Chapter 33: Pure Blood Protection

The white light dissipated, and the scene slowly froze.

Before the eyes was a vast black plain, shrouded in a faint mist. The visibility wasn’t high, but the undulating mountains in the distance could be vaguely seen, resembling the spine of a giant beast.

The Bone Mountain Range was vast. Even with the speed of an Awakened, it would take several days to traverse the map.

Bai Pu opened the map—this was the difference between the Boundary Land and the Spirit Realm Plane, where the Awakened could bring real-world items in.

Utilizing this characteristic, the military placed camps for resting throughout the Bone Mountain Range. The locations of each camp were marked on Bai Pu’s map.

"My current location should be called the Black Plain."

Bai Pu looked ahead, "The map marks the danger zones and restricted areas of the Bone Mountain Range and indicates the recommended exploration level for each area. The outer region is recommended for Level 1 Awakened, the central area for Level 2, and the deepest parts for Level 3..."

The reason for such a clear distinction in danger levels is due to the varying concentrations of Spiritual Particles in the Bone Mountain Range. The outer area is sparse, the central area is higher, and the deepest parts, especially some danger zones, have the highest concentration of Spiritual Particles.

If Spirit Realm Creatures are fish, the concentration of Spiritual Particles is their nourishment. They instinctively strive to gather in areas with the highest concentration, but Spirit Realm Creatures also have territorial awareness; only the strong have the right to occupy the area with the highest concentration, and so on.

Of course, this isn’t an online game, and unexpected situations can occur. Monsters from the deepest areas may occasionally wander to the central or even outer regions.

Ahead, a rotten bone skeleton, dragging a rusted curved saber, was wandering without noticing Bai Pu.

Bai Pu stepped forward and swung his Bone Hammer a few times, quickly smashing the rotten bone skeleton to death.

Monsters in the Boundary Land don’t drop treasure chests, but the Awakened can loot their bodies and strip the dead of their equipment!

However, these pieces of equipment are in an state. Without completing the Spiritual Particle resonance step, the Awakened cannot use them normally and can only use them as fire pokers.

Bai Pu bent down and picked up the rusted curved saber from the rotten bone skeleton.

At the same time, Bai Pu received a message from the Spirit Realm Will:

Although Bai Pu could pick up this saber, the attached attributes would not take effect.

However, the equipment looted in the Boundary Land can still be collected and sold to companies that recycle discarded equipment. These companies dismantle and smelt them, converting them into Spiritual Metal Material.

If lucky, one might find top-grade equipment from powerful monsters, which can be resealed using a drop of . Once sealed, the equipment can be used by the Awakened.

Of course, also comes in different grades, with the high-grade being very valuable, not cheaper than a piece of Golden Equipment. Whether resealing is worthwhile depends on the situation.

Bai Pu threw the gray saber into Storage Space, continued forward, and found several more rotten bone skeletons.

The previously explored Virtual Dungeon was modeled after the Boundary Land of the . The monsters that appear in White Bone Cave, such as rotten bone skeletons, Skeleton Soldiers, and Bone Mages, are all types found within the Bone Mountain Range.

The first, second, and third floors of the White Bone Cave are actually designed based on the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 areas of the Bone Mountain Range.

There is one key difference: the White Bone Cave is a Virtual Dungeon; it only trains Combat Specialization and skill proficiency, without increasing Professional Experience or providing loot. The Bone Mountain Range is a real Boundary Land where one can gain valuable Professional Experience, known as "leveling," and scavenge for equipment and materials.

After walking on the Black Plain for a few hours, Bai Pu entered the Level 2 area, which is the mid-section of the Bone Mountain Range.

This was a rather expansive valley, named "Black Mist Valley" on the map.

Bai Pu first found the camp in Black Mist Valley, which was a bunker set up by the military.

To prevent the camp from being destroyed by new monster groups during the Boundary Land’s closure, the military intentionally dug down when setting up camp, designing it as a bunker.

Bai Pu checked into the bunker, which was covered with dust and cobwebs, as if it hadn’t been used in a long time.

With the Boundary Land closed for three months in reality, and no Awakened in the Bone Mountain Range, time flowed faster, likely several years had passed.

The bunker was empty, with only simple steel campaign beds, small tables, and other furniture, all made of stainless steel. Although simple, it was sufficient as a temporary camp for taking a rest. The bunker was well-hidden, eliminating worries of being discovered by wandering monsters.

While the Awakened can go days without sleep without affecting combat power, proper rest is necessary when Spiritual Power is exhausted; otherwise, recovery becomes difficult, making a resting place essential.

Bai Pu took the key, turned around, and stepped out of the bunker, locking the iron door behind him.

As for now, this bunker was for Bai Pu’s use.

The military prohibited damaging public facilities, with severe penalties for offenders. Thus, to some extent, this iron door could prevent other Awakened from entering when left unguarded.

"The Black Mist Valley has a lot of monsters, mostly Level 1 and Level 2, perfect for my training."

Bai Pu strode forward, clutching a handful of stones. Whenever he glimpsed the vague silhouettes of monsters in the mist, he would toss a stone to lure them over.

After learning the skill, Bai Pu’s aim was decent even without using the skill. This was the change that Combat Skills brought to the Awakened.

Soon, a horde of skeleton monsters followed behind Bai Pu. Most were ordinary Skeleton Soldiers, along with two Skeleton Warriors.

Scaly Skin, activate! Flesh Armor, activate!

Threads of blood-red energy were drawn from the surrounding monsters, adhering to Bai Pu and transforming into a blood-red shield.

After two minutes, all the Skeleton Soldiers were dead, and the two Skeleton Warriors were left with little health.

Bai Pu took down one Skeleton Warrior and brought the second one to a near-death state. The latter knelt on the ground, clutching a great sword, waiting for time to pass to regain its Life Value.

Bai Pu extended one finger, from which a drop of bright red blood emerged.

Pure Blood Protection!

Pop.

The pure blood fell on the head of the Skeleton Warrior, soaked into its skull, and spread throughout its body.

The remaining Soul Fire in the eye sockets of the Skeleton Warrior trembled violently, as if struggling in its will.

A few seconds later, it stood up, dragging its great sword, and solemnly stood by Bai Pu’s side.

Bai Pu received a prompt, gaining 2 points of Life Source. Including the Skeleton Warrior previously killed, it was a total of 4 points, bringing the total up to 83/100.

Bai Pu allocated all 7 points of Free Attribute from the pure blood to the Skeleton Warrior’s Power.

Crack, crack!

With a series of bone-cracking sounds, the Skeleton Warrior’s bones enlarged and thickened, and the soul fire in its eye sockets became even more intense.