Chapter 5: Sealing

What a treasure

The chains seemed like a net, tightly binding it. The dark chains passed through its bones, with several even piercing directly through its joints, forcing it to kneel there. Dink could almost imagine the horrific scene at that time

"Are you talking about that busybody? With her demeanor, she is actually a princess?" The chubby man seemed somewhat incredulous.

Yet its head is held high, as if it does not yield. In a daze, Ding Ke seems to hear that millions of years ago, it once moaned, roared, and howled here; that sound is everlasting and deeply moving

Quack! That frog did not run away, but puffed up its belly to protest against Ding Ke

"What Juliet, what princess? What is going on?" Ding Ke felt a bit confused, as if he had spent all these years in this academy without ever having a romantic encounter.

"Hey, hey! Murphy, what are you doing!" Dink jumped up, snatched the leather armor from the big man's hands, and shouted, "Dripping water penetrates stone; no matter how sturdy the leather armor is, it can't withstand you cutting it like that."

It must be a treasure

However, he could not help but feel a sense of fear, after all, anything that could absorb external energy was certainly not something benign. But upon further reflection, since he could not leave this place, it would be better to study it, in order to pass the remaining time.

Qualified! Murphy nodded, this guy from a military family is particularly picky about armor, swords, and such, rarely finding anything that satisfies him

After groping his way for a few minutes, he suddenly found himself in a wide-open space. However, the sight that greeted him immediately left him astonished

Did you inform him of your identity? I mean, at least let him know which faction you belong to. If he comes for revenge, we can use him as a punching bag to practice our skills! How dare he destroy my heavy armor!" The bull-like Murphy twisted his knuckles, producing a series of crisp cracking sounds.

Wow! Boss, did you buy it?! How much was it?" Murphy shouted first, immediately drawing the attention of the other two roommates.

"Hi, it's that girl you scolded during the exam today," Salon said, poking Dink in the chest.

Is there a hot spring? A thought suddenly occurred to Dink.

Ding Ke wanted to move his body, but it completely refused to obey, even the thought of opening his eyes seemed like a delusion. At that moment, he was propped up on the ground in a strange posture, which was not of his own volition, but rather an autonomous action of his body. At that instant, it felt as if his soul had separated from his body

Here it comes again! When he felt that surge of power, it shot up like a soaring serpent, continuously rising in his abdomen, with waves of heat dispersing into turbulent currents that surged through his limbs. His skin began to turn that same crimson hue as last time, deepening alongside the white mist rising from his head. Gradually, the white mist transformed into a faint red, and a metallic scent of blood permeated the air

Uh... he didn't dare to say it, but it seems he had such a thought; his eyes told me so. Ding Ke put away his leather armor and said thoughtfully

This man's father is a businessman and also a renowned antique expert. Influenced by his father, he developed a keen interest in handling antiques, but not for the purpose of collecting; rather, he sought to master the art of deception. His unique talent, combined with diligent effort, allowed him to elevate the techniques of forgery to an extreme level, to the point where even his father was deceived by him. Fortunately, he only plays pranks; otherwise, antique collectors would likely become suspicious when purchasing items.

It is a disaster! Ancestors, your legacy is not being honored. Please do not rise from your graves in anger, as those dark sorcerers are struggling to find good skeleton soldiers!

He grasped it tightly, trying to pull it out in order to study it carefully on the shore, but the round sphere seemed to be coated with a layer of oil, making it extremely slippery and difficult to grip, as if it were rooted at the bottom of the lake. He made several attempts, all of which ended in failure

Suddenly, he felt a small hole and took out a dagger to pry it open. Unfortunately, the dagger was too large to fit completely inside, but his finger could just fit in.

His feelings linger, though ethereal, yet the sensation of being pressed by the lake water still reminds him that he is in the water, in a perilous situation

Is there a treasure

Ding Ke, feeling delighted, took a sip of water, quickly swam to the surface to catch his breath, and then used his breath-holding technique to dive down again, fearing that the treasure might disappear.

"What trouble? How would I know? Tell me about it. If you guys are trying to fool me, don't blame me for turning against you!" Ding Ke said, deliberately sitting down heavily.

On the altar, the skeleton of a dragon-like creature is firmly bound by dozens of massive chains. Unlike the dragon-like creatures described in books, this monster possesses six pairs of wings and appears even larger and more ferocious.

At last, he set down the dagger and attempted to harness his fighting spirit, wondering if the torment from the last encounter had opened the door to the cultivation of blood fighting energy. Of course, if it did not work, risks still had to be taken; after all, in this era where martial power reigns supreme, the ability to protect oneself is essential

Disloyal!

Why?

Ding Ke moved aside those stones with a few swift motions, revealing a palm-sized, perfectly round stone that was entirely blood-red, emanating a red glow.

The alternating sounds of the three others snoring, combined with the rustling of the wind outside, resembled a peculiar nocturne being played. However, Ding Ke had no interest in appreciating it; he only wanted to hurry to the woods by the lake on the back mountain to experiment with his fighting spirit. He did not wish to be discovered early on regarding his blood fighting spirit, as he instinctively sensed that the ability to unleash such terrifying power could attract certain dangers.

Dink finally stood up, surveying this mysterious space. By the light emitted from the crystal, he saw that the stone walls appeared as if they had been scorched by fierce flames, forming a layer of glassy substance that refracted a faint glow

Hmm? Strange, in the middle of winter, where did a toad come from? Although Santander, located in the central part of the continent, does not experience particularly cold winters, I have never heard that the toads here do not hibernate

Ding Ke immediately withdrew his finger, and blood stained the surrounding lake water, causing his vision to become slightly blurred. Suddenly, the water began to ripple, and then it started to churn like boiling water. Those strange ancient magical symbols began to spin rapidly, stirring the lake water towards that small hole.

Ronaldo said with a mischievous grin: "Hey, fatso, do you know you've gotten yourself into big trouble!"

Fortune favors the bold! Ding Ke gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and swam towards the source of light

The lake water in winter is not as icy and biting as he imagined, and this is not due to the protection of his excess fat, for the lake water is indeed pleasantly warm

After uttering this harsh remark, Dink once again caused his bed to emit a moan before falling into a deep sleep. The three quickly climbed into bed and sniffed the fragrant sachet at the head of the bed, which contained a type of neuropharmaceutical that could help one fall into a deep sleep quickly. However, it would become ineffective under the stimulation of snoring, so they had to fall asleep before Dink's snoring began; otherwise, the long night would not be easy to endure.

He could still feel some residual power beginning to erode his body, galloping freely through his limbs and bones. After a brief tour, it coalesced into a small mass above his lower abdomen. It hovered above the original force, slowly rotating. He could distinctly sense that this force was using the "breeze" it stirred up to caress the dormant power below, much like a desert storm eroding sand dunes, as wisps of faint energy were drawn away by the newly formed sphere of power. It hovered above the original force, slowly rotating. He could distinctly sense that this force was using the "breeze" it stirred up to caress the dormant power below, much like a desert storm eroding sand dunes, as wisps of faint energy were drawn away by the newly formed sphere of power. The energy that was drawn away, after being digested, was then released in the form of heat, making his body feel as if it were placed in a furnace

The dagger did not reflect the moonlight; it was pitch black, resembling the appearance of blood when it coagulates, as if the blood from the last encounter had congealed upon it. Ding Ke was startled, his whole body shivering.

Is that fellow named Howard? Parading around with two pugs?" Salong asked

He sat down like this, carefully examining it, a grayish-brown object resembling the egg of a fire lizard. He always felt that there was something about it that attracted him, as if a strange layer of power was subtly fluctuating on its surface, seemingly absorbing the energy from the surroundings

When he regained his direction, the red light intensified, and the faint calling became increasingly stronger

This is a grand hall, where everything seems to be magnified by about ten times. Not to mention anything else, the altar alone is over ten meters high. Such a monumental project, I wonder how it could possibly be constructed

Indeed! How did you manage to persuade that miserly old dwarf? Although this item is not particularly extravagant and even somewhat outdated, its practicality is what matters! It has a hint of retro style. Hmm! Let's go bargain together tomorrow! If we buy a few pieces, make some modifications, and add a few gems, it will surely make people think it's an antique. Just imagine, we would appear in the arena wearing the leather armor of ancient heroes; what kind of brilliance would shine in the eyes of the beautiful maidens?" Ronaldo showcased his merchant's eloquence and began to indulge in fantasies, nearly drooling.

"Force cannot resolve the issue decisively! We cannot respond to violence with violence!" Ronaldo interjected, "Of course, if he dares to cause trouble, we must teach this guy a lesson and, by the way, extort a little money for some spending."

He grabbed the egg and held it close to his chest. A terrifying thought even flashed through his mind: to eat it and live a little longer

"What are you all doing? Having a meeting to study?" the chubby one asked with some confusion. Usually at this time, they should still be wandering around the academy, trying to flirt with those senior and junior female students.

The thought that he might ultimately become a pile of dry bones, to be gazed upon by the next unfortunate intruder, filled Ding Ke with an impulse to cry

Three unscrupulous roommates were gathered around the table, their gazes fixed intently on Ding Ke

Murphy and Salong beside him also looked at Dink with a hint of helplessness, both sighing: "Dink, it's not that we don't want to help you this time, but rather that we are powerless."

From the dormitory, looking out the window through the gaps of the osmanthus, a full moon hangs in the starry night sky, casting mottled shadows on the ground with the winter night's moonlight

At last, he discovered a place surrounded by reeds, where he need not worry about being seen. Ding Ke was undoubtedly a very cautious person; only when he was convinced, through his keen perception, that no one was around did he sit cross-legged and begin to cultivate his blood fighting energy

"Alright, alright! It is not that I do not want to take you, but the poor dwarf boss was driven away by a guy who claims to be the nephew of the lord of Santander City and the Book of Maps. The most genuine leather goods store in this city has closed down for good," Dink said, stroking the marks left by the dagger, expressing his regret. It is unclear whether he was lamenting for the boss or for his leather armor.

The elbow possesses such strength, which surprised him secretly. Recalling the scene not long ago when he forcibly broke the blackthorn tree, the earlier vow to no longer cultivate the Blood Duel Qi suddenly seemed weak and powerless.

Alright, count me in. Now, I am going to sleep. I have been quite worried for a while today so that you all could succeed. By the way, regarding that princess matter, if you have any ideas, please share them; if not, then stop buzzing around like flies. I am going to sleep! Princess, humph! If you dare to provoke me, I will make her cry for her father and mother!

He had visited the secluded training ground deep in the dense forest many times, and was already quite familiar with the route. After avoiding several pairs of secretive lovers, he arrived at a depression by the lakeside. It was unclear whether it was the result of his brisk run or the enticing whispers and moans of those lovers that ignited his blood, but in any case, he was drenched in sweat.

Ouch! I got bitten!

He stands before the entrance of a cave, with a teleportation array beneath his feet, presumably having been transported here by it

In a moment of panic, Ding Ke choked on water and immediately passed out.

This feeling of being completely out of control filled Dink with fear; God knows whether these two forces within his small body would bring fortune or disaster. He couldn't help but curse his reckless ancestors in his heart for insisting on passing down such a bizarre method of cultivating fighting energy, tormenting their descendants.

Without hesitation, he closed his eyes and entered a state of oblivion, feeling the power hidden deep within his soul, thereby calling forth the potential concealed within his bloodline

Ding Ke walked around the enormous skeleton, finding nothing particularly noteworthy. However, the dark chains caught his attention, and he couldn't help but draw out the family heirloom dagger, which was made of the same material as the chains.

I made money, did I not benefit from you? How is the taste of the fine wine at the Green Fairy Bar? Here it is, the essence of the unscrupulous merchant is once again revealed

With so many treasures, I fear that even the treasures in the palace would pale in comparison to them

Uh... you probably don't have much of a chance left. Dingke finally took off his leather armor, exaggeratedly stretched his back, and then heavily collapsed onto his bed, the iron bed letting out a few painful groans.

After weighing the options, the adventurous Dink took a deep breath and decided to swim to the lakeside, waiting to gather his group of mischievous friends from the dormitory to embark on an adventure together

Woe is me, damn it, I will never practice again, never again... I must have lost quite a bit of blood just now, and now I feel dizzy.

Ding Ke blinked his eyes and suddenly reached for a sunstone. However, at the moment of contact, it shattered like glass, quickly turning into powder. He tried a few more times, and without exception, every crystal he touched turned into powder.

"Why can't she be a princess?" Murphy sighed, "Let me tell you, she is indeed the princess of the Kingdom of Ryan within the Alliance."

In the evening, the overweight man, having indulged in some drink, slowly returned to the student dormitory. As soon as he entered, he sensed that the atmosphere seemed a bit off.

Ding Ke then realized that he was surrounded by a strange odor. He had initially thought that his elbow, which had touched the ground, would be injured; however, he unexpectedly shattered a rock upon impact.

After a considerable time, he slowly awakened and discovered a pile of sparkling objects before him. Rubbing his eyes, he exclaimed! It was all high-grade magical crystals: the red Tears of the Flame Demon, the yellow Mother of the Earth, the green Kiss of the Wind God, the blue Heart of Water, and surprisingly, there were also a few thumb-sized light blue crystals, which were the Lightning Spirits coveted by electric mages and lightning knights

If only he could get a little bit, he thought. But he was aware of his dagger, having experienced its hardness and sharpness, making this thought impractical

However, after swimming a few meters, Ding Ke realized that he had chosen the wrong direction in his haste

Finally, Ding Ke rushed out of the entrance just before the hall collapsed. He suddenly saw the teleportation array emanating a purple glow, realizing that it was the signal for activation, and hurriedly jumped in. Once again, he felt a sensation of compression and tearing, and finally returned to the water

The instinct for survival drove him, and the strength within his body began to activate. Miraculously, he evaded several air raids, and a massive boulder blocking his path was unexpectedly shattered by a surge of fighting spirit that he unleashed in his panic

The urgent task is to eliminate the unpleasant odor and the mud on his body; otherwise, returning home will surely expose his secret to those gossip-loving individuals. He quickly removed his clothes and plunged into the lake.

Dink grasped it without hesitation; at the moment of contact, a red glow intensified, and a strange force surged forth. The lake began to churn, and peculiar magical symbols emerged. Dink had the fortune of seeing similar patterns in ancient texts at the library, but these patterns did not form a cohesive system; their attributes could be described as mutually restraining. In other words, they included symbols of the gods of light, marks of the gods of darkness, and numerous emblems of neutral deities.

Good things should be shared! At this moment, Salong's catchphrase appeared in Dink's mouth, but he felt his heart racing.

Oh, it's that guy, looking so sleazy that he makes one feel disgusted said Ding Ke with a curl of his lips

Damn it, are you here to mock me too? Get lost! Ding Ke kicked out, but his foot was numb and unresponsive, and with a splash, he slipped into the lake, getting himself covered in mud.

Not good! Ding Ke only wants to escape immediately, but the enormous whirlpool, like a giant beast, tightly ensnares his body, ready to devour him in the next moment. He struggles desperately, but his feet seem to be stuck in a quagmire; the more he tries, the deeper he sinks.

Since there are still fluctuations in energy, there must be life! Ding Ke immediately cheered. Just thinking about an egg left over from ancient times is enough to stir one's blood.

A ball of red light appeared at the bottom of the lake. He thought he was hallucinating, but there was indeed a faint red light flickering at the lake's bottom, and a voice seemed to begin calling out to him

If I were to die, who would help you carry on the family line, and who would inherit the hard-earned family business? Who would revive the glory of the family? Hmph! You can crawl out of the grave yourselves! I am done!

A setting sun, accompanied by its afterglow, descends in the west, tinting the clouds on the horizon a deep purple. In just a short while, the sky transforms into a hazy gray.

After swimming for about ten meters, I arrived at an area piled with scattered stones, where a red light was shining through the crevices of the rocks

He even thought of some idle fellow, who would stay here from then on, waiting for the next feast, until he starved to death

When he came into contact with the treasure again, the vanished patterns reemerged

This fellow must have given up on that flashy standard armor and turned his attention to this practical leather armor. Salong turned his head to the big guy and said, "Hey, Murphy, you want to see if it's sturdy with a book, right? How is it, are you satisfied?"

Indeed..." The three of them licked their lips and nodded emphatically.

As he just sat down, preparing to draw out his dagger to repeat his old tricks, he couldn't help but feel a bit hesitant. The last time he bled profusely, he fainted directly; although it was not a serious issue, in the depths of this silent forest, if a monster were to appear and treat him as a delicious meal, it would be too unjust.

For the first time, Ding Ke felt that the pressure underwater was so pleasant, and only the egg in his arms confirmed that his previous experiences were not a dream, filling him with anticipation for this egg

Just as he felt despair, a cold wind blew from ahead. He shivered and trembled as he moved forward, determined to see what was hidden inside

The pores blossomed like flowers, resembling mouths that did not exhale heat but were frantically absorbing the surrounding energy. That immense force of nature surged into his body like a torrent, compressing every cell and forcing them to operate at high speed. A few minutes later, Ding Ke felt as if his body were a blown-up balloon, on the verge of bursting.

Weathering of crystals? This likely requires tens of thousands of years. Although Dink is not a magician, he has acquired some basic knowledge of magical crystals under the influence of Ronaldo.

Dink did not think much and groped to insert his index finger inside

Ancient artifacts! I have truly stumbled upon a treasure

He let out a loud shout, forcefully suppressing the strange power in his lower abdomen. Suddenly, he felt a sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. That power twitched for a moment before yielding. The currents of energy that roamed within his body receded like a tide, yet Ding Ke could distinctly feel the traces left by those currents, as if they had deliberately created pathways for their next journey.

"He must be quite an unconventional character," he said, shaking his head with a hint of self-mockery

The feeling of heat instead calmed him down, as he feared that such unintentional negligence might lead to unnecessary trouble. Thus, he proceeded deeper into the place.

Having completed the task, as a warrior, he does not understand how to activate the magic circle, and it seems he is destined to be trapped here

At midnight, the long and heavy snoring suddenly ceased, and Dink woke up on time

And that fellow jumped into the lake with a splash and swam away

Oh, Princess! So what? Anyway, I will return to my territory as soon as I graduate. If she wants to take revenge, let her come after me!" Dink said as he took off his coat, revealing the fiery lizard skin armor underneath.

Suddenly, the entire cave began to tremble, and debris started to fall. Dink's heart tightened; it seemed he was about to be buried alive here. He ran desperately towards the direction he came from, hoping that the entrance was more stable and could allow him to survive a little longer

"Did he threaten to take revenge?" Murphy asked

Ding Ke cursed inwardly like this until dawn broke in the east. It was only when a frog suddenly jumped out of the water right in front of him that he realized he had regained control over his body

Do it yourself! the three of them said together, as they did not want to be exploited by this guy; if something went wrong, this unscrupulous businessman would surely find a way to completely absolve himself of responsibility

"Fatty, what good is it for you to be tough with us? If you have the guts, go be tough with Princess Juliet tomorrow!" Ronaldo said, smirking and pointing towards the door.

Not understanding at all how to share with others

Suddenly, he noticed an egg-shaped object the size of a fist in the shadow beneath the dragon bone. Dink hesitated; he truly did not want to touch it again, for he feared another disappointment—cracking and then turning to dust