Blood gulped as he ran with all his might. He didn't bother to return the attacks coming his way since he knew it was only to slow him down.
He tried as much as possible to dodge their attacks, but not all of them he could successively avoid.
On getting to the summits of the hill, he didn't wait for a second as he stormed his feet, propelling himself toward the dark territory without a hint of fear.
However, only him knew whether it was without fear or not. Saving his life was the most important right now.
"He really entered the ant's territory." Hamizz stopped close to Shiva as they arrived at the top of the hill. He was extremely surprised by the kid's action. Not everyone was capable of such feats.
Shiva was astounded by the kid's decisive act. The ant's territory as a whole terrifies the entire city and beyond.
The Blade Ants' territory was a Dark zone through and through. The nearby towns and cities were equally frightened by the Dark zone since the Blade Ants populated the region.
Besides, the Sand-scale forest was divided into outer, inner and Core region, the Dark zone was wholly ignored. Although the Dark zone was situated within the Sand-scale forest, it was a separate territory of its own.
Even when the most powerful beasts were estimated, the Dark zone was out of their understanding, so it was left out.
Furthermore, various cultivators had reported the tedious occurrence of the Dark zone. The zone that never seemed to sleep.
It was extremely 'lively' in there, all day long!
Hence, the noesis of beasts residing in the Dark Zone couldn't be comprehended or speculated.
The Sand-scale forest stood among the peak of all inland city forests in this region. The main force of attraction of the Sand-scale city was the chartless way of the Dark zone.
In addition, the strongest beasts found in the Dark zone are only of the Silver realm which might sound save at first since the mayor of the city was a fourth realm cultivator.
However, the strange thing was that unusual things usually happened that even fourth realm cultivators who explore the Dark zone would be lost. Some remains were reportedly found.
No one knew how they died since they couldn't attribute it to the third realm beasts—the Silver realm Blade Ants. So many cultivators stayed clear from the zone while some took the risk and 95 percent of them ended up dead.
Nonetheless, this never stopped others from venturing into the region since it had many treasures and wonders. The link to death was the zone itself, and they couldn't specify other thing which left them in bewilderment.
The phenomenon made the zone even more dangerous and at the same time evenly beneficial!
Shiva's eyes widened, because she saw the face of hooded guy.
________
Meanwhile…
Simley and his entourage stood before the Dark zone whose depths couldn't be seen for more than 10 meters, with hearts brimming with delight as they waited in anticipation.
They rejoiced since today was the day they would be harvesting the plant.
It was a long wait. They've waited plenty.
When they came the last time, the plant was not completely developed, so they had to go back only for them to return now.
They have high expectations for the plant, but they also fear the beasts and the zone itself, since beasts active in the area might have discovered the plant.
A woman stood next to Simley. Her dark eyes scanned the hideous zone right before her as she felt cold and creepiness around her body.
Some of the guards with them were thinking of retreating.
This was the Dark zone they were talking about!
But retreating certainly wouldn't do them any good in the future.
Simley turned his gaze to the crowd behind as his gaze fell on each and every one.
"We are about to enter the Dark zone as you can see and every one of you should be on high alert and your Spiritual sense should be drawn to the extreme. No one is allowed to die on this mission." His voice was strong but a little shaky.
They were twenty-two in total, including the seven prominent members of the group.
One of the guards raised his head as he said in a loud voice, though hint of fear could be sensed,
"Young master Simley, the Dark zone is a top-rated zone and very deadly especially to cultivators below the Silver realm. Clearly, none of us is in the third realm yet and also, the ones with the highest cultivation bases are only at the fifth stage of the Bronze realm and most importantly, they are two in number.
"How do we survive in this place? I request you to abandon the mission." He bowed with one knee on the ground.
"How dare you! Are you seriously thinking of retreating from a sanctioned mission. Your entire family deserve a sentence of the utmost penalty." Simley's face changed as he spoke in a harsh tone.
The guard had a stern expression on his face, thinking how luxury clouded the hearts of the kid. The young master was only in the fifth stage of the Iron realm. Going into the Dark zone is equivalent to a death sentence.
He had been stimulated by the treasure he seek that he hadn't thought about the other part.
Without warning, a dark figure suddenly flashed, going for the guard, intending to tear him into pieces. The guard was handicapped by the suddenness and strength of the attack.
Mandar's face changed as he slapped toward the attack dawning on his men. He deflected the attack with ease and inquired in a powerful voice,
"What is the meaning of this? How dare you attack one of my own." his eyes flashed with cruelty as he pulled out his weapon, looking straight at the derailed lady.
Carly's expression wasn't nice in the least bit seeing the interference. She knitted her brows and said in a displeased tone,
"You've really grown to dare stop the young master's attack. Do you want your entire family to receive the same penalty." she said, trying to assert her actions as the young master's.
"Let's see how that goes if you're really so powerful." his tone was firm. He wouldn't back down so easily. "I wasn't even informed of this expenditure until now as the head of the group. Didn't know this is how I'm seen in the Truce clan."
"I won't stoop so low going in an argument with you. Your presence disgusts me. I wonder why you were selected and not the others." Carly berated without blinking.
"Young master, let's go." although she wasn't in good relationship with the young master. She wouldn't let this opportunity of bickering with this man go.
"Do you realize I can seize this so call mission with one word." he bellowed while furrowing his brows as his men rested their hands on their blade, ready to draw it out in any second.
Without debating anymore, silence was restored as the air grew tensed.
Simley ended the quietness in a calm tone, "There's no need to fight among ourselves. Let's begin the mission."
"One of my men highlighted a point. The Dark zone is known for its cruelty. How would we escape if we meet the hidden threat of the zone?" Mander questioned, his voice rough.
All of them would be dead if they came across a powerful beast.
"Don't tell me you're scared of exploring the outer section of the Dark zone. I previously thought you've developed some nerve. I was obviously mistaken." Carly scolded coldly.
Mander's eyes flashed as he suspected the bitch.