Chapter 351: The Night

Helag recalled that he needed two more stars for meditation to complete this step.

Now, it seemed to have been completed, likely due to absorbing the Core of the Divine.

Though eager to begin compressing his liquefied mental power, it was impractical now. Compressing mental power required intense focus and no disturbances, as interruptions could cause serious issues.

In the polluted zone, finding a safe environment for meditation was difficult.

As Helag pondered, he remained alert, moving cautiously through the night.

Suddenly, he noticed a fire ahead.

Looking up, he saw a campfire with a little girl sitting beside it.

The girl’s vacant gaze was fixed on the flames.

Helag’s heart sank, sensing trouble.

Such a bright fire would have been visible from miles away in the dark night.

Yet, the campfire was only twenty meters away.

Seeing the girl hadn’t noticed him, Helag prepared to retreat.

A soft voice behind him asked, “Brother, are you cold?”

Turning, Helag saw the girl standing behind him, her gaze vacant.

Though speaking to him, she didn’t meet his eyes.

“Brother, are you cold?” she repeated.

“Come warm up by the fire.”

The girl vanished, her voice now behind him.

Turning again, Helag saw her seated by the fire, watching him.

He sensed a familiar aura.

The girl had an Abyssal Plane aura.

But it was strange, unlike a typical Abyssal aura.

Helag activated his bloodline mark slightly, emitting a faint Abyssal aura.

The girl’s expression changed, surprised as she looked at him.

“Ma…ster…”

She spoke haltingly, then knelt, bowing to Helag.

Helag sat by the fire, expressionless.

The girl remained kneeling, head bowed.

“Who are you?” Helag asked in Abyssal.

“Don’t…know…”

The creature lacked intelligence, unable to identify itself, speaking only simple words.

Recognizing Helag’s aura, it dared not use its powers on him.

Helag continued, “Is there a safe place here?”

The girl sat up, staring vacantly at Helag, “Mas…ter…safe…”

Listening carefully, Helag understood her meaning.

She implied that being near Helag was safe.

Close contact revealed her Abyssal aura was different, altered.

Helag guessed that when the Abyssal invasion was repelled, many creatures remained in the polluted zone.

Over time, these creatures changed, and their auras differed.

Finding communication difficult, Helag prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, a cold hand grasped his, the girl bowing her head, “Mas…ter…don’t…go…”

Her urgency suggested fear of his departure.

Reflecting on the day’s events, Helag speculated.

He sensed the polluted zone might have territories; near the plant, no other creatures appeared.

The girl was likely a creature, with this area as her territory.

Thus, encountering other creatures here was unlikely.

Staying here overnight seemed relatively safe.

Deciding this, Helag sat down.

Though expressionless and vacant, the girl seemed pleased.

She sat beside Helag, silent, staring ahead.

Seeing her still, Helag ignored her, focusing on his surroundings.

The fire burned, illuminating Helag’s face.

He noticed the fire emitted no heat.

Man and creature sat together through the night.

At dawn, the girl stood, waved at Helag, and vanished.

The fire disappeared too.

Helag rose, ready to continue.

As he suspected, no other creatures appeared overnight.

Though the sun wasn’t visible, daylight sufficed.

Glancing back at his night’s spot, Helag saw only black earth, the girl’s form unknown.

He retrieved food and water from his spatial ring, replenishing his strength.

Taking a mana potion, he fully recovered.

Finishing, Helag quickened his pace, making the most of daylight.

Three hours passed without incident, until…

Helag stopped, observing a castle ahead.

The castle was well-preserved, with tall walls and visible structures inside.

Though aged, the castle showed no major damage.

Its preservation owed to internal arrays.

Approaching, Helag saw complex, large arrays operating within.

The castle’s architecture differed from the present, its age unknown.

The array’s longevity was impressive, still functioning.

Such arrays had automatic charging systems, gathering energy for long-term operation.

Unlike arrays needing magic stones or crystals, which halted without energy.

Circling outside, Helag found only the main entrance accessible.