Ghost Mountains.
In the Blood Battle Mine, the area where Alka and the others were staying.
A heated discussion was emanating from their temporary camp.
On one side were Alka and several other living beings with bodies.
On the other side were ghosts of various forms.
It wasn't just Lumina; as the conversation progressed, she brought along various scholars whose individual wills still lingered.
Clearly, her ability to preside over the entire ritual wasn't solely her credit, nor could she have accomplished it alone.
"Attracting these evil spirits in this way is far too dangerous! It could ignite their bloodlust and even cause them to devour one another.
There's a high possibility that they'll devour one another, creating a completely uncontrollable evil spirit king who might even break free from the ritual!" An elderly ghost roared, slamming the table.
Although he was slamming the table, his hand passed right through it.
The man confronting him upon hearing this was a man in his thirties. Judging from the ghostly presence, he was dressed in aristocratic attire and had held a high position in his lifetime.
Hearing the old man's rebuttal, he angrily shouted, "Old man, I've put up with you for so long! If not this method, then yours? How long will it take to expel these evil spirits? Do you know the size of the Ghost Mountain Range?
If it were just us, it would take at least several years, perhaps even over a decade! And there's no guarantee of success.
Of course, we don't mind, but what about those helping us? Would they waste their time on this? And if there's even a guarantee of success?
Where would we get enough manpower to come here to support us?"
As they discussed their options, it became clear that they didn't lack methods to attract all the evil spirits, but rather that they lacked a perfect solution.
Each method had its own flaws and drawbacks.
Simply put, no one could come up with a solution that satisfied everyone.
This debate had been going on for a long time.
As the debate began, slight compromises were made on various plans.
The plans gradually settled into a balance, taking into account various circumstances.
Faced with this situation, Alka and the others, who were less knowledgeable in this area, could only sit in the distance and listen silently, watching the arguments.
The arguments even reached a point where their very souls were shaken.
Faced with this situation, they could only focus their efforts elsewhere.
For example, Alka and the others had recently worked with Rockhorn to gather all the remaining core crystals.
At this stage, Sofia and the others were mainly assisting Alka with simulations.
Simulating the process of completely cutting through this area and bringing it into the Heart of Vastvar in one go.
After all, they couldn't afford to let down the team.
Watching the exchange before them, Alka and the others quietly left.
They went outside.
Sofia unfolded the map he had previously redrawn, which now had new and different icons. At the location of the mine, there was a small, scepter-like icon. With the scepter at its core, a circular magic circle was drawn with dotted lines.
The magic circle encompassed the center of the map, roughly three-quarters of the entire map, almost completely filling it.
This magic circle was the scope of the entire ritual. Alka needed to ensure that the entire area within the magic circle was excavated.
"Is it possible to move such a large area into Vastva all at once?"
Sofia couldn't help but ask.
Hearing this question, Alka simply frowned and nodded uncertainly.
"I've experimented before, and the space here is more stable. Creating a sufficiently large gap is actually difficult."
"So what should we do? The other side has already worked out a solution, but we're facing a problem here," Pororo said from the side.
Hearing this, Alka reached out and drew a horizontal line next to the map.
The horizontal line was exactly the width of the entire magic circle.
"Based on my experiments yesterday, I can create a gap this long, then use the Earth element to control it, cutting through the entire area and transporting it in manually."
Upon hearing this idea, not only Pororo, but also Sofia and Julia frowned.
This method was too exaggerated.
"Will it work? Even your Earth Element Card wouldn't be able to control such a large area this way, right?"
Such a large area would be equivalent to directly controlling several mountains and smashing them down.
Perhaps the Earth Card could do it, but the problem was that Alka's strength clearly didn't allow him to do so.
"Can you temporarily ascend to the sixth level through dreams?" Sofia asked Alka.
The fact that Alka could come up with such a plan clearly meant he had a plan.
Otherwise, this plan would be meaningless, and simply adding to the trouble.
Alka shook his head. "While upgrading to Stage 6 will enhance the process, it's still not enough to move the entire area directly in. In that case, I'd also have to consider opening the spatial rift."
Sofia stared at Alka. "Okay, tell me your plan."
"It's simple," Alka said, turning to look at Rockhorn.
Glancing at Alka's gaze, Rockhorn pointed at himself. "Do you want my help?"
Alka nodded.
Hearing this, Rockhorn left and came back to examine the map.
"I... probably can't do it. This is too much.
If it were the former Stonehoof leader, perhaps he could accomplish something like this."
"Not just you. I'm seeking the help of the entire Stonehoof tribe," Alka said, looking at him.
Upon hearing this, Rockhorn looked at him, pondering for a long moment before shaking his head and saying, "Of course I can help you. I can also convince some of my tribe members to join me in aiding you.
But for the entire tribe to help you, we need the consent of the elders. But you must understand that our strength has long been weakened.
The environment here is not suitable for our survival, and our numbers have never increased, only decreased.
Under these circumstances, expecting the elders to agree to allow the entire tribe to enter such a deep place is obviously too much of a burden.
The likelihood of them agreeing is very low."
Rockhorn commented nearby. Even with a few friends he could gather, such an outrageous project might not be possible.
After all, they were a different species from humans. Although he trusted Alka and was grateful for Alka's life-saving grace, he could only convince a few of his friends.
Perhaps even if his friends came, the Great Elder and the others would try to stop them, since they were of a different species after all.
They didn't trust each other enough to risk their lives by sending the entire tribe into a region where they could easily die.
This was too exaggerated and outrageous, not something a Great Elder, someone who was committed to safeguarding the interests of the entire tribe, would do.
"No, your elders will definitely agree," Alka said, a smile on his face. His tone was unusually certain, as if he was already confident of victory.
Hearing this, not only Rockhorn, but also Sofia and the others turned to look at Alka.
It seemed that Alka had thought of something again, or perhaps had hidden something to surprise them.
The Heart of Vasteva emerged from his palm, and a crack appeared before them.
"Come, follow me in."
Hearing this, Rockhorn was a little puzzled. He had already known Alka and his companions' abilities during their time together.
He also knew the power of this treasure. After all, all the recent events revolved around its abilities.
However, he hadn't yet entered the inner space.
Hearing this, he followed in with some curiosity.
Sofia and the others followed suit.
As soon as they entered, they found themselves in the desolate land where Vastva and the others had once been.
However, this place was far better than when they had entered, as the same magical power as in the outside world had already gathered here.
However, it would take an unknown amount of time for the magical power to nourish this land, relying on natural nourishment.
And it had only been a few months since the concentration here reached the same level as in the outside world, so the landscape hadn't changed at all.
The flat, barren land stretched to the horizon. It was here that one could truly experience the meaning of desolation.
This was a land of dead silence.
"The earth here... is long dead."
As soon as he entered, Rockhorn half-knelt on the ground, feeling the dirt and saying this.
Although there was magic in the air, the earth itself was practically devoid of it, leaving only the most basic matter. To a semi-elemental creature, such an earth was the equivalent of death.
"Not here, follow me."
As they spoke, they walked forward, soon arriving at an area.
Before them was a translucent barrier stretching approximately one kilometer. Through the barrier, they could clearly see inside, which must have been a cubic space.
Alka walked directly through the barrier and entered.
The others followed closely behind.
As soon as they entered, they sensed a different aura.
The moment Rockhorn entered, he froze in his tracks.
The biggest difference between this place and the outside world was the magic.
The concentration was no different from outside, but the problem was that here, there was only one attribute.
"Pure... earth element."
Rockhorn stretched out his clay arm, its entire body trembling.
He knew all too well what this situation meant; it was the very meaning of his leaving the tribe and wandering the scars of the world.
He fell to his knees.
He stretched out his hand and grasped at the air, as if trying to grasp something.
Then, crossing his arms, he looked at Alka and knelt on one knee.
"Please help us, for the sake of the Virgin... No, we will fight for you."
Rockhorn said bluntly.
Alka waved his hand, and the force of his hand forced Rockhorn back to his feet.
Then Alka looked at him and said, "I want to know what kind of environment a semi-elemental creature like you needs to survive?"
"Pure, pure single element, preferably earth element as the primary element, supplemented by life element.
But to survive completely, just the earth element is enough."
As he spoke, Rockhorn placed his hand on his chest, and the life crystal that had once belonged to his brother appeared in his hand.
"Only in a sufficiently pure elemental environment can the Life Crystal give birth to new life. Only in this way can the tribe continue.
When life is sufficiently pure, we will gather more items containing elements.
Through ritual, new offspring will be born."
Hearing this, Alka nodded and said, "With my current abilities, I can only create this purest environment with a single attribute.
I can still create other environments with more complex elements, but not now."
Hearing this, Rockhorn nodded vigorously: "Enough, that's enough."
For them, an environment that also contained some elements of life was too much of a luxury.
Hearing this, Alka raised his hand in front of everyone and gently stroked the air.
A gap connecting to the outside appeared before them, and then the Earth Card emerged from Alka's side.
The card expanded and transformed into a very thin, transparent, film-like magic circle, which rested on the crack.
External magic power flowed continuously into the space through the crack.
However, after being transformed and filtered through this film-like magic circle, it became pure earth elemental and entered this space.
The pure earth elemental in this space became increasingly dense.
Alka waved his hand again, and the change occurred.
The earth elemental flowed into the dead earth below, beginning to revive it.
The gray, dead earth began to transform, reshaping itself into soil and rock.
It gradually shifted from grayish-white to a muddy brown.
But only this square area was transformed.
This was the control Alka displayed over this space after the Vastva people left.
He could freely divide the space within Vastva, completely isolating the divided areas from each other and preventing them from interfering with each other.
He even isolated a separate area for storing items.
He also used his authority to largely control and master these separated spaces.
Once this world began to recover, he might be able to control even more.
He actually lacked the ability to control the magic within this space, as it was simply drawn from the outside world.
He was able to transform it into a purely single attribute because of his elemental cards.
Their synergy allowed him to achieve this effect.
This space had even greater potential, but it was only being held back by Alka's strength.
He hadn't yet reached the level of complete control over this space, let alone the ability to make more detailed, nuanced adjustments to it.
But for now, it was sufficient.
"Will your elders allow you to come and help me now?"
Alka asked.
Rockhorn nodded firmly and said solemnly, "No, we will sign a contract with you and fight for you."
It wasn't just about helping.
Contract.
The most common way for creatures on the elemental plane to connect with other material planes.
Rockhorn had lived in the human world for so long.
He knew clearly that this place was controlled by Alka, and they needed it to continue their race. Therefore, from then on, they would be completely loyal to Alka.
This was necessary, even what they begged for.
"Now, then, we just have to wait for them to come up with a feasible solution."
...
Nearly another half month passed.
The quarrels within the stone house continued, but as their respective methods began to refine and merge, a better range of options became available.
I believe that after a few more days of arguing, we'll be able to come up with a solution that satisfies everyone, minimizes unexpected events, minimizes harm, and is the most feasible.
Alka and the others have already made sufficient preparations. Now, they're making more detailed adjustments every day, listening to the arguments.
Another argument.
Alka and the others sat bored by the nearby campfire, chatting quietly. They've become accustomed to it.
Especially those souls, who seemed to have been fascinated by the sight of these people for years.
All their energy was focused on this. And because their souls needed no sleep, they argued and pondered day and night, even going out to investigate and conduct research, seemingly tirelessly.
At this moment, Erkaa was the only one among them who could join in the conversation and offer opinions. But Lusilia, who had rarely joined in the arguments, only occasionally expressing her opinions, suddenly knocked on the table.
With the knocking, the quarrel gradually subsided, and then a quietude fell. Everyone turned to look at Lusilia.
Even though Lusilia was clearly only offering her opinions, she was still a very important presence in their presence.
Then Lusilia distributed the paper she had already written on.
"Take a look. Is this solution feasible?"
Hearing this, everyone looked at the paper in front of them. It contained a solution and the items that came with it.
Their expressions relaxed as they watched, though they still occasionally frowned in thought.
Seeing this unfold, Alka and the others nearby sensed something was afoot and gathered around.
The old man who had been arguing earlier glanced at the paper, then frowned and asked, "Do you have a sample of this kind of soul-calling incense?"
Lucelia raised her hands.
A small incense burner appeared in her hands, which she placed on the table.
A faint soul flame ignited the incense stick inserted into it, emitting a faint, unknown fragrance.
The fragrance lingered with the smoke.
Alka and the others didn't react to the scent, only feeling a deep sense of peace.
Perhaps they felt a little more relaxed, a little more clear-headed?
I'm not sure.
But the spirits present immediately began to react, their eyes becoming hazy, and they involuntarily began to move closer to the incense burner.
Seeing this, Lucilia leaped up and extinguished the soul fire.
Then the spirits finally reacted.
The old man couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "Amazing! Truly amazing!"
These intelligent spirits were capable of trance, and those evil spirits, operating on instinct, were completely captivated.
He looked at Lucilia and said, "Your understanding of the soul is far greater than mine... I couldn't possibly create something like this."
He spoke with admiration.
This old man was Lumina's teacher. This ritual was conceived by Lumina, and perfected by her teacher.
It seemed that the results Lucilia had achieved during their discussions had impressed him.
Arka looked at the incense burner and the incense sticks.
Isn't this what Lucilia had commissioned him to make these past few days? So it was used here.
The materials, naturally, were the soul ashes they had collected.
With a plan in hand, the results quickly became apparent, and they began planning.
They mapped out several routes from the mountain map, covering nearly the entire range of the evil spirits.
They would carry the incense burner and advance along various routes to cover almost all areas, then slowly approach the center, holding the incense burner.
They would strive to draw all the evil spirits in.
Seeing the plan being decided upon, they were already thinking about and refining the countermeasures, and preparations were already underway.
Lumina had already begun analyzing the required manpower, various routes, and precautions based on these plans. It seemed the operation was about to begin.
Arka turned to Rockhorn and said, "Then let's set off immediately, heading for the Stone Forest."
Rockhorn nodded eagerly.