32 Drow’s Bloodline

Feron Nightbringer's eyes stared coolly at Kael's suave face. He was surprised that this young man didn't display an inch of fear in front of a Herald Rank Late Phase powerhouse. From this, he came to a conjecture that the ancient scroll must definitely be with this person.

"Speak, what's your term for handing over this mysterious forging technique?"

"I'm not handing it over." Kael played with his fingertips.

"Then you must be tired of living." Spiritual energy started to condense in Feron Nightbringer's hands. He was preparing to strike Kael down to display his power, coercing Fledgling City to produce the ancient scroll.

"I apologize but I beg to differ on that. I prefer to live to a ripe old age. Besides, even if we really do fight, though I can't beat you, I can assure you that I will be able to run away unscathed from you and your subordinates' hands." Kael gave a wry smile.

"How dare this dog from the Lower Region speak to me in this fashion…" Feron Nightbringer waved his fist towards Kael.

Kael saw his movements and executed Spirit Steps. His body turned into a blur and in an instant he appeared behind Feron Nightbringer. Spiritual energy rushed into his fingertips and it gave off a golden glow. Kael jabbed his fingers towards the back of Feron Nightbringer.

Feron seemed to have anticipated this counter-attack. He brought out a strongbow from his item bag and waved it behind his back, blocking the attack from Kael.

Undeterred, Kael brought out a sword from his item bag. This sword was forged from the strongest offensive Spirit Arrays that Kael could manifest. He swung the sword in a hacking motion towards Feron's strongbow.

Feron knew of the lethality of Fledgling City's weapons. However, he had absolute confidence in his strongbow as well, which was an Uncommon Rank Item made for Herald Rank cultivators.

He quickly used the body of the strongbow to parry with Kael's sword.

"Clang!" A loud noise burst forth from the collision.

Both of them jumped up from the collision and took a step back. Caution and alert was present in their eyes.

"Not bad. I suppose there's a reason why you can hold onto this ancient scroll and still be alive now. It seems that you have the skill to boot."

"Same to you. As expected of a Herald Rank Late Phase cultivator."

Both of them started laughing out loud. Richard Duran was stunned by the strange turn of events. He didn't realize that the both of them acknowledged each other through the short bout.

"Let's talk business now. Seriously, name your price for the ancient scroll."

"I also want to talk business, but a different kind of business."

"Hmm?" Feron Nightbringer frowned. However, the frown couldn't be seen under the hood.

"Judging from your appearance and the strongbow in your hands, you must be someone of the Drow Ranger profession. Am I right?"

"You are knowledgeable and you have good eyes. However, so what if you can identify my background? Quick get to the point. I don't like to dilly dally."

"In Fledgling City, the men follow their City Lord in the Beastmaster profession. I suppose that it is the same in your city in the Desolate Isle?"

"We belong to Alwick Castle. It's not a secret that we specialize in this profession. Why?" Feron and the rest in Alwick castle were actually of the Drow race. However, they look very similar to humans, apart from their slightly blue skin.

"Judging from your aura, I can tell that you have been diligently trying to breakthrough to the Guardian Rank, however you are unable to. What if I can point out the critical missing link to your next step in cultivation?"

"You are able to?" Feron's interest was piqued.

"Yes. Not only you, but a breakthrough for the Drow race in Alwick Castle in general."

Feron Nightbringer knew that there must be strings attached to this kind of wonderful advice. He wasn't led by the nose by Kael. "Speak your terms now. If you really can help us increase our strength, money is not a problem."

"I don't want gold coins. I want the essence blood of a high ranked Drow as a cultivation resource. Just two drops will do."

Feron Nightbringer pondered for a while. The essence blood of a Drow was an attractive thing to cultivators because Drows were stronger physically by nature. Their essence blood could help cultivators increase their physical body's strength. However, every time essence blood was leaked, it would take some time of cultivation before strength was restored to the Drow.

Comparing the pros and cons, Feron decided it was not a bad deal, provided that what Kael could offer was indeed valid.

"Alright. Deal. You have my word. So now, tell me, what's the missing link for us Drows?"

"From the spiritual energy that you exuded when sparring with me, I couldn't find even a trace of cold energy within. Drow Rangers are the peak of cultivation are able to fire off Frost Arrows continuously from their bows. Why is that the case? It's because they have an innate ice constitution which allows them to imbue cold energy into their arrows."

"Innate ice constitution?"

"That's right. Drows should have this constitution. However, judging from your men's appearance, the Drow bloodline in Alwick Castle must have been significantly diluted by the human bloodline through racial intermixing. As such, the Drows in your territory have lost the innate ice constitution which could help boost your cultivation to greater heights."

"So what's the solution to that? How can you prove that we are supposed to have the innate ice constitution?"

"It's simple. I have an ice attribute treasure with me. Allow one of your men to absorb the cold energy from within and cultivate. I'm sure you will see a breakthrough in his cultivation in just a few days."

Feron Nightbringer couldn't wait to validate Kael's words. He summoned one of his men into their presence. Kael brought out the Ice Artifice and started the cultivation process.