Chen Bugu took out another Black Iron Eight-Star beast crystal and performed the "Decipher" process again.
After two experiments, it could be basically confirmed that he obtained energy from the beast crystal.
This energy was far from reaching the level of a Black Iron Eight-Star beast; in fact, it was even less than the energy provided by a seven-star beast.
The energy contained in the Black Iron Eight-Star beast crystal, after being Deciphered, had an intensity that could be directly absorbed, roughly between six-star and seven-star.
Although he didn't know how much energy was lost in this process, it was good news for Chen Bugu nonetheless.
After all, using "Decipher" only consumed a bit of his mental energy; he didn't need to invest a large amount of resources like Han Badou and the others in his previous life.
After that, Chen Bugu took out a seven-star beast crystal and ordinary black obsidian crystals for testing, and he basically figured out the pattern.
The energy intensity provided by the seven-star beast crystal correspondingly reduced to between five-star and six-star.
As for the black obsidian crystals, the energy they could provide was so little it was almost negligible.
Chen Bugu had previously killed brain worms and Black Hornets during the beast tide, and he was already close to a breakthrough; now, having absorbed two Black Iron Eight-Star beast crystals, he felt he could achieve a breakthrough within these two days.
However, during the period of weakness caused by the Burning Body Pill, he couldn't level up, so it was best to continue absorbing beast crystal energy after his strength had recovered.
After plundering Dongcheng Xiuwu's storage ring, Chen Bugu took out another trophy—the Lingguang Lock.
This equipment had blocked two Water Wood Arrows for Dongcheng Xiuwu when Jiang Sisi's "Hex Seed" was activated, which left a deep impression on Chen Bugu.
Dongcheng Xiuwu was clearly unprepared when he fell into the illusion, but the Lingguang Lock activated on its own, forming a layer of defense.
Defensive equipment with self-activation attributes sometimes meant an extra life.
Lingguang Lock: Green-grade accessory, Mental Energy Limit +30, the wearer can activate the active defense state "Aura."
Aura: When the wearer is attacked, it will actively consume one "Lingguang Imprint" to form an Aura Shield in front of them for defense. The Aura Shield can last for 5 seconds; if broken, it will automatically consume a "Lingguang Imprint" to reinforce itself. Each 50 points of mental energy consumed generates one "Lingguang Imprint," with a maximum reserve of three.
The Lingguang Lock was a jade pendant, shaped like a longevity lock from Huaguo, with a red string connected to the keyhole, allowing it to be hung on the waist or worn around the neck.
Chen Bugu thought about it and decided to wear it around his neck; after all, his parents always made him wear a jade Guanyin when he was little, so he was used to it.
The Lingguang Lock was somewhat dim at the moment, likely due to the Lingguang Imprints being depleted.
The Aura Shield generated by Dongcheng Xiuwu at the time had very strong defense, perfectly consuming those two Water Wood Arrows.
It's important to know that Water Wood Arrows are designed for breaking defenses; even so, they were blocked by the Aura Shield. He just didn't know how many Lingguang Imprints were consumed at that time.
All of this could only be confirmed through subsequent testing.
However, overall, this was an excellent defensive equipment, capable of not only enhancing resistance in frontal combat but also effectively preventing sneak attacks and assassinations.
Chen Bugu put away the Lingguang Lock with satisfaction; although he didn't manage to pick up Dongcheng Xiuwu's knife, he was still very pleased with these gains.
Now, what he needed to do was recover his strength as quickly as possible, then break through to Black Iron Eight-Star, return to Obsidian Town, and rendezvous with Bai Ting and the others.
Of course, Chen Bugu also guessed that Alek would certainly try to intercept him. If possible, he also hoped to break through to Nine Star before returning to kill Alek.
But high-level beasts were not so easy to encounter, and Bai Ting and the others were waiting, so he didn't want to delay too long in the Starting Forest.
Moreover, after experiencing the Muka Tribe's secret realm, Chen Bugu now had a different understanding of the Starting Forest; this was the Muka Tribe's territory thousands of years ago.
The Soaring Sky Tree was the original ancient tree transformed from Kefuke.
Chen Bugu recalled now that Kefuke had never mentioned that their territory was an island Floating in the air.
Why were there so many beasts in the Starting Forest?
Could all of this be the work of the "gods" again?
Chen Bugu clearly remembered that after Kefuke transformed into the original ancient tree, an unknown period of time passed before the gods descended upon this forest again.
Although he didn't see what the gods ultimately did later, at least before he left that space, there was no life in the Starting Forest yet.
If the beasts in the Starting Forest gradually evolved over a long period of time, then why do many species correspond to the beasts in the Zero Realm?
This feeling was as if someone had deliberately placed this group of beasts here.
Furthermore, the Muka Tribe lived peacefully for hundreds of years until a group of ferocious beasts suddenly invaded their world without warning...
And when the Muka Tribe was steadily losing ground, the gods just happened to appear.
Was all of this truly just a coincidence?
The more he knew, the more doubts arose.
Perhaps many secrets were still hidden at the top of the Soaring Sky Tree, but those were not something he could explore now.
Giving up on further overthinking, Chen Bugu decided to get some good rest.
Since he first saw Old Liu's stone tablet, he hadn't closed his eyes.
After personally killing Dongcheng Xiuwu, as his fatigued nerves finally relaxed, sleepiness surged over him.
He used his last bit of mental energy to generate a "Lingguang Imprint," then gave "Amon" guarding instructions, and leaned against a large tree, closing his eyes.
"Amon" received the command, transformed back into the size of a small dog, and consciously stood guard beside Chen Bugu, observing its surroundings with its two large eyes.
That night, Chen Bugu had a long-awaited dream.
He dreamed that he was sitting on the 64 road bus, and the bus slowly drove out of the Yu Tan Tunnel.
He got off the bus from the front door on a whim, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, he heard someone call him.
He looked back and saw Old Liu sitting in the driver's seat, smiling and waving at him.
Then, the bus door closed, and Old Liu drove the 64 road bus far away...
Chen Bugu stood dazed in place, hearing the murmuring voices of others behind him.
He turned his head and saw a group of people standing not far behind him, as if waiting for a bus, but everyone was looking at him, saying strange things.
"It's better not to meddle."
"But what if he also escaped?"
"Is it a summoner? That beast seems to be protecting him."
Chen Bugu lowered his head and saw "Amon" standing between him and the group of people. It was very alert, its black and gray hard ice on its back bristling.
"Wait, that person looks a bit familiar."
"Mr. Chen! Mr. Chen!"
Chen Bugu heard someone calling him not far away, but he couldn't see the person's face clearly, only felt the voice was somewhat familiar.
"Mr. Chen, wake up!"
Chen Bugu suddenly opened his eyes.