I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 325 Traces of the Abyss

……

……

Lusen, who was covering his mouth and nose, noticed the change in Rod's expression.

He followed Rod's serious gaze and also noticed the blackboard hidden in the vomit.

It stood out starkly against the red and white filth, like an alien object that didn't belong here.

"Should I take it out?"

Luxen deactivated the shield and asked.

"No, I'll do it myself."

Luo De's tone was calm yet firm.

He raised his right hand, his fingers flicking lightly in the air, and a semi-transparent ghostly hand appeared out of thin air.

The palm emitted a faint silvery-white light, with clear outlines and long, slender fingers.

Under Rhode's control, the ghostly hand slowly descended.

Pinch the edge of the black object in the middle of the vomit precisely, and gently pull it out of the sticky filth.

This is a zero-ring spell, the Spellcaster's Hand.

This spell is very simple and universal; almost every spellcaster knows it.

A ghostly hand can be created within an eight-meter radius of the caster.

It can pick up or put down items, and can also perform simple actions such as unlocking, pouring wine, and turning pages.

However, this hand cannot be used for attacks or to activate magical items.

Before the spell is upgraded, the weight of the items it carries cannot exceed ten pounds.

In daily life and magical experiments, spellcasters use this hand to touch objects they don't want to touch directly.

If Lucian wants to help, he most likely intends to use this spell.

Otherwise, who would be willing to reach directly into that disgusting puddle of vomit?

As the black object was pulled into the air, its overall shape became clearly visible.

—This is a black stone slab, slightly larger than an adult's palm.

Its surface is smooth and flat, and it gleams with a dark luster under the torchlight, with a hint of purple.

Rhodes manipulated the spellcaster's hand, leading it out of the cave.

Walk to the edge of the snow near the cave entrance, and use the Ghost Hand to press the black stone slab into the snow, washing it repeatedly.

Continue rinsing until all surface dirt is completely removed.

A slightly nauseating smell still lingered on the black stone slab, but it was barely tolerable.

Rhodes held the board with his ghostly hand and examined it carefully.

Have you ever seen this before?

Rod turned his head and looked at Lusen.

The black slate looked like it was made of some unknown mineral.

Its surface has a metallic sheen, but its texture doesn't seem to be entirely metallic.

Because it is very thin and light, it appears to be only two or three millimeters thick.

The four sides are cut very neatly, with straight and sharp edges.

In his previous life, Rhodes might not have paid much attention to such a seemingly ordinary board.

But in this world, such exquisitely crafted items are clearly somewhat abnormal.

Luxen stared at the black stone slab and shook his head slightly.
"I have never seen it before, not even in ancient books."

Luxen's eyes scanned the board repeatedly, trying to find any familiar features.

Lu Sen unconsciously moved closer to the slab, his entire face almost pressed against the black stone slab.

After observing for a while, Luxembourg's brows furrowed even more.

He then took out a transparent, rhombus-shaped gem from his pocket and carefully placed it around the black stone slab.

The moment the gem touched the stone slab, a faint magical fluctuation spread out.

The ripples were very slight, like ripples on the surface of water.

"What kind of gemstone is this?"

Rhodes asked, "I saw you used one just now, but it was different from this one."

"This is a simple alchemical item for detecting gems."

Lu Sen explained earnestly, "What we just used was a bio-detection gem, which can detect diseases, toxins, curses, and life status in a target's body."

"This one is an energy detection gem, made entirely of magic gems."

As Lusen spoke, changes began to occur inside the gem.

Wisps of dark purple mist gathered at the center of the gemstone, slowly swirling around.

Lucien's expression instantly turned serious.

"It contains a faint, chaotic, corrupting energy."

Lu Sen said in a deep voice, "Corruption energy will continuously devour life force to strengthen itself."

"It is very likely that this is what made the wyvern so weak."

"Chaotic corrupting energy?"

Rod repeated the name, his brow furrowing slightly.

The name sounds very familiar, like I've seen or heard it somewhere before.

After trying hard to recall, Rod suddenly remembered.

The description given by the system when I obtained the Demon Hunter attribute mentioned it before.

The energy contained within a demon's body is chaotic and corrupting energy.

That is the source of demonic power, and also the root cause of their pollution and destruction of everything.

"The corrupting energy is related to the legendary Abyss, a chaotic world filled with slaughter and bloodshed."

Luxen explained in a deep voice, "I've only heard of it in some epic stories, and I don't know the specifics."

Rhodes nodded in agreement, staring at the black panel, and instinctively asked, "Then what exactly is this?"

If this thing is really related to demons, then things get complicated.

But as soon as he said it, Rod realized that Lusen had just said he didn't know.

He immediately added, "What does it remind you of?"

Upon hearing this question, Luxem fell into deep thought, his gaze returning to the stone slab.

"Of all the extraordinary items I know, none are in this form."

Lu Sen hesitated for a moment before saying, "If we only look at its shape..."

"I think it might be part of something larger."

Luxen paused, then added, "Or... could it also be a stone tablet used to record knowledge?"

"Knowledge recorded on such extraordinary objects will be passed down through generations."

"It's a pity I can't tell what material this is made of..."

Lucien turned to Rhodes and asked, "Can I take it back to the Dawn Society for research?"

"It's a pity I can't tell what material this is made of..."

Luxen tapped the edge of the black board lightly with his finger, producing a crisp sound.

The sound was neither like stone nor like metal, but a peculiar timbre that was somewhere in between.

He turned his head and instinctively asked Rhodes,

"Can I take it back to the Dawn Society for research?"

"What do you think?"

Rod asked in return with a smile.

His voice was calm, but his eyes held a hint of amusement.

"Ok."

Luxen felt he had been a bit foolish to ask such a question.

Rhodes has always been training his own wizard apprentices, and he certainly wouldn't hand over such a mysterious thing to just anyone.

“If you’re willing to stay with me, I can let you study it.”

Looking at the somewhat dejected Lucien, Rhodes said, "If you're interested in it..."

“Stay here, and you can use all the resources and all the extraordinary items in my territory.”

He paused, his eyes sharply fixed on Lucien.

"They can even access my collection of books and use my magical materials."

Upon hearing these words, Luxen froze on the spot, clearly hesitant.

Rhodes' intention was to leave the Dawn Society, stay by Rhodes' side, and become Rhodes' wizard apprentice.

This means that Luxem is betting his entire future on Rode.

Lusen pondered in silence, his gaze constantly shifting between Rhodes and the black panel.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to start.

“Your Dawn Society is a loose organization, you don’t need to put on a face like you’re facing a difficult choice.”

Rhodes continued, "I can offer you some non-classified knowledge in a deal with the Dawn Society."

Besides general knowledge, things also need to be exchanged within the Dawn Society.

Especially individual research findings, rather than direct sharing.

If all knowledge were made freely available, there would inevitably be people who wouldn't do their own research but would simply enjoy the results of others' time-consuming research.

This is not a good thing for the development of spellcasters.

"This……"

Luxen hesitated, unsure how to answer.

The conditions offered by Rhodes were very tempting.

"Holy Lord!"

Just then, Tucson suddenly rushed out of the cave.

"Holy Lord, the wyvern has vomited again!"

Tucson shouted, his voice filled with panic.

"This time, it's vomiting black blood!"

Rhodes' heart clenched suddenly.

His expression instantly turned serious.

"Put the black stone tablet away!"

Rhodes quickly gave Vivian instructions.

"Wrap it in animal hide and don't let it come into contact with any living creature."

"understand!"

Vivian immediately followed Rhodes's instructions and took a shawl from the hunter to wrap the stone slab.

Rhodes turned and rushed into the cave.

Lu Sen disregarded his earlier hesitation and immediately followed.

On the ground in front of it, there was a large puddle of viscous black liquid, emitting an even stronger stench than before.

The liquid was a deep black color, like solidified tar.

In the torchlight, the surface of the black liquid gleamed with an eerie dark purple sheen.

"It's possible that the black stone slab cut its internal organs, and the corrupting energy adhered to the wound."

Lucien strode forward, took out the gemstone, and examined it again, his expression grave.

“Those chaotic, corrupting energies are still constantly devouring its life force.”

"Do we need a purification potion or a purification spell?" Rhodes asked immediately.

"Ordinary purification potions and spells have no effect on this corrupting energy."

Luxem shook his head, his tone filled with helplessness.

"As far as I know, at least a second-circle spell, Lesser Healing, is needed to restore the wound to its pre-injury state."

"As you know, second-circle spells..."

Luther shook his head with an apologetic look in his eyes and a wry smile. "It's just too far away for us lowly apprentices."

Luxen looked at Rod and said tentatively.

"If you really want to save it, I can send a message back immediately; perhaps the wise man has a solution."

"Not for now."

Rhodes shook his head slightly, his eyes becoming deep, and he suddenly thought of another guy.

……

……

The White Frost Prophet never imagined that he would one day ride a dragon in his life.

He lay sprawled on the dragon's back, his hands gripping the sharp spikes protruding from the frost's spine.

The icy wind howled past my ears, stinging my cheeks.

He could feel the texture of the dragon scales beneath him; they were hard and cold, like rocks.

The White Frost Prophet had never flown so high or so fast. His heart pounded in his chest, and the feeling of weightlessness made his stomach churn.

When the frost finally descended upon the cave entrance of the snow mountain, the White Frost Prophet's legs trembled uncontrollably.

When the hunters helped him down, he felt as if his knees had lost all support, so weak that he almost collapsed to the ground.

His hands remained clenched, too stiff to straighten.

Despite this, the White Frost Prophet's face was full of smiles, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

If someone gave him the choice again, he would undoubtedly still choose to ride the dragon.

Even if it meant experiencing that terrifying flight again.

"Thank you for your grace, great Lord, for giving me the opportunity to ride on the back of a dragon in this lifetime!"

The White Frost Prophet knelt down before Rhodes with a thud.

His words were incredibly devout, and his voice trembled.

This was both a bow to Rhodes and because his legs could no longer support him.

"Get up."

Rhodes waved to the White Frost Prophet, "It's time to get down to business. We don't have much time to waste."

"Yes, Holy Lord."

The White Frost Prophet quickly responded, bracing himself on the ground with his hands to stand up.

But as soon as he exerted force, his legs began to tremble violently, making it impossible for him to support his weight.

The White Frost Prophet struggled several times, but ultimately could not stand firm.

An embarrassed expression appeared on his face, and cold sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.

Seeing this, Rhodes quickly waved to the hunter beside him.

"You guys, go up and give him a hand."

Two strong hunters immediately stepped forward, one on each side, and carefully helped the White Frost Prophet up from the ground.

"thanks, thanks."

The White Frost Prophet thanked her softly, his voice weak and ashamed.

With the help of the hunters, he slowly walked deeper into the cave.

Last night, Rhodes gave the wyvern another bottle of potent life potion.

However, judging from the current situation, its condition is still not very optimistic.

The wyvern lay on the pile of ore, its body noticeably weaker than yesterday.

Its dark blue vertical pupils watched the White Frost Prophet warily, a low, threatening growl emanating from deep within its throat, as if preparing to launch an attack.

But when it saw Rhodes walking behind the White Frost Prophet, its gaze immediately softened.

"Holy Lord, where is its wound?"

The White Frost Prophet asked cautiously, his voice tinged with nervousness.

He stared at the enormous body of the wyvern, his eyes filled with fear.

Although the dragon looks weak, it is still a magical beast that can easily tear humans apart.

“I need to cast a spell on its wound,” the White Frost Prophet explained.

"At the neck."

Rhodes walked to the wyvern, gently stroking its head with one hand, and using his other hand to point out the location to the White Frost Prophet.

Yesterday, Luxen used the energy-detecting gem to carefully examine its body and found the wound.

"Right here, in the place where the chaotic and corrupting energy is most concentrated."

"what?"

The White Frost Prophet was visibly taken aback when he heard the location.

"Then, do I have to crawl into its mouth...?"

"unnecessary."

Rhodes shook his head, somewhat speechless.

"While wyverns have hard scales, they have no magic resistance."

"Your spell can penetrate the dragon's scales and enter the wounds inside its body."

Rod paused, then added:
"So all you need to do is stand outside and cast the spell in the correct position."

"Oh, okay, okay, I understand."

The White Frost Prophet breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this explanation.

With the hunter's help, he slowly walked to the side of the wyvern.

"I'm not hurting you, I'm helping you."

The White Frost Prophet explained to the wyvern, "If you are in pain, don't go berserk."

After speaking, the White Frost Prophet took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

He then raised his palm and aimed it at the dragon's neck, and began chanting an ancient incantation.

A pure white light gradually shone from his palm, growing stronger and stronger, looking like a pure white flame.

But Rhodes didn't feel any heat.

"Purifying Flame!"

The White Frost Prophet gave a low shout, and the pure white flames left his palm and landed on the dragon scales.

The moment the flames touched the dragon scales, they penetrated directly into the dragon's body.

"Roar!"

The wyvern's body shuddered violently, letting out a low, painful roar.

Perhaps because of the White Frost Prophet's explanation, the two-legged wyvern did not struggle and stubbornly stayed in place.

A moment later, black smoke billowed from the dragon's nostrils, emitting a pungent, acrid smell.

The purification process lasted a long time; large beads of sweat appeared on the White Frost Prophet's forehead, and his arms were trembling slightly.

Maintaining the spell for such a long time is a huge drain on him.

As the last wisp of black smoke was expelled from the dragon's body, the White Frost Prophet collapsed to the ground.

Rhodes bent down, intending to help him up himself, but the White Frost Prophet waved his hand in refusal.

"Holy Lord, please, please let me lie down for a while..."

"Someone, carry the White Frost Prophet to the leather blanket to rest," Rhodes immediately ordered.

"Yes, Lord Lord."

The hunters immediately responded and carefully carried the White Frost Prophet away.

Looking at the wyvern again, although it was lying weakly on the ore, its breathing had become steady.

This time, Rhodes didn't give it a potent life-saving potion. Instead, he condensed a verdant seed of nature and sent it into its body.

……

……

In the border town manor.

As soon as Lu Sen finished his meditation and stepped out of his room for some fresh air, he saw frost and lightning falling from the sky.

Luxen strode downstairs to meet Rhodes, who was disembarking from the dragon's back.

“Lord Rhodes, that wyvern…” Lucian asked cautiously.

"It's ready."

With a smile on his face, Rod said readily, "Thank you for helping me save it. I'll prepare a gift for you."

"That's great, it's so good that it survived!"

Luxem breathed a sigh of relief, seemingly genuinely happy for the wyvern.
"The gift is not important."

"what?"

Rhodes asked with a smile, "You don't even want the bodily fluids of the giant sea monster? Then forget it..."

"want!"

"My lord, I want it!"

"Lu Sen said anxiously."

"Hahaha!"

Rod patted Lucien on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Just kidding, I won't treat you unfairly."

"Also, what's been done with my previous suggestion?"

"Rhodes suddenly asked."

“Well… actually I have a better suggestion, Lord Rhodes.”

Lu Sen lowered his voice and said solemnly, "You can become a member of our Dawn Society."

……

……

The early spring winds did not completely dispel the cold of the wilderness, but the hard frozen ground gradually softened under the midday sun.

After resting for two months, Rock Ridge, along with Xue Rui and the Wilderness hunting team, began the land reclamation work ahead of schedule.

Rhodes' goal is to turn places like Razor Plains, Ice Peak Valley, and Frozen Bone Wasteland into his own granaries.

Although the northern wilderness is cold, once several key passes are secured, there is no way for large armies to enter from the south.

The monsters of the Icefield Mountains wouldn't be idle enough to come out and destroy farmland.

Therefore, vast wastelands can be transformed into large tracts of arable land.

Rhodes set a small goal for now: one million acres.

The main reclamation work was left to the rock ridge.

The construction of watchtowers around the farmland also had to keep up, and these were planned and built by Shirley and her engineering team.

Rhodes is now completely out of the energy to deal with these trivial details.

The war in the North continues, and every day there are meetings with nobles, acceptance of prisoners, and inspections of the army.

The territory is expanding every day, and the population is increasing rapidly, requiring an update every two days.

With the arrival of spring, the three false emperors began to amass their forces, ready to make their move.

Meanwhile, Dawn's reply to Rhodes was also delivered to the border town.

(End of this chapter)