Chapter 173

On the fourth floor of the labyrinth, deep in the Mist Forest, a dark elf is leisurely napping on a tree branch.

Her figure is petite, like a willow branch resting on a tree branch, and her wheat-colored skin blends in with the color of the tree trunk, making it impossible to find that someone is hiding here without looking carefully.

Since the dome on the fourth floor of the labyrinth regained its light, the entire withered forest has regained its vitality, and that warm light always makes people unable to help but fight with their eyelids.

At first, Sherry was still standing guard seriously, but the surroundings were too quiet, and she couldn't help but doze off while staying.

Anyway, nothing big has happened in the labyrinth recently, and adventurers don't dare to make trouble on the fourth floor of the labyrinth.

Although there is a group of annoying goblins, those little dwarves don't dare to approach here at all.

And the most critical thing is that "Little Gray" woke up recently, and the entire forest regained its vitality.

Every inch of movement of every plant and tree here cannot escape its eyes, and if something really happened, it would definitely remind her.

Just when Sherry was sleeping soundly, a breeze suddenly blew, and a butterfly flying from nowhere landed on the tip of her nose.

Stimulated by the pollen falling from the wings, she couldn't help but sneeze, and fell directly from the tree with an "Achoo".

"Ouch!"

She let out a short cry as her butt hit the ground. Fortunately, the pile of dead leaves on the ground was thick enough, so she didn't get hurt.

Just when she was rubbing her lower back while muttering "so unlucky" and standing up from the ground, she suddenly saw a majestic figure standing in the shadow of the bushes not far away.

Seeing that face with distinct edges and corners and not angry but majestic, Sherry's face suddenly showed a surprised expression, and she subconsciously called out.

"Lord Demon King?! Why are you here?!"

Previously, her father arranged for her and her sister to serve as guards for Lord Demon King, but because Lord Demon King had been staying in his territory recently and had no need to travel, he sent her sisters home.

Anyway, it's not too far from the surface here, and if there's anything, they can listen to the call and rush over at any time.

But to be honest, compared to standing guard at the door, she still prefers to stay by Lord Demon King's side.

Not only because of Lord Demon King's pleasing appearance, but also because the food there has different patterns all day long.

Unlike elves who eat vegetarian food, fallen dark elves are not picky. Thinking of the taste of that barbecue, she couldn't help but swallow.

Although Mist Town also has barbecue, Father forbids them from approaching there for no reason, and only when they need to purchase daily necessities will they send special people over.

"I have something to visit your father..." Luo Yan glanced at Sherry, who was covered in fallen leaves, and cared with a slightly hesitant tone. "Are you okay?"

Just now he saw with his own eyes that this guy fell from a height of more than two meters.

If it was to welcome himself, it didn't have to be so polite.

"It's okay, it's okay, just a small accident, hee hee..."

Sherry smiled shyly, embarrassed to say that she was asleep, and quickly patted off the fallen leaves on her body.

Immediately after, she jumped to his side like a lark, and said in a crisp and pleasant voice.

"I'll lead the way for you, please follow me!"

"Then I'll trouble you." Luo Yan nodded and flicked the dead leaves on her hair.

A flush that was hard to notice floated on that sunny and cheerful face, and then blew in front like a gust of wind.

Looking at the light-footed girl, Luo Yan followed behind that slender figure, passed through a lush forest, and soon arrived at the edge of the Gray Wind tribe's camp.

Different from the first meeting, thick tree trunks rose from the ground, intertwined into solid walls.

There was a gap in the center of the wall that only allowed one person to pass through, which seemed to be the gate of this fortress.

Perhaps it was because they noticed the arrival of the two, those thick tree trunks were like living things, expanding the gap that originally only allowed one person to pass through into a gate that was five meters wide.

Luo Yan looked at this scene in surprise.

Especially when he saw the lush tree houses standing behind the gate, the expression on his face became even more incredible.

Since the moonlight of the dome shrouded this forest, the changes that have taken place here can simply be described as earth-shaking.

Noticing the expression on Lord Demon King's face, the corners of Sherry's mouth curled up slightly, a smug smile, she unconsciously puffed out her chest, and said in that crisp and pleasant voice.

"... A long time ago, we lived in tree houses, until later the light of the labyrinth dome went out, Little Gray became weaker day by day, and we moved out of the tree houses and lived in tents made of animal skins. Now everything has changed back, whether it is the light of the dome or Little Gray, so we moved back to the original place..."

Speaking of this, Sherry paused for a moment and looked back at Luo Yan.

Those bright eyes seemed to be able to speak, writing the heartfelt gratitude and reverence without any extra motives into the wind blowing past her temples.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," Luo Yan nodded with a smile and said in a gentle tone. "You are the subjects of the Grave, and protecting you is one of my duties as the Demon King."

"Hee hee, I knew you would say that." Sherry blinked playfully, her index finger hooked behind her.

Just at this time, her sister Helen appeared at the gate not far away.

Seeing the Demon King following her sister, she knelt on one knee and saluted, paying the highest standard of etiquette of the dark elf tribe to Luo Yan.

"Supreme Demon King, Monarch of the Grave, please forgive my father for not being able to come to welcome you personally, he is preparing for the ceremony in the council hall..."

That gentle and elegant temperament formed a sharp contrast with the eccentric Sherry.

Including that broad and boundless mind and far-sighted vision.

If it weren't for the fact that both of them had the same light purple hair and emerald green pupils, Luo Yan couldn't imagine that the two were actually biological sisters.

"Please get up, the ceremony was ordered by me, you just take me there."

Helen stood up respectfully and nodded.

"Thank you for your understanding, please follow me."

After speaking, she looked at her sister, signaling the latter to go back to stand guard, and she would handle the rest.

Sherry looked at her sister pitifully, trying to muddle through the matter of standing guard, but seeing her sister unmoved, she could only "chee" and turn around and return the same way with her head buried in unhappiness.

Watching her sister leave, a faint sorrow floated on Helen's face, and she looked at Luo Yan with slight worry and said.

"... Sherry is a bit free and loose usually, we will strengthen the discipline of her later, if she has offended you, please forgive her for being young."

By the standards of elves, Sherry's age is indeed not big, although by human standards, both of them are old enough to be grandmothers.

"How could it be offensive?" Luo Yan smiled, joked and said, "Instead of educating her, I think you should learn from her, you don't have to be so tense all the time, making me feel nervous sometimes."

Helen was slightly stunned, looked at him in surprise, and seemed to see another side of him that she hadn't seen before.

"Do you... also feel nervous?"

"Of course," Luo Yan nodded with a smile and said in a gentle tone. "So I hope you can relax, public occasions are another matter, you don't have to treat me as an outsider usually."

"Yes... if this is what you expect." Helen took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders.

However, perhaps because she was not used to this feeling, she became unnatural again, and the expression on her face became unnatural.

Realizing that her comfort had the opposite effect, Luo Yan smiled helplessly, decided not to say anything, and just followed her quietly across the gate and stepped into the city of the Gray Wind tribe.

Round stone slabs floated on the crisp grass, forming a stone road, like lotus leaves in a pond, winding toward the tree house in the center of the city.

Noticing the suddenly visiting guests, curious heads poked out from under the lush leaves.

When they found that the guest following Helen was Lord Demon King, the dark elves sitting on the tree houses showed surprised expressions one after another.

Some elves sat on tree branches, and others jumped down, curiously crowding to both sides of the road, wanting to see more clearly, without the coldness and refusal to be thousands of miles away on weekdays.

A handsome guy sitting on a tree house took out a six-stringed lyre and played an impassioned and cheerful tune like a wandering bard in a tavern.

Accompanied by that melodious music, a young girl was the first to let go of her throat, and soon someone followed.

That sound was like the singing of a nightingale, merging into a winding stream under the mottled tree shadows, trickling into the ears, even the birds on the treetops stopped singing, immersed in that intoxicating singing.

They used melodious and tactful music to replace flowers and red carpets on the road ahead for the two.

Feeling the enthusiasm of the tribesmen of the Gray Wind tribe from the singing of welcoming, Luo Yan waved to them with a smile.

Different from the way humans express welcome, they, as elves, are better at using art to express emotions, integrating hot feelings into expressions that are more tactful than cheers and whistles.

Including but not limited to painting and gardening, as well as playing and singing that almost everyone can do.

He could feel from that singing the gratitude and welcome of the people here toward him.

Looking at the tribesmen who spontaneously expressed welcome on both sides of the road, a smile also appeared on Helen's face unconsciously, and she relaxed her tense nerves unknowingly.

At this time, a girl even younger than Sherry walked out of the crowd, holding a bunch of colorful flowers and stood in front of the two, blinking her watery eyes and looking at him.

Luo Yan cast an inquiring look at Helen, and the latter curled her lips and said in a soft voice.

"That should be the flower she cultivated herself, usually we only offer it to the most respected or most important people."

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"It seems that if I refuse, someone will be sad because of it."

"That's not necessarily..."

Helen said in a low voice, Luo Yan, who was walking beside her, had stopped, and took the bouquet from the girl's hand.

"Thank you for your flowers, I like them very much."

Luo Yan showed a friendly smile on his face and expressed his gratitude. However, the girl did not move away from the middle of the road, just looked at him shyly, looking like she had something to say.

"Is there anything?" Luo Yan leaned over and leveled his gaze with her in a friendly way.

For loyal subjects, he is not stingy about showing his approachable side, especially for the iron-clad Gray Wind tribe who have stood by his side firmly twice.

However, what he didn't expect was that just as he leaned over, the girl suddenly leaned close to his cheek and kissed him.

Everyone was stunned on the spot.

Even the guy sitting on the roof playing the six-stringed lyre couldn't help but stop the movement on his hands, and the dark elf girl who was singing also subconsciously stopped singing.

Before everyone could react, the naughty guy had already slipped away like a gust of wind with a red face.

"Just now... uh, no... that..."

Helen, who came back to her senses, was horrified, looked at Luo Yan in a panic, and wanted to defend the frivolous behavior of the tribesman.

However, the latter just touched his cheek, waved his hand with a smile, and put this matter aside generously.

"It's okay, continue to lead the way, don't keep Mr. Tyrell waiting."

"Yes..."

Helen still looked at him nervously, and seeing that he really didn't take it to heart, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

She thought the girl was expressing reverence, but she didn't expect it to be admiration.

However, she could understand it.

After all, defeating the invasion of chaos twice in a row, this legendary experience is enough to become an epic in the mouths of wandering bards. Not to mention that he also prevented the disintegration of the labyrinth and brought the bright moonlight to the Gray Wind tribe again.

It is perfectly normal for someone to have longing for him.

Especially since most of her compatriots are the same as her sister, their natural personality belongs to the enthusiastic and unrestrained kind, and what they are least good at is suppressing the feelings in their hearts.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be called fallen ones by the elves living under the Tree of Iggdrasil...

Looking at the Demon King who was welcomed by the tribesmen, Helen, while convincing herself, was also sincerely happy for him.

It's just that for some reason, she was not all happy, and there was a trace of other emotions.

The scene played the melodious music again. And unlike last time, this impromptu performance was no longer just an impassioned and cheerful tune, but also had a green and hazy feeling, like rum with lemon slices.

These natural artists are indeed very capable, and they don't even need a draft for arrangement.

Perhaps because she gladly accepted the bouquet, Luo Yan could clearly feel that the relationship between him and these dark elves around him had narrowed by a big step.

At this moment, they truly regarded him as one of their own, and no longer as a distinguished guest from afar.

He still enjoyed this feeling quite a bit.

It is actually very tiring to put on airs, especially since his nature is not the kind of person who is very good at putting on airs.

Most of the time, the majesty is actually what he performed.

"... Actually, you could have dodged it, right?" Looking at the Demon King whose mouth was about to curl into a fishhook, You You whispered.

"It was just a touch on the cheek, it wouldn't lose a piece of meat, and if I dodged it, wouldn't it be too hurtful." Luo Yan answered in his heart with a smile.

You You looked at him in surprise.

=9+Book_Bar

"Eh?! Are you actually thinking like this?"

Luo Yan replied without hesitation.

"Is there any other explanation?"

You You pondered for a moment and sighed.

"As expected of Lord Demon King, you got the cheap and still acted like a good boy and didn't blush at all..."

Smelling the bouquet of flowers that was dripping with beauty in his hand, Luo Yan glanced at You You's direction with slight dissatisfaction.

"... How did I get the cheap?"

You You didn't answer.

But sometimes silence can also be considered an answer.

In the council hall in the center of the tribe, Luo Yan met Tyrell, the leader of the Gray Wind tribe.

At this moment, Tyrell was holding a dead wood staff and sitting upright on a chair made of countless intertwined wood vines.

The ceremony of soul grafting has been completed.

His expression was solemn and solemn, and emerald green light overflowed from his opened eyes, just like glowing emeralds.

Upon learning that Luo Yan wanted to talk to Gray Wind, Tyrell generously lent his body to the latter.

And at this moment, Luo Yan, sitting opposite him, could clearly feel that a soul whose presence far exceeded Tyrell's had replaced the latter's position.

Although he did not perceive the aura of divinity from that soul, that huge and pure energy was better than gods!

Grandmaster?

Demigod?

Or, those standards used to measure ordinary souls can no longer be used to measure this old monster who has lived for I don't know how many years.

Especially since it is not an isolated individual.

Every tree in this forest is a growth ring carved deep in its soul.

"... Respected Lord Demon King, it is an honor to see you again, may your glory shine forever like the vast and boundless starry sky."

Facing the master of the entire labyrinth, Gray Wind, who was residing in Tyrell, took the initiative to pay the highest respect.

Looking at the Tree of Life that took the initiative to show favor, Luo Yan smiled easily and made an opening remark in a chatty tone.

"Thank you for your blessing, and may your glory shine with the sun and moon. By the way, how are you feeling? Are you better?"

Since the battle with chaos, Gray Wind has been in a semi-dormant state, and only recently has it completely awakened.

Although it helped him solve the problem of paper money raw materials some time ago, he and it had communicated face-to-face like this for the first time in recent times.

A smile appeared on Gray Wind's face, and the kind and soothing voice was like the rustling of leaves.

"I feel very good, and even in the past century, I have never been more full of power than today."

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"It seems you have digested the energy of Kalmandes's clone."

Gray Wind nodded gently.

"Yes, thanks to your help."

Luo Yan said modestly.

"That's not it, it's more accurate to say mutual help. After all, without you, I really didn't have any better way to deal with that guy."

Gray Wind shook its head gently, looked into his eyes seriously, and continued solemnly.

"No, I don't mean the opportunity you created for me that day, but the conversation you had with my children earlier."

Earlier conversation?

Looking at the confusion that emerged from Luo Yan's face, Gray Wind smiled kindly and continued in a gentle tone.

"Remember the theory about photosynthesis you mentioned to my children? My child came to talk to me about it later... although her intention was to seek answers from me, to be honest, the things I gained from communicating with her were far more than what she gained from me. And shortly after that, I learned that the theories she mentioned were all told to her by you."

Pausing, Gray Wind continued.

"It is no exaggeration to say that the reason I was able to devour Kalmandes's clone was precisely because I was inspired by it."

Although Gray Wind didn't mention which child it was, Luo Yan could probably guess it should be one of Helen and Sherry.

After all, he only told that set of theories to the two of them.

Including the concept of so-called cells.

"I'm glad to be able to help you... but that's just a theory, is it really that magical?" Luo Yan looked at Gray Wind unexpectedly, with a trace of confusion in his voice.

Gray Wind nodded slowly, honestly.

"Although it's just a theory, it helped me re-examine myself and gave me a new understanding of my own power. Seriously, I'm very surprised, I've spent thousands of years, but it's the first time I've heard such an interesting theory... so much so that I even have a feeling that you are not from this world."

This guy's feeling is terribly accurate.

However, Luo Yan didn't feel that there was anything sensitive about this, just looked at it with interest.

"You don't seem very surprised?"

Gray Wind smiled kindly and said.

"There is nothing to be surprised about, a long time ago we realized that there are many worlds in this universe that are the same as or similar to ours. Even including ourselves... are we really the natives of this world? All along, I have held a reserved view on this. Perhaps we actually come from a more distant world, but our seeds just happened to fall on this land because of some reason, so we took root and sprouted here."

With the technical means of this world, being able to have such a vision is already quite amazing.

Luo Yan couldn't help but praise.

"Impressive point of view, maybe you are right."

That double-entendre answer was both an affirmation of the point of view it proposed and a hint of its previous guess.

However, Gray Wind didn't dwell on this irrelevant question.

In its philosophy and worldview, whether the Demon King belongs to this world, or even whether he comes from hell, is an irrelevant matter to it.

What it cares about is just the world around it, as for those distant disputes and secular interests, they are not what it cares about.

Of course.

Having said that, it is not completely indifferent to the world outside the forest.

In order to maintain the stability of the world under its feet, most of the time it is even more far-sighted than secular usurpers, and it is not taboo to take the initiative to isolate distant forest fires from its field of vision.

In a sense, its support for the current Demon King is precisely for this reason.

"... That's just my personal opinion, you don't need to take it to heart."

Speaking of this, its tone changed, and it continued in a gentle voice.

"Speaking of which, I haven't asked your purpose, I don't know what I can have the honor to help you with this time."

Seeing Gray Wind take the initiative to mention this, Luo Yan didn't go around in circles, and said straight to the point.

"I want to ask you to look at something for me."

Gray Wind said with interest.

"What thing?"

Luo Yan didn't speak, but waved his right hand wearing the storage ring.

Only a dark green crack appeared along the trajectory drawn by his fingertips, like pulling a zipper, shaking a withered tree trunk onto the ground.

Strictly speaking, it was not a tree trunk, but mushrooms that covered Kao Planet.

They crawled over the entire planet like a virus, constituting the entirety of that world.

Looking at the "dried mushroom" lying on the ground, the expression of interest on Gray Wind's face became even more intense.

It split a slender and soft vine from the seat under Tyrell's feet, reached out like a tentacle, picked up the dried mushroom that fell on the ground and examined it carefully.

After a long time, it pondered and said.

"This thing is somewhat similar to the plants on the fifth floor of the labyrinth... but not quite like it."

Luo Yan said.

"This is a fungus on Kao Planet... you can understand that place as the world of chaos. Those Kao people were hatched from this thing, although I don't know how they did it, but my subordinates saw it with their own eyes."

"So that's it... no wonder I can smell a familiar smell from it," Gray Wind put down the dried mushroom in its hand, looked at Luo Yan, and continued in a respectful tone. "Then what do you want me to do? Just look at it?"

Luo Yan shook his head gently.

"Of course it's not just looking at it."

Gray Wind nodded gently.

"I can help you, but you must be clear about the risks that may exist behind it... after all, it comes from the world of chaos, and we know too little about their world."

"'Knowing too much' will never be more dangerous than knowing nothing, especially since they know us like the back of their hands, and have even reached out to our world."

Looking at Gray Wind, who fell into thought, Luo Yan continued in a serious tone.

"The storm of the dimensional desert is getting closer and closer to us. If we want to completely defeat them, it is impossible to just bury our heads in the sand like ostriches. We must face their threats directly."

"I understand, I will do my best to cooperate with your research," Gray Wind nodded in understanding, and continued in a slow voice. "I only have one request, don't do experiments about it in the Mist Forest... I'm worried it will affect my children."

Seeing Gray Wind nod, Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and a happy smile appeared on his face.

"Please rest assured about this, my idea is consistent with yours. And compared to doing this in the Mist Forest, the fifth floor of the labyrinth is obviously a more suitable choice, where the environment is most similar to Kao Planet, and the impact on the entire labyrinth is minimal."

Especially since the scope covered by his Demon King territory core has expanded to that area.

If a serious crisis really happens, he also has a way to deal with it in time.

Hearing Luo Yan's promise, Gray Wind also gradually relaxed the expression on its face, revealing a kind smile.

"Since you have already thought of the plan, then do as you say."

(End of chapter)