Chapter 639: Star-Spirit Trial

“Luo De!”

A voice shouted from afar, mixed with the heavy flapping of wings.

Luo De, returning from Mu Yang Village, had been curiously observing the Luxu arriving celebrity Lila Xinyu fan squad along the road.

After the reinforcements from Coral Bay and the halfling Lily arrived, the village lockdown left him nothing to do.

As the forest warden, a lustful glutton, he found too many outsiders around and didn’t dare to get close to Callista or Lily, so he naturally decided to slip away and find another girl.

Facing the faintly salty wind blowing in from the Monster Sea, he looked up.

There he saw Hali the Star-Spirit riding a massive gargoyle, soaring through the air from the direction of Coral Bay.

The gargoyle landed with a thunderous crash, causing panic among passersby.

But seeing a mage atop it, no one paid further attention.

“Hali, long time no see.”

Luo De’s hair was tousled by the sea wind, his coat flapping loudly.

It left Hali momentarily dazed.

Is this guy kind of handsome?

She glanced left and right, then leapt down toward the side away from the street, letting the gargoyle shield her.

Her skirt fluttered upward in the wind; one hand pressed her mage’s hat, the other pressed down on the fabric over her hips.

Dangerously, both full, long, translucent deep-blue thighs were fully exposed.

“.”

This guy’s exhibitionist nature hasn’t changed at all.

Luo De was speechless.

“Luo De! The Star Association’s trial has been moved up—you must help me this time!”

Hali looked at him hopefully; even her translucent face showed anxiety and unease.

She extended her arms forward, slightly pressing her prominent chest.

And her mage robe’s neckline was unusually loose—this pressure brought a tantalizing view almost against Luo De’s face.

But since her flesh was translucent deep blue and partially visible, it was hard to see clearly.

“Of course.”

Hali the Star-Spirit had come to fight in the Coral Bay battle.

Even when facing the Infernal Duke, she stood firm with our side instead of fleeing—enough to prove the friendship between them.

Friends, after all.

It’s just you help me, I help you.

Hali was overjoyed, eagerly grabbing his hand.

Luo De smiled and said, “How many people do you need? I’ll guarantee you pass.”

But the Star-Spirit lady shook her head: “This Star Association trial is next week—it’s a competition format. All candidates will be placed in a trial labyrinth, each allowed only one frontline companion, with the goal of finding and claiming the labyrinth’s hidden relic.”

One frontline companion?

Luo De nodded. I’d better go myself.

Hali gave me face and helped me—I must repay her fully.

“I heard the top prize includes five scales from an Ancient Power Dragon. I know you’re fond of dragon scales—I’ll give them to you as payment.”

“Oh? Thoughtful.”

Ancient Power Dragon.

Luo De actually had some memory of it.

Ever since learning that the [Dragon Scale Technique] could absorb dragon scales, he’d paid close attention to dragonkind.

Compared to common true dragons like the Five-Colored and Metallic Dragons,

rainbow dragons, power dragons, time dragons—those capable of manipulating spiritual energy—are stronger and rarer, called Legendary Dragon Species, their power even greater.

And besides,

before [Hyperdimensional Teleportation] shut down, Luo De had bought relatively common true dragon scales from the Magic Control Union.

The progress after absorption was negligible.

To upgrade the Dragon Scale Technique from +18 to +19, he’d need to spend at least hundreds of thousands of Jin Along on bulk purchases—no cost-effectiveness at all.

Besides,

during the dwarf rebellion, the Detention Department released numerous magical hazards; rumors say half the Magic Control Union’s territory was shattered, with recovery nowhere in sight—forget about buying anything.

“But there’s a small problem—you’ll have to overcome it.”

Hali’s hopeful expression didn’t fade.

Luo De looked at her beautiful face and the deeper cleavage formed by her pressure—suddenly, a bad feeling arose.

“Just say it outright. We’re old friends.”

“Well, this trial actually assesses a Star-Spirit’s personal strength and control over frontline companions, so… the frontline companion must be branded with the user’s enslavement mark before entering the labyrinth.”

“.”

“I know this is asking too much! But please, Luo De! This is vital to me! I heard some rivals have enslaved Blue Dragons, Deathbringer Lords, and Corpse Grave Demons! I was injured in Coral Bay and had no time to find a better companion—please!”

Her hands were soft and smooth.

She gripped Luo De’s hand tightly, occasionally squeezing his palm and back.

“I’m a person of status now—how would it look if others knew I was enslaved by you?”

“We can establish a magical contract! Prove this enslavement is only temporary cooperation—once the trial ends, we immediately break it!”

Seeing Luo De still reluctant, Hali’s cold blue eyes rolled slightly.

She added: “I know you’re skilled in enslavement magic too—how about this: you enslave me, and I enslave you. When it’s over, we both break the marks together. Deal?”

Luo De’s expression turned strange.

“Won’t mutual enslavement cause problems?”

“No, I have a way to bypass this restriction… You don’t know, some nobles enjoy this—making slaves enslave them, whipping, dripping wax, that sort of thing. I heard stories when I served as a guard in noble households.”

“Oh, alright then, since you say so…”

Hali smiled brilliantly, maintaining her elegance.

Her legs couldn’t help bouncing excitedly, like a little girl.

Then she released Luo De’s hands, stood tall, chest out, assuming the posture of being at his mercy.

“You go first, Luo De.”

Luo De didn’t hesitate.

[Enslavement Successful]

[Enslaved Object 17: Hali Strauss]

[Race: Star-Spirit]

[Age: 39]

[Obedience: 57]

[Evaluation: Star-Spirits—another race loved by some, hated by others.]

“.”

Luo De ignored the evaluation’s content and promptly halted the shared skill extraction.

Once shared skills are extracted, they can’t be undone—he couldn’t spend his whole life tied to her for a single quest.

Hali gently pulled down her collar and saw a pink enslavement mark glowing between her breasts.

She didn’t seem to mind.

From her spell satchel, she took a blue bracelet, slipped it onto Luo De’s wrist, and murmured a spell.

A noticeably smaller enslavement mark appeared on the inside of Luo De’s arm.

[Unknown enslavement magic detected. Remove?]

Luo De ignored it for now.

“There, our deal has completed its first step.”

Hali offered a proper smile.

Inside, her inner self was roaring with laughter.

Fooled!

Fooled!!

Hahahahahaha—

This is the training artifact I spent two months finding! Though it carries only a basic enslavement spell, its true feature is what I valued most!

The artifact has been bathed in my blood—once worn, you’ll soon feel an irresistible urge to draw near me.

Otherwise, you’ll suffer splitting headaches and unbearable itching, only relieved by my kisses, hugs, and caresses!

Even if I remove the enslavement spell later, it won’t fade!

Then Luo De will only think he fell in love with me during the trial, abandon those forest girls, and keep coming back to my arms, played like a puppet in my palm!

Hahahaha—

She forcibly suppressed her inner joy.

Calm down, Hali.

Remember: at first, show just enough disdain and annoyance toward Luo De—don’t seem too happy!

Why are you laughing so hard?

Luo De asked in surprise, then joined her in laughter.

Haley quickly straightened up and wiped the drool from her lips: “Nothing much. I just walked around Coral Bay and saw fans of the big star Lila fighting with your fans—it was funny.”

“They fought?”

“Yeah, really fierce—they used glow sticks.”

“Why?”

“I listened for a bit. It seems Lila’s fans called you a lustful lecher and formed a defense squad to ban you from approaching. Your fans got upset, so they started fighting.”

“.”

“Every time Lila Starwhisper holds a concert, she causes trouble locally—so many messy details. You’ve got to be careful.”

“Let them cause trouble. We started making tickets, banners, and glow lights half a month ago. As long as we make money—you know Lila Starwhisper?”

Haley sneered, puffing out her chest proudly: “A big star? I’ve heard a bit about her. Just a pretty face, that’s all.”

Luo De smiled.

Cloud elves all have flat chests and rank first on the continent’s flat-chested race index—certainly no match for Haley’s figure.

After bidding farewell to the Star-Spirit lady.

Luo De headed straight for Coral Bay.

He sent the Dog-People’s Painful Five to separate the fighting fans.

He pulled over Tiefling Lin Saixier and Banshee Kristla to help manage the crowd and give orders.

Arachne Elf Yuna had too many other matters—couldn’t call her again.

Vampire Vanesa had just finished her substitute teaching and was still obedient, so he brought her along to help too.

He’d originally wanted to summon Ghoul Pan Ni as well, but her appearance was too frightening, so he decided against it.

Luo De himself couldn’t show his face at all.

After all, the fight had broken out because of him.

Neither Luo De nor the girls had much experience with such things.

Luckily, they were all quick-witted and soon handled everything—separating and calming the crowds.

Making money, after all.

That’s how it was.

Looking at the still-bustling streets.

Watching commerce, shipping, and investment in Coral Bay gradually take shape.

Everything showed his influence was growing stronger by the day.

But whether it was the Igo Cult or the recent resurgence of the Beast Plague’s shadow, both deepened his inner unease.

(End of Chapter)