391 Red Leopard

It was probably also because of such ordinariness that Lin Li did not pay him much attention right from the beginning.

But now, it was definitely different. How could Lin Li not figure out the truth behind this middle-aged mage when Lin Li knew that he was the key role of the plan?

"Eh…?" Who knew that this glance would immediately cause Lin Li to be rather shocked. This middle-aged man was indeed somewhat weird. He had actually concealed his power like Lin Li!

Furthermore, his method of concealing his power was rather brilliant. Even with Lin Li's powerful mental strength, he had thought that he was genuinely a level-10 mage at the beginning. If it was any other person, they would not know how this level-10 mage had transformed and changed into a genuine Archmage even when they were dead.

Luckily, Lin Li had asked Reggie…

"Ok, it's fine now. Leave first." Lin Li waved his hand, signaling to Reggie that he could leave. But before he left, Lin Li again reminded, "If you don't want to stir trouble, it's best that you pretend that nothing happened."

Reggie nodded. "Ok, I know what to do."

After seeing Reggie leave, Lin Li again glanced at that middle-aged mage from afar.

Lin Li had to admit that this middle-aged mage had concealed his power ingeniously. Even with his immense mental strength, Lin Li had to probe very cautiously before he could determine his true strength. If Lin Li was not mistaken, this middle-aged mage's strength was similar to that of Emendas, or it might be even more powerful. This also meant that he was at least an Archmage at the peak of level-17…

Even Lin Li could not help but feel afraid when he thought about it. A level-17 Archmage that had sedulously disguised himself was too dangerous. When he tore off his disguise and suddenly released a lethal strike, even a Legendary-mage would be shocked and covered with cold sweat.

Luckily, Lin Li discovered him early…

Things were much easier now. The enemy's disguise had been torn apart, and his own disguise was still perfect. As long as Lin Li was willing, he could take him out anytime. A high-ranking Vampire, an ex-Lich, and a level-18 Archmage. When these three come together, even a mutant Crimson Python could be killed, what more an Archmage that was merely at the peak of level-17…

Of course, Lin Li was in no hurry to make his move.

As long as he continued disguising himself, he would have a chance at any given time or location. There was no need to hurry. Even if he really wanted to take out this middle-aged mage, he would have to wait till he reached his destination tomorrow. However, he really wanted to know what were those six strange magical crystals actually used for…

"These six magical crystals are troublesome. Just a single mistake carries the danger of mana loss. I need to think of a way…" While Lin Li was rubbing his nose and thinking of a solution, an intense magical wave was suddenly released from his pocket.

"It's Gavin's gang…" Lin Li hurriedly took out a crystal ball the size of a fist. The crystal ball was made as a copy based on the one at the Emerald Tower's Hall. It could also be linked to a fixed Warlock's Eyes; it was just that it could not be sustained for long. Usually, three minutes was the limit. When it went past three minutes, the crystal ball would no longer be able to tolerate the surge of mana, and would self-destruct.

After considering that the trip to the Blackstone Mountains this time would be dangerous, Lin Li took two more at the same time—one for Gavin and one for himself. In this way, both parties would be able to communicate momentarily with each other if they were to encounter danger.

"Gavin, what happened?"

"It's like this, President Felic…" Following this familiar voice, Gavin's face that grew a large beard also appeared in the crystal ball. Probably due to enduring the hardships of an arduous journey, the bearded Gavin looked rather untidy. His hair and beard were in a mess, making him look more like an adventurer than a mage.

Thankfully, Gavin's complexion was rather calm. It did not seem like he had encountered any danger. "Just now, a Bandit called Weathor came looking for me. He said he had something very important that he must tell you."

"Weathor?" Lin Li was stunned immediately. He did remember Weathor. Back then at Syer Town's ruins, the one that almost got crippled by his Cloud Storm was precisely Weathor. But, wasn't this guy always at Jason's side? Why would he suddenly look for Lin Li?

"Weathor, tell President Felic yourself, but you'd better hurry—this crystal ball can only sustain the connection for another two minutes."

Gavin's voice had just fallen, and he was already pushed to the side. In his place appeared a face that was incomparably wretched. "Mage Felic, it's like this. Jason asked me to tell you that you must be careful of that level-10 mage called Adera. He is now part of the advance party, but he is probably using another name. According to Jason, this guy is actually a level-17 Archmage. He is shouldering a very important mission as he follows you to the Scar of Death this time. After he has completed his mission, he will definitely take action against you."

"Ok, understood." Lin Li nodded his head; he did not look surprised. For him, this was just verification of what he had already guessed. "Weathor, thank you for telling me all of this. When you return, help me thank Jason for his trouble as well. When I return to Doland, I will definitely thank him properly."

"You're welcome. It's our honor to be of service to you…"

After chatting with Weathor for a bit, Lin Li called Gavin over again.

"Gavin, I have a map. Hurry and copy it down. After that, follow the marks on the map and hurry to the area near the Scar of Death before night falls today," Lin Li said as he took out the map from his pocket. Through the Warlock's Eyes that was linked to the crystal ball, he sent over the route on the map. "After entering the Scar of Death, I will leave a mark. You just have to follow the mark, and you shouldn't come across any danger."

"Sure, President Felic."

The advance party was moving very quickly. In less than half an hour, they had already reached the border of the forest. Lin Li knew that it was not too far from the Scar of Death. After exiting the forest, there would only be an hour's journey left.

After Lin Li had made all of the arrangements, he turned into a level-10 mage and followed Johnathan the entire time. Those that were clueless would mostly think that this young mage was hoping that Johnathan would protect him, but those that understood the exact details about him would understand that Johnathan would not meet with any danger when those two walked together…

"Honestly speaking, Brother Felic… Sometimes, I really don't understand what you are thinking about. The advance party is so dangerous that others would run immediately, but you, you actually courageously rushed over. You're still so young, aren't you afraid of dying at all?" While walking, the two of them just casually chatted away.

"Haha, this is the Blackstone Mountains, how would it have any safe place. Is the base safe? There might be a powerful magical beast coming anytime, and those fellas hiding at the base would be out of luck— watch out!"

Before Lin Li could finish speaking, there was a gust of wind coming from behind. Luckily, Lin Li reacted fast enough. When the sound of the wind had just sounded, Lin Li had already raised his hand and pushed Johnathan forcefully away. After that, he cast Spell of Frost, and a brilliant and transparent ice wall was erected with a "boom".

Everything had happened too quickly. Even with Lin Li's reaction, he could only release a Spell of Frost.

After that, a bright red shadow flashed by. It was like a red thunderbolt as it struck the ice wall. In an instant, a loud "boom" could be heard.

After that, a "swish, swish" was ringing endlessly in their ears. There were countless cracks on the thick ice wall. They were just like a flower that had bloomed, covering the whole ice wall instantaneously.

"F*ck, it's the Red Leopard…" Lin Li took a look while turning his body to retreat. On the other side of the ice wall, there was a crimson beast that was letting out low and angry roars. The strike that cracked the ice wall just now had caused it to sustain significant damage, and fresh blood was dripping down from the wound on its forehead. Its two eyes revealed a menacing light, and narrowed as the crack in the ice wall grew bigger…

After that, there was a loud crashing sound. Ice flakes filled the air, fluttering around; the thick ice wall had been shattered by the Red Leopard's first strike.

"This fella is really ferocious…" However, this was no longer important for Lin Li. It was because when the ice wall was blocking the Red Leopard, he had already used the chance to retreat more than ten meters with Johnathan. Even if the Red Leopard were to attack again, Lin Li would have sufficient time to react.

"Fel… Brother Felic. What is this monster?" That attack just now had totally scared Johnathan. If it were not because this young mage had pushed him away, his neck would most probably have been broken.

"It seems like it's the Red Leopard, a level-17 magical beast…" Lin Li managed to find time to answer Johnathan while reciting his incantations silently.

At this time, four level-15 Bandits and two Warriors were all scouting in the forest. Other than Lin Li's group of four, there were only Johnathan and Adelo left. Johnathan was only a level-14 Warrior, and Adelo was definitely not willing to show his power. In order to block the attacks of the Red Leopard, Lin Li could only make moves in the dark.

Thus, Lin Li prepared a level-15 Dark Flames. At least on the surface, it was very similar to the level-eight Flaming Storm. If this Adelo's judgment were to be slightly bad, he might not be able to tell the difference between the two.

Of course, this was the last resort. Lin Li would not take this risk until the final juncture…

Luckily, those two Warriors that were originally in front of the force rushed back on time. Currently, they were facing away from Lin Li, and whispered something to Adelo. The two Warriors then took out their weapons and charged ahead toward the Red Leopard that was leaping forward through the shattered ice after Adelo shook his head.

Everything happened inconspicuously to the side. The two Warriors had proper limits for their actions—they did not attract any attention from others. Even if somebody had seen it, they would most likely think that this was just basic concern shown between companions.

However, Lin Li knew that it was not the case…

It was because Lin Li had already cast Whisperwind Spell when the two Warriors had returned, and the conversation between the three of them was heard clearly by Lin Li.

Lin Li remembered that what those two Warriors asked was: "Master Adelo, are you alright?"

In response, Adelo shook his head, and said, "I'm fine. The two of you, hurry and slay this Red Leopard. It most likely came from the Scar of Death."

Seems like this Adelo knows quite a lot… Lin Li slowly dissipated the mana he had gathered. He became even more curious about the status of that Adelo. There was at least one thing that Lin Li could confirm—it was that this Adelo did not have the same status as Emendas. He was very likely a core member of the Malfa Family, the type that could be involved in the deepest secrets…

Lin Li even felt that this Adelo was very likely related to the Legendary-mage of the Malfa Family…

If that was the case, then it would be very interesting to enter the Scar of Death this time…

At the same time, when Lin Li was dissipating his mana, one of the Warriors wielding a machete charged towards the Red Leopard with a raging Combat Energy. Amidst the low and furious roars, glints of the blade flashed by. In an instant, both the man and beast were clashing with each other.

He really is a level-17 warrior… Once he saw that raging Combat Energy, Lin Li knew that he'd made the right guess. As expected, these two Warriors that seemed like they did not know each other were Adelo's true bodyguards. Reggie's group of four might be very famous amongst the adventurers, but their strength was only at level-15. Furthermore, they were Bandits that were not good at face-to-face combat. Relying on them to barge into the Scar of Death was not practical. It was these two Warriors that seemed to be strangers that were the ones sent by the Malfa Family to protect Adelo.

"Move aside. You two pieces of trash, stop being a drag!" Just when Lin Li was staring blankly, another Warrior that was wielding a double-edged greatsword rushed over with his Combat Energy as well. It was just that this fella was more hot-tempered compared to his reserved companion. When he moved past Lin Li and Johnathan, he most likely felt that the two of them did not contribute much, so he even used a tone that had a mixture of contempt and disdain to scold them…

"…" Lin Li rubbed his nose, and obediently pulled Johnathan, moving back a few steps. There was no choice—you couldn't possibly bite back if a dog bit you, right?

"Mage Felic, are you alright?" It was at this time that Reggie and the rest returned. When they saw what happened, Reggie was so frightened that his hair stood on its ends.

Of course, what scared him was not that Red Leopard…

Although that level-17 Red Leopard was powerful, if four level-15 and above Bandits were to team up, killing it was not difficult. What frightened Reggie was what that Warrior had said.

"F*ck, this fella really has some guts…"