Chapter 1066: Chapter 35: The Knocking Door
The Holy Light Squad needs Sequence 39 potion.
Yege advances in mysticology, Naxi undergoes the Level 5 trial of Weird Knowledge Study, Kiluat and Margaret gradually elevate their major to Level 6 all for the Sequence 39 potion—
“Reaching Level 6 allows us to take on higher-level squad missions, earning more credits and squad points to exchange for the materials to get the Sequence 39 potion.”
—and the plan after obtaining the potion.
“Once we have the potion, we can enter the newly discovered dungeon to acquire precious treasures,” Kiluat candidly told Lu Li.
Dungeon, a term used in fantasy storybooks.
This term usually found in stories was borrowed by Giant Tree Academy and given new meaning.
The old sewer is divided into main lines, branch lines, and dark lines.
The dark lines are exclusively for the strange, either connecting the main and branch lines or being nearly enclosed independent chambers.
The earth can conceal all things.
The swamp stretches between the roots of the giant tree and the old sewer.
Because of the three-dimensionality of the old sewer, these dark lines, like the branches of a tree, branches of the branches, and leaves growing on the branches, can be found everywhere.
When Giant Tree Academy discovers them, they will be rated. If too dangerous, they will be cleared or weakened until suitable for a certain level of difficulty, then left with traces and treasures, allowing students to freely explore.
At this time, the dark line will become a “dungeon”.
Nonetheless, dungeons are only suited for senior-level adventures. To the middle grade, even the simplest dungeon is a potentially decremental challenge.
Only squads at the top of the rankings can explore dungeons with minimal harm.
The Holy Light Squad unexpectedly discovered this yet-to-be-found dungeon. Before selling the location to top-ranking squads or senior grades, Margaret found a way to cleverly enter the dungeon.
And this requires the assistance of Sequence 39 potion.
Tranquil Forest: It can make the person who takes it as inconspicuous as a tree.
After taking the potion, Margaret will be able to sneak into the dungeon and retrieve the treasures without being noticed by the strange.
“What is the treasure?”
“It could be anything. Homogeneous Items, Weird eggs, Sequence potions… some placed by the academy inside, some owned by the dungeon strange itself. But even the lowest-level dungeon’s treasures are worth more than Sequence 39 potion!”
“More importantly is the academy rating after completing the dungeon!” Kiluat left her seat, sat back on her bed: “Based on the dungeon difficulty and performance, the academy will give credits and squad points, as well as other rewards.”
The indifferent Margaret continued the contents: “Including but not limited to Homogeneous Items, sacrificial offerings, forbidden zone entry qualifications, and Cursed Title acquisition zone entry qualifications.”
The last item indeed caught Lu Li’s attention.
Lu Li summoned Merchant Anthony, instructing it to prioritize acquiring Sequence 39 potion.
“Allow a premium.”
Even though Shilling is universal currency, human society and the old sewer are more inclined to use Strange Currency or other Sequence potions as higher-level currency.
After all, Sequence potions, due to their preciousness, can themselves be used as valuable currency, like gold of the Old Era. Strange Currency circulates even more among the strange.
The merchant’s “contribution points” can also be considered currency. However, limited by the number of merchants and the scale of trade, it is difficult to develop.
When Merchant Anthony left, Lu Li inquired about transferring from the squad to middle grade itself.
Besides the already known rankings, dungeons, squads, squad points, Lu Li learned more about the middle grade’s rules.
For instance, the classes that occupied the entire day during the lower grades are compressed to only three days a week in the middle grades.
In fact, the main task of the middle grade professor is no longer to impart knowledge, but to act as judges to maintain order and lay the foundation for the senior grade’s “mentor system”.
Lu Li’s first class would be in three days. During this time, Kiluat and Yege led Lu Li to familiarize himself with the middle grade environment and rules.
The bookshelves were placed against the wall, and Lu Li’s luggage was also diligently delivered by Kiluat to his bedside—the deepest, safest corner of the lounge.
If encountering an external enemy, Lu Li’s bed would be the last to be attacked.
Before Lu Li’s arrival, Margaret was sleeping there. She refused Lu Li’s refusal, moving her cauldron alchemical materials and bedding to the second-to-last bed.
Despite the lounge being spacious enough, even the rest area has a fireplace and surrounding seats, there are no room dividers, the bed frames’ curtains are the only items providing privacy.
The five beds of the Holy Light Squad were all occupied. The empty space in the lounge would be enough to place a new bed when Fudote joins the squad as a substitute.
A bit later, Lu Li met the last team member: Naf.
Disappointed at his failed trial, Naf shed all worries due to Lu Li’s arrival, even preparing a sumptuous late-night dinner in the lounge.
Margaret’s alchemical hanging pot simmered with the aroma of the broth, the five gathered around the pot and fireplace, listening and telling each other’s stories, then filled with anticipation, entered their dreams.
“Morning” arrived.
Usually at this time, the Holy Light Squad would choose a mission to proceed with, return to the lounge for rest and recuperation after completing it, then pick another mission, repeating this process to accumulate strength, experience, squad points, and credits.
But due to the dungeon and Lu Li’s arrival, the squad members awaiting Sequence 39 potion became idle.
Similarly, there was Lu Li, the arrival of the controller was delayed, Professor Chris sent a message saying they were hunting a ‘big guy’ to surprise Lu Li.
That night, Merchant Anthony brought back the Sequence 39 potion, with a certain premium.
Lu Li instructed the merchant to stockpile Strange Currency to facilitate subsequent trade and planning.
The Shilling of the Weird Times was declining. It was more used to purchase basic resources rather than mystical ones. Making Shilling the gold-standard core for contribution points was clearly not as good as Strange Currency.
The one responsible for taking the Sequence 39 potion and sneaking into the dungeon would be Margaret.
“Margaret is a bit slow…” Under the sudden cold gaze, Kiluat changed his tone: “I mean she lacks emotions… and has a higher chance of sneaking into the dungeon with Silent Forest.”
Prepared with other potions, Margaret left the lounge alone.
Kiluat regretted that the squad couldn’t go to hide the operation, then became excited at the upcoming dungeon rewards.
This excitement vanished when Margaret did not return even after a day.
“Perhaps encountered other squads?” Kiluat hesitantly muttered.
“Does it matter?” Lu Li asked.
“Robbery and fighting are not prohibited,” Yege said in response: “It is said that senior squads may even kill…”
“The academy does not prohibit?”
“Of course, it’s prohibited, but it’s like cheating. As long as no one knows… no, we have to—”
Knock knock knock—
Knocking sounded at this time. Kiluat, slightly relieved, prayed it was Margaret returning, and opened the door.
The indifferent Gatekeeper stood in the hallway outside, coldly announcing: “Holy Light Squad member Margaret Loli, died during the dungeon challenge.”
“Margaret… no… this can’t be… she…”
Kiluat collapsed, disconsolate, at the door. Yege showed pain and sorrow, and Naxi’s fists continuously clenched and unclenched.
Lu Li was silent and calm.
This was the first lesson taught to him by the trunk area.