Chapter 51 Oxmeadow
“This place is called Oxmeadow. In the past, there was a powerful female echo warrior who wanted to break into a higher tier, so she came to this exact place to achieve godhood.”
“However, she failed at the most critical moment, and it was not documented what caused her failure. No one was able to cure her injuries from the backlash of her failure, and one year later, she died.”
“Her death caused the entire atmosphere to become extremely dangerous. Lesser beings would die just from breathing in the air, and the pressure emitted from her corpse was so powerful that it crushed the lungs of people who did not have a sufficiently strong body.”
“So my ancestor was part of the selected guard echo warriors who sealed this place,” Malouf explained.
“I never thought the day would come when I would need to enter this place, although whether I can withstand the pressure is a different matter,” Malouf said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“Not everyone will be able to enter,” Malouf added.
“I will go. I have guard echo abilities, so I should be able to withstand the pressure,” Anwar said.
“Are you sure, little brother?”
“Yes, I am,” Anwar replied with confidence.
Vandal was actually concerned that Malouf might be plotting something. Thus, he had been observing Malouf’s reactions the entire time. That said, Vandal observed that Malouf was a slow witted individual and not someone proficient at putting up a pretense.
If he was plotting something, Vandal believed he would have been able to see through him easily.
“Vandal, decide which of your team members can follow you. Not everyone can enter,” Malouf said.
“Vandal, I can go too. I have guard echo,” Sabine said.
“I too. You already know what I can do,” Yazmeen added.
“I do not need to ask your permission on whether I can go or not, and anyone else that wants to follow is free to come with me,” Mael said in a firm and matter of fact tone.
“Mael, you heard what Malouf said. Not everyone can go because not everyone can handle the pressure, even if they can withstand the dangerous atmosphere. Do you want to be responsible for anyone’s death?” Vandal asked, causing Mael to want to respond but leaving him at a loss for words.
“I will go,” Jaden said.
Everyone turned their heads. Throughout everything, he had not spoken a single word since the episode at the cave where he betrayed them, until now.
“I want to go. You do not have to worry if I die,” Jaden continued.
“Oh believe me, we are not worried about that. Your life or death is irrelevant,” Jaclynn said immediately.
“I will wait outside. Yazmeen and Sabine, please bring me samples of anything you see that I might like,” Jaclynn added.
“I will go,” Hutrar said.
“Are you sure?” Vandal asked.
“Yes, I am. I am fully recovered, and I have a powerful body,” Hutrar said. Now that he was fully recovered, his confidence had returned.
“I do not know how intense the atmosphere and pressure will be, even for me, so you should all consider your decision carefully before choosing to enter,” Vandal said.
“We are going with you. Do you think we are going to leave you to go in alone?” Yazmeen said.
“Are you done picking who you will bring with you?” Malouf asked as he approached Vandal again. His outfit was slightly different now, with strange orbit like designs on it.
“Yes, I suppose. It is more like they picked themselves,” Vandal said, casting a side glance at them.
“I have a question to ask you,” Vandal said as he leaned in to whisper, in case anyone was listening.
“Malouf, do you know what use the Jade Infinity Stone possesses?” Vandal felt there was definitely a reason why that mysterious existence wanted the Jade Infinity Stone.
Upon hearing the mention of the Jade Infinity Stone, Malouf’s expression changed noticeably. Evidently, he knew its use.
He hesitated, but then seemed to make a decision and gestured for Vandal to stand with him away from the blasts of people still attacking the barrier.
“The Jade Infinity Stone could be said to be one of Oxmeadow’s greatest treasures. There is a story regarding it.”
“According to that story, the Jade Infinity Stone contains a special sealing power that confines souls. Not only can it seal souls, but it can also unseal them. So whatever the mud creature needs it for is either to seal or unseal something,” Malouf said.
“The stone was created by the extinct Anakim clan, so it can be classified as a relic. It would probably be worth millions of denamis.”
“The Anakim clan? They built the sealing stone?” Vandal asked in astonishment. He did not expect that the Jade Infinity Stone was constructed by his clan, because technically he had their bloodline and the berserk ability that came with it.
“It is also the source powering this barrier,” Malouf said.
“Since the stone is that important, would we not cause destruction across the entire valley if we take it away?” Vandal asked.
“We would not. Reportedly, the Jade Infinity Stone was originally green in color and contained a great amount of power.”
“But after it was used by those who created the barrier around the affected area, the stone lost all of its power, and an infinity symbol formed in its core. That is why it became known as the Jade Infinity Stone,” Malouf explained.
“And now it is no longer used in maintaining the barrier, but is simply placed on the Oxmeadow altar. So I am a bit surprised as to why the mud creature would want it.”
“Indeed,” Vandal said as he began to ponder.
“Well, let us get in. Let me form the hand seals. With us brothers working together, I can only keep the seal open for ten seconds before it closes again.”
Everyone prepared and stood before the barrier. Then Malouf and Anwar formed simultaneous hand seals, stopping at their sixth sign before placing their hands on the barrier. The barrier produced a vibrating sound and then shimmered out of existence.
“Now!” they shouted simultaneously.