inspire-indiana Chapter 105 A New Echo from Another World
Chapter 105 A New Echo from Another World
Chapter 105 A New Echo from Another World
"Then, let's make a plan."
"We first approached the edge of the wasteland using conventional methods, and then searched for a hidden path to infiltrate the Scorched Rift region."
"During the march, Rockheart will be responsible for sensing ground safety in advance, Shadow and Vena will be responsible for reconnaissance of the front and flanks, Heinz, Rex, Marcus and I will be responsible for main vigilance and combat, and Rolin will provide support and special environmental protection."
"Maintain communication; if you encounter a strong enemy, prioritize concealment and information exchange; do not engage in direct combat."
"The primary objective is to ascertain the condition of the ruins and the deployment of the Ash Ring. If the opportunity arises, we can then consider sabotaging it or gathering intelligence."
"Safe withdrawal is the top priority."
The plan was simple and clear, and everyone agreed.
"Go back and make your final preparations. Meet in the third teleportation hall in two hours."
"We will be teleported to the outpost closest to the wasteland."
Rowling returned to his residence and quickly checked his equipment.
The mission environment is unique. Although the [Starflow Aquatic Field] is mainly designed for underwater environments, we might be able to learn from its adaptive field concept and temporarily adjust the filtration parameters for high temperatures and toxic gases.
However, the time was too short to make major changes.
After loading the potent flame protection agent and other supplies, I made a special check to ensure the [Otherworldly Echo Containment Unit] was in stable condition.
I wonder if that ruin in the Iron Wasteland is really related to other worlds?
If so, will my own response unit react?
With anticipation and caution, Rowling embarked on his journey once again.
Two hours later, Roland and the others met in the third teleportation hall.
Ella was already waiting there. She had changed into a set of light leather armor, dark red with fire-resistant runes, and her long, fiery red hair was tied back, making her look incredibly dashing.
The others also made their own preparations, mostly choosing outfits that facilitated heat dissipation and additional protective measures.
The teleportation light flickered on and off, and the group found themselves in a hot, dry valley.
This is a secret outpost set up by Shadowraven Tower on the edge of the Iron Wasteland, consisting of only a few simple stone houses and hidden observation points.
The air was scorching hot; you could feel the heat wave with every breath. The distant horizon was slightly distorted by the intense heat.
Ella unfolded the map and quickly confirmed her location.
"We'll start from here and head northwest."
"Avoid known volcanic vents and habitats of large fire elementals as much as possible."
"The first thirty miles are relatively safe, but once you enter the core area of the wasteland, the danger will increase significantly."
"Maintain formation to conserve energy."
The column began to move.
Luo Lin walked in the middle to the back of the group, adapting to the high temperature while silently observing.
The wasteland was even more desolate than expected. The ground was cracked and dark red or charred black, with sparsely growing heat-resistant, twisted low shrubs. The air was filled with the smell of sulfur and metallic minerals.
The sky was shrouded in a thin layer of yellowish-red dust, and the sunlight was exceptionally harsh.
The trip went smoothly at the beginning.
Rock Core would stop from time to time, placing his palm on the ground to sense the stability of the ground ahead and whether there were any hidden lava cavities.
Shadow and Vena moved like ghosts in front and on the flanks, clearing out any small, aggressive scorpions and lava worms they encountered.
But as they ventured deeper into the wilderness, the temperature rose higher and higher, and visible, distorted, rising heat waves began to appear in the air.
The ground beneath my feet became scorching hot, and I could feel the heat even through my specially made boots.
The smell of sulfur in the air grew stronger, and occasionally a sweet, fishy smell of poisonous gas could be detected.
"Watch your breathing, there may be an area of poisonous gas ahead."
Ella reminded her that she had already taken an antidote.
Luo Lin attempted to slightly adjust the energy parameters of the [Starflow Hydrophilic Field], shifting its primary function from hydrophilicity to environmental filtration.
The stellar energy field circulates on the body surface, attempting to separate and block excessive heat and harmful gases.
It has some effect, making people feel slightly cooler and breathing easier, but its resistance to high temperatures is still limited, and it consumes much more energy than when maintaining this state in water. After all, it wasn't specifically designed for high-temperature environments.
"No, this will deplete our energy too quickly."
Rolin stopped trying and, like everyone else, took a fire protection potion.
The medicine brings a cooling sensation and forms a weak energy film on the skin's surface, effectively blocking some of the high temperature and radiation, but the effect is limited in time.
The pace of travel inevitably slowed down. Everyone was drenched in sweat and needed to replenish fluids and small amounts of energy from time to time.
We encountered a major problem along the way.
A group of about a dozen lava golems made of lava and black rocks blocked the way.
These elemental creatures are of low intelligence but possess immense strength, are highly resistant to physical attacks, and can unleash high-temperature lava projectiles.
As the main attacker, Ayla's Fireball and Flame Whip spells are much less effective against creatures of the same attribute.
Heinz's frost spells are particularly effective; Ice Spikes and Frost Nova can effectively slow down or even freeze people, causing considerable damage.
Others also assist by using energy attacks to damage its core or joints.
Instead of using powerful spells, Rolin used precise stellar rays with dark purple energy properties to target the lava golem's energy nodes and sensory organs.
His attacks seem to have a slight disorientation effect, causing the puppet's movements to become briefly stiff or uncoordinated, creating better attack opportunities for teammates.
The battle lasted about ten minutes, dismantling all the lava golems into immobile stone blocks.
After a short rest and treatment of minor injuries, the team continued their journey.
After walking for most of the day, it gradually got dark.
The night in the wilderness did not bring coolness; on the contrary, due to the heat radiating from the ground, the temperature remained high, only the scorching sun was gone.
The team found a relatively sturdy, sheltered recess in the rock wall to set up camp and rest.
Ayra and Rockheart worked together to set up concealment and warning arrays, while Shadow set up several simple warning traps on the perimeter.
They take turns keeping watch at night.
When it was Rolin's turn, he sat on the edge of the camp, maintaining basic vigilance while sinking his consciousness into his mental sea to routinely check the status of the [Myriad Stars] and the Echo Unit.
The high temperatures during the day do not seem to have a direct impact on innate spells.
But as his consciousness swept across the echo unit, Rolin keenly sensed something different.
The previously continuous, faint data stream about the "Corruption World" seemed to have been mixed with—a very subtle noise with a slightly different frequency.
This noise was extremely faint, almost completely drowned out by the main data stream, but upon closer inspection, one could sense a certain—
The chaotic feeling, which leans towards heat and explosion, is distinctly different from the chaotic feeling of erosion and assimilation found in the Corruption Realm.
"Could it be—because we got close to that relic that might be related to the fire-attribute otherworld?"
A thought struck Luo Lin.
Even if the energies of different worlds are all inclined towards chaos, their nature and tendencies can be vastly different.
As a receiver, the echo unit seems to not only receive information about the "corruption realm" that is directly related to it, but also to be able to sense other types of otherworldly energy fluctuations that exist nearby in extremely faint terms.
This discovery greatly encouraged Rollin. It might mean that the echo unit could not only serve as a tool for studying specific alternate dimensions, but also become a general-purpose, sensitive instrument for detecting alternate energy or spatial anomalies!
Of course, this sensing ability is currently extremely weak and requires close contact.
"It seems that the target site of this mission is indeed something special."
Rowling noted down this discovery and ended his meditation.