Chapter 87: Reaching the Divine

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Reaching the Divine

"What should we do next? Continue exploring this underground space, or leave right away?" Su Qing asked while Ji Zhixing was sensing the changes in his body.

"Let’s explore it," Zhou Han said. "We’re already down here, and we’ve terrified the Single-Horned Blood Crocodiles so much they wouldn’t dare attack us. There shouldn’t be much danger."

"We definitely need to explore," Tie Shan said in a muffled voice, resting his shield heavily on the ground. "We’re already here; it’d be a waste not to have a look around."

"Then let’s explore," Xiao Mingyue nodded. After speaking, she glanced at Ji Zhixing, who was standing still, and asked, "What’s wrong? Are you okay?"

Ji Zhixing shook his head, a smile appearing on his face. "I’m fine."

By now, he already knew what his new ability was. He repeated the name to himself. "Divine Staff Mastery."

This was also a three-star quality ability, Tier Two Three-Star.

The Divine Staff Mastery ability allowed him to use staff weapons with far greater proficiency after refining them, unleashing their maximum power. This was especially true when executing techniques infused with his spiritual will, significantly amplifying their strength.

Ji Zhixing pondered silently, "Why does it feel somewhat similar to the sense of unity with the staff that I get after refining equipment with the Gene Furnace? If so, I wonder if the two effects will overlap. Well, I’ll know for sure once I test it out."

Suppressing his thoughts, he looked at the others. "Let’s go. Since we’ve decided, let’s explore this place."

The group then began exploring the underground space, which was roughly the size of half a football field. They first headed toward the upper reaches of the Underground Blood River, walking upstream along the bank. However, it wasn’t long before they found themselves at a dead end; there was no longer any solid ground to step on along either side of the water.

"We can’t get through," Tie Shan said, shaking his head.

Left with no choice, they could only backtrack and head toward the lower reaches of the Blood River. Compared to the upstream area, the banks downstream clearly had passable terrain. The widest sections of the riverbank were two to three meters across. Although some parts were submerged in the river water, they could still cross by stepping on rocks.

"Come on, let’s head down and take a look!" Zhou Han said.

"I’ll take the lead!" Tie Shan, holding his large shield, walked at the very front. He had suffered some internal injuries during the previous battle with the large Single-Horned Blood Crocodile, but having just refined a healing potion, he was now mostly recovered.

The group ventured deeper as they followed the Blood River downstream. Along the way, they spotted a few Single-Horned Blood Crocodiles. The crocodiles had been resting in the shallow waters by the riverbank, but the moment they saw the group, they immediately sank to the bottom of the river.

"Looks like we really terrified them," Su Qing couldn’t help but laugh.

"These guys have brains too; they know to hide when they encounter something they can’t afford to provoke," Zhou Han said, spinning his blade in a flourish and relaxing his guard slightly.

As they ventured deeper, the underground passage grew increasingly narrow. In some places, the riverbank almost completely vanished, leaving only a few protruding rocks. They had to leap from stone to stone to advance. Although Tie Shan had the largest build, he was by no means sluggish, landing each step with steady precision.

Suddenly, after walking forward for an unknown distance, the scenery before them changed. The previously singular Blood River unexpectedly split into two ahead, flowing in two different directions. The two channels were of similar width, and the water in both was blood-red. There was no discernible difference between them.

"Could this place be a maze?" Zhou Han muttered.

"It’s hard to tell right now. We’ll know once we keep moving." Tie Shan, holding his giant shield, walked to the side and used its edge to carve a deep mark into the rock wall, just in case they couldn’t find their way back later.

SPLASH!

Right at that moment, a bloody shadow suddenly shot out from the Blood River below, lunging at the group. The creature was incredibly fast, kicking up a flurry of water as it leaped out.

"Watch out!" Su Qing shouted.

BANG!

Just as her voice fell, Ji Zhixing swung his staff. The long staff traced an arc through the air, accurately smashing into the bloody shadow and obliterating it in a single strike. Flesh and blood splattered, letting out soft thuds as they landed in the Blood River.

Only after striking did he realize it was a Blood Fish. It was a vicious-looking Blood Fish with razor-sharp teeth and dense Scale Armor. Its body was a full half-meter long, and its mouth was packed with fangs like steel needles. Had it not been blown apart by the staff, its bite would have definitely torn a large chunk of flesh off anyone it hit.

Ji Zhixing didn’t mind that the fish was mutilated. He directly stored its mangled remains into the Gene Furnace to begin the refining process.

As he refined it, he recalled his recent staff strike. It felt incredibly natural. When he swung that staff, it wasn’t just the sensation of becoming one with the weapon; there was also an added feeling of sublime perfection, moving entirely as he willed. It was as if the staff had become a direct extension of his will. The very instant the thought crossed his mind, the strike had already been executed.

Although Zhou Han, who was standing beside him, had also reacted, the speed at which he drew his blade was noticeably slower.

Ji Zhixing’s mind stirred, "This ability feels somewhat similar to the sensation I get after refining equipment, but it’s not exactly the same. Refining equipment merely establishes a close connection between the staff and me, but Divine Staff Mastery allows me to truly become the staff’s master."

Furthermore, the Sky-Shattering Strike he had just unleashed carried an exceptionally concentrated Army-Breaking Will, its power noticeably greater than before. Of course, this also had a lot to do with his cultivation breaking through to Tier Two.