"Something feels very off."
Фэн Юань looked at Agunas and said. This disturbance, to say that it was caused by an average person, neither he nor Liao Yu would believe it. However, creating such a big disturbance without further actions really was perplexing.
"Indeed, and the method used, somehow it feels..."
Inspecting Фэн Юань, if it weren’t for being by his side all the time, Agunas couldn’t help but suspect if it was Фэн Юань’s doing. After all, causing a big scene without harming anyone was indeed his style.
"Why are you looking at me like that? This has nothing to do with me. You should know that if I were the one behind it, I wouldn’t keep lying about it."
With Agunas glaring at him, Фэн Юань complained, while Veronia cautiously examined the surroundings and said,
"Of course, we know you well. But, the thought that there might be someone similar to you is somewhat incredible."
They knew Фэн Юань’s identity and naturally understood how rare it was to encounter someone like him. However, they hadn’t expected that in this insignificant world, two great powers would arrive simultaneously. This...
"Not necessarily. Although He didn’t intervene, perhaps it’s because He thought there was no need. Without His interference, achieving this isn’t particularly difficult, as this world already has multiple layers of space."
Shaking his head, Фэн Юань said, the difficulty of such things wasn’t as high as imagined. However, he couldn’t comprehend the motives of the mastermind.
Kong Qing hissed seemingly trying to say something. Agunas cast a surprised glance at Kong Qing and wagged his tail saying,
"This space is unique. Although it hasn’t pulled in larger Domains like the Область данных, it has constructed these small Subspace mirrors."
"Wait, what’s that?"
Noticing a reflection up ahead, Фэн Юань focused his gaze and lowered his voice, but as everyone quietly moved closer, nothing disturbed the silence upfront.
"This is..."
Seeing humans and Духовные звери sealed in crystal, everyone was stunned. Although they didn’t recognize these people, the uniforms they wore identified their roles.
"Are they possibly the team dispatched by the Yixian Gorge Defense Corps? How come..."
Dou Yanlan exclaimed in a low voice, with Cotton perched on her shoulder, watching the surroundings nervously and occasionally making warning sounds. Ah Mu shielded Ци Чэнь in front of him. With a wave of little hands, Veronia contracted the Crystal Barrier to protect Wu Dingwu and others, this sudden change causing some panic.
"Don’t release it yet. It’s hard to say what might happen if it’s dissolved."
Glancing at Ци Чэнь and others, Фэн Юань stopped Agunas, who was ready to act. Huo Feng, with a troubled expression, observed the soldiers sealed in crystal, while Liao Yu seemed to have a thought, asking Фэн Юань,
"Can they still be saved?!"
"Of course, it’s just a mere Crystal Seal. It’s not hard to dissolve, but with the power of time and space lingering on it, combined with the Kindred Force permeating the forest, I’m not sure what will happen once it’s broken."
Scanning the surroundings, Фэн Юань stated. He had sensed something was off from the start but didn’t expect it to be this way. After pondering, Фэн Юань instructed Agunas to guard Ци Чэнь and the others while he walked forward with the dark Ancient Book, as nine small shields disappeared and transformed into a black Whirlwind rotating in the air.
Xiao Ji looked at Фэн Юань in confusion, not understanding what he intended. Borrowing Xiao Ji’s strength but not taking action, Фэн Юань shook his head at Xiao Ji, glanced back to ensure Agunas protected Ци Чэнь and the others, and then waved his hand. The black Whirlwind abruptly halted, altering its original tendency to lift objects skyward. The Whirlwind’s base seemed like a bottomless black hole incessantly drawing surrounding energy.
Just then, an angry roar sounded, and a blood-red mist emerged as a Snake Woman with fiery red constellations rushed out, staring at Фэн Юань. Without moving its mouth, the Snake Woman conveyed a voice heard in everyone’s ears.
"Find the hidden enemy within us to save them? Do you really think I’d play by your rules?"
Фэн Юань gazed peculiarly at the Snake Woman and said, but got no response from her. Ци Чэнь looked at Dou Yanlan as if seeking help, while Dou Yanlan, puzzled, said,
"Aren’t you worried I might be fake?"
"Tch! I refuse to believe anyone could swap someone on my watch, let alone be interested in this so-called game."
Фэн Юань commented, nine small shields forming a pitch-black Greatsword in his grip. Swiftly swinging the Greatsword, he shattered the Snake Woman before she could react. As everyone marveled, while Veronia prepared for possible attacks, changes occurred within the forest.
The Crystal Seals emitted cracking sounds as they broke, and the environment, like viewed through a thin mist, gradually transformed back into the original highway.
"Uh... this..."
A figure looking like the team leader muttered while holding his head, as Huo Feng approached to check their condition, confirming their recovery before asking about their encounter.
Upon hearing they too faced the Snake Woman and were asked the same question, everyone shot Фэн Юань peculiar glances, to which Фэн Юань cleared his throat and disgruntledly said,
"Why are you looking at me? That thing has nothing to do with me, as for why the answer was that, I have no idea."
"Indeed, the other side mentioned a devil among us transformed from the crystal. But, that voice was not the Snake Woman’s, purely coincidental or..."
Watching Фэн Юань, Dou Yanlan uncertainly stated. After all, Фэн Юань sometimes acted against the enemy’s rules for various reasons, but that was because he had the strength. Yet, this time, she found it hard to judge.
"We suspected the Snake Woman too, but we couldn’t defeat it."
The team leader blushed as he admitted, although it was somewhat embarrassing, it was true. Moreover, Liao Yu and Huo Feng were part of the Special Duty Team, knowing the real information allowed for better preparation against potential threats.
After inquiring about the Snake Woman’s strength, Фэн Юань looked at Liao Yu and the others, saying,
"Tch, this is troublesome; its power fluctuates."
"Fluctuating power?"
The group was puzzled. What was Фэн Юань talking about? They seemed unable to understand. With a sigh, Фэн Юань explained helplessly,
"Yes, like in games, some enemies’ power adjusts based on your own power, like the Snake Woman earlier, whose power was at a Good Level, just matching Xiao Ji’s power level."
"Just a matching level?"
Agunas was puzzled, though why it matched Xiao Ji’s power yet was so fragile was obvious. Xiao Ji was a Божественный зверь, capable of manifesting Elite Level power despite currently being at the Good Level. Thus, Фэн Юань easily destroyed the Snake Woman without exerting his power.
"Indeed, they encountered a Rare Level Snake Woman, but we faced only a Good Level one. It’s clearly different, yet why does it feel like some kind of game..."
Фэн Юань stared helplessly skyward, because these types of enemies, whose strength fluctuates with the opponent’s power, were rare outside of games, except perhaps in training grounds. But, this place was clearly not that. Who had gone to such lengths just to create this?
"We seem to have encountered a madman."
Veronia looked at Фэн Юань and said, shaking his head with resignation, Фэн Юань replied,
"Close enough, but we still don’t know who it is."
"Since the road is clear, how about we head back and drive?"
Although they walked for a bit, due to ascending the mountain in a winding path, they could still see the car parked below. Taking a shortcut down wouldn’t take long, and after Фэн Юань’s suggestion, Huo Feng paused and said,
"Okay."
"What about you guys? Planning to head back?"
Looking at the team leader, Фэн Юань curiously asked. The leader shook his head and said,
"No, our mission is to investigate surrounding anomalies."
"Then let’s go."
Фэн Юань considered saying something but eventually refrained. Although he didn’t believe they’d fare any better against the Snake Woman again, he couldn’t do much, as this was their received order.

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