Chapter 2486 Domain
For a moment, the ritual domain fell into a tense silence.
Everyone watched as the three Overseers left the area.
Fang Heng surveyed the hall, noting the challenge posed by the inability to use spatial abilities.
"Mr. Fang, these people seem very hostile towards us."
Simone glanced at the bracelet in his hand and eyed the groups that had divided into three separate zones, isolating them.
They were left alone and isolated.
The innate racial talent made Simone highly sensitive to threats.
He couldn"t understand why, despite being new to the White Abyss, the hostility towards him was so intense.
It was indeed puzzling.
What Simone didn"t know was that the White Abyss had evolved through generations into two major factions, along with several powerful individual groups known as third-party collectives.
Coincidentally, Fang Heng had managed to offend all three major powers on his very first day.
Not far off, Xiao Wudao observed Fang Heng with a keen eye.
"Boss, that"s the one," a subordinate whispered to Xiao Wudao. "His name is Fang Bai. He"s highly skilled in necromancy and spatial science, and he has exceptional physical talent. He"s hurt quite a few of our people."
"Didn"t expect him to be here for the mission as well. What"s the word from Yves?"
"Yves is in worse shape. Several of his subordinates were killed by Fang Bai. His a.s.sistant just contacted us, saying they"ll try to take down Fang Bai when the black fog starts, and they hope we can a.s.sist at that time."
"Very well." Xiao Wudao nodded and said, "Keep an eye on our people. We"ll handle the monsters and leave the rest to them."
"Understood!"
The subordinate nodded slightly, then stepped back and immediately went to instruct everyone to prepare for action.
The heavy alloy metal doors at the entrance of the ritual domain slammed shut with a loud thud.
Simone, while keeping an eye on the others, suddenly noticed something and whispered, "Mr. Fang, look at the ground."
Fang Heng looked down and saw dark, engraved patterns gradually appearing on the metal floor. As the patterns emerged, black fog, tainted with a substantial amount of demonic seed pollution, began to seep out from the metal surface.
"The fog is toxic. They might attack us later. Try not to engage in combat and stay away. If you have no choice but to fight, remember to protect the bracelet," Fang Heng instructed softly as he secured the bracelet on his wrist.
"Okay, Mr. Fang, I"ll be careful."
"Chi, chi chi..."
The runes of the magic array on the ground began to slowly shift.
Increasing amounts of black fog, infused with demonic seed pollution, seeped from the floor, gradually shrouding the hall in a thin, eerie mist.
Above, a clattering noise echoed as chains rattled.
Dozens of metal cages began to descend from the ceiling, stopping about a meter above the floor.
Looking closely, each cage held a person inside. They appeared to be unconscious, with black, veined patterns spreading across their exposed skin.
The black fog crept toward them, seeping into their skin and entering their bodies.
"Clack! Clack, clack, clack!!"
The sliding mechanical locks beneath the metal cages disengaged, releasing the prisoners and letting them fall to the ground.
"Ka, ka, ka..."
The chains rattled once more as they hoisted the cages back up to the high ceiling, retracting them out of sight.
"Sacrifices..."
Fang Heng observed the people lying on the floor, murmuring to himself.
These so-called sacrifices were carefully selected humans. Given their bodies were covered in infernal runes, they were highly susceptible to the demonic seed"s aura, making them easy targets for corruption and conversion into demonic seed servants.
His earlier a.s.sumption had been correct.
"Jealousy" aimed to weaken the sealed demonic seed"s strength beneath the White Abyss Arena through this ritual.
Indeed.
He had previously attempted to purge the black fog"s pollution.
Even using holy skills, dispelling the black fog had required immense effort.
It was more straightforward to find someone to absorb the pollution and then deal with them.
It was a sinister method, but highly effective.
"Mr. Fang, be careful."
Simone moved a bit closer to Fang Heng, glancing to the right. "They don"t look right."
"Yeah."
Fang Heng slowly turned his head to look at the group approaching them.
"Fang Bai."
"You are very powerful, you even dared to kill my people."
Yves led his team and slowly approached Fang Heng, staring at him coldly, "Now, give me a reason not to kill you?"
Fang Heng looked at the aggressive group and shrugged, "Doesn"t the White Abyss Arena prohibit personal duels during missions?"
Yves was momentarily stunned before erupting into wild laughter. "Hahaha! Fang Bai, I didn"t expect you to be so humorous."
Fang Heng shrugged and replied, "You"re not too bad yourself."
Although the Overseers had repeatedly stated that personal duels were not allowed during missions, could they really enforce it?
The black fog could interfere with electronic devices, so what happened here was unknown to the upper echelons.
Yves knew very well that there were no surveillance controls in this area.
It was almost the perfect place to make a move!
In fact, the White Abyss did not want its combatants to engage in personal duels, especially those of higher rank, who received even more protection.
Usually, if Yves wanted to eliminate Fang Heng, he would face interference from the Overseer. Yves had been somewhat troubled by this, but unexpectedly, Fang Heng had accepted a mission and ended up here.
Wasn"t this seeking his doom?
This opportunity was simply too good to pa.s.s up!
During the ritual, all Yves needed to do was find someone to take out Fang Heng.
He would claim that Fang Heng had accidentally become corrupted by pollution, turning into a monster, and thus had to be eliminated.
Even if the White Abyss"s Overseers had doubts, there would be no evidence to contradict his claim.
"Fang Bai, you see, this reason doesn"t quite satisfy me, so... I"m afraid I have to apologize."
Fang Heng looked around at the hidden figures encircling him and quickly a.s.sessed their strength.
Fewer than 30 people, including 4 combatants with SSS-level strength.
These four were quite formidable.
If a fight broke out, he wouldn"t be able to protect Simone, especially with the current environment being extremely special, and spatial abilities were unusable.
Fang Heng suddenly looked up and said, "Hey."
"What? Are you scared?"
"Are you interested in a bet? One-on-one, no matter who it is. If they can beat me, I"ll do whatever you say from now on. How about it?"
Yves"s heart stirred upon hearing this.
Indeed, Fang Heng had given him a reason that truly tempted him.
The young man was very powerful.
If he could be persuaded to serve him...
"Interesting. Are you willing to sign a contract of servitude?"
"Of course."
"Very well, while there"s still some time..." Yves said, glancing at the increasingly thick black fog in the Great Hall and the sacrificial victims on the ground absorbing its strength. He then nodded and said, "Norta! Take him down!"