1 hour ago, north of the territory, at the foot of the mountain
"Zhan Er, what do you think? It seems like these abnormal monsters are increasing."
Zhan Yi thrust the handle of her hoe forward, knocking down a skeleton wielding a Bone Knife. Her hoe didn't pause, swinging in an arc before landing precisely on the skeleton's head.
It wasn't until the skull was completely crushed that the skeleton stopped waving its Bone Knife and became a true skeleton, completely devoid of life.
Beside her, Zhan Er had just withdrawn the Rune Sword from an Animated Corpse's body and asked in a probing tone,
"It seems like the source is in the north. Should we check it out?"
"I think we should. This place is too close to the master's territory. It's best to clear out these abnormal monsters completely."
Realizing her companion had the same thought, they led the Beetles following them towards the increasingly towering mountains to the north.
As they suspected, the further north they went, the more Skeletons and Animated Corpses they encountered.
The levels displayed above those Undead Creatures were also getting higher.
Initially, they were below level 10, something easily defeated at a casual swipe.
But as the two went deeper, they even encountered a robust Skeleton with level 23 above its head, larger than the two of them combined.
In the end, they had to resort to the Insect Swarm behind them to successfully take it down.
Just when they thought that was the end, a raspy and piercing laughter suddenly echoed.
"Hehehe..."
The surrounding bushes rustled, and almost in an instant, countless Skeletons and Animated Corpses emerged, surrounding the two and the Insect Swarm behind them.
In front of them, a Black Robed Man, exuding a strong Death Energy, walked out from behind a tree, holding a long Bone Staff in his hand with a skull at the top burning with a ghostly blue flame.
"I was wondering who it was who managed to kill so many of my little darlings.
This fresh and vigorous spirit is truly delicious...
Didn't expect I'd accidentally activate an ancient ruin and come across two promising talents like you."
"Who are you?"
Zhan Yi and Zhan Er, weapons in hand, looked around cautiously, guarding against possible ambushes.
"Hehehe, look, I forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Karis, a 'Suffering Doctor' who believes in 'Longevity,' an Undead Mage.
So, how about it? Interested in recognizing me as your master?
Become my slaves, and I can grant you Eternal Life!"
Karis's voice was authoritative, yet filled with temptation.
Unfortunately, this had no effect on Zhan Yi and Zhan Er.
All they saw was the '???' above the opponent's head turning into 'Karis lv.34.'
Since it was showing a health bar, there was nothing more to say, right?
Even though they hadn't heard that phrase before, it didn't stop them from charging at Karis.
Zhan Yi and Zhan Er exchanged a glance, and almost simultaneously, they and the Insect Swarm behind them sprang into action.
Each Beetle transformed into a projectile, launching an assault on Karis alongside Zhan Yi and Zhan Er.
Karis had never expected that even after showcasing such power, they wouldn't submit or even try to break through directly.
How dared these two women, stronger than men, charge at him?
But Karis had to admit, he was indeed startled for a moment.
Although he had reached the Third Rank, his Body was not strong, and all his Combat Power was in the Undead Creatures under his command.
Even though the Skeleton Warriors by his side protected him, he was hit by a Beetle, feeling a sharp pain in his chest.
Yet his Third Rank prowess was not for show.
With a wave of his Bone Staff, the Soul Flames in the skeletons' brains surged intensely.
Originally, Zhan Yi could still fend them off, but now she felt the force transmitted from her hands suddenly increase, almost overwhelming her.
She was, after all, just an ordinary soldier, and even though the Mutation had given her stronger attributes, she couldn't single-handedly confront a 2nd Rank Skeleton across levels.
Similarly, Zhan Er was in no better condition. Although her weapon was more powerful, the opponent's attributes crushed her.
The Insect Swarm that could entangle the enemies for a while could not withstand the frenzied attacks of the Undead Creatures for long and was continuously slaughtered under the Bone Knives.
The situation rapidly deteriorated.
Blocking the attack of an ordinary skeleton with her sword, Zhan Er swung it back, splitting the skull, then turned her head and yelled at Zhan Yi a short distance away,
"Zhan Yi, we must break through! We must inform the master about this!"
"Alright!"
Seeing the two trying to escape, Karis frantically waved his Bone Staff and shouted,
"Stop them! How dare they wound me!
I will undoubtedly incorporate you into the ceremony!"
Zhan Yi ignored the impotent rage of Karis behind her, sprinting down the mountain with all her might, swatting away the ordinary skeletons with her hoe.
However, such disorganized defense couldn't fully block all the attacks. The Bone Knives continuously left scars on her body.
The excruciating pain stimulated her nerves, nearly numbing her brain.
Until suddenly, it seemed they crossed some boundary, and the Undead Creatures blocking them finally disappeared.
Looking back, she saw those skeletons clawing at the air, seemingly hindered by something, unable to advance further.
"Finally... escaped..."
Leaning against her hoe, Zhan Yi breathed heavily, every part of her body wracked with intense pain.
Zhan Er wasn't in much better shape, her body also covered in wounds. Her Rune Sword was missing, and she leaned against a tree, seemingly ready to succumb and enter eternal sleep at any moment.
"We need to return...
Our mission is not yet complete..."
Zhan Yi struggled to step over to Zhan Er, hoisting the confused Zhan Er onto her shoulders, and hobbled back toward the territory.
.........
Bai Yi said nothing, listening quietly to their account, a wave of anger igniting in her heart.
Trying to take her people, and even wounding them so severely!
Had the injuries been more numerous or deeper, they might not have lasted until she fused the genes!
Not to mention whether they could even return to the territory.
Although Bai Yi didn't want trouble and preferred to stay low, she would not swallow this without a fight when provoked!
Yet the opponent's strength made Bai Yi have to calm down and think carefully.
"Third Rank..."
Though with the swarm of bees, Bai Yi considered herself not to fear ordinary 2nd Rank opponents.
Even when encountering a Big Cat in complete condition, if well-prepared, Bai Yi believed she had a chance to take it down.
But Third Rank...
Even if it were one generated by the game, a relatively weaker Third Rank, Bai Yi was not confident.
Still, letting him be and waiting for the seven-day period to pass to let him disappear was a bitter pill to swallow.
To eliminate this Third Rank Undead Mage, she needed more powerful strength!
The gene entries she had accumulated over the past two days were not for show!
As long as she had time to convert these gene entries into strength, even against the Third Rank, so what?
However, recovering Magic Power couldn't be rushed, so Bai Yi left the remaining fresh tree fruits to the two, advising them to recover quickly without reservation.
Initially, the two were a bit reluctant, but after Bai Yi promised to take them back for revenge once they recovered, they consumed the seemingly precious fruits with enthusiasm.
After leaving the tree hole, Bai Yi resumed her usual laid-back posture.
Since nothing could be rushed, Bai Yi, while waiting for the recovery of her Magic Power, began to carefully recall all the information Zhan Yi had mentioned.
Not thought through carefully earlier due to anger, now upon reflection, Bai Yi found many questions.
Understanding an Undead Mage, since they had already encountered several apparently magical monsters before, it was not impossible for an Undead Mage to show up.
However, "belief in 'Longevity,'" so was "Longevity" a God?
Were there Gods in this world?
Why did it feel increasingly complicated?
And what of the "Suffering Doctor," was it a profession?
Or the self-proclaimed title of believers in this God named "Longevity"?
But there's no point in speculating wildly here, so after thinking it over, Bai Yi decided to seek help from others.
With a trial attitude, Bai Yi opened a private chat with Landon I.
Fan Mao: "Landon, are you there? Have you heard of 'Longevity'?"
Landon I: "I've heard of it."
Fan Mao: "?!?!?!?"
.........
Undead Spell: It is said that the earliest Undead Spells came from a 'Suffering Doctor' who attempted to resurrect his daughter. But the power of 'Longevity' alone was not enough to achieve this miracle. He inevitably failed, and what was resurrected was not his daughter, but a deranged Animated Corpse...