Chapter 356: Chapter 356 - 355: The World-Ending Calamity

Su Muyao was also shocked to see the Wood Element Superpower Crystal Core. She naturally knew how critical a Crystal Core was, especially to cultivators of superpowers, for it could rapidly replenish spiritual power.

During her previous visit with Mei Qingchen to the Trial Ground, it was a site the Mei Family’s ancestors preserved—an Ancient Battlefield Ruins—where millennium-old Wild Beasts roamed, carrying Crystal Cores within them.

Crystal Cores are extremely difficult to obtain, and the power systems of different Crystal Cores vary wildly.

The Wood Element Superpower Crystal Core is particularly rare.

She never imagined she would see a Wood Element Superpower Crystal Core here.

Moreover, this Crystal Core was quite large, with pure power flowing through it.

Bi Zhixu was delighted for his cousin, "Cousin’s ability is Wood Element, if she can absorb the power from this Crystal Core, her body’s power will be partially restored."

He had watched his cousin during battle, bewildered by the Secret Technique she used to forcefully enhance her strength, as Secret Techniques invariably come with side effects.

His cousin later grew so weak she fainted, evidently having expended a tremendous amount of spiritual power.

Even now, his cousin’s complexion was extremely pale, and Bi Zhixu was deeply concerned, yet didn’t know how he could help his cousin.

Now, with this Crystal Core, things were looking better.

As Bi Zhixu approached, it felt as though a barrier formed around the statue, preventing him from getting close.

Only Su Muyao could approach the statue.

Su Muyao gazed at the statue, feeling a peculiar familiarity, "System, do you feel that it looks like my master?"

"Host, you forgot. When you entered the underwater cave, I was blocked. I have no idea what your master looks like."

Su Muyao truly felt a resemblance.

Even though her master was merely a faint divine sense, and his body was transparent when gathered.

Yet the statue indeed bore a resemblance to her master.

Furthermore, much of the statue’s outer layer of clay and paint had fallen off, as if weathered through countless years.

The system remarked, "Crystal Cores only existed in ancient times from a hundred thousand years ago, indicating this statue might have existed for that many years."

"The decor of this palace is not that of an ordinary palace; it resembles the palace of a cultivator."

Su Muyao even felt a resemblance between this palace and her master’s abode.

The system observed the nearby candlelight, "Further, the candles burning here are made from Sea Clan fish wax, which can burn after many years."

Just then, Bi Zhixu also discovered murals on the wall, "Cousin, look, there are painted murals here."

"Vividly lifelike, the paintings are extremely expressive."

With just a brief glance, Bi Zhixu’s face shifted, "This... these murals depict events that are simply unbelievable."

"Could this statue be the embodiment of Heavenly Dao’s consciousness?"

Su Muyao noticed Bi Zhixu’s troubled expression and hurried over to look. The murals were vividly lifelike.

In the murals, during times of drought and food scarcity in the tribes, numerous tribal beastmen prayed, performed rituals, and worshipped their respective Beast Gods. Yet when the Beast God actually appeared, there were beastmen hidden in shadows who secretly harmed the Beast God.

They then gained the power of the Beast God.

Afterwards, the once blue sky was covered with a grim shadow, seemingly obscuring the Heavenly Dao itself.

With the Beast God harmed, the Beast God could no longer truly shelter the beastmen. Coupled with the obscured awareness of the Heavenly Dao, beastmen began to slaughter one another, resulting in numerous casualties.

Inter-tribal wars broke out repeatedly, and the resentment and dark aura in the Beast World grew increasingly intense.

Beastmen constantly fought over territory and food resources.

The innocent beastmen were slaughtered, while wicked beastmen kept gaining resources and power, effectively controlling various factions.

During this time, natural disasters became frequent—floods, wildfires, earthquakes, acid rain, etc.—even the sun, moon, and stars were shrouded.

The entire Beast World suffered a severe blow.

Finally, a figure descended from the darkened sky, using their own power to halt the apocalyptic catastrophe.

Simultaneously, they catalyzed the Lotus Wood Element Power in hand, reviving all of nature, though they sustained severe injuries and fell into slumber.

The figure in the mural was identical to the statue within the palace.

The system observed, "Host, by the mural’s account, after Heavenly Dao’s consciousness weakened, some power took advantage and veiled the Heavenly Dao’s awareness. Hence, the Heavenly Dao was unaware of, and unable to intervene in occurrences in this world."

"Perhaps, Heavenly Dao was gravely injured, its strength tremendously weakened, only able to watch helplessly without interfering significantly."

Su Muyao inquired, "You previously mentioned I’m protected by the Heavenly Dao."

The system contemplated briefly before responding, "Of course, host is certainly protected by the Heavenly Dao, it’s just that now there’s some force interfering with the Heavenly Dao. I can sense the life force of this Beast World Continent resides within the host."

"Otherwise, similar to the mural, the cataclysm would descend again."

"The backing force behind this must be exceedingly powerful."

Since the Space System upgraded, the system has felt some awareness growing stronger.

"Also, host, look—the subsequent natural disasters in the mural begin with rampant floods, do they not?"

Su Muyao noted that following the Beast World’s turmoil and the onset of natural disasters, uncontrollable floods started, frequently occurring.

Countless beastmen homes and tribes were washed away by floods, rain persisted, and beastmen became displaced, further diminishing grain supplies.

Suddenly, it was like a flash of inspiration crossed Su Muyao’s mind, as if she caught onto some insight.

It seemed as though she should intrinsically know these matters.

And viewing these scenes, her mind was flooded with shattered light and shadow.

For a moment, she could not piece together what it was.

Nonetheless, Su Muyao understood one thing: "You mean to say there was an apocalyptic catastrophe a hundred thousand years ago, and now, a hundred thousand years later, there’s another coming."

The system’s tone grew solemn, "Indeed, if that’s the case, the host must resolve the flooding issue."

"Resolving the resource and food issues of the Beast World Continent would be even better."

Frequently, conflict stems from resource and food shortages.

"If the Beast Gods, worshiped by major tribes, can return to their positions, it would help oversee this land."

"Regrettably, judging by the mural’s account, the major Beast Gods might be gone."

Although Su Muyao hasn’t spent much time on the Cang Beast Continent, she can discern the scarcity of food resources.

The infestation of dark aura and the surge of mutated beasts have increasingly reduced normal beasts and ordinary grain crops.

Though things appear normal now, it won’t be long before major factions begin to fight.

Additionally, with the presence of forces like the Bright Hall consistently sowing discord, war could ignite at any moment.

Su Muyao’s gaze deepened, suddenly realizing she might indeed bear some responsibility and mission.

After examining the mural, she walked towards the statue and extended a hand to touch the Wood Element Superpower Crystal Core.

Following which, a surge of pure Wood Element Superpower flowed through her entire body, repairing the injuries to her meridians.

As a consequence, the aftermath of the Secret Technique’s forced usage was gradually soothed, and the pain in her body dissipated.

Simultaneously, a segment of light and shadow appeared in her mind.

That was the advent of the apocalypse a hundred thousand years ago, where countless beastmen perished in an instant.

"Father, Mother... please..."

"Ah, my tribe..."

"Brother..."

The originally bustling and secluded tribe was instantly incinerated by wildfires.

Beasts and creatures in the forest kept running yet to no avail.

Moreover, floods swept away countless forests and trees.

The entire world was enshrouded in dark bloodshed.

Such imagery made Su Muyao’s heart nearly falter, causing her to cough up blood.

She wasn’t a noble person, but confronting such scenes in her mind was unbearable.

Too cruel.

Now she had dear ones she cared about in this Beast World; she absolutely couldn’t allow this world to be destroyed.

Furthermore, whether it was her delusion or not, she seemed to see an Ancient Celestial Snake Beastman resembling Wen Nanxi.

Though just a glimpse of light and shadow, it stunned her deeply.