The Ultimate Evolution
chapter-300

Chapter 300: Checkpoint activated!

Hearing Sheyan’s casual shouting, Lurtz took a step forward. His eyes glittering with furious savageness, reaching out for the giant bow behind him.

He had always hated the humans, yet this human in front of him was even more irksome (Not compatible along with his 3 charm). Hence upon hearing Sheyan’s scoldings against his fellow orcs, Lurtz fell a belly of fire. He wanted to sentence Sheyan to death with his bow immediately! Then turn him into dinner for the night.

But at this moment, Saruman’s doppelganger shook his head, gesturing lightly; yet this light gesture was like an immovable handcuff over Lurtz’s wrist, immobilizing him. He didn’t dare to move!! Lurtz released a frustrated grunt from his throat, wildly suppressing his rage. He wanted to vent his frustration and crush anything he could see. Yet in front of Saruman’s doppelganger, his only release was to clench his fist even tighter.

Sheyan picked up the knife and pincer, skillfully slicing away at this snow bear; cutting, draining the blood, cleaning and roasting it. He then begun an entire process to process it into raw materials for his ‘Strength of the bear’s flesh’. Saruman’s doppelganger’s eyes turned gentler. Perhaps Sheyan’s words may be rather exaggerated, but in this place, a familiar thinking assistant was indeed beneficial over an orc! Coincidentally, he was in the midst of a crucial juncture in his research, he really needed a capable assistant to settle certain trifling matters.

“Maybe allowing him to stay for a few days wouldn’t be a bad thing. I’ll just dispose of him in the end.”

Thus, this notion floated into the doppelganger’s mind. Actually, he had been constantly pestered by these trifling matters like processing raw materials, and had been delegating uruk-hais to manage them. He had no choice but to admit, they were more brawns than brains, their efficiency was pretty terrible. Of course, it was because of Sheyan’s performance that allowed him to have this thinking.

No matter who, Sheyan was like a puny house fly that he could stretch out his hand and squash anytime, he couldn’t bother much; moreover, this fly was stuck within this impregnable web of the area! With this thinking, the doppelganger’s vigilance naturally receded into a minute, negligible degree.

“You will receive a cleaner residence. As for food wise, the orcs can only offer you raw materials for your own cooking. Of course, unless your taste is the same as them, you can disregard that.” The doppelganger emotionlessly voiced out.

“You can start work now, my slave will bring you to the cellar! Mr Seaman, it is 4 in the afternoon, I expect to see 10 batches of excellent quality materials by 8 at night! If not, you know the punishment you will receive.”

“You will definitely get what you desire, lord! But I have one final lowly request, it is merely a wave of hand for you.” Sheyan instantly struck while the iron was hot.

Saruman’s doppelganger halted his footsteps.

“I hope that during the period I serve lord wizard, My friend and my lover can enjoy a better treatment, and not be oppressed in that filthy cell. Apart from that, if I slave and labour for you but I realized that they have been stealthily executed, I will be devastated.”

Saruman remained expressionless, but he became more relaxed. A weak human who worried about hostages, what trouble could he cause? Hence, he very refreshingly nodded his head.

In actual fact, Sheyan had no intentions of causing trouble. He understood that being kidnapped by these orcs was definitely not for a ransom. He was roughly could guess the prisoners were merely awaiting a tragic and despairing outcome. Sheyan’s current deeds were just to prolong this duration. Putting it bluntly; even if everyone were to be dragged out to be executed, Sheyan would try his best to scheme and allow himself and Reef to occupy the last slots to be beheaded.

“Lurtz.” The doppelganger waved his magic staff, then lightly spoke. “I feel Mr Seaman’s requests are reasonable.”

Lurtz released another muffled grunt, then glared maliciously at Sheyan before striding out in big steps.

Then this formidable wizard indicated for Sheyan to follow, but he didn’t bring Sheyan to continued ascending the Wizard tower. Instead, they headed down, entering into an icehouse at the lowest basement. The icehouse was freezing cold, with massive amounts of frozen creature corpses. Shuttling back and forth amidst the freezing icehouse were odd yet strong creatures.

Their appearance resembled a weak edition of a terrestrial octopus. They had no bones nor torso, their intellect was relatively high. An enormous soft greyish head formed their head, with a single round massive eye.7-8 strips of tentacles extended beneath the head, and they used it to nimble travel and work. Sheyan observed the numerous pupils in the eye, sensing an unfeigned danger. It was obvious if he were to battle this creature, the critical focus would be against its damned eye.

This odd tentacle creature had a scientific name called an Ocean-freak, Brachiopod. He suddenly thought about that colossal octopus, an Ocean-freak known as the Watcher in the water near Moria, of the original storyline. Even the powerful Fellowship of the Ring didn’t dare to encounter it head on, and were forced to infiltrate through the mines of Moria. From how Saruman’s doppelganger addressed them, it vaguely suggested a relation to that colossal octopus.

Sheyan begun operating under the watchful surveillance of the ocean-freak. Don’t even mention escaping, even his personal freedom was vastly limited. He could only continue slaving, diligently and without slacking. Fortunately, his goal was to drag for time, moreover processing raw materials was an activity that needed skills. Hence, trying to skive easily went unnoticed by the ocean-freak.

3 days passed by quickly.

Sheyan was shuttled to and fro from the Wizard tower daily, delivering processed materials; gradually he observed the surrounding terrain. His work rate could be said to be pretty high; after working he would head over to ‘ahem ahem’ with the elf maiden, and chat with Reef. He was really carefree and without worries. After the 3 days, Reef also noticed – Every sunny day, there would be a new batch of captives delivered out of prison and never returning. According to his deductions, they should’ve have been delivered to the wizard tower to used as guinea pigs.

Instead, Sheyan rejected that possibility. That was because he knew that although Saruman conducted experiments and research on the humans, he definitely believed that human’s weak disposition was not suitable for modifications. It could be said that humans did not have the qualifications to be his experiment guinea pigs. Hence, where the captives were delivered to had undoubtedly became a tremendous mystery.

Saruman’s doppelganger remained rather cautious of Sheyan, never allowing him to interact with deeper levels of his research. Yet processing these materials was also slightly beneficial to Sheyan. Previously, he could only process the raw materials of bears, foxes, and raptors. But within these 3 days, he experienced working with many other varieties of creatures; exceeding 10 varieties! The quantity he processed was in the hundreds.

This meant that at least 10 kinds of creatures could be refined, and concocted into various mixtures. The damaged, incomplete diary previously only allowed him to grasp 3 variations of the bear, fox and raptor. Yet it didn’t mean that he couldn’t take the initiative to attempt to mix other creatures to produce new gene mixes.

Amongst the creatures he processed, although 5 variations couldn’t be found in the present world, 5 other creatures existed in the present world. They were the wolf, freshwater fish, snake, dog and mantis. He planned to use these 5 creatures to experiment when he returned to the present world. If he didn’t try, how would he know if it could succeed?

Even though Sheyan tried his best to prolong his stay, the corpses inside the icehouse were gradually declining, less and less, and finally total emptiness. The ocean-freak then went out to notify others. Not long later, a thumping oppressive footsteps reverberated in. A sinisterly fiendish uruk-hai stomped in, casting a devilish grin at Sheyan. It was Lurtz.

“Filthy human, you have lost the rights to stay on. Scram from our sacred ground! Now!”

Sheyan’s heart sank, knowing that he had ran out of options. Sighing slightly, yet being able to drag out this 4 days duration, could be considered a victory itself. At least, half of the elves that were captured with him had been dragged out already, nobody knew where they went. When Sheyan returned to the prison cell, he suddenly received a notification from the nightmare imprint.

“Scanning: Contestant no.1018 has reached a checkpoint for this establishing party mission ‘Survival’ !”

“Warning: Contestant no.1018 has reached a checkpoint for the mission ‘Survival’ !”

“Warning: The difficulty will increase. From now onwards, you will be unable to utilize the interspatial region of your nightmare imprint!”

“Pointer: Party mission ‘Survival’ has various checkpoints. Every time your period of stay in this world has reached the relevant checkpoint, the survivability difficulty will be increased.”

!! Chapter 301: Cruel process

Seeing this list of notifications, Sheyan almost vomited blood. His gene mixes required raw materials to concoct, without access to the interspatial region, his support ability would be rendered utterly useless! Moreover, he wouldn’t have the privilege of regenerative foods and medicines! Yet more critically, ‘Ambition’ was stored inside his interspatial region. His explosive might had been reduced by half in an instance!

His only consolation was due to his reward for working for Saruman. The elf maiden Melody, Reef and him had been allocated a separate cell. Their drink came from the melted fresh snow by the mountains, their food wasn’t polluted by filth.

It was currently a sunny day, the sun had risen long ago. As Melody was about to continue meditating and cultivating under the sunlight, several furious and malicious uruk-hais stomped in from outside; binding them forcefully with a black rope. The ropes were made with a unique vine, it was extremely sturdy and unbreakable. Even Sheyan and Reef weren’t able to activate their active abilities! Naturally, Melody wasn’t able to invoke her nature magic. Sheyan sent a probing pulse detector to the black rope, receiving the relevant information.

(TN: He is still wearing his armor and helmet, just that they are disguised)

Black Moody whip

Weaver: Saruman, 4th secret body

Special item

Material: Blood, curse aura, Cold press crystal, Black cricket vine.

Duration: 12 hours

Usage: Binded target unable to activate any personal ability.

Weight: 0.3 kg.

Length: 140 cm to 210 cm.

This Black Moody Whip was extremely precious, personally crafted by Saruman, its sealing prowess was impregnable. Sadly, it had only 12 hours of existence, if not Sheyan really wanted to steal one for himself. However, it appeared like its toughness was not adequate, as the uruk-hais consecutively wrapped another sturdy rope around, absolutely securing their captives.

In this manner, the 3 of them were escorted out, slowly assembling together with other humans/dwarves/elves, curling and shivering with 7-8 others outside the prison. A group of fully equipped orcs and 3 of the tentacle creatures, ocean-freaks, that Sheyan had interacted with made up the guards; escorting them towards the east. After traversing through several shimmering, bare glacier mountains, they began to ascend towards the peak of an ice mountain, following a spiraling frosted pathway.

Sheyan noticed that this mountainous route was primarily formed by thick condensed ice layers, and contained several resting spots along the way. Some of the icy rocks had been grinded till extremely sleek, indicating the high frequency of this route being used.

Even though it was a bright day, the sunlight was drastically dismal in this region, completely not supplying any warmth. The winds carried bits of ice, blowing out ghostly and mournful shrills as they scraped against the ancient glaciers of centuries and millennials. In this environment, all of the captives were shivering and trembling in their hearts and bodies. Some even collapsed breathlessly in fear due to the high altitudes and the arduously harsh journey.

At this moment, the orcs laid bare their vicious appearance, beginning to use cruel methods to torture and usher the unwilling captives. Yet they only dealt internal injuries to the captives, not allowing blood to drop.

After being escorted to the icy peak, they continued along the long mountain ridge, braving the winds of winter. After roughly half an hour, the route ahead was no more. It was a plateau of ice and snow here, roughly the size of a basketball court. Icy stalactites tooth impaled out around them, beneath them was the ten thousand fathoms abyss. A long stone stage was erected in the middle, a person was lying down on it. A strange dark brown colored the rocks surrounding the stage, exceptionally contrasting amidst the pure white ice and snow.

By the side were numerous hastily chiseled stone basins, the crafting was done incomparably clumsily. A clutter of jumbled up rags laid in a mess beside, fluttering sporadically amidst the cold winds, like a torn yellowish paper with a tinge of stubborn toughness. Even though everything was unclear to them, their hearts welled up with an unfathomable sense of danger. Especially the other human captives, as they started to sob and wail uncontrollable, still trying to struggle against their fates.

The orcs and the ocean-mysteries remained motionless, they were prepared for this situation. The captives were bound strictly by the magical black ropes, any resistance was utterly futile.

At this moment, one of the ocean-freaks with a slightly bigger head than others slithered out from the parade of orcs. Using its tentacle to fiddle inside a bag, it retrieved a drinking pouch made of cowhide. It then pulled out its cork, and allowed the captives to drink its contents in succession.

The captives were obviously unwilling to drink anything at this moment. The ocean-freak first demonstrated by drinking a mouthful from that drinking pouch; then it retrieved a bowl and poured the liquid into the bow. A splendid blue liquid glittering with speckles of stars filled the bowl, it was thick and glutinous. Even though the bowl was firm, the liquid seemed to have a life on its own as it rippled proactively, tiny waves splashed against the side of the bowl.

The captives were originally injured after being captured, being imprisoned for days had weakened them, and now they were incomparably exhausted after trekking for so long. They gulped down the drink, even Sheyan was no exception.

Yet contrary to his expectation, this blue liquid was frighteningly cold, like an ice thread endlessly terrorizing down his throat into his belly. The sensation lingered for long, his body started to tremble unconscientiously; it was the feeling of being frozen alive. His chest and lungs flushed with an icy chillness, suddenly fatigue left his body. His body started to heat up, as though energy was being ignited in every bone and vessel of his body.

His nightmare imprint transmitted the following notification:

“You’ve drank an advanced gene mix: ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’. This is a powerful gene mix concocted personally by Saruman’s doppelganger, it is a secret dosage blended with the gene of the colossal octopus, ocean-freak of Moria, and various other materials.”

“Drink permanent effect: HP +50 points, MP +50 points. (This reward can be brought out of this world).”

“Drinking temporary effect: Your HP regeneration speed greatly increases. Every 10 seconds additional regeneration of 1 – 10 HP, duration lasts for 120 minutes.”

“Pointer: The worse the condition of the user, the more potent the gene mix will be, causing the HP regeneration to progress rapidly! However, residual repercussions may occur.”

“What are they trying to do?” Reef’s heart surged with delight after receiving such a random bonus just from drinking this liquid, he couldn’t resist asking Sheyan. They two carried no trace of fear, having the option to return to the realm.

Sheyan was normally an expert in reasoning, but in this instance, the strangeness of the situation left him speechless. The orcs and ocean-mysteries definitely harbored ill intentions bringing them here; but in the most desperate of desolation, they provided them with such a miraculous medicine drink!

After everyone drank their share of ‘Mucus of Ocean-freak Moria’, a short and grouchy orc stood out. Its face was filled with scars, looking like a little devil, its expression apathetic. Its eyes burned with an unexplainable fervor, a thick leather belt strapped against its waist. The orc’s face gave Sheyan a seemingly familiar feeling, probably having met him before back in the wizard tower.

Following that, two orcs seized a human captive and dragged the human up the stage, completely disregarding his struggles, finally tying him onto the stage. The stubby orc pulled out several sharp tiny knives from its waist, arranging them along the edge of the stage. The orc then licked the tiny knife blade in his hand, slowly carving open the captive’s arm. Under the bone-chilling screams and miserable shrieks of the unlucky captive, the orc started to leisurely slice his body in front of his very eyes!

Even though this matter was extremely cruel, the orc’s motion and attitude had no difference to certain humans when they slaughtered and skinned animals. In the orc’s eyes, elves and humans were equally like animals.

Instantly, Sheyan realized what those rags were by the side, they were actually dried up human skin; bare skin that was carved out gruesomely! Even the cold and calm Melody was gripped by terror, and started to tremble. Because this was the first time in her innocent life, she had discovered something so terrifying and gruesome in this world! Yet the suicidal abilities of the elves were completely sealed by the Black Moody Whip, even death was not an option!

Chapter 302: Violent fighting

The stubby orc bared its repulsive teeth, its fingers rough and short but enough to mobilize the knife nimbly; slicing it up and down. Bloodied rough skin rolled up against the blade in strips, not sparing a single inch. Occasionally, it insatiably licked the bloodied knife blade, looking like a gourmet chef.

It was obvious this orc was an expert, the disturbing despairing cries failed to influence him. 10 minutes later, the captive reduced to a grotesque flesh demon, trembling incessantly! Yet the fearsome thing was the potency of the ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak Moria’ was in full effect, his life was fully preserved!

An orc by the side diligently gathered the blood dripping skin, while drooling with desire. He placed the skin inside one of the stone basins. The fragments of skin were then abandoned by the side, fluttering along with the dried human skin amidst the wind. After gathering flayed skin, and dumping everything into the stone basin; the orc tossed a spark into the basin. The basin rumbled and a billowing flame erupted up ferociously.

A massive fiery pillar formed against the white winter, spiraling up and skyrocketing into the sky. An unfathomable odor filled their noses, the fragrance of boiling blood, an encaustic and piercing fragrance; seeping deep into one’s organs.

Several orcs then lifted up the skinless captive, flinging him right into the icy abyss! The mournful shrills dragged on for a tragically long period, constantly echoing against the 4 corners of the icy mountains, finally fading gradually after a long while.

The remaining captives were instantly shaken by such a vile fate. Although some had been experienced hunters, they could not guess the intentions behind this cruel actions. The only thing they were certain of was, they would be the same calamitous fate!! They frenziedly struggled, yet the Black Moody Whip tightly constricted down their hopes!!

Time sped by, captives after captives were dragged onto the stage. The sorrowful wails pierced deeper than the knife into the flesh. Skin continued to fuel the fiery pillar. Elves were no exception to this monstrosity. Hearing her compatriots terrified cries, and repeated grotesque fate, the fear in Melody’s eyes slowly receded; unyielding resolution replaced it.

Although her face maintained a horrified expression, a faint greenish glow radiated from her bound hands, repeatedly wrestling against the black rope. The glow stubbornly flickered, probably a special ability of a twilight elf. The unique characteristics of the Black Moody whip was unable to seal her ability completely. It was obvious, Melody had made a resolution. No matter what price she paid, she will definitely escape from the cruel fate of being flayed alive and tossed into the bottomless abyss of ice!

After 4 captives were settled, the stubby orc felt sore in his arm. To carve out a person’s skin completely and yet preserve his life, it was definitely a physically and mentally draining matter. The orc sat down, greedily sampling the accumulated blood pool over the stage. His eyes suddenly shifted to Melody’s body, gradually releasing a lewd and demonic gaze.

Looking at their current actions; it was obvious the reason the orcs provided preferential treatment to the captives beforehand, was to maintain their optimal conditions till now. Their goal was for them to remain alive after they had been flayed!! No one knew their underlying motives. But because of that, they hadn’t dared to violate Melody. This was because of the elves ability to offer themselves back to nature, transforming into a seed of nature.

But these orcs knew now, the abilities of the elves were being completely suppressed by the binding black Moody Whip. When the elf maiden, Melody, was being tied up, the orc tying her was probably a sadist, purposely allowing her plump jewel curves to protrude out. The short orc licked against his thick lips, a distinct bump appearing at the crotch.

The orc stood up, kneading restlessly against the distinctly swollen bump at its crotch, its gaze falling over the Melody as it walked towards her. Melody’s face turned pale, but her expression remained haughty and indifferent. Her lips tightened. Instead, the green spots of flow had started to congregate against her tightly bound hands.

Sheyan, who had been observing all this, was already storing his power and waiting! As compared to the other captives, Sheyan held a huge advantage with his incredible 37 points of strength. In this world difficulty of ‘A’, it could be considered as a good figure. Over their entire journey, Sheyan had been assiduously struggling. Although his wrist had been slightly injured by the friction, the black vines over him had been loosened up. He even had a small freedom of space to move his hands.

As the orc approached Melody, Sheyan’s muscles instantly tightened, bursting forth with an explosive might through his wrist! The strips of black vines instantly ripped into 3-4 strips and scattered to the ground. The black vines were like a dying snake, coiling up in rounds on the ground. This sudden outburst was something everyone hadn’t anticipated, of course except Reef who was well aware of Sheyan’s actions.

Sheyan kicked off with both legs, propelling himself forward! The snow shoved out in all sides by his kick. Yet his target was not that vile stubby orc, it was actually the ocean-freak nearby!

The reason was simple. He was already rather familiar with the strength of an orc, but had never engaged an ocean-freak before. It was hard to imagine that short and slippery octopus tentacle dealing any physical damage; hence, most likely it dealt magical attacks. From the looks of its grey and fat head, it seemed like it would be rather lacking defense wise. Moreover, once he assaulted the ocean-freak; no matter how block-headed that stubby orc was, he couldn’t possibly continue his advances against Melody.

Without a doubt, Sheyan’s surprise attack was successful. A metallic shimmer flashed over his fist, tightly clenched as he swept it out swiftly, producing a stifling oppression. His target was the huge greyish head of the nearby ocean-freak. Yet although the ocean-freak hadn’t anticipated a sudden assault, its sole gigantic eye was completely devoid of blind spots!

A blinding neon flashed in its eyes as it observed Sheyan’s fist that was about to smash in. Then a black laser glow shot out!

The laser pierced straight into Sheyan’s chest, emitting black fumes from it. Sheyan could feel a burning pain against his chest, his flesh rotting out. A deathly ash black luster enveloped his body. The nightmare imprint instantly reflected out.

“You’ve been struck by a ‘Spirit Ray’. After factoring defense, you receive 127 points of damage. Attack type is spirit element, your innate ability ‘Endurance’ is ineffective.”

“You receive a nasty curse ‘Weakened’, your attack powers reduced by 15%.”

“F***! It is indeed the type I hate the most!” Sheyan gritted his teeth.

Still, his unavoidable fist smashed into the ocean-freak’s head!

The firm fist rattled against the soft head texture! 49! 25! Two glaring damage figures appeared by his imprint, the first belonged to his basic damage, the second was his crushing damage dealt! Thick greyish mucus secreted out from its convulsing and waving tentacles, splattering against Sheyan with electrifying intensity. Burn marks appeared on his body, but Sheyan maintained his iron expression. Unyielding, he released another vicious punch, smashing it straight into the ocean-freak’s eyeball.

“Pfff! Pfff!” a consecutive stuffy sound resounded, like grapes being forcefully squeezed. Sheyan’s vicious fist directly collided against the twin pupils of the ocean-freak; black, white and blended red exploded out, mucus flowing down constantly, dripping onto the icy ground. Immediately coagulating into a frozen chunk under the extreme low temperature.

After its eyes suffered such brutal explosion, the ocean-freak had undoubtedly lost its strongest asset. It wrestled frantically, tentacles swerving chaotically, trying its best to swing its head around to prevent further damage to its eyes. But how could Sheyan allow it that opportunity? His eyes flashed with cold hearted ruthlessness, ignoring the two fuming orcs who were charging in. His hand drew back, once again heavily pounding in!

Chapter 303: Stalemate struggle

Two punches and the ocean-freak went crashing against the nearby rock! Its head was pulverized by the jagged edges of the icy glacier! Repulsive brain mucus exploded out, it looked just like a person stomping over a rotting corpse. With such severe injuries, it surely wouldn’t live on. Concurrently, the two orcs behind him furiously assaulted Sheyan. His vision turned fuzzy as he spat out a mouthful of blood onto the white snow.

But at this moment, the snowflakes dispersed rapidly, even tiny ice fragments were blasted away. A formless wave of terror swept in, consuming the speed of the affected orcs! Indeed, it was Reef’s special ability ‘Shattering Cardiac Roar’! Borrowing the assistance, Sheyan hurriedly pulled open the gap between the orcs. The two orcs roared in violent rage as they pursued, yet their pathetic 60% reduction in speed got them nowhere.

Actually, several seconds after Sheyan acted, Reef similarly broke free! Although his strength wasn’t as high as Sheyan’s, he had a powerful weapon – that lightsaber from the future! Although this black lightsaber required it be charged, without being charged, it could still function as an ordinary sword. The contestant’s weapons were naturally disguised, while his lightsaber shaft had been stashed between the black vines that binded him. After activating his lightsaber, it was with ease that he slashed through the black vines.

Reef waited patiently, seizing the chance when Sheyan had attracted the attention of the multitude. Finally, he acted out a cleaved his lightsaber directly into the brains of an ocean-freak! This move was deadly and vicious, resulting in an explosive strike. The searing combustion of the lightsaber roasted through the ocean-freak’s brains, frying its innards as it became a barbeque delicacy!

Next, he immediately activated the sinister looking ‘Alien Skull’ shield ability. A terrifying hideous tongue shot out, drawing a load of brain mucus from the ocean-freak; sinking it into a stunned state. Reef continued the chop ferociously with his lightsaber. With his agile and speedy attack speed, he easily decapitated several twitching tentacles; as the ocean-freak curled up like a squid.

The ocean-freak was only supported with its tentacles; losing 1 or 2 was manageable, but it had lost 6 tentacles. Naturally, it crumbled into the icy snow. Reef then roared out with his ‘Shattering Cardiac Roar’, valiantly finishing off the ocean-freak while running off to aid Sheyan. The miserable ocean-freak sadly belonged to a species of high offense but low defence. If it had the protection of an orc, the might it could release would be shocking. Yet its threat in close combat was close to zero.

As Sheyan fled, he chose his direction wisely as he rolled against the floor, reaching in front of the elf maiden, Melody. Grabbing the black vines constricting her, he tore them. It was extremely easy this time as compared to previously when he was still bound. He was able to fully utilize his full strength to tear it. Although the sturdy and vicious rope didn’t rip completely, it was loosened greatly, allowing Melody to regain her freedom in her arms.

But when Sheyan once again attempted to rip apart the ropes, he groaned as he staggered back 2 steps. That stubby executioner orc was not to be overlooked, he was already pretty near the elf maiden and was similarly affected by the ‘Shattering Cardiac Roar’. Stumbling a step back, he forced himself forward with his flaying knife as he launched himself towards Sheyan!

The orc was naturally a knife expert. He grunted ferociously. A chilling flash flickered in his hands, 3 stabs punctured into Sheyan’s waist. Blood gushed out, as his life points plunged rapidly! Fortunately, ‘Ocean-freak Moria mix’ was still in effect. A rush of heat filled his internals towards the wounded region, swiftly suturing the wound preventing additional blood loss. Yet he no longer dared to turn his back against this vicious orc; turning around, he protected the elf maiden behind him.

Simultaneously, witnessing Sheyan getting injured, Melody’s eyes suddenly radiated a green glow. She puffed deeply, her hands moving in a blurry motion within the free space of the rope; forming several casting hand symbols. In a flash, a faint greenish flame coiled up like a serpent, incinerating through the black vines!

Although she had not been awakened for long, Melody still belonged to a race of formidable twilight elves! Her nature magic was extremely incredible! Melody’s face was shockingly pale as she regained her freedom, forcefully casting this elvish divine art took a toll on her, and drained some of her vitality. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t cast a divine art; yet faced with a crisis, Melody did not have a trace of hesitation. Pointing forward with her finger, a faint greenish flame slithered forward in astonishing speed!

In this desolate winter land, Melody’s divine art was incapable of absorbing the spirit energies from nature and flora, its might was lowered by a certain degree. However, her attacking target wasn’t someone with a powerful resistance, it was towards the orc that was challenging Sheyan.

That flaying expert, that stubby orc!

The trail of faint greenish flame serpent directly rushed into the stubby orc’s mouth! Yet concurrently, the last ocean-freak exhibited an incomparably deadly magic. 7-8 beams of lasers volleyed out feverishly from its eye, heading straight towards Sheyan, Reef and Melody!

Several beams blasted against the greenish flaming serpent, trying its best to rescue the orc from her divine art. Yet her flame serpent combusted with increased velocity as it travelled, pulling away from the beams of the ocean-freak. The beams grazed against the flames, landing against the nearby glaciers as it dissolved into 3 deep holes.

Currently, Melody understood the dire state they were in. The deadly flaming serpent she cast was actually her strongest divine art ‘living flames’ – using her own vitality to ignite flames. The only thing that could extinguish these flames, was the enemy’s vitality. Hence, this ‘Living flames’ would continue burning even inside water. After engulfing into the stubby orc’s mouth, it raged on furiously; licking down and igniting the orc’s entire digestive tract in mere seconds.

After slaying the stubby orc, she turned exhausted as the earth seemed to be spinning around her as she released a sigh. In her mind, everything that had happened so far was still immensely confusing, she could not understand the intentions of these orcs. But what she knew was that she definitely had to foil the dreams of her enemies!

Even though the stubby orc was unappealing, it definitely hosted a particular skill inside it. As mentioned before, to be able to flay the skin without any fatalities, required great concentration and skill; and a naturally apathetic heart. Hence for now, this bunch of orcs had lost its only representative now to engage in their activities.

Thus for the remaining captives and Melody, after slaying off this orc, the worst situation now was to die in battle. At least, they temporarily wouldn’t suffer the gruesome fate of having their skin carved out and thrown mercilessly from the ice peak.

An extreme exhaustion overwhelmed her after casting the ‘living flames’, she coughed and sat onto the ground. Suddenly, a mishap happened. The effects of the blue liquid she drank surfaced, refueling new energies into her body. But for some unknown reasons, the bone piercing exhaustion could not be dispersed from her body. It was as if something within her had been triggered after releasing the divine art, wildly consuming her spirit. Very quickly, Melody slumped to the ground in semi-consciousness, like a withering grass laying spiritlessly on the ground.

At present, their current situation was perilous. Their surroundings were the bottomless icy abyss, and ahead of them were furious orcs, and a dreadful ocean-freak! But at this moment, Sheyan howled loudly as he bent his back, charging straight towards the east. The peak of this mountain was a flatland, and only had that same spiraling mountain path they entered. Sheyan was currently dashing towards that exit.

It was the most ordinary of reactions – to attain freedom, one had to flee!

However, the last ocean-freak seemed to have anticipated his action, already commanding a vicious orc to obstruct the mountain path. Ripples of demonic aura started to condense inside the enormous devilish pupil of the ocean-freak. It was preparing to emanate out a paralytic ray! If Sheyan continued his attempt to escape, he would meet one outcome – Colliding against the orc, the paralytic ray penetrating him, before he collapsed to the ground.

Chapter 304: Offspring of Thorondor

The world was always filled with surprises. In the eyes of everyone, Sheyan was trying his utmost to flee, yet suddenly in the twinkling of an eye, he did a somersault; his twin legs pushing off against a stalactite beside, propelling him towards the last ocean-freak instead! His plan all along was to capture the king while feigning to capture the thief!

This sudden twist of motion was out of the ocean-mystery’s consideration. It had personally witnessed the cruel deaths of its counterparts, a like-minded distress had since plagued it. Naturally, the alarmed ocean-freak revolved its tentacles frantically in retreat, commanding the remaining orcs to cover it. They had to stop this fearsome human at all cost!

Simultaneously as it retreated backwards, its compounded eye blasted out flashes of rays, releasing 6 terrifying beams. This instantly halted Sheyan’s advances as he dodged to the side, but still got struck by two rays. Two more negative buffs were bestowed onto him – movement speed drop by 15%, attack speed by 15%! Furthermore, his health had plunged beneath a dangerous state. Rolling to the side, he immediately took cover behind a stalactite; preventing another array of beams from firing against him as he panted heavily.

In his wretchedly pitiful state, searing waves of burning sensation sizzled from his wounded spots. Yet in this crucial instance, the searing pain fueled his fighting spirit, his lips curled into a malicious smile. His thinking became clearer, precisely grasping the current battlefield situation. Naturally, though the enemies were superior in strength, under his invisible guidance, they had already fallen into his tempo!

Because when Sheyan attracted the attention of the ocean-freak, Reef wasn’t idling. He rushed towards the bound captives; using his immensely impenetrable silver ‘Alien Skull’ shield to cover himself, he sliced his lightsaber down onto their wrists. His goal was obviously to free the captives!

Black lingering after-images swerved in the air, as Reef approached the fourth captive slashing apart the black vines. A smoky roasting stench filled the air, as the captives wrist mercilessly were slightly scarred by Reef’s scorching lightsaber. Yet such minor injuries didn’t matter to the freed captives; roaring in anger, they surged towards the enemy orcs. Having witnessed their companions brutally flayed personally, they pressed in furiously with great alacrity. Undoubtedly, being able to fight to their hearts content was a form of bliss!

Seizing the confusion, Sheyan rushed back to Reef. But contrary to his expectations; although the orcs were now focused onto the incoming captives, the ocean-freak was still locked onto him. As he darted out, two glaring apathetic rays zapped in horizontally, piercing directly into his chest! Instantly, his HP dropped beneath 100 points!

Flying in mid air, his body had lost its stability!

Instead, his concentration became clearer, tolerating the burning pain as he cushioned his fall with his shoulder, making a roll on the ground; finally grabbing the corpse of that stubby orc. Simultaneously, the apathetic rays of the ocean-freak closed in on him like a shadow! A ripple of violent tremble against the corpse, followed by an unstoppable force as Sheyan was knocked flying back, before rolling several rounds on the ground; finally stopping after he crashed into the nearest glacier. His hands had turned stiff and lifeless after being struck by the rays.

The ocean-freak was a glass cannon model; if Sheyan and Reef could gain on it, they could trample on it like dried twigs. Instead, with a specific distance between them, it was like a deadly turret. Fortunately, the ocean-freak consumed MP every time it released its rays, and was unable to constantly spray them out. The orcs were currently locked in fierce combat with the furious captives. Hence, Sheyan had the luxury of a small breathing space.

Currently, the battlefield situation had been overturned to the captive’s advantage.

The most fearsome ocean-freak was being shielded by the orcs. Yet though the orcs were cannibals, the 4 captives were like rats against the corner, fighting back without restraint. If they were able to breach through the orcs, then chances of victory were great.

However, plans couldn’t escape the unpredictable changes of reality! As Sheyan fought to catch his breath and finally reunited with Reef, a melancholy howl screamed into his ears! The scream was excruciatingly sharp, like a spirit chomping against his ears with razor sharp teeth. In an instance, everyone was shook by that deafening scream. Like the world was violently jolted up.

A regiment of black clouds appeared in the horizon, its speed threateningly rapid. After coming nearer, it was actually a gargantuan fluffy, plume bird. The bird had scarlet eyes, steel like feathers, wings spreading out to dozens of metres. When it appeared, even the billowing winter winds had to had to make way for its majesty!

“Is that……an offspring of Thorondor?”

A captive cried out in despair. Thorondor, also named Sorontar, was the great eagle lord of Manw?, leader of Valar. The great eagles could speak the common tongue, and were incredibly smart. Occasionally, they would aid humans and elves. Even Sauron’s master, Morgoth the first Dark lord, had been clawed by Thorondor before.

Presently, great eagles were still dwelling in Misty Mountains, their leader was called Gwaihir. In the movies, this formidable bird species were connected to Gandalf. They were so powerful that they could even face off with the mighty fellbeasts, and finally even rescue the main leads from perishing.

Yet there was a sudden appearance of this gigantic bird now. But from its exterior, although it was almost identical to the great eagles, it carried a greater viciousness. It seemed like a mix breed between the great eagles and another kind of raptor. Based on the fact that a matured great eagle could face off with a fellbeast, this gigantic bird definitely possessed unimaginable strength!

In a twinkling of an eye, this enormous raptor swooped down and caught the ocean-freak with its sharp claws! Immediately, flinging it off the icy cliff. The ocean-freak struggled desperately, releasing volleys of rays. Yet the rays simply ricocheted off the feathers of this offspring of Thorondor.

The ocean-freak’s brains were like a water bomb. “Pam!” It burst under the grip of the steel like claws. Greyish-white liquid rained down, as this offspring of Thorondor agilely orbited amidst it, thoroughly enjoying the lustful stench of blood.

The icy gale continued brewing in, as snowflakes splatter against their faces like rice; even breathing was becoming difficult. The orcs were stunned rooted to the ground, their throats releasing a choking grunt; filled with shock and fright. They completely abandoned their opponents; stumbling as they rushed towards the stage, picking up scraps of flesh and skin. Then they flushed them into the fiery stone basin.

The flames in the basin were fueled by skin; yet because of Sheyan’s atrocities, the flames had long been extinguished. After flesh and blood blended in, an indescribable blood fragrance rose into the air. It seemed like that devilish bird loved the smell, no longer swooping down for murder as it continued hovering in the air. It appeared joyous and free.

With this sudden twist of events, the captives were all currently prone onto the ground. Their fates had changed like a dream, as they laid dumbstruck. Sheyan discovered this enormous bird was behaving strangely. Bending his back, he sprinted across the battlefield, finally rummaging through the corpse of an ocean-freak. He hurriedly stashed that mutilated clump of flesh inside his waist as he yelled out.

“Run!”

As he yelled vigorously to alert the stunned captives, the wound dealt by the ocean-freak on his chest acted up. With their assistance, the chance of breaking through the defense of the orcs and successfully escaping would be increased.

Sheyan breathed heavily, as he nodded towards Reef. Lifting up the weakened elf maiden, he started rushing towards the mountain pathway. Naturally, the other captives followed him closely. Yet for some unknown reasons, the bunch of orcs decided to continue surrounding the stone basin with fear and trepidation, utterly foregoing the fleeing captives.

The harsh winter winds whistled. The journey down was arduously long. Yet with this new found glimmer of hope, the remaining survivors ignored the bitter cold as they frantically ran. Luckily, the gene mix ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’ was still generating a huge boost for them, filling their bodies with energy. The captives suppressed their inner fatigue as they continued to flee desperately.

Amongst the captives, 3 humans survived, headed by a robust one-eyed brute. The other two captives were a kindhearted dwarf and an elf. It seemed like this elf wasn’t from Rivendell, and was rather arrogant and anti-social. He completely ignored the semi-conscious Melody, as he silently urged forward with huge steps.

Chapter 305: Sinking

That one-eyed human leading the pack had suffered a severe stab by an orc, coughing violently every few steps. A trickle of blood leaked from the corner of his lips. He was terribly frail as his buddy supported him to trudge forward.

After several hundreds of metres, that elf had no plans to travel together. As if he had preserved his strength the most, he kicked off against the snow and sped down the mountain route. The dwarf caressed his thick beard, his eyes flashing with an astute brilliance, as he kept up behind Sheyan’s 3 man team.

Bloodied flayed skin, merciless casting off the mountaintop, strange fiery basin, soaring devilish raptor……such factors interweaved in Sheyan’s vision. After escaping from that calamitous stage altar, his thoughts had never ceased.

Slowly, bit by bit, inch by inch, Sheyan seemed to be grasping onto something. Things were linking up, just that crucial element.

The path down was challenging. Their surroundings piled with deathly white snow, slippery glaciers, and the bottomless icy abyss, there was no way out but down. Reef and Sheyan were unfamiliar with this route, completely unable to increase their pace.

Even Melody seemed to show no clues of awakening, occasional whimpers could be heard. The effects of the ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’ was still persisting, restoring the vitality lost during her forceful casting of the divine art ‘Living Flames’. The longer they dragged on, the more health they regenerated.

Gradually descending, after roughly an hour, they had only reached around halfway down the treacherous icy mountain path. Just as they halted for a short break, they suddenly met face to face with a pack of uruk-hais on this narrow route!

There were at least a dozen uruk-hais, led by an exceptionally tall and mighty uruk-hai. Its features sinister, a crisscross scar latch carved into its chest. Starkly naked under this harsh environment, the uruk-hai bared its ugly teeth, its strength seemingly comparable to Lurtz!

This uruk-hai leader was wielding an incomparably tough monstrous mace in its left hand, a blood dripping head in its right. That head shockingly belonged to that elf that sprinted ahead of them!

More horrifying was that some distance below, they could vividly see the headless corpse of that elf still twitching wildly. Beneath it was a tough layer of ice, yet shattered cracks muddied with blood formed beneath the corpse! The corpse was still fighting with terrifying vitality, surely it came from the incredible ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’.

Although Sheyan and company had been travelling for long, they were still trapped in this never ending ice descending valley. Beside them was the impregnable wall of ice. To be able to pinch of the head of a relatively strong elf without a sound, these uruk-hais were definitely elite; their strength was unimaginable.

Sheyan and Reef glanced at each other. Face to face with this bunch within a narrow path, it could be said that they had zero chance of victory!

But at this critical juncture, on the ice peak of the next mountain, a black illusion formed. This illusion appeared abruptly, but differentiating it closely, Sheyan could determine its familiarity. Because its shape was shockingly similar to that of the demonic wizard tower!

Abruptly, the pinnacle of that wizard tower illusion erupted with a dazzling flash! This flash was a thousand time more intense than the sun, flashing straight into the heavens. Closely examining, the flash was shot towards a destination in the sky, that was close to that metropolis of the orcs!

The flash beam was so abrupt, the sky separated into a hollow. But in the next second, faint black mist exuded, followed by an infuriating howl! The howl wasn’t new, it was indeed that same piercing howl of that enormous offspring of Thorondor!

This devilish raptor was good at illusory arts! Naturally, the main presider over the emulsion of that ray was no doubt, Saruman’s doppelganger.

(TN: the reason why the bird is said to be good at illusory arts, is because that beam seemed to have struck nothing, but it was actually the bird in disguise in the sky)

When a wizard exhibits its might from its own wizard tower, the terrifying might could be amplified several times. Naturally, he was able to summon enough energy to break through the perfect illusory disguise of that devilish raptor.

The clutter of black mist the bird, was the evaporating ripples formed when the flashing beam struck against the devilish raptor.

In this instance, the keen Sheyan realized a crucial point – the flying posture of this gigantic devilish raptor was rather odd. Carefully observing, he realized its claws were gripped onto something. That thing revealed an astonishing clue of crimson red, yet it was hard to determine due to the far distance and the billowing snowflakes.

At this moment, a shockingly loud shout boomed from behind. It came from that dwarf at the tail of the ground. His body trembled vigorously, as it gazed into the skies in a daze.

For dwarves who constantly tunneled through mines underground, their vision was normally outstanding. If someone was able to see clearly what the gigantic bird was holding, that would be him.

“That…..that……” The dwarf slumped to the ground lifelessly, panting in huge breaths. His gaze leaked a strange fear, as though he had forgotten his current predicament.

Sheyan was about to approach the dwarf to inquire what he had seen, but after a few steps, he suddenly retracted his attention to that illusion of the Wizard tower. Even in this visionless raging snowstorm, Sheyan’s perceptive sensing displayed its immense potential. He could grasp the overall network and tempo of the battle scene.

If I was the aggressor! Then there will definitely be a second strike!

An intense flow flickered and shot forth!

After releasing that beam, the illusion of the wizard tower turned dimmer. This time, the devilish raptor ‘Offspring of Thorondor’ started flapping its wings ferociously, churning up a massive blizzard.

Its defense was indeed terrifying; after being struck by that dreadful beam, it seemed to have lost only several feathers and did not show any obvious wounds. Yet this time, this offspring of Thorondor was naturally prepared. The blizzard hailed violently, surging against and colliding with the incoming light beam.

Above the icy peak, an oppressive explosion boomed out; snow and dust dispersed in a thousand fragments in the air, enshrouding the sky like a fog. Yet a regiment of dim glow remained, like the unyielding truth in history.

Sheyan’s heart shuddered. This familiar sensation was indeed due to the awe-inspiring might of Saruman’s doppelganger. “Unless the reason why these orcs went through such trouble, was to hunt down that offspring of Thorondor in the Misty Mountains?”

Faraway atop the icy peak, the illusion of that wizard tower was repeatedly flickering, obviously about to dissipate; its energy consumption was nearing its limit. Similarly, that gigantic ‘Offspring of Thorondor’ was no better. It croaked sorrowfully, loosening its claws. The item within its grip fell, dropping somewhere near the orc encampment.

The gigantic bird could no longer maintain its balance, wrestling to flutter its wings as it heavily crashed into a snowy mountain peak!

The monstrous strength of this devilish raptor was domineering. Even an ancient, unyielding mountain ice peak trembled violently.

The snowy peak that the gigantic devilish raptor collided into, was coincidentally a few miles above their current mountain path. The accumulated heaps of ice and snow trembled violently, rumbling as it suddenly poured down in torrents! Against this tremendously titanic avalanche, a human was like a tiny grain of sand, despairing to the extreme limits of weakness!

At present, no matter Sheyan nor Reef, they had not experience such an insanely terrorizing avalanche. Facing death pouring down on them, Sheyan’s mind flickered as he immediately focused his attention onto the group of uruk-hais ahead. This was their habitat, naturally they would understand how to deal with an avalanche.

Instantly, he saw the group of uruk-hais pressing closely against the mountain wall in succession, trying their utmost to position their heads beneath any protruding ice edge above. Likewise, he imitated them.

In a short few breaths, the thousands upon thousands of pounds of accumulated snow showered down like a waterfall.

Sheyan’s vision was enveloped by darkness, the screaming snowfall echoing thunderously behind him. Yet the solid ice edge above him was like a cornerstone, blocking the fatal rains of snow and ice; providing him a tiny surviving space.

But just as he was celebrating internally, the ground beneath him gave way! It was as though the world was crumbling chaotically around him! Thoroughly sinking in and crushing him in!

This snowy peaks if the vicinity were hailed by the orcs as ‘De los de la tieera’, its meaning was ‘Origin land of the gods’. They have been towering for millenniums and centuries, and would continue its majestic disposition for centuries to come.

After an endless baptism of time, the snow accumulated over these snowy peaks had coagulated like steel. It was hard to deal even a fraction of damage to it, even sparks would fly when a chisel struck against it. Even flames could not dissolve it. Thus, Saruman’s doppelganger had devised a method to construct a spiralling mountainous path to ascend the snowy peaks. His method wasn’t the traditional ones of ‘destruction’ cutting and breaking his way up, it was a unique and creative method of ‘creating’!

Chapter 306: Secret pine forest

Previously, when Saruman’s doppelganger couldn’t forcefully tunnel up the mountain, he ordered the orcs to gather snow from faraway; heating the snow into water, then hastily transporting the water before it had the chance of freezing. Using the water, they slowly condensed and sculptured its way up, to forge a path leading to the summit.

Although much effort was created, sacrificing countless frostbitten orcs; this form of paving a way to the snowy peak was undoubtedly more effective, and efficient than forcefully gnawing a pathway up.

However, cementing an artificial ice road up contained a massive underlying danger. It was clear that the artificial ice road was evidently weaker, completely incomparably to the ancient density of the primary ice layers of the snowy mountain.

Frequently, orcs would be sent out to clear away the accumulated snowflakes and ice fragments of broken glaciers on the road, preventing it from caving in under the immense weight. Yet now, a thousand tons worth of snow and ice loudly crashed down. Like a torrential waterfall, the immeasurable billions of snowflakes rained down in thunderous rumbles, over every inch of space beneath.

The spiralling mountain path could no longer tolerate such weight, its thick icy route exposed its cracked flaws; bit by bit, a numerous web like cracks appeared before it utterly shattered! Instigating an explosion of snow dust!

At a remote frosted valley, rivalling ice walls on both sides. Its reflective sleek surface, reflecting the glaring sun. Heaps of white snow piled up the valley. The lingering chain reactions of sporadic crumbling landslides rumbled occasionally.

Apart from that, a deathly stillness. Only the winds of winter swept through, striking terror with its ghastly, sorrowful humming.

Suddenly, a patch of snow tremored slightly, a frosted red hand drilled out. The hand scraped against the sides repeatedly, loosening the snow around. Anchoring firmly by grabbing a rock, the hand pulled its body out. Naturally, it was Sheyan who was buried by the avalanche.

His strength had been exhausted fully, a buzzing sound rang constantly in his ears. His vision blank, his body devoid of energy as he slumped onto the soft snowy surface; taking huge breaths.

Previously when the icy pathway collapsed, Sheyan likewise fell downwards. Fortunately, the massive protruding piece of ice edge above his head belonged to the primary body of the mountain, it was incomparably tough. Hence, it didn’t crumble along with the avalanche, preserving Sheyan’s pathetic, minute life.

The entire mess of snow and ice rolled down beneath the shattered mountain path, sinking deep towards the ground. During Sheyan’s falling descent, countless fragments of ice struck against him; yet it only caused him several cut wounds, as he got buried underneath the snow.

Even though being buried underneath snow sounded disastrous, it was a different to being buried underground or water. Once underground or in water, one wouldn’t be able to breathe and would suffocate within mere minutes.

However, snow was soft by nature, allowing minute air spaces through, allowing one to sustain some breath for a long period of time. As long as the situation calmed down, and one wasn’t buried too deeply; chances of survival was still high.

Moreover, he fell pretty late and wasn’t buried so deeply, after regaining consciousness, he carefully burrowed his way up, returning to the snowy surface. Sprawled over the snow, puffs of white fog breathed out of his mouth, a searing ache transmitting from his chest. The pain wasn’t intense anymore, merely a numbing ache.

After resting awhile, Sheyan climbed back up, starting to dig frenziedly around the same area he burrowed out from. A brief moment later, Sheyan finally excavated the semi-conscious melody out of the snow. Concurrently, Reef also managed to burrow out, similarly slumping onto the ground as he fought for deep breaths.

After pondering, Sheyan initially wanted to try excavating that dwarf out. He still wanted to know what that Offspring of Thorondor was carrying. Instead, the panting Reef stopped him as he shook his head.

“That guy is a lost cause. He had been frightened by the sight of the avalanche, and ran down aimlessly. I saw a glacier collapsing on top of him……..”

Sheyan sighed, suddenly straightening up as if realizing something.

“Then did you see those uruk-hais?”

Reef similarly turned alert and replied.

“I followed those guys and hid against the ice walls……”

A despairing look filled their eyes, both flickering with vigilance and uncertainty. If they had imitated the actions of those uruk-hais and survived, then certainly those uruk-hais would survive as well! Under such circumstances, they were both exhausted, cold and hungry; definitely unable to sustain an intense battle.

While they affirmed this realization, not too far away, the snowy surface started to shudder slightly; as though something was trying to dig out. Sheyan instantly hoisted up the elf maiden by her little ass, signalling to Reef as they turned to flee. Deep and shallow footprints followed the trail along the soft snow. Quickly, they abandoned this desolated ice valley.

In a short ten minutes later, the snow tremored violently followed by 3 uruk-hais emerging from it. Naturally, that sinister and mightier uruk-hai leader was part of them. Actually under the heavenly tribulation of a avalanche, luck played an important part. Although the uruk-hais correctly dealt with the matter, situated at a slightly disadvantaged lower position, a good portion of them met their fates under the earth-shattering weight of the snow.

Slung tightly around their bodies was a rugged animal hide bag; even amidst the avalanche, it didn’t go missing. The bags were like a survival kit, obviously they were already well prepared for a long drawn out pursuit.

Looking at the fresh footprints ahead, a vile smile formed on the uruk-hai leader’s face, before erupting in uncontained laughter. They were in no hurry to chase, shaking off the snow violently from their bodies. Their bodies returned to its reddened state. Releasing a murderous roar to the sky, it reverberated along the bitter walls of the mountain, fading after a long time.

Trudging over snow appeared poetically graceful in movies, yet it was no easy feat. Every step was burdened by sinking into the snow, utilizing immense strength to pull it out before repeating the same process. It expanded a load of energy.

Furthermore, the sheer quantity of snow covered the entire landscape of terrain. Dangerous unfathomable holes had been covered. If one wasn’t careful, one step and he will disastrously land himself inside a deep hole.

As they advanced, the mountain valley turned narrower as the snow beneath their feet gradually turned sparse. Finally a greyish rocky surface was revealed, only scattered snowflakes littered over it. A gentle metallic shimmer coated the rocks, revealing its natural toughness. The winds were increasingly becoming fiercer, causing them to bend their backs in order to withstand the drag of the winds.

When they reached here, Sheyan and Reef’s pace became noticeably faster. Although fatigue plagued them, they were aware of the trail of footsteps they had left behind. If those uruk-hai survived, it was an easy feat to locate them.

Hence, they pressed on while gritting their teeth. The two walls of the mountain valley gradually converged into a 2-3 shoulder length space. After the squeezed through a narrow mountain pass, a wide panorama greeted their view.

The mountain valley had metamorphosed like a drastic painting, into a vastly broad valley. Although the sides were still precipitous after precipice, an expansive vacant land filled the middle aisle. A tremendous patch of pine forest thrived in its midst, the roofs of the pine trees covered by pure snow, it was like a hearty christmas wonderland.

After the endlessness of striking white, greenery had finally emerged. Sheyan and Reef naturally released a soothing sigh. At least in this forest, their footsteps would be indistinct. Apart from that, because their interspatial regions were sealed, this area signified food, warmth, and a chance to shake off the pursuing hostiles.

After entering the forest, they carefully inspected the area, searching for dropped pine cones that could be used as food. In this bitterly harsh environment, the pine nuts were effective in curbing hunger, and providing great warmth to the body.

Half an hour later, they had already infiltrated 4 kilometres into the pine forest. They discovered loads of pine cones, yet not a single contained pine cuts. Strangely, the pinecones were all empty, devoid of any nuts within them.

Going deeper into the forest, their initial delight and excitement had vanished. In place, an indescribable furtive taste wrapped around their hearts.

Chapter 307: Hunted

It was too peaceful, just like a graveyard. A deathly ambience governed this area. No birdsongs, no insects, no wild beasts, not a single trace of movement. The rustling sounds of trampling footsteps were awfully distinct!

A thousand pine trees arrayed in snow laid ahead, stretching out forever. Under this nervous atmosphere, their energies sapped away by twofold. It was as though an invisible force was pressuring their chest. Unable to bear this, the two sat down to rest.

Reef leaned against a pine tree as he breathed deeply.

“Heavens, what kind of desolate place is this! A forest without a wildlife. Just look at these empty pine cones! But what about the birds, or squirrels that are supposed to have eaten the pine nuts? Where are they?”

Sheyan placed Melody down, as he sat silently. Popping a clump of snow into his mouth, he gazed at the apex of the tree.

“Most likely not a single wild animal, no birds, no squirrels.”

Reef stretched his body, asking curiously.

“How is this possible, then who could’ve eaten up these pinecones?”

Sheyan’s eyes revealed a thoughtful expression, he wasn’t in a rush to answer Reef. Picking up a twig, he started to scribble onto the ground. Reef closed in to look. Sheyan was outlining their entire journey route here, Reef then chipped in to help.

Reef was older than Sheyan, with many plentiful experiences out in the wild. Very swiftly, they affirmed their current position, realizing that they weren’t exactly considered too far away from the orc encampment. If they drew a straight line, it was only roughly 20 kilometre away.

The two glanced at each other, smiling bitterly as they shook their heads. Sheyan’s eyes swiftly transformed resolute, a familiar passion to Reef. Every time Sheyan was faced with a major crisis, he would leak out that wild savageness of a beast.

“Let’s go.” Sheyan stood up, clutching his chest as he coughed twice. The wound dealt by the ocean-freak had already healed up, but its debuff curse was still like a parasite, its malicious venom lingered on. It was already nearly 2 hours since then, but it carried no hint of receding.

Suddenly, Melody who was leaning against his shoulder forced open her eyes. Her face pale as she placed her hand on his chest, a soft green light emitted. Threads of black fumes gradually spilled out, forming into a deadly shape of a poisonous insect, before utterly dissipating.

Sheyan could feel a wave of freshness permeating through his body, like his organs being cleansed by spring water. His spirits refreshed, a fuzzy green glow sipping out of his surface.

The nightmare imprint transmitted:

“You received a twilight elf’s blessing. All your abnormal status have been vanquished, your resistance increase by 15%, 5% buff to every probability attribute (Includes accuracy, explosive strike rate, concoction rate etc)”

After casting her blessing, Melody instantly returned to unconsciousness. But it seemed like she was in a good condition. Her body fragrance refreshing, even her hair and skin carried a shining lustre. An intense exuberance sensation emitted out, like a fresh shoot during spring season.”

No doubt, her current state could only be explained by this – her body required rest for her assimilation into an advanced state. Once she was completely revitalised, then she could be hailed as a true elf of the twilight. One that could lead the elves of Middle-earth back to their sacred land!

Approximately half an hour later, 3 uruk-hais walked over from the distance. Their leader’s nose twitched uncontrollable, staring at a pine tree before voicing out coldly.

“They’ve stopped here recently.”

The nearby uruk-hai had an ugly expression, his voice croaky as he replied.

“It’s already past noon. If we continue to pursue them forward, even if we promptly turn back, we probably wouldn’t be able to avoid that……thing!”

The leader looked back with his scarlet eyes, filled with vicious intent. One could clearly see a cyan wart growing at its throat, veins grew over the wart densely, throbbing obnoxiously. It felt like a beating heart.

That wart was a new development by Saruman, it was still in its experimental phase, only for certain powerful worthy uruk-hai. It was called a Neogenesis blackbody. The process of developing it was vastly wicked, discovered when Saruman was researching the ocean-freak.

Because an ocean-freak’s mouth wasn’t developed, and couldn’t engage in elementary chewing on foods. After swallowing, the food wouldn’t digest properly, hence a symbiosis worm grew in their belly. This worm secreted powerful digestive fluids, effectively breaking down foods. Without this symbiosis worm, the ocean-freak would die of indigestion.

As the saying goes, too much is as bad as not enough. Once an ocean-freak enjoyed an abundance in food, the worm similarly thrived in this flourishing environment; moreover, it didn’t understand the importance of family planning and would propagate rapidly. Its eventual outcome would be to provide so much fluids that the stomach of the ocean-freak would rupture and disintegrate. Once an ocean-freak understood this mechanic, dieting and occasionally expelling worms became a part of its life.

Saruman then acquired these dead expelled worms, using them to research and created a bizarre parasite. If a worthy uruk-hai appeared, the ocean-freak would slit a small hole at its throat; then imbued the parasite under its skin. After a period of time, it would metamorphose into that neogenesis blackbody.

Having that Neogenesis blackbody was equivalent to having another heart. Both its strength and survivability had been greatly boosted. Yet because the parasite essentially came from the body of the ocean-freak, it carried the will of the ocean-freak. Once traitorous behavior was detected, Saruman’s doppelganger could easily detonate it through the ocean-freak from far.

Staring into the threatening glare of the uruk-hai leader, the other questioning uruk-hai staggered backward, not daring to make a sound. It was like Saruman’s doppelganger having sovereignty over the uruk-hai leader, the uruk-hai leader was able to release a domineering pressure over ordinary uruk-hais!

“Chase, and we may not die. Don’t chase, we die!”

The uruk-hai had clearly analyzed their current situation. If they recaptured the prisoners and brought them back, they still had a hope of survival. If they didn’t, whatever happens here was as clear as flames to the ocean-freak. Even if they successfully retreated, their fate would’ve been sealed!

The 3 uruk-hais kept quiet in fear, tailing Sheyan’s traces as they pursued on. Their figures gradually vanished into the pine forest. This region of deathly remoteness once again returned to its deathly stillness; as though everything here had been swallowed and smoothened out.

**

It was currently around 3 in the afternoon, after being filtered by the snowy winds and mist, the dismal sunlight reluctantly bared down onto the ground. Slowly, the thick fog lingering in the area dispersed.

Under the illumination of the sunlight, a fairly insipid gloomy fog hung in the air above the pine forest. From a far distance, barely discernible distortions could be seen in one’s line of sight, like beneath the fog was a stove.

If this was a natural phenomenon, it would imply a precious occurrence beneath, most likely like a jadeite mine.

There is a chinese proverb – A precious pearl emits life. It means a top quality jewel will naturally emit its own splendor, a treasure is capable of releasing its own aura. But looking at the peculiar enshrouding fog above the forest, an unfathomable unauspicious omen brewed.

Sheyan and Reef continued forward silently, trying their utmost to conserve every ounce of energy. As they pressed on, the trees turned sparser. The bark of these pines were increasingly dried and split, even the pine needles looked withered.

Sheyan’s face turned uglier with this development, he couldn’t contain the urge to look back. A tiny urge piercing his mind to turn around and return, probably due to his perceptive sensing. But this urge was quenched by his reasoning and logic.

Raising his head to look at the vast sky, he merely caught sight of the tragically pale suns rays; completely unaware of the faint fog lingering above the forest. Within their minds, as long as the sunlight was present, it meant safety.

“Hu…..” Reef released a long exhalation. “Let’s take a rest. This damned rule, why did that have to limit our interspatial region? Not a single drop of water to quench my thirst. I reckon if we continue proceeding like this, our life force would gradually wear out.”

Chapter 308: Blind!

Sheyan turned to cast a glimpse at Reef, earnestly saying.

“We need to hurry up and leave this place, I don’t know why, but I can sense an immense danger.”

Reef panted lightly as he replied.

“Those uruk-hais wouldn’t chase up so quickly. Although they can definitely trace our footsteps in the snow, but reaching this forest, how would they catch up to us? Moreover, they should be equally exhausted.”

Sheyan shook his head, replying honestly.

“Those uruk-hais were dispatched specially to recapture us. They have the numbers, and their physique has all along been preserved at optimum condition. Though this pine forest is vast, it only covers a stretch of several miles wide. They can definitely sweep ahead in a horizontal fashion by spreading themselves out. It would be just like catching a fish with a net in a pond.”

Of course, Sheyan wasn’t aware there were only 3 uruk-hais left. Yet similarly, he wasn’t aware that their leader had a delicate dog like tracking sense, and could determine their position and fleeing direction with just a sniff. Hence, his words though wrong, weren’t wasted.

Reef nodded, silently contemplating before replying.

“Why not lay an ambush and finish them?”

Sheyan thoughtfully considered, before slowly explaining.

“Even though that avalanche was tremendously catastrophic, the chances of those uruk-hais surviving is high. More importantly, we aren’t just trying to evade them, I’m afraid there’s a hidden disaster.”

“Hidden disaster?” Reef was shocked, Sheyan continued.

“Yes, think about it. Up till now, we haven’t seen a single life organism., just look at these trees and the pine cones! What kind of thing would consume the pines so thoroughly, even the shell wasn’t spared leaving not a single mark of pine nuts growing within! What does this mean? It means there’s an unknown force acting around, influencing these trees; that even they have lost their reproduction capability. What kind of force can scare beasts away, and not even a trace of flying birds!”

“As we travelled deeper into the forest, the withering rate of the trees became increasingly severe. This indicates that we’re steadily nearing the core of this contamination. We should hurry up and leave this forlorn ghostland; if not, we’ll be in deep shit!”

Reef nodded, but in the next second, he got the shock of his life. His eyes flashed, as the illuminated black lightsaber formed, swiftly engaging into his battle stance. Upon seeing Reef’s sudden behavior, Sheyan’s pupils shrank. He dove ahead making a forward role before turning to look.

A hundred metres behind them, was the astounding appearance of 3 pursuing uruk-hais!

Especially that demon size uruk-hai leader. His every footstep was like a hammer stomping onto the ground, the earth seemed to be trembling under his might. In its crazy frenzy, it exposed its sinister sneer. He had an appearance of handling a butcher’s cleaver with ease, like a cat catching a tiny rat. It was obvious, the 3 figures ahead were as good as captured.

“Run!”

Sheyan squeezed out the word from the cracks between his teeth.

Against 3 powerful uruk-hais, naturally their only destiny was to return as captives. But more crucially even though Sheyan and Reef could return to the nightmare realm, the elf maiden Melody couldn’t escape this terrible fate! This wasn’t something Sheyan wanted to see at all costs!

As of now, this elf maiden was like an excellent stock with good prospects, as based on her unwavering pure affection for him, Sheyan felt compelled to not abandon her. Besides, his party’s ability still hinged on the duration of stay in this world. Hence, no matter what, Sheyan would struggle till the end!

An intense chase broke out. Sheyan and Reef’s vision gradually darkened as their energy drained; yet strangely, blood even trickled from the corner of their lips. The gap between them and the uruk-hai was becoming shorter. Gritting his teeth, Sheyan was forced to a desperate state, almost pulling off his final trump. Suddenly, he reached a downwards slope, his heart immediately flushed with joy!

Ahead was the end of the pine forest. A vast lake extended into the distance!

The atmospheric fog gradually lessened here, the sunlight intensified. The distant clouds casting a burning scarlet glow over the lake, thousands of glittering brilliant lights sparkling against the water surface, refracting. Every tender wave narrated its splendid elegance. Who would have even expected, that there would be such a huge lake in the midst of this mountain valley. Against the magnificent and tranquil scenery, it carried a matchless beauty, something Sheyan had never seen before.

Sheyan had grown up alongside the sea and ships, even his bones would exuberate a fishy seawater odour. No doubt, his swimming ability was unrivaled, even bringing along Reef and Melody wouldn’t be a problem. If they could dive in the lake before the uruk-hais caught up, their chances of escape would greatly increase!

Witnessing the gleaming crystalline reflection of the lake surface, both Sheyan and Reef made an instant resolution. This new found motivation pumped speed into the legs, they were supremely confident of reaching the lake and escaping from their pursuing enemies!

But just when their hopes were flourishing, the uruk-hai leader released a cackling laughter. His laughter carried a delighted insanity. Sheyan swung his head round, his vision affirming that the 3 uruk-hais hot on their trail had suddenly halted their footsteps. Yet it seems like they were still turtles trapped in a jar.

“Unless there’s a grave danger inside the lake?”

His heart flashed with this notion, but immediately brainwashing himself.

“Whatever dangers lies ahead, compared to being captured by those uruk-hais, would be worth a gamble. No doubt death is certain in those uruk-hai’s hands. Whatever deadly monstrosity inside the lake; perhaps it will be drawn away by Reef or myself, at least one of us has a chance!”

But in the next second, nearing the edge of the lake, his eyes failed him. A sudden piercing pain, sinking him into an infinite darkness! A deafening roar carrying fear and rage vibrated into his ears, it belonged to Reef.

In an instance, they were both blinded!

Even if an ordinary person loses his sight, his heart would well up with horror. Besides, they lost themselves amidst a dreadful crisis. Losing their balance, they tumbled forward and crashed miserably into the ground.

Their hearts spiralled down into depths of despair. They had escaped from the clutches of death into the crystalline safe haven, only to be struck down by the darkness of fate. In just mere seconds; they had both experienced both spectrums of delight and despair. Something an ordinary person wouldn’t even experience in a lifetime.

“What the hell is happening, who did this?!” Sheyan’s mind struggled for enlightenment, only catching onto wind. His facial muscles twitched, unwilling to give up. His limbs carelessly feeling ahead as he crawled forward….until the vile laughter of the uruk-hai leader drew in, stomping down on his feet.

“Fools, without cleansing your eyes with divine water before ascending the snow mountains, obviously you would incur the divine wrath of blindness.”

In actual fact, science played a huge part in this. The sunrays carried sheer quantities of ultraviolet rays which will reflect glaringly against the blinding white of snow. Its reflective nature was as high as 95%. If one didn’t prepare measures against it, their cornea would be burned. This was known as snow blindness, due to overexposure of UV rays. The burnt eyes would temporarily lose vision, but after adequate rest, the symptoms would fade away.

Sheyan and Reef had never gone to snowy mountains before. Moreover, their eyes weren’t exposed to much ultraviolet rays over their journey, due to the mist and fog. Yet now, they were rushing vehemently towards the sparkling splendor of the lake. Their eyes directly focused onto the violent UV rays, finally breaking through the threshold for snow blindness. Their hearts panic under this unprecedented phenomenon, this blindness an unfathomable mystery.

Of course, these uruk-hais naturally had no clue what snow blindness or ultra violet rays were. Yet having being exposed to snow for prolonged periods, this condition had manifested long ago. Thus, Saruman’s doppelganger had concocted a healing water, allowing these orcs/uruk-hais a greater resistance against the glaring snow. Naturally, they wouldn’t be affected by the blindness effect.

Hence, in this twisted reality, the orcs and uruk-hais hailed this condition as punishment from their god ‘Saruman’. This was understandable.

The uruk-hai leader had experienced frequent pursuit of captives, captives falling to snow blindness was a common occurrence. Thus, he had full confidence; surely, the humans would succumb to this ‘punishment’ when they ran towards the lake. This explained their calmness as they observed their prey.

Before the earlier avalanche, the group of uruk-hai had a headcount of above 6. This blood debt was naturally pegged onto Sheyan. Not giving them any face, the uruk-hais stomped and kicked mercilessly at Sheyan, resorting to mocking slaps to his face as well. Then their leader halted with a command.

“Drag them back first, then flay or roast them, it’s up to you. The sun hasn’t set, let us hurry back before any abnormalities strike!”

Once he mentioned the word ‘abnormality’, the other two uruk-hais simultaneously shivered; as though they had recalled something. Without grumbling, they hoisted Sheyan and the other two up and left!

Chapter 309: Abnormality

An extra effort to snuffle out an unexpected deviation. This time, the uruk-hais bounded 3 strands of black vines, tying them securely. Then they carried them to return.

The uruk-hai leader had a sullen expression, advancing hastily in huge strides. It was obvious, this mysterious valley hosted a grave hidden threat, this threat had occupied this region for a long time. Even this formidable uruk-hai leader was rendered helpless and carried a severe apprehension, fear feeding his anxiousness.

Before they got caught, they had already penetrated several miles into the pine forest. Although the uruk-hais were physically strong, their speed swiftly declined after carrying the human load while running. When they finally reached the edge of the forest, the 2 uruk-hais were already out of breath; their sweat like a heavy downpour. Their sickening body odour pierced into Sheyan’s nose.

But at this very moment, the uruk-hai leader released a howl; a howl filled with fear and panic! The impression of this uruk-hai was that of utter arrogance, unwilling to submit even against death. But yet right now, he was actually howling with horror!

Simultaneously, Sheyan’s head turned heavy as he fainted into a semi-conscious state, no longer aware of what was happening around him.

Within his hazy consciousness, Sheyan was back at Siqiao town. Yet he was a stranger here, everyone around him were the ruthless henchmen of Huashan Fei. He begun slaughtering his way through, seeking any familiar face. Yet his strength vanished without a trace.

During the searching process, Sheyan could feel his heart turning increasingly restless, increasingly unbearable. He became terribly thirsty, finally managing to find a glass of water to drink, but shockingly the water combusted into fiery flames! Suddenly, a venomous snake coiled around his neck, choking him mercilessly!

Sheyan clutched the snake with both hands, trying his best to pull it off. Yet his hands couldn’t be raised! His throat coughed out choking sounds. It seemed like this venomous snake was toying with him, constantly threatening to sink its fangs in but retracting it instead! But just when Sheyan convinced himself the snake wouldn’t bite him, the maroon venomous snake stretched open its mouth, chomping down onto him!!!

In his shock, Sheyan instantly screamed as his eyes slammed open.

The pitch-black sky entered his vision, along with twinkling stars.

A boundless starry night.

No moon.

“No a single trace of blood nor fire, where did the shabby Siqiao town go?”

“Oh it was all a dream, or a mind-blowing hallucination. How real it felt!”

Sheyan struggled, realizing the ropes were still as sturdy as before. Suddenly, a wave of frenzied delight overwhelmed him – “This daddy here is not blind!”

Though his vision was still blurry, the difference felt like heaven and earth compared to that eternal darkness. After regaining his composure, he finally felt the freezing rigidity of his body. HIs cracked lips coughed out a dried filth.

Sheyan swung his head, struggling as he twitched his body, wrestling against the damned rope vines.

Nearby, the cringing face of the uruk-hai leader had turned stiff. This demonic fella had a queer smile as he laid horizontally on the snow, rigidly dead. His twin hands clutched tightly over his throat, 5 thick fingers lodged deeply into the flesh; his body in shambles, his complexion ghastly purple. It seemed like he had strangled himself to death! Though he had died, his enormous frame still released a threatening aura.

A traumatic fear lingered into Sheyan’s heart.

“If i wasn’t tied up, I would’ve been choked to death by that venomous snake in my dreams; or rather choked to death by myself!”

After a long while, a violent coughing drifted in from the side. Reef had awoken, beside him laid two uruk-hai corpse. The two uruk-hais had died in each other’s arms. No they didn’t die from excessive ejaculation, but rather it seemed like they had recently put up a desperate struggle against each other, but ultimately perishing together.

The two glanced at each other speechlessly, yet an elation surged within them. They were terribly baffled, no clue as to what had happened. But no matter what, surviving was an unexpected bliss.

Sheyan kept attempting to free himself from the vines, but to no avail. The vines were tied too tightly, trying to struggle free was simply impossible.

On the other hand, Reef’s lightsaber had been activated numerous times, consuming much utility points leaving him with close to nothing left. Helplessly, the wriggled over to scrape against nearby rocks, finally severing the vines after a ridiculously long struggle.

After regaining freedom, Sheyan rushed over to Melody; discovering that her condition had worsened, she was now completely unconscious. Fortunately, her clothes were intact, no vestiges of being violated. Reef took the chance to rummage through the uruk-hai corpses, what he found was hopeless….

Locating a bamboo tube on their waist, Reef hurriedly drank a mouthful before immediately spitting it out. The drink was practically blood, it emitted an awful fishy stench.

Perhaps the drink was like fine wine to the uruk-hais; but to Sheyan and Reef, not instantly fainting from being poisoned was already a thankful matter.

Water was no issue, stuffing random snowflakes into their mouths was adequate, besides there was still a lake previously. Yet the problem was the uruk-hai’s food, which was essentially raw meat biscuit. The raw meat still had feathers, fur on it. Both Reef and Sheyan had completely no appetite for such food, if not necessary, they wouldn’t eat it at all cost.

The two discussed for a moment, two options were plausible now.

One was to head back towards the direction of the avalanche.

The next was to return into the forest, swimming across the lake and advancing forward. After a short debate, they decided to return to the lake.

The first option was to return to a land of ice and snow; even if they didn’t freeze to death, they would die from hunger. Besides, there was a high probability of encountering more uruk-hais. For them who were still unfamiliar with the mountain, death was a given. Instead by continuing ahead, although an unknown dreadful and mysterious force laid ahead, they could probably live longer.

Borrowing the glittering illumination from the sky, Sheyan carried the elf maiden and advanced with Reef leading the way. After a long walk, they returned to the edge of the lake. It was night time, the pine forest was a deserted ghostland. A strange prickling sensation could be felt, as though something in the darkness was constantly spying on them.

When they reached the lake, both of them were terribly exhausted. Without food to replenish their energy to cross over the lake, they leaned against the pine trees to rest for a while.

After a while later, their thirst was too strong as they knelt beside the lake. The icy cold water turned warm in their mouths, finally quenching their thirst. Trembling in cold, they gathered several pine cones and pine wood, startin up a bonfire; as they warmed themselves beside the flames.

“Pu chi!” Suddenly a sound splashed from the lake, rocking their hearts. They remained motionless around the fire, the pupils tilting towards the lake. A path of shadow shuttled amidst the water with astonishing speed. Though the moon was nonexistent, the starlight was resplendent; casting a dazzling silver along the surface of the lake, a remarkable serenity. Now, it seems like fish had delivered themselves to satisfy their hunger.

Sheyan pondered for a moment before understanding; the reason the fish were aroused, was probably due to the bonfire. Just like how bugs and little insects were attracted by light, the fish were the same. Sheyan had grown up by the sea, he was naturally extremely adept and clear in utilizing light to lure and catch fish.

Naturally with his abundant experience in fishing, Sheyan wouldn’t pass this responsibility to others. Crouching while gesturing silently, he slowly edged his way towards the fringe of the lake. Even without making a single sound, the ripples in the glittering silver lake had become more violent. One could tell how agitated the fish were.

The bonfire blazed on, occasionally producing cracking sounds from the burning twigs. Apart from the movement of water, the area was completely still. Sheyan crouched silently by the edge, his breathing becoming lighter and lighter; his body seemed to be turning into a stone carving.

Without supplying firewood, the bonfire gradually extinguished. Deep red embers remained glowing under the dark sky, floating and drifting away with the blowing wind. Suddenly, the water splashed. That cunning fish could tolerate no longer, leaping out of the silvery crystalline water, throwing itself in the direction of that bonfire.

Sheyan immediately pounced forward ferociously. The lake was the epitome of cold. As Sheyan touched the water, it was like sinking into an ice hole during the winter solstice. Even his white breath instantly condensed, his teeth chattering profusely without restraint, producing clear shivering collisions.

Chapter 310: Fish fiend

Aiming for the gills, Sheyan’s hand spasmed violently due to the sudden cold, and caught the fish by its body instead. Although the fish was out of the water, its innate strength was still great and its scales abnormally slimy. Putting up an intense struggle with its tail, it was about to escape.

Without caring for much, Sheyan immediately shot out his other hand ferociously; clamping onto the fish gills. Falling into the river, his hands remained steadfastly clamped onto the fish no matter how this fiendish fish wrestled and struggled. No a slightest hint of weakness could be seen.

Fortunately, his strength was outstanding; no matter how the powerfully the fish struggled, it couldn’t resist and naturally gave up. Sheyan then easily tossed it towards the shore, and wriggled back to the shore shivering. The lake was icy cold, the chill draining him of his mental strength as he hurriedly returned to snuggle at the bonfire. After a while, he finally regained some warmth.

The famished two intended to immediately slice open the fish to eat; yet after seeing it clearly, they got a huge shock. A bone-chilling current jolted up their backs.

This fish had a sinisterly devilish face. Yet, even more strange was that it eyes were leaking out a pulse of malicious curse, glowing deadly at them! It was as though someone possessed it.

Sheyan’s livelihood since birth was fishing, so much so that the amount of fish he caught had to be weighed in tons. Yet this fiendish looking fish species, he had never encountered before, not even hearing of it before!

Sheyan’s eyes blossomed with a glow, like a hungry wolf. Cursing out loud, he swung a hatchet down fiercely, directly beheading this fiendish fish. This swift painless action was an adequate respect to this fiend!

After slaying the fish, Sheyan was naturally adept at its follow up actions. Scaling the fish, he followed the crude uncivilised manner of Mogensha; learning from him to simply dumped the waste of organs back into the lake. Then slicing and dicing the fish utterly, before using water to cleanse away the blood. Even if there was poison, it would’ve been removed. Then he placed it above the fire to roast.

The fish was fat, although there wasn’t any seasoning, it crackled delightfully amidst the flames. A black smoke blew out from its surface, the flesh of the fish spotlessly white and pipping hot, its appearance terribly alluring. Yet after Reef took a bite, he immediately vomited it out. The fish tasted foul and sour. However, after they determined it was not toxic, they endured their disgust and reluctantly filled their empty bellies.

Of course a single fish couldn’t possibly fill their rumbling stomachs, but it was better than a wholly barren belly. At least with something, their energy would slowly recover. Sheyan continued to warm his hands above the scorching bonfire, casting his gaze at the black, unfathomable lake.

“Let’s prepare to cross it.”

Reef astonishingly replied with hesitation.

“How about waiting till daybreak?”

Sheyan shook his head gently.

“This ghostland is terribly sinister. It is best we leave early, the sooner the better.”

“But…….” Although Reef was courageous, he couldn’t help feeling hesitant upon observing the pitch-black and mysterious lake.

Of course he could swim; furthermore as a contestant, mobility in the cold wasn’t a problem. But the darkness was a huge deterrence, what other strange fiends were hosted by this lake? But after Sheyan contemplated for a moment, he earnestly urged.

“We definitely have to cross it before dawn.”

Reef remained shocked, Sheyan continued to explain slowly.

“During the daytime, we entered this pine forest; but in the end, everyone was poisoned by that insanely unstoppable hallucinations. Even those uruk-hai were not exceptions. Yet after awaking and staying inside here for long, there isn’t even a single trace of anything. No poison, nothing.”

“If the poisonous curse has been released continuously, then I reckon the poison would have consumed us long ago; we wouldn’t have woken up in the night. Thus, the appearance of it is mostly likely regulated and in intermittence. The previous cycle was during dusk. Hence, we must leave this forsaken land before dawn. If not, I’m afraid we would be just waiting for our deaths!”

The two weaved several branches together, forming it into a makeshift life buoy and flung it into the lake. The lake remained devastatingly cold, as the two warmed up a little before entering the cold.

Although Sheyan had to carry along Melody, his swimming skills were excellent. Along with the addition of that life buoy, it didn’t require much effort from him.

Their surroundings were completely still, apart from the splashing within the lake. They remained silent for fear of unnecessary attraction. The thick threatening darkness seemed to stretch on for eternity.

Oddly, a faint greenish glow enveloped around Sheyan and the elf maiden. Indeed, Sheyan once again leached off the blessings of being around a twilight elf. Under the illumination of the green glows, although they could clearly sense odd movements beneath them speeding around the water, the 3 didn’t meet with any particular danger.

Yet after swimming for a relatively long period, Sheyan suddenly felt something was wrong. He lowered his voice towards Reef.

“Did you notice that the water is turning pretty warm?”

Reef was about to reply; suddenly, two coherent green flickers flashed to their side, and rapidly approached them. Reef had been constantly bracing himself staying in a combative state amidst this treacherous darkness; once this peculiarity arose, he instantly released his lightsaber and struck forward!

Being an expert in close combat, even amidst the blinding darkness, he accurately pierced his target! A clutter of faint greenish fluorescent rapidly dispersed, casting a neon layer against Sheyan’s face. It was obvious that creature had suffered a heavy blow, its blood carried a fluorescent nature. Hence, it explained this strange scene.

Following the dispersing of the fluorescent blood, speckles of green suddenly appeared around them. Sensing the blood, the creatures of the lake started gathering here. In this situation, Sheyan also stepped in as he swam and slaughtered. Massive clumps of green fluorescent dispersed densely within the lake.

Borrowing the illumination of the fluorescent, they could barely see the sinister fiendish nature of these fish; it was the exact replica of the one they ate. Fluorescent green blood gushed out from the injured fish, sparking a cannibalism within the fish as they swarmed them, tearing them apart.

They seized this strange scenario to swiftly flee; yet were pursued by several persevering fish, as the fish chomped and munched away at them.

The fangs of these fiendish fish were sharp, easily tearing off chunks of flesh with one bite. Sheyan could feel the bites like numbing tickles, yet it was oddly chilling; like pulses of cold air permeating into his bones. It felt like half his body was turning numb.

Fortunately, Reef’s innate ability was naturally resistant to abnormal debuff states. While Sheyan had the blessings of the twilight elf. Thus, the pangs of petrifying cold gradually dissipated, their wounds gradually patching up.

The two continue to cut a path forward, dealing frenzied retaliations against the fish while swimming for their lives. Yet they realized these fiendish fish suddenly lost their assaulting motive, slowly swimming away from them. Raising his head, Sheyan suddenly discovered a marble of white in the horizon. A chill welled up in his heart, as he frantically swam forward.

Why did the fish suddenly abandoned their prey, there was only one reason. Dawn was approaching, the greater threat was surfacing. Even these savage and cannibalistic fish wouldn’t dare to trifle with!

The black shadow of the distant shore finally appeared, undulating up and down; completely indistinct under the welcoming rays of dawn. This hope of climbing ashore fueled their final outburst of strength, as they finally arrived at the shore. However, despair greeted their hearts instantaneously.

As they gazed ahead, the surrounding shore of the lake was an impressive barrier of smooth precipice. Although the precipice was undulating up and down, its lowest height was still at least 2 floors high. If nobody received them from above, there was no way them could climb this themselves!

The lake was vividly turning warmer and warmer. Faced with this despairing reality, the two didn’t give up, as they felt along the precipitous shore, attempting to find a low ground to successfully ascend.

Yet this low ground never came. But they were completely devoid of energy and hope, a black rope suddenly dropped down from above. The two hastily swam towards it, shockingly discovering it was a climbing rope ladder!

A thousand notions swept past his minds in this instant. Yet he didn’t delay any longer; with Melody still slung across his back, he hurriedly grabbed the rope ladder and climbed up the precipice.

Chapter 311: Severed finger in the belly.

The ladder was crafted with a commonly seen vine and could hold the weight of 3 people. But it looked rather antique, and slightly decaying. Grabbing and tugging it, a tense creak could be heard, as the soil rolled off the ropes and dissolved into the lake. Sheyan cautiously began to ascend the rope, like treading on thin ice, finally ascending it without a hiccup.

The similar sight of a mountain valley clamped in by a towering precipice greeted them, the same sparse pine trees grew here. It was already daylight. Due to the trauma of their previous poisoned experience, they felt a rush of anxiousness to their heads. Not daring to delay due to fear and panic, they sprinted crazily forward.

Only when Sheyan finally heard the chirping of birds, and realised that there were soft pine shoots on the ground did he halt his footsteps and collapse to the ground. Panting deeply and heavily for a long time, he finally recuperated.

Compared to the deserted and forsaken pine forest from before, this pine forest was brimming with life. After being dragged up the snowy peak, they hadn’t eaten a single thing except for that half a fish the previous night. Their energy had been thoroughly exhausted; and since they had escaped from the danger zone, they instantly felt the gastric pangs of hunger.

As they walked and searched, they found several pine nuts. These pine nuts were birthed out of the extremely harsh winter climate, its shell was tough and ordinary people had to smash it with rocks. Instead, this was as easy as peanuts to Sheyan and Reef. They barely filled their bodies to recover some strength, before regaining vigor to search for other prey.

Reef had previous experiences with hunting in the present world. While Sheyan was still trying to scheme against a skinny looking bird, Reef returned after capturing a plump as hell, snow badger.

The snow badger was incredibly vicious; to capture one in the present world, a shotgun would be necessary. During the hunting process, it was hard to tell if you’d be the one hunting it or becoming its meal. Fortunately, Sheyan and Reef weren’t ordinary people. Reef directly twisted its neck, very easily snapping it off without a drip of blood. They didn’t bother draining the blood, allowing it to remain in the meat would give it a savoury roasted taste. (In the present world, there are many that like to butcher pigs without draining their blood, producing a more flavourful gamy taste for the meat.)

Reef’s eyes radiated with hunger, cutting away furiously at the snow badger. The table salt and tinder they acquired from the uruk-hai’s corpses were finally beneficial. They devoured the greasy meat ravenously, not even bothering to chew properly. Finally, they were full, their body status had recovered to roughly 80%.

After eating, the two hurriedly disposed of the blood traces, bones etc. Naturally trying to avoid the rotting stench from attracting other wild beasts, to prevent unwanted troubles.

As they buried the remains, Sheyan suddenly claimed in surprise. Amidst the organs of the badger, was a bloodied mutilated object. After identifying this object, their faces changed.

It was a shocking freshly mutilated finger!

The two glanced at each other, their filled bellies churned. With an ashen face, they continued rummaging through the organ mess, but discovered nothing else.

With this sudden occurrence, a tremendous doubt appeared amongst the mysteries and vileness of this place. Looking at the freshness of this finger, perhaps there were humans ahead? How would they dare to continue staying here foolishly, they hurriedly continued advancing.

After several kilometres, the forest became sparser. Suddenly, Reef who was scouting ahead abruptly prostrated to the ground, before a leopard crawling behind a pine tree. Sheyan instantly reacted upon seeing Reef’s movements, immediately hiding with Melody.

As they two hid cautiously for a brief moment, nothing happened. Casting a confused expression towards Reef, Reef signalled over with a heavy expression. Sheyan then crept forward, instantly waves of chills swept through him.

Just a few hundred metres away from them, a simple yet crude campsite appeared. Although the campsite was carelessly constructed, one could clearly tell from its style, that it was done by the movements of uruk-hais and the ocean-freaks. Inclining by the side of the camp was a sturdy looking uruk-hai, who seemed to be vigilantly on guard. 7-8 other uruk-hais were currently resting within the camp, leaning randomly and disorientated around.

After a cautious and sneaky surveillance, they discovered an identical uruk-hai campsite to their west. The location of the two campsites completely sealed off the narrow mountain valley, nothing could slip past it. It was impossible to try and sneak around the campsites, to probe and explore further.

Sheyan and Reef had braved through tremendous risks and adventure just to escape from the pursuit of the uruk-hais. Yet in a cruel twist of events, they actually encountered such a huge scope of uruk-hai encampment once again! It seems that there were at least several dozen of uruk-hais who had established a temporary camp here! No clue as to how they traversed through the previous desolated pine forest!

They both held their breath, unwilling for even a tiny breath to escape. Sprawled flat on the ground, they inched backwards. But at this moment, the elf maiden that was placed not far away suddenly unintentionally twitched; knocking against the pine tree beside her!

The tree wasn’t huge, its crown accumulated with numerous snow. After Melody’s accidental knock, the snow crumbled down resoundingly, creating a slight ruckus. Within this peaceful and still pine forest, unless the uruk-hais were all blind and deaf, they definitely wouldn’t miss out this sudden commotion. Their faces turned deathly pale as they laid on the ground without daring to move.

After a long precautionary pause, they could only hear the rustling of the pine trees. Ahead of them was the lonely forest, the uruk-hais hadn’t the slightest bit of movement. Sheyan’s heart stirred, as he raised his head to probe. He then issued a low voice.

“That sentry didn’t even move.”

Reef suspiciously raised his head to look, curiously asking.

“Right, is he asleep?”

Sheyan then continued.

“Even those uruk-hais laying around in the camp, not even a twitch of movement.”

Sheyan’s eyes glittered with a crazy glow. He stood up and started to creep closer towards the campsite. Reef murmured to himself.

“Perhaps…….”

Sheyan’s face exposed a surreptitious sneer as he approached the campsite without disguise. Still, the sentry remained motionless. Sheyan strolled to his side, stretching his hand to pat him. The sentry maintained its vigilant posture, its rigid self horizontally crashing to the side; before shattering in fragments, just like a toppled ice sculpture.

The two campsites, were fully filled with rock-solid frozen corpses, a hollow rattle emitted when they knocked against them……..

These uruk-hais should’ve been in the same predicament as Sheyan. After cruising through the lake, they hooked up a rope ladder up and set up camp here. After Sheyan and Reef inspected the area thoroughly, they discovered a peculiar triangular shaped wound on these corpses.

Oddly, these wounds were sustained on the lateral sides of the corpses. Though deep, the wounds weren’t located at vital spots. According to the norm, these wounds couldn’t possibly be fatal to these healthy and mighty uruk-hais.

They glanced at each other. Despite uncovering the truth of the two campsites, they had once again sunk into the tremendous mystery. Looks like, mystery was the title of this adventure. Reef suddenly realized something, frowning as he sincerely exclaimed.

“There’s a survivor here!”

Sheyan’s pupils shrank, instantly recalled the crux of the matter. That was the mutilated finger they discovered earlier! The corpses here seemed to have died a long time ago, they were all frozen solid, their skin as tough as steel. The corpses had no indications of being ravaged by wild beasts. Yet even if the snow badger was here, those icy cold fingers couldn’t have possibly returned to its fresh bloodied state.

Fear lodged deeply in their hearts. They then carefully rummaged through the camp. The most beneficial items were some warm leather coats. Though torn and tattered, it provided some warmth as they uncourteously stole it for themselves.

In a wooden chest, they also found two pouches of spirited alcohol – authentic alcohol not polluted by blood. Drinking them down felt like a tiny dagger slicing down into their throat, their boiling intensity sizzling into their limbs.

Apart from that, they discovered another unusual wooden product. This thing had an appearance of an overturned stool, with its 4 legs pointing towards the sky. Two long wooden clubs were tied parallel to it, as though trying to support something. After deliberating for a while, they were still perplexed and couldn’t find a reasonable reason to it. Mystery, everything was a mystery….

Chapter 312: Reef’s disappearance!

Presently, they were enshrouded in a fog of unfathomable mystery. Only two choices presented themselves to Sheyan – To advance or retreat. If they retreated, they would have to once again cross over that strange lake, the desolate forest and the icy cold winter valleys. Lastly, they had to face the risk of capture by Uruk-hais….. These matters have already been witnessed personally by them. They knew of the terror and dread it held, thus Sheyan wasn’t willing to experience it again.

Hence without much deliberation, they affirmed their decision to carry on proceeding forward. No matter what danger lay in store for them, as long as they could drag on further an additional second, it would be worth it.

Though they were both formidable contestants; but in this ‘A’ difficulty world setting, they had been suppressed to just slightly stronger than an ordinary character. They had experienced numerous scares and sudden twists, this region of frozen corpses; though it shocked them initially, they were already used to this mysteriousness. Reef sat down on a piece of pine wood, as he swayed a wine pouch in his hands before asking curiously.

“What did this bunch come here for?”

In this era, craftsmanship was still undeveloped. Primarily due to plastics not being invented yet, bringing along water supplies on a long journey was extremely troublesome. Even the wine pouch he was holding; its inner lining was made with animal bladder, and tanned cowhide for its exterior. It was able to seal up water effectively, hence its value wasn’t low. If Reef were to exchange this pouch with the elven race, even an empty pouch could be exchanged for 2 oxen.

On the other hand, Sheyan’s emotions were fluctuating excessively. He was surrounded by overlapping mysteries. On his way, he kept feeling that faint premonition, as though he was gradually nearing a huge profound truth. Such emotions caused him to be rather annoyed, as he picked up another wine pouch and drank from it.

The wine pouch had been sitting in the snow for a long time, hence the alcohol was strong yet cooling; producing a boiling sensation in their throats. Reef gulped down the drink, a burning warmth flushed his body as he suddenly spoke up.

“How about we stopover for a rest here?”

Sheyan ferociously gulped down several mouthfuls, then he forced a smile and replied.

“Look at these frozen corpses, you still dare to stopover here? We are considered to be relatively weak in this world’s difficulty setting. But…..my greatest worry is that….I’m afraid the realm may weaken us further once again!”

Reef astonishingly replied.

“Another weakening?”

“Yes.” Sheyan smiled bitterly. “The first time was when our interspatial region was sealed. My bet is that the longer we stay in this world, we would activate different checkpoints. I reckon it is about time for our second checkpoint to be activated.”

Reef who was all along refined, suddenly couldn’t resist the urge to curse.

“F***! Don’t tell me the next time they will seal our abilities?”

Sheyan helplessly replied.

“The second checkpoint shouldn’t be that bad. But I can foresee every checkpoint intervals becoming shorter and shorter, stricter and stricter. The last outcome could be that we would be demoted to the conditions of an ordinary person. Completely devoid of the realm’s benefits! When that happens; don’t even talk about others harming us, even the cold temperature and the scarcity of food would be our greatest foes. We may very well be forced back to the realm.”

Reef seemed to deeply believe Sheyan’s words, he paused and replied.

“So your intention is that; before we reach the final stage of weakening, we have to find a safe and warm shelter first.”

Sheyan nodded his head earnestly and continued.

“Yes, that is my idea.Contrary to the place we first entered; even though there was the dreadful presence of uruk-hais, at least the environment wouldn’t have been detrimental to us.”

After settling their emotions, they continued ahead. The alcohol gradually seeped into their bloodstream, as they felt a cosy warmth and fatigue fading away. After several miles, they exited the pine forest. The mountain valley gradually narrowed, finally turning into a ravine. Sporadic clusters of snow scattered around the ground. The vegetation wasn’t tall here. Only disorderly piles of rocks laid around, their surface had traces of erosion; it seemed like there was a previous flood in the area when the season was warmer. As they raised their heads to observe, the surrounding precipices continued to stretch endless ahead on both sides. The only trace of the sky was in between the precipices.

The terrain here was physically draining. Fortunately, Sheyan and Reef still had energy as they walked without much difficulty. Their only worry was their route ahead would be a dead end, that would be desperation itself.

Because Reef was the stronger and empty handed one, hence he was the group’s front scout. The two trudged through hundreds of metres of rocks, finally obstructed by a fairly wide and towering boulder.

This boulder was most probably a remnant of the lateral mountain, perhaps a fractured component of the cliff that tumbled down. It was covered with cracks. On their left was a pitch-black gap between the boulder and the mountain wall. Placing their head near, they could feel a wave of wind blowing out. It was obvious the hole channel was long, squeezing through it was impossible.

To continue forward, they had to climb from the top. If it was an ordinary person, they would have to lament at their inadequacy and return to the pine forest to craft a ladder. Yet this height wasn’t enough to hinder the two contestants.

The agile Reef attempted to sprint from far, borrowing his momentum to leap up this gigantic boulder. Yet his fingers seemed to miss the fringe of the boulder by a huge fraction.

After several attempts, Sheyan then stood in front of the boulder as he formed his hands as a supporting platform. Reef then took flight, pushing off from Sheyan’s hand!

Propelled up by Sheyan’s 37 points of strength; in addition to his natural agility, his fingers successfully grabbed onto the edge of the boulder, successfully pulling himself up.

Instead, Sheyan was thrown off balance by the tremendous recoil from Reef, as he fell seated to the ground.

Beneath his butt was a tiny rock, painfully piercing his ass. Sheyan frowned as he cursed loudly, and reached his hand to grab it. After picking it up, he realized it was a black row the size of a ping pong ball. He was about to toss it away, but suddenly discovered something peculiar. Why is this rock so light? Its surface seemed to have several fresh cracks, how did his butt even deal such devastation to a rock?

Sheyan’s curiosity was pricked, as he started to inspect this rock carefully. He realized its exterior was like a round black rock, yet its weight was too light; meaning that its exterior was just a solid crust. As he broke open the cracks, he discovered his innards had a faint lychee red, and had a plain cyan core inside.

Yet surprisingly, there was a radiation emitting from its inner folds, its entire composition felt like a scorching sun! An unappealing black rock, actually hosted such a strange phenomenon, it was really a peculiar and admirable creation of nature.

For some unknown reason, Sheyan felt like it was missing something as he gazed upon this rock. It was like drawing the portrait of a beautiful lady, yet missing her most crucial eyes in the painting.

While he studied this strange object, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness, before hearing a loud cry from opposite! Then it returned to a deathly silence.

Sheyan was jolted up like being pricked by a needle, that shout obviously belonged to Reef. Did something dangerous surface? He instantly shouted in response, trying to get an understanding of the matter.

Sadly, even amidst his panic and frantic yells, no response was returned from opposite the boulder. Even after he tried to use the nightmare imprint’s transmission, nothing happened!

What kind of grave danger, was able to cause such a powerful MT like Reef to vanish without a trace???

The air was still, his surroundings deserted. Only his shouts continued to echo. Under such a depressing and lonely environment, a person’s mentality would start to collapse. He couldn’t even understand what was going on, yet suddenly another burdensome mystery compounded onto him. For a person with a weak spirit, he would’ve already committed suicide in this desperation.

However, Sheyan was always a resolute and determined person. Also, being able to return to the realm anytime, he naturally felt that he was still in control. After deducing that something unbelievable had happened opposite the boulder, he hurriedly left as he carried Melody and retreated to a spacious region.

Chapter 313: Invasion of check point!

After a series of considerations, Sheyan still felt advancing would be like experiencing nine deaths but still alive, while returning backwards would be 10 deaths without living. Hence, Sheyan hurried back to the pine tree, seizing the uruk-hais hatchet and chopped against the pine trees. After a series of hard work, he managed to craft out a simple wooden ladder he could use to ascend the boulder.

After expending much effort and energy in trekking back and forth in this vile environment; by the time he had settled all these troublesome matters, it was already nighttime. He didn’t dare to advance in search of Reef as he laid against a flat stone to rest; popping pine nuts into his mouth to recover some strength.

As he lied down, he started to ponder about the recent peculiarities, even with his capability, felt like he was lost in a tangled mess of complications. Sighing, he recalled that strange rock previously, as he fished it out to examine it again. As he fished it out, he immediately inhaled a deep breath of cold air, completely surprised.

A sliver of glow emerged from the cracks in Sheyan’s fingers, it had a tyrannical blazing sensation. In this harsh winter climate, it was an encouraging warmth. Shockingly, it was the insidel of that black rock that was emitting the glow.

Sheyan had never seen this strange object before, its inside was practically like a small world! This object was actually able to emit its own charcoal like glow, it was truly bizarre, a mystery of the earth.

Due to warmth from the illumination, drowsiness slowly invaded him. Dangers were present everywhere here, Sheyan wouldn’t permit himself to sleep in this treacherous darkness. Yet the drowsiness continued to assault, it was almost unbearable. His mental and physical state had been utterly worn out.

Fortunately, Sheyan knew certain survival tactics. He quickly carried Melody and climbed up a massive pine tree. Tying her to an enduring branch, he then leaned against the bark within the canopy of the pine tree. Feeling comfortable and warm, he gradually fell asleep. Only a soft glow emitted out from a black rock onto them.

***

Meanwhile, within the former snowy valley. Massive amounts of orcs had consecutively appeared. These orcs appeared rather thinly weak, their clothes tattered and looked as thin as a match. Shivering amidst the cold winds, they were shouldering huge amounts of firewood. No doubt, they had the lowest status amongst the orcs/uruk-hais.

Those elite uruk-hais that pursued Sheyan previously should be of the highest ranking, and these orcs over here belonged to the lowest, cannon fodder rank. In their eyes contained huge fear, as they trudged on with their load of firewood. It was as though they were fearful of an immense danger ahead.

As they exited the narrow mountain pass of that snow valley, they hated when they caught sight of that desolated pine forest. No amount of lashes and beratement could force them to advance. Even when some were forcefully whipped to death, blood staining the white snow, the rest of the orcs still refused to budge. After a brief moment, hundreds of elite uruk-hais arrived.

These uruk-hais were extremely threatening; their bulging muscles and wolf like savagery portrayed their strength to be close to those uruk-hais that had pursued Sheyan previously. They were currently surrounding and protecting 5 ocean-freaks.

The physique of these 5 ocean-freaks was relatively enormous. The greyish skin on their heads wrinkled up in folds, only a round sinister glow steadily radiated from the eye on their head. It seemed like their mental prowess was exceptionally deep, they had come prepared.

With the appearance of the ocean-freaks, the feeble working orcs instantly trembled violently, such was the extent of their fear. With the 5 ocean-freaks as the core, ripples of spirit energy swerved out, as the orcs involuntarily walked up in a stupor, as they placed countless amounts of firewood at the periphery of the desolated pine forest. After that, they ignited the firewood. The pine forest was originally abundant in natural oil. After the outbreak started by the firewood, the flames continued to flare up to the heavens, casting a crimson red against the night sky.

At this moment, the uruk-hais and ocean-freaks started to retreat back into the snow valley, using animal hide to cover their nostrils. The 5 ocean-freaks then entered into a temporarily dug shelter, a temporary ice cavern; with the uruk-hais heavily guarding the entrance. It was obvious, the ocean-freak had a certain understanding towards the place’s oddities.

The blaze of the pine forest was awe-inspiring. Even the snowy peaks could see clumps of dense fumes spiralling up. A queer ashen color floated out from the flames.

**

Sheyan woke up in awe of the magnificent wildfire.

Although he slept on an uncomfortable tree, it was enough to recover from a huge portion of exhaustion and pain. Sheyan couldn’t help but sigh, because he wasn’t startled awake by the flames. Instead, it was because of the nightmare imprint.

“Scanning….: Contestant no.1018 party establishment mission ‘Survival’ has reached the next relevant checkpoint!”

“Warning: Contestant no.1018 party establishment mission ‘Survival’ has reached the next relevant checkpoint!”

“Warning: Your difficulty is raised once again. From now onwards, every equipment on you would be stripped and placed inside your interspatial region of the nightmare imprint! If the nightmare imprint has inadequate space, it will be delivered into your personal room.”

“Details: Party establishment mission ‘Survival’ has several checkpoints. Every time you reach a checkpoint, you will trigger an increased difficulty!!”

Seeing this string of notifications, apart from sighing, what else could Sheyan say?

At this moment Sheyan finally notice the brightly illuminated scarlet night sky. Also, the abnormality of those flames. His mind was flooding in with numerous notions, immediately aware of an impending huge crisis heading in his direction.

To be able to create such a massive operation within this harsh snowy valley; apart from Saruman’s doppelganger and his uruk-hais, there was noone else. The decisive extent of their operation to set ablaze the forest, probably indicated their resolutions towards these few escaped captives!

Thinking of that, Sheyan sighed deeply as he slithered down the tree. Hastily gathering everything he needed, and bringing along that newly crafted wooden ladder, he carried the unconscious Melody and proceeding forward within this rocky ravine. Checking the twilight elf’s blessing from his nightmare imprint, he realized that it was bound to expire in a few hours. Hence, he hurriedly proceeded with haste.

As of now, although the orcs had displayed their seriousness through this large scale deforestation, they still had to wait for the fire to subside. Hence, it provided Sheyan with at least several more hours. Following that, they still had to cross over that strange lake filled with those fiendish fish, to be able to truly start tracking down Sheyan. ¨C27CRegarding the random campsites of the uruk-hais at the other side of the lake, Saruman had probably attempted to explore here before, but suffered a huge setback with no survivors. Hence, traumatized by his previous failure, he would surely enact steady measures to proceed steadily and surely. ¨C28CHowever within Sheyan’s thought process, he could sense an awfully tremendous mystery. Besides it was simply absurd that Saruman would engage his entire nest of orcs in pursuit for just merely a handful of captives! There was an underlying motivation and unspoken truth to all this, it was just that he couldn’t dissect it as of now. ¨C29CAs he pondered, he trekked through the rocky ravine. After losing all his equipment, it was crucial that he maintained his optimal condition. This was in preparation to deal with any dangers after crossing over the gigantic boulder. ¨C30COn his way, Sheyan consecutively found several other pieces of those round black stones. After breaking them apart, he realized most of these black stones were already rotten, and emitted a rotting stench. Yet two were preserved, liquid trickled out upon opening them yet there wasn’t a trace of that cyan colored core. ¨C31CVery quickly, Sheyan returned to the bottom of that gigantic, dam-like boulder. He knew a certain danger laid ahead, hence he wasn’t in a hurry to ascend the boulder. He shut his eyes, as he regulated his breathing to prepare his mind. But when Sheyan was about to climb the boulder, he suddenly popped open his eyes in shock. Because from a distance behind, an appalling dense sound of scraping footsteps tremored in! ¨C32C”F!!” Sheyan’s pupils shrank. He was like a turtle in a jar with this massive obstructing boulder ahead of him, there was no means of escape! He just couldn’t understand what unorthodox method the orcs used, to be able to swiftly traverse through the scorching blaze of the fire, speeding through the lake to arrive here so quickly!

The scraping footsteps became fiercer, distinctly getting closer in a flash. When it was finally several dozens of metres away from Sheyan, he could see certain shadows pushing aside the rocks. Sheyan placed Melody down, as covered her as he braced himself. A killing intent flashed from his eyes, as he abandoned all his complex thoughts; wholeheartedly focusing on his current desperation, his heart still carrying a trace of regretfulness.

**

Chapter 314: Aftermath of that large boulder.

Sheyan was closely observing as the urgent footstep resounded relentless towards him. Suddenly, a shadow abruptly broke through the rocks and charged in!

Although he was able to anticipate the impending danger, he never expected this charge to be so swift and nimble.

He rolled wretchedly to the side, barely evading this charge. Without panicking, Sheyan formed his hands to cover his chest. Yet the follow up attack didn’t happened. The shadow suddenly turned with great dexterity, and scurried into the pitch-black gap at the bottom left of the gigantic boulder!

Sheyan released a long breath as he smiled reluctantly and shook his head. That shadow had no hostility, it was obviously just a snow badger. It seemed like it had suffered an immense trauma, and was fleeing frantically. Actually under normal circumstances, Sheyan would’ve been able to differentiate between animals or beasts. But he was lacking in energy, as his mind was trapped within this current strange predicament he was in. Hence, he made such a low level error.

Following that, several other animals started to dash here frenziedly, scurrying through the gap between the boulder and the water, as they hurried through the rocky ravine. They were obviously fleeing from scarlet illumination casted by the great blaze in the sky. Sheyan acted fast as he seized and killed one of the panicking badger to use as future food. He then placed his ladder against the bounder, carried Melody up and ascended up the boulder.

Of course, he didn’t forget to hoist up the wooden ladder afterwards. Although it wouldn’t make a big difference due to the sheer quantity of those orcs; doing something was still better than nothing at all!

The boulder had a broad apex, it extended over 5 metres in width, deposits of sand and mud covered it along with several weeds, their roots infiltrating into the boulder’s surface. As he felt the boulder with his fingers, a rough fleshy feeling could be felt.

Although he knew time was tight, he still maintained his air of caution; seizing the illuminated visibility to survey his surroundings and terrain. Besides after issuing a sudden scream, Reef had utterly vanished right here.

Sheyan understood that based on individual strength, Reef was definitely tankier and stronger in combat terms. It was just that his mind was filled with nobility and chivalry, which could be toxic at times. Something that could cause him to vanish in a split second after he issued a warning scream…..that something must have possessed immeasurable strength!

Under the twilight sky, Sheyan continued to lay prone atop it as he tactfully surveyed the way ahead. From here onwards, the two sides of the precipice formed into a shape of a trumpet. Its narrow sides gradually broadened up into a small valley, even the rocks were noticeably sparser, but it was still rocky nonetheless. It was all normal, no visible signs of danger. But Sheyan knew clearly, if dangers could be so easily spotted, then it wouldn’t even be called a threat. Reef similarly wouldn’t vanish without a trace.

Suddenly, his attention halted over the back of a clutter of rubble. A string of brown was leaking out, like an appearance of half a straw sandal. The visibility was warm but still vaguely unclear, if not for his careful deliberate probing, he wouldn’t have discovered that strange oddity.

Previously back in the harsh winter climate of the snowy peaks, the uruk-hai had provided preferential treatment to their captives. Not only were they given animal hide coats, they were also given thick woven straw sandals. These thick straw sandals would lower the chances of frostbites. Instead, those ordinary orcs didn’t have this luxury, their feet accumulated clumps of pus from the frostbites.

It was because Sheyan was similarly wearing such a sandal, thus he could identify the familiarity from that tinge of brown line. His heart was stirred. Apart from him and Reef who wore such sandals, perhaps there was someone else who had encountered a misfortune?

Reef who was protected by the realm, couldn’t have possibly died here! If that was the case, contradictions manifested in haze of doubts in his heart. He regulated his breathing to a gentler cadence, as he scanned his surroundings again. After confirming nothing was wrong, he then placed Melody by the side, placing the ladder down before leaping off the giant boulder.

After he leapt down, a sudden queer smell whiffed into his nose. This smell was bland. After looking closely, he realized the rocks over here were like solidified oil beads. Sheyan couldn’t be bother to ponder about that, as he sneakily tiptoed towards that pile of rubble.

As he approached, he could already confirm that someone was wearing that straw sandal. Through the openings of the sandal, he could clearly see a toe. The color of that toe was bluish black, indicating its owner had already been frozen solid previously, the life departed from it long ago.

Sheyan cautiously crept in, his muscles tensing up as he neared in. He was prepared to deal with any unforeseen irregularity of to flee immediately.

His surroundings were quiet, only that patch of glaring scarlet infused darkness behind. The apprehension is his heart rising up to the pinnacle. Even if the corpse ahead was Reef, he was still slightly mentally prepared. But the reality completely exceeding his expectation.

Although the corpse had been frozen, its surface was a mutilated mess, devastatingly tragic. Even its face was indiscernible, it was shockingly….that flayed captive from before!!!!

“Daheck…..don’t tell me a thousand miles above me…it is actually that snowy peak that I escaped from?”

Sheyan couldn’t help but gaze upwards, he could only see the clouds and mist. The winter winds still billowing, yet amidst the fuzzy snowy mist, he could see a horizontal mountain ridge leading to a snowy flatland cliff.

This tremendous mystery had been lingering in his heart for a long time – These uruk-hais had gone through so much trouble, capturing slaves from miles and miles away. On the way, they even treated them preferentially, expanding much manpower on them. After forking up such a price, in the end why did they merely strengthen the captive’s life force; then carving off their skin and flinging them down the cliff?

These orcs and uruk-hais were a brutal and savage race, they weren’t known to be cunning and crafty. Yet behind them was Saruman, an astute and circumspect old deceitful fox. To go through such immense trouble, what he was conspiring was bound to be unimaginably astonishing! As for himself…..he had unintentionally landed himself within the core district, inching closer to the truth!

After many experiences of strange happenings, his inner curiosity and suspiciousness was burning vigorously. Although he knew danger lurks in every corner; in his heart he knew, dangers always coincides with opportunities. Uncovering the truth behind this, the information he obtained would surely be priceless. He closed in to examine, as he discovered the abnormality of this corpse.

This corpse was deformed. Actually, falling down from such a height, it was bound to be deformed. Looking at the surrounding blood stains around it, it seemed like the corpse didn’t die at the moment of impact. The corpse probably struggled in anguish for a long time before withering into death. The rocks around the area in a 10 metre radius were stained with blood, traces of flattening was distinctly obvious. In fact, one of the rocks was still hooking onto a chunk of bloodied flesh!

Moreover, that corpse was originally badly mutilated before it crashed down. Rolling about on the surface, fragments of leaves, rocks, ice and other junk objects would paste onto the warm blood. After the cold winds got to it, the objects would remain glued onto the corpse.

As he wtinessed his tragic outcome, his heart turned frightened. He gazed ahead towards the spacious valley, the same replica of frozen corpses littered the place. Some had their heads smashed into the ground, obviously dying instantly. Some were grimacing in pain, their bodies twisted in bitter desperation; seemingly rolling about several times before giving up to the maddening agony.

It was clear now. That severed finger that Reef and him found in the badger’s stomach, belonged to someone over here!

Seeing this scene, Sheyan couldn’t help recalling that gene-mix he had drank before – ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’. Looking at the degree of fractures of these corpses; these flayed slaves had probably endured several collisions on their way to the bottom of the precipice.

Over 80% of the corpses had died by having their heads crushed by a collision. The remaining 20% had to endure the agony of rolling and wailing in this forsaken valley for a long time, before freezing to death!

Just seeing each of these tragic corpses, Sheyan felt a chill surging in his heart. Strictly speaking, the ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’ though it was superb, Sheyan hadn’t expected it to be so overbearing. It was actually able to squeeze out every bit of potential of a person.

The more severe the injuries, the more effective the gene-mix extracted a person’s potential. Even after being flayed and tossed a thousand miles down, they still had that last breath to wriggle around!

As he carried on further, he discovered the rocks here had a shocking enormous paw prints that had blurred with age. These rocks were incomparably tough, yet it was like a beancurd under the the paw print. Over the ground were also a messy disarray of a dozen artificially made simple stone basins. Most of the stone basins had already crumbled, only 2 retained its basic shape.

(TN: The rocks here are probably not small rocks, but should be boulder sized rocks)

Chapter 315: Awakening

This stone basin appeared familiar, it could be said to be deeply engraved into Sheyan’s heart; a deeper lasting impression than Melody’s chest. This basin was placed beside the platform altar previously, it contained a bizarre fuel which reacted in ignition with flayed skin. Once ignited, it was hard to extinguish, resulting in a blood red pillar of combustion fumes..

But the crux of the matter was the strange vile aroma it released, one that was able to attract that terrifying Great Eagle. Yet for some unknown reason, it was tossed down into the valley.

After a simple exploration, Sheyan realized there was nothing to gain within this tiny valley. He only found several additions of that queer black stones.

His head was starting to turn giddy, not sure if it was the fatigue or something else. The sinister feeling still plaguing his heart constantly. There was no time to seek out traces of Reef, he immediately carried Melody as he strode forward with big steps.

Sheyan grit his teeth as he trudged forward amidst the harsh and rugged terrain. Very quickly he left his treacherous place behind…

The nearby blaze finally extinguished, spiralling embers drifted through the night sky along with the spiralling cyan fumes; the charred trees remained unbending as it pointed to the sky. Ashen colored rocks scattered throughout the land, looking like burnt skin.

Still, deep inside the forest were tiny traces of raging flames, but the ocean-freaks could wait no longer. They hurriedly coerced the orcs to lead the way in. The orcs were short and frail, their bodies covered with blood stains as they shivered violently amidst the winter winds.

They were deeply familiar with the danger here, knowing the poisonous fog would only trigger upon a fixed timing. Hence, they sent these dying orcs to probe the way in. If they were poisoned, then the toxicity was bound to flare up rapidly; they could then tell if the danger was present.

Suddenly, an aged old orc collapsed, shrieking out loud in fear. Froth bubbled out from its mouth as the orc rolled around incessantly. Several uruk-hais rushed forward, splashing the orc with a bucket of icy water. Working together, they subdued and tied the orc up, finally clamping up its mouth.

Soon, the orc regained consciousness as it panted lifelessly.

Abruptly, the rest of the orcs similarly fell to the horrifying hallucinations as they collapsed; most were the sickly and the old. In contrast, the stronger ones only felt a dizziness, and retched from the nauseating feeling. After observing for roughly half an hour, the uruk-hai leader, Lurtz, suddenly appeared. His hands folded on his chest as he spoke to his assistant.

“It seems like master’s deductions are spot on. The soil of this region of pine forest contains a horrifying hallucination poison. This poison would slowly evaporate when the temperature is higher, and fill the forest with a venomous miasma.”

“After the flames, most of the poison has already been exhausted, the remainder is nothing to worry about. Naturally, we can cross it safely now. Give the order, set off!”

Upon Lurtz’s command, the grandiose orc army marched on carrying loads of tools and equipment before halting at the lake. Lurtz gazed upon the lake with a sullen expression, using his rough finger to caress his beloved bow.

At this moment, several orcs shoved in a stubborn looking elf, beside was an exceptionally massive ocean-freak. As it approached Lurtz, it started to wave its tentacles and transmitted its mental rays.

“Lurtz, 2 years ago, master had already ordered us to explore the region here. That is why I will temporarily assume command now.”

Lurtz was taken aback as he argued.

“What! Mr Cante, why haven’t I heard of that before?”

The ocean-freak, Mr Cante, replied.

“Because you were still in the midst of experimentations! That previous time, that assembly of brave pioneers relied on the visor that Yavanna created, and successfully filtered through this forest of epidermal. They even paid an immense price to cross over this Carn D?m lake. Although they ultimately fell into eternal rest at the opposite bank of the floating forest, they had transmitted back numerous important details.”

(TN: Carn D?m was the capital of Angmar established in the west point of the Mountains of Angmar, near Mount Gundabad in the Misty Mountains)

“Within that information, the most important is that the most menacing beast within the Carn Dum lake is a creature with an appearance of a slug. According to master’s inference, it should be a mutation of a worm. Although their damage isn’t threatening, the poison it releases is extremely astonishing. Previously, those brave pioneers who had crossed the Carn Dum lake didn’t give attention to the poison from these worms, and were forced to end their skirmish after the poison flared up; dying inside their temporary campsite within the floating forest.”

“Then how are we going to deal with those worms?” Lurtz had a sunken expression as he continued. “Don’t tell me we have to dry out this dammed lake. Master has already surveyed long ago, this damned lake is connected to a tremendous source of groundwater beneath. Although it seems like a standalone lake, it is actually connected to the underground drainage system of the mines of Moria!”

Mr Cante raised his tentacle and pointed towards that stubborn elf.

“The answer lies in this elf, Mr Lurtz. According to my research, these children of nature emit a soothing aura for those worms, to calm their aggressive nature. As long as we bring along an elf on a wooden raft, we can easily cross this lake with ease.”

Lurtz remained silent as he glanced back to wooden rafts behind. Then he drew an arrow and drooped down his long bow. Aiming towards the lake surface, he gradually pulled the bowstring. His thick muscles bulging up, even his hairs were standing as he released!

Within a blink, 30 metres away over the peaceful lake, blood bubbles begun to froth up ferociously, bubbling up like grapes. One couldn’t even see the arrow’s path, not even an after image of its flight!

The lake started turning turbid, the slit beneath frantically rolling up. After a brief moment, a succulent creature, as long as 7 metres with its diameter half a meter, floated up. At round a third of its body was a brutally huge bowl sized hole, flesh hooked against it. Its appearance looked like a roundworm that was amplified a thousand times. Sharp triangular teeth pierced out from its mouth.

“Without the elf, we can still safely crossover this lake!!!” Lurtz didn’t even bother looking at Mr Cante as he declared sternly.

**

Sheyan continued advancing over the rocky shore. Though he had the physique of a contestant, carrying an elf while travelling was still physically draining. Along the way, Sheyan discovered this rocky path was like a winding canyon. Looking at the sides of the canyon, it should’ve been formed by flowing water. As he advanced, he continue to discover several pieces of those unique black stones. Yet the rocky path continued to stretch out endlessly.

But to Sheyan, as long as he didn’t see any pursuing troops, that was already a huge blessing. The longer he dragged on, the higher his party establishment mission completion rate. He also made a resolution, if he was forced into a desperate situation, he would personally end Melody’s life. Because if she was awakened, she would also support his brutal but merciful choice.

After walking for a dozen minutes later, Sheyan wiped his sweat. He couldn’t help casting secret glances at the slender and delicate Melody, her clothes masking her underripe body was simply impressive to view. Her chest was flourishing, long legs alluring even her butt was simply abundant.

Thinking of such naughty thoughts, he suddenly found his hands wretchedly inching closer to Melody’s butt. The feeling was amazing, fueling one’s desire to continue exploring further into the deep valley beside. But as Sheyan decided to seize his chance for a few more probes, Melody suddenly opened her eyes; casting a clear and crystal glare at Sheyan as she suspiciously uttered.

“You really like to touch my butt?”

Sheyan stared into that tranquil and serene eyes of hers, feeling extremely guilty towards her. Yet his mouth defiantly refused to submit.

“Why, it’s just a butt!”

His heart welled up with a deep shame, as though he had profaned a female goddess. Instead, Melody very harmoniously and sweetly smiled.

“You’re my protector. If you like my body, I’ll naturally feel happy.”

Her reply was bold and unconstrained, combined with her pure and fresh expression, it gave Sheyan an unexplainable resolution. He couldn’t find a word to reply in his embarrassment.

Melody then stood up as she brushed her hair against the rising sunlight. Simultaneously, it seemed like the glorious morning rays were being cut apart. Under the glittering sunlight, her green hair rapidly turned silver; looking somewhat purer. It was brimming with a refreshing, nature coolness.

Witnessing this transformation, Sheyan felt a huge joy. He suddenly recalled what the elves mentioned before, as he tried to probe further.

“Your fellow elves mentioned an elf of the twilight, are you one of them?”

Chapter 316: Ocean-freak Moria’s egg

Melody thought for a moment before answering Sheyan.

“I guess so. I’ve already gotten back half of my previous life’s memory, even the skill arts and battle experiences. Sadly, my body’s potential hasn’t been developed; if not, i wouldn’t have to fear those uruk-hais any longer.”

Sheyan suddenly recalled something, something that cause him to have goosebumps.

“Were you a male elf or female elf previously?”

Melody rolled her eyes, she could understand Sheyan’s underlying intent, as she turned furious yet charming.

“A twilight elf is borne through immersing in the glorious radiance of the divine tree. Thus one will only obtain fragments of memory and cultivation experiences of the previous life. One’s innate talent and intellect would also turn brighter, as for other matters…we wouldn’t know.”

Sheyan released a long breath. If a twilight elf retained the full memories of the previous life, then a female carrying a male’s memories, that would be really frightening.

On the contrary, if a male carried a female’s memories, then that would be like an angel from Thailand*…..this mentally disturbing sort of elf, couldn’t be hailed as a leader by other elves.

(TN: Thailand is known for their transvestites, that is why i presume)

Sheyan then supported Melody by her waist as he assisted her to stand. His hands brushed against her softness, a unique fresh scent filled his nose, an unavoidable desire boiled within him. This elf maiden had actually decided to make him her ‘Protector’, and trusted him wholeheartedly. Naturally, he felt he could do whatever he wanted. If not for the the pursuing orcs, Sheyan may have really pushed this elf maiden down.

The just awoken Melody appeared rather feeble as she staggered for the first few steps, fortunately her footsteps became lighter and more steady after several dozens of metres. After close to a hundred metre, Melody suddenly halted a footsteps. Her voice carried a hint of surprise.

“Why is there such an intense life aura!?”

Sheyan was taken aback as he surveyed around while breathing harder, yet he helplessly decided that this twilight elf was really too formidable. Melody then casually plucked out a tiny green leaf from the crack on the ground, before softly twirling it and breaking it into pieces. Then she blew it into the wind as it formed massive amounts of green glowing firefly speckles, hovering amidst the wind. Although the strong winds were present, the glows seemed to be unaffected.

The glows quietly hovered for a moment, before flying against the wind into a stony crack on the left; finally assembling into a regiment of green twinkles. Melody swiftly walked towards it, pinching up that object the green glows were revolving around. Upon seeing it, Sheyan instantly gasped in shock. The truth about that ‘intense life aura’ that Melody mentioned, was shockingly that same unique black stone!

Melody retracted her finger, causing the green glows to dissipate, before condensing together again into a perfect imitation of a jade parrot perched on her shoulder. Melody then carefully scrutinized that black ‘marble’ in her hand, her face becoming more and more intrigued. Finally, it turned solemn.

“This is obviously an egg that has been stripped off its life support, yet this remnant still carries such a frightening life aura! The amount of creatures that are able to reproduce with such an egg within the Misty Mountains can be counted with one hand!”

Sheyan was amazed.

“You’re saying…this rock, this thing…..is an egg?”

Melody earnestly nodded in acknowledgement.

“Yes.”

She then regretfully sighed and continued.

“It’s a pity this egg has already suffered immense injuries previously, and exposed to the sun and rain for so long. Thus its internal core embryo has been dissolved and evaporated. If not, it can be considered to be a rarely seen treasure. The exterior shell now still contains some vigorous life force, it can still be used to concoct some potions.”

Sheyan’s thoughts were stirred as he replied.

“I previously managed to collect some similar eggs, but the ones I found still had a core. Perhaps that’s the spirit embryo you’re referring to.”

After speaking, Sheyan then retrieved that perfect egg from his pocket. When Melody say that cyan colored core, she instantly yelped with delight.

“Yes, this is it!”

While yelping, she used her snowy white delicate fingers to carve out several abstruse symbols in the air. Speckles of sparks emerged wherever her fingers pass, not fading away under the sunlight. It looked like ancient elf characters, as the symbols floated in mid air, gently rotating about. It gave off the feeling of a miniature solar system.

Following that, she placed the mysterious egg core within the floating symbols. The mysterious egg started revolving, Sheyan could sense pulses of heat being issued out. The cyan core gradually turned berserk, and started evaporating from the heat. Threads of cyan fumes were released, but was locked in by those symbols, completely unable to dissipate out.

The elf maiden shut her eyes and deeply inhaled. The cyan fumes then completely drifted into her nostrils, before the entire core disappeared. Then she released a long exhalation, looking like she was relieved off a huge burden.

After a pause, the elf maiden then repeated her actions as she absorbed the essence from 3 eggs cores. Sheyan observed her, realizing her face was glowing radiantly, roughly similar to the difference between a female who had just finished putting on makeup. Putting it bluntly, compared to the previous Melody, she was now like leaf that had been washed by the autumn rain, this was a crystal like luster complexion.

A unique exuberance of nature, something hard to describe in words. The fresh aura was dense around her, emitting whiffs of fragrance to those who were standing within 3 metres.

Melody titled her head to glance at Sheyan, curiously muttering.

“You body possesses a mysterious respectful aura. Those few eggs had been sheltered by that aura, once you took them out, I was able to feel it.”

Sheyan understood this was the special element of the realm, as he bashfully smiled.

“That must be divine grace bestowed unto me by our god.”

Melody spoke as she once again selected another core out. Sheyan was still thinking that 3 wasn’t enough, yet after the core formed into the cyan fumes; melody gestured Sheyan to inhale it instead. Sheyan was slightly surprised.

“You don’t want to absorb it?”

Melody shrugged her shoulders and replied.

“I want to, but actually these egg already possess no life. I reckon a wave of domineering blazing force had robbed away their most precious soul before they had the chance to incubate. Hence, absorbing 3 is enough. Anything more can only be used to treat wounds. However, you can try absorbing it too, the first time is extremely beneficial to your body.”

At present, many thoughts started to clash against each other in Sheyan’s mind. Ever since he had been captured by Saruman’s doppelganger, mysteries and riddles had been continuously compounding. Yet this was the first time, that he could sense the thread of truth to be almost within reach!

Still lost in thoughts, he walked towards the abstruse symbols, and deeply breathed in. The cyan fumes automatically drifted into his body, forming into a vigorous snake as it swam deeply into his heart. In a flash, it felt like his heartbeat was increasing mightily, his blood surging through his vessels like a tide!

Simultaneously, the nightmare imprint transmitted notification:

“You’ve absorbed the essence of Ocean-freak Moria’s egg (Deceased).”

“Your current state is recovered to the max (Optimal) state.”

“You receive an additional temporary 50% boost to your health.”

“Scanning…: This is the first time absorbing the essence of Ocean-freak Moria’s egg (Deceased). All your attributes permanently +1.” (This effect is a one off effect)

”

“After appraising Ocean-freak Moria’s egg (Deceased), you activate the relevant milestones.”

“Terminated inheritance – Collect 20 Ocean-freak Moria’s egg. Current status: 2 collected.”

“Nation pillar – Lord of Gondor, Regent Denethor’s wife, Finduilas, has contracted a terminal ailment. It is said that 4 items are needed for treatment, which are Ocean-freak Moria’s egg, Unicorn’s blood, Elf’s golden leaf, Dwarf’s heart of stone.”

“Woah! Tentacle – Ocean-freak Moria’s egg is an extremely irresistible bait for any octopus. Attract a hundred King octopus in this world using the Ocean-freak Morias egg as lure.”

“Gourmet – Minas Tirith’s boss is organizing a huge assembly, exchange a rare delicacy to obtain his recognition.”

“This…is actually the egg of that huge ass octopus?” Receiving this information, Sheyan’s mind instantly jolted with electric currents, blasting through the enshrouding black clouds! The fog of mystery, was finally penetrating by a thread!

“If that’s the case, then everything can finally be explained.”

Sheyan hadn’t expected that he himself would be able to reap that attributes +1 permanent benefit. Naturally it should be related to Melody’s method of absorbing. Perhaps by consuming it, it would randomly add 2-3 points of attribute, but definitely not an all round +1 bonus.

A permanent +1 attribute was already relatively tremendous, but within this difficulty ‘A’ setting world, it wasn’t really a major factor.

Chapter 317: Reef’s voice

As of now, even a fully equipped Sheyan may not live in combat against a uruk-hai, what more now that all his equipment was gone? The permanent +1 attribute was only like a thirst quenching plum, it wasn’t really a game changing factor.

The traces of the faraway blaze had gradually expired. Sheyan understood this meant that the pursuing orcs would be reaching soon, as he urged Melody to swiftly advance. If he fell, it didn’t matter. He could easily return to the realm; but before that, he would do his best to bring this elf maiden to a safe location.

Visibly, the rocky valley again gradually turned narrow, their route also became more rugged. Finally, the sides converged and ended their route. Ahead of them remained a huge and deep cavern.

The cave was at least a hundred metres wide, cracks were present on both rocky edges, cracks that appeared like enormous black lightning on the rocky surface. The ground was littered with scattered rock fragments. On the ground were distinct traces of a water current rushing through. It was clear that the ravine here would experience occasional floods, and the floods finally ended at that lake after the pine forest.

Facing this cave, Sheyan hesitated a little. The winds smacking against his face carried a hint of sulfuric smell, causing his hair to stand on end. It seemed like there was an invisible deterrence being transmitted out from within. His heart decided that he had to instantly turn around and flee, but at the same time, the cave also seemed to contain an unfathomable enticement calling him in.

At present, even a twilight elf like Melody had a pale expression, she was obviously ten times more sensitive to nature and sensing. She was probably able to sense the hidden terror contained inside the cave, as if nature itself was moaning in acknowledgement!

At this moment, a coarse voice suddenly transmitted from his nightmare imprint.

“Hey, dammit, Seaman can you hear this?”

It was shockingly communicated from his temporary party channel. If not Reef then who? For the channel to work, it requires members to be within a definite area. Hence, he could confirm that Reef was definitely not far from here! As he glanced around, the rocky rubble remained, no clues of Reef at all. But listening to Reef’s voice, it was gloomy and seemed like he was out of breath, he should have suffered heavy injuries.

“I heard you Reef, where are you? Are you injured?”

Sheyan hurriedly replied.

Upon hearing Sheyan’s voice, Reef immediately coughed violently, before regaining his composure to speak.

“Praise the Lord; I have been sending a message every 20 seconds within this channel, finally you received it.”

Sheyan smiled bitterly and replied.

“Wow you’re really patient eh? Right, you’ve also lost your equipments right?”

Reef panted.

“Yes, if you still don’t show up, I can at most hold on for another hour. Cough cough, pooh!! This damned mucus!”

Sheyan once again surveyed his surrounding terrain and replied.

“I’m at the end of the valley, there’s a huge cave here, how do I get to you?”

Reef exclaimed in excitement.

“Oh! I know where that is! You mustn’t enter that cave, it’s insanely dangerous. First backtrack a hundred metres, you’ll be able to see three huge boulders within the valley, the boulder on the right is pasted against the mountain wall. Climb that huge boulder on the right first, then feel around on the wall. There will be a groove for you to climb up, head up roughly 30 metres and you’ll find the channel into the mountain’s belly.”

Sheyan curiously asked.

“How did you find such a secret place? Oh right, another important question. Why did you suddenly scream and then instantly vanish?”

Reef transmitted a dejected helplessness.

“You still remember that pine forest before we crossed the lake?”

While heading to his location, Sheyan continued chatting.

“Of course I remember. The one with the hallucinatory poison fog. Once it is released it would create a powerful hallucination.”

Reef smiled bitterly and replied.

“After I jumped down from that boulder, I landed in a dense fog of that concentrated poison. The poisonous gas was heavier than air, thus it was pushed to the bottom. After that, I was directly taken over by a frightening spirit force, controlling my body to walk ahead and climbed up to where I just told you. After that, I had to act as a bitter laborer, repeatedly shifting around those abominable eggs. That is why I am extremely familiar with the terrain here.”

“Then why wasn’t there any existence of that poisonous gas on the second day?” Sheyan suspiciously asked.

Reef sighed.

“I can roughly guess the reason, but I’m unable to explain right now. More importantly, if you continue to head into that cave, you’ll definitely encounter that damnable giant octopus!”

After hearing the phrase ‘Damnable giant octopus’, his fingers instantly tightened as he climbed the mountain wall! Several fragments of rock slided down, he couldn’t resist blurting out.

“Are you talking about that legendary creature ‘Ocean-freak of Moria’ that forced the Fellowship of the Ring in the main storyline, to journey through the darkness of Moria’s mine shaft.”

Reef gnashed his teeth and replied.

“Apart from it, who else? This mountain is at least semi-hollow, within it there’s an underground lake that is connected with several larger lakes. That octopus naturally came through there, but it should be its breeding period now, that is why it specially nested itself within these snowy peaks to ovulate. According to my inference, it probably requires a special environment to breed, it requires a warmer place, and also maintain the moisture of the eggs….this damned octopus actually forced me to ferry around snow water to water these damnable eggs!!”

The location Reef mentioned wasn’t very far. Sheyan and Melody very quickly arrived here without much effort. As they climbed while listening to Reef, they had reached a suspending cavern on the wall surface.

This cavern was suspended 30 metres up from the ground, its entrance was sheltered by a lateral boulder, blocking off vision from the bottom valley. One wouldn’t even be able to spot it close by, not to even mention from far away. Sheyan grabbed onto the edge of the cave, and easily lifted himself up, then he helped to pull Melody up.

“Alright, we’re at the cave, where are you?” Sheyan transmitted to Reef.

“Wait!” Although Reef was using the party channel which wouldn’t leak a sound, his voice still carried an unexplainable anxiousness.

“That sleeping octopus suddenly moved, you have to wait for a moment. I’ll notify you when to enter. Remember you have to remain at the cave entrance, if not even with the twilight elf’s blessing, you will be discovered easily!”

“This damned octopus even has several other orcs as its everlasting spirit slaves. These fellas seemed to be aboriginals from mine shaft of Moria, with no relations to Saruman. That cave at the valley end is extremely risky. Therefore, the passageway you are at now is the channel that those orcs normally travel to and from.”

“That is fine.” Sheyan didn’t possess his equipment, but Reef still possessed his failsafe card of returning to the realm. Hence, he wasn’t really worried for him, as he leaned against the cave wall and sat down. His thoughts suddenly stirred.

“Right now it seems like that hallucination poison fog is closely related to that huge octopus ocean-freak Moria?”

It was as though Reef had breathed in some liquid, as he coughed violently.

“These damned eggs are annoying like a running nose! Heavens, they sprayed the mucus at my face again. Your guess is correct that hallucination fog is secreted out from this hellish eight legged demon. Its blood and body fluids contain a powerful hallucination agent, the places it stays for long will be contaminated.”

Sheyan asked curiously.

“Then back at the boulder, why did you get affected by I didn’t?”

Reef lowered his tone.

“I’ve also considered this question. The only explanation is that your body possess a buff that i don’t – that twilight elf’s blessing! The blessing have probably assimilated you into nature, that is why the octopus isn’t able to detect your presence. Or perhaps the blessing possess a hidden attribute, that can specially suppress this ability related to charm and intelligence. Don’t forget, when we were caught by those uruk-hais, you woke up much earlier than me!”

Sheyan contemplated for a moment, feeling that it does make sense.

The two continued communicating through the party channel. Of course Melody wasn’t able to hear anything, but she could also sense the danger here, as she didn’t lay down her guard down one bit. Sheyan was shocked to discover, after this elf maiden had evolved into a twilight elf; as long as she remained still, she would give off a fading sensation. She was obviously right there, but the aura on her had completely assimilated into nature. From another perspective, it was as if nature was sheltering her!

Chapter 318: Twilight dictum!

Suddenly, Reef’s coarse voice resounded in urgently.

“Oi, something big has happened. Those slaves…those vile orcs are fleeing like a bunch of frightened hares. Eh, what’s that? Shit….wait, there are two orcs fleeing towards your direction!”

Sheyan didn’t have the time to process what Reef just said. After hearing that two orcs were making their way here, he immediately jolted up and hurriedly notified Melody.

Melody’s eyes flashed with a chill, green speckles of glow started coagulating on her hands, as if it was becoming heavier and heavier. When an orc appeared at the turning corner of the cave, the weak looking Melody suddenly yelled out. The green condensation on her hand transformed into a leafy green wooden javelin, then she ferociously threw it!

Twilight Dictum!

The javelin didn’t seem very fast; but as it flew through the air, a helix of air swivelled around it. It appeared as slow moving as fate, but its resolution seemed to have broken through the confinement of time!

Following her javelin toss, Sheyan could feel a gale rushing against his face; it was as though the air in this cave became so ferocious, breathing itself was difficult! The orc was about to raise his head, but in that instance, the javelin penetrated his chest! Instantly, his body lifted from the ground, his face still displaying an indescribable shock, widening his mouth to howl but nothing came out.

His twin hairy arms gripped against the chest, trying to pull the javelin out. Yet the area of contact between the javelin and the orc’s flesh was experiencing a transfiguration. The javelin was morphing into vines and wood, twisting and dissolving into an upright hearty root; as it grew deeper into the orc’s body. Then the greenish leaves and moss of the root swiftly overwhelmed the orc’s flesh, cruelly extending over its entire body. Within seconds, the orc had metamorphosed into a tremendous, cumbersome treeman!

With a flick of her finger, the treeman’s rigid wooden arm was forced backwards, strands of cyan vines folded out of the arm like a tentacle. Dashing up from the spiralling flight of stairs behind, the other orc was instantly obstructed.

The obstructed orc was extremely flustered, roaring furiously as it send a fist crashing in. His built was extremely sturdy, after the punch, the muscles over his body vibrated with powerful boldness.

The upheld rigid wooden arm from the treeman, instantly stumbled forward; obviously its strength was far inferior to the orc behind it. The inertia of the orc’s fist carried him forward as his fist slammed into the nearby wall. Rocks sprayed everywhere, as the orc pulled its deeply lodged fist inside the wall.

The orc fumed with rage, as it shot out another fist. The treeman was rooted to the ground, as it used its chest to invite the fist.

“Boom!” The chest of the treeman collapsed inward, splintered fragments of wood chipped off. Yet the brazen vines on its body shot forward like a noose, as it coiled around the orc’s body in front of him; it was like a parasite seeking blood. The orc roared furiously, tearing apart the green vines over his body, but what it was doing was ripping his own flesh apart.

At this moment, Melody once again inscribed several ancient elvish characters in midair, this time carving out symbol. On this symbol, it radiated a glaring brilliance.

That same glaring sunlight of the morning sun at twilight!

The symbol started to revolve rapidly. When the orc finally freed himself of the vines and buried his head forward to charge, that mysterious symbol raced towards it with astonishing speed!

It directly pierced through the orc!

A huge disgusting bowl sized, bloodied hole appeared on the chest of that orc.

The periphery of that bloody hole seemed to be sizzling, not a single droplet of blood leaked out!

Thump! Thump! Thump! The orc continued to charge forward a dozen metres, his face exposed an expression of disbelief as it clutched its chest. It then lost control, its whole body convulsing violently as it finally raised his head; his vision interlocking with the icy cold eyes of the elf maiden. The life in his eyes gradually expiring into darkness, and vanished, utterly extinguished.

The immense body of the orc tumbled down, crashing loudly as it collided against a rock.

In a split second, the vines of the treeman drilled into the ground, swiftly taking root. In a mere dozen seconds, it transformed into a genuine tree, the unlucky orc was its foundation. Yet with the appearance of a sudden luscious tree within this cave, it really was a mismatch with the surroundings.

Melody marched forward, as she placed her slender white palm against the bark of the tree. A green stream of glow flashed out, directly absorbed by her. The spirit energy she had expended in this battle had been replenished. Instead, the tree suddenly withered rapidly as it returned to dust on the ground.

Such a terrifying, cruel way of battling, yet it contained the gracefulness of an elf. The speckles of green were brimming with life, yet it was hard to imagine that beneath it, it was fueled by her own vitality.

“What a formidable Melody.” Sheyan couldn’t help but gasp. Currently, he had lost all his equipment; if he had to battle with an orc, he would suffer a crushing defeat. However, Melody was able to singlehandedly slay the two orcs, and she was still brimming with vitality. Sheyan hadn’t even calmed down his excitement, but Reef was now crying out in exasperation.

“Dammit! Hurry up and get rid of these abominables before that old-clumsy-damnable fat mother octopus returns!”

After hearing his desperate and flustered cries, Sheyan didn’t dare to hesitate. He hurried further into the cave, and down the spiralling stairs. When he walked out of the narrow cave mouth, he was utterly appalled.

In his vision, was an absurdly enormous hollow mountain belly; within the rocks of this mountain belly grew numerous patches of subterranean moss and vegetation which emitted a faint phosphorescent. The cavern wasn’t dark at all, and was humongous,at least as big as 4-5 football fields. The shortest part of this place was a couple of dozen of metres.

At the west, ripples of water could be seen, forming a gleaming crystal underground lake; which occupied a quarter of this mountain depth. According to his inference, this underground lake was connected to the lake that they crossed over previously, and could be even linked to other water bodies. That colossal octopus, the ocean-freak Moria probably had swam through that underground lake to reach here.

At the northern section of this mountain belly, the rocks emitted a strange sulfuring stench, its color was a hard to describe scorched black. If one touched its surface, one would be able to feel the distinct heat, roughly 20 degrees celsius. Because of that, the entire mountain belly had a rather warm climate, and even slight sulfuric smell. Such a stifling hot environment underneath the snowy peak, it was indeed a miracle from the heavens itself.

At the extreme east of the belly, there was a barely discernable jet-black gigantic, arched rock door. This arched door should’ve been formed naturally, yet a thick menacing aura was floating out of its entrance. It was extremely similar to that same cave at the end of the valley that Sheyan was at previously. It seems like that arched door was connected to a channel linked to that cave entrance at the end of the valley.

When Sheyan entered from was coincidentally at the middle region of this mountain belly. It was closer to that underground lake. They hastily chased Reef’s cries, discovering numerous crevices on the right wall not too far away. The crevices were huge and small, and were all without an exception bundled by excess amount of foamy mucus.

The foamy mucus had coagulated on the surface, forming solidly like a plastic. Some were still in a semi-solid state, looking like a crystal. Within this mucus was a massive amount of black circular egg shaped objects, like tiny stars.

Sheyan was familiar with these objects, it was indeed those black stones – Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs. Initially, these black eggs were the size of a pea, but they would constantly wriggle within the mucus; finally contacting with another. Then they would glue to each other, and engage in a frenzied mutual gobbling! There was completely not a shred of brotherly or sisterly ties.

As for those orange like Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs he gathered earlier, they were at least a matured egg that contained at least over ten of these pea sized eggs! When the eggs reached the size of an orange, it would enter into its next phase and sink towards the bottom of the foam, touching the rock. It looked like it was borrowing the warmth of the rock to incubate.

Chapter 319: Flame devil Balrog, Durin’s Bane!

An unexplainable feeling welled up in his heart as Sheyan observed the Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs at the depth of the mucus. Compared to the previous eggs, these ones were flickering with a peculiar gleam; or in Melody’s terms, its soul! Yet it was lacking that arrogant dominating heat of those he picked up!!

“There must be some profound mystery within it I haven’t understand yet.” Sheyan mumbled to himself.

Reef was bundled by the mucus at the extreme end, of the deepest crevice of the wall, lying on the ground as he coughed loudly. Although he was a contestant, he was rendered completely useless against the might of the giant octopus, Ocean-freak Moria. Since a permanent spirit control over him was futile; after Reef had accomplished his laborious work, the orc slaves were ordered to bind him and tossed him into that crevice. It was probably feeling that Reef was much more efficient in laboring, hence it kept him to control in the future.

Right in Reef’s face were 5-6 of those orange sized eggs. The shells weren’t tough but looked flexible like a colloid type of object. He could see the outline of mini tentacles incessantly twitching within. Currently, at the peak of these orange sized eggs was a nipple that was constantly spraying out liquid, spurting it at Reef’s face. The liquid was viscous like glue, easily choking someone once it accumulated. That was the wretched state Reef was in now.

Sheyan dashed forward, as he instantly tried to free Reef. Currently, they had both lost their equipment, still their strength was stronger than average humans. After a brief moment, Sheyan was finally able to loosen the strings binding Reef. Reef was finally able to stretch his back, as he recovered his breath and forced a smile.

“You guys finally made it. I was already swearing to my sabre; within 10 minutes, no! 5 minutes, and I wouldn’t be able to endure any longer.”

Sheyan laughed as he slapped his shoulder.

”

“Being late is better than not showing up at all.”

Reef glared at Sheyan, then snorting coldly. Sheyan then requested Melody to bestow him with a twilight elf blessing. They had to try it even if their deductions weren’t correct. Sheyan suddenly recalled something else, then speaking to Melody.

“I remember you mentioned that this Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs are beneficial to you. How about I snatch some away while the mother octopus isn’t here?”

Melody stroked her brows with her finger towards her silver long hair. Then she shook her head gently and replied.

“No, the eggs here have a natural spirit link to the mother ocean-freak!”

As she spoke, she released a pulse of faint greenish glow and enveloped the two humans. Their bodies shuddered before turning into a void, they could suddenly see the rocks, mountain range and lake completely devoid of matter; their vision penetrating through them like nothingness. They could clearly see the 3D like imagery of the vegetation and root systems, the glitters of underwater plants and even several life pulses of some orcs not too far away.

Apart from that, they could see the walls beside the lake beneath where massive amounts of blueish fine lines spreading out like a cobweb. The lines stretched towards a very distant regiment of dense solid blue.

That blue was constantly moving, like a surging ocean; it was mysterious like the nebula. Even without using the naked eye; with just the aid of the spirit senses from Melody, they could roughly understand, as they immediately asked.

“That thing, is that the mother ocean-freak?”

“En”, Melody nodded as she affirmed, then she continued.

“That’s correct. According to the records in Rivendell, this legendary creature like the mother ocean-freak has always chosen fairly harsh and peculiar environments for their breeding ground. But the records don’t contain what environment, only today do we know that they actually require an environment like a hot spring. But according to the records, the mother ocean-freak is normally extremely protective of her children eggs; during incubation she wouldn’t even touch them even if she was on a hunger strike. But yet at this moment, she has actually left this breeding lake.”

But at this moment! From a visible distant, an unfathomable red glow galloped in!!!

An intensified splendor, filled with an arrogant tyranny,

That condensation of red glow heftily clashed against that regiment of blue glow!

In an instance, Sheyan, Reef and Melody held their heads as them stumbled 7-8 steps backwards, releasing a painful groan. The dreamy imagery they were viewing was instantly shattered like glass. Especially Melody who had suffered the most severe harm. A ghastly white covered her face as she tottered backwards, looking on the verge of collapse. After huge breaths did she regain her composure, and weakly inclined into Sheyan’s arms.

Sheyan instantly caught and supported her, then he gazed towards Reef at his side. Resisting that splitting headache, he exclaimed.

“Did you see what that red glow was?”

Reef clutched his head and shook it.

“It was hot and released a clamorous sensation….”

Sheyan pressed against his temples with his left hand, searching through his memories for clues, but that damned headache was persistent. Reef who was leaning against the wall spoke up.

“Holy, why is the wall’s temperature suddenly so hot?”

Sheyan’s heart stirred as he caught Reef and spoke.

“Initially when he reached the end of that mountain valley and discovered that eerie cave entrance, you remember telling us it was insanely dangerous. How did you know?”

Reef thought about it and replied.

“Initially after getting spirit controlled by that damnable octopus, not only was I tasked to scoop water to sprinkle over the eggs; I also had to carry some fully watered eggs through that east arched door of the mountain belly, and up some rocks. The surface of those rocks was slightly hotter.”

“From there, I could see two roads outside the east arched door. The right road will lead to that cave entrance you wanted to enter from after roughly a hundred metres. The left route felt like it contained unfathomable depths, apparently leading to a deep rift valley. I could even see intertwining cracks running horizontally through the ground, with faint glowing red rays penetrating through. Even that humongous beast, that mother ocean-freak seemed to have her guard on towards that side. The orcs were all incomparably fearful.”

Sheyan’s mind instantly processed through the information, suddenly replying.

“Previously when you were bound inside the mucus, those coconut sized eggs in your face had already been incubated?”

Reef’s leaked out a disgusted expression and nodded.

“Yes. When these eggs have mutually swallowed each other till they reach the size of an range, they would sink down the mucus. That is probably to borrow the warmth of the rock surface to incubate. Roughly 5-6 days later, cracks would emerge on those eggs. At that time, the eggs would then be transported and placed outside that eastern arched door to incubate. The rocks there are at least above 30 degrees. However, the incubation success rate is still low, and they would rapidly be destroyed. Only a small handful of ocean-freak Moria’s eggs will pass, and successfully grow into a coconut size.”

Sheyan breathed intensely for awhile, before flatly releasing air and exclaiming.

“I know what that red glow is!!! In the movies, it is probably the only one that could collide head on with that damned fat octopus…..apart from that legendary beast, who else!! And only that creature is able to turn the icy cold walls into a life supporting warmth!”

“Maiar, divine servant of the Dark Lord.”

“A blood descendant of the Balrogs”

“A fugitive”

“The last fiery whip user”

“Flame devil Balrog – Durin’s Bane!!!”

After this string of words left Sheyan’s mouth, Melody’s face turned exceedingly pale. She rubbed her temples weakly; her voice still cold and cool like the spring waters, yet it contained a distinct feebleness.

“I remember from my last life; after the Dark Lord Morgoth had been defeated in the War of Wrath during the First age, most of the balrogs had met their ends then. However, there were still a few fugitives that had escaped underground. Yet that was over 6,000 years ago, perhaps, this balrog had been hiding under the Misty Mountains?”

Reef suddenly smiled bitterly and spoke up.

“Previously I was affected by that poisonous fog, but you weren’t….the reason should be because of this balrog.”

Sheyan was also enlightened.

“I understand now. Wherever the balrog shows up, its scorching nature would heat up the rocks. When you crossed the boulder previously, that balrog was probably asleep. That was why the poisonous air was concentrated densely under the low temperature, and became heavier than air, accumulating at a low-lying area……as for when I arrived earlier just now, the balrog had probably found trouble with the octopus already. Hence its flaming temperature had probably started heating the poisonous fog, causing it to float and drift away.

(TN: Okay for those that don’t understand, this involves science. Cold air sinks while hot air rises. So if the ground is hot, then the air will heat up and rises up, while the denser cold air will sink to the ground)

Reef sighed.

“Also, your twilight elf blessing probably allowed you to assimilate into nature, hence the octopus wasn’t able to sense your existence.”

Suddenly, an unexplainable sound echoed in from the distant cave. “Chi chizz” It sounded like water being splashed onto red-glowing charcoal, but with a rummaging billowing that was amplified a hundred folds. Following closely was a murderous deafening roar. The resounding roar reverberated against the mountain walls, shaking the ceiling and sides as tiny rock fragments came spraying down like a rain shower.

Chapter 320: Coconut egg

After the violent shaking like an earthquake, a moist humidity suddenly swept in like a transparent palm slapping their faces. The palm was drenched in water vapour, even causing the moisture in their skins to turn saturated.

Simultaneously, an enormous deep blue tentacle brushed in through the arched door, its one metre huge suckers tightly pasted against the mountain wall.

When the tentacle gripped tighter, cracks immediately formed on the steel-like mountain walls. Then another two enormous tentacles flushed in, one of the tentacle surface hosted a terrifying cauterized wound, striking bare red over the injured area looking like a prawn that was cooked.

Following that, the humongous ocean blue octopus borrowed the strength of its 3 tentacles to pull back into the mountain belly. Indeed, it was that legendary creature – Ocean-freak of Moria!

This humongous octopus appeared extremely cumbersome on the floor, yet when with one shrinking movement of its tentacles; it already traversed through dozens of metres. It belonged to the clumsily heavy, yet extremely agile fighting model. It had ten elongated tentacles, like 10 deadly serpents. Two of its primary tentacles surpassed over 12 metres. Its body appeared like a spindle shape, with an abnormal superfluous growth of a basketball court size. Although its limbs looked soft, its eyes glittered with murder, originating from its wild savage nature!!

Still, this mother ocean-freak was injured.

Heavily wounded!

Two of its tentacles had been snapped by half, thick bluish blood streaming out profusely as it sprayed around chaotically, following the repeated squirming of the tentacle.

From the outside of the arched easter door, blazing flames raged on threatening to burn down the world; fiery red flames flared up to heights of a dozen metre, within its midst a distorted shape could be barely seen. A shape looking the the devil king himself. Its body was masked within the flames, its soul easily warping through the flames to bore through unrestrained.

The two severed tentacles of the Ocean-freak Moria were being roasted inside the flames, barbequing to the sizzling sound. The Balrog Durin’s Bane released a piercing laugh, using its blazing mouth to chew on its enemy’s tentacles; saliva and blood splashing as he joyfully partook of the meal.

Ocean-freak Moria was incomparably furious, brandishing its tentacles as it lurched forward; widening its parrot shaped, half a metre wide solid mouth beak. A cold glimmer shimmered over it like a diamond, it was easy to imagine the consequence of something being pecked by it.

Instead, The flame devil Balrog, Durin’s Bane laughed wildly. With a flick of its wrist, a lava fiery whip appeared. Simultaneously, Ocean-freak Moria’s tentacle slammed against its body, fishing out large regiments of flames; yet its physical body remained nowhere to be materialized.

The fiery whip was as elegant as a molten serpent, frantically covering the air like a flaming net as it descended against Ocean-freak Moria’s sky blue body. Lines after lines of charred black burnt wounds were whipped out of Ocean-freak Moria’s body, with its bluish blood dispersing throughout the region; even the tragic outflow of blood seemed like it was boiling like lava!

At this moment, Melody suddenly raised her hand and pointed. A buzzing sound could be heard in Sheyan’s ears, before they once again returned into that void mode; vividly seeing that blue cluster belonging to Ocean-freak Moria still brimming as clear as before. From this, it was obvious that Ocean-freak Moria wasn’t very badly wounded because of its two severed tentacles; its life force was still burning strongly. Besides, an octopus’s tentacles could be self-severed in critical moments.

But that wasn’t what Melody wanted them to see! Instead, it was the surrounding constitution of spirit links around Ocean-freak Moria! The massive amounts of blue web like threads were being retracted back substantially, it was obviously it had been wrecked badly. Currently, under the fanatical lashings of the Balrog, the lines were repeatedly being destroyed and evaporated. Perpetual destruction. It was obvious the reason Ocean-freak Moria was being reduced to such a sorry state by this Balrog, a huge portion was because she wanted to protect her own eggs.

As the saying goes, two hearts beat as one. Sheyan immediately recalled Melody’s special method to absorb the essence of Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs. He automatically glanced towards the coconut sized matured eggs. “Brother Reef had painstakingly watered and transported these fellas, being the dad and mother to them. Finally, you have all grown up into a bubbling coconut, and he still had to endure your mischievous ejaculations. But now it is time for you guys to return this gratitude.”

Something noteworthy was previously, Melody was concentrating her spirit sense heavily onto Ocean-freak Moria’s body; hence, they suffered a severe backlash previously. But now, the spirit sense was cautiously probing through the spirit links of the surrounding eggs, hence it didn’t exhaust much of her mental strength, and the backlash of the fight was within an acceptable range.

The trio slyly hide inside the crevice of the stone, eye covetously at those 5 coconut shaped eggs; awaiting the moment the spirit links vanished completely, before the egg thieves made their move. Fortunately, the twilight elf blessing was extremely crucial as it assimilated them into nature. Thus, even though the Ocean-freak Moria was a legendary creature, it wasn’t able to discover them.

Moreover, her twin eyes were in a critical deadlock with the opposing Balrog. She also had to remain cautious, preventing her vital spots from being ravished by the fiery whip. Lastly, the mountain belly was exceedingly broad, naturally she wouldn’t be able to notice 3 ‘ants’ sneaking around her eggs.

Shockingly, the Balrog raised its fiery whip high up, lashing down vertically like a crackling lightning! Ocean-freak Moria hastily raised its twin gigantic tentacles to receive it. At the instance of the collision, she was unable to maintain the spirit link to her eggs. Within their vision, Sheyan could vividly see the blue spirit links fluctuating with Ocean-freak Moria at its core, and then scattering.

Amongst the 5 coconut sized eggs, 4 of them had their spirit link severed from the mother!

If they didn’t commit the crime now, than when?

Sheyan and Reef pounced forward, using their animal hide shirt as they wrapped two each, swiftly tying them up with a dead knot and slinging across their backs. Then Melody hurriedly casted a special twilight elf magic, ingeniously concealing the backs. The 3 didn’t dare to delay, hurriedly sprinting towards that same channel the orcs used; then hastily climbing up the spiral as they attempted to abandon this deadly zone.

The trio followed the crude spiral of rock stairs up, with Reef proactively leading the way. As he finally extended his head out of the suspended cave, he instantly retracted and shrank back; while gaping in shock as he hurriedly signalled a ‘silence’ gesture. Sheyan cautiously peeped out, and was instantly stunned, without hesitating he hurriedly but cautiously shrank back into the cave entrance, not daring for even the slightest of rocks to tumble down.

Actually, in the narrow valley beneath them, was a shocking battalion of orcs! Their amount was like a fleet of ants. Just beneath Sheyan, he could clearly see the incomparably arrogant Lurtz striding through, along with several huge ocean-freaks (Tentacled-freak*). Lurtz was a formidable bowman, naturally he possessed a keen eyesight and hearing. Sheyan didn’t dare to make a single sound, frightened like a cheating male(ED: The comparisons keep getting better, lol), as he sneakily shrank back into the cave.

(TN: *Take note, Saruman’s Ocean-freaks aren’t the spawns of the Ocean-freak Moria. He probably only used the genes to create them. To reduce confusion, I’ve decided to change their name to tentacled-freak)

Even with Sheyan’s intellect, he couldn’t help feeling there was no room to advance nor retreat. No matter the battling between two legendary creatures or the orc battalion headed by Lurtz, both weren’t situations they could handle.”

The only consolation was that in this short span of time now, they were relatively safe; neither the colossal mother octopus nor Lurtz knew of their current existence. Sheyan secretly spied on the orcs below, seeing that they were apparently unexpectedly cheering or celebrating, as though they had found something valuable on the ground. It was probably those half rottened and lifeless Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs.

Yet for now, there was nothing they could do but wait. Sheyan then allowed Melody to once again display her twilight elf methods, to extract the essence of those perfectly matured Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs. Previously, those eggs that had already lost their life force boosted all his attributes by 1; then this time, the strengthening effects would naturally be a pleasant surprise.

The gigantic octopus and Balrog was currently fighting to their heart’s content; the humidity of the mountain belly was flourishing as water moisture evaporated under the high temperature. The mountain belley was like a steamer, dense white mist enshrouding the place. They still had the twilight elf blessing concealing their auras, it was almost impossible for the octopus to discover them even with the naked eye. Thus in this short duration, there was no chance of them being found out.

Even if that was so, Melody still decided to mumble an incantation; biting her finger as she allowed her blood to drip onto the ground. Then it formed into a nature isolation formation circle. She then finally used her slender fingers to carve out ancient elf characters in mid air.

The only difference now was that the first ancient elf character was actually radiating a splendid gold, it seemed like she had taken more effort to carve it, her face turning slightly pale. Based on Melody’s abilities, it seemed like this golden character was her limit.

c

Chapter 321: Huge replenishment

After the golden ancient character appeared, Melody’s fingers exhibited a beautiful sword dance as she carved out 12 cyan colored ancient elf characters consecutively. It was like the stars revolving around the moon, as the 12 cyan colors cup the ancient golden character, forming a profound mystery; thriving with nature vitality.

Next up was naturally to invite the perfect intact spirit coconut egg into the boiling pot. Sheyan took the initiative as he delivered the coconut egg directly towards the ancient elf characters, sparing her the effort of using psychokinetic to the move the egg.

Within the ancient elf characters, the coconut sized egg gradually turned transparent. An astonishing pocket-sized Ocean-freak Moria octopus appeared within, its eyes still closed but its tentacles were frantically struggling. Yet, it was completely futile against the pressure of the ancient elf characters.

Very quickly, the pocket-sized octopus within the egg shell turned rigid, gradually disintegrating into speckles of faint blue, but not dissolving into fumes. The speckles directly swivelled around the 13 ancient elf characters. Gradually, the golden character at the nucleus started swelling, causing the other 12 cyan colored ancient elf characters to become slowly plated over with gold. When the egg was utterly extracted, Melody breathed in heavily; the 13 glittering gold ancient elf characters were sucked into her mouth.

Melody shut her eyes. Sheyan could sense a rapid temperament transformation within her. If she was described as the fresh bud of spring previously, then right now she was the luxurious fragrance of late spring and the early summer. Previously, only still green leaves were present, not blossoming flowers sparkled between the leaves. It was obvious her might had transcended a new level, nature smoothly poured with from the reserved Melody.

Sheyan hinted for Melody to continue absorbing, but she shook her head. Currently, it was her limit, besides she was still a newly awakened twilight elf. However, her current strength could be compared to a twilight elf who had been cultivating for an entire 20 years! If she continued to force her way up, then more harm would befit her than benefit.

Thus, Sheyan and Reef starting their own absorbing process. The process now was much simpler. Pursing her lips, the 13 golden characters flew out of Melody’s mouth, as it revolved around her without her needing to carve anything; it was like the servant acknowledging their master. With their aid, Sheyan and Reef easily absorbed the essence of 2 coconut eggs.

No matter Sheyan or Reef, they both reaped a huge bonus. Apart from a marvellous +2 to all attributes, their HP and MP were permanently raised by 50 points!! Of course, this effect only happened for the first time they absorbed, it not they could very easily break through into the 50 points attribute world limit.

Actually, Reef nearly miscalculated and commit a sequence error. If he had first absorbed the coconut sized egg before trying to absorb the ones Sheyan gathered, that extra +1 to all attributes of the latter would’ve been utterly overlooked. If not for Melody alerting them, Reef would have really wasted such a golden opportunity.

Observing Melody’s power once again expanding, Sheyan couldn’t help but ask.

“How strong do you think you are now? Are you able to compete against that uruk-hai leader, Lurtz?”

Melody had nearly been raped by an uruk-hai before; although she had miraculously raised two levels of strength as a twilight elf so far, the emotional bane of that traumatic experience still lingered within her. Whats more to compare against the uruk-hai leader, Lurtz? His power was so dreadful, he could even kill Boromir of the Fellowship! Hence Melody didn’t reply to him, but merely casted a pitiful expression at Sheyan. Sheyan then slapped his forehead and sighed.

“Alright, then how about an ordinary uruk-hai?”

This time, Melody shyly nodded her head. Even though her past life and experiences had returned to her, she was still an elf maiden who had just reached her coming of age. Naturally, she still had an air of youthfulness and inexperience.

Sheyan’s eyes glittered as he continued.

“We definitely have a chance if you can deal with 5 uruk-hais at one go……oi oi what’s with that expression. Fine, fine, 5 is indeed demanding, how about 3?”

“Still no? Two?”

“What! In addition to us, only can deal with two……”

At present, Melody was still using yesterday’s standards in judging him and Reef, she had no clue the two of them were reduced to a pathetic state without their equipment. Although they just earned several benefits, it was still vastly far from the overall bonuses their equipments provided.

Sheyan released a long sigh, then looking towards the few Tentacled-freak mingled amidst the orcs and uruk-hais. This Tentacled-freak in his eyes was essentially a 360 degrees machine cannon without a blind spot, that had the appearance of an octopus. His initial idea of attempting to slaughter his way out was instantly extinguished. Hence, he could only do the thing he hated the most to do – wait for heaven’s will to manifest.

Since the path ahead was impossible, Sheyan could only try thinking of a solution for the way backwards. Although their prowess had matured a little, but compared to two legendary creatures, they could still be described as ants maturing into crickets; the same fate of being trampled laid ahead. But also because of their insignificance, they would not be noticed easily. Thus, he was trying to see if there was a sliver of hope to pull chestnuts out of fire.

After Sheyan cautiously crept back nearing the mountain belly, he was shocked to discover the temperature had been raised substantially. Peeping closer, he could see a weary and injured Ocean-freak Moria; it had already retreated towards the west underground lake. Two more tentacles had been severed, as its severed flesh convulsed incessantly. However, the fiery intensity of the Balrog’s superficial body was also flickering miserably, not as overbearing as before. It was obvious both sides had been considerably wounded.

Yet Sheyan didn’t have the slightest desire of trying to exploit the clash of the two mythological titans; waiting for them to inflict mutual damage before being the main lead, reaping mind-blowing profits from taking advantage of the situation. His only desire was for an opportunity for the 3 of them to escape.

Unluckily as Seyan extended his head into the mountain belly, it was the same timing as the Balrog charging towards the octopus. A scorching heat wave surge against his face, its pressure unfathomable like an unyielding mountain. At that instance, Ocean-freak Moria released a blood-curdling whine, a sound wave swept out from its beak as though it was a solid formless slab; causing Sheyan to instantly turn giddy. Its largest twin tentacles immediately drilled forward like a pike, deeply stabbing into its opposing opponent!

The core body of the Balrog was abruptly skewered! The flames rolling ferociously, but two shocking deep holes were formed from the impaled aftermath!

Once again, the Balrog flickered in transformation!

As for the fiery whip in its hand, it cruelly lashed against…the floor directly in front of the Ocean-freak Moria! He could distinctly see in this instance, the flames of the whip seemed to be divided and dropped off. In a flash, the whip was demoted into a queer, sinister, pitch-black bone whip! The flickering flames of its body instantly divided into a thousand fiery spirits, issuing a crazed hysterical laughter as it submerged underground……

Instantly, huge fissures erupted out over the originally moist ground surfac. Through the fissure cracks, a terrifying red glow like lava sprung out. In a flash, over the entire ground surface of the mountain belly, a massive crisscrossed network fissure of red lava glow appeared!!

Sheyan’s pupils instantly contracted, he could already see clearly the Balrog’s intention…..Actually, this flame devil’s intentions was actually not to assault Ocean-freak Moria! The Balrog obviously was clear that even if its might was superior to this humongous octopus, slaying it beside a water source was virtually impossible.

Hence the undying Balrog’s goal was very simple. Why had the Ocean-freak Moria visited this mountain belly? It was obviously to breed its future generation. Hence, if it dashed this very matter, then Ocean-freak Moria wouldn’t continue staying over here.

The lava like fissures swiftly spread towards the surrounding walls. Once the Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs had reached its tangerine sized second phase, it would sink down towards the rock surface to continue its incubation. In a flash, the Balrog controlled its flames as it binded towards every single egg that was pasted against the wall!

Blossoms of flames erupted as they insatiably devoured and roasted every egg, it was an utterly wicked assault originating from the Balrog’s evil soul. How could the frail eggs withstand the overwhelming might of the Balrog? In that instance, every single life force was destroyed!

Sheyan instantly understood something – that was about the Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs that he had gathered previously. The reason why it was so peculiar, the charred insides that seemed like it carried a blazing perishment; it was all because of this Balrog!

Having its future generation massacred even before they were borned, Ocean-freak Moria was utterly enraged. It no longer had any apprehensions as it furiously retreated and dove into the underground lake behind, inciting a tremendous torrent dashing to the heavens. Within the next second, the water level of the lake declined by 3 metres, its surface surging violently. And in the next second, an unbelievably shocking sparkling and translucent, 8 metre high water wall was hoisted up!

Chapter 322: Violent rage

The water wall paused in mid air for roughly a second, as though accumulating more force. Then, it was unleashed like in the form of an earth-shattering tsunami!

Within one outburst of spit, it was simply a mountain flash flood exploding forth. At least half of the underground lake was drawn out, carrying the sorrowful anger of the Ocean-freak Moria as it blasted out!!

The reason Ocean-freak Moria didn’t resort to this previously, was because it feared the repercussions would affect its offspring eggs. Yet now, it held back no longer, releasing its awe-inspiring deadliness.

Even though the mountain belly was incredibly vast; under the furious all out might of the Ocean-freak Moria, its entire contents were transformed into an unbridled vast body of water. The turbulent flood carried on with unstoppable might, colliding against the naturally arched door at the east of the mountain belly. The flood then continued forward, draining out towards the lower inclination of the mountain cave entrance!

At present, the terrifying might of the Ocean-freak Moria could be seen evidently. If it could be described as a class 5 legendary creature, then after it submerged into the water; it was at least elevated beyond the pinnacle of a class 6 legendary creature!

Caught completely off guard, the place Sheyan was hiding in was abruptly flooded. His body was instantly swept off by the ferocious flood. Fortunately, he reacted fast as it hastily held onto a nearby stalagmite, instead he felt like his entire body was being stretched excessively by the raging water current.

Fortunately, his pure strength was still 23 points, his fingertips crushed into the stalagmite. “Crkk crrekkk” Still, weakening cracks formed on the rock surface, as though it could break off at any moment. Sheyan gritted his teeth as he steadily held on without being swept away.

It was at this moment, when Sheyan was observing the rushing flood, he immediately understood the narrow mountain valley he travelled through previously; why there were so many loose Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs.

It seems like this wasn’t the first time Ocean-freak Moria had decided this destination to lay its eggs; probably due to the suitably terrain for doing so. It was only this place that the rock surface was warm, an unusual phenomenon of body temperature but it was due to the underlying influence of the hiding balrog. Thus, its breeding plans had always been wrecked by the crafty balrog.

In its fury, the octopus would unleash a torrential flood, the flood soaring through the bends of that narrow valley they travelled through; finally being stopped at that gigantic boulder of before. The water would be stalled there, with a small portion draining out through the small hole, carrying fragments of the Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs. Finally, the water would slowly be drained completely, and flow into the lake behind the pine forest.

The actions of those orcs from before were now abundantly clear. The reason they flayed the captives and tossed them off the icy peak yet still preserving their life force; was because they needed the captives to struggle intensely after landing to the ground.

Under such severely cold temperatures, random pieces of mud, gravels and stones would adhere onto the flesh of the captives, and pasted frozen onto the flesh. Of course, that includes the ultimate aim of Saruman as well – those Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs.

Obviously neither the uruk-hais nor orcs were able to climb down from the thousand metres high icy precipice, and retrieve the corpses they tossed down. Not only did they have to face the treacherous cold and slippery descend, they also had to cross over the unknown dangers of the lake. Although they couldn’t accomplish that, it didn’t meant other creatures couldn’t.

Truthfully speaking, Saruman’s doppelganger was really a talented individual. He was actually able to analyze that Great Eagle, Thorondor’s offspring, inside the Misty Mountain; and was able to produce an aroma that they loved – combusted fumes from the stone basin. Enticing them to approach, before throwing the stone basin down the cliff.

Naturally, the Great Eagle would tailgate after the origins of the wonderful aroma. Hence, they would casually discover the existence of those frozen corpses, that had the wonderful Ocean-freak Moria’s mucus flowing inside them. After encountering such a delicacy, the eagle would definitely have its fill. According to its natural tendencies, it would definitely capture some back into its nest to feed the young, or as night snack for its companion.

Based on the topography of this snowy precipice and valley, the stuffed Great Eagle would normally fly across the orc metropolis encampment. Saruman’s doppelganger would then control the Wizard Tower to assault it. The Great Eagle’s primary weapon was its beak and claws; after being aggressed, it would loosened its claws to retaliate, thus dropping the frozen corpses. If those frozen corpses had Ocean-Moria’s eggs pasted onto them, then Saruman’s doppelganger would have profited. Of course, the majority didn’t.

Naturally, Saruman was able to obtain great benefits from these Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs; leading to defining breakthroughs pertaining to his research.

This wasn’t solely and evidently seen from those nasty tentacled-freaks he created, but also from the gene-mix ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’.

The former was a terribly deadly biological weapon; loyal, intelligent and adept in calculating. The latter was an incomparably miraculous potion, able to amplify one’s survivability in battle by several folds!

The only thing Sheyan wasn’t able to deduce was how did Saruman get his hands on the first cup of ‘Mucus of the Ocean-freak of Moria’…..it was possible an orc randomly fished an egg from the lake. Perhaps a certain exterminated orc tribe had passed down the legends, or perhaps it was the produce of an evil divine sacrifice etc.

But Sheyan could definitely confirm, Saruman had already conducted several probes and research to the area here, and had paid a gravely huge price along the way. That was how he had managed to come up with an ingenious tactic of utilizing the Great Eagle to retrieve the flayed captives.

“Then…….” Sheyan finally understood one thing. ‘Those uruk-hai and that one-eyed demon outside weren’t even here for us! We were just small fish being swooped up by a huge storm!”

Saruman had been plotting this matter for a long time. Actually comparing his capabilities, it shouldn’t be inferior to the Ocean-freak Moria. It was only because Ocean-freak Moria was a water type creature, and held utmost supremacy in the water. Yet it was because Ocean-freak Moria had always been coping itself within the Carn D?m lake, that Saruman perpetually couldn’t deal with it; or even cross the lake.

However, not only was Saruman powerful, he even possessed an extremely astute intellect. After long periods of research and investigations, he probably was able to infer the breeding season of this legendary creature. Thus, he had mobilized an expedition into this remote region, to exploit this fact!

Previously when Sheyan worked in the basement of the Wizard tower to process tremendous amounts of materials, it was in preparation for this one time expedition. Instead because they managed to flee, they became the fuse for Saruman to shift the mobilization of his troops nearer. This was because the secret of this orc encampment, after Saruman had expended countless blood and effort, was definitely not permitted to be leaked to the outside world.

Nevertheless, Saruman was a human and not a deity. He would’ve never been able to guess that the Ocean-freak Moria would actually be clashing with the ancient balrog. The primary motive for this first large scale skirmish, was probably to seize the golden opportunity that Ocean-freak Moria had left the lake for its breeding season. Thus, advancing towards that narrow and long mountain valley, that the orcs hail as the ‘Land of Hope’, to gather more Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs.

But as the saying goes, man proposes but God disposes. As Ocean-freak Moria reached the pinnacle of its fury, those orcs and uruk-hais that had infiltrated this ‘Land of hope’ instantly became fish in a calamitous pond. That had to face the incomparable horror of the heaven defying flood!!

Sheyan tightly grasped onto the stalagmite, cracking sounds repeatedly emerged from his grip. He bit heavily against his lips. His fingernails were being forcefully inverted, as blood streamed out. Still, Sheyan tried his utmost to stabilize himself against the torrential currents. He knew that if he was swept away, this life would be lost easily by smashing against any loose rocks!

Fortunately, his current position was at the back region of the mountain belly, nearer to the underground lake. He wasn’t situated against the direct flush of the flood, occasionally pulses of backflow would even allow him to take an additional breath.

Seizing an opportunity of a backflow, Sheyan forced himself forward using his legs to wrap tightly around the stalagmite. With this huge stalagmite shielding the water, he could finally relax a little. Moreover, the flood gradually halted after ten minutes since Ocean-freak moria’s outburst of rage. Sheyan reckoned that the amount of water spurted out was definitely not inferior to a typical flash flood of a medium sized river!

Swoosh! Swoosh! The water gently slapped against the surrounding rocks. Although it was an unchallengeable legendary creature, Ocean-freak Moria was also clearly exhausted, curling up its tentacles as it floated on the water surface, resting. The rippling waters beneath it swiftly retreated back, allowing this temporary mountain aquarium to rapidly shrink back to dry land.

Undoubtedly, both Sheyan and the Ocean-freak Moria had their attention glued towards the middle region of this place. Currently, the water was still flowing, a mix of white froth and muddied yellow formed into numerous tiny whirlpools. It was also the area the balrog was standing on before the flood!

The waters swift receded, yet not a single trace of the balrog could be seen. Only, over the surface of the rocky ground, was a tiny clump of burnt darkness which signified one thing – just a short while ago, there was a legendary creature emitting an incinerating temperature over this surface.

Chapter 323: Inflicting serious damages

At this moment, no matter who, the sneaky Sheyan or the Ocean-freak Moria; both had one notion in their hearts.

“That Balrog should’ve been swept up already right?”

Suddenly, the ground’s surface split open!

An explosion as crazy as a volcanic eruption!!

Although it was the eruption only happened within a few square metres in a circular radius, it unleashed the same sensation as molten fiery lava exploding into the horizon!

Then, a grey figure burrowed out.

This figure appeared to be roughly a tenth of Ocean-freak Moria’s size. It had a pair of gigantic goat horns, a pointed mouth and triangular eyes. A charred black rock-like shell covered its body, with deep dense cracks running through its shell; of which deep scarlet flames were spurting out.

This was the real body of that fugitive – Flame devil Balrog, Durin’s Bane!

It actually dissolved itself into the ground after being covered by the wall of water, yet its fearsomeness displayed in its ability to conceal up its traces flawlessly! The Balrog had waited patiently for this moment, and it definitely wasn’t for the sake of leaping out to say goodbye to Ocean-freak Moria!

Although this matter appeared like Ocean-freak Moria was the perpetual victim, but one had to think in the shoes of the Balrog, Durin’s Bane, as well. One will then realized that the Balrog was similarly pitiful and incomparably despondent.

As a matter of fact, it carried the word ‘gutless’ on its back for life; being one who had deserted its own kind during the Balrog annihilation in the War of Wrath. At present, it only wanted to dwell peacefully in the abyss and enjoy the darkness and stillness of red-hot lava in dormant; confiding itself to a dull boring life of squashing little insects who crept into its abyss.

Yet of all things, Ocean-freak Moria required a warm environment to breed. Its personal residing habitat was the Misty Mountains which was 3,417 metres above sea level, and it didn’t have the luxury of beautiful sunshine, coconut trees, beaches, bikinis of the Southern seas.

Hence without a choice, Ocean-freak Moria had to find an adequately warm area for it to breed its future generation. Unfortunately, the destination it found was coincidentally the Balrog’s residence. Its unceasing seeking of a warm environment, was actually the body temperature manifested from the Balrog. Just think about it, if you were cooped up at home all cosy with the perfect temperature, yet suddenly someone barged into your house and started sprinkling icy cold water in your face; how would you feel? Truthfully speaking, no matter how good the temperament of the Balrog was, it would never be able to endure such invading behavior!

Furthermore, creating more resentment was the fact that the Ocean-freak Moria’s breeding period was extremely disorderly; sometimes once in years, sometimes once in weeks……Thus, while Ocean-freak Moria hated the Balrog to the core, it was fair to say that the Balrog similarly hated Ocean-freak Moria who kept infringing on its territory and peace. Besides, the Balrog was an ancient devilish character and careful deliberations, it decided to spare all effort to consume its superficial flames over its body surface, in order to dispatch of this trouble once and for all!

A fiery blaze radiated out; Sheyan could only feel his eyes being stabbed by something, issuing a burning and piercing agony! After the Balrog had exploded up from the ground like a devil from hell, it soared into the air, curling its tail as it aimed ahead. Then with astonishing speed, it propelled its tail bone targeting directly towards the convex area between Ocean-freak Moria’s eyes. That was indeed the vital part of the octopus.

However, Ocean-freak Moria was similarly a legendary creature of the same tier. At the same time it was struck, two primary tentacles carried splashes of ice crumbs as it lashed out. The tentacles struck the Balrog flying 20 metres away, as it crashed onto the ground sliding miserably; leaving a long burnt trace on the ground. Its black crusty skin at its abdomen had been distinctly torn off, leaving an enormous wound in its place. Fiery flames of blood flared out and combusted to a height of 30 metres!!

Mutual infliction!!

Amidst the gruesome roars of anguish by both parties, Sheyan couldn’t help feeling tempted. However, he didn’t follow his greed like most main leads would, to charge forward. Instead, he hastily shrank backwards in a timid crawl, before he tiptoed in huge strides back upwards to flee.

Who was he kidding. An ordinary octopus already had 3 hearts, and every single tentacle possessed its own ‘brain’ allowing it to move on its own even after the octopus dies. Moreover, the Balrog was known as a lava demon who could exercise its spirit. To gain advantages from these two legendary creatures would be essentially seeking for the fastest way to die.

“How’s it going?” After climbing back up to the cave entrance, Sheyan glanced at Melody and Reef and whispered.

Reef shrugged his shoulders.

“This reminds me of the unprecedented flood written in the Bible. Those poor fellas really looked like garbage soaked for 4-5 days in the River Thames.”

After speaking, he offered his optimal viewing seat to Sheyan. Sheyan stretched his head out to peep; the entire narrow valley beneath was just a plane of water body. The yellowish-brown mountain flood churned up by Ocean-freak Moria still carried unstoppable might; its turbulent crashing waves snarled like a fuming yellow dragon, and ferociously pounded against the cliff rocks on both sides.

Visibly seen were the mushy and mutilated corpses of several orcs and Uruk-hai floating calmly over the flood surface, being swept down at rapid pace. On the contrary, those cumbersome tentacled-freaks looked as if there were still on dry land, their agility was matchless in the water as they swiftly swam upstream; their movements rather shocking to behold.

“What should we do now?” Reef inquired of Sheyan. Sheyan shook his head and replied. “We can only watch for now.”

Melody suddenly interrupted.

“When the mountain flood stabilizes a little, we can try to take advantage of this crisis and trace back our original path to escape. I am able to execute an underwater breathing divine art.”

Sheyan’s gaze flickered, but instantly shook his head gently.

“For such a large scale operation, it is impossible that Saruman’s doppelganger wouldn’t be present himself to coordinate it. We can see that evidently from the exploring party assaulting this valley that comprises mainly of orcs. This group is probably merely front scouts used as cannon fodder. This mountain flood is artificially created by Ocean-freak Moria, it will go as quickly as it comes. If we return on the same path, we will definitely encounter the main fleet led by Saruman’s doppelganger……”

“But still, underwater breathing divine art……”

Although Sheyan uttered these statements, his eyes still shone with thoughtfulness as he continued.

“Opportunities go to those who are prepared, let us first continue waiting here. Let us pray the twilight elf blessing will stay effective so they won’t notice us.”

“Oh, right.” Sheyan paused for a while before standing up, then he walked in front of Melody and sincerely uttered. “I’m guessing, if me and Reef weren’t around, then you’d definitely have a method to escape this predicament on your own right?”

Melody bit her lower lip but remained silent. She didn’t dare to look into Sheyan’s eyes, but ultimately nodded her head slightly.

Sheyan released a long breath before comfortably continuing.

“That’s excellent. This only matter plaguing my heart is finally settled.”

Sheyan then extended his hand to lift up Melody’s chin, staring earnestly into her eyes.

“Listen to me, O noble and esteemed twilight elf. He and I are not people from Middle-earth. In actual fact, if ever we encounter death, our god will protect us and vanquish death itself to rescue us to him. Thus, we will definitely live on even in the face of all dangers. You too, must live on. Don’t worry about us…..save me the despair of personally watching perish die in vain!”

Melody was taken aback.

“Apart from Middle-earth, there are still other earths?”

Sheyan smiled slightly and replied.

“Think about the sacred undying lands of Aman, therein lies your blessed elf kingdom of Valinor; is it located in Middle-earth? Since there’s an Aman outside of Middle-earth, why couldn’t there be our own human earth?”

In the end, Melody was still half doubtful of Sheyan’s words. While they were conversing, the mountain flood beneath came as fast as it went, and the water had already receded to extremely shallow levels. Those cumbersome Tentacled-freaks had already swiftly swam upstream, following the direction of the water source as they reached the mountain belly. The Balrog had long ago dissolved back into the rocks, casually retreating back into the underground abyss as it used the scalding magma to treat its wounds. Only the humongous octopus, Ocean-freak Moria, was still semi-submerged inside the underground lake, resting.

Although the flash flood was rapid and ferocious, most of its unstoppable force was directed towards the main entrance of the mountain belly. Whereas the eggs were all being bred within the crevices of the rocks behind, some crevices were located high up on the rocks, and thus there were several fortunate eggs that were spared from obliteration. As a female beast, and a mother that had just given birth to her eggs, Ocean-freak Moria still harbored a sliver of hope for any lucky survivors of these remnant eggs. Hence, it remained stationary here, until it had utterly given up.

At this moment, amongst the front scouts of Saruman’s fleet, a massive Tentacled-freak had easily swam up into the tremendous mountain belly. The moment it saw the Ocean-freak Moria, it instantly turned motionless. That round eye ball on its head glinted with a flash, like a computer hard disk rapidly processing. It was clear that the Tentacled-freak was probably contacting Saruman, feedbacking the strange scenario it was observing.

Following closely, 3 other huge Tentacled-freaks charged into the mountain belly. The 4 Tentacled-freaks tangled their tentacles together, bracing into a row. Proceeding that, the eyes on their heads gradually reddened, as though they were gathering energy.

**

At present, within the mountain valley outside, a flock of swift and fierce elite uruk-hais was seen lifting an immense bone carriage and sprinting with unparalleled speeds. Seated atop the bone carriage, was shockingly Saruman’s doppelganger! Surrounding and escorting the bone carriage were massive amounts of uruk-hais as well as fully-equipped orcs!

Obviously, after hearing of Ocean-freak Moria’s weakened state, Saruman’s doppelganger ultimately couldn’t hold back his thriving ambitions and excitement. He directly mobilized his entire strength, wanting to slaughter this humongous octopus! If not, his basic goal was at least to severely wound this legendary creature, then sweeping the entire mountain for Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs!

Chapter 324: Break away

Very quickly, the 4 Tentacled-freaks had received Saruman’s orders; viciously targeting Ocean-freak Moria in unison and released concentrated assaults of death rays. The rays were roughly the size of a wine cup, radiating forth like lasers. Just by looking at it, Sheyan felt a shiver down his back. Those death rays not only had a dreadful offensive, it even contained a negative buff effect. Even if Sheyan was in his optimal state, he still wouldn’t dare to face 4-5 consecutive shots of those rays head on.

Against the incoming death rays, Ocean-freak Moria merely raised its tentacle lazily, and easily blocked off those beams of laser. Yet for some unknown reason, when the death rays struck its skin, a strange reflection occurred and ricocheted towards the nearby walls. Chi! Chi! The rays corroded out deep holes in the walls.

It was pretty obvious that the genetic makeup of these Tentacled-freaks were nurtured and created by Saruman through research of those lifeless Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs. Hence, their genes naturally originated from Ocean-freak Moria. Therefore, Ocean-freak Moria obviously wouldn’t place their attacks in its eyes, blocking them as easily as drawing. Sheyan didn’t know if he saw wrong, but he could somewhat identify a sense of ridicule emitting from the female octopus’s eyes.

At this moment, Saruman finally arrived and his eyes instantly enlarged with the sight of the gigantic octopus; the greed shining from his eyes and his drooling mouth could even be see from afar! He immediately signalled to his orc underlings to surround it, but allowed the elite uruk-hais to remain motionless.

Something noteworthy was the fact that even though the flood was ferocious and abrupt, it wasn’t a fatal threat to the likes of a uruk-hai leader like Lurtz. Only, he was completely covered in dirt, cutting a rather sorry figure.

Meanwhile, Reef and Melody were both excitedly exclaiming.

“Well done, now that the narrow valley outside is left with several frail and old orcs; once both parties start to battle, we can immediately climb out of this entrance, and sneak off behind their backs. Even if Saruman catches wind of this, his hands would be tied to pursue us.”

Sheyan’s eyes flickered for a moment but he gently shook his head again, earnestly and gently advising.

“Now is not the time.”

Reef was shocked.

“Then when is the best time to leave?”

Sheyan didn’t answer him directly.

“Just take a look at the battle below.”

“Reef cautiously spied downwards. At present, Ocean-freak Moria was suffering from the all round assaults of 20 orcs, with nearly 10 other Tentacled-freaks engaging in long range firepower. Yet with only two tentacles, she still easily guarded and even retaliated.

As Reef peeped out, he coincidentally saw Ocean-freak Moria swinging out a tentacle with water splashing about. The tentacle was Incomparably deft as it coiled around an orc, and constricted; fracturing and shattering every bone within that unlucky orc, before tossing the orc into its mouth beak. The black blood of the orc gushed out profusely; this imagery gave off an impression of a human biting a swollen orange with its juices squirting everywhere.

To Ocean-freak Moria, it had just gone through a season of breeding and even engaged in a huge deadly battle. What it needed now was massive amounts of food to replenish its energy, and right now, these pesky ants had delivered themselves to it. Reef continue watching as another 3 orcs were coiled around by those terrifying tentacles, and tossed into Ocean-freak Moria’s mouth. Saruman didn’t make a move, he only gestured his underlings to retreat a little. But why would Ocean-freak Moria give up on these pesky ants? One step at a time, she crawled out from the underground lake.

A thought flashed in Reef’s eyes, he was suddenly enlightened and exclaimed.

“Right! Saruman is too greedy, he actually desires to lure the Ocean-freak Moria out of its lake! Firstly, he can lower its capabilities, and secondly, he wishes to capture the slayed beast, or even capture it alive! Don’t tell me…….”

Sheyan slapped his shoulder, and sincerely affirmed.

“That’s correct. If Melody is able to allow us to breathe underwater, then we can seize the opportunity when this octopus is lured out; and directly leave through the underground lake.”

Reef frowned and replied.

“But……..”

Sheyan knew what he was worried about, he calmly replied.

“There is no need for buts. The reason Saruman wasn’t able to reach here previously, was most likely because the Ocean-freak Moria normally hosted itself within that lake. Then we can determine that this underground lake is definitely connected to that lake outside. If we were still in optimal fully equipped state, the chances of us breaking through the orcs behind and then swim across is only half. Yet now that we have Melody’s Underwater breathing Divine Art, we would be able to cross safely without apprehensions. Without alarming anyone, we would be able to leave this place without facing a single danger!”

Meanwhile, Ocean-freak Moria had already been completely lured out of the underground lake, and was lunging forward at the orcs ahead with insatiable hunger. Those vicious and brutish orcs in the eyes of Ocean-freak Moria, were akin to freshly-baked custard tarts. Since they could replenish its strength and observing its enemies retreating, Ocean-freak Moria held no reservations. Although it appeared like its movements were slow, it was not one bit inferior to those orcs.

After 7 orcs had been consecutively slaughtered, Saruman faintly performed a gesture. Instantly, the battling fleet dispersed and fled in all directions. Ocean-freak Moria’s eyes sparkled with a murderous glow; how could she spare them? She instantly flew into a raging pursue. On her way, she consecutively gobbled up 4 other orcs, but when she had just exited the cave entrance of the mountain cave, the uruk-hai leader, Lurtz, could already be seen standing a distant away. Standing atop a towering cliff rock as he gazed upon the cave entrance!

His body was dripping wet,

His face filled with cut wounds,

His appearance terribly wretched,

Yet he was squinting his eyes,

His eyes flickered with an unexplainable glint.

Raising his long bow that he would use in the future to square off with that elvish prince, Legolas,

He mounted that dreadful arrow that he would use to slay Boromir, steward prince of Gondor!!!

His muscular arm hoisted up, thick bluish-green veins bulged out like snakes. He then released the bowstring,

Fire!!

This arrow didn’t merely rely on Lurtz’s personal strength, it was a combination strike with Saruman! It contained a hovering curse of millions of vengeful spirits!

It was simply impossible to capture the trajectory of this arrow. With the twang of Lurtz’s bow string, in an instance, one of Ocean-freak Moria’s bell shaped eyes instantly exploded. The octopus released a terribly sorrowful shrill as it retreated back towards the cave entrance to flee into the lake.

Yet right now, Saruman’s doppelganger had raised his magic staff up high, and was chanting a curse. Word by word, the curse words resounded from his wrinkled lips. The first word carried no sound, the second was exceedingly clear, and the final word sounded like a sonorous thunder!

Throughout the incomparably sturdy rocks surrounding the cave entrance, sudden wrinkly fissures swiftly formed and repeatedly broke outwards….and collapsed! Boom! A small landslide showered down, releasing a deafening crash. Amidst the dust and smoke, there was still a narrow channel through. Yet for such a humongous beast like the Ocean-freak Moria, it was a dead end!

Currently, Sheyan and the others were dashing towards the underground lake without hesitation. As they trampled through the region the octopus had crawled over before, they realized it was excessively filled with mucus. Every step was a chore as long sticky threads adhered to their soles.

But at this moment, for some unknown reason, a buzzing sound resounded within their brains. It was as though their minds suddenly went blank as they simultaneously collapsed to the ground. Sheyan face planted, with the transparent mucus smearing his entire face.

After regaining composure, he sullenly murmured.

“Saruman is really unlucky, Ocean-freak Moria surely isn’t one to be trifled with…….”

Melody casted a suspicious glare over, Sheyan sighed and continued.

“Don’t forget, that damned octopus is able to release powerful hallucinatory gas, even this fierce male beside me had been taken under its spirit control! Those two perverted abilities were obviously useless against that balrog……but don’t ever forget, Saruman created so many Tentacled-freaks using the blueprint genetic composition of Ocean-freak Moria. I reckon that old man probably doesn’t know about that even after thousands of deliberations and analysis, or perhaps he is too confident in his research. Today is the day this place will experience a great setback!”

Before Sheyan’s words faded, sudden faint and miserable cries drifted in, it was the wails and howls of several uruk-hais!! Sheyan’s deduction was spot on. Those formidable Tentacled-freaks were instantly counter spirit controlled by the furious Ocean-freak Moria. In that instance, Saruman was really caught unprepared.

The sanctity of such a legendary creature, who could simply voluntarily offend it?

Probably the unexpected twist of those Tentacled-freak turncoats had left a profound shadow, scarring Saruman’s heart. Thereby possibly triggering him to abandon his future research on them and focus his direction to the uruk-hais. Henceforth, the short-lived tale of the Tentacled-freaks would vanish from this earth forever…….

Sheyan leisurely helped himself to a handful of a few Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs. Although they had been torched by the balrog and their souls had been incinerated, it was still a miracle health potion. Melody then bestowed them with her Underwater Breathing Divine Art, and they leapt into the underground lake.

After casting the Underwater Breathing Divine Art, a thin transparent mask covered their faces; emitting faint bubbles of green glow. It was extremely soft and smoothly filtered dissolved air inside the water for them.

Chapter 325: Weakening limit!

Beneath the lake surface was utter pitch-darkness. It was a deathly silence with nothing living inside. Creatures that had tried to approach previously had been slain by Ocean-freak Moria. Although Sheyan and Reef didn’t have any deep sea diving experience, Melody was able to initiate a void spatial 3D mode for them. Under her leadership, they navigated through the curves and bends of the underground lake like a maze, and finally reached that lake known by the orc as ‘Carn D?m’ lake.

Sheyan and Reef could feel that the temperature of the lake had clearly dipped, which was obviously a chain reaction from the Balrog. After it frenziedly drew in heat to recuperate, the temperature of the underground lake would naturally swiftly drop. Those peculiar fiendish fish began to cautiously circle around them. Finally, a famished one decided to initiate an attack at Sheyan.

Yet because of Melody, those large stronger worms only curiously swam around their sides, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

This wasn’t the first time Ocean-freak Moria and the Balrog had faced off. Hence, substantial amounts of eggs from previous times had already been flushed into the lake. Through its decomposition process, it polluted the lake and the creatures living in it, causing them to mutate into fiendish looking freaks. After being contaminated by the genes of Ocean-freak Moria, Ocean-freak Moria then treated them as its own, and didn’t slay them for food.

Fortunately, though Sheyan and Reef had their capabilities severely handicapped, they had the protection of a twilight elf. Melody raised her hands, summoning generous green threads of aquatic grass to elegantly wrap against their bodies. Once a fish closed in, the threads would bind up their mouths and caused them to flee in disarray.

After the three climbed ashore, they were momentarily stupefied. The previous epidemic forest was now a plot of charred and white desolated ground to behold. Even Sheyan hadn’t imagine Saruman to actually devise such a decisively vicious action to dispose of this ghost land.

According to Sheyan’s inference, the water flowing beneath this epidemic forest was probably linked to a certain lair that Ocean-freak Moria had dwelled in for a long time. The hallucinatory mucus secreted from this humongous octopus probably mixed into the water, and was absorbed by the roots of the Pine trees for a long period of time. The roots sucked up these substance like a water pump, as the sediments gradually infiltrated into the soil. Hence, when the sunlight shone down after the mist cleared, the ground would release a lethal hallucinatory effect.

As they continued to trudge forward, they returned to the scene of the avalanche; sighing as they recalled it as if it was from their previous lifetime. Because the entire snowy valley had been trampled over by the endless amount of orcs, the footprints they left behind now were completely negligible. After advancing for roughly a dozen kilometres, the tremendous white honeycomb orc encampment greeted them.

Right now, they had two choices. One was to turn left and return to the orc encampment. Next was to turn right, and naturally leave this damnable nightmare behind. Sheyan pondered for a moment before he spoke out.

“Melody, do you really have an ability to preserve your life during an emergency?”

Melody sincerely nodded her head. Sheyan then handed the animal hide bundle he was carrying to Reef, inside contained the plundered Ocean-freak Moria’s eggs. He stared at Reef and spoke.

“Looks like we will part ways here. This is a golden opportunity that happens once in a blue moon. This orc encampment is empty now, I reckon most of their forces have been led away by Saruman’s doppelganger. Besides due to the scale of his operation, he probably mobilized every single strength he had. Even the aged and sickly orcs were used as cannon fodder. Hence, I believe that this is a huge chance to reap great benefits.”

Reef nodded.

“I got it, you want me to be the surviving lifeline right?”

“That’s correct. You still have the twilight elf blessing on you; once you reach any lusciously abundant land, the chances of you encountering danger would be greatly reduced. Moreover, the duration of this twilight elf blessing is still pretty long.” Sheyan sombrely replied.

“By surviving, you will ease me of a great burden to take this tremendous risk.”

Reef smiled. He was always a solemn person, but the smile on his face now was a candid and unflustered one.

“Take care, Seaman. Wait, I still have one reservation.”

Sheyan earnestly replied.

“Tell me about it.”

Reef deliberated before continuing.

“This Saruman is merely a doppelganger, his possessions stored inside the Wizard tower wouldn’t be much. Moreover, he just set off on a huge skirmish, probably bringing along essential potions, battle equipments and other tools. This means that the chances of acquiring something good is lessened.”

“Finally, because of that ridiculous realm regulation, the things we can bring out of this world is limited. And after our third weakening, the benefits we can acquired would probably reach close to nil. Thus, the reason you want to take this risk, is to try your luck in mending that Rank 6 ability right?”

Sheyan nodded and replied.

“Mmhmm, that is my exact sentiments, but I still feel this risk is worth taking.”

Reef paused for a moment before wishing him good luck.

“Alright, then, take care man.”

Sheyan needed to seize the moment, he had no clue when Saruman’s doppelganger would return. Hence, he immediately turned and headed towards the orc encampment in big strides. A cowhide pouch was slung beside his waist, as he casually waved goodbye to Reef.

Right when the two parted ways, their nightmare imprint once again transmitted a merciless voice.

“Scanning: Contestant no.1018 has reached a relevant checkpoint for the party establishment mission ‘Survival’ !”

“Congratulations: Contestant no.1018, your party establishment mission ‘Survival’ has reached its final phase of critical checkpoints!”

“Warning: The difficulty level of staying in this world is raised again. Henceforth, all attributes of the nightmare realm will vanish. Your body conditions will decline to the standards of an ordinary human!!”

“Details: You’ve already reached the final phase of the party establishment mission ‘Survival’. 8 more hours of survival will allow you to fulfill the maximum score ‘lvl max’ of the party establishment mission ‘Survival’. You will then be forcefully sent back to the nightmare realm. If you can fulfil that criteria, you will be able to obtain the relevant milestone and acquire the maximum reward for this mission!”

Although Sheyan was already emotionally prepared, he couldn’t help rejoicing frantically in his heart. At present, there was another matter he had already inferred, but he couldn’t help asking about it.

“If I choose to return to the realm now while my party member continues staying in this world. How will the mission rewards be calculated?”

“Calculating answer……”

“Backing up…..”

“Answering…..”

“Both members have chosen to enter this world together, and initiate the party establishment mission ‘Survival’. As long as one member lives, the mission rating would utilize the member with the most exceptional result.”

After getting an answer, Sheyan finally loosened up as though he had placed a huge baggage down, as he headed towards that orc metropolis. However, the sudden returning to his ordinary physical state caused him relative distress. He couldn’t help sighing inwardly; with his speed now, just travelling towards the encampment would require an additional 5 minutes of wasted time!

During the nerve-wrecking critical moments of wreaking havoc inside the Wizard tower, 5 minutes of time could very well mean victory or defeat; life or death!

Sheyan decided to examine his personal attributes. As expected, he discovered the his personal data, including all attributes and abilities; both passive and active, had all been sealed. The only exception, was his innate ability ‘Endurance’!

Although ‘Endurance’ was not in effect instead of being sealed, it had the words ‘Unawakened’ ! This was completely identical when Sheyan inspected it back in the present world.

The orcs of this metropolis seemed to have completely deserted the place. Still, everything remained looking prim and properly. It was evident that Saruman’s doppelganger had made a relatively long preparation for this skirmish.

As he traversed through the filthy, smelly and peculiarly enduring city, he recalled the previous noise and clamour of this place in his memories. The eerie dreadfulness of this ghost town welled up his heart.

The Wizard tower was right ahead.

Due to the fact that this Wizard tower resembled only a careless imitation, with only its summit roof laced with profound mysteries and decorated with precious minerals like silver, gold and others; hence, before entering the fourth level, Sheyan wasn’t worried about triggering any magic based mechanism.

Moreover, based on the brain composition of the orcs/uruk-hais who probably had muscles as brains, it was a simple job identifying their crudely designed but still deadly trap mechanisms. Besides, when he had worked in this building previously, he already familiarized himself with the area, knowing this place inside out.

“This way.” After entering the Wizard tower, Sheyan led the way. Although he was reduced to a mortal state, he remained strong and nimble. “Careful of those stairs. You saw that? Right right, there’s a black board in the middle, if you step on it, a gigantic boulder will roll down from above.”

Melody silently skipped behind Sheyan, her clear flawless pupils suddenly imbued a certain grief as she glanced at Sheyan.

“I can feel it, you’re becoming weaker.”