Chapter 325: New Domain and Speculation

Five minutes later.

When the dust settled.

The three of them finally saw Rod, completely unharmed.

Apart from a bit more dust on his body, there were only a few shallow scrapes.

Oruna cast a Dust-Cleaning spell on him.

Noticing that he had changed into another set of clothes, it seemed his outfit had been torn to shreds by spells again.

This brought to mind the scene of the two of them being buried earlier, and her face flushed slightly.

"I've collected some cloth made from phantom grass — it isn't so easily destroyed. Once we're back, I'll send some over to you."

"Hahaha — thanks."

Once Rod got used to it, he no longer felt awkward and laughed along instead.

He only felt his mood lift.

Just now.

While being baptized by spells.

He had actually comprehended a new domain!

【Comprehended part of the authority of 'Guardian Domain'】

【Domain Details: All defensive-type skill effects increased by 25% (increases with authority), resistance to erosion and attacks from other domains enhanced.】

【Obtained Domain Skill: Stacked Guard】

【Details: When two or more defensive-type skills are cast on oneself, triggers the 'Guard' effect. After a defensive skill is broken through, the remaining defensive skills gain a 3% boost to their skill effect (increases with authority). Can be stacked.】

A defensive domain skill that encourages stacking armor!

Although for now, very few people can break through Dragon Scale Art, as the chaotic situation develops later on, the enemies he faces will also grow increasingly high-tier.

This domain gave him a considerable sense of security.

The mushroom-man Noah on the side watched, dumbfounded.

He walked over and rubbed Rod's arm muscle with his plump, round fingers.

"Young man Rod, did you take spores too?"

"I didn't. What do you mean by 'too'?"

Hailey walked over and, unnecessarily, cast another Dust-Cleaning spell on Rod.

Then she said: "Most mushroom-men suffer from hallucinogenic spore dependency. For some with severe symptoms, simply inhaling is no longer enough — they choose to cut open their bodies and stuff hallucinogenic spores into the wounds, so they can delude themselves into thinking their muscles have grown stronger."

Rod looked at Noah's arm.

He saw several knife cuts that had already gone moldy.

"Uh, Mr. Noah, you'd better take it easy."

"Hahahaha — only hallucinogenic spores must not be let down! That is the creed of us mushroom-men!"

"Oh, come off it. Not all mushroom-men have hallucinogenic spore dependency." Hailey said.

Rod rubbed his chin.

He recalled the mushroom-man Toru in the Shi Ying town dungeon — that guy had always refused to submit, preferring to die in the dungeon rather than comply.

So he asked Noah for advice.

"Simple! Just cut off his hallucinogenic spores!"

"That guy is in a dungeon, so he probably can't inhale spores."

"That's where you're wrong, young man Rod. Most mushroom-men plant hallucinogenic spores inside their own bodies — they're self-sufficient. You just need to seal shut the cap that releases the spores."

"Got it, I'll go give it a try."

Noah nodded in satisfaction.

But then a puzzled look appeared on his face.

"What's wrong, Mr. Noah?"

"Ah, it's like this. We mushroom-men inhale hallucinogenic spores to achieve a state called 【Mind Merge】. This is how we link thoughts and share Illusory Realms with individuals in other fungal colonies. That one called Toru is clearly a reclusive mushroom-man — who would he be doing 【Mind Merge】 with?"

"Maybe he's just enjoying it on his own."

"Fair point. Maybe some mushroom-men do like that."

Tally poked half her head out from Rod's chest:

"This 【Mind Merge】 sounds a bit like the spiritual synchronization of Lycanthropy."

As mentioned before.

One theory about Lycanthropy: it is the blood of the Formless God, and every person infected with Lycanthropy undergoes spiritual synchronization with the Formless God.

Oruna: "Perhaps. After all, as a fungal lifeform, mushroom-men are very likely the oldest intelligent beings on the continent. It isn't impossible that these 'gods' who have never shown themselves draw knowledge from them."

"Could this be the reason Lycanthropy patients attack the Mycelium Clan?"

Rod said.

"It's possible, but I lean more toward the idea that the intelligent Lycanthropy patient came for that golden crown. This evil artifact has a very strong hallucinogenic effect on the mind — perhaps it could amplify the spiritual synchronization of Lycanthropy, or even trigger spiritual synchronization just from looking at it."

Listening to Oruna's speculation.

He imagined that scene.

Don't forget — the hallucinogenic effect of this crown can even pass through a recording stone and affect anyone who sees the image.

If someone were to spread images of the crown across the continent, wouldn't the vast majority of people become Lycanthropy patients?

"That sounds a little scary."

But then again.

This speculation is built on another speculation — its truth is hard to determine.

Enough small talk.

The group pressed onward.

To test the abilities of his new domain, Rod resolutely decided to keep clearing mines with his body.

The defensive skills he currently mastered were really not many—one Dragon Scale Art, one Lightless Chang En Fa Yin.

Spirit Warriors didn't have many tricks in this regard.

They either dodged, or used their weapons to parry.

Even when using spiritual defense over the whole body, the most commonly used was the spiritual qi membrane.

Apart from that, the vast majority of the time they just tanked head-on; the number of defensive skills was definitely inferior to a mage's.

When it comes to stacking shields, it still has to be a mage.

Rod recalled the contents of Lady Kali's lessons.

Then, with the super-enhanced comprehension granted by ten spirit seeds, he immediately picked out two defensive spells.

Shield Art and Magic Barrier.

One was a round-shield force field composed of magic power, the other a spherical force field covering the whole body.

"The domain skill 【Layered Defense】 doesn't rely on the quality of the shields, but on their quantity."

In other words—

All those fancy, flashy stacked shield skills were merely stepping stones for the bottommost 【Dragon Scale Art】.

This cavern was far larger than it appeared.

After clearing three more traps—

Two hours had already passed.

At this point, the group arrived at a spacious area of roughly five to six thousand square meters.

The gentle glow of the Light spell fell on the towering rock walls; stalactites and stalagmites intertwined, the terrain uneven, the watermarks upon them carrying the weathered flavor of time.

The air was humid and stifling, and occasionally the sound of dripping water could be heard.

Looking at the scene before him, Rod couldn't shake the feeling that this was some demon king's cave from Journey to the West.

All manner of spores densely filled the place, blocking the group's perception.

Just as he was about to press forward—

A sudden whoosh of breaking air came from the high place ahead.

The simulacrum at the very front was knocked to the ground, a huge gash appearing on its head.

Rod's eyes were quick and his hands faster; he predicted a direction, drew his sword, and fired off a 【Shrieking Sword Wave】.

The blue spiritual slash struck the rock wall, hitting nothing.

"Hm?"

The group looked all around, finding no enemy in sight.

"Invisibility?"

The Star Spirit, Hailey, stepped forward; after a brief incantation, she cast a spell to dispel invisibility.

Light instantly filled the spacious area.

But still, there was nothing there.

(End of chapter)