I gain permanent defense when attacked; even gods and demons can't hurt me.

Chapter 361 Arrival in Aokigahara! The Trial Begins!

Soon, several heavy armored off-road vehicles painted with the Sakura National Administration logo roared to the dock.

Lin Yuan waved his hand and led the National Team members onto the off-road vehicle without hesitation.

With the roar of engines, the convoy sped away from the port like an arrow.

Their target was the most dangerous Class A restricted area in Japan – the Aokigahara Forest.

Inside the carriage, everyone in the National Team was filled with anticipation for the upcoming battle.

Only Qin Tian, ​​huddled in the corner, had an uncertain look in his eyes.

He secretly pulled a tiny black communicator from his pocket and quickly typed a string of encrypted code on it with his fingertips.

"The target has headed to the Aokigahara Forest. Immediately notify the High Priest; the operation to apprehend them is officially underway!"

After sending the message, Qin Tian looked up at Lin Yuan, who was sitting in the front row with his eyes closed, and a cruel sneer appeared on his lips.

"Lin Yuan, oh Lin Yuan, your defense is truly unparalleled."

"But this time, what awaits you in the Aokigahara Forest is not just a few mindless abyssal monsters."

"That will be a meticulously woven net of death designed to annihilate you!"

"This day next year will be the anniversary of your death!"

The off-road convoy sped along the wide highway, getting closer and closer to the unknown, deadly forest.

The off-road convoy bumped along the rugged mountain roads for nearly two hours.

As the altitude gradually increases, the surrounding scenery begins to change dramatically.

The originally bright sunlight was completely blocked by the dense, towering ancient trees, and a thin layer of gray-green mist began to permeate the air.

This is the most notorious Class A restricted area in Japan, the outer edge of the Aokigahara Forest.

The grayish-green mist carried a pungent, putrid odor; even a single breath was enough to make one feel a tightness in the chest and dizziness.

"Creak—"

—"

A screeching sound of brakes rang out as several heavy armored off-road vehicles came to a stop in front of an abandoned barbed wire fence.

The barbed wire fence was covered with rusty warning signs, with the words "Extremely Dangerous, Do Not Enter" painted in bright red paint.

"Gentlemen of China, we have arrived at our destination."

Miyamoto Ken was the first to get off the car. He covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, his eyes filled with undisguised apprehension.

He pointed to the deep, unfathomable primeval forest shrouded in thick miasma ahead.

"The core area of ​​Aokigahara Forest is just ahead; our vehicle can only take you this far."

"That level 65 Abyss Lord is entrenched in the deepest part of the Tree Sea."

Miyamoto Ken sneered, his tone revealing a hint of schadenfreude.

"According to the rules, people from our Sakura Kingdom are not allowed to interfere with your training missions."

"So, from now on, you'll have to walk this path yourselves. Good luck."

After saying that, Miyamoto Ken didn't even want to stay for another second.

He immediately jumped back into the SUV as if avoiding a plague and ordered the driver to turn around.

With the roar of engines, the convoy from the Sakura Country disappeared down the mountain road as if fleeing for their lives.

Only ten members of the Chinese National Government team remained, standing alone at the entrance to the Forest of Death.

"Pah! They run faster than rabbits, what a bunch of spineless cowards."

Lei Kuang spat fiercely in the direction the convoy had left.

Then, he turned his head and looked at the eerie and terrifying sea of ​​trees, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Captain, shall we charge in now?"

"Hurry up and kill that Abyss Lord, take the crystal core back and give that guy with the mustache a good thrashing!"

Zhao Tianhai also eagerly raised the legendary tower shield in his hand.

He looked at Lin Yuan with fervent eyes: "Captain, hurry up and put that invincible defense on the brothers!"

"With your armor worth millions, let alone this mere poisonous miasma, my brothers dare to wade through mountains of knives and seas of fire!"

The other team members nodded in agreement, looking at Lin Yuan with anticipation.

In their view, as long as Lin Yuan activates the defensive sharing of [Knight's Dance], it will be a sure thing.

This so-called A-level restricted area trip was no different from a picnic.

However, Lin Yuan shook his head in response to the expectant gazes of the crowd.

Lin Yuan stood quietly in place, his deep gaze sweeping over each team member in front of him.

"If you expect me to immediately cast a defensive spell on you and then let you rush in and hack and slash like headless flies..."

"Then I think it's unnecessary for us to go to the National Championships."

Lin Yuan's voice was calm, but it was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the fervor in everyone's hearts.

"Captain, what do you mean by that?" Zhao Tianhai was a little confused.

Lin Yuan sighed, his expression turning serious.

"Do you think that as long as I share defense, you can ignore any tactics and any teamwork?"

"When you were fighting that giant octopus at sea, you were all fighting yourselves without any strategy or plan."

"That's because the terrain on the ship is narrow and there's only one target, so I told you to fight freely."

Lin Yuan pointed ahead to the complex and treacherous Aokigahara forest.

"But this forest is different. The environment is harsh, visibility is limited, and monsters roam in large numbers."

"If we go to the National Championships, we'll encounter foreign teams on the world stage that are good at dividing the battlefield."

"Once they use special laws or tools to isolate me or block my aura effect."

"So, will all you geniuses who are used to mindlessly standing still and outputting damage instantly turn into a pile of loose sand, at the mercy of others?"

""

"Furthermore, the National Team Tournament isn't all team competition; you can't all rely on my defense."

Lin Yuan's words were like pearls, striking everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.

Chen Yu and Long Ying, along with other senior veterans, exchanged glances, both seeing solemnity and shame in each other's eyes.

Lin Yuan is right.

The real National Championships have a complex and ever-changing format, with all sorts of unusual venues and targeted tactics emerging one after another.

If their team only relies on Lin Yuan's abnormal defense and lacks their own team chemistry and tactical coordination.

They won't go far, let alone compete for the world championship.

Lin Yuan put his hands in his pockets and announced in an unquestionable tone.

"Therefore, I will absolutely not provide you with any defense sharing in this Aokigahara forest from the very beginning."

"I want you to use your own bodies, your own skills, to face these abyssal monsters!"

"This is what true experience is!"

"Aren't you top geniuses from various universities? Aren't you usually so arrogant?"

"Now, prove it to me. Prove you're worthy to stand behind me and be a member of the National Team!"

"Of course, if I encounter an unavoidable life-or-death crisis during my training, I will naturally step in."

"But if anyone backs down out of fear, or causes the formation to collapse because of disobedience."

"Then don't blame me for turning my back on him and kicking him out of the team!"

Lin Yuan's resounding words completely awakened everyone present.

They finally understood that Lin Yuan was not only a monster with incredible defense, but also a qualified leader with a broad perspective!

He's using the trap that Japan has handed him to his doorstep to toughen up their hastily assembled team.

"The captain is right! We are the geniuses of China, how can we always rely on the captain to carry us!"

Zhao Tianhai slammed his fist on the tower shield, his fighting spirit rekindled in his eyes.

"If we can't even get through this sea of ​​trees, how can we face those monsters in the World Championship!"

"That's right! Captain, just you wait and see, we will never let you down!"

The assassin Ye Wuhen also gripped his dagger tightly, his eyes becoming incredibly sharp.

The atmosphere within the National Team underwent a subtle shift at that moment.

The relaxed and carefree attitude towards the outing was completely swept away, replaced by a sense of urgency and a strong fighting spirit in the face of a formidable enemy.

Only Qin Tian, ​​who was hiding in the back, had a very ugly expression.

He clicked his tongue inwardly and cursed under his breath.

He had originally planned that as long as Lin Yuan activated the defense sharing, everyone would lower their guard and recklessly venture deeper into the forest.

Then, he can use the traps set by the Sakura National Church to kill Lin Yuan without anyone knowing.

But now, Lin Yuan isn't adding any defense!

This not only disrupted his plans, but also put the entire team on high alert and in a state of combat readiness.

Under such tight formation, it would be virtually impossible for him to make any underhanded moves.

"Hmph, fine, don't add me then. Let's see if you're still so calm when we encounter a level 65 lord!"

On the surface, Qin Tian nodded respectfully in agreement, but in his heart, a storm was brewing, and he was frantically plotting a new conspiracy.

"Now that you understand, let's get ready to go in."

, 3

Lin Yuan made a hand gesture, signaling everyone to begin arranging their troops.

Without Lin Yuan as an absolute tank in front, the team's formation becomes especially important.

After a brief discussion, Zhao Tianhai, who possessed a heavy tower shield, naturally took the lead and served as the main tank.

Melee DPS Lei Kuang and Chu Tianxing stood guard on Zhao Tianhai's left and right sides respectively, responsible for clearing out the monsters on the flanks.

The assassin Ye Wuhen immediately activated stealth, blending into the gray-green poisonous miasma, and scouted ahead a hundred meters ahead.

The two support mages, Su Xiaoxiao and Shui Bing'er, were closely protected in the very center of the team.

Mo Chen, the spatial mage, and Long Ying, the ranged archer, were positioned at the rear of the team, ready to provide fire support and control the battlefield at any time.

As for Qin Tian, ​​he summoned a massive sub-dragon beast to bring up the rear of the group.

"Set off!"

With a low growl from Zhao Tianhai, the National Government team officially stepped into the depths of the Aokigahara Forest.

As soon as they entered this death forest, everyone immediately felt a suffocating sense of oppression.

The ancient trees around were twisted and bizarre, their bark covered with terrifying, malignant tumors resembling human faces.

The ground beneath my feet was soft and damp, and every now and then, nauseating poisonous insects would crawl out from the rotting fallen leaves.

The most deadly thing was the gray-green miasma that permeated the air.

"Sizzle s ...————"

As soon as the miasma came into contact with Zhao Tianhai's armor at the front, it emitted a slight corrosive sound.

His health points began to slowly decrease at a rate of tens of points per second.

"Everyone be careful! This miasma not only has a corrosive effect, but it can also paralyze the nerves and deplete your strength!"

Su Xiaoxiao's expression turned serious, and she immediately waved her staff.

"Holy Light Baptism - Purifying Halo!"

A soft, holy light rippled outwards from her center, forcibly dispelling the poisonous miasma within a radius of several meters.

Bathed in holy light, the team members' health points stopped draining instantly, and their spirits were lifted.

"Well done, Little. Be careful with your mana, don't overexert yourself."

Mo Chen calmly directed from the rear.

The team cautiously advanced through the poisonous miasma for about ten minutes.

Suddenly, several chilling, piercing roars echoed from the mist ahead.

"Hiss"

Ye Wuhen's deep, urgent voice came from ahead, "Attention! A large number of demonic creatures have been spotted approaching at the twelve o'clock position!"

"They are level 61 [Ghost-Faced Spiders], and there are approximately fifty of them!"

"There are also [Rotten Treants] on both sides, level 62, forming an encirclement!"

Upon hearing Ye Wuhen's intelligence, the team immediately stopped and instantly entered combat mode.

A group of monsters level 60 and above!

This will definitely be a tough battle for them, without Lin Yuan's defensive support!

"Form ranks! Don't panic!"

Zhao Tianhai roared and slammed the massive tower shield heavily onto the ground, assuming a defensive stance.

"Boom!"

As the ground trembled, a group of enormous spiders, each the size of a small car and with hideous faces on their backs, burst out of the poisonous miasma!

They crawled swiftly on the ground with their eight spear-like hairy legs, spewing out green spider webs filled with deadly poison from their mouths.

Behind these spiders, rows of ancient, decaying trees, tens of meters tall, rose from the ground.

They brandished their thick vines, lashing out at the Nationalist team's formation like whips.

"Thunder Domain: Razer Frenzy!"

Lei Kuang showed no fear and immediately activated his area-of-effect ultimate skill.

Countless violent bolts of lightning erupted from him, transforming into thick lightning snakes that fiercely struck the charging ghost-faced spiders.

"Crackling and popping!"

Lightning exploded on the spider web, instantly scorching several of the leading spiders to a crisp.

But these level 60 monsters were extremely resilient. The spiders behind them stepped over the corpses of their companions and continued to pounce on them fearlessly.

"Asura Sky-Splitting Slash!"

Chu Tianxing transformed into a streak of blood-red light, his battle blade bringing with it a gust of bloody wind and rain, severing several of the treant vines that had been lashing out at him.

The battle erupted instantly!

Without Lin Yuan's defensive support, the National Team members faced an extremely difficult situation.

Zhao Tianhai was at the forefront and bore the greatest pressure.

The venom of the demon spider sprayed onto his tower shield, producing a violent corrosive sound, and some of the venom even splashed onto his armor.

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