Starting from primitive world, building the strongest divine kingdom

At the Blood Shadow Canyon Gathering Place, in response to the man's invitation, Enzo curtly declined, stating, "I have no interest."

The armored, golden-haired mice are common supernatural beings in the subterranean caves of Blood Shadow Canyon, known for their formidable defense. Their tough exoskeletons are often repurposed into armor.

However, forging such armor is no simple task.

It necessitates the assistance of seasoned craftsmen and entails exorbitant forging fees.

After turning down several teams' invitations, Enzo and Norma chose not to venture deeper into the canyon just yet.

At this moment, they recognized a critical issue.

How would they search?

Neither Rodney's experiences nor the mysterious man's messages, nor even Occam's references to hidden spaces, specified the exact location within Blood Shadow Canyon.

The canyon is vast, and searching without a destination is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

"Could this be yet another test?"

Norma speculated.

This conjecture sparked an idea in Enzo as he murmured, "I recall that the auctioneer mentioned a Potion recipe concealed within that soul seed, yet it was devoured by Bookstaver, and I failed to uncover it."

With this thought, Enzo realized he needed to communicate with Bookstaver.

He released Bookstaver from its seal and inquired, "Bookstaver, after you absorbed that soul seed and awakened, did you gain any further insights?"

Bookstaver promptly replied, "Oh, great master, I was just about to inform you of this! However, you sealed me away without mercy. You must understand, in the perilous realm of the soul world, Bookstaver never considered forsaking the great master..."

Enzo rolled his eyes, resignedly stating, "Alright, you can speak now."

"However." Enzo emphasized once more, "You are forbidden from being verbose in the future."

Bookstaver responded with uncontainable joy, "Yes!"

Upon concluding his exclamation, he continued, "Great Master, I have indeed obtained a Potion formula, specifically a Level 7 Potion formula. However, with your current expertise in Potioncraft, it would be within your capacity to concoct it."

This statement left Enzo momentarily speechless.

Enzo possessed a remarkably clear understanding of his own proficiency in Potioncraft.

Despite having absorbed a wealth of knowledge on the subject, his practical experience in brewing Potions was rather limited. Yet, with the existence of the Life Water—a substance nearly akin to cheating—his Potion-making prowess could be elevated several levels.

Nevertheless, even that would not suffice for the creation of a Level 7 Potion.

However, after reviewing the Potion formula conveyed by Bookstaver, Enzo fell into silence.

He seemed truly capable of crafting this Potion.

[Life Water Potion Formula]

[Ingredients: Blood Crystal, Elven Tree Sap, Moonstone Fragments…]

[Procedure: …]

[Potion Effects: …]

This Potion formula was recorded with meticulous detail, almost akin to a step-by-step tutorial.

Yet for Enzo, it held no value.

For this was the formula for Life Water, a substance he could synthesize directly, with effects far surpassing those achieved through this method.

So, am I a Level 7 Potion Master?

Enzo chuckled wryly to himself.

He warned Bookstaver once more, "No more shouting! Furthermore, go to the small realm and remain there. Do not emerge without my permission!"

This time, Bookstaver agreed with utmost decisiveness, "As you command, great Master!"

After delivering his instructions, Enzo's awareness returned, and he turned to Norma, who was beside him, saying, "We have a lead; it should be in the place where Blood Crystals are produced."

Norma, puzzled, inquired, "Blood Crystal? What is that?"

Enzo was also unfamiliar with the term, but after spending a sum of gold Kafen, they successfully gathered information from a merchant.

The merchant, speaking in a hushed tone, revealed, "Kid, by asking me, you've struck gold! Others charge exorbitant fees or provide false information; I'm the only one kind enough to share the real scoop for just one hundred gold Kafen."

"Enough with the chatter." Enzo urged.

With a chuckle, the merchant continued, "The Blood Crystal is the core of the Blood Puppet deep within Blood Shadow Canyon. These Blood Puppets are immensely powerful and possess immunity to certain spells. If you intend to hunt for a Blood Crystal, it's wise to gather a few companions.

And be sure to have a Potion Master, for once a Blood Puppet perishes, the Blood Crystal cannot be preserved for long—it must be swiftly crafted into a Potion or undergo special processing."

It was undeniable that the merchant's information was remarkably detailed, as if he had experienced it firsthand.

Having learned the news, and since their quest was not specifically for the Blood Crystal, Enzo and Norma opted not to seek out any supposed teammates, choosing instead to venture directly into the depths of Blood Shadow Canyon.

Along the way, although they encountered some formidable supernatural creatures, the powerful aura emanating from Norma prompted these beings to graciously clear the path for them.

Before long, the two of them successfully reached the heart of the canyon.

In the depths of the canyon, the expanse remained vast, teeming with various supernatural creatures.

Yet amidst this, there were still a number of humans present.

Enzo and Norma searched diligently but found no trace of the elusive Blood Puppet.

Enzo was compelled to pause and approached an individual who appeared to be resting. The moment the person sensed Enzo's approach, he sprang to his feet, brimming with caution, and inquired, "Halt! What do you intend to do?"

In response, Enzo casually tossed a small pouch towards him.

Within it lay several golden Kafen.

This was a customary practice in Blood Shadow Canyon; to ask questions or seek assistance, one must first offer some Kafen as a display of sincerity.

Enzo's intentions were evidently earnest, and the man's demeanor softened considerably as he asked, "What is it you wish to know?"

Enzo replied, "Where can I find a Blood Puppet?"

"Blood Puppet?" The man's expression transformed into one of astonishment as he scrutinized Enzo for a moment before responding, "You two have never been to Blood Shadow Canyon before, have you?

The Blood Puppet is a unique creature of this realm, not born of nature but seemingly crafted by human hands. The core of a Blood Puppet, the Blood Crystal, holds significant value, which led to the extermination of all Blood Puppets many years ago."

"To seek these Blood Puppets now, unless you can traverse back in time, is futile."

"However." the man continued, "If your aim is merely to broaden your horizons, I can guide you to a certain location. The path there is convoluted, and without a guide, it is nearly impossible to find. Yet, this would incur an additional fee."

Enzo furrowed his brow and asked, "What is the cost for your guidance?"

The man smiled and replied, "Five hundred golden Kafen."

This was a steep price.

However, the affluent Enzo appeared unfazed as he counted the quantity before tossing the sum to the man.

Receiving the handful of golden Kafen, the man's smile brightened even further, and his demeanor grew more amiable as he led Enzo and Norma down a broad path, eventually pointing to a colossal stone carving. "This is a statue of the Blood Puppet."

Enzo's expression darkened.

What lay before him was merely a massive rock, far from being a statue.

Enzo challenged, "Are you mocking me?"

Detecting the anger lacing Enzo's tone, the man remained unperturbed, his smile vanishing as he retorted, "Kid, I'm merely offering you a friendly warning. In the realm of Crimson Lake, trust no one! Consider this money your tuition fee."

With that, the man turned to leave.

Yet Norma was quicker, stepping into his path.

Unfazed, the man surveyed Norma and Enzo with a dismissive glance, scoffing, "After all these years, you two are the only ones brave enough to obstruct me!"

In an instant, a potent aura erupted from him.

His figure transformed, swelling like that of a massive bear.

The intensity of his presence drew the attention of several onlookers, who quietly gathered, murmuring among themselves.

"Two unfortunate souls stumbling upon this madman."

Curious individuals unfamiliar with Blood Shadow Canyon inquired, "Madman? Is there a story behind that?"

Suddenly, someone explained, "The formidable giant bear, Bernard, is immensely powerful, yet he delights in masquerading as a feeble being. Should anyone attempt to seize what he possesses, he will seize the opportunity to reveal his true strength and eliminate the aggressor.

However, if one encounters him without a greedy heart, two fates await: either they will be ruthlessly slaughtered, or they will be cast into the abyss of Blood Shadow Canyon, where they will be consumed by the ravenous insects."

"Aren't those outcomes essentially the same? Aren't they both death?"

"What else could it be? That beast revels in the act of killing."

Those familiar with the situation mourned for Enzo and Norma.

Despite many recognizing Norma's formidable prowess, the giant bear, Bernard, was far from an ordinary adversary.

The battle was about to erupt.

Bernard, in a frenzy, charged straight at Enzo.

In the next moment, Norma unleashed a spatial blade, striking his form, yet it merely carved a shallow wound upon him, failing to inflict significant damage.

This, however, irrefutably provoked Bernard's wrath.

He turned to Norma, coldly stating, "I had considered sparing your life, allowing you a taste of the pleasures of the flesh, but your desire to kill me has rendered that impossible. Thus, you shall meet your demise!"

The formidable giant bear, Bernard, shifted his focus, attacking Norma.

Norma retorted with scorn, "Kill me? You seek your own death!"

Previously, Norma might have weighed her options, attempting to best Bernard through alternative means.

However, now armed with the spatial element pattern that Enzo had discerned, her command over spatial elemental power had vastly improved—surpassing even Enzo himself in this regard.