We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 445 [Gargoyle] [Purifying Stone]

A stone table was placed in the center of the stone chamber.

The table was piled high with ancient scrolls and books, and the surrounding walls were covered with intricate runes.

"This is my research lab."

Yese said in a low voice, "Only here can I avoid their surveillance and conduct some...unauthorized research."

Xia En looked around, his gaze falling on the scrolls.

What are you researching?

Yese walked to the stone table, picked up a yellowed scroll, and looked solemn.

“I am studying our history…or rather, the history that has been covered up.”

He unfurled the scroll, which was covered with ancient script of the Ancient Spirits.

Although Xia En couldn't understand the text, he could sense the importance of it from Yese's expression.

"These scrolls record the origins of our [Ancient Spirits] and our relationship with the Elves."

Yese said in a low voice, "But strangely, these records are completely different from our current understanding."

"The scroll mentions that we were once allies with the elves, living together in the [Elf Realm]."

"However, our people now firmly believe that the elves are our enemies, and even believe that they slaughtered our ancestors."

Xia En nodded to himself.

This is largely consistent with what they had previously learned.

Shaen asked, "Why do you think this is happening?"

Yese shook his head, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes: "I don't know either. But I suspect it has something to do with our 'King'."

"You mean, the 'King' of the Ancient Spirit Clan is manipulating the memories of his people?" Shaen asked, frowning.

"It's not just about manipulating memories."

Yese said in a low voice, "I suspect that our 'king'... may no longer be the 'king' he used to be."

Ann asked, "Are you saying that he is being controlled by some kind of force?"

Yesse nodded: "Yes."

"About a few months ago, our 'King' suddenly changed his temperament and began to spread hatred towards the elves."

"And ordered large-scale mining of rhinestone to manufacture weapons of war."

"From then on, the memories of our people seemed to be gradually distorted, and everyone firmly believed that the elves were our enemies."

"How many months?"

Xia En seemed to be deep in thought. This timing was exactly the same as when he first acquired the [Void Beast Heart].

"Perhaps, it was at that time that the [Heartbreaker Apostle] infiltrated the [Ancient Spirit Clan]."

"【The Mind Stealer】?"

Yese looked at Xiaen in confusion: "What is that?"

Xia En briefly explained the origins and purpose of the "Heartbreaker" to Yese.

After listening, Yese's expression became even more solemn.

"【The Filthy Fate】...【The Filthy Apostle】..."

"A lackey of an evil god from beyond this world..."

Although Yese had never heard of these things before.

But he was, after all, a sage of the Ancient Spirit Clan, and his acceptance of such matters far exceeded that of ordinary clansmen.

"If that's the case, then our 'King' has likely already been controlled or even replaced by the [Mind Flayer]."

Yese said in a low voice, "We must stop him, or the entire [Rhine Secret Realm] will be plunged into disaster."

"We are willing to cooperate with you."

Shaen solemnly said, "But before that, we need to find the [Purification Stone]."

Do you know its whereabouts?

"【Purification Stone】?"

Yese paused for a moment: "Such an ancient name. You must be referring to the highest concentration of [Holy Stone], right?"

Xia En pressed further, "Then do you know its exact location?"

After a moment of contemplation, Yese slowly spoke.

"The Purification Stone should be located at the deepest part of this mine, but that is also the most dangerous place in the entire mine."

"The concentration of secret energy deep within the ore vein is extremely high, and ordinary people simply cannot withstand it."

“Even our Ancient Spirit Clan warriors dare not approach easily.”

"and……"

Yese's voice lowered: "Ever since the 'King' ordered the mining to be accelerated, the depths of the mine have been designated as a restricted area, and no one is allowed to enter."

“I suspect that the place may have been corrupted by the power of the Mind Flayer.”

Xia En nodded, his expression grave: "Even so, we must take the risk and try."

"The Purification Stone is the key to purifying the Fountain of Life; we must obtain it no matter what."

Looking into Xia En's determined eyes, Yese remained silent for a moment before finally making up his mind.

"Okay, I'll take you there."

"However, you must be mentally prepared, as the dangers deep inside the mine are far beyond your imagination."

"We understand."

Xia En nodded solemnly: "Thank you for your help."

Yese waved his hand and said with a wry smile, "No need to thank me."

"If what you say is true, then our 'King' has been controlled by the [Mind Flayer]."

"As a sage of the Ancient Spirit Clan, I also have a responsibility to uncover the truth and save my people."

After saying that, Yese turned and walked towards a corner of the stone chamber.

Reach out and gently press your hand on the wall.

With a low rumble, the wall slowly opened, revealing a hidden passage.

"This is a shortcut to the depths of the mine."

Yese explained, "We can bypass most of the guards and go directly into the core area of ​​the mine."

Xia En and his group followed Yese into the passage. The passage was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a strong mineral scent.

As they ventured deeper, the concentration of mystical energy around them gradually increased.

It can even make it difficult to breathe.

"The concentration of mystic energy here is too high."

Joey said in a low voice, his face somewhat pale, "Ordinary people who stay here for too long might lose their minds."

An excessive amount of secret power can be a burden on extraordinary individuals and may even affect their mental state.

Yese nodded: "That's right, so the depths of the mine have always been a restricted area."

"Even we, the Ancient Spirit Clan, can only stay for a short time."

Xia En felt the secret power within his body stirring, as if it were being drawn by the energy around him.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within him, and said in a low voice.

"Everyone, be careful and stay alert."

The group continued forward, and the passage gradually narrowed.

Strange patterns began to appear on the surrounding rock walls, resembling some kind of ancient runes.

Ye Sai pointed to the patterns and said, "These are runes left by the ancestors of the Ancient Spirit Clan."

"It is said that they can suppress the violent secret power in the mine."

"But recently, the power of these runes seems to be waning."

Xia En carefully examined the runes and found that their light was indeed much dimmer than before, and some runes even had cracks.

"It seems that the power of the [Mind Flayer] has begun to erode this place."

"Shane said in a low voice."

Yese's expression grew even more serious: "We must speed things up, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable if the secret power deep within the ore vein gets out of control."

at this time.

A deep roar suddenly came from ahead, as if some huge creature was awakening.

Everyone stopped abruptly, looking ahead warily. "What's that?"

An asked in a low voice, gripping the heavy sword in his hand tightly.

Xia En frowned, his gaze fixed on the dimly lit passage ahead.

The deep roar grew closer, accompanied by heavy footsteps, as if a colossal creature was approaching them.

"Be careful, it might be a by-product of the mineral vein."

Yese whispered a reminder, slightly raising his staff, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

Xia En nodded, signaling everyone to prepare for battle.

A blue light emanated from Joey's staff, and the moisture in the air quickly condensed, forming a water curtain barrier.

Anze gripped his heavy sword tightly, standing at the very front of the group, ready to face the approaching enemy.

As the footsteps drew closer, a huge figure gradually emerged from the darkness.

It was a massive stone statue, its entire body composed of [Rhinestone], exuding a rich aura of mystical power.

It is very similar to the silver-white stone pig "piggy bank" that appeared during the beast tide.

But at this moment.

The stone monster's eyes gleamed red, as if controlled by some evil force.

"It's a gargoyle!"

"These creatures usually only live deep within mineral veins, how could they appear here?" Yese exclaimed.

Xia En's gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "It seems that the power of the [Heartbreaker Apostle] has already penetrated deep into the mine, and even these associated creatures have been controlled."

The gargoyle let out a low growl and suddenly lunged at the group.

Although its movements were clumsy, its strength was extremely powerful, and each step caused the ground to tremble slightly.

Without hesitation, An charged forward, wielding his greatsword with a sharp whistling sound, and slashed fiercely at the gargoyle's leg.

"clang!"

The greatsword collided with the gargoyle's stone body, producing a loud, metallic clang.

The gargoyle's body swayed slightly, but Ann was thrown back several steps by the recoil.

Xia En immediately saw through the deception.

The gargoyle's body was covered by an invisible armor made of secret power.

Those secret powers originate from the rhinestone that makes up its body.

Theoretically speaking, as long as the secret power of these [Rhinestones] is not exhausted, this layer of secret power armor will always exist.

However, through Shane's [Peeping Eyes], the gargoyle's weakness was clearly visible.

"Its core is in its chest!"

Without hesitation, Xia En flashed past.

When he reappeared, the sword blade formed from the [Void Power] in his hand had already pierced the gargoyle's chest.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, the gargoyle was pierced through the chest by the heavy sword, and its energy core shattered instantly.

The gargoyle let out a mournful roar, its body began to disintegrate, and finally turned into a pile of rubble that scattered on the ground.

Yese looked at Xia En with considerable surprise.

He guessed that Shane and the others could deal with the gargoyle.

But I didn't expect it to be resolved so easily.

He was almost instantly killed by Xia En's sword!

Yese was secretly astonished: "Is this the strength of the city lord of Rhine City?"

"If we were to become enemies with such a being, countless warriors of the Ancient Spirit Clan would die at his hands."

Thinking about this, Yese became even more determined in his decision.

The war between the Ancient Spirits and Rhine City must not be allowed to continue!

Xia En withdrew the [Void Secret Power] from his hand, his gaze still scanning his surroundings warily.

Although the gargoyles had been dealt with, he knew that the dangers deep within the mine were far greater than that.

"keep going."

Xia En said in a low voice, his tone filled with unwavering determination.

Yese nodded and led the group deeper into the passage.

As they approached the core area of ​​the ore vein, the concentration of mystical energy in the air became increasingly intense.

It can even cause a stinging sensation on the skin.

"The mystic power here is almost saturated."

Joey said in a low voice, his face somewhat pale, "We must find the [Purification Stone] as soon as possible, otherwise our bodies may not be able to withstand it."

Xia En nodded, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding rock walls.

Those ancient runes had almost completely lost their luster, and were covered with cracks, as if they would collapse at any moment.

Clearly, the power of the Mind Flayer is rapidly eroding this place.

Just then, a strange light suddenly appeared in front of them.

The group quickened their pace and passed through the last section of the passage. The sight before them made them hold their breath.

At the end of the mine shaft was a huge natural cave.

In the center of the cave stands a stone pillar made of pure rhinestone.

At the top of the stone pillar, a gemstone emitting a soft glow floats.

That was the [Purification Stone] they had been searching for.

"That's the Purification Stone!"

Yese said in a low voice, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.

However, just as they were about to step forward, countless red eyes suddenly lit up all around the cave.

Dozens of gargoyles slowly emerged from the shadows and surrounded the Purification Stone.

"It seems that the [Heartbreaker] anticipated that we would come here."

Xia En said in a deep voice, his body constantly surging with [Void Secret Power].

"Ready to fight!"

An gave a low shout, and the heavy sword was drawn again.

A blue light emanated from Joey's staff, and the moisture in the air quickly condensed, forming a water curtain barrier.

Yeseze raised his staff and chanted an ancient incantation in a low voice, preparing to unleash a powerful secret technique.

Xia En took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the gargoyles in front of him.

The battle is about to break out.

The gargoyles let out a low roar and suddenly pounced on the group.

A cold glint flashed in Xia En's eyes, and he moved like lightning, instantly rushing into the gargoyle horde.

The Void Power in his hand condensed into a sharp blade.

Each swing created a ripple in the void, precisely piercing the gargoyle's core.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

With several loud bangs, Shane shattered the cores of several gargoyles with a single sword strike.

Its massive body instantly disintegrated, turning into rubble scattered on the ground.

However, there were simply too many gargoyles, and even with Shane's incredible speed, he couldn't eliminate them all in a short time.

Ann wielded her greatsword with the speed of the wind, each strike carrying the force of thunder, forcing the approaching gargoyles back.

only.

Gargoyles have extremely strong defenses, and although Ann's attacks were fierce, they could not easily break through their cores.

Joey stood at the back of the group, the blue light on his staff flashing continuously.

She manipulated the moisture in the air to form water curtains that blocked the gargoyles' attacks.

At the same time, she was also looking for an opportunity to use water vapor to condense into ice blades and attack the gargoyles' weaknesses.

Just as everyone was engaged in fierce fighting.

In a dark corner, a pair of scarlet eyes slowly opened.

(End of this chapter)