Chapter 279: The Core of Darkness
"The power of this darkness may have reached its absolute peak. No wonder it's one of the later auction items—its effect will drive us all mad with desire."
"..."
The soul masters each expressed their opinions about the diamond-shaped crystal.
In their understanding, the powers of light and darkness existed in direct opposition.
The rising and setting of the sun symbolized the alternation between light and shadow.
Yet, the crystal before them displayed both light and darkness at the same time—
and the dark power it emitted utterly crushed the light.
No matter how powerful the surrounding light energy was, it would be devoured entirely by this diamond-shaped crystal.
At that moment, in the seats of the Holy Spirit Cult, Long Xiaoyao, who had been resting, abruptly opened his eyes as he felt the surge of dark energy.
His gaze locked tightly on the crystal ahead, the expression on his face showing unmistakable shock.
"Ultimate darkness!"
Long Xiaoyao couldn't help but exclaim. His martial soul was the Dark Holy Dragon—one of the most powerful dragon-type martial souls, possessing formidable dark attributes.
Yet even his own martial soul had never reached the attribute of extremity.
He had never imagined he would witness an object capable of releasing the ultimate dark power.
How could he not be moved?
"So it's true," Zhongli Wu muttered beside him. Though he had already suspected as much, hearing Long Xiaoyao's words still made his heart tremble slightly.
It seemed this black diamond-shaped crystal was something they absolutely had to obtain.
An object capable of releasing ultimate darkness was an unparalleled treasure—rare and priceless.
Whether used for support or attack, its potential rewards would be unimaginable.
"We must claim this item. I can feel how fitting it is for me. If I obtain it, my strength will definitely rise to another level."
Long Xiaoyao's thoughts burned with desire, and he made up his mind to win the item at any cost.
"Understood," Zhongli Wu nodded without hesitation. The Holy Spirit Cult would henceforth compete with all their power for the black crystal.
Long Xiaoyao's strength had already reached that of an Ultimate Douluo, a stage nearly impossible to break through in the short term.
If this crystal could help him transcend that limit, it would bring tremendous benefit to the Holy Spirit Cult.
…
At Shrek Academy's side, Mu En's gaze also remained fixed on the black crystal's emitted power. His expression was solemn as he murmured, "Ultimate darkness."
His martial soul carried the light attribute, making him highly sensitive to dark energy.
Yet from this diamond crystal, he could feel an overwhelming suppressive force—so great that even his Light Holy Dragon soul trembled in response.
That martial soul already possessed one of the strongest light powers in existence.
Such suppression could only come from the legendary ultimate darkness.
Several Shrek Academy powerhouses shared his grim expression.
After all, Shrek had once cultivated numerous soul masters with ultimate attribute martial souls.
They understood all too well the terrifying might of such power.
Hence, worry arose among them over who might claim the black crystal.
"Everyone, this black diamond-shaped crystal is the next auction item. Its name is the Core of Darkness."
"The Core of Darkness was formed by the purest dark energy between heaven and earth, condensed over tens of thousands of years. The darkness within it is boundless and unimaginably potent—it has indeed reached the level you call ultimate darkness."
"In other words, the power released from this Core of Darkness is the ultimate darkness itself."
Ling Yun carefully introduced the item, emphasizing that its power had truly reached the limit of the dark attribute.
For the soul masters of the Douluo Continent, any force that reached the level of extremity represented the pinnacle of its nature.
An ultimate martial soul was the living manifestation of an ultimate element.
"Ultimate darkness, incredible. Owning this Core of Darkness would be like having another form of the ultimate dark martial soul!"
"This isn't certain—we still don't know if the Core functions as an auxiliary or as an offensive tool."
When the audience heard the phrase "ultimate darkness," shock waves rippled through every heart.
Before this, they had only been speculating based on their senses.
Now, having heard confirmation from the Starry Auction Pavilion itself, they realized their suspicions were correct.
The Core of Darkness truly released ultimate dark power.
"This Core of Darkness does not possess overwhelming offensive might. It has only one ability—it can conjure a dark domain out of nothingness."
"In this domain, ultimate darkness fills every corner. The user can move freely within it.
I trust you can imagine what kind of effect that would have."
Ling Yun continued with the explanation.
"Within this dark field, almost no light can be seen.
Only those possessing ultimate light can challenge it.
Within the domain, a soul master's vision and even their spiritual perception are drastically restrained."
"To fight within the dark field, one must depend solely on instinct. Aside from the caster, anyone inside will face severe suppression."
Hearing this, everyone's hearts stirred violently.
A treasure that could create an entire domain—especially one composed entirely of ultimate darkness—was a rare and terrifying weapon for any soul master.
Within such a field, light would vanish entirely.
Even mental strength would be stifled.
Wouldn't that mean any soul master caught within it would be as blind as a bat?
The consequences were beyond imagination.
The audience gasped in awe, but what filled their hearts even more was fear.
Whoever obtained this Core of Darkness might become an unstoppable calamity.
"Alright, that concludes the introduction of the Core of Darkness. Its starting bid is eighty million gold soul coins, with each raise no less than ten million. The bidding starts now."
After the explanation, Ling Yun struck the auction hammer, signaling the start of the bidding.
"One hundred million gold soul coins!"
Zhongli Wu, having received Long Xiaoyao's nod, immediately raised his bidding paddle without hesitation.
After Ling Yun's introduction, he was certain this was a supreme auxiliary artifact.
Whoever wielded it would all but stand invincible in battle.
For the Holy Spirit Cult, the temptation was simply too great.
If they could obtain it, their chances of unifying the Douluo Continent would rise by fifty percent.
(END CHAPTER)
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