Mushroom Lord in the Underground City

Chapter 581 - 571: A Terrifying Favor

Based on the explicit intention of cooperation from both sides, the discussion proceeded extremely smoothly this time.

Even though there were those among the dwarves who were dissatisfied with humans and intended to embarrass the envoy, the leaders of the major clans demonstrated astonishing tacit understanding, suppressing the voices of opposition.

In fact, when Inanna tentatively suggested wanting to know some methods about "sealing the Elemental Lord," the dwarven response was quite forthcoming.

However, when this "method" was subsequently handed to Inanna, the content was somewhat unexpected for Lin Jun.

Lin Jun originally thought she would receive some kind of complex magic array diagrams for sealing or ancient spell ceremonies.

But what the dwarves handed over was unexpectedly... a user’s manual.

A manual on how to manipulate the huge metal ring on the Fire Elemental Lord’s chest!

It turns out it’s called the Forbidden Ring.

According to the description, this ring was likely crafted by the original creators of this Underground City to bind the powerful Elemental Lord at the core gate as a "collar."

Its internal structure is complex, engraved with multiple runes, serving a variety of functions.

The dwarven ancestors of old cracked and activated some of these binding runes in order to successfully seal the Fire Elemental Lord.

But the problem is, to activate the runes on the ring, it requires the Elemental Lord not to resist intensely!

Ronan once questioned how the dwarven ancestors managed to coerce the Fire Elemental Lord into submission back then.

To this, the dwarven representatives only gave a glorious yet vague answer: "With supreme wisdom and unmatched power."

As for what kind of wisdom, and what kind of power, there were no details whatsoever.

This time, Inanna set off for the Molten Fire Dungeon, since it concerns the dwarves’ own interests, the preparations were very swift.

In just three days, everything was ready.

An elite force of over a thousand dwarf warriors would act as the vanguard, even with General Duvalin and the dwarven war hero Bardor also joining in.

It’s not that the dwarves were unwilling to send more troops, but the internal terrain of the Molten Fire Dungeon is complex, limiting the effective deployment of forces, which is precisely one of the key challenges they’ve faced in their protracted campaign.

Regarding Bardor, although the members of the envoy held a poor impression of this arrogant and proud dwarf, his bravery and formidable strength were undeniable.

In the previous campaign against the Empire’s border fortress, whenever he went into battle, he would always charge at the forefront.

Often, once the fortress’s defensive magic showed a flaw, he would be the first to rush up the walls, disrupting the defenders’ formation, creating opportunities for subsequent combat puppets to completely destroy the defenses, marking significant achievements.

It’s clear that the dwarves indeed did not want anything to happen to Inanna during this mission.

However, Lin Jun could not possibly entrust the safety of the entire mission solely to the dwarves.

The knight and the Sword Saint could both sacrifice themselves at critical moments to hold off the enemy, as for No. 4, although it confidently claimed it would protect Pink Puki, Lin Jun still regarded it as a one-time cannon fodder.

Facing an opponent of the caliber of an Elemental Lord, whether it’s the Frost Elemental Lord or this time’s Fire Elemental Lord, the most troublesome thing is that the opponent can maximize their home field advantage.

In an environment that matches their own attributes, their combat power often soars beyond just doubling.

If the battlefield were moved to the icy northern territories, perhaps this team would have a chance to directly subdue this Fire Elemental Lord!

Upon entering the Underground City, Inanna immediately demonstrated a terrifying affinity for Elemental Spirits.

Large groups of fire and earth elements approached, peacefully surrounding Inanna.

Although it was expected, witnessing this scene, General Duvalin still swallowed hard.

He thought, if Elemental Spirits had tails, they might just be wagging them at that pink-haired human by now!

However, excessive popularity also brought trouble.

The number of gathered Elemental Spirits became so large that it severely hindered the team’s progress, and even though they tried their best to suppress their own high temperatures, being so densely packed still caused the surrounding temperature to spike to an unbearable level, even making breathing difficult.

Inanna could only cast a Lighting Technique from a distance, taking advantage of the Elemental Spirits chasing the light orb to quickly leave.

There was also danger along the way, the danger came from Lin Jun’s old acquaintance—the Earth Worm!

This high-temperature-resistant giant worm has a presence in the Molten Fire Dungeon as well.

Before it arrived, the familiar vibrations put everyone on high alert.

When the Earth Worm suddenly burst from the right side of the team, baring its hideous maw, the prepared Bardor swung his mighty hammer, carrying the force to split mountains and rocks, and slammed it fiercely onto the forefront of the worm’s head!

Rock armor shattered, flesh and blood exploded, the Earth Worm sustained heavy damage, and in pain, it frantically twisted its massive body and hurriedly retreated back into the burrow it emerged from, leaving behind a scene of chaos and a still-trembling rock wall.

Bardor spat, bent down to pick a palm-sized fragment of the worm’s tooth from the ground, casually wiped it on his armor, and then, as if it were a trophy, tucked it into the pouch hanging at his waist.

In the Molten Fire Dungeon, apart from the Elemental Spirits, indeed only a few such as the Earth Worm, adapted to extreme high temperatures, are present as demons, but they were clearly incapable of posing a substantial threat to this team.

Thus, the team journeyed on and after two days of trekking, reached the deepest part.

Last time, Knight Puki was discovered only outside the Magma Lake, but this time, before even reaching the turbulent Magma Lake, the roar of the Fire Elemental Lord already thundered from the end of the passage:

"Again with you vermin! Reckless!"

At the same time, the attack’s spiritual command dispersed from the depths.

Where the command passed, the elemental spirits originally docile and clustered around Inanna paused, and the flames on them quickly surged again!

"Damn it! Is it really hopeless?!" General Duvalin’s heart sank, immediately shouting orders, "Shield formation! Contract formation! Withdraw slowly!"

The dwarf warriors reacted swiftly, heavy shields to the ground, battle axes and spears probing from shield gaps, forming a moving iron barrier, ready to fight while retreating.

But even in the best scenario, this elite unit is likely to suffer over half losses.

However, unexpectedly, when Inanna stood atop a giant rock, illuminating technique shining from her hand.

The elemental spirits, initially in a frenzy, miraculously quieted down again.

"Kill them, burn them all! Why are you all standing there dazed?" The Fire Elemental Lord’s spiritual command rushed over again and again.

Yet, those low-tier elemental spirits who had always blindly obeyed, only reacted initially, and before they could strike, they became docile again.

General Duvalin’s eyes exploded with incredulous joy, ordering the formation to maintain structure, continuing a slow advance.

As the troops gradually approached the Magma Lake where the Fire Elemental Lord resided, it seemed to sense something unusual.

"What is that? What the hell did you bring?!" The Fire Elemental Lord’s spiritual waves, for the first time, mingled with emotions other than pure anger, a mix of suspicion and apprehension.

Its roar remained loud, but seemed less confident than before.

"Get lost! Don’t come any closer! Or you’ll all turn to ashes!"

Once the troops finally entered the Magma Lake domain, the Fire Elemental Lord’s attention almost uncontrollably focused on Inanna.

In the scorching environment, even battle-hardened elite dwarves couldn’t suppress the tremor confronting a calamity-like enemy.

Bado still stood at the forefront, but instinctively tightened his grip on the giant hammer, staring intensely at the enemy.

However, Inanna didn’t shrink behind but bypassed the tense Bado, directly facing those mountainous flames, her clear voice carried an odd penetrating power:

"Great Fire Elemental Lord, we crossed flames and barriers not to ignite new warfare. I seek a path beyond war and destruction for both you and the dwarves."

With Inanna’s words, the surging flames on the Fire Elemental Lord gradually calmed down.

The enormous face shaped by flames, its ferocity and fury slowly replaced by an indescribable entranced expression.

"Oh, this is so...so enchanting..." It subconsciously extended its flaming hand toward Inanna.

But quickly, it recoiled in shock.

"No!" The Fire Elemental Lord let out a heart-wrenching screech, sharply pulling back its massive hand, as if about to touch poison, "My will is free! Burning eternally, never surrendering! You shall not...shall not use these vile tricks to control me!"

With a wave, a terrifying giant wave of viscous magma and destructive energy roared towards Inanna and her team!

"Damn it! Still have to let the hammer talk in the end!" Bado, nearest to Inanna, cursed angrily, reacting swiftly.

He grabbed Inanna’s clothes, threw her mid-air without gentleness, and No. 4’s tentacles timely extended, steadily catching the Pink Puki.

[Bloodline Enhancement]

The war god bloodline of the Fire Beard clan boiled within him!

His body visibly grew larger, expanding twofold, the seemingly giant hammer became more fitting in hand.

"Get back!"

Bado roared, pouring all his might into a fierce smash toward the incoming destructive wave!

The magma giant wave was forcibly split in two by this strike, smashing it to roll back!

Though a large amount of splattered magma flew over, it was all blocked outside by the dwarf mages’ magic shields.

"Good! Again!" Garon leveraged back onto a protruding black rock, flicking residual magma off his hammer, chest heaving violently, eyes burning with fighting spirit, ready to meet the Fire Elemental Lord’s more frenzied attack.

However, the anticipated subsequent attack did not arrive.

After the magma giant wave split, what everyone saw was an unbelievable scene.

The mountainous Fire Elemental Lord had subdued all its flamboyant flames, its massive form dimmed considerably.

It...was slowly, very slowly, moving toward the shore where they stood.

That cautious posture was remarkably similar to those ordinary fire elementals attracted and clustered around Inanna earlier!

This sight not only shook the dwarves present.

Even Lin Jun felt absurdity and a hint of...fear.