Chapter 664: [Eerika's Melancholy(2)]

“I’m not fond of flashy colors. Is there any black…?”

“It's fine, it’s all about comfortability~”

“I must go,”

“I actually also wanted to. Staying with you caused me to almost forget about my priorities.”

“However, for now, I couldn’t. There are still things I needed and wanted to do. Stopping here is not an option…I’m sorry,”

“Besides, I don’t want you to be implicated by me. Even if you hide my real identity I doubt they would never notice it,”

“You really are silly, Eerika.”

“These past few weeks, have you been well?”

“Thank you, Eerika… really thank you,”

“I wanted to thank you, I really wanted to. I know that I’m not a good man and I might know many ways to thank a woman …”

“… When it came to you, I don’t know what to do anymore. Those ways seemed to insufficient or improper… it’s the first that I’m at a lost.”

"Doesn’t matter. Even if they won’t mind it… what about the others? I haven’t done anything, yeah, I also helped them protect the city from demons and monsters, yeah… but, just being a demon itself offset those actions…”

“Well, I’m fine with either way. I wasn’t working all of my efforts because I want to be acknowledged… All I wanted was for those who I cherished and precious to me, live a happy, safe and comfortable life… and that includes you as well…”

“But don’t be hasty. Take care of your health too… it would break my heart if I had known that something had happened to you,”

“We will meet again, love, when that time comes, let’s go on a journey together,”

… …

Sunlight filtered through the white curtain and fell in the room. It created dapples of intermixed light and shadows on the young boy lying motionless on the snow-white bed. He did not look as if he was in any pain and merely seemed that his eyes were closed, similar to each time she had woken at four or five in the morning to him lying next to her. Never had he allowed the things of the world to trouble him, and even in his sleep, he was always so peaceful.

And now, quietly and peacefully, he was lying here.

Within Eerika's eyes, there were roiling emotions that were difficult to conceal. And then, the view before her eyes grew misty.

Taking his small hand, she guided it to touch her face. His cold and lithe fingers slid from her brows and eyes down the length of her nose. Over each inch, she moved very slowly until his fingers were touching on her lips. “Wake up…please…" she pleads, her voice cracking up. "...you said, you’re going to protect me. Then, why are you sleeping there? Did you think the war had ended? Not yet. I’m still…in danger…in very great danger...so, wake up…and protect me…”

Before she realized what she was doing, she leaned over and then her lips replaced her fingers. Her lips still cold from the outside air, but his lips were unexpectedly warm. The warmness unexpectedly made her sad. Then, her tears without reason dropped one by one, and she could not control them.

… …

Within the Dungeon World.

The Despair Grieving Mountain – a boundless field of paradise filled with fortune and treasures. Although it was also accompanied by many danger, the opportunities found within it is something all the people coveted in their lifetimes!

This Despair Grieving Mountain was a rare spatial space. The space it contains seemed to be endless with countless beasts and never seen before plants and medicinal herbs. It has an unlimited number of powerful goods and valuable weapons. Of course, the most priceless item in this dimension was the inheritance left by those Ancient super cultivators that had lost their lives here and left it behind to find a good successor.

These inheritances were the opportunities and good fortune every cultivator dreamed of.

Ancient civilizations or even just the storage cave of those super cultivators does not appear easily. However, once it does, it without fail causes a bloody storm. Only those who are truly competent and overpowering can get their hands on the priceless inheritances.

According to the records, the Despair Grieving Mountain wakes every 5-6 years. Magical Weapons, Cultivation Techniques, and most of all, Medicinal Herbs and Cores—all found in this world are one of the top-notch items that cannot be compared to those found in the outside world. However, this time’s event was a little bit more terrifying than usual. Whether they were killed by demonic beasts, maybe they were murdered by other people, or unfortunately stepped on traps, They are just too many that had died in just a blink of an eye.

Immediately, Monsters are stronger and fiercer and because of this, although many people started to gather into a group unless one found a place that was considered safe zone, staying in the wild is still a very a dangerous action.

Within the ink-like dark of night, only a couple of stars could be seen in the entire Despair Grieving Mountain.

It was quite a lonely sight.

Inside the ancient forest, various roars resounded out from time to time. These roars were laced with rage. Every so often, once you are outside the safe zone areas, eight out of ten chances, you will be attacked by monsters. And so, it was really extremely dangerous, with only two possible courses of action one could follow: Stay in the Safe Zone until the trial passed or gather and join groups with powerful comrades. Though there were some people who acted alone, due to confidence or arrogance, most people choose the latter. No one would dare explore the Mountain alone as it was akin to seeking death.

Even idiots and fools had noticed that the trials this time had far exceeded the past trial events. Of course, not one of these Cultivators could be seen as idiots or fools as they are chosen by the heavens in their own clan and sect. They are far among the very best in their generation.

Based on past experiences, the stronger the demonic beasts, the deeper they will hide in the Despair Grieving Mountain, and those that were walking around the wild could rarely post a big threat to the huge number of cultivators together. But this time was apparently different from the past. In just several days, over a hundred cultivators were already killed, and this extraordinary rate could only mean one thing: a huge problem appeared inside the Despair Grieving Mountain!

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But what could be the problem?

Why is it that the monsters in this Trial so strong and powerful that even the weakest found monsters are in the Emperor Realm…?

Well, whatever may the case be, the vast region that had previously been calm and quiet was suddenly being occupied by numerous cultivators that rushed in like a flood. And this must have caused the demonic beasts and monster to be clearly unhappy being disturbed by them. Therefore, all the monsters are out for blood and battles would continue to break out even when it was late at night.

In the depths of the forest, a bonfire rose. Si Mulan was sitting cross-legged underneath a large tree. She stared at the rising bonfire and entered a trance. This was quite a familiar scene to her. In the Passing Cloud Labyrinth, she had spent many nights like this. However, during that time, she had a beautiful youth, who possessed clear glass-like eyes, beside her. When she glanced at him, it was as if the troubles within her heart were being suppressed, and he would calm down.

“Sister Mulan, here.”

A discordant voice suddenly caused Si Mulan to wake from the trance. She stared at a piece of dark, roasted meat that was being handed over by Lan Ling ‘er, who had a faint smile on her face. At this moment, she could not help but let out a sigh. In her eyes, a hint of depression appeared. Her beloved master was definitely better. Not only was he a feast to her eyes, but the roasted meat that he made was also many times better than Lan Ling ‘er roughly made one.

Lan Ling ‘er also knew that her cooking skills were quite miserable. However, her smiling appearance still made Si Mulan shake her head helplessly.

“I’m finally somewhat used to gutting and cleaning demonic beasts…” Lan Ling ‘er smiled helplessly as she stared at the roasted meat on her hand and took a bite. “I never knew that roasting magical beasts would taste this good… although, I’m still quite amateurish about it,”

“It really is awesome that we could easily take out spices, cooking utensils and ingredients anytime, anywhere huh. It’s rather complete…”

Si Mulan responded with a brilliant smile. Although, she and Lan Ling ‘er had a somewhat awkward relationship due to their families but because of their current status as members of DAWN, Si Mulan and Lan Ling ‘er had already formed quite a tacit relationship. They have gotten used to each other and had trained and fought while protecting each other’s back.

“Though, what master cook and made even with the same things and materials, is just too delicious compared to this…” she smiled mischievously.

“Lay off… as if I can compare myself to that abnormality of an existence… I would even be happy if I can at least have 10% of his monstrosity….!” Lan Ling ‘er smiled bitterly. “Though, I guess I’m quite envious… after all, among us here, only you, Mulan has the chance to be taken care of by that guy, and even served for even if it’s for a while,” she muttered with a soft smile but anyone could hear the sour taste of envy on her tone…

Well, Lan Ling ‘er was not the only one, though as all the people present who have heard Lan Ling ‘er’s words also share the same thoughts and jealousy.

Si Mulan’s status as that ‘certain’ someone’s disciple gives her several benefits and advantages… it can even be said that among the people gathered here, she was a crane among chickens.

“… …” Si Mulan’s face flushed and turned beet red from Lan Ling ‘er’s words but she didn’t say anything as she too was extremely fortunate and happy about it. Though Master’s distance away from her is just getting further and further away, she still hopes and longed for the day she could stand beside him and be able to help him with any kind of problem or trouble. Well, that seems to be extremely far away, though…

“Anyway, the Despair Grieving Mountain is truly large. We’ve already walked for four days and we still haven’t escaped the forest…” Lan Ling ‘er muttered as she looks at the sky.

“How could the Despair Grieving Mountain be a small location?” Bu Fanyi who was sitting leisurely at the side smiled: “There are probably tens of thousands of cultivators here. Moreover, all of them are individuals who stood out within their own Sect and yet we barely found any people these past few days. If the place isn’t large, how could they throw them all in here?” After being trained and honed by that ‘certain’ person on his independent space for a few days, causing their strength to increase leaps and bounds, ‘he’ suddenly said to earn experience outside and properly consolidate the training they had undergone.

“However… according to master, from these tens of thousands of trial takers, not over half now remained… and all of them were gathered in several large groups, creating cities in the safe zones. The closest here should still be miles away it seems..”

“I actually prefer to stay and cultivate within his so-called ‘Domain World’ till the end of the trial,” Lan Ling ‘er smiled wryly. “Even if I don’t seek any treasures out in this place, those that can be exchanged in the DAWN is much better than I can find in this place, I’m sure of that…”

“Well, I guess you have a point there…” Bu Fanyi nodded her head. “…I’m guessing, that guy wanted to make us feel the danger to grow truly, not be like a nurtured flower in a greenhouse. Although I feel quite reluctant indeed to leave such a beautiful world, I also think that this is the best course of training to take. After all, in that world, although we would fight extremely powerful monsters, we know that it is extremely safe there and we would never die. There’s no such thing as urgency or death danger. We might be able to practice fighting monsters and train our combat skills, but it would be like reading adventure and skill books to become stronger rather than get an experience firsthand~”

“I know...I just felt a bit disappointed…” Lan Ling ‘er smiled faintly. She stared into the depths of the forest underneath the dark sky as she said: “The Despair Grieving Mountain is a vast, circular region according to the map. There were nine mountains and that we seemed to be still at the edge of it, but stronger rewards and precious treasures can only be found close at the center, or it should be the peak of each mountain. Therefore, it will become increasingly more difficult to find really precious treasures without undergoing life and death battles. Not only will the Demonic Beasts become more powerful the enemies will also become tougher.”

“From the terminal’s map, It seems that many people are grouping up and forming small and large forces, consisting of not only one Sect in each grouping. When groups like that fight, it will be a grand sight.” Si Mulan said. Bu Fanyi nodded and smiled: “That’s normal. In fact, you are quite amazing if you can gather a large number of men by your side during this kind of thing.”

“Moreover, the Demonic Beasts will become more powerful as time passes. Aside from a few monsters, the others would have to rely on teams.”

“I’m only worried about the other Sect disciples and Senior Brother Wu… especially Senior Brother Wu. Aside from him, Master had already found most disciples but Senior Brother Wu seemed to be traveling incognito…”

“Well, with Brother Wu’s abilities, he would be fine.” Bu Fanyi replied. Towards Si Mulan, not only Bu Fanyi, the Sect had quite a bit of confidence in him. He should be fine without a problem…

Si Mulan let out a noncommittal smile. Well, if her master really wanted to find him, Master would surely be able to. However, Master wasn’t that interested in other people aside from them. If he couldn’t find them, he wouldn’t really look hard for them either.

He was only taking the other disciples into an asylum because of the Sect’s request. However, he wouldn’t try that hard to fulfill it. But of course, Si Mulan wouldn’t care about such simple selfishness. She knows that Allen, too, has his own things he needed to do and in fact, he was quite a busy person—it was already good that he had gone his way to find the other disciples, which he managed to take in and protect 6 people out of10, including them. Now, with Allen’s protection as well as bestowed opportunities by him, these disciples are starting to grow stronger rapidly.

Their levels are enough to be labeled all of them as outstanding geniuses of the sect—

“Hehe. However, Sister Mulan is really being spoiled by that guy. Apart from the additional points, you are also able to access one rank higher than your own. Those items and skills found in the higher ranks are just too precious and incredible, completely above that of the ranks below…” Lan Ling ‘er stared enviously at Si Mulan’s terminal she was holding.

Si Mulan was already C-rank, one rank higher than her. However, she has a privilege to access one rank higher than her current rank, meaning Si Mulan can see and exchange items in the B-level.

One must know, the higher the level you have, the more and powerful treasures you can exchange with. Unlike the levels below, B level and above possess Unique, Mythic and even some were Legendary Tier Items and skills far above those seen below the level. Although the items and skills In D and E level are also good but it was still far inferior from those found in the C and above level platforms.

Hearing Lan Ling ‘er’s teasing, Si Mulan was embarrassed but also felt happy and proud. Indeed, Lan Ling ‘er’s jealousy is not unfounded. Whatever best things Allen possess, she would also have a share on it, making her stronger and items completely above Lan Ling ‘er and the others.

In fact, her realm had reached Spirit realm in just a few days, causing her to be almost comparable to Bu Fanyi. Even Lan Ling ‘er was still at the initial stage of the Ancestor Realm, causing her to be greatly envious of Si Mulan’s rapid promotion.