Chapter 903: Stone Platform and Scars

The Human World

The hall walls were mottled, with runes carved directly onto them. The strokes were vigorous and powerful, like iron paintings and silver hooks, leaving behind traces of time.

The stone platform was even older than the hall.

Outwardly, it appeared to be an ordinary crescent-shaped stone platform, yet it exuded an inexplicable, ancient aura that stirred the heart, suggesting it was not an artifact of this world.

The stone platform was heavily scarred. It was unclear if this damage was from ancient conflicts or if it had always been this way; its surface was covered in a chaotic tangle of crisscrossing marks, making it impossible to discern any original pattern.

Apart from the spiritual array, the stone platform, and the lightning plasma, there was nothing else in the hall.

Despite its ordinary appearance, the stone platform floated effortlessly in mid-air.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that this levitation wasn't due to the platform's own power, but rather the spiritual array's energy converging at that point. The stone platform was, in fact, the core of the array.

The lightning plasma in the pool was remarkably docile, most likely a result of the spiritual array's influence. The stone platform's role, however, remained unclear.

The spiritual array and the stone platform were certainly not created by the same hand, nor were they from the same era. The person who set up the spiritual array must have had a profound reason for positioning the stone platform there.

The black-robed figure stared intently at the stone platform; it was precisely this item that the Black Snake Mountain Patriarch had specifically requested.

He cautiously stepped into the hall. When nothing unusual occurred, his figure flashed, and he swept over to the side of the lightning plasma pool.

Even though the lightning plasma pool showed no change, being so close to the plasma made the black-robed figure's scalp tingle and his eyelids twitch. He moved with extreme caution.

"Could this object be a rare treasure?"

As he looked at the stone platform, doubt arose in the black-robed figure's mind.

No matter how he examined it, the stone platform bore no resemblance to a magical artifact and showed no signs of powerful energy within. Yet, the vast and ancient aura it emitted was astounding; surely, an object that had persisted since antiquity could not be ordinary.

Despite the urgent situation outside, the black-robed figure appeared completely unhurried.

He was not in a rush to collect the stone platform. First, he retrieved a flying sword, activated it with true essence, and gently struck the platform.

*Clink!*

The sound was crisp.

The flying sword was deflected.

The black-robed figure switched to a spiritual sword artifact, but the result was the same. He struck it several times, yet not a single mark was left.

The stone platform was exceptionally hard.

The shocking scars on its surface, if not inherent to the stone, must have been inflicted by something far beyond ordinary blades or swords to damage the platform to such an extent.

The black-robed figure decisively put away the spiritual sword, then gently pressed his palm onto the stone platform, activating his true essence and channeling it into the stone.

The next moment, a faint glimmer suddenly appeared on the stone platform's surface. The hall was too brightly lit, so this light could only be vaguely seen, appearing illusory and ethereal, much like faint starlight.

The stone platform finally showed a change, but the black-robed figure was already aware of this and showed no excitement. As he continued to channel spiritual energy, the starlight on the platform merely intensified, with no other changes occurring.

"Indeed, even the two Nascent Soul cultivators of the human race couldn't discern its true nature, believing it merely served as an array core and an aid for cultivation. I shouldn't hope to gain anything by relying on human methods."

The black-robed figure had no choice but to withdraw his spiritual energy. After a brief moment of contemplation, his lips moved slightly, emitting strange syllables.

Next, he extended his right hand, fingers splayed. A strange tattoo suddenly appeared on his arm, which proved to be a divine pattern of the Witch Tribe. A sphere of silver light condensed in the black-robed figure's palm, and with a low cry, it struck the stone platform with a sharp *crack*.

This was, in fact, a bolt of lightning.

After striking the stone platform, the lightning did not vanish but transformed into an electric net, enveloping the platform. It seemed to be trying to penetrate the stone or perhaps awaken hidden powers within.

Unfortunately, the black-robed figure failed. The stone platform remained unchanged, merely glowing faintly, and the divine pattern was too weak, rendering the light almost imperceptible.

Yet he was not disheartened, for the divine patterns of the Witch Tribe were also all-encompassing, capable of manifesting powers such as wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, among others.

The legacy of the Witch Tribe must have been a profound art, no less grand than that of the human race, yet for some unknown reason, it had been severed so completely.

The black-robed figure activated various divine patterns, manifesting different powers, and even employed Gu worms, but none elicited a response from the stone platform.

Ultimately, the black-robed figure exhausted all his methods and had no choice but to give up.

"No wonder my master called this a rare treasure, not a magical artifact. What secrets are hidden within this object? It seems only my master, or other Witch Tribe Nascent Soul cultivators, can decipher them."

The black-robed figure mumbled to himself. His aura shifted, and he deactivated all divine patterns. Recalling the dying words of the Nascent Soul, which he had obtained from the renegade of Dou Niu Peak, his true essence resurfaced, splitting into several streams that merged into the spiritual array.

As the runes in the spiritual array flickered, the black-robed figure seized the opportunity, extended his hand, swiftly grasped the stone platform, and with a forceful lift, successfully removed it.

A look of joy spread across the black-robed figure's face. He immediately placed the stone platform into his mustard seed bag, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a slight abnormality in the lightning plasma pool.

The lightning plasma, which had been exceptionally calm, now showed faint ripples on its surface. The plasma's aura grew increasingly violent, and the surrounding errant lightning energy was also affected.

Clearly, the stone platform was of paramount importance to the spiritual array.

With the stone platform removed, the spiritual array became unstable.

The runes within the spiritual array lit up, shining dazzlingly, but the increasing turbulence of the lightning plasma could not be stopped or suppressed.

Had the pool been full, an eruption would have spared nothing on Dong Ming Island. Even this thin layer of plasma filled the black-robed figure with dread, compelling him not to linger for another moment.

The black-robed figure pushed off the ground and swiftly exited the hall.

Outside the Lightning Cave.

The Core Formation cultivators from various sects were alerted by the commotion of the shattered restriction. Rushing to the scene, they were surprised to discover a group of unfamiliar Witch Tribe cultivators on the island.

At this point, it became clear to them that the three Dou Niu Peak disciples were certainly involved in something suspicious. They had been thoroughly deceived, with intruders slipping in right under their noses.

"Get back!"

The Witch Tribe cultivators re-formed their grand array. With a wave of the Beast King Banner, golden threads burst forth, aiming to strangle the two fastest human Core Formation cultivators.

The two cultivators sensed the immense power of the golden threads, their expressions shifting drastically. They immediately activated their magical artifacts to defend themselves but were still no match. The golden threads devoured their attacks and continued their furious advance. Greatly alarmed, the two abruptly stopped, rapidly retreated, and were forced back in a single exchange, appearing utterly disheveled.

Fortunately, the others behind them had also arrived.

"This is the formidable Beast King Banner Grand Array of the Witch Tribe!"

All present were seasoned veterans. When someone recognized the Beast King Banner, they gasped. Crafting this banner was extremely difficult and intricate; only top Witch Tribe sects possessed such artifacts.

"These Witch Tribe individuals are clearly not simple! The Beast King Banner is incomplete, so there's no need for undue worry. Since they dared to infiltrate Dong Ming Island, don't let a single one escape!"

The human cultivators with the highest cultivation levels made swift arrangements. The group quickly changed formation and launched a counterattack against the Witch Tribe cultivators.

The human cultivators had a numerical advantage, and even with the aid of the Beast King Banner, the Witch Tribe cultivators could not hold out for long.

Just as they were growing anxious, the black-robed figure finally emerged from the Lightning Cave. Seeing the scene, he waved his arm and declared, "The item is secured! Retreat!"

With that, the black-robed figure was the first to flee.

The Witch Tribe cultivators rejoiced upon hearing this. They activated the Beast King Banner for cover and swiftly moved towards the location of their flag array.