The apocalypse struck, and I became a druid.

Page 210

"Boss, that was really impressive! That's how it should be. We risk our lives, shed blood and sweat, so naturally we deserve the biggest share of the profits!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

"Wow, that's the mark of a true powerhouse!"

Snowcake let out a soft "whimper," its big head shaking as if in agreement.

Yu Na didn't say anything; she wasn't a talkative person to begin with.

"Those guys at the high ground outpost were just coasting along this trip. Apart from killing a few monsters, they didn't do anything useful at all."

Han Ning sneered.

"Why should they get the most for the least amount of effort?"

“That’s right, but…” Zhao Kai nodded first, then frowned.

"When that Deputy Chief Qian left just now, he made some harsh remarks. Now we've made an enemy of the Highland Outpost, which will probably displease the legendary Chief Gu."

"What's there to be afraid of? We have so many crystals. When we get back, we can distribute them to the others and absorb them together. By then, the strength of our settlement will probably be no less than that of their highland outpost."

Han Ning is very confident.

Leaving aside the terrifyingly powerful indigo orb, the black iron-grade crystal alone could theoretically help him level up at least several times.

Furthermore, he possesses the Natural Blessing, which can help his companions break through the barrier between the Great Black Stone level and the Black Iron level.

After digesting this batch of treasures, he and his ilk dared not even imagine how many Iron-level experts would be in their gathering area.

"With the boss's words, I feel relieved."

Zhao Kai had obviously thought of this scene as well, and a look of anticipation appeared on his face.

Chapter 245 Black Energy

Shortly after they left, outside the cave, there was a body of water near the mountains.

Wow~

Several fine eddies appeared on the turbulent water.

Several strangely shaped water ghosts slowly crawled ashore.

They are more slender than ordinary water ghosts, with soft, boneless limbs, dark green scales, and a snake-like head on their long necks, constantly opening and closing their gaping mouths, protruding forked tongues to sniff repeatedly in the damp mud.

"Hiss..."

Suddenly, as if they had discovered something, they raised their heads and looked in the direction of the cave.

Then, bending down and meandering forward, following the lingering scent, they entered the cave where Han Ning and the others had just stayed.

Inside the cave, these serpentine water ghosts spread out, their heads bowed, their tongues twitching rapidly as they caught the various scents that had not yet completely dissipated in the air.

Blood, sweat, residual energy, and the strange aura of those treasures.

A moment later, they raised their heads one after another, their dark green eyes turning in different directions as Han Ning, the high ground outpost, and Tie Hu left, and they let out low growls.

……

Han Ning knew nothing about the search for the water ghosts.

By then, they had returned to the settlement with a rich harvest.

When they placed the numerous packages on the ground, revealing the rare materials, weapons, armor, and an astonishing number of monster crystals that emitted various colored halos, almost everyone was dazzled by the light and gathered around.

"Hiss... Did the boss rob a dragon's treasure vault? Where did he find so many treasures?"

Everyone was amazed.

"Gumi~ Gugu gu?"

As a treasure-hunting bee, Xiao Ba is extremely sensitive to the energy fluctuations of treasures.

The moment the baby appeared, it immediately surrounded them, its eyes sparkling.

"Xiao Ba, I was just looking for you."

Han Ning poked Xiao Ba's furry belly and took out the indigo pearl inside which was sleeping a strange, fat-headed fishman.

"Gumi?"

Xiao Ba's eyes widened when he saw the indigo orb and the fish-man inside.

"follow me."

He led Xiao Ba to the Emerald Tree Spirit.

"I'm entrusting this precious pearl and the little creature inside to your care for now. If it shows any signs of waking up, remember to let me know immediately."

The spirit of the Emerald Tree is the source of the Spring of Life.

The Life Spring has a very good nourishing effect on any living organism.

Han Ning felt relatively at ease leaving the little fishmen in their care.

"Goo!" Little Eight patted his chest and promised that he would definitely take good care of things!

However, its attention was focused on the shimmering indigo pearl.

"Shh~ (Its life force fluctuations are quite peculiar~)"

The emerald tree spirit stretched out its soft, verdant branches, gently entwined the pearl, and placed it securely in the best-lit spot beside the clean water pool. Nourished by the life energy, the little creature inside the pearl slept even more soundly.

As for the large number of monster crystals, Han Ning handed them over to Zhao Kai, who had just advanced to the Black Iron level.

"Old Zhao, store these crystals in the warehouse and you will personally oversee them. Distribute them according to their contributions and cultivation progress, giving priority to the brothers who are about to break through."

Han Ning gave a brief explanation.

"Don't worry, boss, I will definitely distribute the money fairly and justly!"

He quickly patted his chest and assured them.

Then, he immediately called on his companions and began to organize the supplies.

They moved the heavy bags of crystals to the most heavily guarded storage area.

After finishing these matters, Han Ning took the nineteen black iron-grade crystals he had been allocated and returned to his secluded room where he usually meditated.

With so many crystals, it's impossible not to want to break through!

Han Ning picked up a black iron crystal brimming with energy and began to absorb it.

[Druid growth progress +1200, current Lv12 (1201/60000)]

Compared to the crystals absorbed before, the black iron-grade crystals contain not only a greater quantity of energy, but also a higher quality of energy.

However, the dark tide aura mixed within it, filled with destruction and madness, was far more violent.

Han Ning had to devote more of his mental energy to carefully suppressing and expelling the wisp of black energy while absorbing energy.

One after another, black iron crystals with different properties turned into dust in Han Ning's hands.

A vast amount of pure energy surged and converged within his meridians, ultimately being absorbed by the life bud at his heart, and then transformed into even purer natural spiritual energy, impacting his life level.

[Druid growth progress +1250, current Lv12 (2451/60000)]

[Druid growth progress +1180, current Lv12 (3631/60000)]

……

[Druid growth progress +1300, current Lv13 (101/80000)]

The moment Han Ning reached level 13, his aura expanded, his clothes fluttered without wind, and the emerald green and golden light in his pupils intertwined, becoming even more profound.

Without pausing, he picked up the next crystal.

As a large amount of energy poured in, the black tide continuously polluted Han Ning's spirit.

It even conjured up countless twisted and insane ramblings and destructive scenes in his mind.

Han Ning focused his mind and concentrated his mental energy to block out all noise and illusions.

When the tenth black iron crystal was absorbed, the surging energy finally broke through the level 14 barrier.

[Druid growth progress +1350, current Lv14 (451/100000)]

The changes become even more pronounced at level 14.

The emerald green natural spiritual energy flowing around him became increasingly viscous.

The bud of life is nourished by a massive amount of energy and continues to grow.

Han Ning absorbed the remaining 9 black iron crystals in one go.

As the last crystal turned into powder, it slipped through his fingers.

[Druid growth progress +1400, current Lv15 (1/120000)]

boom!

A surge of energy, far more powerful than when he had advanced, suddenly erupted from Han Ning's body.

A shockwave, as if it were a physical force, instantly spread throughout the cave. Zhao Kai and the others in the distance felt a sudden tightness in their chests and looked in this direction with surprise and uncertainty.

The life bud in Han Ning's heart throbbed violently at an unprecedented frequency, and a verdant glow emanated from his body.

Beside the original two tender leaves, a third, thicker leaf, with stardust and extremely faint ink-colored veins flowing through its veins, slowly sprouted and unfolded!

At the same time, the phantom of a giant tree carved from ice crystals and cold jade suddenly appeared behind him.

This strange phenomenon lasted for several breaths before slowly subsiding. Finally, the powerful energy flow, like living tentacles, slowly rotated around Han Ning's body.

Wherever it passed, the air emitted a faint hum, and even the light seemed to distort slightly.

Han Ning suddenly opened his eyes, and deep within them flashed emerald green, golden light, and a faint, dark black color.

With a slight thought, he tried to guide that wisp of dark energy to gather at his fingertips.

A thin, hair-like strand of pale black energy, with blurred edges, coiled around the fingertip as if it were alive. The surrounding light seemed to dim slightly, and the energy particles near the fingertip became unusually quiet, as if some force had forcibly calmed their restlessness.

"This energy... is so strange."

Han Ning frowned slightly. Although this wisp of energy looked black, it was not actually the aura of the Black Tide, and it contained no violent undertones.

Instead, it gives him a metallic texture—flexible, hard, and highly malleable.