Free Web NovelChapter 307: Chapter 229: The Terrifying Abyss
A dozen or so shadowy black figures were rapidly approaching.
As they drew closer, Han Ning finally got a clear look at them.
They had dark skin and a pair of sharp, thumb-length horns on their heads. Red patterns adorned their cheeks, and their pupils were blood-red. Though generally humanoid, they were short and slight, with most standing just a little over 1.6 meters tall.
The pairs of blood-red lights hidden in the darkness belonged to canine Soul Beasts. They were shaped like hounds, their bodies covered in sharp spikes, and their pea-sized eyes radiated a vicious light.
[
Race: Soul-Splitting Dog
Gender: Male
Talent: E
Level: Extraordinary
Talent: None
Mastered Elements: Dark, Beast
Introduction: A scavenger that lives in the Abyss. It possesses relatively high intelligence, prefers to travel in packs, and will eat anything.
...
]
However, the panel’s Authentication function failed to display any information about the rapidly approaching humanoid creatures.
Through his experiments over the past few days, Han Ning had figured out some of the rules governing the Authentication function.
He had discovered that the function failed when used on highly intelligent, humanoid-like beings or creatures with special Spiritual Fluctuations. It only worked on Soul Beasts.
Not all Beast Masters were humanoid in form. According to the lore from the codices of various Insect-man tribes, some Beast Masters had very peculiar appearances—some resembled beasts, others insects. As long as their intelligence and Spiritual Talent were high enough, they could form a contract with a Soul Beast, regardless of whether they were humanoid or not.
Before setting out, Han Ning had asked Qing Fan and Fei Yu for information from their two tribes concerning Abyssal Creatures.
A description matching the appearance of the creatures before him quickly surfaced in his mind:
"The Hexagon Race is a small, sapient race living in the Abyss. Legend has it they contain the bloodline of an Abyssal Soul Beast—the Hexagonal Demon."
"However... the intelligence of the Hexagon Race is considered the lowest among demi-humans. Only the most elite members of the race are qualified to contract Soul Beasts, making them even more primitive than the Insect-men..."
As if worshiping one of the Divine Beings, the group of Hexagon People immediately began to kowtow and prostrate themselves before the Dark Pattern Giant.
Though they were from a different civilization, Han Ning had seen this act of prostration and submission among several other races.
"ROAR!!"
But the Dark Pattern Giant, its hand just torn off by Qingyao, was in a violent rage. It paid no heed to the kowtowing Hexagon People. Casually snatching two of the short figures, it tossed them into its mouth and began to chew loudly, as if snacking on shrimp.
CRUNCH, CRUNCH~
The sickening crunching echoed through the pitch-black environment.
Streaks of blood trickled from the corners of the Dark Pattern Giant’s mouth, adding to the horror of the scene.
After devouring several Hexagon People and dozens of Soul-Splitting Dogs, the Dark Pattern Giant’s mangled hand was completely restored by some unknown power.
The intricate dark patterns on the back of its hand pulsed with an eerie light.
The remaining Hexagon People scrambled back a dozen meters in fright. After a flurry of unintelligible chatter among themselves, they finally turned their terrified gazes to Qingyao, who hovered before the Dark Pattern Giant.
Han Ning watched the commotion quietly, not letting Qingyao attack rashly.
’Since they’re intelligent beings, it should be possible to communicate via Spiritual Power.’
Aside from the wooden map from Akatos, they knew nothing about the Grudge Abyss. They needed a creature they could communicate with to learn about the local situation.
Having suffered a setback, the Dark Pattern Giant also refrained from attacking rashly. The two sides were locked in a stalemate.
About a minute later, the sound of footsteps once again emerged from the darkness.
A Hexagon Person, noticeably taller than her kin, dressed in an unfamiliar animal hide, and with a prominent chest, hurried over with a few Soul Beasts in tow.
"#@%￥...#?"
She quickly assessed the situation, pulled a large chunk of purple flesh from a dirty pouch, and tossed it to the Dark Pattern Giant, placating it.
Only when the bloodlust in the Dark Pattern Giant’s eyes began to fade did she turn her gaze to Qingyao and Han Ning.
With a single glance, Han Ning could tell she was a Beast Master. The focused light within her pupils made her stand out like a phoenix among chickens, a stark contrast to the dazed and bewildered expressions of the other Hexagon People.
"You’re a Beast Master?" Han Ning asked, stepping forward a little under Qingyao’s protection so his weakened Spiritual Power could reach her.
"Who are you?!" Her Spiritual Fluctuation was rapid; it was clear she was very nervous.
"I’m a Beast Master from the Insect Continent," Han Ning said, getting straight to the point. "I mean you no harm. I was hoping we could make a trade. I want to learn more about the situation here in the Grudge Abyss."
He had Qingyao retract its swirling chains, maintaining only a defensive stance.
Seeing that they weren’t attacking, the female Hexagon Person’s tense expression eased slightly.
’Compared to the tyrannical Dark Pattern Giant, these humanoids seem remarkably timid. They’re nothing like the cold, venomous Abyssal Creatures I imagined.’
"What’s your name?" Han Ning asked. "I can provide you with fresh meat from the Insect Continent, Crystal Stones of various Attributes, knowledge... What do you need?" He took out a few materials of Extraordinary rarity, used for Awakening, and waved them at the female Hexagon Person.
"My name is Ah Yu..."
Ah Yu stared fixedly at the Soul Nourishing Grass in Han Ning’s hand, her Spiritual Power fluctuating wildly.
"I want that," she said. "What information do you want?"
’Isn’t Soul Nourishing Grass a Dark-type material? There should be plenty of it here in the Abyss. Why does she look so desperate for it?’
