C6 Each of Them Had Their Own Ulterior Motives

"It's alright now, it's alright. Mr. Owens has brought you back. We owe him our lives. My dear, please promise me you won't do anything foolish again. Otherwise, I might end up getting killed..." Daniel recounted the ordeal once more. "Oh dear, my stomach is really hurting. How do you plan to make it up to me?"

Esmeralda expressed her resignation, "My lord, you're too naive. Please don't do such foolish things for me anymore. My life isn't worth much, and I could never repay you in a lifetime..."

Mr. Owens was so thoughtful. But what could he possibly want her to do, and why all the secrecy? Daniel embraced his wife and chuckled, "Don't worry, it's a million times simpler than saving you. He just asked me to send his regards to my family. Hahaha..."

Rupert had a small pet that often followed Zach, but when Rupert was free, the little creature would approach and climb up on him, showing a bit of cleverness.

Rupert was fond of this little animal with its round eyes, pointed nose, and purple fur. It even had a golden ring around its neck and moved with agility, hopping and skipping about! As soon as he took it from Zach's embrace, the little sable seemed to sense it was about to get a new owner and began sniffing around Rupert. It was as if it was searching for something, reminiscent of how, twenty years ago, it had helped him find a phoenix egg that boosted his powers. This sable had been by his side for quite some time.

Rupert amused himself with the creature, letting it rest on him. The little sable was quite intelligent and seemed to recognize him as its permanent master. Everyone should note that this sable appeared to emit a faint scent of sandalwood!

If there were any coincidences in the world more bizarre than this, how could the sable, unless it was a Celestial Relic, have found and swallowed a treasure? It seemed as though fate had a plan, lying in wait for Rupert and the others to spring the trap...

In a land shrouded in mystery and darkness, where the chilling air could penetrate the very bones, the pain and loss of freedom were unbearable, as evidenced by the gasps and wild howls of someone or something trapped.

Atop the mountain, someone tapped the ground and called out, "Master, Master! Are you alright?"

A deep voice resonated from below, "Hmm, I am bound by the Sage's incantation! Have you found the one who can break the seal?"

"Yes, yes! August is nearing, and the fifteenth day is upon us, promising a serendipitous event! Master, please be patient a little longer..."

"Ha! I am well aware. On the fifteenth of August, it's not just me who will undergo a transformation! To break this spell, I must find the sealer and offer them as a blood sacrifice. After years of confinement, what's a few more? Go on, leave!"

A sound of labored breathing echoed from the depths (Sage! Oh Sage, you have subjected me to a century of control, claiming it would be six hundred years before I could reemerge. Cursed fate! Yet, I am obstinate; do not let me catch the sealer, for I yearn to perform the blood sacrifice—it would shorten the time by decades!)

"Take my token to a mystical site in the Western Region! Upon seeing my token, the Master will surely come forth. Along the way, be vigilant for those bearing the curse mark and the Blood Rose. When you encounter them, spare no words—capture them for the sacrifice. Understood?"

"Yes! Master, may you reign for eons..."

"Hmm, I appreciate your efforts. Just let me out, and I shall reward your unwavering loyalty by teaching you the earth-shattering technique! Each of you will carve out a place of honor in the martial world..."

"Master! To think of you suffering in this frigid wasteland, we've slain several tigers and poured their blood into the cave for you to replenish your vitality..."

"Ah, I am grateful for your thoughtfulness... Blood, blood... Sss, sss, sss..." After a chorus of slurping sounds...

A soiled, dark token burst forth from the earth. The men in black set off in haste, issuing urgent commands from the Midlands for skilled warriors to convene in Fristin City, ready to claim their prize. Armed with an array of deadly blades, they sprinted up the mountain, their eyes revealing a mastery of martial arts. In this land where the sun never sets, the dust kicked up by their relentless pace marked their trail.

In Ofanlenor, before the surging moat, the group sought to harness the force of a great tree, propelling themselves with the Lightness Skill to leap across the waters.

Unexpectedly, only a handful of people were fortunate enough to escape being dragged underwater and drowned by the monsters lurking there. The terror of this place wasn't confined to the water; the mountain paths were lined with traps crafted by nature itself. Without the necessary skills, one would be struck by lightning and burned to a crisp.

Yet, those with insight knew how to evade these dangers and stealthily infiltrate Ofanlenor. Despite the presence of guards, the criminals had no desire to play by the rules, opting instead to slip in undetected.

Countless individuals had resorted to such tactics before, under the watchful eyes of many. For some inexplicable reason, a multitude had arrived even before the fifteenth day of the eighth month, each with their own agenda...

They seemed to be in search of a precious pearl or treasure, each with their own ulterior motives. The martial arts community often acted beyond expectations, with even the most powerful or influential figures eager to uncover the secrets.

Their goal was to obtain the Relic of the Gods, the Key of Heaven, the Geoshackle, or the Treasure of the Human—all found in Ofanlenor. Securing just one of these items promised access to untold riches, a dream that many would risk their lives for in a fierce competition.

Ofanlenor, a place that both repelled and attracted, how many would venture there only to meet their demise for the sake of the Relic of the Gods? The underworld's elite mobilized a significant force, stirring up numerous questions that would only be answered upon arrival in Ofanlenor...

During their journey, they encountered a playful elder who was in the company of several experts discussing the supernatural. Along the way, he performed curious acts, taking out a stack of charms and burning them upon arrival at each location.

The elder shared his wisdom, "On our travels, we encountered something extraordinary. A Buddhist monk advised the use of these charms, burned as an offering for safe passage. Moreover, he was a firm believer in the divine and demonic, with an even deeper devotion. Luckily, I can pass on some of these talismans to you. Simply burning a charm at a location can serve as a safeguard, much like paying a toll or offering incense for protection."

Everyone was left in awe. The customs of the Western Region differed from those of the Midlands, yet ultimately, everyone sought peace of mind. The methods and forms, however, varied according to local traditions.

"That's pretty good! If you ever run out of food, this could become a means to earn a living."

"My old man may joke, but when drawing this charm, one must remain focused and calm. He was once instructed by a shaman to offer sincere prayers to the heavens and earth before any ritual. Furthermore, he needed to use cinnabar ink to inscribe the matters he wished to avoid. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it eventually." While the journey continued, Zach was brimming with questions for Rupert, eager for explanations to satisfy his curiosity.