Translator: Exodus Tales  Editor: Exodus Tales

Edited by Aelryinth

Ever since he slew the Earthen Rock Demon, the golden vortex had fallen into a deep slumber. No matter what methods Zhang Che tried, he was unable to awaken it.

Now that he had entered this rather strange land, it actually had a reaction, although it was weak!

Even though the reaction was really weak,nearly causing Zhang Che to think he was imagining things, it had indeed happened.

Zhang Che was overjoyed! Nothing was more exciting to Zhang Che than the golden vortex quickly recovering!

Once the golden vortex recovered and enabled him to control the swords again, Zhang Che's individual fighting strength would rise above any mid-tier legend-quality exotic beast! Even when facing epic-quality exotic beasts, it wasn't like he had no fighting chance.

When he slew the Earthen Rock Demon previously, the reason it seemed incredibly difficult was mainly because of that fellow's enormous size, and there were nearly no weak points on its body. He could only rely on doing things the hard way.

If he had encountered an epic-quality exotic beast with flesh and blood, however, Zhang Che was confident in severely injuring it with the scarlet sword, without needing the golden vortex to erupt with all its energy.

“I have to go take a look!”

At this moment, Zhang Che didn't care if it was dangerous.

If it was really dangerous, he still had a very high chance of escaping with the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon's mobility. If he didn't go in, there was no hope of the golden vortex recovering rapidly at all.

Done thinking, Zhang Che immediately ordered the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon to speed up, not acting as cautiously as before.

Indeed, as the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon quickly ventured deeper into this strange lands, the golden vortex in Zhang Che's spiritual sea throbbed a few times again, its frequency speeding up.

“Good, looks like there's really something incredible in here that can refill the golden vortex's energy!”

Zhang Che was so excited that his body started shaking a little.

Just as he was getting so excited, an invisible wave of energy suddenly swept his way.

The Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon was caught off-guard. This six-star legend-quality pet which boasted an undying body unless struck by innate fire elemental attacks very nearly failed to maintain his flight, falling with Zhang Che on his back.

At the same time, that mysterious energy also swept over Zhang Che. However, it didn't hurt him in the slightest, but directly rushed towards his brain.

Zhang Che felt his vision darken, and nearly fell off the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon's back.

Well, he didn't have to fall off. The Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon was already falling on his own.

As the remnants of the wave of energy continued rus.h.i.+ng towards Zhang Che's spiritual sea, the rainbow crystal suddenly shone, immediately dissipating the wave of energy, allowing Zhang Che to regain his vision completely.

“This was… a mental attack?”

Zhang Che was astonished. At the same time, he thought of the possibility that an exotic beast that specialized in mental attacks might be hiding here, which might be why the golden vortex sensed it!

A hint of doubt flashed in his mind, but he didn't have time to consider all these things anymore. The Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon was quickly falling towards the dense forest below.

If they crashed like this, naturally the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon wouldn't be hurt, and Zhang Che wouldn't suffer too severe of an injury, but he would find himself in a sorry state regardless!

Luckily, the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon finally recovered and quickly regained his balance.

However, Zhang Che no longer dared to advance further with him.

This fellow wasn't under the protection of the rainbow crystal. If that mysterious mental attack grew stronger as they went deeper into this area, it might directly destroy the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon's soul!

Although this fellow had an undying body of abyssal cold, what use was it if he lost his soul?

Zhang Che relied on his own two feet and moved through the forest carefully, heading in the direction that the golden vortex had reacted to, advancing resolutely.

He felt that this wasn't very likely to be caused by an exotic beast. If it was, then why had he discovered so many mid-tier exotic beasts at the outskirts of this area? They would have been slaughtered by this terrifying existence long ago.

So, it was very likely to be some unique spiritual herb, or even a mineral!

As for which one was it, Zhang Che didn't waste any time thinking or guessing about it. In any case, he'd see it for himself as long as he continued advancing.

As Zhang Che continued advancing, the powerful mental attack struck more frequently, and the intensity of each attack was stronger and fiercer than the last.

Relying on the rainbow crystal, Zhang Che didn't have to fear any attacks that targeted the mind or soul. Otherwise, heavens knew how many times he would have died…

—

An hour later, after he crossed a mountain and emerged from the forest that had almost no living creatures within, Zhang Che couldn't help but open his mouth slightly in surprise.

The scenery before him was so strange that Zhang Che immediately creased his brow, becoming extremely wary.

At the foot of the mountain, no vegetation grew on a large spread of uneven ground. What lay above the barren ground were strange-looking crystals that gave off an indescribable feeling.

The waves of energy that resembled mental attacks came from those strange crystals, spreading out.

It was no wonder no exotic beasts existed in the surroundings.

Let alone exotic beasts, even ordinary animals were extremely scarce. Only some low-level insects were not affected by those waves of energy, living in the surrounding forest happily and peacefully.

At this moment, the golden vortex in his spiritual sea suddenly throbbed even more frequently, like a patient whose heart had stopped now starting to show signs of life.

“But, how do I extract the mysterious energy from those strange crystal to replenish the golden vortex?” He had never heard of any minerals that contained mental energy.

Weren't minerals inanimate objects? Inanimate objects suddenly gaining mental energy… wasn't that nonsense?!

However, that was indeed happening right before his eyes, leaving him feeling inexplicably shocked.

“Maybe I should try touching those strange crystals and see if that will allow the golden vortex to absorb the mental energy in them…”

Originally, the Purple Crystal Tortoise was the best choice when it came to extracting minerals. However, this situation was too queer. Zhang Che didn't dare risk it.

The Purple Crystal Tortoise wasn't his strongest baby when it came to dealing with exotic beasts. However, it was a first-rate killing machine when it came to dealing with beastmasters without good defensive equipment. That could be seen from when he killed Zhen Long and the others.

If the Purple Crystal Tortoise were to die here, Zhang Che would have no one to cry to.

He quickly jumped off the mountaintop and walked towards the naked rocky mountain ahead with quick steps. He nearly let out a low groan right away.

He didn't feel it before he entered, but once he stepped on the rocky plateau, the mysterious mental attack suddenly became ten times stronger.

Although Zhang Che had the rainbow crystal protecting his spiritual sea, the waves of attacks were too strong. They could nearly attack his body!

If it wasn't for his superhuman physique, he probably wouldn't be able to remain here!

At this moment, it seemed like the golden vortex had thoroughly revived, pumping rhythmically, like a second heart.

Zhang Che also discovered that the rampaging mental energy in the surroundings was actually not fully neutralized by the rainbow crystal. Instead, it sent a portion of it to the golden vortex, turning the energy into fuel for it.

Zhang Che was immediately in high spirits. He quickly walked towards a rock with those strange crystals embedded in it. He raised the Scarlet Meteorite Huge Sword, slas.h.i.+ng down at it.

Unexpectedly, as he swung down at the rocks that seemed like they would be easily cleaved into bits, the strange crystals suddenly shone with an incredibly weak light that gathered to form a tough barrier, blocking Zhang Che's strike.

“The heck? Could it be that these crystals aren't inanimate objects, but have a life of their own?”

Zhang Che was speechless…

——–

At Bei Du, the Tri Special Intelligence Bureau…

“Bureau Chief, this information was just gathered. The Huang family had just bought a six-star epic-quality beast card from the Chang family at nearly four times the market price. It is probably for Zhang Che to use at the arena deathmatch.” A subordinate stood at the side of the office table, reporting to Zhen Manting, who sat in the chair.

Zhen Manting nodded. She didn't look at the report right away. Instead, she turned her head and asked, “Are you sure the Huang family doesn't have any epic-quality subdued beasts?”

The subordinate nodded very confidently, “Bureau Chief, we've consolidated all the information related to the Huang family we have gathered over all these years. We have indeed not discovered any signs of their family owning any epic-quality beast. This matches the results of what we've investigated so far.”

Zhen Manting smiled faintly, “I think they do have epic-quality subdued beasts, but they are in the hands of Elder Huang. It's most likely at seven-stars or so; that kid surnamed Zhang definitely can't use it. That's why the Huang family is looking so frantically for cards to purchase.”

As for why the Huang family, a mighty faction in the army just barely considered a first-rate clan, couldn't even bring out a mid-tier epic-quality beast card, Zhen Manting actually knew some of the underlying reasons.

It was precisely because the Huang family was a military faction that they placed more importance on the overall strength of the group than on an individual.

After all, the legend-quality beast cards obtained from exchanging an epic-quality beast card could fully equip the high-tier beastmasters of a whole squad.

Oftentimes, a powerful squad without an epic-quality subdued beast could display more combat strength than an individual with an epic-quality subdued beast.

That was the strength of teamwork!

Zhen Manting didn't continue thinking about this matter and instructed her subordinate, “Continue observing. Once the Huang family buys another epic-quality beast card from whichever family, you must find out the specifics of the beast card.”

As long as they knew which epic-quality beast cards the Huang family purchased, and obtained the information on the specifics of the beast card, the Zhen family's chances for the arena deathmatch would be much higher.

Not only that, the Zhen family had made use of some hidden connections and placed heavy bets on themselves through various channels.

They could earn a fortune while exacting revenge. Was there a reason not to do so…?