Chapter Seventy Two - Our time here comes to an end

Whether the ring was or wasn't would have to wait for a proper evaluation with their other treasures.

The chest had just these things.  While only a certain amount of it was of value to Cultivators, likely this was a fortune back when the realm was whole and times here were different, otherwise it was unlikely for it to have been stored in this room.  Probably it was not the only treasure, but that time had seen that much of the other treasures were lost.  They searched from top to bottom anyway, rummaging around in the piles of splinter fragments, rust and dirt. 

They managed to find shattered pieces of what appeared to be jade scrolls, some lengths had survived the long burial in amongst the rubble, other pieces had shattered in two.  Whether these pieces of jade made up a whole scroll or two, they did not know, they could only gather them and try fix them once they'd returned to the Institute.  And amazingly, the blade of a knife was found as well; it was made of a midnight blue stone and its sides were still sharp to the touch.  These things were placed into the interdimensional bag with the chest of coins, gems and rings.

On finishing their explorations, they opened the other door to find the entrance filled with rubble.  Roman theorised that it was likely an escape route for the nobles or mages that owned this place.  Unfortunately, it was no longer fit for purpose.

The Team returned to the surface, closing the trapdoor on the tunnel and array and that part of this adventure.  While it might have been more exciting if there had been traps and guardians, their gains were good and their losses were zero.  They had no complaints.

The days continued to pass.  They hunted and explored the jungle.  Most of the herbs that Leon managed to gather were common, but they were also good for there was a reduction in stocks of them in the Institute due to it being winter there.  The martial artists and beast tamer came across a few interesting beasts, but mostly nothing they could not handle.  They ate many things from snake to bison to wolf, collecting pelts, horns, ivory, skins and teeth.

They lost a fight with a Greater Pterodactyl over a kill, the flying reptile claiming their hunt for its own, but as it's strength far exceeded theirs, the loss of the meat was better than the loss of their lives.

They did not leave this floating isle for the rest of the time they remained in the realm.

On the last day, they were back in the ruins, weary, but the atmosphere was also upbeat.  They'd participated in the challenge for the whole two tendays, which was a celebration in itself and not one to be underestimated.  Pike told them that his first venture here ended after three days and Velana mentioned the time she had an arm covered in burns thanks to a losing battle with a pride of flame civets.  As they ate the last meal Leon was to prepare for them here, they told of these things and other experiences they'd had.

"Two years ago," Pike mentioned, "Only Bowyer had made it to the top twenty, but he had me come along as well.  Although we made it with our team until the end, we came nearly last of all the teams; Bowyer and I were too busy competing against each other to think about what we were gathering to bring back!  Plus, I'm ashamed to say, many of the tokens I claimed from my kills were burned in my rush to claim more victories than Bowyer.  Our respective Masters had us run around the entire Institute five times as punishment for our hot-headed behaviour.  They also had us take five long outstanding missions each, but we had to work together to complete them or we would be forced to complete five more." 

He shook his head as the others chuckled.

After their meal, they headed to a nearby river they'd discovered after leaving the underground tunnel where they washed up a bit, so they wouldn't look too disheveled on returning to the Institute.  Then they checked around their campsite for anything they'd not yet packed.  As they were doing this, Roman tapped Leon on the shoulder and pointed in a direction beyond the edge of the isle.

Leon's breath faltered in awe.

The isle's orbit had brought to a point where the Crystal heart of this realm became visible, the giant source of existence seeming to rise above the ruins into their vision like a sparkling sun.  It's shape was raw, a twin tooth stretching upward from its single root, it's facets numerous, some large, some to small for the eye to see.  The colour was quite indescribable, perhaps a little azure blue or light purple, yet then flashing crimson or a deep burgundy.  It was mesmerising.

"It's so b-beautiful," Leon murmured, his eyes wholly captured by the amazing sight.

Pike came to stand beside him and commented.  "I've managed to see it twice, but not nearly as close.  This has definitely been a fruitful expedition.  Thank you."  He turned and repeated his last words to the other members of the team.

"Thank you for b-believing in m-me," Leon replied, slightly bashful, glancing up at Pike as he did so.

Pike squeezed his shoulder.  "Come on, its time to go."

Leon took one last look at the Crystal Heart before turning his back to it.  It was indeed very beautiful, but he was looking forward to going home.  He wondered if Jin Li had left his Closed Cultivation yet.

The team gathered in a circle and took out the teleportation charms given to them in the beginning.  They shared smiles, united in feelings and actions and went to crush the charms.  Glowing lights surrounded them following breaking them and their images were lost in the brightness of the spell.  It took Leon a couple of attempts to break the charm, he pouted as it finally snapped between his fingers, but soon his body was gathered in the spell and began to shoot to towards the point he entered this realm.

As Leon had had his back to the Crystal, he didn't notice that it suddenly pulsated, a plethora of colours shimming along its sometime opaque, sometimes reflective surfaces.    An invisible wave of energy rippled outward, strong at the source, but slowing as it moved outwards.  If there was an island in its path, the flora upon it would become more lush, beasts would pause and begin to cultivate, flying beasts would land and do the same.  Upon this wave, the tiniest sparkle flickered, riding on the energy, heading directly in one direction.  This was a little gift, only meant for one and it reached its destination just as the receiver turned into light and was teleported away.  Many had looked on at the Crystal in awe and greed and wistfulness.  But it was rare for it to be appreciated in a pure and artless manner.

The recipient of its gift would not discover it for sometime.