Chapter 13: Heavenly Path

To travel from the Acahualla Highlands to the plains below the massive escarpment, one had to cross a nearly thousand-meter drop.

During the rainy season in the rainforest, the river waters rushed down the escarpment rapidly.

If one had good eyesight and stood at the edge of the cliff, they could see a continuous coastline in the distance.

However, the Tiacauh seldom dared to climb down the escarpment, despite living in Acahualla for generations. The cliffs were almost vertical and extremely slippery.

Fortunately, the Rhine Lab research team had prepared a lot for this mission, including ropes for ascent and descent.

Because they needed to carry a lot of equipment, Saria had to give up her shield and carry a large backpack instead.

Behind Garde, there was only a huge battle axe that was nearly as tall as a person.

Don't ask why; it was for self-defense.

On the mudflats above the waterfall, over a dozen Rhine Lab security personnel used vehicles as support to slowly lower Garde and the others on the platform.

If it weren't for the fact that Rhine Lab's vehicles were all the latest models of off-road vehicles with powerful engines and sturdy platforms, Garde and his massive battle axe would have flattened the lifting platform.

Nevertheless, the 3x2 platform was still too narrow for the group. Not to mention the equipment carried on it, just Garde alone occupied nearly half the space.

The two Rhine Lab researchers could only squeeze into a corner, looking down at the nearly thousand-meter-high abyss beneath them. Saria was pressed against Garde, her body almost plastered to his.

There was no choice; the platform was this small. Although Saria's personality didn't care about such trivial matters, she preferred to lean against Garde's side rather than squeeze with two male colleagues.

Because leaning against Garde felt like leaning against a rock. When Garde carried Gladiia back to the tribe, Saria picked up a scale that had fallen off him.

After trying it, Saria discovered that the hardness of these scales exceeded even the enamel she had refined with Originium Arts.

Just how tough was Garde's body?

However, as time passed, Saria gradually regretted her choice. The platform was descending very slowly, and if the off-road vehicle on the mudflats below slipped, the lifting platform would vibrate violently.

The two Rhine Lab researchers were close to vomiting. To prevent them from falling off, the security personnel had used ropes to tie them to the platform.

Garde and Saria, on the other hand, had not done so.

So, Saria's body occasionally bumped into Garde's. She wouldn't get hurt, but it was uncomfortable.

Unable to bear it any longer, Saria couldn't help but say, "Mr. Garde, can you move your arm away?"

"Oh, sure."

Garde raised his arm, and the platform suddenly shook. Saria bumped into Garde's body.

It felt like Garde was hugging Saria.

The two researchers, not very young themselves, softened at the sight and exchanged a glance, revealing a flirtatious smile on their faces.

In fact, due to her regular training, Saria had a much better figure than most girls. Everything was tight where it should be, and loose where it should be. While her skin wasn't delicate, it wasn't rough either.

As the head of the Defense Department and the Vice President of Rhine Lab, Saria had admirers all around Rhine Lab's headquarters.

However, her strong personality, resolute appearance, and formidable strength made many people hesitate.

Bumping into Garde didn't faze Saria, but she frowned because of the expressions of the two researchers.

Seeing Saria's expression, the two researchers quickly corrected their postures, looking like soldiers being inspected during military training.

Even so, being so close to the opposite sex made Saria feel uneasy for the first time.

Despite her calm demeanor, her heart couldn't help but ripple.

Slightly turning her head, Saria spoke to shift her attention, "Mr. Garde, can you tell me what kind of creature these 'Seaborns' are?"

The same question was on the minds of the two accompanying Rhine Lab researchers.

Originally, they had intended to invite Garde to the Foehn Hotlands to search for the mineral suppressant that Garde had once brought back from there.

However, after a month of going around in circles, Garde had called them here with just one sentence.

"I'll provide you with a route into the Foehn Hotlands, but you have to do me a favor and investigate a creature called 'Seaborns'."

In the sea at the end of Acahualla, there was a creature known as the Seaborn, which had powerful adaptability.

Garde could certainly tell Rhine Lab's people that by studying the Seaborns, there was a certain probability of obtaining a serum to cure Oripathy.

But how could Garde do such a thing?

The Seaborns cared about their own kind, and if Garde helped Rhine Lab capture Seaborns for experiments, the inevitable result would be a massive invasion of Seaborns on the land.

Moreover, there was still a question mark about whether the serum obtained from Seaborns could really cure Oripathy.

On the platform, Garde, who felt embarrassed due to the intimate contact with Saria, waved his tail, which was sticking out of the platform.

However, because they were so close, Garde thick accidentally bumped into Saria's tail.

Saria's body stiffened slightly in Garde's arms, and he coughed twice hastily.

Cough, cough.

After some consideration, Garde briefly described the existence of the Seaborns, withholding some crucial details to prevent the two Rhine Lab researchers from having false hopes.

"The Seaborns are a gregarious species that places a strong emphasis on companionship. Even when hundreds or thousands of kilometers apart, they'll rush to the aid of a companion upon hearing their call."

"Are you saying that the person named Gladiia is...?"

"No, although she has some connection to the Seaborns, she is not one of them. Seaborns are attracted for different reasons."

He trusted Saria's character but didn't have the same confidence in everyone from Rhine Lab. Thus, some information had to be kept hidden.

Lastly, Garde shared what he knew about the Foehn Hotlands.

"In the Foehn Hotlands, the only safe path is actually the 'Heavenly Path' trodden by the Khagan of the Grasslands and his Nightzmora Legion thousands of years ago. My father happened to discover that route, which allowed him to return alive."

Even Saria couldn't help but roll her eyes at Garde. Given the circumstances, she expected him to be more truthful.

The aftermath of Garde and Gladiia's battle couldn't be concealed from others. If it had taken place in a city, their battle alone might have destroyed an entire street.

Initially confident, Saria began to doubt whether, even with her full combat gear, she could truly fend off the simultaneous attacks of both of them.

Yet, in spite of all this, Garde's information about the Foehn Hotlands was more likely to be accurate.

One researcher asked, "What happened to the Khagan of the Grasslands and their Nightzmora Legion? What became of them?"

Another researcher wanted to stop him from answering, but upon hearing the question, Garde provided an answer.

"I don't know."

Garde shook his head, gazing into the distance.

"My father said that at the end of the Heavenly Path, there were only buried bones, consumed by the sands. He didn't know if any Nightmares were still alive because he didn't reach the end of the Foehn Hotlands."

Garde's words left the two researchers and Saria in silence.

The two researchers even considered turning back.

If the Khagan of the Grasslands and the indomitable Nightzmora Legion were devoured by the scorching earth, could their expedition, numbering less than forty, truly find what they sought in that forbidden land?

Unless...

Several people looked at Garde, but he had already jumped down from the lifting platform to the ground.

"We're here. Let's go."

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