The Mist Cave

The group left City of Ten Thousand Stones early the next morning.

Although it was early morning, in the darkness of the underground, the timing of being detected varied from person to person. In fact, when Li Lin and his group left City of Ten Thousand Stones, most people were still asleep. Not wanting to be noticed and arouse curiosity, Li Lin decided to set off early. After all, apart from himself and the little thief, the rest of the group didn't really need rest. Therefore, as long as Li Lin deemed it safe, everyone had no objections. As for the latter—in this group, he had virtually no rights.

However, Mina keenly sensed a strange atmosphere spreading between them, especially between Fina and Li Lin. Fina looked extremely embarrassed, as if she had done something wrong, and didn't dare to look Li Lin in the eye. Li Lin, on the other hand, had abandoned his usual calm expression, instead displaying a hint of helplessness. Mina, unsure what was going on, tried to ask her sister, but Fina blushed and shook her head vigorously, refusing to answer. Therefore, Mina had to give up. However, it seemed things weren't so simple.

Fortunately, I had the Stoneskin stored in my Chain Contingency.

Walking in the group, Li Lin felt incredibly fortunate for the first time for his caution. Although he was quite worried about Fina's suggestion, he ultimately agreed to it. However, Li Lin hadn't expected that Fina, who was completely unaware of the matter, had no idea what he wanted to do or how to do it. Therefore, she couldn't withstand Li Lin's advance, and perhaps it was her Vampire Species instinct that kicked in, causing Fina to bite him.

Thank goodness, Li Lin's stored Chain Contingency judged it as an attack and automatically activated.

"It seems I should be more cautious in the future."

Even Li Lin felt a lingering fear when he thought about the outcome. This was probably what they called "capsizing in a ditch." If Angela knew about this, who knew how she would react? After all, this was an extremely absurd event. But relatively speaking, this was also a stroke of luck for Fina. If Li Lin had set up an offensive spell like Disintegrate in the Chain Contingency, he would probably only be able to go to Angela with a bag of dust to see if she could mold Fina back into a human shape.

However, this also reminded Li Lin that there are many ways to attack, and if someone wanted to assassinate him, this could be a good method.

"Master... Master?"

"Um?"

Mina's cold, questioning voice reached Li Lin's ears, and Li Lin immediately perked up.

"What? What happened?"

"Excuse me, which way should I go next?"

Li Lin looked up, staring at the dark, bottomless fork in the road. Nia had already given him the approximate location when she contacted him yesterday. However, seeing Fina's absent-minded state, relying on her to lead the way would only cause more trouble. Fortunately, Li Lin had also received information from Nia, so the responsibility of guiding the way naturally fell to him.

"This way."

After briefly sensing the information provided by the magic, Li Lin pointed to the passage on the left. He could faintly sense the condensation of Magic Power there, something unusual underground. Moreover, if he got any closer, Li Lin could use his unique method to locate the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys. If, as Nia said, there was a second weapon here, then he should be able to sense it.

Turning the next opening, the entire dark underground passage grew even colder. Li Lin slowed his pace, warily observing his surroundings. This sudden drop in temperature didn't seem like a natural phenomenon, but rather more like some kind of Magic Power interference. He chanted a spell softly, casting a protective spell on himself and everyone around him, before continuing deeper into the passage.

"What a strange scene."

After taking a clear look at the scenery before him, Li Lin couldn't help but frown.

Although "Darkvision" allows him to see everything around him as clearly as in daylight in the dark, the scene before him still surprised Li Lin immensely.

At the entrance to a cave whose depths were unknown, thick, white mist billowed and swirled before them, engulfing everything.

I didn't sense any strong moisture or the presence of the dead.

The thick fog before us was neither a product of nature nor necromancy.

However, I couldn't sense any Magic Power aura present.

That's precisely why it seems even stranger.

What did you see?

Li Lin asked the Dark Elf warriors, explaining that while they didn't have Dark Elf Darkvision, their unique ability to discern objects by temperature was also very useful. Li Lin believed that they would have a way to see through things he couldn't do using ordinary methods.

There's nothing there.

Sure enough, for the Dark Elf who rely on temperature for identification, the mist, devoid of temperature and life, was nonexistent in their eyes at this moment.

"Did you feel anything?"

"..."

Faced with Li Lin's second question, the Dark Elf shook his head.

Although it looked like ordinary mist, Li Lin still felt something was off. However, he quickly turned his gaze to the other side. Relying on the power of magic, Li Lin had already sensed that someone was rushing towards them.

Hundreds of bats emerged from the narrow cave, swirling and fluttering to Li Lin's side. Then, they melted and solidified, transforming back into Angela's petite body.

"Phew, Master, I've finally found you."

Upon seeing Li Lin, Angela let out a dramatic sigh of relief, then skipped over to Li Lin and handed him the thick, ornate book she was holding.

"There are so many caves here; even I, your humble servant, couldn't easily find my destination."

We've only been here a short time ourselves.

After receiving the Eternal Library, Li Lin felt much more at ease. He casually responded to Angela, and at the same time looked again at the fog-shrouded cave entrance, nodding in that direction with his chin.

What are your thoughts on this?

"We haven't obtained much information about this place from the Dark Elf's historical records. However, it's certain that this place is extremely dangerous. According to the Dark Elf's historical records, that mysterious woman entered this place alone to eliminate the threat to the Dark Elf."

Needless to say, it seems the result was a failure.

Nia's voice, as calm and reassuring as ever, echoed from within the Eternal Library.

In short, it's best to be cautious.

"This fog is really strange."

Angela, clearly noticing the same strangeness as Li Lin, whispered something to herself and then turned to the Dark Elf guarding her.

"Hey, go in and check the situation!"

Even when asking others to face unknown dangers and die, they speak with such self-righteousness; truly worthy of being called a powerful Vampire Species.

"You are responsible for entering the cave and investigating the situation."

Ordinary soldiers would probably have resented Angela's order, which was clearly a death sentence. However, for male Dark Elf elves who were used to being sacrificed, it wasn't an order worth protesting. Although their status had gradually improved, and they were no longer merely shields and meat shields for female priests, the cruelty and bookish educational philosophy of the Dark Elf, passed down through generations, couldn't be solved simply by changing a god.

Therefore, under Angela's "justified" command, the Dark Elf didn't waste any more words. Soon, the captain of the guard selected ten Dark Elf, and after Li Lin cast a protective spell on them, they entered the misty cave entrance.

"... Li Lin, can you feel it?"

"Yes, I feel it. It's definitely true. Although very faint, it's just as you suspected."

With a deep chant, Li Lin unleashed a unique spell. His perception transcended space, calling upon his own spirit. Soon, within the darkness, Li Lin received a response, though extremely faint and almost imperceptible. The information he gleaned excited him considerably. Clearly, one of his original weapons was indeed present. However, for some unknown reason, the weapon seemed oblivious to his call, even finding it difficult to detect. Perhaps it was deep within the cave, or hidden by something else. Li Lin's spell for locating the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys relied on their inherent Magic Power; given the now almost imperceptible response, it was clear the weapon had little power left.

Perhaps it's due to the fog.

After the Dark Elf entered, Li Lin tried to use their magic to sense his surroundings, but he failed completely. The area seemed to have a strong aversion to Magic Power, and Li Lin felt that spells couldn't function properly here. Both his previous spells and the detection spells he had just cast seemed to be interfered with.

It seems that there's nothing else to do but wait.

Time ticked by, and Li Lin and Nia whispered to each other, trying to figure out a safe way to pass through. Angela ran to the sisters' side to see what they were doing. The remaining Dark Elf kept a close watch on the cave entrance, showing no sign of making a mistake.

Even as Angela began to yawn out of boredom, the Dark Elf still showed no signs of returning.