Chapter 538 - 345: Total Blockade (Part 2)

Chapter 538: Chapter 345: Total Blockade (Part 2)

"Oh? So they’re Traitorous Ninjas," Han Ning said knowingly.

’Traitorous Ninjas?’

Crouching beside Han Ning, Egg Pancake instinctively glanced at the foreheads of the group of people shrouded in dark shadows.

’They aren’t wearing any strange headbands?’

Egg Pancake was bewildered.

"Traitorous Ninjas?" Lin Ke asked, not understanding.

"Ahem. What’s Ladar’s approximate strength? His Spiritual Power is very strong—he must be Tier Five. I’m afraid these people are no match for him," Han Ning said, coughing lightly to change the subject.

"I’m not too sure of his strength... but he’s older than us. He was active in the Celestial Demon Sea Region decades ago. According to the clan elders, his Soul Beast’s power... is at least Emperor Level. Why has he come here? Could it be for the rewards inside the Sea God Palace?"

"Also! How could the Sea Flipping Squad break the Secret Realm’s Defense Array with their strength alone? Don’t tell me we have traitors within the Deep Sea Race?"

Lin Ke fired off a volley of questions, but Han Ning had no answers.

In the scant five seconds of their exchange,

the situation above the palace complex had changed dramatically once again!

"AHHH!!!"

A pained wail echoed across the sky.

The Blood Shark Beastmaster, who had just been spouting threats, was snatched up in Ladar’s hand. All the Soul Beasts he had summoned were obliterated into a bloody mist by dark red lightning bolts that had formed from black worms!

"I haven’t shown my face in ten years. Did you little brats really think I’ve gone soft?"

Ladar’s eyes widened. He stared coldly at the Blood Shark Race member, who bore a slight resemblance to him, and gently squeezed his hand.

SNAP~

Although faint, the sound of breaking bones was clearly caught by the Beast Masters present, with their keen perception.

The Blood Shark Beastmaster, brimming with vigor just a moment ago, was now decapitated, his body falling lifelessly in two pieces.

Ladar casually tossed aside the severed head, its jagged neck bone exposed. He waved his hand and roared, "Kill them!"

In an instant, a surging Spiritual Tide filled the sky.

’The Deep Sea Race must have lost their connection to the Secret Realm... Otherwise, they wouldn’t let this group wantonly slaughter their younger generation.’

Han Ning watched the young Beast Masters struggling to fight in the sky. He didn’t immediately step forward to help. Instead, he summoned his panel interface and thought,

’Panel, analyze the Sea God Palace’s Spiritual Energy Circuit. Can you take control of this core area?’

[Analyzing...]

[Analysis complete. Taking control of the core area will cost approximately—100 million Energy.]

’One hundred million... ten times the cost of the Dragon Palace. That’s reasonable enough.’

The situation was urgent, so Han Ning didn’t hesitate. He took out the Crystal Stones he had plundered from the Dragon Palace’s Treasure Hall, converting them into Energy to fuel the panel’s unlocking process.

’The Crystal Stones all came from inside the Secret Realm anyway, so he didn’t feel the sting of spending them.’

[Unlocking...]

[Current progress: 1%]

A familiar, pale blue web of light spread in all directions. On the panel’s projection, a cluster of magnificent palaces materialized.

Having absorbed ample Energy and undergone multiple upgrades, the panel’s processing power had long since surpassed what it once was.

Just a few seconds later,

[Unlock successful!]

[Acquired control of the palace complex’s core area.]

’Activate the complex’s defenses. Give them a place to take cover.’

Han Ning looked up. In just a few short seconds, nearly a quarter of the young Beast Masters in the sky had been killed. They were no match for the Sea Flipping Squad’s Traitorous Ninjas at all.

[The core of the palace complex is detached from the main space and has lost its energy source. Activating the Spiritual Array in the key area will consume an estimated: 50,000 Energy/second.]

’Activate it. The Deep Sea Race can foot the bill. Also, scan the core area for any place that stores Soul Beast cubs, eggs, or treasure.’

SWISH~

Above the Sea God Palace Complex, the blue energy shield that had disappeared reappeared, covering several key palace halls.

Han Ning spread his mind, using a Spiritual Fluctuation that was difficult for others to detect to send a message to every Deep Sea Race Beast Master:

"Hide below unless you have a death wish. Figure out a way to counterattack."

’This was all I can do. I have to make sure these people survive.’

’Otherwise, if I let Ladar kill everyone and I’m the only survivor, it’ll be impossible to explain myself.’

"Who? Who’s sending that Spiritual Fluctuation?" The surviving Beast Masters looked alarmed, whipping their heads around to scan their surroundings.

Only Ruiyue, in the group, faintly guessed who the owner of the Spiritual Power was. A complicated expression appeared on her face again. Without a word, she flew towards the shielded area below.

The others quickly caught on and dove into the Shield’s protection as well.

Those dark figures tried to follow them in, but the panel, now in control of the Spiritual Array, identified them as unauthorized and blocked them all.

Inside the palace where Han Ning was.

The 3D projection in front of him enlarged, locking onto the interior of the 50th palace.

[Large number of young Soul Beasts detected in target area.]

[High-energy lifeform detected approaching the target area. Currently breaching the outer Array.]

’Oh? Could it be Ladar?’

Han Ning glanced at the sky and noticed that a few dark figures were indeed missing. He hurriedly called his own Soul Beasts and rushed towards the 50th palace.

"Irena, Lin Ke, change of plans. Follow the puppet caterpillar’s lead. I need help now."

"Okay, got it!"

Irena moved with incredible speed. By the time Han Ning sent the message, she had already arrived in a palace a few hundred meters behind him.

Han Ning could already clearly perceive restless Wind Elements rapidly approaching.

In a short while, the three of them arrived outside the 50th palace one after another.

The 50th palace was the largest and most magnificently decorated hall among all the palaces.

It was built entirely from giant azure stone blocks, its surface carved with intricate Deep Sea Race reliefs.

Multi-colored corals dotted its surface, giving it a strong exotic flair.

At this moment, the great doors that should have been tightly shut were already wide open, revealing a pitch-black interior.

Irena and Lin Ke noticed this, and expressions of astonishment appeared on their faces.

"The last palace has been breached. Ladar really is after the Secret Realm’s treasure," Lin Ke said, her brow furrowing.

"Ladar is very strong. Han Ning... only you, with your Spiritual Power, can catch him off guard and instantly destroy his Spiritual World," Irena said, looking at Han Ning.

"No rush. Ladar and his companions are being held up by a Spiritual Array left behind by the Wangchao Family. Let’s first go check out the Secret Realm where the Deep Sea Soul Beasts are hidden."

"Heh," Han Ning chuckled. A small door suddenly split open next to the huge, gaping doorway, and he stepped through first.

Irena and Lin Ke’s expressions became even more astonished. The two sisters exchanged a glance and hurriedly followed him inside.

According to the panel’s analysis of the Secret Realm’s structure, the 50th palace was actually a giant outer shell, with a smaller Secret Realm hidden inside.

That place... was where the Deep Sea Race cultivated the legendary Soul Beast—Vilornox.

Rather than a place to cultivate them, it was more of a place to seal this Soul Beast race. This vast Sea God Palace was actually built with this race of A-Grade Soul Beasts at its core.

This would explain why the Ten Deep Sea Clans would place such an important Soul Beast resource inside a Secret Realm, rather than within their safer clan territories.

Just as they passed through the door, the panel controlled the Teleportation Array inside, transporting the three of them into the even more concealed, smaller Secret Realm.

RUMBLE!

In the pitch-black sky, flashes of blue-violet lightning appeared from time to time.

Heart-stopping thunder boomed from the heavens every now and then.

The occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the surrounding scene.

Numerous Water Type Soul Beasts and ordinary fish swam past them.

Strands of dark green seaweed drifted with the undercurrents in the sea.

In this dark and turbulent sea,

a massive ancient ship, like a primordial Giant Beast, lay silently on the quiet seabed.

A thin, pale blue line shot out from in front of him, extending into the gloomy hull of the ship and leading to some unknown room.

The giant ship had a simple, ancient style. Most of its timber had long been corroded away by the seawater, leaving only the frame of its hull and tattered masts. The open interior of the ship’s hold was plunged into an eerie darkness, so deep that even the lightning flashing from above could not illuminate the details within.