The next morning, Chen Rui, who was drowsily asleep, was awakened by Sli's knock on the door.
"Master, the little princess and Lady Athena are here!"
Chen Rui quickly got dressed and was surprised when he saw Athena and Alice outside the door.
Athena was dressed in leather armor, wearing a space bracelet, and carrying her usual giant sword, as if she was about to travel far; Alice's big eyes looked red and swollen, and she had obviously cried.
"Come in and sit down, what's wrong with you?" Chen Rui asked in surprise.
Athena stepped forward, handed him a piece of leather paper, and said: "This is your appointment letter as mining officer. The eldest princess has agreed to my request. I will go to Xilang Mountain with you."
"My sister is very annoying!" Alice said depressedly: "I had a big fight with her, but in the end I was still not allowed to go with you!"
"Do you all know about the Mining Officer?" Chen Rui scratched his head. His purpose was spiritual energy. It would definitely be inconvenient for Athena to follow him. As for the Cloak Club, he has already made arrangements for the members.
All we know is that the leader went out to practice secretly in order to fight Araux, leaving all matters to Jace and Didi to handle.
"The news spread in the city yesterday afternoon," Alice nodded: "I know from my sister that this matter was caused by Joseph. He must have wanted to take revenge on the aerial competition."
Chen Rui shook his head: Joseph wanted revenge, not only for the aerial competition. But even Royce didn't know much about the situation at the mine. He only made a preliminary analysis that the thieves must be related to the Chiyou territory.
"Joseph, this bastard!" Athena clenched her fists angrily: "And Allen, they all want to kill Chen Rui!"
Chen Rui comforted him: "Don't worry, I will be fine. I have a friend who will protect me secretly. Athena, you don't have to go with me, just stay with Alice in Darkmoon City."
"No, it's too dangerous there. I must accompany you!" Athena's attitude was very firm. "I have decided that anyone who wants to stop me will step over my body! This is what I said to Her Royal Highness the Princess.
Exact words."
Chen Rui's heart was shocked. Looking at the perseverance in those ruby-like eyes, he felt that a certain string in his heart was plucked.
Alice also spoke: "Xilang Mountain is no different from other places. It has been harmed by underground monsters for hundreds of years and has been unable to mine smoothly. There are also gangs of thieves running rampant nearby. It is one of the most dangerous areas in the Dark Moon. A few years ago,
The previous mining officer, Tim, personally led a team to explore the mine. As a result, more than a dozen people were missing, and now even the bodies have not been found! So you must ask Athena to accompany you, otherwise people will be even more worried."
Alice's red eyes and serious expression made Chen Rui feel warm in his heart. He gently touched her head. This action came naturally. Alice was stunned, her face turned red, but she didn't struggle. She seemed to be still.
It was quite useful. After Chen Rui made the move, he was also stunned. Sli beside him felt a storm in his heart, and there was another continuous burst of strong admiration.
Athena didn't have any special reaction. She just looked solemnly and stared into his eyes, which made Chen Rui feel a strong pressure that had nothing to do with strength.
What is this called? Drag? Concern?
Perhaps, the word "bond" is more accurate.
Chen Rui suddenly thought of the name of an old song "With You Along the Way" and took a deep breath.
"Athena, when can you leave?"
These words made Athena's serious eyes instantly melt into joyful eagerness: "Anytime!"
Chen Rui nodded: "Okay, we'll leave in a moment. I'll get you some antidote and we'll ride on the flying dragon."
Alice had proposed riding a flying dragon to the sky last time. Her eyes lit up when she heard this: "Has the antidote been researched?"
Chen Rui was afraid of causing further trouble, so he quickly explained: "It's just a temporarily researched antidote. It can only be used by high-level demons. I will take you to ride the flying dragon when the new antidote is researched. How about you work harder and become a demon as soon as possible?"
High-level demon."
"Forget it, let's wait for your new antidote." Alice said discouragedly. In terms of practice, the little Loli has always been proud of being lazy. The awakening of the black flames depends entirely on talent and has nothing to do with hard work.
Soon, Athena and Chen Rui arrived at the temporary flying dragon lair outside the laboratory. Mengda and Kegu had already put on simple flying saddles. With tears in their eyes, Sli brought the master and one of the future mistresses (at least the little lemure)
I think so) sent Feilong.
Aldas, who had been staying in the secret room to study the black potion without showing up, suddenly rushed out and without saying a word, handed Chen Rui a bunch of bottles and cans.
As soon as Chen Rui looked at those labels, he knew that they were the most powerful enhancement potions and poisons in the laboratory.
The dark elf gave Chen Rui a deep look: "Don't forget, what you promised me has not been completed yet."
Chen Rui knew that Aldas was talking about his sister, but what the Dark Elf was talking about now was definitely not because of his sister, but a promise that he must come back alive.
Chen Rui nodded. Aldas only said this and hurried back to the laboratory without looking back.
Even Alice could tell: "Master Shit, why are you running so fast? Are you an emotionally fragile man, afraid that others will see your tears?"
"You two must be safe and sound!" Little Loli waved to Chen Rui and Athena with red eyes: "Chen Rui, if you can come back alive, I can consider running away with you with Athena.
…”
Chen Rui took a breath of cold air: This is obviously a curse that makes me unable to come back!
The wyvern flapped its wings, rose higher and higher, flew forward, and finally disappeared from Alice's sight.
Athena has always had the wish to become a dragon knight, and now that she can walk with Chen Rui, she has achieved her wish and is in a good mood. Chen Rui's mental power lost due to in-depth analysis has been fully recovered, and through the eye of analysis and the flying dragon
Through communication and Athena’s rich experience in handling animals, the first test drive was very successful.
To the northeast of the Dark Moon Territory is the Red You Territory, to the southeast is the Blue Molten Territory, and to the west the terrain is the most dangerous, with many high mountains and ridges, passing through the Xilang Mountains, and further to the west is the town of Leia, which borders the Shadow Empire.
Originally, Leia Town was two confrontational fortresses with a long history, belonging to the Fallen Angel Empire and the Shadow Empire. About two thousand years ago, the then Fallen Angel Emperor Saga Lucifer was in power and had mutual aid and benefit with the Shadow Empire. The two countries
A friendship agreement was signed to live in harmony for ten thousand years. As a symbol of friendship, the fortresses of the two countries were demolished and merged into the town of Laia, which is shared by both countries.
Shia once sent a caravan to the west, hoping to enter the Shadow Empire through Leia Town, but thieves also appeared in the west, and they lost all their money several times. In addition, Allen was "ineffective in exterminating", so Dark Moon could only
Trading with Chiyou, or trading with the outside world through Chiyou, the only channel, the economic lifeline has always been controlled by Chiyou territory.
"At this speed, we can reach Xilang Mountain in about two and a half days." The wind in the sky was very strong, Athena said loudly.
"Where should we camp at night?" Naturally, there is no hotel for this kind of wilderness march, so we have to sleep in the open.
Athena has rich experience in controlling beasts and going out: "There is still a long way to go, so try not to overtax the wyvern's strength. We will take a break on the road, feed the wyvern, and then rush to the rainy jungle to rest before dark."
"
"Okay!" Chen Rui is self-aware. It is much easier to have Athena go with him. If he is alone, even if he holds the magic map, he will be delayed a lot of time.
When night fell, the two arrived at the Rainy Jungle as scheduled. Chen Rui remembered that the poisonous weeds and flowers he was fed when he first met Alice came from this place.
The Rainy Jungle is a standard Demon Realm forest area. It is very large and rich in medicinal herbs. The quality of the medicinal herbs is much higher than other places, but it is also filled with all kinds of dangerous animals and plants.
Athena took Chen Rui to a leeward hillside with ease. The two flying dragons rested beside the big tree on the top of the hillside, which also served as a warning. There was a stream not far down the hillside, and it was very convenient to get water.
"We will rest on this hillside tonight. Alice and I were here last time. It is safer." Athena took off the sword from her back and sat down on a rock.
"Athena."
"What?"
"Thank you." Chen Rui said sincerely. Xilang Mountain was equally dangerous for Athena, but she did not hesitate at all and took the initiative to accompany her.
"We are friends, there is no need to say anything more." Athena shook her head and glanced to the side.
This was not the first time that the two of them went out together, but Athena suddenly felt inexplicably nervous. When she thought that she might be alone with Chen Rui for a long time in the future, her heartbeat accelerated a little. This situation had never happened before.
of.
"I know," Chen Rui scratched his head, "but I still want to thank you."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a "whoop", and the big sword was unsheathed without any warning, lying in front of Chen Rui's eyes, which shocked him - I just said thank you, why did you provoke you to use the sword?
Athena stood up suddenly, shouldered the big sword, and walked towards the stream without looking back, saying: "Okay! What a grown man, what are you doing to mother-in-law and mother-in-law! I'm going to find prey!"
How could someone know that she actually didn't want him to see her blush?
Athena returned to her normal state and returned to the hillside with the two prey. She was surprised when she saw the tent arranged by Chen Rui.
"What kind of tent is this? This is the first time I've seen it."
Chen Rui smiled and said: "This is called an alpine tent. I made it a few days ago with the help of Sli. I originally made it for fun, but I didn't expect it to be used so soon."
In fact, these were some equipment that Chen Rui had prepared in advance when he planned to go to Youye Wetland, and they came in handy.
"This tent is good, and it is very convenient to store and store." Athena has rich experience in survival in the wild. She can see the advantages of this tent at a glance and puts the cleaned prey next to the fire. "This is also a great master."
Works in memory?”
"It's just an imitation. It's much different from the real thing." Chen Rui said vaguely, took the prey and took out the barbecue tools, "By the way, where is your tent?"
"I don't have to, I'm used to it." Athena shook her head, "It's already dark. I'll come to keep watch in a while. After you finish the barbecue, you can go to bed early. We'll set off early tomorrow morning."
Chen Rui was startled, what is this? Let women stay vigil all night while men hide in tents to rest?
"This tent is very big and can sleep two people." As soon as Chen Rui said this, he realized something was wrong and quickly changed his words: "What I mean is that we take turns guarding the tent, one person for half the night, so that both of us can get a rest."
Athena's face was slightly red, but fortunately she could not see clearly under the firelight. She shook her head and said: "No, it was like this last time Alice and I came here. I am a high-level demon now. It is not safe here and there may be dangers."
, if you’re not strong enough, I’ll do it.”
"High-level demons don't need to rest?"
How could Chen Rui let Athena work so hard alone? Besides, his current strength is not inferior to hers. Even if he lacks experience, he is more vigilant and self-protective. He shook his head vigorously: "I am not Alice, you forgot
Do I have the ability to control beasts? I can let Mao Da and Ke Gu take turns to assist me in vigilance. Their senses are sharper than mine. If you insist on staying alone all night, then I will not sleep anymore and will stay with you like this.
Bar."
Seeing his resolute attitude, Athena felt an indescribable feeling of comfort in her heart. She did not insist anymore. Considering that the second half of the night in the jungle was more dangerous, she chose to rest the first half of the night.