Chapter 60

"Should we all gather together tonight for a group battle, or continue fighting individually?"

The leader asked.

The marksman was the first to speak: "If the situation is really that dangerous, I will definitely stick with the leader."

Eagle also said: "That's right. With the leader's protection and command, our survival rate will be higher."

His brother Falcon nodded in agreement.

"I agree," Xiao Baihong said with a smile.

Only Wu Xiaode remained.

Wu Xiaode was indeed a newcomer, but now that all the veterans were clinging to the leader, he naturally knew what to do.

Who wouldn't follow the leader in a team?

Especially in such a dangerous situation—

"I have the same opinion," he said.

The leader nodded and said, "Fighting together will certainly make it easier to survive—"

"Since everyone agrees to stick together, let's talk about where each of you is."

"I'm on an island, about 300 miles in diameter, very safe," Xiao Baihong said.

"You can't stay there. If you encounter a 'god,' you won't even have a chance to run," the leader said decisively.

The others nodded in agreement.

"We are on the wasteland, driving a heavy armored vehicle," Eagle pointed to himself and Falcon.

"The wasteland, it's an option," the leader said.

"I'm in a city, blending in with the refugees, temporarily hiding in a skyscraper," the marksman said.

"I'm in an underground bunker," Wu Xiaode said.

"An underground bunker?" several people said in unison.

An underground bunker is naturally inconspicuous and convenient for hiding. It is also sturdy and deep, so it won't be affected by the powerful wars on the surface.

Wu Xiaode naturally saw the hope in everyone's eyes and quickly said:

"But the underground bunker has already been invaded by monsters, including a particularly powerful snake."

"What kind of snake?" the leader asked.

"It has a sharp single horn, three vertical eyes, and is about 100 meters long. Its scales are bright, and it can bewitch people's minds," Wu Xiaode said.

"Are its eyes red?" Eagle immediately asked.

"Yes," Wu Xiaode said.

"I know that snake. It ate the people in several cities in the desert and then moved on," Eagle said.

"Wait, you saw it and survived?" the marksman asked in disbelief.

"The underground bunker has many secret passages. I hid in one of them and saw it through the surveillance," Wu Xiaode said without changing his expression.

"I see," Falcon said, relieved.

"No, no, no," the marksman shook his head.

"That's right, only a fool would go to your place," Xiao Baihong said.

"So, the remaining landing points are the desert, the city, and the forest," the leader said.

"Are you in the forest, Leader?" Falcon asked.

"Yes, I often go there. Xiao Baihong has been there once—there's a human settlement in that forest, and I've established a good relationship with them," the leader said.

Everyone fell into deep thought, considering which place to choose.

"The city can be eliminated. I think the monsters will definitely attack places with more people first," Eagle said.

No one objected.

This was exactly what everyone was thinking.

"So, we're left with the desert and the forest," the marksman said.

"The desert is vast and harsh, not suitable for escape," Xiao Baihong said.

"Then it's the forest," Falcon said.

"Leader, is that human settlement reliable?" the marksman asked.

"I'm very familiar with their leader," the leader said, opening her phone to show a video.

In the video, a small village appeared.

People were farming, raising chickens, hunting, and gathering. There were also elderly people and children in the village, looking peaceful and harmonious.

A woman in military uniform appeared on the screen, followed by two men with guns.

She seemed to have just become a mother, holding a baby and smiling:

"If it's your team, we welcome you anytime."

The leader's voice came from the screen: "We might come tomorrow night."

"Has the number of people changed?" the woman asked.

"One more martial artist, very skilled," the leader said.

At this moment, Wu Xiaode realized the leader was talking about him.

Last night, just before midnight, he had just joined the S-Class Club, and everyone had rushed into the other world.

He didn't expect the leader to immediately report him.

The woman's face showed delight: "A martial artist? That's a profession for directly fighting monsters, great!"

Wu Xiaode was taken aback.

Using martial arts to fight directly... isn't that normal? Why is she so delighted?

He glanced around subtly.

The leader was carrying a bow and arrows.

The marksman was a long-range sniper.

Xiao Baihong's fighting style was unknown, but he seemed to use magic, as he had suddenly appeared and disappeared before.

Eagle—

had released a fiery butterfly from a bone dragon, clearly a magic user.

Falcon was carrying some technological equipment, seemingly focused on firearms.

It seemed there was no close-combat fighter among them.

On the phone screen, the woman holding the baby said:

"Don't worry, I'll prepare a place for you to rest. As for the martial artist— I have a very rare tendon from a monster, which I'll give to him."

"What is it?" the leader asked curiously.

The woman proudly showed a long, red, flexible tendon and said: "When it hits something, it delays for a few seconds, causing a burst of flames around the target. The harder it hits, the stronger the flames—bring your martial artist to get it tomorrow."

"That's too valuable," the leader said.

The woman wrapped the red tendon around her wrist, tied a knot, and smiled:

"It's useless to us, so we'll give it to your martial artist. I hope he can help us kill more monsters."

"Of course, no problem," the leader said.

The video ended.

"Nice, Wu Xiaode, you haven't even gone yet and you already have a gift," the marksman teased.

Wu Xiaode smiled and bowed: "I'll treat everyone to a meal when I come back."

"I want a big meal—wait, that's not right. After signing the artist contract, meals are free!" Xiao Baihong realized.

Everyone laughed.

"Does she know we're from another world?" Wu Xiaode asked.

"Yes, there's no need to hide it. After we kill the monsters, we disappear," the leader said.

She finished speaking and began to look around.

It was time to make a decision.

Falcon whistled and said: "Leader, since you have such a good relationship with them, let's just go and visit."

"Right, helping them kill the monsters around them and having a safe place to rest is a good idea," Xiao Baihong said.

"The forest is full of towering trees and various terrains and water sources. Let's go to the forest."

"I think so too."

"Agreed."

Seeing everyone unanimously choose the forest, the leader said: "Alright, let's go to the forest."

She took out a briefcase, opened it, and took out several silver watches, handing them to the marksman.

The marksman, holding a cigarette, put on a pair of gloves and began setting something on the watches.

He handed a watch to each club member as he finished setting it.

Wu Xiaode also took one.

Seeing Wu Xiaode's confusion, Xiao Baihong explained:

"These are spatial teleportation devices we collected in the other world. They can teleport everyone to a general area."

"This one can sell for tens of millions on the black market," Eagle said.

"Amazing," Wu Xiaode said sincerely.

"But it can only be used once. The trip from our world to the other world seems to cause significant damage, and it breaks after one use."

Wu Xiaode was speechless.

Random teleportation in the other world is already risky. If people can be teleported to a fixed location, it greatly reduces the risk.

But such a teleportation costs tens of millions each time.

Wu Xiaode already felt lucky to have joined the S-Class Club.

What he didn't know was that the others also felt lucky to have a powerful martial artist and a skilled swordsman in the team.

"Wu Xiaode—can I call you Xiao Wu?" Eagle asked with a smile.

"Of course," Wu Xiaode said.

"I've seen your martial arts, they are quite exquisite," Eagle said.

"Thank you, I overperformed. In reality, I'm not that good," Wu Xiaode said honestly.

"Don't be modest. We lost all our close-combat fighters last night. It's fortunate you joined," the leader said in a low voice.

"Am I the last one?"

Wu Xiaode pointed to himself, incredulous.

"Yes, you are the last one," everyone said in unison.

"..."

Wu Xiaode said.

Clearly, his soul power was the least.

Yet, he was now considered an expert.

He would likely have to be at the front in team battles.

What to do?

There was no way out.

The situation tonight was very bad, and anyone could die.

Being with these experts to face midnight was a very lucky thing.

More importantly, he needed to extract their skills to feed the "Silent Mist."

In terms of combat, the "Silent Mist" was actually very useful.

First, no one had seen it.

Second, it had deceived the Cyclops.

Finally, the crow could help.

Wu Xiaode had a sudden realization.

—There was no need to play any tricks from now on.

Since he had to be at the front anyway, it was better to gain everyone's trust and find a way to get soul power and skills as soon as possible.

"Don't worry, I'll hold the front. As long as I don't die, you won't be in danger."

Wu Xiaode met everyone's gaze and said without changing his expression.

Everyone fell silent.

The next second, everyone's faces showed smiles.

"Your sword skills are good, even I find it hard to defend," Xiao Baihong praised.

The Book of the Dead opened, showing a line of icy text:

"Your words and actions have greatly increased everyone's goodwill and trust in you."

"Please continue to work hard to earn their admiration."

Wu Xiaode nodded inwardly.

The marksman handed him a cigarette and said with a smile: "Brother Xiao Wu, the leader and I are long-range firepower. Take care of us when the time comes."

Wu Xiaode looked at him, then at the leader.

The leader, carrying the snow-white longbow, nodded slightly at him.

Humans naturally want to be close to the strong, and the strong want to stick together.

This is an instinct, carved into our genes for survival.

Wu Xiaode took the cigarette and put it behind his ear: "Speaking of which, I haven't worked with any of you before. I don't know what your skills are or how to coordinate in battle."

"That's a good point, let's discuss it to avoid confusion when we get there," the leader said.

Xiao Baihong said: "Xiao Wu, I'm an assassin and a thief, skilled at finding valuable things. In battle, I'll always be with you to deal with the monsters."

"Sniper," the marksman said.

"Daoist," the leader said.

"Psychic," Eagle said.

"Mechanist," Falcon said.

"What can a psychic do?" Wu Xiaode asked with interest.

Eagle looked at him without speaking.

Suddenly, a fiery butterfly appeared in the air, flying back and forth.

"This is an elemental creature I created with my mind," Eagle said.

"I see," Wu Xiaode looked at Falcon.

"I have a set of single-person combat armor. I'm also an expert in mechanics," Falcon said.

"I want armor too," Wu Xiaode said enviously.

Everyone laughed.

This kid was skilled in martial arts and swordsmanship, but he was still young—

No teenager could resist the allure of those cold, mechanical behemoths.

"This is a modified version, only I can use it. In the future, I can take you to the black market to find a regular model," Falcon said.

Eagle, fearing Wu Xiaode might misunderstand, quickly added: "Many combat armors have specific requirements. If you've never used one, you should start with a regular model."

"Got it! I understand!" Wu Xiaode said excitedly.

The matter was settled.

The leader said: "Finally, the geographical distribution of countries and the world in the other world is a secret and a taboo. Maps are extremely valuable and not allowed for ordinary people to obtain. If you ask, you'll be arrested immediately. Remember this."

"Understood," everyone responded.

—Surviving is the priority; who has the time to care about their maps?

"Alright, is there anything else you need to take care of?"

"I need to visit a friend," Wu Xiaode raised his hand.

"Go ahead, be back here by 11:45," the leader said.

"Okay."

Wu Xiaode jumped off the rooftop, bounced off the wall a few times, landed on the ground, and walked out.

The leader turned her gaze and said: "Since we're going into the mountains, we need to prepare some equipment. I'll arrange it, and everyone should get ready immediately."

"Yes," everyone responded in unison.

...

Wu Xiaode first went to the Royal Hospital to visit Xia Huilan.

Xia Huilan was still asleep.

Wu Xiaode, worried, asked the doctor.

The doctor said she was exhausted and had been shocked, so she fainted. She needed rest and might wake up tomorrow.

"Xia Ni, I'm leaving this to you," Wu Xiaode said.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of my sister," Xia Ni, sitting by the bed, handed a peeled apple to Wu Xiaode.

Wu Xiaode took the apple, took a bite, and then called Zhao Junyu.

"Hey, I'm going to the other world. Take care of Xia Huilan's safety for me."

"Don't worry, I've already sent the royal guards. You, on the other hand, will face a dangerous night. Be careful."

"Got it."

Wu Xiaode felt relieved, took one last look at the sleeping Xia Huilan, and left.

He then went to Qian Mingkui's place.

Although he had promised the ancestor spirit not to disturb Qian Mingkui tonight, he could at least give him some basic information to avoid being completely in the dark.

After a while.

In the martial arts school.

"Old Qian, the first rule is to stay alive."

"Be careful of monsters with human features..."

"Wait," Qian Mingkui interrupted, "How powerful are the humans in that world?"

Wu Xiaode was taken aback.

Yes.

What level of civilization do humans have in that world?

Last time, he only saw a few undead and hadn't actually met any living humans!

Wu Xiaode was about to tell the truth but met Qian Mingkui's eyes, filled with reverence.

Lu Renyi was sitting on the side, serving tea.

"Brother Xiao Wu, have some tea."

Lu Renyi said respectfully.

Wu Xiaode took a sip of tea, squinted at Qian Mingkui, and then at Lu Renyi.

No, he couldn't.

At this moment, could he say he was also a newcomer and knew nothing?

Wu Xiaode cleared his throat and said seriously: "Old Qian, what is most important in our Snow Plum style?"

"Ah—this—of course, it's cultivating virtue," Qian Mingkui said.

Wu Xiaode nodded, patted his shoulder, and said: "Many things can't be said, or they lose their meaning. As for what it is, if I really said it, those who don't know wouldn't understand. In short, those who understand, understand—"

"You cultivate virtue, don't ask too many questions, and you'll understand through experience!"

He finished speaking, put down his teacup, opened the window, and jumped out, transforming into a bird and disappearing into the night sky.

In the room.

Qian Mingkui stared at the window, deep in thought: "Our style is fortunate to have an elder like Wu."

"Brother Qian, did you understand?" Lu Renyi asked in disbelief.

"Of course, those who understand, understand. Those who don't, won't understand," Qian Mingkui said in a deep voice.

"Really amazing, I've lived for over twenty years and only now realize how much I've missed."

Lu Renyi, who had seen Xiao Wu in action before and just witnessed him transform into a bird, was filled with awe and couldn't help but sigh.

"Tea," Qian Mingkui said.

Lu Renyi snapped back to reality and respectfully served the tea: "Brother Qian, please have some tea."

Qian Mingkui looked at his obedient demeanor and felt a sense of satisfaction.

—What do I understand?

I'm just a rough guy, how could I possibly know what Wu Xiaode was talking about?

But I'm at least a professional—

You came to collect protection money this morning, and now I can't show any weakness in front of you, a mere civilian?

"Hmm, that's better."

Qian Mingkui picked up the teacup and sipped it slowly.

...

11:45 PM.

All members of the S-Class Club gathered on the rooftop of an abandoned school.

The leader lightly touched her mask.

Her face immediately transformed into an ordinary woman's face—

As if she had changed her face!

"The spatial teleportation device will teleport us to that forest, with a distance of no more than 100 miles between us."

The leader continued: "Next, I hope everyone will unite and get through tonight's crisis."

She opened a bag.

Inside were sets of combat uniforms.

These combat uniforms were all gray-black, with a shield emblem on the shoulder.

"These are the uniforms of a certain unit in the other world. Each of you will get one and put it on," the leader said.

She also handed everyone an ID card.

The ID cards had each person's photo and a steel stamp.

Wu Xiaode's ID card read:

"Engineering Corps, Second Exploration Squad, Squad Leader."

He looked at the others, who were all looking down at their ID cards.

—This is an identity proof in the other world!

The leader is truly impressive.

Before letting everyone choose the teleportation location, she had already made preparations.

If there was a better option, she would choose another location.

If not, she had a backup plan