"Abyss Guardian..." King Neptune stared at the statue in shock. "The legendary guardian spirit of the temple... it really exists, and... and it has been contaminated by the Void."
At that moment, the enormous statue slowly turned its head toward the people who had just entered the hall. One of its eyes glimmered with sacred blue light, while the other burned with wicked violet flames. As its two utterly different gazes swept over them, everyone felt an immense pressure.
"Intruders..." The Abyss Guardian spoke, its voice rumbling like thunder through the entire hall. "You dare trespass into this sacred domain... You must face judgment..."
It raised its massive trident, and the seawater in the hall immediately began to churn violently. The stone pillars started shifting as well, and the structure of the entire space changed once more.
"Its consciousness has been split," Ace said, observing the Guardian's condition. "One half is its original protective will, while the other is the evil will of the Void."
Jinbe assumed a fighting stance. "No matter what, we have to obtain the Abyss Stone."
The Abyss Guardian swung its trident, sending an enormous torrent crashing toward them like a tsunami. Ace immediately raised the Starfire Shield, and a golden barrier protected the group within it. But the Guardian's attack was far beyond their expectations, and the barrier swayed on the verge of collapse beneath the tremendous impact.
"Water Release: Thousandfold Water Wall!" Aquila and the other Aurora Tribe warriors joined forces to unleash their defensive skill. Countless layers of water walls stacked atop one another, finally blocking the attack.
Yet the Abyss Guardian's assault was far from over. It stomped its foot, and the floor of the entire hall began to crack apart as countless massive stone spikes thrust up from underground. At the