Chapter 166: Forest of Darkness! Reunion!
In the depths of the wilderness, the Forest of Darkness.
Under the corrosion of an unknown force, all the trees in this area took on a charred state, and the leaves were withered.
Shriveled branches grew upward in a distorted manner. It seemed like many ghost claws had popped out, looking twisted and desolate.
Grimace-like patterns had even appeared on the tree trunks, making this place even more eerie and frightening!
This place should’ve been a paradise for monsters and the forbidden zone for humans.
But during this period of time, the Forest of Darkness—where even the refugees exiled to the wilderness didn’t dare to step into—had gathered a large number of [Doomsday Online] players.
The monsters occupying this area were also wiped out by the players. In place of them were staggered tents and erected campsites, astonishingly turning the area into a gathering ground for humans.
However, there were significant gaps between all of these campsites—the distinction between groups was clearly made.
One could tell that it wasn’t that harmonious between these [Doomsday Online] players. Instead, they were on guard, belonging to different factions, respectively.
In the Forest of Darkness’s center was also a ma.s.sive pit.
Mysterious lines and images had been drawn at the bottom of the pit using special materials.
Above it, lying this way and that way, were people that had been tied up or fallen into a coma.
Outside the pit, two figures proudly stood with their hands behind their backs, apathetically watching as the unconscious [Doomsday Online] players were thrown into the pit by their subordinates.
Both these figures radiated an aura that was entirely different from others.
The aura couldn’t be considered majestic or mysterious, but it was outstanding in any case. They were clearly the best among the [Doomsday Online] players—Stage Five Star-rank powerhouses that many people looked up to.
Ancient Martial Alliance’s Jiang Wencheng was one of them. His face was handsome and mature, and he was about 30 years of age. He was dressed in a blue robe that had quite an ancient style. This piece of clothing was high-level defensive equipment.
The other person was a powerhouse sent by the Evil Sect. He was also the one who suggested using the [Boundary Breaking Talisman] to break open the Epochal Ruins’ barrier, Zhu Changfeng.
This Star-rank powerhouse’s appearance wasn’t exceptional; it was even somewhat ordinary.
Zhu Changfeng was dressed in black. He was armed with a staff that was twisted out using dead wood, and a bell was even hanging from it. Like the ancient witches, he carried a mysterious and gloomy disposition.
Thud! Thud!
Among the stifled noises, several more people were pushed into the pit.
Jiang Wencheng put on a contemplative smile, and his handsome face appeared to be a little clouded. “So many people want to take their share of the loot, but they’re merely seeking their own doom. Why didn’t they consider whether this is a place they can have a hand in?”
The majority of the people inside the pit were [Doomsday Online] players that had rushed here upon hearing the news. They wanted to follow behind the various major factions and obtain some gains.
Unexpectedly, they were used as the array’s foundation, and their lives were now in peril.
In reality, the present Forest of Darkness had already been divided into three camps.
Other than the people from the three sects—Martial G.o.d Hall, Ancient Martial Alliance, and Evil Sect—everyone else had been made unconscious and thrown into the large pit.
Even some lone wolves with exceptional combat ability could not escape.
Jiang Wencheng looked toward Zhu Changfeng, and a hint of impatience indistinctly flashed through his eyes. “Isn’t it enough now that we already have such a strong ‘array foundation?’ How much longer do we need before we can open this historical ruin?”
Zhu Changfeng of Evil Sect pursed his lips and smiled. “A watched pot never boils. This historical ruin isn’t simple; otherwise, it wouldn’t have tempted the factions behind you and me. If we want to break it open forcefully, we naturally need immense energy.”
“Or...” Zhu Changfeng paused for a moment, his gaze darting toward the few lackeys following behind Jiang Wencheng. “If Brother Jiang is willing to give up some subordinates, we will be able to speed up the process.”
Jiang Wencheng’s face instantly turned cold, and he no longer responded.
Three major forces were gathered here. Although they had entered an alliance on the surface, maintaining restraint and peace, they each had their respective schemes in their heart.
Once the historical ruin was opened, the so-called allies would instantly become enemies!
Who would be willing to lose their strength at such a time?
Moreover, Jiang Wencheng also knew that, while the three factions seemed to be well-matched in strength—each had a Stage Five powerhouse presiding over them—this was merely their strength on the surface.
If one were to say that Evil Sect and Martial G.o.d Hall had no contingency plans, he would never believe it...
Zhu Changfeng’s brows furrowed, and he asked, “Where’s Brother He?”
Jiang Wencheng shot a look in the direction of the campsite and sneered. “Probably staying at the campsite. He Lunhai is a member of Martial G.o.d Hall; he naturally cherishes his reputation, so he isn’t willing to wallow in the mire with us. He’s afraid of dirtying his hands.”
Zhu Changfeng smiled and said, “He’s just pretending to be n.o.ble.”
One had to know that n.o.body had objected back when the few factions held a discussion, wanting to use a large number of players as the array’s foundation to break open the Epochal Ruins’ barrier.
He Lunhai pretending to know nothing right now was merely deceiving himself and others.
Right then, a buzz sounded.
Jiang Wencheng pulled out a jade token from his bosom and placed it by his ear. This was clearly a communication device within Ancient Martial Alliance.
“Someone is coming this way? All right... I got it.” Jiang Wencheng smilingly put the jade token away. He then said to Zhu Changfeng, “Someone is coming. It is said that there are quite a number of Stage Four powerhouses and also a Stage Five existence. Shall we go welcome them?”
“Stage Five powerhouse? With them, that should be just about enough.” Zhu Changfeng nodded, a hint of heat flashing across his eyes.
...
Half an hour ago, in the wilderness.
Link and company were currently advancing to the Forest of Darkness when noisy footsteps suddenly sounded behind them.
Evidently, a group of fairly high-level [Doomsday Online] players was also heading in the direction of the Forest of Darkness.
With the lesson they learned after encountering Quicksand City’s team earlier, Xue Linglong and the others all stopped and gripped their weapons tightly, prepared to fight at any time.
But as the two groups drew near, a surprised shout abruptly sounded by everyone’s ears.
“Brother Link’s party is in front! Brother Link, it seems like you and my Temple of Light are really fated!”
Hearing this voice, Link didn’t have to turn back to know who was here—it was the Temple of Light’s Holy Son, Ou Chen.
Ou Chen appeared to be very happy that they could run into Link’s party on the road. However, Tian Mingyuan and Wu Hao—who followed behind Ou Chen—felt the corners of their eyes twitch.
How is this being fated? Previously, Ou Chen specially made a trip to Unfallen City with us. After learning that Link and the others had set off, we then tried to catch up as quickly as possible.
“Brother Link, I’m already a Stage Five Star-rank powerhouse now! Let’s form an alliance again. With a strong alliance, we will certainly be able to make this trip worthwhile!” Ou Chen rattled away.
But Link’s gaze directly bypa.s.sed him as he nodded toward Tian Mingyuan and Wu Hao, who were behind him. “Elder Tian, Elder Wu.”
Tian Mingyuan and Wu Hao also smiled; they thought very highly of Link to begin with.
The few people struck up a conversation, leaving Ou Chen hanging.
Ou Chen’s expression instantly turned stiff. He—who had advanced to Stage Five and became a Star-rank powerhouse—still didn’t have much influence...
Wu Hao said, “Little Brother Link should be heading to the Forest of Darkness too. Why don’t we go together? We’ll be able to watch out for one another.”
Link didn’t reject and nodded his head. “Okay.”