Chapter 166 - 159 Isloa: Huh? (3K)_1
This Space Gate differed from the Secret Realm’s Gate; there wasn’t an obstruction resembling a water curtain, it merely tore through two places with immense force.
Stepping through the gate, the Skeleton Generals and Resentful Spirits, who had been trained rigorously by Dead Bone for several days, quickly formed their ranks.
The Generals wielded silver-grey massive swords and were equipped with a broad, thick shield, while the Resentful Spirits clung one-to-one to the bodies of the generals, ready to strike the enemies at any necessary moment.
Naturally, the equipment of the Skeleton Generals was no longer the simple standard set.
– General Dead Bone was not satisfied with the ‘War General-level Armor’. Firstly, standard equipment wasn’t durable. After a professional-level War General engaged in a few intense battles, the armor would already be close to scrap.
Secondly, not only were the equipment poor, but they were also ostentatious. The elaborate feature of two lifelike skulls on the shoulders of the armor was like a beacon in the night or a handsome boy in a crowd, as if begging for attention.
At the request of General Dead Bone, Master Li had created new +3 Grade Armor for the Generals.
Master Li knew more about how to make the armor more suitable, more durable, and stronger, and General Dead Bone was not one for too many words —he had but one requirement.
Low-key, low-key, and low-key.
Of course, it was being low-key, not pretending to be weak.
The Skeleton Generals at this moment looked like grey tin cans—not easy to mess with at first glance, but not as charming anymore.
Dead Bone stood at the forefront of the formation and looked into the distance.
Lord Shepherd also used the Tool Falcon (he had forgotten to take it in the previous chapter but had corrected it now) for low altitude reconnaissance.
The Trick City was still several kilometers away from this location, and nothing was around—it seemed deserted. It seemed this area was a low-risk area or so- called ‘civilized area’.
In the distance, outside Trick City, one could already see some figures coming into view.
Big Goblins, Jackal Men, Spearmen, Barbarians, Zombies.
These were not monsters but rather players’ troops. These brawny troops were all clad in sophisticated armor; even Goblins, who usually went into battle naked or wearing only large underpants, were so heavily armed that they were like moving fortresses.
“There seem to be quite a few players, and at a glance, they all seem to be veterans,” Mu Yuan mumbled to himself.
In the past, the sight of veteran players would make him frown and order a retreat of a few kilometers.
No matter how talented a newbie was, it was hard to make up for a gap of several or tens of years in development.
But now, Tianyuan territory had grown strong, and even veteran players with ill intentions could hardly make waves.
“It’s unclear where they all are. Even with the sharp eyes of the Storm Falcon, it is hard to find the whereabouts of other players,” Mu added.
“After all, experienced veteran players are good at hiding themselves. They either hide in inconspicuous places or blend into their own troops.”
“Let’s move; there’s no need to detour. Given that there seem to be many adventurer players in the Trick City, we should hurry.”
Mu seemed a bit anxious and ordered Dead Bone.
“Understood, my Lord.”
Dead Bone’s deep voice echoed through the Spiritual Link.
Immediately, it adjusted the formation, and the entire team advanced rapidly in an ‘arrow formation’. General Dead Bone was positioned at the very front, and the Skeleton Generals lined up slopingly on both sides. Hong Yi, Rakshasa, Isloa, Seventeen, Duo Lai were all in the middle of the team.
Three Camera Falcons maintained a low-altitude posture and followed closely. In no time, the Trick City, shrouded in grey-black fog, was almost within touch. The city interior was very dim, somewhat similar to the dungeons they had raided before, but the shadows wriggled like flowing water, and eyes were opening in the black fog—mysteriously chilling.
Right outside the city, where they were just a line away from the shadows, many player teams threw glances at Dead Bone and others, showing signs of apprehension.
No one approached.
After all, this was the wilderness—a place beyond rules. Encountering players here, everyone would keep a distance.
The Dead Bone Squad also briefly halted outside the city, seemingly, like other players, preparing to observe the situation in Trick City.
In reality, it was Lord Shepherd who wanted to gather information about the surroundings.
At his mental instruction, Isloa immediately used a small technique, which could slightly manipulate the wind, bringing the whispers within hundreds of meters around them into their ears.
Apart from that, it seemed that Isloa also controlled enigmatic techniques like the ‘Water Mirror Technique’, ‘Telescope Technique’ and so on.
Of course, these techniques were minor and couldn’t detect anything in intense battles or in a chaotic environment with elemental particles.
With her minute operation, bits and pieces of information floated in sporadically which, via Isloa’s relay, reached Lord Shepherd.
“JupoCity?”
From some players’ discussions, Mu heard this frequently mentioned term.
However, he did not recognize this city.
Soon, another city name floated in.
“Xiji City?”
This city, the learned Great Lord Shepherd recognized—he had memorized all the big city names of the Tai Xuan Alliance, among which Xiji City was one.
The location, although not considered the outskirts of human civilization, was indeed the frontier of the Tai Xuan Alliance.
It was a wilderness facing the Shen Yao Empire across a barren plain.
This area must—in all likelihood—be part of that wilderness. However, there were still many Lanxing towns here, just not belonging to any faction. Gradually, this area became a buffer and no man’s land between Tai Xuan and Shen Yao.
Jupo City was probably the big city standing in this region.
He’d heard that the black market here thrived.
Also, many wanted criminal players had escaped into it.
“This area indeed has many active players so the appearance of this weird and mysterious city immediately attracts many players to form teams for exploration. For players, these ancient cities are almost synonymous with treasures and opportunities, especially those that appear so suddenly.
“But they clearly don’t know that Trick City has nothing to do with the emergence of treasures; it merely appears because I, Mr. Mu, have accepted a hero mission.”
“No, it’s not to say there aren’t treasures in Trick City. Isloa and her companions didn’t do much exploration of the city. But whether there are treasures or not, for me, the rescue is the first priority.”
The Dead Bone team began to move in.
Stepping into the range of Trick City, the view darkened significantly, and eerie sounds echoed from all over the city, causing one’s goosebumps.
Although Isloa was not afraid of these abnormal sounds, entering Trick City flooded her with memories that made her tense. Her fingers tightened around her staff as if about to leave indentations.
But for Hong Yi, Rakshasa, and others, entering here was like returning home. Could Trick City be darker than the Skeleton Cemetery?
Hong Yi was someone who slept in graves every day.
“Lord has asked Duo to check if there is a general direction?”
“…There is.”
Isloa concentrated for a moment, then uncertainly said, “I seem to have an instinct, to go in this direction.”
Thud, thud, thud.
The footsteps of the Skeleton Generals made a clear sound on the ground when their battle boots touched the bricks.
Dead Bone frowned slightly.
It was a bit loud.
But the Skeleton Generals under his command knew how to control the noise during their march after going through his training. The soles of their boots also underwent special treatment at his request, so they shouldn’t…
The surrounding area was just too quiet. Just moments ago, there were strange sounds echoing through Trick City.
“Be alert.”
He unsheathed his sword, looking around. It seemed like within the low- hanging black fog, something monstrous was hiding.
Eyes… eyes suddenly opened in the fog.
Like a ghastly white eyeball suddenly floating up to the surface, a disconcerting gaze fixating on them.
Then came the second, the third, the fourth… tens to hundreds of ghastly white eyeballs appeared, as if a crowd of monsters were about to emerge from the black fog.
But they didn’t.
It was a monster made of black mud and shadows, covered with hundreds of eyes.
Isloa didn’t recognize this monster either. The creatures within Trick City took all forms, they seemed to be put together from different parts.
However,
She was able to quickly determine that the ‘Eyes of Shadow’ was undoubtedly at the elite-level. It was a complicated creature, making use of the power of the black fog to trap them imperceptibly.
They had just set foot in Trick City and already encountered such a powerful beast. It was a bit of a mess.
She gripped her staff, ready to attack.
After all, General Dead Bone was considered the strongest in the Tianyuan Territory, so it was essential to save as much energy as possible to deal with stronger opponents. As for Duo Lai, whose movement was too huge in combat style, they could only let others assist her in killing this obstruction quickly.
However, Dead Bone chose to have Rakshasa fight.
“It may be a test.”
“Indeed, it is said that General Dead Bone has inherited the steady temperament of the Lord. It is reasonable to test the waters before really taking action.”
“But didn’t Rakshasa just break through to the elite-level last night?”
Isloa thought.
The eyeball monster suddenly let out a sharp howl, gray light shot from its pale pupils. Even from a distance, Isloa felt her thoughts being slowed down, and her body felt as heavy as if it had fallen into the mud.
At the same time, the eyeball monster had already extended a number of dark tentacles. The ends pointed to form glossy black spikes. Several—or even dozens—were thrusted down, binding the surroundings and creating earpiercing sounds as they tore through the air.
The Sight Slows!
Shadow Thrust!
The tactics used by the Eye of Shadow are vicious and ruthless. A normal elitelevel strongman might have been pierced full of holes in just two rounds under such circumstances.
But,
The shadow only hit the khaki smoke. At a speed too high for Isloa to see, Rakshasa had already appeared next to the shadow monster, his spear dancing like a dragon, making a series of thrusts.
Muffled booms like firecrackers went off one after another. The eyes on the shadow monster’s body exploded one by one, leaving only depressed, graywhite pits and whitish juice seeping out.
But an even more piercing shriek was let out from the shadow creature, with tentacles flailing wildly, showing the creature’s vigorous vitality.
Rakshasa frowned, quickly retreating more than ten meters away. His back slightly arched, his muscles bulged like twisted roots, and brown Evil Qi patterns spread across his body. Suddenly the patterns moved as though they were alive, swirling around his upper body and resonating with the thunder in the world.
“Evil Qi like a Dragon!”
He shouted. His soul-body form actually resonated with the sound. He lunged directly ahead, thrusting out with his spear.
Evil Qi patterns followed the spearpoint, intertwining with the Evil Qi power that was rushing out to shape a roaring dragon that slammed viciously into the struggling Eyeball Shadow creature.
It was like a needle piercing a balloon.
The shadow creature’s body bulged, then exploded, turning into hundreds of black mud splashes, leaving only the glistening Soul Sand slowly seeping out.
The shadow creature had been killed with one hit.
The scattered Evil Qi quickly returned, transforming into brown patterns adorning Rakshasa’s body.
Holding her staff and still stuck in the thought from two seconds prior, Isloa was stunned.
“What?”
It’s over?