The collapse of the southern node was like toppling the first Domino.
With one-third of its energy support gone, the composite corrupting force field surrounding the " Vortex Eye Core Zone " began to become unstable. The dark purple energy membrane fluctuated violently like breathing, with obvious ripples and fine cracks appearing on its surface. The chaotic energy flow throughout the entire Ocean Current Graveyard also subtly changed, and the violent ocean currents and spatial turbulence that were originally forcibly restrained near the core area began to show signs of overflowing.
"Energy readings show that the corruption fluctuations at the eastern and western nodes are weakening. Their connection to the core is being forcibly drained of energy by the core region in an attempt to fill the gap in the force field!" The water sprite Xi hovered in mid-air, her translucent body shimmering with the light of the analyzed data. "This is our chance! Take advantage of their unstable energy supply and weakened defenses, and launch a swift and devastating attack!"
"Go all out!" Tortuga waved his massive hand. "As planned, Allen, we'll split into two groups and attack the eastern and western nodes simultaneously, completely shattering this shell! My squad will coordinate with your men!"
"Okay." Allen made a quick decision. " Zoro, Sanji, Jinbe, you go to the west node with Captain Tortuga. Luffy, Robin, Franky, Nami, Chopper, Brook, Usopp, come with me to the east. Shio and Mr. Shell will coordinate the timing and ensure a simultaneous all-out attack."
"Learn!"
"SUPER~!"
"Yohohoho~ Leave it to us!"
Without hesitation or delay, the Ark Maxim split in two—the main hull carried Allen's team, while Franky piloted the separated " Mini Going Merry " (an auxiliary reconnaissance vessel of the Ark Maxim, incorporating some Pluton technology), capable of short-range flight and combat, carrying Zoro's team and Tortuga, speeding off in two different directions!
Without Callistos's personal control and the traps laid, the defenses of the east and west nodes appeared rigid and weak. Although there were still corrupted guards and chaotic environments to hinder them, the Resistance quickly crumbled in the face of two well-prepared and well-coordinated squads.
East node.
The node network structure here is similar to that on the south side, but the central tumor is slightly smaller and has fewer guards. However, perhaps due to the unstable force field, the corrupting energy here is more volatile, with pustules constantly bursting open on the surface of the tumor, spewing out black liquid with strong mental pollution and corrosive properties.
"Barrier, be careful to prevent corrosion! Nami, use thunderclouds to bombard the energy gathering point above the tumor and interrupt its unstable bursts! Robin, find the node nexus!" Allen commanded calmly.
" Cien Fleur - Giant's Grip - Lockdown!" Robin crossed his arms, and countless enormous arms grew from the reefs and seawater, temporarily imprisoning the tumor and the main guards like a cage.
"Thundercloud·Weather Sword·Thunderstorm Pierce!" Nami swung her Clima-Tact, and an incredibly condensed sword of lightning precisely pierced the most violent energy area above the tumor, triggering a chain reaction of chaotic energy explosions!
" General Franky SUPER~Corrosion Purification Bullet!" Franky, in his general form, fired a specially made projectile with a warhead containing a faint Sparks of energy. The projectile exploded on the surface of the tumor, neutralizing the black fluid.
" Soul Departure, Soul-stealing Melody!" Brook played her violin, and invisible soul sound waves interfered with the Corruption Guardian's mental connection.
" Chopper, Usopp, cover Robin and Nami!" Allen himself hovered in mid-air, his Eye of the Torch Dragon locking onto the energy main vein and three hubs of the node network. Instead of conjuring the energy-consuming " Spear of Purification " again, he simply raised his hands, and silvery Sparks transformed into dozens of fine light threads, precisely piercing the weak points in the network structure like Scalpel!
" Sparks weave a web, structural collapse occurs!"
The light filament penetrated, but there was no earth-shattering explosion. The entire node network was as if its crucial skeleton had been removed; the flow of energy was instantly interrupted and reversed, and the network structure collapsed and dissipated at a visible speed. The central tumor, having lost its support, groaned and withered away.
East node, purification complete! Time taken: seven minutes.
West side node.
The battles here are more direct and violent. The western node is situated atop a "mountain of knives" composed of countless sharp reefs, a treacherous environment guarded by heavily armored creatures with robust physical defenses and thick reef shells.
" Three-Sword Style: Black Rope: Great Tornado: Severing Stream!" Zoro's slashing storm tore through the ocean currents, engulfing several heavily armored guards and shattering their shells.
" Diable Jambe - Finishing Touch - Scorch!" Sanji's fiery kick targets the gaps in the armor and joints, destroying the armor from the inside with high temperature and purifying power.
" Fish-Man Karate - Secret Technique - Oni Gawara Seiken!" Jinbe's shockwave was like a heavy hammer, smashing through the guards' formation head-on.
"Water Control - Devour!" Tortuga unleashed the true power of the Giant Whale Tribe, stirring up the surrounding seawater to form a massive whirlpool that swallowed and shattered the remaining guards and the supporting reefs below the node!
" Mini Going Merry - Ion Cannon Barrage!" Franky (remotely controlling) and Zoro's team coordinated their attacks, covering the node network with artillery fire.
The western node's structure focused more on physical protection, with a relatively simple energy network. Under the onslaught of attacks, it quickly crumbled. The tumor didn't even have a chance to put up a decent fight before Zoro cleaved it in two with a single strike of " Great Thousand Worlds," turning it to ashes in the overflowing purifying flames.
The purification process at the west node is complete! Time taken: nine minutes.
Almost at the same moment that the east-west node network completely collapsed and the tumor disappeared --
Rumble rumble rumble----!!!
An unprecedented upheaval has occurred in the entire Ocean Current Graveyard!
Centered on the Vortex Eye Core Zone, the dark purple corrupting force field, already riddled with cracks, collapsed like a shattered glass dome with a deafening roar! Countless fragments of the force field turned into a rain of dark purple light, scattering in all directions before being swept up and annihilated by the chaotic ocean currents and spatial turbulence.
The force field disappeared.
The corrupting aura, which had been suppressed within the core area for so long, was now much larger, more malevolent, and more solidified, and it erupted like an ancient beast breaking free from its cage!
The already chaotic ocean currents and spatial structure of the Ocean Current Graveyard became even more violent and disorderly under the impact of this aura. But strangely, the final direction of all the ocean currents was forcibly reversed, converging towards the core area—the "true face" revealed after the force field disappeared!
The group quickly regrouped, the Ark Maxim merged with the Mini Going Merry, and with all the ship's barriers activated, they struggled to sail towards the core area against the increasingly violent energy turbulence.
After passing through the last barrier formed by wildly spinning waterspouts, the sight before them made everyone gasp.
This is no longer a simple "whirlpool" or "convergence point of turbulent currents".
This is a colossal, nearly spherical "space bubble," exceeding ten nautical miles in diameter! Its inner walls are composed of countless layers of flowing, strangely colored ocean currents and shimmering spatial faults, creating a kaleidoscope of bizarre and surreal beauty, yet also possessing a deadly cutting force. At the bubble's center is not seawater, but a strange " Void," within which floats an island-sized structure—
" Tumor of Corruption ".
No, perhaps " Nest of Corruption " would be a more fitting name.
It was hundreds or thousands of times larger than any previous tumor, and its form was far more complex and malevolent. Its main body was a massive, pulsating, dark red fleshy sphere, resembling a combination of a heart and brain. Its surface was covered with countless holes that opened and closed continuously; some spewed out dark green poisonous mist, some extended dancing tentacles, and some flickered with eerie eye-like light. Around the sphere, countless thick, mountain-like, dark purple, translucent energy channels were coiled, deeply embedded in the inner walls of the surrounding space bubbles, as if drawing chaotic energy from the entire Ocean Current Graveyard to power it.
Even more chilling is that the surface of the sphere is "embedded" with many undigested shipwrecks, Sea Kings skeletons, and even architectural fragments of intelligent races. These fragments have been enveloped and assimilated by corrupted tissue, becoming part of this monster.
A powerful, ancient spiritual wave, filled with greed and malice, emanated from that "nest" like a tangible tsunami, impacting everyone's consciousness.
"This... this is... the core area's... main body?" Usopp's teeth chattered.
"It's not just a ' Tumor of Corruption '..." Robin's face paled, but his eyes sharpened. "Look at the inner walls of those pipes connecting the space bubbles... It's actively transforming and utilizing this chaotic space, turning it into its 'domain' and 'incubator'!"
"Energy readings off the charts! Life reaction... no, the intensity of the existence reaction far exceeds the sum of all previous nodes!" tide's voice trembled unusually, "And... it's 'hatching' something!"
As soon as the words were spoken, several large holes on the surface of the enormous " Nest of Corruption " suddenly expanded, "spitting out" dozens of huge "eggs" wrapped in a viscous membrane! As soon as these eggs separated from the mother body, the membrane immediately ruptured, revealing the even more grotesque and powerfully energetic corrupted monsters inside!
Some resemble enlarged versions of " Fangs of the Reef," but their bodies are covered with metallic-looking keratin and energy patterns; others are like phantom behemoths pieced together from fragments of space, their bodies constantly shifting between reality and illusion; and there are even a few that vaguely retain the outlines of intelligent races (such as Fish-Man, mermaids, or even humans), but their bodies are twisted and distorted, their eyes filled with madness, and they hold weapons corrupted by tainted energy!
As soon as they appeared, they let out a deafening roar and swarmed towards the Ark Maxim! Their speed, strength, and energy level were clearly a level higher than the Node Guardians!
"These 'elite guards' were spawned by the Nest of Corruption using the energy and matter it devoured!" Tortuga roared. "Prepare for battle! We can't let it continue to hatch!"
"It seems this won't end until we burn this huge tumor completely." Zoro drew his sword three times, his fighting spirit surging.
"This is much more substantial than those previous petty squabbles." Sanji spat out his cigarette butt, flames rising from his feet.
Allen's gaze bypassed the approaching elite guards and was fixed on the core of the " Nest of Corruption." With the Eye of the Torch Dragon operating at full power, he could see that inside the pulsating fleshy core, there was a more solid and darker "point," emanating an aura that was the same as the " Source of Corruption " in Callistos's main cave, but "younger" and "more active."
At the same time, he keenly sensed that there was an extremely hidden spatial channel between this "nest" and the ancient " Source of Corruption " in the deep sea abyss, but with an exceptionally large energy transmission. This channel did not seem to be completely stable, and its "exit" was near the dark spot at the core of the nest.
"I see..." Allen murmured to himself, "This isn't just a simple 'corruption tumor,' but rather a 'secondary source,' or rather, a 'clone incubation ground.' That ancient Source of Corruption, through this passage, projected some of its primordial power and will here, using the unique environment of the Ocean Current Graveyard to accelerate the gestation of this 'clone.' Once this clone matures, it might be able to break free from its dependence on the mother body and become a new, mobile source of corruption, spreading contamination even more rapidly... And this passage..."
A glint flashed in his eyes. "It's very likely bidirectional! It not only transmits energy, but it might also... be an unstable shortcut leading to the true entity of the ' Abyss Corridor '!"
" Allen! The guards are charging!" Nami's shout interrupted his thoughts.
"Fight!" Allen snapped out of his reverie and made a decisive decision. "Clear out these elite guards first, but our ultimate target is the core of that lair! Especially that dark spot deep within the core and the spatial passage behind it! That might be the key to our early contact with the Source of Corruption, or to finding clues to the Abyss Corridor!"
The battle erupted with a deafening roar within the raging spatial bubble!
The elite guards were far stronger than before. Not only were they individually powerful, but they also seemed to understand basic teamwork and could manipulate the surrounding chaotic ocean currents and spatial debris to launch attacks. For a time, Ark Maxim was caught in a fierce battle.
Zoro's slashes need more Haki to cut through those metallic keratinous layers; Sanji's flames need to be more concentrated to scorch space-attribute monsters; Jinbe and Tortuga's water control is severely hampered by the environment; Franky's cannons and barriers are under immense pressure; Nami's weather attacks require more preparation time; Robin's abilities are less effective against enemies that move at high speeds and whose space is distorted; Chopper, Usopp, and Brook are doing their best to support and restrain the enemy.
Allen did not immediately join the clearing of the guards. He hovered at the bow of the ship, his Eye of the Torch Dragon locked on the core of the nest, his hands clasped together in front of his chest, and the silvery-white Sparks began to burn and compress more intensely than ever before.
He was preparing a decisive "purification," targeting the dark spot and spatial passage deep within the core!
But the Nest of Corruption seemed to sense the deadly threat as well. Its throbbing frequency suddenly increased, more holes opened, and more elite guards were hatched and expelled! At the same time, the eye-shaped lights on the surface of the nest lit up, converging into a thick, dark red beam of mental pollution, mixed with viscous corrupting energy breath, and shot towards Allen and the Ark Maxim!
"Barrier at maximum power! Everyone take cover!" Franky roared.
"Leave it to me!" Luffy's figure suddenly expanded, activating Gear Fourth: Snakeman mode. With incredible flexibility and speed, he instantly appeared in front of the beam's path. " Gum-Gum... King Kong Murder of Crows Cannon!"
Countless fists imbued with top-tier Armament Haki slammed into the beam of light, scattering most of it, but some still managed to escape and crash into the barrier, creating violent ripples!
" Allen! Aren't you done yet?!" Luffy around.
Allen did not answer. The Sparks in his palm had been compressed to its limit, forming a silver-white sphere of light no bigger than a fist, yet radiating a light that caused the surrounding space to distort and tremble. Inside the sphere, there were faint shadowy figures of clock hands turning and spatial lines of latitude and longitude intersecting—he had incorporated his understanding of time and space, as well as the ultimate application of the "purification" rule, into this strike.
"With this ' Star Core ·Spacetime Purification'..."
He slowly lifted the ball of light and aimed it at the core of the nest.
"Strip away illusions, penetrate to the root, sever connections, purify—!"
The sphere of light left his hand, transforming into an incredibly fine silver ray that seemed to pierce through the past, present, and future. It ignored all distances, ocean currents, spatial rifts, and even the elite guards who attempted to block it (their bodies Void instantly as the light passed by). Precise and unstoppable—
It pierced deep into the heart of the Nest of Corruption!
It hit that dark spot!
It pierced through the faint entrance to that spatial passage!
Time seemed to stand still for a second.
Then--
boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An indescribable explosion erupted from inside the lair!
It wasn't flames, it wasn't a shockwave.
It was a pure release of "purification" and "order," mixed with the vibrations of spacetime forces!
Silvery-white light erupted wildly from every hole and crevice of the nest! The enormous fleshy sphere, like a lantern ignited from within, instantly became transparent and bright, and then—
Disintegrate! Evaporate! Transform into countless pure silver dust particles flying through the air!
The elite guards froze instantly, like machines without power, and then, under the silver light, their body structures disintegrated, the signs of corruption faded, and the remaining, not completely corroded original materials (bones, weapon fragments, etc.) fell to the ground with a clatter.
The energy channels that once surrounded the nest withered and broke.
The entire space bubble trembled violently, and the ocean currents and space faults on the inner wall began to spiral out of control and collapse.
At the epicenter of the explosion, where the silver light was at its most intense, a dark purple spatial passage, forcibly torn apart and expanded, was faintly visible, fluctuating violently. From the depths of the passage came a terrifying roar, neither human nor beast, filled with extreme rage! At the same time, a mental shock, countless times more ancient, powerful, and evil than the previous lair's will, surged forth along the passage!
But all of this was blocked and dissolved in the aftermath of the " Star Core Spacetime Purification".
The passageway flickered violently a few times before finally giving way, collapsing and closing.
In the instant before the passage completely disappeared, Allen's Eye of the Torch Dragon clearly captured the scene at the other end of the passage, in that huge cave, where countless eyes opened simultaneously, glaring at him with endless malice and resentment.
Immediately, the passage vanished.
The silver light slowly faded.
The space bubble completely collapsed, and the internal and external ocean currents clashed violently, triggering a new round of chaotic storms.
But the Nest of Corruption, along with everything it had nurtured, has vanished.
The core area has been purified.
The Ark Maxim struggled to stabilize the ship amidst the storm.
The group, panting, looked at the gradually calming "vortex," which, though still chaotic, no longer exuded any signs of decay, as if from another world.
"Is... it over?" Usopp slumped to the ground.
"The core source of corruption has been eliminated." tide's voice was filled with excitement and exhaustion. "The spatial structure is slowly and naturally repairing itself. The threat of contamination here... is gone."
Tortuga gazed at the empty Void, remained silent for a moment, then turned to Allen, his massive body bowing deeply. " The Deep-Sea Council will remember this kindness. You not only purified this place, but also severely damaged the expanding tentacles of the Source of Corruption, and even... glimpsed the passage to its true form. This information is priceless."
Allen landed slowly, his face somewhat pale. That attack had almost drained most of his physical and mental strength. But his eyes shone brightly.
"The passage has collapsed, but I've memorized its final spatial coordinates and fluctuations..." he murmured. "Perhaps... we don't need to force our way into the extreme environment of the ' Abyss Corridor.' We can try to locate and stabilize that passage, and from there... directly enter the lair of the Source of Corruption."
He looked up at his astonished companions and members of the Deep-Sea Council:
"Next time, our goal is—"
"Strike at the heart of the enemy, purify the 'Mother's' true form!"