Chapter 77: Preparing to Depart

Chapter Seventy-Seven

After hearing Mei’s explanation, Ling Feng first placed his hand on the inscription to sense it; indeed, he could perceive some of her thoughts. Only then did he pick up the pen and carefully transcribe her words onto the scroll. When he finished, Mei pressed her hand upon the scroll, feeling out the general intent within his mind. Confirming that his thoughts aligned with what he had said, she pricked her finger and let her blood fall onto the scroll, then motioned for him to do the same.

Ling Feng followed suit, pricking his finger and pressing it onto the scroll. Mei quickly chanted a long string of incantations. At once, everyone present watched as the scroll ignited of its own accord, burning away and transforming into a streak of crimson light that burrowed into the skin of their wrists.

Ling Feng unfastened his sleeve and glanced at his wrist, discovering a ring of deep red markings like a tattoo. The markings resembled some kind of script, yet also seemed alive; the longer he stared, the more it appeared to move.

Suspecting hallucination, Ling Feng closed his eyes to rest, then opened them again to examine his wrist. This time, he was sure—the ring of crimson script was indeed shifting, though only ever so slightly.

Thoughtfully, Ling Feng refastened his cuffs, then looked at Mei and said, “Now, can we discuss the mission?”

“Of course, big brother!” With the contract sealed, Mei’s vigilance faded, and her smile returned.

“We need your help to search and rescue a secret laboratory, then escort those we save to the Longsheng Base,” Ling Feng began, outlining the mission’s purpose.

Mei had no objections to the rescue and escort, but why was it another laboratory? Didn't she now feel a strange aversion to such places?

Her smile faded, lips pressed together, and she signaled for him to continue.

“Three days ago, we received a distress signal signed by someone named Dr. Bai. Tracing the signal, we found it originated from over two thousand kilometers away in a remote mountain, where there’s a secret national laboratory specializing in energy conversion research. One project involves transforming special energy sources into usable power, and before the apocalypse, progress was significant. When the apocalypse began, we intended to mount a rescue, but couldn’t pinpoint the lab’s exact location. This time, the distress signal allowed us to lock onto it, hence this mission.”

“You received the signal three days ago? Are you sure it came from a living person, or truly from the lab? If so, why didn’t they call for help at the outset of the apocalypse? How did they survive for over four months?” Mo Chen interjected.

“The lab was state-supported, with regular supply drops every six months. The last delivery was just over a month before the apocalypse began. As long as they didn’t turn into zombies, survival wouldn’t be an issue,” Ling Feng replied.

With nothing more to ask, Mei confirmed the departure time. “When do we set out?”

“It’s urgent, so the sooner the better. Barring unforeseen circumstances, we leave tomorrow morning. The base will provide vehicles, but you’ll need to bring your own supplies. We offer only basic equipment, nothing more.”

“Alright, we’ll go prepare then. See you tomorrow morning!” With the conversation nearly finished, Mei and her companions rose and left.

Outside the base’s administrative building, Ye Jingxuan took Mei’s hand, eyeing the deep red contract tattoo on her wrist with clear distaste.

“What happens if you break the contract?” Ye Jingxuan asked sternly.

“It’s a low-level contract—at worst, your soul will endure a daily burning agony, but it won’t kill you,” Mei replied unconcerned.

She’d used such contracts before and knew well the consequences of breaking them. If Ling Feng violated their agreement, she felt the punishment would suffice. For someone like him, death was never the frightening part; living in relentless torment would be far worse.

“Low-level contract? So there are higher-level ones?” Mo Chen asked, intrigued.

“Yes, there are many types: unilateral and mutual, low-level and high-level, life contracts and soul contracts. The methods differ, and so do the outcomes. The backlash for breaking a contract is usually one of two things: death, or a fate worse than death,” Mei explained, imparting knowledge about magical contracts, unsure if they might encounter such matters in the future.

“Mutual contracts are usually voluntary, so whether you sign is up to you. You must beware of unilateral contracts. The contract-holder’s power must far surpass the contracted party’s—typically, they force the other to sign, like master-servant contracts. Once signed, unless the contracted party’s power one day exceeds the contract-holder’s, they’ll be enslaved for life. Worse yet, even death offers no escape!” She added, thinking of necromancers in other worlds who specialized in controlling the dead.

“That terrifying? Can you use unilateral contracts?” Mo Chen asked, not truly convinced there existed anyone stronger than himself. To him, Mei was the ultimate existence; he doubted anyone could surpass her, so his curiosity lingered.

“A unilateral contract is just imprinting your will in another’s spiritual realm. Anyone with sufficiently strong spiritual power can do it,” Mei explained.

She certainly could, but disliked coercion; those who signed unilateral contracts with her had done so willingly. When she prepared to journey to this world, she had released them from their contracts.

Speaking of which, her only remaining connection to her original world seemed to be Xiriel and the others. If not for their presence, she wouldn’t care to return.

As they spoke, the three quickly returned to the Ye household.

Given the mission's length, Ye Jingxuan needed to inform his father, and discuss family affairs carefully. After all, the Ye family had yet to seize control of the Changyang Base, and if the other three families sent teams, would this be the best opportunity for Ye family to take power?

If they acquired the awakening serum, it would be much harder to take it from them later.

Ye Jingxuan and Ye Shitian discussed the plan for seizing power, while Mei and Mo Chen briefly explained the day's events to the others, urging them to prepare for tomorrow’s mission.

An Ziyou and the other two had no objections to accepting the assignment. Though their previous experiences with Mei and Mo Chen had left them somewhat averse to laboratories, this mission would reveal whether Mei's body had any hidden risks, so they agreed it was worthwhile.

With no issues, everyone began preparations for the task.

Since the mission would be lengthy and full of uncertainties, Mei took out plenty of instant noodles and other convenient foods from her spatial storage, dividing them into five portions for everyone to carry. She also distributed medicines and daily necessities, making sure each had their share.

“If you think of anything else we might need, let me know and I’ll see if I have it,” Mei said when she ran out of ideas.

“That should cover it. Besides, the situations you worry about may not even arise—if we need anything, we’ll handle it then,” Mo Chen replied.

Mei had provided a wide array of items, covering nearly every eventuality, and his own spatial storage held plenty, so Mo Chen couldn’t think of anything missing.

An Ziyou and the others felt likewise, and each went off to prepare.

The next morning, Mei and the group rose early and headed to the rendezvous point, finding many already gathered. Mei took a quick glance and saw that each team from yesterday’s meeting had sent ten members—their own group was the smallest.

Moreover, the Situ, Liu, and Wang families not only sent their mercenary squads, but also dispatched numerous people under the family name. Among them, Mei spotted Situ Qing and Situ Lin. Surprisingly, she also saw the Xiao family siblings, though she wondered under what banner they were participating.

At exactly eight o’clock, Ling Feng arrived on time, accompanied by the two adjutants from the previous day and ten soldiers in camouflage uniforms.

Mei was surprised to recognize someone among the soldiers. When Yang Hao smiled at her, she was momentarily stunned.

After verifying the teams, the adjutant began assigning people to vehicles. With so many participants, the base provided only modified vans. The rear doors opened to reveal rows of seats along each side; the original seats had been removed. Each vehicle, aside from the driver, could seat ten, with space in the middle for supplies.

Every team had ten members, fitting perfectly in one van, while Mei’s group had only six and would need to share with others.

Mei and her companions boarded first and settled in. After a while, four others arrived, and to her surprise, three were acquaintances.

What was this?

Foes crossing paths again?