Garion stood on the rocky ground, eyes locked onto the storm clouds above. His arms were crossed as if waiting.
’System, I’m here. What do you want me to do now? Why did you make me relocate to this cursed island?’
But there was only silence. Nothing appeared like before, frowning his face even deeper.
Dahlia noticed his frown and tilted her head.
"What’s wrong, Master? You’ve been astraing for a while. Why don’t we go inside and look around?"
Garion forced a small smile, waving her off.
"It’s nothing. Let’s stay here for now. Our bodies need time to adjust to this aura. Sit down and try to cultivate first."
She blinked, then nodded.
She lowered herself onto a flat rock, closing her eyes as she steadied her breathing. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelFɪre.net
Garion kept standing, his jaw tight.
’Damn system, where are you? Don’t play games with me now.’
And still... There was nothing, and the silence continued.
He let out a sigh and sat cross-legged on the cold ground.
"Fine. Let’s just try cultivating first."
He closed his eyes and drew in the surrounding mana. Instantly, he noticed the difference.
It was heavier and sharper. Absorbing each strand of demonic mana was like swallowing shards of glass.
His chest tightened, and his head had throbbed as if needles were piercing his mind.
"This... this isn’t the same at all."
Every breath of energy felt like it was trying to tear his body apart.
But he forced it through his veins, pushing it into his marrow.
The pain made his teeth grind, but slowly, the flow began to settle.
Then he felt it. The mana-blood, his marrow produced after absorbing this demonic aura... was different.
Garion opened one eye slightly, smirking despite the sweat rolling down his face.
"It hurts like hell, but the result..."
The energy in his body was thicker and richer, as if it had been upgraded.
The best comparisons popped into his head, made him chuckle.
"If I consider normal mana as chicken soup, then this demonic mana is like top-quality, premium soup, except..."
His eyes narrowed, thinking about the pain he had, cultivating it.
"Someone had dumped a mountain of chillies and strange spices inside. It was painful to consume, but the effect is on a whole other level."
He opened his eyes and glanced at Dahlua. Her brows furrowed, teeth clenched as she tried to cultivate.
Dahlia opened one eye, glaring at him.
"Master... this is insane. It feels like my blood is on fire."
Garion leaned back on his hands, grinning.
"Exactly. That’s the point. No pain, no gain."
"You always say that..."
Garion just smirked, advising her how to cultivate this demonic mana.
"And I’m always right. Now, push through it. Don’t fight the pain, use it. Let it tear you down and build you back stronger."
Dahlia’s shoulder shook as she drew in another breath.
She clenched her fists on her knees, forcing herself to keep going.
Finally, a strained groan slipped out.
"Damn, Master... It’s too painful."
Garion rose to his feet, brushing dust off his robe.
"Then do it slowly. No one said you have to master it all at once."
He stretched his arms, then jerked his chin toward the treeline.
"Come on. Let’s walk while you cultivate. Sitting still won’t help us get stronger any faster."
Dahlia opened her eyes, sweat running down her cheek as she nodded, pushing herself up with a grunt.
"Alright... I’ll try."
Garion put his hand lightly on her shoulder, his grin never fading.
"Good. Keep cultivating slowly. Let the mana flow while your body moves. This island’s gonna be our training ground, so you better get used to it."
Together, they started walking inland, the demonic aura of Demon Gate Island pressing harder with each step.
But just as Garion set his foot inside, a familiar glow flickered instantly before his eyes.
[Location Confirmed: Demon Gate Island]
[Follow the guidance arrow to your destination]
A glowing arrow floated faintly in the air, pointing toward a certain direction.
Garion’s face darkened, and he suddenly shouted out loud.
"Damn system! Why are you only showing up now? Where the hell were you earlier?"
Dahlia flinched at his outburst and turned quickly, blinking at him.
"Master? Why are you shouting so loudly like that? What appeared?"
Garion straightened his back and smiled a little.
"Oh, nothing. I thought I saw something, but it must’ve been the demonic mana messing with my head. Makes me restless, that’s all."
Dahlia tilted her head, studying him, then sighed.
"Tch. Please don’t scare me like that. I thought something really dangerous popped out."
She shook her head and refocused on her cultivation as she walked.
Garion’s smile faded the moment Dahlia refocused her attention.
’The hell, system? What took you so long? You’re late, and you don’t even answer when I ask.’
But just like usual, it stayed silent.
Garion clicked his tongue and let out a long sigh.
Still, the glowing arrow in front of him moved gently to another location, waiting for him to follow it.
Garion then stopped and turned around, walking toward the new direction.
Dahlia was surprised when she noticed the different path Garion took.
"Master? Wait... you’re going the wrong way. According to the map, the outpost is over there."
She pointed in another direction, deeper into the forest.
Garion kept walking, smirking.
"Yeah, I know. But I’ve got a feeling there’s something interesting this way. Let’s take a look first."
Dahlia’s brows furrowed.
Garion smirked without looking back.
"Trust me. My feelings never lie."
She let out a groan, following him from behind.
"Every time you say that, and we end up in some mess."
Garion laughed, waving her off.
"Hahaha! But every mess makes us even stronger."
The arrow gleamed faintly ahead, pulling him off the beaten path and deeper into the unknown shadows of the Demon Gate Island.