Chapter 210: The Ghoul Dog Licking Traces of Dragon Blood, Meeting the Twin Witches
Scorching liquid magma undulated gently across the surface of the Magma Sea. Dark red and orange magmatic substances collided, and the splashing sparks ignited the air.
*Bang!*
It released intense flames.
Tang Zheng's figure drifted on the scalding Magma Sea, rising and falling with its undulating surface. The terrifyingly high temperature of the magma failed to leave even a single burn on his thin skin.
If an ordinary person were to see this, their jaw would probably drop in shock.
At this moment.
Tang Zheng lay in the Magma Sea, a rare look of relaxation on his face. Although the surrounding environment was horrifying and dreadful to an ordinary person, it gave him an inexplicable sense of security.
"Finally, I'm starting to have some power to protect myself."
Tang Zheng lifted his arm from beneath the magma, raising it above his head. He watched the magma flow down his palm with a hint of ease in his eyes.
Under the illumination of the surrounding crimson light, his black pupils were exceptionally bright.
All this time, Tang Zheng had felt a constant sense of urgency. It was only at this moment that he finally felt like he could catch his breath.
"But it's still not enough. I must become even stronger," Tang Zheng murmured to himself, lowering his raised arm and letting it splash back into the magma.
The Lava Zone was located deep within the Angelicisia Mountain Range. Due to its unique high-temperature environment, most creatures found it extremely difficult to even approach, let alone survive here.
Now that he had dealt with the Sun Anglerfish, this area had truly become Unclaimed Land.
The location was hidden.
Most creatures could not get near.
Furthermore, the depths of the Magma Sea connected to Despair Valley.
"It seems like a very good place for a headquarters," Tang Zheng's eyes flashed as he muttered softly to himself.
After mastering Teleportation Magic, the time-consuming problem of travel was no longer a concern. As long as he left a magical mark here, he could teleport directly to this location at any time.
The only thing he needed to consider for now was whether there would be any repercussions from the death of the ancient Fire Dragon. That was something he needed to observe.
Another consideration was the final dominator of this region, besides the Sun Anglerfish and the ancient Fire Dragon.
The Phoenix Lord, Phoenix!
So far, Tang Zheng had not found any sign of this being. Its power should be comparable to that of the Sun Anglerfish and the ancient Fire Dragon.
"Next, I need to make contact with the dwarves here." Tang Zheng had not forgotten the broken armor he had obtained from the Grey Dwarves, which was inscribed with the highest-tier rune script.
He had an idea he desperately wanted to test, and it required a rune craftsman from the Dwarf Race here.
"But, before that..."
Tang Zheng lifted his head and spoke in a low voice, "Flight!"
*Swish!*
Tang Zheng flew out of the Magma Sea, landing back on the ground of the Lava Zone before walking toward the outer edge.
After gradually leaving the high-temperature environment, he took out a fresh set of clothing from his item box, put it on, and waved his hand at the ground.
The Ghoul Dog's corpse appeared on the ground.
"Raise Dead!" Tang Zheng activated the fifth-tier resurrection.
He still had the seventh-tier resurrection magic, Resurrection, stored in his pre-set magic, but it was not that he was reluctant to use it on the Ghoul Dog.
Rather, his current faith-based spellcaster level was not high enough. To cast the seventh-tier Resurrection, he would need to use a magic amplification ritual.
To be on the safe side, he had to keep a higher-tier resurrection magic spell like this in reserve.
"Aoo~"
The lifeless body of the Ghoul Dog trembled. It gradually opened its eyes, a look of confusion flashing through its beastly pupils before it shook its head and stood up.
Seeing Tang Zheng beside it, the Ghoul Dog joyfully wagged its tail and walked over, rubbing its head against Tang Zheng's pant leg.
"You've worked hard."
Tang Zheng reached out and gently stroked the Ghoul Dog's smooth black fur, speaking with a hint of apology.
Two resurrections, calculated by the game's level system, meant a drop of a full eight levels.
The Ghoul Dog's original level had been around thirteen or fourteen. After two resurrections with level drops, its size did not appear to have changed at all.
However, Tang Zheng could clearly feel that the Ghoul Dog's aura had dropped significantly. Even the dangerous feeling it once gave off had vanished completely.
"Ah-aoo."
The Ghoul Dog rubbed against Tang Zheng's pant leg a few more times, then its nose suddenly twitched. Its body shivered, and all the fur on its body stood on end.
It turned its head with a mixture of desire and terror, looking toward a spot not far away.
Noticing the Ghoul Dog's action, Tang Zheng's gaze sharpened.
An enemy?
His eyes showed surprise; how had he not sensed anything?
He turned to follow the Ghoul Dog's gaze but saw nothing there. Then, Tang Zheng noticed something, and his eyes froze.
The direction the Ghoul Dog was staring was precisely the spot where he had executed the ancient Red Dragon. There were still some faint, dried bloodstains left on the ground.
Tang Zheng's eyes flickered. Seeing the faint craving in the Ghoul Dog's eyes, he patted its back and said, "Go on."
"Aoo."
The Ghoul Dog let out a low growl and cautiously moved its four limbs, slowly approaching the direction of the dried bloodstains.
As the strongest race in the entire world, the power radiating from the Dragon Race's level of life, which surpassed all other creatures, still held an intimidating effect on ordinary creatures, even if it was just from residual, dried bloodstains.
This was especially true for a magic beast with more acute perceptive abilities.
Tang Zheng, on the other hand, was not affected by this intimidating aura. Forget the already dead ancient Red Dragon; even when facing the living ancient Fire Dragon, Tang Zheng had only felt a slight, intangible pressure that did not suppress his actions in any way.
Powerful beings like giant dragons should possess an ability like "Dragon's Aura."
Tang Zheng speculated that the reason he was not affected was firstly because his own level was high enough, and secondly because of one of the passive abilities of the Valkyrie job class: Body of Divine Protection.
The Ghoul Dog slowly arrived at the spot with the dried Dragon Blood on the ground. Its beastly eyes were full of craving as it lowered its head and carefully licked the ground.
Immediately after, it began to lick the ground incessantly.
Tang Zheng watched this scene quietly, with no intention of stopping it. Instead, his eyes held a hint of curiosity.
He had previously confirmed that Dragon Blood did have a buffing effect, though it was not particularly obvious for him. So, he took this opportunity to observe the Ghoul Dog.
There was very little residual Dragon Blood on the ground, so he did not need to worry about any accidents happening to the Ghoul Dog.
One minute.
Two minutes.
…
Five minutes.
Tang Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly. He noticed that the Ghoul Dog was still licking every spot stained with Dragon Blood. Not only did it show no signs of stopping, but it was also growing increasingly frenzied.
"Xiao Hei!" Tang Zheng called out.
The Ghoul Dog kept its head down, continuing to lick, showing no reaction.
Seeing this, Tang Zheng realized something was wrong with the Ghoul Dog. He strode over with large steps. As he approached, the Ghoul Dog, which had been licking the ground, abruptly raised its head. A pair of crimson eyes, riddled with bloodshot veins, was revealed, staring fixedly at the approaching Tang Zheng.
"Roar!"
The Ghoul Dog revealed a savage and vicious expression, baring its sharp, drooling teeth.
"Has it lost its senses? Such a small amount of something can actually have such a huge effect. Is it because the Ghoul Dog's level is too low, or does 'Dragon Blood' itself contain some unknown negative effects?"
Tang Zheng raised an eyebrow. He looked at the clearly dazed Ghoul Dog and spoke in a thoughtful tone, his steps not pausing for a moment as he continued to walk toward it.
"Roar!" The Ghoul Dog roared, its four limbs pushing off forcefully as it pounced at Tang Zheng.
*Smack!*
With an expressionless face, Tang Zheng swung his arm, swatting the pouncing Ghoul Dog away and sending it crashing to the ground. "Its aura seems to have gotten a little stronger."
"Aooo~"
The Ghoul Dog cried out miserably as it lay on the ground, constantly coughing up blood, its body twitching slightly.
This casual slap had clearly brought the Ghoul Dog to a near-death state.
Tang Zheng walked up and stood beside the Ghoul Dog. He raised his palm, and a sacred light appeared. "Major Wound Healing."
The ghastly, caved-in wound on the Ghoul Dog healed rapidly. It quickly scrambled up from the ground and charged at Tang Zheng once more.
*Smack!*
Another slap swung down, and the Ghoul Dog was once again lying on the ground in a near-death state.
"Major Wound Healing."
*Smack!*
"Major Wound Healing!"
After three consecutive times, the Ghoul Dog's crimson eyes and violent rage finally receded completely. It stood up, filled with fear, and looked at Tang Zheng with its head and tail tucked in.
"Its aura has indeed gotten a bit stronger. Still, the influence of Dragon Blood is actually this great. Why didn't I experience this before?"
Tang Zheng did not mind the Ghoul Dog's earlier behavior. Instead, he observed it thoughtfully.
Perhaps it was still a problem with the "curse."
If it only affected the mind, it would not be a major issue.
Tang Zheng thought of one of the Lizardmen's Four Great Treasures, the White Dragon Bone Armor, which was armor made from the bones of a Frost Dragon.
It inflicted a negative curse effect that lowered the user's intelligence.
It seemed he would have to specifically research the exact amplification effects of "Dragon Blood."
"Since you've come to your senses, properly experience the power contained within the blood you just licked."
Tang Zheng looked at the Ghoul Dog again, then continued, "Xiao Hei, stay here for now. I'm leaving for a while."
"Aoo, aoo."
Seeing that its master was not angry, the Ghoul Dog began to wag its tail again and whimpered twice.
"High-Tier Teleportation."
Tang Zheng closed his eyes, faintly sensing his destination, and began his low chant.
*Swish!*
His figure instantly vanished.
In the southern part of the Great Forest of Tob.
In a small, equally remote village northwest of E-Rantel.
*Thump! Thump!*
A middle-aged woman, who looked to be in her forties or fifties, a headscarf tied around her brown hair, was squatting in front of a wooden cabin. She held a wooden club in her hands, forcefully beating numerous freshly-washed linen clothes.
From time to time, villagers would pass by and greet the middle-aged woman.
The middle-aged woman would respond with great familiarity. If one observed closely, they would see that her gaze was filled with an indifference that held a faint trace of coldness.
"Sister, how much longer do we have to disguise ourselves as humans here?" a clear, impatient voice sounded from the middle-aged woman's chest.
"I don't know either," the middle-aged woman calmly scanned her surroundings and replied softly.
"We can no longer return to the Great Wetland."
"Why don't we just run away? The humans here are even more fragile than those weak cave lizards. There are no strong individuals at all."
The crisp voice from her chest spoke again.
"That human left a magical trace on us. No matter where we run, he will find us," the middle-aged woman continued to beat the clothing with the wooden club, speaking calmly in a low voice.
At these words, the voice from her chest paused for a moment, then said gloomily, "It's been over half a month already."
The middle-aged woman's movements paused for a beat, but then she continued.
A short while later, the Twin Witches, disguised as the middle-aged woman, finished hanging all the clothes to dry and then began to sort the harvested wheat.
Every move was extremely practiced, no different from an ordinary middle-aged woman.
It was not until night fell that the Twin Witches entered the wooden cabin and closed the door.
Inside the somewhat dim room, an identical middle-aged woman lay unconscious on the floor.
The surface of the Twin Witches' bodies twisted slightly, and they reverted to their slender figures wrapped entirely in tree leaves.
*Rustle~*
The leaves covering the Green Leaf Witch rustled, and the Dense Fog Witch crawled out from the Green Leaf Witch's chest, floating down to the ground.
"I've had enough!" the Dense Fog Witch declared resentfully to the Green Leaf Witch as soon as she steadied herself.
"Wait."
Faced with the impatient Dense Fog Witch, the Green Leaf Witch simply replied faintly.
"That human hasn't shown up for over half a month!"
"I've had enough of this boring charade of pretending to be human!"
"Speaking of which, that should be considered a good thing."
The atmosphere in the room fell silent.
The Dense Fog Witch first looked at the Green Leaf Witch in surprise, then quickly understood. She had just opened her mouth, about to say something.
Suddenly!
*Tap—tap—*
Soft footsteps came from outside the cabin.
The expressions of the Dense Fog Witch and Green Leaf Witch froze. With their perception, they should have been able to detect anyone approaching this wooden cabin in advance.
But these footsteps seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
Before the Twin Witches could react further, they both shivered instinctively. A chill shot from the tips of their toes to the crowns of their heads, causing both of them to retreat, staring at the wooden door with expressions full of vigilance and terror.
*Knock! Knock!*
The soft knocking sound plunged the atmosphere inside the wooden cabin to a freezing point.
"Oh, it's not locked?"
Outside the wooden cabin, Tang Zheng knocked twice on the wooden door. Seeing no reaction from inside, he gave it a light push, and the wooden door swung open.
The space inside the room was not very large.
The figures of the Twin Witches and the unconscious middle-aged woman were the first things to enter his sight.
"Long time no see, you two," Tang Zheng said with a smile, looking at the Twin Witches.
"Master."
"Master."
The Green Leaf Witch and Dense Fog Witch both knelt on the ground at the same time, lowering their heads and speaking respectfully.
The small rebellious thoughts that had just risen in their hearts had now vanished without a trace. This human had become even more terrifying.
(end of chapter)
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