Chapter Sixty-Five: Not as Simple as Imagined

Brilliant light cascaded down, enveloping Zhao Nan in a shimmering layer of multicolored radiance. This glow was not unique to him; everyone from the "End of the World" possessed it. At this stage, the brilliance released by Xu Yang lasted only three seconds—a fleeting moment, with no room for waste.

Zhao Nan swiftly swung the Sighing Scepter, unleashing two massive whirlwinds on either side. The cyclones, infused with terrifying shredding force, swept up the zombie rats directly in their path, while those at the edges were hurled far away.

Under the brilliance, within a single second, a clearing two or three dozen meters wide appeared ahead.

On the second second, Finina, wielding her longsword, darted forward at lightning speed; the sword’s radiance streaked past like a meteor!

Sky Sword Saint! Starfall Strike!

With doubled power, her blow carved a gaping hole in a thick wall not far away.

At the third second, as the Starfall Strike burst forth, Gao Mingyang and his four companions, along with General Lun, unleashed their most powerful attacks, either annihilating or scattering the surrounding zombie rats.

Simultaneously, at the third second, Zhao Nan pressed his staff to the ground, conjuring a massive muddy path that swallowed hundreds of zombie rats.

“Go!”

With a shout, Zhao Nan led the party through the hole. Xi Menyu, already clear on Zhao Nan’s plan, unleashed his electric net skill again as they advanced.

Sizzle, crackle!

“Ice Crystal Wall!”

A towering wall of ice slammed into place, blocking the gaping hole just as the last member of “Purgatory” slipped inside. As soon as it was sealed, Gao Mingyang and others began hacking at the stone around the hole or casting spells.

Within moments, the opening was blocked again by collapsed stones.

...

...

“We’re safe for the moment,” Zhao Nan breathed out, but continued gravely, “But rats can dig tunnels. We must quickly search for the boss’s lair. Xu Feng is a rogue on my side. Xi Menyu, do you have anyone with similar skills, or someone able to stealth?”

“Xin Feng, act together with Mr. Xu Feng,” Xi Menyu immediately pointed out a dark-faced man in his team, chuckling, “He isn’t a rogue and has no stealth skills, but before the Cataclysm he was an expert in reconnaissance. He’s an archer now—he should be of great help to your rogue friend.”

After a moment’s consideration, Zhao Nan nodded, “Xu Feng, I’ll leave this to you. This passage should be parallel to the last, but who knows where it might branch. Go ahead; we’ll support you.”

Xu Feng nodded silently, took a deep breath, and gradually faded from sight. Xin Feng, the dark-faced man, looked startled, sensing someone nearby.

“Who’s there?”

“No need to worry—I’ll go ahead, you support from the middle.” Xu Feng’s voice drifted to Xin Feng’s ear, growing lighter with each word as he moved away.

Xin Feng tightened his grip on his bow and quickly hurried after him. Gao Xiang watched intently until both figures disappeared.

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He, too, was an archer. As a fellow professional, he couldn’t help but compare. However, he was an elf archer, using mostly magical arrow skills, while Xin Feng, clearly a human, relied more on physical attacks.

As Xin Feng departed, members from both guilds followed. The passage here was equally dim, though the sounds of zombie rats had lessened. Occasionally, tremors could be heard from beyond the walls.

The ground’s subtle tremors never ceased.

Xi Menyu laughed quietly, quickening his pace to walk alongside Zhao Nan. “I feel that traveling with you today, Mr. Zhao, is the smartest choice I’ve made.”

Zhao Nan responded with a soft hum, not intending to deepen their acquaintance yet. Everything depended on reaching their destination—especially the matter of sharing the spoils after defeating the boss, which warranted careful negotiation.

Xi Menyu struck Zhao Nan as neither villain nor gentleman, but a merchant—open, honest, and possessing considerable strength.

There are no perpetual enemies, only partners bound by mutual interest. Whether this alliance would endure remained uncertain.

“I’m actually afraid of the dark…” Xi Menyu suddenly smiled, raising his hand. In his palm, a small ball of lightning formed, its yellow glow especially conspicuous in the tunnel.

Zhao Nan watched curiously, unsure why Xi Menyu would bring up such an off-topic matter now—it didn’t seem to merely lighten the mood.

“A year ago, I contracted a strange illness, was comatose for about a month. When I woke, I found myself afraid of darkness.” Xi Menyu explained with a smile.

“A side effect?” Zhao Nan frowned, still unable to discern Xi Menyu’s intentions.

Xi Menyu shrugged, “Perhaps.”

...

The tunnel remained dim, but the lightning ball provided some comfort. Ahead, the sound of sand scraping suddenly echoed, followed by the silhouettes of two figures.

Xu Feng had dispelled his stealth skill and looked displeased. Xin Feng approached Xi Menyu, speaking in a low voice, “It’s a dead end ahead.”

“Wait, there’s something else we need to clarify first.” Xu Feng’s brows were furrowed. “Better let him explain. For the record, I trust his judgment.”

Xu Feng pointed to Xin Feng, who spoke directly, “From my observations, the wall blocking the passage ahead is a different shade than the surrounding walls, and the joints show signs of movement…I suspect it can move.”

The idea of a moving wall sounded absurd. Yet, given the world’s strange phenomena, Zhao Nan’s heart stirred, and he blurted, “Even if we know the destination, following a normal route might not lead us to the end.”

“So, we’re lost?” Gao Mingyang slapped his forehead and raised his voice, “What now? Even if it’s a dead end, I’d rather dig my way through than face those rats again! Damn it!”

Zhao Nan’s expression shifted; Xi Menyu’s eyes flashed with excitement. Both glanced at each other, sharing a look of delight.

“President Gao seems a man of hidden depths,” Xi Menyu laughed, sizing up Gao Mingyang. “That’s actually a clever idea.”

“I was just joking! You’re not seriously considering it, are you?” Gao Mingyang rolled his eyes.

“It’s worth a try,” Zhao Nan replied with a smile. “Now that we suspect the terrain changes automatically, we might hit dead ends no matter which way we go. My earlier thinking was too rigid—too fixed. Regardless of how the layout shifts, one thing is certain: the space itself doesn’t change. The area remains the same size.”

Gao Mingyang scratched his head furiously, sending dandruff flying. “You’re not really planning to fight your way through, are you? I was just kidding.”

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“It’s worth trying.” Zhao Nan clapped Gao Mingyang’s shoulder. “You always have unexpected ideas.”

“I’ve always been smart!”

“Vulgar!”

The voice was neither loud nor soft, but crystal clear. Gao Mingyang’s face darkened as he glared toward the source.

“That’s my younger brother, Xi Menwu—‘Wu’ as in martial arts. Please forgive him.” Xi Menyu said with a smile, without a hint of apology.

Beside him, Xi Menwu, dressed as a delicate-looking boy, traced his finger along his cheek, making a mischievous face.

“Damn…”

“Alright, now’s not the time to fuss over trivialities. Let’s move.” Gao Xiang spoke in a deep voice.

Gao Mingyang shrugged, drew his sword, and strode forward.

Gao Xiang shook his head with a laugh, “He’ll likely be the most energetic one soon.”

...

Rumble—!

As a Sword Hero blessed with powerful attack skills, Gao Mingyang broke through three thick walls in succession, earning only Xi Menwu’s comment about brute strength.

But that remark was whispered only to Xi Menyu, who merely smiled and chose not to provoke the guild leader ahead.

Rumble—!

“Damn, is my sword aura really that strong—five or six meters at least?”

Gao Mingyang suddenly stopped, his sword still five or six meters from the next wall, yet he hadn’t struck.

“It’s not your strength—it’s whoever’s on the other side of the wall,” Xu Feng said, brows furrowed. Through the broken wall and swirling dust, a shadow could be seen darting past.

Xi Menyu slapped his forehead, “Ah! Back in the fourth floor of the level 10 standard dungeon, we used this exact method to find the fifth floor entrance. It was Nanyang Sheng who first suggested it.”

Thus, the figure appearing before them was indeed Nanyang Sheng.

He emerged from the dust, his attire slightly fierce, followed by his own battered companions—far worse for wear, nearly covered in wounds.

Nanyang Sheng’s face changed when he saw the group, but he said nothing, sprinting past them—his pursuers, a sea of crimson eyes, close behind.

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