Chapter 17 Vigilance!

"Once, in the clan's secret realm, the blood curse master 'Gewu's 'Blood Curse Territory' was a forbidden area, prohibited from entry by anyone."

"Later, the blood curse master 'Gewu', in pursuit of those powerful 'wondrous items', left the clan lands alone and has since vanished without a trace."

"For over three hundred years, the Blood Curse Territory within the clan lands has not been opened."

"About thirty years ago, the clan planned new development and construction within the secret realm."

"The elders could no longer restrain themselves and opened the Blood Curse Territory."

"At first, when it was opened, there was nothing unusual."

"But then... strange things began to happen."

"The Blood Ear Elves who entered began to inexplicably enter a state of qi and blood decline. This included the seventh-rank transcendent master elder."

"In some inexplicable state, they were continuously losing blood."

"It was as if an invisible vampire bat was clinging to them, constantly draining their blood."

"Soon, the first group of over twenty Blood Ear Elves all died from qi and blood exhaustion, reduced to desiccated corpses, horrifying and tragic. Of course, the seventh-rank transcendent grand elder did not escape either."

"Throughout the process, no matter what means were used for detection or treatment, even some ancient sacrificial rituals, the cause of the qi and blood decline could not be identified, nor could they be saved."

"The only remedy was blood transfusion."

"But even blood transfusions only delayed their death."

"In the end, this exploration of the Blood Curse Territory concluded with over two hundred Blood Ear Elves who had entered in succession all dead."

As she listened, Ximo's eyes flickered with strange light, tinged with a hint of fear.

Such mysterious means, if one fell victim to them, would be truly despairing.

"Is that why the Blood Curse Territory remains sealed to this day, with no one allowed to open it?"

"Yes!" Xuelong nodded slightly.

"But who would have thought..." Xuelong showed a hint of a smile.

"This time, near the Howling Canyon, using the key taken from the Blood Curse Territory, we found the habitat of the blood curse master, Senior Gewu."

As he spoke, a faint crimson light swirled in Xuelong's eyes, and a trace of excitement appeared on his face.

"It is said that the blood curse master Gewu was defeated by another transcendent master wielding a divine artifact."

"To seek revenge, the blood curse master Gewu pursued divine artifacts and left the clan lands."

"Later, it was heard that the blood curse master seemed to have collected quite a few divine artifacts, and after that, there was no news."

"It is highly possible that this habitat of the blood curse master is Gewu's final resting place."

"If so, deep within the blood curse master's habitat, there must be a considerable number of wondrous items, even transcendent equipment."

"Given the blood curse master's temperament, such an important place would surely have many layouts, traps, and even deadly zones. Entering rashly would bode ill."

Having said this, Xuelong paused briefly before continuing slowly.

"Competition within the clan is fierce; even talented clansmen are occasionally secretly persecuted."

"If we can obtain these divine artifacts, even high-grade transcendent equipment, it would greatly enhance our strength, at least giving us some ability to protect ourselves."

"Therefore, we must be extremely cautious regarding the blood curse master's habitat."

"Taking great pains to plan thoroughly is the safest course. If we rush in with our current strength, we would only be courting death."

"Indeed!" The petite Ximo couldn't help but look solemn.

The terrifying and bizarre methods of the blood curse master truly made her tremble inwardly.

The 'black iron alloy dagger' in her hand, forged with some black iron metal, was already quite sharp, and with daily nurturing using shadow source power, it became increasingly handy and natural to use.

But she knew it was only a near-black-iron-grade alloy dagger.

Above the tough and sharp 'black iron grade' equipment.

There was 'magic copper grade' equipment with strong 'transcendent properties'.

And 'mithril grade' equipment with极强的 destructive and defensive capabilities.

If she could obtain a 'magic copper grade' dagger or combat boots, her overall strength would reach a new level.

If she obtained a mithril grade dagger, her strength would surely increase significantly.

And the blood curse master's final habitat was clearly the perfect opportunity to acquire such good things.

After all, the blood curse master Gewu was a highly accomplished expert in alchemy.

"Blood curse master, Gewu." Ximo murmured inwardly.

Soon, Ximo looked back at Xuelong.

"That team isn't very strong; if they come out, we can certainly eliminate them."

"But what if they... don't come out?"

"If they don't come out!"

Xuelong gazed into the depths of the jungle, his expression as elegant and calm as ever.

"Doesn't that prove our decision to go to great lengths to send them in was even more correct?"

Ximo suddenly understood.

If these people didn't come out, it meant there were threats within that were hard to counter.

Those they had lured in were merely cannon fodder sent to their deaths.

"Regardless of the outcome, after this, I will use a sealing formation to reseal and disguise the entrance."

"After the 'Barbarian Saint'大人的 plan at Sugu Ruins City concludes, we will return and make long-term plans."

"After all, a habitat of the blood curse master's level cannot be fully explored in a short time, even with cannon fodder going in for us."

"Mm!" Ximo nodded obediently.

Then, Ximo asked curiously.

"Is the Barbarian Saint's plan really as important as the elders say?"

Xuelong, with a glint in his eyes, looked up at the night sky.

The night sky was filled with sparkling stars and a bright moon.

"This plan."

"Is probably more significant than we imagine. The Giant God Church, the Face Flower Church, the Soul Shepherd Church, and even several other wild tribes that have friction with our Blood Ear Elf clan are all participating."

"If successful, it will inflict heavy losses on the Yulan National Assembly and even curb their ambition and ability to expand into the northern mountains."

"The Yulan National Assembly and those grand dukes are too ambitious."

"And if it fails?"

"Failure?"

Xuelong smiled lightly, then his expression turned serious, his voice low and melodious as if reciting some ancient ballad.

"You must know, the Barbarian Saint, he is a hero born of the era!"

...

The next day.

At the break of dawn.

Inside the tent, Gune breathed softly.

"I feel it's still a bit off; at most another week, and I can condense this fifth Secret Crossing Rune." Gune pondered.

"My soul has been growing quite rapidly lately. I wonder if it's because of my Devout Knight Breathing Technique and the Sebonas Source Pool."

The incomplete transcendent scroll "Ring Technique Bombardment" kept the practitioner in a state of high-intensity soul torment due to its incompleteness.

If practiced forcefully under normal conditions, it could easily lead to soul alienation or even collapse.

But the AFK system completely removed the negative effects, leaving only the positive ones.

The pain of high-intensity training and the risk of soul collapse were gone, replaced by rapid soul growth from prolonged training.

The system's uniqueness directly made that completely unreasonable growth rate reasonable for Gune.

And this was why Gune could condense four Secret Crossing Runes in just four or five months and was about to condense the fifth.

Opening the tent, the transcendent wild forest in the early dawn was exceptionally quiet.

Gune quickly scanned the surroundings.

His keen perception allowed him to clearly take in everything around him.

Aili was leaning against a tree trunk about three meters thick not far away.

In one hand, she held the black-iron-grade double-edged black-patterned dagger, and in the other, a piece of red wood, which she was carving.

To become a true shadow master.

One needs dexterous hands; obviously, carving wood helps Aili better control dexterity and strength.

"How was it?" Gune approached and asked softly.

"Very safe. A hungry leopard passed by during the night, and I drove it away."

"Mm!" Gune nodded slightly.

When the first rays of the sun shone on their small camp.

Everyone had already packed up and was ready to set off again.

"The Howling Canyon is not far from us; at most two hours and we'll be there."

"We need to be careful on the road and avoid any accidents."

Aili, walking at the back, spoke in her usual mature tone.

Everyone responded.

Sunlight shone on Gune's face.

The morning light was faint, burgeoning with vitality.

But Gune, holding the small stone Aili had just handed him, sank into deep thought, even feeling a chill.

Last night.

Gune tried to condense the Secret Crossing Rune.

While staying alert for enemy attacks.

And if an enemy approached, Gune would immediately make them suffer the terrifying rune bombardment.

However.

The enemy did not act all night.

And just now, as everyone was breaking camp and setting off.

That faint, elusive feeling of being spied on reappeared in Gune's perception.

The worst suspicion inevitably lingered in Gune's mind.

This time, it seemed they were being targeted; in other words, they had fallen into someone's trap.

This expedition was a trap, one that others had dug for them to jump into.