Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 648 - 563: Unforeseen Disaster

There is an island in Lake Huron.

It is Manitoulin Island, 130 kilometers long, covering an area of 2,766 square kilometers, with a complex terrain dotted with lakes and marshes.

On Manitoulin Island, there is the largest lake within a lake in the world.

It is Manitoulin Lake, 48 kilometers long and covering an area of 104 square kilometers, and it's a magical saltwater lake, with a salinity 3.5 times higher than ordinary seawater, allowing people to float effortlessly on its surface.

And within Manitoulin Lake is another island, albeit so small it's unnamed on the map.

At this moment.

Though due to its great salinity, barely any life exists within its vast waters.

Yet, on this nameless small island, an inexplicably thriving vitality in the air becomes more and more intense, a single breath makes every cell in one's body feel as if they're coming to life.

However, concurrently, a heavy oppressive atmosphere on the island grows ever more imposing.

Three figures, much taller than ordinary humans, had long awaited here, each occupying a position on the small island. Their eyes are fixed on the island's center, while also keeping watch on each other's movements.

One of them is brawny with sharp bull horns on his head; in front of him to the right stands a hook-nosed figure wielding an obsidian spear, eyes razor-sharp like blades; to his left is a sinister tall and thin young man with yellow vertical pupils.

The three are well aware that the other two figures before them are their greatest competitors in this venture.

Clearly.

These are three powerful Totem Gods, and as opposing parties, they are well acquainted with each other already.

They are the main figures from the battle at the shores of Lake Huron the previous year: Bello, the "Wild Bull God" under Death God's command, and Flanida, the "Giant Falcon God" under Lady Crow's command, with the last being Nata Piyie, the "Sea Serpent God" under the Mother of Water's command.

The subordinates of the three High-Rank Totem Gods of the Northern New Continent have all gathered here without exception.

Bang—

"Wild Bull God" Bello suddenly throws a punch, fracturing an evil spirit with a human head and bird body that had crept onto the island, noticing its anomaly just like them, into particles of light.

As if it were a trivial matter, Bello looks up at the other two:

"Various spirit bodies entering the Secret Realm have gradually become aware of the commotion here; while the Origin Overflow still needs some time, why don't we set aside our past grudges temporarily and join forces to clear the field?

Though few on this island can threaten us, it's certainly possible to find eight or nine evil spirits with strange abilities. As the overflow time approaches, if they unite and attack the small island, we'd be in no small trouble."

Simply judging by the scale of the Secret Realm, it's clear that the scale of the Spiritual Origin Overflow is substantial, likely to be of "Gemstone" level or above. Before entering the Secret Realm, they had already informed their respective High-Rank Totem Gods.

But due to the nature that Spiritual Origin can't be preserved, their task is to prevent anyone, including themselves, from coming into contact with it before the High-Rank Totem Gods arrive.

This is a reluctant compromise among the three Totem Gods of similar strength; if one of them had overwhelming power, they'd certainly strike down the other two and take the treasure alone.

Thus, although they've had many past grievances, it's obviously best not to fight if possible. Even if one wins against the other two, they can't take the treasure away, and it'd be quite troubling to let someone else profit in the aftermath.

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

The other two have no objections either.

The three Totem Gods exchange glances, Divine Power radiating from them, as they simultaneously punch the ground beneath them.

Rumbling!

Immediately, three stone totem pillars with different specifications, runes, and appearances rise with a rumble in front of them. The totem bodies are the wild bull's top horns, the giant falcon's outstretched wings, and the sea serpent coiling around the pillar, representing the majesty and faith of the three Totem Gods.

As Totem Gods who've gained human bodies and achieved freedom, they can freely invoke the power of the totem pillars. The clan-bound totem pillars have become their own.

Sta—

Supported by the three totem pillars arranged in an equilateral triangle, an all-encompassing three-colored light screen slowly rises, completely sealing off the center of the island, abundant with vitality.

Although the Barrier Wall can't block the Spiritual Origin, it can prevent the reckless onlookers.

To access the Spiritual Origin within, one needs to crush all three in strength simultaneously—many strong individuals in the Material World may have such power, but on the island, it's impossible.

Because the trio of the most powerful evil spirits never have the Wisdom for cooperation.

"The Spiritual Origin belongs to Wuhao/Ye He'er/Melro!"

After snorting coldly, the three temporarily put aside their adversarial positions and, each taking charge of one direction, transform into flowing lights and disappear into the air.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

...

Extending down from the 2400-meter-thick glacier zone, in the shrub composed of Rosaceae fairywood, dwarf willows, and dwarf birches, a cluster of crystal-clear red fruits sways in the wind, mouthwatering.

Yet a Demonized Cheetah passing by pays no heed, as if unaware of its existence.

But just as it passes by.

Its wet nose suddenly twitches, and it sharply turns to look at the brush, only to see the vibrant red fruits vanish, replaced by a wisp of thin Light Qi meandering through the low shrub.

This is currently the most enticing bait in this Secret Realm—Spiritual Origin!

With barely any hesitation, the big cat with striped patterns all over its body pounces like a ravenous tiger.

Crack!

But bites into nothing but air.

Just as it shook its head in confusion, it failed to notice that it was already in the midst of a vast area of low shrubs.

Rustle...

The sound of churning mud suddenly erupted, and before the Demonized Cheetah could react, it was fiercely sucked underground.

The ground undulated slightly and then returned to calm, while that wisp of Light Qi reappeared, winding ceaselessly and emitting a unique, fresh scent indistinguishable from the true Spiritual Origin.

Two Heavy Armor Guards standing on a nearby hill happened to witness this scene.

One hundred meters behind them, Aiven and Angie, who had concealed themselves using "Venom" armor, felt a sense of relief. Although they had encountered such situations many times on their journey, it still felt difficult to guard against.

"This guy is mentioned in the intel, the Evil Spirit 'Quivering Swamp'. What resists the intense desire in one's heart to make the right judgment ought to be 'Reason' rather than 'Restraint', right?"

Born from loathing towards the "Greedy," it can disguise itself as the thing the prey most desires. Once the prey is ensnared, it is directly devoured, becoming part of the "Quivering Swamp."

On the contrary, if one can withstand the temptation, the swamp will correspondingly shrink.

Aiven thought it was impossible for him to turn a blind eye to benefits; at most... throw it a "big firecracker" in advance—yes, it has to be a cluster one.

An hour had passed since they entered the Secret Realm.

They had come all the way from the foot of the glacier, experiencing several not very intense combats, and Angie had harvested a wisp of Spiritual Origin, while their biggest gains were various natural gemstones and herbs.

The "Spiritual Origin" of the continent is like pearls and gems spilling from the earth veins, accompanied by other materials like most mineral deposits.

The resources in the Secret Realm are extremely abundant, especially herbs that have strict growth conditions and various high-quality gemstones. There's no need to say more about widely used herbs; here, the gemstones are vibrant and spirited, far from what Aiven's current organic gemstone technology can compare.

However.

Aiven worried there might be other even more powerful Evil Spirits appearing that could launch a direct attack on himself through the medium of "visuals," so he didn't send out the Spiritualized Seagulls, only leaving two [Flesh Puppets] as eyes.

Overcoming the restless "Adventurer's Blood," they tread cautiously like walking on thin ice and indeed avoided many minefields.

"There's nothing but mud, a poor wretch indeed, Angie, let's go around this..."

Clang——!

Suddenly there came an enormous sound like metal striking metal from the sky, and a red Flowing Light hurtled down from the sky.

Right after.

Poof!!

A large patch of mud hidden under the icy flora and shrubs suddenly exploded, stinky mud even splashing onto the two Heavy Armor Guards on the hill.

"Ugh~"

A stench of rotting mud spread out, it was unknown if the "Quivering Swamp" could regroup itself again, a typical case of calamity descending from the sky.

Then, through the vision of the two Flesh Puppets.

Aiven saw a figure covered in tattered beast hide and crowned with a red parrot feather crown struggling to stand in the muck pit.

He was faltering but managed to lift the "Tebonaster" drum gripped tightly in his hand—only to find one side of the drumhead already broken, unable to sound anymore.

Before the livid-faced Native Shaman could use other self-defense means, the powerful enemy who made one despair had already caught up.

Rip——! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

An ice-blue long halberd descended from the sky, piercing through the last Divine Magic Barrier on him, thoroughly tearing his robust body apart.

Limb fragments and sprays of blood scattered.

A red Spiritual Light, with faint tiger shadow flashing, attempted to escape.

But it was crushed directly by a divine hand descending from the sky.

"Ah!"

With a cry of agony, this Native Shaman completely vanished into smoke.

"The Great Shaman of the 'Fierce Tiger Spirit' Uwakala? Fairly strong, almost let your [Soul Badge] escape."

In the Shaman Wizard system, the name of that bit of Spiritual Light was called a [Soul Badge], and bishops in the Divine Church had something similar, but it's called a [Holy Seal].

It's a credential proving the subordinate relationship between a Holy Professional and their worshipped God, also a condensation of power and soul, representing the essence of a High-tier Transcendent.

Seeing this scene.

Aiven realized something was amiss, he wished he could "furrow brows and quietly retreat behind everyone," but unfortunately...

The sinister young man with yellow vertical pupils who descended casually clapped his hands, as if his eyes penetrated the hill where the two Flesh Puppets stood.

"Haha, come out. Though I indeed can't see you, I can sense the presence of Water Element. Whether you voluntarily entered the Secret Realm or not, calmly accept your destiny!"

As soon as he finished speaking, divine light surged from the young man, who leaped up with an ice-blue long halberd.

Swoosh!

"By my decree, Nata Piyie, I sentence you to death!"

A ring of brilliant light exploded mid-air around him, faster than a cannonball, swifter than a siege bed crossbow.

Soaring over the two Heavy Armor Guards, the halberd blade emitted a dazzling cross star, and then, the repressed force like a volcano to the extreme suddenly burst forth!

Boom——!!!