Chapter 2730 - Chapter 2730: The Trial Ground
Chapter 2730: The Trial Ground
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Old Black nodded and said, “The Holy Court has a good relationship with the Elemental Clan. This time, the Phoenix Clan has come to guard the central region of the Mist Temple. Whether we try to break through from the air or climb the cliffs, we will be attacked by the Phoenix Clan.”
“Not only the Phoenix Clan, but the Holy Court’s Griffin Knights will also attack us from midair.”
“We’ve tried many times, and it’s nearly impossible to ascend to the Mist Temple from the outer perimeter.”
Fang Heng looked up at the sky, slowly releasing his perception.
He had already sensed many powerful elemental energy fluctuations surrounding the mountain.
It turned out to be the Immortal Fire Phoenix.
Like other demigod-level creatures, they had a very powerful characteristic—upon death, they could be reborn in the flames.
Quite troublesome.
From just the perception he had captured, there were at least fifty Immortal Fire Phoenixes.
He anticipated that the actual number could be over a hundred.
Not to mention, his Bone Dragons were still stuck in the Disaster World, working with the Dark Clan to farm points and couldn’t make it here. Even if he could summon that many Bone Dragons, it would be easy for them to be consumed in battle with the Fire Phoenixes.
It would be too costly.
There was no need for that.
It seemed that invading from the outside would be very difficult.
Fang Heng asked, “Is there any other way?”
“Yes, there’s a second method. We could try to find a way through the trial site left behind by the Holy Court.”
Ji Xiaobo couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What’s the trial site?”
“This is the Holy Mountain, as referred to by the followers of the Holy Court. The Mist Temple is built on the peak of the Holy Mountain.”
Before Old Black could explain further, Tang Chuji had already stepped in to clarify, “It’s said that, aside from being recommended by the Holy Realm, ordinary pilgrims of the Holy Court who wish to enter the Holy Realm can also attempt to directly access it through the trial caverns left by the Holy Realm below the mountain.”
Old Black gave Tang Chuji an approving glance and nodded, “This friend is correct. So, we believe that the trial caverns also contain a passage to the Holy Realm and the Mist Temple. However, the trial caverns are now heavily guarded by the Holy Court’s forces, so infiltrating them won’t be easy.”
Ji Xiaobo smirked and said, “At least it’s easier than attacking from the outside, right?”
“That’s right. We just found and cleared the trial cavern this morning,” Old Black nodded appreciatively. “The main forces of the Shadow Alliance and the Holy Realm’s guarding teams are currently gathered at the trial cavern. If you plan to go, you’ll need to be cautious.”
“Let’s go, lead the way.”
As Fang Heng listened to the full explanation, he grew even more curious about this so-called Shadow Alliance.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, as if there was a conspiracy brewing.
But now that they were already here, it made sense to first head to the trial cavern and assess the situation.
Old Black led the group around the foot of the Holy Mountain, circling for a while until they arrived at a hidden cavern entrance.
The entrance was small, requiring them to crouch to enter, but once inside, it revealed a completely different world.
At that moment, a group of Shadow Alliance members had already gathered around the entrance.
The Shadow Alliance team exuded a chilling aura, coldly watching every person who approached the cavern.
“This is the trial cavern entrance. There used to be some Holy Court personnel guarding it, but they were driven back into the cavern by us,” Old Black explained.
“Just a few hours ago, the Shadow Alliance officially formed a team and entered the trial cavern. If you head in now, you should still be able to catch up with the vanguard.”
“Hm.” Fang Heng stood at the entrance, looking it over before turning to ask, “Old Black, we’ve been working together for a while now, so we’re old friends. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
“Nothing much. I’m sure you’ve noticed that something is off. Whether the Holy Realm is in trouble or if there’s an artifact in the Mist Temple is still uncertain. Also, the mission I received was anonymously posted. Until now, I don’t even know who my employer is.”
“A couple of days ago, I lost contact with my employer. But the payment came through in advance, so I haven’t been too concerned about it.”
Old Black shrugged, “Well, that’s all I can tell you. Good luck.”
“Alright, thanks. Let’s go.”
Fang Heng, Ji Xiaobo, and Tang Chuji made their way through the group of Shadow Alliance members gathered outside the cavern, bending down to enter the deep and dark cave.
Fang Heng suspected that there might be a conspiracy behind the Shadow Alliance’s actions, but it didn’t matter. They weren’t particularly interested in the Holy Realm or the holy weapon.
Their main goal was to find a way to completely destroy the Amrit game world.
Once that was done, they would head back to the Death Realm as quickly as possible and avoid any unnecessary complications.
After navigating a section of the cavern where they had to bend down, the path quickly opened up, revealing a vast grotto.
The cavern’s passageways had been altered, so it wasn’t completely dark. Light was refracted in some way, allowing them to clearly see the surroundings.
Additionally, no related mission had been triggered.
“Let’s go, let’s check it out,” Fang Heng said.
“Mm.”
Fang Heng casually picked a direction and started walking forward.
The grotto was full of twisting paths, and after a while, Ji Xiaobo felt like the scenery ahead seemed familiar.
Had they gotten lost in the cavern?
Unable to shake the feeling, Ji Xiaobo couldn’t help but ask, “Do you guys feel like we’ve been here before?”
Tang Chuji shook her head and said, “I can’t be sure. The structure inside the cavern is mostly similar, which might create the illusion that we’ve been here before. Also, this place seems to have some effects on perception.”
“Mm.”
Fang Heng paused, closing his eyes to try and sense his surroundings.
The cavern had a special force that interfered with perception, blocking part of it, but it had no effect on sensing lifeblood fluctuations.
There was a lifeblood fluctuation!
That way!
Fang Heng opened his eyes again and looked toward the right side of the passage.
The lifeblood fluctuation was significant, indicating that a battle was taking place there.
“That way! Let’s go check it out.”
“Alright!”
The group quickly moved toward the right passage and, after turning two more corners, arrived at a relatively open cavern space.
A group of Shadow Alliance members were fighting against white crystal golem creatures.
The Shadow Alliance members noticed Fang Heng and his group and, seeing they weren’t wearing Holy Court attire, assumed they were also from the Shadow Alliance. They immediately called out for help, “Brothers! These golems are controlled by the Holy Court. Could you lend us a hand?”
Ji Xiaobo observed warily and whispered, “Mr. Fang, what should we do?”
“It’s fine. Since they’ve already asked for help, let’s assist them,” Fang Heng replied.
He observed the battle and saw that both sides were close-range combatants. They didn’t need to take any risks, so they could simply provide support from the back as ranged attackers.
The rock golems resembled smaller versions of the fossil giants Fang Heng had seen before. They had inherited some resistance to magic and physical damage, but their health, basic attributes, and agility were somewhat diminished. They moved clumsily and slowly.
As Fang Heng and his companions prepared to assist, the Book of the Dead materialized in front of them, ready for action.