Chapter 629: Section 416: Vision of the Divine Artifact
(ps: I discovered an error in yesterday’s update upload; a segment wasn’t uploaded successfully, which I have now corrected.)
The Axe Gang Leader was in a quandary.
He wanted Fu Zhao to test Zong Ge’s bottom line, a good plan, but he never intended to confront Zong Ge face to face so soon.
“Could he suspect that I am the one who acted in Cold Wind Valley?” The Axe Gang Leader couldn’t help but mutter to himself.
Feeling like a thief with a guilty conscience.
The Axe Gang Leader did not want to battle Zong Ge, for he did not wish to expose himself.
Even though he had held back in their previous encounter, he had personally verified that Zong Ge was not an ordinary Silver Level, such an opponent required his all!
The Axe Gang Leader also wanted to give it his all. He had made up his mind to spare no expense and to invite two helpers of the same level to thoroughly condemn “Long Fu” to death.
Impatience spoils great plans.
The Axe Gang Leader had already resolved to slay “Long Fu” and naturally did not wish to cause trouble before taking action.
He sternly reprimanded Fu Zhao and even put his son under house arrest on the spot!
During their eye contact, Fu Zhao realized that his father had changed his mind. He could only act accordingly, feigning a hard-to-appease anger yet having no choice but to accept punishment, and left the stage.
The Axe Gang Leader repeatedly apologized, expressing neglect in disciplining his son and indicating his reluctance to have a fallout with a business partner, emphasizing that he highly recognized the strength of Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, especially Long Fu’s combat power, and that they were equal partners.
“Since we are equals, I ask you, as the Gang Leader, not to cling to certain terms and to recognize the sincerity of our intention to cooperate,” Zong Ge’s final words left the Axe Gang Leader stunned.
Even Zi Di was taken aback.
This statement was nothing short of brilliant!
Following his silence, the Axe Gang Leader indeed shifted from his previous negotiation stance, becoming much more agreeable. Many terms were promptly settled with Zi Di, and he even took the initiative to make concessions in some areas.
Before long, the two parties successfully signed a Magic Contract.
This meant preliminary cooperation between the two parties was established. Once the contract took effect, the atmosphere in the reception hall became noticeably more cordial.
The Axe Gang Leader wanted to host a banquet for Zong Ge and Zi Di.
However, Zong Ge and Zi Di did not wish to waste more time there and bid their farewell to leave.
The Axe Gang Leader personally saw them off, watching their carriage turn the corner and disappear from view before he turned back to enter the gang’s headquarters.
Back in the reception hall, Fu Zhao had already come out.
The future Axe Gang Leader was somewhat uneasy: “Father, do you think Long Fu suddenly challenged you because he recognized that you were the one who attacked him?”
The Axe Gang Leader shook his head: “Even if he has his suspicions, there’s no evidence. That’s not the point.”
Fu Zhao continued, “You signed a Magic Contract with them. Will it interfere with your plan to kill Long Fu later on?”
“There will be some interference, but it’s minor,” the Axe Gang Leader said. “Of course, I’ve considered this. There are no absolute guarantees in this world; any Magic Contract can potentially be broken. Before I take action, I’ll definitely break the contract. If I can’t do it, the two Golden Level helpers I’ve invited will have the ability.”
“Moreover, when I was signing the contract with them, I had already paid attention to this point. The terms of the contract are very cautiously crafted.”
Fu Zhao let go of his bold worries, and with a tinge of regret, he said: “It’s such a pity. To be honest, I really wanted to challenge Long Fu and experience this man’s prowess personally. If I used the Blood Vengeance Axe, even if I lost, I’d certainly give him a profound lesson!”
Axe Gang Leader said gravely, “I believe this point, your strength is not weak, but the most crucial is the Blood Vengeance Axe. Its ability is not something Long Fu can resist.”
“But I have to tell you, to go against an enemy, it’s not just about giving the enemy a profound lesson. The best way to deal with an enemy is to kill him directly!”
“Teng Donglang once said. What makes the best enemy? An enemy lying down and already dead is the best.”
At this point, the Axe Gang Leader sighed heavily with a tone of reminiscence, “It’s a pity, that guy of yours… he’s actually gone. But don’t worry, soon your enemy will be joining you.”
Zong Ge and Zi Di left the Axe Gang and sat in the carriage on their way back.
Zi Di first used an alchemy device to create a temporary environment for secret conversations, then looked at Zong Ge with a complex gaze, “I didn’t expect such a big gain this time. I have to say, you’ve been a big help this time.”
Zong Ge glanced at her, his expression indifferent, “As expected, although we have different understandings of many things, we are still on the same team.”
This realization made Zi Di breathe a sigh of relief. To be honest, she was shocked when Zong Ge took it upon himself to suddenly challenge the Axe Gang Leader.
In her heart, she was screaming, “Zong Ge, don’t forget you’re just at the Silver Level, do you think you are really the squad leader?”
But the truth was, Zong Ge’s challenge turned the tables, not only resolving his troubles but also lending Zi Di a hand.
Coupled with the outcome at Cold Wind Valley, revealing the hostility of the ambushers, it also proved that the decisions made by Zong Ge were correct.
Zi Di eased her tone, “That’s right, we are our own. With your words, I’m reassured.”
Zi Di asked again, “How were you so sure, that you could confirm the Axe Gang Leader would reject your challenge?”
“And, do you think the Axe Gang father and son are suspicious? After all, the main weapon of the Axe Gang Leader is the Blood Vengeance Axe. I remember you said during the investigation on the Cold Wind Valley battlefield, that the Golden Level fighter who acted restrained his strength, and his real main weapon was not the warhammer, but something like a sword or axe that is good at slashing and chopping.”
However, Zong Ge shook his head and spoke frankly, “I never doubted.”
“One is at the Golden Level, the other at Silver Level. Although their Levels match up with the ambushers. But isn’t his son also a fighter?”
Zi Di shook her head, “It’s very possible that he dual cultivates in magic and martial arts, and magic aura can be concealed. There are many methods to this, especially when not taking action, it’s hard to discern any clues.”
Zi Di felt puzzled, “If you didn’t suspect them, why challenge and probe the other party?”
Zong Ge calmly replied, “I originally wanted to challenge the Axe Gang Leader. On one hand, I really wanted to know the real gap between me and the Golden Level. Can I achieve what a group battle does? On the other hand, actively challenging the Golden Level is also part of my next plan.”
“What do you mean?” Zi Di felt uneasy.
“Literally what I said,” Zong Ge explained, “Rather than passively accepting challenges, I’d rather challenge all the way through.”
“Most at the Silver Level just want to step on me to indirectly gain the glory of defeating someone above their rank.”
“Fighting with these people is really annoying, far less valuable than fighting with those at Golden Level! Once I actively challenge the Golden Level, they have no reason to bother me anymore.”
Zi Di was dumbfounded.
Zong Ge concluded, “On the battlefield, you need to find ways to take the initiative. Taking the offensive is often a very good tactical strategy.”
Zi Di rolled her eyes inwardly.
She fully realized that the previous cooperation with Zong Ge was just a fluke.
As for his proactive trouble-making plan, Zi Di disagreed with it a thousand times over in her heart!
But she had no choice.
Because she knew she couldn’t stop Zong Ge.
Zong Ge was one to act on his own accord!
His past experiences had shaped his way of handling matters. Much like his true appearance, he resembled a lion, brave and relentless.
Yet, annoyingly, judging from the outcomes of the matters he handled, his choices weren’t bad.
Zong Ge was very opinionated, and Zi Di simply couldn’t influence him.
Even with Zi Di’s keen insight, she could vaguely sense a hint of disdain for her in Zong Ge’s words and expressions.
Soldiers often held merchants in contempt.
“Ah, squad leader, where are you now? It would be great if you were here,” Zi Di started to mumble about the Dragon-man youth again.
Among all the survivors, only the Dragon-man youth seemed capable of holding Zong Ge down.
The youth was no longer a Dragon-man, he had become a Fishman.
Bang.
Inside the Deep Sea Monster Fish’s loading cabin, the Fishman youth once again slammed his head against the metal wall.
He had to pause his training.
“Blast Fighting Spirit really isn’t suitable for Fast Swimming Combat Skills.”
It was the same old issue.
Blast Fighting Spirit worked best when applied with full force to bring out its explosive characteristics.
However, when applied to Fast Swimming Combat Skills, it made the Fishman youth’s swimming speed erratic and hard to control.
The youth floated effortlessly on the water, reaching one hand to touch his head.
With just a light touch, the pain in the Fishman youth’s head intensified significantly.
That last collision was not gentle.
Magic-like—Healing Skill.
In the next moment, a white light flickered, and the Fishman youth successfully healed himself.
The pain on the top of his head completely vanished.
Of the four Magic-like abilities the Fishman youth had inherited through the Bolang Fishman Bloodline, Healing Skill was the one he was most adept with.
Spiritual Whip, Spiritual Vision, and Familiarity Aura were rarely used.
After all, within the Ocean Nest, there were only a few living beings: him, Zhongyong, and the Holy Domain sea beast. (The Tide Snake eggs and Zi Di’s corporeal body weren’t counted for the moment.)
Compared to the handful of Magic-like abilities, the Fishman youth had completely mastered the Fishman Combat Skills.
The initial feeling of unfamiliarity was gone.
Although he didn’t use shortcuts like the Big Arena Badge for cultivation, Zong Ge’s eye for talent was very accurate—the Fishman youth indeed had exceptional warrior talent.
Fishman Combat Skills were often not complicated, which allowed him to pick them up quickly and become proficient.
Not only that, but the Fishman youth also practiced the Compound Fishman Form.
He had absorbed two types of bloodlines from the Holy Corpse at Sea Level. The first type was unknown to the Fishman youth, but the second, the Man Yu Bloodline, was obvious with its clear characteristics.
When the Fishman youth used the Blood Core and activated both bloodlines simultaneously, he would enter the Fishman Composite Form.
In this form, his appearance bore some resemblance to the Holy Corpse at Sea Level.
The reason he practiced this form was to enhance his combat strength underwater as much as possible.
The concentration of the Bolang Fishman Bloodline was still quite low. For now, the combat strength of the Fishman Composite Form was certainly stronger than that of a single Fishman Bloodline form.
Although the Composite Form also had the drawback of hastening the consumption of demon energy in the Blood Core, the Fishman youth now had an abundant supply of demon energy in the Blood Core.
Regrettably, the Fishman youth couldn’t properly use the Berserk talent.
To be precise, he couldn’t avoid the downside of losing his sanity that came with the Berserk talent.
“I’ve already returned the Ice Heart Headband to the Snowbird Port City Lord. The Cold Heart Ice Pack that Bu Quan once gave me could keep me alert, but it has trigger conditions and doesn’t mesh with the Berserk talent at all.”
The Fishman youth was troubled over this and hadn’t found a solution yet.
He ended his training early today because the Dual-Ear Detector was about to be deployed for the first time.
Zhongyong lived up to his reputation as a Silver Level Alchemist. His alchemy skill far surpassed both Cang Xu and Zi Di. After spending some time, he successfully crafted the first batch of Dual-Ear Detectors.
These detectors were deployed in secret.
The Fishman youth and Zhongyong went to the cockpit together, and through the Magic Image, they intently watched the Dual-Ear Detectors.
These slender and tiny Alchemy Puppets, merely the size of an adult’s finger, swiftly swam to the wall of the cave after being released from the Deep Sea Monster Fish.
The wall was covered in pearls.
After selecting a weaker spot, the Dual-Ear Detector began its official work.
Its helical drill at the head started to spin at full speed, producing a significant amount of noise.
What relieved the Fishman youth was that the Holy Domain sea beast was deep in slumber and was not awakened.
As the Dual-Ear Detector penetrated into the wall, with its tail also entering, the noise from its drilling actually lessened.
Zhongyong remarked, “Now I can confirm that the walls of the Ocean Nest can absorb soundwaves. Due to this characteristic, our Dual-Ear Detectors always failed to detect outside information, but at the same time, the nest walls greatly absorbed the noise made by the Dual-Ear Detectors during their work.”
“We’re not far from success.”
The Fishman youth: “I hope so.”
Zhongyong returned to the Thunder Alchemy Cabin to continue his work.
The Fishman youth was about to go back to the loading cabin to restart his training, but midway, he received a reminder from the Tower Spirit, “Captain, there’s been a Mutation with the Mermaid’s Fairy Tale, and the cause is undeterminable. You better go have a look as soon as possible!”
Startled, the Fishman youth shivered.
What kind of problem was the Divine Artifact, Mermaid’s Fairy Tale, going to cause now?
He was well aware that when the Deep Sea Monster Fish was mysteriously transported here, the Mermaid’s Fairy Tale had already behaved suspiciously.