90: Chapter 90 Abyss Treasure Hunt and Hidden Shadows

After a brief moment of shock, the intense desire to survive and vigilance against the unknown allowed the five-man team to quickly calm down.

Rock and Flameblade took the front, while Azure Vine and Torrent guarded the flanks, keeping Aubrey firmly protected in the center.

"Young Master, this place is extremely dangerous. The energy level far exceeds the second level, and the monsters are likely..." Rock said in a heavy voice; his perception allowed him to best feel the oppressive atmosphere of this space.

Aubrey's expression shifted, but ultimately, the desire for the C-Rank treasure overcame his fear of the unknown environment.

"The Incomplete Manual guided us here, so the treasure must be nearby! If we find it, we might find a clue to leave, or... gain enough power to deal with the danger!"

He gritted his teeth and said, "Searching for the treasure is the priority, but be extremely careful!"

They began to struggle as they explored this space, which was suspected to be the third underground level of the Numerology Maze.

Every step was like walking on thin ice.

The environment itself became the first trial.

The cold mist not only impaired their vision but also seemed to erode energy, slightly increasing the consumption required to maintain their Spirits and Talents.

The massive black stone slabs beneath their feet would occasionally manifest brief, glowing runes without warning; stepping on them triggered unknown effects—sometimes a slight healing ripple, other times a sharp mental shock.

They even passed through an area where space seemed warped; they walked in one direction, only to realize they had returned to their starting point.

The encounters with monsters were even more terrifying.

Even the ordinary wandering monsters made them feel unprecedented pressure.

One type, the [Void Walker C-Rank], was shaped like a twisted shadow and could pass directly through physical attacks; only energy attacks could inflict effective damage.

Flameblade's Burst Flames and Torrent's High-Pressure Water Arrows became the main force, while Rock's physical heavy strikes were almost ineffective, making the battle exceptionally difficult.

The other was the [Refraction Crystal Monster C-Rank], which hovered in mid-air and looked like it was made of countless shattered mirrors; it could deflect or even reflect long-range energy attacks, forcing the team to risk close combat, with Rock and Azure Vine pinning it down while Flameblade and Torrent sought its core to strike.

Each skirmish was incredibly draining and fraught with danger, making them realize that the strength of the monsters here was incomparable to the first and second levels.

"This... is likely the third underground level that no one has ever reached," Azure Vine said, gasping for breath, leaving everyone feeling solemn.

The traps were even harder to guard against.

Once, Torrent almost stepped on a seemingly ordinary patch of ground, but fortunately, Azure Vine's vines pulled him back just in time; the next second, that patch of ground collapsed into a swirling [Void Vortex C-Rank], exuding an aura that devoured everything.

Another time, a seemingly harmless pale band of light swept past, and the Flame Broadsword Spirit in Flameblade's hand instantly dimmed, its enchantment forcibly removed, only recovering after quite some time.

Just as their ammunition and energy were mostly exhausted and they were nearly in despair, they followed the final obscure hint on the Incomplete Manual, passing through a narrow tunnel illuminated by glowing fungi to reach a relatively open "hall".

In the center of the hall stood a naturally formed stone pillar; atop the pillar, a fist-sized crystal, inside which a galaxy seemed to rotate, emitting a soft and pure starlight, was quietly floating there—[Starlight Pearl C-Rank]!

The surging energy fluctuations could be clearly felt even from a distance, and Aubrey's [Wealth Resonance D-Rank] Talent produced an unprecedented, violent reaction, as if it were a long drought meeting sweet rain.

However, guarding the treasure was a massive giant bear, appearing as if it were clad in armor made of star remains—[Star Remains Guardian C-Rank]!

It radiated a suffocating pressure, and cold starfire burned within its hollow eye sockets.

There was no retreat, only a fight to the death!

Rock roared and charged forward, slamming his [Mountain-Crushing Strike C-Rank] into the Guardian's leg, but it only left a shallow mark, and the recoil made his arm go numb.

Flameblade's [Burst Enchantment C-Rank] flames exploded against the star armor, but the effect was minimal.

The Guardian brought its paw down, accompanied by a screech that seemed to tear space itself!

Azure Vine's vines struggled desperately to wrap around and restrict its movements, while Torrent's water arrows constantly fired at its joints in an attempt to cause stiffness.

Aubrey also used all the treasures he had that could temporarily enhance his teammates as if they were free.

The battle was extremely brutal; Rock's shield was deformed, blood spilled from the corner of Flameblade's mouth, and Azure Vine's vines were severed and regrew repeatedly.

Finally, relying on Flameblade seizing an opportunity to pour burst flames into the gap in the Guardian's neck exposed during its attack, triggering an internal explosion, they finally managed to defeat the terrifying giant beast.

The giant beast dissipated into points of light, revealing the unprotected [Starlight Pearl C-Rank] behind it.

Aubrey suppressed his excitement and exhaustion, stepped forward quickly, and cautiously collected it using a specially made container.

The moment the [Starlight Pearl C-Rank] fell into his hands—

A sudden change occurred!

The [Wealth Resonance D-Rank] Talent within him began to operate frantically, like ignited dynamite!

The Golden Rock Spirit in his arms erupted with unprecedented, brilliant golden light, its form stretching and changing within the radiance!

Massive energy surged from the Starlight Pearl, pouring into Aubrey's body and scouring his Talent Origin!

Intense pain and extreme pleasure arrived simultaneously; Aubrey couldn't help but let out a low roar. He could feel that some kind of shackles were being shattered, and some deeper level of power was awakening!

His Talent was evolving toward C-Rank! The Golden Rock was also transforming into a more Advanced form!

However, at this most critical moment of evolution, when the attention of all five was drawn away and they were at their most relaxed—

In the shadows at the edge of the hall, a writhing shadow, deeper than the darkness itself, silently detached from the Rock wall.

It had no form, no aura, as if it were the manifestation of pure malice and lurking rules—[Void Lurker C-Rank].

Like flowing ink, it crept slowly along the blind spots of the light toward Aubrey, who was undergoing his transformation.

It had been observing this team for a long time, and what it had been waiting for was this perfect moment to hunt.