The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　Gavin North was slightly relieved and said, "That 'molted skin' must be extremely valuable."

　Professor Cazell nodded and said, "Indeed, I only have three in total." As he spoke, he removed the last green thread from the winged tiger beast's body and handed it to Gavin North.

　The latter picked up the "Winged Tiger Beast" and breathed a sigh of relief.

　At this moment, Bishop Sabrina Melville and the "Twin Paladins" approached.

　Emily Grantham, one of the Twin Paladins, pushed up the visor on her helmet and said with lingering fear, "So those green threads in the mist were really this dangerous. What if they attacked us as we passed by..."

　Professor Cazell, however, said, "It shouldn't be too aggressive. Just be careful not to get touched. We did separate it from the fog when we came."

　Bishop Sabrina Melville suddenly said, "What if its aggression suddenly increases?"

　Professor Cazell put away his wand and pointed upwards: "Then we should first think of a way to deal with this 'Demeter Flower'."

　Only the uprising of the "Flower of Demeter" will trigger the uprising of those green threads.

　But the "Flower of Demerzonter" had not moved at all since they entered the area. It seemed to be a normal plant and did not react to the intrusion of outsiders into its territory.

　Of course, it is also possible that it is in a state of near-dormant sleep, and the arrival of Dark and others is not enough to awaken it.

　—That seemed to be true when they first came in. However, just as they were exchanging ideas, change eventually occurred.

　At this moment, it's impossible to know what exactly caused the "Flower of Demeter" to awaken from its near-dormant state. But with the awakening of the "Flower of Demeter," the previously dormant mist... instantly erupted!

　Starting from the location where the "Winged Tiger Beast" was corrupted, countless green threads were lit up, spreading outwards like veins on a leaf.

　The mist nearby, affected by these threads, suddenly churned.

　Although the speed was not fast, the fog wall surrounding this area was still clearly advancing into the interior of the area.

　The areas without fog are being compressed!

　"call out!"

　Stanley Longfellow's female bodyguard suddenly drew her sword and slashed at the wall of mist in an iaido stance.

　In an instant, sword energy burst forth, slashing into the wall of mist like a crescent moon.

　However, the veins formed by the green threads within the fog wall suddenly glowed, and that one was completely devoured in the blink of an eye.

　The female guard quickly sheathed her sword.

　Stanley Longfellow looked alarmed and quickly ran towards where Dark and the others were gathered.

　Without him needing to say anything more, the others also became serious. After those green threads "came to life," the mist spreading with the threads was completely different.

　The methods previously used to separate them may no longer be able to hold up.

　They devour sword energy, and naturally they can also devour magic power.

　The effects of barriers and similar objects will be minimized.

　“There are two paths now,” Professor Cazell said quickly. “The first path is to evacuate immediately before the threads are fully activated. The second path is to destroy the ‘Flower of Demeter’ before the mist envelops us!”

　“Although withdrawing immediately is the safest course of action,” Professor Sylph said, “I choose the second path.”

　"Damn it!" Stanley Longfellow suddenly looked at Gavin North.

　He doesn't want to die here.

　Gavin North's mount has just been killed; he should be more inclined to retreat.

　However, Gavin North said, "If you professors have a way to deal with that giant flower, I will go with you."

　Bishop Sabrina Melville said, "It's another two-to-one vote; it seems we have no choice. But your sudden initiative must have some other purpose, right?"

　Professor Sylph shook her head and said, "I just feel that running away won't solve the problem."

　A mist containing green threads has already enveloped a vast area and is spreading outwards at a very rapid pace.

　If we want to delve deeper into this fog, eradicating the root of the problem is now an imperative.

　Of course, this is only the superficial reason.

　Professor Sylph made this decision only because the Academy had already coveted the "Flower of Demeter"—and Sabrina and Gavin North must have had the same thought deep down.

　The more terrifying the power that the "Flower of Demeter" displays, the more it proves its own value.

　"No way, no way, at a time like this you're still thinking about keys or anything like that?" Stanley Longfellow spread his hands, his expression exaggerated.

　Sabrina Melville said calmly, "Count Longfellow, you were the one who led us here, and now you're the one who most wants to escape. So why did you come along? Isn't this the outcome you hoped for?"

　Stanley Longfellow shouted, "That was just a reasonable interpretation based on prophecy! Who would have thought this thing was so terrifying that even you couldn't handle it? Anyway, I'm leaving. I'm not going to die!"

　“Pfft,” said Bishop Sabrina Melville. “I hope your guards can lead you out of this fog…”

　As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly looked up, and a point of white light appeared between her eyebrows. A divine light burst forth, transforming into a protective shield that enveloped everyone.

　The others also instantly felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

　Dak tilted his head slightly and saw that above him, there were "snowflakes" emitting a faint green light.

　Those things, like snowflakes, drifted down lightly, their fragrances distinct from those of aromatherapy, spreading as they appeared.

　That was an even stronger floral fragrance, making one acutely aware of their presence.

　—Although Sabrina Melville immediately erected a barrier, it did not stop the fragrance from wafting in.

　If those green threads are the manifestation of the fragrance of the "Flower of Demeter," then those who are now smelling that fragrance...

　“Dark, keep the aromatherapy going, don’t stop,” Professor Cazell said almost immediately.

　Dark nodded abruptly and said, "Shami, please!"

　"Meow!" "Shami" covered its head with its two front paws, closed its eyes and pushed hard. The two flowers immediately released more light, and the fragrance spread, competing with the fragrance of "Demeter's Flower".

　Aromatherapy is released every thirty seconds, allowing for seamless application. The snowflake-like substances falling from the sky are likely pollen from the Demeter Flower.

　The fragrance emitted by the pollen has the same effect on anyone who touches it as when touched by the green threads.

　Moreover, it ignores obstructions and can penetrate magical barriers.

　If it weren't for the continuous purification through "aromatherapy," everyone present would probably have ended up like the "winged tiger beasts," transformed into plants covered in tender buds.

　Everyone had a vague premonition of what would happen, and their hearts pounded with unease. Gavin North put down the winged tiger beast, reached for a magic card, pressed it to his chest, and said, "The methods of 'Demeter's Flower' are unpredictable; dragging this out will be disadvantageous for us. I suggest a swift and decisive action. I can lead the attack, but I hope you can protect my mount as much as possible."

　Professor Cazell quickly replied, "No problem, we'll try to stay here and minimize movement."

　“Albert, you’re going too,” Sabrina Melville said, turning her head.

　Albert Grantham flipped off the unicorn and said in a deep voice, "Okay."

　As they spoke, the two of them simultaneously activated the magic cards in their hands.

　Gavin North stepped forward, his right hand gripping the hilt of his sword, his body gradually enveloped in light. When the light faded, he was fully armed—in snow-white armor, the "North Wind Tiger's" greatest asset on the battlefield.

　More than a decade later, the "North Wind Tiger" is back in action, its momentum undiminished.

　But the brilliant light that suddenly shone behind him unleashed an aura even stronger than his own.

　A divine aura instantly spread out, and the phantom of an angel appeared behind Albert Grantham. The angelic phantom spread its snow-white wings and clung to Albert's back as if possessing him.

　This is not an "armor card," but it is still a way to strengthen oneself in all aspects.

　Albert Grantham reached for his sword, and a blinding holy light shone from the blade just as he pulled it out a short distance.

　The Holy Relic – "Great Bright Sword"!

　Although this "Great Bright Sword" is not a holy sword, it possesses characteristics very similar to those of a holy sword and can also purify evil.

　Unfortunately, the pollen that filled the sky was seen more as a divine object than an evil one by artifacts like the "Great Bright Sword".

　After maximizing their power, Gavin North and Albert Grantham took an instant step, transforming into two blinding white beams that shot towards the "Demeter Flower" like arrows.

　But when they got within a hundred meters, Gavin North continued to move in a straight line, while Albert Grantham suddenly took off and rushed toward the top of the "Flower of Demeter".

　Gavin North's eyes sharpened, ready to respond to any counterattack from "The Flower of Demeter." But as he drew closer to "The Flower of Demeter," the latter remained motionless.

　When he was within ten meters, he suddenly drew his sword, the blade flashing like the moon, leaving a dazzling trail.

　The blade hadn't even arrived yet, but its gleam was already visible.

　The stem of the "Flower of Demeter" could not withstand Gavin North's slash, and a long, narrow gash appeared instantly—and then healed in an instant.

　"It works!"

　Gavin North's eyes lit up, and his knife-wielding hand instantly flipped, unleashing dozens of slashes in a very short time, creating a roar that sounded like a beast's howl.

　The dozens of sword lights continued uninterrupted, overlapping each other, and actually carved a huge gash in the stem of the "Flower of Demeter".

　Seeing that he could break through the defense, he pressed his left hand on the back of the blade and chanted an incantation: "Ultimate move - Heavenly Wind Slashes the Moon!"

　Armored power converged on the blade, and the light of the ultimate technique rapidly condensed. But in that instant, a blinding green light shone from the notch in the stem of the "Flower of Demeter".

　Gavin North's body, including his sword and finishing move, was instantly devoured.

　0

　[I have a blind date tomorrow, so I need a little time to prepare. Updates will be a bit late. There's not much time left at the end of the month, and I'm already experiencing writer's block. Ugh, and to make matters worse, one thing after another keeps popping up. Is this what they mean by "when it rains, it pours"?]

Chapter 944 Darkdemon, Hell Rolls (5k)

　"boom--"

　The "Flower of Demeter" counterattack came so suddenly that it caught everyone completely off guard.

　But Gavin North was unleashing his ultimate attack at the last second, and swung his sword at the critical moment.

　In an instant, a storm swept through, and blades flashed, actually cutting through and piercing the green beam of light, striking the wound of "Demeter's Flower" once again.

　However, the green light was not dispersed, and Gavin North's body was still engulfed by the green light—a very ominous premonition suddenly arose in his heart.

　The "Winged Tiger Beast" was merely corrupted by the green threads in the mist, and in an instant, it met such an end.

　Now that his entire body has been engulfed by that green light, what will become of him?

　Is it that tender shoots sprout from its entire body? Or does it instantly turn into wood from the inside out?

　Alternatively, the aroma released by "Shemi" may have the effect of purifying this green light.

　"hiss--"

　Gavin North felt a deep pain upon even the slightest touch to his skin. This made him immediately realize that "aromatherapy" could not immediately eliminate the effects of the green light.

　The next second, before he could even think any further, his entire body vanished!

　The green beam of light released by the "Flower of Demeter" continued forward, only dissipating into the air a hundred meters away.

　It was only then that Gavin North realized he had escaped death once again!

　The person who saved him... to be precise, the magical spirit, was none other than the "Moon God Beast" that Dark had summoned in advance!

　The "Moon God Beast," despite being only three stars, possesses a life-saving trick.

　In that instant, it patted its belly, and its ultimate move—"Flat Skin"—was immediately activated, summoning Gavin North from the green light to its side.

　At the same time, it also saved his life.

　But this life did not come without a price.

　His body was finally bathed in the green light, and his skin began to show signs of hardening. His right hand, especially the one holding the knife, had completely turned into wood!

　Without his dominant hand, Gavin North's fighting ability was instantly and drastically reduced.

　After Gavin North left, the wound on the stem of the "Flower of Demeter" that had expanded again began to heal rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye!

　This area is filled with an unimaginably rich concentration of grass-based elements. Bathed in this ocean of grass-based elements, the "Flower of Demeter" possesses a continuous source of energy.

　However, the green beam it just released seemed to be merely a stress response after being injured.

　After Gavin North was rescued, it did not release a second green beam.

　But at the same time.

　Albert Grantham has also launched an attack!

　Angel wings stretched out behind him, carrying him to the petals of the "Flower of Demeter." What he could see was the stamen of the "Flower of Demeter"—where emerald-like liquid accumulated, now rippling slightly, as if it were about to move.

　Albert Grantham raised the "Great Light Sword" high, and dense light elements rapidly converged within the sword, extending into a gigantic lightsaber.

　He held the sword with both hands, and with a simple downward slash, the light sword unleashed tremendous power, as if it could cleave the entire mist-shrouded sky in two.

　Albert Grantham was not testing him; he intended to cleave the heavens in two with a single sword strike!

　"boom!"