Chapter 95: From Friends to Foes

  What's the point of returning that "King's Heart"?

  The old magician didn't say this answer, and his story ended here, refusing to continue. This made Du Wei very depressed. Whether in his past life or present life, he was a person with a strong curiosity, and such mysterious stories that were told halfway without giving an answer really made him uncomfortable.

  However, the old magician at least vaguely answered one of Du Wei's questions: "Our goal is still to head north. With you... it will come in handy when the time comes."

  Alright!

  Du Wei clenched his teeth, since he had already boarded this dark ship, he might as well see it through to the end. Besides, under the hands of these two powerful individuals, Du Wei was powerless anyway.

  Although a Medusa Queen followed behind him, Du Wei would not naively think that this Medusa Queen would listen to his orders. This beautiful snake woman who was so beautiful she was almost disastrous, followed him completely for the sake of "observing human nature". So, don't expect her to be your henchman and little brother.

  All the way north... what's in the North?

  The old magician smiled mysteriously: "You'll know when you get there."

  If it weren't for the huge disparity in their powers, Du Wei really wanted to take off his boots and smash them into the old magician's nose. Let's see if this old guy would still be smiling so smugly with a flattened nose!

  In this way, there was one less Dada Nile in the team, but one more old magician.

  "We must hasten our journey." The old magician announced, "I've set up a magic array for those temple guys, right on the shore of the Great Round Lake. Based on my estimation of them, they'll try to come out from that magic array in two days' time. And I've also set up some fake trails for them, hoping they'll chase us in the opposite direction."

  Alright, let's hit the road!

  Du Wei sighed.

  The old magician rummaged through the seemingly bottomless package in his bosom, felt around for a while, and pulled out a whistle. He put it to his mouth and blew for a moment... The whistle made no sound, but Hussein and Medusa frowned at the same time.

  Obviously, this is another magical tool.

  In a moment. The sound of running came from the snowy ground, and then, under Du Wei's astonished gaze, four sturdy wolves ran out of the snowy forest!

  Ice Snow Wolf!!

  "Oh! No, no, don't move, don't scare these little guys!" The old magician waved his hand to stop Du Wei and Hussein's attack intentions. He walked slowly over, opening his sleeves, muttering incantations that Du Wei couldn't understand in a low voice. The four snow-covered ice wolves were as docile as domesticated puppies, whimpering softly, obediently lowering their bodies to lie down on the snowy ground, allowing the old magician to gently stroke the fur on their backs.

  The old magician laughed and said: "Alright, there are four of us. Each ride one, this way is better than walking on foot."

  Ride... wolf?

  Still Ice Snow Wolf?

  Du Wei didn't know whether he should sigh or be amazed.

  "Come here, little friend." The old magician said with a very kind smile: "You are the smallest and lightest... Oh, you can ride it." As he spoke, he pointed to one of the gray-white magic wolves. That wolf looked at Du Wei as he approached, suddenly its fur stood up, let out an extremely unfriendly growl, bared its teeth, and stared tightly at Du Wei.

  "Are you sure? I'll ride it?" Looking at the demonic wolf, Du Wei doubted whether he should take another step forward. It would definitely swallow him whole if he did.

  "Come here! Don't be afraid!" The old magician beckoned to Du Wei, while hugging the wolf's head and leaning down, as if whispering something in the wolf's ear. Then, the magical wolf quieted down and followed the old magician obediently to Du Wei's side.

  The Ice Snow Magic Wolf, a mid-level magical beast, wasn't particularly large, but was nearly twice the size of an ordinary wolf. It lay docilely in front of Du Wei, who, under the old magician's guidance, tentatively reached out to touch its back. The magic wolf didn't resist, instead lowering its head and softly humming a few times.

  "Alright, it likes you." The old magician smiled and said: "Now, ride on, don't move around, I'll control where they go."

  When he and the old magician entered the Ice Forest, Du Wei had already admired his ability to communicate with animals. At that time, looking at the old magician who didn't know where he came from, a few snow dogs were controlled so freely, even the knowledgeable Du Wei couldn't recognize what kind of magic this was... Communicating with animals? Haven't heard of any magical system having such an ability?

  Hussein and Medusa didn't need the old magician's help. Hussein used his knight's powerful aura to suppress the demon wolf, which let out a mournful howl under him. The wolf reluctantly stood up, carrying the knight on its back as it walked. If it showed any dissatisfaction, the knight would lightly tap its forehead with his finger, causing it to jump around in pain.

  As for Medusa, it's even more terrifying. Top-level demons originally have the instinct to summon lower-level demons to serve themselves. Medusa sat sideways on the back of a demon wolf, and that demon wolf was already trembling with fear, as docile as can be.

  However, Medusa unexpectedly "looked" at the old magician for a moment, although she didn't really open her eyes, but on the face facing the old magician, there was a hint of unexpected surprise.

  "Your talent for communicating with living beings is quite impressive." Medusa said softly: "It's been a long time since I've seen such a pure-blooded...".

  Medusa suddenly smiled and stopped talking.

  The old magician nodded gratefully and coughed: "Alright, let's get going!"

  Just then, a shrill cry echoed from the gorge behind: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Wait for me!!"

  Then a grey meatball rolled out from the entrance of the canyon. It was none other than the old mouse prime minister, Gégé Wū Dàrén.

  Gegewu had shed that ridiculous prime minister's robe, and was now wearing a grey fur coat made from the pelt of some unknown animal. On his head, he wore a hat that was definitely comical, and on his back, he carried a small bundle. He used all four limbs to propel himself forward, dashing to the front of the crowd before throwing himself to the ground and bursting into loud sobs: "Your Majesty! You can't just abandon poor Gegewu like this! If you leave, how is Gegewu supposed to survive on his own?! As you know, I'm now a mouse. I have no way of returning to the human world... but staying here, the canyon belongs to the Tree People... I..."

  Even though Medusa is a demon, not understanding human nature, Gege Witch has been with her for 20 years after all, teaching her a lot of human knowledge. At this moment, hearing Gege Witch's plea, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. Medusa thought for a moment: "Alright, then follow me."

  Gegerejoiced at the words, she had long been determined to follow Medusa, and her luggage was already packed with her belongings. As for those old mice people in the valley... let them fend for themselves!

  Having obtained consent at this moment, I immediately wiped away my tears. But looking around, I was somewhat perplexed.

  There were only four demon wolves in total.

  Gegi's body was very small, didn't take up much space, even if she squeezed in with someone else to ride the same wolf it wouldn't be a problem. However, after taking a look... Queen Medusa was so beautiful she didn't seem human, and her accumulated prestige over the years was there, how could Gegi dare go up and ride together with her?

  As for that knight with a cold face who would take out his sword and cut his own throat at any moment, Gegie was not even close to avoiding him! If she rode together with him, it's possible that some careless remark on the road would provoke him, and her own head would be gone.

  As for that strange old magician... forget it.

  After watching for half a day, Dou Wei still looked the most gentle. Gege Wu's mouse face had a sly smile on it as he walked over, bowing his head and waist, and before he even spoke, Dou Wei already understood what he meant. He sighed and said: "Alright, you come up, but... shouldn't you be able to become smaller?"

  Gegere hurriedly nodded. Although it had transformed from a human to an old mouse, that was also because of the effect of drinking the Spring of Eternal Youth. The magical transformation technique was naturally rendered useless by 90%. It was impossible to transform back into a human or change into another form. However, at least maintaining its current mouse shape, making itself smaller was still possible.

  It shook its body a few times, muttered a few spells in its mouth, and its body swayed a few times before shrinking down to the size of an ordinary old mouse. It was still very fat and round, like a ball of meat. This appearance looked much more pleasing to the eye, somewhat similar to the pet mice that many girls liked to raise in Du Wei's previous life, and also somewhat similar to a famous cartoon image from Du Wei's previous life: Totoro, the dragon cat from Japanese anime master Hayao Miyazaki's work.

  Du Wei picked it up with both hands, and Gege Wu's bundle was also carried on his back. Then Du Wei put Gege Wu in the outer garment of his chest, but warned: "Be careful not to move around, if you dare to drill into my clothes, be careful I'll roast you and eat!"

  With a loud shout from the old magician, the four magic wolves immediately spread their legs and ran vigorously!

  In the vast and endless forest snowfield, four strong demon wolves ran vigorously, leaving a long string of footprints on the snowy ground. However, just a moment later, dark clouds gathered in the sky again, and snowflakes began to fall, quickly covering up these footprints.

  These demonic wolves ran at a speed that was several times faster than ordinary horses! Coupled with the demonic wolf's original agility, they jumped up and down, and even if the dense forest blocked their path, they could jump onto the branches and continue moving forward.

  It was just sitting on the wolf's back, but it was much more uncomfortable than sitting on a horseback. This road was fast, but the degree of bumpy ride almost shook Du Wei's body apart.

  Fortunately, when resting at night, Du Wei could stretch out his body freely and did several sets of the action in one breath before recovering.

  When Du Wei was acting, the old magician was watching beside him. After finishing the first set of Du Wei's actions, the old magician sighed: "This thing, was it Hussein who taught you?"

  Du Wei didn't hide it, directly admitting it. The old magician's face was somewhat complicated, staring at Du Wei for a long time before sighing and turning to leave. In the wind, it seemed like his murmured words were carried over:

  "It's all predetermined... everything is predetermined. I taught him the first set, and Hussein could only teach him the second set... these coincidences are all arranged by fate."

  Riding these demonic wolves, they galloped for about four days. For four days, during the day, they would madly dash through the forest, and at night, they would set up camp to rest, getting up early to continue on their journey.

  It's like this. Even if the demon wolves are much stronger than ordinary wolves, they are strong and powerful, with sharp claws and teeth, but such a rush to work as a laborer has finally become unbearable. The four wolves were all somewhat dispirited. The old magician saw it in his eyes, and on the fifth day, he let go of these wolves, and then took out his own whistle again.

  After he blew the whistle this time, what was summoned was not a magical wolf, but rather, with a rustling sound, the ground in the snowy area collapsed and a huge pit appeared! Immediately after that, from this pit, crawled out a creature as big as a large bed.

  Spider!

  Looking at the giant spider standing in front of him, gently shaking off the ice and snow on its body. The thick eight limbs were all covered with a thick layer of yellow fur! The round belly had ring after ring of black stripes, and its face... Du Wei took one look and then almost didn't dare to take a second glance!

  This giant spider, incredibly, has a face like that of a human! Only it seems to be distorted. The features are somewhat misplaced, and when the mouth opens, there are two huge fangs!

  The old magician jumped onto the spider's back as if no one was around, then gently pressed on the spider's head and closed his eyes...

  After a moment, he gently wiped away his sweat and smiled: "Alright, come on up... everyone come on up."

  Du Wei's teeth were chattering with fear: "Evil-faced Spider Empress! Heaven! This is an 'Evil-faced Spider Empress'!"

  Wolf spider

  Du Wei furrowed his brow and a layer of goosebumps rose on his body.

  Du Wei, who had learned a lot about demon knowledge along the way, had once heard the captain of the Snow Wolf Mercenary Corps, Byrne Reich, mention several high-level demons, including this evil spider.

  This is a terrible and disgusting thing. They... accurately speaking, are "they". This spider grows under the deep cold ice layer underground, and often after mating, the female spider will eat the male spider. So, those that can grow very large are all female spiders, so they are called "spider queens".

  This magical creature lives under the ice and snow. Its strength is boundless. It can easily tear apart the icy frost that's even harder than metal, its body surface covered with a hard shell! If you want to know just how hard... there have been records in history. Several fifth-level warriors once used their full strength to slash at it with swords, but couldn't harm it in the slightest.

  At the same time, they also have the instincts of spiders: spitting silk and weaving webs!

  This monster's spider silk is exceptionally tough, swords and knives can't cut it off, several times more durable than iron chains. Moreover, it contains a deadly dissolving toxin! Once the prey is entangled in this spider web, the toxin will immediately invade its body, then rapidly dissolve its entire body!

  That's not all. These spiders have another deadly skill - they can spread a toxic fog!

  This is a strengthened version of the weakening magic, once this spider faces an enemy, it can spread poisonous fog, making the enemy weakened several times over, whether it's magic or martial arts, they will be greatly weakened. Moreover, it also comes with strong penetrating power... even if you hold your breath, the poisonous fog can still enter your body through the pores of your skin.

  And what's disgusting is its eating habits.

  When they capture their prey, they do not immediately kill it, but instead use venom to paralyze the prey, keeping it in a living state... They will not tear or eat the prey, but in their mouths grow this long, sharp, pipe-like thing that can pierce into the body of the prey and then... suck!

  Suck fresh blood, brain pulp, bone marrow... all liquids or semi-liquids!

  Even the prey that has been paralyzed by the venom, while being sucked, can still maintain a clear consciousness, only the pain will be much lower... will stare at this monster sucking its own body fluid!

  Moreover, this spider monster is a guy who likes to "store" things. They won't eat their prey all at once, but instead will eat half and leave the other half! Often, after sucking out quite a bit of liquid from their prey, they will wrap it up in a cocoon-like state with spider silk... and even after storing it for a period of time, the prey is still alive!

  I don't know what kind of skill the old magician used to actually summon and control such a high-level magical beast, but it's clear that he didn't find it as easy as controlling those magic wolves earlier.

  He let out a sigh of relief. The old magician looked at Du Wei, who was somewhat dazed, and smiled: "What's wrong? You're not afraid, are you? Alright, this guy is very obedient, come on up."

  Du Wei endured the nausea and climbed onto the spider's back, where the yellow downy hair on its back made him feel wave after wave of nausea. However, he sat firmly and smiled bitterly: "I say, can you not summon something so disgusting next time? Can't you just call four magic wolves instead?"

  "Magic wolf?" The old magician laughed: "Young man, look here! This is already the northern part of the Ice Seal Forest! Those who can be active here are all high-level magic beasts! Similar to the mid-level magic beast like the ice and snow magic wolf, there aren't any here! Being able to find such a big one is already very lucky."

  Hussein sat down beside Du Wei without saying a word, while Medusa hesitated for a moment... it seemed that snakes also didn't like spiders.

  Gegi was still hiding in Duwei's arms, shivering with fear. Duwei couldn't help but mutter: "What kind of means did this old man use to drive these magical beasts..."

  Just as Du Wei was still muttering to himself, a familiar voice suddenly echoed from deep within his heart:

  "You can't guess? You actually can't guess?"

  Du Wei almost shouted out loud!

  What's up?

  Seymour, who had been unreachable for so many days, finally responded!

  Semerel survived with the spiritual power of Duwei. At this moment, without dialogue, in the spiritual world of his mind, Semerel's voice fell clearly into Duwei's mind word by word.

  "You've read so many books, claiming to be the most knowledgeable person in the Rowling family. How can you not see around this corner? You always think it's some kind of magic, why don't you think outside the box and consider other possibilities? Let me tell you, this skill of controlling living things is not some sort of magical system, but rather a very famous thing... Have you guessed?"

  Control life... Control spirit...

  Du Wei's eyes suddenly lit up!

  This is indeed no ordinary magic!

  But rather...

  Du Wei stole a glance at the old magician. Suddenly remembered that day Medusa almost said something!

  Germany

  What's wrong?

  Andrew!!

  Only Drewry, this wonderful race, can possess this innate ability to be close to nature and communicate with all living things!

  However, Du Wei had read in the literature that on this continent of Roland, the name Drui was already a historical term for this magical race, which had been extinct very, very early.

  But nothing is absolute in this world.

  "Hey." Du Wei thought of this, suddenly laughed: "Old guy...... I suddenly thought of it. You are a Druid, right? I didn't think that you would be a Druid! Didn't the Druids already go extinct?"

  The old magician's face showed no surprise at all, and he looked at Du Wei with a cold gaze, as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. He said in a low voice, "You guessed? Hmm. It must have been Semier who told you, right? Otherwise, how could someone like you possibly guess? I doubt you even know what Drui is! Don't call out anymore. Everyone here except for you knows what I am!"

  As expected, Medusa had recognized the old magician's true identity several days ago, and Hussein also had a calm expression, apparently having known it all along.

  The only one who knew until now was probably just Du Wei alone... Oh, or perhaps also the old mouse in his arms.

  The old magician's eyes suddenly lit up, and his face showed a few points of excitement: "Did Saimel communicate with you? Can't you invite her out... Ah, why doesn't she want to see me?"

  Du Wei was also thinking about the relationship between the old magician and Semel, he asked himself in his heart, and Semel's answer was also somewhat bewildered: "I don't know... I shouldn't know him. But for some reason, my heart just feels very resistant to this person, as if I didn't want to get close to this guy."

  Du Wei shrugged his shoulders, and before he could speak, the old magician saw Du Wei's expression and had already guessed a bit. He sighed: "Forget it... She doesn't want to see me. This isn't strange. It's just that I wanted her to come out and take a look... at this place! In the past, we did come here together!"

  As soon as the words fell, Du Wei felt a sudden chill behind him, and before he could react, Semer's hand was already on his shoulder. He turned around to see Semer standing behind him, her silver hair fluttering in the icy air. In her red dress and bare feet, she floated in mid-air, staring blankly into the distance.

  The old magician saw Semmel, his face showing excitement, taking a deep breath: "You... you finally showed up!"

  "I don't know you." Semel gazed into the distance, a look of bewilderment on his face, and shook his head. "And I'm not the Semel you knew either. Moreover, I've never been here before... But why is this feeling of familiarity growing stronger in my heart?"

  Hussein let out a low hum, hugging his long sword and closing his eyes to meditate, while Medusa stood silently, facing the direction where Semel was standing with her brow furrowed in silence (although ordinary people couldn't see Semel's appearance. But Queen Medusa didn't need to "see" at all, she could already sense that there was an extra person here.)

  "Although this kid says you're not Semel, just a magical creature... but I feel that's not necessarily true." The old magician's eyes were deep and piercing, staring tightly at Semel: "You feel familiar to this place... is it true? What kind of feeling is it?"

  Suddenly, a fierce look flashed across Xiang Mei's face. This fierce look flashed from her eyes, and her bright red cloak suddenly fluttered in the cold wind as she shouted: "I don't know! But I only know that standing here, I suddenly hate you so much! Suddenly feel an unbearable hatred for you in my heart... I can't help but think... think... think of killing you!"

  As she spoke, she raised her slender fingers and pointed at the old magician from afar. Her pretty face was already shrouded in a layer of frost. A thread of cold air emerged from her fingertips, and amidst the chill, there were also faint sparks of electricity!

  "Hahahahaha!!" The old magician burst into a loud, long laugh, then looked at Semel's fingertips: "Look! Look at your fingers! How dare you say you're just a magical creature?! A purely spiritual body magical creature can't use magic! Look between your fingers! What is that! Isn't that the Stellar Magic you used back then!!"

  Saimel was taken aback, lowering her head to look at her own fingers. The confusion in her eyes deepened, and she couldn't help but tremble: "I... what's going on... I, how can I use magic?"

  Du Wei sighed.

  Using magic? This woman is using magic. It's not the first or second time on this journey. One of them almost got into a fierce battle with Hussein. However, the first two times seemed to be in a state of confusion, but now... it's in a clear and awake state.

  "Saymer..." The old magician's voice suddenly softened, his eyes containing a kind of "tenderness", he said in a low voice: "I don't know what happened to you, but I believe I can figure it out. Let me help you recover your memory, okay?"

  "No!" Semel's face suddenly changed, and he shouted: "I don't want to recover any memories! I'm not the astrologer Semel you said! I am who I am, a magical creature! Old man! Don't bother me!"

  As soon as he finished speaking, Saymer waved his hand and disappeared with a whoosh.

  Du Wei and others all fell into silence, each with a strange expression.

  Only Gigi the witch from Du Wei's place suddenly poked out a mouse head, squinting her eyes in the cold wind and curiously asked: "What did you just say? Who were you talking to? What Semel? I don't see anything?"

  But it seems no one will satisfy the curiosity of the mouse prime minister. Du Wei casually stuffed it into his overcoat and turned to look at the old magician, his eyes flashing: "I said, how many things haven't you told us, old man?"

  "When you need to know, I'll let you know." The old magician's expression was somewhat gloomy, and his eyes even showed some pain.

  "So, what about Semirh? She's now connected to my spiritual power! I don't care if she's the real Semirh or a magical creature, I think it's necessary for me to know some things about her."

  "Alright." The old magician pondered for a moment.

  His face was somewhat haggard, the pain in his eyes grew more intense, and he slowly sat down, sitting on the spider's back. In that instant, he seemed to have aged ten years.

  "Semel..." The old magician began in a low, muffled voice: "I knew her a very, very long time ago... hmm, more than 200 years ago. At that time, she was still a famous female astrologer on the continent."

  "What's next?"

  The old magician suddenly laughed, his laughter growing from low to loud, and his eyes gleaming with a sinister light as he stared at Du Wei: "You're such a clever boy, haven't you guessed yet?"

  He gently patted his own robe, sneering: "Saimel, originally a pure astrology master, wouldn't know any magic... yet suddenly able to comprehend a set of mysterious starry magic on his own! Don't you think it's strange? Humph, now that you've learned some Starlight Qi, hearing the name 'Starry Magic', don't you find it strange? Don't you have even a hint of association?"

  "It's precisely because I thought of it that I need to find you to verify." Du Wei said coldly.

  "Seymour... She was once such a simple woman, a genius obsessed with astrology, a scholar who wanted to spread the word of astrology far and wide. And then she suddenly came up with that stellar magic... Actually..." The old magician pointed at his own nose: "Actually, the truth is very simple! She's just like me, she's also an heir of Aragon! We were originally supposed to be companions, but later... became sworn enemies!"