Chapter 68: Chapter 68: The Two Surprised Principals!

"This relic is indeed strange," Dean Bruce deeply agreed. During his previous trip to the relic, although he hadn't encountered too many dangers or threats, there were still many eerie aspects.

To say the least, the fact that the relic was different during his two entries was enough proof of its oddity.

Alita Miller spoke softly, "What I told you earlier was not a lie! Clearly, it's the same entrance, but it leads to different relics. There are also natives present, and entering rashly could lead to big problems!"

"Dean, if you're interested in this relic, why not cooperate with us? We can provide people and labor. If we encounter any traps, those people can sacrifice themselves to pave the way for you!"

Alita Miller blinked her big, sparkling eyes and looked at Dean Bruce enticingly, "All the profits from exploring the relic can be yours. We just need to record the magical runes."

"Let's talk about it later. We'll discuss cooperation after the assessment ends," Dean Bruce quickly shifted the topic.

If this were before, Dean Bruce might have agreed. After all, having all the profits to himself while others did the dangerous work sounded like a great deal.

But after realizing the power contained in the magical runes, Dean Bruce had made his decision.

Even incomplete ancient magical runes, with very low refinement levels, had already allowed him to comprehend magic related to sealing. He would be a fool to share such valuable things.

Alita Miller's lips twitched, and her face showed disappointment. She wasn't foolish and could clearly understand the hidden meaning in Dean Bruce's words. With a sigh, she continued moving forward.

With her strength, Alita Miller didn't care about the competition at all. Whenever they encountered a beast, she would release her magic, forcing the creatures away and avoiding any fights.

Dean Bruce was similarly unconcerned about these matters. By avoiding battles, they soon returned to the place where the instructors from the two major magic academies had originally gathered.

When Dean Bruce and Alita Miller arrived, only Biber Parson and André Maxwell were there, their faces filled with surprise.

Frowning slightly, André Maxwell muttered, "Dean, didn't I tell you? If you perform well in this competition, you could qualify for advanced training at the Saint Laurent Magic Academy. Why did you come back so early?"

André Maxwell wasn't scolding Dean Bruce; he was just disappointed in him for not living up to expectations.

Unfortunately, after realizing that the magical robe André Maxwell had gifted him was from the Nine Provinces Alliance, Dean Bruce no longer trusted him as he once did. He certainly no longer regarded him as a mentor. Calmly, he replied, "I got lucky and gathered quite a few medicinal herbs. I believe it's enough for me to secure first place!"

"Oh?"

"Hmm?!"

Dean Bruce's calm words left André Maxwell and Biber Parson exchanging puzzled glances, both filled with curiosity.

They were both members of the Nine Provinces Alliance and had taken part in the exploration of the Black Dragon Mountains. They knew that most of the hidden treasures and medicinal herbs in the region had long since been harvested!

Only areas with powerful backing or strange restrictions might still contain treasures, but such places were not ones an ordinary instructor could explore!

Biber Parson let out a soft chuckle. "Young man, do you even realize what you're saying? In less than a day, you're confident you can secure first place? Now I'm a bit curious to see just how many herbs you've gathered!"

Hearing this, Dean Bruce's mind stirred.

Even Alita Miller couldn't help but widen her eyes in astonishment!

Though there was no sun or moon in the relic to track the passage of time, with all the battles and rest periods they'd had, it felt as though two or three days had passed, maybe even more!

Biber Parson furrowed his brow and asked again.

"Of course!" Dean Bruce replied with full confidence. After all, these herbs were indeed obtained within the Black Dragon Mountains—though from Lina Jones. How she got them, he didn't know, but that wasn't his concern.

Besides, Biber Parson hadn't asked for such details!

Biber Parson's breathing became rapid. "These herbs don't grow in ordinary mountain ranges. Did you find a relic? Quick, tell me where it is! If you take me there, you'll receive extra points in this competition!"

"..."

After hearing this, Dean Bruce looked at Biber Parson as if he were a fool.

Offering a few extra points in exchange for information on a relic?

Did he think Dean Bruce was stupid?

Before Dean Bruce could even mock him, André Maxwell cursed, "Biber, if someone discovers an unknown relic for the organization, the reward is a top-tier magical item or a treasure above Grade A!"

"If the relic contains special secrets, the discoverer is also entitled to a share. And you think you can brush someone off with just a few points?"

Biber Parson's lips twitched, and he muttered, "I wasn't finished yet. Why are you in such a rush?"

"..."

The rewards might sound generous, but unfortunately, the relic Dean Bruce had explored was one their organization already knew about. There was no way he was going to reveal it.

After a moment of thought, Dean Bruce sighed and said, "That relic has already been sealed off by a giant turtle. We barely managed to escape."

"A giant turtle?"

Hearing this, Biber Parson suddenly asked, "Was the turtle massive, living in an area of fire and water, and possessing terrifying strength?"

"Exactly!"

Feigning surprise, Dean Bruce exclaimed, "Principal Biber, you know about it?"

"..."

Biber Parson and André Maxwell both sighed in unison. "If it's that relic, then there's no need to talk further. The turtle itself isn't the real issue—it's the one behind it. That being is a high-level archmage, rumored to have gone into seclusion twenty years ago to break through to the Sage Magus stage!"

"We've explored that area before and knew about the Red Sun Fruit tree growing there. But we couldn't get close enough. We didn't know that so many other rare medicinal herbs were also growing there."

"By the way, Dean, did you manage to get any Red Sun Fruit?"

André Maxwell asked directly.

Dean Bruce shook his head and replied, "No, by the time we tried to get the Red Sun Fruit, the Black Turtle was alerted and forced us to retreat."

In the minds of Biber Parson and André Maxwell, Dean Bruce and Alita Miller weren't particularly strong. That they had managed to escape from the Black Turtle unharmed was impressive enough, so they didn't doubt his story.

If only they knew that Dean Bruce had hundreds of Sacred Red Sun Fruits in his possession, fruits far more potent than the Red Sun Fruit, their shock would be beyond comprehension!