Chapter 439: 435: Steamer World
However, Nicholas seemed to be even more excited.
The Cordyceps had originally fused with the Green Dragon Bloodline, giving Nicholas an inexplicable sense of familiarity towards it. Now that the Cordyceps had comprehended the Jade Imprint, Nicholas viewed it as a true Green Dragon, even if its appearance wasn’t similar.
“Right, we entered here as soul bodies. When we want to leave, we won’t have a problem returning to our bodies, will we?”
Once his excitement had passed, Bai Qi thought of another problem.
“No, we won’t. I’m also only a soul body, leaving the dreamland is just like waking up from a dream.”
Nicholas shook his head, opened an exit and crawled out. Soon after, Bai Qi saw a huge dragon head close to the entrance opened by the Cordyceps, inviting them to step out.
Seeing there are no accidents, Bai Qi finally felt reassured enough to leave the Jade Dreamland and return to his body.
“Bai Qi, what exactly did you guys do just now? You were awake one moment and asleep the next. And that place from earlier…”
Seeing Bai Qi and the others finally waking up, Bai Qiucha finally could not hold back and voiced her confusion.
“Strictly speaking, it was just a dream.”
Bai Qi casually explained their recent experience to Bai Qiucha. After a moment’s confusion, she realized what had happened and felt a sense of regret.
“If I had known that, I wouldn’t have resisted. Then I could also have visited that legendary Jade Dreamland.”
“That’s alright, we’ll get another chance to go in soon.”
Bai Qi smirked, an idea gradually forming in his mind.
“By the way, is the Teleportation Array still here?”
“It’s still here.”
Bai Qiucha nodded, and then suggested, “But shouldn’t you rest a bit before going in again, Bai Qi?”
The Guardian of the fourth floor was already at the Emperor-level. It was likely that the fifth floor also contained Emperor-level creatures.
Even if they could rely on Nicholas to eliminate the enemies, it would completely depart from the purpose of training. Additionally, it would risk triggering the countermeasures of the Twilight Tomb.
“It’s alright, let’s just have a look.”
Bai Qi picked up the Teleportation Rune Stone from the ground and carefully sensed it before heading towards the Teleportation Circle with his Six Pets.
They had finally assembled the Teleportation Runes and activated the Teleportation Array. If they didn’t even take a look, Bai Qi would feel really uncomfortable.
Anyway, they had the Teleportation Rune Stone. If worst comes to worst, they would fight and run if they couldn’t win the fight.
Seeing Bai Qi act like this, Bai Qiucha could only follow helplessly.
“Can I not go? It’s just too boring here.”
The just awakened Cowskin Snake saw the actions of Bai Qi and others and reluctantly lifted its head.
“I almost forgot about you.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Qi remembered and ran over, looking seriously at the Cowskin Snake.
“You were obviously also asleep, so why didn’t I see you enter the dreamland?”
“Dreamland? I never dream.”
The Cowskin Snake looked innocently at Bai Qi, and it was then that Bai Qi remembered Old Lady Fan’s evaluation of it.
“Is it really possible for a lifeform to stay alive when its soul isn’t around?”
With the addition of the Jade Dreamland, Bai Qi’s desire to explore had increased significantly. He once again had the urge to study the Cowskin Snake, but given the current environment, he decided to hold off for now.
Anyway, it wouldn’t be able to escape. He would wait until he had time.
Bai Qi handed the Cowskin Snake back to Nicholas and stepped into the Teleportation Array.
Then, in the moment of being teleported, Bai Qi felt an intense wave of heat washing over him. The suffocating intensity of the heat almost made him pass out on the spot.
Fortunately, Gamma immediately shielded Bai Qi, and Bai Qiucha quickly entered into a state of readiness.
“This fifth level is really a place where strangers danger.”
Feeling the surrounding temperature rivaling that of the Fire Elemental World, Bai Qi couldn’t help recalling some unpleasant memories.
“Given the high temperature here, is the enemy likely to be undead with fire attributes?”
Bai Qiucha looked around but found no trace of the enemy.
“If I’m not mistaken, the fire attribute undead creatures in the Ice and Fire Twin Towers were probably captured from here.”
Looking at the scorching steam surroundings, Bai Qi quickly connected it with the Twin Towers.
The Law Emperor might have arranged for the Fire People on the fourth level, which means he must have swept through this fifth level and possibly captured some material from here.
However, it was quite bizarre that there was no visible fire, but the temperature was very high, making the area similar to a steamer.
“Jie Ta, lower the temperature around here first. This heat greatly affects our ability to fight.”
Bai Qi glanced at the Husky who had already hidden under the Aetheric Armor and turned to look at Jie Ta.
Whoo, whoo~
(Okay~)
Jie Ta obediently nodded her head, gave a gentle breath, and a blizzard immediately blew up in the fifth layer, instantly freezing the area around Bai Qi for several tens of meters within seconds.
“Of course, it was absolutely right to make a contract with Jie Ta.”
Seeing this, Bai Qi nodded satisfactorily. Regardless of Jie Ta’s Mythical Species lineage, her Ice-based Skills were indeed very convenient.
At the very least, it could play a crucial role in such an environment.
However, before Bai Qi and his friends could act, the frost created by Jie Ta began to melt at a rate visible to the naked eye. It then evaporated, dangerously scorching them in the process.
“Is it that hot?”
Bai Qi slightly frowned. Even though Jie Ta’s combat power was stronger in later stages, this didn’t mean that his ice-based skills were weakening.
Both the passive skill “Ice Contract” and the active skill “Blizzard” were super skills. It was unlikely for them to evaporate that easily.
“The temperature here is unusually high, I suggest we don’t linger.”
Schuck carefully examined the surrounding environment and thus raised his suggestion with due gravity.
“Fighting for an extended period under these conditions would easily put us at a disadvantage.”
Upon hearing Schuck’s words, Bai Qi fell silent.
Indeed, even Jie Ta couldn’t lower the surrounding temperature. If the fifth layer’s guardian appeared soon, it would be fine. However, if they had to hold out for a long time, both the pets and the team might not have the energy to continue fighting.
“First, we should scout the nearby area, gain a general understanding, and then go back. What do you think, Cha?”
Bai Qi offered a suggestion after contemplating for a moment.
“Yes, let’s gather some information, so we won’t be so disadvantaged next time.”
Bai Qiucha nodded his head. As they had already come this far, leaving now would not be beneficial for their next exploration. It was better to gather some useful information first and make targeted preparations for next time.
As they agreed, the two continued their journey. Nicholas even transformed into a human and followed the duo.
The prevailing heat was not a problem for Nicholas and he could easily help Bai Qi and the others manage it. However, Bai Qi had said that there was no need to take action unless they were in a life-threatening crisis.
Unless they were like the previously-experienced Nightmare Death Person who was courting death, Nicholas wouldn’t act rashly.
Compared to the fourth layer with its winding and pitch-dark cave-like roads, the fifth layer was flat and even without a single elevation or depression.
Despite this, there was no trace of the slightest creature in site.
The only thing that persisted was the heat.
A sauna-like heat.
“If not on the surface, could they be underground?”
Bai Qi had walked for a while without finding anything. He patted Delta, who then transformed directly into a Fierce Dragon Beast. The earth trembled as the surrounding land was torn apart due to its power. Hot air gushed out from crevices, startling Bai Qi and the others.
Even then, no enemies appeared.
“Could the fifth layer be a deserted place?”
Bai Qi was bewildered. He recalled a situation mentioned during his training where some secret territories had, because of the passage of time and their overly complex original structures, certain levels that ended up being uninhabited.
If it was a trial-type of secret territory, running into this would make the challenger lose out big time. But if it were an exploration-type territory, it would be an absolute win.
Considering that Law Emperor had been here before, and the seemingly endless water and fire elemental undead inside the Gemini Tower, Bai Qi entirely suspected that Law Emperor had already thoroughly swept this level.
“The generations to come enjoy the shade of trees planted by those who came before. Even though we can’t challenge this level anymore, it’s still nice that we can directly enter the next layer.”
Bai Qi smirked. With no guardian, all they needed to do was find the teleportation array to directly reach the next layer.
Awooo! Awooo!
(Human, there seems to be something ahead!)
Just then, Beta suddenly warned, prompting everyone to shift into combat mode and cautiously survey their surroundings.
However, after waiting quite a while, there was still no sign of any enemy.
“Could it be an enemy that can turn invisible or burrow underground?”
Bai Qi didn’t doubt Beta’s perceptual abilities. After a brief pause, Alpha swung the Sword of Death, launching ring-shaped waves of Death Sword Qi around them.
Ching! Ching! Ching!
Accompanied by a series of crisp sounds, the Sword of Death Qi in front of Bai Qi was obstructed by something. Afterwards, he saw that the “ground” in front of him had actually stood up. The enormous flaming eyes were firmly fixed on them.
“Is this, the guardian?”
Bai Qi was taken aback. Before he could discern the enemy’s level, Nicholas stepped in front of him and said, “This guy, it’s a legendary creature!”
“A legendary creature? They’re truly making it impossible to play!”
Bai Qi was dumbstruck. He finally understood why his teacher had told him to play only on the first three layers, and not to adventure on the other layers.
This wasn’t an adventure, it was asking for punishment!
“Shall I take action this time?”
Seeing Bai Qi’s exasperated expression, Nicholas offered to demonstrate his skills.
He had been training for a long time and wanted to exhibit his abilities.
“Never mind, even if we overcome this layer, I guess you will have to take action in the next layer too. That doesn’t seem fun.”
Bai Qi shook his head. He exchanged glances with Bai Qiucha and prepared to leave.
“Young human, don’t rush to leave.”
Just then, the Fire Man emerged on top of the gigantic fire tiger, blocking Bai Qi’s path.
“Law Emperor Assistant, what are you doing here? And also, why are you standing on top of that legendary creature?”
Bai Qi was taken aback. Then a bold idea flashed through his mind.
Could it be that this place had already been completely controlled by Law Emperor?