Chapter 16
The team searching for the Dragon's Nest treasure was divided into three parts: those who went home, those who wandered around on their own, and those who trusted Ling Xi to guide them.
Unlike what they had imagined, Ling Xi did not let them jump directly into the lake, which solved the concerns of some people who could not swim; the boy took them around to the other side of the hill, where there was a cave.
"From here, you can reach the Dragon's Nest," he said.
In addition to Yuan Yingying and Lu Ying, the lake bottom team willing to follow Ling Xi's guidance includes three players and two "Dragon Knight" natives.
They looked at the pitch-black entrance of the cave and found it hard to believe that they could reach the bottom of the lake from here.
A female player crossed her arms: "How are you going to prove it?"
Ling Xi blinked.
Prove...how can you prove it?
A male player familiar with her also questioned: "How do we know you're not bringing us in to kill us?"
Lu Ying frowned: "If you don't trust him so much, you can find another way out instead of accepting his help and asking this and that."
A "Dragon Rider" diverted the fire: "I see you two are quite familiar with him. Who knows if you are in the same group?"
Yuan Yingying was furious: "Then don't believe it!"
"Kid, where are you from and who are you?" asked another Dragon Knight. "If you can answer, we will believe you."
Someone had already asked the boy these questions when he picked up Ling Xi outside and sent her back to the survivor base.
But no one got an answer.
At first they thought the child didn't trust them, or was frightened and temporarily lost the ability to speak, which are possible symptoms of traumatic stress; however, Ayaki behaved very normally, even with clear logic and quick thinking.
But I still don't want to reveal any personal information to them.
Ling Xi pursed her lips and said nothing.
Where does he come from and who is he?
Even he couldn't answer it.
Perhaps, he exists in this world just to be Li Jue's Xixi.
The player who had been silent the entire time asked a pointed question: "You said you wanted us to escort you here... Why do you know this place? Why did you come here again? You, are you a dragon?"
When these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
They wondered if the child was an undercover agent sent by some other organization, a spy or bait, but they had never considered that he was not human at all.
There are indeed rumors that dragons can transform into humans. If the enemy has already penetrated deep into our abdomen, what's the point of fighting?
Ling Xi sighed slightly, which made him look very unlike a five-year-old kid. "Indeed, I can't prove that I'm not a dragon."
Fear and anger appeared in everyone's eyes: "You——"
"But," he said, looking up at the crowd that was practically surrounding him, his expression remaining quite calm. "How can you prove that you are human?"
Unlike background-type primary NPCs and guiding high-level NPCs, as well as bosses, the indigenous people are unaware that they are in a game that will start, end, and refresh.
For them, what happens every day is real life, and their dead companions are dead and will never come back.
Therefore, their hatred for the dragons invading their homes is also real.
Primary NPCs are unaware of the existence of players; one of the player's rules is to keep it secret from them and never let them realize that they are a program in the game.
The indigenous people have known each other for a long time, eating, living and facing powerful enemies together, so they can naturally confirm that they are human beings.
But what about these players?
They had just appeared nearby not long ago.
How do you prove they are human, and how do you prove they are not?
Ling Xi's rhetorical question directly disintegrated the racial front that could be said to be united against a common enemy or even collusion.
The two natives looked at the strange players with suspicion.
The expressions of the three players were a bit ugly.
After saying that, Ling Xi no longer looked at them, as if the trust within the front line collapsed instantly with just one sentence that she did not understate.
Lu Ying was a little impatient and said meaningfully: "Don't waste time here."
For players, the dungeon has entered the final countdown.
For the indigenous people, if this is really a dragon's nest, the dragon may discover the invaders at any time.
"If you don't believe me, then find your own way. Don't embarrass the child here." Yuan Yingying grabbed Ling Xi's hand and said, "Come on, we'll go with you."
Lu Ying gave the others the middle finger, then resolutely followed the two people in front of him into the cave.
*
The adults turned on the flashlights and Ling Xi walked in front.
If I remember correctly, the dragon on duty today is Bling, a male dragon who loves to complain but is actually a good dragon.
Ling Xi had never seen the duty roster. He knew this only because when he met Bu Ling by chance on the starship, the other party pulled him aside and complained for half an hour before going out on field duty again.
You know, Bling is a real homebody who can stay in his room for a week without going out.
He hopes to repay Yuan Yingying and Lu Ying, not only because they trusted him and sent him to the Dragon's Nest, but also because they saved Xiao Lijue who had not yet transformed.
Ling Xi will always remember the kindness shown to Li Jue.
However, he cannot directly interfere with the players' choices, let alone help them complete the task.
All he could do was to attract Brin's attention when the two men entered the treasury.
After passing a very narrow road that could barely accommodate one person, the road suddenly opened up.
The huge cave stunned the two human players. It was hard to imagine that such a vast space could be hidden at the bottom of the seemingly small lake.
What caught their attention even more were the treasures that could be described as covering the entire mountain.
Gold, silver, diamonds, jade, various gemstones, root carvings, statues...
Ordinary people would probably spend their entire life savings to buy only one rare treasure, and then just throw it everywhere.
I'm afraid the treasure house of a kingdom is no more than this.
However, nothing in the game can be taken away. They can only surprise Yuan Yingying and Lu Ying, but not make them jealous.
What's more, there is a huge crimson dragon coiled on the treasure mountain.
Players may come at any time, and Bling cannot transform into human form and use PADD to play games and browse the star network. He can only sit on a pile of gold and silver and doze off bored.
Lu Ying and Yuan Yingying felt that the most difficult part was not how to start the treasure hunt without telling the dragon, but how to find the sapphire they needed with so many treasures.
Not to mention that there are less than 48 hours left, even if they are given 48 days or 48 weeks, they may not be able to find it.
Anyway, let's get started.
The two were about to ask Ling Xi what she was going to do next, but when they turned around, the child was gone.
When they weren't noticing, the boy nimbly climbed the treasure mountain, crawled in front of Bling, and patted the other's nose.
Fortunately, Bling was not in a bad mood when he woke up, otherwise he would have snorted and snorted the child down the mountain.
Bling opened his eyes dazedly and saw a small figure right in front of him. He thought he was hallucinating.
After seeing it clearly, he said happily: "Oh, little——"
Ling Xi quickly made a "hush" gesture to him.
Bling didn't understand.
Ling Xi whispered, "The players are here."
The Red Dragon imitated him and lowered his voice: "Then shouldn't I go and deal with them?"
Ayaka: "That would reveal that I know you."
Bling nodded: "I see."
Bu Ling was puzzled: "Hey, that's not right, what's wrong with me knowing you? You are our little servant!"
Ling Xi found it difficult to explain this question, so she changed the subject directly: "Is everything okay on the boat?"
Maybe... you haven't noticed that I'm missing yet?
Bu Ling's attention was successfully diverted. "Oh, don't tell me, everyone's been looking for you like crazy! You don't even know how many times Brother Wang has been looking for you... I've never heard him make so many all-ship broadcasts in one day!"
The boy was stunned: "...Huh?"
When Lin Wang was assigned a task by Finks, Buling was almost ready to leave for field work. He didn't know much about the cause and effect. He only knew that when he set off, the broadcast was still notifying that there was a dragon who had encountered a little servant, and quickly told the little guy to go to the bridge, blablabla.
Ling Xi was a little worried. Could something have happened to her baby?
The dragons have never seen a cat before, and they are big and clumsy. What if they can't take good care of such delicate little kittens?
The boy became more and more frightened as he thought about it. Just as he was about to beg Buling to skip work and take him back to the ship early, he saw the red dragon's pupils turned into a vertical line.
Ling Xi originally thought that the other party had sensed Yuan Yingying and Lu Ying, and wanted to plead for the two humans, but then she felt a chill on the back of her neck.
This is—the boss is here!
Bu Ling and Ling Xi looked at each other and saw the same shock in each other's eyes.
Guarding a fake dragon's nest is the most boring thing. Not to mention that the boss won't come in person, even small leaders like Lin Wang and Lida are unwilling to do it.
Only a dragon like Bling, who has no status, no temper, and only dares to complain, would be scheduled.
Buling suddenly jumped up, but fortunately Lingxi was prepared and just fell down, not being shaken by him.
Bu Ling's dragon pupils darted around in panic: "Did the boss notice that I was slacking off? Will I be punished? Ahhhhhhhhh!"
Ling Xi climbed up from the pile of gold coins and pulled a pearl necklace from her hair. "Calm down! This is probably just a routine inspection by the commander. You're doing fine, don't worry, don't worry."
The little servant's words seemed to have a soothing effect. Bling calmed down and looked worried. "Really?"
Ling Xi nodded seriously: "Really."
Even though he wasn't sure.
The arrival of Phinks made a huge noise. Even though they were still above the lake, they could already hear the roar of the golden wings.
Ling Xi prayed that Yuan Yingying and Lu Ying could hide well and not be discovered by Finks.
While Bling might be able to "neglect his duties," the Tyrant will show no mercy to humans.
The strong airflow brought by the dragon's return to its nest was enough to blow the treasure mountain into the sky. If Buling had not blocked Lingxi under the dragon's wings, the little human would have been blown away to who knows where.
The golden dragon landed on top of the treasure. Bu Ling leaned forward and greeted respectfully, "Boss, why are you suddenly..."
Finks glanced behind him: "Is Lingxi here with you?"
The Red Dragon looked up in surprise: "How did you know?"
He retracted his dragon wings, revealing the boy behind him.
Ling Xi stepped forward: "Sir."
Finks's dragon pupils smiled: "He really guessed it right."
"he?"
Ling Xi and Bu Ling were both stunned.
Then they saw Phinx's dragon tail come around in front of him and untie the bag around his neck - it was so small that they had thought it was a necklace or something - revealing the treasure inside.
It's indeed a little treasure.
The delicate little cub came out, waved its little hands anxiously at the people below, and called out joyfully: "Xixi, Xixi!"
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