The pit was vast, and it had been created by the stone giant’s fists, with parts of its bottom completely invisible from above.
Ning Beichen had to descend into the pit to ascertain if the two individuals were dead.
However, before going down, Ning Beichen made all necessary preparations.
Only after confirming the stone giant was nowhere to be seen did Ning Beichen slide into the deep pit.
One could only comprehend the terrifying power of the stone giant by witnessing this pit firsthand. People often spoke of destroying heavens and earth, but that was merely a metaphor.
It was this punch-crater, carved by the stone giant’s fist, that truly showed Ning Beichen what "destroying earth" meant.
Soon, Ning Beichen reached the bottom of the punch-crater and saw a corpse reduced to a bloody pulp, making Ning Beichen’s eyelids twitch uncontrollably.
Had he and Luo Yingying been hit by the stone giant, they too would have tragically become a smear of flesh.
However, there was only one corpse in the pit, suggesting the other person had escaped death.
Ning Beichen rummaged through the pulp and retrieved a storage artifact. Upon opening it, Ning Beichen's adrenaline surged.
Inside the storage artifact were at least tens of thousands of star stones. The weapons and elixirs in the corners of the artifact were completely ignored by Ning Beichen.
"Rich, I'm rich."
Ning Beichen's heart pounded like a drum. Acting like a thief, he quickly stowed away the storage artifact and immediately left the punch-crater.
However, Ning Beichen did not leave immediately. Instead, he cautiously searched the surroundings for the other person.
If the one who became pulp had tens of thousands of star stones, surely the other one wouldn't have much less.
As the saying goes, murder and arson bring golden belts; making money still relies on looting the dead.
Despite searching the vicinity, Ning Beichen could not find any trace of the other individual. He had to leave, as he dared not search openly, fearing he might alert the stone giant.
However, on Ning Beichen's way back, he unexpectedly discovered the whereabouts of the other person.
This individual was hiding in a dense forest. As Ning Beichen flew past, he happened to spot him.
And this individual also saw Ning Beichen.
When enemies meet, their eyes burn with hatred.
If it weren't for Ning Beichen, his companion wouldn't be dead.
Therefore, upon seeing Ning Beichen, his eyes turned blood-red as he charged towards Ning Beichen, disregarding his own injuries.
Although he had narrowly escaped the stone giant, he was severely wounded. He had been hiding here to heal when he saw Ning Beichen, the culprit.
How could he possibly endure the rage boiling within him?
When Ning Beichen saw this person charging at him, he was startled and his first instinct was to flee.
But Ning Beichen quickly regained his composure. He was alone, and the other person was heavily injured. What was there to fear?
So, Ning Beichen, who had been preparing to escape, turned back.
He unleashed three dimensional attacks before finishing the individual off with a move called "Songshan Sword Art."
"That's it?"
"Trash!"
Ning Beichen looked at the fallen corpse with an arrogant and defiant expression, forgetting that the other person was already severely injured and at less than a fifth of their strength.
However, Ning Beichen did not forget to loot the corpse. He found the storage artifact and upon opening it, indeed found tens of thousands of star stones. Ning Beichen was so thrilled he almost kissed the corpse.
The star stones in both storage artifacts combined were at least seventy to eighty thousand. If he and Luo Yingying had to kill stone monsters to acquire such a quantity, they would be exhausted.
"Hmm, what is this?"
After examining the star stones, Ning Beichen noticed a blueprint in the storage artifact.
He took out the blueprint and unfurled it, nearly losing his eyeballs.
It was a map of a star stone mine, clearly marked. No wonder these two had so many star stones.
He had struck it rich! If these two, with their strength, could acquire so many star stones, Ning Beichen believed he and Luo Yingying were no less capable.
Ning Beichen quickly put the blueprint away. Even though no one was around, he acted like a thief.
The blueprint was too sensitive. If others discovered it, it would undoubtedly incite further bloodshed.
"Considering the two of you have provided me with a large amount of star stones, I won't leave you to be exposed to the elements."
Ning Beichen dug a hole and buried his body before returning to the lake.
Not long after, Ning Beichen heard a loud explosion. The sound came from where Luo Yingying was in seclusion.
Ning Beichen immediately rushed over, seeing a powerful aura emanating from outside Luo Yingying's seclusion area, filling Ning Beichen with both excitement and worry.
He prayed that nothing would go wrong.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Luo Yingying emerged from her seclusion, her expression excited, which suggested good news.
"Did you succeed?"
Ning Beichen hurried over and asked her expectantly.
Luo Yingying nodded and then said to Ning Beichen, "I have advanced."
"Extraordinary Realm?"
Luo Yingying nodded again.
"Excellent!"
Ning Beichen excitedly embraced her and lifted her high into the air.
"Let... let me down quickly."
Luo Yingying felt dizzy from being spun around and gently hit Ning Beichen.
"My apologies, I was too excited."
Ning Beichen put her down.
Luo Yingying's achievement of the Extraordinary Realm meant their chances of survival here had increased.
Ning Beichen then recounted all that had transpired during her seclusion, leaving Luo Yingying both worried and overjoyed.
She had never dreamed that they would suddenly possess so many star stones, along with a map to a star stone mine.
"Let's go, Ning Beichen, to the star stone mine."
Luo Yingying said with sparkling eyes.
"Don't rush. The star stone mine is far from here, and the journey will likely be fraught with danger. You've just advanced, and it's relatively safe here. Why don't you first familiarize yourself with the power of your new realm, and then we'll go."
Ning Beichen said to her.
"You're right. I was too hasty. Safety first."
Luo Yingying said calmly.
They remained at the lake, while Ning Beichen seized the opportunity to cultivate using the star stones, and Luo Yingying familiarized herself with her new realm.
Time flew by, and seven or eight days passed.
Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying finally left the lake and set off towards the star stone mine indicated on the map.
"Ning Beichen, watch your back."
Ning Beichen did not turn around. With a mere thought, the bronze ancient sword behind him flew out, unleashing a mighty strike that slew the monster behind him.
At that moment, more creatures, unknown to both Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying, emerged from the surroundings.