50: The source of the plague: traces of the lich's casket appear (Part 1)

The crisis at Furnace Fortress seemed to have been temporarily resolved.

With the widespread application of the [Plague-Clearing Soul-Stabilizing Powder · Enhanced Version], the plague was effectively controlled; new cases of infection were almost non-existent, most infected individuals recovered, and Order inside and outside the fortress was gradually restored.

Lin Zhou's reputation for "benevolence" and the faith in the Lord of Civilization, spread by those he had saved, quietly circulated among the Examinees and indigenous creatures of this Star Domain.

However, Lin Zhou was not misled by this temporary peace and the rise in his reputation.

He knew deep down that the threat from the Valley of the Dead still existed—the injured Undead Warrior, the endless sea of undead, and most crucially, the true source of the plague, had yet to be eradicated.

If this problem was not solved, Blackstone Territory would never know peace and might even brew an even greater disaster.

Most of his consciousness was immersed in the Imperial Hospital, working alongside the thoughts of the sages of the School of Medicine to deeply analyze the [Undead Moss Sub-Fungal Fragment] and [Death Swamp Core Sludge] that Snik had risked his life to bring back.

These two items were not just raw materials for refining the antidote; they were the keys to uncovering the essence of the plague.

The Imperial Hospital's analysis array was running at full capacity, with emerald green light sweeping over the samples repeatedly like a scan.

The thoughts of the sages of the School of Medicine mobilized the capabilities of [Pharmacological Identification] and [Microscopic Perception], delving into the rule level for analysis.

[In-depth analysis in progress...]

[Target]: Undead Moss Sub-Fungal Fragment (Rule Level)

[Analysis Findings]:

Traces of non-natural creation: A rule imprint of artificially guided directional transformation of life forms was detected; the technique was exquisite and could not have been formed by natural evolution.

Energy absorption structure: Complex energy channels existed within the fungal body, not merely releasing the plague, but continuously absorbing the ambient death Qi and the dissipated life force of living beings, like a... living energy converter and amplifier.

Mental control node: A weak, unified frequency of mental fluctuations was discovered; all fungal bodies (including the parent strain) seemed to be indirectly controlled by the same core consciousness node.

[Target]: Death Swamp Core Sludge (Rule and Material Level)

[Analysis Findings]:

High-concentration death rule precipitation: The sludge was a product of the long-term condensation of death rules, but its precipitation rate far exceeded that of a normal land of the dead, suggesting external acceleration.

Undead transformation catalytic enzymes: Various unknown enzymatic substances capable of greatly accelerating the transformation of living organisms into undead were discovered, their composition surpassing the scope of what naturally occurs in known undead creatures.

Negative energy enrichment effect: The sludge itself formed a powerful negative energy enrichment field, constantly attracting and amplifying the surrounding Aura of death.

Spatial coordinate residue: In the deepest part of the sludge, a trace of extremely weak but high-ranking spatial fluctuation residue was detected; it seemed that something had descended or connected here through spatial means, leaving this mark behind.

The analysis results presented one by one pointed to an increasingly clear conclusion—this undead natural disaster was by no means formed naturally!

Behind it, there must be a powerful existence proficient in the rules of death orchestrating everything!

"Artificially created and guided plague... Energy absorption and amplification... Mental control node... Spatial coordinate residue..." Lin Zhou's Divine Thought chewed on these keywords, and a name that could be considered one of the ultimate units of the undead in many myths and game settings surfaced in his mind—Lich!

Only a Lich, a spellcaster who had transformed themselves into an undead to gain near-eternal life and powerful death strength, possessed such exquisite control over the rules of death and could create such a terrifying plague targeting the essence of life!

And that mental control node was very likely an extension of the [phylactery] that the Lich used to control the undead army and the spread of the plague!

The Lich's phylactery! That was the container for the Lich's Soul, their greatest weakness, and the source of their immortality!

As long as the phylactery was not destroyed, even if the Lich's Physical Body was destroyed, it could undergo Rebirth near the phylactery!

"Analyze the spatial coordinate residue! Attempt to trace its source!" Lin Zhou issued the command.

If he could find the location of the phylactery, he could strike at the heart of the enemy and solve the problem at its root!

The Imperial Hospital concentrated its power and began to amplify, analyze, and trace that trace of weak spatial fluctuation.

This was an extremely delicate and resource-intensive task, requiring the mobilization of a large amount of Divine Power and the computational resources of the Temple of Civilization.

[Tracing in progress... Consuming 10 points of Divine Power/second...]

[Coordinate resolution 1%... 2%...]

The progress was slow, but it was indeed advancing.

Lin Zhou waited patiently while continuously channeling Divine Power.

Just as the tracing work was intensely underway, outside the perimeter of Furnace Fortress, the Examinee [Horton], who had previously received potion aid and claimed to be from the "Amethyst Star Domain," returned.

This time, he was no longer alone, nor was he in that miserable, begging state from before.

He was riding a magnificent small airship powered by some kind of purple crystal, hovering outside the Warning line of Furnace Fortress.

Around the airship circled hundreds of hideous harpies with feathers shimmering with a metallic luster.

These harpies were clearly carefully bred and armed, generally at Rank LV20 or above, with the leading elites reaching LV25, their claws flashing with poisonous cold light, and their eyes filled with aggression.

[Examinee]: Horton

[Divine Domain]: Harpy Nest (Amethyst Mutation)

[Divine Fire Rank]: Faint Divinity (Initially stabilized, approximately LV120)

[Core Kin]:

[Amethyst Harpy] (LV20-25): Strength 28, Agility 52, Physique 25, Intelligence 15, Spirit 18 (Chaotic Evil)

[Traits]: [Dive Strike], [Rending Claws], [Piercing Screech] (Area Mental Interference)

[Equipment]: Partially equipped with [Amethyst Claw Gauntlets] (Excellent, increases attack power and armor penetration), [Light Leather Armor].

Horton himself, a young deity (consciousness projection) with a somewhat pale complexion and arrogant eyes, stood at the bow of the airship, looking down at the walls of Furnace Fortress with a condescending gaze.

"People inside the city, listen up!" Horton's voice, amplified by Divine Power, spread across the ramparts.

"I, Horton of the Amethyst Star Domain, thank you for your previous potion aid. Now, my strength has recovered, and it is time to talk about a 'return gift'!"

Elwin heard the news and ascended the ramparts. Seeing Horton's drastic change in attitude, she frowned slightly but maintained her etiquette: "Your Excellency Horton, I wonder what kind of 'return gift' you want?"

Horton's greedy gaze swept over the walls of Furnace Fortress, which were obviously reinforced and shone with the luster of black iron, and the spirited, well-equipped garrison on the walls, especially the Aura of Order lingering on the Literary Heart Elves, which made him feel uncomfortable.

"Very simple!" Horton grinned with undisguised ambition. "I have taken a fancy to this fortress and the formula for your special medicine! Hand over the fortress and the formula, and I might consider incorporating you and making you vassals of Lord Horton! Otherwise..."

The harpies circling behind him let out a piercing screech at the right moment, the sound waves striking the walls like a physical force, causing some of the lower-level guards to feel dizzy.

[Unit Skill]: Piercing Screech

Effect: Area mental attack, causing slight mental damage and inflicting the [Disturbance] effect (accuracy and spell success rate decreased), lasting 10 seconds.

Elwin's face instantly turned cold. Indeed, one of the worst-case scenarios foreseen by her Lord had occurred. A bushel of rice creates gratitude, a bag creates enmity! There are always people who mistake others' benevolence for weakness!

"Your Excellency Horton," Elwin's voice was like ice beads falling onto a jade plate, carrying a chilling coldness. "My Lord saved you from danger with a benevolent heart. Instead of thinking of repaying the kindness, you bite the hand that feeds you and covet my Lord's foundation? Is this the style of your Amethyst Star Domain?"

Horton was intimidated by Elwin's Aura, pausing slightly, but then became enraged out of shame: "Cut the crap! In this world, the weak are prey to the strong! Before, I was a tiger fallen in the plains, but now the Dragon has returned to the sea! If you are sensible, surrender obediently, lest I lay siege to the city with my army, and then not even a chicken or dog will be left!"

Just as both sides were at daggers drawn, Lin Zhou's Divine Thought temporarily withdrew from the deep analysis of the Imperial Hospital and descended to the ramparts.

Horton's provocation appeared like that of a clown in his eyes.

But he did not act immediately, because just a moment ago, the Imperial Hospital's tracing work had made Breakthrough progress!

[Spatial coordinate tracing complete!]

[Target Area Locked]: Located about 300 kilometers northwest of the Valley of the Dead, an abandoned ancient temple ruin emitting strong death and arcane energy.

[Ruin Name (based on rule information feedback)]: The Silent Temple

[Danger Level]: Extremely High (Powerful undead and arcane biological reactions detected, rules chaotic)

[Suspected Target]: The Lich's phylactery is highly likely hidden deep within this temple.

Found it!

The ultimate source of the plague, the hiding place of the Lich's phylactery—The Silent Temple!

Lin Zhou's mind suddenly cleared.

All the clues were connected.

The parent strain in the Valley of the Dead was a massive plague diffuser and energy absorber, while the true control core, the Lich's phylactery, was hidden in the relatively safe but not-too-distant The Silent Temple.

If the phylactery was not destroyed, even if the Valley of the Dead was razed, the Lich could be Reborn in The Silent Temple and create a new source of the plague again!

He must act as soon as possible and destroy its phylactery before the Lich could potentially notice!

And this noisy Horton before him... A cold light flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes.

It was just right to test his newly acquired power, and... kill the chicken to warn the monkey!

He issued an instruction to Elwin through an oracle.

Elwin received Lin Zhou's will, and a faint, pitying mockery appeared on her originally cold face.

She looked at the arrogant Horton and spoke slowly. Her voice was not loud, but it clearly overpowered the harpies' screech:

"Your Excellency Horton, my Lord says: 'The benevolent love others, but also abhor the unbenevolent.' Since you have voluntarily degenerated and chosen evil, do not blame us for using thunderous means to set an example!"

"Hmph! Bluffing!" Horton dismissed it with disdain and was about to Order an attack.

But he saw that Elwin did not draw her sword; instead, she raised her right hand, palm facing upward.

A surge of Vast Righteous Qi, far more majestic and pure than before, like the rising morning sun, erupted from her body, instantly illuminating the entire rampart and even dispersing some of the gray fog in the sky!

Under this magnificent righteous energy, the [Piercing Screech] sound waves emitted by the harpies instantly melted away like snow meeting the sun!

The harpies themselves let out terrified screams; their chaotic evil nature was firmly suppressed by this light of Order, their attributes instantly suppressed by over 20%! Even their flight became unstable!

"This... What is this power?!" Horton's face changed drastically. He could feel that Elwin's Aura was much stronger than before! This was definitely not the power that a common Faint Divinity kin hero should have!

"This is the Light of Civilization," Elwin said calmly, the Vast Righteous Qi in her palm condensing into a sword of light. "Your Excellency, do you dare to take a strike from me?"