Chapter 1 An Ominous Cave

The cave was shrouded in gloom. After everyone had entered, a magical barrier sealed the entrance, preventing players from entering or exiting unless they found the opening mechanism.

Even second-tier experts could barely see thirty yards in the dim environment, a significant disadvantage for the players.

Thirty yards might seem far, but for Lord-ranked monsters, it was only a matter of two seconds to close the distance. If a horde of Lord monsters charged, even second-tier experts would be caught off guard and injured.

"The quest begins now. Everyone be careful. There are many forks in the road here, so stay close," Mo Qiubai commanded. "Lin Ya, scout ahead. Qing Zhao, protect Ye Feng. The monsters inside are different from those outside. Ye Feng, be careful. Those not blessed by the Sea God will be greatly suppressed here. Do not engage the monsters alone."

Shi Feng simply nodded at Mo Qiubai's warning.

The suppression within the ruin was indeed significant. The moment the magical barrier sealed the entrance, it felt as if they had entered another world, with the oppressive force drastically increasing.

His physique was now only at 60% of its original strength. While his basic attributes remained unchanged, his senses were greatly diminished. He could only unleash half his normal combat power, making it no wonder Lin Ya and Mo Qiubai kept reminding him.

Under such suppression, even second-tier experts would likely be no match for a Lord-ranked monster of the same level. Encountering a horde of Lord monsters would almost certainly mean death. Even Domain Realm experts wouldn't fare much better, as their greatest advantage over ordinary experts lay in their control over their senses.

With senses significantly suppressed, Domain Realm experts would be even more affected.

However, the suppression had little effect on Mo Qiubai and his group, and even less on the direct descendants of the Sea God.

Lin Ya, the Assassin, scouted the way, followed by Yu Sheng Momo and Yu Sheng Momo, two direct descendants of the Sea God, who cleared the path. Despite their lesser vulnerability, the monsters within the cave were extraordinary.

Naga Sea Demons, bloodline creatures, Great Lords, Level 98, HP: 63 million.

With their special bloodlines, the Nagas were in their element within the cave. They would strike from the cave walls and retreat swiftly, or use crossbows to attack from afar. Each was like a highly trained assassin in the night, possessing combat skills at the fifth-floor level of the Trial Tower.

A sudden surge of a dozen or more Nagas, with their swiftness, power, and skill rivaling top players, could easily kill a suppressed second-tier expert.

However, for Mo Qiubai and his group, these Naga Sea Demons posed no challenge. Each possessed the strength of a Great Lord of the same level. Yu Sheng Momo, the Elementalist, and Mei Jiaoyang De Niu, the Berserker, both direct descendants, were even stronger. The surging Naga Sea Demons couldn't even get close before being blasted away.

"We can't waste stamina here. Speed up!" Mo Qiubai shouted after knocking back a Naga Sea Demon with his shield.

The Naga Sea Demons in the cave were endless. No matter how many they killed, more would surge forward. If they didn't advance quickly, even the strongest would be worn down to death.

Hearing this, everyone quickened their pace. For over three hours, they fought through the Naga Sea Demons, advancing deeper into the cave. As they progressed, the terrain became more complex, and the number of Naga Sea Demons increased.

From a dozen at the start, they slowly increased to over twenty, their coordination improving. Even with the high skill levels of Mo Qiubai and his group, the pressure grew.

Fortunately, Mo Qiubai and the others were familiar with the route, having been in the cave more than once. Finally, after another two hours, when the number of Naga Sea Demons was about to reach thirty, they arrived at a spacious underground temple.

The moment they entered the underground temple cave, a magical barrier sealed the entrance, forcing the swarming Naga Sea Demons to abandon their pursuit.

"That was close! The pressure of bringing an extra person is indeed significant," Yu Sheng Momo glanced at Mo Qiubai and said. "Mo Qiubai, we didn't agree to bring an extra person. You'll have to increase the reward when we return!"

"Yu Sheng, don't go too far. The Vice Guild Leader's reward to you is already generous, and our people are doing the protecting. You're only responsible for clearing the path," Lin Ya frowned, dissatisfied with Yu Sheng Momo's demand.

If not for the special nature of this ruin, they wouldn't need outsiders and could handle everything themselves.

"Fine! You can tank the monsters, and I'll stay in the back row. I won't object to that," Yu Sheng Momo pointed at the two stone statue monsters guarding the temple and sneered.

Stone Golems, Elemental Creatures, High-ranking Great Lords, Level 101, HP: 375 million.

"You..." Lin Ya's face turned pale.

Everyone was well aware of the power of Level 100 monsters, especially the two Stone Golems before them, which they had fought more than once.

The two Stone Golems were simply unbeatable for the current players, especially under the suppression. Within the temple, players couldn't use any magical items or burst skills. They could only rely on Yu Sheng Momo and Mei Jiaoyang De Niu, the direct descendants, to endure for a while so they could open the temple gate.

Even Mo Qiubai, the Guardian Knight, couldn't do it, or rather, couldn't endure for as long. Only Yu Sheng Momo and Mei Jiaoyang De Niu could barely hold out until the gate was opened.

"Alright, how much more do you want?" Mo Qiubai asked calmly, as if he had expected this.

"Not much. Just one more Ocean Boundary Stone each. You know we're direct descendants, and we consume Ocean Boundary Stones far more than you do. Your Giant's Heart Guild is a big family with a strong foundation, unlike us free players who joined the Adventurer's Alliance," Yu Sheng Momo said with a smile.

Just as Mo Qiubai was about to agree, Shi Feng suddenly spoke up.

"Vice Guild Leader Mo, we can get two Ocean Boundary Stones just by enduring two monsters?" Shi Feng asked softly.

With Shi Feng's words, everyone's gaze turned to him.

"Why is this guy butting in?" Lin Ya looked at Shi Feng, annoyed. It was already troublesome enough for the team to protect Shi Feng, and now he was stirring things up.

Mo Qiubai also looked at Shi Feng in surprise, unsure of what he meant.

"If you can safely withstand those two monsters for thirty seconds, I don't mind giving you two more Ocean Boundary Stones," Mo Qiubai said indifferently, curious about what Shi Feng was planning.

"What? You think you can try it too?" Yu Sheng Momo laughed. "Sure, go ahead. I won't object. If you can withstand those two monsters, I'll give you the reward Mo Qiubai is giving me."

Even he could barely delay the Stone Golems. The slightest mistake would mean death. There was no way someone without the Sea God's blessing could hold them back.

"If that's the case, then I'll give it a try," Shi Feng said, slowly walking towards the two Stone Golems.

As Shi Feng approached within a hundred yards of the two Stone Golems, their eyes suddenly glowed red, and they charged towards him. Their terrifying presence made everyone tense up.