Astraea checked the various protective charms and auto-activating magic for the last time:
"The gift of prophecy is a blessing, but also a curse. Seeing the truth is not always a good thing; sometimes ignorance is protection."
She handed a silk pouch to Chloe:
"This is a magic crystal crafted by me and several Dark Sun Level Elders, containing the strength of our full strike. Remember, use it only at the moment of life and death."
Chloe carefully accepted the pouch, clearly sensing the terrifying energy it contained through Spiritual Perception.
The feeling was like holding several bombs that could explode at any moment.
"I will be careful, Grandma Leia."
The Night Mist emitted a low purr-like sound, signaling its readiness.
Chloe gently stroked its moist tentacles, sensing the hunger they conveyed.
Hunger for the Dream Realm and a longing to devour.
"Let’s go, Night Mist. It’s time to seek answers."
With Chloe’s soft command, the Dream-eating Beast slowly ascended.
Its manner of flight was extremely eerie, not flying by flapping wings, but by ’swimming’ through the air.
The tentacles left behind blurred phantom traces, making any observer see only distorted air and confusing light and shadow.
The flight was relatively calm, with the illusion barrier created by the Night Mist allowing them to avoid most potential troubles.
But as they got closer to the Great Abyss, Chloe’s sense of unease intensified.
The sensation was like approaching a giant whirlpool, with the Magic Concentration in the air climbing continuously, carrying with it a suffocating pressure.
Most unsettling of all, her prophecy ability began to experience abnormal fluctuations, occasionally receiving fragmented visions.
Just as she was trying to decipher these warning signs, the Night Mist suddenly let out a low warning hum.
The Dream-eating Beast’s Perception Ability detected anomalies ahead.
It was an extremely dangerous aura, carrying the unique twisted characteristics of the Abyss.
"Something’s happening..." Chloe whispered as she began using astrology for deeper perception.
In her prophetic vision, vague images began to emerge:
A white-haired woman stood at the cliff edge, surrounded by several terrifying Blood Demons.
The eyes of these Abyssal Creatures burned with the flame of wisdom, indicating they had surpassed the level of ordinary beasts.
But what truly terrified Chloe was the aura emanating from the woman.
It wasn’t the magic power wave of an ordinary Wizard, but some deeper, more twisted force.
Like the will of the Abyss itself, wrapped in human guise.
"Night Mist, lower the flight altitude but maintain invisibility," she cautiously instructed.
The Dream-eating Beast immediately carried out the order, simultaneously strengthening the effect of the illusion barrier.
But it was already too late; the presence below had long since detected their approach.
In a hidden canyon, Uphemia stood at the cliff’s edge, staring into the distance toward the direction of the Abyss.
She had skin as perfect and pale as porcelain, eyes dark red like blood, and an unsettling supernatural beauty.
Her white hair floated in the breeze, contrasting sharply with the dark red luxurious robe she wore.
Behind her, five Blood Demons waited quietly.
These Abyssal Creatures were originally extremely frenzied, but under Uphemia’s bloodline control,
they became docile like tamed pets.
The leader, towering over eight meters, was covered in pulsating blood vessel patterns, exhaling hot steam from its nostrils with every breath.
"Interesting visitors..." Uphemia murmured, a playful smile at the corner of her mouth.
Her perception ability far exceeded that of an ordinary Wizard, allowing her to clearly sense the hidden spiritual waves in the sky.
Though the Dream-eating Beast’s disguise was excellent, it was still traceable to someone with her special bloodline.
Uphemia retrieved a small recording crystal from her bosom.
This device could record the combat process as evidence for New Star Plan assessments.
The Conquest Faction’s scoring system placed greater emphasis on practical combat ability; a successful combat record was more valuable than several academic papers.
"Looks like today’s luck is good." She gently stroked the leader Blood Demon’s head, feeling its transmitted thirst for blood:
"I can test new tactical coordination while also adding chips for the evaluation."
She made a subtle gesture, which the Blood Demons immediately understood as their master’s intent.
But this attack had to appear as an ’accident.’
The Blood Demons, for some reason, lost control and attacked innocent passersby.
The Blood Demons began showing signs of ’restlessness,’ with the flame of wisdom in their eyes being gradually replaced by primal frenzy.
"Damn! Can’t control it!"
Uphemia shouted intentionally, with just the right amount of panic in her voice.
But her ’restraint’ was evidently ’ineffective.’
The leader Blood Demon let out an earth-shattering roar, spreading its massive wings and soaring into the sky.
Its speed was astonishing, charging straight toward the Dream-eating Beast like a blood-red meteor.
Chloe’s prophecy ability burst out sharp alarms, feeling like countless needles were simultaneously piercing her brain.
She could even ’see’ the Blood Demon’s gaping maw, its dense sharp teeth as terrifying as the gates of Hell.
"Danger! Turn left!"
The Night Mist immediately executed evasive maneuvers, narrowly dodging the Blood Demon’s first strike.
But the Blood Demon’s attack was not finished; it agilely adjusted its posture in mid-air, preparing to launch a more deadly second assault.