Two tasks. One trial.

In Marcus’s mind, there was hardly any difference between the two. It almost felt like Liam was disguising a trial as errands, or perhaps the other way around. Either way, Marcus decided to hear the man out before judging.

"Ten years ago, I entered the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb," Liam began, his voice calm yet heavy with memory. "On the third level, I discovered a place called the Wind Spirit Cave. The entire cavern was saturated with dense wind energy. I attempted to use that power to evolve my pet, the Seven-Colored Divine Eagle, pushing it into the eighth tier."

He paused, letting out a slow sigh that carried clear regret.

"It failed. The energy was too violent, and too unstable to control. The evolution collapsed midway, and the eagle nearly died. I had no choice but to search deeper. On the fourth level, in an area known as the Mountain Forest Court, I found a herb called Stone Milk Nectar. Using the herb together with the remaining wind energy, I reversed the eagle’s state and sealed it back into an egg to preserve its life. Since then, it has been resting and healing inside the Wind Spirit Cave."

As he spoke, Liam reached forward and gently took the Eagle’s Crest hanging on Marcus’s chest. His fingers moved with practiced familiarity. A low chant followed, ancient syllables flowing like wind through leaves, and seven-colored light spiraled outward from the crest. The emblem ignited with iridescent brilliance, its glow reflecting across Liam’s eyes.

The radiance slowly faded, sinking back into the crest as though absorbed by something alive within it. Liam returned the artifact to Marcus.

"Your first task," he said, "is to find the Wind Spirit Cave on the third level of the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb. Inside, you will find the Seven-Colored Divine Eagle’s egg. Use the crest’s skill, Dancing Colorful Eagle, to break the seal I left behind and retrieve it."

Marcus lowered his gaze to the Eagle’s Crest. The artifact had changed. Soft streams of shifting color moved beneath its surface, and the carved eagle now appeared almost alive. Each feather shimmered through different hues, while the seven tail feathers glowed with particularly vivid brilliance, giving the impression of restrained power waiting to be unleashed.

He checked its updated information.

—

Eagle’s Crest (Red Artifact)

Requirement: None

An ancient heirloom of the Sky Eagle Tribe, once the greatest symbol of honor among the ancient hundred races. Every ten years, the tribe bestowed this crest upon their strongest warrior. Within it are sealed three hundred Storm Divine King Eagles.

Effect: Agility +100

Skills:

Summon Storm Divine King Eagles: Recite the Sky Eagle Tribe’s incantation to summon all three hundred eagles for five hours. Usable once per day.

Dancing Colorful Eagle: During the ancient divine war, the Sky Eagle Tribe nearly faced extinction. Their guardian, the Seven-Colored Divine Eagle, survived by hiding within this crest. Whoever possesses the crest becomes its master. Recite the incantation to summon or dismiss it.

—

Marcus’s lips curved upward.

’Nice.’

He immediately pinned the crest back onto his chest. A rush of lightness surged through his body as his Agility increased by a full hundred points. His movements felt sharper, quicker, as if the world itself had slowed slightly around him.

’Too bad I don’t know the incantation for summoning those three hundred eagles,’ he thought. ’Otherwise I’d fly across the skies with an entire divine flock behind me and announce to everyone in the game: "Behold, the Sky Eagle Prince has arrived." Haha’

Liam cleared his throat and continued before Marcus’s imagination wandered any further.

"The second task is to reach the fourth level of the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb and locate an ancient gem known as the Bodhi Stone."

Marcus blinked. "Bodhi Stone? I’ve heard of a Bodhi tree, but a stone?"

Liam offered no explanation. Instead, he produced a conch shell and placed it in Marcus’s hands.

"This trial consists only of these two tasks. The First Emperor’s Tomb is currently sealed by the Golden Dragon Divine Sky Formation. Teleportation skills and Town Portal Scrolls are useless here. Once you retrieve the eagle egg and obtain the Bodhi Stone, speak my name into this Thousand-Mile Conch. I will come and retrieve you personally."

Marcus inspected the item.

—

Thousand-Mile Conch:

Speak a person’s name into the conch. If that person is within three thousand miles, its divine power allows communication for five minutes.

Remaining Uses: 1/5

—

Now that was impressive.

’Shame there’s only one use left’, he thought. ’Otherwise I’d head straight to the Valley of Ten Thousand Wolves, call Lady Silvia, the missing Hundred Beasts Maiden, and finally figure out where she’s trapped. Monarch Squad quest solved instantly.’

While Marcus entertained that pleasant fantasy, Liam watched him with obvious amusement.

"Of course, Stonehaven," Liam added with a faintly smug smile, "if you find the trial too difficult, do not force yourself. You may call my name with the conch at any time, and I will pull you out."

’Smug old man.’

Marcus ignored the comment and immediately tested a Town Portal Scroll.

But nothing happened.

The scroll dissolved into harmless particles, completely suppressed by the surrounding formation. He then activated Wanderlust, his advanced teleportation skill that normally allowed instant travel between marked locations.

Still nothing.

The Golden Dragon Divine Sky Formation sealed space itself with absolute authority.

’Great. I’m completely trapped.’

Fortunately, Marcus had prepared for long expeditions. His inventory bulged with potions, supplies, and emergency items. This was no longer a reckless charge forward. He would have to advance carefully, one step at a time.

Liam turned toward the glowing golden formation behind them. "Do not overestimate yourself, Stonehaven. I am leaving."

He stepped forward, moving with startling speed. In mere seconds, his figure vanished into the radiant barrier, swallowed by waves of golden light.

Marcus snorted.

’Good thing you left quickly. Otherwise I might actually have challenged you to a duel out of spite.’

Grumbling under his breath, Marcus pulled out another item from his inventory.

—

Mystic Turtle’s Tear

A miraculous treasure and the only relic left behind by the Mystic Turtle in the mortal world. It possesses immense power, though its true function remains unknown.

—

The gem rested heavily in his palm, flawless and translucent yellow, emitting a warm glow that felt strangely comforting. Light shimmered beneath its surface like sunlight through clear water.

’If Amber saw this, she’d definitely beg me to turn it into a necklace.’

The thought of his little sister brought an involuntary smile to his face. Having someone that cheerful and affectionate waiting outside the game made everything feel worthwhile.

Marcus closed his fingers around the gem and took a steady breath.

"Stonehaven," he murmured to himself, grounding his resolve. "Let’s go."

No one was going to look down on him.

Ahead lay the entrance to the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb, a swirling yellow vortex that devoured light itself. Moments earlier, he had watched it tear Pebble apart without mercy. Now he stepped toward it without hesitation and leapt.

The Mystic Turtle’s Tear erupted with brilliant golden light the instant he entered the vortex. Radiance wrapped around his body like a protective cocoon, shielding him from the violent currents inside.

The world spun wildly as the vortex dragged him downward, deeper and deeper into glowing chaos. Space twisted, direction vanished, and the pull became irresistible.

Carried by the light, Marcus descended into the depths of the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb.