Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1238: Chapter 1237: The Deepest Darkness

The pitch-black tunnel was utterly devoid of light.

Everywhere lay a desolate scene, with no water, no light, no plants. Only dusty caves and the occasional sound of dripping water.

Yet no one knew what truly lurked within this darkness.

”The Dark Region is a peculiar place.”

Fang Zheng walked at the front. Though he held no torch in hand and used no spells, his eyes easily pierced through the darkness—the four people following Fang Zheng all had excellent night vision, needing no light sources. Even Akemi Homura, due to becoming one of Fang Zheng’s Enchanted Clan, now had the Dragon Race’s dark vision, making this place just as harmless for her.

They followed Fang Zheng like this, traversing the uneven ground while listening to his introductions.

”There’s hardly anything valuable in the Dark Region... Well, at least according to the records in the White Tower, the only ones somewhat friendly to us here might be the dwarves and rock spirits.”

”What are rock spirits?”

Curious, Walnut spoke up upon hearing this. She had encountered dwarves several times during her adventures, but rock spirits were new to her.

”Simply put, they are stones come to life.”

Fang Zheng shrugged.

”Unfortunately, we have no means of communicating with rock spirits. You can think of them as rocks that can move on their own without any issue. As for the dwarven city, it’s at the Peak of Ice and Snow... Hmm, if I’m not mistaken, then below this should be the cities of the dark elves and gray dwarves, perhaps even mind flayers... In any case, these are not good things; if you see them, just kill them outright.”

”Just... kill them?”

Hearing this, Homura couldn’t help but ask in surprise.

”Depends on the situation.”

Fang Zheng smirked.

”Gray dwarves are bullies; as long as you show them your strength, they won’t even dare to fart. But dark elves and mind flayers are different. The former believe they are the noblest race in the Dark Region, qualified to rule all creatures. If you get captured, you might become their slaves. As for mind flayers, their intentions are less clear; they try to control every living being, turning them into slaves.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng glanced at them.

”Beware of mind flayers. This creature’s brainwashing roots in your subconscious, so you won’t feel any difference. You’ll genuinely believe serving them is your pride and joy, and you’ll happily become their slave—until they crack open your skull and suck out your brain.”

”Ugh...”

Hearing this, Walnut shivered.

”Is it that dangerous?”

”Don’t worry, I’ve added a spell of mental protection to your personal terminals. Mind flayers won’t be able to affect you.”

Fang Zheng reassured Walnut. If there was one difference after becoming a deity, it was that he could mobilize divine power to release spells. These spells could not be broken unless by another entity with divine power. That was why Fang Zheng had brought these four into the Dark Region.

As the saying goes, bold men of skill don’t fear treacherous places... Only when you’re strong enough can you not worry about capsizing in a place like the Dark Region.

While introducing the four to the Dark Region, Fang Zheng recalled what the elf sisters had told him.

After that incident, the elves had a period of peace, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long. Soon, they faced attacks from dark elves from the Dark Region.

Dark elves had long attacked elves; their ”graduation exam” after finishing their evil academy was to conduct a successful assault on elves. These attacks generally began at night and ended by dawn.

The elves were well-acquainted with this threat. In fact, during the first surprise attack by dark elves, they successfully defended their village.

However, the elves did not expect that their fallen kin would not retreat like before. Instead, on the second night, they returned in greater numbers. Facing the intense assault and ambush, the elves couldn’t hold on, and many were captured and taken back to the depths of the Dark Region.

As a result, the elf tribe had strengthened its vigilance. No one knew what the dark elves intended by taking the captives, as dark elves generally slaughtered their surface relatives rather than taking them back.

This was entirely inconsistent with the usual behavior of dark elves.

The elves hoped to rescue their kin, but the Dark Region was too dangerous for them. They originally planned to seek the dwarves’ help. However, Fang Zheng was willing to take this risk for these elves, as it was on his way anyway.

Moreover, Fang Zheng couldn’t shake the feeling that the unusual attacks by the dark elves might be related to the decreased values of the Order Guardian Device. After all, the timing coincided, and... both were in the Dark Region.

This was more than just a coincidence.

”Hmm?”

As Fang Zheng reached another tunnel entrance, he paused and stopped. After thinking for a moment, he whistled.

Soon, several creepy shadows zipped out from the dark cave, appearing before Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng had come to the Dark Region well-prepared. Besides the other four, he had specially brought exclusive combat units for the Dark Region.

Nothing was more suited for this job than aliens.

”Go, see what’s ahead.”

Fang Zheng whispered his command, and the aliens swiftly turned around. With a whoosh, they vanished into the depths of the dark tunnel in the blink of an eye.

Soon, Fang Zheng sensed the aliens’ movements through the swarm’s psychic network. He closed his eyes, quickly connecting with those scouting ahead, and soon he clearly saw a scene.

In the distance within the tunnel, a team cautiously advanced. At the forefront were several stocky bear goblins, one hand holding a torch and the other a crude weapon, swaggering as if drunk. Behind them was a caravan of three earth beasts, with a dwarf sitting atop the leading beast. Judging by his appearance, he looked similar to the dwarves from the Peak of Ice and Snow, but his shifty demeanor and cement-like gray skin had given away his identity.

Gray dwarf.

Perfect, a very suitable target.

Seeing this caravan through the aliens, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction.

The next question was how to negotiate with these cunning gray dwarves.

Of course, a small ambush might force these gray dwarves to abandon any inappropriate ideas.

But as a deity and paladin, Fang Zheng could not carry out such actions.

So he decisively withdrew his psychic connection and instructed the aliens.

They could act however they wished.

As for what the aliens did, Fang Zheng didn’t know.

After all, it was none of his concern.