This can't be right... An retorted:
"Why do you want information about the No. 8 Train's rift? Are you selling intelligence?"
Recently, many people had been inquiring about the No. 8 Train.
But this should have nothing to do with a steadfast chef.
Chen Qi did not conceal anything:
"I'm not selling intelligence. I've been commissioned to go to the No. 8 Train and retrieve some items."
"A commission?"
"So you really aren't focusing on being a chef..."
An smiled in relief.
She felt foolish, she should have realized that with Chen Qi's disposition, becoming a mere chef was impossible.
Earlier, she had been blinded by the splendor of Chen Qi's restaurant.
Otherwise, how did he get his hands on a Water Elf?
Chen Qi had never settled down, rather, he chose to become a Hunter and had cleared many rifts.
He managed to run a restaurant while clearing rifts!
That's incredibly skillful!
An sensed a considerable enhancement in his Spiritual Power Field.
Such unimaginable ascension speed!
"I knew I wasn't mistaken."
An slowly took out some information from her backpack, explaining like a professional teacher:
"The No. 8 Train is a Lamp-Shadow Phase solo rift, located near the southeast sea region of our Moonstone Islands, very close to Maro Town as well. High inspiration and high observation are required to clear it."
At this point, An rubbed her weary eyes and sighed:
"To set up a special defensive barrier, we need to clear all the surrounding rifts. Despite twenty days of effort, I have cleared all the D-rank rifts.
However, the No. 8 Train rift is very unique; even with information, only a few have managed to clear it.
Its emitting information disrupts the establishment of the barrier significantly."
"Hence, we commissioned the Hunter Association, but they all suffered terrible defeats."
An handed over the information, advising:
"Chen Qi, no matter who commissioned you, this rift is extraordinarily dangerous.
If you can single-handedly resolve this D-rank rift, it will greatly ease our barrier setup work.
But be very cautious. At the slightest mishap, leave the rift immediately."
An handed the intelligence she had collected to Chen Qi.
Chen Qi accepted the rift-clearing information that An gave him:
"Understood, I'll be careful."
At this moment, two street artisans standing beside An and Chen Qi couldn't hold back.
They were discussing solo-clearing a D-rank rift, and it's a chef lacking combat skills who was supposed to clear a D-rank rift!
That's a D-rank rift with a 75% mortality rate!
Recently, An had been tackling various high-difficulty D-rank rifts and was even preparing to take down the Nearshore Dominator, which was already astonishing.
Now, there's someone else aiming to single-clear the No. 8 Train, a First Order powerhouse!
Are all the people in Maro Town this audacious?
The artisan asked in shock:
"Hey, little brother, are you really planning to go to the No. 8 Train? I heard many people died there, and the distortion rate is still rising."
"Yes."
Chen Qi replied while perusing the information that An handed him.
It even included pictures of the No. 8 Train.
This information was sufficient. He accepted it and prepared to head to the rift.
"Teacher An, I'll go test the depth of this rift first."
An smiled and said:
"Hmm, stay safe. If you clear it, stay for a meal.
By the way, I have a question, Chen Qi. Have you seen the Flower Witch in Moonstone City?"
Why is everyone looking for the Witch? Chen Qi swallowed a mouthful of water, curious:
"I saw her from afar. Teacher An, why do you ask?"
In an instant, a hint of longing flashed in An's eyes:
"Since I was little, I've heard legends of witches. The legendary Mage, the Ice Witch, fascinated me the most."
An took out an Ice Witch statue from her backpack card:
"It is said that every witch is someone recognized by the Ice Witch.
They all possess exceptional skills.
Therefore, I've always wanted to see just how strong a witch really is."
"Sorry, maybe I'm being a bit arrogant. I'm certainly no match for a witch, but even if I lose, it doesn't matter."
An smiled wryly.
Though she felt she would most likely lose, she truly wanted to fight the legendary witch.
Unfortunately, she had been confined to staying on Maro Island for a long time, unable to go out and capture witches.
This invincible yet resolute look in her eyes... Chen Qi thought sarcastically.
An was known as An Aotian because she was undefeated among her rank in the Witch Sea.
Every few weeks, some noble genius, who looked down on An's impoverished background, would show up to challenge her.
But without exception, they were all beaten to a pulp by An.
Even with a Third Rank body, she could protect herself under a Fourth Rank Legend.
Once, Chen Qi thought the Flower Witch was mysterious and unfathomably powerful.
Who was stronger, the Flower Witch or Teacher An?
There seemed to be discussion threads on the forum debating their combat strengths.
But now, he could sense that while the Flower Witch was already very strong, An Aotian seemed even stronger.
Chen Qi visualized for a moment.
Without using forbidden techniques, Teacher An, the Mage, might be able to beat the protagonist of the Witch Sea, the Flower Witch, from face to behind, with various styles of fighting!
More people wanted to capture the Flower Witch than he had imagined.
The Flower Witch's situation was truly pitiful. That's the price of fame.
He wondered how the Flower Witch was doing in his absence.
Hopefully, the Flower Witch wouldn't run into Teacher An.
Chen Qi waved goodbye:
"Teacher An, I'm leaving now."
An swallowed down her surging emotions and waved back:
"Please be very careful, the No. 8 Train is extremely dangerous. If anything goes wrong, escape immediately.
Also, don't forget to come back for the feast. There's a banquet in Maro Town tonight, and you're an important guest."
"Hmm."
After saying goodbye, Chen Qi didn't hesitate and took a small boat towards the rift.
...
...
The small boat sailed towards the ocean.
On the sea, as the wind blew, after a while, Chen Qi saw a rusty train carriage.
The rusty carriage seemed fixed, parked on the sea.
At the door of the carriage, fresh blood spelled out "Welcome passengers aboard."
[You have contacted the rift, Inspiration assessment in progress...]
[Inspiration assessment in progress...]
[Inspiration assessment successful!]
[Rift name: No. 8 Train
Rank: D
Nature Form: Lamp, Shadow
Description: During the Era of Darkness, to avoid catastrophe, people created a tool called a 'train' that could travel anywhere. This became the most common transportation of the era.
The people in the train were very lucky, but as time passed, they began to seek things beyond survival, like slaves, love, and even eternity.
They traded a tool with monsters, hoping it would keep them young forever.
Thus, the monsters took their train through a Shadow Phase world's gutter.
The monsters told them, in the divine kingdom, humans do not die, and souls do not perish.
But when they realized it, they could no longer leave the train.
They continuously pounded on the windows, continuously pounded on the windows.
Unfortunately, like their ceaseless wails, the train could never stop...
Clear condition: Reach the first carriage and pull the train's brake.
Rift distortion rate: 51% (Extremely high distortion rate, with a high probability of increased distortion, this rift is extremely dangerous, proceed with caution!)
Rift rank restriction: Only Transcendents of the First Order and below can enter this rift.
Rift participant restriction: One person. (Due to rift distortion, this rift has become a solo rift)
Inspiration Insight: You noticed that the space is distorted, only normal humans and objects are the correct path forward.
Special Inspiration Insight: In the darkness, you saw twisted shadows silently dragging people into the dark.]
Note: You said we've been walking on thin ice, can we reach the driver's cabin?]
Chen Qi quickly scanned the rift in front of him.
The No. 8 Train was a one-way solo rift.
Participants would enter a train and would repeatedly pass through identical carriages.
The puzzle was quite simple, that was the information in the Inspiration Insight, one must follow the normal humans and objects to proceed.
Simply put, if you enter a carriage and the scene looks normal, you proceed to the next carriage.
On the other hand, if the carriage shows anomalies or monsters that defy 'normal logic', you should move back immediately.
This was the 'Lamp Phase clearing method' for this rift.
During the initial exploration, this Lamp Phase puzzle puzzled many people.
Fortunately, Chen Qi had gathered enough information before entering.
"51% distortion rate..."
Chen Qi looked at the rift's description.
The numerous failures of Hunters led to the rift's distortion rate being at an extremely terrifying level!
Chen Qi took out his prepared pre-cooked moonlight fish.
[You consumed moonlight fish, Inspiration slightly enhanced.]
Previously, his meditation practice increased his Inspiration by 5 points.
Including the moonlight fish, his Inspiration reached as high as 60 points!
"Phew..."
Chen Qi exhaled deeply.
Though he was prepared, without a doubt, this rift was the most challenging he'd faced so far.
He gripped the black knife and stepped into the blood-stained train carriage entrance.
The surrounding light quickly dimmed.
[You have entered the rift.] Read new adventures at mvl
"Welcome... passenger," a voice greeted.