Chapter 245 - 244: Temporary Base

Chapter 245: Chapter 244: Temporary Base

After hearing the Death Knight’s detailed account and fully understanding the Grass Thorn Deceivers’ plan to assault the city, a brilliant light flashed in Gu Su’s eyes. His previously inquisitive expression instantly turned to excitement, and he couldn’t hide the urgency in his voice. "How many enemies are there? What are the total defending forces—aberrations and troops—stationed in that town?"

Offensive and defensive sieges had always been the kind of battles Gu Su most eagerly anticipated.

’He knew this kind of large-scale, positional warfare was a rare opportunity he couldn’t miss.’

’Participating would not only allow his Undead Team to gain a great deal of combat Experience, but he could also collect countless corpses to replenish the Graveyard Demon’s strength. More importantly, during a siege, some buildings were always bound to be destroyed.’

’Gu Su could devour these destroyed buildings to further expand the size and power of the Graveyard Demon.’

’This wasn’t just an opportunity for Jin Chang and his people to earn merits and expand their influence; it was a perfect chance for Gu Su to rapidly increase his own power and expand his territory’s sphere of influence. The two goals complemented each other perfectly.’

The more Gu Su thought about it, the more impatient he became. Without waiting for the Death Knight to respond, he waved his hand, his tone crisp and decisive. "Forget it. No matter how detailed your description, it’s no substitute for seeing it with my own eyes. An on-site inspection is the most reliable way."

"Give me the specific address of that town. I’m going over now."

The Death Knight obviously hadn’t expected Gu Su to be so decisive. He was visibly stunned for a moment, a look of astonishment flashing across his face.

He had originally planned to provide more context and explain the town’s general situation in detail, but he never imagined Gu Su would decide to go in person on the spot. Such decisiveness and haste were far beyond his expectations.

After a moment’s daze, he didn’t dare to delay and quickly rattled off the town’s specific coordinates and location.

Gu Su listened, gave a slight nod, and said no more. He turned, retrieved the Communication Puppet from his robes, and issued an order into it: "Relay my orders. The Graveyard Demon is to set out immediately. Coordinates are locked. No detours along the way!"

As the order was transmitted through the Communication Puppet, a low rumble echoed from within the Graveyard Demon—the sound of countless stone spheres beneath its chassis beginning to roll.

The entire Mobile City, like an awakened Giant Beast, slowly changed course and began to advance steadily in the direction of Gu Su’s intended departure.

Only when he felt the Graveyard Demon’s movements stabilize did Gu Su turn to the still-dazed Death Knight and say calmly, "I’m going ahead to scout. If you still plan on logging out of the game to rally reinforcements and seek support from outside, then feel free. You don’t need to follow me."

The moment he finished speaking, Gu Su raised his hand and gave it a light wave. A dense mass of Black Fog immediately swirled and condensed before him.

The next second, a bizarrely shaped, jet-black off-road vehicle leaped out from the Black Fog. Its body was covered in bone-like patterns, and tough vines were wrapped around its wheels, emitting a faint aura of death and otherworldly strangeness.

Gu Su vaulted into the air, landing squarely in the driver’s seat. He simply stated the address the Death Knight had given him, and the vehicle immediately started up, shooting forward in a shroud of Black Fog.

It broke straight through the Graveyard Demon’s Black Fog barrier and landed on the wasteland outside without the slightest pause.

Then, the specially modified off-road vehicle completely ignored the overgrown weeds and thorny bushes in its path. It crushed the gravel and dead branches under its wheels, paying no mind to the abandoned, dilapidated manors by the roadside, nor to the strange monsters that turned their heads at the sound. It tore through the barren wilderness at top speed, racing toward the designated location.

’Gu Su knew this off-road vehicle had long been empowered by the Five Ghosts Spirit Communication technique and had undergone multiple modifications. Its body was incredibly durable, and its performance far surpassed that of any normal vehicle. No matter how rugged or complex the terrain, it could forcibly carve a path through, so there was no need to worry about being obstructed.’

’Besides, while this area seemed vast and boundless, it wasn’t actually as large as one might imagine.’

’After all, Jin Chang and his party had a limited range of daily activity. Gu Su simply hadn’t bothered to track them down before. Now, with clear coordinates and driving at full speed, it wouldn’t take long to get there.’

Sure enough, about half an hour later, the off-road vehicle gradually slowed and came to a steady stop at the edge of a dense forest.

Gu Su looked up and saw that a small clearing had been made deep within the forest. That was Jin Chang’s temporary camp.

The temporary camp wasn’t very large. A simple but sturdy fence made of thick logs encircled the perimeter, with thorny vines intertwined around it. The vines coiled between the wooden stakes like living snakes, sealing the camp off from the bizarre aura of the wilderness.

Inside the fence, seven or eight tents woven from straw were neatly arranged. The corners of the tents were somewhat tattered, and several patched-up areas were clearly visible, indicating they had been in use for a long time.

The air was filled with a faint, intermingled scent of vegetation and a bizarre energy. Occasionally, fine bits of straw drifted down from the edges of the tents, creating a thin, sallow-yellow layer on the ground.

Gu Su glanced over the camp and saw that Xi Yue’s team wasn’t there. Only Jin Chang, along with three other players, was gathered around a large boulder, speaking in low voices with several Deceivers, his expression earnest.

These Deceivers were completely different from the Sticky-skinned Deceivers Gu Su had seen before.

Their builds were no different from ordinary humans, and they wore clothes that were faded but neat. The only difference was their hair—and all the hair on their bodies—which was the color of dry straw. The strands were as desiccated as grass, slightly curled, with tiny fractures at the tips. They swayed in the breeze, making a faint rustling sound.

Their skin also had an unnatural, sallow-yellow hue, as if it had been scorched by the sun for too long, or as if all the moisture had been drained out of it.

It was clear they were beings who had escaped from a Scarecrow Deceiver. They had been transformed into their current state by the influence of its power.

Gu Su leaped from the vehicle, and the off-road vehicle behind him instantly dissolved into a cloud of Black Fog that slowly dissipated into the air.

The five Elite Skeleton Warriors who had accompanied the vehicle now stood neatly by Gu Su’s side. Their postures were erect, and a faint elite aura emanated from them, forming a temporary guard detail for Gu Su as they warily surveyed their surroundings.

Before Gu Su could even take a step toward the camp, the sound of "CAW! CAW!" came from the sky.

Just then, Crow’s Caw appeared with several snow-white White Crows, which flapped their wings and landed steadily on a nearby branch. Their pitch-black eyes stared intently at Gu Su and his Elite Skeleton Warriors; they had obviously followed the off-road vehicle the whole way, scouting the path and serving as lookouts.

Gu Su glanced at the White Crows but said nothing, simply giving a slight nod before turning his gaze back to the temporary camp in the distance.

From the tone of Jin Chang’s conversation with the Deceivers, their easy rapport, and the details of the camp’s layout, it wasn’t hard to tell that Jin Chang’s group and these Grass Thorn Deceivers had already built a considerable level of trust and were getting along harmoniously.

A few young Deceivers even hopped and skipped around Jin Chang, showing no fear of the players’ auras. They played with small strands of straw in their hands, appearing quite close to him.

Just then, Jin Chang also noticed Gu Su’s arrival.

He turned his head, and the moment he saw Gu Su, a look of clear surprise flashed across his face, quickly followed by a smile. After saying a few quick words to the Deceivers and players beside him, he strode over to greet Gu Su.