"Is this... Quivada Oasis?"
Ronan regained his senses from the brief dizziness caused by the Space Transmission, and upon seeing the scene before him, his expression subtly changed.
The first thing he saw was a sky full of rainbow colors.
Yet it failed to evoke any dreamy, ethereal or beautiful feelings; instead, it seed slimy and nauseating, like the various pus-like colors that erge from the decomposing blood and flesh after a creature dies, similar to clusters of poisonous mushrooms growing wildly, filling the entire sky.
The air was also filled with a sweet, pungent, and slightly putrid sll.
He was standing on a sandy area filled with clusters of dark purple strange crystals, with a water body behind him, which was unclear whether it was a lake or a sea, and lush "vegetation" ahead.
If everything in sight were stripped of its current mottled dark colors, then underfoot they should have been on a silver or white soft beach, golden sunshine streaming down from above, glittering on clear water, palm leaves rustling in the breeze...
A tropical paradise, perfect for leisure and vacation.
However, as it stands, Ronan could see only surface thickly covered with a rainbow oil film, reeking water ravaged with viscous putrid gelatinous liquid, twisted and bizarre plants, blood-vessel-like black and red vines creeping everywhere, and those heavy "fruits" encasing undigested cadavers...
The sharp-edged dark purple crystal clusters in the sandy ground were growing like teeth, grinding out sounds like bone rubbing against bone.
This was a place of corruption, downfall, desertion.
"Tsk..."
Heather’s voice sounded from behind, as if reciting a book, "It’s said that when Quivada Oasis was first discovered, Demon Crystals were everywhere. If calamity had not suddenly struck, it could have beco the most prosperous center for civilization and trade on the continent..."
Ronan glanced at her, and Heather explained, "While you were away, I found quite a bit of literature about waterways and oasis on those Monsters... ah!"
Heather suddenly cried out, clutching her right hand, as if bitten by sothing.
Ronan also felt a burning pain on his right wrist. He frowned, looking towards the source of the burning pain, and discovered an inexplicably appeared gray-white ring-shaped mark, faintly conveying a sense of guidance.
Ronan stared at the ring mark, his gaze flickering.
"It seems we’ve entered the Second-tier of the Trial of the Stone of Destiny..."
Ronan raised his head to see mbers from the Astronomical Society appearing one after another on the beach in front, predictably, each of them adorned with the sa gray-white ring mark on their wrists.
Ronan watched them quietly, waiting for them to co to their senses from the brief confusion and tension, then noticed himself, looking at him with complex, unspeakable eyes.
They exchanged glances silently, then Aiwen walked up slowly, "Misha..."
"According to the agreent, we’ve entered Quivada Oasis, the contract is fulfilled..."
Ronan spoke.
Aiwen pursed his lips, "Indeed..."
Ronan calmly said, "I might not be able to continue shielding you from now on..."
"I didn’t an that."
Aiwen quickly spoke, smiled wryly, and then saluted Ronan solemnly, "Thank you."
Ronan returned the salute, nodded, said nothing more, and beckoned Heather to leave.
Just as they walked out for a while, they suddenly heard hurried calls from behind.
Ronan turned around to see Anand running forward a few steps, as if wanting to say sothing to him but hesitated, scratching his head and appearing sowhat uneasy.
Ronan thought for a mont, then casually tossed over a Communication Stone.
"After this trial ends, outside, you can contact if there’s an opportunity.
Our friendship still exists."
Like a treasure, Anand grasped the Communication Stone Ronan gave him tightly, his face slightly flushed with excitent, waving vigorously as he bid them farewell until they were out of sight.
The rest of the Astronomical Society looked at Anand with envious eyes, for them, the ultimate gain from this trial might fall far short of the little Communication Stone in Anand’s hand.
After all, it signifies "Misha"’s friendship!
Alas, they should have studied Astrology more.
Including Aiwen, more than one person regretted silently in their hearts.
....
"Rustle—"
Strange sounds of rustling ca from the decayed tropical vegetation around.
A sudden explosion sounded, accompanied by firelight and the pained howling of so creature.
Ronan saw a large swath of vegetation and sand in front of him being pushed flat by sothing, followed swiftly by the sight of a black-scaled, grotesque humanoid creature tightly crushed by several Fourth-order Fire Elent enveloping it, its body crackling as it burned, frantically rolling over the crystal-studded sandy ground.
As it rolled near Ronan, the grotesque creature abruptly opened its mouth, and a spear-like tongue full of scarlet barbs tore through the air, shrieking toward Ronan.
Unfortunately, the covert attack was stopped a few yards away by an invisible Force Field around Ronan.
Drawn by the Force Field, beams of sparkling light automatically coalesced, slicing the barbed tongue into countless small pieces within monts, dropping them to the ground with a sizzling sound.
"Boom!"
The Fire Elent tightly embracing the grotesque creature exploded fiercely, a wave of scorching flas burst forth, followed by the second, then the third...
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