Chapter 116 – Cruel… Thanks!

Volume 2: Battlefield Between Two Worlds

Wen Yu used both hands to crawl with all his might to Sun Ruixing's side. He reached out and felt Sun Ruixing's neck.

It was covered in blood!

Wen Yu had no idea how severe Sun Ruixing's injuries were, but judging by the sheer volume of blood loss, the fact that Sun Ruixing had held on until now was a minor miracle in itself!

Fortunately, Sun Ruixing still had a faint pulse.

Dragging the Fourth Prince over from nearby, Wen Yu lay flat on the ground and hoisted the boy onto his back.

Then, he began to crawl in the direction they had been heading.

The scorching yellow sand incessantly burned Wen Yu's remaining internal organs. Fortunately, thanks to the power of the Flesh Tome, his organs possessed extraordinary resilience. Otherwise, the mere act of crawling would have caused his exposed vitals to fall away!

Crawling using only his hands, Wen Yu wasn't fast-his speed was roughly equal to the full sprint of Ordinary People. Blinded, he could only rely on his senses to crawl toward the Silver Light Sun Ruixing had mentioned!

This was undoubtedly a form of torture!

Because Wen Yu didn't know if his direction was correct. If he was off by even a fraction, everyone would have died for nothing!

It was possible that all his efforts were in vain!

But there was no choice!

Just as Big Bear had resolutely chosen self-detonation.

Just as Monkey had held back three Level Three Demonic Creatures on his own.

Just as William had launched a desperate counterattack.

Just as Jiang Wentao and Chu Ziling had met death with such gallantry.

Just as Sun Ruixing, with his Level 2 body, had forcibly brought everyone's hope to the very threshold of their destination.

On the shattered Shimmer Blue Star, a man carrying a child on his back advanced like an earthworm, driven by the will to survive and the expectations of all those who had sacrificed themselves!

Then, Wen Yu felt warmth and hope.

A warm sensation flooded Wen Yu's entire body.

Then, white light slowly brightened before his eyes.

The first thing he saw was the silver-haired Treasure Land Guardian sitting high upon a chair in front of him!

Wen Yu slowly took in his surroundings.

He saw a space roughly the size of a football field and seven figures enveloped in spheres of light.

"This is a light of healing, consider it an additional reward for you all."

"Also, thank you…"

A slightly melancholy voice drifted from the Treasure Land Guardian's mouth, but it only made Wen Yu fall silent.

"Don't say your thanks to me. You should say them to the people who gave their lives to protect you."

Wen Yu had already harbored certain suspicions, and hearing the Treasure Land Guardian's words, he understood immediately.

The Treasure Land Guardian sitting on that chair was the Fourth Prince-the last hope of Shimmer Blue Star!

"Even though all of this was fake, I still want to say thank you."

Wen Yu nodded.

"Since everything was fake, does that mean the people who died are also 'fake dead'?"

The Fourth Prince slowly shook his head.

"They are truly dead. The environment, the plot, even my Imperial Mother-they were all fake, illusions I created. But the Demonic Creatures were real. Therefore, the deaths are also real!"

"I see."

Wen Yu nodded.

"Isn't it said that a Treasure Land Guardian cannot harm a Class Holder in any way? What is this then? Murder? Or are you just messing with us?"

The Fourth Prince looked at Wen Yu with a gaze that was indifferent and calm.

"The Trial was already prepared. Its content and difficulty were automatically generated based on the strength of the Class Holders. My role was merely to provide guidance and create the Illusionary Realm, much like playing the opening credits of a movie for you. So, regarding those who died, I am sorry-but it is not my fault!"

Before the Fourth Prince could finish, he was interrupted by Wen Yu's roar!

"Then what is the point of your 'thank you'?!"

"They're all dead! Go say 'thank you' in fucking hell!"

As soon as Wen Yu's roar faded, his body lunged out of the healing light's circle, throwing himself at the Fourth Prince.

Then, he was pushed back by a gentle yet firm force.

"This isn't my fault, is it?"

The Fourth Prince's indifferent voice rang out.

"I already warned you. Behind greed lies destruction. You didn't believe me, and neither did they. You all had too much faith in your own strength!"

"You think you're powerful. You think you can look down on any crisis. You even think death is something far, far away from you. But Level 3 strength? Compared to your opponents, it's nothing!"

"Level 3 strength! What does that even count for? You don't understand how weak you truly are, how pathetic your confidence is, or how laughable your fearless attitude appears!"

"Now, this is all about to end. You've obtained the treasure, and others have even paid the price for you. What do you have to be angry about? It's not like you're the one who died!"

Wen Yu fell silent.

After a long while, Wen Yu lifted his head. His icy gaze locked onto the Fourth Prince, but his lips curled into a smile.

"You're right."

"I took all the benefits, and then someone else paid the price for me. It's perfect. Simply perfect!"

Wen Yu slowly began to clap. One clap, then another!

He continued until his hands were covered in wounds and blood slowly seeped out, only to be perfectly mended by the Healing Light before splitting open once more…

"But right now, I really want to kill you. Truly."

The Fourth Prince slowly shook his head.

"Inside the Treasure Land, you cannot kill me. And I have no intention of going outside. So, all in all, I will live, and you will live. Yes, that's how it is!"

Wen Yu nodded in understanding.

Inside a Treasure Land, the Treasure Land Guardian was an absolute, insurmountable existence.

Slowly lowering his hands, Wen Yu waited quietly for the Healing Light to mend the wounds on his body. At the same time, he deactivated his Combat State.

The Little Soul Beast seemed to sense its master's current mood, as it rubbed its cheek quietly against Wen Yu's face.

Feeling the mental fluctuations of the Little Soul Beast, Wen Yu slowly closed his eyes.

Of those who had set out on this ten-day journey, only seven people remained within the Healing Light.

And most of those who survived were cowards!!!

Then, the images of William and the others flashed through Wen Yu's mind.

"I succeeded. No, rather… we succeeded!"

"I'm sorry. Though I know you can't hear me, and though it's useless now…"

"I still have to say it. I'm sorry, and thank you…"

Wen Yu spoke silently in his heart.

It was hard to describe Wen Yu's current emotions. There was the relief of survival, but also something far more complex.

He felt a heavy tightness in his chest, as if he were deprived of oxygen. It was painful.

And this Healing Light could not cure it.

…

After a while, the Healing Light slowly faded away.

Wen Yu stood quietly in place, feeling the sensation of his feet on the ground.

"We did it? We did it! The mission is complete! I don't have to die! I survived!"

Excited roars erupted from not far away.

However, the screaming sounded grating to Wen Yu's ears.

"Wen Yu-Ge, you guys are amazing! I knew you could do it!"

Sun Aotian's excited voice came from behind. Then, Sun Aotian leaped onto Wen Yu's back, shaking him back and forth, trying to share his joy.

"Amazing, huh?"

Wen Yu turned his head with a smile and asked.

"Beyond amazing! Incredible!"

"Actually, I think you guys are even more 'amazing'!"

Wen Yu's voice was ice-cold. Suddenly, his large hand clamped onto Sun Aotian's neck!

"You guys are really something. Truly. You're all such fine specimens."

Wen Yu spat out the freezing, biting sarcasm with a face full of smiles, as his hand slowly began to exert pressure.