Chapter 958: Chapter 504: True Power (Second Update)
This is an extremely large deep cavern, with an estimated depth of at least over 300 yards, and a diameter of over 1,000 yards.
Soon, Rod spotted a white cocoon on the cold rock wall.
The source of the Fire Mark’s sensing was inside the white cocoon.
Mephit raised his voice: "That’s the Dissolving Cocoon! They’re captured, the monster sealed them in the cocoon, trying to completely dissolve their souls and absorb nutrients."
White light flashed on Rod’s hand, and a Star Line shot out, quickly forming into a Star Sword.
He flew over and slashed open the white cocoon, a thick white liquid gushed out, and a warrior fell down.
Rod reached out to catch him, not paying attention to the white liquid.
A scorching sensation on his skin proved there was acid in the white liquid, and a decline in humanity indicated its soul-polluting nature.
However, his state still looked good, his soul hadn’t been severely eroded.
Rod turned and landed on an icy path, just as he was thinking of how to help him remove the residual white liquid, an ice suddenly encased the warrior’s body, freezing the white liquid into chunks that fell away.
His face was soon revealed, and Rod was surprised to find it was an acquaintance, Frank from Mushroom City, a guy who could change material properties, passionate about creating food.
"He wasn’t injured; he wasn’t trapped in the cocoon for long, and a layer of Spiritual Protection helped resist the corrosion of the white liquid."
Mephit approached, his hand still carrying a hint of coldness.
"Some Moon Rose Potion can quickly restore him."
In the Dream Realm, supplies were ample, and such potions were naturally abundant.
Rod almost always traveled with a warehouse on his back, so he casually took out a few doses and administered them.
Mephit glanced around and said again: "The monster will immediately put swallowed souls into cocoons upon return to its nest; they must have been brought here just recently. If we’re quick, we can rescue all of them alive."
Anna immediately showed joy: "That’s great, let’s hurry."
Rod nodded: "No time to lose, let’s go." He leaped down.
Anna lifted Frank and jumped down with Rod.
Soon, the three of them discovered the cave wound its way downward.
Anna exclaimed: "The monster just returned not long ago, it must be at the bottom, we can eradicate it completely!"
Rod chuckled: "Of course."
His soul remained intense, the state of the Divine Strike still hadn’t faded, and a Flower of Humanity could sustain it for a long time.
Not long after, Frank woke up.
The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was shout: "Careful!"
The second moment he saw Rod’s face, along with the majestic Centaur behind him and the stunning silver-haired, silver-eyed girl.
"Don’t worry." Rod smiled and said: "You’re already safe."
Frank froze, for a moment he thought he was dreaming, but the bone-chilling cold and Rod’s warm arms reassured him it was real.
"Boo boo boo... You finally came..."
Frank nearly cried.
"It was terrifying, those monsters... We were ambushed, they consumed us all, even Lord Chucher was eaten trying to protect us. Without his Spiritual Energy shielding us, we would’ve already been dissolved by the monsters."
He suddenly jumped up.
"Hurry save them! It’s still time; since I’m not dead, they mustn’t be dead either..."
Rod laughed: "Don’t worry, we’re on our way to rescue them. Tell me the details of the attack, it might help us."
Frank rubbed his moist eyes and began detailing the account of their attack.
When they entered the commercial district, they were first attacked by shadows, which then transformed into giant monsters.
Under Chucher’s leadership, they struggled to kill the giant monsters, only for another giant insect-like monster to appear, with a lengthy insect body and human head, incredibly strong; even Heavenly God state Lord Chucher couldn’t defend against it.
As they were preparing to retreat, a huge black vortex suddenly emerged from the insect’s body, much larger than those on the monsters.
Black light swept over them, and the Seventh Squad warriors couldn’t dodge in time, and were hit. Chucher jumped in to protect them.
Then, Frank only remembered being trapped in a narrow space, unable to escape regardless of their attacks, with something corrupting and eroding their souls. If it wasn’t for Chucher’s Spiritual Energy shielding them, the Seventh Squad would have been completely wiped out.
It wasn’t long before it seemed like the monster couldn’t digest them, and extracted each of them, Chucher applied Spiritual Protection to each person.
This Spiritual Protection was what protected him until Rod slashed him out.
After hearing this, Rod asked: "What is that insect monster?"
Mephit gently said: "It’s the King of Worms, a more powerful monster formed after a Profanity Warrior’s transformation..."
Rod exclaimed happily: "Isn’t that perfect?"
The stronger the monster, the more divinity he gained.
And restoring the Dream Realm required more souls.
If he could acquire some more Source, that would be even better.
He stepped forward eagerly, hoping to see the King of Worms immediately.
Frank looked at his back with admiration. During the Trident River battle, Rod’s Spiritual Energy was similar to theirs, yet in the blink of an eye, he had stepped into the Guardian’s Domain, advancing toward the Fire Son.
While he remained a Third Level Combatant, the gap between them was incomparable.
Yet, Frank’s heart was filled with gratitude and hope; geniuses need not be envied, they are the chosen of fire, divine envoys sent from the legendary fire heaven to save humanity.
The stronger they are, the more hope humanity has.
Moreover, Rod once told him that the way he uses his ability is not for combat, but for planting more food, so everyone could eat freely.
Regrettably, when he transitioned to the planting domain, he tragically discovered he was combat-oriented, only suitable for growing in combat.
Thus, he was forced to return to the combat ranks, until he was sent to Starry Sky City today.
Frank clenched his fists.
Though Rod is the strongest new star, deep down, he still firmly believes he’s the one to save the world.
Because his ability can bring change; individual combat power isn’t that important, enhancing humanity’s overall strength is the true direction.
"I will catch up with you."
He thought silently, closely following behind them.
"But right now, what I have to do is not lag behind and contribute as much as I can."
When the four turned another corner, the Fire Symbol on Rod and Frank’s collars heated up simultaneously.
"They are here!"
Frank shouted, having sensed the position of the White Cocoon through the rock wall.
At the same time, he also sensed something unusual.
"Monsters... three! Don’t go over there; there are three here! They are extremely powerful, very difficult to deal with, we’re too few..."
Yet Rod casually stepped forward.
Anna understood and raised her lantern high.
The fire exploded brightly, the darkness dispelled, and three shadows were exposed in the air.
Rod smiled and said, "Let’s fight."
Anna, slightly nervous, said, "Three of them... is it okay, Rod?"
"Of course," Rod glanced at Anna, "haven’t you seen me kill them in battle?"
"But that was one," Anna pouted, "you struggled quite a bit."
Rod smiled and said, "That was just acclimating to my combat strength. No need to hold back now."
He bit his wrist, letting the blood spill over him, the flames ignited from his body, and his Spiritual Energy kept rising.
"Mm... this should be enough."
Rod sensed the powerful Spiritual Energy.
"Anna, attack my target. Mephit, freeze all the monsters with full force."
Before finishing his sentence, he charged out, starlight flashing in his hands, the Star Sword instantly formed.
The three Profanity Warriors were stimulated, roaring in unison, transforming to their second form, the massive Black Blade formed, and slashed fiercely at Rod.
Rod dodged with a swift move, but the wave created by the slash was too strong, cutting open his shoulder, blood gushing out.
"Rod!" Frank shouted urgently, "Be careful, three are completely different from one; they collaborate and are vastly stronger!"
Rod merely smiled, the blood on his shoulder turning into hotter flames.
"Seems like you want to add more fuel..."
Boom!
The Spiritual Energy surged, even three Profanity Warriors could not suppress Rod’s Spiritual Energy.
He moved straight towards the monster on the far right.
The Profanity Warrior roared madly, the Black Blade slashed down, but Rod didn’t dodge, simultaneously slashing back.
Frank was stunned; he never thought someone would exchange blows with monsters; the monster’s Spiritual Energy is far deeper than humans, their body strength is far greater than humans too; losing a hand affects monsters less, but humans would suffer more.
"Rod brother!" he shouted, his voice almost a wail.
But in the next moment, as the Black Blade was about to cut Rod’s head, a Spirit Spear pierced the Profanity Warrior.
Forced paralysis!
This was Anna’s Awakened State special ability, her spear never misses, and can paralyze monsters; depending on the difference in Spiritual Energy, the paralysis duration varies, but at least half a second.
That’s Forced Paralysis, a heaven-defying ability.
The Profanity Warrior was far stronger than Anna, so its body only paused for half a second.
But in that half-second, Rod’s sword had already pierced it first.
[Divine Strike]
Boom!
Profanity Warriors have vulnerabilities during attacks; part of their Spiritual Energy is used offensively, weakening their defense.
Rod captured that instant change.
An extraordinarily powerful strike hit the weak spot, the shining Star Sword pierced through the Profanity Warrior’s Spiritual Protection, penetrated its soul, creating a huge hole.
Bang!
The Profanity Warrior kneeled instantly, while Rod half-opened his five fingers, the Star Sword dissipated, the crescent-like blade shone, the translucent hand inserted into its soul.
Another muffled sound.
Rod backhandedly pulled out, the Profanity Warrior’s soul shattered, collapsing into countless black dust.
A thread of black energy flew over, entered the chest, and the Book of Knowledge cheered.
Another [Profanity Warrior’s Soul].
Meanwhile, the other two Profanity Warriors were frozen by Mephit, covered in frost, their movements slow, slashing a step too late.
Thus, the combined force of the Profanity Warriors was broken.
Rod darted away, waiting for the soul’s overheating to end.
Mephit stood afar, enveloped entirely in cold air.
Anna held her spear, ready to approach at any time—she needs to throw it within range to guarantee a hit.
Although the two monsters weren’t dead yet, in Rod’s eyes, they were already pigs and sheep to be slaughtered.
Hahaha.
Haven’t you heard the saying, one fence needs three stakes, one hero needs three helpers?
Even a big brother needs his lil’ bro.
This is the real power.