Chapter 460: Qi Ling in Action

Jian Gui exerted every effort to defuse Zhou Zhang's attempts at provocation and division.

For a moment, the necromancers fell silent.

They all agreed with Jian Gui's proposed nomination rules, reaching a mutual consensus. A strong sense of urgency welled up within each of them.

Except for Cang Xu.

Qi Ling suddenly broke the silence, posing a crucial question: "Lord Jian Gui, an important matter just occurred to me. Since we're calculating based on the progress of fabricated memories, does that include the results we've already achieved in forging memories?"

This was indeed a vital question, immediately capturing everyone's attention.

Earlier, Jian Gui had taught them the method for fabricating memories, and the undead had already made progress. Xiao Wang Zi had even complained about its difficulty.

In the undead's current environment, fabricating memories was indeed arduous, even Jian Gui required considerable time.

Based on previous progress, Qi Ling ranked first, Xiao Wang Zi second, Ku Feng third, and Cang Xu fourth. Jian Gui's progress naturally surpassed everyone else, but he wasn't included in the rankings.

No one ever counted him in.

Qi Ling's question deeply concerned her own interests, interests so vital they touched on life and death, leaving her no choice but to ask.

Jian Gui paused slightly, then turned his gaze to Cang Xu and Ku Feng.

His reaction remained sharp, instantly realizing that his answer to this question would affect these two the most.

Cang Xu and Ku Feng lagged the most in progress.

Yet Ku Feng was a fighter, while Cang Xu was a necromancer, their abilities to forge memories differed fundamentally.

Clearly, fighters were vastly weaker than magicians in this regard.

In truth, ordinary fighters were nearly powerless against memory forgery. Ku Feng, as a fighter who mastered stillness training, had already tapped into his own spiritual power, granting him some ability to reshape his soul using the methods of the blasphemous priest.

But this reshaping ability was undoubtedly weaker than Cang Xu's. This was beyond doubt!

"If we include the first round's results, Xu Jia is the worst. This answer is most detrimental to Xu Jia."

"If we don't include it, then Ku Feng will likely be the first to be nominated. His progress will be clearly surpassed by Xu Jia. After all, he's merely a fighter!"

For a moment, Jian Gui felt as if he'd been placed over a fire to roast.

Choose Xu Jia, or Ku Feng?

Whoever Jian Gui chose, the other would resent him.

Thus, even a leader like Jian Gui couldn't help but show hesitation.

After pondering, he finally spoke: “It'll count.”

This answer clearly disadvantaged Cang Xu, but Jian Gui had his own calculations.

If excluded, Ku Feng would undoubtedly be the first to go. What reaction would he have in the grip of despair?

This was something Jian Gui found difficult to gauge.

True colors showed in life-and-death moments.

It was possible Ku Feng might compromise, betraying the group's blasphemy plan to Zhou Zhang in exchange for survival.

Jian Gui was confident he could eliminate Ku Feng before any secrets were revealed, using the hidden trap he'd planted on him.

But such a death, if exposed, would inevitably trigger Zhou Zhang's vigilance and investigation. This would severely disrupt Jian Gui's escape plan, potentially causing catastrophic damage.

On the other hand, Jian Gui must also consider the perspectives of Xiao Wang Zi, Qi Ling, and others. If he refused, it would inevitably lead Xiao Wang Zi and the others to believe Jian Gui valued the new over the old, to see him as cold-hearted, standing by while Ku Feng was the first to die.

Jian Gui still wished to be remembered by others as possessing warmth, not as utterly ruthless.

As Cang Xu recognized, Jian Gui was an exceptional leader, possessing keen insight into human nature.

Upon hearing Jian Gui's response, Ku Feng remained expressionless. Yet upon closer observation, one could detect a slight easing in his demeanor.

The situation was most unfavorable to him, but he had always been a steadfast warrior, unafraid of death.

What truly satisfied Ku Feng was the attitude Jian Gui had revealed. If it didn't count, it meant Jian Gui had effectively abandoned him.

That would deeply wound Ku Feng's feelings.

All along, Ku Feng had harbored strong positive emotions toward Jian Gui like admiration, respect, and reverence.

Jian Gui's expression darkened.

He realized: despite giving his all to hold the line, he couldn't reverse the damage caused by Zhou Zhang's instigation.

Zhou Zhang's overwhelming power had effortlessly disrupted the necromancers with a single phrase, nearly shattering Jian Gui's entire plan.

This was still while Zhou Zhang was in the dark about the true intentions of Jian Gui and the others.

Once she found out, the consequences would be unimaginable!

“Based on my understanding of Ku Feng, he wouldn't betray others to save himself. He'd likely rise to the challenge, unafraid of this trial.”

“Even so, Ku Feng is still the most likely candidate to be nominated first,” Jian Gui speculated silently.

After all, Cang Xu was a necromancer who had primarily cultivated the soul aspect.

If Ku Feng possessed bloodline enhancements, his ability to forge memories might surpass Cang Xu's.

But Jian Gui knew Ku Feng's situation inside out, fully aware of the latter's true bloodline.

"Compared to Ku Feng, Xu Jia might still have potential through his bloodline. After all, his bloodline mutation hasn't reached its final outcome yet," Jian Gui thought to himself.

Though he had his own predictions about the outcome of the first nomination, Jian Gui kept silent, revealing nothing.

As the superior, he offered a word or two of encouragement to everyone.

Under the shadow of death, the undead were all highly motivated, their eagerness palpable.

Cang Xu was no exception, at least outwardly, he appeared no different from the others.

Under these circumstances, he wisely abandoned his plan to request the intermediate soul aspect inheritance from Jian Gui.

Such an action would inevitably arouse suspicion - while we race against time to forge memories, you're preoccupied with intermediate soul aspect inheritance? Do you have such leisurely inclinations that you fear death? Do you have some other plan to save yourself? Are you plotting something else?

“There's no rush.” Cang Xu returned to his makeshift shelter, already seeing the right moment lurking in the near future.

Qi Ling, however, did not return to her temporary quarters. Instead, she took other action.

She visited Xiao Wang Zi alone.

Xiao Wang Zi greeted her coldly: “Hmph. What do you want?”

In his eyes, their captivity stemmed entirely from their attempt to rescue Qi Ling.

Qi Ling hastily apologized, her tone sincere as she acknowledged her mistake. She spoke of her devotion to the tribe, comparing it to the bond between Xiao Wang Zi and his parents.

These words softened Xiao Wang Zi's tone.

His obsession centered on his parents. Every year, he eagerly anticipated the day he would reunite with them.

"What good is apologizing now! You'd be better off using this time to forge memories," Xiao Wang Zi said, both angry and resigned.

Qi Ling declared: “I will compensate you and the others for this matter in the future.”

"My compensation will strive to satisfy you as much as possible. But unfortunately, by then, Ku Feng will likely be gone." Qi Ling said meaningfully.

“What do you mean?” Xiao Wang Zi didn't grasp it immediately.

Qi Ling sighed deeply with a gloomy expression: "Don't you understand? The first one selected will most likely be Ku Feng. Don't forget, he's merely a fighter."

Xiao Wang Zi froze: "But judging by current results, shouldn't Xu Jia be the most vulnerable? He's in last place; Ku Feng is stronger than him."

Qi Ling shook her head: "Xu Jia's lagging behind likely stems from his unfamiliarity with soul modification. After all, he only obtained the elementary soul aspect inheritance on Weeping Pine Island."

“As he gains more practice, his efficiency will surely surpass Ku Feng's.”

“Sigh, just thinking that Ku Feng became the first sacrifice because I dragged him down fills my heart with unease and guilt!”

“In a way, he'll die because of me!”

Xiao Wang Zi fell silent for a moment, opening his mouth to comfort Qi Ling: "Ku Feng practices stillness cultivation. He can tap into his own spiritual power. Plus, he has the advantage of starting first. He might not lose. Don't forget, this special blood sacrifice will happen three days later at most."

“Truthfully, if Xu Jia is chosen, I will be sad too.”

With Qi Ling absent, Xiao Wang Zi and Cang Xu spent every waking moment together, and Xiao Wang Zi held the latter in high regard.

Qi Ling’s tone turned cold: “Then, Xiao Wang Zi, if you had to choose between Ku Feng and Xu Jia, who would you pick to be the first?”

“This...” Xiao Wang Zi hesitated, unable to speak, then snapped, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I want to help Ku Feng!” Qi Ling declared her purpose.

"Compared to Xu Jia, I'd much rather not see my old friend Ku Feng die. That's why I sought you out this time, so we can act together, secretly aiding Ku Feng, helping him transform his soul."

“This...” Xiao Wang Zi lowered his head in thought.

His emotional leanings still favored Ku Feng.

Though he got along well with Cang Xu, their time together had been too brief.

"Do you really want to watch Ku Feng die? I recall several times when Ku Feng helped you." Qi Ling pressed Xiao Wang Zi for a decision.

His voice dry, Xiao Wang Zi finally spoke with overwhelming gravity: “How can we help?”

In that instant, confronting fate's cruelty and making his choice, he grew.

Zong Ge and Zi Di felt the chill too, yet their hearts burned fiercely.

“Jia Bing's alchemy lab is right here!”

Snow still drifted through the sky as they left Rabbit Fur Town behind and arrived at Grafting Town.

“Hardly expected it to be practically in the town center,” Zong Ge remarked, puzzled.

Most alchemy labs were typically situated in sparsely populated areas. On one hand, this ensured the lab's security. On the other hand, if an alchemy experiment went awry, it would minimize casualties among the surrounding population.

Yet Jia Bing's alchemy chamber was nestled within the town itself, surrounded by tightly packed houses and bustling streets.

“I'm eager to see the alchemy legacy of a gold level magician,” Zi Di said, her eyes sparkling.