Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 291: Chapter 290: Death Space

Chapter 291: Chapter 290: Death Space

Many things lose their intrigue once explained.

Now, Fang Zheng felt just like someone who had watched an episode of “Enter Science” presenting topics like “Why does the nonagenarian lady venture into the mountains at night? Why do ghostly wails and wolf howls emanate from the deserted harbor? Is it true that no one returns from the Soul Bay? Stay tuned for this episode of Enter Science”… And at this moment, he had absolutely no sense of anticipation left.

Since this was merely a dimensional projection, it was impossible for Fang Zheng and his companions to encounter any danger here. Quickly, under Nymph’s guidance, they passed through the noisy street corner and arrived at a relatively open and flat square. It was clear that this place was previously used for transfer and transportation of goods, Fang Zheng could even see some scattered, worn wooden crates.

“Is this the spot?”

“This is it.”

Nymph closed her eyes, sensed again, and nodded. Fang Zheng, with a wave of his hand, quickly made a decision.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s get started.”

“There’s something I need to remind you of before we begin, Master,”

Little Angel hesitated in response to Fang Zheng’s command, but still chose to speak up.

“What is it?”

“For me, breaching that magic item to open the entrance is not difficult, but the internal situation of that world is not normal… So, Master, you must be careful. While I can confirm that the magic item is at this location, this does not mean that you will appear at the same spot after entering that world…”

“I understand that.”

Fang Zheng certainly understood Little Angel’s reminder. It’s like someone had pasted another magazine cover on top of the original one. But that doesn’t mean the positions of the two covers are the same. Maybe the one below had been turned 180 degrees?

If that were the case, even if Little Angel told Fang Zheng that the magic item was in this square, passing through from this square’s position wouldn’t necessarily land him in the square of the inner world. He might end up in some forgotten corner instead.

“Also… from my previous investigation, that item is the pillar separating the two worlds. If you intend to take that item, Master, the barrier between the dimensional projection and the Main World will disappear, and the two worlds will start to merge…”

“Is there any danger?”

“There is little danger for us in the dimensional projection, but you, Master, should be particularly cautious. The dimensional projection and the Main World are like floors of a building, and if you remove the support pillar between them, the two worlds will start to erode each other. The Main World could collapse and shatter. If you can’t make it back in time, Master, you may get lost in the space fragments…”

“I’ve got it.”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng’s expression finally turned solemn. Getting lost in space fragments would indeed be troublesome. While he was very interested in the magic item, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about the dangers described by Nymph.

“I’ll go and check the situation first. If it’s too dangerous, I’ll give up on it.”

Ultimately, Fang Zheng gave a definitive answer. Hearing his response made Little Angel sigh in relief and smile.

“That’s good to hear, Master. I wish you all the best.”

For Little Angel, breaching whatever magic item was effortless. Fang Zheng saw Little Angel stretch out a hand and draw a few lines in the void, and immediately, a pitch-black rectangular gate appeared. It was evident that Little Angel’s capability to handle the Magic Department was a natural counter… her skills in information invasion and manipulation were indeed impressive.

“Black Katie, stay here to protect Nymph and the others. Tilia, you’re coming with me.”

Considering the ambiguous situation in the Main World, Fang Zheng naturally wouldn’t take everyone on an adventure. Kuliya, Nanali, and the Young Lady were, of course, left behind. Nymph had to maintain the Teleportation Gate and couldn’t enter, so in the end, Fang Zheng decided that bringing only Tilia would be sufficient.

“Of course, Elder Brother.”

True to expectations, upon hearing Fang Zheng wanted to take her along, Tilia’s pout, which could have hung an oil bottle, immediately dissolved into a brilliant smile. The girl twirled her sun-umbrella while hopping over to Fang Zheng’s side, hooking her arm through his, and didn’t forget to throw a provoking glance at Black Katie…

This girl is really flirting with death.

“Alright, let’s get moving.”

Fang Zheng slapped Tilia on the head helplessly, and then led her into the pitch-black teleportation gate.

“Swoosh!”

It might have been Fang Zheng’s illusion, but the sensation of traversing the Main World’s dimensional plane felt much better compared to every time he had used the Dimensional Codex for time travel. The moment Fang Zheng stepped into the black teleportation gate, it felt as though he had descended a step, and in the next instant, he found himself in an entirely different space.

However, this place was nothing like Soul Bay they had seen before.

“Wow, this place is intense.”

Even Fang Zheng couldn’t help but comment upon seeing the scenery before him. No wonder he reacted that way—compared to the previous scene, this was like being in another world!

Soul Bay, previously, had been full of ruins and scattered bones, appearing as nothing but desolation. Here, however, as far as the eye could see, houses were ablaze with roaring fires, the ground was filled with the stench of blood, weapons stained with blood were scattered all over, and the entire sky was dark, as if the whole world were on fire. Only…

“No bodies?”

Looking at the road ahead, Fang Zheng was obviously surprised; in the projection world they had been in before, they had stepped on the remains of bones, so how come there wasn’t a single ghost here?

But most importantly… where was this?

Fang Zheng was certain that this was not the path he had taken before. It seemed just as the Little Angel Nymph had said: the two spaces didn’t align at all, which surely meant that whoever was pulling the strings behind the scenes was not obsessive-compulsive.

“Nymph, can you help me find the way?”

“Of course, Master, please wait a moment…”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s question, it wasn’t long before Nymph’s voice rang out beside his ear again.

“Southwest direction, it might be a bit far from where you currently are, Master.”

“Okay.”

After getting a clear answer, Fang Zheng nodded and gestured to Tilia; shortly after, the two of them began to run swiftly in the southwest direction.

At this moment, Soul Bay—or rather, Golden Bay—looked utterly like the scene of the great massacre that had happened a hundred years ago. Apart from the absence of corpses, all signs indicated that a horrific massacre had taken place here. But now, there were no bodies in sight, and the wails and groans that had tormented them earlier had vanished, leaving only the whistling wind and the crackling of burning flames echoing around.

“The southwest direction, is it over there?”

After leaving the alley, Fang Zheng finally figured out his bearings, only to realize it was just as he had thought; this place was the complete opposite of Soul Bay he had visited before. Previously, he had walked inward to find the square, but now he had to walk from the inside out to make it back to the docks…

“Stop!”

Just as the two stepped out of the alley, suddenly, Fang Zheng stopped in his tracks, then swiftly stepped back, while gently pulling Tilia with him. Tilia also hurriedly dodged to the side, hiding in the nearby shadows.

“Clack, clack…”

Soon enough, accompanied by the sound of footsteps, several shadows slowly emerged from the other side of the street.