I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means
Chapter 944 - 569 The Arrival of the Gur Festival_2

"Little Zhuo, come here for a moment."

"Oh."

Jue responded, placing the plate with roasted ham on a nearby table, then wiped her hands and came over.

"Lis wants to invite you to join him and Taya for a walk during the Gur Festival tomorrow, so you don't need to help at the stall."

Old Milo said to Jue.

Since he had already agreed to Lis's request, it was better to confirm it directly.

"Oh, okay, I understand."

Jue nodded, looking a bit pleased.

She had previously planned with Taya to stroll through the festival, hoping to ask Old Milo for half a day's leave.

Now she could rest for the whole day.

"Jue, come, sit here."

Taya, sitting beside Lis, pulled out the chair on the other side and said to Jue.

Jue hesitated a little, glancing at Old Milo.

Seeing this, Old Milo knew Taya wanted to talk to Jue, so he nodded and said:

"You keep Taya company for a while; I'll just go check the kitchen."

"Got it."

Jue happily nodded and sat down beside Taya.

"It'll be a bit tiring tomorrow, Jue."

Taya said to Jue with a smile.

"No problem, leave it to me tomorrow; I know which festival stalls have the best food."

Jue nodded enthusiastically, speaking happily.

She hadn't made many friends before. Though she hadn't known Taya for long, their relationship inexplicably became great.

"Hey, I'm curious what the festival ceremony will be like tomorrow night?"

Taya asked Jue curiously:

"I've heard the City Lord will show up; have you seen him, Jue?"

Upon hearing this, Jue thought for a moment and said somewhat puzzled:

"The City Lord comes out every year to preside, but I can't seem to recall his appearance."

"Strange, was I always off enjoying the food at the time?"

Forget the City Lord's appearance?

Lis noticed Jue's words and became attentive.

"Really? This City Lord must be very strong!"

Taya said carelessly, smiling:

"Of course, the City Lord is guarding us all in Ihelos!"

"Taya, after you and Mr. Lis live here, you'll surely understand."

Jue said affirmatively, showing respect for the seldom-seen City Lord.

"Got it, I understand."

Taya said with a smile, and then started discussing tomorrow's plans with Jue.

Where to visit first, which stall to have lunch at, and such.

Talking about this, both of them were very excited.

Lis listened to the two girls chatting excitedly, occasionally adding a suggestion, but mostly not intervening in their conversation.

After a while, when Lis and Taya finished lunch and got ready to go upstairs, Taya pulled Jue's hand, smiling, and said:

"We agreed, so don't leave me alone!"

"Definitely, definitely."

Jue nodded repeatedly, also smiling expectantly:

"Hehe, although many Gur Festivals have passed, for some reason, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's celebration."

"It's settled then, see you tomorrow."

Taya gave Jue's little hand a squeeze, then let go and went upstairs with Lis.

Once in the room, Taya's smile faded, and she said worriedly to Lis:

"So it awakens like this?"

"Yes, I think that's enough."

Lis could see Taya's mood wasn't very upbeat; although it was well-hidden earlier, Lis, who was familiar with Taya, could still sense it keenly.

Then Lis, hugging Taya, sat on the bed, rubbed her blood-red hair, and asked with a smile:

"What's wrong, not feeling well?"

"Hmm."

Taya softly replied, burying her head in Lis's embrace, asking sullenly:

"I'm not sure if this is right."

"Though Jue and others are already undead, if you break this illusion, Lis, they might die immediately."

"That's likely the case."

Lis nodded.

Undead creatures claim to have immortal life, but that's merely a side effect of undead aura.

Ordinary undead souls can't withstand the erosion of undead aura for a long time unless they evolve into higher-level undead creatures, which removes this restriction.

But for the vast majority of undead residents in Ihelos, such a chance is impossible.

Even the Legendary Undead Mage Ihelos can't help it; the illusion's sustaining power comes entirely from that Blood Tower.

After the illusion is dispelled, the legendary crown no longer has the strength to elevate all undead residents to high-level undead to maintain existence.

Furthermore, without the illusion, trying to maintain sanity under undead power's influence is extremely difficult for the city's residents.

Note that even high-level Mages choosing to become Witch Demons struggle to retain rationality for a long time, ultimately becoming pure undead creatures; ordinary souls don't stand a chance.

"But I think this is good for them."

Lis spoke softly to Taya:

"Living endlessly, seeing no future, is too desperate."

"Their souls must be quite fatigued, and resting is the best solace for them."

"The same goes for Jue."

This wasn't Lis comforting Taya; he truly believed this.

No matter what happened in the Blood Tower, it's clear the residents of this small city endured a horrific tragedy.

The perpetrators might be gone, but the pain they inflicted won't disappear.

If things continue like this, even if the Blood Tower's power sustains the illusion, the residents' souls won't hold out much longer.

Rather than that, it'd be better for Lis to intervene, sending these souls to the Netherworld to rest.

Taya nodded, feeling slightly better.

To her, Jue was a rare friend.

Though she didn't want to face the parting of friends, this was the best future for Jue.

After comforting Taya, Lis left the inn.

Having placed his bet on Jue, Lis was unsure if Jue's will could indeed break through the illusion's seven-day cycle.

If this fails, Lis has to leave with Taya and return when he achieves a legendary status to liberate this city.

Right now, he's not prepared to face Ihelos in the Blood Tower.

Lis returned to the City Lord Mansion to check the Blood Tower's condition, confirming no anomalies and further strengthening the barrier he set outside the tower.

Simultaneously, Lis went to the small city square and set up emergency Teleportation Arrays in several concealed places, in case of unexpected events tomorrow.

Having made preparations, Lis went back to the inn to stay with Taya, waiting for the next day, which would be the Gur Festival's arrival.

...

Early the next morning,

Lis on the bed suddenly opened his eyes.

When did I fall asleep last night?

Lis was surprised, having planned to stay up all night to deal with any potential danger.

But unexpectedly, somehow he just fell asleep.

Early the next morning,

Lis on the bed suddenly opened his eyes.

When did I fall asleep last night?

Lis was surprised, having planned to stay up all night to deal with any potential danger.

But unexpectedly, somehow he just fell asleep. Early the next morning,

Lis on the bed suddenly opened his eyes.

When did I fall asleep last night?

Lis was surprised, having planned to stay up all night to deal with any potential danger.

But unexpectedly, somehow he just fell asleep. Early the next morning,

Lis on the bed suddenly opened his eyes.

When did I fall asleep last night?