CHAPTER 119: JOINING HANDS

When Carlotta woke up, she found herself lying sideways, her body occupying most of the carriage space. She quickly propped herself up.

Amelia was no longer inside the carriage, having woken earlier and gone outside.

"My sleeping posture last night... wasn’t too bad, was it?"

Carlotta scratched her head.

While using the sleep-inducing card to help Amelia rest, she had also been affected and fallen asleep.

Carlotta took out a light card to illuminate the space, then checked the time with a clock card, it was now 10 PM.

She used a cleaning card to freshen up before stepping out of the carriage, where she saw Amelia gazing into the distance by the cliff ahead.

Amelia’s silver hair danced lightly in the breeze, and the contours of her back were strikingly alluring, like the carefully crafted lines of a master painter’s work.

She was watching the mountain opposite, where roars echoed continuously as numerous magical creatures clashed.

As for the battle between the Raging Bear and the Flaming Bird, it had ended in the morning. The two creatures seemed to have sensed the presence of many people nearby and chose to halt their fight to conserve strength, each now occupying opposite sides of the mountain.

The other creatures, however, continued to battle in turns, leaving no moment of peace throughout the day.

Noticing something, Amelia turned around. "You’re awake, Carlotta."

She retrieved some food from the Ten-Heart Pearl and handed it to Carlotta. With so many people nearby, they couldn’t enter the Moonlight to cook the tri-colored fish and had to settle for regular food.

Amelia then briefed Carlotta on the events of the day.

"The other adventurers plan to join forces to clear out the creatures on that mountain first before competing for the treasures in the hidden vault."

"Join forces?"

"Yes, we’ve been invited too."

Amelia’s expression turned slightly complicated at this.

Strictly speaking, it was the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group that had been invited, not them.

During the day, when members of the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group, whom she had sent out to gather information, made contact with other groups, the others assumed the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group was also nearby. Unable to ignore their presence, they included them in the collaboration.

Amelia said softly, "Ten adventurer groups are participating in this alliance, effectively the ten most powerful factions in the area. The rest have been excluded."

Carlotta frowned. "Do you think this alliance will hold? We’re not the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group. They’ll find out eventually."

Amelia replied, "That’s why I sent someone to inform them, to clarify that the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group has been wiped out by us, at least the teams in the outer regions. Their allies will have to be us now."

Carlotta sighed. "I’m afraid they won’t be fooled. After all, we don’t have a Listener among us."

Amelia countered, "If necessary, we can reveal our identity as the Moonlight Adventurer Group. At least let them know that even without a Listener, we can hold our own against one."

Carlotta agreed it was a viable plan.

Soon after, the messenger Amelia had sent , returned and bringing representatives from the other adventurer groups.

Among them was someone they had met the day before, Aubrey Campbell of the Baki Adventurer Group.

"So it’s you."

Aubrey looked thoughtful upon seeing Carlotta and Amelia.

He stepped forward. "I heard the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group was wiped out by you?"

Carlotta nodded. "Correct. We’re still interested in your alliance, the collaboration stands, except your partner is now us, not the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group."

"And what are your capabilities?"

A cold voice interjected from behind.

A burly man with an icy expression eyed them skeptically, clearly skeptical of Carlotta and Amelia’s youth.

His name was Simon McKinley, from the Dawn Light Adventurer Group.

The last remnants of the Phantom Thorn Adventurer Group had been forced to lure numerous creatures to the treasure mountain because of them.

Carlotta replied, "Since arriving on Sky Island, we’ve killed many Listeners. Spencer of the Shadow Phantom Adventurer Group fell by my hand."

She offered indirect proof of their strength.

Simon sneered, "So, your rank? If you can kill a Listener, are you one yourself?"

Carlotta shook her head. "I’m an eighth-tier apprentice."

The moment she said this, Aubrey and the others couldn’t hide their surprise, casting dubious glances at her.

Simon scowled. "An eighth-tier apprentice claims to have killed a Listener? Do you take us for fools?"

He lunged forward like a wolf, swinging a gleaming fist toward Carlotta.

Carlotta swiftly drew the cross-shaped rose from her necklace and slashed out with her sword. Blades of light flickered wildly and viciously as she clashed with Simon.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

The two exchanged over a dozen blows before separating, neither gaining the upper hand in that brief encounter.

Simon stared at his fist, then at Carlotta, his expression one of shock.

He confirmed that Carlotta was indeed an eighth-tier apprentice, yet she had still managed to withstand his attacks as a full-fledged Listener.

"It’s you... the leader of the Moonlight Adventurer Group, Crescent Moon!"

Aubrey suddenly realized and pointed at Carlotta.

The alias Carlotta had used when registering the adventurer group was "Crescent Moon," while Amelia was "Full Moon."

Hearing Aubrey identify her, the others also showed signs of recognition.

Back at the Adventurer’s Association, Carlotta’s defeat of Spencer, a Listener, had made her famous in Pine Town, everyone knew of her.

"So it’s you..."

Simon murmured.

His group, the Dawn Light Adventurer Group, had analyzed Carlotta’s case afterward. They found it unbelievable that an eighth-tier apprentice could defeat a Listener. After careful study, they concluded that Carlotta possessed an extraordinary understanding of Elven Knight Path, enabling her to achieve such a feat.

Carlotta said coolly, "Any further doubts about our strength?"

Aubrey shook his head. "I have no objections, "

"Wait."

Simon cut him off, fixing his gaze on Carlotta. "If this is a collaboration, you should at least show us your true face."

Carlotta had appeared with different appearances twice, making it obvious she was disguising herself.

"Something so trivial really matters to you?"

Carlotta sighed.

She wiped her hand over her face, revealing her true appearance.

She wasn’t worried about exposing herself, this was Sky Island, and even if they left, they’d be in the Kingdom of Brandon. Even if Wendell issued a warrant for her, her likeness wouldn’t easily spread to Brandon.

Actually, with the Illusion Mask in hand, exposing one’s true appearance wasn’t really an issue. When leaving, Carlotta could easily adopt another face and become a different person.

As Carlotta revealed her true face, Aubrey, Simon, and the others exchanged glances, their expressions quite peculiar.

Because she looked too young.

The appearance Carlotta had used for disguise was already youthful, but her real face was even younger, so delicate it seemed she should still be in school. Yet she was already capable of wielding a sword to slay Listeners, creating a striking contrast.

"What about her?" Simon pointed at Amelia.

He held an alchemical tool that could detect the presence of other alchemical items nearby, a tool meant for treasure hunting.

Of course, due to its quality as merely an alchemical tool, it could only detect such items and not things on the level of alchemical wonders.

In his perception, Amelia’s face also bore an alchemical tool, concealing her true appearance.

Amelia swept her gaze indifferently over the group, casually removing the Phantom Mask to reveal a breathtakingly beautiful face that left everyone momentarily dazed.

Could there really be such a stunning girl in this world?

After a moment of silence, Simon said, "Your sincerity is evident, and your strength is sufficient. So... happy cooperation."

He had no objections to this partnership.

No one else disagreed either.

Soon, apart from Aubrey and Simon, who stayed behind, the others went to summon their respective adventure group leaders. As for Aubrey and Simon, they could already represent their own groups.

Not long after, several men and women arrived, all leaders of their respective adventure groups, possessing the strength of Listeners.

The newly arrived leaders had already been briefed on Carlotta and the others, and their expressions were somewhat nuanced as they looked at Carlotta.

One woman in particular stared at Carlotta intently before saying, "I heard Miss Crescent has an understanding of Elven Knight Path that far surpasses ordinary people. Coincidentally, I’ve studied Elven Knight Path as a secondary skill. Might I ask for some guidance?"

She was a deputy leader of the Phantom Adventure Group, named Jemina Hewitt, appearing to be around thirty years old, smiling slightly to convey goodwill.

Carlotta didn’t refuse: "Of course. Ask away if there’s anything you don’t understand."

Elven Knight Path consisted of twelve movements that could be cultivated to the level of a peak Listener. All related content was detailed in the intelligence reports, and Carlotta was familiar with every nuance.

As Jemina asked her questions, Carlotta answered unhurriedly.

During this process, Carlotta somehow found herself thinking about future possibilities. The one who had adapted Elven Knight Path into a version more suitable for humans, Elora Thorne, had other primary knight paths to focus on, making Elven Knight Path merely a secondary skill. Thus, the adaptation couldn’t progress beyond the peak Listener level.

If anyone mastered Elven Knight Path to the level of a peak Listener and wished to advance further, they would likely need to seek the original version from the Elven Homelands for reference.

’That’s still far off for me. I’ve only reached the eighth movement.’

Carlotta quickly snapped out of her thoughts.

As she explained, Jemina’s expression gradually shifted.

Jemina had indeed studied Elven Knight Path as a secondary skill, reaching the sixth movement, and believed her understanding of the technique was decent.

But after hearing Carlotta’s explanations, she suddenly realized how rudimentary her comprehension had been.

Casual remarks from Carlotta gave her moments of clarity, resolving many things she hadn’t understood before.

"So that’s how it is..."

With deeper insight, Jemina picked up her sword and began practicing in a nearby open space. Flashes of sword light danced, forming an extraordinarily elegant display.

"Stop practicing for now. Come discuss the main matter," Simon called out to Jemina.

Jemina ignored him, continuing to swing her sword, executing the sixth movement, "Elven Blossom." As she practiced, she suddenly transitioned into the seventh movement, "Elven Moon Devourer," darkening the surroundings.

This change caused the expressions of the adventure group leaders to shift.

She broke through just like that?

Though Elven Knight Path was only Jemina’s secondary skill, and breaking through wouldn’t enhance her combat power much, the fact that Carlotta’s casual guidance had led to a breakthrough spoke volumes about her profound understanding of the technique.

’No wonder she could slay a Listener as an eighth-tier apprentice,’ Aubrey thought, glancing at Carlotta a few more times.

How terrifying would someone like her become upon reaching the Listener tier? However, progressing from eighth-tier apprentice to Listener wasn’t something that could be achieved quickly.

After her breakthrough, Jemina was thoroughly satisfied and returned to thank Carlotta.

Those who chose Elven Knight Path as a secondary skill were often drawn to its aesthetic appeal. Jemina, who frequently attended social gatherings, was delighted by her progress in the technique.

"If there’s anything else you don’t understand, feel free to ask," Carlotta said, appearing utterly unsparing.

"Let’s focus on the main matter first," Simon said, rubbing his temples. "You should pay more attention to the treasure site. After all, there’s something extraordinary inside."

"What exactly is so valuable there?" Carlotta asked. "We only knew about the treasure site’s existence from the Shadow Phantom Adventure Group, but the remaining members don’t know what’s inside. Spencer might have known, but he’s dead now."

The intelligence reports hadn’t mentioned what lay within the treasure site, and Carlotta was genuinely curious.

Though tonight’s intelligence might provide answers, learning in advance would satisfy her curiosity.

After a moment of contemplation, Simon said, "There are many things, but the most valuable are the corpses of Resonator-level magical beasts. These corpses were originally in the inner region but were stolen and brought to the outer region."

Carlotta’s expression shifted.

Resonator-level magical beasts were clearly not something outer-region dwellers could handle, they must have been slain by Resonators from the inner region. Yet those Resonators had lost their trophies to thieves?

In such cases, the Resonator explorers were helpless, as their tier restrictions prevented them from entering the outer region.

However, the thieves didn’t fare well either. They hid the items but died before retrieving them, leaving the treasures to become the so-called treasure site.