Chapter 702: Forcible Seizure

Shattered crystal clusters were planted upside-down in the ground.

The crystalline trees, once shifting colors with moonlight, now stood only as broken trunks, their severed ends congealed with turbid dark-purple crystalline growths, like solidified pus and blood.

The ground cracked with each step, kicking up fine crystals dust.

The labyrinth altar hidden among the crystal trees to the east—the very place where Fatima, chieftain of the Wingcrystal Blue Ice Clan, and Siti, the Wingcrystal clan’s smiling boy, had personally granted Luo De and the others their labyrinth pass.

Now half-collapsed, its exposed interior resembled a tooth hollowed out by worms.

Black filamentous strands hung from the crystal walls, swaying slowly with the air currents.

“The ritual controlling the labyrinth has failed.”

Kali Site had long been intrigued by the Wingcrystals’ technology; now, with direct observation, she was thoroughly enthralled.

“What of the Wingcrystal sprites?”

“They’ve likely left already. The labyrinth’s current state no longer meets the Wingcrystals’ living conditions.”

“Really? I thought they’d at least say goodbye before going.”

The early hunts of the aberrant demons within the Flawless Crystal Ground had benefited Luo De, and here he’d met Kali Site , Tiefling Saixier, and Zombie Selina—memorable encounters indeed.

The sprites’ silent departure left the proper gentleman Luo De feeling lonely.

“Luo De.”

Behind him, the tree spirit Vivian stepped forward, tugging his belt with one finger.

When Luo De turned, she gazed at him innocently, pointing toward a broken trunk barely half a person’s height away.

Everyone stared.

Inside the semi-transparent crystal trunk, a faint silhouette of a flying sprite was visible, preserved like amber.

“Oh?”

Kali Site strode forward, examined it briefly, then grew grim.

“Only the exterior remains. The interior has been completely drained. The labyrinth’s abnormal suction isn’t strong enough—it shouldn’t have been unable to escape.”

Luo De was about to step closer when he froze.

He checked his panel: the text “Flawless Crystal Ground Labyrinth Pass” was fading slowly.

“The pass is deactivating.”

“Aha, Tally too—just like the master~”

“Is that something to be happy about, you idiot succubus? Without the pass, we might not be able to leave the Flawless Crystal Ground.”

“Tally doesn’t mind. If I’m with the master, dying’s fine. Maybe before I die, I can taste what the master tastes after death~~”

Kali Site snorted, glancing at Luo De.

As if to say: “Look what you’ve raised.”

Luo De waved his hand: “I might know why. Come with me.”

The elf lady naturally had no interest in quarreling with the succubus.

The group fell silent and moved to the easternmost corrupted cave before the Flawless Crystal Ground.

The labyrinth was small, but the chilling, desolate atmosphere demanded constant vigilance—progress was slow overall.

As they advanced, the decay of the crystal ground worsened.

Some ground had lost all crystal coating; thick black filaments covered it, resembling black soil.

Soon after.

They finally saw the rose tree Luo De had branded with [Forcible Seizure].

It stood at the center of the shattered crystal plain, its once deep-blue translucent crystal body now dyed crimson by vibrant roses.

Like a blazing crimson torch, it pierced the dead, glassy wasteland.

Its petals were not soft silk, but translucent crimson crystal shards, edges sharp as blades. Deep within the heart, fine crystalline filaments writhed, refracting eerie rainbows under the light.

Its roots did not anchor underground but crept across the surface, staining the original gray fissures with veins of scarlet.

“Though invisible to the naked eye, many Wingcrystals are inside. Good news—several are still barely alive.”

Kali Site scowled, scanning the massive rose tree.

Then she turned to Luo De: “How did you know this tree was behind it?”

“Bad news—it’s my doing. Remember the [Dual Casting] I gave you?”

During the battle against the Plague Mage Amel, Luo De had fed the elf lady a direct dose of fresh blood infused with growth essence—she was one of the witnesses.

Though he’d also given her plenty during the “frog-catching” incident.

Kali Site seemed to recall something; her long, elegant elven ears flushed faintly pink, though her expression remained foul.

“What did you brand it with?”

“[Forcible Seizure]. A spirit-absorbing spirit art. I didn’t expect such power.”

Luo De frowned, pinching his temple.

“Just that? You didn’t do anything else to it?”

“Of course not. It’s a tree. What else could I do to a tree?”

At that moment, Tally’s head popped up beside him, grinning wickedly.

The scene a month ago, maintaining the Skyward Ancient Tree Eva, still vivid—using Tally’s juice as lubricant.

The master’s mouth lies.

“.”

Luo De made a zipping motion toward her.

Tally’s grin widened; she lowered her voice: “I’ll forget, oh~ If the master will please me with his mouth in bed~~ Just his mouth~~”

“Hmm?”

“If you don’t want to, fine. Tally will forget anyway.”

The succubus shrank her shoulders, remembering the imbalance in their relationship, and dared not bargain.

“Then it’s settled.”

“R-really?!”

“If you don’t want to, fine.”

“I do!”

Stars sparkled in Tally’s eyes, glittering brightly; her obedience rose by two points.

She shoved aside Vivian beside her and hugged Luo De’s arm, giggling foolishly.

Kali Site clearly hadn’t noticed their antics.

She still stared at the crimson-fire rose tree, her magical energy flowing without pause.

“Just a spirit-draining [Forcible Seizure]? That’s strange. This rose tree contains far more than mere spirit.”

Luo De was stunned.

“What else?”

“Refined tree spirit bloodline factors, at least five parasitic entities, three distinct domain forces, and… divine power.”

The moment she spoke.

The entire crystal ground fell silent. The wind ceased. Even the twisted crystal clusters stopped humming.

The rose tree, like a grand firework, erupted in brilliant light.

Kali Site , an eighth-rank expert, reacted instantly—she teleported with Luo De and the three women, pulling them back.

Luo De stepped forward, shielding the three women behind him.

“This is—”

The entire crystal ground began to wail; even the remaining broken crystals twisted and peeled away under the light, like scorched filth.

The next instant.

The light vanished.

A figure floated in midair; the crimson petals gathered around her, weaving into a gauzy robe.

Her exquisite, painted face was closed-eyed, yet her expression clearly radiated fury.

“I am Daphne. Who dares disturb me!”

(End of Chapter)