Abyssal Infusion Ritual
Bai Xiaowen frowned slightly, closed his eyes, and spread out his Divine Might scan again.
Bai Xiaowen quickly opened his eyes. "That's strange. The other side has a powerful Divine Might expert. They clearly discovered us, but they don't seem to be making any moves."
"This is indeed very unusual," Ahan nodded and said.
"The other side doesn't want to start a war immediately; they're waiting. This means their strength will increase over time... and the increase should be greater than just one or two of our ultimate skills!" Bai Xiaowen whispered to Li Shuyi in the Team Channel. "It might be the transformation ritual! We can't wait."
"A great man once said, 'Whatever the enemy supports, we must oppose; whatever the enemy opposes, we must support...'" Bai Xiaowen said with a smile, "Let's go."
A horde of summoned creatures roared into the main entrance of the hall like a whirlwind! Bai Xiaowen and his two companions followed closely behind.
Just as Bai Xiaowen had detected, this hall was much larger than the hub hall he had passed through, and it only had one passageway, not connected to any other passageways! Bai Xiaowen instantly realized that this should be the last hall, the deepest and most central area of Shadow Labyrinth!
"You arrived faster than I expected."
Before the crystal coffin in the center of the hall, a slender Snakefolk- man calmly spoke, showing no surprise at Bai Xiaowen and his group's intrusion, "However, your early arrival means an earlier death. Are you ready to face your fate?"
Bai Xiaowen's eyes narrowed slightly. He had already recognized the slender Snakefolk- man as the level 9 BOSS, Gerold! He quickly cast his Insight.
[Gerold (Level 9 Boss Tier)]
[Race: Human Species / Snakefolk]
[Class: Amotava War Priest]
[Attributes: Strength 51, Agility 72, Constitution 50, Spirit 31]
[Skill 1: Battlefield Inspire: Passive skill. Gerold's heroic posture in battle Inspire allies. Each Critical Hit increases the Critical Hit rate of nearby allies by 10%; each dodge increases the evasion rate of nearby allies by 10%; each enemy kill increases all attributes of nearby allies by 10%, all lasting for 10 seconds. Gerold himself receives double the Battlefield Inspire effect.]
[Skill 2:???]
[Skill 3:???]
[Skill 4:???]
[Skill 5: Snakefolk Leader Lv. 3: Gerold's Life Value is increased by 500 points, and the duration of abnormal status and control effects is reduced by 50%.]
Because of his high level, Bai Xiaowen only detected one of Gerold's combat skills, which was a passive skill. However, the effect of this passive skill was enough to demonstrate Gerold's power.
As an agile boss, Gerold is already prone to landing Critical Hit, dodging, and securing kills. Therefore, his "Battlefield Inspire" skill is definitely not just for show; it can significantly enhance the surrounding allies.
Even without allies nearby, Gerold himself receives double the Inspire! A Critical Hit grants him a 20% Critical Hit buff for 10 seconds, and a dodge grants him an additional 20% dodge chance for 10 seconds, making it easier for him to land Critical Hit or dodge, constantly refreshing the 10-second Inspire buff!
The 20% bonus to all attributes upon defeating the target is even more terrifying. Gerold, as a level 9 boss, has a total attribute of around 200 points. What does a 20% bonus mean? A full 40 attribute points!
Not to mention that Gerold's four attributes are relatively balanced. A strength value of over 50 points is already quite formidable. If his strength is increased by another 20%, how terrifying would it be for an agility-type BOSS to have a strength value of 60+? He could even withstand a head-on confrontation with Ahan without any problem. Not to mention that under the Inspire buff, his agility value would climb to nearly 80 points!
Finally, we must also consider the level 3 universal Boss Tier skill "Snakefolk Leader." With 50 points of Constitution and 500 extra Life Value, Gerold's base health already exceeds 1000. With the Inspire buff, his Life Value will climb to 1100, and his armor and magic resistance will reach a staggering 60! As an agile, high-attack boss, this is truly a despair-inducing number.
While observing Gerold, Bai Xiaowen also noticed the crystal coffin behind him. Through the coffin lid, he could see a tall woman with flaxen hair sleeping inside, none other than Camelot Queen he had seen in the Round Table Hall.
At this moment, Camelot Queen was showing signs of becoming Snakefolk; blue scales had already covered half of her delicate skin, giving her an eerie appearance.
Bai Xiaowen immediately used his Insight on Camelot Queen Camelot Queen, his main purpose being to check on her condition.
Following Camelot Queen's name, a line of text can be seen.
[Abyssal Infusion Ritual: Currently undergoing Abyssal Infusion, transforming into Snakefolk. Current transformation progress: 55%]
Beneath the crystal coffin, on the stone floor, one can see a complex turquoise magic circle with three concentric rings around its edge. Three Elite Template Snakefolk are kneeling within each of the three rings, seemingly in prayer.
Bai Xiaowen felt certain. He finally understood that the feeling of being Mental Scan earlier came from Camelot Queen! Camelot Queen may appear to be sleeping in the crystal coffin, but she must actually be conscious.
Just as Bai Xiaowen realized this, a voice seemed to resound in his heart. "Save... save me..."
This is Camelot Queen's Mental Transmission; possessing this ability means that Camelot Queen's mental attributes far surpass Bai Xiaowen's.
Bai Xiaowen perked up and looked at Gerold:
"You're presiding over the Abyssal Infusion Ritual? I'm reminded of the previous Awakened Game. The so-called dragon resurrection ritual required a priest to preside over it, and at least one ordinary believer to contribute their faith power... Now it seems that this claim isn't entirely fabricated. Its origin is the Abyssal Infusion transformation ritual, isn't it? It requires you, as the priest, to preside over it, and also requires ordinary Snakefolk to enter the magic circle and contribute a power similar to faith power as energy."
Gerold's expression remained unchanged. "I don't know what nonsense you're spouting."
"Okay, okay... just take it as me talking nonsense. I'll take out one of those three Snakefolk first, you don't have any objections, right?"
As he spoke, Bai Xiaowen raised his hand, aimed at an Elite Snakefolk within the magic circle, and fired!
Bang!
The gun fired, but the Snakefolk did not fall or get hurt.
A shadow suddenly appeared in front of the Snakefolk, solidifying into reality. It was none other than Ludwig, the Shadow Priest Amotava whom they had dealt with before! He appeared to block the attack for the Snakefolk in the magic circle.
However, Ludwig let out a painful roar! He had been shot in the shoulder, leaving a gaping hole from which blood gushed.
This seemingly ordinary bullet is actually quite complex. It's Bai Xiaowen's first shot, long prepared, and it boasts the 100% cumulative Critical Hit rate from "Ryuji Yamazaki's Fighting Gloves," as well as the Desert Eagle Eagle's inherent 250% Critical Hit damage bonus (+4 effect) and armor penetration effect (+7 Piercing)!
"As expected, the three Snakefolk who performed the prayer were very important in the ritual. This also confirms another of my conjectures, that is, the priest cannot make any extra movements during the Abyssal Infusion Ritual," Bai Xiaowen laughed. "Otherwise, with Mr. Gerold so close, why would you be needed to defend him?"
Ludwig's face turned slightly pale, but the blue scales on his face covered it somewhat. He gritted his teeth and said, "You're asking for death!"
"With Gerold unable to participate in the battle, you, a defeated general, obviously wouldn't dare to make such boastful claims. So the question is, where is Mylo? Come out." Bai Xiaowen's smile remained unchanged, but he was nervously arranging tactics through the Team Channel and Mind Link.
From a side door in a corner of the hall, the burly Mylo emerged, his spear gleaming coldly.
"I'm going to nail you to a spear and make you a specimen." Mylo licked his lips with his sharp, forked tongue.
"Hahahaha... Don't scare me. If I'm not mistaken, your master shouldn't allow you to kill me, right?" Bai Xiaowen said leisurely. "The orders you received were to capture me alive, right? Poor Mylo, you wouldn't stand a chance in a fair fight, let alone with this damned order on top of that? You're destined to lose."
Hehehehe...
A slightly familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar laugh rang out, and from another side door, another one-eyed Snakefolk emerged—another Advanced Boss: "Little lamb, if you include me, is that enough?"
Bai Xiaowen, who was communicating with Camelot Queen, sensed a significant fluctuation in the other party's Divine Might.
"The Camelot Rebels, the executioner Gote?" Bai Xiaowen asked tentatively.
Seeing the one-eyed Snakefolk's tacit agreement, Bai Xiaowen couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined you'd turn into such a grotesque mess. Now you know, the so-called wish was just a scam, right?"
Gote cackled, "Who said this is a hoax? The Lord has already said that the entire Black Tide Continent will sink to the bottom of the sea, Camelot will certainly perish as well! My wish has been fulfilled, hasn't it?"
"What good would the end of the world do you?" Bai Xiaowen shrugged. "The leaders of your Camelot Rebels probably want to take over and become king themselves, right? They might not agree to the destruction of the entire world."
"I don't care what others think," Gote sneered. "As long as Camelot disappears, my goal will be achieved. This filthy, depraved, son of a bitch kingdom burned my mother to death and killed my sister... Even if I Hell, I'll watch Camelot perish!"
Bai Xiaowen understood why, even though they both entered the Wishing Pool, Gote had completed the Abyssal Infusion Ritual so quickly, while Camelot Queen had dragged it out until now, with the progress bar barely halfway through.
It seems that the Abyssal Infusion Ritual is related to the target's level of resistance. If the recipient willingly accepts the infusion, it's naturally much easier and more efficient. Take Gote, for example. He's a troublemaker who thrives on chaos. Upon hearing that this is a world-destroying cult, he naturally joined without hesitation.
Conversely, if the recipient is unwilling and is forcibly indoctrinated, it becomes more troublesome, like Camelot Queen... After discovering the cult's world-destroying purpose, her wishes could not be fulfilled at all, so of course she would resist with all her might.
While speaking, Bai Xiaowen Insight Gote's mutated attributes and skills.
[Gote (Boss Tier Level 8)]
[Race: Human Species / Snakefolk]
[Occupation: Amotava Headhunter]
[Attributes: Strength 77, Agility 30, Constitution 42, Spirit 24]
[Skill 1: Trapping: Gote throws a seaweed net, reducing the movement speed of targets hit by 50% and making them unable to dodge physical attacks. Targets are also affected by the Cold effect, reducing their attack speed by 20%.]
[Skill 2: Explosive Spear: Gote imbues his spear with explosive energy, causing an explosion upon hitting the first target, dealing heavy magic damage to the target and moderate magic damage to surrounding enemies.]
[Skill 3: Raptor Strike: Gote swoops down like a falcon to deliver a powerful blow to enemies within melee range in front of him. Enemies with a strength lower than Gote's will be knocked back.]
[Skill 4:???]
[Skill 5: Snakefolk Leader Lv. 2: Omitted.]
I don't know if it's a mutated class, but the role of the Gote is quite unique. It's a strength-based boss that combines ranged and melee attacks. In any case, this boss is quite troublesome.
Camelot Queen's Mental Transmission grew increasingly weak. "Quick, I can't hold on much longer... Kill the followers, kill the followers..."
Bai Xiaowen glanced at it and saw that Camelot Queen's conversion rate had reached 59%.
"Let's go!"
Bai Xiaowen raised his left hand, and a magic book with comical faces drawn on it flipped through its pages with a rustling sound, activating the [Whispering Grimoire]'s Whispering skill.
The three dice landed – three, four, six, 13.
"Whispering skill activated. One spell will be randomly selected from three-star spells. Selection in progress..."
"Spell Extraction Result: Hurricane Armor"
[Hurricane Armor: Pure wind energy surrounds the target, absorbing (150) damage for 30 seconds. During the duration of Hurricane Armor, the target takes 20% less damage.]
Ahan: "..."
Li Shuyi: "..."
Gerold: "Let's go...???"
That's right, Bai Xiaowen's target was Gerold. The babbling skill even triggered the delirious speech effect, and Gerold repeated his previous sentence, then gained a layer of Hurricane Armor...
Bai Xiaowen's original intention was to cast a damaging spell to interrupt Gerold's ritual and reduce his health, but this time the Whispering Grimoire was a bit uncooperative, casting a shield on Gerold —a three-star shield at that—which cost Bai Xiaowen 6 points of Divine Might...
Of course, Gerold will maintain the ritual and will not participate in the battle for the time being. The 30-second Hurricane Armor will not affect the battle situation - just don't attack Gerold for now.
Aside from the 6 points of Divine Might depletion, the actual impact of this accident wasn't significant. Of course, Ahan's gaze towards Bai Xiaowen was somewhat...
"Ahem! Stop spacing out, get moving!" Bai Xiaowen coughed.