The system is the proficiency panel - 269. Altinahe
The system is the proficiency panel
269. AltinaheNexus's figure condensed in the blood-red palace on the first layer of the abyss, and dark red mist entangled around him, wriggling like a living thing. The palace was built of countless bones, and the walls were inlaid with twisted soul crystals, emitting a shrill wail.
On the throne, a tall figure leaned lazily, with long scarlet hair falling like a waterfall, and the ends turned into burning flames.
Aldinah, the secondary lord of the first layer of the abyss, slowly raised her eyes. She had flawless reddish-brown skin, like an elegant humanoid woman, with needles at the ends of her slender fingers, and a mask made of alabaster covering her face.
"Nexus."
Her voice was low and hoarse, with the unique echo of the abyss.
"Your breath is erratic, like a scalded worm."
Nexus knelt on one knee, his black mist-like body trembling slightly, and his tone was filled with deliberate resentment.
"My Lord, those cultivators are more difficult than we expected. Not only did they resist the charge of the mid- and low-level demons, they also established a stronghold at the edge of the rift... They even have a kind of steel puppet that can exert power no less than that of a mid-level demon!"
Aldinah tapped the throne armrests with her fingertips, making a metallic sound. Her eyes penetrated Nexus, as if she could directly see the battlefield.
"Oh? Those cultivators can actually make toys like this?"
The corners of her mouth curved up in a playful arc, but there was no trace of anger.
Nexus gritted his teeth secretly and continued to incite.
"Not only that, the strength of their high-level monks is far beyond expectations. Especially the last few who appeared, they can kill millions of demons with one sword! Lord, if we let them gain a foothold, I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of what?"
Altinahe suddenly interrupted him, and the temperature in the palace suddenly dropped to freezing point.
"Are you trying to say that I'm afraid of them?"
Nexus quickly lowered his head.
"I dare not! But the flesh and souls of those cultivators... are indeed extremely delicious. If we can devour more, the Lord's power will surely be further improved!"
Aldinah sneered and slowly stood up from the throne. She walked in front of Nexus and looked down at him condescendingly.
"Nexus, do you think I can't see through your mind?"
Her fingertips lifted his chin, dark red lines spreading across his body like a living thing.
"You just want to use me to take revenge on those cultivators who hurt you."
Nexus's black mist churned violently, but could not escape her control.
Aldinah loosened her hand and turned to walk towards the blood pool in the center of the palace, where countless struggling souls were floating. She stared at the blood pool, her tone terrifyingly calm.
"Those cultivators are indeed special. The souls of the strongest among them contain the power of certain rules. When they are devoured... they are particularly sweet."
She raised her hand and fished out a remnant soul from the blood pool. It was the fragment of the cultivator who died in the battle. The soul twisted in her palm and screamed silently.
"But the last few who appeared, especially the monk with a long sword on his back, I can see that his sword energy can hurt my essence. In addition, my previous injuries have not healed yet..."
A trace of fear flashed in her eyes, thinking of the strength of the gray-robed man that had seriously injured her with one blow. That strength was stronger than that of an ordinary demon lord, and the other party even had four such cultivators.
"This is not an ordinary prey, but a ferocious beast."
Nexus growled unwillingly.
"Are you going to let them go just like that? If the other lords knew that you were repelled by outsiders..."
"Shut up!"
Aldinah turned his head suddenly, and a shadow swept across like a blade, instantly cutting Nexus's body in two. The black mist squirmed in pain, struggling to re-condense.
she said coldly.
"The rule of the abyss is that the strong prey on the weak, but it does not mean foolish suicide. I will wait... wait for those cultivators to go deep into the abyss, wait for them to disperse their strength, wait for them to become exhausted."
Her fingertips passed through the blood pool, and the picture changed, showing the scene of the cultivators' camp - Silver Thunder mechas patrolling, the formation light flashing, and the cultivators taking turns to rest.
"not to mention……"
Her smile became more and more seductive.
"The 'King of Corruption' on the first level has been eyeing my territory covetously. Perhaps I should let him have a taste of a cultivator first to stimulate his desire."
Nexus finally understood her intention, and a hideous smile emerged from the black mist.
"My Lord is wise."
Altinahe waved his hand.
"Go ahead and continue to monitor those cultivators. If you disappoint me again next time... I will let you experience the true 'pain of the abyss'."
Nexus's figure vanished like smoke.
The palace returned to silence, except for the souls in the blood pool that were still wailing silently. Aldinah stared at the pool and whispered to himself.
"Cultivators...your souls will eventually become the steps for me to ascend to the throne."
……
Half a month later, the first layer of the abyss - Wanyuan Plain.
Under the dark red sky, a towering steel city stood on the barren land. The city walls were made of silver essence and black iron, and the surface was etched with complex array patterns. The spiritual light flowed and formed a light blue barrier, isolating the chaotic atmosphere of the abyss. Inside the city, tall towers stood in a forest, and spiritual power turrets were arranged in a grim manner, like a dormant giant beast, ready to tear apart the invading enemy at any time.
This city was named "City of Rifts".
Xiao Ningxue stood on the observation deck of the central tower, her white hair slightly blown by the fishy wind. She looked down at the charred land outside the city - there were piles of countless demon remains, some cut in half by sword energy, some burned into charcoal by plasma cannons, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of sulfur.
"The statistics are out."
Yu Yue's voice came from behind, holding a jade slip in her hand with a frown on her face.
"In the past half month, we have repelled 27 waves of demon attacks, 19 monks were killed and 43 were seriously injured; 96 Silver Thunder mechas were damaged and 237 mortal pilots were killed."
Xiao Ningxue took the jade slip and tightened her fingertips slightly. Although she had expected it, when she heard the specific number, her heart still felt like it was being grasped by an invisible hand.
"What are the results of the Mecha Corps' battle?"
Yu Yue sighed with a complicated tone.
"Nearly one million low-level demons and thousands of mid-level demons were killed. The willpower of the mortal pilots far exceeded expectations. Many of them fought until their mental breakdowns but still refused to retreat..."
Xiao Ningxue was silent for a moment, and cast her eyes towards the patrolling mecha troops outside the city. Those silver-grey giants walked with heavy steps, and the Thunder Crystal Cores on their chests flashed a steady blue light, but the mortal warriors in the cockpits looked haggard, with bloodshot eyes. Continuous high-intensity combat was too much for even an iron body to bear.
"Let the second batch of pilots take over, and send the seriously injured back to Kaiyang Star for recuperation."
Yu Yue nodded and then lowered her voice.
"There is one more thing. Master Pu discovered an abyssal mineral vein 300 kilometers to the east. There is a kind of ore that has never been seen before. He named it Blood Marrow Crystal. After purification and refinement, it can accelerate the cultivator's comprehension of the state of mind. He suggested sending people to mine it."
A gleam of light flashed in Xiao Ningxue's eyes.
"Blood Marrow Crystal...Has the analysis report of Garnier come out?"
"Just received."
Yu Yue handed over another jade slip.
"According to her research, the chaotic energy contained in the blood marrow crystal can be transformed into an orderly energy after purification. After the monks absorb it, they can accelerate their comprehension of the artistic conception, and there are no side effects. However, mining is very risky, and there may be more powerful demons living deep in the veins."
Xiao Ningxue quickly read the report and gave a decisive order.
"Organize an elite team, led by Master Pu, and accompanied by one hundred Silver Thunder mechas. Set up isolation formations during mining to prevent energy fluctuations from attracting demons."
Yu Yue took the order and left.