Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2616: 1440: Mutation and Astonishment (Part 2)

“Surprised, aren't you? We didn't just predict that the Emperor of the Human Clan would be the one to unlock the advanced market; we also foresaw your little counter-strategy.”

Belinda’s malicious grin widened as she watched Sina struggle to maintain her composure. “In this entire region of third-class forces, the Emperor of the Human Clan is the only one capable of providing such high-level items,” she added.

“How were you so certain the Emperor of the Human Clan could manufacture sixth-order equipment?”

Sina was briefly stunned, but she quickly recovered and blurted out, “You must have discovered sixth-order equipment on the Dragonborn Queen and the others!”

“Precisely. You truly are my sister—quite sharp. Since both you and Loris obtained equipment from the Emperor of the Human Clan, it's clear the Emperor no longer suspects you. The conclusion is obvious: you’ve identified the true culprit as the Lich.”

Belinda arched her eyebrows with a look of pure contempt. “Unfortunately, you are still a step behind us.”

Following those words, a violent aura erupted from Belinda as she said chillingly, “Now, sister, it is time for your crown to find a new owner!”

As soon as Belinda finished speaking, a group of formidable Medusas, accompanied by Lucas and elite Liches, struck from every direction, the air thundering with the sounds of colliding Qi.

Despite being armed with various trump cards and sixth-order equipment, Sina found herself overwhelmed by the relentless assault from Belinda, Lucas, and their subordinates. Her aura began to flicker and fade until it vanished entirely.

While the attention of Belinda’s group was fixed on Sina, a small, slender figure among the petrified soldiers of the Desert Alliance began to shimmer with golden light. Breaking free from the stone-like stasis, the Masked Man emerged.

Having escaped his restraints, the Masked Man looked toward the fallen Sina and hesitated. Realizing he stood no chance against so many elites, he bit his lip and decided to flee.

However, the lingering effects of the petrification slowed his movements. After only two steps, he triggered a hidden magic trap, resulting in a massive arcane explosion.

“There is still a survivor?”

Alerted by the blast, Belinda, having just concluded her fight, turned a grim gaze toward the Medusa elites. She commanded, “Eliminate them quickly; leave no one alive!”

Obeying Belinda’s order, the Medusa elites, radiating murderous intent, blurred into afterimages as they raced toward the site of the explosion.

Meanwhile, as Sina’s group fell into chaos, Loris and his retinue returned toward the Rainforest Fortress Alliance without incident. They soon neared a fortress containing a teleportation station where their main forces were gathered.

“Hahaha, I have truly returned with a massive haul this time!”

Loris moved swiftly through the thick woods, his lion-like features beaming with excitement.

Suddenly, his expression soured, and he snorted with disdain. “Those treacherous Liches tried to frame me. I won’t let them get away with it!”

Despite Loris speaking at length, none of his powerful followers responded. Even old Susan, who was usually talkative, remained eerily silent.

“What is the matter with all of you? You aren't actually jealous that I was the only one to get sixth-order equipment, are you?”

Feeling secure due to his proximity to the fortress and his recent success, Loris joked in a relaxed manner.

However, silence followed his words once more.

This time, Loris’s face grew tense. He finally noticed the strange behavior of his companions and the odd atmosphere of the woods. Based on his experience, he should have reached the fortress by now.

Loris came to an abrupt halt. He created distance between himself and the others, gripping his new sixth-order giant axe while eyeing the other Rainforest Fortress Alliance elites warily.

The moonlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating faces that were completely devoid of emotion. Their hollow eyes were a terrifying departure from their usual selves.

“Thomas, old Susan, what has happened to you?”

Loris demanded in a low, heavy voice, staring at his top subordinates.

There was no reply. The powerful figures stood perfectly still, seemingly unaware of his presence.

“Fine then, don't blame me for getting rough!”

Possessing a volatile temper, Loris didn't hesitate. He swung the massive axe through the air, sending waves of sharp Qi whistling past the heads of the elites.

While Loris held back enough to avoid killing them, the resulting energy storm should have sent them flying.

Instead, the elites didn't flinch. Their forms began to look transparent, flickering in and out of reality like fading ghosts.

“They are illusions?”

Loris realized the truth instantly and exclaimed, “They were perfectly normal when we left the Shadow Market. When were they swapped? Is this forest an illusion realm as well? Is that why I can't find the exit? Or have I been in a fake world this entire time?”

As Loris tried to make sense of the situation, a raspy, piercing voice echoed through the trees. “Rainforest Leader, quite a surprise, isn't it? You have walked straight into my trap.”

A powerful figure wearing a dark gray hood materialized on the far side of the forest.

The stranger’s face was covered in black magical sigils and looked like a dried corpse.

Upon his withered brow sat a pale, bone-white crown set with dark gems that pulsed with an unsettling light.

Loris recognized this figure immediately, having fought him many times before.

“Witch Demon Leader, so this is your work.”

Killing intent flared in Loris’s eyes as he shouted, “Do you realize what you’ve done? You have just declared war on the entire Rainforest Fortress Alliance!”

“Heh, Rainforest Leader, after all these years, your temper is as short as ever.”

The Witch Demon Leader remained calm, his corpse-like face twisting into a cold smirk. “You and that Emperor of the Human Clan are already plotting against me. Do you really think I fear your empty threats?”

“How pathetic. Don't think this trap will save you from your fate.”

Loris kept his cool and snorted. “You fool, what does stopping me here accomplish? Even if I fall, my followers will still join forces with the Emperor of the Human Clan!”

“Your lion and tiger kin are indeed fiercely loyal, much like the other stubborn Beast Demons. But take a closer look at these people.”

The Witch Demon Leader’s grin grew wider as a group of Liches appeared.

With a flash of dark gray light, the Liches transformed, taking on the appearances of Loris, Thomas, old Susan, and the other leaders of the Rainforest Fortress Alliance.

Watching this, Loris realized the horrifying plan: his enemies intended to use these doppelgangers to infiltrate and seize control of his entire Alliance.

Even Loris found it impossible to distinguish the impostors from the originals based on their Qi signatures.

“That shouldn't be possible. Liches don't possess such high-level illusion skills. Who is helping you?”

Loris stared at them with wide eyes. “Who are they, exactly?”

“Quiet. That is none of your concern.”

The Witch Demon Leader laughed mockingly. “The real show is just beginning.”