Hunter: I became stronger even after I died.

Chapter 271 Evolution x Harvest
The rise and development of the ancient Ganyu Kingdom and the Kajin Kingdom share many similarities.

They all emerged from the chaos of a fragmented world, gradually annexing neighboring countries and eventually becoming dominant powers in their respective regions.

Those countries that failed to keep up with the tide of the times became stepping stones in the two countries' journeys, and perished in the merciless flames of war.

As time went by, the past of many countries was buried beneath this land.

Today, besides the sites and museums that have been excavated and even become famous tourist attractions, there are still many relics hidden in unknown places.

Since transmigrating here, Moro's activities have been basically limited to Yorknew City on the continent of Eurubian.

Because of my work in the antiques and miscellaneous items industry, even though I have never left the continent of Urubian, I have some knowledge of the history of other continental countries.

In the nearly one year following his death reversal, Moro had many interactions with the ancient Ganyu Kingdom, which led to a deeper understanding of it.

He knew that much history was hidden beneath this land, but he never expected that there would be a relic preserved in the long river of history beneath the waters of this "Thousand Mirror Lake".

Moreover, it is a relic that has been reinforced and protected by the thoughts of the dead.

This is somewhat unbelievable.

However, more than how the underwater ruins came to be, Morero was more concerned with the thoughts of the dead attached to the entrance of the ruins.

"There are many lakes here, with calm and clear waters that look like mirrors from a distance, hence the name Thousand Mirror Lakes."

While waiting for the staff to prepare the diving equipment, Jin Yao pointed to the lake clusters that refracted countless spots of sunlight, gave a brief introduction, and then got to the point:

"The lakes of Thousand Mirrors are interconnected, and a forest lies dormant at the bottom of the lake. The entrance to the ruins is located in the hilly area in the center of the forest, where visibility is low and oxygen is not the key factor. What is important is to maintain communication and location."

As Jin spoke, he turned his gaze back to the small lake in front of him.

"The surrounding lakes have been basically explored. Entering the water from here is the closest to the entrance of the ruins and has the lowest risk factor. But compared to the removal of the spirit, these risks are nothing."

For those with special abilities, the protection of manifested energy can indeed significantly reduce the risks of various high-risk operations.

In contrast, the key to excavating this site lies in the matter of letting go of thoughts about the afterlife.

Menqi watched as the staff carried oxygen cylinders out of the military tent, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "The lake is so deep, how were the ruins built underwater? Could it have originally been on land and then sank?"

"correct."

Jin took the oxygen cylinder from the staff member, casually slung it over his back, and said:
"According to geological surveys, this area once experienced a violent land subsidence, with the entire forest and hills collapsing and being submerged by groundwater, eventually forming the present-day Thousand Mirror Lake."

As he checked the respirator, he explained in a cryptic tone:
"This natural disaster and landslide were extremely destructive. The once powerful Akashar Kingdom declined overnight because of this landslide and eventually became part of history. If it weren't for this landslide, perhaps the ancient Ganyu..."

Jin stopped there and didn't continue.

Time only moves straight forward, and history shapes the present; there are no "what ifs."

The current owners of this land are the ancient Ganyu Kingdom.

After a while.

Kim and Morrow put on their diving equipment.

In fact, as long as there is a protective barrier that displays the gas volume, there is no need to worry about risks such as water pressure and temperature loss.

However, even someone as powerful as Jin, when performing diving operations, will meticulously follow all safety procedures just like an ordinary person.

This is a sense of the most basic reverence for nature.

"be careful."

The staff looked serious before going into the water.

Menchi and Kurapika, on the other hand, weren't so worried.

They knew that Moro's Nen removal ability was extremely powerful, far beyond what was reasonable, and there was also a top-tier expert like King present.

With everyone watching, Morrow and King entered the water one after the other.

In the water, sunlight penetrates the surface and scatters into swaying beams.

Through the diving mask, you can see some particles dancing in the beam of light.

As the beam of light shone in, narrow rock formations connected to the lake's inlet appeared, like solidified lava, stretching straight down into the darkness below.

This scene doesn't look like the bottom of a lake.

It's more like some kind of gigantic cave terrain that was suddenly filled with water.

Jin made a gesture, signaling Moro to follow, and then plunged downwards.

Moro followed closely behind, and as he swam underwater, his gaze fell downwards, where large, dimly lit outlines were faintly visible in the depths.

Those dark, shadowy outlines must be the forest that Jin was talking about.

However, as the distance closed, Moro was able to sense the aura of the afterlife more steadily.

This aura acts like a coordinate, allowing Moro to accurately locate the entrance to the ruins in the underwater forest.

But when the diving headlamp was turned on and the warm beam shone on the underwater shadows, Moro realized he had been too optimistic.

He saw clusters of aquatic plants and algae hanging on the huge trees, like lush canopies, completely blocking the path to the entrance of the ruins.

Jin turned around and gestured to Moro, then swam towards the water plants that swayed with the current, resembling pairs of hands.

If it were someone else going to the entrance of the ruins, they would choose a different route.

But he can use "thought" to take a shortcut.

As soon as Jin approached the dense aquatic plants, he simply released visible waves of energy around his body, which pushed away all the aquatic plants that reached out to him.

This is already a level of mastery over mental energy.

Moro followed closely behind Jin, and upon witnessing this scene, he couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

In terms of the speed of improvement, what he lacks most in his current ability system is the superb control that Jin possesses.

Having the same level of control also means being able to reach an extremely high level in various advanced Nen techniques.

"Oh right, take this opportunity..."

Moro had a sudden thought.

He witnessed King's terrifying skills at Yorknew City, which inspired him to use "Star Condensation" to replicate that manipulation technique.

It may be unlikely to be feasible, but it's worth a try.

Moreover, even if it can't be done now, this idea can be used to improve the ability mechanism of starlight condensation.

Now is a good opportunity to give it a try.

Upon reaching this point, Moro immediately used the "Starlight Condensation" ability.

In an instant,
The dazzling lights spread outwards, like stars falling into the water.

Moro manipulated the starlight to spread into the surrounding seaweed, then slowly moved forward, encompassing Jin's body, and stretched straight ahead.

The ability to condense starlight is very similar to that of a "circle" and has the same functionality.

Therefore, in this situation, when Jin uses his abilities, he would only think of it as an extension of the "circle".

Jin glanced at the floating specks of light around him. Seeing these weak specks of light penetrate the seaweed, he didn't think much of it, but instead pushed past them and continued to lead the way.

The underwater surface is already littered with particles, but with the addition of starlight, it creates a sense of even greater density.

Moro watched the gold swimming ahead, consciously narrowing the range of the condensed starlight to enhance his ability to read information.

"That wave that pushes the aquatic plants aside is actually a way of using a 'circle'..."

Although the information fed back by the starlight cannot record the deeper forms of control over thought, it can record the principles and forms of thought waves.

This circular-like application is actually more like a technique for releasing a system.

Or rather, it is a technique that combines the characteristics of both.

By releasing and expanding the energy outwards, and by subtly controlling the amplitude of the energy, this circular energy wave possesses just the right amount of thrust.

"Starlight Condensation can detect the target's physical exertion and the flow trajectory of Nen, but it cannot detect deeper Nen micro-management techniques."

After obtaining the crucial information, Moreo did not rush to retract his ability to condense starlight, but instead began to consider the possibilities for further improvement.

The ability to condense starlight was originally developed to counter Feitan. As for replicating the target's physical exertion techniques, this was an unexpected application method that Moro discovered during the actual use of the ability after it was developed.

This approach provided him with a strong starting point.

It can be said that without the condensation of starlight, he would never be who he is today.

Now, facing that unattainable peak beyond the gates of the new world, he once again places his hopes for further progress on the possibilities offered by the condensation of starlight.

With his current Nen proficiency, his deep understanding of "Starlight Condensation," and his still untapped Nen capacity...

It is not impossible to improve the mechanism for enhancing the ability to condense starlight.

If it succeeds, then...

That peak, which only the strongest can climb, will no longer be out of reach.

Moro felt waves of emotion welling up inside him, which he then slowly suppressed and calmed down.

Having ideas and direction is a good thing.

But we can't rush it.

Moro calmed his emotions, put away his ability to condense starlight, and then tried to combine "circle" and "emission techniques" together.

These two skills are exactly what he excels at, and they also align with his Nen attribute.

So when he put his thought into action, the manifest energy surrounding Moro's body quickly responded.

Beneath the dark and silent water, visible ripples began to appear around him, like gentle palm waves lapping against the water plants not far away.

Jin noticed immediately and turned to look at Moro, who was imitating him by using his telekinesis to push away the seaweed.

"Tsk..."

A hint of surprise flashed in Jin's eyes, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. He immediately increased the speed of his underwater swimming.

The two ventured one after the other into the underwater forest.

From a distance, they looked like two tiny things falling into a dark abyss.

After a long time.

The two arrived at the hill in the center of the underwater forest and entered through a cave. After swimming less than a hundred meters, they saw white light floating on the water ahead.

Jin gestured to Moro behind him to follow, then swam toward the light source above.

Wow.

The two broke through the water and arrived at an underground cave.

Soft white light shone on the two of them; it was from the light bulbs hanging on the cave walls.

In addition to light bulbs, there are also some caving equipment placed on the ground.

These devices were moved over piece by piece during the excavation.

Moro swam to the shore, slowly rose from the shallow water, and glanced over the various pieces of equipment before looking at the light bulbs that provided light for the entire cave.

He discovered that the ends of the light bulb wires were not connected to the power bank, but rather to the roots of plants that were spreading and growing on the cave walls.

In other words, these plant roots directly provide electricity to the light bulbs.

"It's amazing."

Jin removed his diving equipment and laughed, "Guess where these roots came from?"

"Uh."

Moro paused slightly, his mind flashing back to the sparsely leafed trees by the lake.

The most unlikely answer according to common sense becomes an absurd possibility on intuitive level.

"Those trees by the lake?"

"Yes."

A glint of light flickered in Jin's eyes.

Perhaps the initial goal was to excavate this site dating back to the Akashar era, but the various landscapes encountered along the way always captivated Jin.

"The entrance to the ruins is inside."

After setting up the diving equipment, the golden finger illuminated the depths of the cave, bathed in soft white light.

"But even if I don't say it, you can see those menacing thoughts of death."

At the entrance to the cave, wisps of black spiritual energy could be seen, clearly displaying an aggressive posture.

Moro looked at the black Nen energy and nodded.

Upon arriving here, the aura of death intensified.

He had a premonition that this Death Thought, used to protect the entrance to the ruins, would definitely bring him a lot of Annual Ring Energy.

"Let's go."

Jin walked ahead, easily knocking away the black spiritual energy that was in an aggressive posture, protected by his manifested aura.

This kind of black, deathly aura, resembling the tip of a finger, poses no threat to Nen users.

However, it can directly threaten the lives of ordinary people.

Therefore, before the deathly thought at the entrance of the ruins was removed, those staff members who did not understand thought, even if they had gone through great hardships to get here, could only stop helplessly.

The two walked through the long tunnel and soon arrived at the end.

What comes into view is a circular stone door embedded in the rock wall.

The stone gate is carved with patterns of various creatures, and a wave-shaped seam runs along the middle of the gate, cutting these patterns in half.

At first glance, the structure of this circular stone gate has a similar feel to the Tai Chi symbol.

Moro paid little attention to the patterns on the stone door; all his attention was focused on the thick black deathly aura that enveloped the entire stone door.

Jin tilted his head and looked at Moro, asking, "So, are you confident?"

"..."

Moro did not answer, but took two steps closer, looking troubled.

"The risk is very high, and I am not entirely confident."

"Yeah……"

Upon hearing Moro's words, Jin couldn't help but sigh silently.

Moro turned around and said in a deep voice, "But I'm willing to give it a try. After all, you did us a big favor back in Yorknew City."

"Okay, give it a try. If you feel things aren't going well, stop immediately."

Jin said, somewhat moved.

Moro nodded emphatically, then stretched out his right hand, preparing to engulf the thoughts of death into the rings of time.

"You have to absorb it slowly, and pretend it's very difficult."

The thought had barely formed when he saw the thick deathly aura on the stone gate being easily and effortlessly drawn into the growth rings on the back of his hand, instantly increasing the energy of the growth rings to over 60%...

In just a moment, all the deathly aura within the cave disappeared completely.

"..."

Moro's lips twitched slightly.

""

Jin watched this scene with a question mark popping into his head.

No, what you're doing...?!

(End of this chapter)