After parting with Hongye Mane,
Purple Hammer continued his journey in search of the Forbidden Fire.
He did not head toward the tribal lands of the purple-skinned blacksmiths on the eleventh floor to reunite with his kin. Instead, he went straight toward the passage leading to the twelfth floor.
The noble mission of seeking the Forbidden Fire and serving the Master made him unwilling to stop for even a moment.
Even if it meant returning home for a brief reunion with his companions.
Along the way, whenever he encountered a lava river, he would trek along its banks to find a way around.
Alternatively, he would find ways to construct temporary bridges or painstakingly roll across narrow sections of the river.
He had also taken the time to fuse the promotion stone ball into his body, raising his level to lv13.
Perhaps due to the physical modifications brought by the blessings of the two masters of each floor, he gained two new skills upon reaching lv13.
High-speed growth lv1 and lava blood lv1.
High-speed growth lv1 granted him powerful vitality, while lava blood lv1 increased his total mana and gave him potent fire-attribute mana and fire-attribute affinity.
Under the influence of the two guardians' powers and the modification from the promotion material,
his fundamental essence had already far surpassed that of an ordinary purple-skinned blacksmith.
In reality, blessings were not something just any monster could obtain.
Under normal circumstances, Zeno's blessing would cause a creature to grow directly into a true plantborn, being transformed into a plant.
Feiwan's blessing, on the other hand, would cause a creature to be instantly burned to ashes.
It was all due to the disparity in their status.
The reason Zeno had granted Purple Hammer her blessing was that her powerful perception had detected something unique about him.
Having been granted a true name by Dalun Li, Purple Hammer was special.
And the reason Feiwan had granted him her blessing as well,
was that she believed Purple Hammer, having already received Zeno's blessing, would be able to endure it.
Currently, by the side of a lava river, several flame skeletons were carrying Purple Hammer across.
On the bank, a flame skeletal shaman was directing them.
Once he reached the shore, Purple Hammer quickly thanked the skeletal shaman. It felt wonderful to have helpful colleagues everywhere.
He was just a bit worried—were his colleagues perhaps too kind and helpful? If they weren't a bit more fierce, wouldn't they be bullied by adventurers?
Though, usually, it was the skeletal shamans who bullied the adventurers.
“You are most welcome. However, Master Purple Hammer, the lava regions ahead will only become more numerous,”
“If you intend to travel on foot, it will only become increasingly difficult.”
“Falling into a lava river would still be very dangerous for you, despite your fire resistance,”
the skeletal shaman said while controlling the flame skeletons as they climbed out of the lava river.
After all, even flame skeletons could not remain submerged in lava for long, though their lack of flesh allowed them to move within it for short periods.
“I will be careful.”
“If... Master Purple Hammer, if you have the time, why not come with me? We might have a way to help you.”
“Though success is not guaranteed.”
In the eyes of adventurers, skeletal shamans were absolute evil—slaughtering demons who wandered the desert and were extremely difficult to deal with as they manipulated skeletons from the shadows.
But in Purple Hammer's eyes, these skeletons were simply too kind-hearted and enthusiastic.
“Thank you for your kindness, but you still have your duties to resist the adventurers. How could I trouble you?”
“It is no matter. Currently, only one adventurer has entered the Lava Stratum, and he is over there acting like a complete idiot, just smashing rocks.”
The skeletal shaman waved his bony hand.
“Just come with me. If we succeed, it could save you a great deal of time.”
In the end, Purple Hammer could not resist the skeletal shaman's goodwill and followed him to their gathering place.
Their settlement was very small and hidden underground.
While skeletal shamans communicated with one another, they usually lived and operated in small clusters.
These small clusters would exchange experiences and trade resources, but they never formed large settlements.
This was to prevent adventurers from raiding their home base while also allowing them to manipulate their skeletons more mobilely to deal with intruders.
Upon entering this underground cavern, the sweltering environment was naturally no problem for a purple-skinned blacksmith.
The tribal lands of the purple-skinned blacksmiths used for forging were much hotter than this.
“White Skull, you are back. Why did you bring a purple-skinned blacksmith with you?”
“Wait, the aura on this master is so noble. Could it be...”
As spellcasters, the several skeletal shamans present quickly sensed the aura emanating from Purple Hammer.
“Correct. This is Master Purple Hammer, the one granted a name by the Master to seek the Forbidden Fire. He has already had audiences with two of the floor guardians.”
“Whoa!”
The group of flame skeletal shamans gasped in admiration, the soul fire in their eye sockets sparkling as they scrutinized Purple Hammer.
Purple Hammer also noticed that these flame skeletal shamans had piled bones all over the ground.
Some were being refined with soul fire, some were being permeated with mana, and others were being soaked in special mana water.
Some bones had even been modified and assembled into unique structures, appearing to be finished products hanging on the walls.
All of these bones possessed significant mana fluctuations.
The refining of bones was somewhat similar to the foundry arts of the purple-skinned blacksmiths, but the underlying logic seemed fundamentally different.
“That is our research.”
“That group of skeletons in the Desert Stratum actually managed to modify a giant skeletal lizard mount based on the Master's skeletal lizard, and they even received the Master's praise and an Honor Badge!”
White Skull looked as if he were gnashing his teeth.
“Because of that, we flame skeletal shamans are striving to work harder. We intend to modify several special undead monsters to earn the Master's praise!”
The Skeletal Desert Senior Class and the Skeletal Lava Senior Class were now competing to win the teacher's little red flower.
“We have already developed one finished product.”
Though Purple Hammer did not quite understand this competition, he was greatly impressed.
These skeletal shamans were already serving the Master in such a field of competition.
No matter what, they, the purple-skinned blacksmiths, had to obtain the Forbidden Fire!
They could not be outdone!
“This is our latest monster research result, though it is not yet fully mature.”
“The main issue is that we have not yet found its ecological niche within the Lava Stratum.”
White Skull began to demonstrate for Purple Hammer.
The skeleton was thick and pure white, with a massive body. Its form was close to that of a lizard, yet it also bore some resemblance to a horse.
The ends of its four limbs were pitch black, and the bones connecting upward were gradient in color, eventually fading into white, looking much like rock.
“We still chose to use the skeletal lizard as a template to create the giant lava skeletal lizard.”
“She possesses extremely high fire resistance and can move at high speeds within the Lava Stratum.”
“The fire resistance of her limbs is particularly strong, allowing her to move on lava for short periods and cross rivers.”
“When paired with skeletal warriors to form skeletal knights, they will be unstoppable!”
Looking at the giant lava skeletal lizard before him, Purple Hammer was deeply shaken.
This was the result of all the flame skeletal shamans in the Lava Stratum sharing their wisdom with one another.
The adventurers were in for a treat.
Rate on N.U.
