45: The Mohist organization ventures deep into the lion's den to harvest poisonous mushrooms (Part 2)

Who will go?

This question made the command room fall silent once again. The success rate of the mission may have increased due to the improvements from the mech armor, but its essence remained a dance with death deep within the dragon's pool and tiger's den. What was needed was absolute courage, exquisite skill, firm will, and... the necessary resolve for sacrifice.

Elwin took a step forward first, her gaze resolute: "My Lord, I am willing to go! I am the most familiar with the Valley of the Dead, and I possess Vast Righteous Qi, which can further strengthen the barrier and provide extra restraint against the undead."

Lin Zhou had not yet responded when a coarse and weak voice came through the projection: "Cough, cough... Your Excellency Elwin, you are the commander; Blackstone Territory cannot be without you. Let me go instead! This old bag of bones was snatched back from the Grim Reaper by My Lord and my brothers; it's the perfect time to go meet those undead scumbags!" It was Bronzebeard, struggling to get up from his sickbed.

"No!" Elwin and Li Mo objected almost simultaneously. Bronzebeard's injuries had not yet healed, and his strength was greatly compromised; it would be too dangerous for him to go.

Chen Hai looked at the handsome set of mech armor, then at Snik Shadowclaw, who was itching to try it out beside him, and gritted his teeth: "Brother Zhou, how about... letting my Snik take a few of the most skilled thieves? When it comes to stealthily stealing things, they are professionals!"

Snik immediately chimed in with a shrill voice: "Yes, Great Dominator! Shadowclaw is willing to serve you! Infiltration and collection are exactly our specialties!"

Elwin shook her head and analyzed objectively: "Hero Snik's stealth abilities are beyond doubt. However, for this mission, besides stealth, we will likely need strong frontal combat capabilities to deal with unexpected situations. Collecting the core mushroom bodies may also require special techniques, not just simple theft. Furthermore, the pressure of the Death Field on the mind is immense, requiring extremely strong willpower to resist contamination."

What she said was not without reason. Ratman thieves were skilled at acting in the shadows, but their ability to fight continuously in extreme environments and resist mental pollution might not match that of Elwin and Dwarven heroes who had been tempered by blood and fire.

While everyone was arguing, Lin Zhou's divine oracle made the decision.

"For this mission, an elite five-person squad must be formed. The members must complement each other's strengths."

"Elwin, you will be the captain. You are responsible for overall command, strengthening the team's protection and mental resistance with Vast Righteous Qi, and dealing with any powerful Undead Mage units that may appear."

"Snik Shadowclaw, you will be the vice-captain and vanguard scout. You are responsible for stealthily scouting the path, clearing traps, and using the stealth capabilities of the mech armor to open a safe path for the team."

"Bronzebeard Stonehammer, your injuries have not yet healed, so it is not suitable for you to participate in this assault mission." Lin Zhou directly rejected Bronzebeard's request, but before he could feel disappointed, he changed the subject, "However, your strength and experience are indispensable. I will consume Divine Power to temporarily stabilize your injuries, enabling you to unleash your full power for a short duration (no more than 30 minutes). You will serve as the team's 'Heavy Hammer,' acting when forced Breakthroughs or rearguard actions are needed."

Hearing this, Bronzebeard's dim eyes instantly lit up: "I obey the divine oracle! Bronzebeard will not fail his mission!"

"The other two," Lin Zhou's gaze turned toward Brook and Glick, "need a powerful long-range fire support and an expert proficient in potions and processing."

Brook immediately said: "Our tribe's number one marksman, Eagle Eye Balend (LV28 Dwarven Sniper), can take this role!"

Glick also said shrilly: "Our Deep Moss Tribe's youngest potion master, Clever Hands Mibo (LV22 Underground Gnome Alchemist), has an understanding of herbs and toxins that is second to none; he can be responsible for safely collecting and keeping the core mushroom bodies!"

[Hero Unit]: Eagle Eye Balend

[Rank]: LV 28

[Talent]: [Beyond-Visual-Range Sniping] (Greatly increases range and accuracy), [Armor-Piercing Arrows] (Attacks ignore a portion of physical defense)

[Skills]: [Aimed Shot], [Multi-Shot], [Explosive Arrow]

[Attributes]: Strength 30, Agility 45, Physique 28, Intelligence 20, Spirit 25 (Lawful Neutral)

[Equipment]: [Dragon Hunter Crossbow] (Exquisite, ultra-long range, high damage), [Stabilizing Gauntlets] (Excellent, improves shooting stability)

[Elite Unit]: Clever Hands Mibo

[Rank]: LV 22

[Talent]: [Potion Affinity] (Potion brewing success rate +15%, effect +10%), [Micro-Perception] (Can keenly perceive subtle energy changes in Materials)

[Skills]: [Precision Collection], [Potion Identification], [Neutralize Toxins]

[Attributes]: Strength 12, Agility 35, Physique 18, Intelligence 40, Spirit 30 (True Neutral)

[Equipment]: [Precision Collection Tool Set] (Excellent), [Multi-Isolation Potion Bottles] (Excellent)

The candidates were decided! Elwin (LV30 Elf Hero), Snik Shadowclaw (LV25 Ratman Hero), Eagle Eye Balend (LV28 Dwarf Hero), Clever Hands Mibo (LV22 Gnome Elite), and the secret weapon Bronzebeard Stonehammer (LV28 Dwarf Hero, limited-time burst)!

This squad covered command, stealth, long-range, auxiliary collection, and melee burst—a truly golden combination!

"Equip the mech armor immediately and familiarize yourselves with its performance! Set out in one hour!" Lin Zhou ordered.

Five sets of [all-round anti-corrosion stealth infiltration mechanism armor] were given to the five individuals. Elwin's platinum armor appeared even more holy; Snik's armor was given a matte finish, making it more suitable for stealth; Balend's armor emphasized shooting stability; Mibo's armor integrated more small tools for collection; and Bronzebeard's armor was the heaviest, emphasizing defense and power support.

The hour of adaptation passed quickly. The five team members conducted a simple coordination exercise at the Furnace Fortress drill grounds, familiarizing themselves with the various functions of the mech armor. In particular, the internal circulation System and the positive energy barrier gave them more confidence in entering the Death Field.

Before departure, Lin Zhou handed the precious [nether-skeleton dissipation powder] to Elwin.

"How to use this item is up to your discretion on the spot. It can be applied to weapons, used to create traps, or... in the final moment, used to perish together with the enemy."

Elwin solemnly accepted it: "I will not fail My Lord's trust!"

Li Mo then distributed two spare filters and a set of simple maintenance tools to each person.

Chen Hai pulled Snik aside and repeatedly exhorted: "You brat, come back in one piece! Do you hear me!"

Snik licked his poisoned dagger, a dangerous and excited light flashing in his eyes: "Don't worry, Master, Shadowclaw is a rat who is going to become a legendary thief!"

Everything was ready!

Under the solemn gaze of all the high-ranking officials and warriors of Furnace Fortress, the five heroes dressed in strange mech armor left the castle silently, like five sharp arrows melting into the shadows, once again speeding toward the Valley of the Dead shrouded in death.

Their figures disappeared into the gray mist, carrying everyone's hopes.

Lin Zhou's Divine Thought closely followed the squad. He knew that the real test had only just begun. The mech armor could provide protection, but it could not eliminate all dangers. The unknown enemies deep in the valley, as well as the possible mastermind behind the scenes, would never let them succeed easily.

Could the squad successfully collect the core mushroom bodies and return safely?

What secrets were hidden in the deepest part of the Valley of the Dead?