Chapter 378 Underground Passage
Strong winds rose and yellow sand filled the air.
Even at an altitude of several thousand meters, Brian, standing on the flying carpet, could feel a heat wave rising from the ground.
However, what surprised him was that even though he had reached his destination, the flying carpet still showed no intention of landing and continued to fly towards the western edge of the Eno Oak Desert.
Brian cast doubtful glances at the female elf next to him, only to find that the elf responsible for escorting him to Everesca had a delicate little face solemn and nervous, her eyes fixed on the ground. , there was no way to understand what he meant.
Seeing this situation, Brian simply sat cross-legged on the flying carpet and closed his eyes to rest.
After about an hour or so, the flying carpet finally began to descend to a deserted mountain range, and then the carpet snaked along the complicated path on the mountain range like a snake.
Just when it was about to hit the tallest desolate mountain peak around, it was suddenly enveloped in a confusing thick fog.
Until this moment, Brian noticed from the corner of his eye that the female elf escorting him was obviously relieved.
The surrounding fog was so thick that Brian, standing on the flying carpet, felt as if he was flying in the clouds. Even if he used the light magic that could disperse the thick fog, the visibility was only about ten meters. Farther away is a stream of mist rolling like waves.
"This is the magic mist flow generated by the Mystery Lock Barrier." The female elf finally spoke. She seemed to have determined her position in the thick fog and began to control the flying carpet to land at an even speed.
"That is to say, we have arrived above the Evereska Valley." Brian nodded thoughtfully as he looked at the fog that was impenetrable.
"Yes, we have reached this realm." After the female elf finished speaking, she asked curiously, "Does Sir Brian also know about Everriska?"
"Some knowledge One or two," Brian replied.
As for Everesca, although he has never been there in person when he was in the game world and does not know much about the details of this place, the books stored in the crown hall of Suzal have some information about it. There is an entire introductory book dedicated to Everesca.
And he happened to have checked this book with the help of his convenient identity.
This is also why he immediately chose to look for the crowned Ilseveri and asked him to send people to lead the way when he learned that the mad Ogathra might be hiding in Everesca. reason.
Closed and mysterious, this is how the scholars of the Crown Hall evaluate Everesca.
This city has been shrouded in the mysterious and powerful Mystery Barrier for endless years, making it seem as if it has completely disappeared into the main material world, and it is impossible to find the entrance to this city.
After a while, the flying carpet finally got rid of the magic fog, and the scene that appeared in Brian's sight made him suddenly enlightened, as if he had entered a paradise.
Under the warm sunshine, there is a crescent-shaped valley.
As the flying carpet landed, the elf city in the Everesca Valley, full of nature and art, spread out in front of Brian's eyes like a scroll, gradually uncovering it. The veil of mystery.
As soon as Brian and the female elf landed on a green lawn, they saw an elf priest wearing the emblem of the elf god Corellon, leading a group of elf warriors, hurried over. And greeted the elves beside him:
"By the grace of the Seldarine gods, you have finally arrived."
"By the order of the crowned lady Ilseveri, come here Reinforce Everesca ”
The female elf didn't give the elf priest a good look. She looked businesslike and said to him coldly:
"I have already delivered the person. It's time for me to leave."
After speaking, she nodded to Brian, then drove the flying carpet without hesitation, and gradually disappeared from everyone's sight.
Looking at the scene in front of him, the elf priest smiled bitterly at Brian, and then said with a respectful expression, "Your Excellency, you must be Mr. Brian, Ms. Ilseveri, the crowned wearer of Mis Drannor, has already Through the magic message, I told you your purpose of coming in detail. Here, you are the honored guest of all elves. Everesca welcomes you, please."
"Now that you know my identity. , then let’s make a long story short.”
Brian looked around the magic-rich valley with a slightly solemn look and said, "I want to know the specific situation here."
"It is my duty to report to you the situation in the valley. We talked as we walked "
The Elf Priest made an invitation gesture, and while walking towards the depths of the valley, he told Brian:
"Evriska's mythical barrier is based on the valley. It was built on the basis of the twelve surrounding peaks. However, two months ago, a huge negative energy aura emerged from the underground passage of one of the peaks. This energy was very strange. Anyone who stepped in would be The mind is corroded, and finally dies like a mummy that has been drained of water. Especially for spell casters, the magic will backfire as soon as they enter the underground passage..."
Backfired by magic?
Could it be the Felin Demon Sunflower?
A trace of surprise appeared on Brian's expression. While he was thinking about what the elf priest told him about Everesca's current situation, he secretly used detection magic to observe the surrounding environment.
The entire valley is very quiet, and the surrounding mountains have been opened up by the elves into terraced fields and vineyards for planting crops. The buildings with a strong ancient elven style are arranged under tall trees and vines, and are lush and green. .
Twelve peaks shrouded in a light blue magical halo surround the entire valley. The energy diffused from the peaks fills the entire valley with a refreshing magical atmosphere.
The only flaw is.
The area around the mountain peak that the Elf Priest took him to was not only not shrouded in magic halo, but also faintly exuded a faint aura of death. Even the flowers, plants and trees around the mountain peak suffered as a result, showing a withered color.
“Are even spellcasters in the legendary realm affected by this?”
Brian asked thoughtfully. As he walked, some elven passers-by’s curious eyes frequently fell on On his body, most of the elves were in a hurry. They only glanced at him curiously and then went about their own business.
“That’s not true.” The Elf Priest replied:
“Mage Laurian has entered the underground passage in advance to investigate the cause. Not long ago, a Mystic Guard returned and reported some information to us. The information, based on the unreliable speculation of Master Laurian, tells us that the underground passage under this mountain peak is very long, and the end of it is actually connected to the ruins of a floating city from the Netheril era."
The ruins of the floating city?
Brian looked surprised when he heard this.
In the information he obtained from the Crown Hall, the ruins closest to the Everesca Valley are the ancient Harundas City. Unexpectedly, there are other floating city ruins buried here. He had never heard of the news, and he couldn't help but look forward to it.
Unknowingly, the elf priest had led him through the elf city and arrived near the mountain peak filled with negative energy.
When everyone arrived at the quiet mountains near the mountain peak, Brian clearly felt that the warm sunshine had disappeared out of thin air, and was replaced by a strange cold breath.
At first, Brian thought it was the aura of negative energy that represented death.
But after careful detection with the detection magic he released, he unexpectedly learned that the cold breath was similar to a death-draining spell that could swallow magic.
"The range of negative energy has become larger again." The Elf Priest stopped and stared at the gloomy mountain peaks, his pale golden eyes full of worry, "By the grace of the Seldarine gods, if we let it go If this terrifying energy continues to expand unchecked, the entire valley may be destroyed.”
“This is not negative energy.” Brian raised his palm with a lavender halo and said quietly. After feeling it for a moment, he expressed his guess, "It is similar to a devouring magic mixed with chaotic energy."
As a chaos scholar who advanced from the psion profession, he is very familiar with chaotic energy. It couldn't be more familiar.
This terrifying guess made Brian realize that the initiator of Everesca's strange situation was most likely an Elder Demon Kui whose strength had reached a high level of legend.
Because according to some unreliable rumors, the fundamental reason why the ancient monsters like Felin Demon Kui are so weird and difficult to deal with is that they control the energy of chaos.
“That’s it.” The Elf Priest held Corellon’s Holy Emblem and prayed devoutly for a long time before looking at Brian with eyes full of respect. “I have received the revelation from the Seldarine gods, Your Excellency. You are right, it is indeed chaos energy that is at work. No wonder the elders of the twelve peaks are unable to repair the wounds here."
Hearing this, Brian couldn't help but feel a hint of surprise in his expression. The main reason why Everesca has been able to hide here for countless years without being discovered by outsiders is that it relies on the powerful Mystery Lock, and the operation of the Mystery Lock is supported by the twelve peaks in the valley.
Every mountain here is equivalent to a mage's wizard tower. The strength of the elven elders sitting on the mountain peaks is probably at least in the legendary realm.
Such a powerful lineup cannot defeat the phaerim demons, so it’s no wonder they would shamelessly ask for help from Myth Drannor’s Elven Expeditionary Force.
While thinking, the worried elf priest had already brought him to the underground passage under the mountain.
The emerald green branches and leaves and lush ancient vines that once blocked the passage have long since rotted and withered under the erosion of strange energy, so much so that the decaying smell emanating from the underground passage makes people feel as if they have arrived at an ancient tomb.
"Your Excellency can see through the essence of energy at a glance." The elf priest took out a badge etched with ancient elf runes and handed it to Brian with a respectful expression:
"I believe that with Mr. Brian's assistance this time, after entering the passage, I will be able to help Master Laurian eliminate the source of evil. This badge has the blessings of the Seldarine gods. Once you approach Master Laurian in the underground passage, or you are lost. Lock the guard, and it will actively emit light and condense into a ball of light to guide you to join them. Please be sure to keep it."
Brian nodded slightly and took the badge handed over by the elf priest.
After checking the attributes, I found that there are indeed a few permanent buffs in it, but with his current strength, these magic spells are a bit insignificant.
The only use is to find helpers faster in the underground passages.
Then, without wasting any more time, he walked in without hesitation under the gazes of many elves full of expectation and gratitude.
In the dark underground passage, you can't see your fingers without reaching out, but for a powerful Grand Arcanist like Brian, there is no way to defeat him.
As for the so-called magical backlash, it seems that because he was employed as a chaos scholar, not only did it not have any impact on him, but it actually made him more skillful in controlling chaotic energy.
It can be seen from this that the mystery lock here was really eroded by the Felin Demon Kui using chaotic energy and devouring magic, otherwise the chaotic energy in the air would not be so active.
He quickly used a few simple prophecy detection spells to find the traces of Master Laurian and his party in this complex underground passage that was like a maze.
However, he did not catch up with these people immediately. Instead, he went in the opposite direction and passed through the other side.
Because he made an unexpected discovery through the detection just now.
Brian walked deeper and deeper along the narrow and cold underground passage. For about two hours, he finally came from this winding underground passage to a spacious corridor with columns on both sides. inside.
The corridor was very quiet, with only the sound of Brian's footsteps echoing slightly. It could be seen from the exquisite carvings on the pillars, which were obviously left by the elves.
The only thing that puzzled Brian was who built this long passage, the elves of Everesca or someone else.
Just when he was about to speed up and pass through this corridor, suddenly accompanied by a sharp scream, several pale shadows passed through the corridor pillars, blocking Brian's way.
The dark eyes on the faces of these ghosts were burning with endless anger, and they stretched out their pale claws and rushed towards Brian.
As soon as Brian thought, a scorching light shone past, and there were at least dozens of pale ghosts, all of them let out shrill wails, turned into smoke, and dissipated in the air.
“These dead souls cannot appear here for no reason.” Brian stared at the place where the ghosts dispersed and said to himself, “There will definitely be new discoveries ahead.”
With Confused, he carefully walked through the corridor and came to an area with solid cells on both sides.
To his regret, there were no living creatures at all in the decaying cell, and all that was left behind were the corpses of various races.
Obviously, the ghosts just now were caused by the resentment they had during their lifetime.
In order to search for clues, Brian carefully and cautiously checked each cell.
Finally, a relatively well-preserved metal sheet was found in a cell containing halfling corpses.
Brian used magic to disperse the dust on the sheet, and rows of tiny words appeared clearly on it:
Outside adventurer, even you hope to understand my life—— From the day he was killed until he was evoked as a mere shadow of his past self?
Why are adventurers so keen to dip their toes into crab lairs?
Well, my life is what it is now.
I wish I could say otherwise. This originated from the Year of the Gloomy Ghost. I often think that when Olga Sla the Mad named that year, she must have foreseen what happened to me. .
At that time, I was just a young sorceress from the Listal Forest. I had been dedicated to honing my magical skills since the time of Karsus' Folly.
For a tome that records evil magic, my friends and I broke into the ruins of a Netherese floating city, but unfortunately, we happened to meet a dead Netherese arcana The shadow of the teacher.
The creature killed me effortlessly.
And in just one breath, I became one of the undead creatures - at this time, the monster that defeated me had killed all my friends.
That arcanist is not the only shadow here, and I am not the only spawn - in fact, he controls a real army of the undead.
His ultimate destruction frees us to search for our past and many of us, myself included, do exactly that.
At first, many of our companions were destroyed, but then we encountered beings called invisible guardians.
His name is Paralandusk, and he is not much different from us. He is also looking for a way to save himself after being cursed by Netherese magic.
Even though his body has gradually transformed into incorporeal form, he has developed spells that can maintain his mental power.
He has always generously helped those of us who can be found by his magic.
With his help, some of us managed to make it out of the ruins of Netheril and then tried to put the remaining undead to rest.
Many companions were destroyed, and some disappeared in battles with other undead. Others died at the hands of noble elf priests because they could not tolerate the existence of our undead.
In the face of such heavy losses, combined with our own rejection of evil, we come to be seen as weak, or, as the word suggests: dim and powerless.
Although as an adventurous halfling I have traveled to the deserts of Haenorok and beyond, I have never been able to return to Listal Forest.
…………
(End of this chapter)