Chapter 267 Treasure lands
After five long hours, the bright lights raining from the crack stopped abruptly. The sky trembled and hundreds of dark clouds gathered around the brightness. Wisps of black smoke puffed out from the crack and with a loud bang, it vanished within the smoky clouds.
Under the now clear sky, many loud cries echoed all around the realm but those voices got muffled due to the heavy air.
At that exact moment, the white illusionary old man appeared in the sky. His old thunderous voice sounded in the whole realm.
"Welcome new arrivals to the Lumbra Realm. The entry gate has closed that's why the treasure lands would open up now."
A heavy silence enveloped the whole realm. Unlike the panicked new arrivals, the people from the dark race stopped in their actions. They stared at the sky with thrill and anticipation. After all, they were the ones who would grab all those treasures. These pathetic outsiders were just here to open the lands again.
The illusionary old man couldn't help but frown. If it was up to him, he would never open the treasure lands but everything was automatic. That's why even if he tried he couldn't stop the process. The realm was designed a long time ago just for the sake of nurturing young talents.
He didn't feel anger but frustration itched on his face as he spoke out loud and clear.
"Be prepared because each treasure land will have its own rules and tests. You have to fight and win the treasures will your strength."
After his voice drifted in the air. The people from the dark race cheered loudly. The realm has long lost its luster as they destroyed everything. However, even after digging and destroying every nook and cranny, they were unable to locate those hidden treasure lands.
The old man scoffed at their enthusiasm.
'So what if you all got stronger? In the end, you can never leave this place.'
On the other hand, the barren dark realm shook violently. The land trembled and thick clouds of smoke emerged out from the ground.
Within a few seconds, a brilliant sun appeared in the sky and bright light spilled from the dark sky.
The dry dark trees regained their vigour and lush green grass beds spread out everywhere.
Nine opened his eyes abruptly. He was already shocked due to the thunderous old voice that sounded in his ears but he lost his cool when half of the cave ceiling tumbled down in a lightning-fast speed. He jumped and after avoiding the large rocks pouring out from the ceiling, immediately rushed toward the exit.
"The fuck! I just closed my eyes for a second and someone destroyed the whole mountain!"
He cursed and if not for his quick reflexes he would have already perished under the pouring rocks.
"Why the hell did I go so deep inside the cave!"
Nine eyes reflected the cave entrance and he lunged forward after gathering every bit of his energy.
He covered his face when bright light pierced through his eyes.
"What the actual fuck..."
Nine mouth was hung open The previous incident where he saw the beady-eyed man instantly disappeared from his mind.
He took in the sight in front of him and mumbled under his breath.
"Is this even the same place?"
The previous dark sky was now clear and bright. The land was filled with greenery but what truly astonished him the most were the countless floating islands beneath the clear sky.
He released a large breath and looked at the nearest floating island. Similar to all the other floating islands, an old castle shimmered brightly atop the island.
He slowly moved closer to the island but then a very important question appeared in his mind.
"Wait...how am I going to fly up?"
The moment this question appeared in his mind his expression turned solemn. He was practically standing underneath one of the treasure lands but he couldn't reach it.
As if sensing his predicament, the ground around him started trembling again. Nine already muddled heart almost leaped out from his chest. He looked up at the huge treasure land with horrid eyes and started running in the opposite direction.
"Please don't tell me it's going to fall!"
Nine halted his steps when he didn't sense anything behind him. He looked back and his eyes widened at the large stairway leading up toward the treasure land.
"Oh, It's seemed I don't need to fly..."
He staggered forward and slowly started climbing. At that moment, a faint laugh sounded above the sky.
The voice was unpleasant that's why Nine looked up with narrow eyes.
His eyes shook visibly when he saw hundreds of black figures flying toward the treasure lands.
"This...so many people. Also, they all looked similar to the man I saw a while ago."
Nine closed his eyes for a second and made his way up toward the castle present atop the treasure land.
"Now is not the time to divulge in this matter. I can't fight with them. They are too strong. I just hope my friends stay safe."
He sighed as Kyle's face appeared in his mind and for some reason, his bad mood brightened a little.
"Well, I don't think I need to worry about him because even if the sky fell he would still survive."
...
A few minutes ago, Kyle stared blankly in front of him. The deep tunnel ended but he was met with nothing except a dead end.
He coughed lightly and looked at Bia who was wearing a deadpan expression.
"I think we should go back."
His sentence was cut short when Bia shot him a glare.
Kyle shut his mouth and a frustrated expression appeared on his face. They had been moving underground for the past few hours and he was sure right now they were almost at the bottom of the mountain. However, the problem was that they were surrounded by thick black walls.
He narrowed his eyes at the wall in front of him with a thoughtful expression.
"Should I break it?"
Bia's eyes widened.
-'Are you crazy? We are both gonna get buried underground forever!'
Kyle chuckled. Of course, he knew they would get buried if he did anything with the walls.
"I was joking."
Bia sighed with relief. She flapped her wings and made her way back to the entrance of the tunnel.
However, in the next second, a loud old voice resounded in their ears.
Kyle blinked his eyes as he stared at the long narrow passage.
"So, the realm was empty and the so-called treasure lands were closed all along?"
He couldn't help but laugh at himself.
"Don't tell me I wasted so many hours in vain?"
Bia's eyes turned blank as she poured salt over his wounds.
-'You did.'
Kyle took a large breath but the moment he stepped forward the whole tunnel shook violently. His eyes widened with shock.
"We need to leave this place!"
Bia flapped her wings and increased her speed, heading straight toward the exit. Kyle rushed behind her. However, it was too late.
Kyle cursed under his breath. They were too far from the exit. His pupils contracted when he sensed a part of the ceiling crashing on Bia.
He gritted his teeth and jumped forward to grab Bia's body. A loud cry rang inside his head.
-'What are you doing the flames!'
Kyle ignored the struggling bird. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel pain when he grabbed Bia's body. However, the golden flames around her body didn't affect him much because his body was naturally too cold. It happened after he awakened his bloodline. He only felt an uncomfortable stinging sensation in his palms and nothing else.
Kyle hugged her small body and rolled down to avoid another huge boulder crashing down from above.
His green eyes brightened for a second as he looked at the large tunnel. He knew it was impossible for them to go out in such a small amount of time. He grabbed the broach on his chest and hurriedly tossed it in his mind space.
'Damn it! I can't use Instant Teleportation. Bia is with me!'
He ranked his eyes to look around but after finding nothing, he placed his hand on the ground and decided to transfer the whole mountain in his mind space but it didn't work. Who was he kidding?
Bia's struggling voice echoed in his head as she cried out again and again.
-'Kyle let me go!'
She flapped her wings and tried to free herself from his grip but Kyle didn't let her go.
Kyle watched the trembling ceiling, he used the 'ice armor' skill and jumped back. Within a second, a thin invisible layer of ice appeared around his whole body.
Kyle's breath hitched when a large boulder crashed down on his back. It was painful but due to the invisible armor around his body, he didn't bleed.
'Should I freeze everything?'