Chapter 66: Central Passage

Ian slumped onto the scorching sand, utterly drained of strength from head to toe. 

This skill is powerful, no doubt, but it consumes Blood Power way too quickly.

Because the gap in strength between Ian and the King of Sand Scorpions was too great, just controlling the Sand Scorpion King for a brief moment had completely exhausted Ian’s Blood Power. 

Replenishing Blood Power was an extremely time-consuming process; fully restoring it would take at least three to five days. 

“Are you alright?” Sophia knelt beside Ian, her gentle voice filled with concern. 

Sophia’s condition wasn’t much better.

Her once elegant dress had been slashed in several places by the Sand Scorpion King’s attacks, and bruises covered her body. 

“I’m fine. It’s just overexertion of my Blood Power. A short rest will do. But Princess, your condition doesn’t seem too good.” 

“I possess the Phoenix Bloodline; my recovery is quite strong. You need not worry about me.” 

No sooner had she finished speaking than a clamor of hurried footsteps approached from afar.

Several familiar figures were running toward them. 

“Princess, we’re back.” Kars’ voice arrived, weak and cautious, as if afraid his earlier actions had left a bad impression on Sophia. 

“You’re back?” Sophia didn’t even glance at Kars and the others.

If not for Ian’s timely appearance earlier, she might have already been standing in the Saint Roland Magic Academy’s plaza by now. 

“And the reinforcements you were looking for?” Sophia glanced behind Kars and saw no one except the few fleeing nobles from before. 

“There was no one else after searching for so long. I was too worried about your safety, Princess, so I returned to support you.” Sweat beaded on Kars’ forehead.

He knew Sophia wouldn’t be fooled, but it was all he could say. 

“Oh, is that so?” 

Sophia’s voice was as light as a feather, yet it made the sweat on Kars’ forehead multiply.

Behind him, a few nobles exchanged uneasy glances, their anxiety evident. 

“So I’m to thank you all? Risking your lives to come save me?” 

“Not at all. Protecting the Princess is our duty.” Kars forced a smile. 

“Hmph. Since you’re back, then let’s move on. This place isn’t suitable for lingering.” 

Though Sophia disliked interacting with these hypocritical nobles, she was the Crovian Kingdom’s princess.

Dealing with them was necessary, and she couldn’t afford to make enemies without absolute necessity. 

“Can you still walk?” Sophia asked Ian. 

Ian tried to stand on his own but almost collapsed from exhaustion.

Thankfully, Sophia was there to steady him. 

“Don’t force yourself. Let me support you,” Sophia said softly. 

“How can that be?” Ian acted as if he’d heard a horrifying tale and shook his head quickly.

“No… no need, Princess. You’re of noble birth; how could I, a mere commoner, trouble you?” 

Ian didn’t want to get too entangled with Sophia.

After all, she was one of the key heroines in the original story.

If Ethelrina ever found out he had been leaning on Sophia for help, he’d be done for. 

“We’re classmates at the Academy; there’s no difference between noble and commoner.” Sophia’s slender hand was already resting on Ian’s arm, ready to help him up.

“Besides, you just saved me.” 

Confronted with Sophia’s kindness, Ian felt as if a great enemy had suddenly appeared.

His frail body miraculously gained some strength, and he hastily stepped back. 

“No… no need. I feel my body has recovered enough. I can walk on my own.” Ian struggled to stand, his legs trembling, sweat beading on his forehead. 

Sophia frowned slightly at Ian’s avoidance, her eyes flashing a mixture of confusion and worry.

“If you insist, I won’t force you. But if you lose strength later, you can always ask for my help.” 

Ian forced a laugh and nodded repeatedly.

“Thank you, Princess. I’ll be mindful.” 

Kars stood nearby, observing the scene intently, his gaze toward Ian growing increasingly dark. 

The group slowly moved northward.

After the Sand Scorpion King’s attack, Sophia had rearranged the formation.

She kept only Ian beside her and sent Kars and the other nobles to the rear. 

Though they encountered some Demons over the next few days, they were weak ones that Sophia alone could easily handle. 

Sophia even gave Ian half of the points she had earned.

Although Ian tried to refuse, Sophia’s determination left no room for rejection. 

“We’re very close to the Central Region. In a few more hours, we should arrive,” Ian said. 

Sophia nodded, but her expression was tinged with melancholy as she looked at the map.

In the past few days, whenever she had tried to approach Ian, he would avoid her. 

Sophia wondered if she had done something to upset Ian, causing him to distance himself. 

But no matter how much she thought, she couldn’t figure out why.

In the end, she simply concluded that Ian did not want to interact with her. 

Back in that desert city, Sophia had helped Ian because she felt a strange sense of familiarity from him, though she didn’t understand where that feeling came from. 

“Once we reach the Central Region, I’ll look for my teammates. I’ll be leaving this group then.” 

“Is that so? You’re leaving?” Although Ian had mentioned this before, the moment of parting still left her feeling a little downcast. 

“Mm.” 

After walking a while longer, several furtive figures suddenly appeared ahead.

They looked extremely disheveled; some were even blackened all over as if electrocuted. 

“Alert!” Sophia ordered those behind her. 

She knew these approaching figures were also participants in the Holy Trial.

Strangers in this trial were dangerous; conflicts over points frequently occurred. 

The few came to Sophia’s side and recognized her, kindly warning: 

“There’s someone blocking the passage to the Central Region ahead. If you’re not strong enough, don’t go. You’ll just hand over your points.” 

“Someone’s blocking the path?” Ian thought for a moment.

“How strong are they? What abilities do they have?” 

“It’s two girls. One looks like a troublemaker named Lu Fei.” One dirt-smudged man said angrily. 

“Her Bloodline Development is just over ten percent. She has lightning-based skills. She’s the one who electrocuted us into this state.” 

“Lu Fei?” Ian hadn’t heard of her before, but judging by the description, Lu Fei was probably no match for Sophia. 

“And the other person?” 

“We don’t know. We didn’t see her use any skills.”