Black Gate

The mysterious figure did not argue with Qin Chuan or even haggle. He simply took one crystal marked with black patterns and handed the other two to Qin Chuan and Song Ling.

The one before Qin Chuan bore the same black patterns as the mysterious figure's.

Song Ling's crystal, meanwhile, bore golden patterns.

In truth, the three crystals contained the same power. The difference was that the two crystals with black patterns contained a certain amount of Shadow Power, making them clearly unsuitable for Song Ling to absorb.

Qin Chuan took the crystal in his hand.

Shadow-Eroded Ice Source Shard (Low-Grade Divine Artifact): Upon use, gain 10% Divinity Damage Conversion and 10% Divinity Damage Reduction.

Very powerful.

Previously, Qin Chuan had absorbed two divine crystals, and with the bonus from the new Apostle's Seal, he had only gained 5% Divinity Damage Conversion and 1% Divinity Damage Reduction. Now, a single Origin Shard increased both values by 10%.

It was a tremendous improvement.

But considering that this thing was a divine artifact—even a Low-Grade Divine Artifact was far stronger than a demigod artifact—such an increase was understandable.

This was Song Ling's first time seeing an item like this.

Good heavens, she had not even used epic-grade equipment yet. At most, she had seen legendary equipment dropped by the guild leader.

And now, an Ice Origin Shard at the level of a Low-Grade Divine Artifact had appeared out of nowhere.

This was simply far too precious.

Song Ling said somewhat awkwardly, "Guild Leader, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."

As she spoke, she sent the item's attributes to Qin Chuan.

Compared with the shard Qin Chuan had obtained, Song Ling's shard had not been eroded by shadow.

Not only would it grant Divinity Damage and defense, but it would also trigger an additional quest. If nothing unexpected happened, it should allow Song Ling to gain greater control over Ice Element.

Once they found the other two portions of the Lord of Frost's source power and paired them with other methods, Song Ling would have a chance to claim the throne of the Lord of Frost!

Although the process would take a long time, perhaps even until Apocalypse formally descended or the Divine Advent Stage began before it could be fully completed, the long investment would bring rich rewards and provide powerful support in the battle against the Gods.

Collecting his thoughts, Qin Chuan said, "Everyone who sees it gets a share. Besides, I need you to complete this quest chain."

After a brief pause, Qin Chuan added, "This quest chain will be extremely long, possibly taking more than a year. Once you take this shard, you'd better settle down and work for me. Finish the quest first before worrying about anything else."

As he spoke, the ground began to tremble.

This space had existed to seal the Lord of Frost.

Now that the Lord of Frost was dead, there was naturally no reason for this place to remain.

Qin Chuan quickly said, "Take your things and get out to find Jing. That's an order!"

The unquestionable tone made Song Ling instinctively reply, "Yes."

When she came back to her senses, she saw her guild leader walking toward the mysterious figure. After taking two steps, he turned back and waved. "Go. I estimate it'll take me some time to get back. Have Ji Xing and Yingluo Yezakura help keep an eye on the guild."

Song Ling was not the overly sentimental type either. She nodded and said, "Guild Leader, good luck."

With that, she turned and quickly ran outside.

Qin Chuan withdrew his gaze and looked at the mysterious figure with a smile. "What trial is waiting for me here this time?"

The mysterious figure waved a hand, sending the falling boulder overhead flying. Without saying anything, he simply floated ahead and led the way.

After flying less than two meters, a black door appeared out of thin air.

The door opened, and beyond its frame was utter darkness. Light vanished the instant it entered, making it impossible to see what lay within or hear any sound from behind it.

The mysterious figure stopped and turned to look at Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan understood as well and stepped through the door in two strides.

At the same time, he did not forget to complain, "This time you're a lot more polite. Last time, you just made a pit for us to fall into."

Before he could finish speaking, several black chains shot out from the door and bound Qin Chuan tightly. The chains then rapidly contracted, dragging him into the doorway.

"I ** your ***!"

Qin Chuan realized he had celebrated too soon.

This guy's twisted sense of humor was as consistent as ever.

Even without a pit, he still had to force some kind of trick into it.

After Qin Chuan was dragged into the black door by the chains, the mysterious figure floated in after him. The door immediately slammed shut, then vanished into the air.

Boom!

A massive boulder fell, burying everything.

Outside the High Platform, Song Ling ran back to Ji Xing and the others. Jing immediately began chanting a spell to create a teleportation gate.

Ji Xing looked toward the High Platform, concern in her eyes. "Where's the Guild Leader?"

Song Ling replied, "The Guild Leader told us to leave first."

Ji Xing was about to say something else when Jing opened the teleportation gate and said, "The Guild Leader told me earlier to prepare to open the gate, which means he had already made preparations. We're only a burden here. We should return to Beili City and wait for the Guild Leader to come back."

Yingluo Yezakura also said, "Trust the Guild Leader. He'll definitely be fine."

Seeing the High Platform collapse and cracks spread across the ice above them, Ji Xing knew they could not delay any longer. She said solemnly, "I believe in the Guild Leader too. Let's go back to Beili City first."

Everyone stepped into the teleportation gate and vanished from where they stood.

Rumble...

Deep within the Arctic Ice Field, the roaring sound swept outward. A gigantic crater appeared in the central region, and in the blink of an eye, the terrain of the Arctic Ice Field underwent earth-shaking changes.

The Beast God Sect and the church's third wave of troops, who were still on the move, were caught off guard and swallowed by chasms that opened beneath their feet.

The players hoping to fish in troubled waters were all sent to the Respawn Point as well.

At the Respawn Point, more than a hundred Glory Sharing Society players gritted their teeth in fury.

They had truly suffered tremendous losses this time.

First, they had been sent to the Respawn Point amid the melee. Then, just after reviving and making it halfway out, they were wiped out by bombs delivered by the Night Wanderer, taking a second trip to the Respawn Point.

After finally regrouping and setting out for a third time, guess what happened?

Heh, the ground split open halfway there!

Most importantly, the Glory Sharing Society players discovered that every quest they had accepted was marked as invalid!

The church had given up!

"Ah! My Sky Knight!"

Sanzaburo, the Vice Guild Leader of the Glory Sharing Society, threw back his head and let out a furious roar.

This operation had cost at least five million from start to finish, yet they had not gained a single thing. They had lost their shirts.

At the thought of being held accountable for the failed operation, Sanzaburo could not help but shudder.

No, he had to find a way to salvage this.

But for the moment, he had no idea where to begin.

Just then, a player emerged from the wind and snow nearby and shouted from afar, "Vice Guild Leader Sanzaburo, I have a deal I'd like to discuss with you."

Sanzaburo's expression showed a hint of surprise. "Vice Guild Leader Mad Blood, why are you here?"

Rakshasa Mad Blood's old face reddened.

Why was he here?

Hadn't the Night Wanderer sent him here?

Sanzaburo realized he had misspoken.

They were both at the Respawn Point. What good could possibly have happened? He hurriedly changed the subject. "I wonder what business Vice Guild Leader Rakshasa wishes to offer me."

A smile appeared at the corner of Rakshasa Mad Blood's lips as he tempted him. "Peak's people have already returned to Beili City, but the Night Wanderer isn't with them. Do you know what that means?"