Chapter 336: Surge in Foreign Population

Powerful curses are extremely stubborn.

And the requirement for resistance checks is very high; once afflicted, it clings like a bone-deep sore, greatly reducing combat effectiveness.

After identifying the 【Curse Spike】, Luo De once impulsively tested its curse effect.

He found he couldn't resist it—luckily, it could be removed, or he might have really gotten himself into trouble.

He cast the 【Green Jade Energy Shield】 and tested the curse again.

He resisted it.

Luo De rubbed his chin.

Hmm.

The curse resistance of this spell isn't necessarily strong, but it does genuinely weaken the curse's power—just enough for his physique to resist it.

The 【Dragon Scale Technique】 offers only basic protection; it would be better if it also granted resistance to negative effects.

Luo De shook his head, dismissing unrealistic fantasies.

He didn't spend much time learning new spells.

He had Tally transform into the appearance of the Fungal Warrior Gorgon.

While carrying the 【Gravitational Frog's Tongue】, he trained his body and shaped the form of his spiritual battle soul.

The succubus was unwilling to take on this ugly form, but she had no choice but to obey her master's orders.

Not far from the training ground, a spider-elf named Yuna had appeared, holding a clean towel and a water bag, waiting for her master's needs.

Luo De had naturally noticed her long ago.

This enslaved girl was more willing than any previous girl; since she could walk, she had never left Luo De's side.

Never mind the varied breakfasts, lunches, and dinners she prepared, or the daily task of cleaning up his messy bed—she even waited outside the door whenever he used the latrine.

Luo De didn't find it uncomfortable being followed by a girl.

After all, Tally was always by his side; sometimes, when he didn't want to hold himself up while using the toilet, she reached out from the shadows to help.

Still, he preferred that girls have their own interests to pursue.

As he sweated through his training, he said:

"Yuna, you should try finding something you're interested in."

"Yuna belongs entirely to her master; she needs no interests."

Yuna said respectfully.

And she smiled happily, her eyes filled with gratitude and admiration as she looked at Luo De.

This silenced the words Luo De had been about to say.

"Yuna-sis is doing such a wonderful job, Master, don't bother her~~ Besides, serving you isn't an interest? My interest is Master's body~~"

The succubus, transformed into the Gorgon, spoke up for her.

Tally never defended any other girl.

Ever since she learned Yuna had taken over cooking and cleaning, giving her more time to slack off, her opinion of Yuna had improved drastically.

Besides, the spider-elf had no reproductive system—how could she compete for the master?

"As Miss Tally says, Yuna's interest is staying by her master's side."

Yuna was wearing Luo De's shirt.

The shirt had been re-tailored to fit neatly and snugly.

It clearly revealed her still-thin frame, though the beauty granted by her dark elf heritage added a sickly elegance to it.

Luo De was about to ask whether she'd been eating enough lately.

At that moment, a girl in leather armor stepped out of the forest.

The girl had a neutral appearance, delicate features, light-red skin, and demonic horns and tail.

Tiefling Lin Saixier.

The tiefling girl paused, startled by Tally's Gorgon form, then glanced at the spider-elf nearby, and finally gave Luo De a small, hesitant nod.

Her smile was slightly forced.

【Jealousy +13】

"Good morning, Saixier."

"Good morning, Mr. Luo De. Are you practicing spells again today?"

"I'm done. It was easier than I expected."

"Of course, it's Mr. Luo De!"

"What about you? I haven't seen you train lately. Are you falling behind on your teacher's lessons?"

That Falshard fellow really is something.

He abandoned one student and got entangled in a romantic mess with another male disciple—and still hasn't returned.

Lin Saixier truly has talent as a spiritual warrior; Luo De, having observed her for a while, found her potential worth preserving.

"The number of outsiders in Shi Ying Town has surged recently; the Adventurer's Guild has far more work than expected."

The tiefling girl sighed.

Luo De nodded.

Having things to do isn't bad—handling such matters yields rare experience.

Although he didn't want her spiritual accumulation to suffer due to her busy schedule, he wouldn't lecture her directly—and he'd already reminded her just now.

At this point, trust was enough.

"Any interesting things happening?"

He asked with a smile.

"Nothing interesting, but plenty of headaches."

Lin Saixier relaxed a little, unconsciously stepping closer to Luo De two paces; though her words sounded troubled, her brow had smoothed out.

She clearly wanted to talk more.

"The daughter of Old Fraser, the ore-processing factory owner, carries a taint of evil. The local workers for Shi Ying Town's expansion and the relocation of the relay station have gone on strike. Farmers in the agricultural zone are spreading rumors of beast-mutation disease. And there's... the haunted incident at Henry Farm, and more."

"No."

Luo De was amused. "The rumor about Henry Farm being haunted circulated months ago. I remember I bought it, and it stopped after that."

"Now that there are more outsiders, locals keep dredging up old, unknown legends to boost their own status."

Lin Saixier laughed too.

She couldn't help stepping even closer to the man. "Don't worry, Mr. Luo De—I'll work hard to debunk these rumors for you!"

"Then I rely on you."

Luo De patted her head.

The girl squirmed, her face glowing with a sweet smile.

They didn't chat long.

The tiefling girl soon left.

The spider-elf Yuna stepped closer, standing behind Luo De as they watched the girl's retreating figure.

"Master, should Yuna tie her to your bed?"

"... hat?"

Luo De thought he'd misheard.

But Yuna's expression was calm—she wasn't joking at all.

"Yuna, the girls who live in the forest have some connection with me. When someone with such a connection takes that step, it should be done with care."

"Understood. Girls from outside the forest don't need such caution."

"Well... that's not entirely wrong."

After lunch.

Luo De returned to his cottage, planning to enjoy a leisurely nap.

Lately, the Zhaogu Mountains had sufficient manpower, and with the return of the witch Dimia, his active involvement was no longer as necessary.

After all, Dimia's spells covered a wide area and were far more efficient than him cutting down targets one by one.

Tally climbed onto the bed and leaned quietly against the edge, tracing circles on his chest with her soft white fingers.

"Master~ Can we have a snack~~?"

"No. Be my pillow."

"Alright..."

Luo De pulled the soft body into his arms, burying his face in her neck, breathing in the sweet scent.

His body and mind gradually relaxed, his consciousness sinking downward.

Tally giggled, kissing his forehead.

Then she gently patted his back, like soothing a child to sleep.

"Maybe I'm unexpectedly good at being a mother."

But unfortunately,

Leisurely moments always pass too quickly.

Luo De, buried against Tally's chest, suddenly opened his eyes.

Dimia had sent a message via 【Chain of Far Speech】—someone from the Zhaogu Mountains was looking for him.

(End of Chapter)