Chapter 456 - 339: Re-entering the Shadow, Preliminary Exploration of the Umbral Domain

Centered on the Shadow Centipede, the ground in a thousand-meter radius instantly softened.

It transformed into a viscous, black swamp.

Bubbles continuously rose to the swamp’s surface. Each one that burst released a thick cloud of shadow toxin.

The toxin seeped into the air, beginning to cause Erosion to everything that was not of the Shadow.

The ground beneath Ian’s feet also began to soften, a sticky sensation creeping through the soles of his shoes.

A powerful force tugged at him from below, threatening to drag him into the swamp’s depths.

"Gaga, go!"

Ian let out a low cry as his Order Divine Body manifested once more.

This time, he held nothing back.

He fully unleashed his Gravity Rule, forcefully warping the space beneath his feet to create a temporary foothold.

Simultaneously, his Purification Aura expanded, dissolving all the shadow toxins that surged toward him.

But the Shadow Centipede’s three-hundred-meter-long body was absurdly fast.

It weaved through the Shadows. One moment it was a kilometer away; the next, it had appeared right in front of Ian.

Its massive maw gaped open, a dark vortex aimed right at him. The terrifying Suction abruptly intensified!

’If you’re looking for death, then you have no one to blame but yourself.’

Killing intent flashed in Ian’s eyes. He clenched his right fist, and a Gravity Collapse Ball instantly formed.

Twelve black spheres, each the size of a sesame seed, orbited his fist.

Then, he threw the punch!

The moment his fist collided with the dark vortex.

Space twisted violently.

The Gravity Collapse Ball spun frantically, attempting to rip the vortex apart and initiate Devouring.

But on the Shadow Centipede’s Shell, Dark Gold markings suddenly flared to life.

An even stronger Devouring Power surged back at him!

The two clashing Rules collided, resulting in mutual Annihilation.

Ian grunted, stumbling back three steps.

Half of the Gravity Collapse Balls around his fist had already dissipated.

The Shadow Centipede was also thrown back several dozen meters, but it quickly righted itself.

A flicker of surprise showed in its dark purple compound eyes.

It seemed surprised that this ’little thing’ could actually block its Devouring.

Then came an even colder killing intent.

Its body tensed, preparing to launch a second attack.

But Ian had already made his assessment.

’There isn’t enough Time. The panel shows only five minutes remaining.’

’Besides, a Shadow Lord is practically immortal inside the Shadow World.’

’As long as it has Energy, its body is indestructible.’

’Every time I shatter it, it can just rapidly reform from the Shadows.’

’My Purification Rule can counter the Shadow, but its Rule is close to Level Four, so the effect is limited.’

’Most importantly... I’m not familiar with this environment. Fighting here puts me at too much of a disadvantage.’

"Gaga, get ready!"

Ian yelled, his fingers tapping rapidly in the air.

The Order Divine Body contracted, forming a pale silver Shield that enveloped his entire body.

Gaga flapped its wings, fully deploying its Shadow Domain.

The little creature grabbed Ian’s shoulder and initiated a Shadow Jump!

But the Shadow Centipede wasn’t about to let them leave so easily.

It whipped its body around, hundreds of pairs of legs slamming into the ground at once.

The Shadow Swamp boiled!

Countless black tentacles erupted from the swamp, like writhing pythons, blocking every path of escape.

Simultaneously, it opened its maw again.

A beam of pure, hyper-condensed Shadow shot from its mouth!

Space was dyed ink-black wherever the beam passed.

Everything in its path was "shadow-ized," turned into nourishment for this world.

Ian’s eyes hardened. From the tip of his left index finger, he activated the Time Rule!

The beam’s advance gradually slowed, as if mired in an invisible swamp.

Though it only slowed for 0.3 seconds, that was enough.

Gaga’s Shadow Jump completed!

The figures of one man and one bird instantly faded, melting into the Shadows and vanishing on the spot.

The Shadow Centipede’s Shadow beam missed its mark, slamming into a distant gray cliff face.

The cliff face silently dissolved, corroded away to form a massive crater hundreds of meters in diameter.

HISSS!!!

The Shadow Centipede let out an enraged hiss.

Its three-hundred-meter-long body thrashed wildly through the mineral vein, grinding vast swaths of Shadow Crystals to dust.

It didn’t give chase. The auras of Ian and Gaga had completely vanished from its perception.

「In the depths of the Shadow World, within a twisted Shadow Essence Jungle.」

Ian and Gaga emerged from the Shadows.

His Spiritual Power swept the area. They were surrounded by countless black, twisted, plant-like structures.

The branches crisscrossed, forming a natural labyrinth.

The gray fog in the air was even thicker here, with visibility reduced to less than ten meters.

"It’s safe here... Gaa!"

Gaga panted, its small chest heaving.

The consecutive, high-intensity Shadow Jumps had taken a heavy toll on it.

Ian leaned against a black branch and closed his eyes, his Spiritual Power spreading out like a spider’s web.

After confirming their surroundings were safe, he opened his eyes, a silver glint flashing in their depths.

In his mind, the battle replayed frame by frame.

The Shadow Centipede’s movements, its attack patterns, its Rule Traits...

...and especially, the patterns in which the Dark Gold markings flowed across its Shell.

’The gaps in its Shell...’ Ian muttered to himself.

He had noticed a detail during their brief exchange.

The Shadow Centipede’s Shell was incredibly tough and capable of Devouring light and Energy.

But in the gaps at its joints, the Dark Gold markings would show momentary "breaks."

’The breaks are extremely brief, but in that instant, the Shell’s defenses weaken.’

’If I can land a precise strike on those gaps... I might be able to breach its defenses.’

A cold glint flashed in Ian’s eyes.

’Next time... I’ll come fully prepared. I’ll bring the right Potions, and we’ll see who wins.’

The Shadow Lord is strong, but I refuse to believe it’s truly unkillable.

He glanced at Gaga on his shoulder. The little creature had caught its breath and was now preening its feathers with a tiny claw.

"How are you doing? How much longer can you last?"

"About... two more minutes," Gaga replied, its voice tinged with exhaustion.

"This world is rejecting us. The longer we stay, the stronger the force of that rejection becomes."

Ian nodded.

The panel showed only 1 minute and 22 seconds remaining.

"Let’s head back."

"Mm-hm." Gaga deployed its Shadow Domain again.

A dark vortex appeared, swallowing them both.

「The next second, they were in the underground Laboratory.」

Light returned, the air grew fresh, and the silhouettes of familiar instruments came back into focus.

Ian stood in place and took a deep breath.

The thick, oppressive feeling in his chest finally dissipated.

’The Shadow World... what a fine place!’

He muttered to himself as he walked over to the lab bench and spread out a fresh sheet of Parchment.

He picked up a Feather Pen and began to write, the nib scratching across the surface.

It was a habit of his to review and summarize every battle.

’Next time I go in, I’ll take down that giant centipede first.’

’The lord of a Shadow territory is sure to have some good loot.’

’Maybe I’ll soon be able to gather the resources for Gaga’s advancement to Tier Three.’

’After that, all that’s left is upgrading my Phase Witchcraft Tools.’

’Lucian, you’d better come through for me and bring back the materials I need.’