Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 595 - 548: The Gem’s Blessing

The dry roots of plants were exposed in the dimness of the cave, and the darkness amplified the tiny sounds of scuttling snakes and insects. This fear, although not seeping into the skulls of the Liches, made everyone more aware of the current plight of the Manu Tribe. Without any lighting devices like candlesticks or torches, the Manu People were crawling forward in the dwellings of these venomous neighbors.

The sapphire light illuminated Lyle and the others’ vision; Marcelo’s body did not block the glow of light – on the contrary, his special physique was the best amplifier of the gemstone’s radiance. He had become a magnificent statue emitting an eerie glow. Marcelo crawled at the forefront, hunched over, the power of the gem having restored his previously towering physique which was no longer suited for these narrow caverns – and the same was true for everyone else.

"I’m very sorry, everyone. We still need to persist for a distance, but it will be easier once we enter the Main Vein of the Burrow," he said.

Lyle and others crawled through many forked paths under Marcelo’s guidance; these forks were deliberately excavated by the Manu Tribe to confuse pursuers. The different paths interlinked, forming an infinite, looping labyrinth.

"Don’t you get lost in your own labyrinth?"

Marcelo turned his head, patiently explaining, "The Manu People have a stone sensing ability, and our tribe members can sense each other. Even separated by thick layers of earth, I can clearly sense those weak companions. There are no more veins of gems beneath this land."

Mr. Zhiyan reached out to touch the earthen walls around him, drawing an exploratory rune that turned into a small snake and burrowed into the ground, straight downward in his sense. Marcelo’s gaze shifted here, and Zhiyan quickly explained to alleviate his concerns.

"I also have a talent similar to that of the Manu People, sir. I think the gem is also one of its ancient products," he said.

The process of crawling continued. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Can’t Kolosis sense you? After all, that Dragon Priest is also one of your tribe," one of them asked.

"No, Lyle, a Dragon Priest is a Dragon Priest," the scholar did not use magic and maintained a stooped posture like Marcelo, "After becoming a Dragon Priest, your body undergoes some changes. You depart from your original tribe and become a new species, the Dragon Priest. You lose certain abilities of your original tribe but gain the soul of a Giant Dragon. It’s like a mermaid no longer relying on the ocean, the Manu no longer relying on sapphire. Although this transformation is an enhancement, at times, an advantage can become a weakness. Kolosis does not need the gems, but he also cannot sense his tribe members. However, his sense for magic remains acute."

Marcelo’s light suddenly brightened, an illusion caused by the expanding of the illuminated space. They had reached the Main Vein. The Main Vein of the Burrow was much more spacious, the rock layers were firm, and the moisture imbued the cavern with a coldness. The height here allowed everyone to stand, and the Giant Dragon barely grazed the ceiling.

Marcelo did not move forward; he had already sensed it. Standing in place, he spread his arms, presenting his graceful stature and projecting the light of the gem into the darkness ahead. At that moment, the light acted like an echo, with tiny luminous points lighting up in the darkness, rippling continuously, yet faint in comparison to Marcelo, like stars to a bright moon.

"I have returned, my brethren."

One by one, hunched, emaciated figures crawled on all fours, retreating from Marcelo’s light as if they didn’t want to expose their grotesque forms to the beautiful radiance. Soon, the first brave soul slowly stepped into the light. Its figure resembled a beast more than a dwarf as it slowly propped up its arms, facing the overhead glow, lifting its head, with a small stone in its brow faintly glowing under the sapphire’s illumination.

"Marcelo?"

"It’s me, Kate." Marcelo did not mind the dust on Kate’s hands; he embraced him like a baby, holding the bewildered Kate in his arms. "I did it, Kate. I found the Dragon Calling Flute, I found reinforcements."

"Well done, you did very well." Just like a reversal, the Kate being held in his arms patted Marcelo’s back, while the towering Manu nestled the small dwarf close.

Sickly Manu People continued to emerge into the light, guarding Marcelo at his side, guarding their light, and turning their gazes toward Lyle and the others.

"I am very sorry, sir, I was too excited," Marcelo turned around to apologize, his palm facing forward as the Manu People made way for Marcelo’s beckoning. "The Sage is waiting for you, please allow me to express my gratitude once again."

Mr. Scholar nodded and handed a small cloth bag to Lyle, which contained the gemstones collected by the scholar.

"Distribute these to them, my student," the Scholar followed Marcelo’s steps.

Mr. Giant Dragon passed a leather pouch to Lyle, the Giant Dragon also had a collection of gemstones.

"This is for you, my student," the Giant Dragon followed in Marcelo’s footsteps.

Mr. Zhiyan approached Lyle with a cloth bag, being an "archaeologist", he too had some collections.

"Do me a favor, my..."

"Hmm?" Lyle cocked an eye as he held a bag of gems, a meaningful hum emerging from his lips.

"Ahahaha, sorry to bother you, my friend. It’s tough for you to distribute the gems alone, let me help you share the load." After speaking, Mr. Zhiyan started to distribute the gems, not lingering as he watched the Giant Dragon and Scholar walk further and further away, disappearing behind the Manu People.

When Lyle opened the pouch, the brilliant radiance of the gems gradually warmed the cold cave. That Manu person named Kate came to Lyle’s side. Lyle took out a piece of red jade from the bag and handed it to her.

Kate did not accept it, instead, she bowed deeply, her head almost touching the ground.

"Thank you, generous sir, I am Kate Akaiwa. I am one of the caretakers of the Manu, and if you permit, I could offer some modest advice. I understand my people, and I can help you distribute those gems that match the Manu."

Lyle smiled.

"I am Lyle, Kate, and I accept your proposal. So, does this red jade suit you?"

Kate’s gaze lingered on the gemstone for a moment, and Lyle could see her desire.

"Melris is more suited than I am, she was born from a red jade mine vein, Lyle sir, the Manu standing in the corner with the crooked shoulder."

With Lyle and Kate working together, the task progressed swiftly, but Mr. Zhiyan, working alone, was not to be outdone. His talent allowed him to differentiate between the gemstones and the Manu as easily as distinguishing two identical leaves.

The gleam of the gemstones lit up the quiet burrow continuously, transforming hunched and deformed Manu into tall and upright figures. From looking up to Lyle, they now looked down on him, "Thank you, Mr. Lyle," was the most pleasant sound he heard, especially when spoken by the ethereal and melodious gemstone Manu.

The glow of the gemstones illuminated the cavern, shining above the heads of the Manu People, and also illuminating Lyle’s heart.