Mander's eyes flashed as he suspected Carly of enticing the young master into doing this. He had heard their conversation when he stood guard in the room. He actually thought it was within the outer or inner region of the forest that they had found the plant, only for him to realize now.
It was the freaking Dark zone.
The clan would never send the young master into the Dark zone.
He should have restrained the young master in the inn or within the outer region. However, he knew it was too late to regret now.
It wasn't worth it entering the Dark zone for just a grade 4 plant, which brought him to the thought and suspected that the lady had a hidden agenda and had allured the young master.
He couldn't stop the young master if he wanted to explore the Dark zone now, because he was sure the diabolic woman would intercept him and he didn't dare to tell his men to attack the young master's entourage.
He was at the center of things now.
Carly snuck her tongue out playfully, waiting for his decision which she knew already.
He's got no choice.
"Alright. We'll only explore the outer section straight to the target. If anyone take a single step into the inner region, we will have to fight it out." Mander finally agreed with knitted teeth. His eyes were on the lady as he spoke, since no one from the group was his match.
In that instant, he led the group into the Dark zone.
Carly's sneered coldly as her eyes flashed, watching him leave. "No doubt, you're going down today. You better watch it." she muttered.
Simley shook as the stories of the Dark zone resurfaced in his heart and he began to have a second thought.
"Aren't you coming?" Carly called out.
A glint appeared in his eyes before he joined the group.
He had to get the plant. His confidence was reaffirmed!
This was also an opportunity to contribute to the clan. A grade four herb that could go harmoniously with some blacksmith materials was a decent endeavor.
________
Blood came crashing into tree branches after his unblinking launch, he was rushing down at an extreme speed. He soon smashed into the ground as the earth lifted amidst the crash.
He tumbled for several meters, holding in the almost unbearable pain.
Looking around the zone while resting his back on a tree, he knew this was it and he had really taken a bold decision which he didn't find pleasing.
He yawned and looked around for danger. He then stood up, stretching his back for comfort. The hit wasn't unbearable.
Something suddenly stubbed on his toe and rolled slightly away from the tree. He looked at it and sent his gaze to the top of the tree which it had descended, only for him to see a squirrel.
Blood's expression turned solemn at the perplexed energy the squirrel radiates.
He didn't dally around and, in an instant, was already 10 meters from his previous position. He didn't even look back, at least not until he was very far away from that place and believed he was safe.
When he dashed, he didn't sense being followed, perhaps the beast's movement were perfect.
After running for a while, he stopped to confirm if he was being followed or not, as not all beasts loved to chase their preys.
A beast's size doesn't always determine its attack power.
It might be a little squirrel but would be very powerful!
He turned around and scrutinized every point he could but sensed nothing. The environment was dark in the first place which reduced the quality of sight, but Spiritual sense was still perfect to some extent.
Blood knitted his brows when he looked into the distance as he saw a silhouette lying like a log of wood on the ground. Their clothes were tattered and were covered in injuries.
Their injuries appeared to be grave.
On getting closer to the individual, Blood's senses were raised to the peak. He was extremely cautious of the environment.
Moreover, this might be a decor to draw him nearer, but he had to oblige. Within half a minute, in slow pace, he was standing just a foot close to the individual.
He crouched down and turned the body over with extreme carefulness. A bloodied chest greeted him as green gems came out of the individual's mouth.
Blood looked at the middle-aged man and felt sympathetic. His shape was miserable and unrecognizable. He must have been attacked by the vicious beasts of the zone.
The moment the body was turned, the scar-faced man sniffed and opened his dead eyes, before he began to cough hard. Blood quickly brought out some healing pills and fed him.
On this gesture, the man's eyes opened and his hand sprung out. he held Blood's hands firmly but in a soft approach.
Blood's heart skipped a beat, before it started to calm steadily. He thought he was doomed because the man's strength wasn't inferior to the enemy he escaped from.
The middle-aged man shook his head lightly and said, "Yo..uu don't have to waste pills on someone like me, since I will die either way." a line of tears marked his face as he continued,
"I've been in this place for over a month, I suppose, and it's already a miracle that am still breathing. I don't know what a kid like you is doing out here but since you've gotten the nerves to trend in here, you might have what it takes." he said, his voice faint.
This was his chance which might not come again. He was already lucky he didn't meet a cultivator who would've killed him in an instant and collect his treasures.
"I have a simple request! I want you to promise you'll take this information to the Thundering Sword Sect. In return I will let you on a secret, a place where you will find an equivalent treasure. It should have matured by now. Only what you need to do is to deliver a message to my sect." he completed with difficulty. His breathing was unsteady.
Blood thought for a moment and agreed. Although he didn't come here for treasures since it was pure circumstance that he was here, taking some good stuffs along the way would be appreciating.
The middle-aged man's tension evidently eased when Blood agreed with his request. There was a chance his brothers and sisters could be avenged.
It didn't take long telling Blood what he wanted him to relay. Blood's expression changed when he heard an entire group were massacred because of a single grade 3 plant!
Cultivation journey was really a cruel one as his parents taught.
Blood accepted the deal and promised to pass the information when he had the chance. The Thundering Sword sect was within the city.
The moment the issue was finalized, the scar-faced man coughed a few times as green liquid licked through his mouth and nostrils.
He had been restraining the poison for a long time. He could finally die with a relieved heart. He removed his spatial pouch and handed it to Blood.
He would be dead anyway.
Blood was baffled with the gesture. He hurriedly accepted the pouch while yelling at himself in his heart. He was taking advantage of a dying man.
The man had a rare smile when he saw his downcast look. He said afterward, "You shouldn't feel bad taking my treasures since others would when they see a corpse. I personally took things from corpses myself. I give you this so that the same wouldn't happen with me. Just make sure you deliver the message." his voice was riotous toward the end.
He died soon after.
Blood sighed and closed the corpse's eyes and gave a slight bow.
He understood why they say it wasn't always good having a fruitful encounter. Having sufficient skills to protect oneself was paramount.
He didn't waste any time and sets out. He had to look for the Sharp-hind Grass!