Chapter 325: Leaving for the Tomb

Long silver white hair, deep purple eyes, and that distinctive black and purple combat uniform. Naturally, it could only be Nadia Voss.

"You’re out."

Seeing him approach, Nadia straightened up, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"How did you know I was here?"

Zich raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down.

"Don’t tell me you’ve been following me?"

"What are you thinking?"

Nadia rolled her eyes at him.

"I asked Helen earlier, and she told me you were discussing something with president Arthur, so I came straight here."

"I see."

Only then did Zich nod. For a moment, he had genuinely thought this woman was secretly following him. After all, given Nadia’s personality, even if she really did something like that, Zich wouldn’t find it particularly surprising.

"Alright, enough about that."

Nadia clearly had no intention of explaining further. She reached into her storage space and took out a black wooden box about the size of her palm.

"I came here today to tell you some good news."

With that, she opened the box.

Inside lay three thumb sized black crystals. Their surfaces were covered in irregular fracture marks, making them look like fragments forcibly broken off from a larger object.

"The remaining materials have all arrived."

Hearing this, Zich became interested.

"When are we leaving?"

"This afternoon. As long as you’re ready, we can leave whenever you want."

"That soon?"

"What? You don’t want to?"

Nadia looked at him with a faintly teasing smile.

"I thought you’d be in more of a hurry. After all, your Second Layer Ascension Quest is still waiting for you. You can’t possibly intend to stay in the First Shelter forever, can you?"

"That’s true."Zich didn’t deny it.

He really had no intention of wasting any more time in the First Shelter. With that thought, he turned his attention back to the three black crystals.

"What exactly are these things used for?"

"Repairing the outer spatial anchor points."

Nadia explained, "The entrance to the ancient tomb was originally protected by a spatial seal. These three fragments can reactivate the outer spatial anchor points. Once the passage stabilizes, we’ll finally be able to reach the seal inside."

Having said that, she closed the wooden box again.

"However, after that, we’ll have to rely on your Bone Dragon."

"Will she need to release her full power?"

Zich frowned slightly.

If it were merely an ordinary battle, he wouldn’t have any concerns. However, Tiamant’s royal bloodline was still restricted by the rules of the First Layer. Forcibly stimulating that power could potentially damage her soul.

"Of course not."

Nadia shook her head.

"If that seal could be opened through brute force alone, the Voss family wouldn’t have been stuck there for so many years. What can truly unlock the seal is the royal bloodline flowing through your Bone Dragon."

Hearing this, Zich finally relaxed a little.

As long as Tiamant didn’t need to forcibly break through the seal, things would be much easier.

"By the way, the conditions we agreed upon earlier haven’t changed, right?"

Nadia seemed to have anticipated this question. Hearing it, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Don’t worry. Our agreement still stands. As long as there’s anything inside the ancient tomb suitable for your summons, you’ll have first priority in choosing it. Furthermore, the cost of these three spatial fragments won’t be deducted from your share of the rewards."

"Then there’s no problem."

Zich’s expression became much friendlier.

Seeing his reaction, Nadia couldn’t help shaking her head.

"I knew you’d say that."

"When are we meeting?"

"Two hours from now. East Gate."

Nadia put away the wooden box.

"The family’s airship is already waiting outside. You’d better make your preparations in advance. After all, once we enter that place, no one knows what we might encounter."

After briefly confirming a few more details, Nadia turned and left to continue arranging matters related to the ancient tomb exploration.

Zich remained where he was, watching her figure disappear at the end of the corridor before turning toward his room.

However, before setting off, there was still one thing he needed to personally confirm.

...

Pitch black rain fell continuously from the sky.

Within the Graveyard, rows of tombstones stood silently in the darkness, surrounded by a cold and ancient atmosphere.

Zich walked along the familiar path, his gaze sweeping over the tombstones until it finally settled on the enormous tombstone belonging to Tiamant.

As he approached, the vast consciousness sleeping deep within the tombstone seemed to sense its master’s arrival. In the previously silent darkness, a pair of enormous eyes slowly opened.

"Tiamant."

Zich stopped walking.

"Today, we’re going to an ancient tomb. There’s a seal there that requires your royal bloodline to open."

As soon as he finished speaking, a deep thought was transmitted through their soul contract.

Sensing her response, Zich showed little surprise and continued, "But let me make something clear first. Opening the entrance is fine, but if that seal tries to forcibly draw out the bloodline power currently sealed within you, stop immediately. Don’t try to endure it."

He hadn’t forgotten that Tiamant’s current condition was far from complete.

Although she possessed terrifying potential as an Ancient Bone Dragon, the restrictions imposed by the First Layer still existed. In particular, her royal bloodline, which had yet to fully recover, couldn’t be used recklessly.

Damaging Tiamant’s soul foundation just to open an ancient tomb would be a terrible bargain, and Zich naturally had no intention of making such a loss.

"If we really can’t open it, we’ll think of another way."

Hearing this, the vast consciousness deep within the tombstone fluctuated slightly. Immediately afterward, a low dragon roar slowly echoed through the darkness.

Clearly, Tiamant understood what he meant.

Since he had already promised to take Tiamant much further, there was no way he would destroy her foundation before they had even left the First Layer.

After confirming Tiamant’s condition, Zich was just about to leave when a familiar sound suddenly came from beside his feet.

"Bo!"

A small blue figure bounced out from who knew where. Its round body bounced twice against the ground before stretching upward with all its might, as though afraid Zich might fail to notice it.

Zich lowered his head and glanced at it.

"Alright, I know. I’ll bring you along too."

"Bo!"

Slimy immediately became excited, its entire body bouncing against the ground several more times.

...

Two hours later.

First Shelter, East Gate.

When Zich arrived at the agreed location, a silver white airship was already docked outside the city gates. Its enormous hull gleamed faintly with a metallic sheen beneath the sunlight, while several Voss family guards dressed in matching combat uniforms stood around it.

Nadia had already been waiting for some time.

Seeing Zich arrive, she simply nodded and led him aboard the airship. Although the guards responsible for security all turned to look at him, none stepped forward to disturb them.

Before long, accompanied by a low rumble, the airship slowly rose into the sky.