Chapter 345: Ascension and the Pod

Again, Ascension to Divinity.

Luo De nodded; it wasn't entirely surprising.

After all, this is the Age of Ascension.

He couldn't help but think of Tiflin Saixier, who was temporarily staying in the forest, and her younger brother Prula.

The elf Falshad somehow learned that these two siblings were bloodline nodes of the Tiflin, and voluntarily concealed their star destinies—even the Infernal Duke couldn't find them.

Since this involved an Infernal Duke advancing further, Luo De became even more determined to protect Saixier.

He understood the principle: when lips are gone, teeth feel the cold.

"So? Have they found them yet?"

"No. Coral Bay has over ten thousand people, and the dark elves have no way to identify bloodline nodes—they're currently sacrificing humans one by one for the Lord to test."

Luo De frowned.

Tiflin are transformed from humans—some at birth, some during puberty, and some even when they're old and near death.

Without any detection method, the dark elves might treat every human as a potential Tiflin, trying to activate their demonic bloodline one by one before sacrificing them.

He had anticipated the suffering of Coral Bay's people, but hearing it firsthand still stirred unease.

Luo De had long despised the dark elves of Coral Bay, even wanting to wipe them out more than once.

They were practically the root cause of chaos across the Twilight Hills.

But strength didn't permit it.

The Infernal Duke's vast army of sorcerers could cast Infernal spells without incantations, and could even resurrect using the Duke's power—now compounded by two dragons.

This kind of battle couldn't even be won by Stormwind City, let alone Shiying Town.

The forest held many seventh-rank warriors, but a battlefield with mages was a merciless meat grinder—the figure of 172 seventh-rank casualties in the Battle of Muxi City, reported by the Snow Hill Evening News, still echoed in Luo De's mind.

Then again.

Compared to open warfare, Luo De preferred covert assassination and decapitation strikes against the dark elves.

Provided they could suppress their resurrection ability.

He couldn't help rubbing the emerald pod in his spell satchel.

It was an item delivered by two friends on behalf of the halfling Lily.

——【Victory Pod】.

【Artifact Trait: Soul Lock, Regrowth】

【Details: A treasure painstakingly sought by a halfling devoted to a beloved one; the fruit within locks onto a target's soul, specifically designed to counter endless resurrection by sorcerers. Six fruits reside inside the pod, regenerating one every five minutes.】

Its effect is similar to the 【Demon Feast】 once used by Kali Site.

Also effective against opponents skilled in soul extraction and resurrection.

But the 【Victory Pod】 lacks the 50% uncertainty of the 【Demon Feast】.

Luo De quietly formed a new idea.

He had avoided decapitation strikes before—first due to strength, second due to ignorance of Coral Bay's internal structure and personnel.

Now, with Atticus's defection, the second obstacle was resolved.

Next, he must fully enhance the strength of everyone in the forest.

Those two dragons?

They wouldn't stay inside the city; if kept discreet, they might not even notice.

Still, to be safe, Luo De would enlist the aid of Scorpion Woman Hera and the rabbit folk Oona.

Two eighth-ranks—formidable fighters.

"What about those two dragons?"

"About a month ago, something fell into the Infernal Realm, and nearly every renowned ninth-rank expert on the continent appeared there. The Lord… he seemed at the center of the vortex, unable to leave or attend to Coral Bay's situation—so he summoned two dragons to hold the line."

That "something" must have been the blood of Mystra, who created the Weave and was brutally murdered.

That drop of blood stained with divine spark.

At the center of the vortex…

Oona once said that a certain Infernal Duke named Asmodeil now temporarily possessed that divine blood—could it be the very one these dark elves worship?

Luo De rubbed his temples.

Honestly, this was terrible.

He could only hope the other ninth-ranks would exert more effort in this chase for the divine blood.

Surprisingly, it was Vivian—the least emotional among them—who first sensed his unease.

She stepped forward, grasped his hand, and gently squeezed his palm.

Then she pressed it against her chest and held it tightly.

She stared at him with those luminous white eyes, expressionless.

"No, worry, Vivian, help, Luo De."

"Thank you."

The female beastman raised her cleaver: "Amy will help too! Let Amy handle the fighting!"

Youna bowed deeply: "For my master, Youna will do anything."

Xiao Ke quickly added: "I'm not good at fighting, but if you need prophecy, tell me!"

Speaking of which.

Luo De remembered Kali Site 's mention of the "cost of prophecy."

He asked Xiao Ke about the cost she paid during her prophecy against the Plague Master Amel—her effort had blocked two 【Imprints】 entirely.

Xiao Ke's face stiffened; she waved her hands. "No, nothing at all."

She turned to flee, but Luo De grabbed her back.

Facing the serious man, the half-deer girl lowered her head and muttered dismissively: "Nothing much—just twenty years of life."

Twenty years?!

Half-deer lifespans are similar to humans—around seventy to one hundred years.

Losing twenty years all at once?!

Luo De was stunned.

Then came an overwhelming pang of pity.

"Next time, tell me beforehand, okay?"

He softened his tone and pulled the frail girl into his arms.

But with Vivian beside him, she naturally refused such intimacy—she stiffened her cute face and pushed him away.

"Why are you hugging me? We're not close."

Xiao Ke was an easily satisfied half-deer; just seeing this man's worried, tender expression made her heart swell with sweetness.

"I'll find a way to make it up to you."

Luo De said seriously.

"Hmph! I'm not doing this for you—I'm doing it for everyone."

"I like this stubborn, prideful side of you."

"L-Like??"

She panicked, turning to Vivian in flustered haste. "Don't misunderstand, Vivian! He's talking about Xi Huan—the western route of the Twilight Hills! It's a beautiful sight! I passed it on my way back—the sunset was gorgeous!"

But Vivian never changed expression.

Hearing Xiao Ke's confused explanation, she could only tilt her head slightly in confusion.

(End of Chapter)