Nie Yan obtained an eighth-tier crystal core for the first time. Previously, the highest tier he had ever acquired was only a fourth-tier crystal core, and this one was neutral, meaning it could be consumed by any creature.
After removing the dragon crystal, the golden dragon finally perished completely.
After acquiring the eighth-tier crystal core, Nie Yan watched as the dark-winged dragon released its grip, and the golden dragon’s corpse rapidly plummeted downward.
Nie Yan extended his left hand and shot out a strand of spider silk, sticking it onto the dark-winged dragon. He flipped himself onto the dragon’s back.
The dark-winged dragon swiftly flew away carrying him.
In the sky, the scent of blood quickly spread. Several large flying creatures rapidly approached, one of which was the ninth-tier golden eagle from earlier. As Nie Yan saw the large flying creatures closing in, he felt anxious. If things continued this way, the dark-winged dragon would surely be killed by those creatures. He chanted a spell, and moments later, the dark-winged dragon suddenly vanished, being recalled back into his pet space.
Nie Yan leaped forward and landed on the rocky wall of the World Heart Fortress. The large flying creatures missed their target and circled around briefly, failing to spot Nie Yan hidden among the vines. They then dove downward toward where the golden dragon had fallen.
After watching the large flying creatures fly away, Nie Yan cautiously emerged from the vines, exhaling in relief. He then made his way toward the entrance of the World Heart Fortress.
Nie Yan crawled swiftly along the rock wall like a gecko, his limbs sticking tightly to the surface. After more than two minutes, the entrance to the World Heart Fortress was finally within close range.
Nie Yan jumped up and stood firmly at the entrance. Looking inside, he saw that the interior of the World Heart Fortress was a vast space. The ceiling was about fifty to sixty yards above where he stood. Standing within this immense space, Nie Yan felt his own insignificance, as though he had entered an ancient temple. He walked deeper into the World Heart Fortress. The surroundings were dark and silent, with not a sound except for the echo of his footsteps extending endlessly into the distance.
Thanks to his darkvision, Nie Yan could see an area within a radius of about fifty yards. The ground was flat and completely empty. He continued walking forward in the darkness for about thirty minutes before a massive spherical crystal came into view in the distance.
This enormous spherical crystal was as large as a small hill. It floated more than five yards above the ground, emitting a blazing white light like a burning sun, radiating powerful energy outward. This was the legendary World Heart, from which all magical elements and divine powers were said to originate.
As Nie Yan approached, he felt a warm sensation enveloping his entire body, surrounded by a white glow. His thoughts seemed to drift to another realm, as if a voice were calling him. Compelled, Nie Yan walked closer to the World Heart.
At that moment, a crisp system notification sounded.
System: You have arrived at the Divine Realm and discovered the ancient World Heart, silently floating here for millennia, longer than any living being. Perceive its power and heed the call of the gods.
Nie Yan’s consciousness seemed to be drawn away, soaring through the universe. Countless images flashed through his mind before gradually dissolving into vast emptiness. A voice echoed in his mind. Nie Yan couldn’t understand what it was saying, but he felt that the voice was extraordinarily solemn and peaceful, purging all distractions from his heart.
Not knowing how long had passed, another system notification rang out.
System: Do you choose to accept the guidance of the gods, to become a Saint Shadow Dancer, follow divine will, and cleanse all sins from the world?
Upon receiving this notification, Nie Yan’s heart leapt. Was it already time to change classes into a Saint Shadow Dancer?
He was amazed that the class change could happen so quickly, but he was overjoyed and clicked to confirm without hesitation.
Blinding white light radiated from his body. Then, brilliant beams of light gathered on Nie Yan’s left shoulder, gradually merging together.
What was happening? Nie Yan felt a surge of surprise. He sensed a life form being born within that white light.
After a while, a tiny figure slowly emerged. Looking at it, Nie Yan saw a miniature angel. She was holy and beautiful, with bright eyes full of kindness. She wore a pure white gauze robe, her skin exquisitely delicate. A pair of white wings extended from her back, gently flapping as she floated near Nie Yan’s left shoulder, fluttering about.
Her eyes were lively and curious as they gazed at Nie Yan, as though speaking silently.
“Saint Shadow Dancer Nie Yan, I am Karenna, and I shall be your guardian angel.” Karenna flapped her wings and spoke. Her voice was melodious and enchanting, like celestial music.
“Hello, Karenna.” Nie Yan greeted Karenna, surprised at her sudden appearance.
Nie Yan recalled that in his previous life, after the player Xiaoran wasn’t for me transformed into a Saint Shadow Dancer, he indeed had a guardian angel like this, though Nie Yan wasn’t sure what effects this guardian angel would provide.
Nie Yan checked his status and found that his title had changed from the previous “Grand Thief” to “Saint Shadow Dancer.”
He examined the Saint Shadow Dancer’s bonuses and found three powerful passive skills. The first was Holy Healing, increasing the health regeneration speed of himself and all nearby teammates by 300%. The second was Resurrection, granting a single revival upon death with a cooldown of two full days. The third passive skill was Evasion, which could be upgraded. At level one, it provided a 20% chance to dodge attacks, meaning Nie Yan could evade two out of every ten attacks. The maximum evasion rate could be increased to 50%.
These three skills significantly enhanced Nie Yan’s combat capabilities.
The Saint Shadow Dancer class also granted a 30% boost to all attributes. Additionally, as the first player to become a Shadow Dancer, Nie Yan could visit the Thieves’ Guild to claim extra rewards.
Beyond these enhancements, Nie Yan noticed that his Saint Shadow Dancer quest had not concluded. Only about 30% of the Saint Shadow Dancer’s abilities had been unlocked, and new tasks had appeared in his quest log.
Quest Progress 5: The undead and demon-blooded of the underworld are stirring once again. Those accursed beings have never ceased their desire to destroy humanity. Go and speak with Archangel Tyrode.
Seeing this fifth quest progress, Nie Yan was somewhat surprised. It was actually instructing him to seek out Archangel Tyrode. In the Glireland Empire, Archangel Tyrode was a being nearly regarded as a god. It seemed the subsequent quests for the Saint Shadow Dancer were truly extraordinary, involving the undead and demon-blooded from the underworld. Could this be a pivotal main quest that would influence the course of history?
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