After passing through a dark passage and descending several hundred meters, their view suddenly opened up.
By the faint starlight emanating from the rock walls, Velin carefully surveyed the surroundings. Thirty-six bizarrely shaped statues stood displayed around the cavern, while bones not yet fully weathered lay scattered across the ground.
"Lord Velin, based on my last investigation, these bones are less than five hundred years old. They should belong to natives who entered these Ancient Ruins, though I do not know why they died here," Viscount Eli explained as he came to Velin's side and pointed at several sets of withered bones in the distance.
"It is probably related to these statues."
As soon as he spoke, the cavern began to tremble.
In less than a moment, the thirty-six strange statues shed their dull outer layers, revealing their golden interiors.
Velin reached out and gripped the arm of a golden statue. With a gentle pull, he tore it off.
"Pure gold. I thought it was merely gold-plated."
After tossing aside the golden arm, Velin turned and gave Kyle a meaningful look.
Having received his lord's command, Kyle extended his hand and murmured, "Disintegrate."
A ray of light spread outward from Kyle in all directions.
The thirty-six golden statues stopped in unison, their limbs and heads beginning to separate.
Thud, thud, thud.
The sound of gold hitting the ground echoed through the cavern, making the others swallow nervously.
Looking at Velin, then at the golden-haired young man, Viscount Eli was suddenly overcome by an indescribable emotion. There was fear, but even more than that, relief.
As an elemental mage, he understood this kind of attack better than anyone.
With a casual strike, Kyle had destroyed thirty-six Gold-grade golden statues, completely reshaping Eli's understanding of Soul Intent rank powerhouses.
Under everyone's watchful