Eteliria was built upon the secondary Element. Since Glow Material sparkled like starlight, it was affectionately known as 'Starlight'.
More precisely, it was an ocean brimming with Starlight. Countless secondary Elements pervaded the entire world, containing vast seas of high-dimensional information akin to smoke.
Everything here was composed of Starlight (secondary Element), including life itself—even equating to life. For death merely signified the loss of Starlight within a life form, not its extinction. With the power of several deities—such as the goddess of medicine Milaila, the light of justice Ouli, the pure maiden Aisha, and the guardian of fortune Roman, people in this world had acquired the ability to be reborn multiple times.
Only when the Starlight within completely extinguished would life return to its essence, truly pass away, and re-assimilate with the world. The natives of Eteliria seemed to have long understood this process, philosophically viewing it as the 'final destination of all things'.
For Invokers, the process was almost identical, but the outcome slightly differed. Humans obtained Starlight through resonance with Glow Material, and the amount of Starlight within them equaled their resonance with the world. When reduced to zero, Invokers would be expelled from the ocean of stars in Eteliria, return to their physical form, and lose the opportunity to enter again forever.
Moreover, since the Eteliria Stargate itself was constructed from Everglow Substance, even a stowaway like Fang Hong could acquire some Starlight—about half, or perhaps even less, than that of a regular Invoker.
However, there was an absolute taboo for Invokers in Eteliria.
That was the Dead Silence Zone—
Since the Dead Silence Zone directly repels Glow Material, Invokers who die here could not communicate with the Starlight within them and would be immediately expelled from the world by the ocean of stars in Eteliria.
Fang Hong had never imagined that his first mission would encounter such a situation. He had barely arrived in this world of dreams, not yet having truly embarked on his adventure, only to face the possibility of leaving forever? His mind was in turmoil, his words stuck in his throat, barely hearing someone seeming to call his name, the voice sounding as if it came from the edge of the heavens, tinged with urgency.
"Ade!"
"Ade!?"
Fang Hong suddenly snapped to his senses, realizing it was Sicape's voice. He felt like he suddenly regained himself and shouted, "Miss Sicape, this is—"
The response was a cry of alarm.
"Watch out!"
Fang Hong froze for a moment, instinctively looking up.
A shadow had appeared above the mound at some unknown time, plunging down, its immense force knocking him to the ground. He heard a deep, throaty roar mixed with malodorous stench rushing toward him, only then seeing a gaping maw filled with snow-white fangs, a crimson pointed tongue swinging below its jaw, dripping with stringy saliva, coming straight for him.
Giant Wolf—Fang Hong's heart nearly stopped. This creature had two subspecies: the Forest Giant Wolf, which lived in the Nulinari Giant Tree Hill; and the Wilderness Giant Wolf that inhabited Rotao's Agu Wilderness.
This was a Forest Giant Wolf, its silver mane and massive stature its distinguishing features. It shouldn't have appeared here. Fang Hong desperately reached up to hold the Giant Wolf's chin, which worked momentarily, but his hands were also cut by sharp teeth and claws, blood flowing freely.
A whistle came from the forest.
The Giant Wolf suddenly changed tactics, biting towards his other neck.
Done for, Fang Hong thought in despair. He now understood why the Forest Giant Wolf had appeared here—because there was a Druid. Thinking it was the Dead Silence Zone, he somehow mustered a burst of courage, swinging his fists wildly, landing a punch in the Giant Wolf's eye socket.
The Giant Wolf's fangs almost broke through his neck, blood pouring out, but in this critical moment, pained, it raised its head, sending him flying with a swipe of its paw.
Behind him was a broken wall covered in purple vines. Fang Hong shot up and slammed into it, the pain nearly knocking the breath out of him. He barely caught his breath when he saw the Giant Wolf shaking its huge head, its amber eyes ominously glowing in the dark, looking in his direction again.
A sense of powerlessness rose in Fang Hong's heart. Even if he were intact and multiplied by ten, he might not be a match for this Giant Wolf, let alone now.
The beast, its sleek silver fur fully bristled, appeared majestic, almost a circle larger in size, its arched back alone nearly two meters high, resembling a robust bull.
It bared its teeth, a deep roar resonating in its throat.
This was a sign of attack.
Fang Hong could only pick up a piece of flint in his hand. His blood was characterized by an indomitable spirit, unknowing of submission. A dark shadow shot out from the bushes, crashing into the Giant Wolf, with a deep growl sending the beast flying.
It was Kroid, Fang Hong almost cried out in surprise. Kroid raised his sword with both hands, slashing downward, but the Giant Wolf rolled back, making him miss and slash into the thick fallen leaves instead.
"Li..." Fang Hong excitedly opened his mouth, trying to warn him this was the Dead Silence Zone, but his throat felt like it was filled with rags, too hoarse to utter any sound, making him grunt in frustration. He faintly saw Kroid engaged in close combat with the Giant Wolf, slightly gaining the upper hand.