Age of Elves: I started flashing with my handheld.

The treasure detector wasn't pointing to Zoroark; there should be more treasure beneath that massive stone!

450. Monster Slate

Arriving at the former location of the giant town stone, Nanfeng saw a purple stone slab in the sunken soil, with a white, ghostly image left on it.

"Could this be..." Nanfeng took a deep breath, quickly picked up the stone slab, and checked its properties on the handheld device.

Yokai Stone Tablet: One of the Creation Stone Tablets. The holder is immune to and can absorb Ghost attribute effects, and the power of Ghost attributes is increased by 500%.

"It really is a ghost-attribute stone tablet!" Nanfeng's lips curled up into a wild smile.

When the treasure detector gave him the information, he wondered if there was anything that was a level above the legendary spirit items.

Looking back now, aside from creation-level artifacts like the Slate of Arceus, there probably weren't any other items.

Furthermore, what else could it be but the Ghost Stone Tablets that created the world, capable of emitting ghostly energy of a purity surpassing that of the Spirit Realm? Perhaps the Spirit Realm itself was created by Arceus using the Ghost Stone Tablets.

Neither anime nor games offer much description of the spirit world. Nanfeng had no way of knowing what was going on.

However... compared to the existence of the spirit world, what Nanfeng finds even stranger is why Zoroark didn't take the stone tablet?

If Zoroark were equipped with the Phantom Tablet, the power of the Ghost attribute would increase fivefold. Even if I used all my abilities, I might not be able to defeat it.

I can’t figure it out, forget it.

Go back and use the Soothing Bell to ask Zoroark what happened.

“I think Nanfeng, you have to treat us to a meal when we go back this time,” Huo Wenjie said, hands on his hips and tilting his head.

Nanfeng quickly put the monster stone tablet into his backpack and turned to agree.

"It's on me, Wenjie. What would you like to eat?"

"I'd love to eat so much! Big abalone, big lobster, and a few bottles of fine vintage wine."

"Sure, you can have as much as you want, senior!" Nanfeng agreed generously. It was just a treat, how much could it cost?

The spoils of this trip were unprecedented: ancient Zoroark and the Yokai Tablet, a creation-level artifact. Either one of them is enough to drive anyone crazy.

"But before we treat you, we need to wander around this secret realm a bit more. Your elf is pretty cool, I want to get one too!" Huo Wenjie smacked his lips, it would be a lie to say he wasn't envious.

Dong Yan nodded in agreement. "We should try to find as many of these extinct spirits as possible, and through breeding, we can help them thrive again in this world."

Nanfeng chuckled to himself.

Let's get another Zoroark...

A Zoroark with a bright green appearance should be able to breed with a regular Dark-type Zoroark. But... Nanfeng remembered seeing earlier that the one he had captured was male.

Even if it were to have offspring with a regular Zoroark, the resulting offspring would likely be a regular Dark-type Zoroark.

Now we can only hope that there really is still a female Zoroark that looks like a green leopard here.

"Alright, let's search the secret realm again."

The three left the cave. Before leaving, Nanfeng had Gardevoir scan the entire cave with its psychic powers to make sure no treasures were missed before departing. As Nanfeng put away the Pokémon Tablet, the Psychic attribute was already usable again.

Clearly, the Monster Stone Tablet is the reason why superpower attributes cannot be used in the secret realm.

This is not reflected in the attribute panel of the Yokai Stone Tablet. Nanfeng guesses that it may be because the Ghost attribute is effective against the Psychic attribute.

But this is just speculation. Whether it will have this effect or not, I will test it slowly when I get back.

Dong Yan and Huo Wenjie didn't care what Nanfeng had just discovered or what he had put in his pocket.

Although no one mentioned it, everyone was aware of the plan for this exploration of the ancient secret realm and silently followed the principle of "whoever finds it owns it".

After leaving the cave, the group began searching for Zoroark throughout the entire ancient secret realm.

Without the monster stone tablet suppressing their superpowers, the group's exploration of the ancient secret realm was greatly accelerated.

In less than an hour, the ancient secret realm, whose area was comparable to that of an entire province, had been fully explored.

The emerald-colored Zoroark was nowhere to be found, but the Darktail Blackfish and the emerald-colored Firestorm Beast that Senior Dong Yan had just captured were still there. However, none of them were as powerful as the two that Senior Dong Yan had captured.

Senior Huo Wenjie also made a gain; he subdued a jade-like sniper tree owl with the combat power of a Heavenly King.

It's fair to say that everyone had a good experience this time.

However, this is only the first step in exploring the secret realm.

Besides Pokémon resources, Pokémon item resources are also a major focus.

So even though Nanfeng is going to treat us, it'll probably be a few days from now. Since they can use their superpowers to search, the three of them will definitely turn this place upside down.

So as not to benefit those who come later.

Dong Yan even deliberately instructed Nan Feng and Huo Wenjie to plunder the area thoroughly. He didn't plan to leave his overlord, the Night Demon Spirit, guarding the entrance after this departure, so he would report the situation to the authorities as soon as he returned to China.

Afterwards, the government will intervene to formally and scientifically develop this hidden place.

So the three of them temporarily settled in the ancient secret realm and began searching for the elf items hidden in this secret realm.

Nanfeng also took out his treasure-hunting device and began searching.

While it's unlikely there will ever be another item of the Yokai Stone Tablet's caliber, this untouched world must surely contain one or two legendary spirit items.

When senior students Dong Yan and Huo Wenjie left the ancient secret realm together, Nanfeng obtained two legendary spirit items.

Curse Ghost Gem: When using a Ghost-type move, increases the power of this attack by 120%. Ghost-type moves inflict a curse effect, lowering the opponent's Attack, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Defense by one stage upon hit. Can be recharged and reused.

Demon Curse Symbol: Increases the power of Ghost-type moves by 70%, greatly enhances Ghost-type control, and has a 30% chance to inflict the "Coward" status on hit with a Ghost-type move.

They are all Ghost-type Pokémon items.

This is likely due to the existence and influence of the monster stone tablet.

This can be seen from the fact that the powerful Pokémon in the ancient secret realm are all Ghost-type Pokémon.

The ancient secret realm didn't turn into the "Netherworld of Demons" on Halloween Island, perhaps because the aura of the monster stone tablet hadn't completely dissipated.

451. Cultivating the Demon God's Shadow

"This was a huge success. If only we had brought Nanfeng last year."

Inside the private room, Nanfeng, Dong Yan, and Huo Wenjie clinked glasses and chatted. They had already returned from the ancient secret realm of Wansheng Island. This meal was a celebration of their victory.

Everyone gained a great deal from this trip to the ancient secret realm, so a celebration banquet was a must, and we even had some drinks.

Dong Yan nodded slightly, acknowledging Huo Wenjie's statement, but then added, "I didn't fight him personally, so I didn't fully understand his abilities back then."

"I didn't fight him personally..." Huo Wenjie remembered that Senior Dong Yan and Nanfeng went to Halloween Island after the Heavenly King Conference.

"So...who ultimately won the Council of Heavenly Kings?"

Tell me!

"I swear I won't tell anyone!" When asked about the final outcome of the Heavenly Kings meeting, fueled by alcohol, Huo Wenjie pounced on Nanfeng like a mangy dog, displaying a rascal-like attitude of "I won't get up until you tell me."

Nanfeng smiled, preparing not to answer as before, but then heard Dong Yan's voice suddenly ring out.

"The final battle of the Heavenly Kings Conference was between me and Nanfeng, and Nanfeng emerged victorious."

"The final winner is the senior... I knew it!"

"Huh? Ahhhhh!" Huo Wenjie, who was usually slow to react, was suddenly shocked by this explosive news and sobered up on the spot.

His eyes were fixed on Nanfeng.

"Nanfeng, have you really secured the final victory at the Heavenly Kings Conference?"

Nanfeng looked at Dong Yan curiously. Why was Dong Yan saying this now when he hadn't said anything before?

"By sheer luck," Nanfeng replied.

"Get out of here! You said you were lucky when you beat me, and you said you were lucky when you beat Long Yi. When will you ever win on your own merit?" Huo Wenjie had long seen through Nanfeng's true nature.

Dong Yan ignored Nanfeng's gaze; he knew what Nanfeng was thinking.

He hadn't mentioned it before, partly out of consideration for his pride. But after Nanfeng's battle against Zoroark, he finally understood Nanfeng's strength.

If Nanfeng had used Greninja to battle his Gengar, he probably would have lost even more miserably.

Looking back now, my previous self-isolation was completely unnecessary.

Nanfeng is destined to surpass those who are behind him.

Judging from Nanfeng's current fighting prowess, the Dragon Kingdom Championship is already his for the taking. It won't be long before he's aiming for the ultimate achievement for trainers: "Master of Pokémon."

It doesn't seem like there's anything to be upset about for a Heavenly King like myself to be defeated by an Elf Master.

"This is the cultivation method for the Demon God Shadow that I promised you before. Remember to burn it after you've finished reading it." Dong Yan took out a notebook and placed it on the table. This was the reward he had promised, and also a gift for the future leader of the Elf Sect.

"Then I won't be polite," Nanfeng quickly accepted, as he had been craving this for a long time.

In particular, they also captured the Ghost-type Zoroark this time.

If both Gengar and Gatoroark can summon Demon Shadow, Nanfeng thinks that the Champion could be won with just these two.

"When are you planning to challenge for the championship?" Dong Yan asked.

"Let's wait another two months," Nanfeng said.

The previous plan was around this time, to let my Pokémon develop and master some exclusive moves, and to make the newly acquired Zoroark become my "appearance".

Additionally, there's the Genesis-level item, the Monster Slab.

Nanfeng didn't believe it, judging from the small panel displayed on its handheld console.

The mere effect of suppressing psychic attributes is equivalent to a legendary Pokémon item.

"Okay, I'll set aside time to watch your match live."

"Me too!" Huo Wenjie clenched his fist, his eyes blazing with anger.

The three chatted and drank until 11 or 12 at night before ending their drinking session.

Senior students Dong Yan and Huo Wenjie were both completely drunk, and Nanfeng had to take them home one by one. There was no way around it; he'd forgotten to take out his magic pearl while drinking, and Nanfeng's superhuman physique, comparable to an elf's, made him practically immune to alcohol.

When she came to her senses and wanted to take the pearl out for a good drink, she found that senior students Dong Yan and Huo Wenjie were already slumped over the table.

After sending Dong Yan and Huo Wenjie back, Gardevoir used Teleport to take Nanfeng back to the manor.

Since he wasn't drunk, Nanfeng didn't plan to go to bed so early.

Perfect timing! Before going to sleep, I'll take a look at the "Shadow of the Demon God" cultivation manual that Senior Dong Yan gave me.

Gardevoir poured a glass of milk and led Nanfeng to sit on the balcony, where she carefully examined the room under the light.

The content wasn't long, only about five or six thousand words. For Nanfeng, who had read a lot of novels, reading an article of five or six thousand words would only take about ten minutes.

After reading it, Nanfeng had a general understanding of the Demon God Shadow technique.

The Demon Shadow technique is based on "｀ 々Black Night Demon Shadow".

To learn Demon Shadow, the first requirement is a sufficiently high level of proficiency in Night Demon Shadow.

The second requirement is an extremely high level of control over ghost attributes.

These two skills alone would take most Ghost-type Pokémon several years to hone.

Fortunately, Nanfeng's Gengar and Zoroark are both top-tier players, and with the help of the Pokémon Tablet, these two basic conditions should be met in no time.

Then, the third point is the most important.

The third key point is the exploration of the core of the Night Demon Shadow.

Nightshade is an attack move, but it is not a move that attacks purely with the Ghost attribute. Instead, it uses its terrifying appearance to "intimidate" the opponent and cause damage.

In the game, it doesn't have a power level; its destructive force is equivalent to the level of an elf. (De Nuo Zhao)

After Dong Yan's analysis, he deduced that the attack method of the Night Demon Shadow was characterized by ghost-attribute energy.

That is “horror”.

Ghost-type Pokémon often like to scare humans and other Pokémon, which is related to their own type.

The Demon Shadow is what allows the elves to unleash the "terror" of the ghost attribute.

To use a simple analogy.

If Gengar wants to scare its opponent, it will display what it finds terrifying.

What needs to be shown is the "terror" that the Demon God Shadow needs.