Could it be…
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
“Fan Zhuo! Didn’t White Rabbit already wake you up?” Old John came running over, panting. “Valois is already waiting at the entrance to Area B. What are you still dawdling here for?”
“Coming, coming.” Fan Zhuo hurried to catch up with Old John.
The two passed through the prison’s main passage, and Fan Zhuo carefully observed the overall layout of Asphodel.
The entire prison was designed in a peculiar circular structure. The middle layer was Area C, where Fan Zhuo currently worked, mainly housing “relatively low-danger” monster girls.
This section had the most complete facilities—spacious, well-lit corridors, and each cell was fully equipped for daily living.
One layer outward was Area B, which resembled a vast ecological sanctuary, isolated from the outside world by thick energy barriers.
Through the observation windows lining the passageway, Fan Zhuo could make out the hazy outlines of distant forests.
At the very core was Area A, enclosed by layer upon layer of golden-glowing Runic Barriers, with even the paths leading there tightly sealed.
“The design of this prison is truly….” Fan Zhuo couldn’t help but marvel.
“How is it? Isn’t Asphodel’s architectural design impressive?” Old John asked proudly as they walked along.
Fan Zhuo nodded and continued to admire the scenery beyond Area C.
As the assistant warden “exiled” to Area C, he was not permitted to leave this zone unless absolutely necessary. Even exiting the prison required authorization from the Holy City.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance to Area B—a massive alloy gate carved with intricate sealing runes.
Lucien stood before the gate, hands clasped behind his back.
“Valois, the prisoner has been brought,” Old John reported respectfully.
Lucien slowly turned around, his handsome, nearly perfect face betraying no emotion.
His gaze swept over Fan Zhuo like a sharp blade.
“Fan Zhuo, assistant warden,” Lucien’s voice was cold and authoritative. “I heard from John that as a cleric, you have a special… affinity for monsters? Is that true?”
Fan Zhuo’s heart skipped a beat.
This was a dangerous question; a wrong answer could expose his secret.
“It’s just that I’ve studied them extensively and thus feel nothing special,” Fan Zhuo answered humbly.
“Back at the Mechanical Holy Order, I apprenticed under Sage Nolan and could already view monsters as if analyzing data.”
“Ah—”
Old John seemed surprised by Fan Zhuo’s response and had no rebuttal.
“Data,” Lucien repeated thoughtfully, seemingly approving.
“Then, how much do you know about Area B?”
“To be honest, not much,” Fan Zhuo answered truthfully. “I’ve only been here a short time and mainly handle Area C duties.”
Lucien nodded without pressing further.
Old John reminded quietly, “Fan Zhuo, Lord Valois wants to investigate the ‘Forest of Dryads.’ That place… you should know, is rather special.”
Fan Zhuo certainly knew what Old John meant by “special.”
The illustrated guide Old John had given mentioned the dryads and elves living in that forest were famous for their vigorous vitality and… open lifestyles.
For ordinary clergy, that place was basically a den of corruption.
But for him, a transmigrator…
“I understand.”
Fan Zhuo maintained a saintly expression. “I will do my best to assist with your investigation, my lord.”
Buzz
The massive alloy gate began to slowly rise, revealing the primeval forest shrouded in thick mist behind it.
“Let’s go.” Lucien stepped into Area B first.
The three followed a faint path leading deeper into the forest.
The further they went, the stranger the surroundings became.
Gigantic ancient trees blocked out the sky, their trunks entwined with all manner of strange vines and flowers, exuding a heavy fragrance that made one’s head spin.
More peculiarly, the plants seemed to possess some kind of sentience.
As the three passed by, flowers would automatically turn towards them, and vines gently swayed as if greeting them.
“These plants…” Lucien couldn’t help but speak.
“They are all sentient,” Old John explained quickly, glancing at Fan Zhuo. “Every plant here may actually be the true form of a dryad or elf. They exist mostly in plant form and only take humanoid shapes under specific circumstances.”
“Moreover… most of these plants are female, and the few males can switch back and forth between hermaphroditic states…” When Old John said “hermaphroditic,” Lucien’s eyes flickered ever so slightly.
Fan Zhuo knew Old John was signaling him to “remember this,” lest he embarrass himself later.
As they walked, Lucien suddenly stopped and frowned, looking ahead.
“That scent… it’s stronger,” he said with clear disgust. “Just up ahead.”
Fan Zhuo followed his gaze and saw a gentle, bright glow piercing through the thick fog ahead.
“Lord Valois, perhaps we should…”
“No, we must enter.” Lucien’s tone was resolute as he turned to Fan Zhuo. “You go first.”
Fan Zhuo nodded and stepped toward the light.
As they drew closer, the sweet, cloying fragrance in the air grew more intense.
Fan Zhuo felt the divine power within him stirring wildly, as if encountering something exquisitely tempting.
Finally, they passed through the last veil of fog.
The scene before Fan Zhuo nearly petrified him on the spot.
It was a clearing bathed in warm sunlight, surrounded by various exotic flowers and fruit trees.
On this clearing, a dozen or so graceful young girls frolicked and played.
Some were dryads, their bodies a pale green semi-human form, with long hair cascading like a waterfall to their waists.
Others were flower spirits, adorned with petals of all colors, emitting alluring fragrances.
A few were elves, their pointed ears and delicate features marking noble bloodlines.
But what shocked Fan Zhuo most was that these girls… were almost entirely nude.
They danced under the sun in the most primal, natural state, their perfect curves shimmering subtly in the interplay of light and shadow.
“My god…” Old John covered his eyes, helplessly muttering behind them. “How do these creatures keep doing this….”
Lucien’s face darkened to iron, his hand gripping his sword’s hilt tightly as if ready to draw and strike at any moment.
Fan Zhuo felt his mind on the verge of exploding.
Not because of the sensual scene before him, but because of the violent reaction stirring his divine power.
The moment he saw these “non-human beings,” his [Ring of Purity] trembled wildly, as if sensing an incredibly delicious feast.
At that moment, the girls in the clearing also noticed the three unwelcome visitors.
“Oh? Guests have arrived~”
A dryad girl with a voice as clear as a silver bell bounced over.
She had emerald green hair, honey-colored skin, and a curvaceous yet proportionate figure.
Most strikingly, she wore only a few large leaves to cover her most private parts, leaving the rest exposed to the air.
“Welcome to the Garden of Life~” the dryad girl smiled innocently. “Everyone calls me Greenie. Are you here for a visit?”
Lucien’s temple veins bulged as he fought to control his temper, his voice cold. “We are here to investigate heretical activity.”
“Heretical?” Greenie tilted her head, looking confused. “What’s that?”
As she spoke, her body leaned forward slightly, and the leaf covering her chest swayed dangerously close to slipping.
Fan Zhuo quickly looked away, but the divine power inside him only grew more restless.
“Ahem…” He cleared his throat. “May I ask, what do you usually do here?”
“What do we do?” Greenie blinked her big eyes. “Of course, we enjoy the beauty of life! We dance in the sunlight every day, share life energy with each other, and also…”
She blushed faintly, her voice turning shy as she trailed off.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.