Surviving the Maze of National Destiny: Hints from the Chinese Characters I Understand

[Congratulations on defeating the level 17 Explorer and its battle pet. You have gained a small amount of Life Essence, and your Life Level has increased to level 17 (19%). Kabu has gained a certain amount of Labyrinth Essence, and his Life Level has increased to level 17 (27%).]

[Kabu's intimacy with you hasn't increased, mainly because the battles were too easy, and he seems to feel that other battle pet owners have different ways of showing affection. Your swordsmanship proficiency has increased by 1%, current swordsmanship level: 25 (34.1%).]

"Not bad, not bad, you've gained something. Hey? What's wrong with this Kabu? Is he going through a rebellious phase and hard to manage?" Lin Mo didn't understand the hint that followed.

The Dragon Kingdom's national fortune points have skyrocketed, while the Indian Kingdom's national fortune points have dwindled to a mere 35, teetering on the brink of collapse.

For a country, national fortune points are the foundation. A decrease in national fortune points means less returned resources. For example, in the current Tianzhu Kingdom, the basic return of resources is 1000 million, but it has to be multiplied by 0.35, leaving very little.

The Dragon Kingdom is different. If the national fortune points reach 100, there is no loss, and the resources are returned according to the basic multiplier. Even with the current national fortune coefficient of 0.79, the resources obtained are more than twice that of the Indian Kingdom.

The item "What a Fate" has a 30-minute duration, and Lin Mo can't go back. There are 18 minutes left.

With nothing else to do, Lin Mo took out the grilled fish and started eating. He poured a cup of honey water for Kabu and himself to help restore their health to some extent, although both of them were still above 87.

Kabu crossed his legs, his beady eyes forming a sly, meme-worthy expression as he quietly watched Lin Mo. The air suddenly became ambiguous, their gazes almost spitting out a veil of ambiguity.

Lin Mo felt uneasy under that gaze. "Hey! What's with that look?"

"Kaki-gu! (Lin Mo, do you even know how to give a massage?)"

"???" Lin Mo's eyes widened. "Who the hell did you learn that from?"

"Kajigu! (Or you could sleep with me.)" Kabu lowered his head slightly, touching his plump toad legs as he spoke, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"Hey! What are you blushing for?!" Lin Mo couldn't take it anymore and kicked him. "Serves you right for not studying hard enough!"

"Kaki-gu! (Ah! Lin Mo, you're so cruel to me, I'll fight you to the death!)"

The two, one human and one toad, started arguing again, and the live stream chat was in stitches.

…………

In Victor Cromwell's livestream from the Free State, it's a completely different scene altogether.

The screen was filled with people cursing Victor Cromwell because the guy had no idea what stupid thing he had done and was still looking smug. The more I looked at it, the angrier I got.

[A netizen from the Free Nation: What are you laughing at? Do you think you're so cool? 888,000 of us died, do you even know that?]

[A netizen from Russia commented: So few? What a pity!]

[A Chinese netizen commented: Holy crap, I just saw Brother Lin go and beat up Brother San and his wife. Is this the casualty count? But I don't understand, how did 7 bloodthirsty coyotes kill 88 people?]

[A netizen from Pakistan commented: "Those Free Nations boast about everyone living in big villas, but they're all just wooden houses that can't keep out anything. Plus, their army doesn't care about the consequences, resulting in heavy collateral damage. I heard 20 people died from artillery fire."]

[A netizen from the Free Nation: They could have used tanks to clear out the area, but instead they insisted on sending them to protect the big boss's villa, wasting a huge amount of military resources. It's outrageous!]

[A netizen from China: I'm eating the weird fish head that Brother Lin returned. It's huge and smells amazing.]

[A netizen from China: Bro, I'm eating this too, with my whole family. I think pan-fried is better. What about you?]

[A netizen from China commented: "In Guangdong province, we eat sashimi all the time, it's so fresh and sweet!"]

[A netizen from China: We in Sichuan only accept spicy food!]

[Chinese netizens: Hey? You brilliant folks from the Free Country, what do you eat?]

[A netizen from the Free Nation: We ate seaweed and egg drop soup.]

[Netizen from Japan: How is that possible? Where did the seaweed and eggs come from?]

[A netizen from the Free Nation: Seaweed and egg drop soup. No vegetables, no soup, just purple eggs (bullets).]

[A Pakistani netizen commented: Hahaha, this is so true, it's hilarious!]

[A netizen from India commented: "The Free Country, with its vast territory, should theoretically have had ample room to maneuver, yet the casualties were so high. If the labyrinth monsters were to descend upon an island nation like the Rising Sun Country, surrounded by the sea, with a small land area and a huge population, wouldn't the casualties be even more terrifying? Would there be nowhere to run?"]

Third Brother's statement silenced the live stream for three seconds, then the chat exploded with comments.

[A netizen from the Rising Sun Kingdom: If you have nothing better to do, go play with your lizard. If you don't say anything, nobody will think you're dead.]

[Chinese netizens: Holy crap, is the great prophet about to strike again?]

[A netizen from Russia commented: Hahaha, I hope something bad happens.]

[A netizen from India: Although you insulted me, I still magnanimously say: May Shiva bless your Rising Sun Kingdom.]

[A netizen from Pakistan: Oh no! Shiva is still exerting his power.]

…………

Lin Mo and Kabu were also tired of fighting, so Kabu turned his back to Lin Mo and pretended to ignore him.

"Okay, okay! I admit I shouldn't have kicked you, alright?" Lin Mo felt exhausted.

Kabu suddenly turned around. "Kaki-guka-guka! (It's okay, Amo, I just want your attitude. Let's go, next terrain.)"

Lin Mo: ...

"Kaji-gu? (Lin Mo, how many more materials do I need for my perfect-grade wings?)" Kabu felt that it should be about time.

"Oh right, I almost forgot about it if you hadn't mentioned it."

"Click! (I knew you didn't take it to heart.)"

Lin Mo quickly checked his personal space. He had 6 lightning elements, which was enough. He was short one wind element, but the rest were easy to find. He also needed 20 beast cores, which was also easy to obtain. He could save a few for later.

"Alright, alright, I'll get you a wind elemental right away."

Thirty minutes passed, the props expired, and Lin Mo returned to his maze-like terrain. He looked at the four passages around him.

[You are about to enter a chaotic battlefield where 200 city garrison troops are battling 1500 labyrinth creatures. The battle is extremely fierce. The 1500 labyrinth creatures range in level from 10 to 13. The city garrison troops' attitude towards you is unpredictable, depending on your actions after entering this terrain. The rewards for this battlefield are highly uncertain.]

Lin Mo was stunned. What have I done to deserve this? You want me to participate in such a terrible war?

What's the difference between uncertainty and certain death? No way!

Behind you lies a large beach where 10 level 13 Berserker Two-Armed Crabs and 10 level 13 Giant Claw Crabs are playing rock-paper-scissors. A fight is imminent because the Giant Claw Crabs have already shouted their classic line: "I need to check the cards!" The atmosphere is extremely tense. On the beach, you can find 10 squid (1 pound each), a high-grade ingredient.

Lin Mo was speechless... These crabs are really persistent.