Philip Waldo

"Philip Waldo?"

Teresa paused slightly, recognizing the youth in front of her with an eerie face, draped in a blood-red robe.

He was one of the progeny of Regan Waldo, the leader of Base 157.

Among Regan Waldo's descendants, Philip wasn't particularly known for his talent, but he had still reached level 40 at a young age, advancing to the C-class profession of Jungle Ranger.

Teresa had once undertaken pioneering missions with him.

However, what puzzled the female player was that Philip's usual attire was not as it appeared now, but rather a suit of dark green leather armor.

Yet, in the few seconds of her confusion, a change had already occurred.

Outside, Miste and the others noticed that the crystal ball had gone dark.

"What's happening? Teresa wouldn't refuse divination, would she?"

"What did she see at the end? Her expression changed right before the divination was blocked??"

"Nothing bad should happen, right? After all, a level 59 professional should be more than capable of handling themselves in the instance."

The gathered players couldn't help but frown, though they weren't particularly anxious.

A level 59 professional, even when facing the strongest unit in the Starfall Wilderness—a level 20 boss—should be able to fight! The level gap was too significant.

Theoretically, Teresa shouldn't be in any danger.

Only Miste's frown deepened, feeling that this pioneering mission was plagued with issues for some reason.

From the beginning, with the higher-ups' strange attitude, to the absurd difficulty of the instance that led to the players' rampant deaths.

Even Teresa, at level 59, had encountered a strange event upon entering the instance...

Miste could only pray that the genius player and Teresa would return safely.

If the former were to fall within the instance, the loss from this pioneering mission would be immense!

And if something happened to the latter, it would be disastrous!

Miste wasn't fully aware of Teresa's identity. He only knew she was the only daughter of a significant figure, reputedly very talented, having reached level 59 in just over a year. Her visit to the Val Administrative Zone was merely for experience.

If something happened to her, Miste's loss wouldn't just be a future genius player. It would be catastrophic!

Unfortunately...

Inside the instance, events did not unfold as the leader hoped.

"Philip, how did you enter the instance?" Teresa asked with caution, especially wary of acquaintances under such peculiar circumstances.

She remembered how Philip had once pursued her relentlessly at Base 157. Encountering him here in the instance, if he were to entangle her again, would be troublesome.

Moreover, the youth, who once had a gentle demeanor, now had madness flickering in his eyes.

"Teresa!"

 "Wonderful! wonderful!"

"Although the limit of pet eggs can't be raised any further."

"But the life force of another level 59 player might allow me to complete the cultivation of the Star Egg ahead of schedule!" The youth's eerie face lit up with fervor and delight.

This person was the Blood God Priest of level 50, previously discovered by Sterl in the instance.

He was madly slaughtering other players to collect pet eggs, all the while extremely anxious.

Philip was worried about another member of the Blood God Cult sneaking into the instance, potentially spoiling his plans.

But now, he found himself confronted with an old acquaintance, a level 59 player!

Killing her could significantly accelerate the life force collection progress for the Star Egg, potentially allowing him to obtain an A-class pet egg ahead of schedule. Then, by using a special item to escape, it wouldn't matter what the other cult member lurking in the instance thought. They couldn't interfere with his plans anymore.

If the youth knew that Teresa was even considering the problem of him bothering her again, he would probably just scoff.

Just a woman!

A year ago, at the base, Philip had seen Teresa's face beneath her veil by chance and was struck by her beauty, leading him to pursue her madly.

But now, even if this female player's beauty were doubled, Philip wouldn't care. What allure could compare to an A-class pet egg?

"You..." Although Teresa was on her guard, her vigilance slightly dropped in the face of her once fervent pursuer.

However, she regretted it the next second.

Philip smiled faintly, "I never thought I'd see you here..." His tone was warm, as if he was excited to see an old friend, even mixing in a bit of the excitement a lovestruck fool shows when seeing their goddess.

But in the next second.

Whoosh!

A cold look flashed in the youth's eyes, and with a flick of his finger, a blood-colored blade of light surged from his sleeve, eventually forming a blood-colored net that covered a hundred meters around them!

Each part of the net gleamed coldly. The spectacle immense.

 "Blood God Cult??" Teresa's voice was surprised. This infamous church was well-known throughout the Divine Mountain Empire.

But at this moment, the female player had no time to ponder when Philip had joined the cult.

Instead, she counterattacked!

Teresa was quite confident in her strength. She was an A-level talent holder! Ordinary players of the same level were no match for her.

[Thunder Command (A-level)]: When releasing any thunder attribute skills, the power is increased by 70%.

The effect was simple and crude, but it didn't diminish its incredible power!

Then Teresa summoned her power—

[Surging Thunder Snakes], a green-quality skill!

Under Teresa's command, streaks of lightning charged towards the blood-colored net, the disgusting smell of blood mixed with the scent of burning. Silver light burst forth, nearly all of the blood-colored blades in the sky shattered!

For a moment, within the forest where the two battled, a blood-red shield could be seen covering the area, directly draining the blood from numerous wild monsters, killing them instantly.

Meanwhile, on the surface of the blood-colored shield, electricity gathered bit by bit, constantly flashing until finally!

Whoosh!

It burst through!

Teresa smiled.

But before she could speak, the next second, a blood-red pillar of light shot out from the youth's hand.

It pierced through the once valiant female player.

It was an attack from the Blood God Cult, utilizing the power of blood from the offerings to the Blood Duke—using the force of blood for an assault!

"How is this possible!!" Teresa fell to her knees, coughing up blood. She had been heavily injured by a careless move.

What was more terrifying was that a strange power of blood was circulating within her, causing Teresa's injuries to worsen continuously, leaving her powerless to resist.

And Philip's face twisted, "Damn! Bitch!"

"Why resist? Why not just let me kill you peacefully! Do you have any idea how long it took me to gather those 50 forces of blood?" 

"You wretch!!" 

Then, he showed a deranged yet gentle smile: "It's okay, there's still time. I can enjoy myself a bit before I kill you." 

"Don't be afraid, we'll both have a great time." 

The young man's twisted demeanor terrified Teresa, draining her of any will to fight.

She remembered rumors she had heard before, that those who joined the Blood God Cult would eventually go mad!

Philip, it seemed, had gone thoroughly insane.

Teresa thought about pulling out an escape scroll. But seeing the young man approaching her in his madness, she decided against it for the moment. She knew that using the escape scroll required at least five seconds, and she would surely be interrupted if she tried now. 

"Damn it!" Teresa took a crystal from her backpack and threw it on the ground with all her might.

Boom!! 

Intense flames burst forth, engulfing dozens of square meters around her in pure molten fire! 

The young man's face changed dramatically, and he quickly summoned the power of blood again to call forth a shield. 

Seeing this, Teresa didn't hesitate and turned to run. 

She had used a life-saving item given by her family, but Teresa knew that members of the Blood God Cult weren't so easily killed. 

She had to escape quickly! 

Indeed! Just as Teresa had made some distance, an angry roar came from within the flames. 

Then, the young man, wrapped in a blood-red light shield, chased after her at an incredible speed. 

"You're dead!" 

"I will torture you in the most brutal way!" 

"To think you used up 100 of my blood forces."

"I spent so much effort accumulating resources across numerous bases, and you, bitch, used them all up!" 

Philip Waldo ranted, his eyes growing more frenzied. 

Teresa showed a look of resignation. 

Indeed, she wouldn't have had enough time to use the escape scroll directly! 

… 

Meanwhile, in the instance, inside a stalactite cave. 

Sterl slowly opened his eyes, the visions of stars all around him gradually being absorbed into his body.