Chapter 23: Leopard Bone (Seeking Support!)

Eric and Lily exchanged a glance, then slowly followed.

The three gathered around the Glass Vessel, carefully examining the monster inside.

From its motionless state and the body that seemed to show no signs of life, Robin's conjecture appeared to have some merit.

The creature's surface showed no obvious breathing rise and fall; in the green liquid it only swayed with the slight current, making no independent movements. Moreover, although its eyes were wide open, their gaze was hollow, lacking any spark of life.

"If it's a biological specimen, this might be a place conducting some forbidden creature experiment," Robin said, frowning, in a low voice.

He looked at the lingering scales and markings on the Glass Vessel, and a foreboding feeling rose in his heart.

These markings differed from the alchemy or magical experiment symbols they were accustomed to, exuding a mysterious and dangerous aura.

Eric's expression grew solemn as he nodded, "No matter what, there's an indescribable eeriness here. We should be cautious and see if there are any other clues nearby." After speaking, he raised his torch and continued to explore the cave's perimeter.

Robin and Lily followed behind him, occasionally glancing back warily at the monster sealed in the Glass Vessel, as if it might come to life at any moment.

"Let's camp here tonight!" Robin surveyed the surroundings, thought for a moment, then said.

Although the place exuded a mysterious, eerie vibe, its relatively enclosed space and the lack of immediate danger made it a decent overnight option. Having said that, he crouched down and began picking up the broken sheets of paper on the ground.

As he gathered more and more papers, Robin gradually realized they recorded some herbal cultivation experiences. However, the content was so fragmented and incomplete that the broken sentences and passages prevented him from piecing together full information; he could only infer bits from isolated phrases.

Nevertheless, the discovery made Robin's eyes flash brightly.

He had personally experienced the marvelous effect of the Breathing Method Secret Medicine, and its production naturally required pharmacological knowledge and familiarity with various herbs.

"Robin, come over and look, there's a complete book here," Lily shouted excitedly just as Robin was immersed in pondering the herbal information.

Robin hurried to his feet and briskly walked to Lily's side.

Lily lightly brushed the thick dust off the book; its cover was meticulously crafted from some kind of beast hide, the texture rough and bearing an aged, weathered feel.

Opening the pages, the entire interior was made of Parchment, the sheets thick and resilient, feeling heavy in the hand, especially weighty.

Robin couldn't wait and began leafing through the book; after only a few glances, his breathing became involuntarily rapid.

"This is an introductory book on herbs," Robin quickly concluded.

From the detailed descriptions of herb forms, growth habits, and brief efficacy notes, it was undoubtedly an extremely valuable herbal classic.

Lily listened beside him, her eyes also shining.

For these Knight apprentices, although they possessed basic literacy, they were still limited to recognizing individual characters.

In a specialized book like this, many characters they indeed recognized, but once combined into complex sentences and technical terms, they were completely incomprehensible.

Nevertheless, they fully understood the book's value.

"What shall we do with this book?" Lily's gaze fixed tightly on the hefty herbal volume, filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Robin pondered for a moment, quickly weighing pros and cons in his mind. Finally, he said slowly, "We'll stash it for now, see if we can profit from it, and the gains will be split among the three of us."

Lily instantly understood; the three referred to herself, Robin, and Eric.

As for Tomson, the two almost instinctively excluded him.

After all, Tomson was a Malizi Knight's nephew; given the Malizi Knight's consistently law-abiding nature, should he learn of the book's existence, regulations would compel him to turn it in.

"Fine!" Lily replied without hesitation.

Soon, Eric and Tomson returned dragging heavy prey.

The two tossed the Jumping Goat and shadow leopard carcasses onto the ground with a "bang," then promptly began processing them.

Eric deftly drew his dagger and began skinning and boning, his movements clean and swift;

Tomson assisted by passing tools, appearing a bit clumsy yet very diligent.

"Any findings?" Eric asked without looking up, his focus on the task at hand.

Robin painstakingly pieced together the torn papers, cleared his throat, and said, "I suspect this is a Wizard Laboratory."

Upon hearing that, Eric's hand twitched as if shocked, the dagger nearly slipping. He jerked his head up, eyes bulging, his face full of shock and disbelief, "Robin, that joke isn't funny at all."

Wizards on this continent have always been mysterious and dangerous beings; the various spells they wield often bring about catastrophic consequences.

Robin shrugged helplessly, pointing to the Glass Vessel deep in the cave that held the bizarre creature, and said, "It's only a guess, but the likelihood is high; that monster doesn't look like anything respectable."

Eric followed Robin's finger, recalling the monster's odd appearance, and shivered. After a moment's thought, his expression serious, he said, "Tomorrow morning we'll return to Winston City and report this to the Malizi Knight Captain."

Robin nodded in agreement, then continued to lower his head and tidy up the Laboratory's items.

This mysterious cave hides far too many secrets, and what they have learned so far may only be the tip of the iceberg.

In the time that followed, the four each kept busy; inside the cave only the sounds of processing prey and occasional rustling of paper could be heard.

The next day, at first light, they early on carefully packed the processed meat strips, preparing to set out.

Robin's gaze swept to the other side where the shadow leopard's entrails and bones were stacked; after a moment's thought, he turned to Tomson and said, "Tomson, can you carry a bit more? I think the shadow leopard's bones are pretty good."

Robin said this because he suddenly recalled the tiger bone paste from Earth.

Since tiger bone can be used in medicine, yielding many effects, the shadow leopard's bones should, in theory, have comparable benefits on this wondrous continent.

Even if they can't be medicated, making a tasty Leopard Bone Soup would surely be fine.

Tomson, who never had his own ideas, now followed Robin's word without question, and without a second thought, he shouldered the heavy bone frame.

The shadow leopard weighed over eight hundred jin, and Robin truly intended to take everything; even the precious Leopard Blood he carefully packed into a Parchment bag.

(End of Chapter)