Free Web NovelChapter 1257: Chapter 72:
[The advancement examination for the adventure group has begun. The Hunter must undergo the following stages.]
[Initial stage, in this stage, the Hunter will be pursued by small squads of undead troops.]
[Survival stage, in this stage, the Hunter will be surrounded and attacked by the undead army.]
[Purgatory stage, in this stage, while being besieged by the undead army, the Hunter will also encounter strongmen of the Undead Clan.]
[Nightmare stage, in this stage, while being besieged by the undead army and undead strongmen, the Hunter will also endure the rejection of the original world. This is the final stage.]
...
If the main task is exploratory, then the advancement examination for the adventure group is survival type.
The task evaluation is determined by the time Su Xiao stays afterwards. Four stages, with the difficulty gradually increasing. In the Nightmare stage, it’s very likely that even drinking a sip of water may choke him half to death.
Nightmare stage = undead army + undead strongmen + Invincible enhanced version of Soul Reaper.
If he can last to this stage, the evaluation of the advancement examination for the adventure group will be very high.
Under normal circumstances, Su Xiao would be chased by the Undead Clan to the ends of the earth, but he has another goal, which is to enter the Relic of the Annihilation Law.
Previously, Su Xiao learned a very important piece of information, that the Undead Clan cannot enter the Ruins of the Annihilation Law. In this case, as long as he can enter the Relic of the Annihilation Law, lasting to the Nightmare stage becomes much simpler.
Su Xiao gazes down at the vast wasteland ahead, with over a hundred human soldiers standing behind him. They openly show hospitality to Su Xiao, this Iron Hand, but are actually waiting for orders from their superiors, verifying whether Su Xiao’s identity as Iron Hand is genuine. From their previous actions, it’s clear they want to keep Su Xiao steady.
"Master Iron Hand..."
The squad captain was just about to engage in some pleasantries with Su Xiao, when Su Xiao’s figure suddenly vanished from his sight, leaving the captain stunned.
As soon as Su Xiao disappeared, Bubu Wang and A Mu jumped down from the Wall of God, with the soldiers on the wall quickly rushing forward.
"This..."
The squad captain was at a loss, as he hadn’t confirmed Su Xiao’s identity yet. Allowing Su Xiao into the territory of the Undead Clan was obviously inappropriate. If Su Xiao was a spy, the captain would be held accountable. As for stopping Su Xiao, choosing that option might cost his own life, given Su Xiao truly is Iron Hand, it would mean obstructing Iron Hand from executing the King’s command.
After hesitating for a moment, this squad captain ordered the deployment of crossbows, and soon, three large crossbows aimed at Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, and A Mu below the city wall.
"Prepare."
The squad captain raised one arm high as the three large crossbows were loaded.
"Captain, do we really need to do this?"
One of the crossbowmen swallowed hard, aware of the crime of attacking Iron Hand.
"Who told you to shoot Iron Hand? Aim near him. This is our unique ’farewell ceremony’ stationed at the Wall of God."
"Eh～"
The crossbowman was clearly a bit baffled, but he still followed the captain’s orders.
Thwack, Thwack, Thwack!
Three metal crossbow arrows fired out, and Su Xiao stopped his steps, pressing a hand on the handle of his sword.
Earth surged as the nearly three-meter-long metal crossbow arrows penetrated the soil, some distance from Su Xiao. It was clear these arrows were not aimed at Su Xiao.
The squad captain on the Wall of God waved his arm, overly ’enthusiastic.’ It must be said, this guy is quite clever. Currently, he can’t judge Su Xiao’s identity, so he decided to shoot a few arrows downward.
If Su Xiao truly is Iron Hand, then, of course, good news for everyone. He would suitably conceal some facts and report to the superiors saying: ’Have enthusiastically bid farewell to Master Iron Hand, but Master Iron Hand had urgent matters and did not linger at the Wall of God, setting an example for us all...’
If Su Xiao is a spy, then the captain would say: ’Subordinate has fought bravely, but was breached by the thief at the Wall of God, firing three arrows in total, only for the thief to be too formidable...’
No matter what situation occurs, the squad captain can safeguard his life.
...
Within the territory of the Undead Clan, at the Undead Empire Capital, Dark Moon Marsh.
Gurgle, a bubble of air emerged from the muddy water within the marsh. Above this vast swamp area, thick vines tangled together, some even several meters thick.
The Undead Clan named these vines Dark Moon Vine, as every night when there is no moon, these vines emit a green glow, thus called Dark Moon Vine.
Above the Dark Moon Vine, this area has been meticulously trimmed by the Undead Clan, and here stand orderly built houses; some made of piled stones, others of wooden structure. Don’t think these houses are primitive; quite the opposite, they are exceptionally exquisite.
This is the capital of the Undead Clan, even larger than the human Royal Capital. Complemented by the vine layer below, this place is a peculiar sight.
Currently, it is midday, the Undead Clan capital appears quiet and peaceful. Due to the Undead Clan’s aversion to strong light, they are either napping or inventing primitively structured but precise mechanical devices within their homes at this time.
The manufacturing capabilities of the Undead Clan are far beyond what humans can match, a result of their customs. From childhood, the Undead learn about various machinery, forming their childhood entertainment.
In the center of the city, a mechanical structure at least a hundred meters high is in operation. Upon closer inspection, it’s surprisingly a very primitive steam engine.
Countless pipes connect to the crude steam engine, and it is thanks to the existence of this device that the Undead Clan was able to construct their city above the Dark Moon Vine. Through generations of Undead care, the Dark Moon Vine has merged with the Undead capital. The waste generated by the Undead is decomposed by the Dark Moon Vine, turning into nutrients, while it produces fresh air, ensuring the Dark Moon Marsh contains no foul odor.
In the city’s very center, a sky-reaching tree grows above the Dark Moon Vine. This tree is the heart of the city, its roots penetrating through the Dark Moon Vine, deeply embedded into the soil, acting like an iron pile that stabilizes the entire city.
Its crown nearly covers one-third of the city, providing shade for many of the Undead Clan. Evident from its expansive crown, the Undead Clan calls it the Tree of Baba Kana, translated into human language as the Tree of Shelter.
At the trunk of the Tree of Shelter, there is a small wooden door, leading to a modest tree house. This tree house is so prestigious that even the Undead King Semiel is not qualified to reside in it.
The interior of the tree house is rather simple, with a wooden bed full of leaves. Upon this wooden bed sits an Undead Elder, with hair and beard both white, and his white beard extending three meters long, even dragging on the ground.
The sleeping Undead Elder exhaled deeply, opening his eyes. Unlike other members of the Undead Clan, he lacks green pupils, indeed, he has no pupils at all.
