Chapter 1296: Blast Fishing
"I can't feel the pull of treasure," Zac whispered from their hiding spot. "Only danger."
"If you've strung me along for a lake of useless dusk water… Boy, you better prepare yourself." Ogras glared at Ventus.
It had taken them three days of carefully navigating confusing geography, deadly rain, and swarms of hostile shadow beasts to reach the depths of the shadow realm. They were currently four layers deep, peering at a modest hot spring from the cover of a circle of towering trees. The hundred meters surrounding the pool were in constant flux because of its steam. A sudden gust could leave you in something deadlier than a downpour, which explained the mile of barren land surrounding the waters.
For the pool to hold one of the central spots in the shade realm, the forest surrounding the spring was surprisingly unpopulated. It corroborated the demon's suspicion they'd wasted their time. The anthracite rain was by no means a tonic for shadow cultivators. It was more dangerous to Ogras than Zac since it tried to overwrite his shadow constitution.
Not one of the shadowy creatures that lived in the area seemed able to draw sustenance from that tainted well, which explained why land in the deeper layers was so hotly contested. The sky was pitch black this far down, with not a single cloud in sight. This particular region had most likely never seen rain, considering how ancient the forest looked.
Hot springs holding unusually pure rainwater weren't an opportunity to be fought over, even if it likely was connected to whatever generated the endless clouds on the surface. The source was bound to be far more dangerous than its emanations. The bubbling spring was a poison best given a wide berth, which differed greatly from the Numerologist's increasingly haughty assertions over the past couple of days.
"This can't be right. The signs are clear," Ventus defended himself.
"My treasure sense isn't perfect," Zac offered. "I won't sense anything if it's sealed well enough. The water could have isolating properties. The treasure could also be deep underground, eluding my senses."
"The flow of providence is smooth. There shouldn't be a spatial pocket or hidden realm," Ventus muttered, glancing at the irritated demon. "Maybe try send down another shadow?"