203 Magic Beast Tide (1/2)

'But what kind of disaster would cause that? No… Not a disaster…'

The Four Seasons Canyon was a few thousand kilometers wide. It was more than a dozen times bigger than Thousand Sails City. If it could be turned into a desolate desert by a disaster, then how shocking would that disaster need to be?

'It's fine if such a disaster happened, but it would have to be a very rare occurrence in Noscent's history, and it would give rise to large-scale mana fluctuations. Who knows how many mages would curse at such an event? How could it not be recorded in the books of the decaying library? Why would the Artisan who excavated Vaughn's laboratory not mention it?'

'But what if it wasn't a disaster? Could it have been man-made?'

”...” As he thought of this, Lin Yun felt a chill. If the cause had truly been man-made, then the Four Seasons Canyon wouldn't be as simple as he had thought…

The trees, the soil, everywhere… It could be said that the vegetation here was flourishing.

For such a huge change to happen, someone or something on the level of a Heaven Rank powerhouse would be needed. Only those who had mastered the Extraordinary power and could open a Demiplane using their own might would be able to create such a disaster.

”Merlin… Merlin…” Solomon had been walking ahead for quite a bit, but he hadn't heard Lin Yun's voice in a while, so he couldn't help asking, ”What are you thinking about?”

”Nothing important.” Lin Yun shook his head, temporarily putting away these chaotic thoughts before slowly following Solomon to the Four Seasons Canyon.

The small, rugged path stretched all the way down. At the end, there was a row of lush trees. When they entered the Four Seasons Canyon, Lin Yun even felt that they had entered an Elven Kingdom. This place was reeking of the aura of life. Tall trees, fragrant flowers, verdant grass, and the soothing sound of running water... Even the atmosphere carried a hint of sweetness.

But for some reason, Lin Yun kept feeling that this aura of life was too vigorous, to an abnormal degree. Yet Lin Yun couldn't pinpoint exactly why it felt so abnormal; it was just a feeling, after all.

From where they were, the two could already see the camp that the gathered troops had established. Several hundred tents were lined up, occupying an entire area at the foot of a cliff. There were a dozen sentry towers built around the camp, and the ones stationed there were the most outstanding archers of the Silver Moon Mercenaries and the Viper Nest. Countless traps and arrays were set up below the sentry towers. If the small groups of fighters patrolling were added into the picture, then this camp could truly be described as well fortified.

”Most of it has been arranged by the Silver Moon Mercenaries. After all, they are the ones with the most battle experience in Thousand Sails City… Careful!”

Just as Solomon was introducing the camp to Lin Yun, a shadow suddenly swept past the latter.

In fact, there was no need for Solomon's reminder.

Syudos had already appeared just as the air began to move. There had been no signs at all. A dozen Fire Arrows were cast, creating a loud impact. Before Solomon could even recover, the shadow sweeping at their back had already fallen down in despair.

”A Shadow Wolf.” Lin Yun squatted down and examined the burnt corpse, finding some characteristics exclusive to Shadow Wolves.

But this discovery made Lin Yun frown.

Shadow Wolves were merely level 12 or 13 magic beasts, and even the alpha among them wouldn't exceed level 15. But the Shadow Wolf that had pounced at him had shown power and speed surpassing that. Lin Yun had been able to handle it because Syudos was so powerful. But another 9th Rank Great Mage might have been in trouble facing this sneak attack.

It seemed that this was the mutation Solomon had been talking about...

Otherwise, how could an ordinary Shadow Wolf be this fearsome?

Thinking about it, Lin Yun inspected the Shadow Wolf's corpse even more carefully.

”Eh…” Lin Yun soon found that its eyes were unusually red, as if blood was dripping out. Even though it was burnt up, its body still exuded a faint aura of life. Due to this discovery, Lin Yun finally understood why he had felt that the aura in the Four Seasons Canyon was too abnormal...

This Shadow Wolf was like an embodiment of the entire Four Seasons Canyon's state. The Four Seasons Canyon was in its death throes but was exuding its final radiance, and every organism living within was the same, giving a false appearance of vitality.

”Okay, let's go first.” Lin Yun clapped his hands and stood up. Just as he was about to call Solomon to get going, he suddenly noticed something. ”Hold on, what is that sound?”