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Chapter 26: The Phantom Cloud Has Arrived

To be precise, the flow of ley lines here is quite peculiar.

Ley lines themselves have no shape or solidity; they are merely flowing networks of energy gathering deep underground.

Under normal circumstances, even with Vilyric’s lv110 perception, it would be challenging to clearly grasp the flow of ley lines hundreds or even thousands of meters deep—at most, she could distinguish the differences in strength, after all, exploration is not her forte.

But here is different; the ley line energy is far too strong.

Something is obstructing the ley lines, causing them to gather and accumulate together.

Like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

It is a literal “about to erupt.” If this surging energy were to be ignited, it could likely upheave half of the Disaster Forest.

Due to the excessive energy concentration, plant growth is inhibited, resulting in this area appearing barren.

“Everyone, step back a bit.”

Although they didn’t understand what Vilyric intends to do, everyone naturally trusted the Priestess and immediately obeyed her orders, moving toward the edges of the sudden clearing.

The only one who didn’t move was a certain Little Dragon Daughter.

“Master?”

Xiao Guang also felt the unusualness of the place; as a dragon, her sensing abilities were far superior to Vilyric’s, though she didn’t fully grasp her master’s intentions.

But that was fine; Vilyric would guide her just as they had fought side by side countless times before.

“Xiao Guang, unleash your dragon breath here, gathering energy a bit; lightly, don’t affect too far.”

The Black-haired Girl pointed to the empty soil beneath their feet.

“Directly bombard it? I’m okay with that, but doing so might trigger…”

Vilyric immediately gestured to stop Miss Little Dragon from continuing.

They all understood that given the state and accumulation of the ley lines here, any strong external attack would inevitably cause a far more terrifying explosion than a mere ley line upheaval.

While Vilyric and Xiao Guang could perhaps withstand such an attack, everyone else and everything within this forest’s vicinity would be reduced to ashes unless the Priestess intervened to protect them.

“Don’t ask too much, trust me.”

“Okay.”

Although they could envision the terrifying consequences of doing so, Vilyric’s command was everything to her pet Miss, even if she told Xiao Guang to go to her death, the latter wouldn’t hesitate for a moment—let alone facing something that couldn’t actually threaten them.

Her master had her reasons for doing this; all she needed to do was follow orders.

Thus, beneath the pitch-black forest at night, the Blonde Girl spread her broad platinum wings characteristic of dragons, slowly ascending into the sky, brewing devastating dragon breath aimed at the clearing Vilyric had already vacated.

The enormous energy cluster, already powerful, suddenly trembled violently at the gathering of the destructive white light from Miss Little Dragon’s mouth.

Zzzzz… Zzzzz…

Dark clouds billowed, white lightning flickering in the air, striking somewhere in the forest, creating roars and bursts of flames.

Like a scene of world destruction, the oppressive atmosphere in the air made breathing difficult for all living beings in the forest, including Edwina and the other legendary figures, leaving them pale with horror.

Typically, faced with such a disastrous scene, they would turn and flee or risk everything to strike back at the initiator, but with Vilyric still present, this terrifying scene was indeed created by their own companion.

Thus, they somehow managed to maintain their composure.

A dragon breath from an adult dragon is quite simple.

“Roar!”

After a brief charging period, a blazing white aurora, forcefully compressed to only a few meters wide, erupted from the magic circle before the Blonde Girl, while the torrential thunder reached its peak at that moment!

The deafening sound of thousands of thunders roared; extinction was near!

This should have been an uncontestable fact about to unfold, even the Priestess had furrowed her brows and slightly raised the holy artifact in her hand.

However, at that moment.

After a multitude of disaster beasts had perished, a faint gray mist that had lingered in the air suddenly expanded, as if pouring from an unknown source, akin to a rift from another space.

It enveloped the sky and obscured the earth, wrapping the entire inner circle of the Disaster Forest in a shroud of gray, encompassing everything, with even the tumultuous white dragon breath tearing through vast grey clouds from below.

Yet there was no subsequent sound.

The thick, almost impenetrable gray mist reduced visibility to the extreme; even Vilyric, relying solely on her vision, could no longer see the figures of her teammates in the distance.

The notorious and fearsome Southern Four Disasters had made their appearance.

Phantom Cloud appeared.

Vilyric didn’t seem surprised by this outcome; instead, she appeared to breathe a sigh of relief and gently lowered the holy staff in her hands.

“Just as I thought, you can’t allow this place to be destroyed, the seed… this is the real reason why Phantom Cloud can appear anywhere.”

Since she began to intervene and learned about the various related information around the Southern Disasters, Vilyric had been pondering why Phantom Cloud relentlessly rampaged year after year, leaving marks similar to those of Disaster Beasts everywhere.

Even if the Disaster Beasts were slain, disasters wouldn’t vanish unless purified through special means; they would merely shift to new parasitic hosts.

What is the significance of these Disasters, or rather, what is their essence?

Now, Vilyric understood.

Disasters are Phantom Cloud; they are not true Phantom Cloud, but can become Phantom Cloud.

They are all seeds of Phantom Cloud.

Just as some plants use birds to scatter their offspring across the world.

In this world exists an overarching consciousness named Phantom Cloud, along with its countless seeds, all interconnected, their totality is fixed.

Through this widespread array of seeds, this consciousness can actively control any seed to become Phantom Cloud at necessary moments, spreading, through consumption or parasitism, allowing Phantom Cloud to grow more numerous and stronger.

Thus, Phantom Cloud can swiftly navigate unseen and even instantly traverse thousands of miles, returning to the Disaster Forest.

This is why Phantom Cloud can hardly be completely eradicated; as long as the seeds are not entirely destroyed, one day it will re-emerge.

But where does the consciousness, or source, that allows any seed to instantly become the Southern Disaster reside?

Right beneath their feet.

Within the ley lines.

The other party did not utilize the power of the ley lines but instead stored the plundered strength in some form within the ley lines.

As for why the Southern Disaster only moves in the spring each year, it seems likely that they hibernate to prevent the accumulated power from being carried away by the ley line flow.

Now, the only remaining question is to find and clarify the essence of Phantom Cloud‘s consciousness.

And…

Vilyric turned her gaze around.

Defeating enemies.

Though the rich gray mist was completely unable to approach her, it severely obstructed her line of sight. Moreover, even sound, energy transmission, and even sense of direction became quite chaotic within this fog.

Just a few seconds ago, Xiao Guang should have still been above her, but now, from the contract’s sensation, the direction was below her feet.

This must be what is called “Phantom,” a certain yet-to-be-understood special law or ability.