Urban Divine Doctor Descends the Mountain Chapter 2929 - 2928: Dark Gate

Witnessing the departure of the three Dragon Country warriors, individuals from the other two factions chose not to pursue. Instead, a few offered soft taunts. “The warriors of Dragon Country are rather faint of heart,” remarked one bounty hunter. Another chuckled, adding, “Do you suppose every martial artist possesses the extraordinary courage that we bounty hunters display? Perhaps they’ve never grasped the adage, ‘The greater the swell, the larger the fish.’” “Indeed, the timid are destined for mediocrity. While entering this ancient ruin undoubtedly carries peril, the promise of its treasures makes the risk worthwhile.”

They harbored an inflated sense of their own capabilities, erroneously equating the present dangers with those they had previously encountered. Unbeknownst to them, even martial artists of the Heavenly Realm had issued warnings regarding unprecedented perils lurking within. Dracula, observing this unfolding situation, remained reticent.

He cast a glance at the two assembled factions and emitted a low humph. “Since you are intent on proceeding yourselves,” he declared, “do not expect my aid should any misfortune befall you.” With these words, Dracula ascended and moved forward.

Meanwhile, Lin Dong, accompanied by Ye Linglong, also advanced towards the encroaching darkness over the water. From behind, the members of the two factions, their eyes alight with avarice, swiftly followed. They continued their hushed discussions.

The leader of the bounty hunter contingent mused, “It appears our actions have indeed provoked Lord Dracula. If fortune favors us with abundant treasures, offering him a portion might assuage his displeasure and secure his goodwill.” A subordinate countered, “He may not deem it sufficient; perhaps it’s best to simply forget the matter.”

Others expressed a perceived inadequacy in their own strength. “As long as I secure even a single treasure, I shall depart immediately. I shall venture no further,” stated a bounty hunter whose cultivation barely reached Half-Step Earth Realm. “After all, my strength is merely that of a Half-Step Earth Realm martial artist.” This individual’s resolve mirrored those who claim they will cease trading stocks after a modest gain, though the reality often proves otherwise.

Furthermore, he was not alone in holding such sentiments. Within the first faction, the Ancient European Country contingent, several individuals possessing grandmaster-level strength also pressed onward. Their cultivation base was even less formidable than that of the three Dragon Country warriors who had opted for retreat. Their strategy was to merely skirt the periphery of the ancient ruins, trailing behind, acquiring a few minor treasures, and then making a swift exit.

However, as the saying goes, imagination often paints a rosier picture than reality. Dracula, maintaining his silence, forged ahead, leading the expedition. Lin Dong and Ye Linglong maintained a proximity of approximately a hundred meters behind him. The two factions trailed further back, keeping a respectful distance.

As the veil of night deepened, the surrounding waters grew increasingly somber. Dracula, his form obscured by a dark cloak, became a spectral figure against the nocturnal backdrop, guiding the company through this aquatic expanse until they reached a frighteningly dark water region.

This locale, known as the Netherworld Swamp, was reputed to be a cursed expanse dating back to antiquity. Eerie ripples and dark effervescence occasionally breached the surface, giving the distinct impression of countless souls adrift, yearning for liberation.

At the far end of the Netherworld Swamp, a palace materialized indistinctly. It seemed to defy conventional placement, neither firmly rooted on land nor afloat on water, but rather suspended in a liminal void. It presented itself like a captivating mirage, exquisite yet ephemeral. Bathed in the moonlight, the palace’s silhouette pulsed with an ethereal blue luminescence, beckoning exploration while simultaneously instilling a sense of profound dread.

The structure appeared tantalizingly close, yet remained frustratingly out of reach, as if ensconced behind an unseen barrier. Any attempts to breach this defense dissolved into mere fleeting bubbles. “That must undoubtedly be the ancient ruins!” exclaimed one observer. “Remarkable, it is an ancient palace! Such a structure must undoubtedly house a multitude of supreme treasures. Yet, it is peculiar; though it seems directly before us, after enduring this lengthy flight, we still fail to arrive?” “I feel as though treasures are already extending their alluring grasp towards me.”

Behind them, the bounty hunters and the Ancient European Country warriors murmured excitedly, their eyes burning with intensified greed. At this juncture, Dracula, positioned at the vanguard, halted. His profound gaze, alight with sagacity and astuteness, betrayed his intimate knowledge of this treacherous domain. He turned, addressing the assembly in a resonant voice. “The location where that palace is situated constitutes the ancient ruins I previously mentioned, and it is our ultimate destination. However, gaining entry into that palace necessitates overcoming numerous formidable trials.”

Under his subtle guidance, the group arduously navigated the Netherworld Swamp. Each step felt akin to traversing a void, with the pervasive mist and biting cold eliciting involuntary shivers. Upon finally reaching the threshold of the palace, they were confronted by an invisible, obsidian gate, blocking their path—an entrance resembling the maw of an abyss, poised to devour all light and hope.

Dracula's countenance turned grim, and he confided in Lin Dong, "Brother Lin, to infiltrate this palace, this dark gateway must be unsealed. However, the method to achieve this is not readily acquired; its mechanism can only be activated through a blood offering. But fear not, we ourselves shall not be the ones to perform it."

His pronouncement held a chilling indifference, as if the impending sacrifices held no weight in his estimation.

Dracula elaborated, "The moment any individual dares to forcefully interact with this dark gateway, it shall rouse the slumbering General Corpse Slave. These corpse slaves were once the formidable death warriors under the ancient general's banner, transformed into unliving entities possessing combat prowess that vastly surpasses the capabilities of those lesser martial artists trailing behind us."

"They will engage in a merciless slaughter of any intruders, and their fresh lifeblood will serve as the very blood sacrifice we require."

With that declaration, Dracula's gaze swept over the assembled group behind them, where a contingent of martial artists stood in varying states of unease. The air crackled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation on their faces, yet their insatiable desire for treasure or power was too potent to allow them to retreat.

A stark lack of sympathy was evident in Dracula's eyes, as if, in his view, the lives of these individuals were merely instrumental tools, their value negligible in the grand scheme.

Within the encroaching darkness, the silhouette of the palace became increasingly defined, and the previously unseen dark gate appeared to be subtly stirring.

Dracula drew a profound breath, directing his attention towards Lin Dong, and observed that Lin Dong remained standing with an air of placidity.

It was clear that Lin Dong harbored no concern for the lives of the bounty hunters or the warriors from the Ancient European Countries positioned behind them.

Lin Dong had already extended his aid to those three warriors from Dragon Country; as for this contingent comprising warriors from the Ancient European Countries and assorted bounty hunters, Lin Dong was indeed disinclined to offer them salvation.

Since their greed had led them here, they would be compelled to face the repercussions of their avarice.

At this crucial juncture, Dracula bellowed towards them, "All of you, the treasures lie before your very eyes; whether you can attain them rests entirely upon your fortune."

"Charge!" he exclaimed, propelling himself forward towards the ominous dark gate.

Meanwhile, the bounty hunters and those warriors from the Ancient European Countries, their eyes glinting with avarice, surged forward in pursuit of the dark gate.