Chapter 324: Trap

The next morning.

The group left the abandoned labyrinth, leaving behind some supplies as payment.

Helena, the half-elf elder woman, had a straightforward personality and showed no courtesy; she laughed and told them to come back often.

She would coordinate with mages to transport ordinary people in the outpost to safer nearby regions.

But Helena had no intention of leaving.

She would remain here for a long time, receiving ordinary civilians who had not yet escaped from the Koshi Plains.

This old woman had indeed overturned Luo De's image of half-elves.

After all, the last time he encountered a half-elf in the open labyrinth, it was a mad experimenter obsessed with studying elf genetic defects, trying every means to turn elves into inferior slaves.

The group returned to the tributary of the Hansen River.

After waiting about thirty minutes.

The Sahu fish-woman from last night arrived as promised.

Good fortune.

She had indeed gathered some clues: fish-people had seen this group of waterlogged mycoids washed all the way to Suk Lake, on the northern edge of the Koshi Plains, where they had come ashore.

Suk Lake.

Luo De actually knew it—he had passed through it several times during previous operations in the Koshi Plains.

It was even not far from Claw Valley Mountains.

With their target located, the group immediately set off.

Since they had nearly reached the southernmost edge of the Koshi Plains, returning now required over three hours of flight.

This was even after Luo De used his artifact's group flight technique, enhanced by the 【Cloud Wing Art】 to increase flight speed.

They then explored the perimeter of Suk Lake.

Mycoid Noah successfully located residual spore signals pointing to a cave near Claw Valley Mountains.

This spore signal was fresh, placed not long ago.

"Looks like you won't need to spend points to hire someone for a prophecy."

Luo De smiled at Oona.

The rabbit girl was already in good spirits, casting 【Phantom Image】, and at Luo De's joke, she brightened with a radiant smile.

Luo De's eyes flickered slightly.

Sun-kissed healthy skin, snowy white hair, and a pair of beautiful crimson pupils.

He suppressed his thoughts.

He silently told himself not to rush—never initiate action against followers of the Chastity Sect.

Nearby, the star-elf Hali, seeing the same 【Phantom Image】 as Luo De, felt a sudden toothache.

Then she noticed the forest warden staring blankly at the petite white-robed mage, and she froze slightly.

A strange sense of threat stirred in her mind.

Is my servant being stolen?!

Thinking of this, she decided to tighten her grip on the pace of action.

Given the unexpected incident during their last cave exploration.

The group decided to advance in the same formation as before.

They quickly moved deeper into the cave, descending steadily.

This cave was considerably more spacious than the previous one, but the floor and walls were mostly rock; cultivating plants or spores would be difficult—clearly not ideal conditions for mycoids.

After advancing about twenty minutes.

As they passed through a relatively narrow passage, Luo De suddenly stopped and halted the others.

"Trap."

But the others looked ahead—the front Phantom Image had already passed through this stretch without triggering anything.

Oona immediately cast 【Trap Detection】.

No reaction.

She continued chanting the spell 【Dispelling Concealment】.

Still no reaction.

But she trusted Luo De.

She immediately cast the more advanced Eye Demon Observation technique.

A magical eye formed from mana appeared, its crimson glow sweeping across the corridor.

Instantly, unusual mana and spores became visible on the ground, both walls, and the ceiling.

"A fusion of spell trap and spores—combining the high controllability of magic with the stealth of spores. I've never seen a trap like this before. No wonder ordinary trap detection missed it."

Hali stared in astonishment.

She then turned to look at Luo De ahead.

But how could a mere Spiritual Warrior possibly detect it? Some warrior's instinct?

"This is Scarlett's signature."

Oona exclaimed happily.

Scarlett—her late friend's child.

The name suggested a girl.

Luo De paid it no mind.

Mycoids—who cares about a humanoid race made of giant mushrooms?

"Noah, can you spore-shift to warn the mycoids inside? We don't want conflict or destruction."

Hali suggested.

Noah shrank back, glancing nervously at the surrounding spore traps:

"These spores are completely different from those at the cave entrance—they're warning me not to approach."

"Looks like the Mycelium Clan mycoids are terrified."

Hali frowned.

She lowered her head in thought, whether accidentally or deliberately, then stumbled forward into Luo De's arms.

A pair of soft curves pressed against his chest.

Simultaneously, a semi-transparent long leg slipped out from beneath her mage robe, sliding perfectly between his legs.

As if teasing, she brushed her toes against him.

"."

"Sorry, slipped."

Hali stood upright, expressionless: "Then we'll have to force our way in."

Oona nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Tally privately messaged Luo De through the Far-Speech Chain:

【Tally: Master, I think she's flirting with you.】

【Luo De: Not necessarily. Star-elves are born exhibitionists; their psychology is a bit off. I'd rather not get involved with them.】

【Tally: A fling's fine~ Don't be afraid, Master~~ I want to taste the essence you drain from her~~】

"."

Tally began spouting unprintable flirtations.

Especially as she stealthily extended a pink, tender tongue from the shadow of Luo De's clothing, wandering wildly.

Alright.

Luo De was slightly tempted.

After all, Miss Hali seemed quite promiscuous—perhaps he could find an opportunity to try.

"I'll handle it."

Thus, to demonstrate his strength,

Luo De volunteered to deal with the traps.

"You have a way to dispel magical traps?"

Hali asked skeptically.

"Spiritual Warriors have our own methods. Watch."

Luo De activated Dragon Scale Art.

He strode boldly into the trap zone.

Hum—

The magical friction of the trap activating sounded.

Next instant: acid mist, chained lightning, flame purification, burst of rot sacs, moonbow spell, fire branding spell.

Flames, acid, toxins rained down upon Luo De.

The magical traps here were far more numerous than they appeared.

Even Oona, Hali, and Noah, standing five meters behind, were forced to cast defensive spells to withstand the residual magic.

Watching Luo De engulfed in swirling magical colors,

Hali hesitated: "Is he alright?"

"Believe in Luo De—he doesn't do things without confidence."

"Hmm, by the way, Oona, what's your relationship with Mr. Luo De? Are you lovers?"

"Of course not! I'm from the Chastity Sect, and I'm just good friends with Luo De!"

The Chastity Sect?

Then it's certainly nothing to fear he'll be swayed by this woman, is it?

In recent years, members of the Chastity Sect breaking their vows aren't uncommon at all.

Haley refused to lower her guard.

(End of Chapter)