Pillar of Yita

As for the guilds involved, as long as the Super Competitive League doesn’t trouble them, everything will be fine.

Fang Hong continued flipping through, and only found something of interest to himself about a month later.

The journal recorded events of August 3:

’We encountered some trouble while continuing to explore the lower mining area. Some strange construct beasts emerged from the rock layers, and quite a few people died.’

This marked the first appearance of these construct beasts in the records.

Afterwards, their traces increasingly multiplied.

In the journal owner’s account, these construct beasts are called ’Crystalysis Beasts’, and their standout feature is that they’re not just living crystals, but have intricate internal structures, almost like artificial creations.

Yet there’s no evidence to suggest they’re man-made, and they possess a strict social structure, with larger Crystalysis Beasts ruling over smaller groups.

Those large Crystalysis Beasts, as described in the journal, presumably are the big crabs outside. Fang Hong had not yet seen the smaller ones, but the journal describes them as humanoid.

Additionally, there are records of even larger Crystalysis Beasts. The journal’s owner even suspects these Crystalysis Beasts have a leader.

Because under its command, Crystalysis Beasts quickly swarmed out from deep underground, starting an assault on the entire mining area.

That day was evidently a turning point. Since then, conditions in the mining area deteriorated, with Crystalysis Beasts devouring layers from the bottom up until reaching the surface.

The team that the journal’s owner was part of had no choice but to seek external assistance after failing to control the situation.

This is what happened within the week; to maintain their own interests, the collaborating guilds each sent support teams.

The previously intercepted distress letter mentioned a person named Burkeaso, who was among one of the guild teams who came to support. However, they had bad luck, arriving shortly before the Crystalysis Beasts attacked the camp.

Fang Hong finished reading the last word and tossed the last page into the fire, burning it to ashes.

Now several questions stood before them:

First, the place Beiji mentioned indeed has Earth Origin Crystals, and quite a lot of them. But below, it’s filled with construct beasts called Crystalysis Beasts. Due to unclear levels of Invokers in this camp, their origins, habits, and danger levels are unknown.

The Big Cat People once said the formation of Earth Origin Crystals below might be related to the magical power extraction from the entire Nogness area. Thus, despite uncertainties about the Crystalysis Beasts’ origins, he couldn’t help but suspect whether Dark Saints believers were causing trouble behind the scenes.

Second, the only good news is that their previous Invokers built a reliable path below the crevasse, so they’re not groping in darkness trying to find their way.

But it’s uncertain if the Crystalysis Beasts have damaged those paths. According to the journal, it’s not impossible for them to have this awareness.

Third, the journal mentioned, before the camp was attacked, the arriving guild support teams had dispatched several Vanguard Squads into the pit. Although these people might have died, they might still remain below the pit.

As for those who died in the camp, based on the interrupted journal date, they were likely attacked at the latest two days ago, even if they revived in the forward camp, their arrival here would be within a week.

Meaning, they have at most three or four days left.

Most of these people had affiliations with guilds who participated in the Seven Seas Travel Group’s pursuit. Although in the present situation, these people might not actively cause trouble, they certainly won’t let them leave easily later.

In contrast, those remaining in the pit might just be a minor problem. If they’re still alive below the mountain, they’re likely in dire straits, eager for someone to lend a hand. Even if they recognized Seven Seas Travel Group members, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble easily.

Moreover, Seven Seas Travel Group only wanted some Earth Origin Crystals, and it’s impossible for them to empty the mining area below. There’s no fundamental conflict of interests between the two.

Fang Hong finished speaking and looked up at everyone by the campfire.

And after hearing his analysis, everyone reacted differently.

The people underground like Walnut naturally had no say, Titanium Pea and Zaozi were even a bit worried. Several guild members were wiped out in this place, sparking immense crises in their hearts, feeling threats looming within the snow, and indescribable monsters possibly lurking behind some snowflake.

Those monsters could appear at any moment and devour them completely.

Walnut below ground felt slightly better, having seen Fang Hong and the others fight, and had a bit of confidence in Seven Seas Travel Group.

Beiji remained silent, head down, pondering something.

Seven Seas Travel Group’s expression was much better, except Tianlan, who lowered her small head, holding a steaming cup, sipping the warm milk inside intermittently, leaving a faint milk mark on her lips.

Fang Hong looked at her and knew she was feeling guilty; despite joining the group early, she had the least combat experience, inevitably feeling a bit uneasy.