Ivory's gaze twitched as she stared into the deep, aberrant dark hole. This place had been Ballock's frequent spot when her brother was unconscious.
It was Ballock's constant labor that had made the hole even deeper than before. A strange, unusual energy could be felt, flowing from its depths which confused her greatly, making her feel distressed.
She tapped her head lightly, her eyes scanning the surroundings with restless intent. Her big brother hadn't returned home for eight long days since leaving with his servant… no, his friend.
Even though their parents had already searched, she too had decided to come here herself, hoping to find some trace of their whereabouts. After all, this was the place they often frequented, especially after the lock had been placed in order.
She continued her search, moving carefully around the deep hole, hoping against hope that she might uncover something.
___
"I told you you'd get us killed someday—and I think you just proved me right!" Ballock's shrill voice echoed through the extent, feeling the pressure of an overbearing energy locked on them.
Blood's pupils constricted, but he ignored Ballock's fear. His gaze swept the surroundings at once, searching for the source of the oppressive aura.
It was then that his eyes met someone.
A figure of an otherworldly beauty was standing some meters away—her silvery eyes were piercing like blades, her figure looked lustrous and commanding, and in her hand was a quavering whip that seemed like it would lash out at any moment.
Blood froze, overwhelmed by shock as he recognized the figure. Fear gripped him for the second time in less than an hour, and for a moment he considered retreating—that is; returning to the misty land he had escaped from, no matter how dangerous it was.
That place seemed far more bearable than meeting her again. How had he come face-to-face with this young lady so soon?
His breath grew ragged, but he forced himself to calm, watching her cautiously. She appeared serene, but he told himself—if she tried anything, his only option would be to flee back into that cursed misty domain.
Blood exchanged a tense glance with Ballock before turning his eyes back to the wall—yet the unimaginable happened, a sight so jarring that it nearly made him bite his tongue off.
He glanced at the portal, which was his only hope of escape, and saw it glowing thin. It was slowly fading with every flicker as though it were about to vanish.
Wasn't it supposed to be fixed… unbreakable? Blood grimaced at the thought, turning his eyes back to the silver-haired lady.
Kate retracted her whip, amused by his restlessness. She wondered if she was truly so fearsome, or was this guy simply a cowardly scum? A soft giggle couldn't help escaping her lips at his reaction.
He's still the same as before… still weak.
However, in the next instant, her amusement vanished as her eyes suddenly flashed coldly. She had detected the energy fluctuations from both Blood and his companion, making her tensed.
She remembered clearly that they had been weak the last time they met. Yet now, both had crossed the Iron Realm and stepped into the Bronze Realm.
"Are they already at the Bronze Realm?" she muttered softly. It had to be noted that less than two months had passed since their last encounter, and already this?
Her gaze grew eerily cold, and a feeling of unease crept into her heart. Though she was praised throughout the zone for her talent, she knew her cultivation speed was nowhere near this. She had never broken through major realms in less than two months.
"These guys..." Weren't they a threat looming over her. How did they even manage this?
The best cultivation techniques were usually in the hands of the top experts of the zone. A cultivation technique capable of breaking through a realm in less than two months was unheard of, which meant that the Marble Clan had been concealing profound secrets—or that these two had stumbled upon a rare and fruitful encounter that boosted their cultivation.
However, considering the former option, it seemed most unlikely. The latter was far more reasonable, since she didn't believe the clan would give such a technique to a mere servant.
An idea suddenly came into her mind. "How dare you transgress this private ground? Are you seeking death?" her voice rang out, almost sharp but cold, as the surrounding air moved at her command.
Blood and Ballock were stunned by her sudden outburst. She wore a peaceful smile just before. The duo quickly moved, changing their stance. Their minds were racing, now forming possible ways to escape.
Nevertheless, they soon understood that this was a concealed space, and that escaping was nigh impossible without a fight. Their only route of escape had already vanished.
"I apologize for the disturbance, young miss." Ballock said quickly, his tone laced with worry as he pleaded. "It was truly uncalled for, and a grave mistake on our part. Please, let us go, and we will owe you one. Of course, with your peerless potential, you may never need our help."
There was no chance they could defeat the young lady before them, so compromise was the only way while they searched for another way out.
Ballock deliberately stressed her brilliance, recalling from Blood that she loved to be praised. As expected, her temper eased slightly.
"Hmm…" she paused, her gaze moving toward a corner.
Kate's anger was finally quelled by Ballock's word. She pursed her lips, choosing not to drag the matter further.
Still, she would check later if the Marble Clan truly possessed a secret cultivation technique. To press the matter further would be unreasonable after an apology, but that didn't mean she would simply let them go.
"Instead of wasting time playing around, your strength—no matter how useless it may seem—will be needed in the ongoing war against Bland Town. I heard your father is among the commanders leading the charge, and here you are, fooling about." she berated without care, feeling disappointed for an unknown reason. Her gaze fixed on Blood.
Blood's expression darkened gravely at her words. He didn't even know if she was deliberately trying to anger him.
His city was at war! Although he had heard words of territories being chosen, he hadn't expected the conflict to begin so soon. He was now worried for his father, knowing that war was unpredictable and its tides usually rose and fell without mercy.
What Kate didn't know was that they had only just returned from an unknown domain and had just acquired their strength. Blood made no effort to correct her though, letting the matter die. It was something he intended not to share.
But it appeared she wasn't finished.
"I think you lack the noesis of the battlefield. Clearly, you are too afraid of war and of dying in it. Perhaps that is why you dally about, believing your father will remain safe regardless. I will let you off this time without punishment—but do not blame me if your head is severed the next time you trespass without approval." Kate declared.
Only she knew how fortunate they were. Had she been in training when they appeared, their heads might already have been rolling. It would've already been too late to do anything for headless corpses.
Blood didn't take her words seriously. Instead, he said, "Just show me the path to Bland Town. I must go there now and lend my support." His voice carried confidence.
Ballock curled his lips in disbelief. He almost couldn't follow the conversation.
Kate chuckled but said with warning. "Hehe! You don't even know the way! The battlefield is no silent zone—I have fought in many. It is filled with the cries of determined warriors. To join a war is not so simple. I can see you have never fought in one, and I fear you wouldn't survive it." Her tone was overbearing, but as she continued, it gradually softened.
Blood sighed heavily, wanting to protest—to explain that he had obtained new strength and a powerful weapon, and that his strength far surpassed any of the same stage.
He was unaware of the war and far from home, but his words died on his lips when he noticed Kate's gaze shift suddenly toward a spot near the wall. It was the very place from which Ballock and he had appeared.
Kate suddenly moved closer, brushing past Ballock as she reached the wall. Her fingers traced the black mark etched into its surface. She knew every detail of this yard, down to the ants crawling across its stones. Any change, however small, would never escape her notice!
That black spot had not been there before, and knowing the duo had come from that area, she became suspicious.
The moment her hand touched the mark, it flashed with light. A translucent portal instantly bloomed into existence, splitting the wall apart.
Kate narrowed her eyes, her gaze hardening.