Crystal Core Refining the Dao, Dao Seed Awakens Again

The end of the tunnel was a relatively open bone hall. The ground was scattered with more bones gnawed into swiss cheese. In the center, there was a disgusting pit, several zhang in diameter, constantly oozing grey-white viscous liquid; it was clearly an important breeding nest for the Dao-Eroding Maggots.

Nightmare’s "Starfall Demonic Flame Formation" had advanced to this point, and under the combined strangulation of the flames and the Bone Spirit Guardian’s soul-suppressing waves, the final wave of insects was finally completely annihilated. The slime in the pit was also ignited by the Demonic Flame, emitting foul-smelling black smoke, and finally burned and hardened, cutting off the possibility of further breeding.

The bone hall temporarily returned to a deathly silence, with only the "crackle" of the Demonic Flame burning the remnants and the pungent, burnt stench that had not yet dissipated in the air.

Nightmare put away the Formation, panting slightly. Continuously activating a wide-range Divine Ability to clear the insect tide was quite a drain for his current cultivation at the Peak of the Late Nascent Soul Stage. He took out a few Medicinal Pills to restore Spiritual Qi and swallowed them. At the same time, the dao seed began to accelerate the absorption of the weak Power of the Stars remaining in the surrounding bones, as well as the free, purified, and relatively gentle Death Qi in the air (which was also a special energy supplement for the dao seed).

"It is temporarily safe here. The Dao-Eroding Maggots tide has been crushed, so there should be no major issues for a short time." The Bone Spirit Guardian’s soul-fire finger bone hovered to the side. "You may take a moment to adjust your breathing here and refine the crystal core you obtained. Not far ahead is the final 'Silent Bone Corridor' leading to the Star Palace. There are ancient Restrictions there, and the Dao-Eroding Maggots cannot enter, so it is relatively safe."

Nightmare nodded but did not leave immediately. He sat cross-legged, waved his hand to set up several simple concealment and protective Formation Flags, isolating his aura from the outside. Then, he took out the eight Dao-Eroding crystal cores he had obtained earlier.

The crystal core felt cold in his palm, and the grey-silver energy inside flowed slowly, carrying a strange rhythm that seemed capable of dissolving everything.

"System, analyze the best refining plan."

[Ding! Analyzing 'Dao-Eroding crystal core'... Analysis complete.]

[Recommended refining plan: Use the Starfall Demonic Flame to burn slowly and peel off the unstable erosive energy on the outside; use the dao seed as the core to guide the pure 'Dao-Eroding Law fragments' inside for gradual absorption and Fusion. Note: The dao seed must maintain a stable output to resist the potential erosion of the Divine Soul by the crystal core energy. It is estimated that refining one will take half an hour.]

[Special Tip: The dao seed already possesses preliminary 'Return to Ruins' and 'Devouring' characteristics, and has a high probability of converting the 'Dao-Eroding' Law fragments into nutrients for its own 'Devouring' ability, and promoting the Awakening of the Star attribute.]

"Half an hour for one..." Nightmare estimated the time; refining all eight would take four hours. Although Lin Hao might be closing in, improving his strength was urgent. Especially in the depths of this Bone Burial Abyss, facing potentially more complex situations, greater strength was the Foundation.

"Let's begin."

He first took out a Dao-Eroding crystal core and placed it between his palms. A deep Starfall Demonic Flame rose from his palms, wrapping around the crystal core. The flame temperature was precisely controlled; it would not instantly incinerate the crystal core, but it could slowly burn away the unstable, corrosive grey Impurities on the surface of the crystal core.

"Sizzle..."

Amidst the slight sound, the greyish color on the surface of the crystal core gradually faded, revealing the purer, dark silver main body, which looked like liquid metal, and the volume also shrank by a circle.

Nightmare closed his eyes, his mind sinking into his Dantian, fully activating the dao seed. The dao seed was like a miniature heart, beating powerfully, emitting waves of desire. A wisp of pure Origin power from the dao seed extended along his Meridians to his palms, like the most dexterous tentacle, cautiously probing into the interior of the crystal core that had been refined by the Demonic Flame.

The moment of contact!

A cold, slippery energy carrying a strong will of "dissolution" and "assimilation" surged back along the power of the dao seed, attempting to erode Nightmare’s Divine Soul and dao foundation! This was the essence of the "Dao-Eroding" Law fragments—to erode all Dao and turn it into one's own use!

Prepared, Nightmare kept his Divine Soul guarding his spirit center, and the dao seed shone brightly. The domineering will of "Rebirth in annihilation," born after returning to ruins, erupted, not only withstanding the erosion but instead acting like a millstone, beginning to grind and devour this invading Dao-Eroding energy in reverse!

"Return to Ruins... Devouring... Transformation..."

Nightmare silently recited the "All-Heaven Demonic Canon" and the profound cultivation techniques born from the dao seed. The starlight and Demonic Flame patterns inside the dao seed intertwined and flickered, like a miniature furnace, wrapping and decomposing the Dao-Eroding Law fragments forcibly "torn" in by the power of the dao seed.

This was a delicate and dangerous process. After all, the Dao-Eroding Law was of a high level and had special attributes. While the dao seed was devouring and transforming, its own structure was also enduring impact and testing. Nightmare could clearly feel that in the core of the dao seed, the silver light area representing the Star attribute seemed to become more solid and active after devouring some Dao-Eroding fragments. At the edge of the silver light, a trace of extremely faint, dark luster that seemed capable of absorbing everything faintly appeared.

[Ding! The dao seed absorbed 'Dao-Eroding Law fragments', 'Devouring' characteristic slightly strengthened. Star attribute Awakening degree + 2%.]

[Current Star attribute Awakening degree: 32%.]

One crystal core was refined, taking nearly an hour, slightly longer than expected, but the effect was significant. Nightmare did not stop and continued to refine the second, the third...

Time passed quietly in the silent bone hall. The Bone Spirit Guardian’s soul fire hovered quietly to protect him, vigilant against any accidents that might occur.

When refining the fifth crystal core, an unexpected change occurred!

The Dao-Eroding Law fragments absorbed by the dao seed had accumulated to a certain degree, and a quantitative change triggered a qualitative change! The silver light area at the core of the dao seed suddenly rotated violently, and a tiny vortex formed in the center! The vortex generated a powerful suction force, not only accelerating the absorption of subsequent Dao-Eroding fragments, but also actively pulling the "Devouring" type Divine Ability Origin that already existed in Nightmare’s body, originating from the "All-Heaven Demonic Canon" and his own Demonic Path Foundation!

Buzz, buzz, buzz—!

Nightmare’s aura fluctuated, and fine, dark patterns like star vortices faintly appeared on his skin. A more domineering and efficient "Devouring" artistic conception emanated from him.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host! The dao seed's 'Devouring' characteristic successfully merged with the essence of the 'Dao-Eroding Law', resulting in an advancement!]

[Unlocked new skill: Star Devouring Dao (Elementary).]

[Skill effect: After active activation, it can briefly strengthen the dao seed's devouring ability, producing a powerful suction and transformation effect on the target's energy, Dao rhyme, and even some Law power. It has miraculous effects on Formation energy, Protective Aura, and specific attribute attacks. Consumption depends on the target's strength.]

[The dao seed's Star attribute Awakening degree has significantly increased! Current Awakening degree: 50%!]

With the System prompt, Nightmare’s dao seed seemed to have completed a small metamorphosis. The overall volume remained unchanged, but the core silver light became more brilliant and deep, occupying nearly half of the dao seed. Within the silver light, countless tiny black spots that seemed capable of devouring light were looming. The aura emitted by the entire dao seed became more profound and aggressive.

And the metamorphosis of the dao seed directly triggered a chain reaction! The cultivation Bottleneck that Nightmare had been stuck at for a long time at the Peak of the Late Nascent Soul Stage was shattered by the impact of this new power!

Boom—!

The majestic Spiritual Qi, mixed with the newly born Power of the Stars and the strengthened Demonic Flame Origin, roared and surged in his body like a dam bursting! In his Dantian, the Nascent Soul, which looked exactly like Nightmare, suddenly opened its eyes, blood-red light and starlight reflecting in its pupils! The Nascent Soul’s body began to expand and solidify, with more complex magic patterns and star charts appearing on its surface!

Transforming from mortal to deity, the Nascent Soul metamorphosis!

The Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth (although the Spiritual Qi here was thin, the Power of the Stars and various mixed energies were dense) was pulled, crazily gathering towards Nightmare, forming a huge energy vortex, which was quickly refined and absorbed by the Starfall Demonic Flame and the power of the dao seed around his body, supplementing the huge consumption required for the Breakthrough.

Wind and clouds surged in the bone hall, and energy agitated. The Bone Spirit Guardian hurriedly urged its soul fire to stabilize the surrounding bones to avoid causing a collapse.

The whole process lasted about a quarter of an hour.

When the energy vortex gradually subsided, Nightmare slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were shining with brilliance, and his aura was as vast as the sea, several times stronger than before! A feeling of powerful mastery over the world arose spontaneously.

Early Spirit Transformation Stage! It was a matter of course!

He felt the surging power in his body; the Starfall Demonic Flame seemed to become more like an extension of his own arm, and with a thought, he could draw on more majestic Power of the Stars for support. More importantly, the dao seed’s "Star Devouring Dao" skill allowed his control and utilization of energy to reach a new level.

"Congratulations on the Breakthrough to Soul Transformation." The Bone Spirit Guardian’s will came, "Your dao seed is indeed extraordinary."

Nightmare was about to speak when suddenly, his Divine Soul shook violently! It was not a threat from the outside world, but originated from the depths of his Divine Soul, from the star mark fused with the dao seed!

The star mark became violently hot without warning, transmitting a blurry but heart-palpitating image—outside the Bone Burial Abyss, the barrier formed by countless bones and ancient Restrictions, guarded by the Bone Spirit Guardian’s main body, was being violently impacted by a scorching, majestic force carrying a strong Heavenly Dao aura! In the image, the phantom of a holy sword entangled with cyan-gold Heavenly Dao power was particularly clear!

Lin Hao! He had come! And he hadn't come alone! The force impacting the barrier was mixed with at least one powerful aura no weaker than the Soul Transformation Stage!

Almost at the same time Nightmare perceived it, the Bone Spirit Guardian’s hovering soul-fire finger bone also swayed violently; clearly, its main body had also been attacked!

"Not good! It is that son of destiny! He was actually able to find this place and even brought helpers!" The Bone Spirit Guardian’s will carried shock and anger. "The power attacking the barrier is very strong, with Heavenly Dao support! My main body can no longer fully resist it!"

Nightmare stood up abruptly, his eyes cold: "How long will it take for them to break through the barrier?"

"The outer barrier is complex, and with me sitting in it, even if they have Heavenly Dao guidance and the help of a Deity Transformation Cultivator, it will take at least an hour to break through by force!" The Bone Spirit Guardian quickly judged. "But once the barrier is broken, they will drive straight in and reach this place. With that son of destiny’s speed, it may only take half an hour!"

One hour plus half an hour, a total of one and a half hours. And it would take Nightmare at least nearly two hours to refine the remaining three crystal cores, not to mention the time required to go to the Star Palace to obtain the star dao fruit.

Time became incredibly urgent!

"You must speed up!" The light of the Bone Spirit Guardian’s soul-fire finger bone became somewhat unstable; clearly, the main body was under great pressure. "I will try my best to delay them on the outer perimeter, and even... intercept them in the middle-layer passage to buy you time! But I may not be able to delay them for too long! The star dao fruit is the core of my master’s Legacy and must not fall into the hands of destiny! You must get there before them, obtain it, and start fusing with the dao fruit! As long as the dao fruit begins to fuse with you, it will create repulsion, and it will be twice as difficult for them to seize it!"

The Bone Spirit Guardian’s meaning was clear: it was going to block the enemy and use its life to buy time for Nightmare!

Nightmare looked at the swaying soul fire, was silent for a moment, and nodded heavily: "I understand. I will head to the Star Palace now!"

"Good! I am off! Take care!" The light of the Bone Spirit Guardian’s soul-fire finger bone flashed, turning into a stream of dark blue light, rapidly returning along the path it came; clearly, it was going to support the main body and prepare to intercept Lin Hao and his party.

Nightmare did not hesitate any longer and waved his hand to put away the three unrefined Dao-Eroding crystal cores and the Formation Materials. His cultivation at the Early Spirit Transformation Stage erupted with full force, and his body turned into a dark starlight beam that was difficult for the naked eye to capture, shooting towards the direction of the "Silent Bone Corridor" that the Bone Spirit Guardian had previously pointed out!

The bone hall behind him returned to deathly silence, with only the residual energy fluctuations in the air indicating everything that had just happened.

A race against time, a battle for destiny, had officially entered the white-hot stage in this ancient land of buried bones!