Blood gulped as he ran with all his might. He didn't bother returning the attacks sent his way, knowing they were only meant to slow him down.
He tried to dodge as many strikes as possible, though not all could be avoided.
Upon reaching the summit of the hill, he didn't hesitate for even a second. He stormed forward, his feet pounding against the earth, propelling himself toward the dark territory without any hesitation.
Though only he knew how fearful he was at that moment. Preserving his life was all that mattered now.
"He really entered the ants' territory… he will surely never return." Hamizz muttered as he stopped beside Shiva at the hilltop. His voice carried astonishment. Very few possessed the audacity for such a reckless feat.
Shiva herself was astounded by the guy's decisive act. The ants' territory was a place that terrified the entire city and far beyond.
"That path is one of no return." she mumbled.
The Blade Ants' domain was a dark zone through and through. Nearby towns and cities trembled just by hearing its name, for the Blade Ants swarmed across the region like a living plague.
The Sand‑Scale Forest was divided into outer, inner, and core regions, however, the Blade Ants' domain known as the Dark Zone was wholly shunned. Though it was within the forest, it was an entire territory apart, claimed by the ants alone.
Even when the strongest beasts of the forest were catalogued, the Dark Zone was excluded—its existence defied understanding.
Furthermore, countless cultivators had reported the ceaseless horrors within. The zone that never slept. Thus, the true nature of the beasts dwelling in the Dark Zone could neither be comprehended nor speculated upon.
In addition, the Sand‑Scale Forest stood among the greatest of all inland city forests in the region. Its most perilous allure was the chartless paths of the Dark Zone.
Within that zone, the strongest beasts encountered were said to be of the Silver Realm. At first, this might have seemed reassuring, since the mayor of Sand‑Scale City himself was beyond the Silver Realm.
However, the strange thing was the unusual phenomena that often occurred there. Even cultivators—beyond the Silver Realm—who ventured into the Dark Zone were sometimes lost forever, their remains were discovered without explanation.
No one knew how they had died, for the Silver Realm Blade Ants couldn't be accounted for such devastation. As a result, many experts avoided the zone entirely, while others took the risk—and ninety‑five percent of them never returned.
Still, the lure of treasures and wonders hidden within proved to be irresistible. The link to death was in the zone itself, not the Blade Ants'. It was a mystery that left all who studied it bewildered.
This paradox made the Dark Zone both dreadfully dangerous and tantalizingly rewarding.
Shiva's eyes widened as her gaze fell on the hooded figure's face when he jumped. She recognized him at once.
___
Meanwhile…
Simley and his blacksmiths entourage stood before the Dark Zone; its depths swallowed in shadow. Their eyes couldn't penetrate beyond ten meters.
Their hearts were brimming with anticipation, delight flickering across their faces as they waited.
Today was the day—the harvest of the plant they had long sought.
It had been a long wait.
When they had found the plant before, it was not yet fully matured, so they were forced to return empty-handed. Now, at last, the moment had come.
Although they feared that the beasts of the Dark Zone might have already discovered the plant, since the zone itself was a terror none could dismiss, yet they decided to venture within.
A woman stood beside Simley, her dark eyes scanning the hideous expanse before her. A chill crept across her body as she gazed at the darkness, the oppressive aura of the zone wrapping around her like a vine.
Whispers of retreat began to stir among the warriors. This was the Dark Zone after all—the place of endless menace.
However, retreat would serve them no good. To turn back now meant death.
Simley's gaze swept over the warriors, his eyes remaining on each face.
"We are about to enter the Dark Zone." he declared, his voice strong though faintly trembling with wobbling feet. "Every one of you must remain on high alert, and your spiritual sense must be drawn to its utmost. No one is allowed to die on this mission."
They were twenty-two in number, including the seven prominent members of the group.
One of the warriors suddenly lifted his head and spoke in an audible voice, though a trace of fear could be felt beneath his words,
"Young Master Simley, the Dark Zone is a top‑rated danger zone, deadly especially to experts below the Silver Realm. None of us here has reached the Silver Realm yet, and those with the highest cultivation bases among us are only at the fifth stage of the Bronze Realm—and there are but two of them.
"How do we survive in this place? I beg you, young master—we must abandon the mission. We only escaped by luck the last time, and this time may not be the same." He bowed; one knee pressed firmly to the ground.
"How dare you!" Simley's face twisted as his tone grew harsh. "Are you truly thinking of retreating from a sanctioned mission? Your entire family deserves the utmost penalty." He was shaking in anger.
Never had he expected such felony!
The warrior's expression hardened. He thought bitterly of how luxury clouded the young master's heart.
Simley himself was only at the fifth stage of the Iron Realm. Entering the Dark Zone was nothing short of a death sentence.
The young master had been blinded by the treasure he sought, never considering the peril that shrouded it.
Without warning, a dark figure flashed forward, lunging at the guy with murderous intent. The strike came swift and brutal, aiming to tear him apart.
The warrior was shocked, caught off‑guard by the suddenness and strength of the attack. He could only remain still, waiting for his death.
Mandar's face became clouded as he finally stepped in. With a single slap of his palm, he deflected the assault with ease. His voice then thundered as he demanded,
"What is the meaning of this? How dare you attack one of my own?" His eyes gleamed with cruelty as he drew his weapon, fixing his gaze upon the deranged lady who had struck his men.
Carly's expression was anything but pleasant at the moment. She knitted her brows and spoke in a displeased tone,
"You've grown bold enough to stop the young master's attack. Do you wish for your entire family to suffer the same penalty?" Her words carried the weight of authority, trying to assert her actions as the young master's.
Mandar was clearly not afraid. His reply was firm, his voice unyielding. "Let's see how that goes if you're truly so powerful. I was not even informed of this expenditure until now, though I am the head of the group. Is this how I am regarded in the Truce Clan?" He wouldn't back down so easily.
Carly sneered, her tone sharp and cold. "I will not stoop so low as to argue with you. Your presence disgusts me. I wonder why you were chosen instead of the others."
"Young Master, let's go." she urged, though her relationship with Simley was strained. Still, she would not waste the chance to bicker with Mandar.
Mandar's eyes narrowed, his voice rising in a bellow. "Do you realize I can seize this so‑called mission with a single word?" His brows furrowed as his men instantly rested their hands on their blades, ready to draw them at any moment.
The tension thickened, silence pressing down on them like a storm.
Simley broke the silence in a calm tone. "There is no need to fight among ourselves. Let us begin the mission."
Mandar's said slowly, "One of my men raised a point—the Dark Zone is infamous for its cruelty. How do we escape if we encounter its hidden threats?"
The thought was grim. Encountering a powerful beast would mean certain death for them all.
The young master's authority was not absolute; Mandar held the right to override his decisions whenever grave danger threatened the group—otherwise, if the young master were to die, his family would suffer the gravest consequences.
Carly's eyes flashed coldly as she scolded, "Do not tell me you are afraid of exploring the outer section of the Dark Zone. I thought you had grown some nerve, but clearly, I was mistaken."
Mandar's gaze hardened, suspicion intent in his eyes as he studied the venomous woman.