193: Chapter 193 Black Dragon Gorge

Three days after the battle of Ironwall City, the sky finally cleared up completely.

The early morning sunlight fell on the city walls, making the torn claw marks look particularly dazzling, and giving the entire border city a sense of peace after a narrow escape.

In the backyard of the medical clinic, the scent of medicine and food mixed together, steam rising, creating a genuine sense of everyday domestic life.

In the center of the courtyard, Lin Mo sat on a stone stool, looking relaxed, holding a bowl of steaming meat porridge and taking one spoonful after another.

His bandages had already been removed on the second day.

The wounds that had looked hideous and terrifying before had completely closed up in less than half a day, leaving not even a single scar.

The gash on his chest that had nearly pierced through was now as smooth as if he had never been injured, with only the newly grown skin retaining a faint pinkish tint.

He looked more energetic than someone who had just walked through the gates of hell.

"I say..." Gu Yunting lay by the threshold of the adjacent wing, his face pale, one hand resting on the edge of the bed as he struggled to lift his head to look at Lin Mo in the courtyard.

"Did you secretly eat some Heaven And Earth Treasure? How is it that in less than three days, you're back to normal?"

Ji Wuchen was also leaning against his bed, his chest still wrapped in thick bandages, and his complexion was no better than Gu Yunting's. Hearing this, he added flatly:

"Strictly speaking, it wasn't less than three days; it was on the third day, as soon as his Mental Energy recovered, that his comprehensive self-healing immediately began."

"This guy really is a monster!" Gu Yunting stared.

Ji Wuchen glanced at him: "That is the truth."

Lin Mo swallowed a mouthful of porridge, patted his chest casually, and smiled innocently: "Can't help it, my recovery speed is just that fast. You guys can't even dream of it."

Gu Yunting was silent for a long while before finally blurting out: "That's not fair! I say, this couldn't be another one of your trait abilities, could it? Just how many traits do you have? Are you even going to let the rest of us live?"

"There's no such thing as fairness in this world."

Lin Mo stretched, his joints making a series of light popping sounds. He looked as refreshed as if he had just slept for an entire month.

"Brother Gu, want some water?"

Gu Yunting was stunned: "What did you just call me?"

"Brother Gu," Lin Mo said with feigned seriousness.

"Look at your current state. Forget getting up to pour water, you need help just to roll over."

Gu Yunting's face darkened instantly: "Who are you looking down on? I'll do it myself! I don't need you to pour it!"

Ji Wuchen closed his eyes nearby, seemingly unable to bear watching.

Gu Yunting was so annoyed he tried to sit up, but as soon as he moved, he gasped from the pain in his chest. He could only glare at Lin Mo through gritted teeth: "Wait until I'm better, I'll pin you to the ground and beat you."

Lin Mo laughed even harder: "Wait until you can get out of bed first."

As soon as he said this, everyone in the room couldn't help but laugh.

When Shen Yi entered, she had a suppressed smile on her face.

She looked at the lively Lin Mo, then at the two still recovering on their beds, and finally spoke calmly: "It seems that the one who needs medicine the least today is actually Lin Mo."

Lin Mo immediately turned his head: "Really?"

Shen Yi nodded: "Provided you don't eat indiscriminately again."

"When did I eat indiscriminately?" Lin Mo looked innocent.

Shen Yi glanced at him: "Yesterday, as soon as you woke up, you ate like a glutton. That will affect the recovery of your wounds!"

Lin Mo coughed: "Wasn't that so I'd be full and recover faster?"

Ji Wuchen rolled his eyes, his tone as flat as if he were stating a fact: "He wasn't eating to recover; he was eating so he could get out of bed as soon as possible to be the first to laugh at us."

Lin Mo: "..."

Hearing this, Shen Yi finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.

This laugh lightened the atmosphere in the courtyard significantly.

The oppression, bloodiness, and brush with death from the battle a few days ago seemed to be diluted by the morning light and laughter at this moment.

Han Xiao happened to walk into the courtyard just then, carrying a large string of freshly grilled meat skewers; the aroma could be smelled from afar.

"Yo, it's quite lively today?"

As soon as he entered, he saw Lin Mo standing while Gu Yunting and Ji Wuchen were lying down. He was instantly amused. "What's the situation? Kid Lin, who was half-dead yesterday, is standing straighter than me today, while the other two look like they've had their tendons pulled?"

"Uncle Han!" Gu Yunting cried out in grief and indignation. "You've come at the right time, quickly discipline this kid!"

Han Xiao took a bite of a meat skewer and said indistinctly: "Discipline what? I think it's fine. Lin Mo's high Spirits mean he's tough. Being tough is good; only the tough can go to Black Dragon Gorge with me."

As soon as these words were spoken, the laughter in the room was cut in half.

Lin Mo's movements paused slightly as he turned to look at Han Xiao: "Black Dragon Gorge?"

Han Xiao nodded, his expression becoming a bit more serious: "Hall Master Zhao has already gone to the outskirts to investigate. The leylines are shifting, the black mist can no longer be suppressed, and the Seal at the mouth of the gorge won't hold much longer."

Ji Wuchen slowly sat up a bit straighter, his voice lowering: "As expected."

"As expected what?" Gu Yunting asked.

Ji Wuchen shifted his gaze out the window and said slowly: "It's likely the work of those people from the West Federation!"

Shen Yi also quieted down, gently setting down the medicine bowl.

Lin Mo stood in the center of the courtyard, still holding the half-eaten meat skewer, and slowly looked up.

"dragon god skeleton..." he repeated in a low voice.

Han Xiao nodded: "Those are things left behind by the ancient Dragon Clan, not ordinary dragon bones. Minister Zhao said that what is sealed beneath Black Dragon Gorge might be a true Dragon God skeleton."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

The atmosphere was strange; clearly the sunlight was bright and the wind was light, yet the air suddenly felt as if it had an invisible layer of pressure, as if some long-dormant behemoth was slowly opening its eyes through endless layers of earth.

Lin Mo subconsciously pressed his hand to his chest.

There seemed to be a faint heat there.

It wasn't pain, but an extremely subtle yet unignorable throbbing.

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe walked into the courtyard at that exact moment.

He was still dressed in his grey cloth robe with a calm expression, but there was a bit more depth in his eyes than usual.

He scanned everyone and began with: "Have you all mostly recovered?"

Gu Yunting raised his hand with difficulty: "I'm not better yet."

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe glanced at him: "Then keep lying there."

Gu Yunting: "..."

Ji Wuchen coughed and asked seriously: "Hall Master Zhao, what are your plans for Black Dragon Gorge?"

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe didn't answer immediately, but looked at Lin Mo first.

Lin Mo had recovered so quickly over the past few days that even he had to take a few extra looks. That self-healing speed didn't seem like ordinary recovery; it was more like some ancient life force was constantly reshaping his body.

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "I will personally oversee Ironwall City."

"The West Federation suffered a loss this time and won't let it go easily. Augustus was severely injured, but the people behind them are still there. Once Black Dragon Gorge fully opens, it's possible that Eighth-Rank experts will directly enter the fray."

Han Xiao grinned: "Then let them come. We'll just give them some more wounds."

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe said flatly: "As long as I am here, they won't dare to come openly."

These words weren't heavy, yet they made everyone feel at ease.

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe continued: "In two days, Han Xiao, Gu Yunting, and Ji Wuchen, you three will form a vanguard team to enter the outskirts of Black Dragon Gorge ahead of time, scout the route, and clear out the small fry."

As soon as Gu Yunting heard the words 'vanguard team,' he immediately perked up: "It's finally our turn to take the stage?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Han Xiao threw cold water on him from the side. "You can't even get out of bed right now."

Gu Yunting's face slumped.

Ji Wuchen, on the other hand, was much calmer, pushing up his glasses: "Understood. What about Lin Mo?"

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe looked at Lin Mo, his gaze lingering on him for two seconds.

"He has other arrangements!"

Lin Mo was taken aback.

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe said flatly: "Since the dragon god skeleton are awakening, the dragon blood in your body will be one of the most crucial keys. You can just go at the very end!"

Gu Yunting immediately felt it was unfair: "Why does he get to go last while we have to scout the way?"

Before Lin Mo could speak, Han Xiao kicked the corner of his bed: "Because he can stand right now, and you can't."

Gu Yunting muttered quietly: "Why? He clearly recovered faster than both of us!"

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe glanced at him, his tone flat: "Because he has a more important mission."

Lin Mo looked up: "What mission?"

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe didn't keep them in suspense; with a wave of his hand, several Seventh-Rank Awakeners in battle armor walked into the courtyard.

There were four in total, all with extremely steady auras, clearly veterans who had been stationed at the border for years.

One had an old piercing wound on his shoulder, another had a black bracer on his right arm, and the remaining two had cold expressions. As their gazes swept across the courtyard, they carried a faint Killing Intent.

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe pointed at them.

"They will go with you and be responsible for intercepting the West Federation's reinforcements."

Gu Yunting was stunned for a moment: "Intercepting reinforcements?"

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe nodded: "Once Black Dragon Gorge opens, it's impossible for the West Federation to only send a few advance units to test the waters. The real trouble lies with the reinforcements behind them. Your vanguard team will be responsible for charging inside, while Lin Mo will lead his team to hold off those outside, buying you time, and then finally regrouping with you!"

The courtyard fell silent for a moment at these words.

Lin Mo narrowed his eyes, then understood.

This was another front of the battle.

Compared to the direct struggle inside Black Dragon Gorge, blocking reinforcements was equally perilous and tested judgment, rhythm, and execution even more. Once the West Federation's people were allowed to merge into the gorge early, the pressure on the vanguard team would multiply.

In other words, Lin Mo's side was the true front line taking the brunt for the vanguard team.

"Understood, I like this mission!" Lin Mo finished the porridge in his bowl in one gulp, set the bowl down, and stood up.

Han Xiao glanced at him and grinned: "That's more like it. If you shrank back, you wouldn't be Lin Mo."

Gu Yunting sat on the bed, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He naturally wanted to act together with Lin Mo, but in his current state, he couldn't even hold his battle saber steadily; he could only watch helplessly.

"You kid, be careful yourself," Gu Yunting said sullenly. "Don't just think about showing off."

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow at him: "Don't worry, before I show off, I'll finish collecting all their heads."

Ji Wuchen pushed up his glasses, his expression indifferent: "Don't be careless. Even Augustus escaped with heavy injuries a few days ago. The people coming this time probably won't be weaker than him."

Hearing this, the smile on Lin Mo's face faded slightly.

"Then we'll see if they dare to come."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a sharp, cold edge.

Shen Yi stood to the side. After a moment of silence, she took out a small medicine pouch from her robe and gently pressed it into his hand. Her movements were very light, as if afraid of disturbing something.

"There are three Origin-Returning Pills inside. Take one at a critical moment, and also—"

She paused and looked up at Lin Mo, her gaze unusually serious.

"Don't get yourself heavily injured again. Your recovery ability is strong, but you must also be careful. The divine arts of the West Federation are different from the methods of ordinary Awakeners. If you really encounter them, don't try to head-on tank them."

Lin Mo held the medicine pouch, feeling the slight warmth emanating from his palm.

He looked at Shen Yi and nodded seriously.

"I know."

Shen Yi looked at him again, as if she wanted to give more warnings, but the words were eventually suppressed. She just pursed her lips slightly, her voice even lower than usual:

"Come back alive."

As those four words fell, the originally relaxed atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly went silent for a moment.

Lin Mo was stunned for a second, then he smiled.

"Okay."

Seeing this, Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe began to assign specific tasks.

"Han Xiao, Gu Yunting, Ji Wuchen, you'll take the vanguard route, cutting into Black Dragon Gorge from the southwest. Your mission isn't to charge head-on, but to tear open the entrance in the shortest time possible and gain a foothold before the West Federation does."

Hearing this, Han Xiao's expression turned solemn as his hand pressed against his saber hilt: "Understood."

Gu Yunting wanted to make a quip, but the words died in his throat, and he only nodded heavily.

Ji Wuchen pushed up his glasses, his gaze already falling on the distant gorge shrouded in black mist: "The southwest terrain is the narrowest and prone to ambushes. We will be as fast as possible."

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe nodded slightly and turned to Lin Mo.

"Lin Mo, take these four people to the northern mountain pass and block the West Federation's reinforcement route."

He spoke calmly, but every word was infused with cold, hard Killing Intent.

"Remember, don't seek to fight to the death, just aim to stall them. Your side is the true first gate."

The four Seventh-Rank Awakeners responded in unison, their movements as orderly as a veteran squad long accustomed to battle.

The middle-aged man with the old shoulder wound looked at Lin Mo, his expression much more solemn than before: "Kid, we all think highly of you. You'll be in command for this operation."

The other man with the black bracer on his right arm grinned, his voice low but carrying a border-specific ruthlessness: "Don't feel pressured. We're all here. If it really comes to a fight, we can still contribute our strength."

Lin Mo nodded upon hearing this.

Although these people were all members of the War God Temple, the aura they carried was no different from true border veterans—straightforward and direct.

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe continued:

"If they dare to come, they'll have to leave something behind."

"I don't care how many people come; you just need to hold the northern pass for half a day."

"Once the gorge opens in half a day, the matter of the dragon god skeleton will be for us to decide."

Lin Mo slowly exhaled, the tension in his chest compressing into a colder sharpness.

He looked up at Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe.

"Understood."

Vice Hall Master Zhao Shanhe looked at him, a very faint trace of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Good."

"Don't let them take a single step into the gorge."

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