Immortal Martial Academy - Chapter 44

At the upstream entrance of the water cave, the six individuals reconvened.

“I’ve thoroughly investigated this area; here’s a map with my findings for everyone to review.”

Chen Beixuan uploaded the map into the group channel.

The others opened the map, noticing Chen Beixuan’s strategic markings and arrangements.

“There are numerous passages around us. When we commence our operation, Junlin and I will focus on rescuing the captives, while the rest of you will destroy the passages using a mix of explosives and poison, as discussed earlier.” After a moment of thought, Chen Beixuan continued, “During combat, prioritize clearing paths with poison. The prison area has many 3rd Rank Rat Clan members, so use primarily 4th Rank poisons against them.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Even one or two 3rd Rank creatures were challenging enough, let alone over a dozen near the prison – utilizing poison was indeed the best strategy.

“Oh right, do any of you have spare armor?”

“I have two sets, but they’re only 2nd Rank,” Lan Yuecai hesitated before responding.

The group looked at Lan Yuecai, impressed by her wealth.

They then examined her armor, “Wow, you’re wearing 4th Rank armor! You must be loaded,” Li Junlin said enviously.

The academy provides armor as well, but it’s only 1st Rank issued as school uniforms.

Seeing Lan Yuecai already equipped with Xiao Lin’s latest 4th Rank creation was unexpected.

“Linyang and I have two sets, but they’re just our school uniforms,” Linyue admitted sheepishly. Earlier, they had used their earnings to upgrade their armors to 2nd Rank.

Li Junlin shrugged, “Don’t look at me, I’m broke.”

Indeed, Li Junlin had sold everything he could, including his uniform for a mere hundred credits, to purchase the marble bombs.

“I don’t have any either; I spent all my money on food.” Jiu Xian’er felt equally embarrassed, also lacking funds.

Chen Beixuan, however, had two sets – one 1st Rank and one 2nd Rank.

“Give me your armors. We can only save six people, and if anyone without armor enters the water cave, they’ll drown,” Chen Beixuan said firmly, gritting his teeth.

Everyone fell silent, fully understanding the implications. Saving only six meant there were undoubtedly more survivors than that within the cavern.

This inevitably led to the harsh reality of having to leave some behind, a situation no one wished to face. It hadn’t crossed their minds earlier due to oversight.

If given another chance, Chen Beixuan vowed to prepare additional armors.

At 7:00 AM, as the ground began to tremble, Chen Beixuan remained composed, waiting until 7:20 AM before initiating their move.

The six team members pre-emptively consumed the antidote, holding bottles of poison, and sprinted forward while activating their Stealth Bracelets simultaneously.

White mist rapidly dispersed throughout the cavern, spreading into adjacent caves.

By now, many of the Alien Race had already fled towards the exit, leaving fewer within the cavern.

Li Junlin pressed a button on his device, continuing to release more poison.

A muffled explosion echoed underground but did not affect Li Junlin’s group. Delighted, he watched his points skyrocket, mentally calculating how many credits they would earn.

As planned, Linyue used marble bombs to destroy the tunnels. Any Aliens attempting to attack were swiftly incapacitated amidst the white fog.

At the entrance to the prison cavern, several bottles emitting white smoke were tossed inside. The three 3rd Rank Flame Rats guarding the prison, curious about the situation, approached only to instantly perish upon contact with the white fog.

Chen Beixuan charged in, throwing a bottle releasing blue mist. After scanning the area, he rushed towards the control panel and opened all the prison cages.

The squad members swiftly followed up, dispatching the stunned Flame Rat guards before they could react, all slain instantly.

“This poison is truly ruthless!” Li Junlin knew Mao Mao’s poisons were potent, but he didn’t expect them to be this overpowering. Even a slight absorption left the alien guards on the brink of death, unable to utter a word when confronted.

As Chen Beixuan released everyone from the cages, some had already perished, while others clung desperately to life, unlikely to survive much longer.

He found the two members of the Hundred Battles Squad, both displaying strong and determined faces, though their mental state appeared frail.

Offering them healing medicinal pills, Chen Beixuan asked, “Are you alright? Put your armor back on; we’ll get you out of here.”

Huo Guang shook his head, “I can’t leave anymore. We’ve been marked as slaves. Some crucial information is stored within my crystal core; kill me and retrieve it.”

“Yes, the slave mark controls our souls, but they cannot manipulate our energy crystal cores. We have hidden vital information there, which even soul searching won’t reveal,” added the other member of the Hundred Battles Squad.

“Kill us,” Huo Guang stated firmly, showing no fear of death in his eyes. “We’ve been commanded not to commit suicide; take our crystal cores with you.”

Chen Beixuan’s hands trembled as he looked at this brave warrior. “I can’t do it.”

“Pshh!” The sound echoed – one of the rescued soldiers had their throat slit.

Jiu Xian’er stared blankly at the fallen fighter she had tried to help moments ago.

The other dying soldier, witnessing Jiu Xian’er’s distress, spoke resolutely, “Miss, it’s not your fault. He was beyond saving anyway. The Alien Race kept him alive just for torment, slowly consuming him piece by piece. This is his release.” With those words, the second warrior also breathed his last.

“No! No!!” Jiu Xian’er murmured, struggling to accept the grim outcome.

Linyue and Linyang, clearly experienced with such situations, felt equally pained. Seeing Li Junlin clench his fists, Linyang stepped forward to console him, saying, “Give them a swift end.”

Linyue and Linyang had anticipated this outcome but couldn’t bring themselves to disclose it earlier. Even providing the armor was done with hope against all odds.

It wasn’t that the military didn’t provide armor; rather, there was no point as once captured by the Alien Race, survival was impossible.

Li Junlin turned to Linyue and Linyang, “Did you already know this?”

Linyang responded firmly, “I’m sorry, but it’s something you had to experience.” His eyes showed no hesitation, only resolve.

Expressionless, Lan Yuecai drew her saber and swiftly pierced the heart of one of the warriors.

As the warrior died, relief washed over his face. Though his death might cause distress for the young girl, it also served as a harsh lesson in growth.

Chen Beixuan looked at the two warriors, “Is there anything you’d like to say?” He knew this task needed to be carried out.

Huo Guang smiled, “Don’t stab my heart, just split open my head – it’ll be quicker. Don’t waste any more time, and don’t worry about our bodies either.”

The other warrior lying on the ground said, “Let’s follow Captain’s instructions.”

Chen Beixuan took a deep breath, feeling remorseful, and swiftly extracted two crystal cores with precise shots, holding them firmly.

Out of the twelve survivors, all had been marked as slaves and pleaded for Chen Beixuan to end their lives.

After the last one was killed,

Lan Yuecai waved her hand, storing the twelve bodies into her space ring.

“Let’s go!” Chen Beixuan turned and departed, scattering a marble bomb throughout the cavern before leaving.

As they entered the water cave again, the atmosphere felt different – more somber. This did not escape the notice of Linyang and Linyue, who understood it well from their own past experiences.

At least, the fallen warriors died without regret or blame; if they could speak, they would likely express gratitude!