Chapter 149: The Arrival of the Nagas and the Rumors of Kidnapping

Ascension?

Luo De knew.

As the fastest human accumulator of magic and spirituality on the continent, even after using the so-called immortal spell, the highest rank ever reached was only ninth tier.

No breakthrough had occurred in a thousand years.

Even the longest-lived intelligent race, the elves, were no different.

It seemed as if ninth tier was the limit set by this world, and all beings were confined by spirituality to this ceiling.

In contrast, the aether and spiritual energy within the extradimensional spaces granted infinite possibilities to cosmic beings.

Almost every year, newspapers reported new cosmic beings discovered by mages, some of whose traits even surpassed ninth tier.

This was why mages could never abandon the extradimensional spaces and cosmic beings, despite the frequent disasters they caused.

Ascension was a new concept proposed by human mages.

They believed that if any intelligent race on the continent could surpass ninth tier and achieve Ascension, it would break through the limits of spirituality—not only elevating the individual, but also upgrading the entire continent.

But Pete knew little about it.

In fact, he considered it the rambling of a drunkard, even if the speaker was a half-deer seer.

"After all, what does this have to do with us?"

Pete drained the Giant Ale in one gulp.

"You'd better focus on the matter at hand. Look, the streets are buzzing."

Luo De looked out the window.

Indeed, townsfolk were streaming in one direction, in small groups, their faces lit with smiles, curiosity, and excitement—clearly drawn by the spectacle.

Did the Coral Bay people arrive?

Too early, isn't it?

The letter in old gentleman Humbert's hand stated they would arrive no earlier than dusk, and usually not until nightfall.

It was only around three or four in the afternoon.

The banshee Chris passed through the wall and gazed upward.

"Ah! It's snake people!"

Snake people?

Luo De pushed open the window and immediately heard passersby discussing the word "Naga."

It must be the Nagas.

The land Nagas arrived before the Coral Bay people.

Chris, being an uneducated banshee, mistook them for snake people.

The human and the gnome lost their appetite for drinking.

The patrons of the Violet Inn also heard the commotion and left en masse, joining the crowd heading to the entrance of Shi Ying Town.

By the time they arrived, the central avenue was packed with people, and constables struggled to maintain order on the sides.

The residents of Shi Ying Town were naturally curious and fond of gossip.

Many had just put down their tools: farmers still clutching hoes, merchants mid-unloading goods, teachers leading small groups of children who had just been reading in class.

Some nimble and mischievous individuals had already climbed onto rooftops, securing the best viewing spots.

The five-member committee, led by old gentleman Humbert, was conversing with the Nagas at the intersection.

The Nagas appeared with an aura of solemnity and coldness; their bodies shimmered with strange luster in the sunlight, their serpent tails swaying gently.

Luo De saw that their leader, a priestess, was a four-armed Naga.

The others were ordinary two-armed Nagas.

Multiple arms were a symbol of royal nobility among Nagas—so this rebel group's leader was clearly of royal blood.

"Everyone says Nagas are beautiful, but I don't see it—they look messy."

The gnome Pete grumbled.

"Hmm."

In truth, there were fewer than a hundred Nagas, mostly female, and by human standards, their faces were quite attractive.

Though they didn't match the beauty of the Naga princess Eve, whom Luo De had once met.

But by gnome standards, they probably fell short.

After all, they were one of the few intelligent races on the continent to refuse interbreeding with other species—a key reason for their unique aesthetic.

"By the way, the Bular clan from the Mirror Desert is furious about Aiselon's decision to shelter these rebels."

Pete pulled a candy from the magic doll's belly, "I suspect Aiselon is deliberately provoking them—after all, the Bular clan once betrayed Aiselon and swindled them out of a fortune."

"Wait, do all Nagas have such a habit of breaking promises?"

"They're born with broken minds. Those with priests are somewhat calmer—their aura's power soothes them. Without priests? Ha, you believe me, one of them would surely snap and swallow a child right there on the spot."

"I do know one land Naga who isn't a priestess—she broke promises too, but her temperament was no different from an ordinary person's."

Princess Eve was a conceited, arrogant fool who loved to show off when things went well.

But when the time came, she'd still beg for mercy.

"Perhaps she has some talent—Nagas with talent can indeed control themselves better."

As he spoke,

Luo De noticed the banshee Chris's eyes gleaming.

That look meant she was up to no good.

"What are you doing?"

"This gnome said the Nagas have bad brains?"

"Put away your schemes. Don't get me into trouble, understood?"

"Perhaps you don't know, my lord, banshees are born with the ability to identify armor and weapons. The priestess's armor and staff contain orichalcum and mithril."

Orichalcum and mithril?

Luo De had heard of them.

Legend said orichalcum was a product of a sunken, ancient civilization buried beneath the sea—unusually hard and imbued with magical properties.

Mithril, meanwhile, was an extremely rare, silvery metal that, while equally hard, weighed less than half as much as steel and had strong affinity for magic.

Luo De's spell satchel contained a piece of mithril.

He'd taken it from a half-wolf he killed during the Ruin Brotherhood's alliance with the Igo Cult.

"Even star iron—wait. Even adamantine won't do!"

Mid-sentence, Luo De corrected himself.

If it were star iron, he might still consider competing for it.

Next,

the Nagas would pass through the forest into the Death Desert.

Though they were entering through the sparser region near Twin Fingers Mountain, as a forest warden, he still needed to observe them closely.

Before parting,

the gnome Pete seemed to remember something.

"I recall you have a tree spirit friend?"

"That's right."

"That minstrel from the Hero Alliance also told me the Ruin Brotherhood recently recruited a plague mage in Dusk Hill—he's a repeat offender at kidnapping tree spirits, luring them out of the woods by destroying trees, then trapping them."

Destroying forests...

Luo De recalled the recent unnatural withering in the woods.

Anger surged within him.

Trying to kidnap Vivian? I'll destroy you!

Though the Nagas arrived earlier than expected, the reception route had already been prepared.

Guided by the witch Dimia, the journey passed without conversation or conflict.

They smoothly led the rebel group into the Death Desert.

At first, they were shocked and fearful of the massive sand whirlwinds.

But clearly, the priestess with black-green hair held great authority and forcibly calmed them.

(End of Chapter)