17 Vigilance!

"In the past, in the secret realm of our clan, that Blood Magic Grandmaster Gog's 'blood magic domain' was a forbidden ground that nobody was allowed to enter. Later on, in order to search for powerful magical items, Gog left our clan's territory and never returned again.

"For the last three hundred years, the clan has not opened the blood magic domain, but thirty years ago, the clan members wanted to explore and develop our clan's secret realm. The elders lost their patience, and they opened the blood magic domain.

"Initially, nothing happened. But soon… peculiar things started to occur. The blood-eared elves who entered the domain started to experience a condition where their vital energy depleted, including the tier-seven Transcendent Grandmaster elder. Because of this unknown condition, they continuously lost fresh blood from their bodies. It was as if an invisible bat was attached to them, drawing blood at all times.

"Soon, this first batch of over twenty blood-eared elves died of vital energy depletion. By the time they died, they were dried corpses that looked extremely terrifying. Of course, the rank-seven Transcendent elder was not spared either.

"During the entire affliction, no matter what method was used to inspect their bodies or the healing attempts that were tried, including ancient rituals as well, there was no effect on them. There was no way to investigate the depletion of vital energy, nor could they find any way to save them. The only solution was blood transfusion, but even blood transfusion could only delay their inevitable death.

"Eventually, the result of exploring this blood magic domain was that over two hundred blood-eared elves who entered died one after another."

Hearing this story, Ximo's eyes sparkled with curiosity and fear. Such mysterious methods, if they were used on her, she would truly be sent into despair. "This is why the blood magic domain is still currently sealed, and nobody is allowed to open it?"

"Yes!" Sheron nodded lightly.

"But to think that…" Sheron smiled.

"This time, near this Howling Canyon, using the key that they took out from the blood magic domain, we actually found the resting place of Senior Blood Magic Grandmaster Gog." When saying so, Sheron's eyes flashed with blood-colored light; there was some excitement surfacing on his face.

He continued, "It is said that Grandmaster Gog was defeated by another Transcendent Grandmaster who used a magical item. To take revenge, he went looking for other magical items, and he left the clan. I heard that Gog managed to collect many magical items later on, but he went missing without a trace soon after. It is likely that this resting place here is the final resting place of Blood Magic Grandmaster Gog. In that case, at the deepest part of this resting place, there will definitely be countless magical items or even supernatural equipment.

"According to that Blood Magic Grandmaster's nature, such an important place will definitely have traps, arrangements, and fatal rooms. Entering without preparation will lead to disaster most of the time." After speaking so much, Sheron paused slightly before continuing, "The competition in our clan is very intense. In fact, some talented clansmen will also face hidden threats and assassinations occasionally.

"If we can get these magical items or even high-tier supernatural equipment, our strength will rise sharply. We will at least be able to defend ourselves against others. Thus, we need to be very careful inside the resting place of this Blood Magic Grandmaster. The best way is to spend a lot of effort and make the most arrangements possible. Otherwise, with just our strength, going inside abruptly is just seeking death."

"Indeed!" The petite Ximo could not help but show a solemn expression. This Blood Magic Grandmaster's terrifying and strange methods made her shudder internally.

The Black-Iron Alloy Dagger in her hand, which incorporated a certain amount of black-iron metal, was already very sharp, and with the continuous nourishment of the shadow origin force, it was increasingly smooth and natural to use.

But she knew that this was just an alloy dagger that was close to black-iron level.

Above the black-iron-level equipment, which were sharp and durable, there was also the "magic copper level" equipment that had stronger supernatural traits, as well as the "mystic silver level" equipment that had immense destructive and defensive power.

If she could obtain a magic copper level dagger or boots, her overall strength would rise to a new level.

And if she could obtain a mystic silver level dagger, her strength would definitely rise by a huge amount.

This was the Blood Magic Grandmaster's final resting place; it was definitely their best opportunity to obtain such precious items. After all, this Grandmaster Gog was an expert with deep attainment in alchemy.

"Blood Magic Grandmaster Gog." Ximo memorized this name in her heart.

Soon, Ximo looked at Sheron, who spoke, "That group is not that strong. If they come out, we can easily exterminate them."

"But what if… they fail to come out?"

"If they fail to come out," Sheron said as he looked towards the forest, his expression still as calm and composed as always, "then it means that our effort in creating this situation to let them enter first is correct, right?"

Ximo realized at once that if these people did not come out, it would mean that there was some immense threat inside that they could not resist. These people who were lured into this were just scouts who were meant to die.

"Regardless of the result, after this, I will use the sealing formation to disguise and seal the entrance again. After Lord Savage Saint's plan ends in Sugar Ruins City, we will come back and make a long-term plan again. After all, the resting place of Blood Magic Grandmaster is at a level where we cannot explore it entirely in a short period of time even if we have cannon fodder going in to scout for us."

"Mm!" Ximo nodded obediently.

Then, Ximo asked out of curiosity, "Is Lord Savage Saint's plan really as important as the elders say it is?"

Sheron, who had a deep and bright gaze, raised his head and looked up at the sky. The starry night sky was brightened by the stars and moonlight.

He then finally spoke, "This plan… is likely more important than we imagine. Giant Deity Cult, Human-Faced Flower Cult, Soul Priest Cult, and even the various wilderness tribes including our blood-eared elf clan are participating in it. If we succeed, Jade Orchid Empire will pay a terrible price. We will even devastate their ambition and ability to expand towards the northern mountain ranges. Jade Orchid Empire and those Dukes are too ambitious after all."

"What if we fail?"

"Fail?" Sheron laughed lightly. His expression quickly turned calm as his voice became low and deep; he spoke like he was chanting an ancient tune. "You need to know, Lord Savage Saint, he… he is the hero born for this era!"

…

The next day.

The hazy sky was slowly becoming brighter.

Inside the tent, Gurney let out a sigh.

I am still a bit of distance away. In at most a week's time, this fifth silent cast rune will be properly created, Gurney thought to himself. The growth speed of my soul has been rapid in this period of time. I wonder if it is due to the Devotion Knight Breathing Style or the Cybona Origin Pool?

The incomplete supernatural book Ring Explosion was flawed and caused the cultivator to experience intense pain in the soul at all times. If one cultivated it under normal circumstances, they would likely experience ill changes in the soul, and it might even collapse on its own.

Fortunately, the Passive Farming System completely ignored the negative effects, and only the good effects remained. The intense pain and threat of soul collapse no longer existed. Instead, he only experienced rapid growth in the strength of his soul through an extended period of refinement. The power of the system allowed the irrational and illogical growth speed to happen on Gurney's body.

This was also the reason why Gurney was able to create four silent cast runes in just four to five months; he was even about to create the fifth rune now.

Opening the tent flap, Gurney noted that the hazy and dim forest was exceptionally quiet. He quickly looked around in the surroundings. His sensitive perception and senses allowed Gurney to have a clear sight of what was around him.

Avery was nearby on the branch of an ancient tree that was three meters thick. He held a black-iron-level double-edged dagger in one hand and a block of red wood in the other, seemingly carving something.

If one wanted to truly become a Shadower Grandmaster, they would need flexible and agile hands. Evidently, through carpentry, Avery would learn to control his dexterity and strength even better.

"How was it?" Gurney walked over and asked.

"Very safe. A hungry jackal passed by at night, but I chased it away."

"Mm!" Gurney nodded lightly.

By the time the first rays of sunlight shone on the campsite, everyone had already packed up their stuff and were ready to move out.

Avery, who walked at the end, said in his mature but young voice as usual, "Howling Canyon is not far away now. We are, at most, two hours away from arriving. We need to be careful along the way. We should guard against accidents happening."

Everyone responded positively.

The sunlight shone on Gurney's face. It was slightly warm and beaming with vitality.

Gurney held the small rock that Avery passed to him earlier. His heart sank to rock bottom, and he felt a chill internally.

Last night, when Gurney was trying to create his silent cast rune, he was also alert against potential attackers. If any enemy got close, Gurney would unleash his terrifying spells on them instantly.

However, the enemy did not make a move. And earlier, when the group was packing up and leaving, the vague sensation of being watched surfaced again in Gurney's perception.

The worst-case scenario could not help but linger around in Gurney's mind.

This time, it was likely that someone was onto them. In other words, they had fallen into someone's trap already. This exploration was a trap, and others had dug this trap for them to jump in willingly.