The Legendary Mage novel Chapter 36

Alavin led the Golden Serpent in a retreat, moving far from the range of Botanic Haven towards a nearby small ravine. His aura surged as he advanced with his sword.

Earthtorrent Greatblade!

A chilling might like that of mountains and rivers erupted, and an overwhelming sword aura thundered down, pressing upon all in its wake.

The young Golden Serpent was caught by surprise, and its body suddenly dropped mid-air. With a swift strike of his sword, Alavin cleaved it in twain.

With the demise of the Golden Serpent, the cliffside no longer posed a threat, and the remaining few venomous snakes were of no consequence. Now, Alavin could safely enter the Botanic Haven to pluck the Viper's Berry.

Alavin hid in a mountain stream, not leaving the spot. He tended to his vitality while waiting for nightfall.

When midnight approached, in the still silence, he opened his eyes and boldly dashed into the darkness.

No one in the Cobalt Strike had ever dared to consider trespassing into Botanic Haven. It was a place of treasures and a forbidden land. Anyone who dared to intrude would face severe punishment. Therefore, aside from the usual patrolling Protégés, the Haven wasn't heavily guarded, which worked in Alavin's favor.

He wrapped a black cloth over half of his face and crept into the Botanic Haven, stealthily moving through the dense forest until he reached the spot where he had found the Viper's Berry earlier that day. Tying a rope around a tree root and the other end around his waist, he leaped down, plunging directly to where the Viper's Berry grew.

Before the remaining pythons and venomous snakes could react, he snatched the Viper's Berry, yanking it out roots and all, and escaped along the rope.

But then, within his Energy Core, the Shadowbringer showed signs of disturbance once more, emanating a dark, misty fog. This time, the vibration was more pronounced.

What was happening? Was there still a threat nearby?

Alavin dared not move recklessly. He concealed himself in the treetops, his brow furrowed as he observed.

After a long moment of stillness, with no sign of danger or even a shadow in sight, he wondered, "Strange, is the Shadowbringer on alert because of this Viper's Berry?”

"No, an Advanced Elixir Fruit wouldn't cause such a reaction from the Shadowbringer. It remained calm even when I encountered the ancient Evergreen Lichen.

"It's also quiet in the presence of formidable Magi-Monsters.

"What exactly is it warning me about?"

Wait!

The Shadowbringer wasn't alerting him about the Viper's Berry or the small Golden Serpent. Was it warning him about the mountain itself?

"Could there be something within Botanic Haven that's drawing its attention?"