Chapter 470 New Challenge
Vale was shocked to hear this.
'What an incompetent guardian!'
There was no way he could control the water! The test must be suitable for all types of Arcanists, and this mystical creature must be deliberately making it difficult for him.
'Should I just kill this dragon?' Vale thought as he considered how to proceed with this test. There was no way he could control the water.
'Unless I extract your ability to control the water… Hmm... That sounds a great idea.' Vale thought to himself as he looked at the water dragon, who seemed to be gloating at his misfortune.
However, he decided not to be rash as he felt that he had plenty of time. He would try it later.
"You mentioned that I'm unlucky since you're the one who's awake. Are you telling me that there are other guardians on this floor?" Vale asked as he recalled the dragon's words.
The dragon didn't immediately answer. This creature probably realized that he had spoken too much and revealed a secret.
"Hmph… You have to think of controlling the lake's water if you want to pass my test…" The mystical dragon said before returning to the lake… or at the very least, half of its body submerged, and only a part of him could be seen.
The dragon's answer just confirmed Vale's suspicions. There are indeed other guardians here. They might be sleeping or hiding in plain sight like this dragon in the lake.
"Will you stay here?" Vale asked as he looked at the submerged dragon.
However, it didn't answer and remained on its spot.
'Just stay there… If I don't find another way, I'll take your ability.' Vale muttered to himself as he turned around and looked at the surroundings.
He didn't want to engage in battle yet unless he had no other choice. After all, it would be too risky as he might get expelled before he reaches the 10th floor. It would be a pity if he failed at this junction.
Vale sighed as he decided to explore the ninth floor for some time before deciding on what to do.
He summoned his Fairy once again and asked whether she could find another guardian on this floor that might help him other than the dragon.
"I checked the Grimoire and saw that you have Nature Manipulation… It should also help you inspect the surroundings." Vale said before the Fairy could complain. He also explained what was going on in this floor.
"Yes~ I can do that much. The previous room where you summoned me was obviously not made by nature, so I can't do something about it. But here…" The Fairy spoke as she landed on the grass to sense the surroundings.
She already started to seek out another potential guardian on the ninth floor.
Whom~
Suddenly, her ethereal form glowed with a soft radiance.
"Follow me…"
With a flicker of her delicate wings, the Fairy guided Vale towards another location.
"Ah…"
Vale soon noticed that the Fairy entered what seemed like a Formation Barrier. He noticed how the space rippled like water, and the Fairy in front of him just disappeared.
Vale followed suit and found himself walking through lush vegetation.
'Is this another room inside the ninth floor?' Vale was confused.
"Hurry up!" The Fairy spoke as she noticed that Vale was lost in his thoughts.
"I'm coming…" Vale answered.
After some time, Vale discovered a majestic waterfall cascading down from a great height. Its pristine waters shimmered under the gentle sunlight, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
Standing at the foot of the waterfall was a figure enveloped in an aura of tranquility.
Approaching cautiously, Vale realized that this figure was not a living being, but a beautifully sculpted stone statue.
Intrigued, Vale approached the human statue, his eyes filled with curiosity and a glimmer of hope.
'We really found something…' Vale silently thought.
"I'm not sure if it's a guardian of this floor as well, but this statue feels unusual." The Fairy spoke.
"You did well, Moonlight Fairy. Is that his sleeping form?" Vale couldn't help but ask after recalling that the other guardians were supposed to be asleep, according to the Water Dragon.
The statue appeared to be made of polished obsidian. Its surface shimmered with hints of deep purples, blues, and blacks, as if capturing the essence of the night sky.
"Ah… It's awake…" The Fairy spoke as she noticed the fluctuations of energy coming from the statue.
To Vale's surprise, the statue came to life, its eyes flickering with a luminous energy.
"Mhm? Someone entered my garden without my notice?" The statue spoke with a voice that resonated like distant echoes.
"It wasn't my intention to disturb your sleep, Guardian of the Ninth Floor. I came here to get your test to enter the 10th floor. The challenge of the Lake's Guardian was impossible for me." Vale immediately replied to the statue
However, the statue didn't seem to hear him and continued with his monologue.
"So there's a Moonlight Fairy. No wonder you can enter my garden."
The moment he said this, the Moonlight Fairy immediately returned to the Grimoire, like she was scared.
After a moment of pause, the statue continued… "You seem to be a summoner, so you won't be able to pass my test as well. You can try to look for someone else…"
Vale immediately shook his head as he hid his Grimoire and answered. "I'm not a Summoner, Guardian. Please, try me."
The Sentinel regarded Vale with a solemn gaze, acknowledging the young Arcanist's resolve.
"I'm the Sentinel of Shadows… Do you have what it takes?"
'Shadows? Perfect.'
Vale's heart swelled with renewed hope.
"How can I prove my worthiness to continue my journey, Sentinel of Shadows?" He asked.
The statue's spectral form suddenly appeared and extended a hand, offering Vale an ancient artifact—a dark obsidian orb pulsating with a dark aura.
"To pass this test, you must unlock the secrets of this orb…" The Sentinel explained.
Accepting the orb, Vale felt a surge of Dark Energy, but his Perfect Realm Incorruptible Body immediately activated...
Clink...
Just like that, the orb suddenly melted, and what remained was a shiny black stone that triggered Vale's system.
[ Shadow Orb has been discovered. Would you like to extract it? ]
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