Chapter 127: Method

"It's rain! It blocks the transmission of magic!"

Sharon immediately recognized the effect of the stinking rain.

At the same time, a deafening roar erupted from the nearby Plague Botanical Garden.

Mixed with words no one could understand.

【Bloodmarrow Tree issues a warning: The true 'Great Cultivator' has detected traces of impersonation and has dispatched pursuers—flee immediately. Additionally, the Bloodmarrow Tree renews its mating invitation—do you accept?】

"No!!!"

Luo De's face turned pale.

He turned his head to look.

Sure enough, a swarm of the giant insects that had been playing in the snail's tail stream were writhing toward them!

The other four heard the noise, turned back, and were instantly terrified out of their wits.

"Run!"

He raised his hand and threw three 【Mirage Nets】.

The three leading giant insects immediately became trapped in illusions and began attacking each other.

It bought the five of them a little time.

Fortunately, their movement was not fast.

The group successfully put distance between themselves and the pursuers.

Soon, they reached the hillside Luo De had been gazing at earlier.

"The return ritual still won't activate."

By now, they had escaped the range of the stinking rain.

But the crystal in Luo De's hand still showed no reaction.

The prolonged flight left the other four gasping for breath.

"The spiritual energy and aether of the stinking rain… ha… ha… have already spread throughout the Fear Field."

Sharon panted helplessly.

Luo De didn't dwell on it.

He asked again: "Outside, Kalist and the others said the Fear Field has a normal exit procedure—why don't we try following it? Or do any of you wizards know another way?"

"The 【Memory Hell】, 【Terror Manifestation】, and 【Judgment Platform】?"

Sharon thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"Those procedures trigger automatically upon entering the Fear Field—but now…"

"Hmm… I once read about this in my family's archives."

Leon murmured.

He said: "The 【Judgment Platform】 in the Fear Field is triggered by a massive golden scale—perhaps we should search for that giant golden scale?"

"No wonder you're you, Leon!"

Pavla and Vernon exclaimed in delight together.

They exchanged glances; Vernon chuckled, but Pavla ignored him, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Leon.

As they spoke—

Luo De felt the air within the Fear Field begin to press against him.

As if trying to expel him outright.

"Is it because the new pass increased my spiritual resistance? It's happening much faster than I expected."

Though he could ease the expulsion by relaxing his resistance, the effect was limited—the Fear Field would eventually expel his soul.

"So the question is—where is the golden scale?"

Vernon asked.

"According to the records, the golden scale lies at the highest point of the Fear Field."

Everyone looked around and, to their surprise, realized this was the highest ground in the Fear Field.

Vernon and Pavla rejoiced.

They hurriedly began digging through the bones, fear forgotten.

A scale…

Luo De's heart sank.

Soon, Vernon unearthed a broken golden scale.

It was the very one Luo De had stepped on and shattered not long ago!

It held no spiritual essence whatsoever; though its intricate patterns still hinted at past glory, it was now clearly nothing but useless debris.

The atmosphere sank back into despair.

"Don't lose heart—there must still be a way… Let's head farther in the opposite direction. Maybe the stinking rain will fade with time?"

Luo De felt awkward but didn't show it; instead, he encouraged them.

The others had no other options.

They mechanically got up and followed him.

Luo De could sense their exhaustion—clearly, as mages, they hadn't trained their souls enough.

After about an hour of walking—

The group reached a low basin, its center filled with a vast blood lake.

Blood flowed between the bones, continuously pooling into the blood lake.

Luo De checked the crystal again.

Still no response.

Ahead lay the place of the bone dragon—further advance was no longer feasible.

And the condition of these four—

Since half an hour ago, Leon and Pavla had begun experiencing hallucinations and auditory delusions.

They occasionally screamed in panic, cried out in agony.

Leon's symptoms were especially severe.

From his delirious mutterings, it was clear he was a man with no family, burdened by deep vengeance.

Sharon, though far stronger, was also showing signs: unsteady steps, bloodshot eyes, and exhaustion etched on her face.

Surprisingly, Vernon was in the best condition among them, aside from Sharon.

Even though the Fear Field's trials no longer existed, this place still carried real portions of the 【Realm of Fear】.

In truth, this place was no different from the Jade Domain in Jade City.

Actually, this place is no different from the Jade Domain of Cuiyu City.

There was no choice.

Fine—I'll be expelled, then find another way with Kalist.

As for whether you can survive… I've done what I can.

As for whether you can survive it, do your best.

Luo De quickly caught the stumbling dog-tribe girl as she fell backward, her body slamming into his arms, unable to rise.

Perhaps due to the spiritual dimension, no scent reached his nose.

"Any last words?"

He didn't play games—he bluntly indicated their survival odds were low.

"Tell my parents… Sharon loves them. Tell Demia… I'm sorry for what I did before."

"Can you tell me about you two? I actually like gossip."

"Can you tell me about yourselves? I actually love hearing gossip."

Sharon gasped, "Also… you're a bastard. Don't lay a hand on Demia. But if she goes for you… forget I said anything."

Sharon gasped, "Also, you're a jerk—don't you dare lay a hand on Demia. But if she attacks you, forget I said anything."

"What? I'm just a little affectionate—I'm actually a gentleman."

"Heh… then why did you touch my ass?"

"You know, intercourse in the spiritual dimension feels different. Since you're going to die anyway, why not let me have a little favor?"

Of course, he wasn't serious.

He was just trying to provoke her—she had no will to live.

Luo De merely provoked her because he saw she had no will to live.

Sharon's face flushed red; she bared her teeth like a snarling puppy and tried to shove him away.

But she lacked strength—she collapsed weakly onto the ground.

She hugged her arms, trembling slightly.

"What's wrong?"

". Cold."

Luo De ignited 【Hatefire of Resentment】 in his right hand; pink-purple flames rose from his palm.

The soul-derived warmth slightly eased the dog-tribe girl's chill.

The whip marks on her arm began to rot green.

The whip marks on his arm turned green and rotted.

Luo De watched as she slowly closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, the three apprentice mages huddled together, trembling.

Boom!

Suddenly, the ground shook violently.

Sharon snapped open her eyes in panic.

"What's happening?"

Luo De vaguely sensed it—who else could have caused such a commotion?

He turned his head, weary.

There, rising slowly from the blood lake ahead, was a massive bone dragon.

In the end, this unwelcome presence had been summoned anyway.

It was a giant flying-type bone dragon.

Its forelimbs had evolved into wings, while its hind limbs were used for walking on the ground.

Boom—

The bone dragon stepped onto the bone-strewn ground, causing violent tremors.

Just as Luo De was about to throw the 【Mirage Net】—

A mature, commanding woman's voice entered his ears:

"Huh? The resentful flame of my vow-sister Nao Lin?"

(End of Chapter)