Chapter 122: Akara Amidst the Mist

Upon stepping into the white mist, Liu Zong immediately sensed the power of a Level 3 expert; the entire area within this fog was under the absolute control of the witch known as Akara.

As soon as Liu Zong entered, the mist parted automatically, and a servant of Kurast, composed entirely of white vapor, appeared before him. Liu Zong scanned his surroundings but found no trace of other Kurast dwarves. This made it clear to him that Akara did not want him interacting with the others. He offered no objection and simply followed the mist-formed servant forward.

Whether it was because the servant was taking a circuitous route or because the extent of Akara’s domain was truly that vast, fifteen minutes passed without them reaching their destination. However, details on the ground caught Liu Zong’s attention: despite the earthen path, there were traces of flora not typically found in this region. Interspersed among the plants were pale blue stones, yet whenever he tried to examine them closely, they seemed to vanish. Under these circumstances, he could no longer keep track of distance or time.

Finally, when the servant leading him stopped, Liu Zong was startled to find himself standing before a garden that stretched beyond the horizon. The landscape was carpeted in green grass that swayed rhythmically, just high enough to cover his insteps. Between the blades of grass were flowers resembling a young girl’s palms, and in each palm sat a glowing blue stone.

"Reincarnation Grass?" Liu Zong exclaimed in surprise. "No, that’s not right. This has surpassed the original state of Reincarnation Grass. This is..."

"This is Ghostweed," a voice drifted from the meadow.

Liu Zong followed the sound to the center of the garden, where a flower stood as tall as four stacked Kurast dwarves. It was unique in the entire field—a sunflower the size of a human head, with countless slender, cyan leaves hanging down like tassels to the ground. Its stem was composed of myriad interlocking girl-like palms. As a breeze stirred, the palms waved and gestured, occasionally revealing shimmering gems and wisps of white mist held within their grasp.

Simultaneously, human-like figures began to manifest on the palms of the Ghostweed. These figures, all made of white mist, were dressed like young girls; some bore beast heads or tails. They stood on the palm-shaped flowers, their toes barely touching the surface. Illuminated by the eerie blue glow of the stones, the scene was unsettling.

Upon hearing the name "Ghostweed," various data points flashed through Liu Zong’s mind:

[Ghostweed]
[Species: Yin-attribute carnivorous plant]
[Level: Lv2 (6 stars or higher)]
[Description: An advanced form of Reincarnation Grass. It no longer merely collects gems and luminous objects, but generates pale blue 'Ghost Stones' within its flowers to emit a fog that influences creatures entering its domain. Under the effect of these stones, any creature that dies within the Ghostweed's territory has its soul absorbed into the white mist, while its body becomes new Ghostweed. This allows the Ghostweed to easily form dense thickets.]
[Note: Once a Ghostweed attains consciousness, it blooms into a Level 3 Ghost Flower.]

[Ghost Flower]
[Species: Yin-attribute carnivorous plant]
[Level: Lv3 (6 stars or higher)]
[Description: An advanced form of Ghostweed. Regardless of the method used to unify its internal souls and achieve self-awareness, it concentrates its most refined Yin essence into a single bloom. This Ghost Flower gains control over the entire thicket, becoming the most terrifying entity in the region.]

A thought crossed Liu Zong’s mind: Akara had been a Level 2 Kurast witch who fused with a plant while ascending to Level 3. Had she fused with Ghostweed, or was it already a Ghost Flower?

As if reading his thoughts, the voice from the flower spoke again, "Do not overthink it. I fused with Ghostweed, but upon integration, my consciousness became the consciousness of the Ghostweed, and thus, I became the Ghost Flower."

As she spoke, the sunflower-like head shifted into a human face. It resembled a Kurast dwarf, yet possessed much finer, more delicate features. Liu Zong stared at the face and asked, "Are you Akara? The legendary female Kurast witch?"

"Why, do you not believe me?" Akara chuckled. "Or do you fear that Akara has already been consumed by the Ghost Flower?"

Liu Zong reflected on the nature of the Ghost Flower. Even with intelligence, it would not suddenly possess the personality of Akara; before reaching Level 4, its intellect would remain largely instinctive. Knowing what she was, Liu Zong kept his distance from the thicket and asked, "I believe you are Akara. Surely you know what has been happening in this forest lately?"

Akara’s expression grew grave. "I know only a little. I used to be able to perceive everything in the forest, but a year ago, when the old one, Congzhi, suffered an accident and retreated deep into the Ancestral Camp to recuperate, a large number of 'little ones' migrated back. They are incredibly restless.

"My control over the forest has weakened. I only know that several of these little ones are seeking a way to break through to become the King. They do not realize that they are hardly fit to be Kings themselves."

Liu Zong felt a chill. He realized that "Congzhi" must refer to the King of Kurast. The "accident" was likely the map transforming into a battlefield, the game settings shifting, and the level cap dropping to Lv2. As a Lv3 entity, the King of Kurast had naturally been injured and forced into retreat.

Some Lv2 Kurast witches, blind to the broader consequences, saw this as their chance to seize the throne. To prevent the King from retaliating at the final moment, these witches were likely seeking external forces to challenge the Totem of Kurast.

As for Akara, she was the most helpless of all. Rooted in place and suppressed by the game’s mechanics, her power had waned, leaving her blind to the true extent of the chaos. If not for Liu Zong’s arrival, she would have had no way to gather information from the outside world. It was only a matter of time before she became the target of the new, aspiring King, destined to lose everything.