Chapter 538: Chapter 538: Courtyard

Soon after, the formal command from Wizard Lauren was sent down: all units, retreat to Blade Ridge Camp to rest.

Duke wasted no time and immediately organized his forces.

The thirty-five thousand slave creatures, having just experienced the baptism of fire, were weary and scarred but maintained strict formation, following Duke and the winged serpent back to the camp.

The atmosphere on the return journey was completely different. The initial tension and killing aura were replaced by a somber and weary feeling of having narrowly survived a disaster.

The water was still filled with a faint scent of blood and residual energy, and remnants of the Insect Race or slave creatures that had yet to be cleaned up could still be seen floating along the way.

When the Blade Ridge Camp, shrouded by a pale blue energy shield, finally appeared in view, many wizards, including Simon, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The relatively safe and stable environment of the camp was particularly precious at this moment.

The deep-sea environment was uncomfortable for wizards. Even if some magic could alleviate physical pressure, the psychological oppression lingered.

Humans ultimately aren’t suited for living under the sea; the environment is too oppressive for them.

If just staying briefly, it wouldn’t be too noticeable, but for living and fighting over a period, most people could feel the psychological pressure.

The existence of the camp provided a psychological ease.

Upon entering through the camp’s entrance, breathing in relatively fresh air, and feeling the ground beneath their feet, a sense of calm settled over him.

The camp was bustling, with other units that retreated earlier also resting and resupplying. The medical area was filled with injured slave creatures, and the logistics staff were moving incessantly.

Slave creatures lying here were at least Level 1 Life. Those who hadn’t reached Level 1 were generally left to their own devices or had to seek assistance from other slave creatures for treatment.

Duke went to the task office first, reporting the results and casualties of the western battlefield and handed over part of the loot as required, mainly conventional Insect Race materials.

Items like the Heart of the Insect Race and fragments didn’t need to be submitted.

After completing these official duties, Duke finally returned to his residence in Blade Ridge Camp to rest.

Until the next command arrives, there would be time for rest.

Duke’s accommodations in the Blade Ridge Camp were incomparable to those of ordinary wizards, whose resting areas were temporarily erected shacks.

However, his personal residence wasn’t such a simple, unified shack but an independent, semi-enclosed courtyard located in a relatively secluded, central command area of the camp.

The entrance was an arched porch, naturally formed by the massive, dazzling growth of red living coral. Deep-sea pearls emitting soft white light were embedded among the coral branches, serving both as illumination and offering a mild soothing effect.

Two Sea Race Guards, clad in heavy armor and holding coral tridents, stood at the door. They were assigned to Duke for vigilance and communication.

The Sea Race Guards clearly recognized Duke and opened the courtyard door for him.

“I need to rest for a few hours. Please don’t disturb me unless it’s something very important,” Duke specifically instructed.

The two Sea Race Guards nodded, acknowledging his request.

Upon stepping into the courtyard, what came into view wasn’t hard stone but a soft, elastic, velvet-like luminescent moss carpet. It was very comfortable to step on and emitted a faint blue glow, providing basic lighting.

The top of the courtyard wasn’t enclosed but was covered by a flowing, water-curtain-like thin film that simulated sunlight shimmering on the sea surface, preventing the space from feeling completely closed and oppressive.

The main structure of the courtyard consisted of a main hall and a side silent room, with the main hall being the most spacious.

The walls weren’t monotonous rock but were covered with a slowly writhing biostructure that changed subtle colors and complex patterns.

This wasn’t a creation of the Insect Race but a symbiotic tapestry cultivated by the Sea Race, which automatically regulated indoor humidity, purified air, and emitted an extremely faint seaweed aroma beneficial for spiritual power recovery.

The hall was furnished with tables and chairs polished from the complete giant clam shells, smooth and warm.

On one side was a constant-temperature soaking pool constructed using the principle of seabed hot springs. The pool water contained faint minerals and gentle life energy, effectively alleviating fatigue and healing hidden injuries.

On seeing the interior arrangement of the courtyard, Duke was somewhat stunned. It was hard to imagine this was a temporarily constructed camp.

The disparity between this courtyard and the huts where Simon and others lived was enormous, making it seem more like a vacation spot than a battlefield.

It seemed that the Sea Race highly valued those with some status among the wizards, not paying as much attention to ordinary wizards.

Despite Duke’s strength not being sufficient to enjoy such a treatment, the existence of the Black Sail Honor Medal elevated his status.

Duke then took a bath in the constant-temperature soaking pool, had a good rest, and alleviated much of his mental fatigue, feeling considerably lighter.

After resting, he entered the Light God Court.

Duke arrived beside the Spring of Life and took out the six Level 1 Insect Race Hearts and three pieces of Level 2 Insect Race Heart fragments he had acquired.

Life Energy within these fragments was continually dissipating and had to be used soon.

Otherwise, the Life Energy would fully disperse and be wasted.

A small piece of Level 2 Insect Race Heart fragment contained Life Energy equivalent to one Level 1 Insect Race Heart.

Upon taking out the hearts, Duke felt the World Tree Seed conveying its instinctive craving for high-purity Life Energy.

Without hesitation, he immediately placed the three fragments into the Spring of Life.

Once the fragments touched the water, the bright green light of the World Tree Seed shone, creating a joyful and eager suction like precipitation after a drought, greedily and efficiently absorbing the pure energy.

Although the total wasn’t as much as a complete Level 2 Insect Race Heart, its quality still had a special nourishing effect on the World Tree Seed, seemingly making the patterns on its surface clearer and more vivid.

After the three pieces were fully absorbed, Duke continued to feed the six Insect Race Hearts one by one to the World Tree Seed.

The World Tree Seed seemed like it had been hungry for a long time, greedily devouring the abundant Life Energy within the Insect Race Hearts.

Through the Slave Mark, Duke could clearly sense the active will coming from within the seed.

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