By then, Bi Qing and the others had already charged out from the remaining streams of poison. But what happened next caused Chen Feng"s eyes to widen with shock.
Spheres formed from potent poison kept bursting out from the bottom of the ocean. Some flew to a distance of hundreds of thousands of li from the epicentre. The moment the black spheres made contact with the ocean surface, it caused black water to splash outwards. By the time Chen Feng and the others recollected themselves, the surrounding ocean region – spanning a radius of half a million kilometres – had become pitch-black again. Rather, it was several times thicker than before. Worse, the poison spheres were continuously flying out from the bottom of the ocean.
Sou!
Their final teleportation array was sent forward and the spheres were teleported away. However, there were too many of them. Moreover, all of them were the compressed form of potent poison. Thus, it did not take long before the teleportation array was eroded away as well.
“Tower, can these things be devoured?” Chen Feng secretly asked.
“Yes. Poison is also a form of energy. Since you have cultivated the Heavengulping Absorption Technique, you will be able to devour various types of energy. Only, some time will be needed to refine it. Besides, this poison is not really potent poison. Only the core of the Poison Plane could be considered as potent poison. If there is a chance in the future, you can go try it for yourself. Of course, your cultivation of the Heavengulping Absorption Technique has to first reach a certain level,” Tower said nonchalantly. It seemed he did not view what was happening as anything of importance.
Hearing that, Chen Feng grew elated. Additionally, a plan also formed in his mind. If he could collect all the potent poison here, they would become a killing move in future fights. Unleas.h.i.+ng this poison out during a battle would result in a nightmare, for the enemy, of course.
After considering that, Chen Feng reached out with his hand and grasped. Next, one of the poison spheres – s.h.i.+ning with black light – flew into Chen Feng"s hand, where it disappeared with a flash.
“Chen Feng, what are you doing?” Patriarch Heavenly Sword and the rest were flabbergasted. Only Bi Qing revealed an ambiguous smile as he observed Chen Feng"s actions. He had understood what Chen Feng was trying to do.
As the Heavengulping Absorption Technique continued to take effect, the poison sphere that could even scare Yao Overlords was stripped away. Its poison dissipated and it finally disintegrated into energy streams. All of the energy streams were refined and absorbed by Chen Feng.
I can indeed refine it! Chen Feng was immediately overjoyed at the results. Next, however, he sighed. While he could indeed refine it, speed was an issue. Given his level of strength, refining seven or eight of them would not be an issue. But there was an endless number bursting out from the bottom of the ocean. In Chen Feng"s opinion, he would have to be a True Immortal if he wanted to refine the poison within the ocean region there.
Despite that, Chen Feng had still decided to make use of the Longevity Tower. In just the blink of an eye, over 1,000 poison spheres had been sucked into the Longevity Tower.
These things are too fierce. Unless absolutely necessary, it"d be best to not use them. After the poison spheres entered the Longevity Tower, there was a need to create a separate s.p.a.ce for them, otherwise they would corrode away all the items that Chen Feng was keeping inside the Longevity Tower.
Bi Qing and the others from East Dragon Island were able to look on calmly as Chen Feng absorbed the poison spheres. They all knew about the Longevity Tower, after all. However, the same could not be said of the four Yao Overlords. Seeing Chen Feng"s actions caused a chill to run down their hearts.
Due to Chen Feng"s actions of utilizing the Longevity Tower, the poison spheres no longer shot into the surrounding ocean region. Instead, all of them flew into the Longevity Tower.
“The grade of this poison is too low. Also, there are too many impurities inside them. There is no need to absorb them.” The Longevity Tower had long since recovered to the Immortal tier. It thus became very discerning and selective. For the Longevity Tower, this poison was not worthy.
“Even if you don"t want it, we can keep it. I need to do some research on the poison from the Poison Plane,” Chen Feng said smilingly.
By Chen Feng"s estimate, the poison that he had absorbed could easily kill off tens of Ascendant Immortals. If he were to unleash this poison in a large-scale war, tens of millions of cultivators would die. Thinking of that caused Chen Feng to become even more worried. Back when the blood cultivators entered Eternal World, Chen Feng had felt confident in his ability to deal with them. But what if some experts were to come over from the Poison Plane and unleash such potent poison? Even if they could stop it in the end, it would still spell a great disaster for Eternal World.
Sou!
Suddenly, a large poison sphere flew out. Before the Longevity Tower could collect it, it exploded out of nowhere to form a minor barrier, encasing Chen Feng and the others.
“Ha ha, what an insidious move!” Chen Feng did not feel too concerned. Due to the Longevity Tower"s might, the minor barrier instantly dissipated away and even the poison there was devoured.
“Careful!”
Bi Qing abruptly rushed forward, the sword in his hand slas.h.i.+ng out. Following that, sword light erupted and a pitch-black monster was revealed.
“A bat!” All of them were surprised. This hidden creature trying to launch a sneak attack on Chen Feng was a large bat with a ferocious appearance. Unlike Blood Bats, this one was completely black and strands of poisonous energy radiated out from its body.
“Bats are very common. However, those that can live in the Poison Plane is a different story. They could be called Poison Bats.” That sword attack from Bi Qing had only managed to force it to reveal itself. It had not killed off the Poison Bat. A second attack from Bi Qing then hacked the Poison Bat into two before shattering away the severed parts.
The expression on every one of their faces turned grim. It was as though a great enemy was standing right before them. It was just a small bat. And yet, Bi Qing had – despite his formidable level of strength – failed to kill it with one sword attack.
“I was careless. I actually failed to notice it.” Chen Feng shook his head.
“But the Poison Plane is far inferior compared to the Immortal Plane. It should only be on par with the Demon Plane. How could a random bat from that world be so powerful? This does not make sense.”
“Maybe they sent the strong as vanguards.”
Sou! Sou! Sou! Sou!
Next, more Poison Bats appeared without respite. Every one of them was as strong as an Ascendant Immortal. In just the blink of an eye, the number of Poison Bats had exceeded 100. By joining forces, Chen Feng and the others managed to kill off over 30 of them. As time went on, however, the pressure exerted by the Poison Bats forced them to retreat far away.
To their relief, the Poison Bats did not pursue them. Instead, they scattered about, seemingly waiting for something.
After the number of Poison Bats exceeded 200, a ma.s.sive hand suddenly emerged from the bottom of the ocean. Five fingers, just like that of a human. Only, the hand was as white as jade.
Once the hand emerged, all the Poison Bats fell silent, waiting quietly. Seeing that brought a sense of pressure down upon Chen Feng"s group.
“Is it a human cultivator?”
As the ma.s.sive hand kept shaking, the surrounding ocean region – spanning a radius of half a million kilometres – shook. The white-coloured ma.s.sive hand formed a peculiar contrasting look to the black ocean waters.
Boom!
It was as though the seabed had been ripped apart. The ma.s.sive hand kept emerging. Next, came the arm, followed by the shoulder. Then, its ma.s.sive body came out as well. Chen Feng and the others gaped at what they saw. It was gigantic, with a human appearance. Clad in a quaint-looking armour, he stood on the surface of the ocean.
“What level is this fellow at?”
“Senior Bi Qing, what do you think?”
Chen Feng and the others stood together as they watched. Not a single one of them took action.
“Without linking up to the Celestial Clearblue Plane, I will be no match for him,” Bi Qing said. At his present level, by linking up to the Celestial Clearblue Plane and receiving its support, Bi Qing"s level would rise to the high-level Ascendant Immortal stage. At that level, Bi Qing could even fight against a True Immortal.
In truth, there was something else that Bi Qing did not say. Even after receiving the support of the Celestial Clearblue Plane, he might still be no match for this fellow.
The gigantic human standing on the surface of the ocean opened his mouth and inhaled. Next, all the poison within a radius of millions of li were sucked in by him and the ocean returned to its original colour.
Following that, the gigantic human began shrinking until he was the size of a normal human. Likewise, the Poison Bats transformed to a.s.sume human appearances as well. The 200 plus Poison Bats stood respectfully nearby, not a single one said anything.
“So, it is the clone of a True Immortal. No wonder there is such a great show of might. Bringing out over 200 Ascendant Immortals for a trip. This should already be the strongest force here in Eternal World,” Chen Feng said, growing wary.
“I brought a total of 300 subordinates with me, but now, I have lost 36 of them. I think you fellows should give me an explanation.”
All Chen Feng and the others saw was a flash before the armour-clad human appeared before them all.
“Explanation? What kind of explanation do you want?” Chen Feng asked.
“It"s easy, a life for a life.” The armour-clad human attacked right after saying that. His hand stretched forward and he grasped. Due to his actions, Chen Feng"s group felt the world spinning. They could even feel time flowing. It gave them the feeling that they were incapable of stopping this move.
Shua!
A cyan-coloured sword light abruptly flashed. After that, a stream of energy swept out to bring everyone in Chen Feng"s group into the Longevity Tower. Then, with a light shake, the Longevity Tower broke through s.p.a.ce and disappeared the very next moment.
“Eh? That tower earlier looks somewhat familiar.” The armour-clad human did not give chase. Instead, he simply stood there and entered a contemplative state. The 200 plus Poison Bats – now in human forms – remained still.
“Our respects to High Prince Five Poisons!” After some time, the armour-clad human then turned around. In response, all the Poison Bats knelt down and gave an extreme display of respect.
“Well then. You fellows spread out and gather information. I believe our Poison Plane is not the only one here. Before taking action, we must investigate this matter properly,” the armour-clad human, High Prince Five Poisons, said.
“Understood!”
Sou! Sou! Sou! Sou! Sou! Sou! Sou! Sou!
The Poison Bats transformed back into their original forms and flew up. In just the blink of an eye, all of them had disappeared.
“I didn"t think I would encounter a Longevity Tower here. Even the exalted Celestial Planes have chosen to interfere. Looks like the fortune here is quite big,” High Prince Five Poisons whispered. Then, he took a step forward, bringing himself over 5,000 kilometres into the distance. In just a few steps, he had disappeared from sight.
The Longevity Tower reappeared in the Starry Islands. Emerging from the Longevity Tower, everyone in Chen Feng"s group could still feel a lingering sensation of fear within their hearts.
“Although he is only a clone, he should be able to bring out 30% of his original body"s strength. Killing an Ascendant Immortal is a piece of cake for him. Thankfully we have the Longevity Tower, otherwise not even joining forces would have allowed us to escape earlier,” Bi Qing said in a hushed tone.
Earlier, Bi Qing had been the only one who had managed to respond with his own move. The others had been incapable of fighting back at all. The four Yao Overlords" faces had become extremely ugly to behold.
“Fellows, what are your plans?” Chen Feng simply asked them.
“We agree with your earlier proposal. An alliance.” The Ocean Sovereign nodded. Regardless if they could return to the parts of the ocean region they call home or not, they had experienced the might of East Dragon Island and the expert from the Poison Plane. Thus, they had a foreboding sensation. Looking for allies and strengthening themselves was the best course of action.
1 li = 0.5 km