After all, Dao Soldiers must be tempered in bloodshed and slaughter to hone their edge.
"Iron-Bucket Zombie Essence Blood: Grants the zombie bloodline, unlocks Life Orifice divine abilities, and may yield poison-type Life Orifice abilities."
"Newspaper Zombie Essence Blood: Grants the zombie bloodline. After refinement, it can unlock random Life Orifice divine abilities—possibly common ones, but potentially top-tier abilities with extraordinary powers."
Because the zombie types differ, the resulting essence blood also varies. Among them, the most precious is the Newspaper Zombie. The essence blood from these soldiers has a unique quality—due to their peculiar nature, it can unlock any Life Orifice. Their divine abilities are inherently random—some might wield simple fireballs, ice blades, or wind edges, while others could unleash tornado storms or Five-Element Divine Thunder, powerful enough to injure even the Zhenlong Guards.
"Undying Zombie Body Scripture"
Among the loot, Yi Tianxing found a jade scroll ancient tome. On closer inspection, it was a refinement body technique, not just any technique, but a high-grade one, bearing the image of a zombie. According to the description, cultivating this scripture would grant a body as tough as a zombie—bronze tendons and iron bones, vastly extended lifespan, and semi-undead durability.
Unfortunately, it wasn't without flaws. Over time, the practitioner's body would stiffen, much like a zombie. Unless cultivation reached perfection, they'd struggle to move normally, and their flesh would wither and gray. Only at mastery could these side effects be reversed. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to endure such a transformation.
The most bizarre part—this technique allows the absorption of Yin Qi and corpse energy, drastically accelerating cultivation. But if one failed, they would become a real zombie. An immensely risky path.
"This Nightmare World is truly an endless treasure trove."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath. He had originally believed only spiritual herbs or magical treasures could manifest here. He hadn't expected actual cultivation techniques and battle skills to be realized—dreams come true in this world. Nightmare was a form of strange fortune.
"The Nightmare World cannot be abandoned. Someday, my Dream Butterfly World might evolve into something similar, wielding incredible power and nurturing unique miracles."
As these thoughts crossed his mind, the surrounding zombies were cleared out. The hundred Zhenlong Guards returned to Yi Tianxing's side, awaiting further orders.
Just as he was about to return them to the Chaos War-Beast Pool, a strange change occurred—a whirlwind whipped up out of nowhere. Torrents of gray Nightmare Power surged forth, like a deep-sea vortex devouring all in its path, forming a Nightmare Energy Funnel. Bursting dream bubbles fed the funnel, each providing pure nightmare essence—enough to trigger profound transformations.
"Let's go check that out."
Yi Tianxing made a quick decision. He had intended to leave the Nightmare World, but curiosity now overtook him.
With a hundred Zhenlong Guards, he dashed toward the site at lightning speed, moving like a blur across the dream terrain.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
But they weren't the only ones heading there. Yi Tianxing saw other powerful Nightmare creatures charging toward the vortex.
Suddenly, a giant claw slammed down nearby, leaving a massive crater. Cracks spiderwebbed across the ground. A massive leg, thick as a mountain pillar, landed heavily—it was like a living mountain pressing down on everything.
Even the Zhenlong Guards trembled, their stances shaken.
"Earthquake Dragon!!"
Yi Tianxing exhaled sharply.
It was indeed an Earthquake Dragon, and this one was gargantuan—hundreds of meters tall. Though a herbivore in theory, underestimating it would be fatal. In the Jurassic era, even Tyrannosaurs feared these behemoths. Their sheer strength could pulverize trees and collapse mountains. When they charged, they caused earthquakes. Their power was enough to leave even Yi Tianxing feeling threatened.
Soon, other horrors appeared. The Dragon Bo Giant returned, barreling toward the scene, exuding urgent intent.
A new figure followed—a being shrouded in black smoke, face hidden behind a pale mask, moving eerily fast.
Then came a flame-spewing drake, its scorching breath seemingly able to incinerate even the void. Each arrival matched or exceeded the Earthquake Dragon and Dragon Bo Giant in power.
"Primordial Spirit level… maybe even beyond that."
Yi Tianxing's eyes sharpened. The sudden change must be extraordinary to draw out these nightmare-level titans. Like elephants ignoring ants, these monsters wouldn't be stirred by anything mundane. Now, they all gathered urgently.
As he raced forward, he noticed the nightmare beings weren't attacking one another. Everyone seemed solely focused on reaching that vortex as fast as possible. This unusual truce made for easy progress.
Before long, they reached the epicenter.
At the heart of the vortex stood a black chest—origin unknown, seemingly formed by heaven and earth itself, seamless and whole. Mysterious black runes danced across its surface, forming a sinister face—deep as an abyss, instilling involuntary terror at first glance. It felt like something was watching from within.
All around, nightmare creatures focused their gazes on that box. The black chest continued to devour immense quantities of nightmare essence, showing no limit.
Time passed, unknowable in length.
At last, the swirling vortex vanished. The final wisp of nightmare energy seeped into the box, which now looked ancient and unassuming—no light, no trace of aura. Even divine sense could not probe its contents.
BOOM!!
Suddenly, the Earthquake Dragon made its move. With a mighty stomp, it aimed to bounce the chest into the air. As it rose, the beast lunged, jaws wide open, intent on swallowing the box whole.
But—BANG!!
A colossal fist descended from the sky, slamming into the Earthquake Dragon's skull. The sheer force twisted its head aside violently.
The power behind that punch was enormous.