“Dad…” Rainah pleaded, “Bastian’s been taken. We have to find a way to save him. If all else fails, we should storm Winged Tiger City, even if we have to risk everything.”
“Don’t panic,” Maceo replied calmly. “Even though they’ve taken Bastian, it’s nothing more than leverage. They’re trying to force my hand to trade for Treasure Land and squeeze out some resources. That’s all. They won’t harm your brother. Killing wouldn’t get them anything.”
Maceo wasn’t worried. He knew Winged Tiger City was using Bastian as a bargaining chip, not planning to kill him.
“But we can’t just leave there!” Rainah cried.
“Who said we’re leaving him?” Maceo shot back. “We just have to wait. Winged Tiger City will contact us soon enough.”
He glanced at Rainah and added, “Go back and get some rest. You don’t need to be involved in this part.”
Though reluctant, Rainah turned and left.
“Hey Maceo, where exactly is the Treasure Land? Can you show me?” Jared asked, clearly curious.
“That place only opens once every thousand years. It’s not time yet. If we force our way in, the Heavenly Law will suppress us, and it could seriously deplete our life force.”
“Deplete our life force?” Jared was startled. “How could there be a Heavenly Law suppression like that?”
“Just take me to the place. We won’t go in,” Jared insisted.
Seeing Jared so set on it, Maceo nodded. “All right, I’ll take you for a look. But don’t do anything reckless. If you go in and don’t make it out, that’ll be a huge problem.”
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing!” Jared replied with confidence.
Maceo led Jared toward the Treasure Land. Madman and Eason chose to stay behind at the city lord mansion.
Jared followed Maceo through the skies for several hours.
Just as thought they were about to leave the beast race region altogether, they stopped. Looking at the vast, desolate landscape, Jared furrowed his brows.
“We’re still in Rhino City?”
They had flown for a few thousand kilometers. If this was still Rhino City, then it was far bigger than imagined.
“Yeah, it’s still within our territory. But just ahead is Winged Tiger City’s border. This Treasure Land is where we and they constantly butt heads. But there’s still more than three hundred years before it’s supposed to open. Why’s Winged Tiger City so eager to move now?” Maceo was puzzled.
“Let’s go take a look.” Jared was already moving.
The two landed. Jared spotted a clear imprint in the earth nearby, a line separating two different soil colors. Inside the Treasure Land’s zone, the ground had a muted red shade, like blood had soaked in over time, staining it permanently.
Jared stepped toward it. Maceo tried to stop him, but Jared had already crossed the line. The moment did, his brows knit tightly. He could feel his strength draining away, along with his life force.
Jared quickly stepped back, and the sensation vanished.
“Just like I thought…” muttered, eyes narrowing.
“Jared, I wouldn’t lie to you. No one dares step into that place,” Maceo said. “Let’s head back. It’s a waste of strength and life force to stand here. It’s not worth it.”
But Jared stood still, staring at the Treasure Land. “You said this place is suppressed by the Heavenly Law. If someone could break that suppression… Then it’d be fine, right?”
