Chapter 275: Deterrence and Obstacles
Xiao Ze had collected enough Puppet cores and stopped attacking. He returned to the Great Elder's side, patiently waiting for the chaotic battle to end.
The Great Elder had finished off his Puppet before Xiao Ze returned. Initially, he wanted to check on Xiao Ze, but just as the thought arose, Xiao Ze was already back, sowing destruction and demonstrating his power to those who doubted his strength.
"Xiao Ze, why did you suddenly become interested in Puppet cores?" asked the Great Elder, noticing Xiao Ze's earlier actions. The only valuable items in the Puppets' bodies were those cores.
"I have a theory. I want to see if I can develop a new pill using Puppet cores as the main material," Xiao Ze replied briefly, causing the Great Elder's eyes to shine.
"Using Puppet cores as the base, incorporating various energies from heaven and earth, discarding all other effects, and focusing solely on maximum destructive power. This is something similar to the Celestial Pill you mentioned before," commented the Great Elder.
"Exactly, the inspiration came from the Celestial Pill. However, the Celestial Pill's materials tend towards violence. This time, I want to try mixing various energies from heaven and earth," Xiao Ze explained.
The Great Elder nodded. Using Puppet cores as a base could definitely achieve this, as Puppet cores could perfectly absorb energies of different attributes.
As the two discussed, the chaotic battle between the different factions also neared its end. Unlike Danta, which only had two Dou Zuns present, the other factions couldn't avoid casualties.
Xiao Ze noticed that one of the lone Dou Zuns had a pale expression, evidently exhausted. After all, the Puppets had the strength level of a Dou Zun. Without an absolute power difference, defeating an opponent of the same level would quickly consume a large amount of energy.
The Dou Zuns from other factions were no longer as intact as before, and they looked at Xiao Ze and the Great Elder from Danta, who were fresh and uninjured. The advantage in the upcoming struggle for the temple's treasures clearly belonged to Danta.
But they couldn't complain, as they had pleaded with the Great Elder from Danta to face the Dou Zun-level puppets. Otherwise, they would have left. Additionally, after defeating the Dou Zun-level puppets, Xiao Ze dealt with the Dou Zong-level puppets. That scene of destruction still instilled fear in some.
Although the Great Elder surpassed Xiao Ze in level, Xiao Ze's performance had been so outstanding that now both were feared. Xiao Ze's actions had deterred the major factions.
The Great Elder warned Xiao Ze: "When we enter the main temple, be careful. Danta is a major faction, and that attracts enemies. If they can, they won't hesitate to attack you and eliminate a talent from Danta."
Xiao Ze nodded, increasing his caution. However, with his current cultivation level, he wasn't afraid to face the leaders of the major factions in Zhongzhou. Besides, he had Danta backing him, ensuring his protection.
Soon after, the dark energy in front of the blue temple began to disperse. The remnants of the Dou Zun-level puppets were too terrifying for the major factions to advance immediately, but the lone Dou Zuns had the ability to enter the temple, although the major factions wouldn't let them pass.
The Great Elder and Xiao Ze were in no hurry. Although they had defeated the Dou Zun-level puppets, they didn't know what dangers awaited in the blue temple. It was better to let others test the risks first.
As the dark energy dispersed, a lone Dou Zun couldn't contain himself and approached the temple door. He launched an energy attack that hit the door with a deafening sound. However, to everyone's surprise, his attack couldn't break the door.
Some doubted the Dou Zun's strength, but Xiao Ze and the Great Elder exchanged looks and said, "This temple has a peculiar mechanism that connects the entire structure, strengthening its defense."
"It's probably a special formation. Without breaking it, it's hard to enter with brute force alone," they continued as the lone Dou Zun focused and launched another powerful attack, revealing bright runes on the door that dissipated his attack.
An elderly man in black robes appeared and said, "Let me try." He was the master of the Huangquan Pavilion, a powerful Dou Zun. Although the lone Dou Zun was annoyed, he couldn't compete with the Huangquan master's strength and stepped back.
The Huangquan master launched his technique, "Corrupt Corpse Arm," a black and fetid energy that hit the door but only managed to dim the runes without breaking the barrier.
The crowd, astonished, understood that the temple's defense was formidable, resisting even the Huangquan master's attacks, a powerful leader in Zhongzhou. Although they had overcome the puppets, the real obstacle was the formidable defense of the blue temple.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.