If there is indeed an Infant Spirit blocking the way, it should be nearby. This almost coincides with the position of the scent’s source mentioned by the Black Earl.
Dox: "If the Black Earl is correct, then shouldn’t we be able to smell the scent now?"
After Dox spoke, a look of eager anticipation appeared on his face.
Vay said, exasperatedly: "The issue now isn’t the scent; it’s how to deal with this Infant Spirit! Moreover, we’ve brainstormed the entire way, trying to figure out what strong flower-holding creature this could be, and we’re still clueless. Not knowing its original form, dealing with its undead form—if careless, it could lead to significant trouble."
Dox wasn’t as worried as Vay: "Though the undead are affected by their abilities from when they were alive, the influence isn’t significant, at most making their Soul Force more surging."
"The abilities of the undead are just a few types; prepare the defenses in the Land of the Soul, don’t let your mental tendrils recklessly extend outside, then you and Kaier stay obediently within Angel’s Illusionary Realm, ensuring that you won’t get hurt."
Dox blinked: "Even if things go south, can’t I still use the Plane Corridor?"
In the past, mentioning the Plane Corridor wasn’t this relaxed for Dox. But now, having decided to follow Angel, everything aligns with Angel. For example, are the Plane Corridor materials expensive? Just trivial.
Vay didn’t care why Dox suddenly became generous; he was more worried about the "Infant Spirit."
If the Infant Spirit is indeed like Dox said, just an enhanced version of the "undead," then there wouldn’t be much to worry about. But is it truly that simple?
The obstacle set personally by Adanis, plus the direct statement that they couldn’t defeat the Infant Spirit.
Saying all this and then just sending out a big undead?
Vay still believes that this Infant Spirit might be different this time. It’s important to know that the undead lack Spirit Intelligence, and Infant Spirits, as the lowest form of undead, are even more so. Yet this Infant Spirit can obey Adanis’s command to intercept the group, which is quite unusual.
Vay expressed his thoughts, but Dox remained indifferent; after all, he is now carefree, having received satisfying rewards from the Wise Sovereign, and with the Plane Corridor as a fallback, no matter its strength, he’ll just charge. If charging doesn’t work, he’ll retreat, as the Qingkong Poetry Room is irrelevant to him.
On the other hand, Kaier seriously contemplated Vay’s words.
"Red Sword’s reasoning actually has merit, and Vay’s considerations are valid too. The Infant Spirit indeed might not be very strong, but the attitudes of Olao and Adanis are somewhat unusual. I’m wondering if there’s another possibility." Kaier paused, gently uttering a word: "...Parasite."
Vay: "You think the point isn’t the Infant Spirit, but—the flower?"
Kaier nodded.
Vay followed Kaier’s thoughts: "If the Infant Spirit is parasitized by the flower? Then it implies the flower should be our focus. And the flower might have high intelligence, explaining its obedience to Adanis."
The more Vay spoke, the more it made sense, perhaps Kaier’s conjecture was correct.
"What the Chaowei Master mentioned regarding the Otherworldly monster might not be the Infant Spirit, but the flower! And there are indeed strong magical flowers."
"Now we know this flower can parasitize the Infant Spirit, using undead energy as food, and is strong on its own, originating from the Otherworld; thinking like this, the range seems considerably narrowed."
Saying this, Vay looked at several Wizards present.
He could deduce these conditions, but couldn’t determine what kind of flower. There are too many Otherworldly flowers, and Vay isn’t someone fond of appreciating flowers.
Vay first looked at Dox, but Dox responded simply: shrugging, spreading his hands, looking clueless.
Then, Vay looked at Angel and the Black Earl.
Only then did Vay notice Angel and his lord privately communicating through a Mind Ribbon, seemingly oblivious to the conversation here.
Vay felt a bit disappointed, thinking his deductions were useful, yet seemingly unappreciated.
Vay didn’t dare make a fuss, instead quietly waiting for Angel and the Black Earl to finish their discussion.
About half a minute later, Angel and the Black Earl’s Mind Ribbon disconnected.
Angel turned back and immediately sensed Vay’s low spirits. Although he was discussing with the Black Earl, he kept an ear on others’ talks, and with a slight thought, understood why Vay was feeling down.
Angel: "I also agree with Vay’s conjecture; perhaps the Infant Spirit is not important, but the flower is. It’s just that, given my limited knowledge, I can’t determine the specific type of flower."
Angel’s reply surprised Vay, but he quickly realized Angel was addressing his deduction.
Initially disappointed, Vay’s dismay was suddenly dispelled, continuing from Angel’s words: "Could it be some Abyssal demon flower? I’ve heard there are many powerful demon flowers on the Myriad Abyss Plains."
Angel: "I’m not sure about that either, but after discussing with the Black Earl, since the opponent hasn’t appeared, maybe we can temporarily hold back and conduct some research and experiments."
The object of study now is naturally the scent outside the Purifying Field.
By analyzing the composition of these scents, perhaps we can roughly determine their source.
Of course, most of this research will be conducted by Angel. Though not very familiar with Fragrance Studies, Angel, as an Alchemist, knows Potionology, whose foundation is Alchemy, involving demon plants, compositions, materials, and energy.
Through deconstructing the scent, studying its most basic components, and energy essence, one might infer where this scent originates from.
Identifying which world it comes from narrows it further, making it easier to locate its true origin.
And indeed, this was one of the topics Angel and the Black Earl discussed earlier.