parentshiftbook Chapter 823 - 397: Durger Clan (Part 2)
Chapter 823 - 397: Durger Clan (Part 2)
She thought for a moment and started another topic: "However, this Holy Object should really help.""Yes," Li Ang nodded, "Not much else to say, but when Zoe communicates with the Molten Mountain Star Soul, this Holy Object can amplify her connection with the Star Soul."
After putting away the statue, Li Ang picked up the piece of paper beneath the appraisal certificate.
Both he and the Dragon Witch were stunned.
It wasn’t just a piece of paper, but a photograph.
The photo wasn’t old, it seemed to have been taken recently, and it was a group photo of many people.
After observing a bit closely, the two found Mort in the upper right corner of the photo, and this group of people were impeccably dressed, distinguished-looking Beast-Earkin, with similar colored hair.
"It’s a family photo," Li Ang said.
Farina looked at the photo seriously, then a gentle smile appeared on her face.
Seeing her like this, Li Ang understood she noticed something and waited for her to speak herself.
After looking for a while, the witch tidied her fiery red hair and pointed to an elderly Beast-Earkin woman in the center of the photo.
From the central position of this elderly woman, she was obviously the eldest and most respected elder in the family.
After Farina pointed out the old woman, she also indicated several other people, and at her fingertips, Li Ang noticed the differences.
Although this family were all Beast-Earkin, and their hair colors similar, differences were clear.
A small number of them had purple fur, thick tails, and long and broad ears, but the majority were like Mort, with medium-sized ears and hair of mixed blue and purple.
The only exception was the family’s matriarch, whose hair turned white much slower than other races after aging, so her dark blue hair and short, round ears could be seen clearly.
In this way, the bloodline of this family was evident.
It was precisely this matriarch who combined with another branch of the purple-furred Beast-Earkin, and from her originated several bloodlines like Mort’s.
This elderly person had characteristics entirely consistent with the Beast-Earkin of Othella.
The surname Durger from Othella was passed down to Mort, indicating that this old woman was not only the matriarch but the actual Family Head.
"Didn’t Mort say that after persuading Othella, he would open the box? It seems the real key isn’t the statue, but this photo." Farina chuckled.
Flipping the photo over, there was more writing on the back.
"Durger Family Group Photo, Guild Calendar Year 299, July 4th, taken at Silver Radiance Castle on Chester Island."
Li Ang closed the box and put the photo away.
"Looks like Mort regretted it a lot after failing to persuade Othella."
Farina laughed, "This is indeed a key item, but it seems it’s not yet the time."
"Hmm, I’ll find the opportunity," Li Ang nodded.
Othella stayed on the Eternal Summer, and after everyone discussed the route to find the Molten Mountain Star Soul, it was time to rest.
The enthusiastic girls, led by Zoe, took her to a guest room, but there were too many Purgatory Spirits, and the Eternal Summer couldn’t accommodate them all, so except for Mesa and two others, the other Fire Spirits did not stay and returned to the surface.
It was then the Star Flower Travel Corps realized that the Purgatory Spirits usually hid within the lava, which helped stabilize their forms.
Since Othella was overly introverted, after settling her down, Li Ang instructed others not to disturb her and to prepare for the action the next day.
Even though the Blue haired Maiden and the Purgatory Spirits hardly needed to sleep, they still had to stabilize their forms through rest. Othella required more time than them but needed only four to five hours a day, equivalent to a very energetic human who doesn’t sleep much.
The next morning, after a simple rest, the Eternal Summer went into combat mode, rising in altitude, and flying over the crater of a volcano.
The girls had only seen such scenes when descending in height before, but actually heading towards an active volcano was a first.
"Ugh, I can’t take it anymore!"
Livi’s pink hair had started to curl up, and her pink-blue dress no longer fluttered. Although the surrounding temperature was high, it wasn’t enough to curl everyone’s hair. It was just that her appearance was an illusion of the Sea Serpent’s power, showing that she was heavily suppressed.
With Li Ang’s help, Livi summoned a large amount of water to form a mist, covering the entire deck of the Eternal Summer. She continuously exerted her power to keep the mist at a low temperature.
Even so, everyone still felt the heat attacking them.
"R-really going down there?" Dorothy swallowed.
"Afraid? Didn’t you always say you couldn’t die?" Zoe sneered at her.
"Can’t die, but not sure what’ll happen if burnt by lava! You can’t go in either, so stop talking!" Dorothy retorted with a temper.
"S-sorry, but this is the only way..." Othella whispered.
"I can do it, as long as I save Hedaya, get her power and transform, I can do it," Zoe said confidently.
"Let’s figure out how to get closer first," Andasu suggested.
White Wolf, who was steering, was also very nervous at the moment. The fierce heat was generating strong updrafts, and the surging lava that had accumulated power could erupt at any moment. Currently, the Eternal Summer would be severely damaged if hit by lava, so she was on high alert to dodge and navigate the ship.
Othella managed to raise her voice a bit: "From here on, you need to master the Power of Fire to..."
"Can the Salamanders go down, Captain?" Dorothy turned to look at Li Ang.
"They should be able to, they’re so..."
"Everyone, stop arguing."
Li Ang flicked each forehead: "Listen to Othella carefully."
The surroundings quieted down, and Othella finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Her Existence Weakening passive skill seemed to come from nowhere; if Li Ang hadn’t remembered in advance, he wouldn’t notice her quiet voice at all.
Her voice was quite cute, but it also easily turned into a situation where she was being bullied, even if others didn’t mean to.
"Without sufficient fire protection, it’s really hard to go down. I’m fine along with Mesa and others, but for you all..."
Farina simply cast a signal spell, and the Blazing Winged Dragon flew out from the bottom compartment of the ship, crossing the ship’s side and landing on the deck.
The large Flying Dragon startled Othella and the Purgatory Spirits.
"Eek! Don’t, don’t eat me!"
Othella trembled and shrank into the corner.
"This is our companion, not a hostile Demon," ALulu rushed to reassure the beast eared maiden.
"Is it..."
Seeing the Blazing Winged Dragon affectionately nudge Farina, Othella relaxed.
"If it’s this Dragon, it should be able to go in, how, how many people can it carry?"
The night before, Othella had explained the passage to the Molten Mountain Star Soul’s dwelling. It was the tunnel within this crater, and apart from here, no other cave on the island led directly to the Star Palace of the Giant Bull; they could only enter the cavities filled with lava.
Of course, the bottom of the Inner Sea was also an option, but none had the ability to dive into the boiling deep waters, where boiling water mixed with pressure and a chaotic magic flow equated to continuous external assaults below the Excellence Realm, for which the Star Flower Travel Corps currently lacked the ability to traverse.
The crater’s passage didn’t require direct entry into the volcano; it just penetrated the island’s rock layer. Though the temperature was high, it could be resisted if not directly harmed by lava.
"For optimal mobility, about three people," Farina said.
Though the Blazing Winged Dragon could carry everyone, to ensure everyone could sit securely and engage in combat when needed, it was best suited for three people considering its slender body.
"Then the others rely on the Salamanders. We won’t have everyone go in. This isn’t a decisive battle, in terrain advantageous to the opponent, we must consider retreating at any moment."
In Li Ang’s mind, the upcoming action was for communication, not for battle. If it were to be a life-and-death struggle, he had other plans ready.
The Volcanic System’s power allowed the Fire Feathered Lizards to evolve into Great Salamanders. Even in boiling lava, they were fine if they didn’t stay long.
Those entering the Star Palace decided by the Star Flower Travel Corps included Li Ang, Farina, Meimei, Zoe, and ALulu. ALulu’s Monster Strength could be pivotal in some situations and could also protect Zoe, so Li Ang brought her along too.
Othella and the Purgatory Spirits had no problem passing through the tunnel; they only worried that the Molten Mountain Star Soul would try to devour them.
As the Blazing Winged Dragon carried people towards the crater, three Salamanders jumped into the boiling lava from the hatch.
They maintained their balance to prevent lava from touching the saddles, waiting for Li Ang and Meimei to jump onto their backs.
The temperature at the crater was somewhat high for them; the three large lizards vigorously followed the direction of the Blazing Winged Dragon led by Othella, entering the rock fissures on the crater’s inner side.