Led by Eluna, the group slid down the peak of the bone mountain, aided by a hanging vine.
Upon reaching the ground, they passed through several giant fossilized bones to enter a cave.
The cave had been deliberately arranged, with luminescent stones embedded in its walls for illumination.
"This story begins shortly after you left your territory, my lord," Eluna began, as everyone settled inside the cave.
"Not long after your departure, anomalies appeared in the Red Jade Valley. Mia, Komait, and I came to investigate."
"Upon our arrival, we felt something was amiss. So, Komait and I decided to delve in to understand the situation better, sending Mia back to notify you."
"After Mia left, Komait and I entered the Red Jade Valley. We ventured deep into the valley and discovered the hidden remnants of the Gama Empire. "
"Komait mentioned he felt unease, originating from his dragon bloodline."
"At the entrance of those ruins, some treasure was discovered, leading to a conflict."
"Eventually, the battle ceased."
"As for that treasure, from what I've gathered, it appears to be a formula left behind by an ancient alchemist named Dilaram. It seems related to some formidable monster."
"Regrettably, we don't know who possesses it."
"Later on, as we pressed further, Komait and I flew over the wastelands. When we tried to cross the canyon, we were ambushed by a horde of blood Elemental Lords."
Listening to Eluna's tale, Ethan nodded in acknowledgment.
Her experiences were much like his own, with nothing too detailed to elaborate on.
It seemed that venturing deeper was where the real story began.
"And then what happened?" Ethan inquired, reaching out to roast some jerky over the flames.
Eluna's voice filled the space once more: "Upon entering here, we discovered some treasures. It was a mystical blood that, when consumed, could enhance one's abilities."
"Some call it the blood of a deity, while others say it's a gift from the world..."
"Until someone with knowledge stepped forward, claiming it to be the 'Blood Source'. It could elevate a creature's bloodline, a magnificent creation of the ancient kingdom."
"And for this Blood Source, everyone began slaughtering each other in madness."
As she spoke, Eluna extended her hand, palm up.
In the center, a viscous droplet of blood rolled, shimmering like a red crystal.
"This is the Blood Source!" Eluna declared.
All eyes turned to her, each individual feeling an innate surge of desire emanating from within.
"Blood Source? Was the man fighting you when we arrived also after the Blood Source?" Ethan queried.
Eluna nodded, elaborating, "Yes, after I acquired the Blood Source, news of it inadvertently spread. "
"As a result, people constantly approach me, seeking to seize the Blood Source I possess."
"Why haven't you used it then?"
Sherry inquired with a touch of curiosity.
Eluna's gaze shifted between Sherry and Ethan before she began, "It's not that I won't use it, but rather that I can't. In fact, most cannot."
"The reason the Blood Source is considered magnificent isn't because just anyone can harness its power," she continued.
"According to the tales, there are two criteria to utilize the Blood Source."
"First, one must possess strength beyond Rank S, and secondly, they must bear an exceptionally rare and powerful bloodline."
"Only those who meet both conditions can utilize the Blood Source. Otherwise, the overwhelming energy within it would rip the user apart."
"I see," Sherry murmured, nodding in understanding.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm Ethan, curious, then raised another question, "And what about the red jade?"
"Red jade?" Eluna's eyes shimmered with recognition.
"That too is the Blood Source, but it has been diluted hundreds of times over and crystallized. It can also enhance one's abilities, albeit not as potently."
"The sole advantage is its lack of stringent utilization criteria. Roughly twenty days ago, on the twenty-fifth rib of Devourer Oksd, someone discovered a drop of Blood Source."
"The discovery led to a fierce battle among many for its possession."
"During the conflict, the energy within the Blood Source was activated, resulting in an explosion."
"Then, like fireworks, the Blood Source exploded and dispersed, transforming into shards of crystallized red jade that shot outward, reminiscent of a meteor shower. Lord, you might have seen it upon your arrival," she added, explaining the origin of the red jade.
After listening, Mia instantly recalled the scene of the fight over the red jade.
Slapping her chest lightly, she exclaimed, "So that's where the red jade came from! Elder Eluna, you might not know, but many heroes perished in the chaos of vying for that jade, nearly covering the entire Red Jade Valley."
"Was it really that intense?"
Eluna expressed surprise, her tone taking a sudden shift, "Yes, it's the same here. Many have died fighting for the Blood Source. Among them were not just Rank S experts, but also some mighty beings."
"Struggles are inevitable wherever you go," Ethan sighed, acknowledging the law of the wild: survival of the fittest.
"Oh, Eluna, you mentioned something about Devourer Oksd earlier..."
"Devourer, Oksd!" Eluna interjected, pronouncing the name with solemnity.
Ethan nodded, pressing, "Right, that one! What exactly is this Devourer Oksd?"
"It's right beneath our feet," Eluna replied with a cryptic smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Mia looked puzzled.
Sherry, catching onto something, inquired, "Are you saying the massive skeletal remains we saw belong to Oksd?"
"No, that was its meal." Eluna shook her head, dismissing Sherry's assumption.
"If such a huge creature was merely Oksd's prey, just how immense is Devourer Oksd? It's not like the entire ruin is Oksd's body," Pale Wolf remarked, speaking up for the first time since entering the cave.
What he hadn't anticipated was Eluna's confirming nod.
"You're not wrong. Everything that's revealed deep within Red Jade Valley is, in essence, a manifestation of Oksd's body."
"That's impossible!" Pale Wolf exclaimed in disbelief.
Eluna merely smiled and countered, "What's so implausible about that? After all, Devourer Oksd is, without a doubt, a true Devil."
"Devil!" The title took Ethan and the others aback. After all, a Devil was akin to a deity, symbolizing power beyond the ordinary.
Eluna nodded, continuing, "This lore is detailed on the stone tablets in the nearby Gama Empire."
"Once, a kingdom discovered the Blood Source. Seeking to produce it, the kingdom initiated a god-making plan."
"Ultimately, this ancient realm successfully birthed the Devil - Devourer Oksd."
"Oksd could consume anything and in turn produce Blood Source."
"What seemed like a dawn of prosperity was, in truth, the planting of seeds for a looming disaster. Oksd, being artificially created, was naturally bound."
"However, a day came when Oksd broke free, and catastrophe ensued."
"The ancient kingdom perished, and Oksd met its demise."
"Later, explorers from the Gama Empire stumbled upon this fallen kingdom and the deceased Devil. On learning of this, the Gama Empire erected a city here."
"In due course, the Gama Empire too collapsed, leaving this region lost to history."
Eluna spoke with a touch of melancholy.
In the face of time, even the grandest empires will eventually fade away.
"This is beyond belief!" Pale Wolf couldn't help but exclaim.
Such a colossal creature could, he imagined, obliterate a kingdom with a mere breath.
Yet, such a fearsome being was conjured by an ancient empire.
He felt his mind reeling.
Ethan, however, adapted quickly to the revelation and curiously began, "So, the canyon..."
Before he could finish, Eluna interjected, "You're on the right track, Lord Ethan. That canyon is indeed what remains of Devourer Oksd's veins."
"Furthermore, beneath the surface, countless such channels wind their way, hiding treasures of that ancient kingdom."
"Based on some hints, during the conflict between Devourer Oksd and its creator kingdom, it nearly consumed the entire realm."
"Those treasures have been preserved within Oksd's body, untouched by decay."
"There's one more thing. Three days ago, dozens of droplets of Blood Source were discovered at Oksd's heart location. Unable to resist the allure, Komait recklessly went to claim them."
Ethan rubbed his temples, affirming, "That sounds just like Komait."
"However, Eluna, don't worry. Though Komait is greedy, he does possess some might. And being a black dragon, even if he cannot best his opponents, he can still make a swift escape."
"But I have some personal matters to discuss with you."
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