?


    [Lava Dark Lord: "I assume you''ve tried it out by now. I also possess a form to enhance the Thunder Dragon, elevating it to an even mightier entity. Of course, if you''re interested, ites at a separate cost."]


    Ethan''s excitement grew upon reading Lava Dark Lord''s message.


    If a regr Thunder Dragon was already so formidable, just how awe-inspiring would an enhanced Thunder Dragon be?


    Ethan was indeed curious but recognized that trying such an endeavor might consume a vast amount of resources, something he currently couldn''t afford.


    Nevertheless, it didn''t prevent him from preparing in advance.


    Without hesitation, Ethan replied to the message.


    [Anonymous Dark Lord: "I have indeed tried, and the information you provided was urate. Once I''m out, I''ll hand over the fifty red jades as promised. And since you''ve offered the enhancement form for the Thunder Dragon, may I inquire about its price?"]


    [Lava Dark Lord: "A drop of blood from a legendary creature, or knowledge rted to the gods."]


    [Anonymous Dark Lord: "What do you need that for?"]


    After a few minutes of waiting, Lava Dark Lord responded.


    [Lava Dark Lord: "You''ve managed not only to encounter a Thunder Dragon but also sessfully bred one. Clearly, you''re not just any Dark Lord; your power has reached at least Rank S. Hence, there''s some information I can share. The uing battles will extend beyond mere territorial disputes or simple conflicts between Heroes and Dark Lords. They will epass shes among all races and groups, even involving the gods!"]


    [Lava Dark Lord: "I need these things in preparation for the looming war."]


    [Lava Dark Lord: "Once you finish this transaction, I''d like to invite you to the ''Devil Discussion Group''. Founded by several Dark Lords, I believe you qualify to join."]


    [Anonymous Dark Lord: "Very well, looking forward to our fruitful coboration."]


    [Lava Dark Lord: "One more thing, our meeting point will be at the border of the Sunset Empire and Northern Snow ins, a ce known as Frostwood Forest."]


    [Anonymous Dark Lord: "Understood."]


    Having responded, Ethan closed the chat interface and sank into deep contemtion.


    Setting aside the odd choice of Lava Dark Lord proposing a trade in a frigid ce like Frostwood Forest, which would significantly weaken his power, there was something suspicious afoot.


    Beyond this, Ethan pondered on the information the Lava Dark Lord had disclosed.


    He had longe to realize that he wasn''t the only "Chosen One".


    Lava Dark Lord''s words had only further solidified this understanding.


    From the Lord''s demeanor, it was evident that he too boasted strength beyond Rank S.


    And then there was the mention of the "Devil" chat group.


    The term "Devil" wasn''t one to be used lightly; it was a title on par with a deity.


    "It seems I need to hasten my pace," Ethan mused.


    "If more individuals reach Rank S, my initial advantage will dissipate. Right now, the priority is to delve deeper and secure the ancient kingdom''s Blood Source manufacturing machine left behind in the Red Jade Valley."


    "It would provide me with an abundance of resources."


    With his n set, Ethan felt a renewed sense of purpose.


    The next day, having arranged for the sandworms to remain in the desert, Ethan, Mia, and Sherry continued their journey, heading towards the horizon.


    The newly bred Thunder Dragon soared overhead, embarking on its reconnaissance quest.


    Not long after Ethan and his party left, on the outskirts of the desert, members of Savi''s squad gazed towards the desert.


    Watching sandworms emerge from the dpidated temple, they wore puzzled expressions.


    "Lord Savi, should we go and investigate?" one of the subordinates inquired.


    Savi shook his head and said, "When a sandworm finds food, it doesn''t let it go easily. If the sandworms emerged again, it means Ethan is dead."


    "But the number of sandworms hasn''t increased. In fact, it''s decreased," one subordinate pointed out, referencing the creatures'' rapid reproduction given ample food.


    "Who''s the leader here, you or me?" Savi snapped back, his face darkening with rage.


    The subordinate immediately fell silent.


    Then, Savi began inscribing aplex Magic Circle on the ground, chanting, "Great me Witch, I have fulfilled your wish and in Ethan. Your most loyal disciple, Savi, beckons your descent!"


    The patterns of the Magic Circle twisted and contorted.


    mes suddenly burst forth, coalescing into a stunning woman whose entire body was aze.


    Her ample bosom and the intimate region between her legs were barely covered by thin scales, while the rest of her was exposed, exuding a wild aura.


    This was the me Witch Hilna, summoned by the Elder Council of ckstone.


    Hilna cast a fleeting nce at Savi, praising, "Savi, you''ve done well."


    Bowing his head in reverence, Savi replied, "My queen, it''s an honor to serve you."


    Hilna gave a nonchnt nod before sensing Ethan''s life force.


    Her face quickly darkened with rage. "You deceitful fool! You dare to deceive me!"


    "My Queen, I do not understand what you mean," Savi said, copsing to his knees in fear.


    Hilna roared, "Idiot! The hero isn''t dead; he''s alive and well!"


    "What?!" Panic washed over Savi. He hastily spoke, "Fear not, my Queen. I''ll find him and finish him for good."


    "No more!" Hilna suddenly halted Savi.


    She maneuvered her fiery illusionary form, soaring into the sky, observing thends below.


    A hint of a smile graced her lips.


    She descended and dered to the group, "The n has changed. Here lies a relic of the Gama Empire, housing an invaluable treasure. Your new objective is to retrieve that treasure and, while at it, deal with the hero."


    "Yes!" The crowd chorused in agreement.


    Unable to contain his curiosity, Savi asked, "My Queen, may I inquire about the nature of this treasure that has captivated your interest?"


    "Do you wish to know?" Hilna''s hand tenderly caressed Savi''s cheek, whispering, "It''s the pinnacle of a lost kingdom''s genius, a magnificent creation known to covet the gods. It''s capable of producing an endless supply of Blood Source, which is of great significance to me."


    "I vow, my Queen, to bring this wondrous creation back to you," Savi dered firmly.


    Hilna chuckled, licking her lips in a tantalizing manner, "If you seed in retrieving it, I promise to grant a single wish for each of you. Anything you desire."


    Lustful glints appeared in the eyes of those present, their gazes involuntarily lingering on Hilna''s form.


    But in the next moment, Hilna''s demeanor shifted to one of fury.


    A ball of fire manifested in her hand, flying towards Savi.


    Upon contact, the mes rapidly engulfed him.


    His agonized screams echoed, "Ahhhh..." While Hilna wore a satisfied expression.


    "Hmph, consider this your punishment for deceiving me earlier!" she snorted.


    "And for this quest, I expect no news of failure. Or else, every one of you will be reduced to ashes in my inferno!"


    With those words, Hilna''s form gradually became ethereal, eventually vanishing into thin air.


    The mes consuming Savi also slowly extinguished.


    However, Savi remained in excruciating pain, his body covered with blisters from the burn.


    Even the slightest touch inflicted immense agony.


    Yet, through gritted teeth, hemanded, "Move out! We cannot fail this quest!"


    Ethan and hispanions werepletely unaware of Savi''s situation.


    They were oblivious to the fact that a squad was tailing them.


    By now, they had traversed the desert and ventured into a dense, low-hanging jungle.


    "The Red Jade Valley wasn''t supposed to be this vast. Why does it feel so expansive once we''re inside?" Mia, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, couldn''t help but exim.


    Perched nonchntly on Ethan''s shoulder, little Baal eagerly exined, "It''s the magic of the wards. This is a relic of the Gama Empire, a formidable ancient kingdom."


    "At its zenith, the Gama Empire was renowned as the kingdom that mastered space," Baal continued, excitement evident in her voice.


    "They were even capable of utilizing spatial magic to establish their capital city amongst distant stars."


    Baal''s tales of ancient legends left the group in awe.


    However, Pale Wolf abruptly inquired, "If the Gama Empire was so powerful, why does only its ruins remain? None of the current kingdoms even have records of the Gama Empire."


    Hearing the question, little Baal shook her head in distress.


    Although she had grown stronger and gleaned much from her bloodline''s legacy, it didn''t mean she knew everything.


    "I''m unsure," she admitted.


    "Yet, there were several empires as mighty as Gama Empire. Without exception, they all perished, and news of these empires seems to have been deliberately concealed."


    "This indeed is a curious matter," Little Baal''s words once again plunged the group into contemtion.


    The world was far moreplex than it seemed on the surface.


    What secrets might the ruins within the Red Jade Valley be concealing?


    Ethan and hispanions gazed at the dark chasm before them, and without hesitation, ventured inside.