Dustin pointed at the inscription on the tablet, specifically the lines that read, ” Though it resembles the elixir of immortality, it is in truth a supremely evil thing”, and “Those who consume it will have their spirit and soul destroyed, or transformed into dragon puppets.”
“It seems the rumors we heard about the elixir of immortality likely refer to this Dragonblood Fruit,” he said grimly. “It’s not a real elixir at all, but a corrupted creation born from the Maleficar Dragon’s lingering essence mixing with the life force of this place.”
The revelation hit Grace like a physical blow, draining the color from her face. After all the hardship and the lives lost along the way, what she had been pursuing was actually a “supremely evil elixir” that could destroy one’s soul or turn them into a monster.
“How… How can this be?” she stammered, stepping back in shock. Was this the end of her only hope to cure her ailing father.
Just then, one guard who stayed behind swallowed hard when he saw the medicinal herbs in the garden emitting a tempting spiritual light.
Not far from him, he spotted a plant bearing plump red fruits. The fruits looked juicy and full, their scent enticing, as if containing vast amounts of energy.
He thought that even if it wasn’t an elixir of immortality, these herbs had to be worth something. Perhaps they could at least strengthen the body or improve one’s cultivation.
Given that Grace had exhausted herself trying to save Valon, the guard thought of gathering some of these herbs. Without thinking, he reached out his hand to pluck one of the red fruits.
“Don’t move!” Dustin shouted sharply, but he was too late.
Just as the guard’s fingers were about to touch the fruit, something went horribly wrong. The once-docile plant suddenly shuddered. The red fruit burst open, spewing a thick cloud of crimson mist that instantly engulfed him.
At the same time, the ground beneath the plant’s roots bulged upward. Several crimson tendrils like vines shot out with lightning speed, coiling tightly around his arms and calves.
The guard let out a blood-curdling scream as the crimson mist swallowed him. His skin began to shrivel and gray before their eyes, as if every drop of life essence had been drained from his body. The crimson tendrils were like bloodsucking leeches, frantically absorbing his life force.
“Save him!” Rhydian roared, his eyes wide with panic. He drew his blade and rushed forward.
“Stay away from that crimson mist!” Dustin shouted. He extended his fingers in a sword gesture and released a sharp sword aura that sliced clean through the crimson tendrils.
A wet hiss filled the air as the tendrils were severed, dark crimson sap spraying from the cuts and emitting an even stronger scent of blood.
But the guard had already collapsed, eyes wide open in terror and agony. He was already dead. His body looked as if it had been left to dry for years, reduced to nothing but skin and bones.
The horror had unfolded in an instant, leaving the rest of the group frozen in silence.
After draining the guard’s life essence, the plant had become even more vibrant. The severed tendrils wriggled back underground. Even the split fruit slowly closed up as if nothing had happened.
The garden returned to its tranquil state, and the spiritual herbs released their sweet scent. Yet beneath that calm beauty lurked something deadly.
“These spiritual herbs… can actually absorb human life force,” Judith whispered, voice trembling, as she hid behind Grace.
Dustin stared grimly at the plant that had returned to its “calm” state, then glanced at the other seemingly harmless spiritual herbs.
He said slowly, “Dragon blood has soaked this land, causing the living things here-plants, beasts-to undergo bizarre transformations. They’ve become predatory, sustaining their corrupted existence by devouring the life essence of other living things.”
He surveyed this seemingly peaceful herb garden and added coldly, “This place isn’t a paradise, but a cursed garden of slaughter. Every one of these so-called precious spiritual herbs could be hiding a deadly trap.”
Grace looked at the guard who had died tragically, then at the garden full of ” spiritual herbs.” Her heart sank at the sight.
The truth behind the so-called elixir of immortality was devastating, and the herb garden was even more terrifying. She’d held onto a sliver of hope that perhaps they could find other harmless spiritual herbs to cure her father. But now, that hope seemed even more distant.
“Dragonblood Fruit… The waters of Vitalis Pool can cleanse impurities…” she murmured, repeating the words from the stone tablet, and a faint glimmer of hope flickered back into her eyes.
She turned to Dustin, “The inscription says the waters of the Vitalis Pool can cleanse the dragon’s tainted blood. Could it mean the elixir of immortality still exists? Maybe it just needs a specific refinement method. Or maybe the waters of Vitalis Pool themselves have the power to heal and extend lives?”
Dustin thought it over for a moment before nodding.
“It’s possible,” he replied. “The Maleficar Dragon’s corrupted essence is malevolent, but every force has its counterbalance. If something as vile as the Dragonblood Fruit could take root, then a sacred counterpart might also exist. The pool could be the key.
His gaze turned toward the depths of the herb garden, where mist swirled and the sound of flowing water seemed to drift from within
“It’s not just about finding the Vitalis Pool. We have to tell which path leads to salvation and which one leads to ruin. From here on, we must tread with extreme caution,” he added, his voice edged with warning.
Everyone looked at the guard’s withered corpse, their hearts heavy with dread.
The Elysium Isle wasn’t just testing them with beasts and deadly terrain, but also with temptation and deceit. Finding a way out of this would require not just strength, but wisdom and a heart unswayed by illusion.
The party set out again, steering clear of the herbs that gave off a tempting glow but hid deadly traps. They moved cautiously toward the deeper part of the garden, following the faint sound of running water.
A thread of hope remained, but the path ahead was growing more treacherous.
