"As for the Stone Palate Monsters at the Legendary Level, relying on this level of radiation to enhance them will be even slower. The only option is to go deeper, to reach places with higher radiation intensity."
Sect Leader Moria explained while gesturing out the iron-barred window toward the crowded entrance filled with Stone Palate Monsters.
"I see. Thatâs why so many Stone Palate Monsters are gathered at that entrance." Rein nodded in agreement.
With so many Stone Palate Monsters, even for him, handling them would require using the transformation from his Dragon Bloodline, but that would consume quite a few attribute points.
"Exactly, thatâs the problem."
"That route is also the only way for us to reach the core area of the Valziger School. Although weâve devised a method to lure most of the Stone Palate Monsters away, there will likely still be a few left," Moria continued.
"At the current level of radiation, itâd roughly take a mid-Second Level Liquidation Wizard using protective witchcraft to cope fully."
"You can imagine, if we were able to enter the core area, the radiation intensity faced would be so strong that even a Third Level Crystalized Wizard would find it taxing."
"Over the past six months, weâve used small puppets to probe the inside of the entrance. Besides some protective witch arrays, there are also rare War Magic Statues that can still be driven to attack intruders, with astonishing might."
"This means, if we go deeper, we might have to defend against increasingly intense radiation while simultaneously dealing with combat and unexpected situations. Even the spiritual power of a Third Level Crystalized Wizard wouldnât last long."
At this point, Moria signaled Deputy Sect Leader Fiona to continue the introduction.
"Master Moria and I have thought of many ways and conducted numerous witchcraft tests, finding that Nature Witchcraft offers the best protection," Fiona said with a slight smile toward Rein, extending Moriaâs remarks.
"This is an Ancient Tree Leaf, which, when activated by a witch array, achieves a certain balance against the radiation at the current intensity, thereby preventing the exhaustion of spiritual power in releasing protective witchcraft. This is also how we can remain here for so long."
Fiona pointed to the green leaf floating in the center of the witch array and said.
"Furthermore, this proves the feasibility of this approach."
"Of course, if we wish to go even deeper, we will need stronger Nature treasures. For instance, as weâve estimated, the âAncient Tree Heartâ can significantly reduce or even entirely negate the radiation damage in the core zone."
"I see," Rein nodded.
No wonder Moria, the Sect Leader, is in urgent need of the âAncient Tree Heart.â
"Unfortunately, we donât know whatâs going on with the Elves lately, as our original contact suddenly lost communication. Initially, there were two people in our exploration team, but I have sent them to investigate nearby," Moria remarked, knitting his thick brows.
After spending a lot of time and energy to find a method, being unable to achieve it due to the limitation of raw materials is truly a painful feeling.
"Well... Master Moria, perhaps I can help with this matter. I brought the Ancient Tree Heart this time," Rein said with a slight smile, taking a wooden box from his pocket.
It was the wooden box given to him by Basaran Elder, Town Chief Alderan.
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing Reinâs words, the foreheads of Moria and his companions seemed to bear question marks.
However, as Rein opened the box, the two oval objects exuding dense Natural Energy fluctuations immediately answered the trioâs doubts.
They hadnât misheard!
"This... truly is the Ancient Tree Heart! Thereâs no mistake; such a degree of Natural Energy fluctuation cannot be matched by any other Ironwood Heart or Ancient Tree Leaf," Deputy Sect Leader Fiona exclaimed, losing her composure.
"Haha, fantastic! And there are two, thatâs truly wonderful!"
"Rein, you really are the schoolâs lucky star. With your arrival, the biggest problem is solved!" Moria gave Rein a hearty clap on the shoulder, laughing openly.
At this moment, Rein felt the thin piece in his pocket vibrating, so he slightly bowed and said apologetically, "Excuse me."
He walked aside, took out the piece, and injected a thread of spiritual power into it.
"This is Rein."
"Zzz... Rein... Master, zzz... You... area... plague... is... messenger..."
Perhaps due to the strong radiation interference in this place, Olenaâs voice from the other side of the piece was completely unintelligible.
"Hello?"
"Zzz... zzz..."
The call was disconnected.
However, Rein barely caught a few keywords: âarea,â âplague,â and âmessenger.â
Recalling the task he assigned Olena previouslyâinvestigating the cult activities near the Valziger RuinsâRein immediately made a connection.
"Could it be that this is the operating area of the Plague Sect?" Rein couldnât help but ponder.
When Rein turned around and sat down again, Moria was already placing the Ancient Tree Heart into a backpack-like device he had been working on.
With one Ancient Tree Heart placed inside, the bag soon emitted a visible spherical protective barrier with a diameter of almost three meters, more than enough to protect one person.
"The Ancient Tree Heart is invaluable; I originally thought you obtaining one would be impressive enough, yet you managed to get two. Rein, how about joining me on the venture?" Moria said with a smile, inviting him.
"Well..." Rein couldnât help but glance at Deputy Sect Leader Fiona, considering she had expended considerable effort earlier in exploring the ruins, and thus should get priority in his view.