A Scenic Route

Chapter 7: A Scenic Route

However, this method of summoning Undead Creatures from different planes had a fatal weakness—the time limit. The summoned Undead Creatures from different planes had a time limit, which depended on the level of the Summoner's ability and the summoned Darkness life form.

In theory, if the Summoner's level was higher and their magic stronger, the summoned creatures could exist for a longer time on Ark Continent. Conversely, if the Summoner's level was lower, the summoned creatures would have a shorter lifespan on Ark Continent.

There were some exceptions to this rule. If a powerful Darkness life form was summoned, the Summoner could extend its stay on Ark Continent by sacrificing some Life Force. However, this method was not commonly used by Summoners because the higher the level of the Darkness life form, the more Life Force was required. Keeping a powerful undead creature on Ark Continent for an extended period would be too costly and risky for the Summoner.

In addition to summoning creatures from different planes, Dark Summoners had another method of summoning—creating Undead Creatures within Ark Continent itself. Each summoning Magician could create a summoning space where they could store the corpses of Magic Beasts or even themselves after death and turn them into Undead Creatures. However, when using this method, the level of the Undead Creature would decrease, and they would be unable to level up.

This was why the people monitoring Zhao Hai and his group were surprised. Alien clearly did not come from a different plane, or else he would have disappeared by now. However, judging from Alien's fighting strength, they could tell that he was at least a 5th level soldier. If Alien was created artificially, what level was he before he was killed? This puzzled the onlookers.

In general, Magicians could only create Inferior level Undead Creatures. To create Advanced level Undead Creatures, they had to pay a price in Life Force. However, Inferior level Undead Creatures were typically not stronger than a 4th level Warrior. Was this green Undead Creature that the Dark Magician summoned an Advanced level Undead Creature? It seemed unbelievable.

Zhao Hai and his group were aware of the reactions they would elicit by releasing Alien so openly, but they were not concerned. If Zhao Hai were to engage in battle later on and summon many Undead Creatures, the levels of these Undead Creatures would not be much lower than Alien's. It was better to reveal this information sooner rather than later.

Undead Creatures were rarely found in many places on Ark Continent. The places where Undead Creatures could be found were usually ominous, such as the famous Carrion Swamp and Demonic Abyss. These places were among the five most dangerous locations on the continent. In recent centuries, no one had been known to survive from these two places. Even if someone did manage to survive, they would not live for more than five years in a healthy state.

As a result, Carrion Swamp and Demonic Abyss had become true Forbidden Lands, and adventurers avoided them at all costs. The existence of Undead Creatures that were native to Ark Continent had been largely forgotten by people, especially when it came to Dark Summoners summoning creatures.

Zhao Hai dared to release Alien so openly because he had a reason. When he first appeared in the Black Mountain Barrier, if anyone connected Alien with Carrion Swamp, they would wonder why he could appear in the Black Mountain Barrier. People on the continent would only view Zhao Hai as a reckless Dark Magician and would not associate him with Adam, ensuring Adam's safety.

When Zhao Hai and his group were attacked by Magic Beasts and Undead Creatures near Black Wasteland, they had just emerged from the aftermath of the battle. Shortly after the Magic Beasts and Undead Creatures retreated, Zhao Hai appeared in the Black Mountain Barrier. Even if others knew that Alien was an Undead Creature from Carrion Swamp, they would assume he had been captured in Black Wasteland. People might think he was reckless, but they would not connect him with Buda Family or Adam's true identity, ensuring their safety.

Zhao Hai and his group deliberately kept a slow pace during their journey. They wanted to cooperate with Markey Delphi Trading Company, and they knew Laura was the most suitable person to handle this cooperation. However, Laura had not returned from Black Mountain Barrier yet, so they arrived at Casa City earlier than planned and did not conduct any transactions. They were not in a hurry since Green had already gone ahead to prepare in Casa City. He wanted to buy a small manor and make some initial preparations without attracting too much attention.

Of course, Zhao Hai and his group were not idle either. They were mapping the terrain of the places they passed through. Zhao Hai felt a lack of knowledge about this world and wanted a better understanding of the areas surrounding his family's territory. He felt a need for greater security.

Due to Green's absence, Zhao Hai and the others were cautious. They traveled at a slow pace, mostly sticking to major roads and occasionally bypassing cities. Their intention was to test if anyone would become suspicious of them. With only Merine and half of Green's fighting strength, they had to be careful.

In reality, Zhao Hai's concerns were unfounded. As a Dark Magician, his identity was not one that anyone would dare to challenge. As soon as people saw Alien, they would avoid provoking him. The mere thought of offending a Dark Magician who could turn them into Undead Creatures and force them to fight against their will made adventurers and mercenaries hesitant. They did not fear death, but the prospect of fighting for their enemies as Undead Creatures made them uncomfortable. They would rather be devoured by Magic Beasts than turn into Undead Creatures.

Because of this, adventurers and mercenaries were wary of offending Dark Magicians, especially those who could summon powerful creatures with a fighting strength equivalent to a 5th level soldier.

Despite Zhao Hai and his group's slow progress, they managed to capture the attention of the entire Purcell Duchy. Whether it was caravans or ordinary pedestrians, everyone's attention was drawn to them. The reason was simple—the news of their battle with the undead Mercenary Group had spread.

The undead Mercenary Group had become infamous throughout the continent and was an entity that no one dared to provoke. Seeing Zhao Hai engage in a battle with the undead Mercenary Group and actually drive them away raised eyebrows. Everyone was curious to see who dared to provoke the undead Mercenary Group on such a large scale and anticipated the Mercenary Group's retaliation against Zhao Hai.

However, to everyone's surprise, Zhao Hai and his group continued their journey unharmed, and the undead Mercenary Group seemed to have vanished. They did not come looking for trouble with Zhao Hai, leaving everyone puzzled as it was not in line with the Mercenary Group's typical behavior.

Under the watchful gaze of the Purcell Duchy, Zhao Hai and his group continued their leisurely journey towards Casa City, occasionally stopping along the way. They had unwittingly become a spectacle, much to Zhao Hai's annoyance.

Nevertheless, their objective was achieved. All attention was focused on them, and no one paid any attention to Buda Family or the small manor outside Casa City that Green had purchased for a mere hundred gold coins.

This small manor had been built by a Merchant, though it was unclear why they chose such a remote location. The manor was constructed on a barren hill outside Casa City, where nothing could grow. The only noteworthy feature was the presence of a Hot Spring on the hill, and the manor was built around it.

Unfortunately, the Merchant went bankrupt later on. The manor's remote location made it undesirable, and no one was willing to purchase it. Green, upon learning of this, immediately bought the small manor and the hill. Although the manor itself was not worth a hundred gold coins, the hill and the presence of the Hot Spring made it a valuable acquisition.