Heinz Ellis, who crawled out of the mud, proved it was just a false alarm. However, he brought back bad news.

"Our whereabouts have been exposed, the Earth Dwellers are following us."

Earth Dwellers usually engage in passive trade, but active trade is also possible. To prevent the Earth Dwellers from selling their whereabouts to the Bloodline Family Alliance, they must make a decision quickly.

Either leave or attack.

"Will someone die because of this?" Lu Li asked.

It must be admitted that Lu Li's understanding of combat in this era only comes from books and the duel arena of the Giant Tree Academy, he has no experience.

"If we are sudden enough, they won't have time to do anything." Nunes replied.

Like a duel with flintlock pistols from the Old Era—the side that loads the ammunition first is the absolute winner.

Pasha Rivas put on his armor: "Tote and I will protect you."

"Your bulky and conspicuous armor I can see all the way from the Main Affinity Continent." Heinz Ellis mocked.

The flat swamp could not cover any outline, not only the two knights, but also them.

However, Lu Li had a solution: Merchant Anthony brought Invisibility Potions, everyone took them to hide their outlines. Although the footprints still existed, that was an issue only when getting close.

They approached the mining area along a road that confused with the swamp. When the outlines of Bloodline Family Alliance members appeared in the distance, Nunes' whisper faintly resounded around them.

"The closer we get before being discovered, the better, and then attack without hesitation, because they won't show mercy either."

Four members of the Bloodline Family Alliance were scattered around the outskirts of the mining area, unaware of their approach.

The interval of ground tremors originated from the depths of the mining area every few minutes, confusing the swamp and blurring their approach traces.

When the tremors vanished, they could already visually confirm the crests embroidered on their clothes or cloaks.

"I feel many gazes around us... watching you." Will Ken suddenly whispered at this moment.

"Is it the judges?"

Lu Li thought of the yet unseen leaders of the ten factions.

"I don't know who the judges are... but Lu Li, they won't focus on a place like this, where there's nothing on the outskirts of the mining area." Will Ken, combining his experience as a Legendary Scout: "This is a trap, trust Will."

Lu Li's eyes fell on the distance of dozens of meters away.

The Bloodline Family Alliance members stationed on the outskirts of the mining area looked around the swamp, seemingly oblivious to those under the effects of the Invisibility Potion.

But they were standing too close to each other...

"We might have been discovered, temporarily retreat."

The group in stealth paused at Lu Li's voice, then chose to retreat.

"Take action!"

The shout from the Bloodline Family Alliance members rang out simultaneously.

The swamp on both sides surged up, waves-like and engulfed the hidden group.

"I am the Shield of Protection!"

The roars of Pasha Rivas and Tote rang out simultaneously, lifting a muddy wave that leaped over others, swallowing them.

Bam—Bam—

Two shadows darted into the mudwave that swallowed Pasha Rivas and Tote, where the outline of Ida's jointed limbs sank into the earth, laboriously pulling out the two mud-covered guys, pulling them away.

More outlines rushed from the mining area, but thanks to Will Ken's warning, the counter-ambush of the Bloodline Family Alliance had ended in failure.

They maintained a sufficient distance to the Bloodline Family Alliance: unable to fight, yet able to watch each other.

"I didn't know the famed Exorcist was here." The cloaked figure standing afar, recognizing Lu Li's identity: "If you wanted cooperation, why didn't you come to us?"

"If you sincerely want to cooperate."

"We certainly have no intention of opposing you. Are you interested in making a trade? Give them to me, and I'll tell you the exit location, and I won't adhere to the Monk Family's covenant to capture you..."

"Not interested."

"What a pity..." The cloaked figure gently shook his head: "The Monk Family, searching high and low for you, will soon arrive, and we shall witness the legendary Exorcist unable to pass even the first round of the tournament."

With mud dripping off like an earthen doll, Heinz Ellis pursed his lips: "If you wish to punish these Bloodline Family scions..."

"We leave." Lu Li calmly said.

With playful glances, they disappeared into the depths of the northern swampland.

...

Whirl—

At the edge of the rolling hills clad in dense forest, Pasha Rivas and Tote washed away the mud residues from their armor lining.

They were never this extravagant, endurance was part of the knight's creed. However, with Merchant Anthony as their unlimited backup, they weren't about to skimp on removing discomfort.

"If you insist on settling scores with those arrogant nobility, we can do it."

Even if the price was injuries and death, whether it be the enemy or them.

Heinz Ellis felt discontent with Lu Li's decision. The Noble Council and Bloodline Family Alliance were somewhat similar: both valuing honor. More painful than death was the disgrace to the family behind.

If their leader were not Lu Li, Heinz Ellis would not retreat.

"I don't like fighting."

Lu Li just said this.

As he mentioned before, Lu Li could not understand, nor agree with the acts of self-damaging power.

Neither the academy, family, power, nor any faction held a status higher than humanity itself for Lu Li.

So the story of Lu Li continues to be passed down—

Sweeping a gaze around, the woods on the rolling hills were still a dead land. Tilted corpses clung tightly to one another, standing as nameless tombstones for themselves.

Lu Li, Nunes, and Will Ken recognized that place: the area where Will Ken had lingered for over twenty years.

A remaining stone pillar stood northeast above the dull swamp.

The plan had circled around, seemingly returning to Lu Li's initial target: the Cursed Title of the swamp.

"I know the previous tournament's first stage."

Always holding a red, paint-shedding flintlock, Kaiser from the same Spirit Town Alliance as Nunes recalled the stories told by his brother before he left: "They experienced the 'New World,' where all participants were placed on an unconflicted, unpolluted land, with the task of finding the source of pollution. The environment worsened each day, the second day more than the first, the third day more than the second..."

Until the pollution became severe enough that anomalies from the Inner World appeared, eroding the ever-deteriorating land.

Participants fought the anomalies while looking for clues. Eventually, they found the true source of pollution—

Themselves.

"Humans who steal forbidden fruit are cursed..." Ida murmured softly, the adage unknown to Lu Li, yet memorably etched.

"Do you think there is a similarity with our situation?" Nunes asked.

"Yes, for example... is it possible that the exit isn't a physical exit as we understand it?"

"Can I help you..."

At this point, Will Ken's aged voice echoed in his mind.

Listening to Kaiser and their analysis, Lu Li sifted through his thoughts, informing the Legendary Scout of the first round's rules and his suspicion.

"The Earth Dwellers' adage... what did it say?"

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