Original God's Dark Priest

Chapter 937 The Ritual of the Brave 1

Before setting off, Manco didn't forget to give a brief explanation: "What Lord Vulcan told you before is that to remove the Flame Lord's blessing mark, you need to bring two necessary tokens to the volcano. We're heading to the first one now."

However, there are conditions for getting in there.

"Oh? What are the conditions? Are they very harsh?" Saffir asked curiously.

Beidou has now adapted to her body and accepted the fact that she has become a little dragon. As Saphir's dragon partner Karmos, she and Krest walked forward one after the other, shaking their heads.

Manco gave Saffir a deep look, then chuckled: "No need to worry, this is very simple for Lady Aurora and Miss Ying."

To bring their dragon companions to the volcano for baptism and to wash away the Flame Lord's blessing, they must obtain the approval of their respective tribal leaders.

Miss Ying's Krest is a Ridge Dragon, and she needs Paggal's approval.

"So, Karmos is a Velvet Wyvern, and I need to gain the approval of the leader of the Flower Feather Society, Mutota?" Saffir suddenly realized. "It seems I'll have to make a trip to the Flower Feather Society later."

Manco nodded: "I think this is not a problem for you at all."

Paggal, who had been standing quietly to the side, took two steps forward: "In the past few hundred years, there have been many warriors who have tried to free their dragon companions from this bloodline... which is more like a curse than a blessing."

But no one succeeded…which is why the tribe gradually abandoned this tradition later on.”

"Not a single person has succeeded?" Paimon was shocked, and in an instant, he felt that this matter was extremely dangerous.

Pagal agreed with Paimon's idea: "Yes, it is that dangerous. Moreover, it is said that in the trials before obtaining the token, not only the warriors who decide to go will be tested, but even the dragon companions themselves will be tested."

Therefore, the original purpose of establishing this rule, which required the approval of the tribal chief, was to prevent warriors from going to their deaths. Those who were not strong enough were better off giving up to avoid losing their lives.

“Things may be harsh, but if you can’t even beat me, then there’s really no point in throwing your life away,” Saffir said thoughtfully.

Pagal coughed forcefully: "Lady Aurora is really blunt... I'm a little hurt."

Paggal is a bearded man with sunglasses. Although he looks unremarkable, his strength is among the top of the Echoes... Now he should be ranked third, because Kazina has become stronger and he can't beat her, and he can't beat Shinonin either.

Even so, Paggal's strength should not be underestimated. The tribal leaders of Nata are not elected, but are chosen through actual strength.

If you want to become a leader, you have to subdue everyone first.

Pagar is an old leader. He was the leader of the Echoing Children before Shinonin and Kazina came of age. Because he was still in his prime, he did not retire. Otherwise, Shinonin would probably be the leader now.

Although Shinonin would never become the leader.

Yingwei nodded slightly: "No wonder Mavica said to send it to the Echoing Children for you to handle. In fact, everyone who tries to go there will receive the same advice."

“That’s right, we will try to persuade every warrior who tries to go to the volcano, and what Lord Vulcan meant by ‘dealing with’ is not actually getting rid of her, but having the Echoing Children take care of her until the day she dies.” Pagal said something that reassured Luminous and Paimon.

Saffir suddenly spoke up: "But as you know, only those who are not afraid of challenges are qualified to be warriors. If someone gives up because of advice, then such a person is not qualified to be a dragon's partner."

"There really are traps everywhere." Paimon patted his chest with lingering fear.

As she relaxed, Saffir added insult to injury: "But then Krest won't be able to grow up."

Upon hearing this, Krest, who had been chasing after Karmos, stopped and tilted his head to look in their direction.

Seeing the little guy looking over, Saffir chuckled, "It seems it doesn't want this."

Ying made up her mind: "No matter what, I have to try! I can't give up!"

"Are you sure?" Paggal asked to confirm.

Ying nodded seriously: "I'm sure."

Pagal then looked at Krest: "And you, little guy?"

"Hey!" Krist struck a pose full of energy, clearly ready to accept the challenge.

Upon seeing their choice, Paggal laughed and clapped his hands: "Excellent! Such unwavering eyes, so firm, yet you can feel the fire within them. Truly a fine fellow, just like a piece of pyrite!"

Okay! Then I'll admit you're qualified to make a pilgrimage to the volcano!

There's no need to test their strength anymore. Neither Ying nor Saffir are people he can mess with. Knowing they're unwilling to give up is enough; he can't stop the rest.

With Ying's eligibility secured, Saffir wasn't in a hurry. After all, the volcano wasn't a place she could visit anytime soon, so she could just get on the train first and buy the ticket later. She could also visit Mutota later when she passed through Huayu.

Despite his thoughts, that night, Saffir still made time to go to the Flower Feather Society, found Mutota, and beat him up without saying a word.

Mutota was completely bewildered when he got a beating, and his dragon companion was also chased and pecked bald by a small velvety pterosaur.

Completely bewildered, Mutota was still wondering if he had somehow offended this lord when he returned to the tribe and found a note left by Saphir on the table. It read:

"Dear leader of the Flower Feather Guild, my dragon companion has been marked with the Blessing of the Flame Lord, so I need to go to the volcano. I heard that I need the leader's approval to go there. Unfortunately, my companion happens to be a Velvet Winged Dragon, so I apologize for any offense caused!"

I'll take the tribal chief's certificate! As compensation, here's a token of my trust; feel free to ask if you need anything in the future!

—From your sincere Aurora.

Next to the letter was a dagger-shaped keepsake, and on the paper was a handprint left by a small pterosaur claw. On the ground next to the table was a pile of granular fruits, which were for the dragon companion.

Having figured everything out, Mutota was extremely frustrated: "Isn't getting recognition a simple matter of saying a few words? Why did they have to come all the way here to beat me up? Could I have stopped them?"

Looking at his companion's bald head, he felt a pang of sadness.

In the end, they had no choice but to accept it, and took the pile of granules as compensation for their partner.

He carefully put away the token left by Saffir. It was a valuable item that could save his life in a critical moment. Fortunately, it wasn't a complete loss, and Mutota's mood improved considerably.

Returning to the Son of Echoes, having received the leader's confirmation from Paggal, Ying looked at Manco, awaiting his next hint.

Manco thought she was asking him what the thing was called, so he said, "This is Vasaklahubak's amulet, also known as the amulet of the Fire-Stealing Sage."

“I can’t remember this name, it’s too hard to pronounce.” Paggal’s face contorted in pain upon hearing the name. “But I remember, it’s from after the Fire Dragon King died, and the first Fire God was reborn from the flames…”

The Sage Who Stole Fire and the First God of Fire each took a token from the volcano. Whoever obtains both tokens can enter the volcano to purify the fire and remove all curses and calamities.

As he spoke, he frowned slightly: "But... just how long has this Fire-Stealing Sage lived, Brother Manco? It feels like he's lived from the tribal era to the time of Ochikanata..."

His legend is everywhere.

"After all, he was the first human to use phlogiston... a legendary figure, who could turn into anything, right?" Manco was also quite emotional, but he was more accepting of it than Paggal.

He raised his head and looked at the sky: "Some say that he has pulverized his body and soul, becoming one with the wind, earth and flowers of Nata, and can hear the voices of the tribesmen who pray to him for help."

Some say that in every era, different people inherit the name of the Fire-Stealing Sage, generation after generation, and it is even rumored that there are still successors of the Fire-Stealing Sage today.

However, in all my frankness, most of it is merely the narrator's conjecture.

"Hahaha, hearing you say that, the Titu brothers will get angry again." Pagal laughed, then looked at Luminous and Sapphire and their dragon companions, "Alright, enough said, Miss Luminous, Lady Aurora, and Krest and Karmos."

May you soar over every mountain peak like the bird with the strongest wings;

May you be able to withstand the torrents of the fiercest waves, just like the strongest rock.

May you be undaunted by hardship, for the world is destined to be full of difficulties.

May you never forget each other, for fate inevitably brings separation.

I wish you all the best in reaching your destination and achieving your goals... and most importantly, and this is what I hope for most, I wish you a safe return.

“I will,” Ying said first.

Krist responded enthusiastically.

Carmos glanced at Eiffel, and Saffir looked at Carmos in return, then chuckled, "Thank you for your kind words, Chief Pagar."

Carmos then responded happily.

This made Saffir shake his head inwardly. Did Beidou really think of himself as a child?

Beidou initially found it difficult to accept her identity, but when she realized that no one except Saffir knew who she was, she could completely play the role of a young velvet pterosaur and act childishly without restraint.

She has never had such an experience in her life because she did not have a happy childhood.

Does this current change mean that she has gained a complete childhood?

Beidou didn't know, she just suddenly felt that this was not bad. At least during the time she was a Carmos, she was not the captain, not the boss, and had no responsibilities on her shoulders, nor did she need to be responsible for anyone's life or future.

She was very relaxed, even…

She stole a glance at Saffir; she could still act cute with this guy. This was something that would never have happened before, but now it seemed perfectly natural.

Thinking this, she leaped into Saffir's arms and leaned lazily against his arm.

"Hmm? Are you tired?" Saffir caught Carmos and stroked her fur.

Carmos didn't answer, but simply nuzzled against Saffir's barren chest, which wasn't large and was even a little uncomfortable, but it was warm.

“It’s very dependent on you.” Manco smiled like an aunt.

Saffir didn't think much of it and just hugged Carmos.

It's my own dragon, so spoiling it a little isn't a big deal.

Seeing that Karmos had taken his place, and noticing that Pagal had bestowed blessings upon everyone else except himself, Paimon quickly stepped forward: "What about me? Did I receive any blessings?"

"Oh right, as for little Paimon... uh... then I wish little Paimon good food and drink, plenty of sleep, and that he grows up healthy!" Pagar improvised a blessing.

Ying immediately looked at her friend with a teasing expression: "Can Paimon still grow up?"

"Of course! When the time comes, I'll definitely grow into a Paimon the size of three mountains to show you!" Paimon said confidently, then added with a smug look, "Hmph, well then I'll reluctantly accept this blessing!"

Seeing that everyone was satisfied, Pagal clapped his hands and said, "Alright, the witnessing ceremony is over. Before you set off, I must say again: be careful!"

“Okay, we know. Goodbye, Paggal!” Paimon waved to Paggal and said goodbye.

Saffir, holding Carmos, nodded slightly to him.

The group then followed Manco to retrieve the token left behind by the Fire-Stealing Sage.

The ruins weren't far, just outside the Echo Child, a little to the east of the Sulfur Crystal Branch. The group arrived at the location of the ruins after walking for a short while.

This is a place resembling an altar, located between two cliffs. Upon arrival, the first thing you see is not a stone tablet or an entrance, but a pack of beast hounds entrenched here.

Manco was startled when he saw the beast-like hounds: "What's going on? How can there be monsters from the abyss?!"

It's no wonder he was so agitated; the pain the Abyss had inflicted on the Nata people was too profound, especially for someone like Manco who had just fought a major battle.

Saffir looked at the beast-hunting hounds ahead without worry: "What's the panic? Aren't Ying and I here? They're just a few puppies; they can't cause any trouble."

Hearing Saphir's voice, Manco recovered from his shock: "Oh right, I almost forgot, Lady Aurora is an expert in dealing with the Abyss."

“It’s not that bad.” Saffir waved his hand. “Fire, go and take them down.”

Ying immediately drew her weapon, and with a flash of light, the Light Demon Sword Slinger appeared in her hand. This thing was the most effective against abyssal monsters.

The radiance, accompanied by the sound of thunder, reverberated around the ruins. In no time, the pack of beast-like hounds was completely wiped out by Ying.

After defeating the monster, Ying clapped her hands: "Done, mission accomplished!"

"Wow, that's amazing!" Manco was stunned. He no longer had the aid of the Resurrection Poem and Saphir's Prayer - Angelic Hymn, and he wasn't confident he could defeat these monsters.

But now, Ying has wiped out these guys all by herself with just a sword. Her strength is astonishing.

Saffir patted him on the shoulder: "Hey buddy, stop looking, let's move on to the next step."

"Oh right, I almost forgot the important matter." Manco immediately snapped back to reality, walked to the altar, and after a brief observation, pointed to a groove and said, "Miss Ying, put the evidence we obtained from Paggal here."