His laughter echoed, reverberating for a good half-minute before subsiding.
Regaining his composure, Luke turned to Chris Luvi to discuss the ingredients listed on the parchnt.
[Draconic Strength Elixir]
[Grade: Epic]
[Required Ingredients: A asure of rare or higher dragon's blood, three asures of blue whale essence, three souls of Heroes, three asures of Dark Lord's blood, and a asure of fusion dust.]
[thod: Combine all ingredients in a vessel, using wood-elent magic to fuse them together.]
[Effects: Drastically enhances the user's physical strength, significantly boosts various magical resistances of the user, with a minute chance of acquiring dragon's innate abilities. Effects are permanent.]
This was the detailed information of the Draconic Strength Elixir inscribed on the beastskin.
And it was this very recipe that brought Luke to Chris Luvi.
"I can obtain the blue whale essence once I return to the Azure Empire. Even though the blue whales have beco exceedingly rare, the Luvi family should have a decent stockpile," Chris Luvi remarked.
Luke nodded in agreent, pointing to the other ingredients listed on the beastskin, "The souls of Heroes and the blood of the Dark Lord can be easily acquired. The fusion dust is a unique product of the elven race; with a bit of a price, we can obtain that too."
"Right now, the most crucial ingredient we need is the blood of a rare-grade dragon, which is the hardest to co by."
"I've clashed with Ethan before, and I'm certain that the lineage of his dragon's blood is beyond rare," Luke said, gritting his teeth.
Being defeated by Ethan was the greatest humiliation of his life.
Even after employing his proudest ability, the Gravity Field, he was still sent flying with a re swipe of Ethan's claw.
It was an affront he couldn't tolerate!
"The ingredients shouldn't be a major concern now," Chris Luvi nodded, shifting the topic, "Once the Draconic Strength Elixir is complete, I will provide you with a sample and the agreed compensation."
"Of course, afterward, I will need your assistance. The standing of the Luvi family within the Azure Empire is precarious, and I require your support."
"We'll discuss that when the ti cos," Luke responded, not committing imdiately.
He was far more knowledgeable about the Azure Empire than Ethan and his companions.
Situated to the east of the Sunset Empire and amidst the vast seas, the Azure Empire ruled over hundreds of islands, both big and small.
Its might was unmatched, especially with their advanced device-manufacturing techniques.
Notably, there was a stark disparity between the Heroes and Dark Lords within the Azure Empire's dominion.
Unlike the surroundings of the Sunset Empire, the Dark Lord factions within the Azure Empire were almost undetectable.
Dark Lords born within the Empire's territories barely had ti to grow before they were swiftly eradicated by the Azure Empire's squads of Heroes and imperial guards.
But while the Azure Empire's strength was evident, internally, its power dynamics were in tumultuous disarray.
The rchant faction, represented by the Luvi family, traded in various everyday goods.
They boasted a plethora of craftsn, apothecaries, alchemists, and other unique talents.
However, this advantage quickly diminished with the influx of nurous Heroes, dealing a substantial blow to the Luvi family's comrcial interests.
Next was the adventurer faction, led by the Shadi family.
This was the most significant power in the Azure Empire, almost monopolizing every Hero.
Many formidable adventurers had joined their ranks, and rumors even hinted at their deep ties with the higher echelons of the elf race.
Lastly, there was the royal family of the Azure Empire: the Mokos dynasty.
The inception of the Azure Empire is lost to ti, with even the imperial library of the capital city not recording its origins.
But one fact remained undisputed: the Mokos family had always been at the helm.
They were the empire's most enigmatic and esteed lineage.
From this, it was evident that the Luvi family's standing within the Azure Empire was teetering on the edge of collapse.
This precarious position explained Luke's initial reluctance to commit.
However, wishing for the collaboration to move forward smoothly, Luke added, "Luvi, I believe you shouldn't worry too much."
"After all, we possess the unparalleled Draconic Strength Elixir. With this potion at our disposal, do you really think the Luvi family can't hold its ground?"
This perspective instantly uplifted Chris Luvi.
He was elated, heaping praises upon Luke, "Luke, my friend, your wisdom is indeed comndable!"
Subsequently, the two of them erupted into laughter, as if Ethan was already prey in their grasp.
...
At Ethan's tent location.
Gently pushing Mia, who was still deep in slumber, off his chest, Ethan stretched his back and pulled back the tent flap. He glanced down the dark passageway outside and couldn't help but stifle another yawn.
"These underground caves are truly no place for humans," Ethan grumbled.
Suddenly, he felt a warm, soft body latch onto his arm. "Lord Ethan, you're awake," Mia murmured sleepily.
She then gathered so charcoal and started a fire.
The tent was instantly bathed in a comforting glow.
Others stirred and woke up, pulling out food and fresh water to prepare their morning al.
"Going by the ti on the surface, it should be morning now," Eluna said, yawning.
She unfurled the cave map and pointed at the marked route.
"There's nothing left for us to see here. We'd best hurry to the center of the cave, or we'll miss out on the Blood Source."
Ethan shared her sentint.
Thus, after a quick breakfast, the group set off towards the central area of the cave.
Not long after Ethan and his companions left the cavern plaza, Luke and Chris Luvi erged from a shadowy fork in the passageway.
"Follow them!" Chris Luvi instructed his subordinates.
They promptly pursued Ethan's party.
However, unbeknownst to them, Ethan had already detected their movents.
Yet, Ethan had no intention of confronting Luke and his group at this juncture.
Even though he was suprely confident in dealing with these pesky individuals, the cave might harbor other dangers.
So, unless absolutely necessary, Ethan preferred not to initiate a confrontation.
Besides, to eliminate an enemy, one doesn't always have to take matters into their own hands.
The journey to the center of the cave felt interminable.
It took Ethan and his party a full three days to cover just half the distance, even with a map indicating the swiftest route.
These three days of relentless travel left them utterly exhausted, their appearances and attire showing evident signs of wear.
"Ethan, there are people ahead," Mia whispered weakly.
Ethan looked up and imdiately noticed a source of illumination, likely the radiance of a Holy Light spell.
"Let's check it out," he suggested to Mia and the others.
Throughout their journey, they had co across several groups of travelers.
Most simply exchanged glances with Ethan's party before hastily departing.
So chose to engage in conversation, while those foolish enough to provoke Ethan soon found themselves lifeless.
And amidst all this, Luke and Chris Luvi's pursuit ran into a snag — they got lost.
According to Ethan's senses, it would take at least an extra day for Luke and his team to catch up.
This delay forced Ethan to abandon his initial plan, opting instead to head directly for the cave's center at full speed.
"Are you heading to the center of the cave?" asked an adventurer resting in the illuminated area, as Ethan and his party approached.
"Yes," Ethan nodded in affirmation.
The man who spoke nodded amicably, then warned, "If you're aiming to seize the Blood Source at the cave's heart, I'd advise against it. There's been a peculiar shift at the center. It's beco perilously treacherous. Unless you possess formidable strength, it might be best to turn back."
"What kind of shift? What changed?" Ethan inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"So claim to have heard the heartbeat of so creature, and there's talk of a blood-red mist... "
"But that's not the most unsettling part. The bodies of those who have died have vanished," the man said, his face pallid with a mix of dread and astonishnt.
Ethan exchanged glances with Eluna and the others, all sensing the gravity of the situation.
On their way, they'd noticed nurous discarded, tattered clothes.
Initially assuming these were intentionally abandoned, Ethan's perspective changed when he discovered red jade shards on one of the garnts, realizing things were not as they seed.
"Do you know what's causing this?" Ethan probed further.
"I've no idea. The place feels cursed now; hardly anyone dares to investigate."
Though they couldn't gather more precise information from the resting adventurer, Ethan was undeterred and had no intention of departing.
After consulting with Eluna and Sherry, the consensus was to forge ahead.
And this final leg of their journey seed to validate the adventurer's warning.
Several who'd reached the cave's center fled in terror, their faces painted with horror and eyes vacant as though they'd witnessed unspeakable horrors.
Ethan and his party pressed on, their expressions increasingly grave.
Before them lay a chilling sight: dozens of tattered garnts littered the ground, signs of struggle evident everywhere.
Yet, not a single body or drop of blood was in sight.
This was utterly abnormal.
Ethan grew even more alert, constantly scanning the surroundings.
And his vigilance paid off when, in a dark corner, he sensed sothing profoundly horrifying.
Reviews
All reviews (0)