The forest is still the same forest as before.

The night sky hangs high, and huge trees are visible everywhere.

After Ronald encouraged Costate to look around, he noticed that there was almost no difference here before the singing rang out. The serene night view matched perfectly when vision became disorderly.

——The only difference now is that the birds on the trees are nowhere to be seen.

This is what makes one clearly realize reality; they have already arrived in a brand new place.

The scene in front of him reminded Ronald of the [Infinite Negative Domain].

The world used to seal the Barrier Mountain wizard resembles the scene shown before his eyes, except there are some differences in detail.

So, is this also a specially altered phase?

"...

Its name is Styx,

The black water flows downward, cascading to the foot of a dim and perilous cliff."

World switching made some spells begin to fail.

Ronald recited incantations to re-establish the abilities he needed, such as searching for humans and reconnaissance of the terrain.

"Hmm?" Ronald’s pupils contracted.

The spells from "Astronomy Master" and "Divine Comedy" were performed smoothly, maintaining the same intensity as external forces. But, when it came to range, it presented an issue; exploration capabilities were limited to the forest they were in.

"Sir?" Costate cast a questioning glance.

"The spell’s range is limited. Let’s go check out the forest’s edge," Ronald issued a direct command and promptly took action.

He led Costate, and the two swiftly made their way to the edge of the forest.

But before they reached their target, the empty sky above showed thickly packed thorn vines emerging from the void, soaring high above and extending down to the ground, forming a grand canopy far surpassing the giant hundred-meter-high trees!

Ronald’s expression changed, and he immediately pulled Costate back a step.

The emergence of this thing is strange.

It gives off a very dangerous feeling.

Their cautious actions allowed them to leave a certain boundary.

In the next moment, those thorny vines enveloping the world suddenly vanished, and tranquility returned to the forest.

"Sir, those vines...?" Costate looked down at Ronald’s hand holding hers, and refrained from looking up, only inquiring.

Ronald, however, observed the area ahead with serious eyes, already having made a decision:

"Currently uncertain of the situation."

"Costate, I will venture forward to investigate. You wait until a safe range here. If anything happens to me, use the spell to manipulate air currents and pull me out."

After speaking, Ronald released Costate’s hand, cautiously stepping forward. Crossing the boundary again, the thorn vines, like a backdrop, reappeared.

The maid behind him looked up.

Her gaze shifted from faint confusion to seriousness, then she carefully observed everything happening around Ronald.

One meter, two meters, three meters...

Ronald steadily advanced, and the thorns appearing in the void gradually became clear.

These plants seem like those in the buckthorn family, blending characteristics of vines and shrubs, yet transcending normal plant growth concepts.

Upon nearing the forest’s edge, one could see these red and green plants rooted there, the impenetrable structure resembling a city wall that blocked the way, revealing only the black of the night sky high above.

"No reaction?" Ronald wondered.

Prepared for a fierce battle with the thorns, yet there was no movement.

"Starting from the relationship between the earth and sky will construct our understanding."

Consequently, Ronald recited the spell, allowing it to carry him upwards, attempting to bypass from above.

Yet after ascending a few meters, Ronald pursed his lips and descended back to the ground.

Because as his position elevated, the sky which had been clear began showing thorns at the same speed as Ronald’s flight.

In other words.

These thorn vines already existed, merely hidden until observers approached a certain distance when they appeared.

Ronald already had a plan in mind.

If speculation is correct, these vines must be encasing the entire forest, also being the culprit behind the limited spell range!

"Sir, is something wrong?"

At this moment, Costate’s voice emerged from behind.

Her position differed from Ronald’s, unable to see the appearance or disappearance of the thorns.

Witnessing Ronald ascend a few meters only to descend, feeling both worry about the action being half done and uncertainty whether to immediately take action.

"I’m fine here, keep watching!"

Ronald loudly replied, dispelling Costate’s concerns.

The thorn vines’ lack of reaction fueled his desire to probe further, causing Ronald’s fingertips to glow fire as he flicked it forward.

Whoosh—

[Solar Force] attached to the vines, magic power depleted afterward, immediately extinguishing.

The flames derived from the sun could not ignite these plants, as if thorns operated only at the surface level rather than being an internal entity, therefore lacked flammability, naturally unable to burn.

What was even more perplexing was Ronald’s active attack that left the thorn vines indifferent.

As though they were truly lifeless things, exhibiting no active response to the external world.

Currently, [Greed Sin] still operates during intervals. How can one unveil this thing’s secrets?

"Costate, lamp!" Ronald quickly decided, shouting again.

[Absolute Sea Lantern] was thrown high by the maid, accompanied by the escort of air currents arriving in Ronald’s hand.

"Negative energy ionic flames ought to elicit a response, right?"

Ronald softly murmured, then scattered the flames from the [Absolute Sea Lantern] forward.

Boom—!

Instantly, the previously immobile thorn vines started to burn.

The swaying flames quickly spread, forming a towering wall of fire, subsequently extending to the hidden form of thorns further away.

Within mere seconds, the flames encompassed the world, transforming into a fiery birdcage enveloping the entire forest.

It wasn’t only the thorn vines.

Negative energy properties allowed flames from the [Absolute Sea Lantern] to burn existent materials in the real world, encompassing earth and giant trees within its incendiary domain, allowing Ronald to destroy everything.

However, he considered losing his footing as inappropriate, intentionally managing the burn scope.

As the frightening flames raged.

Ronald gradually sensed the thorn vines exceeded tens of meters in thickness.

Furthermore, as the burning progressed, external vines continuously curled inward, attempting to mend damaged sections.

The repair speed was incredibly fast.

But ultimately, it wasn’t the nemesis against [Absolute Sea Lantern]’s might.

Under absolute oppressive advancement, the flames finally penetrated the thorn vines, revealing a broken sky dome covering the forest, resembling an old, tattered rag.

Hence, Ronald saw.

Behind the towering thorns lay absolute dark void.

And as the thorn vines burned, this void began collapsing and overwhelming the forest!