half a year of hard work, Chen Lun had finally raised Bales¡¯ Affection to ¡°Close,¡± and had also learned two skills from him! Two extraordinary sword skills, active skills! [Bales Swift Sword LVMAX] Skill Description: An extraordinary sword technique created by the Moonlight Dark Knight Bales Wolf that covers the de with the Power of Death, shing out swift, cold gleams of light. This skill, simr to ¡°projection,¡± required 4 Skill Points to max out. Each Sword Qi was equivalent to a sh and carried the Power of Death, quite impressive. The only pity was that, due to a different Sequence path, the consumption when Chen Lun used this sword technique was higher and the effect slightly inferior to the original. But he was already quite satisfied, having gained an additional means of attack. This method was supposed to belong to the Mid Sequence stage, and now it seemed he had mastered it ahead of time. [Bales Moonlight Sword LVMAX] Skill Description: An extraordinary sword technique created by the Moonlight Dark Knight Bales Wolf that umtes the Power of Death on the de, eventually shing out a Moonlight-like, stunningly lethal and beautiful light. This skill also consumed 4 Skill Points to max out. The effect was somewhat akin to a charging sword; the longer the charge, the greater the power. However, it had a limit, the full charge took about a minute, with strength approximately five times the lowest setting. Like [Bales Swift Sword], due to a different Sequence, it was discounted when inherited by Chen Lun, but it was undeniably a powerful Finishing Move. Chen Lun justcked such a Finishing Move. * * * Back at Jack¡¯s estate. Chen Lun discovered that the first-floor main hall of the vi was empty. He wasn¡¯t surprised, as during this time, the whole team was generally busy. Noah and Golov were outpletingmissions, Connie was busy in the warehouse, and Floey was most likely catching up on sleep in her room. ¡®Soon¡­ It¡¯s just two days until the public test.¡¯ A glint of anticipation shed in Chen Lun¡¯s eyes. After such a long time of preparation, everything was nearly in order, ready to warmly wee the arrival of the yers. Chapter 183: 161: Byers Moonlight Sword (Three-in-One) _4 Chapter 183: Chapter 161: Byers Moonlight Sword (Three-in-One) _4 Chen Lun received a notification and his heart leaped with joy. ¡®Is this the strange fruit that grows on the Giant¡¯s palm? It must be higher-grade Transcendent material!¡¯ he thought. Luckily he had recently mastered the ¡°Byers Moonlight Sword,¡± a high-damage skill, and encountered the bizarre Transcendent amplification phenomenon known as the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, he would not have had a chance to harm this immensely powerful contaminated Giant. Boom! The sky suddenly darkened. Chen Lun¡¯s ¡°Spiritual Intuition¡± once again sounded a frantic rm! A giant, disheveled head slowly turned upside down, descending from the sky. Among the vine-like ¡°hair,¡± two rotting fruits teeming with maggots served as its ¡°eyes,¡± staring fixedly at Chen Lun. ¡®Run!!¡¯ Chen Lun screamed inwardly. He dashed toward the direction he had initially nned, with the wind howling past his neck. Whoosh! Bang ¡ª!! He felt a tremendous force strike his back, along with a burst of intense pain, making his body feel as if it had fallen apart. Chen Lun promptly shifted into ¡°Great Serpent Form,¡± and after being pped, he curled up into a ball and rolled some distance over the ground. The scales on his armor reduced most of the damage from collisions and friction. With a thud, he knocked down a tree, then quickly bounced up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth and dashing forward. A faint green light emanated from his chest as the ¡°Wake of Insects¡± bookmark unleashed Life Force to heal him. After running for a while, the rumbling and trembling behind him faded away. Chen Lun let out a silent sigh of relief, knowing he had managed to lose the ¡°Wastnd Giant¡± for the moment, and it couldn¡¯t catch up to him immediately. ¡®Now that I¡¯m here, let¡¯s see if I can make a dash for it and reach the cabin directly,¡¯ he thought and quickened his pace. Feeling the Sanity Value within the Maggie Statue, he had a little over 1100 left. The savings from half a year hadn¡¯t increased much because each trip to the Mystic Realm was a significant expense. It wasn¡¯t just for offsetting the time consumption; asional recovery from injuries and the activation of his gloves also required Sanity Value. Chen Lun was too poor. Right now, he desperately wished for yers to ¡°fund¡± him, to ¡°donate¡± to him, to ¡°crowdfund¡± for him. So, he ran for over twenty minutes. All of a sudden, through a gap in the dense forest, he caught sight of a familiar cabin corner. But the area was filled with continuous thunderous sounds, and in the blink of an eye, seven or eight gigantic bone-ted mice emerged, each with a bone-faced monkey sitting on its back. Squeak¡­ Squeak Squeak¡­! The calls were incessant, as if morepanions were swarming towards this ce. ¡®There are formidable enemies lurking near every cabin¡­¡¯ Chen Lun murmured to himself. With a flick of his hand, he took out two purple potion bottles from the Blood Poem Ring and tossed them forward. Bang! The bottles exploded on their own, emitting two plumes of purple smoke. These were the poison bottles called ¡°Hallucinogenic Poison¡± that he had obtained from Maggie.@@novelbin@@ The bone-ted mice fell into a bit of chaos, seemingly overstimted by the poisonous fumes and scurrying in all directions. The bone-faced monkeys on their backs were not doing any better, pulling out wild fruits from their baskets and hurling them at each other. Taking the opportunity, Chen Lun took out a ¡°ck Patterned Cufflink,¡± fastened it on his sleeve, then sprayed himself twice with the ¡°Restful Perfume.¡± Puff, puff¡­ ck smoke enveloped Chen Lun, and a pleasant yetplex ocean fragrance filled his nostrils. Chen Lun felt a slight dizziness, and he started feeling a bit sleepy. ¡°` Fortunately, his poison resistance was high enough that he quickly recovered to normal. By the time the purple mist had dissipated, the dozen or so gigantic bone te rats that had gathered were puzzled to find that the strange upright creature that had been there before had now vanished without a trace. The monkeys on their backs were chirping incessantly, frantically pping their giant pig mounts. ¡®The forest isn¡¯t bathed in direct sunlight, and the light is quite dim, which is perfect for the cufflinks to stay hidden¡­ Add to that the perfume which also has an effect of lowering one¡¯s presence, round it up, doesn¡¯t this amount to invisibility?¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. He held his breath and sauntered past the dozen or so behemoths, making as little noise as possible. A bone te rat¡¯s nose twitched as if it had caught a scent. Its eyes, filled with madness, quickly became puzzled, and then its eyelids began to droop. Within seconds, the monkey on its back had also sprawled out and fallen asleep. The other bone te rats and bone-faced monkeys sensed something was amiss and immediately started to keep their distance, but they didn¡¯t leave entirely, instead hovering nearby. Chen Lun didn¡¯t pay them any attention and walked straight to the door of the wooden cabin, giving it a gentle push. Creak¡­ The wooden door opened, and Chen Lun walked in. The interior decor and furnishings were still the familiar sight; Chen Lun came to the table and saw a small box ced on top of it. The box was scribbled with colorful graffiti and had a sloppy smiley face painted on it. It was Philip¡¯s style. Chen Lun reached out, drew closer to the box, and tried to pick it up for a closer look. Bang!! A loud noise. The box suddenly burst open, and countless colored confetti flew around. A red thing attached to a spring flew out of the box, hurtling towards Chen Lun¡¯s face. Chen Lun¡¯s brows furrowed slightly; his ¡°Spiritual Intuition¡± had not given any warning, so he simply raised his staff to block in front of him. ¡°Surprise! Hehehe! Guffaw!¡± Half the size of a palm, resembling two sausages stacked together, the ¡°lips¡± connected to a spring swayed back and forth in front of Chen Lun. They opened and closed, speaking in a human voice andughing mirthfully. Just as Chen Lun was puzzled, it continued: ¡°Hey, my friend, I¡¯m d you¡¯ve found another ¡®fragment¡¯¡­¡± The voice was definitely that of a young man, light-hearted and energetic. ¡°The gift I¡¯ve left for you here is a piece of knowledge, oh, very rare knowledge¡­ We call it ¡®Supernatural Law of the Mystic Realm¡¯!¡± The spring twisted, the ¡°Fiery Red Lips¡± opened and closed, emitting a string of peculiar tones that didn¡¯t seem likenguage at first. ¡°You have discovered [Supernatural Law of the Mystic Realm II (partial)], earning 10,000 experience points!¡± ¡°Supernatural Entropy Increase Law (iplete): ¡­ Supernatural characteristics will not destruct, only transfer from one vessel to another, will not decrease, only increase¡­¡± ¡®Supernatural Indestructibility¡­¡¯ Chen Lun realized. No wonder that after the death of a Transcendent, their spirituality turns into Mysterious Objects, and after the death of Supernatural Creatures, they leave behind supernatural materials¡­ Even when Mysterious Objects copse, they dpose into Mysterious Substance. And as Mysterious Substance is the most basic unit of trait manifestation, it is indestructible. ¡®Supernatural entropy increases, never diminishing, only ever growing¡­ open beta¡­ yers¡­¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s brows knitted tightly. In that instant, he seemed to catch glimpses of the future. Earthquakes, sinkholes, tsunamis, wars, and all sorts of terrible disasters¡­ Chapter 186: 162: Public Beta Test! (Two in One)_3 Chapter 186: Chapter 162: Public Beta Test! (Two in One)_3 ¡°Bayleaf¡¯s Seeker, Garcia Peter.¡± Pris watched the characters sh by in the CG with a surging heart. Just like thosements said, these people must be the big shots of the game, extremely important. Immediately after, the holy female voice continued to introduce a series of seven or eight characters who seemed to be the higher-ups of various Churches. The image shed. A man stood wearing a t-top ck hat and ck suit, each hand donning gloves of different colors, ck and brown, leaning on a Silver Staff. He faced away from the camera, his head bowed in thought. ¡°The one guided by Destiny, Jack Spett.¡± As the woman spoke, Pris widened his eyes, mumbling to himself: ¡°I bet right! I bet right¡­ It¡¯s true, the one guided by destiny, Jack is no simple man!¡± ¡°Strangers from afar, go forth, to this Earth basked in Sunlight¡ª Experience its customs, ascend to Transcendence, explore the mysteries, and save the world¡­¡± The female voice concluded. Boom! All the images broke into nothingness and dissipated. A gust of wind swept by, and Pris couldn¡¯t help but squint his eyes. He suddenly felt like he was back in the darkness. [Current time, Azure Federation standard time, 07:57¡­] [Countdown until ¡°Era of Mystery¡± 1.0 public beta release: 00:02:35¡­] As time ticked away, Pris, who was looking at the countdown alert in line, felt quite irritated. It was tortuous. Though it was only a short two minutes, staring at it made it seem like years. Soon, the time finally reached eight o¡¯clock sharp. This synchronized perfectly with the time in the game. Boom! Pris noticed that the darkness around him shattered like ss, as if unveiling the object beneath¡­ Clop-clop-clop¡­ Ding-a-ling¡­ Woosh¡­ The sounds of carriages, bells, and the wind, apanied by fluttering newspapers or falling leaves, entered Pris¡¯s ears. Light appeared around him, the temperature rose, and a faint, strange odor wafted through, like candy or some kind of paint,plex in nature. Pris was very familiar with this scent; he knew it was the unique aroma emanating from a candy shop near Jack¡¯s Manor. He shook his head clear and found that he was standing in an alley. ¡°Phew¡­ finally, back again.¡± Pris exhaled and stepped out of the alley. ¡°Though it¡¯s a bit strange¡­ I remember we logged off inside the manor¡¯s vi, why did I log on here?¡± Looking at the pedestrians and carriages on the street, he shook his head and stopped dwelling on it, a smile appearing on his face. Checking his panel, he indeed saw the pending quest rewards yet to be imed. After confirming the im, he found a silver ring had appeared in the palm of his hand. [Token ¨C Silver Serpent Ring] Item description: A ring forged from silver and other metals, featuring a twisting, tail-biting silver serpent with emerald eyes, and the letter ¡°J¡± engraved on the serpent¡¯s head, seemingly representing some meaning. This is the official member token for the Transcendent force ¡°Circus.¡± Possessing it allows daily activities at the Circus¡¯s location, epting rtedmissions and tasks, and exchanging limited-edition specialty items. ¡°The ¡®Circus¡¯? Why not ¡®Jack¡¯s Manor¡¯¡­?¡± Pris felt a surge in his heart. ¡°Could it be that Jack¡¯s forces have been destroyed by the officials? Was it the Shelter and the Church that made the move¡­?!¡± He startled himself with his spection. Hurriedly opening hismunicator, intending to send a message to Su Keying and the Horseman, he saw that the Horseman had sent him a message first. ¡°¡ªPris brother, you got the ¡®Silver Serpent Ring¡¯ token, right? How about we first gather at Jack Manor, then discuss further upon meeting up?¡± Pris replied: ¡°¡ªAlright, we¡¯ll talk when the timees.¡± After sending the message, he left the spot and headed straight toward the location of Jack Manor. * * * When Pris arrived at the entrance of Jack Manor, he saw from a distance that Horseman and Su Keying were already waiting there. ¡°Why is it just the two of you, where are Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo?¡± Pris asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I sent messages to both of them but haven¡¯t received any replies¡­¡± Horseman shook his head. ¡°Alright then, since it¡¯s like this, let¡¯s go into the manor to see what¡¯s going on¡­ By the way, have you two noticed that our power¡¯s name has changed from ¡®Jack Manor¡¯ to ¡®Circus¡¯?¡± Pris leaned in and whispered to the two of them. Horseman and Su Keying immediately showed a strange expression on their faces. ¡°What¡¯s wrong¡­?¡± Pris looked puzzled. Horseman pointed at the two servants standing at the entrance and said softly: ¡°You¡¯ll know if you try.¡± ¡°Try¡­?¡± Pris nced at the two servants, who stood emotionless, one on each side of the doorway. Then, he walked directly towards them, intending to enter the manor. Whoosh! The two servants acting as gatekeepers immediately raised their hands, blocking his path. ¡°Please leave.¡± One of the servants said coldly. Pris was taken aback; the manor hadn¡¯t had this kind of protocol before. He secretly sent a scout towards the two servants and his heart skipped a beat. ¡°¡ªLevel 20 orange Danger Level NPCs, and these are just the gatekeeper servants? Looking at their panels, all I see are a series of dashes, with only the Sub upation disying ¡®Assassin LV10 (MAX)¡¯!¡± Pris sent out a message in the chat room. He could clearly feel the murderous intent of the two, as if any slight aberrant behavior from himself would provoke them to attack and ughter him on the spot.@@novelbin@@ ¡°¡ªBrother, I meant for you to show the token as a test, not to get yourself killed! (sweating emoji)¡± Horseman sent a message. Pris was momentarily stunned. ¡°¡ªPris, didn¡¯t you notice that their identity is ¡®Circus¡¯ peripheral members? We are ¡®official members,¡¯ and by rights, we hold higher status than them. Don¡¯t worry¡­ This might be a new development by Jack while we were offline.¡± Su Keying sent a message. Upon reading it, Pris felt reassured and, in view of the two gatekeeper servants, took out the Silver Serpent Ring and put it on his finger. He waved it in front of them, catching their attention. ¡°Official member.¡± The two gatekeeper servants looked at each other, confirmed Pris¡¯ identity, and spoke. Afterward, one of them took out a letter and handed it to Pris. ¡°This is a letter left for you by Leader Jack Sir.¡± ¡°A letter?¡± Pris took it, showing a puzzled expression. He opened the letter on the spot and began to read. Soon, a look of shock appeared on Pris¡¯ face. Chapter 188: 163: Return to Emerald Town (2-in-1)_2 Chapter 188: Chapter 163: Return to Emerald Town (2-in-1)_2 The Pris trio saluted him and then followed him towards the depths of the manor. Along the way, Golov enthusiastically introduced them to the new buildings within the manor. Indeed, there were major differences from the Jack Manor they had seen before. They entered the vi¡¯s first-floor hall. Upon entering, the Pris trio immediately noticed the ck-dressed blind woman standing by the living room. ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s the blind woman who helped Jack during the battle at the square!¡± Su Keying messaged in the chat room. ¡°¡ªI know, I¡¯ve seen her before. I originally thought she was just an ordinary person, I didn¡¯t expect her to be so badass¡­ Jack¡¯s team really is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!¡± The Horseman replied. Pris threw out a ¡°Scout¡± skill and, as expected, was met with a bunch of unknown dashes and a more striking ¡°Extremely Lethal¡±. ¡°Mr. Pris, please refrain from casually prying into others¡¯ privacy.¡±@@novelbin@@ Floey spoke with an ethereal voice. ¡°It is both impolite and dangerous.¡± She wore a faint smile, her voice gentle yet slightly icy. A wisp of ck mist rose from the ck short cloak on her shoulders, swirling and enveloping her entirely in a mystical aura. Pris was startled. This was the second time an NPC had seen through his ¡°Scout¡± ability, the first being Jack. Were all NPCs rted to him so unreasonable? The Horseman and Su Keying were also surprised; they exchanged nces, not expecting even Jack¡¯s nun to have such high Insight! During the period between the closed beta and the open beta, they hadn¡¯t been idle. Digging deep into the official releases, they had learned some details about the game. The ¡°Scout¡± function of the yer¡¯s panel usually went undetected bymon NPCs. Only when the Insight reached a certain level could it be faintly perceived. This was also tied to the yers¡¯ own Levels; if the Levels were close, they were less likely to be discovered. But this also showed that the blind woman named ¡°Floey¡± must have a very high Insight Attribute! ¡°¡ªDid the Affection drop?¡± The Horseman sent a look that seemed to revel in misfortune. ¡°¡ªIt went from Friendly to Neutral.¡± Pris had a look of frustration. Despite being blind, Floey sensed the yers¡¯ facial expressions and their anxious emotions. She couldn¡¯t help but recall the lightughter of Chen Lun before he left. The warning to Pris was, in fact, what he had instructed her to convey in advance. But in that instant just before, Floey did indeed feel the sensation of being scouted, alerting her due to the sense-sharing ability of the ¡°Sun-avoiding Potted nt¡±. At the same time, it triggered the autonomous protection of the ¡°ck Mist Cloak¡±. ¡°You three foreign warriors can choose to take on dailymissioned tasks here or select desirable weapons and items for exchange.¡± Floey gently raised her hand, and a purple glow flickered, as two thick notebooks materialized in her hands. She handed over the notebooks, which Pris received with both hands. The Horseman and Su Keying crowded around him as he opened the first notebook. As they opened the notebook, they found the ¡°Circus Daily Commission Tasks¡± section. Various dailymission tasks were clearly listed, with content descriptions, locations, and time requirements. The rewards were also clearly stated at the end. As soon as they focused on a task, a corresponding prompt would pop up. After some discussion in the chat room, the trio decided that since the open beta justunched, they couldn¡¯t waste time. They would first take on a few daily tasks while waiting for Jack¡¯s return. This n was unanimously agreed upon. So, they took on the samemission task, to act as bodyguards protecting a wealthy merchant in the Inner City District of Amber City for three days. After putting down the ¡°Task Compendium¡±, Pris picked up the ¡°Shop Catalogue¡±. As they browsed through it, their eyes gradually widened in amazement; it contained paintings and illustrations like photographs! Brass Firearms, Mechanical Gloves, various ammunition and fuel supplements, three different colored potions, and some Mysterious Objects were listed. The exchange prices for the items were also marked, generally requiring currency plus Contribution Degree, with Mysterious Objects requiring an additional quantity of Mysterious Substance. ¡°¡ªToo strong! My leader, Jack!¡± The Horseman eximed. ¡°¡ªWait, some items aren¡¯t listed here, like the two types of bombs Jack mentioned in the letter¡­ and the special potions and Supernatural Knowledge!¡± Pris spoke up. The Horseman and Su Keying looked surprised. ¡°¡ªYes, those aren¡¯t written here, but what we need most are those items!¡± Pris looked up and inquired Floey, ¡°Miss Floey, what conditions are needed to exchange for the Supernatural Knowledge?¡± ¡°Supernatural Knowledge, along with some special items, can only be exchanged from Lord Jack¡­ please await patiently.¡± Floey said with a smile, speaking softly. ¡°¡ªSince that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s no helping it. We¡¯ll have to wait for Jack¡¯s return¡­ Supernatural Knowledge and those limited items must be quite costly. I¡¯ll take this time to speak with the guild leader ¡®Little Light¡¯ and ask for reimbursement.¡± The Horseman texted. Reading the message, Pris sighed inwardly. He knew this was where the advantage of being in a guildy. Just like the Horseman¡¯s current situation, upon encountering such a top-tier opportunity butcking only the funds, was easy to deal with. With just amand from the guild leader, members would crowdfund if necessary to get the Horseman his Transcendent status. Chapter 189: 163: Return to Emerald Town (2-in-1)_3 Chapter 189: Chapter 163: Return to Emerald Town (2-in-1)_3 This was a matter of great significance to the entire ¡°Hall of Valor¡± as well. It wasn¡¯t just about making a name and showing off their banner when the public beta began, but it also gave the guild direct possession of a genuine transcendent military force. Moreover, as one of the Three Major Guilds, the ¡°Hall of Valor¡± had the backing of a super consortium. They could even mobilize real-world power by increasing financial investment into the game to acquire currency from other yers, all for the service of the guild. The Horseman specifically asked Floey about the issue of ¡°Circus Contribution Points.¡± The answer he received was that it could be exchanged for valuables, but at a considerable cost. One Gold Pound in exchange for one point of contribution. Pris and Su Keying were inwardly taken aback, that was just too expensive. They had previously inquired about the guild¡¯s ratio for collecting gold, where one point in the real world could be exchanged for one Copper Kro in the game. That one Gold Pound was almost equivalent to ten thousand in the real world. The cheapest of the Mysterious Objects in the merchandise catalog were priced at sixty Gold Pounds, which amounted to six hundred thousand. Let alone the Supernatural Knowledge which were priced at several hundred Gold Pounds and required an equivalent contribution. So by that calction, a piece of Sequence Nine Supernatural Knowledge would cost tens or even hundreds of millions?! That was frighteningly expensive! Even with the super consortium backing the ¡°Hall of Valor,¡± would they really pay such a price for a Transcendent? If one were to ask Chen Lun this question, he would definitely provide an affirmative answer. Because the reason for setting such a high price was to bait the consortiums. In the early days of the server, whoever became a Transcendent first would gain an initial advantage. Hundreds of millions were nothing to a super consortium. The price of Sequence Nine Supernatural Knowledge would surely drop over time and with updates to the game. But at this critical moment of the game¡¯s public test, no matter how expensive, it was justified. Because it was priceless. Ny-nine percent of the yers were still at the exploratory stage. If there was a clearly-priced Supernatural Knowledge avable, the super consortiums would onlyin there was too little, not that it was too expensive. But for Pris and Su Keying, the difficulty was too great. They were solo yers, without the backing of arge guild, and they simply couldn¡¯t afford the Supernatural Knowledgeid out before them. ¡°¡ª During the beta, we earned some contribution points by doing quests. We¡¯re nearly there¡­ Let¡¯s grind some more daily missions over the next few days, gather as much as we can, and we can try selling any extra to the Horseman or Doghead Gold¡¯s backing guilds.¡± Pris sent a message to Su Keying. ¡°¡ª Understood.¡± * * * Whoosh! A dark shadow streaked across the sky. Chen Lun spread his ck wings and flew past, heading in a certain direction. ¡®Almost there¡­ Flying is indeed faster.¡¯ The Silver Staff spun in a circle, pointing in a direction, and then he stowed it away. From Amber City to Emerald Town, it would take six or seven days by horse-drawn carriage, three or four days by train, but by flying, it only took about half a day. However, Chen Lun was exhausted enough, havingnded several times along the way to rest, each time gulping down a bottle of Thirst-quencher, otherwise, he really didn¡¯t have the Physical Strength to maintain flight. Actually, Spirit World Shuttle would have been faster, but Chen Lun did not know the current earthly coordinates of Emerald Town, and with his current strength, Spirit World Shuttle was still too risky. For safety¡¯s sake, he chose to fly steadfastly on his own¡­ wings there. During the flight over the wilderness, he passed by several viges. From a bird¡¯s-eye view, thend below was bleak, sparsely popted, with only the asional sight of bonfires and plumes of smoke. Sometimes he could see sparse military troops trekking long distances, seemingly on their way somewhere for a suppression operation. ¡®The public test has begun, let¡¯s first make contact with the yermunity to see what¡¯s happening¡­¡¯ Chen Lun pressed down on his t cap, his eyelids drooping as he thought. ¡®I have three goals in the short term, one is to use the preparation of this period to develop myself using the yer resources. The second is to water the ¡®elite¡¯ I¡¯ve chosen, to speed up their growth, help me sabotage the Red Apple Church¡¯s ns, and strike at their lurking live forces before the main storyline opens.@@novelbin@@ The third is to prepare for the arrival of the ¡®Mutual Aid Society¡¯¡­ yes, this could be a very important boost.¡¯ As Chen Lun pondered, he realized he had arrived outside Emerald Town. The familiar contours of the town appeared before him. But it was clearly eroded by the pandemic, with military troops stationed outside the town, with soldiers covering their faces with cloth strips, guarding the bridges and The Great Gate with utmost vignce. Some odd charred items, emitting green smoke, were stacked together. Next to them were white bedsheets. Laid out neatly in a row as if waiting to be burned. Many individuals whose expressions were starkly out of ce in the environment caught Chen Lun¡¯s attention. They wereughing and joking, their eyes filled with curiosity and excitement, looking around the environment, heading towards the town¡¯s Great Gate. ¡°They¡¯re gue madmen! Kill them!¡± A soldier shouted in rm upon seeing the yers arrive. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh¡­! The soldiers defending the town drew their bows and shot arrows at the approaching yers. As the bowstrings trembled, the yers showed shocked faces, each falling outside the town and dissipating into white light. ¡°¡­¡± Chen Lun showed an expression of speechlessness. Why were the yers of this generation so foolish? The farm in the outskirts must have been overrun by the gue by now, deste, and even if they hadn¡¯t encountered any infected people, they should know that looking happy and carefree could easily be mistaken for having contracted the disease. Chen Lun flew over the heads of the multitude of guards on the wall, crossing the town¡¯s enclosure, and headed straight inside. He thennded in an inconspicuous corner, stepping onto the not-so-clean cobblestone road, returning to Emerald Town. Inside the town, at a junction, he saw many armed ¡°refugees¡± gathering, apparently preparing for some significant action. Someone shouted, ¡°Anyone forming a team to farm monsters, count me in!¡± Chapter 190: 164 Black Messenger! (Two in One) Chapter 190: Chapter 164 ck Messenger! (Two in One) Chen Lun noticed that these ¡°refugee¡± yers were all just wearing the rough robes they came with, carrying assorted pieces of broken copper and rusty iron in their hands.@@novelbin@@ They must havee here, to Emerald Town, from the suburbs of Novice Vige. After silently observing for a while, he saw that these yers had already formed groups, heading in one direction in clusters of three or five. Chen Lun hid in the shadows, following them to see what these newbies were actually up to. Along the way, he saw that the town¡¯s scenery was very bleak, with every household closed up. The streets were littered with all sorts of trash, bloody rags, and old clothes. A light breeze carried a faint stench that was nauseating. There were some monks from the Moon Church dressed in ck robes, expressionless and reticent, carrying sacks of corpses. They walked past the ¡°refugee¡± yers as if they did not see them. The yers soon reached the western side of the town, which had been isted with a wooden fence. Several soldiers d in leather armor and iron helmets, armed with short swords, stood guard there. Upon seeing the yers arrive, the leading soldier captain seemed very pleased. He said something, and with a ng, opened the fence, letting this group of yers enter the fenced-off district. From there came the roars of beasts and the eerie humming of a strange nursery rhyme. A strong stench of decay and blood burst forth from the fence, causing the soldiers outside to cover their noses and retreat. After a few promptings, dozens of excited yers poured through the narrow gate into the street beyond. With a bang, the gate was closed again. Chen Lun took out a Starry Veil and ced it over his head, slowly stepping out from the shadows. It was then that the soldiers noticed a well-dressed gentleman who had appeared before them out of nowhere, startling them. ¡°What¡¯s going on with the district behind the fence? Why did you let those people in just now?¡± Chen Lun spoke up. A seashell ne around his chest flickered with a faint light, causing the leading soldier captain to blink in surprise. ¡°Oh, sir, that¡¯s the gue district¡­ The residents inside have been infected with the gue, turning into bloodthirsty madmen. Themander has issued an order to purge the gue district. The group that just entered volunteered to go in and eliminate the gue sufferers.¡± Chen Lun nodded silently. ¡®This is such a novice task¡­¡¯ Two months ago, through information brought by Maggie, he had already learned something about the gue. Among the three types of the gue, the most core and terrifying one was the ¡°Red Dance Disease.¡± Those infected with this disease seemed to be under some sort of curse, unwittingly attracting others to join them in smiling, joyously dancing in a bizarre spectacle. ¡°They almost never stop, dancing until death¡­ Most often, their legs fracture and then they copse on the ground, writhing until death. Throughout, the dancers keep screaming,ughing, or crying, while some hum strange songs.¡± That was Maggie¡¯s exact description. ¡°If you watch them and refuse to join the dance, you will be violently assaulted¡­ They are bloodthirsty and brutal, even going as far as to cannibalize you. However, this form of the disease, once contracted, means spirituality is obliterated after twenty-four hours, leaving nothing but a mad, husk.¡± Chen Lun hypnotized the soldier captain, nning to get him to open the fence so he himself could go in and take a look. But just then. Bang! A loud noise, and the wooden fence suddenly shuddered violently. What was happening behind it was unclear, but there were screams and strangeughter. The soldiers, as if facing a great enemy, drew their short swords and prepared for battle. tter¡ªBang! Once again, the fence trembled severely, and the wooden barricade was forcefully overthrown. Chen Lun looked up to see around a dozen demented residents, carrying rusty and blood-stained kitchen knives, rakes, or scythes, chasing after the yers who had entered earlier. These infected citizens, wearing tattered robes or suits, were filthy. Their faces always bore unnatural smiles, producing eerie giggles or singing indecipherable murmuring songs. Swinging their weapons, fresh blood sttered everywhere, and the yers screamed as they disappeared in shes of white light. After ughtering the yers, these gue-crazed individuals did not stop their attack. Some of them linked hands and starting humming an iprehensible eerie melody, forming circles on the spot and breaking into dance. The other gue-maddened individuals kept on wielding their kitchen knives and scythes, hacking at the soldiers. They cackled sharply, as if chopping people was some amusing, interesting activity. ¡°Ah! Aaaah!!¡± A soldier without a helmet screamed repeatedly. His face got caught by a rake, its numerous prongs scraping across his head, peeling off arge p of skin and flesh, blood spilling profusely. The soldiers began to fight back but with little morale. They fought while retreating, seemingly reluctant to linger here any longer. Chen Lun knew they were worried about contracting the gue¡­ After all, such close-distance fighting, with rusty, dirty weapons and unidentified blood, was indeed conducive to infection. As of now, there was no cure for the disease, just a one-way path to death. This was too demoralizing! Two more soldiers were struck down by the gue-crazed individuals, their counterattacks failing to slow their assants even slightly. The afflicted seemed not to feel pain; although cut by the soldiers¡¯ short swords, bleeding profusely, they did not cry out in pain¡­ Instead, they continued to giggle bizarrely, singing as they lifted their weapons for the ughter. Chapter 192: 164: Black Messenger! (Two in One)_3 Chapter 192: Chapter 164: ck Messenger! (Two in One)_3 Rotten Persimmon outwardly agreed with all due respect, but internally he didn¡¯t take it seriously. After all, since he created his ount, everything had gone smoothly¡­ except for his ID. Thinking of this, Rotten Persimmon felt a twinge of annoyance. Originally, when creating his character, he intended to choose a powerful and domineering ID, ¡°Greedy Devourer,¡± but ended up with a notification ¡°ID already taken.¡± While cursing the person who had taken the ID, he reluctantly changed it to the abbreviated ¡°Greedy Bite,¡± but due to a slip of the tongue and haste, it turned into ¡°Rotten Persimmon¡±! Ding ding! Bang!@@novelbin@@ Pfft¡ª! Rotten Persimmon¡¯s spear danced with speed, leveraging his long reach to deflect the gue resident¡¯s sickle and then mercilessly stabbed several holes into the opponent¡¯s chest and abdomen. Finally, he used the spear as a club to beat the enemy¡¯s neck, knocking it down, and stabbed into the eye socket as a finisher. A kill notification popped up. He looked at the generous experience points reward with great joy. Picking up a rusty sickle from the ground, he casually chose to level up, raising his own level by one. Other yers were quite envious, even those NPC soldiers looked at him with admiration. ¡°¡ªRotten Persimmon, I¡¯ve gathered the brothers near Emerald Town and told them to rush to your location¡­ Afterwards, you¡¯ll temporarily act as the team leader and help keep an eye on things.¡± The president of the God¡¯s Love Guild, ¡°Worldly Person,¡± spoke in the guild channel, specifically mentioning him. Rotten Persimmon saw it and was greatly encouraged, immediately replying with a ¡°No problem.¡± He turned his head and scanned his surroundings. Other yers retreated quite far, only a very few were willing to rush forward and sh with the gue-crazed. Those soldiers were out of the question, standing far away, unwilling to advance. ¡°Haha¡ª!¡± Suddenly, a burst of shrillughter was heard. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a red figure dart out from an old residential building in the gue district. It was a disheveled woman with a haggard face brimming with a maniacal smile, d in a red robe, brandishing a sharp knife, and frantically charging towards the crowd. Rotten Persimmon frowned and cast a ¡°Scout,¡± then was taken aback for a moment. ¡°Elite monster!¡± He was shocked to see that this red-clothed woman¡¯s level was a whole ten levels higher than his, with some attributes showing hyphens for the unknown and the danger level as the orange ¡°Very Dangerous.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a mini-Boss! Everyone, join in!¡± Rotten Persimmon shouted loudly. Hearing his words, other yers began to stir. As if this was a signal, igniting the fuse of the yers¡¯ inner desires. Amidst the soldiers¡¯ bewildered looks, about a dozen yers, wielding their broken weapons, charged forward, standing united with Rotten Persimmon. ¡°Come on! Those willing to fight the Boss, ept my team invitation so that the rewards can be shared, and the loot can be distributed through a roll¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon hastily called out,manding the yers to encircle and attack the red-clothed woman. Seeing the ¡°God¡¯s Love¡± in the brackets above his head, the others were also willing to trust him. After all, he was from one of the Three Major Guilds, which was always more reliable than some solo yers. Standing not far behind a tree, Chen Lun was standing in the shade, silently observing the scene. ¡®The Red Dancer¡­ has the gue deeply infected and caused a mutation?¡¯ There was a flicker of confusion across his face as his eyes swirled with mist. ¡®These yers are doomed, they can¡¯t win¡­ This strength is alreadyparable to a Sequence Nine Transcendent.¡¯ Chen Lun shook his head. ng! A crisp ringing sound. Rotten Persimmon¡¯s spear collided with the red-clothed woman¡¯s sharp knife. He had intended to repeat his trick and flick away the woman¡¯s weapon but didn¡¯t expect to meet such enormous resistance. The other¡¯s strength was just too great! ¡°Haha¡ª!!¡± The red-clothed woman, with her not-so-sturdy arms, pped Rotten Persimmon¡¯s spear away, followed by a downward sh. Swish! Rotten Persimmon¡¯s wide-brimmed hat was torn apart and his head was split open with a cut, blood and brain matter sttering. [You have died!] His vision went dark, then he saw this notification. ¡°I really have no brains¡­ Why did I rush to the front?¡± That¡¯s what he had thought before dying. The strongest among these yers, Rotten Persimmon, was taken down in one encounter by the woman in red, and the others were even more powerless to fight back. Not to mention, there were other gue crazies attacking the yers desperately on the side. The yer alliance, ready to gang up on the woman in red, crumbled in an instant, scattering in disarray. The soldiers were being ughtered, unable to escape from the woman in red¡¯s swift movements. Rotten Persimmon, resurrected, was annoyed at the other yers who cowered and hesitated to move forward. ¡°This can¡¯t go on¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon was extremely anxious. This was the first elite monster he had encountered, and the thought of leaving without a fight was just too much to bear. Unfortunately, these individual yers were a disorganized crowd, impossible tomand. Otherwise, if the brothers from the God¡¯s Love Guild were here, they could probably have used sheer numbers to take down this red-dressed woman! Just then. A man wearing a ck t-top hat appeared in everyone¡¯s view, seemingly out of nowhere. It was as if he had been standing there from the start, but no one had noticed him. ¡°!!¡± Rotten Persimmon jumped in shock. The other yers had the same reaction. ¡°Hahaha¡ª!!¡± The red-dressed dancer swung her sharp knife, stabbing two yers to death and chopping down a soldier, charging straight towards where the others were gathered. And this strange man just happened to be standing in their way. ¡°Who is this man?!¡± A yer asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± The others shook their heads in unison. In everyone¡¯s gaze, the man gently raised his right hand. Crack! He caught hold of the sharp knife the woman in red swung down. Boom!! A bright me burst from his palm and the knife instantly turned red-hot, melting into a stream of molten metal. ¡°Behead.¡± The man¡¯s deep voice uttered a single word. He brought his fingers together, and a bright yellow me zed up, shaping into a long, wide-ded executioner¡¯s knife in his hand. Boom!! With a swing of his hand, the me Beheading Knife sliced through the air, and the neck of the woman in red and everything above was engulfed in mes, instantly turning into charred ash and smoke. The man turned around, adjusted the brim of his hat, and walked casually towards the yers. Behind him, the red figure copsed to the ground with a thud, motionless. ¡°Damn! That was so cool!¡± ¡°So strong¡­? A Transcendent!¡± ¡°What¡¯s his background?! Could he be a Mentor NPC from Novice Vige?!¡± The yers stared intently, casting ¡°Scout¡± at the man, then were stunned by the results. The feedback consisted of a series of indecipherable lines and an intensely dark red ¡°Extremely Lethal.¡± And only above this man¡¯s head, under the ¡°Scout,¡± did an ID slowly appear¡ª ¡°ck Messenger¡±! Chapter 195: 165: NPC Guards the Body! (Three in One)_3 Chapter 195: Chapter 165: NPC Guards the Body! (Three in One)_3 ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Rotten Persimmon turned his head, his gaze falling on the figure of the gentleman in the ck top hat surrounded by a group of yers. ¡°That ¡®ck Messenger¡¯ mysterious merchant must be a Transcendent¡­ but this is Novice Vige after all, his power can¡¯t be too outrageous. Maybe we can kill him and take the stuff he carries.¡± Rotten Persimmon became more and more excited as he spoke. ¡°Even if we fail, it¡¯s no big deal. At worst, we die and drop a level. The loss isn¡¯t significant¡­ Anyway, we¡¯re leaving here tomorrow to head for Amber City. Why not take onest gamble before we go?¡± He looked at hispanions and tempted them: ¡°If we seed, that mysterious merchant is bound to drop items¡­ Those potions, firearms, and even more powerful, yet so expensive we can¡¯t afford them, ¡®Mysterious Objects¡¯! They will all be ours!¡± Saying this, Rotten Persimmon clenched his fist tightly. ¡°Maybe, he even has Supernatural Knowledge on him!¡± At this, his fourpanions were momentarily stunned before their breathing quickened. ¡°Let¡¯s gamble! I¡¯m only level six right now anyway. If I drop, so be it; I can level up again soon¡­ Rotten Persimmon boss, how do we make our move?¡± One of them dered through gritted teeth. Rotten Persimmon chuckled stealthily and whispered to them: ¡°Like this¡­ gibberish Babu Biebu¡­¡± While the five of them were whispering among themselves, at the far end of the street corner, the man with the ck t top hat suddenly nced in their direction. Underneath theyer of twisting ck fog was an unseen smile. Chen Lun withdrew his gaze and continued to earnestly y the role of the current ¡°NPC Mentor¡±, or you could also call it the role of the ¡°Novice Vige mysterious merchant.¡± He had traveled long distances to get to Emerald Town, and it wasn¡¯t for the money¡­ the new yers in front of him were too poor, without much to squeeze from them. He had three purposes. The first was to thoroughly test his NPC Temte mechanisms, including selling items, issuing quests, and teaching Skills. Currently, ¡°teaching Skills¡± wasn¡¯t quite feasible, so it would have to be postponed. But he had already figured out the functions of selling items and issuing quests, so the trip was worth it. The second was to brush up the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯ presence in front of the yers, to nt a seed in their minds¡­ a seed about the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯, and then wait for it to Detonate at some future moment. It was also a convenient trip to the ¡°front lines¡± to survey, in preparation for providing customized services to the yerster on. The third was to guide the newbie yers. Mr. Jack, who styled himself as the ¡°Guide of Destiny,¡± had to implement this persona thoroughly. ¡°Outsider warriors, if you feel that you have been trained and the time is ripe, you can consider heading to the nearest metropolis¡ªAmber City. That is where your Destiny belongs, and it will also be your stage in the future.¡±@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun lowered his hat brim and spoke in a mysterious and epic tone. Upon hearing this, the yers looked at each other. Some yers in the crowd had already recorded his image and manner of speaking and posted it on the internal forums, with the title ¡°The mysterious merchant of Emerald Town has real style! Is your newbie area¡¯s Guide like this?¡± Because Chen Lun¡¯s face was covered with a [Starry Veil], no yer had recognized him so far, at most feeling he looked a lot like ¡°Jack¡± but without solid evidence to prove the two were the same person. At this moment. Rotten Persimmon, along with his four teammates from God¡¯s Love, made their way through the crowd. ¡°Make way, we¡¯re here to turn in a quest.¡± Seeing this, the other yers stepped aside to let them through. Rotten Persimmon and his teammates walked straight up to Chen Lun, and he submitted the quest without any fuss. The man in the ck top hat turned to look at him, nodding slightly, as if quite pleased. ¡°Mr. Rotten Persimmon, you are an outstanding warrior. Here are your rewards¡­ I hope you grow quickly; I¡¯m looking forward to your future performance.¡± Chen Lun flicked his hand, handing over two boxes of ammunition and a pack of Antiepidemic Sugar Cubes. The Experience Points and currency reward had already been sent through the panel, saving him quite a bit of trouble. Rotten Persimmon epted the quest rewards and saw the questpletion pop-up. He nodded. In the chat room, he sent out an instruction: ¡°¡ªAttack now!¡± His teammates had already surrounded the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯ unnoticed. At Rotten Persimmon¡¯smand, they all struck at once, lifting the rusty vegetable knives and sickles and violently shing down at him. Rotten Persimmon also seized the opportunity to lift the muzzle of his gun, ready to pull the trigger at the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯. Boom!! The yers gathered around were stunned. They had never imagined that the people from God¡¯s Love would dare to make a move on the ¡®Guide¡¯ and ¡®mysterious merchant¡¯! Weren¡¯t they too bold?! After a loud bang. Everyone only felt a st like thunder by their ears and a wave of heat rushing towards them, as mes erupted in front of their eyes. The four yers who had surrounded the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯ and tried to ambush him had vanished without a trace, most likely burned alive by the fire. Rotten Persimmon, with all his equipment burned,y ragged on the ground, his eyes wide open. The ¡®ck Messenger¡¯ remained unharmed and even effortlessly squatted down in front of Rotten Persimmon, snapping his fingers. Pop! ¡°You will regret desecrating the messenger of the ¡®foreign gods¡¯, Mr. Rotten Persimmon¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon¡¯s head exploded like a torch bursting into mes. He twitched twice on the ground and then vanished into a white light. Chapter 198: 166: The Shock of Two High-Level Players (Three in One) _2 Chapter 198: Chapter 166: The Shock of Two High-Level yers (Three in One) _2 Some specifically came from the ¡°ck Messenger¡± post to take a tour and leave ament as a memento. There were those who were just there to watch the excitement, and others who genuinely offered advice to Rotten Persimmon. ¡°Scared of what, it¡¯s just an NPC, right? Just log on, and if he flies over to step on your head again, you do a sliding tackle, slip a knife under him from between his legs, and his balls will drop all over the ce¡­¡± ¡°Ah, surely no one¡¯s actually been driven to a dead end by an NPC? Just y dead, and when hees close to check your body, jump up and put him in a cross lock¡ªonce it¡¯s set, he¡¯s done for! Break his arm, then you can do whatever you want to him!¡± ¡°Those tall, skinny, handsome NPCs are the easiest to handle. When he charges at you, just find the right moment to use his momentum against him and execute a shoulder throw, making him twist his neck and pass out.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Remembering these, Chen Lun chuckled. He had achieved his goal already, so he didn¡¯t n to continue wasting time in Emerald Town. It was a pity that Rotten Persimmon had run away so fast; otherwise, he would have liked to thrash him a few more times and send him into Resurrection Cooldown for a bit of suffering. Boom! He spread his wings and pped them hard, shooting up into the sky. ¡°ck Messenger, ck Messenger, don¡¯t go¡­! How will I live if you leave, ck Messenger!¡± The yers below wailed and tried to make him stay, but Chen Lun left the street corner without looking back. The news that ck Messenger hadpletely left spread gradually. The yers of Emerald Town were surprised and disappointed; they thought this NPC would stay here forever. It had only been a few days since the public beta, and he had already left¡­ The yers spected that this was a time-limited, powerful NPC, just giving a temporary boost to yers. As soon as the news spread, the gaming forums erupted with cheers. The loss of uniqueness in Emerald Town brought a sense of bnce to yers from other areas. Furthermore, ck Messenger¡¯s actions led many to specte that he might, perhaps, possibly, fly into their own gaming area¡­ Since it was a limited-time benefit, why wouldn¡¯t he visit a few more Novice Viges? Rotten Persimmon got the news that the killer ck Messenger had finally left. He cheered when he climbed into the sleeping pod, choking on a few sips of the nutrient solution. Logging on and seeing the sun in the sky over Emerald Town, he couldn¡¯t help but take a long breath and smile genuinely. A day without Jack guarding his corpse felt exceptionally good. But when Rotten Persimmon looked around and saw the other yers, a shadow fell over his smile once again. Having died too many times, he had fallen back to level 5. And having been offline for so long, he had fallen behind other yers. Rotten Persimmon felt regret. He felt suffocated, his mouth bitter. After taking a deep breath, he decided to go farming and leveling up again. Just then, someone in the guild channel mentioned him, saying that many brothers from God¡¯s Love had arrived in Emerald Town and wanted to team up with him. Rotten Persimmon¡¯s mood finally improved. * * * Lime Ash City train station. The train had stopped temporarily at the tform, and the crew rang the bell to remind passengers not to miss their stop. The tform was bustling and crowded. In the midst of the noise andmotion, a young man with green hair got off the train and looked around the crowd. Soon, he spotted a girl with orange-twisted braids, carrying a suitcase and walking toward him. ¡°Hello, Honey Fool, nice to meet you. I¡¯m Gan Ziwen.¡± Gan Ziwen¡¯s eyes brightened as he walked briskly over and extended his hand toward the girl. Honey Fool looked up at his ID, shook his hand lightly, and spoke: ¡°Hello, Gan Ziwen, nice to finally meet you.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Gan Ziwen let out a sigh. Influenced by the pilot and the game¡¯s introductory CG, the idea of searching for Jack grew stronger in his mind. This was also the advice given by the strategy group of the Lost Name Guild. They had also put Gan Ziwen in contact with Honey Fool from the Chuxi Guild; both yers had be Transcendents during the beta test, and moving together would be safer. The two set out together for Amber City to search for the ¡°Destiny Guide¡± Jack, hoping for better developments. Gan Ziwen had heard rumors that his guild¡¯s leader knew the female leader of the Chuxi Guild. It seemed mostly true now, although he wondered if there was any story between them. ¡°Let me carry that for you.¡± Gan Ziwen, ever the gentleman, took the suitcase from Honey Fool. Thetter smiled sweetly and thanked him. ¡°We should get on the train; there are two more major stops before we reach Amber City¡­ it might take several days.¡± Gan Ziwen said. Honey Fool nodded and followed him onto the train.@@novelbin@@ They found an empty seat, stowed their luggage, and sat down facing each other. ¡°You¡¯ve made your character look pretty good.¡± Gan Ziwen looked at Honey Fool andplimented. Thetter yed with her twist braid and stuck out her tongue. ¡°Is your next line, ¡®Can I pinch your face¡¯?¡± Gan Ziwen was greatly surprised. ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all over the forum, that¡¯s the character you¡¯re known for now.¡± Honey Fool shrugged. ¡°I heard you became a Transcendent by courting a noblewoman and then essing her hidden Supernatural Knowledge through her library?¡± Gan Ziwen coughed and chose to avoid the topic, instead saying: ¡°Did you join the ¡®Jack Support Group¡¯? Got any inside info?¡± Chapter 199: 166: The Shock of Two High-Level Players (Three in One) _3 Chapter 199: Chapter 166: The Shock of Two High-Level yers (Three in One) _3 ¡°` He also took out the orange juice he had prepared in advance and poured a ss for Honey Fool. This was a specialty he had purchased in Yellow Iron City before setting off. Due to the gue, prices had soared, making this type of high-grade fresh orange, also known as ¡°Sunkist,¡± even more expensive, at 1 Silver Ducat and 20 Copper Kro per piece. This small bottle of orange juice alone cost 6 Silver Ducats. ¡°Thank you.¡± Honey Fool took the cup and took a sip. The juice trickled down his throat, cool and sweet, seeming to reduce the surrounding heat as well. ¡°Indeed, there is quite a bit of information, but it¡¯s all through the group owner Su Keying¡­ She happened to join Jack¡¯smand during the internal test, an organization of Transcendents now renamed ¡®Circus.''¡± Honey Fool said. ¡°ording to her, Jack issues some high-quality quests with very generous rewards. He also has a lot of good items in his hands, exclusive arsenal weapons, all sorts of Mysterious Objects, and Supernatural Knowledge, and even tickets to advanced instances.¡± Gan Ziwen¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I see. Thank you very much for your information, Honey Fool.¡± He nodded, then fell into thought. Honey Fool looked at him, recalling how he had steadily poured the juice on the bumpy train ride, and then asked: ¡°Which path are you on? Constetion, Conspiracy, or Deep Sea? Only those of Sequence Nine from these three paths would have the kind of bnce and hand stability you possess.¡± Gan Ziwen looked up in surprise, chuckled, and said:@@novelbin@@ ¡°Your observational skills are sharp, Honey Fool¡­ I am ¡®Deep Sea Faction Sequence Nine ¨C Sailor,¡¯ skilled in navalbat, with outstanding bnce and closebat abilities.¡± Honey Fool revealed a smile that said ¡®as expected,¡¯ and then also tacitly shared his own information: ¡°I am ¡®Magic Faction Sequence Nine ¨C Schr.¡¯ My physical enhancement isn¡¯t significant. My main strength lies in memory abilities, and actualbat relies on pre-drawn ¡®Magic Scrolls.¡¯ I don¡¯t yet have the ability to cast spells.¡± Gan Ziwen looked enlightened. ¡°So you¡¯re a mage, my apologies.¡± ¡°A mage who can¡¯t even conjure a me¡­¡± Honey Fool rolled his eyes. ¡°Speaking of Jack, I am actually quite interested in his identity. Characters that appear in the opening CG aren¡¯t simple by any measure¡­¡± Gan Ziwen said. Honey Fool nodded, agreeing with his statement. ¡°Right, Su Keying once mentioned something, that this NPC seemed to have talked about hearing a call from another world, as if praying to him, hoping he could go to save¡­¡± ¡°Listening to you, it reminds me of several legends, extremely simr to his situation¡­!¡± Gan Ziwen listened, then added a few of his own conjectures. The two of them chatted back and forth like this, quite enjoying themselves. ¡°Excuse me, is this seat taken?¡± At this moment, a deep voice rang out. Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool both looked up, and immediately, they were both startled. It was a tall gentleman wearing a ck t top hat, dressed in a ck suit, with his face enveloped in twisting ck mist, making it impossible to see his features. ¡°No one¡¯s here¡­ Please, take a seat.¡± Gan Ziwen, reacting quickly, immediately got up to give way, and then conveniently sat down next to Honey Fool, sitting alongside him opposite the man in the ck top hat. ¡°Thank you.¡± Chen Lun casually sat down, nodding in acknowledgment. Gan Ziwen exchanged a discreet nce with Honey Fool, both sensing that this man was extraordinary, and then together cast ¡°Scout¡± on him. Above the man¡¯s head appeared his ID¡ª¡±ck Messenger.¡± As for the rest, there were just lines representing the unknown, followed by a panel warning that he was an ¡°extremely lethal¡± dangerous entity. ¡°!!¡± Both of them were instantly shocked. They had not expected that just by taking a casual train ride, they would encounter such a terrifying NPC. Even though both of them had now be Transcendents, they still felt like tiny mice in his presence. Gan Ziwen, seeing the name ¡°ck Messenger,¡± felt it was familiar. He silently opened the forum and, after seeing a string of thread titles, recalled that this was the mysterious merchant from Novice Vige that was recently popr?! What was he doing here?! ¡°¡ªck Messenger?! I saw the group members discussing Him in the support group¡­ Su Keying said that after the Battle of the Square, the local residents began to worship Jack, calling him the ¡®ck Messenger¡¯!¡± Honey Fool sent a message to Gan Ziwen. Gan Ziwen¡¯s heart suddenly raced. ¡°¡ªAre you saying that this mysterious person is Jack?!¡± ¡°¡ªVery likely!¡± Chen Lun silently observed the two yers before him, who seemed slightly different from what he remembered. Theycked a certainposure, showing more naivety. ¡®Right, their arcane journey has just begun,cking enough experience,¡¯ he thought. After leaving Emerald Town, Chen Lun had used some clues from the forum and Divination, after much effort, to finally find Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool. His goal was to transnt these two promising seedlings into his own field, to cultivate them well and then have them bring him greater returns. ¡°Good day to you both. Ah, a friendly reminder, next time, do not pry so casually into others¡¯ privacy¡­¡± Chen Lun said indifferently: ¡°It could be lethal.¡± Chapter 200: 166: The Shock of Two High-Level Players (Three in One) _4 Chapter 200: Chapter 166: The Shock of Two High-Level yers (Three in One) _4 ¡°`intext Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool caught their breath. They caught a glimpse of the ck Messenger¡¯s face, where under the twisted ck mist, there seemed to hide a pair of bloodthirsty eyes, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. They lowered their heads, avoiding direct eye contact. ¡°What the hell? He actually knows we¡¯re scouting!¡± ¡°I looked it up before, and it seems if an NPC¡¯s Insight is high enough, they can sense when yers are scouting¡­ It¡¯s also possible our levels are vastly different.¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s both. (bitter smile emoji)¡± ¡°Sorry sir, we were rash¡­ We apologize to you.¡± Gan Ziwen stood up and respectfully bowed to Chen Lun, hand on chest. Chen Lun couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to himself. ¡°Destiny has guided me to find the two of you¡­¡± He crossed his hands and ced them on the table, his unseen ¡°gaze¡± staring directly at the two yers across from him. ¡°Among the outsiders, you two stand out, having entered the Mystic Realm and ascended to Transcendents¡­¡± Chen Lun extended his index finger, pointing gently at them. ¡°One following the path of the Deep Sea Faction, and the other embarking on a journey with the Magic Faction, very impressive.¡± Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool dared not speak, sitting ramrod straight, secretly astonished. They felt as if all their information wasid bare before the other, with no secrets left. ¡°The two of you are very special, and it is this uniqueness thatpels me to give you a little preferential treatment¡­¡± Chen Lun finished speaking and secretly swiped on his panel. Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool saw the man in the ck top hat in front of them suddenly pop up with a shiny exmation mark above his head! Focusing on it, another dialogue box popped up¡ª [Exchange]! They couldn¡¯t help but feel their hearts leap, silently exchanging a nce. ¡°¡ªMysterious merchant?!¡± ¡°¡ªThis is a secret merchant!¡± The two messaged each other in unison. Then, they were slightly taken aback, feeling a certain tacit understanding between them. Gan Ziwen was the first to click on [Exchange], and the product catalog that popped up next made his eyes shine. Although he had be a Transcendent, he wanted every single item listed, especially the two types of bombs and a ticket called ¡°Wondend Admission Ticket.¡± ¡°The bombs can be used as a powerfulst resort, and that ¡®admission ticket¡¯ is definitely a high-level dungeon pass!¡± Gan Ziwen thought to himself. The store catalog that Chen Lun showed these two was naturally different from that shown to newbies. He needed to use some of his best items to hook them firmly. Honey Fool also opened the exchange list and saw many powerful weapons and items, causing her to take a deep breath. The first thing the two did was to screenshot the view in front of them. Click!@@novelbin@@ The train ttered along, thendscape shing past a window. The wind blew in, lifting the cor of the man in the ck top hat at the table. He sat quietly, his face shrouded in a mist of ck, his features indistinct. On the other side, the exchange box was very clear, disying an array of items and their required prices. Gan Ziwen sent the screenshot directly to his guild leader ¡°Nameless,¡± then added ¡°Boss, send money!¡± and also shared it in the guild channel with ¡°Brothers, send money!¡± Honey Fool, on the other hand, shared the screenshot directly in the guild channel with ¡°Oh my god! Met Jack on the train! He¡¯s giving me benefits!¡± ¡°Ladies help! Can¡¯t afford it! Too expensive!¡± ¡°¡ªWow, Ziwen! Random midway encounter?!¡± responded ¡°Nameless,¡± the guild leader of Lost Name Guild, to the message. ¡°¡ªSought out by the other side¡­ It¡¯s probably a beta tester¡¯s benefit for ascending to Transcendent, as Honey Fool is also right there.¡± Gan Ziwen sent the message. ¡°¡ªAlright, I¡¯ll talk to the guild brothers and gather some money¡­ if that¡¯s not enough, I¡¯ll find a sponsor, this investment is nothing, I¡¯ll definitely get your matter settled! You¡¯re making us proud! (praise emoji)¡± Nameless messaged back. Having seen this, Gan Ziwen felt a huge weight off his chest. On Honey Fool¡¯s side, however, eye rolls were ceaseless. Her screenshot andments were like a bomb thrown into ake, stirring up countless sshes. Even members who typically lurked came out of hiding. ¡°Honey Fool sis! Can you get me an autograph?¡± ¡°Me first, get me one!¡± ¡°Wow! How dare you get so close to my idol! Honey Fool, let¡¯s settle this with a death match!¡± ¡°Reaping the benefits and still ying coy, no money, nice try!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Watching thesements, Honey Fool felt like crying without tears, but fortunately, her guild leader ¡°Chenxi¡± promptly sent her a private message with a simple ¡°No problem.¡± This allowed Honey Fool to calmly close the chat column. Chen Lun silently watched their engrossed expressions, reading their thoughts. ¡®Most likely gone to gather money¡­¡¯ He nodded to himself and waited a while longer, estimating that they should have about enough time, then he spoke: ¡°My time is limited, so I won¡¯t stay any longer¡­¡± Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool were startled, and quickly took out their savings to purchase some items from him. Gan Ziwen bought a Firearm called [Wrath], some ammunition, and a couple of Red and Yellow Potions. Honey Fool also bought a firearm and ammunition, but because she was short on funds, she passed on everything else. Chen Lun was indifferent to this, continuing to speak: ¡°Lastly, I leave you with a challenge, hoping you won¡¯t disappoint me.¡± Immediately, both received a task prompt¡ª [Triggered D-ss Task: The ck Messenger¡¯s Challenge!] Task Description: Head to Amber City, find the Transcendent organization ¡°Circus¡± without attracting the attention of the Shelter and the Church, andplete one of their assignments. Task Reward: Silver Serpent Ring (formal member token of the Circus). Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool both selected ¡°ept¡± without hesitation. They had not anticipated that the purpose of their journey would be mostly aplished halfway through¡­ The ck Messenger, no, Jack was indeed too considerate! In their field of vision, the man in the ck top hat slowly stood up, then suddenly disappeared. ¡°!!¡± They widened their eyes, clueless as to what had happened. Chen Lun chuckled to himself, touched the ck button on his sleeve, and walked past them without a trace. Chapter 201: 167: The Terrifying Bard (Two-in-one) Chapter 201: Chapter 167: The Terrifying Bard (Two-in-one) Boom! The ring firearm sted out light, as countless tiny steel beads were ejected from the barrel. A gue-crazed lunatic was blown away, bleeding profusely on the ground afternding. ¡°It¡¯s your turn, brother, go get the kill reward.¡± Rotten Persimmon, busy reloading, lifted his eyelids and said to a God¡¯s Love teammate beside him. ¡°Thank you, Big Brother Rotten Persimmon.¡± Thetter chuckled, and amidst the envious looks of others, he excitedly rushed forward, raised the kindling knife in his hand, and killed the gue-crazed lunatic. Because of the team, the others also got a small share of the experience points. ¡°Big Brother Rotten Persimmon, we¡¯ve been grinding here for several days, are we still going to continue?¡± Someone asked. ¡°It feels like the number of ¡®gue-crazed lunatics¡¯ nearby has decreased, and they don¡¯t seem to respawn¡­ With more and more neers in the town, this area will soon be out of monsters.¡± Rotten Persimmon didn¡¯t immediately answer but opened his own panel. He looked at the sub upation ¡°Church Guardian¡± followed by ¡°LV9¡± and then chose to upgrade. The number, after a moment of blurring, turned into ¡°LV10¡±. Rotten Persimmon closed his eyes and let out a breath. He was back, finally back; his level had finally returned to level 10! At this point, Rotten Persimmon wanted to shout out loud, but the ups and downs of recent days had tempered his impetuous nature a bit. Moreover, with seven or eight God¡¯s Love ¡°junior brothers¡± watching, he felt he had to maintain hisposure, so he suppressed his excitement. Rotten Persimmon told himself to stay low-key and not to be impulsive anymore. ¡°We won¡¯t grind anymore, we¡¯re leaving Emerald Town today.¡± He stored his ring firearm carefully and answered the earlier teammate¡¯s question. ¡°Where are we going then?¡± Apanion asked. Rotten Persimmon turned to look at him, then swept his gaze around the others. ¡°Amber City.¡± * * * The most convenient and cost-effective way to get from Emerald Town to Amber City was naturally by train. But the nearest train station from Emerald Town was also a good distance away¡ªif they walked, it would take about half a day. To make it to the train station before dark, Rotten Persimmon led the team to leave Emerald Town early and get on the road. Crack! Rotten Persimmon stepped on a withered branch, making a crisp sound. He lifted his hand to block the sunlight and squinted around. The scorching high temperature distorted the air, and the dazzling light shined on the gravel road, the heat wave hitting them in the face. ¡°Let¡¯s find a cool ce to rest for a while, it¡¯s too hot, and my life points are slowly being deducted¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon said to hispanions. The others could not stand the heat and quickly moved towards arge tree by the road when they heard their leader speak. A group of seven or eight people crowded under the shade of the tree to cool off.@@novelbin@@ Rotten Persimmon opened the map on his panel, checking the information on it. The areas previously obscured by the fog cleared away after he purchased the map of Emerald Town, and now he could clearly find the ¡°Emerald Town Train Station.¡± ¡°Just a bit more effort, it¡¯s only an hour or two away¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon took out his water bottle, took a sip, and encouraged. The others, hearing this, weren¡¯t too enthusiastic, the scorching weather was truly torturous. ¡°It¡¯s just a pity we didn¡¯t encounter any bandit teams, or we could have gotten some experience points on the way¡­ Isn¡¯t this road to the train station supposed to be infested with bandits?¡± Seeing the mood, Rotten Persimmon shifted the topic and asked. Apanion wiped the sweat off his forehead and shook his head: ¡°With the outbreak of the gue, those bandits out in the wild probably died off¡­ And even if there are survivors, they wouldn¡¯t be that ¡®dedicated¡¯ in this burning heat, would they?¡± ¡°Makes sense¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon replied. Just then, they suddenly heard a distant scream and faint swearing. ¡°¡­Stop chasing me! Damn it! I know I¡¯m handsome, but you don¡¯t have to cling to me like this!¡± Rotten Persimmon and his teammates exchanged nces. ¡°Go! Let¡¯s check it out! Maybe there really are bandits around here!¡± Immediately the group ran towards the source of the sound. Before long, they saw a golden-haired young man sprinting across a grassy area by the main road, with a raggedly dressed gue-crazed lunatic chasing closely behind. The golden-haired young man wore a hat with feathers stuck in it, and his cloak was filthy, making him look rather miserable, but he couldn¡¯t hide his noble air and handsome features. The chasing gue-crazed lunatic, a middle-aged man with the look of a bandit, carried a short axe andughed wildly while relentlessly pursuing the golden-haired youth. ¡°Ah!¡± The golden-haired youth tripped over a stone and fell. He turned around, eyes wide, as he watched the gue-crazed man rush forward, raising the short axe. Bang!! A gunshot rang out. The would-be assant flew sideways through the air, the short axe dropping from his hand with a tter. Rotten Persimmon and his team approached. He had someone finish off the gue-crazed man who had been shot and fallen, and then he turned to the golden-haired youth. ¡°Alec¡­?¡± He cast a scout and found out it was just an ordinary person, then he felt a bit disappointed. He had initially thought that rescuing him might trigger a mission, but now nothing happened. ¡°Thank you for your assistance.¡± Alec got up from the ground, dusted off the dirt from his body, and made an elegant gesture of gratitude while sping his breast. ¡°Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alec, a great traveling bard.¡± He wiped the grime off his face, revealing a radiant smile. Chapter 202: 167 Terrifying Minstrel (Two-in-One) _2 Chapter 202: Chapter 167 Terrifying Minstrel (Two-in-One) _2 ¡°` ¡°But in reality, I don¡¯t need your help¡­ Even without you, I would have been fine. I was just ying with this patient.¡± Alec ignored Rotten Persimmon and the others¡¯ dismayed expressions, and nced at the corpse at his feet. He seemed to remember something, bent down, and picked up the short axe, casually tucking it into his belt. ¡°In fact, I am on my own world adventure. These dangers are merely my seasoning, hardly worth mentioning¡­ Your interruption even spoiled my mood, which is quite rude.¡± Alec rambled on. Rotten Persimmon was already impatient, and a team member behind him couldn¡¯t stand this bragging ordinary NPC, so he interrupted Alec: ¡°Enough, you bbering idiot. Our boss saved your life, so just piss off¡­ Hope the next time you¡¯re in danger, no onees to your aid.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t bragging!¡± Alec frowned, visibly displeased. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Rotten Persimmon said, toozy to waste any more words on a brain-dead NPC, and signaled his teammates to leave. But Alec suddenly blocked their path, pulled out the short axe hanging on his waist, and stared at them angrily. ¡°You dare to doubt me! Mock and insult me! I, Alec, the great bard, will not allow you to trample on my dignity like this!¡± He raised the short axe in his hand, pointing it at Rotten Persimmon and his group. ¡°I challenge you to a duel! If you¡¯re a gentleman, ept the challenge courageously. Otherwise, you¡¯re nothing but cowards!¡± The group was taken aback. Rotten Persimmon¡¯s eyebrows raised, not expecting things to turn out this way. The NPC in front of him was probably more broken than a gue madman. ¡°Huh? Really not afraid to die!¡± One of Rotten Persimmon¡¯s teammates spoke up. He walked over to Rotten Persimmon, whispered a couple of sentences, suggesting that since this blond fool seemed to have a decent appearance and extraordinary demeanor, he might have a hidden identity, so it was best to just kill him, and maybe they¡¯d get something valuable. Rotten Persimmon¡¯s eyebrows raised again, considering it made sense, so he nodded slightly. ¡°Come on, I ept your challenge, let¡¯s duel!¡± The God¡¯s Love guild member, after getting an acknowledgment from Rotten Persimmon, stepped forward and stood opposite Alec. ¡°Brave! Then no more talk, let¡¯s start!¡± Alec stood with hands akimbo and barked an order. He lifted the short axe and charged towards his opponent with a strong momentum. ¡°Dragon-ying Axe!¡± His face contorted with ferocity, he shouted loudly and violently chopped down with the short axe! The others were startled by his shout. Dragon-ying Axe?! Smack! The yer dueling with Alec, holding a rusty sickle, raised his weapon and hooked the handle of the axe. His originally nervous heart suddenly turned into disdain, and then with a little effort, he flipped Alec¡¯s hand over. The short axe ttered to the ground. ¡°That all?¡± The yer sneered, swung his hand, and the sickle swept across Alec¡¯s neck. Gurgle¡ª! Alec¡¯s eyes bulged, his expression frozen in shock. ¡°My¡­ world adventure, is iting to an end here?¡±@@novelbin@@ His throat was slit, blood sprayed forth. The next second, his body softened, and he copsed to the ground. A harmonica fell from his embrace. [You have killed the wandering bard Alec, gaining 10 Experience Points!] The yer involved in the duel sneered and wiped the blood off his sickle before bending down to pick up the harmonica from the ground. [Misceneous Item ¨C Harmonica] Item Description: A in wooden harmonica, a small blown instrument. Its former owner appears to have been a wandering bard. Sadly, he was cruelly killed in a duel. ¡°Pah, what trash.¡± The yer spat and carelessly threw the harmonica away. ¡°Just an ordinary NPC, only 10 Experience Points, didn¡¯t even trigger any other alerts¡­¡± ¡°No need to say it, we all got only 1 Experience Point each.¡± Someone responded with augh. Rotten Persimmon exhaled and shook his head, ¡°Let¡¯s go, don¡¯t waste any more time.¡± ¡°Okay, boss Rotten Persimmon.¡± Without a second nce at the body on the ground, the group moved on. A yer at the back of the pack even casually picked up the short axe. They were just too poor,cking even a single decent weapon, and the axe was a lot more useful than a rusty kitchen knife. About ten minutester, as they continued on, they suddenly heard cries of agony and cursing again. ¡°¡­Damned beast! Made me slip! Oh, my handsome face, now smeared with disgusting mud! Get off! Don¡¯t chase me!¡± Rotten Persimmon and his teammates exchanged nces, feeling a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu with the scene. ¡°Let¡¯s check it out¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon ordered, then led the team towards the source of the noise. A few breathster, they left the main road and at the bottom of a weed-covered hillside, they saw a blond young man, chased by a gue-infected rabid dog. The blond wore a hat adorned with feathers and a dirty cloak draped over him. His handsome appearance and tall stature¡­ ¡°!!¡± Rotten Persimmon and the several yers were stunned. The guy being chased by the dog, wasn¡¯t he the same wandering bard from before?! But he was just killed, how could he appear here so soon?! Chapter 205: 168 War God Babu (Two in One)_2 Chapter 205: Chapter 168 War God Babu (Two in One)_2 All for the sake of identity documents and passes¡­ Rotten Persimmon shook his head, didn¡¯t linger, and turned to walk across the bridge. * * * Rotten Persimmon headed straight for the Red Apple Church in the Inner City District. When he arrived at the church, he found the number of residentsing to worship was few and far between, only a scattering of individuals. It looked quite deste. Rotten Persimmon recalled the pilot episode about Jack, which mentioned that this branch church seemed to have been destroyed by him once. Although it wasn¡¯t directly burned down like the church in Emerald Town, the bishop and some guardians of Amber City had been killed by Jack. The loss was quite severe. ¡°Perhaps this is the reason for the scarcity of believers here¡­?¡± Rotten Persimmon guessed to himself and pushed open the courtyard gate of the church. He immediately halted in his tracks. He saw newspapers scattered on the ground, thrown in from outside. Casually bending down to pick one up, he discovered that these newspapers were very old and seemed to have been printed a long time ago. The contents reported on exposing the dark side of the Red Apple Church and the deeds of the ¡°ck Messenger¡± meting out punishment on behalf of God. At this point, Rotten Persimmon understood why there were so few people here. ¡°Why has it turned around?! The Red Apple Church here is the viin, and Jack has be the messenger of justice¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon rolled up the newspaper, his expression fluctuating. ¡°Well, these reports can¡¯t all be taken as truth¡­ Besides, the Red Apple Church is part of the Righteous God Church, a powerful entity, and all I need is to make use of them to develop myself.¡± Clenching his teeth, he walked straight into the church. In the empty hall, there was only one monk, holding the Rose Bible and calmly preaching the gospel of Lady Rose to the few scattered listeners. For some reason, Rotten Persimmon always felt that this monkcked spirit and seemed to be going through the motions. He went straight up to him, and the monk stopped his sermon, casting a puzzled look his way. Rotten Persimmon discreetly performed a scout, discovering that the monk was just an ordinary person. Taking a deep breath, he took out his identity document and quietly stated that he was ¡°one of their own¡± from Emerald Town, hoping to do work for the church in Amber City. The implication was that he was hoping to pick up some tasks. This took the Red Apple Church¡¯s monkpletely by surprise. The other man appeared stunned for a good while before reacting. Because of the previous gallery case and the square battle, the leadership of the Shelter, Mona¡¯s teacher from Fossil City, the Judge Rudolf, submitted charges against the Red Apple Church to the ¡°Gem State Ten Cities Council.¡± Although it did not cause too much impact on the church, it had attracted dissatisfaction from the Empire¡¯s higher echelons. To avoid exacerbating the conflict, the church¡¯s higher-ups had actually temporarily abandoned the Amber City area, including several nearbyrge cities and towns. Therefore, this Red Apple Church now had more symbolic than practical significance, and soon it would be reluctantly handed over to the Sun Church for upancy. ¡°Praise be to Rose, Rotten Persimmon, you are indeed a devout guardian of the church.¡± The monk praised. Then he pondered for a few seconds, looked around, and finally remembered something, drawing a pile of wanted posters from under the podium¡¯s cab and handing them to Rotten Persimmon. ¡°This week you can choose to patrol or stand guard near the church, but after next Monday, there¡¯s no need toe anymore. The specific reasons and subsequent arrangements will be notified in due time¡­ Thereafter, you could consider easing the church¡¯s burden by seeking out and striking down these heinous criminals.¡± Rotten Persimmon took the wanted posters and received a task prompt. Immediately, he chose to ept it with some excitement. The monk¡¯s words were odd, why shouldn¡¯t hee after next week, is something big going to happen? With some doubts, he turned and left the church. Just as he stepped out of the main gate, the monk from the Red Apple Church noticed a figure emerging from the side door, so he immediately went up to greet them respectfully. ¡°Monk Lait, the handover work is almost done; our church will withdraw next week, and this ce will bepletely handed over to the Sun Church.¡± The monk was sweating profusely. The man standing in front of him was a monk from the Sun Church, a bald and bearded middle-aged ascetic. It was said that he was also a member of the elite Transcendent force ¡°Lamp Protectors¡± within the Sun Church. Lait¡¯s cid face carried a smile.@@novelbin@@ He nodded to the monk from the Red Apple Church, then gently patted his white robe and turned to look towards the main gate through which Rotten Persimmon had just departed. ¡°These ¡®visitors from the Spirit World¡¯ are indeed strange, have you discovered anything?¡± The monk from the Red Apple Church was momentarily taken aback. He opened his mouth but said nothing. Lait nced at him and shook his head. ¡°It seems that because you haven¡¯t ascended to Transcendent, many secrets within the Red Apple Church have not been disclosed to you¡­ Alright, I understand. This church will also undergo another renovation by us in due time.¡± * * * Rotten Persimmon found his brothers from the God¡¯s Love Guild in the Outer City District¡¯s sewers. He heard they had already epted the recruitment mission from the Security Office to help eradicate the gue rats guing the sewers. Rotten Persimmon had his own ns; he was prepared to bring this group of guild teammates and join a certain gang. In doing so, they could grind rats while participating in the gang conflict, thus strategically striking at the Iron Fist Gang. While leveling up, he could alsoplete his church mission. Because Rotten Persimmon had received some information from his senior, Doghead Gold, that the Iron Fist Gang was in fact a force under Jack¡¯smand. Chapter 206: 168: The God of War, Babu (Combine Two into One)_3 Chapter 206: Chapter 168: The God of War, Babu (Combine Two into One)_3 He had epted a church mission that didn¡¯t necessarily require him to kill the enemies of the church himself; he only needed to strike the enemies to earn rewards based on his Contribution Degree. So Rotten Persimmon nned to fleece Jack a bit. If he couldn¡¯t handle this NPC himself, couldn¡¯t he at least strike at his ordinary human subordinates? Although, Rotten Persimmon would often inexplicably recall the fear of being dominated by Jack¡¯s corpse guarding. He shook his head, trying not to think too much. A few dayster. Rotten Persimmon left the rental house with his brothers, heading as usual to the sludge pools to level up by grinding monsters. Passing by Denton Street, they suddenly encountered chaos. About five or six yers burst out of a grocery store on the street, each carrying valuable items in their arms, looking as though they had justpleted a robbery. The grocery store¡¯s owner, a middle-aged man covered in blood, crawled out of the store door, screaming hysterically for help. The neighboring coffee shop and bookstore had yers dashing out of their doors as well, then converging with the other yers, apparently part of the same group. The coffee shop¡¯s employees, all injured, screamed in panic. Mr. Tao Te from the ¡°Old Man¡¯s Bookstore,¡± with one side of his sses broken and his face covered in blood, leaned against the door frame, his face full of anger. The entire street was engulfed in chaos. Two patrol soldiers happened to witness the scene and drew their short swords. However, when they saw that the robbers were a gang and there were about fifteen to twenty of them, they instantly felt intimidated. But since their swords were already drawn, putting them away would be too embarrassing, so the two patrol soldiers had to brace themselves and blew the alert whistle. ¡ª¡ª Bee! Bee!! Then they held their short swords, standing tens of meters apart, confronting the yers. ¡°Charge! Don¡¯t be afraid! It¡¯s just two guards!¡± ¡°Quick battle! Reinforcements will be attracted by the whistle soon!¡± ¡°Go!¡± The yers charged with murderous intent, shouting a few times as they rushed toward the two patrol soldiers. The two soldiers were outnumbered and didn¡¯t want to fight. But the yers didn¡¯t consider so much, only thinking of killing these two obstructing fellows and then fleeing. ng! Ssh!! The yers charged, and the two patrol soldiers gritted their teeth, swinging their swords and killing two yers head-on. Then the remaining yers pulled out various rusty, poor-quality weapons to retaliate. ng, ng, bang! Boom! The patrol soldiers wore leather armor with iron tes and iron helmets, enduring the yers¡¯ concentrated attacks and only sustaining minor injuries. But the yers in low-level hemp robes, upon being hit by a sword, would be killed instantly. ¡°Brothers from God¡¯s Love Guild! Help us! We¡¯ll give you twenty percent of the stolen money!¡± One of the leading yers, seeing Rotten Persimmon and his group watching from not far away, shouted with a look of joy. Rotten Persimmon raised an eyebrow, noticing that these yers¡¯ IDs all bore the mark ¡°Shadow Speakers.¡± ¡°Shadow Speakers¡± was a second-tier guild known for its reckless actions, which exined why they were robbing here. ¡°Too little, we want half!¡± Rotten Persimmon thought for a moment and responded. The leader of the Shadow Speakers grimaced, swung the cleaver in his hand, and chopped it onto the helmet of a patrol soldier, making a nging sound. The cleaver¡¯s de bent, but the helmet only dented. The patrol soldier, startled, swung his sword fiercely and killed another yer. Seeing this, the leading yer gritted his teeth and turned around. ¡°Thirty percent! That¡¯s the most we can give!¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Rotten Persimmon chuckled and pulled out his blunderbuss. He turned to instruct hispanions quickly, then led the charge forward. The two soldiers, seeing more enemies join, couldn¡¯t help but panic. Bang!! At close range, Rotten Persimmon raised his hand and fired. After the loud bang, one soldier screamed and fell to the ground. His leather armor burst open, revealing the bloody mess beneath. The nearby yers quickly hacked him to death. The other soldier, seeing this, turned and ran. Bang!! But Rotten Persimmon quickly reloaded and shot at his retreating figure. The soldier was hit and plunged forward, his back soaked in red. Members of God¡¯s Love Guild rushed forward to finish him off. If Pris had been there, he would have recognized that these two soldiers were the very ones who had extorted them before.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Thank you¡­¡± The remaining half of the yers from the Shadow Speakers Guild gathered around. A smile hung on Rotten Persimmon¡¯s face as he was about to say something. ¡°You damn robbers! Murderers! The Sun will bring down punishment!¡± Mrs. Caroline stood at the doorway, furiously scolding. Her flower shop hadn¡¯t opened today, luckily escaping a disaster. But the chaos lured her out to witness this scene. ¡°So noisy, you old hag.¡± A yer from the Whisperer¡¯s Guild, with a fierce look, fiercely threw the kitchen knife in his hand. Miss Caroline¡¯s eyes widened as she watched the rusty kitchen knife flying straight toward her. St! A frail figure blocked in front of Mrs. Caroline, and the knife chopped into his back. Blood sttered, and Mrs. Caroline, to her surprise, saw that the person who blocked the knife for her was the bookstore owner, Mr. Tao Te. ¡°Mr. Tao Te, you¡­!¡± Mrs. Caroline covered her mouth. ¡°Miss Caroline¡­¡± Mr. Tao Te¡¯s face contorted in pain. His lips trembled, his old face twitching. ¡°It¡¯s such a pity¡­ I never got to have dinner with you¡­ not even once.¡± With that, he copsed in front of Mrs. Caroline. Mrs. Caroline¡¯s breath caught, and she was speechless. This old friend, with whom she had spent many years, had died right in front of her, just like when she received the news of her husband and children¡¯s deaths. ¡°Damn it, blocked it!¡± The yer who threw the knife grumbled. He asked for another knife from apanion, chuckled sinisterly, and raised his hand, ready to throw again. Just at that moment. Woof woof!! After two barks, the yer suddenly felt pain in his thigh. Looking down, he saw that somehow, a ck and white Border Collie had reached his side, biting him. ¡°Get off! You dead dog!¡± The yer screamed in agony. Babu let go, leaped up and took another bite, directly crushing his throat. [You have died!] The other yers were startled. Rotten Persimmon aimed his firearm, ready to shoot, but was shocked to find that with a flick of its body, the Border Collie darted far away and killed another yer with a bite. ¡°There¡¯s something off about this dog!¡± Rotten Persimmon eximed in rm. The Border Collie was very fast, and its aggression was incredibly strong, hardly resembling a normal dog. The yers from the Whisperer¡¯s Guild were quickly decimated by Babu, leaving only two or three panic-stricken individuals who threw down the things they had taken and turned to run. But they had not run a few steps before the Border Collie caught up with them, killing two with a couple of bites. Rotten Persimmon¡¯s group also suffered several casualties, his face grim, he aimed and fired a shot at the Border Collie. Bang! Unfortunately, the dog was too fast and only suffered a graze on one leg. Howl! ¡°Oh! My Babu! Poor child!¡± Mrs. Caroline showed an expression of sorrow. She remained crouching, supporting Mr. Tao Te¡¯s body, looking toward the wounded Border Collie. Because of the leg injury, Babu¡¯s speed decreased slightly, but the yers still were no match for him. Having ingested the ¡°Low Sequence Conspiracy Faction Mysterious Substance¡± provided by Chen Lun, its physical condition had enhanced, and its Agility Attribute was twice that of these yers. Plus, it was less noticeable, and if you weren¡¯t careful, it would vanish from sight. Rotten Persimmon watched as the dog, like a war god, continued to kill one yer after another. He had killed at least ten people! ¡°Let¡¯s go! Don¡¯t get entangled here any longer,¡± Rotten Persimmon called out. They had used up their resurrection counts on the train; if they died here, they would be forced to log out. ¡°We will take care of this dog next time!¡± * * * Scattered yers, following Rotten Persimmon, fled as the Border Collie¡¯s leg injury grew worse, not sufficient to continue the chase. It panted, its mouth bloody. Crouching in front of Mrs. Caroline, it watched as Rotten Persimmon and his group fled. ¡°Babu, good boy¡­¡± Mrs. Caroline was highly moved, her eyes brimming with tears. Suddenly, she noticed Babu limping toward the end of the street. ¡°Babu, where are you going?¡± Mrs. Caroline asked. The Border Collie stopped, looked back at her, then turned and continued to leave. That direction was toward the Inner City District. Chapter 207: 169 Circus Pursuit Order (Combined) Chapter 207: Chapter 169 Circus Pursuit Order (Combined) Jack Manor. The living room on the first floor of the vi. Chen Lun sat on the sofa, watching as Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo left. Their faces were brimming with excitement, each holding a mechanical glove they couldn¡¯t seem to put down, fondling it lovingly. Not long after Chen Lun returned, Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo, who had been waiting for some time, came looking for him. Upon reading the letter they received, they filled with anticipation, even going so far as to directly check into the residential area of the manor to wait. As for the movements of Horseman, Pris, and Su Keying, through Floey, he learned that they hadpleted twomission tasks and were currently out on the third. Chen Lun nodded with satisfaction. This was indeed a group of diligent yers, quite good. ¡®Having already initially interacted with some of the ordinary public beta yers, it¡¯s also time to ¡°water¡± these selected elites¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought. ¡®I need to expedite the official Immortal Realm journey, letting them pathfind for me, and find the supernatural knowledge for the next sequence, the ¡°Magician¡±!¡¯ Immediately after, Chen Lun took out a letter from the Blood Poem Ring. This was handed to him by Connie when he just got back. It was said to have been delivered by a mysterious postman who specifically instructed that Mr. Jack should open it personally. After contemtion, Chen Lun faintly guessed the sender, but to be cautious, he still took out a gold pound for a simple divination of good or bad fortune. Gently tossing the coin, the result was the sun pattern facing up, indicating there was nothing wrong with the letter. Sssk¡ª¡ª! Chen Lun¡¯s nails covered with ayer of dark, shiny exoskeleton, sharp as a knife, he easily sliced open the wax seal. He then took out the letter to read. It was a private letter from Amber City¡¯s Shelter, sent by the current head, Mona. And it seemed that the letter had been affected by some mysterious object, endowing it with a unique confidentiality. If someone other than Chen Lun broke the seal or tried to open the envelope in a different way, the contents of the letter would dissolve on their own. The content of the letter indicated that, recently, Amber City saw arge influx of foreign strangers, who greatly increased the crime rate, leading to chaos throughout the city. Mona also hinted in the letter that this group of foreigners possessed a certain trait that allowed them to perform the miracle of resurrection, making them audacious, full of destructive desire, and unpredictability. Her teacher told her that this was not an isted incident, as simr events were urring in other cities too, with the undead foreigners gradually spreading across the entire Tresor Empire¡­ The Empire¡¯s upper echelon, in coboration with the Seven Righteous God Churches, carried out investigations and studies on these undead foreigners, ultimately concluding¡ªthese were a kind of ¡°Spirit World visitors¡± never seen before. And they named them¡ªUndead. ¡°The arrival of the Undead heralds the forting turmoil of the Spirit World.¡± These were the original words of Mona¡¯s teacher, Rudolf, the Judge of Fossil City. The Sun King decreed that from top to bottom, the Tresor Empire would strengthen the screening and management of the Undead and subject them to strict surveince. To handle their resurrection trait, the Empire would construct a series of prisons specifically for the Undead¡ªthe Undying Prison. Furthermore, the ¡°Imperial Parliament¡± and the ¡°Six States Parliament¡± drafted relevant bills. The ¡°Sun Codex¡± and ¡°Containment Regtions¡± would also add over one hundred rted entries and decrees targeting the Undead, and if the Undead vited the regtions, they would face more severe punishment. Regarding this, Mona hoped that the Transcendent organization ¡°Circus¡± under Chen Lun¡¯smand could assist the Shelter to restrain, intimidate, and suppress the Undead in Amber City. ¡®An officialmission? Good, not only can I obtain the corresponding rewards, but I can also improve rtions and raise the favor of Amber City¡¯s Shelter, which will be helpful for the future development of the Circus, and moreover¡­¡¯ Chen Lun slowly put away the letter, a smile appearing on his face. ¡®Using the official name also makes it convenient to regte the yers, and incidentally establish the Circus¡¯s authority¡­ It¡¯s time to let them know who¡¯s in charge in Amber City.¡¯ At that moment, there was the sound of urgent barking from outside. Apanied by the rushing of footsteps. Chen Lun stood up and walked outside. He saw a bloodstained border collie, running frantically toward him, followed by two servants who were the gatekeepers, chasing after it. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo had not gone far and were drawn by the scene, stopping in their tracks. Babu copsed at Chen Lun¡¯s feet, panting heavily, gasping for breath. ¡°Leader, I have been derelict, unable to stop this dog.¡± The two servants knelt on one knee. ¡°It¡¯s alright, you can go now.¡± Chen Lun waved his hand.@@novelbin@@ Only then did the two servants rise and return to the gate. Chen Lun crouched down and stroked Babu¡¯s head. A faint green light blossomed, and the gunshot wound on its leg began to heal. After catching its breath, Babu realized its injury was healing and affectionately rubbed Chen Lun¡¯s hand with its head. It then began to whine softly. Chen Lun listened in silence. After a while. He pondered for a few seconds, a mysterious glint shing in his eyes. ¡®Carrying out zero-cost shopping on my turf¡­? Perfect timing, I¡¯ll make an example of you!¡¯ Chen Lun got to his feet and said to Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo, who were standing not too far away: ¡°Could you twoe here for a moment?¡± The two yers, puzzled, looked at each other but chose to approach. ¡°I have a matter here that requires help, would either of you be interested?¡± ¡°Please tell us, Mr. Jack!¡± Doghead Gold quickly said, his eyebrows dancing with joy. This unexpected mission often turned out to be a delightful affair. Chapter 208: 169: Circus Manhunt Order (Combined 2 in 1)_2 Chapter 208: Chapter 169: Circus Manhunt Order (Combined 2 in 1)_2 [Triggered D-ss Mission: Circus Assassination Order!] Mission Description: An outsider named ¡°Rotten Persimmon¡± and his aplices have severely vited the ¡°Sun Codex¡± and the ¡°Containment Regtions¡±. As a good coborator of the Shelter, the superpower organization ¡°Circus¡± has the responsibility and obligation to issue an assassination order. The main target is ¡°Rotten Persimmon¡±, including his temporary team members and all members of the ¡°Shadow Whisperer¡± guild. Mission Reward: For each sessful kill of ¡°Rotten Persimmon¡±, you will receive 100 Experience Points and 1 Contribution Point. Other target kills yield half the reward. ¡°!!¡± Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were startled. ¡°When did our power organization be an official coborator?!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this great? What I want to know more is, what the hell did that Rotten Persimmon do to stir up such amotion?!¡± ¡°Shall we go ask?¡± They exchanged a silent nce. ¡°Ask my ass, let¡¯s ept the mission first and talk about itter, look how generous the mission rewards are!¡± ¡°That makes sense, there are Contribution Points¡­ Killing that Rotten Persimmon kid is like making an easy ten grand? Tsk tsk, let¡¯s keep him on Resurrection Cooldown first and then ask about the situation offline.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, my Mechanical Glove is itching for some action!¡± * * * Outer City District. In a cheap rental house. In the spacious living room, Rotten Persimmon was sitting on the sofa with four or fivepanions, facing another dozen or so yers from the ¡°Shadow Whisperer¡± guild, some sitting, some standing.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Muscle Maid, are you nning on welching?¡± Rotten Persimmon looked coldly at the bald strong man across from him and spoke in a deep voice. The bald strong man, known as ¡°Muscle Maid¡±, the guild leader,ughed. ¡°It¡¯s not a matter of welching, Brother Rotten Persimmon, our people were wiped out, and the loot fell on the streets¡­ You were thest to leave, you should know better than anyone.¡± The bald man raised his eyebrows. ¡°Since the job wasn¡¯t done, where¡¯s the money to split? Maybe you picked up those things and don¡¯t n on returning them to us¡­¡± ¡°Bullshit!¡± Rotten Persimmon stood up, veins throbbing on his forehead, spittle flying from his mouth. ¡°That dog was insanely strong, we were too busy running to pick anything up¡­ Plus, we lost three people, ran out of Resurrection times, and now can¡¯t log in until five dayster¡­ With the public test starting, time is precious, tell us how you willpensate!¡± Muscle Maid sighed. ¡°Although you¡¯re a member of the God¡¯s Love Guild, you can¡¯t bully people like this¡­ There¡¯s no money, but here¡¯s your life.¡± He touched his bald head, speaking indifferently. Rotten Persimmon clenched his fists, ready to draw his Firearm and finish this guy off. Thump thump! Just then, there was a knock on the door. Everyone immediately ceased talking, tensing up, as the living room fell silent. ¡°Who is it?¡± Rotten Persimmon frowned and called out toward the door. ¡°It¡¯s me, Doghead Gold. Forget No Taboo is here, too.¡± A familiar voice came from outside. Rotten Persimmon breathed a sigh of relief. He also feared that the assassination of the Patrol Guard had been exposed; getting caught would be a real hassle. ¡°It¡¯s our guild¡¯s power yers from the internal test, no worries.¡± Seeing the defensive posture of Muscle Maid and his group, Rotten Persimmon sneered disdainfully and exined. Ignoring the displeased expressions of the bald man and other yers, he walked straight to the door and opened it. ¡°Brothers, what brings you¡­¡± Rotten Persimmon¡¯s smile froze. He saw Doghead Gold¡¯s apologetic face, Forget No Taboo¡¯s sigh, and a gun barrel, the size of a fist, pointed right at his nostrils. He recognized the Firearm; it was the ¡°Wrath¡±. ¡°Sorry, Rotten Persimmon. I wanted to be a good guy too¡­¡± Bang!! Rotten Persimmon¡¯s vision was engulfed by a blinding sh of me, followed by intense pain, then darkness. [You have died!] Everyone in the room was shocked. ¡°Grab your weapons! Prepare to fight!¡± When Muscle Maid heard the gunfire, saw Rotten Persimmon vanish in a sh of light, he immediately realized what was happening and yelled out loud. But before they could prepare, Forget No Taboo stepped forward, spread hisrge hand, and sent a torrent of me towards the room. Boom!! The me ignited the sofa, walls, and decorations, and engulfed a dozen people in the room. ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°It¡¯s so hot!!¡± Amidst screams, four or five yers were scorched into white light, vanishing on the spot. Muscle Maid managed to roll under a table in time, only sustaining minor burns. He yelled indignantly: ¡°You two from the God¡¯s Love Guild! What grudge do we have? If it¡¯s about the past, there was no need to go this far, was there?!¡± He gave a signal to hispanion lying nearby, then issued orders on the ¡°Shadow Whisperer¡± guild channel for the rest to counterattack. ¡°Haha, you might be misunderstanding¡­ I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, nor do I care,¡± Doghead Gold chuckled. ¡°Right now, we¡¯re just doing a mission, and you guys are just the targets.¡± ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant!¡± Muscle Maid shouted out. The next second, The remaining seven or eight ¡°Shadow Whisperer¡± members surged up from the ground, charging towards Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo. Swoosh! Swipe swipe! Thuck¡ª! Four shadows shed by, and the leading yers were immediately throat-slit and heart-stabbed, falling to the ground as white light. The few remaining yers flinched, halted their advance, and started backing away. They saw four emotionless men and women in servant attire, each holding a bloodstained dagger, standing silently to the side. Chapter 209: 169: Circus Manhunt Order (Combined 2 in 1)_3 Chapter 209: Chapter 169: Circus Manhunt Order (Combined 2 in 1)_3 ¡°A circus servant?! A max-level professional killer!¡± Ji Ni Tai Mei¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°You two! What exactly are you nning to do?!¡± ¡°What to do¡­?¡± Doghead Gold took a step forward. He nced surreptitiously at the four assassins beside him and inwardly marveled at their prowess. These were four high-level enforcers, and doing tasks with them was incredibly thrilling! Unfortunately, the ones who had been killed were all experience points and contribution points, just gone like that. ¡°Let me introduce myself. Although I and the person next to me are members of the God¡¯s Love Guild, we also belong to the Transcendents organization ¡®Circus¡¯ in Amber City¡­¡± Doghead Gold¡¯s eyelids drooped as he raised his mechanical glove and gently moved his fingers. ¡°Under themission of the official shelter, we specifically suppress the ¡®undead¡¯ who vite the ¡®Sun Codex¡¯ and ¡®Containment Regtions¡¯¡­ In short, we¡¯re here to hunt down disruptive yers like you!¡± Hearing Doghead Gold say this, Ji Ni Tai Mei inwardly cursed her luck. How could this group cling to the ¡°official¡± authorities? This was just bullying! ¡°Brother, don¡¯t kill us. Leveling up is hard¡­ maybe you could just capture us and lock us up for a couple of days?¡± Ji Ni Tai Mei chuckled sheepishly. Doghead Gold shook his head. In the midst of the remaining yers¡¯ ugly expressions, he raised his hand. ¡°There¡¯s no reward for capturing¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s fight them!¡± Ji Ni Tai Mei roared angrily. Boom!! mes erupted, engulfing the bald figure. Forget No Taboo joined in, spewing mes at the remaining individuals, afraid of being a step too slow and letting Doghead Gold monopolize the situation.@@novelbin@@ Whoosh¡ª! The room was already aze, the fire raging fiercely, and all the yers inside were eliminated. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were indifferent to the fire; the destruction of the building was none of their concerns. They would just pin the me on Rotten Persimmon and the otherster. The two men looked delighted as they viewed their received mission rewards, wishing they could drag those guys over and kill them a few more times. ¡°Let¡¯s go! To the murky waters! Rotten Persimmon that kid, and other guild members, have joined a small gang, their resurrection point is there!¡± ¡°What about the people from Whisperers?¡± Forget No Taboo asked. ¡°Don¡¯t know their resurrection point, let¡¯s not worry about them for now¡­ ording to Jack, we can issue a warrant in the name of the Circus, which will still be effective officially. These people can¡¯t hide anywhere in Amber City, they won¡¯t be able to y at all.¡± Having said that, Doghead Gold turned and left. This was the intent behind the mission that Chen Lun had issued, encouraging them to preferentially use lethal means. This way, Rotten Persimmon and the members of the Whisperers Guild and others would drop levels due to constant deaths. Eventually, when they dropped back to level one, there would be no value in continuing to kill them. Chen Lun would then arrange for his subordinates or issue missions to capture them all and send them to the shelter to be imprisoned. At that point, their only way out would be to delete their ounts and start over. * * * Shi Ren browsed the gaming forum with a sour expression on his face. ¡°Doghead Gold, Forget No Taboo, why did you guys go after Rotten Persimmon? Attacking one of our own, now we¡¯ve be theughing stock of other guilds!¡± ¡°This is a ¡®Circus¡¯ faction mission; even if we didn¡¯t take it, someone else would have¡­ It would just benefit outsiders then.¡± Doghead Gold sat next to the guild leader, casually sipping his drink. Forget No Taboo thought for a moment and added: ¡°You can¡¯t me us, it was that kid Rotten Persimmon who caused the trouble himself, he is now on resurrection cooldown, and we didn¡¯t guard his corpse. But the ¡®Circus¡¯ has already dispatched professional killers, in coboration with the Iron Fist Gang at the murky waters, to camp their resurrection point¡­¡± Seeing these two capable lieutenants, Shi Ren finally sighed. ¡°Sigh, it looks like his ount is done for¡­ together with the eight guild members who teamed up with him, all done for.¡± Everyone shook their heads. ¡°But we can¡¯t just let it go like this¡­ If our guild doesn¡¯t do something, we¡¯re really going to be aughing stock to other yers!¡± He took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a drag. Thought for a long while. ¡°Doghead Gold, Forget No Taboo¡­¡± In the smoke, everyone¡¯s voice could be heard. ¡°Anyway, we need to show them¡­ I¡¯ll send people to Amber City, even spend money to hire other yers, trying to pull Rotten Persimmon and the others out of that quagmire. You two also need to help, don¡¯t worry, I will fully support you, exchanging Supernatural Knowledge at the ¡®Circus¡¯¡­¡± Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo exchanged nces, showing joy. * * * Today, Rotten Persimmon¡¯s resurrection cooldown wasplete. But he didn¡¯t dare to log in because a teammate who logged in before him was immediately shot by Iron Fist Gang enforcers waiting at the Resurrection Point. Doghead Gold privately messaged him, asking him to stay calm and just wait. The guild leader had already paved the way with money, calling people to break them out. Rotten Persimmon was frustrated but didn¡¯t dare vent his anger on the gang leader. He could only gloomily reply with a ¡°Thanks, big bro.¡± Aside from the twenty-plus yers that the guild leader Shi Ren had paid for, Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool also received the employment invitation. After all, they were two yers who had be Transcendents during the beta test and were very well-known. After a little inquiry, it was known that both were precisely in Amber City, so the God¡¯s Love Guild spent a lot of money to hire them. But there was one condition from Guild Leader Shi Ren, they had to stream live! Only by doing this could they let others see that their God¡¯s Love Guild also had sentiments and loyalty and would not easily abandon any member. Since they took the money, Honey Fool and Gan Ziwen happily agreed. Their stream titles were the same¡ª ¡°Beta Test Transcendents First Battle¡ªCommissioned by God¡¯s Love Guild: The Great Rescue Operation for Rotten Persimmon!¡± The title was quite intimidating; the number of viewers in the stream shot up to over two million, and it continued to increase due to God¡¯s Love¡¯s promotions. As a streamer, Su Keying quickly noticed this ¡°sudden rise¡± streaming room and was quite surprised. Through in-gamemunication with Honey Fool, she got a rough understanding of the situation, and promptly ryed the news to her teammates, Horseman and Pris. They were justpleting amissioned task and were on their way back to Amber City. ¡°Move quickly, we might still catch a big show when we get back!¡± Su Keying gossiped. Pris and Horseman, sitting opposite each other in the carriage, quietly opened the gaming forum and entered the streaming room. The number of viewers in the streaming room kept increasing, and the gaming forum was constantly refreshing with text posts, following up on the event. The Hall of Valor, Lost Names, Chuxi, and some other guilds were constantly keeping tabs on the event. Even the Yuyu Guild¡¯s Ji Niimei and his brothers were hiding in a basement of a tavern in the Outer City District, secretly watching the stream. ¡°What is this mess¡­?¡± The bald man brooded discontentedly. ¡°But, it would be great if someone came to rescue us too!¡± Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool, leading the twenty-plus ¡°hired yers,¡± arrived at the Outer City District water edge. What they needed to do next was to expel or kill the corpse-camping Iron Fist Gang members and Circus killers, allowing Rotten Persimmon and his team to sessfully log in and escape from here. ¡°No passage allowed here!¡± An Iron Fist Gang underling in a leather coat and tight pants called out. Several other gang members, their hands carrying upgraded Blunderbuss ¡°Wrath,¡± guarded the bottom of a dpidated building, staring at Gan Ziwen and his group. ¡°This is where Rotten Persimmon and the others will resurrect.¡± ¡°Move in!¡± Bang! Gan Ziwen was the first to pull the trigger. Chapter 212: 170 Chapter 212: 170 But within a few seconds, a vine broke through the soil and pierced through their heart. Gan Ziwen bit his teeth, lifted his curved knife, and, while still spurred on by the effect of the buff, desperately charged towards the quietly standing nun. In the livestream, the barrage was dense. ¡°Gan Ziwen, charge!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t give up! You can die with dignity!¡± ¡°My wife Floey is awesome!¡± ¡°So cool! I want to join this organization too!¡± Floey¡¯s face was expressionless. She gently lifted her hand, and a dim purple glow blossomed, her fingers hooking upward from below. Hissss¡­! Dozens of thick, ck-purple vines burst from the ground, attacking Gan Ziwen. ¡°Arrgh!!¡± Gan Ziwen shouted angrily and swung his curved knife to sh. Amidst a series of muffled sounds, he chopped through several of the vines, but eventually ran out of strength and was pierced simultaneously by the remaining ones. Pft, pft pft¡­!! Gan Ziwen¡¯s eyes bulged, his body full of vines, looking like a hedgehog. The next second, he turned into a white light and disappeared. ¡°How terrifying! The yer team was easily wiped out!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a BOSS they can face at this stage!¡± ¡°So cruel!¡± ¡°Amber City Law Enforcers!¡± ¡°Tragic! Causing trouble will just lead to guarding the corpse! No saving them!¡± ¡°Rest in peace, Rotten Persimmon!¡± Floey stood quietly. Alone, she had killed more than twenty yers, including two Transcendents. But instead of radiating murderous intent, her aura exuded a deathly stillness. The blind woman suddenly lowered her head, raising her palm as if sensing something. ¡°Death and ughter¡­¡± She murmured softly. Behind her, Barton was startled and watched the silhouette of the blind woman with uncertainty and suspicion. ¡°The nun of Lord Jack has been through a massacre¡­ no, a ughter, and has gained insight¡­?¡± Barton felt the blind woman¡¯s aura rising sharply in front of him. He asked: ¡°Miss Floey, have you¡­ have you advanced?!¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Floey smiled faintly. Then she murmured to herself: ¡°[Moon Faction Sequence Eight ¨C Executioner]¡­¡± * * * When Gan Ziwen gathered his team and came to the beach again. The barrage in the livestream was full of doom and gloom. Anyone with eyes could see that this group of yers stood no chance against the powerful Floey, even if they came time and again. But many others were inciting and encouraging, after all, it wasn¡¯t themselves dying, so they might as well enjoy the show. The excitement only came from the fight, even if it was a one-sided ughter. Gan Ziwen and hispanions were just being paid for a job and had no choice but to bite the bullet and go on. ¡°¡ªThis time, everyone listen to mymand and charge forward, we might be able to defeat the ¡®Nun of Jack¡¯ if we can get close!¡± ¡°¡ªI doubt it, we¡¯re likely to die at first sight.¡± ¡°¡ªAnd there are other elite monsters guarding beside her, it¡¯s too tough!¡± Gan Ziwen read the messages in the team channel and felt his head swell. Soon, they returned to the front of the dpidated building. As the first time. They were stunned again. This time, the blind nun in the ck dress gently extended her hand. On the ground at her side, ck-purple vines slowly grew and intertwined with each other, eventually weaving into a long scythe. Floey held the ck Purple Scythe in a reverse grip and slowly walked towards the yers. ¡°Obstinate Undead¡­ ready to embrace death once again?¡± Gan Ziwen¡¯s eyes widened as he watched the scene unfold. The barrage in the livestream exploded¡ª ¡°Damn! The BOSS directly entered the Second Phase!¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t even fought yet, how did the intensity of the battle rise?!¡± ¡°The whole squad is done for!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sobbing! My wife Floey is too cool!¡± At that moment. Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool, along with the rest, suddenly received a message from their employer, the president of God¡¯s Love Guild, ¡°Everyone¡±¡ª ¡°Once this life is used up, our hiring contract will end¡­ the guild has done all it can for Rotten Persimmon and the others¡­¡± Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool looked at each other. For some reason, they all heaved a silent sigh of relief. They just needed to die one more time¡­ And they would be free. It¡¯s just that Rotten Persimmon, that guy is probably beyond saving¡­ Woooosh¡ª¡ª!! A piercing whistle of cutting wind carried over. The yers turned their heads sharply, only to see the blind girl in a ck dress leap over, her scythe sweeping out a fan-shaped de light of ck and purple. Three yers were cut in half at the waist, their faces still showing expressions of surprise. A sh of white light. Floey gently stepped on the ground beneath her feet. Pfft, pfft, pfft¡­! Dense vines once again burst forth from the earth, impaling all the other yers. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were subsequently cleaved in half by the scythe. But in thest moment before their deaths, their faces revealed an expression of sheer horror. ¡°Damn¡­¡± Before they could finish speaking, the two turned into white light and vanished. Gan Ziwen sharply captured this scene. History was eerily simr; Honey Fool had no scroll, died even quicker thanst time, and finally, it was Gan Ziwen¡¯s turn. As his head was about to be taken by the scythe, he finally understood why, just before death, others had shown such a terrified expression. [You have suffered a Soul Execution! All Attributes -20%! Duration: 72 hours!] [You are dead!] * * * The effort to rescue Rotten Persimmon hade to an end. Gan Ziwen and his prominentpanions ended in failure. While the God¡¯s Love Guild spent money to promote themselves, they also showcased a fearsome Transcendent organization to the yers¡ªThe Circus! Not only were their bottom rank members powerful, but they also possessed a terrifying Transcendent executive, particrly the blind girl in a ck dress, the Silent Nun Floey, who alone decimated the ¡°Rescue Team¡± twice over! Under the threat of The Circus, the yers of Amber City were timid, no longer daring to act as recklessly as before. Of course, this was also rted to the miserable state of other yers. The fate of Rotten Persimmon was merely a microcosm of the whole. Currently, on the gaming forums, threads seeking help for being captured and imprisoned, thus unable to y the game normally, had surpassed ten thousand and were still increasing. Among them, there was a post by ¡°Rotten Persimmon.¡± But this post was soon drowned out by the many more that followed. And beneath almost all of these help-seeking posts, in thement section, the most offered solution was only one¡ª ¡°Delete the character and start over.¡± * *@@novelbin@@ * Amber City Shelter. Temporary detention cell. Rotten Persimmon sat in the corner of the cell, silently watching the [[Church Guardian LV1]] entry on the panel. He chuckled bitterly. Opening the gaming forum, Rotten Persimmon saw his own post, with most of the replies being either sarcasm or advising him to delete his character and start over. He also saw a post from the Shadow Speaker¡¯s Guild; it turns out they were captured too, in a situation not much different from his own. Rotten Persimmon shook his head. ¡°Log off.¡± He muttered to himself. After a five-second countdown, Rotten Persimmon returned to darkness. A kerosenemp hung overhead, casting its light on the vintage wardrobe below, and the full-length mirror reflected a figure with a deste expression. [Are you sure you want to delete the save file ¡°Rotten Persimmon¡±?] [Warning! The ount is bound to the personal information of the sleep pod, and each person only has one chance to rebuild their save file!] ¡°Confirm.¡± Rotten Persimmon decided, gritting his teeth. Chapter 213: 171: Lord of the Plague! (Two in One) Chapter 213: Chapter 171: Lord of the gue! (Two in One) ¡°` Outer City District. The carriage halted in front of a hospital named ¡°Frankensta¡±. Chen Lun stepped down from the carriage. By that time, it was gettingte, approaching dusk. After he entered the main building of the hospital, he showed his identification in the lobby and underwent some necessary checks. It was unclear whether it was due to his high Charm Attributes or simply because of his appearance, but Chen Lun gained the favor of a young nurse, which easily got him the bed number information he wanted. He gently tipped his hat and bowed in thanks, leaving the young nurse thoroughly smitten; afterward, he turned and headed straight upstairs. ¡®Ward 404¡­¡¯ Chen Lun walked through the empty and silent hallway. ¡®This number is a bit unlucky¡­¡¯ He mumbled to himself. The Silver Staff rhythmically tapped the ground, emitting a dull thumping sound. Passing by the third floor, he suddenly heard a strange whisper. The voice came from an independent balcony to the side of the third floor,monly used for drying sheets and clothing. Chen Lun stopped in his tracks and listened intently. The breeze brushed by, and even with his keen hearing, he could only catch a man¡¯s low and muffled words from the wind: ¡°¡­Lord, please¡­ save us¡­, You are¡­ the formless¡­, all diseases¡­ gue!¡± Chen Lun furrowed his brows. It sounded like a prayer to some deity, but some of the words did not match any of the orthodox gods. In particr, the word ¡°gue¡± caught Chen Lun¡¯s attention. ¡®Who exactly is praying, and to what existence¡­?¡¯ He thought for a moment and decided to investigate. He pushed open the door to the third-floor corridor, hurried to the balcony, only to find it empty, with rows of bed sheets pping in the wind. As if the whispers he had heard were just an illusion. Chen Lun nted his staff on the ground and performed a simple Divination to seek out the direction of the person who had been praying in secret. However, the staff¡¯s handle just spun in ce without pointing in any definite direction, indicating the person was still in the hospital and had not left. ¡®The clue is not clear, leading to a vague objective, so the Divination result is inurate¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun pondered for a moment, decided to first visit Mrs. Caroline. He would investigate the matter of the person prayingter. Leaving the independent balcony, he noticed that the third floor had many patients, and the hallway was full of busy doctors and nurses, along with a crowd of wailing patients. ¡®More and more people are getting infected with the gue¡­¡¯ Chen Lun saw some coughing and copsed patients sitting on the hallway benches, and faint moaning could be heard from the wards. He shook his head and returned to the corridor.@@novelbin@@ Then he went up to the fourth floor and found Ward 404. After knocking on the door politely, he turned the handle and pushed it open. The ward was small, with only two beds. One was currently vacant, and the other bed held a frail old man lying on his side, with an old woman sitting beside the bed and a dog squatting at her feet. ¡°Oh, Little Jack!¡± Mrs. Caroline turned her head around with a look of surprise. Babu also looked towards Chen Lun, wagging its tail. The old woman hurriedly stood up and came forward. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I heard there was an ident at No. 7 Denton Street, so I came to see¡­ Mrs. Caroline, are you alright?¡± Chen Lun took off his hat and embraced his formerndy. ¡°I appreciate your concern, Little Jack, I¡¯m fine¡­ It¡¯s just Mr. Tao Te, the doctor said he might never wake up.¡± Mrs. Caroline forced a smile. ¡°However, that¡¯s also a stroke of luck among misfortunes¡­ I thought he had been killed by those thugs at the time, but in fact, he only fainted from blood loss¡­ The poor old fellow, he ended up like this trying to save me.¡± She shook her head. Chen Lun gave Mrs. Caroline a reassuring smile and then walked straight to the bedside. A frail old man with a pale face was lying on the bed, breathing faintly. His head and torso were wrapped in bandages, and he looked to be seriously injured. Chen Lun reached out and gentlyid his hand on Mr. Tao Te¡¯s arm, concealing the faint green glow in his palm. After a few seconds, he withdrew his hand. ¡®Strange¡­ I¡¯ve healed his physical injuries, but there¡¯s still no sign of awakening.¡¯ A mist of bewilderment silently swirled in Chen Lun¡¯s eyes. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. ¡®This is¡­ ¡®Profound Coma¡¯bined with a ¡®gue Lurking¡¯, two negative statuses¡­¡¯ ¡®Profound Coma¡¯ is understandable. Perhaps it¡¯s due to Mr. Tao Te¡¯s old age,pounded with severe injuries. But ¡®gue Lurking¡¯¡­ Chen Lun discreetly turned his head and re-examined the information for Mrs. Caroline as well as the Border Collie Babu. He discovered that Mrs. Caroline also had ¡°gue Lurking,¡± while Babu did not. ¡®It seems that it¡¯s because it consumed Mysterious Substance, its physical constitution was enhanced, so it has not contracted the gue. So who is responsible for this? Or is it that the gue carried by this hospital¡¯s patients has begun to spread, infecting others¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun spected quietly. ¡°Mrs. Caroline, why don¡¯t you move to the Inner City District? The Outer City District is not very peaceful right now.¡± He turned with a smile. Mrs. Caroline shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve been used to living at No. 7 Denton Street for so many years, and now with Mr. Tao Te unconscious, I can¡¯t just abandon him.¡± ¡°The spread of the gue is also a cause for concern¡­ Besides, the environment and medical facilities in the Inner City District are much better than here.¡± Chapter 216: 172: Im Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-One, Vote for Me!) Chapter 216: Chapter 172: I¡¯m Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-One, Vote for Me!) Mrs. Caroline¡¯s new home. ¡°How is it, Maggie?¡± Beside the living room sofa, Chen Lun stood to the side and asked. Mrs. Caroline was sitting on the sofa, looking a bit nervous. She trusted Chen Lun greatly, allowing the ¡°young female doctor¡± to examine her. However, what she didn¡¯t know was that both she and Mr. Tao Te were harboring the gue within them. Maggie had juste downstairs after examining Mr. Tao Te and she moved a chair to sit in front of Mrs. Caroline to do some checking¡­ Of course, during this process, she discreetly used her Supernatural Power. After a while. ¡°There¡¯s no problem!¡± Maggie packed up her things and stood up. She turned around, lowered her head to whisper to Chen Lun: ¡°The disease hasn¡¯t fully developed yet, just taking the elixir I prepared can heal it¡­¡± Chen Lun nodded. ¡°Mrs. Caroline, you are very healthy,¡± he turned and said with a smile to Mrs. Caroline. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for bringing Dr. Maggie here unannounced today. It¡¯s just that I really don¡¯t trust the hospitals in the Outer City District; there are often idents there because of the ¡®urine therapy n¡¯ and ¡®bloodletting treatment¡¯.¡± Mrs. Caroline was quite pleased to hear what Chen Lun said. ¡°Little Jack, it¡¯s no trouble at all, it¡¯s all your concern¡­ and I like a lively atmosphere. When you have time, you can bring more people over, and I¡¯ll cook something delicious for you.¡± She covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then excitedly pulled Chen Lun to sit down, and she herself got up to make some floral tea. Although her flower shop at number seven Denton Street had closed down, she did not give up on this hobby and instead began to rearrange the flowers and potted nts in her new home¡¯s courtyard. She even nned to build a greenhouse in the backyard to grow some special flowers. ¡°After several months of observation and study, I have concocted an elixir that can cure the ck Death and Yellow Fever¡­ but I still have no clue about the Scarlet Dance Disease; at best, I can only suppress it now.¡± Maggie took out two light blue elixirs and handed them to Chen Lun. ¡°I¡¯ve named this elixir ¡®gue Buster Bounce¡¯, and it would be quite costly to produce¡ªabout ten Gold Pounds each¡­¡± Chen Lun chose to ignore the name Maggie had given to the elixir, and as he took it, he encouraged: ¡°Well done, I¡¯ll add an extra 100 Gold Pounds to your research funds when we get back¡­¡± He felt happy because the Circus now also had the means to treat this epidemic. Although the cost was not low, it was still good news. Some things you might not use, but you can¡¯t be without. Chen Lun suddenly thought of something and a smile appeared on his face. ¡°And about finding you a test subject that I promised, I believe you will get along famously.¡± ¡°Oh, really? That¡¯s fantastic! I have dozens of ideas, but no suitable opportunities for testing¡­ So when do we go back? I can hardly wait!¡± Maggie was excited beyond words. ¡°Calm down.¡± Chen Lun soothed. At this moment, Mrs. Caroline also came over with the brewed floral tea. Chen Lun took the teacup and thanked her. While sipping on the tea, he chatted casually with Mrs. Caroline for a bit before finding an opportunity to take out the two ¡°gue Elixirs.¡± ¡°Mrs. Caroline, this is the Antiepidemic Medicine that Dr. Maggie has developed. It¡¯s simr to the previous sugar cubes, but this works even better¡­¡± Chen Lun smiled as he handed over the elixir to Mrs. Caroline. ¡°You and Mr. Tao Te take one each, please take it as soon as possible.¡± ¡°I really appreciate it, Little Jack.¡± Mrs. Caroline¡¯s face showed gratitude. ¡°After everything that has happened in this period¡­ I¡¯vee to understand even more the preciousness of kindness¡­¡± She put down her teacup and turned around to discreetly dab the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief. After a while. Mrs. Caroline showed an embarrassed smile. ¡°Oh, right, Little Jack, I have something for you.¡± She seemed to remember something, got up, and went upstairs. A few minutester, she came down struggling with a cardboard box. Chen Lun approached to help put the box down. Poof! A little dust flew up. ¡°Huf¡­ I cleaned these books from the attic, they are a bit old, but they are all collector¡¯s items.¡± Mrs. Caroline gently tapped in the air with her handkerchief, as if that would make the dust obey. ¡°I know you like to read, Little Jack, so I decided to give all these books to you.¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Caroline, I didn¡¯t expect you to remember.¡± Chen Lun said with a smile.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Thank you very much.¡± He casually flipped through the books in the cardboard box. When his fingers touched a book that wasn¡¯t very thick, Chen Lun was slightly taken aback. He looked down and saw that the book¡¯s cover had fallen off, revealing the yellowed title page within, with the original title and author information already lost. But in his mind, a notification popped up: [Mystic Book discovered! Complete Supernatural ounts of ¡°Dream-seeking Town Kazt¡±!] Chen Lun¡¯s eyes shed with contemtion, but he quickly returned to normal and then put the book into the Blood Poem Ring. * * * Chen Lun bid farewell to Mrs. Caroline and left the apartment with Maggie. Waving to the olddy standing at the door, the two boarded a carriage. After returning to Jack¡¯s Manor. yers who had been waiting in the residential area came to the vi¡¯s first floor lobby and found Chen Lun. Besides Pris, Su Keying, and Horseman, there was also a handsome young man with a beard, a cold-looking woman, and a twin-tailed loli. The bearded young man was the Vice Chairman ¡°Dongyang¡± whom Horseman had pulled from the ¡°Hall of Valor¡± guild, the cold-looking woman was the Chairman ¡°Chenxi¡± of the ¡°Chuxi¡± guild, and the twin-tailed loli had a very long ID, named ¡°A Joyous Song Ending with a Mncholic Wei Yin¡±. Chapter 217: 172: Im Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-One, Vote for Me!)_2 Chapter 217: Chapter 172: I¡¯m Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-One, Vote for Me!)_2 She was the top tycoon in Su Keying¡¯s ¡°Jack Fan Support Group,¡± spending a fortune to have Su Keying bring her to ¡°meet¡± Jack in person, getting close to her idol. But because her ID was really too long, everyone called her ¡°Wei Yin.¡± In the eyes of NPCs, the yers¡¯ IDs weren¡¯t actually important; they would make sense of them in their own unique ways. The three new yers were all wealthy, and they directly ¡°donated,¡± using Gold Pounds to exchange for arge amount of ¡°Circus Contribution Points,¡± thus obtaining the official member token ¡°Silver Serpent Ring.¡± ¡°Mr. Jack, we¡¯d like to purchase some items from you,¡± the Vice Chairman of the Hall of Valor, Dongyang, said. Chen Lun nced at them and revealed a charming smile. ¡°Of course you can.¡± Ding! A golden sign with the word ¡°Exchange¡± suddenly appeared above his head. The six yers¡¯ eyes lit up. Among them, Wei Yin, the loli, was simply radiating at the sight of Chen Lun¡¯s smile. ¡°¡ªSeeing him up close, he¡¯s really not the same as in the videos, so handsome! (drooling face emoji)¡± Wei Yin spoke in their private chat room. Horseman and Dongyang exchanged wordless nces. ¡°¡ªI¡¯ve spent enough, can I get some of Jack¡¯s personal items?¡± Wei Yin continued. This time, even Pris nced her way. The rest of the yers had question marks written all over their faces. Su Keying coughed and asked Chen Lun: ¡°Mr. Jack, I remember you mentioned in the letter that you would open the secret exchange list to us, the official members.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. He stealthily operated on the exchange panel. In the eyes of the six yers, at the bottom of the shop catalog, two ink bottle-shaped bombs, a ticket, and ten ordinary sheets of paper suddenly appeared. ¡°!!! The yers caught their breath.@@novelbin@@ Dongyang¡¯s eyes were fixed on these Supernatural Knowledge, his mouth slightly open. ¡°¡ªComplete paths?! All ten Supernatural Sequences are there?! What is this?!¡± ¡°¡ªI had only heard from Su Keying about one pathway, but now¡­ all seven True God Sequences, plus three hidden Sequences, they¡¯re all here!¡± Chuxi Guild¡¯s Chairman, Chenxi, expressed surprise. ¡°¡ªThat¡¯s ridiculous!¡± ¡°¡ªThis means that even without joining the Church or an official Transcendent organization, one can choose whichever path they wish to take!¡± Horseman dered. After a private exchange, theyer of shock deepened for the three neers, as this was intelligence that even Horseman, Pris, and Su Keying hadn¡¯t known; itpletely stumped them. They harbored even greater doubts about Jack¡¯s identity and the Circus organization. This man, officially dubbed ¡°Guide of Destiny,¡± seemed shrouded in even more mystery. They refocused on the shop list. The ticket was named ¡°Wondend Admission Ticket,¡± and the price was steep, 100 Gold Pounds plus 100 Contribution Points. After sharing intelligence, all six yers understood that this was the key to entering Jack¡¯s exclusive high-level dungeon, ¡°Immortal Realm.¡± ¡°¡ªI¡¯ve heard from Horseman that the Immortal Realm dungeon is incredibly dangerous, and going solo is certainly out of the question¡­ We¡¯re all elites from various guilds, or top-tier solo yers, so let¡¯s each prepare our admission tickets and then team up for the dungeon.¡± Dongyang suggested in the chat room. ¡°¡ªRight, the ¡®Wondend Admission Ticket¡¯s¡¯ item description clearly states that up to ten people can enter, so we should ideally gather ten trustworthy people for a safer venture.¡± Horseman added. ¡°¡ªDoghead Gold and Forget No Taboo from God¡¯s Love Guild participated in the ¡®Save Rotten Persimmon Operation,¡¯ and now their Contribution Degree is negative, and the Circus¡¯s favor toward them has dropped to dislike. They might have to pay a lot if they want to join the dungeon.¡± Pris spoke out. ¡°¡ªHoney Fool also took a leading role in the operation without discussing it with me, her chairman. It¡¯s probably going to be hard for her to join the Circus now.¡± Chenxi sent a short message. Honey Fool had epted a job from God¡¯s Love without consulting her, the Chairman, which somewhat displeased Chenxi. Nevertheless, as the only Transcendent yer in their beta testing cadre and a member of her guild, Chenxi still hoped Honey Fool could participate in the high-level dungeon. ¡°Mr. Jack, is it possible for Honey Fool to join the Circus?¡± Chenxi turned her head and asked Chen Lun. The others looked on as well. They immediately noticed Mr. Jack¡¯s expression turning cold. ¡°Honey Fool, Gan Ziwen, Doghead Gold, and Forget No Taboo, these four foreigners were once warriors I valued. But they chose to defy the Circus¡¯s order to hunt and confronted the organization.¡± The ck-haired young man leaned back on the couch, his hands gently resting on his knees. ¡°They must face severe punishment!¡± Chenxi¡¯s hopes were dashed, and she couldn¡¯t help but frown slightly. The others also sighed quietly. Such was the price for choosing money over a prime opportunity, one couldn¡¯t help but wonder if that was foolish. Chen Lun noted their expressions and chuckled inwardly. As a seasoned yer himself, how could he not understand the nature of yers? He had never nursed naive hopes that they would be loyal to the Circus. What is the fourth cmity? It is the yermunity, full of uncertainty. Driven by interest, attracted by power, bursting with curiosity, and prone to chaos, yet never truly loyal. All he needed was to use them as tools for development and advancement. As for yers who vite the rules, he wasn¡¯t irritated. On the contrary, he was pleased because it allowed him to justifiably take them out as the ¡°chicken¡± to kill as a warning to the monkeys! Chapter 218: 172: Im Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-one for votes!)_3 Chapter 218: Chapter 172: I¡¯m Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-one for votes!)_3 ¡°` With a strong attraction of his own, he leveraged official measures for intimidation, and then intensified the extraction of their value. Such punishment was more in line with his interests than simply kicking them out. As long as yers still desired something from him, from the Circus, no matter how much he ¡°exploited¡± them, they would see such oues as a just punishment, and they would dly ept it. They might even feel fortunate for being able to stay in the Circus. The crowd discussed in the chatroom whether they should each contact some reliable experts and invite them to Amber City to assemble a ten-person raid team. But because the journey was so far, it might take a long time to arrange, severely hindering their progress. It was at this moment that Jack spoke up: ¡°You are the first group of foreigners epted by the Circus, so I choose to give Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo a chance, and this will be the only act of Mercy¡­¡± He lowered the brim of his hat. ¡°Of course, there is a price to pay. They will be demoted to ¡®associate members,¡¯ their earnings will decrease, and the cost of purchasing organizational services will be higher. As for Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool, they will be ced on the ¡®Circus Assassination Order¡¯!¡± Upon hearing this, everyone¡¯s expressions changed once again.@@novelbin@@ Chenxi¡¯s pupils shrank. She immediately sent out a message, telling Honey Fool to leave Amber City immediately. Honey Fool was baffled upon receiving the message, and then she saw the Guild Master announce the Assassination Order. ¡°¡ª I¡¯m being hunted by the Circus?! (crying emoji)¡± Honey Fool felt like crying but had no tears left. She sighed deeply, but in the end, she heeded Chenxi, the Guild Master¡¯s warning, and hurried to the train station. ¡°If only I had not taken themission from God¡¯s Love Guild!¡± She clenched her teeth, full of regret. As for Gan Ziwen, he still had no idea that he had made the Circus¡¯s Assassination Order list. * * * ¡°Mr. Jack, I need ten bombs, five red and five blue¡­ I don¡¯t have enough Contribution Degree for now, so I choose to pay with Gold Pounds instead.¡± Vice Chairman Dongyang said. Both the red and blue ink bombs were priced the same, costing 30 Gold Pounds each, plus 10 points of Contribution Degree. Their cost, currently under Connie¡¯s control, had been reduced to about 4 Gold Pounds each. ¡°Additionally, I need a hundred Firearms with matching bullets, twenty Mechanical Gloves, ten vials of each three-colored potion, and a hundred packets of Antiepidemic Sugar Cubes¡­¡± Chen Lun nodded with a smile. Yet he was wondering to himself, the Hall of Valor, being one of the Three Major Guilds, had managed to gather so much money in such a short period. The items Dongyang ordered cost over 500 Gold Pounds in total. Next, Chenxi, the president of the Chuxi Guild, also began herrge-scale purchasing. Her needs were simr to Dongyang¡¯s, but Chenxi bought even more Mechanical Gloves and corresponding fuel blocks, and only six bombs, three red and three blue. She also spent over 500 Gold Pounds. Adding the Gold Pounds they both donated to join the Circus, Chen Lun alone had earned over 1500 Gold Pounds from them. ¡®Consortium money is indeed easy to earn¡­ All the efforts these days have finally paid off,¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. Dongyang and Chenxi also sighed in private, as the guild had expended a tremendous amount of resources andbor to collect these funds in such a short time. Because the amount was sorge, and with the early stage of public testing, the cost of map running was not insignificant, the exchange ratio for reality-injected funds seriously distorted. They often needed much more money to exchange for the original amount of Gold Pounds. Even so, the money they had at hand was not enough to purchase Supernatural Knowledge. Therefore, they had no choice but to buy some of the Circus¡¯s special products for their guild first, in order to increase the guild¡¯s strength. Meanwhile, they reported back to the Consortium, urging the collection of Gold Pounds to purchase Supernatural Knowledge. Jack had ten pieces of Sequence entry-level knowledge, which they also submitted. They believed that the consortium behind them would increase investment, supporting all their activities in the Circus. ¡°The items you purchased will be kept temporarily in the manor¡¯s warehouse managed by Butler Connie¡­¡± Chen Lun spoke. Since they bought so many items, Chen Lun was willing to offer this slight convenience to such ¡°VIP customers,¡± allowing them to transport the goods away in several shipments. ¡°Thank you for your care, Mr. Jack.¡± Dongyang and Chenxi offered their thanks with a formal gesture. One took off his hat and ced a hand on his chest, the other curtseyed with a hand on her skirt. Such etiquette was well documented by the guilds, enabling them to better integrate into the game world. Chen Lun responded with a smile. It was obvious that both of them were purchasing these items on behalf of their guilds, which exined their generous spending. After all, the number of known mysterious merchants to yers was extremely limited, and none couldpare to the Circus. Whether in terms of quality or quantity, these weapons, bombs, and potions were the only ones avable! And Jack¡¯s hidden shop was truly one of a kind. At this stage, other than here, there was no second ce where one could directly exchange money for Supernatural Knowledge. Once they passed this vige, there would be no such shop. An exclusive Scorpio daddy. The Horseman chose not to exchange; he seemed to have arranged with Vice Chairman Dongyang to draw from the items that were just purchased. This was his privilege as an internal test cadre. While Wei Yin, the wealthy Lolita, simply looked over the shop page¡¯s items and ordered a few of everything, even buying a set for Su Keying. The depth of sisterhood was evident. Wei Yin spent roughly 200 Gold Pounds. As for Pris, he only bought some ammo and fuel blocks, and then two packets of Antiepidemic Sugar Cubes. Chapter 219: 172: Im Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-One, Vote for Me!)_4 Chapter 219: Chapter 172: I¡¯m Wanted by the Circus?! (Three-in-One, Vote for Me!)_4 A total expenditure of 60 Silver Ducats. He didn¡¯t want to buy the items on the exchange list; he couldn¡¯t afford them. He restrained his intense desire, staring fixedly at thest page of the shop¡¯s list, those ten pieces of hidden paths of Supernatural Knowledge within the ¡°Destiny Faction.¡± Pris determined in his heart, ¡°The Guide of Destiny,¡± Jack, must be following this Sequence path; therefore, he believed this Sequence had a limitless future! He clenched his teeth secretly, telling himself not to spend money recklessly, he had to save up to buy it! Only then would he be able to keep up and stand in the same ss as these elite yers around him. And only then would he be able to go further and fulfill his own dream. * * * Shortly after the six yers left. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo returned to Jack¡¯s manor once more. The Horseman had informed them ahead of time, and to their relief, they had not been kicked out of the Circus. ¡°¡ª Fortunately, we held back that time, did not kill any of Jack¡¯s people¡­ Otherwise, we¡¯d have been wanted like Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool.¡± Doghead Gold said with a lingering fear. ¡°¡ª But we¡¯ve been demoted to ¡®outer members¡¯¡­ Now the hidden shop is not open to us; we can¡¯t buy Supernatural Knowledge, bombs, or Immortal Realm tickets.¡± Forget No Taboo replied. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± The two stood at the entrance of the manor, exchanging a nce. ¡°¡ª But we made sacrifices for the guild, and the big boss of the world put in a request, we have money now!¡± ¡°¡ª Well, we still can¡¯t buy Supernatural Knowledge, bombs, or Immortal Realm tickets.¡± Forget No Taboo shrugged. Doghead Gold was stunned, and then sighed. ¡°¡ª Let¡¯s see what Jack says. If it doesn¡¯t work out, we¡¯ll spend money on Contribution Degree to try and regain ¡®full member¡¯ status.¡± ¡°¡ª Yeah, but the Circus¡¯s Affection is still disgust.¡± ¡°¡ª Shut up! If you don¡¯t have anything nice to say, don¡¯t say anything at all! Can¡¯t you be a bit more optimistic?!¡± They entered The Great Gate with some trepidation. Since they were no longer full members, they dreaded the gatekeeper servants of the Circus might decide to finish them off with a sh. Fortunately, the gatekeeper merely cast a cold nce at them. Upon reaching the vi¡¯s first-floor hall. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo saw on the sofa the familiar figure in a ck hat¡ªGentleman. Beside him sat a woman with messy hair. She seemed to be sizing them up with a fiery gaze, like a Butcher eyeing a piece of prime beef, considering where to make the cut. Upon scouting, like the other Circus executives, they were faced with a row of unknown horizontal lines and a bright red ¡°Fatal¡± warning. Above her head, the ID disyed ¡°Sick Doctor¡ªMaggie.¡± ¡°Two brave strangers from afar, wee back.¡± Jack¡¯s familiar voice came through, but itcked its usual warmth. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo, noticing his eyes beneath the top hat cold, felt a jolt in their hearts, aware it was because their Affection was too low due to the previous incident. ¡°You two originally epted the ¡®Circus¡¯s Pursuit Order¡¯ quest, yetter turned your guns around, choosing to oppose the pursuit. This disappoints me greatly,¡± Chen Lun shook his head, his tone mncholic. Doghead Gold swallowed, and Forget No Taboo spoke up: ¡°Mr. Jack, we deeply regret this. Is there any way we can make amends? We will do everything in our power!¡± Chen Lun watched them silently. The two felt chills down their spine under that cid gaze. Then, Mr. Jack spoke: ¡°Considering you didn¡¯t harm your own people, I¡¯ll give you the only chance¡­¡±@@novelbin@@ He paused briefly, then added: ¡°Of course, this will be a very difficult task. Are you willing?¡± Their eyes lit up. There was still a chance! [Trigger D-level Quest: Fresh Beef!] Quest Description: The Circus¡¯s Pharmacist, Sick Doctor Maggie, has recently hit a bottleneck in her potion research and is in urgent need of test subjects to assist. Be ¡°Fresh Beef,¡± aid her in developing a new type of potion, and you will regain the status of a ¡®full member.¡¯ It may be painful at first, but it will feel veryfortable once you¡¯re ustomed to it. This is Mr. Jack¡¯s Mercy, so grasp this opportunity. Reward for the quest: Status as a full member of the Circus. ¡°We are willing! Of course we are willing!¡± The two did not hesitate for a moment and chose to ept the quest. But they werepletely unaware of the excitement in Maggie¡¯s eyes, and the smile creeping up the corners of Mr. Jack¡¯s mouth. Chapter 220: 173: Players Re-enter the Immortal Realm! (Two-in-one, vote!) Chapter 220: Chapter 173: yers Re-enter the Immortal Realm! (Two-in-one, vote!) ¡°Ah! Ahhh!!¡± ¡°Mmm hmm¡­ Ahhh!!¡± Under the cover of nightfall, harrowing screams of agony emanated from the fourth-floor attic of Jack¡¯s mansion. A nearby residential area. Six yers were chatting over tea on the sofas in the ground floor hall. Upon hearing the faintly discernible screams, they looked at each other in bewilderment. ¡°Did you all hear that?¡± Horseman asked. ¡°Yes, it sounds like someone is screaming.¡± Wei Yin, holding her iced milk tea, stirred it with a spoon and whispered softly. ¡°Do the voices sound like Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo?¡± Pris slightly furrowed his brow. Su Keying nced at him. ¡°It does seem like that¡­ What on earth happened?¡± She rubbed the goosebumps on her arm. ¡°Could it be that they have been caught by Jack and are now undergoing torture?!¡±@@novelbin@@ ¡°It¡¯s possible, given they were involved in activities against the organization and their Affection dropped to disdain. Jack might not kill them but a lesson is likely.¡± Dongyang said with a lightugh, sipping his tea. ¡°To be that painful? Just lower the game¡¯s pain sensitivity to the minimum¡­¡± Chenxi frowned slightly. ¡°Who knows what bizarre methods the infamous ¡®Guide of Destiny¡¯ Mr. Jack might have, after all, this is a Transcendent world¡­ it could be unbearable itching, terrifying hallucinations, heart extraction, or being forced to eat one¡¯s own flesh,¡± Dongyang remarked, cing down his teacup. ¡°Even knowing this is a game, the psychological impact under such realistic sensations is still significant¡­isn¡¯t it?¡± Hearing his calm words, the three women present felt a chill. Horseman, however, turned his head away and quietly sipped his tea, not daring to utter a word. He was the one who had secretly passed information to Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo, leading them into the trap. If those two were tortured into foolishness, he would bear a heavy burden. ¡°Cough, I¡¯m a bit tired. I¡¯m going to sleep upstairs.¡± Horseman stood up. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s about time. Let¡¯s go our separate ways.¡± Dongyang said. ¡°Everyone, skip the sleep cycle, and remember to set the timer. We agreed to level up at the water shoal tomorrow morning and practice coordination beforehand for the ¡®Immortal Realm Instance¡¯.¡± Chenxi said ¡®Hmm¡¯, and headed upstairs without turning her head. Wei Yin and Su Keying were still talking in low voices, with Jack¡¯s name barely audible, and strange smiles spread across their faces. Pris nced at them and then shook his head. He followed Horseman¡¯s steps and also left the living room. For some reason, he increasingly felt like an outsider in this group. Perhaps because the other yers in the squad were either guild members or grouped enthusiasts, only he, Pris, was a true lone wolf. ¡°You can do it, Pris.¡± He silently encouraged himself, a determined glint in his eyes. ¡°Strive! Fight hard! Earn enough money to ascend to Transcendent soon! No one can look down on you!¡± * * * Third-floor room. Chen Lun sat in a chair by the window. ¡°Ahhhh!!¡± ¡°Don¡¯te over here!¡± Faint cries rang from above. He lifted his head and silently nced at the ceiling. ¡®What on earth did Maggie feed them to provoke such a reaction?¡¯ Shaking his head, Chen Lun picked up the unsealed old book from the table. ¡®Dreamseek Town Kazt¡­ This book is peculiar, giving me a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.¡¯ He flipped through this Mystic Book, his expression thoughtful. This book belonged to the ¡°Transcendent Encounters¡±, providing Chen Lun with 500 Experience Points, but no other tangible benefits. The book, written in the first person, depicted a down-and-out Sailor who, after getting drunk, fell into a deep slumber. In his dream, he descended a staircase leading underground, passed through 70 steps, and discovered a massive stone door. Looking up at the door, he inexplicably knew its name was the ¡°Door of Slumber.¡± The door was carved with various marine creatures and bizarre, ferocious monsters. Next to the enormous door, stood a tall, faceless woman. Draped in a dark green elegant gauze dress, she silently observed and sized up the Sailor. Simrly, the Sailor somehow knew the woman¡¯s name was ¡°Lady Sigh.¡± Her sublime and lofty demeanor instilled in the Sailor an urge to Worship, daring not harbor any thoughts of Desecration. Seemingly passing some sort of test, Lady Sigh opened the Great Gate for him. The Sailor crossed through the stone door and went down again, after another 700 steps, he arrived at a dim, foggy forest. The forest was incredibly dark, and no creatures could be seen. The Sailor got lost in the forest until he encountered a ck cat. The ck cat spoke humannguage, was warm and hospitable, and offered the Sailor a homemade wine called ¡°Moon Wine,¡± then directed him to ¡®where the sound of water and the pile of rocks are¡¯. Following the ck cat¡¯s guidance, the Sailor sessfully found an ancient town¡ª Kazt. To his amazement, all the residents of this small town were spiritually intelligent white cats. They had amon leader, who was both the mayor and the High Priest, named Daye. This was an old cat with tiger-striped brown fur,pletely different from the white cats of Kazt Town. He was responsible for deciding the major affairs of the town and for the Worship of the town¡¯s deity, the Cat God. The sudden appearance of the Sailor surprised and piqued the curiosity of Kazt¡¯s feline residents, as it had been a long time since a humanst visited. Chapter 221: 173: Players Re-enter Immortal Realm! (Two-in-one, ask for votes!)_2 Chapter 221: Chapter 173: yers Re-enter Immortal Realm! (Two-in-one, ask for votes!)_2 They warmly weed the Sailor and held a banquet for him. At the banquet, the Sailor brought out Moon Wine, which displeased the white cats, as it was a gift from the ck cats. The white cats presented their pride, Sun Wine. The Sailor had never tasted such fine wine and drank himself into a stupor. Driven by curiosity, he secretly drank the Moon Wine and ultimately entered an indescribable wondrous state. He found he could see scenes he had never been able to see before, and he also saw, above the skies of Kazt Town, a huge figure d in a yellow robe, blocking out the sun. At that moment, the Sailor felt as though he had transcended. But in the eyes of the white cats, he instantly turned into dust and vanished into the air. The Sailor¡¯s dream never woke again. Yet, at the real dock, therey a cold corpse. The story of ¡°Dream-seeking Town Kazt¡± wasn¡¯t long, but it was filled with a sense of the bizarre. After reading, Chen Lun gently closed the book, his brows furrowed. ¡°Door of Slumber¡­ Lady Sigh¡­ Town Kazt¡­ Yellow Robe¡­¡± He murmured these terms, feeling they were from a significantly higher existence. And the atmosphere described in the entire story was quite epic. The forest that the protagonist first entered also reminded him of the Gloomy Forest in Immortal Realm. ¡®Could the dream in the book be the Immortal Realm¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun spected. ¡®If that is the case, no wonder Philip is so wary of Immortal Realm¡­¡¯ He caressed the unbound old book, then carefully stored it away. He resolved to pay close attention to the clues mentioned in the book during his exploration in the Immortal Realm, to verify the connection between the two. * * * The fourth attic. Doghead Gold looked in shock at the monster in front of him. It was a robust creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man, having four arms, covered in chest and abdominal fur and hooves, its muscles knotted. ¡°Damn! Bro, you¡¯ve turned into a four-armed Minotaur!¡± Doghead Gold eximed. Forget No Taboo rolled his eyes and said gruffly, ¡°You think you¡¯re looking any better, you¡¯ve grown two horns.¡± ¡°Ah?! No way?!¡± Doghead Gold immediately looked down. Boom!! A loud noise. Forget No Taboo suddenly punched, twisting Doghead Gold¡¯s head, half of his face a mushy mess of flesh and blood. Doghead Gold fell hard, producing a thud. ¡°What the hell¡­ Why?!¡± His decaying half-face twisted and entwined, healing at an incredibly rapid rate. Forget No Taboo grabbed Doghead Gold¡¯s horns and hoisted him up. ¡°I can¡¯t control myself, I just really want to hit someone!¡± Forget No Taboo¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, panting heavily. He threw another punch, hitting Doghead Gold¡¯s face right where it had just healed, and the wound fractured again. Doghead Gold¡¯s eyes burst, blood streaming, his body swaying but he still stood. He seemed to have entered some kind of frenzy as well, his sturdy arms reaching out, two grabbing Forget No Taboo tightly while the other two swung fists. Bang bang! Crack crack!! Forget No Taboo was hit by the heavy punches, teeth and blood spattering. But he still had the strength to strike back, also swinging at Doghead Gold.@@novelbin@@ The two continued to brawl, screaming in pain and agony. Eventually, they both fell, their muscles and skeletons shattered, resembling a pile of mud. Yet they were still not dead and continued to breathe. ¡°¡ª Bro, this medicine really is top-notch! It¡¯s the perfect medicine for fighting! Life Points recover at a frightening rate, and it also greatly increases Attributes! It¡¯s just a bit heady¡­¡± ¡°¡ª Most importantly, this is our achievement! The birth of the Supernatural Elixir is thanks to our selfless dedication! So, I¡¯ve decided! From now on, I¡¯m a loyal fan of ¡®Beef Power Bottle¡¯!¡± ¡°¡ª Me too! Damn, I feel uneasy not drinking it!¡± ¡°¡ª Are you recovered? I want to fight again!¡± ¡°¡ª Bring it on!¡± The two four-armed Minotaurs struggled to their feet and started a new round of brawling. ¡°Ah! Ah!!¡± ¡°Ah hmm hmm! Ah ah!¡± Eight fists collided, each blow solidlynding. Bang bang! Crack crack! Maggie stood at the corner of the attic, her face flushed with excitement as she watched the scene. ¡°It worked! Although there¡¯s a slight side effect, it¡¯s definitely a sess! In a way, the side effect can be a benefit of the elixir, as the altered bodies have enhanced aggressiveness¡­!¡± She held a notebook, observing the brawl between the two Minotaurs and jotting down something quickly. After a while. The fight between Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo ended. This time, their bodies finally copsed, turned into mince, and dissipated in a white light. Maggie watched where they had vanished, her eyes gleaming. ¡°This is what the Leader mentioned as ¡®Undead¡¯, indeed excellent test subjects!¡± She put away the notebook and pen, quickly walked to the table, picked up a bubbling red viscous elixir, and left. ¡°I must share this good news with the Leader! Hehe!¡± * * * Chen Lun finished washing up and came out of the bathroom. He was about to go to bed when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it. Maggie quickly slipped in before Chen Lun could even speak. Without waiting for Chen Lun to speak, she pulled out a deep red elixir. ¡°Leader! It worked! This is ¡®Beef Power Bottle¡¯! It¡¯s my most satisfactory creation so far!¡± Chen Lun raised an eyebrow and took the elixir. [Supernatural Elixir ¨C Beef Power Bottle] Chapter 223: 174: Shepherd Aaron (Three-in-one vote request!) Chapter 223: Chapter 174: Shepherd Aaron (Three-in-one vote request!) ¡°` ¡°What exactly does ¡®wooden hut¡¯ refer to here? What¡¯s the point of looking for it?¡± The Horseman spoke up, posing this question to the others. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s some sort of checkpoint? A milestone? Judging from the quest description, there has to be more than one of them, and they must serve an important purpose.¡± Pris voiced his hypothesis. ¡°Let¡¯s go check it out.¡± Dongyang pointed at a wooden hut not far away, then, with a call to Horseman and Kuang Benkuang, the three yers from the Hall of Valor guild took the lead and headed towards that hut. ¡°But¡­¡± Pris frowned. ¡°The quest hints that there are dangers lurking around the wooden huts. We should be more cautious.¡± The quest reward explicitly stated that the yer with the highest Contribution Degree could choose a piece of Supernatural Knowledge from the faction, which made Pris very tempted. He resolved to strive for the highest Contribution Degree and acquire that piece of Supernatural Knowledge. Therefore, he was particrly invested in this quest, not wanting his teammates to die unnecessarily and waste Resurrection chances, lest the quest ended in failure. But Dongyang seemed unconcerned, stopping in his tracks to say: ¡°This is intelligence that we must know, even if there¡¯s danger. It¡¯s worth using a life to obtain this information.¡± He motioned them onward and continued leading Horseman and Kuang Benkuang forward. Chenxi thought there was some logic in Dongyang¡¯s words and so proceeded to follow the three ahead, bringing Honey Pomelo along. ¡°Pris, what should we do?¡± Su Keying came to Pris¡¯s side and asked. Wei Yin, Doghead Gold, and Forget No Taboo stood behind her. Having gone through the Immortal Realm journey together during the beta test, they trusted Pris¡¯s judgment. ¡°Don¡¯t stick together to avoid a group wipe. Let¡¯s keep some distance and follow them¡­¡± Pris inhaled deeply before speaking. Their trust in him lifted his spirits. ¡°If any ident urs, we¡¯ll be able to provide timely help.¡± After saying that, Pris headed towards the wooden hut. The others nodded and followed closely. Two groups, one leading and the other following, were tens of meters apart, slowly closing the distance to the wooden hut. Dongyang looked back at Pris¡¯s team and chuckled, shaking his head. At that moment. ck smoke rose from behind a tree. ¡°Careful! Something¡¯s up!¡± The Horseman shouted a warning. The rest promptly drew their weapons, which were generally a set of Mechanical Gloves for each, paired with a Firearm. The Horseman himself took out that soup-spoon-shaped Mysterious Object and instantly transformed it into a long ¡°Iron Shovel,¡± gripping it in his hand. He saw himself as the warrior out in front, tasked with protecting his teammates in the back. Amidst the spreading ck smoke, a humanoid creature with an indistinct face emerged from behind the tree. It wore a straw hat and wielded a Lumberjack Axe. ¡°Danger! It¡¯s a red-named ¡®Lethal¡¯ elite monster! Focus fire!¡± Dongyang used Scout and shouted out. He then lifted his Firearm and pulled the trigger at the Woodcutter. Bang!! mes erupted, and countless tiny steel balls battered the creature, scattering sparks of ck smoke. ¡°!!¡± Dongyang¡¯s eyes widened.@@novelbin@@ He noticed that the Woodcutter merely paused for an instant before picking up its pace again, marching towards them. ¡°I refuse to believe I can¡¯t kill you!¡± Dongyang clenched his teeth and said coldly. ¡°Fire!¡± He reloaded and opened fire on the Woodcutter once more. Those around him, aside from Horseman, also lifted their guns to shoot. Bang! Bang Bang Bang!! A barrage of gunfire caused the ck smoke on the Woodcutter to warp and swirl. Its body, under the barrage of tiny steel balls, retreated repeatedly, skewing and deforming. Finally, the Woodcutter lost bnce, tumbled backwards from the hail of bullets, and fell to the ground. There was a thud, kicking up dust. ¡°Well done!¡± Dongyang exhaled and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. ¡°Vice Guild Master, something seems off.¡± The Horseman furrowed his brow. He tightened his grip on the long-handled spoon, intently watching the humanoid monster on the ground, still emitting ck smoke. The absence of a kill notification told everyone that the creature named ¡°Woodcutter¡± hadn¡¯t died yet. ¡°Not only is it not dead, but I can¡¯t even see a single injury on it!¡± The Horseman said grimly. ¡°Indeed¡­ That ck smoke seems to be healing its wounds.¡± When Chenxi and the others took a closer look, they all frowned. ¡°Could this be some sort of undying monster?!¡± Dongyang clenched his fists. ¡°Try using fire!¡± At this time, Pris and his group arrived from behind. He suggested as he activated his Mechanical Gloves, casting out a high-temperature Fireball. Boom!! The Fireball smashed into the smoky Woodcutter, erupting into intense mes. The specially formted fuel adhered to its body¡¯s surface, causing the fire to burn relentlessly, crackling explosively. The Woodcutter writhed violently on the ground, ck smoke billowing as it seemed to be in pain. ¡°It¡¯s working!¡± Dongyang¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Everyone use your gloves to spray fire!¡± He looked at Pris in surprise and quickly called his teammates to spray mes from their Mechanical Gloves. Boom¡ª¡ª!! The group aimed at the Woodcutter on the ground, unleashing several streams of fire. Roar!! Amidst the mes and pervasive smoke, a beast-like roar could be heard. Whoosh¡­! The fire continued for seven or eight seconds, and steam began to gush from their Mechanical Gloves, which were clearly overstressed by the operation. As the mes subsided, they saw a pitch-ck hole scorched into the ground, the inner walls turned crystalline around the edges, steaming and distorting the air. Chapter 225: 174: Shepherd Aaron (Three-in-One, Vote!)"_3 Chapter 225: Chapter 174: Shepherd Aaron (Three-in-One, Vote!)¡±_3 ¡°Those woodcutters were too strong, even when we banded together, we couldn¡¯t kill a single one¡­¡± Doghead Gold said, still shaken. He and Forget No Taboo exchanged nces, feeling that even if they drank the Hercules Potion, they most likely wouldn¡¯t be able to defeat the woodcutters shrouded in ck smoke. After all, they seemed to be immune to physical attacks! The horseman¡¯s fists, no matter how hard, were useless¡­ The woodcutters didn¡¯t fall for such tricks, no, it should be said that they quite enjoyed them, leaving the horseman tearful! The woodcutters were set on fire for a long time, but they didn¡¯t die. Coupled with their ability to shuttle through trees and swing their axes with bizarre attacks, they instilled fear in the yers, proving to be extremely difficult to handle! ¡°Staying in the Immortal Realm continuously reduces the Sanity Value. What we need to do now is explore in the opposite direction of this cabin as per the mission description¡­¡± Pris said gravely. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time, and we¡¯ve already died once, dropping a level. We can¡¯t afford to spend money and still go back at a loss!¡± Dongyang nced at him, then finally nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right, Pris.¡± It was probably the earlier support and temporarymand takeovers that made Dongyang regard this lone ranger gamer more highly. Although he had heard of this person from the Horseman before, it wasn¡¯t as real as seeing him in person. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Dongyang said. He took onest look back at the distant cabin and bit his lip. The screen warped and fluctuated. Above the Statue Staring Lake, ten yers were seen quickly moving away from the direction of the cabin. Chen Lun leaned against the Maggie Statue and smiled as he watched this scene. ¡®Just follow the direction I¡¯ve set¡­¡¯ He had shut down ¡°Forest No. 1¡± cabin from the beginning, making it naturally inessible to the yers. He didn¡¯t n to let them into the cabin, simply using the cabin as a save point for the yers. ¡®Just like herding sheep, pushing the yers in the predetermined direction, exploring for me and searching for the location of the next cabin.¡¯ Chen Lun kept his smile. Just now, seven yers died at the hands of the woodcutter, providing him with 700 Experience Points and 3 Attribute Points. ¡®Although not much, it¡¯s better than nothing¡­ at least the Attribute Points are always wee.¡¯ * * * The light in the forest was still dim, the shadows of the trees dancing, eerie and fearful. The ten yers walked silently among them, apart from the rustle of their footsteps on the dry twigs and leaves, all was deadly quiet. ¡°We haven¡¯t encountered the spider webs that were here during our first visit to the Immortal Realm, so we can speed up a bit¡­ Our Sanity Value isn¡¯t enough to support us staying here for long,¡± Pris whispered softly. The others exchanged nces a few times, seemingly agreeing with this statement. ¡°Okay,¡± Dongyang nodded. The group started running instead of walking. The trees around them whipped by, the breeze on their faces slightly cool. Just like that, after a few minutes of running, they soon encountered danger again. A figure with its back to them stood in their way. It looked like a person, covered in a filthy grey cloak, hunched over, seemingly mumbling something. Upon hearing the footsteps of the yers, it suddenly turned around. The yers were startled because they saw a vicious rat face! The rat man¡¯s mouth dripped with blood, as if it were chewing something, one hand holding a bloody chunk of meat, the other gripping a thick spiked club. ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± The rat man muttered. ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± It repeated the simple words, its cloudy eyes filled with madness and murderous intent. Whoosh! The rat man suddenly moved. It charged towards the yers, raising the mace and smashing it down. ¡°Yes!!¡± Boom! The huge impact created a hole in the ground, leaves and dirt flying about. Pris and the others managed to dodge in time, but Forget No Taboo was a step too slow, getting grazed on the thigh, and blood started pouring out immediately. He cried out in pain, falling to the ground, entering a bleeding negative state. ¡°Open fire!¡± Dongyang shouted. The yers surrounded the rat man and fired at it. Bang bang bang¡­!! Squeak¡ª!! Blood blossomed on the rat man, sprayed with countless steel pellets, emitting a piercing scream. After a round of shooting, it fell t on its back, dead. The terrifying spiked club also rolled beside its body. With a puff, some leaves were stirred up. [Killed the contaminated creature ¡°Cave Rat Man¡±! Gained 80 Experience Points!] The yers received the kill notification and finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Finally encountered a somewhat normal creature, if we couldn¡¯t have killed this as well, it really would¡¯ve been unyable!¡± Dongyang remarked.@@novelbin@@ The woodcutter they had encountered earlier had given him quite a psychological scare. The final shot that killed and awarded the kill reward fell to Chenxi, who gained 300 Experience Points, while the others shared the remaining 80 Points. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± Dongyang said, reloading his weapon. But he noticed that the expressions of the others were off. ¡°Vice president, it seems we¡¯re surrounded!¡± The Horseman said nervously. Dongyang turned around and couldn¡¯t help but take a deep breath. In the surrounding woods, dense clusters of rat men appeared, most of them simr to the one they had just encountered. But there were also some rat men wearing leather armor, wielding huge machetes. And Dongyang even saw a two-headed rat man dragging a huge iron hammer that appeared extremely heavy. ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± The dense murmuring entered the ears of the yers, bringing an indescribable eeriness. Chapter 229: 175: Two Wooden Cabins! (Three in One)_3 Chapter 229: Chapter 175: Two Wooden Cabins! (Three in One)_3 Boom! The minotaur screamed as he fell to the ground, half of his body a blur of flesh and blood, both arms broken backwards. But he didn¡¯t die; instead, he struggled to stand up. ¡°As long as you can¡¯t kill me in an instant! I can keep getting up! And continue the fight!¡± Doghead Gold roared hoarsely, lunging at the iron-d ratman. ¡°I¡¯ming to help you!¡± Forget No Taboo charged over as well, and the two minotaurs blocked the formidable iron-d ratman. Taking this opportunity to catch his breath, Pris observed the battle circle and found that no ratmen were rushing out of the two forked pathways anymore. But this small area was already packed with ratmen. Even though Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were holding back that iron-d ratman, the rest of them were still in a predicament. ¡°Our task isn¡¯t to kill all these ratmen, but to find the wooden hut!¡± Pris¡¯s thoughts were clear as he spoke to the others. ¡°Dongyang, you take Horseman and Kuang Benkuang to the left fork, Chenxi and Su Keying, you fourdies go right, search separately for the whereabouts of the wooden hut!¡± Dongyang raised his hand to shoot, blowing away a ratman, and frowned, ¡°What about you?¡± Chenxi and the others also looked back at him. Pris gave a toothy smile, pulling out a bomb. ¡°Doghead Gold and I, along with Forget No Taboo, will cover your retreat! Just one life¡­ but you¡¯d better not die again. If we can¡¯t find the wooden hut after this, at least there¡¯s one more resurrection opportunity.¡± ¡°Good brother, thanks!¡± Dongyang patted his shoulder, giving a signal to Kuang Benkuang and Horseman, and the three of them crouched low and ran towards the left fork. As a ratman noticed them, Pris shot it away.@@novelbin@@ Su Keying and the four female gamers, Chenxi included, also followed themand and headed towards the right fork. After they split up and entered the forks, Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo finally couldn¡¯t withstand the pressure and were hammered down by the iron-d ratman. Despite transforming into hulking minotaurs, they were no match for this elite ratman. Their bodies were torn and ragged, having sustained severe injuries. Even the ¡°Beef Power Bottle¡±¡®s healing speed couldn¡¯t keep up with the damage inflicted. The remaining ratmen crowded over and began attacking Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo. Pris fired another shot, bringing down a ratman, then put away his Firearm and rushed forward with an incendiary bomb in hand. Seeing Pris¡¯s actions, Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo quickly understood his intent. ¡°Ah! Aahhhhh!!¡± The two minotaurs, dragging their heavily damaged bodies, struggled to their feet, bellowing as they grappled the iron-d ratman. Squeak¡­! The face of the iron-d ratman shook violently; it tried to lift its Iron Hammer, but couldn¡¯t move at all. It was being tightly embraced by the two beefy minotaurs! ¡°Brother Pris! This is as far as we can help you!¡± Doghead Gold shouted. Pris lunged forward, dodging the attack of two ratmen, and rolled to the feet of the iron-d ratman. ¡°It¡¯s enough.¡± He said in a deep voice. He immediately disengaged the safety on the Incendiary Bomb and pressed the switch. Boom!! A burst of me erupted from his embrace, illuminating the entire dim pit. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo¡¯s Life Points were already at their limit. After being hit by the Incendiary Bomb, they instantly turned into white light and dissipated. The nearby iron-d ratman, at the center of the Incendiary Bomb¡¯s st, was submerged by the fierce blue mes. It squealed terribly as its iron armor turned red hot, and finally melted into a pool of iron. Other ratmen in the area, too, were within range of the mes, struggling in agony. The whole pit seemed like a burning furnace, determined to incinerate every creature alive inside it. Boom! Behind him, Dongyang heard a loud explosion. He halted, looking back. There was nothing but darkness, and faint screams of rats. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± He shook his head and continued running. After a while, the left fork opened up, leading the three to a huge underground chamber. The ground here was covered in colorful flowers, wide and open. Slits of light pierced through the high crevices like arrows. Not far away, an inconspicuous wooden hut stood. The whole scene was mesmerizing. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ the wooden hut!¡± Dongyang spoke up. ¡°Vice-Captain, we finally found¡­¡± Kuang Benkuang said excitedly. The next second, his head exploded. Dongyang and Horseman were stunned; they looked toward the spacious chamber¡¯s right front, where a chain-armored ratman with three heads was holding a bow as tall as a man, drawing an arrow pointed at them! ¡°!!¡± Dongyang and Horseman¡¯s eyes widened. * * * Right fork. Su Keying and the other three female gamers were making their way in the dark. Soon, they burst out of the passageway. ¡°Wow! This is¡­!¡± Before their eyesy a night sky without Sun Moon Stars, still emitting a faint glow. Beneath the Nightfall, piles of rocks gleamed with blue-green phosphorescence. A path paved with colorful pebbles meandered forward, winding through the stone piles and disappearing from sight. And next to the path, a small wooden hut stood quietly. ¡°We¡­ we found the wooden hut?!¡± Wei Yin eximed. ¡°It seems so!¡± Su Keying smiled. ¡°I¡¯m going to share the good news with them!¡± Just as she finished messaging in the chat room, she heard Wei Yin beside her, ¡°Keying! Look over there!¡± Su Keying raised her head, noticing several figures materializing by the side of the colorful pebble path. Chapter 230: 175: Two Wooden Cabins! (Three in One)_4 Chapter 230: Chapter 175: Two Wooden Cabins! (Three in One)_4 ¡°Is it Pris and the others, resurrected here?!¡± She eximed in surprise. When those several figures fully appeared, it turned out to be Pris and the other six yers. Su Keying and her group quickened their pace toward them, noticing that the yers were all looking around with bewildered expressions. ¡°Where is this ce? Why has the Resurrection Point changed¡­?¡± asked Doghead Gold. He and Forget No Taboo had reverted to their human forms, but were suffering from the negative status ¡°Flesh Copse,¡± with several of their Attributes halved, rendering them almost incapacitated. ¡°It must be that cottage¡­!¡± Pris pointed to the cottage next to the path and said. ¡°Su Keying, you guys did it! This must be a new Save Point¡­ so after we die, we¡¯ll resurrect here!¡± ¡°So that¡¯s how it is¡­¡± Dongyang¡¯s eyes lit up with realization, and then he shared what he and Horseman Kuang Benkuang had seen at the end of the left fork. ¡°¡­We also found a cottage, but it was guarded by more powerful ratman monsters, and we were all instantly killed.¡± He looked unhappy. ¡°Forget it, the quest didn¡¯t specifically require us to find a certain number of cottages. Since we¡¯ve found this one, we can consider our missionpleted.¡± Pris consoled. He then took out a pile of ¡°items¡± from the rats and began: ¡°Back in the hole, things were too hectic, and in the end, I only managed to pick up these¡­¡± ¡°Wow! Pris, I absolutely love you!¡± Doghead Gold, with an exaggerated look, rushed over to give Pris a hug. Pris simply kicked him to the ground. ¡°Scram!¡± The scene twisted and rippled. By thekeside statue. Chen Lun was tallying his spoils of war with a grin so wide it could warp his face. ¡°Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen¡­ Wow! Twenty pieces of Supernatural materials! Plus, three portions of ¡®Low Sequence Pure Substance¡¯!¡± He swept these items into the Blood Poem Ring with a grand gesture. Standing up, he still held a heart in his hand. [Supernatural Material ¨C Iron Armor Heart (Nature Faction)] ¡®This is the Supernatural material from that iron-armored ratman, obviously a bit more advanced¡­ Its power must have reached the limit of Sequence Nine, but before ¡®Suicide Soldier¡¯rade Pris, it still knelt.¡¯ Chen Lun shook his head. ¡®yers with high-powered bombs are not to be underestimated!¡¯ He nced at theke surface once more, a smile spreading across his face. ¡®We have already found one cottage¡­ good! You havepleted your task! But before that¡­¡¯ Chen Lun closed his eyes, meditating inwardly, and connected with the ¡°Forest Number One¡± cottage. ¡®I didn¡¯t expect to find two cottages in one go. I¡¯ll go activate the other one myself¡­!¡¯ Besides the cottage that Su Keying and her group had found, Dongyang, Horseman, and Kuang Benkuang had also discovered one at the end of the left fork in the tunnels. But before they could get close, they were shot dead by a three-headed ratman wielding a bow. Such powerful monsters could only be dealt with personally¡­ and it was fortunate for him that they had scouted the path, saving him quite a bit of trouble! * * * Chen Lun set out from ¡°Forest Number One.¡± Following the yers¡¯ footprints, he quickly arrived at the sinkhole burrow. ¡®If it weren¡¯t for these yers, I might not have found this burrow¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. He leaped down, heading straight for the left fork. Ratmen appeared on the path, all of whom were shot in the head with the Order Revolver. Though he was using ordinary bullets, their power was much greater than that of a Flintlock Gun. Upon being shot, the ratmen¡¯s heads exploded into pieces. Even the slightly tougher leather-armored ratmen couldn¡¯t withstand a single hit from his Silver Staff. For Chen Lun, creatures that were extremely dangerous to the yers were no match; they were killed with a single strike. In this way, he bulldozed his way to the end of the left fork, and Chen Lun personally entered this spacious ¡°Underground za.¡± As soon as he arrived, his Spiritual Intuition started to send out warnings. Whoosh¡ª!! A massive Iron Arrow tore through the air towards him. Chen Lun chuckled softly, and with a slight movement, he vanished from his original spot. Boom! The arrow struck where he had previously been standing, sting a hole in the ground. The tall ratman, d in chain mail, was highly vignt; its three rodent heads on its neck worked in tandem, looking left and right, attempting to locate where the human had gone. At that moment. Four or five pale purple crescent-shaped Sword Qis flew over its head. Squeak, squeak¡­! The tri-headed ratman scurried away in panic, but the Sword Qi was too fast; it had only taken one step before being struck, with deep, bone-revealing wounds shed across its body. It fell forwards, twitching a few times beforeying still. Blood spread from beneath it. [You have killed a contaminated creature ¡°Tri-Headed Ratman¡±! Gained 800 Experience Points!] ¡®These ratmen wield terrifying deterrence from afar, but once you get up close, they are no different from the lowest-level gray robed ratman.¡¯ Chen Lun retracted his ck wings andnded gracefully. He leaned on his Silver Staff and picked up the Supernatural materials from the tri-headed ratman. [Supernatural Material ¨C Ratman¡¯s Three-Eyed Sphere (Nature Faction)] ¡®It¡¯s a Supernatural material of the same level as the [Iron Armor Heart]¡­¡¯ Having secured it, Chen Lun headed straight for the cabin. To his surprise, he did not encounter any more danger on his way to the cabin door. ¡®It seems this cabin is hidden deep within the rat¡¯s nest, and by reason, it should be quite difficult to reach. That tri-headed ratman must have been the final guardian monster.¡¯ Creak¡­ He pushed open the door of the cabin and entered. The interior was furnished exactly like the other cabins, which didn¡¯t surprise Chen Lun at all. Reaching the table, this time, Chen Lun saw that familiar box. Bright and colorful graffiti, as well as a hastily scrawled smiley face. ¡°It¡¯s Philip¡¯s lowbrow sense of humor again.¡± Chen Lun shook his head and reached out to open the box. He was ready for the pop-up red lips to startle him or for colorful confetti to burst into the air. But in the end, when the box was fully opened, nothing happened. Inside was just a small red ball lying there quietly. Beside the small ball, there was also a casually torn scrap of paper¡ª ¡°Put it on your nose, and you¡¯ll get the answer you¡¯re looking for. ¡ªPhilip¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chen Lun¡¯s forehead throbbed with veins as he slowly picked up the red ball. After reading the note, he finally knew what it was¡ªa clown¡¯s red nose! ¡®Can¡¯t get angry, it¡¯s not dignified to be vexed by a dead man.¡¯ He took a deep breath.@@novelbin@@ ¡®So what if it¡¯s a clown, everyoneughs at clowns, everyone is a clown¡­ For the sake of getting stronger, what¡¯s wrong with being a clown for once?¡¯ Chen Lun silently spun strange logic to convince himself. Then he proceeded to put on the red nose. Buzz! [You have discovered [Mystic Realm Supernatural Law Three (Partial)], gaining 10,000 Experience Points!] [Supernatural Asymmetry Law (Iplete): ¡­No two leaves in the world are identical, nor are any two Attributes. The number of Supernatural Attributes is asymmetric, as is their quality¡­] Chen Lun suddenly had a realization. ¡®The asymmetry in number mentioned here means that in the same path, the number of Attributes of high and low Sequences is always asymmetric, waxing and waning¡­ And the same applies between adjacent paths! The asymmetry in quality means that even within the same path and the same Sequence, there will be subtle differences among different individuals¡­¡¯ Chen Lun seemed to have understood something; he looked up and gazed at his palm. ¡®Asymmetry implies imperfection, spurring evolution, spiraling upwards.¡¯ Chapter 232: 176 The End of Immortal Realm Instance (Three in One)_2 Chapter 232: Chapter 176 The End of Immortal Realm Instance (Three in One)_2 Doghead Gold drew his gun to shoot, but the ck cat instantly stood up, pulling out an axe taller than a person from behind a boulder, chopping it down onto Doghead Gold¡¯s head. Whimper! With a crack, Doghead Gold was cleaved into two halves! The ck cat¡¯s strengthpletely defied logic, swinging the giant axe in a sweep and bisecting Forget No Taboo at the waist! ¡°Attack!¡± Dongyang made a split-second decision and shouted. He was the first to raise his gun to shoot, and with a boom, countless small steel balls sprayed out with the mes. But the ck cat reacted swiftly, using the giant axe as a shield in front of him. Ding ding dang dang! The steel balls sparked off the face of the axe, but the ck cat was unharmed. ¡°Those who dare trespass the forest boundary, all must die!¡± The half of the ck cat¡¯s face that peeked out from behind the axe smirked sinisterly. The crowd noticed that its ID title had changed from ¡°Cat¡± to ¡°ck Cat Warrior ¨C Nada,¡± with a ring ¡°Fatal¡± warning that unsettled everyone. ¡°Run!¡± Pris shouted loudly. He realized the formidable strength of this ck cat before them, far beyond their capability to handle, and thusmanded everyone to flee. The crowd bypassed the ck cat, running toward the cobblestone path ahead. But they had underestimated the ck cat¡¯s speed.@@novelbin@@ Sizzle¡­! The ck cat streaked like a shadow, dragging the axe, several timesrger than its own body, scraping a long trail of sparks on the ground. ng! The axe lifted, striking with a diagonal chop! Su Keying and Wei Yin, trailing at the back of the pack, were directly taken away by this blow. White light dissipated. The ck cat leapt,nding in front of the others, blocking their path. ¡°It¡¯s over! This area was not meant for us at this stage! This ck cat is practically a ¡®yer deterrent¡¯!¡± Horseman spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s no use saying that now! Let¡¯s try to fight!¡± Dongyang barked, raising his gun to shoot again. Boom! Ding ding dang! The ck cat nimbly twirled the giant axe, blocking the bullets once more. It meowed and darted past Dongyang¡¯s feet, the axe lightly grazing him and cutting him into two. ¡°!!¡± Dongyang couldn¡¯t react in time, his eyes widening. The next second, he too turned into white light. The ck cat¡¯s ughter didn¡¯t stop there; it wielded the huge axe with ease as if it were a toy. As the axe whirled, a fierce wind picked up, and every yer who came close was split into pieces without exception. Horseman pulled out a bomb but before he could detonate it, he was pped sideways by the giant axe, turning into a mushy mess. ¡°Too strong¡­!¡± Pris¡¯s face darkened. In the end, he was the only yer left. Even though he knew he stood no chance, he didn¡¯t want to wait silently for death. ¡°Mr. Nada! I want to know why we can¡¯t pass through here!¡± Pris suddenly yelled at the ck cat. The ck cat, dragging its axe, halted its advance and stood erect like a person before him. ¡°Eh? You actually know my name¡­?¡± A human-like confusion appeared on Nada¡¯s feline face. It ced the giant axe at its side, leaning on it wearily while resting its elbow on its knee and cupping its cheek, extending a paw and pointing at Pris. ¡°Never mind, my fame has spread throughout the Forest of Nature, it¡¯s not surprising you know¡­ As for why you can¡¯t pass through here¡­¡± Suddenly, a trace of madness shed across the ck cat¡¯s eyes. It grasped the axe and viciously smashed it down toward Pris! ¡°That ce is my homnd, Kazt! All foreigners must die! And I am not the ¡®sir¡¯ you speak of¡ªyou despicable creature!!¡± Pfft¡ª! Pris was split in half on the spot, transforming into white light and vanishing. ¡°Argh! Ahhh!!¡± After killing off the yers, the ck cat did not stop its frenzy, swinging the giant axe wildly, shattering the surrounding pebbles into dust. Whoo whoo!! Even therge boulders beside the road were destroyed by the wind from the axe¡¯s de. After a while. The ck cat ceased its frenzy, panting heavily, gazing silently at the wrecked surroundings. ng! The axe was thrust into the ground, standing upright. It hopped down to the end of the axe handle, sitting there, licking its paws with a sad look in its eyes. ¡°Everything changed¡­ from the day the sun, moon, and stars disappeared¡­¡± The ck cat turned to look down the end of the cobblestone path. ¡°When can we return to our homnd¡­?¡± Rustle rustle¡­ Footsteps were heard at this moment. The ck cat, having been murmuring to itself, turned alertly and looked in the direction of the sound. A young man with a ck hat, carrying a Silver Staff, was walking slowly towards it. ¡°For trespassing the forest boundary, you¡­¡± The ck cat coldly began, but suddenly paused. Arge hand had already covered its small head. ¡°Hello, Nada.¡± A deep, maic voice sounded. The ck cat looked up in surprise at the person. It stared into the calm eyes of the other, feeling a strange joy inside, as if it was eager to get close to him. This was peculiar. Just a moment ago, this young man with the ck hat appeared in front of it, at an incredibly fast speed, stretching out arge hand to stroke its head. This was a deliberate act by Chen Lun to trigger the ¡°Friend of Animals¡± interaction. With 32 Charm Points, it was likely that the ck cat wouldn¡¯t attack him voluntarily. ¡°You dare to touch my head¡­?¡± The ck cat said, yet its tone wasn¡¯t harsh; even it was taken aback. Why wasn¡¯t it resisting? Instead, it felt somewhat exhrated, as if it enjoyed the touch of this human. Nada leaped from the axe handle onto the young man¡¯s shoulder, sniffing at his face. ¡°This is odd¡­ you have a scent I like on you.¡± Chapter 233: 176 The End of Immortal Realm Instance (Three in One)_3 Chapter 233: Chapter 176 The End of Immortal Realm Instance (Three in One)_3 The ck cat rubbed against the young man¡¯s neck again. Chen Lun nced sideways at the cat, feeling a tinge of surprise. ¡®This cat is the first creature with spiritual wisdom I¡¯ve encountered in the Immortal Realm that canmunicate¡­ Moreover, it bears an uncanny resemnce to the ck cat described in ¡°Dreamseek Town Kazt.¡± Just now, when it was killing Pris, it also mentioned its ¡°hometown Kazt¡±¡­ So, is the Immortal Realm indeed the dream world from that book?¡¯ Chen Lun kept a close eye on the movements of Pris and his party. When the yers encountered this ck cat, he associated it with ¡°Dreamseek Town Kazt¡± and immediately teleported over through ¡°Underground Dwelling Number Two.¡± The cabin at the end of the ratmen¡¯s nest he named ¡°Underground Dwelling Number One,¡± and the cabin beside the cobblestone path was ¡°Underground Dwelling Number Two.¡± Now that he had confirmed his suspicions, a thought emerged in Chen Lun¡¯s mind. ¡°Nada, do you have Moon Wine?¡± Chen Lun asked. The ck cat showed a surprised expression and then nodded its head. ¡°Of course, I do.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s eyes narrowed. The ck cat then pointed to a giant axe nearby and said to him: ¡°Please help me carry this, and I will show you the way¡­ The Moon Wine is stored at my dwelling, it¡¯s an extremely precious item.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Chen Lun allowed it to sit on his shoulder and then walked over to grasp the handle of the axe. Creak¡­! The giant axe was slowly lifted. Chen Lun raised his eyebrows. ¡®This axe¡­ it¡¯s so heavy! At least a hundred pounds!¡¯ He stealthily nced at the ck cat again. ¡®A ck cat warrior, a Supernatural Creature, its strength must be around the level of an experienced Sequence Seven¡­ No wonder it can wield such a heavy weapon.¡¯ Suddenly, the ck cat Nada turned its head, gave him a tremulous, but very certain look: ¡°You¡­ You must be a devotee of the Cat God!¡± It suddenly revealed a shocked expression, then made a very peculiar prayer gesture very devoutly. Its paws crossed over each other, tracing a strange symbol in mid-air, before pressing them against its forehead. ¡°Devotee, sir! We have finally waited for your arrival! Please save Kazt!¡± Nada burst into tears. Chen Lun was taken aback by its sudden emotional outburst and unconsciously frowned. ¡°Do you have a misunderstanding? I am not a devotee of the Cat God.¡± ¡°No¡­ No no, you are!¡± The ck cat wept while pointing to the giant axe in Chen Lun¡¯s hands. ¡°The king of the Forest of Nature, the protector of Kazt, the great Cat God¡ªHe blesses the weapon of every ck cat warrior. Look! It¡¯s cheering!¡± Chen Lun turned his head and saw that one mystical symbol after another lit up on the handle of the axe, identical to the symbol the ck cat had just prayed with. He released his hand, and the axe fell to the ground with a thud, the symbols fading. ¡®What is going on here?¡¯ Chen Lun took a deep breath. He looked at the ck cat and asked with a slight frown: ¡°What do you mean by ¡®saving¡¯?¡± Nada wiped away tears and pointed up to the sky. ¡°Long ago, the Forest of Nature was a peaceful ce, inhabited by many civilizations and tribes, but then one day¡­¡± The ck cat began to recount the past to Chen Lun. Like all fairy tales, this was once and filled with beautiful dreams, but disaster struck one day¡ªthe Sun, Moon, and stars all disappeared, and the entire world fell into darkness. At the same time, an invisible mysterious pollution began to spread. Almost all creatures fell into madness, turning into bloodthirsty monsters. Only a few areas were not polluted, and the residents there survived, like the current Kazt Town¡­ but the invisible contamination is intensifying, and even with the Cat God¡¯s protection, Kazt can barely hold on. The ck cats were originally inhabitants of Kazt, but because they disagreed with the conservative white cats, they chose to leave, intending to find a new path for Kazt. But once they left Kazt Town, the protection over the ck cats weakened, and many ck cat warriors have be contaminated creatures,pletely sumbing to madness. Nada belongs to the minority still retaining their Sanity. The leader of Kazt, the High Priest Daye had prayed to the Cat God and received a prophecy¡ªthere woulde a devotee to visit Kazt, and he would redeem the final home of the cat residents.@@novelbin@@ ¡®But I am not a devotee of the Cat God¡­¡¯ Chen Lun felt increasingly puzzled. ¡®This Immortal Realm is just a fictional world from ¡°Philip¡¯s Dreand Adventure.¡± Could it be that the same terrible events are happening in the real Immortal Realm?¡¯ After recounting these past events, the ck cat led Chen Lun through a pile of chaotic rocks and then found a crude dwelling beneath a huge stone. After leaving their homnd, the ck cat warriors have be a nomadic Race. This was Nada¡¯s temporary dwelling. The ck cat leaped off Chen Lun¡¯s shoulder and, as a fleeting shadow, squeezed into the ¡°crack¡± beneath the huge stone. Shortly after, it returned holding a small bottle carved from transparent crystal stone. The small bottle was about the size of a fist, held between the ck cat¡¯s paws and offered up to him with deep reverence. ¡°Devotee, sir! This is the Moon Wine brewed by our ck cat tribe! I offer it to you!¡± Chen Lun reached out and epted it. [Supernatural Wine-Moon Wine] Item Description: The proudest brew of the ck cat tribe living in the Dream Realm¡¯s Forest of Nature. It¡¯s their remembrance of the Moon, as well as their unique means to resist madness. Item Effect: After consumption, Willpower +5, and enhances Sanity recovery speed,sting for 72 hours. Chapter 234: 176: End of the Immortal Realm Instance (Three-in-One)_4 Chapter 234: Chapter 176: End of the Immortal Realm Instance (Three-in-One)_4 Warning: When taken with Sun Wine, unpredictable consequences may ur. Chen Lun held the bottle of wine silently. ¡®It matches the description from ¡°Dreamseek Town Kazt¡±. The sailor in the story had drunk both types of wine simultaneously and saw high-level scenes, only to die suddenly¡­¡¯ The ck cat had not heard Chen Lun speak for a long time, so it mustered up the courage to lift its head and observe its master¡¯s expression. When it saw a frown under the master¡¯s ck top hat, it mistakenly thought he was dissatisfied with it. Thus, the ck cat spoke with sincere fright: ¡°Master, the brewing conditions for Moon Wine are extremely harsh; this is the only bottle we have managed to produce in nearly two months.¡± Chen Lun was slightly startled. ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, I¡¯m notining¡­¡± He suddenly remembered something and handed the wine bottle back to the ck cat. The ck cat, Nada, looked up at him, puzzled. ¡°This is the wine you rely on to ward off madness, right? By drinking it, you have enough Willpower and Sanity¡­ I don¡¯t need it, take it back.¡± ¡°Please be sure to ept it!¡± The ck cat seemed very touched. It teared up again and knelt down, bowing low. ¡°Yourpassion reminds me of the Cat God of old¡­ But you need not worry about me, I still havepanions, and they have enough Moon Wine.¡± Chen Lun looked at it, seeing a devout Believer. ¡°Since that is the case, I will ept it.¡± He revealed a slight smile. The ck cat also stood up relieved, looking joyful. Chen Lun then inquired about the location of Kazt Town. Nada, somewhat excited, pointed out the direction; it was along the cobblestone path, through a clutter of rocks, where one could see the entrance to the town¡ªCat God Bridge. But from here to Cat God Bridge was a considerable distance. ¡®Hmm¡­ The matter with the yers isn¡¯t over yet; I¡¯ll visit Kazt Townter when I have the time,¡¯ Chen Lun thought. * * * After parting with the ck cat, Nada, Chen Lun returned to ¡°Underground No. 2¡± cabin. Through the authority of Immortal Realm, he saw that the yers were aimlessly exploring in another direction. ¡®Good, then I¡¯ll collect the items in this cabin first¡­¡¯ Chen Lun opened the door. He skillfully crossed over the foot of the bed and walked to the desk by the window. On the desk was a page torn from some notes, filled with writing in dark blue ink. Chen Lun¡¯s eyes lit up, eagerly picking it up. [Discovered Destiny Faction Supernatural Knowledge (iplete)!] [Destiny Faction Sequence Seven¡ªMagician (1/4)!] ¡°Supernatural Knowledge¡­!¡± Chen Lun murmured cheerfully. ¡°With what I¡¯ve collected before, I now have three-quarters of the ¡®Magician¡¯s¡¯ Supernatural Knowledge! It¡¯s fast¡­ I¡¯m almost ready to meet the prerequisites for advancement!¡± * * * On one side of the cobblestone path, among a clutter of rocks. The yers gathered together, looking dejected. After a while of exploration, they hadn¡¯t discovered anything valuable, not even encountering amon creature. ¡°Sanity Value is almost less than half; shall we continue to explore?¡± The Horseman said. ¡°It seems that in this area, aside from the cobblestone path, there are no other paths to take¡­¡± ¡°But over there is a ck cat ¡®Dissuader¡¯, it¡¯s only doom for us if we go there now.¡± Doghead Gold nced at him. Pris looked around at everyone and spoke: ¡°Let¡¯s stop the raid here for now; we don¡¯t have enough time left to keep going¡­ Actually, we came out ahead already, not to mentionpleting the mission, we also farmed some supernatural materials.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ the Experience Points we earned from killing rats have umted enough not only to make up for the levels lost from deaths but also to level up a few more times.¡± Dongyang said with augh. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, shall we agree on ¡®returning¡¯?¡± Chenxi stated. The others unanimously agreed. As everyone confirmed the return on their panel, Chen Lun also received a notification in the ¡°Underground No. 2¡± cabin. ¡®Is it over¡­? Very well!¡¯ Chen Lun sat on the edge of the bed, holding a ss of juice cold drink, sipping through a straw.@@novelbin@@ He let out a lightugh, secretly controlling the switch of Immortal Realm, sending the yers away. As the yers disappeared one by one, Pris lifted his head to look at the starless night sky, eyes shining with excitement, clenching his fists. Because the mission prompt had just informed him that he had the highest Contribution Degree in this task! ¡°I did it! The reward of Supernatural Knowledge!¡± Pris took a deep breath. ¡°Next, I will also be a Transcendent!¡± Chapter 235: 177: The Unique Beast Tamer (Three in One) Chapter 235: Chapter 177: The Unique Beast Tamer (Three in One) ¡°` Jack Manor. The living room on the first floor of the vi. Chen Lun sat on the sofa and suddenly opened his eyes. He calmly looked at the ten yers lying and leaning on the long sofa in front of the coffee table. After a while. Pris was the first to open his eyes. He shook his head, just getting used to the feeling of being disconnected from the copy. Then, he saw the gentleman in the ck hat on the opposite sofa, looking at him with a half-smile. ¡°Well done, Pris, you were the most outstanding foreign warrior in this exploration of the Immortal Realm¡­¡± Chen Lun revealed a smile. ¡°Thank you for your praise, Mr. Jack.¡± Pris said respectfully, suppressing the joy in his heart. At this time, the others also gradually awoke, their faces initially showing bewilderment before they remembered that they had finished the Immortal Realm copy and returned to the present world. This is the vi at Jack Manor. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen.¡± Chen Lun said to them. ¡°I¡¯m delighted that you have sessfullypleted the exploration task. Here, I want to say I was not wrong about you¡­ you indeed are people of great potential!¡± He then announced the names of the top three contributors to this task. Pris was first, Doghead Gold second, and Forget No Taboo third. This ranking did not surprise everyone, as their performance in the Immortal Realm had been quite impressive.@@novelbin@@ Especially Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo, who after taking the potion, transformed into minotaurs, using their bodies to block the swarms of rat-men and surprising everyone. It also sparked a strong desire to purchase within Dongyang. For yers at the current stage, that potion was akin to a strong card up their sleeve! In certain situations, it could even be more practical than a bomb! ¡°As the top three contributors, you naturally receive corresponding rewards. This is the ¡®Beef Power Bottle¡¯. Of course, its namees from its creator, Dr. Maggie¡­ I prefer to call it the ¡®Powerful Blood-Generating Potion¡¯ for its strong healing and recovery effects.¡± Chen Lun took out a deep red potion and passed it to Forget No Taboo. Thetter¡¯s face showed excitement since the potion¡¯s effects were well known and it was still not produced inrge quantities at this stage, being extremely rare and priceless. ¡°This is your reward, Mr. Forget No Taboo.¡± ¡°Thank you very much, Mr. Jack!¡± Forget No Taboo stood up to give thanks. Dongyang felt envious at this moment and spoke: ¡°Mr. Jack, may I ask if this potion is avable for purchase now? I would like to order some!¡± ¡°Hmm, unfortunately, it is not yet for sale as its quantity is too limited¡­¡± Chen Lun shrugged. Dongyang showed an extremely disappointed expression. But he quickly heard the young man in the ck hat say: ¡°But don¡¯t worry, soon, it will appear in the hidden shop catalog that is only shown to official members like you¡­ and the price will be very reasonable.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Dongyang¡¯s expression quickly changed, revealing joy. However, the other female yers weren¡¯t keen on the potion that could transform them into muscr minotaurs; some were even repulsed by it. Chenxi, the guild leader of the ¡°Chuxi¡± guild, which was a gathering ce for female yers, had no intention of buying such potion. Not because it wasn¡¯t strong, but because it destroyed one¡¯s looks. Four-armed minotaurs or whatever, just too damn ugly! ¡°As for Mr. Doghead Gold¡¯s reward, it is a Mysterious Object¡­¡± Chen Lun said. He looked at the curious eyes of the people and the expectant gaze of the person involved, Doghead Gold, and suddenly thought of something. ¡®In that pile of misceneous Mysterious Objects, there seems to be one that¡¯s pretty suitable for him¡­¡¯ With a wave of his hand, a syringe appeared on the coffee table. Then he signaled Doghead Gold to take it. Doghead Gold looked at the others, then heh-hehed and picked up the syringe from the table. [Grade D Mysterious Object ¨C Bloodthirsty Syringe] Item Description: A syringe containing flesh and blood power, an ordinaryrge ss syringe in appearance, its plunger always moves on its own as if craving blood. Drink deep from the blood! Fight to thest! Item Effect: Injecting the umted blood energy from the syringe into oneself, one can acquire a slight vampiric effect. Melee attacks on enemies allow one to absorb their life force. Duration depends on the umted blood energy, up to 30 minutes. Item Cost: Requires the transfusion of the user¡¯s own blood to transform into the blood energy within the syringe, every 100 life points can maintain the effect for 1 minute. This Mysterious Object belongs to a multiple-use umtion type consumable. Regr self-harm feeds it energy, which can then be used at critical moments. The reason Chen Lun looked down on it was naturally because it took too long to charge and the vampiric effect was merely slight, making it not very cost-effective. But it was very suitable for yers like Doghead Gold who, as long as they were willing to bleed regrly, could intermittently replenish 3000 life points to gain a half-hour vampiric BUFF. Paired with the strong recovery effect of the ¡°Beef Power Bottle,¡± he would be an indestructible ¡°Vampiric Minotaur¡±! ¡°¡ªDamn! Bro, I¡¯m kinda jealous!¡± When Doghead Gold posted the Mysterious Object information in the chatroom, Forget No Taboo saw it andmented. ¡°¡ªIndeed, it¡¯s quite nice, Brother Doghead Gold. Would you be interested in selling it to us at Hall of Valor? Not to mention, 100 Gold Pounds or 1 million credit points, your choice.¡± Chapter 238: 177: The Unique Beast Tamer (Three in One)_4 Chapter 238: Chapter 177: The Unique Beast Tamer (Three in One)_4 He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. me burst forth from his hand and, to Pris¡¯s astonished gaze, began to form intricate characters in mid-air, arranging themselves into a contract. Immediately afterward, Chen Lun tossed a murky mysterious substance into the fiery text. ¡°Sign it, and you¡¯ll officially be my spokesperson, or rather, my student in name¡­ I shall guide you and teach you without asking for anything in return,¡± Chen Lun dered solemnly. Pris stared nkly at the bizarre, twisting characters floating before him. He hadn¡¯t expected there to be a twist in the situation, and his mood suddenly improved. At the same time, he also received a notification. If he signed this ¡°Shadow Contract,¡± he would establish a deep bond with Jack Spett and be tied to the Circus¡¯s power. If he were to betray, he would trigger the contract¡¯s punishment¡ª [Oathbreaker (Permanent Curse)] Curse description: Originates from the Curse cast by the angel Conrad from the Conspiracy Faction, all attributes permanently reduced by 90%, Life Points and Physical Strength limits not to exceed 100 Points. Pris looked at the contract and fell silent. He could see a bright future, but the cost was sacrificing a part of his freedom. However, Pris knew very well that this was different from joining a yer guild. That involved signing a contract in reality, while this was merely about signing a contract within the game. The cost of betrayal was steep, essentially condemning his ount to be useless. Although he could start a new save file, all his hard-earned progress would be lost. He couldn¡¯t guarantee that he would get another opportunity for such a fortuitous encounter.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun drank his tea quietly, waiting for Pris¡¯s response. He was well aware of the yers¡¯ unpredictability and knew exactly how to manipte them to just the right degree. Pris had gained so much from him, which were all sunk costs. Unless he was confident he could develop better in a new save, he wouldn¡¯t dare to make a rash move. ¡°Mr. Jack¡­¡± Pris took a deep breath. ¡°I am willing to be your spokesperson!¡± He reached out his hand below the me and inscribed his own name out of thin air. Boom! The me suddenly exploded, like fireworks blooming, and dissipated in mid-air. At the same time, a distant clinking of sses was heard¡ª ng! ¡°I witness this.¡± A deep voice murmured. Chen Lun reclined on the couch, revealing a smile. ¡°I am delighted that you made the right choice, Mr. Pris¡­ From this day forward, you are my spokesperson, Jack Spett!¡± [You have established a deep bond with Jack Spett!] [Jack¡¯s affection for you has increased! It¡¯s now ¡®Close¡¯!] [You will enjoy a twenty percent discount on Circus merchandise!] [¡­] A series of notifications left Pris in high spirits. Once he made up his mind, all this ceased to be a psychological burden; instead, it turned into motivation and joy. Finally, Pris learned the ¡°Advanced Skill¡± of the Beast Tamer for free¡ª [Animal Mimicry]! Chen Lun observed Pris¡¯s attributes in silence, his eyes suddenly sharpening. Because he discovered¡­ Pris¡¯s [Animal Mimicry] was different from his own! He could only store memories of three animal attributes! While his own, there were ten! In that moment, Chen Lun¡¯s purpose of using Pris to verify the Path of Destiny was finally achieved. ¡®Indeed! I am different from the others! It¡¯s not that Destiny Faction is exceeding limits¡­¡¯ Chen Lun was inwardly shocked. ¡®But that I, as an individual, exceed the limits?!¡¯ He then thought of the ¡°Supernatural Asymmetry Law¡± and had an epiphany. ¡®¡­Even if it¡¯s the same path and the same sequence, everyone has their subtle differences. But the difference between me and others seems too great¡­¡¯ Chen Lun was lost in thought. * * * After bing the spokesperson, Pris received his first task from his ¡°Mentor¡± Jack on the same day¡ª To go to the Verdant Scream Zoo, use [Animal Mimicry] to record the attributes of three animals and fill all the memory slots. Thus constructing his own battle system. Pris had sought advice from Mr. Jack in advance and had a good n for the road ahead. But this time, he had no intentions of imitating Jack, as he had his own understanding and ideas. As a lone wolf, his priority was the traits that could improve his speed. But in the end, he didn¡¯t choose the cheetah, recognized as the fastest runner onnd, but rather the prey of the cheetah¡ªthe gazelle. What he needed was not only explosive speed in a straight line but also agility and nimbleness duringbat. Gazelles are known worldwide for their difficult and rapid turns, which would allow him to have not just speed, but also a great deal of flexibility. This was quite good. For the second and third traits, Pris considered both attack and defense. Taking into ount these two aspects, he thought of many animals, including those that met both criteria, like the alligator snapping turtle, crabs, and elephants. Ultimately, Pris chose the crocodile. By chance, the Verdant Scream Zoo housed a bay crocodile, also known as the sea crocodile, recognized as the most ferocious of crocodiles, with a bite considered the strongest. After multiple attempts, Pris finally recorded his three attributespletely¡ª [Antelope Leap], [Crocodile Bite], and [Crocodile Skin]. He had exhausted all his Physical Strength toplete this task. Sitting on the wooden bench at the entrance of the zoo, he panted heavily. ¡°To approach the opponent at a blistering speed, strike fatally¡­ and in the face of danger, possess great agility and defensive power,¡± Pris muttered to himself, his eyes filled with anticipation. ¡°Just how strong am I now, we¡¯ll know when I spar with Dongyang and the others¡­ I hope they don¡¯t get too shocked!¡± Chapter 239: 178: Dawn of Kazt (Seeking monthly votes!) Chapter 239: Chapter 178: Dawn of Kazt (Seeking monthly votes!) Immortal Realm. ¡°Underground No. 2¡± cabin. The wooden door slowly opened, and Chen Lun walked out from inside. ¡®The Maggie Statue stored about 1301 Sanity Points, and this group of yers contributed around 150 points¡­¡¯ he thought to himself. At this moment, he only wanted to say, ¡°Wee back next time.¡± Walking along the cobblestone path, Chen Lun returned to the ce where he had encountered the ck cat Nada and found it squatting beside the road like a statue. ¡°My Lord Believer!¡± Nada became incredibly excited upon seeing Chen Lun. It stood up, not even bothering to grab its giant axe, and dashed to Chen Lun¡¯s feet in a sh. Chen Lun smiled as he lifted it and ced it on his shoulder. ¡°I n to head to Kazt Town, will you join me?¡± Chen Lun asked. The ck cat Nada hesitated for a moment before shaking its head. ¡°No¡­ the white cats won¡¯t wee me.¡± ¡°But aren¡¯t you also fighting for your homnd? Why is it like this¡­?¡± Chen Lun wondered aloud. ¡°When the Pollution Disaster struck, Kazt¡¯s white cat n and ck cat n started to have a huge difference in opinions. They, sticking to ancient traditions, chose to stand by the town¡­ while we left our homnd to seek other ways to live.¡± Nada crouched on his shoulder, its tone somber. ¡°We swore an oath to not return to our homnd until we find a new home¡­¡± Seeing its low spirits, Chen Lun thought for a moment and then asked: ¡°Would your High Priest Daye also not wee ck cats?¡± Nada looked surprised. ¡°Lord Believer is aware of High Priest Daye?¡± It immediately reconsidered given the Lord Believer¡¯s identity and then shook its head, saying: ¡°No, High Priest Daye has been good to us, but this¡­ is our own choice.¡± ¡°In that case, apany me for a part of the journey.¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. He pointed towards the end of the cobblestone road. ¡°You must miss your hometown, Nada¡­ Let¡¯s look from a distance, it won¡¯t count as breaking the oath.¡± The ck cat¡¯s eyes widened, tears beginning to form. ¡°Thank you, Lord Believer!¡± Chen Lun chuckled lightly. He went over and collected Nada¡¯s giant axe into the Blood Poem Ring. ¡°Are you ready? Let¡¯s set off.¡± Chen Lun said. The ck cat silently nodded. Seeing this, he smiled, and suddenly a pair of ck wings emerged on his back and pped vigorously. Together, the man and cat lifted off the ground and began to fly along the cobblestone path. This was Chen Lun¡¯s first time using ¡°Crow Feather¡± to fly in the Immortal Realm, as it had been unsuitable to unfold the wings in the Gloomy Forest prior. He had thought about breaking through the canopy that blocked out the sky and flying above the forest, but as soon as this thought urred, ¡°Spiritual Intuition¡± would issue mad warnings. It felt as if something extremely terrifying lurked beyond those dense leaves. For safety¡¯s sake, Chen Lun had always been running around, but now he felt much more rxed. ¡°Lord Believer¡­ can fly!¡± The ck cat was amazed. The strong wind ruffled its fur, making it look like a disheveled ck fur ball in the wind. It clung tightly to Chen Lun¡¯s shoulder, somewhat unustomed to high-altitude flying. ¡°I¡¯ve heard from my grandfather that there was once a human who could fly who visited Kazt Town¡­ His wings were like those of a bat and looked very sinister.¡± Nada¡¯s voice was messy in the wind. Chen Lun adjusted his ck hat and asked: ¡°Did your grandfather tell you what that man¡¯s name was?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± The ck cat shook its head. ¡°But my grandfather seemed very angry because that human had asked High Priest Daye about who the most beautiful female cat in Kazt Town was.¡± Chen Lun raised his eyebrows. A thought unintentionally crossed his mind. ¡®This guy¡­ could it be Philip?¡¯ He further inquired: ¡°What happened afterward?¡± ¡°Afterward¡­ the Cat God was enraged, sending down the Golden Divine Punishment, and that human was directly shattered into pieces,¡± the ck cat said. Chen Lun wore a puzzled expression. ¡®Philip got down on his knees here? It can¡¯t be¡­¡¯ Although curious, hecked sufficient clues. He decided to treat the story as a fun fact and temporarily stored it in his mind. After flying for about half an hour, Chen Lun caught sight of a pile of rocks from afar. ¡°Lord Believer, past this area, we¡¯ll reach the ¡®Cat God Bridge.''¡± the ck cat said with a trembling voice. The proximity to returning to Kazt Town excited it. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Chen Lun, recalling the guiding description in ¡°Dreamseek Town Kazt¡± about ¡°where the sound of water flows, amidst the pile of rocks,¡± asked: ¡°Was this cobblestone path a stream before?¡± ¡°Yes, Lord Believer,¡± the ck cat nodded. Nostalgia showed in its eyes. ¡°Back then, the stream was clear, and the cat residents liked to fish here¡­ At night, you could also see the reflected moon, very beautiful.¡± The rock pile was quite expansive. The pale yellow boulders were uneven and stood chaotically. From a distance, Chen Lun could vaguely see the outline of a row of reddish-brown city walls and a tall white spire protruding from within the walls. ¡°Lord Believer, please stay here,¡± the ck cat on his shoulder spoke. Chen Lun silently nodded, his ck wings retracted, leaving only a few faint feather shadows before disappearing. Thud! He stood on arge rock, standing erect. A breeze brushed by. They remained motionless. A man and a cat, gazing far into the town¡¯s silhouette just like that. The ck cat¡¯s green eyes shimmered, seemingly hiding numerous memories. After a long pause. Nada leapt from Chen Lun¡¯s shoulder to his feet, raising its head: ¡°Lord of Adoration, I truly appreciate you bringing me back here, seeing Kazt as it used to be gives me peace¡­¡± Chen Lun took out the massive axe and returned it to her. Nada positioned the giant axe beside her, and then with both paws crossed, performed that strange prayer ritual again. ¡°Please, you must save Kazt¡­ save thisst homnd for the cat residents.¡± The ck cat crouched down. At this moment, Chen Lun suddenly received a notification ¡ª [Triggered B-level Task: Dawn of Kazt!] Task Description: On the border of the Dream Realm¡¯s Forest of Nature, the secluded town Kazt is facing the threat of invisible pollution. Please help the cat residents living in Kazt to resist the pollution, allowing them to live happily and peacefully. Task Rewards: Rewards distributed ording to the Contribution Degree, the pool includes¡ªExperience Points, Coins, Affection from the residents of Kazt Town, Moon Wine, Sun Wine, Blessed Weapons, Cat God¡¯s Spell, Supernatural Knowledge from the Nature Faction (Sequence Nine to Sequence Seven), and the ¡°Cat God Doctrine¡±. ¡®Such generous rewards¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun was somewhat astonished. ¡®But the distribution ording to the Contribution Degree¡­ the goal of this task is too vague, currently, the specific requirements are unknown.¡¯ He also noticed the term ¡°Dream Realm¡± in the task description. This was the second time he had encountered this term, the previous time being in a description about the Moon Wine. ¡®So the true name of the Immortal Realm is actually called the ¡°Dream Realm¡±? And this area is ¡°Forest of Nature¡±¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself and epted the task. The ck cat Nada casually slung the giant axe over her shoulder, bade farewell to Chen Lun, and with a few leaps on the boulders, disappeared into the pile of rocks. Chen Lun withdrew his gaze and reopened his ck wings, continuing to fly forward. A few minutester, he crossed the boulder pile,nding in front of the Cat God Bridge. This was a stone bridge, not veryrge, with railings on both sides carved with patterns of cats. At the bridgehead to Chen Lun¡¯s right, there stood an imposing statue of the Cat God, facing the Cat God Bridge. This was a slim cat with a long neck, in a crouching position, looking forward. An acorn-shaped pendant hung on its chest, and it wore aurel crown on its head.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun looked up at the statue, then directly stepped onto the Cat God Bridge. From a distance, he saw two white cats patrolling the bridge,ing towards him. The white cats, armed with swords and shields, their long swords exquisite with strange inscriptions and wavy patterns, their kite shields painted red with the pattern of the Cat God on them. Upon noticing Chen Lun, an unfamiliar visitor, the two white cats immediately became alert, raised their shields, drew their swords, and sped up towards him. ¡°Stranger!¡± ¡°Outsider!¡± Challenged the two white cats. ¡°This is Kazt, a shelter of the Cat God, we deny your visit! Please leave immediately, or else¡­¡± One of the white cats, stopping midway through the sentence, suddenly paused. It appeared puzzled, then whispered to itspanion. ¡°Strange¡­¡± This white cat patrol then turned back to look at the man in the ck hat. ¡°I feel an oddly familiar sensation from you, an urge to get close.¡± As it spoke, its tone had already softened. Apparently, Chen Lun¡¯s passive skill ¡°Friend of Animals¡± had begun to take effect. ¡°Both of you, may I be taken into Kazt Town, to meet your High Priest Daye?¡± Chen Lun revealed a polite smile. ¡°This¡­¡± The white cat showed hesitation. The other white cat beside it suddenly widened its eyes, looking shocked as it pointed at the young man with a ck hat, or rather, behind him¡ª ¡°Look quickly! The Maggie Statue is lighting up!¡± Upon hearing this, the white cat also looked up and the next second, became stunned. ¡°This is¡­ the prophecy of High Priest Daye, the arrival of a devotee of the Cat God!¡± Chen Lun, puzzled, turned around and saw that the statue of the Cat God¡¯s eyes had indeed lit up. At the same time, strange symbols appeared on it, emitting a faint glow. The looks in the eyes of the two white cats towards Chen Lun changed instantly¡ªtransformed into one of immense reverence, mixed with anticipation and excitement. ¡°Devotee sir! Devotee sir! You have finallye¡­ to save Kazt!¡± ng! Swords and shields fell to the ground. The two white cats prostrated themselves, like the most devout believers, worshipping Chen Lun. ¡®Here we go again¡­¡¯ Chen Lun narrowed his eyes. The reaction of the ck cat Nada and these two white cats deepened his confusion. ¡°Take me to see the High Priest.¡± Chen Lun said straightforwardly. The two white cats got up, picked up their swords and shields, and respectfully led the way. ¡°This way please, Devotee sir!¡± Chen Lun followed the two white cats, crossing the Cat God Bridge. He noticed that the moat beneath the bridge had long since dried up, revealing a bed of densely packed, multicolored pebbles. After crossing the towering stone gate, Chen Lun finally arrived at the secluded Kazt Town, home of the cat residents. The ground here was allid with red and blue-gray stone bricks, ced alternately, giving off a unique local atmosphere. Streetmps stood beside the streets, but inside these, it was not fire that burned, but magical fireflies flickering with light. They danced within covers made of transparent crystal stones, illuminating the surrounding areas. All sorts of houses stood in rows, andpared to human towns, they were only slightly smaller in scale, otherwise no different. In fact, they appeared even finer here, everything looked meticulous. In the distance, at the town center, one could see a tall, white spire reaching up towards the sky, magnificent. Countless white cats were active around, behaving just like humans. Some were chatting on the streets, others were peddling goods in front of shops, and like two patrol soldiers, sword-and-shield white cats maintained order. Many white cats, upon seeing Chen Lun¡¯s arrival, showed deep puzzlement in their eyes. ¡°Fellow residents! Let us warmly wee the king from the Forest of Nature, the protector of Kazt, the great devotee of the Cat God!¡± The leading white cat shouted loudly. The other white cat struck its shield with its long sword, producing a loud banging sound. ¡°¡ªThe Devotee sir has finallye!!¡± Countless white cats turned their heads, their faces showing shock. ¡°Devotee sir!¡± ¡°Has this day finallye?!¡± ¡°Devotee of the Cat God! Our savior of Kazt!¡± Chapter 240: 179: Response from the Cat God (Request for Monthly Votes!) Chapter 240: Chapter 179: Response from the Cat God (Request for Monthly Votes!) On the streets of Kazt Town. Upon hearing that the follower of the Cat God had arrived, countless white cats came following the sound. Without exception, all of them, excited, expectant, and devout, clustered around Chen Lun. They were kept a meter away by two dutiful white cat guards wielding shields. More guards joined in to ¡°protect¡± Chen Lun, fearing that the cat residents might bump into the esteemed follower. Chen Lun looked at these excited white cats and listened to the noisy sounds around him, feeling a strange sensation rise in his heart. ¡®Is this what it feels like to be revered and worshipped by numerous creatures¡­¡¯ He thought to himself and shook his head. ¡®But I am not a true follower, nor am I indulged in it.¡¯ Just as the town¡¯s roads were blocked up and a few white cat guards were in distress, cries of surprise came from among the cat residents. ¡°Make way!¡± ¡°The mayor ising!¡± ¡°It¡¯s Daye the High Priest!¡± The white cats seemed to hold great respect for this priest, voluntarily clearing a path. Chen Lun looked up and saw a big cat, who stood out among the surrounding white cats, slowly approaching. It was covered in tiger stripes, its face marked with an ageless calm, even a hint of weariness. What was most surprising was that all four limbs of this big cat were very short. This made Chen Lun think of a corgi-like cat¡ªa Munchkin. The High Priest Daye slowly approached Chen Lun, sat down in front of him, and quietly sized him up. After a moment. The expression in its eyes first showed confusion, then shock. ¡°You¡­ you really are the Cat God¡¯s follower!¡± It slowly stood up, almost like a human, but due to its short limbs, it looked somewhatical. ¡°Please, you must ept our hospitality here in Kazt, esteemed follower.¡± Daye, somehow recognizing Chen Lun¡¯s ¡°follower¡± status, seemed a bit excited. The surrounding cat residents, upon hearing Daye the High Priest¡¯s affirmation, became even more excited and began meowing with joy. As the Immortal Realm had lost the Sun, Moon, and Stars, there was no way to tell time by light, so the residents of Kazt determined day and night by the strange symbols outside the white spire. That spire, reportedly existed since the birth of Kazt, received the blessing of the Cat God, and also served as the ¡°Temple of the Cat God,¡± housing the statue of the Cat God. At that moment outside the white spire, a total of eighteen symbols were lit, signifying six in the evening. Under the direction of High Priest Daye, numerous cat residents began preparing for the banquet, to wee the esteemed follower most warmly. Chen Lun followed Daye, walking through to arge red-roofed house deep in the town. This was where Daye lived. It also served as the venue for major events in Kazt. There was a rge¡± living room on the first floor, which to Chen Lun, was just a bitrger than a normal reception hall. The long table was set, and white cats brought food intermittently. ¡°Esteemed follower, please taste the delicacies of Kazt.¡± Daye sat in the second seat, speaking to Chen Lun who was at the head of the table. Chen Lun looked at the table full of dishes, mostly made of dried fish and a few strange insects he had never seen before. ¡°¡­¡± He took a deep breath, held back his difort, avoided various dried fish, picked up a fried beetle with a fork, and stuffed it into his mouth. To Chen Lun¡¯s surprise, it actually tasted good. It had a vor simr to chicken but was even richer and juicier. Bear Grylls would shout professional! ¡°This is our white cat tribe¡¯s special brew, the Sun Wine. Please try it!¡± At this moment, an elderly white cat from the next seat stood up. It held up a pot of crystal-clear wine and handed it to the cat server. The white cat server came to Chen Lun, respectfully filled his ss, and then ced the wine pot on the table. Chen Lun curiously held the wine ss, examining the wine inside. [Supernatural Wine ¨C Sun Wine] Item Description: The proudest brew of the white cats living in the Dream Realm¡¯s Kazt Town. It¡¯s their reminiscence of the Sun, as well as their drink before battle. The white cats believe that drinking Sun Wine will bring the Cat God¡¯s blessing and luck will arrive. Item Effect: After consumption, Luck +5, and enhances probabilities beneficial for hitting, dodging, and dropping treasures,sting for 72 hours. Warning: Consuming it along with Moon Wine will lead to unpredictable consequences. ¡®A consumable that adds Luck¡­? That¡¯s very rare!¡¯ A spark of surprise shed in Chen Lun¡¯s eyes. Actually, the Luck attribute, in games, indeed boosts various probabilities with a BUFF. But Chen Lun felt, it was more than just a superficial appearance. ¡°Hmm¡­ good wine!¡± Chen Lun lifted his ss and took a sip, eximing. Sun Wine was not strong in alcohol content but encapsted aplex and rich essence of flowers and fruits, warming the body with a single sip. ¡®Sun Wine and Moon Wine, I wonder if I could get the recipes for these two wines¡­ If I could replicate them with my own ¡°Brewmaster¡± sub-upation, that would be fantastic!¡¯ These two wines can be said to be quite top-notch. Because they increase special attributes! And the enhancement effect is not weak,sting for a long time! Most importantly, Chen Lun, based on the description in ¡°Dreamseek Town Kazt,¡± guessed that drinking these two wines together could increase the ¡°Insight¡± attribute. The story¡¯s sailor could see visions precisely because he drank both wines together, simr to a surge in the ¡°Insight¡± attribute. After the banquet. Daye expressed that he wanted to discuss matters privately with the esteemed follower, and the other white cat residents conscientiously left. Even though they were very curious about this esteemed follower and attracted by the amiable aura he exuded, out of respect for the High Priest, they still chose to retreat. ¡°Esteemed follower, Kazt has been waiting for your arrival for over a decade¡­¡± Daye sat on a chair, his expression somber. ¡°Since the pollution disaster descended, everything in the Forest of Nature has changed¡ªno longer peaceful and tranquil, but filled with chaos and ughter. The Cat God once issued an oracle, informing us that someday, a devotee woulde to save Kazt, which is threatened by pollution,¡± Chen Lun looked at it, pondered for a moment, and finally asked, ¡°Why are you so certain that I am the Cat God¡¯s devotee?¡± Daye¡¯s eyes shed with a hint of surprise. ¡°Your arrival triggered the vision in the Cat God¡¯s statue, and¡­ the most important thing is, you carry His Blessing, His aura.¡± ¡°Blessing¡­!¡± Chen Lun was slightly stunned. He had three blessings on him, named ¡°Nature¡¯s Favor,¡± ¡°Shining Nova,¡± and ¡°Collector of Knowledge.¡± ¡®Could it be¡­?¡¯ Daye¡¯s expression became devout, his face respectful. ¡°Cat God Maggie Milna has bestowed upon you the power of nature. There¡¯s no mistake about it.¡± Chen Lun was surprised. ¡®Nature Angel Maggie is the Cat God?!¡¯ Daye rose. ¡°Honored Devotee, your questions might be answered in the Temple of the Cat God¡­ Please follow me.¡± Saying this, he led the way out the door. Chen Lun followed him, leaving the hall to head toward the white spire in the center of Kazt Town. The two¡ªa man and a cat¡ªentered through a half-human-height door and ascended the stone spiral staircase adorned with wave patterns, all the way up. They eventually reached the top of the spire. This ce resembled an attic; through transparent crystal walls, one could look out over the entirety of Kazt Town, and even beyond. Chen Lun nced around and saw outside Kast Town, a pile of rubble. Beyond the rubbley an endless expanse of ck ins, presenting a visually oppressive and uneasy impact. The statue of the Cat God was quietly ced on a wooden high tform, with some fresh flowers and berries offered in front of it. This statue, simr to the one in front of the Cat God Bridge, was carved from a peculiar type of wood, emitting a pleasant fragrance. Daye picked up a book from beside the offerings with both hands and solemnly handed it to Chen Lun. ¡°This is the ¡®Cat God Doctrine,¡¯ which contains the teachings and oracles of the Cat God¡­ Honored Devotee, please have a look.¡± Chen Lun took it over. [Acquired the Mythical Book ¡®Cat God Doctrine¡¯!] ¡®This is the highest-grade reward in the mission¡­ and I got it just like that!¡¯ He appeared very surprised. ¡®Did I just exploit a bug¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun gently opened the book and began to read. This, more advanced than ¡°Mystic Books¡±, was a ¡°Mythical Book¡±, containing deeper insights into the Mystic Realm. [Through careful reading, you gained 1000 Experience Points, 1 Skill Point, and 1 Attribute Point!] [¡®Cat God Doctrine¡¯ (Current Progress 5%)] Chen Lun thought about the generous rewards and continued reading. [By reading carefully, you understood the honorable name of ¡°the Cat God¡±, gaining 5000 Experience Points! Insight Attribute +1!] ¡°King of the Forest of Nature, Protector of Kazt, Great Cat God¡­ Elves beneath the Holy Tree, Mover of Nature¡¯s Rhythms, Guide of Countless Beings¡­ Maggie Milna Your Majesty.¡± Chen Lun followed the records in the book and slowly recited the honorable name. The next moment. The wooden statue¡¯s eyes burst forth with dazzling light. In Daye¡¯s excited expression, the statue turned to look at Chen Lun. Bang! Chen Lun¡¯s mind went nk at once. Vaguely, he heard a distant female voice, softly speaking to him. After a while.@@novelbin@@ Everything returned to normal around them. The anomaly of the wooden statue disappeared, and Dayey prostrate before the statue, murmuring prayers. Chen Lun, shocked by all that had transpired, then recalled the content he had just heard. ¡®So-called ¡®Cat God¡¯ is just an incarnation of Nature Angel Maggie. In the Immortal Realm, She is very aware of Her identity¡­ She asked me to recite Her name again upon returning to the present world, to resolve some of my doubts¡­?¡¯ At this moment. Daye stopped praying. He rose and approached Chen Lun with an even more respectful demeanor. ¡°Honored Devotee.¡± Chen Lun took a deep breath, temporarily epting his new identity. ¡°What threats is Kazt Town currently facing, and what do you need me to do?¡± He asked. ¡°Honored Devotee, on the evening of the middle day of the month, the polluted creatures of the Forest of Nature violently act up¡­ For some reason, the nearby polluted creatures collectively attack Kazt, which we call the ¡®Pollution Tide.''¡± Daye¡¯s expression turned grave. ¡°Although the spire protects us, every Pollution Tide results in casualties among the cat residents, and we can barely hold on anymore¡­ Two dayster, a new Pollution Tide is due¡­¡± Chen Lun nodded. ¡°I understand. When the timees, I will help you.¡± Daye looked thrilled and bowed in prayer. ¡°Thank you, exalted Honored Devotee!¡± Chen Lun handed the ¡®Cat God Doctrine¡¯ back to Daye. Since he couldn¡¯t take the book with him, he nned to return to Kaztter to finish reading it. ¡°In two days, I¡¯ll be here on time.¡± Chapter 241: 180: Knowledge is Worth Ten Thousand Gold Chapter 241: Chapter 180: Knowledge is Worth Ten Thousand Gold Jack Mansion. Vi third floor room. After returning from the Immortal Realm, Chen Lun immediately gathered a bunch of grapes, four candles, a piece of oak wood, and an ¡°Elixir of All Spirits.¡± These were the ritual materials recorded in the ¡°Cat God Doctrine¡± required to pray to the Cat God. The ¡°Elixir of All Spirits,¡± as described in the ¡°Cat God Doctrine,¡± was essentially mistletoe. Chen Lun was also unclear why it was given such a name. Mistletoe was rtively easy to find; he randomly visited several aristocratic estates with apple trees in the Inner City District and quickly obtained the mistletoe parasitizing on the apple trees. ¡°So, let¡¯s begin¡­¡± He closed all the doors and windows and drew the curtains. The entire room fell into dimness. Chen Lun sat at the table by the window, ced the four candles at the four corners of the table, then lit them, filling the room with faint candlelight and a mysterious atmosphere. He washed the grapes, picked out nine, and arranged them into a ¡°triangr fork¡± pattern in a copper basin prepared beforehand. Next, he rubbed the piece of oak into sawdust, sprinkled it evenly in the basin, and then ground the mistletoe to extract the juice, drawing and dripping the symbols of the Cat God prayer ritual. Lastly, Chen Lun took out a Gold Pound. With ¡°Palm Fireworks¡± on his right hand, he snapped his fingers, and a burst of me sprouted from his fingertips. With a gentle flick of his hand, the me soared,nding on the Gold Pound. Under the intense heat of the Supernatural me, the Gold Pound quickly turned red, then melted into molten gold. Chen Lun dripped a drop of this molten gold onto each of the nine grapes, murmuring, ¡°King of the Forest of Nature, protector of Kazt, great Cat God¡­ Elves under the Holy Tree, mover of naturalws, guide to countless creatures¡­@@novelbin@@ Your Majesty, Maggie Milna, I pray to You, please grant me a response¡­¡± A moment passed. A breeze from the Spirit World blew in, extinguishing the four candles. Wisps of blue smoke rose. The room fell silent. ¡®No response¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun slightly furrowed his brow, his face showing confusion. After waiting again for a while, still no change urred. ¡®Could it be there is an error in the prayer ritual?¡¯ He pondered, reviewing the prayer ritual recorded in the ¡°Cat God Doctrine¡± in his mind. ¡®No, there was no mistake in the prayer ritual¡­ Could it be that Her Majesty Maggie temporarily did not notice me? Or is there some other reason¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun exhaled a breath of stale air, cleaning up the things on the table. Since Nature Angel Maggie had not responded in the real world, he could only put this matter aside for now. * * * Several dayster. Nine yers, led by Dongyang, came to the vi again. They had finally pooled together enough money to exchange for Supernatural Knowledge. ¡°Mr. Jack, I would like to exchange for three sets of Sun Faction Supernatural Knowledge, here is a 3750 Gold Pounds Tresor Empire bank certificate¡­¡± Dongyang handed over a card made of special material. Banks of the Tresor Empire were widespread across the continent, making deposits and withdrawals of money quite convenient. For suchrge sums of Gold Pounds, if it were individual gold coins, it might require arge wooden box to carry, making it extremely cumbersome to use. Of course, in a sense, such a bank certificate was equivalent to paper money and could be directly stored in the panel. This also spared Chen Lun another cumbersome trip to the bank. Chen Lun epted the card, nodding inwardly. ¡®Another huge sum received!¡¯ He silently praised the consortium in his mind. After collecting the money, Chen Lun took out three papers, each recording [Sequence Nine ¨C Believer] from the Blood Poem Ring, and casually ced them in front of Dongyang. The three yers from the Hall of Valor saw the Supernatural Knowledge ced on the coffee table and immediately held their breath. ¡°¡ªFinally! The knowledge to advance to Transcendent!¡± Horseman posted in the chat room. Dongyang took a deep breath; although spending 3750 coins felt exhrating, there was still a sense of emptiness. However, this sense of emptiness was quickly filled by sunshine-like warmth. He handed two sets of Supernatural Knowledge to Horseman and Kuang Benkuang, holding one himself, and the three of them sat on the sofa to read. Meanwhile, Chenxi exchanged two sets of Supernatural Knowledge with Chen Lun, one of Magic Faction and one of Constetion Faction. She chose the path of Magic for herself, while Honey Pomelo chose the Constetion path. The young girl didn¡¯t want any bizarre Transcendent Sequences. Spending a total of 2500 Gold Pounds, also through the Empire¡¯s bank certificates. Chen Lun was practically smiling crookedly in secret. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo each exchanged for a portion of Supernatural Knowledge from the Flesh Faction, choosing ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Butcher,¡± obviously deciding to sprint forward on a point of no return without looking back. During the beta test, they had saved some Contribution Degree but were reluctant to use it; the guild¡¯s money isn¡¯t spent if not necessary, resulting in Chen Lun¡¯s ount increasing by 2500 Gold Pounds. Finally, it was the turn of the ponytailed loli, Wei Yin, who purchased a portion of Supernatural Knowledge from the Moon Path for herself. However, surprisingly, Su Keying chose the ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Thief¡± from the Conspiracy Faction. ¡°¡ªI don¡¯t like fighting and killing, being quick on my feet suits me best. (Cute expression)¡± These were Su Keying¡¯s exact words in the chat room. Once everyone had a piece of Supernatural Knowledge, they sat on the couch and read to advance. Chen Lun was silently counting his gains. ¡®A total of 11,250 Gold Pounds, adding to the existing working capital, I almost have 13,000 Gold Pounds¡­¡¯ he thought, astonished. ¡®The yers hard-earned money from the consortium, if I don¡¯t earn it, am I even human?¡¯ A sense of satisfaction blossomed in Chen Lun¡¯s heart. After all his preparations, he finally reaped a great harvest. It was like the sheer satisfaction a farmer feels when cutting down the heavy rice in the fields. The past days had been dry andckluster, utterly uninspiring. But now, he had finally made it through. ¡®Not to mention, I¡¯ve got to distribute some money to my own people at the Circus; there¡¯s no merit without hard work, no hard work without fatigue¡­ Additionally, I need to increase investments in Jack Workshop and Maggie, and also purchase a batch of supernatural materials and mystic books from Silver Dragon Trade Association.¡¯ He considered. ¡®The supernatural materials will be divided into two parts: one for my own brewing and the other for Floey to practice with, to increase her mystic umtion¡­ Good Mysterious Objects I¡¯ll keep, the slightly worse ones¡­ well, I could package those a bit to aid the yers.¡¯ The mystic books are my urgent need, whether it¡¯s for experiences in the Mystic Realm, or Experience Points, Skill Points, and Attribute Points, they are all aids to boost my strength!¡¯ After thinking for a while, he nned out how to spend the money. Meanwhile, yers on the couch, one by one,pleted their promotion. Their aura soared tremendously, which was quite frightening. If outsiders saw, within the living room of Jack Manor, in the mere time it took to sip water, nine Transcendents would be born, possibly startling them profoundly. ¡°Mr. Jack, I deeply appreciate your help,¡± said Dongyang, standing up with Horseman Kuang Benkuang, bowing. The three of them had just advanced to ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Believer¡± and couldn¡¯t wait to add all their umted Experience Points, leaping several levels, and enhancing their attributes. The ¡°Believer¡± Sequence allowed them to gain abat power increase by enhancing the Faith attribute. Additionally, regr exposure to sunlight could also slowly increase regr attributes. It was the preferred choice for thezy. A cup of tea, two pots of wine, a stroll under the sun. No need for training, no suffering, no tears shed, and no need for hands-on actions. Getting stronger merely by basking in the sun, whether fueled by Krypton or Gold, one has to praise it. Chenxi became ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Schr,¡± and self-taught two Skills previously used by Honey Fool during a live broadcast, ¡°Blinding Spell¡± and ¡°Acid Spell.¡± However, she could not yet cast spells directly; she needed to prepare scrolls in advance forbat. Honey Pomelo, from the same Chuxi Guild as ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Hunter,¡± had enhanced vision and special expertise in Agility and Charm, learning ¡°Prey Tracking¡± and ¡°Archery,¡± and would serve as the guild¡¯s ADC, the main output force. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo awaited Jack¡¯s hidden store refresh to stock up a batch of ¡°Hercules Bottles¡± massively. They fervently believed that with the physique of ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Butcher,¡± consuming Hercules Potion would unleash a storm of blood and wind among the yers. In fact, these two had long schemed to establish a small organization called ¡°Hercules Cult¡± in the forum, and then recruit a group of like-minded ¡°Minotaurs.¡± After advancing to ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Medium,¡± Wei Yin nned to visit the Cemetery in the Inner City District when she had time, to absorb some spirits and enhance herself. After her promotion to ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Thief,¡± Su Keying was very happy and boldly dered in her several fan groups that more ¡°Jack¡¯s photoshoots¡± would be produced in the future. Jack¡¯s female fans cheered in the groups. ¡°Hooray! Sister Keying, speed it up!¡± ¡°Wait, you became a Transcendent just to do this¡­ Just don¡¯t get caught by Jack haha!¡± ¡°Love you Sister Keying! I want to see Jack¡¯s bold photos tomorrow!¡± * * * After all the yers at the Circus had advanced to Transcendents, Dongyang immediately contacted Pris. ¡°¡ªBrother Pris, I have advanced to Transcendent, the duel remains unchanged, let¡¯s meet at ¡®ck Messenger Square¡¯ first thing tomorrow!¡± It wasn¡¯t long before. Pris replied: ¡°¡ªOkay.¡± Seeing this extremely brief response, Dongyang couldn¡¯t help twitching the corner of his eye. ¡°¡ªOur Hall of Valor will create some buzz beforehand, brother, no need to overthink it, it¡¯s just some gimmicks and stories spun by our marketing team¡­ Also, we¡¯ll live stream it, both God¡¯s Love Guild and Chuxi Guild will participate, we¡¯ll discuss the detailster.¡± After thinking it over, he sent another message: ¡°¡ªBrother Pris, send me your ount number, I¡¯ll transfer the money after logging offter, 2 million Credit Points, how does that sound¡­¡± After a long pause. ¡°¡ªOkay.¡± Dongyang stared at that one word for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. ¡°¡ªThen it¡¯s settled, also, for tomorrow¡¯s duel, I hope you¡¯ll go easy on us. If possible, it would be best if you feigned defeat, we¡¯ll make sure to save face for you¡­¡± Before Dongyang could finish typing, Pris had already sent a string of ount numbers. ¡°¡ªB45045778XXX (ount).¡± Chapter 242: 181: Bei Ziges instant kill show! Chapter 242: Chapter 181: Bei Zige¡¯s instant kill show! yers¡¯ forums soon featured several hot topics. ¡°Incredible! Hall of Valor simultaneously births three Transcendents! It¡¯s said that ascending to a Transcendent is easier than drinking water, you only need¡­¡± ¡°Shocking! Vice Chairman of the Hall of Valor actually challenges a solo yer to a duel! The story behind it is infuriating¡­¡± ¡°Guilds¡¯ Earthquake! Chuxi Guild Chairman is furious! Tomorrow¡¯s showdown with Hall of Valor¡¯s Guild!¡± ¡°God¡¯s Love Guild sends two into battle, leader vows to knock out a trashy man with two punches! yers: What in the world happened?!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t! Miss! This! The Three Major Guilds actually going all out over one guy?! Tomorrow, Amber City opens public beta for a massive Transcendent free-for-all!¡± ¡°¡­¡± A series of headings caught yers off guard and immensely shook them. Only after clicking in did they realize, oh, there¡¯s going to be a public PK tomorrow, with two of the Three Major Guilds participating, plus a top-tier guild,¡­ and most importantly, there was a solo yer involved. This was very thought-provoking. Coupled with the subtle hints in the posts and the highly persuasive ¡°spection,¡± yers who viewed the posts were abuzz with discussions. Just what earth-shattering, insane thing did this solo yer called ¡°Pris¡± do, to trigger such a terrible sh of dragons and tigers? At the same time, what shocked the yers was that the first batch of Transcendents quietly came out fresh from the oven during the beta! And they were revealed all at once, a total of ten Transcendents! The topic began to spread, with confusion and anticipation fermenting over time. More and more yers were looking forward to tomorrow¡¯s PK to satisfy their intense curiosity. This was the firstrge-scale PK among Transcendent yers since the public beta started! * * * The following morning.@@novelbin@@ ck Messenger Square. A veryrge number of yers gathered here. Those nearby almost all rushed to the scene, hoping to witness this spectacle up close. ¡°Holy shit! So this ce is called ck Messenger Square, and that statue¡­ is it the ¡®Emerald Town Guide,¡¯ the ck Messenger?!¡± A neer yer expressed his shock upon seeing the winged humanoid statue by the water pond. ¡°That¡¯s him! I got scared when I first came here too!¡± Another yer nearby exined. ¡°But haven¡¯t you seen thetest reveal post on the forums? Just a couple of days ago someone discovered that this ck Messenger is freaking Jack!¡± ¡°Which Jack?¡± ¡°The protagonist from the ¡®Prelude¡¯ video, and the official CG you see when you enter the game. The ¡®Destiny Guide¡¯ Jack Spett!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t watch the ¡®Prelude¡¯, I skipped the official CG.¡± ¡°¡­¡± More and more yers arrived at the square and were also drawn to the statue of the ck Messenger. The news that the ck Messenger was Jack was also bing known to more people. Many yers pped their thighs excitedly, realizing that the ¡°Guide of Destiny¡± had even made a cameo as a mysterious merchant! No wonder that was his title! There were also rumors that the Transcendent yers in today¡¯s PK, including the solo yer, were all able to advance so quickly to Transcendents and widen the gap with ordinary yers because they joined the faction of the NPC Jack. The yers who coulde to the square in the Inner City District to watch the battle at this stage were mostly capable individuals. Hearing this, they immediately had a thought¡ª That was to find a chance to get in touch with the NPC Jack! Join his faction! And then gain Supernatural Knowledge from him to ascend to a Transcendent! ¡°Pris bro, you¡¯re here.¡± Dongyang stood on the edge of the square and saw a young maning quickly from a distance. Pris nodded at him. Chenxi, Doghead Gold, and Su Keying, along with six other yers, stood beside the trio headed by Dongyang. ¡°Since everyone has arrived, let¡¯s begin.¡± Dongyang suggested. ¡°Okay.¡± Pris replied briefly. Su Keying conscientiously started the live stream and titled it¡ª ¡°Public Beta Transcendent Brawl! Hall of Valor, God¡¯s Love, Chuxi, and solo yer Pris join the fray!¡± As soon as the live stream opened, the long-awaiting yers flooded in, sending the chat flying withments. ¡°Wow! It¡¯s finally starting!¡± ¡°Hurry up! Hurry up!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t dawdle, just start fighting!¡± ¡°Let me see what the man at the center of the controversy looks like, how many legs does he have!¡± ¡°Hall of Valor bros, cheer for the Vice Chairman!¡± ¡°Go God¡¯s Love!¡± ¡°Go Chenxi sis!¡± Dongyang silently nced at the number of viewers in the live stream. It had reached three million and was still increasing. He knew this was the result of the operation team¡¯s hype. Unfortunately, there wasn¡¯t much time, just one night, and the incident hadn¡¯t had time to ferment¡­ But time waits for no one, and he had to make an appearance soon, or when other yers also be Transcendents, this gimmick would lose its value. He closed the live stream, exited the forums. Dongyang looked around, as the square was surrounded by many yers, including many local residents drawn by the inexplicable excitement. ¡°The reason I chose this spot for the showdown is to emte the Transcendent battle from the ¡®Prelude¡¯¡­ the showdown between ¡®Destiny Guide¡¯ Jack and the high ranks of the Red Apple Church.¡± He said to Pris with a proud look on his face. Su Keying was in a good position, centering the camera on Dongyang, allowing millions of yers to see his expression clearly. Paired with his speech, it gave off an aura of unstoppable confidence. ¡°¡ªAre you sure you don¡¯t want to change venues? Aren¡¯t you afraid of attracting the Shelter¡¯s attention? If we cause too big of amotion and get caught, it¡¯s all over!¡± Pris sent a text, frowning. ¡°¡ªNo worries, this is what makes it more attractive! We¡¯ll fight briefly and thenmit suicide, quick and decisive.¡± Dongyang seemed to have a n in hand. ¡°Pris! You dare to steal my woman! Do you have the guts to fight!¡± He voiced his question with an angry tone. Pris secretly rolled his eyes. But having taken the money, he had to do the job. He put on a cold demeanor and clenched his fists. ¡°Chenxi belongs to no one, she makes her own choices.¡± As soon as these words came out, the live stream exploded. ¡°Damn! Major drama!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t expect a love triangle!¡± ¡°So it¡¯s all over the Chuxi Guild Chairman!¡± ¡°What is this melodramatic love story?!¡± ¡°Cut the crap and start fighting! Whoever wins gets Chenxi!¡± Chenxi, the person in question, widened her eyes in shock. Honey Pomelo was also very surprised. ¡°This¡­ this isn¡¯t the right script!¡± Seeing the chairman¡¯s face ready to punch someone, she knew that they had been set up. ¡°In a moment, these two are going to get what¡¯sing to them!¡± Chenxi¡¯s pretty face was tinged with frost. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were watching the drama with glee, snickering endlessly. Bang! A dull thud drew everyone¡¯s attention. Dongyang was already exchanging blows with Pris! Both of them stepped back a step after shing fists. ¡°Let¡¯s see how strong the path of the Destiny Faction you¡¯ve taken really is!¡± Dongyang said, and stepped forward again. As a ¡°Sequence Nine ¨C Believer,¡± he didn¡¯t have very obvious supernatural power effects; it was just his punches and kicks that shimmered with a faint golden glow. But that was enough to draw the attention of many yers. ¡°Transcendents, so cool!¡± ¡°Three Transcendents from the Hall of Valor all follow the Sun Faction!¡± ¡°Their punches glow without even needing special effects!¡± ¡°Can that solo yer beat them?¡± Just then. Dongyang¡¯s fist struck Pris square in the chest. Bang!! A sh of golden light, followed by a massive forceful impact. Logically, even a bull would have fallen after such a punch, but¡ª To the shock of the live audience and the onlookers present, Pris didn¡¯t step back a single inch! At his chest, ayer of dark green armor-like keratin formed, easily blocking Dongyang¡¯s heavy punch! Then he lifted a hand. And swiftly swung it! During this motion, keratinyered over the back of his hand, and sharp teeth sprouted from his palm¡ªlike a crocodile¡¯s head with its maw wide open! Pfff¡ª!! A dark green shadow shed by, and Dongyang¡¯s body froze in ce¡­ His head was gone. His headless corpse dissipated into white light. Everyone fell silent. Secondster. The crowd erupted into noisy chatter, and the live stream was flooded withments. ¡°What just happened?!¡± ¡°Holy shit! The Vice Chairman of the Hall of Valor was instantly killed!¡± ¡°What exactly is that supernatural power? Is the gap that big?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m on the scene, sent a scout, and that Pris is from the Destiny Faction!¡± Not just the audience, but even Pris himself was stunned in ce. ¡°Am I¡­ that strong?¡± He murmured. ¡°¡ªPris bro! That¡¯s not how the script was supposed to go! Why did you kill me in one hit?!¡± Dongyang sent an exasperated message. ¡°¡ªEh, sorry.¡± Pris replied. ¡°Vice Chairman! You died so miserably! I must avenge you! This Pris is no son of man, he stole your woman and then killed you in a second!¡± The Horseman shouted and, taking out a Mysterious Object that was a spoon, charged forward. This was an improvised performance he thought of on seeing the unexpected turn of events. It wasn¡¯t just him, Kuang Benkuang also reacted swiftly and followed with a look of sorrow and indignation. ¡°This is going to be a righteous two-on-one battle!¡± Doghead Gold mused. ¡°But howe Pris is so strong? Is the Destiny Faction really that overpowered?!¡± Forget No Taboo wondered. Bang!! Once more, the fight on the field unfolded. The Horseman, wielding an erged soup spoon, made a fierce smash, which Pris easily dodged. His legs had transformed into antelope¡¯s hooves, moving deftly between the Horseman and Kuang Benkuang¡¯sbined attack,pletely unharmed. The spectators even felt that Pris was toying with them. ¡°Damn it, Pris!¡± The Horseman, as if being made a fool, waved his giant spoon and missed every strike. Wuuuh¡ª! Pris took a leap, avoiding another vertical strike from the spoon, and while still in midair, deactivated ¡°Antelope Leap¡± and spread his right hand, transformed it into ¡°Crocodile Bite.¡± With one snap, he plucked off the Horseman¡¯s head. And that wasn¡¯t all. Afternding, Pris executed ¡°Iron Support Mountain.¡± His arm, covered with ¡°Crocodile Skin¡± keratin, mmed into Kuang Benkuang, sending him flying several meters and crashing heavily to the ground. Secondster, both changed into white light and disappeared. ¡°Now Pris is going to be famous¡­ He¡¯s too strong!¡± Doghead Gold clicked his tongue. ¡°I think it¡¯s Jack who¡¯s going to be famous. Pris is from the Destiny Faction¡­ Don¡¯t forget, Jack¡¯s title is ¡®Harbinger of Destiny¡¯!¡± Forget No Taboo said. Chenxi observed from the side, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly puzzled. As a yer who had also recently advanced to ¡°Sequence Nine,¡± why was he able to beat three all by himself?! Chapter 243: 182: Everyone Wants to Join the Circus! Chapter 243: Chapter 182: Everyone Wants to Join the Circus! Jack Manor. Chen Lun reclined on the sofa like an elderly man, eating the pastries Floey had just made. In front of him was a panel invisible to others, with a game forum¡¯s live broadcast room opened, currently streaming Pris¡¯s solo performance in real-time. ¡®Hey¡­ this kid has one-twelfth of my style.¡¯ He licked his fingers, his face full of smiles. ¡®Not bad! The investment I made in him wasn¡¯t in vain; he¡¯s put on a high-quality advertisement for me! I believe that in theing period, more and more yers will be crying and shouting to join the Circus¡­ Hmm, but first, I need to filter them through the Iron Fist Gang.¡¯ At this time, Floey slowly walked up behind Chen Lun. Her hands gentlynded on Chen Lun¡¯s shoulders, and she began to massage them.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Chen Lun looked surprised. Floey smiled. ¡°This is something I learned from a book, and it seems it can relieve fatigue.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Chen Lun responded with a smile and then rxed his body. Floey¡¯s hands were soft, and her touch light, but it brought him an extremelyfortable and tranquil feeling, causing him to unconsciously close his eyes and hum contentedly. Floey¡¯s mouth curved upwards in response. Time passed like this for quite a while. Only then did Chen Lun remember he was still watching the live stream, so he opened his eyes and said: ¡°By the way, Floey, I need a favor from you.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Chen Lun¡¯s eyes twinkled with mirth. ¡°Later, go to ck Messenger Square and kill all ¡®Undead Foreigners¡¯ participating in battles there¡­¡± * * * ¡°Roar!!¡± Doghead Gold let out a ferocious shout and charged toward Pris. He had turned into a small giant, his muscles bulging, towering over the Pris. Their statures werepletely unmatched. Boom! Their fists collided, and Pris was sent flying backwards, causing a wave of gasps. But with the protection of the crocodile¡¯s dermal armor, he was unharmed. In mid-air, he transformed into a gazelle¡¯s hooves andnded in a high-speed leap, dodging another punch from behind. Boom! A small giant simr to Doghead Gold assaulted him from behind, but his punch missed. It was Forget No Taboo. Both had transformed and were joining forces against Pris. ¡°We two brothers are actually one, this doesn¡¯t count as ganging up on you!¡± Doghead Gold shouted. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s because you¡¯re too strong, Brother Pris. Doghead Gold called me because he was afraid of losing face alone.¡± Forget No Taboo said in his characteristic deep voice. ¡°Shut up!¡± Doghead Gold was visibly frustrated. Pris said nothing, silently dodging the attacks of the two small giants, his agility incredible to behold. A light of excitement and eagerness filled his eyes. This was his first battle after bing a Transcendent, and it was the first time he truly realized the strength of a Beast Tamer¡­ no, it was actually the strength he inherited from Jack. Because Animal Mimicry was the core skill that allowed him to overpower other Transcendent yers, and this skill was exclusive to Jack himself. ¡°This Pris¡­ is simply incredible!¡± Horseman returned from the Resurrection Point,menting emotionally about the battle. ¡°Just now, both the president Chenxi and I were killed instantly by him¡­ As Sequence Nines, why is there such a big gap?!¡± Honey Pomelo pouted, clearly disgruntled. Dongyang shook his head and said half-jokingly: ¡°Had I known, I would have chosen the Destiny Faction too. This is practically a version bug¡­¡± He was no longer as angry as before because he could see the live chat and forum heating up. The Hall of Valor¡¯s reputation was continuously improving; their goal had been achieved. As for his own disgrace from being killed instantly¡­ Well, there were others too! Everyone had been taken out in a sh, so it wasn¡¯t that the Hall of Valor was weak, but rather that Pris was abnormally strong! Boom! Pris¡¯s right arm transformed into a crocodile¡¯s head, which mped onto Doghead Gold¡¯s left arm. He then yanked fiercely, tearing off arge chunk of flesh. Blood sttered everywhere! ¡°Ah!¡± Doghead Gold screamed in pain, delivering a kick. But Pris once again used his gazelle leg to leap back, easily avoiding it. Doghead Gold relied on the trait of Sequence Nine ¨C Butcher to stop the bleeding in his injured arm quickly. He charged forward once more, unleashing a flurry of fierce attacks on Pris. And Pris danced like a top-tier performer, gracefully dodging the barrage of enormous fists raining down on him, nimbly moving about and asionally striking back with a crocodile bite. Each time he bit off arge chunk of flesh, causing Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo to howl in pain. The fight continued in this fashion for quite some time. The two small giants were powerful and forceful but somewhat sluggish in their actions, leaving them at the mercy of the incredibly agile Pris. Although Pris¡¯s Crocodile Bite was ferocious, it was still not enough to instantly kill Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo. Different from other opponents, these two had extremely high Life Points and astonishing healing abilities. Without the use of potions or bombs, the fight ultimately ended in a draw. However, this draw was more reluctant than real. It was clear to any discerning observer that Pris had dominated the entire battle. Not only was he fighting two against one, but he had also been forced to end the PK early out of necessity, due to his opponents¡¯ enduring resilience. ¡°Hmm¡­ In my first battle, there is still much room for improvement. If I can use animal traits more proficiently and strike directly at the weaknesses of Doghead Gold and the others, perhaps I could have killed them!¡± Pris thought to himself. Apart from being slightly out of breath, he only had minor injuries. In contrast, Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were battered and bruised, their bodies riddled with wounds, looking as though they had been thrown into a crocodile pit and then fished out. Chapter 244: 182 Everyone Wants to Join the Circus!_2 Chapter 244: Chapter 182 Everyone Wants to Join the Circus!_2 The disparity in strength was clear at a nce. ¡°Pris! Well done!¡± Su Keying cheered for him. Among these yers, she was the earliest and most familiar with Pris, and naturally she was more biased toward him. Wei Yin was thoroughly enjoying the sight but secretly she was barraging in the live stream chat: ¡°Worthy of the path of Sequence taken by Jack! Jack is awesome! Jack, I love you! Chu mi!¡± Thanks to the observations of some attentive individuals, Pris¡¯s details were also somewhat exposed. It is probable that he became so strong because he joined the Circus and took the same Path of Destiny as Jack. This also strengthened the resolve of the spectators, who were determined to join the NPC Jack¡¯s force at the earliest! And then they would choose the Sequence Path of the Destiny Faction! This is clearly a broad and easy road! However, what everyone didn¡¯t notice was a blind girl in a ck dress slowly walking from one end of the square. It was only when she appeared in the live broadcast that people reacted. ¡°Run!!¡± ¡°Amber City¡¯s Law Enforcers are here!¡± ¡°Jack¡¯s nun!¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? There are ten Transcendent yer characters here, can¡¯t we beat just one?!¡± The Horseman had the quickest reaction; his face changed color when he caught sight of Floey from the corner of his eye. ¡°Quick, let¡¯s go! We¡¯ve made too much noise and have attracted the officials¡¯ attention!¡± Dongyang and Chenxi were simrly startled. As formal members of the Circus, they already knew that their force had a cooperative rtionship with the official Shelter and acted in the role of ¡°Law Enforcers.¡± The arrival of Floey was surely to suppress them! If they were caught and thrown into the ¡°Undying Prison,¡± that would be the end of them! Even though they hadn¡¯tmitted any serious offenses, exposing Supernatural Power in front of the ordinary civilians watching at ck Messenger Square was at least a few months in prison¡ªthe vegetables would go cold! ¡°How about we fight back?¡± Kuang Benkuang suggested. ¡°You¡¯re crazy!¡± The others all turned to look at him. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be kicked out of the Circus and then wanted.¡± Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo drank from a ¡°Blood Bottle¡± and said with lingering fear. ¡°Don¡¯t fight back, and don¡¯t run.¡± At this moment, Pris came over and spoke gravely. ¡°Just stand still and let Jack¡¯s nun do the killing.¡± ¡°??¡± The others were confused. ¡°¡ªShe won¡¯t arrest us, trust me.¡± Pris typed in the chat room. ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s just one death, a warning from Jack: don¡¯t act rashly.¡± Out of trust, the others ultimately heeded Pris¡¯s advice, standing silently in ce, neither resisting nor fleeing. ¡°Foreign Undead, by defying the ¡®Sun Codex¡¯ and ¡®Containment Regtions,¡¯ using Supernatural Power in public, and brawling with a crowd, you shall be punished!¡± Floey calmly approached, and with a spread of her hand, ck and purple vines sprang from the ground, rapidly forming a long scythe. She invertedly held the scythe, her face expressionless, and gently began: ¡°The will of Lord Jack shall be executed by me, Floey!¡± A ck de of light shed across. Several yers were all beheaded and dissipated into white light. Pris let the Golden-winged Sparrow on his shoulder go and shook his head helplessly. He spoke out to warn them after receiving a message from Jack. At the same time, he also felt a bit frustrated¡ªif Dongyang hadn¡¯t dismissed his advice and insisted on choosing ck Messenger Square as the PK venue, they wouldn¡¯t have had to suffer this death. ¡°Miss Floey, please proceed.¡± He spoke calmly. Floey was silent, raised the scythe, and sliced Pris in two. [You have died!] All Transcendent yers present, except for Su Keying and Wei Yin, were sent to the Resurrection Point. A sense of relief rose in their hearts. ¡°¡ªDongyang, it¡¯s all because of your bad idea!¡± Chenxi typed. ¡°¡ªHow is that my fault? Didn¡¯t your Chenxi benefit immensely too? Over six million viewers in the livestream, and loads of forum posts discussing it!¡± Dongyang replied. ¡°¡ªLuckily Pris warned us, otherwise if we truly started running, that would have been the end for us all!¡± The Horseman typed. ¡°¡ªJack is truly so gentle, I¡¯m gonna cry to death!¡± Wei Yin also joined the chat room, chiming in with ament. ¡°Old yin-yang man, gloating over other people¡¯s misfortune, aren¡¯t you?¡± Doghead Gold spoke. ¡°She¡¯s not wrong. If Jack weren¡¯t treating you as formal members of the Circus, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯d all have been captured by now! Next time, don¡¯t be so high-profile!¡± Su Keying spoke. ¡°Speaking of which, Pris, how did you know Jack¡¯s nun wouldn¡¯t capture us?¡± Dongyang asked with some puzzlement. ¡°I have formally be Jack¡¯s apprentice, his student. As for matters of the way, better ask fewer questions.¡± Pris spoke. ¡°!!!¡± The yers in the chatroom, at their respective Resurrection Points, all showed shocked expressions. ¡°Goodness gracious! I¡¯m going straight to goodness gracious!¡± ¡°No wonder Pris is so strong!¡± ¡°I¡¯m so jealous! If I had known, I would have chosen the Destiny Faction too! Bing a student of Jack, that¡¯s just too romantic!¡± ¡°Hurry and tell the guild members, whoever can make it to Amber City, move quickly, and choose the Destiny Faction when there! This is a path with limitless prospects!¡± ck Messenger Square. The crowd of yers spectating was startled by this sudden turn of events. They looked at the slender ck-dressed figure in the center of the square with an inexplicable fear. ¡°Eight Transcendents just ughtered like that?!¡± ¡°Did they fall into some kind of mental illusion, standing motionless in line as if queueing up to die?¡± ¡°Terrifying! It¡¯s too terrifying! Is this Jack¡¯s nun?!¡± But there was another kind of voice, the one seeking an opportunity to approach Floey, possibly triggering some quest, thus joining the Circus.@@novelbin@@ However, when the first brave soul rushed over, before they could even speak, they were instantly killed by Floey¡¯s great scythe, promptly deterring any other yers who had the same idea. ¡°My, my, Jack¡¯s nun is truly ruthless and not one for many words. Looks like it¡¯s time to find another way¡­¡± ¡°Look at the forums, Doghead Gold from the God¡¯s Love Guild has made a post. He says you can first join their ¡®Hercules Cult,¡¯ and then they will rmend members to join the Circus subsidiary organization ¡®Iron Fist Gang¡¯, after which there¡¯s a chance to trigger the promotion quest to join the ¡®Circus¡¯!¡± ¡°What?! I¡¯m going to check it out!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s get in touch with him!¡± * * * Su Keying uploaded the live broadcast video to the forum, quickly bing popr, rising swiftly in the rankings, and entering the top ten. More and more yers, inspired by this PK, mused over their own potential promotions. Many high-level yers from various big and small guilds turned their attention to the promotion channels of these rising star Transcendents¡ªnamely the NPC ¡°Guide of Destiny¡± Jack and the faction he belonged to. Some individuals had even started to make their way toward Gem State¡¯s Amber City, nning to find a way to join the Circus and seek the path of a Transcendent. The term ¡°Circus¡± was also bing more frequent in forum discussions. A group of solo yers began seeing Pris as an idol. After all, to hammer the Transcendents from several major guilds as a solo yer was just too cool! And so, the nickname ¡°Bro Pris¡± gradually gained prominence. Perhaps even Pris himself did not realize that, after this PK, he had inadvertently gained many fans. * * * Another day passed. Chen Lun entered the Immortal Realm as agreed. He appeared directly in the attic of a white spire, which also seemed to be a sort of wooden Save Point. Through the transparent crystal stone walls, he saw the dim sky outside, faintly radiating an odd cyan-gray light, asionally streaked with pale yellow halos. ¡®The Pollution Tide ising¡­¡¯ Chen Lun mused for a moment. Opening the door, he walked down the stone spiral staircase, leaving the spire. The twin sword and shield White Cat Warriors standing at the door saw him, immediately saluting respectfully. ¡°My Lord Eyewitness!¡± Chen Lun nodded to them and turned to nce at the time symbols on the outer wall of the spire. ¡°It¡¯s already half-past four in the afternoon¡­¡± Boom¡­! Just then, a dull thunder sounded in the sky. High Priest Daye approached him. ¡°Eyewitness, the Pollution Tide is about to arrive! The White Cat Warriors are assembling on the city walls, preparing to fend off those crazed polluted creatures.¡± It spoke. ¡°Take me to the city walls.¡± Chen Lun said. Chapter 245: 183: The Patron has made a move! Chapter 245: Chapter 183: The Patron has made a move! The walls of Kazt Town were not high, but because there was a moat outside, climbing over the walls was still very difficult. However, the moat had already dried up, losing one barrier. ¡°My lord!¡± ¡°High Priest Daye!¡± Chen Lun followed Daye to the red walls and saw many white cats holding crossbows on guard here. Seeing both a person and a cat, they all saluted. A one-eyed white cat, looking like a captain and holding a giant broadsword as tall as an adult, strode toward them. He saluted respectfully and then said: ¡°My lord, High Priest, the White Cat Warriors are ready. ording to tradition, the Pollution Tide will arrive in half an hour.¡± ¡°Good, let the white cats prepare more Exploding Fruits. Today¡¯s Pollution Tide is not suitable for using Venom Flowers and me Stones,¡± said Daye. The one-eyed white cat paused, then nodded hurriedly. He knew this was due to the High Priest using the divine arts of the Cat God to gain some foresight. The ability of Kazt to resist the Pollution Tide wasrgely due to the High Priest, whose divination allowed the white cats to prepare in advance, effectivelybating the polluted creatures. Chen Lun watched as the one-eyed white cat turned and left,manding the other White Cat Warriors to transport watermelon-sized red, hard-shelled fruits. ¡®This white cat captain has the strength of Sequence Seven, and the other White Cat Warriors have also reached Sequence Nine¡­¡¯ His eyes swirled with fog, peering into the information. Suddenly, he stopped a White Cat Warrior and took a fruit from its hands. [Supernatural Item ¨C Exploding Fruit] Item Description: A supernatural nt called ¡°Boom Tree¡± from the Forest of Nature in the Dream Realm bears this fruit, appearing as arge hard-shelled fruit, with inedible pulp. Containing unstable supernatural power, the fruit will explode with tremendous force if its surface is cracked or it receives a severe impact. ¡®This thing is pretty much like a bomb¡­ How peculiar.¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself and handed the Exploding Fruit back to the White Cat Warrior. ¡°My lord, we might need your help next. Thest Pollution Tide was extremely perilous, and the White Cat Warriors suffered heavy casualties,¡± Daye turned his head and spoke earnestly and seriously. ¡°I have performed divine arts and foreseen that this Pollution Tide will bring forth poisonous polluted creatures, and there will also be a downpour, another tough battle for Kazt.¡± Chen Lun nodded. ¡°I understand.¡± * * * Time trickled by. Half an hourter. The ground trembled slightly, apanied by a rumbling noise. ¡°Attention! The Pollution Tide ising!!¡± The one-eyed white cat put down his monocr telescope, bellowed, and raised his broadsword.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Stay alert! There are ¡®Caterpir Poison Lizards¡¯ that can climb walls! And also ¡®Human-head Slugs¡¯ and ¡®Frog People¡¯!¡± Hearing this, the other white cats were startled and promptly aimed their crossbows, ready to fire. Chen Lun noticed that Daye¡¯s face looked even more solemn. ¡°My lord, these three types of polluted creatures are very formidable opponents. In the past, at most one type would attack alone¡­but this time, they have gathered together.¡± Daye exined. ¡°I suspect that behind them, there might be an even more powerful polluted creature controlling them¡­¡± Chen Lun furrowed his brow. ¡®Polluted creatures still hold their Sanity? No¡­ If there really is such a stronger leader, it¡¯s absolutely driven by a frenzied Will, then acting on instinct, but what could be the purpose of leading a Pollution Tide to attack Kazt?¡¯ He had a faint hunch in his heart. The difference between Kazt and other ces lies in the fact that it remains unpolluted, mainly due to the protection of the Cat God. ¡®This prolonged Pollution Tide, incessantly attacking Kazt without rest or weariness, is it attracted by the Cat God, aiming to destroy thisnd of Faith? Or is it just chaos looking to massacre every sane member of the white cat species?¡¯ Chen Lun pondered. By then, the Pollution Tide had alreadye into view. He fixed his gaze and saw leading the charge a bizarre giant lizard. Each had an ugly lizard head at both ends, their bodies covered in yellow-green fur with bright patterns, incredibly horrifying. Following hundreds of ¡°Caterpir Poison Lizards,¡± a row of ¡°Human-head Slugs¡± the size of sea turtles lined up, their backs covered with snail shells, and their protruding soft necks topped with a human head, faces twisted in madness, either crying orughing. But their eye sockets were empty, with eyeballs situated on the tips of two antennae on their foreheads. Lastly, there were seven or eight tall Frog People. They walked upright like humans, three to four meters tall, with bulging eyes on the sides of their faces, which seemed never to close. ¡°Ready!¡± The one-eyed white cat brandished his sword and shouted loudly. The other White Cat Warriors then drew their bows and arrows, slightly raising them. ¡°Fire!!¡± The white cat captain shouted again. The archers obeyed themand, releasing their fingers, and the arrows flew out! Whoosh whoosh whoosh¡­!! A dense rain of arrows fell from the walls of Kazt, hitting the midst of the Pollution Tide. The vivid fur of the Caterpir Poison Lizards hid thick hard skin underneath, and the rain of arrows often just stuck to the surface without damaging their core. The Human-head Slugs, meanwhile, retracted into their shells, the arrows hitting them with a shing metal sound. The Frog People, unabashed and unflinching, took long strides toward the wall. Arrows fired at them were simply repelled by their slick, slippery green skin. ¡°Damn it!¡± The one-eyed white cat cursed angrily. ¡°The Pollution Tide has entered range, switch to heavy crossbows!¡± As he spoke, a nearby Frog Person suddenly opened its mouth, and its tongue, like a slingshot, aimed a ck sludge at the top of the wall. Boom!! The wall protector was directly breached by the slime, and a white cat nearby got sttered with some mud, starting to emit smoke all over its body as it also began to scream tragically. In an instant, the white cat turned into a pile of bones. The slime, now dragging these bones, began to move by itself andunched an attack on other white cats on the walls. ng! The one-eyed white cat leapt over, brandishing his broadsword and striking down. The ck slime was split into two by the sword, but this physical attack seemed ineffective. The two masses of slime, using the bones from the previous white cat, shot out bone spurs and attacked the other white cats. Clink nk tter! The White Cat Warrior raised his kite shield to block. They swung their long swords in retaliation but only managed to chop down lumps of mud, still unable to destroy it. ¡°Use fire!¡± The one-eyed white cat captain spoke. But at that very moment, a rumbling sound came from the sky again, bringing down a torrential rain. Whoosh¡­ ¡°Damn it!¡± The one-eyed white cat cursed. Boom!! A ball of me suddenly appeared, split into two amidst the rain over the battling white cats, and fell on the two masses of mud, burning them with a sizzling noise. Even the torrential downpour from the sky couldn¡¯t extinguish this Supernatural me. ¡°It¡¯s the Patron!¡± ¡°Long live the Patron!¡± The mud was burned into ash by the Supernatural me, and the White Cat Warriors cheered. Chen Lun nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then he looked down at the city again. The heavy crossbows in the hands of the white cats were clearly more powerful than bows and arrows, and the hairy venomous lizards that had begun to climb the city walls were hit by many crossbow arrows, likewise falling to their deaths. Only the slug-headed beings and frogmen could escape unscathed from the crossbow arrows. But even the frogmen, struck by crossbow arrows, bled azure blood, only the hard shell of the slug-headspletely withstood it. The next scene made the white cats¡¯ fur stand on end. The slug-heads climbed onto the backs of the frogmen, extended tendrils from their soft bodies, puncturing into them, and their wounds instantly healed. And the surface of the frogmen grew eyes full of madness, causing many white cats to scream in horror, covering their eyes as they fell, blood streaming from their eyes. They seemed to have seen some terrifying vision, folding into themselves in fear, shaking incessantly. [You have been afflicted by ¡°Slug¡¯s Vision¡± mental shock, and will fall into a state of fear!] Chen Lun raised his eyebrows, the sapphire pendant on his ear flickering with light. [Judgment effective, immunity to fear!] ¡®Parasitic beasts¡­ Increasing recovery ability and also possessing mental attacks¡­¡¯ Chen Lun took a deep breath, and triggered by ¡°Maggie¡¯s Tear,¡± his emotions at this moment intensified. The desire for ughter and battle surged continuously, blood elerated, heart rate quickened. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s fight to our heart¡¯s content!¡± He bared a smile, eyes filled with a desire for killing. Boom! Amidst a cry of surprise from the white cats, a pair of ck wings burst forth from Chen Lun¡¯s back. He leapt off the wall, pping his wings, flying towards the Pollution Tide. ¡°It¡¯s the Patron!¡± ¡°The Patron has made a move!¡± Chen Lun dived, his right hand stretching out to spit high-temperature Supernatural me. Like a dragon flying low, exhaling dragon¡¯s breath, it trailed a long path of mes. Along the path, every hairy venomous lizard was ignited, burning with a sizzling sound. The torrential rain couldn¡¯t extinguish this me; the high heat instead evaporated the rainwater, spreading a dense fog that obscured vision below the city. Boom!! The venomous lizards emitted strange screams, burning alive in the mes. [You have killed a polluted creature ¡°Hairy Venomous Lizard¡±! Gained 1500 Experience Points!] *4 Alert boxes continued to pop up as Chen Lun pped his wings, dodging the venomous smoke sprayed from the fur of the venomous lizards, and once again soared into the air. He inevitably touched some of that venom smoke, even inhaling a few breaths. But under the protection of ¡°Hell Resistance,¡± he merely coughed a few times. ¡°Kill!¡± Chen Lun, unharmed, showed an even stronger intent to battle. He took out several bottles of red ink, activated them, then dived again, casually dropping these bombs. Boom! Bang Bang!! Massive explosions sounded, many parts of venomous lizards, along with nauseating sma, scattered everywhere. But that wasn¡¯t all. Chen Lun, using ¡°Palm Fireworks,¡± condensed several more fireballs, half the size of a person, and threw them into the dense center of the Pollution Tide. Boom! Boom!! The mes exploded suddenly, and below the city walls resembled a purgatory, the polluted creatures wailing and screaming, burned into ash in the mes! Daye stood on the city wall, praying with a devout expression. The one-eyed white cat leading the White Cat Warriors also stopped for a moment. Each of them widened their eyes, staring nkly at the figure with wings behind its back, like a war god rampaging in a frenzy. ¡°The Patron!¡± ¡°The Patron!!¡± They shouted fervently, their voices growing louder and louder. Chapter 246: 184: Standing Alone Against the Pollution Tide Chapter 246: Chapter 184: Standing Alone Against the Pollution Tide ng¡ªCrack crack crack! Chen Lun pulled out the Silver Staff, swung it casually, and transformed it into a silver whip form. This form of the staff had a wide attack range, making it very suitable for the current battlefield. With a boom, the leather gloves emitted mes that spread over the silver whip. He flew low in the sky andshed out with the ming silver whip, making a whistling sound. Crack! The head of a frogman got hit and was instantly smashed, blue blood and some strange tissues spurting out. The mes clung to its body, spreading and burning like bone maggots. Strangely enough, the frogman continued to emit loud croaks and danced around in pain despite having no head. In the mes, the frogman, parasitized by a humanoid slug, sprouted what looked like long hairy eyeball tentacles. Those eyeballs showed a terribly terrifying look, filled with madness, hatred, and killing intent, but ultimately burst in the high-temperature burn. The humanoid slug started to detach itself, attempting to flee, but Chen Lun flicked a spark from his finger in mid-air, hitting its hard shell with a hiss and a burst of sparks, igniting it immediately. The slug withdrew into its shell, but it was no better than an ostrich¡¯s behavior. The high temperature of the Supernatural me directly cooked the soft body inside the hard shell, turning it into a stinking, thick liquid that seeped out from below. Eventually, the hard shell cracked, shattered, and turned into tiny particles that sank into the ground. [You have killed the pollution creature ¡°Frogman,¡± gaining 2500 Experience Points!] [You have killed the pollution creature ¡°Humanoid Slug,¡± gaining 1800 Experience Points!] Chen Lun ignored the killing notifications andughed heartily, pping his ck wings and continued to roam in the Pollution Tide. He swung the ming silver whip, ughtering the group of pollution creatures. In reality, the Pollution Tide was not weak; the ¡°Frogman¡± was even stronger than many Sequence Eight Transcendents. However, Chen Lun had air superiority and could unleash Supernatural me that ignored the torrential rain. Most importantly, his resistance to venom was too high,pletely oveing this wave of Pollution Tide! A frogman targeted Chen Lun mid-air and spit out a clump of ck mud. Seeing he couldn¡¯t dodge, Chen Lun promptly retracted the silver whip and opened a silver umbre. With a bang, the next second, he was pushed several meters by the huge impact of the ck mud. Tumbling several times in mid-air, Chen Lun regained his bnce and, with a flick of his wings, opened and swung the silver umbre, causing ck mud to fall like rain. Chen Lun¡¯s face was speckled with ck mud, blocked by ayer of dark golden scales. The sizzling sound of corrosion apanied by green smoke, he casually wiped it off with his hand. ¡°You think you can poison me with this¡­?¡± His eyes were ferocious. Crack crack¡­ ng! The Silver Staff in his hand turned into a silver sword form. Chen Lun looked down at the Pollution Tide below, channeling Supernatural Power into the silver sword, which immediately started flickering with a pale purple glow. Bales Swift Sword! ¡°Die!¡± He swung out several arcs of sword Qi, the pale purple sword light hitting several frogmen, instantly slicing through their green skin, cutting off muscles and bones. Blue blood sprayed wildly, and the frogmen copsed heavily injured. The humans with slug-like bodies surrounding them crawled over, trying to heal their wounds through parasitism. But the next moment, more arced Sword Qi fell. Even the hard shells of the human-headed slugs cracked and broke under the Sword Qi, eventually being torn apart. In no time at all, two frogmen and four or five human-headed slugs were in alive under the Sword Qi. Their bodies disintegrated, sinking into the ground, vanishing without a trace. Chen Lun gasped for air, momentarily pausing his assault.@@novelbin@@ ¡®A relief of tensions, but it consumed a lot of Physical Strength¡­ After all, being of a Low Sequence, I can¡¯t withstand such intense battles.¡¯ He suddenly cracked a smile. ¡®But¡­¡¯ Chen Lun suddenly dove forward, grabbing a hairy poisonous lizard with a big hand. The poisonous lizard struggled desperately, its fur secreting venom while both lizard heads at its ends bit onto Chen Lun¡¯s wrist. ng! Their teeth shattered, unable to prate the dark golden scale armor. The venom spread over Chen Lun¡¯s fingers, but it couldn¡¯t permeate and was utterly ineffective. ¡°Just a piece of food and yet you wish to rebel?!¡± The Blood Poem Ring on Chen Lun¡¯s fingers emitted a red light, and the next second, a strong suction force emerged. The poisonous lizard he firmly held screeched in pain, its body twisted, emitting a bone-chilling cracking noise. In just a few breaths, it was swallowed by the ring. A flush of pleasure swept over Chen Lun¡¯s face, and then he sighed deeply. Having replenished his Physical Strength and Spirituality, he felt revitalized. With a p of his wings, holding the Silver Sword, he dived back into the Pollution Tide, initiating another round of ughter. mes zed vigorously, silver light overflowed, blood and limbs flew chaotically. The figure with ck wings on its back swiftly maneuvered through the Pollution Tide, turning each area it reached into a bloody storm. The residents of Kazt Town, the White Cats, gathered behind the city wall, looking up. They didn¡¯t know what was happening on the battlefield outside and wore anxious expressions. The White Cat Warriors on the city wall stood motionless, as if struck by something, frozen in shock. ¡°It¡¯s the Transcendent Lord! He¡¯s holding back the Pollution Tide single-handedly!¡± A White Cat Warrior shouted with a trembling voice. Upon hearing this, the cat residents below momentarily fell silent, then burst into vigorous cheers¡ª ¡°Thanks to the protection of the Cat God! Thanks to the Transcendent Lord!¡± ¡°Long live the Transcendent Lord!¡± The battle continued for over half an hour. Chen Lun sliced thest frogman in half with a single sword strike, pped his wings, and soared, crossing the battlefield to return to the top of the city wall. Having killed all the frogmen, the most significant threat, the remaining few human-headed slugs and hairy poisonous lizards met their end under the White Cat Warriors¡¯ crossbow arrows. Any polluted creatures attempting to climb the city wall were sted into pieces by the falling Exploding Fruits. The Pollution Tide was not annihted by Chen Lun alone; he merely halted the advance of the polluted creatures, granting the White Cat Warriors more time to attack. Yet, even so, his intervention was nothing short of a miracle! The one-eyed White Cat Warrior was the first toy down his broadsword and kneel before him in salute. ng! tter! The numerous White Cat Warriors on the city walls dropped their swords, shields, and crossbows and prostrated themselves in reverence. The White Cat residents below followed suit, each lying face down with their little heads deeply bowed. ¡°Blessed Transcendent!¡± ¡°Thank the Cat God, thank you, Blessed Transcendent!!¡± Daye¡¯s eyes moistened as he said in a deep voice: ¡°Blessed Transcendent, this has been the least deadly battle against a Pollution Tide that Kazt Town has seen in many years¡­ Over the years, countless White Cats have perished, but you are the dawn of salvation for Kazt. We are immensely grateful to you!¡± Chen Lun was drenched in sweat, his hair sticking to his forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it¡­ If you wish to worship and honor me, helping you is but a minor effort on my part.¡± He said with a light chuckle. ¡®It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve fought so freely, finally rediscovering the sensation of battle¡­ Thisbat session alone has granted me more than 50,000 Experience Points, another umtion!¡¯ There are still many supernatural materials on the battlefield waiting for the White Cats to cleanup. Besides, the mission rewards have not yet been tallied, I wonder what I will receive¡­¡¯ He thought to himself. Chen Lun took out a ck hat, ced it on his head, and using his Silver Staff, made a gesture of gratitude to the Constetion. He then turned his gaze back down to the foot of the walls. There were still sporadic polluted creatures charging toward the wall, utterly fearless, their eyes filled only with a mad lust for killing. The one-eyed White Cat, seemingly inspired by the Transcendent, grabbed his massive broadsword and leaped from the wall, rushing toward the remaining polluted creatures. ¡°Captain Kappa! Kill them all!¡± Many White Cat Warriors, their blood boiling, waved their ws and cheered for the one-eyed White Cat. The one-eyed White Cat, Kappa, was extraordinarily skilled, easily on par with that ck cat Nada. His broadsword swung through the air, producing a heavy swooshing sound, often bisecting caterpirs and poison lizards with a single strike. Even the tough shells of the human-headed slugs couldn¡¯t withstand the blows of the broadsword, and were reduced to mush within a few hits. Chen Lun looked around and noticed that the central spire of Kazt Town was gathering light at its pinnacle, seemingly umting energy. ¡°That spire is a gift from the Cat God and the mainstay of survival for our town of Kazt¡­ Almost every Pollution Tide has been repelled with its help,¡± Daye said, noticing where Chen Lun was looking. ¡°Unfortunately, in the past two years, the energy of the spire has significantly decreased, and the time to gather shockwaves has increased, necessitating more White Cat Warriors to fight and buy time. But now with the Blessed Transcendent, it¡¯s no longer an issue.¡± His expression was relieved, his eyes filled with gratitude. Chen Lun responded with a smile. Once again, he turned his attention to the city wall below, pondering. ¡®The Pollution Tide of Kazt hassted a terribly long time and cannot be solved with one or two attempts¡­ Since they strike every mid-month, perhaps I could summon yers to help defend against it.¡¯ Chen Lun thought, smiling. ¡®By treating this ce as a sustainable dungeon-like map, a branch of the Immortal Realm, I can let stronger yerse here to challenge it¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have to intervene personally each time, and I could earn substantial rewards. In doing so, I would be helping both the yers and Kazt, which is quite generous of me¡­ Unfortunately, there¡¯s no charity award in this world, or else I¡¯d definitely win a trophy.¡¯ He felt somewhat wistful. * * * After the Pollution Tide ended. Chen Lun received an even warmer wee from the residents of Kazt. The mission ¡°Dawn of Kazt¡± had been tallied, and he had earned a total of 8,000 Experience Points, 10 Gold Pounds, and increased Affection from Kazt¡¯s residents¡­ Additionally, he gained a piece of Supernatural Knowledge from the Nature Faction, Sequence Eight ¨C Healer, and a talisman from the Cat God. The current affection from Kazt Town had reached reverence, and he could clearly sense the White Cats¡¯ awe and devoutness toward him intensifying. After the banquet, Chen Lun sat cross-legged at the very top of the spire. He was holding a bone shard the size of a fingertip in his hand, inscribed with a strange talisman. [Supernatural Item ¨C Cat God¡¯s talisman (single-use consumable)] Item Description: A bone shard imbued with the power of Nature, seemingly a gift from the Cat God, capable of casting a Divine Art, summoning the Golden Divine Punishment with immense power. Chen Lun gently caressed the bone shard in his hand, his eyes gleaming. ¡®This power¡­ Golden Divine Punishment, sounds very potent, reminiscent of that fellow Philip who seems to have been wiped out by this divine punishment¡­¡¯ He carefully ced the bone shard into the Blood Poem Ring. ¡®Hmm, this bone shard could serve as an ace up my sleeve, ready to unleash a divine punishment should anyone irk me!¡¯ Chen Lun then took out a deck of cards, nning to do a Divination. Before the Pollution Tide, Daye had spected that behind the attacking polluted creatures, there was likely an even stronger polluted creature controlling them. ¡®Perhaps a divination could reveal its location.¡¯ He grasped the deck, cards fanned out with a flourish. The [Divination]Skill activated, and Chen Lun suddenly raised an eyebrow. He felt that his divination prowess had leaped to a new level, even capable of blocking some mystical interferences. ¡®Hmm¡­ Within the Immortal Realm, there are still such effects that can amplify my abilities¡­¡¯ Chen Lun was delighted. ¡®Just unsure if this boost also applies to divinations in the current world.¡¯ He temporarily set aside this thought, focusing on divining the location of the entity behind the polluted creatures. Swoosh! Swoosh! Three cards fell neatly in ce. Looking at the ¡°3¡± cards of varying suits, Chen Lun looked up toward the three o¡¯clock direction, toward the rocky rubble and the ck ins beyond¡­ Chapter 247: 185: Present me with fine wine, accompanied by a plot to murder Chapter 247: Chapter 185: Present me with fine wine, apanied by a plot to murder Divination yielded a result. It indeed confirmed the existence of a being manipting the Pollution Tide in the shadows. ¡®The divination points to the ck ins, which give me a dangerous vibe and are very far away¡­ Let¡¯s leave it for now and check it out after I advance to the Mid Sequence in the future.¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. At that moment, Daye led two White Cat Warriors up to the top of the spire. ¡°My Lord, these are the spoils left by the Pollution Tide, please ept them.¡± Daye stepped aside, and the two White Cat Warriors carried a wooden box together, thumping it down in front of Chen Lun, and opened the lid of the box. Chen Lun took a close look, and inside was filled with various Transcendent materials. The skin, ws, teeth, and innards of poison lizards, as well as bottles of thick liquid, fragments of hard shells, eyeballs, and various tissues from frogmen. ¡°Kazt used to obtain such Transcendent materials, what did they use them for?¡± Chen Lun asked. ¡°They are used to create Mysterious Objects, forge weapons, and brew Sun Wine¡­¡± Daye answered. Chen Lun¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, and he also inquired about the method of brewing Sun Wine. Daye did not withhold any information, telling the respected Lord the brewing method readily. But to Chen Lun¡¯s regret, brewing Sun Wine required not only special Transcendent materials but also devout Faith in the Cat God. Perhaps in Daye¡¯s heart, the Lord was more devout than any White Cat Warrior. But in reality, only Chen Lun knew that he was a hammer believer. Not to mention Faith in the Cat God, his own Faith Attributes had yet to break into double digits. Moreover, he also learned that the brewing of Moon Wine was much the same, the most crucial point being devout Faith in the Cat God. ¡®It¡¯s a pity¡­ It seems I can only obtain Moon Wine and Sun Wine through the race of the Cat God.¡¯ He thought to himself. ¡°Daye, take whatever you can use from this box of Transcendent materials¡­¡± Chen Lun said. Daye was startled for a moment, and the two White Cat Warriors were also stunned. ¡°My Lord, you truly are admirable. I offer the most heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Kazt¡¯s Cat residents.¡± Daye prostrated in thanks. Chen Lun waved his hand dismissively. Daye only had the White Cat Warriors take away the bottled thick liquids and the ws and teeth of the poison lizard from the wooden box and left the rest untouched. ¡°The juice of this ¡®Man-headed Slug¡¯ has a powerful Healing effect and can be used to make Healing Medicine¡­ The ws and teeth of the poison lizard can be used to forge weapons.¡± Daye seemed very satisfied, exining to Chen Lun. Seeing that the Lord had no objections, it led the two White Cat Warriors away. After they left. Chen Lun took stock of the Transcendent materials in the wooden box, totaling over one hundred portions. After stowing them all away in the Blood Poem Ring, he felt quite pleased. ¡®Adding the Transcendent materials I obtained from the yers before, I now have about 130 portions in stock¡­ After returning to the real world, I will distribute them to Maggie and Floey.¡¯ * * * Jack Manor. The first-floor dining room. All the core members of the Circus had gathered for today¡¯s meal. ¡°This is thest dish prepared by Miss Floey, Amethyst vored Pigeon Pie.¡± Connie brought the te to the dining table and set it down. Chen Lun turned to see Floey removing her apron and slowlying over. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, Floey. Have a seat and eat.¡± He spoke softly. Floey gave him a slight smile, nodded, and then sat directly to Chen Lun¡¯s left. Noah on the right had already eagerly donned his white bib, his hands gripped knife and fork, sitting up straight like an obedient student. ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s start.¡± Chen Lun said. ¡°Yes, Leader.¡± Golov was the first to speak. The others followed suit, respectfully echoing the sentiment. ¡°Hmm¡­ Delicious! The beef you made, Floey, I love it so much!¡± Maggie forked a medium-rare steak, taking bites, blood dripping down her chin, causing Chen Lun¡¯s eye to twitch. ¡°Uh, sorry.¡± Noticing the gazes of the others, sheughed awkwardly and took a napkin from the table to wipe her mouth. Noah kept quiet, quickly devouring his food with his head down. ¡°The Circus has made some gains recently, so I am giving everyone a bit of sry as a reward for your hard work.¡± Chen Lun took out several Empire bank notes and handed them to Connie, who was by his side. Connie, following the names pre-attached to the cards, distributed them to each member¡¯s hands. Floey received 500 Gold Pounds, Noah and Maggie got 300 Gold Pounds, Connie 200 Gold Pounds, and both Barton and Golov received 100 Gold Pounds. When Connie saw the notation of two hundred Gold List on the card in her hands, her mouth dropped open. She covered her mouth, incredulously. For her, a girl who grew up in the Outer City District, 200 Gold Pounds was an unthinkable sum of money. In her past days at Cypress Leaf Academy, the weekly sry of a professor teaching there was only 65 Silver Ducats, and the workers¡¯ weekly pay ranged from 6 to 10 Silver Ducats. Floey silently ran her fingertips over the engraved gold lettering on the card, picturing the specific amount. She was somewhat surprised by therge sum of money, but showed no attachment as she gently pushed the card back to Chen Lun. Chen Lun looked at her, puzzled. ¡°I have no use for so much money, and you currently have many uses for it.¡± Floey responded with a smile. At that, Noah set down his fork and knife, still with tidbits on his face, chuckled, and holding the card, said to Chen Lun: ¡°Mr. Jack, I am not in need of money. Keep these Gold Pounds for the team¡¯s development.¡± Seeing this, Connie quickly set down her bank note as well. ¡°Mr. Jack, this is too much.¡± Golov and Barton felt as if the cards in their hands were scalding, and they too put them down. Only Maggie stuffed hers into her pocket and started eating her steak by herself.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun found the situation somewhat amusing yet helpless and eventually shook his head. ¡°Just take it, it¡¯s what you deserve¡­¡± He then turned to Floey, took her hand, and ced the card on her palm. ¡°Take it.¡± Chen Lun said briefly, then added in a gentler tone, ¡°Don¡¯t go on stealthymissions when you want to buy something in the future.¡± Floey was slightly startled, then pursed her lips, gripping the card tightly, feeling a warmth in her heart. Hearing what the leader said, the others felt reassured and put away their cards. They also wondered what they should buy with this sizable sum, filled with anticipation. Immediately after, Chen Lun instructed them on some business matters. He allotted 500 Gold Pounds each to Connie and Barton as operational funds to boost the workshop investments and to develop the Iron Fist Gang in the slums. He also inquired about the purchase of Cursed Objects from Noah and received an uncertain response: ¡°A noble has expressed a desire to sell a family heirloom, preliminarily judged to be an ancient Cursed Object. Uncle Walsh is currently negotiating with him,¡± Noah said. Chen Lun nodded to show he understood. After the meal. Chen Lun kept Maggie and Floey. He dumped all the Transcendent materials he had collected onto the table, allowing the two to choose from them. ¡°I will also issuemissions to the Silver Dragon Trade Association, continually buying Transcendent materials for your use¡­ Of course, I¡¯ll take some for myself to use for Brewing.¡± Chen Lun told the two. Maggie¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement as she picked through the Transcendent materials on the table, finally selecting twenty or thirty portions, then pulled out a cloth bag from her pocket and packed them all inside. ¡°Hey! Leader, I¡¯ll take these.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Chen Lun nodded, then saw Maggie wave her hand and hurriedly dash upstairs, presumably to conduct her experiments. He sighed helplessly, then turned to Floey. ¡®Floey is still the one who gives me the least trouble¡­¡¯ The blind girl¡¯s lips carried a gentle smile, her hand shimmered with a dim purple light as it slowly moved over the Transcendent materials, seemingly in the process of selection. She extended a fair index finger, asionally touching the materials, leaving a purple fluorescent brand on those she chose. A momentter. ¡°Sorry, it seems I¡¯ve chosen quite a lot¡­¡± Floey said to Chen Lun, flipping her light golden hair beside her ear. Chen Lun counted and saw that Floey had selected about eighty portions. ¡°No problem, as long as you can use them, that¡¯s all that matters. You don¡¯t have to seek perfect Mysterious Objects; as long as they lead to Mystical umtion, they are valuable,¡± He said with a chuckle as he collected the Transcendent materials Floey had not chosen. ¡°Thank you.¡± Floey beamed with a smile. Chen Lun looked at her, then suddenly remembered something. ¡°You¡¯re wee. If you really want to thank me, make me a rice dish tomorrow¡­ Yours are really tasty, and I¡¯ve missed them.¡± Floey paused slightly, then her smile widened. ¡°Mhm!¡± * * * The next day. Chen Lun received another letter from Mona. The letter indicated that the Shelter had recently identified the source of the gue as likely stemming from a certain sinister rite performed by a rogue Transcendent. This man, known as Akebin Kowal, was deemed a heretic by the Naturalist Sect for researching the taboos of Nature and espousing extreme views, leading to his expulsion years ago, after which he vanished. Reliable sources suggested that when he was exiled, he was a Sequence Seven ¡°Ranger¡± of the Nature Faction, but his current strength was unknown and there was a high probability that he had advanced to Sequence Six, which made him extremely dangerous. The letter included a wanted poster. It depicted a man with medium-length hair and stubble, a hawkish nose, and piercing eyes. The bounty on him was a staggering 3,000 Gold Pounds. Mona wrote at the end of the letter, advising the Circus to watch out for this man. If they spotted the target, they were not to spook him, but rather report to the Shelter. After a n is formted, the Shelter would request support from the elite ¡°Executioners¡± and then carry out the capture. Chen Lun put away the letter with a strange expression. He was very familiar with this Akebin, having interacted with this NPC in his past life. ¡®In my memory, Akebin isn¡¯t part of the evil faction, nor can he be counted as chaotic¡­ Rather, this person has principles.¡¯ The reason he knew this character well was linked to his ¡°fishing n.¡± Akebin was in fact a core member of the Mutual Aid Society, and Chen Lun was certain that he had already advanced to Sequence Six, but not as a ¡°Berry Picker¡± of the Nature Faction¡¯s Sequence, instead taking a pathway from a branch of the Nature Faction that had long been lost. ¡®If I¡¯m not mistaken, he¡¯s a ¡°Vinator¡± of Sequence Six.¡¯ Chen Lun thought. He chose not to rename the Circus upon taking it over, intending to attract the attention of the Mutual Aid Society for investigation. He was very familiar with this organization and had already nned how to join. The Mutual Aid Society might resent Chen Lun for taking over the Circus, but he preferred to believe they would ept his chips. The Mutual Aid Society had a core elite team called the ¡°Murder Club,¡±posed of very powerful assassins. Compared to the ¡°ck Knife Brotherhood,¡± which had also split from the Mutual Aid Society, they were far stronger. One characteristic of the Murder Club was that unlike other members of the Mutual Aid Society who worshiped the God of Conspiracy ¡°The Bone Burying Old Man,¡± they pledged their faith to the Conspiracy Angel ¡°Conrad.¡± The ¡°Conspiracy Contract¡± witness that Chen Lun had been using was this very Angel! He had a creed which was¡ª ¡°Offer me fine wine, and I shall grant murder.¡± All members of the Murder Club would follow this creed. This was one of the underlying reasons why Chen Lun had chosen the ¡°Bartender¡± sequence. If he could brew a rare delicacy, he could offer it to the Murder Club in exchange for the assistance of powerful allies. ¡®Akebin¡¯s appearance might mean that the Mutual Aid Society has already begun to act¡­ I need to brew a presentable fine wine soon, to serve as a calling card for joining the Murder Club.¡¯ Chapter 248: 186 Floey Got Drunk Chapter 248: Chapter 186 Floey Got Drunk Immortal Realm. Lakeside cabin. Chen Lun stood quietly at the doorway of the cabin, scrutinizing the growth of the mysterious grapevine. ¡®Ever since the yers found those two cabins, this grapevine had already borne fruit. It wasn¡¯t until I arrived in Kazt and activated the Save Point of the spire that it finally matured.¡¯ He counted carefully, and there were only nine mature, plump, purple grapes on the vine. Chen Lun plucked them one by one. [Supernatural Item¡ªFruit of Nature] Item description: Infused with rich forces of Nature, it seems this extraordinary nt, casually sown by a high-level entity of the Nature Faction, produces grape-like fruits after umting enough energy. Direct consumption can permanently increase the upper limit of Life Points by 200, Physical Strength by 100, Endurance by 2, Charm by 1, and Insight by 1. (Limited to one-time use) Chen Lun¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡®A supernatural item that can permanently enhance Attributes¡­ Though it can only take effect once, this is still quite a precious thing.¡¯ He thought for a moment, then picked up a grape and popped it into his mouth. ¡®For safety¡¯s sake, I¡¯ll consume one first. I¡¯ll use the rest for brewing¡­ This is definitely top-tier raw material.¡¯ [You have consumed the ¡°Fruit of Nature¡± and feel your body has been strengthened, permanently increasing the upper limit of Life Points by 200, Physical Strength by 100, Endurance by 2, Charm by 1, and Insight by 1.] ¡°Phew¡­¡± Chen Lun took afortable breath and moved his body a little. ¡®My Life Points have finally broken through the 1000-point mark, a level that only those of Sequence Seven possess¡­ Next, I¡¯ll return to the present world.¡¯ He thought to himself. The next second, a white light flickered, and his figure disappeared. * * * Jack¡¯s estate. Underground brewing room. Chen Lun was busy at the workbench. He was using professional equipment to prepare for fermentation, containing the destemmed, washed, and pressed eight supernatural grapes, crushed pulp, and skinbined. ¡®Based on the principles of ordinary wine brewing, the grape skins contain tannins and fruit vors, and fermentation relies on sugar content. As the sugar decreases, the alcohol concentration increases¡­ This time, I need to brew a strong spirit, so I must reduce the sugar content and prolong the fermentation time!¡¯ Chen Lun then took out several high-level magical ingredients, such as the ¡°Wastnd Berry¡± obtained from the palm of a barren giant, the ¡°Three-eyed Sphere¡± of a multi-headed rat, the ¡°Iron Armor Heart,¡± and the ¡°Frogman¡¯s Tongue¡± from the Pollution Tide. Guided by the experience and inspiration of his Max Level Brewmaster, he finally selected the ¡°Wastnd Berry,¡± crushed it as well, and threw it in. The blood-red juice, along with the odd fruits, sank into the wort. ¡®The Bloody Fine Brew doesn¡¯t require the same steps as ordinary brewers, such as second pressing, aging, transferring containers, and filtering¡­¡¯ Chen Lun smiled, extending his hand to touch the ss container, elerating the fermentation process. The original liquid began to bubble, the sediment and fruit residues inside started to dissolve, and the color of the entire liquid became more vibrant and reddish, ultimately turning thick and rich. This brewing process was longer and more strenuous than ever before. Chen Lun controlled his breathing, keeping it as steady as possible, his palm still. Gurgle gurgle¡­ The bubbles rising in the container reflected dazzling colors, and upon bursting, sshed up vivid red foam. At that moment, Chen Lun had a sudden sh of inspiration. Guided by his intuition for Bloody Fine Brew, he took out a bottle of Sun Wine and dripped a drop into the ss container. Humm! The originally enchanting bright red wine was now haloed with sanctified light, presenting a contrast that was somehow harmonious and indescribable. Chen Lun ceased the fermentation, sweating profusely. He suppressed his panting breath, his eyes shining with delight. [Supernatural Wine ¨C Unnamed (High-Level)] Item description: A wine infused with the power of nature, crafted with special techniques, high-level raw materials, and an exceptionally fitting supernatural ingredient. The final drop of Lucky Wine was a masterstroke. Item effects: Permanently increases the maximum limit of Life Points by 200, Physical Strength by 100, random Attribute Points (2-5), and Nature affinity; enhances Mystical umtion for the Nature Faction. Within 72 hours, Luck Points +1, very small chance of sessful fulfillment of one¡¯s desires. ¡°Hmm¡­ let¡¯s call it ¡®Mirna Blood Wine¡¯.¡± Chen Lun was satisfied as he caressed the ss container, then hurriedly proceeded to bottle it. [Supernatural Wine ¨C Mirna Blood Wine]! After filling a standard-sized wine bottle, there was still about a third of a bottle left. ¡®That¡¯s perfect, the surplus can be shared with the Circus members¡­¡¯ Chen Lun was pleased, and he took out several smaller empty bottles to fill them up. Just enough for each person to have three sips. Next. He drank a Thirst-quencher to replenish his Physical Strength, then, energized, he brewed two more bottles of high-quality Supernatural Wine. The leftover high-level supernatural materials from [Mirna Blood Wine], as well as the other acquired supernatural materials, werepletely used up. The ¡°trimmings¡± weren¡¯t wasted, having been turned into ordinary Supernatural Wine. These two high-quality wines may not match [Mirna Blood Wine], but they were still quite exceptional. One bottle could moderately increase Toxin Resistance for a short period, which Chen Lun named [Crane Top Green], while the other could amplify dynamic vision and induce a ¡°Calm State¡± for a brief period, which he named [Sage Time]. ¡®These two bottles will serve as my ticket into the Murder Club.¡¯ Chen Lun contemted. * * * Chen Lun returned to the surface and called for Connie. He handed her five exquisite little bottles, instructing her to leave the [Mirna Blood Wine (Miniature)] with Noah, Maggie, Golov, and Barton, with thest small bottle being for herself. ¡°Is this thetest red wine you¡¯ve brewed, Mr. Jack¡­?¡± Connie was delighted and curious. ¡°Of course, and it¡¯s a very rare wine¡­ you should drink it yourself, it can improve your physique.¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. Connie nodded, seeminglyprehending. ¡°I understand, Mr. Jack, this is a benefit for the team, not for sale!¡± She clutched the small bottle carefully. ¡°I¡¯ll drink it myself, thank you!¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee, Connie.¡± Chen Lun replied. After Connie left, he picked up the remaining miniature bottle and went upstairs himself, nning to deliver it to Floey¡¯s hands. On the third floor, to the leftmost side, was Floey¡¯s room. Chen Lun stopped at the door, knocking gently. Knock knock¡­ After waiting for a while, there was no response from inside. ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± Chen Lun felt puzzled, and he listened closely with his powerful hearing; he could sense faint breathinging from inside. ¡°Sleeping inside?¡± He twisted the doorknob and found, to his surprise, that it was unlocked. The door clicked and he pushed it open with ease. ¡°Floey?¡± Chen Lun called out and walked in. This was his first time entering Floey¡¯s room, which was so spartan it was almost unbelievable. Other than a table, chairs, a wardrobe, and a bed, there were no other decorations to be seen. The curtains were tightly drawn, casting the entire room in dimness, and it felt very spacious and indescribably tranquil. Chen Lun¡¯s eyes flickered and changed to vertical pupils, allowing him to see that Floey was lying on her side on the bed, covered with a deep purple velvet nket, eyes closed in slumber. She was wearing a ck silk nightgown, and her pale golden hair was strewn messily over the pillow. Chen Lun stood silently for more than ten seconds, quietly observing the girl. Then he moved the room¡¯s only chair in front of the bed and sat down on it with a plop. From the Blood Poem Ring, he took out a goblet and an ice ball, pouring in thest little bit of ¡°Milna Blood Wine¡± and gently swirled the goblet, which clinked melodiously. ¡°Hmm, sleeping so soundly¡­ She won¡¯t awake for quite a while.¡± Chen Lun murmured to himself. ¡°This wine, which I exhausted my heart¡¯s blood to brew personally for her, it seems I¡¯ll have to drink it myself.¡± He sighed softly. In the next second, Floey sat up, pressing her lips together, looking straight at Chen Lun without saying a word. Through the ck vines around her eyes, Chen Lun could almost feel a look of ¡°dissatisfaction.¡± ¡°Did you wake up when I came upstairs?¡± Chen Lun didn¡¯t seem surprised and smiled as he passed the well-swirled goblet to her. Floey took the goblet, still pursing her lips, silent, but her cheeks were already suffused with a hint of red. ¡°So it was you who unlocked the door¡­¡± Before Chen Lun could finish his sentence, he saw countless vines spreading from Floey¡¯s hand, standing on end like the fur of a startled cat. ¡°Cough, drink up already,¡± Chen Lun said nonchntly. ¡°Next time you sleep, remember to lock the door, in case a thief slips in and steals this only table and chair ¨D that would be no good¡­ You would have to squat on the ground to drink water, which would be quite inelegant.¡± Floey snickered softly. ¡°What is this wine?¡± She retracted the vines and asked in her ethereal voice. ¡°Supernatural red wine, I¡¯ve named it ¡®Milna Blood Wine¡¯. It can enhance your physical strength and even add a tiny bit of luck; maybe it will make your wishese true¡­¡± Chen Lun replied. ¡°Milna¡­?¡± Floey brought the goblet to her lips, puzzled. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Chen Lun pondered for a moment, then smiled and said: ¡°That¡¯s the name of the ¡®Cat God¡¯, this wine has some connections to Him, hence the name.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Floey didn¡¯t delve deeper, nodded, tilted her head back, and took a big gulp of the dark red liquid in the goblet. Immediately, her brows creased slightly, and her fingers gripping the goblet tightened. Chen Lun shook his head when he saw this. ¡®This is a strong liquor¡­¡¯ At that moment, Floey gave a small exmation and then slightly cocked her little head, as if savoring the taste. ¡°This wine, it¡¯s very good.¡± As she spoke, her breath was fragrant, carrying a sweet aroma of various berries and the rich scent of wine. But soon, her body swayed slightly and started to lean uncontrobly towards the edge of the bed. Chen Lun reached out to steady her. ¡°Floey, you drank too much in one go¡­¡± Chen Lun couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of amusement and concern. ¡°I feel¡­ my body, it¡¯s been strengthened¡­¡± Floey said softly from his arms. ¡°You really didn¡¯t lie to me¡­¡± ¡°Of course I didn¡¯t. This wine is truly rare; to replicate it would likely take a very long time,¡± Chen Lun said. Floey shook her head in his embrace. ¡°No¡­ What I mean is, you didn¡¯t lie to me, it really did make my wishe true.¡± Her arms gently wrapped around Chen Lun¡¯s back. ¡°Because I finally heard your heartbeat¡­¡± * * * Floey¡¯s voice faded until her breathing became steady. Chen Lun, quick with his eyes and hands, caught the goblet slipping from her grasp. Clink¡­ He watched Floey silently, his nose barely a palm¡¯s width away from her pale golden hair, inhaling her faint fragrance. Chen Lun stayed motionless, his eyelids lowered, obscuring his eyes. Herst sentenceplicated his feelings tremendously. He lifted the goblet and drank thest of the Blood Wine.@@novelbin@@ ¡®Floey¡­¡¯ Chapter 249: 187: Two Wild BOSSes Chapter 249: Chapter 187: Two Wild BOSSes The next day. Chen Lun and Maggie sat in a carriage, heading out of the city. Early in the morning, Maggie had received a letter from the couple, Robert and Jones, written to her. The letter indicated that during their process of treating diseases in an external vige, they had made some new discoveries, which might help in researching a medicine to cure the ¡°Red Dance Disease.¡± Maggie appeared very excited and immediately found Chen Lun, requesting to temporarily leave the manor and head to that vige. Coincidentally, Chen Lun had roughly divined the whereabouts of Akebin Kowal the previous night in the Immortal Realm, using the amplification of Divination weighting and the screening off of current world disturbances¡ªit was in the same direction as the vige Maggie wanted to go to. So Chen Lun nned to travel with her, then part ways on his own when they were close to the destination, to investigate Akebin¡¯s matters. ¡°Leader! That little bottle of wine you gave me was fantastic!¡± Maggie sat opposite Chen Lun, her face beaming with a smile. ¡°The taste was very good! And I feel like my Mystical umtion has increased a lot, and I¡¯m not too far from the threshold of Mid Sequence¡­!¡± Hearing Maggie speak, Chen Lun couldn¡¯t help thinking of Floey. She had blushed all throughout making breakfast for him that morning. It seemed that upon waking from her drunken state, she remembered her tipsy confessions from the day before and felt somewhat embarrassed. ¡®What a sweet girl¡­¡¯ Chen Lun reflected.@@novelbin@@ He lifted his head and said to Maggie: ¡°Maggie, since you are close topleting your Mystical umtion, do you have a way to obtain the Supernatural Knowledge of the Nature Faction Sequence Seven? If needed, I can help you find a way.¡± In the Immortal Realm¡¯s Kazt Town, where the tasks could be taken repeatedly, the reward pool included Supernatural Knowledge from Nature Faction Sequence Nine to Sequence Seven¡ªthere was nock of opportunities to help Maggie get it. ¡°No need, Leader!¡± Maggie shook her head. ¡°Before I left the Naturalist Sect, I read a manuscript left by a predecessor in the Forest Gallery of the Elders, which recorded another branch of Nature¡­ That is the path I aspire to, I do not want to ascend to be a [Ranger], but a [gue Doctor]!¡± Chen Lun was a bit surprised. ¡®Isn¡¯t that the path Akebin took?¡¯ So he asked Maggie: ¡°The manuscript you mentioned, was it written by someone named ¡®Akebin Kowal¡¯?¡± Maggie suddenly looked surprised and eximed: ¡°Yes! It was that predecessor! Leader, how did you know?!¡± Chen Lun shook his head, inwardly feeling that Maggie was indeed simr to Akebin in some ways. He didn¡¯t answer Maggie¡¯s question but fell into thought. As far as he knew, Akebin from his previous life had walked down this same road to his destruction, ultimately perishing by Chen Lun¡¯s own hand¡­ because this lost branch Sequence had long been verified by predecessors as a route that was doomed to fail. There were many documented Sequence paths in history, no less than a hundred, but only ten have survived to this day. Those were¡ªthe pathways of the Seven True Gods and the three hidden paths. Because at their end trulyid True Gods. This meant that the ten paths were viable routes to godhood¡­ the Deities at their ends serving as the best proof. All other branches that had vanished in the long river of history were failures, for none of the sessive Transcendents over the long passage of time had ever reached the end. It seemed they allcked something of utter importance, something that only existed in the hands of the ten True Gods. Chen Lun didn¡¯t want to interfere with Maggie¡¯s choice, as a sign of respect for her. Out of concern, however, he still subtly warned her of the dangers hidden within. Yet Maggie looked somewhat puzzled: ¡°Leader! The manuscript of Predecessor Akebin clearly stated this point, but I don¡¯t care¡­ because I don¡¯t want to be a god, why should I worry about this?¡± Chen Lun was slightly taken aback. ¡®Indeed, if you don¡¯t wish to be a god, why worry whether the path is a dead end¡­?¡¯ He chuckled at himself wryly, shook his head, and then asked: ¡°Since you want to ascend to [Sequence Seven ¨C gue Doctor], you must already have the relevant Supernatural Knowledge, right?¡± This time, it was Maggie¡¯s turn to be stunned. She shrugged her shoulders, revealing an honest smile: ¡°No.¡± ¡°¡­¡± * * * A small vige in the vicinity of Amber City. The ce seemed somewhat deste, with almost no one visible outside in the vige. Only the fires burning at the entrance and along the sides of the road and the corpses wrapped carelessly in dirty bed sheets hinted at some human activity. In an abandoned field in the vige, a tall figure was bent over, arranging some kind of ritual. He wore a crow mask and was dressed in a brown cloak, silently using an iron shovel to cut into the soil, drawing some strange symbols. There were assorted bottles and jars on the ground beside him, which looked rather suspicious. ¡°Ah¡­ Dr. Akebin, I¡¯m terribly sorry to disturb you, I¡­¡± Behind the tall man in the cloak came a humble call. He stood up, turned around, and saw an old man supporting a young girl as they approached. ¡°Be quiet.¡± From behind the crow mask, Akebin¡¯s voice came out as an indifferent, buzzing tone. The elder immediately fell silent, his face anxious, as he cast a reverent nce at the man before him and then looked back at his granddaughter. ¡°This is a premonition of the ¡®Red Dance Disease¡¯¡­ hmm, in thirteen hours, she¡¯ll descend into frenzy, then die amid ceaseless dancing.¡± Akebin nced indifferently at the girl. The girl looked nk, her eyes bloodshot, drool dripping from her mouth, with a faint hint of a smile, as if involuntary. ¡°Dr. Akebin! Please, save my granddaughter!¡± The old man burst into tears. ¡°Shut up! I said shut up! Didn¡¯t you hear me?!¡± Akebin grabbed the elder¡¯s thin cor and roughly pushed him to the ground. Then arge hand pressed on the girl¡¯s head, and he bent down to take a closer look. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He hummed thoughtfully. ¡°What a nuisance!¡± Akebin took out a small bottle of pale red potion from his coat pocket, flicked the cork away with a flick of his finger, and then, pinching the girl¡¯s face, poured the potion down her throat. Afterward, he gently patted the sides of her neck a few times. After being force-fed the potion, the girl blinked and quickly fell into a deep sleep. The elder hurriedly rushed over to catch the girl, then knelt down to thank the tall man. ¡°Thank you, thank you, Doctor Akebin!¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Akebin turned away and continued with his work. Seeing this, the elder dared not disturb him further and quickly left with his granddaughter in his arms. ¡°Although Doctor Akebin seems cold on the outside, he is kind at heart. I am very grateful to him; he is the messenger sent by the great Sun God¡­¡± The elder prayed silently. He remainedpletely unaware that a small pustule had quietly sprouted behind the girl¡¯s ear. Akebin, who was working in the field, suddenly stopped his shovel and turned to look at the air beside him. There, a figure materialized out of thin air and slowly stepped out from the Spirit World. This was a brown-haired man in a gray vest, about thirty years old, but he was wounded, with his cheeks and corners of his eyes cracked and bleeding. ¡°Drake, did you go pick a fight with that creature from the Spirit World again?¡± Akebin¡¯s humming voice of indifference came from within the crow mask. Drake, covered in injuries, let out a heh-hehugh, spat out a clot of blood on the ground, and casually lit a cigarette for himself. After taking a deep drag, he said, ¡°That pot creature is strong, but I¡¯m not bad either. This time, I almost cracked its lid¡­ Next time, I will smash itpletely to see what¡¯s really inside!¡± Drake subconsciously touched the pendant on his chest, which looked like a mass of iron wire cruelly twisted together, still with a bit of what seemed like blood that couldn¡¯t be washed off. ¡°Such pointless fighting¡­¡± Akebin continued to wield his shovel, making marks on the ground. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for waiting for you, I wouldn¡¯t be so idle.¡± Drake remarked. ¡°So what are you really doing here? To heal these mortals? Ah ha, that¡¯s funny!¡± A mocking smile appeared on his face. Akebin ignored his mockery, shovel in hand, as his voice emerged from the crow mask, ¡°If you want another fight with me, feel free to continue.¡± Drake snorted coldly and said nothing further. ¡°This is a simple experiment, and a great one too. If sessful, I will be promoted to [Sequence Five ¨C Disaster Disease Master]¡­¡± Akebin droned on. ¡°I don¡¯t care how far you go down that dead-end path. I just want to know when we can set off¡­ The sooner weplete the club¡¯s assigned mission, the sooner we can go back.¡± Drake tossed his cigarette butt away, saying impatiently. ¡°I need another two weeks¡­¡± Akebin said. ¡°Don¡¯t rush, it¡¯s just investigating the whereabouts of a peripheral organization. It won¡¯t take long.¡± Drake was about to say more when he suddenly frowned and turned his head to look behind. He had the feeling that someone was spying on them. They saw a very ugly young man with abstract features, one small eye and onerge eye looking at them in shock, mumbling strange words: ¡°Holy moly! Two wild BOSSes!¡± He even crazily picked up a sickle that was lying around and charged at them. In Drake¡¯s eyes, this person was most likely a gue victim. Smack! With a casual p, he knocked the young man¡¯s head off, sending it flying like a ball. Blood gushed out, and the headless corpse dissipated into white light. At the same time. A new post appeared on the gaming forum, with the title¡ª ¡°Wow! I found two wild BOSSes on the Amber City map! Interested friends PM, we can negotiate the price!¡± The post also included a first-person video from the yer. It showed Akebin in a crow mask and coat, and Drake with an impatient look and a face full of wounds. The Vice Chairman of the ¡°Lost Name Guild¡±, ¡°Landon,¡± spotted the post immediately and promptly contacted the yer, purchasing the information and the precise location for one hundred thousand Credit Points. The reason for his keen interest was that he was around Amber City himself, and he had already gathered a group of guild members¡­ More importantly, the guild¡¯s only Transcendent yer ¡°Gan Ziwen¡± was also in Amber City. He quickly contacted Gan Ziwen, asking him to hurry to the rendezvous for a joint BOSS hunt. Landon thought that if they could take down these two wild BOSSes, they would surely gain rich rewards and make the Lost Name Guild¡¯s reputation soar! Just like the Three Major Guilds and Chuxi Guild did a while ago! As for the thought of not being strong enough? How strong could two BOSSes near Novice Vige be? ¡°This is a piece of cake, haha¡­¡± Landonughed heartily. Chapter 250: 188 Akebins Intentions (Two in One) Chapter 250: Chapter 188 Akebin¡¯s Intentions (Two in One) Amber City Train Station. Gan Ziwen was carrying his luggage, ready to enter the station and purchase a ticket. He felt somewhat depressed. His original purpose ining to Amber City was to make contact with Jack and join the Circus organization. Even on the train halfway here, Jack had approached him with a mission, and things were going very smoothly. But unexpectedly, just because he epted a hiring by the God¡¯s Love Guild and had a slight conflict with a gang under the Circus, he was directly dered to have failed the mission. Since that path was blocked, Gan Ziwen also nned to leave Amber City. By coincidence, a few hours ago, he had received a message from the vice-guild master Landon, instructing him to rush to a small town outside Amber City to gather. He was told that there was a small vige nearby that had discovered two wild BOSSes, waiting for him toe over and start the group. Upon hearing this, Gan Ziwen immediately felt his fighting spirit reignited. ¡°If I can¡¯t make it with Jack here, I still have other paths to take! During the closed beta, only Honey Fool and I advanced to be Transcendents, but now, with the public beta, there have already emerged ten Transcendent yers¡­ I can¡¯t let them catch up to me, I must keep increasing the distance! It¡¯s just strange, Honey Fool has been out of contact for the past two days, and I don¡¯t know where he went.¡± He thought to himself. Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his way. Gan Ziwen looked up in confusion. ¡°Pris?!¡± He eximed in surprise. The young man standing before him had the ID ¡°Pris¡± above his head. He knew of this solo yer who was recently involved in a PK ¡°show¡± at ck Messenger Square. Though he hadn¡¯t been there in person, he had watched it via live stream. ¡°A solo yer who lucked out with Jack¡­¡± Gan Ziwen thought to himself. ¡°Pris, why are you blocking my way?¡± He frowned and said. Pris, dressed in a ck suit, looked at him indifferently and spoke with a cold expression: ¡°Gan Ziwen, you are now on the ¡®Circus¡¯s Kill-on-Sight List¡¯¡­ Will youe with me on your own, or shall I take you?¡± Upon hearing this, Gan Ziwen¡¯s eyes widened. He had never heard of this, and he was actually wanted by the Circus?! But on second thought, even if that was the case, he definitely couldn¡¯t surrender without a fight. ¡°Hmph, you think you can catch me just by yourself¡­¡± Just as Gan Ziwen was about to make his move, out of the corner of his eye, he saw over a dozen uniformed Investigators, holding flintlock guns, surrounding them. ¡°Damn you Pris! You even called the people from the Shelter!¡± He dropped his suitcase and turned to run. Pris let out a coldugh and his legs transformed into those of an antelope, chasing after Gan Ziwen. He didn¡¯t rush, trailing him from a distance. This ce was right in front of the train station, where there were too many people, making it unsuitable for a confrontation. Although Pris was on a mission, which fell under the category of w enforcement,¡± if civilian casualties were too high, he would lose some rewards, which would be counterproductive. In this manner, the chase ensued, with Gan Ziwen unknowingly running towards a secluded riverside area. Whoosh! Pris leapt several times in session, quickly moving to intercept Gan Ziwen. ¡°Since you¡¯re so stubborn, I¡¯ll just have to suppress you here!¡± His antelope legs disappeared, and his hands manifested a crocodile head that lunged viciously at Gan Ziwen. Seeing this, Gan Ziwen knew he was far slower than his opponent. With a fierce look in his eyes, he drew his curved knife from his waist and shed at the crocodile head. ng! Both took a step back, evenly matched in strength. ¡°The closebat ability of a [Sailor], indeed respectable!¡± Prisplimented. The next second, he lunged again, his [Crocodile Bite] continually attacking, forcing Gan Ziwen to rapidly swing his knife. nk nk ng! What annoyed Gan Ziwen was that Pris¡¯s crocodile head was covered in a thickyer of keratin, which his curved knife couldn¡¯t damage at all. After a few minutes of entanglement, Pris suddenly shifted back to his antelope feet, moving with a few agile steps that left Gan Ziwen dazzled. Immediately, a pain struck the back of his neck! He was firmly bitten by Pris¡¯s hand¡ªthose crocodile jaws¡ªand carried in his grasp. Crack, crack, crack¡ªbones breaking made his teeth chatter. Gan Ziwen went limp, lifted by Pris. ¡°Worthy of a yer who became a Transcendent during the internal test, much more formidable than those under Dongyang.¡± Pris exhaled, steadying his breath for a moment, and said lightly. Sweat had also begun to form on his forehead. But that was about it. Ever since he started following Jack¡¯s path, obtaining his legacy, his own strength was enough to look down on all yers at the current stage. ¡°¡ªPris! Let me go! I will talk to the guild leader, give you enough money privately, isn¡¯t that better than just doing a mission?¡± Gan Ziwen, spitting blood, was already incapable of speaking, so he sent a message to Pris via the panel. He was horrified inside, not expecting Pris to be so strong!@@novelbin@@ Both were [Sequence Nine], yet he was defeated in just a few minutes, which didn¡¯t make sense! Pris shook his head, however. ¡°¡ªYou better just go squat in the ¡®Undying Prison¡¯. Maybe in a few years, you¡¯ll have a chance toe out.¡± ¡°¡ªDamn it, curse you! You¡­¡± Pris cut off themunication, picked up Gan Ziwen, turned around, and looked at arge, fat man approaching. ¡°Leave it to me, this is still my first attempt at something Mr. Jack has assigned.¡± Noah put down his easel and then began to paint Gan Ziwen. Witnessing this, Gan Ziwen felt an intense fear. ¡°A core executive of the Circus! Bloody Painter Noah?! What exactly is he nning?!¡± Without a moment¡¯s dy. Gan Ziwen could feel all the strength being drained from his body. [Your Supernatural Power has been captured by ¡°Bloody Portrait¡±, sealing your Main Profession [Sequence Nine ¨C Sailor]! Duration: 168 hours!] Chapter 253: 189: Executioner Squad (Two in One) Chapter 253: Chapter 189: Executioner Squad (Two in One) Spirit World. In a light blue, blurry vision, seven figures were moving at high speed. All of them were dressed in uniform suits, cloaked in ck overcoats. This was an elite Transcendent squad from the Shelter¡ªthe ¡°Executioners.¡± ¡°Captain Aesop, we should be close to Amber City in Gem State, right?¡± One of the young men spoke up. ¡°Mm.¡± The middle-aged man leading them responded with a hum. ¡°It¡¯s taken us over half an hour to shuttle from Fossil City to Amber City in the Spirit World, all to suppress ¡®Akebin Kowal¡¯ as quickly as possible¡­ The Judge has issued a kill-on-sight order; we must execute him on the spot!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Yes, Captain!¡± The other members responded in unison. Their speed was so fast that the surrounding scenery was a blur, flickering by like slides in a presentation. This was made possible by the numerous city anchors controlled by the Shelter, allowing the Executioner squad to shuttle precisely and reach their destination with utmost speed. Soon, within their vision in the Spirit World, they could make out the outline of Amber City from afar. ¡°First we should go to the Amber City Shelter. The highest official there is a student favored by the Judge. As basic courtesy, it¡¯s best we notify them¡­ and besides, the information about Akebin came from her,¡± Captain Aesop said. The other members had no objections, silently nodding in agreement. While the Executioner squad wasn¡¯t under the jurisdiction of the Shelter¡¯s regr departments and didn¡¯t need to report to the local branches when carrying out missions, it was a sign of respect to the Judge Rudolph. At that moment, however, Captain Aesop suddenly shouted in a deep voice: ¡°Everyone, stop!¡± The members were startled and stopped in their tracks, immediately looking ahead following their captain¡¯s gaze. On the side of the hazy main road outside the city, a figure was gently leaning against a contorted, indistinctmp post, with a pitch-ck longsword stuck at his feet. This person was d in battered and dented ck armor, with a wolf-head iron helmet on his head. He appeared as though a knight just returned from the battlefield. ¡°ck Knight¡­ Bales!¡± Captain Aesop narrowed his eyes and spoke in a grave tone. The knight slowly stood up, clenched his fist, and with a ng, drew the ck sword from the ground. ¡°Executioner squad, I¡¯ve been waiting for quite some time.¡± A deep male voice emanated from within the wolf helmet. ¡°Mm¡­ Six Sequence Seven, one Sequence Six, today you¡¯ll all be buried here¡­¡± ¡°Be careful!¡± Captain Aesop shouted explosively. But the ck Knight¡¯s figure had already vanished. The next second. An Executioner member behind Aesop¡¯s widened his eyes in shock, trembling as he lowered his head. At his chest, a ck sword protruded, blood gushing forth. Pthth¡ª! The ck Knight, with his back facing the man, withdrew the sword with a reverse grip, carrying along a trail of Blood Beads. With a whooshing sound, he flicked the ck sword, flinging the blood in an arc across the ground. The critically injured Executioner member thudded to his knees, clutched his chest, and screamed in pain. However, his cries abruptly stopped the next second as the ck Knight stomped and broke his neck. Crack! ¡°Moor!!¡± The members of the Executioner squad cried out in distress. ¡°You damned bastard! Go to hell!¡± Two members, full of rage, unleashed their Supernatural Power; one¡¯s body became shrouded in shadows, disappearing into them, while the other was surrounded by vapors, his muscles shing with electric arcs, both charging at the ck Knight. These were a Sequence Seven assassin from the Conspiracy Faction and a Sequence Seven Shark Fighter from the Deep Sea Faction! ¡°Pathetic bluster.¡± The ck Knight casually reached out and plucked a man right out from his own shadow below, his fingers tightly gripping the man¡¯s face. His other hand holding the ck sword, he brought it down hard, the dazzling purple sword light slicing through the mist in front of him along with the man himself, cleanly bisected. The Executioner squad lost another member! ¡°Bales! You, an A-grade wanted felon of the Empire, dare to show your face and ambush the Executioner squad here!¡± Captain Aesop bellowed,pletely disappearing in an instant. But the ck Knight was indifferent, tossing the man he held to his right; with a thud, the body hit something invisible. Aesop was forced to reappear, holding his own teammate, his expression changing drastically. Only a minute ago, the young man in his arms was still lively, now he was already lifeless. ¡°His soul dissipated¡­¡± Aesop¡¯s hands trembled, his heart bleeding. These were his longtimerades, battle buddies entrusted with life and death, yet now theyy dead before him. His anger, unspeakable, surged forth. ¡°Captain!¡± However, at that moment, the other three surviving members of the Executioner squad eximed in rm. The ck Knight clenched his fist and lifted it toward the sky. This area, with a radius of thirty meters, suddenly plunged into nightfall; the people couldn¡¯t see their own hands before them. ¡°Bales!!¡± Captain Aesop¡¯s eyes reddened as he roared loudly. But silence enveloped the area, and the voices of his teammates were no longer heard. As a Sequence Six Shadowless of the Conspiracy Faction, he excelled in stealth and assassination, but when facing the ck Knight, he felt incredibly powerless. This former captain of the Moon Church¡¯s ¡°Purple Moonlight¡± squad, now a turncoat, had terrifying directbat power, and Aesop feared he was no match.@@novelbin@@ Aesop¡¯s hands shaking, he took out a small light bulb from his chest; this was the ¡°Spotlight Bulb,¡± a Grade B Mysterious Object they had acquired from the Fossil City Shelter for this mission to suppress Akebin. It could effectively restrain the target within a small circle of light. The cost was a short-term increased dependence on light sources, falling into the negative effect of ¡°fear of the dark.¡± Chapter 255: 189: Executioner Squad (2-in-1)_3 Chapter 255: Chapter 189: Executioner Squad (2-in-1)_3 He turned his head to look at Floey and found that she had already left the living room and run to the kitchen. ¡°You better have something important.¡± Chen Lun took a deep breath and said. The frog-headed messenger blinked its eyes fearfully and handed over a simple silver cube, trembling. After Chen Lun took it, the messenger turned and shrank back into the spiritual realm without looking back, vanishing without a trace. ¡®Inside this is¡­ the supernatural materials and mystic books I previouslymissioned the Silver Dragon Trade Association to acquire.¡¯ He examined the silver cube the size of his fist and found that it contained several cubic dimensional spaces filled with supernatural materials and mystic books. This kind of silver cube is the ¡°premium parcel¡± of the Silver Dragon Trade Association, a disposable item. Once the client removes the items inside, it will self-disintegrate. ncing towards the kitchen, Chen Lun sighed inwardly. He then began to take out the contents of the cube and, because there was too much stuff, he had to clear the coffee table before dumping everything onto it. With a bang, the silver cube shattered into countless pieces and then dissipated. ¡®What an amazing power, is this the Silver Dragon Trade Association¡¯s special craft¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun nced at the air. He focused his attention on the coffee table and after a quick check, he found that there were over a hundred portions of various supernatural materials, costing over 1800 Gold Pounds in total. As for the mystic books, there were thirty-two volumes. These were the real money swallowers, costing over 7500 Gold Pounds, which made Chen Lun broke once again. This was already after Rosa gave him some discount because of their good rtionship, otherwise, it would have been even more expensive¡­ and it wouldn¡¯t have been guaranteed that he could acquire so many mystic books. ¡®Knowledge is indeed an extremely expensive luxury¡­¡¯ Chen Lun mused. * * * After returning to his room, Chen Lun skimmed through the thirty-two mystic books. The Sun, Moon, Deep Sea, and Earth sects had five books each; the Constetion and Flesh Factions had four each; the Magic Faction had two; Nature and Conspiracy had only one each, and he didn¡¯t see any from the Destiny Faction. ¡®Nature, Conspiracy, and Destiny are hidden pathways. Mystic books are lessmon in cirction for them, which is understandable¡­ but to have not even one book from the Path of Destiny!¡¯ Chen Lun frowned slightly. He picked up two particrly worn-looking books from the pile of books on the table. ¡®The Spiritual Realm Messenger specifically marked these two as being six or seven times more expensive than the others, belonging to the Constetion and Flesh pathways¡­ After a cursory flip-through, the knowledge inside seems much deeper and more obscure, most likely containing Sequence Eight supernatural knowledge!¡¯ Chen Lun exhaled deeply. ¡®I was originally nning to umte some Skill Points by reading mystic books, it seems I was being a bit na?ve¡­ However, after slowly finishing these books, I¡¯ll gain a great deal of Experience Points and two pieces of Sequence Eight supernatural knowledge, and deepen my Mystery Studies knowledge, which isn¡¯t bad.¡¯ He stretchedzily and looked out the window. ¡®I haven¡¯t finished reading the ¡°Cat God Doctrine¡± enshrined in the Cat Town spire, I should be able to umte some Points from it!¡¯ * * * Some more time passed. On this day, all the Circus yers active around Amber City received a letter delivered by a Golden-winged Sparrow without exception. They opened it with curiosity and found that it was sent from Mr. Jack. The content was concise and clear, Jack stated he felt the call from the Immortal Realm once again. That world was restless, and a terrible disaster known as ¡°Pollution Tide¡± was about to erupt, needing the help of these foreign champions¡­ Of course, the rewards were very generous. ¡°¡ª¡ªEveryone, there¡¯s a big mission again! A high-level instance rted to the ¡®Immortal Realm¡¯!¡± Dongyang spoke up in the previous chat room. ¡°¡ª¡ªI received it too.¡± Chenxi responded. ¡°¡ª¡ªSounds like a defense battle, which is much better than the previous blind explorations, and suits us more! (Excited emoticon)¡± Doghead Gold spoke. ¡°¡ª¡ªThese days I¡¯ve been in the sewers clearing out those gue rats, I¡¯m almost numb, and the rewards are miserly¡­ Finally, some good news! Jack, I bloody love you!¡± Horseman spoke. ¡°¡ª¡ªSo it¡¯s still us few going down?¡± Forget No Taboo spoke. ¡°¡ª¡ªI might have to swap out someone here, Kuang Benkuang has gone to another city to take newbies.¡± Dongyang replied. ¡°¡ª¡ªHoney Pomelo won¡¯t be joining either, she recently took a task with Honey Fool and isn¡¯t operating in Amber City. If you don¡¯t have someone in mind, I can bring in another officer to fill the team to ten.¡± Chenxi spoke. The others had no objections. ¡°Then that¡¯s settled, the day after tomorrow, meet at Jack¡¯s estate ¡­ @Su Keying @Pris @A Joyful Tune Ending in a Sorrowful Wei Yin, please respond if you receive this.¡± Dongyang said. Su Keying and Wei Yin responded shortly after indicating they received the message.@@novelbin@@ ¡°¡ª¡ªMhmm.¡± Pris replied. Chapter 258: 190: The Whereabouts of the Last Quarter (Two in One)_3 Chapter 258: Chapter 190: The Whereabouts of the Last Quarter (Two in One)_3 Two white cats then led the way, with yers following behind. The White Cat Warriors whispered to each other, chatting quietly about something, asionally ncing back at the yers. ¡°What are they talking about?¡± The Horseman posted in the chatroom. ¡°They might be amazed by our strength, since all ten of us are Transcendents, and their ¡®Savior¡¯ at that!¡± Doghead Gold replied. ¡°Are these the summoned creatures of the Lord? They look so weak.¡± ¡°Yes, they probably couldn¡¯t even beat the weakest among the White Cat Warriors. But we shouldn¡¯t question the Lord, he must have his reasons.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡± The two white cats conversed softly. Dongyang watched Doghead Gold silently and then dumped his scouting results in the chatroom. ¡°You haven¡¯t even seen the attributes of these White Cat Warriors, they are way higher than ours! Although not as high as the ck cat we met earlier, they would still easily kill us.¡± ¡°Damn, I¡¯ve be a Transcendent and I¡¯m still inferior to a cat!¡± Doghead Gold said. The group chatted idly in the chatroom, and before they knew it, they had followed the leading White Cat Warriors into the town and up onto the city wall. They encountered a one-eyed white cat and a short-legged tabbying towards them. ¡°Dear warriors, we will be counting on you next.¡± Daye, the High Priest, spoke. The group sent out scouts towards these two cats, secretly rmed by the consistent unknowns and stark danger alerts.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Leave it to us, Mr. Daye.¡± Dongyang pped his chest. ¡°We will definitely help hold back the onught of the Pollution Tide!¡± ¡°In that case, let me thank you on behalf of Kazt¡¯s white cats.¡± Daye said. He whispered some instructions to the one-eyed white cat beside him and temporarily left the wall. The one-eyed white cat, Kappa, surveyed the ten yers and then said: ¡°This wave of the Pollution Tide is particrly wary of mes; we can exploit this weakness to deliver effective blows¡­¡± He detailed some intelligence that Daye, the High Priest, had previously foreseen. The yers listened attentively. Elsewhere, in the central white spire of Kazt Town. Chen Lun sat on the top floor, flipping through the Cat God Doctrine. For a month now, he had taken the time to read this mythical book, and today he finally reached thest page. [¡°Cat God Doctrine¡± (Current Progress: 100%)!] [From careful reading, you gained 1000 Experience Points, 1 Skill Point, and 1 Attribute Point!] ¡°Phew¡­¡± Chen Lun let out a sigh of relief. The entire ¡°Cat God Doctrine¡± had brought him a total of 20000 Experience Points, 5 Skill Points, and 5 Attribute Points, which was quite powerful. Of course, this was also due to the boost from his own ¡°Collector of Knowledge LV1 (Blessing)¡± which enhanced the experience gained from reading mystical books. ¡®Adding to the Attribute Points gained from yers dying in the Immortal Realm previously, I¡¯ve now saved up to 14 points. Time to boost some attributes.¡¯ Chen Lun smiled. He brought up his panel, swiped gently with his fingers, added 8 points to Strength, 2 points to Endurance, and finally 4 points to Intelligence, using up all his Attribute Points. His Strength had finally reached the lower Sequence threshold of 50 points, with Endurance and Intelligence evenly matched at 40 points. ¡®My Strength has finally caught up with my Agility. Now, I am faster and fiercer!¡¯ He clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking. Chen Lun was about to close the Cat God Doctrine, then check on the yers¡¯ condition. But just then, he discovered a folded corner on thest page of the book. ¡°Huh?¡± He smoothed out the corner and saw a message written in deep blue ink ¡ª it was from Philip: ¡°My friend, first of all, congrattions on making it to Kazt. Likely, you¡¯ve been warmly weed by the cat residents just like I was back in the day. No helping it, being too charming is also a curse. The Pollution Tide in Kazt has been around for a long time. I¡¯ve investigated its source, and it seems toe from deep within the Gloomy ins, where there is a canyon¡­ However, I advise you not to go there before advancing to [Magician], as it¡¯s quite dangerous. Oh, and to keep you from staying too long in Kazt, here¡¯s a little tip¡­ Thest quarter of the [Magician] Supernatural Knowledge that I¡¯ve hidden at the border between Kazt and the Gloomy ins, under the biggest rock¡­ Also, there¡¯s a gift for you. ¡ªYour friend, Philip¡± Chen Lun¡¯s heart raced as he read this message. ¡®Thest one-fourth of [Magician] Supernatural Knowledge!¡¯ He put down the Cat God Doctrine, stood up, ¡®Then I¡¯m heading out now to get it!¡¯ Boom! From outside the spire, a vague noise ofmotion was heard. Chen Lun looked out through the transparent crystal walls, and saw that the Pollution Tide was ominously nearing the city. The yers¡¯ defense battle was about to begin! Chapter 263: 192: Curse Removal!_2 Chapter 263: Chapter 192: Curse Removal!_2 ¡°` Therge ck rat on the ground suddenly got startled, turned around, and ran, panickedly bumping into a corner of the coffee table. The fruit knife on the table lost its bnce, fell down, and chopped its head off in a clean stroke. ¡°This¡­ this is?¡± Noah appeared very surprised. Chen Lun¡¯s smile grew wider as he softly spoke: ¡°The curse has taken effect¡­¡± At the same time, he pondered inwardly: ¡®Indeed! I can indeed predict the effect of the bullet through [Divination]¡­ This is probably thanks to the not-insignificant weight of my divination, coupled with the help of the blessing [Shining Nova], which was able to overwhelm the interference shielding inherent in this Destiny Faction Mysterious Object.¡¯ Chen Lun recalled the description of the [Wheel of Fortune], which would reset the bullets inside after another 24 hours, so he carefully stored the revolver. He turned his head to look at Noah. ¡°Noah, this time tomorrow, I will take you to get rid of the curse on your body.¡± The shy chubby boy was at first startled, then his face lit up with joy. He shyly smiled and nodded emphatically. ¡°Ok! Mr. Jack!¡± * * * The next day. Chen Lun took Noah to the courtyard of the manor. ¡°Are you ready? Noah.¡± He turned his head to look at the tall, chubby boy beside him and said with a smile. Noah, not clear on Chen Lun¡¯s intentions, nheless trusted himpletely and shyly nodded. ¡°I¡¯m ready, Mr. Jack.¡± ¡°All right¡­ Later, I will take you into the Spirit World, and then we will seek out a creature from the Spirit World that can rid you of the curse on your body,¡± Chen Lun said. Though shorter in stature than Noah, he reached up to grab the other¡¯s thick arm. The next second, Chen Lun focused his attention, staring straight ahead. With Insight granting him a powerful Gaze, he quickly spotted the blue, profound rift leading to the Spirit World. He stepped forward and made direct contact. Boom! The two of them were instantly swallowed by the opening rift. Noah, having not reached Mid Sequence, was utterly unable to detect the rift with his own Insight, but with the help of Chen Lun, he too entered the Spirit World. The chubby boy was momentarily bewildered, only feeling Mr. Jack pulling him forward one step, then the scenery around him shifted, as if entering a blurry and indistinct zone. He could vaguely make out the scenes of the manor, yet felt a distant, unattainable illusion. ¡°This is the Spirit World¡­?¡± Noah was astonished. ¡°Yes, before advancing to Mid Sequence, it¡¯s unusual for Low Sequence Transcendents toe here¡­ Even if they did, it would be very dangerous for them,¡± Chen Lun exined. He took out the [Wheel of Fortune] and used ying cards for Divination; the result predicted that the second bullet would be the curse bullet ¡°Sudden Disaster¡±. ¡®Noah carries a high-rank Flesh Faction curse, and I have the [Poison of History] curse on me. But that¡¯s not enough¡­ it¡¯s not sufficient to draw ¡®Mr. Bottle¡¯s attention.¡¯ Chen Lun aimed at his own chest and fired twice! Bang bang! [You are under the amplified effect of ¡°Center of Attention¡±! Charm +5,sts 24 hours!] [You are under the diminishing effect of ¡°Sudden Disaster¡±! You have been cursed with ¡°The Wayward,¡± which will cause you to unconsciously lose your way and enter bypaths! Duration: 24 hours!] ¡®Not bad¡­ like my divination result, its danger is rtively eptablepared to other high-intensity curses. Plus, I got an extra 5 Charm points, which helps if Mr. Bottle shows up.¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. The [Nature¡¯s Favor LV2 (Blessing)]granted him the effect of +2 to his [Beast Tamer] skills, and the inheritance from Philip, the [Friend of Animals], was also enhanced, reaching a level that could influence Supernatural Creatures. ¡°Noah, curses are the things that attract that creature from the Spirit World. Like a shark, it wille following the ¡®scent of blood¡¯ from the curses¡­ The more and stronger the curses, the higher the likelihood of its arrival,¡± Chen Lun observed Noah¡¯s confusion and exined. ¡°I see, Mr. Jack,¡± Noah nodded, showing gratitude. ¡°But you shouldn¡¯t have to bear this curse for my sake¡­¡± Chen Lun didn¡¯t answer him but just shook his head slightly, showing little concern. He didn¡¯t want to add more pressure on Noah. Besides, he was confident about handling the curse himself, and shooting himself carried no burden.@@novelbin@@ This silent response made Noah even more grateful. He thought to himself, Mr. Jack truly treated him as family¡­ just like he said when Noah first joined the Circus. ¡°I must repay Mr. Jack¡¯s kindness, follow my mother¡¯s teachings, always stick by him, serve as his personal painter, and leave behind his legendary artwork that will be passed down through the ages!¡± Noah vowed in his heart. As the seconds ticked by, Chen Lun couldn¡¯t help but frown slightly. ¡®Mr. Bottle still hasn¡¯t appeared¡­ What could be the reason? Could it be that at this time, it hasn¡¯t shown up yet¡­?¡¯ As he contemted, an idea suddenly struck him. So he put away the revolver and took out the Silver Pot, donning it himself. This was based on another piece of information about Mr. Bottle; it had a close friend named ¡°Mr. Pot¡±. Wearing the Silver Pot might enhance his attractiveness to it. This time, indeed, something changed. Not long after, a soft exmation was heard all around. Appearing before their eyes was a colossal bronze pot, as tall as a man, adorned with strange patterns and designs that dizzied the onlooker if gazed upon for too long. At the mouth of the pot, the head of a man emerged, his skin dark, hairless, withyers of circr tattoos ovepping across his face. Chapter 265: 193 Silver Pot Knight Flun! Chapter 265: Chapter 193 Silver Pot Knight Flun! An unnamed wilderness. Under a certain tree. ¡°Hiss¡­¡± Drake leaned against the tree, his face marred with injuries as he drew out his mouth and lit a cigarette. ¡°Akebin, how¡¯s it going, did you scout anything out?¡± Akebin turned around, holding a ss jar in his hand filled with a pale-yellow transparent liquid, in which an eyeball attached to blood vessels was soaked. The eyeball writhed like a living creature, but its surface was covered with blood vessels, betraying a look of agony. ¡°Nothing¡­ the Eye of Shadow has been backfired upon.¡± Akebin said gravely. He wasn¡¯t wearing the crow mask at the moment, revealing the weather-beaten face of a middle-aged man, his unkempt beard indicating a long period of neglect. ¡°So, shall we head directly into Amber City now¡­?¡± Drake asked. Akebin shook his head. ¡°Since we can¡¯t get any information, let¡¯s wait a little longer¡­ let me finish the experiment.¡± He acted as though he didn¡¯t see Drake¡¯s impatient look and continued, ¡°Not far ahead is another vige gued by disease, just the right ce for the ritual¡­ With it, that makes five, which should be enough.¡± Drake took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke. ¡°Fine¡­ you have it your way. I¡¯m going to the Spirit World to vent. Damn it, that was so close to kicking its lid off!¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Akebin responded indifferently. ¡°Just don¡¯t go getting killed by a creature of the Spirit World¡­ When my work here is done, let¡¯s enter Amber City together¡­ To avoid the blockade of the Shelter, we¡¯ll need to investigate as quickly as possible once we¡¯re there, directly seizing and interrogating the wrongdoer!¡± Drake scoffed, discarded his cigarette butt, and stepped into the Spirit World, vanishing from sight. * * * Gem State, Lime Ash City. A massive jewelry exhibition hall. Two middle-aged men dressedvishly were chatting jovially in front of a disy case containing a huge diamond. Surrounding them were many elegantly dresseddies, admiring the jewelry while expressing their amazement. Some sessful men in suits were conversing in hushed tones, and plenty of journalists bore cameras and badges, jotting down notes. But the focus of everyone there was on the two men at the center. One was Earl Lawson, whose ancestors¡¯ fief was in Lime Ash City. By his generation, thanks to the family¡¯s umtion of wealth, along with numerous connections and intelligent rtives, they had amassed a substantial fortune. Earl Lawson¡¯s purpose for visiting the exhibition was to discuss some major jewelry deals. The man he was talking to was Kafli, responsible for this jewelry exhibition and also the president of the hostpany, Meidan Jewelry Company. The centerpiece of the exhibition, situated before them, was the diamond named ¡°Light of the Century,¡± valued at an astounding 7650 Gold Pounds. The two men were negotiating gifting this ¡°Light of the Century¡± to a duchess of the Sun Royal Family as a birthday present. They nned to leverage the exhibition to make a name for their jewelrypany so that their business could extend to another State City, or even Royal City. At the entrance of the exhibition, apart from the numerous burly ck-clothed bodyguards, stood some dainty-looking girls, also in ck, who seemed to be part of the security team. Many of the nobles and wealthy merchants attending the exhibition couldn¡¯t help but whisper about them. ¡°¡ª Vice Chairman, I feel this mission isn¡¯t simple. Honey Pomelo stood by, her face expressionless, maintaining a valiant bodyguard posture, while covertly messaging in the chatroom. ¡°¡ª Yes, the mission Honey Fool took on has reached B-level, so it must be quite challenging¡­ Moreover, the ¡®Earl Lawson¡¯ we¡¯re to protect holds a high rank. The mastermind behind the assassination will surely send powerful enemies, so we must not let our guard down.¡± The Vice Chairman of the Chuxi Guild, ¡°Sunny Xiaoyu,¡± replied. Honey Fool, who had left Amber City due to being wanted by the Circus, was standing beside her. ¡°¡ª I and Honey Pomelo are already Sequence Nine Transcendents. As long as the assassin isn¡¯t a Mid Sequence Transcendent, there shouldn¡¯t be much of a problem.¡± Honey Fool replied. ¡°¡ª I have confidence in you two¡­ and the Circus gear that Chenxi Guild Master bought for us are really useful. Though I¡¯m not a Transcendent, I can still offer you some fire support¡­ Moreover, there are many other bodyguards here, and they¡¯re not pushovers.¡± Sunny Xiaoyu was in good spirits, encouraging them. Besides the three of them, several other female members of the Chuxi Guild stood silently by. Upon seeing the messages, Honey Fool sighed internally. She had recently learned that the Guild Master had cleared two high-level instances in Jack¡¯s ce, growing rapidly and already surpassing her in strength. She regretted that if she hadn¡¯t epted themission from the God¡¯s Love Guild, she might still be enjoying those benefits at the Circus. Furthermore, the sisters in the Chuxi Guild would have to rely on her to exchange for special gear and items.@@novelbin@@ Though Honey Fool was not one to seek the limelight, helping friends and receiving their thanks and praise was something that made her feel good. ¡°¡ª Let¡¯s do well in this mission, grow quickly, and be able to lead the other new members who¡¯ve just joined the game.¡± Sunny Xiaoyu messaged. The exhibition went smoothly, and apart from a journalist who identally farted during President Kafli¡¯s speech, which led to his embarrassed departure amidstughter, nothing unexpected happened. Chapter 266: 193: Silver Pot Knight Flun!_2 Chapter 266: Chapter 193: Silver Pot Knight Flun!_2 Earl Lawson didn¡¯t know what had been discussed with Kafli, but he left the exhibition¡¯s Great Gate with a spring in his step. Sunny Xiaoyu and two other yers, along with a dozen bodyguards, followed closely behind him. However, just as Earl Lawson was about to board the carriage, a newsboy shouting advertisements ran past him. Nearly everyone failed to notice that the newsboy had pulled out a flintlock gun from his bag. Sunny Xiaoyu casually threw a Scout, but the next moment her face turned pale, and she shouted: ¡°Protect the Earl! That kid is an assassin!¡± Hearing her warning, the bodyguards immediately rushed forward, tensely surrounding Earl Lawson to shield him from the attacking from the shadows. Several bodyguards also pounced toward the newsboy, trying to tackle him to the ground. The newsboy, confused about where he had made a mistake that led to his exposure but having no time to think further or keep his cover, raised his flintlock and pulled the trigger towards Earl Lawson. Bang! The bullet was blocked by the body of a bodyguard; Earl Lawson wasn¡¯t injured. The newsboy¡¯s eyes showed regret and unwillingness as he got punched twice, spat out blood, and was then subdued and pinned down by three or four burly bodyguards. In the ensuing chaos, everyone sprang into action, even more vignt as they encircled Earl Lawson. The Earl retreated continuously, his anxiety palpable. ¡°Go! Escort me home quickly!¡± Startled, he bellowed loudly. But at that moment, five more people leaped down from the rooftop above them. These five, dressed as workers, appeared to have been setting up advertisement boards and banners for the jewel exhibition on the upper floors. Surprisingly, they too were assassins! Bang! Bang bang¡­! They fired their flintlock guns mid-air towards the people below, killing several bodyguards. After tumbling to the ground, they discarded their firearms and each pulled out a ck dagger, ughtering their way through the bodyguards like wolves among sheep. The killers only had one target, Earl Lawson, and the bodyguards in front of them were obstacles to be quickly eliminated. ¡°They¡¯re five Transcendents from the ck Knife Brotherhood! All of them Sequence Nine Thieves!¡± Sunny Xiaoyu, having thrown a Scout, said to the two yers beside her. ¡°We need to move! These ordinary bodyguards can¡¯t stop them!¡± The yers from the Chuxi Guild made their move. Honey Fool tossed a scroll into the air, which burst into a strange red symbol. The guild members, including other bodyguards on the scene, immediately felt inspired, their fear receding and their desire to fight surging, fearlessly engaging the killers inbat. Bang bang bang¡­! The female yers pulled out blunderbusses the president had bought for them and opened fire. The killers cursed silently and swiftly evaded, suffering only minor injuries. Honey Pomelo drew a short bow, nocked an arrow, and shot at one of the killers. ¡ª¡ªWhoosh! The killer¡¯s expression changed as he pulled back the dagger he was about to stab into a bodyguard and dodged to the side. But the arrow was too fast and seemed to have anticipated his evasive move, piercing through his chest. Blood sttered as the killer grunted and fell to the ground. Bang! Sunny Xiaoyu fired her blunderbuss to finish him off, killing him on the spot. ¡°Well done!¡± Earl Lawson¡¯s face was pale as seven or eight of his bodyguards were killed by the assassins in just a few breaths, and he himself was in grave danger. Seeing the female bodyguards cooperate to finally kill one of the fearsome assassins filled him with hope, and he cheered loudly. ¡°Kill them all! I¡¯ll quintuple your reward!¡± Earl Lawson shouted to Sunny Xiaoyu and the others. Although the bodyguards were influenced by the ¡°Bloodthirsty Art¡± from Honey Fool¡¯s Magic Scroll, and theirbat desire was ignited, they were merely ordinary people and could not match the skill of the killers. The four remaining killers quickly dispatched the remaining ordinary bodyguards. ¡°There are still two Transcendents, finish them off quickly! The Shelter will be here any moment!¡± One of the killers said.@@novelbin@@ ¡°No need to waste time, have two people hold them off while the rest of us kill Lawson, then we all leave together!¡± Another killer responded. After a brief exchange, they split up with clear tasks and efficiency. Thus, two of the four killers charged at Honey Fool and Honey Pomelo, while the other two went for Earl Lawson. ¡°Quick! Stop them!¡± Earl Lawson, his legs weak with terror, screamed loudly. Honey Fool, merely a Schr, was no good in closebat; if an assassin got close, she would likely be easily killed. With a moment ofposure, she threw another scroll and then closed her eyes. Hum! A bright light erupted from the scroll, and the killer rushing towards her was momentarily blinded, cursing and hastily retreating. Meanwhile, Honey Pomelo, relying on her agility, dodged the killer by running circles around him, weaving back and forth near the carriages parked at the entrance of the exhibition. But since the killer was a Thief, which also implied agility, Honey Pomelo didn¡¯t have the advantage. Fortunately, she asionally turned back to shoot an arrow, widening the gap between her and the killer and bringing them to a temporary stalemate. However, the two Transcendent yers couldn¡¯t free their hands to help their employer, Earl Lawson. ¡°¡ª Vice President! We¡¯re being held back, it¡¯s up to you now!¡± ¡°¡ª I can only say I¡¯ll try my best.¡± Sunny Xiaoyu replied briefly, pulled out her blunderbuss, and took the lead in shooting at the two killers, trying to disrupt their movements. Chapter 267: 193: Silver Pot Knight Flun!_3 Chapter 267: Chapter 193: Silver Pot Knight Flun!_3 The other guild members followed the deputy chief¡¯s actions and pulled their triggers as well. Bang! Bang bang! But they had underestimated the Transcendents. The two assassins quickly sensed the danger, didn¡¯t even look back as they dodged to the side, and countless steel balls hit nothing but air. One of the assassins turned around, sneered coldly at them, and continued to charge toward Earl Lawson. ¡°¡ª¡ªIt¡¯s over! Our attacks have beenpletely ignored by the enemy; the mission is going to fail!¡± Sunny Xiaoyu spoke bitterly. The other yers¡¯ faces changed drastically at once. This was a once-in-a-lifetime mission, was it going to fail just like that?! ¡°Ah!!¡± A woman¡¯s scream rang out. It turned out the rich patrons at the exhibition had alle out of The Great Gate, and they happened to see the dead bodies everywhere outside. And assassination attempts were still ongoing; two assassins had already reached Earl Lawson and had even raised their ck knives. Just when everyone was frozen in shock. There was a sound¡ª¡ª ng! A man with a Silver Pot helmet appeared out of nowhere in front of Earl Lawson, holding an old-fashioned longsword in his hand, casually blocking the assassins¡¯ ck knives. ¡°!!¡± The assassins showed a look of shock. Because this weird Silver Pot man had appeared suddenly, without any warning! Everyone present was stunned. More and more noble patrons wereing out from the exhibition, horrified, gathering together to watch the scene from a distance. Many of them were worried about Earl Lawson¡¯s safety, as most of them were beneficiaries of this exhibition. Honey Fool and Honey Pomelo, two yers, also stopped fighting with the two assassins. The suddenly appearing Silver Pot helmeted man, puzzling the assassins, chose to temporarily regroup with their partner. Honey Fool and Honey Pomelo looked at each other, also somewhat surprised. ¡°Who are you?!¡± The assassin blocked by the Silver Pot helmet asked in a deep voice. Chen Lun was startled. ¡®Who am I?¡¯ He looked around; the surroundings were a bit unfamiliar to him. Some things he hadpletely ignored at the moment; his mind was a bit jammed. He saw many nobles and rich patrons, as well as several yers, among whom Honey Pomelo and Honey Fool were familiar faces. ¡®They are yers?! Are they on a mission? It seems they are in trouble¡­ Oh, I remember now, I am the good guy who helps yers!¡¯@@novelbin@@ A strong emotion suddenly surged up in Chen Lun¡¯s heart, which was the desire to help others, to assist weak yers. He turned his head towards the assassin, and said in a righteous andmanding tone: ¡°I am the incarnation of kindness and justice! You can call me ¡®Silver Pot Knight Flun¡¯!¡± He held the Kazt Longsword in his hand and wore a Silver Pot on his head, looking very odd. Yet, matched with his words, there was an indescribable sense of conviction. ¡°Never heard of it¡­¡± The assassin¡¯s face twitched. ¡°Quick battle, quick decision! Kill him! And then kill Lawson!¡± Four assassins attacked together, their ck knives thrusting directly at vital parts of Chen Lun¡¯s body such as his throat, heart, and ribs. The onlookers gasped. ng! ng ng! The Silver Pot helmeted man wielded his longsword leisurely, blocking each of the four ck knives, creating dazzling sparks. He seemed somewhat distracted, tilting his body and looking down in thought. But even so, the assassins, sweating profusely, could not get the slightest advantage over him. ¡°¡ª¡ªI¡¯ve lost scout, this NPC called ¡®Silver Pot Knight¡¯¡­ how to put it, very strong! Incredibly strong! All attributes are invisible, danger level is ¡®extremely deadly¡¯!¡± ¡°¡ª¡ªIs he a helper for this mission?¡± ¡°¡ª¡ªProbably not, looks like a random encounter¡­ But it¡¯s very likely he is some mysterious virtuous character!¡± Sunny Xiaoyu and the others exchanged intense messages in the chat room. ng ng ng¡­! The attack in the arena continued, with Chen Lun one-handing his sword against the four assassins while he was lost in thought. ¡®I am Silver Pot Knight Flun! I need to find a way to help the yers! Eh¡­ No, I am Chen Lun, Jack Spett and Flun are just my aliases¡­¡¯ Unbeknownst to him, the sapphire-like earring was flickering with light, and the Silver Pot on his head also shrouded in silver mist, unknowingly sinking him into a deeper state of emotion. ng¡ª¡ªng! Chen Lun suddenlyunched an offensive. With a light flick of his sword, he sent an assassin¡¯s ck knife flying, and then the de fell swift and deadly! With a squelch, blood sprayed. The head of the assassin in front of him soared high, like a kicked ball rolling away. The other three assassins were startled at once. But in that instant, a sword light of gold mixed with a hint of purple burst forth in front of them, blossoming with a beautiful flower unlike anything they had ever seen. The tall Silver Pot helmeted man hadn¡¯t moved a step from beginning to end, yet his sword changed unpredictably, shing out countless streaks of light. The three stood there stunned, then staggered back a few steps, falling backwards, murmuring: ¡°Such a beautiful sight¡­¡± With a thud, their bodies copsed like falling bricks, scattering across the ground. The noble onlookers gasped again. Sunny Xiaoyu and the others rushed over and surrounded Earl Lawson. ¡°Earl, are you hurt?¡± ¡°No¡­ no harm done, I¡¯m very grateful for your protection! Rest assured, my promise will not be broken.¡± Earl Lawson said, his face still showing signs of fear. The yers were inexplicably thrilled because with the death of the assassins, the B-rank mission was also deemedplete! They looked again at the Silver Pot helmeted man, this powerful NPC who exuded an innate sense of justice, not just from his dialogue and actions, but also from the aura he constantly radiated¡­ It was infectious! Sunny Xiaoyu thought deeply, her eyes flickering. A notion she had long since abandoned was reignited by this Silver Pot helmeted NPC. ¡°Maybe, I can try again¡­¡± Sunny Xiaoyu thought to herself. Just then. Among the crowd of onlookers, two men looked at each other expressionlessly. They slowly sank into the ground until they disappeared. The next second. Four hands suddenly stretched out from the ground at Earl Lawson¡¯s feet. The sharp-eyed nobles shouted warnings, but it seemed toote. The hands had already firmly grasped Earl Lawson¡¯s legs! Two ck knives thrust straight upwards! Chapter 269: 194: Promotion! Magician Jack!_2 Chapter 269: Chapter 194: Promotion! Magician Jack!_2 She originally nned to name her guild ¡°Little Wild Chrysanthemum¡±, but after meeting that Silver Pot Knight, she changed her mind. ¡°This name is so cute!¡± ¡°We will promote you a lot on the game forum, but try to filter the yers who want to join the guild, to prevent some scum from getting in¡­¡± ¡°Right, right! And take extra care of the girls, just like we do in Chuxi Guild!¡± ¡°¡­¡± The girls chattered away, offering advice to Sunny Xiaoyu. Seeing this, she burst into a smile. Perhaps even Chen Lun hadn¡¯t anticipated that his idental intrusion would once again cause Destiny to veer off course. The guild ¡°Little Wild Chrysanthemum¡±, originally established by Honey Fool in her previous life, would no longer exist. Instead, it was Sunny Xiaoyu¡¯s ¡°Little Silver Fox¡± that came into being, all deeply connected to him. The Chuxi Guild was highly efficient. That very afternoon, ¡°Little Silver Fox¡± appeared as the sole subsidiary guild on the Chuxi Guild¡¯s information list. As the ¡°Little Silver Fox¡± began its promotion, a post about the ¡°Silver Pot Knight¡± also appeared on the game forum, personally uploaded by Sunny Xiaoyu. She recounted some of her past experiences in a subdued tone, ultimately leading to the original intention behind the establishment of ¡°Little Silver Fox¡±, and emphasizing her encounter with ¡°Silver Pot Knight Flun¡± and the NPC¡¯s strong personal charm. Although their time together was brief, one could feel a sense of genuine justice emanating from him, not like a stiff set of data, but more like a real, valorous knight, making one can¡¯t help but want to befriend him. Every yer who had seen the post became curious about Sunny Xiaoyu¡¯s guild, and many new yers who had just started ying the game wanted to join. They were also quite interested in ¡°Silver Pot Knight Flun¡±. Is there really such a righteous and kind NPC?! Even the Vice Chairman of Chuxi Guild was so moved by him that she left to establish a guild dedicated to helping newbies! It wasn¡¯t long before. Another post dered that the author had personally met Silver Pot Knight Flun! Indeed, just as Sunny Xiaoyu said, he was a knight brimming with a sense of justice! Moreover, this NPC Flun also moonlighted as a ¡°Mysterious Merchant,¡± selling some blind boxes! The author actually got a Mysterious Object from a blind box! Once the post was published, its poprity soared, quickly moving into the top ranks of the day¡¯s hot topics! * * * ¡°Hahaha¡­ My only w is that I love to gamble! Look at this silver pot, big and round, you might just find a Mysterious Object inside!¡± On the main road outside of Lime Ash City, a man wearing a silver pot on his head sat on the ground with a vintage long sword nted beside him. Heughed as he spoke, pointing at a row of silver potsid out in front of him. A few passing yers stopped, hesitant. ¡°Your pot can really produce Mysterious Objects?!¡± ¡°Hahaha, of course!¡± the Silver Pot-headed man asserted confidently. ¡°I hate liars more than anything in my life, no one is more honest than me, the Silver Pot Knight!¡± After some deliberation, these yers dug deep and pooled together ten Gold Pounds to buy a pot. They took several deep breaths, rubbed their hands together, and muttered things like ¡°Fortune Profound Yellow Celestial,¡± ¡°Goddess of Luck,¡± and ¡°Heavenly Official¡¯s Blessing,¡± before finally smashing the silver pot open with force. ng! A box of matches fell out. ¡°Damn it! Just some damn matches for ten Gold Pounds?!¡± One of the yers cursed loudly. But when hispanion picked up the matchbox, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly shook his red-faced friend, saying: ¡°We got it! We got one! It¡¯s a Mysterious Object!¡± ¡°What?! Let me see!¡± The yer took the matchbox, and upon receiving a notification, he was overjoyed. ¡°It¡¯s true! It¡¯s a Mysterious Object!!¡± The group of yers cheered and jumped for joy. Seeing this, other passing yers became curious and gathered around. After a brief chat, they too learned of the strange Silver Pot-headed man sitting by the road, the Mysterious Merchant selling Mysterious Objects, and they couldn¡¯t wait to try their luck. ¡°I know him! Silver Pot Knight Flun! I just read about him in a post. The Vice Chairwoman of Chuxi Guild, Sunny Xiaoyu, left because of him to start her own new guild!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the scoop? I¡¯m going to check it out!¡± ¡°Moreover, people have confirmed that this NPC is really good, and will even help newbies¡­ These pots are definitely worth buying! At the very least you can get some Supernatural Wine and ordinary Flintlock Guns, and if you¡¯re lucky you could actually get a Mysterious Object!¡± ¡°Damn, gotta buy them all!¡± ¡°¡­¡± More and more yers approached Chen Lun to buy silver pots, with some rejoicing and others in despair. Those who got ordinary items were dejected, secretly nning toe back after saving money, while those who got Mysterious Objects were jumping for joy, ecstatic beyondpare. And so the afternoon passed. At dusk. Chen Lun had sold out the big batch of junk and the substandard products forged by Floey that had umted in his Blood Poem Ring. ¡°Don¡¯t miss out as you pass by! Come look,e see, there are treasures hidden inside the silver pots that will make you stronger!¡± The Silver Pot Knight called out.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Come on,e on, make your money work for you! Just ten Gold Pounds for a chance to win a Mysterious Object worth hundreds!¡± At that moment, another group of yers approached Chen Lun. The Silver Pot-headed man spoke enthusiastically: ¡°Hey, brave warriors from afar, today is another day full of hope, isn¡¯t it? How about buying a silver pot to try your luck?¡± One of the yers chuckled lightly. Chapter 270: 194 Promotion! Magician Jack!_3 Chapter 270: Chapter 194 Promotion! Magician Jack!_3 ¡°How much for one of these pots?¡± ¡°Ten gold pounds.¡± The yer widened his eyes and sneered: ¡°Damn! Even if this pot were made of silver, it wouldn¡¯t be worth that much!¡± ¡°Ha-ha, you couldn¡¯t get Mysterious Objects out of those other pots.¡± The Silver Pot Knightughed heartily, not minding thement. After discussing in the chatroom for a bit, the yers said: ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take one.¡± ¡°How about this one?¡± Chen Lun casually pointed at one and said. The yer hesitated. ¡°Is there a guaranteed value with this pot?¡± ¡°As a Silver Pot Knight, I¡¯ve never deceived anyone in my life. Would I sell you an empty pot?¡±@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun pped the silver pot on the ground, which made a nging sound. Only then did the yer happily hand over the money. ng! When the silver pot was smashed, a flintlock gun ttered out. The yer picked it up and his eyes immediately widened. ¡°Is this it?¡± He yelled furiously. ¡°Give me my money back!¡± Hispanion pulled him aside and said in the chatroom: ¡°¡ªThis NPC is over 20 levels higher than us, with all unknown stats. Let¡¯s not mess with him¡­ We¡¯ll lose levels if we get killed!¡± ¡°¡ªNo worries, I know him; I¡¯ve read about him on the forums¡­ Heard he¡¯s from the Good and Lawful camp, he won¡¯t start a fight easily, so rx!¡± Just as they were getting aggressive and rolling up their sleeves to confront the Silver Pot Knight. Chen Lun suddenly paused. ¡®Where am I¡­?¡¯ He nced left and right, frowning slightly on the face hidden inside the silver pot. ¡®I remember removing a curse for Noah in the Spirit World, then I returned to the present world¡­¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s expression changed. More and more memories returned to him. He was ambushed by an unidentified mysterious scout just as he was stepping back to the present world, which triggered ¡°Maggie¡¯s Tear¡¯s¡± protection. Although it blocked the probing, it also caused a side effect of ¡°heightened emotional sensitivity.¡± And more coincidentally, he had used the ¡°Wheel of Fortune¡± and his Luck Points had dropped to a negative number, causing him to identally travel to Lime Ash City next door and appear right in front of yers like Sunny Xiaoyu. Owing to his long-standing belief that he was a ¡°good person¡± who helps yers, the side effects of the Silver Pot really made him indulge in this self-deceptive notion, while the ornament¡¯s side effects amplified this emotion¡­ The resultant effect was much more than the sum of its parts. ¡®So I¡­ unwittingly created this alias ¡®Silver Pot Knight Flun¡¯ amidst all these coincidences and am actually enjoying selling these pots here?!¡¯ Chen Lun couldn¡¯t help butugh and cry at the same time. ¡°Hey! Are you listening?! Hurry up and give me back my money¡­ not just that, you have topensate me, or what is this if not a scam?!¡± The yer in front of him insisted relentlessly, pressing Chen Lun for a refund. The yers just saw the Silver Pot, who had been silent, suddenly lift its head. The smooth and starry potpletely concealed the indistinct gaze below. ¡°¡ªDon¡¯t worry! He won¡¯t make a move.¡± That yer still reassured hispanions in the chatroom. ng! Suddenly, a pale purple sword light shed. The yers felt a pain in their necks and immediately, a prompt popped up¡ª [You have died!] They all dissipated in a burst of white light. Chen Lun casually stood up, gathered all the silver pots from the ground. ¡®What a mess¡­¡¯ He shook his head, opened his character panel and suddenly froze. On his Main upation entry, a new line had appeared¡ª [Magician LV1] (Destiny Faction) Chapter 272: 195 To be continued_2 Chapter 272: Chapter 195 To be continued_2 ¡°Only one skill?!¡± Surprise showed in his eyes. [Magic Tricks LV1] Skill Description: As a magician¡¯s signature trick, it¡¯s rtively entertaining and somewhat deceptive¡­ Of course, it also has its lethal aspects. Currently, your proficiency in tricks is not high, and you have only mastered the most basic one¡ªCard Throwing Knife! You can infuse the cards with Supernatural Power and throw them out, causing damageparable to, or even surpassing, that of throwing knives. Your throwing skills and uracy have improved, as if you have been an expert thrower for many years. Chen Lun pondered for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s a pretty good skill, but for a [Sequence Seven], it¡¯s still a bit weak¡­ After all, having undergone the transcendental transformation, there should be more than just one skill.¡± He scrutinized the [Magic Tricks] skill once more, noticing that its description hinted at the issue of proficiency. ¡°So, it¡¯s because its level is too low¡­?¡± Seemingly understanding something, Chen Lun tried adding a few Skill Points to [Magic Tricks]. [Magic Tricks LV2]! [You have explored and trained for a long time, and have grasped a new trick¡ªLevitation!] [You can make yourself or an inanimate object float like a balloon, hanging in the air without any support, but cannot move quickly!] ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± Chen Lun chuckled lightly. If he were a native NPC Transcendent, then as the skill description suggested, he would need to go through a long period of exploration and study, umting enough Mystical umtion, to grasp new magic tricks¡­ But he was not! After ncing at the 16 remaining Skill Points he had, the corner of his mouth lifted, and he silently thought: ¡°Add points!¡± [Magic Tricks LV3]! Ding! Chen Lun consequently grasped another new trick¡ªDamage Transfer! He could redirect any fatal injury he received to other non-fatal parts of his body. For example, if shot in the heart, he could move the wound to his arm or thigh, minimizing the damage. Chen Lun didn¡¯t stop to look closely but chose to continue adding points! [Magic Tricks LV4]! [Magic Tricks LV5]! Chen Lun raised his eyebrows because he noticed the skill didn¡¯t disy as Max Level. ¡°This skill¡­ can still be improved!¡± His eyes gleamed as he didn¡¯t stop the action of adding points. Though the skill required two points instead of one after level 5, he didn¡¯t care at all. [Magic Tricks LV6]! [Magic Tricks LV7]! ¡­ [Magic Tricks LVMAX (10)]! The constant Dingding sounds echoed; it took Chen Lun a total of 14 Skill Points to max out [Magic Tricks]. The tricks he grasped besides Card Throwing Knife, Levitation, and Damage Transfer included a total of five more!@@novelbin@@ They were Body Separation, Five Senses Perception, Great Human Transformation, Cage Disappearance, and Restoration. Body Separation¡ªallows one¡¯s body to temporarily split without bleeding or pain, perform actions that mortals can¡¯t do, and be used for surprise attacks, avoiding enemy damage, and various other scenarios. Still, if separated body parts are not reverted to their original ce for a long time, real injury can ur. Five Senses Perception¡ªconnects sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch to each other, granting sensory channels beyond mortalprehension. For instance, reading a newspaper with fingertips, listening to flowers bloom, or even smelling the contents of others¡¯ conversations. Great Human Transformation¡ªadvanced magic that can instantly move oneself or others to any ce within 50 meters around. This magic trick appears somewhat simr to Flicker and can work on a third party. Its essence is more like a ¡°Swap.¡± Because this magic trick requires certain conditions: first, a ¡°Swap Object¡± must be prepared in advance, leaving a ¡°Magic Mark¡± on both parties. Second, a piece of cloth must be used as a misdirection prop, which is also a ritual tool. Third, both individuals involved in the swap must be within 50 meters. Cage Escape¡ªadvanced magic, can be used for swapping ces with any object within 50 meters, just with a nce, whenever one is trapped or meets the conceptual criteria of being confined, controlled, or suppressed. This skill only applies to oneself. Restoration¡ªadvanced magic that can restore damaged or broken inanimate objects to their original state but has time limitations. ¡°[Destiny Faction¡¯s Sequence Seven¡ªMagician]cks destructive powerpared to some other Sequences, but its life-saving ability is first-rate, and it is mysteriously adaptable and versatile with a high upper limit,¡± Chen Lun offered a quick assessment, smiling with contentment. ¡°Even though it appears that there¡¯s only one skill, it actually includes eight magic tricks¡­ and all of them are highly practical. Especially the Great Human Transformation and Cage Escape skills, they significantly enhance my survival capabilities! Truly the power level of a Mid Sequence Transcendent!¡± Chen Lun nced at the Experience Points he had¡ª [Experience: 216600/1900] ¡°[Magician]¡¯s Level cap is 30, and after the Total Level of 50, each Level up requires 5000 Experience Points, with an additional increase of 500 points each time¡­ Having umted 210,000 points, although I can¡¯t Level up on the spot as before, it¡¯s still enough for me to Level up by a dozen or twenty levels!¡± Chen Lun directly used all his Experience Points on [Sequence Seven¡ªMagician]! ¡°Add points!¡± Ding! Dingdingding¡­! The golden light invisible to others flickered wildly. Chapter 273: 195 To be continued_3 Chapter 273: Chapter 195 To be continued_3 ¡°` [You feel your body has been enhanced! Life Points Upper Limit +690, Physical Strength Points Upper Limit +210, Sanity Value Upper Limit +10, Strength +7, Endurance +7, Agility +14, Intelligence +14, Insight +6] [You have gained 21 Skill Points and 21 Attribute Points!] Experience Points werepletely used up, and Chen Lun felt that he had grown significantly stronger. Crackling sounds echoed throughout his body. ¡®Not enough¡­ still far from enough! Add more!¡¯ Chen Lun grinned. He used up all the 21 Attribute Points he got from leveling up, distributing them evenly, and continued to develop in the direction of a ¡°Hexagonal Warrior¡±.@@novelbin@@ After another wave of improvements, Chen Lun exhaled a long breath and brought up his stats panel¡ª Name: Chen Lun Race: Human (Eastern Continent) Temte: NPC Level: 71 Experience: 6600/15500 Life: 2000/2000 Physical Strength: 730/730 Sanity: 40/40 Main upation: [Sequence Nine ¨C Beast Tamer LV10 (MAX)][Sequence Eight ¨C Diviner LV20 (MAX)][Sequence Seven ¨C Magician LV21](Destiny Faction) Sub upation: [Recorder LV10 (MAX)][Brewmaster LV10 (MAX)] Attributes: Strength 66 (+4), Agility 66 (+2), Endurance 58 (+4), Intelligence 58 (+2), Faith 7 (+2) Special Attributes: Charm 23 (+11), Willpower 22 (+7), Insight 39 (+2), Luck 5 (+2) Regional Fame: 17 Remaining Points: 24 Skill Points, 0 Attribute Points, 0 Special Attribute Points, 0 Blessing Points Remaining Assets: 757 Gold Pounds, [Low Sequence Mysterious Substance]*10, [Low Sequence Pure Substance]*4 Skills: Beast Speech LVMAX, Animal Mimicry LVMAX, Friend of Animals LVMAX (Passive), Transcription LVMAX, Survival of the Fittest LVMAX (Passive), Divination LVMAX, Peeping Eye of Fate LVMAX, Spiritual Intuition LVMAX (Passive), Bloody Fine Brew LVMAX, Knight Swordsmanship LVMAX (Passive), Bales Moonlight Rapid Sword LVMAX, Bales Moonlight Greatsword LVMAX, Magic Tricks LVMAX Blessings: Nature¡¯s Favor LV2, Shining Nova LV1, Collector of Knowledge LV1, Combat Power: 356 [Evaluation: You havepleted a transcendental transformation and ascended to the ranks of Mid Sequence Transcendents. You have reached a new tier within the Mystic Realm¡­ but your transcendental journey is just beginning! No matter what challenges lie ahead, always face them with a smile. Allez!] Chen Lun looked at his panel and was quite satisfied. After ascending to a Mid Sequence Transcendent, he had undergone a transcendental transformation, not only improving in all aspects but also acquiring Mysterious Resistance that low-sequence transcendents do not possess. This is a type of ¡°resistance¡± to higher mysteries, preventing him from being contaminated by the mysterious and killed off like ¡°small fry.¡± Additionally, after the promotion to [Magician], the skills of the two former sequences, [Beast Tamer] and [Diviner], had also been strengthened to a certain extent. Chen Lun found that the ten memory slots of [Animal Mimicry] had five more slots capable of holding the traits of supernatural creatures, plus the two slots provided by the original [Nature¡¯s Favor LV2 (Blessing)], making it seven! ¡®Find an opportunity to seek suitable supernatural creatures and rece the ordinary animal traits with theirs¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. Ding-ding-ding¡­ Ding-ding¡­ It was at this moment that he felt a ringinging from the Blood Poem Ring, and upon taking out the object, it was the very Token [Bottle¡¯s Bell] given to him by Mr. Bottle. It was vibrating slightly as if conveying some kind of message. ¡®Mr. Bottle is summoning me¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun raised an eyebrow. He thought for a moment that now, having officially ascended to a Mid Sequence Transcendent, it would be a good time to enquire Mr. Bottle about the anchors in Amber City, and thus use the ¡°Spirit World Shuttle¡± to return to Jack¡¯s Manor. ¡°` Chen Lun focused his attention and consequently saw through the spirit world rifts surrounding him, taking a step towards them. Boom! The azure rift of the spirit world ¡°opened its mouth¡± and swallowed Chen Lun, who disappeared from this world. * * * Gem State¡¯s capital, Fossil City. At the very top of the tallest building in the center of the city stood a massive round metal sign, unseen by mortals. Triangr at the base, its surface featured a crossed flintlock gun and hand, bearing three giant letters ¡°CMP¡± ¨C the acronym for the Shelter¡¯s full name. The spacious office featured floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a clear view of the Purple Moon hanging outside. A series of huge incandescent lights fashioned into a triangr pattern were set into the ceiling, casting the office in a light as bright as day. A middle-aged man sat alone behind a desk, holding a ck fountain pen and writing something on a piece of paper. The man was handsome with chiseled features and profound eyes. He had dazzling blond hair and was chewing on a cigarette, a white shirt on his chest entuated with a name tag trimmed in ck and gold ¨C Rudolf Teka, the highest Judge of the Fossil City Shelter. ¡°Time always makes one forgetful, ha¡­ Unnoticed, seven years have passed since I sat in this position. How much longer must I wait for you? Philip¡­ And that goodd, eh, Jack Spett?¡± The man emanated smoke from his cigarette, creating a misty veil that obscured his expression. ¡°I must say, the name is terribly chosen, totallycking the ir of a protagonist¡­¡± He chuckled softly. The ck fountain pen glided swiftly, its silver-tipped nib touching to the paper, leaving behind lines of deep blue ink and a soft rustling sound. The content he left behind read: ¡°¡ª Jack¡¯s promotion went smoothly. After helping hispanions lift a curse, he identally fell into another city. Due to the side effects of a Mysterious Object, he inadvertently made his debut on stage in a botched affair, a ceremony which helped him be a fledgling Magician¡­ But what he didn¡¯t know was that Jerome, the ¡®Bone Carving Monk¡¯ from the Red Apple Church, was nning an action more cruel than the gue, one that would inflict a serious psychological trauma upon those he valued¡­ Having faced his brother¡¯s death, and now confronting the loss of hisst living kin, would his once redeemed soul be once again eroded by darkness¡­? Would the power of tragedy transform into the mes of vengeance¡­? ¡­ Under the sunlight, even roses grow thorns. A red undercurrent spreads throughout this god-given ce, which is but a microcosm of a century¡¯s tragedy¡­ The Magician¡¯s sleight of hand may deceive the world, but cannot deceive Destiny. He will be the protagonist of the entire tragedy, personally ushering in the arrival of a new world.¡± The ck pen came to a halt. The man pondered for a moment, apparently not entirely pleased with the script. So, he lifted the pen once more and struck out thest sentence, writing anew: ¡°¡ª The Magician continues on the path of his predecessors, leading his Circus as they travel the world, experiencing one story after another, witnessing one tragedy after another, presenting his tricks of joy to the world, and umting enough experience for the ultimate performance¡­¡± This time, the man nodded in approval. He momentarily stopped writing, adding a ¡°to be continued¡± at the end before capping the pen. A ck snake wound around the cap of the pen, with twin ruby eyes that shone brilliantly. It seemed toe to life, wriggling around before it slithered onto the script and flicked its tongue at the footer, leaving a signature behind¡ª ¡°Written by the Tragic Author, Howard¡± in a few words. ¡°Grow quickly, for no one is more eager for your growth than I am¡­ To let you reach the final stage as soon as possible, I too will arrange for you a rugged yet splendid shortcut.¡± The man snuffed out his cigarette and gently closed the script. The unfinished script bearing the title ¡°King of Clowns¡± was already inscribed on the cover. He picked up the script, stood up, and walked over to a bookshelf, sliding it into his anthology nonchntly. In that bookshelf were many works, including ¡°Mona, Daughter of the Uncontrolled,¡± ¡°Philip¡¯s Travelogue,¡± and ¡°Tragic Prince.¡± ¡°Your story is the most exciting, the most significant¡­¡± Chapter 274: 196 Battle of the Pots (Vote for monthly tickets!) Chapter 274: Chapter 196 Battle of the Pots (Vote for monthly tickets!) Chen Lun removed his disguise, reverting to the appearance of carrying a Silver Pot on his neck. He entered the Spirit World, and at a nce, he saw two massive figures standing right in front of him. The familiar bronze vase, with a shiny bald head peeking out from the top, was none other than Mr. Vase. Beside it stood a muscr giant over two meters tall, but his head was a simple brownish-red earthenware jug without facial features, looking very ancient and even covered with green moss. ¡°Hey, Mr. Silver Pot, I¡¯m thrilled that we meet again!¡± Mr. Vase appeared enthusiastic as he greeted Chen Lun. ¡°Hello, Mr. Vase.¡± Chen Lun replied politely. Mr. Vase chuckled lightly and shook his vase body, his gaze falling on the pottery jug giant next to him. ¡°Let me introduce you, this is my dear friend I mentioned before, Mr. Jug¡­ I believe you two could be good friends.¡± ¡°Mr. Silver Pot, hello.¡± The muscr man, who previously had his arms crossed, now extended a hand and said. His voice was quite sonorous and deep, echoing from the brownish-red earthenware jug with a buzzing vibration. ¡°We look quite simr, haha¡­ but I know that you are in essence a human, whereas I am one of the Jugs born deep within the Spirit World.¡± ¡°Being of different races is not an obstacle among friends, don¡¯t you think?¡± Chen Lun stretched out his hand to shake hands with Mr. Jug. Mr. Jug and Mr. Vase burst into a heartyugh. ¡°Exactly, Mr. Silver Pot, there are no racial prejudices between friends,¡± Mr. Vase said. ¡°I came to you this time firstly to introduce Mr. Jug, so you two get acquainted briefly¡­ Additionally, there¡¯s another matter, which is to invite you to fight together!¡± ¡°Fight?¡± Chen Lun was somewhat puzzled. ¡°Yes! We of the Jug race are born warriors, keen to fight against the strong. Mr. Vase told me about you and thinks you would make an excellent opponent!¡± Mr. Jug then took over the conversation, his burly hand pping Chen Lun¡¯s shoulder, making a loud thump. Chen Lun felt a strong forceing but did not resist, knowing that it was the other¡¯s character and there was no malice. Mr. Jug¡¯s tone became somewhat puzzled: ¡°But now, seeing you, I find you do not possess a sufficiently robust physique¡­ I¡¯m very curious how you usually fight against opponents?¡± Chen Lun felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. It seemed that Mr. Jug didn¡¯t understand beating around the bush and was quite straightforward. Turning his head to look at Mr. Vase, he continued: ¡°Perhaps we should forget it then, Mr. Vase. Mr. Silver Pot doesn¡¯t seem like a seasoned warrior, and I don¡¯t want to harm this friend as a result.¡± Mr. Vase smiled and shook his head. ¡°You underestimate Mr. Silver Pot too much, Mr. Jug¡­¡± Chen Lun, listening to their conversation, knew his appearance had caused Mr. Jug to misunderstand, but he was not angry, he simply spoke softly: ¡°Mr. Jug, how about we have a small bout first? Many things can¡¯t really be discerned just by appearances¡­¡± He also wanted to test his current strength. Having just advanced to Mid Sequence, he was worried aboutcking a suitable opponent. The Mr. Jug in front of him, under his ¡°Peeping Eye of Fate,¡± had his strength data fully exposed ¡ª this was a Supernatural Creature who had reached the veteran level of Sequence Six. Although he didn¡¯t have the mysterious abilities of the Transcendent who followed the path of the Gods, he specialized in physicalbat, and his frontalbat capabilities were extremely terrifying. ¡°Ahaha! Mr. Silver Pot, I really like your attitude!¡± Mr. Jugughed. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s put our passion into it and fight with all our might!¡± ¡°Good!¡± The two of them arrived at the main street in front of the hotel, which was in the Spirit World, with everything around them appearing blurry and deserted. Even if the aftermath of the fight destroyed everything here, it would have no effect on the real world. ¡°You make the first move, Mr. Silver Pot!¡± Mr. Jug spread his arms wide, tensing his muscles, and shouted loudly. ¡°It¡¯s a warrior¡¯s courtesy!¡± Chen Lun nodded slightly, then immediately entered the ¡°Great Serpent Form.¡± Facing the powerful Mr. Jug, he could not afford to be casual. Shedding his coat and shirt, Chen Lun revealed a lean but powerful physique. Well-defined muscles, covered with dark golden scales, looked quite aesthetic. Boom!! With a stomp, the stone pavement instantly shattered, and Chen Lun streaked across as a dark golden afterimage, appearing before Mr. Jug, throwing a punch! A punch without any shiness, the air exploded with a st. Mr. Jug did not dodge or evade, also striking out with a punch. Boom!! Therge and small fists collided with a loud bang. Chen Lun¡¯s mighty punch didn¡¯t make Mr. Jug take a single step back. The Jug¡¯s body merely shook slightly, and the stones under his feet crumbled apart. ¡°Hahaha! What great strength!¡± Mr. Jug praised, throwing back a punch. With a whoosh, a fierce wind swept past Chen Lun¡¯s ears. ¡ª Snap!! Chen Lun took the hit head-on, his entire forearm throbbing with pain, sending him flying out like a cannonball. ¡®This strength¡­ it must be over 80 Points!¡¯ Chen Lun was inwardly astonished. He tumbled through the air a few times to regain his bnce and gentlynded on his feet. ¡®But this way, I can truly test my own strength¡­¡¯ Chen Lun charged forward again, engaging in a new round of direct confrontation with Mr. Jug. He began to form a shiny ck exoskeleton over his fists, which looked like a set of brass knuckles but was invisible under the leather gloves covering them. Boom! Supernatural me enveloped his fists, and a dozen or so orange-red fist shadows overwhelmingly smashed towards Mr. Jug!@@novelbin@@ Crack! Boom, boom, boom¡­! Mr. Jug remained the same, unflinching, swinging both fists hard, exchanging blows with Chen Lun. A series of dense, dull thuds resounded, like firecrackers exploding in unison. Mr. Jug¡¯s punches,nding on Chen Lun, proved too much for those dark golden scales to withstand, as they shattered and blood flowed. And Mr. Pot also found Chen Lun¡¯s fists hard to handle, with the pain and the burning of the me causing itsughter to be slightly wheezy. Bang!! Another heavy punch was exchanged by the two. Blood beads and sparks scattered in all directions, with the shockwaves visible to the naked eye dissipating around them, pebbles picked up by the hurricane, as Chen Lun¡¯s entire forearm split open. He grunted and was thrown backward in flight. Mr. Pot fared slightly better, but his body also took on the charred appearance of burnt charcoal. In midair, Chen Lun performed ¡°Molting,¡± emerging unscathed from his old skin, while four ying cards appeared between his fingers, which he flung violently. Whoosh¡ªWhoosh whoosh whoosh! The four cards flew like four des, slicing through the air and screeching towards Mr. Pot. With a few zipping sounds, the cards embedded themselves in Mr. Pot, and it began to bleed fresh red blood. ¡°What powerful techniques, Mr. Silver Pot!¡± Mr. Pot, forcing the cards out of his body, praised loudly. The next second, his body burst forth with red blood energy, and the surrounding air twisted and contorted. ¡°Be careful! This punch could take your life!¡± Mr. Pot disappeared from where he was with a bang, reappearing in front of Chen Lun the next second, his dark red and twisted fist roaring down towards Chen Lun¡¯s face. At the critical moment. Chen Lun pulled out a ck coat from his Blood Poem Ring and casually threw it over himself, covering his body. Boom!! Chen Lun vanished on the spot, reced by a blood-stained ying card! The enormous shockwave turned the card into powder, and the street¡¯s surface was plowed with a trench over ten meters long and more than two meters wide. ¡®That was close! If that punch had hit me, I¡¯d have been obliterated!¡¯ Chen Lun thought as he removed the coat, reappearing where Mr. Pot had been just a moment ago. In thest second, he had executed a magic trick that allowed him to perform the ¡°Great Human Transformation,¡± swapping himself with a preciously marked Magic Mark card to dodge the terrifying punch. ¡°Hahaha¡­ such a magical technique!¡± Mr. Pot turned around and looked at Chen Lun, who was standing not far behind him. Thump! With another forceful step, Mr. Pot propelled himself high into the air, his hands interlocked in the shape of arge pendulum, his body wreathed in blood-red energy flows, descending like a meteor! Chen Lun¡¯s hands flickered, and more cards appeared between his fingers as he shot them into the air with a whoosh. The cards streaked past Mr. Pot¡¯s body, shing open wounds, but he paid them no attention. Boom¡ªBang! The ground exploded, and Chen Lun vanished once again, reappearing midair. He had swapped ces with the cards once more! The next second. Chen Lun¡¯s hands moved rapidly, sending down a rain of card-throwing knives, with the sound of them tearing through the air never ceasing. Mr. Pot could only raise his arms to block, his body skewered with cards. Far from being annoyed that he couldn¡¯t hit Chen Lun, he instead burst into excitedughter. Mr. Pot, withstanding the onught of card knives, spread his arms wide and then brought them together with force. p!! The pping noise was immense. If any mortal had been standing nearby, their eardrums would surely have burst, and they might have even died on the spot from the concussion. A gigantic wave of blood-colored light emanated from his palms and flew toward Chen Lun in the air. Whir! The wave of light passed through Chen Lun¡¯s body and disappeared into the sky, while Chen Lun¡¯s body, split into pieces, fell from the air. ¡°Ah! Mr. Silver Pot has been shattered!¡± Mr. Pot seemed like a child who had gotten into trouble and suddenly became panic-stricken. Mr. Bottle shook his head from the side. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Silver Pot is fine.¡± Mr. Pot looked up to see ¡°Mr. Silver Pot¡¯s¡± dismembered body reassembling in mid-fall, returning to its original form. In the end, the whole person hovered over Mr. Pot¡¯s head. ¡°All right, let¡¯s stop the fight here for now¡­¡± Mr. Bottle said. ¡°My friend, what do you think of Mr. Silver Pot¡¯s strength?¡± ¡°Hahaha! Very good! Much better than that guy who can only turn into a bat and tickle me¡­ Every time he threatens to smash my pot head, he ends up fleeing in a hurry. Boring!¡± Though covered in injuries, Mr. Potughed heartily without a care. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, let us formally invite Mr. Silver Pot to join our action.¡± Mr. Bottle said. ¡°Absolutely! Fighting alongside such an excellent warrior will be an exhrating affair!¡± Mr. Pot nodded in agreement. Chen Lun, however, was somewhat puzzled as he canceled the hover and slowly descended to the ground. ¡°Action?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Silver Pot¡­ We have discovered a source of pollution in a territory of the Spirit World and n to destroy it. However, my strength is not great, requiring Mr. Pot to face it alone, which puts too much strain on him, so I thought of you,¡± Mr. Bottle exined with a smile. ¡°Mr. Pot just now was not merely itching for a fight; he also wanted to test your strength to ensure that this operation wasn¡¯t too dangerous and to avoid causing you harm.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Chen Lunprehended. ¡°So, Mr. Silver Pot, would you be interested in joining our action¡­ The turmoil in the Spirit World is intensifying, with more and more pollution sources mysteriously appearing. We¡¯d like to contribute our efforts to prevent the polluted creatures from causing irreversible damage to this world,¡± Mr. Bottle said sincerely, persuading. [Triggered C-level Quest: Pollution of the Spirit World!] Quest description: Join Mr. Bottle and Mr. Pot¡¯s team, fight alongside them, and eliminate the pollution source together. Quest rewards: 15,000 Experience Points, 30 Gold Pounds, increased Affection with Mr. Bottle and Mr. Pot. Chen Lun chuckled softly. ¡°Of course, I would be delighted to fight alongside you both.¡± Chapter 275: 197: Major Update on Animal Mimicry (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) Chapter 275: Chapter 197: Major Update on Animal Mimicry (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) Chen Lun redressed in his formal attire and casually draped the ck overcoat over his shoulders. In this way, he didn¡¯t have to dig out a piece of ¡°cloth¡± from the Blood Poem Ring as a prop every time he ¡°performed magic¡±. The ck overcoat was both convenient to use and could easily confuse his opponents. Seeing Mr. Pot still bearing wounds, Chen Lun approached and extended his hand, utilizing the powerful healing effect of ¡°Wake of Insects¡± to treat him. The bright green light filled with Life Force flickered, astonishing both the Pot and the Silver Pot. ¡°Mr. Silver Pot, I didn¡¯t expect you to possess the power to heal injuries¡­ Such a grand Life Force is something I¡¯ve never witnessed!¡± Mr. Pot expressed his surprise. Mr. Pot¡¯s injuries healed at a rate visible to the naked eye, and within a few breaths, he was restored to his former state. He moved his body, eximing praises again and again. ¡°Haha, thank you, Mr. Silver Pot!¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Chen Lun responded briefly. ¡°With you by my side, mybat will be even more exhrating!¡± Mr. Pot remarked with a sense of admiration. ¡°In that case, feel free to call on me anytime you need¡­ I have Mr. Pot¡¯s token.¡± Chen Lun said opportunely. Mr. Pot seemed delighted, and promptly took out a red bell and tossed it to him, saying, ¡°Mr. Silver Pot is indeed a true friend. This is my token. If you need to fight, you can call on me anytime!¡± Chen Lun secured the ¡°Pot Copper Bell¡±, secretly ted by this addition of substantial Combat Power! Next. Mr. Pot led the way, shuttling through the Spirit World. Chen Lun and Mr. Pot followed closely behind. Having ascended to the Mid Sequence, Chen Lun felt a certain confidence, using the Spirit World as a ¡°wormhole¡± to traverse different ces in the mortal world, provided he had an anchor point at the destination. Otherwise, it was highly possible to get lost in the Spirit World. The pale blue blurs in his vision twisted and flew past him rapidly, and within a mere few minutes, Chen Lun had traversed thousands of miles in the mortal world following Mr. Pot. ¡°Mr. Pot, do you still remember the anchor point from where we first met? If possible, please tell me, so that I can return to my home quickly.¡± While on the move, Chen Lun asked Mr. Pot ahead of him. ¡°Of course, I remember¡­¡± Mr. Pot¡¯s head rotated 180 degrees, facing Chen Lun with a lightugh, then the circr tattoo on its forehead glowed faintly, casting a beam of light that vanished as quickly as it appeared. In the blink of an eye, the beam shone onto Chen Lun¡¯s face, and the next second, his expression revealed a dawning realization. ¡°I appreciate it very much, Mr. Pot.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, we are friends, aren¡¯t we?¡± Mr. Pot¡¯s face swiftly turned back and continued to lead the way. ¡°Mr. Silver Pot, it¡¯s hard to imagine that beneath your frail body lies powerparable to the Pot kin¡­!¡± At that moment, Mr. Potmented. ¡°Aside from your miraculous methods, your body does not resemble that of a human at all, especially the scales that have grown on your skin. Even my fists can only barely break through and cannot inflict sufficient harm on you.¡± Chen Lunughed and shook his head, saying, ¡°Mr. Pot, I know you have many trump cards yet to show. Just with thest two punches you threw, had I not dodged, my body definitely wouldn¡¯t have withstood them and would have been instantly blown apart.¡± ¡°Hahaha¡­ That¡¯s thanks to our Pot kin¡¯s instinct forbat, as well as the robust physique developed from childhood, which allows the true effect of ¡®Mad Pot¡¯s Heart¡¯ to be exerted.¡± ttered by Chen Lun¡¯s praises, Mr. Pot couldn¡¯t help butugh out loud. ¡®Mad Pot¡¯s Heart?¡¯ Suddenly, Chen Lun thought of something, his eyes lighting up. ¡®After ascending to ¡°Magician¡±, ¡°Animal Mimicry¡± has been enhanced to amodate more Supernatural Creatures traits¡­ Aren¡¯t Mr. Pot and Mr. Silver Pot in front of me perfect targets?¡¯ With this thought, he gently patted Mr. Pot¡¯s stout arm. [You have used ¡°Animal Mimicry LVMAX+2¡±!] [You have learned and memorized the trait of the Supernatural Creature ¡°Mr. Pot¡± ¡ª ¡°Mad Pot¡¯s Heart¡±!] The effect of Mad Pot¡¯s Heart allows one to burn their own blood, significantly improving physical attributes and enhancing the power of attacks for a short period. Chen Lun did not expect to acquire this trait on his first try and was secretly thrilled. ¡®This is wonderful!¡¯ The sensation was like drawing a gold card in a daily gacha pull by chance, an indescribable surprise and delight. He chose to remove his original normal animal trait ¡°Stork Stomach¡± and kept ¡°Mad Pot¡¯s Heart¡±. At this moment, Mr. Pot turned around, asking with curiosity, ¡°Mr. Silver Pot?¡± ¡°Ah ha, this is a way we humans show intimacy¡­¡± Chen Lun exined. Appearing half-understanding, Mr. Pot nodded and raised his arm to p over. The strong wind pressure caused by the swing threatened to lift Chen Lun¡¯s overcoat, feeling almost like a cannonball wasing at him. Chen Lun¡¯s face changed, instinctively preparing to cover with scales to block. Fortunately, Mr. Pot stopped in time, ending up gently patting Chen Lun¡¯s arm. ¡°Hahaha¡­ I nearly couldn¡¯t control my strength. I¡¯m d to have be friends with you, Mr. Silver Pot.¡± ¡°So am I.¡± Chen Lun smiled in response, secretly wiping away a sweat. Although the previous fight with Mr. Pot had ended in a draw, he understood that the real difference in strength between them was hard to judge. Chen Lun did not have full confidence that he would be able to defeat this seasoned and powerful warrior. ¡°Mr. Silver Pot, it¡¯s a pity I don¡¯t have hands¡­¡± At that point, Mr. Silver Pot also turned around, a hint of apology on its face. It was clear that it had overheard the conversation and felt unable toplete the action of ¡°patting the arm¡±. Seeing this, Chen Lun hastened his steps, reached Mr. Silver Pot, and gently patted its bronze body. [You have used ¡°Animal Mimicry LVMAX+2¡±!] [You have learned and memorized the trait of the Supernatural Creature ¡°Mr. Silver Pot¡± ¡ª ¡°Skin of Curse¡±!] The effect of Skin of Curse was straightforward: it drastically increased resistance to curses, reduced the effectiveness of curses, and could even convert curses into one¡¯s own power. The more curses one bore, the stronger the enhancement became. ¡®This¡­ is a bit overwhelmingly powerful, this Supernatural Creature attribute!¡¯ Shock flickered in Chen Lun¡¯s eyes. ¡®No, it should be said that both of their attributes are very strong!¡¯ He quietly removed ¡°Serpentine Senses¡± and reced it with ¡°Skin of Curse.¡± After his promotion to ¡°Magician,¡± his divination abilities had greatly increased, and with the magic ¡°Five Senses Perception,¡± the utility of this animal characteristic had greatly declined. ¡ªIt would be better to just rece it. ¡®Thank you, Mr. Silver Pot.¡¯ Mr. Pot showed a smile. It felt that Chen Lun¡¯s patting was afort between friends. ¡®No, it¡¯s I who should thank you, Mr. Pot.¡¯ Chen Lun patted its pot body again, making a nging sound. Being able to obtain such a powerful attribute as ¡°Skin of Curse¡± from Mr. Pot truly exhrated him. Mr. Pot and he looked at each other, and both burst into heartyughter. Not long after. Chen Lun followed Mr. Pot and Mr. Silver Pot to their destination. Even though they were still in the Spirit World, the sights of the present world¡¯s contours were not visible; all around was a warped darkness, profound and oppressive, with a hazy blue light of unknown origin barely illuminating the surroundings. ¡®We¡¯ve arrived¡­ ahead is the source of pollution that I and Mr. y Pot discovered together, where polluted creatures are continuously emerging.¡¯ Mr. Pot spoke. ¡®We need to enter the deepest part and destroy the ¡®channel¡¯.¡¯ ¡®Understood.¡¯ Chen Lun nodded. ¡®I¡¯ll take the lead, charging ahead.¡¯ Mr. Silver Pot folded his arms, tilting his head back confidently, and buzzed. ¡®The warriors of the Pot n fear nothing!¡¯ ¡®Alright, if that¡¯s the case, Mr. Silver Pot, follow in its wake, and I will cover our rear.¡¯ Mr. Pot said.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun nodded, with no objections. Once the action began, Mr. Silver Pot immediately entered abative state, his muscles tensed, striding forward with big steps. Chen Lun followed behind, vigntly scouting the surroundings. Silently, he drew a pack of cards, shuffling them single-handedly, and conducted a simple divination. The result indicated danger ahead but nothing fatal, within a tolerable range; Chen Lun felt slightly relieved. Soon, strange shouts echoed around them. It was anguage simr to human speech, yet with a weird ent and slurred words, making it difficult to discern the specifics at first. ¡®Pain¡­ I am in so much pain¡­ Hello¡­ He hasn¡¯t eaten¡­¡¯ Gradually, the voices grew closer. Chen Lun focused his gaze and saw dozens of human heads floating in mid-air, slowly ¡®swimming.¡¯ From their necks, countless flesh tendrils spread out, making them resemble jellyfish using the air as water, contracting and expanding to propel the heads along. The faces of these heads were distorted like abstract art, their eyes, noses, and mouths not in their proper ces, jumbled as if randomly ced on a face. Without a word, Mr. Silver Pot charged forward and leaped into the air, exploding a head with a punch. Boom! ck corrupted blood sprayed out, sshing all over Mr. Silver Pot. The next second. Mr. Silver Pot grunted and staggered back a few steps. Blue smoke began to rise from his body, apanied by a stench. ¡®Be careful of their blood! It contains a high concentration of Supernatural Toxin!¡¯ After observing, Mr. Pot said. Chen Lun saw that the parts of Mr. Silver Pot¡¯s body that had been tainted with the ck blood were beginning to corrode, the muscles disintegrating, even affecting the bones. He reached out his hand, and a green light emerged once again, healing Mr. Silver Pot¡¯s injuries. ¡®Haha! Thank you!¡¯ Mr. Silver Pot took a deep breath, as the pain gradually dissipated. ¡®There¡¯s no wind here¡­ it¡¯s ufortable¡­ so many fish¡­ why don¡¯t you look!¡¯ More and more heads approached, their visages fierce, shouting nonsensical phrases. ¡®Ah¡ª!!¡¯ Suddenly, the heads screamed at Chen Lun and hispanions. The piercing sonic waves concentrated on them, and Chen Lun felt even his silver pot trembling; his head went nk, a sharp pain traveling from his eardrums to the crown of his head. ¡®This is some kind of sonic attack¡­!¡¯ he thought to himself. Bearing the splitting headache, Chen Lun¡¯s fingers flicked sharply, and ying cards flew out, piercing through the wide-open mouths of several heads, exiting from the backs of their skulls. ck blood sttered, and the ying cards, stained with it, disintegrated into ash within meters. ¡®You have killed a polluted creature ¡°Human Head Jellyfish¡±! You have gained 1800 Experience Points!¡¯ Chen Lun received the notification. ¡®The blood of these polluted creatures, their toxin seems even stronger than my ¡°Serpent and Scorpion Poison¡±¡­ what a decent trait!¡¯ he thought to himself. Boom! Taking advantage of Mr. Silver Pot¡¯s renewed assault, Chen Lun¡¯s back sprouted ck wings, and he took to the air, soaring above several of the Human Head Jellyfish. With one p, he sent a head tumbling down like a beach ball. During the moment of contact, he used ¡°Animal Mimicry.¡± ¡®You have used ¡°Animal Mimicry LVMAX+2¡±!¡¯ ¡®You have learned and memorized the polluted creature ¡°Human Head Jellyfish¡¯s¡± trait ¨C ¡°Blood of Decay¡±!¡¯ Chen Lun chuckled to himself and swapped out ¡°Serpent and Scorpion Poison¡± for it! ¡®Just in time to refresh the traits from Animal Mimicry during this battle!¡¯ he thought. Chapter 276: 198: The Spirit World Has More Than One Layer (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) Chapter 276: Chapter 198: The Spirit World Has More Than One Layer (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) Boom! A jellyfish-like creature with a human head burst in mid-air from the impact of a dark-red fist wind. ck, polluted blood rained down like a storm. After suffering the first time, Mr. Pot knew he couldn¡¯t let those jellyfish-like creatures¡¯ blood touch him, so he activated his ¡°Mad Pot¡¯s Heart,¡± with red blood energy erupting from his body. He threw punch after punch, releasing explosive gusts of wind for ranged attacks. He stood on the ground, swinging both fists, the thudding sound relentless. From a distance of several meters, heunched fist winds like cannonballs, precisely hitting the slow-moving jellyfish-like creatures that floated in the air like live targets, shattering them one by one. Chen Lun was not idle either; his ying cards moved continuously, leaving trails of afterimages, like high-velocity spinning des, piercing through four or five jellyfish-like creatures. ¡®These are all Experience Points, can¡¯t let them go to waste¡­ I haven¡¯t reached Max Level yet, this is a good opportunity to level up.¡¯ The Card Throwing Knife was much more useful than a repeating Flintlock Gun, quieter, easier to conceal, no need for loading bullets, and it was more powerful too. Chen Lun had gradually adapted to this mode of output and decided to make it his main method of ranged attack. Whoosh! Another card flew out, slicing thest jellyfish-like creature in half. [You have killed the polluted creature ¡°Giant Wraith¡¯s Skull¡±! You¡¯ve gained 1800 Experience Points!] ¡°Mr. Silver Pot, fighting alongside you is fantastic! With no concerns for my back, I feel incredibly exhrated!¡± After this round of battle, Mr. Pot didn¡¯t even seem out of breath, as if nothing had happened. ¡°I¡¯m willing to entrust you with my back!¡± Chen Lun picked up the supernatural materials on the ground, stood up, and chuckled softly. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving.¡± ¡°Be careful, those polluted creatures are nothing¡­ The greater dangers lie ahead.¡± Mr. Pot cautioned. Chen Lun and hispanions exchanged nces and then silently proceeded. Before long, new polluted creatures emerged ahead¡ªa group of headless giants mixed with some pale blue, flickering ghosts. The headless giants were over five meters tall, with bodies riddled with holes, wearing tattered armor, and wielding broken swords. The ghosts looked like soldiers¡¯ lost souls, with indistinct faces, carrying long spears, battle-axes, or swords and shields. There were about forty or fifty of them, with the majority being ghosts. Looking at those headless giants, Chen Lun guessed in his heart: ¡®Were those jellyfish-like creatures formed from the heads of these giants?¡¯ He had another feeling¡ªthat these giants and ghostly soldiers didn¡¯t seem part of the same group¡­ Rather, they seemed like fallen soldiers from both sides of a battle, now mysteriously ¡°revived,¡± unconsciously joining forces. Chen Lun threw out several cards, but they passed directly through the bodies of the ghostly soldiers. They wobbled a bit as if unharmed, and continued rushing towards him as if nothing had happened. ¡°They¡¯re immune to physical damage!¡± Mr. Pot spoke. ¡°Then let¡¯s try this¡­¡± Chen Lun muttered under his breath as he infused the card with supernatural power, and in the instant he flicked it out, he used ¡°Palm Fireworks¡± to cloak it in ayer of me. Under the enhancement of supernatural power, the card was as tough and sharp as a fine steel de, able to withstand the scorching of mes for a short time. Whoosh¡ªWhoosh whoosh! Once again, several card throwing knives zipped through the air with high-temperature supernatural mes, urately hitting the bodies of a few ghost soldiers. This time, the cards sliced through their translucent, twisted bodies and also ignited them, instantly zing like torches with fierce mes. The ghost soldiers let out sharp, piercing screams and perished in the burning. [You have killed the corrupted creature ¡°Inhabitant Lost Soul of the Dark World¡±! Obtained 1500 experience points!] ¡®As expected, effective¡­!¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s lips curled slightly.@@novelbin@@ For any target that doesn¡¯t take physical damage, supernatural mes seemed to be remarkably effective. Mr. Pot, by his side, also noticed this phenomenon and ignited his own blood, emitting a bright red blood qi from his body. He threw several punches in quick session, and the red fists winds, with the force of a decaying wood, shattered the front row of ghost soldiers. At that moment, the headless giants began to rampage, striding forward with their heavy and massive legs, crossing over the ghosts and heading straight for Mr. Pot and Chen Lun. ¡°I¡¯ll help you restrain these big guys!¡± Mr. Bottle said. The next second, the strange patterns and designs representing ¡°Curses¡± on his bronze bottle body began to glow, and then he opened his mouth to spit out dozens of ck threads, which surged out and roamed arbitrarily for a few moments in mid-air, then directly burrowed into the bodies of those headless giants. The giants either knelt on the spot or fell down powerless, or attacked other giants and the ghost soldiers on the ground in a frenzy. ¡°These are all the curses I¡¯ve collected¡­ a bit of aughing stock.¡± Mr. Bottle chuckled lightly, quietly watching the giants fall into chaos. Mr. Pot, in perfect sync with him, saw this andunched forward from the ground, propelling himself toward the group of giants. Boom! His crimson fist heavily smashed into the chest of a giant, instantly sting arge hole. The violent blood-red airflow, like a vortex, tore apart half of the giant¡¯s body. Although Mr. Pot¡¯s stature was tall, he still appeared somewhat ¡°petite¡±pared to the headless giants, but that didn¡¯t prevent him from plowing through the group of giants. Boom! Crash!! Every blow from Mr. Pot¡¯s elbows and knees carried a terrifying air pressure. The giants could not handle his simple punches and kicks, either getting knocked away or blown up on the spot. Chen Lun inwardly marveled at Mr. Pot¡¯s formidable strength, then swirled his ck cloak, its hem ring high, and vanished from where he stood. The next second, he swapped ces with the card he had first sent flying, appearing next to Mr. Pot, fighting alongside him. Chen Lun drew out his Kazt Longsword, a blessed weapon that was powerful against the undead, perfect for dealing with the ghost soldiers. ng! With a casual swing of his sword, he deflected a ghost soldier¡¯s spear and followed with a precise thrust that pierced the opponent¡¯s head. A sh of golden light passed by, and the ghost soldier, as if fatally wounded, screamed and perished on the spot. Relying on his max level ¡°Knight Swordsmanship,¡± Chen Lun quickly danced with his longsword, coordinating his body movements andbat steps, efficiently and wlessly killing one ghost soldier after another. He even took the opportunity to perform ¡°Animal Mimicry¡± several times, but the supernatural creature traits he acquired from the ghost soldiers were not so great, so in the end, he chose to give up. He then shifted his gaze to the few remaining headless giants and, in a repeat of his earlier tactic, threw out ying cards, followed by ¡°Great Human Transformation¡± to get close, and then used [Animal Mimicry] on them. Unfortunately, the supernatural creature attributes of the giants were still utterly mundane, so he felt no desire to keep them. ¡®Forget it¡­ there¡¯s no need to rush, and recing my supernatural creature attributes with theirs would actually reduce my strength.¡¯ nting a foot on a giant¡¯s shoulder, he leaped up high, evading its heavy palm strike. Then he flicked his wrist mid-air, sending out several swords, the pale purple arcs of Sword Qi flying towards the headless giant, coordinating with Mr. Pot to y it. [You have killed a pollution creature, ¡°Dark World¡¯s Giant Wraith¡±! You have obtained 4500 Experience Points!] ¡®The jellyfish heads from before were indeed these giants¡¯ skulls¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. ¡°Finally, we¡¯ve cleared this wave of pollution creatures¡­¡± Mr. Bottle opened his mouth to inhale, and dense, curse-like ck lines emerged from the corpses of the headless giants, flying up and returning to his body once more. ¡°Let¡¯s keep going¡­¡± Before he could finish speaking, the ground suddenly began to tremble. Boom, boom¡­! From the darkness ahead, a massive figure suddenly appeared. It was like an erged version of a giant, made of mud and rock, walking upright, holding a ¡°wooden club¡±¡ªmore urately, a towering tree. Chen Lun squinted, estimating the giant¡¯s height to be around thirty meters, equivalent to a ten-story building in his past life. Such a colossal being caused the Earth to tremble with its movement. Its head was a ck vortex, asionally dropping out a few pollution creatures, including strangely shaped animals, ghastly soldiers, and headless giants. Chen Lun saw the clue; that ¡°ck hole¡± on the giant¡¯s head was most likely the source of pollution Mr. Bottle had mentioned! ¡°Pottery Pot, Silver Pot, take a look!¡± Mr. Bottle said. ¡°That¡¯s the ¡®passage.¡¯ If we destroy it, this pollution source will cease to exist!¡± ¡°Hahaha¡­ It¡¯s finally appearing!¡± Mr. Pot dered fearlessly, clenching his fists together, producing a dull thumping sound. ¡°Let me go first! Ha!!¡± With a loud shout, a powerful flow of dark red energy burst forth from its body, resembling a moving red fountain. Chen Lun was pushed several meters back by the pressure, secretly impressed. Boom! Mr. Pot took a leap from where he stood, soaring high and flying straight towards the giant¡¯s head. But at that moment. ¡°Take care!¡± Mr. Bottle¡¯s expression became grave, issuing a high-pitched warning. Whoosh¡ª!! A sharp, piercing sound of cutting through the air was heard, and something invisible collided with Mr. Pot, who then plummeted straight down from the sky. Chen Lun acted decisively, pointing with his hand. ¡°Float!¡± Just as Mr. Pot was about to crash hard onto the ground, a few meters from the Earth¡¯s surface, a mysterious force lifted him, suspending him in the air and preventing another injury. After Mr. Pot gentlynded, he knelt on one knee, clutching his left chest. There, a fist-sized hole pierced through his body, and blood wouldn¡¯t stop flowing out. ¡°Ah ha¡­ ha! That really stings a bit!¡± Mr. Pot gasped for air. Chen Lun frowned and looked up, trying to gauge the slowly advancing Rock Giant, clueless about what had just happened. Mr. Bottle also asked with concern: ¡°Pottery Pot, what did you encounter just now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I didn¡¯t see anything, just felt like I was hit by something invisible.¡± Mr. Pot¡¯s voice was slightly weak. Chen Lun extended his hand and emitted a green light to heal him; thetter raised its brown-red pottery head in thanks. Mr. Bottle¡¯s eyebrows were tightly knitted. ¡°I could barely see the air¡¯s disturbance just now but failed to spot the actual object¡­ Whoever attacked Pottery Pot either has some power to hide its form or exists in a deeperyer of the Spirit World.¡± ¡°A deeperyer of the Spirit World¡­?¡± Chen Lun was surprised. ¡°Yes¡­ the Spirit World, like the present world, has deeper levels too. With my strength, I¡¯ve never glimpsed what¡¯s beyond, but I know the Spirit World isn¡¯t just oneyer.¡± ¡°Ha¡­ I feel much better now, thank you, Silver Pot.¡± Mr. Pot stood up, his chest wound fully healed. His address to Chen Lun was more affectionate, resembling how he called his dear friend, Mr. Bottle, ¡°Copper Pot.¡± ¡°Copper Pot is right, our kind, the Pot people, live deep within the Spirit World. Our tribe has an ancient belief that the Spirit World we live in now is just the initial firstyer¡­ there are deeperyers, and they are filled with dangers. Only a very few Spirit World creatures can enter there.¡± ¡°These sources of pollution are very likely from the secondyer of the Spirit World.¡± Mr. Bottle spected. Chen Lun nodded thoughtfully. ¡°So how do we eliminate this source of pollution, the giant that bears the ¡®passage¡¯? Although it moves slowly, it seems to be guarded by something invisible.¡± Mr. Pot asked. Mr. Bottle frowned, seemingly pondering a strategy. Chen Lun nced at his own panel; with the Silver Pot equipped, his Insight had reached 49 points, quite a high value, yet he still couldn¡¯t see the invisible entity that attacked Mr. Pot. After a few seconds of contemtion, he remembered something and directly took out two transparent crystal stone carvings shaped like bottles. ¡ªThey were unmistakably the Moon Alcohol and Sun Alcohol! ¡®Consuming both at the same time should give my Insight Attribute a massive boost!¡¯ Chapter 278: 199 Son of the Ancient God, Bring it On! (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_2 Chapter 278: Chapter 199 Son of the Ancient God, Bring it On! (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_2 ¡ªMagic ¡°Great Human Transformation¡±! Itpletely trusted Chen Lun, the dark red blood condensed on its fist, and it swung mightily at the ¡°air¡± in front of it! Because the fairy was hindered by the card for a moment, it had no time to dodge and could only use its scaled wings to block again, watching Mr. Pot¡¯s furious punch hit its body! Bang! A loud crash!@@novelbin@@ Then, another sound like distant thunder, the fairy was smashed to the ground, creating a big hole. ¡°I hit it! Haha!¡± Mr. Pot let out a heartyugh. It was indeed an outlet for the resentment it felt when the fairy passed through its heart. Chen Lun wasted no time, appearing instantly inside the pit and saw the fairy lying on the ground, struggling and writhing. Its body was falling apart, leaking greenish blood, and it seemed disoriented from Mr. Pot¡¯s heavy punch, faintly shaking its head. Chen Lun snapped it up with one hand. ¡®This fellow is very troublesome, it was not easy to catch¡­ Let¡¯s see what Supernatural Creature features I can get from it.¡¯ [You used [Animal Mimicry LVMAX+2]!] [You have learned and memorized the feature of the polluted creature ¡°Fairy of Dark World¡±¡ª¡±Variegated Wings¡±!] This feature allows for the appearance of two pairs of wings just like those of a fairy on your back, capable of flying at extremely fast speeds and with agility far surpassing ordinary birds; it can perform difficult maneuvers such as hovering, flying backward, and vertical takeoff andnding. Of course, the most important aspect is that these two pairs of scaled wings are quite tough, capable of deflecting attacks with high-speed vibrations. ¡®I don¡¯t know if it looks cool, but its practicality is definitely awesome.¡¯ Chen Lun chuckled silently. He decisively removed [Crow Feather] from his memory slot and reced it with [Variegated Wings]. ¡°Silver Pot, what you¡¯re holding, is that the fairy¡­?¡± Mr. Pot and Mr. Bottle moved closer, looking at what seemed to be something in Chen Lun¡¯s hand, but from their angle, it was just air. ¡°Yes, it is seriously injured.¡± Chen Lun said. ¡°We can¡¯t waste any more time¡­¡± The next second, he squeezed hard, the grip strength of 66 points Attributes, more terrifying than hydraulic pliers, directly bursting the fairy like a tomato. Pop! [You have killed the polluted creature ¡°Fairy of the Dark World¡±! You have gained 18000 Experience Points!] In Chen Lun¡¯s palm, there was a remnant of a supernatural material, the heart of the fairy, a small jewel-like glittering crystal stone. [Supernatural Material ¨C Fairy¡¯s Heart (Nature Faction)] Chen Lun stored this high-level material and looked up to see the approaching Rock Giant. ¡°Now without obstacles, we can go up.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no time to dy, let¡¯s move now.¡± Mr. Bottle said. The three of them climbed along the leg of the Rock Giant. Surprisingly to Chen Lun, Mr. Bottle¡¯s bronze pot body sprouted ck lines spreading out like spider legs, clinging to the rock as it agilely climbed upward. ¡®I was wondering how Mr. Bottle was going to get up¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought. Soon, they reached the shoulder of the giant. When Chen Lun steadied himself and saw the true nature of the ck vortex-like ¡°passage¡±, he couldn¡¯t help but be greatly surprised. At the position of the giant¡¯s head, there was a basin-sized strange white beetle. It had nine segmented legs, covered with barbs, a back shell formed of rhomboid blocks, no eyes on its head but full of dense tentacles, and a huge mouthpart that spat out a ck vortex many timesrger than its own body. ¡°Is this the ¡®source of pollution¡¯?!¡± Chen Lun voiced his doubt. ¡°Yes¡­ Almost every source of pollution has a simr creature maintaining the passage, but we don¡¯t know exactly what they are or where theye from.¡± Mr. Bottle spoke in a grave tone. Chen Lun immediately used the ¡°Peeping Eye of Fate.¡±¡ª ¡°Son of the Ancient God ¨C Didak¡± Chen Lun¡¯s pupils contracted involuntarily. ¡®Son of the Ancient God?!¡¯ He stared nkly at the silly-looking white beetle. ¡®There¡¯s another name, Son of Distadact.¡¯ It took him a few seconds to calm his fluctuating emotions before Chen Lun took a deep breath. Although this beetle had an impressive origin, it had to be eliminated now. Moreover, it seemed to pose no threat; it appeared more like a vessel used merely to maintain a ¡°channel.¡± ¡°Let me destroy it!¡± Mr. Pot¡¯s body surged with red aura, his tone murderous as he spoke. Chen Lun stopped him and said gravely, ¡°Mr. Pot, just to be safe, let me test it first.¡± Mr. Bottle also advised, and Mr. Pot hesitated for a moment, then nodded. ¡°All right! I¡¯ll leave it to you, Silver Pot.¡± Chen Lun first kept a distance and performed a divination on the white beetle, which showed no danger. He then confidentlyunched a card as a probe. Whoosh! The Card Throwing Knife struck the white beetle directly, emitting a crisp ¡®ng¡¯ sound. The card was deflected, and the white beetle remained motionless. ¡°Although it seems it won¡¯t attack us proactively, its shell is extremely hard¡­ It will be difficult for us to inflict any damage on it.¡± Chen Lun furrowed his brows. ¡°Let me try!¡± Mr. Pot crouched slightly, his aura robust, and then swung his arm back, using his waist to deliver a powerful punch. Boom!! The blood-red fist wind spiraled out, making a thunderous noise as it struck the white beetle. The ck vortex it expelled trembled slightly for an instant, then settled down again. The beetle itself merely shifted a tiny bit but remained unscathed! ¡°This?!¡± Mr. Pot was also shocked. ¡°No creature from the Spirit World dares to withstand my punch¡­It was unharmed?!¡± Chen Lun was first surprised by the white beetle¡¯s defensive power, then he came to a realization. After all, it was the Son of the Ancient God; being so powerful wasn¡¯t surprising. But he soon had another thought¡ª ¡®Can I use ¡°Animal Mimicry¡± to acquire the supernatural traits of this creature¡­?¡¯ The thought had barely crossed Chen Lun¡¯s mind when it grew uncontrobly like wild grass. He felt a surge of excitement and anticipation¡ªif he could truly possess such traits, how formidable would his defensive power be¡­? He hesitated no longer and moved next to the white beetle. [You have used ¡°Animal Mimicry LVMAX+2¡±!] [You have learned and memorized the trait of the Son of Ancient God ¡°Didak¡± ¡ª ¡°Didak Armor¡±!] ¡®I really got it!¡¯ A strong thrill of joy suddenly burst within Chen Lun¡¯s heart. He didn¡¯t know whether it was because he had consumed Sun Wine for a Luck enhancement, or if the white beetle had fewer inherent traits, achieving the ¡®achieved in one shot¡¯ aplishment once again today. ¡®This also indirectly proves that this Son of the Ancient God still belongs to the category of supernatural creatures¡­¡¯ Having acquired what he wanted, Chen Lun took out a retro small Hand Crossbow next second, turning to Mr. Bottle and Mr. Pot, he said, ¡°Let me try one more time.¡± Chapter 282: 203: The Magician Who Can Perform Magic Chapter 282: Chapter 203: The Magician Who Can Perform Magic ¡°` Roar! The hunchbacked figure that looked like a leader howled. The dozen or so Moonless Folk around it became restless, starting to look around warily. Whiz, whiz, whiz! Several ying cards shot out from the mist, hitting a few of the Moonless Folk around the perimeter. They screamed as they fell to the ground, the cards sticking in their bodies, and blood gushed out. The leader¡¯s Insight Attribute was evidently higher, and it seemed to have noticed something amiss. It raised the cane in its hands toward the fog ahead. Crackle! The ck Crystal Stone once again emitted red lightning, a twisting beam of red light shot towards the mist. Just then, a figure emerged from the fog. He casually raised his palm and caught the red lightning strike. Crack! His fingers clenched as if he burst the lightning, the tiny red arcs dancing between his fingers before dissipating. Chen Lun opened his hand to take a nce, and there wasn¡¯t a single mark on his palm. ¡®The defensive power of the Didak Armor¡­ it¡¯s indeed terrifying,¡¯ he thought to himself. By this time, he had already activated ¡°Standard Mode,¡± with two thick snake tendrils standing behind him, aimed at the encircling, spear-wielding Moonless Folk ahead. ¡°All of you die.¡± Chen Lun muttered softly. In the next second, he stepped into the enemy ranks with a burst of speed and unleashed a round of ughter. Boom! He threw a punch, and the two snake tendrils moved with it. The triple attack stacked together and heavily struck the head of one Moonless Folk, exploding it instantly. Boom! Before the headless corpse fell, he kicked another Moonless Folk¡¯s body, breaking it apart. The two snake tendrils acted like two additional arms, each moving independently, eithershing or wrapping¡­ In just a few seconds, he had killed half of the group of Moonless Folk. But at this moment, Chen Lun suddenly stopped. ¡®Too weak, not enough to be a test¡­ I¡¯ll try again after they transform,¡¯ he thought. The leader, cowering in the back, suddenly generated two bolts of red lightning with its cane and struck at him, but Chen Lun scattered them with a wave of his hand. Looking at his nonchnt demeanor, the leader was also very angry and let out a long howl to the sky. Howl!! The next second, the remaining Moonless Folk followed the leader¡¯s angry howl. Their bodies began to inte and grow like balloons. With ripping sounds, their shabby and dirty robes tore apart, and they transformed into three-meter-tall werewolves! Even the leader began to transform into a werewolf, but it was only two meters tall, quite short inparison to the other werewolves. It cunningly wielded its cane, skirting the edge of the battlefield, seemingly nning tounch red lightning sneak attacks. ¡°That¡¯s more like it¡­¡± Chen Lun showed a smile, then muttered: ¡°Extreme Mode.¡± * * * Howl! The werewolves swarmed in from all sides, their long spears raised high. The sharp ck Crystal Stone spearheads aimed at Chen Lun. The man stood still, not taking a single step. He didn¡¯t even look like a human at this point, his entire body covered in white armor, with two pairs of pale wings unfolded behind him. Dark red blood energy swirled around him like a violent wind. His overwhelming presence dominated the scene! Any werewolf that came close withered and decayed, their flesh and bones dissolving instantly; they fell one by one, without exception. Chen Lun had not even made a move, and he had easily annihted this wave of polluted creatures. He blinked, watching the scene in silence, even he was shocked. It was over in just a few breaths. The only ones left in the clearing were Chen Lun and the werewolf leader, standing in a standoff. Therge werewolf carcassesy scattered around, disintegrating and vanishing. Seeing itspanions dead, the werewolf leader showed no fear but roared even more fiercely, raising its cane to unleash red lightning. Crackle! The two bolts of red lightning flew toward him, but Chen Lun nonchntly closed his eyes. With a snap, the lightning struck his face, and after the red arcs danced for a moment, he opened his eyes as if nothing had happened. ¡°Too weak, too weak¡­¡± Chen Lun shook his head. The next second, his pale wings trembled, and he disappeared from the spot. The werewolf leader was momentarily stunned, and then five shiny ck fingers were already pressed on its head. With a flick and a rip, hot blood sprayed out. Its head was torn off by Chen Lun with brute force! Thud! The headless werewolf leader kneeled down, then copsed powerlessly. Chen Lun exited Extreme Mode and casually tossed the wolf¡¯s head, staring nkly at his own hands. ¡®This power¡­¡¯ Chen Lun turned his head to look around. The corpses of the Moonless Folk had dissolved to nothing, leaving only the supernatural materials and the ck Crystal Stones that had been used as spearheads on the ground. His gaze was profound. ¡®How strong am I in Extreme Mode?¡¯ Chen Lun himself didn¡¯t know the answer. The fight had ended too quickly; he hadn¡¯t even utilized a tenth of his power, and all the enemies were already in. ¡®What a pity¡­¡¯ Chen Lun sighed. He collected the supernatural materials from the ground and then bent down to pick up a sharp ck Crystal Stone. [Supernatural Object ¨C Dragon Sharpstone] Item description: A Crystal Stone mined from the dark ins of the Dream Realm¡¯s underground mines, containing the power of lightning and corrosion. Chen Lun¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly. ¡°There are mining tunnels beneath this ck in¡­?¡± He noted this information down. ¡°These materials, if showed to Floey, might be used to create some Mysterious Objects.¡± He then exited the Immortal Realm. * * * After returning to the present world, another week passed by. Chen Lun was reading a book in the courtyard of Jack¡¯s estate. He leaned against a lounge chair, leisurely reading through a Mystic Book under arge pale yellow parasol. On the round wooden table beside him, there were a few unfinished books, as well as pastries and brewed ck tea handmade by Floey. After a while. Chen Lun closed the book in his hand, ced it on the round table, and took a sip of the ck tea. ¡°Hmm, Floey knows my taste is the same as hers, with not a hint of sugar in the tea¡­ This ispletely different from most local nobles, who would probably find it harder to drink unsweetened tea than to eat dung.¡± He mused to himself, put down the teacup, and picked up another Mystic Book from the Magic Faction. Over the week, he had almost finished reading the thirty-two Mystic Books, with only thest two from the Magic Faction left. Combined with the Experience Points he had gained from hunting in the Immortal Realm, he had risen by 2 Levels, bringing his Total Level to 78. ¡°I¡¯ll be at Max Level soon¡­¡± Chen Lun felt pleased and began to read the Mystic Book. It was tranquil all around, with only the faint chirping of cicadas, the rustling breeze swaying the shadows of trees and the scent of flowers, which was soothing to the soul. Hours passed in this manner. [You have read a Mystic Book from the Magic Faction!] [¡°The Basic Principles and Analysis of Material Transformation¡± (Progress 55%)] [Through careful reading, you have gained 255 Experience Points!] [Through careful reading, you have gained an insight, andprehended the skill ¡°Transformation Magic¡±!] [Transformation Magic LV1] Skill Description: Years as a magician have given you a certain understanding of magic. After colliding with knowledge, you have taught yourself this profound and interesting magic. Wouldn¡¯t it be fun to turn people into animals? This is both a magic trick and magic. Skill Effect: You can transform yourself or others, or even inanimate objects into animals, subject to a weight judgment, requiring a stick-shaped object as a ritual prop. (Sess rate and duration are affected by Intelligence) Chen Lun immediately sat up from the lounge chair. ¡°I¡¯ve actually gained a skill from the Supernatural Knowledge of the Magic Faction¡­?!¡± He looked somewhat astonished. ¡°I once gained the Passive Skill ¡®Survival of the Fittest¡¯ from the Supernatural Knowledge of the Nature Faction, and it waster indeed confirmed ording to the Law of Supernatural Fusion that the Destiny Faction and Nature Faction are adjacent Sequences¡­ Could it be that the Magic Faction is also adjacent?¡± Chen Lun fell into deep thought. After a while. ¡°It must be correct, only adjacent Sequences intersect¡­ otherwise, I couldn¡¯t have gained this ¡®Transformation Magic¡¯!¡± He put down the book, took a deep breath, and murmured: ¡°Destiny, Nature, and Magic¡­¡± Chen Lun immediately brought up his panel, nced at his Skill Points which stood at 29, andvishly spent 4 Points to max out ¡°Transformation Magic¡±. With a flick of his hand, a Silver Staff appeared in his grasp, and he aimed it at the teacup on the round table. ¡°Transform.¡± Pop! A quiet puff, and white smoke exploded, leaving an orange, chubby cat on the round table. This was the animal Chen Lun wanted to transform into. However, it seemed that the orange cat had no thoughts and remained motionless like a specimen. ¡®So inanimate objects can also transform, but they don¡¯t move¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. He tried tomunicate with the chubby cat using ¡°Beast Speech,¡± but there was no response as expected; it was merely an illusion and incapable of motion. Chen Lun somewhat regretfully canceled the transformation, and the chubby cat returned to the form of a teacup. ¡®This skill could perhaps serve as a control skill¡­? On some specific asions, it may also have remarkable effects.¡¯ He turned his head and looked forward to thest Mystic Book of the Magic Faction. Several hourster. Evening twilight. ¡°Another skill!¡± Chen Lun excitedly snapped the book closed. [You have read a Mystic Book from the Magic Faction!] [Through careful reading, you have gained an insight, andprehended the skill ¡°Animal Magic Transcription¡±!] [Animal Magic Transcription LV1] Skill Description: Your past as a Beast Tamer has allowed you to gain a certain understanding of magic, and after colliding with knowledge, you have taught yourself how to transcribe the mimicked powers of animals. The distinctive powers of animals stored on a scroll, ready to be activated upon need. Skill Effect: You can transcribe some of your Supernatural Power from being a ¡°Beast Tamer¡± onto a scroll through magic transcription. (Effects and duration are influenced by Intelligence) Without hesitation, Chen Lun again used 4 Skill Points to level this skill to Max Level, then rose from the lounge chair and, with a wave of his hand, gathered the books from the round table into his Blood Poem Ring. He hastily turned and headed towards the vi, went straight upstairs, and returned to his room. Seated at the desk by the window, Chen Lun took out some materials required for Mystery Studies, including ink made from the blood of Supernatural Creatures mixed with some Supernatural materials, parchment, gold powder, and other Supernatural materials. He picked up a pen, filled it with ink, and began writing on the parchment. After a moment. A parchment filled with text and ritual patternsy quietly on the desk. Chen Lun capped the pen and exhaled deeply.@@novelbin@@ This was the only scroll he could record for the time being. [Supernatural Artifact ¨C Hand of the Snake (Magic Scroll)] Chapter 283: 204 I Feel More Comfortable Touching Chapter 283: Chapter 204 I Feel More Comfortable Touching Spirit World. Chen Lun¡¯s room appeared blurred, with all its furnishings covered in a thinyer of light blue mosaic. He sat on a chair, looking at the three scrolls in his hand, a smile emerging on his slightly tired face. ¡®It really takes a lot out of me¡­ Transcribing three scrolls in one go is my limit.¡¯ Chen Lun casually tossed one of the scrolls into the air, it unwound by itself at midair, and immediately a white python thick as a thigh sprang out and struck forward fiercely. With a loud bang, the desk shattered, and a hole opened in the wall. The white python twisted around, split from the head like a blooming flower bud, and split into five unevenly sized white snakes, thick as arms, resembling the fingers of a hand. The five white snakes frantically attacked everything around them, destroying all the furnishings in the room before dissipating without a trace. Chen Lun frowned slightly. ¡®This scroll is equivalent to a full-force punch from my ¡°Serpentine Incarnation¡±¡­ but it splits into two phases of attack, first with the python strike and then splitting into five smaller snakes for a chaotic assault.¡¯ He shook his head slightly in disappointment. The power was too weak for him, and it was both mentally exhausting and costly, making it very inefficient. Even if he threw out dozens of scrolls simultaneously, they still couldn¡¯tpare to a casual blow when he was in an ¡°Extreme State¡±. But then he had another thought. ¡®They might not be very useful for me, but I could keep them for my team members¡­ or even sell them to yers?¡¯ Chen Lun wasn¡¯t arrogant, but the fact was, at his current stage, not even a Transcendent of Sequence Seven dared to face his full-force punch head-on. If he encountered an average Transcendent of Sequence Eight, his punch could either kill or severely injure them. He looked at the two scrolls in his hand and already had a n. * * * Jack¡¯s estate. The little white cat Biebu was napping on the couch. Suddenly, it lifted its head with alert, pupils dting, ears drooping, and back arching in rm. Meow! A muchrger white cat slowly approached, eventually leaping lightly onto the coffee table, its green vertical pupils fixating on the smaller cat. The little white cat trembled, not daring to move. The big white cat miaowed softly twice; the little white cat ceased trembling and looked at it with some confusion before tentatively hopping over and sniffing the other. Biebu seemed to recognize who it was and affectionately rubbed its head against the other. A thoughtful look crossed therge white cat¡¯s eyes. ¡°Wow! What a cute big white cat!¡± A female voice rang out then. The two white cats on the coffee table turned to look, and there was Connie, watching them with a delighted expression, apanied by Floey, Noah, and Golov. Connie quickly walked to the side of the coffee table and picked up therge white cat, happily stroking it. ¡°Biebu must be lonely living alone in the estate, and now it finally has apanion! Is this a stray from around here, or did it escape from another family¡­?¡± She said this with some confusion. ¡°None of that matters; what¡¯s important is whether it¡¯s male or female¡­¡± Golov said. ¡°Maybe we could pair them up?¡± Connie seemed to find some logic in that and was about to lift therge white cat to check its gender when it spoke: ¡°Golov, that¡¯s not a bad idea¡­ why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Connie was startled and involuntarily threw therge white cat out of her arms. However, therge white catnded agilely and waspletely unharmed. ¡°Leader¡­ Mr. Leader?!¡± Hearing that familiar voice, Golov¡¯s eyes widened and he started sweating profusely after regaining hisposure. ¡°Er, I was just joking, ha¡­ ha.¡± The others were surprised; therge white cat turned out to be Mr. Jack. Floey stepped forward, bent down, and gently picked up the big white cat. ¡°Mr. Jack, how did you turn into a cat?¡± Noah asked curiously. ¡°I was just studying magic; don¡¯t make a big deal out of it¡­¡± Chen Lunzily leaned into Floey¡¯s arms and spoke. Connie looked embarrassed, having just thrown Mr. Jack. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Jack. I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Chen Lun shook his head and continued: ¡°You all go ahead; Floey, stay. I have something to exin.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jack.¡± The other three exchanged nces and left, their surprise not yet fully subsided, while Floey stood still. She turned and holding the big white cat, went to the yard and then sat on a swing. This swing was personally installed by Chen Lun, and Floey often rested there. She didn¡¯t speak, seemingly waiting silently for Chen Lun to begin. The big white cat pulled out a ck crystal stone. ¡°This is a Supernatural Power known as ¡®Dragon Sharpstone¡¯; see if you can use it to forge some Mysterious Objects¡­ If it¡¯s useful, I¡¯ll figure out how to get moreter.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Floey took it, nodding lightly. The big white cat then took out a parchment scroll. ¡°This is a Magic Scroll I transcribed myself that can release a giant python, the power is roughly equivalent to my full strike. Take it, you might need it someday¡­ Well, when I have time, I¡¯ll transcribe a few more for you.¡± Floey received it, a faint smile on her face. ¡°Thank you.¡± She gently stroked the big white cat, who looked surprised at first before closing its eyes and unconsciously purring in her arms. Floey bent slightly and brought her head close to the big white cat¡¯s ear and whispered softly: ¡°Did you enjoy Connie¡¯s petting just now¡­?¡± The big white cat opened one eye slightly, ncing at the beautiful face close by: ¡°Cough, not really.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡±@@novelbin@@ Floey nodded, seemingly believing his wordspletely. ¡°I would feel morefortable.¡± * * * After dinner. In the living room¡¯s sofa area, three gentlemen of the circus were sitting. No, to be precise, it was two gentlemen and an ugly ck cat, as Golov had been transformed by Chen Lun¡¯s magic at that moment. ¡°Mr. Jack, about Golov,¡± Noah spoke softly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, nothing will happen. I¡¯m just testing something.¡± Chen Lun stared intently at the ck cat, extending his silver staff to point gently at it. ¡°Continue transforming.¡± Bang! White smoke dispersed, and the ugly ck cat had turned into a toad. Bang! The toad once again transformed into a rat. Bang! ¡­ By the time Golov returned to his original form, he was sprawled on the sofa, sweating profusely, though it was unclear whether from exhaustion or fright. ¡°Golov, what was it like to be an animal?¡± Chen Lun asked aloud. Golov exhaled and, following the instructions previously given by the leader, he thought for a moment before answering: ¡°I felt that I could still think and move freely, but I couldn¡¯t speak humannguage or wield my supernatural powers¡­ It was as if I was sealed.¡± Chen Lun nodded in understanding. ¡®It seems transformation magic can indeed serve as a means of control¡­ but it requires proper weighting, making it not so easy to affect the more powerful.¡¯ ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, Golov.¡± Chen Lun consoled. Golov immediately sat upright, shaking his head and waving his hands continuously. ¡°No, no, it wasn¡¯t hard at all, Mr. Leader!¡± ¡°Ha ha, that¡¯s good.¡± Chen Lun chuckled lightly, causing Golov to secretly wipe away sweat. ¡°Noah, I need you to help me with something too.¡± He then turned to Noah. ¡°Is it¡­ to turn me into an animal too?¡± Noah stammered. ¡°Oh no, Golov has already been tested. I am referring to something else.¡± Noah breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: ¡°Mr. Jack, please tell me.¡± ¡°In theing period, try using the ¡®Bone Gallery¡¯ to draw portraits for our team members¡­ those that can temporarily retain a bit of their supernatural powers.¡± Noah immediately understood Chen Lun¡¯s intention, nodding with a smile. ¡°Sure, no problem, Mr. Jack.¡± * * * On the outskirts of Amber City. At the entrance of a vige. Two figures slowly left the vige. ¡°Akebin, have you finished your task? I really don¡¯t want to waste any more time.¡± Drake, with a cigarette in his mouth, said impatiently. ¡°Hmm¡­ all the preliminary work has beenpleted. Once the infected individuals recover on their own, my ¡®Vination Ritual¡¯ will be sessful.¡± The buzz came from behind the crow mask on Akebin¡¯s face. ¡°So now, can we finally go and carry out the club¡¯s task?¡± Drake exhaled smoke and nced at him. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go.¡± Akebin said. ¡°Enter the Inner City District directly from the Spirit World, where the current controller of the circus resides¡­ capture him and take him away for questioning.¡± Buzz! The two stepped forward, entering the Spirit World directly, and their figures disappeared. Momentster. They had already arrived in the Spirit World area corresponding to Amber City, the outlines of the material world city visible within their sight, albeit blurred and distorted. As the two prepared to move forward, they simultaneously turned around. They saw a team of more than a dozen ck-coated Transcendents rapidly approaching. They were menacing and clearly harbored ill intentions. ¡°It¡¯s the Shelter¡¯s ¡®Executioner Squad¡¯¡­ing after you, Akebin.¡± Drake said, his tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude. Akebin snorted coldly, speaking in a grave tone: ¡°Let¡¯s leave the Spirit World first. After we shake them off in the real world, we¡¯ll find a way to regroup.¡± Not waiting for Drake¡¯s response, Akebin left the Spirit World on his own. Drake sneered, nced at the fast-approaching Executioner Squad, and also chose to avoid their edge, following in Akebin¡¯s steps and disappearing into the Spirit Realm. The Executioner Squad had long spotted the duo of Drake and Akebin, yet they did not chase immediately. ¡°Captain Talng, that was the wanted instigator of the gue case, ¡®Akebin Kowal¡¯¡­ What should we do?¡± A young female executioner asked. The one named Talng was a middle-aged man, his sandy brown hair standing on end in the rushing wind. ¡°Our main objective this time is to round up the Dark Knight, Bales¡­ The executioner squad previously responsible for capturing Akebin was wiped out by Bales.¡± Talng¡¯s voice was hoarse. ¡°But since we¡¯ve seen him, we can¡¯t pretend nothing happened¡­ Laisley, you take two people to track Akebin, and remember, no need to engage, just keep tabs on him.¡± ¡°Yes, captain.¡± The female officer responded. Chapter 284: 205: Youre Not Qualified to Bargain! Chapter 284: Chapter 205: You¡¯re Not Qualified to Bargain! Amber City, Inner City District. In front of a coffee shop by the roadside, tables and chairs were set up along with sun umbres so customers could rest, dine, and enjoy the street scene. Akebin and Drake were sitting casually, and Drake had even ordered a fried fish sandwich, sipping coffee while eating. ¡°The Executioner Squad doesn¡¯t seem to being for you, Akebin,¡± Drake mumbled. Akebin nced at him but said nothing, just silently pondering. After a while, he finally spoke:@@novelbin@@ ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now, as long as they don¡¯t interfere with our mission¡­ Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°With three little tails following us, we¡¯re just going to grab someone like that?¡± Drake crumpled up the paper wrapper and nonchntly threw it into the trash can behind him. Akebin shook his head. ¡°They¡¯re already infected; they won¡¯t be able to catch up.¡± Having said that, he stood up and left towards the end of the street. Drake curled his lips, indifferently inserting his hands into his pockets, and followed behind. On the rooftop of a nearby shop. The Executioner Laisley saw the two of them leaving and immediately took out a notepad, nning to pass on the message, but she suddenly started coughing uncontrobly. ¡°Cough¡­ cough cough!¡± Laisley looked down to see a patch of blood in the palm of her hand. She revealed a horrified look. As a Sequence Seven Transcendent, she had been mysteriously stricken without any awareness. At that moment, the notepad began to vibrate, and text appeared on it. Laisley focused on it and couldn¡¯t help but feel a sinking feeling. ¡°The other two sides are just like me, infected with a Transcendent disease¡­¡± But she could feel the disease slowly receding, merely leaving her temporarily weak. ¡°Akebin¡­ This is his warning!¡± Laisley¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°Do you think you can scare off the Executioner Squad like that? You underestimate us!¡± She coughed twice more, disregarding the blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, sent out the information on Akebin¡¯s duo on the notepad, and then, despite the weakness and difort, leapt across the rooftops, pursuing them. Soon, she stopped. Because she saw that Akebin and Drake were standing by the side of the street, not moving forward. Following their line of sight, Laisley looked further ahead to the middle of the street, dozens of meters away from them. A man wearing a ck suit, a ck top hat, and holding a silver staff, was smiling at them squarely. ¡°Who is that man¡­?¡± Laisley was puzzled. ¡°Pleased to meet you both; first time meeting you, I¡¯m the Leader of the Circus, Jack Spett¡­¡± Chen Lun took off his top hat and bowed slightly in greeting. ¡°We were just about to look for you, but you came to us instead¡­¡± Drake chuckled lightly, took out a box of cigarettes, and lit one for himself. He was unconcerned, shaking his head mockingly. ¡°Is this an apology? I think that will be unnecessary, taking the Mutual Aid Society¡¯s things naturallyes at a price.¡± ¡°Cut the crap, Drake.¡± Akebin said indifferently, as he took a small ss jar from the lining of his clothes, which contained a writhing eyeball, the ¡°C-level Mysterious Object ¨C Eye of Shadow¡±! Hum! The eyeball emitted a beam of light. In an instant, Chen Lun was forcibly pulled into the Spirit World by the light. He raised an eyebrow to see that all the pedestrians around had vanished, and the empty, blurry street was left with only Akebin¡¯s duo in front of him. ¡°Will you speak about taking over the Circus yourself, or should we interrogate you first to get the truth out.¡± Drake said with a smile as he smoked. Chen Lun¡¯s eyes swirled with mist, seeing through the strength levels of the two men. ¡®Both are Sequence Six Transcendents¡­ Among them, Akebin¡¯s Attribute has already reached the limit of this sequence, and he isn¡¯t far from Sequence Five. Members of the Murder Club really are strong.¡¯ He thought to himself. Akebin and Drake frowned. They felt very ufortable as Chen Lun¡¯s eyes swept over them, as if they had been seen through. ¡°Gentlemen, I have a proposal; perhaps you would like to listen?¡± Chen Lun revealed a polite smile. ¡°Not interested.¡± Akebin said coldly. ¡°Looks like you don¡¯t intend to talk, then?¡± Chen Lun raised his hand, gesturing for them to wait a moment. ¡°Mr. Akebin Kowal, I am very sincere¡­ Previously, the Circus nned a kidnapping, but it encountered a betrayal by our partner Beckman and was eventually rounded up by the Shelter.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I did indeed take over the remaining forces¡­ but without changing the name, specifically waiting for your arrival, because I wanted to use this to join the Mutual Aid Society.¡± Unfortunately, the expressions of the two didn¡¯t change; they were still cold. Drake exhaled a cloud of smoke with a chuckle. ¡°Oh, I see¡­ You mean to rece the original subordinate organization leaders and act as the Mutual Aid Society¡¯s leader spy in this city?¡± He turned his head to look at Akebin, who gave a nod. ¡°ording to the rules, you can indeed do that¡­¡± Akebin casually waved his hand, and a swarm of flies flew from nowhere, forming a contract text in the air. ¡°Sign this contract, and let¡¯s settle this matter¡­ That will also save us some trouble.¡± Chen Lun casually nced at it. The regtions were countless times more severe than the ones he signed with the peripheral members of the Circus, tantamount to a deed of sale. ¡°Gentlemen, that¡¯s not what I meant¡­ What I mean is, I want to join the ¡®Murder Club¡¯ purely as an individual.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s face maintained its polite smile. Drake was taken aback at first, then burst into heartyughter, dropping the smoking pipe from his mouth. Akebin felt as if he was being made a fool of, his expression growing even more sullen and aloof. With a wave of his hand, the contract text mid-air was directly canceled, and the swarming flies scattered out of sight. This action signified that he would not be offering any more chances. ¡°Just you¡­? Someone who has just advanced to Sequence Seven dares to talk about joining the ¡®Murder Club¡¯ and bing one of us?¡± Drakeughed so hard that tears came out. He himself had spent who knows how much sweat and blood to squeeze into the Murder Club and find a shelter. This guy here,cking in both strength and insight, actually had the audacity to boast such lofty ims! ¡°ording to the rules of the ¡®Murder Club,¡¯ I will offer up a bottle of Supernatural Wine¡­¡± Chen Lun produced the ¡°Crane Top Green,¡± which, although a notch below ¡°Mielnir¡¯s Blood Wine,¡± was still a premiummodity. He had many reasons for wanting to join the Murder Club. The primary reasons were threefold. First, the Murder Club was rtively free on the inside, without the restrictions of other churches and powers. It was more of a killers¡¯ guild than an elite Transcendent organization and one of the few high-end tform institutions within the Tresor Empire. Although the rtionships between members were not that close, corresponding benefits and protection did exist. Besides, Chen Lun could create an alternate identity and use the tform of the Murder Club to undertake hunting missions, which was a channel to trigger many important side stories and could elerate his growth. Of course, the most important reason was his ability to brew Supernatural Wine, which could be exchanged for assistance from the powerful members of the club¡­ Provided that the Supernatural Wine was of high enough quality, there was even a certain probability of getting the Conspiracy Angel Conrad to take action personally. Watching the wine bottle in Chen Lun¡¯s hand, the reaction of both Akebin and Drake was consistent, and that was utter indifference. ¡°It seems you haven¡¯t grasped the situation¡­¡± Drake said. ¡°Although I don¡¯t know where you gleaned the rules of the Murder Club from, you really don¡¯t have the right to negotiate conditions!¡± The smile on Chen Lun¡¯s face gradually faded. ¡°No right¡­ huh, since you do not wish to follow the rules, then I will have to show you what qualifies as the right to do so.¡± ¡°Just you?¡± Drake scoffed, and in the next instant, he became a blur, charging towards Chen Lun. Chen Lun looked on indifferently and pulled out two bells, one green and one red, giving them a gentle shake. Dingling¡­ Bang!! A sturdy figure appeared beside Chen Lun and punched Drake¡¯s arm. Drake¡¯s quick reaction spared his face from being the recipient of the blow! Drake flew backward,nding and retreating several steps. Looking up and seeing the familiar brownish-red y pot, his face couldn¡¯t help but show a slight change. ¡°Pot Monster?!¡± Mr. Pot patted Chen Lun¡¯s arm with a backhand p and let out two heartyughs. ¡°Silver Pot, we¡¯vee to help you!¡± Mr. Bottle smiled silently beside them. ¡°Thank you both.¡± Chen Lun nced at them and then turned his gaze back to Akebin and Drake. ¡°Mr. Pot, the one on the right is yours.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve been holding back on this guy for a long time! I¡¯ll definitely tten him this time!¡± Mr. Pot clenched his fists and charged directly at Drake. Drake had not expected the opponent to summon this spirit world creature. He had had several encounters with it recently, each time being suppressed. ¡°Damn it! You really think I can¡¯t beat you?!¡± Drake sneered. The next second, his body split into dozens, if not hundreds, of bats that scattered, avoiding Mr. Pot¡¯s heavy punch, and then reassembled behind Mr. Pot. Drake¡¯s palms transformed into ck ws and lunged for the back of Mr. Pot¡¯s heart. Bang!! Mr. Pot struck back with his hand, and after the collision, the two parted ways. ¡®That guy is a Sequence Six of the Flesh Faction, but he shouldn¡¯t be a problem for Mr. Pot¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself, withdrawing his gaze and looking back at Akebin. This one was a even more formidable opponent. Akebin had been still from beginning to end, silently watching everything unfold. ¡°You¡¯re no match for me¡­¡± He spoke. The next moment, Chen Lun suddenly felt an itch in his throat, leading him to cough twice. [You have been attacked by the transcendent disease ¡°Organ Failure¡±!] [¡°Hell Resistance¡± is in effect, reducing 50% of the damage!] ¡®Toxin Resistance isn¡¯t fully effective against transcendent diseases¡­ That makes sense, as they are not exactly the same.¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. He fought the urge to cough and noticed his Life Points dropping at a rate of five points per second. ¡®Without the damage reduction of ¡°Hell Resistance,¡± theoretically, it would take less than four minutes to deplete my health bar¡­¡¯ Chen Lun looked at Akebin not far away and chuckled softly. ¡®But that¡¯s only in theory.¡¯ The next second. A faint green light flickered between his chest and abdomen, and his Life Points stopped falling and instead rose again, quickly returning to full. Akebin¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. Chen Lun did not waste further words and immediately flicked several ying cards at him. Whizz, whizz, whizz!! Chapter 285: 206: The Terror of the Extreme State - Part 1 Chapter 285: Chapter 206: The Terror of the Extreme State ¨C Part 1 The cards spun at high speed, slicing through the air like des. Akebin pulled out a metallic hammer the size of an egg from his pocket, somewhat simr to a reflex hammer used to test a patient¡¯s knee reflexes. In Akebin¡¯s hand, it instantly elongated to waist height. Ding! Dang! He swung the hammer casually, knocking the iing cards away. But the next second. The cards that had been knocked behind Akebin suddenly transformed into a human figure, a silver staff smashing toward the back of his head. Whoo! Akebin was somewhat surprised but reacted swiftly, sweeping back with his hand. The hammer collided with the staff, sparking again and producing a crisp ng. Crack¡­! Chen Lun transformed the Silver Staff into a Silver Sword, continuing his assault on Akebin. Akebin turned to face him, weapons shing, sparks flying everywhere. Amidst the dense shadows of the sword, he appeared quiteposed, even freeing up his other hand to pull out another metallic hammer, swinging it around twice before smashing it down on Chen Lun¡¯s head. ng! Blocked by the Silver Sword, Chen Lun was forced to step back from the impact. ¡°Akebin possesses an elite temte, and his physical attributes are strong¡­ Strength and Agility are somewhat higher than mine, and his panel attributes are quite bnced, ranking him among the most senior in Sequence Six.¡± His gaze grew solemn. Crack! Akebin joined the tails of the two hammers together and twisted them into a double-headed long hammer. He spun the weapon like a rotating wheel, creating a fierce wind. The double-headed hammer suddenly swung horizontally toward Chen Lun¡¯s head. The heavy force of the blow left a fan-shaped afterimage, causing the air itself to tremble. Bang!! The Silver Sword unfurled like an umbre, blocking the heavy strike. But the result was that Akebin himself was recoiled back, his hands numbing, he raised his head to see. The silver umbre retracted back into a sword, but the dark-haired young man had changed his appearance entirely. Emerald vertical pupils, pale diamond-shaped armor, and white pythons twisting up from his shoulders¡­ Whoo! Without hesitation, Akebin swung a heavy hammer downward from above. Chen Lun sidestepped, dodging the blow, and thrust the Silver Sword straight at Akebin¡¯s throat! ¡°Hmph!¡± Akebin sharply retreated a step, the sword tip missing his neck by a mere fraction, failing to hit its mark. At the same time, he swiftly pulled out two vials of green reagent from his pocket and tossed them down. The ss vials shattered on the ground, releasing a pungent green smoke instantly. ¡°You are affected by the ¡®Disease Catalyst¡¯!¡± ¡°Negative Status ¡®Transcendent Disease¡¯ worsened!¡± Chen Lun looked at the notification, his expression darkening. He found that his Life Points, which were declining at a rate of 5 points per second, had increased to dropping 20 points per second! ¡°Hehe¡­ being sick isn¡¯t pleasant, right? Humans are born to experience the pain of disease; it¡¯s aw of nature, and no one can escape it.¡± Akebin¡¯s voice came through the green smoke. Whosh! The metal hammer suddenly attacked from Chen Lun¡¯s side, thrusting directly at his lower back. With two snaps, the two White Pythons on Chen Lun¡¯s shoulders shielded themselves, wrapping tightly around the hammer shaft, their brilliant blue suction cups locking it firmly in ce. Akebin let out a surprised noise and struggled to retrieve his weapon, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t pull it back. Chen Lun counterattacked with a sword sh, prompting Akebin to decisively abandon his weapon and dodge back. But as Chen Lun had entered a regr state, his strength had risen, and his sword still managed to sh through Akebin¡¯s clothes and skin, leaving a bright red wound. Boom! Chen Lun didn¡¯t give Akebin any chance to breathe. He broke through the green smoke, getting up close, his Silver Sword shing through the air with trails of silver light, forcing Akebin into a defensive position. The terrifying speed of the sword light sliced through the air, emitting a screech. Dingding dangdang! As Akebin faced this storm-like onught, numerous sword marks began to appear on his body, blood seeping out and staining his clothes red. His expression was somber as he couldn¡¯t understand how this Sequence Seven member could possess such strength to overpower him by such a margin. Though he wasn¡¯t adept at direct confrontation, he was still a notch above in transcendency, yet he still found himself losing ground. ¡°Quite the capability!¡± Akebin said coldly. Once again blocking a strike from the Silver Sword, he reached out with his left hand, his fingers surrounded by distorted fluctuations, with countless flies and insects dancing wildly. Boom! Chen Lun was sted back several meters by this powerful gust, while the negative status of ¡®Transcendent Disease¡¯ worsened once again. Looking up, he noticed that the injuries Akebin sustained were slowly healing in the green medicinal smoke. ¡°A Disease Catalyst that heals his wounds for others¡­?¡± Chen Lun internally eximed at the absurdity. ¡°I must admit, you are much stronger in closebat than others of the same sequence¡­ but choosing toe close to me was a foolish move.¡± Akebin spoke indifferently. He held up the long-handled double-headed hammer, his wounds nearly healed. ¡°Haven¡¯t you noticed that you are already deeply afflicted, sinking deeper into illness?¡± As the green smoke gradually dissipated, Akebin¡¯s voice came through clearly. Chen Lun imperceptibly nced at his panel and saw the speed of his Life Points dropping increasing. If not for ¡®Hell Resistance¡¯ minimizing the damage, he might notst thirty seconds before a sudden severe illness could strike him down right there. He had no choice but to once again use the Sanity Points stored in the Maggie Statue, activating the ¡®Wake of Insects¡¯ bookmark to provide himself with Life Force, countering the disease¡¯s effects. However, aside from two trips to the Immortal Realm by the yers, he hadn¡¯t specifically recharged the statue, resulting in his Sanity Points now dropping below a thousand. ¡°Silver Pot, I¡¯m here to help you!¡±@@novelbin@@ Mr. Bottle¡¯s voice carried over. A dozen ck lines shot out, attacking Akebin. ¡°Curse¡­?¡± Akebin furrowed his brows, seeming quite wary. He then pulled out two cylindrical ss jars from his body, which contained two puppy embryos soaking in an unknown solution, sparsely covered with hair. Akebin tossed them casually, and the ss jars shattered on the ground in an instant. The fist-sized puppy embryos, once exposed to the air, swelled instantly and grew to the size of a carriage in the blink of an eye! Atop their heads, they bore three pairs of eyes and four giant mouths full of sharp teeth; their bodies were decaying, emitting a foul stench. Several of the curses got intercepted by one of the sick dogs, prating its body. This caused its mouth to erge instantly before it stiffened and copsed, gasping weakly. ¡°Go!¡± Seeing this, Akebinmanded the other sick dog to charge at Chen Lun. Chen Lun threw out several ying cards that embedded themselves into the sick dog¡¯s head, but it felt no pain; despite the blood flowing, it continued its violent charge. Bang!! The four gaping maws of the sick dog mped firmly onto Chen Lun¡¯s neck, waist, and both hands, the immense force pushing Chen Lun several meters back. The sharp teeth, along with the saliva, rubbed against Chen Lun¡¯s pale armor, making a grating, crisp sound. ¡®It hurts a bit, but it doesn¡¯t breach the defense¡­¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s calm gaze met the six bloodthirsty pupils of the sick dog. He tried to raise his arm, wanting to swing the Silver Sword for a strike, but the sick dog¡¯s biting force was terrifying; even with his 69 points of Strength, he could not break free. ¡°This is as far as you go, naive fellow,¡± said Akebin softly. He took a sliding step to arrive behind Chen Lun and raised a small metal hammer to strike the back of his head. Whoosh!! Chen Lun nced sideways, noticing a broken streetlight not far away. With a loud crash, the sick dog bit through the streetlight, and the small hammer harshlynded on its head, instantly exploding its mouth and three of its eyes. Apanied by the sound of bones shattering, the huge beast rolled to the ground, kicking up a cloud of broken stones and dust. Akebin was slightly stunned and suddenly turned around. But he saw that the ck-haired youth appeared unharmed not far off, pulling out an antique revolver. He raised two fingers, pinching a ying card which he lightly flipped, revealing a ¡°Diamonds 5.¡± The young man raised the revolver, and under Akebin¡¯s puzzled eyes, aimed it at his own temple, pulling the trigger four times! Bang bang bang bang! [You receive the effect amplification from ¡°Center of Attention¡±! Charm +5,sts 24 hours!] [You receive the effect amplification from ¡°Unyielding Will¡±! Willpower +5,sts 24 hours!] [You receive the effect amplification from ¡°Keen Observation¡±! Insight +5,sts 24 hours!] [You receive the effect loss from ¡°Sudden Disaster¡±! Suffering the curse ¡°Innocents,¡± you will be inexplicably attacked! Lasts 24 hours!] The newly added curse, under the effect of ¡°Skin of Curse,¡± had its effect minimized, but it still provided Chen Lun with 4 Points of Attributes. Chen Lun tilted his head back and drank a gulp of Sun Wine, avoiding negative Luck, and immediately aimed at Akebin and pulled the trigger. Akebin¡¯s gaze tensed, and he swiftly dodged to the side. Bang! The bullet missed him and hit the fallen sick dog. A deep blue vortex instantly engulfed the enormous body of the sick dog, making it disappear from the spot. Bullet ¡°Spiritual Exile¡±! Chen Lun¡¯s initial target was not Akebin but the troublesome sick dog. ¡°That invisible disease of yours is indeed formidable, buting close to you is a foolish act¡­?¡± He grinned. ¡°I¡¯m not so sure.¡± Boom! Four Pale Wings suddenly unfolded behind Chen Lun, and his whole body surged with rolling blood energy. ¡°Limit State!¡± His figure vanished from the spot in an instant. In the blink of an eye, Akebin felt a sharp pain assail him. Bang!! His entire body tumbled and flew dozens of meters away, dragging along the ground. Chen Lun¡¯s angelic figure, with a flicker, reappeared behind him, his pitch-ck, shining fist roaring out again. Whoo whiz!! Akebin coughed out blood, eyes widening as he violently swung his double-headed hammer in retaliation. Another booming sound as the long handle of the metal hammer was smashed by a punch, continuing on with undiminished force to strike his chest. ¡°Puh!!¡± Akebin spat out blood foam, his body uncontrobly rolling. But before he could catch a breath, a silver sword light closely followed. ¡°Damn! Too strong! This isn¡¯t thebat strength a Sequence Seven should have!¡± A thought crossed Akebin¡¯s mind. He endured the excruciating pain all over, especially the needle-sting sensation of his shattered chest bones, scrambled to his feet, and kept dodging. Whiz whiz whiz¡­!! The sword light followed like a shadow, and was extremely tricky; it seemed not just a blind hacking but rather like that of a physical prowess supreme swordmaster, with fluid and smooth moves. Akebin hadn¡¯t encountered close-range formidable opponents before, but he had always relied on various means to dy until the opponent sumbed under his ¡°boiling frog in warm water¡± disease attack, finally breaking down explosively. However, this guy in front of him showed no signs of weakening even after several minutes, truly shocking him! ¡°How is this possible?!¡± Chapter 287: 208: Join the Murder Club (Request for Monthly Tickets!) Chapter 287: Chapter 208: Join the Murder Club (Request for Monthly Tickets!) Chen Lun exited the extreme state and took a deep breath. Mr. Pot walked quickly toward him,ughing out loud twice before he even spoke¡ªChen Lun stretched out a hand glowing with green light to heal his wounds. ¡°Uh¡­ thank you, Silver Pot!¡± Feeling the pain lessen, he realized his injuries were not slight. ¡°It turns out you also possess the innate talent of the Pot n, I¡¯m certain of it, it must be ¡®Mad Pot¡¯s Heart¡¯!¡± Mr. Pot, recalling the surging blood he saw on Chen Lun, muttered under his breath. ¡°Perhaps you have our Pot n¡¯s blood flowing in you too¡­ Aha! We are destinedrades!¡± He patted Chen Lun¡¯s shoulder, looking even more cordial than before. [Mr. Pot¡¯s affection for you has increased! It is now respect!] Chen Lun was somewhat surprised, not expecting this to also earn Mr. Pot¡¯s extra affection. Mr. Bottle slowly approached him, remaining silent. Yet his face carried an apologetic expression, clearly because he had not been much help during the recent fight. Chen Lun patted its bronze body; everything was understood without words. At this moment, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his organs, but he endured without making a sound, keeping his expression unchanged. He secretly opened his panel and saw that his life points had dropped below half¡ªpartly due to the burning consumption from activating his extreme state, and the rest due to Akebin¡¯s disease. The negative status of ¡°organ failure¡± had not yet disappeared. ¡®Akebin is still tough¡­ If he had his former life¡¯s strength now, even with my extreme state, I might not be his match,¡¯ Chen Lun thought. ¡°Mr. Jack, take this.¡± Akebin tossed him a vial of medicine. After receiving the notification box, Chen Lun then drank it confidently, removing the negative status of the disease. He immediately used the [Wake of Insects] bookmark, consuming more than fifty sanity points, bringing his health back to normal. Only then did the pain disappear, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Akebin turned and walked towards Drake, who had already been freed from the armor¡¯s control by Chen Lun, reverting him from his sheep transformation. After battling fiercely with Mr. Pot and then suffering a blow from Chen Lun¡¯s wing in extreme state, Drake was now severely injured and unconscious. Akebin expressionlessly took out medical tools such as a vial of medicine, scalpel, and suturing needle to treat him on the spot. A momentter. After confirming Drake was no longer in life-threatening danger, Akebin finally stood up. ¡°Mr. Jack, joining the ¡®Murder Club¡¯ does not require signing a contract¡­ however, you must pray to the ¡®King of ughter¡¯ and recite His revered name.¡± Akebin¡¯s voice was low, sounding very solemn. ¡°That¡¯s the club rule, and also the condition for receiving its blessing.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Chen Lun was aware of this rule and nodded in acknowledgement. Seeing this, Akebin softly spoke the sacred names, and Chen Lun listened quietly, then recited: ¡°Dealers of murder, witnesses of contracts, protectors of assassins¡­ Great King of ughter, please cast Your sublime gaze, I shall offer the most devout supernatural wine in exchange for the most thrilling murder!¡± Dingdong! A distant clinking sound came. Apanied by a light chuckle. ¡°I witness.¡± The deep male voice,ing from nowhere in particr, resounded. Chen Lun felt once again that he was being scanned by a distant gaze, and his breath involuntarily hitched. He knew that this was Conrad, the Angel of the Conspiracy Faction! The next second. Chen Lun received a notification, he had now initiated ties with both the ¡®Mutual Aid Society¡¯ and ¡®Murder Club¡¯, with neutrality as the current affection level. ¡°Alright, our mission in Amber City isplete, and we will no longer interfere with the Circus¡­¡± Akebin said. He then took out a ck iron box and an exquisitely carved empty wine ss, handing them to Chen Lun. ¡°The iron box is an ¡®Altar¡¯, a vessel for offering supernatural wine¡­ The ss is a token that can summon the Spiritual Realm Messenger of the ¡®Murder Club¡¯; you can ask it questions. I do not have the habit of raising spiritual realm messengers¡­ If you need to contact me, you can have it ry.¡± Chen Lun took the two items, smiling gently. ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± He thought for a moment and also produced two bottles of wine, one ¡®Crane Top Green¡¯ and the other ¡®Sage Time¡¯. ¡°This bottle of wine is submitted as per the rules to ¡®Murder Club¡¯; the other is a personal gift from me to you, Mr. Akebin¡­ This battle was a misunderstanding, let¡¯s be friends.¡± Akebin just looked at him silently, his gaze somewhatplex. After a while, he took both bottles of wine. ¡°Thank you, these are two fine bottles of supernatural wine, Mr. Jack.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee¡­ Oh, and when Mr. Drake wakes up, don¡¯t forget to tell him, he still owes me a life.¡± Chen Lun put on his ck hat again, smiling politely. * * * Inner City District of Amber City. ck Messenger Square. A blond minstrel was ying his harp by the fountain, singing melodious songs. Passersby, dressed in opulent clothing, stopped by, drawn by the enchanting melody. But they soon left, unwilling even to drop a single Silver Ducat, departing with a disdainful shake of their heads. The reason was simple¡ªthe content of the minstrel¡¯s songs was too ostentatious and quite vulgar. ¡°Hey, you, did you really kill a terrible sea demon on the shores of the Far East?¡± A boy wearing a beret cap approached the minstrel, interrupting his singing. ¡°Of course! And not only that, but I¡¯ve also seen their leader, a giant sea monster over ten meters long with a body covered in imprable dark green scales and a hideous and fierce appearance¡ªunfortunately, my sword only wounded it but failed to kill it, allowing it to escape.¡± The blond minstrel stopped ying, his expression one of sighs and regrets, as he folded his arms and spoke. The little boy licked his ice cream, scoffing. ¡°Really? You? Even thetest volume of ¡®Philip¡¯s Adventures¡¯ didn¡¯t boast like you¡­ The protagonist at least went through a lot of hardships and defeated the Demon King of the Dark Kingdom, sustaining serious injuries himself. Howe you¡¯repletely unscathed?¡± ¡°That¡¯s because I¡¯m more impressive! You should know, standing before you is Alec, the greatest wandering bard of the Sun Continent! What is Philip, that minor character, topare with me?¡± The blond youth looked disdainful. Upon hearing this, the little boy suddenly became unhappy, his mouth still smeared with cream, and he pointed at Alec and said: ¡°Philip is not a minor character! He¡¯s a hero, a hero who saved the world!¡± The little boy made a face. ¡°You¡¯re the minor character! Just a boastful king here to perform!¡± ¡°Stinky kid! Watch out, I might turn into a fierce dragon in your dreams and eat you up!¡± Alec was about to roll up his sleeves to teach the little guy a lesson when the boy burst outughing and ran away, soon caught by the ear by his mother, beginning to cry. Watching the mother and son walk away, Alec rolled his eyes. He slumped down by a fountain, looking at the hat ced upside down on the ground, which didn¡¯t have even a single Copper Kro, and he sighed deeply. ¡°A hero without the treatment of a hero¡­¡± He patted the statue of the ck Messenger standing beside him, speaking discontentedly: ¡°They even made this guy a hero.¡± Dingding! The sound of coins clinking rang out. Alec was surprised to find that his hat now contained two Silver Ducats. Looking up, he saw a hunched old woman watching him with a kindly expression. This elderlydy had a head full of white hair and was covered with wrinkles. Her ck clothes, though not fancy or expensive, were very clean. An ancient, outdated beret cap on her head was adorned with amonly seen purple daisy. ¡°Times are tough for everyone¡­ young man, I¡¯ve listened to your performance, and it was marvelous. This money might not be much, but I hope you¡¯ll ept it; that¡¯s all I can do.¡± Alec raised an eyebrow, bowing courteously while clutching his chest. ¡°Thank you very much, my elder.¡± The old woman chuckled twice, waved her hand, and started to leave, trembling slightly. At that point, Alec called out to her. ¡°Madam, you are the first sincere listener today; please allow me to y a song just for you.¡± ¡°Oh, I am honored, young man¡­¡± The olddy was somewhat surprised but stopped nheless, and then she listened with a smile. Alec strummed his harp, and the splendid notes flowed like a clear spring, leaping forth as he closed his eyes, deeply immersed in singing. Finally, he sang: ¡°He gently pours down his quiet glow, filling the valleys and forests, my spirit once again, dispels all vexation clean. He tenderly sends autumn nces, illuminating my dreams, like the adoring gaze of a grandmother, watching over my destiny¡­¡± At the end of the song, the olddy softly pped and nodded. Alec asked: ¡°How did you find it?¡± ¡°A very moving melody, very beautiful lyrics¡­¡± Alec smiled even more happily. ¡°A fan of mine wrote it, it¡¯s a pity he didn¡¯t write more. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have to sing about my own glorious deeds all day.¡± He gradually started conversing, asking the olddy: ¡°You seem not to be a local here?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± The olddy nodded, revealing a friendly smile, her eyes filled with anticipation. ¡°I¡¯m just here to see my family¡­ Haven¡¯t seen them in a long time, I miss them a lot.¡± Alec raised an eyebrow, bent down to pick the two Silver Ducats from the hat, and handed one back to the olddy. ¡°This is for you, I hope your journey is safe, and you get to meet your family.¡± He seemed to understand that the olddy wasn¡¯t wealthy, so he added. The olddy was a bit surprised, holding the Silver Ducat in her hand, and finally smiled: ¡°Thank you, you are a kind young man, may the Moonlight bless you.¡± * *@@novelbin@@ * The paperboy ran down the street, waving the paper and shouting loudly: ¡°Big news! Big news! The Royal Family was attacked! War is upon us!!¡± Pedestrians who heard the news turned their heads, and many gentlemen stopped the paperboy to purchase a paper, pulling out five Copper Kros. Amid exmations, the paperboy quickly sold most of the papers, joyously counting his coins when a tall figure approached him. ¡°Two papers, and a pack of ¡®Sunshine¡¯ cigarettes, please.¡± The paperboy looked up to see a middle-aged man with a goatee. ¡°Ah, sir, I have just two left¡­ here.¡± The paperboy rummaged through his overhalf-body-sized shoulder bag and pulled out two newspapers and a box of cigarettes, handing them over. Golov paid twenty-seven Copper Kros and took the items back to the roadside carriage. ¡°Miss Maggie, here¡¯s today¡¯s newspaper.¡± He handed one of them into the carriage curtain, from which a voice emerged: ¡°Thank you, Golov.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Golov responded. He had left two days ago on orders from the leader and had just fetched Miss Maggie back today. Driving the carriage towards the Jack estate, he opened the cigarette box, lit one for himself, then opened the newspaper. ¡°Hmm?¡± Chapter 289: 210: Interrogation (Vote for monthly ticket!) Chapter 289: Chapter 210: Interrogation (Vote for monthly ticket!) ¡®Do not walk forward¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed. ¡®What does this mean?¡¯ Although it was just a dream that Floey had, Chen Lun took it very seriously. After all, Transcendents were different from ordinary people, and dreams were an important portent in Mystery Studies, especially since she was a ¡°Sequence Eight-Executioner¡± and also bore the ¡°A-ranked Mysterious Object-Sun-avoiding Potted nt.¡± Chen Lun couldn¡¯t figure out what the dream meant for the moment, but he still kept the words in his mind. ¡®Don¡¯t think too much¡­¡¯ Chen Lun offered a word offort. ¡®If you can¡¯t sleep at night, let¡¯s just take a casual stroll in the manor.¡¯ ¡®Mm.¡¯ Floey showed a slight smile and nodded her head. * * * In Amber City¡¯s Inner City District. The secret base of the Shelter. Inside Mona¡¯s office, the leader of the Executioner squad, Talng, was flipping through the files on the table, while Mona was quietly sipping tea. After a while, ¡®We still haven¡¯t confirmed the Dark Knight¡¯s location?¡¯ Talng looked up and frowned slightly. Mona nodded. ¡®Thest Executioner squad encountered his ambush in the Spirit World near Amber City¡­ But after a secret investigation, no trace of him was found in Amber City.¡¯ ¡®Understood¡­ I will request assistance from aboveter, use the Divination ss Mysterious Objects to locate the Dark Knight, and then suppress him.¡¯ Talng said indifferently. ¡®Is there anything we need to do?¡¯ Mona asked. ¡®Nothing is needed. This operation will take ce in the Spirit World and is not suitable for ordinary Investigators to intervene. Besides, the Shelter in Amber Citycks high-endbat power, with only one Mid Sequence Transcendent, so just stay here and keep watch.¡¯ As Talng spoke, he nced at Ralph standing next to him. ¡®In addition, regarding the Dark Knight¡¯s matter, an elite Transcendent squad from the Sun Church and the Moon Church will soon arrive. Try not to cause too much noise in the physical world to avoid unnecessary panic.¡¯ ¡®Understood, we will cooperate fully,¡¯ Mona said. At that moment, a female member of the Executioner squad, Laisley, walked over, whispering a few words into Talng¡¯s ear and handing him a paper report. After reading it, Talng handed it back to her and casually waved his hand. ¡®Akebin Kowal is not our focus right now, and as for the man they took away, I¡¯ve already received some information from Mona¡­¡¯ He spoke, his gaze lowered and expressionless. ¡®Just bring him over for a brief interrogation. It would be best if you can get any information rted to Akebin. If nothing is yielded, never mind, it¡¯s not important.¡¯ ¡®Yes, Captain.¡¯ Laisley saluted and withdrew. Just then, a pendant on Talng¡¯s bracelet lightly touched her. It was a finely carved female stone figure, only the size of a little finger, in a praying pose. Laisley paused for a brief moment, then ndestinely nced at the other people in the room before leaving. Walking alone in the corridor, her eyes flickered with contemtion. When she was touched by the stone figure, the captain¡¯s voice echoed in her mind: ¡®That man is named Jack Spett, who took over the Mutual Aid Society¡¯s subordinate organization ¡®Circus¡¯ a year ago. That¡¯s also why Akebin and hispanions wanted to capture him¡­ But he is now a cooperating party of the Amber City Shelter, and is also backed by the Silver Dragon Trade Association. Without evidence, he cannot be touched rashly.¡¯ Laisley understood what the captain meant ¨C outwardly, they couldn¡¯t take too drastic actions, after all, the person in charge here was Mona, the favorite student of Rudolph, the Judge of Fossil City. A minimum level of respect had to be given; as for how to proceed, that was left to Laisley¡¯s own judgment. ¡®I understand¡­¡¯ Laisley¡¯s expression remained stoic. * * * Chen Lun was a bit bewildered when he received the subpoena. However, when he looked up at the three members of the Executioner squad standing erect at the manor entrance, he began to understand. The Peeping Eye of Fate told him the identity of the other party, and a thought crossed Chen Lun¡¯s mind. ¡®The higher-ups of the Shelter have entered the stage¡­ just like the prophecy of Divination.¡¯ Laisley wore an expression of official indifference. Behind her stood two other male Executioners, all d in ck. ¡°Mr. Jack, would you pleasee with us¡­ After investigation, the fugitive of the Shelter, Akebin Kowal, was in contact with you yesterday. We need to know what dealings you had with him and what you discussed,¡± Laisley said. She even took out the Executioner squad¡¯s exclusive badge, a gold badge engraved with the letters ¡°CMP,¡± along with a flintlock gun and a crossed palm pattern. ¡°You should understand what this badge means, do not attempt to resist or flee, or we will suppress you under the charges of ¡®resisting legitimate interrogation¡¯ and ¡®endangering the security of the Empire¡¯¡­ It concerns the truth behind the gue ravaging the Gem State, please cooperate with the investigation,¡± Laisley added. Chen Lun¡¯s eyes narrowed; he didn¡¯t like the condescending attitude of the other party, but soon he showed a polite smile. ¡®Of course, as aw-abiding citizen of the Empire, how could I notply with the Shelter¡¯s regtions¡­ Let¡¯s go.¡¯ He said, very cooperatively. Laisley nodded, stepping aside to reveal the Shelter¡¯s exclusive carriage, signaling him to get on. ¡®Leader!¡¯ Golov called out with some worry. Alongside him stood Floey, Noah, and Maggie, all silent. Chen Lun turned his head, saw their concerned looks, and Floey¡¯s particrly cold expression. He knew that if he just said the word, hispanions would not hesitate to take action and start a battle with the three members of the Executioner squad. But he just smiled and said, ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Laisley and the other two on the side let out a coldugh. Chen Lun adjusted the brim of his ck hat and walked straight toward the carriage. As he stepped on the footboard, one of the male executioners approached him, producing a strange stone handcuff. ¡°Mr. Jack, please put this on,¡± he said coldly. Chen Lun nced at him and then at the handcuffs in his hand. He was familiar with the device¡ªit was a type of restraint forged by the shelter¡¯s supernatural workshop, extremely sturdy. Even an average Mid Sequence Transcendent would struggle to break free. Moreover, it had a constraining effect, capable of suppressing some supernatural powers. But a gentleman does not stand under a copsing wall, and Chen Lun would not let himself fall into undue peril. He outright ignored the other man and turned to board the carriage. The executioner immediately frowned, a hint of anger shing in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, Laisley waved her hand and said indifferently, ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s head back to the shelter first.¡± * * * The secret base of the shelter. Inside an interrogation room. The cramped room had no windows, only walls coated with gray-ck paint and the light that shone down from an incandescentmp on the ceiling. A metal table, secured to the floor, was ced squarely in the center of the room, with a man and a woman sitting opposite each other. Two men in ck stood next to the woman. ¡°Tell us, Mr. Jack, what happened in the Spirit World yesterday.¡± Laisley was ready to record the interrogation process with pen and paper in hand. Chen Lun raised his eyebrows and chuckled twice before speaking, ¡°They came looking for trouble with me, and then I chased them off.¡± Laisley put down her pen, her gaze turning even more indifferent. ¡°Please take this seriously, Mr. Jack¡­ I¡¯m not joking with you.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s smiling face became serious as well. ¡°Yes, I am not joking with you either, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Laisley, this guy is clearly not nning to cooperate¡­ He¡¯s talking nonsense, intending to get this over with,¡± a male executioner said with a grave voice. ¡°He might think that with the Silver Dragon Trade Association¡¯s protection and Mona¡¯s guarantee, he doesn¡¯t have to disclose the truth to us.¡± Another executioner sneered. Laisley remained silent, just quietly observing Chen Lun. Chen Lun nced at the two men in ck and leaned back in his chair, looking quite rxed. ¡°The Circus once belonged to the Mutual Aid Society. The Gallery kidnapping case nearly wiped them out a year ago. I took in the remnants and then chose to join the Silver Dragon Trade Association, bing a legitimate force of Transcendents on record¡­¡± He continued, ¡°Later, we even cooperated with the Amber City Shelter to assist in maintaining city order and suppressing illegal Transcendents and Undead Foreigners¡­ Unfortunately, given our past association with the Mutual Aid Society, Akebin causing trouble for me was within my expectations.¡± Chen Lun leaned forward, looking at Laisley¡¯s expressionless face, and said earnestly, ¡°But I did not yield. I fought a life and death struggle with them, and only just managed to drive them away¡­ I also sustained severe injuries.¡± ¡°Do you expect me to believe that, Mr. Jack?¡± Laisley inteced her fingers. ¡°Believe it or not, that¡¯s the truth.¡± ¡°The truth¡­?¡± Laisleyughed softly. She pulled out a document, which contained the contents of a letter Chen Lun had once forwarded to Mona. ¡°You once investigated the gue incident and suggested that its outbreak might not be rted to Akebin, hinting that someone else was the mastermind behind the scenes¡­ Can I presume that you have actually joined the Mutual Aid Society in secret and plotted this severe gue incident with Akebin, providing cover for him?¡± Laisley¡¯s tone became sharp, as if she¡¯d already concluded that Chen Lun was full of lies. Chen Lun was somewhat speechless, wondering why this woman¡¯s train of thought was so peculiar. ¡®It¡¯s outrageous; it¡¯s like the audacity to be ridiculous moved in next door to ridiculousness itself¡­ How on Earth did she surmise that I joined the Mutual Aid Society? And I certainly did not orchestrate any gue. Framing me, are we?¡¯ ¡°Do you have any evidence?¡± He asked, unenthused and no longer willing to waste words. ¡°Mr. Jack, the fact that you are sitting here is the best evidence¡­ I don¡¯t believe you have the ability to survive Akebin and his aplices without being in league with them. There¡¯s no other exnation.¡± ¡°What a waste of my time, ma¡¯am,¡± Chen Lun¡¯s expression chilled. ¡°Your so-called evidence is just self-righteous subjective judgment? I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t want to continue this boring game of deduction with you.¡± He stood up, intending to leave.@@novelbin@@ But the two male executioners blocked his way. ¡°Who gave you permission to leave?¡± one of them said coldly. ¡°You are now a suspect in collusion with Akebin, implicated in causing the Gem State gue incident¡­ Without the leader¡¯s orders, you cannot leave this ce.¡± ¡°But Floey is waiting for me toe home for dinner¡­¡± Chen Lun shook his head in distress. He pushed past the two men and, ignoring them, reached for the doorknob. ¡°Dammit! You dare to defy the rules, trying to flee!¡± One of the executioners immediately shouted angrily. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, we¡¯ll have to take necessary measures!¡± They reached out their hands to grab Chen Lun¡¯s back head and shoulder. Chapter 290: 211 Im Not Joking (Requesting Monthly Votes!) Chapter 290: Chapter 211 I¡¯m Not Joking (Requesting Monthly Votes!) Chen Lun suddenly turned his head. Under that ck hat were a pair of indifferent eyes. ¡°No evidence, so you¡¯re going to y tough?¡± Ayer of pale armor covered his palm, and it instantly became tinged with a dark ck exoskeleton. He threw two straight punches with extreme speed. Before the two opponents could react, theynded heavily on their palms. Bang bang! Two loud noises. The two ck-clothed Executioners stumbled back a few steps, covering their immensely painful palms, looking at Chen Lun in disbelief. ¡°Very well, you dare to act openly in the Shelter!¡± A man sneered. ¡°Suppress him!¡± Another man bellowed. Moisture emanated from their bodies, their faces marred with bulging veins, and arcs of electricity shed between their hands as they charged. These were two members of the Deep Sea Faction, Sequence Seven Shark Fighters! Chen Lun watched them with cold eyes. If he had remained a low Sequence Transcendent, he likely wouldn¡¯t stand a chance by now, and could have been falsely used and forced to carry an inexplicable charge. But ever since he had advanced to Mid Sequence, he had gained a certain level of confidence and backbone. Especially after shing with Akebin, he hade to understand his limits, approximately where theyy¡­ Under normal circumstances, he was equivalent to a Veteran Sequence Seven, and after entering his regr state, he could fight against Sequence Six Transcendents. Once he reached his limit state, he could suppress a Veteran Sequence Six for a short time, even achieving a kill! Chen Lun didn¡¯t want to put up with this nonsense and immediately entered his regr state. Boom! He struckter but arrived first, hitting the chests of his two assants with another pair of punches. Their eyes bulged out as intense pain swept through their bodies from their hearts, and then they were sent flying backwards, crashing to the ground heavily. One of them even hit the corner of an iron table, nging loudly. Traces of moisture and electricity danced on Chen Lun¡¯s body, crackling, but they were ineffective against him. Chen Lun then flicked three cards towards Laisley. Whiz whiz whiz! As a member of the Constetion Faction, Sequence Seven Heart Thief, she stretched out to trigger Chen Lun¡¯s Heart Twist but was interrupted by the cards. Dodging helplessly, two cards nailed into the wall, and one sliced across her pretty face. ¡°Damn it¡­¡± Laisley did not bother to wipe the blood from her cheek, her face flushed with anger, ready to take action again, but then she found that there was no one in front of her. The next second. A pale hand emerged beside her, already grasping her neck, and a low male voice sounded: ¡°Madam, I don¡¯t want to know why you¡¯re so intensely hateful, but I want to make one thing clear: If you think you can mold me at will like those other wild Transcendents, then you¡¯re mistaken.¡± ¡°Heh heh¡­ The gue¡­ has already killed tens of thousands of people. This catastrophe, how many innocent lives lost¡­ you¡­¡± Laisley¡¯s eyes flickered with hatred, seemingly convinced that the man before her was deeply connected to Akebin. At the same time, she noticed that her two Executionerpanions had already stood up. In her expectant gaze, the two men in ckunched their punches at the same time. A surge of spiraling water and electricity, apanied by sparks, headed straight for Chen Lun¡¯s back. Boom! But the next moment, Laisley was stunned. From the shoulders of the man in front of her sprouted two hefty White Pythons, which snapped at the attack, and then thrust forward, coiling around the necks of the two Executioners, suspending them mid-air. They struggled against the White Pythons, kicking and iling, but to no avail. Laisley also suddenly felt a choking sensation and was lifted into the air, pressed against the wall by Chen Lun. The three members of the Executioner squad showed disbelief in their eyes. In just a few exchanges, they had been subdued by the ck-haired young man before them, treated like toys being picked up. They were elite Transcendents from the Shelter, Executioners who upheld the order of the Empire! In front of this man¡­ they were so weak?! What was even more uneptable to them was that the Supernatural Power emanating from their adversary was obviously on par with their own, belonging to the Sequence Seven level. Why? Why was he so strong?! A strong sense of confusion and unwillingness churned in their hearts, apanied by the slight shaking of the ceiling tiles, as if their moods were also caught in the flickering lights, waxing and waning. ¡°Madam, do you still think I¡¯m joking with you?¡± Chen Lun looked up slightly, his emerald vertical pupils meeting hers, his cold gaze piercing straight into Laisley¡¯s soul. Laisley suddenly couldn¡¯t help but think. ¡°Could it be¡­ I¡¯m wrong? He truly has the strength to repel Akebin¡­ No! He must be deceiving me! These brutal thugs are cunning and deceitful. Have you forgotten all those criminals you¡¯ve met before, Laisley?¡± Lack of oxygen turned herplexion red, her eyes bloodshot, as she struggled to speak from her throat: ¡°You¡­ if you have the guts¡­ then kill¡­ me!¡± ¡°You think I wouldn¡¯t dare?¡± Chen Lun snorted coldly. He tightened his grip and Laisley immediately felt like she was going to die. Of course, Chen Lun wouldn¡¯t kill her; he was measured in his actions, simply wanting to make her suffer for a moment. He wouldn¡¯t kill a member of the Executioner squad in a fit of rage, thus incurring a warrant for his arrest, which would only confirm the charges against him. He was not that foolish. The woman before him probably belonged to the same radical faction as Roderick, feeling a strong suspicion and hostility towards any independent Transcendent. To deal with them, he had to show his fangs, not submissiveness or capittion. ng! At that moment, the iron door to the interrogation room was opened, and the figure of a man walked in. ¡°Please let them go, Mr. Jack.¡± Talng sighed. ¡°I only wanted Laisley to ask you briefly about Akebin; I didn¡¯t expect it would end up like this¡­¡± Chen Lun chuckled lightly. He casually tossed Laisley aside, and the White Python on his shoulder flung the two male Executioners out as if they were trash,nding them at Talng¡¯s feet. With a few thuds, they coughed violently before raising their heads to re at Chen Lun with anger. ¡°I am Talng, captain of Executioner Squad No. 27. I think there has been a misunderstanding, Mr. Jack¡­¡± Talng said. ¡°I have learned of your exploits from Miss Mona; you are a gentleman to be respected¡­ You once saved Amber City and strive to maintain its stability and peace¡­ Surely, you would have no connection with Akebin.¡± He stepped forward and extended his hand, showing a hint of apology. ¡°On behalf of my team members, I apologize to you.¡± ¡°Captain!¡± The trio¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Chen Lun nced at the middle-aged man with brown hair, sensing a hint of danger from him. ¡®This is a Sequence Five powerhouse¡­ I shouldn¡¯t start a conflict with him here.¡¯ Chen Lun released his usual posture and briefly shook hands with him, saying: ¡°Since Mr. Talng puts it that way, I won¡¯t pursue the matter further.¡± He didn¡¯t n to linger there any longer and gestured with his hand. Talng tactfully stepped back, clearing the way for him. Chen Lun passed by him and walked a few steps but then stopped, turning his head to add: ¡°I¡¯m not sure of Akebin¡¯s intentions, but the true culprit of the gue outbreak, the Red Apple Church, is more suspect¡­ Whether you believe it or not is up to you to decide.¡± After finishing his words, he adjusted his ck hat and left straight away. Talng raised his hand to stop the words Laisley was about to say and silently watched the tall departing figure, with a profound look in his eyes. * * * Chen Lun was walking on the street, ncing up at the sky. It was already afternoon, and he decided to just find a restaurant along the road to handle the missed lunch, as he wouldn¡¯t be able to have a warm meal when he returned to the manor anyway¡­ Floey most likely would have slept in her own room during the day, like a vampire. ¡®Bing more and more like those homebody girls from my previous life¡­ Hmm.¡¯ Chen Lun muttered to himself, then slightly regretted not having had a meal at the Shelter before leaving. He quickened his pace, heading towards the Fighting Club where he nned to have his meal and then check the ce out. As Bales had not approached him since hepleted the test mission, he was unclear what had happened. Eventually, he found a nicely decorated restaurant named ¡°Spicy Bomb,¡± went in, and ordered a signature dish, which was just fried onion rings with smoked grilled tenderloin, apanied by a ss of mild ck beer. Chen Lun asked the waiter to rece the beer with iced milk, which left the waiter stunned for several seconds. In the end, it took a tip of two Silver Ducats to snap the waiter out of his stupor, and he scurried off to prepare the order. The meal was average overall, far from Floey¡¯s standard, but considered top-notch for Amber City. After finishing his meal, Chen Lun left the restaurant and took nearly half an hour to reach the Fighting Club¡¯s entrance. As soon as he entered, he saw that handsome old man Xibert, who seemed to have just finished sword training, wiping his sweat as he came out, holding a cup in his hand. ¡°Hey! Mr. Jack! It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen you!¡± Xibert spotted Chen Lun right away and strode over quickly. ¡°Mr. Xibert, indeed it has been a long time.¡± Chen Lun exchanged a few simple pleasantries with him. ¡°What brings you here today, nning to¡­ hmm?¡± Xibert wiggled his eyebrows and gave a knowing look, signaling Chen Lun to nce toward the front desk where a curvaceous blonde woman was sitting. ¡°The previous one, I heard her family was struck by the gue, something happened, this is a new girl, looks quite delectable¡­ Don¡¯t you want to give it a try?¡± ¡°Hmm, Mr. Xibert, only a gentleman like you still gains favor from beautifuldies¡­ I¡¯ll pass.¡± Chen Lun chuckled in response. Xibert immediately looked disdainful, as if ¡°You¡¯re so hypocritical¡± was written on his forehead. ¡°I came here today to have a chat with Mr. Charles.¡± Chen Lun stated his purpose foring. Unexpectedly, Xibert froze, then the smile faded, and he said in a low voice: ¡°Mr. Charles passed awayst week¡­ A sudden heart attack.¡± ¡°He¡¯s dead?¡± Chen Lun was somewhat surprised. He thought to himself that Bales seemed to have abandoned this body, but it was unknown where he had gone now. ¡°I¡¯ve acquired this club; I am now the owner here. If there¡¯s anything you need, you can tell me¡­¡± Xibert said. Chen Lun observed the man inconspicuously, having guessed that this fellow¡¯s identity wasn¡¯t simple, but he didn¡¯t expect him to be so wealthy. ¡°I¡¯d like to know if Charles left anything special behind before he died, like a will or something¡­¡± ¡°Oh, there might actually be something!¡± Xibert seemed to recall something.@@novelbin@@ ¡°When I was clearing out his former office, I found a strange handicraft. If you¡¯re interested, I can take you to see it now.¡± Chapter 291: 212 Floeys True Identity (Seeking Monthly Pass!) Chapter 291: Chapter 212 Floey¡¯s True Identity (Seeking Monthly Pass!) Chen Lun followed Xibert to his office. Theyout and decor of the room werepletely different from what he had seen on his previous visit. Xibert seemed to prefer a more free-spirited style, such that the walls were stered with wallpapers of various colors. It looked less like a boss¡¯s room and more like the workspace of an artist. Xibert ced a wine ss on the boss¡¯s desk, and then eagerly took out a bottle of red wine from the retrorge freezer, intending to pour a ss for Chen Lun as well. ¡°Mr. Xibert, there¡¯s no need¡­ I don¡¯t like to drink,¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. The other party was initially stunned, then shrugged helplessly and said alright, filling only his own ss. ¡°Mr. Jack, you really don¡¯t know how to enjoy life, I¡¯ve treasured this wine for many years.¡± While muttering to himself, Xibert happily took a sip, then moved a cardboard box from under the table, opened the paper lid, and took out a fist-sized sculpture. It was a sculpture in the shape of an orchid, unpainted and looking somewhat gloomy. ¡°Here, this is the only thing left¡­ there¡¯s nothing else special,¡± Xibert said, somewhat curiously. ¡°What do you want with Mr. Charles¡¯s relics?¡± Chen Lun smiled and didn¡¯t answer; he couldn¡¯t be bothered to fabricate lies to deceive him, so he straightforwardly used ¡°Mermaid¡¯s Song¡± to perform a simple hypnosis on Xibert, distracting him from this question.@@novelbin@@ As the seashell ne emitted a faint glow, Xibert suddenly raised his eyebrows, and immediately changed the subject with Chen Lun to other matters, such as amusing incidents within the noble circle, like how thisdy fell in love with a manservant, or that miss eloped with a male actor from the theater, and so on. Chen Lun humored Xibert for a while, and once he noticed signs of intoxication and fatigue in him, he took his leave. Before he left, Xibert wished that Chen Lun would visit the club often; he admired Chen Lun¡¯s swordsmanship a great deal. Chen Lun courteously exchanged a few words and nodded in agreement. Finally, Xibert fell asleep on the sofa, still murmuring: ¡°Damn it, Pompey¡­ it¡¯s your fault¡­¡± Chen Lun was surprised to find that Xibert knew Viscount Pompey but wasn¡¯t curious about their rtionship. Shaking his head, he turned and left. * * * He returned to Jack¡¯s Manor. Contrary to Chen Lun¡¯s expectations, Floey wasn¡¯t resting upstairs; instead, she stood quietly at the entrance to the vi. She resembled a motionless doll, silently waiting for Chen Lun toe home. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± A smile appeared on Floey¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Chen Lun reassured her. ¡°Go and let the others know too, so they won¡¯t worry about me.¡± Floey hummed in response, nodded, and then turned to leave. Chen Lun didn¡¯t follow her in but turned and walked into the backyard, where he sat on the swing and took out the orchid statue. He had determined it was the item he was looking for when he had touched it in the office. [Token ¨C Phantom Statue] Item description: A token left by the Dark Knight Byers, which can only be activated using a special method; the bearer will be guided to a secret ce in the Spirit World. ¡®Why did Byers know I would go for this relic¡­?¡¯ Chen Lun pondered for a while and came to the most likely conclusion. ¡®No, he didn¡¯t know¡­ it should be said he didn¡¯t care, he just left a token, giving me the choice.¡¯ It meant that the initiative was in Chen Lun¡¯s hands; whether or not to further engage with Byers was for him to decide. Chen Lun toyed with the statue for a moment before trying to cover it with his Supernatural Power. However, the statue did not react. After thinking for a moment, he extended a finger and used it as a sword, gathering the energy of the Moonlight Sword. This technique was not difficult for Chen Lun, especially since the ¡°Byers Moonlight Sword¡± had already been maxed out. But most people wouldn¡¯t dare to do this, as their fingers might not withstand the power and copse. However, his finger was preemptively covered by ayer of Didak Armor, remaining unharmed under the pale purple twisting radiance. His finger gently approached the statue, and the orchid came to life as if it had been dyed purple, then it began to sway lightly. Boom! Chen Lun was engulfed in a blinding sh activated by the orchid; the courtyard swing was left swinging empty, creaking lonesomely. The next second. When Chen Lun opened his eyes again, he found himself in the Spirit World, surrounded by a vague and faintly moving pale blue vista. This ce appeared to be a graveyard, with numerous tombstones nted in the ground. Atop each tombstone, there were various small objects like miniature swords, helmets, horses, and crescent-shaped metal ornaments. This ce was clearly different from the present world, as well as other areas of the Spirit World. Under a dark night sky, there was a pale purple full moon. At the highest point of the cemetery hill, there was a tombstone taller than a door. A knight, wearing a helmet with a wolf emblem and d in tattered ck armor, was leaning against the tombstone. He was still holding a ck long sword in his arms. ¡°So, you dide after all, Jack,¡± a deep chuckle emanated from inside the helmet of the Dark Knight. Chen Lun walked up to him. ¡°Mr. Byers, are you leaving Amber City?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The Dark Knight bowed his head. ¡°The hunt is about to restart soon, and I need to focus on dealing with it¡­¡± He paused for a few seconds before continuing, ¡°Are you sure you want to get involved in this matter? You know, I am now an A-level wanted criminal of the Empire¡­ Getting involved in this muddy water is likely to stain you as well.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s expression remained unchanged; he was well aware of the pros and cons of this matter. He knew for certain the identity of the Dark Knight and was aware of his formidable strength. Initially, his approach to him carried the intent of ¡°holding on to a strong thigh.¡± However, as their rtionship developed and he even learned swordsmanship from the Dark Knight, their rtionship could be said to be both a mentorship and a friendship. But the real reason Chen Lun chose to help was the uing major trends! With the start of the Empire¡¯s unrest, the Red Apple Church would run rampant. Chen Lun needed more strength to survive in the prologue of this chaotic world¡­ At the same time, hispanions from the circus needed time to grow. The Dark Knight was an excellent choice that could help at critical moments and ¡°escort¡± the team. As for the disadvantages, of course, there was the risk of offending the Church and even being wanted¡­ But these, in the future scenario, were insignificant. Because Chen Lun was very clear, from the main story of version 1.0, the contradictions that had built up in the Empire over thousands of years would gradually erupt. With unstable rule, the Sun Church and the Shelter would be too distracted to pay him any attention. ¡°Mr. Byers, I want to ask you a question,¡± Chen Lun leaned against a nearby tombstone and turned to look at the Dark Knight. ¡°Hmm? Go ahead,¡± the Dark Knight seemed very patient, as his affection for him was not low. ¡°What exactly is your rtionship with Floey?¡± Chen Lun asked the question that had been weighing on his mind for a long time. This question had arisen when he first encountered the Dark Knight; the initial divinations and the Dark Knight¡¯s own words made Chen Lun associate Floey with the Wolff Family. ¡°She¡­ is a descendant of the Wolf n,¡± the Dark Knight fell silent before speaking. ¡°The roots of the Wolff Family are incredibly ancient¡­ they can even be traced back to the previous era.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s gaze sharpened. He hadn¡¯t expected Floey to have such a background. In his former life as a story enthusiast, he certainly had researched the world¡¯s history. To his knowledge, the current era should be The Fifth Era, also known as the Sr Era or the Ordered Era. This was because the inception of The Fifth Era coincided with the establishment of thergest empire on the continent¡ªthe Tresor Empire. With the submission of the three great subordinate kingdoms, the Sun Continent became rtively unified. The year 4419 of the Sr Calendar also meant that The Fifth Era hadsted for more than four thousand years. The previous era¡ªThe Fourth Era¡ªwas known as the ¡°Lost Era,¡± since most of the records concerning that time were lost and untraceable. As for the history from even earlier periods, Chen Lun in his former life had failed to find much valuable information; most of it consisted of fairy tales and legends of uncertain truth, as if an invisible hand was deliberately hiding the dust of the past. ¡°At the end of The Fourth Era, humanity had only one civilization, called ¡®Anita,¡¯ and the continent was not known as the Sun Continent but ¡®Anita Continent.¡¯ However, for some unknown reasons, the Anita Civilization began to decline¡­ Even thergest ruling ss at the time had infighting and eventually split into three powerful n factions, namely Tresor, Matthaios, and Hilbert.¡± The Dark Knight narrated the ancient history to Chen Lun. ¡°The origin of our Wolff Family lies in the Matthaios n¡­ But as time passed, the Matthaios n had long been submerged in the river of history, leaving only dozens or hundreds of different descendant groups, with the Wolf n being one of them.¡± The Dark Knight shook his head. ¡°It seems to be a curse left behind; members of the Wolf n tend to have short lives¡­ To the point that in recent centuries, they havepletely declined and are on the brink of extinction. I originally thought I was thest remaining descendant of the family, but a little more than half a year ago, I suddenly felt a mysterious connection through our bloodline¡­ Following this guidance, I found Amber City, and made an exhrating discovery!¡± He lifted his head, a shadow beneath the wolf helmet, unseen eyes fixating on Chen Lun. ¡°That girl by your side has the blood of the Wolf n flowing through her veins¡ªher true name should be ¡®Floey Wolff¡¯! Apart from me, she is thest descendant of the Wolf n! Furthermore, she carries the aura of our ancestor¡­ If I¡¯m not mistaken, the original form of that Mysterious Object should be none other than that of the Saint of our family, Her Majesty Asina Wolff.¡± Surprise shed in Chen Lun¡¯s eyes at the revtion of such a truth. The fake identity he once casually concocted for Floey turned out to be her real name, and indeed, she was supposed to be the daughter of a fallen noble?! ¡®Could this also be the guidance of Destiny¡­?¡¯ He stared vacantly. ¡®No wonder the ¡°Sun-avoiding Potted nt¡± formed a deep bond with Floey; it was originally the transformation of a Saint from the Wolf n after death!¡¯ It became evident that the impoverished home where Floey spent her childhood was not her birth family. ¡°By lineage, Floey should call me ¡®Uncle.''¡± The raspy voice of the Wolf Knight chuckled. Chapter 292: 213: Chocolate (Please Vote for Monthly Tickets!) Chapter 292: Chapter 213: Chocte (Please Vote for Monthly Tickets!) Chen Lun gazed at the Dark Knight before him, lost in quiet contemtion. The other was rted by blood to Floey and was also the only family she had left in this world. ¡°It¡¯s clear, she cares deeply about you,¡± Bales said with a light chuckle. ¡°Such emotion is intense, I can feel it¡­ the Wolf n members have an almost mad dedication to love.¡± He paused. ¡°I have high hopes for you, Jack. You possess a very special quality, a fundamental line in human nature that is precious and rare. And your progress is swift, so swift it astonishes me¡­ Every step forward in the Mystic Realm requires tremendous effort, and you¡­¡± The Dark Knight shook his head. ¡°Incredible.¡± He slowly stood up, leaning against the tombstone, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword. ¡°Jack, is there anything else you want to ask?¡± ¡°Mr. Bales, why don¡¯t you meet with Floey?¡± Chen Lun spoke up. The Dark Knight fell silent for a moment before answering with a single phrase: ¡°The time is not yet right.¡± Without a word between them, Chen Lun pulled at the brim of his hat and approached the Dark Knight. ¡°I have no more questions, Mr. Bales. What do you need me to do next?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask why I am being pursued by the Church and the Shelter? If I¡¯ve done something heinous, would you still help me?¡± The Dark Knight turned to look at him with interest. ¡°I would.¡± Chen Lun revealed a small smile. ¡°Why?¡± the Dark Knight asked. ¡°Because you are Floey¡¯s only kin.¡± He said it quite naturally. The Dark Knight was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled softly. ¡°Actually, the reason I¡¯m being chased is quiteughable¡­ I¡¯ll tell you about it next time. I don¡¯t have much time left. What I need from you is to transport an item for me. It¡¯s in Sunflower City at the main city of the Flower State. After you get it, covertly deliver it to the ruins just outside Amber City in the Gem State.¡± ¡°What is the item?¡± Chen Lun asked. The Dark Knight handed him a stone coin engraved with some patterns, an object that recorded the current-world anchor points of Sunflower City. After Chen Lun took it, the Dark Knight uttered two words: ¡°Coffin.¡± He added: ¡°This body of mine won¡¯tst much longer. My own body lies in that coffin in Sunflower City¡­ Remember, don¡¯t travel directly through the Spirit World when going between the two cities. There will be elite Transcendent squads lying in ambush at the edge of the city, in the Spirit World.¡± [You¡¯ve triggered a B-level Mission: The Coffin Journey!] Mission Description: You have gained the trust of the Dark Knight Bales, who has revealed the location of his true body to you, and hopes you can transport it from Sunflower City to a designated ce on the outskirts of Amber City. Mission Rewards: 20,000 Experience Points, 50 Gold Pounds, increased Affection from Bales, and [Moon Faction Sequence Seven ¨C Soul Consoler] Supernatural Knowledge. ¡°I understand, Mr. Bales,¡± Chen Lun epted the mission, nodding his head in acknowledgment. The Dark Knight responded wearily and then sat back down against therge tombstone. He held onto his sword, his head bowed, and looked as if he might have fallen asleep. * * * When Chen Lun returned to the real world, he found himself not at Jack Manor but in a suburb of Amber City. Seeing this, he had no choice but to manifest wings and p back toward the city. Luckily, the speed of [Variegated Wings] was much faster than the former [Crow Feather], more than twice as fast. When he flew at high altitudes, there was even a faint screeching sound. He quickly arrived at the city gates and joined the throng of people to enter. The gue seemed to be getting worse; there were many guards at the gates, checking those who entered, and most of the underss who used to live outside the city were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they had left under the pressure of survival, or maybe they had died of the gue and silently disappeared from the world. Chen Lun sighed inwardly and entered the city. He took a cab temporarily and spent forty Copper Kros to be taken back to Jack Manor in the Inner City District. An hourter. When passing amercial street, Chen Lun suddenly remembered something. There were many hometown dishes he yearned for butcked special seasonings; Floey was ¡°hard-pressed forck of rice,¡± and Connie had also been unable to buy them. ¡®I remember there is a grocery store here, affiliated with the Silver Dragon Trade Association. They have wide connections, and inside I should be able to find something like soy sauce¡­ It would be even better if there were spices like cinnamon and star anise.¡¯ Chen Lun couldn¡¯t help but think, without these, the dishes alwayscked a certain charm. He signaled the carriage to stop, then got off by himself. At a nce, Chen Lun quickly identified his target. Not far ahead to the left, there was a shop named ¡°Vanodi¡¯s Grocery,¡± with a small silver dragon head engraved on the side of the signboard. He went straight in. The grocery store wasrge, equivalent to a supermarket, but Chen Lun walked past several shelves without finding the seasonings he wanted. Reluctantly, with the mentality of ¡°better not to leave empty-handed,¡± he decided to buy some gifts for Floey on the way back. Chen Lun found the shelf with candies and choctes and picked out two boxes of dark chocte. ¡®This dark chocte has zero sugar content; Floey should like it.¡¯ He thought to himself with a light smile. Just as Chen Lun was about to leave, he spotted an old woman with a stooped back next to him, hesitating over a row of choctes. ¡°Too expensive¡­¡± the old woman murmured to herself. Chen Lun then subconsciously looked at the price tag; regr chocte was priced at about 2 Silver Ducats per box, while the dark chocte he held was even more expensive, at 7 Silver Ducats and 35 Copper Kros. He shook his head slightly; indeed, this was not affordable for the lower ss, but being in the Inner City District, ordinary residents should find it eptable. ¡°Are you from out of town?¡± Chen Lun casually asked. It seemed the old woman only then perceived the tall, handsome young man standing beside her. She looked up in surprise, then smiled faintly, her cheeks lined with deep wrinkles. ¡°Yes¡­ I came to visit rtives and wanted to buy some gifts.¡± She was dressed in a simple yet clean ck attire; amonce purple chrysanthemum was tucked at the border of her draped clothes and white hair. She didn¡¯t look wealthy. Chen Lun, upon seeing the elderlydy, kindly took a few boxes of beautifully wrapped choctes and gestured: ¡°Let me pay for these for you.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s too expensive, I can¡¯t ept¡­¡± The elderlydy seemed very surprised and kept waving her hands in refusal. Chen Lun shed his signature smile, didn¡¯t insist, but then suddenly asked: ¡°Madam, forgive the intrusion, may I ask your age?¡± The elderlydy had an easy-going personality and wasn¡¯t offended; instead, she spoke softly: ¡°I am 81 years old, not far from death.¡± Chen Lun shook his head gently with a sense of poignancy. ¡°It¡¯spletely unnoticeable; if you hadn¡¯t told me, I would have thought you were 18 this year.¡± The remark amused the elderlydy, prompting her to chuckle softly. Chen Lun continued: ¡°Your smile is beautiful and it has brightened my day. I think that definitely deserves a gift.¡± He once again offered the boxes of chocte he held to the elderlydy. She hesitated for a moment, but finally said: ¡°You¡¯re a kind young man, thank you.¡± After epting the choctes, she put most of them back on the shelf, keeping only one box of sugar-free dark chocte, the same kind Chen Lun was buying for Floey. After paying, the elderlydy stopped Chen Lun at the door of the grocery store as he was about to leave. She took the initiative to give him a hug and then said: ¡°Young man, may Moonlight¡¯s Blessing be upon you¡­ This city, despite its prosperity, has too few kind-hearted people.¡± Chen Lun chuckled and responded lightly: ¡°You remind me of my grandmother, very warm, and I wish you health and safety on your journey.¡± The elderlydy seemed very touched and asked: ¡°Please tell me the name of your grandmother so that every Sunday on the Moon Goddess¡¯s worship days, I can pray for her and wish her well on your behalf.¡± Chen Lun, having no grandmother in this world, simply blurted out a fabricated name: ¡°Her name is Margaret.¡± * * * Nightfall. Floey received the gift from Chen Lun. She was delighted to unwrap the paper packaging and then sniffed the dark chocte with some curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Chocte,¡± Chen Lun exined. Floey seemed never to have tasted chocte before and appeared quite expectant. She gently bit off a corner of the chocte bar with her mouth. Crack. Chen Lun watched her quietly, her fair cheeks puffing out slightly as if she was savoring the taste in her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s delicious, I quite like it,¡± Floey said with a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t find it bitter?¡± Chen Lun asked. Floey shook her head, then a bit sheepishly nodded slightly. ¡°Yes, a little bit.¡± Chen Lun couldn¡¯t help but chuckle a few times, finding Floey¡¯s behavior inexplicably cute. ¡°Chocte is supposed to be sweet, but it seems you don¡¯t like sweet things, so I bought this sugar-free kind for you.¡± Floey nodded as if she somewhat understood. ¡°I like this kind.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear¡­ I¡¯ll bring you some more next time,¡± Chen Lun said. Floey carefully put the unfinished chocte back into the tin foil wrapper and stored away both boxes. After they parted, Chen Lun returned to his room. He briefly contemted his next moves and decided to do something else on the way to Sunflower City. ¡®Before the chaos truly begins, it¡¯s best to remove the hidden threats around Amber City¡­¡¯ Chen Lun took out the high-level token of the Silver Dragon Trade Association and flicked a silver coin. As the central part of the silver coin spun rapidly, invisible sound waves reached the Spirit World, and soon, a deep blue crack appeared, followed by a pig¡¯s head popping out from beneath Chen Lun¡¯s feet. Chen Lun looked at this scamming doll that changed its skin every time, twitched the corner of his mouth, and thenmunicated with it using ¡°Beast Speech,¡± entrusting it with a task.@@novelbin@@ He sent the scamming doll to buy intelligence on the existing branches of the Red Apple Church around Amber City at the current stage. The pig¡¯s head gave an understanding look, nodded seriously, and burrowed back in. Chen Lun sat on a chair, fingers tapping the armrest lightly, his eyes revealing deep thought. ¡®With so much time passed, the yers should have grown significantly; it¡¯s about time to release the Circus¡¯s new products, update their equipment¡­ and take them to strike against the Red Apple Church as a warm-up for adapting to the pace of future game updates.¡¯ He was satisfied with this n. ¡®Where could they find such a dedicated guide as me¡­ I¡¯m just too noble, too extraordinary.¡¯ * * * The next evening, Floey awoke from her sleep. After getting up and freshening herself up in the washroom, she walked eagerly to the table, pulled open the drawer, and took out the chocte Chen Lun had bought for her the night before. To her surprise, though, where there were originally two boxes, an extra one had mysteriously appeared. Floey paused for a few seconds, then felt a warm feeling inside. She thought that Chen Lun must have learned that she liked it and bought an additional box, secretly cing it in her drawer. Chapter 293: 214: The Secret of the Game (Vote for Monthly Ticket!) Chapter 293: Chapter 214: The Secret of the Game (Vote for Monthly Ticket!) After lunch. Chen Lun received a reply from the Spirit Realm Messenger of the Silver Dragon Trade Association. The pig-headed creature exhibited an awe-struck expression as it handed over an envelope from the wall. Chen Lun took it, and the creature zipped away in a sh. ¡®Why is it so afraid of me¡­ I, Jack, am not some kind of demon.¡¯ He rolled his eyes and opened the envelope. The letter contained detailed information about the current situation of the Red Apple Church around Amber City, because of the previous gallery incident and the fight at the square, they had temporarily given up on this city. Even several neighboring metropolises were actively abandoned by the Red Apple Church, handed over to other churches. However, the church still maintained branches in three small towns in this region. Chen Lun spected that these might be the Red Apple Church¡¯s backup ns, likely to be activated and make aeback in the future. ¡®Can¡¯t leave hidden threats¡­ On my way to Sunflower City, I¡¯ll destroy all of them!¡¯ Chen Lun made up his mind. ¡®Bales warned me not to shuttle directly between two cities in the Spirit World¡­ It¡¯s perfect to take the train out of Amber City, destroy those three branch chapels, and then enter the Spirit World from there.¡¯ * * * The real world. Azure Federation. Splendid City. A skyscraper hundreds of floors high stood in the middle of a city buzzing with lights. Its four walls were made of translucent ss from a high-techposite material, which also functioned as projection screens. On the dark blue ss of the building¡¯s facade, dynamic, high-tech projected fonts appeared, with their golden glow capturing the attention¡ª¡±sh Eagle Group ¨C Hall of Valor Headquarters¡±! Dongyang, the Vice Chairman of the Hall of Valor, was sitting in a conference room spanning hundreds of square meters,plete with a pristine white interior and brilliant lighting. Dozens of high-level guild members were seated around an oval conference table. The chairman was speaking about this quarter¡¯s financial situation on the stage, but Dongyang was not listening. Instead, he picked up a magazine beside him, its cover featuring none other than Dongyang himself. ¡®The group is very satisfied with our work. Since the public beta of ¡°Era of Mystery,¡± the Hall of Valor¡¯s reputation has grown, and the variousmercial activities we have undertaken have seen historic progress¡­¡¯ the Chairman Flicker continued excitedly, while Dongyang flipped through the magazine. One of the pages detailed the Hall of Valor guild, which belonged to one of the threergest consortia of the Azure Federation¡ªthe sh Eagle Group, also known as the Golden Consortium. The guild¡¯s footprint covered numerous games, but now their focus is mainly on ¡°Era of Mystery.¡± But this was not an isted phenomenon; in addition to the Golden Consortium ¡°sh Eagle,¡± the ck Consortium ¡°Doug¡± and the Red Consortium ¡°Forgetful Dancer¡± also valued this game greatly, investing significant funds and manpower into it. It was as if the game contained some huge treasure. As one of the core high-ranking members, Dongyang knew that increasing visibility to profit from traffic and monopolization by earning Credit Points was just the smallest of the Consortium¡¯s many goals. He once discussed this matter with Chairman Flicker, who revealed a very ndestine piece of information: the reason the three major consortia valued this game so highly was because of Federation officials. ¡°Era of Mystery¡± was not merely the first of the new era¡¯s ¡°holographic games¡±; its development team was actuallyposed of Federation official scientists! Although Dongyang found this news rather far-fetched when he first heard it, it was indeed the case. The same scientists who debated how to break through the sr winds had begun researching games¡ªa truth that no one would believe if they knew.@@novelbin@@ Flicker also mentioned that the birth of ¡°Era of Mystery¡± was a result of an idental and coincidental data evolution by the Federation¡¯s centralputer, as well as an experiment by those scientists. Dongyang was astonished by the true story behind the game. But as the world¡¯s smartest and most erudite group, what they were fiddling with, no one knew. Flicker finally mentioned that ¡°Era of Mystery,¡± the game, must hide deeper secrets, driving the three major consortia to keep increasing their investments. Not to mention that all three consortia had profited quite a bit; even if they were losing money, they spared no expense. This was a conclusion deduced by Chairman Flicker based on the attitude of the group¡¯s upper echelon. Dongyang had asked the chairman where he had obtained such insider information¡­ Flicker hinted mysteriously that it was inadvertently revealed by his uncle. At that time, Dongyang felt that the credibility of this piece of news was very high because he had heard Flicker mention that his uncle was one of the official high-ups of the Azure Federation and also a member of the Azure Holy Church¡­ The Azure Holy Church was the only legally recognized religion in the Federation, as well as an elite group. Only the most prominent talent from various industries could join. Nearly all of the Federation¡¯s official scientists were members of the Holy Church! ¡°Alright, let¡¯s end the meeting here¡­ Dongyang, Horseman, and Kuang Benkuang, the three of you stay; the rest may leave.¡± Chairman Flicker turned off the meeting projection as he spoke. The high-ranking members of the Hall of Valor got up and left, leaving the three men. ¡°Chairman, what instructions do you have?¡± Dongyang closed the magazine and refocused his thoughts. ¡°The group¡¯s new executive in charge is very appreciative of our work and has decided to increase resource allocation. Our reimbursement quota in the game is also going to increase significantly¡­ You three made significant contributions in the First Phase of the guild¡¯s expansion, and I have decided to issue you a bonus.¡± Chapter 296: 215: Rush to Buy and Conflict Chapter 296: Chapter 215: Rush to Buy and Conflict ng ng¡­ Whoo-whoo! The train was moving, with thick smoke billowing from the lotive¡¯s chimney. In one of the luxurious cars at the front, Chen Lun was seated, dining on exquisite food and chilled fruit juice in front of him. He was alone in the entire car. At that moment, the car door was knocked on, and the voice of Pris came through: ¡°Mr. Jack, it¡¯s me, Pris.¡± ¡°Come in.¡± Pris pushed the door open, and the entire adjacent car was filled with yers, noisy, having clearly been reserved by them. As the door closed, the noise disappeared. Pris walked up, bowing respectfully. ¡°Sit.¡± Chen Lun casually pointed. Pris obediently took a seat in front of him, looking somewhat nervous. Before leaving, he had called out a few times, and he didn¡¯t know whether Mr. Jack would be annoyed because of it. Fortunately, there was no tip-off of a decrease in Affection, which gave him a bit of relief. Chen Lun took out a bottle of ordinary Supernatural Wine and poured a ss for Pris, then gestured. ¡°Thank you.¡± Pris drank it down in one go, gaining the corresponding enhancement. He rejoiced inwardly, it seemed Mr. Jack wasn¡¯t displeased; his own ¡°student¡± benefits hadn¡¯t vanished¡­ or rather, had he actually done well? Chen Lun quietly observed Pris, who was now at Level 22, pulling ahead of the other yers. Presently, among the top yers, he was the highest level and the strongest. ¡°Pris, it looks like you haven¡¯t beenx during this time¡­ Your progress is rapid, and you¡¯re already among the stronger ones in the Transcendents of Sequence Nine. Compared to other Undead, you have taken the lead.¡± Chen Lun praised. Pris was pleased but still humbly waved his hand. ¡°It¡¯s because of Mr. Jack¡¯s teachings that I could stand out.¡± He really meant it; indeed, it was by sticking close to Jack that he had gained his current strength. This had a huge impact on him. In reality, Pris had saved enough money to get his grandmother a mechanical prosthetic and was preparing to move his only rtive out of low-ie housing to a nicer apartment area. He even thought about earning more money in the future, to let himself and his grandmother live like those wealthy people in high society, moving into a bustling metropolis like Splendid City and enjoying life. All of this was inseparable from the NPC before him. You could say Mr. Jack had changed his life. ¡°Since you are my student, I won¡¯t be stingy¡­¡± Chen Lun said, putting down his cutlery, and took out a painting and a scroll. ¡°This is as a reward for your diligence from your teacher, and also a bit of insignificant caring.¡± Pris curiously took the two items, immediately widening his eyes. In his hands was a painting of Mr. Jack! [Supernatural Item ¨C Jack¡¯s Portrait Oil Painting (Single-Use Consumable)] Item Description: A genius painter¡¯s depiction of a man, possessing an ultimate appearance, a noble demeanor, and mysterious powers. This oil painting has imitated his Supernatural Power but retained only a minimal portion of it. [Supernatural Item ¨C Hand of the Snake (Magic Scroll)] Item Description: A scroll documenting animal magic, from a seasoned Beast Tamer, who recorded his own Supernatural Power in the form of magic. The scroll conceals a giant white python capable of causing dreadful destruction. ¡°Thank you, teacher!¡± Pris instantly stood up, his mood exhrated. He was very aware of the value of these two items and had no doubt about their power since they originated from Jack¡¯s own strength! Even if they contained only a tenth of Jack¡¯s power, they were still very potent tools, not something you could buy with money! Apart from him, no yer at this stage could get such Great Weapons; he could definitely use them as his own trump card! ¡°Sit down.¡± Chen Lun smiled softly, picking up his cutlery again and stuffing a juicy piece of smoked meat into his mouth. ¡°Yes, teacher.¡± Pris sat down again, trying to calm his emotions. ¡°From now on, you don¡¯t need to hide your identity too much, you can proudly tell others that you are a disciple of Jack Spett.¡± Chen Lun said. Pris was momentarily taken aback, then nodded. ¡°I understand, teacher.¡± He sat quietly for a while, then again made a request to Exchange items. Over this period, Pris had saved up a substantial amount of Gold Pounds and Contribution Points; he decided to get a new set of equipment for himself, as sharpening the knife doesn¡¯t hinder the cutting of wood. Only by investing in oneself smartly can one reap better rewards. As a seasoned yer, he deeply understood this truth; being overly frugal could actually lead to missing out on more opportunities. Chen Lun didn¡¯t refuse and silently opened the exchange interface. Pris pick and chose, ultimately buying two bombs, one red, one blue, and also replenishing some potions, ammunition, and fuel. While depleting his Contribution Points, he also spent several dozens of Gold Pounds. ¡°Get Dongyang, Chenxi, Doghead Gold, and Forget No Taboo, along with the other nine members, toe in. Tell them I¡¯ve finished dining, and we can start exchanging items.¡± Chen Lun, seeing Pris¡¯s triumphant return, chuckled lightly. Pris respectfully responded, then bowed again, holding his backpack, turned around, and left. Momentster. Dongyang and the others streamed in through the car door.@@novelbin@@ Seeing Pris¡¯s smile, they were already aware that this guy definitely had some gains from Jack, inducing envy and jealousy. Chapter 297: 215: Panic Buying and Conflict_2 Chapter 297: Chapter 215: Panic Buying and Conflict_2 ¡°Mr. Jack.¡± Dongyang and others bowed. Chen Lun waved his hand, and the stacked round stools next to him suddenly levitated and arranged themselves in a circle in front of him. The nine yers were first surprised, then consciously took their seats. ¡°Jack is getting more and more mysterious.¡± ¡°Peckish.¡± ¡°That move was pretty cool, I¡¯ve already recorded it. I¡¯ll post it in the group for the other beauties to see, wahahaha¡­!¡± Dongyang looked at the gentleman with the ck hat in front of him and exchanged nces with Chenxi and others beside him. Most of the yers in the carriage were members of their respective guilds, and the equipment and items they had purchased from Jack had already been consumed by the guilds. They needed to make another round of purchases, which was also in preparation for this mission. The Consortium¡¯s support for the guilds was increasing, so Dongyang wasn¡¯t worried about spending money, but rather that Jack might run out of stock! He had already visited Jack¡¯s estate more than once, but could never buy anything from Nun Floey. Firearms, Mechanical Gloves, and ammunition fuel were fine but items in the hidden category were limited. They would only be produced asionally, which was extremely frustrating for him. And that limited stock, he also had topete for with Chenxi, Doghead Gold, and others¡ª utterly annoying. Ding! Golden Exchange appeared above Chen Lun¡¯s head. Dongyang and others immediately clicked on it, then entered a frenzied shopping mode. Bombs, whether red or blue, just grab seventy or eighty of them first! Firearms and Mechanical Gloves as part of the ¡°Circus Set,¡± get dozens of sets to rece what the brothers in the carriage are using! ce more orderster and store them in the estate warehouse! Red and Blue Potion Bottles, a must-have, buy! Wow! The ¡°Beef Power Bottles¡± in the hidden category finally officially went on sale too! Buy! ¡°Eh?! Howe they¡¯re gone?!¡± Dongyang suddenly froze, just in the blink of an eye, the deep red potion turned grey and was no longer interactable. Turning his head, he saw Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo looking at him with grins, their two fingers ced to their foreheads, saluting him. ¡°Goddamn it! Those Roaring Turtle Mountain folks!¡± Dongyang was fuming, but with Jack sitting right in front of him, he didn¡¯t dare to make a scene. Soon, he noticed a new type of product that appeared in the hidden category. It was a series of oil paintings, each depicting the executives of the Circus! Each painting had a different price, with those of Floey and Noah being more expensive. Just as he was about to view them, the paintings of Floey and Noah turned grey. Dongyang hesitated slightly, feeling uneasy, then without thinking, he bought up all the remaining paintings of Golov and Barton. Dongyang turned to see Chenxi and Wei Yin smiling at him slightly. ¡°Well yed, you guys are really quick!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the quicker one, Dongyang the great. You took all ten remaining paintings, should call you Quick Reflexes.¡± Wei Yinughed lightly as she spoke. Dongyang¡¯s eyelid twitched. ¡°When you address me, can you not add ¡®the great¡¯? It sounds like you¡¯re calling me a Diva. And if I¡¯m Quick Reflexes, then you¡¯re the tank, acting all coy here, you old hag!¡± Wei Yin¡¯s loli eyes suddenly sharpened. Clutching Noah¡¯s painting, she threatened: ¡°Do you want to be castrated? I know where you live, I¡¯ll get you offline¡­cough.¡± Wei Yin nced at Jack, noticing he was looking at the scenery outside the window. ¡°Just you wait, if I catch you!¡± She lowered her voice and spoke with venom. Dongyang was undeterred, and the two of them took their battle to the chatroom, where they started a series of arguments. After a while. The high-level yers¡¯ shopping was almost done.@@novelbin@@ Chenxi spoke up at that moment: ¡°Mr. Jack, I would like to purchase some Supernatural Knowledge.¡± Her words pulled Dongyang out of the argument, and he quickly added: ¡°I want to buy Supernatural Knowledge too!¡± As time passed, yers from other guilds had begun to rise to Transcendents, and therge guilds were reacting with urgency, wanting to maintain a leading position by increasing the strength of the guild. So representatives of the guilds such as Dongyang, Chenxi, and Doghead Gold all wanted to exchange for a batch of Supernatural Knowledge from Jack, to turn the guild¡¯s reliable executives into Transcendents. Although the Supernatural Knowledge from Jack was expensive, its advantagey in its straightforwardness ¨C the Consortiumcked everything but money. Chen Lun nodded, understanding their silent plea, and smiled faintly. ¡°No problem.¡± He waved his hand, and ten pathways of Supernatural Knowledge appeared in the hidden category. This time, all the high-level yers unanimously turned their attention to the Destiny Faction¡¯s Beast Tamer. The reason being, Pris had left a profound impression! It was definitely a promising pathway! But they quickly realized that after the Beast Tamer entry, it was marked ¡°Limited Edition (3 remaining)¡±! There were only three! They had to get their hands on them! This time, Dongyang with his Quick Reflexes managed to snap up two, while Chenxi only got hold of one. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo turned away empty-handed. ¡°Hehe¡­!¡± Dongyang was inexplicably delighted, holding two pieces of paper in his hand, showing off a bit, then carefully put them away. Chenxi and Doghead Gold gave him a contemptuous look. Then they all felt puzzled. The other Supernatural Knowledge pieces were also limited, but there were more than a dozen each, so why were there so few from the Destiny Faction? Chen Lun looked at their tangled faces, feeling helpless in his heart. Chapter 298: 215: Rush to Buy and Conflict_3 Chapter 298: Chapter 215: Rush to Buy and Conflict_3 The Destiny Faction¡¯s mysterious substance was something he simply didn¡¯t have on hand; these three were transcribed using pure substances, so realistically, selling Destiny Faction¡¯s supernatural knowledge on arge scale in the short term was far-fetched. The channels of the Silver Dragon Trade Association were extensive, yet they were uniquely unable to purchase the Destiny Faction¡¯s mysterious substance, seemingly because its quantity was too scant. For other mysterious substances that Chen Lun acquired from the Silver Dragon Trade Association, he almost always paid a premium. The market price for a unit of mysterious substance was around 50 gold pounds, and he spent 60 per unit. Fortunately, after transcribing them into supernatural knowledge and reselling them to yers, the profits increased tenfold, if not more¡ªdefinitely a lucrative business. Chen Lun never tired of it. ¡®Later I¡¯ll find a way to get some of the Destiny Faction¡¯s mysterious substance. With Pris helping me to create a buzz, there will surely be more and more yers wanting to take this path¡­ But they don¡¯t know that the reason Pris is so strong is because he has my exclusive skill, ¡°Animal Mimicry¡±!¡¯ Once they fall into this trap and realize they can only use ¡°Beast Speech¡± tomand animals, they will definitely feel very disappointed by theparison¡­ Hmm, perfect.¡¯@@novelbin@@ He thought to himself. Dongyang and the others had clearly made thorough preparations beforeing this time, bringing enough money. They purchased almost all of the supernatural knowledge Chen Lun had, contributing over fifty thousand gold pounds to Chen Lun¡¯s wallet in total. ¡®That¡¯s another huge sum¡­ But the supernatural knowledge of Sequence Nine can only sell for such a high price during this time. I¡¯ve seized this wave of dividends as well. As time goes on and the number of Transcendent yers increases, the prices will have to gradually decrease¡­ But by then, I¡¯ll be able to release the supernatural knowledge of Sequence Eight.¡¯ Chen Lun thought to himself. * * * Time quickly advanced to three dayster. The train stopped at the tform of Yellow Iron City, and the three branches of the Red Apple Church were in the small towns nearby. Chen Lun stepped out of the carriage, the attendants respectfully saluted him and bade him farewell with a smile. This was the power of money. He didn¡¯t pay too much attention, adjusting his ck hat and leaning on his silver staff as he approached a group of yers. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Dongyang and the others responded, then led their own people, following closely behind Chen Lun. There were quite a few other yers at the train station. Seeing this spectacle, they were surprised, not knowing what these people were up to. Another half-day passed. Finally, they reached their first destination, Ice Glutinous Town. Their first impression upon entering this town was that it was filthy and disorderly! The gue had ravaged this ce severely; the town had fallen into disrepair, with most shops closed and some even broken into and looted. The streets hadn¡¯t been cleaned for a long time, ck stains like dried blood clung stubbornly to the ground. Trash was everywhere, and fragments of old newspapers drifted in the wind. Dongyang and the others had contacted their guilds from the train and obtained maps of the three towns in advance. Members from other regions had sent the maps via mail, so they were clear on the location of the Red Apple Church here. The group looked around the deste town, shaking their heads inwardly. The setting was so realistic that for a moment, they could hardly distinguish between reality and the game. Soon, they reached the block closest to the church, a pungent smell of blood assailing their nostrils. What met their eyes were streets full of corpses and yers who were hunting gue victims. ¡°Mr. Jack? Should we go directly to the church, or¡­?¡± Dongyang and the others stopped and turned to inquire of Chen Lun. ¡°Make your own decision,¡± Chen Lun said indifferently, his voice soft as he leaned on his silver staff. Just then, the yers who had been fighting also noticed the arrival of thisrge group of strangers. They were initially surprised, then quickly became wary and annoyed. A few of them exchanged nces and whispered messages to each other. ¡°¡ªWhere did these peoplee from? Are they newbies from nearby?¡± ¡°¡ªI don¡¯t know, but they don¡¯t look like it¡­ Let¡¯s scout. They¡¯re yers from the Hall of Valor, God¡¯s Love, and Chuxi, some of the major guilds.¡± ¡°¡ªWhat should we do?¡± ¡°¡ªWhat¡¯s there to fear? This is our turf, it won¡¯t matter whoes!¡± After that, a male yer dressed in leather armor, wielding a short sword, stepped forward. Facing nearly a hundred people, he wasn¡¯t scared. Instead, he spoke arrogantly and coldly: ¡°This is the Lost Name Guild¡¯s leveling grounds. Go back to wherever you came from!¡± ¡°Hmm?!¡± Dongyang and the others let out a coldugh. Dongyang and Chenxi were high-ranking members of their guilds¡ªone was the deputy head of the Hall of Valor, the other was the president of Chuxi. They were slightly angered by the haughty attitude of this minor figure. However, they knew the opposing side had fewer people but was not afraid, which meant they must have something to rely on to be so confident. ¡°We¡¯re not here to level up, and we won¡¯t fight over monsters with you¡­ We¡¯re just passing through, so you can continue grinding yours,¡± Dongyang spoke. ¡°Just passing through? Who would believe that!¡± The yer from the Lost Name Guild scoffed. ¡°With so many of you loitering around, did youe here for a walk after filling your bellies?¡± Another person by his side took over the conversation, speaking coldly: ¡°There¡¯s no way through here! I¡¯ll warn you one more time, leave immediately, or don¡¯t me us for being rude! We¡¯re all from the Three Major Guilds, who¡¯s afraid of whom?¡± The faces of Dongyang and the others darkened. Knowing from the map that there were alternate routes to the church, they now understood that regardless of the detour, given the situation, the entire town seemed to be upied by the Lost Name Guild. The yers of the Lost Name Guild stopped fighting and gathered around, looking unfriendly toward Dongyang and his group, both sides on the verge of confrontation. The first person who had spoken opened their mouth, intending to speak further, but in the next second¡ª Thump! A burst of dense blood blossomed from his chest, and with his eyes wide, he fell to the ground, seriously injured. Boom! Another basketball-sized mended on him, the sizzling sound of roasting meat apanying screams as the person turned into white light and disappeared. Everyone present was shocked. They turned to look and saw Pris, wearing a mechanical glove and holding a firearm, with an expression of detachment. ¡°Why waste words? Just start the fight!¡± Chapter 299: 216: Gods Wouldnt Be That Petty, Right? Chapter 299: Chapter 216: Gods Wouldn¡¯t Be That Petty, Right? ¡°Damn it, you actually dare to attack!¡± yers from the Lost Name Guild roared angrily. The leaders waved their hands. ¡°Crush them! Those guys from other guilds are here to steal our territory!¡± Twenty or thirty yers from the Lost Name Guild immediately yelled and rushed over with the short swords in their hands. ¡°Fire!¡± Dongyangmanded his men to shoot, his expression not looking good. ¡°We fire too!¡± Chenxi, Doghead Gold, and others also raised their hands to give the order. Bang bang bang¡­!! The Lost Name Guild yers wielding short swords quickly fell during the charge, vanishing in a sh of white light. Dongyang nced at Pris, noticing that his ally had already charged into the fray, and he couldn¡¯t say much at this point. Since it hade to this, he had no choice but to slug it out with the Lost Name yers. Their brazen stand was seriously hampering their mission¡¯s progress. Dongyang¡¯s nearly a hundred yers had already been equipped with ¡°Circus Sets¡± featuring firearms and mechanical gloves on the train, boasting astonishingbat power. The Lost Name Guild yers charged up with great momentum, only to be overwhelmed in a storm of bullets and mes, sufferingplete annihtion. ¡°What the hell, I didn¡¯t even try hard, and they¡¯re all down,¡± said Doghead Gold, mboyantly blowing on the barrel of his firearm. ¡°Stop wasting time, let¡¯s move on,¡± Dongyang said. It seemed that nobody took this conflict to heart since the opposition was just too weak. Those yers were nowhere near their level, and the high-level yers didn¡¯t even need to get involved personally, bullying them with the strength of Transcendents. With just these nearly a hundred firearms, they could easily trounce those guys. In another part of the town, a group of recently wiped Lost Name yers reappeared in the courtyard of a rundown house, their Resurrection Point. These yers looked at each other, seeing both anger and wariness in their faces. ¡°Howe those guys have such good equipment! All firearms! Plus gloves that shoot mes!¡± ¡°We must tell the Vice Chairman right now! We can¡¯t let them strut around here!¡± ¡°Right! Get a message to the Vice Chairman quickly!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯ll be regretting it soon! Our people are in the town, we¡¯ll blow their equipment to smithereens!¡± * * * ¡°Hahahaha¡­!¡± The gue-crazed maniacsughed wildly as they charged toward the yers, dragging their heavy hoes and Iron Hammers. But they were torn to shreds by a barrage of bullets before they could even get close. Bang bang bang¡­! Dongyang and Chenxi led the team forward, never stopping their advance. Chen Lun followed silently, assessing the yers¡¯bat power and nodding to himself. This group of nearly a hundred was more than enough to destroy a town-level Red Apple Church. If he could avoid getting involved, he would. He preferred to use the yers as his own des, to weaken the Church¡¯s power for him and to create confusion. He paid no mind to their conflict with the Lost Name Guild. He stepped back, blending his figure into the crowd of yers.@@novelbin@@ The crazed patients of the gue district couldn¡¯t stop the advancing team. Dongyang and his party quickly crossed the area, reaching the next district. They immediately spotted the towering building at the edge of the street. Like other Red Apple Church structures in different districts, it had tall spires at both ends and angelic and goddess bas-reliefs on the outer walls. A high wall encircled the courtyard, setting it apart from nearby buildings. Just then, the Great Gate outside the Church courtyard burst open, and several guards charged out. There seemed to be about forty or fifty people at a nce. These guards were grouped in threes and fives, each group leading arge dog draped in red cloth. What surprised Dongyang and others was that all these Church guardians were yers, and their IDs were tagged with ¡°Lost Name Guild.¡± ¡°No wonder they¡¯re so arrogant; turns out the Lost Name Guild has already joined the Red Apple Church. Is that where they¡¯re getting their confidence from¡­?¡± Doghead Gold sneered. Dongyang¡¯s expression turned serious, thinking this was an important discovery. Every one of the Three Major Guilds and other top-tier guilds was not to be underestimated. It seemed that recently the Lost Name Guild had put most of their efforts into conquering the Red Apple Church¡­ it was unclear how they managed to get so many members to join. ¡°You guys are really going too far!¡± Church guardians wearing wide-brimmed hats and leather coats closed in on them. Leading them was the Vice Chairman of the Lost Name Guild, Landon, gripping a short sword and leading a rotting hound as he surveyed Dongyang and his crew. ¡°Dongyang! Chenxi! And the two from the God¡¯s Love Guild! What do you mean by this?¡± Landon said emotionlessly. ¡°This area is now Lost Name Guild territory. If you¡¯re here to level up, we could negotiate, maybe even give you a discount¡­ but if you¡¯re looking for trouble, sorry, we¡¯ll just have to kill you back to the Resurrection Point!¡± He clearly recognized Dongyang and his party and was aware of their identities as Transcendents. His guild had paid attention to the news when the first batch of Transcendents was revealed during the public test. Despite not wanting to conflict with them, he had to show some backbone so as not to appear weak to his guild. ¡°Besides, the only Righteous God Church here has be our backer. I don¡¯t believe they¡¯d dare make a move!¡± Chapter 301: 216: Gods Wouldnt Be So Petty, Right?_3 Chapter 301: Chapter 216: Gods Wouldn¡¯t Be So Petty, Right?_3 A momentter. At the church entrance.@@novelbin@@ Mr. Jack, d in ck, was gazing up at the church. Dongyang and the others dared not make a sound, merely watching him silently. ¡°Evil should copse¡­¡± A deep and maic voice resonated. The crowd only saw Mr. Jack flick his wrist. Whoosh! A ying card soared into the sky. In the yers¡¯ blind spot, Chen Lun, using ¡°Great Human Transformation¡± and ¡°Body Separation,¡± swapped his right hand with the card in the sky. ¡°Holy shit! What a huge fireball!¡± ¡°Just like that big one we saw in the video before!¡± ¡°Seeing it with my own eyes, it truly feels like a small sun!¡± The yers looked up at the sky, chatting excitedly and in awe. Chen Lun¡¯s right hand, equipped with ¡°Palm Fireworks,¡± conjured a gigantic supernatural fireball fifty meters in the air and then fiercely threw it downward. Like a small meteorite hitting the earth, the fireball crashed onto the top of the church. Boom!! The mes burst forth like rain, igniting upon impact. Even the hard stone walls and floor began to burn. Chen Lun¡¯s broad ck coat pped loudly in the breeze. He turned around, his right hand rejoining his body. The enormous church stood there but gradually turned into a sea of mes. The firelight shone on Jack¡¯s ck clothes, particrly striking. It was now evening, and the golden red afterglow scattered, making him appear both mysterious and majestic. ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­ Next church, Oil Bean Town,¡± said Chen Lun softly, without looking back. * * * Landon, with his guild members, hurried to Oil Bean Town overnight. The situation here was simr to Ice Glutinous Town, having already be a yground for gue-maddened people, but there still stood a church of the Red Apple Church, sheltering a small portion of town residents. Although the original NPC residents either died or fled, this ce was a rare leveling spot for the Lost Name Guild. They upied both Ice Glutinous Town and Oil Bean Town, using them to train many guild yers. The most important part was that the Red Apple Church here had a Transcendent Priest, three Transcendent Monks, and two squads totaling sixty heavily armored Guardians! The number of rotting hounds was over a hundred, locked in the basement, ready to be unleashed to kill enemies at any moment. This strength was also where Landon¡¯s confidencey. He nned to report the situation in Ice Glutinous Town to the Priest and exaggerate the fact that the church branches were attacked, sshing the mud on Dongyang and his group, letting them know the consequences of offending the church! Landon entered the church with more than forty subordinates, surprising the Lost Name members guarding it. ¡°Vice Guild Leader! What brings you here? And who are all these people¡­?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talkter! Is Father Okon here at the moment?¡± Landon asked impatiently. ¡°Yes, the Father is usually in the prayer room. The sermons and preaching to the town residents in the main hall are handled by the three monks in turns,¡± replied the guild yer acting as the church guard promptly. ¡°Okay, I understand! You handle the arrangements for these brothers, I have urgent matters to report to the Priest!¡± Having said that, Landon hurriedly bypassed the hall and ran towards one side, where the prayer room was located. A momentter. Inside the prayer room. Landon respectfully bowed his head and knelt on one knee. A figure d in a long red robe, with broad shoulders and a sturdy build, stood before him. ¡°Over a hundred sphemers,unching a collective attack on our Church¡­?¡± Priest Okon slowly turned around, revealing a majestic, square-faced expression. ¡°Captain Landon, if this is true, I will personally deal with these sphemers and send them to Lady Rose¡¯s Garden of the Gods¡­!¡± ¡°Your Reverence, I dare not conceal the truth, it indeed happened! Moreover, they are well-equipped, each armed with a Firearm, and also have Mechanical Gloves that can shoot mes¡­ The leaders are even ten Transcendents!¡± Landon continued to reveal the information, secretly thinking to himself that these people from Dongyang were truly foolish, not realizing how strong the foundation of the Red Apple Church was, and that they would be decimated soon! The Priest then stared at Landon for a moment. ¡°Hmm¡­ Initially, the Church epted you because you are Undead and your hearts are filled with genuine Faith¡­ but this time you led the retreat, directly abandoning our Church¡¯s station, this matter¡­¡± Landon received a notification of a decrease in Affection, his face turned pale, and he quickly said: ¡°Your Reverence, please be assured, we will donate more Gold Pounds to atone for our sins!¡± Priest Okon nodded expressionlessly. ¡°Hmm¡­ Money is only the skin of the fruit, only a genuine heart of Faith is the sweet fruit itself, I hope you Undead can learn from this lesson.¡± In the church hall at that time. Dozens of townspeople in ragged clothes were kneeling in front of long rows of wooden chairs, their pinky fingers interlocked and the other eight fingers sped together, forming a strange prayer gesture. They were attentively listening to a middle-aged Monk preaching from the pulpit, holding a thick book of ¡®Gospel of Rose,¡¯ and reciting long and profound truths. A man wearing a ck hat, leaning on a Silver Staff, entered the hall. His footsteps echoed with a tter in the hall. The Monk stopped preaching, knitted his brows, and the four heavy-armored Guardians standing in the corners of the walls all turned their gaze towards the man. ¡°Sir, may I ask what you need?¡± The Monk asked indifferently. ¡°Oh, I¡¯vee to make a donation.¡± Chen Lun adjusted his hat, revealing a polite smile. The Monk then smiled slightly. ¡°You are a generous and devout Gentleman.¡± Then with a wave of his hand, a Guardian who was a yer from the Lost Name Guild ran over, holding a donation box. Seeing Jack, this yer widened his eyes, evidently aware of his identity. However, he had no idea what this extremely popr NPC was doing here. Chen Lun took out a Copper Kro and tossed it into the donation box. Clink! The corner of the Monk¡¯s eye twitched, then his gaze gradually grew colder. ¡°Sir, are you¡­ insulting the Church, desecrating the Lady?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Chen Lun said, puzzled. ¡°Could it be that a small donation angers the divine? Lady Rose wouldn¡¯t be that petty, right¡­?¡± Chapter 302: 217: The Power of the Portrait (Seeking Monthly Tickets!) Chapter 302: Chapter 217: The Power of the Portrait (Seeking Monthly Tickets!) ¡°Bastards!¡± The monk flew into a rage. The yer holding the donation box was also stunned. Just then, bursts of gunfire, the nging of swords,bat, and screams came from outside the hall. The believers inside the hall felt afraid and couldn¡¯t help but prostrate themselves on the ground, praying even more devoutly and earnestly, hoping to receive the protection of Lady Rose.@@novelbin@@ The monk coldly nced at the man in the ck hat, who was sitting in the front row with his legs crossed, looking rxed and even taking out a book to read quietly. ¡°Go out and see what¡¯s going on!¡± The monkmanded the yer guardians beside him in a cold voice. ¡°Yes!¡± This yer put down the donation box, gave Jack another look, and then ran towards the door. But another yer from the same guild rushed into the hall first, his body covered in blood and a look of panic on his face. ¡°Those guys have followed us from Ice Glutinous Town! They¡¯ve already breached the outer courtyard of the church!¡± ¡°What?!¡± The destitute town residents began to tremble in fear, pressing their heads firmly against the floor, confessing the wrongs they had done. The middle-aged monk didn¡¯t know what exactly had happened, but from the words of the yer, he roughly understood that someone was attacking the church. ¡°You! Go notify Priest Oak! And call the other two monks as well! The heavily armored guardians, follow me out!¡± The monk immediately began giving orders, and the named yer guardians responded, turning to run inside. Four heavily armored guardians followed the monk, leaving the hall together. At this moment, in the outer courtyard of the church. Dongyang led his yer subordinates into the fray, and the guardians from the Lost Name Guild simply couldn¡¯t hold them back. Nearly a hundred firearms had them in aplete rout. ¡°You sphemers! How dare you!¡± A furious shout erupted. The middle-aged monk, leading four heavily armored guardians, came out from the hall and, seeing the chaotic scene, was incensed. ¡°The little BOSS is here!¡± Doghead Gold shouted loudly. ¡°Good timing! Brothers, fire!¡± Dongyang waved his hand. Many yers standing behind him immediately raised their hands, aiming at the middle-aged monk and pulled the trigger. Ratatat! A deluge of gunfire erupted, bullets raining down like a tempest. The moment the monk was targeted by nearly a hundred firearms, he felt a chill run through his spine. He immediatelymanded the four heavily armored guardians to shield him in front, forming a metallic wall. Ding ding dang dang¡­!! A barrage of small steel balls poured forth, denting the armor of the guardians with numerous indentations and sparking upon impact. The staircase where the monk stood was scourged by the bullet storm, with broken stones flying about, copsing and levelling out, but the four armored guardians sustained only minor injuries, and the monk was unharmed. ¡°Firearms have limited effect against such heavy armor!¡± Doghead Gold had some experience with this and warned the others. Just then, dense and heavy footsteps could be heard. Thud thud thud¡­! Two other monks from the church, along with more than fifty heavily armored guardians, came encircling from both sides of the church hall. They held long spears and were tall and imposing, radiating an overwhelming pressure. ¡°Damn! So many heavy-armored monsters!¡± Forget No Taboo wiped sweat from his brow, startled by the enemy forces from all sides. Dongyang and Chenxi also had solemn expressions on their faces. They had anticipated that this hidden B-rated main quest wouldn¡¯t be simple. However, they hadn¡¯t expected such a formidable force hidden within this church branch! This was going to be a tough battle! ¡°¡ªChenxi, Doghead Gold, and Forget No Taboo, the two of your guilds will handle the enemies behind us. Resolve them quickly and break through!¡± Dongyangmanded in the chat. ¡°¡ªThere are three church monks up front. They are all Transcendents, and there are dozens of heavy-armored monsters. Ordinary yers¡¯ firearms won¡¯t be effective, so we from the Hall of Valor will hold them off!¡± ¡°¡ªUnderstood!¡± ¡°¡ªReceived!¡± After a brief tactical exchange, nearly a hundred people split off, charging toward Landon who was blocking the door. The yers raised their reloaded firearms and fired at the opposition. The gunshots were relentless, but the prepared yers from the Lost Name Guild took out round shields to protect their heads and torsos. Ding ding dang dang! Wood chips went flying! The asional steel balls struck the iron-d edges of the round shields, sparking impressively! The yers from Chenxi and Doghead Gold¡¯s sides were taken aback, not expecting their opponents to have already found countermeasures. ¡°Charge! Kill them all!¡± ¡°Release the dogs! Release the dogs!!¡± Landonughed heartily, finally seeing these people being put in their ce, which greatly improved his mood. Woof woof¡­! A multitude of rotting hounds swarmed in, and before the yers from Chuxi and God¡¯s Love could reload, seven or eight were bitten and killed on the spot. ¡°Brothers! It¡¯s time to show them the power of the Hercules Cult!¡± Doghead Gold roared. He pulled out a syringe with his left hand and jabbed it hard into his shoulder. [Bloodthirsty Syringe]! A reward from Mr. Jack that provided a slight physical vampiric effect. Doghead Gold held a bottle of deep red potion in his right hand, popped the cork, and drank it down head back. Chapter 303: 217: The Power of the Portrait (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_2 Chapter 303: Chapter 217: The Power of the Portrait (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_2 Gurgle, gurgle¡­! [Beef Power Potion]! It allows one to transform into a Minotaur, increasing Attributes and greatly enhancing healing effects for a short period of time. ¡°Hngghhhhh!!¡± Jack, while roaring furiously, simultaneously unleashed his power as a [Sequence Nine-Butcher]. In a mere two breaths¡¯ time, his figure soared in height, his muscles swelled, and he transformed into a three-meter-tall Minotaur with two horns on his head and a pair of arms sprouting from his back! Not just that, the Forget No Taboo and the five team members cultivated by the Hercules Cult beside him all followed suit, lifting up their potions and drinking them back, each and every one transforming into towering Minotaurs! ¡°The Hercules Cult demonstrates divine might! Everyone back off!¡± The Minotaurs, with eyes blood red, bellowed and shoved aside theirrades blocking the way. This scene deeply shocked Landon and everyone from the Lost Name Guild. ¡°What¡­ What the hell are these things?!¡± Bang!! With a punch, Jack smashed a decaying hunting hound into pieces, his four arms moving violently, grabbing the neck of another hound that was about to bite arade, casually throwing it and knocking down a group of Lost Name yers. This set off a chorus of exmations. ¡°The¡­ The Minotaurs are charging over!¡± Several hounds pounced onto Jack, managed to bite him twice, and then he tore them apart, alive. The wounds on Jack¡¯s body healed at a visibly rapid pace, as if he were an undead, unkible Minotaur monster! Forget No Taboo and the six towering Minotaurs charged in the opposite direction, turning the decaying hounds into toys crushed by a bulldozer, being thrown around, howling chaotically. ¡°Hercules Cult invincible! Minotaurs invincible!¡± The yers from God¡¯s Love Guild cheered. Those who had joined the group under Jack and Forget No Taboo from the Hercules Cult also shouted and cheered for them. If it weren¡¯t for the limited number of potions in the hands of the two ¡°leaders,¡± they could all have turned into Minotaurs and joined the battle.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Die, you Lost Name brats!¡± With his four arms, Jack lifted a yer from the Lost Name Guild and, with a ferocious yank, gruesomely performed a ¡°quadruple Minotaur dismemberment.¡± The yer, overwhelmed by the fear of being torn apart, turned into a white light, and was sure to retain deep psychological scars from the experience after the resurrection. ¡°Damn! What treasure is this?! It¡¯s too freaking terrifying!¡± The yers from Lost Name Guild kept retreating, at this instant they forgot the other party was also made up of yers, as if they were trapped in a boss fight, their psychological pressure skyrocketed. Seeing this, Chenxi let out a sigh of relief. She directed the female yers from Chuxi to hide behind the Minotaurs and open fire and then took the opportunity to throw fireballs into enemy-packed areas. The scene was chaotic. On the other hand, the main battlefield where Dongyang was. ¡°Die!¡± Dongyang let out a furious shout, punching a heavy-armored Guardian in the chest and producing a thundering ng. The chest of the heavy-armored Guardian caved in and was slightly reddened by the high temperature of the fist, with blood seeping from gaps in the helmet, and he staggered to the ground. But in the next second, before he could react, one of his arms was ¡°bitten off¡± by a Monk¡¯s palm! ¡°Ah!¡± Dongyang leaped backwards to distance himself, clutching his severed limb. The Monk from the Church coldly watched him, a gaping maw full of sharp teeth revealed in the palm of the lifted hand. In between the lips and teeth, the Monk gnawed at his severed arm, flesh and blood indistinct. ng, ng! The Horseman, wielding a long-handled soup spoon, fought off a Monk for a few moves but was punched away, tumbling to the ground in an unseemly fashion. He got up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and without time to send a private message in the chat room, he shouted anxiously: ¡°Deputy Guild Leader! We can¡¯t hold on! All three Monks are Transcendents from Sequence Eight! Our brothers¡¯ firearms are ineffective against those heavy-armored beasts!¡± Dongyang, enduring the pain, turned and roared: ¡°Brothers from Hall of Valor, put on your gloves and use fire! Don¡¯t be afraid of friendly fire!¡± Then he quickly sent a message in the chat room: ¡°¡ªI¡¯ll trade my life with the Monks using bombs!¡± The other yers were startled. Has the Deputy Guild Leader been driven to this extent?! ¡°¡ªDeputy Guild Leader! Don¡¯t forget that we¡¯re on the train, and we also bought the paintings from Jack!¡± Kuang Benkuang, seeing Dongyang preparing to blow himself up, immediately posted a reminder. Dongyang was slightly stunned. ¡°Yes! How did I forget about that?!¡± Boom, boom!! Countless mes sprayed out from the yers¡¯ gloves, with the frontline heavy-armored Guardians taking the brunt, enveloped by the orange mes. The iron armor, impervious to bullets, couldn¡¯t defend against these mes, and under the scorching heat, that armor became like walking ovens cooking the bodies alive! ¡°Ah! Ahhhh¡­!¡± The heavy-armored Guardians let out muffled and pitiful howls, their bodies glowing red hot as they fell, their corpses emitting waves of heat and white smoke, giving off the smell of cooked meat, a ghastly sight to behold. ¡°Hmph! You damned heretics, ept your judgment!¡± The three Monks couldn¡¯t stand it any longer and took action. They were physically astonishing, moving rapidly, leaping straight into the midst of the yers. The next second, the yers turned their guns and palms towards them, bullets and mes attacking. But the Monks waved their hands, and the gaping maws in their palms actually sucked in and devoured all the mes and bullets, making chilling clinking sounds as they chewed. Immediately afterward, the three Monks rushed into the crowd of yers, about to start a massacre. ¡°Screw it! Go die!¡± Dongyang cursed furiously and, in desperation, threw out the ten paintings he had. Chapter 304: 217: The Power of the Portrait (Requesting Monthly Votes!)_3 Chapter 304: Chapter 217: The Power of the Portrait (Requesting Monthly Votes!)_3 Hum!! Suddenly, a rapid and deep rumble rose from the arena. Ten dark figures burst from the painting, speeding towards the three monks and slicing out cold lights. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh¡­! The three monks were besieged by the ten dark shadows, innumerable short daggers shing like drizzle, with the hissing noise incessant. They swung their arms in resistance, only managing to dissipate the shadows, but the fresh blood marks on their own bodies became more and more numerous. A few breaths¡¯ time shed by in an instant. The ten shadows dispersed, and the ten oil paintings in mid-air helplessly fell, blurring the faces of Golov and Barton painted on them. ¡°You¡­ these damned heretics!!¡± The three monks grimaced, gasping for breath. Although covered in scars, they did not seem to be critically injured. Dongyang and others were reluctant to concede, not expecting to fail in killing their adversaries. Unknown to them, Golov and Barton were only Sequence Nine Transcendents after all, and the paintings only preserved a small part of their Strength. The damage inflicted on the three monks of the Red Apple Church was mainly due to the abundance of the paintings. ¡°I¡¯ll help you!¡± Chenxi suddenly rushed over. With Crocodile Bite and others brutally dominating the rear battle, she had freed up her hands. Seeing Dongyang and others struggling, Chenxi immediately threw out the painting belonging to Floey. A blind golden-haired woman in a ck cloak appeared, raising the great purple-ck scythe in her hand, capturing the attention of everyone present. ¡°Be careful!¡± The monk shouted loudly. But the scythe had already swung, a sharp and invisible edge slicing through, leaving the three monks standing in ce as if struck by lightning. ¡°Puff¡­!¡± The three fell to their knees powerlessly, spitting out blood. ¡°Our souls¡­ have been grievously harmed!¡± Their eyes were bloodshot, and their faces were covered with blue veins. After their souls were severly cut, mysterious injuries appeared on their bodies as well. The figure of Floey faded away. But the three monks had also suffered heavy injuries, significantly weakening their strength. Pris suddenly burst forward, his right hand transforming into a crocodile¡¯s head and fiercely biting into a monk¡¯s neck. ¡°Die!¡± He pushed off with his feet, his body rotating several times like a crocodile catching its prey, tearing the monk¡¯s body apart. The other two monks were startled and tried to resist, but found themselves weak; the next second, Pris¡¯s Crocodile Bite was already upon them! After two mournful screams, Pris¡¯s palms brutally bit off their heads! ¡°We actually killed three Sequence Eight Transcendents!¡± Dongyang, Chenxi, and others looked at the blood-soaked Pris in disbelief. Their coordination, leveraging the Circus¡¯s paintings, had directly inflicted heavy injuries on the church monks before Prisunched the sneak attack,pleting the kill. This series of teamwork was deemed perfect, astonishing other yers. ¡°The paintings exchanged from Jack, they¡¯re damn useful indeed!¡± The Horseman chuckled. He nced again at Pris holding the heads, who rolled his eyes at him. ¡°Of course, brother Pris is freaking awesome!¡± The death of the three monks practically dered the end of the battle. Many heavy armor guardians were still fighting with the yers, but it was merely a desperate struggle. zes continuously raged, the entire church seemed to have turned into a sea of hellfire, many ces already ignited, but no one paid attention at the moment, allowing the fire to growrger. Inside the church hall. The fire had spread inside, burning numerous wooden benches. Yet the townspeople remained indifferent, still prostrating on the ground praying, as if they were willing to be burned alive rather than leave. Chen Lun looked at these innocent townsfolk, sighed, and put down the book he was holding. He slowly stood up, gently flicked his seashell ne ¡°Mermaid¡¯s Song,¡± and whistled. The waves of Hypnosis spread, making the townspeople startle, then they quickly got up one after another. ¡°You all leave from the back door, then head to the second block ahead, there¡¯s an abandoned department store¡­ someone will settle you there.¡± Chen Lun¡¯s voice resonated in the church hall. The ¡°department store¡± he mentioned was actually the base of the Shelter in Yodou Town. Although many people had been evacuated due to the raging gue, providing a ce for these ordinary people was still feasible. These townsfolk weren¡¯t all believers of the Red Apple Church; having encountered the disaster of the gue, they had lost their ces of sanctuary, and the church had be their lifeline, praying for protection. Chen Lun, out of his own principles, didn¡¯t want to see them die in vain here. ¡°Thank you! Thank you¡­¡± The townsfolk cried tearfully, not knowing whether they saw Chen Lun as an angel or a deity after being hypnotized, obediently fleeing from the back door one by one. Chen Lun¡¯s gaze was unfluctuating as he nced at them, and then he turned to leave. * *@@novelbin@@ * In the courtyard in front of the church, the battle was nearly over. The church¡¯s rotting hunting dogs and heavy armor guardians had been nearly wiped out, posing no threat. The yers from the Lost Name Guild also left as their respawn limits were exhausted. Landon, seeing the unfavorable situation, nned to pull out the remaining troops and retreat. ¡°Damn the Hall of Valor! As well as God¡¯s Love and Chuxi! They actually dared to openly attack the Red Apple Church¡­ How dare they! How dare they!¡± At the same time, he couldn¡¯tprehend how, in just two or three months since the game¡¯s open beta, Dongyang and his team had garnered enough strength to confront a small town church. Chapter 305: 217: The Power of the Portrait (Requesting Monthly Votes!)_4 Chapter 305: Chapter 217: The Power of the Portrait (Requesting Monthly Votes!)_4 Even three Transcendents of Sequence Eight perished at their hands! ¡°And what good does this do for them? Is their guild¡¯s brain trust a bunch of idiots?¡± Landon was mentally and physically exhausted as he subconsciously clenched his fists. The assets that the Lost Name Guild had umted in Ice Glutinous Town and Soy Bean Town were almostpletely squandered in these two attacks. Whether it was their Contribution Degree with the Church or the Levels that members had painstakingly trained up, all plummeted. The incarnation of the Minotaur, Doghead Gold, continued to wreak havoc among the crowd. With three punches and two kicks, he outright shattered several Lost Name yers¡¯ bodies, their round shields as flimsy as paper, breaking at a single poke. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Priest Okon made a move yet! Almost all of our people are getting killed offline!¡± A breath caught in Landon¡¯s chest, leaving him immensely frustrated. Just then. A figure in a dark red robe descended from the sky,nding before the four-armed Minotaur, then threw a punch. Boom! Doghead Gold threw a punch in retaliation, only to find that the stranger¡¯s punching force greatly exceeded his own. With a few crunches, Doghead Gold screamed as three of his arms broke in reverse and he was sent flying backward. Crash! Hisrge frame even knocked down several of his allies, causing them fatal injuries. ¡°It hurts¡­¡± Doghead Gold cried out with a wheezy voice, struggling up from the ground before ruthlessly snapping his arms back into ce, the crackling sounds making him howl in pain once again. As his injuries rapidly healed, he roared: ¡°Brothers, take notice! A huge monster has appeared! A boss priest from the Church!!¡± yers cast their gaze in his direction, exmations erupting continuously. Dongyang and the others immediately shifted their targets, gathering around Doghead Gold. ¡°¡ª Our levels are all at 20 now, but we still can¡¯t scout out any data on the opponent, this must be a Mid Sequence Transcendent. What should we do?!¡± Forget No Taboo sent a message. ¡°¡ª Split some people to deal with the remaining enemies, then concentrate firepower for a round on him and see how it goes!¡± Dongyang conveyed his suggestion. He began tomand the team through the team channel, with Chenxi and Doghead Gold also delegatingmand to him. Soon, fifty to sixty yers raised their Firearms, taking aim at the robust figure of Priest Okon. ¡°Fear stems from inadequate firepower! Fire at will!¡± Boom boom boom¡­!! Beads as dense as a shower of hail came pouring down, but Priest Okon remained expressionless, his eyes beneath hiding an endless Wrath. He had just reported the situation to the higher-ups in the prayer room, which had dyed him slightly; to his surprise, the area had already copsed into disorder, and now only he remained capable ofbat. ¡°You¡­ sphemers! Deserve a death a million times over, ahhh!!¡± In an instant, Priest Okon¡¯s body swelled, transforming into a standing giant monster. It stood four to five meters tall, its skinless face elongated, showing its sharp teeth, its body covered in dark gray, tough long fur.@@novelbin@@ ¡°Ha¡ª!!¡± Visible sound waves Diffused in all directions, the steel beads trembled apart, losing their momentum as they fell to the ground. Dongyang and hispanions held their breath for a moment. They remembered the bishop monster from Jack¡¯s mixed-cut video, which looked exactly like the priest before them¡ª[Flesh Faction Sequence Seven¡ªGhoul]! ¡°How are we supposed to take this guy down?! He¡¯s not something we can handle at our current stage!¡± The Horseman spoke up. Dongyang and the others opened their mouths, but for a moment, they could think of no strategy. The gap in strength was too great; nomands would be of any use. ¡°I¡¯ll distract him.¡± At this moment, a figure, not particrly tall, stood in front of Dongyang and the others. The yers all turned to look at him, astonishment showing in their eyes. ¡°Pris!¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be killed in a second if you go up there! Let our Minotaurs take the front!¡± Doghead Gold spoke in his wheezy voice. Pris took a deep breath and shook his head. His hand secretly reached into his coat, where he kept his two secret weapons, the portrait and scroll given to him by Mr. Jack! No one saw. At the top of the burning church, a Gentleman in a ck suit leaned on his Silver Staff, silently overlooking the scene. The breeze brushed under the brim of his ck hat, stirring his hair as his eyes gleamed with amusement. ¡°Let¡¯s see your performance, Pris.¡± Chapter 306: 218: Jacks Strength (Vote for monthly passes!) Chapter 306: Chapter 218: Jack¡¯s Strength (Vote for monthly passes!) Boom! The gigantic Priest monster suddenly charged, unleashing a deafening st of air. ¡°Fireball! Throw fireballs at him!!¡± Dongyang roared. A group of yers quickly activated the mechanical gloves on their hands, shooting out high-temperature fireballs. But the Priest, not caring at all, casually swiped his hand, causing the fireballs to explode on his pitch-ck ws and scatter as sparks. The remaining mes that scorched his body had no effect. Boom, boom¡­! Several Minotaurs charged forward, attempting to block him, but each was pped away with one strike of a w that even ripped open the body of one of them. The powerful effects of the potion allowed this yer, now reduced to just an upper body, to cling to life but left him incapable of returning to the fight, struggling painfully on the ground. ¡°Your opponent is me!¡± Pris coldly shouted, his legs transforming into the hooves of an antelope, leaping right up to the Priest monster¡¯s face, and then biting at him with a Crocodile Bite. ng!! The gaping maw of the Crocodile Bite fiercely mped onto the shoulder of the Priest monster, but its sharp teeth could not prate the flesh and barely managed to pull aside the extremely hard fur. ¡°Scram!¡± The Priest coldly shouted. With a boom. The gigantic Ghoul fiercely swung his hand, and his pitch-ck ws swept across the face of Pris, leaving a deep bloody mark on his cheek. In the nick of time, Pris transformed again into antelope hooves, kicking against the Priest monster¡¯s face, narrowly dodging a fatal blow. Afternding, Pris kicked backwards again, narrowly avoiding another powerful swipe. Boom!! The floor cratered and cracked under the dark ws, with countless small stones flying about, severely paining Pris¡¯s body. ¡°This Pris, really overestimates his own abilities!¡± Landon, watching from a distance, snickered at the scene. Most members of the Lost Name Guild had been killed and forced offline, and the remaining stragglers had already been instructed by him to retreat, but he himself stayed behind, ready to observe a bit longer. ¡°Although among the yers, you are one of the most dazzling Transcendents, what are you in front of a Church Priest¡­¡± ¡°Pris is stronger than us, but after all, he is only a Sequence Nine Transcendent¡­ Facing a Priest Boss who surpasses him by two Sequences, there¡¯s no way to fight!¡± Su Keying, turning on the recorder, anxiously said to Dongyang and others. ¡°This is already a battle of Jack¡¯s level, we should go ask him for help!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Dongyang and Chenxi were silent, frowning deeply. ¡°Jack disappeared after we arrived at Bean Town¡­ This might be one of the difficulties of the mission.¡± Boom! Boom, boom¡­!! ¡°A Sequence Nine crawler¡­ you have sessfully enraged me!¡± Priest Oak roared, continuously pursuing Pris. Each of his strikes cracked the ground, threw stones everywhere, and produced great vibrations and aftershocks. Although Priest was not specialized in Agility, leveraging the physical qualities of a Mid Sequence Transcendent and therge movements apanying his transformed Ghoul state also put immense pressure on Pris. Pris was like dancing on a knife¡¯s edge, a slight misstep could result in instant death, and his counterattacks on the Priest were like tickling, barely making a scratch. Sequence Nine against Sequence Seven, even Chen Lun of the past hadn¡¯t had such capabilities. Dongyang and others waited on the side for an opportunity, the few expert yers who were Transcendents might find a slim chance of sess while Pris bought time. Although Pris used the agility of his antelope hooves to constantly dodge, he inevitably suffered a few hits from the aftershocks and received severe injuries. ¡°Puh¡ª!¡± Pris once again dodged a strike, but the aftershocks of the ground sent him flying several meters, and afternding, he spat out a mouthful of blood. The Priest, growing impatient with this slippery opponent, leaped forward, intending to crush him. Roar!! Just then, a spark lit up in Pris¡¯s eyes. In the instant that the Priest was mid-air, he forcefully threw out Mr. Jack¡¯s magic scroll. ¡°Hand of the Snake¡±! Swish¡ª! A giant white python as thick as a thigh burst from the scroll, striking straight at the neck of the Priest monster and knocked him down from mid-air. As the Priest roared and struggled, he could not shake off the White Python; instead, the more he struggled, the tighter the python¡¯s grasp became. Eventually, they both crashed to the ground with a loud thud. Boom!! The ground trembled. Dongyang, other yers, and a crowd of gamers watched the scene in shock. ¡°What did Pris do?!¡± ¡°It looks like a scroll! He threw a scroll that summoned a giant white snake which sent the Priest Boss flying!¡± ¡°Good job! That must be something awesome Pris got from Jack, keeping it a secret all this time, damn cunning!¡± Pris got up from the ground, poured himself a ¡°Blood Bottle,¡± and then turned and shouted: ¡°What are you waiting for! Focus fire!¡± Realizing this, Dongyang and the other nine Transcendents rushed forward, attacking all at once. The guild yers behind them also threw fireballs at Priest Oak. The white python tightly coiled around the Priest, binding his limbs. Snake¡¯s Kiss bit into the Priest¡¯s throat, blood flowing freely. The fireballs hit the Priest¡¯s body, igniting fierce mes. Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo waved their four arms and pummeled the Priest¡¯s face with a series of heavy punches. Dongyang, the Horseman, and Kuang Benkuang, acting as ¡°Believers,¡± smashed the Priest¡¯s chest and abdomen with their radiant iron fists, the high temperature sizzling with each heavy hit. Chenxi threw an Acid Scroll, and dark green liquid sshed out, dousing the Priest¡¯s body and emitting plumes of green smoke. Honey Pomelo drew her bow and shot an arrow toward the Priest O¡¯Connor¡¯s eyes. Su Keying brandished her short sword, making a few cursory stabs as if she were just going through the motions. Wei Yin¡¯s body emitted ck smoke, her eyes turning pitch ck. Her silhouette was apanied by five ghostly shadows¡ªthe addition of five Lost Souls. The petite girl stepped forward and fiercely kicked the Priest¡¯s groin, emitting a muffled thud. The powerful wind lifted her twin ponytails, causing the nearby men, including Pris, Dongyang, and Doghead Gold, to feel a chill in their groins. The intense pain caused the Priest¡¯s eyes to fill with blood, and he groaned, then let out a strange low growl. In his trembling voice, it seemed he was suppressing extreme Wrath. From behind a distant fence, Landon¡¯s eyes widened at the scene. ¡°How¡­ how is this possible?! These guys are actually overpowering the Priest¡­?!¡± A mix of shock and resentment suddenly surged in his heart. ¡°Why can they achieve this¡­ That¡¯s it! It must be Jack and the Circus! They had relied on that NPC to be Transcendents¡­ That scroll thrown by the loner yer Pris must also be a precious item from Jack!¡± Landon took a screenshot of this scene and then sent it to the Guild Leader Nameless. He also included a message, hoping the guild would try again to connect with Jack, since clearly, the Hall of Valor, God¡¯s Love, and Chuxi had already gotten many benefits from that NPC! ¡°Everyone get out of my way!!¡± Priest O¡¯Connor, unable to bear the humiliation, burst out roaring. Being a Mid Sequence Transcendent who hadpleted his transformation, being ganged up on by a group of Low Sequence Transcendents who had just stepped into the Mystic Realm was indeed a disgrace to him. ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Darn! The BOSS is losing it!¡± The Priest suddenly exerted strength, breaking free from the White Python¡¯s embrace. The shockwave from his release sent the ten experts nearby flying, eliciting a wave of pained cries. The Priest was covered in wounds, especially around his neck where there were four deep, bleeding holes left by the White Python that continuously oozed blood all over the ce. Dongyang and the others struggled to stand up, and seeing that the Priest had escaped, their faces turned pale. But the next second, they seemed to see hope again. After the White Python was burst apart by the Priest, it suddenly transformed into five slightly smaller white snakes that leaped onto the Priest, biting chaotically. Boom¡­ ¡°Damn these snakes¡­ Damn Beast Tamer! Roar!!¡± The Priest¡¯s furious roars arose amid a cloud of dust as he violently pounded the white snakes on his body. ¡°Pris! Do you still have that kind of scroll? Use it quickly! Otherwise, we¡¯ll miss the chance!¡± Seeing this, Dongyang immediately shouted to Pris.@@novelbin@@ The others also looked at him with hopeful eyes. Pris sighed inwardly, he really hadn¡¯t wanted to use hisst trump card, but it seemed there was no other choice now. ¡°Yes!¡± He softly uttered a single word. Dongyang and the others were overjoyed; they hadn¡¯t expected this young man to still have one! Suddenly, Pris pulled out an oil painting. Dongyang and the others¡¯ eyes went wide¡ªit was the extraordinary portrait they had bought from Jack! But¡­the figure in that painting seemed to be¡ª Jack! Buzz! A buzzing noise filled the air. The figure on the painting slowly stood up, donning a ck hat and holding a Silver Staff, his ck coat swaying gently, a smile ying at his lips. The phantom of Jack pointed leisurely, and suddenly Pris felt as though he had received some power, his body swiftly transforming! ¡°This feeling¡­!¡± Pris¡¯ mouth hung open, an indescribable power surged from his heart throughout his body. Thump thump! Thump thump!! With his heart vigorously pounding, the ¡°Crocodile Armor¡± gradually climbed to his neck, spreading upwards, and eventually enveloping his headpletely, turning him into a ¡°Crocodile Knight¡± with blood-red eyes glowing fiercely, creating a sinister presence. His legs now revealed the shape of antelope hooves, appearing both strange and oppressive. ¡°Ugh ah!!¡± Pris roared towards the sky. Boom! His body began to emit red blood smoke, distorting the air with strong wind pressure that pushed Dongyang and the others back several meters, almost blinding them. ¡°Damn! Crocodile Knight!¡± ¡°Pris¡­ What¡¯s happening to his body?!¡± ¡°What power did Jack¡¯s painting bestow on him?!¡± ¡°Quick, scout his data, his basic Attributes are skyrocketing!¡± Boom!! ¡°You used the extraordinary item ¡®Jack¡¯s Portrait¡¯! You have gained the power bestowed by Jack Spett!¡± ¡°Animal Mimicry ¨C Mad Pot¡¯s Heart!¡± ¡°Animal Mimicry ¨C Hell Resistance!¡± ¡°Animal Mimicry traits activated! Currently, Crocodile Armor, Crocodile Bite, Antelope Hooves, Mad Pot¡¯s Heart, and Hell Resistance (5/5) are active! Duration one minute!¡± Pris, shrouded in blood smoke, stared at his own hands, somewhat dazed. ¡°So this is¡­ Mr. Jack¡¯s power?! So¡­ powerful!¡± Chapter 307: 219: Have We Defeated the Priest?! (Vote for us monthly!) Chapter 307: Chapter 219: Have We Defeated the Priest?! (Vote for us monthly!) ¡°Damn serpents! Die, all of you!!¡± Priest O¡¯Connell roared as he charged forward. He had already torn apart the five white snakes entangling him, and his rage, like the mes burning on his body, showed no signs of extinguishing. A rtively diminutive silhouette suddenly shed in front of him, trailing a long red smoke. During a brief pause, a ferocious crocodile¡¯s head and blood-red eyes were revealed. ¡°Die!!¡± Pris¡¯s voice, now deep and low, bellowed.
A punch was thrown. Priest O¡¯Connell, neither dodging nor evading, lifted his ck w and swatted casually. Just like he had previously swatted at flies, he aimed to crush this insignificant creature to death. But. Bang!! Pris was flung away by a tremendous force. Spinning several times in midair, hended with a thud on both feet and was dragged several meters by the momentum. Surprise flickered in the Priest¡¯s eyes. His strike had not killed his opponent, and even his own advance had been halted by the punch, causing him to stagger backwards uncontrobly. ¡°Come again!¡± Pris pushed off the ground, rushing forward with incredible speed. Feeling the pain all over his body, he knew that even with the strength given by Mr. Jack, he still couldn¡¯t withstand a frontal sh with the Ghoul the Priest had be. So this time, he nned to change his strategy and use his agility to weave in and attack. He leaped to the side of the Priest¡¯s broad, pir-like legs and threw another punch. Boom!! The Priest howled in pain, his body stumbling. ¡°Roar!¡± His massive ck ws swept down the very next second but was deftly avoided by Pris. As the ground trembled from the impact, Pris jumped to the other side of the Priest and continued punching. Bang!! Leap and dodge, punch! Boom!! Dodge and spring, punch! Thud!! A series of attacks came so rapidly, each blow inflicted pain on the Priest. Pris, using the agility of his gazelle-like hooves, danced around the Priest¡¯s massive body, while the Priest, due to his own size, was constrained in movement and vision, getting hit repeatedly. Bang, bang, bang¡­! The sound of rapid, heavy hits echoed all around, leaving observers like Dongyang and even Landon, who hid at a distance, utterly dumbfounded. A yer barely past level twenty, a Transcendent who had just entered Sequence Nine, was actually dominating a Mid-Sequence Priest in battle?! Who would believe this if told?! ¡°Mr. Jack¡¯s portrait¡­ it¡¯s too awesome! Pris now looks damn like a god of war!¡± Doghead Gold panted heavily, roaring in excitement. His blood boiled with the excitement, the potion igniting his desire to fight. ¡°Why won¡¯t Mr. Jack¡¯s apparition point at me too? I want to fight! To engage in battle!¡± He pounded his chest with all four arms, creating a booming sound. The minotaurs beside him were eager to jump into the fray as well. Just then. Roar¡ª!! The Priest had been taking hits and missing his counters, his Wrath reaching a boiling point. With a long howl, he leaped and then crashed down with force.@@novelbin@@ Rumble!! The ground trembled, rocks flew, and dust billowed. Pris took a quick step back, trailing a long streak of blood, and narrowly evaded the attack, but his Crocodile Armor showed signs of cracking and damage. ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Pris!¡± Su Keying cheered him on with a fist pump. ¡°Come on!¡± Dongyang and the others focused all their attention on him, their eyes filled with hope. Pris¡¯s face, however, was void of any smile and grew even more serious. Although the battle seemed to favor him, his fists were merely painful to the Priest without inflicting real damage. Killing the Priest was proving to be an extremely difficult task, far from as simple as the bystanders thought. The Priest was a Transcendent of the Flesh Faction. After reaching Mid Sequence, the strength of his body was terrifying. The long health bar and strong recovery abilities were making Pris somewhat despair. ¡°¡ªMr. Jack¡¯s strength has a time limit! If I don¡¯t take advantage of this time to deal with the Priest, there will be no more chancester!¡± Pris spoke in the team channel. Dongyang and others were slightly taken aback, realizing from Pris¡¯s tone that the situation might not be as good as they imagined. ¡°¡ªBut we can¡¯t help much either, going there will get us killed instantly!¡± Dongyang said. ¡°¡ªYeah! Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo, even after turning into Minotaurs, can¡¯t withstand two ps¡­ They just got beaten to the ground eating dirt a moment ago.¡± Su Keying responded. ¡°¡ªBullshit!¡± Doghead Gold panted angrily, sounding very annoyed. After a few seconds of silence, Pris sent another brief message: ¡°¡ªYou don¡¯t have to charge in for melee. In a minute, when I draw the Priest¡¯s aggro, take the chance to throw Incendiary Bombs from afar! The blue ink bottles that Mr. Jack has!¡± He closed the chat window and stopped looking at the responses, dodging sharply to the side. For the Priest¡¯s monster form had once again lunged at him. He seemed to have gone mad, his ws shing wildly left and right, with swooshing sounds filling the air as it trembled and screamed! ¡°Die die die!!¡± Rumble! Rumble¡­! Pris felt his strength beginning to wane and knew he couldn¡¯t dy any longer. ¡°If the opportunity won¡¯te, then I¡¯ll have to create one¡­ Mr. Jack granted me the trait called ¡®Hell Resistance,¡¯ which is the only chance I have to defeat the Priest.¡± With this thought, he shifted his previous evasive directions, not retreating but advancing, leaping forward. Boom!! With a heavy vertical swipe from the Priest, Pris felt an excruciating burn at his back, his chest tightened, nearly coughing out blood. The tough Crocodile Armor cracked under the strike, oozing fresh blood. Pris, taking advantage of the situation, pressed himself against the Priest¡¯s abdomen and pulled out a deep blue ink bottle, activating the switch. Chapter 308: 219: Have We Defeated the Priest?! (Vote for us monthly!)_2 Chapter 308: Chapter 219: Have We Defeated the Priest?! (Vote for us monthly!)_2 At the same time, he also sent out two brief words in the chat window: ¡°Incendiary Bomb!!¡± Dongyang and others didn¡¯t hesitate, and nine Transcendents, leveraging their far superior physical fitness, hurled the blue ink incendiary bombs far away. Except for two that slightly missed and fell by the priest¡¯s feet, the remaining seven bombs hit the priest directly. Boom¡ª!! A bright blue me ignited instantly, engulfing an area with a thirty-meter diameter in fire, the heat wave hitting their faces.
The giant ghoul monster, covered in blue mes, bellowed upwards, its howling filled with anger and madness, and even a trace of panic. It attempted to rush out of the sea of fire, but a crocodile monster blocked its path. Every time it changed direction, Pris would take the opportunity to follow up, punching its leg joints to block it. After several attempts, the long hair on Father O¡¯Con¡¯s body was burnt and matted onto his skin, emitting billows of thick smoke. The crackling sounds were incessant.@@novelbin@@ The priest¡¯s eyes were cold, knowing that if he continued to dy, he might indeed die here, at the hands of these treacherous and cunning sphemers, as weak as reptiles. Not knowing what myriad tactics these individuals still had, and unclear of the priest¡¯s position, he decided it was safer to temporarily retreat and ry the information back to the Church. All at once, his body burst forth with a sudden red light, exploding with speed and strength far exceeding before, and he rushed out of the sea of fire. This was the ghoul¡¯s ability, but it required sacrificing a significant portion of Life Force and would leave him considerably weakened for a long period afterward¡ªit was somewhat of a desperatest resort. ¡°We can¡¯t let him escape! We must block him!¡± A thought shed through Pris¡¯s mind; he gritted his teeth, pushed off the ground, and shed to the priest¡¯s feet, swinging his fist fiercely. But this time, it did not go as he wished. The elongated, faceless beast head turned, its bloodthirsty, cold eyes staring straight at him, and then its massive, sharp w swung with terrifying speed! The priest¡¯s desperate strike under duress far exceeded Pris¡¯s reaction, and the ws, like four bolts of lightning, struck straight into Pris¡¯s chest. His punch had not yet been thrown when he was sted dozens of meters away, crashing harshly in front of Dongyang and others. Boom! As everyone looked up again, they saw the enormous ghoul, engulfed in blue fire, fleeing into the distance, gradually disappearing from sight. ¡°Pris!¡± ¡°Are you okay?! Pris!¡± Dongyang and the others rushed forward with concern, helping him up. Pris¡¯s vital energy dissipated, the characteristics of the crocodile and gazelle faded away, revealing his cracked skin oozing blood, barely clinging to life. ¡°Life Points¡­ down to single digits.¡± Pris said with difficulty. ¡°Although I didn¡¯t die, avoiding Level dropping¡­ but we spent so many resources¡­ I even used two precious items, and still, we couldn¡¯t kill the priest!¡± He gritted his teeth, clearly extremely reluctant. Dongyang and the others exchanged nces, showing expressions of regret as well. But seeing Pris¡¯s condition, Dongyang still spoke tofort him: ¡°Forget it, brother Pris, you did very well¡­ This priest boss truly is beyond our capability, just driving him away is already quite remarkable.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, Pris! The mission didn¡¯t say we must kill the boss, just destroying this Church branch is enough!¡± Su Keying hurriedly said. ¡°Look at the mission panel, this Oil Bean Town Church, it¡¯s already showing aspleted!¡± ¡°If the priest hadn¡¯t been driven away, we might not have even aplished the mission!¡± Dongyang gently patted Pris¡¯s shoulder. ¡°So you really helped us out a lot! Pris, you were the main force this time, contributing the most, and you even used those precious items Jack gave you¡­ Personally, I¡¯ll make sure you get somepensation after the mission ends.¡± ¡°Dongyang Giant, you¡¯re truly worthy of being the vice chairman of arge guild, possessing such a sense of loyalty and scope, good job!¡± Wei Yin also came over. ¡°I¡¯ll also chip in some money topensate for Pris¡¯ losses! Honestly, you were kind of cool just now, what¡¯s that all about!¡± Everyone felt the same way, Pris¡¯ performance had indeed been stunning, and they also felt an immense regret towards that portrait of Jack. If only there were more paintings like that¡­ they might have actually killed the Priest! If they really could kill such a powerful BOSS, they would surely rise to fame again¡­! Less than a hundred days since the public test, and they¡¯ve scored a first kill on a Mid Sequence Transcendent from the Red Apple Church! Just hearing about it is thrilling! Unfortunately¡­ * * * On the deste streets of Yodou Town. Priest Oakon had reverted to human form, but his body was in shambles, covered with various scars, as he struggled to flee into the distance. ¡°These damned sphemers!¡± A furious expression surfaced on his scar-covered square face. ¡°They destroyed Lord Lafa¡¯s arrangements and made me fail the trust of the Church¡­ Damn it! Damn it!¡± Priest Oakon¡¯s gaze turned cold. Suddenly, he grabbed a gue lunatic who rushed out of a nearby alley and effortlessly pressed him against the wall¡ªbang, the infected¡¯s bones shattered, and he died on the spot. ¡°You low Sequence worms, and you diseased trash¡­¡± Priest Oakon¡¯s hand violently squeezed, and the infected¡¯s head burst open, sttering blood. ¡°Need not live in this world!¡± He didn¡¯t stop, continuing to run forward. As he passed around a street corner, Priest Oakon¡¯s peripheral vision caught a figure. He frowned, thinking it was another of those gue-infected lunatics, and swung a punch without thinking. But the next moment. His expression drastically changed. A strong premonition of death flickered through his mind! ¡°What¡­?!¡± Boom!! Two thick White Pythons struck Priest Oakon on the crown, immediately making his surroundings waver, and intense pain surged forth. Before he could respond, his neck was tightly coiled by the White Python. The feeling was all too familiar, it was this white snake that had bound him before, allowing those worms to pummel him. ¡°Gah¡­ you¡­¡± Priest Oakon, pulling at the White Python around his neck, gradually lifted off the ground; he kicked his legs but couldn¡¯t resist, only managing to make feeble sounds from his throat. Blood smeared his face as he stared with wide eyes at the man in front of him. ¡°It¡¯s you¡­ Jack¡­ the enemy of the Church!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Priest, but you can¡¯t go back to the Church alive,¡± said the man, pulling the brim of his hat up to reveal half of his pale face, his emerald vertical pupils utterly cold. He slowly raised his right hand, the brown leather glovending on the Priest¡¯s chest. A bright orange Supernatural me ascended, instantly lighting the Priest up like a torch. The suppressed screams echoed in the block, lingering for a long time. Chapter 309: 220 Fallen Believers (Requesting Monthly Votes!) Chapter 309: Chapter 220 Fallen Believers (Requesting Monthly Votes!) One dayter.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun stood in front of the grand entrance of the Red Apple Church in Red Flower Town. All around was deathly silence, with no one in sight. This town was even more deste than Ice Glutinous Town and Oil Bean Town; since he had entered, he hadn¡¯t seen a single living person, not even gue-crazed madmen. Aside from the asional crow flying past, there was no sign of life, as if it were a town of the dead. ¡°Mr. Jack?¡±
Dongyang spoke up from beside him. Chen Lun snapped out of his reverie, nced at him, and then looked back at the group of yers behind him. The yers who had died in Oil Bean Town had resurrected, returning to the group. Fortunately, due to their battle, they had established a connection with Oil Bean Town, and the resurrection point refreshed automatically at the entrance of that town, which kept them from getting scattered. Chen Lun released the crow from his shoulder, then spoke softly: ¡°This church has no clergy; the people of the Red Apple Church have already evacuated¡­¡± ¡°They¡¯ve already evacuated?!¡± Dongyang and the others looked at each other in surprise. They then opened the mission panel to check, only to find that thepletion status of this mission was still ¡°2/3.¡± Apparently, this church still needed to be destroyed. ¡°¡ªCould it be due to the Lost Name Guild tipping them off? So the Red Apple Church was prepared in advance?¡± Chenxi spoke out. ¡°¡ªVery likely!¡± The Horseman said. ¡°¡ªThink about it, that bunch of brats¡­ the church branches in the previous two towns were obliterated by us, they¡¯ve suffered such great losses, they definitely wanted to mend their rtionship with the church through such tattles, to regain some Affection Points.¡± Doghead Gold immediately replied in the team channel. The others nodded in agreement, acknowledging his view. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Chen Lun twirled his Silver Staff and gently rested it on his forearm. He adjusted his ck hat and stepped forward into the building. Dongyang and the others followed closely behind him into the outer courtyard of the church. Their footsteps echoed densely in the empty and silent surroundings as they passed through the outer courtyard and came directly to the grand hall¡¯s entrance, where Chen Lun personally pushed open the massive, heavy, wooden carved door. Creak¡ª! A series of uniform, low prayers suddenly reached everyone¡¯s ears. Dongyang and the others focused and saw that the entire hall was nearly filled with kneeling men and women of all ages. They wore ordinary civilian clothes and knelt devoutly on the ground, murmuring the doctrines of the Red Apple Church¡¯s Bible. These believers appeared very eerie, their expressions devout yet fervent, and their eyes filled with a desperate longing. ¡°God says, hunger is the basic desire of man, to devour is to obey the heart¡­¡± ¡°God says, flesh is the root of man, to grow is to continue life¡­¡± ¡°God says, disease is but a necessary path, we need to endure trials¡­¡± The chanting prayers rolled in wave after wave, filled with sanctity. The sound waves hit Dongyang and the others, sending chills down their spines and raising the hairs on their necks. Chen Lun looked around expressionlessly and discovered that all these believers no longer had a heartbeat, they looked alive but were actually long dead. The reason they could act like living people, indistinguishable from the norm, depended on a method of the Red Apple Church. Chen Lun remembered this method clearly. ¡®In the previous version 1.0 of the Red Apple Church, it was able to wreak havoc on arge scale within the Empire, relying on a type of Supernatural Creature called ¡°fruit maggots¡± ¡­ a creation secretly developed by the church.¡¯ The ¡°fruit honey¡± encounters in Amber City was the excreta of these Supernatural Creatures after gnawing on apples. Whether taken directly or formted into an injection, it could enhance the life force of the human body, achieving a sort of ¡°healing¡± and ¡°strengthening¡± effect. Its side effect was life-shortening. Many uninformed masses were extremely eager for the ¡°fruit honey¡± distributed by the church, even willing to drain their fortunes, to donate and make offerings, just so they or their families and friends could linger a while longer. Connie¡¯s father was a believer deeply reliant on this ¡°drug.¡± The first leader of the Iron Fist Gang, Gary, and the bodyguards found by Senator Daniel, had all been enhanced by an injection of this ¡°drug.¡± It was clear that the Red Apple Church, in the process of their secret research, spread these useless ¡°excretory wastes¡± to amass wealth. But the real research oue was imnting fruit maggots directly into human bodies and conducting a certain church ritual to create a horrifying group of church ¡°soldiers.¡± These people were already dead by the time the ritual was conducted; the fruit maggots would continue gnawing inside their bodies until they werepletely destroyed. In a sense, they were merely bodies controlled by maggots, filled with contamination and chaos¡ªtruly terrifying monsters. These beings¡­ no, they should be called fruit maggot parasites, had amon name known as ¡°Fallen Believers.¡± ¡°Leave this ce.¡± Chen Lun suddenly said. ¡°This is a shell church left by the Red Apple Church, essentially a trap.¡± Dongyang and the others were startled. ¡°Yes, Mr. Jack!¡± They immediately turned around, intending to leave the church hall. But just at that moment. Bang! The huge wooden doors mmed shut with a loud noise. Not only that, but the bricks above the door suddenly shifted, ejecting a sturdy iron grille that slotted directly into the threshold,pletely blocking their way out. You could faintly hear a clicking sounding from within the walls, clearly indicating a trap that had been set long before. ¡°Damn it! We¡¯re locked in!¡± Horseman shouted. ¡°Watch this!¡± Doghead Gold yelled as his body swelled, and then he violently mmed into the wall next to the door. He attempted to break the wall and create arge hole to allow everyone to escape. Boom! Bricks flew everywhere, dust filling the air. But the expected hole in the wall did not appear, and everyone realized that the walls of the church hall were not only very thick but also reinforced with a row of very solid iron bars. ¡°Were these walls built as a steel fortress from the start?!¡± Doghead Gold moved his sore arm and furiouslyined. Perhaps his collision with the wall caused such a loud noise that all the praying stopped abruptly, and the entire hall fell into deathly silence. Dongyang and the others turned to look at the group of kneeling believers, who were all motionless. In the eerily quiet atmosphere, suddenly a child¡¯s voice rang out: ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m hungry.¡± A few secondster, a woman¡¯s voice replied: ¡°If you¡¯re hungry, eat something.¡± Everyone held their breath as the kneeling believers slowly turned their heads, their eyes fixated on them. ¡°Hungry.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so hungry too.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we eat them.¡± The believers gradually stood up, their expressions bing grotesque, their eyes filled with longing and madness, and then they started closing in on Dongyang and the others. ¡°Open fire!¡± Dongyang made a split-second decision and bellowed. At the same time, the fallen believers also hysterically rushed over. Bang, bang, bang¡­! Nearly a hundred firearms spat out mes, countless little steel balls shot out. A series of dull thuds sounded as the steel balls prated the bodies of these believers, sttering blood everywhere. Many of the believers went down in a mess of blood, knocked to the ground by the recoil, but they still desperately crawled forward, their eyes increasingly fierce. Suddenly. Some of the fallen believers underwent strange transformations after being severely wounded. St! St¡­!! Their bodies twisted grotesquely, and suddenly from their shoulders, backs, and even belly buttons sprouted sickening and horrifying tentacles made of intertwined bones and muscles, even sprouting unevenly distributed teeth, nails, and hair. The yers opened fire again, but this time, the bullets were less effective. Even after being shot multiple times, these believers continued to stand, growing even more frenzied. They quickly reached the yers, snarling withughter as the tentacles on their bodies iled about. Some yers tried to fight them off, but their swords and knives couldn¡¯t kill the adversaries. Instead, dozens of tentacles pierced and entwined them, eventually pulling them into wide mouths filled with sharp teeth, where they were chewed up and swallowed. Dongyang and a few Transcendents also joined the fight, but they found these fallen believers extremely difficult to handle, barely managing to hold off three at a time, any more and they would be overwhelmed. Mechanical gloves and bombs weren¡¯t suitable to use in this enclosed space as they easily risk harming teammates, and running out of options, Dongyang reluctantly called for help: ¡°Mr. Jack! Please help us!¡± Chen Lun stood to the side, quietly watching the scene unfold. He knew this was a glimpse of the Empire¡¯s future. Soon, such fallen believers would emerge everywhere, serving as the ¡°soldiers¡± of the Red Apple Church, existing only for madness and ughter. The mutated fallen believers were clearly more ferocious, their life force, recovery ability, and physical strength enhanced, almost reaching the threshold of a Transcendent. The entire Red Apple Church hall was filled with the smell of blood, the previously solemn murals now smeared with fresh blood. The number of these fallen believers was about one to two hundred; it was understandable that Dongyang and the yers were overwhelmed. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Chen Lun slightly turned his head, watching them desperately resist, and pondered for a moment. ¡°Alright, after all, this is not something you can handle.¡± Chapter 310: 221: Elegant Slaughter (Vote for monthly ticket!) Chapter 310: Chapter 221: Elegant ughter (Vote for monthly ticket!) ¡°` Boom!! A loud noise captured everyone¡¯s attention. A Fallen Believer suddenly flew backwards, his twisted body arching through the air for tens of meters before mming straight into the massive statue of Lady Rose, bursting apart with a bang. Mr. Jack held his Silver Staff in one hand and his ck hat in the other, slowly lowering his raised foot. All eyes turned to him.
Several more Fallen Believers lunged at Mr. Jack, but with a flick of his wrist and a swing of the staff, a curtain of silver unfurled, blowing their heads to smithereens. Before the rain of blood could even touch the ground, the gentleman in ck attire had vanished, leaving a dark afterimage that flickered to another spot. His wide coat billowed as he kicked out once again. Boom!! Two Fall Believers covered in tentacles flew out like rubber balls, toppling a swarm of their own kind amidst a scattering of limbs and severed parts. The shockwave even sent all Fallen Believers within several meters flying. Perhaps because themotion Mr. Jack caused was simply too great, the Fallen Believers all charged at him, even those who were engaged in battle with yers would abandon their opponents and rush over. Dongyang and the others gaped, and aside from a few alpha yers from Pris, this was the first time the others had witnessed Jack¡¯sbat. ¡°What Sequence is Mr. Jack¡­ a Transcendent of?¡± Dongyang asked aloud. ¡°Don¡¯t know.¡± The other yers shook their heads. Boom! Boom Boom!! Explosions one after another shook the very air. The Fallen Believers were like weightless dolls in the hands of the gentleman in ck, kicked into walls or bowling over into groups of believers, creating a domino effect. With a wave of his silver staff, several heads shattered. His ck coat fluttered as he moved unhurriedly among the herd of believers, leaving behind a trail of crimson blood with each step, as if taking a leisurely stroll. If a piece of elegant music were yed, people might mistake his movements for dancing rather than ughtering. Suddenly. The yers all heard a crisp cracking sound. Then, a sinuous sh of silver streaked by, sparking as it went, and several Fallen Believers¡¯ bodies were torn apart in an instant. It turned out that Mr. Jack had transformed his Silver Staff into a chained, spiked Silver Whip. At the same time. With a flick of his hand, four ying cards appeared between the fingers of his left hand, sheathed in ck leather gloves. His wrist flicked, and the cards flew. Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh! The necks of four believers were sliced open, they fell to the ground instantly, still writhing in pools of their own blood. The entire Church hall seemed to have be Mr. Jack¡¯s personal stage, with not a single Fallen Believer able toy a finger on him. The ying cards spun rapidly, emitting a piercing screech, slicing through the believers¡¯ throats and tracing a series of straight lines made of blood beads in the air. Mr. Jack executed a graceful turn. With a flourish of his coat, he disappeared from his spot and reappeared in mid-air, suspended as he continued to throw cards downward. The Fallen Believers were howling and roaring, one after another beheaded by the cards, copsing to the ground. They faced an enemy they simply could not defeat. A momentter. Dongyang and the others looked on dumbfounded at the gentleman in ck. His silhouette remained as upright and imposing as ever. Right hand holding his indispensable Silver Staff, left hand lightly touching his hat, though his suit had been spotted with a few blood beads, his elegance underscored a bloody beauty amidst the carnage. Around himy scattered torsos and a sea of blood; the entire church hall resembled Hell, and even the solemn statue of Lady Rose was sttered with blood. It was as if the most ferocious of devils had performed a magnificent desecration in the hallowed Church. Su Keying suddenly felt a pain in her wrist and turned to see Wei Yin gripping her excitedly. Seeing her bestie¡¯s flushed face and eager eyes, Su Keying knew what she wanted to ask. ¡°¡ªThe recording is on! Don¡¯t worry!¡± Su Keying sent a text message and then quickly captured several shots of Jack¡¯s silhouette. Jack slowly turned around, doffing his hat and bowing slightly to the crowd. As if taking a bow after a performance. ¡°Thank¡­ Thank you, Mr. Jack.¡± Dongyang took a deep breath, struggling against the strong smell of blood, and thanked the gentleman in ck. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Chen Lun walked over to The Great Gate and touched the solid iron bars with a light chuckle. ¡°You might want to step back a bit.¡± Dongyang and the others obediently moved away from The Great Gate. They then saw Mr. Jack¡¯s Silver Staff morph with a ck, turning into a Silver Sword in the blink of an eye, and then swinging it fiercely. ng!! Bright sparks flickered. With several nging sounds, the solid iron bars were cleanly severed, copsing to the ground.@@novelbin@@ ¡°` Chen Lun gave the Great Gate another kick, blowing it open with a resounding crash. The sunlight and fresh air from outside streamed in, lifting everyone¡¯s spirits. ¡°Let¡¯s go, the mission is sessfullypleted.¡± * * * The church in Red Flower Town, like the ones in the previous two towns, ultimately burned down in a ze. The sacred structure, standing for who knows how many years, copsed in the roaring mes, together with hundreds of corpses within and countless past sins, all incinerated to nothing. The yers from Dongyang settled their quest, jubntly reaping rewards that included not only the basic experience points, coins, and contribution degrees but also a choice of one of two ck Crystal Weapons. They were surprised to find that these weapons were even more useful than they had imagined. The shortsword was sturdy and sharp, capable of generating red electrical arcs, while the wand couldunch bolts of lightning from a distance, mighty in power. ¡°This weapon¡­ it¡¯s top-notch! I can use it for a long time!¡± The Horseman remarked, ying with the ck shortsword, clicking his tongue in appreciation. The other yers shared his sentiment, cherishing the weapons in their hands. ¡°Brave warriors from afar, you¡¯ve done very well, destroying three small town churches of the Red Apple Church with me,¡± Chen Lun said with a smile. ¡°But remember, the Red Apple Church is a source of chaos, and greater turmoil is yet toe¡­ They are one of the Seven Righteous God Churches entrenched in the Empire, with a massive influence, not to be taken lightly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jack.¡± Dongyang looked at hispanions and spoke on their behalf. In fact, the yers had already realized that the Jack Circus and the Red Apple Church were in opposition, and they vaguely guessed that the main storyline was likely to be rted to this. Since they had joined the Circus, they were prepared to fight against the Church with all their might. Soon they received another quest, long-term and titled ¡°Church Hunting¡±¡ªkilling yers or clergy of the Red Apple Church would earn them corresponding contribution points. This affirmation further solidified their inner suspicions. ¡°Alright, everyone, until next time.¡± Chen Lun tipped his hat, gave a slight bow, and slowly vanished from the yers¡¯ sight. The yers did not understand, thinking it was a unique transcendental method of Mr. Jack. In actuality, Chen Lun had entered the Spirit World. Having dealt with the threat of the Red Apple Church, his next destination was naturally Sunflower City, to fulfill the task handed to him by the ck Knight. * * * Sunflower City. This bustling metropolis was filled with flowers, with fresh blooms surrounding every building, be it the industrial area, residential district, or affluent neighborhoods. The people here loved to nt flowers, including the city council members who held this same preference. The fragrance of flowers filled the entire city, allowing residents to immerse themselves in their delightful scent day in and day out. In the city centery a vast garden filled with sunflowers, a ce for the wealthy to rest and rx, and also one of thendmarks of Sunflower City. Behind the Sunflower Garden, a lush forest stretched out, with a public cemetery deep within the woods. The cemetery, named Dawn Cemetery, was the resting ce for many: poor and rich,moners and nobles, locals and foreigners, and of course, some without name or fame. It was early morning, and a noble couple was mourning in front of their daughter¡¯s gravestone. ¡°My dearest Mil, this is the gift Daddy promised you.¡± The man took off his hat, removed his gloves, and personally ced a rabbit toy next to the gravestone. Then he took out a Gold Pound from his wallet and gently ced it in the toy¡¯s embrace. ¡°You once asked Daddy for a Gold Pound for your birthday¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have been so focused on work back then and failed to answer you¡­ I¡¯m sorry, my daughter.¡± Ovee with emotion, the man helplessly covered his face. His wife hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder and starting to weep bitterly. Not far away. The Tomb Guardian, apanied by a dog, watched the grieving couple and shook his head slightly. In his decades of guarding graves, he¡¯d seen too much sadness and tears. At first, they moved him, but as time passed, he¡¯d be numb to them. The Tomb Guardian looked to be a man in his fifties, strong and mature, yet therge dog by his side seemed immature, eagerly looking around with boundless curiosity, even attempting to break free of its leash to frolic. ¡°Paul! Settle down, you little rascal!¡± The Tomb Guardian scolded. He then grabbed the leash and started to head back. If not for his oldpanion, who had passed away peacefully a couple of days ago, he wouldn¡¯t have epted a new dog from a friend. It would take quite a while to get Paul ustomed to the life of guarding graves and to be obedient and sensible. ¡°I have an uneasy feeling¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± The Tomb Guardian frowned slightly, a gut feeling telling him something bad might happen. He valued his sixth sense greatly because he was not just any man, but a Transcendent. Years ago, the council had requested a Transcendent from the Shelter to serve as the Tomb Guardian of Dawn Cemetery. He was then dispatched and had held the position for over twenty years. Ironically, as a Sequence Nine Tomb Robber of the Earth Faction, he¡¯d been a diligent and responsible guardian without incident for so many years. ¡°Stay alert, cannot let my guard down.¡± The Tomb Guardian¡¯s eyes were sharp as he led Paul around the Cemetery, yet he found no signs of trouble. ¡°Hopefully, nothinges of it, or my years of reputation will be utterly ruined!¡± Chapter 311: 222 The Dark Knights Grave Was Desecrated Chapter 311: Chapter 222 The Dark Knight¡¯s Grave Was Desecrated As evening approached, the setting sun cast its amber glow. A carriage hurried through the woods,ing to an abrupt stop at the entrance of ¡°Dawn Cemetery.¡± Following suit, a butler-like elderly man alighted, grasping a piece of ck cloth as he rushed into the cemetery. Thud, thud, thud¡­! The elder pounded urgently on the wooden door of the cabin at the cemetery¡¯s entrance. The door quickly opened, and the Tomb Guardian was quite surprised to see the elder, but before he could utter a word, the elder ced the ck cloth in the Tomb Guardian¡¯s hands.
Realizing something, the Tomb Guardian¡¯s pupils shrank, and the next second, he heard the elder speak breathlessly, ¡°Sir, the old madam¡­ has passed away.¡±@@novelbin@@ The Tomb Guardian thought he had heard wrong, so he asked for confirmation. With a heavy sigh, and a somber, earnest look on his face, the old butler shattered any flicker of hope in the Tomb Guardian¡¯s heart. The Tomb Guardian, who thought he was long ustomed to life and death, suddenly felt a surge of grief upon hearing the news of his mother¡¯s passing. ¡°How¡­ how is that possible? Mother was in good health, just yesterday she was singing in the garden¡­!¡± ¡°After lunch, the old madam was watering the flowers in the garden when she was struck in the head by a small stone that came from outside the courtyard¡­ The officer said it might have been the mischief of some children.¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± The Tomb Guardian¡¯s face darkened, he clutched the ck cloth and rushed out of the cabin, sprinting towards the carriage. The elder chased after him, shouting something, but his voice grew fainter and harder to discern with distance. The Tomb Guardian left in such a hurry that he didn¡¯t close the cabin door, and the big dog Paul, curious, ran out and began to roam the cemetery excitedly. Sniffing here and inspecting there, Paul unintentionally arrived in front of a little girl¡¯s tombstone, where the sight of a rabbit doll piqued his interest. Paul gripped the doll in his jaws, shaking it vigorously from side to side like prey, then took off running with it in his mouth. The gold pound that the girl¡¯s father had ced inside the doll¡¯s embrace flew in a parab, ncing off another tombstone with a ting, bouncing a couple of times, before finally rolling to a stop in front of a grave. On this grave was inscribed, ¡°The Baisworff Couple¡¯s Joint Tomb.¡± Deep into the night, the Purple Moon hung high. In a corner of the cemetery, two figures mbered over the fence. These were two men in overalls and berets, carryingrge bags and iron shovels, creeping forward with great caution. ¡°Hey, should we really be doing this, Turner?¡± one man asked nervously. ¡°If we don¡¯t get the money soon, how can we take the kids and leave? They¡¯re murderers!¡± the other man responded in a hushed tone, his voiceden with anger and irritation. ¡°Dammit! So much trouble!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard this cemetery holds the remains of nobility; we should find some valuable burial artifacts.¡± ¡°Be careful not to get caught by the Tomb Guardian.¡± As the two men continued their search, they suddenly caught a glimpse of something shining out of the corner of their eye. ¡°What is that¡­?!¡± Eagerly, they ran over and in front of an ordinary tombstone, they discovered a gold coin. ¡°Gold Pounds! My god!¡± ¡°This grave must belong to someone wealthy.¡± Handling the gold coin, their faces were lit with excitement. ¡°Turner, let¡¯s dig up this one; get to work!¡± ¡°Alright! No problem!¡± * * * On a train, Chen Lun sat in an ordinary carriage, at a window seat. He had traveled a considerable distance through the Spirit World Shuttle, and upon nearing Sunflower City, he exited the Spirit World and opted to enter the city by train. This avoided any potential ambushes in the Spirit World; he always kept the ck Knight¡¯s warning in mind. After observing the passing scenery for a while, Chen Lun took out an object the size of a pigeon¡¯s egg, a ck w-shaped armband. [C Level Mysterious Object ¨C w Armband] Item Description: A bracer imbued with the power of flesh; it is shaped like a ck w with four razor-sharp fingers. It seems to be waiting for an opportunity, to slice open your chest when you¡¯re least expecting it. Wearing this armband grants the user increased strength, making the body more powerful and transforming the fingers into dark, sharp ws. It might have originated from a Church Priest and contains the power released after his death. After indulging in a feast, one bes a beast, with only a strong body capable of bearing the blessings of the Gods. Item Effects: When worn, Life Points +200, Strength +5, Endurance +5. It allows the palm to transform into Ghoul ws. Item Cost: Every once in a while, it must be fed a fleshly corpse. (More than 50 kilograms, not limited to humans) ¡®Hmm¡­ the effect is strong, and it¡¯s one grade higher than the Surging Badge, a good recement.¡¯ Chen Lun removed the Ghost-face Badge pinned to his chest, obtained through killing the Priest Carter when he first traversed, an object that had apanied him for a long time. But now, the enhancement it provided had be optional. ¡®Pity, they can¡¯t be worn at the same time.¡¯ Chen Lun silently sighed and put on the w Armband. There is an underlying rule with Mysterious Objects; simr ones can¡¯t be used simultaneously, as they would conflict. Even though he didn¡¯t know the exact mechanics, Chen Lun understood. After all, if it were possible, one could collect a multitude of low-level, low-cost Mysterious Objects that enhanced Attributes; thebined effect would be akin to creating a ¡°Superman.¡± Here in the patched-up river. Chapter 312: The Dark Knights Grave Was Desecrated_2 Chapter 312: Chapter The Dark Knight¡¯s Grave Was Desecrated_2 Chen Lun was very satisfied with the armband and could ept the price, at worst letting it dine with the Blood Poem Ring. It was just like feeding one more big fat pig each time. Mr. Jack wouldn¡¯t mind that bit of money. After several hours, the train stopped near a small town and a batch of passengers boarded. Soon, a girl sat down opposite Chen Lun. She was a young girl in a light yellow dress with a sun hat, appearing to be only around eighteen or neen years old.
As the train continued, she couldn¡¯t help her curiosity and asked: ¡°Sir, are you traveling?¡± Ever since she boarded, she had been stealing nces at the young gentleman across from her. Although the girl had seen many outstanding men, this one was clearly special¡­ His demeanor and looks made her heart race. ¡°Hmm¡­ yes, traveling,¡± Chen Lun shifted his gaze from the passing scenery outside the train to the girl and smiled slightly. ¡°Miss, how did you figure that out?¡± The girl paused, shaken by his smile. What a handsome face it was, the light from the train window shining on the side of his face like a piece of art. ¡°Sir, you¡­ don¡¯t have any extra luggage and you seem quite at ease, surely a noble out on a trip.¡± Chen Lun neither confirmed nor denied and didn¡¯t explicitly state his identity; he simply said: ¡°Are you traveling as well?¡± ¡°Oh, no, not really¡­ I¡¯m headed for an internship,¡± the girl blushed, feeling shy but eager to chat with the gentleman a bit more. ¡°I just graduated from a medical college in a small town, and now I¡¯ve been epted at a hospital in Sunflower City¡­ as an intern nurse.¡±@@novelbin@@ The girl took a deep breath, hugged her bag, and mustering up her courage, extended a hand. ¡°My name is Lisa, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, sir.¡± ¡°Hello, Lisa.¡± Chen Lun politely extended his hand to lightly touch her fingertips, just briefly. He then casually mentioned his own name: ¡°Jack.¡± ¡°Mr. Jack¡­?¡± Lisa giggled, revealing her braces, and then realizing it was neitherdylike nor attractive, she embarrassedly turned her head away. For a moment, she didn¡¯t hear Mr. Jack say anything, so she nced sideways at him and noticed he had already turned to look at the view outside the window. Lisa felt a bit disappointed. It seemed that the handsome gentleman wasn¡¯t particrly interested in her. She opened her mouth a few times, but lost the courage to speak and could only feel inwardly distressed. Half a dayter. Approaching four o¡¯clock in the afternoon, the train came to a stop at the Sunflower City train station. The conductor was ringing the copper bell, walking down the aisle reminding passengers to disembark. When Lisa, standing on tiptoe to reach her luggage, lost her bnce and the luggage fell, she cried out. But in the next second, a fair and slender hand easily caught the luggage and handed it to her. ¡°Be careful, Miss Lisa.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ Thank you, Mr. Jack.¡± She looked up at the man, whose face still wore that affable and polite smile, and her heart raced so fast that in that moment she even felt like she had fallen in love. She stared nkly at him, until Chen Lun cleared his throat and said: ¡°Miss Lisa? We should get off¡­ I need to get off as well.¡± She snapped back to reality, her face turning extremely red. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir.¡± She disembarked in a daze, holding her luggage, and only then did she realize, ¡°Mr. Jack is also getting off at Sunflower City!¡± Lisa looked around, searching for Mr. Jack¡¯s figure, but to no avail. Intending to exchange contact information with him, she couldn¡¯t help feeling a sense of emptiness. She sighed deeply, clearly disheartened. Chen Lun nced at the girl from not far away, shook his head slightly, and walked away. With his ascension, he increasingly understood his own Charm, how impactful it was on ordinary people, especially women, who were easily attracted to him¡­ whether it was good or bad was hard to say clearly. ¡®Perhaps Transcendents of the Constetion Faction who reach Mid Sequence also have such troubles¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought. He pulled down his hat brim, left the train station like an ordinary person, and headed straight for Sunflower Garden; his destination, ¡°Dawn Cemetery,¡± was there. * * * But when Chen Lun arrived at the cemetery, he found many carriages parked there, a crowd gathered at the entrance as if something had happened. ¡°The Tomb Robbers are too brazen! They must be captured and brought to justice!¡± ¡°Yes! The deceased should rest in peace, this is a Desecration!¡± ¡°The Tomb Guardian just happened to have a death in the family and left temporarily, which gave the robbers a chance. How can this be a coincidence?!¡± ¡°Moreover, the identity information of the grave that was robbed has not yet been determined, something seems off here.¡± People were talking animatedly, among them bystanders, reporters, and cemetery officials. Chen Lun suddenly had a bad feeling. ¡®Could it be that Mr. Bales¡¯ coffin has been stolen?¡¯ His brow furrowed slightly, he lowered his head and slipped past the crowd on the side, intending to enter the cemetery. But two policemen at the entrance stopped him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir, but you can¡¯t enter at the moment, we¡¯re still investigating the clues left at the scene¡­¡± ¡°Shelter special agent, Qiaoke.¡± Chen Lun took out a ying card, shed it before their eyes, and improvised an identity. Chapter 313: 222: Dark Knights Grave Was Dug Up_3 Chapter 313: Chapter 222: Dark Knight¡¯s Grave Was Dug Up_3 At the same time, he used the mysterious object, ¡°Mermaid¡¯s Song,¡± hanging on his chest. The two officers suddenly became distracted, mistaking the ying cards in Chen Lun¡¯s hand for official documents. They respectfully saluted and then let him pass. Chen Lun, leaning on his Silver Staff, walked in with his usual expression. Once inside the cemetery, he saw from a distance in the front right area, many officers were inspecting, and some individuals were making records. At that moment, arge dog approached Chen Lun¡¯s feet with its tongue out, rubbing against his leg in a ttering manner. ¡°A dog? Hmm¡­ perfect.¡±
Chen Lun gave a slight smile and patted the dog¡¯s head. Then he quietlymunicated with it using Beast Speech, asking about the situation concerning the stolen tomb. The dog seemed a bit dim-witted, providing fragmented information, but Chen Lun was still able to piece together some details. A grave had indeed been robbed in the cemetery, and the incident urredtest night. At that time, the big dog had also seen the perpetrators from a distance¡ªtwo men. However, this dogcked any professional discipline; it was busy ying with a rabbit doll,pletely ignoring the two men. Chen Lun felt somewhat disappointed, but after thinking, he crouched down and said a few words to the dog. The big dog, seemingly understanding yet not, barked twice, then ran toward the area where the officers were with the rabbit doll in its mouth. In the end, without them noticing, it dropped the doll nearby. The eyes of the rabbit doll flickered, turning into human eyeballs for a moment. They whirled around, looking towards the excavated grave. ¡®It really is¡­!¡¯ The gravestone read ¡°The Baisworff Couple¡¯s Joint Tomb,¡± which was, in fact, a slightly altered name by Mr. Bales to deceive people while alsomemorating his deceased wife with a reserved name. ¡®Who on earth took Mr. Bales¡¯s coffin?¡¯ From afar, Chen Lun covered his left eye with one hand, his brow slightly furrowed. He sensed something peculiar about this matter. Just the night before his arrival in Sunflower City, Mr. Bales¡¯s coffin had been stolen; the timing was too coincidental. Just then, two more officers ran up, reporting in a low voice to a middle-aged officer who seemed to be in charge, his face showing a look of delight. Through ¡°Five Senses Perception,¡± Chen Lun¡¯s eye saw their conversation. ¡°¡­ Captain, the two Tomb Robbers have been found!¡± ¡°Ah? This is indeed great news! The council has been putting a lot of pressure on us, especially since the city hasn¡¯t had a case like this in many years¡­ It¡¯s good to close the case quickly!¡± ¡°But¡­ Captain.¡± The two young officers who came to report seemed hesitant. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Those two Tomb Robbers are dead, having died on the road where they were transporting the coffin¡­ Their deaths are very strange, and the bodies have now been sent to the nearest ¡®Tulip Hospital.''¡± Moreover, the stolen coffin has also disappeared¡­ and has yet to be found.¡± ¡°What happened here?!¡± The officers continued to discuss in low tones, but all were inconclusive spections. Far away, Chen Lun appeared contemtive. After thinking for a moment, he performed a quick Divination on the spot. The ying cards suggested that clues about the coffin could be gleaned from the two bodies. ¡®In that case¡­ I must go to the hospital first.¡¯ He sighed inwardly, not expecting anotherplication in the matter. * * * Late at night. Chen Lun arrived at ¡°Tulip Hospital.¡± This was a standardrge hospital, located in the Central District of Sunflower City. Even though it was veryte, many medical staff were still busy. The city¡¯s flower season caused an abundance of blooms, also bringing many residents with pollen allergies to the hospital for treatment, a yearly urrence that seemed habitual to everyone. Those who couldn¡¯t bear it had already left the city; those who stayed either loved it or both loved and persevered. Chen Lun lowered his hat brim, entering the hospital very discreetly. To his surprise, he found a familiar face at the front desk¡ªit was the girl, Lisa, he had met on the train today. She seemed to be working as a trainee nurse, following another nurse on duty while familiarizing herself with the environment. However, Lisa¡¯s colleague appeared somewhat tired at the moment, propping her chin up and dozing off, while Lisa herself seemed extremely bored, flipping through the hospital records and reports. Just then, a figure appeared at the front desk, and Lisa instinctively looked up. Her eyes widened instantly, revealing an expression of disbelief. ¡°Mr. Jack?¡± When she saw that it was the familiar young gentleman, she couldn¡¯t help feeling both astonished and delighted. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I think, perhaps I couldn¡¯t forget you, Lisa¡­ Although we¡¯ve only met once, I have already been deeply attracted to you.¡± Mr. Jack looked at her sincerely and affectionately. ¡°So I searched through all the hospitals and finally found you.¡± Lisa¡¯s heartbeat suddenly quickened. ¡°Mr. Jack, I¡­I feel the same.¡± Lisa¡¯s heart raced, her cheeks flushing red. ¡°After getting off the train, I wanted to find you, but I couldn¡¯t!¡±@@novelbin@@ Suddenly, she felt a warm hand caress her cheek and looked up to see Mr. Jack¡¯s wless face close to hers. He had alreadye to her side and was holding her in his arms without her notice. ¡°Mr. Jack¡­ my colleague is still here¡­!¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, she will sleep soundly.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Lisa couldn¡¯t control her heart any longer and whispered a soft response. After that, she melted into the warm embrace, kissing the handsome gentleman. * * * From outside the front desk, Chen Lun watched as Lisa, her face flushed, disyed a peculiar expression. Lisa¡¯s eyes seemed dreamy, a smile ying on her lips, while she murmured sweet nothings to herself. Chen Lun didn¡¯t know what scenario she had concocted after being hypnotized, but he had already obtained the information he wanted. ¡®The two bodies are in the dissection room, and the officers from the Security Office have already left¡­¡¯ Chen Lun nodded. He checked the hospital records in his hands one more time, closed them, and then gently ced them back next to Lisa¡¯s hand. Lisa¡¯s movements grew louder, but fortunately, her colleague had already been put into a deep sleep by Chen Lun¡¯s doing and was not awakened by her noise. The new trainee nurse was now lying on the front desk, biting her lip and twisting around, murmuring softly. Chen Lun raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers. Pop! Lisa, as if waking from a deep dream, looked around with wide eyes, startled. She panicked, looking around, only to find no one, a strong feeling of emptiness welling up inside her. ¡°It was just a dream¡­¡± Lisa checked her body once more, immediately feeling immensely ashamed. ¡°You really are a little Biqi, Lisa, how could you be so wanton¡­ to have such dreams!¡± She nced at her sleeping colleague and finally sighed in relief. But in the end, after a brief cleanup, she sighed deeply again. ¡°Mr. Jack¡­¡± Chapter 316: 225: Like to Pretend, Huh? Chapter 316: Chapter 225: Like to Pretend, Huh? ¡°The duration of my extreme state should have about thirty seconds left, I can¡¯t waste any more time here¡­¡± A thought shed through Chen Lun¡¯s mind. He knew that once he left his extreme state, his strength would bepletely insufficient tobat the Red Rose Squad, and he would be in grave danger! After all, he was just an ordinary Sequence Seven! Whoosh! Chen Lun blinked, appearing in front of the coffin, ready to take it away.
Just then, the Bone Carving Doll lying on the ground suddenly emitted a cracking sound, and then it climbed up by itself, its head turning around, and its pitch-ck eyes once again fixed on Chen Lun. ¡°Screw you!¡± Chen Lun retaliated with a p, nging the Bone Carving Doll away; mid-air, its head spun like a propeller, both eerie andical. The boy made of bones crashed into the wall, then fell to the ground, his limbs and head twisted in an unnatural pose. The spell ¡°Sensory Deprivation¡± it had cast on Chen Lun thus became ineffective, and Chen Lun regained his vision and hearing. He turned to nce at the doll, fully aware that in some sense, it was Jerome¡¯s weapon as well as material for an advancement ceremony. But he had no interest in it¡­ Unless he killed Jerome first, this Bone Carving Doll could not be destroyed. It had already formed a deep connection with Jerome, so taking it away would only lead to being tracked down. There was no need to carry a ¡°time bomb¡± on him. Luckily, without Jerome¡¯s direct maniption, the power that the doll could exert was minimal. Chen Lun tried to ce his hand on the coffin, preparing to store it inside the Blood Poem Ring so that he wouldn¡¯t have to carry the coffin while escaping, which would be highly inconvenient. The Blood Poem Ring shed with a red light, and a vortex gradually appeared. He was pleased. ¡°It¡¯s possible¡­! Probably because Mr. Bales¡¯s original bodycks a soul and is considered a dead object¡­¡± But the next moment¡­ A warning light went off in Chen Lun¡¯s mind, and his Spiritual Intuition was alerting him. At the same time, a piercing scream reached his ears! A Bone Spike, covered in ferocious patterns, flew swiftly toward Chen Lun¡¯s hand ced on the coffin! Whoosh¡ª! It moved incredibly fast, far faster than a bullet, almost as if it had blinked, reaching Chen Lun¡¯s hand in the next second. Ping!! The Bone Spike struck the coffin lid and was blocked by a ck light, emitting a crisp, ear-piercing sound, the reverberating shocksting for a long time. Chen Lun dodged to the side and slowly exhaled. Good thing he had moved beforehand, or his hand would have been hit! The power of this Bone Spike was tremendous, and Chen Lun did not know whether the Didak Armor,bined with Steel Bones¡¯ defense, could withstand it. He was notpletely confident. ¡°Bales wants to take back this body? Haha¡­¡± A deep, elderly voice came. Chen Lun turned his head and saw an old man with white hair and beard standing at the warehouse door. He was dressed in a wide scarlet monk¡¯s robe, holding the Bone Carving Doll in his hand, his face full of wrinkles and age spots, looking very much like a man at death¡¯s door. ¡®Bone Carving Monk Jerome¡­¡¯ Chen Lun thought of the name internally, and his pressure surged. ¡®This old undead has already advanced to Sequence Five! And with only 15 seconds left in the extreme state, what should I do?!¡¯ The situation was very bad now! ¡°If Bales hade in person, there might have been a slight chance to reim the original body, but to send such a minor character¡­¡± The old man¡¯s calm gaze nced at Chen Lun, then he shook his head slightly, appearing somewhat disappointed. He did not seem to fear this ¡°pale monster¡± at all; rather, he seemed to hope that Bales himself woulde, apparently thinking it would allow him to capture and suppress Bales. Even though Chen Lun had broken through the blockade of the Red Rose Squad and defeated Dr. Wozhuas along with two squad members¡­ In Jerome¡¯s eyes, he was still just a minor character. In this critical moment, Chen Lun did not panic; he was thinking coolly, his mind racing. Suddenly, he figured out something and was enlightened. ¡®There is a way¡­ but I have only one chance!¡¯ Suddenly, Chen Lun threw his cards; under the extreme state, the Magic ¡°Card Throwing Knife¡± also increased its power. Swish swish swish¡­! Several cards spun rapidly toward Jerome. Some of them were mixed with Supernatural me attached to ¡°Palm Fireworks.¡± Taking advantage of the moment he acted, Chen Lun quickly dropped a card at his feet secretly. ¡°Struggling in vain.¡± Jerome¡¯s old voice spoke again. He raised the Bone Carving Doll, like a ventriloquist¡¯s puppet in his hand. Crack! The porcin-like boy opened his mouth, his pitch-ck eyes devoid of any sparkle. Whoosh whoosh¡ª! An icy blue cold wind blew out of its mouth, like a winter gale mixed with bone-chilling frost, furiously pouring into the warehouse. The cards suddenly slowed against all logic, slowing more and more like rusty gears, gradually seizing up. The cards were covered with frost, and eventually froze mid-air like insects in amber, not even falling due to gravity. Even the few that were ame with Supernatural me did the same, not going out, but staying motionless. The Supernatural me was condensed by the cold air! ¡°Hiss¡­ huff¡­¡± Dr. Wozhuas leaned against the corner of the wall, already severely injured and unable to get up. The supernatural cold air made him shiver uncontrobly. He stiffened his neck and nced at the dying nun on the ground, his eyes revealing a helplesspassion. The blood that had flowed from her had frozen into ice, turning the entire warehouse into what seemed like a cold storage room. Chen Lun faced the cold wind and silently dreaded the situation. He could no longer sense the ying card he had thrown earlier, and the ¡°Magic Mark¡± he had left on it was erased by the cold, preventing him from performing the ¡°Magic¡± known as ¡°Great Human Transformation.¡± ¡®The first step of the n is directly snuffed out, what a disaster!¡¯ he thought, enduring the bone-chilling cold. But he didn¡¯t just wait to die. Taking advantage of the less than ten seconds left in his extreme state, he vibrated his pale wings and, stomping his foot, he blinked to Jerome¡¯s side with startling speed. Whiz! He blew a whistle, using the ¡°Mermaid¡¯s Song¡± hypnosis. At the same time, his dark ws swung down fiercely at the old man! But Jerome showed no response; he ignored both the hypnosis sound and the iing ws, remaining motionless, not even lifting his eyelids. Crack! The Bone Carving Doll suddenly turned its head, blowing a frigid wind straight at Chen Lun. Chen Lun had anticipated the hypnosis to be ineffective, knowing that his opponent was a ¡°Sequence Five¡± powerhouse with Willpower probably above 25 points¡­ But trying was no harm.@@novelbin@@ As the cold wind assaulted him at close range, he felt a chill throughout his body, and his mid-air ws moved slower and slower. ¡®At most three seconds and I¡¯ll bepletely frozen!¡¯ he thought internally. ¡®But this distance should be enough¡­¡¯ His hand with the dark ws was still inching closer to Jerome¡¯s head, with difficulty and struggle, conveying a desperation to find a way to survive. Meanwhile, his eyes nced past Jerome to a barrel behind him. ¡°Cage Escape¡± magic! At this moment, as Chen Lun was gradually being solidified by the supernatural cold, he met the conditions to perform this magic. Swoosh. His figure disappeared, and the Bone Carving Doll¡¯s target became the barrel in the blink of an eye. ¡°Meaningless.¡± Jerome, without turning his head, clearly sensed that the pale figure had moved to his rear. ¡®Like to show off, eh?!!¡¯ Chen Lun cursed internally as he was less than five meters away from Jerome, watching his back and the Bone Carving Doll turning its head towards him. He moved his slightly stiff wrist and took out an item from the Blood Poem Ring, tossing it lightly. He then performed the ¡°Great Human Transformation¡± magic, switching ces with the ying cards he had thrown near the coffin. This time, Jerome¡¯s expression finally changed. ¡°Damned guy!¡± He grimaced, whirling around, using the Bone Carving Doll as a shield in front of him. The object thrown by Chen Lun was a tiny bone shard. ¡°Cat God¡¯s Spell¡±! Boom!! A column-like golden lightning appeared out of nowhere, striking down from the sky, its dazzling light illuminating the entire warehouse. Crash!!! A loud bang reverberated mutedly through the warehouse. The golden light gathered and burst, turning into thousands of branches, spreading like golden boughs. Jerome, struck directly in the chest by the golden thunder, let out a ghastly scream. Dr. Wozhuas, curled up in the corner, shielded his eyes from the bright light and jerked upon hearing Jerome¡¯s agonized scream. What kind of damage could make the captain of the Red Rose Squad, a monk esteemed by Archbishop Lafa, suffer so terribly? And who exactly was that unidentified enemy? Dr. Wozhuas¡¯s mind was in chaos; he couldn¡¯t make sense of it. As the golden lightning gradually faded, the warehouse fell silent once more. The doctor slowly raised his head; when he looked at Monk Jerome, his already pale face turned even more bloodless, his eyes widened in shock. Jerome was kneeling on the ground, his crimson robe tattered, revealing his gaunt, elderly body underneath. His body was covered in ragged wounds that did not bleed but were instead covered with golden patches. The patches flickered, sometimes sprouting tiny golden branches the size of fingertips, sometimes disintegrating into light points and dissipating, endlessly, undying and immortal. Next to the monky the Bone Carving Doll, its originally pristine, porcin-like face cracked and covered in fissures, as if it would shatter upon touch. It was this that had taken the brunt of the golden lightning¡¯s power, otherwise, Jerome¡¯s injuries would have been even more severe, or he might even have met his end. Jerome struggled to lift his head, his gaze as icy as the farthest northernnds. Dr. Wozhuas shivered when swept by that gaze. But in the old monk¡¯s view, within the warehouse, both Chen Lun¡¯s figure and the coffin had already vanished. A huge hole gaped in the ceiling of the warehouse. ¡°Jack!!¡± Jerome¡¯s fingers clenched the ground like talons, his eyes reddening. He growled from his throat, ¡°You damned reptile, I will kill you myself!!¡± Chapter 317: 226 Wolf and Youlan Chapter 317: Chapter 226 Wolf and Yon Hum! A silhouette dashed swiftly across the high skies, reaching the distance in the blink of an eye. Chen Lun¡¯s ¡°Variegated Wings¡± vibrated at a high frequency, and he flew forward without looking back. His body had already failed to support the extreme state and was forced to return to its original form. Ignoring the overly girlish appearance of the wings, Chen Lun now only wanted to quickly distance himself from Sunflower City. The moment he had thrown the ¡°Cat God¡¯s Spell,¡± he swapped ces with a card first and then stored the coffin in his Blood Poem Ring at the fastest speed before soaring into the sky to escape swiftly. ¡®No kill notification hase, it appears that old fellow is quite resilient¡­ Perhaps the talisman attracted something other than divine punishment, otherwise, he would surely be dead!¡¯ Chen Lun thought maliciously.
His body shimmered with a translucent green light, indicating that he was using the ¡°Wake of Insects¡± bookmark to transform Sanity Value from statues to restore his own Life Force. The battle just now had drained much of his health, but fortunately, he had the talisman, the great weapon, or else it wouldn¡¯t have been so easy to escape. ¡®It¡¯s good that I¡¯ve already reimed Mr. Bales¡¯ body¡­ Better leave this ce first!¡¯ Chen Lun thought as the wings on his back pped even faster, making the headwind almost too strong to keep his eyes open. The reason he had not chosen to flee through the Spirit World was his concern for ambushes, and with his velocity in the sky, few in the real world could catch up to him. ¡®After delivering the coffin to the location Mr. Bales specified andpleting this task, the reward,bined with the Experience Points I got from leading yers to destroy three branches of the Red Apple Church, should be enough to reach Max Level¡­¡¯ Chen Lun was filled with anticipation as he thought to himself. * * * * Half a dayter. Chen Lun appeared in the outskirts of Amber City. To be cautious, he had flown at high altitudes for several hours, feeling sufficiently far from Sunflower City, before he entered the Spirit World to travel. His prudence was justified, as, at that moment, the Spirit World near Sunflower City indeed hid many elite Transcendents from the Sun Church. Unfortunately for them, they did not encounter the Dark Knight, nor did they see Chen Lun. They were outwitted by thin air. Shortly after. Chen Lun arrived at a set of ruins. It seemed to have once been a small town, but now only remnants of broken walls remained, covered by countless nts and herbs, revealing only a few traces of its past. ¡®This must be the predecessor of Amber City¡­ It is said that hundreds of years ago, there wasn¡¯t a singlerge city in this area, but several dozens of small towns scattered around, whichter converged to form Amber City.¡¯ Chen Lun mused silently, recalling historical books he had read. Time always erases the traces of mankind when one least expects it. Rustle, rustle¡­ Just then, some noise came from the bushes on one side. Chen Lun¡¯s eyebrows lifted as he stopped in his tracks. Spiritual Intuition did not issue a warning to him, so he guessed it must be some kind of wild animal. As expected, a dopey ck bear¡¯s head popped out. After staring at Chen Lun withrge eyes that conveyed a hint of confusion, it lumbered over towards him with its enormous body. ¡®This bear¡­ is a bit strange, it seems unaffected by my Charm, and even ¡°Friend of Animals¡± doesn¡¯t work.¡¯ Chen Lun revealed a trace of curiosity. Suddenly. Growl! For some unknown reason, the ck bear became irate, swinging its paw to strike at Chen Lun. Chen Lun frowned and backhanded the bear with a hefty p. Smack! The bear¡¯s head spun from the blow, remaining dazed for a long time, and its raised paw didn¡¯te down, looking for all the world like a primary school student eager to answer a question. The next second, it turned tail and ran, whimpering softly as it went. The more Chen Lun watched, the stranger he found it. What in the world is this? He didn¡¯t pursue, now was not the time to be curious about a ck bear. The main thing was to put Mr. Bales¡¯ body back in its ce. Chen Lun shook his head slightly and continued deeper into the ruins. After walking a bit further, he once again stopped, turning his head to look towards the right rear. The ck bear was back again. Just as Chen Lun was about to raise his hand to p it again, the bear began to speak: ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± That was Bales¡¯ voice. Chen Lun was slightly startled and cleared his throat, his raised hand¡­ instead took off his hat as he bowed respectfully to the other party. ¡°Mr. Bales, how did you¡­?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting here for you for a while,¡± the ck bear said. A hint of apology yed in its eyes. ¡°With the passage of time, my memory has been getting worse, and I often forget who I am¡­¡± Chen Lun was taken aback and then breathed a sigh of relief. He was startled that the Dark Knight could suffer from intermittent amnesia, and he was relieved because: ¡®So he probably doesn¡¯t remember the big p in the face I just gave him¡­ right?¡¯ Without dy, Chen Lun took the coffin out of the Blood Poem Ring with a thud and ced it on the ground. Whether or not the other party remembered the incident, he decided to change the subject first. ¡°Mr. Bales, as promised, I have brought back your body.¡± The ck bear nodded, a hint of appreciation in its eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve done well, Jack.¡± He slowly stroked the coffin, letting out a deep chuckle. ¡°I appreciate it¡­ Now, I can enjoy the uing battles to the fullest.¡± ¡°The Sun Church, the Moon Church, and the Shelter?¡± Chen Lun spoke in a heavy tone. The ck bear looked somewhat surprised, but still nodded. ¡°Mmm¡­¡± He sat down on the coffin with a thud and, after a few seconds of silence, began to speak in a low voice: ¡°I never told you the reason I was hunted¡­ I used to belong to the Moon Church, leading the ¡®Purple Moonlight¡¯ squad with the number 4, it was an unforgettable memory¡­ And my beloved ¡®Yon¡¯ Ouget, was a member of the ¡®Lamp Protectors¡¯ squad of the Sun Church.¡± The ck bear paused, seeming lost in thought. ¡°She was extremely outstanding, highly gifted, and quickly rose to [Sequence Six ¨C Sun Priest], bing the new squad leader¡­¡± Suddenly, he turned his head to look at Chen Lun. ¡°You know, Jack, in fact, many years ago, the Spirit World was already in turmoil. Countless sources of pollution emerged without reason, even affecting our world¡­ To prevent these pollutants from spreading on arge scale, the Empire convened the Seven Righteous God Churches, sending many elite Transcendents to the Spirit World. Butter¡­¡± The ck bear spoke calmly. ¡°Yon died.¡± Chen Lun listened in silence, aware of some background stories of the ck Knight, but never as detailed as being narrated firsthand. At the same time, Chen Lun also knew that the reason the ck Knight defected and fell to his current state was indeed because of his wife, Yon. ¡°My love died at the hands of a powerful polluted being, no, I should say a dark creature¡­ Though filled with mysterious pollution, theye from a deeper world within the Spirit World, a world known as the ¡®Dark World¡¯.¡± The ck bear took a deep breath. ¡°At that time, I was determined to avenge her, but in the end, I failed¡­ I was too weak, and even fighting until I was severely wounded and near death, I couldn¡¯t kill it¡­ Eventually, it was another ¡®Lamp Protectors¡¯ squad that came to the rescue, repelling it and saving my life. Ha, the leader of that squad was named ¡®Terence¡¯; he personally took Yon¡¯s remains, and I could only watch helplessly, powerless to do anything. Even when Iter applied to my superiors to retrieve Yon, I was ruthlessly rejected. I didn¡¯t take Terence¡¯s insult to heart, but he shouldn¡¯t have disrespected Yon.¡± The ck bear chuckled softly, emitting a chilling sound. ¡°They said that it belonged to the Sun Church, and I had no right to possess it¡­ Yes, I was just a squad leader of the Moon Church, how could I meddle with the artifacts of another church? They are their tools, their weapons, their things¡­ But never my beloved.¡± The ck bear stopped speaking and fell silent for a long while. Suddenly, a beam of ck light burst forth from its body and shot into the coffin. Creak¡ª! The lid of the coffin was slowly moved aside, and a figure in pitch-ck armor slowly stood up, with a wolf helmet on his head, hiding his appearance, but Chen Lun could clearly feel a suffocating rage. The true body of the ck Knight, Bales! His intangible oppressive force made Chen¡¯s breath hitch; the other¡¯s current strength was probably only one step away from a Saint! ¡°So I attacked the Sun Church branch and took back Yon.¡± The ck Knight rested on a pitch-ck long sword and spoke tly. ¡°Even if it meant bing an ouw for the rest of my life, it was worth it.¡± A streak of golden light flew out from behind him, flickering a few times in the air before settling into his palm, turning into a pale yellow orchid. The ck Knight gently ced the flower under the wolf helmet and sniffed lightly. ¡°This time, I will make those people taste pain, no one can separate us¡­ and one day, I will kill Terence, even if he has now be one of the Twelve Bishops of the Sr Monastery. I will also exterminate those creatures of the Dark World, for they destroyed everything!¡± * * * Chen Lun was sitting on a train.@@novelbin@@ To avoid unnecessary trouble, he chose to take the train back to Amber City, giving himself some time to rest as well. The past few days of travel andbat had tired both his body and mind. Chen Lun gazed out the window, lost in thought. He hadpleted the task after handing over Mr. Bales¡¯ true body, and rewards had been settled. But having heard the other¡¯s past, he felt somewhat heavy-hearted. Indeed, as Mr. Bales said, his defection sounded so ludicrous, yet Chen Lun felt a pang of sympathy, for there¡¯s something pitiable about someone who is persistent in love, regardless of everything else. He remembered the task he triggered before leaving from Mr. Bales¡ª [Triggered A-rank task: Wolf and Yon!] Task description: The Sun Church, the Moon Church, and the Shelter willunch a manhunt for Bales Wolf. You can choose to stand by and watch, or intervene and assist. Yon has passed away, but the ending for the Wolf may change because of your decision. Should yearning ever suffice for sleep, let oaths sever the ties of memory. Task reward: 40,000 Experience Points, 120 Gold Pounds, Bales¡¯ Affection, and the skill [Bales¡¯ Ultimate Sword ¨C Yon]. This task. In the end, Chen Lun chose to ept it. As he had once told Bales, the promises he made, he won¡¯t just stand idly by. ¡®Perhaps this will be myst task¡­¡¯ he sighed. Chapter 318: 227 Moon Goddess and King of Slaughter Chapter 318: Chapter 227 Moon Goddess and King of ughter [Taskpleted: Funeral Journey!] [Reward forpletion: 20,000 Experience Points, 50 Gold Pounds, increased Affection from Bales, and the ¡°Moon Faction Sequence Seven ¨C Soul Consoler¡± Supernatural Knowledge.] [Bales¡¯s Affection towards you has increased! It is now Respect!] Chen Lun nced over the notification box, revealing a faint smile. ¡®Just as I expected, afterpleting the task, the Experience Points I¡¯ve umted are now over 40,000, enough for me to level up to Max Level!¡¯ He called up the panel and pressed the level-up button.
Invisible to others, a golden light flickered twice, and he finally reached Level 80! Besides the attribute bonus from leveling up, Chen Lun also bnced the Attribute Points he gained to his deficiencies, ending up with both Strength and Agility at 75 Points, while Endurance and Intelligence were at 65 Points. ¡®Now I¡¯m also considered a seasoned Sequence Seven, with nowhere left to level up. Aside from increasing my strength through a few other rare means, my only option is to advance further.¡¯ Chen Lun closed the panel, feeling the changes within himself, and nodded slightly. ¡®But the Supernatural Knowledge of ¡°Sequence Six ¨C Aerial Acrobat,¡± I only have one-quarter that was taken from Molimer, and there¡¯s no clue for the time being¡­ Maybe I could continue from the Immortal Realm? I also wonder if Philip left behind any follow-up supernatural knowledge.¡¯ He pondered. It was somewhatforting to him that his overall strength was now mid-tier among Transcendents of the Mid Sequence. Though only a seasoned Sequence Seven, he could defeat the majority of Sequence Six when in ¡°Extreme State,¡± as long as he didn¡¯t encounter strong opponents like Jerome and Bales, he was confident in handling any situation. Theoretically, Chen Lun¡¯s base attributes, Strength and Agility, had already surpassed the limits of Sequence Seven, which is the 70 Point threshold, and 70 to 100 fell into the range of Sequence Six. Afterpleting the supernatural transformation, increasing attribute points became much more difficult,pletely different from the situation below the 50 Point threshold of the Low Sequence. Of course, the effect of an increase was much stronger afterward. Therefore, Chen Lun¡¯s actualbat ability was disproportionate to his Sequence. He far exceeded the level of Sequence Seven. ¡®There are many things to do next, but mainly three. The first is to find a way to help Mr. Bales escape his pursuers, the second is to search for subsequent Supernatural Knowledge, and the third is to prepare for the impending chaos¡­ whether it¡¯s developing the Circus, using the resources of yers to strengthen myself, or actively looking for ways to be stronger.¡¯ * * * Amber City¡¯s train station. Chen Lun had finally returned. After stepping off the carriage, he quickened his pace, eager to return to the manor. Having not eaten a meal made by Floey¡¯s own hands for days, he felt a certain longing. Smacking his lips, he passed through the waiting hall and suddenly noticed amotion ahead, where arge crowd had gathered. Chen Lun paused briefly, squeezed through the crowd for a nce, and was momentarily stunned. It turned out there was an olddy lying on a bench, her eyes tightly closed as if deep in sleep, but she had, in fact, stopped breathing. Looking at her attire and face, Chen Lun recognized her at a nce as the woman he had met in the grocery store a few days ago. There was no one sitting near the olddy, as passengers kept their distance, not daring to get close. People pointed and talked, voicing unpleasant words. Clearly, the sight of a dead person at the train station was considered bad luck to them.@@novelbin@@ Chen Lun pushed his way through the crowd and approached the elderly woman amidst the surprised and disgusted gazes of others. He examined her briefly. The old woman¡¯s expression was peaceful, and Chen Lun could not see any signs of unnatural harm on her body. It was likely that, as she herself had said, she was old and had died a natural death. ¡®She must have seen her rtives and thus closed her eyes contentedly¡­ It¡¯s just unfortunate that she had purchased a return train ticket, only to arrive at the final station of her life.¡¯ Chen Lun sighed silently to himself. He was not willing to see an elderly woman¡¯s body simply left at the train station, subject to pointing fingers and murmurs. ¡®I remember the olddy believed in the Moon Goddess, and I followed the Moon Path in my previous life, so it must be fate¡­ I will see her off on herst journey.¡¯ Chen Lun¡¯s gaze was calm as he looked at the old woman¡¯s body, and then he gently held her hand, reciting from the Moon Church¡¯s Bible, ¡°Chronicle of Clear Moon.¡± Those around who were onlooking exchanged nces, but among them, a few believers of the Moon Church silently made a prayer gesture. A momentter. Chen Lun stopped reciting. That was when the train station security and officials arrived en masse, dispersing the crowd and then approaching Chen Lun. ¡°Sir, what is your rtionship with this elderly woman?¡± The official asked with a slight frown. ¡°What would you do if I were unrted?¡± Chen Lun casually turned his head and asked. ¡°Then we¡¯d have to hand it over to the Security Office, so her family coulde and im her¡­ If she¡¯s a lone outsider with no rtives, she¡¯d probably be thrown into the public graveyard for a simple burial.¡± The official shrugged his shoulders. Chen Lun nodded slightly, grunted in acknowledgment, and took out a few Gold Pounds, cing them in the official¡¯s hand. ¡°This olddy is a believer of Moonlight, first send her to the Moon Church¡­ The priests there will arrange everything properly.¡± As he spoke, his shell ne briefly shed at his chest. The official¡¯s eyes zed over for a moment before regaining rity. He epted the Gold Pounds and solemnly agreed to the request. He then directed the security to move the old woman¡¯s body and personally went to inform the Church. Chen Lun watched the scene for a while, then adjusted the brim of his hat and walked away without looking back.