Zhao Wudi, after gasping for breath in shock, realized that despite lacking a heart, he felt no different.
The only difference was that he could no longer feel his heart beating.
But other than that, there seemed to be no major issues.
He could breathe normally, circulate blood normally, and cultivate normally.
It was as if his heart had merely been relocated but was still functioning for him.
This unsettling sensation, so bizarre it could drive one mad, was truly terrifying.
"Demon! You are a demon..."
One of the nine subordinates, a young man in appearance, couldn't help but cry out first.
His face was clearly etched with abject terror.
Zhao Wudi first reprimanded him:
"Xiao San! Calm down!"
Then he looked at Lin Ran, gritting his teeth:
"Your methods are indeed heaven-defying. We are utterly impressed..."
"However, we do not know what we must do to reclaim our hearts?"
Lin Ran smiled:
"That... I will tell you later..."
"Rest for a while first, and don't resist."
"Otherwise, I cannot guarantee you won't be turned into idiots..."
As he spoke, Lin Ran's consciousness split into ten, invading their different mental worlds.
Zhao Wudi and the others were completely subdued by Lin Ran. At this moment, they naturally dared not resist and meekly had their minds controlled by Lin Ran.
Thus, they, like those researchers, fell into a deep slumber.
"Let's go! We'll go to the tenth level of the Black Dragon Abyss to see that legendary dragon corpse!"
Lin Ran's expression was one of great excitement.
Luo Qingyan looked at him with some surprise:
"But didn't Zhao Wudi just say that the teleportation array was damaged?"
"Could your Heart of Nature be able to repair teleportation arrays?"
Lin Ran shook his head:
"It cannot repair a teleportation array, of course..."
"However, by relying on the spatial coordinate locking effect of the teleportation array, I can lock onto the teleportation location of the tenth level of the Black Dragon Abyss."
"At the same time, by borrowing the residual spatial energy of the damaged teleportation array, the energy consumption of the Heart of Nature's space-time energy can be greatly reduced."
"Otherwise, the energy consumed for this round trip might be beyond our capacity."
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingyan also became excited:
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off quickly!"
"The Black Dragon corpse must be full of treasures. Let's go see it quickly!"
"Moreover, with your Divine Might Space, we might be able to take the entire dragon back!"
Lin Ran nodded and soon led Luo Qingyan further into the depths of the cave.
As for Zhao Wudi and the others, they would be left to sleep here for now.
In any case, the illusion array outside, infused with Amaterasu and Divine Might by him, would prevent any ordinary person from entering.
The two walked side by side for a while and soon found the damaged teleportation array mentioned by Zhao Wudi at the bottom of the cave.
As Guo Zhenye had said, the spatial runes on this teleportation array were severely damaged.
It was obviously impossible to teleport using its power alone.
However...
Lin Ran decisively utilized the space-time power of the Heart of Nature, directly using the spatial coordinates positioned by the teleportation platform to communicate with the other end.
After waiting for a full five minutes, Lin Ran finally revealed a satisfied smile.
"Let's go! Let's go together and see what the so-called tenth level of the Black Dragon Abyss looks like!"
As he spoke, a faint purple teleportation portal opened before the two of them.
"Go!"
Luo Qingyan was also very excited and followed behind Lin Ran into the portal.
With a journey through the space-time tunnel, the two soon arrived at a valley bottom so dark they couldn't see their fingers.
However, with Lin Ran's Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and Luo Qingyan's ability to activate her Fallen Angel form, their night vision was excellent, and they could discern the appearance of the place.
The tenth level of the Black Dragon Abyss was not as vast and boundless as its first nine levels, but rather quite small.
There was a circle of dark brown soil around the periphery, and in the center, a bottomless pond.
Beyond that, there was nothing else.
And at the bottom of this pond lay the genuine corpse of a Black Dragon!
The two of them quickly ran to the edge of the pond and gazed down at the dragon corpse.
Lin Ran could clearly sense that this dragon corpse was indeed a dead Black Dragon, and it should have perished many years ago.
However, its body was now continuously recovering its vitality, faintly showing signs of rebirth.
Luo Qingyan scooped up some water from the pool and gasped:
"This water contains pure and untainted dark energy, which is helping the dragon corpse to rebuild its life force..."
"It seems this pond is the Dark Elf race's ultimate treasure, the Fountain of Darkness!"
"Moreover, at the bottom of this pool, they have placed a vitality spring of the Fountain of Darkness, which can continuously replenish the vitality of the Fountain of Darkness..."
"This way, even if it cannot achieve true resurrection for the dragon corpse, it is enough to turn it into a mindless fighter and puppet."
"The Dark Elves have truly made a grand gesture!"
"Even if we only take back this Fountain of Darkness on this trip, it will be well worth the journey."
"Not to mention, there is also a Black Dragon corpse here!"
As Luo Qingyan spoke, her mouth began to water.
The Fountain of Darkness and the Black Dragon corpse were undoubtedly a fatal temptation to her in her Fallen Angel form.
Hearing this, Lin Ran's heart stirred:
"Then tell me, do we have a chance to snatch this Black Dragon?"
"The combat power of this dragon corpse is immeasurable."
"If it could unleash its full strength, even the tenth rank might be insufficient."
Luo Qingyan was stunned:
"Your appetite is even bigger than mine! You actually want to take over the Dark Elves' plan completely?!"
"That seems unlikely..."
"Based on my deduction, the method the Dark Elves use to control this dragon corpse is likely through a powerful mage corps jointly performing a necromancy spell."
"And the vitality injected into the dark dragon corpse beforehand also greatly reduces their magic consumption."
"Although I can also use the spell to control corpses, my magic power alone would absolutely not suffice—it consumes far too much mana."
"Furthermore, when this dragon corpse is not in use, it needs to be continuously immersed in the Fountain of Darkness."
"How is it possible to achieve all of this..."