“He’s from a notable family, indeed, a total coward,” someone remarked.
“That’s called knowing the times,” another responded.
After Kedaf had left, Ivan took out the sealed broken palm and began to examine it closely. Locke and the others consciously closed their mouths and spread out to keep guard, to prevent any unwelcome disturbances.
The more Ivan investigated the palm, the brighter his eyes shone; he gradually understood what the unique ‘specialty’ of the Nine-Color Pit was.
‘The flesh is primarily composed of Fire-type, supplemented by Earth-type, followed by water and wind. Under the unusual rules of the Nine-Color Pit, they perfectly merge into one entity.’
‘With such harmonious elemental powers, the creature itself has enough potential. No wonder that fellow could step into the Level 4 promotion stage and control a small portion of domain power.’
‘Chairman Narnya was undeniably right; this place is a treasure trove.’
‘If I could find a material or creature mainly of Earth-type, supplemented by Wood-type, followed by Fire-type, with harmonious powers, then—’
After discovering the secret in the molten lake lord’s flesh, the first thing he thought of was the materials needed for his own Level 3 promotion. Judging by the situation with the Frost Flame Flower and the molten lake lord, it was possible to find the key materials suitable for him in the Nine-Color Pit.
In fact, he had two ideas for his Level 3 promotion.
The first was to successfully advance to Level 3 and experience a minor nirvana, adjusting the Level 1 Solidification Magic and Level 2 Solidification Magic to the new Meditation Method ‘Black Magic Ritual,’ thereby truly embarking on the path of the Black Magic Ritual and laying the foundation for Level 4 promotion.
The second was to succeed in the promotion, transform the Level 1 and Level 2 Solidification Magic into the complementary spells of the Black Magic Ritual, and elevate all Solidification Magic to the Level 3 tier, building a solid foundation for Level 4 promotion.
However, aspirations are just aspirations; whether Solidification Magic could be enhanced in transformation was something he had not practically verified. Hence, he focused primarily on the first objective.
“Too bad the three-headed beast couldn’t be brought out; that would have been an invaluable research material,” Ivan remarked with a hint of regret as he sealed the palm again.
“Boss, you should’ve said that earlier. If I had known, I’d have plucked that three-headed beast out and had the Silkworm Queen store it in the Silkworm Nest Space,” Locke also expressed his regrets.
“That place is a whole system; you couldn’t have extracted it,” Ivan shook his head, disagreeing with the notion. “However, any creature we encounter on the way could be captured for research.”
“That’s easy; leave it to us.”
“Let’s set off to search for the materials suitable for my promotion.”
Without further ado, Ivan announced the departure and headed towards the nearest Earth domain. However, the map provided by Solomon was several years old and possibly not entirely accurate, given the unpredictable nature of the Nine-Color Pit.
Still, having a map was better than blundering blindly.
The group passed through a Fire domain and entered a Water domain.
Dark clouds crowded the sky, with frequent flashes of lightning and continual drizzle of black rain, a stark contrast to the Fire domain they had just left.
“The rain is poisonous,” Scented Butterfly cautioned, her sensitivity to toxins heightened after awakening the ‘Wood Origin Poison’ ability.
“It’s not a major issue. Scented Butterfly, just be extra vigilant and remind everyone to avoid any difficult spots,” Ivan advised after scanning his companions and creatures, confident in their resistance to poison.
Scented Butterfly nodded hurriedly and focused intently on the path ahead.
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Aside from Scented Butterfly, who was peculiarly sensitive, both Ivan and another had significant ability to sense danger. Soon, the group managed to navigate through the perilous rain of the Water domain without mishaps.
In the Water domain, Ivan casually collected some research materials, further verifying his discoveries.
The entities born within the Nine-Color Pit were truly unique, possessing both diversity and harmony of elements, aspects that were exceedingly pure compared to those found outside.
Subsequently, the group set foot in their targeted Earth domain, only to see barren slopes and a sky shrouded in pale yellow dust ahead.
Frowning at the sight, Ivan said, “This Earth domain has clearly degraded,” releasing the information before anyone could inquire.
“Just find another one,” Locke suggested nonchalantly.
“Let’s keep moving,” Ivan gestured and indicated for the group to press on.
He knew all too well the necessity of finding another Earth domain, but the map clearly marked limited areas as relatively safe, the rest filled with terrifying dangers.
If not necessary, he did not want to go to those high-risk areas, even extremely dangerous special regions.
A group of people walked past several bare earth slopes, and Jenny noticed something, her face immediately turned somewhat ugly.
“We are surrounded.”
As soon as her words fell, the earth slope beneath their feet began to shake. That was no earth slope, but clearly the back of a special creature, startling the group to jump away and land on the ground.
The surrounding earth slopes also started to move.
In an instant, the earth slopes revealed their true nature—these were a group of rock-earth tortoises. Unexpectedly evading Jenny’s detection, they had ensnared the group in a tight encirclement.
“Seize the initiative, break out first.”
Ivan, instead of retreating, decided to carve a bloody path through their midst.
The rock-earth tortoises appeared large but were actually not of Level 3 status. Combining Earth-type and Wind-type powers, they specialized in spitting rock balls and toxic dust but moved somewhat clumsily.
The leader of the rock-earth tortoises possessed Level 3 abilities and understood Gravity Manipulation, but it wasn’t enough to rival a swamp ant.
As a result, the group truly broke through the earthen ranks.
Time passed, and more than an hour later, Ivan and his group arrived at another earthen territory, which again disappointed him.
What caught their eyes was a marshland covered in mud, devoid of any lush greenery and filled instead with various foul gases.
The group, however, did not stop moving forward.
Soon, a winding river full of mud appeared, the surface occasionally showing mud monsters seemingly patrolling.
“I’ll send someone to scout ahead.”
“Go ahead.”
Ivan casually agreed to the swamp ant’s suggestion.
Seeing the swamp ant send some ant sentinels to scout the path, the ambitious Silkworm Queen also dispatched a squad of rapid wood silkworms to fly low over the mud river from another direction.
“Ring River, not just one.”
“Central location with storms, a mass of thunder hidden yet unreleased.”
“There should be treasures there, something like the Frostflame Flower.”
Soon, the news relayed back by the ant sentinels and rapid wood silkworms reinvigorated everyone’s spirits.
The Belizi family had gone to great lengths to covet the Frostflame Flower, indicating its value, similarly nurtured by a Nine-Color Pit, the things here should be commendable.
However, it was left to see if Ivan was willing to complicate matters.
“Let’s take a closer look nearby; from the surrounding environment, we can generally discern some clues. If appropriate, we’ll discuss in detail, otherwise, there’s no need to go through great trouble.”
Seeing the others looking towards him, Ivan said thoughtfully after pondering for a moment.
…
Looking down from above the marshland, one could see a series of Ring Rivers imprinted on the ground, the whole forming concentric circles diminishing in size, with a treasure-bearing area at the center.
Both the ant sentinels and the rapid wood silkworms had not rashly approached the treasure-bearing area but lingered on the outer side of the last Ring River.
However, they didn’t know that their actions were actually being watched by some ‘mud monsters.’
“Special creatures?”
“No, these seem to be human-controlled beasts.”
“Despicable, greedy sorcerers—if they dare sabotage our plans, I am determined to make them taste the fierceness of thunder and lightning.”
On the last Ring River, some of the mud monsters were actually other creatures in disguise, already eyeing the treasures nurtured inside and clearly unwelcoming these unexpected guests.