"Sir, the center of this cave is also referred to as 'Oksd's Heart'," Black explained.
Ethan and Eluna exchanged glances, nodding in acknowledgnt.
Black continued, "Previously, this place was cloaked in darkness. But not long ago, violent tremors shook this region."
"The rocks that were above the cave plumted, sinking deep below the ground."
"In other words, where we stand now should be the surface above the original center of the underground cave."
"Hold on!" Ethan interrupted Black abruptly.
"There's a discrepancy," Ethan pulled out a map, saying, "According to what you've said, if this is where the center of the cave collapsed, the paths leading to this area should also have changed. Yet, as we followed the map's directions, we encountered no such altered pathways."
"Sir, Black is not lying," another voice chid in.
"From our investigations, not only were the central pathways of the cave unaffected, but even if soone deliberately caused a collapse to block a certain route, it would revert to its original state after so ti. It's as if the cave is alive, capable of self-healing."
"Self-healing!" Ethan's pupils constricted, the horrifying scene of the devoured lady knight flashing once again in his mind.
Now, he was almost certain that this cave was a living entity.
After a brief pause, Black resud, "With the collapse of the cave's heart, the massive stone that resembled a heart also plumted into the depths. But ever since, occasional tremors, akin to a heart's palpitations, are felt here."
"Based on our and others' analyses, we're fairly certain that the Oksd's Heart has reawakened."
"Oksd is a deity of legends. Its heart, undoubtedly, holds imnse power."
"So, in our scramble for the Oksd's Heart, a fierce conflict erupted. This battle led to the deaths of a majority, but it also unveiled the secret of the Oksd's Heart to us," Black narrated.
"Offer sufficient blood, and the Oksd's Heart will release the Blood Source."
"The blood-red mist we just witnessed isn't so peculiar phenonon. It was ford when the bodies of the deceased were thrown into the holes exposed on the ground, and then absorbed by Oksd's Heart," Black continued, pacing onward.
Guided by Black, the group reached another location.
Set in the vast barren expanse, the ground was dotted with anomalous structures.
Or rather, they couldn't exactly be called structures — they were holes circumscribed by stones.
These abyssal pits, leading to the unknown depths below, were the very channels to the Oksd's Heart that Black referred to.
"This is what we often refer to as the 'Land of Sacrifice'," Black gestured to one such encircled pit.
"Sacrifice?" Ethan pondered for a mont, then nodded with a smile, remarking, "That's an intriguing way to put it."
Black concurred, "In so legends, for mortals to acquire extraordinary power, they need to offer precious artifacts, various ats, or beautiful maidens to the deities."
"The current thod of obtaining the Blood Source is sowhat similar. Referring to it as a sacrifice is quite apt."
"Of course, if you find it interesting, sir, then it surely is."
"Now, there's sothing even more intriguing. Would you like to see?" Black's deanor shifted as he spoke.
His smile vanished, his face hardened, and he burst out in a fit of rage, "Arrogant boy, your hubris astonishes ! How dare you tread so recklessly into this territory with ? Did you really think I feared you earlier?"
Black cackled wildly.
Raising his hand, he ordered, "Everyone, let's teach these presumptuous fools a lesson they won't forget. Perhaps it's ti to bid them farewell."
Pale Wolf, Eluna, Sherry, and Mia instantly sensed the looming danger, forming a defensive ring around Ethan.
Ethan, however, gazed emotionlessly at Black, stating calmly, "My following you here was partially out of curiosity about the Blood Source's origin. The other reason is my confidence."
"If your tricks are limited to this simple Magic Circle, perhaps you should be the ones prepared for a sacrifice."
"What do you an? Have you detected the Magic Circle here?" Black asked incredulously.
His face paled as he exchanged glances with his companions, then snorted coldly, "Even if you've found it, what can you do? You've stepped into the range of the Magic Circle, escape is impossible now!"
With that, Black swiftly took action.
He and his companions stood at specific points, channeling their energy into the ground beneath.
Blue luminous lines erged, intertwining to form intricate patterns, enveloping Ethan's group and the gaping hole leading underground.
"Die!"
"Magic Circle, activate!" Black declared nacingly.
However, in that very mont, a silvery figure streaked from the sky, reminiscent of lightning.
Black, caught off-guard and defenseless, was directly hit by the figure.
His body went rigid, a noticeable dent appearing in his chest.
Though he wasn't dead, he was gravely wounded.
"What was that?"
Black gasped, clutching his chest.
With Black's assault, the Magic Circle ca to a halt.
Ethan extended his arm and the Thunder Dragon, which had struck Black, descended from the heavens, alighting gracefully upon Ethan's shoulder.
It affectionately nuzzled Ethan's face with its head.
"From the very beginning, I had Thunder Dragon waiting in the skies," Ethan ntioned briefly without elaborating further.
Apart from the Thunder Dragon's intervention, the dormant little Baal had also awakened halfway through their journey to inform Ethan about the existence of the Magic Circle.
Thus, Ethan had grasped the entire situation from the start.
Black and his companions, however, appeared sowhat confounded.
They challenged Ethan, "If you were prepared and knew our fealty wasn't genuine, why did you continue to follow?"
"Why?" Ethan echoed with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Of course, it's for the Blood Source!" He said cheerfully, walking towards the other mbers of the party.
A realization dawned upon Black, fear etched on his face.
He shouted at his companions, "Run! He followed us deliberately to understand how the Magic Circle is activated and how to offer sacrifices to Oksd's Heart! He's turned us into the sacrificial offerings!"
"What?!" The faces of the others went ashen in an instant.
Ever since they entered the heart of this cave, they had offered countless sacrifices.
And now, soone was targeting them. This was indeed infuriating. Yet, when faced with mortal danger, they chose flight over fury.
"Flee? Think it'll help?"
Ethan uttered with a cold chuckle.
Had Black and his group not turned traitorous, seeking to sacrifice Ethan and his companions, Ethan wouldn't have retaliated.
After all, in such a chaotic place, additional help would have been welco.
But if they initiated a fight, they ought to be prepared to face death.
Ethan, unleashing his full power, gave them no quarter.
He darted across the terrain like a bolt of lightning.
Sherry, Eluna, and others advanced, intercepting the fleeing group.
The stringent requirents for using the Blood Source had hindered many, including Black's lot.
Hence, when confronted by Sherry and Eluna, they struggled to secure a quick victory.
One of them had his throat pierced by Sherry's dagger, while many others were held back, only to et their end beneath Ethan's lethal blows.
Minutes later, all had perished, save for the grievously wounded Black.
Black collapsed to his knees, pleading earnestly, "Please, spare ! I realize my mistakes!"
"If all wrongs in this world could be righted by re apologies, there wouldn't be so much bloodshed. And rember, you've betrayed once, and you might again."
Ethan dismissed Black's plea.
A surge of panic welled in Black's heart.
He then blurted out in a threatening tone, "Hmph! We've sacrificed many before and have amassed a significant amount of Blood Source."
"We've hidden it in an extrely concealed place, known only to . If you kill , you'll never find it!"
"Is that so?"
The lively Thunder Dragon by Ethan's side vanished. He gazed down at the kneeling Black, an expression of doubt on his face.
Seeing this, Black mustered up so courage, "Exactly! And I can tell, your Bloodline is extraordinary."
"Perhaps you can directly utilize the Blood Source. It would be a trendous boost for you. Spare , and I'll lead you to its hiding place."
"That sounds tempting, but I don't need it."
Under Black's stunned gaze, Ethan's finger shot out a streak of lightning, piercing Black's heart.
Soon after, Black crumpled to the ground.
Sherry and the others regrouped by Ethan's side, asking, "Shall we try that sacrificial Magic Circle now?"
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