Another World: When a Necromancer Possesses the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls

I don't know how much time passed, maybe only a few minutes.

"Damn it!" Lei Lie was the first to break the silence. He ripped off his deformed helmet, revealing a face covered in sweat and blood, his eyes filled with violent fear and anger. "Fuck those bastards!"

"Don't let me find out which adventure team they are! If they hadn't brought this bunch of damn Shadowmoon Wolves, we would have been back safely with our loot by now!"

His curses were like a fuse that ignited the suppressed emotions in the carriage.

"Huff...huff...judging from their equipment and the formation they used when they fled, they don't seem like an ordinary rabble." Zhang Xin slumped in the opposite seat, his face as pale as paper, his chest heaving violently, and he was panting as he spoke. "But...huff...I guess it wasn't intentional."

In dire straits, discovering our "new force" and shifting the blame... was the instinctive choice to survive. His star energy was almost exhausted, and as a mage, his physical strength had reached its limit.

"Instinct? I'll show them what instinct is!" Lei Lie slammed his fist on the armor plate next to him, making a dull thud.

"My optical sensors captured the facial features of several people, though some were blurry." Lin Wei also took off her helmet, her long hair soaked with sweat and sticking to her cheeks and neck. Her eyes were cold as she operated the personal terminal on her wrist. "When we get back, I will use the channels to compare them. This matter will not be settled so easily."

Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable chill. Clearly, this young lady was truly enraged.

Li Xingyao remained silent, but he quietly accessed his armor's recorder, looking at the few screenshots captured in the chaos. He never sought trouble, but given that this had nearly killed him, he wouldn't hesitate to "return the favor" if given the chance in the future.

"I never thought... we actually survived..." Huo Yuan leaned against the firing port, looking at the desolate scenery rushing past the window, his tone filled with disbelief and lingering fear. "More than fifty Shadowmoon Demon Wolves... my god, no one would believe it if I told them, we managed to hold them off and even kill quite a few..."

"Yeah, thanks to Xingyao." Wu Feng's voice came from the driver's seat. Although he was still focused on the road conditions, his tone was full of sincere gratitude. "If it weren't for your undead tanking the strongest impact and creating an environment for us to deal damage, we would have been torn to shreds long ago. Thanks, brother!"

These words immediately resonated with everyone.

"That's right! Xingyao, we really need you this time!" Mu Chenbin wiped the sweat from his face and said solemnly.

"Thank you!" Wang Yisong said succinctly and nodded heavily.

Lin Jin also cast a grateful glance at him.

"I'll treat you to a big meal later! The best restaurant in Tianjing!" Lei Lie patted his chest. Although he was a bit of a playboy, he was still very sincere.

Su Muyao didn't look at Li Xingyao, but turned her face to look out the window. Her voice was not loud but clear: "...Thanks." Her tone was still somewhat reserved.

Even Lian Yingsuo turned his head slightly from the passenger seat and nodded in Li Xingyao's direction.

Feeling the emptiness in his mind and the throbbing in his temples, Li Xingyao forced a smile: "It's the result of everyone's joint efforts. Without you all holding the pressure and contributing your efforts, I wouldn't have been able to hold on." He was telling the truth; if it were just him, he might not have survived this time.

Just then, his personal terminal vibrated slightly, receiving a message. He glanced at the sender—Lin Wei.

Upon opening the message, Lin Wei's previous promise was officially confirmed: "Li Xingyao, my promise remains valid. After returning home, you can make a list of the items you need, and I will try my best to fulfill it. I will also find some items for you to choose from. —Lin Wei"

Almost simultaneously, another message arrived from Su Muyao. The message was even more concise and direct: "I, Su Muyao, owe you one. After we return to the city, I can have a set of meditation equipment custom-made for you, or items of equivalent value. You can contact me anytime."

Li Xingyao felt a warmth in his heart as he read the two messages. Lin Wei was always generous, and Miss Su's reward was also quite substantial. He simply replied to both of them, "Received, thank you." He didn't mind Su Muyao's arrogance; on the contrary, he found it somewhat genuine and endearing, at least better than hypocritical politeness.

He couldn't help but recall Wu Feng's private gossip that Su Muyao might also have feelings for Lin Wei. Now it seemed that this young lady might just be like that by nature, keeping a distance from everyone except Lin Wei.

After this exchange, the previously deathly and oppressive atmosphere in the carriage finally began to liven up a bit. The relief of surviving the ordeal gradually replaced the fear, and although the body was still exhausted, the mind was much more relaxed.

Some people started taking out high-energy nutrient solutions and water to replenish their energy, while others checked the damage to their equipment and muttered curses about the repair costs. Lei Lie, on the other hand, was still cursing and speculating with Mu Chenbin about the possible fate of those unlucky squads.

The vehicle continued its journey through the vast twilight, the sky rapidly darkening until it was completely enveloped by night. Only the powerful headlights pierced the darkness, illuminating the rough road ahead. Far from the battlefield and the wolf pack, the alarms inside the vehicle gradually subsided, leaving only the roar of the engine and the noise of the suspension.

Inside the vehicle, everyone silently began meditating to replenish their star energy. The battle had depleted their star energy significantly, and to prevent any further incidents, they all focused on recovering it as quickly as possible.

Li Xingyao also closed his eyes and tried to enter a meditative state, but the stinging sensation in his mind and the fatigue in his body made it difficult for him to concentrate.

After his star energy was restored, Li Xingyao looked out at the boundless darkness and suddenly realized that the long and thrilling day had finally come to an end. The intense battle and the high level of tension made the short day feel infinitely long.

The vehicle struggled along for nearly an hour, now more than 100 kilometers from the town's ruins. The speed gradually decreased; driving at full speed on the grasslands at night was far too risky, a hidden pothole or boulder could render the battered vehicle completely inoperable.

Exhaustion washed over everyone like a tidal wave once more. The chatter gradually subsided, replaced by increasingly even breathing and occasional snoring. Most people were seizing the time to rest, trying to recover their meager strength.

Li Xingyao relaxed his body, letting his thoughts drift. This trip to the ruins, though a near-death experience, had yielded immense rewards. He touched the seven still-warm high-level star cores in his tactical pouch, as well as the promises from Lin Wei, Su Muyao, and others. These would allow him to elevate his strength to another level.

Just as he was drifting off to sleep, the vehicle seemed to have run over some large obstacle and jolted violently.

As night deepened, their journey home seemed unlikely to be smooth sailing.

The heavy off-road armored vehicle bumped and jolted across the wasteland. Li Xingyao leaned against the cold bulkhead, closing his eyes and concentrating.

The operation should have been perfect, with the target item successfully obtained. Who could have predicted that another group of humans would drag them into a desperate situation? Thinking of those three teams that were diverting trouble, a chill flashed in Li Xingyao's eyes.

In the wild, sometimes, the human heart is more terrifying than the star beasts.

He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the small display screen on the ceiling of the cabin. The numbers flashing on it showed that the nearest underground train outpost was still about 70 kilometers away. At the current rate, it would probably take another hour and a half.

Lin Wei had already contacted the outpost through the vehicle's emergency communication system and arranged the nearest train to return to Tianjing.

Upon arrival at the camp, they will proceed directly to the platform to board the return train. True safety will only be achieved once they return to that fortified city.

Li Xingyao's gaze inadvertently met Lin Wei's. She seemed to have just woken up from her meditation; her hair clung to her forehead, and her face was still somewhat pale, but her eyes had regained their usual calmness. Seeing Li Xingyao looking at her, she slightly curved the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint but gentle smile.

Li Xingyao returned the smile. This was his major benefactor, and besides, Lin Wei's performance in the battle had left a very good impression on him.

Lin Wei's smile deepened, her gaze towards Li Xingyao filled with undisguised admiration. Less than half a year after awakening, and coming from a public family, his promotion had been so rapid.

Yet he could still control over a hundred high-level undead, plus command nearly a thousand low-level undead... This was far beyond what could be explained by mere A-level potential talent. The mental strength, cultivation speed, and control precision that Li Xingyao displayed far exceeded what a necromancer of this level should be capable of.

Lin Wei secretly pondered that after returning to Tianjing, she might need to get to know this "genius" classmate a little better.

The car remained quiet, but a silent commotion was playing out on the private channels of personal terminals.

[Squad Adventure Group] (Pilot Wu Feng and Shadow Shuttle are blocked)

Su Muyao: "[Image: The outdoor infinity pool of the 'Cloud Top Realm' hotel in Tianjing City, with the dazzling city night view in the background] Don't run away when you get back! This young lady is treating, please relax! Massage, spa, and delicious food are all you can eat! You must wash away all the bad luck of today!" The luxurious scenery in the picture contrasts sharply with the desolation and ruin outside the car.

Lei Lie: "Great! But Miss Su, could I go to the 'War God Workshop' before we eat? My shoulder armor is shattered, and my battle axe is dulled! Damn it, I've had such bad luck this time, I almost lost my life!"

Mu Chenbin: "Let's go! My greatsword also needs major repairs; this battle was too intense. @Lei Lie, that 'Berserk Power' Tier 2 super armor you had your eye on, we should get it this time. It'll be safer if we encounter something like this again."

Lei Lie: "That's what I thought too! I'll go back and ask my mom for an advance on my allowance; my life is more important! By the way, Binbin, what do you think about me getting a Tier 3 Superpower Battle Axe? If I had one of those, I could have cleaved those demon wolves' heads in two with one swing!"