Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 20 The Injured Shandong University

Yang Chen led Xu Tong through the stone-paved road of Dragon Bone Village toward Belenkov's forge. Along the way, Xu Tong would occasionally touch his backside, looking resentful.

"Old Xia's extraction method is too crude," Xu Tong muttered.

"Sigh," Xu Tong sighed, "Shandong University is clearly more suitable for someone with my potential."

"Given his physique, he's definitely got enough."

Along the way, Yang Chen listened to Xu Tong's nagging behind him, occasionally responding with a few words.

The two arrived at Belenkov's forge. Before even entering, they could hear the clanging and hammering sounds coming from inside. Pushing open the door, a wave of heat hit them. Belenkov was wielding a hammer, striking a piece of red-hot metal.

Belenkov's daughter, who was already so beautiful at such a young age, was standing beside him, watching him swing the hammer.

"Boss Yang, you've arrived." Without even looking up, Bielenkov continued working. "Kolova, give the things to Xu Tong."

Kolova walked to the wooden table in the corner, where a half-mask and a storage jar connected to it were neatly arranged. The mask was entirely white with light blue patterns engraved on it, looking both practical and beautiful.

She tiptoed, took the equipment off the table, held it to her chest, and ran towards Yang Chen.

"Give."

Yang Chen stepped forward, bent down to take the equipment, and then handed it to Xu Tong.

“This mask increases air intake, and the storage tank can collect any excess odor mist.” Belenkov put down the hammer, wiped his brow, and said, “Try it out to see if it fits.”

Xu Tong picked up the mask and put it on. The mask fit his face perfectly, allowing him to breathe without any obstruction.

"Not bad, very comfortable." Xu Tong's voice came through the mask, sounding somewhat muffled.

Belenkov nodded: "That's good. Remember, don't pump when the tank is full, don't push it."

"Understood." Xu Tong took off the mask and hung it on his waist.

Yang Chen patted Xu Tong on the shoulder: "Let's go find Shandong University."

The two left the forging room and headed towards the supply station, where Shandong University was helping to move supplies.

Field missions reward you with crystals, but when there are no missions, you can help out in the surrounding area, which can be considered a part-time job.

"Shan Da!" Xu Tong called from afar, "Stop moving things, it's time to get to work!"

Shandong University put down the supplies, panting, and looked at the two men: "What kind of work?"

"Old Xia said he'd ask you to go on a field mission." Xu Tong patted the small bag at his waist, which contained the antidote pills Xia Tian had given him earlier. "I also brought you some snacks."

Shan Da's eyes lit up, and he strode over: "Old Xia finally remembered me?"

"But you'll bring me snacks too? What good stuff is it? Let me try some."

Shan Da reached out his hand to Xu Tong, wanting to see what delicious food it was.

But Xu Tong flatly refused: "I'll give you some more on the way."

What if I give you food now and you chase after me and beat me up later?
"So mysterious, what are we going to do?"

“Let’s go outside and test Xu Tong’s potential,” Yang Chen explained, “to see if he can absorb scarlet pigment and olfactory mist.”

"Oh, I see." Shandong dusted himself off. "Alright, let's go then."

The three arrived at the village entrance and randomly chose a car parked there. Shan Da skillfully jumped into the driver's seat, Yang Chen sat in the passenger seat, and Xu Tong sat in the back.

"Hold on tight," Yang Chen reminded him.

A flash of blue light appeared, and the power of the rabbit talisman instantly enveloped the entire vehicle. The engine roared, and the SUV shot off like an arrow, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Holy crap!" Shandong gripped the steering wheel, startled. "That speed!"

He had only ever ridden in cars before; this was the first time he had ever driven one at such a high speed.

Xu Tong gripped the chair tightly, his face pale: "Mr. Yang, could you please give me a heads-up next time?"

Half an hour later, the SUV stopped on a desolate plain. Inside a building in the distance, several Mana flowers emitted an eerie red glow, and a faint scarlet mist permeated the surroundings.

"This is fine, I'll go with you," Yang Chen said, pointing ahead to Xu Tong. "Wait!" Xu Tong nodded, then suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled a small box from his bag, handing it to Shan Da. "Here, this is some snacks Old Xia gave you."

I meant for him to eat on the way, but the car was going too fast and he couldn't get it out.

"Old Xia gave it to me? Why didn't you let Xia Hua bring it to me? Why did you have to come?" Shan Da said as he took the box, poured out a handful of dark green pills, and threw them into his mouth without thinking.

"Candy? Old Xia is so stingy, only giving me these few?" Shan Da chewed a couple of times, then his expression suddenly froze.

Xu Tong suppressed a laugh and asked, "How does it taste? Is it delicious?"

Shandong frowned, his expression contorted: "It's a bit sour, but it also seems to have a slightly foul smell."

"What is this?"

Xu Tong didn't say anything, but turned his back to Shan Da and patted his own butt.

"What do you mean?"

Xu Tong turned around: "My ass."

"Actually, it's not just farts; this detox pill is made from the bacteria in my gut."

Shan Da was stunned, then spat out his saliva, but unfortunately he had already chewed it up and swallowed it.

"Hey, hey, what do you mean? This is a good thing, it can detoxify."

He grabbed Xu Tong by the neck and shook him violently: "But you said it was a snack before."

"I'm just worried you won't eat it," Xu Tong said, patting Shan Da's arm. "I'm doing this for your own good."

Yang Chen stepped in at the opportune moment: "Alright, stop fooling around. Shan Da, this medicine really can detoxify."

After the farce, the three finally began the formal test. Xu Tong put on a mask and cautiously approached the Mana Flower. As the distance decreased, the crimson mist grew thicker.

Scarlet pigment is scarce in the village; it is only found in a few spines used to teach children.

Therefore, it is unknown what the upper limit of what Xu Tong can withstand is.

Shan Da sniffed, inhaling a small portion of the olfactory mist. Feeling that his body seemed to have no other reaction, he realized that the antidote pill was indeed effective.

Scarlet pigment can affect brain nerves, causing mild neurological disorders and loss of control, or even hallucinations.

"Let's begin." Yang Chen stopped and gestured for Xu Tong to step forward.

Xu Tong walked to the place where the fog was thickest and put on the mask.

Suddenly, the surrounding crimson mist seemed to be drawn towards Xu Tong's open mask.

Like a high-powered vacuum cleaner, the mist is separated by the mask's separation system. Part of it is sucked into Xu Tong's body, and the other part is sucked into the storage tank on his back.

"It can absorb so much!" Yang Chen's eyes lit up.

Xu Tong did not respond, focusing intently on absorbing the scarlet essence. As time passed, the scarlet mist in front of the three of them disappeared.

Shan Da walked up behind Xu Tong and patted him on the back: "Wow, Xu Tong, you're really good."

Xu Tong didn't speak, he just stood there.

Yang Chen seemed to realize something and quickly covered his mouth and nose and backed away, leaving only Shan Da standing behind Xu Tong.

Why not?

puff--! ! !
A stronger and denser gas than ever before gushed out from Xu Tong's buttocks, spraying for several seconds before Xu Tong turned around.

Turning around, I saw Shandong University students standing there, stunned.

".say?"

"Fatty, are you alright?!"

(End of this chapter)