The Medallion

Unbeknown to him, Rocky saw the source of the rich spiritual power he had felt, when he carefully picked up the glinting package and opened it. He beheld an exquisitely embellished brocade box. He could not believe that he was holding it in his hand! Apart from the box, he saw the package also contained a book and a map.

Placing the brocade box securely in the package, Rocky scrutinized the book whose pages were frayed at their corners, because it was obvious that countless hands had turned them. It was titled, 'Demonic Fire Codex'. Now that he had taken a closer look at it, he grasped that it was about a spiritual martial arts skill, and meant for the spirit manipulators, who were at the Heavenly Stage. Next, he opened the creased and dusty map and began studying it, after he had smoothened the lines and blown the dust off. Initially, he was confused by the many marks around, what looked like a route on the map. Then, his focus shifted, and he noticed a cross that was drawn in one part of the map. From what Rocky could see and put together, it seemed like was a treasure map.

Now that he had seen the book and the map, he picked up the brocade box with much trepidation. Its well-crafted magnificent exterior told Rocky that something even more splendid was inside. It was plain that its contents were extremely significant - otherwise, why would anyone get such a magnificent container? He could discern that it contained important things, but what were they - that was the million-dollar question. Curious to find out, and get his answer, Rocky slowly opened the brocade box. While he was doing that, he was blinded for a few seconds, when a scarlet ray surged from the narrow opening and illuminated the surroundings. However, his eyes quickly adapted to the bright light. When he looked inside the brocade box, he was surprised to see a giant scarlet pearl, the size of a ping pong ball. Also, besides being colorless, it was transparent. Rocky was bewildered by what he saw next - bright flames dancing inside the scarlet pearl! Those rising flames were indeed sending out a forceful spiritual power.

Amazed and moved, "What's this?" is what Rocky could say. To take a closer look, he then, took the scarlet pearl out of the box. He could not still figure out its significance, even though he had been observing it for a while. However, what he could tell, was that it was much more than a rare treasure, like a Dark Heaven Egg or Heaven Divine Lotus Seed, which could be refined.

Now that Rocky had understood that the scarlet pearl was unique, he channeled his spiritual power into it to study it further, and comprehend what it was all about. Most unexpectedly, within a few seconds, it auto-ignited in his hand, and before he knew what was happening, leaping flames began rising towards the cave's high ceiling. Also, they were growing bigger by the minute. Shortly after that, the pearl gradually rose and flew into the air with the upward thrust the conflagration had created. Magically, like shape-shifters, the flames took the forms of several formidable dragons, started flying around the pearl, and lit up the entire cave, from top to bottom, leaving no dark corners. This scene of the fire, incandescent light, and spiritual power held Rocky spellbound.

However, that did not continue for long. Soon, the flames around the pearl disappeared, and it started falling down from the air. But the ever watchful Rocky did not let it hit the ground, and he caught it midway.

"I wonder if this a Spiritual Weapon like the Frozen Wind Dagger?" Rocky murmured to himself. With his focus then shifting to the corpse that was in front of him, countless questions bothered him, he thought, "Who is this? Why did this person carry these treasures to the cave? Why, and how did this person die?"

corpse's waist, he glanced at it. When he reached out to take it, he recognized the flame-shaped sign on it. Rocky was

remembered that once he had seen the sign at the Beast Evaluation Contest that had been held at the Super Beast Farm. It was the same Roaring Flame Empire's flame-shaped sign, that Carter had used during the event.

Empire?" Rocky thought as he looked

the token around the corpse's waist, Rocky could not see any other signs that would reveal its identity. However, he was sure about one thing, that the person had been a great spirit manipulator. Rocky could deduce that from

a huge and

jagged jaws wide open, with blood oozing from its innards, descend on him. Rocky wished his feet were wheels, and he could push them at the speed of light. Nevertheless, he was running as fast as he could, when he felt that something long, wet, and slippery had grabbed him. He realized that he was in the coils of the shadow's tongue, which was taking him into its cave-like mouth. When Rocky was inside, he

it, was fluttering in front of a military camp

from the Roaring Flame Empire have disappeared. They went missing on the Gehenna Border, while they were on their way to pay tribute. What the hell

person who had just shouted angrily at the commanders was a charmingly charismatic lady with delicate features. Her annoyance only highlighted her chiseled cheekbones, and the blood that rushed to her face, made her look like a princess, with a snowy skin that had been delicately painted in the most subtle crimson hue. Her exasperation only highlighted her exceptional beauty, even as she stared at the commanders who stood in front of her. In that state too, her eyes shone like almond-shaped diamonds and heightened their attractiveness. No man in the world could resist them, and every man wanted to drown in their depths. Each of the commanders who stood in front of her inwardly was smitten with her. Though they stood respectfully, her words did not register with them. Their heads were filled with her image, in their hearts, they

present, he would have been shocked to see her and learn that

Border. Rest assured, we will find them soon. I request

urged her not to get angry regarding the three missing envoys. Though they mustered the courage to address