Chapter 283: All Below SSS Are Ants
The portals between the two worlds suddenly opened, and in that instant, the malevolent aura from the Evil Spirit Realm surged forth like a raging tide.
The air was filled with decay, death, and madness, making one feel nauseous.
Jiang Che heard all sorts of wanton laughter resonating from the other side, the sound sharp and piercing, as if it could penetrate one’s soul.
Several Evil Spirit Lords charged out with incredible speed, their forms distorted, emanating an intimidating presence.
Feeling a familiar aura, Jiang Che stood at the portal’s entrance and resolutely stretched out his arms.
Ding Ning was the first to rush into Jiang Che’s comforting embrace.
She rested her head on Jiang Che’s shoulder, greedily soaking in the rare warmth.
Behind her, several Evil Spirit Lords followed like phantoms.
They were tall and grotesquely distorted, some bodies twisted like pretzels, others with severely disproportionate limbs, some with vicious sharp horns sprouting from their heads.
An aura of malevolence surrounded them, thick and oppressive like a dense black smoke, as if it had life, clawing madly at the surrounding space.
Scoffing sounds echoed behind them, "Is this the human you like?" The voice, like an icy spike, stabbed straight at Jiang Che and Ding Ning.
The Evil Spirit Lords began to scrutinize Jiang Che’s strength with wolf-like eyes, their gazes filled with arrogant disdain.
"Just that and nothing more."
One of the lords sneered, the corner of his mouth curling into a contemptuous smirk.
Previously, they had only observed Jiang Che through various mirrored images; this was their first direct observation of him.
Without any grotesque features, to the evil spirits, Jiang Che seemed no different from an ordinary human.
They initially thought there would be something special about the human favored by Ding Ning, but found Jiang Che exceedingly ordinary.
Jiang Che noticed several thick octopus tentacles flying toward him like black lightning.
The tentacles glistened with a nauseating sheen, covered with sticky fluid, each one lined with countless suckers, resembling greedy little mouths eager to latch onto him tightly.
The tentacles sliced through the air, bringing with them a terrifying whistling sound.
Besides these menacing tentacles, various eerie forces attempted to invade his mind and torment his spirit.
It was an invisible oppression, as if countless sharp needles were piercing into his brain, with a sharp screeching that echoed relentlessly in his mind, trying to disturb his sanity.
Horrific visions flashed before his eyes, the twisted faces of the dead, blood-drenched scenes of slaughter, and an endless dark abyss as if ready to devour his soul.
However, Jiang Che remained still, eyes devoid of fear.
After so much training with Blood Slaughter, he had learned to discern which attacks were truly lethal.
He knew these seemingly fierce tentacles were merely a bluff from the Evil Spirit Lords.
Jiang Che’s gaze stayed firm, his expression calm as still water, as if the antics of these evil spirits were nothing more than a boring show.
Ding Ning, leaning beside him, watched the lords’ actions with playful eyes.
She knew she had prepared Jiang Che with many targeted trials beforehand; the training was meant to prevent such things from happening.
She trusted that Jiang Che wouldn’t be afraid when confronted with these entities.
But there’s always the chance that these lords might harbor other wicked intentions.
If Jiang Che were to feel fear now, it would be as if slapping Ding Ning in the face in the eyes of the evil spirits, especially those of her rank; it would be a gruesome feast.
They eagerly anticipated the sight of terror on Jiang Che’s face, to relish the thrill of bullying the weak, but Jiang Che’s composure dashed their hopes.
"Haha, not bad at all," a lord sneered, witnessing Jiang Che hold his ground.
"But I was just playing around. No point wasting time here with you," the lord said, looking around anxiously, searching desperately for The Dark Mother Tree.
The sudden portal caught them off guard as they were clearing it.
The Dark Mother Tree is incredibly difficult to clear, but if succeeded, devouring its seed would greatly benefit them.
It’s a treasure that could enhance their powers significantly; none of them wanted to miss this chance.
At their level, progress is difficult, not for lack of desire.
Most functional items are ineffective for them; what could elevate ordinary survivors several levels is trivial to them.
Common treasures and opportunities could no longer satisfy their hunger for power.
Some lords cast their gaze upon Jiang Che, harboring suspicions that he might have secured The Dark Mother Plant’s seed, but they quickly dismissed the thought.
No matter how important Jiang Che was to Ding Ning, to them, he was just a human incapable of ascending to the SSS level.
The gap between SS and SSS, only they understood.
It’s an uncrossable chasm, requiring not just talent and effort, but a "position."
There are only ten spots at the SSS level, all currently occupied.
Beneath SSS, all are ants.
The Dark Mother Plant likely sensed the portal opening and evacuated ahead of time.
Jiang Che, at fifteen tiers, equated to their SS level strength. Could he hide the seed of the Dark Mother Plant?
Impossible!
With his strength, it’s impossible to conceal the seed’s aura from The Dark Mother Plant.
Understanding this, the lords gradually departed.
Ding Ning took Jiang Che by the hand without saying much, "Let’s go home."
"That Dark Mother Plant..." Jiang Che began, only to be cut off by Ding Ning, "It escaped, and it’s okay. We’re not vying for it; if it ran, it ran."
Jiang Che was slightly stunned but quickly understood.
He continued, aligning with Ding Ning, "Just as I arrived, I saw a black shadow dart away, and before I could figure it out, you showed up."
Hearing Jiang Che’s words, Ding Ning froze.
She simply didn’t want to get involved in this affair; there isn’t just one Dark Mother Plant, with Dark Star finding alternative ways to grow stronger, but some lords scheme for The Dark Mother Tree.
Yet, knowing Jiang Che, for him to say that meant he truly knew the Dark Mother Plant’s whereabouts.
Holding Jiang Che’s hand, Ding Ning led him toward his territory, secretly observing him all the while, but no matter how much she looked, she saw nothing related to the Dark Forest.
On Jiang Che, there wasn’t a trace of the Dark Forest.
Her deep understanding of Jiang Che couldn’t unearth any sign of The Dark Mother Plant.
Were it otherwise, the lords wouldn’t have left so easily.