Chapter 101: Ritual and the Other Dimension

Luo De told Kali Site what he had seen.

The elf showed a look of confusion.

Although she did not know what method the man had used to investigate, she did not believe he would lie about something like this.

“How long until they arrive?”

“They’re actually very far away. Judging by their speed, you’re safe for at least half a month. Do you know what that is?”

Kali Site ’s expression turned serious.

She took out a massive ancient parchment from her spell satchel.

The scroll bore the marks of time, its surface covered in fine cracks.

She cast a [Floating Spell], causing it to unfurl and hover in midair.

“A month ago, I commissioned a companion from my clan to bring me relevant materials.”

“This is an ancient forbidden ritual called [Dark Vortex Rift World], its origins unknown, known only to have been buried deep within a forgotten dark age of history. Legend says the wizard who created it was named Mephisto, who believed that by manipulating the power of sand whirlwinds, he could break the boundary between reality and the other dimension, drawing infinite power and knowledge from cosmic beings.”

“He did briefly open a passage to the other dimension, but its stability was far from sufficient to meet his needs, and it closed in an instant.”

Magical technology has always been advancing.

At present, it is not uncommon for high-tier mages to open passages to the other dimension; arcane-line mages especially excel in this.

But as for a stable passage to the other dimension, current technology makes it unthinkable.

The constant spiritual storms and various savage, poorly understood cosmic beings in the other dimension alone would be enough to make anyone suffer.

Luo De looked toward the distant sand whirlwind.

It really did resemble a spiral drill, striking at the limits of the physical realm.

“What is that black shadow?”

“I don’t know. Our records contain no mention of this thing. I suspect the ritual has been modified—many of its details don’t match.”

They chatted for a few moments.

Kali Site then resumed her research on the magically altered willow.

Bangde began her archery training.

As for the female orc Amy, she was responsible for night watch; daytime was her rest period.

Luo De did not want to disturb her.

Twenty minutes later.

He arrived at the eucalyptus grove.

That is, the territory of the scorpion woman Hera.

After softly calling out twice.

Luo De realized Hera was already sitting on a branch above his head.

Her pale feet dangled lazily in the air.

One could only say that, as an eighth-tier, her ability to conceal her aura was the strongest Luo De had ever seen.

“What do you want, disturbing me so early in the morning?”

As she spoke, she let out a huge yawn.

This allowed him to see her serrated fangs and pink mouth.

The scorpion woman’s hair still covered her eyes, revealing not a hint of her true emotions.

Luo De swallowed.

He handed her the gifts he had bought in Cuiyu City and Chire City.

Of course, all were items that enhanced fire and poison resistance.

These were expensive items, costing a fortune.

Hera extended her scorpion tail, wrapping it around the gifts and pulling them up.

She immediately smiled.

She praised him for being thoughtful.

Seizing the moment while she was in good spirits, Luo De quickly asked about the sand whirlwind.

“[Dark Vortex Rift World]? Hmm, I don’t know much about your human mages’ things, but I do know something about the other dimension.”

“The other dimension—some call it the astral plane—is an infinite dimension composed purely of aether or spiritual energy, not a material dimension like our reality. Physical laws may not even exist there; everything is formed from the emotional and mental energies of sentient beings in the real world. It is a spiritual realm.”

As she spoke, she seemed to recall an example.

“You know the Dread Beasts? They are cosmic beings from the other dimension. Their eggs are made of spiritual energy, which is why even mages who frequently communicate with the other dimension cannot detect them when parasitized. Our current magical system still lacks deep research into the spiritual aspect.”

“The other dimension is filled with violence, incitement, disgust, and pornography. Ninety-nine percent of its cosmic beings carry malice. Never harbor goodwill toward any cosmic being.”

Hera jumped down from the tree.

Her pale feet touched the leaf-strewn ground, stirring up a small ripple.

She spun in place, like a dancer, her small braids on her collarbone fluttering in the wind.

Luo De’s gaze couldn’t help but drift toward her.

There was no helping it—Hera’s height was nearly equal to his, her legs long, white, and straight.

Her ultra-short shorts clung tightly to her body, highlighting her perfectly proportioned, rounded buttocks, not to mention her scorpion tail.

“One more thing: many arcane spells consider the other dimension an unexplored region. Because of the chaos of space and time within it, they strive to develop a stable passage for ultra-long-distance teleportation.”

“You know, even [Instant Teleport] only reaches fifty kilometers. Objects capable of exceeding that distance are tightly controlled by the Arcane Control League. Arcane mages are always like this—they always hope to create legends from their own hands.”

Luo De rubbed his chin.

Ultra-long-distance teleportation?

He had a fragment of a jade tree branch on him—if he could grow it alive, it could achieve the same effect.

But it was far too advanced for the current era.

He didn’t care if the Domination Spell was exposed, since such magic already existed across the continent—but [Space Tree Travel] was different.

If others found out, it would be a serious problem.

Hera performed a midair flip, landing lightly atop Luo De’s head.

Luo De felt no weight at all, and even caught a faint scent of spicy seasoning.

“The Death Desert. The ritual to open a passage to the other dimension. Ultra-long-distance teleportation. It’s hard not to connect these to the Igo tribe.”

As he spoke, he suppressed the urge to look upward.

“Indeed. The Igo tribe has always wanted to return to the continent, but there’s no need to worry too much. The Igo tribe excels in spiritual magic, but they are far inferior to us in developing stable passages to the other dimension—unless we have a traitor among us.”

“You mean the Igo Cult?”

“Don’t underestimate them. Do you know why so many religions exist across the continent?”

Luo De shook his head.

Hera suddenly descended, plopping down onto Luo De’s shoulder, her long legs crossed over his chest.

An unimaginable sense of elasticity and fullness instantly surged against his skin.

“It’s because no true god has ever appeared. What’s wrong with you? You’ve been staring nonstop since earlier—did you catch Spring Poison?”

Luo De felt slightly embarrassed.

He quickly changed the subject.

“You mean that once the first true god appears, the number of worshippers will reach an unprecedented peak.”

“Exactly. And since cosmic beings from the inherently evil other dimension are formed from the emotions and mental energies of the real world, what do you think happens when a unified belief reaches its peak?”

“A cosmic being comparable to a god would be born—a demon god?”

(End of Chapter)