384 Rock Dragon Part 2 (1/2)
”Of course it's true.” Saleen glanced at Jola. ”Even though this Black Metal Grand Swordmaster possessed the lethality of a Silver Grand Swordmaster, he has to ascend systematically if he wants to become a Golden Grand Swordmaster. There are no shortcuts.”
The difficulty of advancing to a Golden Grand Swordmaster was more than that of advancing to a grade-9 sorcerer. Compared to the people learning magic, there were hundreds or even thousands more learning swordsmanship on the mainland. There were many more grade-9 sorcerers than Golden Grand Swordmasters.
”Once you become a Golden Grand Swordmaster, I would have already been a grade-9 sorcerer for a long time.” Saleen secretly thought, ”When I give you the sword spirit by then, it will not pose much of a threat to me anymore.” Furthermore, after such a long time, Jola might have abandoned the thought of leaving Saleen.
Jola stood behind Saleen jubilantly, very hopeful of his future. He was clear about how Saleen treated his subordinates. ”Besides training, this young mage will help his subordinates refine weapons and seek welfare.” Even though most orthodox mages would do that, Saleen very enthusiastic. After being deeply affected by those unfeeling mages back in the palace, Jola had already subconsciously acknowledged Saleen, and acknowledged his own identity as a follower.
”Aini, do me a favor.” Saleen walked forward slowly. Even though Saleen's perception had a one-mile range, this island was too big, causing Saleen to feel helpless in his reconnaissance of this island.
Aini sighed in his heart. He did not have a backing like Saleen, it was too difficult for him to recruit sufficiently powerful followers. Aini favored a pugilist like Jola, but he could not bring himself to poach from Saleen's team. Saleen was a dear friend whom he met in poverty. When a fragile friendship was propagated, it would seem more precious than ever.
The power of a death mage's perception was slightly stronger than that of an elemental mage. Aini had two ferocious death creatures. Only he could replace Saleen in the investigation of this island.
Aini allowed the flesh spirit to soar into the sky to conduct reconnaissance over a long distance. The five of them then walked across the beach and sat down at a piece of flatland.
Before long, the flesh spirit reported the rough situation of the island. Aini then drew a map on the sandy ground.
”This island has a length of eleven miles and a width of six miles. The southern area is taller while the northern area is lower. There is no discovery of any magic beasts' lairs, so it is safe…. Wha?!” Aini suddenly shrieked in alarm.
”What is it?”
Aini's face turned scarlet, then said, ”Some magic beasts are discovered.”
”How many of them?”
”Around twenty of them,” Aini replied. That was why his face turned red with embarrassment. Twenty magic beasts was no small number to miss, and Aini still claimed that there were no lairs present.
”Prepare for battle, or we can escape,” Saleen said in one sentence, causing everyone else to burst out in laughter. What Saleen said might be very comical, but it was true. Before these twenty magic beasts got discovered by the flesh spirit, they were definitely adept at concealing themselves. Usually, magic beasts who were good at hiding would prefer executing sneak attacks, and they would not be very powerful. This island was located too near the Frozen Sea, it would be tough for a weak magic beast to survive.
Sika immediately took out her weapon, that massive cudgel, from the Ring of Gifts. Nailisi had spotted the Ring of Gifts on Sika's finger a long time ago, and felt very sore. She still wielded her dagger and stood in front of Saleen together with Sika.
The breeze on the island was not strong, but it was frosty. Jola took a few steps forward, going past Sika and Nailisi. Aini then decided to summon his Floral Death Creature.
At this moment, the Floral Death Creature was giving off a clear and faint glow. It had a height of more than fifteen meters, as though it was going to evolve already. The leaves on the crown were much denser now. The sagging branches twisted about freely, enveloping Saleen and the rest within. The sagging tree branches had formed a death region. Other than the people Aini wanted to protect, any other creatures would not be able to gain entry or exit.
The Deprivation of Life was not a very powerful death spell, but the duration of sustained damage was protracted. All enemies in the area which was controlled by this Floral Death Creature would receive damage over time.
”All of you, don't take any action first, allow me to try,” Aini said cautiously. He knew that his offensive ability was inferior to the four of them, but it was more reliable this way. Everyone had a way to escape, if Aini failed, Saleen could use his elemental magic to obstruct the pursuit by the magic beasts. At the same time, Aini wanted to evaluate the progress of his death magic.
”Okay, be careful.” Saleen knew that since more than half of his magic chords were gone, his offensive ability would pale in comparison to that of Aini's. It would be best to let a death mage make the first move.
The flesh spirit had landed on the ground. Under Aini's control, it provoked the twenty magic beasts, causing them to sprint towards the beach.
A barrage of thunderous footsteps filled the air, and the ground began trembling as well.
”Damn, they are huge!” Aini immediately altered his combat plan. He began chanting a mantra, and he kept making magic gestures with his hands. In just half a minute, more than forty bone devils had appeared in front of these five people.