Manu remained silent, while Rhett stepped forward resolutely and said, "That's none of your concern. Judging by how quickly you arrived, you must have paid a heavy price, didn't you?"
The Undead Ancestor, thinking of his urgent mission, held back his burning desire to study Manu further. He believed that if he completed this task, that higher existence would certainly reward him generously, perhaps even granting him the soul he so coveted.
"Haha, there's no need for you to worry about that. By the way, have you seen a black mermaid?" He laughed, probing indirectly.
However, this question struck Rhett like a thunderbolt. His mind churned in turmoil, his expression gradually darkening. "What are you talking about? I have no idea..."
But internally, his thoughts were in a frenzy. How could the Undead Ancestor know about the black mermaid? Wasn't that something that only happened in the simulated space??
This question touched upon one of Rhett's deepest secrets. His heart had never been as unsettled as it was today, even though this was only a simulation...
Sensing Rhett's abnormal reaction, the Undead Ancestor didn't consider too deeply. He simply assumed there was indeed an unusual connection and his smile grew even wider.
His gaze fell on a few strange magical plants in the corner. With a flick of his black mist, he reached out like a giant hand and grabbed them.
"Hehe, I'll borrow a few things from you. If there's a chance, I'll return them."
Before Rhett could respond, the black mist swirled and vanished in an instant.
Rhett and the others were left staring at each other, completely baffled.
"What just happened...?" Manu muttered.
"The Undead Ancestor just took our improved magical plants and then disappeared?" Manu frowned.
Rhett narrowed his eyes slightly. "Can we recreate them?"
"Of course, but it will take some time." Heisenberg approached the now-empty test bench and muttered in frustration, "With his abilities, I doubt he would need to take these things..."
Rhett was equally perplexed. He turned his gaze to the space where the Undead Ancestor had appeared, staring for a long while.
Underworld.
Undead Continent.
The black mermaid lounged lazily on a black throne, once the exclusive seat of the Undead Ancestor. Now, for the first time, someone else had arrogantly occupied it.
Below the throne, headless knights, giant skeletons, and terrifying ghosts trembled, afraid that this terrifying being would annihilate them if her mood soured.
Suddenly, the black mermaid opened her half-closed eyes and stood up. The space ahead twisted with malevolent energy, and light distorted as the Undead Ancestor's figure emerged.
However, this time his appearance was incredibly dim, as though he had suffered severe damage and was in a terrible state.
The black mermaid's eyes lit up. "Hmm? You actually survived? Quickly, tell me what you found."
"Everyone, leave," the Undead Ancestor ordered his subordinates. The undead creatures sighed in relief and fled the hall.
In the end, the vast, dark hall was left empty, save for the Undead Ancestor and the black mermaid.
"Now, can you speak?" The black mermaid looked down from her throne.
The Undead Ancestor took a deep breath. "I encountered some trouble there. I barely managed to bring this back for you."
With a wave of his hand, rows of colorful magical plants floated in the air.
"What is this..." The black mermaid's face filled with confusion. She studied the plants closely, but when she realized what they were, her body shook violently, and her scales trembled like rain. She exclaimed in disbelief, "Void Creation Essence! It's a trace of Void Creation Essence!"
The Undead Ancestor quickly noticed her reaction and asked, "What is Void Creation Essence?"
The black mermaid's dark skin flushed slightly, and she spoke with excitement she could barely contain. "Even I don't fully understand it. I always thought it was merely theoretical. It is said to be the foundational essence of the entire universe and the void. By mastering this power, one could influence or even create the very fabric of the void itself. You must understand, your world occupies only a tiny corner of the void. Imagine how terrifying this power is!"
The Undead Ancestor's pupils shrank, and he was left speechless, a mixture of awe and disbelief overwhelming him. Could Rhett really be that powerful?
But why hadn't he felt such immense power from Rhett before...?
"I've made up my mind. I'm going to submit to this great being." The black mermaid's eyes gleamed with a fanatical devotion, as if she were a pilgrim gazing upon the divine, staring in the direction of the Elemental World, as if seeing the light of hope.
But just as she turned to leave, she abruptly stopped and looked back with sharp eyes. "By the way, I heard you're his enemy, is that true?"
"I-I..." The Undead Ancestor's heart raced, a terrible premonition rising within him.
Before he could explain, a black net descended, locking time and space in place, and it landed precisely over the Undead Ancestor's head.
A malevolent force spread out, corroding his body like acid. The Undead Ancestor let out a heart-wrenching scream, his face twisted in agony, but soon his body was consumed and dissolved by the black net.
In the end, a faint black glow tried to escape, but it was swiftly caught by the black mermaid, who smiled with satisfaction. "Now I even have something to offer in my submission..."