In the deepest level of the dungeon, after an intense confrontation, the battle between man and woman concluded with Mia's pleas of agony, resulting in Ethan's final triumph.
"Lord Ethan, you're truly formidable. I couldn't endure it all by myself," Mia remarked, panting heavily.
Even as Ethan's hands continued to glide over her smooth skin, caressing her delicate curves and the tender flesh between her legs, Mia could barely muster any enthusiasm.
She was utterly exhausted by Ethan's relentless pursuits.
Observing Mia's state, Ethan realized that she was genuinely spent.
He gently lifted her to sit, giving her some reprieve, and teasingly remarked, "Mia, with the way you are now, you need more practice. Otherwise, how will you serve me in the future? Don't tell me you want others to share in our intimate delights?"
Mia's face tightened, blushing as she murmured, "I'll manage."
"Alright, my dear," Ethan chuckled, "I won't tease you any longer. You mentioned the Red Jade Valley earlier. When Eluna and Maikot stayed behind, did they tell you how to contact them?"
At Ethan's inquiry, Mia's expression fell.
"No," she replied somberly.
"Elder Eluna and Mr. Maikot seemed to have discovered something crucial. They appeared anxious, and concerned about you returning and finding no one. So, they sent me back to our domain."
Mia's response did not satisfy Ethan.
Maikot, being a mighty black dragon, and Eluna, a Treant elder of formidable power, would not have sent Mia back solely to notify him.
It was more probable that Eluna and Maikot had encountered some peril and thus ushered Mia back home in advance.
"Mia, pack up. It seems we need to make a trip to the Red Jade Valley," Ethan instructed gravely.
Before Mia could inquire further, Ethan quickly exited the dungeon and sought out Victor, who was still occupied with various matters of their domain.
He informed Victor of his impending departure and inquired about the Red Jade.
"Red Jade?" Victor raised an eyebrow. "Do they actually refer to the Blood Source by that name?"
Once Ethan shared details about the Red Jade Valley and explained what the Red Jade truly was and its effects, Victor burst into laughter, mocking the ignorance of those who didn't know its true nature.
Victor then elaborated, "The progression of one's Bloodline does indeed exist. And the key to achieving this advancement lies in the Blood Source. It's a mystical fluid capable of stimulating the evolution of one's Bloodline, empowering the being."
"Because of its potent effects, the Blood Source has been virtually extinct since times of old."
"However, countless years ago, a nation, rich in wisdom, managed to decipher the Blood Source. They understood its essence and successfully developed a tool to synthesize it."
"To conveniently store it, the manufactured Blood Source was compressed into solidified chunks, which is what they call 'Red Jade'." Victor stated with a hint of pride in his deduction.
He continued, "My lord, if you intend to visit the Red Jade Valley, perhaps you should seek out that machine. Bringing it back to our domain and possibly restoring it could be valuable."
"That's precisely what I intend to do," Ethan responded, waving his hand dismissively but with a palpable eagerness in his eyes. A device that could produce Blood Source was undeniably precious.
On another note, Ethan grew even more curious about Victor.
If he possessed knowledge of such clandestine matters, what was truly hidden in Victor's past?
Ethan refrained from prying directly.
Although the Enslavement Contract bound them, he preferred Victor to share willingly, rather than being forced to reveal past secrets under the contract's constraints.
Having given Victor his instructions, Ethan set off with Mia.
Apart from her, he also recruited Little Fairy Baal, who was stealthily enjoying her drink within the domain.
Upon meeting, Mia and Little Fairy Baal took an instant liking to one another, much to Ethan's bemusement.
The duo often conspired together, seemingly discussing some covert matters, paying little heed to Ethan.
Focused, Ethan continued their journey.
The Red Jade Valley was just over ten miles outside Riverside city.
Anxious and impatient, Ethan didn't plan on stopping in Riverside.
He and Mia bypassed the city, heading straight for the valley.
Only then did he realize the vast number of people who had gathered at the Red Jade Valley.
Even before approaching the valley's entrance, numerous Heroes were seen clustered around.
These Heroes formed small teams, each with defined roles.
Among them, some exuded potent auras — clearly not your average Heroes, perhaps boasting strengths of Rank A or higher.
"You there! Yes, I'm speaking to you. Halt!" Just as Ethan was about to enter the valley, a voice suddenly called out to stop him.
Turning around, Ethan saw a towering Hero, muscles rippling beneath his skin.
Holding a massive iron hammer, and draped in a clanking, heavy armor, the Hero's every step resonated with an imposing presence that was hard to ignore.
"What is it?" Ethan questioned, undeterred by the approaching giant.
The size alone didn't determine power.
Were Ethan to manifest his true form, the Golden Divine Dragon, he'd eclipse the sky.
But doing so would make him the center of attention.
"Kid, I'm trying to give you some friendly advice: you can't get into the Red Jade Valley right now," the massive Hero said, unperturbed by Ethan's gaze.
Baffled, Ethan glanced towards the valley entrance, then back to the towering Hero. "Everything seems in order. Why can't we enter?"
Chuckling deeply, the Hero extended his arm, pointing to the depths of the valley.
"There's an invisible barrier within, blocking everyone's path. If you don't believe me, go ahead and try. But if something goes awry, don't say I didn't warn you."
As the Hero finished, the other waiting Heroes shifted their gaze, murmuring with curiosity.
"That youngster seems unfamiliar with the Hero's code! Being a Hero requires courage and prudence. Without it, you're just one step away from being a fallen Hero."
"Who's that hulking fellow? Seems pretty powerful."
"He's not from around here. I've heard he's from the north, goes by the name Pale Wolf, I think. Given his size, 'Great Clumsy Bear' would be more fitting. Can't believe he's warning others."
"Shush! Keep it down, let's see how this kid makes a fool of himself."
Ethan overheard the murmurs but remained unperturbed; he'd grown accustomed to such chatter.
Guiding Mia past the waiting crowd, they moved towards the heart of Red Jade Valley.
Heroes on either side made way, eager to see Ethan's presumed blunder firsthand.
Upon reaching the entrance, Ethan halted.
He sensed the anomaly – an invisible barrier stood guard.
Yet, it felt odd. Rather than merely keeping intruders out, it seemed to be selectively screening them.
"Why is it like this?" Ethan mused aloud.
At that moment, Little Fairy Baal fluttered off Mia's shoulder, curiously inspecting the barrier.
Confidently, she remarked, "Ethan, I can pass through this barrier. Would you like me to go in and check?"
"No need." Ethan waved her off.
With calculated intent, he reached out to the barrier.
As anticipated, it posed no resistance to him. It was as if it wasn't there at all.
"Mia, try touching it," he beckoned.
Nodding, Mia extended her hand towards the barrier, encountering no resistance.
"It seems the secrets of Red Jade Valley aren't limited to just the Red Jade or the Blood Source Victor mentioned," Ethan mused, lost in thought.
After a moment, he withdrew his hand from the barrier and, guiding Mia, retreated to a quieter spot amid the throng.
The heroes near the entrance were left utterly flabbergasted.
"He... his hand went through! The barrier didn't stop him!"
"It can't be! Absolutely impossible! I must be seeing things. I'm already at a Rank B Hero strength, yet the moment I touched that barrier, I was repelled!"
"I bet he has some magical artifact on him."
"That girl managed to reach in too!"
"..."
The heroes continued their animated discussion, their gazes frequently darting to Ethan and Mia as they moved away from the crowd.
But for Ethan, such chatter was inconsequential, much like a king of the forest wouldn't concern himself with how many ants lay beneath his paw.
Mia, too, was oblivious, her attention fixed solely on Ethan.
"Ethan, what do we do next? Sneak in?" Mia whispered.
Ethan shook his head, glancing at the sea of heroes surrounding them. "No rush. I suspect someone will approach us soon, suggesting we collaborate to venture inside."
"Who?" Mia curiously inquired.
The answer came almost immediately.
Emerging from the crowd was a towering figure — the very Hero who had initially called out to Ethan.
Seeing the approaching towering Hero, Mia instantly became wary.
She assessed the figure, asking, "What do you want?"
Pale Wolf wasn't bothered by the caution in Mia's eyes.
Being wary of strangers was second nature to any Hero.
It was a lesson many learned through blood and sacrifice.
"I think we can get to know each other again," Pale Wolf said with a smile. However, given his immense stature, his grin seemed more menacing than friendly.
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