Zhang Chen transformed into a Vampire Bat and soared through the skies, following a vague sense of direction. From afar, he spotted the giant mosquito that seemed as large as a mighty mountain.
The mosquito stood several thousand meters tall, appearing like Mount Tai before one’s eyes.
Its body looked as if it were carved from jade, emitting a dazzling glow like white jade. Mysterious streaks of light flickered on its surface, with enigmatic symbols faintly flowing across its torso.
Though the mosquito was enormous, it resembled a work of art, not appearing the least bit menacing.
"Is this the creature the Black Robed Monster mentioned? It seems this beast fell into a slumber after consuming Jade Dew, and the Black Robed Monster took the chance to attempt Possession upon this mosquito. His crafty scheme is indeed ambitious." Zhang Chen scoffed inwardly, his eyes filled with icy coldness. Just as he was about to speak out and disrupt the situation, his gaze shifted slightly, for the Crystal Core within his heart began to shiver unusually, a desperate longing surged into his being.
In an instant, Zhang Chen comprehended the intent of his body’s Crystal Core. It urged him to absorb the blood of this enormous mosquito, and that once he consumed it, his Crystal Core would evolve once more.
"Old fellow, having encountered me, why not come out for a meeting?" Zhang Chen didn’t rush into action; instead, he reverted to his human form and stood before the gigantic mosquito, questioning in a voice dripping with mockery.
The Black Robed Monster did not respond to Zhang Chen, continuing his efforts to seize control of the mosquito, hoping to gain a decisive advantage before Zhang Chen’s actions could awaken the mosquito’s innate consciousness.
"Playing dead, huh?" Zhang Chen sneered coldly at the lack of response, his voice tinged with ridicule.
Upon closer inspection, Zhang Chen finally understood why he couldn’t tug the soul. The old guy’s robe was extraordinary; it had fused with part of the Innate Mosquito’s body. By utilizing the robe, it temporarily joined himself with the Innate Mosquito, then used the Innate Mosquito’s power to suppress his soul.
"Heh, no one gets the better of me!" Seeing no appearance from his opponent, Zhang Chen transformed into a mist, soaring up before landing atop the mosquito’s massive body.
He then extended his hand, pressed it against the Innate Mosquito’s body, and two sharp fangs emerged from Zhang Chen’s palm, piercing into the mosquito, commencing a ravenous absorption of its blood. As the mosquito’s blood infused into Zhang Chen, a mysterious and unfathomable power slowly funneled along with it into Zhang Chen’s Crystal Core.
The infusion of that power shocked Zhang Chen. He knew it all too well, having absorbed it during his encounter with the Dragon Blood Warrior: Fortune!
This was Fortune belonging to the Innate Mosquito!
As Zhang Chen absorbed this Fortune from the Innate Mosquito, his Crystal Core underwent a colossal transformation, the Sea of Blood roaring and the boundless crimson light boiling.
Meanwhile, the Black Robed Monster noticed Zhang Chen’s actions. Having gained partial control over the Innate Mosquito, he wasn’t blind to Zhang Chen’s tactics. Witnessing this sight, he scoffed, "Mere ignorance; you’re just a lowly Qi Cultivator, a faint firefly daring to absorb the blood of an Innate Spirit? Let alone one born from the Sea of Blood, whose blood contains great malefic energy. Drinking it is seeking your own doom. Can you, a mere mortal body, even breach the defenses of the Innate Spirit?"
Yet, as Zhang Chen’s fangs punctured the mosquito’s skin without any hindrance, the Black Robed Monster’s expression changed. Overcome by astonishment, he exclaimed, "Impressive technique! What kind of method is this? How can a mere mortal break through the defenses of an Innate Spirit?"
Zhang Chen remained silent, furiously absorbing the blood. The Black Robed Monster laughed derisively, "The Innate Mosquito masters Heaven and Earth, its blood forming a lake. How much can you consume? A drop? Two?"
Saying no more, the Black Robed Monster concentrated on the Possession of the Innate Mosquito.
The two each pursued their own goal, one absorbed blood, the other tried to possess the Innate Mosquito, and the poor Innate Mosquito, a Spirit by birth, suffered needlessly.
Watching the helpless Innate Mosquito, Zhang Chen felt a creeping unease, repeatedly admonishing himself to remain vigilant, "There is always a higher mountain. This world is full of strange and mysterious things, even formidable oddities may overturn unexpectedly. Hence, I must increase my caution and awareness in the future."
While each person continued their endeavor, as Zhang Chen ravenously absorbed the blood, Fortune poured relentlessly into his Crystal Core. In his Core’s Sea of Blood, this Fortune coalesced, astonishingly transforming into a lotus seed.
Then, as Zhang Chen continued to voraciously draw in Fortune, the lotus seed, nourished by this tide of fortune, rooted and sprouted, delving deep into the infinite Sea of Blood. Blood-red lotus leaves unfurled, as the lotus flower began to grow. In the blink of an eye, a bud emerged, poking through the water’s surface, standing alone in the Sea of Blood.
As soon as the bud appeared, electricity coursed through Zhang Chen’s crimson Crystal Core, streaking across the sky within it. The space within the Core expanded, and the Sea of Blood’s space began to widen.