ASER - Chapter 81
Chapter 81: A Dog-Eat-Dog World?
Bald Eagle was originally extremely patient, quietly lying in wait for the rabbit to escape. Unexpectedly, what emerged was not a cute, plump rabbit, but a dozen ferocious and hideous Ghouls.
Startled, Bald Eagle's gaze swept over the number of Ghouls, but he quickly composed himself.
Fifteen of them. It was impossible to annihilate them all; even if it were possible, the losses would be immense. Ghouls had strong resistance to magic, were cunning and agile, and adept at using corpse-rotting poisonous gas, making them difficult to deal with.
However, breaking through their encirclement wouldn't be hard for them.
"Create an opening, retreat!"
Bald Eagle made a decisive call, unwilling to fight to the death. But just as they were about to withdraw, another wave of Ghouls suddenly surged from behind!
This notorious bandit team, which had terrorized the Jinxiang region and made countless wilderness squads tremble, was finally terrified.
Twenty-seven Ghouls, and there were even mages skilled in sorcery among them!!
Two mages!
Bald Eagle's pupils were bloodshot and fierce. He immediately locked onto the aged Ghoul mage, aiming the mechanical gauntlet on his palm at it... Spirit power and energy circulated rapidly, and then a narrow, blood-red beam of light shot out with a shu sound, instantly hitting the mage.
When A'Diao saw his action, she had already anticipated he was about to activate advanced weaponry. Fortunately, she had distanced herself from the Ghoul mages early on.
And this strike... The Ghoul mage's staff, which it had just raised, was still emitting a halo, but its own body was struck by the beam of light and instantly pierced and annihilated.
A'Diao's eyes flashed. Recalling the knowledge imparted by the armament teacher, she recognized the origin of this mechanical gauntlet—Forbidden Item C-345: Red Arc Gauntlet.
Its price was roughly ten million Star Coins.
Its specific power was capped by the wearer's spirit power, with a maximum potential reaching D-rank.
This meant that as long as Bald Eagle's own spirit power level reached D-rank, and he could seize the moment so the opponent couldn't dodge, a direct hit would achieve an armor-piercing lethality capable of instantly killing a Ghoul mage, or even a target of similar strength.
Of course, this item was also highly energy-consuming, belonging to the category of ultimate, decisive weapons.
It had to be said, this Bald Eagle was very experienced. He knew that in a confrontation between two forces, one should eliminate the mages and healers first. Crucially, he had succeeded.
One wasn't enough. He had his subordinates withstand the incoming attacks, and after disengaging, he aimed at the other Ghoul mage.
But this time, the remaining mage was prepared. It instantly turned itself invisible, but a red glow spread over the bodies of the other Ghouls... including A'Diao herself.
A'Diao suddenly realized something—so these demonic spirit skills could also be used on humans? Their use wasn't race-specific, only dependent on the target of their spell?
Could this prove that the magical systems of demonic spirits and humans shared a common origin? Coupled with the fact that the foundational energy for both was spiritual energy, then whether from the perspective of macroscopic universal energy development or microscopic biological evolution, the two races either diverged from a common ancestor in ancient times or would evolve towards a common origin in the future.
This view might be shocking, but A'Diao didn't believe that human sages were unaware of this. However, it would not become common knowledge because the human populace would find it hard to accept.
Forget it, this kind of thing has nothing to do with me anyway.
Under the red light, they became frenzied, bloodthirsty, their defenses and speed enhanced... Under the fierce assault of the Ghoul pack, several members of Bald Eagle's team were quickly slain.
But the twenty-seven Ghouls also suffered considerable casualties, with only eighteen remaining.
Bald Eagle, being the primary target of the siege, wanted to escape, but with the invisible Ghoul mage lurking and repeatedly controlling him with spells, he also feared that summoning his flight device would get it blown up, leaving him truly trapped.
After fighting for a while, his spirit power was greatly depleted. Watching his remaining men fall one by one, Bald Eagle finally couldn't bear it any longer. His eyes narrowed, and he suddenly ordered the few survivors to summon their flight devices.
Shua shua shua, flight devices shot out. The men broke off their attacks and leaped onto them, attempting to flee.
Simultaneously, the Ghouls' attacks came in a dense barrage. Amidst screams, three men died on the spot. The two critically wounded survivors, before being overwhelmed by the Ghouls, saw Bald Eagle, who had opportunistically summoned his flight device a moment slower while the Ghouls' attacks were focused on them, leap on and fly away...
Using them as bait?
"Bald Eagle!!!"
They shrieked in anguish and hatred, but they couldn't retaliate. In their fury, they could only activate the equipment on their bodies... Boom!
Following the explosion, some nearby Ghouls were blown to smithereens.
But Bald Eagle didn't even glance back. Seeing he was already three or four meters in the air and about to escape... Suddenly, his flight device trembled, as if controlled by a spell.
This is?
Before Bald Eagle could react, the flight device, as if tethered to an incredibly heavy one-ton boulder, buzzed and vibrated, unable to ascend.
This is... a gravity spell?
That Ghoul mage actually knows gravity spells?!! No, this is clearly a human's gravity spell!
The hiding Ghoul mage was also momentarily stunned, but it reacted quickly and immediately launched an attack.
Before Bald Eagle could react, smack! The flight device was destroyed by a beam of black light.
Bald Eagle plummeted down. He saw the now-visible Ghoul mage give him a cold smile, as the remaining twelve Ghouls howled and surrounded him.
A fight to the death!
This battle had already approached D-rank intensity, a rare sight in the Jinxiang region. The energy levels were too high, and the commotion was too great. Many teams, whether in the catacombs below or in the surrounding wilderness, sensed it.
Some were terrified, avoiding it at all costs.
Some hesitated, unsure whether to investigate, perhaps hoping to fish in troubled waters.
Some were decisive, immediately dispatching flying reconnaissance devices for high-altitude exploration...
But their devices hadn't even reached the location... Bang bang bang!
All of them were mysteriously shot down.
Damn it!
The warring party over there had superior reconnaissance equipment, capable of shooting down their drones from afar.
"Quick, escape!"
"If we're targeted and retaliated against, we'll undoubtedly die!"
"Run, run, run!"
These people were terrified.
And high in the sky, an inconspicuous sparrow perched on a branch. It padded its feet on the branch like a cat kneading dough, then preened its tail feathers and hummed contentedly: You reckless fools, how dare you covet what belongs to my Master Diaodiao? If you spy again, I'll exterminate you!
However, it still relayed this information to A'Diao.
It didn't know that at this very moment, its Master Diaodiao was letting out a piercing scream, then collapsed to the ground with a thud, vomiting blood, her body motionless.
That's right, she had been "killed."
She had to be killed. Bald Eagle's group wasn't composed of pushovers. Although they were nearly wiped out by a swarm of Ghouls, leaving only him, the twenty-seven Ghouls had also suffered heavy losses. The Ghoul she was impersonating was already injured and not particularly strong; how could it have lasted so long? Moreover, she had previously used a gravity spell to forcibly keep the escaping Bald Eagle grounded. Bald Eagle and that Ghoul mage might not doubt it, but currently, the battle was primarily a melee, leaving no time for investigation...
So she had to die.
Ding dong, Sparrow's message arrived.
Since she was currently a Ghoul, she wasn't wearing any equipment. However, being cautious, she had expended spirit power to apply an invisibility spell to her smart goggles. Thus, she was actually wearing them now, and the visual display naturally received Sparrow's information transmission.
Damn, these people are really greedy.
Although these teams' reconnaissance devices were shot down, A'Diao also feared that something unexpected might happen—the teams in the catacombs below were the truly troublesome ones, mostly bold and skilled individuals. If they wanted to take advantage of the situation and come out to scavenge for spoils, or if they attracted even more Ghouls, then it would truly be a disaster. She, alone and single-handedly, might not be able to handle it. She might even fail to achieve her objective and end up as a meal for someone else, becoming a mere stepping stone.
Most importantly, Bald Eagle, before being surrounded and killed, must have sent out a distress signal to his organization. If other bandits from the Jinxiang region rushed over, she would undoubtedly die.
So, the feigning-death A'Diao was quietly observing.
She was waiting for an opportunity.
Bald Eagle, whose spirit power reserves were already heavily depleted, was also waiting for an opportunity.
He was on the verge of collapse; if he continued fighting, he would surely die here.
So... he finally seized a chance, located the hiding spot of the invisible Ghoul mage, and with a surge of spirit power, bit the tip of his tongue, expending a large amount of spirit power to draw a spirit talisman in the air with his blood. His palms pressed together.
Om!
The spirit talisman shone upon the Ghoul mage's hiding place, instantly revealing it.
Bald Eagle was overjoyed. Just as he was about to attack, he suddenly felt the equipment on his body lose its signal. What was happening?
Suddenly, a corpse behind the Ghoul mage leaped up.
A zombie reanimation!!!
Bald Eagle was caught off guard. Before he could react, his eyes... were sprayed with sulfuric acid and glue simultaneously.
His current state was too weakened, his injuries severe. His spirit power couldn't defend his entire body. So, in A'Diao's view... Eye Pulling Silk could finally be used.
Strands of glue shot out, instantly sticking to the Ghoul mage's lips, making its incantation "shut up!"
Truly a "kiss of death" like no other; in any case, the Ghoul mage was thoroughly disgusted.
Bald Eagle and the Ghoul mage: "!!!"
At that moment, they might have realized the truly suspicious aspect of this battle, but even if they reacted, it was too late.
Bald Eagle, whose eyes were corroded by sulfuric acid, couldn't see the Ghoul stuck by the glue, nor could he see it trying to dodge. But A'Diao, who had feigned death, rushed forward with a close-quarters stab, directly piercing its heart.
Nor could he see A'Diao raise her hand and throw about ten talismans that flew towards the other attacking Ghouls.
Immobilization, freezing, bombing!
He certainly couldn't see her controlling the talismans with one hand for bombing, while her other palm emitted a beam of lightning... Boom! It directly blew his head off.
From feigning death to the explosive counterattack, it all ended in five seconds. A'Diao hadn't expended much spirit power; because the talismans were made with spirit power beforehand, it greatly saved her energy output. All in all, she only used a somewhat more draining lightning beam.
Mainly, both sides were already critically wounded; one more critical hit and they were done.
So-called licking dogs eventually get everything they want; it's all a matter of selling dignity and body. But to feign weakness and then seize a chance for a comeback kill was also quite exhilarating.
A'Diao quickly tidied up the scene. She conveniently threw the Ghoul corpse she had previously stored in her storage space onto the ground, making it a total of 27 corpses. Because Vulture must have reported the exact number when he called for help, if one was missing later, it would inevitably arouse suspicion and investigation from the other party.
Next was to collect the spoils of war.
The first corpse she looted was Bald Eagle's, because she had spotted the bracelet on his wrist at first glance.
The Red Arc Gauntlet was a good item, but what kind of forbidden item was this bracelet? It looked very crude, but when her goggles scanned it, Sparrow provided feedback.
"Master Diaodiao, this should be a tentacle device they developed themselves. It can quickly extract spirit cores or retrieve spoils of war. After all, they are bandits, and after a successful operation, they need to withdraw quickly... It's their professional equipment."
What professional equipment! At first glance, she really hadn't seen anything special, thinking it was just an ordinary smart bracelet. But for cleaning up spoils, it was indeed a sharp tool.
A'Diao, without a second thought, stripped the item off and put it on her own hand. Upon activation, the bracelet shot out ten slender mechanical tentacles, which, under her control, swiftly plundered the spoils.
Spirit power, forbidden items, valuables, and even the ghost orbs within the Ghouls' bodies were all cleanly extracted.
However, she disabled the signals on all electronic devices and then stuffed them all into her storage space.
Good heavens, it was packed to the brim, almost bursting.
After two minutes, everything was processed. Sparrow also returned, restoring the signal jamming source it had released. Then A'Diao took out a communication device, turned it on, and with a couple of taps, sent out a message, then turned it off.
Then, invisibility... After leaving the area invisibly, she used a flight device confiscated from a previously killed cultivator and also transformed into the appearance of an ordinary cultivator. However, the bandit organization's specialized harvesting tool, the bracelet, was put away by her, fearing recognition.
A'Diao entered the small wilderness town frequented by adventuring squads and checked into a hotel.
Not long after she left, the strong scent of blood attracted the next group of Ghouls. In the catacombs, not far from the entrance, a strong and capable team lay in ambush. When the Ghouls emerged, having not engaged in battle, they were somewhat taken aback.
A young woman with red hair was particularly annoyed, "This is infuriating! We should have gone out sooner."
Such great benefits lost, her heart ached a little.
"Regardless of the battle's outcome, we gain nothing unless we go out now and fight those Ghouls, then assess the situation on the ground."
If one side completely triumphed and still had the strength to collect spoils and escape, then their going out would be largely meaningless. But if that wasn't the case, the subsequent benefits would be enormous.
Perhaps even greater than their earnings from several months in the Jinxiang region.
And those twenty-odd Ghouls didn't seem to have returned to the catacombs...
Could they have been completely wiped out? Were the individuals who fought them outside that powerful?
If so, they were definitely no match for them.
This team was hesitant. Ultimately, the tall and imposing captain, Ying Da, made a decisive call.
"Out! If we can't take them, we'll retreat immediately and regroup in the small town. Anyway, these past two days, the atmosphere in the catacombs below has felt off, somewhat dangerous. It's a good time to withdraw and assess the situation."
Fortune favors the bold. Though usually cautious, he couldn't help but be emboldened by such significant potential gains.
This team quickly charged out.
After exiting the cave, Ying Da's gaze swept around. Seeing the carnage before him, his pupils quivered slightly—all gone!
He was somewhat unwilling, but still ordered his team not to linger, "Everyone, withdraw!"
The spoils had already been collected; what use was there in staying?
And not long after they withdrew, the corpses on the ground were devoured down to the bones... Some reconnaissance drones arrived, but these drones were once again shot down, because someone from a certain bandit organization had arrived.
The leader was Vulture.
Seeing his own men completely annihilated, they all looked as if they had eaten excrement. Vulture reported the situation to Shuang Jin.
Bang! The ashtray on the table silently shattered into fine powder.
Shuang Jin suppressed his exposure, his voice heavy, "Was it really an encounter with a Ghoul pack, a siege?"
"It appears so at the moment. We found an outer cave entrance with traces of Ghouls climbing out to encircle them. There were a total of 27 attackers, including two very troublesome mages. It's normal that Bald Eagle and his men couldn't escape."
Just this unlucky?!!
A sense of powerlessness washed over Shuang Jin, but he still said coldly, "Then all their belongings were stripped away. Isn't that because someone planned this? That Chen A'Diao is cunning and deceitful; could it be her?"
Vulture was older, meticulous, and steady. He had thoroughly investigated and pondered the situation. "Currently, there's no trace of her. Originally, Bald Eagle's report also suspected she had entered the catacombs, but there's no concrete evidence. Mainly, we already know that Song Ling and the others have returned to the academy. If this Chen A'Diao is as cautious and cunning, she wouldn't enter the catacombs alone. She wouldn't even be able to protect herself, so how could she orchestrate all this? To take a step back, even if she truly had this ability and scheme, she wouldn't need to take such a huge risk. In fact, ambushing Bald Eagle and his men would have been sufficient."
A D-rank was required to take on Bald Eagle's team and twenty-seven Ghouls and emerge victorious in their chaotic battle. If Chen A'Diao's strength had progressed so terrifyingly, she would be a peerless prodigy, a treasure that Jinling Academy, and even the entire Danzhou, would guard closely. Would they dare to kill her? If Jinling Academy investigated... not to mention the Principal of Jinling Academy, even a few high-level officials getting angry would be enough to wipe out their entire clan.
"So I'm inclined to believe that other teams emerged from the catacombs later and scavenged some spoils. I did indeed find some traces, but the other party cleaned up, making it difficult to find the target, unless we conduct a large-scale search of the wilderness town."
Shuang Jin: "But there's another situation. I can see that during the battle, the signals from Bald Eagle and the three survivors were blocked for a period, and then they were killed. I suspect someone took advantage of the chaos, killed them all, and took all the benefits. Moreover, it was a swift, instantaneous burst. Either their own strength was D5 or above, or a group of people instantly controlled the situation."
Vulture: "That's also possible... Wait, I've detected a signal—it was transmitted during that period. Have the information department on your end trace it. Perhaps we can find the signal sources from both sides and determine their identities."
Shuang Jin had his men investigate based on this signal, and soon they found out it was an unaffiliated cultivator. But was it really an unaffiliated cultivator? Shuang Jin didn't believe it. The deeper they investigated, they found out.
"Suspected to be a Cui Clan death warrior."
If it was the Cui Clan, then everything would make sense. Because the Cui Clan's death warriors, in a sense, were similar to their organization; they both operated in the shadows, plundering resources to supply the Cui family, especially the Cui father and son, for their cultivation. Otherwise, where would their resources come from? Just by purchasing spirit cores from the market?
Don't be ridiculous, that's impossible.
Shuang Jin's face turned ugly. After careful consideration, he still reported the news to the organization's leader.
Getting entangled with the Cui Clan all of a sudden, this matter was too significant. The issue was laid on the organization's conference table for discussion.
This group of bandits, who had always operated by covertly killing for profit, was now extremely furious.
The Cui Clan? The Cui Clan was already in decline. If it weren't for that Cui Liang currying favor with a noble lady from the capital circle, the Cui Clan would have long been swallowed up by the Song and Wang families!
"Could it be that because the family's power is greatly diminished, they're trying to fleece resources from us?"
A dog-eat-dog world, huh?
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