Chapter 243:  Chapter243:Shadow Clan

In response to Invicta’s question, Dandil declared, “Enzo!” Upon hearing the answer, Chief Invicta did not display excessive emotion but remarked to Dandil, “Honest lad, you have narrowly escaped the sentence of death. Had you chosen to deceive me, your head would have been severed from your body at this moment.” Dandil’s face turned pale with fear, cold sweat trickling down his brow. Ignoring Dandil’s fright, Chief Invicta commanded, “Now, take me to the ‘Enzo’ you speak of!” Yet Dandil remained uncertain where to search. But to refuse—

Dandil cast a glance at Invicta’s impassive gaze and promptly extinguished the thought in his mind. A refusal could very well lead to his immediate demise.

Thus, he steeled himself and acquiesced reluctantly.

Meanwhile, with the announcement of the rankings, competition among the challengers in Dragons Land grew increasingly fierce. However, the overall number of magical beasts was finite. To acquire more Magic Crystals, conflicts with other teams were inevitable.

By unfortunate coincidence, Enzo and Melissa encountered Cromwell’s team once more. “It’s you!”

Cromwell exclaimed, his face betraying an unmasked intent to kill as a cold smirk crept onto his lips. His breath quickened as he gestured to his companions to encircle Enzo and Melissa, slowly advancing toward Enzo while taunting, “Last time, I was careless, allowing you to surprise me. But this time, you shall surely meet your doom!”

Turning his gaze upon Melissa, he sneered.

“Melissa, you have made a grave mistake!”

Despite Cromwell’s menacing threats, Enzo remained remarkably composed. However, this calmness only fueled Cromwell’s disdain, which he could not tolerate. He barked an order to his subordinates, “Attack!”

At the command, the group launched themselves forward.

Enzo merely shook his head and summoned several formidable fireballs, their flames dancing with astonishing heat as they homed in on the attackers.

The next moment, agonizing screams erupted.

Cromwell’s team, proud of their defensive skills, found them utterly ineffective. As the fireballs made contact, they ignited instantly, transforming the members into living torches.

This is impossible!

Cromwell could scarcely fathom the scene unfolding before him.

The team he had assembled, though not composed of the most formidable challengers among the many, certainly boasted members of considerable prowess. Yet, they had been so easily vanquished by Enzo. The magnitude of Enzo’s strength left him utterly astounded. In that moment, Cromwell felt a pang of regret for his underestimation, especially as Enzo approached him, coldly declaring, “It seems your strength is rather lacking.” Cromwell hastily pleaded, “Please, spare me!” Boom!

With a sudden burst, a conflagration erupted from Cromwell, reducing him to ashes, save for a single space storage ring that remained, impervious to the flames. Enzo retrieved the ring, extracting its contents—primarily an assortment of rare forging materials and potions, but what captured the most attention was a collection of Magic Crystals. In that instant, Enzo’s rank surged dramatically, drawing the gaze of many. Moreover, it was not solely Enzo whose rank experienced a meteoric rise.

The standings of numerous strangers shifted significantly, with the leaderboard’s top ten names frequently changing. Enzo grasped the implications. He turned to Melissa and said, “The number of magical beasts is finite, and there are only so many spots within the top ten. To secure a place on the leaderboard and qualify for further trials, we must seize Magic Crystals from other teams.” Melissa understood this clearly.

During the previous dragon trial, a similar predicament had arisen, and she was acutely aware of Enzo’s capabilities. Coupled with her own confidence in her strength, she harbored no fear of rival teams attempting to claim their treasures.

Certainly, few dared to challenge Enzo and Melissa. The majority among the participants in the trial were shrewd individuals, and the sight of Enzo and Melissa teaming up to claim a position on the leaderboard made many realize that they were not to be trifled with.

Thus, Enzo and Melissa’s subsequent journey unfolded with remarkable ease. They ventured forth, hunting a myriad of magical beasts, including several formidable ones, consistently maintaining their hold on the second spot on the leaderboard, with their collection of Magic Crystals exceeding a thousand.

As for the first place, it belonged to an individual named Merck.

His accumulation of Magic Crystals surpassed three thousand—more than three times that of Enzo, and even greater than the combined total of the other top ten competitors.

Yet, the means by which he amassed such a fortune remained shrouded in mystery.

Meanwhile, as time flowed by, Dragons Land began to grow eerily quiet. The crimson curtain displaying the rankings in the sky had not shifted for quite some time, suggesting that the standings had solidified.

At that moment, Enzo, who was resting alongside Melissa beneath a great tree, suddenly changed his expression.

Noticing the shift, Melissa grew alert, though she sensed no other presence nearby. Curiously, she inquired, “Enzo, what is it?”

In a hushed tone, Enzo replied, “Someone is approaching, but their aura is peculiar—not a trial participant.”

Melissa asked, “Could it be a magical beast?”

Enzo shook his head, “No, it is not.”

Just as they prepared to conceal themselves and observe, a voice resonated beside them, as if the speaker stood right at their side.

“Mr. Enzo, I am the clan leader of Shadow Clan, and I wish to discuss a matter with you.”

Upon hearing that voice, Enzo and Melissa exchanged a glance before directing their gaze towards a clearing beneath the tree, where they immediately spotted a familiar figure accompanied by an elderly man. The voice had indeed originated from him.

Furthermore, Enzo recognized the elder’s identity, noting his attire reminiscent of the magical beasts from the Gathering Place.

Indeed, something was amiss at that Gathering Place!

Enzo and Melissa leaped down from the tree, landing gracefully on the ground, and simultaneously turned their attention towards the elder. They then glanced at Dandil, but before either could pose a question, Dandil preemptively explained, “Mr. Enzo, Ms. Melissa, this is the esteemed leader of the Invicta Clan from the Shadow Clan. He sensed something within you, Mr. Enzo, and has come specifically to seek your assistance.”

Seek assistance?

A veil of doubt engulfed Enzo’s mind, casting skepticism on Dandil’s words.

At that moment, Invicta spoke, “Have you already acquainted yourself with Lord Profaner Melokuhle?”

Enzo’s pupils constricted.

This reaction did not escape Invicta’s notice. A smile graced his lips as he realized he had indeed found the right person. His demeanor shifted to one of respect as he elaborated, “Mr. Enzo, I possess knowledge of the path to the Emerald Tower and can provide information regarding the trials of Dragons Land. However, I do have a small request, and I hope you may assist me.”

“What is the request?” Enzo inquired, exercising caution before granting any promises.

Invicta, wielding his scepter, gently tapped the ground, conjuring a barrier that enveloped both him and Enzo, isolating them from the outside world before he continued, “I require a promise! When you attain sufficient strength, I implore you to come to the aid of the Shadow Clan.”

“How may I offer such aid?” Enzo pressed further.

Yet, Invicta did not respond immediately. Instead, he began recounting the origins of the Shadow Clan and the true reasons behind the emergence of the trials in Dragons Land.

He recounted, “Long ago, the Shadow Clan was merely a minuscule race within the vast expanse of the Starry Sky, until one fateful day, the great immortal deity, Lord Boyega, passed through the realm of the Shadow Clan. At the call of the clan leader, all the members of the Shadow Clan rallied behind Lord Boyega to wage war across the Starry Sky. It was a glorious epoch, an immortal epic, and the most illustrious moment in the history of the Shadow Clan.” “But then, Lord Boyega fell.” As he spoke, deep sorrow arose in the murky depths of Invicta’s aged eyes, revealing his profound nostalgia for Boyega, which took Enzo by surprise. While Carol of the Protoss and Melanieria, the Zerg Queen, harbored animosity towards Boyega, Invicta, a fellow denizen of the Starry Sky, was filled with admiration for him. It became clear to Enzo that his previous understanding of Boyega was incomplete. Curiosity piqued, Enzo inquired, “How did Boyega meet his end?” Invicta shook his head, saying, “I do not know how Lord Boyega fell. Perhaps Lord Profaner possesses some insight.” “However, I am well aware of the purpose behind the emergence of the Trial Space.” “It is to select a successor.” “And Mr. Enzo, you are the chosen heir personally selected by Lord Profaner, possessing a significant chance to inherit Lord Boyega’s legacy, thus stepping into the Starry Sky and becoming a new immortal deity!” Upon hearing this, Enzo smiled. He paid little heed to Invicta’s flattery, and his curiosity regarding Boyega’s legacy did not extend to a desire to claim it for himself. Often, acquiring something comes with the burden of an equivalent cost. From what he had learned thus far, the immortal deity Boyega did not seem to enjoy an admirable reputation in the Starry Sky. If he were to emerge as Boyega’s successor, he would likely become a target for some of Boyega’s enemies.

This is certainly not the news Enzo wishes to hear.

Consequently, he did not acquiesce to Invicta’s words but pressed on, “Patriarch Invicta, what is the current state of the Shadow Clan?”

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