Chapter 21: Spotless Crystal Land

"The scenery is nice."

Luo De remarked.

Especially the crystal trees here.

He had grown accustomed to ordinary trees in the Windwall Forest; these made of translucent crystal, with faint lines flowing within, were truly novel.

"Average," Tally said, arms crossed, dismissively.

Yet in some hidden corners, signs of decay and distortion could still be seen.

For instance, at the top of one crystal tree, the thick trunk twisted and contorted, sprouting human limbs and facial features.

It clashed utterly with the surrounding environment.

Luo De looked around.

He noticed that besides the Wingcrystal folk, other races were also busy—Rock Spirits, Half-Deer Folk, and Nature Spirits, among others.

In the distance, he seemed to still see the silhouette of a fairy.

"Yes, as you see," Xiti offered his standard bitter smile. "The condition of the Spotless Crystal Land is not good."

"About five hundred years ago, our Blue Ice Clan discovered this nascent labyrinth, and since then we've regarded it as our home. Back then, the Spotless Crystal Land was mostly stable."

Luo De nodded.

The formation of labyrinths cannot be understood by standard rules.

Some labyrinths complete transformation in ten seconds, instantly spawning vast numbers of demons; others are terrifyingly vast—once, a whole village on the Fela Highlands in the east of the continent was transformed into a labyrinth, and it remains sealed to this day.

"But a disaster fifty years ago directly led to the sacrifice of all our Blue Ice Clan’s Jade Fairies, and since then, the Spotless Crystal Land has frequently become unstable."

Xiti was deeply sorrowful.

"We summoned an elder Half-Deer Folk seer, who told us the Spotless Crystal Land has officially entered its rapid transformation phase and will become a full labyrinth within ten years."

Tally said: "At that point, your Blue Ice Clan will have no home."

"That’s correct. Please follow me, both of you."

Xiti flew deeper into the crystal forest as he spoke.

"The elders realized that without all our Jade Fairies, we can no longer fully control this home, so we warmly welcome kind races from all over to enter and take what they need."

On the side.

Luo De saw a Rock Spirit and several Wingcrystal folk standing before a twisted crystal tree, as if discussing a medical treatment.

Little Fairies have always been famously sociable across the continent.

Added to that, Wingcrystal folk are innately sensitive to metals and stone, making them excellent at locating ore veins.

Thus, they easily attract suitable talent.

Along the way.

Many Rock Spirits and Wingcrystal folk spotted Luo De and Tally.

They all showed expressions of shock.

Some even displayed disgust.

Hmm. No help for it.

Humans have a poor reputation across the continent.

Especially among these nature-aligned races.

Xiti led them through the half-giant crystal forest.

Arriving at an altar.

"Xiti, you're here?"

Beside the altar, a Wingcrystal woman leaned lazily against a crystal, holding a smoking pipe.

She was puffing clouds of smoke.

"Mother! We have guests! Didn’t I tell you not to smoke?!"

"Oh, sorry, sorry."

As she spoke, Xiti’s mother took another deep drag, eyes half-closed in pleasure.

She looked young, mature, and full-figured; a simple cardigan fastened with only one button, revealing a large expanse of pale skin.

Dark circles under her eyes and her languid expression made her seem like a desireless being who cared for nothing.

"Mother!"

"Coming, coming... last puff... huuu~"

On the way, Xiti had explained.

They needed to mark their essence at the Blue Ice Clan’s altar, after which they wouldn’t need Xiti to guide them anymore.

Luo De smiled and waved at Xiti.

"No rush. Let your mother finish first."

Xiti stomped his foot in midair, furious.

Finally unable to endure his mother’s endless "last one," he snatched the pipe from her hand.

"Fine, fine, I’ll do it now—give it back right after."

Xiti’s mother turned to the two.

"I am Fatima, chieftain of the Blue Ice Clan. I thank you deeply for saving my unworthy son."

Oh?

Xiti was the son of the Blue Ice Clan chieftain.

Sensing Luo De’s gaze, Xiti scratched his head, embarrassed.

Fatima activated the altar’s magic array.

Soon, two beams of blue light descended, settling upon Luo De and Tally.

"Wow, a succubus? Luo De, you’ve got good taste."

Luo De smiled, unsure how to respond.

【Obtained the special status: “Spotless Crystal Land Pass” of the Wingcrystal Blue Ice Clan.】

【Perception enhanced. Resistance to mental effects enhanced.】

Fatima suddenly flew to Luo De’s ear.

She blew a faint, fragrant breath.

"If you grow tired of succubi, come here alone and place a red crystal—I’ll let you taste a little fairy’s flavor~"

"Uh..."

Luo De looked at her petite frame and felt no interest.

"What? Don’t believe me? If you hadn’t saved my son, I wouldn’t bother with you. Or do you think I’m harmless? My body is tougher than you imagine~"

Tally suddenly stepped forward, glaring sharply at Fatima.

"Ahh~"

She immediately flew off, snatching the pipe back from Xiti’s hand.

"Done. Get out now."

"Mother! Be polite!"

"Fine, fine—‘please’ get out now, everyone."

Xiti, fuming, led the two away from the altar.

"What did that old thing say to you?"

Soon, Tally whispered.

"Be polite, Tally. Fatima is chieftain of the Blue Ice Clan."

"Fine, fine—may I ask, what did that beautiful, respected old thing say to you?"

"."

Why are you copying me?

"Do you think I really care?!"

Tally, seeing he wouldn’t answer, stomped hard on his foot.

A little fairy, the two pressed deeper.

"Mr. Luo De, what kind of treasure are you seeking? I can introduce you."

Luo De had established a mutually beneficial alliance with the Wingcrystal folk.

"Affinity for fire or poison, something that lets me rapidly accumulate spirit, or even resistance to other elements besides fire and poison."

Xiti smiled: "In the Spotless Crystal Land, resistance artifacts are the one thing we have in abundance."

Not long after.

They stopped before a pitch-black mine entrance.

"Ahead is an anomalous point in the Spotless Crystal Land. The demons inside feed on crystals—their stomachs are naturally resistance artifacts."

Xiti looked tense—he was clearly afraid.

"These demons sometimes even leave the mine and come out into the open."

"How strong are they?"

"The shallowest layer holds fourth-rank demons; the deeper you go, the stronger they become. With your strength, Mr. Luo De, you should handle them easily."

Luo De nodded.

As long as he stayed in the shallow layers, this was a low-risk, high-reward opportunity indeed.

"However, Mr. Luo De, please be advised that there are already elves carrying out cleanup duties inside."

Xi Ti smiled bitterly: "Humans and succubi haven't entered the Unfathomable Crystal Ground in a long time; the elves are stubborn and traditional. Please, Mr. Luo De, avoid any conflict with them at all costs."

(End of Chapter)