Chapter 270: Core of Darkness, Enemies Meet on a Narrow Path
"That's right, the core of these slaves of darkness is the Core of Darkness. This core wanders inside their bodies and is where they store dark qi, similar to the qi cyclones in the early stages of battle qi cultivation."
The Grand Elder patiently explained to Xiao Ze, "I believe that solitary Dou Zun's goal is the Core of Darkness."
"A Core of Darkness that can store dark qi? But isn't dark qi lethal to normal living beings?"
"Hehe, yes, but he's interested in the Core of Darkness's special ability to absorb dark qi."
With the Grand Elder's explanation, a spark of understanding crossed Xiao Ze's mind.
"He wants to use the Core of Darkness's effect to absorb dark qi and prepare to enter the Sea of Darkness to explore the ancient ruins."
The Grand Elder nodded, "Don't think everything will go smoothly for him. Once he gets the Core of Darkness, those powerful enough to be aware of the situation won't let him take it easily."
"So, should we try to obtain the Core of Darkness?"
"Let's wait and see. I have a feeling there will be another eruption of dark qi."
"The slaves of darkness are rare on the continent of Zhongzhou, not because they are scarce, but because there are many in the Sea of Darkness."
"But after two eruptions of dark qi, we still haven't seen those slaves of darkness. This is very unusual."
"Because those slaves of darkness in the Sea of Darkness, if not destroyed, have no lifespan limit. The number of slaves of darkness accumulated since ancient times is astonishing."
"Most of those slaves of darkness are sleeping in the depths of the Sea of Darkness, where the dark qi is most abundant."
"If the great whirlpool at the bottom of the sea expels dark qi from that area, it will inevitably expel the sleeping slaves of darkness there."
Understanding this, Xiao Ze said, "The level of depth of the dark qi eruption hasn't really touched the sea floor yet."
"When it reaches the bottom, the slaves of darkness will appear along with the dark qi, and we won't lack Cores of Darkness."
The solitary Dou Zun also completely killed that slave of darkness, obtaining a black diamond-shaped crystal filled with dark qi.
He immediately poured a large amount of battle qi, expelling the dark qi. A Dou Zong level Core of Darkness was enough for him to enter and exit the depths of the Sea of Darkness.
Once the dark qi was completely expelled, the diamond-shaped crystal turned a beautiful ice blue.
He looked around, realizing many covetous eyes were on him.
He emitted an impressive aura, intimidating those with ill intentions, and quickly returned to the coast.
This time, taking advantage of the mutual caution among the great powers, he managed to obtain a Core of Darkness. But next time wouldn't be so easy.
However, with a Core of Darkness, he was guaranteed access to the ancient ruins.
Although his own battle qi could also enter, consuming too much battle qi would mean he wouldn't have enough to compete with others in the ancient ruins.
With a Core of Darkness in hand, he would have an additional advantage in the fight for opportunities in the ancient ruins.
After returning to the coast, the great underwater whirlpool calmed down again, but with the previous lesson, no one dared to approach.
Indeed, in less than ten minutes, the entire surface of the sea began to tremble.
A dense dark qi erupted from the great whirlpool, staining the sky black in that area.
Frightened, many cultivators on the coast quickly retreated, fearing contact with the dark qi.
The horrible memories of those who tragically died from the dark qi were still fresh.
The mountain chosen by the Alchemist Tower was somewhat distant from the coast, so they didn't need to retreat hastily.
Xiao Ze looked into the distance, seeing the dark qi erupt from the great underwater whirlpool, forming a gigantic black pillar connecting the sky and the earth.
Within that dark pillar, red lights flickered, causing an unsettling feeling.
Roar!
Suddenly, a dazzling red light within the dark pillar let out a terrifying roar, dispersing the dark qi.
Revealing a terrifying figure several meters tall, whose aura had reached the peak of Dou Zong.
Like a beast awakened from a deep sleep, the slave of darkness fixed its gaze on the many cultivators on the coast, its red eyes glowing intensely.
Although it had no eyeballs, those swept by the gaze of the giant slave of darkness felt a chill in their bodies.
Some cultivators began to doubt, feeling that coming to explore the underwater ruins might have been an extremely foolish decision that could cost them their lives.
Unlike the hesitant solo cultivators, the great powers became excited.
They needed many Cores of Darkness for their explorers, and there were enough slaves of darkness to go around.
They didn't need to confront each other before entering the ancient ruins.
When the dark qi eruption calmed down, the figures of the slaves of darkness were fully revealed, more than a hundred slaves of darkness in sight.
An elder in a black robe from the Tian Yao Huang Clan stepped forward and calmly said:
"Everyone can see this is the last dark qi eruption. There are only these slaves of darkness. How many Cores of Darkness we can obtain will depend on our abilities."
Huang Xuan's voice wasn't loud, but it resonated along the entire coast.
Huang Xuan didn't want to face so many slaves of darkness alone.
Convincing the other great powers to participate was the right decision.
The other great powers also understood they couldn't make the others act first.
They could only advance together and split the slaves of darkness.
In no time, the great powers sent their experts to split the slaves of darkness.
The solo cultivators also understood the value of the Cores of Darkness and began to act.
At the Alchemist Tower base, seeing the Grand Elder wanted to act, Xiao Ze volunteered.
"Grand Elder, let me go. I want to see what's so special about this dark qi."
"Alright, but be very careful and always cover yourself with battle qi," said the Grand Elder, nodding.
Xiao Ze rose into the air and headed for the Sea of Darkness.
His mastery of the Illusionary Sea suddenly expanded to a radius of one meter, covering himself with an illusory force that was hard for others to see.
The Dou Zong level slave of darkness was already facing Huang Xuan.
Xiao Ze avoided the confrontation and sought another Dou Zong level slave of darkness.
At that moment, a white-haired figure appeared, aiming for the same slave of darkness as Xiao Ze.
It was the white-haired man from the Tian Yao Huang Clan who had clashed with Xiao Ze before.
Fate brought them together again, and Xiao Ze raised an eyebrow. He remembered that a moment ago that man was fighting Venerable Feng for a slave of darkness.
Xiao Ze looked towards Venerable Feng, who already had a Core of Darkness in his hand, infused with green qi.
Having lost the dispute with Venerable Feng for the slave of darkness, the white-haired man now sought another target.
The white-haired man from the Tian Yao Huang Clan also saw Xiao Ze and laughed coldly: "I thought you were someone else. Today I'll wash away this shame with blood."
(End of chapter)
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