Chen Rui, Gabriel, and Raphael walked all the way to the outskirts of Phantom Forest.
Just as before, Phantom Forest was a ring of trees, with a flagstone path at its entrance leading straight toward the faintly visible cottage deep within the woods.
The last time Chen Rui had come to Phantom Forest, he had held the green leaf badge Fenoya had given him. Apart from Eluxier instructing Qi Lanya to transform into an Abyss Witch as a "test," he had encountered no obstacles or abnormalities.
Chen Rui stopped. His current strength was no longer comparable to what it had been before. Though the scenery was the same as back then, even without using Extreme Star Transformation, he could sense the peculiar aura faintly emanating from Phantom Forest. That aura gave him a feeling of danger.
He had not felt this when he possessed the green leaf badge before. No wonder even the Three Supreme Angels were wary of Eluxier. It seemed this time, playing the role of an uninvited guest would not be easy.
Raphael stopped behind him as well. "What, afraid to go on?"
Naturally, Chen Rui would not fall for such a provocation. He turned and smiled. "A little, indeed."
Raphael said disdainfully, "You actually have moments when you fear death?"
"Of course. Only those who fear death understand the preciousness of life. If one can even look upon death with indifference, then life—and everything else—would be beneath notice in one's eyes. What meaning would there be in living like that?"
For a moment, Raphael could not find any words to refute him. He merely sneered and walked forward, as though mocking someone's apprehension through his actions.
Just as Raphael took several steps, the scenery of the forest ahead changed. The ring of trees slowly twisted, turning