Thinking of this, the dark mage aimed his dark magic at the thorn pangolin, and then chased Ace in the direction of escape.

The thorn pangolin took a "dizziness" and stayed there for a while. He kept shaking his head, trying to wake up as quickly as possible.

The masked mage ordered the four-tailed mountain fox to temporarily restrain the thorn pangolin, and he himself turned into countless shadows, chasing Ace.

"Little thing, so young. There are a lot of tricks! The masked mage said coldly.

When Ace heard the voice behind him, he was very worried. I wanted to use "extreme speed" to quickly close the distance, but failed.

The masked mage is like Ace's shadow, always following him closely. No matter how hard Ace tried, he couldn't get rid of it.

"Hey little thing, that's the difference between level 7 and my level 9! Alright, don't waste any time, I'll get you on your way as soon as I can! The man reached out and grabbed Ace's shoulder.

Ace could feel his palms filled with powerful dark energy. He wanted to dodge, but he couldn't.

He felt a tense shoulder, then a sharp pain, and suddenly lost sensation in his right shoulder. Then, the back of his neck cooled down, and the dark energy came to his neck. Ace knew that he could not escape, and chose to close his eyes: "It's over." ”

At this time, Ace's mood was very complicated. There is reluctance, regret, regret and a hint of peace.

He is only 14 years old. At this age, he was already a level 6 dark mage. This is very rare. If he survives, maybe it's only a matter of time before he becomes a magister, or even a great mage.

If he had followed Victor's advice and brought a few generals into the forest, he would not have been hunted down by the mysterious dark mage, which was a pity.

It's also a pity that he was still young, didn't marry and have children, didn't help Thornrose make a comeback, and didn't even find the real cause of his mother's death.

As for the rest of the peace, Ace didn't know where he came from. But none of that mattered, because he was about to face his own death.

However, while Ace was waiting for death, he felt the mark on his forehead suddenly awaken, and a large amount of dark energy poured out of his body, which immediately stopped the masked magician's attack.

"What!" The masked mage exclaimed. He didn't understand what was happening, and his own "decapitation" apparently grabbed Ace by the neck. Why was he suddenly blocked by a mysterious magic?

Ace was ecstatic. Although he doesn't know the truth of the matter, it's definitely a good thing for him.

He saw the mysterious lake in front of him and rushed straight towards it without saying a word.

"Look where you're going!" The Dark Mage quickly woke up after a bit of a coma. Then a dark magic suddenly flew out and hit Ace in the back.

Ace's heart had been injured before that. At this point, the "Burst" magic failed, and his back was even more injured. How can you withstand this blow. Directly in the wind, it turned into a residual leaf, and fell into the icy lake with a "plop".

The dark mage just wanted to jump into the lake to find it. After all, he needs to get Ace's head in order to get back on the mission.

But at that moment, an earth-shattering roar erupted in his mind: "Go! ”

At the same time, the masked dark mage was shocked to find that he could not control his feet and fell directly to the ground, his face pressed against the ground, trembling and unable to move.

At this moment, his whole spirit completely collapsed. He felt that his soul was not the slightest resistance to the invisible pressure. He looked small, like an ant standing in front of a dragon.

After a long time, the stress gradually wears off.

The masked mage was already soaking wet, and his face was as white as white paper. He gasped and struggled to his feet slowly. He stood up a little straighter, felt dizzy, and then fell again.

As his consciousness gradually reawakened, his sense of powerlessness and exhaustion gradually disappeared. Then he looked at the calm lake in front of him in horror and couldn't help but swallow.

Although he didn't know what terrible existence was in the lake, he knew very well that if he rushed into the water to search, he would definitely die a tragic death.

He glanced reluctantly at the mysterious lake, then turned to the thorny pangolin and the four-tailed mountain fox that were still struggling.

......

The wind is howling, and the wilderness is boundless.

At this time, although the heavy snow has stopped, the temperature is still low, and the snow in the New Delhi Empire cannot melt for a long time.

In the vast wilderness, a contingent of emperors and armies was on their way.

This team is very special because there are hundreds of people in the team who are not soldiers. Although these people were not soldiers of the legionnaires, they had a very special status.

Many of them were famous tailors, cooks, alchemists, and blacksmiths in the Empire. They were invited by the Emperor to the Warcraft Mountains.

"Hey, Arak, do you think the boss has broken through again? With his talent, I think he might have made it to level 5! Leon sat in the stable and said to Arak.

Arak looked at him blankly and said, "What are you talking about?" Didn't the boss confess before he left? Let's hurry up and move ourselves up, you're not ashamed at all. Take a look at the results of your training over the past month. Without the help of various alchemical medicines, you may still be a level 2 magician, and you may not even be qualified to enter the Warcraft Mountain Range. ”

Leon curled his lips and said, "Do you still have the face to criticize me?" Didn't you just make a breakthrough too? ”

"I'm on my own. You know how to eat. Even the level of the mage depends on your mouth! You haven't made any progress in the past month or so other than your weight gain! Even though I'm a magician, I still have the status of an alchemist. "Arak kept taunting Leon.

The fat man was about to retort, but he heard a cold voice: "Enough! Shut up, you two! ”

The two men who were still competing with each other immediately shut up, they didn't dare to face this famous irascible spirit.

The person who spoke was none other than Ace's teacher, Ari Stark, who was an expert in the New Delhi Empire.

Not so long ago, the empire recruited blacksmiths and other professionals throughout the country and offered them very high prices. At that time, many blacksmiths and alchemists came to the imperial capital.

Initially, the Emperor invited Stark for the first time, hoping that he would go to the Warcraft Mountains, and offered a sky-high price.

But at the time, Stark flatly refused, and the herald did not dare to say anything more, so he left Stark's blacksmith shop in despair.

However, no one expected that the next morning, Stark approached the herald and asked if he needed a blacksmith. The herald nodded as naturally as a pound of garlic. For them, it's good news to be able to attract an expert like Stark.

Frankly, Stark is still worried about Ace. After all, he was his first apprentice and probably the last.

Stark was impatient with Ace at first, but gradually accepted it, and then he was satisfied. Eventually, Ace became more and more important, and he longed to pass on his forging skills to Ace.

Now, Ace has been in the Warcraft Mountain Range for a month, but he hasn't sent a letter during this time, which makes Stark a little angry, and of course more worried.

At this point, Stark frowned and looked at the fog-covered area. He couldn't see the direction of the road.

Now, the empire has temporarily blocked the information inside Warcraft Mountain, so ordinary people don't know anything about the situation there. They just know what's going on there. As for the specifics, they could not guess.

For this reason, and after careful consideration, Stark finally decided to follow the army into Monster Mountain to see what was going on there.

Kling's little head poked out of the sack next to Stark and asked Stark, "Uncle Stark, how long are we going to be there?" ”

Stark's eyes visibly relaxed a lot and said, "I think it's going to take four or five days." ”

Klin's face was a little disappointed: "Huh? It's been too long. I thought I would be there tomorrow. ”

"You little fellow, the imperial capital is hundreds of kilometers away from the Demon Beast Mountain Range. We've only been on our way for three days. How could it have arrived so soon! Stark said helplessly.

For Kling, Stark didn't want to take him to the Monster Mountains. Instead, he planned to send him to the home of an old friend in the imperial capital. After all, the situation at the front during the war was too complicated. However, Kling insisted on going along, saying that he hadn't seen Ace in a long time and that he had to go to the barracks to see it. He also repeatedly promised that he would not cause trouble.

Stark naturally knew Klin's personality and knew he wasn't going to cause trouble. In addition, Stark was also worried that it might be dangerous for Kling to stay alone in the Imperial Capital, so he could only take him to the Warcraft Mountains.

As Stark looked at the fog and thought, a large cage behind their carriage suddenly shook.

The cage is two square meters and is covered with a huge curtain. The curtains are blown up and down by the wind, revealing the scene inside the cage.

However, a handful hand grabbed the corner of the curtain to keep the cold wind from blowing. The big man in the cage seems to be playing.

"Rules!" Stark whispered into the iron cage.

A complaining cry came from the cage, as if complaining that the iron cage was too small.

Stark didn't want to take the creature with him at first, but none of his old friends in the Imperial Capital dared to adopt it. In the end, Stark had to take it with him.

To this end, the regimental commander also specifically ordered the soldiers to plug the ears of all horses with cotton cloths, so that the roar of the Titans would not affect the horses.

In addition, they covered the iron cage with curtains. After all, it's a level 6 monster.

I don't know how long later, Ace woke up from a fainting. He was aching and had no strength at all.

"I, am I dead?"

Ace couldn't help but ask himself, but when he struggled to his feet and saw the white beads in front of him, Ace was sure that he wasn't dead.

Where is this?

Ace looked around and saw that he seemed to be in an open cave.

Not far away, the beads that emit white light are the only source of light in the cave, and the light is not bright.

Around the cave, Ace didn't find any exit, only a four-square-meter pool not far away.

Ace tried to stand up straight, but the wounds on his back and right shoulder hurt sharply. He slowly reached for it and found that although the scar was horrible, it had almost healed but had not fully recovered.

"What's going on?" Ace didn't understand at all. He doesn't treat his wounds, how can they heal on their own?

Just when Ace was confused, a voice suddenly sounded in the cave: "Little one, can you take me out?" ”

The voice is rough and a little hoarse. It's like two boulders rubbing against each other. Very uncomfortable.

"Who are you?" Ace immediately became alert and looked around the cave, trying to use his keen insight to determine the location of the other party.

But Ace searched three times, but still couldn't find the breath of the other party.

At this time, another voice sounded: "Little one, don't look around, I'm right in front of you." ”

"Ahead?" Ace looked in front of him, but he saw nothing but the mysterious white bead.

"You can see me when you come to the front!" The sound echoed through the cave.

Ace hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked forward in front of the white beads, and then crouched down curiously to look at the beads.

However, when he clearly saw what was inside the beads, he was frightened and backed away. Because he saw a dragon waving its wings in the middle of the beads.

"Don't be afraid, little one." The voice rang out again.

Ace looked panicked, but he quickly remembered what was recorded in the book and couldn't help asking, "Dragon Ball?" ”

"Hehe, I didn't expect you to know about Dragon Ball?"

Ace frowned and thought.

Ancient dragons are said to have survived for hundreds of thousands of years without dying. Over the course of their long lives, they have cultivated a spirit orb called the Dragon Ball. It is said that after the death of the ancient dragons, the souls will be sealed in the dragon balls, and the dragon's soul can live for 20 years.

Suddenly, Ace seemed to realize something, and then took a few steps back, looking at the fist-sized white dragon ball with fear on his face.

"What? Did you guess my identity so quickly? The voice asked with some mockery.

After some thought, Ace had already guessed the origin of this Dragon Ball.

After the death of a dragon, the dragon's soul will not be hidden for 20 years. But which ancient dragon has died in the last 20 years?

Just over a decade ago, during the Battle of the Dragon, the dragon died on the Demon Beast Mountain Range, not far from here.

In this case, the owner of this Dragon Ball is the ancient dragon that shocked the entire Mandala Continent.

"What? Scared? The voice asked jokingly.

After being frightened, Ace quickly regained his composure and said coldly, "You're all dead." What am I afraid of? ”

The voice turned cold: "Really? Are you really not afraid? ”

In an instant, Ace felt a heavy pressure that would completely overwhelm him, leaving his body clinging to the ground and completely unable to move.

Ace was familiar with this powerful soul suppression power. Because a few months ago, when Ace first came to the Warcraft Mountain Range to carry out his mission, he had such an experience by this lake. It was also suppressed by a powerful soul force and was completely unable to breathe.

"Now? Are you scared? The voice echoed in Ace's ears.

Ace only felt his head buzzing and a sharp pain. He could barely utter a word.

After a long time, the stress gradually wears off. Ace felt that his body could finally move. He immediately began to gasp. The body was exhausted and felt as if it was about to fall apart.

"Are you afraid? Hahaha! The voice burst out laughing.

Ace, on the other hand, looked depressed and gasped and said, "You're all dead." What is there to be afraid of! In addition, the last time a dragon was slayed was 13 years ago. Now, your soul has only 7 years left to live. ”

The ancient dragon had never thought that Ace's willpower was so strong that he was reluctant to appear weak in front of it.

He was silent for a long time, and then said, "As long as you can take me out, I can give you the maximum strength and help you quickly improve your strength." What do you think? ”

Seeing that Ace didn't eat hard, the ancient dragon had no choice but to tempt him.

Ace sniffed, "It is said that the dark mage colluded with you to gain supreme power. I'll never believe it. Now, do you want to make a deal with me? Do you think I'll agree? ”

Ace naturally disagreed with him. After all, the ancient dragon had committed many crimes and caused great harm to the people of the Mandala Continent. If you let it out, won't you become a sinner for the ages?

Although he did not understand, this magical dragon now only had the remnants of the dragon's soul. It's only seven years away from disappearing completely. What will it do?

"If you refuse my request, I'll kill you!" There was a threat in his voice.

Ace still didn't flinch: "Do you think I'm afraid of death?" ”

"You, you! I don't believe that there are people in this world who are not afraid of death! The dragon's voice was deafening.

Ace's gaze was firm. He took two steps forward and stared at the Dragon Balls.

After a long silence, Ace asked, "I'm curious. Why did you choose me? ”

The dragon snorted coldly, "Because your spiritual power is enough to carry my dragon soul!" There have been many people who have been to this great lake before, but their mental strength is too poor to succeed in bringing me out! ”

"You mean, you want to go out through my body?" Ace's eyes were alert.

The voice said, "When I first felt your presence, I really wanted to do it. But this time, it seems that I don't need it, because what hangs around your neck is enough to carry my soul! ”

Ace looked down at the "Divine Pendant" hanging around his neck, and couldn't help frowning.

"Boy, you're wearing part of my dragon core around your neck. Naturally, it can carry my dragon soul! The dragon said.

"What!" Ace never imagined that the "Sacred Pendant" that Alexander had given him was the dragon's core.

"As long as you take the dragon core and get close to my dragon ball, I can drill into the dragon core." The dragon continued.

Ace knew that after the death of the ancient dragons, if the dragon was trapped in the Dragon Ball, then after 20 years, the dragon would disappear completely. Because of this, this ancient dragon is eager to get the dragon's soul out of Dragon Ball and find a new carrier.

As part of the body of an ancient dragon, the "Sacred Pendant" was naturally the best choice.

However, Ace doesn't plan to release it. After all, he committed heinous crimes, killing many heroes of the empire.

"Kid, I know what you're thinking. You must think that when I go out, I will still harm the world, don't you? I'll show you a clip and you'll know the truth about it! ”

As soon as the dragon's voice fell, Ace only felt that the picture around him had changed drastically.

He saw himself standing in an open field, looked up, and saw a large mountain in front of him.

The peaks are so high that you can't see the top of the mountain at all.

Ace was surprised that it was a cold winter, but why was there a scene of birds singing and the fragrance of flowers? Looking up at the sky, the sun is shining, this is exactly what spring looks like.

However, when the sun shines on you, you don't feel warm at all.

But not far away, two men in blue robes were whispering.

"Can we really do that? If we are discovered, we will definitely be sentenced to death by the Empire! ”

"There's nothing we can do right now. The Supreme Court has issued an order requiring us to complete the mining of 2,000 kilograms of the Holy Light Magic Stone within a month. If we don't, how can we accomplish this task? Don't you know that almost all the veins in the empire were divided by the nobles? Where can we get 2,000 kilograms of Holy Light Magic Stones? Don't you know, what's the temper of the top staff? If we don't meet the deadline, we'll lose a lot of money! We really have no choice but to do it! “

Their quarrel quickly caught Ace's attention. Ace walked slowly towards them.

When Ace came to the two men, they didn't respond and still talked in a low voice. Judging by their collars, they are all level 7 water magicians.

"I'm sorry..."

Before Ace finished asking, the two men ignored Ace and walked through Ace's body. Their bodies don't seem to be real.

Ace soon realizes that he is in a fantasy. More precisely, it should be some kind of memory fragment, a reproduction of the past.

"No wonder they ignore me." Ace figured this out, so he quickly followed them to a cave not far away.

When Ace came to the cave and saw the huge stone door, he understood perfectly.

It is a stone gate that is more than 30 meters high and about 15 meters wide. The stone door is engraved with various ancient runes. The runes are complex and numerous. I don't understand what it means.

There is a slight flicker of light on the surface of the stone gate, like water waves. This should be a strong prohibition.

Ace knew that this was the forbidden area sealed by the legendary Hades and one of the five mandala forbidden areas that were widely distributed in the New Delhi Empire.

Looking at this majestic mountain, Ace quickly guessed that this was the highest peak at the southern tip of the Mandala Continent, called Shenzang Peak. From a distance alone, the mountain is straight and steep, piercing the earth.

It is said that there are five places on the continent of Mandala that can never be set foot on because they are forbidden places that Hades specifically warned the world to stay away from.

The magicians of the New Delhi Empire had a special respect for Hades, the king of Hades, and worshipped him as a god. In general, all people will follow Hades' advice.

But now it seems that there are still some people who are not afraid of death, or who do not have enough respect for Hades, and they even want to open the door of the forbidden area left by Hades, regardless of the consequences!