The Bandit's Run

All was quiet at the starting grounds of the Prospector's Challenge.

At this point in time of the competition, all of the competitors would be deep within the bowels of the designated mining area and any excitement would be happening underground, or in this case, the wandering ruins.

Many of the spectators and chaperones to the competitors were used to this lull in the excitement and tended to treat this portion as a bit of picnic mixer as a means to mingle and make connections.

"Seriously? You managed to get your hands on five hundred kilos of Golden Lotus Roots for that cheap?"

"So it's settled then, we cement our families union with my third daughter and your second son. It's good thing those two fancied each other in the first place..."

"This map better be real, or I swear I am skinning you alive."

This mingling was the unspoken tradition that came along with the actual tradition of the challenge. It helped to keep people occupied in anticipation for the more exciting portion of the competition: The Bandit's Run.

While it's known that many contestants steal ore from one another while inside the designated digging area, a majority of it actually happens at the last leg of the contest.

By the rules of the challenge, all ores and minerals are up for grabs until they're brought across the finish line by a contestant, and there was a very long stretch of earth between the designated area and the finish line. This meant that during this last stretch, competitors would either book it like hell to finalize their entries, or take this as one last opportunity to rob another competitor who was probably significantly weaker after the ordeal of traversing the mines(in this case ruins).

Hence why this last part was referred to as, the Bandit's Run.

As the spectators kept socializing, a lookout who was watching the entrance to the wandering ruins suddenly made an announcement.

"ATTENTION! THE GATEWAY TO THE RUINS IS STARTING TO SHOW ACTIVITY! STANDBY FOR FIRST TEAM TO EXIT!"

Once the announcement was made, the spectators dropped whatever they were doing and proceeded to make use of their aether to enhance their vision and see who would be the first to exit the gateway.

"My money's on the Corradas, the young mistress is absurdly stronger for her age."

"Nah, I think it's the Wolfe Family. That boy Donovan is wicked vicious and wicked smart! Wouldn't be surprised if he managed to take something really valuable from a weaker team."

"I say it's the Zhen Clan. Aside from Zhen Hai and Zhen Yue, they got that dark horse of a new heir, Zhen Liu! I was there when he pulled out that aether puppet, ooh, it sent shivers down my spine."

Moments later, the crowd soon got their answer as the forms of Donovan and his teammates exited the gateway.

"AND THE FIRST TO EXIT THE RUINS IS THE WOLFE FAMILY! LET'S SEE IF THEY CAN MAKE IT TO THE CLAIMING GROUNDS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE CAN STOP THEM!"

Donovan quickly took in his surroundings, making sure none of the other competitors were in the area. Once he was was satisfied with what he saw, he turned to the skinnier member of his teammates.

"Jeremiah. If you could?"

"No problem, boss."

Jeremiah reached into a pouch hanging off to the side of his belt and produced a small stone figure in the shape of ox. He injected a small bit of his aether into the figure, causing it to glow, right before throwing it to the ground in front of him.

The figure smashed into pieces for a moment before quickly reconstituting and transforming into an even larger stone bull puppet complete with a cart. Once the transformation was complete, the Wolfe team proceeded to load up the cart and go on their way.

"It looks like the Wolfe Family have busted out a transport class aether puppet for the Bandit's Run! Let's see if it pays off!"

Some of the spectators were a bit surprised at the Wolfe Team's tactics, but not overtly so.

"Wait, an aether puppet? When did they get that? Doesn't the Wolfe Family have that special movement art? Why aren't they using that?"

"You didn't hear? The Wolfe Family started to take an interest in puppets after the false funeral affair. They've been buying up puppets from traders left and right lately, everything from utility to combat ones."

"Really?"

"Yeah, also check the cargo they're carrying. No way they're gonna be able to use their normal arts to lug those heavy looking crystals."

On the other hand, the Grandmasters were a little surprise.

"Oh ho? Aether puppets? I thought the Wolfe Family members were all weapon obsessed," Telana mused.

"Oh please, an aether puppet is just a technical weapon in the end," Jacob waved away, "Besides, if the Zhen Clan can use puppets, so can we."

"Hah! You started a trend you old sea dog!," Orgo joked, "perhaps I should find some puppets for my boys to use! Help with the digging a bit!"

The aether puppet the Wolfe heir employed was one of the lower ends, a Corporeal class transport one called a "Basalt Bull." While it wasn't usable for combat, it was strong and sturdy enough to carry at least several tons of cargo at a decently fast speed, which was more than enough to carry the Wolfe team and the Ifrit Fire Heart Crystal.

"We're almost there! Keep up the pace Jeremiah!"

"Trying boss, but damn this thing is draining!"

Everything was going smoothly for the Wolfe team, so much so they were about halfway to the finish line,but then the lookout made another announcement.

"ATTENTION! THE GATEWAY TO THE RUINS ARE ACTI-"

"PAAOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

But before the lookout could finish his announcement, the distinctive sound of an elephant-like trumpet pierced the air and drowned him out.

"What was that?!"

"Wait, didn't that sound blew through here earlier?!"

"It came from the ruins! What the hell could've made a sound that goes through dimensions?!"

The answer to all of these questions soon became evident, for as soon as the gateway finished opening up, a huge amount of mist and cold air came pouring out, shrouding the massive silhouette of a charging mammoth-type aether beast.

The sight of the huge beast sent everyone into a shock, including the four attending grandmasters.

"What the fuck! Did that thing escape from the ruins? I thought it was impossible for aether beasts to go through the gateways!"

"It is! It's impossi-wait a minute...take a closer look, the mist is fading."

As the beast galloped forward, the mist melted away, revealing that it was no aether beast, but Frosttusk in his centaur-like form, dragging the severed head of the mechanical centisnake full of people behind it. One would expect that Zhen Liu, Zhen Hai and Zhen Yue would be riding in the "sled" with them, but they were riding on Frosttusk's backside, looking a little smug about the whole situation. This revelation caused all of the spectators and grandmasters to jaw drop.

"L-LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I DON'T BELIEVE IT BUT THE SECOND TEAM TO BUST OUT IS THE ZHEN CLAN! AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY BROUGHT SOME INJURED CONTESTANTS BACK WITH THEM AND THE CORRADA TEAM! HOW GENEROUS!"

Orgo, Jacob and Telana all turned towards Zhen Shi with looks of shocked disbelief on their faces at this situation.

Zhen Shi also had a shocked look, but he quickly screwed it back into something more proper once he felt their gazes on him.

"Ahem, well...if we're going to be starting a trend, we have to make sure to stay ahead of it."

Zhen Shi began to sip on his tea again, attempting to convey this look of calm confidence. In reality, he was freaking out internally.

'Xiao Liu...where the fuck were you hiding this new puppet?!'