Cataclysm King Chapter 167

Chapter 167 I am not a caged bird

 “What is this woman doing here?”

Ji Xun muttered in his heart, but immediately averted his eyes.

He noticed that the eldest lady of the Lionheart family was entering the queue of the tavern, and looked at the people who came in from the corner of his eye.

 Confirmed, this is not a group of hunters disguised as Lionheart family guards.

 The other few people, except for the two leaders who have the emblem of the Flamingo Regiment, the others all look like temporary recruits.

 Now they come to the tavern because of Old Man Xu and Mr. Che and his grandson.

This is the normal procedure for a hunter group to go on an expedition to recruit temporary teammates. They will pick up people along the way.

 “This eldest lady wants to play hunter game?”

Ji Xun would definitely guess this if it was their first meeting.

 But it was only after meeting her several times that he realized that the woman was smart and conceited.

 Would never do such a meaningless and naive act.

“It's strange that if it was for some needed treasure in the ancient seal, she wouldn't go there herself.”

Ji Xun was very confused.

Even if you really want to go there in person, you will definitely be able to bring a large number of escorts with you.

Now, what does it mean to disguise yourself as a doctor and join a group of random people?

Afraid you won't die fast enough?

Obviously not.

 For a time, many thoughts flashed through Ji Xun's mind.

At this time, the leader, the middle-aged man with a goatee, saw Old Man Xu and his grandson, and asked, "You are going to form a team to open up wasteland together? How many of you are there? What are your occupations?"

Hearing this question, Che Er glanced at Ji Xun beside him and cast a questioning look.

 As old man Xu said, Ji Xun himself has the aura of a "disaster gambler".

 Originally, I did not intend to involve the grandfather and grandson.

 But seeing Catalina appear in the team, Ji Xun suddenly became very interested and nodded.

 Che Er looked happy and responded: "Three!"

 Old man Xu on the side rolled his eyes as he listened.

Ji Xun smiled and said nothing. He raised his hand and asked the bartender to bring a dozen good drinks to take away.

The wretched old man immediately smiled, but he also muttered in a low voice: "Although I think your boy is very appetizing. But, this time it may be different."

Ji Xun smiled and didn't care.

 This old man is a real master.

As for his method of sealing the soul of the Weeping Angel with one hand, Xie Guozhong once said that no one he had ever seen could do it so calmly.

 Actually, Ji Xun really doesn't think he can definitely implicate this old man.

And that seal involves some ancient secrets.

 There is nothing more suitable than being with Mr. Xu.

Since he doesn't mind, Ji Xun is naturally willing to go along.

Ji Xun and the other three went to two more taverns with this wild team, and picked up some temporary teammates one after another.

The group of people walked towards the west gate of Lion City.

Katrina didn't seem to recognize the disguised Ji Xun.

Ji Xun didn't want to say hello and pretend to be an acquaintance.

 But no one else noticed that the young lady from the Lionheart family was muttering something while walking.

　　　It seemed like I was talking to someone, but no one else heard a sound.

"Okay, the person I'm looking for has been found. You don't need to follow me."

 “But, miss”

"No need to say more. Go back and tell my father that I am going to complete the 'Hero Trial'. And tell the clan elders that if I survive this time, please cancel the engagement for me."

“However, my wife asked me to protect you.”

"A message to my mother. I am a lion of the Anka family, not so delicate. If I don't even have the courage to participate in the hero trial, how can I inherit the lion's heart and will?"

 “This is it, miss.”

 After Catalina finished explaining, she followed the team silently.

The corner of his eye fell on the wretched old man with gray hair, and a strange color flashed across his crystal eyes.

At this time, she instinctively put her hand into her pocket and touched the gold coin of destiny that she had brought with her since childhood.

 Originally I just rubbed it out of habit, but my fingers trembled slightly.

Katrina blinked, with a doubtful look in her eyes.

The bottomless pit formed by the broken seal in the center of the ruins appeared not long ago, and now there are black fog areas shrouded in the aura of death everywhere outside the city.

 But it is precisely because it is land reclamation that the harvest is the greatest.

Various news brought back by hunters who have tasted the benefits has detonated the hunting circle in the city.

 Just kill a few undead monsters outside the city, and the [Dark Matter Crystal] you get can earn tens of thousands in income.

 This is much more profitable than the usual wilderness hunting adventures.

Hunters also gathered in groups and rushed out of the city.

The Flamingo Hunters Group is a semi-official group funded and supported by the Lionheart Family. Its strength and equipment are not weak.

 But the team that Ji Xun and the other two were in was a temporary wild team.

 Twenty people in total.

The story of this incident is of great importance. The news has been spread back to Innocence City. It is said that all forces are involved immediately.

 If the Lionheart family wants to seize the opportunity, they need some first-hand information, so they do not hesitate to spend money.

Even a wild team like Ji Xun and others received a batch of valuable ammunition and supplies.

“Our mission this time is to explore several streets in the West Third District. Everyone, please be careful.”

“Okay. Captain Chen, I heard that there is a big pit in the center of the ruins. Are we going there?”

"Yes. If we can reach the edge of the pothole, the group leader will give each of us an additional bonus of 300,000 yuan."

 “So much? Hahaha, I'm going to make a fortune this time.”

Hunters don't know about the Silver Moon Sect, nor do they know the reason for the seal.

 A group of more than 20 people plunged into the black mist.

 On a quiet street, visibility is very low.

 A group of heavily armed hunters cautiously moved deeper into the street.

They are not the only team in the ruins. It is estimated that there are hundreds of teams currently clearing wasteland in the city at the same time.

　　Fierce gunshots were heard from time to time all around.

Ji Xun has just returned from outside the city, but he is not panic at all.

 He followed Old Man Xu and Mr. Che, chatting along the way.

From time to time, he looks at Catalina, who is disguised as a doctor in the center.

The eldest lady didn't know what she was thinking or what she was going to do. She didn't speak the whole way and seemed very lonely.

The broken seal brought out too many undead monsters from the underground. Not long after leaving the city, traces of monsters appeared in the dark places of the dilapidated streets.

 After a gunshot, under the powerful fire suppression, this small wave of monsters was killed.

 Several hunters happily peeled off the [Dark Matter Crystal] from the monster's corpse.

It was also the first time that Ji Xun saw things that were now being competed for by businessmen in the city.

It is a black crystal that looks like a magic core.

Ji Xun has not seen any description of this kind of thing in any classics.

I asked old man Xu next to me and found out that this guy also had habitual amnesia.

The hunters who got the first batch of crystals first shared the cores, and everyone was very excited.

Having tasted the sweetness, this makeshift team excitedly explored the depths of the ruins.

Ji Xun was not in a hurry to compete with these people for any crystals, and his injuries had not fully recovered.

 I paddled along the way and repaired my body.

In this way, the team explored and hunted some scattered monsters along the way.

 The field of vision in the ruins is very poor, and monsters must be cleaned up to avoid some of the original extrdimensional spaces.

They walked a lot of streets, but the straight-line distance from the central pothole in the ruins was less than ten kilometers.

 The advancement was very steady, but there was no danger.

 Except for one unlucky guy who was too anxious to get the crystal core and had his throat bitten by a zombie that wasn't dead, there were basically no casualties.

 At midnight, a group of people lit a bonfire in a small sturdy building and prepared to rest for the night.

 The blazing bonfire burned, dispersing the darkness and illuminating the nineteen faces in the team.

"Hahaha, the smallest [dark matter crystal] is worth three thousand. I have earned seventy or eighty thousand?"

"I have earned more than 50,000 yuan. My dear, this is the first time I feel that money is so easy to earn."

"That's right. The streets we are walking on have been walked by others. If we really find some areas where monsters are densely populated, wouldn't we make a fortune?"

 “Hahaha, I hope I can meet more monsters tomorrow.”

“Don't be careless. This ruins is already very dangerous. Now the center of the city suddenly collapsed. No one knows what happened. Those who watch at night should be more careful.”

 “Hello, Team Chen!”

The harvest beyond expectations made the hunters dilute the risks of the ruins. Everyone was laughing and joking, not paying much attention to it at all.

Farming monsters is much safer than exploring an extrdimensional space.

After all, there is a way out. Even if we really cannot defeat him, we can still escape back to the Lion City.

“Hey, hey, you look familiar. Could it be the legendary dog ​​king?”

 “Hahaha, false reputation, false reputation.”

 Old man Xu is, after all, a celebrity in the hunter circle.

I will never take action if I can, I will be lazy if I can, and I look wretched.

 After getting along for a day, this guy was recognized again.

 It's almost the same process.

 Almost no one knows him, but everyone has heard of the legend of the "Dog King".

As soon as this guy's identity was exposed, he immediately became the object of ridicule among his teammates.

 No one thinks he is really capable, but he can be used as a source of conversation for a long time.

The old man started talking dirty again after drinking.

The longer you live, the more you know about all kinds of gossip.

He also doesn't mind being teased at all and making random remarks.

 Che Er, on the other hand, was used to it and just stayed silent.

Ji Xun listened with great interest.

　Since he knew that this old man was a real expert, and then listened to those bragging words, his sense of empathy was completely different.

　　What "Old man, I also experienced S-level plots back then", "I once saw a monster bigger than Innocence City", "I have also encountered S-level disasters several times".

These stories that seemed outrageous to others were different to Ji Xun's ears now.

He always felt that the old man might be telling real people.

 It's just the age of the story, which may be so long ago that most people can't remember it.

Not only Ji Xun was listening with interest, but in the corner on the other side of the bonfire, Miss Catalina, who was disguised as a doctor, also had sparkling crystal eyes.

The potato stew on the campfire was sizzling, and the rich aroma of minced meat filled your nose.

Ji Xun also received a bowl of broth.

Dip it into the chewy black bread and put it into your mouth. The mouthful of wheat flavor and gravy water gives you a sense of satisfaction.

He leaned against the pillar of the house, and while eating, he took the black glass-like crystal in his hand and looked at it.

 This is the trophy he got from hunting monsters before.

　　It was inspired by the name [Dark Matter Crystal].

 “How did this thing come to be?”

Ji Xun's eyes were filled with doubts. He is more concerned about how this thing was formed than how much it is worth.

 Undead creatures usually do not form such energy crystals.

 At least there are no low-level undead monsters.

 But this time, there were monsters spewing out from the bottomless pit.

This feeling is like sand turning into iron sand, suddenly worth a lot of money.

 So there must be a reason

 Ji Xun searched through all the classics he had read, but there was nothing that matched it.

 But obviously, this is a kind of energy crystallization.

 After pondering for a moment without understanding, Ji Xun directly used the feast skill.

People from major chambers of commerce have popularized this stuff before: it contains unknown contamination, and it is currently not recommended to absorb it as an energy body.

 But it doesn't matter to Ji Xun.

 He is friendly throughout the family.

Wanting to find out what this thing was, he decided to give it a try.

Absorbing the crystal core is much easier than absorbing the extraordinary properties of a corpse. The energy from this dark matter crystal is absorbed into the body almost instantly.

Ji Xun stared at the attribute panel carefully.

This crystal nucleus is not an extraordinary property, but an elemental crystal.

 The various attributes have not changed much, and the upper limit of mana power has been increased by 0.07.

 However, in enlightenment, there are two hints that have never appeared before.

“Unknown dark element affinity +2”

“You used Feast, mental power +0.02”

 “What's going on?”

 This is Ji Xun's first time using a feast to increase his spiritual power!

And what surprised him even more was that the "unknown dark element" was not a dark affinity, but a separate reminder?

Ji Xun pondered these two hints and felt as if he had touched some high-level secret.

 Displays "unknown", which means that the energy absorbed by the crystal core temporarily exceeds one's own knowledge.

Ji Xun thought of something and took out a second one.

This time I did not use the feast skill, but the ordinary way of breathing.

 Then it is absorbed and nothing is prompted.

 There is no increase in spiritual power and no affinity with the dark system, so it is purely used as an energy body.

Ji Xun showed a thoughtful expression and pondered: "The spiritual power of this crystal core is as material and absorbable as its extraordinary properties. Could this be the reason for its formation? Because of the remains of the Weeping Angel?"

 Thinking about it and gradually falling into trance.

 The bread in my mouth doesn't taste too good anymore.

 At this time, a man came over.

The little doctor in Catalina's disguise didn't notice him either, and sat down next to him with broth and bread.

Ji Xun knew that he might have been recognized. While he was surprised, he pretended not to know and asked in confusion: "You?"

Katrina glanced at him and half-smiled: "You looked at me so many times all day and didn't recognize me?"

As she spoke, she directly revealed Ji Xun's identity: "Isn't it His Excellency Baron Charlie who is interested in me looking like an ugly duckling?"

Ji Xun raised the corners of his mouth slightly when he heard this, and stopped pretending to be stupid. He asked instead, "How did Miss Carter recognize me?"

His current status is very sensitive and he doesn't dare to be careless.

　　When he wasn't wearing a gas mask, he always used a clown mask to change his appearance.

It is obviously impossible to be recognized just by looking at it a few times.

"sound."

Katarina didn't hide anything, and said calmly: "Even if you use some transformers, some wave frequencies of the sound cannot be changed. I am the [7 of Plum Blossoms-Singer] sequence, you should know that."

Ji Xun suddenly understood after listening.

Just like his werewolf sense of smell, even if it was a very muddy smell that ordinary people couldn't distinguish, he could.

But the sound is more difficult.

Ji Xun deliberately lowered his voice in order to "identify people by listening to their sounds", which requires a very high level of extraordinary understanding.

Thinking that Catalina is the eldest lady of the Lionheart family and has no shortage of resources, maybe it can be done?

But it doesn't seem to matter if I'm recognized.

 This woman should only know his identity as "Baron Charlie".

As soon as Ji Xun had this idea, he suddenly thought of it.

Didn't I also have a conversation with her that time at the Honglou Casino?

“Hey, will it be remembered by then?”

Ji Xun's expression was the same.

 But there is something strange in my heart.

 After all, I have seen the older girl naked.

If they were recognized as the same person, they would look unfriendly.

Ji Xun thought about it for a while.

 Probably not.

 If you recognized it, you should have recognized it long ago.

Memorizing the frequency and timbre of a sound is completely different from remembering a face.

 I hear so many sounds every day that I can't even remember them all.

 Furthermore, human memory is limited, and things captured by the senses will be forgotten as time goes by.

Katrina seemed to notice something, an imperceptible strange color flashed across her crystal eyes.

She didn't say anything. She dipped a piece of bread into the broth and ate it with gusto.

Ji Xun slightly felt that the atmosphere was a bit weird, so he changed the topic and said, "I thought you couldn't get used to this kind of food."

Katrina asked: "Do you think I should be the kind of delicate princess who can't sleep even if there is a bean on the bed?"

"hehe."

Ji Xun chuckled lightly, then asked about the serious matter, pretending to be frivolous: "Miss Carter, why are you interested in playing some hunting games?"

 Before this, this arrogant young lady would definitely refute this feeling of being looked down upon.

 But at this moment, Catalina's expression was very calm and she asked: "So, Baron Charlie, why are you here too?"

Ji Xun always felt that this woman seemed to change a lot every time he saw her, so he responded: "Mission."

Katrina heard the perfunctory and asked: "What else?"

Ji Xun was not used to this eldest lady, and asked with a smile: "According to etiquette, before asking a question, should Miss Carter answer my question first?"

Catalina glanced at him as she listened, pondered for a moment, and said, "I'm here for a trial."

Ji Xun listened and shrugged: "Oh?"

 He thought of the dead Young Master Kahn, and asked again: "The coming-of-age ceremony trial?"

It's not right either.

 Female descendants of the Lionheart family do not seem to have to pass this test.

Katrina shook her head and responded calmly: "Hero's Trial."

Ji Xun looked confused at the unfamiliar vocabulary.

 It seems like some secrets of the Lionheart family?

But Catalina had no intention of explaining, and added: "I have answered two of your questions. So, Sir Charlie, should you be more gentleman?"

Ji Xun spread his hands and said, "I'm just here to complete the mission. Besides, I'm just interested in the ruins."

 Hearing this, Catalina was obviously surprised.

 It doesn't look like a lie.

She frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and asked directly: "Do you know that senior?"

 Senior?

Ji Xun was also surprised when he heard this.

Can it be called like this? In other words, this woman knows how special Mr. Xu is?

At this moment, he immediately understood why this woman was in this team!

Ji Xun looked at the curious eyes and asked, "Do you know Mr. Xu too?"

Katrina shook her head.

Hearing the title "Old Man Xu", she immediately suspected that the guy in front of her didn't seem to know the specialness of that senior.

yes.

How can ordinary people know such a top secret?

Ji Xun looked at the woman who seemed to have suddenly lost interest. He knew that he had to find something to say, and said again: "Old man Xu and I are friends. So you are here for him?"

Catalina obviously didn't believe it, and said casually: "Oh, you are very lucky. You can be friends with that senior."

Ji Xun became even more curious after hearing this.

At this moment, he had confirmed what the eldest lady of the Lionheart family knew, and asked: "Is Miss Carter joining this temporary recruitment team just for Old Man Xu?"

Katrina did not deny it, but asked solemnly: "Are you really friends?"

Ji Xun nodded: "Yeah."

He thought that he and Old Man Xu and his grandson at least shared the same sorrow. They were not strangers, but friends, which was almost the same.

Hearing this, Catalina's expression became strange.

 But I think about it too.

 If you don't know each other well, you probably won't be in the same team.

Ji Xun was now very interested in the information Carter had and asked: "So, why do you say that knowing Old Man Xu and me means we have a good fortune?"

Katrina thought for a moment and then said: "Are you sure you want to hear it?"

Ji Xun chuckled lightly, not caring: "Of course."

The strange color in Catalina's eyes disappeared, and she said again: "If I tell you, I will be in big trouble if you listen to it. Do you still want to inquire?"

 How could Ji Xun be someone who is afraid of trouble?

 He said directly: "Yeah."

"Can!"

 Catalina also heard that Ji Xun wanted to inquire about the news. She also had the same intention, and said: "But before I say anything, I want to confirm. What is your relationship?"

Ji Xun narrowed his eyes slightly: "It can be regarded as a life-long friendship."

Katrina frowned as she heard this, as if she was deep in thought, but she did not continue to ask any more questions.

After pondering for a moment, she stopped beating around the bush and said directly: "Two hundred years ago, when my grandfather was still alive, this old man looked like this. So the family has inherited some secrets. The cause and effect of this man is very special. It can be said that those who are big and have no luck will die if they touch it."

Ji Xun's eyes twitched inexplicably when he heard this.

 Previously I felt that this old man was still a reclusive master shrouded in mystery.

Now when I hear it, I feel an evil energy rushing straight to my forehead.

Like an old zombie crawling out of the grave?

As she spoke, Catalina looked at Ji Xun and said solemnly: "No one in our Lionheart family knew about this matter. But except for my grandfather, everyone else is dead. So, you regret it now Did you hear this story?”

Ji Xun was really surprised.

 It's not that I regret anything.

 But when I heard that this was "karma", I thought of a phenomenon: Old Man Xu can survive every time, and the price won't be sacrificing his teammates, right?

Ji Xun himself is a "bad luck gambler" and can understand the situation where bad luck favors him.

 It means that every time something bad happens, it seems that I will be involved.

 But does this person have a more terrifying negative BUFF?

Also, what's going on?

 Two hundred years ago, this old man was like this?

 How long did he live?

 Hearing this outrageous story, Ji Xunfei didn't feel the least bit worried.

On the contrary, I felt that after getting to know Old Man Xu, my life became more legendary.

Ji Xun didn't care about the cause and effect, and asked: "So, what about you?"

 Without great luck, you will die if you touch it, so this lion-hearted lady is looking for death?

"I?"

Katrina listened to her eyebrows blinking slightly, her eyes gradually deepened, and she uttered a few words with great indifference: "I am not a bird in a cage."

Ji Xun was slightly startled when he heard this.

 Soon, he grinned.

 He suddenly felt that this woman was a little interesting.

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end