Chapter 333: Gu Yan (1/2)
”We were lucky,” Xue Wei merely answered with a smile on his lips. He did not feel that they should be too close to this other group of experts.
The group consisted of a full twelve experts, all of which were Heavenly Knights and there was even an Ordinary Saint. The Ordinary Saint was the one who had spoken, clearly the leader of the group.
”Luck is indeed a factor,” the leader said, ”but it is not enough to allow someone to venture this far into the Thunder Graveyard.”
”Thunder Graveyard?” Xue Wei asked puzzled, and the leader looked at him with surprise and shock. ”You do not know where this is?” he asked.
His question made Xue Wei shake his head, ”We do not know,” he said honestly. ”We were told this was the most rewarding place in the entire Thunder Twilight Zone and thus came here, but so far we have found nothing of value, and instead we have been put in life-threatening danger time and time again.”
”I see,” the leader nodded his head gravely and slightly solemnly. ”They were not lying to you,” he then stated. ”This is indeed the most rewarding area in the entire danger zone, but it is also the most deadly, only the purple mist can get close to it in danger levels.
”This place has trial after trial, and for each of these trials, you will get closer to the actual battleground of the Kings and Emperors. This island is massive, and it is also where most treasures can be found, however, to get each of the treasures, you need to get through the trials first.”
Xue Wei had already guessed this, so he was not surprised when he heard the words said by this Ordinary Saint.
Seeing that they had no surprise in their expressions, the Ordinary Saint instantly knew that they were not the average person who would enter. The fact that they had survived until now, even with a Sky Knight on the team, made them understand that they were in no way simple.
”Why don't we travel together?” the Ordinary Saint suddenly asked, and Xue Wei frowned. He was not willing to walk with them, but the other was an Ordinary Saint, and going against him would be rather useless in the middle of this dangerous environment.
Although they might be able to defeat him and his entourage, the truth was that it would be a hard battle and they would be drained of power and then would have problems advancing.
Retreating was not an option either as the soul fragments were waiting for them within the forest, and they had run out of inscriptions and formations.
Looking at the Ordinary Saint, Xue Wei saw that he seemed immensely genuine, but he still narrowed his eyes, unwilling to go with them.
Feeling his hesitation, the Ordinary Saint smiled slightly. ”I understand your worries,” he said. ”I too would have some doubts if someone came up to me and said such a thing when I was in a danger zone, but the truth is that the danger in this danger zone is far above any other in the Sea of the Enchanted, and we all stand a better chance for survival if we work together.”
Xue Wei looked at him without saying anything. He was worried that this leader intended to make Xue Wei and his friends walk at the front of their group and become the ones who would be the first to encounter the danger.
Seeing that although the leader had spoken such flowery words, Xue Wei was still not taking the bait, the rest of the group became restless.
Their group had initially been numbered twenty-five experts, all of which had experience within the Thunder Graveyard Island, but even so, after only a few challenges only twelve had managed to survive so far.
The leader's heart was aching with pain whenever he thought of how their group was diminishing in numbers rather rapidly, and now Xue Wei and the others had appeared, it would be ideal to use their numbers and strength to pressure them into joining their group, and then taking the front of the group.
”It is not that we do not appreciate your goodwill,” Xue Wei said after contemplating for some time. ”However, we have all unknowingly stumbled upon this island. We were unaware of the dangers that exist on this island, and thus, we will likely turn into obstacles rather than aides.”
Hearing his words, the face of the leader darkened. How could he not tell that Xue Wei was just saying so, when he, in fact, did not want to join them?
Even so, he just smiled and stayed calm. ”You do not have to worry about being a burden or not. Us cultivators should stick together and help one another in our attempt at surviving this place. Even if you turn out to be an obstacle, we will be happy to have done a good deed and helped you out.”
Xue Wei's eyes flashed with coldness. It seemed that they had no intention of letting them go, so in the end, he had to decide whether or not to join them, or if he was going to fight it out.
In the end, Xue Wei decided to join them. Although they could win a battle, it would be a messy win, with severe injuries. He could not help but fear what the evil spirit would throw their way when they were injured. Thoughts of the fused soul remnant were already enough to cause chills to run down his spine.
”Well then, let us work together,” Xue Wei finally said, rather unwillingly, but no one seemed to care if they were willing or not.
The others had stayed entirely silent throughout the entire time. They had been ready to fight if Xue Wei had made that decision, but they were also prepared to join them if he ended up choosing like that.
In all, they were waiting to follow his lead and would do whatever he decided upon.
The leader was a veteran mercenary. He could quickly see that Xue Wei was the core of the team and gleam flashed by his eyes rapidly.
Xue Wei was the weakest in the group - merely a Sky Knight, but he was still the one making the decisions.
From this, the leader instantly knew that this was a group with some fantastic team spirit, or they had some secret that could make Xue Wei stronger than the average Sky Knight since they all respected him.
He was leaning towards the latter, as he knew that one needed to be a Heavenly Knight to survive within the Thunder Twilight Zone, so unless he had some treasure that could neutralize lightning, then he had to have some hidden strength.
Still, even if this boy could jump ranks and fight against Heavenly Knights, he himself was an esteemed Ordinary Saint. It would be impossible for them to resist him, and thus, he was feeling relaxed.