Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1167 - 567

The sounds in the courtyard rose and fell intermittently.

Pan Wendi, Fatty Hu, Xu Hao, and the rest engaged in finger-guessing contests while downing drinks, their shouts ringing out loudly.

The women at Bai Ling's table huddled close, giggling and talking, creating a tight-knit group.

Amid this bustling vibe, the corner's primary table appeared unusually serene.

As though it was submerged in a secretive and unfamiliar realm.

Fang Cheng reclined in his seat, gazing intently at the Professor, his expression pensive.

Lin Chuqiao positioned herself next to him, clutching her juice glass curiously, paying close attention.

Li Dingjian and Xiao Shuai likewise held their breaths, straining to hear, terrified of overlooking any detail.

The Professor sipped some wine to clear his voice, then resumed recounting the enigmatic events from the Southern Ocean to the listeners.

"Back then, a sense of unease hit me. As blade-licking mercenaries, we possess a natural wariness toward perils."

"Yet the expedition team's members acted like they'd spotted invaluable riches, their gazes gleaming as they advanced directly."

"The head, a Doctor, extracted an intricate array of devices from his metal container, assembling it near the stone altar."

"Next, the remaining three scientists pulled out numerous packs of plasma successively, pumping the blood into the tube linked to the device."

"Blood?"

Li Dingjian's brow furrowed a bit, prompting him to blurt out:

"Does this even qualify as scientific work? It resembles sorcery more."

"That's the strangest aspect."

The Professor offered a bitter grin and shifted his spectacles:

"The device appeared to transform the blood into a form of biological electric power, which surged via the tube into the slot under the crystal sphere."

"With the blood continuing to pour, the crystal sphere rotated quicker and quicker, its initial dim azure luminescence shifting to a brilliant crimson radiance."

"Soon enough, dark vapor began erupting from the fissures in the surrounding walls of the stone platform, growing thicker, coiling about as if possessed of life."

"The nearest mercenary at that instant failed to evade and got swallowed by the ebony fog."

"Mere moments passed before he resembled someone doused in potent acid, his flesh darkening and decaying swiftly, his agonized cries reverberating across the vast temple chamber, sending chills down the spine."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chuqiao subconsciously squeezed her cup harder, her complexion turning a shade paler.

As if reliving the perilous ordeal from the Inner World of Mist Mountain.

"We were utterly terrified in that moment, gripping our firearms and poised to flee outward, but the expedition folks behaved like the incident hadn't occurred."

The Professor halted briefly, then pressed on:

"They swiftly unpacked multiple bulky suitcases, retrieving outfits of shiny silver armor, akin to fully sealed astronaut gear but easier to maneuver in."

"These individuals were evidently well-prepared, donning them with ease, after which the leader addressed us via his visor, promising double the payout if we trailed them further."

"He also disclosed that beyond the portal lay an undiscovered New World, brimming with Treasures capable of elevating mutants such as ourselves."

"Twice the pay, combined with the allure of gaining power... as the proverb states, riches spur men to recklessness, just as food draws birds. How could we daring explorers turn it down?"

The Professor exhaled deeply, shaking his head with a touch of ironic regret:

"In those days, I was impulsive and youthful as well, driven by vengeance in the East Capital, willing to charge into the inferno for power."

"Thus, I mustered my resolve, slipped into an extra protective suit, and ventured with them through the dark haze."

Reaching this juncture, the Professor paused momentarily, as if vividly replaying the moment.

"Traversing the black mist was akin to tumbling inside a whirling barrel washer, my senses reeling, nearly blacking out."

"Once my feet touched solid ground again and I rose, the view that greeted us left everyone dumbfounded."

"A woodland stretched out too. The heavens held a murky grayish tint, and the atmosphere carried a subtle sulfuric odor."

"Picture it: absent the suits and breathing masks, merely inhaling that atmosphere would devastate our respiratory systems."

"Furthermore, all elements in that domain appeared enlarged by ten times."

The Professor extended his arms broadly in a dramatic flourish:

"Giant ferns soared like massive trees, roadside fungi resembled unfurled colossal parasols, and ground-dwelling insects were as large as grinding wheels."

"That realm evoked an ancient Earth from eons past, teeming with raw, untamed ferocity."

"We barely progressed when a enormous, vibrant mantis confronted us, comparable in scale to an automobile."

"Its forelegs resembled a pair of keen sickles, slicing casually to bisect a comrade who hadn't shot yet."

"Ultimately, our frantic deployment of potent armaments reduced that beast to fragments."

"Right at the entry, we'd already sacrificed two comrades, sparking immediate discord within the group; several urged withdrawal, debating a return."

The Professor drank again, as though the liquor invigorated him, brightening his spirits.

"Then, the chief Doctor remained silent. He merely extracted a gem from the shattered mantis skull, resembling a vivid blue gemstone."

"In that instant, everyone's eyes widened in awe."

The Professor reflected on the moment, a spark of excitement in his gaze:

"Even without understanding its nature, merely grasping it allowed a surge of pristine energy to pulse through the hand."

"From there, avarice surpassed dread in the mercenaries' souls, with no further talk of retreating; all yearned to press on for greater rewards."