Chapter 659: Between Purchase and the Blood Pool

“How is that possible? Both I and Lela saw it with our own eyes.”

Medlin was startled, glancing toward the mist, yet dared not approach.

The celebrity raised his hand again: “Could someone else have taken it?”

Luo De shook his head: “This magic puppet has been enhanced. Aside from your homecoming prophet Motas, I don’t believe any other trialist could have done it.”

“But Motas was severely wounded fleeing after encountering the Moon Shadow replica, to create space for us—he shouldn’t be able to.”

Medlin suddenly realized, her eyes filled with horror.

A thought surfaced in her mind, yet she found it utterly unbelievable.

Lela Starwhisper had no psychological barrier and spoke her guess clearly:

“It was Luo De’s Moon Shadow replica that took it!”

“But why—”

Haley mused for a moment: “According to Eye Lucar’s claim about the four organs being separated—the Moon Shadow replica is trying to gather all four organs to resurrect the Moon God!”

Luo De sensed the puppet beneath his feet struggling again, pressing down harder.

Her neck emitted a grating, teeth-chilling sound, on the verge of snapping.

During the previous standoff, Eye Lucar had always hoped Luo De would become His agent and collect the other three organs here.

And now—

The Moon Shadow replica was clearly carrying out the agent’s work.

Luo De had initially assumed the new rule of the [Moon Shadow] stemmed from the Moon God Lucar’s influence.

But now that a replica had become an agent for one of the organs’ consciousness, he sensed something was off.

Think carefully.

The four organs were scattered, barely awakened, and only acting within their own regions.

Could they truly control a large-scale rule capable of perfectly replicating flesh and magical state?

Luo De looked at the [Despair Mycelium] panel.

【‘Despair Mycelium’ used successfully.】

【Target: Moon God Lucar (Eye)】

【Additional Skill Effects:】

【1. Despair Mind (condition unmet);】

【2. Life Force Drain;】

【3. Summon Demigod;】

【4. Despair Domain (condition unmet).】

【Begin creating ‘Mycelial Core’?】

【Mycelial Core: Consumes the target’s soul and spiritual energy to form a core, extractable by the caster. The core’s size and quality can elevate the consumer’s energy tier to varying degrees.】

Although Despair Mind and Despair Domain remained unusable,

the activation of Life Drain, Summon Demigod, and the Mycelial Core gave Luo De some reassurance.

Eye Lucar’s current state was undoubtedly dire.

That was precisely why Luo De dared to leave it untouched for now.

“Should we go back? Mr. Luo De, please step lighter….”

Medlin glanced at the magic puppet under Luo De’s foot, her face filled with distress.

It wasn’t just expensive to make—

She had carved it to resemble her childhood best friend. Though lifeless, she often talked to it at night when bored, and had grown attached.

Luo De shook his head: “No need. We’re heading to the next location—do you know where it is?”

“When we fled earlier, we passed the relic ‘False Blood’’s location—the Blood Pool Between. I can guide us. Seriously, sir, step lighter—it’s about to break!”

“Alright, alright.”

Luo De lifted his foot and tightened the silver threads wrapped around it.

He tangled them wildly, completely immobilizing the puppet.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but miss Tally’s methods.

The succubus’s shadow magic always suspended girls midair, elegant and alluring.

Come to think of it, when would that damn Desire-Extinction Pill finally wear off?

Haley and Medlin’s relationship had eased; they moved the puppet onto the cloud.

“Alright, fix your thing quickly—at least you’ll gain another combatant, right?”

“Ugh, I’m fixing it!”

“Hmph.”

Haley walked over to Luo De’s side.

Her beautiful deep-blue face lifted to look at him.

“Is the enslavement mark burning? Want to hold hands?”

Her collar had slipped slightly; from Luo De’s angle, he could clearly see the deep, rounded crevice rising prominently, as if trembling.

He glanced at the message before him—

【Unknown Enslavement Coexistence Time: 5 hours 11 minutes】

【Spiritual Strength Increase: 5%】

Pathetically weak.

Only 5% after five hours.

“Aren’t you afraid your little friend will see?”

“Pfft, who’s her friend? She’s ungrateful… Forget holding hands. Can I just cling to your arm like I’m helping you walk? And while you’re at it, restore my mana.”

“Do as you like.”

Luo De looked indifferent, adhering to his policy of neither initiating nor refusing.

“...Fine, if you don’t want to.”

Haley’s face darkened. This bastard was taking advantage of her and still acting like he was doing her a favor.

“Then don’t bother restoring my mana.”

“...”

Haley sulkily wrapped her arms around his, pinched hard, then shoved his arm forcefully into her chest.

“I’m holding on. Are you going to say I’m holding you back?”

The four resumed moving forward.

This time, Luo De and Haley walked ahead, while Medlin and Lela rode atop the cloud.

“I’ve been meaning to ask—why does your puppet look a bit like Miss Haley?”

Lela Starwhisper had an exceptional eye for art and facial features.

She was curiously studying the differences between Haley and the puppet.

Medlin was repairing the magical rituals on the puppet.

A faint glow flashed across her face as she insisted: “Really? Just coincidence.”

Haley turned around sharply: “You didn’t use her as me, practicing insults every day, did you? No wonder she attacks you the moment she sees you.”

“You? Ha! Damn it—the magical rituals on the puppet have failed!”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.”

Luo De suddenly turned back: “Many artifacts at the Silent Throne have gained consciousness. Your puppet might be the same.”

Medlin wailed: “Why didn’t you say so earlier!”

“Perhaps you could try to redeem her.”

“Activated objects always harbor malice and hatred toward their former owners! How do you redeem them?! Aaahhh! My puppet!”

Celebrity Lela stole a glance at Luo De, recalling how casually he killed in Coral Bay.

She tugged Medlin’s sleeve and whispered: “Be nicer to Luo De—he has a terrible temper.”

“My puppet’s ruined! How am I supposed to be nice?! Oh no—”

Luo De rubbed his chin: “How about I buy it from you? I’m quite interested in puppets.”

Haley spun around in shock, staring at him in disbelief.

Lela’s eyes lit up with delight, mumbling words like “puppet,” “human,” “forbidden love”—hard to make out.

Medlin’s scream cut off abruptly. She asked skeptically: “Buy? Do you even have money? This cost me a fortune.”

“I have some.”

“I must remind you—I’ve lived with her for years. Though lifeless, I talk to her every night. She’s practically my sister…”

“Just name your price. No need to tell me this.”

Luo De was torn between laughter and exasperation.

He suddenly froze, turning his gaze ahead.

Through the [Group Hunting] skill’s “Keen Smell,” a cloying, metallic scent filled his nose.

It was like honey mixed with blood—overwhelmingly thick.

Only a massive concentration of blood could produce such a smell.

Beyond the mist stood a Moon Shadow replica, staff in hand, its magical aura unmistakably reaching the ninth tier.

"The Blood Pool. A prophet of return home?"

(End of Chapter)