The area of the Decomposition Forest is vast; the Seventh Outpost has only cleared the area within tens of kilometers around the outpost.

As Duke walked through this forest, he could clearly feel that the vegetation here was different from that of the Wizard Plane; most species were unfamiliar.

Underfoot lay a thick, soft layer of humus, silent underfoot.

As Duke walked, he used his Spiritual Power to scan the surroundings, finding many hidden swamps beneath the soft layers, filled with poisonous insects he had never seen before.

For ordinary people, this place is indeed a hell, with almost no chance of survival.

Once you accidentally step into those swamps, in an instant, you will be attacked and devoured by numerous poisonous insects, and soon become just another skeleton in the swamp.

These swamps are only a part of the Decomposition Forest and are relatively obvious threats.

The most inconspicuous are the plants that can be seen everywhere in the forest, unlike ordinary plants of other planes, most are highly aggressive.

The Devourer ability is not exclusive to humans and demons; some plants possess this ability, leading to many highly aggressive plants here.

Towering trees, whose forms were twisted and bizarre, were seen everywhere, covered with dark purple bark, thick moss, and slick fungi. Huge ferns stretched out leaves with edges sharp as saw teeth, gleaming ominously in the dim light.

Duke was advancing along a somewhat dry natural path formed by massive roots, when suddenly, at the edge of his Spiritual Perception, a whisper of movement, like a living creature's wriggling, caught his attention.

Upon closer inspection, he found dark brown vines creeping silently like poisonous snakes.

If he hadn't maintained his Spiritual Power realm, he definitely wouldn't have detected the movements of these vines, completely silent throughout.

Moments later, they shot out like lurking vipers with astonishing speed, the tips splitting open to reveal mouths full of fine barbs and viscous digestive fluids, carrying a nauseating stench, rushing toward Duke's legs and waist.

The vines had a clear target: to entangle prey, pierce the flesh with barbs, inject paralyzing toxins, then dissolve and absorb with digestive fluids.

The surrounding sand stirred, blocking these vines, then the sand extended, wreaking havoc on the vines, leaving behind stinking debris.

He looked down at the debris on the ground; it looked nothing like plants, seemingly more like animal flesh.

"No wonder Lord Hela came here personally; indeed, many characteristics differ from ordinary plants, worth researching," Duke said, bottling some samples for later study.

Several hours later.

While crossing a seemingly calm depression covered with thick, dark green moss, Duke initially sensed no major anomaly.

The moss was soft and cold underfoot.

However, after walking a few meters, he sensed something wrong.

Duke perceived his Magic Power being absorbed by the earth, more precisely by the moss.

Agitated, he quickly examined his footing.

The dark green moss was visibly becoming bright and full, faintly emitting a weak green glow.

A glance revealed the area was covered with such moss, blending with the environment, easily overlooked.

This was no ordinary moss ground; it was a massive energy sponge, capable of absorbing energy from life forms crossing here.

If weak, one's Life Force might be directly absorbed.

If undetected, one might collapse from Life Force depletion, becoming nutrients for this moss.

Realizing this, Duke swiftly controlled his Magic Power, the moss unable to absorb his energy any further.

For a Level 1 Mage, as long as one is conscious, controlling the internal flow of Magic Power is easy.

Due to Brandon's previous warning against flying, otherwise Duke might have flown to Hela's location already.

During this time, Duke had noted almost no birds in the forest; none had been sighted so far.

Flying demons were present but avoided this well-cleared area.

Several hours passed again, the sky darkened, the forest's light dimmed further.

Thinking of finding a relatively safe place to spend the night, Duke suddenly noticed several soft, warm, orange lanterns glowing in a clearing ahead.

The light stood out in the lead-gray twilight, seemingly inviting, like a beacon to lost travelers, exuding serenity and a faint aroma of baked bread.

Duke quickly formed a magical barrier within himself, isolating the scent.

Having learned beforehand, he guessed what lay ahead, likely Phantom Lantern Trees.

These peculiar trees grow in certain areas, their branches bearing glowing fruit resembling lanterns, also known as Phantom Lanterns.

The fruit emits warm light and a peaceful scent, possessing strong Spiritual Induction capabilities, attracting prey.

Duke cautiously approached, seeing a patch of Phantom Lantern Forest; the area emitted a gentle light, appearing tranquil.

Yet, behind this peace lay extreme danger.

Scattered beneath the Phantom Lantern Trees were pale bones, both human-shaped and various beasts.

No bite marks or signs of gnawing appeared on the bones, as if prey willingly came under the trees and quietly perished.

Attempting a test with his Spiritual Power, as soon as he touched the warm light, a strong, soporific tranquility surged like a tide, trying to erode his will, compelling him toward its warmth.

This confusion had no effect on Duke; his Spiritual Power mostly liquidated, beyond ordinary demons' reach.

Duke continued probing with his Spiritual Power, revealing the actual situation inside the Phantom Lantern fruit.

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