Lost Ship

With the precise route map provided by the complete cloud key, Nightmare's second entry into the Gui Xu Sea Eye was vastly different from his previous blind meandering.

He avoided the large Sea Eye whirlpools and energy storm belts marked as extremely dangerous, speeding along the relatively safe passages indicated on the map. Although he still needed to constantly resist the erosion of the Chaotic Laws, the danger was greatly reduced, and his speed was much faster.

The Phantom Cloud Fox on his shoulder seemed uncomfortable with this dead and empty Void Realm environment, curling up its body. However, its amethyst-like eyes curiously scanned the bizarre surroundings, occasionally reaching out its small paw to point at a twisted space, seemingly warning Nightmare of hidden dangers. Its Spiritual Senses appeared exceptionally sharp here.

Following the guidance of the route map, Nightmare arrived at the first marked **Hidden Node** after several days of flight.

It was a **Broken Tower** suspended at the edge of a massive spatial rift, half-inserted into the Void Realm. The tower had an ancient style, its material similar to that of the Third Observation Post. Its surface was covered in scars, but the main structure was still intact. A faint glow circulated around the tower body, forming a weak Protective Force Field that slightly isolated the chaotic energy outside.

This appeared to be a frontline outpost or supply point established by the Cang Clan back then.

Nightmare landed inside the tower and slightly relaxed. Continuously traveling in such an extreme environment had consumed a significant amount of energy. He took out a Medicinal Pill, consumed it, and sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing.

The Phantom Cloud Fox excitedly darted around the tower, sniffing here and scratching there, seemingly finding the atmosphere very familiar.

After regulating his breathing, Nightmare did not leave immediately but carefully explored the ruined tower. Most of the facilities inside were damaged, but in a sealed compartment on the top floor, he found some valuable items—several Cang Clan Energy Crystals that had not been completely depleted, and a damaged log Jade Slip.

The Energy Crystals could be used to replenish the Third Observation Post's consumption, so he carefully stored them away.

The log Jade Slip recorded some fragmented information:

“...The 377th patrol... The Sky Patrolmen's minions are becoming increasingly active... They are collecting 'Source Matter'...”

“...Abnormal spatial folds detected in Southeast Sector Seven... Suspected leakage of 'Gate' Power... Report submitted...”

“...The 'Star Shuttle' is severely damaged... Urgent repairs are needed... Otherwise, we cannot return to the Main Station...”

“...Warning! Encountered a 'World Devouring Brood' patrol team! Requesting supp...”

The record abruptly ended here; clearly, a battle had occurred.

“Source Matter? Gate Power leakage? World Devouring Brood?” Nightmare frowned deeply. These terms all pointed toward deeper and more terrifying secrets. The danger of the Gui Xu Sea Eye was far more than just the environment itself.

He put away the Jade Slip, left the Broken Tower, and continued his journey.

The deeper he went, the narrower and more winding the safe passages marked on the route map became. Sometimes, he had to cross extremely unstable spatial turbulence, and sometimes, he narrowly passed between two spheres of Chaos energy about to collide and explode.

There were even a few times when he was attacked by powerful **Void Creatures**.

A “Shadow Bat Dragon,” shaped like a giant bat and capable of emitting soul-tearing Ultrasonic Waves, lunged out from the darkness, only to be struck by Nightmare's Soul Shattering Finger, which contained the intent of deathly silence, causing its body to instantly wither and decay.

A group of “Dark Devouring Slugs,” which writhed like shadows and could devour light and energy, attempted to surround him, but they were confused by the Phantom Cloud Fox's Illusion Technique and began killing each other.

Nightmare used all his abilities; the Divine Ability of the Myriad Poisons Azure Nether Way began to show its edge. Life Force Plunder could weaken opponents and restore himself, while Deathly Silence Entanglement could slow movement and corrode defenses. Coupled with the ghostly Demonic Shadow Evasion Technique and the fierce Soul Shattering Finger, he gained stronger self-preservation capabilities in this dangerous situation.

But he became even more cautious. These were only peripheral threats; the true danger was likely in the second gate area.

After several more days of arduous navigation, the route map indicated that he was gradually approaching the area where the second gate was located. The space here was even more fragmented, and he often saw massive spatial rifts, like scars on the world, sometimes seeping out strange, heart-palpitating auras.

The cloud key's sensing of the blood key also became clearer, but the feeling of being interfered with by a powerful energy field was equally obvious.

Just then, the Phantom Cloud Fox suddenly became anxious, urgently chirping toward a particularly dark and silent patch of Void Realm ahead and to the left, its small claws tightly gripping Nightmare's collar.

Nightmare's heart seized up. He immediately stopped his escape light, fully restrained his aura, and stared intently.

He saw a massive **Ancient Ship** silently suspended in that dark Void Realm.

The style of this ship was entirely different from any contemporary shipbuilding technique. It was constructed from a dark, dull wood that seemed to absorb all light. The sails had long rotted away, the mast was broken, and the hull was covered in huge claw marks and corrosive indentations. It was dilapidated and showed no signs of life, like a floating coffin.

But from this silent derelict ship, Nightmare felt a spine-chilling sense of **threat**!

On the route map, this area was labeled the **“Lost Domain,”** with a small skull marked beside it, indicating an extremely high warning level!

And that derelict ship happened to be blocking the only relatively safe passage leading to the second gate area!

Reroute? The map showed that other directions were either continuous Spatial Destruction Storms or extremely dangerous zones marked as “World Devouring Brood Active Zones,” far more terrifying than this “Lost Domain.”

“I can only pass through here...” Nightmare's expression was grave. He tried to use his Divine Sense to probe the derelict ship from afar, but as soon as his Divine Sense approached, it was absorbed entirely by the ship's strange wood, like a clay ox sinking into the sea. He even felt a faint pull on his Divine Sense!

This ship was strange!

He dared not approach rashly. After pondering for a moment, he took out a low-level Puppet—a trophy from Bibo City—from his storage ring and controlled it to fly slowly toward the derelict ship.

The Puppet successfully approached the hull and was not attacked.

Nightmare controlled the Puppet, attempting to fly through a hole in the ship's body.

Just as the Puppet was about to enter the hole—

A sudden change occurred!

The seemingly rotten ship wood at the edge of the hole suddenly writhed like a living thing, instantly closing and “swallowing” the Puppet whole!

At the same time, the entire derelict ship emitted a grating “creak” sound, as if a giant beast that had slept for ages had been awakened!

Sticky, dark-red **Filth** began to seep out from the huge claw marks and corrosive indentations on the hull, and an aura of extreme resentment, Death Qi, and some kind of evil vitality permeated the area!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

On the deck, **Skeletons** wearing tattered armor and wielding rusted weapons, their eyes glowing with scarlet light, struggled to climb out of the Filth! Their bones were a dark red color, as if soaked in blood for countless years!

Not only that, but **Vengeful Spirits**, having no physical form but only blurry human shapes, began to condense within the shadows of the hull, emitting silent wails and rushing toward Nightmare!

This was no derelict ship at all! This was a ghost ship polluted by some evil force and transformed into an undead nest!

Nightmare's expression changed. Without hesitation, he intended to retreat!

But it was too late!

Ripples appeared in the space behind him at some unknown time, and an invisible **Barrier**, formed by a Resentment Force Field, quietly emerged, sealing his retreat!

He was trapped in this “Lost Domain”!

And from the ghost ship, countless Blood Skeletons and Vengeful Spirits surged down like a tide along an invisible bridge, roaring and wailing as they charged toward him!

The leading Blood Skeletons possessed auras that had actually reached the Nascent Soul Stage! Moreover, the pervasive Resentment Force Field could continuously erode his mind and weaken his strength!

“Damn it!” Nightmare cursed inwardly, a fierce light flashing in his eyes.

Since retreat was impossible, he would carve out a bloody path!

“Nirvana!”

He shouted softly, his ten fingers flicking rapidly. Streaks of gray-white Nirvana Finger Wind, like death rays, accurately struck the Blood Skeletons charging at the front!

Poof! Poof! Poof!

The Blood Skeletons struck by the finger wind instantly froze. Their dark-red bones quickly turned gray and withered, the scarlet light in their eyes extinguished, and with a crash, they fell apart into the Void Realm below. The Nirvana Death Qi seemed to have an extra suppressive effect on these undead creatures!

However, the sheer number of undead was overwhelming, impossible to kill completely! More Blood Skeletons and Vengeful Spirits rushed forward!

The Phantom Cloud Fox also let out a shriek, emitting strong Illusion Technique fluctuations, attempting to confuse the Vengeful Spirits, but the effect was not significant. The resentment of these Vengeful Spirits was too strong, giving them high resistance to Illusion Techniques.

Nightmare fought while retreating, trying to find the weakness of the Resentment Barrier. The Demonic Shadow Evasion Technique was utilized to its maximum, weaving through the tide of undead. Wherever he passed, shattered bones flew and Vengeful Spirits wailed and dissipated.

But his Demonic Essence was being consumed extremely quickly, and the surrounding Resentment Force Field was constantly eroding his Divine Sense.

If this continued, he would eventually be exhausted and killed!

He had to find the core of this ghost ship, or break the Barrier!

His gaze turned toward the massive body of the ghost ship itself. The source of everything was there!

He steeled his heart, no longer engaging with the undead. His figure suddenly soared, turning into a streak of light, rushing directly toward the ghost ship's deck!

Countless undead frantically tried to block him but were temporarily held back by his Nirvana Finger Wind and the Phantom Cloud Fox's desperate Illusion Technique.

Boom!

Nightmare landed heavily on the deck covered in sticky Filth, the feeling beneath his feet slick and nauseating. A denser aura of resentment and Death Qi rushed toward him, almost solidifying into substance!

In the center of the deck, a giant sword, rusty but radiating monstrous resentment, was plunged into the wood! Embedded in the hilt of the giant sword was a dark-red, pulsating gem, like a heart! All the Filth and Vengeful Spirits seemed to emanate from this gem!

That was it!

Nightmare could feel that this gem was the core of the ghost ship and the energy source maintaining this Resentment Force Field!

Destroying it would break the deadlock!

Without hesitation, he focused all his power, merging the Nirvana Death Qi and Myriad Poison Demonic Essence, and pointed a finger toward the dark-red gem!

However, just as the finger wind was about to strike the gem—

The gem suddenly erupted with dazzling scarlet light!

A colossal, hideous **Ghost Head**, condensed from endless Filth and resentment, abruptly drilled out of the gem, opened its massive mouth, and let out a soul-shaking roar, swallowing Nightmare's finger wind whole!

Boom!

The two forces collided violently!

Nightmare shuddered, forced back several steps by the rebound force, his fingertip numb!

The Ghost Head's strength was comparable to the Soul Transformation Stage! Moreover, its resentment power was extremely difficult to handle!

The Ghost Head roared, mobilizing the Filth of the entire ghost ship, transforming it into a giant, sky-obscuring palm that smashed fiercely toward Nightmare!

At the same time, the powerful Nascent Soul Stage Blood Skeletons on the deck also closed in!

The situation was critical!

Nightmare's eyes were icy cold. He took a deep breath, and the dark-nether colored Nascent Soul in his Dantian suddenly opened its eyes and formed hand seals.

“Azure Nether... Domain!”

Centered around him, a ten-zhang diameter, distorted and blurred **Dark Nether Force Field** suddenly unfolded!

Within the force field, life force was plundered, and deathly silence was condensed! The Blood Skeletons that rushed into the force field instantly slowed down, the blood-light on their bodies dimmed, and their bones began to weather! The Vengeful Spirits let out miserable screams, their forms becoming unstable, as if they were about to be assimilated and decomposed by this force field!

The Divine Ability of the Myriad Poisons Azure Nether Way—**Azure Nether Domain**! Although its range was small and it consumed a tremendous amount of elemental power, within this Domain, he could greatly weaken his enemies and enhance himself!

Taking advantage of the moment the Domain unfolded, Nightmare rushed toward the dark-red gem again!

The Ghost Head let out an angry roar, its massive blood palm striking the Domain, causing it to shake violently but failing to shatter it immediately!

“Shatter!”

Nightmare exhaled sharply, concentrating all his power onto his right index finger. The light at the fingertip was compressed to the extreme, turning pitch black, as if it could swallow even light, and he pointed it toward the gem's core!

This time, the Ghost Head failed to fully block it!

Puff!

The pitch-black finger wind penetrated the blood palm and accurately struck the dark-red gem!

Crack!

A crisp shattering sound echoed through the Void Realm!

A clear crack appeared on the surface of the dark-red gem!

“Awoo—!!!”

The Ghost Head let out an earth-shattering cry of pain, its entire body twisting and fluctuating violently!

The entire ghost ship shook frantically. All the Blood Skeletons and Vengeful Spirits acted as if they had lost their power source, freezing, and then beginning to collapse and dissipate!

The Resentment Barrier surrounding the area also flickered violently, becoming unstable!

Opportunity!

Nightmare endured the feeling of emptiness from his near-depleted elemental power, grabbed the weakened Phantom Cloud Fox on his shoulder, and once again used the Demonic Shadow Evasion Technique, rushing toward the weakest point of the Barrier!

In the nick of time, just as the Barrier was about to close again, he narrowly burst through!

He fled frantically in the direction of the second gate area without looking back!

Behind him, the ghost ship let out an unwilling roar. The crack on the dark-red gem spread, and it finally exploded with a crash!

The massive explosion shockwave caught up to Nightmare, violently throwing him forward. His throat sweetened, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood.

But he used this impact force to increase his speed slightly, finally escaping the terrifying “Lost Domain” completely.

Looking back, the ghost ship had been torn into pieces by the explosion, turning into cosmic dust.

Nightmare collapsed onto a floating meteor, panting heavily, covered in wounds, his Demonic Essence nearly exhausted.

This time was truly perilous. The depths of the Gui Xu Sea Eye were indeed filled with deadly traps at every step.

He consumed a large handful of Medicinal Pills and seized the time to recover.

The Phantom Cloud Fox was also listless, licking its slightly scorched fur.

After resting for a long time, Nightmare felt somewhat recovered. He looked toward the direction of the second gate area, his gaze becoming firmer.

After this fierce battle, his comprehension of the Myriad Poisons Azure Nether Way deepened by another layer.

He was getting closer and closer to his goal.

He adjusted his direction and set off again.

What he failed to notice was a faint, dark-red streak of light, barely perceptible, that attached itself silently to the end of his escape light amidst the residual shockwaves of the ghost ship's explosion. Like a bone-deep maggot, it was a mark... The danger had not fully passed.