Chapter Sixty-Four: Visitors from the Shadow Isles

"Qiguan." Mutian Yihuai's expression was somewhat strange; it was hard to tell what was on his mind.

"This time, it seems we really have to work together." Qiguan forced a bitter smile. "Does what we agreed on yesterday still count?"

The two exchanged a few words, but Lia, nearby, grew impatient, her brows furrowing. "Save your small talk. If we make it out alive, you can reminisce all you want!"

Mutian Yihuai gave an awkward smile; Qiguan Bei glanced at Lia. "And this is?"

Xiao Zhang quickly interjected, "Qiguan, this is Lia. She's the one who saved Zhao Bai and me." He feared this formidable woman might cut someone down at the slightest provocation.

Qiguan Bei looked at Lia again, clasped his hands, and thanked her. "Thank you!"

"Let's go. This isn't the place for conversation." Xiao Zhang hefted the bronze spear onto his shoulder.

Lia merely stood beside Xiao Zhang, showing no interest in interacting with Qiguan Bei or Marcus. Her expression was icy, as if someone owed her millions.

Xiao Zhang drew closer to Qiguan Bei. "Did you hurt your leg?"

Qiguan Bei nodded with a bitter smile, unwilling to elaborate. He countered, "Are you alright?"

Zhao Bai stepped up beside Qiguan Bei, showing concern—they had entered together, after all.

"I'm fine," Xiao Zhang replied, pulling a face. "But..."

Lia couldn't help but frown. "Let's move. Time is short!"

The group stealthily approached the main hall and lay in ambush.

After a few minutes, as expected, the Little White Dragon appeared, leading a squad of shrimp soldiers and crab generals. At the entrance, the dragon dismissed its subordinates and entered the hall alone.

Once the Little White Dragon disappeared inside and the minions scattered, Lia sprang to her feet and rushed toward the hall. The others followed close behind. As they entered, Zhao Bai tugged Xiao Zhang's sleeve and whispered, "Someone's inside!"

Upon entering, the most striking sight was a massive white dragon sleeping atop the throne.

Before the dragon stood several stone statues acting as guardians, each carved in a different style. Around them lay bloodstains and scattered fragments of stone.

The Little White Dragon, who had entered earlier, was nowhere to be seen.

A chill struck Xiao Zhang's heart. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind: Could the Little White Dragon have lured them here on purpose?

---

Lia frowned. "The stench of blood here is overwhelming!"

"Be careful. Something feels off," Mutian Yihuai spoke this time.

"More little rats sneaking in?" Several people, each dressed differently, stepped out. One of them dragged a blood-soaked figure and flung him toward Xiao Zhang.

Xiao Zhang hurried to catch him, recognizing at once who it was—Zhao Tai, who had split off earlier.

The person who threw Zhao Tai was a tall, thin man wearing tattered clothes and wielding a large iron shovel.

Beside him stood a man and a woman. The woman wore a tight outfit; from a distance, her chest was striking, and with each step, her curves trembled, drawing furtive glances.

The man’s face was pale as death, dressed as if in mourning, holding a soul-summoning banner. Looking closely, his tongue seemed to hang outside his mouth.

The ragged man glanced at the group, his lips curling into a cold smile.

"Didn't expect you little rats to make it this far. Looks like my collection will gain a few more trophies."

At his words, the captains' faces changed.

Xiao Zhang whispered to Zhao Tai, "Are you alright?"

Zhao Tai spat blood. "Watch out, Dog Bro. They tricked me~"

Hearing Zhao Tai's voice, Zhao Bai finally recognized him; he hadn't realized the bloodied figure was Zhao Tai until now.

...

After Zhao Bai took Zhao Tai, his murderous intent toward the ragged man surged, though he was relieved Zhao Tai's life was not in immediate danger.

The ragged man descended the steps, his body shifting, leaping to land right in front of Zhao Bai.

Xiao Zhang was startled, immediately blocking the man.

"Rat," the ragged man sneered, ignoring Xiao Zhang.

His gaze swept the group, landing on Qiguan Bei.

"An Awakened? I feel like I've seen you before." The ragged man pondered. "Ah, I remember now. You're Qiguan Bei—the one who killed one of my captains, right?"

Qiguan Bei's expression turned grim. "And you are?"

---

"Yorick, Deputy Leader of Shadow Isle!"

At the name, Xiao Zhang trembled—the Deputy Leader of Shadow Isle?

Last time, he had nearly been killed by this organization's men; who would have expected to encounter Shadow Isle players in this dungeon again?

Yorick focused all his attention on Qiguan Bei, standing arrogantly before the group, his gaze cold and haughty. When Mutian Yihuai, Marcus, and the others heard the words "Shadow Isle," their faces changed.

Especially Marcus. His face turned pale, and he bit his lip hard—his whole body trembled as he stared at Yorick, eyes blazing as if ready to spit fire.

"Shadow Isle! Yorick!" Marcus spat out the words with venom. "It was you who destroyed my team! If not for that, I wouldn’t have been forced by the organization..."

"Oh? And who are you?" Yorick paused, then scoffed. "No need to know. You're all dead anyway!"

Hate me? Want revenge?

Perfect! That makes the game more realistic, more fun!

Yorick clenched his fists, bones cracking as his hands crossed. He shook his head, then pointed at the gathered Awakened, beckoning. "Come on, let's get moving."

"Die!"

Marcus roared, transforming before their eyes!

He leapt at Yorick, swinging a punch straight at Yorick's head.

"Don't!" Qiguan Bei cried, too late to stop him.

Yorick stood unmoving, wearing a cold smile, feet planted as Marcus's fist came at him—his eyes filled with disdain.

Swish! Marcus's attack missed, his fist grazing Yorick's head.

Yorick didn't counterattack, but stepped back. "If that's all you've got, you can die now."

At those words, Marcus's eyes burned crimson, red markings spreading across his body. His speed increased immensely.