Chapter 422: The Treasure of the Rock Demon Clan
In the core area, an intense chase was taking place. Countless giant stone pillars were crashing down from the sky with the force of falling meteors, striking the ground ferociously. These stone pillars were aimed at Gu Qingyang and his team.
Feeling the increasingly fierce pursuit behind them, Gu Qingyang couldn't help but smile wryly. "Brother, if it gets too bad, we should throw that hot potato to them," said the silver-robed man, sensing the growing number of enemies and feeling anxious.
"This thing might be a hot potato, but it's also an absolute treasure. The fact that it has driven the Rock Demon clan to such a frenzy proves its immense value," Gu Yao interjected, his eyes on the object in Gu Qingyang's hand.
It was a heart, seemingly made of both stone and jade, still beating as if it were alive. The heart was blood-red, and with each beat, it emitted a strange energy that irresistibly attracted the powerful Rock Demons.
This peculiar heart couldn't be stored in a spatial ring. Trying to do so would result in the ring bursting apart. They had found this heart in a rocky mountain range. Gu Yao's suggestion made Gu Qingyang frown, holding the heart as if it were a hot potato.
"If we can't shake off the Rock Demon clan, this treasure is useless to us!" Gu Yao fell silent, sensing the formidable auras of the nine-star Rock Demons behind them. Even the strongest among the young generation of the Gu clan couldn't compare to the deep foundation accumulated by the Rock Demon clan over countless years.
With a roar, a burly man in their group released a surge of powerful energy, causing the ground to upheave and forming a giant stone wall. The wall, exuding an indestructible aura, managed to block the falling stone pillars for a moment.
But unfortunately, the Rock Demons were not alone; they were a whole team. Continuous impacts shattered the seemingly indestructible wall. The nine-star Rock Demon roared, focusing on the heart as it continued the chase.
These nine-star Rock Demons, the rulers of large Rock Demon groups, had their intelligence increased. If they reached the Dou Saint level, their intelligence would rival that of humans. Though they usually didn't use their linkage ability on each other due to territorial instincts, the allure of the heart drove them to unite.
As one nine-star Rock Demon roared, it triggered a chain reaction. The auras of the Rock Demons surged visibly, reaching new peaks: Dou Zun pinnacle... two revolutions... three revolutions... five revolutions Dou Zun pinnacle. The linkage ability amplified their power significantly.
Feeling the terrifying presences behind them, Gu Qingyang's face turned pale. The team members were equally horrified. If these empowered Rock Demons attacked, they might not even have time to crush their space stones and escape.
"We can't let this heart end our training. Even if we crush the space stones, we might not be able to take it out; it has a strong space rejection property!" Gu Qingyang urged, and the team members nodded in agreement. The Rock Demons' amplified power left no room for escape.
Even Gu Yao, initially opposed to abandoning the heart, showed no hesitation now. As one of the top young talents in the Gu clan, he saw no need to risk his life for an uncertain treasure.
With intense Dou Qi enveloping his hand, Gu Qingyang threw the heart aside and led his team in the opposite direction. The Rock Demons, fixated on the heart, ignored the fleeing humans and raced toward it.
Xiao Ze, already at the battle site, raised an eyebrow as the heart, wrapped in Dou Qi, flew towards him. Smiling, he reached out and caught the beating heart. Although he didn't know its name, he sensed an immense, unique energy within it, far surpassing the power of the Rock Demon cores he had previously absorbed.
"I wonder if Gu Qingyang threw this heart my way on purpose or by accident," Xiao Ze mused. He believed it was unintentional, confident in his ability to conceal his presence. Knowing Gu Qingyang's character, he doubted the young leader would knowingly direct trouble his way, especially since he was part of Xun'er's team.
Despite Xiao Ze's concealment, the heart emitted a powerful allure that captivated the Rock Demons. Even the retreating Gu clan members glanced back towards Xiao Ze's location. Although they couldn't detect his presence, the heart's energy unmistakably indicated a hidden powerhouse.
All members of the Gu clan's team felt a surge of fear, knowing that someone was hidden there, invisible to their senses even with the heart's guidance. Gu Qingyang, glancing back with a complex expression, realized this Rock Demon hunt was full of hidden dangers and powerful rivals.
"This hunt truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers," he thought. "Not only is the soul clan's divine bloodline heir here, but also the mysterious figure from Xun'er's team..."
Gu Qingyang pondered the identity of the hidden figure, suspecting there might be more unknown powerhouses among them.
(End of the chapter