Chapter 438: Dragon Bone Network

After nightfall, the giant viewing window of the restaurant displayed the magnificent scene unique to the Land of Quicksand.

Unlike the fixed tower lights in the Central Land, the night sky here was like a giant abstract canvas.

Various colors of light flowed freely within it.

But those lights were blurred in form, like mist and smoke, making it impossible to distinguish specific information intuitively.

"Although these elemental light curtains are beautiful, wanting to interpret useful information from them is almost impossible."

Hayek stood up and took out an exquisite silver small box from his bosom:

"However, we have ways to make these abstract scenes clearer."

He opened the small box, inside which were neatly arranged more than a dozen slender crystal needles, each containing liquid of a different color.

"These are 'Elemental Collection Needles,' capable of extracting elemental factors of specific attributes from the air."

Mentor Mentor Yuni also took out her tool—a circular device like a compass, with complex rune arrays engraved on the surface:

"In conjunction with the 'Elemental Reconstruction Instrument,' we can reorganize the collected factors and draw a clear distribution map of forces."

Magnus took out a special star map paper from his storage bag, the surface of which had a faint magic power luster:

"This kind of star map paper can carry elemental projections and maintain stable display for a long time."

The three began precise collaboration.

Hayek activated the elemental collection needles one by one, and each needle began to emit a faint attraction field, extracting corresponding energy factors from the elemental light curtain outside the window.

As the collection progressed, the liquid in the needles began to change.

The originally simple colors became rich in layers, and some liquids even showed subtle rune patterns; those were energy marks unique to different forces.

"Look at this one." Hayek held up a needle containing dark green liquid:

"Traces of life runes appeared in the liquid, which means the elemental projection of the Tree of Life School is strongest in this direction."

Mentor Mentor Yuni took the collected elemental factors and carefully injected them into the reconstruction instrument.

The circular device began to operate, and the rune arrays inside lit up one by one like stars.

Accompanied by a soft humming sound, light spots of various colors began to converge, separate, and reorganize in the crystal ball in the center of the device.

"The key to reconstruction is to understand the essential characteristics of each elemental factor."

Mentor Mentor Yuni explained while adjusting the parameters of the device:

"Different forces will unconsciously integrate their own cultivation characteristics when performing elemental projections.

These characteristics are as unique as fingerprints, and their source can be determined through analysis."

Magnus laid the star map paper flat on the table and then activated the activation runes on the edge of the paper.

Suddenly, the whole paper began to emit soft light, and a three-dimensional topographic map centered on the observatory appeared on the surface.

When Mentor Mentor Yuni projected the reconstructed elemental factors onto the star map paper, a miracle happened.

Those originally abstract and blurred night sky lights turned into a clearly identifiable distribution map of forces on the star map.

Light spots of different colors were accurately marked at corresponding geographical locations, and the size and brightness of each light spot represented the scale of strength of that force.

"Now it’s clear and understandable; look here."

Hayek pointed to an area of dark green light on the star map:

"That is the core station of the Tree of Life School—'Indigo Garden'."

The green light wriggled like a living thing, forming various patterns.

Sometimes giant flowers in full bloom, sometimes growing vines, sometimes birds and beasts spreading their wings, each full of rich life aura.

"Tree of Life School..." Luo En repeated the name thoughtfully:

"I remember it was once one of the Seven Schools, specializing in biological modification and life extension technology."

"That’s right." Hayek’s voice carried a certain feeling of regret:

"Before the end of the Third Era, the status of the Tree of Life School was even above the Crystal Spire.

They mastered the most advanced life sciences, possessed secret arts for longevity, and it is even said they could make people obtain true immortality."

The old man sighed lightly:

"But the 'Eternal Plague' event changed all this completely. That catastrophe that swept through the entire main world and even the entire quadrant made everyone fearful of life modification technology."

"Although it has declined, the Tree of Life School is still the undisputed hegemon here."

Hayek continued:

"On the surface, they have three Great Wizards.

The strongest, 'Emerald Crown' Aishi, is a top Great Wizard who lived from the Third Era to the modern day, mastering forbidden arts that can resurrect the dead."

"There is also 'Blood Craftsman' Dariu, specializing in living body modification, capable of reshaping any creature according to his own will."

"And 'Girl of Bright Eyes' Serafina, she is the external person in charge of the Tree of Life School.

She looks the most kind, but is actually the most fickle in personality among the three.

The void corpse bodies of the other two Great Wizards are in other worlds, and only Serafina has been stationed in the Land of Quicksand for many years, which can be considered the general person in charge of routine affairs."

Luo En recorded these important pieces of information in his heart while continuing to observe other lights in the star map.

To the northeast of the green light area, a piece of golden-red light was rolling and jumping.

The forms of these lights were wilder, like fire dragons burning and shuttling through the clouds, occasionally making low roars.

"That is the territory of the Burning Scale Clan."

Magnus pointed to the firelight:

"They are one of the most powerful 'bacterial-preserving species' families existing in the main world, and their bloodline can be traced back to the original Dragon Kings who came to the main world in the Second Era.

Although diluted after so many years, there are still many ancestors of Star Ring and even Moon Ring levels in the clan."

Looking further south, a piece of relatively gentle blue-purple light was flowing slowly.

The form of this light was the most regular.

It presented various geometric figures and academic symbols, occasionally forming complex spell models to demonstrate in the air.

"That is the territory of our Sand Sea School.

The person in charge here is Vice Vice Dean 'Flame Disaster' Salamander, a senior Dark Sun-level wizard close to the Great Wizard level."

Hayek said with some pride:

"Although our scale as a branch of the Crystal Spire cannot compare to the first two.

But our Sand Sea School specializes in elemental regulation, so our projection is also the most regular."

Outside the light areas of the three major forces, countless smaller light spots were scattered in the star map.

The colors of these light spots were different, and their forms were strange and varied.

Some were pure white gentle light, some were deep purple-black, and some presented brilliant colors like rainbows.

"Those small light spots represent the settlements of various indigenous races."

Mentor Mentor Yuni pointed to a colorful light spot that was flickering and changing:

"Look at that one, the light is constantly changing colors; that should be a large settlement of the Multi-Faced Race.

Their elemental affinity changes with the environment and emotions, so the projection is also dynamic."

Hayek took out a piece of parchment from his storage bag, covered with patterns and runes.

"This is an 'Elemental Intersection Map'."

He spread the parchment on the table.

Luo En leaned in to watch and found that the map was drawn extremely finely.

The entire map is based on the terrain of the Land of Quicksand, but the focus is on the underground situation.

Dense lines spread underground like blood vessels; these lines have different thicknesses and colors.

"What do these lines represent?" He asked.

"Dragon Bone Network." Magnus put down the wine glass in his hand and leaned over:

"The formation of the Land of Quicksand has a special historical background.

In the middle of the Second Era, this was the core area of the 'Elemental Fusion' event."

The old alchemist’s eyes revealed a depth like that of a historian:

"At that time, powerful elemental turbulence swept through the entire region, and countless creatures perished in this catastrophe.

But the heaviest loss was the ancient dragon species that regarded this place as an important habitat."

He pointed to the thickest red lines on the map:

"Their skeletons are buried underground, and after countless years, they have merged with this land."

Mentor Mentor Yuni added:

"Dragon species are natural elemental affinity races, and their bones contain pure elemental essence.

When these bones form a network underground, they create countless elemental intersection points."

Luo En carefully studied the map and found that the distribution of the Dragon Bone Network indeed had obvious rules.

Lines of different colors represent dragon bones of different elemental attributes, and special symbols are often marked at the intersection of the lines.

"These intersection points..." He pointed to a golden circle on the map:

"Are they ideal locations for bloodline activation?"

"Exactly." Hayek nodded in confirmation:

"The resonance effect of dragon species bloodlines can stimulate the potential bloodline power within other creatures.

Especially for individuals who already have dragon species bloodlines, this effect is even more obvious."

Magnus picked up a charcoal pen and drew a few circles on the map:

"There are a total of seventeen large intersection points currently known, forty-three medium intersection points, and more than two hundred small intersection points."

"But..." his expression became somewhat helpless:

"These locations are basically occupied."

A sense of urgency rose in Luo En’s heart.

If all elemental intersection points are occupied, his plan to obtain a bloodline breakthrough will become extremely difficult.

"Large intersection points are all controlled by the three major forces."

Hayek explained the situation in detail:

"The Tree of Life School alone occupies eight of them, the Burning Scale Clan controls five, our Sand Sea School owns two, and the remaining two are occupied by strong individuals at the Great Wizard level."

"The situation at the medium-sized convergence points is slightly better, but they have basically all been carved up by various Dark-Sun rank or senior Moon-Luminary rank powerhouses."

"As for small intersection points, although they are numerous, the effect is limited for true bloodline breakthroughs."

Mentor Mentor Yuni saw Luo En’s worry and comforted him:

"But it’s not completely without opportunity.

The control of these intersection points is not permanent; sometimes it transfers due to various reasons."

"For example?" Luo En asked.

"Challenge." Hayek answered concisely:

"According to the traditional rules of the Land of Quicksand, anyone can issue a formal challenge to the controller of an intersection point.

The winner gains control, and the loser either dies on the spot or leaves this land forever."

"Of course, this kind of challenge requires considerable strength as a foundation." Magnus reminded:

"Those existences capable of occupying intersection points are not to be trifled with."

Luo En quickly evaluated his strength in his heart.

A challenge for an intersection point is bound to be exposed under the eyes of many forces here.

Given his current strength level, having just reached the Moon-Luminary rank and not yet having performed much magic power compression.

With various special abilities and professional bonuses, dealing with an average Moon-Luminary rank wizard likely poses no major problem.

But wanting to successfully challenge those who can occupy medium intersection points without exposing his trump cards is still a bit too reluctant.

"Besides challenges, are there other ways?" He asked.

"Of course, it’s the most common equivalent exchange in the wizarding world." Mentor Mentor Yuni blinked:

"Use sufficiently precious resources or knowledge to exchange for temporary usage rights."

Luo En carefully pondered these options, and a preliminary plan began to form in his heart.

With his current strength and resources, the risk of direct challenge is too great;

The cost of trading might be too high.

"Since the star disk divination guided me here..."

He pondered in his heart: "There must be a more ingenious way."