Chapter 108: Fidia’s “Harvest”
In elven culture, especially among Wood Elves, being buried in a scenic location after death is a matter of great prestige. Therefore, within the Elven Kingdoms, ancient tombs can potentially be found beneath every beautiful landscape. The tombs of the poor are simpler, often containing only a coffin and a few personal belongings. The tombs of the wealthy are relatively grand, typically featuring multiple rooms simulating the deceased’s residence. Even better ones might include an underground ecosystem to prevent the deceased from feeling lonely.
With elven techniques, the construction of these ancient tombs doesn’t damage the natural scenery. The beauty of the surface is almost perfectly preserved, and there are no tombstones, rammed earth mounds, or other markers indicating the tomb’s location. Generally, pinpointing the exact spot is difficult, but Necromancers, who frequently excavate tombs, have their own methods.
Fidia chanted an incantation, releasing altered magic. As the magic spread, it carried a buzzing sound, causing the ground beneath her and Shor’s feet to vibrate, emitting a faint hum.
“Here,” she quickly confirmed the exact location of an ancient tomb beneath them.
Shor immediately moved. The magic Fidia had just released not only informed him of the tomb’s location but also relayed information about its approximate structure. The experienced Shor quickly determined the entrance based on the tomb’s structure.
He walked up to a large, moss-covered boulder, placed his hand on it, channeled magic into it, and chanted a simple spell.
The earth began to rumble violently. A section of ground behind the boulder suddenly split open, revealing a deep hole. It lacked signs of artificial excavation, resembling more an animal’s hibernation den.
They jumped down without hesitation. After a short time, the split ground closed back up with another tremor.
“Master, Fidia and I have returned to find you! Are you still here?”
Shor walked through the deep cave, calling out for his master, but received no reply. Fidia followed behind him, her expression clearly apprehensive.
The two followed the cave’s path, descending diagonally for a long distance, until the view suddenly opened up. A considerably spacious hall appeared before them. Everything in the hall was constructed from the roots of nearby plants, shaped by magic. Numerous bioluminescent fungi clung to the ceiling and walls, providing some light to the dim hall.
“Ah, Master, I’ve finally found you,” Shor bowed obsequiously towards the center of the hall.
Fidia also emerged from behind her senior brother, bowing timidly.
“Hmm… tsk tsk, judging by the looks of you two, you failed?”
An old yet frivolous voice came from the center of the hall.
The owner of the voice was an old man clad in black robes. He was skeletally thin, his skin dry and rough like old tree bark, with a messy shock of white hair draped down his back. Such an old man should have given off an air of impending death, but looking into his eyes, one could sense the immense power hidden within his gaunt frame – two translucent soul flames flickered intermittently, complementing his sharp, vigorous gaze. This was, of course, their master, and also Abyss’s martial uncle, Prodo.
Prodo’s entire body was covered in an icy aura. Even his breath formed clouds of white mist containing ice crystals, particularly noticeable in the damp underground air.
“I’m sorry, that Abyss’s strength is truly too formidable. We initially thought we could restrain him, or at least make him lose a familiar, but then he suddenly revealed his power, and we realized we were no match at all… The host of the Sage’s Blood is indeed not someone mortals can easily confront,” Shor quickly explained.
“And Fidia? You look downcast,” Prodo looked towards Fidia standing nearby.
“Master… I lost the dragon skin you gave me, and half the bones…” Fidia stammered. “It’s all that guy Abyss’s fault. While fighting me, he kept looking for opportunities to steal bone powder from my bone armor. By the end, he had stolen a full half…”
“Oh, is that so,” Prodo raised an eyebrow, laughing amidst a flurry of frost. “Hahahaha, I never expected you two to win anyway; I just sent you to probe him, my little darlings. You two are sufficiently afraid of death; Shor would even wet his pants in fear. I wasn’t worried about you dying at Glad’s disciple’s hands. Forget it, forget it, it’s nothing, nothing to be afraid of.”
Hearing her master’s dismissive words, Fidia finally relaxed, managing a strained smile.
“Mm, now, you two tell me, what intelligence did you gather from Abyss?” Prodo shifted his position, propping himself up on his arm, and asked again.
“This…” Fidia was momentarily speechless. Shor also stared blankly at his master, saying nothing.
“What? What did you two do now?” Prodo grew impatient. “Come on, just say whatever you know. I’m not going to eat you.”
“That… Abyss never came out to meet us from beginning to end. We don’t know what abilities he has…” Fidia’s face turned ashen. “He was far, far stronger than us…”
Shor suddenly interjected: “I know, I know! Master! He has modified his necromancy! He can swap bodies with his familiars through the link! We initially held his familiar hostage, wanting to coerce him, but he directly swapped into his familiar’s body and defeated both of us – that familiar of his named Leona is incredibly strong!”
“Are you two kidding me? Abyss defeated you without even showing up?” Prodo couldn’t help but laugh. “I know Leona was once the continent’s top Dou Qi Master, but how could the two of you not even beat that simple-minded brute? Do you have to embarrass mages like this?”
“Her speed was just too fast; we didn’t even have time to cast spells…” Fidia began to feel afraid again. “I only lasted so long because I used the dragon bone you gave us to form bone armor…”
“Alright, alright, I get it. So basically, you went out, achieved nothing, and just gave things away, right? What are you? Postal workers? Delivering my dragon to Abyss?”
“Sorry, Master…”
“It’s all Fidia’s fault! I didn’t lose anything, Master!”
Prodo waved his hand dismissively, not looking at his two disciples: “Enough, no more nonsense. Your little junior sister is in the room behind me. Go play with her for a day.”
“Ah! Master!” Fidia instantly collapsed onto the ground in terror.
Shor burst into tears: “Master! No! We definitely won’t do this again next time! Don’t punish us!”
“Go when I tell you to go. She won’t actually kill you,” Prodo glanced lazily towards them, his gaze turning ice-cold. “Even if you die, I can resurrect you. Go, don’t waste time. Little Junior Sister needs to have enough fun before she can take over your tasks.”
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