Terror Infinity - Volume 11 - Chapter 1

Vol 11. Returning to The Mummy

Chapter 1
Zheng killed two unlocked members of team Devil. He obtained 14000 points and
2 rank B rewards. However, team China ended with a negative 4 score so the it
deducted 8000 points. Adding up with what he had left over from before, the points
from killing zombies, and subtracting the cost of healing, he had about 8500 points
at the end and two rank B rewards.
Zheng had God left the scar on his face during the healing. It didn’t look as obvious as
the one on his clone, just a faint red line. He did it to remember everything, to revive
his comrades, for revenge, and to never experience the same thing again. This scar
would not disappear until he defeats team Devil!
“Resurrection requires the Book of Amun-Ra. However, it was left deep in the tomb
in Hamunaptra. If I have to go back to get it, then I will need to hire a large number
of locals to excavate the place. The same thing happened in The Mummy Returns,
but it needed a huge amount of time.”
“Returning to the previous movie only takes 10 points for a day, but returning to anything
further back costs 50 points a day and a rank D reward to unlock the movie. I
don’t have to worry about the rewards but I don’t have enough points.”
Zheng sighed. He calculated the time needed. It would take two to three months to
excavate the collapsed tomb. Which meant that he needed 5000 points to get the
Book of Amun-Ra in addition to the points needed to revive his team.
The dimension was unusually quiet at this time. The usual scene of people eating
and chatting on the platform was gone. However, those scenes still seemed to waver
in front of him. He felt his heart tearing apart every time he imagined their faces.
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Zheng told Lori the events in the movies for the first time. She was the only one he
could talk to now. It was also to calm her down. She experienced an unimaginable
fear when the girls of HongLu and ChengXiao created suddenly disappeared. So
Zheng had to tell her what happened in the last movie. Though he didn’t say what
happened to his clone. This was the secret between them.
To his surprise, Lori analyzed for him calmly. “You said there’s a less expensive
method to revive? How?”
Zheng smiled. “You saw The Mummy right? In the movie, they can revive a person
with the spell from the Book of the Dead, a person’s body and organs, and a human
sacrifice. But we have tried, and there is no such spell in the Book of the Dead. So this
book is just a weapon to us. The Book of Amun-Ra is probably the key to resurrection.
Reviving at the altar needs the body, organs, 7000 points, and a rank B reward. So
if we want to revive Heng, we can create his body without a mind, which takes 500
points. Then bring him into the altar and revive using the Book of Amun-Ra. This is
the only method I can think of. Everyone has one chance to be revived.”
Lori said. “You have the rewards but not enough points. It takes 4-5000 points to dig
up the Book of Amun-Ra. Furthermore, you have to prepare for the next movie. Do
you really have to enter The Mummy at this time?”
Zheng nodded with determination. “Yes, I must go. There’s also something I want to
verify. If my clone became so strong after just two movies, then what I am thinking
may be true.”
Lori walked over to Zheng and stared at him. “Can you bring me into The Mummy?
If you go out for anything risky, I will stay in a safe place and wait for you. Ok? I am
scared of being in this dimension alone. There other girls were with me back then…”
Zheng sighed. He stared at this pretty yet young face, the face he loved the most.
As long as she was by his side, his heart wouldn’t fall to darkness. He could imagine
the reason his clone became the way he was, was because the light that kept him
afloat had gone.
“Let’s go. We will enter The Mummy tomorrow!”
This was the second day after returning from Resident Evil. He spent a whole day
searching through the exchange system and organize what weapons he could exchange.
Due to the lack of points, exchanged weapons that required higher rewards
and lower points.
He didn’t sleep with Lori for the night. He sat in the platform doing some calculations
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until Lori came out from the room. He gave her an apologetic smile.
“Do you have work so hard? I have never seen you like this.” Lori sat down next to
him while cuddling onto a pillow. It seemed like she couldn’t sleep either.
Zheng nodded. “Yes. I have to. I realized how much we are lacking after the battle
with team Devil. To be specific, we are lacking the systematic knowledge of Xuan.
Even though HongLu was smart but he was not specialized in battle strategies and
survival. A horror movie requires too much knowledge, one important aspect is transportation.”
“The movies can be separated into two categories, happening in a confined space
and large open space. You must have a transportation tool for large space movies.
I have checked the Sky Stick from the exchange system. It costs 4500 points and
a rank B reward, able to carry one ton, has 12 air to ground missiles, 5000 rounds
of machine gun ammunition, a flame thrower, and lighting capability. It’s a great all
around tool and can reach up to 1,000 km per hour.”
He then took out the hoverboard he obtained from team Devil. “This one was worse
in contrast. It only contains 8 air to ground missiles, no machine gun, no flame thrower,
and only has a speed of 700 km per hour. This is probably gear manufactured by
clone Xuan. After reviving everyone, we need to equip each person with one. Team
Devil actually appeared very far from us in Resident Evil. If we had something like
this, we could have…” Zheng sighed.
Lori gripped his hand. Then Zheng laughed. “I learned a lot about this world from
team Devil. First is the resurrection. Secondly is what I have to confirm in The Mummy
this time, and third is completing missions in the movies proactively and not just the
main mission forced on by God. Thanks to my clone, I will try my best to do it in the
next movie.”
Lori smiled. “You changed a lot. You wouldn’t be able to think of these things before.
And you looked more handsome.”
Zheng smiled bitterly. “This isn’t due to me changing. I entered the third stage to
simulate Xuan to analyze and organize the information. He will be the first one I
have to revive. I need the support from his knowledge and the weapons and tools
he can manufacture to complete optional missions.”
He then looked at his laptop. “Aside from transportation tools, we never thought
about heavy firearms. We should have at least some form of heavy firearms.”
Seeing that Lori didn’t understand, he explained. “From analysis, enhancements are
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extremely powerful in the latter stage. However, scientific weapons are stronger in
the beginning and even throughout the middle stage. Which means before you reach
a tier A enhancement, there are no effective means of defending against powerful
firearms. So they are useful in team battles. Putting that aside, I think our team needs
one or two such weapons. My choice is mini nuclear grenade launcher. It is single
use, has the same size as regular grenade launchers, a range of 10km, explosion
radius of 5km, and costs 3000 points and a rank C reward. It’s a consumable item
for its price so it will be our secret weapon.”
“The next is unlimited ammunition weapons. I couldn’t understand their existence
before, since you wouldn’t use so many bullets in a mission, and bullets are fairly
inexpensive. However, if you are to complete bonus missions, you will have to consume
a large quantity of bullets. There’s a limit to how much one can carry, especially
with the need to carry other supportive items. Lastly, there’s each person’s weapon
of choice. In conclusion, we have to admit we are weaker than team Devil this time.
That’s why I have to verify my guess in The Mummy. Furthermore, we also have to
do our best to find bonus missions in the movies afterward. I don’t want to see my
comrades dying in front of me again! I have to become strong!”
Lori saw Zheng turned to the laptop and asked. “What are you trying to do in The
Mummy? You kept saying it but never mentioned what it is. Stop teasing me!”
Zheng laughed. He kissed Lori due to that cute expression. “It is of course finding
the treasure of the Scorpion King! Do you remember the plot of The Mummy Returns?
The one that defeats the Scorpion King will obtain its army. My clone said finding the
treasure in The Mummy gives 15000 points and a rank A reward. I want to see what
happens if I return to the movie afterward. Since it’s a same world, the Scorpion King
should also exist. Can I still get the rewards if I obtain the treasure without being on
a mission?”
Even if he couldn’t obtain the rewards, he had three months to spend anyway. It was
more efficient to use the time to search for the treasure instead of wasting it.
Zheng was going to continue but when he turned around, Lori had fallen asleep by
his side. Her face looked so naïve and pure. He had to become stronger to protect
this purity.
Ninety days in The Mummy cost 4500 points and a rank D reward. He exchanged
two protective jades with two rank D rewards and 1000 points, which were more
effective than scientific shields. Magical items tend to be more expensive in rewards
than in points.
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Then he exchanged a dimensional bag that cost a rank C reward and no points. The
bag could store 30 cubic meters of lifeless items.
He spent a considerable amount of time thinking about where to spend the remaining
3000 points. In the end he chose a mini rotatory cannon with unlimited ammunition.
It had a range of 3km, 3500 rounds per minute, and used 25mm rounds. Even though
it was a mini cannon, it was still designed to be used in airplanes. The cannon was
the size of half his body when he picked it up. It was not something a normal person
could use, and not to mention sustaining the recoil.
Zheng recharged the hoverboard’s energy with 100 points. He carried the axe he
took from ChengXiao, a submachine gun, an air cannon, the Book of the Dead, several
grenades and 10 cubic meters of gold. In the end he had less than 100 points
left.
“I will obtain the Book of Amun-Ra at any cost!”
Zheng didn’t wake Lori the next day. He went over to God quietly then paid the price.
The next moment he entered the half awake state.
He wasn’t being cruel to Lori nor felt that she was a burden. After the last Resident
Evil movie, he couldn’t bear losing anyone important to him again. If it wasn’t for Lori’s
comfort, he might have fallen into an abyss after the movie and became someone
like his clone.
Therefore, he didn’t want to and couldn’t let Lori take any risks. It also didn’t matter
how much time he spent in the movie anyway, since it would be only an instant for
anyone in God’s dimension. So Lori wouldn’t feel any loneliness. A man had to take
some things on his own, like fate and difficulties.
Zheng was in front of an inn when his senses came back, a very familiar one. This
was the inn O’Connell brought them to the last time they were in The Mummy. Unfortunately,
he was the only one here this time.
Zheng shook his head to buried these thoughts away. Then he walked toward the
museum of Cairo.
Cairo looked like it had been rebuilt. The impact that Imhotep caused had disappeared.
Pedestrians were looking normal. Maybe it was due to Imhotep’s death that
they returned to normal.
He entered the world with his own points this time so there wouldn’t be any danger.
No change of plot by God, no hunt from other teams. However, he felt that he could
not be a part of all the people around him. It wasn’t due to his race nor clothing, but
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rather mentality. He had gotten used to battles and killings that once he came back
to this peaceful environment, especially when he was alone, he didn’t know how to
react.
The importance of comrades wasn’t just their combat abilities. The trust and support
they had for each other were also a major part. He could only remain calm under any
circumstance when his comrades were by his side.
It didn’t take long for Zheng to arrive at the museum. He was too familiar with the
city. He studied the terrains vigorously under the unlocked mode when they fought
team India, especially when they had to run. Of course, no one was chasing after him
now. He also wouldn’t be afraid of anything other than an army. When he came to
the museum through the main street, the curator was talking to several merchants.
The merchants had some relic fragments and the curator crouched down to study
them. He picked a few in better conditions then took out some pound sterling from
his pocket. The merchants happily packed up what was left on the ground and
walked away.
The curator raised his head and saw Zheng looking at him with a smile. He was
shocked then ran over to Zheng in excitement and grabbed his hand. “Zheng! You
have the Book of the Dead and Book of Amun-Ra right? Haha. I finally found you.
Hurry up and let me see the books. They are unique treasures!”
Zheng thought the curator was happy to see him again and opened his arms for a
hug. Who would have guessed he was after the debt. Zheng laughed bitterly. The
curator also laughed out loud and dragged him into the museum. “The people of the
Pharaoh thank you and your comrades. Eh? Where are your comrades?”
Zheng’s expression changed. He said in a serious tone. “Help me. I want to return to
Hamunaptra and dig out the Book of Amun-Ra. I want to obtain the Scorpion King’s
treasure!”
Chapter 2
Inside the museum. The curator brought out his valuable tea, carefully lit the alcohol
burner, then brew the tea in a little pot. The fragrance smelled refreshing.
“The current trend in Europe is to put sugar and milk in the tea. I have received
several travelers from the east who brewed this kind of plain tea for me and it tasted
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delicious. This is the true taste of tea. The east is just as mysterious as you. Zheng,
can you tell me where did you learn of the Scorpion King’s treasure? I don’t believe
the Medjais leaked anything. Is it the descendants of Imhotep’s monks?” The curator
took a sip then asked Zheng with a smile.
Zheng also took a sip. To be honest, it had been a long time since he last had the
chance to sit down and drink tea so leisurely. This was authentic West Lake Dragon
Well, one of the best tea. The taste of home made him sipped a few more.
Zheng laughed. “If this is the real world, I wouldn’t be allowed to tell you anything.
Furthermore, I would lose points for talking about that place before our team accumulated
three unlocked members. It doesn’t matter now. I won’t be punished for
saying anything. I am not from the same world as you. I came from another world.”
The curator didn’t appear surprised. He took another sip calmly. “We guessed you
were probably not from our world when you disappeared outside the tomb. Where
is the afterworld? Are you from heaven?”
Zheng waved his hands. “No, that’s not what I meant by another world. You are
making me sound like I had died. I said my comrades and I belong to another world.
Uh, we are not dead. We came here to complete missions.”
The curator thought for a bit then laughed. “Killing Imhotep was your mission last
time? The mission is done, so what are you back for? To obtain power and treasure?
Why are you back by yourself? Are you doing it behind your comrades?”
Zheng lowered his head. “No, they all died in another mission. That’s why I have to
find the Book of Amun-Ra. In order to seek revenge, I also have to search for the
Scorpion King’s treasure. Whether I can obtain it is another question but I don’t want
to tell them I did nothing but drink tea during their death.”
The curator shook his head. “It’s not that I am not helping you but I don’t know how to.
The Scorpion King’s treasure is merely a legend. You have to obtain the bracelet of
Anubis then used the it to find the pyramid. However, all if it is just a legend. We don’t
even know if this bracelet exist or not, not to mention the existence of the Scorpion
King’s pyramid.”
“Even if you are to obtain the bracelet and find the pyramid, we will stop you from
waking the Scorpion King. If you fail to challenge it, it will destroy the world with
its army. The biggest missions of us Medjais are to guard Imhotep and monitor the
Scorpion King’s army. So we can’t agree to your request!”
Zheng sighed. “Then at least do me a little favor. I want to excavate Hamunaptra
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and dig out the Book of Amun-Ra. It requires a lot of people to do so, but I will hire
people to go over there. I need you to not hurt those people and make sure our
transportation of supplies are safe. Can you agree to this request? Since I helped
you kill Imhotep.”
The curator also sighed. “I think we have no problem with this, but our men have to
keep a watch over all the people. The gold that comes out belong to us, and we will
safeguard Imhotep’s body.”
Zheng nodded. “That’s fine by me. I won’t take the gold nor Imhotep’s body even if
you don’t mention them. Aside from this, I wish you can help me get in contact with
O’Connell and Evelyn. Are they doing well?”
The curator laughed lightly. “They are of course doing well. They just returned from
honeymoon in Africa not long ago. They bought a house in England with the gold
you gave them and living a well off life. However, that woman couldn’t keep herself
in one place. Since the Book of the Dead is actually real, she firmly believes there
are numerous hidden treasures in the world, like the Mayan golden mask that turns
people into vampires, and the seven crystal skulls of Alantis. She had gone crazy
thinking of treasures. I received a letter from her a while ago. She hoped I can
send a letter to her on behalf of the museum to trick O’Connell into letting her go on
adventures.”
Zheng giggled. That actually seemed like what Evelyn would do. O’Connell couldn’t
get some peace even after they got married. “Can you get in contact with them?
Invite them to Cairo on my behalf. Just say I need their help. A comrade that once
fought with them needs their help.”
The curator sighed. “They should receive the message pretty quick with telegraph,
but it takes about ten days to get here from England. If they start moving as soon as
possible, you should see them in half a month.”
Zheng nodded. “Then I will leave it to you. I need to hire a large number of people
so I need money. Can you contact a well known bank? One that has good reputation
over the world. Because I need to sell a lot of gold.”
“For a bank with good international reputation, the English Barclays bank that has a
branch in Cairo is a good choice. America’s Citibank and some others are also…”
Zheng said. “Citibank then. I have heard of it. It’s reputable over the world. Oh and
curator, help me prepare a concealed room. I can’t just go over with the gold.”
The curator was confused by what Zheng meant but he found an empty room for
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Zheng. Then he watched as Zheng took out a bag and started pouring. An endless
stream of gold bars poured out like a magic show. Zheng stopped when the gold
reached one cubic meter. Then he said to the curator with a smile. “Is one cubic
meter enough? It’s a little more than 19 tons. I wonder if Citibank can take them all.”
The curator stared with his mouth open in shock. Though his attention wasn’t at the
gold but the dimensional bag. He jumped at Zheng and grabbed the bag at once.
Zheng didn’t care much and handed it over to him. “Go take a look. Be careful not
to point the opening down, or the things inside will fall out.”
The curator couldn’t hear his words anymore. He studied the bag with full concentration,
then put his hand inside. Zheng ignored his excitement and dragged him out
the museum. He didn’t have the time to waste. He had to exchange the gold, to hire
workers, to arrange the transportation of supplies for the workers, and discuss with
the Medjai to protect the workers’ safety and monitor the excavation.”
“Anyway, do what I can do first, exchange the gold, get people, and send the telegraph.”
Zheng said as he dragged the curator along. At the same time, he was more sure
of his guess. God wouldn’t leave these worlds behind without a reason. If it took so
many points and a rank D reward to enter, there should be a use for these worlds.
He believed he could obtain the Scorpion King’s treasure. Even if it gives no points,
the army of Anubis alone is worth the risk.
“Do your best to grow stronger. For survival, and for revenge!”
Even an international bank had difficulty taking in 19 tons of gold, since this location
was just a branch. Zheng followed the curator’s advice to split the gold into three
portions and sold them separately to banks of England, the U.S., and France under an
Egyptian civil organization. This was a rather well known organization but underneath
it was the Medjai. Zheng gave them a cubic meter of gold as thanks.
“Even though we are descendants of the Pharaohs who were known for wealth, but
most of our people are living on the borderline of hunger. We can’t help it. This is the
desert. There’s no land suitable for production. I thank you on behalf of my people,
my friend.” Ardeth came with several elders in robes.
The elders widened their eyes the moment they saw the gold then immediately
agreed to the excavation and protect the workers and supply line. If Zheng wasn’t
aware of the plot knowing they were people would would die for their cause, he
would have assumed they were merchants.
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As Ardeth explained, Zheng said. “I understand. This is nothing to be ashamed
about. Plus, there’s a large quantity of gold buried in Hamunaptra. Your people’s
living condition will certainly change for the better once you get the gold.”
Ardeth shook his head with a bitter smile then said. “I heard you have learned of the
Scorpion King’s treasure. There’s a good news and a bad news. Which one do you
want to hear first?”
Zheng paused. There were only two things that affected his future in this world,
the Scorpion King’s treasure and the excavation of Hamunaptra. Aside for these, he
didn’t even care if the three banks went bankrupt. He shook his head and said. “Bro,
just say it. I don’t know what can be considered good or bad news for me.”
“The good news is, our people are discussing whether you should go search for the
Scorpion King’s treasure. Since we can delay you for a bit but not every time. So the
elders might want to eliminate the Scorpion King once and for all. We don’t want the
Scorpion King to revive under some scheme in the future. In contrast, if your strength
can gain the elders’ acknowledgement and obtain the Spear of Osiris, we will agree
to the search for the treasure.”
Zheng was excited and said loudly. “That’s great. It’s fortunate to gain your help!”
“The bad news is the Spear had disappeared for over 2000 years already. The last
time it appeared was during a war between the Pharaoh and invaders. The Pharaoh
pierced the heart of the leader of the invaders then the spear was lost. My apologies
but without the spear, the elders won’t agree to you searching for the Scorpion King.”
Zheng’s face looked bitter. In the plot of The Mummy Returns, the spear first appeared
in Jonathan but the movie never mentioned how he obtained it. There was
also no mention of where in the tomb was the bracelet. Everything seemed like an
illusion. It was very likely that he couldn’t find the Scorpion King’s treasure. He didn’t
know how his clone completed this mission in the first Mummy movie.
“Ay, true. We don’t even have the bracelet. Not to mention the Spear of Osiris. This
already seem impossible.” Zheng muttered.
Ardeth laughed. “We know the whereabouts of the bracelet. It’s hidden in the tomb.
Unfortunately, we lost the key to open it, the key that opens the Book of Amun-Ra
and the Book of the Dead. Otherwise, we could have first obtained the bracelet. So
that even if you can’t find the spear, we can hide the bracelet and keep it safe.”
Zheng took out the key from his ring. “Well, I have the key but not the spear. I don’t
think you can defeat the Scorpion King with normal firearms. So let’s talk about the
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excavation first.”
The Medjai had been wanting to excavate Hamunaptra for quite some time but they
didn’t have the funds to sustain the operation.
They dreaded the curse of Imhotep before the first movie happened and didn’t enter
the tomb. However, after the first movie, it was already too late when Hamunaptra
collapsed. The gold inside was also buried. When they learned of Zheng willing
to excavate Hamunaptra, they were delighted and therefore became agreeable to
searching for the Scorpion King.
Zheng sighed at this world after learning everything from Ardeth. Money was the
most power item in the world. At least more useful than he imagined. Yet, he was
lacking so many things but gold.
Anyway, with the help of the Medjais, he sent a telegraph to O’Connell then began
hiring workers using the organization’s name. The pay was the best of it’s kind so
everything was set within a week. Three thousand workers and a thousand camels
carrying tools and some machines headed toward Hamunaptra. The expenses were
through the roof since this took place in a desert. Zheng traded three more cubic
meters of gold and let the curator handle the money. He went to Hamunaptra with
Ardeth.
Ardeth looked at the crowd in front and said. “You are overemphasizing. Our people
are experienced in this kind of excavations. It would only take a group two hundred
people half a year to clear a site. You didn’t really have to hire so many people. It
was too wasteful.”
Zheng laughed. “I don’t have the time. The curator probably told you already that
I am not from this world. My comrades died in another mission so I can’t waste any
time. I have to pay a price to come back here. And because the price is so high, I
only have three months. The excavation must complete within three months at any
cost. I need the Book of Amun-Ra to revive my comrades. That’s why I asked you for
help. I am too weak by myself. I need you.”
Ardeth gritted his teeth and said. “Understood. Men of the desert won’t forget a
favor! I will use my power to influence the elders’ decision. Some of our men said
the Spear of Osiris appeared in a small country in Africa. However, it was stolen
away afterward. I will sent people to investigate. Let us finish what’s in front of us
first. Don’t worry, you will obtain the Book of Amun-Ra within three months. If the
excavation isn’t going fast enough, I will let our men help.”
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Zheng suddenly thought of a possibility. Even though it seemed absurd but perhaps
it was a coincidence.
“Hope the heaven will bless me.”
Zheng muttered as he looked out to the sky.
Chapter 3
Ardeth was much better than Zheng at leading a large number of people since he
was the head of a tribe. That was not to say his leadership abilities were better but
they each had their strengths. Zheng would be stronger leading a small group of
less than twenty people in a fight.
Zheng was quite happy that Ardeth was willing to lead the workers. O’Connell and
the others would take over ten days to arrive so he began practicing his Qi and blood
energy. He realized his lack of strength during the battle with team devil. He was
inferior to the clone in pure strength, mentality, willpower, and techniques.
The desire to survive wasn’t powerful enough on its own. He needed a stronger
desire. A desire for victory, to protect the people important to him, to never lose
them again!
Qi could grow with training. Blood energy could become more flexible and its uses
were more than simple burning. When he burst a large quantity of blood energy in
an instant, its color would turn darker. Zheng could reach a deep red currently. When
he thought about it, the clone was just using the same Red Flame. However, he could
burst such a high amount of energy that the flame turned black.
Enhancements and abilities from God were just the basics. The user could alter them
to better suit himself. This was the key to becoming stronger. Using the enhancements
as is would never be able to beat those that altered them.
Zheng’s pool of blood energy wasn’t big enough so he had to merge qi into the Red
Flame. The fusion of these two energies created a slight amount of golden flame
among the red. Even though he hadn’t tested it, he believed this golden flame should
be more powerful.
Then he tried channeling qi into his weapons, like what he saw from wuxia movies.
Although he had not exchanged any martial art techniques, the usage of qi should
be universal.
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However, the only weapon that could sustain the corrosiveness of his qi was the axe.
All other metallic weapons would break apart. The most important thing was this
method consumes a lot of qi. But of course, it was equally powerful.
Ten days quickly passed. Zheng was cultivating qi in a tent. Ardeth entered the tent
with a petite hawk on his arm. “O’Connell had arrived. They are doing preparations
in Cairo and will come along with the next group of supplies. They should be here in
a few days.”
Zheng said delightfully. “Really? That’s great. Ok, I am going to pick them up. How
is the progress of the excavation?”
“We have gotten to the middle of the first layer of Hamunaptra. Since the outer area
has a lot of rocks to clear, it will get easier as we reach deeper. We have unearthed
a lot of gold.”
Zheng interrupted him with a laugh. “I told you, all the gold from Hamunaptra are
yours to keep. Use them to improve your tribe’s living conditions and send the children
to school. The tribe will grow stronger once the children get education. Ok, I
will go pick them up now.” He took out the Sky Stick from the dimensional bag.
Ardeth and the group of people around watched in a daze as Zheng flew away on
the Sky Stick. That speed was faster than the airplanes at the time and he soon
disappeared from the horizon.
“See, foreign technologies are so amazing. Even a metal plate can fly.”
“Bullshit, that’s a skateboard. I’d seen someone play it. I heard every kid has one in
western countries.”
Ardeth laughed out loud when he heard the crowd talking. Then he turned around
and walked toward Hamunaptra.
The feeling of flying was soothing to Zheng. It cast all the gloom in his mind away. He
couldn’t help but want to shout as he flew between the blue sky and yellow desert.
Furthermore, the Sky Stick’s speed was impressive. It only took him an hour to arrive
at Cairo.
Zheng landed on the entrance to the museum and instantly heard voices from the
inside. It seemed like Jonathan was arguging with someone.
“Stop kidding. I spent 1,000 pounds for this antique. You can’t just tell me to hand it
over. Aren’t we friends? I can sell it to the museum for just 1,500 pounds. How about
1,000 pounds, you can’t have me at a loss.”
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The one that was arguing with Jonathan was the curator.
When Zheng entered the reception room, Jonathan was waving a short golden staff.
He immediately ran up and seized the staff then studied it carefully. He twisted the
staff like how he remembered from the movie.
The front of the staff extended out and became a spear. God’s voice also sounded
in his head.
“Obtained quest item Spear of Osiris. The power of the throw will be determined by
the user’s energy amount. Requires the user to have qi, blood energy, magic, Nen,
or xian energy.”
Zheng was shocked by this voice until Jonathan grabbed his shoulders. “Great. Finally
get you see you. You still owe me three gold bars from last time. Can you pay
them now? Oh and gold had risen in value so its five gold bars now.”
Zheng twisted the spear again to turn it back into a short staff. Then he laughed and
began pouring gold from the bag. He gave Jonathan a hug and said. “Shit, I like you,
bro. Haha!”
Jonathan was also shocked as he stared at the gold on the ground. He picked one
up and bang it on his head, then he fainted. However, his face looked so happy. It
was probably a pleasure for him to get killed by gold.
“My god.” O’Connell cried when he saw it. “Did you rob the Bank of England? And
what is this bag? How can it store so much gold?”
Zheng put the spear in his ring then sat down on the sofa. He said to O’Connell and
Evelyn with a laugh. “Want to go on adventure with me? Want to find the Scorpion
King’s treasure? Come with me to search for the Scorpion King!”
Evelyn cried in excitement. “Yeah, you know where the treasure is? I thought it was
just a lie. So that Scorpion King in Egyptian history really existed? My god. This is
thrilling!”
O’Connell’s expression changed. “Sorry, Zheng. We can’t go on adventure with you.
I can see that you don’t need any more money when you have so much gold. Why
are you still going on adventures? Can’t we live a peaceful life. Adventure comes
with great risks. Evelyn is pregnant. I don’t think this is the time for adventures.”
Evelyn said. “What are you kidding, O’Connell. Don’t make decisions for me. I am
only two months pregnant. The doctor never mentioned anything about the need to
take things easy. I warn you. You are invading my personal rights.”
14
O’Connell turned to her and said in a fierce tone. “Because no other women will do
such dangerous things when they are pregnant! God knows why I agreed to go to
Africa with you for honeymoon. Which made Jonathan stole someone’s golden staff
and you were crying to go on adventure in the canyon. I almost wanted to kill myself
back then!”
Zheng smiled bitterly then sighed. “Looks like this is not happening. I will go search
for the Scorpion King’s treasure myself then. O’Connell, I don’t need gold but I need
something more important than gold. My comrades died in the last mission so I have
to revive them with the Book of Amun-Ra and also find the Scorpion King’s treasure.”
O’Connell laughed. “Even though she can’t go, I can go with you. Haha. It’s time to
pay back the debt I owe you last time. Right? Comrade.”
Zheng paused for a moment then laughed. “Right. Comrade. Let us go find the
Scorpion King’s treasure.”
They didn’t notice the sly smile on Evelyn’s face.
“Even though you gave me a lot of gold, but are you sure this skateboard can fly us?
Especially such a long distance to Hamunaptra? Don’t kid me. Let’s stay with the
supplies group. Not like you need this little bit of extra time.” Jonathan gave him a
weird look as he looked at the basket hanging below the Sky Stick.
Zheng laughed. “Relax, this hoverboard can carry 800 kg. I don’t think any of us four
people weight more than 200 kg. Haha, I also included the weight of the basket in
my estimate. If you are still worried, we will fly at a low height for a bit.”
In the end, O’Connell and the other two couldn’t hold their curiosities and entered
the basket. The three of them calmed down when the Sky Stick was flying steadily.
Jonathan yelled. “Zheng, this thing is so convenient. Do you have the design papers?
I have a few friends who work in manufacturing. Maybe we can mass produce this
thing and sell it. It should worth more than an airplane with its speed. How about fifty
fifty on the profits? Uh, fine. You get sixty, or seventy? Hey, it can’t get more than
eighty.”
Zheng felt peaceful as he listened to the voices from below. This was the feeling of
being with comrades. He finally get to experience this feeling again after Resident
Evil. These people once fought along with him after all.
The Sky Stick’s speed was lowered due to the extra basket and people and its energy
was depleting at twice the normal rate. It could last thirty more hours at this rate,
15
then it had to be recharged in God’s dimension unless he could swap the solid state
energy cubes.
(The energy cubes cost 300 points each, one of the most expensive energies. However,
the Sky Stick is convenient until I can get a BB or A tier flying sword. So I should
carry a few energy cubes when I have the extra points.)
Zheng thought as he flew. About two hours later, Hamunaptra came in sight. The
whole site was filled with workers as they looked down from the sky. The scene of
several thousand people working looked astonishing. The first layer of Hamunaptra
was almost finished excavating. The Medjais cried every time a golden object was
unearthed. Jonathan’s breathing suddenly became heavy.
Once they landed, Ardeth and several elders came over. “It didn’t even took a whole
afternoon for you to bring them over. Do you have another one? It can carry so many
people.”
Zheng smiled apologetically. “Just one. This is expensive even in our world, much
more expensive than gold. But I can bring you the design papers when I get a
chance.”
Ardeth seemed disappointed but he said with a laughter. “Leave it for next time
then. The elders have come to a conclusion that if you obtain the Spear of Osiris and
defeat ten of our strongest warriors barehanded, we will give you the information of
the bracelet. The ten warriors will use weapons.”
Zheng felt pretty pleased with himself then Ardeth said in a low voice next to him.
“They dug up a gold statue of Ra in the afternoon that’s at least 15 tons. The old men
almost gone crazy so they agreed to it quite readily.”
Zheng laughed and took out the short staff from his ring. “Ha, my luck is amazing.
Do you remember that report of the spear gotten stolen? The one that stole it was
Jonathan.”
Ardeth was surprised and also laughed. “So, it’s Jonathan. It’s surely an easy task
for him.”
Jonathan interjected. “Oh please, I am just borrowing. Don’t slander my reputation.”
Everyone ignored him. O’Connell said. “What kind of rules is this to fight ten people
with weapons barehanded? Can’t you use your power as a tribe leader?”
Ardeth shrugged. “Nothing I can do. The elders are the second highest ranked aside
from the priest. They can remove my position as the leader easily. In fact, they always
16
thought of the Scorpion King’s treasures as theirs. They don’t want anyone else to
obtain it even if they can’t. This test is designed to make it difficult for you. They
probably don’t want to see you obtaining the treasure.”
Zheng suddenly smiled at the elders who were confused by it. He twisted open the
spear and aimed it at an empty area. Everyone looked at him quietly, waiting for him
to throw it.
(It can take in both qi and blood energy. What about the fusion of these two energies?)
Zheng channeled both energies to his arm then entered the spear. It sucked in his
energies continuously like an abyss. Once the spear started glowing in a golden
light, Zheng gave a shout and threw it out.
The spear crossed 1500 meters then pierced into the ground. A golden light
emerged from it. There was no sound of explosions but it created a hole of eight
meters wide and three meters deep.
The destructive power shocked even Zheng. When he channeled both energies to
the axe, it only gave the axe extra corrosive properties and toughness. The spear
was different. Was it because of it being a quest item? Was there a lot of this type of
items?
The elders were also shocked. They yelled and several men started running to the
spear. However, Zheng was much faster than them with the movement technique.
He surpassed them and grabbed the spear. The men stared at him with hostility.
The elders looked anxious as they talked to Ardeth. Ardeth seemed enraged by it.
Zheng could have guessed what they were talking about. The elders couldn’t let go
of a treasure like this. The spear didn’t have such destructive power in the movie
when O’Connell used it. So it was probably the same as the Book of the Dead and
the Book of Amun-Ra that only had an effect when the players used it. He laughed
and said. “No problem. You want to try its power? No one else can bring out its
power. Go ahead and give it a try.” He handed the spear to them.
One of the elder grabbed the spear before Ardeth could say anything, then gave it
to a large man. The man aimed it at a hill and took a deep breath. He ran a few steps
then threw it out.
However, there was no glow of any kind. The spear flew almost a hundred meters
and hit the hill. The hill stood there intact.
The elders were dumbfounded, even Ardeth and O’Connell’s group were so. The
spear didn’t react to all the Medjais that tried throwing it afterward. That was when
17
they finally realized no one on their side could activate the spear. They agreed to
hand the spear back to Zheng after a short exchange and send people to enter the
tomb with Zheng.
“What happened? Why are they suddenly so agreeable?” Jonathan asked.
Ardeth said with a bitter smile. “There’s a legend in our tribe that a warrior will kill
the Scorpion King with the Spear of Osiris once and for all. They believe that you are
the warrior. No one had ever heard about throwing the spear like you did. It’s better
to kill the Scorpion King when you are here. The treasures doesn’t belong to us to
begin with.”
Zheng laughed. “No problem. It’s my suggestion to search for the Scorpion King’s
treasure. Secondly, you are the ones working in this excavation. I would be busy day
and nights if no one’s doing the management for me. I have to thank you for this.”
Ardeth said. “Zheng, can I join the adventure team? This place is boring me. I’d
rather have some action with you guys. Do you welcome me?”
Zheng was stronger than everyone else here but only in combat strength. Pure
strength wasn’t enough to let him survive in horror movies. Just like how he needed
the intelligence from HongLu or Xuan, the psyche scan from Lan, the long range
snipes from Zero or Heng, and the medical skills from ChengXiao. So the first thing
he did upon returning to this world was to contact O’Connell and the Medjais for help.
“Of course. Welcome, comrade.” Zheng held out his hand.
O’Connell had Zheng fly him back to Cairo after some discussion. He wanted to find
a friend who had an aircraft that might be able to carry them into the inner tomb.
Everyone else would stay here and wait.
On the Sky Stick, Zheng saw O’Connell looking envious. He laughed. “Come give
this hoverboard a try. It feels like you are flying on your own. Be careful about body
balance. You should try it at a low altitude first.”
O’Connell didn’t hesitate, just like most westerners. He stepped on the Sky Stick.
However, he kept falling for several times. “It’s too difficult. You’re a monster. How
can you keep that balance?”
Zheng thought the Goblin was like half a super human and had incredible strength
and reaction. So he was able to drive this Sky Stick. Not to mention Zheng’s own
stats. After O’Connell got into the basket, Zheng took off on the Sky Stick.
It was night time when Zheng came back to Hamunaptra on the dirigible with
O’Connell and his black friend. The ruin was well lit. The workers split into three
18
shifts throughout the day. The progress of the excavation was moving quickly
because Zheng offered a large bonus for completing the job earlier than expected.
Evelyn ran over to them with a map excitedly as they got off the dirigible. She marked
the tomb’s location on the map after getting a description of the geography from the
elders. Once they get back on the dirigible, she would be able to lead the way.
“Don’t even think about it. I am serious this time.” O’Connell was shouting in a tent.
However, his voice was getting lower and lower. Then the tent began shaking.
Zheng and O’Connell shook their heads. They were almost certain of O’Connell’s
helpless expression tomorrow and Evelyn would come with them to the tomb. Sometimes,
it was not easy to be a man.
The two of them bumped their glasses. Jonathan took a sip of brandy and said. “So
they all died to another team? Just like how it was for that team India?”
Zheng also took a sip of brandy and muttered. “Yes, they all died to another team
just like team India. But this team is much stronger, much more than team India, and
more than us. I need to revive everyone. We will encounter this team again and we
will defeat them!”
“We are the lucky ones. Get drunk when there’s alcohol. Date pretty women when
we see one. Hoho, the days are ordinary but that’s the happiest days.”
Zheng looked up at the sky. “Perhaps this kind of days are the happiest.”
The second day, everyone gathered around the dirigible. Four Medjai guides, Zheng,
O’Connell, Jonathan, Evelyn, Ardeth, and the black driver, Izzy entered the dirigible.
Fortunately, the dirigible was barely able to carry them all. Izzy started piloting it
toward the tomb.
“This tomb was built using the same construction techniques as Hamunaptra. So
there’s a lot of traps. Don’t walk off on your own after you get inside. Listen to orders.
And don’t touch anything special. It might collapse like Hamunaptra. Get it?”
The dirigible landed in front of a small cave. There was no other constructions on the
surface. This tomb was a secret tomb in contrast to Hamunaptra which still looked
magnificent after thousands of years. No one would think this cave was a tomb.
Evelyn was lecturing everyone in front of the cave. O’Connell pinched her nose and
said. “Stop with the useless lectures. Who here doesn’t know the basic rules, uh?
Izzy, you can stay outside and look after the dirigible. Everyone else get in.”
19
Jonathan immediately said. “Actually, I don’t mind looking after the dirigible. It’s a
little tiring but if it’s for everyone…” Ardeth and Zheng lifted him up and walked into
the tomb.
Evelyn massaged her nose then ran behind them. The four Medjai guides entered
last.
This tomb was incomparable with Hamunaptra. The main lobby was a little big but
the tunnels and rooms were narrow and small. It was also a little damp so a lot of
insects dwelled here. They saw scorpions and spiders on the way.
“The Scorpion King was said to be a warrior from Africa. He attempted to conquer
the world with his army. The first country he invaded was ancient Egypt. However, he
came into resistance in Thebes. The battle lasted seven years. The Scorpion King
lost in the end and escaped into holy desert with his remaining army.”
“There, his soldiers died one after another until he was the only person left standing.
At the last moment before his death, he made a wish to Anubis to spare his life and
let him conquer his enemies. In exchange, he will offer his soul…” Evelyn was telling
the legend of the Scorpion King.
Zheng suddenly interrupted her. “Wait, wait a moment!”
“Entered movie plot in advance. Difficulty increased to the highest. Completion
awards double the points and rewards. Obtain the Scorpion King’s bracelet within
ten minutes. Awards 4000 points, and two rank C rewards. Failure will cause the
tomb to collapse and deduct 5000 points.”
The emotionless voice of God sent a chill into Zheng’s heart.
Chapter 4
Zheng was struck by this voice. It took a while for him to come back to his senses. He
immediately shouted. “Fuck, hurry! Everyone run to the deepest part of the tomb!”
Evelyn looked around and said. “Patience is a virtue. This is a tomb. There are traps
everywhere. We can get killed if we go too fast.”
Zheng started running ahead as he yelled. “I just received a mission notice. This
tomb will collapse in ten minutes if I don’t get the bracelet. Fuck, why would I get
a mission when I spent my own points to get here. This doesn’t even make sense.
Fuck God.”
20
The others were dumbfounded as they saw Zheng running away. Then hurried behind
him. Aside from Jonathan who said. “I suddenly have an upset stomach. Let
me go take a dump. I will be back in ten minutes.” O’Connell and Ardeth grabbed
him on both sides then dragged him into the tomb.
The tomb felt ghastly and damp. The scorpions and spiders made them uncomfortable.
Although Zheng couldn’t feel anything, since he was running against the clock.
Once ten minutes were up, he would die before the tomb could collapse. He couldn’t
come up with 5000 points to deduct. Plus, it was lucky to encounter a bonus mission.
Who knows when would he see one again? So he didn’t want to just leave the tomb.
A sense of danger suddenly struck him. He rolled to the front without thinking. A
large sword hit where he were at. The hand holding it wasn’t a human hand.
A human body with a dog’s head walked out from a narrow path. It was three meters
tall, with a black body, and holding a large sword. It looked like one of Anubis’s army
in the movie.
The monster moved faster than the mummies from the first movie. The sword slashed
at Zheng horizontally with the tip scratching against the wall, causing flares on the
point of contact.
Zheng turned around the moment he landed as he took out the axe. He jumped
straight into the monster. The axe and sword met each other. The lightning enveloping
the axe made it seem like Thor’s hammer. It easily caught the sword then crushed
it and also crushed the the monster into dust.
“Everyone be careful! There are monsters in the tomb!”
Zheng yelled to the people behind him before he could catch a his breath. Then he
saw them running at him at twice the speed from before. Jonathan yelled. “Don’t
need your reminders. There are a lot of monsters behind!”
Zheng looked past them and saw several Anubis warriors chasing after them. They
moved in the tomb swiftly with their large swords.
Zheng sighed. He could have taken care of the Anubis’s warriors without even unlocking
but God only gave him ten minutes. These warriors were obviously placed
here to delay him.
(If they are here then I could have entrusted my back to them.)
He took out a submachine gun and ran ahead of everyone. “I will clear the way, take
care of yourself!” An Anubis warrior had already ran up to him from the front.
21
Zheng had entered the unlocked mode when he was done shouting. The movements
of the warrior became clear in his eyes. Numerous information streamed into
his head. He sprayed the gun at the warrior’s calves and broke its leg off. The warrior
fell over at him and hit itself at the incoming axe.
Jonathan was somehow running just a meter behind Zheng. He said hurriedly. “Not
bad. Feels like a man to use an axe as a weapon.”
Zheng suddenly recalled what he said to the original owner of this weapon and
smiled bitterly. He didn’t reply and kept running ahead. There were only three warriors
on the way. He killed all of them before they could close in since magical bullets
were effective against them.
“How much longer? Who knows how much time we have left!?” Zheng yelled, but
he didn’t even have the time to look behind him.
Evelyn said. “Six minutes. Only six minutes left!”
Zheng was getting anxious. “What about the guides? Aren’t they the experts? Which
doors or walls should get go through? Say something!”
Jonathan sighed behind him. “They probably never experienced this kind of scenarios
so they disappeared after a while of running. I think they ran into the wrong path
and may not be alive anymore.”
“Why didn’t I see you run into a wrong path?” Zheng casually responded then a sword
was coming straight at his face. These Anubis’s warriors had learned to throw their
weapons. The movie characters were behind him so he couldn’t even dodge them.
He could take a hit or two but it would probably take half the life of anyone behind
him.
“Fuck!” Zheng had no choice but to block it with his axe. The throw was powerful
along with the weapon’s heavy weight. It knocked him back a meter and collided
with Jonathan who was behind him, also dragging everyone to the ground.
“Everyone get down!”
Zheng yelled. He might as well start going all out now. He took out the gatling cannon
then began spraying the front and back of the tunnel. The shooting speed of several
thousand rounds a minute plus the power of the cannons crushed ten warriors in just
two rounds. Everyone looked at this exaggerating weapon with their mouths open.
Using a gatling cannon by just one person was shocking.
“What are you waiting for? Run!”
22
Zheng threw it back into the dimensional bag and met eyes with the people on the
ground. They followed Zheng running along the tunnel. He killed ten more warriors
on the way and luckily there were no real threats. When there was only four minutes
left, Evelyn pointed to a wall. “It’s here! I have a feeling it’s behind this wall!”
In the original plot, it was Evelyn recalling her previous life that brought them to the
secret tomb. So Zheng hacked the wall with the axe without thinking. It created an
opening on the wall. He could see a room through the opening.
However, before his axe hit the wall again, he saw a three meter long scorpion, or
perhaps, the ancestor of scorpions. It wasn’t just one. As he looked closely through
the opening, there were at least seven of them.
“I hate you God!”
Zheng didn’t know what to do. Breaking through the wall would release the scorpions.
He couldn’t block them all at once. Plus, with their size, it wasn’t just simply an
issue with venom. The sting could open a hole in the body.
At the same time, the footsteps coming through the tunnels signaled the Anubis army.
It seemed like all the warriors in the tomb were closing in on them. Any delay and
they might be trapped in a sea of monsters. Of course, it wouldn’t even need any
monsters when the four minutes remaining were up.
“Fuck! Let us make a bet then.” Zheng shouted. He took out a grenade and pulled
the ring.
“Bet? What bet?” Jonathan was shocked at the large scorpion.
“To see if the tomb is sturdy enough!”
Zheng through the grenade into the opening then brought everyone down to the
ground and covered them. A violent explosion followed. Numerous rocks hit his
back and the tomb was trembling. Everyone held their breaths as if heavy breathing
was the last straw to collapsing the tomb. Fortunately, the trembling ended shortly.
Only a little rocks fell from the ceiling. Then they saw another grenade appeared in
Zheng’s hand.
“No, no, no. You can’t do this! We have no plan to destroy this place. Relax, we will
get the bracelet in ten minutes.” Jonathan was most sensitive to danger. He grabbed
a hold of Zheng and yelled.
Zheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Relax. There’s a way out through the
inside. We just need to block off the monsters behind us. I don’t want to see them
23
when I am taking the bracelet. Since we made a bet already, I don’t think the tomb
with collapse with this one.”
Jonathan had no choice but to enter the opening they just bombed open. The room
had became black and in a mess. The scorpions were gone except for some burning
exoskeletons. There was no time for them to think. They stayed close to the wall and
closed their eyes.
The tomb started trembling again with another violent explosion. Soon enough, the
trembling weakened and finally the tomb calmed down. They opened their eyes with
a sigh of relief. Evelyn looked out through the hole they came in and saw the tunnel
had collapsed.
Jonathan turned to Zheng. “Please, you better not lie. I still have a lot of gold in the
bank. I need to bring a dozen girls to the beach before anything happens to me.”
Zheng laughed. “Oh, you want water? You can get water in a bit.”
Jonathan shivered and asked O’Connell in confusion. “What did he mean? Why did
he said water when I mentioned the beach?”
O’Connell shrugged. “Who knows. But beaches should be next to water.”
Zheng walked to a wall. Evelyn pointed at it and said. “Right, there should be a
switch or something. Press it and this wall will raise. But the explosion might have
destroyed the switch.”
Zheng panicked. He raised the axe and hacked at the wall. Clank! The wall was
actually made of granite. The axe only left a light mark on it. Evelyn yelled. “There’s
only one minute left, Zheng!”
Zheng yelled back. “I know! Everyone get away!” He channeled qi and blood energy
into the axe. He had no time to worry about whether the axe could take in so much
energy at the same time. Then he swung the axe at the wall.
It hacked off a big piece of granite. The golden energy from the fusion of qi and blood
energy also corroded the granite rapidly. Ten swings later, he opened a hole through
this thick wall and Zheng was panting heavily. He looked behind to see everyone
staring at him.
“What the heck are you still waiting for? Do you want me to carry you? Hurry! How
much time do we have left?”
Evelyn looked at her watch and her face turned pale. “Less than a minute, it’s too
short to tell how many seconds.”
24
Zheng ran in at full speed. Before long, he came to a gate sealed with an ancient
Egyptian lock. Evelyn was shocked as soon as she entered the place. Then she
looked around.
Zheng yelled. “Evelyn, hurry up and tell me how to turn it. No, you go turn it. We
don’t have much time left!”
However, Evelyn didn’t hear him and started dancing while holding the torch.
O’Connell shook her body and said. “What happened? Evelyn, are you ok?”
Zheng was getting more and more anxious. He didn’t have the time to wait for Evelyn
to wake up and open the lock. He took out the Spear of Osiris without thinking.
Zheng clenched his teeth as he began channeling energy into the spear. The anxiety
was growing with every second. When a golden glow finally appeared on the spear,
his eyes lost focus. He threw the spear at the gate.
A golden light flashed across and easily penetrated the gate. There was no trembling
or explosion. The spear opened a hole on the gate then stuck on the ground.
Zheng charged into the hole at once. He grabbed the spear with one hand and a
chest on the table with another. He flipped open the chest and there was indeed a
golden bracelet. As soon as he put his hand on the bracelet, God’s voice appeared.
“Completed bonus plot in advance. Obtained the Bracelet of Anubis. Allows the
user to summon the army of Anubis after killing the Scorpion King. The number of
warriors is fifty times the number of mummies the user can summon. If the Scorpion
King is not killed after sixty days, the holder of this item will be erased. Obtained
4000 points and two rank C rewards.”
Zheng walked out from the hole with the bracelet and said bitterly. “Completed the
mission. We are safe for now.”
“Safe for now?” Jonathan was panting heavily. He was running faster than anyone
else so he was also more exhausted. He almost collapsed when he heard the word
safe.
Zheng put the bracelet into his ring then threw the chest to Evelyn. “Take a look at
what it reads.”
Evelyn read out the hieroglyphs on the chest. “Whoever opened the chest would
drink from the Nile.”
Zheng nodded at them with a bitter smile. “This is a trap. Once you take the bracelet,
a gate from the other side will open. It seems like outside the gate is the Nile river.”
25
Everyone was dumbfounded. Jonathan yelled. “I hate you, Zheng!”
“Don’t hate me, hate God.” Zheng looked at the torrent of water coming down the
tunnel.
Along with the floodgate opening, the wall on the other side of the tunnel opened up
a path. Zheng heard the sound then said to everyone. “Hurry, the way out is opened.
O’Connell, go carry your wife!”
Zheng headed through the hole and saw a new path on the side. He entered it
without hesitation then suddenly felt pain on his left shoulder. The whole arm turned
numbed instantly. That was when he noticed a large scorpion in the tunnel. Its tail
stung his arm.
“Shit!”
There was no time for him to take the axe from his left hand. The movie characters
and the water were coming from behind so he couldn’t back either. He channeled
all his qi and blood energy to bring up the fusion flame, then jumped at the scorpion.
The scorpion bit his shoulder but at the same time it was consumed by his flame. Its
exoskeleton cracked and shattered.
The others had just entered the path at this time. As soon as they saw the body of the
scorpion, the water flooded in and carried them deep into the path. To their despair,
what was in front of them was a wall, and the group fell into a silence.
Zheng knew that behind this wall was the lobby where they first entered the tomb.
In the original movie, it was Evelyn’s son who knocked down a pillar by accident and
broke open this wall. However, Evelyn’s son wasn’t even born at this time. He had
to think of another way.
Zheng brought out the Spear of Osiris again without much thinking. He had used
up a large amount of blood energy and qi already, but he had no other choice. As
they were getting closer to the wall, he clenched his teeth and began channeling the
energies into the spear. Zheng was finally able to throw the spear when there were
ten meters left to the wall. A golden light flashed across and opened up a two meter
wide hole. The group was pushed out through the hole by the water and landed on
the ground.
Water kept coming through the hole for a while then stopped. It seemed like the floodgate
closed itself. They lay on the ground without moving a finger. No one bothered
to check what was around since they were exhausted. This feeling of escaping from
the edge of hell was more intense than hitting the lottery ten times.
26
Ardeth also lay on the ground quietly until he smashed a scorpion passing by. He
noticed Zheng’s arm was swollen and turned black. Zheng was struggling to take
out the dimensional bag with his right arm. Ardeth immediately ran over to him and
took the bag out. Zheng fetched a syringe from the bag then stabbed it on his arm.
He finally let out a sigh of relief.
“That was shitty luck. I got ambushed by a scorpion as soon as I entered the path.
Luckily, I brought antidotes with me.” Zheng muttered. The swell on his arm was
subsiding, black colored blood oozed out from where he was stung. Ardeth stabbed
his shoulder a few more times with a knife to let the black blood come out.
After bleeding out a pool of black blood on the ground, Zheng’s arm returned to
normal size. Though it still looked red, like being burned with boiling water.
“The venom was strong. Fortunately, it was me who got stung. And it still required
an antidote with my physical stats.”
The others also sat up by this time. Jonathan said. ”This adventure wasn’t interesting.
I didn’t get anything aside from water.
Zheng laughed. “Who said so? The Bracelet of Anubis is good stuff. You might
not understand this but if we obtained the Scorpion King’s treasure, you can find an
enormous diamond inside. The diamond will be worth more than any gold. Haha.”
Jonathan said excitedly. “Diamond? How big is it? As big as a pigeon’s egg? No,
that seems a little too big. Is it bigger than a pinky?”
Zheng drew a circle with his hands. “The size of a soccer ball, maybe a little bigger.
Haha, that’s the only diamond of its size in the world!”
Jonathan replied without any excitement. “Are you toying with me? There can’t be a
diamond so big in the world, only in legends.”
Zheng smiled. “I am sorry but the Scorpion King is a legend. Let’s get back to the
dirigible. Or do you like this place so much?”
O’Connell picked out Evelyn and laughed. “You finally see how horrifying adventures
are? After we get back, you will wait by Hamunaptra for us to return. Understand?”
He followed Zheng out the tomb.
Evelyn smiled. “I have you here. I don’t want to stay alone and worry about your
safety. We came out safely even when it was so dangerous this time, so as long as
we be careful, we will be fine.”
27
Zheng smiled bitterly as he heard their conversation. To be honest, he couldn’t guarantee
any safety in searching for the Scorpion King. If God suddenly decides to give
him one or two surprises, especially with the difficulty raised to the highest for entering
plots in advance, could he search for the treasure by himself?
When he thought about it, obtaining the bracelet had already been so difficult. What
about completing the whole plot of The Mummy Returns? Especially at its highest
difficulty? There was no comrade he could rely on. The movie characters might be
stronger than normal people but they were still on the same level as newbies. He
didn’t have the confidence to challenge the Scorpion King with this team. However,
if he doesn’t do it, there would only be sixty days left in his life. Once he began
the search for the bracelet, there was no turning back. So this was what the clone
experienced? No wonder he became so strong.
After they returned to the dirigible, Zheng said in a serious tone. “Everyone, I will go
search for the Scorpion King alone. It’s too dangerous. I can’t put you in such risks.
You can see from this adventure that I will make every little problem around me into
life and death situations. I am much stronger than you. If I died, the you won’t be
able to make it back alive.”
Ardeth said. “No. Even if it isn’t for you, I have to go along. Because if you failed, I
have to come back and let my tribe know. Then we will take on the responsibility of
killing the Scorpion King. It’s difficult but I have to come along.”
Zheng looked at Ardeth thankfully. He understood it was true but Ardeth didn’t have
to do these things himself. He was the leader of the tribe so he could send someone
else to do it.
Jonathan hesitated. “Fuck. I have to see that diamond the size of two soccer balls
with my eyes. There’s no regret even if I die after seeing it.”
“I am sorry but I said it’s the size of one soccer ball.” Zheng felt moved by his words.
O’Connell also nodded. “I promised to help you, so don’t worry. We will go search
for the Scorpion King’s treasure, and come back alive!”
O’Connell stared at Evelyn intensely. She thought for a bit then said. “How about
this. I won’t go into the pyramid, but at least let me take a look. I will wait on the
dirigible. Please, let me go take a look.”
Seeing O’Connell was wavering, Zheng and Jonathan shook their heads.
28
Chapter 5
The group rode back to Hamunaptra on the dirigible. This adventure in the tomb was
too intense and not only left them with injuries but they also needed to take a good
rest. The ten minutes in the tomb strained their spirit.
Zheng could not disagree with the proposition. He had sixty days to kill the Scorpion
King anyway. In the movie, the protagonists only spent seven days. So he felt he
shouldn’t rush it in case God does something interesting again.
“This spear is good stuff. Powerful and convenient. The only issue is I have to get
it back every time. I think there’s a support item from God that returns arrows you
shoot out. I will have to research the support items after I go back.” Zheng muttered
to himself as he looked down on the desert.
“God? What’s that?” Jonathan asked next to him. He was holding a glass of martini.
Zheng turned his head around and laughed. “You alright now? You and your sister
slept from yesterday till noon today.”
Jonathan patted his shoulder. “Fine, fine. It’s just that I hadn’t experienced such
adventures for quite some time so it felt unfamiliar. Give it a few more times and it
will get better. Haha.”
Zheng said. “You sure you want a few more?”
Jonathan waved his hands. “Uh. I was kidding.”
Zheng laughed then threw a cigarette to Jonathan. “I made it difficult for you guys. I
could have gone alone if I know more hieroglyphs. I can simulate Tengyi but it only
allows me to use the few words he taught me better.”
Jonathan took a smoke and said in a surprise. “Nice tobacco. I don’t know about
the simulate since you aren’t from our world. But I like adventures. In fact, we felt
something’s missing since the trip to the tomb.”
Zheng patted his shoulder. “Missing the treasures, right? Haha. I have to thank you
for this. I wouldn’t have known what to do otherwise.”
“No need for thanks. Though is there really a diamond the size of three soccer balls
in the Scorpion King’s treasures? It brings my expectations up.”
“I am sorry. I said it is the size of one soccer ball.”
The group returned to Hamunaptra without any problems. The excavation was also
going smoothly under the assistance of the Medjais. There was no need to worry
29
about a shortage of supplies in the desert or desert pirates. In the few days that
Zheng was away, they had excavated a large part of the second level.
“We encountered a little danger. A scarab chewed a worker’s hand yesterday. Fortunately,
it ran away instead of entering the worker’s body.” An elder reported to
Ardeth. He looked terrified when he mentioned the scarab.
Zheng slapped his own forehead. “Oh right. I didn’t think careful enough. Let the
curator buy some flamethrowers from Cairo. We are only at the second level. The
next few levels underneath have a lot of scarabs so you will need flamethrowers to
take care of them. Also focus on the cliff by the statue of Ra. The Book of Amun-Ra
was lost below the cliff. Preserve the altar after you dig it out. Anyway, remember to
take good care of these two things when we are away.”
The elder nodded. Zheng turned to Ardeth. “Can you get some things for me? I
need explosives, lots of them. If you plan to come along, I think you also need some
weapons.”
Ardeth laughed. “Don’t worry, my friend. I had already told my men to bring me
weapons. Explosives aren’t a problem. Though they are much less powerful than
the ones you have.”
Zheng didn’t say much more. He left Ardeth with the Medjais then went back to his
tent to study the spear and bracelet. These were the most valuable items he obtained
in The Mummy world. The Spear of Osiris was at least a rank B item.
Its power was determined by his blood energy and qi. In other words, when he grows
stronger, the spear would become more powerful. He channeled half his total energy
last time and the throw reached a thousand meters away with a ten meter area of
effect. Would these numbers double if he were to channel all his energy at once?
The Bracelet of Anubis would allow him to summon the army of Anubis once he killed
the Scorpion King. He could summon six mummies with blood energy currently. He
had tested that if he used the summoning spell again, the previous six mummies
would disappear and replaced by new ones. So he couldn’t stay in a safe place to
summon an army. But what if he had the bracelet?
Three hundred warriors from the army of Anubis that was stronger than the mummies
individually. If he completes this mission, their team’s strength would reach an insane
level.
However, he could imagine how difficult this mission was by the power of this item.
30
As Zheng carefully studied the two items, he suddenly found something. The tiny
scratches on the items were actually filled with strange symbols and characters. He
had seen some of these characters on the protective charms he exchanged. When
he channeled energy into the spear, the energy flowed through these symbols and
characters then the spear glowed in a golden light. That might probably be the
source of its power.
Zheng remembered some things Xuan said. If human ancestors created God, then
the monsters in the movie worlds were probably enemies our ancestors encountered,
and the Spear of Osiris and Bracelet of Anubis were weapons they created. Similar
to items forged by Chinese immortals in legends, these items were created by the
mysterious symbols and characters instead of modern technology. Which meant that
they could be mass produced!
“Shit. This would be game breaking if every member has a spear and bracelet. We
could start with a thousand warriors then everyone throw their spears. Haha.”
Zheng laughed in a self mockery. He knew this was impossible. He didn’t know these
symbols and characters. Tengyi might be able to recognize a few of them then Xuan
could analyze it and create an item. However, Zheng wouldn’t even be able to make
a model with gold.
“I will revive everyone first. There’s only so much I can do. Xuan, you will be first.
Please don’t reject me. Lend me your strength!”
Zheng put the items back into the ring then walked out of the tent into the excavation
site.
“Yes, we can reach the alter in a month with this pace. However, if there’s really a
deep cliff, it’s impossible to excavate the whole site in two months, unless you are
willing to use explosives.” An engineer said to Zheng.
Zheng knew it was unreasonable to not use explosives when the cliff might be a
hundred meters deep. However, an ancient book was down there. It was all over if
the book gets damaged by explosives. He wouldn’t ever be able to forgive himself.
“I have been telling you I am searching for a book buried underneath the ruin. I don’t
care about anything else. I can buy you the best tools and machineries, the best
supplies, food, wine, and even prostitutes. But I warn you not to use any explosives
or brutal methods. You will all pay with your lives if the book gets damaged!”
The engineer wiped his forehead. He didn’t know what to say to Zheng’s unreasonable
requirement. Partially due to the pressure he emitted and more importantly,
more and more Medjais had been gathering around Hamunaptra as more gold gets
31
excavated. These people sometimes appeared with guns. One worker was caught
trying to steal gold then he was never seen again. So the engineer didn’t doubt
Zheng’s words.
“I understand. Please give us two months and raise the workers’ wages by three
times. We won’t see the bottom of the cliff if they don’t dig with their lives. I also
need some new machineries that aren’t sold in Egypt. It should take a month to mail
them over from Europe. We would also approach the cliff by that time.”
Zheng nodded. “Ok, I will raise the wages ten fold as long as you can complete it
in two months and bring me the Book of Amun-Ra. Did you bring the money over?”
Zheng asked Ardeth.
Ardeth nodded then clapped his hands. Several Medjais walked in, each carrying a
bag. They began pouring gold and cash from the bags. Zheng pointed to them and
said. “Gold, dollar, pound, franc. I can satisfy everything you want! But you must give
me the book within the time frame!”
After the engineer left with the gold and money, Ardeth said with a bitter smile. “Looks
like these workers are going to dig their lives out. They can enjoy their lives for quite
a while after this job.”
“Doesn’t matter. Gold is worthless in our world. In contrast, the Book of Amun-Ra
isn’t something that can be bought with gold. Hoho, have you gotten a hold of the
explosives and other things?”
Ardeth nodded. “The weapons are fine but we don’t have explosives that’s powerful
enough to meet your requirement. So I sent people over to Europe to bring back
high efficiency TNT. It will take a few more days for transportation. I have already
notified them to come back by the end of this month at all cost. You have to stay
here for five to six more days.”
Getting more powerful explosives was an idea he came up with on the spur of the
moment. He just learned that God would raise the difficulty to the highest in the
search for the bracelet. In the original movie, the protagonists completed the movie
without life threatening dangers. However, he had his life on the line the whole time
for just 4000 points and two rank C rewards.
He remembered the pygmies dwelled in the oasis leading to the pyramid. God
wouldn’t give up this opportunity to change something. He could imagine what might
appear there. Supersized lions or pygmies.
He finally understood the significance of the higher cost to return to previous movies.
32
Many difficult missions require the team to be strong enough to tackle. Some quest
items needed their enhancements to reach a certain level to use. This spear would
be useless if given to a newbie or someone enhanced with the wrong energies.
Reaping rewards from previous movies also placed them on an equal level of difficulty.
This was the exact same method God had forcing upon them to evolve. Team
China never thought of this and spent the ten days in between enjoying their peace,
which allowed team Devil to grow ahead of them.
Zheng kept recalling the movies he had been through. However, he could only think
of the T-virus from Resident Evil. Xuan’s analysis strength would be able to find every
possible bonus missions. An important thing they lacked.
Several days passed. It had been a month since Zheng entered the world. He either
complete the mission and return alive, or get buried in this world along with the Book
of Amun-Ra. A new Guide would appear and the cycle repeats for team China.
Zheng checked the weapons in his ring and bag. The submachine gun, magical
bullets, beam tomahawk, Gatling cannon, grenades, Book of the Dead, TNT, and the
most powerful weapon among them all, the Spear of Osiris.
The movie characters stared with their mouths open. He could take on a small group
with so many weapons. The contrast between them and the user, a tall and slender
young man, was striking. Ardeth was the only one that remained calm.
Zheng laughed. “I have something to say before setting out to find the Scorpion King.
This journey is going to be extremely dangerous. I wish all of you can run away in
time when danger comes. Don’t put your lives in risky situation for me. O’Connell,
protect your wife. I’d rather you don’t come with me if something were to happen
to you. My last question, do you really want to come search for the Scorpion King’s
treasure?”
Jonathan stood by the edge of the dirigible and laughed. “Of course, I have to see
that diamond the size of five soccer balls even if that costs my life.”
“I have been saying it’s one soccer ball.”
O’Connell and Evelyn met eyes. “It shouldn’t be a problem going to the desert. Haha,
just don’t give me a flood again.”
Ardeth walked onto the dirigible carrying a mini machine gun and a bag of ammunition.
His answer was firm.
Zheng took a deep breath. He brought out the Bracelet of Anubis then put it on his
33
wrist. A light shone on the air sac of the dirigible. Everyone except Zheng turned
around to look at it.
“Entered movie plot in advance. Difficulty increased to the highest. Completion
awards double the points and rewards. Kill the Scorpion King and obtain its army
of Anubis. Rewards 10000 points and two rank B rewards. Owner of the Bracelet of
Anubis will be erased if mission is not completed within 60 days. 47 days remaining.”
Chapter 6
“This is the location of our third target, the Temple of Osiris. Wish the first sight I see
is beautiful women welcoming us.” Jonathan said.
The bracelet occasionally projected various images since Zheng wore it on his wrist.
These images were the locations of temples remaining in Egypt. The group had to
keep following the pointers and search one place after another.
There wasn’t much Zheng could do. Even though he saw the movie but he didn’t
know this world. Like if someone in the movie mentioned a location, would you be
able to find it once inside the movie? So you had to keep asking people for the way
to get there.
Zheng had no other choice but to follow the locations projected by the bracelet. Fortunately,
Evelyn knew Egypt well enough so she could figure out which temples they
were by the images. The dirigible was also pretty fast. So they reached their third
target in a few days.
The previous two images appeared once Zheng got off the dirigible. However, there
was no image this time even after he reached the entrance of the temple. Did they
guessed it wrong?
Everyone turned to Evelyn. She shrugged and said. “Don’t look at me. I am certain
that I didn’t get it wrong. The image appeared last time was definitely this Temple of
Osiris. I don’t know what went wrong. Maybe we she enter it?”
Zheng suddenly took out the axe and submachine gun then said to them in a low
voice. “Be careful. I felt something wrong with this temple. Don’t you feel a sense of
stress?”
The others shook their heads. Then a large stone statue suddenly blocked their way.
34
This statue was over seven meters tall. Its body was weathered and looked thousands
of years old. This was the statue of Osiris, the God of afterlife, the underworld,
and the dead. The statue moved toward them while they were still in shock. Then
punched where Zheng was standing.
The air pressure coming from the punch was enough to let him know he couldn’t
take one hit. That force was over 900kg, enough to turn him into a pancake. He
immediately rolled backward. After he backed off three meters, bang. The whole
ground trembled. He could tell there was a big hole without even looking. Zheng
immediately yelled. “Get out of the temple! Hurry and run!”
Everyone else came back to their senses and ran for their lives. Even though they
had the courage to fight the mummies, the army of Anubis, or even the large scorpions,
but this seven meter tall statue was terrifying. Their actions were the same,
turn around and run. Jonathan ran ahead of everyone as always. Then O’Connell
followed behind carrying Evelyn. Ardeth after and Zheng half crawling out at last.
The statue was powerful but its speed was slower than the group. It barely reached
the door when they were already outside. Then it crushed the temple door with a
punch and walked toward them.
“Fuck, I am going to die. Zheng, did you ever offend God, that’s why your luck is in
the negatives?” Jonathan yelled as he ran.
Zheng laughed bitterly. However, he noticed the statue was only attacking him.
Whenever he slowed down, the statue would prepare for an attack. So he yelled.
“You guys go help me find an area of quicksand. The bigger the better. Hurry!” Then
he made a turn and ran toward the desert.
The group split up to find quicksand in the desert. Thought the task wasn’t so easy.
After Zheng ran around in circles three laps, Jonathan said. “Hey, the sand ahead
feels soft but I can’t be certain if its quicksand.”
Zheng didn’t hesitate. He had to take any chance now. He made a turn and ran toward
where Jonathan pointed at. The statue chased after him like it was not going to
part until death. When one of Zheng’s leg suddenly sunk into the sand, he activated
the movement technique and ran on top of the sand. Though not quite the same for
the statue. It was moving slower and slower in the quicksand until both its legs sunk
in. then its body slowly sunk until it disappeared after about a minute.
Zheng could finally stop. He fell straight on the desert and just lay there. The intense
running wasn’t tiring. His body could sustain an hour of two of it. But the mental
strain was overwhelming. The statue’s attacks were simply too powerful. He could
35
take a hit or two from Aliens, creepers, or other monsters, but he was sure one punch
from the statue was enough to smack him into a paste.
Everyone else ran over to him. The situation was scary even for the people watching.
Then an image projected from the bracelet into the air. Evelyn immediately said. “I
know this place. It’s the Abu Simbel Temple, not far from where we are. We can get
there by tomorrow.”
Zheng forced a smile. “Well, that’s lucky. Can I ask how big the statues are? If it’s too
big, we will have to plan it out.”
Evelyn shook her head. “The statues are about as big as this one. It’s in a siting
posture, so about eight meters tall when it stands up. The temple in a desert so we
can probably get it into a quicksand, but…”
“But?”
They all asked simultaneously. Zheng and Jonathan sounded intense.
“That temple worships three statues.”
“Fuck. One already almost took our lives. If all three comes at the same time, we
might as well go home.” Zheng smiled bitterly. Then an idea came to his mind and
he brought out the Book of the Dead. Evelyn stared at the book as soon as she saw
it.
Zheng opened the book with its key then pointed to the hieroglyphs. “Evelyn, can
you help me translate the incantation? I need to find a spell that can create quicksand.
Since these spells are all desert and death related, it should have something similar.”
Evelyn nodded and grabbed the book at once. She smiled like a child as she read out
the spells. “Return of the dead, nope. Mummy guardians, nope. Sandstorm, nope.
Resurrect the last creature killed by the Book of Amun-Ra, nope…”
Evelyn read out every incantation in whole. However, something felt not right to
Zheng. Though she soon found the spell for quicksand which made him delighted
to hear and asked her to teach him.
At the same time, a group of people on camels were riding out of Hamunaptra. A
woman asked an old man. “Priest, can the high priest still come back? We didn’t find
the Book of the Dead.”
The old man muttered. “The master will resurrect. The Medjais made big movements
to excavate Hamunaptra and we got a chance to slip in and stole his body. Those
36
idiots only cared about the gold on the first and second levels. Haha, we only have
to steal the Book of the Dead, then master will descend our world again!”
A bag on the camel started moving. A dehydrated hand reached out from its opening.
“Listen. We are up against three statues this time. I don’t know if they can move but
to be safe, we should make preparations.”
Zheng and the others stood a few hundred meters outside the Abu Simbel Temple.
He pierced deep holes into the ground with the spear then threw in several grenades.
The grenades blasted open several holes that were at least thirteen meters deep and
twenty meters wide. There was no way the statues can climb back up once they fall
inside.
“That’s what I am worried about. This mission shouldn’t be so simple. They might be
able to climb. An eight meter statue in a thirteen meter deep hole. It just had to raise
its hand to make a climb. Just like how you wouldn’t get stuck in a two meter hole.”
Zheng said.
Jonathan was drinking a bottle of wine. “I don’t think these statues can jump. Their
weight will just make them sink if they try to jump.”
Zheng laughed. “That’s not so sure. Since it’s not certain, I have to use the quicksand
spell. Once they fall into the holes, buy me three seconds. Don’t let them do something
in this time. I will do my best to cast the spell and you will throw explosives at
them. Remember to start throwing explosives once they are down there.”
Zheng brought ten cubic meters of TNT since the dimensional bag had the space.
He had sold about seven cubic meters of gold to open up the space. He placed
a dozen beside each person, so if one accidentally triggered, they would all go to
heaven.
Evelyn’s face looked pale. “Zheng, can you put some of them back? Don’t you think
you took out too much?”
Zheng looked around. It was indeed a bit too much. Even Ardeth and O’Connell
weren’t looking so well. They moved slowly like they were in a minefield.
Zheng had to put back most of them and left three bombs next to each person. His
spell should only take three seconds, so one bomb each second was just enough.
He was actually feeling anxious from going up against three statues.
The group stood on one side of the holes. Zheng took a deep breath and walked
toward the temple. This temple looked ruined. Its door was almost gone. The three
37
statues sat near the edge of the cliff to the back of the temple. They gave a sense of
weathered and aged. He measured them and they were almost ten meters. Evelyn
underestimated them.
Zheng felt bitter. He noticed the previous statue could only move its legs at a set
pace. So the seven meter statue was slightly slower than him. However, if it was a
ten meter statue, its speed would go up by about 30% due to longer legs.
Despite this, Zheng had no choice but to walk toward the temple. Fifty meters away
and the statues didn’t move. As he approached the ten meter mark, they trembled
and stood up. The statues crossed several meters with one step and the one in front
struck its fist at Zheng.
This fist was larger than his body. Zheng activated the movement technique and ran
toward the holes. The sound of impact and the powerful blast wave from his back
had him know the statue punched a hole into the ground.
Zheng ran at full speed but the statues were much faster than the one before as
expected. They ran toward the big holes in equal speed.
Several hundred meters were just blinks of an eye for them. As Zheng approached
the hole, he suddenly rolled to the side. The statues reached where he was and
momentum brought them forward into a hole. Their fall sounded like meteors hitting
the ground. At the same time, O’Connell, Jonathan, and Evelyn ignited the TNT and
threw them into the hole.
Dust instantly filled the hole with the explosion, followed the the sound of objects
hitting the ground. These statues attempted to jump back up just as Zheng had
expected. However, the explosion knocked them back down.
He immediately brought out the Book of the Dead and began chanting the quicksand
spell. His blood energy quickly depleted. The sand in front of him turned soft then
the effect spread outward until it covered the hole. A statue that just fell from jumping
was immediately consumed by the quicksand. Its heavy weight made it sunk very fast
like the previous fight. Soon, all three statues disappeared.
O’Connell, Jonathan, and Evelyn collapsed to the ground. Those three seconds felt
like a year. The statues were horrifying every time they jumped and their huge faces
came near the three. In fact, throwing those TNT became an instinct for survival. If
the statues were to get out, they would be crushed by just the weight.
Zheng walked over to them with a laugh. Jonathan said. “Are you really sure there’s
a huge diamond in the pyramid? The size of…”
38
Zheng interrupted him. “Trust me. There’s diamond the size of a soccer ball.”
O’Connell and Evelyn giggled. They finally sat up but it would take some time before
they could move. The bracelet on Zheng’s wrist moved and projected an image. It
wasn’t the next destination. The image was of this Abu Simbel Temple. Then it moved
through a canyon with a river. At the end of the canyon was a forest. Moving into the
center of the forest was a golden pyramid.
“The Scorpion King’s treasure.” Everyone muttered. They met eyes with each other
then laughed. Their efforts didn’t go to waste. The path to the Scorpion King’s pyramid
had been shown. All that was left was flying through the canyon with the dirigible,
straight toward the pyramid.
Zheng looked up at the sky. The sun was setting. The horizon was painted red. They
couldn’t go when they are exhausted during the night. So he laughed and said. “Let’s
take a rest here tonight. Tomorrow we will charge into the pyramid. Haha. Let’s go
up against the Scorpion King and seize his army!”
Everyone laughed. Several life and death struggles had created a bond beyond
friendship. So they were happy when Zheng said these words with excitement.
Jonathan took a drink from his bottle of wine, grabbed Zheng’s shoulder and walked
toward the dirigible.
However, before they reached the dirigible, a sandstorm appeared from afar and
quickly moved toward them. The deadliest natural phoneme in a desert!
They looked to each other for a moment then everyone did the same thing. They
rushed into the dirigible. O’Connell yelled. “Izzy, take off! Take off!”
The black dude was enjoying a bottle of brandy when he heard the yell. He turned his
head to where O’Connell was pointing. The bottle dropped to the deck and he yelled
in reply. “I knew I would be in bad luck following you. I knew it…” He unsheathed the
sword on his waist and cut off the rope tying the dirigible. Everyone else had gotten
up to the deck by this time. They stared as the sandstorm was coming closer and
closer why the dirigible moved ever so slowly.
“Fuck.” O’Connell was panicking. He grabbed Izzy. “Why the heck did you change
from piloting airplanes to a dirigible?”
Izzy yelled back at him. “Heck, like I am listening to you and drive a plane into the
enemies again. If you don’t let go of me, we are all going to have our asses kicked.”
As the sandstorm got closer, it was shaping into something.
39
The scene felt so familiar, especially for O’Connell and Evelyn. “Imhotep!”
As expected. The sandstorm formed a bald head. It opened its mouth like it was
laughing and bit at the dirigible in mid air. Izzy suddenly pulled a chain by the controls.
Two pillars of fire burst out from the back and pushed the dirigible forward, dodging
the bite from the bald head. The head followed closely in equal speed to the dirigible.
The two had flown for quite some distance when a canyon appeared in front of them.
The bottom of the canyon was a river. Zheng yelled. “Izzy, drive the dirigible into the
canyon! Hurry!”
Izzy did so without hesitation. To be honest, he didn’t even have the time to think
and just followed what others said. He focused his attention on the winding path of
the canyon.
The bald head also entered along with endless sand that filled the sky. It looked like
the desert flooded into the canyon. The head was moving faster and slowly closed
the gap between it and the dirigible.
“No. He didn’t become faster. We slowed down!” Evelyn immediately yelled.
Izzy yelled back helplessly. “Do you think my fuel is endless? The acceleration can
only last a little while. Grab onto something!” The dirigible made a turn and almost
threw everyone off it.
The bald head was shrinking in size. When it almost reached the dirigible, its size
was at the same height of the dirigible. By the time the others looked behind, the
head melted into the river along with its sand.
They paused for a moment then cheered. Nothing was as exciting as escaping from
death. The excitement overcame the fact that the dirigible was flying in a slant. Izzy
was shouting as the dirigible was going downward.
“Uh. Everyone grab onto something!” Izzy finally yelled.
O’Connell held Evelyn in his arms tightly and yelled back. “Fuck. Can you say something
new?”
Izzy thought for a moment and added. “The dirigible is going to crash!”
Fortunately, they had already flown out of the canyon and crashed into a green forest.
The dirigible hit a huge tree. The thick layers of branches and leaves buffered the
impact from the crash. However, they still looked horrible after being thrown to the
ground.
“I knew it. I knew it. There’s nothing good coming with you!” Izzy massaged his head.
40
The others also massaged where the crash got them. Evelyn was the only one intact.
O’Connell held onto her the whole time and took the impact from the fall. She got
up and looked around.
“This should be the Oasis of Ahm Shere. God. There’s really such a huge forest in
the desert. That’s unbelievable. It was said that the army of Anubis resided in this
forest. Even the Scorpion King’s pyramid was built around here.” Evelyn laughed as
she looked around with a pair of gleaming eyes. It looked like she couldn’t wait any
longer.
Zheng smiled bitterly. He remembered Evelyn wasn’t so obsessed with pyramids in
the movie. Though, her son was kidnapped during the second movie and only had
seven days left. She wouldn’t have any time to care about pyramids.
Zheng got up and asked the others. “That was Imhotep? Didn’t he get killed by us?
And the Medjais are excavating his pyramid. How did he revive?”
Ardeth’s face looked terrible. He blew a whistle then a little hawk flew over and
landed on his arm.
“The hawk has been following us just in case something happens so I can get in
contact with my tribe. Let me ask what’s happening in Hamunaptra. Hope it isn’t
something big.” Ardeth wrote on a little piece of paper then inserted it into a bottle
tied to the hawk’s feet. He raised his arm up and the hawk flew away.
After it was gone, everyone looked at Zheng. He muttered. “I am not afraid of fighting
Imhotep. But he can’t be killed. If that was really Imhotep, we will need the Book of
Amun-Ra to kill him. There’s no way to deal with him until we dig out the book. Let’s
go find the pyramid in the forest first. Imhotep should lose his powers inside the
pyramid.”
They didn’t understand why he said that with such certainty. Everyone organized
their weapons and bags. Izzy said. “God, the dirigible is unusable now. Look, the
gasbag is broken. This is not a hot air balloon. How are we going to find gas in this
forest?”
O’Connell faked a laugh. “Izzy, men shouldn’t complain about everything. We trust
that you will find a way. Haha, yes. You will find a way to make the dirigible take off
again.” He grabbed Evelyn and ran ahead.
The others also ran behind O’Connell, leaving Izzy by the dirigible. Poor man had to
take care of this half destroyed dirigible alone.
41
On a desert, Imhotep opened his eyes and laughed. “Didn’t kill them but they are
just in front of me. I will take their lives the next time I see them. I heard what they
said. No more Book of Amun-Ra. Haha.”
Imhotep walked in front. A beautiful woman, an old man in black robe, a muscular
black man, and a group of cavalry followed behind him toward the canyon beyond
the temple.
Chapter 7
This forest was huge. All they saw were trees in the hour they walked inside, and the
occasional oasis. Though the few dehydrated corpses and skeletons took away any
interest to take a rest there.
“It’s getting dark. How much longer do we have to go?” Jonathan asked as he was
panting.
Zheng shrugged. “Find a higher terrain first. Otherwise, we can’t even find the direction.
Though it’s too dark now. We can’t see too far off.”
O’Connell looked around. “We should find a place to rest. It’s been an exhausting
day. We will be too tired even if we are to find the Scorpion King.”
Zheng looked at the others who weren’t in good conditions. He had no choice but
to jump up to a tree and searched around. Then he pointed to the east and said.
“There’s a stream that way.”
They were energized from hearing it. After Zheng got back down, they ran along him.
Ten minutes later, a two meter wide stream came into view. Evelyn cheered, took off
her shoes and ran in. They drank some water and washed their hands. However,
Zheng was observing the surroundings. He felt uncomfortable ever since he entered
the forest, like countless eyes were gazing at them.
“Let’s take a rest here. We will go find the Scorpion King’s pyramid tomorrow.”
At the same time. On the other end of the forest. A bald man entered the forest with
a group of men in black robes. He frowned and an old man next to him asked. “Did
you find anything, master? Or is this not the location of the Scorpion King’s pyramid?”
“This is the correct place but somehow, I am feeling a sense of pressure. Haha, this
is definitely the holy desert, where the army of Anubis sleeps. Let’s go find that army
and also seize the Bracelet of Anubis from them.”
42
Zheng knew Imhotep would be chasing after them. However, there was nothing
they could do at this time. They started a pit fire and roasted fish for dinner thanks to
Zheng. He speared several fish in the stream. These fish were big and tasted fresh
due to living in an uninhabited place.
After some wine, the movie characters asked about God. Since there was no penalty
revealing God’s world, Zheng told them the world in details. Though he held back
on mentioning this world was actually a movie world. That would be depressing for
them.
Jonathan was the most captivated by the other world as saliva dripped off his mouth.
Because gold was inexpensive as rocks. He started persuading Zheng to use gold
to trade for things from this world. Of course that was rejected. Time in this world
was expensive.
Zheng began training his qi and blood energy once the others fell asleep. He could
stay up for a day or two without issues with his body. He didn’t want to miss a day of
training.
“Not going to sleep?” Ardeth asked.
Zheng didn’t turn around. He continued the circulation of qi. “Uh, these two days are
crucial. I will guard the night and also get time to train my qi and blood energy.”
Ardeth sounded interested. “The blood energy can be used to cast spells, but what
about qi? I haven’t seen you use it.”
Zheng smiled bitterly. “That’s because I don’t know how to use it. Chinese martial
arts use qi as a source of energy, think of it as close range magic. But I don’t know
any of these martial arts. Oh, yeah, my movement technique is similar.”
“So that’s the one you use to run and jump so high. That’s incredible. The East is
mysterious. If every man in my tribe learns this technique, we will be able to fend off
all the invaders.”
Zheng laughed. “This technique came from God. I have been suspecting something.
That God adjusts the difficulty according to my strength. Because I know someone
that completed this mission by himself when he was weaker than me. Furthermore,
he didn’t do the mission after returning to this world but during another mission. If
the base rewards of this mission are 5000 points and a rank B reward, I can obtain
double the rewards by coming back in exchange for the highest difficulty. However,
he obtained triple the base rewards which probably meant he accepted an even
higher difficulty version. But he should have been weaker than me at the time.”
43
“So I think God sets the difficulty that will put me on the borderline of dying according
to my peak power, to make me evolve during life and death situations. But how does
it know my limit? I think it comes from my stats, enhancements, enhanced techniques,
and exchanged items. Which means if I can create a technique by myself, God might
not be able to threaten me with such difficulty.”
Zheng’s eyes defocused while he was talking as he simulated Xuan’s mind. After this
analysis, he gave a shout. Inside his body, a red line came straight down from the top
of his head and an air current flowed upward from the pool of qi by his navel. The
two energies met at his heart then he disappeared from where he was standing. A
hole busted open in a huge tree of over ten meters thick from afar. Then the sound
of multiple impacts followed. Zheng broke down the tree with his punches.
“Stimulate all the blood energy and qi at the same time and circulate them over the
body. The volatility of these two energies running together and attacking each other
without me regulating them gives me ten folds the strength and speed for ten seconds.
The third stage of the unlocked mode gives me the reaction speed to use it.
This is what I created during the days I am in this world. I will name it… explosion!”
Zheng stood next to the trunk. He turned around and smiled at Ardeth. Then a
stream of blood burst out from his body, and another one. In a few seconds, he was
covered with blood. Everyone else was woken up by the sound and came running
to him. Zheng felt warmth in his heart when he saw their anxious expressions. He
could tell they were worried about him.
“Can’t help it. The energy created in the process was too much for my body to handle.
So I can barely move a finger for half an hour afterward. Some blood vessels will also
burst. A normal person would die from just the bleeding.”
He smiled bitterly, then stopped the bleeding with hemostasis spray. The vampire
bloodline also healed his body in just ten minutes. The only trace of injury left was
the blood stains. Perhaps it was fate that this technique required vampire bloodline
to sustain. Anything else and he might die after a few uses. Zheng dragged himself
to the stream and washed himself.
“Explosion, my own technique. Come at me God, let me see what kind of difficulty
you prepared!”
Everyone slept peacefully until the next morning, except for Zheng. However, he
looked energized. A whole night of practicing qi recovered more energy than sleeping.
The exhaustion and injury from using Explosion was gone. He stood up after
everyone else got up.
44
They washed themselves in the stream. Zheng handed out solidified water and compressed
food to the others. They swallowed the pills with curiosity and the hunger
immediately disappeared.
“This is good stuff. If you sell these to the London ladies on diet and tell them it’s to
lose weight, you can probably make a fortunate.” Jonathan said with excitement.
Zheng sigh. “I have to admit you are a genius. Your grasp on commercial opportunities
is strong. That can also explain why you are so sensitive to money.”
While they packed their bags, Zheng jumped up to the top of a tree to observing the
surroundings. A layer of morning mist filled the forest. Ardeth was excited to see the
mist and took several breaths of them. Such a large forest in the desert was a strange
occurrence after all. However, the viscosity of the mist was troubling to Zheng. He
couldn’t see past a thousand meters. Then he jumped back down.
“We just have to keep going. Damn it. We forgot to bring a compass. God knows
how we are going to cross this forest.”
Jonathan took out a compass from his pocket with a weird look. “I don’t mind trading
a compass for one bar of gold.”
Zheng seized it at once and laughed. “That’s great. No problem. But where did you
get this compass? I don’t remember you ever buying something similar.”
O’Connell said. “Why does this compass look familiar? I seemed to see Izzy walking
around with it on the dirigible.”
Jonathan laughed loudly. “Nope, nope. You must have got it wrong. Haha.” Then he
walked into the trees.
Everyone knew what happened and shook their heads. They followed Jonathan’s

direction for almost a hundred meters. Jonathan suddenly ran back at full speed
while screaming. A spotted cheetah was chasing after him.
O’Connell sighed. He took out a gun and yelled. “Don’t you know how to use a gun?
It’s just a little cheetah.”
Jonathan yelled back. “Run! Lots… lots of monkeys!” He ran past everyone. For a
moment, they forgot to attack the cheetah because it sounded so bewildering. The
cheetah also ran past them like a dog that had lost a fight.
They turned toward where he came from and saw several boars running out from
behind the trees. Then short monkeys followed holding, uh. The monkeys were
45
holding onto rifles and shooting at the boars. More and more monkeys came out, at
least a hundred of them.
They turned around in sync and began running because they even saw several monkeys
with machine guns.
Zheng was grinding his teeth. “Freaking God. When did you ever heard about monkeys
with guns? Their numbers alone should have been enough. Are you just so
happy to get me killed?”
Zheng had an urge to vomit blood. He took out a grenade as he ran and the submachine
gun with the other hand. He pulled the ring and threw it behind without
turning his head. A bullet his back at the same time then he got everyone down to
the ground. The explosion shockwave blew them away. By the time they landed,
there was no more trees standing for a hundred meters behind them.
“Killed 264 Oasis guardians. Obtained 264 points.”
The sudden notification from God at this crucial moment took Zheng by surprise.
Then he felt a sharp pain on his shoulder. The stray bullet that hit his back shoulder
wasn’t too powerful but it pierced into his muscles. Any movement would bring a
tearing pain. His shoulder was full of blood and sweat.
The others got up from the ground, still seemed shocked from the monkeys and gun
fire. The army of Anubis, or moving statues, or huge scorpions were understandable.
There were too many mysteries in the world. But when they saw monkeys hunting
boars and humans with guns, it felt bizarre.
O’Connell was the first to noticed the wound on Zheng’s back. He took out a knife
and said. “Don’t move.”
He pierced the knife into the wound carefully then picked the shell out. Zheng
handed him the hemostasis spray and bandage. After treating the wound he laugh.
“You are a lucky guy. You had to get yourself wounded every time. But can you
explain why are monkeys carrying guns? Don’t tell me the Scorpion King’s treasure
was an ancient firearm manufacturer.”
Zheng forced a laugh. “I thought there were just pygmies here. Didn’t expect them
to be using guns. I wouldn’t have come with just us if I knew beforehand. I would
definitely gather a few groups of mercenaries.”
That was not the only thing he didn’t expect. The forest leading to the pyramid wasn’t
big in the original movie, at least not big enough for people to get lost. This was
probably the difficulty adjustment by God, and also the armed pygmies.
46
Zheng took a deep breath then took out the Sky Stick. “Wait here. I will go up and
take a look at the terrain. See if there’s a shortcut to the pyramid that goes around
the monkeys.” He flied up on the Sky Stick.
The sun had rose and the mist dissipated a lot. Zheng looked out the distance and
saw a huge, magnificent golden pyramid. On the top of it was a large diamond, the
one that Jonathan carried away at the end of the movie.
Maybe it was glare, he suddenly felt the diamond reflected sunlight. Then a beam
of light shot from the diamond and penetrated through his left chest before he could
react. Luckily, he was wavering a bit to maintain balance on the Sky Stick and the
beam missed his heart. It pierced a hole on his left lung. The next moment, he lost
balance and fell.
The others on the ground were shocked. They saw a beam of light shot down Zheng
and the hoverboard. He had reached twenty meters high. Thankfully, he fell through
a thick layer of branches and leaves. His body was full of scratches after he landed
on the ground. They could almost see the beating heart through the hole on Zheng’s
chest. No one moved for a moment until Zheng spit out a mouthful of blood. Ardeth
and O’Connell went over to lie him flat on the ground. Then stopped the bleeding
and bandaged him up in a panic. Evelyn was also helping on the side.
The vampire Count bloodline allowed his body to recover automatically as long as his
brain and heart were intact. The muscles around the hole on his chest were wriggling
ever so slightly. Zheng knew his life was safe. He just had to wait it out.
Jonathan who ran away far off came running back. He wasn’t panicking so there was
no danger.
Jonathan yelled as he was approaching. “There’s a big canyon over that way. I almost
fell. It looks like an enlarge version of the hole we made at the temple. Why are you
looking at me like this?”
Then they all turned to Zheng. He could talk with difficulty now. “If we can lure a
large number of monkeys over, I have enough explosives to blow up ten thousand.”
Chapter 8
The injury was very serious. Zheng couldn’t move as fast as before or the wound
would tear open. Blood would then pour into his lungs and suffocate him.
47
“Incredible rate of recovery. Your flesh has closed up. It will only take several more
days to heal. Are you really a human?” Ardeth asked as he bandaged Zheng up.
“Well, this recovery rate is the only thing I am proud of. But several days… we don’t
have several days. I believe Imhotep is still chasing after us. He can easily locate us
with his powers in this large forest. Furthermore, we don’t have the Book of Amun-Ra
so if he finds us, we can’t do anything other than run. We need to reach the pyramid
as soon as possible. Obtain the Scorpion King’s treasure and use the Anubis army
to confront Imhotep. Then we can return to Hamunaptra, get the Book of Amun-Ra
and kill him again!”
O’Connell shrugged. “Is that why your plan is crazy?” He looked at the TNT on the
ground.
Similar to when they buried the three statues, the target this time was the pygmies.
They would bury enough explosives to blow up ten thousand people inside the
canyon, all ten cubic meters of them. Then Zheng would go lure the pygmies into
the canyon, the others then ignite the fuse from far away. He had a few seconds to
run.
“We have quick burning fuses, so it only takes two to three seconds. I will be standing
at the bottom of the canyon and need to run three hundred meters during the time
frame. My speed with the movement technique is six seconds for 100 meters, and
ten times that with Explosion. I should be able to run away no matter how I see it.
As soon as you see me and the monkeys run into the canyon, ignite the fuse. I am
counting on you!” Zheng said to them.
The plan sounded crazy but they saw how fast Zheng could move with his techniques.
In that case, he should be able to come out before the fuse finished burning. This
also seemed like the only way to clear out the pygmies quickly.
Zheng exited from Xuan’s simulation and breathed heavily. “This is as much as I can
plan before my wound opens up. Let’s buy the explosives first. Then we will wait half
a day for my wound to recover a bit more.”
A hawk cry came from the sky then the little hawk landed on Ardeth’s arm. He took
out a rolled piece of paper from its feet. “They said they have started on the cliff. The
cliff is not as deep as expected, only about twenty meters. It should be cleared in
three days. Which means they should find the book in three days!”
Zheng nodded. “That’s great. If we can’t reach the pyramid within three days, we
will go back to get the Book of Amun-Ra first. Then we don’t have to be afraid of
Imhotep.”
48
They began to bury the TNT in the bottom of the canyon and also some on the outer
sides just in case.
Perhaps it was their time to be lucky, there were no monkeys or beasts or Imhotep
during this time. Time passed slowly. Zheng spent the whole day meditating with
qi. His recovery rate increased further during this state. By noon the next day, the
wound was almost healed and he could move intensely for a little bit.
The movie characters stood by the edge of the canyon. Once Zheng runs to the
center of the canyon, they would start igniting the TNT on the outer areas and move
to the center.
Zheng took out a jade pendant and smiled. “This is a one time use protective item. I
originally planned to use it in the fight with the Scorpion King but I have to use it now.
Haha, hope it can block the rain of bullets from all the pygmies.” He jumped on top
of a tree then began running on the branches.
During the day of resting, he carefully floated up with the Sky Stick to test the laser.
The height required to trigger it was three meters above the top of the trees. The
tree branch he was holding would get shot as soon as it went past this height. Zheng
couldn’t help but curse when he came to the result of a laser weapon before World
War 2 even happened. The Sky Stick would have been able to fly him over and
bypass the pygmies in a few minutes if it wasn’t for this.
Zheng moved head quickly without any difficulty with the movement technique. Half
an hour later, he found the first pygmy.
The way he was going to lure them was straightforward. He took out the Gatling
cannon and immediately tore the pygmy apart along with a tree behind it. Then
noises started coming from all sides. Zheng ran forward with the cannon until he
encountered the first wave of pygmies. The cannon crushed them before they could
even shoot. He didn’t have to worry about ammunition so he continued spraying
from one side to the other. After all the trees within a hundred meters collapsed, he
continued forward.
The number of pygmies increased the closer he was to the pyramid. Their weapons
also change from guns to heavy firearms. By the time Zheng saw an anti-tank RPG,
he immediately turned around. The pendant blocked off numerous shots on the way
but he didn’t want to test the power of an RPG.
He had forgotten how many pygmies he killed on the way. The Gatling cannon rarely
stopped shooting. When he began to run, thousands of pygmies were chasing behind
him. They filled the forest from the ground to the trees. Bullets were hitting a
49
translucent field on his back one after another. However, this field was becoming
more faint as time passed, until a Dum Dum bullet finally shattered it.
Zheng felt the pendant on in his palm turned to powder. He immediately took out
another one and also wobble his body while he ran. However, it was futile. An individual’s
strength was powerless in this situation. Not even his clone could sustain
against several thousand pygmies with guns.
More and more pygmies joined as they ran. Though Zheng had no time to think
because the pendant was already cracking. At the same time, the edge of the canyon
also came into sight. Zheng gave a shout and jumped down the canyon. The pygmies
behind him also jumped. He began accelerating but his heart skipped a beat as he
reached the center and looked at the other side of the canyon.
Imhotep and his group were holding O’Connell’s group hostage with guns.
Zheng stopped in shock for a second. The sound of the pygmies were getting close.
A bullet hit his back and pulled him back to the present. He took a deep breath then
brought out a grenade from the ring. As he pulled its ring, a red line came down from
his head and met with an airflow in his heart. The grenade touched the ground at
the same time.
Time seemed as though it slowed down. Zheng charged at the group. The rock
that he stepped on was shattered into powder. Each stepped embedded a deep
footprint into the ground and also brought him ten meters forward. It looked like he
was floating at half a meter above the ground.
“Nine!”
Zheng had crossed 200 meters to the edge of the canyon. Then he jumped straight
up at least ten meters high. He stepped on a rock and jumped again. The rock
exploded. At the same time he had already reached the top. Fear finally registered
in the people behind Imhotep. However, there was no time for them to react. They
were all in slow motion through Zheng’s eyes.
“Eight!”
Zheng ran to the black man that was holding Evelyn hostage. He seemed to be the
leader of the men in black robes. His finger was moving toward the trigger on the gun.
Zheng grabbed his arm and twisted it without any resistance. The man’s expression
didn’t even get to react in this speed. Zheng pulled the arm and threw him away then
kicked the back of his spine. The man was sent flying with his body in a Z shape.
“Seven!”
50
Zheng’s next target was the two men holding O’Connell and Jonathan. These two
men were standing nearest to the leader and they pulled the triggers almost at the
same time. Zheng barely got in time to lift their arms before the guns fired. Seeing
how ruthless they were, he returned with the same fashion. He punched their heads
and completely shattered them.
“Six!”
As the two headless men collapsed to the ground, a huge explosion happened inside
the canyon. The shockwave blew up the sand and dust. Everyone instinctively
looked over to see small mushroom cloud in the center. The explosions were still
happening throughout the canyon and filled it in fires.
Ardeth subdued the man holding him. He was prepared when Zheng disappeared
from the canyon. As the first man was kicked away, he lowered himself then stood
up and hit the face of the man behind him with his head. He quickly turned around
and kicked the man’s neck to knock him out.
“Five!”
Zheng was still in the Explosion state. He could already feel the wound in his chest
tearing open. He immediately took out the axe while also channeling a bit of qi into
the Na ring with difficulty. Then he jumped at Imhotep.
Imhotep’s reaction was subpar at best. He was a priest before he died after all. Even
though he obtained magic and a body that couldn’t be killed, he didn’t have the
qualities of a warrior. It took him several seconds to return from the shock. However,
Zheng had already hit him with the Na ring when he finally began to turn himself into
a sandstorm. An invisible force field knocked him away. But Zheng was faster. He
charged next to Imhotep while Imhotep was still in mid air and hacked him in half
with the axe.
“Four!”
The rest of the men in black robes finally raised their guns and planned to fire. Zheng
grabbed the axe’s chain and threw it over. The axe easily cut everyone it passed
through in half and even the chain was able to cut through anyone due to the amount
of force Zheng was using. The axe made a round then returned. The only people
left standing was a woman standing the farthest away and a few men in black robes
nearby. Their eyes looked terrified.
“Three!”
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Zheng took out the Sky Stick and ran toward O’Connell’s group. He threw one on
the Sky Stick and grabbed one under his arm and held onto the other two. He held
out the Gatling cannon with his other arm and aimed at Imhotep who was recovering
his body.
“Two!”
Zheng pulled the trigger. Numerous cannons hit Imhotep’s body and tore him into
pieces. The Sky Stick was flying out of the forest, just barely above the top of the
trees. Its speed of 700 kilometers was as fast as Zheng in the Explosion mode. They
flew away from Imhotep in just a blink of an eye.
Zheng finally exited the Explosion mode then blood gushed out from his mouth. He
almost fell off the Sky Stick but he persisted and kept controlling it. He didn’t know
how much time had passed until they reached the edge of the forest. Izzy was still
working on the dirigible. Zheng fell unconscious as soon as he saw it.
Zheng slowly woke up. He felt a painful and burning sensation all over his body, like
it was tearing apart, especially his heart. He wanted to scream but his throat was
also dry and painful. He couldn’t move any part of his body except his eyelids.
As soon as he opened his eyes, O’Connell and the others immediately brought him
water. After drinking the water, he could finally see he was lying on the deck of the
dirigible. His whole body was wrapped in bandage just like a mummy. To his surprise,
the dirigible was flying.
“Your Sky Stick is indeed useful. We just put it under the dirigible and held it in place
with a piece of wood. There’s still a little bit of gas left, just enough to get us going.
And this speed is incredible. Haha.” Izzy laughed.
The dirigible was flying faster than when they used its acceleration from before. This
speed should get them to Hamunaptra before nightfall. Zheng began to check his
body condition.
Using the Explosion technique under injury had taken a large toll on the body. Several
major blood vessels were busted. His bones were on the verge of dislocating. The
muscles on his chest tore open again and a lot of blood entered his lungs, suffocating
him. Fortunately, he survived with the help of the vampire bloodline.
“Excessive bleeding. Need to take two days of rest. Let’s return to Hamunaptra and
obtain the Book of Amun-Ra first.”
Zheng didn’t feel any discontent. It was fortunate that everyone lived. Explosion was
indeed a very powerful technique. He needed to master it so that he could have a
52
chance against his clone.
They arrived at Hamunaptra by sunset and Zheng finally got treated by an actual doctor
instead of the rough bandaging. After several stitches on his chest and applying
a layer of medicinal cream covered his body, he was bandaged up again. Zheng
finally fell asleep. This sleep lasted for over thirty hours.
The recovery rate of the vampire Count bloodline was remarkable. He could move
like a normal person after he woke up. No one could have guessed he was on the
verge of dying two days ago. A surprise also awaited him. Evelyn was holding onto
the Book of Amun-Ra and the workers were cheering.
“People would do anything with enough rewards.”
Ardeth exclaimed. All the workers received ten folds their normal pay immediately
after they dug out the Book of Amun-Ra. So they were cheering and thanking god.
Zheng received the book and ran to the altar at once. He had to confirm if what his
clone said was true or not. Otherwise, everything he had done was a waste.
“Revive members that appeared in team China. Cost 7000 points and a rank B reward
with the body. Cost 8000 points and a rank B reward without the body. God will clone
a body at the exact state of death.”
“Do you wish to revive team members?”
Zheng listened to the notification closely outside the alter. He realized what he
guessed was totally wrong. He could create bodies without a mind in God’s dimension
but he forgot an important criteria to the creation, it could only create what he
was familiar with or know.
For example, he could create a body that looked the same as the members but what
about the DNA? And how could he guarantee that the insides were the same? The
blood types and everything else? So what he made would just be just someone
similar.
“Which means unless you freeze and store the body as soon as someone died, you
have to pay the extra 1000 points. But this is still much better than paying twice the
points and rewards to revive in God’s dimension.” Zheng let out a sigh of relief. Then
he began to count how many points he earned in this movie.
4000 points from obtaining the Bracelet of Anubis and numerous from killing pygmies
in the forest. He might have killed a thousand with the Gatling cannon. The final
explosion killed even more. He wondered if they totaled up to 4000 pygmies.
53
(Xuan should have less than 3000 points and also very little ranked rewards. I can
revive him in God’s dimension for way less, but…)
Zheng hesitated. First thing was he didn’t know if he had enough points. He had a
rank B reward and rank C reward when he entered this world and now he had two
rank B rewards total after completing the bracelet mission. As long as he had enough
points, he could revive Xuan.
He didn’t have the confidence to challenge the Scorpion King by just himself no
matter how much power he had. He needed Xuan.
Zheng clenched his teeth. Even though this would waste a rank B reward, he would
obtain 10000 points and two rank B rewards in return if he was to finish the Scorpion
King’s mission. Instead of getting killed in the pyramid, he’d rather revive Xuan to
help him with the challenge!
“God, revive Chu Xuan.” Zheng stood inside the altar with the Book of Amun-Ra.
These were the words to activate resurrection. Once you have enough points and
rewards and say the person’s name, and if that person hadn’t been revived before,
he would be revived.
“Deducted 8000 points and one rank B reward. Activated resurrection.”
After the notification, a movie like projection appeared on top of the altar. A person
was fighting by himself on the roof of a building. He was using two pistols and shooting
at ghosts coming from every direction. In the end he shot his own stomach. As
he was lying on the floor, he held out his hand as if to reach for the moon.
Once the projection disappeared, a series of information streamed into Zheng’s head.
He felt like he saw a boy that was crying in his heart but tear couldn’t break through
his eyes. The boy gradually grew up into the adult Xuan. The emotionless man with
glasses. Inside his cold heart were tears that could never come out. No sense of
pain, taste, smell, touch. Zheng finally understood what he meant when he meant
by the meal looked delicious before entering The Grudge. That was right, he could
only see.
Zheng felt a little unease. Judging from this message, the cause was at the genetic
level. Unless he could change DNA…
Xuan slowly appeared in front of him. He held out a hand and said. “Xuan, help me.”
“I didn’t die, or is it revived? Why do I want to help you?”
“Because I know how to help you obtain senses of pain, happiness, taste, and every
feeling a normal person has. I know how to help you!”
54
Xuan looked exactly the same as before. The same indifference expression. The
same habit of adjusting his glasses. He touched his heart and asked Zheng. However,
Zheng’s answer made him express something different for the first time. His fingers
seemed to be shaking if just a little. He touched the stone of the altar and asked.
“Tell me. If you have at least 50% chance of success, I will help you.”
Zheng was delighted. He knew he seized the most important thing to Xuan, the
man’s only desire. “The genetic constraint has five stages. The first stage increases
a person’s combat ability by unleashing combat instincts from human ancestors. The
second stage gives control over 90% of the body, like sight, hearing, muscles.” He
enlarged his arm to three times its normal size.
Xuan seemed to get it and said. “Continue.”
“Starting from the third stage, you will begin to utilize various areas of the brain. Like I
can simulate your way of thinking to 50% effectiveness. The third stage is simulation.”
“The fourth stage is what can change your fate. The fourth stage gives you the ability
to alter your DNA. Once you reach the borderline to the fifth stage, you can even
reconstruct your DNA. Do you remember the enhancements from God? Those were
created by ancient humans that reached the fourth stage. If you reach the fourth
stage, you can alter your DNA and obtain everything a normal person should have.
We can experience pain together, cry together, eat together and laugh together. Help
me, Xuan. I need your intelligence!”
Xuan adjusted his glasses and asked. “There are five stages, what’s the last one?”
Zheng thought for a moment. “The fifth stage is energy manipulation. I don’t fully
understand it.”
“Qi, Xiuzhen, blood energy, magic.” Xuan walked down from the alter. “These are
abilities to control energy. If genetic enhancements come from the fourth stage, the
fifth stage is probably creation of these abilities. If the five stage theory of genetic
constraint is true, then I can see the answers to previous uncertainties.”
After a while, Zheng said excitedly. “That means you agreed to help? Haha, you
agreed, right?”
“Tell me what happened after I died.”
“That’s basically it. I thought the Book of Amun-Ra could never be found after it
dropped off the cliff. And the cost of twice the points and rewards was almost impossible
to obtain. If it wasn’t for team Devil, I wouldn’t have made up my mind to come
back.”
55
Zheng told Xuan everything that happened since The Grudge in details. About all the
main members of the team, the Guide, the leader position, what he knew about God’s
dimension, team battles, the two special teams, and even what happened between
him and his clone. Then he saw Xuan writing on a piece of paper.
“Let’s start from the beginning. We assumed God doesn’t want to kill us but to make
us evolve. So it placed us in near death situations every time. When you encountered
team India, they were only slightly stronger than you. Basing on your difference in
strength and your lack of a leader, you were almost destined to lose. However, you
actually won in a almost flawless victory, aside from Zero’s death.”
“Team China’s rating plus one. Then you entered the supernatural series Final Destination.
If the episode of the series is correlates to difficulty, it shouldn’t be tough for
the movie to wipe the team. However, Jie freeing himself from this world saved the
team without much loss. Only the newbies died.”
“Team China’s rating plus one again. Then you entered Alien: Resurrection at a wrong
location, with an altered difficulty and monster strength. This should have been a
movie that could wipe any team. However, team China survived again without much
loss. Only the newbies died again. If I am God in this case, I would rate team China
above team Devil and team Celestial. That’s why it organized a team battle between
team China and team Devil. If team China continued winning, then God will probably
develop you as the main team and keep increasing difficulty. Because team China’s
potential would have surpassed what it calculated as the team with the highest potential.”
“However, team China failed. Which means rating reset. If I am correct, the next
movie will be at a normal difficulty for regular teams and isn’t because God is going
easy on you.”
Xuan finished writing and looked at the paper. “This is the order of resurrection. We
can discuss after returning to God’s dimension. I have died once and don’t want to
die again. So I don’t want to have any conflict with you. If a conflict comes up, you
can say your opinion and adjust my plan.”
Zheng didn’t take the paper. “I don’t have any objection to the order of resurrection.
My only requirement is everyone that was on the team must revive. I don’t want them
to sleep in the darkness for eternity.”
Xuan wrote a little more then said. “No problem, if they have acceptable strength. I
don’t want any member pulling the team’s weight, unless he agrees to be the bait
during dangerous missions. This topic will be postponed. Back to the current situa-
56
tion. We have to finish the Scorpion King’s mission in the days remaining. Judging by
the difficulty you described, this will be a tough battle. So I don’t want you to waste
your energy before entering the pyramid. The reason you were forced to run was
because you wasted your energy on needless places.”
“So, go purchase incendiary bombs. Burn down the forest. It’s not a tropical forest,
but rather inside the desert. Let it burn and it should be over in three days.”
(Incredible. Definitely worth the points and reward.)
Zheng stared at Xuan. This man’s ideas were as crazy as before. He never thought
about burning down the whole forest. But if this worked, then he could reach the
pyramid effortlessly and the countless pygmies in the forest…
“Don’t dream about the points from the pygmies. If I am correct, pygmies died during
the fire will not count toward any points. And I advice you better not step inside the
forest.”
Chapter 9
They stayed in Hamunaptra for ten more days until a hundred incendiary bombs were
transported over from Europe. Everyone boarded the dirigible again and headed
toward the golden pyramid. Zheng had completely recovered in these ten days.
“What God created is a world and not a mission. I had wondered why there is an
option to return to previous worlds. If it is intended for resting and vacation, having
the real world alone is enough. God has been hinting us that it didn’t need us to follow
its rules. It wanted us to evolve. To search for dangers ourselves and overcome them.
Your Explosion technique is the sign of your evolution.” Xuan said to Zheng as he
looked down at the desert from the deck.
Zheng learned a lot from Xuan in these ten days. Such as possible bonus missions
in their respective worlds, how to survive more efficiently, how to battle other teams,
and even how he could improve his techniques. This man’s analysis were succinct
and result oriented. It gave Zheng a lot of answers. Though some of which wasn’t
what he wanted to hear.
Zheng said. “I have thought about how God judges each person’s strength to decide
movie difficulties. The difficulties shouldn’t be equal among everyone. Or else people
who are strong can easily farm points and rewards. So the technique I created
doesn’t belong in difficulty judgment?”
57
Xuan nodded. “That’s for certain. Otherwise, God is a real god. It also doesn’t conform
to the goal of evolution. The person that evolves should be rewarded. As you
evolve, the difficulties will become easier and easier until you can afford to save up
50000 points and return to the real world.”
Zheng got excited. “If that’s the case then why don’t we enter the forest to kill pygmies?
I think I just have to be careful and will be able to wipe them out easily. I have
a unlimited ammunition Gatling cannon here.”
“This returns to our previous discussion.” Xuan frowned. “The possibility that God
leaves a loophole to let you farm points and rewards is close to zero. Because if
you are barely strong enough to kill the pygmies, you can keep running away and
returning to kill them until you reach 50000 points. There wouldn’t be a need for
evolution. The most probable situation is God increases your personal rating by a
point for each monkey you killed, just like team China before. Once you accumulated
enough rating, the difficulty will increase. Since you have killed several thousand
pygmies already, I suspect that they will be using firearms from the 70s and 80s or
even more modern by now. If you killed over ten thousand, you will probably be shot
with missiles as soon as you step into the forest.”
Zheng sighed. “Then what about incendiary bombs? It should also count as killing.”
Xuan smiled very briefly. “Who gets credit for the kills? You or me? God isn’t stupid.
Don’t try to game it. Even though this is a method that gets around to the pyramid,
it’s actually one God might accept. Otherwise, this forest would have been a tropical
forest. However, since you bypassed the danger, you lose the rewards. Unless you
throw the incendiary bombs at their face. Every rule in this world follows risk equals
reward.”
Zheng sighed. It was unfortunate that he couldn’t obtain the points from killing pygmies.
He would have been able to revive at least three members with those points.
“Following your theory, is the reward from the Scorpion King’s mission also going to
be reduced from bypassing the danger of the forest?”
“No, because intelligence is also a part of evolution.” Xuan smiled.
The evolved dirigible, using the Sky Stick to carry it, returned to the border of the
forest after a day and night of flying. Everyone was on guard against Imhotep the
whole way. Even though the dirigible could fly faster than his sandstorm, they didn’t
want to risk getting attacked in the sky.
Luckily, they arrived in safety. Everyone let out a sigh of relief after getting down from
the dirigible. They wouldn’t be afraid of Imhotep anymore with the Book of Amun-Ra
58
in hand and Evelyn to decipher the hieroglyph.
“It’s lucky we didn’t encounter him during the flight. I won’t be afraid even if he appears
now.” Jonathan laughed.
O’Connell got off the dirigible after him. “I wonder who ran so fast the last time he
saw some monkeys.”
Jonathan replied with a smile. Zheng gestured to let them know then walked into
the forest.
He came to this conclusion after discussing with Xuan. He still had a pendant that
wasn’t totally out of energy. Xuan’s theories were the most probable cases, not facts.
Since they had some form of protection, they decided to test the pygmies’ current
state. If the pygmies didn’t evolve too much, it was a good idea to kill some in close
range.
While everyone else was setting up the camp, Zheng entered the forest alone. He
felt the same sense of being watched by numerous eyes. His mission was only to
probe and not fight, so he entered the first stage of the unlocked mode. He jumped
in between trees and within a few minutes, he reached the inner part of the forest.
A sudden sense of danger swept him then bang! He was knocked back by three
meters before he could react. The pendant in his palm shattered. A bullet just hit his
chest at lightning speed. The barrier deflected it away but the force still pushed him
back. Zheng was so familiar with the sound of that shot. That was from the same
anti-material sniper rifle he used in the fight against team Devil.
As the name suggested, this sniper rifle was designed to pierce through tank armors.
Even though it was still much weaker than the gauss sniper rifle, it would open a hole
in his body if he gets shot.
Now that the pendant had became powder, Zheng was exposed under the threat
of the sniper rifle. He felt a chill down his spine and immediately used Explosion.
Then he jumped in between the trees, using the branches and leaves to obstruct
vision while he ran. A second later, multiple gunshots followed. He could imagine
the numerous bullet holes at where he was standing. A little delay could have cost
his life. Sweat soaked his body.
“Burn them all down. This is crazy. The pygmies are going to be piloting Gundams
before long at this rate.”
“Made up your mind? Going to burn them all?” Xuan was looking at a document.
59
Zheng said. “Yes, all of them. Fucking, there’s already sniper rifles. We would be
facing a modernized army if we don’t kill them. I am curious what Imhotep is up to
though.”
Xuan replied without raising his head. “70% chance he’s already inside the pyramid.
20% chance he’s watching us from nearby. 10% chance he went to Hamunaptra.
Which one do you think is more beneficial for us?”
Zheng answered without thinking. “Of course inside the pyramid. So we can take
care of him on the way. Otherwise he might show up during the fight. What are you
looking at?”
Xuan raised his head. “Information about Egyptian mythologies I got from Evelyn. I
am looking for ones that might be true. If this is an actual world, this shouldn’t be the
only treasure. Perhaps other treasures have similar quest items that can increase our
strength.”
Zheng immediately said. “And the result?”
“Give up on all of them.”
He adjusted his glasses and took a drink from a glass. “The cost to reward ratio is
too low because we don’t know if these mythologies are true. Second, there are
expenses such as time, bullets, and expendable items. Third, they belong to plots
that we are not familiar with. We don’t know where the dangers will come from or
how to use the quest items. Unless we have over 50% chance of success, I won’t
consider these mythologies.”
Zheng wanted to laugh but held it to himself. “Then why are you so focused on the
document? Aren’t they useless to you?”
“I had Evelyn wrote them in both hieroglyphs and English. I am getting the structure of
hieroglyphs and how to go about translating them. We need to let ourselves accept
new knowledge under any situation.”
Zheng nodded. “Right, right. I understand. So how are we going to burn the forest?
Aren’t you worried about the wind?”
Xuan grabbed a map looking paper. It was hand drawn. “I flew around while you
were inside the forest and drew its terrain. It may not look like it but this forest is a
triangle. We need to use incendiary bombs at these four places. Spread the bombs
out the among 100 square feet in each place and detonate them with your grenades.
It will be the most effective. We will be able to burn down the whole forest regardless
of wind direction, unless God cause some accident.”
60
“It sounds easy but what kind of accident? I have a bad feeling about it.”
“Uh, killing too many pygmies and God evolves them into something else, like King
Kong.” Xuan suddenly laughed lightly. “So, this is a gamble. We are dead if we lose
the bet. Because there might be other ways to enter the pyramid that don’t require
killing all the pygmies. There’s a 30% chance we will die from God interfering.”
Zheng didn’t thought much about King Kong but then he imagined a pygmy piloting
a Gundam, especially his favorite Providence and shook his head. “Anyway, just try
our best. Uh, you know how to laugh?”
Xuan laughed and said. “Yes. Pull muscles upward. However, crying is more difficult.
Even though I can do the expression, its difficult to stimulate tears. If there’s available
device, crying is also possible.”
Zheng tapped his shoulder then walked out of the tent. “Don’t worry. You will reach
the fourth stage. Comrade.”
“Comrade?”
They finished setting up the incendiary bombs by evening with the help of the movie
characters. Zheng used a simple detonation device Xuan created then detonated
them. They looked down from the dirigible and saw the forest began burning at four
locations. Black smoke rose up to the sky then the fire moved into the inner forest.
“This is the basic situation. Judging by the size of this forest, it will take three to four
days for the fire to reach the pyramid. Then three to four more days for the forest to
cool down. Which means we need to wait eight days. How much time do you have
left?”
Zheng said. “Fifteen days. If we count eight days including today, we will have eight
days left. It should be enough time to enter the pyramid and kill the Scorpion King.”
“Then the probability of my plan should be a bit higher. The reason God gave you
sixty days might be to give you time to burn the forest and wait for it to cool.”
Ardeth sighed beside them. “It’s unfortunate for this forest. If we could preserve it,
then the whole Egypt…” He shook his head.
Zheng tapped his shoulder and said. “Let it go. Even if we don’t burn the forest, your
tribe wouldn’t be able to take care of the pygmies. Furthermore, the forest might
disappear without the magic power from Anubis after we defeat the Scorpion King.
It’s not something that belong to us, so it’s better to not think too much.”
61
Ardeth could only sigh as he shook his head. A man that grew up in the desert had a
desire for the green desert that others couldn’t imagine. If he didn’t understand this
forest could never belong to them, he would have stopped Zheng.
The fire burned for several days, leaving black and white ashes behind. One might
step into a fire when you step into the ashes. There were still bits of fire burning underneath.
So they had to keep waiting. Zheng and Xuan never heard any notification
from God, so they were not getting the points from killing the pygmies.
They didn’t rest during the days of waiting. Zheng kept training his Explosion technique
and combat techniques non stop, while Xuan was reading mythology related
documents in hieroglyphs. Evelyn complained that she were working on deadlines.
Eight days passed. Zheng entered the forest alone. After advancing for a few kilometers
without any danger, everyone decided to head to the inner forest. There were
still some fires further in so the place had a layer of smoke. They couldn’t find the
pyramid in the mean time.
“Keep heading to the center of the forest. The pyramid should be there.” Zheng
made the decision and walked a few hundred meters in front of everyone else.
They found burned bodies of animals on the way. As they came nearer to the center
of the forest, the number of animal bodies decreased as pygmy bodies took over.
The pygmies died in clusters. Beside their bodies were deformed firearms ranging
from pistols to sniper rifles to RPG. The crucial part was there were just too many
pygmies. They saw tens of thousands on the way already. The pygmies would be no
different from an army if they were all armed. Guerrilla forces fighting at their home
terrain.
They felt unease looking at the numbers, especially Zheng. If they tried to kill these
pygmies off a little at a time like he thought, there was really a possibility of the
pygmies piloting Gundams. Then burning the forest wouldn’t be able to take care of
them. Fortunately, that didn’t happen and they came so far safely because of Xuan.
A pyramid that looked like it was built of gold came into view.
Chapter 10
Everyone let out a sigh of relief as they saw the pyramid. Bodies of dead pygmies
filled the path they walked. No one was certain if the ones near the center survived.
62
If so then their numbers alone could wipe the team. God knows why there could
exist so many pygmies in this forest.
Jonathan said loudly. “My god, there’s really a soccer ball size diamond! It’s beautiful.
Zheng, I have faith in you. You will defeat the Scorpion King and obtain his army and
treasure! Haha.”
Zheng smiled. “I will take the army. About the treasure, I don’t have much use for
them so I will throw them away.”
Jonathan quickly smiled along. “Why are we talking about these things. I will help
you take care of those useless gold and jewelry.”
Zheng walked toward the pyramid. As soon as he entered, he felt a weight on his
body, like something was taken away from him. This feeling was horrible. Not only
that, but when he turned around, everyone stayed by the entrance of the pyramid
and couldn’t enter. He held out his hand and felt a translucent barrier between them.
“The Scorpion King resurrects. All enhancements and exchanged abilities are taken
away from the challenger. The army of Anubis activated to kill all living beings within
50 kilometers of the golden pyramid until the Scorpion King dies.”
God’s notification sounded within Zheng’s head. He saw Xuan immediately pulled
out two large pistols and everyone else took out their weapons. Then the earth in
front of them rose up and turned into the warriors of Anubis.
Zheng howled. He finally understood God’s intention. He had to challenge the Scorpion
King with the strength of a normal human. Which meant that he couldn’t use
the devastating power of the Spear of Osiris. He couldn’t use the movement technique,
the Red Flame. Furthermore, God had taken his comrades hostage. They had
firearms but were vastly outnumbered. The movie characters couldn’t be revived if
they die and if Xuan died, it would be all over!
Zheng howled in madness and ran as fast as he could. He could already hear gunshots
coming from behind. He didn’t want to see his comrades dying, especially
those that he had accepted!
He was so used to running with the movement technique that it felt strange to run.
He almost lost balance several times. However, there was a tiny bit of blood energy
and qi left inside him. Perhaps these energy didn’t belong to enhancements. They
were formed from his training. Even the energies were so weak, they were his last
hope.
63
Zheng started to think about his weapons and techniques he could use. The Gatling
cannon was out of the question. He only had a normal person’s strength right now.
Maybe he could barely use it and sustain the recoil after entering the second stage
of the unlocked mode.
As he thought of the unlocked mode, he quickly entered it. Luckily, the unlocked
mode didn’t disappear. He was certain that God only took away the power and stats
that he exchanged. Which meant that he could still use the Explosion technique.
Zheng felt much safer. He continued running as he stayed in the unlocked mode.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of hitting a gong from deep inside. Judging from the
original movie, it should be Imhotep summoning the Scorpion King. The that meant
the arena was not far away.
His speed was limited without the increased stats, the vampire bloodline, qi, and
movement technique. He was not much stronger than a normal person aside from
the unlocked mode. He had the combat instincts but a body weaker than athletes.
At the same time, the fight between the army of Anubis and the other people had
begun. Fortunately, the corridor leading to the entrance of the pyramid was narrow
and good for defense. They only had to worry about the front as the barrier was at
their back. The army of Anubis couldn’t get their them while they had guns. However,
the numbers were just so huge and their ammunition was decreasing at a rapid rate.
If this continued, they could only last several minutes.
Xuan’s pistols were powerful. He had the highest firepower among the group. He
looked around as he shot then he pulled the TNT from O’Connell’s waist and said.
“Find a cover.” He ignited the bomb. When the fuse was almost gone, he threw the
bomb at the ceiling and covered his head.
Several explosions in quick successions shook the corridor then it collapsed. The
pillars and walls blocked off the army. No one got hurt. The army of Anubis wasn’t
breaking in for a while.
They stood up and let out a sigh of relief. Everyone looked at Xuan with respect then
they heard the sounds of stones shattering, as if someone was hammering stones.
Countless hammerings happening together gave them a bad feeling.
“That’s for certain the warriors are hacking at the collapsed pillars and walls. Judging
from the collapse, the thickness of the barricade is in between two to three meters.
They will need six to seven minutes to break through with their numbers and strength.
If you include our ammunition, we can survive eight to nine minutes. So pray, that
Zheng can kill the Scorpion King in the time frame.”
64
Zheng didn’t know what was happening outside. All he could think about was keep
running as fast as he could toward the sound of the gong. After passing through
a narrow corridor, he entered a big room with fire pit cauldrons laid out around the
room. Imhotep was hitting a gong in the center. A woman with long hair stood next
to him.
According to the plot, Imhotep’s power was also taken away. So Zheng didn’t fear
him. He took out the axe from his ring. However, even just taking out one item used
up 1/5 of his qi already. He immediately halted any desire to get anything else. Then
he walked toward Imhotep with his axe.
Imhotep noticed him and laughed. “You also have your powers taken away? The
glorious power of Anubis fills this space. We are both just normal humans at this
point. I won’t be scared of your strength and speed, and you won’t be scared of my
magic and undying body. Let our conflict come to an end here!” He threw away the
hammer and grabbed a sword from the wall.
Zheng took a deep breath. “I don’t have time to fool with you. Are you willing to
give up killing the Scorpion King? I won’t kill you and will let you go away with your
woman. If you refuse, I won’t show any mercy.”
Imhotep was surprised for a moment then laughed out loud. “Do I need your mercy?
You don’t have that strength anymore. I don’t know where you obtained such power
but when we are both normal humans, can you fight one versus two? Anck-Su-Namun
is the strongest female warrior in Egypt. And my bravery as a high priest is well known
through legends! You wish to challenge the two of us?”
Zheng didn’t reply. He raised the axe and charged at them. At the same time, a large
door sudden opened. Two bright green eyes glowed from inside.
Zheng and Imhotep jumped back simultaneously. Zheng retained his senses for danger
since the unlocked mode wasn’t taken away. He felt as if a weapon was aimed
at him from beyond the door.
Imhotep on the other hand was familiar with the scent of the undying, since he was
one himself. He felt a horrifying scent of death the moment the door opened. A scent
that induced fear in the resurrected undying who experienced the Curse of the Hom
Dai.
Under their gazes, a large, half human, half scorpion walked out from the room. It
was near six meters tall, with a muscular human torso, and the limbs of a scorpions.
Its pairs of pincers seemed like two pairs of scissors. It stared at the three people in
the room with interest.
65
“Imhotep, interested in a cooperation? We will deal with our problem after killing this
monster.” Zheng gulped.
No one could have expected that Imhotep’s body was shaking. He hadn’t gotten to
do anything when Anck-Su-Namun started running to the exit, seeming frightened.
Zheng looked behind the Scorpion King into the room it came from and saw countless
two to three meter big scorpions swarming out. These were the same scorpions he
fought when he obtained the Bracelet of Anubis. Their speed, strength, and venom
were difficulty to deal with even with enhancements back then.
The Scorpion King finally found his target. It smiled then charged at Anck-Su-Namun
with excitement. Its large body felt overwhelming as it knocked away several cauldrons
as he ran.
Anck-Su-Namun was rather unfortunate. She reached the exit but then collided with
an invisible wall and fell down. The Scorpion King was getting closer and closer to
her.
Imhotep roared. Perhaps he feared the Scorpion King and begged for mercy in the
movie, but he was a man at this moment. He jumped at the Scorpion King then
slashed a big wound on its torso with the sword.
The Scorpion King began howling. However, its pincers couldn’t reach Imhotep who
was on his back. Imhotep hacked at it several more times then it climbed up a pillar
to the ceilings with its legs as if it defied gravity and Imhotep final fell off.
The Scorpion King gave off a cruel smile as it raised its pincers at Imhotep. Suddenly,
a series of bullets crushed the pincers and shot it down from the ceiling. The
firepower even tore the Scorpion King into pieces as it was falling.
Imhotep looked at Zheng in shock. The man’s arms and torso became extremely
muscular. He was holding a huge Gatling cannon. After he killed the Scorpion King,
he turned the cannon to the scorpions coming out of the room. Another round of
shooting and the big scorpions were crushed. The Gatling cannon’s firepower was
immense, as was its recoil. Zheng could barely sustain the shooting with his current
body. Just two rounds and the thenar space of his hands had torn open. Both his
arms were shaking non stop.
Imhotep and Anck-Su-Namun got up from the ground. There was fear within their
eyes when they looked at Zheng. If the Gatling cannon were to fire at them, it would
probably be just an instant to get crushed. Yet, before Zheng could do anything,
Imhotep yelled. “Behind you!”
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Zheng sensed that danger and rolled forward as soon as Imhotep yelled. Even then,
a big piece of muscle was torn from his back. The Scorpion King was hanging directly
above from where he was standing. Its six meter body allowed its pincers to reach
Zheng even hanging from the ceiling.
The pincer closed up and the piece of muscle was split in half. Zheng’s body was
soaked in blood. At the same time, the Scorpion King jumped down at him. He was
still half kneeling on the ground. There was no way to dodge this time.
Imhotep yelled. “Careful!” He held out his hand and a pool of sand swept from
his palm to the Scorpion King. It pushed the Scorpion King away several meters at
the last moment. Zheng jumped away immediately, then noticed he was full of cold
sweat.
“Fuck! Use your magic earlier when you have them! Do you want the three of us to
die here?” Zheng shouted.
“I wouldn’t be getting thrashed if I have magic. This is the last bit remaining. However,
this is the Scorpion King. The monster that was blessed and cursed by Anubis himself.
Its immortal. Only the Spear of Osiris that was bestowed to the Pharaoh by the Sun
God Ra could kill it!”
Zheng was dazed for a moment then cursed himself for being retarded. He immediately
took out the staff from the ring then twisted it open. It turned into the golden
Spear of Osiris.
Imhotep’s hands trembled for a bit but when he looked at Anck-Su-Namun, he said
with a bitter smile. “I want to make an agreement with you.”
The Scorpion King had reached several meters in front of Zheng so he had to use
the Gatling cannon to crush it again. Then he yelled. “We are going to die and you
are talking about agreements! Leave it after we got out!”
Imhotep pointed his sword at Zheng. “After we recovered our powers, it will be difficult
for me to kill you, and you couldn’t kill me without the Book of Amun-Ra. However,
what if I run as soon as I recovered my power? I will hide and kill your friends. You
can’t guard against me for your whole life. I also can’t stop you from killing my people
with that speed and strength. So let’s come to an agreement. I won’t hurt you and
your friends. In return, you have to let me and Anck-Su-Namun go. We will leave this
country. My servants had told me that this world is large. We will go to a country
named the United States.”
Zheng sighed. This man was a slave of love. He died for her several thousand years
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ago and experienced the pain of the curse. This love didn’t change even after resurrecting.
He knew Zheng couldn’t deal with them at this moment, that was why he
chose to make the agreement now. However, he didn’t know this woman didn’t love
him nearly as much as he imagined.
Zheng nodded and Imhotep put away the sword. The Scorpion King’s body parts
were coming back together quickly then turned back into half human half scorpion
form. It jumped at the three of them. Zheng raised the Spear of Osiris and threw it at
the Scorpion King. He didn’t use any qi or blood energy. However, the spear was still
moving fast since he had the strength for being in the second stage of the unlocked
mode.
Yet, the Scorpion King grabbed the spear with its pincers. A sense of despair overcame
Imhotep and Anck-Su-Namun. But this was expected for Zheng. By tradition,
God would definitely raise the difficulty until he was on the brink of death. Only his
own ability wasn’t included in God’s calculation for difficulty!
Explosion! Zheng used the last remaining of his qi and blood energy. He roared then
charged up. He grabbed the end of the spear with both hands and pushed it forward
into the Scorpion King’s chest.
Chapter 11
The Spear of Osiris pierced deeply into the Scorpion King’s chest. A golden light
emerged from the wound then this light began to corrode away every part of the
Scorpion King. It was turning into dust bit by bit. Several seconds later, the Scorpion
King vanished in from of Zheng’s eyes.
Zheng dropped to the ground. He could barely find the energy to stand up. Explosion
was a powerful technique but without the recovery rate of the vampire bloodline,
Zheng was lucky to be still alive. He wouldn’t be able to resist even if Imhotep was
to kill him now.
“Completed the Scorpion King mission in advance. Obtained 10,000 points and two
rank B rewards. Unlocked the Bracelet of Anubis. The pyramid will collapse after
thirty seconds. Please escape from the pyramid.”
Zheng was enjoying the first part of the notification. 10,000 points and two rank B
rewards put him among the rich with a tier A reward. However, the second part
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almost gave him a concussion. He felt the familiar power returned to his body then
jumped up and yelled. “Fucking God!”
Imhotep also recovered his power. He hid Anck-Su-Namun behind him and looked
at Zheng cautiously. “What’s wrong with you? Uh. You also recovered your power
right?”
Zheng said in a hurry. “The pyramid is going to collapse in thirty seconds. Hurry up
and run!”
Imhotep was surprised. “I have my way of taking Anck-Su-Namun out. Thank you for
this time.” His body turned into a sandstorm and enveloped Anck-Su-Namun in the
center. Then he swept to the exit.
A thought came to Zheng’s mind and he yelled. “Wait. Wait. Take me out also.
Please.”
The sandstorm wrapped Zheng up and carried him out. He could look around freely
and felt like floating in mid air despite the whirling sandstorm. It was fast and steady.
They returned to the entrance of the pyramid in just ten seconds. Zheng looked at
the collapsed corridor in surprise.
Everyone was lying on the floor but there were no injuries. When they saw the sandstorm
came out, they looked in sorrow and rage. O’Connell and Ardeth pulled out
their guns. Xuan’s expression didn’t change but he also readied his pistols.
The sandstorm flew past them into the forest ruins. Then it flung a person out. Zheng
unfortunately smacked into a pillar. Though he didn’t pass out since his power had
recovered.
He shook his head then jumped up. “Hurry, this place is going to collapse! Follow
our plan and come over!” He took out a rope with several ends from the ring and
threw the ends over to the others. Then he took out the Sky Stick and tied the rope
to it. After everyone stepped onto the circle ends of the rope, he piloted the Sky
Stick and flew away. The pyramid began trembling and slowly sunk into the ground.
“It turned into a quicksand.” Ardeth sighed. “Without the holy power of Anubis, this
place will revert back to the desert and the pyramid also sinks.”
Jonathan suddenly yelled. “Lower, right, left, just a little more.” He hooked onto the
rope with his feet and lowered his body. As the Sky Stick flew past the top of the
pyramid, he grabbed the diamond at once. The Sky Stick immediately dropped a
notch and gave everyone a scare. Luckily, it continued flying away.
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“Shit, I want to murder you! You almost killed everyone!” O’Connell yelled at
Jonathan.
They returned to the dirigible. Everyone was tired and hungry after a day of fighting.
After a quick meal, they began to lecture Jonathan for grabbing the diamond at such
a dangerous situation.
However, Jonathan didn’t care about anyone else. He embraced the diamond in his
arms and admired it. It was slightly smaller than a soccer ball, flawless and clear.
The first person that stopped scolding was Evelyn. She seized the diamond and
emerged herself at its beauty. Women were the same as dragons when it comes to
shiny objects.
After the scolding, they asked Zheng about the sandstorm, which was obviously
Imhotep. It was mind boggling that Imhotep survived the fight then carried Zheng
out of the pyramid. Zheng had to explain their agreement. Ardeth was doubtful but
since they had the Book of Amun-Ra and Imhotep didn’t really have any conflicts of
interest with them, there was no need to take care of him.
Zheng apologized to Ardeth. “Sorry that I went against the mission of your tribe and
let him go.”
Ardeth laughed. “We are not that stubborn. Many of us are hoping for a change. The
world is changing rapidly. If we want to live a better life, we have to let go of some
burden. Imhotep is one of them. We don’t really have to kill him. The only reason
we had guarded against him for so many years was because we were afraid. If he
could let go of his hatred and leave the country, we can also let go of the burden. We
also have gold now, lots of gold, enough to change our standard of living. It was all
thanks to you, my comrade.”
Zheng also laughed. “No need for all these talk when we are comrades. After this
mission, I have to stay in Egypt for several more days. I will also come back several
more times in the future. I will bring you enough gold to give your tribe a better life
next time.”
As soon as gold was mentioned, Jonathan joined the conversation. “Ah, comrade.
Aren’t we comrades? Haha.”
Zheng waved his hand. “Don’t, don’t speak in such a tone. You give me goosebumps.
I know you want gold. This diamond is worth a lot after you sell it. And hadn’t I given
you enough gold already? I still have a few more cubic meters. The three of you can
take one cubic meter each and leave the rest to the Medjais. This should be enough
for a luxurious life.”
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Jonathan laughed. “Luxury isn’t my goal. There’s never enough money. Haha.”
Almost everyone decided to give the diamond to the only woman. Jonathan sat in
a corner all by himself. They stayed there for another night and leave for Cairo the
next morning.
At night, Xuan called Zheng outside. Zheng knew what it was about and told him
about the rewards as they walked, including the special ability of the Bracelet of
Anubis.
“So you should have at least 10,000 points and a rank A reward. The Spear of Osiris
and the Bracelet of Anubis. The rewards certainly live up to the difficulty.”
Xuan nodded. “Then let’s summon the army of Anubis. Use all your energy. The
quantity of the army will influence my plans for future movies.”
Zheng nodded. He channeled his blood energy into the bracelet then a red light
flashed over the bracelet.
Zheng felt his blood energy was completely drained once the flash happened. It was
such a discomfort having the energy taken away at once. His qi was also disturbed
for a moment but quickly calmed down.
A few seconds later, the army of Anubis rose from the ground one after another. They
had the head of a dog and the body of a human. They were three meters tall and
carried huge swords. The important part wasn’t their looks but their numbers. A
rough look around and it was several hundreds of them.
Xuan had a rigorous personality. He walked from one end to the other and counted
each row. A minute later, he said. “Three hundred. There are three hundred warriors
here. Which means you can summon six mummies. Good. This number is powerful
enough to change the tides in many movies and even allow us to wipe some teams
in team battles!”
Zheng wiped the sweat off his forehead and forced a smile. “Don’t talk so creepy.
You made us seem like mafias. How useful do you think these warriors are against
other teams?”
Xuan said calmly. “Good enough. They can be a critical force if we use them in
strategies. Not every team is as strong as team Devil. There should be weak teams.
Otherwise, God wouldn’t have put so much focus on team China. The previous team
China was probably one of the strongest teams aside from team Devil and team
Celestial. If we have difficulty taking on three hundred of these warriors, so do the
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other teams. The question is, how long will they last? And how much do they affect
you?”
Zheng paused for a moment. “There’s no time limit. They can exist as long as they
don’t die. I can also disband them. Summoning empties my blood energy complete.
So I won’t be able to use Explosion and the Spear of Osiris. There are no other
downsides. Summoning doesn’t expend my stamina or qi so I can still fight.”
Xuan thought for a bit. “This ability isn’t totally worthless. It can have miraculous
effects in certain situations. How many more days do you have to stay here?”
“Over ten days. Why? Anything you want to do?”
Xuan nodded. “I plan to analyze the structure of the Sky Stick. It’s something I will
eventually I have to do anyway. A single hoverboard doesn’t mean much to a team.
It’s best if we can equip each member with one. So instead of using the ten days
inside God’s dimension, I can finish this task while we still have time here. After
we return to Cairo, you should also train your Explosion technique. I have some
experience similar to this ability, but we can’t gather testing data here. I will help
you test it when we return. That may increase your combat ability by several folds.
However, you must increase the duration to over thirty seconds first.”
Zheng exhaled. “Aren’t you going to take a break? I mean after you are done analyzing
the Sky Stick, or just exchange the design from God. You should take a break
once in a while. This battle lasted so many days. We were flying back and forth, getting
wounded every time. I am planning to just do my regular training daily and take
a break for the rest of the days. What about you?”
Xuan frowned, seeming to ponder over Zheng’s suggestion. “What do I do if I am on
a break?”
Zheng recalled that Xuan had never rested once since they met. It seemed like he
was always able to find something to do, like a clockwork. After learning the inner
thoughts of Xuan, Zheng knew he just didn’t know what to do. A person without
feelings would be devoid of any desires when he couldn’t find the next task or goal.
“Understand. Forget about everything and come fish at the Nile River with me.”
Zheng said with ascertion.
“Fishing?” Xuan pondered, as if this was the most difficult problem. Finally he nodded.
“Fine. Go fish at Nile River.”
The dirigible returned to Cairo in just two days with the Sky Stick as the power source.
Izzy couldn’t stop smiling when he received several gold bars and quickly left. Zheng
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split the rest of the gold to the movie characters. They also knew Zheng had no use
for the gold and gladly accepted it.
The farewells were slightly sentimental. They had become comrades after several
trips to the edge of hell. So it was a bit gloomy when it was time to part away. Fortunately,
Jonathan always managed to lighten up the mood.
“That’s our plan. We will buy a big mansion in England with this gold then invest some
of them. Need to leave some assets for the child. I am never going on adventures
again. Archaeology, mythologies, legends can stay away.” O’Connell said.
Zheng easily noticed Evelyn didn’t seem to agree with O’Connell. Then he recalled
about her mentioning the golden mask from Maya that could turn people into vampires
and the seven crystal skulls. He gave O’Connell a moment of silence.
Jonathan said. “I have decided to head east. I heard there are many opportunities
to become reach. Not that I need anymore money but I just want to travel the world.”
Ardeth said. “Zheng, our tribe will continue to protect Hamunaptra and the altar. So
you don’t have to worry. We welcome you the next time you return to this world.”
Zheng smiled. He was surprised that he formed such bonds with the movie characters.
He also felt a bit sentimental for parting. After the day was over, everyone left
Cairo on ships and horses. Zheng and Xuan returned to the inn where he entered
this world and rented two rooms. He still had enough money left over that he didn’t
have to worry about cash for the remaining days.
At night, Xuan analyzed the Sky Stick and Zheng trained his qi and blood energy.
The next morning, Zheng saw Xuan eating breakfast at the dining table when he got
up. Xuan took out a fishing rod and said. “I had the maid bought me a fishing rod last
night. I connected the rod to the power source of the Sky Stick. When a fish bites
the bait, it will exert 10k voltes of electricity. This will increase efficiency vastly.”
Zheng opened his mouth wide then wiped sweat off his forehead. “Uh. The goal of
fishing isn’t for fish. It’s so we can spend the time leisurely. Let me ask this way, what
do you need the fish for?”
Xuan said emotionlessly. “I am not fishing. I can spend the time to think over the
design of the Sky Stick. This will be useful for our next movie.”
Zheng quickly interrupted. “Halt. I meant fishing isn’t about efficiency. You can’t
use this rod. Let’s head to the wharf first.” Zheng put away the Sky Stick into his
dimensional bag and head out the inn. Xuan followed after him.
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Cairo Port, the largest harbor in the city. This was where team China ran away when
they encountered team India for the first time. Zheng sighed as he returned to the
harbor.
“We began running at this place. We were lucky to reach the harbor through Imhotep
and team India. You don’t know how scary it was when the city was filled with countless
zombies. We seized a bus then kept charging forward. We ran out of ammunitions
and it was all dependent on YinKong and me fighting in close range. See that
rock over there? Ha, it’s still in the same place. Our bus jumped up from this rock
and went all the way to a ship in the river.”
Zheng kept talking about various things. He disagreed with how Xuan viewed human
lives but after learning of his past, Zheng felt sympathy toward Xuan. Perhaps it
sympathy was an insult toward someone so competent.
A life without desires, aside from the thought of wanting desires and feelings. He
forced himself into doing things and learning. Maybe obtaining new knowledge and
unlocking the fourth stage had become a desire for him.
“Foolish.” Xuan said. “Why did you made it so difficult. Judging by your mission, you
weren’t in any conflict with Imhotep before he learns about you seeking to kill him.
Which means he wouldn’t attack you even if he saw you. His only targets were the
Americans, so why didn’t you ran in opposite direction of the Americans? Then set
up bombs in their car. Imhotep was still weak so you could blow up the Americans
and him at the same time. He would need a fair amount of time to recover and more
time to absorb the broken bodies. You could have gained an abundant amount of
time to run.”
His tone was so calm as if he didn’t realize blowing up people was cruel.
(This is such his style. Everything can be done for a higher success rate.)
Zheng smiled bitterly then took out a pack of cigarette. He lit one and said. “That’s
logical but how could you easily abandon people at that situation? They were also
part of the plot. Plus we need to depend on the main characters to find the Book of
Amun-Ra. If they became cautious toward us or disagree with us, what are we going
to do to kill Imhotep?”
Xuan replied without thinking. “You should knock them out and take care of the
Americans in the mean time.”
Zheng wiped sweat off his forehead and interrupted Xuan. “Hold it. We are here to
fish today, not to discuss how to kill people. Grab your fishing rod.” Zheng ran toward
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the yachts as if he was running away. Xuan stood there with a fishing rod silently.
Zheng was able to rent a yacht in no time with his stack of silver sterling. The owner
was a middle age Caucasian. He was surprised that Asians would come fishing here
but the sterling were real so he had no objections.
“The water here is getting polluted. There are several textile mills and other factories
downstream. They pour everything into the river. The river isn’t what it was ten years
ago. Go upstream. You can still occasionally fish large bass. Haha.” The Caucasian
said.
Zheng was talking casually with the helmsman and Xuan focused on checking the
fishing rod. After sailing for half an hour, the two of them put the baits on. Zheng cast
the hook into the river. “You never fished before? Haha, I used to go fishing with my
coworkers quite often. My skills are professional tier.”
Xuan cast the hook and replied. “Never did. I read a book that has a method to easily
catch fish, although I never tested it.”
Zheng laughed. “That’s unfortunate. I will show you why people call me the prince
of fishing…”
Before Zheng could finish the sentence, Xuan flicked his arms and pulled a blue color
fish up to the deck. It was still jumping on the deck. The helmsman grabbed it at once
then threw it into a bucket. “Good god. An African carp this big. Your next meal is
going to be delicious.”
Xuan calmly retrieved the hook and put another bait on. Zheng’s lips twitched a bit
then he laughed. “Just watch. I am not talking big. They call me the prince of fishing
because I am never the first one to catch a fish or catch the most but in the end…”
It wasn’t even that long after Xuan cast his hook again. He pulled the rod and another
came on the deck.
“Haha. Man, this is a Nile herring. We rarely see one this big nowadays.” The helmsman
said again.
Zheng continued his sentence in a slightly lower voice. “In the end, I usually catch
the biggest one.”
Xuan pulled again and up came a fish as big as half a person. The helmsman quickly
caught it with a net and pulled it to the deck.
“Holy, a perch this big. Look at its teeth. This will be the highest grade fish on the
dining table.”
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Xuan look at Zheng and said. “What were you saying? I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Nothing. Let’s just fish.”
Although he didn’t want to admit defeat but he really failed. Zheng only caught a
several small bass the whole day while Xuan couldn’t find another bucket for his
fish. Furthermore, he was catching larger and larger species that Zheng and the
helmsman had to persuade him that it was getting late. Xuan finally stopped fishing
with their nagging.
“For real, I was afraid he was going to catch a shark if the trend continues.” The
helmsman said to Zheng in a low voice.
“Shark? I was thinking of whale.” Zheng replied in the same low voice.
Zheng made a deal with the helmsman to rent the yacht again the next day. Of course,
he made an extra requirement to look for a place without any big species.
He turned around to see Xuan packing up the equipment. “You looked like you were
enjoying it. How was it? Fishing is quite enjoyable right? Haha. If you ever feel tired,
just go fishing for a break.”
“Don’t know.” Xuan answered.
“What do you mean?” Zheng said in confusion.
“Don’t know if a fish will take the bait. Don’t know what fish will get caught. Don’t
know why it is so easy. These uncertainties make me want to continue. Fishing is
not bad.” Xuan said.
Zheng took a smoke then patted his shoulder. “That’s right. There are many, many
things worth doing in this world. Even though you can’t feel them right now, but that
doesn’t mean they don’t exist. You will feel all these after you unlocked the fourth
stage. And don’t give up just because you can’t feel it. Keep searching for these
things. Haha, lets come again tomorrow!”
Xuan fell silent for a bit with his head down. “I need approximately seven days to
analyze the Sky Stick. Okay if it’s just tomorrow.”
Chapter 12
The remaining ten days quickly passed by. Zheng and Xuan returned to God’s dimension
without any issues. Zheng was worried that Xuan couldn’t go back because he
didn’t enter this world.
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Everything in the platform looked just as when he left. Lori was still sleeping soundly.
Xuan immediately walked over to God and closed his eyes. “Basically the same as
I thought. I wasn’t included when calculating rewards for The Grudge. I cleared six
waves so there should be some rewards but I only have the same amount of points
when I entered the movie. You can revive Zero here after the next movie.”
Zheng was delighted to hear it. It would be great if he could revive the members with
less than 8000 points and a rank B reward.
“Then let’s revive Zero along with Kampa and WangXia. If I recall correctly, he only
had a rank C reward and 4000 to 5000 points. We have enough to revive him.”
“I disagree.”
Xuan adjusted his glasses. “Who we revive depends on the situation. You currently
have enough ranked rewards but not enough points. 10,000 points seem like a lot
but it would be gone in an instant when reviving any veterans. Zero’s sniping ability
is important for the team and Lan even more crucial to the team.”
Zheng asked. “I am confused. Why didn’t you let me revive Lan in The Mummy world?
Or Zero here?”
”Because we need them. We don’t revive Lan because we don’t have the ability to
protect her. She has two essential psyche force abilities that every team needs. Plus
she is a rare talent. But what if she gets killed because we are weak? She doesn’t
have any combat capability on her own. If she dies, that will be forever.
As to Zero, he can protect himself but before that you have to arm Kampa, WangXia
and me with weapons. The two of them don’t cost anything to revive but they also
don’t have any weapons. Furthermore, you have to spend the points on necessary
items for the next movie. You won’t have enough to revive anyone currently.”
Zheng said. “We are comrades from this point on. I know this can be unreasonable
but please don’t treat us as chess pieces or tools! We are comrades that can take a
hit for you and fight together till death! So I will try to listen to your advices but you
should also consider each person when you make plans.”
To his surprise, Xuan frowned and pondered for a moment. “Understand. I will try to
consider when it comes to ‘comrades’.”
Zheng suddenly realized that both he and Xuan had changed a lot. The him before
wouldn’t have accepted Xuan’s value on human lives. And Xuan wouldn’t have taken
his opinion.
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“Perhaps this is the start of a metamorphosis for team China.”
According to Xuan’s plan, the early and mid stage of team China should focus on
both enhancing the bodies and using scientific weapons. Like the gauss sniper rifle
for Zero, heavy firearms for Kampa, and mines for WangXia.
“I will also use scientific weapons, especially pistols. In the movies, there’s the Gun
Kata theory. Through various positions, one can theoretically reach every blind angle
and also increase the damage of bullets by 20%. This may seem absurd but I saw
this ability in the exchange system. It is a tier B ability. So my goal for the mid stage
is to use gun kata with two gauss pistols.” Xuan said.
Zheng nodded. Then he connected to God and chose resurrection. He imagined
Kampa and WangXia’s names and images.
This was a corridor made of steel. Kampa, Xuan, and Zero was running. They entered
a gate that was filled with firearms. Kampa grabbed a large Gatling gun and pointed
it at the gate at once. However, before he stabilizes, an Alien tail pierced through the
gate and stabbed into his chest. He pulled the trigger.
After the Soviet Union disbanded, the first wave of special forces had no country to
return to. They wandered between other countries then formed a group of international
mercenaries. They moved from one battlefield to another. Those without a
family, without a country, and without a future. All they had left were their comrades
that stood beside them. They smoked and drank, talked about women, counted cash,
and planned to make some people pay.
Kampa’s group ambushed several drug lords on a mission and kill several people.
However, one of the drug lords escaped. What followed was revenge on the mercenary
group. Kampa’s partner got kidnapped and he was sent a skull several days
later.
The mercenaries chased after the drug lord’s life for half a year and finally killed him
in a base. Kampa took seven bullets in the battle which painted his whole body in
blood. That was at the north east border of China.
Kampa’s body appeared on the floor out of nowhere. A large hole on his chest was
recovering at visible speed. Zheng sighed then connected with God again.
This was a dim warehouse. As the gate opened, a group of people including Zheng,
Lan, and WangXia walked inside. As Zheng and WangXia picked their guns, Zheng
suddenly picked Lan up and ran toward the exit. WangXia only took a few steps
before the fire consumed him.
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In a modern laboratory, rows and rows of soldiers stood in place. A white haired
researcher was lecturing them on hypnosis, selection, physical fitness, entering the
unknown worlds of horror movies, enhancing themselves, exchanging technologies
and paying back their mother country.
In a small village in the rural areas, a mother with silver hair quietly held her child’s
arm. Her tears could not stop even though this child had became a valiant soldier.
The aged mother took off a jade pendant from her neck and put it on the child with
her shaking hands. The mother was already in her sixties. The child knew he might
not ever be coming back once he leaves. Even though man do not shred a tear easily
but he still lowered his head. He kneeled down quietly and touched the ground with
his forehead heavily, leaving a mark of blood.
“Perhaps a lot of people this country have been corrupted, but I still haven’t!”
WangXia’s body also appeared on the floor. His whole body was completely burned
but it was recovering at visible speed like Kampa. Several minutes later, his skin
turned back to normal.
Zheng’s nose felt a bit stuffy. Kampa came here like everyone else, having lost hope
in the real world. But WangXia was different. He had a pure heart just like his inner
thought said, he still hadn’t been corrupted!
Many people live yet accomplish nothing. It was like they live to await their death.
People who were truly living life had their beliefs, their dreams, something they would
always cling onto. Something that once existed during childhood but vanished as the
cruelness of reality kicked in while growing up. The previous Zheng was such person
until he entered this world. His biggest goal right now was to revive his comrades
then survive together!
People like WangXia deserved respect. Zheng looked at him differently, though Xuan
was as indifferent as always.
Kampa opened his eyes then flipped up from the floor. After realizing it was Zheng
and Xuan standing next to him, he laughed out loud. “We passed the Alien movie?
Haha, that’s lucky I am still alive. I thought I saw my partner was coming for me. Didn’t
think I would survive it.” As he laughed, tears flowed down his face. However, Zheng
knew those weren’t tears of joy.
WangXia also opened his eyes and jumped up. His right hand quickly reached for his
waist but when he saw Zheng and Xuan, he was shocked. He saluted to Xuan and
said. “Sir! Lieutenant Wang Xia arrived at destination waiting for the next action.”
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Xuan saluted back. “Take a rest. This isn’t the military, nor the real world. I have
mentioned in the message I sent back that people who entered this world will be
rid of their position temporarily. Your utmost goal is to survive. You are currently a
member of team China.”
WangXia paused for a moment. Seeing that Xuan took his hand back, WangXia did
the same. He looked around the place, especially at the sphere of light above.
Kampa looked at WangXia then pointed to himself. The only other person in this
platform was Lori. “Where is Jie? Who is this lieutenant? Was he in the team?”
Zheng gave a bitter smile and said. “Things are a little complicated. Go take a shower
and get changed first. We will talk later. See the rooms by the edge of the platform?
Hold the handle then imagine the design of the room, including furniture and decorations.
Then open the door. That will be your room for the future. Uh, Xuan, you
too. These desert robes look so unpleasant.”
Their original clothes were ruined during the fights. So they had to buy the black
desert robes in Cairo, which didn’t really fit the aesthetics of Asians. Xuan didn’t
object and walked to a room.
After all three people left, Zheng walked over to Lori. She should be awake by now
since they were talking so loud. Zheng noticed she adjusted her position a little.
“What are you lying there for? Mad at me?” Zheng sat next to her. He lit a cigarette
and took a smoke.
Lori sudden turned around and bit him in his arm. He could dodge it but Zheng was
afraid she might injure herself and held his arm in place.
Zheng smiled bitterly and said. “Mad that I didn’t let you come with me? I have my
difficulties. You have to believe in me. I have been fighting for us to return to the real
world. Remember the girls that lived in here? I have to revive their men. So, don’t
act spoiled anymore.”
Lori massaged her jaw and said. “I would have refused to go with you even if you
want to take me. I know I was a deadweight the last time in Alien. I just wanted to
see if you will keep our promise to the end. You asshole! If your skin isn’t as tough
as rubber, I will bite all over you. Liar!”
Zheng laughed. He picked up Lori and headed to their room. Team China was changing,
including Lori. He hoped they would grow stronger and stronger, and the members
could bond together.
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“That’s the current situation. You guys died a few movies back. In fact, I was the only
one that survived in the battle against team Devil. So, we have to revive our team
members and become the strongest team!”
Inside Zheng’s room, none of the four men could cook anything eatable. Fortunately,
Lori knew a thing or two so they all came over. Zheng told them about what happened,
especially that revivals were only one time for each person. The next time
they die would be real death.
Kampa and WangXia were both accepting of the fact to Zheng’s surprise. They didn’t
show any surprise or fear. They thanked Zheng then drank their tea.
Zheng said. “You don’t look emotional at all. Haha, whatever. That’s basically it. Now
moving onto the next movie and the weapons you want to use.”
“The next movie is The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Just as Xuan predicted, the difficulty
we are facing reduced drastically. This is even easier than sci-fi movies. Maybe the
quantity and size of dinosaurs might create some difficulty but it’s totally doable with
just regular firearms. The most important thing is, the number of dinosaurs can be an
opportunity. I wonder if you will get points for killing dinosaurs. If so, let’s wipe out
all the dinosaurs in the island! Tell me what weapons you want to use.”
Xuan looked through some items in the exchange system. He didn’t have the leader
privilege so he had to delegate the task to Zheng.
Kampa said. “I I need a heavy weapon, maybe Gatling gun…”
Zheng laughed. “Don’t bother with modernized weapons. I have enough points and
rewards. And you can’t get revived anymore so you should get equipped as best as
you can. You can each use a rank C reward and 2500 points. That can totally get
you a multiple barrel EMP rifle. It uses a different technology from gauss weapons.
About twice as powerful as the gauss counterpart but reloading can be troublesome.
You have to reload every three seconds. So instead, you can get an unlimited ammo
version with a rank C reward and 2000 points.”
Kampa didn’t say anything. He nodded and sat down.
WangXia said. “I specialize in traps, mines, and detonations with passable skills in
mid-range shooting.”
Zheng nodded. “Then I will exchange you fifty high explosive mines and ten timed
bombs, also three gravity mines that cost a rank D reward and 500 points each. I
don’t know how powerful they are so you have to make use of your imagination.
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Furthermore, I will help you increase your muscle density and reaction speed by 100
points each.”
WangXia nodded and sat down just like Kampa. Though his posture was much more
upright. While Kampa looked bolder and vulture.
Afterward, Xuan said. “I don’t need any enhancement. Two unlimited ammo gauss
pistols, a rank D reward and 1500 points each.”
Zheng nodded then counted the expenses, which added up to over 9000 points,
two rank C rewards and two rank D rewards. He still had 1000 points, two rank B
rewards and a rank D reward.
“The points really don’t last long. It was just some weapons and knocked me down
from the rich to the poor.” Zheng smiled bitterly. However, the new sci-fi weapons
looked shockingly impressive after he exchanged them.
The EMP rifle was two meters long, a little bigger than his Gatling cannon, and of
course more expensive. The smooth surface and shiny metal looked stylish. Kampa
embraced it in his arms like it was a woman.
WangXia looked at the EMP rifle with envy. In contrast, the gravity mines were just
three black balls. Their look totally didn’t live up to their cost.
The gauss pistols were smaller than the ones Xuan was using. Also shiny and stylist
like future weapons in movies. Though Xuan didn’t give them a second look and slid
them into his sleeves.
“Let’s go. We will test these weapons in the basement.”
Chapter 13
The basement could be adjusted at the user’s will. You couldn’t create sci-fi or magical
weapons in it but it basically had every modern equipment. The four of them
entered the basement and began to familiarize with their new weapons or train.
First up was Kampa. The multi-barrel EMP rifle looked big at two meters long but
it wasn’t too heavy, much lighter than Zheng’s Gatling cannon. It had a mechanism
that pushed air out from the bottom to reduce recoil. So Kampa didn’t have much
difficulty handling the rifle.
“A gunner doesn’t just spray with a machine gun. That’s what idiots do when they
vent. A gunner can cover you while you stand within their zone of fire and not get hit.
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So he must be familiar with his weapon up to every vibration, the paths of every bullet,
and every stray bullet. Because you will move forward inside this rain of bullets!”
Kampa explained then tested the EMP rifle. As the rifle start to rotate, the flare that
came out of the barrels was a deep blue color, denoting it wasn’t using gunpowder
anymore. This was the color of EMP light. Countless bullets hit a ten meter thick alloy
plate in front of them.
Tiny traces appeared on the alloy plate, or perhaps wall. Almost instantly, the targets
behind the wall was shredded apart. The shooting only took a second but had shown
the power of the rifle.
Kampa and WangXia were obviously shocked. Zheng and Xuan nodded normally.
They either seen more powerful weapons or wasn’t moved by this destructive power.
“This is the EMP rifle? Shit, this destructiveness is almost overpowered.” The rifle
pushed light blue color air out that surrounded Kampa. The gigantic sci-fi rifle along
with the bear like Kampa gave off a stunning presence.
Zheng laughed. “This rifle can shoot 70,000 bullets in a second. The bullets are slim
as a needle. So the normal version has to reload every few seconds, which is the
biggest limitation. However, the unlimited ammo version has no such limitation and
lives up to its cost.”
Kampa then asked in curiosity. “If a tier C weapon is already so powerful, I can’t even
imagine tier B and A sci-fi weapons.”
Zheng said. “In general, sci-fi weapons require the least amount of ranked rewards.
Usually only the unlimited versions cost rewards. Magical weapons with the same
power typically cost twice as much, which is two rank C rewards. Furthermore, they
won’t be an unlimited use version. So in conclusion, the sci-fi weapons are the best
for teams in the early and mid stages.”
“The most expensive exchanges are enhancements and abilities. Both are much
more expensive than weapons. Enhancements don’t have a limited use factor, plus,
you become stronger even without weapons. In the middle stage, the team will
switch to a combination of sci-fi weapons and enhancements. At the end stage, the
team will depend on enhancements and magical items.”
Kampa and WangXia both seemed excited. They weren’t worried about battles at
this scale but instead showed an interest in them. Perhaps this was the quality of a
soldier.
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Next was WangXia’s turn. The gravity mines were expendable and cost a rank D
reward each. It was painful to test it but they had to know the power so WangXia
could set the bombs at appropriate distances. Since there was no one to step on the
mine, they had to set a timed bomb next to it.
“This mine allows you to set a trigger weight. So we can distinguish the weight of
the monsters and us and don’t have to worry about stepping on the mine.” Zheng
explained.
WangXia placed the mine next to the alloy wall. it was pitch black and only the size
of a fist. He shook his head at its non-flashy look. Then he set a timed bomb to a
minute and set it next to the mine.
To be safe, they ran into a shelter 500 meters away. The minute passed and the
timed bomb exploded. The ball of fire made them closed their eyes for a while. After
the fire was over, there was only a hole in the wall and nothing else changed. They
looked in confusion that the gravity mine couldn’t be so weak for its rank D reward.
WangXia ran toward the wall and the others followed. The bomb blasted a 1 meter
deep hole in the wall and the ground. This ground was also made of alloys! However,
the gravity mine didn’t explode. It sat in the center of the hole peacefully, surviving
through the explosion.
WangXia picked it up and examined it. “This isn’t right. Can it be a faulty unit?”
Zheng thought for a bit and said. “Set the trigger weight to 1 kilogram.” He picked
up a metal fragment from the ground. Then the four of them ran off again. At the
100 meter mark, he entered the unlocked mode then lobbed the metal to the mine.
As the mine got hit, he suddenly felt a sense of danger. Everyone else was at least
300 meters away by now but Zheng was still at the 100 meter mark. He felt his body
getting heavier and the sense of danger growing by the moment. Without thinking,
he activated Explosion and jumped forward ten meters.
The mine exploded behind him. The ground began rolling up to the mine and the
area quickly spread to where Zheng was and stopped at 10 meter to his back. He
ran another hundred meter by now but the huge force of attraction was pulling his
body. Every step he took embedded a footprint into the metal ground. After the mine
explosion and his Explosion was over, he only made it a hundred meters away.
All the metal within a 200 meter radius was rolled up into a sphere. The sphere had
an uneven surface, as if a huge hand knitted the metal together. The wall was gone
and became a part of this sphere.
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“Isn’t this too powerful?” Zheng looked at the destruction in shock.
“True. This is a different type of destruction from explosions. Explosions affect a
larger radius but those outside the center usually don’t take too much damage. The
fatality area is within 10 meters. However, anyone within the area of effect of the
gravity mine will die. You are no exception.” Xuan said.
Zheng felt a shiver down his spine. If he wasn’t decisive and used Explosion immediately,
he might have became a part of the sphere by now. That force of attraction
might be able to reach beyond 200 meters. The gravity mine indeed belonged to a
tier D sci-fi weapon.
Xuan said to WangXia. “The force of the mine is immense. It can even destroy military
grade structures so you must be careful when handling it. You can take out a large
pack of dinosaurs at once in this movie. If they provide rewards, you will earn the
most out of us.”
WangXia was dazed as he stared at the sphere. He muttered. “Damn. It was only a
little ball. I wonder how powerful it can be if the mine was bigger.”
Zheng laughed. “There’s one called a Continental gravity bomb. It requires a rank S
reward and 40,000 points. I can’t say how powerful it is but most definitely beyond
that of a nuclear bomb.”
Kampa and WangXia had no words for it. Xuan then said. “My pistols don’t need
any testing. Gauss weapons wouldn’t be too weak. Let’s talk about your combat
training.”
Zheng was confused for a moment and pointed at himself. “My combat training? I
didn’t exchange any new weapons or abilities. I don’t think combat training is necessary.
I just have to keep practicing my blood energy and qi.”
Xuan took out a piece of paper. “I calculated your movement speed and strength
during Explosion and concluded there’s room for improvement. Once you reach a
limit, the power from Explosion will increase to an astounding degree that’s able to
take on the majority of movies.”
Zheng knew Xuan wouldn’t say any empty words. If he said it was possible, then it
would probably be the truth. He didn’t know how Explosion could be improved so
he listened to Xuan with full attention.
“This limit is the sonic barrier.” Xuan adjusted his glasses. “Have you ever felt that
air became thicker when you run at full speed? Like air had increased in density or
became a liquid? This slows you down. You have such strength and reaction speed
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yet you still need six seconds to run a hundred meters. This is proof that air has
became an obstacle to you. You just haven’t realized it.”
“I did felt the change in air but what does it have to do with Explosion?”
Xuan said. “It’s actually about increasing your overall strength instead of just the
Explosion. Have you ever seen One Piece? A group of normal people called CP9
mastered a technique called Rokushiki and became superhuman in close combat. Of
course, that’s just anime. I am not asking you to exchange the technique. However,
through my analysis, if you are a bit stronger, faster and break the sonic barrier, you
can make use of air.”
“You can totally learn the underlying principle of Geppou and change your direction
mid air. Or Soru to gain extreme speed. Or compress air to attack those further away.
Your attacks will have a much wider variety which effectively increases your overall
power by ten folds under Explosion.”
Zheng became excited. He was almost powerless against his clone. He could feel
that the clone wasn’t even using all his strength, perhaps not even half. That fight
was over before the clone entered unlocked mode. If Zheng could master what Xuan
said, then he would regain confidence to fight his clone again.
“Great! Let’s try it now.” Zheng ran up the basement stairs then exited the room. He
connected with God to heal the injury caused by using Explosion. Then hurried back
to the basement. Everyone else was still taking a break when they saw Zheng came
back.
He walked to an empty area then entered the Explosion mode. The hair thin blood
vessels started to burst. And Zheng disappeared from everyone’s sight, leaving two
footprints embedded into this alloy floor. Almost instantaneously, an explosion happened
in another place. Zheng appeared for an instant then disappeared again. The
air rippled visibly like water.
The world through Zheng’s eyes was getting bloody as the blood vessels in his eyes
burst. However, he finally broke through the sonic barrier. The air thickened when
he used Explosion. He continued compressing the energy inside him until the air
density felt like real liquid. When his strength and speed reached a point where he
could break through this liquid, he stepped on them and ran up to the air.
He suddenly swept his leg with enough force to break apart the liquid air. It created
a vacuum blade where the tip of his foot passed through. The vacuum blade flew
straight ahead and sliced into the floor.
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Before Zheng could see its effect, all the energy within him had depleted. The air
turned from liquid to thicker to normal and he fell from midair. His skin began bursting
apart and blood shot out from the wounds, painting him with blood. There was not a
single place of intact on his body aside from several major blood vessels.
All he could feel was pain and itch that he almost fainted. The other three people
carried him up to the platform and healed through God. None of them got to see a
two meter deep mark left by the vacuum blade. That was only the power through air.
“This means you don’t have enough energy to sustain the output. If you can last ten
seconds with Explosion, you can only last three to four seconds with this improved
form.” Xuan said.
Zheng nodded. “Right, vampire bloodline gives me increased recovery rate and qi
gives my body the toughness to use Explosion. I created the ability in a coincidence
and came to a balance after several tries. However, my body couldn’t handle it when
I compress the energy further this time.”
Xuan thought for a moment. “That’s for certain. You should be prepared to die when
you reach for a higher power. Without this determination, you might as well save
points until you have enough to leave.”
Zheng looked at his fist. “I am not scared to die. I am scared that my death is meaningless.
I have to stay alive, to revive everyone, and I have to meet my clone again.
He’s the other me. I will free him from the suffering.”
“If going from tier C to tier B increased your blood energy and qi ten folds like you
said, then going from tier B to tier A will definitely be greater than ten folds. That’s
when you can handle Explosion perfectly and use the improved form.”
The tier A vampire bloodline was the marquis, followed by tier AA prince, and finally
tier S king. However, there were multiple directions qi could take after tier B. These
were all manuals with specific names ranging from tier A to tier S.
Zheng smiled bitterly. “Ah, tier A, and two of them. We still have to save rewards and
points to revive team members. This will be difficult.”
Xuan said. “You are not the only one that have to save points to revive team members.
Like how you spent points to exchange enhancement for WangXia, each of us
can contribute to the revivals. Which means the more members we accumulate, the
easier it will become. If it takes you 6000 points alone, it will take ten people 600
points each.”
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Zheng finally got it and said. “So that was why you didn’t choose to revive the
stronger members. Haha.”
Xuan nodded. Then Lori opened the door and came to the platform. She laughed
and said. “Are the four of you even going to eat? The dishes are ready. Hehe, I made
my best dishes. Hurry up and come in.”
Aside from Xuan still looking indifferent, a smile appeared on the other three men’s
faces. They entered the room and saw several delicate dishes on the table. WangXia
and Kampa looked at each other then laughed out together. “Didn’t you say we can
exchange alcohol here? How about some Baijiu? Got to love that strong taste.”
Zheng smiled at the suggestion. He went over to God and brought back several
bottles of Maotai and Vodka. These only cost a few points. Kampa and WangXia
immediately grabbed a bottle for themselves and took off the corks. The aromatic
scent of authentic Maotai and strong alcohol scent of Vodka filled the table. They
each took a large gulp looking satisfied.
WangXia muttered. “This is the real deal. I only drank it once while in the army, only a
small cup. I still can’t forget that taste. This bottle is even more aromatic. If we bring
it back, it’s going to be worth tens of thousands. Haha.” He took another gulp.
Kampa drank until his eyes looked wet. He said loudly as he drank. “We loved to
binge like this back then, and talked about women, cash, and war. Fuck, those days
won’t come back anymore.”
Who didn’t have their sorrow if they chose to enter this world?
By the time the meal was over, Kampa and WangXia were knocked out. Zheng and
Xuan each carried a person and threw them into their new rooms. Before Xuan left,
he said to Zheng. “Don’t you feel that you are adapting to the unlocked mode? I
think you should use the improved Explosion as much as possible while still in this
dimension. Even if you get injured critically, God will be able to heal you. You can
get used to it just like how you are with the unlocked mode. Then once you obtained
enough energy, you will be the strongest member of the team!”
(The strongest member?) Zheng cuddled Lori to sleep. Then he stared at the ceiling
and pondered.
They didn’t meet again for the next several days. Xuan poured himself into analyzing
the Sky Stick. It was difficult to create the final product even with the design papers,
especially the power device. It belonged to the magical field that was embedded
with ancient characters. Xuan wasn’t able to replicate this currently. The exchange
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price for this part was over a thousand points and a rank D reward. So they discussed
and decided to continue using Zheng’s Sky Stick for the next movie.
Kampa and WangXia trained in their basements. They were an international mercenary
and special force to begin with. Their physical fitness surpassed even most normal
people that lived through a movie or two. Furthermore, their skills with weapons
and special abilities made them more destructive than Zheng at certain situations.
Zheng practiced the improved form of Explosion in the remaining days, which he
named, Destruction!
If explosion was letting two energies run loose in his body, destruction squeezes
every bit of power from these energies. It no longer gives any consideration to the
condition of his body and intended to bring destruction to both his enemies and
himself!
As for the techniques, he didn’t bother naming them and used the names Xuan told
him.
“Geppou!” “Soru!” “Rankyaku!” “Shigan!” in which he used his fist.
Geppou let him walked on air and change direction at will. Soru gave him a sudden
burst of speed. Rankyaku for long range attack. Shigun with his fist for close range
destruction. And he could throw his axe for an attack with explosion.
Even though Destruction could only last a few seconds, and would render him powerless
afterward, but he was invincible during these few seconds. No one could beat
him in close range, not even Yinkong. Perhaps his clone was the only person that
could rival him in this state.
Time quickly passed and they had prepared everything. Everyone came to the platform
early and waited quietly. After a good while, the beams finally came down from
God and its voice sounded in their heads.
“Enter the beam within thirty seconds. Target locked. The Lost World: Jurassic Park.
Teleportation begins.”
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