"Philomena raising the divine fire won't go unnoticed..."

Lu Li sat down. The Mother of the Marsh was lying on the lawn carpet in front of the round table, only slightly taller than the two guests: "How do you plan to resolve it?"

"Will the anomalies of the Land of Light know as well?"

"Yes... they might attack us because of it." The Mother of the Marsh extended a pale arm, picking up the coffee pot to pour the aromatic, thick coffee for Lu Li and Elena.

Ever since it was known in Vena Underground City that the Mother of the Marsh liked coffee, a tenth of the coffee beans' production had belonged to the Land of Light. The Mother of the Marsh no longer drank diluted, light coffee.

"The fruit of raising the divine fire can be plundered... You can imagine raising the divine fire as revealing yourself with tens of thousands of human attributes... All anomalies will be driven mad by you."

"Can't the bottom of Agate Lake hide the scent?"

"Perhaps not... When I ascended to godhood, the existence of the Falling Leaves Mountain Range was also drawn."

At that time, anomalies were not yet rampant on the surface like now.

Lu Li pondered: "Is the camp protection strong enough to deal with the attracted anomalies, or to hold out until the divine fire is raised?"

"Maybe, but the loss would be heavy... We also have to deal with the Land of Vortex."

Any loss would reduce their strength in the subsequent battle against the Land of Vortex.

After a brief conversation, Lu Li confirmed that the process of raising the divine fire couldn't be concealed. And what would be attracted wasn't just those who coveted the divine fire, but also anomalies unable to resist its lethal pull.

By then, the whole of Old Belfast and the anomalies behind the mountain would be drawn in, and before that, the Twisted Figures could do nothing.

"How long will it take?" Lu Li asked.

"Maybe a few hours, maybe a day."

The upcoming "abnormal invasion" wouldn't be simple, but if successful... the 1,600 Twisted Figures would be more powerful than the Mother of the Marsh, stronger than many Spirit Towns.

And just as Spirit Towns could protect territories in the Barren Lands from anomaly invasions, the Twisted Figures could also protect the Land of Light.

As long as they survive the abnormal invasion...

The Mother of the Marsh hadn't invited Lu Li to "Ladies' Afternoon Tea" just for a chat, but to solve the impending issue.

As the coffee no longer emitted steam, Lu Li spoke: "The border between the Land of Vortex and the Ashes District won't remain silent, that's the opportunity to raise the divine fire."

Even if the conflict between the Land of Vortex and the Ashes District is resolved instantly, it can still block some anomalies for the camp.

They decided on the timing: April 14, when the Land of Vortex borders the Ashes District.

Not long after, Lu Li left the garden of the manor, while the "ladies" continued their discussion: they talked about how to let Ophelia gain followers and embark on the path of the Alien God.

Returning to Lake Heart Island, preparations around April 14 began.

Except for necessary, unsuitable, or immovable residents, all residents joined in the work of polishing stone materials, but strangely, Lu Li still let them attend school in the afternoon as usual.

This contradictory state of busyness and leisure continued until April 13.

At nine in the morning, the busy residents received a notification: the stone materials were sufficient, no more digging was needed.

However, they immediately busied themselves with other matters — stacking the supplies Merchant Anthony brought out and selecting their individual caves to bring their household belongings.

In the afternoon, the Twisted Figures invited Lu Li to visit the completed Lakebed Temple.

The Mother of the Marsh stopped Lu Li from taking the Fish Gill Potion, waiting for the Twisted Figures to arrive and grant Lu Li a temporary ability to breathe underwater.

Lu Li took off his coat and hung it on the door hanger; the Crown of Thorns crawled towards his wrist, then stopped.

"Where's the bracelet I gave you..."

"It's in the suitcase."

"Why don't you wear it..."

"Might lose it, and it's useless."

The Mother of the Marsh silently wrapped Lu Li's wrist, forming a band that tightened, thorn pricking into the skin.

Ignoring these, Lu Li held a Fluorite Lamp and went with the Twisted Figures to the lakeshore, stepping into Agate Lake, which hadn't warmed up due to sunlight.

Head submerged in lake water, the sheer curtain-like sunlight drifted in the shallow waters.

Black hair and tie floated like seaweed, accompanying Lu Li's slow descent, a necklace of delicate red water droplets floated out from within the shirt.

"You're still wearing it..."

The low whisper of the Mother of the Marsh echoed in Lu Li's mind, and the thorn wrapped around his wrist quietly loosened.

"Now you're under my patronage..."

The low murmur of the Twisted Figures sounded simultaneously as Its power left Lu Li's body.

"The water droplets of the God of the Deep Sea make you one with the water... water is your friend, and will not harm friends."

Lake water flowed into the lungs with each breath, but apart from the coldness, there was no discomfort.

Lu Li nodded slowly, looking down at the desolately enclosed, deep, and silent lakebed.

Light gradually stripped away as Lu Li descended into Agate Lake, with the Fluorite Lamp emitting a thin, non-consuming glow against the darkness. At some point, Lu Li saw a hazy glimmer in the distance, a black structure dormant in the deep world.

The Twisted Figures brought Lu Li to land on the paved path in front of the temple, where lamp stand-like fluorite stood on either side of the stone bricks, music reflecting the surrounding lakebed's skeletal silt, shadow-like Twisted Cultists swam around.

Lu Li gazed up at the lake surface, a hundred meters depth made sunlight dreamily fragmented.

The Twisted Figures pulled Lu Li, drifting towards the temple, entering the interior through the stone arch as if dug from the deep sea.

Vrmm—

Lake water was barred outside the temple. Upon stepping out of the water, the ear grew clear, the body heavy. Chill emerged, followed by a detested dampness.

However, the Twisted Cultists would love it here.

Fluorite embedded in the walls and footsteps echoed the temple's cavernous outline, and much was still missing here.

"It's very cold here...you need light."

"These will come..."

Then It led Lu Li to the top platform of the temple to tour the altar. The temple was completed, and the Twisted Figures could raise the divine fire at any time.

Lu Li returned to the surface, announcing the Agate Lake Camp entered a wartime state.

All human residents moved into shelters, Six-legged Monsters and Shadow Figures alike, leaving the Banyan Tree Guardian to watch over the camp, Twisted Cultists headed to Agate Lake to prepare the ritual.

And waited for April 14 to come.

Evening.

The last sliver of light vanished from the sea surface, casting Agate Lake Camp into darkness.

Lu Li and the Knight Squad stayed together, using telescopes to gaze across a few houses to the Land of Vortex and Ashes District.

They were almost touching now.

Agate Lake Camp entered the final wait.

As night descended, the Knight Squad entered the Underground City.

Leaving only Lu Li, Annie, and the Banyan Tree Guardian above ground.

In the deathly silence before the storm, time crept towards midnight.

Lu Li counted down the distance of two invisible forbidden regions, three houses, two houses, one house...

3 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 5 o'clock...

The deep-space stars gradually dimmed, replaced by a brighter sky, pale golden beams pierced the dark clouds, probing the dusky land.

The conflict between the Land of Vortex and the Ashes District hadn't unfolded as anticipated.

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