64: Crown Creed

Underfoot, the skeletons varied in size; some were as massive as the remains of ancient beasts, sprawled across the ground, while others were as delicate as birds, fragilely intertwined.

Traces of fungal corrosion remained on their bones, the mottled patterns appearing exceptionally gruesome.

Evidently, these unfortunate creatures, after being captured by the fungi, underwent a long and painful process of decomposition, ultimately becoming the horrifying skeletons before us, forever dormant in this lifeless place.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Randall said, frowning, his gaze cautiously sweeping around. "It's best if we can leave here as soon as possible."

I nodded, then turned to Fiona, who was a bit dazed from the fall, and reminded her, "Fiona, try to see if Mana Vines can be used. We might be able to use it to escape this dead end."

Upon hearing this, Fiona looked up at the vast fungal mass that covered the area like a canopy, its roots deeply embedded in the rock wall, forming an impenetrable net.

"I'll try first," she said.

Fiona took a deep breath, steadied herself, and began to cast Mana Vines.

On one side of the rock wall, a thick vine quietly grew out, its surface covered with sharp thorns, gleaming with a green magical light.

The Mana Vines continued to grow upwards, like a giant green dragon, attempting to break through the luminous green fungal canopy above.

We held our breath, our eyes fixed on the Mana Vines, hoping it could pierce through the fungal mass and open a path for us.

After a long while, Fiona lowered her head in frustration, her voice tinged with helplessness: "It's no use, these fungi are extremely tough; Mana Vines can't pierce them. Ninety feet is the limit for ascent. We need to find another way out."

I looked around again, a sense of oppression rising as I stood at the bottom of this narrow rock crevice, beneath the fungal mass.

Above us was the impenetrable fungal canopy, as if the entire world was shrouded in silence.

Where we stood, animal bones were piled high, forming the highest point, and the bones underfoot glowed with a ghastly green light in the faint fungal illumination, sending shivers down one's spine.

"How deep did we fall, exactly?" Randall murmured, his voice echoing in the narrow crevice, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

I shook my head, indicating that I didn't know either.

Indeed, it was puzzling that we had fallen from such a height and miraculously remained unharmed.

But now was not the time to dwell on that; we needed to find a way out quickly.

I carefully observed the surrounding terrain and found that in both the front and back directions, the ground gradually sloped downwards, with no end in sight in the distance.

The Dragon King was still trapped in the fungal mass above.

I communicated with the system, instructing the Dragon King to return to the system space, then I used the Qiankun Ring to summon the Dragon King to my side.

The Dragon King affectionately flew around me, nuzzling my ear.

Soon after, the Dragon King continued to fly into the air, taking on the role of lookout.

Fiona narrowed her eyes, sensing something carefully, then pointed behind us: "Let's go that way, there's moisture there. Where there's water, there might be an exit, or at least some biological activity, and we might find help."

I nodded, and so, we began to slowly descend from this mountain of bones, each step crushing bones with a terrifying "crunch, crunch" sound.

These dry bones had accumulated over who knows how many years, year after year, layer upon layer.

As we walked, we vigilantly observed our surroundings. Occasional faint sounds came from the crevice, like something wriggling, or perhaps the wind whistling through the gaps.

Thus, we continued to explore, moving step by step in the direction where the terrain gradually sloped downwards.

As we moved forward, I remembered the system had prompted me with a new quest.

I took a moment to open the quest panel in my mind.

"System Quest: Save the Fallen Holy Knight — Choose

Guide Randall Barkman back to the correct path of a Holy Knight.

Option One: Oath of Glory

Continue to wait for an opportunity to guide Randall Barkman back to the correct path of an Oath of Glory Holy Knight.

Option Two: Oath of the Crown

The tenets of the Crown are established by those the Holy Knights pledge allegiance to. However, these tenets must include the following:

Law: Law is paramount.

It is the foundation of civilization and must be treated with reverence.

As the Lord of Black Panther Fortress, your word is law. Your public declaration of three laws for Black Panther Fortress, which Randall Barkman then swears to uphold, will be considered compliant with the tenet of Law.

Loyalty: Keep your word.

Without loyalty, oaths and laws are meaningless.

Randall Barkman already meets the tenet of Loyalty.

Courage: Fearless.

You must be willing to step forward when order is shaken, even if the odds are slim.

Randall Barkman already meets the tenet of Courage.

Responsibility: Fulfill your duties.

You must recognize the importance of your actions and bear the consequences, doing your utmost to fulfill your responsibilities and obligations.

Randall Barkman already meets the tenet of Responsibility.

Quest Reward: If Randall Barkman completes the Oath of the Crown, he will receive a Black Panther Fortress Holy Emblem; Randall Barkman's Loyalty +10%; Lord Prestige +20%.

Quest Completion Time Limit: None"

After reading the quest information, I couldn't help but feel conflicted.

Randall had currently lost his qualification as a Holy Knight of the Oath of Devotion. According to the system's prompt, if he was willing to accept the Oath of the Crown, he was only one tenet away from becoming a Holy Knight again.

Should I tell him?

Which three laws of Black Panther Fortress should I establish?

Just as I was lost in thought, Randall suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Stop!" He raised his hand, signaling us to halt, and strained to look ahead, "I feel something coming!"

Fiona and I held our breath, trying to observe the distance.

Suddenly, I saw something in the distance, faintly floating... green flames.