Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

Jimmy was speechless. He wondered where Zachary's nerve to constantly piss Michael off was coming from. He was still a newcomer but still managed to make enemies of the wrong people. Zachary was indeed very bold, which Jimmy found both admirable and unsettling.

"Okay, I'm leaving then," Jimmy said. It was useless trying to convince Zachary not to do this. Zachary would not take his advice anyway. In order to save his own life, Jimmy thought he had better go and find Tyson.

"Wait a second," Zachary called.

Jimmy turned around to look at Zachary. Zachary took out three Mysterious Dark Stones and handed them to him. "Here. Give these to Tyson as your protection fee if necessary."

"It's fine. I have my own stones," Jimmy said and politely refused. He was really surprised by Zachary's gesture. Three Mysterious Dark Stones were quite precious, yet Zachary was willing to give them to him to buy Tyson's protection. Jimmy was quite moved.

"Keep your own stones. Don't give them to Tyson. Use these three stones. I caused all this trouble after all. This is my way of making up for it. It won't be long before you leave here. I don't want anything bad to happen to you," Zachary urged. After handing the three Mysterious Dark Stones to Jimmy, Zachary waved his hand and said, "You can get out now." He then deliberately yawned and pretended to want to get some rest.

Jimmy trembled slightly and turned around with the three Mysterious Dark Stones in his hand. He was truly grateful for what Zachary had done for him.

After that, Zachary entered the system and went to the Living-dead Tomb. He was going to claim the quest reward from Anne. After that, he continued to focus on his cultivation.

The next day during his morning training, Zachary saw the three disciples of Earth Level who were on his team yesterday. There were bruises all over their bodies. Even with clothes on, it was easy to spot all the wounds on their bodies. As soon as the three disciples saw Zachary, they immediately ran away like mice coming across a cat. There was something more. Those three disciples were not the only ones who avoided Zachary but also the other disciples.

Zachary did not think much of it. He just surmised that Michael was threatening them to stay away from him so that he would be isolated. Michael wanted Zachary to be alone in this dangerous place.

"Hey, Harley!" Jimmy, who suddenly appeared beside him, g

after hesitating for a few moments.

"Is it more dangerous than enduring the Heavenly Tribulation?" Zachary smiled. As far as he was concerned, the Heavenly Tribulation was already horrible. He seriously doubted that Anne's shortcut could compare.

"Yes, way more dangerous. If you want to enhance your strength through this shortcut, you have to pay an unimaginable price. There are only two possible outcomes. One is spiraling into madness, and the other is total annihilation," Anne said seriously.

"It sounds quite terrifying, but I have no choice. I can't enter the deepest parts of the Burial Abyss with my current strength, and it's the only place left where I can find the mysterious treasure beast. I need that beast to pass the trial, and I need to pass the King Level contest to complete the main quest," Zachary said helplessly. The next journey to the Dark Prison was of great importance to him. If he could not complete his task and get through all these missions, he would face much more trouble in the future while fixing the problems he left behind.

"A warrior only has one chance to take advantage of this shortcut. I just think that it might be a pity if you use it at this time," Anne said. It was not that she did not want to tell him about the shortcut. She was actually pleased that he desperately wanted to find the mysterious beast and pass Tania's trial. But every benefit came with a price. Anne simply thought that he could save this chance for graver ordeals in the future. But seeing the mixed anxiety and determination in his eyes, she felt that maybe this ordeal was grave enough.