CHAPTER 535 SPIRIT MANIPULATORS GATHERED

"It seems that the treasure will appear soon. We should be there when it does. Even if it isn't the Sea

Blue Magic Jade, it should still be a valuable treasure. All our efforts will still not be wasted," Sabina

said. A thoughtful gleam brightened her eyes.

"Then we should not waste time anymore. Let's hurry up," Rocky said.

Sabina nodded her head. The two of them and the three beasts sped up.

After a short while, the sky above them was engulfed in darkness. Sabina and Rocky looked into the

sky, their eyes filled with alarm. A dozen Four-wing Lame Dragons flew in the air above them in groups

towards the peculiar light like a hoard of locusts that would destroy everything in their paths.

At the same time, a commotion from below caught their attention. Wild spirit-manipulated beasts were

running towards the strange light from all around the valley.

"It looks like we are not alone. It seems that even these wild spirit-manipulated beasts are interested in

the treasure." The sight paralyzed Rocky with shock. He stood still as the commotion caused chaos

around them. He would have moved, but his mind struggled to absorb and process the scene in front of

him.

After they passed the valley, they came to an elevated land that was dense with trees. The thick forest

swallowed the light and made the terrain almost impassable. Their once quick pace slowed to a crawl.

"Don't just stand there. Set up those traps quickly! Don't let the spirit manipulators from other countries

pass through and challenge us for the treasure!" All of a sudden, a cacophony sounded from ahead of

them. The darkness that engulfed the forest blinded them to the dangers in front.

With a wary glance thrown at each other, Rocky and Sabina quickly ordered the three beasts to stay

where they were. Then, they moved swiftly so that the shadows hid them and allowed them to sneak

stealthily forward. They walked for a short while and came upon more than a dozen figures who were

moving about busily ahead of them. Thankfully, the figures were too preoccupied with their

preparations to notice that they were being stalked.

"These people must be spirit manipulators from other countries," Sabina said when she noticed the

similar clothes and badges wore by those people. Her eyes sparkled with the curious desire to gather

information from the strange men. These people could have information that could prove invaluable to

them.

"One is at the Heavenly Stage and another one is at the seventh grade of the Heavenly Stage. Two are

at the fourth grade of the Heavenly Stage while the rest are at the advanced stage of the Earthly Stage.

It seems that they are all well prepared," Rocky said immediately after a perfunctory glance at the

figures. His array of experiences came handy at times like these, where he was able to quickly

categorize the strange people.

"Let's take a detour to avoid confrontation," Sabina suggested. She knew that if they passed through

the forest directly, they would inevitably encounter spirit manipulators from other countries.

"That's the only choice we have." Rocky reluctantly agreed to her suggestion. They had no time to

waste with confrontation, even though he hated that it felt like he was running away.

The two quickly returned to where they left their beasts. They were about to decide what new route

they would take when several strong auras stopped them in their tracks. The strong auras were

approaching them fast, too fast to run away from.

They exchanged a startled glance and promptly ran to the three beasts. After they had walked a fair

distance, they hid thoroughly behind several boulders that were scattered on the ground.

Soon after, they heard the footsteps come closer and closer. They stiffened with alarm as several

figures appeared in their line of sight.

They were dressed in the uniforms of the Crimson Dragon Group. A bald man who was emitting an

aura at the Supernal Stage seemed to be leading them.

"It's him!" Rocky whispered valiantly when he recognized the bald man. He was sure that the man was

Sheehan, the deputy head of the Elite Regiment of the Crimson Dragon Group. The two of them had

bickered with each other before.

Several members of the Elite Regiment who were at the Heavenly Stage were behind him as they

attentively scouted the area.

"I didn't expect that the spirit manipulators of the Elite Regiment of the Crimson Dragon Group would

come too. How about we work with them? That might make our mission easier," Sabina suggested as

she turned to look at Rocky. She tried to convince him with her persuasive eyes. After all, they were

kind of acquainted with the members of the Elite Regiment. Right now, they were at a disadvantage as

there were only two of them. They would have a better chance of obtaining the treasure if they worked

together.

"No, not a chance at all. I'm sure we can never trust that bald man," Rocky sneered immediately. He

seemed particularly disgusted by the thought of working with Sheehan. He saw Sheehan as a greedy

and petty pig. If they joined forces, Rocky knew that he and Sabina would end up with nothing.

Several members of the Elite Regiment led by Sheehan stayed for some time, but later on moved

forward. It forced Rocky and Sabina to stay behind the boulders until the group left.

"What are we waiting for? We should go too," Rocky said to Sabina. He was worried that they might

lose their chance to get the treasure.

They changed their route and tried to avoid any possible encounter as they continued their journey

towards the light.

More and more spirit manipulators emerged in groups as they moved closer to their destination. Some

groups were comprised of spirit manipulators from the same clan while some had temporarily teamed

up. Their powers were as diverse as the clans that were present.

Another day passed and the strange light appeared closer and closer. Their mixed emotions sustained

their strength and motivation as they journeyed farther.

Soon, Rocky and Sabina arrived at the place where the unusual light came from. It was in a deep

valley that was filled with clouds and mist. Both sides were ten-thousand-foot cliffs while a steep slope

led deeper in the valley.

The whole valley was overrun with the foul scent of wild spirit-manipulated beasts as beasts with wings

soared above the valley. The place reeked of danger that made their hackles rise.

Rocky and Sabina slowed down and found a hidden place for recovery near the valley. They knew that

they needed to recuperate their strength and they needed to be prepared for an inevitable encounter.

The tension roiled thick in the valley. It was almost opaque in its tenacity to the point that everyone

around could sense it. A large number of spirit manipulators had already gathered in front of the deep

valley. The Elite Regiment led by Sheehan and the spirit manipulators of the Timber Deity Empire who

were sent by Alyssa were there as well. They stood tense against each other as if afraid that they holds text © rights.

would be attacked suddenly.

As soon as the Elite Regiment spirit manipulators led by Sheehan appeared, the other spirit

manipulators were intrigued. Everyone turned to blatantly observe him. After all, Sheehan alone was

enough to amaze them because he was at the Supernal Stage.

"There are many spirit manipulators who came for the treasure, and many of them are at the Heavenly

Stage. I don't know if there are any other powerful spirit manipulators at the Supernal Stage beside

you, Erica, and the bald man. Either way, I know that there will be an incredibly fierce battle for the

treasure," Rocky remarked as he analyzed the situation of the spirit manipulators gathered in front of

the deep valley.

"I'm not afraid of Erica or the bald man. I know I am on par with them. But if a powerful spirit

manipulator at the Supernal Stage appears, the situation will just grow more complicated and

troublesome. After all, the disparity in power will be astounding if a spirit manipulator has reached the

Supernal Stage. Even one grade higher would be a great jump," Sabina said with a frown as she

thought of the possible consequences that the events could bring.

"We have to play it by ear. Let's go inside after the others go in," Rocky said wisely. The look reflected

in his eyes was intense as determination burned brightly inside him.

"Aren't you worried? Someone could take the initiative and take the treasure before us. If they go in

first, we will miss our chance to get the treasure," Sabina asked Rocky.

"This deep valley is filled with wild spirit-manipulated beasts. If we go in first, we'll just be courting

death. It's better to sit and watch the others fight. We won't strike until we see the best opportunity." A

sly smile crept up on Rocky's face as he explained his thoughts to Sabina.

"That's what we think and I assume the others might think the same," Sabina protested. She shook her

head as hesitation clouded her mind.

"Don't worry. Not everyone is as patient as we are," replied Rocky confidently.

As expected, some spirit manipulators lost themselves in the temptation of the treasure quickly and

rushed into the valley.

In sharp contrast, the spirit manipulators from other countries seemed to be more patient.

After about two to three hours, the phoenix spirit manipulators of the Magic Phoenix Empire finally

arrived. The person that was leading the team was none other than Erica.

"Tasha, Erica is here," Rocky said. He looked back at Tasha whose mouth was still gagged with grass.

As soon as she heard the name, she became restless with obvious excitement. Unfortunately, she

couldn't ask Erica to save her, not with her mouth still bound. Tasha glared at Rocky hatefully, but no

sound could escape her gagged mouth.