My Cell Prison-Chapter 1235 - 1234: Mountain Climbing

Since it was confirmed that "Under Moon City" was akin to a mountain-climbing base camp, the task ahead seemed much easier to handle.

Despite thorough inquiries, they were unable to obtain any useful information.

Any information regarding mountain climbing simply no longer existed because... any monsters that failed in their climb and returned to the base of the mountain had forgotten most of their climbing experience.

It was to be expected.

Climbers, no matter how often they attempted the ascent, couldn’t accumulate any relevant experience.

As for those monsters that successfully reached higher elevations and gained something from the journey, they all left Under Moon City one after another, unwilling to make a second climb, and equally unwilling to share anything related to the experience.

"Mr. Han, should we purchase some mountain-climbing equipment?"

"There’s no need, those things aren’t very useful. The factors that can hinder a Great Demon from climbing are naturally extraordinary... The only thing we need to bring is a Corpse. While collecting corpses, let’s try not to draw too much attention. We’ll meet here in an hour."

"Yes."

Corpses were necessary.

The blood and "Corpse oil" of animals were two types of sustenance for zombies, with the latter providing better effects, replenishing their energy, and even healing their wounds.

Through a series of tests, it was found that "Corpse oil" extracted from the bodies of monsters was just as valuable.

Han Dong felt no interest in the chaotic, rule-less structure and differentiation of Demon City... He had no intention of wandering aimlessly, so he discreetly approached one of his teammates while they split up, borrowing a bit of time for a candid conversation.

"Miss Chen, do you have a moment?"

"Mm."

Chen Xinying had become more reticent ever since the Corpse Bug in her head was removed.

The two of them moved to a deserted alleyway.

Snap!

Han Dong straightened his arm and pinned her against the corner of the wall... exerting a sense of physical oppression.

"If my plan goes smoothly, we should be able to get enough bargaining chips to exchange for freedom from the rulers of Corpse Country, allowing us to safely return to Black Tower."

"Mm... I believe you," Chen Xinying said indifferently.

"Then, could Miss Chen please inform me of your true ’Nature’?

I’ll just be frank with you, I’m in charge of everything for the time being, and to some extent, I still don’t fully trust you... Compared to the easily ’enslaved’ local residents, Miss Chen, you pose a significant variable to me."

"Do you really want to see it?"

"Mm, please let me have a look."

Although such a conversation sounded strange, it was necessary for Han Dong.

Snap!

A Talisman Paper was pasted onto her forehead.

Chen Xinying’s eyes immediately turned dull and lifeless.

An odd substance began to appear on the surface of her body, slowly detaching from her flesh.

One by one, the threads connected to the flesh snapped, incredibly sticky... Such ’stickiness’ caught Han Dong’s attention.

It could have stemmed from Chen Xinying’s prolonged use of this body, her essence having rooted within.

Or it might have been a manifestation of strong attachment, making it difficult for any body she inhabited to separate from her.

Gradually.

Chen Xinying’s true form separated, manifesting as a ≮Humanoid Form of grey-black substance≯.

It resembled both an Ethereal and a physical entity, with parts of its body flickering with irregular ’tremors’ as if affected by electromagnetic interference... On the whole, it greatly resembled a typical Ghost.

With only a mouth-like structure on its face.

At present, it was opening and closing its mouth, and its voice, like a radio wave, transmitted in fits and starts to Han Dong’s brain:

"If... if I use this world’s language. I am a being known as Wutan [Wuu’tacyn], we...are a hyper-real entity, able to switch freely between physical and Ethereal states. I’ll tell you my real name when we return to Black Tower."

With that.

Chen Xinying’s palm, made of dust particles, stretched out towards Han Dong.

Though there was a clear sensation of a palm pressing against his chest, her hand passed through his body like Ethereal particles.

In the previous battle with the pursuers from the Ministry of War, Han Dong had used such means to snatch away "hearts."

However... there were still some problems.

But Han Dong didn’t continue to ask, indicating that he had received a satisfactory answer and at the same time, apologized,

"Really sorry.

After all, this is an Uncontrolled World that Black Tower can barely manage anymore, I must fully understand the true nature of my teammates."

Chen Xinying’s true body also slowly adhered back to her Body like dust, returning to her normal state, and whispered, "I understand... By the way, what about Mr. Han’s true nature?"

"Me? Just like the reanimated bodies in Corpse Country before their death, I belong to the most basic form of life that exists in all sorts of worlds - humanity."

Chen Xinying looked at Han Dong with a skeptical Eye and did not ask further.

Han Dong then revealed a cheerful smile, gestured towards the direction of the main street with his Fingers, "Let’s hurry and find some corpses. Hopefully, this trip to Moon God Mountain will bear fruit."

...

An hour passed.

When everyone gathered, they were all dragging linen pouches of various sizes.

In Corpse Country, such a scene would have inevitably drawn the attention of the Ministry of Punishment agents pretty quickly.

But in the Demon Region, it was more than normal.

"Let’s set off."

During the initial mountain-climbing phase, they encountered many otherworldly creatures attempting the same, most of them not aiming for Moon God Mountain’s ’marvels’; they were looking for an adventure.

They aspired to find a cave covered in magical symbols at high altitudes, hoping that after a night of meditation, they would transform into a Great Demon.

With no experience to pass down, breaking through on their own was just too difficult.

At first, there didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary, it was like the usual trekking... But upon reaching the first area of white forest, abnormalities began to emerge.

Many lower-level creatures, no matter how well-prepared they were,

turned their eyes white as soon as they stepped into the forest.

They walked like the living dead in the opposite direction, towards the foot of the mountain.

Han Dong, on the other hand, smiled, picked a white flower from the ground... for a moment, Han Dong’s pupils also showed a hint of white, but it was quickly suppressed.

"Hallucinogenic Pollen, huh? Even without breathing, it can permeate through the skin. If this sort of spiritual influence is all we encounter on the way, then it’ll be much easier."

Reminded by Han Dong.

Chen Xinying immediately drew a large number of Clear Heart Talismans and distributed them to her teammates, except for Han Dong.

Thus, as they passed through each white forest, a set of climbers would be cleaned out.

The Danger gradually became apparent; some of the disoriented did not obediently go downhill but turned to attack other climbers.

However, for people like Han Dong, it was actually a blessing, as they could legimately collect even more bodies.

"Swish!"

A disoriented creature that attacked Han Dong was fully Devoured by the Bloodhound without even a chance to resist.

"Great... Great Demon!"

The nearby climbers quickly distanced themselves, fearing they might be killed by the creature if they became disoriented.

Unknowingly, they had ascended a kilometer.

Feng Kui, who looked like a wild boar, was eyeing the clouds not far above with disdain,

"Moon God Mountain isn’t as formidable as it’s made out to be; we’re about to cross the cloud layer so quickly... It’s just a dangerous mountain with Illusion techniques. During the years of special training at the Ministry of War, [Secret Department] masters also trained us against Illusion techniques, it’s not a big deal."

However, as they continued upwards, engulfed in the mountain road shrouded by clouds.

In a blink of an eye, only Feng Kui was left alone.

"Where is everyone? Mr. Han!"

No matter how loudly Feng Kui shouted, there was no response

But this was not an isolated case, it happened to everyone.

All individuals who passed through the cloud layer, regardless of whether they were in a team or not, found themselves ’isolated.’

Han Dong tried to contact the doctor he had previously mentally bound in advance, but still got no response... This feeling of isolation made Han Dong reveal a nearly mad smile.

"That’s more like it."