"These things have merely become invisible, or in other words, they are now dispersed," Feng Yuan said as he pointed at the blood-red space. However, whether it was through spiritual perception or visual observation, nothing out of the ordinary could be detected in the blood-red space. That said, it wouldn’t be correct to assume nothing was amiss; this space was somewhat peculiar, as for now there was little difference between it and being blind, eyes wide open.
Unless they were like that previous creature, possessing a color different from the blood-red space, they simply could not see each other. In such an environment, nobody knew what might be hidden around them.
"Stop!"
Suddenly, Feng Yuan seemed to spot something and shouted, taking Gitalien by surprise, though it quickly halted in its tracks, also understanding why Feng Yuan had shouted.
Despite the undiminished blood-red before them as if nothing was there, Gitalien could sense that the azure hexagonal crystal wall had collided with something solid, as if... it had hit a dense cluster of branches.
In a place like this, to have such a feeling, could it be that their target was right in front? With that thought, Gitalien backed up a bit and began to gather a light ball in its claw. Noticing Gitalien’s action, Feng Yuan said,
"Just relying on low-power Ultimate Moves, I’m afraid it will be difficult to break through their blockade. It’s a pity we can’t use Time Stop here, otherwise it would make things much easier."
Feng Yuan sighed, feeling somewhat helpless. As expected, although the beam of light Gitalien released had shattered many branches, just like previously in the underground sewers where it was impossible to force their way through the area protected by the dense branches with brute force, now naturally there was no chance either.
Before the energy from the exploding light ball had dissipated, those branches had already reoccupied the blasted open space. Although Gitalien couldn’t see the branches, the chaotic energy that was forcibly squeezed out was visible.
"This is troublesome..."
Aguas flicked its tail, feeling somewhat perturbed. As Feng Yuan had said, it was entirely unable to use Time Stop in this place. As for using Destruction? That was meaningless. These branches were not known for high defensive power or recovery power but rather for their excessive number in reserve. It could only erase the branches occupying the space, but in the next moment, the branches would definitely reclaim the space that had been cleared.
Would relentless attacks carve out a path? Aguas was somewhat uncertain about this, but such a course of action would be very draining if they encountered any emergencies, problems could arise.
"Let me try."
Delong Tower stepped forward and said, with the Starlit Sea gathering behind it. The surging waves rolled as Delong Tower’s accumulated power grew immense, causing Gitalien’s azure hexagonal crystal barrier to gradually destabilize.
Wave after wave crashed against those branches, splashing up large amounts of water. Mixed within the spray were pieces of branches. Perhaps in the blood-red space, these branches were difficult to detect, but now enveloped by the waves, the blood-red branches were starkly visible against the azure blue waves.
"Go!"
Delong Tower roared at Gitalien and took the lead charging into the cleared pathway, the relentless waves not giving the branches any chance to reclaim the blasted open space. As soon as they got close, the branches were shattered by the incoming waves, and although the waves hadn’t completely penetrated the barrier formed by the branches, they had started to carve out a passage through the thick barrier.
As Gitalien and the others continued to move forward, the waves ceased to exist behind them, with the branches eagerly reclaiming the space they had lost for so long. Even though they were now enclosed within the branches, visually, the surroundings remained a blood-red expanse, as if they were still in an open area.
If it weren’t for the feeling of being pressed upon by Gitalien’s azure hexagonal crystal barrier, even Gitalien might doubt that they had passed through the blockade of branches.
Lorna, sitting atop Feng Yuan’s head, clenched her fist, appearing to be preparing for something, her gaze constantly sweeping the surroundings. However, she couldn’t penetrate the existence of this blood-red space.
Xiao Ji nuzzled Feng Yuan’s head with its own and peered up at him, chirping a few times. Agunas glanced at Xiao Ji and interpreted,
"It’s complaining that you keep preventing it from taking action. But really, you can’t act recklessly here."
Although Xiao Ji is among the Divine Beasts, its strength isn’t very formidable. Even with the high-tier energy granted by Feng Yuan, it stood no chance against entities like Agunas, both in terms of Ultimate Moves and abilities. Previously, Xiao Ji could indirectly augment its power through the special privilege of the Death Series to participate in combat, but now facing the Abyss, its privilege became ineffective.
Staring at Agunas, Xiao Ji let out a dissatisfied chirp. Rubbing Xiao Ji’s head, Feng Yuan said with a hint of amusement,
"Alright, you won’t be able to join in this battle. Just stay by my side. However..."
Thinking of something, Feng Yuan’s expression turned enigmatic as he continued,
"That may not necessarily be the case. Perhaps soon, all of you will need to enter the fray..."
"Is that thing very troublesome?"
Although they had not yet seen the target, Agunas had already guessed that it was likely going to be a difficult opponent. Feng Yuan nodded and said,
"Pretty much. That thing can be considered the core of this part of the Abyss. Even if this section of the Abyss isn’t regarded highly, those abilities are quite bothersome. Besides, I cannot take action myself..."
Whether it was the Corrosion Effect or other special abilities, the means of the Abyssal Core were formidable. If Feng Yuan could act personally, there would be no fear; after all, his strength far exceeded that of the Abyss. Regardless of its techniques, overwhelming power could break through them, but Agunas and the others weren’t capable of such a feat.
Had it not been for the high-tier energy he granted them at the last moment, they would have likely been assimilated by the Abyss the instant they entered its depths. Facing the Abyssal Core in such an environment was giving Feng Yuan a headache; he only hoped that the battle wouldn’t be too strenuous.
"Is that the Abyssal Core?"
As the last piece of branch was smashed to bits, a huge black orb appeared before everyone. The orb was pitch-black, and a single glance made one feel as though their soul might be seized by it. Feng Yuan nodded and declared,
"Correct, that is the Abyssal Core. Don’t hold back, utterly annihilate it!"
Upon hearing Feng Yuan’s words, Gitalien howled long and loud as worlds began to materialize around them. Delong Tower and the others started unleashing their charged Ultimate Moves. However, the orb remained unresponsive, continuing to rotate silently in its place.
Despite its appearance, a thoroughly black sphere, everyone could somehow sense it rotating, even in the absence of any reference object.
"Be careful!"
Hugging Xiao Ji, Feng Yuan dived forward, loudly cautioning them. The orb was clearly not the kind that only retaliated passively. Sensing that Gitalien and the others were preparing to attack, it took the initiative. Black tendrils shot out from the orb towards Gitalien and the others.
The Azure Hexagonal Crystal Wall erected by Gitalien was futile against those tendrils, which cut through the Crystal Barrier as easily as a hot knife through butter. Just as the black tendrils were about to hit Gitalien and the others, Big Cat let out anxious mews, as altars reminiscent of those from fantasy games manifested within the space. As these Altars appeared, an irresistible force pulled Gitalien and the others away from their original positions.
The black tendrils struck one of the Altars, and the darkness quickly spread over it. Before the black could erode from the Altar back to Big Cat along the source of power, Big Cat decisively abandoned that energy and swiftly detonated the forsaken force.
The explosive roar of the blast resounded, and the Altar, now shrouded in darkness, showed no change. Clearly, its power had slipped beyond Big Cat’s control. Pressing down on Xiao Ji’s head, Feng Yuan warned,
"Do not be reckless. The Abyssal Core’s erosion can trace back to you via your power source. Do not attempt to manipulate or command any energy that has already been released, especially if it has been eroded!"
The black surrounding the Altar gradually receded, but now the stone Altar had transformed into something resembling the Flesh Colossi that everyone had encountered before. The entire stone Altar was riddled with cracks, and within those cracks, eyes of various sizes twisted and turned.
"We’re in trouble now, with both corrosion and transformation. Thankfully, Ernis isn’t here, or we might have to run for our lives first."
Feng Yuan said with a wry smile. If there were Divine Beasts like Ernis that waged war with vast armies here, they could instantly provide the Abyss with an enormous force.

Comments

Loading...