Chapter 149: We Might Fit the Definition of Friends Better
From the streak of light a moment ago, Su Nan sensed a clear energy particle fluctuation.
Realizing this, his expression changed suddenly, and he turned around to return to the spot where he had just slain the Compsognathus, landing to inspect the corpse.
A single glance was enough; the soul auras of these Compsognathus had completely dissipated.
While it is normal for a soul to dissipate after death, there is a process involved; it does not occur instantaneously.
However, it had only been two or three minutes since the Compsognathus had died, and their souls had vanished without a trace. This was certainly not normal.
It felt less like natural dissipation and more like the souls had been extracted.
Moreover, the corpses of the Compsognathus appeared visibly shriveled, as if all their essence had been drained.
"So that streak of light was formed from the Compsognathus's soul and physical essence," Su Nan thought to himself, gazing in the direction where the streak of light had disappeared, a vague plan beginning to form in his mind.
He continued forward in the same direction as the vanished streak of light, gathering materials along the way and searching for traces of Sub-Dragon species.
Spineless Pterosaurs are legendary-level Sub-Dragon species, and an adult possesses the combat strength of a first-ring legendary being.
Unfortunately, it was still no match for Su Nan.
Without relying on the Magic Pattern Core, he easily dispatched the Spineless Pterosaur with just his spell.
After collecting the materials from the Spineless Pterosaur's body, Su Nan patiently waited for about a minute. As expected, a faint bloody glow emerged from the corpse, forming a line of blood-colored light that shot away into the distance.
The direction was exactly the same as the first streak of light.
This time, Su Nan was prepared. Without hesitation, he activated the High Rune Gem in his palm, instantly enveloping himself in a layer of cyan light and chasing after the streak of light like a gust of wind.
However, the streak of light was astonishingly fast, and even after activating the High Rune Gem, Su Nan could only barely keep pace, avoiding being completely left behind.
Once the energy of the High Rune Gem was exhausted, he reluctantly stopped, watching helplessly as the streak of light disappeared over the horizon.
Sighing, Su Nan chose not to dwell on it too much.
"Now that I understand how Bloodlight appears, I can take down a few more Sub-Dragon Species and eventually pinpoint its landing location.
Speaking of which, this Ecological Garden is unusually vast."
So far, Su Nan has traveled at least twenty kilometers down a straight path, yet the end of the Ecological Garden remains out of sight, highlighting its immense expanse.
Considering this, Su Nan was no longer in a hurry to find Bloodlight's landing point. He chose to follow the direction from which Bloodlight had vanished, exploring along the way, gathering materials, and observing his surroundings.
When he felt it was time, he would take out a Sub-Dragon Species and adjust his exploration based on the trajectory Bloodlight had taken.
As he ventured deeper, he encountered an increasing number of Sub-Dragon Species.
Among the distant trees, Forest Terrestrial Dragons moved slowly, occasionally lifting their long necks, which were covered in leaf-like scales, to nibble at the leaves along the roadside.
High above, flocks of Pterosaurs soared, their clear, melodic cries echoing through the air.
In the distance, huge lakes and rushing waterfalls could be seen. The shimmering forms of some Aquatic Sub-Dragons would occasionally surface from the lake, their bright blue scales reflecting the sun's radiant light.
The more Su Nan observed, the more awed he became.
This Ecological Garden could simply be described as a living encyclopedia of Sub-Dragon Species.
Just among the Sub-Dragon Species he had encountered so far, there were no fewer than a hundred different types.
If he could control this Ecological Garden, he would never need to worry about Subdragon Blood again.
He could even select suitable Sub-Dragon Species from the Ecological Garden to form Dragon Rider armies.
The very thought excited Su Nan.
Boom!
At that moment, a thunderous roar, like a clap of thunder, erupted from ahead, interrupting Su Nan's thoughts.
His eyes gleamed as he flew toward the source of the sound.
As he approached, the noise grew clearer and louder, resembling an intense battle.
Soon, after navigating through a few tall trees, a wide lake came into view.
High above the shimmering surface of the lake, three figures were locked in a fierce confrontation.
It was two against one: the outnumbering side consisted of a man in a black robe and another in a gray robe.
The Black Robe Man was rather short, his height reaching only the waist of an average adult male, resembling a gnome.
More than ten jet-black tentacles burst forth from beneath his robe, varying in thickness and sharpness. These tentacles exceeded a hundred meters in length, with their ends roughly the size of buckets, each bearing large mouths filled with fine, sharp teeth that appeared truly terrifying.
Even more startling, the Black Robe Man’s face was uncovered; yet, beneath the brim of his hood, it was completely dark—only two crimson points of light flickered in place of eyes.
In stark contrast, the Gray Robe Man was extremely bloated, embodying a complete opposite of the Black Robe Man.
The robe on his chest was fully open, revealing a gaping maw that dominated his entire chest and abdomen, filled with sharp, thin teeth, and remnants of blood and flesh clung to the gaps.
Facing them was a man with ordinary features, marked only by his rare green pupils.
He wielded a Root Branch in his hand, from which a soft green light radiated, enveloping him in a translucent, light green shield.
With the help of this shield, he was able to withstand the combined attacks from the two enemies.
Su Nan observed for a while, confirming that all three fighters were Level Three Wizard Apprentices.
The Gray Robe Man was clearly pursuing a path of Biological Modification, and the gaping maw on his chest and abdomen likely stemmed from some form of Exotic Beast. Occasionally, he would vomit forth a mass of flesh that twisted and writhed, transforming into a bald, flesh-and-blood bird that screeched as it surged toward the Green-Eyed Man.
As for the Black Robe Man, Su Nan remained uncertain.
Based on his appearance, he was quite likely following a path of semi-shadow transformation.
Some wizards, in pursuit of greater power or longevity, choose to incorporate Shadow Power into their bodies, transforming them into shadows and thereby acquiring the ability to control this power.
Of course, a Wizard Apprentice could not achieve complete shadow transformation, but a semi-shadow transformation was still possible.
The black tentacles manipulated by the Black Robe Man bore a resemblance to Shadow Tentacles.
"Of course, it’s also possible that he fused with some kind of strange shadow creature bloodline.
Regardless, the power displayed by the Black Robe Man and Gray Robe Man has currently reached the Third Circle Legend level, placing them in the upper-middle tier even among Level Three Wizard Apprentices.
Such Level Three Wizard Apprentices are rare, and Su Nan was very curious about where the two of them had suddenly appeared from.
After recalling the information he had previously gathered about wizards, he couldn’t find any targets that matched them.
As for the identity of that Green Eyed Man, Su Nan was equally clueless.
In terms of strength, the Green Eyed Man was not inferior to either the Black Robe Man or the Gray Robe Man. However, when facing both of them at the same time, he could only barely hold his ground.
Just then, the Black Robe Man, who had been attacking for a long time without success, suddenly spoke, his voice high-pitched like a teenager going through puberty.
"Traveler!"
"Stop struggling and hand over the Azure Spirit Branch obediently, and I can spare your life."
Traveler!
Su Nan was taken aback and looked at the Green Eyed Man in surprise.
That person was Traveler?
The last member who hadn’t appeared since joining the Secret Forest Hut?
“Most likely, Evans told me he met Traveler in the Underworld.”
Su Nan couldn’t help but grin.
He had previously thought it would be great to meet Traveler, but he didn’t expect to encounter him under these circumstances.
Faced with the Black Robe Man's persuasion to surrender, Traveler chuckled and said:
“Don’t waste your breath, Magic Hand. The reputation of the Eternal Life Society is notoriously bad; only an idiot would believe your promises.”
Magic Hand replied coldly, “I can make a Vow Contract.”
“Heh, I don’t trust the credibility of the Eternal Life Society. Who knows if you’ll tamper with the Vow Contract? How about this: you sign a Soul Contract with me, becoming my follower, and then I’ll give you the Azure Spirit Branch.”
“You’re courting death!” Magic Hand's tone immediately turned frigid.
Traveler wasn’t afraid and grinned, "Don't get agitated. You’re so eager to obtain the Azure Spirit Branch, chasing me down for over a year. It seems your Bloodline Rejection problem is already quite severe, isn't it?"
"If I destroy Azure Spirit Branch right here, will you still be able to find another way to resolve the Bloodline Rejection?"
As Traveler spoke, the two blood-red glints beneath the brim of his hat flashed even more intensely, clearly indicating his turbulent mood.
The truth was that if they weren’t worried about Traveler desperately destroying Azure Spirit Branch, he and Bloodmaw could have taken him down long ago!
That damned fellow!
Magic Hand was inwardly furious, yet his tone remained calm as he coldly asked, "What do you want?"
"How about this," Traveler replied leisurely, "you let me leave first. When I reach a safe location, I’ll find somewhere to place Azure Spirit Branch, and then I’ll use a Communication Crystal to inform you where to retrieve it."
"How do I know you won't take the chance to escape?"
"I can make a Vow Contract."
Magic Hand hesitated for a moment before exchanging a glance with Bloodmaw, signaling him to hold back and block Traveler’s escape route. Only then did he say, "Alright, we'll do as you say. Make the Vow Contract now."
Traveler unhurriedly recited the Vow Contract once.
Magic Hand coldly warned, "Don’t try any tricks. You need to add a time limit and the specific safe distance."
That's how a Vow Contract worked; it had to be as detailed as possible, carefully crafted to avoid exploitation.
In this area, devils were experts. Countless creatures had fallen victim to them, losing their fortunes, souls, and freedom.
Traveler didn’t seem bothered and slowly repeated the oath, but this time, he omitted the name Azure Spirit Branch, replacing it with "Thing."
"Are you trying to play me?" Magic Hand’s tone turned frigid, suddenly realizing something was off. "You’re stalling for time!"
Traveler chuckled mischievously. "Just figuring that out? Too late!"
The instant he finished speaking, the calm surface of the lake beneath them suddenly erupted.
Amidst the splashing water, over a dozen thick, black shadows shot toward Magic Hand and Bloodmaw.
Magic Hand instantly recognized the true form of the black shadows: serpentine necks connected to lizard-like heads, each extending over a hundred meters in length.
“Multi-necked Dragon!”
Magic Hand was taken aback. This was a high-level Sub-Dragon species nearing the Fourth Circle Legend rank!
“Roar!”
In a chorus of deafening roars, more than a dozen bloody maws, exuding a foul stench, lunged fiercely at Magic Hand and Bloodmaw. Magic Hand hurriedly dodged, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Traveler seizing the opportunity to flee into the distance. His heart raced, and he instinctively wanted to pursue him, but a snake-like neck blocked his path, leaving him both startled and furious.
Clearly, this Multi-necked Dragon had been lured here by Traveler through some means. That feigned bow from earlier had simply been a tactic to buy time, waiting for the Multi-necked Dragon to arrive. Furthermore, Traveler must have possessed some sort of item that allowed him to evade the Multi-necked Dragon’s wrath.
“Damn it!”
Magic Hand was furious, but there was little he could do. The lake was the Multi-necked Dragon's territory, and escaping from here would not be easy. He could only watch helplessly as Traveler vanished from sight.
“Ah!!”
Magic Hand's frustrated roar echoed across the lake.
Half an hour later, Traveler reached the canyon. He quickly dug a passage and ventured deep into the mountain wall for over a hundred meters before coming to a halt. After concealing his tracks, he set up several warning magic arrays and then sat cross-legged at the cave entrance, seizing the moment to meditate and recover his spiritual power.
The Multi-necked Dragon could only delay Magic Hand and Bloodmaw for a brief time; it couldn’t hold them off forever. It wouldn't be long before they tracked him down, so he needed to use this time to recover his strength and devise a way to escape from the Ecological Garden.
“What a pity; it’s rare to discover a large Ecological Garden. I even thought about how I could make it mine, but now it seems impossible.”
If he continued to linger in the Ecological Garden, it was only a matter of time before Magic Hand and Bloodmaw found him. While the Ecological Garden was invaluable, his life took precedence. Moreover, given the size of this Ecological Garden, the energy required to sustain its operation would undoubtedly be astronomical. Even if he controlled the Ecological Garden, he wouldn’t be able to solve the energy dilemma.
Years of adventure had taught Traveler a practical truth: a treasure that couldn’t be converted into real benefits, no matter how precious, was worthless to him.
"A person must know their place; the consequence of being blinded by pointless greed is death.
The Traveler took a deep breath, preparing to enter meditation, when a sudden thought struck him.
The warning magic array he had set outside had been triggered!
The Azure Spirit Branch instantly fell into his palm. Gripping it tightly, the Traveler asked sternly, “Who’s there?”
It couldn't be the Magic Hand or Bloodmaw; those two wouldn’t have shaken off the Multi-necked Dragon and pursued him here so quickly!
Soon, a figure appeared at the corner.
Seeing the wary and defensive Traveler, Su Nan flashed a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you, Traveler.”
“Who are you?” The Traveler’s eyes scrutinized Su Nan, sensing the unmistakable Energy Particle Fluctuation emanating from the other person.
Another Other: Wizard Apprentice!
Furthermore, this area was already very close to Ecological Garden Zone 2. Anyone active here would likely be a Level Three Wizard student, an Apprentice.
Yet, he searched his memory but couldn’t find anyone matching the person in front of him.
“Don't be nervous; I’m not your enemy.”
“As a fellow member of the Secret Forest Hut, perhaps we fit the definition of friends better.”
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