Chapter 2370 Return
"Go!"
Geoffrey called out, leading the Root tribe to swiftly retreat.
Carl and his vampire group, who were experiencing a rapid surge in strength, were completely unprepared for the elder of the Root tribe to act so decisively. By the time they looked back, Geoffrey had already led the Root tribe members away at a rapid pace.
As they hesitated on whether to pursue, a voice came from behind.
"There"s no need to chase."
Carl turned to see Fang Heng emerging from the Prayer Temple.
[Hint: Abe Akaya"s current dimensional level has been upgraded to Level 2, and the player has gained a total attribute increase of 2050% (only accounting for attribute boosts from academic disciplines and bloodline-type skills).]
Fang Heng observed the game hint, savoring the enhanced effects brought by the ma.s.sive increase in his attributes.
It wasn"t just the boost in various physical attributes but also an extraordinary enhancement in spirit and perception.
Dimensional strength levels 1-5 provided an additional 20% base attribute increase per level; levels 6-10 offered an additional 40% base attribute increase per level; starting from levels 11-15, the boost increased to 80%; from levels 16-20, the increase became 150%; and from level 21 onwards, each level up provided a direct 300% attribute increase!
Similarly, the energy points required for leveling up had now reached the scale of billions.
The next level-up required a staggering 1.5 billion dimensional energy.
Based on past experience, absorbing a low-tier game world typically yielded only 30 to 60 million dimensional energy.
"You all go back first. I"ll handle the rest."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Fang Heng lifted his gaze toward the distance, his perception sharply detecting Geoffrey rapidly fleeing in the distance.
"Since I"m here, I might as well see what the demonic seed of Pride is up to in the Soul tribe"s camp."
With that thought, Fang Heng concealed his aura and swiftly pursued Geoffrey"s fleeing direction.
...
Geoffrey had no idea that he was being trailed from afar. He and the accompanying Root tribe members made their way back to their camp.
The power he had sensed from the temple had left him with a chilling sense of foreboding.
Fang Heng!
How had he achieved that?
By the time Geoffrey returned to the Root tribe camp, the demonic seed of Pride had already completed the setup of the magic array"s base and had noticed the distant surge of lifeblood strength.
Seeing Geoffrey return with his group, Shaluba looked up and asked, "Have you figured out the source of that lifeblood ripple?"
"It was Fang Heng."
Geoffrey recounted the events that had transpired during the investigation of the Prayer Temple and warned, "Sir Shaluba, Fang Heng is an extremely dangerous individual. We need to address him promptly."
"Useless!" Shaluba shot a cold glance at Geoffrey, displeased. "You can"t even handle such a trivial matter. Do I need you to remind me?"
Geoffrey silently lowered his head.
"Have you gathered all the materials you were asked to?"
Having grown accustomed to Shaluba"s capricious nature, Geoffrey immediately replied, "The materials are being prepared. They should arrive by tonight at the latest."
"Know your own worth. If you encounter Fang Heng again, I will handle him personally. For now, just keep watch here and ensure no one approaches. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Shaluba and Geoffrey were unaware that just outside their camp, Fang Heng was concealed in the shadows, observing them.
From a distance, Fang Heng saw that the Root tribe guards were constructing a large magic array in the center of the camp. The array was still incomplete; only the base had been finished so far.
Fang Heng"s eyes revealed a hint of curiosity.
The array, given its scale, appeared to be a super-sized magic array. What was the demonic seed of Pride planning to do?
He could sense an incredibly dense black fog aura continuously condensing and swirling within the Root tribe"s camp. The concentration of this polluted black fog was even several times thicker than what he had encountered before in Watts.
Even with his enhanced dimensional level from the sacred tree, Fang Heng did not dare to underestimate it.
He slowly withdrew his gaze.
The perception ability of Pride was formidable; getting too close would likely lead to detection.
There was no need to force an investigation or provoke Pride at this moment.
Moreover, since the magic array was not yet fully set up, even if he investigated now, he wouldn"t gain much insight.
It was better to wait and let Pride and the Holy Court clash first. He could then position himself to reap the benefits from the sidelines.
So, the next step was to devise a way to lure the Holy Court"s pursuers into the "Inner World".
Fang Heng felt that this objective would be quite achievable.
Even if he did nothing, the Holy Court would likely pursue him into the Inner World on their own.
However...
He thought for a moment. Given how long the Holy Court had been chasing him, it wouldn"t hurt to stir things up a bit more and vent some frustration.
Increasing the aggro could provide more stability and security.
Fortunately, he had recently learned a method for absorbing dimensional energy. Perhaps he should find a lucky Holy Court world to use for this purpose?
....
In the Holy Realm, the team of pursuers led by the adjudicator Orkney opened their eyes simultaneously.
After a period of relative calm lasting nearly two months, they had recently noticed Fang Heng"s activities becoming increasingly frequent.
A skilled purifier, adept at tracking and locating, spoke gravely, "It appears that Fang Heng has gone to Punoze, a stronghold of the undead."
The group exchanged glances before shifting their attention to Orkney.
"That"s a gathering place for the undead. It"s not wise for us to go there."
Orkney shook his head gently and continued, "Let"s wait a bit longer. The Great Sage Aladdin instructed us that if Fang Heng chooses to remain in the land of the undead, our objectives would be met."
"Yes."
The others nodded and closed their eyes again, focusing their minds.
Despite his words, a flicker of concern was evident in Orkney"s eyes.
Recent reports from the Holy Court suggested that the vampires were in turmoil. Intelligence indicated that the vampires might have come into contact with dimensional energy.
Orkney murmured to himself, "Let"s hope the Great Sage"s judgment is correct..."
...
In the Undead World of Punoze, Fang Heng was guided into the Tower of Bones by a necromancy attendant and made his way to the top floor where he found the undead mentor, Gu Luo.
Gu Luo had been out on an errand, but upon hearing that Fang Heng had arrived, he rushed back immediately.
Seeing Fang Heng reappear before him, Gu Luo"s eyes brightened with delight, and he stared intently at Fang Heng.
After a moment, Gu Luo burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Excellent! Fang Heng! Well done!"
Mentor Gu Luo had never imagined that Fang Heng"s casual remark about going out to explore and see other forces in the world would turn out to be true.
He had indeed found the legendary dimensional energy!
Gu Luo felt a profound sense of pride for Fang Heng.
Dimensional energy was a rare and elusive power, sought by countless individuals who had paid the ultimate price in pursuit of it. Yet Fang Heng had effortlessly obtained it after just a brief exploration.
Remarkably, he had accomplished this feat while being pursued by the Holy Court of the Holy Realm!
Gu Luo felt a deep sense of pride for Fang Heng.
After all, Fang Heng was the inheritor of his undead faction, bearing the imprints of the undead camp upon him.