Chapter 1071 Triggering the Trap

Chapter 1071: Chapter 1071 Triggering the Trap
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Chapter 1071 Triggering the Trap
The next morning, Lu Yu rose and prepared for their journey to the pine forest outside the city.
He found breakfast ready downstairs and washed up before taking a seat at the dining table.
Hu Zhan emerged from his room, grabbing a piece of bread and sausage as he made his way to the nearby armor rack. “Let’s not waste time,” he declared with a mouthful. “I’ll get into my armor first.”
Lu Yu waved a hand dismissively. “No need. You don’t have to do anything. I’ll handle the quest target.”
“Uh, so I only need to follow you?” Hu Zhan clarified, surprised.
“That’s right,” Lu Yu confirmed. “Just lead the way and leave the rest to me.”
Together, they mounted their horses and rode through the bustling streets of Skyplume City, heading towards the northern gate. The city bustled with activity—carriages transporting goods, warriors riding out for hunts, and countless others simply going about their day. Being a large city, such a crowd wasn’t unusual.
Their wait at the gate was long, and it wasn’t until noon that they finally emerged into the scorching midday sun.
Lu Yu followed behind Hu Zhan as they navigated the dirt road leading into the dense forest.
“You lead the way,” Lu Yu instructed. “I’m unfamiliar with the area.”
“No problem, leave it to me,” Hu Zhan replied confidently, venturing ahead on horseback.
Sunlight barely pierced the thick canopy of leaves overhead, creating a cool, shaded path. As they ventured deeper, the surroundings grew progressively darker.
Seems cloudy,” Lu Yu commented, looking up.
“Don’t worry,” Hu Zhan reassured him. “High mountains surround this area, so clouds are common. We’re almost at the location Zhao Qingya mentioned.” “Did she give us the exact location?” Lu Yu inquired.
“No,” Hu Zhan admitted. “Her hint only pointed to this general area. None of the investigators sent here ever returned, so the precise location remains unknown.”
Lu Yu acknowledged this with a helpless nod as they continued their ride.
Rustling sounds from the surrounding foliage indicated the presence of wildlife, but a faint emanation of his Dragon’s Might was enough to deter any nearby creatures.
Suddenly, a strange green glow caught Lu Yu’s eye deeper within the forest. “Look,” he pointed, “there seems to be a faint green light in the distance.”
Hu Zhan followed his gaze and saw the unusual light. “Something’s definitely off there,” he remarked, urging his horse forward.
Soon, they pushed through bushes and emerged into a clearing, where a massive bioluminescent sphere pulsated with an eerie green glow.
Roots resembling pipes extended from the sphere, and occasional tremors confirmed its living nature.
Hu Zhan’s brow furrowed with concern. “Lu Yu, this thing doesn’t seem right. We should be careful.
Lu Yu agreed. “I think we’re in enemy territory.”
Hu Zhan quickly retrieved a map provided by Zhao Qingya. Comparing it to the surrounding landscape, he confirmed, “That’s right. This is the area designated for demonic beasts. This thing is likely the enemy’s trap.”
They noticed the sphere pulsating at a faster rate—once every two seconds compared to the initial interval of seven to eight.
“Step back!” Lu Yu warned. “Something’s wrong with this thing.”
“Agreed,” Hu Zhan echoed, fear creeping into his voice. After all, the lack of survivors from previous ventures spoke volumes about this unknown threat.
Lu Yu frowned as the pulsating intensified, eventually reaching a rapid twitching motion.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sphere exploded violently, releasing a dark green fog that engulfed the surroundings like a whirlwind.
Bang!!
Trees and grass were instantly consumed by the toxic cloud, with small animals suffering immediate, gruesome deaths. Pustules erupted across their bodies, and blood seeped from their skin.
Reacting swiftly, Lu Yu transformed into his Explosive Dragon Claw form. A single Flaming Claw attack tore a temporary opening through the fog.
He then wasted no time in drawing his Star Piercing Demonic Sword and unleashed a Star Piercing Spike attack.
Swoosh!
A sharp sword energy ripped through the poisonous fog, creating a brief escape path for them.
Seeing the fog closing in again, Lu Yu turned and activated the Eternal Divine Crown on his head.
The Eternal Divine Crown’s powerful healing abilities ensured Hu Zhan’s survival in this deadly atmosphere.
Panic overwhelmed Hu Zhan as the fog rapidly spread, seemingly cutting off all escape routes. “We’re doomed! We can’t escape this!” he cried, despair in his voice. “Look at that poor rabbit turning into a pool of blood! Let’s run!” The surrounding fog pressed in, suffocating and thick, obscuring any hope of escape.
Panic seized Hu Zhan. His heart hammered against his ribs, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
He spun around, searching frantically for an escape route, but found himself trapped in a suffocating green prison.
“Lu Yu, we’re done for!” He cried out, his voice thick with despair. “We’ll die here, just like those poor animals!”
A sudden warmth enveloped him. A brilliant holy light emanated from the Eternal Divine Crown upon Lu Yu’s head, bathing Hu Zhan in its protective glow. The suffocating fog seemed to recoil from the light, unable to penetrate the barrier.
Disbelief washed over Hu Zhan. He stared at himself, bewildered. “What…
what’s happening?”
He was completely unharmed; the deadly fog held at bay. Relief flooded him, washing away the terror that had gripped him moments before.
“Lu Yu, I’m alive? We’re okay!”
The thick fog continued to linger, obscuring their vision. However, a faint dissipation was now evident, offering a glimmer of hope for escape..