Chapter 475

Chapter 475: Hearts of People

Upon learning the heart blood of the crystallized lizard was a rare material, the older gunner started scheming.

Three fighters showing up in these ruins would naturally draw suspicion. Further investigation might expose the hidden treasure’s location.

So the gunner chose to spill the secret outright to earn Midi’s trust and keep him close.

This way, the three could ambush Midi later. The older gunner was certain they’d succeed.

Not only would they seize Midi’s collected rare materials, but also snatch Black Crystal Grass and Flowers.

Their Black Dragon Remnant Tokens were nearly depleted. Lingering here meant no chance to replenish them before the dragon fortress expelled them.

Midi’s arrival was a gift. The gunner wouldn’t let this chance slip.

As for Midi saving their lives? The gunner conveniently forgot.

He cared only about Midi’s displayed combat strength.

With Midi away, the older gunner plotted with his companions on when and how to strike.

The young Demon Swordman grinned eagerly. Still bitter about losing the heart blood, he welcomed revenge.

The young assassin hesitated. Not out of morals—Midi’s heritage worried her.

He was a core member of the Death Scorpion family. Attacking him risked catastrophic fallout if rumors leaked.

The older gunner reassured her: “No communication works in Crystal Dragon Fortress. Major families’ safeguards fail here. Kill him in these ruins, and no traces remain.”

“Then we do it cleanly,” the assassin finally agreed after a pause.

As a woman, aligning with Midi might’ve been smarter. But opposing her two tied companions meant trouble. Sacrificing Midi became her only choice.

Despite their resolve, the trio feared the passageway’s mechanisms. They’d assist Midi fully until disarming all traps and securing the heritage—both to speed progress and lower his guard.

Soon, Midi appeared. “I’ve found the deeper path. Let’s move.”

Mindful of their dwindling tokens, the trio agreed instantly.

The older gunner even shared fifty-year-old theories and handed over all mechanism-solving tools for Midi’s use. They supported every request without question.

The four-person team now seemed united. Under Midi’s command, ruins mechanisms fell one by one. Some maze puzzles took hours, but with Eighth Apostle Rot’s guidance, Midi cracked them all.

After twelve hours, they reached the ruins’ deepest layer.

A ten-meter door loomed before them.

Before the massive crystal door resembling a city gate, an enormous Dragon Head was impressively carved.

Though weathered by centuries or even millennia, covered in dust and moss, the door still exuded a solemn and majestic aura.

The lifelike Dragon Head made Midi instinctively recall the towering dragon head he’d seen after each blood oath.

The ancient, vast aura and untouchably noble Dragon Head clearly revealed what treasure lay within these ruins.

"Dragon Heritage!" The older gunner gasped, shock transforming into wild joy.

For the Dark Dragon God’s faithful in the Shaded Realm, Dragon Heritage held supreme value.

However, learning Dragon Heritage required strict conditions – a Dragon bloodline, with varying purity and type requirements for different heritage levels.

Even Risen the Black Dragonkin could only master low-level Dragon Heritage.

Small families like the older gunner’s lacked warriors with Dragon bloodlines, let alone heritage learners.

But this posed no problem – Dragon Heritage could be traded.

Every piece, even low-level ones, fetched astronomical prices in the Shaded Realm. Major families like Risen’s Flame Serpent clan would pay any cost to obtain it.

Though these three fighters and their families lacked Dragon blood, the heritage behind this door remained a priceless treasure.

Obtaining it would make getting expelled from Crystal Dragon Fortress worthwhile.

"Dragon Heritage. Good." Midi smiled. "This half-day wasn’t wasted. I’ll expect my third."

The three fighters exchanged sharp glances.

"We’ll honor our deal," the older gunner said carefully. "But first, we must open this door."

"Simple mechanism lock." Midi shrugged. "Even you could solve it with time."

"Let me try then." The young Demon Swordman approached Midi’s left.

"You should rest, Mr. Midi." The female assassin appeared on his right, holding a water cup.

"I brought my own." Midi’s reply came lightly.

The assassin smiled slyly. "This isn’t for drinking."

She flung the liquid at Midi’s face.

The transparent fluid turned blood-red midair, releasing a putrid stench – Crimson Ring Python blood that corrodes flesh and resists magical defense.

Simultaneously, the Demon Swordman cast Ghost Cry arrays around Midi’s feet. Ominous energy rose like a cage, sealing the space.

The older gunner had already retreated to a high platform, covering every angle with his weapons.

Their practiced teamwork left no openings. Even a Level 65 expert would struggle against this ambush.

Midi, only Level 63, stood motionless. He didn’t blink as the toxic blood flew through his face, leaving only a corroded crystal pockmark. The demonic flames and plague mist harmlessly dissipated around him.

Impossible…" The older gunner trembled. "An illusion? When…?"

"From the start." Midi’s cold voice echoed through the hall. "A new ability combining Ghost Cry’s Illusion Array with Mind-Related Illusion Formation."

"I call it Mind’s Shadow."