"Ah-"
A small yet scared voice echoed in the cavern before something hid behind a rock.
Isabella and the others glanced at each other before Isabella opened her mouth. "Come out. We won't harm you."
"..."
"You don't have to act like a rock. We know you're there, and we promise we won't attack you."
".." Isabella blinked, still waiting for a response.
A few seconds later, a little head peeked out of the rock as they phased through but before their eyes could be seen, one could see the crown on their head made of minerals. They looked as though they were interlocked jewels but were undoubtedly a part of this being's body.
When they raised their head, one could see a pair of golden eyes. Their head was adorned with golden hair that was shaped like locs. Their skin was brown but also a shade of gold.
They stepped out of the rock and looked at Isabella and the others with curiosity, a wild intelligence resting in their eyes. Draped in an elegant and regal brown robe, their figure was enveloped by trailing earthen dust.
Isabella and the others kept their expressions straight, but inwardly, they were shocked at seeing this little spirit that was at the Immortal Emperor Spirit Stage. Accurately, it was at Level Seven Immortal Emperor Spirit Stage.
It was a Heaven-Tier Spirit ranked fourth in the Empyrean Grade Earth Elemental Charts, the Grand Geocrest Metal Boulder or, in this case, the Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit since the one before them already seemed to have undergone its Spirit Transformation Heavenly Tribulation, which was one of the many names for a Spirit Attribute Source trying to become a Spirit instead of continuing on being a Spirit Attribute Source.
This little spirit floated towards them with curiosity and fear in its eyes.
It paused occasionally, sizing up their expressions before continuing to move. Finally, after a whole minute, it hovered in front of Isabella, sizing her up.
"Who are you... all?"
A cute female voice echoed, making the others raise their brows
'How amazing. Even spirits in this dimension speak the Sky Word Language... 'Was the first thought that echoed in their mind.
They honestly didn't expect it to be able to converse. They were a bit proud that an ancient language invented by their human race could also be spoken by spirits in a faraway place. But as soon as they thought like this, there was also some sorrow in their heart.
That same human race was trying to kill them with everything they could, acting as though they were evil demons that needed to be killed no matter what.
They didn't want to be in this mess, but for Davis, they didn't care and can even endure. He was the reason they were in this mess, but also the reason they had become so strong and still able to hold their heads high in the face of challenges because he never suppressed them.
"Greetings, little spirit. My name is Isabella Davis and I'm from the human race but I don't necessarily represent them. Still, we have come here to look for treasures like other people, but we are not going to hurt you, so you don't have to be scared."
"Oh..." The little Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit reacted.
Her forehead, which possessed a circular golden mark, illuminated, and she abruptly punched out at Isabella's solar plexus.
However, before the first could connect, Isabella captured her wrist.
"...!"
The little Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit became alarmed. She instantly tried to phase through and flee, but she was firmly caught in Isabella's grasp. The next moment, an enormous pressure came over her, causing her to freeze in her tracks.
The little spirit was like a captured sparrow, panting heavily as her eyes darted left and right.
"As expected, you're a naughty and wild little spirit."
Isabella didn't look surprised at all. She knew spirits also engaged in hunts, whether it be other spirits or fellow spirits. They also sought out treasures, so there was bound to be huge competition.
However, her brows were raised a bit since she didn't expect this little spirit to use its full force. Its prowess was actually eight levels higher, enough to match an Empyreal Sovereign. As far as she knew, only the top two of the Empyrean Grade Earth Elemental Charts of Heaven-Tier Spirits were capable of matching Empyreal
Sovereigns.
The Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit definitely wasn't an Empyreal Sovereign, so this spirit had potentially consumed way more other spirits or had feasted on a heavenly resource that increased its prowess by a great margin.
Now, she also understood why this little spirit was able to hide from those supreme geniuses who passed through here.
This little Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit wasn't confident enough to be able to hide from her senses, so it tried to move away, only to get caught.
"Woah, this little spirit is brave- It didn't hesitate to kill you and definitely knows where the human dantian is." Shirley scoffed in amusement, "It has killed humans before and tried to cripple you first."
She walked around the little spirit and grinned.
"Let- let go..."
The Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit looked as though she was going to cry. She instantly saw that she was surrounded by this group of women who looked menacing enough, making her quickly regret what she did. She didn't want this woman called Isabella to be so powerful.
Unexpectedly, Isabella smiled and caressed the little spirit's cheek with her other hand, "I know you're afraid and will do whatever it takes to survive, but really, there's no need to be afraid. We won't harm you."
To Isabella, the little spirit in front of her was no different than a scared, magical beast trying to survive. She was trying to soothe the little spirit. Although she guessed she wouldn't be as good as Davis when it comes to these things since she didn't possess
Heart Intent, she tried.
Above all, she didn't want to kill a spirit child.
"Really? You won't harm me...?" The Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit asked, her golden eyes shimmering with confusion.
It was as though it couldn't understand the concept of peace.
Isabella blinked, "Don't you have parents? A father and mother?"
The Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit shook her head, "I was born from heaven and earth"
Isabella nodded lightly. She expected as much but was still saddened to hear that. She could only imagine how this spirit with high intelligence would feel lonely and scared in this huge world, trying to survive and kill whatever it could before others could kill her.
"Don't worry. I 'really' won't harm you."
Isabella emphasized again before she smiled, "I just want to know where I could find a secret entrance here. Would you be kind enough to show it to me?"
The Grand Geocrest Metal Spirit could only look at Isabella in confusion, feeling complicated emotions that she had never felt before.
After some time, she pointed at a ceiling on the corner, causing Isabella and the others to blink and turn to look. Those walls seemed stronger than the others when their senses hit. It was at Mid-Level Empyrean Grade. No one else than Shirley and Isabella can break it.
Shirley frowned. She couldn't see any kind of opening there, so she went there with some doubt, only to find herself standing on a cliff suddenly with a huge ruined city before her.
"This is... the Starry Empyreal Ruins on the map-"
She cried out as she saw the pylon-like structures in the distance, full of light energy.
In the First Haven World, there actually existed the Starry Empyreal Fury Spirit Tribe, but they were so small in numbers and were part of the alliance called the Starry Light Alliance. Still, judging by the size of the city, she could tell that ruins had tens and thousands of such spirits here, vastly eclipsing the tribe in the First Haven World. However, it seemed to be in a state of ruins.
It was unknown if it was destroyed long or if the supreme geniuses destroyed it.
Niera and the others also stepped out, looking at the ruined city. They could also spot many geniuses roaming around, looking for treasures. There also seemed to be spirits hunting them or fleeing from them.
Finally, they felt like they had caught up to the other geniuses a little in terms of exploration.