Chapter 205: Abandoning Wyatt Yardley?
That feeling of fighting for his life, he remembered it clear as day.
If reaching the Blue Rank was so easy, why would he think of risking his life to perish together with Albert Wyndham?
Such a plan was never because he wasn’t afraid of death, but because he saw no other way out.
But since she already had these things, why did she keep them hidden?
If she had given them to Wyatt Yardley earlier, would things have come to this?
The man wouldn’t have backed down, he would have charged ahead without hesitation.
Maybe the outcome would have been different.
Seraphina Caldwell understood the doubt in his eyes.
How fierce the beasts were, how cruel this world was, she had witnessed it long ago.
The higher the rank, the less likely a kill would yield a Crystal Core.
This is common knowledge among hunters.
Many people fight fiercely on the high-rank battlefield, yet may not even bring back a decent Crystal Core.
Resources are scarce and competition is fierce.
Each high-rank Crystal Core represents survival after countless deadly battles.
But she unexpectedly pulled out four mid- to high-rank Crystal Cores at once.
This move was too bizarre; anyone would think it was bluffing.
She knew well that if the secret of that place was leaked, it would not only attract coveting.
After thinking for a while, she finally spoke: "Don’t ask me where the things came from, I can’t say. It’s not that I wasn’t using them, but that I really didn’t have them before, and now I do. It sounds incredible, but I’m telling the truth. You answer me first, do these Crystal Cores suffice for you to reach the Blue Rank?"
Evan Orwell’s gaze was fixed on Seraphina Caldwell.
However, he didn’t press her about where the Beast Crystals came from.
He knew her too well, knowing she wasn’t someone who liked to exaggerate.
Spending so much time together these days, he knew her temperament.
If she had something on her mind, no one could pry it open.
If she didn’t say, she was determined to bear it herself.
She’s always been like this, preferring to carry the burden alone rather than implicating others.
This stubbornness left him helpless, but also earned his respect.
But the warmth of sincerity in her eyes made it impossible for him not to believe.
Even if what she said sounded like a child’s fantasy, he couldn’t help but waver a bit.
He had seen too many hypocritical faces, heard too many lies, but Seraphina Caldwell’s eyes were different.
There was no calculation, no probing.
Only an almost stubborn honesty.
He paused for a long time, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee, and finally stretched out his hand, his voice a bit hoarse.
"Let me see them."
Seraphina didn’t hesitate at all, with a thought.
There were suddenly four Beast Crystals neatly lying in her palm.
The surface of the Crystal Cores glimmered faintly, emitting subtle energy waves at the edges, lined up very orderly.
She extended her hand forward and handed them to him.
The Crystals shimmered under the moonlight, with energy flowing out in waves.
Moonlight spilled across the surface of the Crystal Cores, refracting into fine patterns of light.
The air was thick with a solid energy aura.
As Evan’s fingers touched the crystals, his eyes trembled suddenly, nearly letting out a shout.
A heavy texture met his fingertips.
The familiar high-rank energy instantly shot up to his brain along the nerves.
His heart jolted, and he quickly examined the patterns and hues on each Crystal Core.
The feeling was unmistakable.
The weighty energy pressed down on his hand, and the patterns matched perfectly.
Two Blue Rank, two Green Rank.
These were things impossible to obtain even by risking life under normal circumstances.
Even within the Sect’s own allocations, completing extremely difficult tasks would be necessary to exchange for them.
He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and it was a while before he looked up at her.
"Two Green Ranks are enough for me to reach the peak of the Green Rank. But as for the Blue Rank..."
"The threshold for Blue Rank is like a wall, two Blue Rank Crystals can’t break through it. But I can reach the doorstep, just short by a breath. Given my foundation, I can have a chance against Albert Wyndham."
"Really?!"
Seraphina’s eyes lit up instantly.
All the worry and fear from just now dissipated.
"That’s great! Quickly absorb them, let’s take action before nightfall and stop Albert Wyndham from harming Wyatt Yardley and the others!"
Evan looked at her eager face.
The trust weighed heavily, enough to bend a person at the waist.
Could he really let her give up this plan?
Give up on Wyatt Yardley?
She wouldn’t agree to that, and neither could he.
Forget it.
The Priest’s spiritual power might suppress the rampant desires.
What’s madness compared to losing life?
He wiped his face, erasing all hesitation and worry.
The meridians within his body were already beginning to heat up, a forewarning from his body.
He adjusted his breathing, letting his mind slowly sink, cutting off distractions one by one.
"Alright."
He responded with one word, took the two Beast Crystals, and tossed them directly into his mouth.
There was an instant burning sensation as the crystals went down his throat.
Then he leaned back against a tree, closed his eyes, and spoke no more.
His spine pressed tightly against the rough tree bark, the coldness seeping through his clothes, barely suppressing the rising heat within.
The energy of the Green Rank couldn’t compare to the Blue Rank, let alone consuming two at once.
As soon as the Crystal Stones dissolved, the power crashed through his entire body forcefully.
Seraphina sat nearby, not too far nor too close, just watching him silently.
Her right hand remained on the hilt of the sword, while her left hand clutched a spare Green Rank Crystal, ready to interrupt his absorption process at any moment.
Outside the tree hollow, the moonlight was still soft, occasionally the groaning of beasts emanated from within the forest.
The night wind rustled the leaves softly.
She stared at Evan’s face, watching his brows tighten and relax, a faint pale blue light gradually enveloping him.
When the glow was at its peak, even the air showed a slight warp.
The surrounding dust was pushed aside by an invisible force.
Time quietly slipped by, night gradually retreated.
The sky first turned white, then dawn pierced through the treetops, slanting into the cave.
Time took much longer than expected.
The weight of those two Green Rank Beast Crystals was too substantial.
Digesting them alone required considerable effort.
During the process, he had a spazam, his entire right arm uncontrollably lifting, nearly crushing the rock above.
Seraphina had jumped up then, but he stopped her with a look.
So she sat back down silently, continuing to keep watch.
Seraphina remained silent, not rushing, quietly waiting beside him.
When the seventh mountain sparrow began to call, she knew dawn was near.
She touched the medicinal powder left in her pocket, assured it remained dry, she felt relieved.
Until the morning light completely filled the entrance of the cave, the faint blue light enveloping Evan’s entire body suddenly withdrew.
A barely audible soft sound echoed in the air.
The temperature suddenly returned to normal, even the dust on the ground settled back.
He slowly opened his eyes, a flash of sharp light in his gaze.
The corner of his eye caught sight of Seraphina.
Seeing her unharmed and calm, he nodded slightly.
A lock of hair at the back of his neck, dampened by sweat, clung to his skin.
He brushed it aside with swift movements.
When he stood, his feet barely touched the ground.
He twisted his shoulders and neck, bones cracking crisply, energy within well-organized.
"Did we succeed?"
Seraphina leaned in immediately.
Evan softly affirmed, his voice sounding much deeper than before.
"I’m up now, at the Green Rank."
Seraphina’s gaze shifted quickly, landing on his arm.
The Beast Ring that used to coil there was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, there was a clear, water-like blue halo.
The halo fit snugly against his skin, color evenly pure.
The reined-in power indicated that this Green Rank energy was now under preliminary control.