Chapter 344: Chapter 340: Entering the Ancient Well
An ancient well sat inside the cave, releasing an incredibly oppressive aura.
RUMBLE...
Instantly, purple thunderbolts erupted from Ning Jiang’s body, enveloping him completely. He had no choice but to be cautious here.
CRACKLE...
The very air here felt different, carrying a bizarre energy that sizzled as it clashed with the thunderbolts surrounding Ning Jiang.
VWOOSH.
Ning Jiang made a grasping motion with his hand, unleashing the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill. A massive suction force appeared, drawing in the surrounding air.
Gradually, a wisp of black gas was refined in the palm of his hand.
The black gas seemed to have a life of its own, struggling desperately like an insect trying to escape from Ning Jiang’s palm.
’This is Evil Qi. If an ordinary person were to enter this place, they would inevitably be corrupted by this Power, lose their sense of self, and become a walking corpse.’
After observing for a moment, Ning Jiang’s expression grew even more solemn. This place was far more dangerous than it had been two years ago.
The so-called Evil Qi was something that only formed in places of great malevolence. Generally, it could only be produced in places where a great many people had died.
Evil Qi was far more terrifying than Poisonous Qi or miasma. In this world, there were some Martial Artists who cultivated Evil Qi, and they were much stronger than their ordinary counterparts.
’It seems the Seal’s Power has weakened.’
After casually dispelling the Evil Qi in his hand, Ning Jiang approached the ancient well. Its inner walls were covered in dense Sealing Runes that emitted a faint glow.
However, compared to two years ago, the runes were much dimmer. Their Power had faded far too much.
The ancient well was not very large.
But looking down, one would find a Grotto Heaven within—a vast space.
The space within was cast in a dark crimson hue, creating an oppressive, suffocating atmosphere.
At this moment, Ning Jiang’s gaze was fixed on an altar below.
On the altar rested a giant eyeball, as large as a water vat, its origins unknown. A pitch-black sword was plunged into its center, from which blood was flowing.
Just as it had been two years ago, the blood was a vibrant crimson, teeming with vitality.
"Meng Daoyi!"
Just as Ning Jiang was observing it, the eyeball moved. It looked toward Ning Jiang and spoke in an icy voice.
Ning Jiang was not surprised.
Two years ago, this eyeball had called out his name. But back then, his Cultivation was only at the Innate Realm, and he hadn’t been able to learn anything more.
But now, his strength had increased by more than a hundredfold. His Cultivation had reached the Divine Travel Realm, and his combat prowess was enough to slay even an Immortal Realm expert. He was far more confident about dealing with this place.
"I know your heart is filled with questions. Come down. Come down, and I will tell you everything."
The eyeball continued to speak, its voice laced with a strange, bewitching power. At the same time, an invisible force slowly descended, entering Ning Jiang’s sea of consciousness to vie for control of his body.
’Soul-Catching Technique.’
The eyeball had tried to control him with this very technique years ago, but it had failed.
"You couldn’t do anything to me two years ago, and you stand even less of a chance now."
Ning Jiang snorted coldly. He wasn’t one to simply wait for his doom. Power converged within his sea of consciousness, and in the next instant, a formidable Primordial Spirit Power blasted forth.
God Obliteration Technique, God-Slaying Blade!
A small blade shot directly toward the eyeball. But with a cold snort, the eyeball radiated a faint light from its surface, shattering the God-Slaying Blade.
"In just two short years, you’ve actually reached this level."
The eyeball’s voice changed, tinged with surprise at Ning Jiang’s growth.
"You’re not so simple yourself."
Ning Jiang’s eyes narrowed. ’In the past two years, this eyeball’s Power must have recovered significantly as well.’
"Since you’ve returned to this place, it proves the answers you seek are here. However, if you don’t come down, you will never learn them."
The eyeball’s voice was icy.
Its objective was crystal clear: to lure Ning Jiang into the ancient well.
A cold sneer touched Ning Jiang’s lips. He was sure that once he entered the well, the eyeball would have even more methods to use against him.
However, he hadn’t returned this time only to leave empty-handed.
He had long been mentally prepared to enter this ancient well.
"I’d like to see what tricks a damaged eyeball like you can possibly have."
Ning Jiang snorted coldly. With a flick of his sleeves, his body levitated and began to slowly descend into the ancient well.
"Heh heh, how bold," the eyeball cackled.
Ning Jiang remained unfazed. After descending a thousand feet, his feet touched solid ground.
Looking around, he saw that the space was incredibly vast, with no visible borders. Skeletons were scattered in all directions around the altar.
Some of the skeletons were easily identifiable as human, while others were mountain-sized and strangely shaped.
Without a doubt, the skeletons here belonged to many different races.
What was startling was that some of the skeletons still had a lustrous sheen, completely untouched by decay, and emanated a monstrous Evil Qi.
"A battlefield."
Ning Jiang murmured. A brutal war must have been fought here, as shattered weapons littered the ground.
"Interesting. You seem very calm. It’s as if you’ve seen this kind of scene before and are completely used to it?"
The eyeball stared at Ning Jiang, gauging his reaction.
It saw that Ning Jiang’s gaze was utterly indifferent, as if he couldn’t care less about his surroundings. This horrific scene seemed to be nothing more than a trivial matter in his eyes.
It could not understand how a young man could have such a reaction.
Even a Heaven-Reaching Realm expert wouldn’t be this composed.
"No, that’s not right! That’s not right at all!"
Suddenly, for the first time, the eyeball shrieked in alarm.
"You’re not Meng Daoyi! There’s a different aura about you. Who in the world are you?"
"Oh?"
Ning Jiang was taken aback. This eyeball continued to surprise him. Truthfully, he wasn’t the original Meng Daoyi.
The original Meng Daoyi was already dead. He was a Venerable from a hundred thousand years ago. He just never expected this eyeball would actually be able to sense the difference.
"Since you know so much about Meng Daoyi, why don’t you tell me what you know."
Ning Jiang flicked his fingernail, perfectly calm and composed.
He knew nothing about Meng Daoyi’s background, but this eyeball was clearly privy to it.
"Hahaha, a dead man has no need for answers."
The eyeball suddenly burst into laughter as a bizarre light emanated from its surface.
BOOM!
In an instant, an immense Power surged toward Ning Jiang. The skin all over his body tightened, becoming as hard as iron plate.
This was a form of Evil Qi, sharper than any blade. An ordinary person standing here would instantly disintegrate, unable to bear it.
Even Ning Jiang, despite having cultivated the Nine Tribulations Celestial Thunder Body, felt immense pressure. The purple thunderbolts coursing over his body crackled erratically as they fought against the Evil Qi.
"Petty tricks. Break."
He controlled his Thunder Power, sending it surging toward the eyeball.
The battle erupted in an instant!