Chapter 150 Four Months Later
More than four months have passed, and Zhao Mai has been staying in the slave camp. Although there were not a large number of guards and strict surveillance here like a prison, it was not too difficult to leave, but he did not leave. What trapped him was not the stench-filled slave camp, nor the ever-open eyeballs of the Geths, nor the eyes of the Templars, but the world of slavery. Even if he leaves the construction site and enters the city, if he doesn't have any friends, he will have nowhere to hide. He would be surrounded by informers seeking a share of the rewards for capturing escaped slaves. Only by improving your strength first can you be able to coerce others and protect yourself.
Daily torture and suffering have become Zhao Mai's normal state, and it has also become his motivation to improve himself. Whether it is psychic powers or the induction of natural force, great progress has been made. The suppressive collar around his neck has less and less influence on him, and even without the isolation of the viper belt, he can still perform some simple supernatural tricks.
As for physical fatigue, with the support of the natural force, it will not cause much trouble to him. Every morning, he could face the hard work of the day in a full state, and he did not have to hold back for the next day like other people. Therefore, he has never missed a construction deadline, nor has he been whipped due to quality issues.
Others don't have such luck. The person who originally shared the same room with him had already changed his mind three times. Either he died, or as punishment, he was sent to work in an even more terrible iron mine, where he would never see the sun for the rest of his life. Strange to say, the sun of Athas always brings the heat of death, but embracing the sun is still the wish of every Athas person, especially when they are dying.
During this period, he met Tai Xi'an several times on the construction site. In the first month, he only appeared once, but in the last month, he appeared six or seven times. Zhao Mai consciously avoided Taixi'an's attention and never appeared next to him. I heard rumors that Taixi'an had been reinstated as a Templar on construction projects. Zhao Mai knew in his heart that the temple tower had become a place of right and wrong, and there was not much time left for him.
He never dared to let down his guard. Unlike Golarion, he has no friends around him now. He is truly in danger, and a moment of relaxation may lead to death. Maybe only when he is holding the reserve grain and when there is a little flower to help guard him, he can really close his eyes and rest.
The temple tower of Karak Witch King is getting taller and taller. Five of the seven floors have been completed, and the sixth floor is half completed. The seventh floor has nothing to do with spells, but is just decoration. From the top of the tall tower, Zhao Mai can overlook the large arena next door. There are small-scale wrestling or training every day, and blood stains the sand every day. Twice, he saw Butcher and Ricas, plus a strong female fighter, working together to fight against twelve fighters.
The trio won the final victory with the death of the female fighter, winning sparse applause and blood stains all over their bodies. Before the start of the Temple Tower Athletic Conference, there were no exciting games in the arena, and the number of spectators was also limited. It is said that this is to attract more participants during the Temple Tower Conference.
These people have no idea that they will become sacrifices, and Karak Witch King will rely on the power of these sacrifices to transform himself into an Athas dragon, and then covet the throne of the Dragon King.
When the sixth floor is completed, the temple tower will be closed, and it will be impossible to find out the Witch King's secret plan. Relying on foresight, Zhao Mai is probably the only person besides the Witch King who can clearly see the "Atas Altar" spell from beginning to end. Before the sixth level was capped, Zhao Mai used this magic circle earlier than the Witch King to help him create a training environment for natural force and psychic powers. In three days, this convenience will no longer exist. It is said that the Witch King himself will bring part of his consciousness to the temple tower and cast a magic barrier for protection, so no one dares to do anything.
However, the destroyer should also appear, right? As early as two months ago, Zhao Mai deliberately released news, saying that the Temple Tower will greatly strengthen the Witch King's strength, and the rule of Tire City will be more cruel. Perhaps more than half of the slaves will be "liberated" from the farmland and can be sent to Hard labor in the iron mines, life and death uncertain. It is even possible that the actual number of slaves in Tire City exceeds needs, and a considerable number of them may have to be "cut down".
I believe that the informants among the slaves of the "Masked Alliance" should have heard the news. They were a group of fanatics who wanted to overthrow the rule of the Witch King and liberate the slaves. They had beautiful ideals and a powerful intelligence system, but they could only be considered inferior in terms of strength and tactics. Zhao Mai will not place his hopes on others, especially the Masked Alliance, but it is still possible to rely on them to cause trouble.
In recent times, the situation has indeed changed. The project, which was apparently about to be completed, suddenly saw an influx of slaves. According to these slaves, they were dragged over by the Templars while working for their original owners. The slave owners who dared to say "no" have now become withered bones in the wasteland. It seems that Karak's patience is getting worse as the spell tower is about to be completed.
Except for the arena and the temple tower, the city of Tire has lost its former liveliness. Especially at night, fewer and fewer lights are lit, and many urban areas have even become pitch-black dead zones. Even if Zhao Mai doesn't spread the news, the Masked Alliance should be alert at this time. Doesn't the Witch-King want him to rule anymore? What would prompt him to do so? These two questions should make the Masked Alliance think and give them enough reason to destroy the Temple Tower.
Therefore, it makes little sense to stay in the Temple Tower any longer. Zhao Mai ordered the viper belt to wrap around the suppression necklace, then used the power of his mind to his fingertips to twist the lock of the necklace. Only the spiritual force that is strong enough and ingenious enough can unlock this thing. After a long period of exploration, Zhao Mai has found the rules, but he has never planned to leave.
There was just a click, and the shackles Taixi'an left for him slowly slid down from his neck. In an instant, Zhao Mai's psychic powers suddenly burst out, cheering and jumping for joy, filling and occupying every nerve in the body. At the same time, the natural force contained in the body for a long time also broke through the blockade, penetrated into the dry cells, and glowed with vitality. Under the dual ecstasy of body and soul, Zhao Mai was almost unsteady, swaying, closing his eyes, and breathing rapidly.
After about half a minute, he gradually calmed down, and it felt good to be fully in control of his body again. Squatting down, doing a few push-ups, standing up, and jumping, he was completely different from the one in the mangrove forest. This body is lighter, more agile and more dangerous.
Zhao Mai looked down at the suppression collar in his hand, smiled slightly, and hung it on his belt. He needed to find a good reason for his disappearance and resolve the grievances between him and several overseers.
Using the power of nature, it would still take Zhao Mai several months to completely remove the mark on his lower waist - how could he go back to see his parents like this? The bulging-eyed Geis man, Zhao Mai knew he was still alive and knew where he was sleeping. So Zhao Mai waved his hand, let the reserve grain carry Xiao Hua to follow quietly behind him, and then dived into the darkness together.