395 So Many Bats

Things had already developed to this stage, and Lin Li had already understood that the Malfa Family's goal was mostly related to Gloomy Dark that was in the Scar of Death. Even if this was not their final goal, it was at least a crucial step. Otherwise, they would not have dispatched Adelo, this Archmage at the peak of level-17.

But Lin Li was very curious. The understanding that the Malfa Family had of the Gloomy Dark was not as simple as he had heard. Adelo could even accurately point out Gloomy Dark's location.

Could it be that everything was related to that map?

If this was the case, then the Malfa Family had quite a number of clues in their grasp. There could even be someone in the Malfa Family that had seen Gloomy Dark with their own eyes before. Otherwise, Adelo would not be able to remain so confident. Lin Li even dared to bet on his brains that what Adelo knew was far more than what Lin Li had ever imagined.

But there was another thing, and it was something that Adelo would never, ever know about…

Adelo would never have imagined that this young mage standing in front of him was the previous owner of Gloomy Dark!

Lin Li, who used to own the seven debris of the stars, knew more about them than anybody else. If there was anybody that could still operate Gloomy Dark in this world, then that person would undoubtedly be Lin Li.

Of course, Lin Li would never tell Adelo that…

Now, Lin Li was waiting. He was waiting to give this Archmage, who was good at disguising himself, a very big surprise!

"I wonder what sort of solution Mage Adelo has?"

"I know that there is a path nearby. It can allow us to temporarily escape from the Skeletal Warriors' pursuit."

"Oh?" Once Lin Li heard this, he knew that he had guessed correctly. Adelo indeed did know quite a bit…

Under Adelo's guidance, the 12 of them continued fighting while retreating. They used about half an hour before they reached the location that Adelo spoke of. That place did indeed have a path. It was narrow and steep, and the entrance of the path was a cave that barely had space for two to walk side by side. Adelo was right—this cave's entrance would be able to stop the Skeletal Warriors' pursuit. After all, those Skeletal Warriors were just level-eight. If they did not charge over and swarm them, even Johnathan could be a hero that took on a hundred of them. By that time, they would be delayed for a long while just by any random summoned creature.

Adelo had done just that. The 12 of them had just entered the cave in a single file when Adelo took out a scroll from his pocket. After a short recitation, the scroll immediately vaporized, turning into a black fog. After that, an Ironback Blue Wolf appeared, guarding the entrance of the cave steadfastly.

Why is he so stingy… Lin Li pouted in secret. Nowadays, there were two types of summoning scrolls that were most commonly seen on the market. One of them was the level-12 Ironback Blue Wolf, and the other was a level-14 Storming Bear. From Lin Li's perspective, the level-14 Storming Bear was the most suitable for blocking the cave's entrance. Its powerful physical strength as well as the wind attribute magic it was born with was the most suitable for being the rear guard. Lin Li believed that everybody would not have to worry about the Skeletal Warriors' pursuit till dusk set in tomorrow if there was a level-14 Storming Bear standing at the entrance of the cave…

In comparison, the Ironback Blue Wolf which was cheaper by about 10,000 gold coins was much weaker. It could only hold out till the next morning because its physical strength was insufficient. Lin Li's opinion was simple: since they were all summons, why not summon a Storming Bear to save strength? After all, Adelo was able to purchase the scroll for summoning the Ironback Blue Wolf. There was no way he could not purchase the one for summoning the Storming Bear.

Luckily, Adelo did not know what this fella was thinking about. Otherwise, he would be so angry that he would vomit blood…

The scroll for summoning the Ironback Blue Wolf cost at least 20,000 gold coins. Furthermore, it was a consumable—after using it once, it would lose its effect. Even though Adelo did not have a low position in the Malfa Family, he only had three of these scrolls, and usually treated them like treasure. He only took one out to use it today, yet this fella mocked him for being stingy…

The Ironback Blue Wolf stood at the entrance of the cave. The surging Skeletal Warriors seemed to crash into an iron wall, losing the advantage in number, and the flaws of the Skeletal Warriors were instantly exposed. Three to five ordinary Skeletal Warriors were completely not a match for the Ironback Blue Wolf. Before they could charge forward, they had already been ripped into pieces by the sharp claws and teeth.

"Ok, everybody take a break first…" After Adelo brought everyone into the cave, he continued moving forward for another hour before he stopped at an empty hillside. "The Ironback Blue Wolf can hold out for one night. We should take this chance to rest up, and leave tomorrow first thing in the morning."

A whole day of walking as well as continuous battles had long completely exhausted everyone. Now, they finally escaped from those Skeletal Warriors with difficulty. Everyone seemed to have fallen asleep right away, occasionally giving rhythmic snores. However, neither Lin Li nor Adelo slept. It was not that they did not want to, but rather they did not dare to. Things had already developed to this stage, and there was not much secrecy left between these two mages that were good at disguising themselves. They both knew that the other was concealing his true strength, and neither was relaxed at all. If they were to sleep now, wouldn't the other party seize this opportunity?

"Mage Adelo, aren't you sleeping?"

"No, no. Everyone is rather worn out from being busy the whole day. I did not exert much strength today, so I'll just keep a lookout for everyone."

"Haha…" Lin Li laughed, but he was cursing in his mind. Lookout your f*cking *ss. If I dared to sleep, you would definitely harm me…

"Oh, yes. Mage Felic, why aren't you sleeping, either?"

"This…" Lin Li looked at Adelo with a despicable smile. "I'm not used to spending the night in the wild. I am worried that I will have nightmares when I sleep. For example, getting slashed by somebody, being bombarded by magic while being tied up, or something like that. It's very scary…"

"Haha…" Adelo curled his lips, and his laughter was drier than sand. "Mage Felic really loves to crack jokes…"

In the end, both of these fellas with devil tails did not sleep. They each found a space in a corner, and meditated for the whole night.

…

The next morning, while Lin Li and the rest had not departed yet, the base camp near the Scar of Death had welcomed some guests.

There were more than ten people seated within Hutton's tent. Other than some important personnel from the Malfa Family, there was Vanskore, the leader of the Syer Bandits, as well as his best subordinate Roland. Additionally, Garza—the president of Doland's Blacksmith Guild—was here as well. A Warrior in his thirties accompanied him, and from the way Garza addressed him, he should be the strongest Adventurer in Doland other than Jason—Rolf.

Other than them, there was a mage from the Ledin Kingdom—if Lin Li was here, he would most likely be able to recognize him with just a look. This bony mage that was emitting a strong death aura was actually the High Priest of the Darkness Shrine, Mr. Sendros—the Legendary-realm necromancer.

It was just that Sendros was much more refined today as compared to when he'd been Alanna. At least he did not bring along his magic staff that was made of bone, and he did not summon a few skeletons as his henchmen. He just wore a gray robe and held an ordinary magic staff. He did not look any different from an average mage.

Of course, this was just on the surface…

No one present dared to look at him as though he was just an average mage.

"Master Sendros, if Mentor Cheyenne were to know that you are here as well, he would be very happy." Hutton had a pleasantly surprised look on his face. Back when he was sending an invitation to Sendros, he was only trying. After all, he was a genuine Legendary-realm powerhouse. Although the Malfa Family had an immense power, it was not at the point where a Legendary-realm powerhouse would have to respect them. Back when he sent the invitation, he was only hoping that Sendros would take Mentor Cheyenne's reputation into account and offer to help.

"I am here for another reason, it has nothing to do with Cheyenne." Sendros' voice was cold and hoarse. The words he spoke did not have any regard for Hutton's feelings, but there was nobody in the tent that felt that it was improper. Even Hutton himself did not think that Sendros' words were disrespectful towards Mentor Cheyenne.

With Sendros' strength and position, he naturally did not have to respect anyone.

"Be at ease, I will definitely deliver on what I have promised." Hutton smiled. He did not mind Sendros' rudeness. In fact, Sendros being able to attend was the best news for Hutton. At this time, he was just being rude with his words. Even if Sendros were to slap him, he would just smile and offer the other cheek.

"Alright."

After greeting Sendros, Hutton then chatted with a few others. After that, he called Jason and Emendas over.

"Pass down the order. Everyone prepare to move out."

"Yes!"

After half an hour, a gigantic adventurer party started to advance towards the Scar of Death.

…

At this point, Lin Li and the rest had already left the cave. They were moving along the steep and narrow path, advancing towards the canyon below the hillside.

The road ahead was even, and the surroundings were extraordinarily clean. During the journey, Lin Li and the rest did not see a single bone, and even that thick death aura had become much fainter. It was worlds apart when compared to yesterday's gloomy and ghastly scene.

But Adelo's expression did not relax a little at all.

On the contrary, Adelo seemed to have become another person after he had passed through the cave. His every move was very careful.

Lin Li did not dare to be careless after seeing him in this state, and was constantly using the Warlock's Eyes for surveillance. They had only left the cave and walked for a few miles, and he had already used at least 50 Warlock's Eyes.

Who knew that this surveillance would really allow Lin Li to detect something.

"F*ck, so many bats!"