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Chapter 73: Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula
Boom!
The flame cannon lanced outward like a crimson laser, instantly crossing dozens of meters and scoring a direct hit on a newly emerged Pyro Whopperflower. The violent explosion uprooted the monster, sending it flying along with a massive chunk of the terrain.
"Gospel!"
"Gospel!"
"Gospel!"
Without pausing for breath, Aiden fired off a relentless barrage of flaming artillery, systematically annihilating the annoying Whopperflowers and Stone-Throwing Infant Apes in the distance.
But ultimately, Everlasting Flames was not a defensive magic. While active, Aiden couldn't use Silentium Eden to protect himself. Though the cloak of flames provided some degree of mitigation, facing attacks from every conceivable angle meant he inevitably took damage.
A lightning orb from an Electro Whopperflower slammed into his back. Although his Abnormal Resistance immunized him against the paralysis, the concussive force still made him stumble. A massive boulder clipped his shoulder, causing his bones to groan in protest.
Ice spikes melted into harmless steam before they could even touch him, and fireballs were entirely useless. But the physical impacts and kinetic force from the lightning strikes still left real bruises and cuts on his body.
However, the moment a wound appeared, the healing light from Hyacine flared brightly. Warm energy surged into his system, rapidly mending his injuries and keeping him anchored at peak combat readiness.
The flame sword danced wildly; artillery blasts roared.
Fists howled through the air, lightning flashed.
The light of healing intertwined with the winds of protection, while the telepathic chords bound the four of them as one.
Time blurred. Finally, as the very last flaming cannon shot reduced the final Hellhound to ashes, the colosseum-like cavern fell into dead silence.
The ground was littered with monster remains and scorched craters. The pungent stench of burnt flesh and the distinct sulfurous odor of melting rock hung heavy in the air.
Aiden stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving slightly. Having expended the last of its light and heat, the flame sword in his hand finally reached its limit. With a sorrowful whine, it melted into a puddle of boiling molten iron, dripping onto the floor.
Tifa also ceased her movements. Her forehead was slick with sweat, and her chest heaved violently. As the effects of Robin's Vox Harmonique, Opus Cosmique faded, a crushing wave of exhaustion washed over her.
Hyacine and Robin immediately rushed forward to support her. Compared to Aiden, Tifa's stamina was still lacking.
The sudden, brutal battle had finally concluded.
They had successfully triumphed over the Dungeon's malice.
Aiden and Tifa each downed a stamina and mind recovery potion. The cool liquid slid down their throats like sweet rain after a long drought, slowly revitalizing their drained bodies and magical reserves. Little Ica floated obediently beside them, flapping its tiny wings to cast a gentle, healing breeze that accelerated their recovery.
"That... was way too close," Tifa said, still shaken. She glanced at Robin and Hyacine.
This single battle had deeply engraved the absolute disparity between the Upper and Middle floors into their minds. Not only were the monsters here vastly stronger, but they also exhibited rudimentary intelligence—they knew how to coordinate, how to flank, and how to use the terrain for ambushes.
If Robin hadn't decisively used Vox Harmonique, Opus Cosmique to forcefully push Tifa to Level 2 and establish an impenetrable defense line, the rear guard would have been overrun. While Aiden was deep in enemy lines wreaking havoc, Robin and Hyacine would have been sitting ducks against the swarms of Hellhounds and Almirajes.
"We need to adjust our tactics," Robin summarized. "We can't afford a single moment of carelessness in the Middle Floors."
After harvesting the drop items from the battlefield, the four took stock of their spoils.
Though the process had been harrowing, the rewards were undeniably lucrative. However, they unanimously decided not to push any deeper and prepared to head back to the surface.
Just as they were retracing their steps and preparing to leave the Fourteenth Floor, that familiar blue-purple glow materialized right in their path without any warning.
A swirling portal radiating a mystical aura spawned directly in front of them.
While other adventurers had to rely on pure luck to stumble across a Domain Instance in the sprawling Dungeon, it felt as though these portals had eyes when it came to Aiden, practically throwing themselves at his face.
Aiden's mouth twitched involuntarily.
The four exchanged a glance before cautiously stepping forward and touching the swirling vortex.
Instantly, a massive deluge of information flooded their minds.
[Domain Instance: Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula]
[Domain Type: Artifact Domain]
[Description: A secret art once hid one of the Eight Gates here, cutting off the escape of evil. In ancient times, someone performed a ritual to trap a monster within. Legend says the seven pillars outside correspond to the Seven Gates, sealing away an ancient evil known as The Chi.]
[Party Limit: 1–10 Players]
[Monsters: Lv.1 Hilichurl (50), Lv.2 Large Pyro Slime (20), Lv.2 Pyro Samachurl (10), Lv.3 Pyro Abyss Mage (5), Lv.3 Blazing Axe Mitachurl (5).]
[Drops: Adventurer's Experience, Defender's Will Set (3–4 Star), Crimson Witch of Flames Set (4–5 Star).]
[Clear Condition: Protect the Ley Line Monolith from being destroyed.]
[Entry Requirement: Offer Magic Stones.]
[Clear Limit: 3 Times]
[Drop Penalty: The higher the adventurer levels and the more participants, the lower the drop rate.]
[Domain Instances appear randomly and disappear after three clears.]
Seeing the detailed specs—especially the five Level 3 Pyro Abyss Mages and Blazing Axe Mitachurls, coupled with the objective to "Protect the Ley Line Monolith"—Aiden didn't hesitate for a microsecond. He grabbed Robin and the others, turned on his heel, and walked away without an ounce of regret.
The Crimson Witch of Flames set was an absolute godsend that perfectly synergized with his Everlasting Flames magic.
But wanting it and actually surviving long enough to get it were two very different things.
Sorry, I can't afford to mess with you. See you never. Aiden mentally scoffed.
The monster banquet they just survived had pushed them to their limits, and the enemy lineup in this Domain was magnitudes worse. Furthermore, they'd have to divide their attention to protect the Ley Line Monolith.
If they were going to attempt this, they'd have to wait until Tifa, Robin, and Hyacine were all officially Level 2.
By the time they returned to the Upper Floors, they noticed the portal they had seen earlier at the entrance of the Twelfth Floor had vanished. The Loki Familia was nowhere to be seen either—evidently, they had smoothly cleared out the remaining attempts.
The trek back to the surface was significantly easier.
The monsters in the Upper Floors were completely incapable of threatening the current Focalors Familia. The occasional foolish creature that leaped from the shadows only served as extra experience points for Tifa.
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