Chapter 1260 — Reactions
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 5
That distinctive blue energy signature, the location and timing of its appearance, and more importantly, the reactions of the two wyrmlings—all this information together made Gao Cen realize in an instant what exactly the sentry captain had discovered: a deep-blue magic scar.
"Where did you find this thing?" Metzen reacted just as quickly, her gaze fixed straight on the tall sentry captain. "How many more are out there?"
"We found these marks in the area south of the outpost and in the hills extending toward the eastern inland region. Not many, but they are densely clustered, spread out roughly in a belt," the sentry captain answered at once. "The affected objects are mostly this kind of stone, but we also found similar impressions on some metal debris. Beyond that, it is hard to say—it lies outside our current area of control."
Noretta stood to one side, her expression grave. Having listened up to this point, she could no longer hold back and looked at Metzen. "What do you make of it? These marks..."
Metzen did not speak, but turned her gaze to Gao Yang, who was deep in thought with his brows tightly knit. Only after noticing Metzen's look did he slowly break the silence. "These marks are probably the 'evidence' left behind by changes in the deep-blue leyline network. It may also be the reason the wyrmlings resonate and grow restless toward the western coast. But right now we have no evidence linking the deep-blue magic scars to the Tower of the Countercurrent Tide... Nor can I imagine what connection could be established between the two."
Metzen unconsciously looked toward the tall tower standing out at sea beneath the deep night. "So we are heading to that tower next, is that it?"
"Not 'we'—you and Noretta will stay aboard the Wintercold for now, and the other dragon warriors will stay too," Gao Yang shook his head. "Amber and I, the two of us will go in first."
"The two of you?" Metzen's eyes went wide at once. "The situation inside that tower is unknown. Are you sure you do not need Noretta and me as guards? And besides..."
"The greatest danger in that tower is not a simple 'threat of force'—it is the corruption of the Countercurrent Tide," Gao Yang shook his head before Metzen could finish. "Both Amber and I have resistance to divine erosion, and... I do not know whether Hragor or Anqian has mentioned this to you, but there is a certain connection between me and the legacy of the Pathfinders. Apart from the two of us, any ordinary person approaching that tower could be corrupted. This is not something that can be solved by sheer strength alone."
At this he smiled, his tone carrying confidence. "And speaking of 'sheer strength'... do not forget that my own abilities are the stuff of legend. I am not yet at the point of needing someone else's protection while exploring a tower."
"So all of you will stay here as support, keeping watch on activity around the tower and on any word Amber and I send back. If something really does come running out of that tower... you must intercept it."
"...All right," Metzen thought it over and found she had no grounds to argue. She could only give a slight nod. "Then we will stay aboard the Wintercold and wait for your word. But how do you and Amber plan to get there? And how do you plan to send word back? It is six nautical miles from here to that tower. If neither the Wintercold nor the dragon flights can approach..."