Crack!
A loose black rock broke away from the ceiling of the passage, rolled several times along the sloping wall, and finally struck the ground with a sharp sound.
Victor glanced up before continuing forward.
The Crimson Flame Hall behind him had fallen completely silent. With the ancient mana formation no longer operating, the earth vein energy that had continuously supplied the guardian was gradually dissipating. Only a handful of runes that had yet to go dark continued emitting a dim crimson glow.
His mana was still recovering from the battle, but his sharpened fire sense traced the earth-vein energy through the rock walls, drawing him deeper; none of it was flowing back toward the Crimson Flame Hall. The Earth Vein Golden Flame had already satisfied the flame requirement of the Heaven Burning Sword Art, leaving only proficiency at Perfection before its evolution could proceed.
"Looks like the true center of the earth vein lies even deeper."
