Chapter 238: Chaotic Wraiths

Chapter 238: Chaotic Wraiths

She pointed to a section on the map marked with a faint red hue.

The projection transformed accordingly, revealing a desolate wasteland shrouded beneath an eternal blood-red sky. The ground shifted unnaturally, as though alive:

"But the true challenge begins in the Blood Shallows—the first and second layers of the Abyss. On the surface, it appears as nothing more than a barren plain cloaked in blood-red skies. In reality, it conceals thousands of Spatial Pockets, each with its own distinct ecosystem."

The projection displayed an astonishing scene—a seemingly invisible boundary dividing two entirely different worlds.

On one side, a swamp ravaged by acidic rain. On the other, an icy expanse glimmering with crystalline luster.

Madame Ellen’s eyes flickered with caution, as if recalling a haunting memory:

"I once stood mere steps away from such a boundary, witnessing two worlds side by side. What’s worse, these lines can shift or vanish without warning, hurling unsuspecting explorers into alien environments."

She paused, her gaze darkening. The projection now showed an explorer’s silhouette.

He took one wrong step, sinking into an unseen swamp. In an instant, he vanished:

"Once, I watched an experienced explorer step from dry sand into an invisible swamp. He disappeared in seconds—no time to struggle.

Even more terrifying, these 'swamps' are sentient liquid beings. They memorize their prey’s scent and mimic their calls to lure others in."

Luo En absorbed the information, already strategizing. This sinister transformation trait solidified his decision to avoid direct exploration, relying instead on Puppet Substitutes for remote control.

"In the Blood Shallows, you’ll encounter far stronger mutations. Some have even evolved to near Full Mage levels of power."

Madame Ellen’s voice turned grave. The projection displayed a monstrous spider—its body encrusted with crimson crystalline armor, eight eyes gleaming with unsettling intelligence.

"The Scarlet Crystal Spider is one such creature. Once ordinary arachnids, they’ve grown grotesque under Abyssal mana’s influence. They launch webs of solidified blood crystal—any creature ensnared becomes a blood crystal statue.

Rumors claim the oldest Scarlet Crystal Spiders can create perfect replicas, mimicking a victim’s appearance and behavior."

The projection showed a giant spider firing a glistening web at an explorer. The unfortunate man was gradually encased in red crystal, his final expression frozen in horror.

Madame Ellen’s gaze pierced Luo En’s thoughts. She reached into the projection, grabbing a crystal. The projection materialized, the crystal resting in her palm, pulsing with faint red light.

"You might think your current strength suffices against these mutations. But Abyssal combat differs entirely from surface warfare.

Mana here is chaotic, spells unpredictable. Physical attacks lose accuracy due to spatial distortions. Worse, many mutations possess adaptive abilities—quickly analyzing and countering opponents’ tactics."

She studied Luo En, the crystal in her hand morphing into various Abyssal materials:

"Crucially, different Spatial Pockets yield distinct Abyssal substances. Finding specific materials hinges on locating the right pocket.

But beware—the pockets seem to 'perceive' an explorer’s desires. If you desperately crave a certain material, you’ll often 'coincidentally' find a pocket rich in it, as if the Abyss itself lures you deeper."

Her finger traced the map, stopping on a deep purple zone. The projection shifted to a bizarre desert of black sand:

"Entering the third layer, the Black Sand Wasteland, escalates the danger. The environment becomes more vitalized and corrosive. Curse effects surge—Full Mages struggle to survive beyond days without harm."

Her eyes gleamed unnaturally, memories stirring. The black sand in the projection writhed, forming sinister patterns:

"Those 'grains'—if you can call them that—are microorganisms with collective intelligence. They analyze intruders’ behaviors, subtly reshaping terrain to trap prey."

Her voice trembled slightly. The projection revealed a lost exploration team.

"I once saw a team trapped in the Black Sand Wasteland. First, they found themselves returning to the same spot, trapped in a spatial loop. Then the sand subtly shifted, isolating members, hiding them from each other. Finally—"

Her voice dropped. Fingers brushing the projection, the swallowed explorers faded into the sand:

"The sand seeped into their gear, eroded their skin, invaded their lungs. The process was silent, slow—a meticulously orchestrated murder."

Though she couldn’t witness the final details, Luo En sensed genuine fear radiating from her words. Her trembling fingers and haunted eyes confirmed—this was no fabrication, but a lived nightmare.

Madame Ellen’s tone hardened. The projection displayed a sinister mist, shifting endlessly, speckled with countless tiny lights—like imprisoned stars:

"But the third layer’s greatest threat lies not in mutations or living sands, but the Chaotic Wraiths."

Fear flickered in her eyes—a rare sight for the composed Madame Ellen.

The mist materialized, swirling between them.

"They’re Abyssal anomalies—forms like shifting mist, speckled with tiny lights, like captive stars."

Her voice thickened as the mist violently twisted, forming a vortex. An explorer’s silhouette vanished instantly.

"Once targeted, you’re randomly teleported to any Abyssal layer, any location."

Her voice sank lower:

"A companion was once marked by Chaotic Wraiths. In an instant, he vanished.

Years later, I found him—only a fragment—in a sixth-layer corner. Traces showed he’d survived months, yet ultimately perished."

She paused, gaze heavy:

"Worse, the more a team gathers, the more mutations they slay, the higher the chance Chaotic Wraiths appear—like the Abyss’s self-defense mechanism.

I once led a team into the third layer for Black Sand Essence. We harvested enough in three days.

But as we prepared to retreat, three Chaotic Wraiths emerged, scattering the team across the Abyss.

Only two others and I ever returned."

Luo En frowned, adjusting strategies: "How can we avoid them?"

"Theoretically, a Mana Shielding Device reduces detection odds", she replied, fingers absently tracing her teacup.

"But no method is foolproof. The best defense? Don’t greed. Leave the Abyss once you’ve gathered enough."

She clasped her hands around the cup, emerald eyes sharp with concern:

"The Abyss’s true danger isn’t visible monsters, but its corruption of the mind.

Greed, fear, despair, rage—these emotions amplify in the Abyss, consuming reason.

I’ve seen countless resolute explorers dragged into ruin by their own desires."

Suddenly, she straightened, the projection vanishing. Light returned to the room.

Placing the cup aside, she folded her hands solemnly:

"Crucially—you’re in your golden growth period.

Freshly ascended to Full Mage, your spiritual contamination is cleansed. You’re entering a mana growth spurt lasting one to two years. Your body and energy will transition to higher tiers."

Her gaze sharpened. Leaning forward, she tapped the table for emphasis:

"A rare window. Many mages experience this only once.

Your body naturally adapts to rising mana, forging a stable, efficient circulation system."

A wisp of mana bloomed, sketching a growth curve:

"Don’t waste this time. Strengthen before entering the Abyss.

Once you descend, spiritual contamination accumulates faster than on the surface.

Learning new spells becomes exponentially harder—you’ll expend more time and effort to cleanse corruption."

After ensuring he grasped the growth phase’s importance, she dismissed the projection:

"Before entering the Abyss, solidify Dawn Star Rank at minimum."

She rose, stepping to the window. Sunlight outlined her silhouette:

"Even seasoned teams rarely delve below the sixth layer. Deeper tiers transcend ordinary Full Mage limits—only Dusk Sun Rank elites survive briefly. Deeper still…"

She turned, fear flashing:

"Only Archmages can briefly explore, their rules twisted—time and space blurred, thoughts molded into malleable matter, shaped by external forces."

Returning, she placed hands firmly on his shoulders:

"Remember: the Abyss’s allure intertwines with peril.

Most precious materials hide in deadliest zones.

Most beautiful sights often hide lethal traps.

Stay alert. Never underestimate the Abyss’s cruelty.

Especially beware sudden 'luck'—finding exactly what you need. That’s the Abyss’s trap, luring you deeper, hungrier."

Her voice dropped:

"Lastly—and most importantly—no matter what voices speak to you in the Abyss, never respond.

Especially familiar voices, or those promising to fulfill your deepest desires.

Respond, and your soul is marked. You become the Abyss’s prey."

"Thank you for your guidance and generosity", Luo En rose, bowing deeply, gratitude sincere:

"I’ll cherish these lessons, refining them through experience."

Madame Ellen smiled, emerald eyes warm with relief, as if fulfilling a long-held vow.

She patted his shoulder gently:

"From the moment you stepped into my Herbal Medicine Shop, I knew you were different.

I only hope, when you stand higher, you’ll glance back at this path’s scenery."

Sunlight gilded her hair. She turned, casting one final look—eyes brimming with complex emotions:

Hope, worry, pride, regret, and something ineffable—a gaze at a distant shadow from her past.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end