Chapter 356: Crimson Flow

Luo De did not reply to Kali.

During his journey to Cuiyu City, he had once visited Chire City, famed for its heat.

At that time, he had no intention of targeting the vast array of alien races, so he missed out on the flavors of fire spirits, fire lizard folk, and other fire-affinity races.

Well then.

Fire lizard folk? Forget it—hardly piqued his interest.

He had once seen fire spirits in the hot spring sauna of Chire City and found them quite appealing.

Many assume fire spirits are a purely flame-formed humanoid race, but that is untrue.

They can maintain their flame form for long periods, yet they are not limited to flame alone.

Fire spirits possess physical bodies.

Their skin is pale red, covered entirely in wild orange-red flame patterns.

They resemble humans, except their hair is replaced by flame.

Especially during sudden rain, to prevent their flames from being extinguished, they retract them entirely into their bodies.

Luo De's heart stirred slightly.

He decided to visit the fire spirits before dealing with the mind flayers.

After learning the exact location of Black Cloak Mountain, Luo De pushed forward at full speed.

He found the spot in roughly half an hour.

The mountain earned its name because it is perpetually shrouded in an undispersing black mist, resembling a giant forever draped in a black cloak.

But then.

Now, volcanic ash swirls everywhere, blotting out all sight—there's no visible trace of black mist.

Luo De had not yet landed.

From afar, he saw flames surging at the mountain's base, crackling and spitting silver sparks.

He looked closer.

There stood the fierce silver-armored, silver-spear-wielding woman he had seen before, now locked in battle with a group of fire spirits.

Her fighting style was truly bold and unrestrained; despite being outnumbered, she pressed forward relentlessly, killing anyone who stood in her way.

Luo De raised an eyebrow.

He suddenly noticed the crimson flow coursing through every one of her movements.

Wherever this crimson flow passed, it displayed far greater spiritual destructive power than it should.

Yet.

This force did not harmonize with her own spirituality—it was clearly not her own power.

"For a normal sixth-rank peak, she's a formidable fighter—even with a decent chance against seventh-rank opponents. That crimson flow is interesting."

No wonder she was chosen by the Half-Deer as a 【Hero】.

Speaking of the Half-Deer.

Where was her Hero Giver?

Luo De scanned with 【Spider Sense】.

Ah, found her.

The Half-Deer Qila was under 【Biological Camouflage】, hiding far away, watching Grail anxiously.

"Hehehe—"

Luo De landed, sneaking up behind her.

He gripped her throat.

The Half-Deer's body jerked violently, then froze.

She turned her head slowly, fearfully.

"I-it's you!"

"Hehehe—"

Luo De grinned, slapped her deer rump sharply, making her shudder again.

"I am the Flower Stealer of Aitheron, here to claim your maidenhood and defile your pure heart."

Qila hurriedly replied: "I don't have maidenhood! I have three boyfriends back home—and I've slept with countless men on the road!"

Hmm.

Really?

I don't believe you.

Luo De had some experience judging the taste and behavior of pure girls.

"So what? Hehehe—look at these two fingers of mine. This is the Divine Hand of the Age. Even a long-neglected fountain, touched by it, will resume spraying. Do you think you can resist?"

Qila stared at him as if seeing a ghost, as he extended his fingers.

Seeing them move toward her rear, she clenched her teeth, twisted her deer body, and kicked Luo De's side with her hind leg.

Luo De laughed, leaping away effortlessly.

As he landed, he pressed his knee directly onto her deer back.

The Half-Deer girl groaned in pain, collapsed to the ground, and suddenly a large hand roamed freely over her chest.

"!!!"

She frantically covered herself, tears welling up uncontrollably, streaming down her face.

Seeing he had bullied her enough, Luo De voluntarily withdrew.

"Tell me, then—how did your 【Hero】 acquire that crimson flow?"

Qila glared at him stubbornly.

"You—you'll never get it! Vermin!"

"Hehehe—whether you like it or not, you have no choice."

Luo De unleashed 【Mirage Net】.

A lust-derived skill born from 【Negative Emotion Absorption】, an invisible net of spiritual thought surged into the Half-Deer's mind; she shuddered, instantly sinking into emptiness.

In the woven illusion, Luo De transformed into the likeness of 【Hero】 Grail.

Luo De repeated his question.

"Has Lord Grail forgotten again? How terrible—without Qila by your side, you're lost!"

Qila's vacant eyes pouted sweetly.

Luo De patted her head, then gently stroked her deer ears.

The girl immediately wore a blissful, contented expression:

"Then Qila will say it again—it's the 【Hero Amplification】 born from the resonance between 【Hero Giver】 and 【Hero】! Only righteous warriors who meet all 【Hero Criteria】, like Lord Grail, are worthy of this great amplification—it's the essential weapon on the path to godhood!"

Huh.

【Hero Amplification】?

Xiao Ke's friend, another 【Hero Giver】 named Rachel, never mentioned this to him.

Then again, you're not a Hero anymore—why would you tell me this?

Interesting.

But could such a potent amplification truly be achieved merely by the Half-Deer Elder's prophecy?

Luo De asked again.

"As for this, we don't know. But the Elder promised that once the 【Hero】 fulfills all conditions, he will reveal it to us."

"Get away!!!"

A thunderous roar surged from afar, closing in at incredible speed.

The piercing rush of air struck like a gale, making even his skin feel the wind's pressure.

Luo De laughed loudly, flipping away to dodge.

The silver, fearsome spear swept past the spot he had just occupied; Hero Grail's eyes flashed with fury.

【Fury +54】

Half her silver armor was charred black; her face bore a red burn.

"Qila! Qila!"

The Half-Deer snapped awake: "Lord Grail? Hehehe—Lord Grail, didn't you just sneakily pat my head?"

"Look at who's standing before you!"

"Oh! I remember now—it's that cowardly sneak who claimed to be a Flower Stealer and grabbed my chest! Waaah! Even Lord Grail never touched my chest!"

Hearing this, Grail's anger flared again.

She stared hard at his face, yet found she could not recall his features no matter how hard she tried.

She gasped: "Domain?"

"Sharp eyes."

Luo De summoned Slime Black, shaping it into a black liquid sword.

【Sacrificial Sword】 and 【Great Cultivator's Pruning Shears】 were too conspicuous—right now, he was already making enemies; better to stay hidden.

(End of Chapter)