This Great Space Abyss was actually an immense spatial rift from which surging, icy air constantly erupted, dropping the temperature of the surrounding space to frigid levels and covering everything in a crust of dark, profound ice.
"What lies inside is the Dark Dragon Pool. It is saturated with high-level Dark Energy and the Laws of Darkness. Ordinary living beings are unable to adapt to it. Those without sufficient strength who force their way in risk being corrupted, losing their original nature, and ultimately transforming into Dark-type creatures. However, with your strength, it shouldn't be a problem," Lü Dandan said to Ye Yunfei as she looked at the Great Space Abyss before them.
"And since I am personally guiding the way, you have even less to worry about adapting to the environment inside," Lü Dandan added.
After speaking, she took the lead and walked straight into the Great Space Abyss ahead. Ye Yunfei quickly followed close behind.
Vast clouds of black mist churned, continuously erupting from the Great Space Abyss. The terrifying black chilliness assaulted not only one's physical body with cold but also posed a danger of freezing one's Soul Body within such an environment.
However, Ye Yunfei's physical body was exceptionally tough. Furthermore, the cultivation technique he practiced, the Nine-Yang Ancient Scripture, was inherently yang-attribute. The eight blood vessels within his body shimmered into visibility simultaneously, vast golden energies coursing turbulently through his eight Divine Meridians. The energy aura released swirled around his physique, emitting billowing golden radiance that drove away the surrounding yin-cold energies that sought to invade him.
As for Lü Dandan, she cultivated Dark Energy to begin with, the same attribute as the black chill permeating the surroundings, so she was even more at ease. Not only was she unaffected, but she was in her element, as content as a fish in water. As she advanced, the meridians within her body automatically absorbed and refined the surrounding black chill.
Thus, Lü Dandan led Ye Yunfei deep into this Great Space Abyss.
After travelling an unknown distance, an expansive black lake abruptly appeared before them, so vast its shores were nowhere in sight.
Ye Yunfei tried to use his Soul Power to sense this lake, but was immediately shocked to discover his Soul Power was being interfered with here. The range he could perceive was vastly narrower than in the outside world.
"This is the true Dark Dragon Pool. Now we must enter its waters. The habitat of the Poison Dragon Crocodiles is at the bottom of this dark lake," Lü Dandan said to Ye Yunfei, pointing at the vast black lake before them.
"Miss Lü, have you entered the Dark Dragon Pool before?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"Of course I have," Lü Dandan replied. "However, I did not venture deep into the Dark Dragon Pool. Previously, some Elders of our Dark Faction were attempting to break through to the Sovereign God realm. I personally brought them into this Dark Dragon Pool to guard their cultivation session, allowing them to cultivate within its waters. Legend has it the lake water here is formed from pure Dark Energy and Laws condensed over vast eons. For members of our Dark Faction, it offers tremendous aid."
"Let's go in," Lü Dandan said, then stepped into the black lake ahead.
Splash, splash...
The ink-black lake water seemed to sense her presence, automatically parting to either side to create a path.
Ye Yunfei noticed the black heart within Lü Dandan's body immediately rose to the surface, emitting streams of profound runic symbols that coiled around her figure.
"This is indeed Dark Faction territory. After refining the Dark Heart and becoming the Dark Faction's leader, wherever Miss Lü goes within their domains, even a lake must show her respect," Hun Lao remarked with a smile.
"Indeed, this Dark Dragon Pool harbors hidden danger. If other beings were to come here and step into its waters, they would certainly face numerous perils. But when Miss Lü arrives, all such dangers proactively retreat," Ye Yunfei nodded, glancing at the pitch-black water around them, aware this lake was highly dangerous.
At a distance from the two, some dark shadows drifted to and fro, faintly visible, emitting terrifying killing intent. Clearly, numerous living creatures lurked within this lake. Beings that could survive here were undoubtedly Dark-type creatures.
"Many Dark-type creatures do live here because the Dark Dragon Pool contains extremely high-level Dark Energy and Laws of Darkness, making it very suitable for their cultivation," Lü Dandan said, seeing Ye Yunfei constantly observing the black water around them.
"This must be a sacred site of your Dark Faction," Ye Yunfei commented.
"Indeed, it is a sacred site of our Dark Faction. Generally, only some of our core, high-ranking members can freely come and go. Also, only members with exceptional talent or those who have made significant contributions and rendered great service to the Dark Faction are permitted to enter and cultivate here for a period. The high-level Dark Energy and Laws of Darkness present here are tremendously useful for our faction's members. Cultivating here can lead to a massive leap in strength within a short timeframe," Lü Dandan answered.
By now, Lü Dandan was guiding Ye Yunfei deeper down towards the lakebed. Wherever she passed, the jet-black lake water automatically gave way, forming a path, allowing Lü Dandan and Ye Yunfei to descend unimpeded towards the depths.
"What's that? It looks like Dark-type medicinal herbs!" Ye Yunfei suddenly exclaimed, spotting some black aquatic weeds floating not far from them. As a Sovereign God-level alchemist, Ye Yunfei instantly recognized these weeds as a type of highly advanced medicinal material.
"Those are medicinal herbs that grow within the Dark Dragon Pool. You may pick some if you wish," Lü Dandan said to Ye Yunfei. After speaking, she pointed a finger forward, and the lake water instantly parted before them.
Ye Yunfei walked forward, soon arriving before those weeds. Upon sensing them, he confirmed they were indeed a very high-grade type of medicinal herb. Such Dark-type herbs were extremely rare in the outside world—one could say that even having money wouldn't guarantee their purchase.
Ye Yunfei immediately harvested a number of the black weeds. Then Lü Dandan and Ye Yunfei continued their descent towards the lakebed.
During the descent, Ye Yunfei continually spotted various medicinal herbs growing in the water—all of them, of course, Dark-type herbs—and unceremoniously harvested some of every kind he encountered.
"What is that?" Ye Yunfei suddenly exclaimed, seeing dozens of pitch-black infants floating in the nearby water. Their features resembled those of newborn human babies, yet their bodies were utterly ink-black, each about the size of a gourd. The dozen or so black infants bobbed up and down in the black water, blending seamlessly into it; only someone with powerful Soul Power like Ye Yunfei would notice them at a glance.
"Those should be Dark Infant Fruits. A type of special fruit that grows in water," Lü Dandan said, also showing a surprised expression upon seeing the jet-black infants.
"These Dark Infant Fruits are a specialty of the Dark Dragon Pool. They rarely appear, so one seldom has a chance to see them while inside. I never thought we would encounter them," Lü Dandan explained.
"I see it now. Miss Lü, look at the posture of those Dark Infant Fruits. They all seem to be slightly bowing their heads towards your position. I feel they are paying homage to the Dark Heart within you," Ye Yunfei said after observing the black infants for a moment.
"You're right. They do indeed seem to be paying homage to me... or rather, to the Dark Heart within me," Lü Dandan agreed after examining the Dark Infant Fruits, finding it exactly as Ye Yunfei had said.
"Could these Dark Infant Fruits have gained self-awareness? If so, they would essentially be living beings," Ye Yunfei pondered.
"No, these Dark Infant Fruits are a type of Dark-type medicinal herb, albeit an exceptionally rare and precious one. If you want some, take one or two. After all, you are a great benefactor to our Dark Faction, having contributed immensely, and are deserving of Dark Infant Fruits," Lü Dandan said after thinking for a moment. She did not voice another reason—that of her personal bond with Ye Yunfei.
"In that case, I won't be polite," Ye Yunfei replied and immediately walked towards the Dark Infant Fruits.
Lü Dandan pointed, and the ink-black water automatically parted, clearing a path.
Ye Yunfei walked up to the Dark Infant Fruits and reached out, grasping two of them.
"I imagine these Dark Infant Fruits wouldn't normally be so easily caught. But with Miss Lü—the Lady of Darkness—here, and her Dark Heart suppressing them, you managed it so smoothly," Hun Lao speculated via Sound Transmission.
"Makes sense," Ye Yunfei nodded, then reached out and grabbed two more Dark Infant Fruits.
"Four is enough," Ye Yunfei said. After seizing four, he did not touch the others. After sealing three of them and storing them away, he followed Lü Dandan as they continued their descent.
Splash, splash...
At a certain depth, the surrounding pitch-black water suddenly began to roil violently.
"Something seems to be approaching. Be careful," Hun Lao's voice immediately warned.
No sooner had Hun Lao spoken than shadows of various shapes and sizes began to appear within the surrounding waters. Some were as huge as mountain peaks, others as slender as a finger.
"These are all Dark-type creatures that dwell within the Dark Dragon Pool," Hun Lao transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Indeed, they are all Dark-type creatures," Ye Yunfei nodded, seeing each shadow emanating dense Dark Energy.
Soon, vast numbers of Dark-type creatures filled the waters around Ye Yunfei and Lü Dandan, each exuding a thick aura of Dark Energy.
Ye Yunfei noticed that among them were several black flood dragons emanating billowing, frigid auras.
"Miss Lü, these fellows seem to be sizing you up," Ye Yunfei observed. He noticed some of the Dark-type creatures glaring at Lü Dandan with deeply cold, bestial eyes, examining her up and down.
"No need to worry. With the Dark Heart here, they won't dare act rashly. The Dark Heart can suppress all Dark-type creatures," Lü Dandan told Ye Yunfei.
Even so, both Lü Dandan and Ye Yunfei prepared themselves to act at any moment.
The surrounding horde of Dark-type creatures hovered motionless in the ink-black water, observing Lü Dandan. These beings seemed to ignore Ye Yunfei, who, on the surface, still emitted the aura of a Heavenly God—a level they likely deemed insignificant. Thus, they focused their primary attention on Lü Dandan.
A dull roar echoed. Lü Dandan activated the Dark Heart within her. A black heart slowly materialized before her, releasing vast waves of Dark Energy along with great chains of dark cosmic laws. These law-chains writhed and clinked around Lü Dandan like living serpents of shadow.
Seeing the Dark Heart manifest, the numerous Dark-type creatures in the surrounding waters all simultaneously retreated some distance, but continued to appraise Lü Dandan.
Particularly the few black flood dragons radiated intimidating auras, seemingly somewhat defiant towards Lü Dandan.
"Although I possess the Dark Heart, the time since I obtained it has been relatively short. Our fusion is not yet perfect. Thus, these Dark-type creatures in the Dark Dragon Pool might not yet fully accept me," Lü Dandan explained to Ye Yunfei. "They came to pay homage to the Dark Heart, but seeing it within me, they grew doubtful. Some even contemplated attempting to seize the Dark Heart from me earlier."
"So that's how it is," Ye Yunfei said, realization dawning on his face.