Leylin identified several items within the golden nest.
The first was a blood-red gemstone — a Bloodline Crystal, one of the rarest and most precious materials a warlock could hope to obtain. It could even slightly increase the concentration of one's bloodline.
Though it held no real value for someone like Leylin, whose Comorin Giant Serpent bloodline had already been purified to its absolute limit, placing it on the open market would undoubtedly drive other warlocks to tear each other apart. Setting everything else aside, the mere whisper of a Bloodline Crystal's existence would send Miranta and Freehild — the two female warlocks — charging in like madwomen. They would pay any price to obtain it!
The Dragonroot Fruit was another extraordinary plant. Its outer shell was incredibly hard, surpassing even many wizard alloys, and it could be preserved for over a century. A Wizard who consumed one would see dramatic improvements to their physical constitution, and rumor had it that there was even a chance of inheriting a trace of the bloodline sealed within it!
This was often the very origin of an entire warlock bloodline!
Of course, for a warlock like Leylin who had already established his bloodline, further modification was impossible. But trading it away would still fetch an astronomical sum. Such resources defied any concept of price — they could only be bartered between one another, the way Morningstar Wizards conducted their exchanges.
As for the last several bones, each roughly the size of a normal human's shinbone — these were the remains of powerful creatures at the third rank or above. Even after countless ages of wear, they showed no signs of weathering whatsoever. One could still sense the residual bloodline pressure emanating from them.
These remains were actually the most useful items to Leylin. Bones served as the blood-producing mechanism for many bloodline creatures, and these remains hailed from mighty third-rank beings. If he could obtain them, Leylin was reasonably confident he could refine an ancient bloodline from within!
Beyond these items, the golden Blood Vulture's nest contained many other bloodline artifacts — objects that even the well-read and terrifyingly knowledgeable Leylin could not fully identify.
But there was no denying that every single one was a bloodline treasure, any of which would drive warlocks to absolute frenzy.
"So that's how it is!"
Leylin gazed at the pile of bloodline items heaped together, a look of understanding flashing through his eyes.
Clearly, the Blood Vulture's growth depended on these things. Though it couldn't make direct use of them, prolonged exposure alone could accelerate its development, even enhance its strength, and potentially awaken strange bloodline abilities!
This was the root cause of the Blood Vulture's obsessive compulsion to collect bloodline artifacts!
Staring at all these items, Leylin had to exert tremendous mental effort to suppress the hunger surging within him.
"As tempting as these things are, they're still not as important as the Serpent Woman's hair, and besides..."
Leylin glanced toward the Blood Vultures roosting outside the cavern.
Right now, he remained in a state of Shadow Concealment. It was only with the additional boost from his Shadow Secret Technique that he hadn't been detected.
Shadow Concealment was excellent, but it came with one critical drawback — if Leylin wanted to take these items, he would have to cancel the ability.
That would immediately alert the Blood Vultures. If the entire flock mobilized at once, alongside that terrifying Blood Vulture King, even nine lives wouldn't be enough to survive!
Moreover, it would put every Blood Vulture on high alert, which would be detrimental to Leylin's future plans.
"If a single ordinary Blood Vulture nest already contains this many treasures, then the Blood Vulture King's nest must hold something even greater!" A fire blazed to life in Leylin's eyes.
"If there's anywhere the Serpent Woman's hair is most likely to be found, it has to be in the Blood Vulture King's nest!"
Leylin immediately recalled the colossal cavern he had glimpsed moments ago — and the terrifying fluctuations hidden deep within it.
"It looks like we'll have to spend some time here, figuring out the Blood Vultures' movement patterns…"
……
"Uncle! Are you sure this is the place?"
Rowe looked to Robin beside him as he asked. The two of them now stood before an enormous set of gates, the doorframe adorned with intricate and elaborate patterns.
The three remaining Horalar Black Snake Wizards hovered behind them like attendants.
"If we open the wrong one, we could end up trapped in a deeper level of the labyrinth — until we starve to death!"
"Relax! The data I've obtained is reliable! Besides, that thing is far too important for us!" Robin's face was grim, yet a flicker of fiery light passed through his eyes.
"I need a little time to confirm. Has the trouble behind us been dealt with?" Robin asked without turning his head.
"I've already set up five lure formations in the back, and I created a decoy!" A sinister smile crept across Rowe's face.
"The moment they give chase, the labyrinth will scatter them to different locations, and they'll be trapped in the endless rooms forever! Those Bearkin are the most stubborn, single-minded creatures around!"
He spoke with great confidence, entirely assured of his plan.
*BOOM!* Just at that moment, a massive roar erupted from not far away, accompanied by the shattering of a defensive formation and an enraged bellow: "Little insects — I've found you!"
*Crack!* A pink crystal necklace split apart, and Rowe's face filled with disbelief.
"Never underestimate your opponent!"
Robin's gaze remained fixed on the enormous gate, but his voice carried over all the same: "They've only broken through our first layer of defensive formations. We still have a little time!"
"Go man the formations and delay them as long as you can!" Robin issued his command, and the three remaining Horalar Black Snake Wizards bowed before immediately departing.
The rumbling sounds continued without cease. Through the chaos, one could faintly make out the phantom silhouette of a colossal bear-like creature roaring and raging within the formations, cold sweat dripping ceaselessly from Rowe's face.
*Crack!* *Crack!* One after another, the crystals shattered, and with each one came the final voice of a Wizard.
"Second defensive formation — breached!"