Under the combined assault of the crowd, the powerful giant was eventually overwhelmed, falling to the ground with no life left.
The Knight Captain stepped forward, swung his sword, and severed the giant's head. The battle was over. Everyone returned to their positions, and the caravan resumed its journey.
However, as the caravan passed by Bai Qisheng and the others, it halted. The Knight Captain, as if unfazed by the recent struggle, approached the trio. He looked at Bai Qisheng and stated in an unrefusably firm tone, "My master requires you to board the carriage."
Hei Mao and Daina immediately moved to intervene. After all, they had been companions on this journey. The carriage that looked like a coffin was clearly strange, and how could they stand by and watch their companion walk into danger?
"It's alright," Bai Qisheng declined their well-intentioned offer and followed the Knight Captain toward the coffin carriage.
"Please."
Arriving at the coffin carriage, the Knight Captain courteously gestured with his hand, then took two steps back.
Bai Qisheng glanced at the Knight Captain behind him and said nothing more. He pulled open the carriage door and stepped inside.
Compared to the exterior, the interior of the coffin carriage was extravagantly decorated. As soon as he entered, a faint, subtle fragrance wafted through the air. The only drawback was that in this almost completely sealed carriage, only two candles provided light, making it somewhat dim.
However, compared to the carriage's opulent interior, Bai Qisheng was more focused on the person sitting within.
Seated inside was an old man. His body could not be described as merely thin; Bai Qisheng would have believed him if he'd said the man had just been pulled out of a coffin, like a mummy.
Upon seeing Bai Qisheng, the old man managed a strained smile and said, "Please, sit."
Bai Qisheng noticed that the old man's lips did not move. The voice emanated from a small device on his neck.
Without affectation, Bai Qisheng took a seat directly opposite the old man.
"What is the matter that you wished me to come up here for?"
Seeing Bai Qisheng's directness, the old man ceased beating around the bush. "My lord," he said, "I wish to become your most capable subordinate and serve you diligently."
"Oh?" Bai Qisheng raised an eyebrow and feigned ignorance. "I am but an unknown nobody. You have so many capable subordinates; why would you seek to serve me?"
"No, no, no." The old man hurriedly protested. "Do not underestimate this old man. Though my body is decaying, my senses are still sharp. Even though you have concealed your aura, I can still detect the surging magical power within you. One with such potent magic cannot possibly be an unknown nobody. I am not untalented and possess some abilities; I can certainly become a valuable assistant to you."
Bai Qisheng decided to stop pretending. The name he used was merely a pseudonym for his disguise. Bai Qisheng's true identity was Bai Qi.
After receiving the mission from the Black Mist Mother, Bai Qi had begun his operations. To avoid alerting his targets, he had deliberately disguised himself, stealing a letter from an unlucky individual and adopting the alias Bai Qisheng. He had followed Hei Mao and Daina, intending to investigate the Volcanic Mansion and ascertain if it held any value for him to subjugate. Suddenly, before even reaching the Volcanic Mansion, his disguise had been seen through.
Dropping his pretense, Bai Qi spoke, "You have discerned my identity, and I have also seen through your intentions. Putting aside whether you would be loyal to me, I already have many capable subordinates and do not lack a puppeteer on the verge of death. Furthermore, your seeking my allegiance is likely for your own benefit."
The old man, whose intentions had been exposed, showed no surprise. Given the terrifying magical energy he sensed, it would have been strange if Bai Qi couldn't discern his intentions and abilities.
"That is correct, my lord. I do indeed have my own calculations. As you can see, I have only a few days left before death. That is why I am heading to the Volcanic Mansion to seek eternal life, as promised to me by that woman."
As he spoke, he produced the letter given to him by the mysterious woman.
Bai Qi glanced over the letter briefly before tossing it onto the table. "Since they have already agreed to your terms, why do you need to grovel and beg me?"
The old man sighed deeply. "I know something about the Volcanic Mansion. Though not much, I know that before me, many others received invitations to the Volcanic Mansion. They were likely offered benefits they couldn't refuse. Yet, not one of them emerged alive after entering. That is why I..."
"So you have come to beg me, wanting me to help you."
"Yes."
Bai Qi finally understood. The Volcanic Mansion was indeed not a good place. The old man, knowing his time was short, was gambling on his last bit of luck by heading there. However, as he neared the entrance, he encountered Bai Qi. Sensing Bai Qi's power, the old man was naturally unwilling to risk entering the Volcanic Mansion.
Bai Qi contemplated for a moment and then said, "I can help you, grant you eternal life, and even restore you to your peak condition."
"Really!"
Even through the synthesized voice, the old man's excitement was palpable.
"But what can you offer me? And please, do not speak of loyalty; I do not believe it. It is better to offer something tangible."
Hearing Bai Qi's words, the old man fell silent for a few seconds before a thought entered his mind. A small puppet, less than half a meter tall, emerged from behind him. It carried a tray, on which were three items: an ancient-looking ring, a highly advanced technological device resembling a mobile phone, and finally, a scroll.
Bai Qi examined the three items on the tray. "What are these?"
"This ring of storage contains all my possessions and the sum of my lifelong studies and research. This mobile phone records the anchors I left in three special worlds during my travels through the void. Once energy is injected, the anchors can be activated. The scroll seals the corpse of an ancient god."
Bai Qi was not particularly interested in the first two items. The lifelong knowledge and possessions of a puppeteer on the verge of death might hold immense allure for others, but to Bai Qi, they were merely ordinary. As for the anchors in three worlds, it was laughable. Bai Qi had no shortage of world anchors. What truly piqued his interest was the ancient god's remains sealed within the scroll.
Bai Qi's future ventures into the void would inevitably involve dealing with ancient gods. The opportunity to gain some preliminary understanding was undoubtedly a good thing for him.
With a sweep of his hand, Bai Qi absorbed all three items from the tray into his possession.
Seeing that Bai Qi had accepted his offerings, the old man's heart felt a measure of relief.
With a gentle snap of Bai Qi's fingers, the old man's body began to change at a visible rate. It swelled rapidly, like a balloon being inflated. His skin became firm, muscles regrew, and even the device on his neck used for speaking was pushed out by his newly formed muscles.