After waiting for a long time, the mountain fog had completely disappeared from everyone's sight. Lan finally put down his left hand with a pale face and began to breathe heavily. His magic power was finally exhausted.
Vesemir shook his head and stepped forward to light the braziers at the four corners of the altar.
He was about to give Lann a few more instructions, but he saw the young witcher raised his hand again in embarrassment.
"My magic power seems to have recovered a little..."
Vesemir’s face was blank. “Use the Igni Sign, and then immediately enter meditation. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll blow out these braziers, wasting time.”
Lan nodded.
A huge amount of flames spewed toward the sky, and the heat wave made the surrounding demon hunters involuntarily take a step back.
Fortunately, this time it only lasted for a few breaths.
Lann knelt down on the spot and soon relaxed his body. His breathing became intermittent and his spirit became light.
After the braziers in the four corners were lit, Vesemir started burning the candles facing the valley. His movements were very skillful, and soon, he turned around and saw Lann who had entered into meditation.
The badges on the chests of the demon hunters were shaking more violently, which meant that something had established a connection with the chaotic energy in nature, making the magic here even more intense.
"You're getting into the mood so quickly?" Vesemir didn't know how many times he had exclaimed today.
The speed of establishing a connection with chaotic energy largely represents the communicator's meditation proficiency. But Vesemir already understood Lann's basic skills. This young man had just become a demon hunter for more than a year, and it was said that he learned meditation from Triss when he was conducting political diplomacy abroad.
But looking at the speed of this young man now, even Geralt and other witchers who have been trained since childhood feel ashamed of themselves.
Mossak stroked his beard with a smile: "It should be because of the ancient blood. You can also understand it as the source of magic. This is a physical condition that can communicate with nature. It is normal to have this phenomenon."
Vesemir looked at Lann, then at Mossak, and then turned back to look at Geralt, Eskar, and Lambert one by one.
The young man from the Wolf Faction had an unnatural expression on his face.
Finally, Geralt thought about it and said, "I was able to establish communication very quickly when I was meditating."
Too bad no one cares about him now.
…
Lann felt his five senses magnified.
No, it cannot be said to be the five senses. At least Lann can't feel the conversation between the demon hunters and druids behind him.
But he can "hear" the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, the gurgling of water...
Something is wrong. It is winter now. Where do the birds singing and leaves rustling in the Blue Mountains come from?
Although he was confused, Lan's body relaxed further. Then he seemed to hear the roar of flames, the rumble of lightning and thunder, and - a "buzzing" sound that he could not distinguish.
Lann's state of mind became calmer and his aura began to gradually condense. The magical energy transformed from natural forces made the energy in his body extremely abundant and continued to grow.
Chaos energy was like a rainbow, condensing around Lann's body, forming a net made up of natural elements.
Suddenly, Lann felt something boiling in his body. It was the blood of the ancients, his own blood, the blood that could give a person a magical physique from nothing, the destined power of salvation.
The chaotic energy seemed to form a vortex, pouring into Lan's body continuously. And in a place that Lan didn't notice at all, a skill on the system panel suddenly lit up -
【Travel】
A skill that drained all of Lann's magic power at the beginning of awakening. However, after consuming such a huge amount of magic power, the final result was only enough for him to have a glimpse of countless planes, which was not enough to support him to reach other worlds.
It was like an oversized machine, but Lane's battery couldn't power it.
At this moment, the energy continuously provided by the Ring of Elements finally met the conditions for activating this skill, like an external energy source, lighting it up.
Lann suddenly felt his whole body lighten, and his consciousness left his body and began to float upwards involuntarily. But this time was different from the previous awakening. Compared with the previous time when there were countless images of the world in front of him for him to choose from, this time's [crossing] seemed to be directional.
If Lann were to make an analogy, the previous [time travel] was just building a path and exploring by himself; and this time, the [time travel] was like he just happened to find a door that someone else had installed, and by chance he kicked it open, thus being able to pass out.
Considering the place name "Ring of Elements" where he was before, his current location is very clear.
Lann looked up and saw four dazzling balls of light stretching across the ancient and dark sky, with surging elements surrounding them like stars surrounding the moon.
…
Ahead, there was an orange burning sky. From time to time, fireballs fell from the sky, instantly burning everything around the ground into ashes. Endless volcanoes, mountain rivers, gravel slopes, and flames flying in the sky formed a unique scene in this world.
Behind, the purple and rose-colored ocean appears. The boundless sea, towering rocky peaks, dangerous cliffs and frequent storms are everything here.
On the left, there is a heavy and expensive block. There is a constant sound of the earth rumbling and the grinding of rocks. Stones, rocks and vast plains are everywhere, which is the main theme here.
On the right was a completely disordered world. Chaotic air and raging storms were the only things left in it. Lan couldn't even see any solid object in it.
This is the elemental realm. The world outside the planet under Lan's feet is just like the "atmosphere" of Lan's previous life. Unlike the "atmosphere", this elemental realm has not only "air", but also earth, water, and fire. It has a larger range, a thicker realm, and is more dangerous.
There is another invisible energy supporting these four realms, which is the fifth element symbolizing "spirit" - ether.
Before Lann could react, a huge figure suddenly appeared in each of the four realms. They had shapes that matched their own realms and their appearances were very different; the only similarity was the profound wisdom revealed in their eyes and the terrifying aura emanating from their bodies.
Lann was horrified when he saw this: World Spirits! Unique magical creatures that live in their own worlds. Powerful sorcerers can establish contracts with them through [Summoning Magic], just like summoning foreign demons; even worse, they can capture these world spirits directly from outer space.
The strong ones among the world spirits have the powerful ability to move mountains and fill the sea, or like the "Di Jing", they have the mythical ability to fulfill the wishes of mortals.
There are also relatively weak elemental life forms in the world spirits. However, Lan En looked at the appearance and size of the four world spirits in front of him and they did not look like weaklings. He was sure that the four in front of him were tough characters that he could not deal with at this stage.
…
The four world spirits roared at their respective opposite sides the moment they appeared. The water world faced the fire world, and the air world faced the earth world. They were all powerful and steadfast, and refused to give in.
But then they fell silent again, a kind of silent understanding permeated among them. Although they had no eyes, Lan still felt their gazes focused on him.
Lann was suddenly shocked. That sight contained too many things. It was scrutiny, disgust, hatred, and... greed.
To be in trouble.
Four forces appeared on Lan's body without giving him any time to react, and suddenly began to tear him in four different directions. The illusory muscles and bones were torn apart unreasonably, as if they were twisted into countless weird shapes and could not be pulled back.
Every second was like a poison needle piercing every cell in his body, and all kinds of incredible pain spread throughout his limbs and bones. The pain that had nowhere to go made Lann want to scream, but he forgot that his body was still in the elemental ring of Kaer Morhen, and he was just a spirit.
Lan opened the system panel like crazy and clicked the [Crossing] skill frantically.
All of a sudden, the magic power in the body leaked out like a flood, but then the four pulling forces also increased dramatically, trying to fight against the system's skills.
Lann could feel that the system had the upper hand in this confrontation. However, within a breath, his magic power reached the bottom. Unlike the time before, this time there was no energy provided by the elemental layer to replenish him.
In the darkness, there was a faint sound of dull laughter, like a strong wind, a landslide, a raging fire, and a tsunami.
Lan's consciousness gradually blurred.
Just as the four pulling forces were growing stronger and stronger, almost tearing Lann's spirit apart, a very familiar voice suddenly came from outside the elemental realm.
…
"Ah! Lan, you're here! So soon?"
This sound seemed to be full of joy and anticipation, like a traveler finding a long-awaited companion, or like a hardworking gardener finally seeing his fruit tree bear fruit.
然而紧接那个声音猛然一顿，发出一声看到了什么脏东西的声音。
“……嗯？”
……
接下来的事情都发生在短短的一瞬间。
甚至可能更快。
宛若旷古的深渊突然有了意识，一股无言的黑暗弥漫上了元素界。
四大界灵再次发出咆哮，这一次却变成了愤怒，然后是惊恐、恼怒。
无穷的以太仿佛变成了一个人的手掌将这些界灵所在的世界狠狠包裹起来，它原本是托举着四大元素界层的，现在却把四大界层紧紧地攥在掌心，而且越来越用力、越来越用力。
伴随着一声宛若玻璃镜子崩碎的脆响，兰恩感觉到笼罩在自己身上的力量猛然一轻，全部消失不见。紧接着他感觉似乎有一根拉扯木偶的丝线连在自己的身后，轻轻一扯，自己的灵体就再次下沉回到了自己的星球。
无尽的星空中，缓缓传来一声包含失望的叹息：
“唉……算了，没到时候。你还是先回去吧……”
“记住了，这回是你欠我一杯酒了……”
……
兰恩猛然张开双眼，溺水一样沉重地呼吸着，他再也维持不住身体的平衡，直接扑倒在地。
在他的耳畔，系统的提示音接连响起。下意识地打开面板，上面立刻有光华开始闪烁。
兰恩长吸一口气，发现自己的【法印】技能面板发生了天翻地覆的变化。
五个三级的法印技能，此刻居然一口气被全部点亮！
【昆恩强化】昆恩之印强度增加10％。（2／5）
【亚登强化】亚登之印强度和持续时间增加10％。（2／5）
【亚克席强化】亚克席之印强度和作用时间增加10％。（2／5）
【阿尔德强化】阿尔德之印强度和攻击范围增加10％。（2／5）
【伊格尼强化】伊格尼之印强度和燃烧几率增加10％。（2／5）
五大法印，分别象征了土、火、水、风、以太五种元素。五个技能宛若水字数一般，强化效果也是整整齐齐。这是对于兰恩法印的最本质的提升。
这么整齐的强化效果，再联想到刚刚在元素界层发生的事情，兰恩不用猜都知道这五个技能获得提升是因为什么。哪怕猎魔人可以从元素之环里面获得力量，但是这种规格的强化也过于夸张了一点。
而整整五个三级技能的开启，也自动满足了兰恩接下来开启【法印】系列四个最终技能的条件了，收获不可谓不丰富。
冥冥之中似乎又欠了某个家伙一次啊……虽然现在对方无法进入这方世界，不能够向自己讨债。但是有着上古之血的自己迟早是要穿越多元宇宙的，根本避不开他。
不知道到时候对方又会提出什么样的要求啊……
兰恩摇摇头，将这个问题暂时搁置。同时也下定决心能力不够之前再不开启【穿越】的技能了，这一次的冒险就是前车之鉴。
……
这一边，兰恩喘着粗气调整状态。
另一边，一直观摩着兰恩冥想的众人看到青年猎魔人的异常后也终于反应过来了。
莫斯萨克跑得比其他猎魔人快得多，一把就将趴在地上的兰恩扶了起来，面色紧张。
“兰恩，你怎么了，等等……为什么明明这么多混沌能量灌注体内，现在你却一点魔力都没有？”老德鲁伊说着急忙转向维瑟米尔，“这种情况正常吗？你知道发生了什么吗？！”
兰恩连忙抓住莫斯萨克的肩膀，强忍着不适扯出一丝微笑。
他看了看自己的生命值和法力值，蓝条确实已经见底，但是红条还在健康线之上。
“我没事的，莫斯萨克叔叔。”兰恩宽慰道，没想着把刚刚发生的事情告诉莫斯萨克，涉及到元素界层之外的事情，那是连老德鲁伊都没办法解决的了。
“其实我现在收获格外地大，不止一个法印获得了增强，可能是因此才特别累吧。”
众人闻言虽然依旧惊疑不定，但是表情也都放松了下来。
兰恩借口还没有熟悉力量，同时也是为了缓解疲惫，独自坐到一旁开始调整状态。
柯恩和雷索等猎魔人被兰恩的状态惊到，但是听说他获确确实实获得了增强之后，犹豫一会之后也还是陆续跪坐在元素之环中央开始冥想。
而他们冥想的过程却是轻松写意的。每个人不过花上一刻钟的时间，结束的时候也是各个神清气爽，再没有如兰恩一般的情况出现。
趁着其他还没有强化过的猎魔人一个一个冥想，莫斯萨克坐到兰恩的身旁，关心道：“你确定没事吗？”
兰恩此时已经调整好了大半状态，脸色好看了很多。
“我真的没事。”
想了想，兰恩突然问道：“莫斯萨克叔叔，你有什么关于元素界层的书吗？”
莫斯萨克一愣，饱含学识的他当即回答：“有一本《元素帝国》，这本书本身就在我给你安排的魔法课程里面，打算等你有时间了再教给你。”
老德鲁伊的眼神变得深邃起来：“怎么，你突然对于这些知识感兴趣了，想要学习【唤魔术】了？那可是禁忌魔法，甚至是可以算作黑魔法。”
兰恩笑道：“我们都知道禁忌魔法不过是难以控制、容易伤害初学者而已。火魔法也是禁忌魔法，死灵法术也是，但是你看看术士兄弟会里面不会这些的有几个人。”
为了让莫斯萨克放心，他又补充道：“放心吧莫斯萨克叔叔，我知道自己能力的上限。我现在还没有打算尝试这些法术，我只是好奇而已。有些东西我可以不用，但是不能不会……”
老德鲁伊闻言想了想，还是点头同意了：“你是个有主见的孩子，这我倒是不用忧虑。放心吧，我给你的课程里面有涉及到这方面的知识，但是要循序渐进——我会教给你的，只是不是现在。”
兰恩将后背靠在岩壁上，抬头，视线似乎穿越了天上的云彩落在界层之中：“这就足够了。”
……
又过了几刻钟，所有的蛇派猎魔人也都在元素之环获得了提升。从他们喜形于色的表情来看，结果很不错。
维瑟米尔看了看太阳，众人是一早出发的。这一路上虽然惊心动魄战斗连连，但是此时也不过堪堪过了晌午。
“老矛头已经死了，元素之环也吸收了，差不多该回去了。”维瑟米尔提议道，“现在回到城堡差不多还能够来得及准备晚饭，昨天的熊肉肯定还剩下不少。”
兰伯特撇了撇嘴：“我们在外面忙活了一整天，为什么还要回去准备晚饭……”
艾斯卡尔拍了拍他的肩膀：“叶奈法绝对不会做饭的，希里下厨就是灾难，总不能辛苦特莉丝一个人准备十几个人的食物吧。”
兰恩和杰洛特的脸上闻言都露出了尴尬的神情。
回去的路肯定比来时要顺利，刚刚与老矛头那一场大战发出的动静绝对足够驱散干净路上不长眼的魔物了。
众人原本是这么认为的。
就在他们从元素之环返回山洞的途中，三个石头脑袋突然伸了出来。
“猎魔人，站住，回去！这里，‘巨麻麻’地盘！”
一个憨厚、迟钝、但是沉闷好似岩石撞击的声音传入众人的耳朵里面。
众人顺着声音发出的发现看去，发现在不远处的一个小坡上，有三头全身长着石头的类人怪物立在那里。
粗粗估算一下，这个距离能有一百步。猎魔人要对方听到起码要用吼的，但是对方却仿佛是在用正常的声音说话，依旧能够清晰地传入众人的耳中。
是巨魔。
刚刚去元素之环的路上兰恩就听说这里有巨魔。开始的时候没遇到还挺遗憾，没想到现在突然碰见了。
呵斥众猎魔人的是三头巨魔中最靠前的，看上去像是首领。但是等它说完话后，离它最近的一头巨魔突然抬手，比重锤还有有力的拳头狠狠砸在了首领的头上。
这一下砸得巨魔头上的石头都崩裂开来，隔着老远众猎魔人都能够感受到那骇人的声势。兰恩心中估算了一下，正常的骑士板甲挨上一下估计就要回炉重造了。
“笨！你是‘巨魔魔’，不是‘巨麻麻’！”那头动手的巨魔恶狠狠地朝着自己的首领大喊。
首领巨魔挠了挠脑袋，似乎根本没受什么影响，转头朝着猎魔人们重新高喊：
“猎魔人，站住，回去！这里，巨魔魔地盘！”
……
众猎魔人动作非常一致地皱起眉头，微微抬颌，咽下一口唾沫。
唯有莫斯萨克露出了饶有兴趣的表情。
“它们怎么敢的啊，我们明明这么多人……”兰伯特伸手向后背握住狼首剑柄。
但是仔细想了想他又把手放下了，转向兰恩和柯恩问道：“砍这玩意太伤剑了，还是用法印方便。你们缺不缺【巨魔煎药】？”
Geralt was hesitant to speak after hearing this. Although White Wolf was a demon hunter, he was always friendly to intelligent monsters, including monsters with extremely high alchemical value such as female night demons, shapeshifters, and nymphs.
The trolls are naturally among this group. Perhaps in the eyes of the White Wolf, these are already "non-human races" rather than "monsters".
Lann was not a murderous demon hunter, but he was not a philanthropist like White Wolf. However, he did not intend to kill the trolls in front of him.
After thinking for a while, Lann turned to look at Vesemir: "Have these trolls ever killed Wolf Clan apprentices?"
Vesemir thought for a moment and shook his head. “The apprentices who failed at the last stage all fell at the hands of Old Spearhead. These trolls… are more than enough for the apprentices to handle.”