Dark, dense clouds shrouded the sky, and fine, long threads of rain fell from the heavens, splashing diagonally in the whistling wind and soaking every inch of the wilderness.
Centered around the abandoned mine, the Molten Iron Tribe had established several simple outposts.
Fences and high walls made of hard rock surrounded the area, where guards draped in rainproof cloaks stood in the rain like statues.
Their sharp gazes pierced through the curtain of rain, vigilantly scanning in all directions to prevent any potential danger.
Suddenly.
The sky, already dim from the dark clouds, darkened once more, as if some gargantuan object had blocked the already sparse light.
The guards' pupils constricted sharply, and they looked up toward the high sky in unison.
A massive dragon shadow was circling beneath the clouds; the rain falling on his iron-like scales was instantly shattered, scattering into a finer mist.
It was the Iron King, Solrog.
After recognizing the figure's identity, the guards' tense nerves relaxed slightly as they returned to their posts, though their gazes remained filled with awe, glancing toward the sky from time to time.
Meanwhile, the Iron Dragon Sorog circled slowly at a low altitude.
His massive wings stirred the wind and rain, creating gusts of whistling air as he gradually lowered his height, finally landing steadily on the edge of the abandoned mine.
He lowered his head, his sharp dragon eyes scanning the rugged and uneven mine below, a look of contemplation in his gaze.
Solrog actually harbored doubts about whether a Legendary item truly existed here.
After all, Garros had only happened upon a map clue from a low-level adventurer; its authenticity was truly questionable and might just be part of some clumsy scam, making it impossible for them to fully believe.
However, as the Marnes Dungeon ruins were actually discovered and the exploration work gradually progressed.
Some unusual findings caused the sense of expectation in Solrog's heart to gradually rise.
Those historical records about the Grey Dwarves being destroyed because of the treasures they created did not seem to be groundless rumors; the possibility of a Legendary item's existence was becoming higher and higher.
Moreover, to explore this ruin and search for exact clues about the Legendary item, the tribe had already invested a large amount of manpower and resources here, putting in considerable time and energy.
These sunk costs themselves also prompted the tribe not to give up easily.
Now, the moment of harvest had finally arrived.
"Noble Iron King."
A Snakeman Leader who had been waiting here for a long time slithered before the Iron Dragon, his long, thin tongue flicking out from time to time, making a hissing sound.
"We explored a hidden area deep within the dungeon, but we were attacked by spirits there."
"It can be completely confirmed, hiss... those are all Grey Dwarf spirits, and they are not like ordinary mindless undead; instead, they display considerable intelligence and cooperation, even carrying emotions."
"Their numbers are not too many, but they seem to be able to constantly undergo resurrection and Rebirth, making them very difficult to deal with."
The Snakeman Leader reported the situation in detail.
"Marnes Dungeon was originally one of the main cities of the Grey Dwarves. Legend has it that they met their downfall precisely because they created a powerful Legendary item."
"Now that these peculiar spirits with intelligence and the ability to resurrect have been discovered, could there be some connection between the two?"
"Could the effect of that Legendary item be manifested here?"
The Iron Dragon Sorog narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.
At the same time, the Snakeman Leader lowered his head and said, "Because of the stubborn resistance of these Grey Dwarf spirits, our exploration progress is currently suspended. We need stronger power for support."
Solrog asked directly, "What was the specific situation of the previous battle?"
The Snakeman Leader immediately responded, "The troops responsible for exploring the dungeon were evenly matched with those Grey Dwarf spirits, and the battle was once at a stalemate."
"If there are no other unexpected factors interfering, in my judgment, just sending one more elite squad for support would be enough to break through their defensive line and defeat them."
The Iron Dragon nodded his massive head, his thick scales rubbing against each other to produce a dull sound.
He said nothing more, but instead cast his gaze back toward the deep mine, waiting quietly in the fine curtain of rain.
Time passed minute by minute, rain flowing down through the gaps in the dragon scales. About half an hour later, a slight tremor began to come from the ground.
Accompanied by the rustling sounds from the surrounding bushes, led by the Dragonblood Werewolf Russell, a mixed elite force of several hundred people passed through the rain and arrived at the outpost of the abandoned mine.
This team was composed of races such as Gnolls, Kobolds, and Werewolves.
Their eyes were fierce and they were well-equipped; clearly, they were not ordinary warriors but elites who had undergone many battles.
"Russell, relax your mind."
The Iron Dragon's voice rang directly in the werewolf's heart, and an invisible force began to construct a Mental Link between the two.
The werewolf did not resist, and the link was quickly established.
"Lead these elites yourself to support the exploration team in the dungeon."
Solrog gave the order, saying, "Everything that happens in the dungeon, I will observe personally through your eyes."
Initially, out of importance for the Legendary item, Solrog considered entering the dungeon himself.
But considering that the underground spaces built by dwarves were usually low and narrow, his massive dragon body would be difficult to maneuver and might instead become a burden.
Moreover, the injuries he had sustained previously had not yet fully healed. If he encountered a strong enemy, entering a restricted environment in haste might not allow him to play any significant role.
After weighing the options, he dispatched the Dragonblood Werewolf Russell, who possessed decent strength and was more suited for underground combat.
He himself would remain stationed above the mine, looking down from a high vantage point; should any unexpected changes occur below, he could react in time and adapt to the situation.
"As you command."
The werewolf Russell accepted the order in a deep voice.
He let out a low growl and led the elite soldiers, following the passage previously opened by the tribe in the mine, entering one by one and heading toward the depths of the underground to support the exploration team.
The Iron Dragon Sorog then coiled up on the spot, his massive body lying at the edge of the mine.
He closed his eyes slightly, perceiving the underground situation through his Mental Link with Russell, waiting patiently.
Several hours passed quietly amidst the sound of wind and rain.
Suddenly, the Iron Dragon's spirit was roused.
Through Russell's vision, after passing through a long and dark corridor, an abandoned city ruin buried deep in the underground world suddenly appeared before his eyes.
This was an incomparably massive underground cavern.
"Above."
The thick rock layer was like an inverted canopy, with countless drooping stalactites crisscrossing like the fangs in a giant beast's mouth.
"Below."
On the irregular ground sat buildings of an ancient and rugged style. Relief patterns of hammers and furnaces representing Grey Dwarf civilization were faintly visible on the stone walls, though they were now covered by various fungi and strange underground plants, appearing desolate and dilapidated.
It was worth mentioning that although these buildings looked like they had weathered long years and were covered in cracks and signs of erosion, their overall structure was surprisingly intact.
They did not seem to have suffered from war or catastrophic destruction; it was more as if they had been abandoned by their residents in a single moment.
The interior environment of the entire enclosed massive cavern was extremely dark, with only some peculiar fungi emitting faint blue or ghastly green glimmers providing a bit of illumination.
Aside from that, there were pairs of eyes glowing in the darkness.
Most of the monsters he brought, including the werewolf Russell, naturally possessed good Darkvision and could see the surrounding scenes clearly.
"Maintain battle formation and follow me closely!"
Russell let out a low growl, his voice echoing in the empty underground space.
He identified the direction and led the elite soldiers, moving quickly toward the position where the exploration team had previously sent a signal.
Along the way, they were not without obstacles.
In this forgotten underground city, there still lived a considerable number of underground Vicious Beasts and magic creatures, such as giant Cave Lizards, screeching Bat-wing Monsters, and some aimlessly wandering skeletons and zombies.
However, the Life Level of these existences was generally not high.
For this elite force led by Russell, they were quite weak and did not pose any substantial hindrance, being quickly cleared away.
After some time, the fast-marching troop came to a halt.
They arrived before the entrance of an exceptionally grand Underground Hall.
Although the interior of this hall was filled with traces of ruin and accumulated dust, the massive stone pillars and the dome as a whole had not collapsed, still maintaining a complete outline, showing the excellent architectural skills of the Grey Dwarves.
Hundreds of Molten Iron Kin who had been fighting here previously were resting outside the hall.
Most of them bore wounds, and the corpses of some recently deceased companions were scattered around.
Seeing Russell leading the support troops, these exhausted kin were immediately invigorated and came forward one after another to greet them.
"Lord Russell, deep inside that hall ahead is very likely the core area where the Legendary item is stored."
A Kobold leader in charge of the command here stepped forward quickly, pointing at the entrance of the hall and said.
"Whenever we try to approach the center of the hall, a group of fully armed Grey Dwarves spirits emerge from it and launch an attack on us."
"We saw it with our own eyes; many spirits that we had completely torn apart would reform before long and charge out of the hall once more. They seem to be able to resurrect infinitely!"
"However, since you have come in person, Lord, with the numbers and individual Ranks those spirits have displayed, they will surely be unable to block our path."
The werewolf Russell nodded slightly and gave a low-voiced command, his voice reaching the entire team: "All warriors, prepare to fight with me!"
He took a deep breath of the cold underground air and was the first to stride forward with his powerful legs, steadily approaching that silent and mysterious hall. The other warriors followed closely behind, their weapons unsheathed with a clanging sound.
Sure enough, as they crossed a certain invisible boundary, a sudden change occurred.
From within the originally deathly silent hall, bursts of roars mixed with anger and determination immediately echoed out!
"Invaders! Get out!"
"Protect our Holy Land, die before retreating!"
"For the glory of Marnes! For the glory of the Dwarves!"
One by one, spirit figures clad in heavy illusory armor and wielding various weapons such as blades, axes, and warhammers solidified quickly as if emerging from water, roaring as they charged toward the Molten Iron warriors.
Though they were merely spirits, their charging Aura was like that of a vast army.
Russell looked closely and saw that these figures were highly solidified spirits, their bodies emitting a faint shimmer, and their height was generally only about one meter.
With their thick builds, dense beards, and facial contours, they were typical Grey Dwarves.
In the blink of an eye, the two sides engaged in close combat, and a fierce battle broke out.
Slash!
Russell's sharp claws tore through the air with a piercing whistle, exploding the head of the first Grey Dwarf spirit that rushed at him.
He had originally intended to tear it apart at the waist, but the Dwarf's height was simply not enough, so the attack eventually locked onto its head.
After the spirit lost its head, its entire body also exploded with a bang, turning into countless tiny points of light that scattered away.
"Don't stop! Keep moving forward! Destroy them!"
The werewolf roared, his sturdy body like an intrepid chariot, slamming violently into the enemy Ranks.
His claws were as fast as lightning, each swing containing powerful force that could easily disperse a Grey Dwarf warrior's spirit. However, Russell soon noticed that the spirits dispersed into points of light did not disappear completely; instead, they were pulled back into the depths of the hall at high speed.
Then, in just a moment, the fully restored spirits rushed out of the hall again, as if they had never been defeated.
Just as the exploration team had previously reported.
These spirits seemed to possess some kind of immortal trait.
However, this could not change the absolute gap between the two sides.
A spirit that had just resurrected and rushed up swung an illusory warhammer, attempting to smash the werewolf's knee.
But before his attack could hit, his head was once again crushed by Russell's incredibly swift claws.
Around Russell, the other Molten Iron warriors also let out bloodthirsty howls.
Sharp blades, heavy axes, and keen fangs carved out lethal arcs in the darkness.
This elite force of the Molten Iron Tribe was like tigers among sheep, tearing one Grey Dwarf spirit after another into pieces.
The battle situation was completely one-sided.
As the Molten Iron warriors continued to approach the hall entrance, the Grey Dwarf spirits became increasingly anxious and angry.
They launched even more frenzied attacks, even resorting to suicidal tactics in an attempt to block the invaders' steps, but it was all in vain.
However, just as Russell thought victory was in sight, another sudden change occurred.
The Grey Dwarf spirits, who were fighting frantically just a moment ago, suddenly all stopped their movements, their faces showing expressions of extreme shock and fury.
They no longer paid attention to the Molten Iron warriors close at hand; instead, like a receding tide, they all retreated rapidly toward the interior of the hall.
"What's going on?"
Observing this scene through the Mental Link, Iron Dragon Sorog felt a trace of doubt in his heart and immediately instructed Russell.
"Never mind why they are retreating, keep up, enter the hall immediately!"
Roar!
Russell let out a deafening roar, his muscles tensing instantly like steel wires. He dropped almost to all fours, charging toward the hall entrance like an arrow leaving a bow.
However, the moment his front claws stepped onto the dilapidated stone steps, it was as if he had slammed into an invisible and tough wall.
Bang!
With a muffled sound, Russell's forward momentum came to an abrupt halt, and his massive body was sent flying back by a huge counterforce, falling heavily into the dust.
"Ugh..."
The werewolf shook his head, which was a bit dizzy from the impact, stood up again, and looked at the empty entrance ahead with shock and uncertainty.
"What is that? It's like an invisible barrier is blocking the way."
He approached again with the other subordinates who had gathered around. Reaching out to touch it, he indeed felt an invisible yet incredibly tough barrier firmly enveloping the entire hall entrance.
Several strong Molten Iron warriors hacked with their weapons with all their might, but only muffled sounds were heard; that invisible barrier did not budge in the slightest.
"Everyone move aside!"
Russell growled, signaling the surrounding warriors to retreat.
He took a deep breath, his chest bulging high like a bellows, and a scorching light lit up deep in his throat.
Immediately after, he suddenly opened his mouth and spat out a scorching Dragon Breath mixed with thunder and fire, originating from the Iron Dragon Bloodline.
Boom!
The Dragon Breath of intertwined thunder and fire slammed violently against the invisible barrier, erupting in blinding light and scattered turbulent energy.
However, just like the previous physical attacks, this Dragon Breath, which was enough to melt rock or even steel, was also firmly intercepted outside, unable to even cause a single ripple or fluctuation in that invisible barrier.
Just as Russell was panting and preparing to try other methods.
"Stop, you cannot break through this defense."
Iron Dragon Sorog's voice rang directly in his heart, carrying a hint of gravity.
With his experience, if he wasn't mistaken, the characteristics shown by this invisible barrier were very much like—a Domain.
This meant it was highly likely that a Legendary powerhouse had already beaten them to it.
As if to confirm Solrog's guess.
The very next second after his thought flashed by, a Gnoll warrior who was almost lying on top of it, gnawing at the invisible barrier with his teeth, suddenly stumbled forward and fell to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The invisible barrier blocking the entrance had disappeared.
Then, under the shocked and uncertain gazes of many Molten Iron warriors, a figure dressed in a plain white robe walked slowly out from the broken and deep interior of the hall with light steps.
This was a woman who looked very young.
She wore no ornate jewelry; her face was as delicate as a doll's, her eyes were as clear as water, and a faint, subtle smile hung at the corners of her mouth. Her overall temperament appeared friendly and harmless.
No strong energy fluctuations emanated from her body; she looked just like an ordinary human who had wandered into this place by mistake.
But.
Being able to appear deep in this peril-filled dungeon was in itself a sign that she was by no means ordinary.
Moreover, above her right palm, a sphere of energy emitting a soft white light quietly hovered.
Inside the light sphere, countless tiny spirit figures could be vaguely seen floating within—they were precisely those Grey Dwarf spirits who had been fighting fiercely with them earlier!
"Who are you?!"
Russell suddenly took a step forward, baring his large mouth to reveal a mouthful of forest-white fangs, his fierce Aura pressing forward.
He stared intently at the light sphere in the woman's hand, realizing that this object was likely the ultimate goal the Dragon Lord had sent them to explore this dungeon for.
"Hand over the light sphere in your hand!"
Russell growled, his eyes gleaming with ferocity: "That belongs to our Molten Iron Tribe!"
Facing the werewolf's fierce questioning and the unfriendly gazes of the many monster warriors around her, the white-robed woman still appeared calm and composed.
"Hello, please don't be so nervous."
She smiled slightly, looking directly at Russell with a calm gaze, and said nonchalantly, "I am not your enemy."
She seemed to be answering the werewolf's question, but at the same time, her voice also rang clearly and without hindrance directly in the heart of Iron Dragon Sorog, who was far away above the mine pit.
"My name is Alya, and some also call me—the Messenger of Good Fortune."