Chapter 61: Fire, Also Hope!

Death looms, within arm's length.

The pitch‑black vine that had condensed all flesh and blood essence has already pierced the void, straight to Su Ming's brow!

Finishing blow!

At a hair's breadth!

Stab—!

A trivial cluster of flames suddenly flared up!

Boom!!!

In the next instant, the flame touched the vine and burst with a boom!

This world‑ending spear‑like pitch‑black vine couldn't hold for even a second, exploding on the spot into a sky of charred ash!

"In the deepest darkness..."

"Even the faintest spark..."

"... is also—"

"... the light that spreads like wildfire!"

Su Ming, wielding the Soul Dagger, has already appeared above that single eye.

Just now...

He flung the Hope's Match he had kept straight outward!

Fire overcomes wood!

It is fire...

... and also hope!

"I say..."

"Enough of the nonsense!"

"Give... me... break!!!"

Su Ming roars, shaking heaven and earth, and the Source Blood within him burns completely at this moment!

He disregards the blood‑colored vines below that burst from the ground again, trying to tear him to pieces!

He ignores the sky‑wide sweep of lethal poisonous flying leaves that can cut bone and strip flesh!

Man and blade become fully one, transforming into pure black streaks that tear the Sky Vault!

In his eyes, only that single eye filled with terror remains!

Puff—!

No earth‑shaking, world‑shaking roar.

That Soul Dagger that had just completed its promotion, its killing aura soaring skyward.

It pierced precisely into the exact center of the massive single eye!

Time, pause.

The madness, resentment, and brutality within the giant eye...

Instantly solidified.

Then, it dissipated.

Snap...

A spider‑web‑like pitch‑black crack emerged from the pupil's center.

Immediately after!

Snap... snap... snap...

The cracking sounds grew denser and louder!

The black fissure spread wildly like a virus.

In an instant it crawled over every inch of the Huai Demon's bark, every branch, every blood‑leaf!

Boom—!!!

The towering giant tree that pierced heaven and earth shattered with a boom!

It did not turn into flesh, nor into dead wood!

Instead it shattered completely into billions of pitch‑black death dust, soaring against the sky!

A pure black magic pillar that pierced heaven and earth rose from the ground, taking the giant tree's place!

Heaven!

Completely black!

At this moment, the whole Jiangzhou.

Whether in the bustling city center or the remote outskirts.

Anyone who looks up can see the terrifying black cloud connecting heaven and earth here!

"Puff—!"

The terrifying aftershock of the collapse slammed onto Su Ming's chest like a massive hammer.

His whole body, like a kite with its line cut, was tossed dozens of meters away!

He rolled clumsily several times on the ground littered with rubble and scorched earth before barely regaining his stance.

A sweet sensation rose in his throat, and another mouthful of scorching reverse blood spurted out.

The wounds on his body burned painfully, almost igniting him!

But he...

…was smiling!

Laughing madly, laughing unrestrained!

"Ha ha… ha ha ha ha!"

Won!

He once again survived the hands of an Epic‑rank Calamity!

Still… a solo kill!

Su Ming forced his trembling, about‑to‑fall body to stand, his eyes blazing as they fixed on the center of the black pillar of light.

Upon the scorched earth, two items emitting a faint glow stood out prominently.

Loot!

Su Ming grinned, dragging his battered body, and walked over step by step.

The first was a fist‑sized, snarling sphere tangled from countless charred tree roots.

At the sphere's core, a narrow slit sealed shut, resembling Owner Huai Mo's single eye, with red light flickering on and off.

Eye of Truth, activate!

Buzz—!

Dark crimson text appeared.

【Name】: V-shaped Altar Heart (Huai Mo)

【Quality】: Epic

【Function】: Can permanently fuse with any altar, transforming it!

【Description】: The core that can only condense after a 【Mutation】 altar's destruction! It is both the echo of death and the embryo of rebirth!

【Note】: Consumable! Once an altar is selected for fusion, if forcibly removed, the V-shaped Altar Heart disappears!

"Whoa!"

Su Ming's breath stalled, his heartbeat missed a beat.

Permanent fusion transformation?

If used on another altar, it can at most perform a single sacrifice.

But if fused with his own 【Crimson Throne】…

"Sss! Something's there!"

"If the effect isn't good, just take it off, discard this thing!"

Su Ming swallowed, feeling a bit stirred.

Feels… like it's really about to explode!

Su Ming suppressed his euphoria and, without hesitation, stored the V-shaped Altar Heart in the Dimensional‑Reduction Warehouse.

Then he turned his gaze to the second piece of loot.

It was a badge emanating an ominous aura.

【Name】: Rotting Mark

【Quality】: Legendary

【Function】: Your soul is branded with a trace of rot! Grants great resistance and affinity to all negative forces related to Rotting.

"Hm?"

Su Ming raised an eyebrow.

Legendary Rank, that's it?

Thought it'd be some badass thing.

Turns out it's just a passive item that boosts resistance?

Affinity…

What else can it do?

Just as he was about to stow the badge,

a line of fresh blood‑red characters suddenly materialized before his eyes!

【You have given the sleeping 【Rotting Son】 a hint of long‑forgotten amusement.】

【It looks forward to a formal meeting with you.】

!!!

The joy on Su Ming's face froze instantly.

A chill a million times more terrifying than when facing Owner Huai Mo surged from his feet straight to the Heavenly Spirit Cover!

【Rotting Son】!

That V177 Altar, and Owner Huai Mo, will spare no expense to guard whatever birthed it.

"Damn…"

Su Ming's eyes flickered.

He originally thought that, having killed its Owner and destroyed its Nest,

the matter would be over.

But…

This damn thing not only didn't die…

but actually the hell…

has set its sights on me?!

"Amusement?"

"Looking forward to meeting me?"

This feeling is absurd to the extreme!

It's like an ant exhausting all its strength to push aside a small stone blocking the path.

But it turns out that stone was just a passing giant's casually flicked booger.

And that giant is now squatting down with great interest.

Ready to have some fun with this ant that piqued his interest!

"Damn!"

Su Ming cursed harshly, his face darkening.

"Want to see me?"

"Fine!"

"Just wait, you dog!"

"When I get strong, you'll see if I don't rip your head off!"

Su Ming stopped daydreaming and chose to set off.

This place is not suitable for staying long.

This towering black pillar is the most conspicuous landmark.

It inevitably draws the attention of the whole city!

Official forces, organizations like Black Shadow, and those lurking demons and monsters in the shadows…

"Tsk…"

Soon, this place will become the center of a massive vortex!

But he had only taken two steps—

Buzz!

Within the dimensional space, the Rotting Mark he just obtained seemed to stir.

A cold will, not of this world.

As if crossing endless time and space, it suddenly descended upon him!

It's not spying.

It's a mark!

An indelible mark from a deity!

Su Ming instantly looked up!