Chapter 291: First‑Day Effect of the Avoid Illness Talent (Combined)

After hearing Zefina's words, Qin Chuan's expression gradually became solemn.

In just a moment, he thought of how today's number of dungeon descents in the real world was much higher than yesterday's.

Among these additional dungeon descents, many are multiplayer dungeons; as non-ominous dungeons, they should not have appeared so easily.

Previously, Qin Chuan still had some doubts about this, but after hearing Zefina's words, he now understood.

This must be closely related to the voice Zefina mentioned.

A thought stirred in his heart, and Qin Chuan suddenly asked, "When did you first hear that voice?"

"Around 1 p. m. yesterday." Zefina briefly recalled and gave her answer: "At that time, the commotion over the A-rank dungeon descent had just ended; I deeply felt my lack of strength, was practicing my swordsmanship in the training ground, and then a voice suddenly appeared."

"He asked me whether I craved power..." Zefina simply relayed the dialogue between them to Qin Chuan and Lin Yue, her expression somewhat complex: "I must admit, I truly wish to surpass you two, but certainly not by this means."

Qin Chuan nodded in understanding.

Desiring strength is a perfectly normal mindset; there's nothing wrong with it.

But that mysterious voice…

Based on their knowledge of the Heavenly Stairway and the timing of its appearance, he could roughly reach a conclusion.

"The one deceiving you is likely the Sleepless One, Sphingard." Qin Chuan spoke slowly, "He was once the chieftain of the Nether Ghost Clan of Marquis Sisuo's territory, but later disappeared without trace."

"I had suspected before that the appearance of the lake-bottom death demon was directly related to him." Qin Chuan said in a low voice, "Now it seems indeed so."

"Lake-bottom death demon?" Zefina showed a puzzled expression.

"That's the guy I killed yesterday daytime; he was a Crystal Clan powerhouse whose self was lost after being eroded by ominous power." Qin Chuan explained briefly, then added, "If I'm not mistaken, the power Sphingard said could make you stronger is precisely ominous power."

"This power can indeed make you stronger, but it will also make you lose yourself."

"I see." Zefina let out a slight sigh of relief, a flicker of lingering fear crossing her eyes.

She could not forget the madness that came from the very bones of the lake-bottom death demon yesterday.

If the price for gaining strength is becoming like that, she could never accept it.

"I have an idea." Zefina looked at Qin Chuan and said slowly, "I can act as an insider to confuse him, and together with your external support we can eradicate him."

"In terms of strength, this is indeed feasible." Qin Chuan nodded slightly, instantly recalling the gold item obtained from the SS-rank secret realm earlier: the Buddha Las's Soul-Jade.

This item happens to be effective against Sphingard.

"But there are still significant problems." Lin Yue beside them suddenly spoke, "First, we cannot determine whether the Sleepless One can, by some means, learn of our conversation."

"He should be a Mythic Stage Nether Ghost, possibly able to directly read memories; even if not, he currently has a portion of his power continually influencing you, and that portion might be recording our conversation right now."

"If he learns of our cooperation, he is very likely to turn the tables and deal with us both."

"Second, and most importantly." Lin Yue looked at Zefina, "After returning to reality, you will likely be affected by him again without realizing it."

A Mental-layer Mythic Stage entity can easily exert influence on Zefina.

Zefina's expression slightly tightened as she spoke slowly, "From the situation of our interaction with him, he does not have the ability to directly obtain memories."

"As for the power that is currently accompanying me into the Dream World..." Zefina's face gained a bit of confidence, "While talking with you all, I am still continuously communicating with this power, and now it has been put into a semi‑shutdown state by me."

"So I don't think he can learn of our conversation through this power."

"Since Mythic Stage beings can be slain, I think they are not omnipotent gods." Zefina spoke slowly, "Moreover, besides revealing to me the connection between the Heavenly Stairway and the Dream World, he inadvertently disclosed a very important piece of information."

"Players possess a 'home‑field advantage' in terms of power systems in their own world."

"An ordinary Hall‑of‑Fame rank player in reality, thanks to the superimposed extraordinary value of their four contracted spirit beasts, can directly match Epic Stage in strength; this is not because we are particularly special."

"In fact, any race possesses similar cross‑stage abilities in their own world."

"On the Heavenly Stairway, the power systems of different races lie on the same level."

"Conversely, when Heavenly Stairway races descend into other races' worlds, certain powers usable only by Heavenly Stairway races become ineffective."

"Therefore, for Heavenly Stairway races to successfully invade other worlds, they need absolute strength exceeding that world's combat power by at least one tier."

"Sphingard on Blue Star must also have many restrictions." Zefina said in a low voice, "Since I have proposed cooperation, I naturally have confidence that he will not learn of our conversation right now."

"Home‑field advantage…" Qin Chuan mused, "That actually explains quite a few things… I agree with one point: the Mythic Stage is not divine, merely stronger players."

"If we can keep him from knowing our cooperation, we have a basis for working together; but back in reality, you will still be affected by Sphingard—how do you plan to handle that?"

This time, Zefina was not so confident.

She pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"I truly cannot guarantee I won't be controlled by him, but I can guarantee absolute clarity in certain situations." She glanced at Qin Chuan and Lin Yue.

"The first‑day effect of the Avoid Illness talent makes contracted spirit beasts immune to all negative effects and marks."

"This talent effect, in dungeons, transforms to apply to myself."

"So as long as I enter a dungeon, Sphingard cannot affect me."

Qin Chuan and Lin Yue exchanged a glance, their faces involuntarily showing surprise.

I never expected the first‑day effect of the Avoid Illness talent to be this.

From the perspective of talent strength, this talent effect is quite impressive.

From Qin Chuan's four spirit beasts, one can see that spirit beast combat at high levels relies heavily on trait effects and skill‑added effects.

Shui Hua's water‑flow mark and 【Knockback】, Xue Gao's Eternal Winter trait effect, Shuang Han's slowing effect and 【Frost Freeze】, Yin Jiao's 【Armor Break】, Shadow‑Venom's defense‑reduction and Fatal Mark, and Xiao Hei's 【Shatter】 and 【Rend】.

None of these can take effect on Avoid Illness, causing the four little ones' strength to be greatly weakened.

If Zefina's talent effect is this, then she indeed has confidence to stay clear‑minded inside dungeons, unaffected by Sphingard.

Qin Chuan and Lin Yue exchanged a glance, then tapped the table with their knuckles, showing a contemplative look.

After a moment, he spoke slowly.

"If that's the case, let's discuss thoroughly how to deal with the Sleepless One."

——

Outside the Luoyue Guild, Aolier Jia stared curiously at a sphere placed on an open space, about as tall as a person.

On the sphere flowed blue, cyan, and yellow halos of light, within which a mighty vitality could be faintly felt, as if new life were about to hatch from within.

She slowly raised both hands, made a grasping motion in the air, was about to reach for the sphere before her, but in the next instant her wrist was seized by a hand.

"Don't touch it!" Yi Fu Lin stared warily at Ao Li Er Jia, "This is the president's thing!"

"I know, I know..." Ao Li Er Jia's face instantly filled with resentment, "I just wanted to touch it; I saw you all touching it just now."

"We are members of the Luo Yue Guild, you're not." Yi Fu Lin snorted, "Besides, you can't beat Little Black and Little White."

Ao Li Er Jia glanced at the sphere not far away, where a black and a white giant dragon stood, and couldn't help but complain.

Little Black and Little White?

How are these two little at all?!

"Stingy!" Ao Li Er Jia moved her gaze away from the sphere, crouched, leaned toward Yi Fu Lin's face, and pinched her cheek, which had a bit of baby fat.

"Little Dot, do you have some complaint against me?"

"You... um..." Yi Fu Lin was about to say something, but Ao Li Er Jia simultaneously pressed both sides of her face, then kneaded and kneaded, her cute little face gradually deforming under the demonic claws.

Yi Fu Lin's gaze quickly turned dangerous, gradually wanting to kill.

But in the next instant, her head was buried in the undulating swell before Ao Li Er Jia's chest.

"Mm..." Yi Fu Lin's raised hand slowly lowered.

Damn, I'm about to suffocate!

"Mhehehe~" Ao Li Er Jia happily released Yi Fu Lin, "If you can't touch that round thing, I'll just touch you."

Seeing Yi Fu Lin staring at her prominent chest, Ao Li Er Jia hehehed, "Don't be jealous; when you grow up..."

In Yi Fu Lin's gradually brightening gaze, she shrugged her shoulders.

"You'll find out, some things can't be envied."

Yi Fu Lin: "..."

She hates women with big chests!

"Uncle Tie Chui, Olierka and Evelyn get along quite well." Hong Ye helped Tang Shao prepare delicious food, glancing at Tie Chui, who was likewise lending a hand nearby but occasionally glancing toward Evelyn, she spoke with a smile.

"Yeah." Tie Chui shook his head with a light chuckle, "Looks like my worries were a bit unnecessary."

In the reception hall, hearing Olierka's bold words to the new master of the Spirit Ascension and Soul Fusion talents, Tie Chui worried whether their contact might bring about some unexpected events.

Fortunately, it now seems no terrible situation will arise.

"Compared to Olierka, I'm more curious about that sphere." Lai Ang Te chuckled, "It's somewhat similar to the beast egg that hatched Little Black and Little White, but not exactly the same."

"If it could also hatch a Spirit Beast, I don't know what would emerge."

This topic sparked the interest of the other members; everyone had just touched that sphere, and now they chattered back and forth, speculating wildly.

With everyone's help, Tang Shao quickly cooked up a lavish feast.

As the dishes were just served, Olierka pulled Evelyn over directly.

"How fragrant!" Her light-green eyes were almost turning dark green, she couldn't help but gulp, and immediately fixed her gaze on the large plate of roasted beast legs placed at the center of the table.

Compared to that, what does she usually eat at the Mithril Dagger Guild?

She, Olierka, must eat her fill before leaving today!

——

When Qin Chuan, Lin Yue, and Ze Fei Na finished discussing the cooperation details and walked out of the reception hall, the first thing they saw was Olierka and Evelyn fighting over a beast leg.

The slightly solemn atmosphere among the three instantly dissipated.

"Sorry, Olierka..." Ze Fei Na helplessly rubbed her forehead.

"It seems Olierka also likes Tang Shao's cooking." Lin Yue smiled, "Let's have a meal and then go; Tang Shao's culinary skills won't disappoint."

"Then I'll obey rather than show respect." Ze Fei Na nodded slightly, not refusing.

In the next instant, she noticed the Holy Spirit Embryo placed on another open space.

"Is that your haul from the SS-rank Secret Realm?" Ze Fei Na curiously asked, "A beast egg?"

"It's an embryo; of course I also don't know how it differs from a beast egg." Qin Chuan spread his hands, "Anyway, we need to let it hatch first."

"The Spirit Beasts produced in secret realms are all special." Ze Fei Na smiled, "Congratulations in advance on obtaining a new powerful Spirit Beast."

Tang Shao's feast received universal praise; after eating and drinking to satisfaction, Ze Fei Na did not linger, proactively bidding farewell and pulling Olierka, who hated to leave, away.

Watching the two depart, Lin Yue softly asked, "Do you think... the content Si Fen Jia De revealed to Ze Fei Na is true?"

"Which aspect do you mean?" Qin Chuan turned his head to look at Lin Yue.

"The relationship between the Heavenly Stairway and the Dream World."

"This..." Qin Chuan showed a thoughtful expression.

Frankly, when Ze Fei Na said, "The Dream World is the lowest layer of the Heavenly Stairway and also part of it," he was also quite surprised.

He had always regarded the two as separate entities.

After all, according to Feng Yin's earlier analysis, the races on the Heavenly Stairway attempted to invade Blue Star, while the Dream World protected Blue Star, so they should be opposed.

If Si Fen Jia De is correct, then their previous speculations would all be overturned.

But Si Fen Jia De's words also have a key piece of evidence.

That is, in the instance channel, the instance talent reverts to the player talent.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Chuan softly said, "Let's take it one step at a time."

Regardless of what their relationship truly is, at this stage the instances resisting the Descent are the most important matter; he believes that once their strength reaches a certain level, the mystery will naturally be resolved.

"Hmm." Lin Yue nodded slightly, "I intend to let Little White break through now."

"Missing resources can be exchanged with personal points."

"Not wait until tomorrow?" Qin Chuan looked at Lin Yue.

"Even without spending points, after tomorrow's secret realm conquest, Little White will be able to break through smoothly."

"No waiting." Lin Yue shook her head, "Sphinxgard is a tremendous threat; I'm afraid that breaking through tomorrow would interfere with the plan to slay him."

If I were promoted to Epic rank one day earlier, I could also help you more.

As soon as the words fell, she without hesitation exchanged four Epic-rank resources in the guild shop.

A moment later, Xiao Bai let out a stirring dragon roar amidst the dazzling light, its momentum rising steadily; when the light faded, its size had caught up to Xiao Hei, a resplendent golden crown covered the area around its horn on its head, and the tip of its long tail was inlaid with a splendid gemstone.

Following Xiao Bai's breakthrough to Epic rank, Lin Yue, after Qin Chuan, was promoted to Epic-rank player.

——

The plot is a bit stuck; today there is one update.

(End of chapter)