The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

Chapter 821: Chapter 821: Into the Tiger’s Den

The sun rose from the east, and Benson Bernard, who had been sitting cross-legged all night, stood up.

”No good, the poison won’t dissipate. After a whole night, there’s no change. It seems that to fully rid myself of the poison, I have to delve deep into Harmony Hollow to find the Spiritual Spring at the location of Harmony Eye or some other antidote.”

Delaney Hunter said with a smile, ”Isn’t it perfect that a divine object has emerged right there? We might as well go in for a look.”

Benson nodded, then turned to Carson Flores. Before he could speak, Carson preempted him, ”I want to go in too.”

Benson spoke gently, ”It’s dangerous inside, not just because of the poison, but also the presence of various Demonic Beasts. You haven’t been poisoned, so there’s really no need for you to go.”

Carson said softly, ”Ten years ago, the Kahdas team ventured into Harmony Hollow. My father was among them and went missing in the Hollow. Even though I know he’s probably dead, I still want to go in and look around—at least as a way to fulfill a wish.”

After a pause, Carson’s face broke into a brilliant smile, ”A Cultivator battles against heaven and earth, and dangers are everywhere. Should we just hide in our retreats and cultivate forever? Eventually, we must face it all, right?”

Benson listened, his gaze slightly sympathetic, and didn’t stop him anymore, ”Fine, let’s go in together. After all, if we can’t beat them, we run. Even if the poison can’t be cured, it won’t be fatal, only diminish one’s strength.”

”Alright!”

Benson instructed, ”First take a cup of Blissful Bird’s blood and see if it can fend off the poison.”

”Okay.”

The three of them entered Harmony Hollow and stopped after a certain distance.

”At this spot, the poison is quite concentrated. How do you feel?”

Carson tested and responded, ”I feel it, but it’s not severe. My skin is starting to turn a pale blue, but it’s lighter than yours. It seems the Blissful Bird’s blood really works, it can detoxify and resist the poison.”

”That’s good to hear; let’s continue deeper in.”

The three flew at a low altitude towards the deeper parts of Harmony Hollow.

After a long flight, a range of towering mountains appeared ahead of them.

The trio flew to the top of a mountain and found that the mountains formed a ring, like the spread fingers of an open hand. Nested within the mountains lay a depressed basin, and in the direct center of the basin, there was a rather modest-sized pool.

What was terrifying was that at the edge of the pool, countless Demonic Beasts were lining up in an eerie queue, each drinking from the pool one after another.

Delaney murmured, ”Harmony Eye, Spiritual Spring?”

Benson looked around and whispered, ”It should be. This area surrounded by the mountain range is the Harmony Eye, and the pool in the center is the Spiritual Spring. These Demonic Beasts are able to fend off Harmony Hollow’s deadly poison by drinking from the Spiritual Spring!”

Carson asked quietly, ”So many Demonic Beasts are drinking from the Spiritual Spring, but why is it that only the blood of the Blissful Bird can detoxify, and the blood of other beasts doesn’t have the same effect?”

Benson observed the meticulously lined-up Demonic Beasts below; they were very disciplined, showing no restlessness, and despite so many beasts gathered together, there was no fighting or killing.

These Demonic Beasts would line up to drink water from the pool, and once sated, they would quickly depart.

”Many of these beasts aren’t of a high level and may come to drink the water only when poisoned and feeling unwell, which isn’t often, so their intake of the water isn’t much. The Blissful Birds, wise and owning a nature that delights in nectar and Spiritual Spring water, might drink frequently and in larger quantities, so that’s why their blood might have detoxifying properties.”

After observing for a while, Carson whispered, ”What do we do now?”

Benson thought for a moment, ”Do you see that golden lion by the pool? It’s a Great Demon guarding the basin. It’s because of its presence that these beasts are so orderly...”

Carson’s gaze fell on a lion the size of an elephant not far from the pool, which was lazily sprawled out. Its skin was entirely golden, each mane around its neck shimmered with Golden Light, and its body seemed to be forged from gold, offering both beauty and a sense of immense danger.

Benson whispered, ”I’ll try to collect the water directly. If I can’t, I’ll draw away the Golden Lion, and then Delaney, you go get the spring water. Take as much as you can. I will come back for you. Eddie, you just stay here. I’ll cast a concealing spell on you so your presence fades, and to their senses, you’ll be like an inert rock as long as no beast sees you directly.”

”Okay!”

Benson formed seals with his fingers and tapped on Carson, who felt his presence weaken immediately, placing him in a mystical state.

Benson’s form flickered, appearing instantly in mid-air, and with another flicker, he was near the Spiritual Spring at the center of the basin.

At the same time, the lazing Golden Lion suddenly turned its head, golden pupils sparking with lightning.

Just as Benson lunged toward the Spiritual Spring, a bolt of Golden Light materialized out of nowhere, striking at him. The Golden Lion leapt up, pawing through the air at Benson.

With that swing, the very space seemed to crack.

Benson, weakened by the strange toxin, dared not meet the blow head-on. Moreover, with so many beasts nearby, getting tangled in a fight could mean he wouldn’t escape.

Benson twisted his body, dodged the swipe, and turned to flee.