Cultivation Through Artifacts

Khal walked through the forest with his Devil Fangs in hand while Darla followed him from behind in silence.

He was walking about two hours straight since he left Crimson Horn City, and was killing beasts without a single rest while also making sure to consume their essence.

"Interesting. I have heard many rumors about your race and the way you can consume beasts' life essence with ease, but seeing it in person is a completely different story. I wonder if I could do the same if you kill another beast and let me try it." exclaimed Darla from behind, her expression completely unreadable.

Standing up from the ground once he finished consuming the essence, Khal turned to look at Darla and said, "I wouldn't really recommend it."

"Why?"

"Why?" Khal frowned and pointed at him before turning his finger toward Darla and saying, "Isn't that obvious already? We are not from the same race. Our bodies were built up differently from one another."

"Furthermore, my race and I are consuming beasts' essence to strengthen our Blessings. I bet you and your race are doing the same, but instead of essence consuming, you have another method."

Darla fell into deep thoughts before nodding and saying, "Indeed, my race must consume ice treasures or practice in an extremely cold environment day by day if we wish to become stronger."

"Thought so," Khal said, and continued, "If I were to try out your method of cultivation, I am pretty sure I would freeze to my death under seconds."

Darla pondered and shortly after nodded, deciding to forget about trying to consume essence which had the possibility of killing her.

"Anyways, how long are you planning to tag along? You have said it's faster this way, but we have long gone in the opposite direction." Khal asked out loud.

Darla remained silent and after a short while said, "I have changed my mind. I will go to Jade Horn City later."

Khal raised a brow in question and said, "That still doesn't explain why you follow me around. Don't get me wrong, as a fact, I am pleased that such beauty as yourself follow me around, it's just that it feels like you are a stalker. At least be honest and tell me the truth."

"Or maybe you have a crush on me, if that's the case, sorry, I already have someone."

"I don't have a crush on you nor I am a stalker. But if I can be honest, I kind of feel comfortable around you, which is the first for me as I never get along very well with others, especially if they are the opposite sex."

"So you indeed have a crush on me." Khal immediately said.

"I don't." Darla denied the statement without thinking and continued, "I just simply wish to find out why you are different from the rest. Also, this weird feeling makes me believe I won't regret following you."

"It's called love." 

'...'

Darla stared daggers at Khal, which at Khal just shook his head helplessly and turned around.

"Whatever, do as you please. Just make sure not to cause trouble for me." 

"Sure." Darla nodded and proceeded to follow Khal in silence.

[Interesting. It seems you have met with someone great this time.]

'Someone great? Do you mean Darla? Why?' Khal asked once he heard Nova's voice.

[Because she has the Ice Heart, something only a few Fairy is born with from her race.]

'Ice Heart? Why does that name sound similar?' Khal pondered and shortly asked, 'Ice Heart... Do you mean the rare ability that is capable of telling if one has a good or evil will?'

[Yes. But the Ice Heart is not only able to do that, but it also has the power to tell if one will have heavenly luck or a hellish curse shortly.]

'And because she feels that I will have luck, she decided to tag along?' Khal asked.

[It seems so.]

Khal took a glance back at Darla, who was looking around without talking while following him. At the moment, Khal must have to admit that Darla truly looked glamorous, looking as if she was an in mortal who just happened to fall from the heavens.

However, he couldn't admire her beauty for long as Darla shortly noticed him staring, causing a slight frown to appear on her flawless face.

"What?"

"It's nothi-"

BAM!

Khal wished to say something, but just as he began to talk a powerful tremor shook the ground below his feet as if someone just detonated a bomb in the close distance.

"What was this? An explosion?" Khal without hesitation activated his Heaven's Eyes and used it to check out the surrounding area.

And soon, he indeed found something, however, the sight made him feel rather perplexed.

"What is that?"

"What did you find?" Darla asked when he noticed Khal's complexion and reaction.

"It seems the previous explosion was because of a... Door."

"A door?" Darla asked, as she believed she just misunderstood what she just heard.

Though, when she saw as Khal was nodding his head she became just as confused as Khal and asked for a more detailed description.

"The gate is about three meters tall and it seems to be made out of some kind of brownish metal, maybe bronze or something else." Khal explained calmly before continuing, "There are black symbols carved all around its surface, while in its very middle a black crystal was placed."

The more and more Khal described the shape and appearance of the gate, the wider and brighter Darla's eyes opened while her little fingers tightened into a fist from pure excitement.

"That is an entrance into a hidden shrine! And a rare one too! Quick, let's go there!" loosing her composure, Darla took several quick and wide strides forward, her face completely filled with joy and excitement. Just like a little kid that got her wished toy during Christmas!

'This girl...' Khal couldn't help but shake his head helplessly and proceeded to run after Darla.