Chapter 168: Dark Forest (Bonus)

Lu Jun pondered for a moment before saying, "I want an assassin-type demon, preferably with Wind and Shadow abilities, that can also serve as a mount."

To be honest, his current system was already well-rounded. In close combat, he could withstand Commander-level enemies, and from a distance, his dual-element Metal and Water were nearly unrivaled, capable of unleashing devastating destruction magic.

If he had to identify a weakness, it would be in wound healing and physical enhancement.

However, those corresponded to the Healing and Blessing Elements two of the rarest elements, not just among demons but even within human magic.

Lu Jun had never encountered a demon with such abilities before, so he didn't dare to hope.

Instead, he opted for a more realistic approach compensating for his lack of a Shadow assassin. This type of demon wouldn't require his constant attention, possessed high agility, could maneuver along the battlefield's edges, and wouldn't easily be torn apart in chaotic fights.

More importantly, it could serve as an emergency escape mount in critical moments.

Initially, he had also considered tank-type demons, but given his own high defensive capabilities, it seemed unnecessary. If he advanced to High-tier Space Magic, his combat style would become highly mobile, making a stationary target redundant especially since one misstep could get it killed.

"I see," Pang Lai mused. "So you're looking for something like Xiao Yu's Night Rakshasa."

Hearing this, Lu Jun's eyes lit up with excitement. He stared at Pang Lai and eagerly asked, "Is there one? Is there one?"

After all, the Night Rakshasa possessed Monarch-level bloodline! Though slightly inferior to the Flame Belle, it was still a terrifying existence. If he could find one, he wouldn't need to use his Initial-tier Dimensional Summoning slot he could contract it directly in his Mid-tier Contract Summoning slot.

Pang Lai chuckled, shaking his head. "You wish! Monarch-level bloodline summons are incredibly rare. Even I don't have one Jiang Yu got lucky and stumbled upon his."

"These creatures are the darlings of their magical realms only one can be born in a given region. The Night Rakshasa of the Dark Ferocious Forest, the Flame Belle of Dunhuang's Scorched Plains "

Lu Jun nodded in understanding, though he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"However," Pang Lai continued, shifting his tone, "I frequently use my Initial-tier Dimensional Summoning to explore the Summoning Plane and have visited many places."

He then added proudly, "Even my teacher hails from an unbroken lineage in China spanning over a thousand years. Generations of Summoners have accumulated experience, mapping out locations and marking many special sites. That's how exclusive Summoning Techniques were developed."

Lu Jun was astonished. So that's how it is! The Summoning Element had deep intricacies someone like Mo Fan, who relied purely on luck, would struggle immensely.

Just imagine if a Summoner had a master guiding them, the ideal type of summoned creature for an Initial-tier contract would already be predetermined. All they'd have to do was go to the right place and capture it.

Pang Lai then said, "I know of a high-level location in the Summoning Plane called the Dark Forest. Its terrain and environment are similar to the Dark Ferocious Forest in the Magic Plane."

"The creatures that live there are often like the Night Rakshasa high-bloodline spirits. You're likely to find something suitable for yourself."

Lu Jun nodded. The most famous locations in the Summoning Plane were undoubtedly its Three Forbidden Lands:

The Tower of a Thousand Races, The Myriad Dragon Valley, and The Fallen Beast Graveyard!

Each corresponded to the third effect of Super-tier Magic.

But aside from these hidden, Monarch-level strongholds, there were bound to be countless other unique environments scattered throughout the vast Summoning Plane. While the creatures there might not be Monarch-level, they would still range from Commander-level to Ruler-level.

Just like how, in the future, Mo Fan's Old Wolf would establish its own territory, amassing a wolf pack strong enough to create a Wolf Valley a place that would produce powerful wolf-type summons.

If Mo Fan ever had children who awakened the Summoning Element, they could contract a top-tier wolf right from the start, dramatically increasing their potential.

Many Summoners released their Contract Beasts back into the wild, creating a form of hidden wealth a continuous supply of powerful summons for their lineage.

Pang Tong's exclusive Summoning Techniques had likely been accumulated over many generations in this manner.

Lu Jun even suspected that the Three Forbidden Lands of the Summoning Plane had originally been discovered by human Summoners throughout history. They might have been local factions that agreed to contracts with humans.

Beyond them, there were probably even more Emperor-level forces lurking in the Summoning Plane.

The Summoning Element was incredibly vast, rivaling Dark Magic in its complexity. Neither truly belonged to humanity they corresponded to the Summoning Plane and the Dark Plane.

Originally, it was likely Space and Psychic Mages who, while astral projecting into the void, accidentally discovered and unlocked them.

Before long, Pang Lai transmitted an incantation to Lu Jun. Once he activated it mentally and stepped through the Summoning Gate, he would be guided to the Dark Forest.

This location contained the spiritual anchors of predecessors, as well as certain guardians, ensuring it was safe for exploration.

Lu Jun expressed his gratitude. He realized what an incredible treasure trove this was and that his teacher must have paid a price for it.

After Pang Lai repeatedly warned him not to share the secret, Lu Jun finally left the Forbidden City and eagerly prepared for his first contract "draw."

Inside the dormitory provided by the Imperial Capital Academy.

Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, he focused his mind. A vast surge of magical energy erupted from his moon-white Star Cloud. As the Star Orbit traced through the air, a Summoning Gate emerged, hovering above him. His soul ascended, leaping into the unknown.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

In the next instant, his perception shifted strangely. He traversed the Planes, chanting the incantation. Suddenly, an unseen force arose from the void, pulling him toward a location. He couldn't resist and was instantly drawn in.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself looking down from a great height.

Below him stretched a vast, dark, and dense forest, sprawling endlessly. A boundless surge of Shadow Energy soared toward the sky, gathering into an effect resembling Dark Dominion itself.

This domain encompassed the entire forest, making it feel as if eternal night had fallen.

Lu Jun was briefly stunned before regaining his composure. He focused his senses, carefully detecting any nearby activity.

The forest was eerily silent. Compared to the rugged and untamed outer regions of the Summoning Plane, this place felt deathly still.

However, Lu Jun remained vigilant. He sensed an ever-present killing intent lurking in the darkness the atmosphere was steeped in danger.

The creatures of the night were elegant killers. They lurked within the Dark Forest, where the roles of hunter and prey could shift at any moment. Any demon that survived and evolved here was naturally a born assassin.

With his near-fourth-realm spiritual force, he could barely make out a few Shadow Beasts hiding in the darkness Shadow Rats, Night Cats, Shadow Lynxes all agile and restrained.

Unfortunately, their ranks only varied between Servant and Warrior level. While their combat prowess was impressive, and their attributes unique, they were still not enough to meet his standards.

Suddenly, Lu Jun's gaze sharpened.

At the center of the Dark Forest, he spotted a towering, god-like tree that seemed to pierce the heavens.

At its majestic treetop, a formidable figure stood proudly.

The vague silhouette resembled a humanoid, standing three meters tall, exuding an overwhelming aura of nobility and dominance.

Lu Jun was shocked.

In this forest of hidden dangers, where every creature struggled to conceal itself, there was one being that stood brazenly exposed.

And only one.

After a brief pause, realization dawned upon him.

He knew exactly who this entity was it was most likely the ruler of the Dark Forest!

And highly likely a Monarch-level creature!

The ruler seemed to acknowledge that Lu Jun had noticed it. Despite the vast distance between them, it nodded slightly.

It could see him, even though he was merely a spiritual projection.

Lu Jun's body tensed.

Even if this was a legacy safeguard left by Pang Lai's lineage, he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

The Summoning Plane was riddled with dangers entering in spirit form didn't mean he was invulnerable. If he encountered a demon proficient in psychic attacks, he could suffer severe consequences.

Suddenly

In just a blink, the figure vanished entirely.

Not a single trace of its presence remained.

It had disappeared before his very eyes, its aura completely erased.

Such a technique was utterly terrifying!

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