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 parchment.
[Draconic Strength Elixir]
[Grade: Epic]
[Required Ingredients: A measure of rare or higher dragon's blood, three measures of blue whale essence, three souls of Heroes, three measures of Dark Lord's blood, and a measure of fusion dust.]
[Method: Combine all ingredients in a vessel, using wood-element 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 become exceedingly rare, the Luvi family should have a decent stockpile," Chris Luvi remarked.
Luke nodded in agreement, 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 come 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 mere 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 time comes," Luke responded, not committing immediately.
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 time 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 merchant faction, represented by the Luvi family, traded in various everyday goods.
They boasted a plethora of craftsmen, apothecaries, alchemists, and other unique talents.
However, this advantage quickly diminished with the influx of numerous Heroes, dealing a substantial blow to the Luvi family's commercial 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 time, 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 esteemed 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 commendable!"
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 some 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 meal.
"Going by the time 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 sentiment.
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 emerged 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 movements.
Yet, Ethan had no intention of confronting Luke and his group at this juncture.
Even though he was supremely 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 immediately 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 come across several groups of travelers.
Most simply exchanged glances with Ethan's party before hastily departing.
Some 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 become 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.
"Some claim to have heard the heartbeat of some 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 astonishment.
Ethan exchanged glances with Eluna and the others, all sensing the gravity of the situation.
On their way, they'd noticed numerous discarded, tattered clothes.
Initially assuming these were intentionally abandoned, Ethan's perspective changed when he discovered red jade shards on one of the garments, realizing things were not as they seemed.
"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 seemed 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 garments 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 something profoundly horrifying.
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