Chapter 1049 Deep Layer
Emery didn't expect that he would be spending hours in the inner part of the island.
Finding the Tier 4 [Borage Mushroom] was nearly an impossible task if it wasn't for his [Nature Sense] ability. In addition, in order to fully retain its properties, the mushroom needed to be harvested in a rather peculiar method that required the presence of a certain amount of heat during harvesting.
This left Emery helpless since he had no affinity in the fire element. Fortunately, the Egyptian girl who accompanied him was able to help. Despite not having an affinity for the fire element either, Klea was still able to make small sparks with her lightning element and somehow got things to work.
"Now I am not just your bodyguard! You need me more than you thought, Emery." The girl said with a cheeky smile on her face.
It was certainly much more exciting and comfortable to have someone accompanying him on his journey, especially if that someone was a person who was dear to him. Hence Emery responded to her words with an affectionate smile.
Still, Emery needed 200 of these mushrooms and that number was not really an easy task to accomplish with the rat-like beasts hot on their tail. They kept coming at Emery and Klea in groups, as if there were an infinite number of them.
When the two of them finally couldn't take it anymore, Klea ended up summoning her thunderbird for both of them to escape.
However, a different type of creature quickly swooped in to attack. It was as if they had been waiting for that exact moment.
[Ephruim]
[Magical Beast - level 85]
[Battle Power - 195]
These flying creatures who possessed bat-like bodies and snake-like heads had been hanging on the ceilings, and when they noticed something was flying into the air, they quickly descended and attacked that said object.
Facing the barrage of these bloodthirsty creatures, the thunderbird only managed to last 10 minutes before Klea was forced to descend and dispel it. The two of them ended up in the thick of the forest, taking a moment of respite from their incessant battle.
The numerous assaults by high-level creatures finally wore out the two and forced them into hiding. At this moment, seeing the grim situation, Emery decided to give his newly-concocted potion a try. He gave one to Klea before taking another and downing it till the last drop.
[Spirit Pool Potion]
After resting for 30 minutes to relieve their mental fatigue, the two rose from their hiding spot and once again went into hunt for more plants. At the same time, Emery also killed more beasts in order to be devoured.
Much to his delight, the potion was able to increase the regeneration rate of Klea's spirit pool greatly, about 20% faster in an hour. Meanwhile, Emery who possessed a much bigger spirit pool only received a 5% increase. Truly a stark difference.
Still, even though it was not a big increase, any amount of advantage was very much welcomed.
It took Emery roughly 48 hours before he could finally gather 250 of those troublesome Borage Mushrooms. And just like before, he separated and pocketed fifty of the best quality for himself.
As for the results of his devouring, he had managed to kill an equal number of creatures and as a result, managed to regain 6 points for his spirit power, leaving him with only half the endeavor remaining.
[Spirit force 1526 (1532)]
Now that they were done here, it was time for the two of them to go another level below and finish collecting the Tier 5 ingredients.
In order to be safe, Emery didn't forget to use the communication stone and message the female Dragon bloodline magus of his intention.
"I understand. Be careful," replied the female magus. She didn't say anything else, hence Emery went ahead and headed toward the next level.
Just like at the surface of the floating island, there was another spiraling path that went deeper into the ground. When Emery stepped inside and made his way through, what he found were caves filled with black moss that illuminated the dark.
"We need to be extra careful now. Any legendary creature is not to be underestimated." Emery said to Klea without turning his head around.
If devouring and getting more energy to fix his broken pillar was the main objective Emery was after, he would honestly rather grind on the second level, especially with Klea following him. After all, although the place was by no means safe, the danger level was still manageable.
The place they were about to enter, however, was something that made even Emery nervous.
Legendary-level beasts were no simple matter. The Beholder which he struggled to defeat in the past was only categorized as a middle-level one, hence they might find similar or even stronger creatures in this place.
As if that wasn't bad enough, as stated in the data they received, the third level would interfere with any kind of Spirit Reading, which meant that Emery wouldn't be able to use his [Nature Sense] to find what he was looking for as easily. He also couldn't use [Spatial Gate] to escape if he ran into danger, since the skill needed an anchor to be activated.
Again, Emery said to Klea. "Let's put safety first. Sneak in and sneak out as quietly and quickly as we can."
After saying those words, Emery cast his darkness spell [Dark Void] while Klea used her water spell [Reflection]. Two layers of different attributes swiftly enveloped their figures, as both cautiously made their way through the dark, dimly-lit place.
"We are looking for golden moss. The list says fifty portions of 10 grams, so a total of 500 grams."
Without the aid of his spirit sense, Emery had to rely on [Universal Flora Knowledge - Level 3] to understand the characteristics of the plant and calculate where it might grow. It was an arduous task, to say the least.
Before long, after scouring through the bleak place, Emery finally found the golden moss However, there wasn't even enough for one portion. Disappointment was not enough to express what he was currently feeling.
"Damn, this is harder than I thought."
After a few miles of exploring through the palace, the two of them finally spotted the first habitat of this level. A terrifying mid-level legendary beast in the form of a 10-meter-tall tree golem.
[Treent]
[Legendary Beast - level 60]
[Battle Power - 300]
Seeing such stats, Emery turns a little anxious.
"Twik, protect her."
Immediately after, Emery used his trump card the [Twilight Form]. The idea was only to test the other party's power and leave immediately. However, it effectively and instantly changed when his eyes caught the peculiar sight of the creature.
Some part of the creature's body was covered with golden moss. The exact kind he was looking for.
With a wry smile, Emery readied his fighting stance as he muttered under his breath.
"I guess we have to defeat this giant after all."