Chapter 83: Departure


    Han Ming nodded in satisfaction after hearing the intelligence about the Five Mysterious Zones.


    Based on his assessment, luck would play the most crucial role in navigating these regions. Whether it was the frost vortices, quicksand pits, or temporal storms, there was an element of randomness involved. With good fortune, one might avoid them entirely. But with bad luck, encountering these hazards one after another could easily cost one''s life, no matter how cautious they were.


    Overall, the situation wasn''t as dire as Han Ming had feared. The danger level was lower than he had anticipated, especially since the third zone, the Ancient Forest, was now essentially neutralized. With one less hazard to worry about, the chances of survival had increased slightly.


    Mention of the Tree of Destruction stirred memories in Han Ming, taking him back to his days on the underground island.


    "Is there anything else I can assist you with?" the elderly attendant asked with a slight bow.


    Han Ming nodded contentedly, indicating he had no further questions, and turned to leave.


    Suddenly, the old man slapped his forehead as if remembering something important. "Ah, my memory fails me! A few days ago, a group came here seeking information about water and wood elemental mages or warriors. They were assembling a team of five elemental specialists to venture into the Five Mysterious Zones. They''re gathering at the Kesu Manor in the west of the city. If you''re planning to explore the zones, you might want to check it out. It could be helpful."


    "And this information," the attendant added with a smile, "is complimentary."


    Han Ming was delighted. He smiled at the elderly attendant and, despite the man''s protests, pressed ten gold coins into his hand. The old man beamed, praising Han Ming for his generosity.


    Leaving the Falcon Mercenary Group, Han Ming didn''t even stop for lunch. He hired a carriage and headed straight for Kesu Manor in the western part of the city.


    The manor was of moderate size, with no guards at the entrance, setting it apart from other estates in the city.


    Han Ming had changed into the attire of a water mage. He understood that to blend into the group, he needed to present himself as a water mage, as they were specifically seeking water and wood elemental mages or warriors. Since Han Ming lacked combat aura, he couldn''t pass himself off as a warrior.


    The journey ahead was bound to be fraught with strange and unpredictable events, and internal conflicts were highly likely. To avoid future trouble or retaliation, Han Ming had already altered his appearance using the disguise techniques he had learned from Li Xiaotian. While he couldn''t change his physique like Li Xiaotian, altering his facial features was well within his capabilities. The result was a plain-looking, dark-skinned young man—unremarkable and unlikely to be recognized.


    Pushing open the manor gates, Han Ming stepped inside.


    The front courtyard was already bustling with about twenty people, seemingly preparing to depart. Han Ming silently thanked his luck for arriving just in time.


    He quickly approached and called out, "Excuse me, is this where water and wood elemental mages and warriors are being recruited?"


    At his words, a middle-aged man who appeared to be the leader emerged from the crowd.


    Dressed in white robes, the man was clearly a wind mage. The rest of the group, about twenty people, were all warriors. This made Han Ming and the middle-aged man the only mages present.


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    The man scrutinized Han Ming and, with a hint of disappointment, said, "Sorry, we''re fully staffed." He then turned to leave.


    Han Ming understood the man''s reluctance. A water mage wasn''t as desirable as a water warrior. He couldn''t blame the leader for his reaction.


    "Captain, why not let him join? An extra person could be useful. After all, he''s a mage. There might be situations where his skills come in handy. We already have a water warrior, but warriors can''t match the versatility of mages," someone interjected.


    The captain, the middle-aged mage, seemed to ponder this. He exchanged a glance with the speaker, and both nodded. Han Ming observed their expressions coldly. It was clear they saw him as cannon fodder.


    However, Han Ming had no intention of revealing his true strength. The Five Mysterious Zones were fraught with danger, and it was wiser to keep a low profile. In such situations, standing out could be more deadly than being cannon fodder. With his abilities, he could adapt as needed. Who would end up as cannon fodder was still up in the air.


    The middle-aged man nodded at Han Ming. "Alright, welcome to the team. I''m Chuck, a second-tier, third-rank wind mage. And you are?"


    Noticing the man''s lack of interest in a handshake, Han Ming wasn''t bothered. "Han Er, first-tier, fifth-rank water mage."


    The man nodded, seemingly satisfied with Han Ming''s level. A fifth-rank water mage wasn''t entirely useless.


    After packing their supplies, the group set off. Han Ming, playing his part, carried a simple staff and took his place at the rear of the group.


    The team exited the manor and rented several carriages, dividing themselves among the vehicles as they raced toward the underground city''s exit.


    Given his perceived weakness, Han Ming wasn''t allowed to ride in the luxurious carriages reserved for the stronger members. Instead, he was crammed into a small, open carriage with four others who also seemed destined for cannon fodder roles.


    "What''s your name? What''s your strength level?"


    "And you? What brings you to the depths of the wilderness forest?"


    "Ha! Maybe we''ll strike it rich this time. Who knows? We might return as wealthy men, buy some advanced combat manuals, and become experts in no time!"


    The four were clearly excited about the journey, chatting animatedly as if they were heading to a treasure trove rather than a perilous zone.


    Noticing Han Ming''s silence, they turned their attention to him.


    "Hey, you''re the water mage, right? Welcome to the team," one of them, a seemingly simple-minded fellow, extended his hand for a handshake.


    Han Ming didn''t even open his eyes. He shifted slightly, turning away to sleep.


    The man, embarrassed, scratched his head and returned to his conversation with the others.


    After half a day, as night began to fall, the carriages finally reached the underground city''s exit.


    The exit was a spiraling ramp, wide and long, leading from the ground up to the top of the underground world. At the summit was a faintly glowing opening—the passage connecting the underground city to the wilderness forest.


    The five carriages ascended the ramp and emerged into the white mist of the wilderness forest. They disembarked and continued on foot.


    Han Ming had traversed this mist many times before. With the group''s guidance, navigating it was no issue.


    During this time, Han Ming carefully observed the team. The true experts numbered only five: Captain Chuck, a second-tier, third-rank wind mage, and four warriors, all at the third-tier War Madman level. Two were at the peak of the sixth rank, while the other two were fifth-rank. Their elemental affinities were unknown. These five were clearly formidable, and their decision to venture into the wilderness forest wasn''t made lightly.


    The situation was becoming interesting.


    Han Ming guessed that these five represented the five elements: water, wood, wind, fire, and earth. The remaining twenty, including himself, were all second-tier Great Warriors—or in Han Ming''s case, first-tier, as he claimed. It was clear that these twenty were intended as cannon fodder, to be sent ahead as scouts in the mysterious zones. The weak would inevitably perish.


    What a clever plan, Han Ming thought with a cold smile.


    As the group emerged from the mist, night had fully descended. The thin black fog that usually shrouded the wilderness forest had thickened slightly.


    The starlight above barely penetrated the fog, providing minimal visibility. Occasionally, faintly glowing plants added a bit more light to the surroundings.


    After walking less than a hundred meters, a figure clad in black robes suddenly appeared, blocking their path.


    Captain Chuck stepped forward, ready to confront the figure, but his expression quickly turned to panic as he sensed the man''s strength. The group halted, not daring to advance.


    Han Ming''s heart raced as he recognized the figure. It was the man who had competed with him for the Blood Pomegranate Stone at the auction house.


    Back then, the distance had prevented Han Ming from accurately gauging the man''s strength. But now, up close, he was shocked to realize that this was a fourth-tier War Soul!


    This was the first time Han Ming had ever encountered a fourth-tier expert. No wonder he had felt such a strong sense of danger at first glance.


    Although Han Ming had significantly altered his appearance, he wasn''t entirely confident it would fool this seasoned expert.