Chapter 995 Next Destination
Chapter 995 Next Destination
Vicente contemplated for a moment, but didn't dwell long on his doubts. He wanted to avoid any trouble for himself or the beasts, so asking about the Nine Paths was off the table. His primary focus was to get stronger, so he opted for a simpler question.
"I would like directions to find creatures compatible with darkness, light, earth, and lightning. I'm seeking my seventh pentagram, which must possess these elements and be of indigo grade. Can you guide me on where to find it?"
"Indigo grade, huh? Well, that's fitting for someone of your caliber," the Elder responded reflexively. But he didn't need to speak with his mouth, as he could communicate directly through his mind.
"You see, Vicente, indigo pentagrams don't naturally develop in 7th stage beasts. Some of the most gifted among them can generate pentagrams of that classification while still in the 7th stage, but they are in the minority. Most are only assured to form this type of pentagram upon reaching the 8th stage.
Be aware that your search may lead you to creatures at my level."
Vicente nodded, already aware of this, which is why he wasn't in a rush to hunt his two missing pentagrams. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
"But given the elements you mentioned, there are some intriguing places in the central-western part of the island where tribes of compatible creatures live.
Go to Fallsor Bluff, there you'll find what you're looking for," recommended the old and powerful Flaming Lion.
"Fallsor Bluff?" Vicente asked.
Rex quickly explained in his master's mind, 'Fallsor Bluff is a place 12 days' flight east of the tribe. It's a dangerous place, though. Elder-level creatures are said to abound there, and magicians who enter the region are rarely seen leaving.
There is such a variety of beasts in this mountainous area that even creatures like me need to be cautious when going there. I went once but didn't get even 5 kilometers into the forest before I was forced to flee.'
In the dark about Rex's explanation to Vicente, the old lion Elder nodded affirmatively. "Yes, that's right. If you're unfamiliar with the area, seek information in your human city. There are certainly things you can find out there to prepare yourself well.
However, I recommend you wait a couple of levels before traveling there. Your foundation seems pretty solid, so don't take unnecessary risks."
Vicente nodded in agreement. He didn't plan to take that risk immediately, although he was intrigued, since such a place was among the options he had discovered that held methods of contacting the Dark Hands.
'Maybe I'll stop by Fallsor Bluff to check it out on my way back to Ravengarde. If the danger is too great, I'll leave it for the future and head back to the sect.'
With his training with Alicia still to finish in Ponddown, he wouldn't be going to see it tonight. But on his return to the sect, he was already interested in looking for areas where he could connect with the Dark Hands.
The great lion's recommendation went well with his plans, and soon Vicente's mind was made up.
"Thanks for the recommendation, Elder. I will certainly look for Fallsor Bluff in the future to strengthen myself."
"Hmm, be careful on your journey through the area. You are powerful, but not everyone will be as kind to you as I was. The idea of devouring you will be too tempting for most of the beasts that see you. If you don't have methods to protect yourself, your fate won't be promising."
Vicente thanked the old lion for his warning before waving goodbye to him and the other beings in the surrounding area.
He and Rex set off without looking back, soon reaching the place where Bert and Garin were nervously waiting for them.
Seeing Vicente and Rex back, totally untouched, the lions in the surrounding area knew they shouldn't prevent this group from leaving. If Vice and Rex were still alive and walking, it was because of the Elder's will.
The creatures of the tribe, disgusted though they were, made way for the group of three magicians and a beast, letting them continue along the path they had taken, heading towards Ponddown.
Moving on without caring about the feelings of most of the Flaming Lions towards them, Vicente led his group back to the city, which was not that far away.
Halfway there, he agreed with Bert and Garin that he wouldn't get in the way of their service. As soon as they returned to the city, he would continue with his plans, while the two of them should continue to observe him without making direct contact with him.
As for Rex, there was no problem taking tamed beasts into magicians' cities. Vicente wasn't the first to tame a beast with brute force. Many did it around the island every year.
When he entered Ponddown again that night, alongside only Rex, no one stopped him or looked at him strangely. Apart from the curiosity of seeing a Flaming Lion, he didn't encounter any problems until he reached the place where he was staying in this city, still with his identity hidden by the artifact on his face.
...
For the next three days, Vicente maintained a routine similar to what he had since arriving in Ponddown, focusing on training with Alicia and exploring the area when he wasn't busy with his own cultivation.
He had finally imparted as much knowledge as Alicia could absorb from their sessions, and by the time he left the cultivation tower that afternoon, he was already planning to depart the city the following morning.
That evening, the local Manifold Family would host him once again, this time to bid him farewell. It would be 12 to 24 months before he returned, as Alicia would next have to travel to Ravengarde to meet him.
Alicia and her fiancé wanted to express their gratitude for Vicente's efforts before his departure, a gesture he welcomed.
Thus, his last day in Ponddown was peaceful and uneventful, allowing him to cultivate one last time in the local cultivation tower before preparing for his journey at dawn.
At dawn, Vicente and Rex would leave the city, opting not to use the majestic transportation systems available on the island's magical cities. Instead, they planned to traverse the dangerous forests of Light Cay, accompanied only by Prisiche, Bert, and Garin, for the next few weeks.