Chapter 229 - 149: Exaggerated Reward, Another Hidden Quest

Chapter 229: Chapter 149: Exaggerated Reward, Another Hidden Quest

"This Monarch’s consciousness has been awake for far too long. The Array left behind by that Blue Dragon is still continuously draining my Power."

"If this continues, I fear it will be completely extinguished."

Shen Xing nodded. "Understood. I’ll get back here as soon as I can." ’...probably,’ he thought.

He pulled his gaze away, turning to the two graceful beauties beside him.

He then explained the details of the mission, including the possibility of encountering a Tier Three creature.

"I see..." Xia Wanyin nodded in understanding. "I never imagined such a powerful Giant Dragon Monarch was sealed here."

"Then let’s head back for now. We can develop our strength for a while before returning."

The two women unanimously agreed with Shen Xing’s decision.

He then patted Fried Chicken’s feathers. "Get us out of here."

"CHIRP!"

With a flap of its wings, Fried Chicken transformed into a streak of Dark Gold light and shot into the sky, heading straight for the distant exit.

The vast land below receded from view as they flew further and further away from the tombstone.

Shen Xing felt as if a profound gaze was fixed upon them.

But when he looked back, there was only the empty, vast land and the solitary tombstone.

Before he could dwell on it, Fried Chicken had already carried them into the deep, dark passage, maintaining its extreme speed as it ascended.

Soon, they had left the Dragon Tomb and were back in the dark canyon.

Fried Chicken flew straight up along the cliff face, soaring hundreds of meters into the air in one go.

Now, sitting on its back, Shen Xing looked down at the Black Heaven’s Wings Mountain Range below.

’Dragon Tomb... Five-Colored Dragons... breaking the seal...’

’This place holds so many secrets.’

He sighed softly.

He had suspected from the start that this mountain range was unusual, but he never expected the implications to be this significant.

"Shen Xing, when you decide to make your move, be sure to call me, okay? I’ll bring people to help."

Xia Wanyin said softly, "You don’t have to share the reward with me. Just think of it as repayment for the Rain Dew Pearls you gave me."

At this, a hint of guilt appeared on her face. "I only found out after I got back... The side effect of the Rain God Chain is so severe!"

"Especially for... for a man... If I’d known, I would have taken on the price myself."

Shen Xing froze for a moment, then realized what side effect she was talking about. A smile touched his lips.

"Don’t worry, the Rain God Chain’s effect on me isn’t that severe," Shen Xing said with a smile. "When the time comes to do this mission, I’ll definitely bring you with me."

"As for the reward, we can talk about that later. It’s not even certain we can complete it."

"Mhm!" Xia Wanyin nodded earnestly.

It seemed the reward was secondary to her; she was just happy to be able to go on an adventure with Shen Xing.

Reina remained silent at the side. Her gaze lingered on Xia Wanyin’s face for a moment before shifting to Shen Xing, her hand unconsciously tightening around her Magic Staff.

After that, Fried Chicken carried the three on its back, speeding toward their territory.

Within the thick Fog, a ball of orange-yellow light moved at high speed.

Fried Chicken maintained a high cruising speed, its wings slicing through the roiling gray Fog and leaving a long trail in its wake at a low altitude.

Just as they were passing through a familiar area, Reina seemed to sense something and suddenly spoke.

"Lord, there’s something wrong. I smell something... unusual."

She wrinkled her nose, carefully parsing the scent on the wind, then said with certainty, "It’s blood!"

"Blood?" Shen Xing was surprised.

"Yes. It seems a battle took place nearby." Reina’s tone grew solemn.

Shen Xing frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "Can you sense exactly where it’s coming from?"

Reina didn’t answer. Instead, she turned her head, her ruby-crystal eyes scanning the surroundings.

After a moment, she pointed to an area below. "Right there."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xing immediately directed Fried Chicken to spiral down.

As their Height decreased, the dense Fog was driven back by the fiery light, revealing a barren woodland.

The twisted trunks were leafless, their bare branches like gnarled, charred arms.

In the center of the woodland, a dozen or so large trees lay toppled on the ground—clearly the site of the battle.

When Fried Chicken landed, a scene of carnage greeted them.

The wreckage of several carriages lay scattered on the black soil, which was stained with large patches of dark red blood.

In addition, there were several severed fingers, a sheared-off piece of a skull, scattered fragments of viscera, and more—a truly gruesome sight.

Just as Reina had sensed, a massacre had taken place here.

"Shen Xing, who was fighting here?" Xia Wanyin asked, her eyes shut tight.

"It’s that merchant caravan we just met. They were attacked," Shen Xing replied.

"Ah... It was them..." Xia Wanyin’s face went white.

Shen Xing surveyed the surroundings, his eyes glinting with contemplation.

This forest wasn’t far from where they had traded earlier.

Clearly, not long after they had left, the merchant caravan had been ambushed while passing through here.

Moreover, the attackers had been cruel and ruthless, plundering all the goods and not even sparing the beasts of burden.

’I just don’t know if it was the work of nearby players or one of the Land of Mist’s native factions.’

But either way, it wasn’t good news for Shen Xing and Xia Wanyin.

After all, their territories were nearby. Having such a vicious group of marauders roaming the area was like having a ticking time bomb.

"Let’s go. We’ll return to the territory first," Shen Xing said grimly. "Then we can send people to investigate and see if we can find any trace of the attackers."

Just as they were preparing to take off again, a rustling sound came from a dark thicket nearby.