Chapter 487 - 485: Cultist Strongholds? Aren’t They Just Found by Wandering Around?

Hilia sensed that Rose’s emotions seemed to be fluctuating.

Her connection with Rose was very close; Rose could easily perceive most of her thoughts. Although she couldn’t know Rose’s thoughts and ideas, she could feel the changes in his emotions.

For a moment, she felt Rose’s mood was a bit down. Although it was just fleeting, her sensitivity detected it.

She couldn’t help but ask, "Lord Rose, is everything alright?"

Rose smiled slightly, "Nothing, just discovered something interesting."

Hilia blinked, "What interesting thing?"

Is it really something interesting? Why the negative mood if it’s interesting?

Hilia murmured.

"Something about the cult; you all continue, you’ll know later."

"Alright then."

Rose didn’t elaborate, and Hilia didn’t press on.

At this moment, she and Encore hit it off and decided to destroy the cult in the volcanic region together.

"Based on the activity and potion usage of the Tower of Descent that I’ve investigated recently, they are quite likely still using emotion-inducing potions. These potions use contamination as the core, and when necessary, directly using the Purification Skill can temporarily suppress the potion’s effects. However, to cure it completely, antidotes are necessary."

Encore was chattering about the situation.

In his area of expertise, Encore was like a chatterbox.

"Also, taking down the cult strongholds is the most critical action. The stronghold we just dealt with, the Purification Skill indeed restored that Tier Three Mage, which indicates the Tower of Descent was controlling him in a rushed manner. This means the Tower of Descent’s operations were not well-prepared; they probably heard about the potential birth of the Fire Spirit at the last minute and hastily arranged their operations.

"However, even if arranged hastily, they probably have secret strongholds hidden in the volcanic region, ones that are difficult to detect. It took me three days to find that previous stronghold. But fortunately, finding one should make it easier to find the others from now on, by..."

"No need for all that trouble, we can just wander around and find them easily," Hilia interrupted Encore.

Encore took out a bottle of black potion and paused upon hearing her: "How can you find the cult strongholds just by wandering around? Still better to use this tracking potion I specially developed. I... huh? Is that... a cult stronghold up ahead?"

Hilia pointed to a corner of the cult stronghold that appeared, "See, just wandering around can lead to a discovery. Who needs methods?"

Encore put the potion back, adjusting his glasses: "Is it really that lucky?"

"Of course, isn’t Encore’s luck always good?" Hilia giggled.

Encore shook his head firmly, "No, my luck has always been bad; I always encounter issues when mixing potions."

"Then maybe today is just a sudden burst of good fortune," Hilia said, eyes wide as she blatantly lied.

"...To use good fortune this way? Encore would rather not have such luck."

"Alright, alright, let’s deal with it first, then talk!"

"Okay."

Soon, the small cult stronghold was swiftly overrun under their thunderous action.

Afterward, Hilia escorted everyone outside, using the Purification Skill to cleanse them of the Demonic Qi pollution.

Encore then took out another gray-black potion, throwing it into the air and shattering it with a water arrow.

The liquid inside turned into a mist, slowly enveloping the entire stronghold.

After a while, Encore clapped his hands: "All set, now the stronghold cannot release toxins to affect the volcanic region."

Hilia came over, "I interrogated these people as well. They’re similar to those we met before, but this one snuck in yesterday, trying to sneak away with some materials and got caught."

"That’s quite unfortunate."

Encore wasn’t concerned about the person and continued taking out the previous black potion, "Next, track down the next stronghold."

Hilia asked, "How long will it take to track it?"

"About an hour or so."

Hilia glanced at the sky, shaking her head, "It’s already afternoon now, time is running short. An hour’s too long, enough for us to fly several laps; let’s just fly and search directly."

"We only found this stronghold due to good luck; the others might not be so lucky."

"A big target like that, isn’t it easy to find just like that?"

Hilia saw Encore still wanted to use the tracking potion, and directly dragged him outside.

"Come on, let’s go, no need for tracking."

When she met Encore earlier, Hilia specifically resumed her own appearance. When they partnered up to destroy the cult strongholds, she disguised herself again, and had Encore apply some disguises too.

Using disguises made actions smoother and prevented them from being noticed by others.

Though their disguises were not very effective against Tier Six, they worked somewhat below Tier Five, and could easily fool those below Tier Four.

Encore reluctantly put away the potions and boarded the flying device, following Hilia.

Ten minutes later, Hilia went through the grove, reaching a hidden spot, pointing at a man-made trace in the grove: "You see, finding cult strongholds isn’t that random after all, is it?"

"Ah, this..."

Encore was a bit puzzled, as it was his first action with Hilia.

However, he attributed it to luck again.

It was only after Hilia found the third stronghold effortlessly on a stroll that he started to doubt.

Is this really luck?

Simply strolling and finding cult strongholds, why would Dragon Island still allow strongholds to remain here for so long?

Encore suddenly thought of the various feats Hilia had performed.

Aside from curious titles like "enemy of the High Priest," Encore remembered that internally in the Holy Court, Hilia was affectionately called the [Cult Destroyer].

"This is the Cult Destroyer? Terrifying."

How did Hilia just manage to discover cult strongholds so effortlessly?

Encore voiced his questions.

Hilia smiled slightly, "Of course through divine guidance!"

"Divine guidance..."

This phrase within the Holy Court was equivalent to not wanting to answer and making excuses.

But when spoken by Hilia, it was hard not to believe.

Encore actually didn’t quite believe it before, especially since Benovia often claimed to be guided by the Gods as well.

This had almost become Hilia’s catchphrase.

"It seems only divine guidance can explain the current situation..."

Encore thought.

For some reason, she suddenly thought of the mysterious figure that appeared during her advancement trial from Tier Two to Tier Three.

She quickly dismissed the thought, warning herself internally.

"That’s the enemy of the Pantheon, even if he helped complete her trial, it shouldn’t be trusted easily, what if such an intense trial was orchestrated by him?"

Filled with all sorts of chaotic thoughts, Encore followed Hilia and successfully eradicated all cult strongholds before nightfall, collecting quite a haul along the way.