Chapter 96


    For... there was no escaping...


    ......................


    Griffin''s Roost was now buzzing with activity. After more than ten days of limation and


    adventure, the frenzied hunting of nearly a thousand Protégés had awakened many Magi-Monsters


    and sparked battles with the mercenaries roaming within.


    Each Great Hunt was a savage affair and a brave''s game. The Protégés of Cobalt Strike would


    unleash their strength, honing theirbat skills. This real battle differed from the organization''s


    Arena duels, enhancing strength and awakening potential more effectively. This was why Cobalt


    Strike held hunting operations twice a year.


    "A Luna Fern?"


    vin had climbed a cliff under the cover of night, carefully plucking a delicate white herb that


    swayed gracefully in the moonlight, crystal clear. This was an Ordinary Elixir Herb, but a very


    special one among the smaller Elixir Herbs, very effective for healing internal injuries.


    "Lucky find," he murmured.


    vin cautiously packed the mystical herbs he had found into his satchel, continuing his search for


    the elusive Elixir Herb and Elixir Fruit. He had no interest in drawing attention from the other


    apprentices or mercenaries; he only wanted to gather more of the magical flora. If he could manage


    to harvest a few stalks of the rarer Advanced Elixir Herb, his foray into the wilderness would be a


    resounding sess. As for Adirich''s group, vin didn''t give them much thought. His rare outing


    was precious, and he wouldn''t waste it on confrontations with them.


    Over the next five days, vin encountered numerous apprentices on their own quests. He made


    sure to steer clear of them to avoid Adirich''s spies. When he came across magical beasts, he


    assessed the situation: if he could defeat them, he would; if not, he retreated.


    To his surprise, he didn''t cross paths with Adirich''s party at all, and his harvest was plentiful. He had


    harvested one Advanced Elixir Herb and a handful of Ordinary Elixir Herbs, all of which he


    consumed. The absorption of their essence yielded a positive effect.


    But to find more of the Advanced Elixir Herbs, luck was required, as well as a trip into the most


    perilous parts of the forest.


    On the fifth day, vin resolved to delve deeper.


    In the afternoon, as the sun dipped low in the sky, the forest began to darken. While traversing the


    woods, vin suddenly sensed a powerful malevolent presence ahead in the dense foliage. He


    climbed to the peak of a nearby hill andy in wait, surveying the area.


    A majestic Magi-Monster approached, as if searching for something. This creature resembled a


    noble lion with a scaled tail, its purple fur shimmering, radiating the authority of a regal beast


    surveying its domain.


    "The Violet Lion!" vin gasped and quickly concealed himself.


    This Magi-Monster was formidable, its power on par with that of a high-level Advanced Mage.


    vin had no desire to provoke such a creature and swiftly fled in the opposite direction.


    Before long, an enchanting fragrance wafted through the forest, drawing him in with its potent scent.


    He couldn''t resist taking a deep breath; the energy infused into his very being was indescribably


    soothing.


    "A treasure? Fortunate indeed."


    Within a dense, ancient grove, the trees twisted and turned, their gnarled branches weaving a


    canopy that blocked out the sky, creating a secluded expanse.


    Even as darkness encroached, vin spotted a purple glow flickering in the depths. He mustered


    his courage and approached. Surrounded by ancient trees stood a vibrant sapling, its green trunk


    gleaming like fine sses, casting a soft green light that pierced the gloom.


    The sapling swayed without a breeze as if dancing with joy. It bore but a few leaves, and among


    them hung a purple Elixir Fruit. At first nce, the fruit resembled a bunch of grapes, small and


    exquisitely formed. The strange fragrance and purple radiance emanated from it, flowing through


    the shadowy forest.


    "A magnificent treasure!" vin''s spirit soared, and he bravely moved closer.


    Strangely, there were no Magi-Monsters guarding it. How could that be?


    Was the Violet Lion its guardian, and had perhaps gone hunting?


    This was a perfect opportunity!


    With a mind racing with possibilities, vin dashed forward and seized the Elixir Fruit, plucking it


    with several leaves. If not for his nervous excitement, he would have uprooted the entire sapling.


    A sharp rebuke pierced the darkness. "Halt!"


    "Release it!"


    "You, what are you doing?"


    Multiple angry voices rang out. Startled, vin wondered if he had been ambushed. Had he


    stumbled upon guardians?Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "vin?" A woman in flowing white robes blocked his path; it was Mari, an Elite apprentice of


    Botanic Haven.


    "vin? How dare you steal from us? You''ve got some nerve." Five apprentices from the Botanic


    Haven emerged, berating vin for his audacity.