"That's right, the Devil's Codex is also called the Dark Divine Book!"
"Ye Feng, you know about this?"
Yuan Ling's voice held a hint of surprise.
"I've heard of it, but I didn't know the text on the Goblin Shaman's staff was from the Devil's Codex!"
Ye Feng nodded, then shook his head.
"Oh~"
Yuan Ling responded softly, not elaborating, seemingly preoccupied.
"Speaking of which, Yuan Ling, why are you so determined to kill goblins?"
After a pause, Ye Feng voiced a long-held question.
Back in Blackwater Town, he had casually learned that before him, Yuan Ling was the one who most frequently hunted goblins in the entire town, sometimes without even accepting rewards.
Ye Feng killed goblins for usable points and to help those in need. Yuan Ling's persistence, however, was puzzling.
"Hoo!~"
Hearing Ye Feng's words, Yuan Ling let out a sigh and looked up at the night sky, slowly speaking, "Ye Feng, do you know how I got my name, Yuan Ling?"
"I was born after the Great Cataclysm... I... I never met my biological parents..."
Before Ye Feng could answer, Yuan Ling began to speak to herself. "I was found by my mother in a river. My mother said she heard a peculiar sound from afar and, out of curiosity, went to investigate. She accidentally discovered me... That sound was a bit like a wind chime... So she named me Yuan Ling!"
"From childhood, I saw many terrifying scenes of goblin rampages... Compared to that, various natural disasters were secondary..."
"Once, my mother and I were out gathering medicinal herbs when we were ambushed by goblins. My mother was injured protecting me... In a moment of desperation, I pushed with both hands, and those goblins were instantly engulfed in flames... I later learned that was arcane energy..."
"After I killed those goblins, everyone placed great expectations on me... After several raids on goblin dens, I was called a Saintess... Speaking of which, the title of Saintess came rather inexplicably..."
As she spoke, Yuan Ling's fair cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of embarrassment.
"Hoo!~"
Yuan Ling took a deep breath. "Eliminating goblins and allowing everyone to live in peace as they once did was my mother's dying wish..."
"So that's how it is!"
Ye Feng nodded, understanding dawning on him.
"Ye Feng, I'm deeply touched that you would participate in this battle that you had no obligation to join!"
"Don't worry, no matter what dangers we face tomorrow, I will ensure your safe departure!"
After a pause, Yuan Ling smiled faintly at Ye Feng and spoke earnestly.
"Even if it means sacrificing my own life!"
Yuan Ling added silently in her heart.
"Oh, we'll see~"
Ye Feng scratched his head, not giving a direct reply.
Although after today's battle, he had significant concerns about the dangers they might face tomorrow, he had his own plans.
Setting aside the possibility that the altar might hold a crucial clue to that world-shattering treasure map, Ye Feng was more eager to improve his own strength through practical combat, especially after the experience at Mech City.
...
Deep in the night,
In the guild hall of the Blackwater Town Adventurers' Guild,
A group of people were engaged in animated discussion.
"Hey, hey, are you guys serious?"
"Going to the Goblin Kingdom?"
A young man looked at over a dozen burly adventurers with disbelief.
In normal times, if anyone mentioned going to the Goblin Kingdom, there would surely be a torrent of mockery. But tonight, after the young man spoke, most of the adventurers in the guild hall remained silent.
"I've been having my subordinates keep tabs on news from the Goblin Kingdom. Ever since Her Highness the Saintess and that strange young man went to the Goblin Kingdom, the goblins there have been in utter disarray, clearly in huge trouble. Even the goblins that used to go out to harass and raid have significantly decreased!"
"Especially today, a massive fire erupted in the primeval forest where the Goblin Kingdom is located! I believe that was also the work of Her Highness the Saintess!"
"My old bones don't have many years left. Let this be a whim in my otherwise muddled life!"
An elder with graying temples took a large gulp of wine and chuckled.
"I bravely ventured into the Goblin Kingdom today to observe and found numerous goblin corpses, and the goblins were unprecedentedly panicked!"
"That overwhelming super-fire must have burned countless goblins, and it showed no signs of stopping... Such an opportunity will not come again. I'm going!"
Beside the elder, a spirited, powerfully built man with a large saber strapped to his back chimed in.
"For years, it's been Her Highness the Saintess dealing with the goblins... She... she, has anyone noticed she's only 18 years old? The same age as my daughter... Yet I hid behind like a coward..."
"With such a widespread fire this time, perhaps it's truly possible..."
A middle-aged man around 40 years old added.
"We've all been under the Saintess's protection all these years... This time, I'm going to help!"
"Add me to your list. I don't want my daughter, my granddaughter... to live forever under the shadow of goblins..."
"This damn world, I'm going too!"
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
...
The next day,
As dawn was breaking,
After a hearty meal, Ye Feng and his companions, having organized their equipment, once again set foot on the path towards the core region of the Goblin Kingdom.
...
As dusk settled,
"What on earth happened in the Goblin Kingdom?"
Ye Feng, who was gnawing on a braised chicken leg, was perplexed. Little Green, Alak, and the others also furrowed their brows, their expressions full of confusion.
They had traveled the entire day without encountering a single goblin. Although their movements were stealthy, not encountering even one was truly beyond belief.
"Big Brother, maybe the great fire yesterday scared the goblins away? Look, the fire is still burning!"
"The ash is drifting this way!"
Xiao Xiao, holding a telescope, observed from atop a large rock and spoke.
"It's unlikely... but a fire spreading through such a vast primeval forest... it's indeed a huge problem..."
Ye Feng frowned as he looked at the raging inferno in the distance.
"Everyone be careful, I have a very bad feeling about this!"
At this moment, Yuan Ling spoke, her tone heavy.
Immediately after, Ye Feng's group rested briefly and then set off again.
As they were nearing the location of the goblin altar Yuan Ling had mentioned, everyone became even more cautious.
...
The sky gradually darkened.
"Swoosh swoosh!"
Suddenly, Little Green's nose twitched. "There's a smell of blood in the air! It's from that direction!"
"Big Brother, there are goblins over there!"
Almost simultaneously, Xiao Xiao, who was observing with binoculars, also spoke softly.
"It's goblin scouts and patrols. The altar is nearby!"
Alak's hushed voice rang out.
"Come, everyone put these on!"
At this moment, He Shang's hand glowed with green light, and pieces of green leather armor appeared on the ground before everyone.