26. The Invaded World Bubble

3 bottles of [Unstable Combustion Potion], 3 bottles of [Blinding Dust].

This was the result of collaborative efforts between Mint and the puppets after the members of Boundary of Reality logged off.

She picked up the bottle containing the Blinding Dust, shook the coal-black grains inside, and introduced them: "The usage is simple. Loosen the piston at the bottle’s mouth slightly and throw it at your enemies. It can temporarily blind most living creatures."

Seeing Orange Tea eagerly reaching out to take them, she added a warning: "Don't use these on soulless objects, and it’s inadvisable to use them against enemies stronger than you. This is merely a clever little trick; it has minimal effect on powerful mages and monsters. If you have the time to use it on them, you'd be better off turning around and running."

"I’ve also re-calibrated the enchantment solutions for your clothes."

"Who on earth are you people? You have the money to configure such excellent puppets, yet you don't have the proper skills to teach them."

Mint looked at the few puppets bowing their heads nearby with great disdain. When the others were away, it seemed this group of puppets had been severely lectured by Mint; they looked quite aggrieved at the moment.

Although she felt bad for Mint’s proactive efforts, Jiang Heyi couldn't help but associate her with a Pal. What a cute and useful witch she was.

"Considering how hard I’ve worked, could I have some Star Gravel?" She started rubbing her hands together with a grin.

Retracting her previous evaluation, she was still a shameless witch.

"No Star Gravel, but I can give you some more Soul Fragments," Jiang Heyi asked curiously, "Are you that short on money?"

"What kind of talk is that? An alchemist's expenses are huge," Mint patted her chest. "Every expenditure you make now is an investment in the future greatest alchemist on this continent."

"When I reach the pinnacle, I will definitely repay you a hundredfold."

"But you’re using our guild's materials, and you haven't really consumed anything. You took several bottles of the finished product for yourself and are hoarding the materials we gave you," Original Flavor Fries said after checking the guild records provided by Garlic Sprout.

During the offline period, Mint used 4 Soul Fragments to produce 11 portions of Blinding Dust. 4 failed, 7 succeeded.

8 portions of Unstable Combustion Potion succeeded, 3 failed.

2 portions of unidentified potions, both successful.

"Damn it, didn't I avoid the puppets' line of sight... Such high intelligence."

Mint’s subconscious muttering made everyone narrow their eyes slightly.

"Anyway, anyway... you don't need to know too much about a witch's business!"

"Wow, just consider it my payment. Where else would you find such a good alchemist who also helps train puppets and perfect formulas!"

Jiang Heyi rubbed his fingers together: "Those two unidentified potions..."

Mint quickly protected her hat and conceded: "I'll give you one!"

After saying that, she hurriedly dug that ink-black potion out of her large backpack.

[Lingering Whisper]: Forms a lure that emits a scent highly seductive to undead creatures where the liquid diffuses.

"Acquired by the great alchemist Kovac of the Anna Empire in his later years through enlightenment."

"In his old age, he claimed to have witnessed a miracle from the deep."

Zhong Zemo feigned anger: "With such a good item, you actually wanted to keep both bottles for yourself."

"Stop scolding me, stop scolding me... I won't do it again next time." Seeing that everyone didn't intend to blame her, Mint probed, "I plan to leave for a while..."

Finding that the Boundary of Reality would indeed not stop her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I'll come back after I sell my stuff."

With that, she used the Guild Jade to leave.

***

Jiang Heyi checked the magic potion formulas possessed by the guild puppets and found that there were indeed some extras, just as Mint had said.

"At least she has a reliable side," Orange Tea sighed.

Equipping the magic potions, the Boundary of Reality members energized and teleported to the Underground Temple of the Clarifier.

Sister Alna's spirit still had not appeared. Confirming this, Jiang Heyi decided to recalibrate the coordinates of the Starry Sky Jade to the teleportation statue at the Dust-Cleansing Layer.

Arriving as usual at the sealed passage in the underground tunnel, Jiang Heyi took out the Clarifier’s Lantern to illuminate the wall.

As the wall rotated like a Rubik's cube, a harsh sound echoed through the enclosed space.

"Intrusion."

"Intrusion."

"Intrusion!"

The seagulls floating above the player's projection panel suddenly appeared, circling above their heads and screaming nervously.

Five seagulls cried out in unison, their escalating tone making everyone nervous.

"What happened?" Original Flavor Fries drew his sword and looked around in confusion.

Jailer Bro was also baffled: "Didn't we clear the first floor? Why is there an intrusion alarm now?"

The seagulls shrieked: "World Bubble, approaching!"

In the next second, the scenery before the eyes of the Boundary of Reality members blurred, and objects seemed to have double images.

The ground beneath their feet and the objects around them remained unchanged, but the tremor from the space made their whole bodies numb.

Everything happened within three or four breaths. Before the wall illuminated by the lantern had fully opened, a streak of dark red cut through the boundary between illusion and reality in the passage before them.

Space was torn open by an extremely sharp blade; like a red-hot knife cutting through butter, the edges of space first boiled and melted, then scorched into a deep gate large enough for two people to pass through at once.

As the phantom wall leading to the first floor of the underground temple opened, intruders from another World Bubble appeared before them.

Jiang Heyi recognized the person in the lead, and then laughed in relief and disdain.

What a persistent bunch.

There were 13 people in total, equipped similarly to the Boundary of Reality, in a mixed-and-matched state.

"Oh my, the big streamer [Watermelon Siu Mai]!"

Jailer Bro’s words were so heavily sarcastic that Watermelon Siu Mai, who had still been wearing a look of glee upon seeing Jiang Heyi, turned pale with fury.

A human male named [The Clock Hand Never Stops] smugly claimed credit.

"Siu Mai, see, was I right? They are definitely the only active team here, and they even opened the phantom gate for us that required decryption."

"Is this the 'loyal fan' who sticks by you through thick and thin, willing to protect their master even after seeing you slander others?" Jailer Bro tutted, "Too pure, too pure, and there are so many of them."

"People who cyberbully others really have the nerve to say things like that."

"Cyberbully?" Jailer Bro’s attack speed hit the limit as he continued to output, "How did our Potato Bro cyberbully you? Oh, he just posted the original account of what happened. I thought he wrote a 'little essay' to call black white and lead fan public opinion to attack an innocent person."

"Boo hoo, I'm being cyberbullied, I'm going to be depressed... I’m 99% at fault, but doesn't Potato have 1%?"

Jiang Heyi didn't even need to engage; Jailer Bro, a top-tier troll, was like Zhuge Liang. He successfully provoked all 15 of them until their faces turned red.

Moreover, he didn't use a single dirty word and even quietly reminded everyone—"They are recording, too."

He was truly too good at verbal combat.

"Kill them!"

Unable to bear the humiliation, the "Wang Langs" knew that fighting back while at a disadvantage would only lead to more disgrace, so they decided to resort to force to resolve the conflict.

***

Players were not monsters. Jiang Heyi didn't dare to be arrogant and immediately ordered a retreat.

Several bottles rolled onto the ground quietly as Jiang Heyi turned around.

Original Flavor Fries understood Jiang Heyi's move and flipped a spare, tattered dagger from his right palm.

About to leave the passage and enter the temple area, Orange Tea suddenly received instructions and turned to throw a bottle of potion.

The [Blinding Dust] was shattered in mid-air by the quick-witted fans of Watermelon Siu Mai.

"Still want to use magi—"

Before the words could fall, the dust dissipated in the wind and enveloped them. Darkness suddenly descended.

"Why can't I see?"

"So despicable, using such a despicable potion!"

Original Flavor Fries had already taken aim. The dagger in his hand transformed into a flying blade, passed through the human wall, and accurately hit the inconspicuous bottles rolling in the darkness during the chase.

"It's fine, we have non-despicable ones." Zhong Zemo held his great shield in front of everyone. "Roll back and enjoy the weakness!"

After a thunderous roar, the shockwave of the explosion engulfed Watermelon Siu Mai and her fans.

Even the Frog-Headed Stitch Monster had been ravaged by these potions, let alone a group whose equipment was inferior to the Boundary of Reality and only had a numerical advantage.

"Look at them, they're dancing happily in the fire."

Jailer Bro’s words dealt true damage. The fire-men who had originally intended to struggle gave up on using potions and scrolls upon hearing this, cursing angrily before they died.

"Look, look, they're getting anxious again. Being anxious is useless, you know, there isn't much time left."

The players sent away directly by the explosion and burning were lucky. Two unlucky ones who were running in the front managed to escape the explosion, only to be smashed to the ground by a shield bash from Zhong Zemo.

Another was stabbed in the waist and ribs by Original Flavor Fries. Under the intense pain, he could no longer exert any strength and could only kneel to the ground.

"Oh, so you're the 'Clock Hand Bro' who gave Watermelon Siu Mai the ideas." Jiang Heyi sneered and walked in front of him, signaling Original Flavor Fries to keep him suppressed. "If you want to die and respawn cleanly without affecting your game time, why not answer me a question?"

Clock Hand Bro naturally understood how frustrating it would be if their teleportation was constantly interfered with, so he nodded readily.

"How did you invade the World Bubble?"

"An item... a very special item." He looked back, pointing at the sea of fire, "That person should be dead, the item has dropped, you can go see."

"Dropped on death?"

"If killed by players, the holder loses control of the item." Clock Hand Bro, fearing more time would be wasted, explained hurriedly, "It’s a golden drop with 3 charges."

The flames died down, and Jiang Heyi saw a bronze key lying on the ground, emitting a faint red glow.

[Usurper’s Secret Key]: The holder gains the power to peer into and invade the space of World Bubbles.

Charges: 2

"With the power of concealment rivaling the gods and the talent to walk through shadows, she reached out toward the secret treasures of the gods."

"She flaunted this, and thus she shall perish because of it."

"The user shall be tainted with sin."

Jiang Heyi had indeed seen that one person's name in the crowd was slightly red; it seemed this was the cause.