novelraw Chapter 625: Blood Sacrifice
Chapter 625: Blood Sacrifice
Duke spoke while extending his hand, seemingly trying to use Spiritual Power to touch and perceive those patterns, his gaze focused on studying every detail on the door, as if completely immersed in the puzzle-solving thought process.
However, deep within his perception, the Perception Ability of the Eye of Darkness, like the most sensitive radar, was centered on him, covering every inch of the hall.
The three blood-colored rose Wizards also seemed to be observing the door, but their Spiritual Power fluctuations, in Duke’s perception, were engaging in an extremely subtle yet increasingly rapid frequency of communication.
Moreover, their positioning was undergoing an extremely slow, imperceptible change as Duke focused on researching the door.
The leading Wizard seemed to unconsciously shift his steps, adjusting his observation angle, but in reality, retreated two steps to his right rear, getting closer to Duke’s right rear.
The other two moved slightly to the left front, blocking Duke’s direct path toward the door.
The other moved to the right front, forming an encircling position with the leader, enveloping Duke’s flank and rear.
They moved slowly and naturally, as if merely walking with the adjustment of observation angles.
If Duke hadn’t been secretly vigilant, he would hardly have noticed this subtle, malicious positional adjustment.
The initial distance of ten meters was quietly being shortened by them.
The encirclement was silently tightening.
Duke was aware of these movements but showed nothing on his face.
He continued maintaining the posture of studying the door, even leaning slightly forward for a closer look at the bowl-shaped groove, as if completely unaware of the danger behind him.
The recent high-intensity Witch Array simulated battlefield training was not in vain; these three, although with remarkable presence, were still a bit too immature in Duke’s eyes among Level 1 Crystalized Wizards and did not pose much of a threat to him.
This came from the keen intuition forged by recent high-intensity actual combat, with an almost instinctive ability to judge danger.
"The energy flow of these patterns, ultimately converges to this groove..." Duke seemed to speak to himself, his voice particularly clear in the vast hall, "The material of the groove seems to have a special reaction to Life Energy?"
His words were half true observation, the other half, a test.
Sure enough, the instant his voice fell, he clearly caught the extremely brief spirit exchange behind him, as if reaching a consensus among the three blood-colored rose Wizards.
Immediately after, the leading Wizard spoke in a tone mixed with realization and urgency: "Your insight is keen, we had vaguely sensed it before but did not dare to confirm it. Perhaps truly requiring the injection of a specific Life Energy or a medium containing Life Essence for the sacrifice to activate this door."
His voice was tempting, yet his footsteps unknowingly retreated another half step.
The other two’s encircling stance also completely formed, the three like unsheathed sharp blades, sealing off most of Duke’s escape space except for forcefully breaking through the door.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly shifted from subtle cooperation to a deadly trap ready to spring.
Duke remained facing the huge dark red door resembling blood and the groove seemingly waiting for a sacrifice, as if completely unaware of the murderous atmosphere behind him.
"Blood sacrifice? Using the blood of Level 1 Crystalized Wizards?" He slowly straightened up, no longer pretending to research the door, his voice eerily calm, "No wonder you were so eager to invite a solitary traveler like me, not because you couldn’t find a way to open the door, but because you lack a suitable sacrifice, right?"
The hall fell into a dead silence for a moment.
Subsequently, the leading blood-colored rose Wizard let out a short, cold chuckle, devoid of any previous sincerity or dilemma.
In the shadow under his hood, two scarlet lights suddenly lit up, an undisguised intent to kill and greed.
His voice turned hoarse and cruel: "Indeed, this ancient blood door requires the nourishment of blood containing sufficient Life Essence and Spiritual imprint for activation. The blood of ordinary beasts or low-level Wizards, both quantity and quality are far from enough, a well-conditioned Level 1 Crystalized Wizard is the most excellent sacrifice!"
The other two also simultaneously shed their disguise. Intense blood-colored Magic Power fluctuations surged around them, Witchcraft Artifacts appeared in their hands, a short staff with a skull head, a pair of knives entwined with thorn-like energy tendrils, emitting a nauseating scent of blood and soul-level coldness.
The three formed a triangular formation, completely encircling Duke, blocking all escape routes, the positioning originally meant for cooperation now transformed into a lethal setup.
"Exploring alone, strength unknown, is the most ideal prey." Said the Wizard wielding the skull short staff, licking his lips, eyes full of cruel excitement, "Blame your bad luck for stepping into our turf."
Facing the naked intent to kill and encirclement of three Wizards of the same level, Duke slowly turned around.
His expression under the hood shadow was indistinct.
"Sacrifice and prey?" Duke’s voice was still calm, even carrying a hint of amusement, "Your plan sounds good, but I think, with such a grand ancient door, one sacrifice might not be enough."
"Since you want a blood sacrifice, why not make it more grand? Use the blood of three Level 1 Crystalized Wizards for the sacrifice, wouldn’t that be more sincere, with a greater certainty for activation. I think, this plan is much more reliable."
"Arrogant!" The Wizard wielding the thorn dagger instantly understood Duke’s intention, his complexion changed drastically, and he yelled sternly, "Facing death you dare boast!"
The leading Wizard’s scarlet eyes also surged with murderous intent, but in his heart, there was a mysterious chill.
The opponent was too calm, exceptionally calm.
Faced with an attack of three Wizards of the same level, either terrified or relying on something.
He stopped hesitating and suddenly waved his hand: "Attack! Quick victory, don’t let him play tricks!"
The Wizard holding the thorn dagger was the first to act, he crossed his dagger in a sweeping motion, countless thorny vines formed from viscous blood and Shadow energy emerged from nowhere, entwining Duke from all directions, limiting movement, and emitting a malicious aura drawing Life and paralyzing Spirit.
The Wizard with the skull short staff followed closely with his attack, the green glow from the skull’s hollow eye sockets emitted a silent yet direct piercing soul shriek ripple, intending to disrupt Duke’s Spirit, interrupting his spellcasting or movement.
Meanwhile, the leader’s own attack was the most dangerous decisive move. He formed seals with both hands, chanting short enigmatic incantations, conjuring a continuously rotating, compressed dark red blood spear in front of him, its tip exuding a scalp-piercing sharpness and corrosive power, aimed directly at Duke’s core, poised to strike.