Chapter 16 The Blood Curse Master

Several people stared blankly at Gune, only after a long while did they withdraw their gazes.

As children of wealthy families, some even held noble status.

The information they encountered at home was naturally far more extensive than what ordinary people knew, and their perspectives were broader.

After the advent of the Supernatural Steam Punk Era in the Oya Continent.

Mysterious heretics gradually ran rampant, causing chaos.

Powerful ancient supernatural professions were being unearthed and radiating unprecedented vitality.

New supernatural professions were also constantly emerging.

Strange magical items, which they had never heard of before.

Nowadays, occasionally they could be seen in the Supernatural Steam Daily or even at some high-end supernatural exchange meetings.

Steam trains, steam ships, firearms, cannons, alchemy, potions, runic arrays... all these kept emerging.

Unpredictable epochal changes were unfolding before their eyes.

And what the future held, no one could say clearly.

Undoubtedly, as Gune said, this was the worst of times, but also the best of times.

"Haha... enough said. Of course, for us, improving our own strength is the most important thing." Gune laughed heartily twice, breaking the group's somber mood.

"Yes, improving strength is our most important goal right now."

At that moment, Aili also approached, carrying the processed dog-rabbit, seemingly having heard Gune's words and responded accordingly.

"After all, that's the reason we came deep into this supernatural wilderness."

By now, Gune's soup base had long been prepared.

He threw the chopped dog-rabbit meat into the pot, added more firewood, and soon the iron pot bubbled with steam, and a faint fragrance began to spread.

"You five rest well at night; I'll keep watch alone." While simmering the dog-rabbit soup, Aili said unhurriedly.

No one objected.

Aili, apprentice Shadow Walker.

Gune had heard that he seemed to possess an intermediate supernatural scripture of "Shadow Source Power," which was not something ordinary nobles or wealthy families could obtain.

That extraordinary Shadow Source Power allowed him to recover his spirit and stamina in the darkness.

For other types of apprentice professionals, such as spellcasters and combatants, they still needed to rest at night.

But for Shadow Walkers, darkness was their most perfect bedding.

Cultivating with darkness nourished their spirit, body, and source power more than sleeping.

After eating and drinking their fill, they extinguished the campfire.

Each went into their own tent to rest peacefully.

Woo...

The wind in the wild forest blew gently.

Night gradually fell.

Soon, bright moonlight spread across the entire wilderness.

"Awoo..."

"Roar..."

"Cluck..."

The cries of various beasts or supernatural creatures drifted over.

Intertwined, they formed the night dance of the supernatural wilderness.

Inside the small gray tent.

Gune sat cross-legged in meditation.

Aili could rely on his own Shadow Source Power to cultivate in the darkness without needing rest.

Gune, on the other hand, could use his strong mental power to rest and recuperate while sitting in meditation, also without needing sleep.

A strong mind and a strong body could manage such a small matter.

Sitting cross-legged, Gune calmly sensed the spell runes within his body.

Secret Crossing Rune, Acceleration Rune, Reiteration Rune.

These were three of the most important runes for a Spellweaver.

At present, Gune not only possessed four Secret Crossing Runes but also three Reiteration Runes.

As for the Acceleration Rune, Gune did not have any.

For Gune, his goal was to cast spells instantly; by condensing as many Secret Crossing Runes as possible, once he met the standard for instant casting, he would have no need for Acceleration Runes.

As for the Reiteration Rune.

It was preparation for future dual casting.

During this period, with the idle cultivation of the Sebona Source Pool and the Pious Knight Breathing Technique.

Gune's physical strength had clearly begun to grow rapidly. Although his body size hadn't increased, his weight had risen by at least about five percent compared to before.

This was specifically reflected in the increase in his body's density.

Increased body density was the most powerful manifestation of a body becoming stronger.

First and second ranks were low-rank supernaturals.

Their bodies would gradually transform from ordinary flesh into supernatural bodies.

Third and fourth ranks were mid-rank supernaturals.

The supernatural body would enter a growth phase.

Fifth and sixth ranks were high-rank supernaturals.

At this stage, the supernatural body would tend toward stability and strength, granting supernaturals many incredible physical supernatural abilities.

As for seventh, eighth, and ninth rank supernaturals.

They were called "Supernatural Masters."

Supernaturals of this rank held high positions and wielded great power in any faction.

Those guns and cannons posed a certain threat to low-rank, mid-rank, and even high-rank supernaturals.

But before a Supernatural Master, they did not constitute too great a threat.

Thus, even though guns and cannons were gradually becoming the mainstream of warfare in this supernatural era.

Those powerful supernaturals still could not be contained by firearms and cannons.

They required correspondingly strong individuals to contend with them.

"Breathe in... breathe out..."

After a gentle exhale, Gune calmed his mind and concentrated.

"It's been a while since I last tried to condense a Secret Crossing Rune. I feel I should be able to condense the fifth one now."

...

The night was deep.

Deep in the dense forest where the chirping of insects interwove.

On a bare black volcanic rock.

A young alien man, wearing a withered yellow robe cloak with an 'Ancient Tree of Life Totem' embroidered on his chest, stood quietly.

His cheeks were as white as snow, slender and handsome, with pointed ears and crimson ear tips.

This was a 'Blood-Ear Elf.'

Beside the Blood-Ear Elf youth was a second-rank supernatural creature, the 'Como Dire Wolf.'

This Como Dire Wolf was as tall as a horse, its whole body exuding wild and killing power, its snow-white fangs chilling and terrifying under the moonlight.

But this Como Dire Wolf was exceptionally respectful and obedient to the robe-cloaked Blood-Ear Elf youth.

Behind the Blood-Ear Elf youth, leaves rustled and fell.

A petite female Blood-Ear Elf stepped on the fallen leaves, landing nimbly beside the youth.

"How is it?" The Blood-Ear Elf youth spoke softly, his tone elegant and warm.

"They didn't notice anyone secretly watching." The petite female elf, 'Ximo,' replied in a particularly crisp voice.

"But that Shadow Walker is very alert."

"No matter. Shadow Walkers have naturally strong extrasensory perception; it's normal for them to detect some clues. After all, my 'Secret Soul Specter' has been locking onto their position all along."

Then the two fell into silence.

After a moment, Ximo hesitated and said, "Is it worth all this trouble, using that key to trick this adventurer team into coming here?"

Hearing the girl's words, 'Xuelong' chuckled softly.

"The strangeness of the top-tier supernatural Blood Curse Master 'Gewu,' who mastered blood curse power and also possessed dragon bloodline power, is beyond your imagination."

"Even though he died three hundred years ago, the few tricks he left behind can still easily kill us."

"After all, you're only first-rank supernatural, and I'm just second-rank."

"Is Blood Curse Master 'Gewu' really that terrifying?" Ximo looked over with considerable surprise.

"More than terrifying!"

Xuelong's expression grew somewhat dazed, as if recalling something, his tone exceptionally deep and low.

"He was simply a horrifying disaster!"