That stone basin looked remarkably familiar, yet it was etched into Fang Senyan’s memory more deeply than even MistSong’s chest—primarily because this object was placed beside the altar above, designed to hold a strange fuel used specifically for igniting flayed human skins. Once lit, it was nearly impossible to extinguish, and the resulting smoke column rose blood-red into the sky.

The most crucial detail was this: the peculiar, nauseatingly sweet aroma emitted once the fuel caught fire actually attracted that terrifying giant eagle, which, for some unknown reason, had also been thrown into this ice valley. After a cursory search, Fang Senyan found nothing else of note in this small hollow, though he did manage to locate several more of those strange black stones.

Whether due to fatigue or something else, his head felt even more dizzy now. Knowing full well the immense danger surrounding him, he couldn't waste time searching for any sign of reef remnants; thus, he hoisted MistSong back onto his shoulders and strode forward into the unknown.

The field of scattered boulders was incredibly rugged and treacherous underfoot. Fang Senyan picked his way through, stumbling unevenly, gritting his teeth to persevere, and soon cleared the immediate peril of the area.

The nearby flames had died down, leaving only wisps of faint blue smoke churning lazily upward. The charred tree trunks stubbornly pointed skyward like skeletal fingers.

The exposed ground was a ghastly, ashen rock, resembling the skin of a corpse. Fires still burned unextinguished in the distant pine forest, but the Tentacle Monsters clearly lacked patience, urgently driving some Orcs forward to scout the path ahead.

These Orcs were small and gaunt, their entire bodies slick with fresh blood from the lashings of whips, shivering in the cold wind as if they might collapse dead at any second. Evidently, the Orc tribe had thoroughly investigated the anomalies here, knowing that the inhaled toxic gas took time to manifest its effects.

They had specifically selected these half-dead Orcs to advance first; if they succumbed, the poison would act rapidly, confirming the danger ahead. Suddenly, an aged Orc stumbled to the ground, screaming in terror while white foam bubbled from its mouth as it thrashed convulsively.

Several stronger Orcs rushed up from behind, quickly dousing it with a bucket of cold water, then expertly binding it and gagging it in a matter of moments. The Orc soon regained consciousness, breathing weakly.

In the following sequence, more Orcs staggered into terrifying hallucinations, crying out as they fell, but these were mostly the old, weak, and injured. The stronger ones merely felt dizzy and nauseous.

After observing for about half an hour, the Orc leader, Lutz, appeared on the scene, arms crossed over his chest, speaking earnestly to his deputy: “It seems the Master’s deduction was correct. The soil beneath this pine forest contains a terrifying hallucinogenic toxin, which slowly evaporates when the temperature rises, filling the woods with miasma.

Now, having burned the area, a large portion of the toxin has been vaporized directly. What remains is negligible.

We can pass through safely. Give the order—march!” At Lutz’s command, the massive Orc army set forth with a roar, carrying large tents and equipment toward their destination.

All the Orcs halted only when they reached the edge of the great lake. Lutz stared grimly at the water, his rough fingers stroking the bow held in his hand.

At that moment, several Orcs shoved forward a stubborn Elf, accompanied by a Tentacle Monster that appeared exceptionally large. It approached Lutz, waving one of its appendages, transmitting a wave of mental energy: “Lutz, the Master ordered an expedition to this location two years ago.

This is why I temporarily took over command.” Lutz turned back, startled: “What? Mr.

Kante, why was I unaware of this?” Mr. Kante, the great Tentacle Monster, replied: “Because you were still in the adjustment tanks back then!

During that exploration, those brave pioneers, using face coverings made from Yavanna Grass, successfully filtered the poison gas and traversed this Plague Forest. They even crossed the Karndum Lake before us, paying a great price.

Although they all now rest in the shallow floating woods on the far shore, they managed to send back significant intelligence.” “The most vital piece of information among their data is this: the most threatening creature in Lake Karndum is a monster resembling a tentacle. According to the Master’s analysis, they are likely mutated earthworms.

Though their direct physical damage is low, the venom they spray is astonishingly potent. The last contingent that crossed Lake Karndum failed to respect the venom of these tentacle-worms, and thus, even with the Land of Hope directly ahead, they perished in their temporary camp on the floating shallows due to the poison taking effect.” “Then how do we deal with these tentacle-worms?” Lutz asked darkly.

“Don't tell me we have to drain this damned lake. The Master already surveyed it; this lake connects to a vast underground water system.

It appears isolated, but it’s actually linked to the subterranean network near the Moria Mines!” Mr. Kante raised one of its tentacles, pointing it toward the defiant Elf standing nearby: “The answer is the Elf, Mr.

Lutz. According to our research, creatures so close to nature as Elves emit an aura that the tentacle-worms find comforting—you can think of it as a fragrant blossom scent to humans.

Therefore, by placing one Elf aboard the raft used for transport, we can cross the lake safely.” Lutz remained silent for a moment, first glancing back at the rafts currently being hastily constructed, then drawing an arrow from his quiver and fitting it to his bow. He aimed slowly toward the lake surface, his thick arm muscles bulging, even his body hair seeming to stand on end, before suddenly releasing the string!

In less than the blink of an eye, a mass of bloody bubbles erupted from the calm water thirty meters ahead, floating up like grape clusters. The actual firing of Lutz’s arrow was invisible, not even leaving an afterimage!

Then the lake water began to churn, clearly stirring up the silt and mud from the bottom. After a short while, a fleshy creature, about half a meter in diameter and six or seven meters long, surfaced.

One-third of its body showed a gaping, bowl-sized wound, a bloody mess. Its exterior strongly resembled a common roundworm magnified many times, but its mouth contained sharp, triangular teeth, suggesting any bite wound would be distinctly horrific.

“We can cross this lake safely without an Elf!” Lutz declared coldly, pointedly ignoring Mr. Kante, the Tentacle Monster beside him.

Fang Senyan continued his arduous trek across the jagged boulder field. Even with a Contractor’s physique, carrying a full-grown person over such a distance was extremely taxing on his stamina.

As he moved, Fang Senyan realized this stony area was actually a winding gorge, clearly shaped over time by rushing water, judging by the erosion marks on the canyon walls. During his journey, he discovered several more of those peculiar “black stones,” but the field of boulders ahead seemed endless.

For Fang Senyan, however, not seeing his pursuers behind him was a blessing beyond measure. Every extra second bought meant a higher completion rate for the team mission.

Furthermore, Fang Senyan had resolved that if he were truly cornered with no escape, he would have to personally kill MistSong. He believed that if she were conscious, she would wholeheartedly support such a cruel and necessary decision.

After walking for another ten minutes, Fang Senyan wiped the sweat from his brow. He couldn't help thinking that the Elven girl looked slender, delicate, and very young, yet the body concealed beneath her clothing was certainly well-endowed.

Not only were her breasts firm, her legs mesmerizing, but her backside was quite full. As soon as Fang Senyan had this thought, he realized his hand was resting rather lecherously on MistSong’s rear.