<h4>Chapter 271 Chapter269-Spirits Within the Relics</h4>


    In the ck market of Blue Sea City, Ethan was deep in thought about the emergence of the relics.


    "Ethan!"


    Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in Ethan''s mind.


    Looking over, Ethan recognized the towering figure with fiery red skin, and a pair of goat horns on his head.


    "Oriel, what brings you here?"


    Ethan was genuinely surprised, having not expected to encounter Oriel in the ck market.


    Oriel seemed equally taken aback. The two soon found a resting spot within the market. After Ethan set up a space barrier, they began to converse.


    "I heard that someone in the ck market is selling maps to the relics. I thought I might try my luck," Oriel exined.


    "Relic Map?"


    Ethan offered Oriel some fine wine and fruit from his Space Ring.


    Oriel nodded, responding, "Exactly, a unique Relic Map. It''s said to be formed from the ruins of a ce called the ''City of Life.'' ording to those who''ve ventured into the relic, the City of Life contains an array of rare nts. I''m nning to collect and try cultivating them."


    Such an answer was very much like Oriel. Among those Ethan knew, only Oriel had a penchant for such peculiar nts.


    What was more baffling was that Oriel harnessed the Power of Lava, which seemingly had no corrtion with nt cultivation.


    "City of Life? Never heard of it," Ethan said, shaking his head.


    Oriel chuckled, "Neither had I, until recently. Moreover, for some reason, more and more relics seem to be surfacing these days. It''s as if all the relics buried in history are making their appearance."


    "There''s something else. Rumor has it that there are still living beings within these relics."


    That piece of information unsettled Ethan.


    Mia eximed in surprise, "Living beings? That seems improbable. If there were beings who existed before the relics were destroyed, they would''ve endured tens of thousands of years at least. Even for a deity, surviving that long is quite a stretch."


    "But it is the truth," Oriel stated with conviction.


    "Did you see it with your own eyes?" Ethan inquired skeptically. The idea of beings surviving within the relics seemed preposterous, almost defying thews of their world.


    "No, I haven''t," Oriel admitted, shaking his head. "But others have. Not just one person, but a group. Regrettably, the being that was said to have survived within the relic vanished swiftly, and no one knows of its current whereabouts."


    "It could just be some contrived rumors," Eluna added, clearly unconvinced.


    "Perhaps," Oriel responded, evidently not wanting to prolong the debate on the matter.


    It held little relevance to him; he was more focused on procuring rare nts from the relics and nurturing them.


    After a brief chat, Ethan and Oriel parted ways.


    While Oriel sought out the merchant selling the Relic Map, Ethan, apanied by Mia and Eluna, strolled leisurely through the ck market, hoping to chance upon more valuable items.


    However, after roaming around, it seemed their streak of luck had run its course.


    The trio found nothing of significant worth, leading them to conclude their venture in the ck market.


    They then stepped out and chose one of the most renowned restaurants in Blue Sea City, ordering a spread of its signature dishes and delighting in the culinary offerings.


    "This is how the Sunrise Festival should be celebrated," Mia remarked with a contented expression, savoring the deep-fried beast meat.


    Eluna, slowly chewing on her vegetables, turned to Ethan and posed a question, "Ethan, do you believe creatures could truly survive within the relics?"


    "If it''s a deity, perhaps," Ethan began, the idea still striking him as fantastical.


    The case of the Original Elf King Sovok was exceedingly rare.


    Could it be possible that these relics shared a simr tale? But then again, what if they did?


    Suddenly, a memory from the Dragon Garden shed across Ethan''s mind - the confident deration of Primordial Key Seth that Sovok was no longer a deity.


    At that time, Ethan hadn''t given it much thought, presuming Seth had miscalcted.


    After all, in his encounter with Sovok, thetter had wielded the Power of Rules, a force only a deity couldmand.


    But now, doubt crept into Ethan''s mind.


    For he himself was an anomaly, able to harness the Power of Rules even without ascending to deity status.


    Even though this particr Power of Rules was inscribed onto a weapon, Ethan had ample confidence in fully grasping its essence.


    In that respect, his situation mirrored that of Sovok.


    "And furthermore..." "What else have I overlooked?"


    Ethan racked his brain, seeking answers.


    It felt as though beneath these events lurked an immense conspiracy.


    In the next instant, it felt as if a current zapped through his mind, and Ethan blurted out, "Heart of the City, Relic Battlefield!"


    Once the Heart of the City reached level five, one could enter the Relic Battlefield.


    Furthermore, there was a conspicuously prominent progress bar on the Heart of the City''s interface.


    What would happen once that bar was filled remained a mystery to all.


    But given the recent series of unusual events, it was unlikely to be anything good.


    "Mia, Eluna, I need to step out for a bit."


    With a hint of apology in his voice, Ethan didn''t provide any exnations as he left the restaurant.


    Shortly after, he exited Blue Sea City.


    Upon finding a secluded spot, Ethan took out the Heart of the City.


    At that moment, its profoundly altered attributes materialized before him.


    [Heart of the City (Bound to Dark Lord City)


    Level: Divine Artifact


    Affiliation: Ethan


    Description: The Heart of the City is a pivotal relic essential for elevating a city to the divine realm. The bearer of the Heart gains unparalleled dominion over the city, experiencing a tenfold surge in power within its boundaries. Troops and beings loyal to the city receive a notable enhancement in their abilities. Moreover, upon their demise, their souls are captured by the Heart of the City.]


    [Current Status:


    Dark Lord City


    Level: 4


    City Size: 6000 square kilometers


    Prosperity: 29,883


    Poption: 150,000


    Unlocked Areas: Factory Zone, Residential Zone, Dungeon Zone, Commercial Zone]


    "It''s already at level four. One more level and the Relic Battlefield will be unlocked."


    Ethan was slightly taken aback, not expecting Dark Lord City to progress so swiftly.


    He then nced at the progress bar.


    [463/1000]


    "Based on this pace, it will be full in about seven days... But what happens when it''s full?"


    Ethan pondered, but found no answers.


    In the next instant, Ethan''s expression shifted drastically.


    He quickly stowed away the Heart of the City and focused on the unknown before him.


    A space gate materialized mid-air.


    Lana Mokos emerged from the gate. Seeing Ethan, a hint of a smile appeared on her lips as she said, "Found you, Ethan."


    "Lana Mokos!"


    Ethan braced himself for battle.


    Lana Mokos smiled gently, then said, "Rx. I didn''t seek you out for a fight. Besides, if I had wanted to, you''d already be on the ground." "Oh, feel free to try." Ethan''s gaze was icy.


    Lana Mokos''s smile faltered, a re of anger rising within.


    With prodigious talents, Lana Mokos always exercised patience, especially towards Ethan, a rival who had once bested her.


    She firmly believed she was being amiable enough towards him, but clearly failed to recognize that her haughty demeanor hardly conveyed sincerity.


    "If you choose to fight, then I''ll knock you down first and ensure you listen well afterward!" Lana Mokos dered, casually sending forth a space de.


    Ethan retaliated with a space de of his own.


    The two des shed in mid-air, ultimately annihting each other.


    "Not bad," Lana Mokos praised.


    In a split second, she materialized before Ethan,nding a direct punch.


    Ethan didn''t dodge, but countered with a punch of his own.


    Their fists collided, the force sending shockwaves that lifted the soil around them.


    Both were propelled back several steps from the impact.


    "Defeating you seems to be a bit of a hassle." Lana Mokos remarked with augh, still not taking Ethan entirely seriously.


    Yet, within Ethan swelled a tide of astonishment.


    Compared to their previous skirmish, Lana Mokos''s improvement was profound.


    In terms of sheer power, she was now seemingly on par with him, even though he bore the Dragon Bloodline.


    "She truly is a formidable foe," Ethan mused inwardly, undeterred.


    At that moment, a distinct aura caught Ethan''s attention.


    "Language of Nature?"


    Ethan discerned that Lana Mokos was harnessing the power of the Language of Nature.


    But this wasn''t any version he was familiar with; it was an entirely new rendition of the Language of Nature. And a potent one at that.


    "Ethan, brace yourself for the Power of Ster!" Lana Mokos announced.


    With a delicate tap of her finger, an immense Mirage materialized behind Lana Mokos, hurling itself towards Ethan. Its colossal size left no room for evasion.


    "This is the Power of Ster!" Ethan recognized, feeling less than thrilled.


    Given the current predicament, a head-on confrontation was the only option.