by Zhuang Bifan
Actually, by asking that question, Lin Li agreed to the deal. Nefa suddenly felt overjoyed, but his expression was somewhat calm. He smiled, and said, "That's simple. Although the Darkness Shrine has sealed this crack, I just have to release the suppression on the volcano a little and make the power erupt so as to let the crack open for a while. You don't have to worry about leaving this place."
Damn it, so this guy was the one stirring trouble! Lin Li thought. He finally figured out everything all of a sudden, and he reckoned that the so-called catastrophe that the Darkness Shrine was fearing was all because of the tricks that Nefa was playing. The changes that happened this time and the destruction of the Darkness Shrine previously were all because Nefa had moved his foot a little. The Darkness Shrine was really unlucky.
Moreover, Lin Li also thought about the conversation that the two brothers Willen and Rodhart had had with Nefa through the crack. The Darkness Shrine met with the disaster shortly after the two of them left, and Lin Li reckoned that it might be one of the deals that the brothers struck with Nefa. After all, the Darkness Shrine then was already strong enough to pose a threat to the Brilliance Shrine even without High Priest Rogge. After such a blow, the Darkness Shrine also lost the qualification to compete with the Brilliance Shrine, even though it was not completely destroyed. To a certain extent, it was also a big benefit to the Brilliance Shrine.
However, Lin Li was not a member of the Darkness Shrine, after all; hence, he only felt a little sympathetic for them. His safety should be the thing that he was most concerned about now. After a moment of silence, he said, "I can agree to your request, but before that, I still need you to make an oath. I don't want to worry about guarding against your attacks again after solving this difficult problem. So, I want you to swear with your soul that you'll never do anything to hurt me. Of course, I will make the same promise."
Be it the Immortal King's robe or the branch of the Tree of Eternity, they would all be meaningless to a dead person. Lin Li was very clear that with his current strength, it would still be difficult to fight against a powerhouse on Nefa's level. Apart from the fact that he might not know what he would experience there, he might come back half-alive, and it would be even more impossible to guard against Nefa's sneak attacks.
The validity of a verbal promise would depend on the promiser. It was undeniable that in this world, there were also those who were people of their word, but a descendant of the Dragon of Destruction who had the Laws of destruction and evilness would never be one of them. Hence, no matter what Nefa said, Lin Li still believed that no one would dare to violate an oath made on one's soul.
"Well…" Nefa hesitated after hearing Lin Li's request, and shook his head. "No one knows what will happen if we meet again in the future. Hence, I can't make a Soul Oath hastily. Why don't we swear on this world that I won't do anything to hurt you?"
After all, Nefa was a powerhouse of the same level as Tutankhamun, and he even intended to become the new Dragon of Destruction. Hence, Lin Li was indeed determined to have one less enemy. However, Nefa's refusal did not make Lin Li feel too disappointed. While it was good to have one less enemy, there was nothing formidable about Nefa, and even if he were to run into Nefa again, the latter might just be the one getting hurt. Hence, it was fine for Lin Li to have one more enemy like him too.
Chapter 796 - Under the Volcano
Unless Nefa became the new Dragon of Destruction, Tutankhamun would still pose a threat to Nefa, making him fear stepping into Anril. Although the strength of the two brothers was on par, Lin Li could more or less guess that Tutankhamun had some means that intimidated Nefa. At the thought of that, Lin Li nodded and agreed to Nefa's request to limit the restraint of the Soul Oath to the realm that they were in.
After the Soul Oaths of both took effect, Lin Li immediately set off to the bottom of the volcano because he didn't want to stay there any longer. The Minotaurs and other prehistoric magical beasts around him immediately moved aside for Lin Li, and even though the human smell of Lin Li's body made them salivate, they had no choice but to let Lin Li saunter away, for they dared not act recklessly.
Although the volcano was rather tall, Lin Li didn't use the Power of Flight, because he didn't know what he might encounter. Instead, he walked all the way down the mountain. Lin Li could not estimate the height of the volcano, and he only knew that the top of the volcano could not be seen, and he had yet to reach the bottom. Along the way, he saw plenty of b.a.r.e stones, and almost every part looked the same. The land was barren, and there were no signs of life at all. The only thing that Lin Li found to be different was the rising temperature in the surroundings that seemed to increase as he made his way down.
After walking for a long time, the surrounding environment finally changed, and the stones on the ground had also become dark red, while the temperature became warmer. It felt like a piece of metal that had just been taken out of the furnace, making it impossible for anyone to stand on top of it. Although Lin Li was able to withstand the high temperature, he still had to use his Power of Flight to leave the surface of the ground. At the same time, he also clearly felt that the density of the surrounding fire element had reached a rather intimidating extent.
Although Lin Li had yet to encounter any obstacles so far, he still didn't let his guard down. Even though he was flying, he was still maintaining a slow speed. At the same time, Lin Li was continuously scanning his surroundings, while his mental strength absorbed everything that was beyond his field of vision.
In fact, Lin Li had seen such an environment before, but with more fire element. Examples included the nests of the Salamander and the Crimson Python, as well as the cave that the Crimson Dragon was imprisoned in the underground palace of the Dragon Mountains. However, that was also why Lin Li was more careful and paid more attention to everything around him. If nothing went wrong, there would usually be extremely valuable things around in such places where magical elements were extremely strong. The environment of this world had been existing for thousands of years, and even the most common stones on the ground would soon become fire element gemstones, what more those that were spiritual in the first place.
As the fiery red in Lin Li's field of vision grew more intense, Lin Li suddenly paused while advancing forward, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He then turned around and flew away to the left. Soon, Lin Li found dozens of stalks of grass that seemed to be made of red crystals. They had an ordinary appearance, and if it weren't for the fact that they were of the same color as flames and were glistening, they would probably be no different from the weeds in Anril.
It was called the Fire Crystal Grass, and was actually not very valuable. Even the ones of highest quality were not rare in Anril. However, the emergence of the Fire Crystal Grass had confirmed Lin Li's conjecture—since the Fire Crystal Grass could be found there, there might be other fire element herbs too. To Lin Li, the Fire Crystal Grass was not just a kind of herb, but also a sign of life in the barren world.
Of course, with plants around, there would definitely be animals too. Since the Fire Crystal Grass had appeared, there would also be fire elemental magical beasts. Besides, given the environment of this world where fire element was rampant, the fire element magical beasts would definitely be extremely strong as well. Hence, while Lin Li was feeling happy about the discovery of the Fire Crystal Grass, he was also a little more vigilant and cautious.
Although the value of the Fire Crystal Grass was not very high, it still wasn't easy to obtain outside Anril. Although the Tower of Dusk had access to the largest source of herbs in the Elven Kingdom, the Elven Kingdom could not produce such herbs that would only grow in harsh environments. Besides, herbs with such extreme attributes were usually the culprits of the failures in potion concoction.
However, Lin Li was a genuine pharmaceutics Guru in Anril, and he could put the common tricolored flower to amazing uses, what more the Fire Crystal Grass. During the preparation of most potions alone, some Fire Crys
tal Grass powder would catalyze the reactions of the potions significantly as long as the right amount was added. Of course, if the amount added was not suitable, the pharmacist would end up failing, and an explosion would probably be inevitable too.
Hence, Lin Li did not let go of this opportunity to make money, and soon put dozens of Fire Crystal Grass' stalks into the Ring of Endless Storm. Generally speaking, when collecting herbs, one ought to leave some roots and seeds behind so as to allow them to keep growing. However, Lin Li reckoned that once he took away the branch of the Tree of Eternity, the environment of this world would not be able to last for long. It would be pointless even if there were 10,000 seeds. Hence, he decided to take all of them away.
After harvesting some Fire Crystal Grass, Lin Li's movement speed became slower; it was rare for him to come to such places, and he had no idea if he would have the chance to come again. Even if he did, the environment would have changed again. Lin Li was obviously not willing to miss out on any good things. Since he already knew how he could leave, he no longer had to worry about the sealing of the spacetime rift. Besides, the branch of the Tree of Eternity wouldn't disappear, anyway.
There was no difference between day and night in this world, so Lin Li did not know how long he had been walking for. He only knew that the further he delved, the more he gained and stowed away in the Ring of Endless Storm. He had collected various fire-element herbs of good quality, such as the Fire Crystal Grass, Flame Flower, and Lava Grass. As long as he saw them, he would never leave any behind.
In addition to herbs, there were also various magical metals like Fiery Iron, Lava Adamantine, and many others, which Lin Li looked out for too. However, Lin Li did not spend too much time digging for them. After all, it was rather time-consuming to dig up a vein, and Lin Li could at most afford to spend 10-14 days there, and not years. Hence, he merely picked the exposed ones that were of high purity, and placed them in the Ring of Endless Storm.
Finally, when intertwining lava rivers began to form on the ground, Lin Li discovered the most valuable thing he had ever seen—two black lotuses of excellent quality. Compared to the previous items that he had gained, which were dispensable, the black lotus brought him even more joy and euphoria. For pharmacists, the black lotuses were definitely a godsend, and a single petal was enough to make a pharmacist go mad. Pharmaceutics Gurus like Lin Li would definitely need black lotus for their formulas.
However, the conditions for growth of the black lotus were extremely harsh, and it would be impossible to grow them at all if there was something wrong. At the beginning, when Lin Li was still in the Endless World, he put up a notice for black lotus, and offered a handsome reward to those who could find him some. He even activated the players of the entire world, but failed to get even a single petal. After coming to the world of Anril, Lin Li was fortunate enough to get some black lotus. However, even though he used the petals sparingly, he only had a few left.
The reason Lin Li had been searching carefully without missing any parts was mainly because he hoped to find some black lotus by fluke. After all, the environment was rather rare. It was connected to the fire elemental world, but Nefa was suppressing the fire Elemental Power. Hence, it was not entirely engulfed by flames, allowing some time for the herbs to grow. Although the fire element herbs thrived in hot environments, and the surroundings were full of strong fire element, they also had their own thresholds. It was just like how humans could stuff themselves to death. For example, if Fire Crystal Grass was placed where the black lotus grew, it'd be burned to ashes immediately, and in the real fire element world, it would almost be impossible to find any black lotus.
Although Lin Li now wished that he could keep the black lotus in his pocket immediately, he did not do so, because there was a Crimson Python with huge red wings not far away from the two black lotus plants. It was staring at Lin Li, the uninvited guest, menacingly. Lin Li had seen it before, and knew that it had fire attribute.
Generally speaking, an a.d.u.l.t Crimson Python would at most be at level-18 or level-19, even though it carried the blood of prehistoric magical beasts. Even the mutant Crimson Python of the Blackstone Mountains had only reached level-20 after the awakening of its bloodline. However, the Crimson Python in front of Lin Li now was much bigger than the one he had seen. The scales on its body were like rubies, and it seemed to be about level-21 or level-22. Lin Li reckoned that it had to have consumed plenty of black lotus over the past thousands of years.
Actually, even if the Crimson Python was of level-21 or level-22, it would no longer pose a threat to Lin Li. Even if he chose not to use any debris of the stars, he would be able to kill it effortlessly.
Chapter 797 - Crimson Dragon
What really made him worried was the two black lotuses. The Crimson Python was lurking in the vicinity of the black lotus, and if it were to attack Lin Li and move its body casually, the two black lotuses would be destroyed immediately. That was definitely not what Lin Li wanted to see.
"I must find a way to lure it away!" Lin Li exclaimed, and slowly retreated instead of moving closer. He then found an open space between the intertwining lava rivers, and immediately dropped the blackstone platform that he had gotten from the underground palace in the Dragon Mountains.
The large blackstone platform was once the center of the magic gears in the underground palace, and was used to imprison the Crimson Dragon. It had been immersed in lava for numerous years without suffering any damage. Back then, Lin Li was not as wealthy, so after killing the Crimson Dragon, he removed the stone platform too. However, he realized later that there was nothing he could use it for; hence, he kept it in the Ring of Endless Storm for a long time since he had infinite space in the Ring of Endless Storm anyway.
Lin Li didn't use the blackstone platform for the sake of leveling the land, but to give himself some lodging. Given Lin Li's abilities, he wouldn't be hurt by the lava at all, but what he had to do now could not be done if he were to continue standing in lava.
After landing on the blackstone platform, Lin Li began to take some of his items out of the Ring of Endless Storm again, and soon he placed a simple pharmaceutical lab on the platform. Indeed, he was going to make some potions there.
The environment on the ground would cause even the Fire Crystal Grass to be burned into ashes, let alone the other herbs. Hence, Lin Li thought of the blackstone platform in his ring. Although it was open-spaced, he would be able to create a temporary isolated space that could be used as a makeshift lab for preparing potions as long as he put up a simple mageweath.
The potion that Lin Li wanted to formulate was not complicated, and a few red potions could be created just with a dozen kinds of herbs, some stamens of the Flame Flowers, and the leaves of the Fire Crystal Grass. After formulating the potions, Lin Li flew up into the air, and as he induced his mental strength into the Ring of Endless Storm, a large six-pointed star appeared beneath the platform. In the blink of an eye, he put away the large blackstone platform and the various pharmaceutical equipment.
The Crimson Python watched as Lin Li left, and shifted its gaze back to the two black lotuses, after which it continued to wait for the best time to devour the black lotuses. As long as nothing went wrong, the power in the black lotuses would allow the Crimson Python to advance to the peak of level-22 after devouring them. Compared to that temptation, Lin Li was much less appealing, and did not pique the interest of the Crimson Python.
However, shortly after Lin Li left, the Crimson Python suddenly felt an alluring aura coming from the end of its field of vision. The aura seemed to be coming from something that contained more power than the black lotuses. It could tell that if it were to devour that thing, it would probably allow it to advance to level-23.
However, why have I never felt that aura before? it thought. Although the Crimson Python carried the blood of the prehistoric magical beasts, it only inherited some of the genetic characteristics, and it was not much different from the ordinary magical bea
sts in terms of IQ. After hesitating and wondering for a moment, it could not help but move its body and slither towards that aura.
However, shortly after the Crimson Python left the two black lotuses, two shadows suddenly emerged beside the black lotuses like they had broken through space. They even dug up the black lotuses with ease and adroitness, after which they disappeared together with the black lotuses without stopping at all.
The Crimson Python was slithering in the alluring aura which suddenly disappeared before it could even see what it was. Shortly after, it felt that the aura of the black lotuses that it had been guarding had also vanished without a trace. It looked over, only to see that there was nothing there. At this moment, the Crimson Python panicked, and after roaring loudly, it turned around to leap towards the black lotuses in a bid to find out where they had gone.
However, at this moment, Lin Li appeared above the Crimson Python with the Helios' Scepter in hand, after which he cast a Legendary magic spell without hesitation. The aura of the Crimson Python was coming from the potion that Lin Li had formulated at the last minute. There weren't many medicinal properties of that potion, and all it could do was release astonishing fire element aura.
The two shadows were two of the six alchemy puppets that Angelano had given to Lin Li after studying and researching the Shadow Assassins. Compared to the Shadow Assassin which only knew how to kill, the six alchemy puppets could also execute many more elaborate instructions in addition to being a superb assassin like the Shadow Assassin. Otherwise, Lin Li wouldn't have dared to use them to pick up the black lotuses.
However, despite having obtained the black lotuses, Lin Li decided to obtain the Crimson Python too, for it was quite a treasure as well, and Lin Li had never been a wasteful person anyway. Since he didn't have to worry about anything else, killing a level-21 Crimson Python was nothing to Lin Li. It would only take him a short while to cast a few spells, and the Crimson Python that had been living there for years suddenly roared and lay motionlessly on the ground.
