MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 233
Chapter 233: The Unseen Threat
Just ten minutes later, Liu Qingmin, the weakest member of the team at Level Two of the Physique Realm, broke the silence.
"Brothers," he stammered, his voice weak, "I... I'm feeling a bit unwell..."
The other six members turned their attention to Liu Qingmin, noting his pale complexion.
Soro frowned. "Do you have a stomachache?"
Logically, a Physique Realm expert shouldn't experience such an ailment. However, as the team's treasure hunter, Liu Qingmin often consumed strange plants to identify their medicinal properties. Food poisoning and subsequent stomach aches weren't unheard of.
Liu Qingmin shook his head. "It doesn't feel like that..."
Nevertheless, he retrieved a packet of antidote powder and swallowed it.
Soon after, Dani, the second weakest member of the team at Level Three of the Physique Realm, also complained of dizziness.
Soro sensed that something was amiss.
He glanced at the cave where Jing Yi had disappeared, then back at Liu Qingmin and Dani, their faces pale and contorted in discomfort.
"Something's not right," Soro declared, his voice firm. "We're retreating."
The others readily agreed.
One of the reasons for the Soro Exploration Team's renown in Archean City was not only Soro's leadership but also the team's unwavering unity.
Their motto, "Never Abandon, Never Give Up," wasn't just empty words. It was a code they lived by. This made the seven-member team fearless in Archean City, earning them respect even from the former Heaven Saber Gang and Divine Dao Gang.
Now, with some of their members in distress, Soro didn't hesitate to prioritize their safety. They would retreat to Archean City and seek treatment.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows as they began their journey back.
Duncan stifled a yawn, his shift nearing its end. He had made a decent haul today, the highlight being the Eighth Grade Mortal Realm Origin Stones given by the three mysterious individuals earlier in the morning.
With this windfall, he was already planning his evening at the Drunken Flower Pavilion.
As his mind wandered, he instinctively reached out, stopping a group of five approaching the city gates.
They were cloaked in black robes, their faces hidden by hoods. This sort of attire, meant to conceal identities, was quite common in the chaotic Archean City, and Duncan was used to it.
"Entrance fee," he said, his voice gruff but practiced.
The entrance fee was the point, after all. As long as they paid, Duncan didn't care who they were.
The words "entrance fee" seemed to catch the group off guard.
A muffled voice emerged from beneath one of the hoods. "They charge an entrance fee for this place?"
"In such a remote location," another voice responded, laced with arrogance, "it's normal for a poor villager to be greedy for money..."
Duncan remained silent, used to such disdain from those from larger clans.
He thought he glimpsed a strand of silver hair beneath the leader's hood, but he wasn't an expert on races, nor did he care to expend the effort to identify them.
Five Mortal Realm First Level Origin Stones landed in his hand.
Duncan's face remained impassive, but inwardly, he rolled his eyes. Big clan or not, they're still a bunch of cheapskates.
He pocketed the stones and waved them through.
Unexpectedly, the leader of the group leaned closer and whispered, "Brother, have you seen anyone recently with an unusually pale complexion, almost as if they were sick?"
"Also, has anyone in the city been experiencing nightmares lately?"
Duncan paused, giving the man a puzzled look. The explorer seemed oblivious to his confusion.
Duncan frowned. If you can't even read a hint, how can I help you?
"No," he replied curtly.
The man smiled. "If you happen to see anyone like that enter Archean City, please let me know. Oh, and I'm staying at the City Lord's Manor."
The mention of the City Lord's Manor piqued Duncan's interest.
But the group had already entered the city.
Shrugging, Duncan dismissed the encounter and focused on his remaining duties.
About ten minutes later, just as his shift was ending, a flurry of footsteps caught his attention.
Soro and his team burst through the city gates, carrying Liu Qingmin and Dani.
All seven members of the Soro Exploration Team were pale and haggard, as if stricken by a severe illness. Liu Qingmin and Dani were limp, their eyes rolled back in their heads.
This scene triggered a memory in Duncan's mind, a recollection of the black-robed man's cryptic questions from earlier.
Before he could dwell on it further, Soro thrust a Physique Realm Origin Stone into his hand.
"Entrance fee," Soro's voice rasped, urgency lacing his tone.
Duncan raised an eyebrow, watching as the Soro Exploration Team hurried into the city.
He pondered for a moment, then shrugged.
I took their money, so I'll do them a favor.
Though I don't know which powerful clan your team has offended, he thought with a smirk, considering your generosity, I, Duncan, will lend a hand.
After his shift ended, Duncan strolled towards Flower Street, his mind already filled with the pleasures that awaited him. The events at the city gate faded into the background, replaced by thoughts of food, wine, and beautiful companions.
Meanwhile, Roxin and Lu Ming spent several hours exploring the City Lord's Manor. They admired the meticulously landscaped gardens and marveled at the impressive collection of weapons and Origin Power Skills Roda had amassed.
Roxin was in high spirits, but Lu Ming's enthusiasm was waning. He couldn't help but feel that this time would be better spent cultivating his attributes.
However, he reminded himself that the Nanxiang people were his compatriots, and Huo Sheng and the others were his trusted allies. Establishing contact with the Eternal Clan was of great importance to them, and spending a day to facilitate this connection was a worthwhile endeavor.
So, he suppressed his urge to cultivate and continued the leisurely stroll.
As evening approached, Huo Sheng and Roda finally reached an agreement.
Seeing Huo Sheng's satisfied smile, Lu Ming knew the negotiations had been fruitful.
"Roda is willing to have Uncle Lu escort a group of our people across the Hundred Thousand Mountains to reach the Aeonians," Huo Sheng announced.
"Once we establish contact, they will send their experts to negotiate with us here."
He paused, then added, "Moreover, Roda has offered us a territory within Archean City as our residence. With the Land God Association present, our safety should be guaranteed."
"The Land God Association?" Lu Ming's brow furrowed.
Huo Sheng chuckled. "It's a guild that could become quite significant, but it doesn't require your direct involvement. Uncle Lu and I can handle it."
"We just need to borrow your name."
Lu Ming didn't object to lending his name. After all, the Land God Association had already been established in his name, so having them contribute to the cause seemed fitting.
"You can make the decisions," Lu Ming said, trusting Huo Sheng's judgment.
Huo Sheng breathed a sigh of relief.
With that matter settled, Lu Ming, Huo Sheng, and Velo prepared to bid farewell and depart. Roda and Roxin naturally accompanied them to see them off.
As they reached the entrance of the City Lord's Manor, the gatekeeper hurried over, whispering something into Roda's ear.
"City Lord, there are some people here looking for you," he said, his voice hushed. "They claim to be your clansmen."
"Oh, and they gave me this token," he added, handing a jade pendant to Roda.
Roda's expression changed the moment he took the pendant.
He turned to Lu Ming, his voice serious. "Brother Lu, why don't you stay for another day before leaving?"
Lu Ming sensed the urgency in Roda's eyes, especially after hearing the gatekeeper's words.
After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Alright."
End of Chapter 233