Chapter 123: The Blood Pool

As Holmes, Relis, Lorinka, and the others watched, they had a deeper understanding of what it meant to be a five-element caster. However, Capes, Kathleen, and even Mage Damber looked on in stunned silence as Merlin moved effortlessly among the Dark Blood Bats, slaughtering them as though they posed no threat at all.

"So this is the true power of a spellcaster? Mage Merlin is so powerful… more powerful than anyone I've ever seen!" Capes remarked with genuine awe.

Mage Damber glanced at Holmes, then shook his head slightly. He had initially thought Holmes was the strongest among them, but Merlin's sudden display made it clear that he was the most powerful one present.

*Crack.*

Merlin froze yet another Dark Blood Bat, using Thunder Web to paralyze them and Freeze to shatter them one by one. Though surrounded by an overwhelming number of Dark Blood Bats, he remained unthreatened.

It was a one-sided massacre. However, Merlin was concerned about the sheer number of bats. Since Freeze was not a wide-area spell, he couldn't take down all the bats one at a time before exhausting his magic.

Looking to Holmes, he called out, "Mage Holmes, my Thunder Web has paralyzed the bats. Your Ice Burst spell would be perfect right now!"

Holmes snapped out of his thoughts, looking at Merlin with a complex expression. While he doubted Merlin would ever advance to a Level One caster, he couldn't deny Merlin's current superiority.

Wasting no time, Holmes acknowledged the need for cooperation. With Merlin's Thunder Web paralyzing the bats, his Ice Burst would be highly effective.

*Boom, boom, boom!*

Holmes unleashed nearly ten Ice Burst spells in rapid succession, blasting a large section of Dark Blood Bats into shards and creating a clear area in front of him.

"Screech, screech."

More screeches echoed from within the caves, and the remaining bats, no longer paralyzed by Thunder Web, turned and retreated back into the darkness.

Merlin had used Thunder Web four or five times, depleting a significant amount of his magical energy. Though he had used an elemental crystal to enhance his dark-based spells, he could only cast Thunder Web about twenty times before running out of power.

Seeing the bats retreat, he ceased casting Thunder Web.

As the web dissipated, the mass of bats withdrew into the dark caves, leaving the area eerily silent.

Holmes observed the two caves before them, hesitating briefly before turning to the group. "There are two caves. Let's split into two teams. I'll go with Relis into the left cave. The rest of you, take the right."

Since Merlin and Holmes came from different towers, they had no formal alliance outside of this mission. It was expected that Holmes would team up with Relis in the face of potential danger.

Merlin exchanged a glance with Lorinka, who nodded in agreement with Holmes's plan.

"Alright, we'll go on ahead," Holmes said, leading Relis into the left cave.

Turning to Capes and Kathleen, Merlin frowned. "The cave is dangerous. With your strength, you won't be able to help much. It's best if you wait here."

Kathleen, however, quickly protested, "Mage Merlin, my father is in there. Let us come with you. We'll stay back and won't cause any trouble."

Capes appeared more cautious, initially intending to follow Merlin's advice, but Kathleen's plea left him looking to Merlin for guidance.

Merlin scowled slightly, knowing Kathleen's adventurous spirit. These two, though lacking strength, seemed adept at finding trouble.

His tone cooled as he replied, "It's likely there are further dangers inside. I can save you once or twice, but I may not be able to a third time. If you insist on coming, stay behind."

Without waiting for a response, Merlin turned and entered the right cave.

---

Deep within the dim cave lay a large stone chamber, with a tall altar at its center. Atop the altar stood a small, silver-haired old man, his face lined with wrinkles.

The silver-haired man was frowning, staring at a massive pool of red liquid below the altar—a blood pool that exuded a sickening stench.

Within the blood pool, something lurked beneath the surface. Bubbles rose and burst, as though the pool were boiling.

"It's still not enough. I need the fresh blood of a thousand more people," the silver-haired man muttered. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he looked up as though sensing something.

"So, the Dark Spirit Realm has finally sent people. It's about time. Three months, and they're just now responding… Once I deal with these spellcasters, it'll be time to move."

Speaking to himself, the old man's expression grew twisted. He gestured toward a series of stone pillars surrounding the blood pool.

Each pillar had a person bound to it, their hands and feet nailed to the stone in a gruesome manner. Strangely, no blood flowed from their wounds.

With a flick of his withered hand, the silver-haired man pointed to one of the pillars. Instantly, a larger-than-average Dark Blood Bat appeared, grabbed the victim from the pillar, and tossed them into the blood pool.

*Gurgle, gurgle.*

The victim's screams echoed briefly before they were fully submerged in the blood pool.

"Come forth, my treasures," the silver-haired man chanted, his immense mental power extending into the depths of the blood pool.

*Splash.*

The pool churned, and two massive Dark Blood Bats, their entire bodies stained a deep blood-red, emerged from the crimson liquid.

"Go, my beauties. A feast awaits you," the old man hissed with a twisted smile.

With a screech, the two monstrous bats flew swiftly down the dark tunnels, heading toward their unsuspecting prey.