Chapter 1048: Chapter 583: Bay 5_2
As the traces of that lost civilization became more and more apparent, the reliefs on the rock walls appeared increasingly frequent, extending not just on walls but across entire corridors used as canvases.
The relief depicted tentacles of various lengths performing different actions, and as one walked down, none seemed repeated, as if carved randomly, giving an impression of chaos and distortion.
It felt as if the tentacles might actually move if you glanced at them, strange that the image only showed tentacles, with their source beyond the image, as if the craftsmen dared not depict Its form.
Or perhaps they had never seen it? Or was it indescribable? Was it merely for decoration?
As Lance surveyed along the way, his doubts deepened, but alas, ancient geological movements had destroyed everything.
Those continuous murals were fractured, leading to another undeveloped path.
Without much hesitation, Lance squeezed through the wall cracks, initially narrow and then suddenly spacious.
Only inside, there were no land or dwellings, but two warriors, a guard, and a Deep Sea Shaman.
The warriors charged forward, the guard raised his shield to protect, and the shaman began preparing spells, whether for healing, harm, or amplification.
This Battle Shield Magic setup could be said to have output, defense, and a mage, not a gaming team, but the result of brutal skirmishes among alien races.
Unfortunately, this iconic small team could not stop the suddenly appearing Lance, as brutality was destroyed by even greater brutality.
Yet Lance showed no fondness for the recent battle, as his torch immediately drew his attention to an intriguing sight.
An unexpectedly interesting pond appeared along the way, because unlike the previous ones, it was smaller, no longer occupying a large space the size of a basketball court, but just around the size of an oval hot spring bath.
The surroundings were surprisingly encircled by neatly arranged round stones, a technique unimaginable amid the crude actions of those Deep Divers.
The only explanation was that this thing was special, special enough to require careful protection, as the earlier Deep Divers were clearly guarding it.
But Lance’s attraction went beyond that because the pond emitted spiritual fluctuations, with the liquid inside strangely black.
What was this?
Lance knew it held special significance.
Such an inexplicable ceremony made Lance circle several times around the pond, still puzzled.
Recently been extremely busy, leaving no time for quiet study of mysticism, not to mention those things can’t be learned quickly, now facing this situation left him a bit bewildered.
Moreover, without Alhazred, the mystical scholar, by his side, Lance now understood the importance of teamwork where individual strength could be shared with others.
If there had been a team, he wouldn’t have been wounded by those two strikes, nor hesitated now before a pond emitting spiritual essence.
It wasn’t about holding back anyone, it’s about each having strengths, performing in different scenarios.
Of course, anyone partnered with Lance was no weakling.
Among the many Transcendents Lance knew, their attitude towards such mysterious rituals was always cautious.
Mysticism to Transcendents is akin to minesweeping, careful cleaning to ensure safety or thorough research to understand effects.
But Lance didn’t need this, as this was a moment to leverage his advantage.
Directly reaching out, he touched that black water, initially preparing for something unusual, yet nothing happened?
But through touching, he confirmed the black water was rich in spiritual essence, albeit with an indescribable sinister nature.
After carefully collecting enough black water samples, Lance didn’t waste words, immediately lifting his hand to activate [Sacrifice].
Unknown presence of the Void continued to accept all, as the water surface visibly descended, soon revealing a bizarre scene.
As the water level dropped, showing assorted white bones, human, Deep Divers, marine life, piled and tangled together, leaving no complete part visible.
Soon the pond was drained, revealing an even more interesting view, revealing a giant clam at the bottom.
The dark purple shell was so large an outstretched pair of arms could barely embrace it, with an age of unknown years to grow so huge.
Perhaps frightened by the water drawdown earlier, the shell tightly closed, leaving only a gap exposing the thick meat lips.
Even if Lance had ideas, it was too late.
Because the sacrifice possibly determined jointly, and before he reacted, it devoured the giant clam.
The shells split open, revealing an empty space inside.
What?
This scenario left Lance momentarily stunned, he just wanted to study the connection with the pond.
But sacrifices weren’t controllable by him, and Lance hadn’t held much expectation, yet the ritual yielded not spiritual essence but a fist-sized pearl.
He couldn’t describe it well, but it radiated strong spiritual essence clearing his earlier small grumbles.
Great! The sacrifice was well done!
Finally got equipment.
Stretching out, the pearl slid into his palm as if losing its bonds, feeling its power, Lance’s face showed a surprised expression.
[Deep Sea Pearl] is a ritual tool, capable of using water as a carrier, transforming it into a life source bearing imitation supernatural power.
The drinker’s physique temporarily enhances as various resistances ascend likewise.
Yet there’s no unexplained power, as every Transcendent Ritual comes with a cost.
So what is the cost?
Flesh, [Deep Sea Pearl] ritual sacrifices flesh.
Lance soon realized, so the black pond was where Deep Divers farmed giant clams, discarding corpses below to feed clams, which returned this power in an indescribable way.
The black water indeed accumulated as potion material, no wonder its spiritual essence was so intense.
But why does this resistance-increasing potion seem familiar...?
Lance pondered a while, isn’t it the Church’s most famous Holy Water aside from Divine Arts?
"No way, no way?"
Oh no! Did I just uncover the source of [Holy Water]?
Holy Water = corpse water?
The ruins faced countless adventurers wanting treasures, preparing life-saving items.
Those with strength and background might gather some Extraordinary Equipment, but ordinary folk could only buy consumables like Holy Water.
The Church raked unknown wealth off this item, if Hamlet produced similar function potions, might the Church attack relentlessly?
Lance had no doubt, yet the Church couldn’t defeat him, fearing nothing.
Return to carry out an experiment, striving to craft products before adventurers arrive in droves.
The Church cannot retain, as Lance asserted.
This delightful discovery altered Lance’s impression of the Bay, not surprisingly prosperous Deep Divers with valuables in hand that must be plundered!
Lance sifted through bones below, surprisingly finding some coins, gemstones, presumably discarded with corpses, remained behind after bodies were dissolved.
Lance ventured inside, visibly delighted as pent-up stress dissipated.
Men’s joy is simple.
Staying briefly there, Deep Divers attacked consecutively, fearless of Lance’s strength, bravely guarding here.
Yet the place was picked clean by Lance, leaving only bones, slain two batches, the Deep Divers seemingly realizing something was wrong, stopped rushing blindly ahead.
No doubt these items were rare, valuable even as decorative art pieces.
Finally, Lance picked up two shell fragments, left in pursuit of further Bay secrets...
