Chapter 218: The Mantis Stalking the Cicada
Chapter 218: The Mantis Stalking the Cicada
What Gao Jing truly valued was the experience he could gain from participating in the mission.
In ancient times, some of the human forebears entered underground to escape heavenly and earthly calamities. Over tens of thousands of years, they built numerous Abyss Cities, giving rise to countless tribes and populations.
The current underground world was incredibly complex. Even the most seasoned Adventurers were only familiar with a tiny fraction of the territory.
And Gao Jing knew nothing at all.
Under these circumstances, joining an Adventurer team to take part in a mission was undoubtedly a huge help in his understanding of the underground environment and gathering more information about the subterranean world.
Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. What Gao Jing needed was to improve his strength through battle.
So he quickly made his decision.
“Go sit over there.”
Kui Bao said, “Let’s discuss in detail.”
This one-eyed warrior already had four other teammates; Gao Jing was the fifth.
Kui Bao introduced each of them to Gao Jing.
The four teammates were two men and two women. The two men were warriors, the two women were an archer and a Scout.
They were all third-tier Alliance members, with cultivation levels at least of Advanced-rank Totem Warrior!
With Gao Jing added, there were three High-tier Totem Warriors.
Such a team possessed considerable strength.
Gao Jing asked curiously, “No Shaman?”
“Shaman…”
Kui Bao gave a bitter smile. “A real Shaman would never join our team.”
In fact, except for Battle Shamans, most other Shamans preferred to cultivate inside Sorcerer Towers.
Battle Shamans usually had their own teams, or ventured alone.
Kui Bao simply wasn’t qualified to recruit a real Shaman.
As for the lowest level Witchcraft Scholars, they were also very sought after, recruited by many powerful teams.
They wouldn’t look twice at Kui Bao.
Unless he had the strength of a Great Totem Warrior!
Kui Bao’s mission this time was to explore a newly discovered Ruined City.
A so-called Ruined City referred to an abandoned Abyss City.
The reasons for an Abyss City being abandoned often involved natural or man-made disasters. A sudden powerful earthquake, for instance, could destroy a thriving Abyss City in an instant.
Although the possibility of earthquakes was carefully considered during the initial construction of Abyss Cities, and they were built as much as possible in safe regions.
The underground world was mysterious and unpredictable; nowhere was one hundred percent safe.
Encountering such destruction was just bad luck.
This newly discovered Ruined City was quite bizarre.
Its area was enormous, large enough to easily accommodate millions of people. The buildings within were largely intact, yet not a single person could be seen. It had been sealed deep underground for an unknown length of time.
Exploring such a Ruined City thoroughly wasn’t a task that could be completed in a day or two.
Naturally, it couldn’t be accomplished by just one team either!
“If we can figure out the reason for the Ruined City’s destruction,”
Kui Bao said, “Then the mission reward we receive will be multiplied tenfold!”
“Are there dangers inside that Ruined City?”
Gao Jing didn’t need to think hard to know this mission wouldn’t be simple.
An unknown Ruined City was certainly dangerous, potentially extremely dangerous.
Ruined Cities often became havens for underground beasts or even Monster Beasts, and could also spawn eerie entities like Wraiths, Specters, or even Demon Ghosts, posing a major threat to Adventurers who ventured inside.
This newly discovered Ruined City had already been confirmed to contain fierce beasts and Wraiths.
The possibility of even more dangerous entities existing inside was not ruled out!
“If any of you are afraid…”
Kui Bao said solemnly, “Then now is the time to back out. Once I submit the mission contract, withdrawing will cost you reward points.”
For certain important missions, necessary supplies and equipment might be provided in advance to the Adventurers accepting the quest.
An Adventurer who accepted such a mission but failed to complete it would be penalized.
Everyone understood the rules, so no one backed out.
“Good.”
Kui Bao took out a hide mission contract and made everyone imprint their insignia on it.
The insignia seal was equivalent to a real signature.
Kui Bao put away the contract, saying, “Then when the bell tolls seven times tomorrow morning, we’ll meet at the main hall entrance.”
Everyone nodded and then left to prepare separately.
Gao Jing left with them.
He first went to the inn on the third floor wanting to book a room, but was told it was full.
Blackwater City was quite prosperous, with an increasing number of Abyss Dwellers migrating to this underground city in recent years.
The number of members at the Alliance Branch naturally grew, but the limited guest rooms on the third floor couldn’t meet everyone’s needs.
However, Gao Jing didn’t need to worry about sleeping on the streets, as there were many inns in the city for temporary stays.
Failing that, spending a bit of money to board with a local family would be an option too.
So Gao Jing left the Alliance Branch to look for lodging nearby.
As soon as he stepped outside, he sharply sensed someone watching him, following him stealthily.
Gao Jing could even feel a chilling hostility radiating from the person!
It felt like an itchy feeling on his back.
Gao Jing didn’t turn to see who was trailing him. He walked through the bustling streets, turning left and right, moving further and further away.
Finally, he entered a deserted alley.
The moment Gao Jing entered, two men immediately appeared at the alley entrance.
One of them was unmistakably the middle-aged man who had earlier tried to sell Gao Jing the Guru Idol in the main hall.
He pulled out the dagger hanging at his waist, his expression wary and uncertain.
The alley ahead was a dead end; one could see its termination at a glance, enclosed by high walls on both sides.
Gao Jing was nowhere to be seen!
“Where’d he go?”
The middle-aged man and his companion ran into the alley, looking around in agitation while cursing.
“I’m right here.”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind the two men!
The middle-aged man spun around to see Gao Jing standing right there in the middle of the alley, blocking their way out.
“Well?”
Gao Jing sneered. “Still trying to sell me something?”
“You’re dead!”
The middle-aged man was startled at first, then a fierce grin spread across his face: “Seize him!”
The last command was for his companion.
The man let out a low roar, immediately grabbed the Battle Axe slung on his back, and charged at Gao Jing in long strides!
This burly warrior swung the Battle Axe down with force, hacking viciously at Gao Jing’s head, his killing intent palpable.
But an attack like this, hoping to wound Gao Jing? Pure fantasy!
Without thinking, Gao Jing activated the totem on his right arm, instantly materializing a scorching Flaming Longblade.
A single Advanced-rank Totem Warrior wasn’t even worthy of his concern.
He planned to give them a lesson they’d remember for life.
“Bind!”
Just as Gao Jing prepared to meet his attacker, a hoarse voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
A strange and potent force descended, instantly enshrouding Gao Jing.
Firmly restraining his movements!
The mantis catching the cicada is unaware the oriole behind!