Chapter 311 309-The Adrien Family
Malibu Point.
Tens of thousands of individuals gathered, creating a vast sea of humanity.
They hailed from different corners of the land, ranging from distant travelers, imperial prodigies, to adventurers and explorers.
They wore a myriad of garments, each with their own distinct purpose.
Surrounding them were their camps, as every inch of Malibu Point was claimed by humanity.
Forests were felled, leaving large swaths of land bare.
In just a matter of days, Malibu Point had transformed from a primeval forest to a human stronghold.
The crowd was filled with noise and excitement, as people engaged in conversation, sharing their expectations and stories about the Deityforsaken Land.
Some spoke fervently of legendary treasures, hoping to find their own fortunes in this mysterious land.
Others discussed the enigmatic powers and mysterious events of the Deityforsaken Land, wishing to witness and unravel these mysteries firsthand.
It wasn't just humans; various humanoid races mingled within the crowd.
Even the peace-loving elves had sent their representatives to Malibu Point.
What took Ethan by surprise was the emergence of a bustling marketplace.
The air was charged with enthusiasm and excitement, as stalls and vendors appeared amidst the crowd.
The stalls displayed an array of goods, ranging from exploratory gear to maps of the Deityforsaken Land, and from magical potions to mystical relics.
People moved tirelessly between the stalls, searching for the items they needed, or simply indulging their curiosity.
Ethan himself inquired, only to find that a map of the Deityforsaken Land could be exchanged for a portion of Blood Source.
The exorbitant price made Ethan step back in disbelief.
"This is madness, sheer madness," Ethan couldn't help but exclaim.
Beyond the bustling atmosphere, the entire scene was filled with tension and anticipation.
Everyone was aware that the Deityforsaken Land was no ordinary place; it harbored countless dangers and opportunities.
While everyone hoped to find their own fortunes here, they were also conscious of the fact that they might be putting their lives on the line.
More often than not, groups of people were resting quietly on small patches of ground within their own circles, waiting for the Deityforsaken Land to open.
Daphne, seeing such a large crowd, had gone from feeling uncomfortable at first to gradually finding the scene intriguing.
Ethan, on the other hand, was filled with a sense of peculiarity.
A sacred path to becoming a deity, the Deityforsaken Land, had seemingly turned into a marketplace, which somewhat cheapened its value.
This led Ethan to express his feelings:
"The Deityforsaken Land seems somewhat cheapened now."
Ethan's remark was overheard by a young man in ragged samurai attire standing nearby.
The young man chuckled, "Cheapened? Isn't the crowd a sign of how important the Deityforsaken Land is?"
"And you are?"
"Luther."
"Ethan."
After introducing themselves, Ethan didn't look down upon Luther despite his worn-out samurai outfit.
Luther's eyes and eyebrows concealed a profound sword intent, and the rusty iron sword in his hand likewise signified his identity.
Luther was a swordsman.
"Where do you come from?" Ethan asked.
Without any intention of hiding his origin, Luther replied, "Zitumah Harbor."
"And what place is that?"
Grinning, Luther explained, "It's a small port in the Besk Kingdom."
"Besk Kingdom?" Ethan was somewhat puzzled; geography had never been his strong suit.
"Cross the Stodore Sea from the Azure Empire, and you'll find the Besk Kingdom," Luther patiently elaborated.
"Oh," Ethan nodded in realization, "I've never heard of it before."
Luther wore an odd expression but didn't elaborate further. "Mr. Ethan is quite an interesting man."
Ethan merely shrugged, asking indifferently, "Do you wish to enter the Deityforsaken Land? Or are you, like these merchants, here just to make money?"
Luther's expression bore a steadiness uncharacteristic for his age as he leisurely responded, "In this throng of people, everyone has their own goals and dreams, and everyone has come here for different reasons. However, no matter what their objectives are, regardless of their identities and backgrounds, they are all collectively pursuing the secrets and treasures of the Deityforsaken Land."
Luther turned to Ethan, speaking earnestly, "I am no exception."
Ethan nodded slightly, his curiosity piqued as he asked, "After all this talk, why haven't you gone in yet?"
Luther's expression turned peculiar as he gave Ethan an appraising look. "Do you really not know?"
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing there was more to the story.
He was indeed unfamiliar with the Deityforsaken Land, having only just learned of it.
So, he chuckled awkwardly, "Mr. Luther, perhaps you could enlighten me."
Luther sat down directly on the ground, cradling his rusty sword in his arms, "Well then, I guess I have quite a bit to explain."
"I'm all ears," Ethan said, sitting down beside Luther, looking perfectly at ease.
As for Daphne, he had asked her to amuse herself.
After all, he had left a Soul Mark on her, so he could find Daphne at any time.
Once seated, Luther began to speak at a leisurely pace:
"To enter the Deityforsaken Land, one generally has to go through a stone monument. We refer to that monument as the portal to the path of becoming a deity."
"However, not everyone is granted entry through the monument."
Ethan, somewhat taken aback, furrowed his brows and asked, "Why is that?"
Luther waved his hand dismissively, "No one knows for sure."
"Hasn't anyone who couldn't enter tried to force their way in?" Ethan pressed on.
His question was a bit convoluted, but Luther understood.
With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Luther responded calmly, "If you can't enter the monument, then you simply can't. Any rash attempts to enter will result in being devoured by it."
"Devoured?" Ethan felt a chill run down his spine.
"That's right."
Sensing that there was something more to this story, Ethan fell silent and listened intently.
"This was discovered by a man named Fenck Adrien. Of course, he witnessed the opening of the Deityforsaken Land, but the sight of countless people being devoured by the monument sent him into a state of panic."
"He wanted to figure out whether he was qualified to enter the Deityforsaken Land."
Ethan couldn't help but find the story amusing, "This guy lacks confidence in himself, how could he possibly be qualified to enter the Deityforsaken Land?"
Luther ignored Ethan's mockery and instead scoffed, "Those confident in themselves were devoured by the monument."
The smile on Ethan's face gradually stiffened as he found himself uncertain whether Fenck was foolish or wise.
Luther continued, "Fenck spent his entire life researching how to determine one's eligibility to enter the Deityforsaken Land. In the end, he actually figured it out."
"In his later years, Fenck encountered the opening of the Deityforsaken Land once again. Using the secret method he had developed, he confirmed that he was not qualified to enter. With that, he simply laughed and left."
Ethan's lips twitched slightly; Fenck was indeed a persistent man, though the story seemed rather abrupt.
Seeing the expression on Ethan's face, Luther burst out laughing, "You think the story is over? The climax is just beginning."
"Fenck may have passed away, but his family inherited his secret method, enabling them to discern whether others are qualified to enter the Deityforsaken Land."
"So, they made a swift decision to turn this into a business. The day Fenck died, his family amassed three million gold coins, laying a solid foundation for the Adrien family."
"Since then, every time the Deityforsaken Land has opened, the Adrien family has made an appearance, raking in a fortune. With this one venture, the Adrien family has become the wealthiest in the Kingdom of Besc, even receiving honors from the king."
Luther's story left Ethan both amused and incredulous; the sacred Deityforsaken Land had been turned into a money-making scheme.
Fenck's life's work had indeed been put to use, albeit in an unexpected way.
One could not help but wonder about the ingenious minds of these people.
Ethan understood Luther's point and, shaking his head slightly, said, "So, all these people are waiting for the Adrien family to arrive?"
Luther nodded, "Exactly, waiting for Adrien to test their qualifications."
Ethan narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
No wonder the system had issued a task to obtain a Deityforsaken Land entry permit.
This privilege seemed to be exclusive to Dark Lords and Heroes; the indigenous people or NPCs of this world really needed to pass the Adrien test.
A hint of worry crossed Ethan's mind.
He had no issues entering the Deityforsaken Land, but what about Daphne?
If Daphne was devoured by the monument, Ethan would regret it for the rest of his life.
Ethan's silence once again revealed his thoughts to Luther.
"What's the matter? Losing confidence in yourself? Better get your finances ready, the Adrien family are bloodsuckers."
Ethan bared his white teeth in a grin, "I've always been confident. I'm just worried about my friend."
Luther picked up his rusted sword and stood up.
He dusted himself off and, smiling at Ethan, said, "Then it seems we're in the same boat."
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