93: Steady and steady

Chapter 93: Steady Progress

Jessica chimed in, "But I heard the Dark Lord has already fallen into a long slumber."

At her words, Hassan and Zalan's faces instantly changed.

Hassan made a shushing gesture and whispered a reminder, "Don't mention that name; it will bring bad luck."

After speaking, he looked around nervously, as if some dangerous entity lurked in the shadows untouched by the lights.

"He did leave," the gnome said. "But his influence still remains."

The gnome suddenly paused, observing these people with interest.

"You are all subordinates of the Son of the Wolf, correct?

"That Baron of Qingfeng Valley who looks like a priest.

"I've heard of his deeds. Perhaps—perhaps we can do this business."

The Captain was puzzled by his companion's words and couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure?"

"Oh~ I'm very sure, friend," the gnome said. "Just as they say, that Lord has already fallen into a long slumber.

"And we currently can't enter Qingfeng Valley, perhaps never will be able to enter that place.

"Selling some outdated intelligence to those who need it is a good deal."

"But... but what if his subordinates come looking for us...?" Hassan was full of worry.

The gnome advised, "Mate, you're a merchant.

"Merchants should be profit-driven and know how to seize opportunities for precise investment.

"I have a feeling this new Baron of Qingfeng Valley will bring unexpected variables.

"Look at these people; it's already quite extraordinary that he could gather them together."

Arthur and his group chose to stay overnight at the Whispering Place.

Traveling at night was very unsafe, and they had just experienced a battle, so they needed to rest.

With free time, Arthur began to tally his gains.

Currently, he could obtain six pieces of intelligence daily, and additionally, he could combine three pieces of intelligence of the same level into a higher-level one.

However, the system would consult him before providing the intelligence; if he chose to combine them, the intelligence content would be temporarily hidden, showing only the level.

Only after the combination was complete would the content of all intelligence be displayed.

This gave him more operational space; as for the pros and cons, it all depended on his choice.

After reviewing the system's upgrade, he checked the Sacred Tome.

Since the Sacred Tome was connected to his soul, when the Great Oak planted that seed into the Sacred Tome, he fully understood this gift.

He could cast one Tree Skin spell daily using the Sacred Tome.

This was a two-ring spell belonging to rangers and druids.

It could make the caster's skin as hard as tree bark.

For someone like Arthur, who wore a priest's robe, it was undoubtedly extremely useful.

Furthermore, after igniting the leyline, the Sacred Tome would open in his spiritual consciousness, allowing him to view the ignited leylines anytime, anywhere.

However, for now, he could only see the Whispering Place.

The leyline energy, like an underground waterway, spread beneath the land; the further from the center, the thinner and more diluted the energy became.

Outside the Whispering Place were layers of mist.

Arthur estimated that these mists would not dissipate until he found the next leyline.

Finally, he completed the resonance with the Twin Snake Bracers.

This item was stolen by Airo from a smuggling ship, found among a pile of Chult artifacts.

This legacy from the ancient kingdom of Chult was a good magical item.

However, due to the language barrier, the difficulty of attunement was greatly increased.

Arthur had tried several times and failed, but now he finally succeeded.

The bracers granted Arthur a first-ring wizard spell—Find Familiar.

But unlike a true Find Familiar, the familiar summoned by the bracers were just two venomous snakes.

They would attack any enemy according to Arthur's will.

After dealing with his own matters and enjoying a hearty dinner, Arthur found the priests of this place and humbly learned how to arrange magic circles to better utilize the leyline's power.

He meticulously recorded the key points in his notebook.

This miraculous magic circle was different from any magic he knew.

The Priestess told him that it was a gift from Mother Earth.

After all this, night had fallen deep.

Arthur climbed onto the manor's roof and carefully sat down beside Airo.

The female thief was lying on the roof, gazing at the sparsely starlit night sky.

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked.

"I can still hold on," Airo replied. "We found a way to counter Night Mist, right?"

Arthur patted the Sacred Tome and said, "I think so, but there's a problem."

"I know, that's why I'm here," Airo said. "I'm thinking I might not be able to go to Qingfeng Valley with you."

Arthur nodded, "Yes, activating the Sacred Tome will cause you immense pain, and it might even endanger your life.

"It's more suitable for you to go with the convoy."

"No," Airo sat up. "I'll find another way in."

"What do you mean?"

"The old road isn't the only way into Qingfeng Valley.

I know a shortcut, but it's very dangerous and not suitable for multiple people to travel together.

"I'll enter through that shortcut and then meet up with you all in Mist Town."

Arthur did not speak.

Airo added, "Don't worry, I'm familiar with that path.

"If I could escape from there back then, I can go back again."

Arthur analyzed, "You've been away from that place for half a year.

"You can't guarantee that shortcut is still safe.

"We are like blind people now, completely unaware of the latest situation in Qingfeng Valley.

"However, I've already sent Catherine to inquire. It's not too late to discuss this after we gather enough information."

"But aren't you leaving the day after tomorrow?" Airo asked.

Arthur lay down and looked up at the night sky, "I know you're eager to avenge your companions.

"But we've come this far; why rush now?

"Under insufficient intelligence, I won't let you take such a risk."

"But this is what I do, have you forgotten?

"I'm responsible for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering; that's my job."

"I know, but now we have a more appropriate way to enter Qingfeng Valley for investigation.

"There's no need for you to take this risk. Don't argue with me about this anymore; you know I'm right."

Airo sighed; she naturally knew Arthur's decision was correct.

She had been away from Qingfeng Valley for half a year, and half a year was enough time for many things to happen.

She couldn't be sure if the path she had escaped through was still safe.

Nor was she clear about the current situation in Qingfeng Valley.

"My mother became their slave to cover my escape," Airo whispered. "I'm going back not just for my companions."

Arthur sat up and gazed in the direction of the oak tree.

The priests were setting up the necessary items for the magic circle.

The entire process would take a long time.

Arthur spoke, "We will eliminate them; we will definitely succeed.

"But not now, not immediately, but steadily, step by step.

"The enemy is strong, and we are weak. I believe only this way can we win.

"Be patient, my friend, or your mother's sacrifice will be for nothing."