Chapter 1562: Chapter 177 Positioning Array_4
Ah Dai said, "So you’re saying, the cave that saved your life back then is directly to the south?"
Audi nodded and said, "Probably. Back then, I fought fiercely in the Death Mountain Range until I was nearing exhaustion, and finally found that place. Though the undead creatures are formidable, they have their own flaws. The concentration of various races causes them to easily fall into chaos. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to penetrate so deeply into the Death Mountain Range. You can use this point to quickly advance to the deepest part of the Death Mountain Range. As long as you’re careful, with your strength, it’s very possible to reach the destination."
Half an hour later, under Audi’s lead, the group had emerged from the vast forest of the Tian Yuan Clan. The atmosphere in the air seemed to grow increasingly heavy, and as they approached the Death Mountain Range, Xuan Yue, who practiced sacred light magic, felt an overwhelming sense of oppression in her heart.
Audi stopped and pointed at a barren mountain ahead, saying, "Once you cross this mountain, you will enter the territory of the Death Mountain Range. I’ll take you this far. You must be careful on the journey. If you really can’t go deeper, retreat immediately. Don’t push yourself; as long as you’re alive, there’s hope. Life is the most important."
Ah Dai nodded and smiled, "You can head back now. We will certainly be careful. We also need you and Aunt Queen to protect our magic array."
Audi nodded and said, "Don’t worry. As long as the Elf Clan stands and the Elf City is there, the magic array will not disappear. Take care." With that, he spread his transparent wings and floated away, returning back to the Elf Forest along the path they came.
With a trace of excitement in his eyes, Ah Dai looked around the group and said, "We have finally reached the Death Mountain Range. Twice before, we had failed to enter this place filled with the aura of death, but today, nothing will stop our advance. Let’s move out, comrades. Our target is the center of the Death Mountain Range."
Their blood seemed to boil along with Ah Dai, filled with intense battle readiness. They knew what lay ahead would be the greatest challenge of their lives. Ah Dai chanted, "By the blood of the Divine Dragon, open the gates of time and space." The revived energy in the Dragon’s Blood, upon his call, shone brilliantly, and encased in a blue aura, the enormous body of Sheng Xie appeared in their view.
Sheng Xie’s figure gradually became clear. It spread its wide wings and let out a loud cry, the pure sound of Dragon Roars echoing repeatedly, filled with joy. Everyone’s gaze focused entirely on this giant dragon, its enormous body over ten meters long astonishing them. Observing a dragon so closely for the first time, their hearts were filled with excitement.
"Brother, you finally let Xiao Qie out. I was almost stifled inside the Dragon’s Blood."
"Xiao Qie, this time Brother won’t easily put you back. We are about to enter the continent’s most dangerous Death Mountain Range, where unknowns are waiting for us. Are you willing to follow us on this adventure?"
Sheng Xie lowered its large head, the golden eyes shimmering softly, and rubbed its elongated golden horn against Ah Dai, saying, "Brother, you don’t need to ask Xiao Qie. Wherever you are, Xiao Qie will be too. No danger can separate us. You are Xiao Qie’s only kin in this world."
Ah Dai felt warmth in his heart and, stroking Sheng Xie’s spiral-shaped large horn, smiled, "Xiao Qie, Brother will never separate from you either. Rest assured, as long as I live, I won’t let any creature harm you. You’re my most important partner! Let’s go, let’s climb the mountain, cross it, and we’ll begin our battle."
Sheng Xie let out a long cry, filled with excitement, its golden eyes sweeping over everyone. It raised its head high, wings spread, and all the scales on its body stood upright, appearing ready for battle.
Ah Dai said to everyone, "Yan Shi, Yan Li, both elder brothers, and Kino and Yue Ji sister, you don’t have the ability to fly, so ride on Xiao Qie’s back as we go uphill. This will conserve some energy. Vila and Zhuo Yun sister, stay close to me and Yue Yue."
Once Ah Dai had made arrangements, the group of eight people and one dragon took to the sky, advancing toward the towering mountain ahead, about five hundred meters high. As they ascended the mountainside, they clearly felt an evil aura emanating from the mountain, causing discomfort for Yue Ji, the weakest in power. As they got closer to the peak, the evil aura grew even more intense, even making the Yan Shi brothers and Zhuo Yun feel uneasy. Just as Xuan Yue prepared to cast Divine Blessing on everyone, the golden rings on their hands lit up, with clusters of golden light enveloping their bodies, completely isolating them from the evil outside. This magic artifact, blessed by the Pope, began to display its ability to repel evil darkness.
Yue Ji showed a relieved expression and said with lingering fear, "It’s already so uncomfortable even before facing the undead creatures. The Death Mountain Range will likely be more dangerous. No wonder Audi, the Grand Elf Envoy, repeatedly advised us to be careful."
Kino looked a bit worriedly at Yue Ji and said, "I told you not to come, but you wouldn’t listen. There’s still time to leave."
Yue Ji snorted and said, "I know the Death Mountain Range is dangerous, but I am not afraid. Don’t think women are worse than men. I understand the principle of facing difficulties head-on. Just take care of yourself, don’t mind me." With that, she took off her silver bow from her back, nocked a silver arrow, and vigilantly watched the surroundings.
Five hundred meters of altitude was nothing for the group. Within ten minutes, they had reached the top. This was completely a rocky mountain, not a blade of grass in sight, with the summit being only a few hundred square meters in area. Upon reaching the summit, they discovered that the previously clear sky had suddenly darkened, the heavens entirely shrouded in clouds with no sunlight at all.
Xuan Yue felt an even stronger sense of oppression. To ensure everyone’s safety, she applied Divine Blessing to each of them. Ah Dai approached Xuan Yue and said with concern, "Yue Yue, you don’t look well. Is there something bothering you or is maintaining contact with space magic consuming too much energy?"
Xuan Yue shook her head and said, "I’m not uncomfortable. Maintaining contact with spirit magic does consume some of my magic power, but I have the energy from Phoenix’s Blood to support me, so it doesn’t affect much. However, this place is filled with the aura of death and evil, making it very uncomfortable. Don’t you feel oppressed?"
Ah Dai was dumbfounded, shook his head, and said, "Evil? Why don’t I feel it? Besides the sky darkening, isn’t there no change?" Though he felt somewhat tense, he indeed didn’t sense the situation Xuan Yue described.
Xuan Yue looked at Ah Dai quizzically as if pondering something. "Ah, that’s it," she seemed to understand suddenly, the bewilderment in her eyes transforming into realization, as she grabbed Ah Dai’s large hand and said, "I see. Although the aura here is evil, it pales in comparison to the world’s ultimate evil, the Sword of Hades that you often use. You have frequently resisted the evil aura it embodies, along with the vital energy of True Qi, you’ve developed immunity to evil aura. Therefore, you don’t feel uncomfortable. By the way, there’s something I must remind you, when we enter the Death Mountain Range, no matter what danger we face, don’t use the Sword of Hades."
Ah Dai asked in confusion, "Why can’t I use the Sword of Hades? With my current power, I can basically control the direction of the sword’s evil aura, it won’t harm everyone."
