Calamity Messenger

Chapter 208 - 163: Undying Skull Tower

It was just sightseeing earlier, but next time we enter the Corpse Bone Forest, we’ll be genuinely attempting to break through the front hall.

However, before entering, the Rabbit Heroine asked Pharmacist’s Wish:

"Big sister, do you really have a way to ensure your safety?"

"Of course, I wouldn’t lie about something so important. If I encounter danger, you could save me, but if you misunderstood me and didn’t save me, not only would I die in vain, but you would also feel guilty for life."

"Not for life, possibly just for half a month, because my brother allows me to eat ice cream once every half month."

Pharmacist’s Wish felt a stir in her heart, thinking ice cream seemed to only be available in the Secret Realm of Liang Kingdom, could she be from a family there? The Quan Family? The Jie Family? She has the Hand of Melting Hundred Forms, could she actually be from the Shao Royal Family?

If she is from the Shao Royal Family...

"Does Big Sister’s method work in the Secret Realm?"

Pharmacist’s Wish hesitated, blinking: "Not sure, after all, this kind of life-saving technique is only used in dire situations, who would intentionally test if it works in the Secret Realm—"

"Big sister, you’re just as silly as my brother, you can’t even lie." The Rabbit Heroine said quietly: "If you’re truly unsure, being called out by me would definitely make you take it seriously, even my brother would be nervous about matters of life and death, not just make up an excuse to brush me off."

Pharmacist’s Wish remained silent, reaching out to ruffle the Rabbit Heroine’s hair.

She had naturally tested it already, in the outside world she could always teleport to the Thief’s House, but not in the Secret Realm. Probably because the Thief’s House is also a Secret Realm, generally it’s only accessible from the outside, not from one Secret Realm to another.

Once entering the Corpse Bone Forest, setting aside how brutal the demons from the inheritance in the Secret Realm are, as soon as the three Great Guardians suddenly attack, she would likely perish inside.

"They are of the Demon Dao, with no kin, no home, no country, living their lives only for the thought of Foundation Establishment," she said. "And I am of the Right Path, with kin, home, and country, therefore... I am more determined to establish my Foundation."

"Growing steadily to the Third-Turn was all due to my father’s spoiling, further advancement will inevitably involve risks. The path to Foundation Establishment is always perilous, even the direct descendants struggle to survive, let alone someone like me, a fallen Commandery Princess? But I’m still very happy that you care so much for me, little sister."

The Rabbit Heroine was silent for a moment: "If danger arises, stay close to me, this heroine will find a way."

"Thank you." Pharmacist’s Wish bent down to hug the Rabbit Heroine, cheek to cheek: "I really envy your brother, if you were indeed my sister, it would be wonderful."

"My brother is probably envying me right now too, but your armor is a bit hard."

"Hehe." Pharmacist’s Wish looked at the Rabbit Heroine and earnestly said: "No matter whose sister you are, from now on, you’re also my sister!"

"I’ve already said—"

"I’m just acknowledging you as my sister, you don’t have to acknowledge me, and your brother has no say over me." Pharmacist’s Wish snorted, grabbing the Rabbit Heroine’s hand: "It’s settled then!"

Such a self-directed woman, Yan Qing suspected she had planned to take the Rabbit Heroine away, using candy and ice cream. She was the kind who must get what she wants, reigning supreme, never relinquishing what’s hers, like a wolf fiercely growling at anyone daring to covet her possessions.

Yet the Rabbit Heroine seemed not to dislike her, and Yan Qing didn’t either.

Re-entering the Corpse Bone Forest, the zombie demons had already returned to their positions, even when the five of them came to the front hall’s boundary, they remained indifferent, unless triggered, they wouldn’t react, which, although it sounded strange, was just like how most people live. Habitualized to decades of sameness, living as mere parts of the world.

Only messengers can break free of such constraints, as the Secret Realm is a game for the brave, seeking opportunities for further advancement amidst life and death. Walking with them, Yan Qing felt like a seeker himself.

To seek the path with a heart as stout as iron!

Yan Qing jumped onto the bed and lay there, wiping the sweat from his hands on his clothes.

"Remember, we’re not forcing a fight, just looking for an opportunity to strike once," Prajna said solemnly. "Whether it succeeds or not, we must retreat immediately, no need to rush."

Prajna meant it sincerely, as Third-Turn individuals from Shu Dao Mountain were rare, and those capable of entering the Corpse Bone Forest were only the three Great Guardians. Others like Fu Nan and Zhong Ji lacked the requisite token, skilled in killing but not particularly good against demons, they were even unaccustomed to their tokens not being able to instantaneously annihilate foes.

Setting aside the Rabbit Heroine, Pharmacist’s Wish was a Third-Turn Messenger fully equipped with tokens and rare defensive gear, such military-town Third-Turn individuals were always better at dealing with demons, exactly the allies needed most.

They were willing to let Pharmacist’s Wish take the fourth seat as Great Guardian, not solely due to the Rabbit Heroine and the Return Order.

"There are six demons, and we five can just slip through between them, Beiyou and I will each distract two demons, the other two are for Prajna and the little girl to trigger the storm, Wolf Demon, you find an opportunity to attack, and be responsible for covering Prajna and the little girl afterward." Given the stakes, Blood Phase earnestly repeated the plan.

As the fastest among them, they had long agreed that Blood Phase should shoulder the responsibility, but he had had many disputes with the young ladies before, their enmity was deep, could he really accept fighting alongside them?

Perhaps sensing Pharmacist’s Wish and the Rabbit Heroine’s concerns, Beiyou said calmly: "Sharing hardship is actually easy, what’s difficult is sharing wealth."

Yes, even if they were going to betray, at least they had to get through the front hall.

Pharmacist’s Wish exhaled deeply, looking at the Skull Tower not far away, forcibly suppressing her distaste. Suddenly, the Rabbit Heroine touched her hand, and Pharmacist’s Wish was taken aback, the corners of her eyes lifting slightly, her brows and eyes revealing a sly smile: "Don’t worry."

"Count to three, we’ll attack together. Three, two, one!"

With Prajna’s thunderous shout, the five of them simultaneously crossed the boundary line and stepped into the domain of the front hall! Six zombie demons immediately awoke, and the Undying Skull Tower began to wail, its piercing sound penetrating the eardrums and reaching the brain!

Blood Phase slashed at the two demons on the right side, leaving a deep scar on their dried corpses, but no blood flowed from the wound; their blood had already run dry. Facing the pincer attack of the two demons, Blood Phase strolled leisurely, his sleeves untouched by them.

In contrast, Beiyou was much more violent. They initially thought Beiyou would also use body techniques to lure the demons, but unexpectedly, Beiyou just rushed forward to kick!

Yes, Beiyou was remarkably rare in his specialization in leg techniques, and his long boots were clearly Third-Transformation Curiosities, entwined with black-red demonic light. When he spun in the air and kicked, the zombie demon was actually kicked five or six steps away!

When he landed, he spun like a top on the spot, his dirt-streaked messy hair flying, turning to kick the approaching second zombie to the ground!

This is the advantage of blunt weapons over cutting weapons, as they can potentially cause displacement, stun, or knockdown effects, but require Qi and Blood Agility to overwhelm the enemy. Beiyou wasn’t wrong; he was probably a peak Level 39 Third-Turn with Qi and Blood Agility at the limit of mortals!

With the four demons drawn away by them, Prajna, Rabbit Heroine, and Pharmacist’s Wish naturally approached the Skull Tower unhindered. When the zombie demons attacked, Prajna and Rabbit Heroine seized the chance to dodge perfectly and trigger a downpour, then launched a high-speed assault on the Skull Tower together!

Seven-Star Sword, Hand of Melting Hundred Forms, Downpour, activate!

Due to the need for instantaneous injury infliction, Yan Qing did not activate Shining, but since Prajna provided two attack speed tokens, Rabbit Heroine under the downpour state could now attack fourteen times continuously in 0.35 seconds!

Prajna was not to be outdone, despite long-stick weapons being inherently slow, he swung a river of sticks. At this moment, it was evident he was indeed the Great Guardian of Shu Dao Mountain, the most feared strongman by the Demonic Messenger, ferocious like a Dharma-Protector Celestial Deity, with wrathful eyes and no mercy.

With time pressing and the need to remain hidden, Pharmacist’s Wish naturally wouldn’t use her fatal move, Rotating Lamp Flow, but she had ways to stack damage—she attracted the attention of the zombie demons and used their attacks to accumulate damage on the Bright King Armor! Moreover, this zombie demon was just chasing Rabbit Heroine, so she completed half of the cover task along the way.

Blood Phase and Beiyou arrived one after another, and the five Third-Turn combatants unleashed their full power, pouring all the damage into the Undying Skull Tower! The Skull Tower instantly became riddled with holes, bones cracking and splattering, as if it were about to shatter at any second!

But it didn’t break!

Moreover, it was rapidly restoring itself as a golden Buddha light rose from the lotus platform below, continuously repairing its dozens of fractured skulls!

"Retreat!"

At Prajna’s command, everyone withdrew from the Corpse Bone Forest Secret Realm.

The night wind was bleak, and the distant commotion of the Demonic Messengers could be heard, seemingly someone vomited, causing everyone to laugh heartily. The five of them each leaned against a spot and took out Spiritual Jade to replenish their spiritual power, exchanging glances as their expressions gradually relaxed.

"Not bad, even though it was just the first attempt, we almost destroyed the Skull Tower," Prajna encouraged, "A few more tries and we’ll definitely succeed."

"After all these years, there’s finally hope," Beiyou joked, "Blood Phase, don’t you think your brother deserves to die?"

Blood Phase was about to reveal a smile of joy but immediately suppressed it, turning his head to gaze at Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine, gritting his teeth without speaking.

Pharmacist’s Wish was increasingly perplexed by Beiyou. He seemed to want to maintain the team until the secret realm was cleared, but now he deliberately disrupted the atmosphere by mentioning Blood Phase. However, he seemed to be reminding Blood Phase or even them not to let down their guard.

A mix of rationality and capriciousness, purpose and recklessness—perhaps only the Demon Dao could cultivate such a person.

"It won’t succeed."

At the moment when everyone was filled with optimism, a crisp voice poured cold water over them.

"If you don’t make a change, no matter how many times you try, it will never succeed," Rabbit Heroine said calmly, "The Skull Tower won’t break, no matter how fiercely we attack it, it will immediately recover."

"How do you know? You’ve only tried once," Blood Phase sneered, "How many times do you think we’ve challenged the Corpse Bone Forest?"

"My brother says even if a dog eats a pile of shit a thousand times, it doesn’t change the fact it’s shit, no matter how good you think it tastes."

"You—"

"Why are you so sure?" Prajna asked, not angry, but curious instead.

Why? Because I saw its health bar was empty!

Although it could have been just a sliver of health left, Yan Qing didn’t think it was such a coincidence. Moreover, as the health decreased, the Karma Value was completely unaffected, clearly indicating that the monster’s health bar was merely an illusion; reducing the Karma Value is the key!

"You can try a few more times if you like," Rabbit Heroine remarked leisurely, "Either way, this Heroine will laugh at you all thoroughly."

The three Great Guardians exchanged glances filled with inexplicable emotions. Despite having spent a short time together, they didn’t take Rabbit Heroine as someone who spoke without basis, and they indeed had doubts about the last scene—by all accounts, the Skull Tower should have shattered.

"Oh brat, do you have a way then?" Blood Phase asked, "Or are you just talking nonsense, looking for an excuse to give up?"

"Since you shamelessly asked, I will mercifully tell you," Rabbit Heroine said, "Didn’t Prajna say not to attack with Buddhist Sect tokens? It’s the opposite, only by using Buddhist Sect weapons can we perhaps breakthrough the front hall!"