Sanctuary Paradise

Chapter 848 Trap
Starbound, Reef 127 Outpost.

[Announcement! All combat units in the current area are now on Level 1 alert. In case of encounter with high-intensity enemy forces, the retreat plan should be implemented first!]

[To reiterate! All combat units, proceed...]

"Ahh...ahh...!" "Ugh...ahhh...!!"

A hoarse, agonizing roar, like that of a walking corpse, rang out from beneath the pure white elemental barrier. In mid-air, countless figures resembling desiccated corpses fell like raindrops, colliding with the elemental light orbs erupting below. They withstood the attack for several seconds before gradually turning to ashes.

"Huh, they're killed just like that? Aside from being a bit meaty, they didn't seem that dangerous." Inside the stronghold, which was surrounded by layers of energy barriers, the blonde little girl looked at the desiccated creatures in the sky that were easily intercepted by the stronghold's built-in firepower system, her eyes showing a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

"Hmm, it is indeed a bit strange. If this is the crisis that Lord Black Sword mentioned, it feels a bit too easy?" On the other side, Saintess, who was also on guard against the enemies surging in from all directions, looked at the 'army' that couldn't even break through the most basic firepower network, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

When she received the urgent notification from the rear, learning that a large number of abyssal creatures had bypassed the suppression of the elemental barrier and the radar and silently approached the front line, she was even a little terrified. But when she actually came into contact with the so-called enemy, she found that it was not the case at all.

These abyssal creatures, resembling mummies, seem to be largely unaffected by the elemental barrier's suppression and can rapidly regenerate themselves after being injured, almost like immortals. However, aside from these abilities, they have no other special characteristics.

Not only is its aggression weak, but its movement speed is also slow. Given this level of strength, let alone her and Xingnu, who are among the top-tier players, even a top-tier contractor team could probably easily intercept tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of them.

“Don’t be careless. If the prophecy is true, they are likely just cannon fodder used for reconnaissance. The most important thing now is to wait for the legion to find the abyssal rift where they are hiding. Until then, we just need to do our job.” Star Maiden said, her brows furrowing as she looked at the desiccated abyssal creatures in the sky and on the ground, creatures that even the Blackthorn Warbeasts couldn’t use.

As the inheritor of the Starry Sky System, she has always been much stronger than others in terms of intuition and premonition. From the moment these desiccated abyssal creatures appeared, an indescribable sense of unease began to linger in her mind.

Aside from being a bit difficult to kill, it's useless...

Aside from being a bit difficult to kill...

"I say, can any of you explain why they are so hard to kill?" A somewhat indifferent voice fell, and Hun Yue, who was standing to the side, looked around at the people present and spoke up.

Although she was only a technique-based character, she could clearly sense that the regeneration abilities of these abyssal creatures were significantly beyond what abyssal units of this caliber should possess.

Or rather, compared to regular damage reduction, the opponent's damage reduction felt more like her attacks were suddenly weakened by something when they hit the opponent.

“Disintegration…” A hesitant murmur arose. The white-haired youth, who had barely spoken until now, gazed at the distant scene and suddenly murmured, “Although the process is incredibly fast, it seems… they can indeed disintegrate the extraordinary energy falling on me to some extent?”

"No, that feeling is more like..." than "disintegration".

"Hey! Look over there, what's that?!"

Before the white-haired boy could finish speaking, a startled exclamation from the blonde little girl abruptly interrupted him. As if she had discovered something, the blonde little girl's eyes widened suddenly, and she pointed in a certain direction in the sky. Upon hearing this, the others instinctively looked in the direction she was pointing, and then their pupils trembled, a look of disbelief flashing across their faces.

"How is this possible?! No, no, everyone! Activate the teleportation device immediately! We can't wait any longer—!!"

……

"The one who carries the dead, go up and check. If there's anything on the ground, let us know immediately."

"it is good."

"Huh? Captain Hei, why did you suddenly send someone to keep watch again?"

"It's just in case. You don't really think I was just watching the show before, do you? Although I don't know the specific reason why those abyssal creatures have become so difficult to kill, if it's really as I suspect, then we probably don't have time left."

In the secret room illuminated by the searchlight built into her combat suit, Xin Lailai, with an unusually solemn expression, stared at the decoding progress before her, tapping her index finger repeatedly on the table, seemingly very anxious.

"Is it really that serious?" Upon hearing this, Yamu's gaze also changed slightly, and his expression gradually became serious.

"This is just considering the worst-case scenario. Maybe I'm just overthinking it. But to be on the safe side, it's best to be prepared to leave at any time..."

[Ding-dong!]

[Xiaobai No. 1 reminds you that the world language database has been deciphered. Do you wish to immediately activate the fully automatic translation module?]

It's finally done!!!

As the childish electronic voice faded, Xin Lailai's eyes lit up. Ignoring everything else, she immediately activated the translation module, grabbed the manuscript that resembled a research record, and frantically began to read its contents:
……

Observational Records of Planet 371

Recorded Time: 33rd, 980th year of the Imperial Calendar

"Recorded Content": Dark Ring Exploration
"This is the third day since we discovered Planet 371. This is the first time we have discovered such a rich planet since we embraced the Blood of Darkness."

"There are neither those dark beasts that only know how to kill, nor other dark civilizations that will compete with us for the Dark Blood, only a group of weaklings with little ability to act, and an incomparably beautiful Dark Ring."

“Oh, that’s absolutely the most beautiful Dark Ring I’ve ever seen. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen such pure, stable, and fragrant Dark Blood. I’m sure that once we possess it, we’ll be able to go much further in this darkness.”

"... "

"... "

"The identification report on the Dark Blood on Planet 371 is out. As expected, it is free of any impurities or contamination. It is the purest Dark Blessing, completely different from the violent curse that surged from the Dark Ring that destroyed our home."

"I heard that the Senate is already discussing whether to settle on this planet. I can understand their thoughts. After all, for us who are already people of darkness, light, water, air, and heat are no longer necessities for survival. On the contrary, pure enough dark blood is the key to whether we can control this dark body with our own consciousness for a long time."

"... "

"... "

"The decision to settle on Planet 371 has been approved. From today onwards, this will be our new home. Out of compassion, we have decided to grant liberation to the poor native life forms on this planet that have failed to transform, rather than keeping them as food."

"Haha, that's a good lame joke. To be honest, I almost believed it myself. Who doesn't know that we just want to take over this planet completely?"

"However, I like it this way."

"In the end, ethics, morality, shame... those things were completely abandoned the moment we became people of darkness."

"... "

"... "

"Ah, what delicious and rich dark blood! I feel the blessing of darkness surging in my soul and growing stronger in my flesh."

"so perfect."

"How can there be such a perfect Dark Ring in this world?"

"It is stable, safe, and free of any pollution or impurities. In fact, the analysis results show that it has excellent self-regulating capabilities."

"Speaking of which, this place feels a bit cold. Should I move my research lab up a bit?"

"... "

"... "

"Incredible!"

"We are getting closer to immortality!"

"Everyone who has consumed the Dark Blood feels themselves becoming younger... No, this is no longer a feeling, but an undeniable fact!"

"Not only that, we can all feel that our bodies are becoming... well, quite strange?"

"It's a hard feeling to describe. To be specific, no matter what kind of harm we suffer, or even those dark curses that we dared not touch in the past, we will still gradually recover in a way that we ourselves cannot explain."

"This is incredible! I've never heard of such an effect from consuming pure Dark Blood for an extended period of time. This is definitely a major discovery!"

"Unfortunately, the production of Dark Blood is still too limited, and with this discovery, those guys in the Senate will definitely find an excuse to increase their allocation of Dark Blood."

"I know them too well; what can I do when I think the same way?"

"... "

"... "

"Oh, incredible! Is this a blessing from darkness?"

"We have discovered another perfect Dark Ring on the neighboring planet 373. According to the data, the Dark Blood it produces is almost identical to that on planet 371. It is just as rich, just as alluring, and just as... irresistible."

"Of course, most importantly, this way I can get more Dark Blood. Haha, it's really delightful."

"... "

"... "

Hmm... something seems off?

"Lately, I seem to be growing to hate cold places more and more."

"My sense of taste, smell, and libido are almost non-existent, just like before. The only change is in my perception of hot and cold."

“It’s not just me; everyone in the empire is like this. Recently, some have even started revisiting the ancient human-made furnaces.” “Speaking of which, although it’s a bit late to say this now, but…”

"Is the dark blood we're consuming truly pure?"

"... "

"... "

"Something's wrong!"

Something's definitely not right!

“Everyone is, everyone’s mind is filled with dark blood now, and what are those guys in the Senate’s bodies? Cracks? Why do they seem completely oblivious?”

"I have to investigate this thoroughly!"

"... "

"... "

"wrong."

"No, no, no, no, no!!"

"This shouldn't be happening!!!"

"Damn it, why wasn't it discovered sooner? To hell with immortality, to hell with rejuvenation!"

"This is not pure dark blood at all, but an incomparably deep and cursed blood!"

"No, we can't consume any more of this dark blood. We must retreat immediately..."

"Wait a minute, what's the point... why did we happen to discover so many Dark Rings that can produce similar Dark Blood?"

"Could it be...!"

"... "

"... "

"A trap? Haha, it's actually a trap?"

"There are actually traps like this?"

"We've all been deceived! Those Dark Rings aren't blessings of darkness at all; they're bait deliberately created to lure us into absorbing that corrupted dark blood!"

"It has ended."

“I can feel a twisted desire growing in my soul.”

"No... it's not about proliferation, but about returning to its most primitive form."

"That's right, that's right! This is the essence of that pollution!"

"Heh, what immortality, what eternal life, we're nothing more than—(the writing stops)"

……

"..."

In the secret room, as the last, out-of-control scratch fell on the manuscript, Xin Lailai suddenly fell silent.

"Hey, Captain Hei, what exactly is going on here...?"

"Activate the space blast immediately...!" "There's a situation outside."

Before Yamu could finish speaking, Xin Lailai suddenly gripped the research report tightly in her hand and shouted in a chillingly grim tone. Just then, the figure of the Death Slayer rushed in from outside the passageway and addressed the two of them:

"Those guys we killed are coming back to life."

Are the dead creatures of the abyss coming back to life?
"Hey, are you kidding me? Those guys died at the hands of that ice queen!"

“This is no joke, because that’s the kind of contamination they’ve suffered!” Xin Lailai said, grabbing Yamu and the Deathbringer’s wrists, dragging them into the capsule-shaped teleportation pod, slamming the door shut, and slamming it on the confirmation button.

[Hint: Coordinates confirmed, boundary-level space breakthrough imminent!]

Boom-! ! !
The next second, a terrifying spatial fluctuation, as violent as a space railgun, erupted, instantly turning the secret chamber, the surrounding rocks, and the temple above into dust. Then, with a deafening roar, it disappeared from the spot, enveloping the teleportation pod.

……

Outside Island 14, Blackthorn Third Legion warships.

"Sister, are you worried about them?"

A calm voice rang out from the unusually empty teleportation area. The general, dressed in thorny black armor, glanced at the blindfolded nun beside him and spoke.

"Hmm... According to the intelligence from the Commander's side, just now, the front lines were suddenly attacked on a large scale. The timing is too coincidental. I'm a little worried. Could it be that Lord Black Sword and the others encountered something inside..."

Upon hearing this, the blindfolded nun stared at the empty reception area before her, instinctively clenching her index finger, her brows slightly lowered, and murmured softly. Before she could finish speaking, a deafening roar suddenly erupted in their ears:

boom--! !

[Announcement! The advance team of the expeditionary force, "Return to the Ruins," has been detected returning! Relevant units are requested to prepare for their immediate reception!]

A violent spatial fluctuation erupted, transforming into a powerful spatial tremor that struck the barrier in front of the blindfolded nun and the black-armored general. Their expressions changed slightly, realizing that some emergency had occurred. The next second—

"Sister...cough! Your Excellency! Immediately tell the commander to withdraw all legions and contractors! Let them return to the fortress for refuge!!"

Ignoring the discomfort caused by the spatial disruption, Xin Lailai staggered out of the wrecked teleportation pod, her expression contorted with rage as she roared, "The real threat to beware of this disaster isn't the abyssal creatures, but the abyssal energy itself, which has been transformed into elemental barriers!!!"

Abyssal energy... in itself?
"Okay! I understand, I'll do it now... I'll do it now...!"

Upon hearing this, the blindfolded nun nodded decisively and calmly began to speak. However, before she could finish her sentence, her body suddenly began to shake violently, like an old television with a suddenly unstable signal. Finally…

Sizzle—!

[WARNING: Communication bridge interruption detected in the current area!]

As the sound of a flame being extinguished faded, the blindfolded nun's figure disintegrated with a whoosh.

Is it still too late?

As Xin Lailai gazed at the scene before her, her five fingers, gripping the armored wall, clenched slightly, and her expression became extremely grave.

"Lord Black Sword, what exactly is this...?"

“Just look outside and you’ll understand,” the black-armored general said. Before he could finish, Xin Lailai interrupted, leading him to look out the ship’s window. Together they saw a scene that would instantly silence anyone:

It was pitch black.

"The abyss hole in Island 14 was not formed naturally."

A patch of darkness spread out from the enormous elemental tree that should have encompassed 169.37 light-years.

"Although it is unclear who placed it there, there is no doubt that their initial purpose was to release some kind of abyssal energy with conceptual-level pollution."

Looking out, the pitch-black color spread across the entire starry sky at an unimaginable speed, like a drop of ink falling into water.

"And that kind of pollution will endow energy and matter with incredible properties, allowing torn flesh to return to an un-torn state, and allowing the energy falling on the body to return to its un-aggregated state before attacking. On the surface, it is as if it has been given a powerful regenerative ability and the ability to disintegrate energy."

"But in fact, it is just matter and energy going backward, like time flowing backward, returning to its original state."

"Ice returns to water, death returns to life, and the transformed elements return to the abyss."

Ten light-years… thirty light-years… fifty light-years… It was as if someone had reversed time; the Tree of Elements, which had illuminated the entire starry sky, began to rapidly disintegrate from the top, and finally…

"I don't know whether the abyssal civilization that released it did so to lure other abyssal civilizations into a trap, or to make them erode the elemental layers of the astral plane, but..."

The entire starry sky was like a room where the lights were suddenly turned off—

"Without a doubt, this world cluster... was a trap from the very beginning."

It was pitch black.

……

(End of this chapter)