Mingzhi passed by many buildings where the roofs curved skyward like a crow's wings. The walls of these structures were mostly painted in gold and black. She passed through the central plaza and made it toward the main palace where she had once kidnapped the Ghostly Crow Realm Master.
Realm Master Yughen confirmed it was the right way.
The Realm Core was deep underground, encased in darkness.
After entering the main palace, they appeared at an underground pit.
"We have to jump into this pit." Realm Master Yughen uttered.
"It's not an elaborate trap, is it?" Mingzhi raised her brows as she gave him a doubtful glance.
"…" Realm Master Yughen paused slightly, "It's not, but after I left, it is unknown if my elders placed any traps."
"Heh~" Mingzhi smirked, "Considering I killed the Guardians, if they didn't place any traps, then I'd say they are pretty useless."
"This is a sacred area…"
He argued, but Mingzhi jumped ahead.
She plunged into the shadowy depths, and the others also followed close behind. The air grew heavy, the temperature dropping noticeably as they descended. It was a free fall, but the pit was big enough to accommodate them all.
Nearly five minutes later, they landed on a cobblestone ground.
The chamber was dark. Only faint, ghostly purple lanterns shone in the corner, giving off an eerie vibe, but it didn't matter. The sounds of the city above faded, replaced by a deep, resonant hum that vibrated through the very stone beneath their feet. It felt ancient and powerful, a palpable reverberation that both intrigued and unsettled.
They knew it was none other than this realm's core!
"Really, no traps?"
"As I said, this is a sacred area."
Mingzhi wondered, and Realm Master Yughen replied.
He took the lead and walked them down a staircase that led down. It was a spiral staircase. The more they descended, the more they walked into the darkness, becoming unable to see their surroundings for not more than three meters ahead.
They continued spiraling downwards for nearly ten minutes before they appeared in what seemed to be an open space. However, it was still dark as the night.
Every light source didn't give off light for more than a few meters.
However, they could see a huge crystalline core in the distance.
It shone with many colors, but the black color of darkness was prevalent, swimming across the crystalline surface of the core.
"How beautiful…"
Yilla uttered. It was her first time seeing and sensing something like the Realm Core. She was fascinated by it, appearing highly intrigued.
"It's all yours."
Mingzhi smiled at her. She then turned to look at Realm Master Yughen, indicating for him to abdicate his throne.
==========
Davis chilled near the western edge of the Whispering Wildlands Lower Realm.
He appeared bored, lying down on the grass and chewing on a blade of grass. This time, he didn't bring anyone since he felt it could turn into a messy battle. He didn't think the Heaven's Warriors would let them take a third realm.
Not only would it be humiliating for them, but it might send them into a spiral, making them insane enough to throw themselves to death at him. After all, it would be a huge loss of reputation. At the same time, he figured if they were going to let him conquer a third realm, then it might be the last. He figured he would need to take advantage of that.
However, he didn't think they would agree to any more pardons for him.
It was already a situation where a small spark could light up the whole city.
However, he wasn't worried. He knew the force he sent was more than enough to conquer the Ghostly Crow Lower Realm and also slaughter the Heaven's Warriors. Mingzhi truly was nearly unbeatable at the layer limit. Her devouring energy wouldn't go beyond the layer limit but would still devour the other party's attacks, forcing them to either back off or increase their energy, which would result in getting kicked out.
He could only offer his condolences to those who wanted to face her in a battle.
Suddenly, he sensed Stella closing in. Due to the connection he had with her, he could sense her presence nearly a trillion kilometers away unless she intentionally concealed it. He wondered if she came back with a message, only to see her exiting a spatial tunnel and descending towards him with Yotan.
"What happened?"
He casually asked.
He noticed Yotan lowering her head as though she was guilty.
"Master, there was unexpectedly a King-Tier Heavenly Ghost Crow that committed suicide and used a self-sacrificial curse technique to-"
Stella began to explain in a grievous and complaining tone. After she was finished, she put her head down like Yotan and pouted.
"I was unable to stop that Heavenly Ghost Crow in time. It's my fault. Please punish me- for real."
She added, in case Davis thought she wanted to be punished the other way.
"You're not at fault."
Davis waved his hand. His gaze fell on Yotan as he walked close to her, "You look fine. How is the injury?"
"Not much of a problem. If I rested for a few days, my soul should heal after taking soul-healing pills."
Davis touched her forehead and injected his soul sense, causing Yotan to shudder ever so lightly, but she didn't resist, continuing to speak.
"However, the curse itself remains. My heavenly tribulation at the next stage should become powerful by two levels since most of the curse has been eradicated by Mingzhi. Legion Master, I request for you to leave this curse on me since I would like to encounter a challenging tribulation that will help me solidify my powers more."
Davis was listening. Finally, he frowned.
"Why are you here if you want the curse to remain?"
"…"
Yotan paused for a moment, "I fear it might have other use. I might've been marked."
Davis shook his head, "A curse can't have so many effects, especially when it has a unique effect like increasing the tribulation's strength, which is unheard of."
He nearly laughed. After all, he would just throw some karmic sin with Karmicblight and his opponents would naturally tend to face a tougher and punishing tribulation. He supposed this curse couldn't be just increasing the heavenly tribulation's prowess by three levels higher.
He figured that there should be some limit. A weaker tribulation might have its prowess increased, but an already powerful one, like his or Myria's, might not even be affected. Otherwise, he would have to bow to the Heavenly Ghost Crow race since they might be able to kill him if their Emperor Beast threw him the same technique, causing much more havoc in his tribulation.
He suspected an Emperor-Tier Heavenly Ghost Crow's sacrificial curse could even raise one's tribulation by six levels higher, and the limit would naturally also be higher.
"True." Yotan wryly smiled, "Elder sister Mingzhi sent me here to get treated. I also want to make sure nothing's wrong with me."
"I'm not a true physician to make an educated guess. My prescriptions and treatments are mostly based on experience and intuition."
"Even so- there's no one greater than you when it comes to healing injuries, curing illnesses, and dispelling curses, Legion Master. If you insist that I remove this curse, then I will do it."
"…"
Davis was surprised as he looked at this stubborn woman. He wondered what wind blew for her to listen to him. Regardless, he nodded.
"Naturally, I don't want a curse to be residing inside your soul. We do not fully know about this curse, so we need to eradicate it. Don't resist, and it's going to be a bit painful, but don't worry, I'll heal you quickly…"
"Mhm~"
Yotan closed her eyes, feeling his calm and mystical iridescent energy enter her soul sea and move towards her soul.