Deep within the Mystic Realm, in a hidden chamber, concealed from prying eyes, the same figure watch Vin kill one of his Acolytes, the moment Malak died his sight was caught off and he could no longer see what was happening with Vin.
The reason why he was able to monitor Vin in sight was because each of his Servants and Acolytes were connected to him in a way, so he could decide to see what they see at times.
He was sitting cross-legged on a platform within a large cavern, although the place looked more like a chamber, the entire place was dark almost like his body was devouring the entire light of the chamber.
But eve if the entire place was almost pitch black, you could still see the entire chamber vibrate with the pulsating power being released from his body.
Floating silently in on front of him was a dark crystal orb, darker than the darkest night, the orb looked more like a bead as it was smaller in size than a normal crystal orb.
There was a swirling dark mist as deep as night that was being infused into the bead from all sides, but one thing to note was that this mist was being released from his body into the bead, almost like he was refining it.
This person was the so called master of both the Servant stain and the Acolyte Malak, the Dark Disciple Midwak, and his cultivation seemed unfathomable at this point.
But he was not alone in this place, there was more than thirty people sitting directly behind him, they releasing dark mist from their body and directing it into his body, every single person here including him was covered in deep black hooded cloaks, hiding their identities.
Sitting by his right hand side was a small petite figure, and the although she was covered in the deep black hooded cloak, it wasn't hard to discern her gender from her body stature.
There was a pulsating crystalline orb in front her being held in her palms that had twinkling dots of different colors and sizes boy one of them shone the brightest, with a glaring pristine violet color that stood in the center and took almost a third of the space.
The girl in question was called Nelly and she was like the right hand of the Dark Disciple Midwak. Her cultivation was even more impressive as she was on the eighth stage of the Spirit Sea Realm, only one realm below the peak.
The crystalline orb in her hands was called the Seeker's Eye and was an artifact she used to amplifier her ability called Echosight.
That's right, she was the one keeping track of Vin all this while, and knew exactly where he was going to be at a certain time.
All the glowing light bulbs in the orb represented all the souls she was tracking, but right now her focus was on the violet colored light ball in the center, as this represented Vin himself.
"Nelly, how is his movement coming up, where will he be?" Midwak's deep grating voice was heard as he asked.
"I don't know why, but there seems to be some interference on his next location, either he has found a way to counter my ability or..." Nelly replied but left he last sentence hanging.
"Or what...?" Midwak asked.
"Or the place where he's going to be has a treasure that completely stops spying from outside forces." she completed.
"Hhn. Is that so huh?, does that mean he has completely left the area?" Midwak asked with obvious displeasure.
"No, I'm certain he hasn't left the area, he's still in the Dragonspine mountains, but that's where the problem is. It's almost like there is a boundary surrounding where he is, that seem to cut it from the rest of the mountainous region. Although not clearly, I can sense that he's traveling with two companions. But asides from them there's no other person in the entire area they are, like that place is cut-off from the rest. I'm not even sure if anyone is actually meant to be there as it seems to be a forbidden place" Nelly stated after a quick analysis.
"Well isn't where we are supposed to be a forbidden area too. Well there's no need to stress it, keep an eye out for him when next he comes out, I'll send an Apostle this time around, there would be no chance for him to escape. We'll be leaving here soon, I'm almost done refining the Evil Ghost Bead. And once I'm done all the geniuses in this realm would be my first nourishment." Midwak stated, his grating voice becoming sinister towards the end.
"Yes. My lord"
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Meanwhile, Vin and Mara had almost reached their destination, it had been more than a day since they left the temple and they had not stopped to rest at all, until now.
Leaning against the back of a large tree trunk, Vin's mind was occupied by something he had noticed during the last couple dozen hours.
"Mara don't you thin it's strange, we've been in this Dragonspine mountain for the last couple of days and we still haven't seen a single soul" Vin stated.
"That certainly is so, I've been thinking about it too, but can't come up with a why yet!" she replied, her brows furrowed "Do you have any ideas maybe.
But Vin just kept silent for a while, wondering if there was any need to tell her what he had discovered, after thinking for a while he decided to.
"Although it's the only theory I can think of and I might be wrong, but I think this place where we are is a completely different area, like a sealed space, Infact I think we're just lucky to find it because no one else is supposed to." Vin said as he glanced around.
Activating God's Eye to the fullest, he observed their area more closely, and he could sense it, although barely perceptible he could see the outline of a large barrier surrounding the mountain where they were.
But the barrier didn't seem man-made, it was more like it was naturally formed due to a strange force, and although he might be wrong, Vin thought the aura it emitted was oddly familiar, like the one he sensed at the temple.
'It seems this place is truly where the dragon pearl is located, I wonder what other things we can find here' he thought as a barely perceptible faint smile flashed through his lips.
After resting for a while the trio continued on their journey as they were almost there. As they ventured deeper, the air thickened with an otherworldly energy. Vin's God's Eye detected subtle vibrations in the terrain, hinting at ancient secrets buried beneath the surface.
Mara's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "We're close, aren't we?"
Vin nodded. "The otherworldly's energy signature is growing stronger."
Zara's ears perked up, sensing the change in atmosphere.
The landscape shifted, revealing a hidden valley nestled within the Dragon Spine's heart. Towering trees with trunks as wide as castles stood sentinel, their branches twisted and gnarled with age.
At the valley's center, a colossal naturally made statue the shape of a dragon's horn, tall like it was whethering storms, stood majestic. The statue's surface was etched with ancient runes, pulsing with a gentle, golden light.
Vin's gaze locked onto the statue. "This is it. This should be where the dragon's pearl lies."
Mara's voice filled with awe. "The energy here is incredible and enormous."
Zara growled softly, sensing hidden dangers.
As they approached the statue, the air vibrated with increasing intensity. Vin's God's Eye detected a hidden chamber beneath the statue, containing vibrant energy .
Suddenly, the ground trembled. The statue's runes flared, bathing the valley in radiant light.
A low rumble echoed through the valley, growing louder. The ground shook, and the trees swayed.
Vin's eyes narrowed. "What's happening?"
Mara's voice laced with concern. "I don't know, but I think we should prepare for-"
A massive earthquake struck, shaking the valley's foundations. Boulders tumbled down the mountainsides, and ancient trees toppled.
The trio stood firm, their cultivations anchoring them against the turmoil.
As the earthquake subsided, a hidden entrance beneath the statue swung open, revealing a stairway into darkness.
Vin's gaze locked onto the entrance. "The pearl awaits."
Mara nodded. "Let's proceed with caution."
Zara led the way, her senses on high alert.
As they descended into the unknown, the valley above began to seal itself off, the barrier surrounding the area pulsating with renewed energy.
Unbeknownst to the trio, Nelly's Seeker's Eye orb flickered, Vin's violet light ball disappearing from her sight.
"No... How did he...?" Nelly's voice trailed off, her eyes locked onto the empty space.
Midwak's deep voice resonated from the shadows. "It seems our prey has entered a sacred realm. Prepare the Apostles. Make sure he doesn't survive this time around, we'll claim whatever treasures he gets from there, I hope he doesn't disappoint me."
The darkness surrounding Midwak began to churn, as if the very shadows themselves were coalescing into instruments of darkness.
The stage was set for a clash of titans, as Vin, Mara, and Zara delved into the heart of the Dragon Spine, unaware of the ominous forces eyeing them as prey.
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