Chapter 358 – 「Purple Snow Essence」

“Boom…”

Gradually, the tremors began to subside.

The ground stopped shaking, and the terrain ceased collapsing, allowing many panicked Professionals to finally breathe a sigh of relief as they looked around with lingering fear.

Most areas showed signs of damage, some even reduced completely to ruins.

The Phantom Demons that inhabited the labyrinth seemed to have hidden in terror, as not a single one could be seen prowling about now.

“What exactly happened just now?”

“Why did the earthquake suddenly occur?”

“Did some treasure appear?”

“Have you been reading too many novels? Do you really think treasures emerging cause celestial phenomena?”

“In my opinion, it’s probably some extremely terrifying Phantom Demon that was disturbed by Professionals somewhere, causing such destruction in its rage.”

“Heavens, what level of Phantom Demon could possess such terrifying power?”

“If that’s really the case, this place might be far more dangerous than we imagined.”

“Who knows which unlucky team encountered such a thing.”

“They’re probably completely annihilated by now, right?”

Countless Professionals engaged in such discussions, exchanging various speculations while making the atmosphere in the Midnight Labyrinth grow increasingly tense.

Some Professionals who had been blinded by rare treasures began to feel fear, uncertain whether they should remain here any longer.

If they stayed, they might encounter the terrifying Phantom Demon capable of causing such commotion.

By then, no amount of precious items would be worth their lives.

Had these Professionals been on the Sixth Floor, at the epicenter of the astonishing disturbance, and witnessed the scene there, they would have found it utterly unbelievable.

Because the terrifying Phantom Demon they had imagined in their minds had now turned into a pile of rubble, covering the collapsed and disintegrated ground, completely filling the area.

“Clang…The eerie blue glow slowly faded, restoring the right hand wearing fingerless gloves to its ordinary appearance.

Su Ming descended from mid-air, landing on a heap of rubble, calming his breathing that had become somewhat disordered from instantly expending one-tenth of his magical power.

“Thud!”

At that moment, a dull sound emerged before Su Ming.

It was the impact of a massive rock crashing to the ground.

If it were just an ordinary giant rock, it wouldn’t be remarkable.

However, this particular rock, which had landed last, was entirely crystal-like, transparent and sparkling, appearing quite beautiful.

“This is…?”

Su Ming naturally noticed this scene, initially stunned, then through his Golden Finger’s appraisal, saw the information about the crystal-clear giant rock.

Giant Phantom Demon Heart: The heart of an advanced Phantom Demon mutant evolved from a giant demon, concentrating all the power and essence from the entire Phantom Demon. It is the only useful material from this Phantom Demon. Can be used directly—break the surface and absorb the internal essence to enhance one’s own strength, defense, resilience, and endurance. If refined into a potion by an Alchemist, the effect can be multiplied several times and applied to the entire body, comprehensively enhancing physical strength.

“Excellent treasure!”

Su Ming’s eyes instantly lit up.This crystal-clear giant boulder was actually the Giant Phantom Demon’s heart, containing all its power and essence, with astonishing effects.

“That makes sense. That stone lump was entirely made of rock, unlike other Phantom Demons that can decompose into various materials. This crystal boulder, being the only useful material from its body, naturally gathered all its essence and power here.”

Understanding this, Su Ming quickly stepped forward and, with a touch, stored the giant crystal into his backpack.

“Meeling!”

Little Hai’er also swooped down from mid-air, beaming with joy.

But what greeted the mermaid girl was a flick on the head from Su Ming.

“Meeling!”

Little Hai’er immediately winced in pain, clutching her small head.

“What were you thinking, running off so fast?” Su Ming pinched Little Hai’er’s delicate cheek without mercy, scolding her, “You left us all behind and even provoked such an enemy. Were you in such a hurry? Were you really in such a hurry?”

Su Ming tugged at Little Hai’er’s cheek as if trying to ruin her beautiful face.

“Me… Meeling meeling!”

In pain, Little Hai’er flailed her arms and legs, looking at Su Ming with teary eyes as if admitting her mistake and begging for mercy.

“Hmph!”

Su Ming snorted coldly and released her.

“Meeling! Meeling meeling!”

Freed, Little Hai’er swam to Su Ming’s side with an ingratiating expression, holding his hand while pointing ahead with her other hand, softly chirping.

“You mean the thing that attracted you is over there?”

Su Ming followed Little Hai’er’s pointing finger.

“Meeling!”

Little Hai’er nodded repeatedly.

Su Ming observed and noticed that direction was exactly where the Giant Phantom Demon had been guarding earlier.

“So, that Hazardous Species mutant didn’t go berserk just because its territory was invaded, but because it wanted to protect a treasure over there, which is why it went crazy when Little Hai’er barged in?”

Su Ming pondered thoughtfully.

Back on the surface, Xu Xiayan had mentioned that in the Midnight Labyrinth, extremely precious natural treasures were often guarded by powerful Phantom Demons.

Now it seemed the thing that attracted Little Hai’er here must be the natural treasure guarded by that Giant Phantom Demon.

“A natural treasure guarded by a Hazardous Species mutant?”

Su Ming had to admit, he was intrigued.

Something that could attract Little Hai’er and be protected by a Hazardous Species mutant must be an incredibly precious natural treasure.

“Let’s go check it out.”

Su Ming immediately set off.

“Meeling!”

As if waiting for these words for a long time, Little Hai’er cheered upon hearing Su Ming and immediately transformed into a stream of watery light, darting into the Giant Phantom Demon’s territory.

“That girl…”

Seeing Little Hai’er so impatient, Su Ming felt both angry and helpless.

At the same time, Su Ming couldn’t help but feel anticipation.

“What kind of natural treasure could make Little Hai’er so eager?”

Thinking this, Su Ming no longer hesitated and swept forward like a swift wind.

……

At the edge of the Giant Phantom Demon’s territory.

When Su Ming arrived here, he immediately saw a cave.

“There’s actually a cave here?”

Su Ming looked at it with great curiosity.

Over the past few days, he had seen plenty of winding underground passages and cave entrances.A cave. This was the first time they had encountered one since entering the Midnight Labyrinth.

It stood alone right in the center of a stone wall, pitch black and somewhat eerie.

Yet, from within the cave, a faint fragrance drifted out, refreshing the mind and making every pore in the body open up.

Su Ming could even feel his blood, cells, and internal organs stirring as if cheering, giving rise to a faint sense of longing.

This told Su Ming:

“The treasure is inside.”

He was certain of it.

“Meeling!”

In mid-air, Little Hai’er could no longer hold back. Seeing Su Ming catch up, she hesitated no longer and dove straight into the cave.

“Could there be danger inside?”

At this sight, the thought flashed through Su Ming’s mind, and he hurriedly followed.

As he ventured deeper into the cave, the fragrance grew stronger, and the sensation of his entire body cheering and rejoicing became increasingly intense.

Only when he reached the end of the cave, arriving at its deepest point, did Su Ming’s vision suddenly open up to reveal a vast space.

Like the outside, this place somewhat resembled a stalactite cave, with numerous stone pillars hanging from the ceiling and many stalactites surrounding the area.

The stalactites reflected faint rays of light, intertwining with each other to create a rather picturesque scene.

At the very center of this stalactite cave was a small pool.

In the small pool, a purple-white liquid quietly emitted its fragrance, filling the entire space.

“Is that the source of the fragrance?”

A look of inquiry flashed in Su Ming’s eyes, and the appraisal ability of his Golden Finger activated immediately.

The next moment, Su Ming finally learned what the treasure here was.

Purple Snow Essence: A rare natural treasure that has an extremely low chance of forming under special conditions. It is exceptionally precious and can be absorbed directly, helping living beings break through their limitations and possessing various incredible effects.

“Purple Snow Paste?”

Su Ming was finally astonished.

————”Purple Snow Paste.”

This was a highly renowned and precious natural treasure in the industry.

It was a treasure countless Professionals dreamed of obtaining, so precious that it could rival even Dragon Demon Saliva.

Its effect was also very simple: it could enhance the speed of growth.

Yes, the speed of growth.

Whether it was Spirit Art, magic power, learning Spirit Arts, or training in combat, with the assistance of Purple Snow Paste, one could grow with twice the efficiency for half the effort.

This growth was not only comprehensive but also permanent.

In other words, it was a treasure that could enhance an individual’s Aptitude, talent, ability, comprehension, and all other aspects.

In history, there was a person who was originally just an ordinary Hunter, with a low Bloodline and weak talent, likely unable to advance to the Upper-Rank Professional Realm in their entire life.

However, this person once obtained Purple Snow Paste by chance and, after consuming it, exhibited talents far surpassing their previous capabilities. Eventually, they rose from an ordinary Professional to become a Seven-Star Professional.

This was the most famous case of someone consuming Purple Snow Paste.Aside from this case, there have been several instances throughout human history where individuals consumed Purple Snow Paste. Though their achievements weren’t as astonishing as that person’s, they still experienced what could be called Heaven-Defying fate-altering encounters, each obtaining futures far surpassing their original potential.

Like Dragon Demon Saliva, this is a true treasure considered priceless even in places like Tianfeng City, a Human Sanctuary.

In fact, compared to Dragon Demon Saliva, Purple Snow Paste is undoubtedly more sought after.

After all, this world has no shortage of mediocrity.

For an ordinary Professional, Purple Snow Paste—which can alter one’s innate Aptitude—holds far greater allure than Dragon Demon Saliva.

However…

“I know about Purple Snow Paste, but what is this Purple Snow Essence?”

Su Ming was puzzled.

(End of Chapter)