The Entrance
After which, Leylin and the rest met several waves of miasma and hordes of poisonous insects.
Under the aid of the potions Leylin provided, the party got through these danger zones with ease.
After Leylin displayed a few methods of using the potions to dispel the poisonous insects and miasma, Jayden and the rest were convinced of Leylin's talent.
Even Bosain from the Lilytell family would occasionally cast surprised glances at Leylin.
Obviously, he had heard of Leylin's talent in Potioneering before, but Leylin's talent had exceeded his expectations.
The party trekked over land and water, finally arriving at the overhanging cliff depicted on the map two days later.
"So beautiful!"
Shaya gasped. Even Leylin and the others showed signs of indulgence.
On the edge of the cliff, there were bright yellow flowers growing on the levelled ground. In the heart of the flower, it was bright red. When it bloomed it had the size of two regular humans' fists put together.
The whole mountaintop was filled with this strange flower, and a heavy aroma permeated the area.
"Leylin, what is it?" Jayden asked.
The Zither Moon Mountain Plains was riddled with dangers, and various strange plants had appeared. More often than not, the more beautiful a plant was the more dangerous it was. Especially when it was close to their destination!
As the Potioneering acolyte, Leylin already dealt with 3 similar flowers traps.
"No problem!" Leylin picked up a stalk of the flower.
"A.I. Chip, compare to database!"
[Beep! Mission establishing, scanning outer appearance and scent. Comparison in progress…] [Result is found in the database. Determined as a Beta Daisy!] The A.I. Chip's voice loyally intoned.
"Beta Daisy?" Leylin's brow's furrowed. "This is a common plant in the south coast. Normally they are grown on plains. It represents nostalgia and respect…"
"This flower does indeed seem like the Beta Daisy. There should be someone who planted this here on purpose!" Bosain also gave a definite reply.
"Is it the magician who left behind the inheritance?" Roth who stood behind spoke, his voice gruff.
"It's possible, but I can't confirm it!"
Jayden opened the damaged map, "From the map, the remnants should be located at the bottom of this cliff!"
Leylin nodded his head, back when he scanned the map, the name 'Dylan Gardens' appeared beneath the cliff. Moreover, there was mentioned a huge area of Beta Daisy located on the cliff above it, so there was an 80-90 percent chance that it was correct.
"What are we waiting for?" The excitement was seen on Shaya's face.
To acolytes, if there were able to find remnants of an official Magus and obtain the inheritance, it was often the start of another legend.
The five of them began to pant raggedly, even Bosain was not excluded.
The cliff was extremely high, and there were granite rocks on the razor sharp steep walls. For a regular human, climbing to the bottom was an impossible task.
However, for these five level 3 acolytes, this itsy-bitsy challenge could not stop them at all.
Roth immediately transformed into the tentacle handed creature and climbed. As for Leylin and the others, they added a Floating Feather spell. This spell allowed them to lighten their weight and they floated right to the bottom.
* Bang! *
The Floating Feather spell was removed and Leylin's feet touched the ground.
"This is… " Leylin was rather taken aback as he sized up the surroundings. It was littered with stones in the form of double edged blades.
The countless stone swords were placed together, covering at least half of the bottom area of the cliff.
On the sharp blades, there were countless corpses. Leylin even discovered some corpses which looked like humans.
"It seems that these were living creatures which fell from the cliff!" Leylin sighed and suddenly realised that something was amiss, "How could there be regular humans here. Could it be some acolytes who had obtained leads previously?"
"Be careful, the floor is littered with blades!" Upon seeing Jayden and the others landing, Leylin hurriedly warned.
"Damn it!" Jayden's face darkened. His arm had grazed over one of the sharp blades when leading, revealing an abrasion that was at least 12cm long.
"These pointed edges have been made razor-sharp to last for eternity. In addition, there also some magic spells imbued in them! If this were not so, it would not have been possible to breakthrough my defense and cause a scratch on my skin!"
"Indeed!" Leylin touched the grey-white blade and felt the faint energy waves pulsing from it.
"Only an official Magus could perform the spell on such a scale, adding the effect on all these rocks in this area!"
"So then, where is the remnant?"
* Sou Sou! * Countless grey-white tentacles extended to the bottom of the cliff, bringing Roth with it.
"I have used my spell to detect earlier, there are only rocks and mud below here, no traces of remnants whatsoever…." Bosain held onto a green eyeball and spoke rather dejectedly.
"Let us search the area and see if there are any clues. 6 hours later, we'll gather at the top of the cliff again!" Impatience surfaced on Jayden's face as he spoke.
This exploration was suggested by him, so the worst disappointment is ending with no results.
Moreover, with some clues but not being able to discover the entrance still, this impatience, together with the fear of being hunted down by an official Magus had tortured this little boy. From what Leylin saw, Jayden was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"Freedom to seek?" After hearing Jayden's suggestion, the other 4 quietened down and nodded their heads in agreement.
To them, after arriving at the destination, Jayden was of little use to them. Moreover, being able to find the remnant and obtain the loot before the other party members were definitely much better than discovering it together. More benefits could be obtained that way.
The five of them had confidence in their own methods. Hence, no one suggested forming a team of sorts.
The few of them chose to walk downwards and left the area where they landed on.
"A.I. Chip, scan the geographical outlay and project a map from it!" Leylin commanded the A.I. Chip after walking for a moment before stopping.
[Mission establishing, scanning the geography of the region…]
The A.I. Chip loyally carried out Leylin's orders. Very soon, a pale blue 3-D image was projected in front of Leylin's eyes.
On this map which could only be seen by him, it clearly depicted the terrain of the location nearby. It was so detailed that even a blade of grass was not left out.
According to the A.I. Chip's detection, under the cliff, there were layers of granite. Here were no signs of magician activities.
Moreover, in the surroundings, there weren't any situation of experiment labs that was detected.
"There isn't any?" Leylin's brow's furrowed.
"Perhaps, the other party had laid out such a strong concealment that even the A.I. Chip was unable to detect!"
Leylin pondered as he looked at the surroundings again with his physical eye.
6 hours later, the sky gradually turned dark. There were a few tents pitched on the top of the cliff. In front of the tent, there was a bonfire, where a wild vegetable soup aroma rose from the boiling pot.
It was rather unfortunate, however, that the five surrounding the bonfire did not have any appetite.
"Everyone has returned, speak of your findings!" Jayden looked at the circle and spoke first.
"There isn't any! Apart from those darned inverted rock blades, there isn't anything else…." Roth then spoke, "I say, could it be that you are leading us on the wrong path?"
"What did you say?" Jayden stood up abruptly, the badge pinned on his chest emitting a green glow.
"Alright! Do we want to cause internal strife even before finding the treasure?" Bosain emitted a huge energy wave, directly between Jayden and Roth.
"I believe Jayden, if not he could have come here on his own!" Leylin added.
Why he said that was because he also held a copy of the Sage Gotham Hut party's map. He knew that Jayden had been leading them right to the destination.
After hearing Leylin and Bosain mediating, Jayden and Roth glared at each other and sat back down.
"I have even searched the bottom level and it was all solid ground. There isn't any underground construction or anything of that sort!" Shaya smiled wryly.
"An official Magus' remnant could not be found that easily in the first place. If not it would have long since been looted!"
Leylin added and immediately asked Jayden, "Do you have any other clues?"
After hearing Leylin's words, the other 3 diverted their glances at Jayden.
Jayden kept his silence for a while before speaking, "The clue that I obtained was the map to come here. On the map, there were several ancient verses, it seemed to be a poem of sorts…"
"Let me see it!" Leylin and Bosain spoke together in unison.
"I'll show it to all of you then!" Jayden smiled and opened the map in his hands.
Leylin scrutinised the map on Jayden. There was no difference with the A.I. Chip's copy at all, even the route was the same, leading to this cliff.
However, Jayden's copy of the map was much older. On the upper right corner, there were several blurry characters. The words were writhing like a snake.
"This is Curagerian language, I have seen it before on a manual. It seemed to speak of 'carry…and people with respect, will be able to…garden…." Bosain eyes flashed as he tried his best to translate it.
"Only those who carry courage and respect will be able to see the Dylan Gardens!" Leylin translated the Curagerian language immediately, "There is only this one line on the map!"
Bosain was clearly startled, "Such an obscure knowledge…you actually…"
"It's because I like to hang around in the library!" Leylin smiled.
"The remnant's name seemed to be Dylan Gardens. However, for courage and respect, what does it mean?"
Shaya scratched her head in puzzlement.
"I always thought courage referred to the courage to trespass through the Zither Moon Mountain Plains. It doesn't seem to be the case now!" Jayden smiled wryly.
"The Zither Moon Mountain Plains is somewhat dangerous to regular humans. However to a level 2 acolyte, it doesn't pose much danger at all…" Bosain looked at Leylin impassively, before speaking.
A Way To Enter
The group discussed till late into the night, but no conclusions were arrived at.
After which, they assigned the sentry for the night watch, and the individuals returned to the tent to rest and meditate.
Leylin lay on a simple bed laid with the fur of a white wolf, anxiety stirring in his heart.
To him, this inheritance that no one knew about was now revealed to the rest. Furthermore, using the A.I. Chip's scanning abilities did not yield him any results. This made him feel rather irritated.
Even the meditation that he did daily had to be postponed.
"Maybe I should not put all my hopes in here. The south coast is extremely vast. Every dozens of years there would be an acolyte who stumbled upon an inheritance and obtain resources to advance into an official Magus. There are many chances…"
Leylin comforted himself, and then laughed in spite of himself.
Originally, he had considered the great Magus Serholm's inheritance as his own belonging, which had led him to be obsessed with it. Even a magician's most basic intellect was affected by it.
And Jayden and the others were also in the same situation.
"How irritable, I ignored the dangers!" Leylin's expression suddenly turned tranquil.
"The acolytes of the Sage Gotham Hut have all been killed by us. This will surely cause the other side to keep an eye on us and cause them to send some powerful acolytes or even official Magi to investigate…"
"Based on the location of the Sage Gotham Hut, I still have around 10 days' time till the information reaches them…"
"8 days! If within 8 days I still haven't discovered any clues here, I must leave." Leylin's eyes showed his resolve.
Compared with the great Magus Serholm's inheritance, Leylin valued his own life even more.
...
After having decided thus, Leylin felt as if a load had been taken off of him, and even his spiritual force felt like it was cleansed and thus he entered into the state of mediation.
Early morning, a skylark's sharp cry echoed above their camp.
Leylin greeted Shaya, "Morning!"
"Morning!" said Shaya, two dark circles around her eyes. It appeared as if she hadn't slept a wink last night. A few blood vessels were distinctly visible within her eyes. The gaze that she returned Leylin was inconceivable.
"I wonder…how is it that you can be so…relaxed?" After enduring for some time, Shaya at last enquired.
"This is an official Magus' inheritance that we are talking about—there is a chance to even get some information and resources which would help us advance…"
"But we still haven't found it, isn't that right?"
Leylin, facing the rising the sun, stretched his muscles satisfactorily.
"As long as something is not yours, you must not obsess over it too much. Otherwise, your heart will only suffer."
"You are very odd indeed!" Shaya rubbed her hand across her forehead, as she continued, "However, Magi and acolytes are all queer people, so you can be considered as normal!"
"That may be so!" Leylin nodded, as he thought that if these people came to know that the remnants were left behind by the great Magus Serholm, then the situation could worsen.
But, he certainly would not tell them about this bit of information.
The 5 people walked away from the tents and gathered to eat their breakfast—which was a roasted fowl. After that, they all gathered together to discuss on how to proceed.
"Alright! Today will again be another day of solo explorations! Try your best to find the remnants!" said Jayden. After seeing that the discussion went on for ages with no result, he had no other option but to say this.
This was also the most appropriate action for the current situation.
Although it is possible that any acolyte could find the entrance first, as long as it is opened, Jayden and the rest would also be able to find that open entrance from its energy waves. At the very most, they would just give the people who discovered the entrance a larger portion of the reward.
"What are you doing?"
After everyone had scattered in different directions, Jayden, upon seeing that Leylin still stood hesitating at the top of the cliff and was bowing to appreciate the Beta Daisy, he couldn't help but ask.
"It is as you see. I am appreciating the flowers," said Leylin, with a hint of a smile on his mouth.
"At such a moment?" Jayden's eyes turned red; he made as if to go and reprimand Leylin.
"Be calm! You must not get irritated!" Leylin made a gesture to make him halt.
"Yesterday we all looked for clues at the cliff's bottom, but we haven't discovered this secret hidden among the ocean of flowers!"
"Secret? You mean, you found it?" Jayden appeared ecstatic.
"What? Leylin found it?" *Sou! Sou! Sou!* 3 shadows appeared directly next to Jayden and Leylin.
It was the other 3 acolytes who had not strayed too far.
"En!" In front of his party's eyes, Leylin slowly nodded his head.
"One of you who can use any floating spell, fly up to midair and have a look!" Leylin spoke.
"I'll do it!" Bosain immediately withdrew a silver metal ball. On the metal ball, there were the energy waves of a magic artifact.
After that, Bosain twirled the metal ball, which then melted to become a liquid. This liquid stuck to his back and formed two huge, pretty and dazzling silver wings.
"It is a magic artifact that can change form as needed!" praised Leylin.
This artifact probably could reach the standard of a medium-grade magic artifact, guessed Leylin. The synthesizer had lowered the might of it for an acolyte to wield its power.
Only large-scale families with a long history would be able to enjoy such extravagant methods.
* Chi La! * A huge translucent silver wing flapped, bringing the dust off the ground. With this strength, Bosain immediately flew into midair.
"How is it? Do you see anything?" Jayden shouted below.
"Flowers…The arrangement of the Beta Daisy…."
A gust of wind flew past and Bosain flew down onto the ground, retracting his wings back in his body.
"This patch of Beta Daisy was planted on purpose. They have formed a character!"
Bosain explained to the rest.
"What character?" Shaya and Roth asked.
"It is a Curagerian letter, and the meaning means 'jump'!" Leylin said.
"Jump? Could it be that we have to jump directly off the cliff?" Jayden guessed. acolytes were not silly people, their judgment was clouded by the benefits in front of them previously.
"Haven't we already jumped once yesterday?"
Roth scratched his head, "Nothing was discovered, only those damned rocks below the cliff!"
"No! You climbed down. As for us, we used the Floating Feather spell to get down!" Bosain interrupted.
"I understand now, the remnant is located in a secret plane. As for the way to enter, it is to jump directly down from the cliff without using any spells!"
"Jump down directly? Are you crazy?" Shaya twisted her beautiful red hair, "Such a tall cliff with so many rock blades at the bottom. If we don't use any magic spells for defence, with our physical bodies, even Roth would fall to his death!"
"So, we need some experiment specimen!"
Jayden said, "Go find some animals, better yet some humans!"
"That's possible! But don't harbour too much hope!" Roth pulled out a bunch of tentacles from his bag and hurriedly left.
"We should also search in the surroundings, if we still can't find any, then let's return to the town!" Jayden revealed a smile for the first time…
"Ahhhhh…."
Frightened screams could be heard from the cliff. Moreover, due to the high pressure from the wind, the voices were altered.
* Bang! *
A black dot fell from the top of the cliff, growing larger, finally, a human figure appeared.
It was a person from the town who wore hunter gear. His face contorted and let out a hell-raising scream, free-falling from the top of the cliff.
* Sou! *
The hunter smashed directly onto a rock blade and the huge force of impact directly severed his body in two.
The corpse which was in two fell on the ground creating a huge pit. The bones and flesh were mixed together, the original appearance could not be recognised at all.
Beside these two pits, there was a smaller pit.
It had the same gory scene, only that the skull belonged to an animal similar to a deer.
"How is it?"
At the bottom of the cliff, Roth crossed his arms and inspected. Shaya too stood beside him. Moreover, in front of him, there was a semicircle object which glowed in green. From that object, Jayden's voice could be heard.
"Nothing new! It's just more meat paste, the result is similar to the deer from before!" Roth sneered, "It seems that our plan has failed…"
On top of the cliff, Leylin and the other two crowded around. Upon listening to the voice from the other half of the green semicircle object, their faces disappointed.
"From the start, an animal, till the last, a human. It seems like there are some other conditions that need to be met!"
Leylin was the first to recover from his low spirits.
"Let us think carefully, we are running out of specimens to test!" Bosain revealed a sardonic smile, pointing at the empty ground nearby.
On the empty ground, there were a few Zither Moon Town civilians who looked aghast at Leylin and the others. If not for the fact that their mouths were stuffed, they would most likely be cursing or begging for mercy right now.
Ever since Jayden suggested finding substitutes, the five of them had immediately split up and done their job.
Bosain was the most ruthless, it seemed like he went back to the town to kidnap a few citizens back here.
For peak magician families from where he came from, the secular regular humans were like wild grass. No matter how many were cut off, more would sprout in the future. Being able to die for his cause was their glory!
Although Leylin did not agree with this, but going against Bosain for a few mere strangers was not worth it.
Moreover, using human specimens had a smaller margin for error, much more than a deer. It was also in accordance with Leylin's interests!
At the same time, he was extremely shocked at Bosain's speed.
"Jumping down would represent courage! According to the map, there must also be 'respect!'" Leylin spoke of his own conjecture.
"Then what is 'respect'?" Bosain asked.
"In ancient times, when people visit their elders, they would bring a Beta Daisy to show their respect. This custom has lasted till today's times, and many places in the south coast has retained such traditions!"
Leylin smiled and said.
Black Horrall Snake
"Indeed! The Poolfield Kingdom does have such traditions!" Bosain's eyes gleamed.
"Let's try again!"
He went to one of the captives directly. It was a blue-haired kid which had not matured yet. "Be honoured kiddo! Being able to make contributions in front of mighty magicians!"
Bosain smirked, and immediately cut the ropes that were tying the boy.
"Put this on well, better yet put it at the place 30 centimetres below your collar!" Leylin immediately plucked a Beta Daisy flower and inserted it into the boy's collars.
"All preparatory work is work! Roth and Shaya, be careful!" Jayden roared into the receiver.
"Three, two, and one! Release!"
Bosain grabbed onto the boy's hair with an arm and walked towards the edge of the cliff. Looking at the boy who was flailing, he smirked and let go of his hand.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!"
The little boy spit off the thing stuffed in his mouth and let off a horrified scream!
After which, both his hands waved wildly as if a drowned person trying to hold onto the last rice straw.
"I hope it's a success this time!" On the cliff, Leylin muttered as he stood with the other two watched the screaming boy turn into a dot.
Suddenly, Leylin and the rest discovered an energy wave.
"This feeling! It won't be mistaken! It's the energy waves formed when a secret plane opens, the same as the bloodbath from before!" Leylin's lips curled up.
"Sha Sha…" Noises came from the receiver.
"He disappeared! I see the person who was falling in midair engulfed by a light, completely disappearing!" Shaya's voice could be heard with a trace of excitement in it.
"Let us go immediately!" Roth's voice, too, sounded from the receiver.
Moments later, the five gathered at the cliff as they gasped in amazement at the methods of ancient Magi.
"Courage and respect! Who would have thought of that?"
Shaya spoke in a wondrous tone, "With no defense spells and jumping off the cliff, where many rock blades have been imbued with eternal sharpness. Even an official Magus would not dare try it…"
"Moreover, one has to carry a Beta Daisy. If not, the secret plane wouldn't be opened…"
Jayden smiled, "Leylin, nice one!"
At this moment, even Bosain revealed an approving smile. Shaya even clapped for him at the side.
"Oh! All of this is due to everyone's efforts!" Leylin lowered his head slightly, revealing a humble yet proud smile.
"The secret plane has already been discovered, what are we waiting for?" Roth immediately plucked a Beta Daisy and placed it on his body.
"There are them too!" Bosain pointed at the frightened captives.
"I'll end it!" Jayden stretched both his hands and the vines continue to extend.
"Wait!" Leylin spoke suddenly, restricting Jayden's movement.
"What is it, could it be that you want to beg for them?" Bosain looked at Leylin in amusement.
"No! Only that, the secret plane might contain many other mechanisms like this, who knows if there are other uses for them!"
Leylin gave a viable reason.
"Moreover!" Leylin reached for a captive, "Granite Bind!"
Grey granite immediately rose from the ground, turning into fetters and handcuffs, typing the captives together once more.
"Regular humans will not be able to escape from a magic spell. This way, we wouldn't be afraid of them running away!"
"Very well! If we use too much time inside the secret plane, they will die of starvation. Leylin, you are indeed a magician!"
Bosain smiled and directly held a Beta Daisy in his hands, "Let's go! Are we still going to wait?"
"Jump!" The five acolytes each carried a Beta Daisy and jumped from the cliff.
* Bang! *
During the high-speed drop, Leylin's skin was almost sunken from the high pressure.
His eyes slightly reddened, and he felt as if the blood in his whole body was about to shoot out.
"Is this the feeling of jumping off a building?" Leylin harboured some nonsensical thoughts.
When the five of them fell halfway, a circle of light shone on the precipice.
The light turned into a circle and the air writhed, revealing the scene of another dimension.
"The entrance of the secret plane!" Bosain shouted.
Following which, the eyes of the members gleamed, and a strong weightlessness feeling overcame them.
After the earth spinning feeling, Leylin and the rest came to a dark cave.
"Such a large place, it should be a subterranean area! Only that we don't know where it is, since the underground of the bottom of the cliff was already searched with spells many times. It's impossible to be there!"
Leylin got up slowly.
"Where's the boy?" Shaya tidied the hair that covered her forehead and suddenly cried, "The boy from earlier has disappeared!"
"It's not that!" Roth lowered his head and pointed to the ground. There was a puddle a blood and the broken pieces of clothes of the boy.
"As expected, danger lurks in the secret plane along with the remnants!"
After seeing this scene, Leylin's eyes flashed.
Earlier when he disclosed the information to enter, he could have kept it to himself and wait until the others have returned to the academy before returning on his own.
However, he still chose to tell the others.
This was definitely not because he had had a change of character.
But fear! Fear of the danger inside the secret plane!
The great Magus Serholm was a legendary Magus and had at least rose to rank 4.
The inheritance that such a person would leave behind, Leylin felt that there would definitely be many mechanisms to test the aptitude of the seekers.
No matter what, Leylin was still only a level 3 acolyte, not even an official Magus! This place, for him, was too dangerous!
As for Bosain who was amongst Jayden's party, he was an existence not weaker to Leylin. The other three too had their various ways of surviving.
Leylin was extremely clear on his strength. Just he alone would be unable to break through every mechanism in the secret plane to obtain the inheritance. As for deceiving Jayden and the rest and completely reform a team with only level 3 acolytes, that was an impossible task to do.
Furthermore, even if it was a team he organised, at the very end when they discovered the inheritance of the great Magus Serholm, Leylin was certain that an internal strife would occur!
For acolytes, the great Magus Serholm was a myth amongst legends! His inheritance has a deadly allure to any acolyte!
Anyway, falling out was inevitable, so it did not matter who he had to fall out with.
Leylin asked himself if he were to compare the trump cards, he was the one with the most. The final one laughing would definitely be him!
"It seems like the boy had been attacked by some dangerous creature!"
Jayden took out his magic artifact, a green badge, and held in his hand.
The surroundings were extremely dim and the visibility was poor. Leylin and the others could not see very far.
The five of them huddled together to face any outside attack.
"Look at this!" Roth squatted down and pointed at a semicircle track.
Leylin looked at the direction he pointed at, and the semicircle track was extremely deep, extending to the depths far away. Moreover, these tracks appeared the most around the boy's remains.
"It's a snake's trail!" Leylin felt a scale the size of a palm from the tracks and blurted out.
"A snake's track? Which means, there is a dangerous snake creature concealed in the area!"
Roth's right-hand muscle bulged and his sleeves exploded.
* Hua La La! * White tentacles continuously extended from it, creating a defense by shielding his surroundings.
* Sssii! * * Sssii! *!
The spitting of a snake's tongue continuously sounded.
"It seems like the great Magus Serholm had an affection for snake type creatures!" Leylin thought of the Huge Mankestre Snake back in the previous remnant experiment lab and started to link the two sightings together.
"But, what could this all mean?"
Regarding the records of the great Magus Serholm, they only appeared in poems and travel notes.
Leylin had not yet discovered any journals that covered the happenings of the great Magus Serholm in detail. According to his conjecture, this information should only be available at the official Magus level.
"It seems like it's a large one!" Bosain licked his lips. The silver metal covered him fully, turning into a full body armour.
* Bang! *
A gigantic long black figure charged towards the acolytes under the concealment of the darkness.
"Chi Chi!" Countless tentacles reached out, wrapping on the figure of the black figure.
Roth guffawed, "I caught you!"
"Illuminating spell!" Shaya held a bright light ball in her hands and tossed it in the air.
The light ball exploded in midair, and shone down, illuminating the cave like a sun.
Leylin squinted his eyes and sized up the creature that Roth had bound.
A giant snake, more than a dozen metres long, and was black in colour all over. It was filled with the rhombus-shaped scales that Leylin had noticed earlier. On its back, there was a long red line, stretching from the head to its tail.
On the middle of the snake's head, there was a small stubby horn, emitting immense energy waves from it.
Under the horn was a pair of triangular shaped pupils. Its bright yellow eyes looked like amber, as it stared at Leylin and the rest.
At this moment, the giant snake seemed to be held down by a ball of tentacles wrapped around it, rooted to the spot.
Compared with the snake, Roth seemed like a midget. The scene was somewhat comical.
"A.I. Chip! Scan the creature!" Leylin ordered.
[Similarity to the Black Horrall Snake: 98.7%! Neborake Mamba: 75%! Mankestre Snake: 34.6%!]
The A.I. Chip's voice intoned.
"Black Horrall Snake? Bring out its data!" Leylin's brow's furrowed.
[Black Horrall Snake, an extremely dangerous being. It contains a trace of bloodline of the ancient creature—Kemoyin Serpent, which is known to contain tremendous might and an astonishing life force!] [Source of information: Ancient Creatures Illustrated Handbook, Catalog of Dangerous Creatures.]
Contract Scroll
"Scan the stats of the Black Horrall Snake in front of me!"
Leylin ordered once again.
[Beep! Target stats: Strength: 18, Agility: 15, Vitality: 20, Spiritual force: 22.
Abilities – 1. Scales Defence: The Black Horrall Snake rhombus scales has a defensive force field encircling it at all times. Immune to physical and magical attacks under 5 degrees. Moreover, it has a huge negation towards attack of 5 degrees and more. 2. Shadow Stealth: Inheriting the Kemoyin Serpent's shadow powers allows the Black Horrall Snake to enter into a stealth state anytime, withdrawing all signs of energy waves. 3. Lightning blaze: Emits a lightning flame from the horn. Estimated degree of attack: 12 to 15 degrees. Status: Extremely weak!]
"Stats like this…"
Leylin's eyes widened, "It has long since surpassed the boundaries of a level 3 acolyte, and is most likely close to that of an official Magus?"
There were no records of the stats of official Magus in the A.I. Chip, so Leylin could only guess.
"Roth, careful! This is a Black Horrall Snake! Its might is extremely higher, much higher than your imagination!"
"Hisssssss!"
Before Leylin had finished warning him, the Black Horrall Snake let out an ear-piercing hiss.
The massive body of the Black Horrall Snake began to writhe and the tail was sent flailing. The cave seemed to shake.
* Pa Pa! * The milky white tentacles broke constantly, and from its wounds, there was white dense pus.
The triangular pupils of the Black Horrall Snake seemed to reveal a glint of ridicule. Following which, it turned back into the eyes of a beast and bit on Roth who had fallen to the ground.
"Save him!"
Shaya and Jayden roared, and a few green vines and silver flying knives was sent flying towards the Black Horrall Snake's body.
* Bang! * The flying knives and vines hit on the scales of the Black Horrall Snake, and sparks were created.
The Black Horrall Snake did not budge at all and opened its bloody mouth, directly chomping on Roth, swallowing him with a gulp.
"Oh, no!"
On the neck of the giant snake, there was a bulge as if someone was attacking within.
Very soon, the bulge entered the stomach of the snake and the struggle within grew smaller and smaller, finally turning still.
The whole process took only a few seconds, so fast that Leylin and the others did not have time to rescue him.
"Black Horrall Snake?"
Bosain who was on the side recovered from the shock, "Isn't that an existence that, when matured, could deal with a rank 3 Magus? Why has it appeared here?"
"It could go against a rank 3 Magus?"
Jayden and the others jumped in shock! rank 3 Magus! That is the cultivation of the leader in the Lighthouse of the Night, a person who could suppress the 3 academies!
"If it's a rank 3 Magus, we would have long been dead, not even a speck left. Could it be that this Black Horrall Snake has not matured yet?" Leylin's thoughts spun rapidly.
"No! It's not correct! This is a matured Black Horrall Snake. However, due to the duration that it has been sealed for and not being able to eat, it has already regressed from a rank 3 Magus into an elementary rank 1 Magus! Furthermore, it was awakened by the human boy earlier…"
According to the indication from the A.I. Chip, Leylin guessed the truth.
This Black Horrall Snake could be the byproduct of the great Magus Serholm before, and was left here according to his wishes.
There was most likely no food in this secret plane, hence, the Black Horrall Snake could only hibernate to reduce the consumption needed for its body.
However, hundreds and thousands of years have passed. Even if the Black Horrall Snake tried to conserve its strength, it could not have reversed the decomposition effect. From originally a creature which could go against a rank 3 Magus, it had now regressed to the standard of a rank 1 Magus.
After swallowing Roth, Black Horrall Snake's pupils showed a hint of satisfaction, before sizing up Leylin and the others.
"It is still a young Black Horrall Snake, not even an official Magus. We still have a chance!"
Leylin was afraid that Jayden and the rest would have been dismayed and lost their fighting spirit after hearing declare it as a 'rank 3 Magus', hence, he quickly shouted to boost their confidence.
Leylin had the A.I. Chip and was able to tell the truth behind the regression of the snake. Such a thing had to be kept mum. In the short period of time Jayden and the rest wouldn't be able to discover it, so Leylin just simply told a lie in its place.
"A fledgling?" Bosain's eyes flashed. "Indeed! This Black Horrall Snake is too weak, even weaker than a rank 1 Magus. It is definitely in its pre-adolescent phase!"
"This is a creature which could fight against rank 3 Magi in the future when it grows up! If I were to sign a contract with it…"
Bosain muttered and his armour immediately flashed. A metal liquid was held in his right hand, turning into a silver white sword.
"Come! The brutal Black Horrall Snake of the legends! Let me, Bosain, be your owner!"
Bosain eyes were frenzied and he directly charged forward.
* Bang! * The thin silver sword slashed at the Black Horrall Snake's scales, creating a long gash. A few palm sized scales too dropped out.
"Indeed, it if were a matured Black Horrall Snake, I would have no chances at all to break its defensive forcefield!"
Bosain hollered, "This is mine! This Black Horrall Snake must definitely belong to me!"
"Hisssssssss!" The Black Horrall Snake hissed angrily and flung its tail.
* Bang! * As if it were a black lightning, the long tail viciously struck Bosain.
Bosain seemed to fly out like a cannonball, creating a large hole in the walls of the cave.
* Hua La La! * Mud and rocks fell down, revealing Bosain who was wearing his shining white armour.
"Leylin, Jayden, and Shaya, help me to restrain it. Not only can you get the friendship of the Lilytell family, I am also willing to give up all of the rewards obtained during this exploration!"
Bosain shook his head and finally recovered from the dizziness, seeking help from Leylin and the others.
"No matter what, let us restrain this Black Horrall Snake first. If not, we won't have a chance to obtain anything!"
Jayden spoke as he channeled a large amount of spiritual force and magic power into the green badge.
Ripples of jade green colour continuously came from the badge.
*Peng!* Countless jade green vines seemed to fill the cave as it tried to entangle the Black Horrall Snake.
"Cloud of Afterlife!"
Leylin too used his spell that he was proud of. A large murky green cloud immediately engulfed the Black Horrall Snake within, the corrosive sounds constantly emitting from within the mist.
"Comb of Vengeful Spirit!" Shaya too took out her prized magic artifact.
It had the appearance of a rather old wooden comb. Shaya immediately used it to comb her fire red beautiful hair.
*Sssii!*! The fire red hair grew rapidly. In the blink of an eye, there was already a layer of hair on the ground. After which, the ground of the whole cave was dyed red.
"It is actually a type of binding type magic artifact. Combined with Jayden's green badge, it may really even restrain this Black Horrall Snake!"
An expectant look flashed across Leylin's eyes
After the dark green Cloud of Afterlife had dissipated, it revealed the massive Black Horrall Snake's figure within.
The scales were still gleaming, as usual, only that in that large gash that Bosain had left on its body, the surrounding flesh had been corroded to a purple black state.
The huge snake's eyes seemed dispirited. Looking at it, it was evident that Leylin's attack had some effect on it.
"All together!" Jayden nodded his head towards Shaya. Countless green vines from midair wrapped around the Black Horrall Snake, even around its head.
At the same time, the innumerable fire red hair on the ground was like steel net. Very soon it wrapped itself like a net, trapping the Black Horrall Snake within.
*Bang!*
The green vines and red hair continuously tightened, leaving circles after circles of red and green imprints on the Black Horrall Snake's body.
The huge snake lost its balance and fell to the ground, bringing up dust and rock shards.
"Nice one!" Bosain praised them. His body in midair left several white afterimages.
After a few jumps, he came to the top of the Black Horrall Snake's head.
"Little baby, you're mine now!"
A smug and zealous expression filled Bosain's face. He immediately withdrew a scroll which emitted immense energy waves, directly at the Black Horrall Snake's eyes.
"This is… A sealing contract within a scroll!"
From the A.I. Chip's detection, it was a power magical object. On it, a contract formation was sealed within. It had to cost at least tens of thousands of magic crystals. Moreover, one may not be able to buy it even with money!
This price has long since surpassed the price of many magical creatures for magicians.
From this, one could see that only those large families which had been around for many years could possess many great items.
Leylin looked at Bosain who was opening the scroll and his lips curled up.
"A pity that it is such a powerful contract scroll. If it were used against a youngling of a powerful creature, there could still be a chance of success. However, this Black Horrall Snake's spiritual force is not in such a lowered state…."
Bosain who was without the A.I. Chip would naturally not think of this.
At this moment, his face carried a fevered gaze. Coupled with his trembling hands, he chanted an incantation and ripped opened the magical scroll.
*Bang!*
An extremely radiant white light rose in front of Bosain and the black snake.
The white continuously circulated, finally forming a strange magic formation. On it was laced with mysterious runes and magic characters.
"An advanced contract spell formation! A.I. Chip, record!" Leylin immediately gave the order to the A.I. Chip.
"Come! Become my contractual partner!"
Bosain muttered. From the formation a green light appeared, directly entering the forehead of Bosain.
As for the other flash of green light, it was sent towards the Black Horrall Snake, moreover directly imprinting itself on the large skull of the Black Horrall Snake.
As if knowing that once it was bound to the contract and lose its freedom forever, the black snake thrashed continuously, resisting the entry of the green light.
"Hurry! Faster!"
Cold sweat the size of beans trickled down Bosain's face, staring intently at the skull of the Black Horrall Snake.
"My dream, my life, when I obtain this Black Horrall Snake…"
Just when the green light had completely entered the Black Horrall Snake's head, a strange sight occurred!
Shadow Stealth
The eyes of the Black Horrall Snake revealed a human-like mocking expression.
*Bang!*
A tremendous amount of spiritual force was released, rejecting the green light instantly.
Not only that, the contract spell formation in midair exploded violently too.
Bosain's chest seemed to have been struck by a hammer and he was sent flying backwards.
Large chunks of silver armour fell and crimson red blood was constantly spurted from Bosain's mouth.
"The backlash from the contract!" Leylin who was watching from afar blurted out.
If the contract failed on a powerful creature, magicians will often suffer backlash on their spiritual force. Moreover, apart from that spiritual force backlash, there was also the attack from the creature's spiritual force.
Looking on, it seemed that Bosain's spiritual force had been severely damaged. Furthermore, due to the connection of the spiritual force with the magic artifact, the magic artifact had also been damaged.
*Hua La La!*
Just when Bosain was sent flying back, a white protection rune flew up from his body. A milky white light then engulfed Bosain who was still vomiting out blood.
This kind of milky white radiance was resplendent and filled with a sacred feeling. Under the radiance of the light, even the naked eye could see that Bosain was rapidly recovering.
"A single-use healing rune?" Leylin's eyes squinted, recognising the origins of that white protection rune.
"There are indeed plenty of items on his body!" Although Bosain did not suffer a severe injury as was expected, Leylin was still somewhat satisfied with it. After all, it had forced him to use one of his trump cards.
The synthesizer of this protection rune had to use many precious resources. Moreover, it required a huge amount of magic power and spiritual force from an official Light Magus. Even if it was Bosain, he couldn't be holding on to another of this protection rune.
"What happened?"
Jayden and Shaya who saw Bosain flying back revealed expressions of disbelief.
"The contract binding has failed. Hurry and kill this damned black snake!"
Leylin withdrew the cross blade on his waist. With an incantation, a layer of frost covered the cross blade.
Frost Alchemy Runes! It was a type of alchemy rune that was specially used on equipment, adding on might equivalent to a low-grade magic artifact temporarily. After using it the equipment would normally break.
Leylin's cross blade had long since been damaged back in the bloodbath.
However, there were as many cross blades in the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy as he needed for him to purchase.
The frost greatsword was immediately wielded and raised in Leylin's hands. From the blade, a terrible chillness was emitted, and this attracted the gazes of Jayden and Shaya.
"I knew it!" Jayden's roared internally, "Leylin being able to survive in the bloodbath, he definitely would have some tricks up his sleeve!"
"Bind him, I'm going up!"
Leylin looked at the black snake which was still bound by the green vines and red hair in the eye.
After releasing an explosive amount of spiritual force to inflict damage on Bosain, the Black Horrall Snake right now continuously writhed its massive body, the energy waves surging out rampantly.
*Zhi Ya!*
Countless vines and hair were broken; Jayden's and Shaya's faces, too, became more and more uneasy.
"Hurry! I can't hold on much longer!" Shaya shouted from the side.
"Cross Blade Slash!"
Leylin's muscles bulged, and his whole body seemed to increase by a size.
[The Host has entered the state of a Knight's secret technique. strength and agility have been greatly boosted! vitality decreased!] The A.I. Chip very soon reported the change in stats.
During the three years back in Extreme Night City, Leylin had picked up the secret technique for Knight's to enter the explosive state from Viscount Jackson.
This was even better than a secret killing move. Furthermore, the technique came from a Grand Knight, which was much better than the secret technique inherited from Leylin's Farlier family.
Under the impressive calculations done by the A.I. Chip, Leylin incorporated Viscount Jackson's secret knight technique with his cross blade killing technique, achieving an exponential increase in the secret technique attack.
Right now, the secret technique that Leylin used had already reached the standard of a Grand Knight. The side effects had reduced, and the might was stronger than before.
Under the loud roar, Leylin jumped high in the air. Two arcs of slash were sent from the frost greatsword.
The two slashes crossed one another, forming a large 'X' in the air. Frost continued to condense, creating a layer of ice on the large 'X' which was sent towards the Black Horrall Snake.
*Chi!*
The icy 'X' directly chopped at the neck of the Black Horrall Snake. Scales continuously fell and there was a layer of ice on the area.
There was a giant cross-shaped wound on the Black Horrall Snake now. The frost continued to spread and a lot of fresh blood with a trace of black coloured snake blood was forced out from the wound.
"Hisssssss!" The black snake let off an enraged cry. It violently thrashed its body and broke many more vines and hair on its body.
"Good! Maintain this might. As long as it's done several more times, we can definitely decapitate this snake!"
Glee appeared on Shaya's face.
"Hisssssssssssss!" After the madness, the Black Horrall Snake strangely calmed down.
After halting its writhing, the scales on it body continuously flashed with a black light, emitting a layer of negative energy that Leylin was familiar with.
"This is the energy particles of the Shadow element! Be careful…" Through the indication given by the A.I. Chip, Leylin immediately warned the rest.
Alas, they were a step too late!
Without warning, half of the Black Horrall Snake's body turned transparent. First, it was the scales, then the skin, the flesh and finally the bones…
The transparency very soon covered the body of the whole snake. The giant snake which had the length of a dozen metres disappeared in the next moment.
"What is this? A concealment spell? A pity that under the two restraints from our magic artifact, what use would that be?" Shaya spoke in bewilderment.
"It's not a concealment spell, but one which can negate any attacks while it is in stealth mode!"
*Hua La La!* The countless green vines and red hair on the Black Horrall Snake seemed to lose its target in an instant. It seemed to be binding only thin air now and fell on the floor.
"A spell with an effect like this?" Jayden's pupil shrank. "This is no longer a rank 0 spell, but the effect from an official Magus. Why did it not it use it earlier?"
"Because the consumption was too great and it cannot withstand it for a second time!"
Leylin guessed. This Shadow Stealth was comprehended by the Black Horrall Snake as an innate skill after maturing. Moreover during its regression, it had fortunately retained this skill.
The spell achieved the effect of a rank 1 spell. Leylin absolutely could not imagine the might of this spell when the Black Horrall Snake was in its mature state.
"I'm afraid that even official Magi would not be able to discover it, only be swallowed as food while in fear!"
"Hurry! The triangular defensive formation!" Leylin roared.
*Sou Sou!* Jayden and Shaya who knew that it was not the time to be slow rushed towards Leylin's side. Even Bosain joined them with a gloomy expression.
The four of them formed a mysterious defense formation. They stood at the three corners of it as a layer of vine and hair continued to wrap around the area, protecting the four within.
This was one of the combinations that they had agreed on previously.
An invisible enemy was the most dangerous! Leylin, highly tensed, looked at the surroundings, not knowing at all when the Black Horrall Snake would strike.
Under the illuminating spell, the whole cave was brightly lit.
There was only dried mud on the floor. Apart from scales and a few puddles of blood, there were completely no traces of the snake's tracks whatsoever.
It was as if such a massive snake had just vanished.
"Be careful, this is very similar to a rank 1 Shadow Element spell—Shadow Stealth. I have seen it once performed by an elder in my family. They are completely invisible on the physical plane as long as the time limit was not up, or when an enemy attacks it…"
Bosain spoke hurriedly, with a hint of anxiety and gloom in his tone.
Leylin understood the feelings behind it. No matter who it was—after losing a scroll worth tens of thousands of magic crystals and a rune which could protect the life—they would not feel good about it.
"What should we do? Continue to wait for it to appear?" Jayden was extremely unresigned as he controlled the vines to lash at the surrounding granite walls. A pity, however, the dust created did not help pinpoint the location of the snake.
"Snake type creatures have a strong intent for vengeance. It would definitely not leave like this. Maybe it is just around us, waiting for an opportunity…"
Leylin's voice was faintly discernible. It made Shaya who was beside him tense and kept a tight grip on that magic artifact comb in her hands.
"A.I. Chip! Can you detect where the Black Horrall Snake is?" Leylin asked inwardly.
[No results from scanning! No reaction from thermal detection! No energy waves from a large creature in the surroundings!] The A.I. Chip's voice intoned and made Leylin's expression darken.
Regarding the spells of an official Magus, the A.I. Chip now was still somewhat helpless against them.
*Hu!* Suddenly, a dozen metres in front of Jayden, many translucent scales appeared in midair and yet vanished again quickly.
"There!" Jayden's eyes flashed. Dozens of vines crisscrossed, forming a large net and was sent over.
After which, Shaya shot out a green fireball, following right behind the net.
*Bang!* The green net vines caught nothing but air, falling to the ground.
The fireball too caused a huge pit on the ground with an explosion, yet no traces of the snake was discovered.
"En?"
Leylin suddenly tensed up. His scalp was tingling as if being stared on by some dangerous creature.
This feeling came purely from his instincts. The A.I. Chip and the detection spells had no effects at all.
However, he completely believed in his intuition. Leylin immediately made a decisive action and rolled on the ground, away from his original position.
"Hisssss!"
Behind the place where Leylin was originally standing, there was a flickering in the air and the massive body of the Black Horrall Snake materialised.
From the huge head of the snake, a vicious ray of light flashed. The snake opened its jaws and clamped on Shaya who was standing close to Leylin's original position. Half of her body enter the snake's jaws as it chewed.
*Boom!*
An intense explosion sounded within the snake's mouth and a layer of purple flame escaped from the jaws.
A huge energy wave was detected which led the A.I. Chip to flash indicators wildly.
"It's Shaya! She self-destructed the magic artifact right before she died!"
Jayden spoke hoarsely.
Blood Quintessence
"Now!"
Bosain roared and the silver armour on his body formed again. He also produced a silver longsword, which caused a few ripples in the void around it.
"All out!" Jayden's eyes reddened. He chanted a few ancient incantation and even bit on his finger, letting the blood drip on the green badge.
*Bang!*
Countless vines broke out from the ground. Only that the vines now were all red and the reverse thorns were even denser. On them, there were even a tinge of green and an extremely dangerous aura came permeating from it.
"Since it's become like this!" Leylin waved an arm, and a dozen fire red potion left his hands.
Several more bright flames were exploded on the Black Horrall Snake's body.
Furthermore, there was a flash on Leylin's hands, and the black longbow once again appeared in his palm.
"Frost Runes!"
Leylin chanted an incantation and a layer of frost covered the original black longbow, turning the arrows into icy shards!
"Kill!!!"
The 3 different voices sounded at the same time.
The red vines had a faster speed than before, even bringing a gale of wind. In an instant, it had already bound the Black Horrall Snake which was rolling on the floor.
At the same moment, an icy arrow shot past the void and pierced through the right eye of the black snake.
"Hissssssss!"
The Black Horrall Snake's mouth was set on fire and one of its eyeballs had burst. From the socket, there was a huge amount of resplendent and translucent fluid that poured out. The snake was screeching in agony at this point in time.
"Meet your death!"
During the explosion, Bosain's silver armour turned into a metal liquid, converging onto the longsword in his hands.
After this scene, the silver longsword immediately became five metres long. On the blade, there were even some mystical runes.
"The strongest power! The strongest state! Go to hell!"
Bosain's muscles bulged and there were plenty of flashes of light from the spell.
Leylin only glanced at it and discovered many rank 0 spells which could temporarily increase the physical attributes of strength and vitality.
Under the support of so many spells, right now Bosain's stats had most likely exceeded that of a Grand Knight. It was close to the evolved form of Grand Knights in myths—the Branded Swordsman!
*Pu!*
The longsword easily pierced through the defense of the Black Horrall Snake right into the crucial point of the giant snake, the place where the heart was.
Innumerable fresh blood laced with some blackish blood frothed out. The snake's figure tried to raise itself, yet it was held tightly by the red vines. Also, the giant red vines climbed to where the wound was and, as if it had an intelligence of its own, it bore its way right into the wound.
"Hisssssssssss!"
The giant snake continuously bellowed and twisted as blood constantly splattered onto the muddy ground.
After struggling for a dozen of minutes, the Black Horrall Snake's left eye was completely devoid of lustre and it fell to the ground.
"Is it dead?"
Jayden looked somewhat disbelieving as he asked. The red vines were still writhing on the body of the snake.
[Target is severely injured, its life force waves are continuously declining!] [Target's life force has fallen to the lowest!] [Target's life force waves has completely vanished. Dead!]
The indication from the A.I. Chip let Leylin know that the giant snake was indeed dead. However, he still said, "Let's first perform some detection spells!"
Leylin was able to vividly recall the fact that the A.I. Chip could not detect the Black Horrall Snake when it was invisible.
Who knew if this black snake had some secret method which allowed it to hide its life force waves and escape the detection of the A.I. Chip!
After which, the 3 acolytes began casting many spells. Finally, they could confirm that this Black Horrall Snake—which killed two of their party members—was really dead.
After hearing this conclusion, Jayden hurriedly retracted his red vines and collapsed onto the ground.
Leylin noted that there was not a single sign of redness on Jayden's face. His pallid complexion made it extremely obvious that he had just lost a lot of blood.
As for Bosain on the other side, the greatsword had turned back into the liquid metal and was tucked back into his robes. Even the armour could not maintain its form.
Looking at it, his magic artifact seemed to have consumed a lot of energy.
These little tidbits of information had been recorded into the database of the A.I. Chip. Moreover, it had wildly calculated the battle state of the two and came up with a battle success rate.
Of course, in the eyes of those two, Leylin was simply an above average acolyte. Apart from his Potioneering skills, there was only his Frost Alchemy Rune which seemed decent.
This was the false image that Leylin had painstakingly created.
"Also this! Hurry and harvest them!"
Leylin looked at the black snake which was devoid of life. The wounds on its body continuously had blood flowing out from it.
A spell wave with low energy waves was formed on Leylin's hands.
"What are you doing?" Bosain and Jayden immediately pulled their distance away from Leylin, looking at him warily.
Once the threat was gone, under the enticement of benefits, seeds of distrust was unknowingly planted and had already begun to sow between the party members.
"Just collecting the materials!" Leylin's spell never stopped.
"Blood!" After a few chants, Leylin opened his mouth and spat out a Byron language word.
*Hu Hu!*
The blood puddle on the floor seemed to have a direction as they flowed towards Leylin's palms on a few blood traces.
Countless blood few in midair, continuously converging like a bloody ball of light.
*Hua La La!* The void seemed to have an invisible strength that was continuously compressing the blood as it congealed, finally turning into a small rock with the colour of blood.
*Di Di!* The invisible energy was directly applied on the wound of the Black Horrall Snake, and the blood within its body was continuously pulled out.
Minutes later, the Black Horrall Snake seemed to have gotten somewhat smaller, its scales turning pale.
As for Leylin, his hand now held a dozen fist-sized blood-coloured rocks.
All the blood essence of the dozen metres long Black Horrall Snake congealed only to the size of a dozen rocks.
This was one of the rank 0 spell that Leylin had learned, used specifically to harvest the blood from large creatures.
After seeing the spell effect that Leylin cast, Bosain and Jayden then relaxed their guard. However, Leylin could still detect a trace of wariness deep within their eyes.
"The Black Horrall Snake's blood is an ingredient for many potions. I wish to have all of it. As for the other materials on the black snake, I can let go of a portion of them to match the value of the blood!"
Leylin smiled and explained.
The contents of the broken diary that Leylin saw back then in the experiment lab near Extreme Night City surfaced on his mind then. Towards several words such as 'modulate', 'bloodline' and the likes caused him have an unknown instinct to collect the blood, even at the cost of offending these two.
"Blood?" Bosain cocked his head and suddenly laughed.
"Indeed! For many Potion Masters, the blood from powerful creatures was often a necessary ingredient for their potions."
The concept of bloodlines and such did not enter Bosain's train of thoughts at all.
After all, many ancient creatures had been extinct for thousands and thousands of years. In many creatures within the Magus World, only traces of the ancient creatures' reflection could be seen.
As for how to extract the ancient bloodlines, this subject had been extensively researched by many magicians, yet there were no breakthroughs.
To obtain a fragment of gene from the blood and then reforming it into an essence, was well outside the capabilities of magicians.
Only a rank 4 Magus of the legends or above would that have a chance of being possible.
However, a rank 4 Magus on the south coast was just a myth.
"This Black Horrall Snake's ingredients are at least worth 100,000 magic crystals!" Jayden's eyes gleamed and his face revealed an intoxicated expression.
Towards magical snake creatures like these, the part that was the most valuable were their scales, innards, brains and the likes. These were often the good ingredients to synthesize magic artifacts.
As for blood and other stuff, apart from Potion Masters and Alchemists who needed them occasionally, there were not many uses for them elsewhere.
After the circumstance where Leylin acted first, the three acolytes discussed briefly. Jayden and Bosain would then gather the most valuable few parts of the snake, then cast a preserving rank 0 spell before leaving the place.
To them, right now the loot from the snake was just the reward from the outer area of the remnant, who knows how many more good stuff there were inside there.
"This remnant site seems to be of an extremely high grade!"
Jayden sized up the cave to try to search for more clues, "It actually planted a sentinel mechanism right at the very start, even leaving such a dangerous creature… A pity for Roth and Shaya…"
Towards the deaths of these two party members, Leylin and the other two only put on a superficial downcasted expression before recovering very soon.
To be honest, these two acolytes had only been in contact with Leylin for several days, so he did not feel much for them.
Magicians were often apathetic creatures. Very soon, the three diverted their attention back towards the remnant.
"Using powerful creatures to guard the remnants seems to be the style of the Kukeral period!"
Bosain seemed to recall something, "The Kukeral period's constructions were simple and boorish. Even those warning mechanisms were extremely simple, it would not go past two stages!"
"Which is to say, once we get through another mechanism, we should be able to near the heart of the remnant!"
Jayden's eyes gleamed, "Then what are we still waiting for?"
To him, finding information to advance into an official Magus was the most important task. Although collecting advanced ingredients was not bad, it did not have the allure of the inheritance of an official Magus,
The three acolytes used various rank 0 spell to probe the interior of the cave, finally finding a hole in the corner.
The pitch black hole even grew a layer of green rust. It seems to be made of some metal.
*Sssii!*
A green eyeball immediately flew from the hole.
"Pa!" Jayden reached out to grab it and inserted it back into his socket.
"Not many dangers ahead. However, five thousand metres further, my spell seemed to be blocked, as if there has to be a verification of some sorts before going through. "
On the other side, Leylin and Bosain too used their own methods to inspect the cave before giving the same results.
The Dylan Gardens
"That being so, why don't we all enter together?!"
Bosain looked at the other two.
"Certainly!" Resolve surfaced on Jayden's face.
For him, the exploration, this time, was only considered successful if he found a Magus inheritance!
"I have no objections!" Leylin looked calm on the surface, yet it was contrary to what he felt.
He was aware of the person who left behind this inheritance and what was buried here.
"Rank 4 Magus, a virtuous person in legends, inheritance of the great Magus Serholm!" Leylin's heart blazed in desire.
The three had the same opinion and entered the rusty metal passage.
The tunnel was broad, enough to fit 3 adults walking side by side.
Since they were 3 youths, naturally they had more freedom for movement.
Leylin touched the wall and grey dust fell down, revealing the silver metal wall behind it.
At first, it felt was icy-cold, then again it felt warm. This metal gave a strange sensation when Leylin's fingers touched upon it.
[Discovery of an unknown metal, not registered within database!] After a scan, the A.I. Chip's voice intoned.
"This is the Crying Blood Alloy. It seems that during its casting, it requires the fresh blood of beasts or slaves. Reportedly, there is a certain limit to its effect on the spirit bodies!"
Bosain whispered into Leylin's ears.
If magicians were treated as commoners, then Bosain would belong to nobility within magicians. His knowledge still surpassed Leylin's in certain areas.
Moreover, a few precious materials could only be obtained within such families, Leylin had no access to them at all.
"Blood Crying Alloy?!"
Leylin commanded silently, "A.I. Chip, record composition!"
[Beep! Target information collect, saving in database. Folder: Resource Information—Blood Crying Alloy!]
The A.I. Chip's indicator sounded in Leylin's ears.
"The distance to the protective screen observed earlier is becoming shorter!"
Jayden walked on the right, suddenly speaking, "Since this is a passage constructed by this type of alloy, there may be something appearing ahead…"
"A spirit body!" Leylin and Bosain called in unison, their face looking awful.
For acolytes, they lack effective defensive measures. For spiritual body attacks, they had no good countermeasures for it.
If it were regular acolytes, they would have long since retreated.
However, Leylin and the others were different. Bosain and Jayden had magic artifacts on them, which could be temporarily used for defense. Although those were not defensive magic artifacts like the Fallen Star Pendant, could still protect their spirits from being attacked for the time being.
As for Leylin himself, he had researched on spirit bodies for over two years. Under the aid of the A.I. Chip, his knowledge on spirit bodies had exceeded even a few of his professors.
At this moment, Leylin quivered.
[The negative energy density in the air has increased by an additional 3.14% than regular settings!] The A.I. Chip's voice intoned.
"This environment seemed to be recorded by the A.I. Chip before. It is one of the most suitable environments for spirit bodies to survive!"
A strong fearful instinct rose from Leylin's body.
"It's here!"
Leylin eyes squinted, there was a bright hole appearing in front of them.
After passing through the cave hole, Leylin, and the rest felt a radiant light whose glare bothered their eyes and they could not help but shut their eyes.
When they opened their eyes again, they had already entered a sea of flowers with varying colours.
Tulips, flaming poppies, red large winding chrysanthemum, green calla lily, various flowers that Leylin knew and don't know were blooming in this flower garden.
The garden seemed to be under some spell. Different blooming seasons and different areas of flowers were blooming wildly in this garden.
The secular world flowers were only for decoration. After a quick whiff, Leylin discovered many useful herbs for magicians.
Many were those that even Kroft could never find. Yet now, they were sitting here in this garden.
"Violet Leaves Flower, Nose Root Fruit, Walking Dragonfly, Inverted Sunflower and there is even the Void Flower!"
Jayden and Bosain, too, gasped in amazement.
Towards the end, there were many species of flowers that Leylin could not recognise, but seeing where they were planted, their value must be above that of the Void Flower.
Right now, Leylin finally knew why the Dylan Gardens were named.
This huge garden was at least a dozen square kilometres. How much valuable plants were here? How much worth of magic crystals?
Leylin only thought about it for a while and felt dazed.
"Haha… the Sun Golden Flame! It's actually the Sun Golden Flame!"
Jayden looked at a flaming plant at the middle with a fervent gaze.
"The strength of the Sun Golden Flame can even be combined with Grine Water to help Fire element acolytes to breakthrough. The success rate is increased by 20%!"
Jayden muttered and his hand unknowingly went to reach for the fire red Sun Golden Flame.
"Don't!" Leylin seemed to thought of something and spoke suddenly.
Alas, it was too late. Jayden completely ignored Leylin's warning and reached for the flowerbed.
*Ding Ling!* *Ding Ling!* *Ding Ling!*
A sound similar to chimes sounded, and was extremely melodious to the ears.
The air stopped! The wind stopped!
Leylin and the other two felt nothing below their feet and was immediately shifted to another area.
It seemed to be the interior of a villa. The four walls were displayed with brand new furniture. On the pale yellow desk, there was a lamp which contained an orange-red flame.
"Where is this place?"
Jayden spoke, losing his voice.
"A type of defense mechanism. It seems like we have been transported to another area!" Leylin smiled wryly.
Bosain was looking at Jayden right now, and he no longer appeared friendly.
"However, there is also good news. According to the Kukeral period's traditions, if we solve this mechanism, most of the remnant's defensive mechanism will immediately lose their effect."
Bosain's face darkened, "Originally, we had many opportunities to explore, and this is all because of you!"
He pointed at Jayden. Leylin suspected that if not for the dangers lurking in the area Bosain would most likely attack him.
"Teehee! Who's here to play with Alice?"
A mechanical girl's voice sounded.
At the turn of a corridor, something appeared—a Western Doll?
Leylin noticed the giant mannequin that was in the shadows of the corridor's corner.
This western doll seemed to have to size of a grown adult. The eyeballs were of blue gems sewn in. It wore a pink frock and had beautiful blonde hair. On the chest, there was a red bowknot.
"A vengeful spirit figurine!" Bosain stuttered.
"Vengeful spirit figurine?" Leylin had not heard of this word before.
Obviously, this was a spirit body of some sort. Looking at the physical body of the vengeful spirit figurine, Leylin realised that his research and probes on the spirit aspect had just been on a superficial level.
At the very least, he was completely clueless about these types of vengeful spirits that seemed to border between illusion and reality.
"Hehe! You come play with Alice!"
The blonde girl pointed a finger at Leylin. Her arms were made of fabric and had no palm. Only a naked arm which was a glossy hemisphere.
*Bang!*
A translucent forcefield immediately exploded behind Leylin. He flew up in the air and could not stop himself as he flew towards the cloth doll.
"Come here! My little baby! Let Alice give you a hug!"
The cloth doll spread her arms as if wanting to hug Leylin.
Jayden and Bosain looked at each other and immediately left the cloth doll and retreated. They actually abandoned Leylin and left.
"F*ck!" Leylin tossed two balls of flames on the cloth doll and set it ablaze.
However, the fire was quickly extinguished, and not even a trace of the damage was found on the cloth doll.
*Ding!* Many baby sized arms appeared faintly from the void and seemed to pull on Leylin. A pair of girl's arms was even touching Leylin's waist now.
A numb feeling was immediately spreading from his waist.
Leylin's eyes flashed in viciousness and immediately threw a yellow potion on the ground.
A yellow protection screen immediately appeared around Leylin's body, separating the countless baby sized arms.
Trevor's Revolving Shield Potion!
The only defense potion that Leylin had access to was now duly exhibiting its effects.
"Argh! You have hurt Alice!"
The cloth doll's face split opened, revealing razor sharp teeth, "I'm going to eat you!"
A pair of half transparent beast mouth immediately appeared before Leylin and nipped down.
*Ka-Cha!* Ripples seemed to have formed on the yellow defensive light shield, letting off noises that could no longer endure the attack.
"This attack is quickly exceeding the capabilities of the potion!"
Leylin felt for the item on his neck, "Now is not the right moment to use my trump card!"
After which, a red flaming potion was tossed out by Leylin.
"Intense Blazing Potion! Also this!" Leylin felt for several pink coloured pearls in his sack and threw it into the flames.
During his stay at Extreme Night City, he had some results from researching spirit bodies.
Apart from researching the laws of the spirit bodies, he also obtained some information on what those spirit bodies hated the most and what could hurt them. This pink coloured pearls contained one of the best effects.
*Pu!* The pink pearls very soon exploded in the flames, revealing pink powder.
After this addition, the flame turned pink too. It continued to spread until it filled the jaws of the beast.
The huge jaws of the beast let off a terrifying roar and was very soon burnt to ashes by the flame.
At the same time, the flame seemed to have gone through the void, extending to the face of the cloth doll. The cloth doll covered its face as it let out a loud and indignant howl.
After the final wisp of flame had disappeared, the radiant screen on Leylin's body had completely vanished.
Leylin landed on the floor. On his waist were the scars caused by two tiny hands. His brows furrowed. The clothes on his back had already been corroded, leaving behind two small black imprints on the skin.
"The injury caused by a spirit body must be removed immediately, if not it will continue to spread!"
Leylin hurriedly withdrew several white leaves and applied on the wound. Suddenly a refreshing feeling could be felt from the injury.
*Pa! Pa!*
The windows on the side were broken, and two figures immediately charged in.
Bosain looked at Jayden, the surroundings and then looked at Leylin on the ground. He smiled wryly, "It seems like no matter where we go, we will always return here!"
Falling Out
"It seems like we have to get rid of her first!"
Leylin's face was expressionless as he pointed to the cloth doll which was still clutching its face.
Regarding the matter of the other two abandoning him earlier, it seemed like the trio were suffering from selective amnesia.
Leylin understood that if he were to fall out with these two now, it would be a devastating loss.
Concerning this vengeful spirit figurine, they could only work together to even have a chance at defeating or even killing it.
As for that incident earlier, there would be plenty of opportunities later to get back at them!
"Fire! Alice hates fire the most!"
At this moment, the pink flame had already been extinguished on the pink doll's face.
The originally beautiful face of the cloth doll was now charred black. Even an eyeball was now missing.
However the doll still laughed and said, "The three of you, let's play together!"
With a wave of its hand, the tables and chairs began to jump around. Even the lamps and closet seemed to grow a pair of small legs as they danced and sang nursery rhymes, gradually surrounding Leylin and the other two.
"Umbra's Hand!"
"Corrosive Blaze!"
"Acidic Aqua Shot!"
...
The trio constantly cast their spells on the tables and other furniture surrounding them. However, these creatures were too many, even if they killed a couple there was of not much use.
Moreover, even if they used their magic artifacts to attack the doll, it would at most leave behind some scars and was mostly ineffective.
In the end, the 3 acolytes were back to back, already confined by the figurine in an extremely small area.
"There is no other choice!"
Bosain looked at Jayden and Leylin who had pale expressions on their faces, and a hint of viciousness flashed across his own.
"I have a formidable spell which requires time for preparation. Stall this freak for me!"
Saying which, Bosain withdrew a grey scroll that was drawn with various mystical patterns, immediately sitting cross-legged on the floor and chanted an incantation.
Hope glowed on the faces of Leylin and Jayden. They cast their spells with great difficulty, blocking the advance of the monsters.
"He's finally forced to use it, huh!" Leylin thought.
Jayden's frail state was real. However, Leylin was just feigning his frailty. However, the situation earlier was extremely dire. Just a little more and Leylin would have had to use the Fallen Star Pendant for defense.
However, from Bosain's point of view, Leylin and Jayden were newly advanced level 3 acolyte. Their spiritual force and magic power had long since been depleted.
Even Jayden had used his magic artifact several times.
As for Leylin, a Potioneering acolyte, being able to last till here had somewhat exceeded Bosain's expectations.
Of course, he did not know that although Leylin had advanced not too long ago, under the aid of potions, Leylin's spiritual force now was even stronger than his own which he had accumulated over some time and formed a sturdy foundation for an official Magus advancement.
Furthermore, Leylin had even concealed his defense type magic artifact.
"A healing rune which was used earlier, an attack scroll, a contract scroll and a magic artifact which can take on the form of anything to attack and defense!"
Leylin flung his potions and chanted an incantation, constantly panting.
"Although Bosain belongs to a large family, he is after all only an acolyte. With these items, he is already unfathomable!"
Under the concealment of the intense energy waves from spells, Leylin secretly calculated the remaining energy of Bosain.
Dozens of seconds later, Bosain had finally completed his activation of the magic scroll. The grey scroll was now floating in midair, emitting a fire red light.
"This energy wave! It's a rank 1 spell! No wonder it needs such a long activation time!"
Leylin's pupils shrank. Immense energy waves came from the scroll, not only did it send the creatures surrounding them in retreat, it faintly caused Leylin and Jayden to be unable to breathe.
Bosain's family had actually provided him with a rank 1 Magus spell stored in a scroll, as his greatest trump card!
"He is indeed from one of the three big families, who are rich and overbearing!"
This scroll contained a seal rank 1 spell. Not only was the ingredients for it exorbitant, it required the official Magus to cast this spell over a dozen times to imbue it. Moreover, there needs to be a Grand Alchemist who is skilled in imbuing spell formations. Every one of these scrolls was extravagant.
Each scroll was at least 100,000 magic crystals and above!
It had a sky-high cost and also there was the difficulty of imbuing. Apart from acolytes, official Magus would not have much use for it. Various reasons had caused scrolls like this to be rare in their numbers. Only large families like the Lilytell family would be able to have 1 or 2 of it.
After forking out such a price, the scroll's might was extremely deafening!
Fire red energy waves continuously radiated, and the scroll automatically burned within the light.
The flame, under the bright yellow light, revealed a giant Three-Legged Golden Crow.
The Three-Legged Golden Crow used its beak to ruffle its feathers, continuously issuing crystal clear cawing.
As if like a real bird. Moreover, from the black pupils, signs of intelligence were observed, it seemed to have wisdom.
"Go!" Bosain's face now was extremely pale as he punctured his lips with his teeth. On the side of the eyes, there was sweat rolling off, yet he let off an extremely zealous expression as he pointed at the cloth doll.
It seems like the spell he cast earlier allowed him to have a huge sense of satisfaction.
"No! Don't come over! Alice is scared!"
The cloth doll opposite retreated 3 steps. On that figurine's face, there was an expression of fear, as if a little girl had encountered a bad guy.
However, Leylin and the others were not moved by this scene.
Along with Bosain's orders, the Three-Legged Golden Crow flapped its wings and the bright yellow wings burned with flames as it flew around Bosain and the other two in a circle.
Several bean-sized flame dropped onto the furniture which had been given life.
*Bang!* Balls of yellow flames were set ablaze, and the various chairs and tables were each reduced to a pile of grey ashes.
"Jiu Jiu!"
The Three-Legged Golden Crow let out an elegant cry and flew across in the air, directly landing in front of the cloth doll.
The bright, red, conical beak took aim and gave the cloth doll a light peck!
"Arghh!" The cloth doll Alice let out a frightened whimper and its body was immediately set on fire with the bright yellow flame.
"Save Alice, Alice is actually very obedient…"
The figurine collapsed on the ground, reaching out a hand towards Leylin and the others, its voice carrying a hint of pleading.
Leylin and Jayden turned around and saw a crazed expression in Bosain's eyes as he continued to ignite the flame.
The bright yellow flame burned continuously, finally turning the cloth doll in ashes.
"Alright!" Bosain turned over and faced Leylin and Jayden, revealing a smiling face with his intentions unknown.
Leylin's heart skipped a beat and his hand already reached towards his neck.
"Jiu Jiu!"
At this moment, the Three-Legged Golden Crow cawed and turned into the grey scroll earlier as it fell to the ground.
"Pa!"
The grey scroll disintegrated into ashes into the surroundings.
After seeing the energy of the scroll fully utilised, Bosain's face looked terribly unsightly, but he still forced a smile on his face.
"Alright, the creature is dealt with. Let us find the way out…"
Just when Leylin was about to say something, another loud crash sounded. Behind the cloth doll, the walls shook and revealed a crack, showing a straight tunnel.
On the wooden boards of the wall, there was a line of characters written in the ancient Byron language.
Seekers who are able to come here will have a chance to obtain my inheritance—Norco Curadu Sfar.
"Norco Curadu Sfar is the Magus who left behind this inheritance?" Jayden revealed a longing and curious expression.
As for Bosain on his side, he muttered the name, Norco Curadu Sfar, repeatedly. An ecstatic expression gleamed in his eyes but was quickly restrained.
However, this had been seen by Leylin who had been observing him furtively. He knew that Bosain had definitely thought what the name had represented.
"I seemed to have heard of this name, but it's very vague now!" At this moment, Leylin also scratched his head, revealing a 'dazed' expression.
"No matter who, it's definitely an official Magus! And his inheritance will definitely let me advance!" Jayden was extremely zealous and immediately rushed into the tunnel.
"Follow him!" Bosain and Leylin followed closely behind Jayden.
After walking through the tunnel, Leylin and the others came to a study-room-like place.
The four walls were filled with bookshelves, yet not a single book was to be seen, which made Leylin blurt out that it was a pity.
As for the large table in the centre, there was a black box placed neatly on it.
Behind the study desk, there was a chair and a strange oil painting.
The oil painting showed a mysterious emblem—countless mystical runes formed a snake. The snake traced its own tail, forming the picture of a circle!
"I seem to have seen this emblem somewhere before!" Leylin was somewhat confused but he threw that thought away.
"It seems like this place was set up by the great Magus Serholm for his inheritance. This Great Magus is still somewhat benevolent. The mechanisms were all below the strength of an official Magus. If not, with just a little increase in difficulty, we would all have perished in here!"
Leylin was somewhat happy to let Jayden and the others come here with him. If not, just with his strength alone he would not have been able to reach this place.
"Wasn't there a magician called 'Norco'? Where are his remnants?" Leylin wished to ask this question, but it was very soon flung to the back of his head.
Because the scene right now took on a massive change!
After seeing the black box on the study desk, Bosain's and Jayden's panting started to become heavier.
*Bang!*
A silver white longsword suddenly appeared in Bosain's hands and was sent slashing towards Jayden.
The vine armour on Jayden's body flashed, but a cut still appeared; his arm bleeding profusely.
*Sou Sou Sou!*
The three of them immediately kept a distance from one another.
"As expected, in the end, we are going to fall out huh?" Jayden clutched his arm, letting off a bitter smile.
Looking at Jayden in this state, Leylin suddenly recalled that when they set off together, Jayden did not request for them to sign any contract. It seems like he had long since anticipated an outcome like this.