Meanwhile…
Simley and his company walked in silence through the dark land and everyone's Spiritual sense were released to their max.
"Is this really the Dark zone they talked so much about?" said a man with a long red hair. "We've easily killed our way here and it was so simple."
Another nodded and said,
"Yeah, the journey was so smooth. Perhaps, it was preplanned or the authorities planted a false message to scare people away from this place. Maybe there's something going on in here that they don't want others to know about."
The others nodded and chuckled when they heard him. Their journey all through was smooth sailing, without difficulty. They started doubting the information aforementioned about the land.
"We are almost out of the outer section and as I've told earlier, the young master won't go any further." Mander suddenly said.
If anything happened to the young master, he would definitely be blamed for it, and his family might not be spared.
"Why are you so peevish throughout the journey? You should have stayed at home if you aren't up for the task." Carly berated. She was tired of his persistent cry.
"The location is just ahead." she added.
She knew if she really provoked him to an extreme point, he might lose his composure and terminate the mission. She had other things to execute on this venture.
"This isn't the first time you've said this. We won't go further anymore." Mander ruefully refuted.
"Look! It has really grown and advanced, becoming a grade four herb." Simley was excited as he walked fast toward a glow in the distance.
The others looked at one another and followed closely. They could also see the light acting as a beacon.
They eagerly ran toward it. This was the first time most of them would be seeing a plant of the fourth grade. It was legendary in the Sand-scale city including its surrounding territories.
If they were observant enough, they could have noticed the tall grasses around the Sharp-hind Grass shook slightly.
___
Blood arrived in the location described by the scar-faced man. He scrutinized the environment to make sure there were no traps and walked silently to the place.
He saw a brimful white light emitted by the plant, which indicated its advancement.
This light would be emitted by the Sharp-hind grass for some days before it fades.
The light was like an attraction force which draws beasts to the herb and if it wasn't harvested after some time, the light fades and the herb would become dormant and begins its advancement phase to the fifth grade.
Blood was about fifteen meters away from the herb before he sensed some movements in the distance. It wasn't a movement of a single person, and they seem to be moving in this direction.
He was in the midst of debate as he decided if he should go after the herb. It was a grade four herb after all.
Although, he wasn't aware of its worth, but he knew it was worth an entire group.
Any attempt to get closer would risk him getting caught, and the energy radiating from them was disarming.
He wasn't ready for a second clash.
He quickly hid behind the tall grasses.
___
Simley and his company proceeded toward the herb which emits subtle glint. His eyes flashed, brimming with joy.
The Sharp-hind Grass was really sitting there, waiting to be harvested. He released a relieved sigh, because he was ninety percent sure they wouldn't meet it.
With rapid steps, he got closer to the herb.
"Quickly, Charles, bring out the tools and I will harvest the herb myself." he said aloud to the man by his side. He couldn't leave such a precious herb in just anyone's hands.
Even if they were blacksmiths, simple things like this could be done.
There are certain harvesting techniques one used when harvesting a plant to avoid the energy deteriorating. A misstep could reduce the plant's grade or stage.
Plants are graded just like human cultivation realms. A grade 1 or grade 2 plant was equivalent to realm 1 or realm 2 of cultivation realm. Plants have an inner level within each grade—low, mid, peak.
While the human cultivation realm started from stage 1 to stage 9, plants have only three stages in each grade—low, mid, and peak.
Simley wore his gloves and treated the plant softly, using the sickle of standard grade to harvest the plant while using other support tools.
But it seems things had to turn different!
Just as he was an inch from cutting the last root which could be pulled easily with the hands without damage to the plant, a gruesome thing happened.
A blue streak suddenly flashed toward the group and the two cultivators who always had their guards up noticed it almost immediately.
They moved as they drew their weapons midair to stop the beast's advance.
A beast of ghastly appearance appeared, easily recognized from close distance. It was a blue-skinned ant, about 2 meters long with deep blue eyes.
It probably stumbled in their direction with the look of things and it seemed to be agitated, as it was obvious from its eyes.
Both weapons met its large pincer-like limb as a blue mist ousts out its body. It swung its middle limb towards Carly who gulped with a stern look and did a sidestep.
Thinking she had evaded the attack, she was in the process of delivering a blow of her own when the other limb hit her in the stomach lifting her off the ground as she tumbled violently in the air.
Seeing that the beast was so powerful, even as a team, Mander took a short distance. He could see that they were at the same realm and stage. He immediately took the beast serious as claws protruded from his hands, equipping his most powerful weapon.
He swiped at the beast, his speed notably increased. However, without caution, the beast used its head as shield and attacked with its forelimb. Its pincers caught him on his thigh as the beast tightened its grip, as it dragged him through the air.
He repeatedly swung his claws, but only faint marks could be seen on the beast's shielded body. He was at a loss as he almost went berserk.
Blood grimaced at this sight. The tales of the Dark zone was entirely true. Their attacks couldn't even dent the Blade ant's shell not to talk of successfully hurting it.
Killing the beast was impossible.
The Blade ant tightened its grip and Mander's thigh was cut cleanly before it threw him to the side with a slap. The beast moved at an astonishing speed towards the other members who were by now encased in fear.
It speed had most likely reached the peak of the Bronze realm.
Their most powerful leaders were defeated in less than a minute, they stood no chance against the gruesome beast as they couldn't fathom its strength.
They turned back and fled without care for one another.
It was impossible to best the beast. They now understood the dread of the Dark zone. They understood they weren't lied to and that there were no hidden secrets as they've thought.
The beast didn't sit by and watched them leave. Its speed was breakneck as it went between them, bring them down one after the other.
No one could escape, no matter how hard they tried.
They were quite unfortunate as the beast dyed the surrounding trees with blood.
Blood's heart heaved. He almost couldn't breathe as a feeling of trepidation besieged him. He tried to lift his feet, but they wouldn't listen to him.
He almost peed his pants.
With great difficulty, he managed to finally move his legs when the beast was far away. He stumbled due to the tingling sensation and rolled on the ground toward the opening.
He could see the imprudent lady lying unconsciously on the ground. A single hit from the beast could really do that!
He decided to run for his life. One trouble after another. His family required him.
When he took a step though, he noticed he stepped on something and look downward only to see it was what caused all of this.
It was the Sharp-hind Grass.
He perceived this group are most likely the one who killed the scar-faced man's group. Without thinking any further, he plucked the last root cursorily and ran in the opposite direction.
He actually thought the respected kid had some treasures that might be helpful after all his elegant display, but he clearly saw the beast cleaved his head in one move.
He was out of here…