How is this possible? How can a dungeon labyrinth change its form!
Caiman had never heard of a dungeon capable of altering its terrain.
Even in the upper floors of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, the terrain had never changed during exploration.
Furthermore, the walls of this palace labyrinth could actually regenerate after being destroyed.
"Could it be an effect of this palace labyrinth?"
Caiman walked to the wall in front of him, drew his blade, and forcefully pierced through it.
Looking at the hole he had carved, Caiman bent over and stepped inside.
To his surprise, the very next second, he felt the ground vanish beneath his feet.
The reflexes of a third-rank swordsman allowed him to act quickly, reaching out to firmly grasp the wall behind him.
"Spatial power again!"
Looking at the scalding lava below, Caiman quickly realized he had been teleported back to the previous lava area.
He exerted himself and climbed back into the passage.
Not only did the terrain change, but destroying walls triggered self-healing, and passing through the holes triggered the palace's spatial power, teleporting him elsewhere.
In other words, this palace labyrinth could only be explored bit by bit, relying on luck to find the passage to the next floor?
Even the map-drawing method of exploration had become completely useless for this labyrinth.
Alternatively, one could use a spatial magic item to suppress the palace's spatial power and then dig straight through the walls to reach the core.
However, he currently lacked the means to achieve either.
...
"Hahaha, this Caiman is so interesting, and he's quite durable too!"
Feiwan was quite happy, using the Collapsed Atmosphere to manipulate the palace and toy with Caiman.
Indeed, the series of misfortunes Caiman faced had long been set in motion by someone behind the scenes.
"It is his honor to have a guardian such as yourself take action personally."
The skeletal shaman nearby hurriedly spoke in flattery, showing great respect toward the third guardian.
"What about the other group?"
Feiwan continued to ask.
"That group of elves is relying on a magic item to resist the palace's spatial power, so their team hasn't been scattered."
The spatial power inside the palace was actually not that strong; possessing a spatial-attribute greater magic grade magical artifact was enough to resist it.
After all, the tenth-floor palace was merely a projection of the true pitch-black palace from the hidden floor, constructed from stone.
The power of the Collapsed Atmosphere was not actually applied to the palace; Feiwan was just using it to toy with the explorers along the way.
"For elves to appear in the Northern Territory, and even carry a spatial-attribute greater magic grade magical artifact while exploring as a team, is quite unusual."
Feiwan looked over the information transmitted through Tongmu, observing the five-person elf team exploring together.
The black robes concealing their appearances offered no protection against Tongmu's powerful vision.
All five were silver-haired, green-eyed high elves, three males and two females.
Furthermore, four were second-rank and one was third-rank.
The second-rank members consisted of a heavy warrior, two mages, and a swordsman, while the third-rank member was a priest.
Regardless of gender, their appearances were exceptionally beautiful.
This reminded Feiwan of the man-bodied spider tribe from the subordinate floor; the human portions of the man-bodied spiders were similarly beautiful, regardless of sex.
"Guardian, since entering the dungeon, this group of elves has shown no desire for treasure, only continuously exploring downward."
"It is as if they are searching for something within this dungeon."
The skeletal shaman lowered its head, speaking opportunely and cautiously.
"It does not matter what they are looking for; treat them as normal adventurers."
"Any existence that enters the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, whether they crave power or treasure, is committing an act of presumption against the Master."
"Death is the only equal response for them."
Feiwan would not show mercy just because these elves were good-looking.
"However, if possible, let's keep one male and one female elf."
"After all, elves are a rare race in the Northern Territory; we can collect a pair."
The Master might be interested in such a rare race and want to study them.
Moreover, rare things were inherently worth collecting.
Feiwan liked rare things, especially rare treasures; in this regard, she and the monster merchant got along quite well.
"Yes, Guardian."
The skeletal shaman did not question Feiwan's decision at all.
Although this group of elves was currently strong, as long as they continued exploring deep into the dungeon, death would be their only end.
"Right."
Feiwan thought of the Forbidden Fire and remembered the purple-skinned blacksmith whom Zeno mentioned had been granted a true name by the Master.
She recalled Zeno saying that the purple-skinned blacksmith was very special, as he actively craved the Forbidden Fire.
She decided to look for him while she was at it.
Based on the information from Tongmu, she quickly located Purple Hammer's position.
He was currently in the desert of the tenth floor.
"Continue with your duties. Just slow down their exploration progress; there is no need to take risks."
Feiwan instructed the skeletal shaman before her.
"Yes, Guardian."
The skeletal shaman responded hurriedly, looking honored.
Feiwan nodded and, relying on the Collapsed Atmosphere in her hand, vanished from before the skeletal shaman.
The desert of the tenth floor was quite vast, but under the spatial power of the Collapsed Atmosphere, Feiwan easily teleported near Purple Hammer.
Purple Hammer was still honing his combat skills with the skeletal shaman of the tenth floor.
Relying on his own strength, along with the Purple Treasure Mallet in his hand and Zeno's blessing, Purple Hammer's power was now stronger than that of elite monsters.
"Are you Purple Hammer?"
The sudden voice interrupted Purple Hammer's battle.
The surrounding undead lizardmen fell to the ground trembling, and the skeletal shaman commanding them respectfully knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, Guardian."
Purple Hammer also quickly turned around, put away his Purple Treasure Mallet, and bowed respectfully.
Feiwan stepped forward, sizing up Purple Hammer.
Purple Hammer lowered his head nervously, trying to guess Feiwan's thoughts.
"You are quite good."
"This subordinate is unworthy of such praise!"
Purple Hammer quickly bowed again. As a purple-skinned blacksmith of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, he was honored to have been met and received by two guardians.
The trepidation in his heart was genuine.
"As a being created by our Master, why do you crave the Forbidden Fire?"
Hearing Feiwan's words, Purple Hammer quickly organized his thoughts with his somewhat clever mind.
"This subordinate craves the Forbidden Fire so that the purple-skinned blacksmith tribe can better serve the Master."
"I only hope to provide a meager amount of assistance to the Master for a longer time."
"I hope to use the power of the Forbidden Fire to allow the purple-skinned blacksmith tribe to break the limits of our foundry power and serve the Master."
Rate on N.U.
