Chapter 668: Neighbors and Familiarity

The rescue in the Pale Corridor proceeded very smoothly.

After making contact, the five Homecoming Prophets of the Star Association did not relax their vigilance, still choosing to enter fully armed.

Only after multiple patrols and inspections of the entire Pale Corridor labyrinth, and reaching the conclusion that the labyrinth remained stable, did they gradually breathe a sigh of relief.

Next, the formal personnel rescue began, with a large number of Star Spirit mages entering to assist.

Within less than three hours, all surviving trial participants were rescued.

This included the heavily injured Homecoming Prophet Motas.

But the situation remained dire.

Among the twenty Star Spirit trial participants, six were severely injured, and twelve were killed, leaving not a single bone behind.

It could almost be called a total annihilation, dealing a heavy blow to the Star Spirits as well.

Naturally, the trial would no longer be mentioned; as a race skilled in manipulating labyrinths, the topic of safe labyrinth usage was brought up again at the right moment.

Some bards stationed permanently at the Star Spirit stronghold quickly learned of this matter and began digging into the truth behind it.

The five Homecoming Prophets had no time to attend to it.

They had more important work to do.

Still within the Pale Corridor.

Less than two hundred meters from the central altar, there lay a massive crater with fresh traces.

The residual bloodstains and chunks of minced meat on the soil indicated that it had recently been soaked in disgusting flesh and blood.

The sky's gentle, warm moonlight shone upon the ground, and the mist spreading upward from the humus layer was constantly scattered by Star Spirit mages passing by, who were setting up various sealing, research, and identification spell rituals.

The eerie aura had been reduced from 100% to 20%.

But the five Homecoming Prophets stood around the edge of the crater.

After briefly discussing the deity and the contents of the seal,

the atmosphere inevitably grew heavy.

As the only female among the Homecoming Prophets, Halia elegantly squatted down and crushed a lump of scorched, unknown matter.

The remaining sparks hissed and crackled, burning a small hole in the magical film on the surface of her skin.

While stunned, she spoke the first words: "That person's name is Rod."

"Rod. The name Rod is not rare, but someone with such strength is likely only the one on the Twilight Hills."

Orion stroked his chin and said.

"The Ranger Rod who repelled the Duke of Purgatory, Asmodeus? Why has he come here? This is Star Spirit territory."

Garzak, usually indifferent, showed obvious interest in Rod.

"The trial participant Hailey Strauss brought him in as an assisting vanguard."

Wickes pinched the bridge of his nose: "Wait, I recall that even an assisting vanguard would be checked for the Nu Yi Ke Yin? That person... he was actually willing?"

Halia revealed a meaningful smile: "Hailey Strauss once helped that Ranger expel the Dark Elves of Coral Bay in her personal capacity. More importantly, that Mr. has an extraordinary preference for non-human girls."

Wickes widened his eyes: "Are you saying he is pursuing Hailey Strauss?"

"That is possible."

"What nonsense! Absolutely boring!"

"In my opinion, it is actually quite a romantic approach."

Orion coughed lightly twice and returned to the main topic.

"The problem is we lost twelve promising seventh-rank individuals. Given the current situation on the continent, underground forces openly opposing the Yige Sect have recently begun to appear, especially in Brilliant Light City, Deep Water City, and Noisy Water City. The blood purges conducted by the Yige Sect priests are also numerous."

Garzak snorted coldly: "The blood purges are only one aspect. The Yige Sect has always focused on the war with the Heavenly Court Flower Kingdom, but recently they have been taking internal actions, likely with other intentions."

"Exactly. Although our Star Association is not afraid, directly clashing with Aethelorn is not rational."

"The research on the Keshi Plains is the main direction; we cannot easily shift focus."

Seeing the atmosphere somewhat solidified,

Halia clapped her hands: "A distant relative is not as good as a near neighbor. How about having Hailey Strauss replace us to draw closer to that Ranger? If we can arrange a marriage, that would be even better!"

"Hmm, I also heard that Ranger Rod is very protective of his own. There is a spider-transformed Dark Elf by his side; I heard the attack on Coral Bay had some connection with her (a bard's rumor)."

"Speaking of which, I also heard that to spare the half-deer Young Lady of the Wind Wall Forest from the duty of the 【Hero Giver】, he went to Silver Hoof Deer Valley to negotiate, and finally secretly pledged his life with the youngest daughter of that half-deer Grand Elder (still a rumor)."

As a race skilled in star-gazing and examining star destinies,

their Homecoming Prophets are generally busy searching for their distant homeland, so they naturally do not personally verify these after-dinner bard stories.

Besides, investigating a strong person's star destiny is extremely impolite.

Before, there was no interest or connection with Rod; now that they know, they certainly will not do it.

Having said that,

everyone looked at Chairman Elris.

The ancient Star Spirit mage's expression remained unchanged: "Ranger Rod possesses such strength before reaching the ninth rank; cultivating a relationship early is certainly excellent, but it is a pity for that child Hailey."

Halia smiled: "I think that girl would be delighted by such a thing."

After throwing Layla Starwhisper back, when Rod returned to the ranger's cabin in the forest, the sky was already slightly bright.

Although the 【Domain of the Moon】 no longer requires sleep, he himself was addicted to the feeling of lying down and doing nothing.

Whether after finishing business or after finishing matters with the girls, he always loved to fall asleep holding a warm, soft body.

Rod removed his equipment, planning to take a quick shower and then ambush a girl.

"Who to choose? Vivian? Miss Xiao Ke? No, Little Little Bangde has been a bit naughty lately; he might peek."

He had just poured himself a cup of hot tea, crossing the partition of the living room,

when he was surprised to see a familiar figure sleeping on the bed.

Her skin had turned purple due to strength enhancement, her horns were also purple but with a gradient of pink, and her slender tail ended in a soft heart shape.

On her charming and delicate face, two bewitching black markings added a touch of inhuman beauty.

It was Tally.

Rarely showing her succubus true form, she lay curled up on the bed.

Clutching Rod's pillow in her arms, her plump, soft flesh pressed against it through her white cotton clothes, creating an alluring distortion.

The faint sound of her breathing tickled Rod's eardrums; his eyebrows lifted slightly.

Tally rarely manifested her true form, and even less so after accidentally swallowing the Desire-Suppressing Pill.

Rod sat on the edge of the bed and poked her cheek.

"Rare indeed, coming here to sleep on your own."

Haley's trial was faster than expected; he had thought it would take a day or two and had already arranged a place to go with the girls of the forest.

Girls are like this.

Once they can't see you, they keep asking.

Especially the Tally of the past.

Perhaps it was precisely because she thought Rod wouldn't return home that the Young Lady succubus dared to come.

"Mmm..."

The sleeping Tally made cute whimpering sounds, then suddenly grabbed Rod's hand and pressed it into her embrace.

She parted her lips slightly, biting his index finger into her mouth.

Rod smiled and simply teased her tongue.

And she seemed to mistake the finger for that thing.

She actually began to pant slightly, her body trembling a little.

"Hehe..."

Rod immediately froze.

Hmm?

Why did there suddenly feel a familiar sensation?

He hadn't touched Tally much after the Desire-Suppressing Pill, but he had forced himself on her once or twice; her technique was absolutely terrible. Although they could still have their fill, seeing the girl burst into tears made him feel bad too.

But... why was her technique so Gao Chao right now?

Because of her subconscious while asleep?

(End of this chapter)