Chapter 167: The Secret of the Dark Continent
Ahead, a massive obsidian door slowly opened. From within came the sound of low chanting, mixed with endless, venomously resentful roars. "This might be the guardian door to the 'Heart of the Abyss'." Killua looked around alertly.
Riku nodded, and the Plunder System rapidly scanned the ancient runes on the door. [Trait Hint: Abyssal Trial - Open] [Upon entering the trial, you must pass three dark tests]
"It seems we must accept the trials of the Dark Continent," Riku said.
The four exchanged glances and stepped through the door without hesitation. Behind the door was an endless dark space, with only a single beam of light guiding the way forward. As they advanced, the light beam continuously shifted, and three dark trials gradually unfolded.
The first trial was the "Labyrinth of Fear": The four were separated and had to face their deepest inner fears. Riku was instantly thrown into a gloomy void. Countless plundered souls surfaced around him, their wails like knives cutting his heart, painful memories surging like a tide.
"Don't forget, you possess the Infinite Trait Plunder System," the system whispered in his ear.
Riku took a deep breath, rapidly mobilizing the "Tenacious Will" trait, summoning a lightning barrier to shatter the phantoms of fear. Meanwhile, Killua was besieged by phantoms elsewhere, breaking through the illusion relying on his agility and lightning evasion. Gon and Biscuit also overcame their inner demons one by one, gradually converging back onto the main path.
The second trial was the "Trial of Strength": The four had to join forces to face a giant dark magical beast. The magical beast was as massive as a mountain, covered entirely in shadow scales, releasing intense Nen fluctuations.
"Plunder its power!" Riku ordered, activating trait fusion. Lightning and shadows intertwined into a sharp blade, slashing at the magical beast's core. The magical beast roared, and the battle was extremely fierce, but it was ultimately defeated.
Riku successfully plundered the "Shadow Defense" trait, and his core energy was enhanced once again.
The third trial was the "Ultimate Test of Will": The consciousness of the Dark Continent directly invaded Riku's mind, attempting to devour his spirit. Riku used all his strength to activate "Rule Reversal: Abyssal Seal," resisting the dark corruption.
The system erupted with unprecedented energy fluctuations. The number of traits skyrocketed, and the energy within his body reached its limit. He shouted loudly, "I will never yield!"
A burst of light erupted from the Lightning Core in his chest, completely dispelling the darkness. The trial ended, and space returned to calm.
The four converged, their expressions resolute. "The secret of the Dark Continent is hidden within the Heart of the Abyss," Riku said. "Next, we will uncover the final mystery."
In the distance, the Heart of the Abyss slowly awakened, releasing a power where endless darkness and light intertwined. This final battle would determine the future of the Dark Continent.
The heavy tests of the Abyssal Trial had just concluded, and Riku's group finally converged. They all bore significant wounds, but their gazes were increasingly resolute. The oppressive feeling permeating the air was suffocating. The existence of the Heart of the Abyss became more apparent, like a massive dark star exuding an ominous aura.
"The location of the Heart of the Abyss is not far ahead." Riku's trait system refreshed rapidly, the notification sound jumping constantly. "Current energy fluctuations have reached their peak. We must act as soon as possible."
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, are you ready? This will be the most dangerous battle." Riku looked at his partners, his voice sonorous and forceful.
The three nodded one after another. Lightning and Nen erupted on the surface of their bodies, their auras like rainbows.
The space where the Heart of the Abyss was located was abnormally complex. Darkness and light intertwined, time and space were disordered, as if they had entered an alternate dimension beyond reality.
Riku gripped the Lightning Core tightly. The Plunder System automatically activated the highest defense mode while mobilizing all acquired powerful traits. [Warning: Heart of the Abyss self-repair in progress, counterattack mechanism activated] [Suggestion: Break the shield first, cut off the repair source]
An invisible Nen shield quickly enveloped the Heart of the Abyss, accompanied by the appearance of a guardian surging with shadows—a dark emissary wearing an ancient priest's robe, his eyes flashing with a cold light.
"You dare to touch the core of darkness; your bodies will be smashed to pieces!" The dark emissary sneered. Nen quickly gathered, releasing pitch-black energy fluctuations.
"Riku, watch out!" Gon reacted quickly, opening up an attack formation.
A sharp light flashed in Riku's eyes as he activated "Thunder God Shadow: Final Judgment." Lightning and shadow power fused perfectly, the sword light pointing straight at the dark emissary.
A fierce clash instantly unfolded. The dark emissary deployed layers of shields and powerful Nen attacks, causing the situation to change rapidly.
Riku seized the opportunity, using the "Spatial Distortion" trait to create a momentary gap, breaking through the shield and severely injuring the emissary.
"Plunder trait!" Riku shouted loudly. The trait system frantically absorbed the emissary's Nen and abilities, his power surging.
[Successfully Acquired: Dark Emissary - Domain of Despair] [Domain of Despair: Can manipulate the enemy's mind and create illusions]
Riku quickly adapted to the new trait, countering the opponent's illusions, his counterattack strength doubling. The battle reached a white-hot stage, and the energy fluctuations of the Heart of the Abyss also became more violent due to the conflict.
"We must defeat the guardian as soon as possible, otherwise this entire space will collapse!" Riku was anxious.
"Everyone, prepare for the final strike!" he shouted.
Lightning and shadows intertwined as the four joined forces to unleash an overwhelming offensive. Sword light, lightning, and Nen wove into a storm of destruction, lunging straight at the dark emissary.
Finally, with a deafening roar, the emissary crashed to the ground, turning into dark smoke and dissipating. The shield of the Heart of the Abyss crumbled, and the pitch-black energy began to surge, seemingly losing control.
"Next is the ultimate battle." Riku's gaze was firm. The Lightning Core emitted an incandescent white light, transforming into the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction.
"Infinite Trait Plunder System, activate Extreme Mode!" Heaven and earth trembled for it, light and darkness crisscrossed. The true mystery of the Dark Continent awaited Riku to unveil.
The out-of-control dark energy of the Heart of the Abyss swept frantically through the entire space like a raging tidal wave, tearing the boundary between reality and the void. Gripping the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction, Riku felt an unprecedented weight and responsibility.
"This is not just a battle, but an intersection of destinies," he muttered to himself. The Infinite Trait Plunder System within his body entered an extreme operational state, lightning and shadow energy erupting throughout his body.
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, charge with me!" Riku roared, leading everyone to charge at the Heart of the Abyss.
A giant black hole appeared in the center of the Heart of the Abyss, containing endless darkness and chaos, as if it wanted to swallow all light. The dark fluctuations following the guardian's dissipation surged toward Riku's group, the oppressive feeling growing stronger.
Riku wielded the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction, lightning surging on the blade, severing the incoming dark waves. Endless traits fused into the sword, releasing destructive power.
[Trait Fusion: Thunder God's Sanction + Shadow Space + Domain of Despair] [Ultimate Skill: Thunder God Shadow: Final Judgment]
A sword aura fusing light and darkness slashed out, splitting space and striking straight at the core of the Heart of the Abyss.
Within the core, the dark energy resisted fiercely, but Riku's trait power, like a fierce beast, gradually eroded its foundation.
"Gon, Killua, cover me! I'm going to concentrate all my power on plundering the core energy!" Riku yelled.
The three fought off the surging dark tentacles and Nen fluctuations with all their might, defending solidly without retreating.
Riku felt the system's deep operation, trait energy absorbing frantically. Electric light intertwined around his body, as if the Thunder God had descended.
"Plunder complete!" the system prompted.
A new trait was added to Riku's body—"Dominion over the Heart of the Abyss." This was an unprecedented power, controlling the most core energy of the Dark Continent.
"Now, the destiny of the Dark Continent will be decided by me!" Riku gripped his sword, his gaze resolute.
The dark energy of the Heart of the Abyss was tamed, transforming into a part of Riku's power. The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction emitted a dazzling brilliance, illuminating this dark wasteland.
However, a low roar came from deep in the sky. In the distant dark rift, a new threat was slowly awakening... "This is just the beginning. The true darkness has not yet descended."
Riku gripped the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction tightly, stepping onto the unknown journey, marching toward the deeper Dark Continent.
Riku had just absorbed the power of the Heart of the Abyss into his body. The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction emitted a dazzling brilliance, illuminating the entire battlefield. In the air, the aura of darkness seemed to be suppressed somewhat, but that oppressive feeling had not completely dissipated.
In the distance, from deep within the rift in the sky came a low and chilling roar, as if some ancient existence was slowly awakening. The air suddenly turned freezing cold, and even space seemed to tremble.
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, everyone be careful!" Riku warned alertly, rapidly elevating his full-body Nen defense.
"That voice... is no ordinary enemy." Killua frowned tightly, lightning flashing in his eyes.
Where the rift opened, black shadows poured out like a tide, gradually condensing into a massive Shadow Legion. The soldiers wore gloomy armor and wielded obsidian spears, exuding intense Nen fluctuations.
"It seems the true dark forces have assembled!" Riku said in a deep voice. The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction flashed with phosphorescence, like the sharp blade of a god.
The vanguard leader of the Shadow Legion slowly stepped out. It was a burly warrior wearing a black helmet, his eyes as pitch-black and bottomless as the abyss.
"We are the vanguard of the Shadow Legion—the 'Netherblade King' Astaroth," his low voice was like the roar of hell. "The Heart of the Abyss has awakened, and the power of the Dark Continent will rule everything once again!"
"You cannot stop the flood of darkness!" Astaroth roared in anger. The spear in his hand surged with dense dark Nen, transforming into black lightning as sharp as a blade.
Riku responded calmly, "The Infinite Trait Plunder System has long been prepared. Even if the darkness is stronger, we will absolutely not retreat!"
Before his voice fell, the battle erupted abruptly. The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction and the black lightning clashed fiercely in the air, sparks flying, the sound of the explosion shaking heaven and earth.
Gon, Killua, and Biscuit fought separately, coordinating closely, defending and counterattacking.
The trait system within Riku's body continuously activated new traits. Lightning and shadow power fused, transforming into powerful attack waves. [Trait Fusion: Thunder God Phantom Burst Slash] [Skill Effect: Ultimate destructive power eruption in a short time, accompanied by dark Nen corrosion]
A massive lightning-dark sword aura slashed at Astaroth, knocking him back several steps, but the opponent's sneer remained undiminished.
"Thunder God's Sword of Sanction? Not bad, but you are not yet worthy to touch the power of the Shadow Legion!"
Astaroth brandished his spear, summoning countless dark phantoms that attacked Riku and the others like they were blotting out the sky and sun.
Riku quickly activated "Spatial Distortion," causing the phantoms to fall into disarray, preventing them from forming an effective combined attack.
The battle grew increasingly fierce. The numbers and strength of the Shadow Legion far exceeded previous enemies, bringing immense pressure to Riku's group. "We cannot let our guard down, we must go all out!" Riku's gaze was resolute, the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction shining with boundless energy.
Just as the battle reached a white-hot stage, a deafening, furious roar suddenly surged from the rift, and an even more powerful aura rapidly approached. "A stronger enemy is coming!" Riku was alert, his figure quickly evading.
In the distance, a massive figure enveloped in black flames slowly materialized, its chilling aura changing the color of heaven and earth. "The Dark Continent... the true ruler... is awakening..."
Black flames surged, and pitch-black clouds rolled behind the massive figure, as if countless dead souls were howling within. Riku felt a terrifying aura that could seemingly destroy everything, and a sense of crisis like never before welled up in his heart.
"This aura... isn't right," Riku said in a low voice. The light of the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction in his hand grew brighter, and the plunder system within his body was also operating rapidly, preparing to face the impending final battle.
With the spread of the black flames, that massive figure gradually became clear, finally revealing its true face—it was a figure draped in black armor, wielding a giant hammer, standing over three meters tall, its entire body exuding terrifying dark energy. The red light flashing in its eyes was like the flames of the abyss, cold and ruthless.
"You, these ants, actually dare to invade my territory." A low and majestic voice resounded like thunder, echoing through the entire space.
"Dark Lord—Zardal!" Biscuit's voice was full of vigilance. "The legendary Dark Lord, the ruler of the Dark Continent, has actually appeared in person!"
Zardal's figure pressed down like a mountain, every step carrying extremely intense spatial vibrations. The ground seemed to be heavily oppressed, almost collapsing.
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, prepare for battle!" Riku did not hesitate. The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction in his hand erupted with thunderous light, the sword aura piercing the void, pointing straight at Zardal.
Zardal sneered, the giant hammer in his hand raised high, then violently smashed towards Riku. His movements were fast and precise, and Nen covered the entire battlefield like a torrent.
"Dark Domain: Ultimate Oppression!" Zardal's voice seemed to come from the abyss. As his voice fell, the surrounding space was instantly swallowed by darkness. Riku and the others felt an unprecedented oppressive feeling, as if the entire world were collapsing.
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, be careful! This is Zardal's domain attack; all attack power will be distorted!" Riku warned, simultaneously activating the "Spatial Distortion" trait, attempting to slow down Zardal's oppressive effect.
However, the power of the Dark Domain was extremely strong. Riku felt his movements become sluggish, and even the lightning of the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction was swallowed by the invisible dark power.
"We must break through his domain attack!" Riku gritted his teeth, giving the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction a shake, activating "Thunder God: Shadow Destruction." The powerful lightning pierced through the Dark Domain, but only left faint marks on Zardal's shield.