Chapter 564: Crystal Disease and the Intruder

Luo De immediately called over Grayhair Nick from the five-member dog-people group.

When Nick learned they wanted to ask about the demon cave they had escaped from, he summoned Umma, the female dog-person whose face was half-burned and unable to speak.

It seemed the male and female slaves had been kept in separate areas, and the latter had access to and knowledge of more things.

From the intact half of Umma's face, one could still see her former beauty and delicacy—no imagination was needed to guess what she had once been.

On this point, Luo De and the half-wolf Ouka both silently refrained from asking further.

Although Grayhair Nick was the leader of the five-person team, in truth, even scarred Umma radiated a fiercer, more commanding presence.

Her expression and movements were more resolute and serious than Nick's.

She showed no shame or sensitivity toward her own injuries.

Unlike the other four dog-people, who occasionally displayed subservience, she maintained a constant calm dignity.

Luo De guessed that before her abduction, she might have been the offspring of some noble family.

"We don't actually know the demon cave's location. Before we fully escaped, we endured a brutal battle and were knocked into the river below a cliff by the enemy's mage. There were twelve of us total, but only we survived."

Grayhair Nick explained the situation first.

He then described the demon cave's internal structure and personnel deployment.

He explained that besides trafficking people, the demon cave also functioned as an underground auction house, complete with entertainment and dining.

Whether visitors or staff, everyone wore masks.

No one could identify anyone's identity.

Luo De had fallen into a cliché.

He guessed blindly they were all nobles and business elites from Aitheron—or perhaps even government officials.

He'd heard this kind of story on his past life's Blue Planet; some beautiful country had even bought an island to serve as a pleasure den for the rich and powerful.

At this point, don't overestimate the moral bottom line of these high-ranking individuals.

The female dog-person Umma gestured beside them, adding something.

Nick nodded and said: "Moreover, Umma says she saw a specialized research room deep underground in the demon cave, meant for certain mages to study… what was it again? Oh! Crystal Disease!"

As he finished, he cried out in pain.

Umma had pinched the soft flesh of his waist hard, frowning at him like a scolding mother.

She then resumed gesturing.

Nick scratched his head, daring not to refute.

"Sorry, I misunderstood—it's Crystal Disease. Deep underground in the demon cave is a large research facility dedicated to studying Crystal Disease. Umma even suspects the cave's other operations are just side businesses; the truly important part is the Crystal Disease research lab at the very bottom."

"Crystal Disease"

Luo De fell into thought.

Researching human core crystals?

Kallist had said Crystal Disease had recently broken out in the capital, Shining Light City—and now here was a research facility studying it.

Hmm.

Let's just assume they're the ones who poisoned it.

Luo De was straightforward and too lazy to think about things with no leads.

Also.

The place where Nick and the others awoke after falling into the river should be Deepflow Lake, located far southeast of Stormwind City.

It's not close, but not extremely far either.

Since they're human traffickers, they'd naturally gravitate toward crowded, poorly governed areas.

Coral Bay's reconstruction isn't finished; occupancy is impossible.

But Luo De's defeat of the Infernal Duke has been splashed across every newspaper.

Meanwhile, the Twilight Hills in the far west have remained relatively calm.

Over the past two months, waves of migrants have poured in, all treating Coral Bay as a safe haven.

This is our awkward phase—we must be cautious about Campbell family influence spreading this way.

Just in case.

Luo De decided to write a letter to Baron Ram of Stormwind City.

And exaggerate slightly, to ensure she takes it seriously.

As they talked, the sun sank below the horizon.

Staff from Coral Bay began to clock out one by one.

The food cart from Shiying Town rumbled toward them.

He'd planned to invite Half-Wolf Ouka to dinner.

But she had grown wary of the forest ranger who partied every night and swiftly fled like the wind.

Luo De didn't feel like returning to Shiying Town to eat either.

So he and Yuna found a quiet mobile food cart for dinner.

The Spider Lady was overjoyed to share a meal with her master after so long.

Even exhaustion etched on her face couldn't dim the brightness in her eyes; her long elven ears nearly stood upright.

After dinner.

Luo De sat with her by the sea, resting.

Talking, hugging—simple things.

Plain.

No choice; Yuna looked worn out from days of work, and Luo De didn't dare trouble her further.

Watching the white waves churn under the night sky.

The Spider Lady leaned against his shoulder, drifting into a drowsy sleep.

Tally looked around, saw no one nearby, and knew it was her time for dinner.

With permission granted.

She knelt before him.

Grinning, she unzipped the food packaging and took a big bite.

"Quiet, Yuna needs to rest."

"Mmm~"

Luo De gently stroked Yuna's slender, cool waist with one hand, while the other softly caressed Tally's head.

He admired the waves before him.

Enjoy it.

At that moment.

A message came through the 【Far-Speech Chain】.

【Witch Cat: Lord Luo De, the Dragon God's body materials have been fully manifested. Please come by when you have time.】

Luo De's eyes lit up, then he let out a faint bitter smile.

Finally completed?

Since obtaining the White Dragon Horn Seal from Axe Beach, over two months have passed—and now it's done.

He'd hoped to acquire it before attacking Coral Bay.

But plans never keep pace with change.

Still, it's fine—the dragon and dark elves of Coral Bay were far weaker than expected.

【Luo De: Good, I'll come tomorrow.】

【Witch Cat: Hmm, could you come now? Besides the Dragon Body materials, something's happened at Catspirit Paradise…】

Luo De frowned.

He asked urgently what was wrong.

【Witch Cat: The Magic Web has subtly altered the spiritual structure, causing magic to fuse within it—and the labyrinth has changed as a result. Someone has broken in.】

Hmm.

Due to the sensitivity of their 【Manifestation】 ability, the location of Catspirit Paradise is a top-secret.

If exposed… it would be dangerous.

【Luo De: I'm coming now.】

Luo De didn't dally with the succubus.

His 【Second Heart】 surged violently, releasing its lock.

Tally let out a delighted cry, her cheeks puffing up with joy.

He gently patted Yuna's shoulder until she stirred awake.

"Sorry, I have urgent business to handle."

Yuna didn't mind at all; she immediately grew serious: "I'll help too!"

"No, rest well. I'll come back and keep you company next time."

Saying this,

Luo De pulled out a test tube.

Ignoring the succubus's struggles, he pried open her tightly shut lips and poured a portion of 【Genesis Dew】 inside.

"Even though it's mixed with a little succubus saliva, the energy inside can relieve fatigue—just swallow it. Don't overexert yourself."

"Tally's saliva is sweet!"

The succubus quickly swallowed the rest and protested loudly.

Yuna's cheeks flushed slightly, filled with immense joy at her master's concern.

She accepted the test tube with both hands and gulped it down in one go.

(End of Chapter)