Chapter 123: Chapter 122: Anomaly
Freya, the Red-haired Witch, sat up straight, her previous casual demeanor gone.
"Freya, Flame Clan, specializing in Fire Witchcraft.
While clearing out the remaining Demons in the Magma Rift Valley recently, I discovered an abnormal temperature increase in the valley’s depths. Colleagues taking related missions should prepare for high heat."
"Thank you for the warning." The Wizard from the Tide People nodded and continued.
"Xi Lan, Tide People, specializing in Water Element Witchcraft and reconnaissance. An unknown Water Element contamination has appeared in the Wailing Cave..."
"Edwin, Withered Council," the Pale Warlock said coldly.
"A new type of mutated poisonous mushroom has appeared in the Rotting Poison Swamp to the south. Its spores have psycho-hallucinogenic effects..."
"Lianna Jadeblade, Jade Forest," the cold-faced Elf Witch said curtly.
"On the fringes of the Withered Forest in the East, the frequency of Apprentice disappearances has become abnormally high recently. The Energy Field disturbance is worsening, and it’s suspected a mental-pollution-type Demon has appeared. I’ve already accepted the reconnaissance mission and will depart tomorrow."
’Withered Forest?’
A flicker of interest crossed Ian’s eyes.
He remembered seeing this location on the mission list.
"The Withered Forest..." Freya frowned.
"Hasn’t that area always had Low Tier Corrupted Tree Spirits? Why the sudden escalation?"
"I don’t know." Lianna shook her head.
"But the last messages from the missing Apprentices mentioned ’hearing whispers’ and ’the trees are moving.’ They lost contact right after."
"Mental-pollution-type Demons are the most troublesome," Xi Lan said, his tone grave.
"They often excel at group attacks and can inflict mental Erosion. For Apprentices, it’s practically a slaughter."
"Need a team?" Freya looked at Lianna. "My specialty is Fire Witchcraft, but I’ve also dabbled in Purification Witchcraft."
"Not for now." Lianna’s refusal was decisive. "I’ll scout first. I’ll make a decision after confirming the threat Level."
Edwin sneered, "Elves are always so confident."
Lianna glanced at him, saying nothing, but her hand was already on the hilt of her sword.
The atmosphere grew tense.
"AHEM." The old man cleared his throat and looked at Ian. "Your turn."
Ian set down his cup.
"Ian, a Lone Wanderer, specializing in Magic Potions and Ice and Fire Elemental Witchcraft.
While recently clearing the Black Stone Forest area, I encountered a small-scale mental pollution entity. It has been eliminated, and no source of the anomaly was found."
"Black Stone Forest..." the old man mused. "That area isn’t far from the Withered Forest. The entity may have wandered over from there."
He paused, then looked at everyone. "Since we’re on the topic of the Withered Forest, let me add something.
An internal briefing from command shows that in the past month, a total of twenty-seven Apprentices have gone missing in and around the Withered Forest in the Eastern War Zone. The survival rate is zero."
"Twenty-seven?!" Freya gasped. "This is no longer a normal anomaly!"
"Which is why Lianna’s mission is highly dangerous."
The old man said slowly, "According to clearance levels, Level One Wizards can view more detailed regional briefings. The Withered Forest has been temporarily marked as ’Yellow Alert.’ It’s recommended that Wizards at the Middle Stage of Vaporization or higher form teams to go there."
He looked at Ian. "You’ve just been promoted. If you want to take a related mission, it would be best to find a partner."
"Thank you for the advice," Ian nodded.
But he already had a plan.
’Mental-pollution-type Demons... A perfect chance to test the effects of [Spirit Devourer].’
’Besides, independent missions offer more Merit Points, and I don’t like sharing the spoils.’
"Alright, that concludes the intelligence exchange." The old man stood up, tapping his wooden staff on the ground.
"Next is free social time. You can privately exchange resources, discuss Witchcraft, or simply get to know each other."
He looked at Ian, a barely perceptible glint flashing in his murky eyes.
"Newcomer, remember one thing: here, strength is fundamental, but intelligence and connections can sometimes save your life."
After speaking, he turned and walked toward a side door of the hall, his figure quickly disappearing into the shadows.
Once the old man left, the atmosphere relaxed considerably.
Freya immediately sidled up to Ian, her smile warm and enthusiastic.
"Ian, you said you’re skilled with Magic Potions? Can you create a Blazing Flame Resistance Potion? I urgently need a few bottles. The price is negotiable."
"I can, but you provide the materials. My fee is fifty Magic Stones per bottle, or the equivalent value."
"No problem!" Freya said readily. "I’ll have the materials sent to your residence tomorrow!"
Xi Lan also walked over and said gently, "Wizard Ian, the Tide People have some unique Water Element Materials. If you need any, you can come to me for a trade."
"Thank you. I’ll contact you if I need anything."
Edwin watched coolly from the side, not approaching. He began speaking in low tones with two other Wizards.
Lianna sat alone in her original seat with her eyes closed, recuperating, as if cut off from her surroundings.
After dealing with Freya and Xi Lan, Ian exchanged a few simple words and contact information with several other Wizards.
Everyone was a bit curious about his "Loose Cultivator" status, but seeing his cautious words, they didn’t press further.
After all, who didn’t have a few secrets if they could advance to become an Official Wizard on the underground front lines?
"Ga, this is boring. I thought there’d be lots of yummy things to eat."
Gaga sent the message telepathically, its little claws idly fiddling with an empty fruit pit.
"Weren’t the Energy Fruits enough?" Ian glanced at it.
"Only three! Ga!" Gaga sounded aggrieved.
"I’ll give you more when we get back."
"Really? Ga!"
The gathering lasted for an hour.
Ian had gained several potential offers of cooperation and also developed a rough understanding of the situation in the other war zones.
More importantly, he had confirmed the anomaly in the Withered Forest.
When the gathering broke up, Lianna was the first to leave, her footsteps silent.
Freya and Xi Lan arranged to speak with Ian in detail another day and also took their leave.
Before leaving, Edwin shot Ian a cold, inscrutable look.
Ian’s expression was calm as he walked out of Starlight Hall with Gaga.
Outside the door, Xi Lan, the Wizard from the Tide People, was waiting in the corridor.
"Wizard Ian, a moment."
"Is something wrong?"
Xi Lan lowered his voice. "About the Withered Forest... my people are skilled at perceiving Earth Veins. We recently discovered that the underground Energy flow in that region is abnormally chaotic, as if something is ’breathing’.
If you’re going, you must be careful. It’s best not to go alone."
Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Thank you for telling me."
"You’re welcome. Consider it a gesture of goodwill." Xi Lan smiled and turned to leave.
’Breathing...’
Ian recalled the description he had just heard at the gathering.
He walked toward the core area. The stronghold was still bustling in the night, but in his current state of Perception, the entire world felt completely different.
The authority of a Level One Wizard allowed him to come into contact with a more real, and more dangerous, front line.
"Ga, where are we going now?" Gaga asked.
"Back to prepare," Ian said without breaking his stride. "Tomorrow, we accept the mission."
"The Withered Forest? Ga!"
"Mhm."
"Is there a fight? Ga!"
"Most likely."
"Then I need to bring more snacks! Ga!"
Ian chuckled and ruffled its head.
His mind, however, was already calculating.
’[Concentration Dew], I need to bring enough. [Ring of Overlapping Peaks], I’m familiar with it. [Frost Ash Beam], I need more practice to master it...’
’And [Spirit Devourer]. In that kind of environment, it might have a miraculous effect.’
He looked up toward the eastern side of the stronghold, as if he could see through the rock walls to the dark land known as the Withered Forest.
There were missing Apprentices, abnormal Energy fluctuations, and a suspected mental-pollution-type Demon.
He had just compared it with the other missions and still felt the solo mission for the Withered Forest was the most suitable for him.
Returning to his residence, Ian did not rest immediately.
He took out his Demon Hunting Jade Token, pulled up the mission list, and looked again at the entry:
[Investigate Abnormal Energy Fluctuation in the Eastern "Withered Forest" (Independent Mission)]
