Gray Wind's face lit up with a smile, his gentle and soothing voice rustling like the sound of leaves.

"I feel fantastic, better than I've felt in the past century. I've never been so filled with strength as I am today."

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"Looks like you've fully assimilated the energy from Calmandes' avatar."

Gray Wind lightly nodded.

"Yes, and it's all thanks to your assistance."

Luo Yan responded humbly.

"You're too kind. It's more accurate to say we helped each other—without you, I wouldn't have had a better solution for dealing with that guy."

Gray Wind gently shook his head, gazing intently into Luo Yan's eyes, and solemnly continued.

"No, I'm not just referring to the chance you created for me that day. I'm speaking about an earlier conversation you had with my children."

"An earlier conversation?"

Seeing the confusion appear on Luo Yan's face, Gray Wind gave a warm smile and continued in a gentle tone.

"Do you still remember the theory of photosynthesis you discussed with my children? Afterward, one of my children came to talk to me about it... Although her intent was to seek answers from me, to be honest, I gained far more from that discussion than she did. Shortly thereafter, I learned that those theories she spoke of were all told to her by you."

After a brief pause, Gray Wind continued.

"It's no exaggeration to say that I was inspired by those theories to devour Calmandes' avatar."

Although Gray Wind didn't specify which child it was, Luo Yan could guess that it was likely Helen or Sherry.

After all, they were the only two he had spoken to about those theories.

This included the so-called concept of cells.

"I'm glad I could help... but that's merely a theory. Is it really that miraculous?" Luo Yan looked at Gray Wind in surprise, a trace of puzzlement in his voice.

Gray Wind slowly nodded and replied honestly.

"Although it's just a theory, it made me re-examine myself and gain a new understanding of my strength. Honestly, I was surprised; I've lived for over a thousand years, but this was the first time I had heard such an interesting concept. It even gave me the feeling that you're not from this world."

This guy's intuition was frighteningly accurate.

However, Luo Yan didn't find this particularly sensitive and merely looked at him with curious interest.

"You don't seem very surprised?"

Gray Wind smiled kindly and responded.

"There's nothing surprising about this. Long ago, we realized that there exist many worlds in this universe, some the same as ours or similar to it. This includes ourselves... Are we truly the natives of this world? I've always maintained a reserved perspective on that notion. Perhaps we originated from a more distant world, and our seeds merely happened to fall on this land, where we took root and flourished."

Given the technological means of this world, such a perspective was already remarkable.

Luo Yan couldn't help but commend.

"A truly impressive viewpoint; you might just be right."

The double-edged nature of his response was both an acknowledgment of the point and a subtle hint at the prior speculation.

However, Gray Wind did not dwell on this inconsequential topic.

In his philosophy and worldview, whether the Demon King belonged to this world, or even originated from Hell, was of no importance to him.

What he cared about was the world around him, while those distant conflicts and worldly benefits were not his concern.

Of course.

That being said, he didn't completely ignore the world beyond the forest.

To maintain the balance of the world beneath his feet, he often displayed greater foresight than worldly usurpers, unhesitatingly taking initiative to block distant wildfires from spreading within view.

In a sense, his support for the current Demon King stemmed from this very reason.

"...That's just my personal opinion; you needn't take it to heart."

As he spoke, his tone shifted, and he continued in a warm voice.

"Speaking of which, I haven't yet inquired about your purpose here. May I ask how I can be of service to you this time?"

Seeing Gray Wind bring up the subject proactively, Luo Yan didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

"I'd like you to take a look at something for me."

Gray Wind asked with interest.

"What is it?"

Luo Yan didn't reply verbally but instead waved his right hand adorned with the storage ring.

An eerie green fissure appeared, tracing where his finger had moved, as if unzipping space itself, dropping a withered tree trunk onto the ground.

To be precise, it wasn't a tree trunk but the mushrooms spread across the surface of Kao Planet.

They climbed across the entire planet like a virus, forming the entirety of that world.

Looking at the "dried mushroom" on the ground, Gray Wind's expression grew even more intrigued.

From beneath Terrell's seat, a slender, flexible vine stretched out like a tentacle, picking up the mushroom and examining it closely.

After a long while, he contemplated aloud.

"This thing resembles the plants on the fifth level of the Maze... but it's not quite the same."

Luo Yan interjected.

"This is a fungus from Kao Planet. You could think of that place as a world of Chaos. The Kao people hatch from this fungus—though I'm not sure how they do it, my subordinates witnessed it firsthand."

"I see... No wonder I can detect a familiar scent from it." After putting down the mushroom, Gray Wind looked at Luo Yan and respectfully asked, "So, what would you like me to do? Just examine it?"

Luo Yan gently shook his head.

"Of course, it's not as simple as examining it. I want your help in researching it, and if possible, making some improvements."

Gray Wind nodded lightly.

"I can help you, but you should be aware of the potential risks involved. After all, this originates from a world of Chaos, and there's far too much we don't understand about their world."

"'Knowing too much' won't be more dangerous than knowing nothing, especially when they already understand us inside and out and have even extended their reach into our world."

Watching Gray Wind fall into contemplation, Luo Yan continued earnestly.

"The storm over the Dimension Desert is drawing nearer to us. If we are to truly defeat them, burying our heads in the sand like ostriches simply isn't an option. We must face their threats head-on."

"Understood. I'll do my best to assist with your research," Gray Wind affirmed with a nod and added with a slow voice, "I only have one request: Please don't conduct experiments on this in the Mist Forest. I'm concerned it might affect my children."

Seeing Gray Wind nodding, Luo Yan felt relieved, and a cheerful smile appeared on his face.

"Rest assured, I share your concerns. Furthermore, conducting such experiments in the Maze's fifth level is clearly a better option. Its environment closely resembles that of Kao Planet, while its impact on the Maze overall would be minimal."

Especially since the core of his Demon King Territory now extended to that area.

If a severe crisis were to occur, he would have the means to handle it promptly.

Hearing Luo Yan's assurance, Gray Wind gradually relaxed his expression, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Since you've already laid out the plan, let's proceed as you've suggested."

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