Chapter 38: Black Mountain and the Dragon Beast
Chapter 38: Black Mountain and the Dragon Beast
As an Awakened, Finn was not the most powerful individual in the distant frontier.
However, as a scholar, his collection of books was undoubtedly the most extensive in the entire frontier.
For the past three years, whenever Linsey wanted to read literature or search for some legendary tales, Finn's study was the place to go.
And so, the search for a breakthrough in Black Mountain also fell upon this place.
When the elderly plant scholar fell asleep, he tiptoed to the bookshelf, skillfully taking down three volumes: "Cowell's Notes," "Frontier Chronicles (VI)," and "Preliminary Expedition Map."
Linsey first opened "Cowell's Notes" and continued reading from where she left off a few days ago.
"Following the great waterfall upstream, we broke through the forest courtyard and entered a new world. Before us stood a snow-capped mountain, and the waterfall connecting the two worlds was formed by the melting snow from this mountain. Now, we must cross it to see the full picture of this world and continue our grand expedition..."
This was the content of "Cowell's Notes."
It was a record left by one of the expedition members 120 years ago.
It documented the methods of entering and leaving the Black Mountain world, along with a small portion of the knowledge and anecdotes accumulated during their exploration.
"Entering the Black Mountain world from the other side of the world involves going upstream against a waterfall... So, how do we get from the Hidden Frontier to the Black Mountain world..."
Linsey searched for the information she needed.
However, this journal primarily introduced the other side of the Black Mountain world, with few records about the side where the Hidden Frontier was located.
Linsey carefully read through it, confirmed that it didn't contain what she was looking for, and then picked up "Frontier Chronicles (VI)."
"When the expedition team stepped into the Black Mountain, this world was filled with dangerous beasts, but it was still passable. Who would have thought that just 12 years later, a dragon beast with a body as massive as a mountain would appear, blocking the path to other worlds from the top of the pitch-black snow-capped mountain..."
The chronicle explained that the dragon beast was a colossal creature, measuring over 20 meters and even reaching 30 meters in size. It had a fierce and dangerous temperament. It occupied the large snow-capped mountain at the entrance of Black Mountain, and monitoring the surroundings for anyone entering or leaving was no issue for it.
Therefore, those who ventured into the Black Mountain world were gambling on whether they could evade the beast's gaze. Of course, if they could bypass the dragon beast at the foot of the mountain or find other clever ways to pass through the mountain, escaping Black Mountain was not entirely impossible.
Linsey finished reading this section and put down the chronicle.
"Frontier Chronicles" was published once every ten years, compiled by scholars who had lived there for generations.
Finn, the plant scholar, was one of them, and he compiled the content of "Frontier Chronicles (VIII)" to "Frontier Chronicles (XII)."
However, this series of books would occasionally include some subjective thoughts of the recorders.
Although the sixth volume recorded information about the dragon beast, Linsey thought it would be more prudent to seek verification from Lord An Rui, just to be safe.
In a few days, she was going to the lord's manor to train in martial arts with Lord An Rui.
With the long-lived Awakened who had witnessed the frontier town's 120-year history, she could certainly ask him if the author of "Frontier Chronicles 6" was credible.
"I hope Uncle An Rui still remembers..."
Thinking of the frontier lord's temperament, Linsey shook her head.
After confirming the information in the books, she carefully returned them to the bookshelf and picked up a biography titled "Merchant and Dragon Maid."
This book featured a five-stage merchant as the protagonist, documenting his encounter with a dragon beast that could transform into a human, their subsequent journey together, and their confrontation with the Incorporeal Ones who were hostile towards them.
Linsey loved this story.
At the very least, she enjoyed it twenty times more than the rigid legends like "The Short Journey of the Young King."
...
The afternoon passed quickly as Linsey immersed herself in reading, and the heavy rain outside quietly bid farewell to the town.
She realized it was about time, so she tidied up the study.
Turning around, she noticed numerous mud stains on the floor of the antechamber, brought in by shoes.
After half a day, the mud stains had already dried, and Linsey, not wanting to disturb Finn, fetched a broom and gently swept the floor clean before starting to prepare his dinner.
He waited for Finn to wake up and have a meal.
Linsey asked a few more questions, confirming that Finn had no other requests, before bidding farewell and leaving.
"..."
"Linsey, catch!"
Not long after leaving the plant scholar's wooden house, a town resident threw a chrysanthemum potato at Linsey by the roadside.
Without turning his head, Linsey caught it in mid-air, rubbed it with his thumb, and took a bite.
The taste was good—
This thing looked like a sweet potato but had a crisp and slightly sweet texture, making it a decent fruit. With Linsey's botanical expertise, he could also tell that it had the effects of dispelling cold, strengthening yang, stopping bleeding, and regulating menstruation.
"Thanks, Uncle Kate!"
Linsey smiled at the townsfolk, thanked them, and continued on his way.
As he walked through the town, many people greeted Linsey, and quite a few liked to give him small things.
During the three years in the frontier town, children were born, and elders passed away.
As the only disciple of Lady Red Moon, Linsey naturally attended every funeral to learn the knowledge of the school.
In this world, there was a real chance that the dead could rise as zombies and attack the living!
To ensure that their loved ones could rest in peace, the attitude of ordinary people towards the Death Sect was understandable.
As Lady Red Moon's disciple, Linsey naturally enjoyed the respect of everyone.
Moreover, because he was young, this respect was mixed with affection, and people did not keep their distance from him as they did with Lady Red Moon.
After three years of living together, Linsey and the townsfolk had developed a good relationship.
He could almost call out the names of anyone whose family had lost a member.
"Hey! Lin!"
Linsey was about to leave the town and head back to the church on the gravel path.
At that moment, a hearty call sounded behind him, and a figure rushed towards Linsey.
Hearing the voice, Linsey did not dodge, allowing the other person to hug him.
He broke the chrysanthemum potato in half, handed it back, and asked, "Torch, what's up?"
The now 15-year-old Torch took the potato from Linsey, took a bite, and made a crisp chewing sound: "Mmm—nothing much."
"Just that the hunting party is planning to go out tomorrow. Mom asked me to let you know in advance, so you can get ready."
Linsey nodded in understanding.
He continued walking towards the church, turning to look at Torch.
The handsome young man was eating the chrysanthemum potato, his expression tinged with excitement.
Linsey immediately nudged his chest with his elbow.
"If there's something else, just say it. What are you hiding from me?"
"Hehehe!" Torch laughed sheepishly, then leaned in close to Linsey and whispered, "Actually, this morning, my skill successfully ascended to the first ability."
As he spoke, Torch raised his right index and middle fingers in front of Linsey.
A faint essence swirled around his hand.
Then, the rainwater that had fallen on the ground this morning suddenly floated up, forming two thin streams of water that flowed freely in Torch's hand.
This was the first-stage ability of Torch's family's inherited skill, [Star]—a weak control over water.
It also had the effect of enhancing physical strength.
In three years, from a beginner to cultivating his first ability, this was already a very good speed for an ordinary Awakened!
Linsey immediately congratulated him, "Impressive, Torch, congratulations!"
Torch and Linsey were close like brothers. He scratched his head sheepishly but quickly added in a low voice, "But, Linsey, you have to keep it a secret for me!"
"Relying on this, I want to show off a bit during the hunt tomorrow and make Mom and the others look at me differently!"
(End of Chapter)
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