Chapter 700: Domains and Collapse

【Eye of the Storm Spear: This item possesses a “Hunting Domain.” When thrown, the target must pass a Domain Collision check, or it will inevitably strike! After being thrown, the spear transforms into a bolt of lightning and returns to the wielder’s hand.】

【Vortex Ring: This item possesses a “Cloud Domain.” It summons a temporary cloud vortex that encircles the wearer; during this time, all ranged attacks must pass a Domain Collision check or fail to hit! Automatically activates “Feather Fall” upon falling.】

【Wings of the Heavens Cloak: This item possesses a “Sky Domain.” The wearer gains increased flight speed, stackable; during this time, anti-flight zone spells must pass a Domain Collision check or fail to activate!】

【Chanting Harp: This item possesses an “Art Domain.” When played, it generates a gentle cloud mist within a 30-foot radius; during this time, all perception skills must pass a Domain Collision check or fail to detect!】

None of these four items are artifact-grade.

But items possessing Domains are exceedingly rare, as Krafft had indicated.

Objects that anchor Domains are tied to the user’s own strength and thus cannot be given away—these are all relics left behind by those who once mastered the corresponding Domains.

Regardless of anything else,

Rod particularly liked the Eye of the Storm Spear.

Conveniently, the “Spiritual Throw” he had shared from the half-deer man Xiao Ke still lacked a suitable weapon.

“Mr. Rod may consider these Domain items. Anchored objects can be used in combat, and as the Domain’s power within them grows, they provide additional enhancements.”

As he spoke, Krafft Starwhisper handed him a brown leather-bound handwritten notebook.

Rod flipped through it briefly and realized it contained his personal insights on anchoring Domains.

Hmm.

Anchoring a Domain does not directly strengthen the user.

Rather, it extends the Domain onto an anchored object when the user’s physical body cannot contain it fully.

The strength of the user’s own Domain does not immediately change, but it can gradually be absorbed and dissolved through feedback from the anchored object.

It is indeed far better than patiently cultivating it oneself.

“Then I won’t be polite.”

Rod accepted without hesitation and simply thanked him.

“No need for courtesy. Had your companions not been so numerous, I might have seriously considered marrying my daughter to you. Hehehe—”

“Father! I’ve told you already—I’m not in that kind of relationship with Rod!”

“Enough, enough. I haven’t even settled accounts with you for eavesdropping on the whispers from the other dimension. Go back now.”

Rod: “.”

This guy is truly asking for death.

Laila Starwhisper pouted in annoyance: “I told you the Xieshen are real! Laila and Rod defeated the Moon Goddess inside the Star-Spirit’s labyrinth! Isn’t that romantic, Father?”

“Father finds it merely dangerous.”

“Hmph! I can’t fathom why Mother ever liked your old-fashioned self!”

Laila Starwhisper turned away in a huff; the cloud pillar descended, returning her to the Cloudweave City in the sky. Before leaving, she waved farewell to Rod.

Krafft sighed, shook his head, then turned serious again toward Rod: “One more piece of news, Mr. Rod: a hidden labyrinth in the small hills southeast of Shiying Town appears to be gradually collapsing. Be cautious.”

Rod was slightly stunned.

The small hills southeast of Shiying Town?

A hidden labyrinth?

That’s none other than Shuangzhi Mountain—the Crystalwing clan’s labyrinth, “Flawless Crystal Ground”!

I recall we had already resolved the demonic creature problem there, and the maturing labyrinth’s instability was gradually stabilizing—how could it be collapsing now?

Rod was a man of propriety; after all, they were neighbors. He owed it to them to go and check.

“Well, this old man has overstayed his welcome. It’s time to take my leave.”

Krafft felt he had said enough; his body was wreathed in swirling cloud mist as a cloud pillar formed beneath him.

“Until we meet again, Mr. Krafft.”

“. Mr. Rod, you once told my son that Laila isn’t your type—was that truly your meaning?”

“Hmm. Laila is a bit thin.”

He had wanted to say flat.

But saying that in front of her father would be inappropriate.

“I am an old father, Mr. Rod. Once I sense my own age, I cannot help but plan for their futures.”

Krafft’s figure merged into the faint cloud pillar—elegant and dangerous.

“You are a man of feeling and loyalty, though you have too many women. But I care only whether Laila’s future will be happy and safe. And Laila does have some fondness for you. Therefore, you remain the top candidate for our Cloudweave City’s son-in-law.”

“.?”

So you mean, when the time comes, you’ll pressure me into marriage like you pressured your son?

The cloud pillar shot skyward.

The Cloud Jingling ’s form vanished entirely, along with the thick white clouds above.

Sunlight poured once more from the horizon, spilling across the land.

Tally glanced around, then crept close stealthily: “Master, if you’re really dragged up there, you can ignore the other women—but please, take Tally along as your foot warmer. Otherwise, Tally will truly starve to death.”

“Aren’t you a personal toilet?”

“Toilets can warm feet too~~”

The succubus clung to him with no shame, smiling sweetly until it made one sick.

The tree spirit Vivian, who had been watching silently, strolled over and linked arms with Rod on the other side.

She blinked her large, luminous white eyes innocently, gazing straight up at him, her smooth chin resting against his bicep.

“Rod, marry a wife? Leave?”

“Not leaving. I’ll spend the rest of my life in the forest. If I marry, it’ll be Vivian.”

Vivian clearly didn’t understand the romantic line, but nodded earnestly.

Her small hand slid down and nestled in Rod’s palm.

“Hey hey hey! What about Tally? Will you marry Tally too?”

“You’re a personal toilet. Toilets can’t be wives, and they’re confined to a five-square-meter bathroom.”

Tally froze.

Not angry—instead, she grew excited.

She panted as if lost in fantasy: “So… when the wife, Vivian, isn’t looking—or when she’s out watering the trees—you’ll sneak into this little room, listen to Vivian’s footsteps, and fuse tightly with Tally?

Hehehe—then Master, remember to bind Tally in toilet form every day, and visit at least eight times!”

“.”

Don’t try to understand the succubus’s logic—it’s borderline insane.

The fact that the Crystalwing clan’s dwelling, the Flawless Crystal Ground labyrinth, was on the verge of collapse was no small matter.

Rod did not linger; he immediately summoned the elf Kalist to accompany him.

Vivian clung to him with a blank, dazed expression, unwilling to let go. In truth, aside from the period of the [Lust Mark], the tree spirit girl rarely engaged in physical contact.

At most, she’d kiss him when greeting, then drift away.

Rod actually preferred her clinging—her fragrance was pleasant.

Kalist greeted him with: “So this is the Cloudweave City’s son-in-law?”—her jealousy and sarcasm thick.

But upon hearing of the Flawless Crystal Ground, she immediately grew grave.

A labyrinth’s collapse is dangerous no matter how you look at it. Shuangzhi Mountain is too close to Shiying Town—its effects are unpredictable.

(End of Chapter)