I, the leader of the esoteric sect, am doing great things in the infinite world!

This is why the Reunion Movement suffered a crushing defeat and disintegrated at the gates of Lungmen – because their essence was no different from that of a rabble.

If the Reunion Movement, which resembles a rabble, were to confront Chernobog head-on, it would likely only be crushed by the valiant Ursus.

The Ursus people, having drunk their fill of the Water of Life, would be happy to adorn their military achievements with their heads.

So why did Talulah insist on taking down Chernobog?

“Because that’s what my teacher taught me.” In response to Patriot Bojocasti’s silent question, Talulah replied, “We need a base.”

Talulah knew early on that she couldn't completely trust books.

Therefore, the man's "masses" in the book are farmers who have lost their land and unpaid workers, while her "masses" are countless infected people.

More importantly, the land of Terra is rife with natural disasters, and only mobile city-states can help them avoid these disasters.

Just as the man in the book has a base in the Red Heart, she also needs her own Chernobog as her foundation.

"You must stand up and become the banner of the infected; you are a true fighter."

Bozokasti commented on the girl before him: "So, who is your teacher? I'm not referring to that venomous snake that dwells in the land of Ursus."

Talulah silently lowered her head, placing her hands on the table with her fingers interlaced.

After a long silence, she raised her head.

“You should meet him, Bozokastie, you’ll like him—he’s an interesting person, and all the ideals that Alina and I hold are derived from him. I think about him every day, and this longing burns ever brighter in the depths of my heart.”

"He is my mentor and my guiding light."

She recounted her encounter and parting with Li Lin to the patriot as simply as possible.

Bozokast let out a strange and long sigh.

“No, don’t mourn for him, Bojokasti.” Talulah stood up. “He’s still alive, he must be alive.”

Talulah went to the door and put her hand on the handle.

"I'm going back to find those Sarkaz mercenaries tomorrow. We can't rely on the mercy of others."

......

The Sarkaz mercenaries received both good news and bad news.

The good news is that they are about to find a new employer; the bad news is that the new employer seems to be giving them an extremely difficult task.

Of course, for the temporary leader of this group of Sarkaz mercenaries, it was two pieces of good news.

The first piece of good news was that she had reached an agreement with the employer, and the second piece of good news was that someone had taken the bait.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but smile, a slightly manic yet joyful grin spreading across my face.

“Her smile is never a good sign,” Ines muttered to her companion. “Her shadow… uh.”

Hedley waved his hand, indicating that Ines didn't need to worry about it.

The current W was originally just a Sarkaz girl who took over the class from the previous W, but through endless battles she quickly grew to a level far surpassing her predecessor and was accepted by the mercenary leader Hedley.

She might have died on some battlefield, until she met Theresa, the princess of Kazdel, in the Tower of Babel, whom she believed was worthy of her lifelong loyalty.

They parted ways thereafter; Hadley and Ines continued as mercenaries, while W remained in Babel as Theresa's follower.

It's worth mentioning that in the Arknights storyline, the Tower of Babel is equivalent to the predecessor of Rhodes Island, and its leaders also include the old woman Kal'tsit who keeps talking about riddles, and the Doctor who had not yet lost his mind at that time.

However, since Theresa died in the decapitation operation, Babel Tower has also fallen apart in the Sarkaz civil war. W, who originally followed her, returned to the Sarkaz mercenary group, but this time she seemed more insane and more cruel and ruthless.

In their past work with W, Ines and Hedley had already experienced her ruthless methods firsthand—such as strapping bombs to innocent bystanders and carrying out perfectly timed explosions.

Now these methods have become even more extreme, and it seems that Theresa's death has severely affected her.

W gave a neurotic laugh, then turned around as if by telepathy, giving Hedley and Ines an exaggerated smile.

Hedley picked up the cup in front of him, while Ines turned her head away, refusing to look at W who walked straight out the door.

Under the cover of night, W hummed an off-key tune as he arrived at his residence. He first checked around for anything suspicious, and after confirming that there was nothing else, he kicked a box under the bed.

The latch opens automatically.

The black leather case clicked open, revealing a dazzling array of guard weapons—from the shortest pistols to long guns capable of sniping, and even large, deadly weapons that could be easily modified into grenade launchers.

These were relics that the Sarkaz regarded as their very lives, now buried in the dust and mud, while the Guardian Gun became W's spoils of war.

The Sarkaz mercenary's gaze swept over the weapons, finally settling on a gray-black handgun.

Relatively speaking, this was the gun she disliked the most, but precisely because of this, using it as a bargaining chip wasn't so painful.

Let's use this to open the door to Chernobog. Whether we create a spectacular explosion or unleash a barrage of gunfire, it will be a delightful experience.

......

[Current World: Arknights]

[Current season: A time of burgeoning ambition.]

[This refers to the time when the winds of the woodlands reverse direction: appetite rises along with that of ordinary people.]

[At this time, ambitious people begin to stir; those who desire ascension plan carefully before acting, and all their schemes are granted.]

The regression conditions have been met.

When Li Lin woke up, he saw his system moaning.

One of the key features of the Cultist Simulator is its different seasonal settings. For example, in the current ambitious season, the overall environment is suitable for test takers to improve themselves.

In the game, not only will you, as the leader of the secret cult, take this opportunity to rise in rank, but others will also level up through various means, either to please Sichen or to go further and further down the path of alienation.

In short: In this season, it's time for the people of the esoteric world to cause trouble again.

But the key point is not that, but the last sentence.

There are no mandatory tasks, nor are there conditions that would lead to certain death if one fails. As long as one stays for a certain period of time, one can return... The problem is that even if Li Lin chooses to return now, he will still have to face that giant serpent, so he must be prepared before returning.

Is it a bit late to reveal some of the world-building details now? A sense of doubt crept into Li Lin's mind...

The next instant, there was a knock on the door, and Andrei's voice rang out from outside:

15. Crooked-Mouthed Dragon King

"Master, today is a joyous occasion. As you said, we should wake you up."

Li Lin was immediately shocked. This Andrei could actually divide a single sentence into two chapters. He was truly not to be underestimated!

"What's the big day? Are you getting married?"

To show respect, Li Lin propped himself up and peeked out from under the covers, only to be blown back into the blankets by the cold wind of Ursus, where he rolled around in the gentle embrace of the blanket monster.

"I'm not going! I'm not going! I'm not going!"

Andrei was at a loss for what to do, but still hurriedly urged Li Lin to set off: "It's not my wedding...it's just that today is the big day for the quarterly settlement!"

Li Lin frowned slightly, thinking that this man was already courting death. He opened his mouth to shout, but the hidden King Killer beside him was terrified and quickly whispered a threat in Li Lin's ear:

"If you dare call me Junjun to his face, I'll stab you to death!"

Li Lin, deciding to go all the way, pretended to stretch and yelled, "Ughhhhhhh!"

His fluid movements aroused no suspicion from those around him.

No matter how much Li Lin wanted to stay in bed, he couldn't escape what was going on today. So, a moment later, he reluctantly got out of his warm bed, washed up, and went out accompanied by his servants.

As far as the eye could see, there was a cold, old world, with pure white covering the earth. But at the boundary between the wilderness and the city, the sounds of people working were already boiling over, and crimson and black colors dotted the land like sores on Terra.

That is the Chernobog mine, the heart of the city that sustains and drives it, coldly and relentlessly devouring lives as fuel to propel the mobile city-state forward.

In the midst of a completely black mining area, there is a place that is illuminated by a different kind of color.

The roadside leading to the twelfth mine was decorated with brightly colored ribbons, creating a lively atmosphere. Many miners looked excited and took off their hats and bowed when they saw Li Lin walk by.

The regicide witnessed this and was deeply shocked.

Regardless, Li Lin proved with his actions that the people's hearts were indeed on his side, and that he had not failed in his promise.

The biting wind blew incessantly through the air, but the miners' faces shone with enthusiasm like flames, unaffected by the severe cold. Their fellow miners, toiling away like oxen in other mines, couldn't help but cast admiring and envious glances at them.

—Who told them to have such a good father? If only Li Lin were their supervisor.

Amidst the throng, Li Lin's deadpan gaze swept across the roadside, his lips moving slightly...

Before he could even utter the familiar address, the Kingslayer's voice rang in his ears: "I'm here! And don't call me Junjun!"

Even the Kingslayer would rush to answer, which shows how much psychological trauma Li Lin's title has caused her. Given time, it might be comparable to the ultimate humiliation inflicted on her by the four Rhodes Island special agents.

However, a look of displeasure gradually appeared on Li Lin's face.

As is well known, when Mr. Li is ill, he always likes to go against people.

Before he could even have an attack, the kingslayer's low voice rang in his ears again:

"Don't speak, someone's coming!"

Li Lin raised his eyes and looked at the large group of people who suddenly walked towards him from the opposite side. The displeasure in his eyes gradually intensified.

Those people were also attendants, but their clothing was far more magnificent than Li Lin's, and they had a commanding presence. Their marching was like that of a military unit, and they were clearly skilled and well-trained.

As the miners along the way retreated in panic, they couldn't help but peek out out of curiosity.

Upon seeing the person being surrounded by the crowd, they let out a low gasp of astonishment.