There was a thick layer of clouds in the sky, and the entire sky seemed gloomy, as if it was a sign of a storm.
The terrain of the Blue Field Forest was rather winding. Even though they were familiar with the road, it took Lucio nearly five hours to bring Chen Rui to the Land of Venom. This was a mountain forest, the colour of the plants rather dark. The terrain was rugged, and along the way they could see many bones buried in the soil and fallen leaves, most of them humans.
Lucio's footsteps slowed down, his expression growing more and more nervous. He cautiously lowered his voice, "Lord Richard, we've already entered the manticore territory. We might be discovered at any time. If you want to set a trap, you can't go any deeper."
"Set a trap?" Chen Rui was startled, revealing a pensive expression, "I want to confirm that there are manticore eggs in the Venom Cave."
"The manticore in the Venom Cave is a male and a female. Three months ago, the Blaze Squad encountered a female manticore that was about to lay eggs. Apart from two people who luckily escaped, the rest were killed by the male manticore." Lucio's tone was somber, empathic, "The female manticore should have already laid eggs. Pastor Mana is from the Church of Light, and when he heard the news, he immediately offered a reward. Even though the reward is high, the difficulty of this mission is too great. Even the strongest mercenary group in town didn't accept it. "
The Yangshao Kingdom's territory wasn't vast, but it was rather famous among the other kingdoms. The founder, Robben, had once been a mercenary, leading a mercenary group to create a miracle. The Yangshao Kingdom's management of mercenaries was relatively lax, giving them a lot of freedom. It was known as the country of mercenaries. One of the three headquarters of the Mercenary Guild was located in the royal capital, while the other two were located in Dragon Brilliance and the Rayo Empire.
Gudan Town wasn't considered an important town in the Yangshao Kingdom, but the mercenary branch wasn't weak. According to Lucio, the Sacredfeather Mercenary Group was a black crystal team, and their leader, Da Xiwen, was already close to sainthood. The rest of the members were all extraordinary, and they had great teamwork. They were considered somewhat famous in the mercenary world, but they actually didn't dare accept this mission.
Actually, everyone understood that it was not that Sacredfeather could not complete it, but that the price he had to pay was too great, so he was unwilling to accept it.
Chen Rui looked at the cave in the distance and continued to walk forward. "Since we have confirmed that there are manticore eggs in the Venomous Cave, let's go."
"Oh." Lucio was just about to reply when he immediately felt that something was wrong. "Huh? Just like that? Wait a minute! Sir … "
"My lord! At least one of the Manticores is close to the Saint level. Furthermore, magical beasts are very talented, and their battle prowess is higher than that of humans of the same level … "Lucio was so anxious that he did not manage to suppress his voice. A roar came from afar, and the pitiful spearman's legs turned to jelly, and he almost peed his pants.
A tall figure flew out of a cave in the distance, flapping its wings as it swooped in their direction. Lucio did not expect that he would startle that terrifying magical beast so soon. All the hair on his body stood on end. A certain nightmare that had plagued him for a year reappeared in front of him.
The spearman did his best to tell himself to run, but his jelly legs felt as heavy as lead. He could only tightly grip the spear handle that had lost its tip, as if it was the only thing he could hold on to.
The terrifying and malevolent magical beast got closer and closer. Accompanied by a roar that Lucio would never forget, the scene from a year ago appeared in his mind once again. The demonic figure, the sharp claws, the figures of his companions falling one after another, the blood-red gaze …
Heavy breathing rang out in his ears, and a certain blood that he had once thought had cooled due to dispiritedness suddenly ignited. His fear was suddenly overwhelmed by a different kind of anger and hatred. The spearman tightly gripped the weapon in his hand that could only be called a staff, and let out a roar that even he himself could not believe as he thrust forward with all his strength.
This was the most powerful stab Lucio had made since that incident, and it might also be the last stab of his life. Lucio did not know why he would do this. Perhaps it was an almost instinctive reaction. Most importantly, he had already done it.
Suddenly, the spearman saw a light. It was as dazzling as the sun in the dark forest. It did not have the warmth of the sun, only an indescribable power of destruction.
When Lucio came back to his senses, the light disappeared, and so did the Nightmare that was flapping its wings.
The spearman looked at the wooden staff he had thrust out in surprise … Was this the power of his spear? What a joke, it was definitely impossible!
While he was still in shock, Chen Rui's figure had already appeared in front of him, with three oval-shaped objects floating in his hand. These three objects were about thirty centimeters long, and their shells were grayish-brown, with white stripes.
"These are … manticore eggs?" Lucio still maintained the posture of thrusting the spear, but it looked extremely stiff. How was this possible? If the previous nightmare was over, then the scene in front of him was another dream?
"Okay, you can go back now." The other party's reaction was very calm, as if the three eggs were laid by ordinary poultry, and not by the fearsome magical beast Manticore.
Lucio dropped the spear and pinched his thigh hard. He finally came to his senses — it was not a dream, it was real! Then, what about the two Manticores?
To be able to escape unscathed in such a short time …
Lucio no longer looked at Chen Rui with fear in his eyes, but a different kind of complete awe on a spiritual level.
Saint-tier powerhouse!
Lucio bowed deeply. This common etiquette was somewhat similar to the Demon Realm, but the position of the hand was slightly different. In the Demon Realm, it was placed on the abdomen or the heart, and the left and right hands were at will. On the ground, the etiquette was to place the right hand on the left shoulder.
Thinking back to when he was in the Mercenary Guild and had the idea of using Red Beard's strength to deal with "Richard", Lucio could not help but secretly feel ashamed. Not to mention killing him, even killing Red Beard Rotan would be effortless for the other party.
"It is my honor to be able to meet a powerhouse like Sir! These two Manticores are the biggest scourge of the Blue Wild Forest. At least three hundred mercenaries have died in their hands, including my former companions. No words can describe my gratitude and respect for Sir. "
Chen Rui shook his head slightly, "If I can kill them today, someone stronger will be able to kill me another day. The so-called scourge or hatred, in the end, is just the law of survival, natural selection, survival of the fittest. From a certain point of view, I am also a weakling. As a weakling, it is not that I do not have the right to survive or to advance and become stronger, but the prerequisite is that I do not give up this right, do you understand? "
Lucio nodded and smiled bitterly, "I actually understand this truth, and now I may be able to understand a little more, if … Sir can give me a chance to live."
"Oh?"
The spearman hesitated for a moment, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "I have something to confess to Sir. Sir should be practicing in a secret place for many years, and do not care about the world. In fact … these days are a bit special. Even if Sir obtained the mercenary badge and arrived at the Long Huang Empire from Yangshao, you cannot go to White Cliff. Because the Temple of Light will select the Temple Knights soon, White Cliff has begun to be closed. Except for the relevant personnel, no one is allowed to enter. It must wait until the Temple Knights Selection is completed before it will be reopened to allow believers to enter to worship and pray. "
"The Temple Knights Selection?" This news indeed surprised Chen Rui, "How long will it take to open the closure?"
Lucio replied respectfully, "The Temple Knights Selection is held once every fifty years. It is said that there are various tests and competitions, and each time it takes about two to three months."
Chen Rui frowned tightly. He only had five months at most. In addition to obtaining the Snow Dallet, he also had a big burden of one million faith crystals. If the Temple Knights Selection alone would delay him for three months, he was afraid that he would not be able to make it in time. He could not passively wait.
"Please forgive my previous ignorance and stupidity, Sir." After understanding the level of the other party's strength, Lucio did not dare to have any other thoughts. After all, offending a master-level powerhouse and offending a saint-level powerhouse were two completely different concepts. "Sir, if you really have urgent matters to attend to at White Cliff and do not wish to make it public, I have an idea."
Chen Rui glanced at Lucio, "Tell me about it."
"Sir, through the clergy of the Church of Light, you can try to find a way to become related to the Temple Knights Selection."
"Clergy?"
Lucio nodded, "For example, the person who issued this mission, Pastor Mana. My father had some friendship with Pastor Mana when he was alive. I know this man has a great desire for power and wealth. This time, the reward for the manticore eggs is definitely not to eliminate the hidden danger of Gudan Town … In fact, Pastor Mana has long been dissatisfied with being the person in charge of the church in Gudan Town, and has long coveted the position of bishop in the king's city. According to the usual practice, after this Temple Knights Selection, there will be relevant changes and adjustments in the duties of the Church of Light everywhere. For Pastor Mana, this is a long-awaited opportunity, and the manticore eggs are very likely to be used as a bribe. "
Chen Rui did not expect the poor spearman to have this kind of analytical ability. His eyes brightened, "You mean …"
"Bypass the mission of the Union, and directly use the manticore eggs to take the path of Pastor Mana. Perhaps, I can help Sir a little. "
"Your plan is indeed worth a reference, but …" Chen Rui pondered for a moment, and suddenly revealed a meaningful smile, "Since I want to enter White Cliff secretly, then the more you know, the faster you die. Since you can think of starting with Pastor Mana, you can't have not thought of this. Are you not afraid … "
Lucio suddenly knelt on one knee, "I once swore that whoever can kill these two manticores and avenge my companions, my life is his! I want to become a follower of Sir! "
After the previous stab of life and death, the spearman felt that his nerves, which had been numbed by decadence and alcohol, seemed to have recovered a little bit of sobriety. To be able to meet a Saint-level master was a great opportunity, even if there was a risk of dying at any time. If he missed this opportunity, he was afraid that he would regret it for the rest of his life.
From the moment he confessed, Lucio had made up his mind to take a gamble.
Recruiting a follower as soon as he arrived in a new map, this kind of plot was too vulgar … Chen Rui understood Lucio's intention. He was too unfamiliar with the situation on the surface, and he was in urgent need of time. Lucio was a good candidate who was familiar with the environment, and this plan was indeed feasible.
"You are wrong. Only the dead are the most reliable secret keepers."
This sentence made Lucio, who was kneeling on one knee, tremble, and cold sweat dripped down his back.
"However, congratulations, Sir Lucio, you have made the right bet. Next is the issue of the contract procedures." Chen Rui smiled, "The thing I want to say to you the most is that your luck is S from now on."
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