Go back?

Enzo would die if he did.

Although Enzo was unsure of Maude’s current strength, he could feel an invisible force enveloping him, binding him and making it difficult to move.

It was definitely Maude!

Enzo quickly confirmed this and then turned back with a smile, saying, “No, I just sensed something behind me and wanted to check it out.”

Maude smiled and said, “That’s good.”

He continued, ambiguously either threatening or expressing a sentiment. “We are like-minded partners. As partners, we should help each other instead of choosing to leave halfway. Just like when you encounter trouble, I help you. And when I encounter trouble, I need your help too.”

Enzo picked up on this and asked, “So, Captain, what trouble have you encountered?”

Maude’s expression was inscrutable as he glanced at Enzo before saying, “You’ll find out later.”

At that moment, Enzo was certain that the Maude before him was not quite right.

Perhaps he has his own consciousness and is not merely a time shadow created by temporal fluctuations.

So, what about this ruin?

Enzo had no choice but to continue following Maude and his group deeper into the ruins.

Not far along the passage, they came upon an entrance to a cave. Entering the cave led them down a spiral staircase, ending at a glowing door.

Maude stepped through the glowing door without hesitation.

Upon passing through the door, the scene changed abruptly. The previously mottled walls turned into orderly stone walls, intricately carved with various patterns, looking vivid and lifelike.

“Why are there brick walls underground?”

“Could it be an illusion?”

Mina and the others whispered among themselves.

Enzo tried touching the wall. It felt solid and hard to the touch. The intricately carved stone walls were not illusions but real.

Maude showed no sign of disturbance and said, “Keep moving forward.”

The group continued on their way.

As they proceeded, the walls began to show signs of age. The further they went, the duller the stone walls became. Though it was the same stretch of wall, it looked as if it had been built in different eras, indicating temporal fluctuations.

Enzo felt the Ring of the World vibrating again.

At that moment, lanterns appeared ahead. The flames floated on either side of the stone walls, but strangely, there were no visible sources of fuel. The light from the flames illuminated the dark passage, allowing the group to see their surroundings more clearly. They had reached the end of the stone wall, where large murals were displayed.

The murals were vividly colored, but under the flickering light, they took on a terrifying aspect.

“These murals seem to record something.”

Mina said these words, stopping to examine them.

The others approached as well, while Enzo moved aside, preferring not to stay with the group.

The content of the murals was easy to decipher. They depicted the story of a powerful tribe called the Saint Silver Tribe.

The Saint Silver Tribe had come from the wilderness and arrived at Qaidam Lake—no, at that time, it was not yet named that but was called Qaidam Mine. They discovered vast mineral deposits here and, using the power of the underground volcanoes, smelted the ores into metal ingots, which they then forged into exquisite weapons.

In the years that followed, the Saint Silver Tribe continued mining the ores like that.

Over time, they accumulated an immense fortune, but they eventually exhausted the entire Qaidam Mine. The final mural depicts the now-empty Qaidam Mine replaced by numerous deep pits on the surface. With the arrival of a heavy rain, these pits filled with water.

Qaidam Mine transformed into Qaidam Lake.

“Is this the origin of Qaidam Lake?”

Enzo wondered, intrigued by the fate of the Saint Silver Tribe.

However, after describing the evolution of Qaidam Mine, the murals abruptly end with a black sphere resembling a consuming black hole. Surrounding the black hole are small figures holding hands and kneeling in worship, suggesting some sort of special ritual.

The murals abruptly ends here.

That was as if erased by an uncontrollable force, leaving only a blank space.

The group continued forward and soon encountered a massive bronze door over twenty meters high, adorned with intricate patterns.

In the center of the patterns was a human figure with three pairs of wings on its back.

At the sight of this figure, everyone had the same thought—deity!

Even Enzo, who had seen Beast God Rexfit, felt a profound sense of insignificance and vulnerability.

It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Enzo squinted slightly, committing the unique image to memory.

“What should we do next?”

A woman in the team asked, her name was Isabel and she possessed healing abilities. According to Enzo’s speculation, she should also be an important member of the Barren Mountain Tribe.

Enzo thought he might find out more about her later from Mina.

But that was a matter for after their current situation.

The question which Isabel asked silenced everyone. With no path forward and only the massive bronze door ahead, pushing it open seemed to be their only option.

Isabel could not help but suggested, “Maybe we should go back.”

There was fear and terror on her delicate little face, and the area exuded an ominous aura. This door was like an abyss leading to hell, and no one knew what they would face next.

Mina sighed and patted Isabel’s shoulder.

“We have no choice but to move forward.”

Maude then gave the order. “Continue forward!”

To proceed, they had to push open the door.

To their surprise, the door moved easily, revealing not a horrifying scene but an underground plaza. In the center of the plaza stood a deity statue with six wings.And nearby, there was also a monster bound by chains

As Enzo and the others stepped into the plaza, the ground began to tremble.

At the same time, thick black mist began to rise.

The entire plaza was instantly enveloped in black mist. The mist seemed to come alive, swirling and flowing into the bound monster’s body.

Creeeak—

Strange noises echoed through the plaza.

Soon, the plaza was illuminated brightly as countless flames appeared overhead. These flames provided light, allowing everyone to see clearly the details within the plaza.

However, this light also brought fear.

The chained monster struggled free, breaking its chains easily. It looked at Maude and the others with a cold smile and said, “As the awakener of Isaacron, you are fortunate. I will grant you the blessing to die in the flames!”

Isaacron!

Upon hearing this name, Enzo was taken aback.

This name was unique and, according to the Barren Mountain script, meant “eternal endless fire” a description aligning with the Seven Great Origins Creation’s Endless Fire.

Could it be…

Enzo’s mind raced with a wild thought.

He glanced at Maude.

Maude, however, was focused and stared intently at Isaacron. “I don’t believe you can kill us.”

“Oh really?”

Isaacron laughed maniacally.

Amidst laughter, Isaacron’s body constantly changed, like a black flame, but the flames continued to condense and eventually grew four limbs, except for his head which remained a burning flame.

In the next moment, Isaacron spewed a stream of fire.

Maude remained unperturbed, raising one hand to project a golden light that coalesced into a shield, blocking the fire from Isaacron’s mouth with ease.

Isaacron seemed surprised but quickly dismissed it. “Is that all?” he said.

His voice echoing through the plaza with oppressive force. “Next, I will show you what true fear is!”

This statement made everyone’s faces turn grave.

Isabel trembled and said, “It’s over… We shouldn’t have come here…”

Her reaction really puzzled Enzo.

Compared to the others, Isabel seemed excessively fearful.

As if to confirm Isabel’s words, Isaacron’s massive hand waved lightly. The flames floating above turned into dark green motes of light that drifted down toward them.

However, these dark green motes caused no immediate harm.

The group was curious about this strange occurrence.

Bang!

The motes suddenly exploded, but no one was hurt. This abnormal scene caused unease.

Something was wrong!

Something was really wrong!

Enzo suddenly realized what was happening. The Ring of the World began to analyze the dark green flames at a frantic pace.

Within moments, the analysis was complete.

Enzo warned the others, “Be careful, the dark green flames affect consciousness!”

But the warning came too late.

“Ha ha ha!”

Maude’s maniacal laughter filled the air. He suddenly appeared next to Mina, striking her with a powerful blow that sent her flying. The same green light appeared around the others, who began attacking their own teammates.

Isaacron sneered, “Such weak wills.”

He then turned to Enzo, his eyes showing both approval and fierce intent. “You are impressive for resisting my mental fire’s corruption. “

“As a mark of respect—”

He paused, “I permit you to be the first to die!”

Just as Isaacron prepared to attack, Maude interjected, “Lord Isaacron, please allow me to deal with this person. I will present his head to you as a demonstration of my loyalty!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep