Chapter 237: Chapter237:Trial Rules
The Dragon Soul Fruit is an exceedingly precious ingredient for potions.
However, no potion master would dare utilize this invaluable material to concoct a potion, for the Dragon Soul Fruit possesses extraordinary properties that can permanently enhance an individual's spiritual strength and supernatural abilities.
This is undoubtedly a remarkable treasure!
"Human, why do you remain silent?"
Noticing Enzo's reticence, the red dragon inquired with growing impatience.
Enzo retorted, "Is it truly so vital for me to respond?"
The dragon's demeanor was indeed rather peculiar.
Nodding, the colossal red dragon boomed, "It is of utmost importance. If you wish to claim the Dragon Soul Fruit, you must abide by the rules of Dragons Land in your pursuit. If you do not desire it, then you must vacate this place!"
Enzo pressed on, "What are the rules?"
The red dragon answered with evident irritation, "All who vie for the Dragon Soul Fruit must engage in combat. Only the last survivor shall possess the Dragon Soul Fruit."
The phrase "last survivor" sent a jolt through Enzo, leading him to a chilling realization as he asked, "Are you implying that only one person may leave Dragons Land alive?"
The red dragon affirmed, "Indeed!"
Such a brutal decree would undoubtedly instill fear in many and drive them away, yet Enzo, undeterred, boldly declared, "Mr. Dragon, I have come to contend for the Dragon Soul Fruit."
Beside them, Eve remarked, "I feel the same way!"
A flicker of surprise flashed in the crimson dragon's eyes, only to vanish swiftly as it replied, "In that case, strive to survive until the end. You may wander throughout Dragons Land to familiarize yourselves with the surroundings. When the time comes, your battleground will be any place within Dragons Land."
With that, the red dragon soared back to the summit of the Lava Mountains.
As they watched the dragon retreat, a gravity settled on Enzo and Eve's faces, their expressions unyieldingly serious rather than elated by the revelation of the Dragon Soul Fruit.
Indeed, the Dragon Soul Fruit was a treasured prize.
Its benefits particularly pronounced for dragons. Yet, the crimson dragon had directly stated that they could compete for it, and through bloodshed no less.
Only the ultimate victor would be entitled to claim the Dragon Soul Fruit.
"There's certainly something amiss." Eve commented.
After a brief silence, Enzo responded, "There's no doubt about that. We have yet to ascertain how many will partake, nor the specifics of the combat—whether it will be a free-for-all or a series of arena competitions. But since we are here, we must press on. Let's explore the surroundings first."
Following closely behind Enzo, Eve trailed as they ventured deeper into the other regions of Dragons Land.
The vast expanse of Dragons Land was predominantly marked by crimson-hued soil, with heat rising in oppressive waves, instilling a sense of suffocating desolation. In stark contrast, at the very center lay an oasis, shrouded by a barrier that rendered it inaccessible.
Enzo and Eve traversed Dragons Land for the better part of a day.
What perplexed them, however, was the stark scarcity of living beings and the conspicuous absence of other individuals.
This was undeniably suspicious.
According to the words of the red giant dragon, many would partake in the contest for the Dragon Soul Fruit.
Just then, Enzo sensed an unusual disturbance.
A razor-sharp arrow shot down from the sky, aimed directly at Eve.
"Watch out!"
Enzo shouted, and in an instant, Eve evaded the impending threat, utilizing a flash of teleportation to dodge aside.
He then turned his gaze toward the distance.
Eve's face paled, the thought of being struck by the arrow sending a chill of dread through her heart.
With anger she called out, "Who is it?"
Enzo shook his head and replied, "Eve, there's no point in calling out. We are currently ensconced in a dreamland. Unless we disrupt this dreamland, the puppeteer will remain in the shadows."
"Dreamland?" Eve gasped, then inquired, "Could it be that the previous red giant dragon was also a part of this dreamland?"
"No." Enzo denied.
His eyes shimmered with a spectrum of colors, a manifestation of The Eye of All Things, as the entirety of Dragons Land unfolded before him. Arcane inscriptions floated in the air, interlocking to form a robust structure—a fundamental composition of the dreamland. Yet, to dismantle it through elemental energy was futile.
Only a simultaneous destruction of all inscriptions could suffice.
"Such a formidable adversary indeed."
Enzo murmured, yet rather than fear, his intrigue only deepened.
He continued to observe, keenly attentive.
Now, it is a matter of who will falter first and reveal a chink in their armor.
After a considerable time, several meteors cascaded from the heavens, hurtling toward Enzo and Eve.
Enzo deftly evaded their onslaught once more.
Yet a glimmer of realization flickered in Enzo's gaze.
The dreamland in which he and Eve found themselves was nothing short of exquisite, so flawlessly crafted that it was nearly imperceptible as an illusion. However, regardless of its perfection, a dreamland can never truly rival the authenticity of the real world.
In the fleeting moment before the meteors struck, Enzo detected a unique fluctuation.
It was a pivotal juncture within the dreamland.
In the next instant, Flame Wings materialized behind him, propelling him skyward towards a specific point in the air, where he unleashed a surge of lightning that crashed down upon it.
Crack—
Like the shattering of glass, the scene before them splintered, revealing the true visage of Dragons Land—a terrain of crimson soil, dotted with numerous miniature peaks, inhabited by a plethora of diminutive supernatural beings.
Before Enzo and Eve stood a few individuals.
They was clad in peculiar garments adorned with intricate black and white patterns. The leader, a middle-aged man, regarded them with palpable arrogance and declared, "Impressive. It seems you two possess some skill, having managed to unravel my dreamland. You have earned the right to join my ranks, under Ford, to assist me in seizing the Dragon Soul Fruit."
Upon hearing this, Enzo and Eve exchanged glances, their brows furrowing in disapproval.
The man before them was undeniably egotistical, yet his earlier display of the dreamland suggested he possessed a measure of competence.
However, that alone would not suffice.
Eve, with unabashed sarcasm, remarked, "With your kind, you think you can invite us to join?"
Ford retained his smile.
But the anger of those surrounding him was palpable as they shouted, "How dare you slander Lord Ford!"
Clearly, they were Ford's subordinates.
At that moment, Ford raised his hand, signaling his followers to silence.
He turned his gaze back to Enzo and said, "I extend a sincere invitation. Competing for the Dragon Soul Fruit is no trivial matter."
Enzo pondered for a moment.
He discerned valuable insights from Ford's words. It appeared that the contests in Dragons Land were different this time, allowing for team formations.
Yet, this contradicted the words of the crimson dragon.
The crimson dragon had explicitly stated that only one could emerge alive from Dragons Land. A situation shrouded in some unresolved mystery.
To Ford, Enzo's contemplation was interpreted as fear.
He laughed heartily, saying, "Smart choice, lad. Once you secure the Dragon Soul Fruit, I shall reward you handsomely."
It was then that Enzo found his voice.
He gazed at Ford, his tone calm, yet only Eve understood the seething wrath concealed beneath that calm facade.
"What are you, exactly?" Enzo declared.
The instant those words left his lips, the world seemed to fall into an eerie silence.
Ford appeared incredulous, his smile vanishing in an instant, as he asked, "What did you say, boy?"
Enzo replied once more, "I said, what are you, to think you can command my allegiance?"
There was no mistaking the disdain in his words.
Ford's fury erupted.
A terrifying aura emanated from him, and the few individuals at his side promptly drew their weapons. However, Enzo moved with greater swiftness, conjuring several spatial blades that swiftly dispatched Ford's subordinates. Though Ford survived, one of his arms had been severed cleanly.
So fast! Too fast!
Ford had not anticipated such an event. Now, he could hardly focus on the pain from his severed limb as he collapsed to the ground, fervently pleading for Enzo's mercy."Esteemed warrior, spare me! I swear I shall never defy you again."
Enzo's heart remained untouched by compassion.
Had it been anyone else in Dreamland, they would have perished long ago.
Even he, had he not been vigilant enough, could have seen Eve grievously injured. To spare Ford was simply out of the question.
Especially Enzo considered Ford's potential usefulness.
Enzo directly inquired, "What do you know about the trials of Dragons Land?"
Ford, fearing Enzo might suspect deceit, answered truthfully. "The trials in Dragons Land are divided into different teams. Each team must hunt a specific magical beast within Dragons Land, whose head contains a Magic Crystal. Ultimately, the ranking is determined by the number of Magic Crystals obtained, with the top-ranked team awarded the Dragon Soul Fruit."
Is that so?
Enzo fell into deep contemplation once more.
Ford, anxious that Enzo might doubt his honesty, quickly added, "This information is not known by me alone. Many others are aware. During the previous supernatural trials, some had participated in the Dragons Land trials and brought this information back. If you have doubts, you may inquire with others."
"You are not lying?" Enzo asked.
Ford nodded vigorously.
Upon confirming the veracity of Ford's words, Enzo smiled and remarked, "In the next life, strive to be a good person."
Ford sensed something amiss.
Just as he was about to plead for mercy, flames erupted from his body, reducing him to mere ashes.
At that moment, Eve interjected, "Someone is approaching."
Enzo scanned the surroundings and indeed observed a number of figures atop the nearby hills.
Yet, conspicuously absent among them was Freya.