The outer perimeter of the Sahara Labyrinth.
When Lu Jun heard the words from the skinny youth of the South African National Institute team, his eyes grew indifferent, while Mo Fan, Zhao Manyan, Jiang Shaoxu, and the others all looked grim.
Whether they received commission or not, the fact remained—they had come to save lives. To treat their benefactors this way was far too infuriating.
Respect was supposed to be mutual. Mo Fan was never one to hold back, regardless of whether or not the other was a mission target. He lashed out in fury, cursing aloud: "You uncivilized primitive, what the hell are you babbling about?!"
Whenever Mo Fan spat venom, he always struck straight at the sore spot.
Hearing this, the rest of the Chinese team felt secretly satisfied. Having a straightforward friend like him as the perfect mouthpiece was nothing short of delightful.
The South African team immediately grew furious. The skinny youth jumped up, hopping in anger as he retorted, "You bunch of East Asian monkeys, you came here to save us? You can't even save yourselves!"
"Heh." Mo Fan shot back, "If you've got the guts, then get lost. Don't leech off us."
The skinny youth sneered, "Then let's part ways. I'll stay right here. You lot can go however you please."
Hearing this, Jiang Shaoxu grew anxious. She thought this member of the South African National Institute was way too cunning. Who didn't know that the best self-rescue method when lost in the Sahara Desert was to remain in place?
Originally, the South African National Institute team had lost their bearings, but they had managed to reorient themselves only through the Chinese team's dragon formation. They had re-established their position and were now merely one kilometer from the exit—their chances of survival had greatly increased. Yet now he had the gall to deny their contribution?
At this moment, Lu Jun stepped forward, suddenly asking, "Your meaning is that you want to stay right here?"
"Of course…" the skinny youth said smugly, "Wait a few hours, and the real rescue squad from the Cape of Good Hope Magic Association will arrive. Why would we need you?"
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
The instant he finished speaking, Lu Jun directly attacked. His eyes flickered with black-red brilliance, and behind the youth appeared a towering ghostly white shadow like a small mountain. It reached out, grabbing the short youth straight into the air.
"What are you doing?!"
Suspended in midair, the skinny youth struggled desperately, his face filled with terror as the White Earth Ghost Fiend completely suppressed his magic, leaving him helpless.
"Hey, hey." The South African team captain, the burly man, was startled and hurriedly called out, "Everyone, don't be impulsive, let's talk this through."
Yet though they looked as if they wanted to help the skinny youth, their bodies did not budge. None of them made a move to intervene.
Some members even coldly watched from the sidelines, sneering mockingly, "Doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Thought he had backing back home and could act arrogant, but now he's run into a wall, hasn't he?"
Just like the Chinese team, the South African National Institute was riddled with factions and internal strife.
Lu Jun paid no mind to these young people. Even if the entire South African team attacked together, they would still not be his match.
He stared coldly at the skinny youth and said, "If I can save you, I can also abandon you. After all, the Cape of Good Hope Magic Association only asked us to attempt to rescue your National Institute team. As for how many we save, they don't care. Losing one or two people makes no difference."
Crack, crack. As Lu Jun spoke, the white-clothed female ghost's beautiful eyes unleashed a soul-snaring light. Ashen brilliance spread upward from the skinny youth's legs, petrifying both limbs. Then the Ghost Fiend casually hurled him to the ground.
But it did not end there. The Night Thunder Dream Beast bestowed upon him a Shadow Domain Seal. A pitch-black canopy shrouded a hundred-meter radius, as countless Dark God Swords descended, embedding themselves around him, interweaving into a binding magic array that pinned him firmly in place.
Lu Jun said indifferently, "I won't kill you. But since you want to stay here, then stay forever. Let's see if your luck allows you to survive."
Finally, he turned to Mo Fan, Mu Ningxue, and the others, saying, "Let's go."
Everyone present swallowed hard. Truly ruthless. Mo Fan at most would only curse someone out, but Lu Jun was a man of few words, striking decisively on the spot.
When dealing with a big talker, the best response was raw reality.
Jiang Shaoxu, seeing Lu Jun about to leave, hurriedly stopped him: "We can't! In the Sahara Labyrinth, we mustn't move about recklessly."
Lu Jun replied calmly, "It's fine. My Summoned Beast and I share a spiritual bond. I can anchor her location across space. I'll definitely be able to lead you out safely."
Hearing this, the skinny youth's eyes, once full of resentment, turned into deep regret.
He wanted to curse aloud: Damn it, why didn't you say that earlier?! If I had known there was a guaranteed way out, who would want to stay here, waiting in vain for a rescue that might never come?!
The others, however, lit up with joy and eagerly followed close behind.
Suddenly, Lu Jun paused, then without turning his head, said, "Too many. That Sandstorm Wraith, no surprise, has locked onto us humans. It will be here soon. Good luck."
The Skinny youth's eyes widened, struggling frantically, but no matter what he did, he couldn't break free. He could only cry out hoarsely, "I'm sorry, I was wrong! Please, I beg you, take me with you!"
The members of the South African National Team exchanged glances, a chill rising in their hearts, yet none dared to speak for him.
Lu Jun couldn't be bothered to respond. He summoned the two great Yin-Yang Ghostfiends, and a cyan-black gale formed into a massive Wind Boat. The desert ground rolled, lifting waves of sand that surged forward, propelling the Wind Boat ahead.
It looked like a colossal ship setting sail upon the golden sea of sand, carrying everyone swiftly toward the edge of the labyrinth.
Rumble!
In that instant, everyone's eyes blurred, then their vision suddenly cleared. The hazy uncertainty vanished. They had rushed out of the Sahara Maze. The cyan-black Wind Boat shattered apart, dispersing into countless threads of airflow.
They looked up and saw the horizon of blue sky and white clouds, along with the distant shores of the Mediterranean.
Ring! At the barren edge of the desert, the mermaid girl and Nan Jue stood side by side. When she saw her master emerge, she let out a delighted hum.
At the same time, Nan Jue nervously asked, "Sorry, this one's on me. Are you all alright?"
"We're fine." Mo Fan, seeing they had escaped the labyrinth, felt the heavy stone in his heart fall away, and with relief said, "We didn't encounter much danger. This time, it wasn't your fault."
"The South African National Team managed to rescue a few people. The Cape of Good Hope Magic Association's mission was smoothly completed."
The seven members of the Chinese team present exchanged knowing smiles, thrilled beyond words. This was a massive gain. Those like Guan Yu who had split off earlier were sure to be jealous and resentful.
The nearby South African youths, completely exhausted, finally escaped that damned hell and nearly burst into tears.
The captain at the front composed himself, then hesitantly stepped forward and said to Lu Jun, "Thank you for your help. Although my teammate spoke rudely to you, we will remember this favor. If you ever need me, I will do everything I can."
"And… I will also make sure my teammates keep this matter a secret."
Lu Jun waved his hand and said calmly, "Just business."
Then he continued, "We still aren't out of danger. The Sandstorm Wraith will very likely catch up. We need to leave here and head toward the Mediterranean."
A few people thought Lu Jun was overreacting, but none dared disobey.
The group ran frantically across the wasteland, retreating toward the Mediterranean coast.
Not long after, during their flight, they turned back for a glance and saw a terrifying scene.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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