Chapter 881: Fu Luo’s Tactics, Fern’s Home Turf

Combining all the information he had gathered, Fu Luo had completely figured out who the Mastermind was, and had also worked out their method of operation.

He was ninety-five percent certain that it had to be that "Diving Merchant" lurking in the shadows, biding their time, having summoned a massive swarm of starfish to hold back the players.

Their purpose was probably to get a share of the spoils from "Freud."

After all, that "Diving Merchant" seemed to have a strong preference for items related to souls and spiritual energy.

And based on the water current directions and several deductions from Professor's data on the ancient civilization of the "Misty Islands," Fu Luo could even pinpoint the location of the "teleporter."

About three kilometers off the coastline, at a depth of roughly two meters underwater.

The teleporter and the submersible that guy was riding should be in the same direction - in other words, that Mastermind, the "Diving Merchant," was three kilometers away from them.

Fu Luo raised his thumb, subtly adjusting the imagined position of his target in his mind.

He had the location... precise enough that it could practically be called a coordinate.

But now a new problem had presented itself to Fu Luo.

Even though he knew where the thing was... what was he supposed to do about it?

How was he supposed to get past all those starfish, charge into the sea, and take care of the bastard?

Fu Luo wasn't arrogant enough to think he could take down a native who had made a name for himself on the Misty Islands for ages - especially when this guy's resume even showed that he had served as the right-hand man of the Misty Islands Master...

So this was definitely not an opponent he could defeat on his own. In fact, the gap between the two of them was more than just a single level.

Therefore, Fu Luo's goal was only to figure out how to force the guy to back off.

After all... this guy had been "pretending to be friendly" the whole time, and probably didn't want to expose too much of himself either.

Professor had also mentioned in his analysis that this "Diving Merchant" didn't seem to want to be at odds with the entire player population.

So before Professor had analyzed the guy's specific purpose and obtained solid evidence, he hadn't made any rash moves like publishing large-scale content exposing the "Diving Merchant's true identity." Instead, he had merely had quite a few Order members subtly mention it in various Misty Islands strategy posts.

After all, although Professor rationally knew that exposing this guy wasn't the best timing, as a member of Order - even a high-ranking one - he couldn't bear to see more players dying without knowing what was going on.

"Save whoever you can" - Fu Luo could roughly guess the man's mindset.

But... no matter what.

"Professor may not have thought about how to deal with him before, but now I'm the one who actually has to find a way to force him back..."

Fu Luo let out a sigh.

After all, being entangled by this guy made it hard to even place the tracker, let alone find Freud's treasure.

What's more...

Since the guy had sent a massive swarm of sea monsters to hold back this group of players, there was a good chance he had already started making his move quietly!

And there were also two players who weren't in Frostedue - they were also competitors racing against the clock.

"So... I need to figure out a way to blow up that teleporter!"

Fu Luo pondered - he did indeed have a bomb powerful enough in his hands.

The Endless Madness he had prepared to use back on the airship would definitely be enough to destroy that teleporter.

But it was still the same old problem - the Endless Madness required him to hold it in his hands to activate it. After activating it, how was he supposed to escape?

Although, given the special structure of this "teleporter," there was a chance he could drop the Endless Madness and retreat - in that case, after the Endless Madness destroyed the teleportation structure, he might not even be caught in the blast.

But aside from that, there was another new problem.

"How am I supposed to get close enough safely?"

When Fu Luo reached this point in his thinking, he couldn't help but start having second thoughts.

After all, he valued his life greatly - and this seemed to be the only solution he could come up with, but the risk was simply too high!

Fu Luo didn't think he had the courage or the ability to pull it off.

But...

Staring at the boundless expanse of the sea, Fu Luo gritted his teeth.

"Damn it all - Old Yao's situation right now has to be way more dangerous than mine!"

"I'm going for it - at least I have to try."

With that, Fu Luo restored his expert demeanor and spoke to the players who were locked in increasingly fierce combat with the starfish.

"Everyone - this Abyssal Spawn attack is different from normal ones. They're targeting us specifically!"

"Fighting like this, there's no end to it - because somewhere beyond the coastline, there's a 'teleportation' device."

Fu Luo spoke in a low, serious tone, doing his best to sound grave: "That device should be connected to a water area where Abyssal Spawns gather densely, and it's been deliberately guided, constantly sending these sea monsters over - so as long as we don't destroy that device, this sea monster attack won't stop!"

As Fu Luo spoke, the players in the midst of battle couldn't help but feel a chill of shock.

King Vulture turned back to look at Fu Luo: "Is that so?"

She suddenly felt a bit embarrassed - so Lord Furbollo had been searching for the Mastermind and the root cause of everything all along.

Fu Luo nodded: "Yes, I've already figured out how to put an end to all of this... but I might need all of you to help me with something - escort me to the 'vicinity' of that teleporter."

Fu Luo spoke, pointing at a certain spot on the sea surface: "It's roughly around there - the distance is about three kilometers, and the position is two meters underwater."

"That's certainly precise, but I can't guarantee anything," King Vulture frowned. "I'm not good at underwater combat - and if what you're saying is correct, then the starfish on the coastline have actually been diluted in density by the length of the shore. There should be more starfish underwater."

"With my help, it should be no problem," Nineteen looked at Fu Luo, an appreciative expression appearing on his face. "Although after this, we'll probably become enemies again... but during this brief period of cooperation, I'll give it my all and enjoy the process, Furbollo!"

"Since you say that just getting close to that teleporter can end these annoying monsters, I'll guarantee I'll escort you all the way there!"

As Nineteen spoke, Fu Luo didn't stand on ceremony and immediately nodded.

"Then - let's move out!"

...

Meanwhile, at the other end of the island.

In the town of Cassetti, Fern stood at the entrance of the town, letting out a breath.

"Found it - the small town where the Lord of the Sixth Island lives in seclusion."

"Those fools all swarmed into that other town over there. They have no idea that this place is the more crucial spot."

"I should be the first player to find this place," Fern ran a hand through her hair and pursed her lips into a smile. "Which means... I'm already ahead of everyone else."

"But that's only natural. After all, with the favor of that 'God of Change,' this world is practically my home turf!"